READ THE A/N AT THE BOTTOM!!! 'TWIL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!

BTW…DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING HARRY POTTER! ANYTHING YOU SEE THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW IS MOST LIKELY MINE. BUT OH WEL!

((-))

Swallow My Pride

Chapter 1: Past Tense

It was one of those cases. One of those horrid, messy, emotional roller coaster of a ride, cases. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept, much less the last time she'd eaten anything. All she could remember was the fact that there were 27 children…dead and so far, she was useless. Their pictures and real life accounts were burned in her brain, their tiny bodies broken, blood everywhere, limbs useless and sprawled akimbo like some long forgotten and discarded doll. The images flashed repeatedly through her memory and for umpteenth time that day, she forced herself to walk stoically from her office to the bathroom before emptying her stomach. Gods…did this have to be so horrible?

She braced her hands along the sink and took a glance at the mirror. She honestly did not know the person staring back at her.

Her eyes were puffy and swollen from lack of sleep and numerous breakdowns. Their normal cinnamon depths bloodshot and glazed over, all glint of mischief that was usually permanent, faded to a tiredness that revealed just how hard this had all been. Her skin was grey, an unhealthy, unrelenting grayness that had seeped into her body over the last, she chanced a glance at her watch, 72 hours. There were horrible purple bags under her lackluster eyes that only added to the pallor of her skin. Her hair, normally lustrous and pristine, hung in a very poorly wound bun, wisps escaping, color devoid of any and all life, and the quill holding it threatening to fall. With a sigh she reached up and divested her hair of the offending object and let her long tresses fall. It was even worse down than up.

She turned on the faucet and ran her hands under the cold water, cupping them and filling them before splashing the water all over her face. It startled her back to reality just as she had wanted. With a vigorous shove she used her fingers as a comb and wound her hair back into a tight bun securing it with the same quill she had used before. She cupped her hands again and splashed her face once more, rubbing furiously at her eyes and nose. The last thing she needed was to look like some haggard beast. They were no where near finishing up this case. There was work to be done yet, files to be filled, leads to follow, witness accounts to read, evidence to secure, there was so much to be done.

She turned off the tap and sighed. At least she looked a little more put together now.

She grabbed a paper towel and dried her face and hands. With a wave of her wand her robes were as pristine as usual hanging in neat folds around her small frame. She walked to the door and exited the room only to be stopped by a hand on her elbow.

"Gin" she knew that tone well. It was her boss and he sounded pissed. With a relenting sigh she turned around and faced Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Yes" she muttered. She knew where this was headed.

"Go home." Kingsley whispered. "You've been here 72 hours straight, this case isn't going anywhere. Go home, get some sleep, eat something for Danu's sake!"

"I can't" she replied with a frustrated sigh. "There's too much left to be done! I cannot abandon my work!"

"You're no good to us in the state you're in, Ginny. I can't use you like this, it's not fair, and if your mother finds out she's liable to kill me." Kingsley argued. He had been noticing, over the course of the past 3 days, she was not handling this well. This case had struck a personal cord in Ginevra Molly Weasley and it was wearing her thin. She was usually his brightest, quickest, smartest Auror in the field, but this case…this case was doing her in. If she didn't give up to his request he was going to force her to.

"I can't"

"You can and you will. If need be your brother and Harry can finish up your work. They've only just gotten on shift. If they find out you've been keeping yourself here there will be hell to pay, and not on my part. They'll force you home and into bed and let Molly have at you." Kingsley stated with rigidly concealed amusement. Now was not the time for it, but he could imagine what lengths Molly Weasley would go to, to ensure her daughter's health.

At the mention of her mother being brought in on this whole ordeal Ginny let it go. "Fine. I'll go home. But if you hear anything," she poked her finger in her boss' chest. "And I mean anything, you are to floo me right away."

Kingsley nodded his ascension and turned to escort her towards the lift.

"I need my bag" she protested.

"No you don't. Because you'll try and stuff case work in there and work when you get home and I'm not having any of it!" Kingsley retorted. He knew she would try that, and he also knew she may very likely try and come back later for more of her work. But, he had already had the wards placed around her office. She'd not be getting back in there anytime soon. He stopped her at the lift and pressed the button. "Now, you are going home, and I mean straight home, unless you stop to eat first, which I highly suggest doing. And once you have eaten you are going home, you are going to go to bed and you are going to sleep. I've already seen to it that there's sleep potion stocked in your place. And after that you are going to stay home for 2 days."

"Two days?! I can't stay gone for 2 days! Kingsley! I can't! I have to work this-"

"You can and you will Ginevra! No if's, and's, or butt's about it! If I have to I'll post a guard outside your apartment. Don't make me do that Ginevra. You're, by far, one of my best people. I want to know that you're home and not out gallivanting all over the country side right now. This case will still be here whenever you get back, and if we find anything pertinent we'll contact you. Now, get lost" Kingsley shoved her into the crowd of people in the lift and waved her farewell as the doors closed. He would never forget the look of indignation on her face as the doors shut and he grinned at her. That had been easy.

((-))

Ginny huffed furiously as her boss' form retreated as the doors closed. This was going too far. This was her case, she needed to work it! But, on the other hand, Kingsley was right, not that she would admit that to him. For the last three hours she hadn't been able to concentrate on anything. With a sigh of resignation she hung her head and waited for the lift to stop on the main floor.

Gradually people started filing past her and out onto their respective floors. With a shock she realized that it was the middle of the day and people were only just now returning from lunch. Ah, lunch! Her abused stomach gave a shuddering growl alerting her to the fact, that yes, she had thrown up quite a bit, but she was not sick and did in fact need to eat something.

The doors slid closed yet again and Ginny was left waiting for the lift to finally reach the floor she wanted. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed under her breasts and waited. Finally, after ten more minutes, the doors opened to her floor and she rushed past the gathering crowd and directly into a firm muscular barricade. With an "oomph" she landed hard on her backside. She shifted her weight only slightly and knew, without a doubt, her tail bone was at the very least, bruised. Well wasn't this just the perfect ending to the perfect day, she thought miserably. Tears welled up in her eyes and she squinted them shut determined not to let a single one fall.

"Terribly sorry about that." A disembodied voice stated as a gloved long-fingered hand reached out to help her. Without thinking she slipped her smaller hand in that oh-so-much larger one and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"I hope you're not hurt." Another voice stated from beside the first one.

"No, fine" she stated tiredly as she straightened out her robes. She was tired, hungry, worried, frayed, and now her ass hurt to a stinging point. Could her day get possibly any worse?

"You are alright aren't you?" the first voice asked again, concern etching the deep resounding tones. Ginny looked up and her gaze met an all too familiar mercurial one. Nix that…yes…her day could and just did get worse. She was sorely tempted to burst into tears right then and there.

"Ginevra?" the other one said. Her eyes shifted over and met the undeniable gaze of the other man. His lightening kissed gaze searched hers with unrelenting questioning.

"I'm sorry, I have to go" she whispered trying to push past the both of them. Her attempts were in vain. Both of them stood there, shoulder to shoulder, blocking her only way to freedom.

"Don't do this Ginevra. Do not turn us away again."

This was all too much. The both of them here, concerned about her, her case load, her frayed nerves, her lack of sleep and food, the overall toll this case was taking, everything came flooding up in the form of very poorly concealed tears. A gloved hand wrapped around her upper arm gently and led her away. She couldn't believe she was doing this. Allowing them to do this to her. But right now, her stubborn pride couldn't care less. They were offering her comfort when she needed it, offering her the safe haven they had once been for her.

So, she let them lead her away.

((-))

Draco Malfoy barely concealed a yawn and wrapped his hand around Blaise's. This tour of the Ministry was beyond boring and all he wanted to do was get out and away to their home. It had been a taxing week. There had been board meetings, contracts, a gala charity event, and a gods forsaken wedding. And now, there was this stupid tour of the Ministry to ensure things were running smoothly. For some reason the Minister of Magic had deemed fit for all benefactors of the establishment to make a tour, ensuring their charitable donations would return. Needless to say, it had been a boring day indeed.

"Come on, love. Let's get a bite to eat and get home" Blaise whispered in his ear. Draco could only nod his acquiescence, and let his boyfriend lead him by the hand to the Ministry foyer. As they rounded the corner by the lifts Draco ran straight into someone sending the smaller person sprawling on the floor. With a sigh he outstretched his gloved hand to assist the person to their feet.

"Terribly sorry about that" The small hand slipped into his and he realized it was a female he'd inadvertently run into. He pulled her to her feet.

"I hope you're not hurt" Blaise stated. He could almost catch the barely concealed impatience in his lover's voice.

"No, fine." she mumbled. Draco tried to take a closer look at the witch he'd knocked over. She looked gaunt and shaken and tired.

"You are alright aren't you?" he asked. Concern for this poor witch was suddenly overwhelming. Something was wrong with her and he had the oddest sensation that he knew this poor thing standing before him. And then she finally looked up at him an his eyes captured hers. He would know those cinnamon orbs anywhere, despite the glazed and tired look that lurked beneath the surface. He had dreamed of those eyes ever since the day she'd run out of their lives. He watched as those huge eyes filled with unshed tears in recognition. Blaise's hand convulsed around his own.

"Ginevra?" Blaise's voice came out little more than a strangled whisper. The witch turned her gaze on him and Draco felt rather than saw Blaise's inner torment.

"I'm sorry, I have to go" she whispered and tried to push past them, but they were standing too close together, and combined they were too strong. She couldn't get past them.

"Don't do this Ginevra. Do not turn us away again."

Draco watched as the tears in her eyes fell down her cheeks. The urge to wrap her in his arms and take her far away was nearly overwhelming. He would do damn near anything to chase the look of devastation from her face. He settled for the next best thing. He glanced over at Blaise who was staring down at her. Draco gently wrapped his hand around her upper arm and turned toward the exit. Blaise wrapped his hand around her other arm and together they led her away.

((-))

Draco found them a table and led, the now quiet, Ginevra to it, while Blaise went to the counter and ordered food for the three of them. His Ginny sat of her own free will and looked to him. She wasn't His Ginny anymore. She had made that blatantly clear the day she'd run. But now, here she was, and he couldn't help that those were the thoughts that surfaced. Blaise found their table and sat on the other side, next to Ginny.

"What happened?" Blaise asked after a moment of silence.

For an instant, Draco wanted to strangle his lover. He could be too forward sometimes. And given the state Ginny was in, forward was probably not the best way to approach any subject. So, Draco slid his hand in Ginny's. Something inside him relaxed when she didn't pull away. "Gin, what's wrong?" It was better, with this particular witch, to start with the here and now, not with the past. He had a feeling when Blaise asked "What happened?" he was not referring to the present.

Ginny sighed. "My case."

Draco knew she was an Auror. She had begun her training when the three of them were still together. She had been so excited about it. He remembered the day she'd been accepted into their ranks. She had been the first one awake as usual and checked the mail. They'd heard her before they'd seen her. She'd come bounding up the stairs to their bedroom and flung herself on the bed between the two of them, laughing and smiling all the way.

"What about your case?" Draco ventured. This was almost too easy. He was slipping back into the way things were before she'd left.

"There are 27 children dead and we've no leads on what's causing it. I've been there for 3 days straight trying to put a pattern to it, trying to figure out something that could give us a lead. Know what we've come up with so far? Nothing!" Ginny told them outright. Draco looked at Blaise. She must be tired if her stubborn pride was allowing her to be as open with them as she had been when they were together.

Ginny looked at the two. -Why am I telling them this? I haven't spoken to them in two years.- But her mouth overrode her thoughts. Talking about this was easier than taking it all on her own shoulders, even if she knew the two wizards on either side of her could do nothing about it. "Twenty-seven. Twenty-seven children dead." She could feel another tear threatening to thread its way down her cheek. She wiped it away furiously. "What sort of sick demented fuck would do this? They're children! They've done nothing wrong!"

Blaise chanced a glance at Draco. He was staring at the witch before them with barely concealed horror. He wanted nothing more than to take them both and comfort them in the best way he knew how. He knew Draco wouldn't mind, but it was Ginevra he was worried about. She hadn't spoken to them in two years. She'd kept a perfect distance between herself and the two of them. Once upon a time he would have comforted her. But now, now he was at a loss.

The waiter with their food saved him from his musings. Now that it was here, though, he wasn't sure he wanted to eat, not with all of these revelations. But Ginevra helped him make up his mind. She grabbed her fork and dug into the meal of lobster ravioli Blaise had ordered for her. -Old habits die hard- he thought. He'd ordered her the same thing he'd ordered her last time they'd come to this restaurant. He gave a mental snort. -She always was able to eat at the most unlikely times.- And indeed she had proven it time and time again. Her she was, working a case no one should have to put up with, conversing with two ex-lovers, tired to the bone, and looking, for lack of a better phrase, like hell warmed over, and she was eating.

Blaise barely disguised the ironic smirk that danced along his lips.

((-))

"What were you two doing at the ministry?" Ginny asked after they had all finished their meals.

"Ministry tour. The Minister wanted to ensure our donations again this year." Draco replied. It was far too easy to slip back into their old routine. He mentally kicked himself over the way he was acting. The witch sitting next to him was liable to explode, or worse, leave at any given moment.

"Oh" she replied. Ginny knew she was sitting in the lion's den. Here she was sitting with two ex-lovers trying to converse like old friends. She had avoided them like the plague when all they had wanted to ever do in the first place was ensure her happiness. She had refused them and for what? To prove herself? To quell her stubborn pride and build a life on her own? Her tired mind tried to wrap around the whole notion she had once worked out so perfectly.

There was a whole list of reasons she'd left them. Or at least there had been at one time. Gradually over the last two years the list had been getting shorter and shorter. Within the last 6 months she'd begun to dream about them. Dreams of when they had been together, happy and laughing at something stupid Draco had done. She had tried to force every thought of them away, going so far as to pack away anything and everything they had ever given her. But the dreams were relentless. They came no matter what she did.

But now was no the time to think about this. As Kingsley had said, she needed sleep. She'd be no use to anyone, much less herself in the condition she was in.

"Gin" Draco's whispering of her name brought her out of her daze and into the present. The two of them sat looking at her with concern etched in their oh- so- different gazes.

"I have to go." she stated with a resolve she didn't feel.

"Can't we-"

"Come by this address tomorrow. We can talk." She cut him off and handed Draco a torn off piece of parchment. She never imagined swallowing her pride would be so easy, or maybe it was simply the fact that she hadn't slept. Maybe it made her resolve weak.

She stooped and kissed each of them on the cheek. "Thank you for lunch." she whispered and Apparated away to her apartment.

She landed outside her apartment door with a thud. Even out here she could hear the raucous baying of her dogs. She stuck her key in the lock and let herself in only to be bombarded by the two Wolfhounds she had never been able to give up.

"Remus, Romulus!" she bellowed. The two huge dogs backed away from their mistress and sat on the floor waiting patiently, long tails thumping the floor in perfect synchronization. She knelt in front of them and sighed, reaching up to scratch behind their ears. These were the two things given to her from Draco and Blaise, that she had never been able to give up. Draco and Blaise had each given her a puppy some 3 years ago on her twentieth birthday. When she'd left, she hadn't been able to leave them behind.

"C'mon boys, let's get to bed." She had missed her dogs in the three days she'd spent at the ministry.

She would indeed be glad to take a sleeping potion and curl up in her bed with her dogs on either side of her before facing the two men again tomorrow. She was going to need all the resolve she could get.

((-))

Well, this was just a hair brined scheme I came up with. Don't really know where it came from, it was just floating around in my head and all the sudden started coming out through my fingers. I think I might actually have a really good direction for this to go in. But I suppose we shall see.

I would love it oh so much if you would all leave me some very kind reviews or either complements of constructive criticism. And I am uber sorry if this seemed a little whacked and spaced and a little out there. But either way, leave me some reviews letting me know what you think!

BTW…Remus & Romulus were the Founders of Rome, said to have been raised by a Wolf the Romans named Lupe. So I thought it appropriate for them to be Wolfhounds, lol.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review…

Arigato

Ja'ne- Ami