Sunday, 29 June 2025

Ginny looked at the clock on her bedside table and it read 4:40 am. There was no chance she would be sleeping anytime soon. The toilet flushed in the ensuite and she waited for Harry to come back to bed. She waited but the door didn't open. It had been a long night. The potions the Healers had given him were taking their toll. They had warned them it would be tough but as Harry had not had much of a reaction the previous months neither of them had expected anything like this. She checked the clock again, the hand was closer to the forty-five mark.

What if he fell, Ginny thought, throwing back the sheets and heading for the door. Surely, I would have heard a bang or something, or what if he's unconscious. Ginny carefully opened the door and peered inside, her eyes squinting at the sudden brightness. It looked empty.

'Harry?'

'Gin.' Came the croak from the ground. Harry was laying on his side in the foetal position right beside the toilet. His face glistened with sweat and his shirt looked soaked through.

No longer worried about hitting her unconscious husband, Ginny threw open the door and knelt by Harry's head. 'What, what happened? Did you fall?'

'The tiles are nice and cold.' He murmured, closing his eyes and pressing his cheek further against the tiles.

She wiped away the sweat on his forehead and was shocked at temperature of his skin. It was icy. 'This isn't right, Harry, I'm flooing to St. Mungo's.'

His eyes flew open. 'No, no, no. There's no point. Healer Valentine said this would happen. I don't want to waste their time'

'No point? Harry, this isn't normal. How many times do I have to remind you to ask for help? Merlin you're forty-five years old.'

'Hey! hey! Not just yet I'm not. Now, who's showing their age?' Harry smiled at the general direction of Ginny, eyes struggling to stay open. Ginny brushed his hair out of his eyes.

'Yes, well, I'd like you to make it to your forty-fifth birthday, love, and not pass out on the bathroom floor-'

'Okay, okay, fine. Call St. Mungo's, alright?' Harry whispered, finally succumbing to his heavy eyes.

'Okay? Yes, let's get you into bed first, okay?'

It took some time to get Harry settled back in bed. It was slow moving as near every movement seemed to cause a fresh bout of nausea to pass over him. His skin still retained its icy tinge. Ginny did not think she had ever felt someone alive feel so cold, it unnerved her.

Was this how I felt when Harry rescued me from the Chamber of Secrets? Ginny wondered.

Once he was settled back in bed, worry rolled over her again as she gently pushed his unruly hair off his forehead, his eyes fluttering closed.

'I'll just be a moment, alright? Don't get up, I've a basin by the bed.' She whispered. He nodded minutely and made an incoherent murmur of acknowledgement.

Ginny grabbed her night cloak and threw it hastily over her clothes, thankful that it covered her fully and made for the fireplace in the downstairs living room.

St. Mungo's was almost empty when she arrived, five in the morning not being a popular time for patients to arrive. It took less than ten minutes to track down a Healer from the Deadly Diseases Department, thankfully, someone from the team looking after Harry was on duty. Ginny felt such relief at not having to explain the whole situation to a stranger. Healer Grochowska was able to give Ginny a prescription for a dose of highly controlled pain potion as well as a strong sleeping draught. She handed the two potions over to Ginny with a request for Harry to make an appointment in the coming week with his Healer.

By the time Ginny had returned home it was five thirty, the sun was beginning to make its presence known as it threatened to ambiguously illuminate her kitchen and adjoining living room. It felt almost eerie. Had she not spent the better part of the night awake, listening to Harry's retching, Ginny probably would have noticed the person moving about in the kitchen. As it was, she only realised she was not alone downstairs when a figure moved to the archway between the two rooms, effectively blocking the stream of light.

'Mum? Where've you come from?' James asked, a mug of coffee clasped in his hands.

Ginny jumped, clutching her hand to her chest in an inane attempt to steady her racing heart.

'Merlin's beard, James. You gave me a heart attack. I was, I was just at St. Mungo's.'

His eyes widened and his eyebrows shot together in worry.

'Dad-'

'-Is upstairs.' She quickly interrupted before whatever terrified thought could finish. Relief washed through his face. 'Your father, he's not feeling well. I'm not surprised you didn't hear him. I reckon you'd sleep through a herd of Erumpent's going past your door. He was sick most of the night.'

James smiled, though it didn't quiet reach his eyes, Ginny noticed.

'You know, I take offence to that. It's probably just the long standing silencing charm I have for fear of ever hearing you and Dad having your 'special time'.'

'James!'

'Here, I'll make you a coffee, you get those into him.'

'That would be nice.' Ginny nodded. She watched her son return to the kitchen before shaking her head and heading up the stairs.

Harry was bent over the side of the bed when she returned to their room, Lily sat on the edge of the bed beside him as his body dry heaved. She was rubbing circles in his back. She locked eyes with her mother and Ginny could see the tears glistening down her cheeks. Ginny waved her wand to conjure two glasses to pour the potions in.

'He was just- and you weren't here- and I didn't know what to do-' Lily sentence was cut off by a sob, as she shook from crying.

Ginny set the glasses and potions down on Harry's bedside locked. She wrapped her arms around her little girl and rubbed her back lightly. She felt Lily's arms wrap firmly around her. She hadn't hugged her so hard since she had dropped her off at King's Cross Station for her first year at Hogwarts. Ginny caught Harry's eye and she saw the pain in his. It must be awful for him , she thought. Harry, who had spent his life protecting his children from the awfulness of the world, could not protect them from watching him die.

'I know, darling, I know. Why don't you go back to bed and try to get some sleep, alright? I'll look after him, okay?' Ginny whispered to her.

Lily nodded and left the room, glancing back in horror from the doorway. Ginny scooted over to Lily's vacated spot, waved her wand to conjure two glasses and poured the potions into them.

'I'm sorry.' Harry croaked.

Harry sat back against his pillow, a mixture of tears and sweat littered his face.

'Shh, stop that. Here, take this one first, it's for the pain and nausea.' Harry took the proffered glass, the bright blue potion inside glistened. He downed it with a grimace, handing the glass back to Ginny.

'Well, it doesn't taste as bad as Hermione's cooking, I'll give it that.' He gave Ginny a small smile and relaxed against his pillows.

'I'll tell her you said that. Now, this one is to make you sleep. Healer Growchowska said it was of the utmost importance that you take it, so your body can rest. She also said you need to call in this week for a check-up.'

Harry stared hard at the second glass in Ginny's hand that seemed to ebb and flow in an almost soothing manor. He was clearly weighing up his options to get out of more potion consumption. Ginny raised her eyebrow and after another minute he reluctantly took the glass from Ginny's hands. She was sure he knew that she was well capable of force feeding him the potion if it came down to it.

'Don't suppose I'll be going for Sunday dinner, then. We'll have to drag this out for another week or month.' Harry said as he reached the glass to his lips, his nose wrinkling at the smell.

'I don't care if they don't find out until next year, frankly, if it means you're not in pain and get some rest.' Ginny said, holding his free hand and squeezing it gently.

'Ginny, I don't want to lie to them.' Harry winced as he brought the potion to his nose once more.

'You're not lying my love, you're just not telling them the ... whole truth.'

Harry smiled at her goofily. 'I believe that's how we defined lying to the kids when they were growing up, love.' He said.

'Harry,' Ginny warned.

'I know, I know. I need to rest. I'll take it, don't worry.'

'When it comes to you? Never.' Ginny smiled.

Harry smiled at her wryly as he drank the dark purple potion.

'If it means that much to you though, I can tell them.' She squeezed his hand once again.

'No, no. That's not very fair.'

'What was that little thing we agreed to when we got married? What's mine is yours. Your wife is always right. In sickness and in health. Any of that ring a bell?'

Harry's grin turned droopy as the potion began to take effect.

'Don' know wha' I did to geh chu.' He mumbled as his eyes fluttered close.

In the end Lily decided to stay home to watch Harry, her eyes remained a tinged red all throughout breakfast. James, who had to head into work at the British Conservation for Magizoology for the morning, promised to leave at the earliest chance to help her. Ginny did not feel the need to point out that the potion would keep their father asleep until at least six that evening. She was well aware of the need to avoid their nosy family. Which was how Ginny found herself attending Sunday dinner at the Burrow alone.

'Ginny, you're alone!' Her mother exclaimed as she engulfed her in a hug. Ginny had to remind herself to let go, lest her mother discover that there was something wrong.

'Yeah, just me today. Harry's, uh, sick. And Lily wanted to stay home to care for him.'

'What's happened little sister? Have you finally had enough of his ugly mug?' George grinned at her as he sipped his tea. His eyebrows wiggling mischievously.

'No, I just didn't feel like cooking when I was up all night with a puking husband.' She shot back.

George grimaced.

'Its not contagious, is it?' He asked.

'Well I'm not puking, now am I?

George backed off with his hands in the air in defeat.

'Oh, that's awful, Ginny.' Molly said as she pulled Ginny into a brief hug.

'Good practice for Lily, though, if she still wants to become a Healer.' Hermione said as

'Remind me to put some plates together for when you're leaving.' Her mother said as she gently caressed her daughter's cheek.

'Will do, Mum.'

Molly turned back to the many, many pots that were cooking on her extended stove top.

'Well, Hermione, there's really not much for her to do to be quite honest. I gave him a sleeping potion this morning, so he'll be out all day.'

'I always knew you'd be the one to poison the husband.' George winked at her.

'Oh shove off, George.' Ginny threw a kitchen towel at his head but he ducked and laughed good naturedly. Despite her best efforts Ginny found herself smiling at her brother's antics.

Dinner was, as per usual, a culinary experience. Not for the first time did Ginny marvel at how her mother catered to their family size and still managed to make everything taste divine. Had it been any other day or maybe year she would have been going for seconds or even thirds but as it was Ginny barely managed to finish her plate. She spent a lot of time pushing her food around in an effort to look like she was eating more. Dinner at the Burrow was filled with the usual laughs and jibes as stories, both embarrassing and entertaining, were relayed of the antics of her family over the recent weeks. However, Ginny was certain that she would not be able to recall a single conversation or story that was shared that Sunday. She knew she had piqued her fathers interest due to how often she caught him squinting at her throughout the meal. Dessert rolled round and Ginny consented to taking a small slice of pumpkin tart from her mother, her stomach turning with nausea at the thought of informing her family of Harry's sickness. It was as if the idea of telling them of his illness would make it more real. Before this day Ginny felt like she was living in a bubble with just her and Harry knowing. Telling her parents, siblings and her many nieces and nephews made the reality of the situation hit her harder.

Ginny pushed the plate of untouched tart away from her as her stomach did another backflip, dabbing her mouth lightly with a napkin.

'Is everything alright Ginny?' Arthur asked, his brows pulled together.

A few others seated close by glanced at Ginny at his words. Ginny dropped her napkin to her plate.

'Oh no, I mean, yes. It's um, well, it's difficult to explain, Dad.' Ginny sighed, she couldn't put it off any longer. She cleared her throat and coughed to get the rest of the families attention. 'Alright, um sorry to interrupt everyone. I know we usually do announcements at the beginning of dinner but-'

'Don't tell me, sis. You're pregnant.' George interrupted, a cheeky grin on his face. He earned himself a smack on the arm from his wife.

'George!' Molly senior cried attempting to hit him around from the other side of Hugo with her kitchen cloth that hung over her shoulder.

'Oh Merlin, I bloody hope not.' Ron said as he took a large gulp of his mead. Hermione frowned at him from across the table.

'What, Ron? Does the idea of your sister and best friend having sexual intimate relations-' George was cut off by the moans of the grandchildren and his brothers all making noises of protest at the mental image he created.

'I did not need that imagery in my head.' Hugo said as he covered his ears, attempting to block any further words from entering.

'I think I'm going to be sick.' Fred mumbled from two seat down from Ginny. Ginny rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless at her family's ridiculousness.

'Oh shut up you lot. And exactly how do you suppose any of you were born? Merlin's beard.' Hermione said thumping Fred on the shoulder.

This statement did not seem to placate any of the revulsion on any of their faces. Molly senior stood up from the table, her hands on her hips, glaring around at them all.

'Really? Children, really? Are you that immature, merlin's beard-'

'Ginny are, you aright?' Percy's' voice cut over his mothers as his frowned at Ginny's pale face opposite him.

The voices died down around the table as the attention focused back on Ginny. She mustered a small smile over his concern.

'I am , Perce. It's just, um.' Ginny found herseld blinking back tears and looked up at the clear sky. 'Merlin, there's no easy way to say this. Look, um, Harry wanted to be here to tell you this-'

'You're not getting a divorce are you? I'll kill him , I swear it, Ginny, I will.' Ron interrupted.

Ginny sighed at this rate she'd be lucky to inform her family sometime before Christmas rolled around.

'Oh really, Ron? You're going to kill the Saviour of the Wizarding World? I don't think your wife being the Minister of Magic would keep even you out of Azkaban.' George laughed, avoiding another smack from Angeline.

It looked like conversation was about to break out around the table once more. Ginny slammed her hand hard on the table to get their attention.

'Oi, we're not getting divorced, alright? For the love of Merlin, will you let me speak?'

'Carry on, dear' Arthur said, reaching to pat his daughter hand on the table.

'Harry is sick.'

'Yeah, we know that Ginny, you mentioned it earlier. Hey, Audrey, maybe your should take a look at Ginevra here. Her memory seems to be going.'

'Oh shut up, George! I am trying to tell you all something serious and all you can do is crack a joke. This is serious, alright?' Somehow, Ginny found herself standing and glaring at her brother who had the decency to look guilty. Ginny took a deep breath and looked down at the table. 'Harry wasn't feeling well, it, he was experiencing pain. Quite a lot actually. And it wasn't going away. So, I made him go to St. Mungo's. They thought it might have been the usual wear or tear of being an Auror. Anyways, they did a bunch of testing and well, they discovered something. Something quite serious, actually. It's, uh, called Petrovych Syndrome'

'No.' Audrey breathed from beside Percy. Her hands coming up to her mouth.

Ginny nodded and felt the twinge in her eyes as she remembered that day in St Mungo's.

'It's really rare. It's caused by an extreme exposure to radiation. It's usually not diagnosed until the later stage and at that point it's usually about keeping them comfortable. Harry's lucky I suppose, his is stage one.'

'So he's, what? On treatment? How long until he's better?' Hermione interrupted; her brows furrowed together in thought.

Audrey had begun to cry softly at these words with a confused Percy comforting her. Ginny closed her eyes for a second to avoid the confused and worried stares around her, she opened them to focus on her sister-in-law.

'That's just the thing, Hermione. It's, uh, not curable. I'm told that the healing has come on tremendously in recent years and perhaps one day there will be a cure but, um, right now its about slowing it down and controlling the pain and its affects, to... to give Harry the best quality of life.'

Hermione's mouth formed a small o. Ginny heard a gasp come from further up the table. At last the Burrow had lapsed into a silence. Those who met her gaze had either pity, tears or both in them. Ginny felt a surge of frustration and anger flow through her as she looked around at them. They pitied him, she though, no, they pitied her. Didn't they realise this was Harry? Harry, who had fought death before? Harry who would always fight to come back to them. To come back to her?

'You know what? Honestly, I'm glad, Harry isn't here today. Get your tears and your emotions out today because I don't want any of you coming into my house if you're going to be emotional wrecks. It's the last thing he need around him right now, understood?' Ginny glared at them all before she back in her seat, turning her glare to her uneaten pumpkin tart and stabbing it with her fork. She felt a runaway tear roll down her cheek she rubbed it away in frustration.

'How long?' Ron whispered.

'Well there's no exact timeframe, Ron.' Ginny said hotly. She took a breath, her anger wasn't really directed at her brother and continued more calmly. 'It's actually really rare to discover it so early on. So, all the Healers usual predictions are thrown out the window. Usually patients only have weeks to live. The healers are optimistic-'

'Ginny.'

She looked up and made eye contact with Ron, she had not heard such pain in his voice since Fred's death. His eyes glistened, she didn't want to be the one to break his heart.

'Four or five years, maybe, if we're lucky. I don't know.' She whispered.

Her mother gasped and covered her face in her towel. Ron nodded his head before getting to his feet suddenly, his chair following backwards behind him. He strode towards the kitchen, they all heard the back door open and then bang shut. No one moved nor dared to break the silence until Arthur cleared his throat. When he spoke his voice was thick with emotion.

'Ginny, I'm so sorry. Do they know how?'

She had expected questions, had dreaded them, but this was one she could answer easily.

'They had a mission with the Ukrainian Ministry in about 2007, I think it was, some issue with the migration of some giants in the north. Well it took them in range of Chernobyl, you remember that place that the Muggle's had that awful explosion in the 80's? It's called a nuclear plant, they use a very dangerous substance to make electricity but something went wrong and it left the area very polluted and toxic. It, radiation, is deadly to Muggles causes all sorts of problems like Cancer and birth defects. It killed a lot of people outright. It doesn't quite affect us in the same way. Radiation, you see attacks the magic that runs through us, it causes the body to attack itself. It's a very slow process apparently, you don't even notice it happening. And well, the British and Ukrainian Ministry had apparently given the aurors something to prevent it affects but I don't know. Maybe it didn't work or maybe it wore off? Or maybe the radiation was simply too high for anything to be effective. Either way, I guess it's deadly to both Muggles and wizards alike.'

'And Harry now is?' Hermione asked.

'As I said, at home, sick. The potions, the treatment, take their toll on him. Well, this was his first time feeling this bad. It's only once a month, thankfully, but it's tough on him.'

'Oh, Ginny.' Molly whispered.

'We told the kids when after we found out. We wanted to tell them first and to give them some time to process it.' Her parents and siblings nodded in understanding at this.

'When did you find out?' Bill asked his face pale as his wife, Fleur cried, clutching his arm.

'May. He went in at the end of April, after Easter but we had to wait a bit for the results to come back.' Again, her family nodded. None, thankfully, seemed upset at the delay of being informed.

The back door was thrown open and a moment later Ron stormed over to the table to glare at Ginny.

'Right, well I'm off to see him.' He stated picking up his wand before striding back toward the house. Ginny jumped up, rushing after him

'Ronald!' Hermione cried, following the pair inside.

'Don't you dare, Ron!' Ginny growled, grabbing his arm in the middle of the sitting room.

Ron whirled around to glare at her.

'Excuse me?' He growled, his voice menacing, yanking his arm free of her grip. 'You've just told me my best friend is dying. I don't care if you seem to be not think it's a big deal. But I'm going to go visit him.'

'He. Is. Asleep.' Ginny said through gritted teeth. 'He has been throwing up all night. And I am not about to let you wake him.'

'Oh he's asleep, is he?' Ron sneered. 'Right now, yeah? And you know that from what? The last two hours of being here, do you?'

Ginny felt anger soar through her, how dare he suggest she didn't care. That she would even abandon Harry.

'No. I know that from the Sleeping draught I gave him this morning because he hasn't slept in over thirty six hours.'

'I should be there for him.'

'Lily is there for him. And honestly, by now James is probably there too. He is fine.'

'He's my best friend, Ginny.'

'And he is my husband, Ron. The father of my children. You think I don't care? That I wouldn't rather be with him than here?'

'Then why aren't you?'

'Because he wanted you all to know. Because he didn't want to continue lying to you all.'

Ron looked at the fireplace and closed his eyes.

'I can't. I can't lose him, Ginny.' He whispered, turning to look back at Ginny. His eyes swam with tears.

'I know.' She whispered back and reached forward to hug him. Ron's eyes came around her, squeezing her tightly to him. After a couple minutes he loosened his grip. 'He's not going anywhere, anytime soon, you know.'

He nodded and motioned for them to go back out to the garden.

Ron went back to his seat, avoiding the others' looks. Ginny stood in front of her chair.

'I am sorry for brining down the mood. And I do mean what I said before. Take some time to process it, feel it, whatever. But Harry need positivity around him now not-'

'How are you so put together?' Her father interrupted her. It seemed that her family were keen to not let her complete sentences today.

'Well, I've had a few weeks to, um, adjust, I guess.'

'Ginny.' Her mother reached out to squeeze her hand.

'Honestly, I don't think I have. I think I'm still in shock to tell you the truth.'

'And the kids?'

Ginny squeezed her mothers hand back. A few runaway tears escaped onto her cheeks.

'Well they're not really kids anymore, mum. But they are…' her voice trailed off as she searched for a word to describe her children. 'Coping. I guess that's the only way to put it.'

'Oh, sweetheart. I am so sorry.' Molly said as she stood to pull her daughter into a hug.

'Me too, mum. Me too.' Ginny whispered against her shoulder.

This seemed to be a cue for the others to snap out of the silence and start cleaning up after dinner or move into the other room.

Ginny pulled back from her mother, wiping the last few tears from her cheeks.

'I should really be heading back, Mum. Lily could probably do with a break.'

'Oh let me just grab the dinners I prepared for them' and she disappeared into the kitchen.

'I'll call by tomorrow, Ginny.' Hermione said, as she swished her wand to make the plates stack themselves up and head into the kitchen to be cleaned. Herself and Ginny following them into the kitchen.

'Do, and bring Hugo. Merlin knows Lily could do with talking to anyone other than us.'

'Here, Ginny, I have some of the desserts in here too.' Molly handed her a stack of boxes with an assortment of foods.

'Thanks, Mum.'

'You tell him, you tell him, we're here, okay? Whatever he needs, you need, the kids. We're all here for you, okay?'

'I'll tell him mum. Thanks.' Ginny kissed her mother's cheek before saying a quick goodbye to the other family members in the kitchen. She stepped into the fireplace in her childhood sitting room and flooed home.

It took Ginny a moment to adjust to the darkness of her sitting room when she stepped out of the fireplace. There was such a contrast between the bright and bubbly Burrow, filled with loud and exuberant people and the dark silence that seemed to hang over the Potter residence.

She sighed and walked into the kitchen to put the food in the fridge and was surprised to find two people sitting at the kitchen table. Lily and James both sat with a cup of tea each in front of them. They both looked up as their mother entered.

'Nana gave me leftovers, I think she fears you can't cook for yourself.' Which seems justified, Ginny thought, as she looked at the lack of pots or dishes in the kitchen sink.

'I didn't even realise the time.' Lily croaked.

Ginny left the containers on the island counter and turned to stare at her daughter. Lily looked no better than she had that morning. Her eyes were bloodshot and her face was blotchy. A glance at James revealed he looked no better. Fear set into Ginny as she watched them.

'What? Did something happen?'

James looked at her sharply.

'Oh no, Mum, no. Dad's still out for the count. I was up to check on him not long before you came back.'

'I didn't really realise how bad he was, Mum.' Lily whispered, staring intently into her mug.

Ginny pulled the chair out beside Lily and sat down.

'He's not that bad, Lily. It's the potions, he, well we weren't expecting them to affect him like that. He had such an easy time of it the last two months.'

'Yet. But it will get worse, won't it?' Lily turned to stare at her mother. Her eyes searched her mothers face.

'I'm sure it will, darling, but that won't be anytime soon. If we're lucky, it will be in many years time.'

'It's not fair mum, he shouldn't have to be in so much pain. It's not fair.' Lily cried, throwing herself into her mother's arms. Ginny rubbed her back and rocked her back and forth, exactly as she had done when she was a baby.

'I know, darling, I know. It isn't fair. Not one bit.'

Lily pulled back to look her mother in the eye.

'I'm going to find a cure for it, I swear.' She said with determination in her eyes.

'Lily.'

'I will, Mum, I don't care how long it takes. I'll find a cure.'

Ginny nodded and Lily hugged her once more. She looked over at her son. His fingers were white as he clenched his cup of tea. His cheeks shone with tears. Coping, she thought, was definitely the only way to describe how they were.