A/N: The promised Percy reconciliation and ... some girl called Vanessa.
Ginny walked to the door after she had let Percy into the building. Harry put on the kettle in case they wanted tea. She opened the door and greeted him. Harry came to stand beside her and shook Percy's hand with a firm look.
"Come on in," Ginny said as she stepped aside.
Percy silently looked around their apartment and then sat down on the edge of one of the couches. His phone was nowhere in sight. He eyed Harry, as if he wanted to know if Harry was going to be present for this conversation.
"Harry is staying," Ginny stated clearly.
"Would you like tea or a coke or something?" Harry offered.
Percy cleared his throat. "I wouldn't mind tea."
Harry nodded and walked over to the counter and listened to their conversation.
"I want to apologise for my behaviour," Percy said. "Even if I had a different opinion, I should have kept it to myself. And your birthday was not the moment to discuss this at all."
Harry made a pot of tea and took out three cups.
"I was so surprised that you had not told me before that I lashed out."
Harry put everything on a tray, walked back over and set it down on the living room table.
"I know it wasn't nice we excluded you, but it wouldn't hurt if you were a little more present," Ginny said softly.
Percy's lips pressed together. "I didn't think you cared if I was there or not, so I just… continued my work."
"Of course we do! We all do. You are our brother," she told him. "We will always care, even if your interests are slightly different. You simply gave up at some point."
Percy busied with pouring himself tea.
"Your comment about having an abortion was uncalled for," Ginny continued. "It was hurtful, and just because you force people to have abortions, doesn't mean everyone should."
Harry's eyes widened, she had not told him that.
"I did not." Percy set his cup down and shook his head as he looked at the floor. "Do you really think that low of me?"
Ginny's expression didn't shift. "I know what I heard."
"I paid for the abortion, yes. She could not afford it, but I did not pay her off or force her to," Percy spoke with a measured tone. "Neither of us wanted a baby. We were not together. She only contacted me again because she was desperate. I'm sorry you had to hear that phone call, I had no idea you heard or I would have explained." He looked at her. "I know you chose to have a baby, but not everyone wants that."
"I considered it," Ginny said. "Despite what you might have assumed, I considered all my options. I wanted to have the baby, and so did Harry. It's not perfect and it may be difficult, but I am aware of that and I want to do it." She looked down at her belly. "I'm halfway now, and she is kicking and growing. I am still glad I made that choice."
"You are more mature than I remember," Percy noted.
She scoffed. "You'd be surprised."
Percy looked over at Harry now. "I'm sorry that I assumed—Ron spoke very highly of you, as did Fred and George."
"I understand you not trusting someone you don't know," Harry told him, careful not to overstep. "But we have met before, more than once."
"I didn't realise you were Ron's friend first, he went missing I thought," Percy said.
"I did," Harry confirmed. "But I came back and I had to redo my year. That's how I ended up in Ginny's class, and we became friends."
Ginny smiled at him.
"This is still a new relationship, right?" Percy asked as he looked between the two of them.
"Yes," she confirmed. "But we have been best friends for several years. We were very close before then, and we ended up falling in love."
Percy looked around again. "And you're renting this apartment? Are you working?"
Ginny's eyes flitted to Harry for a moment. "We both have a little bit of savings. Harry has a job on the side that'll be enough to get us through the coming year, and we'll start working full-time when we graduate. Yes, we're renting," she confirmed. "I could look for a job but we discussed… with me being pregnant I likely wouldn't keep it very long if they even hired me. After she's born I won't have time to work anyway so that's what we decided on."
"It's not ideal," Percy muttered. "But I guess you can make it work if you watch your finances."
"We are," Harry said.
Ginny stood up. "I'll show you around the apartment."
Percy's gaze slipped to her bump as she stood up. He nodded quietly and followed her. Harry remained seated. Percy seemed impressed by how prepared they were.
"I didn't take you for this much of a planner," Percy said. "You already have a bed and everything."
Ginny chuckled. "I am not." She looked towards him. "Harry is. He's an improvement in my life."
"Not as much as you are on mine!"
She winked at him and then turned to her brother. "I know me having a baby is a bit crazy, but I am getting my shit together for this baby, and I know she'll have an amazing dad." She walked to the fridge and showed Percy the ultrasound. "Here is your niece."
"Oh my. That's in there!" he let out in wonder.
"Yeah, she is." Ginny sighed. "I hope we can move past this."
"I was a dick, and I shouldn't have said what I did. Thank you for kicking my ass a little. I'm going to make changes," he said.
She wrapped him in a hug. "I'm glad, I want my brother back. I know I have many but there is only one of you."
Harry's phone rang, he looked at the caller and his eyes widened. He picked up the call. "Vanessa?"
Ginny had never heard that name before so she looked up. Harry frowned as Vanessa spoke.
"Yeah, I'm on non-active at the moment. Are you in danger?" He nodded at her reply. "I see. I wouldn't want to risk it… Let me ask my girlfriend." He smiled after that. "Yes, I actually have one. I know, it's a miracle. I'll catch you up." He looked at Ginny, holding his hand over the microphone. "She's an informant for the agency. I can ask someone else to pick her up but it would be quicker—"
"Yes, go pick her up," she immediately said. "I was finishing that email on my thesis anyway."
"I'll come and get you. It'll be about twenty minutes I'm guessing… Yes, okay. I'll text you when I'm there. Bye." He put his phone down and walked into their bedroom. He came back as he was putting the gun into his waistband. "That is just a precaution; I don't plan on getting out of the car."
She smiled at him. "It's okay, Harry. I understand what this entails."
He walked to her. "Are you that far ahead with topics for your thesis and you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't want to confuse you with my topics, you can pick one I don't end up choosing though," she teased.
"Ha." He shook his head. "Maybe I will." He leaned down and kissed her. "I'll call or text you when I've picked her up, okay?"
"Bye. Be safe," she said as he walked to the door.
He nodded. "Of course. Love you."
"Love you too!" she shouted as the door closed.
Harry didn't unlock his car until Vanessa was right at the door. She stepped in quickly and he drove off before she was buckled in.
"Hi," he greeted her. "It's been a while."
"Indeed, it has," she agreed, shifting her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
He looked her over. "You're okay?"
"Yes. I don't know if they found out anything but they were on a witch hunt and things were getting heated, and I figured I'd make myself scarce for a few days until we know more."
"Good call," he agreed. "Have you had some food?"
"No—Look, Harry, I don't want to be a bother, I just needed to get out of there," she told him, folding her hands in her lap.
"You may need a safe house, I can't just drop you off. My girlfriend is probably up for a snack anyway, so we can have it delivered," he insisted. "It's okay to be shaken up about it, we know what happened to Rory."
"Thank you." She let out a sigh. "I could use some food."
"Good choice." He pressed the speed dial button.
"Hi," Ginny's voice came on.
"Hi Gin. I just picked up Vanessa—"
"Hi Vanessa!"
"—And she hasn't eaten yet. I'll drive back and then we can figure out where she can stay. I thought you may be up for a snack anyway."
"When am I not?" She chuckled lightly. "I could do with some chicken nuggets and perhaps a small serving of fries? Vanessa, what do you want?"
"Uhm, hi. A normal burger and fries are fine, thanks," Vanessa said somewhat hesitantly.
"And you Harry?" Ginny asked.
He thought about it. He wasn't really hungry. "Dealer's choice. Surprise me, you know what I like."
"Do I?" she teased. "Alright, I'll place the order, it should be here by the time you're back. See you in a bit!"
"Bye," he ended the call. "So tell me about the mob?"
"No, no. You tell me about the girlfriend," she replied, looking intrigued.
"Well. Her name is Ginny, and she's the love of my life," he started.
She frowned at him. "Why are you being so weird about it? Is there something wrong with her?"
"No." He felt his cheeks heat up. "There is just the matter that she…"
"…Yes?"
"She's pregnant," he told her.
She nodded quickly. "Yours?"
"Yes."
She looked a little surprised. "How pregnant is she?"
"About halfway," he replied, turning onto the highway.
Vanessa counted on her fingers. "I have seen you not that long ago, right? Start of this year? You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend then."
"Oh, god. I keep having to do this…" He explained it in one breath. "We started dating in spring and she got pregnant right away, so we've been working hard on preparing for this baby. Evidently it wasn't planned."
"Harry!" she let out in surprise.
"I know, you don't have to give me shit for it. Sirius is way ahead of you," he said with a chuckle.
"Oh, I bet he was." She fiddled with her phone in her hands. "But you're doing okay as a couple?"
"Yes. She is my best friend, my soulmate… we're happy. We just have a little sprout on the way far sooner than we would have liked…" He shrugged and shifted gears. "We're figuring it out."
"How did your parents react?" she asked.
"They adore Ginny; they always have. I am giving them a grandkid so they got over the surprise very quickly," he told her with a smile. "Mum insists I've been in love with her for years."
"I've never heard you talk about her," she pointed out.
He shook his head. "You had a lot going on. She was my best friend, there wasn't more to it. Apparently I've been oblivious for years."
"If I knew you had a pregnant girlfriend waiting, I wouldn't have bothered you. It sounds like you have a lot going on. I'm sorry." Her eyes widened. "That's why you aren't active."
"It's fine," Harry told her. "We didn't have anything going on tonight." He glanced at her. "But that's indeed why I am currently not working. I make just enough money to afford a baby and an apartment. Between the baby and classes, I wouldn't have time anyway. I'm on standby only for the time being."
"Are you still on the agency's scholarship?" she asked.
He nodded. "I am. Last year so I'll be back to work in June, got mouths to feed and all that."
"Dad Harry, who would have thought," she joked.
He chuckled with her. "I know."
Ginny had just finished putting the food on the table when Harry entered with Vanessa. She was a bit taller than Ginny and had bleached blonde hair.
"Vanessa, Ginny. Ginny, Vanessa." Harry introduced them.
"Nice to meet you," Ginny greeted. "Come on in! What do you want to drink?"
Vanessa smiled and after a glance towards Harry, she walked in. "A coke or something is fine."
Ginny walked to the fridge and took out three cokes and placed them on the table.
"Sit down!" Harry insisted to Vanessa.
She smiled somewhat awkwardly and sat down at the table. They sat down too.
"You weren't too surprised when you walked in, so I assume Harry caught you up with our little situation," Ginny said as she opened her fries and dug into them.
Vanessa nodded. "He did. Congratulations."
"Thanks." She opened her mozzarella sticks and her chicken nuggets. Then she grabbed a chicken wing from Harry.
"I was surprised Harry was adamant you wouldn't mind getting food, but you're eating for two," Vanessa observed.
"Our daughter loves chicken nuggies, doesn't she?" Harry looked over at her fondly.
She grinned at him. "We'll blame it on her as long as we can." She turned to Vanessa. "I know you're eyeing my mozzarella sticks. You can have a few, it's fine."
"Are you sure?"
Ginny nodded and pushed the box toward her. "I already had dinner, these are just extra."
"Thanks." Vanessa took a stick and happily nibbled on it before she put down the second half and returned her focus to her hamburger.
"I'm afraid getting you to a safe house tonight won't be possible," Harry said.
Ginny looked between them. "She could sleep on the couch, right? If you don't mind of course," she finished as she turned to Vanessa.
Her eyes flitted to Harry. "I wouldn't want to impose…"
"Your safety is important," Ginny said. "And then you can look for a solution tomorrow."
"She's right," Harry agreed. "My parents are out for the night so they're not an option and Sirius and Remus aren't available either."
After dinner, they provided Vanessa with a change of clothes and she went off to shower.
"What's her story?" Ginny asked when the door had closed.
"Her boyfriend got tied up with the wrong people and joined the mob. She had no choice but to go along. She became an informant for us in the hopes of getting out with Rory—her boyfriend—but…" He shook his head. "He was killed."
"Well, shit."
He nodded in agreement. "She has a dark past. She agreed to stay on as an informant, it's dangerous at times but she gives valuable intel and not everyone is willing to go in, or manages to gain the trust of that crowd." He looked towards the bathroom. "She went through a difficult time right after he passed, which is understandable, but she seems to be in a better place." There was a divot forming between his brows.
"And?"
He looked at her. "What?"
"You have an opinion about something you're not telling me," she poked.
"In my opinion, the agency took advantage of her state after Rory died. She was in no shape to go back in but they jumped right at the chance because it would secure her spot if she went back in so quickly." He pressed his lips together and breathed out. "The agency picks out lonely people, with few ties often because it's easier. My mum, Sirius, Remus… but that means vulnerable people too. I have qualms about it."
"It's easier to be a secret agent if you've got no one to reveal your secret to," she muttered.
"The agency does amazing work, but I feel like there is improvement possible."
"It's okay to see the flaws," she told him.
"I can't talk about it," Harry told her. "So many of the processes were implemented by my grandpa, I don't know if I can bring it up with my dad."
Ginny nodded. "I'd give him the benefit of the doubt. He's a reasonable man. If you don't point fingers but offer suggestions instead."
"You're right," Harry said. He kissed her. "I may try that sometime."
After chatting a bit more with Vanessa, they gave her a blanket and pillow and crawled into bed themselves.
Harry pushed the pregnancy pillow aside for a cuddle and she happily scooted into his arms. He placed kisses along her hairline.
"Thanks for letting Vanessa stay, I honestly didn't know how to solve it otherwise," he admitted.
"I could tell, I figured I wouldn't leave you to struggle," she told him.
"Thanks." His hand moved. "Is the cub holding a party?"
"She keeps doing this. I lie down and she starts moving…" She turned her head towards him a little more. "Maybe she's nocturnal."
"I hope not."
When Harry had rolled over to his side and fallen asleep she went to pee one more time. As she returned from the restroom, she saw Vanessa was sitting up.
"Are you okay?" Ginny whispered.
Vanessa nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." She turned to Ginny a little more. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
Vanessa glanced towards the bedroom, keeping her voice low. "Why do you trust me to stay here? You don't know me, and I'm sure Harry has told you I am with the mob."
"He did," she confirmed lightly. "It's true I don't know anything about you but… I trust Harry's judgement. He would never bring someone here that could be dangerous. Not with this one." She patted her stomach.
"You do seem to have a strong connection," Vanessa noted. She adjusted her blanket. "Thank you, again."
She smiled at Vanessa. "No problem. Don't eat the chocolate chip cookies because then we will have issues." She started walking back towards the bedroom.
Vanessa chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, I won't."
