"I have to face them. I have to face my family before I face Andromeda. Otherwise she'll give me a lecture I don't need right now. Harry, would you mind coming with me?" she begged, wanting him to come. He was always the big, strong protector when she was at school and hopefully he would protect her from her own family.
"If we're going to see them, we should go now. The Tonks' won't be there, but everyone else will be there to celebrate Lyra's birth. I have a feeling you will steal her spotlight. But I'll lead you. You can Apparate with Cassie to the Burrow, right? I'll go first, but you better be right behind me," he added. Ginny scooped Cassie into her arms and grabbed the basic baby supplies. Harry disappeared with a pop and she knew it was now or never. She was scared, but hid her emotions to keep Cassie calm and with another pop they arrived at the Burrow right next to Harry.
"Are you ready?" he asked gently, squeezing her hand with his.
"As ready as I will ever be," she whispered, mostly for her own reassurance. Reaching her hand up to knock the door, she jumped back when the door opened and there stood her mother, looking weary.
"Harry, good to see you. Ginny? My baby? Is that you?" Mrs. Weasley waved her hand in front of her face like a fan, trying to keep herself cool.
"Yes, Mum, it's me. This is my baby Cassie," Ginny handed Cassie to her mother, "say hello to Nana."
"She's an angel. How long have you been in the area? Do you have any idea how worried your father and I were? Ginny, where have you been? You've missed so much. You're just in time for Lyra's introduction to the family. And Harry, don't think you're getting out of this. How long have you known where Ginny's been?"
"Slow down Mrs. Weasley. Ginny showed up at my house very late last night. I'm sure she'll tell you in due time, but right now, I think she wants to see everyone. Where's Nymph?" he questioned. Harry didn't want to abandon Ginny when she needed him, but he knew she would also have to be independent. He figured she would be okay with her mother, who was coddling her granddaughter. Slipping out back, he entered the backyard, to be greeted by screams in every direction. Nymphadora Weasley spotted him and walked towards him first.
"Harry! Wotcher! Would you like to hold your goddaughter?" Nymph asked with her usual jubilance. He had been pleased when Charlie and Nymph had announced him as godfather and he only hoped he could be like his own godfather.
"I'd love to," he responded as the proud godfather. Today Nymph had decided to mimic a Weasley style, with light red hair, as a contrast to her daughter's own dark red hair, a combination of her natural hair and Charlie's hair. Lyra was too young to display any Metamorphagus powers, if she was to have them at all. While holding Lyra, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny walked out with Ginny carrying a squirming Cassie. Mrs. Weasley, knowing how to get the attention of the crowd in her backyard, used her fingers to whistle. The crowd became silent as murmurs started before Ginny began to speak in her gentle voice.
"I've been in New York as a Muggle for these past four years to protect myself. Now is the time for me to come out of hiding and introduce my daughter, Cassandra Weasley. I'm so sorry for everything, and Charlie, I'm sorry for ruining Lyra's day," she mumbled, trying to hold back her tears. Charlie was the first to walk towards her and hug her. As he wrapped his arms around his baby sister, Charlie whispered in Ginny's ear, "It doesn't matter. You're home, that's more important. Cassandra is beautiful, just like her mother." He rubbed little Cassie's head and gave Ginny another hug. That's when Ginny announced that she was sorry she couldn't stay any longer, but that it was time for Cassie's nap and Ginny was tired after traveling. She added that she'd be staying with Harry if anyone needed to contact her. Harry decided now would be a good time to excuse himself as well.
As soon as they arrived at the house, Harry started preparing dinner for Andromeda and Ted while Ginny put Cassie down for her nap. After Cassie was settled in, Ginny headed into the kitchen to help Harry.
"Thank you," Ginny whispered. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you're willing to drop everything to help me, especially after I vanished like that."
"What was I supposed to do? Turn you away. Gin, you know that I wouldn't do that. Besides, I have this huge house and no one to share it with. I don't mind the extra company. Would you chop up the onions?" he requested. Harry was preparing stew for the Tonks', knowing how much they enjoyed his stew: a mix of beef cubes, carrots, onions, celery, and homemade dumplings. In addition to the stew, he also decided to serve chocolate cake for dessert. His kitchen was a Muggle kitchen and he did everything by hand, seeing no need to use magic when he was capable of doing it himself. The only sounds were the gentle tapping of the knife on the cutting board and the tick of the clock. Ginny had talked enough and was preparing herself for the evening's discussion, knowing she would be in for an earful.
At five to seven, the doorbell rang and Harry opened it, greeting Andromeda and Ted, who had brought their favorite wine. He ushered them into the living room just as Ginny came in with Cassie. Dinner was almost ready, but they would first make small talk.
"Cassie, say hello to your Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted," Ginny prodded as Cassie smiled when she saw the familiar faces. Andromeda made baby noises and Cassie cooed at this. Ted smiled when he saw how happy Andromeda was with children. Andromeda replied, "Now I hear you have you own grandchild. She's beautiful."
"So you've met little Lyra Weasley? A little darling, if I do say so myself. I hope you don't mind Harry, but I invited Nymph and Charlie over. After all, the gathering at the Burrow was only for the afternoon and Nymph said she'd be here around 7:30." Ginny knew what Andromeda was trying to do. She wanted Ginny to face her family, and that if she hadn't already done so, she'd be faced with her older brother at dinner tonight.
"What have you told your family Ginny darling? We wouldn't want to spill anything to them if you aren't ready to tell them everything," Ted added. Although his Hogwarts days were over, Ginny thought, Ted would always be the kind, loyal Hufflepuff who was worried about others before himself.
"This is my daughter Cassandra Weasley and that I have been in New York as a Muggle to protect myself. That's all they know. I can't tell them. Ron would never speak to me again if he knew everything; he still believes that Draco's a replica of his father," she said, standing her ground. Ginny defended him, even though she wondered if he would defend her too.
"Shame, dear, that you've chosen to hide her name as well. Cassiopeia was my mother's name. But it is ultimately your choice. Draco is neither his mother nor his father. Do you have any plans now?" Andromeda asked, as a typical Ravenclaw who always thought of the consequences and the future.
"She's welcome to stay here as long as she needs to," Harry said for the first time. He observed the reactions between Andromeda, Ted, and Ginny and realized how much Ginny had changed in the last five years. She no longer relied on her own family, but instead on her ex-husband's family. He was happy that she had chosen them. After all, he would trust them with his life as well.
"I don't know how I'll be able to live without Orion. I thought this arrangement would be fair, but it's not. I miss him terribly," she said somberly. Ginny bowed her head, as though she could not bear to think of her precious son. Soon, he would be announced as the Malfoy heir and she, his mother, would no longer be a part of his life.
"You did the best you could," Andromeda began when the doorbell rang. Harry went to answer the door and Nymphadora almost toppled over. Charlie was holding Lyra and just smiled at his beloved wife. Harry shared a grin with Ted before ushering everyone into the dining room where the table was set for six. Cassie and Lyra had their own seats set apart from the table. Serving the food, Harry and Ginny made sure everything was perfect and said grace. Dinner was peaceful, which made Ginny suspicious. She knew in her heart that Nymph and Charlie were buzzing with questions. Not wanting to leave Ginny alone with them, Harry asked her to serve the chocolate cake.
They thanked Harry and Ginny for the wonderful meal before settling in the living room. Nymph talked excitedly about Lyra and how blessed she felt. She added that she didn't know how she would survive without Charlie. Ginny took that to mean that they wondered who Cassie's father was, but she was not going to tell them. Eventually, she would have to but now was not the time.
The small talk became too much for Ginny and she excused herself so she could put Cassie to bed. After Cassie was sound asleep, she heard the door slam shut and wondered who had left. As she pondered whether it was Andromeda or Charlie, she leaned over and smiled at her sleeping baby. She heard footsteps coming up the stairs and wondered who would be coming up. Luckily it was Andromeda who just gave her a gentle hug and said good-bye, reminding Ginny to keep in touch.
"Wait, Andromeda." Andromeda paused before leave Cassie's room, waiting for Ginny to speak. "Did Charlie and Nymph leave?" Ginny was sure that the slamming door that she heard earlier was her brother and his wife. She knew it was getting late, but nevertheless, was still hurt by the fact that her oldest brother did not at least peek in and say good-bye. "Yes, Ginny. They felt it was getting to be a bit late for Lyra. Charlie asked me to say good-bye as well as his thanks for the lovely dinner," replied Andromeda with the gentle calmness that most only wish for.
Shortly thereafter, Harry poked his head and whispered thanks, before heading off into bed. Ginny stared at the ceiling, thinking back on how much her life had changed since she had last been in England. Now she was divorced with two children by one of her family's enemies. Of course, no one would know Orion was her child, but that did not matter. As long as she and Draco knew the truth, it did not matter. Cassie was fatherless, but it did not matter. What pained her most was knowing that Cassie and Orion would be separated. They had been torn apart during the years that they would have truly understood each other, especially since they were so close in age. Ginny reflected on her own relationship with her brother Ron and wished Cassie would have an overprotective brother.
What would happen when Cassie and Orion attended Hogwarts together? Orion, even as a three-year old, showed signs of a typical Slytherin, in fact, one might go as far as to say a typical Malfoy. Cassie was a typical Weasley and would most likely be sorted into Gryffindor. Even further separation between the two siblings.
Harry climbed into his own bed and cursed his luck. It was a good thing Ginny did not stay too long at her parents' house because otherwise she would find out that he had not dated since they had broken up. After 5 years, he could not recall why they broke up but now she returned to him. His heart was torn now, should he tell her how felt or should he keep his mouth shut? For now, he surmised, he would keep his mouth shut and just remain friends with Ginny, who was now back in his life. The worst pain was the fact that she had not trusted him when she left. Instead, she trusted a woman she had met just a few times. Though of course, learning that she had dated Draco before she vanished hurt his pride. Then he wondered what Ron would say when he learned that his baby sister now had two children and was once married to Draco Malfoy, Ron's enemy during school. He also did not know how long he would be able to live with Ginny, knowing his heart wanted to be joined with hers. For tonight, he felt he had enough excitement, between visiting the Weasleys, cooking, and having Andromeda and Ted over. Tomorrow would be a new day, a new adventure.
