Eleven Years Later

"Checkmate."

"You cheated."

Ron just smiled as he knocked Ginny's king from the board.

"Come on you know I'm the king of chess."

"Well you had to be good at one thing right."

"Right. Hey that –"

Ginny just laughed as Ron crossed his arms across his chest. The day was slipping away from them as they sat in the kitchen of their parent's house. Hermione had long taken the children home to Fred's house. Ron though had remained with Ginny to wait for their father to come home from work and for their mother to wake up.

"Want something to eat?"

"Sausages."

"Ralph is just like you, you know that. What is it with Weasley men and Sausages?"

"They taste good."

Ginny began to fry some sausages and put them in bread. The two ate the sandwiches in almost silence. Only after they finished did they hear small groans from the sofa.

"Ronald?"

"Mum I'm here."

"Ron I had the worst dream. This woman turned up and Hermione told us it was Ginny."

"Mum it wasn't a dream."

"Ah."

The woman sat up and Ginny locked eyes with her. There was a moment of just staring before the woman was standing and moving towards Ginny.

"Ginny oh Merlin you're alive."

Ginny hugged her mother as tears fell down her face. She didn't care what anyone thought. It felt like an eternity since she had gotten to be in her mother's arms. All she wanted was to be held like she was a child again.

"I've missed you so much mum."

"We've missed you too. We all thought … But here you are like nothing happened."

There was the sound of tears in Molly's voice as well. They clung to each other as if they were being pulled apart by some hideous unseen force. Finally they stepped back and Ginny just smiled at her mother. But in that moment she saw a change come over her. She knew what was coming so well.

"GINEVRA MOLLY WEASELY, DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE PUT US THROUGH, EXPLAIN YOURSELF NOW!"

Ginny was a little taken aback by how quickly her mother had regained her composer. But then again with six brothers her mother had always been ready to yell, especially with Fred and George around.

"Mum, I'm sorry, but I had to go. Please just sit down and let me explain."

"Sit down! You want me to sit down!"

"Mum."

Ron had placed his hand on her shoulder and she calmed down slightly. She sat on the chair that Ron had vacated and looked at Ginny obviously waiting for the explanation.

"Okay well it started the day the Death Eaters attacked the flat. Draco found me, and well he told me I had to leave."

"He sent you away, why that son of –"

"MUM!"

Molly closed her mouth but looked ready to attack now.

"Anyway, he asked if I was alright and I had to tell him about… Well then he told me I had to leave. That the Death Eaters were coming after us because we were close to Harry and he didn't want me to get hurt not then."

"Ginny what are you talking about?"

"I left because … I was pregnant at the time of the attack."

Her mother's eyes widened as she looked at her. She became unreadable for a moment. Then she turned towards the table and stared out the window. There was no other reaction. Ginny shared a look with Ron but nothing was said.

Five minutes passed and finally her mother spoke up.

"Go to your room Ginny."

"What?"

"Room now!"

Slowly Ginny pulled herself up sharing a look with her brother. She couldn't believe that she was being sent to her room. She hadn't lived in this house in twelve years it wasn't right. It couldn't be right.

The light had long faded when the door to the room opened. Ginny turned and saw her father stood there. A smile spread to her face as she looked at him. As stupid as it sounded he looked older. His head was now almost completely bald. There remained only a few loose red hairs. His eyes though were as young as ever. The blues of them sparkled behind the rims of his glasses.

"Are you awake?"

"Yes."

He moved and lowered himself onto the bed next to her. His arms roped around her and she smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder in a hug.

"My darling princess I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry dad. I wish you could have known the truth but Draco –"

"Shh… I've spoken to your mother and Ron. We've even had Hermione over here battling in your corner."

"I've missed you daddy."

"I've missed you too darling."

He kissed her forehead gently before pulling back.

"I've contacted Percy. Told him what I found out. I'm afraid he doesn't want to know. Thinks this is a scam to try and 'drag' him back down."

"I don't care daddy. As long as I have you again."

She tightened her hold on her father. This is what she had really been wanting since her return. She wanted to be held by her father again. She had always been close to him, it was the fact she was the only girl. He had treated her different to the other's because of that. She had really missed that.

"I've had a word with Fred."

"Really?"

"Yes apparently your children are right characters. He reckons they fit right in with the family."

"I'm glad."

"They're coming here tomorrow to stay with us while you're away."

Ginny pulled her head from her dad's shoulder.

"What do you mean while I'm away?"

"You leave for France tomorrow to see Bill. Or are you just not going to tell him."

Closing her eyes she thought about that. She wanted to see Bill but she also wanted to stay here for a while. It seemed that her father had read her mind.

"It'll only be for one night princess."