Consequences

The Secret

"Oh, Harry, come back to me!"

Ginny lay on her bed staring at a picture. In her hand was a gold and red striped frame, which was wrapped around a photograph of herself and Harry, lovingly embracing one another. As the photographic couple waved and relaxed in each other's arms, they gave off the image of a newly wedded couple that were greatly in love.

That's what anyone would see if they were to glance at this picture from a distance.

If anyone were to look properly, they would be able to see that the moving miniature of Harry, although constantly smiling, wore a sort of glazed-over look that shone through his designer 'Winner Wizard' glasses. He looked as though he was in a daydream and his movements were often rigid.

Ginny always noticed this.

It seemed to be that one picture of him that revealed the truth, however subtle the clue; she always kept it hidden away in her bedside drawer.

She ran her fingers over the miniature Harry, who responded by blushing and waving, before she placed the picture carefully in the drawer beside her bed. Ginny then crossed her arms in front of her and rested her chin gently upon her hands. She let out a low sigh as tears began to invade her pale cheeks. Ginny's bed lay facing the window opposite, and due to her lying at the opposite end of the bed, she was able to see the black clouds outside. Was the sky reflecting the upsetting, distressing and horrid events of the week? It had seemed to be gloomy and dismal for the last few days.

To the right of the window stood a tall oak wardrobe, which stood to the left of the door. If Ginny turned her head to the right, she would be able to see her small kitchen / dining room / living room. Her bedroom was grass green, which was her favourite colour, especially since she was often told that it not only brought out the colour of her soft brown eyes, but also emphasised the flame-red of her hair, giving off the image that her hair was on fire (an idea that she found immensely hilarious)! And that was her small flat.

Instead of turning to the right, she glanced to the left to find herself staring at a calm blue circular clock, which was surrounded by photos of her family, friends, and him. The time read 2:29 am. This was the sixth night in a row that found Ginny awake and crying into the night since she had found out about Harry and Hermione. Tonight she had lost four and a half hours sleep. Add that to about twenty hours that were lost over the past week … and I've lost a whole day of sleep, she thought bitterly. She knew there were dark circles around her now dark brown and bloodshot eyes, and she didn't really care. As, the tears swarmed down her cheeks and the memory of the day she found out about it began to replay itself before her eyes again, she stared desperately out of the window at the horridly dismal, black sky, whishing more than anything that she had a time turner.

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Ginny sat in her plush, pale green armchair and clicked her tongue impatiently as she stared out of the window. She could see the draped curtains of the apartment opposite, above "Madam Mya's Fortune Café". Madam Mya was a tall young woman with very dark coloured skin and short, shoulder-length black hair with electric blue highlights. She was very beautiful, very kind and was also the mother of one of Ginny's old best friends in school from Ravenclaw. Ginny often found herself thinking that they would have been very good friends if they weren't competing for customers. Yet thanks to Ginny's fresh ideas for entertainment and food (with a little help from her mischievous twin brothers), she was winning.

Madam Mya's café was small and dimly lit. Each table had a large crystal ball upon it so that the customers could 'see their fate, while they ate', as she loved to say, and with their beverages the customers could order moon or star shaped cookies, which apparently contained a minute amount of moon dust to improve the taste. Although Ginny greatly doubted this, she couldn't deny that the cookies were absolutely delicious.

As Ginny licked her lips in remembrance of the taste of Madam Mya's gorgeous cookies, her thoughts suddenly began to drift back to a certain green-eyed angel that had for many years occupied her mind, her bed, and between her legs constantly, and she let out a gentle sigh and bit her lip. She didn't dare turn her gaze from the busy streets of Diagon Ally just yet as she was sure to find herself staring at the enchanting gaze of one of her many photographs if she did. She would just wait – impatiently – for Hermione to return with Harry. She would then ask Hermione to leave, and she would deal with Harry in the usual way …

The usual way.

Ginny's stomach plummeted again, as it did every time she felt the same stab of guilt on her heart about what she had done, still did, and forever would do to Harry.

She began to remember how all this trouble had started. She didn't want to of course; she wanted to forget the whole thing, act like it had never happened and just live happily ever after with her one true love. But guilt has its way of creeping up on you. She remembered the first time … when she had thought and hoped that it would only be a one-time thing. She never realised that she would have to keep doing it. And even when she did, she couldn't stop; it was like an addiction; like getting hooked on those nasty smelling white sticks that muggles smoked.

Ginny was in her seventh year and it was her very last day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Some were happy due to the end of exams, some were sad to have to leave the castle and their friends, while others were exhilarated due to the rumour going around that the Headmistress was going to present the winning house with a small surprise.

As everyone shuffled around the Great Hall trying to find their seats, Ginny's best friend, a Ravenclaw, Thea Rosethorn, came running up to her with a huge grin spread across her gentile face. Thea embraced Ginny in a comforting hug, but as Ginny returned it, she felt something small drop into the right pocket of her long robes.

"You won the bet, Gin," she said as she pulled away. "Gryffindor won the house cup … again." She made a funny face and rolled her beautiful brown eyes, which made Ginny laugh. She was going to miss Thea … a lot! "So your prize is in your pocket." Thea's smile faded slightly as she eyed Ginny. "Be careful with it please Gin. And don't tell anyone where you got it! Slughorn would go ape again if he found out that I nicked some after his 'Slug-Club' meeting yesterday."

Embracing Thea again, Ginny whispered, "Thanks … and I'll see you after dinner." And waved as her best Ravenclaw friend made her way back through the sea of blue and silver to her table.

After seating herself amongst the Gryffindor students of red and gold, Ginny subtly pulled a tiny vial from her pocket. It was Amortentia, the most powerful love potion. The amount in the vial was miniscule. There were, at the most, ten drops within the miniature transparent bottle. But Ginny didn't mind. She had plans for the potion. She planned to use it on Fred and embarrass him at the Weasley summer party. Ever since the year before last when the Weasley Wizard Wheezes had boomed to a gigantic success, her twin brothers had thrown a big party at the Burrow for friends and family. Last year Fred had bewitched a cake to start lobbing bits of icing at the first person that went near it. And lucky, lucky Ginny had been the chosen one. She had been completely humiliated in front of the two boys that she had fancied the most; Eric Rosethorn, a work college of Ron's, and her best friend Thea's older brother. And of course Harry had been there. And neither of the two had been able to help Ginny, although they both tried.

This year the tables were going to turn. Ginny was planning ways to make Fred fall in love with a garden gnome, when Professor McGonagall, the Headmistress, had called for quiet.

"A very well done," she said with a smile on her old, but shining face, "to the winners of this years house cup, Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table erupted into applause. Most of the Gryffindor students were shouting praises and wolf whistling.

"And as a treat to the winning house … Michael Ashton get off the table!" she shouted sternly to a second year who had began dancing on the table and laughing at the Slytherins; half of which were sticking their middle fingers up at him. When Michael was back in his seat and the noise had died down, McGonagall continued.

"As a treat to the winning house, I would like to welcome back the three most famous Gryffindor students who not only saved our school, but also the wizarding world from the wrath of Lord Voldemort (no one shivered or winced at the sound of his name anymore, although some of the Slytherins booed), and ask them to take up their old seats along the Gryffindor table." As the hall erupted into applause (the loudest coming from Gryffindor), Harry, Ron and Hermione emerged from the door next to the staff table. After waving at those they knew and smiling in a friendly way at those they didn't, the trio went to sit with Ginny. Harry and Hermione sat either side of her, while Ron took a seat opposite. They gave Ginny the biggest smile of all before uttering their hellos.

It took fifteen minutes for the hall to quieten down. First year students gathered round to get a look at Harry's famous scar or to ask for autographs, while the older students flocked to shake hands with the trio, to flirt with them, to welcome them back or to ask for autographs. Then … finally, people began to realise that food had appeared along the grand tables, and they slowly returned to their seats. As everyone piled their plates up sky high with different foods, Harry turned to Ginny and gave her a wonderful smile that touched his eyes. Ginny could have melted on the spot.

"You know," he said quietly, "you should have been mentioned too. We couldn't have beaten Voldemort without you." Ginny knew he was just being nice. All she did was hex one of the death eaters before he got to Harry, giving him the chance to chase after Lucius Malfoy. But the fact that Harry had paid Ginny such a grand compliment made her heart skip. She missed him so much. The thought of him at night always left her hot and sweaty. And she never could understand why he didn't want to be with her. After Harry had defeated Voldemort and lived, Ginny had asked him if they could be together again, and he had merely blushed and decided against it.

It was half way through dinner when Ginny discovered just why Harry didn't want to be with her. The reason was Hermione. They acted so strangely around each other. They would constantly steal glances at each other, but when their gazes met, they would stare at their food as though concentrating on turning the mashed potato into gold. Or, they would glance nervously at each other, then at their food whenever Ron said anything about Hermione. Or, when Ron asked someone to pass him the gravy dish and they both reached for it, they would both remove their hands as though they had been scalded.

Ginny's heart hurt and her stomach plummeted as she watched the two on either side of her flirt discreetly. It seems that the only one who didn't notice anything wrong was Ron. The idiot! Ginny wanted to turn to Hermione and scream at her, tell her to lay off Harry, but she knew that would only repel him. Sweet Merlin! How could he like that … that bushy haired, snotty, stuck-up, know-it-all? Ginny liked Hermione really; she was just upset that Harry had chosen her of all people!

Ginny's hand suddenly made its way into her right pocket where it rested upon a small glass vial.

No, I shouldn't.

She began to wonder what would happen if she slipped Harry a few drops of Amortantia. He would forget prissy Hermoine in a second and love her as he was meant to. A tiny voice in the back of her mind was trying to squash the subject … but it wasn't strong enough. Ginny was being overpowered by the idea that Harry would love her again. That he would hold her, kiss her and make love to her again. She wanted him so much. As her thoughts stayed wrapped around the small vial, she found it extremely hard to keep up with the conversation going on around her. She could distantly hear Ron talking about his training with the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry, while Harry and Hermione compared it with their Auror training, but she was far more interested in finding ways to slip the love potion into Harry's digestive system without him or anyone else noticing.

Then, slowly but surely, the chance appeared.

"Oh, there's Professor McGonagall," Hermione said as she finished the last of her apple crumble and custard. "I must have a word with her." She rose from the table and walked briskly after the stern Headmistress as she exited the Great Hall. "Be back in a few." Hermione shouted as she disappeared through the grand doors. Before Ginny and Harry had a chance to turn to Ron and question Hermione's need to talk to McGonagall, he jumped up suddenly. "I need to have a word with Colin Creevey." He said with a slight tone as he made his way to the end of the long table. Ginny turned to Harry who looked slightly shocked at the fact that Ron didn't tell him why he needed to talk with the over-eager, young photographer. As he returned to his chocolate sponge cake, Ginny realised that they were alone together, for the first time in over a year. Well, of course they weren't actually alone as they were in the Great Hall, but it seemed that no one was paying them much attention, and to Ginny, it felt like they were alone. And it felt nice.

Then the opportunity jumped at her.

"Ginny, could you pass me the pumpkin juice, please?" he asked without even looking at her. The nearest jug full of pumpkin juice was sitting between a group of boys that were next to the vacant seats of Hermione and Ron. Ginny smiled as she turned to Harry.

"Pass me your goblet, Harry, and I'll fill it up for you … that way those boys can still get some pumpkin juice if they want it." She wasn't sure he would buy it … until he passed her his goblet. When he looked back to his pudding, Ginny made a show of reaching for the pumpkin jug, and then dropping the goblet onto the stone floor. As it made the loud 'clunk' on the floor, a few people near her turned to decipher where the sudden noise had come from. Blushing slightly, she muttered "s…sorry", to those around her; she dived under the table to retrieve the fallen object. Luckily, no one else in the hall had heard the noise over he mummer of conversation. When she had hold of the Goblet, she pulled the tiny vial from her pocket and tilted it over the rim of the cup. Just one drop … well maybe two. Ok, 4, but that's definitely it!

When she emerged from the table with more than half of the Amortantia floating around in the bottom of the goblet, she found Harry glancing at her curiously.

"You ok, Gin?" he asked as she resumed her seat. She nodded in reply and succeeded in reaching the jug of pumpkin juice just as Hermione returned with a small smile on her face. Not wanting Hermione to see or smell the potion in Harry's cup, she hastily poured the juice into it and handed it to him. As he began to drink it, Ginny wondered how quickly Amortentia worked, and her question was soon answered as Harry lowered his goblet and took hold of Ginny's hand. He smiled at her and kissed the back of her slightly trembling hand before saying, "Gin, did I tell you how absolutely beautiful you look today? You're so … so radiant. I have to say … I've missed the smell of your hair and the sight of your beautiful smile."

Ginny's heart soared. Then she heard a clatter from behind her. As she turned around, she saw Hermione stand up briskly and storm out of the Great Hall, just as Ron returned.

"Whoa … what happened to her?" he asked, as he sat down and took a large swig of pumpkin juice.

"I dunno," said Harry lazily. Without removing his gaze from Ginny, he then said, "Why don't you go and find out, Ron. I want to have a word with Ginny." Ron glanced curiously at Ginny and Harry before following Hermione.

That was when Ginny thought that everything was going to be perfect. Harry asked Ginny out again and told her that he didn't know what he was going to do without her. She had immediately accepted and shared a kiss with him … in front of everyone in the Great Hall! She thought that the few drops of Amortentia would be enough to help Harry to recognise his love for Ginny, and even after it had worn off, he would still love her, and they would live together, and everything would be … perfect.

How naïve she had been.

Never did she imagine that she would have to sneak him a few drops every three days.

A sharp bang on the door brought Ginny back to the present. She was in her living room, staring out of her window at the still busy streets of Diagon Ally. Dusk was approaching and the lovely blue sky was turning into a multi-coloured sea of red, purple and pink.

Ginny blinked a few times as another sharp and heavy bang on the door brought her to her feet. A sudden smile spread across her face.

Harry.

She ran to the door. Finally, Hermione had convinced Harry to turn up. This whole mess would soon be sorted out. Ginny got a slight shock as she opened the door and Ron stomped through. He had a face like thunder and a scowl to match that of Professor Snape after having to sit through one of Lockhart's stupid lectures on his books.

"Ronny? What's wr…?" Ginny never got the chance to finish her sentence as Ron slammed the door shut and turned to her. "IT'S THEM!!!" he shouted with such rage and force that Ginny stumbled back a step. She had never seen Ron this angry. It was bloody scary!

"It's … who Ron? What are you talking about? Look why don't you sit down and I'll make you some tea …"

"I don't want any fucking tea!" he raged as he paced back and forth in front of the door. "God … I'm … I'm going to fucking kill him!" He then turned to Ginny. "It's Harry and Hermione."

Now he had Ginny's full attention. What could Harry and Hermione possibly have done to piss Ron off this much? They always had their little squabbles, like all friends, but … Ginny had never seen Ron like this.

"Ronny … what did they do?" she asked, a hint of desperation in her voice. Ron's face suddenly softened. He walked up to Ginny and gave her a tight hug. It was comforting, yet quite uncomfortable. He then pulled away slightly and looked Ginny directly in the eye.

"Gin … erm … when I got home from the pub last night … I went into my room and … I saw …" He couldn't seem to get the words out. Ginny shook him slightly to urge him to carry on. She had a very bad feeling about where this was going, but she had to know. "What did you see, Ronald?" He glanced to the floor as a tear rolled down his flaming red cheeks. When he returned his gaze to hers, his eyes were gleaming with moisture.

"Gin … I saw Harry and Hermione … in my bed, naked … I'm so sorry … Gin, are you ok?"

Ginny had slid to the floor. Her knees had turned to jelly and refused to hold her weight any more. Tears immediately flooded her cheeks as Ron came to her level and hugged her. Ginny didn't sob as Ron muttered things that she could just about make out, in her ear, like, "I'm going to kill him, Gin … swear I will … and her … good for nothing … slag … how could she?"

Ginny felt immensely sorry for her brother. Ron had fancied Hermione for ages, since their younger years at Hogwarts. She knew that he was going through the same sort of hurt as she … yet, she couldn't deal with it. She wanted to be alone.

Pushing Ron away from her slightly she glared at the floor. Ron immediately stood up and nodded. No one knew her better than her brothers. Although they always fought, they were always there for her, no matter what.

As Ron reached the door, he turned to face Ginny once more. "Gin … he's not worth your tears. Any guy would be lucky to have such a beautiful girl like you on their arm. Harry is scum. Block him from your mind and you'll go far, sis."

Usually a compliment like this would leave Ginny jumping for the stars. Her brothers hardly ever paid her compliments. However, today it just made her sob her heart out on the floor and watch it melt away.

The next day, her family showed up baring gifts, chocolates and comments on how much of a bastard Harry was and how much of a slag Hermione was. And although it was nice to have her family around her in her time of need, she just wanted to be alone. Her presents lay in her wardrobe, unopened. Her chocolates lay in the fridge, untouched, and her heart lay in the bin, shredded. Her family were unaware of how Harry fell in love with her in the first place.

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Ginny ran into the toilet and threw up. She didn't know what was wrong with her. She had been unable to eat anything for ages except eggs and she had been throwing up for the past two weeks. And with all this 'Harry and Hermione' crap going on, she was feeling very distressed. She gargled some mouthwash and went back to her bed.

How could she have been so stupid to think that this wouldn't happen? Of course she was going to slip up at some point and forget to give Harry his potion, of course he was going to go back to Hermione, of course he was going to forget all about Ginny. It was just a lucky thing that she had always remembered to modify his brain after he had taken his potion, or she was sure that Harry would want to kill her right now.

It was her own fault really. She should have realised that there would be consequences. It was just a shame that she didn't realise the consequences of her actions would involve a broken heart.

She heard a gentle knock at the door and went to answer it. It was a private Healer. Mrs Weasley had sent him round during the week to get a look at Ginny and find out if she was ok. He was back to give her the results.

"Hello again, Miss Weasley, may I come in?" he said as Ginny stood aside to admit him entrance. "I have come to talk to you about the tests we did earlier this week. I have come to tell you that illness-wise, there is nothing wrong with you, besides a very mild state of depression – that can be easily sorted with the consumption of some chocolate."

Ginny knew that, but she couldn't bring herself to eat it at the moment. The only thing she wanted was eggs. She nodded at the healer's words. "So what is wrong with me then? Why do I keep throwing up?"

The Healer smiled slightly as her rested his hands gently on her shoulders. "My dear girl, you are throwing up because you are pregnant."

Finis