Fourteen

Ginny felt sick. She wasn't due for another nine days. She had been told that she could go early, that it was even likely. But she hadn't expected it. And she was on her own! There was no-one else in the house.

Panic ran through her as she waddled away from the stairs and into the kitchen. What could she do? She was now hyperventilating. That was just what she needed. No she had to be calm and think this through. She could do this. Parchment she needed parchment. She scribbled a note for Harry and left it on the table.

Floo powder. Oh she hated the floo network lately. It made her really sick to use it. But she needed to get help and quick. Maybe she could just contact somebody. Yeah right like she could get on the floor anymore. Apparition. Although no that wasn't safe during labour. You were likely to leave the child behind at this stage.

So closing her eyes she stepped slowly into the fire and dropped the powder into the flames turning them green. In a strong and confident voice she called out her destination.

"St Mungo's Hospital."

The spinning made her feel increasingly ill. She kept going round and round. Her eyes were forced shut as slowly she stopped and fell forward. A strong pair of arms caught her and she looked up at the man.

"You alright miss?"

"Thank you."

Her stomach gave another twinge and it felt stronger than before. The man was looking at her funny.

"Miss are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes."

She pulled her arm free and walked over to the stairs. Slowly she began to climb. She was tried after about five steps. She had to stop. She could hear feet above and heard voices.

"I can't believe he walked into the door."

"He wasn't even being chased. We were the ones doing all the fighting."

"Stupid man. Needs more training."

Ginny recognised one of the voices.

"RON!"

The talking stopped for a moment and then footfalls echoed as two men came running. She had been right one of them had been her brother. The other was an elder man with brown hair that was turning grey in places. He had bright sparkling blue eyes as he looked at her. But Ron was the only one she cared about.

"Gin are you alright?"

"I keep having these twinges in my stomach and I'm sure my water broke."

"You're having the baby?"

"No I'm having a pumpkin!"

Ron flushed slightly pink as he wrapped his arm around her and started to pull her up the stairs.

"Well don't just stand there Will help me!"

The other man moved over and took her other side and helped to pull her up the stairs.

"This your misses then Ron?"

"What? No this is Ginny, Harry's wife."

"Ah so just playing good Samaritans then are we?"

"Ron!"

The twinge came again and she bit her lip looking at him tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"It hurts. I want Harry."

"We'll get you up to the ward and I'll go get him."

"No stay with me Ron. I don't want to be on my own."

"You sure she ain't your misses Ron?"

"What? Oh shut up Will. This is my sister!"

The older man gave a look and helped to tug Ginny up to the floor that she needed. When they reached the door he looked at her and Ron and then spoke up.

"You stay with your sister Ron. I'll go back to the ministry and tell Harry."

He didn't wait for Ron to reply just legged it. Ron gave Ginny a tiny smile and helped to pull her through a door. A healer spotted them and ran over. Ginny was quickly placed into a bed while Ron stood and held her hand. The healer checked her over and stated that she was nearly ready.

"Ron how do you do this?"

"No idea never done it myself."

She laughed through another contraction as he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Oh isn't this a pretty picture. Mummy and daddy waiting for the baby. Shouldn't be long darling."

"What? Us? No!"

Ron was shaking his head firmly at the older woman that had just come in. It looked like she was going to be Ginny's personal healer. The woman smiled gently at them.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about son. You and your wife should be happy, this is a joyous moment."

"He's my brother."

The healer looked a little shocked but then nodded. Ron was looking at Ginny closely.

"I always thought that we looked related!"

"We do Ron."

"Then why do people keep asking me if you're my misses?"

"Because I'm in labour and you're here with me. Normally it's the father-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

It was the strongest contraction that Ginny had yet had. Ron held her hand tightly as she squeezed his fingers. The door burst open and the Healer looked back.

"I'm sorry young man but this is a closed room!"

"Ginny! Ron is she okay?"

"She's breaking my fingers! She's breaking my fingers!"

Harry laughed gently running over to Ginny's other side. She took his hand and felt his lips touch her forehead.

"You're still breaking my fingers Gin!"

"What? Sorry."

She relaxed her grip as the pain passed. The healer looked at the three of them closely.

"Who shouldn't be here?"

"Me!"

They all looked at Ginny as she winced.

"I should never have taken the potion and then I'd never feel pain like this."

"It can't be that bad."

"You want to try this Harry! Because I promise you it hurts."

"I'll wait outside then alright mate."

Ron kissed Ginny's cheek and headed outside. He looked a little relived as he closed the door.

"Everything will be just fine Ginny. I promise."

She looked up at Harry. His eyes sparkled as he watched her. Suddenly she felt that she could do anything. Having this baby would be simple…