Love's Battle Revisited

Chapter 11 - Talks With Rose

Her own daughter, Lily Rose (or Rose, for short), was waiting for her when Ginny stepped out, looking as though she'd been standing by the fireplace for hours, tapping her foot impatiently. "Sorry to make you wait, love. I had to help a friend of mine with something."

The girl's expression didn't change, but she nodded in acknowledgment. "I'd like to eat now, Mummy."

"Of course, darling." Ginny turned for the kitchen, sure that Rose knew what 'friend' her mother referred to, but unsure that she was ready for questions just yet. It was for that reason that she made sure to busy herself with preparing the supper for herself and her daughter (at this point, the boys were visiting Draco for the weekend). Even once they got to the table and were eating, Ginny found herself unable to meet the child's eyes, which seemed to literally read her mind.

"Have you heard from your brothers?" Ginny made herself ask conversationally.

"No, Mummy, but that's to be expected when they're with Daddy Draco." Rose was silent for a time, then looked up from her plate and looked intently at her mother--at any rate, long enough to make her look up.

"Something on your mind, love?"

"You've been quite ... happy lately."

This time it was Ginny who looked intently at her daughter. "I have. Something wrong with that?"

"No ... I was just wondering that there perhaps might be a reason for it."

Ginny couldn't help thinking, The best reason in the world. Your father and I are back together, but said, "Do you have a specific reason in mind that you want to talk about?"

"No, Mummy. It's just that I heard--" Rose broke off, as if she were afraid of saying too much and getting her mother upset with her ... and even the nine-year-old knew better than to rile a redhead.

"What did you hear?"

"That you're dating again. What's more, that you're dating the bloke you used to be engaged to, Professor Potter, the DADA teacher at Hogwarts."

"I am. What of it? Doesn't mean I love you any less."

"I was told ... he's my father," the girl finally blurted.

"Who told you that?" Ginny demanded, although she suspected she already knew. Draco was definitely overdue for a Bat-Bogey Hex, that was for sure!

"David. He said Daddy Draco told him and Daryl during their week together for their birthday."

"Just because Draco says it, doesn't necessarily make it true. He and Professor Potter dislike each other, and have for years. Sounds to me like he's just trying to start a rumour."

"But you did ... date Professor Potter, didn't you?"

"Of course, and yes, we were engaged at one time, but it doesn't necessarily follow that he's your father."

"You would tell me if he was, wouldn't you?" the girl entreated, her green eyes pleading with her mother. "Especially since Daddy Draco even once said that you were in love with Professor Potter."

"When we were engaged, yes, that was true, but that doesn't mean it's true now."

"But you do like him. Otherwise you wouldn't be ... dating him," the girl persisted.

"Yes. I ... like him very much, and intend to continue dating him. In fact, we're supposed to see each other tomorrow night."

"In that case, will you be gone all night again? I've noticed that's what usually happens when you date him."

"Quite possibly. Why?"

"Just wanted to make sure not to wait up for you, that's all." Rose was already mentally figuring her next day's dinner menu and decided to finish both her non-magical homework, such as math, and her magical homework, such as the charm she and her mother had been working on to Summon objects because she wanted to get as much use out of her new wand as she could.

Ginny was hard-pressed not to look suspiciously back at her child as she returned to her meal, certain that the statement had been a veiled confession that she suspected Ginny's relationship with Harry had once again become an intimate one. Sometimes it was positively scary just how perceptive Rose was; in fact, Ginny was all but convinced that she was a Legilimens, if not a Seer, and told herself to have her checked for same at the earliest opportunity. She also intended to discuss this conversation with Harry the first chance she got.

Mother and daughter didn't speak on the subject after that; however, Ginny was sure that it was still very much on Rose's mind. She would have to get her and Harry together as soon as possible, see how they got along. Upon settling her in bed, Ginny prepared for bed herself, feeling it keenly that Harry could not be here with her, that they could not be together as a family as they should be. With luck, they would be one day, but for the time being she supposed she would just have to make the best of it and enjoy what time she and Harry could spend alone rediscovering each other. What mattered was that they were together again ... and if Ginny had her way, they would remain together as long as they lived.

* * * * *

Fortunately her dreams took her away into a world of tender love, sweet contentment and fiery passion, so Ginny didn't think about the conversation with Rose again until she joined Harry outside under a tree next to the Black Lake the following day. Once they finally stopped snogging, however reluctantly, Ginny knew she'd better get things out in the open before he heard it from somewhere else--such as from Draco.

'Harry?"

"Yes, luv?" His arms gently tightened around her, his cheek resting on her hair for a time before moving to nuzzle her neck. "Mmmm. I swear, you're delicious enough to eat. I can hardly wait for tonight."

Ginny moaned involuntarily and squirmed. "Harry, I can't think straight when you do that--and I need to talk to you. It's important." The tone of her voice told her companion as much, so he refrained from any further physical demonstrations of his feelings ... at least for the present.

"What's on your mind?"

"I had a very disturbing conversation with Rose last night."

"Disturbing in what way?"

"She says she was told that you were her father."

That made Harry sit up and take notice, in more ways than one. "Who told her that?" Before Ginny could reply, however, he answered his own question. "Draco. It has to be."

"More accurately, she said she heard it from one of the boys, who said that Draco told him."

"That big-mouth git. He's going to spoil everything. In fact, I'm even tempted to use a Silencio spell on him!" After an interval of silence, Harry remarked, "What did you tell her?"

"I tried to throw her off, but she wasn't easily persuaded. I even suspect that she knows we're ... sleeping together again, especially since she also said that she knew of our previous engagement ten years ago, not to mention the fact that when we go out, I usually stay out all night. I had to admit to that much, but since I wasn't ready to admit to anything more, at least not at that point, I tried to convince her that Draco was just trying to make trouble for you since you've always disliked each other."

"Did she buy it?"

"I can't be sure. We didn't talk any further about it. Which reminds me, it might be a good idea if we get you two together soon so Rose can see the truth for herself. Would you be willing to do that after our date tomorrow?"

"Sure, if you think it'll help. Can we get back to snogging now?" Ginny looked up into her beloved's eyes, the hunger in them palpable as he all but devoured her lips with his hot gaze.

"Of course. I just needed to talk to you about this before we could go any further." With that, she reached up to pull him down to her and they resumed their extremely pleasurable interlude, which eventually led to their moving to Harry's flat for the remainder of the night--or at least until it was time for him to go meet his oldest daughter for the first time.

* * * * *

It definitely was not easy for the lovers to stop what they were doing and move to Ginny's flat, but Harry was determined to keep every promise he made to her--or at least as many as he possibly could. They showered together but all they did was wash each other, dressing in fresh clothes and making their way to her flat as quickly as they could. When Ginny arrived, however, the flat was quiet, so she thought she'd better check Rose's room to see if she was all right.

"Rose? Honey, I'm back," she called softly after knocking on the door.

The child answered with a sleepy smile. "Sorry, Mummy. I meant to be up, but after finishing my homework, I got tired and decided to lie down." Ginny looked at her and saw that she was wearing her favourite nightie, a miniature version of Ginny's own favourite. Not what she'd expected to introduce Harry to her in, but it would likely take too long for her to change, and besides, it was late enough so it wouldn't be practical anyway.

"Well, put your nice robe and slippers on. We have company, and there's no time for you to change." Rose nodded and turned back to retrieve said items while Ginny headed back to the living room.

When she caught Harry's eye, he looked around questioningly upon realising she was alone. Ginny answered his unspoken question. "Don't worry, she's coming. It's just that she'd already changed into her night clothes. I told her to simply put her robe and slippers on and come out."

Harry smiled in spite of himself. If the picture he had was any indication, her hair was likely to be just as messy as his after sleep, but still manageable enough to look good at the proper time. He was even considering grabbing a quick kiss from Ginny when he heard a childish, albeit feminine, voice. "Mummy, I'm here. Where's the company?"

"Right here," Ginny said, gesturing in Harry's direction. "Harry, this is Rose. Rose, this is Harry. And to answer your earlier question, you were right. He is ... your father."

The two smiled at each other and shook hands, unsure of what to say after that. "Hi," Rose finally said.

"Hi. You're very pretty. Every bit as pretty as your mum."

"Thanks. Mummy tells me you look very much like your father."

"That's true--but I have my mum's eyes. Enough about me, though. Tell me about yourself." With that, Harry managed to break the ice, even as he moved to place a tentative hand on his daughter's shoulder and led her to the nearby couch. They sat down together and Ginny offered to get them something to drink.

By the time she returned with three glasses of pumpkin juice, Harry and Rose were laughing about something he had told her happened to him while playing Quidditch, even though Ginny knew he hadn't played in years. However, Rose didn't know that. What mattered was that father and daughter were finally getting to know each other.

"Mummy said that you and Daddy Draco don't like each other," Rose remarked.

Harry's face hardened. "We ... tolerate each other, but that's about it. Mainly for your and your mum's sake."

"Did Mummy also tell you that Daddy Draco gave me his name?"

"She did ... but you don't have to take mine if you don't want to. It's your choice." Harry also recalled the writing on the picture of Rose in Draco's office sitting on his desk. He was frankly hoping Rose would choose to take his name anyway, or if nothing else, hyphenate her present name: "Malfoy-Potter" to please both fathers.

"I was thinking of maybe hyphenating the name at some point, but not right now. Maybe once I start at Hogwarts," Rose speculated. She couldn't help noting that Harry's face had taken on a disappointed look. "Don't worry. What matters is that we've met and are getting to know each other. Oh yes, something else I meant to ask you ..."

"Yes?" Harry prompted.

"Do you intend to marry Mummy this time? She said you married her friend instead last time."

"I did, but that's over now. And yes, I'd like to marry your mum someday, as soon as she's--and you are--ready."

"I also understand that I have two half-sisters from your other--relationship."

"Right. They're just a little younger than you. If you like, you can meet them one day, but I think it would be better for us to get to know each other better first," Harry suggested.

Rose nodded and frowned thoughtfully. "Do you think you could come here again?"

"If you like, but owing to my work and my seeing your mum, I won't be able to do it all the time," Harry warned gently.

"As long as we can spend some time together with Mummy once in a while," the girl replied, punctuating her statement with a deep yawn. The adults looked at each other, suspecting that the child wasn't going to be able to stay awake much longer--and it was all the better for them.

"I think that could be arranged," Harry returned with a smile. "Meanwhile, I think it's time you went back to bed, young lady. It was nice to meet you."

"You, too," the girl smiled. She hugged and kissed her mother, then simply held out her hand and Harry, somewhat disappointed, shook it--then she giggled and threw herself into his arms for a big hug. "Just teasing. Good night ... Daddy Harry." With that, Rose took her leave.

Harry gave Ginny a funny look once Rose had gone. "I'd almost swear she did that on purpose."

"She does things like that on occasion, if only to throw people off balance," Ginny admitted. "She's usually just teasing them, though. If she didn't like you already, she wouldn't have bothered, just said goodnight and that would be it."

"Then may I assume I met with her approval?" Harry asked questioningly even as he reached out to intricately entwine Ginny's nearest hand with his.

"I'd say that's a safe bet. After all, she's already called you 'Daddy.' " Ginny winked provocatively. "Of course, if you actually marry me this time, we could have more like her."

"Are you trying to scare me off, wench?" Harry threw back playfully, smiling reassuringly at the look he got back. "Don't worry, luv. You couldn't lose me this time if you tried ... and incidentally, I'd love to have more like her--of both genders this time."

"That could be arranged," Ginny returned saucily, reaching to stroke the back of her companion's neck lightly enough to make him shiver. "But as I said, you've got to marry me this time."

"Oh, that reminds me ... I heard from the hospital. They said Ron's settling in nicely and they don't think he'll have to be there nearly as long this time. Just the same, they've warned Luna not to keep any Ogden's around at all if she can help it and even to start lobbying the Ministry for Anti-Apparition wards on all wizarding cocktail bars."

"Has she told her kids anything of what happened yet?"

"Only that he needs to be away for a while, but that they can visit him whenever they want--within reason."

"What about his work?"

"Luna's made arrangements for him to have a job he can do at home. It may even require him to learn to use a Muggle computer, even if it has to be charmed to work with magic rather than electricity. I've already told her to suggest that he talk to Arthur about that since he's a nutter about those kinds of things."

"That's good. But what about your relationship with him? Does he know that you were there, that you helped when Luna needed you?"

"I think he does, but Luna says he hasn't mentioned anything about me one way or the other, so I can't be sure of anything at this point."

"If you can win Mum over again, it should only be a matter of time before you get Ron back."

"I hope so," Harry opined wistfully. "Until then, I'd rather further my relationship with you. Come here, minx." The pair's kisses were sweet at first, then they became hot and open-mouthed. Within a fairly short time, though, Harry's caresses turned into merciless tickling and made Ginny laugh and squirm, especially when his wandering hands found some intimate (and very sensitive) spots. "Har-ree! Stop that! Stop it, I say! If you don't, we're going to wake up Rose, and I don't think you want her to come out and catch us like this."

"I bloody well don't give a damn who catches us," came the husky retort. "But if it'll make you feel better, we can move into your bedroom."

"As long as you make sure to put Silencing and Locking Charms on the door."

"No sooner said than done." With that, he deftly extricated himself, then scooped her up into his arms and carried her down the hall to her room, which was across the hall from Rose's. Once behind the door, he kept his word, and the lovers resumed what would turn out to be the longest, loveliest night they had ever spent together.