The day dawned cold and grey. It wasn't raining, but there was moisture lingering in the air. Ginny slowly got up and made her way to the kitchen. The flowers and tea were really helping. Before she could hardly sleep through the night because of the baby's incessant need to move, but now she slept like a rock.
Since the attack Ginny had been staying inside for the most part, just vegging. It had been a little over a month, but Lupin and the others afraid for her safety commanded her to stay indoors. This suited Ginny just fine, she never saw anyone so she didn't have to worry about performing glamour spells on herself to hide her now large protruding belly. Her living room however was suffering from her imprisonment. Ginny had never liked cleaning and becoming a mommy-to-be hadn't changed that. Nearly every single dish or cup she owned lay strewn about her kitchen. There was also and assortment of pizza boxes and other food containers that Ginny had just left about. Ginny had gotten into the habit of ordering delivery food rather then venturing out of her house to get food. She didn't want to go outside anymore. The baby was just too big to hide anymore and with Death Eaters after her she couldn't risk it. It was no longer about her safety but that of her baby.
Today however she had to leave. She had an appointment. So after some tea and toast, Ginny threw on some sweats and a large black tee. Over this she threw on a black robe that looked like a large rain slicker. Muggles couldn't tell the difference. She hid her wand up her right hand sleeve before exiting the apartment. Another reason she didn't venture out too much was because it was becoming quite difficult to walk up and down the stairs in her apartment building, living on the 4th floor didn't make it any easier. She made it down the stairway without too much sweating, but before walking outside she had a sudden chill down her back like she was being watched. She pulled her hood up hiding her face from anyone who might be outside.
She had been inside all week so she decided to walk instead of calling cab. A few streets down to the right, a turn at the crosswalk, 5 steps to her left and Ginny found herself on the doorstep of Dr. Calhan. She had been listening intently the whole way but glancing up and down the street Ginny didn't see any Death Eaters or anyone else to be worried about. So into the office she went. If her mother ever found out about Ginny using a muggle doctor she would have had an absolute fit. Her father's horrible botched attempt at using muggle stitches on wounds he had sustained had not given her mother a good outlook on muggle medicine. A wizarding hospital would have better suited her mother's taste, but her family knew way too many people at St.Mungos (thanks to her brothers' frequent visits) to trust her secret to anyone there. She had considered forgoing the doctors all together but she realized that wouldn't be in the best interest of the child. Besides, muggles had perfectly healthy babies all the time their methods couldn't be all bad.
The bell made a pleasant tinkling as she stepped inside.
"Oh, Miss Weasley how are you this morning?" Allen asked. He was the male nurse that sat at a desk in the waiting room.
"I'm doing fine, when will Dr. Calhan be ready for me?"
"Well, she had one other appointment before yours about half and hour ago, but that should be finishing up here soon. So if you just have a seat it will be just a tick. Goodness, you've swelled up like a balloon since the last time I saw you."
"Oh I know. I look like a hippo." Ginny said patting her stomach playfully. She looked at Allen and they shared a good laugh. Over her visits, Allen had become a dear friend to her. He always seemed to know how to cheer her up even on her worst days.
"Oh, Allen come quickly. He's moving, he's moving!" She pulled Allen's hand on to her stomach. The baby gave a few good squirms followed by a sudden kick. Allen smiled and beamed at her. Ginny stared down into his face and felt a deep hollowness. I wish you were Draco, sharing this moment with me.
"Oh, he's quite the gymnast. I hope you're ready because that boy's going to give you a handful." Allen said.
Suddenly Dr. Calhan poked her head out the office doorway. "Ok Ginny I'm ready for you."
"I'll see you in a few." Ginny said to Allen.
Ginny followed Dr. Calhan to the back room, where an ultrasound machine was ready and waiting. She went to the bathroom and changed into a revealing paper gown. Then with as much diginity as she muster Ginny laid herself down on the table.
"Ok Ginny, you know the drill. Let's lift your gown up, over your stomach that's it, and pull the sheet up over your legs. Ok let's see what he's doing in there." Dr. Calhan smeared some cold gel onto her stomach and pressed the receiver to it.
"Well, he's perfectly healthy as fine as I can see ten fingers ten toes the usual for 7 months. You're doing perfectly fine, no complications that I can see. I'm going to schedule you to come in here for your orientation in about two days."
"What for?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, Its nothing really, I just need you and the father to come in together so that I can explain the whole process and particulars to you. When will be a good time for you two to come in?" She said while flipping through her clipboard.
"Thursday afternoon would be fine." Ginny replied.
"And that's good with the father as well?" The Doctor asked casually.
"Well the father doesn't really care to be involved so it'll just be me." Ginny said quietly.
"Alright, how about a family member or close friend, anyone like that?"
"Nope, it's just me, by myself."
"Ginny, I'm not going to sugar coat it. This can be very difficult and draining. It really helps to have someone with you, to support you. Are you sure there's absolutely no one?" Dr. Calhan asked very sternly.
"I'm absolutely sure. I'll come by Thursday, at around 11:00?"
Obviously not wanting to argue the subject father she replied "Works for me dear. That's settled then. I'll see you Thursday at eleven." Dr. Calhan left her to change.
Outside the Dr.'s Office……
What the hell was she doing at a muggle Dr.'s office? Hermione wondered. Ginny hadn't been quite right lately and Hermione had taken it upon herself to snoop her out. Besides, if she was caught Hermione could simply say she was watching for Death Eaters. Ginny had never mentioned needing medical attention, what was going on here?
"Oh, here she comes." She whispered frantically to no one but herself. She ducked behind a light post and watched carefully as Ginny walked out of the office and headed down the street.
Even if Ginny had noticed Hermione she wouldn't have recognized her. Hermione was sporting a blue wig, black go go boots, trench coat, and large sunglasses, very inconspicuous.
"Well there's one way to figure this out." Hermione stomped across the street and busted into the Dr.'s Office.
"Um hello, do you have an appointment?" Allen asked. He didn't quite know what to make of the blue crazy in front of him.
"No, a friend of mine, Ginny Weasley wanted me to meet her here. Is she with the Doctor?" Hermione asked flashing her sweetest smile.
"Oh, she just left."
"Well, I'm a good friend of the family and I've been worried about Ginny. Would it be possible for me to speak with the doctor?"
"She's booked all day, however if you leave your name and number I can have her contact you." Allen replied handing her a post it and a pencil.
Hermione scratched out her information and handed it back.
"I'll be sure the Doctor gets this." Allen said.
"I'd appreciate it."
"I wouldn't worry too much. From what I can see her pregnancy is going great." Allen said.
"P-p-pregnancy?" Hermione said with a startled squeak. Before Allen could say another word Hermione was out the door. She ducked into a side street before apparating straight to Ginny's flat.
Hermione hadn't been standing in the bare apartment for more than 2 seconds when Ginny came through the door.
Ginny gave a yelp of surprise. "Hermione, you have to stop doing that!"
"Are you pregnant?" Hermione almost screamed at her.
"What! No, god no." Ginny turned around quickly trying to hide her engorged stomach.
"You're pregnant! Sweet Pete's Ghost, YOU'RE PREGNANT!" Hermione screamed hysterically not knowing what else to say.
"Stop Screaming!" Ginny yelled.
"Well I'm sorry but this is a little scary! Why are you pregnant?!"
"Well Hermione when a mommy and a daddy get together," Ginny replied sarcastically.
"I know how it happens, you know what I meant! Whose is it?" Hermione said a little quieter.
"I don't think that's really any of your business."
"It damn well is my business, I'm your best friend Ginny Weasley, and you would do well to remember that."
Ginny's protective sarcastic attitude collapsed "Hermione, I wanted to tell you. I just couldn't. You would never forgive me if you knew."
Hermione fell to her side and wrapped her arms around her. For what seemed like hours Hermione held Ginny's sobbing body, while she spewed the whole story.