The First I've Heard of You

Chapter Four

"You fuckin think so?" George had begun to cry slightly, laughter breaking through his breaking voice.

"George Fabian Weasley. I thought I taught you better than to use that mouth in front of children." She laughed too, covering her daughter's ears who had come to stand in front of her, looking up at the exchange.

"What chil-" he began, cut off by Brynlee's voice.

"Mama is this a family?" George's eyes snapped down to her, then back up widely to Ginny's.

"Mama?" He asked, alarmed.

Ginny addressed her daughter first. "Yes, honey, this is part of our family. Give mama one second, babe." Then she looked back up at her brother. "Can we go somewhere to talk? Do you have a minute?"

"No," He admitted, looking around at his more-than-busy shop, "but I do for you, come on." After calling out to someone to cover something for him, George led the two upstairs, where Ginny had been so many times before.

Ginny settled herself with her daughter in her lap on her older brother's couch. "Explain." He said simply.

"This is my daughter, Brynlee. Babe, this is your Uncle George. He's mama's brother."

Brynlee waved. "Hi uncle George! I'm Bryn." George cautiously returned the little girl's smile.

"I'm glad to meet you, Bryn. If you go down that hallway there," He directed her to another room in the flat, "There are some things you might like to see." She nodded excitedly and scampered down the hallway.

"Okay," He returned to Ginny once her daughter was out of sight. "Now really explain."

"She's why I left." Ginny didn't meet her brother's eyes. "I got pregnant with her right before Harry and I split up."

"So you went into bloody hiding?"

"Basically."

"What made you come back after all these years?"

"I realized I was being selfish, that she deserved the family that I grew up with." She paused, not knowing where to go from here. "But you're the first person I've seen. No one else knows I'm back. Please don't tell them, I will when I'm ready."

"That's your story to tell, not mine." He assured her.

"Thank you." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Can I ask one thing?" He nodded permission. "Can you catch me up on the family? A lot has definitely happened and I don't want to be completely overwhelmed when I do 'meet' them again."

"Sure, but where to start?" He paused but then began talking again. "Bill and Fleur have three kids now, Vicky, Dominique, and Louis. Seven, four, and one respectively." He thought for a minute. "Perce and Audrey have two. Molly was born before you left, and there's Lucy too. She's three."

Ginny nodded, taking in her brother's every word. It dawned on her just how much she had missed, and he hadn't even gotten through half the family. "Ang and I are still married, though I have no clue why she still puts up with me. We have two of our own now as well. I guess you knew Fred before you left too, he's about six. We have Roxanne who's a year old, we're best friends." Ginny smiled as she heard the hint of pride in George's voice as he spoke of his daughter.

"That sounds brilliant, George. I'm so sorry I missed it all. I can't imagine what you all must think of me."

"We've never said a negative thing about you to our kids." He said quickly. "We just act like you're on some grand adventure. Everyone will be thrilled to finally meet you." He looked sincere as Ginny shifted uncomfortably on the couch.

"Damn." She laughed. "That somehow makes me feel even worse."

"You shouldn't feel worse. I'm so happy you're home and I'm sure everyone else is too. Anyway, Ron and Hermione have a kid now too. I'm guessing she's about the same age as Brynlee. Her name's Rose. They also have another on the way, Hermione just got pregnant again."

Ginny swallowed, dreading the answer to her next question. "What about Harry? Is he married?"

"No. Hermione set him up on a couple of dates to get him out there again, but they never went anywhere." She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

She shook her head as Brynlee came running back into the room. "We've missed so much. I've kept her from so much."

"All you can do is move on. Don't waste any more time. We still have our weekly lunches at the Burrow, you should come."

"That seems like a lot." She pulled her daughter onto her lap.

"It might be easier that way though. Rip off the band-aid so to speak." George stood up.

She resigned. "I'll consider it. Brynlee won't get off my case about meeting everyone. I didn't even tell her about the cousins." She spelled out the last word so Brynlee wouldn't hear. "It'll be a good surprise."

"I think it will. Most if not all of them will be there, she'd have a blast."

"Will Harry be there?" She was pretty sure she knew the answer.

"He still comes most of the time, yes."

"See, that's the only thing holding me back. I have no clue what to say to him." She gestured to the tiny human playing with the bracelets on her arm.

"If I had to guess his reaction I'd say he'll be shocked, hurt that you kept her from him, but overjoyed. You know he's always wanted a family." Ginny knew her brother was right. "Well, I've got to get back to it, but it was brilliant to see you. I'm so glad you're back." He hugged her after she stood, Brynlee in her arms. "And Brynlee, it was so nice to meet you, mate." She reached out and he hugged her too.

"Bye Uncle George! I'll see you soon!"

"I hope so, girl." He raised his eyebrow at Ginny. "I trust you can see yourself out?"

"Just hope I don't get lost." She caught George's smirk as he left the flat.

The mother and daughter left George's store, but not before fulfilling Ginny's promise and adopting a lavender pygmy puff.

The two apparated home, Ginny making plans on how she would reintroduce herself and her daughter to her family the following day.