All That You Leave Behind

Thanks to CruciareMors, Tambrathegreat, Tarquin Furie (good to hear from you again!) and Dirty_Darella for your reviews. Here is the next chapter of ATYLB for your perusal.


Dun, dun , DUNNNN!!!!


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Chapter 75



Ginny landed back on the hearthrug, James held securely in her arms. Harry followed a moment later.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Ginny asked, before adding, "Well, apart from Ron's little outburst, of course."

Harry managed a wan grin and held out his arms for his son. "It could have been worse," he admitted, cuddling James, "Ron could have hexed me and Hermione!"

Ginny grinned. "How about our presents now?" she asked, looking excited.

Harry was a little surprised. Ginny never got overly excited over presents. He settled James happily on the rug, and leaned forward for the small square box with Ginny's name on it.

At once the boy held out chubby fingers for the sparkly ribbon surrounding the box.

Ginny removed the wrappings, commenting, "Hermione helped you wrap again?"

Harry nodded, looking a little embarrassed. "I hope you like it."

A beautiful, delicate filigree necklace was nestled on purple shredded tissue. Silent, Ginny hooked a finger through the chain and pulled out the jewellery. It glinted azure, silver, gold, and rich ruby red in the light.

"Oh Harry!" she breathed, pulling him close to her, "It's beautiful!"

She clasped it around her neck and glanced down, admiring the stones which rested against her chest. "These are Goblin Charm Stones, aren't they?"

Harry nodded. "Each necklace is unique to the owner. In the shop, they said the charms that would activate depended entirely on what the stones thought you would need." He kissed her gently, murmuring, "I love you, Ginny Potter."

"I love you too, Harry Potter." she responded.

She pulled on his arm. "And now for your present," she said, reaching for the large flat package which was by the side of the tree.

Bemused, Harry set to work carefully taking off the paper, not wanting to damage whatever it was Ginny had given him. He stared at the painting, noticing shelves filled with books, potion-making equipment, and a bench to sit on.

"What's this?" Harry asked, confused.

As though he had been waiting to hear Harry's voice, Severus Snape stepped into the picture.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. 'Severus" he mouthed, throat gone completely dry. For a few seconds no-one spoke. The man in the painting was staring hungrily at the younger wizard, eyes glistening as much as Harry's were.

Ginny smiled, pleased with her gift. "Isn't one of you going to say something?" she asked, amused.

Her voice made them both jump. They had been locked in their own private world. A world Harry had thought never to know again. He had feared - privately, irrationally - that the painting at Hogwarts wouldn't know how close they had been, but seeing Severus' reaction now, it was clear that not only did he know, he too was floored at seeing Harry.

Ginny laughed and said, "I'll leave you two to your riveting conversation. This young man needs bed."

She left, James perched on her hip.

It was Harry who finally swiped his parched lips with his tongue, and stomach flip-flopping oddly, spoke, "Sev?" he began, moving closer and reaching one hand out hesitantly, not quite daring to touch the surface of the portrait, "Is it really you? ... I don't understand. .....How?" Mouth agape, Harry stared at the familiar features, heart beating a crazy tattoo.

Severus' voice, when he, at last, spoke, made Harry sob and catch his breath. "Harry," he said, and there was no mistaking the affection there, "I admit, I rather want to rail at you for asking such a ridiculous question, as it is really me, but, I understand. I feel much the same way myself. Ginevra arranged for this painting to be made, so that I could be a part of your lives once more.... in a sense."


Harry made a strange noise, somewhere between a sob and a laugh, "You'll always be part of our lives, Sev, you know that. I .... I can't stop looking at you. It feels like forever since I last saw you, and I can't believe this is really happening."

Severus spoke softly, "You should believe it, Harry, for Ginevra made this possible."

"Oh!" Harry wailed, "Ginny did this! She made it possible for you to live in our house again, be part of our lives again...." he swiped savagely at his wet cheeks, "She's done all this for me, for us, and we betrayed her. And I can't make myself regret it, Sev. I don't want to. What we were to each other she would never understand."

Severus cut in, "I feel the same way. I am touched by what Ginevra has done, but feel guilt that, of all people, it is she who is enabling us to remain close. I never wish for her to be hurt. She will never learn of our relationship from me."

Harry nodded. He had known, really, that Severus had no desire to hurt Ginny, that Severus wanted what was best for both Harry and Ginny. Yet still, it eased his mind to know Severus felt the same stomach-churning guilt he did, and that Severus would continue to keep their secret.

What was in the past would never touch Ginny.


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After the debacle of Ron's actions at Christmas, Harry and Ginny decided to forego the Weasleys' New Year party, understanding that what Ron needed was time to realise what an idiot he'd been. Instead they celebrated at home. They enjoyed a pleasant evening, toasting one another, and, of course, Severus, whose portrait now hung above the mantelpiece.

Thus it was that on January 2nd, Harry and Ginny briefly visited Molly to drop off James before floo-ing to Hogwarts.

"And what may I do for the Potters?" Poppy Pomfrey asked when they reached the infirmary.

Harry and Ginny looked at one another, smiling.

"Apparently, I'm pregnant, " Ginny said, "I've had it from a reliable source, even though I don't have any symptoms yet."

"I think I've been having them all for her," Harry laughed, "sympathy pains."

"Well, a little brother or sister for James? That is happy news," Poppy beamed.

"Erm...but we want it kept quiet," Harry said, "we don't want a repeat of what happened when James was born, so we've decided this one is to be born here, if that's alright with you, Poppy."

"Of course! No strangers, or reporters will get past my door!" Poppy said reassuringly. She nodded towards an empty bed and said to Ginny, "Come along then, Mrs. Potter."

Poppy motioned for her to lie down, and Harry held her hand as Poppy waved her wand over Ginny's stomach. She frowned and repeated the spell. And again.

Harry and Ginny looked at one another a bit worriedly and Harry asked Poppy, "Is anything wrong?"

"Well, no, but your "reliable source" isn't very reliable in this case," the medi-witch said, "you're not pregnant, my dears."

Harry and Ginny gave one another a surprised look and Ginny frowned, "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," Poppy replied, slightly indignant, "there's no mistake. You are not pregnant. Why did you think you were? You said you have no symptoms."

Harry looked away while Ginny said thoughtfully, "Severus. Just before he died. He said to name him Albus, and...well, he knew about James before I did."

"I see," Poppy replied, "Well, I can do the spell again if you like, but really, there's no mistake. I'm sorry."

Ginny sat up and she and Harry hugged one another. "I'm sorry, Harry," Ginny said comfortingly, "I thought..."

"We both did," Harry said, squeezing his wife, "I'm sorry too, Gin. A brother for James would have been nice, but, well...he is only 9 months old. We have plenty of time for more babies."

"I know," Ginny said a bit wistfully, "just...he knew about James....and I'd already accustomed myself to another baby." They gave one another a final squeeze before letting go, neither of them noticing the medi-witch quietly performing the spell one more time.

Poppy gasped sharply, making the couple turn towards her.

"Poppy?" Harry asked.

Looking rather flustered, the older woman avoided looking at either of them as she sputtered, "Erm...Harry....may I have a word with you, please? In my office?"

"Why?" Harry asked, his voice full of dread. "Is...something wrong with Ginny?"


Looking for all the world as if she would rather be anywhere else, Poppy choked out, "N- not her. You. H-Harry, please, in my office."


"No," Harry said firmly, shaking his head. "If something is wrong with me, Ginny has a right to know."


Drawing in a deep breath, Poppy cast a furtive glance at Ginny and said, "It's not Ginny who's pregnant, Harry. It's you."



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Just thought we'd let you know, the next few chapters are already written, so it won't be long between updates!


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