Chapter 11
Mid-August…
"Jezzy, do you know where Ginny is?" Draco asked the house-elf curiously.
"I believe Mistress is in the garden with Master Snape, young Master," Jezzybelle replied as she made the bed in Ginny and Draco's room. For her Mistress' sake, Jezzybelle refrained from using magic inside her rooms.
"Thank you Jezzy," Draco said before turning and making his way out of the room and out towards the gardens. As Draco entered the garden he heard voices that could only be Severus and Ginny.
"Are you sure you really want to do this?" Severus asked in concern.
"Yes Professor, I'm sure," replied Ginny quietly.
"Hello Professor," Draco greeted as he rounded the corner into the little alcove Ginny and Severus were sitting in. "Ginny are you alright?" he asked in concern when he noticed Ginny's tears.
"I'm fine Draco," Ginny said quickly wiping away her tears.
"Well, I will leave you two be, Ginny, Draco," Severus nodded to them both before rising.
"Ginny if something's wrong, you can tell me, you know that right?" Draco asked as he sat down on the bench next to Ginny and took her hand in his.
"I do," replied Ginny quietly.
"Then talk to me Ginny, please," Draco pleaded, giving her hand a squeeze. "You've been so distant lately. I'm beginning to think I've done something."
"You haven't done anything Draco," replied Ginny, still not looking at him. "In fact the past five months have been so much more than I ever expected. You are an amazing lover Draco and you've given me so much…"
"Why do I get the feeling there is a but in there somewhere," commented Draco cynically as Ginny rose from her spot next to him.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately Draco and…"
"And what Ginny?" pressed Draco as he stood up and turned Ginny to face him.
"I'm sorry Draco, but I want you to leave," Ginny said.
"What do you mean you want me to leave?" asked Draco in confusion.
"I want you to take off your necklace and walk out of here. I want you to go home Draco. Return to your family. Return to your life," Ginny told him as she tried to hold her tears back.
"But this is my life Ginny. Here, with you," Draco argued.
"No Draco, it's not. This is my life, my fate, not yours," Ginny countered as she removed her wedding ring and the diamond engagement ring Draco had given her for her birthday days before. "Tom has what he wants, the contract between us is no longer necessary. You'll be free within a week," she said, losing the battle with her tears as she turned and started making her way from the gardens.
"Ginny wait!" Draco called chasing after her, catching her by the shoulder and turning her around. "You can't…" he trailed of as a siren sounded throughout the grounds, a siren that sounded all too familiar.
"Oh Gods Draco, you don't…don't think that…" Ginny trailed off when she realized what the siren signified.
"Come on," Draco said taking Ginny by the hand as they ran as quickly as they could back up to the house.
"Both of you, get to your room quickly and stay there," Nott ordered the minute he saw Ginny and Draco enter the house.
Without a word, Draco quickly led Ginny up to their room, the door locking behind them, causing Ginny to spin around in panic.
"It's okay Ginny," Draco said in reassurance. "It's for our protection, nothing more. Come here," he said, holding his hand out to her for her to take once more. He led her over to the couch by the fireplace where he sat down and stretched out before pulling Ginny down on top of him and holding her close as the battle raged on in another part of the house.
Ginny and Draco had no idea how long the battle lasted, having fallen asleep in each other's arms. Neither one noticed the shudder that ran through the house when Harry finally succeeded in destroying the Dark Lord, nor did they notice when the necklaces they were wearing disintegrated around their necks. It was not until they heard crashing and banging nearby that they finally woke up.
"Draco?" Ginny called nervously as she tried to wake him up when she heard banging on the door. "Draco please wake up."
"Ginny what is it?" asked Draco worriedly as he opened his eyes, only to hear a crash at the door. "Get up," he instructed as they got off the couch. "Stay behind me," he told her as he stepped between Ginny and the door moments before it shattered. "Father? Professor?" he asked in disbelief as Lucius and Severus entered the room.
"Come, we're leaving," ordered Lucius, taking Draco by the arm and pulling him off balance enough he stepped away from Ginny's hand on his arm, before activating the portkey in his hand, whisking him and Draco from the room.
"Professor, what's going on? Where did they go?" asked Ginny as Severus picked her up.
"Potter's finally killed Lord Voldemort," Severus said as he made his way from the room quickly. "The house is now crumbling around us so we have to get you out of here quickly. Lord Malfoy and his son will meet us at Hogwarts," he explained as they entered what appeared to be a study on the main floor. Severus set Ginny down before running to the fireplace. He quickly lit a fire and threw in some Floo powder. "Miss Weasley, quickly," he said holding out his hand.
Ginny hurried over to Severus and was quickly pulled into the fire before they disappeared into the Floo Network as Riddle House crumbled behind them.
As soon as their feet hit the ground of the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks, Severus once again had Ginny in his arms as he made his way up to the castle as quickly as possible, taking her to the Hospital Wing immediately. Once Ginny was in Poppy's expert hands Severus turned to Albus, who had been in the wing awaiting their return.
"Mr. Potter was successful I see," Albus observed as he watched the medi-witch examine Ginny.
"He was Albus. Lord Voldemort is dead. Truly dead this time," Severus said as he showed Albus his now bare forearm, the Dark Mark having disappeared with the Dark Lord's death. "Where are Lord Malfoy and his son?" he asked curiously when he did not see them anywhere in the Hospital Wing.
"I'm afraid they never showed up Severus," replied Albus quietly. "It is as I feared. That Lord Malfoy's denouncement of his ways extended only so far as separating his son from Miss Weasley."
"I had hoped that Lord Malfoy had come to accept his son's decision to stay with Miss Weasley and leave the children alone, especially given Miss Weasley's current condition," commented Severus.
"Yes, about the child Severus," Albus began.
"What about it?" asked Severus in confusion.
"She's keeping it," came a voice from behind them.
"What are you doing here Harry? Why aren't you resting in your rooms like Madam Pomfrey told you to?" questioned Albus.
Harry had been lucky and had escaped the battle with nothing more than a few cuts and bruises. "I saw Professor Snape return with Ginny and came to see her," Harry said. "I'm not going to let you take her child away from her Professor," Harry told him, determination written all over him.
"Harry this is Voldemort's heir we are talking about here," Albus tried reasoning.
"Professor Snape," Harry began turning towards the Potions Master. "When you first told us that Voldemort had Ginny, you said that we had nine months to kill Voldemort. That it had to be done before the ritual could take place. So I'm guessing that whatever ritual Voldemort intended to use to claim the child as his heir would take place after the child was born."
"Yes," Severus agreed. "Lord Voldemort intended to perform the ritual within minutes of the child's birth, in order for the ritual to have the strongest effect."
"Then the child Ginny carries is her child. Hers and Draco's. That child is Malfoy's heir, not Voldemort's," Harry stated matter-of-factly, turning back to Albus. "If you take that child from her now, you're no better than Voldemort. Ginny has lost Draco because of his father but I'm not about to stand by and watch as you take away her child as well," he finished before walking over to Ginny's bed just as Poppy was finishing her exam.
"He's not coming is he?" Ginny asked quietly as Harry sad down on the bed next to her.
"I'm sorry Gin," Harry said wrapping his arms around her as she started to cry.
"My baby?" questioned Ginny through her tears as she clung to Harry.
"Your baby's safe Gin. I'm not going to let anyone take it from you," Harry reassured her as he kissed the top of her head.
"I don't like this Severus," grumbled Albus. "That child…"
"Is Miss Weasley's," Severus interrupted. "Potter is right. He killed Lord Voldemort before the ritual could be performed. The child has no ties whatsoever to Lord Voldemort. Lord Malfoy has seen fit to deprive Miss Weasley of his son. Do not sink to his level and deny the girl her child Headmaster," Severus said before turning and making his way from the Hospital Wing.
A few minutes after Severus had left, Albus made his way over to the bed Harry and Ginny were on. "Miss Weasley," he greeted. "Madam Pomfrey tells me that you are in perfect health, both you and your baby."
"Professor, you're not…"
"Do not worry Miss Weasley," Albus interrupted, holding up a hand to stop Ginny saying anything further. "Harry has made it very clear that the child you carry is not connected to Lord Voldemort and so I see no reason to take it from you."
"Thank you Professor," Ginny said quietly.
"You're quite welcome Miss Weasley," replied Albus kindly. "Since you are in perfect health Madam Pomfrey sees no reason for you to remain here."
"You're sending me home Professor?" asked Ginny worriedly, not sure how her parents would react to her being home, never mind how they might react when they found out she was pregnant.
"Heaven's no child," smiled Albus. "I see no reason to send you home since classes begin in little over a week. No you will be staying here. I just have to figure out where to put you."
"Where to put me?" asked Ginny in confusion.
"Yes child," replied Albus. "You see Gryffindor Tower seals itself over the summer. It won't be accessible until September 1st and unfortunately your room in Professor McGonagall's chambers disappeared the minute you crossed the wards…"
"That wasn't my fault Professor, you have to believe me," interrupted Ginny desperately.
"Calm down Miss Weasley. Your brother Ronald told us what happened that day," Albus said.
"Oh."
"Professor?"
"Yes Harry," Albus said turning his attention to the young man at Ginny's side.
"What about my rooms Sir? Can't we add a second bedroom to them?" wondered Harry curiously.
"I don't see why not," admitted Albus as he stroked his beard. "I think it would do Miss Weasley good to have you nearby. It's settled then. Miss Weasley a room will be added to Harry's rooms for you. Feel free to leave the Hospital Wing whenever you wish. The room will be ready for you when you arrive," Albus told them before turning and starting to make his way from the Wing, only to stop after a few steps and turn back to face them. "Oh and one more thing Miss Weasley, you'll find a surprise waiting for you when you arrive," he said rather cryptically, his eyes twinkling merrily, before leaving the Wing completely.
"A surprise? What kind of surprise is he talking about?" wondered Ginny in confusion turning to look at Harry.
"Only one way to find out," Harry said holding out his hand. "Come on; let's go see what this surprise is."
Ginny took Harry's hand, letting him help her from the bed before leading her from the Hospital Wing. They made their way from the Hospital Wing up to Harry's rooms which were not that far down the hall from Gryffindor Tower. They were not prepared for what they found in Harry's sitting room when the door opened.
"Dobby?" asked Harry in confusion.
"Jezzy?" asked Ginny in confusion at the same time, as they interrupted the bickering house-elves.
"Harry Potter Sir, Harry Potter Sir," Dobby shrieked as he raced over towards Harry and Ginny, Ginny backing away instinctively.
"Stay away from her," ordered Jezzybelle, having seen Ginny's reaction. "Stay away from my Mistress. Jezzy only elf to be near Mistress," she snapped stepping between Ginny and the others.
"This is Harry Potter's rooms," argued Dobby stalking towards Jezzybelle and Ginny. "Only Dobby clean here."
"Keep your distance," ordered Jezzybelle, causing Harry to grab Dobby by the shoulder to prevent him from getting any closer to Ginny.
"Dobby, why don't you come over here and tell me what's going on," Harry suggested as he dragged the struggling Dobby to the opposite side of the room, as far away from Ginny as he could get without actually leaving the room.
"Headmaster Dumbledore tell Dobby to prepare the extra room in Harry Potter's rooms for his guest. Dobby came to do just that and find that elf in here doing what Headmaster Dumbledore tell Dobby to do," Dobby explained with a huff.
"Jezzy, what's going on? What are you doing here? How did you get here?" asked Ginny in confusion on the other side of the room.
"Jezzy was looking after her Mistress by getting her room ready when that elf arrived and tried to throw Jezzy out," Jezzybelle said angrily.
"But Jezzy why are you here? How are you here?" repeated Ginny.
"My Lord tell Jezzy that you is Jezzy's new Mistress and that Jezzy is to watch over her Mistress no matter what so when sirens started Jezzy went to Mistress' room to make sure Mistress was safe. When Jezzy saw Master Snape take Mistress from her room, Jezzy followed," Jezzybelle explained a hint of worry in her voice. "Did Jezzy do something wrong Mistress?"
"No Jezzy, you did nothing wrong," Ginny reassured the elf. "I'm glad you're here," she said earning a smile from the elf. "Harry, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," Harry said, before turning back to Dobby. "Dobby, do not move from this spot," he ordered before walking over to Ginny, who pulled him out into the hall.
"Harry, Jezzy's mine. Tom gave her to me with orders to look after me. It's not her fault. She's only doing what she's supposed to, which is to watch over me and make sure nothing happens to me or my baby. Also…Harry, she's the only elf I trust enough to let anywhere near me," Ginny explained, a hint of worry and panic in her voice.
"It's okay Gin," Harry soothed as he pulled Ginny into his arms, kissing her forehead in the process. "I'm not about to send her away or give her clothes. She's very protective of you, which is good because I know she'll be there for you when I can't. Besides Gin, she belongs to you; I'm not going to interfere with that. Hermione might have something to say so be prepared to hear all about S.P.E.W. when she finds out," he chuckled. "Dobby's just going to have to accept the fact that Jezzy will be taking care of you while you're sharing rooms with me."
"Thank you," Ginny replied quietly, her voice slightly muffled by Harry's shoulder.
"What do you say we head back in and make sure Dobby and Jezzy are behaving themselves," Harry suggested stepping back, taking Ginny by the hand before leading her back into his sitting room, where Jezzybelle and Dobby were still on opposite sides of the room glaring at each other. "Now then," Harry began, getting the elves attention. "Dobby," he said turning to the elf in question. "Jezzy belongs to Ginny, who has no intention of setting her free. Jezzy was given to Ginny to watch over her and make sure she is well cared for and Jezzy will continue to do so. Jezzy is the only elf allowed to enter Ginny's room and you will have to share the responsibility of cleaning this room. If you can't then Jezzy will be the only elf allowed in these rooms."
"But Harry Potter Sir," spluttered Dobby.
"No buts Dobby," Harry snapped in annoyance. "That is the way it's going to be, for Ginny's sake and you are not to approach Ginny in any way, is that understood?"
"Yes Sir, Harry Potter Sir," replied Dobby sulkily before disappearing with a pop.
"Jezzy sorry Mistress…"
"Don't apologize Jezzy," Ginny instructed, turning to face the only elf still in the room. "You were only doing what Tom told you to do. Why don't you go finish setting up my room?" she suggested.
"Yes Mistress," Jezzybelle replied before she too disappeared with a pop, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the room.
"So…these are you rooms then," Ginny mused as she strolled around the room, taking in the very non-Gryffindor décor. "The colours suit you," she commented, referring to the cream and royal blue colour scheme.
"Thanks," Harry said as he sat down on the couch and watched Ginny wander around the room.
"Why are you here Harry?" Ginny asked suddenly after being quiet for a few minutes.
"Excuse me?" asked Harry in confusion.
"Why are you here" Ginny repeated turning to face Harry, leaning back against the window ledge. "At Hogwarts I mean," she clarified. "I know you're life with your Aunt and Uncle was not something you were ever planning on returning to but what about Grimmauld Place? I overheard my parents say that Sirius left it to you in his will. Or even Godric's Hollow. I thought you'd be wanting to rebuild your family home."
"Hogwarts has always been home to me," Harry shrugged. "I've never really cared for Grimmauld Place and with Sirius gone…As for Godric's Hollow, maybe in a few years I'll rebuild my parents' house but for now, this is home. Besides if I'm going to be teaching here, it makes sense that I should live in the castle," he laughed.
"Teaching?" asked Ginny in confusion, not quite sure she had heard him right. "You're going to be a professor?"
"Is that so hard to believe?" Harry countered quietly, his gaze dropping to where his hand was playing with a thread on one of the couch pillows.
"No Harry, it's not," Ginny said sitting down on the other end of the couch facing him. "I think you'll make a wonderful professor," she reassured him as she took his hand. "I remember when you taught the DA. I loved watching you teach. You were so patient and you always helped us figure out what we were doing wrong. I saw what you did for Neville that year Harry. You helped him in ways that no other professor ever could…or would."
"Thanks Gin," Harry said reaching over and cupping Ginny's face with his hand while his thumb caressed her cheek.
"I'm sorry Harry but…" Ginny trailed off as she put her hand over his.
"I know Gin," Harry said quietly before a faint tapping could be heard.
"Did you hear that?" Ginny asked as Harry rose from the couch and walked over to the window, opening it and allowing the rather annoyed looking owl in. The owl immediately flew over to Ginny, landing on the back of the couch beside her and staying only long enough for her to remove the parchment from its leg.
"Gin?" Harry called in concern after a few minutes when Ginny remained silent. "Gin is everything alright?" he asked walking over to her.
"It's over," Ginny said flatly handing the parchment to Harry. "Oh Gods, it's really over," she cried, dropping her face into her hands as her body was wracked by sobs.
"Oh Gin, I'm so sorry," Harry said sitting down beside her and pulling her into his arms, still holding the parchment in his hand, the parchment informing Ginny of end of her marriage.
As August turned to September and September turned to October, Ginny slowly came to terms with the end of her marriage to Draco. She had always known that Lucius hated her, but the fact that he had had the marriage annulled showed her just how much he despised her. The annulment meant that, in the eyes of the Gods and the Ministry of Magic, her marriage to Draco never existed. She had no claim to him in any way, not even as his ex-wife, which meant that her child held no claim either, unless Draco chose to claim the child as his and Ginny knew that Lucius would never allow that to happen.
The reaction of her classmates and the rest of the student body to her return had been mixed at best. Even her best friend Meaghan was distant. Of course the fact that she was now living in the Head Girl's room in Gryffindor Tower might have something to do with it.
As the days and weeks passed, Ginny noticed that she never seemed to receive any mail, from anyone. Her parents never wrote her. Occasionally she would receive something from Hermione but not all that often. Even her mystery letter writer was not sending her any letters, which Meaghan took great pleasure in. Needless to say Ginny was quite surprised Halloween morning when two different owls showed up at Breakfast, both carrying letters addressed to her. She recognized one owl immediately but told herself not to get her hopes up as she removed the letters, the one owl hopping onto her shoulder as she rose from the Gryffindor Table and made her way up to her room. Once safely tucked away in her room in Gryffindor Tower, Ginny carefully climbed onto her bed while the owl mode itself comfortable on the window ledge. With trembling fingers Ginny carefully opened the first letter.
My Dearest Fireling,
As she read those first three words, a huge smile spread across her lips.
I wanted to apologize for not writing sooner Fireling, but when I heard you had been captured; I felt it best for your safety if I did not try to write. I know that you have been free from Lord Voldemort for sometime now but I though you might need time to adjust to everything and did not wish to pester you with ramblings. I would like to continue writing to you once more Fireling, but I will leave that decision up to you. If you do not wish for me to continue writing to you, send a note back with Orion, my owl. If you send him back with no message, I will assume you wish my continued correspondence and I will gladly continue to send you letters. I will end this note here and allow you to make your decision in peace.
With Love,
Your Humble Dragon Keeper
As soon as Ginny finished reading the letter, she carefully climbed off her bed and walked over to the window Orion was sitting in. "Well Orion," Ginny said opening the window. "Return to your master and let him know that I eagerly await his next letter."
With a soft hoot Orion took flight out the window.
After watching the owl disappear in the distance, Ginny turned back to her bed and the other letter waiting for her there. Carefully she climbed back on the bed and picked up the second letter. There was no writing on the envelope to tell her who it was from, although the seal used to close it did give her hope. Her hopes were dashed however when she pulled the letter from the envelope and recognized the handwriting as belonging to Lucius and not Draco as she had hoped.
Ginevra,
One final reminder of your place.
Lord Malfoy.
As soon as Ginny read the last word of the short note, the parchment disintegrated in her hands, turning into a puff of smoke in the process, causing her to cough and splutter as she accidentally inhaled it.
Ginny breathed a sigh of relief when she looked around her room and realized that Blinky was nowhere to be found. She knew though that just because the house-elf was not immediately present that he would now show up at some point soon with no warning. With a groan, Ginny climbed back off her bed and picked up her school books, making sure the glamour used to hide her tummy was still in place before heading out for her first class of the day.
As the day progressed, Ginny pushed all thoughts of Lucius' note to the back of her mind and began to relax as each hour passed with no sign of Blinky. It was during her final class of the day that it happened, causing Ginny to drop her knife and grab onto the table for support as a sharp pain tore through her abdomen.
"Are you okay?" asked Colin, leaning over and whispering so as not to draw Severus' attention.
"I'm fine Colin," Ginny replied as she picked her knife back up and continued dicing the caterpillars in front of her.
"If you're sure," Colin commented, not convinced in the slightest.
"I'm sure Colin," Ginny reassured as she continued her dicing.
"GINNY!" cried Colin as she fell to her knees beside him a few minutes later as she cried out in pain. "Professor come quick!"
Severus was already on his way over when Colin called out to him, having heard Ginny's cry. "Miss Weasley," he said worriedly as he knelt next to Ginny, his hand on her shoulder. He knew immediately what was wrong when Ginny raised a pain filled gaze to meet his.
"It's too soon," cried Ginny quietly, desperation in her voice. "Something's wrong Professor," she hissed as she was hit by another wave of pain. "Oh Gods," she whispered anxiously as Lord Malfoy's note flashed before her eyes.
"Mr. Creevey," Severus snapped, getting Colin's attention. "Find Mr. Potter and have him meet us in the Hospital Wing," he ordered as he carefully picked Ginny up. "NOW Mr. Creevey," he snarled before turning to the rest of the class. "Class dismissed. All of you, out of here now," he instructed as he strode quickly from the room, as Colin raced ahead of them in search of Harry.
Harry entered the Hospital Wing a few minutes after Severus and Ginny. "Professor Snape? Colin said you wanted…" his words trailed off as he caught sight of Ginny on the bed in obvious distress with Madam Pomfrey at her side. "Ginny!" he cried rushing to her side.
"Oh Gods Harry, it's too soon, it's too soon," Ginny panted as Harry took her hand and sat down beside her.
"It's okay Gin; everything's going to be okay. Your baby is going to be fine," Harry soothed as he brushed strands of wet hair off Ginny's forehead.
"Oh Gods Harry, I wish…wish that were true," Ginny cried through another contraction.
"Gin what are you talking about? Why don't you think your baby's going to be fine?" asked Harry in confusion.
"Lord Malfoy…" Ginny trailed off as the strongest contraction yet hit her hard.
"What about Lord Malfoy?" asked Harry in concern, sharing a worried look with Severus.
"Sent note…" Ginny panted.
"Ginny, where is the note?" demanded Harry.
"Dis…disint…disintegrated," replied Ginny as Madam Pomfrey bustled back over. "Final reminder of…of my place."
"Madam Pomfrey, we don't' have time to do this the natural way. We need to get the child out of Miss Weasley immediately," Severus said, his tone leaving no room fro argument.
"It will be better for the children if…"
"We don't have time for that Poppy," Severus snapped. "If you don't get that child out now, I will."
Poppy took one look in Severus' eyes and realized the seriousness of the situation. "Alright Severus, come with me," Poppy said before leading him to a room at the back of the wing where two baby tables were set up. Poppy left him there and returned to Ginny's bedside, where she cast the spell that would remove a baby from the mother's womb and transport it to the waiting baby table. After casting the spell, Poppy disappeared back into the room she had taken Severus to moments before.
It was a while before Poppy re-emerged from the room and made her way over to Ginny's bed, where Harry had helped Ginny to sit up, and placed a carefully wrapped bundle in Ginny's arms. "I'm sorry Miss Weasley," Poppy said sadly. "Her sister didn't make it."
Ginny could not and would not fight the tears at Poppy's words as she hugged her daughter.
"Her sister?" asked Harry in confusion as he looked between Ginny and Poppy.
"Miss Weasley was carrying twins Mr. Potter," replied Poppy sadly.
"What happened?" asked Harry in concern.
"The baby was stillborn," replied Poppy. "It looks like the umbilical cord separated from the placenta, cutting off the baby's oxygen supply. I just don't understand how this could have happened. I checked Miss Weasley over yesterday and the babies were doing just fine."
"Lord Malfoy," Ginny said through her tears. "His reminder of my place. First he took Draco and now my daughter."
"What a horrible man," observed Poppy. "I'll prepare your daughter's body so that when you're ready Miss Weasley, you can give her a proper burial. I'm sure the Headmaster will let you pick a spot on the grounds."
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey," Ginny said quietly before the medi-witch left her and Harry alone. "Harry," she began turning slightly to look at him. "Call Bill. Ask him and Fleur to come as quickly as they can."
"Gin…"
"Harry please," Ginny pleaded.
"Alright Gin, I'll call Bill," Harry said as he made his way into Poppy's office.
Harry returned a few minutes later, Bill and Fleur following him having Flooed over immediately now that Albus had reopened a number of the Floo points within the school.
"Hey Gin," Bill greeted, giving his sister a hug, making sure not to squish the sleeping baby in her arms.
"'ello Ginny," Fleur greeted as she too gave Ginny a hug, mindful of the baby.
"What's going on Gin?" Bill asked as he sat down next to Ginny's bed, Fleur taking up position next to him, while Harry stood at the foot of the bed. "Harry said it was important. And who's this little one."
"Her name is Serena," Ginny said handing her daughter to Bill. "And she's yours," she said as her tears started once more.
"What?" asked Bill and Fleur together in confusion.
"Gin are you sure?" Harry asked in concern.
"Yes Harry, I'm sure," Ginny said as she attempted to wipe her tears away.
"Gin…"
"Harry, he's already taken her father and her sister Hope away from me. If Bill and Fleur raise Serena, than she stands a chance at living but if she stays with me, how long do you think it will be before Lord Malfoy finds out about her and takes her from me as well," Ginny reasoned sadly.
"Gin, I'm confused," Bill stated. "What does Lord Malfoy have to do with anything and why do you think he would kill this beautiful baby?"
"Because his son Draco is her father and he's already succeeded in killing her twin Hope," replied Ginny sadly.
"Gin, when did all of this happen? When were you involved with Draco Malfoy of all people and when did you get pregnant?" wondered Bill.
"They don't know Gin," Harry said before Ginny could reply.
"What?" asked Ginny in confusion.
"The Headmaster felt it best for your sake and the sake of your baby that the Order not know about your pregnancy or about Lord Voldemort's true intention for taking you in the first place," replied Harry.
"His true intention?" asked Bill.
"He wanted an heir. Ginny and Draco were to give him one," Harry said.
"So this is Voldemort's heir?" asked Bill worriedly looking at the little angel in his arms.
"No, the ritual needed to claim her as his heir was never performed. I killed Lord Voldemort before it could take place. Serena is Ginny's and Draco's," Harry explained.
"Then why don't you and Draco raise 'er?" asked Fleur.
"I haven't seen or heard from Draco since we were rescued. Lord Malfoy doesn't think I'm worthy of his son. He tried to kill me when he found out I was carrying his son's child and he probably would have succeeded if Tom hadn't stepped in and stopped him. Lord Malfoy sent me a note this morning that I just know caused me to lose my baby Hope. I'm guessing that whatever spell he used was designed for one child, not two. It wasn't until I returned to Hogwarts that I learned I was carrying twins, and I thought it best to keep that information to myself. Bill, Fleur, you're the only ones I can ask to raise my daughter and not have Lord Malfoy's suspicions raise. Please, I need you to do this for me, for Serena…for my baby's future," Ginny pleaded.
"Don't worry Ginny, we will look after your daughter," Fleur said, giving Ginny a reassuring hug. "We will love 'er as our own."
"Thank you," Ginny said quietly returning Fleur's hug before hugging her brother.
As Bill led Fleur, who was now carrying baby Serena from the Hospital Wing, Harry sat down on the bed next to Ginny and held her as she cried over the loss of her children.