BAM!!!
I felt myself slam into the ground and start to fall - my head spinning, I was trying to get my bearings and failing miserably. What is going on with me and the Floo? I thought to myself- "I NEVER have any problems with it".
I staggered a little trying to get my balance and felt a pair of hands on my waist- holding me upright. "There, there now Ginn- Uhm- I mean- Miss Weasley, "a sott voice stammered and I gasped at the contact- his sexy silver eyes seemed to glow with power and it was like they could see into my soul. I could feel myself being drawn into those eyes, and looked down at his plump lips, inadvertently leaning closer to those lips- wanting to feel them on mine. Healer Black leaned in as well until I came to my senses and pulled back abrupty.
I blushed a flaming red and said "I am sorry, I do not know what came over me." I stammered. I have had several boyfriends over the years but it never felt like this. This invisible force thet seems to be pulling me towards him- I think I am going to ask Aunti Andy about this when I get home. I feel like I'm missing something, like with the house elves and I need to figure it out.
Healer Black seemed to shake himself and say, "It's quite alright, I am not sure what came over me either:" He seemed to pause, as if he was thinking about it too. "All right, Miss Weasley, let me take you to see your brothers and we can talk. Your free Dad is already there so it will be easier to explain things once and and I can answer any questions . Please follow me" he says.
I follow him down the hall and around several corners, until we come to a cheerfully decorated room with two magically floatiing baby cots inside it. Each of them had one of my baby brothers and they each had several plastic tubes running out of them, with large bags of liquid being pumped into them. Several clear bags and one bright yellow one. Sitting next to Gideon was my Dad and he was slumped over in his chair snoring softly.
I went up to each baby and noticed they were still asleep and seemed to be content. They had pink cheeks and seemed to be doing well. I placed my hand on each of their little heads and rubbed them, then leaned over and gave them each a kiss on the head. I felt their little silk cheeks and I was happy to see that Gideon seemed to have the beginnings of chubby little cheeks and a double chin was forming. Fabian also had slightly chubbier cherks but no double chin and he seemed to have no more tubes running out of him then Giddy- he was also smaller. Somwthing was wrong. I could feel it:
"Healer Black, " I whispered, careful to not wake my Dad, I motioned for him to follow me to the hall ," Why does Fabian have more tubes then Gideon, does this mean he's getting more medicine for something, Is he ok? Oh my God- I should have noticed sooner. I was too busy---" and I trialed off. I felt my eyes fill with tears as I thought that I was too late and Fabby had permanent medical problems because i was too busy to notice. Too busy proving I was independent, ignoring my baby brothers, too busy -" I started to spiral and panic. Feeling my chest tighten up- fighting back tears. I bent forward and tried to catch my breath both hands on my knees- like they teach you in Quidditch when cooling down. In and Out. Breathe. In & Out I practiced in my head.
"Hey!" Healer Black said with more power that I've ever heard, as he came over and pulled me upright, gently tilting my chin up so I was looking directly in his eyes, "STOP IT!!" He kind of commanded and placed both hands on my shoulders, he leaned forward and, without thinking, I leaned forward as well and placed my forehead against his. A feeling of immense calm enveloped me and we both sighed. He kept his forehead where it was and said "Are you ok now?" and i nodded. He smiled and said "Good, lets start then ok?" He grabbed my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine and it felt like a warm breeze was going up my arm and we both gasped.
He smiled brightly and I looked at him confused and he said, "Miss Wealsey, I am going to call my cousin Andy here ok?" My eyes grew wide and I looked at the babies and froze- he must have noticed because he said "No, its not about the babies." I looked at him in confusion but nodded yes to him. He smiled and pulled out his wand then he sent his shark Patronis- it flipped and swam around the room showing off a little, it came to me and nuzzled my cheek and I laughed. A few minutes later Andi's snake came slithering back in and her voice said "Hey cousin, of course I can. Please allow me 10 minutes to tell the boys and Tealy. Que se passe-t-il ? Est-ce que tout va bien?" (Whats going on? Is everything alright?) Aunt Andi replied and I was surprised to hear her speak French. While growing up with Dora at her house I picked up some of it but I hadn't practiced or used it in several years so I don't know all of what she said- I know the last part was asking if he was ok.
Healer Black sighed and re-sent his Patronus -in French, which was incredibly sexy. The shark paused in front of us waiting for him to speak, "Oui, Andy. Nous allons bien mais j'a besoin de votre aide pour expliquer quelque chose à Ginny. Je ne sais pas si on lui a parle des âmes sœurs dans notre monde." (Yes, Andy. We're fine but I need your help to explain something to Ginny. I don't know if we told her about soulmates in our world.) He turned to me and said "She was asking what was going on and if we were ok. I said that yes we were but I needed her help explaining some things to you about the Magical World."
I thought back to his words in French and realized he was telling me the truth and there was a phrase I did not know but I am sure Andy would help explain. He smiled at me as we waited and said "Do you speak French? I noticed that you seemed to understand what she said."
I smiled softly remembering my time spent with Dora and Andys patience in trying to teach me French so I would not feel left out when Uncle Teds parents visited. Even though Uncle Ted was a muggle, his parents was born and raised in France and owned a successful vineyard there. One summer before my 15th birthday, I went with the Black-Tonks' to France and was so excited to meet Uncle Teds parents- Matt & Eve Tuteur, which is the French word for Guardian- which I thought was so cool. I practiced French all year at achool and when we went to their winery, I was able to understand them pretty well when they were speaking to me, I struggled a little with speaking but I was very happy and proud of myself. They were so impressed with my desire to learn that they invited me to spend the summer with them and work at the Vineyard, greeting guests and learning about Wine Country. I was so excited but when I told my parents- my mom said no immediately and my Dad walked away to play around in his muggle shed. That was the 1st of many missed opportunities , well not really missed, but thrown away, that I had to reject due to my Mom pushing the kids my way. I must have frowned because all of a sudden my Auntie came breezing through the door and kissed me and then Healer Black on both cheeks.
She turned to Healer Black and they started speaking in rapid French back and forth, waving their hands all around. Aunt Andi was red faced but still speaking rapidly and so was he. Finally they stopped and she turned to me and said "Ok, sweetie so we need to discuss some things. The first thing is the update on your brothers, who are fine! Let's go wake up your Dad and then we can get down to brass tacks!" She said with determination and power.
We came back into the babies hospital room and I walked over to my Dad and gently shook him so he would wake up, "Dad, wake up." I said and shook him with a little more force, "DAD!!" I yelled louder and he jostled awake, "Good! Your awake! Healer Black wants to speak both of us about the babies care and a plan of what we need to do from here". He nodded his head frantically and ran his hands over his face.
"Ok. After several preliminary tests we were able to determine that both babies are highly malnourished like I had previously thought. Gideon is the larger twin and he is doing very well- I have given both babies nutritonal potions and infusions, which is where it goes straight jnto their blood stream without digesting so they absorb 100% of what I am giving them. They will need bone shoring potions to replace their lack of bone density until they are about a year old but the good news is they will be perfectly healthy after that year. Fabian is smaller and he is the same as Giddy however with his situation Miss Ginny saved his life as his heart was affected with the lack of nutrition so he will need several months of extra minerals to help his heart. He will make a 100% recovery and he will grow as well." Healer Black smiled a wide smile. "Please understand the seriousness of this situation- had we not been called even two werks later, the effects would have been irreversible." My Dad & I both grew pale at this news.
"Arthur, they will sleep for another 48-72 hours if you want to head home to rest. I have monitoring and tracking charms on each of them so no one can enter the room without me being notified- the nurses will enter every 2-3 hours with updates and to check their potions status and I will get reports. Plus, I was going to let Miss Wealsey know that a bonded house elf can stay and monitor them- this is great because they can report back to Miss Weasley & myself immediately if there is an issue." He turned to look at me and I said, "Bluey, Teally, Goldie, Reddy & Pinky" and all five elves popped in front of me.
"Pinky, you are Head Elf so I called you here because Healer Black said a bonded House Elf can stay with the babies while they are in the hosptial to watch them and report to me and Healer Black on their status. I know your brothers are great with kids but with all my other brothers to look after, do you think we can spare one of them specifically for the twins? Do you think we need to ask some more elves to help? Do you have any more siblings that could--" before I can finish my words Pinky popps away and returns with two elves.
I smile at the new elves and was about to let the other elves go home when Pinky became a leader in front if my eyes, "All rights Mistress is going to bes telling Purply, Silvey and mes about hers babies. Everyelf can being going home to get the boys somes supper. That being ok Mistress?" Seven different sets if eyes pooked at me and I said "Yes, we will talke more when I'm home".
POP, POP , POP, POP the others leave.
"Mistress Ginny, these be's being our big sisters Purply & Silvy and theys has baby elves! We's been missing them fors so long! Theys wont bonds with anyone because some bads Masters does bad rituals with ours babies! But yous are family so wes loves yous since your were a younngling. Purply had twin babies, named Violety and Liclacy. Silvy had one baby named Greyie. "Pinky said jumping up & down with excitement.
I smiled and walked over to the new elves, "Its very nice to meet you both. Silvy & Purpy, I promise, I will never hurt you or your babies. Do you want me to take a magical vow on this right now? " They looked at me with blue sparkling eyes and slowly shook their heads no. "I was going to ask you if you could watch my baby brothers in shifts but if you have babies, I do not want to take you away from them".
They started smiling with very wide smiles and then started jumping up and down with excitement. "Wes love littles babies Miss" the one in the purple dress, who must be Purply said. "Wes can still takes cares of ours babies, wes can just take them backs to the Sanctuary everyday so ours husbands can look after them and we cam sees our ofher kids and our husbands whens we deop them off" she said, teying to put on a brave face but I could tell she was upset.
[Families? Well shit!! What's a few more elves] I thought. I might as well get the entire family!] I thought to myself- damn, thats a lot of magical power but ill handle it. I promised myself.
"All right, Purple, Pinky, and Silvey do not leave until I tell you too. " I said and they all nodded but Silvey & Purply looked at me in fear as Pinky just smiled and waited.
"Pinky you may call one of your brothers to stay here until someone comes back to stay the night with my baby brothers. Before I give you permission to leave and travel as you like. I need you Pinky to take Purply & Silvey to the house and show them their new home, also we will be enlarging the elves quarters to ensure the new elves coming in are comfortable. I would like each of you to have your own bedroom's and a large family room. Purply how many ofthwr children do uou have? Silvey do you have older children?
She smiled and nodded "Yes, I have my husbamd Zippy and older boy and middle girl twins Mistress". I nodded.
i looked at Purply and said "Purply, do you have older children as well?" And she smiled and said "Yes Mistress, I also have two other children and my husband Zappy. Our husbands are brothers and they have one more brother, named Zeddy who is in love with Pinky" which made Pinky turn red. I smiled at Pinky and said "We'll talk about that later".
"Purply and Silvey you said yojr husbands and children are at the Sanctuary together, are they bonded to anyone? I know elves need house magic to survive. I am pretty powerful so I know I can take on your families, I just need to speak with Healer Black about shoring potions because Im not sure if Im going to need more power to sustain--" i was interrupted by Aunti Andy.
"Darling, youre teuly one specialu young lady" and she smiled triumphantly at Healer Black, who actually blushed! "The houze iz on the Black family ley lines so you can tap into that in several ways" and she kind of smirked.
All right" i thought, "SOMETHING is gong on here"
Pinky popped away and came back with Reddy so I said "Ok, these are my baby brothers Fabian & Gideon and they are here all alone at the hospital. I want one of you to stay with them and tell me and Healer Black here if they need anything. Right now they will sleep for 2-3 days while the potions help them, but I would feel so much better knowing someone were watching them and they were not alone." I said and I walked over to the two trembling elves and placed my hand on each of their heads, while Pinky came up and placed her hand on their hands and said "Elfvin Etros Arriva" and we all glowed a pale blue. I looked at them & said "Welcome to our family Silvie & Purply. You will be at home with your babies for a few days before we set up a schedule of watching my brothers. As we switch you will go home and you will live with Pinky, Teally , Bluey, Goldie, & Reddy. Where you will stay." They seemed to be shocked but nodded their heads and started dancing. I looked at their happy faces and then looked at Healer Black who had a small smile.
Aunt Andi came over and said to me, "Ginny please give them instructions for when they are here with the babies" and I nodded.
"Purply, Silvey & Reddy , you are to care for all of the babies, report any causes for concern immediately to Healer Black & myself, protect these two babies from harm from anyone, protect yourselfs from harm, never punish yourselfs, you must eat when your hungry- one of you can watch both babies so the other can eat, sleep when your tired & rest. You must always take care of yourselves- for example: you must go to the bathroom as soon as you need too. You are our family and I expect you to tell me immediately if you need something". They both were nodding and still dancing. I introduced the babies to the new elves and to Healer Black and told them to let him know immediately if the babies needed anything.
Anti Andy stepped forward and said "Thank you Purpy ,Reddy & Silvey, I am Mrs Tonks and I am Mistress Ginny's Aunti so I am your family as well." Andi said gently, "Mistress Ginny and I need to leave now to go speak with Healer Black. Please remember if there is an issue, no matter how small or large, that we need to know abiout it. Ok?" Both elves nodded vigoursly and she also said "The babies are the youngest out of nine kids and we love them dearly but if you would like to make them some clothes, thst would be wondeful. They dont have any new items- I like to put Giddeon in dark green and Fabian in dark blue but you fan make anything you enjoy. How's that? Both of them became very excited and Siley popped away and returned right away with knitting needles and lots of yarn. It was a perfrct idea. Silvey and Purpley left to take care of their living arrangements.
Aunt Andi, Sirius and I wrnt down the hall to his office and then they hoth seemed nervous. I looked at both of them and then I blurted out "What's going on?"
Healer Black opened his mouth to talk and then stopped and turned to Andi with a questioning look on his face. Aunt Andi signed and then took a deep breath and said to me, "Ginny, did you know that Ted & I are soul mates?" I slwely nodded my head, remembering the story from my youth about how they met and knew they were soul mates. "Some of the ways that you identify is by feeling a indescribable pull towards the other person but there are ofher signs too. The most common one is when you touch the person who's your soulmate its sometimes warm to the touch, like it travels down your arm, or sometimes it feels like a gentle warm breeze is flowing on your skin. Have you felt anything like this?
I thought about it and started shankng my head no and then Healer Black reached out and took my hand- a warm breeze flew over my skin and my body grew warm as I thought about our touches in the last few days. I almost kissed him and it felt natural.
My eyes blew wide and I said "You think we're Soulmates?" I asked Aunt Andi and she said, "Do you feel anything?" I nodded but could not speak.
No! No! No! I had plans!! I do not want a husband! Although he is sexy as hell," i thought to myself and I began to panic. Short pants came out of my mouth.
Sirius immediately said "Hey, I want you to have whatever you want! This is not a bad thing! You can kick ass as a professional Keeper and we can get to know eachother. This is a GIFT from magic" he whispered.
i looked at Aunt Andi wirh tears streaming down ny face and she said "Love, what is wrong? Tell us honestly." She said.
I took a deep breath and said "Ok. I had plans that did not include a husband. I want to focus on my professional career and I dont want to be a stay at home mom. Im sorry and I am attracted to you" i hung my head in shame.
Aunt Andi smiled and laughed a little"Love, did Ted or I give up our professions just because we were soul mates? No! We had eachother and we supprted eachother no matter what! Thats what it means! You have the perfect mirror to your soul- your both loyal, honest, loving, kind but fiercely protective of uour family! He is your ofher half and you are his- he is just as stubborn, iust as passionate, just as proud, and just as terrifying when someone messes with you."
I started to calm down, sitting there still holding Sirius's hand and feeling a srange sense of safety. The gentle warmth seeping into my body and the beeeze gentling on the skin. "Isn't there a list of soul mates somewhere? I remember someone saying they were going to go see it att the Ministry?"
Both of them nodded and said together "The Book of Souls- did you want to see it?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, I do" i said confidently, with an excitment I was not expecting. I looked over at Aunti and she said, "Go tell the Reddy that your heading out and meet me back at your house with Sirius so we can discuss things".
I nodded and leaned up to hug the woman who I just realized had been my mother for 13 years! She had been a better mother than mine had ever been! Her unwavering support in my life was something I have never doubted.