Harry could not pluck up the courage to tell Ginny about her condition. Her healer at Mungo's had offered to tell her but he declined it. He was not sure how Ginny would react and wanted to do it himself with someone by his side to provide moral support to both of them and he knew no one was better than Hermione. He was not so sure about Ron, his reactions had always been so impulsive and Harry wanted a controlled environment for the sake of Ginny. But first he needed to get control over his own emotions. He owled Hermione and asked her to meet him at a nearby muggle café to avoid the risk of being over heard.
He went to his room to change before heading to the café and saw that Ginny was sleeping peacefully there. He moved closer and tucked a strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear, kissed her forehead. He changed into his muggle attire and left for the café. When he reached there he saw Hermione waiting for him with a grim expression. He was sure she had done all the research on the subject before coming to meet him and was also sure that she would mention at least 10 books in the conversation they were going to have next. Somehow that thought made him feel lighter, that there was at least some thing in his life that won't change. For instance Hermione being there for him whenever he needed her to be.
The discussed the symptoms and conditions of Core Cancer. As predicted she had done her research and did mention at least 10 books from which she had drawn the information. The Core Cancer was undetectable in first two stages because it had only one symptom, that the patient would feel tired when he used complex magic. Ginny had no reason to perform complex magic for months because she was on break from her carrier. Once she had started working again she started to feel tired and that was when she was taken to St. Mungo's.
Hermione's further research told him that Ginny was not to use magic of any kind and that would increase her life span by at least a few week. But a use of any kind of defensive magic could kill her instantly. They both sat there for hours, sometimes discussing and sometimes crying. Hermione was trying to be brave, to support Harry through this agony that she knew had no end. After all Ginny's heart beats were now numbered. But they had to be strong, for Ginny, for their children and for their whole family. They both had to decide how to inform Ginny that she had a sure death sentence hanging on her head. Harry was of little help on the matter since he was so distraught but Hermione knew they had to act fast because Ginny's life was draining with every bit of magic she was using.
They decided to tell her that day itself. Hermione had arranged for Lily and Hugo to go to Molly's place with Ron and she and Harry were to talk to Ginny at home. They managed to apparate to the front garden of the Potters house but Harry collapsed to the ground as soon as his feet landed. Hermione supported him to stand up and was trying to console him to be strong when Ginny came out. She saw something was wrong with Harry and Hermione was supporting him.
"What happened?" she rushed forward and asked Harry.
"N.. nothing Ginny…. Nothing to worry" Harry said and looked at Hermione for support with pleading eyes.
"We need to talk Ginny" Hermione said looking at Ginny and barely controlling her own tears.
Ginny looked scared but nodded all the same. All three of them settled in the living room, Harry sat beside Ginny on the sofa and Hermione sat opposite to them on an armchair. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and Hermione nodded at him to start, she would help him to continue whenever he required. Harry looked at Ginny trying very hard to control his emotions.
"Your need to be calm when you hear this Ginny" he said and she nodded. Fear evident in her beautiful brown eyes.
"Your reports from St. Mungo's arrived the day before James and Al left for Hogwarts. I could not tell you anything about it because it would have complicated things with children here. I know we still have Lily and that is why I arranged for her to be at your mum's place today. I have no idea at all hot to tell you this… I… I.." he trailed away. Ginny was confused but she understood one thing from Harry's babble that he was nervous about something and definitely very unhappy. This was not a good sign if it was related to her reports, something was definitely wrong with her health and it was really serious. She held Harry's hand and assured him with a squeeze so that he could continue.
"You have Core Cancer Ginny" he almost chocked on her name but steadied himself. Ginny was so shocked that she could not utter a single word in response.
