CHAPTER 1

"Lucy, are you positive you want to eat here? It's just been open for a few weeks. There'll be crowds and I'm sure a nice quiet dinner at the Leaky Cauldron would be much more relaxing," Ginny whined.

Lucy rolled her eyes as she pulled open the shiny glass door, patiently waiting for Ginny to enter.

"Gin, darling, you know I've had these reservations since before The Breadbox opened. I know it's been a long week, what with that Jerry Stevens scandal and all, but you'll enjoy this. I promise. I'll even buy you a drink," Lucy replied, following Ginny into the entrance of the new Diagon Alley restaurant.

Ginny smiled to herself and ceded defeat. Lucy knew her weaknesses; a little red wine or a nice mixed drink was really all it took to convince Ginny sometimes, and especially at the end of such a long week. Jerry Stevens, the new undersecretary to the Minister of Magic had been found in possession of certain illegal drugs during a Muggle traffic stop while on vacation and had been promptly arrested and thrown in a Muggle jail. Ginny had been covering the story for the Daily Prophet and found it maddening to deal with Muggle Police officials. She had been trying to obtain a report detailing the incident from the Muggle police all week and had finally succeeded early that Friday morning. Lucy was lucky to be a columnist for the paper.

"Ginny, let's go," Lucy said, as the host led them to their table. Ginny looked up and followed Lucy as they weaved among the tables heading towards a corner booth. Her feet were aching from traipsing around Diagon Alley and London all day, so she welcomed the reprieve of the soft brown leather.

"Well, the place looks wonderful, I'll give you that," Ginny smiled, glancing around the large room and slipping her heels off under the table. The walls had been painted a cozy dark burgundy, the only lighting was an ambient candlelight glow and the tables were covered with simple white linen clothes. There was a pleasant murmur of conversation and Ginny was immediately reminded of the welcoming atmosphere of The Burrow.

Ginny and Lucy ordered pasta and fell into companionable conversation while splitting a small decanter of the house wine.

After the weariness of the war, people had learned to take advantage of little, pleasant moments. Everyone seemed more appreciative and willing to forget or overlook petty differences. The war had changed a lot of people and Ginny was certainly one of them.

Harry had defeated Voldemort the autumn after his graduation. Although Ginny had only been allowed to join The Order after she had graduated Hogwarts, the summer had been plenty enough time to fight in one of the bloodiest and nastiest wars the wizarding world had ever experienced. She had seen things no 18-year-old should ever have to see. She had done things no 18-year-old should ever have to do in order to survive. She had been surprised when the loyalties of people became apparent.

Snape had been responsible for Dumbledore's death, but it was later uncovered as part of Dumbledore's plan for Harry to succeed in defeating Voldemort. Snape had fought for The Order during the final battle, proving where his true loyalties lay. Ginny wasn't clear on the details, but Harry had forgiven Snape, and that was enough for everyone, including Ginny. Draco Malfoy's loyalities had also been a surprise to Ginny. After he and Snape had fled Hogwarts at the end of Ginny's sixth year, somehow Snape had managed to convince Malfoy to become a double agent for The Order and in the end, Malfoy had fought by Harry's side. Although Malfoy had been a "good guy" in the war, he was in no way a nice person, in Ginny's opinion. He was still a snarky, stuck-up, pretentious ass the last time she had interacted with him, but she hadn't seen him in years.

"So have you heard from Harry lately?" Lucy asked, pouring Ginny a third glass of wine as they finished their dessert.

"Not in a week or so. He won't be home from Australia until Christmas. The distance and infrequent contact is driving Bridgette crazy" Ginny replied. "The last time I spoke with him he was ranting about the lacking mental capacities this years recruits were demonstrating."

After their short stint as a couple, Harry and Ginny had amicably split and agreed they were much better together as great friends. They could tell each other nearly everything and regarded each other in a brotherly or sisterly way. He was currently head trainer for new auror recruits in the Ministry of Magic and dating one of Fleur's friends who had fought for the light side during the war.

"And how are the newly weds getting along?" Lucy asked.

"Oh, fairly well. Hermione hexed Ron's hair bright pink for a couple days when he refused to throw out his disgusting, smelly couch," Ginny laughed, remembering how the color has clashed horribly with Ron's angry red face. They had been trying to weeks to combine their possessions at the new apartment they now shared. Hermione and Ron had started dating after the war and they had gotten married just two months ago in a backyard ceremony at The Burrow.

Lucy was still chuckling to herself when the server bought them their bill.

"It's on me, Gin," Lucy said, quickly grabbing the check and pulling out some money. "I basically forced you to come here anyway."

"True, but it was rather delicious," she smiled, checking to see if she had any messages on her phone, a muggle device that was absolutely necessary as a reporter who rarely made it into the newsroom and was always on a tight deadline.

"Still haven't heard from Thomas? I thought his conference was supposed to be over today?" Lucy asked, referring to Ginny's boyfriend. Thomas Pearson was a healer at St. Mungo's and they had met when she did a report on the state of the wizarding healthcare system. Thomas had been working to reform certain outdated rules concerning healthcare and whether the patient was pureblood. He had been at a healer conference in Dublin during for the past week.

"It's strange, he was supposed to return this afternoon, but I still haven't heard from him. He's probably just been delayed," Ginny said as she left a tip on the table, slipped her shoes back on and glanced at her phone again. Lucy looked thoughtful as she stood and the two of them began making their way towards the door.

Halfway across the room, Ginny's phone slipped from her hand and as she bent to retrieve it she heard another cell phone ring that made her stop dead. She glanced in the direction the Weird Sisters song was blaring and found herself looking into a crowded corner of the restaurant as a dark haired man apologized to his dinner companion and plunged a hand into his briefcase to locate the source of the noise. Ginny slowly straightened with a look on her face that would have made Fred and George run in terror. She would have recognized that ring tone anywhere. She'd had it specially put on his phone. It was their song.

She straightened her beige skirt-suit and marched towards the source of the racket.

"Hello dear. So glad you arrived home safely," She smiled sweetly as a look of shock and confusion crossed Thomas' face.

Ginny glanced at the woman across the table. Oh how cliché, Thomas. Your intern nurse, Rebecca, Ginny though, gazing at the other woman's short, frizzy red hair and the bulging bosom exposed by her dangerously low-cut red dress. Rebecca folded her hands and avoided meeting Ginny's eyes.

"Now, Ginny, this isn't what you thi- " Thomas started, standing up and reaching out for her.

"Well, I suppose you do have a thing for redheads, don't you?" Ginny interrupted, backing away and noting the deep red lipstick stain on the collar of his crisp white shirt. His suit looked wrinkled and even from a distance she could smell the cheap perfume and sex lingering on him. "And I'm sure it is exactly what I think."

Thomas paled as he followed her line of vision. He hastily wiped at his collar and looked at her pleadingly. Ginny just gazed at him, disgusted, and turned around.

"Ginny, wait," Thomas said, gripping her elbow and turning her towards him. "She doesn't mean anything. It's just sex."

"And how long has this 'meaningless sex' been occurring?" Ginny asked, stiffening and pulling her elbow from his grasp. She was trying very hard to remain calm, even though inside she felt her world crumbling.

"Well, um, that's not really important, now is it?" He chanced a pleading glance at Rebecca. She rolled her eyes and looked at Ginny.

"We've been meeting twice a week for five months, doll," Rebecca said. Ginny was floored. She and Thomas had been dating for nearly seven months. She felt their entire relationship had been a sham. She felt like a fool. All those late night meetings and business trips had been a cover. She had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the proverbial book. Without thinking she pulled her hand back and slapped Thomas hard across his cheek, leaving a read imprint of her hand and tears stinging his eyes. The sound of the impact had drawn the attention of other diners in the area, but she didn't care. She was seething with anger and embarrassment.

"I don't ever want to see your face again, Thomas," She breathed in a low voice, gritting her teeth.

"But Ginny - "

"No. It's over, you bastard. Please have my things sent over to my apartment. I'll send your things tomorrow morning," she said, turning again.

"Ginny stop. You're being ridiculous!" Thomas said.

"I'm being ridiculous? You're the one who has been sleeping with your intern nurse for almost the entirety of our relationship! You are a two-faced liar and a real sleaze of a man who can't keep his penis in his pants! You're such a prick!" She didn't care that she was shouting and people were staring. "Just wait! You'll get your comeuppance."

And with that she lost her Weasley temper and punched him square in the nose. She vaguely registered Rebecca shrieking and rushing around the table to stop the flow of bright red blood pouring down Thomas' face before she turned on her heel and began marching towards the door. She was nearly there when she heard a low drawl behind her.

"Well, well, well. The little Weasley has managed to ruin my dinner yet again and this time we aren't even at Hogwarts. It seems you have yet to learn any manners whatsoever. Parading about shouting like a common heathen. But who could blame you, being raised in that filthy heap of trash you call a house."

She stopped and whirled around, gasping when she registered who the voice belonged to.

"Malfoy?"

"You red-headed abominations were always superb at pointing out the painfully obvious," he sneered, folding his napkin over his knee and sipping his wine.

"You know, I really don't need your smug attitude right now, you great ferret!"

"Lower your voice, Weasley. I don't want the entire restaurant to think I would associate myself with the likes of you," he replied.

"Why you arrogant-!" She was about to let off her frustrations, when Lucy made her way over, grabbed Ginny's arm and tugged her away from Malfoy before the situation escalated into violence again.

"About time you removed yourself from my presence," Malfoy called after them, turning to apologize to the blonde woman who had just returned to his table.

Ginny tried to turn around, but Lucy held tight to her arm and maneuvered her out onto the sidewalk. Lucy had been friends with Ginny long enough to know when her temper was getting the best of her and things would be much safer for everyone around if Ginny was let alone in her bedroom with only her pillow as a punching bag.

"Did you hear that arrogant wanker?! Who does he think he is?! Oh I wish you'd have let me stay! I wasn't finished with him yet!" Ginny was livid as she stomped down the street towards the Leaky Cauldron. Lucy followed behind her, letting her rant.

"Who was that slut Malfoy was with? Have you seen what the rumor papers print about his affairs? He's probably best mates with Thomas. And about Thomas! I can't believe I almost let myself fall in love with that cheating, sodding brute…" She kept mumbling to herself as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.

Ginny went straight to the bar, slinging her purse down and climbing onto a vacant stool.

"Give me the strongest fire whiskey you've got Tom," Ginny demanded. "I'm far too sober to deal with all this at the moment."

Lucy sighed and climbed onto the stool next to Ginny, ordering mead and resigning herself to a long night.