November 8, 2024
The British Quidditch Museums Annual Donor's Breakfast
Private Dining Room
Leaky Cauldron
10am
"Shit… is this thing on?" An old balding man tapped his recording device.
"Don't swear were in the presence of important people… just get the bloody thing working," hissed a younger man with blonde bouncy hair.
"Fucking a," the man shouted when red sparkles flew out of the device
"Shh!" the blonde man hit him on the arm, "what did I just say about swearing… Anyway Mrs. Potter," the man said addressing the woman who stood a few feet away. "Ken Doran from WWN The Beat, thanks for letting us spend the day with you," he shook Ginny's hand.
Ginny smiled, "Happy to do it"
"Great this is my technician Bob and as soon as he's ready we'll get started with an introduction and then you just go on about your day and pretend we're not here," he explained.
The British Quidditch Museum was holding its annual donor's breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in the private dining room reserve for meals of the Inn's guest. It was a room full of dark wood and a grand fireplace. It was usually filled with round tables and had a wall of windows that peered out onto the street at the unsuspecting muggles.
Since Hannah Abbott Longbottom took ownership of the establishment she purchased a mop and hired someone who actually knows how to cook and allowed space for boarders to relax privately, while keeping the pub tradition alive in the main area. The place was looking better than ever and people actually held small events there.
Today the small tables were gone and replaced by one long table. The room was filled with the bright sun coming through the windows and fresh flowers to welcome the Board of the Quidditch Museum.
"Ken I'm ready…"
"Great," Ken cleared his throat and put on his radio voice, "Good morning Britain I have a surprise for you we're spending the day with none other than the Gingered beauty, the Harpies legend, the chosen one's girl, the first lady herself the Minister's Wife Ginevra Potter! Thank you Mrs. Potter for allowing us this opportunity…"
"Not a problem, this is my first big day in my new role perhaps I'll be less nervous with company," she answered merrily
"I'm glad me and my listeners could be of service. So we're here at the famed Leaky Cauldron, what's going on?"
"We're just about to sit down for breakfast with the Board of the British Quidditch Museum," she looked at her watch, "it's about that time so if you'll excuse me"
Ginny took a seat at the head of the long table, the chairman sat to her right. Ken and his tech guy stood in the corner eagerly recording what was happening. She didn't really like the idea of being followed around although she was a bit amused at how excited people could get over a breakfast, one that she knew would be boring to the innocent bystander.
The Chairman used his knife to clang his glass, to get everyone's attention as he stood.
"Good morning I just want to welcome everyone to our annual donor's breakfast before I turn the floor over to our guest of honor. It's always an extreme pleasure to have you all here to thank you for the contributions you have made to keep our countries sports legacy alive," everyone applauded, "now without further a due someone much softer on the eyes, the Minister's Wife Ginevra Potter," they all applauded once again as the chairman sat and Ginny stood.
"Thank you so much, I'm always thrilled to get involved with a cause that empowers our community and encourages history. This project is so close to my heart given my relationship with Quidditch. I just want to thank you all for including me on this project, so let's discuss the new Women in Quidditch Wing."
12pm
Gilda's Preparatory School
Flying lesson
"Hi everyone," Ginny smiled as she stood in front of the student body at Gilda's Prep all the students looking up at her expectantly, in her athletic gear. They were all bundled up on the half frozen school lawns excited to get a flying lesson from former seeker of the Holyhead Harpies.
"The vibe here at Glida's Prep is one of excitement," Ken cheered into his microphone. "Who can blame these young Witches and Wizards I too can't wait for the former Harpie take flight!"
"How many of you have ever been flying," only a few children raised their hands, "okay so not that many of you. Today we're going to keep things basic and with the help of the Cleansweep broom company we're going to get everyone off the ground." The people from Cleansweep began distributing brooms. "Today you're all going to get to test fly the new Rocket the first in their new line, you're each also getting a pair of Quidditch gloves to take home"
2pm
Ministry of Magic
Level One
Minister for Magic and support staff
The Minister's Office
"Are we ready," Willow Wittcomb the photographer asked
The Minister for Magic's office was four walls of floor to ceiling bookshelves, an oversized desk and a high back chair that was more comfortable than it looked plush royal blue sofas and a dark patterned carpet. It was currently buzzing with people getting Harry and Ginny ready for their official portrait.
"Is this really what you're wearing dear," an old woman with a measuring tape draped around her shoulders asked Ginny.
"Yes," she had been running around all morning this was the third time she changed her clothes. She was too tired to deal with someone critiquing her fashion sense and having to find something else to wear. She didn't have much time to worry over that as someone else came over and began powdering her face. She coughed and closed her eyes wishing this would be over.
"This portrait will be around forever," reminded the old woman
"Well then I'll forever be in blue," Ginny answered politely with her eyes still closed waiting for the prodding of her face to stop
"Alright Ginny I need you behind the desk," Willow instructed. "Harry if you could just sit in your chair and Ginny if you stand beside him…" he stepped back and created a frame with his hands and looked through them. "I don't like it the desk is too big… let's try this," he went behind the desk and asked Harry to stand. He moved the chair from behind the desk, in front of the bookshelves. Then had them take their positions once again. "I like this much better"
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter look like the perfect example of British dignity plus they make quite the handsome pair," Ken chirped merrily in the corner to all his listeners. "We're told that Minister Potter is the first to have his official portrait done as a photograph rather than a painting!"
"Are we sure about her hair…"
Ginny sighed as more people rushed around to poke at her…
"Minister," Gail Harry's secretary came hustling into the room. "We have a situation," she said quietly to him, "it involves underage magic, splinching and muggles."
Harry stood to follow her out of the office, "Harry," Ginny called he turned to her, "I have a meeting at three…"
"Yes I know I just have to deal with this it will only take a moment," he said before heading out of his office quickly.
"And the excitement mounts the Minister was just called away urgently, I wonder what for," Ken began to move towards the door
"Ken," he turned to look at Ginny whose hair was still being pulled at. "I don't think so," she said waving him back to his corner.
3:30pm
Diagon Alley
The Daily Prophet Office
Level Three
Sports
"I am so sorry I'm late," Ginny announced getting off the lift on the sports floor at the Daily Prophet. She didn't even remove her coat or take a seat as she joined her reporters at the conference table in the center of the room. She flipped open her notebook, "Alright Joan this weekend I want you at the Puddlemere Game, the coach informs me that they have some tricks up their sleeve and I hope so for their sake or it's out of the tournament for them. Craig I want you to begin to compile world cup team hopefuls, Steven it's off to the broomstick trick competition with you and Jin I want a profile on the resurrection of the comet broomstick company. We've got the Q.U.A.B.B.L.E conference tomorrow attendance is mandatory. Any questions… great if any concerns arise owl me." She closed her notebook
"She means business," Ken and Bob followed Ginny and her security team back onto the lift.
4:30pm
Magical University of Arts and Science
Manchester
The Society for the Support of Squibs Award Dinner
"It's always exciting to present an award to a deserving member of our community," Ginny addressed the room full of Squibs in formal attire. "A scholar of Magical History the recently named head of the History department here at the Magical University of the Arts and Sciences, author of the bestseller 1492, the Ultimate Change in Magic. Devoted family man and proud father of two, ladies and gentlemen I am honored to present the award for Squib of the year to Darrel Shimpley." The room erupted in applause as Darrel joined Ginny onstage to except the award.
After making small talk with the people sitting at her table and posing for photos with guest for the Manchester Gazette, in her fourth outfit of the day, also blue but this time a flowing gown she wiggled into in the back of her speeding car. Ginny couldn't wait to wrap things up with Ken her official narrator for the day. She was to through when he began reporting the order in which she ate her food from her plate.
"This has most certainly been fun," Ken said to all the listeners.
"I had a good time as well…"
"Is there anything you would like to say to our listeners before we part ways?"
"Thank you for tuning in and joining me on my day about town, knowing that all of you were with me made it a bit easier. Thanks to everyone we meant along the way, this is Ginevra Potter signing off."
"And we're clear," said Bob fiddling with is equipment. "Fuck," he said as red sparks flew out again.
"Thank you gentlemen it was a pleasure meeting you," she shook Ken and Bob's hands. "Have a good night."
She climbed into the back of her car with the help of her security to make sure her entire gown was in. Grateful to be rid of Ken and Bob, it was enough she was escorted everywhere by two secretary guards she didn't need a guy with a microphone and peppy voice following her around as well.
She sighed, "Bobby, Knox's," she said leaning into the front of the car, "never let me do that again…"
"Oh such a pity, you never got the chance to follow her around. Perhaps it would help save your show," Rita smirked
"At least I would have the option without having to use the concealment of a bush!"
"You're the one who likes shrubs Tilden you'd feel perfectly at home"
"I like to take care of them not go trampling their roots to capture incriminating photos while dreaming up a story that's miles from the truth…"
"Whatever you say Mrs. Potter," laughed Bobby.
"How many times do I have to tell you guys to call me Ginny? We've been together for over six months since the campaign began."
"Alright Ginny," said Knox, "are we going straight to the Ministry?"
"First stop at the sandwich shop that Harry likes and then to the Ministry," she said repositioning herself back in her seat. She pulled her large leather tote bag she took everywhere onto the seat and grabbed her mail from the morning she had yet to read. As she sorted through the bills she noticed a letter from Hogwarts she opened it pretty much already knowing it had something to do with Lily….
6:30pm
Ministry of Magic
Level one Minister for Magic and support staff the voice on the lift chimed. Ginny and her two security guards stepped off the lift, Ginny waved at the receptionist before she continued back towards Harry's office. She opened the door to his outer office…
"Hi Gail is he available," Ginny asked his secretary, "I brought him dinner," she said holding up a bag"
"Yeah go right on in," she smiled.
Ginny went inside leaving her security in the outer office, "hi darling," she smiled Harry looked up from what he was doing.
"Hey, you look nice" he stood and met her halfway across the room; he leaned down and kissed her. "How was your day?"
"Long, I come baring food. How was yours," she asked handing him the bag and following him back over to his desk and taking a seat in one of the chairs.
"Unfortunately not over," he sighed pulling the sandwich out of the bag. "I'll be home really late… should probably have a bed put in."
She sighed, "I received a letter from McGonagall today."
"What has Lily done now," he asked with his mouth full
"She never reported back to school, Al swears she went inside the building with him," Ginny sighed
Harry put down his sandwich and pushed the call button his desk, Gail came into the room with her note pad at the ready.
"Yes Minister"
"Can you please go down to law enforcement and have them put an APB out for Lily Potter, I want her hauled in. Have her arrested for truancy," Harry said
"Right away sir," she said and left the room
"Do you really think having her arrested is the best idea?"
"Probably not but neither you nor I have the time to search for her disobedient butt," he continued eating.
7:30pm
Women in Medicine Coalition
Induction Dessert
The Tea Room
The room was dimly lit, the only source of light being candles. It was decorated in different shades of Crimson. You would have expected a 19th century Madame to be stretched out across one of the chaise lounges. The sofas were quilted; there was velvet and tassels everywhere. The room was filled with distinguished Witches in medicine and every table surface had a different dessert on it. There were cookies, cakes, and so much chocolate you thought you were in heaven. There were tea stations floating around. There was a baby grand piano in the corner playing itself.
"Oh god I hate these things," said a woman coming up to Ginny searching through her bag distractedly, "do you have a light," she said placing a cigarette between her lips. "Can't even get a stiff drink, do you realize their only serving tea!" She used the candle on the nearby end table to light her cigarette. She stood up straight and looked at who she was talking to for the first time. "Oh shit it's you… you're the one married to Harry Potter"
"Yup and you are," she said extending her hand
"Emma Dobbs," she shook Ginny's hand. "Healer… I can't believe I'm a member of this thing."
"Ah, you're the one being inducted tonight," Ginny said
"Uh huh, something else to pay dues for"
"Ah, Mrs. Potter I see you meant our honoree," said the event chair as she joined the two ladies. "Emma dear I'm sorry but you can't smoke in here" Emma rolled her eyes and walked away, "Mrs. Carrington is right over here," she said leading Ginny across the room
Marcie Carrington was the Deputy Minister's Wife and the least tactful person Ginny knew, she was worst than Ron. She hated attending things with her it always meant she would have to spend loads of time making apologies.
"Good evening Marcie"
"Ah Ginny," she beamed as they traded kisses
"I see you've already begun partaking in the desserts, what's good," she asked looking at all the sweets on Marcie's plate.
"These chocolate truffle things are good but you would think a room full of healers wouldn't encourage indulging in such an unhealthy manner… who's getting inducted tonight anyway," she went on.
"Emma Dobbs"
"Aren't you the one always prepared."
"It was on the invitation Marcie."
"I never read those things, I just have my assistant tell me where to go and when to show up," as if Ginny couldn't tell. "Also I know this is an all female event but isn't this sort of a sexy place to hold this. Candle light, chocolate, and this use to be a speakeasy in the twenties, is this for lesbian healers?"
Ginny looked around and hoped no one could hear her because she had no idea how she would rectify this situation. How would you explain assuming that some of the most brilliant female minds in Britain were lesbians over candles and chocolate?
11:30pm
12 Grimmuald Place
Ginny was comfortable in her PJs and finally alone, well sort of there was the armed night security guard Jim who sat in the entry hall but other than that, she was mostly alone. She really just wanted to go to bed but she was waiting up for Lily, Harry had sent her a message saying that the Law Enforcement Squad (LES) found her. So she was passing the time going over stuff she needed for work tomorrow…
The front door opened and slammed shut, "MUM!" Lily shouted
"I'm down here darling," she called back and Lily came thundering down the stairs
"He had me arrested! They cuffed me and dragged me down to head quarters. Do you realize how embarrassing that is?" She shouted
"Well I wouldn't know I've never been arrested but you have some serious explaining to do." She said sternly
"What I was having a goodtime," laughed Lily
"Wipe that smile off your face and sit down," she hissed, Lily didn't say anything and took a seat. "Where the hell were you?"
"Brixton"
"With who?"
"Alrick …"
"My god Lily he's fifteen years older than you, I've told you I don't want you seeing him."
"But we're just friends…"
"Oh yeah right, you expect to believe that; like you were just friends with that guy from the Wizards Boys, Merlin, and that actor!"
"No I was friends plus with them!"
"Damn it Lily!" Ginny slammed her fist on the table, "Your father and I expect you to conduct yourself…"
"I knew this would come up now that he's Minister I have to be all prim and proper"
"There is no one in this country that would expect you to be prim and proper you sorted that out yourself long ago. It doesn't matter that your father is Minister. You are a child who is expected to be in school and behave. Not gallivanting around London with the lead singer of the Screaming Banshees!" She stood abruptly, "You are fifteen years old a minor and I can have all your friends arrested for rape! How would you like that?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Watch me. From now you will not be boarding at Hogwarts…"
"What!"
"You're lucky you haven't been expelled! Every day I will have security escort you to and from school, to all of your lessons, and you will check in with Headmistress McGonagall before classes and before you come home after class. You are to come right home, if for some reason you must stay after classes then you better owl me for permission. You will be watched round the clock," she crossed her arms.
"For how long"
"Until you prove to me that I can trust you. I don't want to follow you but you're irresponsible Lily. Now if I were you I would head up to bed because you'll have to leave bright and early to make sure you're at class on time," she gathered her papers and went upstairs herself.
Ginny was lying in bed when someone crawled in next to her, "Harry? What time is it?"
"Just about two, did Lily make it home," he asked
"Uh huh," she said rolling over and nestling herself into Harry. "She was angry at you."
"Of course"
"Now she's angry at me."
"What did you do?"
"I'm making her stay. I've arranged to have her escorted to and from school and to every class and to be followed at all times," she yarned
"Sounds good or at least until we know we can trust her," he closed his eyes
"Exactly," she drifted back to sleep.
6am
"Lily! Get up!" Harry shouted opening her bedroom door.
"No," she rolled over and put her pillow over her head.
"Up!" Harry pulled her blanket off her. "Let's go the car will be here in an hour!"
Lily sat up to look at her already dressed father, "this really sucks."
"I know so prove to us you don't need it." Harry went back across the hall to his room to finish getting ready. He disappeared into the closet and began flipping through the tie rack. Ginny came in wrapped in a towel. "Which one of these should I wear? I have my first meeting with the British Confederation today," he said holding up a green tie and red on red striped tie.
"This one," she pulled out his royal blue tie.
"Thanks love," he kissed her on the forehead. "What do you have today," he said leaving her alone in the closet.
"Um… I have a shoot with Witch Weekly at 8 and then I have to go to the office and then I'm attending a conference for Q.U.A.B.B.L.E. which should be over by six so I'll pick up Lily then we'll come to the Ministry and we can go over to James' together."
"We're going to James?" He asked coming back into the closet
"Yeah we promised dinner and preview of his new series. It will probably be about an hour or so then you can go back to work," she said pulling the blouse she decided on over her head
"I forgot but I have to be back at the ministry at nine I'm having a floo chat with Kingsley from New York," he explained
"I'm sure he'll understand," she walked pass him tucking her blouse into her trousers. "Did you hear the shower?"
"Only yours"
Ginny went back across the hall; Lily had curled up in her bed again. "Lily I could have sworn you were told to get up!" Ginny yanked her covers off, she pull Lily's legs off the side of the bed grabbed her arms and pulled her up
"Mum," she whined
"Shower now!" Ginny followed her out of the room and watched her go into the bathroom. "Hurry so you can have some breakfast."
"I've got to go," Harry kissed Ginny running pass her, "Lily have a good day dear," he shouted through the bathroom door, she grunted.
Harry hurried down the stairs, "Good morning Irv," he said to the day guard who was sitting behind a small desk near the door, with a copy of the morning prophet.
"Morning Minister," Harry eyed him as he pulled on his coat, "sorry morning Harry"
"Much better have a good day, "he grabbed his briefcase before heading outside. "Morning boys," he said to his security team that was waiting for him.
"Morning Minster Potter"
"I told you guys to call me Harry," he said sliding into the back of the car.
(Space)
Ginny was still upstairs getting ready when the doorbell rang. There was one thing about having an armed guard in your entry hall you didn't have to get up to answer the door. Plus you could take a few minutes before going to see who it is while they were being searched.
She went down stairs and headed towards the door, "so who was it Irv"
"Just Mark he's in the sitting room"
"Thanks," Ginny said heading through the doors to the sitting room. "Morning"
"Morning Gin," he said standing
"I just have a few things to go over with you," Mark is Ginny's personal assistant
"We can go over them on the way to the Witch Weekly shoot but I need to make sure Lily is ready and get her breakfast," she said as the doorbell rang once again
"Ginny the car's here for Lily," Irv said sticking his head into the sitting room
"We're leaving in five minutes," she hurried from the room, "LILY LETS GO!" she shouted up the stairs before heading down into the kitchen. Ginny was never really one of those women who cooked so the glass of pumpkin juice and the blueberry muffin she wrapped in a napkin would be completely expected of her. She went back upstairs, "LILY GET DOWN HERE NOW!"
Lily came downstairs she looked as if she was still asleep her hair was wet, she miss buttoned her shirt, and her Gryffindor tie was hanging undone around her neck. "You look terrible and you can't go outside with a wet head," Ginny handed her the juice and the muffin. She magically dried Lily's hair and fixed her buttons as she downed the juice. She draped Lily's coat around her shoulders and placed her bag on her shoulder. Put on her own coat on and grabbed her stuff and pushed Lily towards the door who was drifting back off to sleep where she stood.
"Straight home after your last lesson," she said as they went outside
"But I have to pack up my stuff"
"Do it during lunch… oh and have a good day darling" she waved as Lily got into the second car.
She got into the back of her own car, "okay so what's going on Mark"
"You got a thank you letter for Ken Doran," he handed her a card. "Also you need to decide what your platform will be while Harry's in office. We need to prepare for the international tour coming up in two weeks…"
"Oh by the way I got the okay for you to come with me"
"Okay and it would be best if you already had your platform. Also the Tattler would like a quote on Lily's arrest and Teen Witch would like to put her on the cover."
"No and no," Ginny said as the car slowed down, "the last thing she needs is to be glorified on the cover of a magazine when she's an adult she can decide whether she'd like to be exploited or not." She looked out the window at the dingy alley, at the end of was a brick wall but if you walked through it, it became spinning doors into an expensive hotel called the Seymour Inn that was a favorite for dignitaries and high profile guest that visited London.
This morning the alley was full of reporters who without a doubt wanted to know about Lily's arrest. She felt bad for the young girl standing nearest the wall who was probably an assistant waiting to escort her to the shoot. She looked overwhelmed and as if she was going to cry. "Shit," Ginny said digging through her bag for her sunglasses. "I really should organize this thing better. Then maybe I could find a pair of sunglasses."
"Here take mine," Knox said reaching into the back seat
"Thank you"
"Are you ready," he said turning off the car engine.
She put on the glasses and turned to Mark, "how do I look?"
"You really should have combed your hair"
She sighed, "Alright let's go" Knox and Bobby climbed out of the car first. She waited until the door was opened for her, she climbed out and the cameras began flashing and the questions started…
"MRS. POTTER WHY WAS LILY ARRESTED!"
"HAS HER PARTYING GONE TOO FAR"
"WHAT WERE THE TERMS OF HER RELEASE"
Ginny kept her head held high as she ignored them and with the help of her team pushed through the mob.
"Mrs. Potter," the young girl Ginny noticed earlier tried to get her attention.
"Just come inside dear," she said before she disappeared through the wall. "I'm so sorry about all of that," Ginny said when they were in the lobby.
"It's alright, it's quite exciting actually," she blushed nervously. "Anyway I'm just supposed to escort you up to the suite."
"Okay," she said following her to the lifts, "by the way I'm Ginny," she extended her hand. "That's my assistant Mark, the suits are my entourage."
"Where are my manners I'm Courtney, I'm a bit flustered it's such an honor to meet you. You are the greatest role model for women ever. Shaping your own career and keeping it although now you're like the face of our country because of what your husband's doing. Plus you're like old and have a bunch of kids and still look great…" the doors to the lift closed
8am
The Seymour Inn: Presidential Suite
Witch Weekly Cover Shoot
Ginny was having a mimosa while her hair was in big rollers. She was holding her glass with her right hand while her left was being manicured. There was only one good thing about having a photo shoot this early in the morning. Someone else did her hair and makeup but given the media frenzy she already encountered this wasn't the best idea. She was feeling relaxed the people were friendly and Mark was walking around in a feather boa and chandelier earrings he borrowed from wardrobe, and she was being photographed by Willow again. So all and all she was having a good time.
"This is supposed to be the new hot color," the manicurist said
"But its nude," Ginny laughed
"Ooo do me next," cheered Mark
"All the fashion magazines are pushing it," she shrugged
"This is the only time I ever get my nails done, I've always been so bad about it," she said looking at her nails.
"I do nails and I rarely do mine, next they want you to get into wardrobe and then back over here to finish your hair. Mark hop in the chair I'll do your nails."
Ginny got up so Mark could sit down and went over to the man who was sorting through the racks of clothing. "So what do you want to wear love?" he asked
"Whatever you want just nothing to revealing last week I became prim and proper," they both laughed. "My children always think I have terrible taste…"
"My daughter likes to help me pick out shoes"
"How old is she?"
"Six, I have a photo want to see"
"Yeah" He pulled out his wallet when he opened it a really long protective sleeve unrolled to the floor. "Oh god you've got so many," Ginny said looking at the small black girl moving throughout the photos in pink taffeta.
"I may have gotten carried away"
"She's adorable, I'm the same way, my oldest is getting ready to turn twenty and I still carry photos of him around… recent ones."
Noon
Diagon Alley
The Daily Prophet Office
Level Three
Sports
"Do we really have to go to this?"
"Of course we do… Pass the Moo Shu Pork," said Steven with his mouth full. He was a freckled man with blue hair.
"I hate this time of year, when it's time for the Q.U.A.B.B.L.E conference, it's long and boring," said Joan she was tall and slender with a black bob. She teaches community dance on the weekends.
"Just think you can count how many Quidditch players fall asleep, then later on, when they break the union rules and pretend they didn't know, we can print how they were in attendance when the rules were announced," said Craig, he has a big mouth.
The Quidditch Union for the Administration and Betterment of the British League and its Endeavor better known as Q.U.A.B.B.L.E was an annual trip for all the reporters in the department. One that Ginny had to make when she played Quidditch as well but they do it every year and every year they complain. But today they were complaining over lunch. These were her senior reporters her crack team, she trusted them to run the department when she wasn't around except for when they had to attend this conference she knew they would have to be supervised or they would find something better to do.
"Why do we all have to go," asked Jin, "Steven is the senior Quidditch reporter let him go"
"Just toss me in front of the Knight Bus why don't you!"
"Because it's one of the major events pertaining to sports that happens each year and I think it is so important for all of us to be well versed in all aspects of the world of sports," explained Ginny, "that and Barnabas said we have to" "He's getting kind of old perhaps he's senile…" said Jin "is there even orange in orange chicken?" "Aren't you Chinese?" Asked Joan "No I'm Korean and yes there is a difference." "He's not senile he's one of the greatest minds in publishing we should be honored to work under him," stated Craig. "No matter how much you praise him you still have to go," chuckled Ginny "It was worth a shot" "So does this mean when I cover the Gobstone coalition in the spring," began Joan, "that everyone has to attend as well? You know to be well versed in sports." They all looked a Ginny, "Barnabas Cuffe doesn't like Gobstones" "Oh he's bias about sports," said Joan "Well of course," said Steven "Quidditch is the number one capitalistic force in the wizarding world. It lines pockets through tickets, paraphernalia, brooms, and publications. Most people don't even read the rest of the Daily Prophet, sports and funnies, that's it. Quidditch Daily is the number one selling magazine. So imagine why Barnabas Cuffe editor and chief of The Daily Prophet wants us to attend events about Quidditch rather than Gobstone?"6pm 12 Grimmuald Place
Ginny sat quietly in the back of the car outside of her house waiting for Lily to join her so they could go pick up Harry. She had become quite good at pretending to be patient but if Lily didn't hurry up she was going to go into the house and drag her out. Not necessarily because she was misbehaving at this exact moment but because when she sat still for too long sometimes she felt ready to pop. The door opened and Lily climbed in…
"How was school?"
"Oh just swell, the girls in my dorm were a bit disappointed they weren't given warning of my departure. They didn't have time to throw a going away party," she crossed her arms
"Then perhaps you should have returned to school as you were instructed"
"I did… I just left again"
"That's not funny"
"I wasn't trying to be"
They rode the rest of the way in silence. The car was zipping through the streets of London and weaving through the rush hour traffic. The car disappeared under an under pass and as the other cars came out the other end the black Mercedes didn't reappeared. It did however show up in an underground parking lot. There were other cars, a couple of double deck buses, and carriages parked in neat rows. The car came to halt in front of two lift doors. It was the garage for the Ministry. It was beneath the muggles but on top of the Ministry. The lift was direct entry from the Ministry of Magic itself. Department of Magical Transportation Garage chimed the voice in lift as the doors opened and Harry appeared.
"How are my girls?" Harry asked climbing into the backseat, he looked at the scowling faces of his wife and daughter, "that good huh."
(Space)
There was a knock on James' door. When he pulled it open he had expected to see his mother and father. But not, "what did you do now Lil," he smirked
"Shut up," she said pushing pass him
"Hello darling," Ginny kissed.
"Hi Dad," he said hugging his father.
James lived in the corner apartment. It was shaped like an L it was only one room, the only other room being the bathroom. It had a kitchen at one end and a table for two absentmindedly positioned in the general area. Then from that point until you reach his futon at the other end is where he painted. The floors were splattered with paint, the canvases leaning against the wall were at least five deep and there was a shelf full of brushes and tubes of paint.
"I'm hungry what are we eating," Lily demanded not wanting to be there.
"I cooked, what do you think we're eating," James spat at his sister.
"Pasta… I call a chair this time," she said claiming her seat at the table, "I refuse to sit on a paint bucket again."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "I want to see the paintings," she said excitedly taking off her coat.
"Sure just let me take your coats," he said reaching for his mothers. He took Harry's as well. "Lily?"
"Oh no thank you I plan on peacing out when Dad does"
"I have a floo chat at nine," he explained, "You're not going anywhere young lady until your mother's ready to leave."
"How long are we going to be here?"
"I hope you brought your homework… now let me see."
After he placed their coats on his futon, he removed a blank canvas from against the wall and pulled another from behind it that was covered in paint and placed it on the easel in the center of the room.
"Oh my god," Ginny and Harry said at the same time
"That bad, there are four more it's a series," James said nervously
"No it's wonderful," said Ginny moving closer. It was a grey paradise with bits of light on a typical England morning. The way the oils allowed the layers of colors to shine through, they appeared to be dancing across the canvas. Magically speaking they might really have been dancing but in the case of James no magic necessary. "I often wonder where you got this gift from because I can't draw stick figures and your father can barely doodle and his handwriting is just barely legible."
"My penmanship is not that bad," smiled Harry, "perhaps one of the Potter's were artistic"
"I think he just used magic," Lily said looking through a magazine she had pulled from her bag.
"Every single last piece of my work is hand done by me," James said defensively
"Uh huh whatever," Lily turned the page. "But everyone can paint if you do it by number"
"How dare you!" James said heatedly
"Don't listen to her," said Ginny trying to calm down James, "she's just upset because she's being punished."
"Give me that," Harry said taking her magazine and sitting at the table next to her, "what have you got in that bag that's educational?"
"Let's see the rest of them dear," Ginny said turning her attention back to James.
He reluctantly set up the rest of the series around the room for his parents to look at although only his mother did. He watched her carefully as she took in every detail of his paintings. He always liked how consumed she got in his work. It made all the hours seem worth it. It was one of the few times in the past six months he noticed her not uncomfortable. Her hair was down falling out of curls, she was wearing a simple blouse and trouser as if not trying to impress anyone. He knew automatically that she had been at work, her own job…
"Would you like a glass of wine?" He asked his mother
"Yes thank you," she said only breaking her eyes away from the afternoon portion of the series for a moment.
He went over to the kitchen and uncorked the bottle and poured a couple of glasses. He placed one down in front of his father on his way back over to Ginny. She took it and he went to put the finishing touches on dinner.
He watched his father out of the corner of his eye as he chopped cucumbers for the salad. He made Lily get out her homework and instead of watching her do it. He was going over a long scroll that was stretched halfway across the floor. Lily tried to reach for the glass of wine but without looking up Harry pushed it over a bit out of her reach. James would be kidding himself if thought his father wasn't busy but he wondered if he ever stopped to notice Ginny. They have been married for twenty two years and your life becomes routine but shouldn't you notice when the routine breaks and someone clearly isn't happy?
"I heard you on the wireless yesterday," said James as they all sat around the table he and his father sat on paint buckets so his mother and sister could have chairs.
"Oh god," Ginny laughed, "I don't know why I let them do that"
"It was interesting…"
"You mean it was boring," corrected Lily
"Perhaps a bit," admitted James
"You were listening," Ginny looked at Lily skeptically
"It was on in this pub I was in about the time when you were barking out orders at the prophet," said Lily pushing the pasta around on her plate, "you really should learn to make something else. I've had my quota of carbohydrates for the day."
"At the pub in the afternoon, this whole you on punishment thing is starting to make sense."
"You should stay in touch with your wizard roots I was on the cover of the paper this morning," she said proudly, "Dad had me arrested and my stock has sky rocketed"
"Arrested?"
"She was not arrested simply returned to your father by the force of the LES," explained Ginny.
"Randal wanted me to ask you if Marcie was well behaved last night," said Harry absentmindedly still reading over the same scroll that seemed to be getting longer.
"Other than assuming everyone was a lesbian she was alright… so when are you going to exhibit your paintings," Ginny said changing the subject.
"I'm not sure yet I actually got a little muggle gallery interested someone's coming by next week to look at my work," he explained
"Oh that's great"
"Oh just peachy," Lily said wishing the pleasantries would end. It was enough she was being watched she didn't understand why she had to be exposed to such torture as well. "May I have some wine?"
"No," snapped Ginny, "Why do you always have to be so negative"
"It's not my fault he's some deadbeat painter," she shot back
"I'm not a deadbeat!"
"I wish you would have some direction like your brother!"
"Oh yeah so I can live in one room and spend countless hours painting," she rolled his eyes
"He may be in one room but he supports himself while doing something he loves! Now if you're not going to eat take your homework to the other side of the room and finish it!" Ginny hissed
Lily pushed her chair away from the table forcefully it made loud scrapping noise as it moved along the floor, "What just happened," asked Harry looking up from his work.
"Nothing," sighed Ginny
"A Day in the Life in Ginevra"