The Burrow had been home to the Weasley Family for a very long time, and through out that time it hadn't really changed all that much. Well that was until now, but only a few slight changes mind you. Where garden gnomes had once played there now stood an entire flock of penguins curiously pecking at the old boots and cauldrons laying about outside. And where a lovely flower patch and garden had once stood had now been replaced by miles and miles of flat glacial ice. Yes ladies and gentlemen the Burrow had in fact been moved about as south of the equator as you can go, Antarctica.
Due to the recent Death Eater activity, the Order had set up their headquarters some where, where they were least likely to be found or disturbed. The South Pole seemed a likely spot seeing as no one lived there nor did anybody really travel there. For lack of a better word the Order had basically apparated the entire burrow, every single inch. It had taken 3 weeks and 247 tries that ended in splinching tea cozies and reversed flooring. But as always Hermione's brilliance had gotten them through all right, much to the relief of a very hysterical Mrs. Weasley. The Burrow had been equipped with many of the same spells that once surrounded Hogwarts (can't apparate in or out of the house, can't fly a broomstick anywhere near the house, no floo powder access, anti-theft alarms, anti-muggle charms, and most importantly only those with verbal permission from someone in the order could find the place at all) Still even with permission, anyone trying to get there had to apparate at least a mile away from the house and continue the rest on foot. In short the house was basically impenetrable to the enemy but a pain the ass to get to for everyone else.
Even with Hermione's patented flame in a jar and the best heating charms known to wizard kind, the two girls still arrived at the front door shivering in the violent cold. A very frazzled Mrs. Weasley met them at the door.
"Oh you two, get in here quickly! Antarctica, honestly! We'll all die of frostbite before You Know Who can even find us." Mrs. Weasley nearly threw Ginny and Hermione by their coats into the fire.
"Hi, mum." Ginny hugged her mother. Mrs. Weasley returned the hug with enthusiasm. Ginny noticed that she hugged tighter now, as if she was afraid to let go.
"Now lets get you something to eat before the meeting starts. Hermione I've made a wonderful dish that will fatten you up good, you look practically skeletal." Mrs. Weasley grabbed a dish loaded with a thick ham stew. But before she could bring it to the table a couple of loud bangs came from the kitchen window causing Mrs. Weasley to spin around and drop the plate with a scream of terror. A young male polar bear had been attracted by the smell of the cooking meat and was now attempting to paw its way into the kitchen through the window.
"I swear to God, if someone doesn't do something about these animals I'm going to loose my head! I feel like I'm living in one of those damned Muggle Poos!" Mrs. Weasley screeched as she cleaned up the mess.
"I think you mean Zoo mother." Ginny remarked.
"Whatever! I've had enough of it!" She dished up some more stew for Hermione and slammed in on the table.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley, it looks wonderful." Hermione dove in while Ginny sat herself down.
"Ginny dear, I can't believe I'm saying this but, you look quite plump around the middle. What have you been eating?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Oh, I've been eating lots of peanut butter cookies lately. They're just so darn good you know." She planted a fake smile on her face. It was just so hard not to blurt everything out and run to the safety of her mother's arms.
"Well, I'll just whip you up some nice greens. Can't have my daughter running around looking like some common porker."
She fussed around the kitchen before setting a large salad before her daughter. It looked less than appetizing compared to the stew that Hermione was eating greedily. However, Ginny ate timidly so as to not offend her mother.
She didn't have to worry about it too long though. Soon people started arriving and it was time to get down to business. First Ron and Harry showed up, both looking absolutely filthy. They never told anyone what they were doing, the only thing anybody knew was that they were still searching for the remaining Horcruxes; "None of you business" was what they told anyone who would ask. Then Fred and George, Lupin, Tonks, and all the rest.
Lupin started the meeting. He rambled out reports about suspected Death Eater activity, updates on what few inside information that they had. Ginny had heard it all before, nothing changed really. Not too much to report, not sure where they're heading next. It was all so frustrating, nothing ever really got done. She glanced at the others.
Harry looked awful. His face was sunken in, and his eyes. His eyes were those of a madman's, rimmed with sleepless circles. Harry had never really been the same after Dumbledore's death. He had become obsessive over Voldemort, never eating or sleeping. It had taken an intervention and some real moral support from Ron before they had him to a ghost of what he had been. He never smiled or talked of anything other than the on going war. Ginny knew that even if they defeated Voldemort, Harry would never be himself again.
She closed her hands over her stomach protectively. The world seemed to be so dreary now. But there was something that brought hope to her. Even though her secret was a bane to her existence, the baby was not. Every day she was reminded that once the baby was born she would have to go into hiding. She couldn't raise it while fighting Death Eaters full time, It just wouldn't work. That was ok though, she was looking forward to the peace. It would be so wonderful to have some one to lavish so much love on.
Of course, it would have been nice to have someone to share this peace with. Yes, she would have the baby, but wanted someone to love her too. At Hogwarts she had thought Harry would be that man, but now she knew that had been a silly crush, not real love. Besides, with what he had become, she wasn't even sure he was a friend anymore. When she was little she always imagined having a baby with the man of her dreams, someone who worshiped and adored her. She imagined they would love each other forever, much like her parents.
She looked at them. Her mother was sitting on an old love seat with her father holding her close. She smiled, and thought of how she and Draco would look like, sitting together like that. She had to mentally berate herself for such a thought. But in the end she couldn't help but fantasize about her Draco playing house, like a real couple.
"Does anyone else have something to report?" Lupin asked quietly.
Ginny stood up. "Early this morning I was on patrol in Diagon Alley. I was attacked by Lucius Malfoy and three other Death Eaters, his son among them. I didn't recognize the others. I heard them talking and they were after a specific person a girl I believe. I'm not sure if they were after me, or if I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time" She sat back down.
No one said anything. It wasn't like others hadn't been attacked before. This sort of thing was becoming common place.
"I think it's nothing to be too concerned about. Stay alert, and take extra safety precautions just incase they are after you solely. Perhaps you should remain at home for awhile, until we can get more information. We can't afford to loose anyone else" Lupin said. They others nodded or murmured in agreement.
"Anyone else? No, then on to other matters." Lupin exclaimed. The meeting continued on for another hour or so. Soon after, everyone left. Ginny stayed behind for a little while longer to visit with her mother and father. Her father no longer had the characteristic Weasley red head, but instead his balding hair had faded to a dull gray color with stress and age. At the moment he was sitting by the fire silently musing to himself. After helping her mother clean up the kitchen Ginny sat down at her father's feet like she had done so many times before when she was a girl.
"Ah, Ginny I didn't hear you come in." He said smiling.
That's what Ginny loved most about her father, that despite everything that was going on he still had a smile on his face, something most people had forgotten how to do in these dark times.
"You don't look so well, are you getting enough sleep? Perhaps you should take this time in hiding to rest your self, you know recuperate a bit. Think of it as a bit of a vacation." He placed his hand upon her head.
"I think I will, I could use a break." She smiled weakly. They just sat there in silence for a few moments, when suddenly it hit her. She would never sit here with her father, sharing her baby with him. She would never watch him cuddle or hold her child. Tears came unbidden, but before she could wipe them away her father looked up.
"Ginerva darling what's wrong?" Her father sat up staring at her.
"If only I could tell you." She whispered.
"Ginny tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help." He pleaded.
"No one can help me, this secret is mine to bare." She said more sternly this time.
"Ginny, I'm your father I can," he began again but was abruptly cut off.
"Dad, no. There is nothing you can do, but don't worry I'm handling it." They sat in silence again.
"I should probably be heading out; I don't want to get back to late. Please don't mention this to mum, you know how she worries."
Her father stood up and held her but didn't say anything more. Ginny left the room said goodbye to her mother before she finally stepped out into the bitter cold.
Ginny was relieved to get back to her apartment. It was small, but it was hers.
It was a one bedroom flat on the edges of London. She had a tiny kitchen, and a cozy living room. Her furnishings were bare, a sofa, table, bed, some lights, and that was about it. For extra privacy and protection Ginny had hung long black curtains over the windows to keep prying eyes, muggle or otherwise, out. She had also added a magical fireplace that required no chimney unlike its muggle designed cousins. The color of the walls and other surfaces changed regularly, whenever Ginny got tired of one color she merely tapped the walls with her wand and they instantly changed colors. Today they were a soft deep plum.
Her pride and joy was an oil painting done by some muggle artist in she forgot where. She had it hanging on the wall facing her bed, so she could stare at it whenever she liked. It showed a group of orange Julia butterflies against midnight sky. Ginny had bewitched it so the butterflies fluttered back and forth across the canvas.
Ginny changed into a giant t-shirt and sweats. She curled up into her bed drawing the comforter around her. She tried to sleep but none came so she got up and walked around her apartment. Feeling a little chilly she flicked her wand in the direction of her fireplace starting a warm crackling fire. She stared at the blaze and wondered what Draco was doing now, what he was thinking. Did he ever think of her, or miss her at all? She tried not to think of him but when there were no distractions she couldn't help it. Settling down onto her couch Ginny brushed her knuckles against her lips still in disbelief that a few hours ago Draco had kissed her. For about the millionth time that day Ginny's eyes began to water. Angry that she no longer had control over her tear ducts Ginny furiously brushed the falling tears away. Her thoughts drifted again to Draco.
When he had first left her, Ginny had convinced herself that he had loved her all along it was that he was a coward who couldn't commit. It had helped the pain; it was just too much to accept that she had been the only one in love. Ginny glanced at her curtained window and saw that the sun's light was fading into the horizon.
Miles away Draco sat on a large chaise before his window. His face was bruised but the swelling had gone away. He sat there watching the same sunset, thinking of how much he wished Ginny was there telling him everything would be alright.
He wanted to explain himself to her. He had to do it, there were just too many dangers, and he couldn't risk her. The Dark Lord was becoming increasingly interested in Draco and if he ever found out about Ginny it would be the death of her, something he would never let happen as long as he lived. These were the things he wanted to tell her, but he knew that this way was better. It was better that she thought him to be scum, because that was what he was. Draco glared darkly at the Dark Mark on his arm.
Draco closed his eyes and reminisced about the way she felt in his arms. Many times in the past after they had made love, Ginny would fall asleep curled up in his embrace. It was this time that Draco had loved the most, because he could touch her face, brush away her soft hair and just listen to her heartbeat without interruption. He lifted his hands in front of his face staring at them blankly. It amazed him that things that had done so much evil had once held and touched something so beautiful. He fell into a fitful sleep, holding someone that wasn't there.
In a dark fire lit room, Ginny hugged her stomach and cried herself to sleep wishing someone was there holding her.