Three

Ginny stirred the pot of gravy slowly as she looked out of the window into the garden. The snow had finally stopped falling and had made the landscape look like icing on a large cake. A scream sounded from her living room and she just closed her eyes hoping it would stop. She loved her family especially when they all got together. But sometimes…

"Uncle Bill give that back!"

Robin was screaming again. That girl always screamed. Now she was eleven you'd think she'd have grown out of it. But no not Robin. A small click sounded to her right and she turned to see Penelope screwing her face up as she mashed at the potatoes. It was obvious that her sister-in-law wasn't too happy.

"MUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"

Crystal's voice added to the noise and Ginny shared a look with Hermione as Penelope slammed the masher onto the counter top.

"Why Percy can't deal with them beats me!"

She was out of the room so quickly that Ginny felt a small breeze. Chloe and Paula laughed into their hands as they placed vegetables into bowls. Hermione finished laying the table and moved to finish the potatoes.

Penelope's voice sounded through the noise. Ginny just shock her head turning back to the window. Why had she agreed to host Christmas this year? She knew the answer of course, it was her turn. For the last eight years the five siblings had taken in turns to host Christmas. Ron and Hermione had done it last year so now it was her turn. On the bright side it would be another five years until she was expected to do it again. Next it would be Charlie, then Percy, Bill, Ron and finally her again.

The back door opened and Ginny watched as Harry, Ron, Gavin, Charlie, River and Holly came back in. They had been outside playing Quidditch. Of course River and Holly hadn't been involved, or at least they weren't suppose to have been. But the red on her daughter's cheeks told her that she'd been up on a broom.

"Smells lovely dear."

"Go wash up all of you. We're going to be serving now."

Harry kissed her cheek and then they all walked out of the kitchen. Paula followed them and called to those in the living room. It sounded like a stampede as a mass of people came running into the kitchen. Ginny just stood by the sink and watched silently.

Charlotte and Crystal sat next to Matt who had positioned himself next to Bill. Then Percy, Robin and Penelope were sat opposite. The others came back into the room and River took the seat the other side of Bill while Charlie sat next to Robin. A gap was left for Paula and Chloe before Holly sat next to Ron with Harry by his side. Gavin took the next seat and they all looked up at the four women left standing.

Paula and Chloe using magic put the vegetables on the table before taking their seats. Then Hermione and Ginny put the potatoes and gravy out as well as the large turkey big enough to feed seventeen. Ginny then took the seat next to Gavin while Hermione sat next to her and River. It was at that point that all hell broke loss.

Her family had always been big and food an issue of grab it and eat but this was ridiculous. The food hit plates all around the table and Ginny watched. She didn't feel like eating as she watched her family. She forced herself to bite the sprout and turkey. But she never really noticed what she was putting into her mouth.

Everyone had finished and she still didn't take note. Hermione luckily was watching and went and got the puddings. It seemed only an instant before people were pushing away from the table and running around. The children all headed outside for a snowball fight. The adults looked around the table. The men seeming to sense that washing up was going to be ordered followed the kids out.

"Where shall we start then?"

Paula was pulling up her sleeves but Ginny shook her away.

"No go out and join the snowball fight. I'll sort this out."

"Ginny no, there's too much for one person."

"Penny I'm not taking no as an answer. Now get going!"

They were all watching her closely. So she picked up her wand and made the pots jump into the sink where they started washing themselves.

"Go on then, go hit my brothers with some snow."

Looking somewhat reluctant Penelope, Chloe and Paula pulled on heavy coats and walked outside. Their screeches were added to the mix. Ginny however was staring off into space. She was rather shocked when she heard Hermione.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Why would you think there is?"

"Gin I've known you too long. You can't lie to me. The last time I saw you look like that was when the news came about your mum."

Ginny smiled slightly. It was true she and Hermione had been friends for so long that sometimes it was hard to hide her emotions from her.

"It's just. Neville."

Hermione gave the tiniest of smiles. Ginny knew she didn't need to say anything more. Hermione after all was part of Neville's research. Ginny picked up some plates and placed them next to the sink so that they would be washed next. They stood silently together for a while before Hermione spoke again.

"It's a good offer Gin."

"What if it doesn't work?"

"What if it does?"

The sisters looked at each other and Ginny shrugged.

"Hermione I don't know. I mean things are perfect as they are. Why would I want to spoil a good thing?"

"You're scared aren't you?"

"Of course I am. What if something goes wrong? This is a brand new potion. I don't know how Harry would cope if something really bad happened. Especially if he knew that you and Neville had been developing the treatment."

"You should speak to him."

"I can't. He'll say that it's my choice. He'll say that he loves me. He wants his own children I know that but he wants me more. How can I taunt him with this idea?"

Hermione hugged Ginny tightly. They stood there with the older woman stroking the younger girl's hair for a moment. Then Ginny spoke again.

"I'm scared he'll say it's not even worth the risk."

Her voice had been so low that she was surprised Hermione had caught the words.

"You mean you want to Gin?"

"I want to be pregnant Hermione. I want to get fat; I want to feel life within me. I want to feel the pain as my child comes into the world. I want to hold this little baby and know that it's apart of me and of Harry. I want to be able to give my husband children!"

Hermione and Ginny shared a look and Ginny nodded slowly.

"When you go back to the school Hermione tell Neville that I want to do it. Tell him to start the potion. I want to have a baby."