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Author: Lady Chi Story: Ginny's Surprise Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 10 Words: 2,350 Author's Note: Hey, Art, I avoided calling Ginny "Gin" or Hermione "'Mione". Will you give me a cookie? Dedicated to Jess (again), from one hopeless romantic to another. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ginny had meant to tell Harry that she was pregnant, she really had. It was just that things had got away from them, with Harry making a bigger fuss than was necessary over Draco Malfoy's attempt to kill her and Hermione the day before. Their discussion had deteriorated to a bit of a yelling match, and she hadn't been feeling particularly charitable when it was all said and done. So, only Hermione and Ginny knew Ginny's secret. Swiping at the sink furiously, at home alone because this was her day off, Ginny went over the night before again and again in her head. She was certain Harry was overreacting. Pausing for a moment, she imagined her mother's voice ringing in her head. "Did you ever think that perhaps the reason Harry is so overprotective of you is because you're really the only family he's ever had? He's got to protect you, even more so now because you're married." Ginny started to protest, even though her mother wasn't really there, but the imaginary Molly Weasley cut her off. "Also, maybe it's time that you sat back and enjoyed being protected once in a while? Not all the time, mind you, that wouldn't do at all, but every now and again you could let him think he's in charge." Ginny attacked the imagined dirt with a new fervor. "I don't want him to protect me from Draco Malfoy. I can take care of myself." "Of course you can," said a reasonable voice from the kitchen doorway. Ginny jumped, clearly distracted. "Anna!" Ginny dropped her washcloth and jumped up to hug her former professor with joy. "Come on in. I'll get you some tea, and don't pay any attention to me." "What are you muttering to yourself about?" Anna asked, coming in and sitting at the kitchen table. She accepted the tea with grace, and raised her eyebrows at Ginny's prolonged silence. "Harry." "Ah," Anna said aloud. "What's he done this time?" Ginny took a deep breath. "He's overly upset about yesterday's episode." Anna's eyes lit up. "Overly upset, is it?" "I hate it when you do that." When Anna looked confused, Ginny clarified. "I make a comment, then you respond with a question that basically restates my comment." Anna grinned. "Teaching's caught up with me, I guess. Old habits die hard." "I can't believe you and Remus have retired." "Well, we haven't exactly retired," Anna corrected. "We're just enjoying a brief respite. Both of us are actually doing something that we enjoy. It's nearly perfect." "You didn't bring Orion with you?" Ginny fought the urge to pout, and didn't quite make it. "Oh no, he's out with his daddy and uncle today." "What are they doing with that poor child?" "Searching for something… oh, I don't know. Remus just took him, and honestly, I was so tired I didn't even bother to ask what they were doing. I have a sneaking suspicion they're looking at brooms in Diagon Alley, and they took Orion with them so Sirius could pick up girls." "Is having children really that exhausting?" Ginny tried to keep her voice nonchalant, politely interested but not eager, but Anna had known her for far too long for that to work. "Sometimes," Anna said honestly, keeping a close watch on Ginny's eyes. "Ginny, are you pregnant?" Ginny's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, I didn't want anyone to know. I haven't told Harry yet. We had the most awful fight last night and…" "Shush. I'm not going to tell anyone, but I will tell you that I'm extremely happy for you, and Harry will be over the moon." "We said horrible things to each other." "People do when they fight." Ginny wiped her eyes. "Oh, there I go again. I never used to be this way. You know, crying at the drop of a hat." Anna smiled sympathetically. "Hormones. They go hand in hand with pregnancy." "I've been told," Ginny muttered. "What did you say, anyway?" "Well," Ginny took a sip of her tea and refilled Anna's cup. Sitting down once more, she considered. "I told him that if I wanted another older brother, I certainly wouldn't have married him…" "Ginny!" Anna tried to sound shocked, but had to cover her mouth to disguise the laugh. "Seeing as how I'm only in it for the…" "Ginny!" "Money. Honestly. What did you think I was going to say?" Ginny's grin was mischievous, and Anna shook head. "No, I didn't tell him that. I just screamed and called him names. I'm afraid he didn't know what to do with me." "That's good. The second a bloke works out what to do with you, the relationship's over with, as far as I'm concerned." "So he came back with the whole he's lost too many close friends and family already and he doesn't want to lose me, because I mean the world to him, blah, blah, blah." Ginny tried to make it sound like that didn't matter to her, but it did. "I just think that he's got to let me be." "Well dear, he does, most of the time. He just almost lost you. He was reminded that you are mortal, as well. It's beautiful, the love that you two share. Some days, I'm certain it's the only thing that keeps him from sinking into those funks he used to allow himself." "I've got to tell him. I can't stand him not knowing," Ginny said, quite suddenly. Anna only blinked at the change of topic. "Well, go tell him then." "He's coming home for lunch. He always comes home for lunch. Anna, you've got to leave." Taking a swallow of her tea, Anna only smiled at Ginny. "Going to celebrate, are you?" "I hope so." They shared a purely feminine grin and laughed softly at each other. "Anna, thank you." "It was nothing. I had a feeling you needed someone to calm you down. I'll see you soon." As Anna walked to the door, the two women embraced fondly. "Give my love to Remus and Orion, will you?" "I will. Congratulations. Call me if you need anything." Abruptly, Anna was gone. Ginny walked in a dreamlike state to the bedroom, pondering what to wear. What did one wear to tell one's husband that one was pregnant? It was the ultimate fashion question, and Ginny couldn't believe she'd thought of it. She sat on the edge of their bed, and stretched out, her arms reaching for something. Suddenly, with a desperation that was half-familiar to her, she wished that Harry were there with her. There was a wave of love sweeping over that was so powerful and strong she could hardly contain it. She closed her eyes to it, and didn't open them again for a long time. An hour and a half later, Harry pushed open the door to their bedroom and simply stared. There lay his wife, sprawled out on the bed, warm and lazy. He knew that if he sank onto the bed next to her, and kissed her on that spot on her neck, she would roll over and sigh in that way that she had that drove him crazy. From there, who knew what would happen? There was something keeping him in place, though. There was something preventing him from taking her into his arms and loving her senseless. Of her own free will, Ginny rolled over and in sleep sighed, "Harry." With a grin on his face, Harry strolled over to their bed and kissed her firmly on the mouth. Her arms snaked around his neck, and she returned the favor. Suddenly, her eyes flew open in shock, then pleasure. When they finally broke apart, Harry caressed her cheek and whispered, "Good morning." Ginny laughed, and the sensation of her chest vibrating against his made Harry shudder. "It's more like good afternoon, isn't it?" "Time is relative." Ginny sighed, and raised her face to his again for another kiss. She loved times like this, when they would hardly talk, and just touch and taste and feel. Harry ran a hand through her hair, marveling at its beauty, stroking each individual strand carefully. "You're going to drive me crazy," Ginny said on a groan. "That's the idea," Harry murmured, and then they were both lost. ** "Damn," Ginny said under her breath as she lay under Harry. She had promised herself she would tell Harry the good news as soon as he got home. "There's no need to curse. I enjoyed myself," Harry teased. Ginny stretched out like a self-satisfied cat. "I had no doubt that you would. It's just that…" Harry rolled off of her, and propped himself up on his elbow to look her directly in the eye. "It's just that what?" "I have something to tell you." Ginny took a deep breath, and then their fireplace lit up. "Harry! Ginny! Are either one of you home?" It was Ron's voice, and it caused Ginny to sit up immediately. "Damn it, Ron!" She pulled the covers up over her body modestly. "Don't worry, I can't see anything." "What do you want?" Ginny asked, irritated. "I need to talk to Harry." "Well, he's right here." "Can I put the visual powder in?" "No," Ginny said firmly, then cuddled up against Harry with her head on his chest so that she could feel every intake of breath. "'Lo, Ron," Harry mumbled. "What do you want?" "I expected a warmer welcome than that. For goodness sake, it's three in the afternoon!" "Quiet, Ron," Harry said. "You're just jealous because Hermione doesn't get home until five." Ginny was stroking his abs affectionately, and he was finding it difficult to concentrate. "I've got some news about Malfoy." Harry sat up straight. "What?" "There's no doubt about it, anymore. He's on the loose. We have three eyewitness accounts of him leaving his home to visit friends. He's not being as careful as he once was." Harry frowned. "He's being cocky." Ron shrugged. "You're probably right." Ginny clenched her fist. "What do you mean ‘there's no doubt'? I told you yesterday that Malfoy was behind the attack on Hermione and I." "From a legal standpoint, Ginny. You two didn't have any real proof." "All right, then." "We're setting up a watch, and have released a warrant for his arrest. Don't worry, we'll track him down." "I'm not worried," Harry said carelessly. "If you're in on the team, I know the job will get done quick and get done right." Ron blushed at the compliment, and Ginny smiled warmly at him, though her brother couldn't see it. "We have every confidence in you, Ron." "Harry, there's talk of calling you back into active duty." Harry ground his teeth together. "I got out of that, and I don't want back in. I've had my fill of Dark wizards, thank you very much." Ginny shook her head furiously. "They can't! That would drive Harry insane!" "Just temporarily, you two. Just to fight Malfoy." "I can fight Malfoy without being officially back on active duty. Damn it, if they call me back to active, they could assign me to anything, anywhere. I need to be here, with Ginny." Ginny nodded furiously. "I swear, Ron, if they call him back, I'm attacking you personally." Ron made some markings on a piece of parchment. "I had a feeling that was the way it was going to go. I was required to make mention of it. I'm sorry." "Apology accepted," Ginny said graciously, then pointedly laid her leg over Harry's thighs and kissed his cheek quietly. "Listen Ron, I'll get a hold of you later on tonight, okay? You and Hermione need to come over for supper, or something." Ron chuckled. "Three o'clock in the afternoon, Harry." "Good-bye, Ron." Ginny magically doused the fire, then lay back. "Is it selfish of me to want you here?" she asked, almost absently. "Only if it's selfish for me to want to be here with you." "Did you mean that when you said you needed to be with me?" "Yes. We've only just now had enough time to be us, without having to worry about Death Eater attacks, or school, or anything. I need you, more than I ever dreamed possible." "Harry, I've got something to tell you. Part of the reason why I don't want you back on active duty is because pretty soon there won't be just two of us." Harry blinked. "What?" "Harry, I'm pregnant." It took a moment for it to sink in, but after it did, Harry let out a whoop, jumped off the bed, and immediately picked Ginny up to cradle her in his arms like a baby. He twirled her around and around. While she laughed and struggled to breathe, Harry bent down and covered her lips with his. "I'm going to be a father," he said, his voice full of wonder. "Yes, you are," Ginny said with a grin. "I'm going to have a family." "Yes, you will." "Ah, Ginny, my love, have I told you lately how much I love you?" "You're not mad? I know we wanted to wait a while, but…" "I'm too happy to be mad! I honestly don't think I have room for any other feelings right now." Ginny giggled, and her arms encircled Harry's neck again. "Harry, would you set me down so I can kiss you properly?" "Certainly." He set her on her feet, and immediately she jumped up, her strong legs wrapped around Harry's waist, and she kissed him fervently. "Is that what you call a proper kiss, Mrs. Potter?" Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Would you like to teach me how to do it, if you found it lacking, Mr. Potter?" "Oh, most certainly," Harry said with a grin as his mouth descended on hers. Yes, Ginny thought, the three of them were going to be very happy. The End |