Forget Me Not
See disclaimer in chapter one.
Chapter 2 Ginny's rejection
That Saturday, Ginny showed up for Quidditch practice. She was a bit rusty, but still one of the best. With her on the team, and with newcomer Billy Blackburn, Harry felt that his team would go undefeated and win the cup for Gryffindor.
In the changing room after practice, Billy approached Harry asking about Ginny. "Hay Harry, so who's the new chick playing chaser?"
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce her to you. Her name is Ginny Weasley. I've known her and her family for years. One of my best friends is her brother Ron. He did not return this year, unfortunately. He was our teams keeper, and very good at it."
"She is a gorgeous piece of ass, Harry. I noticed her watching you. Anything between you two?"
"Unfortunately, no. At least not any more. I gave her up last year to go to war, and she has never forgiven me."
"But your still into her, right?"
"Yea, I guess. But it's a lost cause. I know it and she knows it. But I haven't given up hope. Maybe with time; oh shite, no. Realistically there is no way."
"So, you have any other pussies lined up?"
"Not really. Right now I'm not interested."
"Harry, you need to get laid."
"Yea, like I have the time."
"Ok, so what are you doing for Christmas vacation?"
"I don't know. In the past I have always spent my vacation time at the Weasley home. They are great people. I'm a orphan, you know. The Weasleys took me in and treated me as one of their own. But I don't know about this year. With Ginny hating me, it's going to make for a very uncomfortable situation."
"Tell you what Harry. My family always spends the holidays at a resort in southern California. It's a great place. Wall-to-wall chicks running around in practically nothing. And you know what they say about California girls. There is no finer pussy on this planet."
"Sounds like it's just the place for a horny Quidditch player. I'll keep it in mind. Sure I wouldn't be imposing on your family?"
"I'm sure Harry. We have lot's of room there, but I'll pass it through them just to make sure, ok"
"Ok then. So how would I get there? I've never been across the pond before."
"Across the what?"
"The pond, Billy. You know, the Atlantic Ocean."
Billy laughed. "So you Brits call the Atlantic Ocean a pond? What would you call the Great Lakes, swimming holes?"
"Yea, why not. So answer the question."
"We, you and my family, would have to fly, you know, like on an airplane. You've been on an airplane before, haven't you?"
"Actually, no. I haven't," replied Harry. "You've travelled by portkey before, haven't you?"
"Ok, you got me. What the hell is a portkees, or what ever you called it?"
Harry laughed. "A portkey is a common object that has been magically charmed to transport wizards from point to point. I've traveled that way many times. It takes some time to get used to it though, it's hard on the stomach. Tell you what. Why don't I set it up for you and I to travel there by portkey, then fly back on Muggle airplanes. That way we'll both have a new experience. When you ask your parents about my joining you in California, get the times and places together so that we can make appropriate plans."
"Will do. So how much will this cost me, traveling the wizard way?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it."
"Harry, my parents are very rich. Let me pay you."
Harry snickered. "As it turns out Billy, I am also very rich. So no problem."
"Oh well, in that case, your on."
The month flew by quickly. Gryffindor easily won their first three games by wide margins. Between Billy and Ginny, they scored more goals than the three other teams combined, with Ginny being top scoring chaser.
This weekend was the first Hogsmead weekend since school opened, and Harry and Billy had big plans. It was also the first time in years that Harry and Ginny did not go together. Ginny was currently going out with a sixth year bloke from Ravenclaw, Patrick something, and Harry almost didn't care. 'Almost' being the key word here.
Harry and Billy had accumulated quite a harem over the months, and they were all heading out for The Three Broomsticks. When they entered, Harry immediately saw Ginny and Patrick sitting alone at a table near the back wall. That was where Ginny and I always sat, thought Harry.
After a few rounds of butterbeer and lot's of laughs at Billy's California stories, Harry saw Ginny and Patrick heading up the stairs to the guest rooms. As she climbed, she shot Harry a look that made him shiver. It was a 'screw you' look, with animosity in her eyes.
That ruined his day, and he swore to himself that he would one way or another get over her.
The Christmas vacation schedule was out, and Harry and Billy sat down to make their plans. School vacation started on Friday the fifth of December, and opened on Monday January third. Billy's family were flying to southern California on November thirtieth, and returning the day after Boxing Day, December twenty seventh.
Harry looked at the schedule and said to Billy, "This works out perfectly. We can't leave school until the fifth, so next day, we'll portkey to California. I need to get back before school opens to spend a few days with my adopted family, so I will fly back with your family on the twenty seventh. Perfect, Harry thought.
Harry had a few things to do in preparation for his vacation. He and Billy spent an entire Saturday shopping in muggle London. Harry needed casual clothes and swim wear, and not knowing what the California crowd would be wearing, he relied upon Billy for assistance. Harry also wanted to buy all his family presents and have them delivered before he left. Most of these gifts he would buy in Diagon Alley, so he and Billy spent the remainder of the day perusing the wizard shops. Billy had never been in a wizard shop before, and was fascinated by it all. Harry had to drag him out of the twins shop.
The last gift he needed to buy was for Ginny. That would be very hard on him, his brain telling him to let her go while his heart was holding on for dear life. After much thought, he picked out a gold pendent with a very fine gold chain. The pendent was oval shaped, with a large emerald mounted in the center. On the back he had inscribed 'My dearest Ginevra. I am so sorry'.
Harry made arrangements to have all the gifts delivered to the Burrow a few days before Christmas. When he returned to Hogwarts, he composed a letter to Ginny, explaining why he wasn't going to be at the Burrow for Christmas, then threw it into the fire. He just could not think of anything to say that didn't sound sappy. So he decided to write a note to Mrs. Weasley instead. He simply stated that he was going to America for the holidays, an that he would be back before school started. He asked if he might visit them at that time, and that he would owl her when he was back at his flat in London. He decided to wait and send the note the day he was going to leave.
Harry then made his plans for their portkey travel to New York, then on to California. The nearest portkey terminal to his destination was San Diego. They would Apparate from there to the Blackburn's vacation residence.
As Harry readied himself for bed that evening, he stood in front of his mirror in the loo. "Do I really want to do this?" he asked his reflection.
His inner soul answered via the mirror, "Do you love her Harry?"
"Yes," he admitted. "I really do. But she has destroyed any hope I've had, any chance to be with her."
Harry wiped the fog off the mirror. "Don't hide on me." he chided. "So what do I do?"
"Get over her Harry," his inner soul replied. "Go to California, have a good time with the girls. Force yourself to push her to the back of your mind. She is hurting you Harry. She doesn't love you. Get over her. It's for your own peace of mind."
End chapter two
