MetaFic

After Mrs. Weasley left, the young couple sat quietly together on the couch in front of the fireplace, simply enjoying being in each other's presence.

"So, we'll have to figure out how to handle this when we return to Hogwarts," Harry finally said. "Because I'm not going be separated from you now."

Ginny sighed into his shoulder. There were many questions still to face. "Dumbledore knows. He told me we could deal with the students next term." She looked into Harry's eyes. "I don't know what kind of arrangements he has in mind, but I don't think I want to stay in the dorm with the other girls." She thought for a moment then said, "Maybe we should go ahead and get married. I'm sure the school must have a policy against unmarried couples rooming together."

Harry gave her a reassuring squeeze. "We can owl Dumbledore tomorrow."

Ginny smiled. "So how do we tell the family and keep the father of my child alive?"

"I think we should tell them right before dinner."

Ginny giggled. "Ah yes, distract the Weasley male with food. Always a good trick, that one."

"And I think we should do it outside." Harry said in all seriousness.

"More room to run, Mr. Potter?"

"Got it in one, Miss Weasley."

They were quiet again, enjoying each other’s warmth as they snuggled together. Harry spoke up again. "So how do you think they'll take it? They're your brothers, after all."

Ginny thought for a moment. "The twins will find the situation uproariously funny and tease us both mercilessly. Percy will look disappointed and probably lecture us both."

Harry laughed. "Great Merlin, anything but that!"

Ginny laughed and continued. "Bill and Charlie will pull you aside and threaten you with apocalyptic doom should you ever hurt me."

"I would never!" Harry cried indignantly.

Ginny hugged him tighter. "I know that, and so do they, but they have a brotherly duty to perform."

"I see."

Ginny giggled again, this time at Harry's discomfort. "And Ron will go from wanting to punch you to wanting to hex you to confused as to why you would want to marry his horrid little sister in about five seconds. We'll let Hermione handle him."

Harry chuckled. "I expect Remus to look sad and slightly disappointed with us both. He'll think we're too young for the responsibility."

"Um, Harry, we are kind of young to be parents."

He kissed the top of her head. "Too late to worry about that now, wouldn't you say? Don't worry Gin, we'll be fine. We love each other, and we've got great people around us who will be all too eager to help out."

Ginny looked up and kissed his cheek. "What about Sirius?"

"I expect he'll freeze up and pass out." Harry laughed again.

Ginny chuckled as she closed her eyes and allowed her tired body to meld against Harry's chest and shoulders. "Sorry love, I'm just getting a little sleepy. All the excitement, you know."

"Well then perhaps we should tuck you into bed, Miss Weasley."

Ginny mumbled. "Why Mr. Potter, what are you suggesting?"

"That the mother-to-be needs her rest."

Ginny just managed to get out a sleepy, "Oh, okay," before exhaustion overtook her and she closed her eyes for the rest of the night.

*****
Ginny woke up in a strange, dark room. For a moment she started to panic but then remembered she was staying at Harry's new home. She started to stretch then stopped suddenly. She realized she was not alone in the bed.

Being careful not wake whomever her unknown bedmate was, Ginny slowly turned over to see who was pressed so close to her back. Her eyes adjusted to what little ambient light there was in the room. The nice warm body pressed up against her was no other than Harry. Ginny smiled and started to snuggle back down, but suddenly she remembered that Ron and Harry were supposed to be sharing a room. What on earth could have possessed Harry to bring her here? While Ron had come to accept occasionally finding his sister and best friend curled up on a couch together, Ginny was sure Ron would not find them sharing a bed acceptable in any way.

She carefully eased herself out of Harry's arms and slid silently from the bed. She looked over to the cot where Ron was supposed to be sleeping and was surprised to find it not only empty but also obviously unused.

She cautiously opened the door and started down the second floor hallway toward the stairs. As she passed the room she was supposed to be sharing with Hermione, she couldn't resist a little peak in. Opening the door just a crack she was greeted to the sight of Hermione curled up in Ron's arms, head on his chest, both sound asleep. She noted they were both fully dressed, but she decided her mother was right, there would need to be a talk.

Pulling her wand from her sleeve she summoned her overnight bag and made her way to the bathroom to change clothes and freshen up a bit. She felt better after a quick, warm shower. She pulled on a green, knee length sundress and made her way down to the kitchen.

Jeren, who was sitting at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee and putting strings on a guitar, greeted her.

"Another early riser, I see."

Ginny smiled shyly and made her way to the teapot, which she filled and put on the stove to boil. "It's hard to sleep in a strange bed."

Jeren laughed. "You'll get used to it."

"Um yeah, about that, I..." Ginny blushed and lost her voice.

Jeren smiled at her and pointed out where the tea was kept. "Don't worry about it, Miss Ginny. So I take it everything went fine last night?"

Ginny smiled and nodded as she added tea to the boiling water.

"So today's the big day, then?"

Ginny sat down across from him. "Yes, today we seal Harry's doom when the over-protective Weasley brothers discover their not-so-little sister is carrying the love child of the Boy-Who-Lived."

"Bah, if Harry was going to be killed, your mother would have done it first. Besides, I hear he has a really fast broom."

Ginny laughed and then looked around the kitchen. "So where do you lot hide the pots and pans?"

"Got me, I just moved in yesterday."

Jeren help Ginny locate the various cooking utensils, and then she told him in no uncertain terms to get out of her way while she worked on breakfast. By the time everyone had managed to wake up and find their way downstairs, the entire house was filled with the wonderful smell of food merrily cooking away.

Ginny hummed to herself under her breath, quite content with the situation.