Chapter 22

The Assistant

"Ginny!" A three month pregnant Hermione opened the door to Ginny and Harry Potter's house and ran inside.

"Hermione, what're you doing?" Ginny asked. She was standing in her kitchen making breakfast.

"It's amazing Gin, you've got to feel!"

Ginny looked at her friend.

"I think you need to sit down and explain what you're on about." She said slowly.

"The baby kicked!" Hermione said, sitting down and eating some toast.

Ginny squealed.

"When?" She asked.

"Erm, this morning at six. I was getting the paper and she kicked!" Hermione said excitedly.

"Is she kicking now?" Ginny asked.

Hermione's face fell.

"No…but we both have appointments today, so maybe she will then."

Ginny sighed and sat down.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked.

"Harry was supposed to come to this appointment." Ginny said glumly.

"Well why can't he?"

"He has to work."

"Again? He's worked over twenty hours already this week!" Hermione said indignantly.

Ginny nodded.

"The Junior Aurors always get the short end of the stick from what Dad says. They do all the paperwork and little things like that."

"Well surely they'll let him off for a little while!" Hermione said.

"He asked his Superior Auror…I tell you, that guy's a real git! He gets his orders from people like Moody and Tonks, and then shoves his work on Harry. Anyways, Harry asked him and he told Harry that free days were a 'privilege only given to Superior ranking Aurors'. I thought about asking Dad to get him another Superior, but Harry won't let me. He says it would be abusing Dad's power, but I just can't help it, Hermione, he's never here!"

Hermione patted Ginny's hand.

"It'll get better in a few months, Gin. He'll be a Superior Auror in no time!"

Ginny smiled wanly.

"Yeah…just a few more months."

"Here, I've got an idea. We'll go to our appointments and then surprise him on his lunch hour! Oh, and while we're at it, we can go and see Ronald at work." Hermione snorted.

"Oh, don't laugh at him, Hermione! He's over the moon about being the captain!"

"The captain of a team that never wins." Hermione said.

"Well, maybe the Cannons haven't had the best run…" Ginny admitted.

"The best run? Ginny, they haven't won a game in nearly a century!" Hermione laughed.

"Well, that's true." Ginny finished her breakfast and stood up. "Can you be a dear, 'Mione and clean this up for me? It's only another week until my birthday then I can do all the magic I want."

"Of course, now go get dressed…we'll need to hurry if we're going to stop by and see Harry and Ron."

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At the Ministry…

Ginny and Hermione stopped at Harry's cubicle but found that he'd already left for lunch. They were just about to leave and visit Ron when Ginny saw Tonks.

"Tonks! Tonks, d'you know where Harry went for lunch?" Ginny asked.

"Wotcher Ginny. Yeah he said something about going to see Rita Skeeter. I've got to go now; Mad-Eye's being moody." Tonks laughed then left.

"Rita Skeeter? Harry hates her!" Ginny said.

"Yes he does…I do hope he's not trying to stir up trouble. Come on Ginny, we'll go find him. I know where her office is."

Ginny Apparated with Hermione to a little building in a busy street.

"Come on, Gin." Hermione opened the door and Ginny followed.

A blonde witch was sitting at the desk when they arrived.

"Welcome to The Daily Prophet headquarters, office of Rita Skeeter. How may I help you?" She said without looking up.

"Um, yes we'd like to see Ms. Skeeter…tell her its Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley—I mean Potter." Hermione said hastily.

"Go on through the doors to your left. Ms. Skeeter will be waiting."

Hermione went first. They found Rita standing by a window that had the curtains drawn.

"Ms. Granger! How simply charming to see you again my dear! Tell me, how is the baby?" Rita asked sweetly.

"Fine, Rita. We've come to see Harry. Is he here?"

"Of course! Oh, and Mrs. Potter too! How lovely. Yes, Harry's in with one of my very top assistant journalists' right now…would you care to see?"

Without waiting for an answer, Rita pressed a button on the wall and the curtain flew open revealing Harry locked in a passionate kiss with a girl with long dark shining black hair.

Hermione gasped as the girl pulled away slowly. It was Cho Chang. Harry's back was to them, so he didn't see who was there. Cho smiled however, and waved. Ginny whimpered and ran as Harry turned around. Hermione followed her, leaving before she could see Harry shove Cho out of the way. He caught up with her outside Rita's office door, however, and grabbed her arm to stop her from Apparating.

"Let go of me Harry." Hermione snarled.

"No." He panted, catching his breath, "Hermione you don't understand! She came on to me!"

"Oh, I see!" Hermione smiled.

Harry smiled.

"You do? Great, because I doubt Ginny will believe me, so I need your help to—"

"Yes, Harry, I see exactly what you're doing. You're trying to cover up the fact that you've been having an affair with Cho Chang and we caught you red handed so now you're to cover it all up! Well you know I'm not stupid, Harry. I thought you'd gotten over your little fascination with Cho but apparently I was wrong. You aren't the man I thought you were Harry. You've got a great wife, who's probably bawling her eyes out now, because she just found out that the father of her unborn child is CHEATING ON HER!" Hermione screamed.

"Hermione!" Harry's jaw dropped, "I—" He grabbed her arm but Hermione flung him away.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME YOU—YOU—pathetic git!" Hermione whispered the last words; hurt shining in her eyes before Apparating.

Harry sank to the ground. He sat there with his head in his hands wondering how he could ever make them believe him.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Ginny Apparated back to her house with Hermione at her heels. Hermione watched as Ginny flung clothes into suitcases sobbing all the while.

"Ginny?" she said timidly when Ginny was done, "Where will you go?"

Ginny sniffed.

"Home and I don't care if Mum and Dad kicked you out, you aren't leaving me and you aren't staying here with him!"

"Fine, Gin, but we'll have to wait until after our appointments to go to the Burrow."

"That's fine. I just want to be out of his life as soon as possible."

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A/N: Okay, let the howlers come. I know, I know, I'm bad. Sorry! Ok then, now please review. Only a few more chapters….maybe five? I don't know. But anyways, only a "few" more then sequel! Oh and for those of you who've seen The Lakehouse….isn't it awesome!