Eight

"Bloody brilliant. Look at that dive mate!"

Ginny studied her watch as Harry and Ron made whopping noises as the Gryffindor seeker flew back into the sky waving the snitch. The Hufflepuff team defeated landed on the ground among screams of joy of the Gryffindor house. It had been a long time since Gryffindor had won a game, nearly two years and it looked like they had finally found their team.

Harry and Ron slapped hands turned to look at the children they had brought with them. Ginny though was wondering how she would be able to get Neville alone. She had gone up to Hogwarts to see her friend about her condition. Of course he had forgotten to tell her that it was a Quidditch day. Ginny had always loved the game but her mind was else where on this occasion. She had other things that she needed to do.

"Gin wasn't that fantastic!"

"Yes Harry, they're getting better."

"Bloody right they are! If they keep going this way then maybe next year the house cup will be ours."

"Ron we're not in Hogwarts anymore!"

"But Hermione is head of the house. That means it'll be ours!"

Harry shared a look with Ginny picking Charlotte up and taking Holly's hand. Gavin who had somehow managed to move down to sit with some of the first years, including Robin was slowly making his way back.

"How about we head down to Hogsmeade then?"

"YES!!"

Holly, Charlotte and Matt were practically jumping. Gavin finally stopped by them and Ron repeated going to Hogsmeade. He nodded and then they looked at her.

"You coming too Gin?"

"No I've got to see Neville."

"He's supposed to be coming with us, and Hermione. April would but after Hobbins spectacular bludger to the head I'm guessing she's going to be busy."

"No Ron I've really got to speak to Neville in private."

Harry gave her a look but she ignored it as she walked down from the stands and started to head towards the castle with the students. They were lost in conversations giggling about all those things youngsters do. Ginny felt her heart miss a beat thinking about all the times she had done the same with Luna in this place. Hogwarts was really filled with mixed memories for her.

Slowly she walked up the steps and into the school. The students were all heading off in different directions and she headed down one of the corridors to Neville's office. It was dark inside and she turned the handle. It was locked. So taking out her wand she touched the tip to the door and stepped inside.

Usually she would never dream of doing something like that. But there were too many people about and she didn't want them to see her waiting outside Neville's office. The two of them had been spotted together quite often recently. Only a couple of days earlier there had been an article in the Daily Prophet commenting on their closeness. Well of course they were close, after everything they'd been through.

"I see you got away then."

Ginny grinned as Neville came inside closing the door behind him.

"Yes. Ron kept insisting that I should go down to Hogsmeade. He seemed to think you were going too."

"I'm meeting them in an hour. Hermione's headed straight down mind."

Ginny nodded and gave a brief smile. Her stomach was in knots now that she was here. What had she been thinking? Life was good she didn't need any of these complications.

"Ginny don't worry."

She looked back at Neville and found he was surveying her closely.

"I know you too well Gin. I know what's going through that head of yours. There's nothing at all to worry about. Trust me."

"I do. It's just scary that's all. I mean that potion has never been taken by another human before. I could be the first to end up with a baby."

"That's what we're hoping."

He gave her such a warm smile that she felt slightly eased.

"Okay so where do you want me?"

"Sit over here on this chair."

Ginny went where she was pointed to go and lowered herself into the seat. Neville circled her a few times before drawing his wand out. She could see his movement but had no idea what he was doing.

"Hermione taught me some simple healing charms. You're temperature seems perfectly normal, blood pressure is perfect. Yes you're in the best health of your life at the moment."

She sighed as he stopped in front of her. He took her hand and pulled her over towards a low placed camping bed. She laid down on her back and look up at Neville.

"So how are you feeling?"

"Much better. The vomiting has completely stopped, I no longer feel dizzy and I'm eating again."

"Any aches or pains?"

"Nothing that isn't normal. I feel great."

"Alright then. So now for the big test."

Neville pushed his chair closer to Ginny. He leaned over and she was looking him straight in the eyes. They were inches apart. A bang sounded from the door and they both looked. Neville went over and opened the door but there was no-one around. Closing the door he looked back at her.

"Must have been Peeves."

"I've noticed that he focuses a lot of attention on you."

"What can I say the guy likes me!"

Ginny laughed as Neville once more moved over to her. Her stomach was in knots again as he gently lifted the top to expose her bare stomach. His fingers were cold as he ran them against her skin. He probed her making her squirm a little.

"Good I don't feel any masses. It all looks really good Gin. Now you just have to wait and see if you can get pregnant."

"Ah Neville you couldn't test me could you?"

He looked her straight in the eyes and gave her one of those looks.

"Why can't you do it yourself?"

"I don't want the potion in the house. If Harry sees it he might think something."

Neville's eyebrow rose slightly as he moved to a cupboard.

"It's a good thing that Hermione thought you might say that. She made you a potion."

Ginny looked at the solution and gave a little muffled squeak. She hadn't expected one to be ready then. Maybe she should wait. Neville must have been watching because he spoke up.

"I can leave you alone if you want."

She shook her head and moved over to where he stood. Taking a small pin that was on his desk she pricked her finger and let a single drop fall into the potion. It had been clear and as the blood landed red began to spread. A negative result then. But then slowly in the centre a white shade began to spread. Before Ginny's eyes the content of the bowl turned the colour of milk.

Her eyes wide she turned to look at Neville. He was grinning gently.

"Congratulations Ginny."

Her mind just boggled as she looked down once more.