Chapter 4: Reunion and Truth revealed.
Harry stood there in Ginny's office, his jaw practically hitting the floor. It had been four years since they had last seen each other, and now here she was, working in a muggle preschool of all places. He couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia, but he reminded himself that he was married to Hermione now. Yet, even with that reminder, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had been off in their marriage for the past year and a half.
Ginny glanced over at Harry and noticed his wide-eyed expression. She couldn't help but chuckle, knowing she'd elicited a similar reaction from her twin brothers many times. "Harry, close your mouth before a fly gets in there," she joked, causing him to snap his jaw shut.
"Who is this child?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Technically, he's an adopted child - mine and Hermione's," Harry replied. "Though if I'd known who you were, I probably would've chosen somewhere else. Is this a muggle preschool or a wizarding one? It seems muggle-ish from the outside."
Ginny smiled proudly. "It's a wizarding preschool. I never understood why there wasn't a primary and elementary school for witches and wizards when I learned about the muggle school system."
She then looked at Harry with concern. "Is something on your mind? I hope Hermione isn't around the corner."
Harry sighed heavily and began to explain how hollow his marriage to Hermione had felt over the past 18 months. As he spoke, Ginny suppressed her mischievous grin at his mention of keeping their minds out of the gutter.
Harry continued, "I've been wondering why Hermione was so interested in me after we broke up and why she moved on so fast." He expressed his confusion regarding the unspoken 'girl code' that stated best friends shouldn't date their ex-boyfriends. "What changed? Did Hermione ever really have a thing for Ron?"
Ginny listened intently, hardly able to believe the situation that was unfolding. Harry revealed that David was actually Draco's child, unknown to Draco himself. She then asked where Hermione was.
Rolling his eyes, Harry said, "She's on an undercover mission for the aurors for Minister Kingsley, tracking down remaining escaped Death Eaters and Snatchers. So she's out of the way for now."
Finally, he asked Ginny why she had broken up with him out of the blue and apologized for anything hurtful he might have said in the past.
Ginny understood where Harry was coming from but hesitated to reveal the truth, fearing it could put certain people in an unfavorable light. The weight of her secret pressed heavily on her as they stood there in the preschool office - two old flames separated by years and circumstances, yet connected by the unexpected path their lives had taken.
Ginny asked, "Do you have a truth pensieve right?"
Harry was confused, "At Grimmauld Place and no Hermione and I don't live there we still use it only sparingly because Sirius bitch mother's portrait is still hanging on the damn wall we even tried the muggle way to remove it but damn walburga was smart to prepare against muggle barbaric methods apparently. We cleaned it, it's just the picture is still hanging on the wall and all. What is the reason you need a truth pensieve for anyways?"
Ginny sighed, "To convince you to make sure you know I'm not lying."
Later that day in Grimmauld Place where Luna was still hiding James away, Harry, Ginny and David made it to Grimmauld Place. Ginny noticed the gag in the portrait's mouth with its own sticking charm.
Harry nodded and went to fetch the truth pensieve from a cabinet in the drawing room. He returned with it, carefully placing the delicate instrument on a table beside them. Ginny stared at the runes on its side, knowing that if they glowed golden, her memory would be deemed truthful; if they turned red, she would be considered a liar.
With some hesitation, Ginny withdrew a silver strand of memory from her temple and transferred it into the pensieve's basin. The moment it made contact, the runes surrounding the basin began to glow, emitting a warm, golden light that indicated her memory was indeed truthful.
Harry looked at Ginny, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. It was apparent that the truth behind their breakup was more complicated than he had initially thought. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself for what he might learn and stepped into the swirling pool of memories within the pensieve.
Ginny's Memory before Harry and her aka Ginny's break up conversation with Hermione.
After about a week the whole Weasley family were coming back. First her mother and father came, then Ron, then Fred and George. Charlie and Bill decided to stay where they were for the time being because they had to. They were just getting ready to go to a picnic when Hermione came stumbling into the fireplace.
"Oh there you are dear, just in time," Mrs. Weasley said as she dusted Hermione off.
"Sorry I'm late," she apologized. It was Ginny's idea to invite Hermione because she wanted to catch up on things with her.
"That's okay. Now let's go," Mrs. Weasley said as she ushered her out the door where the rest of them were.
"Hey guys!" Hermione cried as she hugged Harry and Ron. Ginny was still wondering if she should go over to her or not, then she heard Hermione say, "Ginny! I've missed you!" then hugged her too.
Ginny wanted to tell someone about something and she wanted to tell Hermione. It was weird because first Hermione ignored her then she all of a sudden just becomes friendly, but Ginny ignored it.
When they got to the park they sat under a big tree that gave them shade from the hot sun. Mr. Weasley laid the blanket on the floor and everyone sat. Ginny sat beside Harry and Hermione. She chatted with the two and was very happy, although she had a weird feeling whenever Hermione smiled at her.
After the picnic Fred and George separated from the family and so did Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny. They sat on the grass as they talked about how much they missed Hogwarts.
"So Ginny how was your last year in Hogwarts?" Hermione asked with a smile that made Ginny feel nervous.
"Oh it was great," she smiled happily.
"Well that's good," she said with a smile.
"Umm.. Hermione, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ginny as she stood up.
"Sure, Gin," she said as she stood as well.
Ginny led Hermione far from Harry and Ron. She walked until they came near a forest and stopped.
"What is it, Gin?" Hermione asked in a worried voice.
"Please don't tell Harry if I tell you," Ginny said as she stared at Hermione.
"Yeah, ok, are you okay?" she asked again in the same worried voice that sent chills up her spine.
"Okay, I will tell this to Harry when I'm ready," she started. "I just wanted to get it out of my system and that's why I asked mum if I can invite you for this picnic. Hermione, I'm pregnant," she said quietly so no one or nothing can hear.
"Oh my gosh Ginny. Are you serious?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," she sighed.
"Well when are you going to tell him?" Hemione asked.
"Well I wanted to tell him when he starts noticing," she said with a weak smile.
Hermione started to walk in the forest as Ginny followed. She didn't know why she was going there but she followed anyways just incase Hermione got lost. Near the middle of the forest Hermione stopped, took out her wand and pointed it to Ginny.
"Hermione wh- what are you doing?" she asked as she eyed the wand.
"I was hoping it didn't have to get to this Ginny but I guess it did," she said in a dangerous voice.
"What?" Ginny asked confused.
"I have been waiting for Harry to dump you for years but he hasn't. And now, now you have a child together. I want you to break up with him," she said menacingly.
"What, no, Hermione you're madd," she said.
"If you don't I'll make that baby of your look like Draco Malfoy when it is born, and you know how much Harry hates him, plus he'll think you cheated on him," she grinned.
"Hermione, please don't do this," she pleaded.
"I'm only doing this for love," she smirked.
"But what if Harry doesn't love you?" she asked angrily.
"He will, once you're out of the way," she scowled.
"I'll tell him, I'll tell him that you did that," she said trying to escape the condition she's was in.
"No after making your child look like Malfoy I will erase your memory. Or wait better yet maybe I should erase Harry's memory of you," she said still pointing her wand at Ginny.
"You- you can't," he spat.
"Want to try me?" she asked.
"Fine, I-I'll leave him," she sighed when she knew she was beat.
"Good. Now you will not tell a soul about our little conversation because if you do you can say good bye to your baby," she said as she withdrew her wand.
"I can't believe you," she glared at Hermione.
"Believe it! Now I want you to break up with Harry tomorrow morning and pretend nothing happened," she said as she started to walk back. She stopped and looked back at Ginny who was close to tears.
"Stop that! Hurry up or they'll suspect something!" She snapped.
Her and Ginny walked side by side and saw Harry and Ron heading back to the Burrow. Once there Ginny avoided Harry and stayed in her room until dinner. When dinner started Harry tried talking to Ginny but all he got were one word answers. Ginny glanced at Hermione and saw her smiling.
That night Harry slept in Charlie's room, while Hermione slept in Bill's. Ginny was in her room crying all night until she finally fell asleep.
Memory ends here.
Harry slowly emerged from the pensieve, his body trembling with a mixture of shock and anger. The memory faded away, but the cruel actions of Hermione lingered in his mind. He looked at Ginny, who was anxiously awaiting his reaction.
"Ginny... I can't believe she did that," Harry stammered, struggling to comprehend what he had just witnessed. His hands clenched into fists as the reality set in – Hermione had manipulated Ginny, ruthlessly threatening her and their unborn child simply out of jealousy.
Ginny's eyes welled up with tears, relieved that Harry finally knew the truth but simultaneously devastated to revisit that painful memory. "I'm sorry, Harry. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I couldn't risk our baby's safety or yours."
Harry took a deep breath and wrapped his arms protectively around Ginny, feeling the weight of years of unnecessary heartache due to Hermione's actions. "It's not your fault, Ginny. You were just trying to protect our family, and I understand why you did what you did."
As they stood together in their shared embrace, Harry couldn't help but feel a profound sense of betrayal over Hermione's actions. Years of friendship, trust and shared experiences were shattered by her selfishness and manipulative nature. He knew it would take time for them to come to terms with everything they had just learned.
But for now, they had each other – their love filling in the cracks that Hermione's malice had left behind. Together, they would find a way to heal and rebuild the life they should have had all along.
Harry, still feeling the anger and betrayal from Hermione's actions, decided to seek advice from an unlikely source. He approached the portrait of Walburga Black at Grimmauld Place and cautiously undid the sticking charm on her gag.
"No need to shout," Harry said firmly, trying to maintain his composure. "I need to know if there is such a thing as tasteless poison so I could feed it to my mudblood wife Hermione without her ever suspecting a thing. This way I would never get sent to Azkaban."
Walburga smirked viciously at his request. "Finally, some half-blood actually has the guts to be a true Black," she sneered. "But staying out of Azkaban is child's play." She pointed towards the Pensieve containing Ginny's memory. "As long as you have that memory, you could put your mudblood wife on trial in front of the entire Wizengamot. Make sure the blood traitor Weasley family, along with other known young heads, are present." She paused for dramatic effect and continued, "I suggest going for a trial instead of poison because either she will be sentenced to death through the veil or imprisoned in Azkaban. I'd personally recommend the veil."
Some time later, Hermione returned from her undercover mission in time to be arrested by none other than Susan Bones. Hermione was taken aback by her arrest and the revelation that a trial at the Wizengamot awaited her.
The day of the trial arrived, and the Wizengamot assembled in full force. In the center stood Hermione Granger, bound and looking defeated. Notable figures from the magical world gathered to bear witness – Lord Draco Malfoy, Lord Neville Longbottom, Lady Hannah Abbott, and Lady Susan Bones.
As Lady Bones approached the stand in a poised manner, she announced, "Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot, today we present the case against Hermione Granger. We will begin by examining a critical memory that provides evidence of her guilt."
She produced a delicate looking glass bowl filled with silvery strands of light. "This," she explained as she gestured towards the object, "is a truth pensieve. It preserves genuine memories in their entirety without any chance of tampering or manipulation."
With a graceful movement of her wand, Lady Bones released the liquid memory into the air above them before addressing Hermione directly. "Ms. Granger, are you prepared to see this memory?"
Defiant but visibly shaking, Hermione replied through gritted teeth, "I have nothing to hide."
As the memory began to unfold before their eyes, Hogwarts's Great Hall plunged into darkness. They witnessed Hermione's cruel ultimatum to Ginny Weasley in vivid detail – how she had threatened to transform her unborn child into Draco Malfoy's likeness and then erase Harry's memory of Ginny.
Once the memory had played out in its entirety, runes surrounding the truth pensieve glowed golden – an irrefutable confirmation that it held the unvarnished truth.
The crowd collectively gasped as they processed what they had just seen. Hermione's face turned white as she grasped the full weight of her actions being laid bare before everyone – even her closest friends.
Throughout the remainder of the trial, various witnesses took their stand and presented further evidence against Hermione – including stories of her manipulations spanning back years. As the testimonies piled up, even Hermione's staunchest defenders faltered in their loyalty.
Finally, it was time for the Wizengamot to deliberate. As spectators held their breaths in anticipation, they returned with their decision: Hermione Granger was to be sentenced to death through the veil – a fate that sent chills down the spines of everyone witnessing the proceedings.
"No... this can't be happening," Hermione whispered under her breath as she was led away, a broken and defeated woman.
Thus, Hermione Granger faced the consequences of her actions, serving as a reminder that even those considered heroes could fall to darkness in the pursuit of their desires.
Hermione Granger-Potter's face paled as the sentence was pronounced, and tears filled her eyes. She looked around at her former friends, longing for their support and understanding, but only seeing betrayal and anger reflected back at her.
Before being sent through the veil, Hermione was granted a final moment with Harry. The disappointment, betrayal, and extreme anger in his eyes as he looked upon Hermione were palpable. "I trusted you, Hermione. You were like a sister first then a lover to me, and yet you destroyed our lives for your own selfish desires. It sickens me," Harry said coldly.
Steeling himself, Harry cast an ancient curse upon Hermione: "In omni vita secunda tua, nex mutatis!"
Hermione shuddered as the curse took effect – the knowledge that she would have to live life as a transgirl forever in every second chance she receives now ingrained in her very being.
"You will live this new life as a reminder of your actions," Harry explained bitterly.
As Lady Susan Bones prepared to send Hermione through the veil, she charged the archway with a Latin spell: "Porta ad inferos magicis!"
The air crackled with energy as the portal to wizarding hell came alive.
Hermione struggled against her restraints as she was led up to the now activated archway. She looked at each of her former friends in desperation but found no solace in their eyes.
Without further hesitation, Lady Bones ordered Hermione to be thrown through the veil and into the depths of wizarding hell.
As Hermione disappeared beyond the archway and was condemned to face an unimaginable fate, those left behind had no choice but to grapple with the consequences of her actions upon their own lives.
The true make up.
Ginny turned to Harry with a soft smile and asked, "Do you want to come with me to see your son?"
Harry nodded, the thought of finally meeting the child he had missed out on for four years overwhelming him.
When they arrived at the Burrow, Luna was babysitting David Granger and James Weasley. Harry and Ginny greeted the rest of the Weasley clan before engaging with the children.
David approached Uncle Harry hesitantly. "Do I need to spend time with my real father? Mum used to take me."
Harry, now acting as a father figure, answered David's question. "If you want to spend time with Draco, that's fine, as long as he's not busy or doing anything inappropriate."
Ginny then introduced James to his father, Harry, and explained what had happened due to Hermione's betrayal. She promised to reveal more details as he got older.
Slightly impatient, James replied, "I'll give my dad a chance, but it better be a good reason for making me wait this long."
Ginny nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry; it will be."
Harry was surprised that James looked like a young version of himself – minus the freckles. He felt grateful he didn't have any freckles as a child.
Over time, Ginny and Harry began rebuilding their relationship. They made a blood vow that inadvertently cleansed them of their past experiences while also forging a bond that allowed them to share each other's thoughts and memories.
Eventually, they became engaged, married, and had seven children: Albus Severus (formerly David Granger), James Sirius (formerly James Weasley), Lily Luna, Hugo Remus, Victoire Jasmine, Dominique Athena, and Louis Orion Potter.
Through blood adoption, David Granger became Albus Severus Potter – replacing Draco's chromosomes with Harry's and Hermione's chromosomes with Ginny's. James Sirius Weasley also became James Sirius Potter, marking a new beginning for the family.
As they gathered in the cozy living room of the Burrow one evening, Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny, with their children playing happily at their feet. Harry looked lovingly into Ginny's eyes, and whispered, "We've come so far, and I'm grateful for every moment we've had together."
Ginny smiled warmly, squeezing his hand. "It hasn't been an easy journey, but we made it through. Our love has grown stronger because of it."
Albus Severus and James Sirius joined their siblings in a boisterous game involving floating toys and a makeshift Quidditch field. The laugher of the children filled the room – making it feel as though the darkness that had once threatened to swallow them all had finally been left behind.
True to their promise, from that day forward, Harry and Ginny dedicated themselves to guiding and nurturing their family with unwavering love and devotion.
And together, they lived happily ever after.