Secrets from the Past

AN: This is a story I wrote years ago but posted recently for my favourite reader - Lindsay!:D

Chapter I

Harry Potter sat in the living room of his home with his wife cuddled warmly in his arms. He had the day off from work as an Auror and they had spent the day making love. It was a rare moment for a minute of peace between the two of them as the war was still going on. At twenty years old, Harry still couldn't believe that he had been married to the beautiful woman in his arms for two years. Ginny Weasley, Ginny Potter now he corrected himself with a grin, had been extremely smart in school and Dumbledore had asked her if she had considered skipping sixth year all together and starting instead in seventh. Ginny had readily agreed, and seventh year had proved to be quite a challenge for her. The summer after they graduated, Harry and Ginny had married, exactly ten days after her seventeenth birthday. They were extremely happy, but they both still worried, as Lord Voldemort was still on the loose.

The war had yet to end. Harry had spent his seventh year searching for horcruxes with the help of Dumbledore, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger (well Hermione Weasley now), and Ginny. They had uncovered every one of them and were left only with the snake Nagini and Voldemort himself. It had taken two full years to find the remaining horcruxes and to properly destroy them. When Harry and Ginny had married, there had still been one other horcrux out there. Harry had tried to convince Ginny that it wasn't right to get married in such a time of war when he could die at any time. Ginny had naturally brought him to his senses and they had a small wedding in the backyard of the Burrow where Ginny happily became Mrs. Ginevra Potter.

They hadn't gone on a honeymoon because of the war either, but had instead bought a house in Hogsmeade. It was a huge Victorian style house in yellow with hunter green shutters on the windows and a hunter green door. It had a huge wrap around front porch and an enormous backyard. Both of them had fallen in love with the house on first sight. It had of course, needed quite a bit of work. The paint inside had been peeling and many of the rooms had needed new floors. So they spent the first month of their marriage making love and reconstructing their home.

The house was four stories with ten bedrooms, a master bedroom with a private bath, five bathrooms, a library, a living room, a study, a huge kitchen, and a room that they planned to make into a play room for their children. They had painted the walls with fresh paint, choosing colours to their own liking and refurnished the entire house in hard wood floors, tiling only the bathrooms. It was beautiful and both of them were very pleased that it belonged to them. They had made a home.

Harry had finished Auror training in only one year rather then three because of his vast experience in near-death situations and his vast knowledge of defence. He now was one of the heads of the Auror office and he worked very hard at trying to pin-point exactly what Voldemort and the Death Eaters were doing. He had spent the last year searching for him. Voldemort had only managed to get stronger over the years and he had made it his mission not to be found. Ginny knew that Harry was getting frustrated because he couldn't find him. He wanted the war to be over. He wanted Voldemort dead so that he could truly get on with his life. Ginny also knew that Harry wanted his life to actually begin. He was happy of course and so in love with Ginny that he didn't always think straight, but she knew that he was always cautious and that as long as Voldemort was around, Harry would never truly get a chance to live his life.

Ginny was an assistant healer at St. Mungo's and she loved her job. It was hard work but she loved being able to help people. The hospital however, had been filled to the brim in the last two years because of the war and the amount of injured people coming in didn't seem to be ending anytime soon. But she knew that once Harry got a hold of Voldemort the end would happen. There was no way either one of them would let each other escape again. It had gone on for far too long already.

Harry glanced down at his wife, her long hair the colour of wild fire was framed around her face and her chocolate brown eyes reflected the firelight. He brought her hand to his lips and smiled down at her before he placed his hand on her stomach. Only two days before she had informed him that she was pregnant. He was going to be a father. The thought positively thrilled him. He was going to be a dad. But at the same time, it terrified him and it made him even more determined to end the war once and for all. He didn't want to bring his child into a world of chaos and terror. Ginny smiled up at him as if she could tell what was on his mind.

"I love you."

He smiled down at her and leaned down to kiss her softly. "I love you, too. Are you feeling okay? I mean, with the baby and all?"

Ginny laughed softly, the sound like music to Harry's ears. "I'm fine. I'm only three months along, Harry. You hardly have to worry about me yet."

He grinned. "Can't help it."

She smiled and cuddled close just as a loud bang sounded on their front door. Harry stood up instantly with his wand out as he glanced at the clock over the fireplace. It was after midnight. He looked down at Ginny and she read in his eyes that he wanted her to stay where she was. She only nodded as he went out into the hall. He opened the front door and looked at Albus Dumbledore.

"Albus?"

Dumbledore swept into the house, a blazing look on his face that worried Ginny as she stepped into the hall. He turned around to face them. "It's time, Harry. Voldemort is waiting for you. There has been a massive attack on Hogwarts itself and he is there waiting. He has no plans of leaving until you show up. He wants it over. The Order is there fighting the Death Eaters, but Voldemort is waiting for you."

Harry's hands clenched into fists at his sides as he glared at Dumbledore. "And you think I don't want this over? I'll be there." He turned to Ginny, taking her hand in his. "I want you to go some place safe."

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "Harry! I want to be there! I want to fight with you! You can't hold me back! I deserve to fight by your side, which I am perfectly capable of doing you know!"

He shook his head at her. "Ginny, no. Not while you're … you're having our baby! If it was just you … sweetheart, don't risk both your life and our baby's life!"

Ginny looked up into his gorgeous emerald green eyes. She could see the love and fear brimming in them and she nodded. He was right. It wasn't only her life she was bargaining with anymore and she wasn't going to risk the life of their unborn child. "Where should I go?"

Dumbledore turned to her then, surprise in his eyes. "I know of a place. There are … people there now, waiting to see the end of the war. It is a very safe place and no one will find you."

Harry nodded at Dumbledore. "Will you take her there?"

"Of course, Harry." Dumbledore replied, understanding twinkling in his bright blue eyes. "Congratulations by the way."

Ginny nodded at Dumbledore and then turned to Harry and threw her arms around his neck. "I believe in you."

Harry buried his face in her hair as he hugged her close, leaning in to kiss her neck before he crushed his mouth to hers. She moaned and her hands fisted themselves into his hair as her lips melted against his. The kiss was full of love and full of desperation. When he pulled away they just stared at each other.

"I love you, Ginny. I love you so much." He kissed her softly and then he placed his hands on her still flat stomach. "And I love you too, Baby Potter, you take care of your mummy for me."

Tears rolled down Ginny's cheeks before she could stop them. She kissed him again. "Harry, be careful. I know you can do this. I love you and don't you ever forget it. Now go kick his arse!"

Harry grinned at her and he kissed her once more before he turned her over to Dumbledore. "You keep her safe. I'll take care of Voldemort. I've been waiting for this for way too long."

Dumbledore nodded at Harry. "You're ready for this, Harry, and you have been ready for the last two years. Like your wife said, I believe in you."

Harry nodded at them both, kissing Ginny once more, before he raced out of the house to Disapparate in front of the gates of Hogwarts.

Ginny turned to look up at Dumbledore. "Do you really think that Tom is there? Will he stay and actually fight?"

"Yes, I do believe he will. He wouldn't have appeared tonight otherwise. I believe that Tom is tired of hiding." Dumbledore replied calmly. "Now come along, Ginny, I must bring you to this hiding place. You can side apparate with me."

Ginny shook her head. "No sir, I can't apparate while I'm pregnant."

Dumbledore nodded. "Oh yes, sorry about that. I forgot that you are not supposed to apparate while pregnant. Come along then." He picked up a picture of Harry and Ginny off a side table in the entrance hall. "Portus." He replied before turning to Ginny. "Alright, grab a hold. It will take you directly into the safe house."

Ginny nodded and touched the portkey. "Albus, thanks for everything."

Dumbledore looked saddened for a minute. "Ginny, when you arrive at the house and you discover who is there, please remember that I am an old man and I believe that I made the best decision for everyone."

Ginny looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

He sighed. "Just remember, I thought that I was doing what was best."

Then before she could respond, she felt the familiar tug at her naval as she flew away and was transported to the safe house.

Ginny landed on her feet in a dimly lit hallway of a house. She tucked the picture in her pocket before she turned to look around. The house looked old but was obviously well taken care of. She headed towards the window and peeked outside but she didn't recognize the surroundings. She pulled her wand out of her pocket, turning towards the living room as she stepped inside.

The house looked completely deserted, but she knew someone had to be here as Dumbledore had told her so. She took a seat in a large arm chair by the fire and closed her eyes, praying that Harry was alright. She heard movement and she opened her eyes, pointing her wand at the figure in the doorway and she gasped out loud. It couldn't be … there was no possible way … after all; the figure in the doorway was dead.

"Well, Ginny, I see that you're all grown up now." The man replied, grinning at her in that familiar mischievous grin.

Ginny shook her head no as she looked up at him. "Sirius?"