Six

Ginny closed her eyes gently and just sat there. She'd been taking the potion now for twelve days and the vomiting had started two days earlier. She felt completely drained of all strength now and had the need to sleep. But yet she wanted to act as though nothing was happening. That was the only reason she had turned up for work that morning. Well that and the fact that they were going to discuss any findings of January's work.

Once more just like always they were in the room that contained the veiled arch in its centre. Soft floating voices echoed through the room but with each passing visit it was becoming more of a comfort. No longer did this room hold her in the same way that it had when she had been merely fourteen and in her fourth year of schooling.

It felt like another lifetime now. She couldn't believe half the time that she had run through these corridors fighting for her life. Mind sometimes she couldn't believe that she had lived through a war. It still made her laugh when she met people for the first time and was introduced as Ginny Potter. The look that came over their faces as they realised that she was in fact Ginny Weasley, one of those to fight in the war was amazing.

Sometimes though it was too much. She would be eternally grateful to the friends she had made in the job. Not that her friends from school were bad. No it was something different. When she saw Hermione, Ron and Neville she was always reminded of what they had been through together. There was a strong bond there. But sometimes you need something different. That's where her work friends came in.

She hadn't known them through the war and that was a benefit. They didn't make her remember those times in the way that sometimes happened with the others. When she looked at Neville she would think of dating him, Hermione of battle planning and Ron of their childhood. These guys brought memories from after that time.

For example when she saw Clive Woodworth or Opal Bottlenose she would remember how they had gotten together. How as a group they had convinced Tony their boss that they had planned a birthday surprise for him. How that had lead to a lot of alcohol and as Clive said the longest ever one night stand. Six years and they were still together, although they had moved the relationship along only the year earlier by moving in together.

Then there were Robbie and Ernst Martin the twins. How they made her laugh. Every meeting still started the same way even though time had passed. Both would always turn up ten minutes late holding a load of doughnuts to share with everyone. Tony would yell about the time and then they'd sit down and listen. Then as soon as Tony would say he was going to group them up one of them would start the game where they nominated to work with each other. Something's clearly never changed.

Then there was of course Heather Macmillan. How she coped with the twins was beyond Ginny. She and Ernst had recently announced their engagement and it always made Ginny smile. In fact some of the suggestions by Ernst and Robbie reminded her of Ron's obsession to get married in orange. Only in comparison Ron seemed sane. The latest idea if Ginny remembered correctly was for Heather to arrive on the back of a dragon.

Then there was Richard Adams the last of their group of friends. He was the youngest and last to join but he was just like them. As mad as a hatter and twice as cocky. The number of times Ginny had caught him sneaking in late and mumbling something to one of the girls in the department was hilarious. He had quite the reputation as a ladies man these days.

"Potter did you hear what I said?"

She looked back at Tony and nodded slowly.

"What then?"

She was stuck. From behind her she heard Robbie's voice and repeated what he was whispering.

"You intend us to go back to all our duties. No more focusing on the prophecies."

He nodded and she couldn't help but sigh as she slapped Robbie's hand behind her back in thanks. She could see Tony's mouth moving again but she couldn't keep attention.

Twelve days had passed since that first potion. She had suffered with side affects more or less from the word go. Neville was surprised by some of them but he said they wouldn't last. She hoped he was right. For the first ten days she hadn't slept more than an hour a night. She just couldn't get comfortable. She was irritable and had been off her food.

But then that had passed and she had found sickness instead. That was a joy. The only upside was that she was now sleeping for thirteen hours at a time. Harry had had to wake her the last two days straight. She couldn't help but wonder if he was worried about her.

But he hadn't commented. She was sure he was building to it though. There had been a look in his eyes that morning that was for sure. But Ginny had just ran to the toilet and left him to deal with the children. He had taken them over to Penelope's to watch and headed off to work. She had an idea of what to say to him if he commented though. She was planning on telling him she had a flu like bug.

"POTTER!"

Clive nudged Ginny and she instantly knew that he had done the wrong thing. Clamping her hands to her mouth she jumped to her feet and ran through the offices. Pushing open the door to the toilets she began to retch. She felt already as though she had brought her guts up and wondered how much longer this would likely go on for.

She was surprised when she felt a hand on the back of her neck pulling her hair out of her face.

"Come on; get it all up now Gin."

She remained with her head almost in the toilet for a few more minutes before she felt okay. Then sitting up and flushing the chain she turned to look at Heather. The woman gave her a gentle glance as she helped her stand up.

"Are you alright Gin?"

"Yeah I think so."

"You don't like it. In fact you've looked a bit peaky for a couple of days. Maybe you should head off home."

"No I'm fine honest."

Heather directed Ginny back out of the toilets and along a corridor. Her group of friends were stood outside the brain room with Tony. The old man took one look at her and shook his head.

"What's up with you today Potter. You usually don't sit there that quiet."

"She's not well Tony. She's just been sick in the toilet. She should go home."

"Sick. Well that explains it. Go on back to bed."

"I'm fine Tony."

"Not another word Ginny. Home."

She merely nodded as Heather led her up to the Atrium. She even flooed back to the house with her and made her a cup of tea before taking her to bed. Ginny heard the flames die in the hearth as Heather headed back to work and she snuggled down into her pillows. She needed to sleep, she wanted to sleep. It was the best thing for her. And as for the sickness well a baby was worth a little bit of vomiting.