As June rolled into July, it was time for another healer's appointment. Harry was excited, as this time he was going with her.

Ginny was happy to have him with her, now accustomed to his daily presence. They were still living apart, but Harry came to hers every day after work, or firecalled her on his days off, practically begging to come over.

Ginny didn't mind the company, she was used to always having people around. Harry was excellent company, and always kept her amused with stories of growing up with his sisters, or of his Auror adventures, as he called them.

The one thing he didn't do, which both surprised and relieved Ginny, was demand she make plans for the future. He didn't deny he had spoken to the Godric's Hollow minister, but that was all. Their future was entirely in Ginny's hands.

She was enjoying this time; getting to know the real Harry, and the more she knew, the more she liked. Which brought up another problem for her, and one she needed to discuss with her mediwitch...alone.

Harry sat by her side as she lay on the examination table, eyes wide as her belly was examined. "Hmmm," said the midwitch, feeling around. She then ran her wand over it, and images were projected above it. "There's your baby," she said. "Would you like to know the sex?"

"No," said Ginny, while Harry said, "Yes."

They grinned at each other, then Harry conceded. "Fine, we'll wait."

The healer dropped the spell. "Ginny, I'm concerned about some of your levels. Your blood pressure is low, as are your iron levels. Are you still feeling lightheaded in the morning?" she asked.

"Not just the morning," conceded Ginny. "I don't understand why, though. I'm not doing much, in fact, as times, I'm downright bored."

"You live alone, correct?" asked the healer, checking her chart.

"Yes," said Ginny.

"I'll give you a potion that should help with your iron levels. Is there anyone who could come and stay with you? I don't think you should be alone, in case you pass out. I'd like to see you again in two weeks, see how the potion is working for you," said the healer, making a notation on her chart.

"You don't have to worry, I'll be there," said Harry, shooting Ginny an annoyed look.

"Do either of you have any questions?" asked the healer, looking at them expectantly.

Ginny looked at Harry; they had discussed this earlier. She wanted to talk to her healer alone. Only now, Harry wasn't budging.

"Ginny?" encouraged the healer.

Ginny shot a pleading look at Harry, who arched his eyebrow at her. He was pissed she hadn't told him she'd still been having dizzy spells. He wasn't going anywhere.

"Well, if there's nothing else..." said the healer, with a check of her watch.

"I'm horny!" blurted out Ginny. She then looked horrified at herself, and covered her face with her hands.

" What?" asked Harry, completely taken aback.

" Ginny, it's perfectly normal," said the healer, hiding an amused smile.

" But...it's all the time. It doesn't matter what he's doing," - she pointed at Harry - " I just want to rip his clothes off and – ugh!" She bent over to hide her face, which was beet red.

Harry slid to his knees in front of her. " Hey." He picked her hands up in his. " You need to tell me these things, okay? When you feel dizzy, or when you want to jump my bones," he said.

" Harry!" She sat up and shot an embarassed look at her healer. " Is it really normal?" she asked.

" Yes, this is the time of your pregnancy you'll find you're energised, and that's a good thing," said the healer.

" And it won't hurt the baby?" asked Ginny.

" I won't poke it's head, or anything?" asked Harry.

The healer chuckled. " Your baby is in quite a protective little sac. I think you'll be fine," she said, grinning at Harry. " So, on that note, I guess we're done here. Don't forget to make an appointment for two weeks time," she reminded them.

Harry couldn't get her back to her flat fast enough. All these weeks of supressing his feelings and needs, of trying not to show his fascination with her growing body, and here she was, desperate for him too.

" Ginny, I-" But she grabbed him and kissed him hard, and he could barely think straight.

" Bedroom, now," she ordered, and grabbed his arse as he turned to go into it.

"Hey," he complained, half heartedly. " Don't you think we need to talk?"

" Talk?" growled Ginny, shrugging off her shirt. " What are you, a girl?" she taunted.

She used her wand to magic his clothes off. " I'm mad at you," he said, covering his crotch with his hands.

She stepped out of her pants and quickly pulled off her knickers. She stood before him naked, with fuller breasts and belly. His mouth watered and he didn't know where to look first.

" Still want to talk?" she asked.

"Hell no," he said, reaching for her. She came to him, and he took her in his arms. They fell ( carefully) onto the bed and then hands and lips were seeking desperately.

Weeks of frustrations, of urgent needs, of desires left unchecked for too long, were taken care of throughout the rest of the day and a good part of the night. After that, Ginny slept for fourteen hours straight.

Harry was in the kitchen when she woke, having prepared something that he could easily cook when she woke. However, it wasn't food on her mind, as she came looking for him, and the breakfast he'd prepared ended up being dinner much later that night.

The pattern continued for the next couple of days, till he had to return to work. He'd practically moved in, having brought some of his wardrobe over. He'd usually pick up some food and go to hers, and she'd pounce on him as soon as he came through the Floo. They'd eat much later, and then go again.

He wasn't complaining, but was glad of a respite the second week, when the urgency seemed to die away. They still made love, but afterwards, Ginny was content to lay and talk with him, or giggle while he talked to the baby. He marvelled at her changing body, glad he was getting the chance to experience this with her.

When she had an unexpected dizzy spell he immediately took time off work to look after her, and take her back to the healers.

The healer placed her on restricted bed rest, allowing her up for an hour or two each day, and requesting she see her again in two weeks. When Harry mentioned the frantic lovemaking they'd been doing, the healer assured him that hadn't been the cause.

Ginny had been allowed out to visit Mia and congratulate Draco on the arrival of Cassiopeia, born days before Neville and Harry's birthdays. Then she'd been allowed to get up and go to Godric's Hollow to celebrate the men's birthdays and welcome little Cassie home.

Harry's biggest problem now seemed to be in keeping Ginny occupied. She'd tried knitting, like her mother, but had no success. To her horror, the tears came back.

Her brothers came over often, as did Fleur, but she was going stir crazy, and with her birthday coming and going, the baby's birth started feeling ominously close.

Mia, Fleur and Violet threw her a baby shower, and to her joy, Luna was home from her travels. It was nice to talk to someone about something other than the baby, so while the others played the baby games that were traditionally played at showers, Ginny and Luna escaped to talk about Snorkaks and Wrackspurts and a man named Rolf.

They were left with a mountain of gifts, including a cot that needed to be assembled. Mia and Violet had helped them make a list of all the things a first parent needed, and it was quite overwhelming for them both.

Harry had assured Ginny they could get all they needed from the new shop in Diagon Alley, but funnily enough, every time he'd gone there, the shop had been shut. One time he had been sure he'd seen people in it, but when he'd peeked in, it was shrouded in darkness. Lucky they had owl order, so they'd ended up using that.

Ginny's blood pressure had stabilised, and she was now allowed out of bed for longer periods, but encouraged not to do too much. Harry reluctantly returned to work, but he worried for her all the time he was there.

He came to hers after his first day back at work to find her crying on the floor. He raced to her, gathering her in his arms. In front of her was the assembled cot, which she'd done while he was at work.

" You did it, baby," he said, sitting behind her, with her in between his legs. He kissed her cheek. " It looks great!"

Ginny cried and shook her head. She held up a screw. " There was one left over!" she wailed.

Harry chuckled. " I'm sure it will be fine," he crooned.

"But what if we put the baby in it, and it collapses. We'll kill the baby," cried Ginny.

" Okay, okay," said Harry, "we'll pull it down and put it back together again," he assured her. He ran a hand down her cheek. " Okay?"

Ginny sniffed and nodded. They spent ten minutes dissassembling it, and another half an hour to reassemble it.

" There," said Harry proudly. " All done."

" Ahem." He turned to look at Ginny, who held up one screw.

" Well, damn!" he cursed.

They did it again, and still had one screw left. In desperation, Harry firecalled his dad, and minutes later, James and Sirius came through the Floo.

Again, the cot was disassembled and reassembled, and again, there was one screw left over. James and Harry scratched their heads in despair, while Ginny snored on the couch.

" Er, guys?" James and Harry turned to look at Sirius. " Did either of you bother to read the instruction booklet."

" Of course," said Harry. He recited. " Slot A goes into Slot B, while Slot C, blah, blah, blah."

" Blah, blah, blah," mimicked Sirius, and continued reading. " You will find one screw left over, as a spare. Put it in a safe space." He shut the booklet and bowed. "You're welcome."

James and Harry clapped sarcastically, which then woke Ginny up. " Wha-it's done? You fixed it!" She looked gratefully at James, Harry and Sirius, who discreetly put the screw behind his back. " Thank you!"

" Of course we fixed it," smiled James, accepting her hug.

" I really didn't do too much," said Sirius, patting her back and discreetly handing the spare screw back to Harry.

"It looks much stabler now, don't you think, Harry?" asked Ginny, checking the cot. "Funny how one screw can make a difference."

Harry nodded, while James and Sirius snickered. " Oh yeah, much stabler, and safer for the baby," he said, winking at them.

Ginny put her arms around him, and didn't let go. " It all feels real now, doesn't it. The cot, the clothes. I think we're ready for our baby to come." She rested her head on his chest.

" Well, we'll leave you to it," said James.

" Thanks for coming, Dad, Sirius," said Harry.

" Don't forget Teddy's birthday on Sunday," reminded James, after Sirius had Flooed away.

" We're looking forward to it," said Harry, and James left to return home to Lily.

" We've also got Hermione's birthday lunch on Saturday," said Ginny.

" Wow, a busy weekened coming up," said Harry. He loved time spent with their families and friends. Then he frowned. " Oh no, I'm working all weekend."

Ginny shrugged. " I can go to Hermione's lunch alone, and you can just meet me at the Lupin's straight from work for Teddy's dinner," she suggested.

" Not alone," he inisisted. " I'll ask Ron to come and get you, keep an eye on you," he said.

Ron agreed and came by to pick Ginny up at eleven. Ginny was ready and waiting, eager to get out and see some of her favourite people. The party was held in the back yard of Hermione's parents, in a nice affluent London suburb. It was a classy neighbourhood, so the big black dog that appeared out of nowhere found a quiet spot he could lay discreetly and keep an eye on Ginny, as Harry had asked him to.

Ginny was having a good time, catching up with some of hers and Hermione's Hogwarts friends she hadn't seen in a while. Still, after awhile, she realised how much she missed Harry. He was usually the life of the party, he liked meeting new people and catching up with friends. She had gotten so used to him being around, being with her, she felt almost bereft.

She got quite a bit of attention herself, being seven months pregnant. A couple of Hermione's relatives asked where her husband was, and Ginny told them she didn't have a husband. They shot her peculiar looks and quickly walked away, although when Ginny spotted them after, they were whispering with another girl, looking in her direction.

It made her feel uncomfortable, so she tried to ignore them and enjoy the day. She smiled to see Ron so attentive to Hermione, and her friend was thriving under Ron's admiring glances, although she could tell he was a bit uncomfortable in the Muggle house.

Ginny was feeling tired after a couple of hours, and was ready to leave. As Ron was all caught up with Hermione, she told him to stay and that she would Floo from Hermione's to the Burrow, so she could visit her dad. At Hermione's suggestion, while the guests were outside singing Happy Birthday, Ginny discreely Flooed away.

Sirius was worried when Ginny didn't reappear after going inside. He figured she'd gone in to use the loo, but as the group around Hermione singing didn't include her, he began to get worried.

Ginny was having a nice visit with her dad. He'd found some of her baby things up in the attic and had brought them down for her to go through. He had a story about each item in the box, so it was later than she realised when he saw her through the Floo.

Harry was pacing inside, and he practically pulled her through the Floo when she first emerged. " Where the bloody hell have you been?" he yelled, before pulling her into a hug.

"Harry, we checked St Mungo's, and there's no sign of her." Ginny recognised Neville's voice, and Harry let her go to go and speak with Neville.

" It's okay, she just came home, and she's fine. Thanks for checking, Nev," said a relieved Harry.

" Right, I'll let the others know. Glad she's okay, bye," said Neville.

Harry stood and looked back at her. " Where were you?" he asked.

" I left Hermione's and went to the Burrow," she told him. "I'm sorry, I stayed later than I thought I would," she said.

He came to her and took her in his arms. "I was so worried," he said, and she could feel him shaking.

" I'm sorry you were worried, but I'm here, and I'm fine, we're fine," she said, placing his hand on her belly. He rubbed it for a minute, and she could see he was genuinely worried for her. She kissed his cheek, and he turned his head so she could kiss his lips.

His hands cupped her cheeks and his lips kissed hers, his tongue nudging her mouth open, seeking entry. " I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you," he murmured.

She arched her neck, allowing his lips to slide glide down till he fastened on her pulse point. She cried out, not in pain, but pleasure when he bit down lightly, marking her.

He nuzzled her neck before rubbing his nose against hers. She could feel his heart beating fast. " I need you," he said, and taking her hand, he led her to the bedroom.

She sensed he needed this, so she was compliant, letting him do what he wanted, letting him lead the way. And when they reached their peaks he stared deep into her eyes, willing her to see how much he cared, how much of himself he'd just given her.

Ginny did know. It had been the most intense lovemaking they'd ever shared, and after, she gathered him close to her, resting his head on her shoulder. " I'm here," she uttered over and over, till she was sure he'd fallen asleep.

He woke her early next morning before he left for work. " Promise me, if you go anywhere and you're late, you'll send a message. Owl, Patronus, anything," he said.

" I promise," she said, and he kissed her with an intensity tht rivalled the kisses he'd laved all over her body the night before. " I'll see you at the Lupins later."

He nodded and quickly kissed her again, before leaving. Ginny lay in bed, thinking of all that had happened.

She got up and showered, before doing some light housework. The baby's cot remained in the lounge, and for the first time she started to think about moving into a bigger apartment, so the baby would have it's own room.

Harry was on her mind all day. She tried to take a nap, but her hand reached out to Harry's side of the bed, wishing he was there.

She Flooed over to the Lupin's late afternoon, sending Hedwig with a message to Harry letting him know. She helped Tonks set out food and drinks, so when people started arriving, she was ready to sit and put her feet up.

She apologised to all the family for the day before, thanking them for helping Harry to look for her. They all teased her about Harry's protective ways, all but Sirius, who watched her even more closely. She sighed; it was just something she'd have to get used to.

She enjoyed talking with Mia and Violet, and getting a cuddle from little Cassie. She confided that Bill and Fleur had announced on Percy's birthday that they were expecting again, and that Percy had brought a lovely girl named Audrey to the Burrow to meet them all.

Harry arrived close to tea, making his way to the birthday boy for a hug. Ginny had waited so Harry could give him his gift, and the boy was thrilled with his new broom, especially when Harry told him they'd take him out flying in the warmer weather.

After that, he was glued to her side, thanking her for the message. The heat in his eyes made her flush, and she wasn't surprised when she found him telling the others they were leaving.

Their lovemaking was gentle and caring. He kept telling her how beautiful she was, how sexy he found her body, how amazing it was what her body was doing to provide for their child. His hands and lips kissed the bump, marvelling to feel it move under his hands.

" We still haven't decided on a boys name," he murmured.

" Don't need it," said Ginny, smugly. " We're having a girl."

Harry grinned at the familiar argument, and he gathered her close against him and they both fell asleep, curled into each other.

~00~

The next few weeks of Ginny's pregnancy flew by, and it brought Harry and Ginny closer together. She now rarely left her flat, rather, Harry brought family and friends to hers to visit to relieve her boredom. It brought back Ginny's attention to the fact that the flat really was too small and she knew she'd have to look for somewhere new to live in the new year.

She was finding it harder and harder to sleep, but Harry would sit or lay with her, stroking her body, crooning to her and the baby until she fell asleep.

It was mid October when Harry owled her from work, saying he was out in the field all day, and could be back late. She appreciated the gesture and, as the Ministry owl flew away, knew he expected no reply.

James Flooed to hers, bringing her back to their place, where Mia, Daisy and the girls were. It was exactly what she needed, with Lily hovering anxiously, although she could do without Sirius' gaze. But strangely, she had gotten used to it, and decided to annoy him by smiling brightly at him and then hugging him goodbye. Both gestures seemed to confuse him, which delighted Ginny.

She'd only been home an hour and was already in her pyjamas when Harry's Patronus bounded in. "Ginny...it's bad...whatever happens...love you...love...baby."

Ginny stared in horror as the mist dissolved. She fumbled out of her chair, and hurried to dress. She needed to get somewhere, the Ministry, the Potter's, anywhere for answers

She Flooed to the Potter's but there was no-one there. She called out desperately, "Lily? James, it's Ginny."

One of the Potter house elves appeared. "Beg pardon, Miss Ginny, master and mistress have gone to St Mungo's. Young master Harry has been taken there."

"Thank you," said Ginny, numbly. They had already gone and hadn't even let her know? "I'll just use the Floo again, to go there," she told the elf, who nodded.

She clutched her huge stomach as she stepped out of the fireplaces at St Mungo's, and looked frantically for the welcome witch. As she approached her, the welcome witch looked at her stomach knowingly.

"In labour? You want to go down that way, sweetie," she said.

"No, I'm looking for Harry Potter, he's an Auror, would have been brought in not long ago," said Ginny.

"Potter, hmm, ah yes, Spell damage, fourth floor," said the welcome witch, cheerfully, after checking the list of recent arrivals.

Ginny smiled her thanks and hurried away. She wasn't sure where to go on the fourth floor but a junior nurse pointed the way. She found the way to the correct room and was about to go inside when there was a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

She spun around, surprising herself with how fast she had moved. She had her wand out and in the person's face before she even knew it.

"Woah," said Sirius, letting her go. "You can't go in there," he said, gesturing to Harry's room.

"You really don't want me with him, do you?" asked Ginny, lowering her wand.

Sirius shrugged. "Doesn't matter what I want, it's what Harry wants that counts."

"I need to see him," said Ginny, with a sudden urgency.

"Well, you can't. They're working on him right now, and James and Lily are in there with him. There's no room for you," he said. He turned and went to sit down on the chairs outside the emergency room.

No room for you. No room for you. The words seemed to echo throughout Ginny's mind. Room for the baby, but no room for you.

"Come, you should sit," ordered Sirius, gesturing to the chair besides his. He looked at her, she did seem pale. "Are you okay? Hey, where are you going?"

Ginny was wandering aimlessly back down the hall. "No room for me, there's no room for me," she muttered.

Sirius watched her in alarm, and was about to go to follow her when the door opened and a healer walked out. He smiled absently at Sirius, who was trying to peer into Harry's room before the door shut. When it did, he looked up to find Ginny had disappeared. "Shit," he sighed.

He was about to go and find her when the door opened again, and Lily and James stepped out.

"How is he?" demanded Sirius.

"He'll be fine, he's a bit out of it now. He's got a broken arm, broken ribs and a concussion," said James, putting his arm around Lily.

"I think we need to let Ginny know, don't you?" Lily asked James.

He nodded. "She was the only thing on his mind when they were working on him. "Gin, Gin, Gin, was all he said," said James.

"She's here," said Sirius. "She heard about it and came to the hospital."

"Well, where is she?" asked Lily.

"I don't know. She was pissed when I wouldn't let her go in, and she wandered away. I was about to go and find her, she probably went to the cafeteria or something," said Sirius.

"Pads!" said an exasperated James. "You let an eight month pregnant woman wander away by herself? I know Harry's had you watching over her. He wouldn't like that you let her go off by herself like that," he rebuked.

"She doesn't like me," blurted out Sirius, "and I'm not sure I like her, either."

James and Lily looked surprised. They exchanged concerned looks. "Look, Pads, it doesn't matter whether you like her or not. She's the one Harry loves, and she's carrying his child. We need to find her," said James.

The three hurried off in search of Ginny. "I'm surprised Harry hasn't said anything to us, about you and Ginny not getting on," said Lily, checking rooms as they went past.

"I don't think he knows," muttered Sirius.

"I'm going to go down and check this way," said Lily, gesturing.

"Send a Patronus when you find her, yeah? We'll re-group out the front of Harry's room," said James, kissing her lightly.

He and Sirius headed off in the opposite direction to Lily. "You really don't like her, huh?" asked James.

"I just don't think she feels for him the way he feels for her," said Sirius, defensively.

"They didn't have the best start, finding out they were having a baby together," reminded James. "Besides, Harry's known about the Potter Legend since he was a kid. He's been eagerly waiting for it, you know what he's like. Ginny, well, she may not be as open as Harry, but she loves him, I can tell," said James, confidently.

"I don't know, Prongs," said Sirius, doubtfully.

James stopped Sirius. "Lily and I have no doubts about Harry and Ginny. Trust me?" he asked.

"Of course I do. It's just, well, you know I love Harry like he was my own. He deserves the best," said Sirius.

James patted him on the shoulder. "I know you do, Pads," he said gently. " Harry will soon notice things are off between you and Ginny, and what will you tell him, huh?"

"I don't know," shrugged Sirius.

"We're a family, Pads, and Ginny's a part of that now. Don't put Harry in the position of having to choose. You may not like his decision," said James, gently.

Sirius nodded. "I think I'll head back to his room, in case Ginny heads back there. I'll send my Patronus if she does," he said. He shuffled away, deep in thought.

Ginny had disappeared into the loo, and Lily had missed the closed door at the end of the stalls when she had popped her head in earlier. Ginny was, in fact, now heading back to Harry's room, and to her surprise, there was no Sirus guarding the door, and no parents or healers inside when she peeked in.

"Oh, Harry," she sighed, moving closer to the bed. He lay still, with bruises covering his face and neck. His arm was in a sling, and he grimaced as he moved in his sleep.

"Gin," he breathed, as if in pain.

She quickly moved to the head of the bed. "I'm here, Harry. Merlin, look at you. What happened?" she asked aloud, knowing she wasn't going to get an answer.

She ran her fingers through his hair, then her hand down his cheek. He seemed to lean in to her touch, and the grimace on his face eased.

Ginny leaned down and lightly pressed her lips to his. "I love you," she whispered, saying the words aloud for the very first time. "I love you with all my heart."

She felt lighter immediately. "I love you," she said louder, and giggled. The giggles turned into tears. She leaned over to whisper again. "I love you, and I want to look into your eyes when I say it again. But for now, rest, my love." She lay her cheek against his, then settled in the chair next to the bed, holding his hand.

She must have dozed, for she woke to a nurse shaking her shoulder. "You're not supposed to be in here," he said.

Ginny's attention was not on him, but on Harry, who was moaning. "What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"He's coming off the first dose of pain potion," explained the nurse.

"Well, give him some more," said Ginny, hating the thought of Harry being in pain.

"We can't, we just-miss, what are you doing?" he asked, as Ginny got out her wand.

She stumbled ungainly to her feet, trying to ignore the dizziness. "Get him some pain relief ...now!" she said through gritted teeth.

"Security!" called the nurse, panicking.

The door burst open and Sirius came in. "What the – Ginny, you're here! Thank Merlin," he cried.

Ginny was surprised by his happiness in seeing her, but then both she and Sirius were distracted by Harry's moans; louder this time.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Sirius, looking at Harry, then the nurse. "Fix him."

"That's what I said," said Ginny, clutching Harry's bed. "Go get more pain relief potion...GO!" She waved her wand and sparks flew out, causing the nurse to shriek and run out.

Sirius went to her side. "Than Merlin we found you. James and Lily are going spare," he said.

Ginny poked her finger in his chest. "Well, where the bloody hell do you think I would be. You may say there's no room for me, but let me tell you, buster, my place is right by his side and there is no way that...I...oh no," she said, swaying.

"Ginny? Ginny!" cried Sirius, reaching her just as she passed out. He caught her in time, as James, Lily, a healer, the harassed panicked nurse and security flooded the room.

Lily gasped and James called out, "What the hell?"

The healer went to Ginny, and told the nurse to organise a room for her. He conjured up a gurney and Sirius laid her on it. James and Lily explained who she was, and why she was in Harry's room.

"Ah, too much excitement for the soon to be mummy, I expect," said the healer, waving his wand to do a quick check on Ginny. "All looks good with the baby, but we'll keep her here over night and get her midwitch to check her out in the morning," said the healer.

He then turned his attention back to Harry, dismissing security and administering the pain relief potion to Harry. He turned back to James and Lily. "You may as well go home, they'll both sleep through the night."

James and Sirius exchanged looks, with Sirius nodding so slightly, Lily almost missed it. She sighed in relief, knowing that Sirius would stay the night to watch over both of them. "Come on, James, I think we need to let Arthur know what's going on. We'll be back first thing in the morning, although we'll have to let Mia and Vi know, too," she said.

Sirius waited till all the healers had left, then went next door to check on Ginny. She was sleeping peacefully, so he went back to Harry's room. He transformed into Padfoot, and jumped onto Harry's bed, laying alongside him as he had done when Harry was a boy.

As if he knew Padfoot was there, Harry's fingers curled into Padfoot's fur. He propped his head up, but Harry didn't wake. Instead he murmured "Gin," again and sighed.

Sirius, transformed regularly throughout the night, checking on Ginny and going for loo breaks when his dog hearing told him the healers were coming back. Ginny was up and had been checked out, after being declared okay, but to go home and rest for these last vital weeks.

Harry was quiet, as his parents and sisters bustled around his room. His eyes lingered on Ginny, who was darting curious looks at Sirius, and he wondered what that was all about. Finally, to everyone's relief, he was given the all clear to go home, but to do nothing strenuous. He was to rest and recover only.

He asked Ginny to stay, as everyone else left to let him get dressed in private. And then he told Ginny that he was going back to his parents place to recover, but that she should message him if she needed him for anything.

He gave no reason, and she was too astounded to ask for one, so when the healer returned to give him final instructions for his recovery, she took the opportunity to slip out of his room.

She returned to her flat, taking in the small room and the waiting cot. The flat seemed less homey than it had when Harry was there.

With nothing else to do, Ginny lay on the couch, pulling one of her mother's knitted blankets and inhaled the smell of the Burrow. For the first time it didn't give her the comfort she sought. Instead she thought of Harry.

Harry was comfort and safety. Harry was laughs and love. Harry was cuddles and stroking. Harry was home.

Only...Harry wasn't here.

He may be her home, but she wasn't his...and that hurt more than she could possibly imagine. If this is what she had done to him, denying his love, then she wondered how he could still go on loving her as long as he had.

For obviously, he didn't love her anymore.