Coming Home

"Bloody hell," Si mumbled, staring at the house in front of him. Ginny nodded, nervously squeezing Emmy's hand. Here she was, finally at the Burrow. It looked the same as ever, comforting her slightly. Taking a deep breath, she started for the front door, the other two trailing behind. Before she could knock, it flew open and Hermione burst outside, throwing herself into Ginny's arms. Ginny blinked, hugging the girl tightly.

"Oh my word, it's good to see you, Gin. Look at you. You're all grown up and mature," Hermione praised, pulling back to look at her. Ginny smiled at the brunette, grasping her arms.

"You look lovely, Hermione. Don't tell me you got all dressed up for me." Hermione had the grace to blush, and she shook her head.

"No, actually... Ron and I are going to see a film and get dessert after dinner. Like a date."

"That's wonderful, Hermione."

"Ginny, is this the friend you told me about?" Si finally asked, peering at Hermione over Ginny's shoulder. Hermione blinked, eyes going wide. Before she could assume anything, Ginny jumped in, nodding.

"Yes, this is Hermione. 'Mione, this is my friend Simon. He keeps an eye on Emmy while I'm at work. And this," she said, steering Emmy out from behind Si, "is my daughter Emily." Hermione's mouth formed an 'o', but she refrained from saying anything on the matter. Instead, she ushered them all inside.

"Everyone's in the kitchen. Do you want me to stay back with Simon and Emily?" Hermione offered. Ginny nodded gratefully, kissing Emmy's forehead.

"You stay here with Si and Miss Hermione until Mummy comes to get you, alright?" Emmy nodded and Ginny straightened, taking a deep breath. Si squeezed her hand, and she moved into the kitchen before she lost her nerve.

Her family was chatting happily. Ron, Harry, and Bill stood near the back door, laughing over something. Fred, Angelina Johnson, and George were talking to Charlie and his fiancé. Percy and her father were discussing something to do with work. And her mother was putting some last minute touches on supper. She was first to notice the newcomer.

The platter she was holding clattered to the floor, and she put a hand over her heart. All of the chatter stopped, and ten pairs of eyes locked on Ginny.

"Gin," Mrs. Weasley breathed, moving forward and gathering Ginny into a tight hug. "Oh, my little girl!"

Ginny soon found herself surrounded by her family, engulfed in excited hugs. Her mother sobbed freely, her father looked as if he would cry too, and her brothers all jabbered happily and hugged her in turn. When it was Ron's turn, he didn't let go for a long time, burying his face into her shoulder. Ginny clung back, opening her eyes to catch Harry's gaze over Ron's shoulder. He was smiling softly as he leaned against the kitchen counter, watching the reunion.

"I have something to tell you all," she said, slowly removing herself from Ron's arms. The family watched her intently, and Harry gave her a reassuring nod. "I...I haven't been alone all these years. The year after I left, I met a man named Theo. His band played at a club I went to after work sometimes. One night, he offered to buy me a drink, and I let him. We started dating. We were together for a year before we decided that it wasn't working out. But...I was pregnant." Mrs. Weasley gasped. "Mum, don't...don't say anything until I'm done. Emily was born nine months later. Theo visits every time he's in town, and mails me some money once a month. He loves her to bits, and I love her too. She's my whole world."

"Oh, Ginny," her mother murmured, swooping in and hugging her tightly. "My sweet baby girl. You didn't have to do this all by yourself. You could have come home any time you wanted."

"I'm sorry, Mummy," she whispered, sagging into her mother's familiar grasp. The rest of the family slowly inched out of the kitchen, feeling that this was a private moment. They found Hermione entertaining Si and Emmy with incantations in the living room. Emmy was watching with rapt attention, and Si was requesting different things. When the family came in, Hermione flushed, changing the arm chair back from an armadillo.

"I was just showing them some spells," she said sheepishly. Si jumped to his feet, offering his hand to Mr. Weasley.

"Simon Islat, at your service, sir. I watch Emmy while Ginny's at work. A nanny sort of bit." Mr. Weasley shook his hand briefly, looking him up and down.

"Arthur Weasley, Ginny's father. Have you known my daughter long?"

"Six years at least. I moved in right after Emmy was born. A lot easier to take care of them both if I'm always there." At Mr. Weasley's surprised look, Si held up both his hands, shaking his head fiercely. "Oh, but you don't have to worry about me taking advantage of Ginny or anything, Mr. Weasley, sir. I fancy blokes."

Ron choked, Fred burst out laughing, and Mr. Weasley turned red. George only looked thoughtful, and Hermione watched him curiously.

"No, I trust you to take care of Ginny. And thank you for what you have done thus far. I know you must have had a little influence in Ginny's decision to come home."

Si scuffed his foot against the floor, grinning sheepishly. Emmy stood up after a moment, slipping her hand into his and peering up at her relatives. George immediately jumped into his self proclaimed role of 'best uncle,' kneeling in front of her.

"Well, hello there. A pretty girl like you must have the name of a princess." Emmy giggled bashfully, hiding her face in Si's arm. George smiled, holding out his hand. "My name is George." Emmy took the hand.

"I'm Emily," she said softly, giggling again as George kissed her hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Princess Emily." His eyes sparkled as he marveled at his niece. She was absolutely beautiful... "You are, without a doubt, the most gorgeous girl in the world." Emily beamed, slowly shifting out from behind Si. George flashed a grin at the other man, scooping Emmy into his arms. He balanced her on his hip, pointing at himself. "Did you know that your mummy is my little sister? That makes me your uncle."

"Oh, okay," Emmy agreed, peering at the other men. "Do I have more uncles?"

"Oh yes. This is your uncle Fred. And Uncle Percy, Bill, Charlie, and Ron. And this," he said, winking at his father, "is Grandpa Weasley." Arthur smiled tearfully at Emmy, who stuck out her hand seriously.

"Nice to meet you," she said. Arthur laughed and took her from George, kissing her cheek. George moved back beside Si to let his brothers talk to Emmy.

"You're really good with kids," Si remarked casually. George looked over, grinning.

"Thanks. It's probably because I never really grew up to begin with. My brother and I own a joke shop in Hogsmeade."

"That sounds brilliant. ...Where's Hogsmeade?" Si asked, wondering if it was perhaps only for wizards. George plopped down on the couch, motioning to the seat next to him.

"In Scotland. It's a small wizarding town that's right next to one of the most popular wizarding schools in Europe. All of us went there, with Harry and Hermione. They're Ron's age, a year older than Ginny."

"You have such a big family. I'm an only child, myself. I've always wanted to have a little brother or sister. Now with Ginny, it's almost like I got my wish." The two lapsed into silence for a moment, watching Emmy squeal with laughter as Bill threw her into the air. George finally turned to Si, grasping his shoulder.

"...Thank you for taking care of them. Ginny may be an adult, but she'll always be my baby sister. And I really appreciate what you've done for her," he said lowly. Si nodded, face serious.

"You're welcome."

"Simon," a voice said from the doorway, interrupting the solemn moment. Si looked up, smiling at the woman in front of him.

"Mrs. Weasley. A pleasure to finally meet you," he greeted her, standing and kissing her cheek. "I can see where Ginny gets her beauty." George snorted behind him on the couch as Mrs. Weasley patted Si's cheek gently.

"Such a sweet boy," she murmured, ignoring her son. Si grinned, resisting the urge to smirk at George. Mrs. Weasley nudged him gently away from the couch, pointing discreetly. "Ginny asked me to come get you. She's in the upstairs bathroom, washing her face." Si nodded, expression sobering as he started up the stairs.

"Ginny?" he called softly as he reached the landing.

"In here, Si," she replied from down the hall. Si followed the sound, stopping in the doorway.

"All right, love" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. She shrugged, sitting on the edge of the bathtub and scuffing her foot on the floor. Si slowly moved into the room, kneeling in front of her. "Darling, everything is wonderful. Everyone loves Emmy. Everyone loves you. Why don't you come downstairs with me and have some supper?"

"...I don't know if I can face Harry," she whispered. Si arched an eyebrow, waiting for her to explain. "It's just...I was in love with him for so long. When we were still in school, all I needed was to be near him and I was happy. After sixth year, we were such close friends. We could comfort each other without saying a word. Almost like Ron and Hermione could. Then there was the war... I'll have to tell you about it some other time. When I graduated school, I left the wizarding world." She drew a shaky breath and Si took her hand up in his, squeezing gently. She gave him a half smile, continuing. "Seeing him again in the park the other day just brought back this rush of feelings. ...I wish I never left home, Si."

Si shook his head fiercely. "No you don't. Because if you hadn't left home, you wouldn't have met me. You wouldn't have met Theo. And you wouldn't have Emily. I know you have some regrets in your life, but I also know you wouldn't trade what you've got for anything."

Ginny smiled, nodding. "You're right, just like you always are." Si grinned cheekily, jerking his head towards the door.

"Now that we've got that figured out, why don't we go get some of your mum's delicious smelling supper?"

"I suppose that's do-able," Ginny agreed, letting Si pull her up and lead her downstairs. They made for the kitchen, where most of the family had assembled already, chatting happily while they waited for the signal that they could dig in. As they started to join the group, a hand darted out and caught Ginny's elbow. She jumped, blinking at her 'assailant.' Harry grinned sheepishly, wrinkling his nose.

"Sorry, did I scare you? I was just wondering if I could have a quick word before your family takes you over again." Ginny nodded, turning to wave Si on.

"Tell them to go on and eat. We'll be back in a minute," she promised, letting Harry lead her out the front door. Ginny situated herself on the porch swing, gazing at Harry expectantly. "So what do you need to talk to me about?"

"I just wanted you to myself for a minute," he explained, sitting on the swing next to her. "I love your family to death, but they're all a little overbearing sometimes." Ginny nodded, pushing off and swinging the two of them slowly. They lapsed into a comfortable silence, just sitting in the swing and gazing off at the darkened surroundings. Harry clumsily fumbled for Ginny's hand, holding it as gently as he had all those years ago when they sat on the same swing.

"...I've missed you so much, Gin," he finally blurted out, turning to face her. "I could barely function without you here. I'm sure your mum's already told you, but I looked for you for two years after you left. I traveled all over Europe, trying to find some sign that you'd been there. It was driving me crazy, staying in this house and not seeing you every day."

"Harry..." Ginny trailed off, gazing at him wordlessly. He'd searched for her. For two bloody years, he'd traveled around the continent. For her. She touched his cheek softly, leaning in to press her forehead against his. He drew in a shaky breath, closing his eyes.

"Merlin, Ginny... Please don't leave us again. Don't leave me. I don't think I can take it."

"I won't leave," she promised, squeezing his hand. "Promise."

Harry sighed in relief, smiling softly. "Good," he murmured, shifting his position to wrap his arms around her in a hug. "...Do you want to go inside and eat?" Ginny sunk into the hug, resting her head comfortably on his shoulder.

"No... Let's just stay like this for a little while longer."