Ginny had been released from prison the day before. Somehow she was not surprised, when the only person there was Ron. She always knew she could count on Ron; he had always been protective of her. He had mentioned when he was leaving, they were having a dinner tonight. Her parents claimed, when she had gone to prison, they could forgive her with time. She was their daughter, and she would be welcome back. Of course there were conditions, like she cleaned up and toed the line. Ginny didn't need them; they hadn't supported her when she needed it. She was now living in a tiny bedroom, in a half-way house. She was unable to do her parole community service at the hospital like the other two released at the same time, because of Harry. She was working at the seniors wizard home for community service, and had found a job cleaning and doing menial jobs for the owl emporium in town. If she had the money, in a year, she could leave the half-way house.
Those in the kitchen all turned to look at her in shock. She hadn't told Ron she was coming, so of course none of them had a warning. She was again reminded none had bothered had welcome her back. Not even her sainted parents had bothered to show up.
Molly looked at her. "What are you doing here?"
Ginny smiled. "I believe you said I was welcome to."
Arthur stood. "If you were ready to clean up your life."
Molly added. "You spit it back in our face."
Ginny tried to look sincere. "I have learned my lesson, six months in jail."
Harry smirked. "I don't even think six years would have."
Ginny turned to look at Harry. "I was hoping to see you."
George grumbled under his breath. "I bet she was."
Harry had known she'd be released soon. "I think you better leave."
Ron spoke up. "She is family."
Hermione reminded him. "There is also a protective order."
Harry agreed. "It was back in place the second you were released."
Ginny kept smiling. "Harry, you know I never hurt Teddy or you."
Arthur paled. "You still haven't learned."
The family had hoped, that the time in prison would help her. She should have been in for years, but Harry had spoken on her behalf. They had known she needed to be punished, or she would never learn. And even Ron had come to see it, though sometimes he needed to be reminded. She had always been the spoiled baby of the family, and got away with things for too long. They had hoped that six months in prison would help. She would see firsthand the consequences that went along with the way she acted. It seems though that they had been hoping for too much.
Ginny's eyes went to Harry, but also to his son and to the man sitting next to them. She had no idea that Severus was alive, and she was definitely shocked to see him there. She had of course been in prison when he had come back from the dead.
Ginny sneered. "What rock did you crawl out from under?"
Severus smirked. "Almost humorous coming from you."
Molly stepped in. "Severus is a guest, he is welcome."
Ginny looked at her mother. "The war is over, you don't have to pretend to like him."
George smirked. "We're not pretending. Besides Harry and Teddy invited him."
Ron said before anyone could react. "He's Harry's date."
Ginny's head swung around. "Date? Date?"
Harry didn't deny it. "We have gone out for two months."
Severus put an arm around Harry. "After he came to his senses about you."
Ginny was red in the face. "You seduced him with some love potion."
Harry shook his head. "That's more your style."
Ginny looked at Teddy and back. "You know you still love me. And I'm ready to be a mum to Teddy."
Teddy piped. "You no Mummy. I want Mr. Toby."
Severus picked up the little boy. "Good taste as always."
Ginny was furious. "You stuck taffy in my hair but you like him?"
Teddy beamed. "Mr. Toby tell me stories. Make sand castles."
Ginny had never even tried with Teddy once. The one time she even pretended to care, she had kidnapped him from his day care. The zoo trip had been nothing but spending time with Harry. Severus might have claimed he hated it at first, but he had really loved the time with Teddy. It had nothing to do with impressing Harry, though it had. He wanted Teddy for a son, just as deeply as he wanted Harry as his husband.
Arthur moved towards her. "I think it's time you leave."
Ginny looked at Harry. "We are meant to be together."
Harry put himself between her and his son. "You should leave."
Ginny put a hand on him. "Harry you and I belong together. With Teddy, we'll be a real family."
Teddy stuck his tongue out at her. "You go away. You ugly and mean."
Ginny turned on him and actually looked ready to smack him. "Why you littleā¦.."
Severus grabbed her. "You even think of laying a hand on him, and you'll lose that hand."
Ginny tried to pull away. "You're just worried because you know I'm right. He will come back to me. That's why you make empty threats."
Severus whispered into her ear. "You harm Harry or Teddy again, and you'll see how empty they are."
Ginny pulled back. "You won't win."
Arthur finally said. "If you don't leave, I'll call the aurors myself."
Ginny went to leave. "I'll leave but I'll win Harry back."
With that she stormed from the house, and Harry took his son into his arms. Teddy was too young to understand most, but he was upset. He didn't like Ginny, scared of her since she had kidnapped him. Harry held his son to him, and he felt Severus' arms wrap around him. He rested his head against the man's chest, as the family watched on. They were grateful, all but Ron, for him being there for Harry. Perhaps even Ron in his own way, though he wished Harry had better taste in men. He had accepted Harry was gay, and did want him happy.
Severus kissed Harry. "I will never allow her to hurt you or Teddy."
Harry tried to put Ginny from his mind following the dinner. There was the protective order, as well as her parole to protect him. If she was found to be intentionally stalking him, or coming near his son, she would be back in prison. And this time she would get the full sentence, no more of the light sentence due to Harry. Technically she hadn't known Harry and Teddy would be at dinner, so she couldn't be arrested, unless for trespassing by her parents. Or if they ran into each other at the shops or such. But if she went to the hospital, other than for medical reasons, or near the homes he owned or his loved ones, she would be. George and other members of the family had their homes listed on it.
Severus didn't like this, and he was worried about Harry. It was another reason he thought the two of them should go to school in the fall. He didn't put it past the girl to try something again. And he had meant it, he will do anything to protect Harry and Teddy.
Ted looked at his grandson. "Should we go into town?"
Teddy looked up. "See daddy?"
Ted shook his head. "He and Grannie are at work."
Teddy pouted a little. "Uncle Toby?"
Ted laughed. "Should I feel bad you want to see anyone but me?"
Teddy shook his head. "No, I love Grandpa."
Ted scooped up the little boy. "I thought we should do some Christmas shopping."
Teddy smiled. "Gifts?"
Ted headed for the floo. "I think your Daddy could use a special gift from you."
Teddy nodded. "And Mr. Toby."
Ted agreed. "Both of them."
The two headed through the floo to Diagon Alley. It was only a few days until Christmas, and it was a bit late. Ted knew Harry and Teddy had done shopping for their gifts before, and Teddy had shopped for his son as well. But Harry was a good dad, and he needed a special gift. He and Andromeda had always bought a gift for Teddy to give his dad. But Teddy was old enough to help now, the couple had agreed. He had no idea what his grandson would choose, but it would be his choice within reason. He knew Harry would love anything.
He was a bit surprised when Teddy wanted to go to the owl emporium. He reminded his grandson that Harry already had an owl. Teddy decided the pets needed a gift too, and insisted on some bird treats for Heracles and Ares, Harry and Mr. Toby's owls.
Teddy was the one who saw her. "Grandpa."
Ted turned. "You will stay away."
Ginny put on a fake smile. "I was just seeing if you needed help."
Ted noticed she had a uniform on. "You work here?"
Ginny smirked. "Observant are you? Can't go back to quidditch thanks to Harry."
Ted took their items to the front. "You have no one to blame but yourself."
Teddy piped in. "You smell."
Ginny was again on the edge of smacking him. "When I am your step-mother, I will teach you some manners."
A voice came from behind. "Maybe someone better teach you some."
Teddy cried. "Mr. Toby."
Ted paid as Severus took Teddy. "We were about on our way."
Severus took Teddy. "I had heard you came this way. I had one last gift for."
Teddy asked. "For Daddy? We shop for Daddy."
Severus nodded. "Yes. I want something special."
Ginny was stewing as she watched the happy talk between them. It made her furious, that they could act like she wasn't even there. She would get rid of Severus, and she would have a place with Harry. When she gave Harry a child or two, she was sure he'd send Teddy away. Teddy could stay with his grandparents, or go to boarding school. He wasn't Harry's son, and when he had kids, she would make him see that.
Ginny went to stop them. "You need a woman's touch."
Severus smirked. "Like poison ivy."
Ted agreed. "We'll do just fine."
Teddy made a face. "No make gift smell like poop."
Severus laughed a bit. "You heard the boy."
The owner came over. "Get back to work or you're fired."
Ginny ground her teeth. "From cleaning owl cages?"
The man pointed at the door. "You are welcome to leave, but good luck finding anyone willing to hire you."
Ginny grumbled. "Fine."
Severus shot one last look at her. "Seems like you are where you belong."
Ginny called. "I belong in his bed, and I will soon be."
Severus didn't respond, he simply took Teddy with him out of the shop. He helped Teddy find a perfect gift for his daddy, before his own. He had already got the ones for the Malfoys, and a perfect one for Teddy he hoped. Lucius' had been easy, but it would soon be forgotten. He knew from his godson, that any gifts Lucius got, would be trumped by Draco's news. But Harry's was the gift that was at the center of his search.
Severus picked up an item and smiled. "It will be a ring eventually, but I think this is perfect."
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