A/N: Such great reviews and so many, that I wanted to post another one. Hmmm…more reviews=faster posting LOL!
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Graduation Day
Ginny stood in line behind Claire Voight and in front of Geri West filing into her seat for the graduation of her class. The girls were oohing and ahhing over her ring, demanding to know who it was from and when she received it.
It was graduation day and Ginny had no idea that the charm Draco had placed on her engagement ring had worn off until she was at breakfast that morning and she ran into Lisa, who immediately saw the ring and wanted to know who she was engaged too. Ginny just shrugged and said that he might be at graduation, so she would see then.
That was her answer to everyone…wait until the ceremony is over, then you'll see.
She knew Draco was there, she could feel him. She hadn't seen him yet but knew that he would most likely be in his robes, off to the side from where the students sat as Dumbledore called their names…just like her headmaster had called her friends names a year ago.
"Do you see him? Aren't you going to give us a name?" Geri asked as they sat down. Ginny smiled and shook her head, but looked around to see if she could spot his blond hair. There were entirely too many people for her to see him, or even her own red headed family.
The students settled down as Dumbledore came up to the podium, cast a sonorous charm and proceeded to talk about the past year.
For the first time Ginny sat and did nothing. She was so stressed she was beyond tired. She managed to get through eight days of NEWTs and the next day slept in so late, she missed breakfast and barely made it to lunch. She was dragging and couldn't wait until she could get her trunks and apparate to Grimmauld…much to her parent's dismay who wanted her to stay with them. They had heard from the boys last week and they said that they managed to capture half of the known Death Eaters before the rest disapparated. They had a good idea where they were, but they were now broken up and all over the globe. The Auror Department had decided to break them down into pairs with Ron and Draco being one pair and everyone else being sent off to far away places two by two to try and seek out the Death Eaters. Ron had received some minor burns, but nothing serious and despite most of them complaining about the awful tasting food, they all seemed healthy and as happy as they could be under the circumstances.
Ginny watched the first two houses go up and clapped when Luna walked across the stage, briefly hearing Neville whistle somewhere behind her. 'I haven't seen him in a long time…I should try and say Hello at least', Ginny thought to herself, standing up and filing out behind her classmates.
'I should be more excited…I'm done school. Professor McGonagall said I'll most likely get into St. Mungo's; half the Death Eaters are captured, my nieces called me "Aunt Gah-inny" the other day and I'm engaged to someone who has turned out to be a wonderful, exciting, loyal man.' She moved towards the stairs to the magically constructed stage as the line in front of her began moving across the stage and down the other side then back to their seats.
'Sure, that is all well and good,' said the other half of Ginny's brain, 'but you're missing your fiancée and your brothers. You are worried about your NEWT results and are stressed and tired. You've gone through a lot and are allowed to feel a bit depressed.'
As Ginny smiled and took her diploma, she heard many yells and whistles as her name was called and she blushed a bit, knowing that most of the students out there by now knew she had a gorgeous engagement ring on her finger and only a handful knew who she was actually going to marry. She walked back behind Claire and took her seat, awaiting the Slytherin house to finish off the ceremony.
She played with the ring on her finger, letting Claire and Geri take her hand and admire it, gushing over the beauty of the diamonds and listening to them try and guess who her fiancée might be. They assumed he was sitting with her family, so it would be even more confusing when they didn't see anyone but her parents and two oldest brother's and nieces sitting there. She allowed herself a small smile as she thought about everyone looking around or watching her…seeing who she would be kissing.
Fifteen minutes later she was free. She wasn't a student anymore…Ginevra Weasley was a Hogwarts Graduate and she hugged her friends--guys and girls alike, exchanged hugs with Luna and managed a quick hello to Neville who shyly hugged her back.
Ginny made her way towards the preplanned meeting spot, under the tree, where she was to find her parents. Someone
called out her name as she passed the last row of chairs and she turned, only partially paying attention, as she
shrugged out of her black robes.
She looked up trying to locate who was yelling "Weasley" and then she saw the familiar blond head she liked so much. Hurrying through a group of happily crying parents she saw him walking towards her. Briefly she caught sight of Lisa, standing with other Slytherin's and their parents as she ran down the aisle and launched herself into Draco's arms.
"You made it," Ginny felt herself being lifted off her feet as he hugged her and swung her around once. Then he pulled away and they stared at each other.
"I wouldn't have missed it," he smiled at her, looking thinner but other than that in good spirits. "You aren't a student anymore," he said, placing his hand along the side of her face. Ginny smiled and reached up touching the back of his hand with her fingers.
"Nope, so kiss me then," Ginny laughed as he bent over and touched his lips to hers, only pulling back when they heard the students around them clapping, yelling and some even laughing as they watched Ginny and Draco.
Ginny turned around in Draco's embrace and saw John and Tom giving her the thumbs up sign. She waved at them and then let her gaze travel over towards the Slytherin's where Lisa had a look of shock on her face. Ginny smiled sweetly at her then turned around grabbing Draco and pulling him towards the lake.
With their arms around each other, they made their way down the aisle occasionally shaking people's hands…her heart was soaring and any stress she felt was immediately replaced by relief that everyone now knew their secret and the fact that he was safe.
Her hand held onto his side tighter than usual as they made their way through crowds of people towards her parents; they didn't even get a chance to talk to each other before she caught sight of her parents and family…then saw Fred, George, and Ron waving to her.
"My brothers?!" Ginny looked at Draco who smiled and pulled her close for a minute the let her go as she ran down and grabbed Ron into a big hug, almost knocking Samantha over in the process.
"How did you all get here?" Ginny asked her arms linked through Fred and George's. All three of them looked skinnier and she could tell her mother was planning a huge dinner in her mind.
"Well, Bill, Charlie, Hermione and Harry took over…Hermione wouldn't take NO for an answer…," George began.
"Brian is at her parents…we'll trade places later tonight," Fred said, laying his arm across Maggie's shoulders who smiled at Ginny.
"This is great you guys," Ginny smiled from ear to ear and hugged all three of them again. She heard Samantha ask Ron to take her around the castle again since she hadn't been back inside over a year and Ron said he would meet them all at home, knowing his mother wanted to start cooking.
"I need to go get my trunks. Mum, want me to just meet you at home?" Ginny turned to her mother.
"That's fine, dear. I need to get started on dinner and fatten this lot up," Molly said linking her arm through Arthur's.
"See you guys back at The Burrow," Ginny patted George's cheek and hand in hand, Draco and Ginny made their way up the hill away from the crowds milling down below.
As they walked up the stairs and into the quiet of the castle, Draco gave her a brief overview of where he and Ron had been.
"Basically, we were down in Egypt knowing that there are three of them running around near Cairo somewhere. We have them in our sights, but they are constantly near crowds, hanging around at the edges, having discarded their death eater's masks...so we are trying to wait until they separate themselves. I have to say, we have played numerous games of Chess at night," Draco held her door open as she entered.
"Who is winning now?" Ginny threw her robes down on top of her trunk and gathered her brush and comb from the bathroom.
"We have each won one…fair and square this time," Draco winked at her and she smiled looking around her room once more.
"I think I have everything."
"I still need a proper kiss," Draco said coming up behind her. She turned in his arms and kissed him, feeling him hold her tighter.
"You've lost weight," Ginny said, feeling the bones of his shoulders under his fingers.
"You have too…you look tired," Draco kissed her forehead, feeling her nod under his lips.
"Stressed and tried…but school is out and once I sleep a bit, my body will recover," Ginny kissed him again, this time lost in the sensation of his warm dry lips against hers and his hands against the skin of her back. "I've missed you," Ginny admitted pulling away for a second.
"Me too. Ron just isn't my first choice to spend twenty four hours a day with," Draco kidded staring into her eyes. "You look really tired; are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm fine!" Ginny smiled her stomach growling. "Well, hungry and a bit tired, but I am fine. You're the skinny one, so we should get you to my parents so you can eat."
"Sounds good…I should Owl my mother too while I'm there." He levitated her trunk and they walked out together from her Head Girl room…the last time she would be in there and it was a huge relief off her shoulders to be done.
"I have some news about Nott," Draco started slowly and then continued when Ginny gave a curt nod. "Well, he ended up being suspended as you know and as punishment, had to spend two months in Azkaban and apparently was so completely scared out of his wits he decided to travel and is now in Australia, living with some distant relative helping them sell cauldron's or something. He is on probation for two years, then will reappear to see if they can't take him off of probation. He also can not go near you for pretty much ever."
"Ever?" Ginny asked knowing that that couldn't be true.
"Well, legally until you turn 18, which is soon, but ever is my own condition," Draco said hotly.
"I can live with that," Ginny leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"I hear we won the Cup," Draco said lightly changing the subject.
"Oh yea…it was a disaster. I think we should be exempt from NEWTS…everyone was so tired…the seventh years that is," Ginny said, glancing at the hourglasses as she walked past them. She felt a little tug as she realized she wouldn't be coming back; that she was the last Weasley of her generation to go through this school. Draco felt her hang back as she glanced at the hourglasses and he slowed down, letting her remember and reflect. He waited by the door and watched her talk to Dobby who apparated near the hourglasses to finish cleaning them.
He couldn't believe that this was the same person he met seven years ago. He couldn't even believe that almost two years ago he ran into her on the train and now here she was, very much taller, very much more mature and was very much the love of his life. He watched her bend down and pat Dobby on the head, getting down to his level like she did with her nieces. Suddenly, he didn't want to go back to Egypt…he knew he had to…it was his job at the moment.
But she was done school and they should be able to get on with their life together. He had the feeling that she might be getting sick or something with the way she looked so tired, a bit thinner, but her eyes were bright and he didn't get the feeling she was lying to him when she said she was feeling fine. He couldn't help but smile at her when she turned away from Dobby. The sun shining through the high windows were reflecting off her red hair, making it look gold and she looked almost like a grownup stuck in kids clothes with her school uniform on and her tie undone.
"Ready?" he asked holding out his hand. She nodded and together they walked out of Hogwarts hand in hand.
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Ginny lay in bed at Grimmauld Place, trying to get used to the new environment. Draco and her brothers had left at 8pm that night and a half hour later her other brothers, Harry and Hermione apparated into Grimmauld. Ginny thanked them immensely and hugged everyone before Harry and Hermione went to pick up Brian.
A soft knock at her door roused her from the cool sheets. She crossed the room she used to share with Hermione and opened the door. Samantha stood there in her nightgown and Ginny stepped aside letting her in, knowing she was probably a bit sad like herself.
"Hey," Ginny sat on her bed and Samantha sat cross legged on the bed across from Ginny's after manually turning on the bedside lamp.
"Can I tell you something?" Samantha asked in a hoarse voice and Ginny nodded wondering what she was going to say.
"I think I'm pregnant," Samantha said staring at Ginny who couldn't help the smile that came to her face.
"Really?" Ginny came over and sat next to her.
"I'm pretty sure actually. I'm over two weeks late. I've never been regular period wise," Ginny nodded in agreement, "but I have never gone this long without it."
Samantha turned to Ginny, her face showing how scared she truly was. "I chose not to tell Ron my thoughts because I'm not totally sure and I didn't want to get him all worried." Ginny nodded and squeezed Samantha's hand, silent for a moment thinking about what needed to be done.
"We need to find out for sure…I bet Hermione can help us…let's go ask her," Ginny was excited but could feel how scared Samantha was too. She led her out of the room and downstairs where they knew and could hear, Brian was being getting ready for his midnight feeding. They came around the corner and saw Hermione sitting on the sofa, feet on the table staring at the TV with Brian supported in one arm with half a bottle of milk gone.
"Can't sleep?" Hermione asked without turning to see who it was.
"I think I'm pregnant," Samantha blurted out and this time Hermione turned, her brown eyes wide.
"Pregnant!?"
Samantha nodded mutely and sat down next to her cousin.
"Do you have any way to tell for sure?" Ginny asked. "She said she is never regular like me so she
isn't one hundred percent sure."
Hermione nodded. "We use our wands and pass them over you…when it hits your abdomen if you are pregnant it lights
up orange…we can use "machines" to figure out approximately how far along you are. Oh, I am so excited Sam,
but you must be terrified…does Ron know?"
"No, I wasn't going to tell him until I knew for sure. I don't want him to worry over there." Samantha fiddled with the buttons on her nightgown. Then began complaining about her chest hurting.
"That's a sign, dear cousin…that and tiredness, nausea too…have you felt that?"
Samantha shook her head. "Not nausea, no."
"That usually hits about six weeks into it…it did with me…if you get it at all. So, you are probably only a few weeks along," Hermione said knowingly. "Let me take Brian up to Harry and I'll be right back with my wand and kit." Hermione stood up and laid Brian over her shoulder, burping him all the way to her bedroom.
Ginny stared at Samantha then leaned over and touched her sister-in-law's knee.
"You'll be fine…I hear it's normal to be scared at first but you have us and when Ron finds out he will be so ecstatic that you will forget you were ever scared!"
"I know…I just didn't plan on this this early. I'm only nineteen…my parents will freak…," her voice trailed off.
"In the Muggle world that is young. In the magical world it's average. My parents were that age…Harry's parents were about twenty years old…Harry was eighteen when Brian was born so, once that gets explained to your parents they might understand a bit more," Ginny explained, watching Hermione come down with her wand and a strange looking device that resembled a huge calculator.
"Ok," Hermione set everything down on the sofa and asked Samantha to stand.
Ginny went and stood next to Samantha, watching Hermione explain in her usual specific way.
"I use my wand and wave it over you…if it lights up orange, you are pregnant…no doubt about it. Then I insert the wand," she grabbed the large looking calculator device and let Samantha hold it, "into this slot here. It will tell us your due date within three days. At this point, it is hard to get a precise date even with Magic. If you aren't pregnant the wand will glow white when I run it over your abdomen. I'll show you."
Hermione pulled Ginny over to her. "I can't do it on myself because I still have the pregnancy hormones in me so it will light up blue and that won't mean anything except I had a boy and am still trying to get back on track."
Hermione waved the wand over Ginny's abdomen to demonstrate. "It should light up….ORANGE?" Hermione said loudly and Ginny looked at Hermione. She had been watching the TV over Hermione's shoulder, having seen this test done before.
"White, Hermione…not orange," Ginny said vaguely correcting her best friend.
"No Ginny…it glowed ORANGE over YOU!" Hermione stared up at Ginny who finally understood what was being said. Ginny stared at Hermione then down at the wand…which was glowing orange like a pumpkin.
"What?" She grabbed the wand and did it herself. "Shit…no way!"
Ginny let the wand drop into Hermione's hand as she collapsed into the chair…thinking quickly. "It must have happened the night before he left," she murmured.
"Me too," Samantha said watching Hermione set the wand inside the machine after she had waved the wand over Ginny's stomach.
"Oh Merlin," Ginny put her face into her hands, feeling sick to her stomach. "I'm going to be sick!" She stood up and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Samantha stared at Hermione who glanced down at the machine, took out her wand and then waved it over Samantha, repeating the same process.
"Orange for you too," she said quietly, smiling a bit. "Go see if Gin's ok…it's a shock. I know, trust me," Hermione slid the wand into her machine and Samantha nodded, walking across the hall to knock on the door, but pulled up short when Ginny came out, several shades paler than before.
"Are you too?" Ginny asked her voice now full of tiredness. Samantha nodded and they sat next to each other on the sofa. Hermione sat on the table so she was facing both of them, and they could tell she was getting ready to lecture them.
"Both of you are due March first, Ron's birthday, next year…I know it's scary, especially you Ginny just being out of school and all. But, I think the most important thing now is to rest, eat what your body tells you to eat, take the vitamins I'm going to give you and try not to stress out. For now, my advice would be to NOT tell Ron and Draco. You know both will worry and until your pregnancy progresses we should probably keep it between us…maybe your parents, Narcissa too, but that's it."
The girls nodded in agreement, Ginny rubbing her head as she laid it back against the sofa. Now she understood why the tiredness was so persistent and why she hadn't been very hungry the past few weeks.
"They way this machine calculates is from conception, not date of your last period as Muggle's do, so you both are about four weeks pregnant," Ginny heard Hermione say as she remembered the night at Draco's. They hadn't used the Contraception Charm when she had basically attacked him in the living room. She couldn't even really remember if they had done it the other two times when they were in his bed…she knew she hadn't and probably thought he had. It wasn't even on her mind at the time…just him and him leaving for an unknown amount of time.
"Why don't you two go up and try to sleep? I can do check ups until you're about three months along, then we should go to St. Mungo's and get you sonograms…I won't unload all the information on you now," Hermione laid a hand on each girls knee. "Now, please go up and try to lay down. It's almost 12:30 in the morning and I know you don't have to get up early tomorrow, but you should really rest."
Ginny and Samantha nodded mutely and thanked her, turning and heading up the stairs. Samantha followed Ginny into her room and they both flopped down on a twin bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Ron and I had talked about it, and decided that for once not to use anything…thinking if it would happen it would happen…and I guess it happened," Samantha said aloud.
"Well, I hadn't even gotten that far. We just forgot; it wasn't on either of our minds that night I'm pretty sure," Ginny admitted, putting her hands behind her head. "I'm not even married."
"So? Many people aren't now days…and it's not like you didn't plan on getting married. You just did it backwards that's all," Samantha reasoned, turning onto her side and facing Ginny.
"It is strange we are due on Ron's birthday."
Ginny nodded…realizing that Jillian and Cassandra will be two when they have two new cousins.
"I really want to tell Ron, then again I really don't want to worry him."
"Me too," Ginny agreed and turned to face Samantha. "You can stay here tonight if you want."
"I will because if I don't, I'll go crazy in my room thinking about everything that can happen between now and March."
"Yeah, I hear you," Ginny said closing her eyes and trying to relax. She waved her hand towards the lamp and it plunged them into darkness.
"Ginny?"
"Yea?"
"I'm glad you are going through this with me."
"You'll need to give me some time to say that back to you, this is totally unexpected for me, but it's good to not be alone in this."
"True," Samantha sighed hearing Ginny rustle the covers as she turned over. "'Night."
"Good night," Ginny said but it was a long time before sleep overtook either Weasley.