DISCLAIMER: I think highly enough of my readers to expect them to know what's mine and what isn't. I know you're smart enough. Luv ya!

Ginny Weasley stood in the doorway of the Burrow in early August. She was here for Sunday night family dinner. As was the rest of the Weasley family.

She was late to arrive, as she had been spending time with Oliver Wood, her boyfriend of three years.

They had just broken up, and she was distressed, but wanted to hide it from her family. Her brothers were over protective, and would hex Oliver as soon as look at him if they thought that he had hurt her. In fact he had hurt her. He had hit her, and when she had tried to defend herself, he had hexed her. She now sported a cut across her cheek, and a bruise above her eye. She had many other bruises and cuts on her body, hidden by her robes. Her broken wrist had been mended, but hurt a great deal.

As she entered, she saw that Bill was talking softly to Mr and Mrs Weasley at the end of the table. Charley, and the twins were excitedly discussing Quidditch with Harry and Ron. Hermione appeared to be lost in thought, and Percy was nowhere to be seen. Then Ginny remembered that he was in America at an important conference for the Ministry.

No one seemed to notice when she sat down at the end of the table next to Hermione.

The older woman turned to greet her and gasped, "Oh Ginny, what happened?"

Ginny said, "I fell off my broom." which wasn't at all true. She had been a professional quidditch player. There was no way that she would fall off. Hermione bought the story though. She muttered a few words, and the bruise disappeared as well as the cut. Hermione was a healer at St Mungo's and could heal this sort of stuff easily.

"Listen Hermione, I got a new job"

Hermione squealed, "Where, what are you doing?"

"It's in the United States. I've already accepted."

Hermoine's face fell, "Have you told your family yet?" Ginny shook her head. "Well you should do it soon.

Ginny hesitated, then called to her parents, "Mum, Dad? I have something I need to tell you." Everyone at the table fell silent. She paused, then said, "I... I got a new job." Her parents beamed at her, and her brothers all broke into cheers, she continued "The thing is, it's a job in the United States." Everyone fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

"No!" Mrs Weasley's answer was clear. Mr Weasley looked at his wife,

"Molly... She's old enough to make her own decisions."

"No. I forbid it. Virginia Weasley, I was tolerant enough to let you move out of the house, but I will not have my only daughter in another country."

Ginny was angry now, "Mother," Mrs Weasley started. Ginny never called her that unless she was really angry, "You let Charlie live in Romania, Bill lives in Egypt, Percy travels everywhere, for Ministry work. You still have Fred, George and Ron who are her. Besides Harry and Hermione who are as good as family."

"This is different," Mrs Weasley snapped, "You're too young."

"I'm twenty two years old! Mother, I will go!"

"I FORBID YOU! YOU WILL STAY HERE!"

Ginny was furious, "Fine then," she said calmly and icily. With that, she grabbed her bag and apparated to her flat.