Chapter XII Matters of Life and Death

Over the next few weeks Harry and Ginny spent as much time together as possible; some in the Room of Requirement. But Ginny's O.W.L.s were coming up and she had to spend more and more time preparing for them. Harry's detentions with Snape on Saturdays also took away from their time.

The third week of May Harry decided to surprise Ginny with a romantic evening. He simply told her to meet him in the common room Friday night after everyone else had gone to sleep. It was after midnight when Ginny came from her dorm to find Harry sitting by the dying embers of the fire.

"Now what's so important that I have to meet you at this time of the night?" she asked.

He replied, "Tuesday, when we were walking the grounds together, you said you can't wait to go swimming again this summer. Even if James doesn't take us out again you still would like to go camping and spend a few days at some quiet muggle spot where we don't have to worry about Voldemort and his Death eaters finding us.

I thought about that and planned a surprise for you."

He pulled out his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's map and said, "Come with me; and no questions."

He covered both of them with the cloak and they went out into the hall.

"Who's there?" the Fat Lady asked as the portrait opened and then closed without her able to see anyone.

Quietly they moved away with Harry checking the map occasionally to be sure they wouldn't run into Filch, Mrs. Norris, or one of the ghosts. Soon they were on the fifth floor in front of the door to the boy prefect's bath.

Harry gave the password which he knew because as Quidditch captain he was on an equal rank with prefects. He led Ginny in and she looked around. "The girl prefect's bath is almost the same but more femininely decorated;" she said "we don't have fake trees, a tent, and a sandy beach set up in ours."

"Normally we don't either." Harry said "I conjured all this earlier tonight. We're camping out tonight and doing some swimming. Sorry about it being an oversized bath; I tried but couldn't transform it into a pond."

Ginny grabbed him around the neck and kissed him. "It's wonderful Harry; I never thought of doing something like this. You're so romantic."

They kissed as they helped each other undress and soon they were swimming and splashing about. When the tired of that they spread towels on the sand and just cuddled and talked. Around three o'clock Harry took Ginny's hand and led her into the tent where a double sleeping bag was on the floor.

As they made love Ginny suddenly realized she had not preformed the contraception charm. She had been expecting to be in the common room where Harry told her to meet him; not this. She considered for one second stopping Harry; but deciding she didn't want to break the mood; after all she hadn't used it that first time and nothing came of it.

They got back to the common room just as the earliest risers were coming down the steps.

Three weeks later, the fifth years were ready to start their O.W.L.s on Monday and the other students their regular end of year exams. Ginny however had something else on her mind. One afternoon she approached Hermione in the library and sat across the table.

Checking to see nobody was nearby Ginny whispered, "Hermione, the first day when Harry and I got together you said you were willing to help me if I needed it; well I think I might need help."

"You and Harry have a row?" Hermione asked.

"No," Ginny said "this is more serious. I missed my period, I'm a week late."

Hermione put down her book and looked at Ginny. "Have you been using the contraceptive charm?"

"Most of the time." Ginny said "But one night three weeks ago Harry surprised me with a romantic evening and I forgot to use it. What am I going to do? What will Harry think? And my parents, they'll be so angry. And what about Ron and my other brothers, what will they do to Harry?"

"Before you get to upset," Hermione said "let's find out if you're really pregnant. Maybe you're just late, that happens. Let's go see Madam Pomfrey right now; she can test you in a few minutes."

"No," Ginny said "I can't let anyone else know; she'll tell my parents and Dumbledore to. I'll be expelled."

Hermione sighed and said, "If you're pregnant everyone is going to know sooner or later; and you'll need medical care, regular exams, prenatal vitamins for the baby, and other things. If you not pregnant you can trust Madam not to tell anyone you came in to be checked."

I took a few minutes but Hermione convinced Ginny to get tested. Madam Pomfrey had her lie on a bed and waved her wand over Ginny reciting a spell. Two minutes later Madam said, "I don't know how you feel about it Miss Weasley; but you're definitely pregnant, about three weeks as close as I can tell.

You girls wait here; I'll be right back."

Ginny said nothing but Hermione kept talking; "Don't get too upset, things will work out, your parents will be okay with it and help you through, I'll help you any way I can, and Harry loves you and will be fine with it."

Then Dumbledore walked into the room. Madam Pomfrey went to talk to him for a minute or so before he came over to Ginny.

"Miss Weasley," he said "Poppy tells me you're pregnant. I know you have been seeing Harry for the past few weeks and Dean Thomas before that. Who's the father?"

"Harry." she answered.

"You're sure?" he said.

"Of course I'm sure." Ginny said. "Harry is the only boy I've ever been intimate with.

Sir, I decided I won't return to school next year. I'll stay home and have the baby; nobody else has to know about this."

"Harry does!" Dumbledore said. "Have you told him?"

"No," Ginny responded "I've been worried about the possibility for the past few days; but I just found out for sure myself a few minutes ago. Only the four of us here know."

"The two of you have brought a new life into the world and Harry has the right to know;" Dumbledore said "but I leave it up to you to tell him.

This is a life changing event; not just your life, but for Harry to. Before you make any decision that will affect the rest of both your lives, let's take time to think about what will be best for all of you.

I know it will be hard, but for now try not to worry about this. I believe you have your O.W.L.s starting Monday. You're the top student in your year and I'm sure you want to stay on top. Concentrate on your studies and let me consider what I can do to help you with your situation."

As he turned to leave Hermione said, "Professor, may I have a word before you go?"

She and Dumbledore moved away and talked for a few minutes. Ginny could see Dumbledore nod several times. Then he left and Hermione came back over and said, "I think I have an idea to help you, Dumbledore thinks it might work and is going to check into it and get back to you next week. I'm sure everything will be fine; so as soon a Madam Pomfrey is finished let's go back to the library and prepare for Monday's exams like Dumbledore said."

Dumbledore never got back to Ginny. Two days later Harry got a note to come to Dumbledore's office as soon as possible.

"James found the location of a Horcrux." Dumbledore told Harry. "Do you still want to go with me to get it?"

"Yes," Harry said "but what about James?"

"I told James to go home to catch up on the sleep he has been missing over the weeks of searching for the Horcrux." Dumbledore said. "I promised you the chance to help and he understands the need for you to do that."

Dumbledore, as he always did when he had to leave the castle, left members of the Order of the Phoenix and the staff on guard. Harry, thinking of Malfoy, also asked Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to keep watch along with any members of Dumbledore's Army they could get.

To get the Horcrux Dumbledore was forced to drink a potion in which the Horcrux was hidden and it left him in a much weakened state when they returned. Over the Astronomy tower they saw the dark mark the Death eaters left when they killed someone.

Both Harry and Dumbledore wondered who was dead as they sped to the top of the tower. Hearing a noise, and wanting to protect Harry, Dumbledore ordered Harry to put on his invisibility cloak and then Dumbledore froze Harry in place.

Malfoy came up the steps at that instant and disarmed Dumbledore before he could turn from freezing Harry back to defend himself.

Harry could do nothing but listen as Malfoy told Dumbledore how he had helped Death eaters get past the castle's protections. Four of the Death eaters also arrived followed by Snape. Dumbledore only had time to say Snape's name and the word please before Snape killed him. Dumbledore's body fell backward off the tower.

As Snape, Malfoy, and the Death eaters went down the steps, Harry realized with Dumbledore's death he was no longer frozen. He stunned the last Death eater in line and then raced after Snape to get revenge for Dumbledore.

At the bottom of the steps he ran into a battle between more Death eaters and some of the castle guards including Ginny. Two bodies also were on the floor but Harry didn't have time to see who they were.

Snape yelled and the Death eaters began to run. Ginny had an alternate dimension open which was protecting her; but with friends and enemies so close together she couldn't safely fire lightning bolts without possible hitting the wrong person.

Knowing Ginny was safe, Harry continued to chase Snape down the steps and out into the grounds. He couldn't catch Snape until they reached the edge of the school's boundary. With Harry right behind, Snape turned to give Malfoy a chance to escape.

The duel was lopsided, in his anger Harry couldn't concentrate and Snape was able to disarm Harry easily; but didn't kill him. Instead he derided Harry for being weak of mind; "You'll never learn to control your emotions." Snape said. "And how dare you steal my spells to use against me. I know because I am the Half Blood Prince…" Just then Buckbeak the Hippogriff and some Thestrals appeared and began to attack Snape. He fled off the grounds and disapparated.

Harry returned to the foot of Astronomy tower where Dumbledore's body had fallen. He found the Horcrux next to Dumbledore; it had broken open and there was a note. It was a fake somebody signed RAB had taken the real Horcrux; Dumbledore had died for no reason.

Ginny found him there and led him to the hospital wing where everyone had gathered. Fortunately none of his friends had been killed; one of the bodies in the astronomy tower had been a Death eater. The other was Ginny's brother Bill; however he wasn't dead. He had been attacked by Fenrir Grayback, a werewolf who was with the Death eaters. Bill was badly wounded but Madam Pomfrey said he would live; however nobody was sure how he would be affected since Grayback was not transformed but in his human form during the attack.

It was decided that all exams would be postponed and students would be allowed to leave school; or they could stay for Dumbledore's funeral if they wanted.

At the funeral everyone was telling Harry how sorry they were and that they knew how close Harry was to Dumbledore but it was only James that Harry listened to. "It's not your fault;" James said "it's mine. I should have gone with Dumbledore. If I was there he would still be alive; but I let my feeling get in the way. I knew how much you wanted to be there and I gave in to my emotions."

"No," Harry said "it's not your fault; you couldn't have made it. There was a magical boat that would carry only one wizard; if you were there with Dumbledore the boat would have sunk and you'd both be dead. I'm not a qualified of age wizard so the boat didn't register me. That's the only reason we made it back here.

It's Snape's fault. He tricked Dumbledore. It's his fault Dumbledore is dead and I'm going to make him pay some day."

"I know what you plan to do;" James said "and if you need me all you have to do is send a message over the coin network. Remember I'm hunting for the Horcruxes to so you're not alone in your efforts. Searching separately will increase the chances of finding them.

I'll also be hunting Death eaters. They say Voldemort lives at Malfoy Manor when he's not roaming about the country. I'm good; but not good enough to go after him there with a dozen or more of his people surrounding him. I will try however to pick off as many Death eaters as I can while searching for Horcruxes. Hopefully that will make life a little safer for you.

You stay away from Death eaters, including Snape. The Horcruxes are your mission; if they are not destroyed our side has no chance.

Remember, the Order no longer has meetings so you won't be able to reach me through them. The coin network will be your only way to get help; so don't lose your coin.

If worse comes to worse, if you're hurt or else wise in a bad way, go to the states and find my grandson, little Harry's father. He and his wife will hide you until you can make plans to return to Great Britain and renew your efforts. Here's their address; good luck."

After the funeral Harry, who still didn't know Ginny was pregnant, decided for her safety, he had to tell her they couldn't be together any more. He knew he had to continue the search for Horcruxes and she couldn't go with him.

If he came to visit her at the Burrow or the school and one of Voldemort's people saw that he still loved her she would be in danger. Though it hurt him to do it he had to make her think he was really not in love with her.

He didn't fool Ginny. She knew he still loved her and only pretended not to. She had her own reason to pretend to break up; if Harry wasn't around it would be easier not to let him find out about the baby. She knew if Harry found out she was pregnant he would want to marry her and it would be a distraction to him just when he needed to focus on eliminating Voldemort.

Ginny also knew unless Voldemort was killed none of them could live the life they wanted. She would sacrifice being with Harry so at least their child may someday have a normal life. Her consolation was that a piece of Harry would be with her all her life.

After Harry walked away from Ginny, James came over to talk to her, Ron, and Hermione. "Ron and Hermione, I know you plan to go with Harry to look for Horcruxes. I just told him if he gets hurt or things look bad he should go to the states and stay with little Harry's parents until he can make plans to return here. His look told me he won't do that; he'd rather die than do what he considers giving up."

He handed Hermione a paper and continued, "That's their address in the states. I'm depending on you two; if things get really bad, force Harry to go. A strategic retreat to regroup and rest is not giving up. I hope you two are not as stubborn about it as Harry.

Now you better follow him down by the lake; he could use some support."

When they were gone he said, "Ginny, I know about your condition; Dumbledore thought I could be of help to you. The most I can do now is tell you what I told them; if anything happens to your parents, or even if you just feel unsafe at home, go to my grandson's place. You and the baby will be safe there.

After the baby is born, if you feel the need to come back to help Harry, they will take care of the baby until you return. I've spoken to them and they're happy to help. Here's the address and enough muggle money to buy a ticket on an airplane, and for food and other travel expenses. If you need me contact me on the coin network and I'll come as fast as I can. Good luck."

By then most of the mourners had left the school grounds. Harry returned to his aunt and uncles house for the last time to keep his mother's protective spell intact until his seventeenth birthday.

Hermione went to her parents, maybe for the last time. To keep them safe she obliviated their memories of her and implanted the idea that they wanted to move to Australia. At least she knew they would be safe. Then she went to the Burrow where she and Ron began to plan and prepare to join Harry in his search for Horcruxes.

Ginny of course also returned to the Burrow but with the idea that she would tell nobody she was pregnant until Harry, Ron, and Hermione had left. After that only her family would have to know.

It was the third week of July; Ginny was almost two months pregnant and she had begun thinking about how she would break the news to her parents. She was worried that someone would find out before Harry, Ron, and Hermione left on their search. She decided that even if Harry found out and wanted to get married she would refuse; but she was more worried that if Ron knew he would get angry with Harry and if they argued it might affect their plans.

She began to wear loose fitting clothes and every time she passed a mirror she would turn sideways to see if she was starting to show. Fortunately she didn't have any bouts of morning sickness. Her mother once told her she never had a day of morning sickness with any of her seven children; Ginny was grateful that trait ran in the family.

She hardly spoke to anyone but Hermione for fear of letting the secret slip.

One morning after breakfast, they were back in the bedroom when Hermione said, "Ginny, there is something I need to tell you. I've been waiting for the right time and this seems to be it.

Remember the day in the hospital wing when you found out you were pregnant?"

"I think of it every day." Ginny said. "How could I forget it?"

"Do you remember I had an idea of how to help you, and Dumbledore said he would check into it?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Ginny said "but he never got back to me. What's this all about?"

"Well," Hermione said "he got back to me. I've been reading and researching what he found and I think it might be just what you need to solve your problem."

Just then the door opened and Mrs. Weasley came in without knocking.

"I can't hold my tongue any longer." she said. "Ginny is there anything you want to tell me?"

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other quickly before Ginny said, "Like what mom?"

Hermione stood up and moved toward the door but Mrs. Weasley blocked her way.

"I wish you would stay Hermione since you're involved in trying to hide this from me.

Ginevra Weasley, do you think I'm a fool? You should realize by now I know everything that goes on around here.

Hermione, I know about you going up to Ron's bedroom every night until the wee hours of the morning. You're both of age and I can't stop you from doing what you want. I always thought you two made a nice couple and that you would be good for Ron. That's why I sent those Valentines, I had to try and get you two back together if possible. Lavender was making Ron miserable.

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and silently mouthed, "It was her."

Ginny, you and Harry are also meant for each other. I knew it since you were babies. I searched the attic last summer after seeing you and Harry cuddled up on the divan one day." From her pocket she pulled out an old picture and showed the girls.

Three babies were on the sitting room floor all asleep. A red headed boy about two was by himself against a pillow. A black haired boy who looked about fifteen month old was cuddled against a much younger baby, a red headed girl only a few months old. He had an arm over her as if he was protecting her.

She looked at Ginny and said, "After you returned to Hogwarts after Christmas I kept looking at this picture for hours. I kept thinking of you and Harry sleeping on the divan; and of you taking him outside to sit with you on Christmas Eve. That's when the idea of the Valentines came to mind. I hoped I could fool you four into getting together.

I never thought of the consequences after that. Ginny, tell me the truth; are you pregnant?"

"Why would you think that?" Ginny said.

"Please," Mrs. Weasley said "didn't I just tell you I know everything that happens around here?

Did you think I wouldn't notice that all the clothes you've been wearing are baggy? In the summer heat no shorts, or tank tops; and you haven't gone swimming once all summer. And every time you pass a mirror you stop to look at yourself; not your face or makeup but at your stomach.

Now say it out loud."

Ginny with tears in her eyes said, "Mom, I'm pregnant."

Mrs. Weasley moved to Ginny and hugged her. She said, "How far along?"

"Almost two months." Ginny said.

"Hermione," Mrs. Weasley said "I assume you knew all about this."

"Yes," Hermione said "I was with Ginny when Madam Pomfrey did the pregnancy test."

"Is this why Harry broke up with you?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"No," Ginny said "he doesn't know. He has too many problems to deal with already and I didn't want to worry him by adding another. Besides, we really didn't break up. Harry knows being his girlfriend will make me a target for every Death eater so we let the word spread that we argued and broke up. Hopefully it will fool everyone into thinking its true."

"Who else does know?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Ginny said, "Now that Dumbledore is dead; just Madam Pomfrey and Harry's cousin James."

"Well," Mrs. Weasley said "it won't be too much longer before people find out. How did you plan on keeping this secret?"

"I didn't." Ginny said "Harry, Ron, and Hermione are not returning to school. After Harry turns seventeen they plan to leave here to finish a job Dumbledore has been working on for years. I only planned on keeping it secret till then so Harry and Ron won't find out. Once they're gone I planned to tell you and dad and then just not go to school in September. Only the family would know."

"I see;" Mrs. Weasley said "you don't think Harry has the right to know he's going to be a father."

"I know he does," Ginny answered "and I will tell him eventually. But, with things the way they are, there's nothing he can do to help right now. Telling him will only make life harder for him and I won't burden him more than he already is."

Hermione finally spoke up, "Excuse me, but I may be able to make everything easier. I once read about a spell used hundreds of years ago when witches were still being persecuted. It puts an unborn baby in a state of suspended animation, like when I was petrified second year. Witches used it when they were forced to leave home and didn't know how long it would take before they could settle in a new town.

Dumbledore checked into it and gave me this book."

She reached into her trunk and pulled out a large tome that looked to be very old.

"It has the spell in it and a lot of information about how it works. I've been reading it over and checking other sources. I showed it to Madam Pomfrey and she's heard of it. We think we can perform it on the baby. Once that's done the baby stops growing; Ginny will remain at the same stage of pregnancy until the spell is reversed, years if necessary. Nobody else will notice anything. When its safe and the spell is reversed the baby will begin to grow again and Ginny will complete what will seem to be a normal pregnancy."

"Why did you wait so long to tell me this?" Ginny said angrily. "I wouldn't have worried so much for the past two months."

"I didn't want to get your hopes up." Hermione said. "At first I had no idea how dangerous it might be or how complicated to perform. I wanted to be able to tell you it was safe and had a good chance at succeeding before saying anything. Besides, the baby has to be at least two months along before it could be done. The spell and potion that goes with it is slightly different for male and female babies. Madam said she won't be able to tell the sex until the middle of July.

After looking over everything Madam agrees it isn't that difficult to do and there is almost no chance that you or the baby will be adversely affected. You and your mother can look it over and decide what you want to do."

They agreed, for now, not to let anyone else know about the baby; not even Mr. Weasley.

As Mrs. Weasley was leaving the bedroom Ginny said, "Thanks mom."

"For what?" Mrs. Weasley said.

"For taking the news that I'm pregnant so well." Ginny said. "I thought you'd be more upset."

Mrs. Weasley sighed and said, "Well, I've been expecting it could happen since last summer when I found out you were all swimming together naked. But when you wrote home in May that you and Harry were a couple I was sure it was only a matter of time.

I know you too well Ginny. You've loved Harry for years and I knew once he told you he loved you to it wouldn't be long before you would have to give yourself to him completely."

During the next week two important events took place. Harry had been at his aunt's house since Dumbledore's funeral, protected by his mothers spell. Now it was almost his seventeenth birthday and that spell was about to break; he had to be move to another safe location.

The original plan for Mad-eye to simply side along apparate him to the Burrow had to be abandon; Voldemort's people had infiltrated the ministry and could follow Harry with the underage trace on him if any magic spell like apparition was used. He would have to be moved without using magic spells.

A new Plan involving making duplicates of Harry using Polyjuice potion was adopted. Ginny volunteered to be one of the duplicates but Molly pointed out that turning her female body into Harry's male body would certainly kill the baby.

Mr. Weasley, not knowing about Ginny being pregnant, pointed out that Ginny was underage and thus also had the trace on her. If anything went wrong and she had to use magic it would give away Harry's location.

The day before Harry was to be moved Ginny, Hermione, and Molly went to Hogwarts and Madam Pomfrey preformed the spell. "Everything went fine." Madam said. "Do you want to know the baby's sex?"

Yes," Ginny said "I may be like this a long time and I don't want to have to keep saying the baby; so I've been thinking of names."

"You're having a boy." Madam said, "Congratulations".

"So what name have you decided on?" Hermione asked.

"James Sirius;" Ginny said "after Harry's father and godfather. I think he'll like that."

They returned to the Burrow and Ginny's pregnancy could now remain secret as long as necessary.

The next day Harry was moved to the Burrow; but not without trouble. Death eaters had discovered the new plan and were waiting. After a tremendous battle Harry escaped but Mad-eye was killed and George seriously wounded.

The stage was now set for the final act; but nobody knew yet how the play would end.