Chapter 4

'Arthur, get back here now!' Mrs Weasley roared into the fire. Neither Harry nor Ginny had ever seen her quite so ferocious. She turned back to face the two trembling people before her. 'Sit.'

Moments later Arthur Weasley appeared looking flustered and bemused.

'Molly, dear whatever is the matter I was enjoying the most cordial chat with the Minister for Magic and-'

'Arthur I do not care in the least whether you were talking to the Muggle Prime Minister' Mrs Weasley retorted banging her fist on the table 'and you won't either when you here what this imbecile has gone and done.' She turned to Ginny. 'Go on girl tell your father.'

Slowly, Ginny raised her head, tears pouring out of her eyes. She had thought telling her mother was hard but this was going to be excruciating. She was the apple of her father's eye. His only daughter, who he had the highest hopes of all his children for. He wouldn't be cross she knew that. But the disappointment he would feel would be pure agony to her. It would be worse than the fortitude of words that had just minutes ago cascaded out of her mother's mouth. She hadn't known her own mother could be so degrading.

'I'm, I'm, oh dad I'm pregnant!' She spoke hastily, fearing her Gryffindor courage might fail at any moment.

Mr Weasley reeled as though he had been hit by a curse.

Mrs Weasley felt the need to take over.' Five months no less, five months I ask you. My own daughter, so foolish, so careless. And the father, well you may guessed is Harry. Yes that brave boy who we all had such a high opinion of has managed to bring shame on the entire family.'

Harry vaguely remembered those words being used once before by Mrs Weasley, a very long time ago.

'You two, upstairs now!' commanded Mrs Weasley glaring at Harry and Ginny. 'Put on some decent clothes. You may be stupid enough to shame yourselves but I will not let the Weasley name be dragged through the mud anymore than necessary. Arthur, you are the expert on Muggles, tell me, how soon we can get these two married.'

'Mum, you've not listened. I don't need to marry Harry as I'm not keeping the baby.' Ginny had stood up, ready to face her mother. I can't bring up a child it's impossible. I'm still at school and then I want to train as an Auror. None of that can be done if I have to be every night to sing a baby to sleep.'

'Well that is something you should have thought of before you jumped into bed with him.' She pointed a shaking finger at Harry. She continued. 'What have I always told you Ginny, a girl has to look out for herself, very few people, especially men will do it for her. And there's your proof.' Mrs Weasley indicated to her daughter's stomach. 'But the damage is done and now you have to face the consequences. You will complete your final year at school and then you will return home to look after you child. If you were so desperate to have a career you shouldn't have been so careless.'

'Molly dear, calm down.' This was Mr Weasley who hadn't said a word the entire time. 'I'm sure Ginny realises the severity of what has happened and I don't think she needs anyone else to elaborate for her. As you so rightly said she must live with the results of her actions. One of which' he turned to Ginny, 'is that you must keep this child. Not only is it unthinkable to' he flinched 'murder any child, the situation is worsened by the fact that it is Harry Potters.'

'Excuse me Mr Weasley but, what have I got to do with this-' began Harry.

'Do, DO. You've got a lot to do with this young man' cried Mrs Weasley but she was hushed by her husband.

'Harry, you defeated He Who Must Not Be Named. In doing so you have effectively been made the most powerful wizard alive. Subsequent Potter generations will also be considered among the most powerful in the community. Your children may possess powers, as yet unknown to us, developed from the combining of yours and those of You Know Who.' So you see Harry, with so many facts unclear and unknown it is essential that your child is born.'

Harry turned to Ginny with a look that clearly read 'see I was right we will keep the baby.'

'I'm afraid Ginny, you don't really get to argue your side' Mr Weasley said. 'It is far too important that this baby is born.'

Ginny, for all the fight she was made of, knew when she was beaten. She slumped back down onto the chair and put her head in her hands. 'Fine,' she agreed 'I will keep the baby. But,' she continued 'I will not marry Harry!'