Chapter 5

It was on a beautiful summer's day, when the sky was blue and the sun was high that a hefty girl could be found sitting companionably with a close friend in the shade under a large tree. The two were talking jovially about their latest shopping expedition, what they had purchased and who they had seen. The larger girl sat herself up a little more and continued her conversation-

'I'm sure of it- Pansy was looking very smug and pleased with herself.'

'But really it could be anything, doesn't necessarily mean that she is engaged.'

'Of course she is, did you see how much she was buying. Its common knowledge that never planned to do a days work in her life, and that she wanted him!'

'Did you see a ring then?'

'Pah, as if I would give her the satisfaction of looking.'

'Well' said Hermione 'you might be right, but I'm not going to start spreading rumours that she is marrying Draco based on you spying on her spending vast quantities of Galleons. There are a hundred explanations for her to have acquired the money.'

'Yes yes I know but its so much more fun thinking she is with Draco- I mean isn't that the most disgusting idea that ever entered your head' said Ginny, pulling a face.

This was the happiest she had been in months. Since she had accepted that she would have to keep her child Ginny had been miserable. Not only was her stomach the size of a castle, her once toned body was covered in stretch-marks in places she didn't even know they could get to. To add to all this she had been sick, every morning without fail, for the past few months. She felt that the tale 'pregnant woman look much more beautiful' had been invented by someone who not only had never been pregnant themselves (probably a man) but also one who apparently had never even seen someone during their pregnancy. Wherever Ginny went she felt the whispers follow her-

'Doesn't she look red', 'doesn't she look tired', and 'doesn't she look grumpy'.

Hermione got up and called 'I'm just off to get a drink, back in a minute.' Ginny knew that this was all for her sake. Being a qualified witch, Hermione could easily have made pumpkin juice appear in an instant but she knew better. Ginny became very uncomfortable sitting in one position for too long and so moved around. Unfortunately, due to her size, it wasn't the most flattering of movements and Ginny was very self-conscious of this. While all her brothers would happily watch her struggle, Hermione had more heart and, once in a while invented an excuse for her to leave Ginny alone to struggle into a comfortable position in peace.

'You're a star Hermione' Ginny muttered under her breath a real star.

Everyone else seemed to have an opinion on her predicament and a majority were on the side of Harry and her parents. They all felt it was her duty to bring up this child, 17 or not and that she should be happy about it. Her own mother did calm down after her initial and shocking reaction but her views were the same. Mrs Weasley had said that she was going to raise the baby herself during Ginny's last year at school but after that, it was her daughter's responsibility.

However, whenshe had tried to get Ginny and Harry to commit to marriage, Ginny put her foot down and, for all that it was worth, would not move it. There had been full blown arguments, gentle persuasion, bribery, temptations, everything Mrs Weasley could think of she had thrown at her daughter in the hope to make the situation more 'normal'.

'Mum', she would answer 'in today's society, it is perfectly normal for two people to have a baby and not be married. It won't make any difference to the upbringing of our child.'

Ginny had also flatly refused to move into a house with Harry. She argued that she didn't even know how to look after a baby, let alone keep a house. Sighing her mother had agreed. Probably it would be best for Ginny to remain under her own care.

But, the real reason for Ginny's adamant decision not to live with Harry was larger. She realised that if she and Harry lived together she would be tied down into a life she wasn't ready for. The way the situation had been left at the moment meant that at the very least she might be able to salvage some independency eventually.

Throughout all this, Ginny reminisced, Hermione had kept quiet. She had never openly admitted as to whether she was in agreement with Ginny or with Harry. She was a mutual friend of both and her position, like Ron's had been tested. Unlike Ron, however, she had retained the friendship of both. It appeared, where Ron was concerned, that blood was thicker than water.

Hermione returned and they continued their conversation. Just as Hermione was getting the intimate part of her last date with Ryan- a Muggle Policeman, Ginny felt liquid running down her leg. She gasped, as a sudden spasm of pain shot through her. Looking down, she saw the sight she had been dreading for so long.

'Shit' she cried, as another moment of pained crossed over her. Hermione turned and in an instant had shot blue sparks into the air. This had been the agreed sign for whenever Ginny had begun labour.

'This can't be happening it's too soon' cried Ginny. 'First born babies are never early- its fact.'

'Its ok, Ginny your fine and in safe hands, now take deep breathes.' Hermione reeled this off her tongue as though she had memorized the book, which Ginny considered, she probably had.

'It can't be happening, really it can't be.' Ginny was panicking even more than Hermione expected.

'Trust me Ginny it is going to be fine, we will take you to the hospital and you will be fine.' She spoke these words over and over again in a soothing voice.

If only, Ginny thought, you knew the real reason I'm so worried.