That's it Harry thought, he would wake up any moment now, and none of this would have happened, or would it? But shortly after this idea came to mind, it was wiped out. This was reality, it wasn't a dream. Ginny really was pregnant and they really had to tell everyone else. The thought that all of this could have been someone else's life, now seemed impossible. So there they sat, still as stones and just as white. Waiting, for what, they did not know, they just needed something to break the silence. And that something came as though their thoughts were being read.
"So how'd they take it?" asked Ron apologetically, when he didn't get an answer he continued, "Harry? Ginny? Are you two alright? What happened?"
Harry was the only one of the two that could speak, "They kinda freaked, but they kinda understood. And their making us tell everyone else after dinner."
"They understood? What do you mean they understood? What's to understand, their gonna be grandparents!"
"They understood that it wasn't something we planned. That's exactly what they understood Ron, that's possibly the only thing they understood at first."
"So their making you tell everyone. Like the whole family? Like everyone, including anyone who stops by? Meaning Snape?"
"If he comes, I suppose he'll know. He has to know anyway, once the new semester starts. And everyone will know by this time tomorrow. Yes everyone, as in the whole the family."
"Blimy good luck with that. I can't say I feel for you, I've never had to say something like that to anyone. Well I never really had to say anything to anyone."
"Thanks a lot Ron." Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and looked to Ginny. "Are you alright Ginny?"
"Oh what? Ya I'm fine. What's going on?"
"Good god she's in denial! Harry we have to do something! She doesn't remember!" Ron was frantically pacing the room, thinking of how to help Ginny.
"Ron. Ron. RON! I'm fine, just somewhat confused, so much just happened." Ginny sighed, and moved herself closer to Harry. Half hugging him, half trying to hide from Ron. Harry put his arm around her, and hugged her tight. He kissed her on the top of her head then turned to Ron.
"Where's Mione?"
"I really, honestly don't know mate. She disappeared after she pushed me out of here. I thought you would know."
"This can't be good. She didn't tell anyone where she went? Is she crazy?"
"As far as I know she told no one. I think after this whole baby thing she's gone a little nuts, don't you think?"
"Ron, she just wants to help Harry and I. If you hadn't noticed I'm kinda gonna have a baby here. She's probably gone reading or something. Maybe even planning a baby shower."
"Oh is this suppose to be a joke? Of course I kinda got the idea your having a baby Ginny. I'm not that dumb. But Mione just disappeared without telling anyone."
"Ron I never said you were dumb. I'm just saying knowing her she went to town or something to help us. Oh don't you give me that look Ronald, she can take care of herself you know."
"Some help here Harry?"
"I'm not sure there is any help I can give. If I know Mione like I think I do, she'll be fine. Though it was pretty stupid to leave without telling anyone."
"Okay side with Ginny then. I see I'm the only one who cares about Hermione!"
Harry stood himself up so fast, Ron was taken back. "Don't you dare say I don't care about Hermione, Ron. She's like my sister. I'm just as worried as you are, but she can take care of herself. I know she can, because I helped her, like I helped you."
"Well if you care so much, where is she then? Why aren't you looking for her?"
"Ron if you care so much what are you doing here? You know how to find her, you did it last time."
"Well I –er I never thought of using that. Do you think it'll work?"
"It worked once before. Why not now? And if it doesn't I know how we can find her."
"How? What do you know that I don't?"
"Ron it's the house, remember. You stay here long enough only the owner can find you. If you want I can tell you where she is right now."
"Why in bloody hell didn't you tell me that before?"
"I think its 'cause he wanted you to hint about how you feel about Mione. Obviously you love her Ron."
"What? What gave you that idea?"
"Ron its kinda obvious, you come storming in here and blame Harry for her disappearance. Then you say he doesn't care. Just face it Ron, you fancy Mione."
"And what if I do?"
"Then you do Ron."
"No offence but do you expect me to marry Mione? Or even have a baby?"
"Eventually, that's usually what people do Ron."
"People also usually get married first, before they have a baby."
"Usually, yeah, but what's usual about our family Ron?"
"Good point. Can't argue that one."
"So are you or are you not?"
"I don't know? What do you two think?"
"Ron I think you should, you two are perfect together. Do it!"
"Harry what do you think? Harry?"
"What? Sorry I'm trying to find Mione, but she's not showing up anywhere. Do you think she went to visit her parents? Oh and yeah I think you should. You have my permission too."
"Why would I need your permission? Wait, she's not showing up? This really isn't good Harry I don't like this."
"Neither do I. Ginny, I'll be back. Ron stay here and try not to fight too much."
"Why can't I come? Why do I have to stay? And you still haven't answered my question."
"You need my permission because you can't ask her dad, he doesn't know he has a daughter remember. And she's practically my sister, so I say you can. It's a muggle thing."
"So that's what you had to talk to dad about? Okay I get ya now. But why can't I come?"
"I want you to stay here, if we both go it'll raise too many questions. Please Ron I know what I'm doing." Harry walked over to the door, grabbed his traveling cloak, and threw it on himself. Putting both the Elder Wand and his own in his pocket.
"Alright, but where are you going?"
"I haven't got a clue. I will find her though, and we both will be back soon, I promise." At that Harry kissed Ginny on the cheek, stood back and disappeared from the spot. Suddenly he felt free again as he spun in air. Landing hard on the ground just outside the Leaky Cauldron. He walked himself inside, bowed his head at Tom the bartender. Once at the brick wall he tapped the third one up and over. Before him opened the passage way to Diagon Alley. Which looked just as it had before Voldemorts return. He strode himself to Flourish and Blotts book store. Stepping inside Harry saw a very familiar face. "Mione! What are you doing here? Not telling anyone you left, you gave us all a right scare."
"Oh Harry I'm sorry, I wanted to look for something to hide the fact that Ginny's pregnant while at Hogwarts." Hermione whispered this last part. "But I haven't found anything. I'm not sure it's possible."
"Okay I know your smart Mione, so how'd you do it?"
"How'd I do what?"
"How'd you slip under the radar from the house? I should have been able to find you easily enough, but I couldn't."
"Well then how'd you know I was here?"
"I had a gut feeling. You forgot to answer the question."
"Oh I transfigured myself knowing I couldn't be tracked that way. I only just took it off."
"Right. Are you done, Ron's home freaking out."
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't find anything Harry. And I'm so sorry I didn't tell anyone."
"Don't worry your safe now. I'm sure Minerva will find something, or Madame Pomfrey. Come on lets go get a butterbeer and go home."
"Alright lets go. So how'd the talk go?"
"Better than I thought it would. However we now have to tell everybody at dinner."
"Oh, good luck."
"Thanks, Ron said the same thing." They both now entered the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione sat down at a table in the corner, while Harry bought two butterbeers. After paying Tom, Harry sat down across Hermione.
"Thanks Harry." Hermione took one butterbeer from Harry and took a swig.
"No problem Mione. So what are you and Ron going to do while Ginny and I are at Hogwarts?"
"I don't know, wait why? Do you know something I don't Harry?"
"No, no I was just asking. Calm down."
"Oh right sorry. Can I tell you something Harry?"
"Ya, you know you can tell me anything Mione. I'm listening."
"Well I'm kinda jealous of you and Ginny."
"Jealous about what?"
"Your having a baby."
"Your jealous about that? That's hardly something to be jealous of."
"No its not Harry. I… I want a baby. I would do anything if Ron could just see that."
"Hermione if only you knew. Why don't you tell Ron how you feel?"
"If only I knew what exactly?"
"Nothing you'll know soon enough, I really can't say. Just tell Ron how you feel."
"I don't know Harry, what if it's the wrong thing to say. You saw how he reacted when he found out about Ginny, imagine if it was his own baby? What would he do?"
"It won't be the wrong thing to say, trust me Mione. Just tell him when we get back." Harry paused, Hagrid came walking into the bar.
"'Arry! 'Ermione! How are yas? Ah, my I join ya?"
"Sure Hagrid, have a seat. You want anything to drink?"
"Naw, I was on my way inter town. What brings yer here?"
"Looking for a new book to read. Nothing seemed to jump out at me, so I'll wait till next time." said Hermione, trying to cover her jumpy tone, she just had with Harry.
"So 'Arry yer coming inter Hogwarts soon? We are looking forward ter ya coming. All us professors are."
"Ya Lupin and I are coming in two days. It'll be strange to be back as a professor though. I'm looking forward to it. You want to came by for dinner tonight?"
"I'd love ter 'Arry. What time?"
"Er…"
"Six. That's usually when Mrs. Weasley and I make dinner."
"Well then I'll see yer at six, got some errands ter run."
"See ya Hagrid."
"Bye Hagrid."
After Hagrid disappeared Harry turned to Hermione and asked her if it was time to go back home. "Yes I think we should, Ron'll be furious."
"We'll apparate into mine and Ginny's room. The others don't know we are gone."
"Alright."
"Take care Tom." Harry called over to the bartender. Whom nodded back at Harry and Hermione. They then apperated from the spot. Once again the freeness feeling came into Harry as he spun in air, landing an the floor of his own bedroom. Ron and Ginny were still in there talking. They abruptly stopped once they heard a crack! They both turned their heads to where Harry now stood with Hermione. Ron threw himself up off the bed and ran to Hermione. He didn't even stop to lecture her. He threw his arms around her and hugged her. Harry was sure that he would have kissed her if he and Ginny weren't there.
"Mione your okay." Piped Ginny after Ron let go of her.
"Ya I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well you did leave without telling anyone."
"Ya I did didn't I? I only went to Diagon Alley."
"Hermione?"
"Yeah Ron? What is it?"
"Er… will you… wow this is harder than I thought."
"What is it Ron?"
"Hermione, will you marry me?"
"Ron! Wow, yes!" this time Hermione kissed Ron, clearly not caring that Harry and Ginny were there. "Harry you knew about this didn't you? I knew you were hiding something." Hermione was now looking at Harry, after letting go of Ron.
"Well ya I knew, I told Ron he could."
"What?"
"Harry said that you have to ask the dad, but well your dad doesn't really remember you, so I kinda asked Harry if I could."
"Is that true Harry?"
"Yeah it is. I told Ron he could ask you, that he had my full permission to."
"Oh Harry." This time Hermione hugged Harry quickly then went back to Ron who was now as red as ever.
"Well I guess everyone's gonna have enough news to last a lifetime tonight. Harry and I are having a baby and you two are getting married."
"Nope, I think we all should get married at the same time. Don't you guys think so?"
"Ron I think that's a grand idea, what do you two think? Harry, Ginny do you think we should have a joint wedding?"
"Why not, after everything we've been through, why not share our wedding day."
"I agree with Harry completely. But when?"
"Wait have you asked Ginny yet Harry?"
"Yes and no."
"What do you mean 'yes and no.'"
"Well she knows, but Arthur and Molly think I'm asking her on Christmas."
"Okay, that's just not normal Harry."
"Since when have I been normal Mione?"
"True, but that's really strange Harry. It doesn't really work that way you know. She's not suppose to know yet Harry."
"So, maybe I wanted her too know. I don't really care if it's the 'normal' thing to do Mione."
"Alright don't get all defensive Harry, I was just making a statement."
"Why's everyone talking like I'm not here?" Ginny asked as everyone suddenly remembered she was in the room with them.
"Sorry Ginny." said Harry, who then walked over to her and sat next to her. She immediately snuggled up next to Harry, holding him tight. Ron looked positively revolted at this act, and cringed. Hermione was at an awe staring at them both. She then stared at Ron, as if hoping he would do the same thing to her. Clearly noticing that it wouldn't happen, she turned back to Harry and Ginny. She suddenly realized why Ron wasn't saying anything. Harry and Ginny were snogging at the end of the bed, arms rapped around each other. They clearly forgot that Ron and Hermione were there, until they said something.
"Hey ah guys we are still here." said Ron, who was clearly getting impatient and wanted them to stop right then. Harry and Ginny separated from each other hastily. Ginny turned just as red as Ron had, Harry was slightly pink in the face.
"Sorry about that, forgot you two were still here."
"Clearly you did mate. I'm okay with you two being together, but I don't want to see that."
"Ron your so immature. We were only kissing, it's not like you don't." Ginny was turning back to her regular colour now, and ready to fight Ron if she had to.
"I try not to in public. No one needs to see that other than the two it involves."
"Your such a hypocrite Ron. Don't you remember you and Lavender? Not in public Merlin's pants!"
"That's different and you know it."
"How is it different Ron?"
"I don't know it just is."
"Not really, but whatever."
"Okay so now what? It's not even lunch time yet and I'm so bored." Harry just wanted them two to stop arguing. Clearly his wish came true, Ron changed the subject.
"Ron aren't you always bored?"
"Ha ha very funny Ginny. I'm not always bored, just during the summer."
"Aw and what are you going to do this year? Your not gonna be at Hogwarts."
"I know, I'm gonna be so bored. I have no clue what to do."
Their conversation continued until Mrs. Weasley called them all down for lunch. They went down into the kitchen where everyone sat eating. They had mince meat pie, apple tarts, pot roast and plenty of butterbeer to go around. Everyone was absorbed into their own conversations. Harry and Ginny were talking about the upcoming year at Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione were arguing in hushed tones about getting married. "Ron I say it should be in the summer. Harry and Ginny said they don't care."
"I say in the fall, it was and is my favourite time of year."
"So you liked going to school? That was in the fall Ron."
"Okay I see your point. But when during the summer. We can't do it the day before Harry's birthday."
"Like I don't already know that Ron. No I was thinking sometime in August. At the beginning of the month."
"Alright, but when?"
"Next year maybe? I'm not sure, we'd have to ask Harry and Ginny on that one. Next summer they'll have a baby, it might not be a good time."
"True. So do you think it's going to be a girl or a boy?"
"I'd say a boy, I don't know why, I've just got that feeling. What do you think?"
"I'd say a girl. We could use more of them in the family."
"Ron, do you want a family?"
"Of course I do Mione. Why wouldn't I?"
"I was just wondering that's all. I think Fred is trying to listen to us."
"Ya me too, lets change the subject."
"Good idea. So how are the Chuldley Cannons looking this year?"
"Well their seeker is pretty slow for the average. He's some new bloke, he'll get crushed. Wait why you suddenly interested in Quidditch?"
"Because Fred's listening Ron. It's a different topic then what we were talking about before."
"Oh right, yeah. They can't stand to lose for another year though. England needs to get into the World Cup somehow next summer."
"That's right it is next summer. I think England will be there, don't you?"
"Well other than the Cannons, all the England teams are doing really good. So I think that they really have a good shot. I already know that Ireland will be there, their teams are really good. They always end up at the Cup. Do you think Harry should play for England like Charlie and Oliver said he should?"
"I really think he should ya. And so should you, your really good Ron. Our sixth year you were fantastic!"
"Thanks Mione, but I know I'll never be good enough for England, Harry definitely is though. He can catch a snitch so fast, the games over before you even realized it started."
"True, I still think you should go with him if he trys out. What can it hurt?"
"Fine. If and when Harry goes I'll go too. Happy?"
"Very. Just think it could be you two out there, having everyone cheer you on. Wouldn't that be fantastic?"
"Ya, I can picture it now. Both of us in the pitch, hearing our names being called from the crowd. That happy feeling inside you when you win. Because you know if Harry's on the team then we'll win for sure."
"See, doesn't that sound great? And it could happen to both of you next year. You wouldn't be so bored then, would you?"
"No I guess not. It would be really fun, to travel and have people chanting your name. At the last World Cup, after the game, before the Dark Mark, I daydreamed about playing for England. It may even come true."
"That's the spirit Ron, think positive. It can happen if you really try. Maybe Oliver can teach you some tricks. He's really nice, and he's a good player."
"Maybe he could."
Slowly everyone left the table to go on with their day. Harry wasn't sure if he wanted to make the speech in front of everyone, his whole family, all his really close friends. But he knew he'd have too, he knew he and Ginny had to tell everyone before he left. For the rest of the day his stomach was turning, his head running through ideas of what everyone will say, think, or even do. Pictures of Fred and George either congratulating them, or attacking Harry frequently popped up. Ron had taken it pretty well, and he was the most protective, of Ginny. But would things change given what happened? Such thoughts filled Harry's mind full of doubt, no matter how many times Hermione told him it would be okay.