What's the first thing I think when I happen to wake up on this lovely morning?

My mum is going to kill me. Actually, the first thought is "Toilet. Must run to. Now" but I suppose that's not a surprise. I've sent her a letter yesterday and I'm sure she's read it by now. Hedwig is a rather fast owl.

Merlin.

I am so dead.

Getting ready this morning did take longer than usual. I suppose it's because before I was SICKING UP ALL MY ORGANS. It was quite a lovely experience and I hope that I get to do it every single morning.

Anyways – that's not important. I'm currently walking down the hallways to the Great Hall, and the students are disgustingly cheery this morning. I feel like kicking a first year. I look a fright, too. My hair is probably sticking out from all angles, and I'm certain I have dark rings under my eyes. Yes, fear me. Ginny Weasley: Vampire.

Bloody hell, why can't the day just be a little cloudy?

Look. A Harry Potter.

"Harry!" I call out. He turns around and smiles at me.

"Hallo, Ginny," he says, "Feel like walking to the Hall with me?"

I feel like kicking a first year in the face.

"Sure," I smile.

There's an awkward silence. What do you say to the father of your unborn child? I'm trying to not think of the fact that there's something living in me. It gives me chills every time I do.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, actually looking concerned.

Like a troll stepped on my head.

"Fine."

He bites his lip. "Oh, because you look rather... under the weather."

Well, great. Harry Potter thinks I look horrid.

"I feel fine, Harry." I think my tone was a bit harsh, because he was silent the rest of the way to the Hall.

We sat at the Gryffindor table, Harry taking a seat next to Ron. I sat down next to him, trying not to breathe through my nose as I took a roll.

"Ginny, you look sick," comes the first words I hear from my brother this morning.

Charming.

"I'm not, Ron," I sigh. "I just didn't sleep well."

He shrugs and eats a spoonful of eggs.

This year isn't going as well as I'd hoped. Sure, Harry's paying attention to me, but I didn't think I'd have to have his bloody child to get him to.

This bargain's not quite fair.

"Oh look, mail," Harry says.

I glare at him with my impressive Glare of One Hundred Deaths. He doesn't seem to notice.

That glare is soon turned in to a Glare of Horror and Impending Doom as I see a fairly familiar snowy owl with a red letter clutched in her talons.

"Nnaugh," I groan.

Harry seems to have gone very white.

I watch as it seems to go as slow as it possibly is able before it finally halts at a stop in front of me. It drops the letter and gives me a look that seems to be mocking me.

"Ginny? Is that a howler?" Ron looks confused.

"Gurk," is all I manage to get out.

"Get out of here before it blows," Harry hisses in my ear.

"Ugk."

"Ginny!"

I nod and get up from the bench, stumbling slightly and clutching my bag and the howler. I manage to walk as quickly as I can without actually running until I get into the hall.

Ahh an empty classroom.

"Merlin."

I watch as smoke curls up from under the flaps of the howler and gingerly open it.

"GINERVA WEASLEY!" My mother's voice comes booming out of the letter.

Silence charm – activate!

(insert booming noise here.)

(Except not, because it's... a silencing charm, I suppose.)

"I GET A LETTER FROM YOU, HOPING TO HEAR FROM MY LITTLE GIRL ABOUT HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL --" (Here I pause to think 'Really, now?') "-- AND WHAT DO I GET? THIS ATROCIOUS LETTER FROM YOU – I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE ASHAMED IN MY LIFE. I HAVE EVERY MIND TO WRITE YOUR BROTHERS THIS INSTANT --

WHAT, ARTHUR?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, TAMPERING? WHAT? Oh. Oh my poor Ginny! Oh Ginny, dear, we understand. Of course we won't tell your brothers, not until you're ready. Oh dear, you must be so scared. Your father and I are here for you, so don't be afraid to write."

The howler bursts into flames and the ashes fall in front of my incredulous face.

Don't be afraid to write? What is that bloody woman getting on about? That howler's enough for me to never want to converse with her ever again.

There's a knock at the door and I turn around. Harry walks in with a worried look, sees my face, and asks "So? How'd it go?"

"How do you think it went?" I muttered darkly, then brightened. "Actually – Mum feels sorry for me! Hah! She's not even going to tell my brothers. Maybe I should tell her it's you," I laughed, "she'd drop dead out of happiness."

Sigh. This is too good.

Of course.

Oh. Damn.

I suppose this means I have to tell my brothers.

Next year sounds good. Right-o. I should be ready then.

Harry bites his lip. It's actually quite attractive. Before we turn to leave the classroom, he pulls me into an awkward hug. It's full of elbows and robe material.

"You're horrible at this," I mutter into his shoulder. He laughs nervously.

"Yes, I am. I haven't had much practice in... hugging. What's your next class?"

I wrinkle my nose. Way to ruin the mood, Potter.

"Potions."

Harry stiffens and then pulls away. I turn to leave but he grabs my arm.

"Hm?" I raise a brow.

"Just – be careful."

"Oh, that's rich, you know, coming from Harry Potter," I grinned.

He gave a toothy grin in return.

His teeth... are actually straight.

Not fair. He has good genetics. While I get stuck with red hair a bit too many freckles.

"I don't have to be careful. I have my personality and charming good looks."

Oh, does he ever have good --

Gah.

No blushing.

Do not blush.

GAH.

He gave another grin, (somewhere in the distance top-heavy lasses swooned) and walked out of the door.

"See you at lunch, then?" Harry called over his shoulder.

"Uhm. Yeah, I suppose. I mean – if you want," I tried to appear nonchalant and suave.

I don't think it worked. I sounded more like a bumbling hippo.

Potions!

Tally-ho!

--

He's late.

Since when is Snape late?

Never, that's when. He's never been late for a class. Which of course, makes us hate him even more, but STILL.

Snape is never late. What is with this nonsense?

Mutters are turning up to full-out conversations and shout-outs from across the room.

"Ginny?" I turn to see Luna smiling serenely at me. I'd forgotten I had this class with her! This day is getting more terrific. You can always count on Luna to cheer you up with her insane babbling... or to put garlic in your sandwich when you aren't looking to keep Bablibs away.

Today, I'm happy to see her.

There's a bang and heads turn to see Snape billow into the room.

He... looks quite nasty.

Snape IS nasty.

Really, I'm surprised a disgruntled student hasn't even TRIED to leave shampoo on his desk. I think he's kind of a flowery-scent type, myself.

Note to self: Invest in shampoo. For Snape.

"Today," he starts off with his lip curled, GIGANTIC nose pointing up, "you will be working on sleeping droughts. In pairs, I would think. Sleeping droughts are immensely difficult. See to it that you bumbling fools don't ruin it too horribly."

Ah.

How lovely, having him back.

"Ginny? Would you be my partner?" I turn to Luna.

"Well, seeing as I'm... sitting next to you. I don't see why it should be a problem."

Luna's a Ravenclaw, after all. There's not much they can mess up. I'll just... keep an eye on her.

--

Sleeping droughts are horrid.

And they take forever!

I try blowing a lock of hair that's stuck to my forehead from sweat. Ew. It's too hot in here.

"I think we're done," came the soft tones of Luna.

Hallelujah!

I could kiss her.

"Lovegood and..."

Oh great. Here's the human bat.

Snape sneers a bit, his lip curling up.

"Weasley. Fitting."

Hey! That was an insult. I'm not quite sure how, as Luna's pretty brilliant when she's not acting so loony... and...

OH.

Well, that's rude.

I glare.

And deflate into a withered ball that flies away under his sneer.

"This potion seems... merely acceptable. One of you shall have to try it out, I think. Miss..."

Another sneer.

Begone with you, bat boy.

"Weasley should do."

"Er – sir, I don't think that's wise." I'm sure I'm turning red.

Snape cocked an eyebrow.

"Are you questioning my teaching, Miss Weasley?" The classroom grows quite.

Augh. No, just your disgusting attitude. And... loyalty to the Order, while we're at it. The git. The horrid... HOW could McGonagall trust him, anyways? He bloody KILLED Dumbledore!

"No, sir. I mean... I just... I'm not s-sure if you were told or not..."

I just stammered. Where's my PRIDE, anyways?

I will not cry.

Bugger.

"Ah... yes. That." His lips curls again, slightly. "It must have slipped my mind. Do be more careful next time and point it out to me."

That.

That.

ARGH.

GIT!

... I will not cry.

--

"THAT. THAT. HOW COULD HE BE SO MEAN?!"

"Ginny?" Hermione looked up from her book in the Common Room.

"That insufferable, cruel, greasy bastard," I snarled.

I hate him. Him and his unwashed hair. And large nose. Overly-large nosed git.

"I presume you mean Snape?" she asked turning a page.

"If by Snape you mean a horrid excuse for a teacher, and a damn bastard, why yes I do mean Snape thank you," I sniffed.

I can cry in front of Hermione. It's all right.

"What did he do this time?" she sighed.

Well.

"It's not what he did, it's how he treated me, you see?" Hermione frowned to show that no, she very well did not see.

"You didn't lose your temper, of course."

"You've no faith in me at all, have you." Such a cruel girl.

"I have faith in your blinding temper, yes. And the fact that you let your emotions run wild in mayhem and destruction."

I'm not that irresponsible. I have control over my emotions! Most of the time. Half of the time, anyways.

I opened my mouth for a scathing reply when --

"Oi, what's all this then?"

Harry and a... red-headed figure who slightly resembles my brother, yet has a great gloop of chocolate smeared about his mouth. ... oh wait, Ron often does.

"Ginny got into a row with Snape," Hermione shut her book.

"I... I did not!" Confidentiality, Hermione. Learn it.

"What'd you do?" Ron asked through a mouthful of Honeyduke's chocolate.

"I, you should know, did nothing. Snape's the one being a git --"

"Yeah well, that's not much of a surprise, is it?" Harry spoke up.

Do be quiet, dear boy, I'm telling my epic story.

I think my look said that, as he proceeded to shut up and made a motion for me to go on.

"Thank you. As I was saying. Luna and I were making our potion, which was amazing, you should know. It was more than amazing, it was the Merlin of all potions."

It was the Buddha of all potions. It was perfect.

"And, Snape wanted me to test it," I finish, sadly. Dramatically. I expect to be called upon for the Young Witches' Theater.

"And...?" Ron prompted.

"And... that's it. He wanted me to test it. Can you believe it?"

"The nerve," Hermione said dryly.

"I know!"

They're all staring at me funny.

"That's it," repeated Harry.

I nodded my confirmation. Yes. That's it, exactly. Finally some sense, it's a big deal.

"Well, not to burst your bubble, Ginny, but he's never exactly been a gentleman."

I see.

"Well, fine," I snap and go up to the dormitory, planning to take a long, long nap.

I'll let them all cohort and talk about Super Important Trio-Hood Business.

--

"Was it really that bad?" Harry asks me again in the nearly empty Common Room.

"I'm studying," I said, annoyed, turning the page of my Potions text.

"The book's upside down," he pointed out.

Why, thank you Harry. Make me feel like a complete idiot.

Hmph.

I'll flip it right-side up if it makes you any more at ease.

"Not anymore. And yes. It was bad, it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life."

"But... why?" Harry asked flustered.

"Because... I had to explain to him WHY I couldn't take the potion."

Harry stared. "Why couldn't you, by the way?"

Bit slow, really.

My eyes slightly bugged and I gestured jerkily to my stomach.

"Oh."

Yes, oh.

As in 'O, dear me. I completely forgot all about my child that's growing in someone else's WOMB.'

The fireplace sparked grew to life as I replied,

"Yes. Anyways, I said 'I thought you know, Professor Snape,' and he just said 'oh yes. Just be more careful next time' and to point it out to him! If that wasn't an innuendo I've no idea what it was."

Harry's face darkened.

"Git."

That's what I said!

"Yes, well, I thought you might want to look at this," I muttered, pushing a book off my pile towards him.

"Subject change..." he muttered. Picking up the book he frowned, "Short Spells For Cosmetics: How to Be a New You". Interesting."

"Look inside it!"

Really now, as if I'd modify my appearance.

"Oh. Oh. You found this in the library?"

"Yes, but I changed the cover before I checked it out," I replied taking 'A Young Witch's Guide to Pregnancy' back from him.

"It covers basic information, stuff I should be expecting, and... y'know, just general... care."

"Wow, you're really researching this early."

Of course I am.

I'm not completely irresponsible.

"Well, I figure it would be a good idea. Look, it says I'm to have morning sickness for the first three months. And THAT can't be fixed by potions."

"Eugh."

"I know. It also says that about week nine, it should start moving and kicking. Bit weird, really."

"This is really happening."

Well, of course it is.

Harry frowned.

Why is he frowning? I know it's weird that I'm researching early, and I don't know why I care so much, because I don't even know how it happened, but I want to be ready.

I'm not going to cry. Damn. Noooo tears, please go back inside my eyeballs.

"Well, I'm sorry, but maybe I want to be ready for when it actually happens. Maybe – just maybe, I don't want to completely botch up my chance at being an okay mother. If you think that's weird, Harry Potter, than you're an unfeeling prat."

"No... no, Ginny, that's not it. I'm just... I've never been responsible for someone's life before."

Stare.

What's he on about? He's responsible for most of the wizarding world.

"No – I mean, raising another life. Taking care of someone. I've never done it before. But... I'm willing to try my best. Do... do they have a book about parenting in the library, also?"

I nod, tears falling, now. Nnaugh. I hate crying. Makes my face and nose go all splotchy-like.

"Sure. I'm... sure they do, if they had this."

"Well, how about we go look at them, then?"

--

I think I may be okay with this.

I mean, sure it'll be tough, but with Harry I think I could do anything.

Oh... who am I kidding? I'm FRIGHTENED OUT OF MY BLOODY MIND. I can't look after a kid! A baby. I had to babysit a second cousin two years ago, and I don't think his mum appreciated me accidentally turning his hair pink.

Not much better than red.

Opening the door to the girl's dormitory I find Hermione sitting on my bed, a book open.

"Ginny... what... what is this?" She asks, holding up 'Short Spells For Cosmetics: How to Be a New You'.

"Urk," I squeak.

--

A/N:

Oh, man. I'm terribly sorry, everyone! I feel horrid. This took forever to write. I'm at a mini-block, not sure what to write and what-not. I swear I've been working on this ever since I finished the last chapter. Mind you, there were weeks between working on it, and times when I thought of giving it up... but here it is.

I think now that Hermione knows (or has an idea, rather), the plot should be able to progress nicely. Many thanks to everyone who reviewed and sent their support!

--Emily