A MIDDLE, BEGINNING AND THE END.
CHAPTER 2
An hour had passed since Ginny met Michael. In that time she had found out that he was 37 years old and originally came from Leeds. ''Isn't his accent just delicious'', Hermione gushed in whispered tones. The two were sat in a quiet corner of the garden. The rest of the party were occupied with demolishing the large array of food. Hermione explained to Ginny how they had met through her work at the Edinburgh branch of The Ministry of Magic. Hermione's role was to assist people in reuniting family members that had been separated during the war with Voldemort. Michael was visiting the Ministry on behalf of a client she had been helping, and they just clicked she explained. That was six months ago and they were now practically living together. ''He's smart and caring, and we just get along, you know'' she continued. ''And the sex is bloody great, of course!'' Ginny gave a smile and nodded. After a few seconds she said ''He seems lovely, Herm. I'm guessing marriage and kids are in the post?'' Hermione frowned slightly. ''I dunno. I've never thought of myself as a wife and mother. With him it's uncomplicated. I needed that. After everything that has happened I just needed something easy, you know.'' Her expression remained thoughtful. ''Anyway enough about me! What's happening with you? Anyone managed to nab you yet?'' Ginny hesitated before opening her mouth to reply. Before she could say anything they were interrupted by Ron ''Oi you two! Stop gossiping and come and watch me open my presents''.
The day turned to night in good fashion. By 10pm the brood of young Weasley's had been sent to various make-shift beds, with little intention of following their parents orders to go straight to sleep, needing instead several calls up stairs for them to quieten down. In the living room, Hermione was showing Michael a photo-book of their time at Hogwarts. His hand was on her knee, he gave it a gentle squeeze as he teased her about her bushy hair in one of the photos. ''…Didn't I, Gin. Oi cloth ears! Ain't that right?!'' Ron called to Ginny, who for some reason appeared to be staring at a patch of damp on the living room wall.
She snapped out of her daze ''Huh? Sorry I was miles away. What'd you say?'' Ron made a face of pretend frustration as he said to Harry and Sarah ''Just like old times, Hermione with her head in a book of some kind and Ginny in a world of her own!'' Sarah gave an uncomfortable laugh as Ron continued, ''I was telling Sarah about that time I saved a goal from Viktor Krum.'' She half-heartedly nodded in the direction of Sarah and Harry ''Oh yeah back when I was playing for The Harpies, Viktor came to visit and Ron went full fanboy on him.'' She barely dodged the pillow thrown at her by her older brother, followed by his loud reminder that it was still his birthday and she had to be nice to him.
Ginny used the opportunity and escaped to the kitchen to collect another bottle of wine. Sarah followed her into the room, ''Gin, could I have a quick word?'' she coughed out politely. ''Sure, take a seat and I'll pour us a drink'' Ginny's replied. She went to a cupboard and got out two glasses ''You OK, anything wrong?'' she asked as she returned to the table. 'Look, I feel dreadful for asking but I just have to!'' Sarah blushed. ''Please, go on'' Ginny said reassuringly. Sarah paused for moment ''It's…It's just; I wanted to make sure you didn't have any problem with me. What with your and Harry's history, you know'' She gulped down a large mouthful of wine almost like a full-stop. A snort of laughter erupted from Ginny as she banged her fist on the table. ''Me and Harry?!'', Sarah adjusted in her seat uncomfortably. Seeing her unease, Ginny stopped laughing and reached out for the other woman's hand. ''Oh Sarah, no! Honestly there's nothing between me and Harry apart from friendship, I assure you! We dated for like, 6 months as teenagers and very quickly realised we're better as mates. I'm sorry if I've done anything to make you think otherwise!'' Sarah's cheeks went an embarrassed red again, ''It's…it's not that you did anything but…'' She paused slightly before continuing ''…I couldn't help but notice how distracted you've been today. And with Harry and me getting a bit more serious with our relationship, I had to make sure you were ok with it. I didn't want there to be any issues with us, Gin.''
Ginny gave Sarah's hand a gentle squeeze, ''Of course there're no issues! You and Harry are great together. We all think so. You're adorable, and he is head-over-heels for you, girl.'' Sarah gave a relived smile ''Thank you for that, Gin. That means a great deal to me. So, do you mind me asking what was wrong today? You haven't looked happy at all.'' Pouring more wine into her glass, Ginny sighed, ''Nothing really. No, that's not strictly true. It turns out something I thought I had dealt with, isn't so dealt with after all.'' The sound of laughing came from the living room and echoed around the kitchen, ''Oh Michael, don't tell them that, you bugger!'' Hermione said in a light-hearted yell. Ginny visibly filched and took a large mouthful of wine. Noting this, Sarah said softly ''…Something, or someone?'' Ginny looked up from her glass. ''It goes no further Sarah, please. I don't want to talk about it. Promise me.'' ''Of course, Gin. It stays here'' she said, tapping the kitchen table for effect. ''But if you ever do want to talk, I'll listen'' Ginny gave a nod in acknowledgement as she finished her drink. ''I'm fine, honestly but thanks, you're very kind. I think I just need an early night. I'll be fine tomorrow, just one of those things, you know'' She got up from her chair and gave Sarah a hug, ''I'm sorry I've been a moody cow today, mate. But thank you for listening, Harry's a lucky bloke. Tell the others goodnight for me''. Sarah nodded and gave Ginny an understanding smile as the red-head left the kitchen to go to her bedroom.
Closing the door behind her, Ginny lent back against it, resting her head on the cold wood. Sighing, she looked around her bedroom. Her eyes felt damp, there was a tightening feeling developing in her throat. ''You are not gonna cry, for fucks sake, Gin'' she whispered to herself. Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the door and opened her overnight bag, taking from it a grey pair of shorts and navy blue t-shirt to change into for bed. Sitting down, she began to undress, trying to find a focus point in the room to distract her and regretting not bringing her iPad along so she had something to watch at least. The Blur poster on her wall caught her attention. A memory flashed through her mind; dancing in a crowded, sweaty nightclub in Camden Town. ''She's so high…'' the song played. Bodies moving to the music, drinks being spilt, ''She's so high…''Laughing as hands touched. ''I want to crawl all over her…'' Breaths quickening, lips almost touching…
…Ginny snapped out of her daze. Wiping the moisture away from her eyes, she pulled back the bedsheets and lay down. ''You're a flipping idiot, Weasley'' She thought to herself. Turning on her side, she looked out of the window and watched the gentle flow of clouds passing in front of the moon.
Sleep did not come easy for Ginny that night.
