Chapter 25

Harry Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, where he changed into his muggle attire and headed out into the muggle world. He rented a small one room flat down the street from the 'secret' entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and conjured himself a bed, dresser, couch, and TV. Then, he climbed into bed and fell asleep.

The next morning, he awoke to an owl pecking outside his only window. He walked over to the window and opened it. In flew a large brown barn owl. He ruffled his feathers after he landed on the dresser and Harry pulled the letter off of his foot.

Harry,

I'm so sorry about last night. But, honestly, you never should have cheated on me. I loved you. And I still do in a sense, but you can't expect me to just come rushing back into your arms. I've talked to Kingsley and he says a hearing will be set up for Tuesday to figure out the custody arrangements for James and the new baby, as well as the divorce arrangements. Personally, I hope you never get to see him ever again. It would serve you right for abandoning us.

However, I don't have that right. Remus will be at your new place at seven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday to pick you up and accompany you to the Ministry. I guess I will see you then.

Ginny

It was over, Harry realized. He was never going to see Ginny or James ever again after Tuesday. A cold feeling of dread filled his stomach as he thought about never getting to see his infant son ever again.

Harry got dressed and walked outside to the center of London. A small playground was just a few blocks away. His feet led him there where he saw a small redheaded girl with pigtails around William's age. She toddled across the mulch before falling down. Her father picked her up and held her tightly.

"Do you have any children?" the man asked Harry.

"No. But my fiancee and I plan on starting a family soon, after our wedding," Harry lied.

"Oh, well good luck. They're a great joy, children are," the man said, his eyes twinkling merrily. He carried his daughter off to where a redheaded woman was standing, a small redheaded boy holding her hand.

"Harry?" a voice called. He turned around to see someone he truly didn't want to see... Chivan.

"Oh, hello," Harry said. He started walking away, quickly. Chivan jogged in order to catch up with him.

"Harry!" she called out in frustration.

"What?" Harry snapped.

"Look, join me for lunch," she said, "There's something I need to tell you."

"Why should I join the woman who destroyed my marriage for lunch?" Harry snapped back.

"Because!"

"Because why? Because of you, I'm probably never going to see my wife again. I'm never going to get to see my son grow up or see the birth of my new son or daughter. Is that what you wanted? Are you happy now?"

"Harry, I'm pregnant," Chivan stated coldly.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"That what I was wanting to tell you. But apparently, you're too wrapped up in the fact that you're going to lose your wife to even care." She started walking.

"But I thought--"

"I know," she said quickly, as she started walking. "We thought I couldn't conceive a child at all. We were wrong. All I know is that I'm pregnant and the only man I've had sex with is you."

"But..."

"Look, I can raise this child by myself. I don't need your help."

"Chivan..."

"I don't want a man to just be with me because I'm having his child. I want a man with me because he loves ME."

"CHIVAN!" Harry yelled.

"What!" It was Chivan's turn to snap.

Harry kissed her. She melted.

"I just wish you would stop doing that," she whispered.

"Come with me," Harry whispered, holding her hand.

Harry led her to his flat, and sat her down on the bed. He sat down beside her.

"Look," Harry said. "I've lost everything-- my life, my kids, my wife... I need to start a life... and we could start one together..."

"Harry--"

"Chivan, please?"

"Your place isn't big enough for you, let alone me and a baby, Harry!"

"So, I'll get another one!"

"And what if you get custody of James? Are you still going to want me and our baby?"

"Yes," Harry said instantly.

"But--"

"Chivan, move in with me. I'll find another place tonight. Tuesday's the hearing. Okay?"

"Okay," Chivan finally gave in.

Harry smiled and kissed her.

The hearing...

Harry, Chivan, and Remus walked into the courtroom. Ginny, Ron, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were seated at a table in front of the judge.

"The trial starts in five minutes," Remus whispered to Harry.

Ron stood up and walked over to Harry.

"Mr. Potter," he said, "Could I see you outside please?"

"Sure," Harry said, a bit taken aback at Ron's extremely formal tone.

As soon as they got outside, Ron turned to Harry.

"You promised," Ron said hollowly.

"I know," Harry said, looking down at his feet.

"No, you don't know. You promised not to hurt my sister. Yet, you cheated on her, leaving her with a baby and another two on the way."

"TWO?" Harry said in shock.

"Ginny's having twins, Harry. She's a nervous wreck right now," Ron said irritably. "And it's all our fault she's like this."

"Geez... Ron!"

"What Harry? What? You're just going to take the only thing she cares about-- her kids-- away from her? Her son and her unborn children?"

"You know that's not what I'm trying to do, Ron. She kicked me out. I deserve time with my children and you know that!" He was infuriated by now.

The door opened and Mrs. Weasley walked out. "Come along, Ron. The trial's starting," she said stiffly.

Ron gave Harry a look of pure disgust before walking out the door. Harry followed them into the courtroom and took his seat behind his table.

"Good afternoon," the judge said formally. "We have here the case of Mr. Harry Potter against his wife, "Mrs. Ginevra Weasley-Potter. I understand we have a custody hearing. Where are the children involved?"

Mrs. Weasley picked up James and sat him on her lap.

"Right here, Your Honor. My daughter, Ginevra is pregnant with twins," she said.

"Mrs. Weasley-Potter, can you prove Mr. Potter to be an unfit parent? What did he do to cause this separation?"

"He cheated on me with another woman, Your Honor," Ginny said, deliberately not looking at Harry.

"I see. But was he a good father to your child?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Then I see no reason not to grant him at least partial custody. Mr. Potter, can you prove your estranged wife as an unfit parent?"

"No," Harry said, looking at Ginny.

"Then, I shall grant joint custody. When the children are deemed old enough to make their own decisions, then we will discuss granting custody to one parent or the other. Case dismissed," the judge said firmly.

"Meet us at the Three Broomsticks at noon tomorrow, Harry. We will arrange for you to see James during that time," Ginny said, hoisting her son onto her hip.

"Dada!" James babbled, reaching out for Harry.

"Ginny, please..." Harry cried, reaching for his young son.

"I can't, Harry. I just can't. Okay? You blew your chance with us. Don't you get it. You'll see James tomorrow."

She walked out of the courtroom, leaving a distraught Harry behind.

At Harry's flat...

Chivan had dinner ready when Harry came home.

"So... how did the hearing go?" she asked in concern.

"I got joint custody of the children... and tomorrow, I get to see James. She wouldn't let me see him at the hearing."

"I'm sorry," Chivan said, hugging Harry.

"So, how's the baby?" he asked.

"Fine, as far as I can tell... Gosh, I can't wait until he or she gets here!" she cried in excitement.

Harry smiled wistfully, thinking of Ginny.

"When is her baby due?" Chivan asked.

"Soon. Another couple of weeks, I think," Harry said.

"What is she having?"

"I don't know..." Harry said.

"Well... I hope we have a girl. I really like the name Rose."

"So do I," Harry said, smiling.

"Really? So we can name our baby that? If it's a girl, that is?" Chivan asked excitedly.

"I don't see why not..." Harry said, still thinking of Ginny.

"Rose Olivia Potter..." Chivan ran it around her tongue.

"That's kinda pretty," Harry said, breaking himself out of his trance.

"I know! It is, isn't it?" Chivan said, kissing him briefly on the cheek.

Harry went down to the Three Broomsticks the next day. He waited for around half an hour. Finally, at 12:45, he left. There was no sign of Ginny, James, Ron, Mr. or Mrs. Weasley... they were all gone.

Harry realized he had been tricked. And as far as he could tell, Ginny could have left town or just about anything...

"James," Harry whispered, reaching out in front of him and grasping the empty nothingness in front of him.

I am so sorry I didn't update this a long time ago. It's just been really hard for me to get on here and type. I hope to have the conclusion to this story up soon... it's almost over! But I will be sure to put up a sequel! I promise!

iinstantstarr