Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling made all of the magic of Harry Potter: I am only trying to build off of it.
"Er…" Harry began, unsure of how to react. A loud giggle from behind him and little stomping feet alerted Harry of James running to him. And one look down reminded him of his priorities.
"Yeah, I have everything here and-" Frank was reaching down into his suitcase, but Harry stopped him.
"No, Frank. I work on weekdays. You know the deal." Frank held up his hands in surrender as Harry lifted his child.
"Okay, sorry man." And Frank walked to the official apparation area, somewhat surprised. Harry turned around, pushing what Frank had said from his mind. Ron and George cast solicitous looks in his direction, but Harry waved them off. And just in time for the girls and Arthur to walk in. Ginny was talking to Molly about James' appetite and Hermione was listening attentively. Arthur looked amused. Harry waited patiently as they finished before they started their good-byes.
"Ginny, dear, I am not sure if-" Mrs. Weasley began, her happy demeanor fading very quickly.
"I won't let her out of my sights again, Molly." Harry told her, and in Harry's eyes, Molly knew he was telling the truth. Ginny blushed and looked down, embarrassed and sad that she had left. Hesitantly, the Weasley family left, and then so did the Potter (and Weasley) family, if that is what you could call it.
Ginny sighed and rested her head in her hands. James had refused to eat dinner after they had gone to the park for a little bit (a different one), and only allowed himself to be fed when Harry fed him. It broke her heart seeing that he favored Harry over herself when she had raised him. She clenched her hands into fists and released them, leaving nail shaped indents on her skin. She felt frazzled and her hair was frizzy and wild. The ginger witch was exhausted and hungry. She imagined a delicious smell wafting from the kitchen - wait! There was a delicious smell! Ginny bounded up and into the kitchen. Harry was humming and had an apron wrapped around himself. A pot of tomato soup sat on the table, sending its scrumptious smells around the flat. Harry was flipping grilled cheeses. Ginny grinned and coughed loudly, surprising Harry. The grilled cheese he was flipping landing on his head. He quickly grabbed it off his head and placed it on the plate, his hair sticking up a little bit. His cheeks were bright red and he stammered.
"Take a seat?" Harry pulled out the chair, to which Ginny shyly sat down. He untangled himself from the apron and grabbed the two plates and bowls, the plates containing the slightly burnt, but still hot grilled cheeses. Ginny smiled shyly at Harry, and picked up a sandwich.
"What's the occasion?" Ginny asked him through a biteful of hot grilled cheese. Harry swallowed and played with his tomato soup, making little designs.
"No reason."
"Harry, you have never been a good liar." Ginny said nonchalantly, dipping her halfly-eating grilled cheese into the steaming tomato soup.
"Wouldyouliketogoonadatewithme?" Harry said in one breath, his face flushed.
"Er - what was that again?" Ginny asked, placing the soup and grilled cheese in her mouth.
"Ginny - would you like to go on a date with me? For real?" Ginny swallowed the hot soup in surprised and it burned down her throat. For some weird reason, Ginny felt ready to cry. Harry looked like an eager puppy, yet so was reminded of their oh-so-passionate kiss earlier and of their time at the park, as a family. Yet she was also reminded of the years alone, with just James and her. He looked down at his grilled cheeses and started tearing it into shreds. Ginny - well Ginny wanted to say yes, but… her mouth said otherwise.
"No, no. I'm sorry Harry." Harry's face registered shock, but also… defeat. Ginny felt pity, hurt, and such a stifling, overwhelming feeling of pain.. Harry just nodded like he knew it was going to happen, yet he didn't, and left the room, his shoulders slumping downwards. Ginny stifled a sob. It felt so wrong. Yet she was reminded of the years of her pregnancy or with James. And iron, cold hands of sadness gripped her heart. A lump choked her throat and she suddenly felt claustrophobic. Ginny ran to her room. Where James should have been awaiting her on the bed, there was nothing. Ginny ran out into the den, only to find him asleep, next to Harry who was curled up in a ball. This time, Ginny did cry. Now she had no one. She had pushed away everyone that mattered.
She curled up into a ball like Harry and soon, fell into a sleep full of wild dreams of Harry and her. Like old times. Like when their love was whole and unbreakable. But now, it just shattered. And it killed Harry. But little did either of the once lovers know that it also killed Ginny.
When Harry woke again, the flat was silent. He froze, listening carefully for Ginny's singing or James' whining. Nothing. Harry jumped out of bed and ran to the kitchen, and was about to go to the bedroom when he saw a little note.
Harry - do not freak out like you just probably did. Gwenog and I are just going to go shopping with James. We will be back for Sunday dinner at Mom's.
The moment at the hospital was a mistake. Sorry.
Ginny.
Harry sighed somewhat relieved, but also hurt. He still was getting over the fact that Ginny had refused to go on a date with him, and said that their kiss was a mistake. What happened to the Ginny who fawned over him? Who loved him? He understood that it was hard raising a child on your own, but what had Harry done? It was… heartbreaking. So Harry grabbed his coat and decided to go to the Ministry. He wasn't feeling hungry.
"I miss you guys!" Gwenog laughed, tickling James, before setting him on her shoulders. She hugged Ginny, even though it was an awkward fit, because Gwenog was so muscled. That is what you get for being a captain of a Quidditch team. A good one at that.
"Aw, me too, Gwen." Ginny felt tears in her eyes when she looked up at her friends. Her friend's eyes begged answers and Ginny explained what happened as they walked around the quaint village. They walked into a cute shop advertising candy that James had adored. He hopped off of Gwenog's shoulders (or rather she set him down), and soon he was lost in the bustling shop full of children and hectic parents. Ginny wasn't concerned though as she walked after him.
"Wait - let me get this straight. You turned down the Harry Potter that you have been missing for years. You were crushing on him? What happened?" Gwenog was not the romantic type, but even she was upset when she heard about Ginny's refusal. "That's harsh Gin." Ginny felt a stab of hurt. Had she really hurt Harry? She tried to brush Gwenog's comment off, but the guilt lingered.
"Mommy! Mommy! I wanna show Daddy!" James giggled at her, pointing to a hippogriff-shaped lollipop that flapped around his head, occasionally spitting out little pink rocks. Ginny sighed.
"Daddy is not here James!" James turned his pouty face towards her and started whimpering. He didn't want to leave Harry this morning and he certainly wanted Harry to be here now. He was getting so attached to Harry, much to Ginny's displeasure. What if she decided to leave again? She couldn't… whatever. Ginny decided to think about it later.
Ginny decided they had had enough shopping, only stopping at a dress shop to pick up some new dresses and clothes, since most of hers had been burnt. Ginny looked around for a dress to wear tonight at her Mom's. She settled with a chestnut brown dress that flowed magically and landed just above her knees. It was a tank top dress and had little ruffles that James adored. He could wear a matching suit. Gwenog simply said that it matched her eyes - she did not like dresses. Ginny grinned, before paying for the dresses and walking out.
"So… Ginny… when do you think you will be able to come back? I mean - now that James is alright." Gwenog subtly questioned her, picking up James.
"Gwenog, maybe in a week? I don't know-"
"A week, Weasley? No, then I will have to replace you. We have our big game against the Tutshill Tornados! Remember? Why can you not leave him with Harry?!" Gwenog questioned her furiously.
"Gwen - I am not giving him to Harry. I'll leave him with Molly. He might've changed." Ginny unreasonably argued, her eyes big with anger.
"No - you might've changed." And with, Gwenog handed Ginny back a wailing James and disapparated, leaving Ginny more confused than ever.
Harry heard the door slam and closed the door to the bathroom quickly. He finished shaving and cleaned his face. The raven haired wizard ran a hand through his still wet hair, before attempting to comb it down.
"There." Harry said, before watching the same piece of hair spring up again. He sighed and threw on his suit - a chestnut suit that he thought would match Ginny's eyes. After spritzing on some cologne, he left to go welcome his newcomers. As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, he was blown back over by James who had scrambled on top of him and was giggling excitedly. Harry sighed.
"I am going to go take a shower. We will leave at four." Ginny told Harry without looking at him. He nodded, staring at Ginny as she quickly closed the door.
"You can go!" Ginny yelled before sprinting to the bedroom and slamming the door. Harry turned around and yelled for James. He came running, with a huge grin. Hand in hand, they walked to go bathe him.
Harry tucked James in the hot water and flinched as he splashed water on Harry.
"No, no." Harry told James with a tired sigh. This was going to be a long bath.
Harry looked around. He forgot James' clothes. Then he saw the little suit exactly matching his own. He grinned before grabbing it and placing it on a wiggling James. James ran around and screamed in delight when he noticed that they were matching.
"Yay! Daddy wike me!" Ginny stopped dead in her tracks, comparing their matching outfits.
"Hey! We are matching!" Harry told her cautiously. She wrinkled her nose and stepped into the den. She looked away. Harry picked up James. He sniffed.
"You good!" James smelled Harry.
"Want some?" Harry offered some cologne, and patted it on James cheeks. "You are a big boy!" James looked radiant.
They Flooed there and were attacked by hugs and kisses right away. James was swept away by Fleur and Victoire who were in love with the little boy. Soon, everyone else had crowded around him too. Harry, Bill, and Charlie all were playing a game of Wizarding Chess, and Angelina, George, Arthur and Victoire - who Ginny found out, was Fleur's and Bill's daughter - were all crowded around James. Molly, Hermione, and Fleur were all talking to Ginny though. Ron sat next to Ginny, unadmittedly refusing to leave his little sister.
"I simply love James." Hermione crooned watching as Angelina tickled him. Ginny directed her attention to George, her older brother, to see how he was holding up. Ginny happened to notice how lovingly George looked at Angelina. George and Angelina got together a month after the Battle of Hogwarts and had been inseparable ever since. Secretly, Ginny longed for a similar relationship.
"Aww." Everyone sighed as James let out a giggle and ran to Ginny. He scrambled onto her lap and curled up into her.
"Hungy!" James patted his belly. Molly grinned widely, ready to show her first grandson her fabulous cooking skills.
"Wait, Molly - is Teddy and Andromeda coming around?" Harry stopped her. She shook her head.
"No. Andromeda wanted to introduce him to… oh nevermind. Next time dear." Ginny shrugged, but she was upset. Teddy and Harry had a special relationship - well last time she saw. She left four months after the Battle of Hogwarts. Ginny pushed this thought from her mind and set James on her hip as they made their way into the crowded kitchen. It didn't look much different from about three years ago. Ginny sighed longingly.
"Oh." Fleur looked around and Ginny noticed the problem, only one high chair. "I-"
"It's okay, I will take him…" Ginny began, but James had already scrambled onto Harry's lap. Ginny felt tears push at the back of her eyes and Harry noticed and tried to push him off of his lap, but James just clung tighter. Ginny sat next to Fleur and Hermione.
Rotisserie chicken, cooked vegetables, steaming buns, melted butter, treacle tarts, and jugs of iced pumpkin juice and gillywater, crowded the table.
"Feast for a king!" Bill proclaimed heartily, and with that, they dug in.
Ginny was on her second pumpkin juice. James took a special liking to the gillywater which Ginny found gross.
"Took your liking from the lake, eh Harry?" George joked and winked, watching James down another glass. The gillywater tasted similar to gillyweed with a sweet taste. It was gillyweed, water. What James loved most about the gillywater was that seconds after you drank it, shining blue bubbles came popping out of your nose leaving a small tingling sensation. Molly confessed that you just had to add a little sugar and the reaction would cause this magical moment. This explained why Minerva drank it - with her stony demeanor she would have never drank it. Ginny laughed. It was funny, watching him. Harry took another treacle tart and chewed it soundly. For the second time that evening (or perhaps more), Ginny watched George cast an admiring glance towards Angelina who was playing with Victoire. Ginny sighed. It was adorable. As the plates cleared themselves, George offered to go make some tea. Arthur grinned and got up to help George.
"Sure." Angelina, Hermione, Fleur, Molly, and Ginny told the boys. They talked about James and Victoire for a while before George came back with mugs. They sat, sipping their tea. George looked radiant and he could not keep a smile off of his face. Angelina was the first to finish. As she finished, she stared at the bottom and swept the mug off of the table in shock. George knelt down. Ginny and Hermione screamed. Because George had just pulled out a ring. It had a fat, shining diamond dead center and had a simple band around it. It was… beautiful.
"Angelina, I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I cannot imagine a life spent without you. You are beautiful in every way possible. I don't know how I got so lucky. So - will you-"
"Yes! Yes. A million times yes!" And with that, Angelina leaned in and kissed George.
Yay! I am done with this chapter. Er… I mean… I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
I have decided that I will publish a chapter every Sunday. That way I have designated times. And you guys know when I will publish a chapter.
So, happy times! By the way, Ginny and Harry's romance is not over. Not by a long shot. So we have a wedding! I am so excited. Anyways, the next chapter is a big romantic moment and some more uncovering of the big coma deal. Yeah.
Please, please, please drop a review. I love it when you do! (:
Until next Sunday, peace out.