Chapter 16 – Big Changes

The next month went quickly as the entire Krum-Weasley household enjoyed having Viktor home and marveled at the daily changes in Zena. The arrival of the baby drew them closer, as well as drawing their extended family closer as well.

When Zena was two months old, she was due for her first in office well baby visit and all four of her parents were a bit on edge. She was a good baby and all seemed to be going well, but her parents were a bit anxious that the exam would find something they missed. They made their way to the healer's office, filled with nervous energy. Everything went well and Zena was in the high percentiles for development, but her parents had encountered another problem when the office refused to acknowledge Ginny and Viktor as additional parents to the baby. The incident prompted them to re-analyze the legal structure of their family. Charlie talked to a barrister that worked with the preserve and he recommended a family law solicitor who could assist. A week later the two couples left Zena with Molly and attended the first of several complicated meetings with James Barrett, one of the most highly regarded solicitors in wizard Britain.

The first step that James implemented was to have all four partners' names legally changed to the surname of Krum-Weasley, the same as Zena. Next, he implemented an old wizard law titled the Consort's Protectorate. The law was hundreds of years old, with its origins lost to time. It allowed for an individual or a married couple to list consorts that would fall under the rule and protection of an individual or couple. Historically the law had been used when some of the first pure-bloods utilized concubines to help expand their family lines. The idea was a bit disturbing from a historical perspective, but utilized in a modern setting, it would be the best way to legally protect their family. James began the paperwork to have each individual establish a Consort's Protectorate that would list each of the other three. There were no rules limiting the number of protectorates a single individual could establish or belong to, but James was careful to warn that the Ministry would need to approve the contracts and scrutiny was to be expected. Each of the elaborate contracts were drafted and then filed under a full secrecy statute request, which James hoped would be approved so that they could keep the filings out of public record.

With the paperwork complete and being reviewed by the Ministry, the Krum-Weasleys could do nothing more except wait as life settled back into normalcy. Since Viktor was off season, he took care of Zena most days, with Luna taking her to the Quibbler at times. She was also a frequent visitor at the shop and Leana was quite smitten with the baby. The shop was doing well and Ginny had hired an additional person to help when she found herself being overwhelmed and tempted to work longer hours. One day at the shop, Ginny was in the back finalizing some order forms when she suddenly felt faint. She hadn't been feeling quite well for a couple of days and decided that she should go for a quick walk outside to get some fresh air. As Ginny entered the main shop, she suddenly began to feel dizzy and Leana noticed something was wrong and rushed to Ginny's side.

"Ginny! What's wrong? Here, sit!"

"Thanks Leana. I think I'm coming down with something. I was feeling faint and now I'm dizzy."

"Did you eat lunch?"

"Um, I had some peanuts around ten."

"Which was almost four hours ago."

Leana went back to the storeroom and returned with a half a pasty. Shoving it at Ginny, she ordered her boss to eat. After about fifteen minutes, Ginny began to feel better.

"Thanks Leana. I hadn't realized I needed to eat. Sorry I stole your lunch. I don't usually have a problem skipping meals. I just got so busy I forgot."

"Well, I'm glad you're looking better. You have some color again. And that was just my leftovers. Those pasties are so large I can only manage a half. I'm wondering something Ginny. Please don't be upset with me, but I have to ask. Could you be pregnant?"

Ginny stared at Leana for a minute and she mentally began calculating. The last time she and Viktor had been together was that amazing night after dinner. But that was a month ago and it really hadn't been the right time, at least if everything Molly had taught her daughter was correct. Then a sudden realization hit Ginny. There was one other time, a few days after. She and Viktor had been cleaning up after dinner. The night was hot and he was shirtless and Ginny was incredibly horny. They'd bumped against each other near the stove and she'd given up the pretense of ignoring her feelings. Viktor had responded enthusiastically and they ended up on the kitchen floor shagging furiously. It had only lasted about ten minutes, but Ginny remembered being so weak she couldn't stand for a few more minutes after. And they definitely hadn't taken the time to charm cast. As the memories flooded back, the look on Ginny's face caused Leana to laugh.

"I guess I'll take that for a yes Ginny. I would suggest a trip down the street to pick up a potion kit. And you definitely shouldn't miss any more meals."

"I think you're right Leana. I probably should have realized this sooner myself. I think I'll finish the forms and leave a bit early. Do you mind locking up?"

"Of course not. Take care of yourself."

An hour later Ginny arrived home early and Viktor came out to greet her with a questioning look.

"Hello Ginny. You're home early. Something wrong?"

"Um, not exactly Viktor. I had a bit of an incident at the shop. I forgot lunch and almost passed out. Leana helped me piece together what the problem may be."

With that, Ginny held up the potion kit she had bought. Viktor took a minute to register what he seeing and then his eyes got big.

"Really? I thought that night you said it wasn't the right time? Not that I'm not thrilled, or won't be thrilled once we know for sure."

"Actually Viktor, if this is true I think the timing is actually due to our impromptu kitchen shag."

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot that. It was quite intense. So are you taking the test now?"

Ginny laughed at Viktor, who was now bouncing on his toes in anticipation. She kissed him briefly and made her way to the downstairs bathroom. Five minute later, she and Viktor stood staring at the small flask as it began to change color. A couple more minutes went by and the confirmation was complete. Viktor whooped loudly, picked Ginny up and began to spin her. The movement caused Ginny's stomach to flip and Viktor stopped when he saw she had gone green.

"Oops, sorry Ginny. No more of that. We need to be careful with you. Wait until Charlie and Luna find out."

"I'm glad you're happy Viktor."

Seeing that Ginny was a bit unsure about her news, Viktor reached down and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't you ever doubt how happy I am Ginny."

A couple hours later Luna arrived home minutes before Charlie also appeared. Viktor had planned on waiting until dinner to deliver the news, but Luna knew immediately that something was going on. Ginny looked at her and couldn't contain herself anymore as she left the room and returned carrying the potion flask. Grinning, Ginny held the flask up in the air. Charlie and Luna reacted immediately and Ginny was thrilled at their effusive reactions. Then Zena began to fuss and Viktor went to retrieve their daughter. He brought her back in the room where Charlie and Luna were hugging Ginny. As Viktor looked at the small baby, he decided to include her in the announcement.

"Guess what Zena girl? You're going to be a big sister."

The rest of the evening passed happily as the entire family basked in the glow of their news. It was decided that they would all make their way to St. Mungo's the next day for the official confirmation. The next morning Ginny made a quick floo call to the shop and Charlie made a call to the preserve to ask for the morning off. Then the entire family made their way to St. Mungo's. An hour later they were sitting in an exam room as a very young looking healer examined Ginny. The healer had been initially surprised at the unique family, but had shrugged his shoulders and proceeded with the exam. A few minutes later he was done and confirmed that Ginny was not quite four weeks pregnant. Then he paused and looked around the room before also announcing that Ginny was pregnant with twins, which was part of the reason for her reactions to the pregnancy at such an early stage. That bit of news silenced the room until Viktor screamed, stood up, grabbed the healer and began to dance around the room. Everyone laughed at Viktor, including the slightly flustered healer. Once Viktor released him, he gave Ginny the usual instructions, as well as cautioning them that the pregnancy was still very early and that they may want to wait before announcing it. That bit of advice sobered the happy event as Charlie, Luna and Viktor all assured the healer that they would do everything necessary to ensure that Ginny and the babies remained healthy.

After they left St. Mungo's, Ginny and family made their way to a fish and chips stand in Diagon Alley. They bought enough for Leana and Matthew as well and then made their way into Quality Quidditch Supplies. Leana grinned as the happy quartet entered, guessing the reason why. Ginny changed the store sign to closed and went to help Leana with the last couple customers. Once they left, she locked the door and declared it was lunchtime. Matthew had a lunch date and excused himself. That meant extra food, but Ginny was pleased as she preferred to keep their news limited, and she wasn't as friendly with the young man as she was with Leana. They all made their way back to the storeroom, pushed a couple desks together and sat down to eat. Leana took Zena from Viktor and managed to easily hold the baby in one arm while nimbly handling lunch with her other hand. After a few bites, she looked up at Ginny and smirked.

"Alright Ginny. I appreciate lunch, but I am guessing there's a reason for all this?"

"And your guess is right of course. The same way it was yesterday. We're expecting again. One thing you didn't guess though is that we're having twins."

Leana's eyebrows raised as she dropped the chip that was halfway to her mouth.

"Oh. Wow. No wonder you got sick from not eating. So, how far along?"

"Two days shy of four weeks."

"So you know exactly? Impressive. Who all knows so far?"

"Yes, we know exactly. With the unique nature of our partnership, my times with Viktor are more, um…infrequent than my time with Luna. If you understand what I mean. As for who knows, so far only the people in this room. I will have to tell my family soon. My mother will certainly know as soon as she sees me."

"Hmm, yes I guess I understand. And I'm honored to be told so soon. You don't have to worry, I won't say anything."

Ginny smiled at her friend, having no doubt that she could be trusted. Lunch soon wrapped and Ginny realized she had eaten her share, as well as half of what was to be Matthew's. Shrugging her shoulders, Ginny resigned herself to her already increasing appetite. After lunch, Viktor headed home, Charlie went to the preserve and Luna headed to the Quibbler.

That evening after dinner they gathered in the living room and began to discuss how to make the announcement to the family. They decided that it wouldn't be possible to wait as long as the healer had recommended, unless they stayed away from the family, which would just provoke questions. Audrey's birthday celebration was happening in nine days at the small cottage she and Percy had recently purchased south of Godric's Hollow. The entire family would be in attendance, so the time would be ideal. They also hoped to have a decision on their protectorate filings by then and they also had yet to notify the family of their name changes.

The next week went quickly as everyone stayed busy at their jobs and Viktor took care of Zena, while the two of them also made frequent trips between the Quibbler and the shop. Three days before Audrey's birthday, their solicitor James called on the floo one evening shortly before dinner. They welcomed him to come on through and as soon as he arrived, James began to sniff appreciatively. Ginny laughed and invited him to stay for dinner. The lifelong bachelor happily accepted, but first declared that he had news to deliver. The Ministry had notified him earlier in the day that the deliberation was complete and the protectorate agreements were being approved. The decision was not unanimous, as certain officials felt the ancient law should be abolished immediately. To placate those individuals, the rest of the review council had offered a compromise. While the protectorates were approved, the secrecy agreements were not. That meant that when the protectorates took effect in five days they would be a matter of public record. It didn't guarantee media attention, but the likelihood was that the opponents would make their opinions known in an effort to ban the old statute in the future.

Upon hearing this news, Ginny trembled a bit and Luna wrapped her arms around Ginny. Charlie and Viktor looked a bit stunned and it was Charlie who finally spoke up.

"So that's it? Is there anything else we can do? Any recourse?"

James grimaced. "I can appeal, but if I do they can come back and deny everything instead. That also could drag things out for quite a while. I'll do it if you wish, but I advise against it."

"I don't think we should appeal. We don't need delays right now. Also, the risk of everything being denied is too great."

Charlie looked at Viktor and reached out to hug him.

"I agree love. Ginny, Luna, what do you think?"

Ginny and Luna both nodded. Then Ginny spoke up.

"James, please do whatever you can to block the media, but we need the protectorates so that our family can be bound legally. We found out last week that I'm pregnant. With twins."

That news caused the solicitor's jaw to drop momentarily, before being replaced with a grin.

"Alright, I understand Ginny. And congratulations."

With the news settled, Charlie summoned a bottle of firewhisky and poured some for the solicitor while Viktor and Luna went to finish dinner preparations.