Dealing With the Consequences

Decisions

Ginny opened her mouth and gasped. She saw Harry blushing but the determination in his eyes was still there.

"Harry, have you taken your pills today? No, seriously, because I think you're going nuts," she said incredulously.

"I'm not kidding. You're coming home with me, whether you want to or not."

"This is ludicrous. Why should I? My life is perfect just as it is, so why bother making it complicated by digging up old wounds?" asked Ginny provokingly.

"I don't know how you define the word 'perfect', but if you mean the fact that your whole life is revolving around Jason and nothing but him, then you've got it right. Although I have to say that I find the way you're living at the moment rather pathetic," Harry said, now regaining his self-confidence.

Ginny felt her heart thumping wildly in her chest and she swallowed several times to get rid of the unpleasant memories creeping into her head.

"Just out of curiosity; why should I return with you? Is there any particular reason for bringing me back today?"

"In fact, there is," said Harry, "Hermione's and Ron's daughter is getting baptized and as her godmother you ought to be there," he continued, smirking at the shocked look on her face.

"They've got a daughter? But I can't just leave. I mean... Jason... the flat..." stuttered Ginny, trying to come up with a reasonable excuse.

"That's no problem. I've already fixed a new tenant for the flat who's coming here in two days' time. It was a bit hard though I have to admit. I'm not used to doing these Muggle things," Harry pointed out.

"But..." Ginny felt helpless and tried to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat.

Jason was tugging on her sleeve, looking at her with a curious expression.

"Whe we go, Mummy?" he asked curiously.

"We're going to visit grandma, grandpa and your aunties and uncles for a week or so. And you're going to meet Mummy's friends. And your..." She stopped herself before saying the word 'father'.

She'd never talked with Jason about Sirius and this wasn't the right time to do it either. Looking down at her son she was again reminded of the enormous similarities between him and the man she loved. Or had loved. She didn't really know right now. And she didn't want to think about it either.

"Okay, Harry, I'm coming with you. But on one condition; you have to let me leave whenever I want to," she stated resolutely.

"Not before the baptism is over," responded Harry quickly.

"Well, alright, then it's all set. Jay Jay, you and Mummy are going to England!" Ginny said, trying to hide the anticipation in her voice.

The bags were packed in a minute and when Ginny stepped out the door she didn't even look back. She wouldn't miss the place where she'd been living the last two years. Holding the sleeping boy in one arm, a suitcase in the other, she followed Harry down the street. They had been walking for five minutes or so when Harry suddenly stopped and took something out of his pocket. In his hand he held a sock that looked rather worn and smelled a bit strange.

"I came here with this Portkey so that we wouldn't have to go the whole way by train," Harry said, turning to Ginny with a smile.

"Oh, that's great. I didn't really feel like travelling through the whole of Great Britain in the middle of the night," said Ginny and let out a little laugh. "So this is it then."

She smiled at the little boy snoring quietly in her arms, and suddenly felt a wave of love floating over her. She kissed him and mumbled quietly, "We're going home, honey. We're finally going home."

A few seconds later, after feeling a tug behind her navel, Ginny was standing in the kitchen of the place that was her definition of the word home. She looked at the clock on the wall, and the hand pointing at her current position. She was home at last.

Her head spun around as the lights were turned on and Ginny stared straight into Ron's face. She hesitated but after handing Jason to Harry, she threw herself into Ron's arms. He hugged her back, holding her in a tight grip as to see if she really was there or if he was dreaming. Then he lifted her into the air and spun her around a couple of times before he gently put her down and started eyeing her.

"You've gained weight, my dear sister," he chuckled jokingly, and moved away to avoid the fist trying to punch his arm playfully.

"Nice to see you too, Ron. You're looking good," responded Ginny ironically, but she smiled widely at her brothers grimace.

"Well, yes, now that you're here I feel good too. It's been too long, Gin. We've missed you."

Ginny blushed and turned her face down, but Ron lifted her head up again and forced her to look into his eyes.

"You have some explaining to do, little sister, but first we'll have to get you into bed."

He glanced over to where Harry was standing and frowned slightly at the sight of Harry struggling desperately to hold the laughing boy in his arms the right way.

"His name's Jason, Ron. And yes, he's mine, and I love him. I know I have some explaining to do, but right now I'm too tired and I believe Jason would appreciate a nice, warm bed too, even though he seems to enjoy irritating Harry."

She went over to where Harry was still trying to keep Jason under control, but the boy calmed down when he felt his mother's arms around him. He yawned and leaned his head against her collarbone, falling asleep immediately.

"Okay, you can have your old room, Gin. There's room enough for both of you," Ron pointed out and took hold of Ginny's arm, pushing her up the stairs toward her old room.

Ginny was a bit flustered while walking through the house, but as soon as she saw her old room she felt herself relax. It looked exactly like she had left it, her old schoolbooks lying around on her desk, the curtains hanging perfectly around her window and a pile of clothing on the chair in the corner. The only thing different was her bed that was neatly made and a vase filled with lavender on her bedside table. Otherwise the room looked like she'd never left it.

Ginny wiped away a single tear rolling down her cheek and turned to her brother, who was eyeing her with a worried expression.

"Thank you, Ron."

"For what?"

"I don't know. Just... thank you! For everything," Ginny whispered and kissed her brother on the cheek.

Ron's ears reddened and he cleared his throat, visibly moved by her words.

"We'll talk more in the morning, Ginny. Don't disappear again. I've missed you," Ron said and turned, shutting the door behind him.

"I've missed you too," mumbled Ginny, before putting Jason down onto the bed.

She lay down next to him, closed her eyes and fell asleep with a feeling of comfort.