The days following the wedding passed in a blur for Ginny. The attack by the Death Eaters had left everyone shaken, and the sudden departure of Harry, Ron, and Hermione only deepened the sense of unease that hung over The Burrow. Life had shifted back to a somber reality, the short-lived pleasure of the wedding overshadowed by the war that seemed to be closing in on all sides.

Now, it was the end of August, and the start of a new school year was upon them. Tomorrow, Ginny would return to Hogwarts, a place that had always felt like home but now seemed filled with uncertainty and danger. The castle, once a sanctuary, would be under the control of Snape and his cronies. The thought of it sent a shiver down her spine.

But Ginny's mind was not solely on Hogwarts or the dangers that awaited her there. For the past few days, she had been distracted, a strange heaviness settling on her chest, an unease that she couldn't shake. She had been feeling nauseous in the mornings, a queasiness that didn't seem to go away, and there were other signs - she was late and her days were filled with a tiredness that left her drained no matter how much she slept.

It was a nagging thought at first, a fear that she pushed to the back of her mind. But as the days passed and the symptoms persisted, the fear grew, and now it was impossible to ignore.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across The Burrow's cluttered kitchen as Ginny sat at the table, attempting to be engrossed in helping her mother sort through a pile of linens. Nearby, her father and the twins were huddled in conversation about the ghoul in the attic. They had just completed transforming it to look like Ron, sick with spattergroit, a plan designed to keep Voldemort's followers off their trail and buy the trio more time.

"We need to make sure it looks believable," Fred was saying, his voice low but insistent. "If they come knocking, they need to think Ron's bedridden and contagious."

Arthur nodded, a furrow of concern creasing his brow. "And we need to spread the word to the neighbors. It's the best way to keep Ron safe while he's out there with Harry and Hermione."

Ginny listened to their voices, the talk of deception and danger swirling around her. Normally, she would have been right in the thick of it, her mind sharp and focused on how to outsmart the Death Eaters, how to protect her family. But now, her thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by the fear that her treasured last night with Harry had brought unpleasant consequences.

Taking a deep breath, Ginny stood up from the table. "I'm going to go into town," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I need a few last-minute things for school - some new quills and more parchment."

Molly glanced up; her eyes clouded with worry. "Alright, dear. Just don't stay out too long. And be careful, you know how things are."

Ginny nodded, forcing a smile. "I will, Mum. I won't be long."

With that, she slipped out of the kitchen and into the narrow hallway, making her way outside. The garden was quiet, the late summer flowers swaying gently in the breeze, the scent of honeysuckle filling the air. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.

She walked quickly down the path, her thoughts racing. She had planned this trip carefully, needing to confirm her suspicions but needing to do it without raising anyone's alarm. The signs were there, each one building on the last until she could no longer deny what they were pointing to.

Reaching the edge of the garden, Ginny took a deep breath. She had to know for sure. She had to be certain before she went back to Hogwarts, before she faced the dangerous school year ahead.

Today was her last chance.

She walked briskly to Ottery St. Catchpole, her heart pounding with each step. She went straight to the apothecary, a small, dimly lit shop at the end of the lane. She had been there before, for potions to treat scrapes and bruises from Quidditch, or to pick up a tonic for her mother's headaches. But today, her purpose was different.

The shop was quiet, the shelves lined with bottles and vials, each labeled with neat, precise handwriting. The shopkeeper, an old witch with sharp eyes, looked up as Ginny entered, her expression friendly but curious.

"Hello, dear," the witch said, her voice warm. "What can I get for you today?"

Ginny swallowed, unsure if she could speak at all. "I need a pregnancy detection potion," she said, surprised that her mouth had obeyed her brain, her heart racing.

The witch raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering over Ginny before she nodded. She turned to a shelf behind the counter, selecting a small vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid. "Here you go," she said, handing it to Ginny. "Just add a drop of your blood and a drop of this to a piece of parchment, and it will reveal the results. Good luck, dear."

Ginny paid for the potion, her hands shaking as she tucked it into her pocket. She thanked the witch and left the shop, her mind a whirl of emotions. She walked back to The Burrow quickly, trying to keep her face neutral, trying not to think too much about what the potion might reveal.

Now, sitting in a shaded, secluded corner of the garden, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial, holding it up to the light. It seemed so small, so simple, yet it held the answer to the question that had been haunting her.

She pulled out a piece of parchment from her pocket, her hands trembling as she uncorked the vial. Following the shopkeeper's instructions, she pricked her finger with a small pin she had brought with her, watching as a drop of blood welled up. She let the blood fall onto the parchment, then added a drop of the potion, her heart pounding in her chest.

For a second, nothing happened. Ginny's breath hitched, her eyes wide, her entire body tensed as she stared at the parchment. Then, slowly, the blood and potion began to swirl together, forming letters, words, that seemed to dance across the page.

PREGNANT

The word stared back at her, solid and undeniable, confirming what she had feared. Ginny's knees buckled, and she sank onto the grass, her hands tightly gripping the parchment. It was true. She was pregnant.

Her breath caught in her throat, a mix of emotions washing over her - fear, disbelief, a strange sense of awe. She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling for something, any sign of life, any attachment to the baby she now learned lay beneath, but nothing came. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she brushed it away, her mind racing with thoughts of what this meant, of what she would do.

She thought of Harry, of the night they had shared before he left, the way he had held her, the way they had clung to each other as if the world was ending. And now, this. A life created in a moment of love and desperation, a future that neither of them had planned for.

Ginny curled up on the grass, hugging her knees to her chest, the parchment still clutched in her hand. The reality of her situation settled over her, the weight of it pressing down on her chest. How could she go back to Hogwarts now, knowing what she knew? How could she fight, resist, when she had someone else to protect?

Her mind flickered to her parents, to how they would react. Molly's face swam into view, the shock, the worry, the inevitable questions. How would she tell them? And what would they do? She was just sixteen, about to start her sixth year at Hogwarts, and now...now everything had changed.

And Harry. The thought of him brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. Harry, who had left to protect them all, not knowing what he was leaving behind. Would he come back? Would he blame her? Would he be angry? The questions tumbled over each other, each one more painful than the last.

Ginny took several quick breaths, forcing herself to think. She couldn't fall apart, not now. She had to be strong, for more than just herself.

Slowly, she stood, wiping her eyes, her resolve hardening. With one last look at the parchment, Ginny folded it carefully and tucked it away. She straightened her shoulders and walked back towards The Burrow, ready to face whatever came next. The voices from the kitchen grew louder, the sound of her family planning and preparing to face the dangers ahead. She knew she had to play her role in the fight, but her way forward was no longer clear to her. Previously, the threat of defeat had been daunting, but now, with so much on the line, it was overwhelming. The danger felt closer, more immediate, turning her fear into an intense dread that gnawed at her with every passing moment

Ginny sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, staring out the window as the countryside blurred past. The train was filled with the chatter of students returning for the new school year, but Ginny felt both disconnected and suffocated. Her heart felt though as it was trying to beat through her chest and a sense of dread weighed heavily on her. She had confirmed her pregnancy just the day before, and the reality of it still felt like a dream - or a nightmare.

She glanced around the compartment, ensuring no one was around, and let out a shaky breath. The thought of returning to Hogwarts, of being under the constant watch of Snape and the Carrows, was terrifying enough. But now, with the knowledge of her pregnancy hanging over her, the fear was almost paralyzing. What if they found out? What if they realized she was carrying Harry's child?

The baby still felt like an abstract concept, something distant and unreal. It was too early for her to feel any changes, too soon for anyone to notice. But the idea of it, the knowledge that she was pregnant, filled her with a mix of fear and guilt. She hadn't meant for this to happen, hadn't planned for it. But now, she had to deal with the consequences, and the first step was to keep it hidden, to keep herself safe.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, a still unnatural gesture that made her feel both silly and protective. It wasn't just about her anymore - it was about Harry, too. If the Dark Lord found out she was carrying his child, they would use it against him, to hurt him, to lure him out of hiding. She couldn't let that happen. She needed to find a way to keep it a secret, to protect herself and, by extension, Harry.

The door to her compartment slid open, and Ginny looked up, startled. Neville Longbottom stood in the doorway, his face lighting up when he saw her. "Mind if I join you, Ginny?"

"Of course not, Neville," Ginny replied, forcing a smile as she gestured for him to sit down. She was grateful for the distraction, even if it was only temporary. Perhaps a conversation with Neville could take her mind off the anxiety churning inside her

Neville sat down across from her, his expression a mix of determination and concern. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle. "You've been pretty quiet since we got on the train."

Ginny hesitated, her eyes flicking to the window. She wanted to tell him, to unload the burden that was pressing down on her, but the words caught in her throat. She trusted Neville more than almost anyone, but this wasn't just her secret. It was Harry's too. How could she explain without dragging Neville into the danger with her?

"I'm...I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "It's just...everything's so different this year. With Snape as Headmaster, and the new professors...it's hard to know who to trust."

Neville nodded, his face darkening. "Yeah, I know. Luna and I have been talking about it. We need to keep Dumbledore's Army going, but we have to be careful. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

Ginny felt the already constricted knot tighten in her stomach at the mention of Dumbledore's Army. The idea of keeping the group active, of continuing their resistance, was daunting enough without the added burden of her secret. She thought about the meetings they would have to organize in secret, the spells they would practice, the risks they would take. All of it seemed so much more dangerous now that she had something to hide.

The more she thought about it, the more it felt like everything in her life was a threat. Every class, every whispered conversation in the hallways. Any slip-up, any sign of weakness, and they might find out. The thought made her blood run cold and her breathing turned shallow, more rapid.

"Ginny?" Neville's voice broke into her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He was watching her with a concerned expression, his brows furrowed. "Are you okay? You look...you look like you're a million miles away."

Ginny forced a smile, trying to hide the panic that was bubbling up inside her. "I'm fine, Neville. Just...a lot on my mind, I guess."

Neville didn't look convinced. He leaned forward, his eyes searching hers. "Come on, Ginny. I know you better than that. Something's bothering you. What is it?"

Ginny shook her head, her throat tightening. She didn't want to give voice to the fears that had been growing inside of her ever since she had seen the result of the potion. Telling Neville would make it real, would force her to confront the reality she was desperately trying to ignore. "It's nothing, Neville. Just nerves, I suppose, with everything going on."

Neville continued to watch her, his concern deepening. "Ginny, you've faced Death Eaters, fought them in battles. You're not the type to get nervous over just anything. Please, just tell me. Whatever it is, we can deal with it together."

Ginny's eyes filled with tears, and she looked away, blinking rapidly. She couldn't let him see her like this. She couldn't let anyone see her like this. She had to be strong, had to keep it together. But the pressure of keeping the secret was crushing her, making it harder to control her breathing, making it harder to breathe at all.

Neville's voice softened, becoming gentle and reassuring. "Ginny, it's me. You can trust me. I promise, whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Just...tell me what's going on."

Ginny's resolve began to crumble under Neville's earnest gaze. She could feel the tears brimming, could feel the words pushing their way to the surface. She didn't want to burden him with this, didn't want to drag him into her mess, but she couldn't keep it to herself any longer. The burden was unbearable, and Neville persistent.

"Neville…" Ginny's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes fixed on her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "The night before Harry left, we...I don't know how to say this, but we...we made a mistake."

Neville's mind flashed back to when he had entered the room earlier, noticing the way Ginny's hand had rested protectively over her stomach. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, chalking it up to a casual gesture, but Neville quickly caught on.

Neville's eyes widened in shock, and he leaned back slightly, processing her words. His voice was low, almost hesitant, when he spoke. "Wait, Ginny...are you...pregnant?"

Ginny's shoulders slumped, and she nodded, the tears she had been holding back spilling over. "I found out yesterday."

Neville stared at her, his expression a mixture of surprise and concern. "But...how? I mean, I know how, but...I just...Merlin, Ginny, are you okay?"

Ginny shook her head, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "No, Neville, I'm not okay. I don't know what to do. I'm scared. If they find out, if they know it's Harry's...I don't even want to think about what could happen. I've put him in even more danger. I've made a mistake, and now I don't know how to fix it."

Neville's eyes widened, and in that instant he looked just as scared as Ginny felt. He ran a hand through his hair, his face pale as he tried to process the enormity of what she had just told him. "Ginny, this is...this is huge. I mean, if they find out...If they realize Harry has a baby out there, they could use it to...to try to get to him. They could- "

He stopped, seeing the fear and guilt in Ginny's eyes. His panic subsided as he realized how terrified she already was. Ginny needed him to be strong, to help her find a way through this. Neville steadied himself, focusing on being the support she needed.

"Ginny, I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice calming. "I didn't mean to make it worse. I just...this is a lot to take in. But listen, we'll figure this out. We can't let them find out, and we won't let them use this against you or Harry."

Ginny's tearful eyes met his, but Neville's calm presence gave her a faint sense of relief. "How am I supposed to manage, Neville? How can I keep this a secret? I can't hide it forever. I barely kept it from you for a minute."

Neville thought hard, trying to come up with a plan. His mind raced through all the possibilities, all the dangers. Then an idea formed - something that could protect Ginny and Harry, something that might just work. He met her gaze, determination replacing his earlier fear.

"Maybe...I don't think you can hide this forever but...maybe we can make them think the baby isn't Harry's," he said slowly, the plan taking shape. "If they think it's mine, they won't connect it to Harry. It could keep you safe, and it would keep Harry safe too. We all need him to win this war, Ginny. If they find out, it could destroy everything we're fighting for."

Ginny blinked, taken aback. "You would do that? Pretend to be the father? But Neville, that's...that's too much to take on. It's not your responsibility."

Neville squeezed her hand, his eyes steady and full of determination. "We're friends, Ginny. We look out for each other. And Harry's my friend too. He's our best hope against Voldemort, and we need him to be able to fight without worrying about you. If pretending to be the father is what it takes to protect you and help Harry, then I'll do it. We'll make them believe the baby is mine, and we'll figure out the rest as we go."

Ginny shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. "Neville, you don't have to do this. I can't ask you to take on my problems. This is my mess, not yours. You've already got so much to deal with - the DA, keeping everyone safe. You don't deserve to be dragged into this just because of a mistake I made. I don't want you to put yourself at risk because of me." Her voice trembled as she spoke, but she could see the determination in Neville's eyes. As much as she tried to argue, she knew he wouldn't change his mind. The reality of her situation hit her - there was no other way. With Harry gone, the war closing in, and everyone watching, Neville's offer might be the only way to protect herself and her baby. Ginny's shoulders slumped, and she nodded, realizing that sometimes, the only way through was with the help of a true friend.

Neville took a short moment to gather his thoughts. "Ginny, listen. You don't have to go through this alone. I know it's not ideal, and I know I'm not Harry, but this isn't just your problem. You said it yourself - you're scared, and you don't know what's going to happen. But you don't have to face that by yourself. And it's not just about you. It's about keeping Harry focused on what he needs to do to end this war. If taking on this responsibility means keeping you safe and helping Harry, then I'll do it. It's the right thing to do."

Ginny looked down, her hands were shaking slightly as she took in his words. For a moment, she considered refusing again, afraid of dragging Neville further into danger, afraid of the consequences for him. But as she met his eyes, full of sincerity and determination, she felt the tight knot in her chest begin to loosen. He was right - she couldn't do this alone, and there was no other way.

Finally, she nodded, her voice quiet but resolute. "Alright, Neville. If you're sure...I'll take your help. I don't know how we're going to do this, but I trust you."

Neville smiled, his grip on her hand reassuring. "You're not alone, Ginny. We'll get through this together. We'll protect you, we'll protect Harry, and we'll make sure we all have a chance at a future."