Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the author J.K Rowling does.
Chapter 2: Starting To Slip
Only a few short seconds after she had left her own home, Ginny reappeared inside of the Burrow. She stood, thoughts racing, in the center of the Weasley family kitchen, where so many events had happened in her lifetime.
"Who does he think he is? What gives him any right to say that to me? 'Maybe I didn't eat right.' How dare he say that it was my fault!"?
Just then her brother George came bustling into the room, carrying a bowl of mashed potatoes. He jumped a little at the sight of Ginny,
"Well hello there, Mrs. Potter. See you've turned up for supper then have you?"
Ginny hated that every time she saw her brother he would mention something about Harry or being married to him. "No, I'm actually here for….George what are you doing?"
George was adding a rather curious looking ingredient to the mashed potatoes, he paused briefly, "It's a new product I'm trying for the shop! Anyone who takes a bite of mashed potatoes turns themselves fluffy!" He smirked, "Granted it's not one of my better ideas, but anyone who eats them will look like a right bloody git now won't he?"
Ginny smiled a little bit, she had missed George's pranks, "I hope your not planning on feeding those to Mum while you're here visiting?"
"Of course I'm not! I'm going to feed them to meself for show!"
"Why would you…?" Ginny decided to drop it and let her brother make a fool by eating his new inventions, "Never mind, where's mum?"
"Well I expect she's in the living room with all the others! You really ought to have yourself a look, remarkable it is!"
Ginny turned her head slightly to look into the living room, she could she the backs of her mother and father, Percy, and also Bill and Fleur. She wondered what they could all be doing back home again, and for a second hoped that nothing had happened. "Go and get a peak already!" George commanded, cantering into the dinning room to place the potatoes on the table.
She stepped cautiously in to the living room and watched everyone staring up at the wall delightedly, "What's everyone looking at?" She said finally.
"Oh Ginny dear!" Mrs.Weasley shrieked pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. "Come now, have a look at what we've just received!"
She steered Ginny by the shoulders through the other family members and brought her face to face with the attraction.
"Fred!" She cried looking tearful.
"Oh come now, get yourself together sis, I've had enough tears for one night." The painting replied.
Ginny turned to her mother, "How did you?"
George walked back in again, hands stuffed into his pockets, "One of our best customers gave him to us. Said he was busy and didn't have time to get us one of Fred, but finally got around to it."
"Gave him enough free stuff over the years to pay for it too." Fred finished.
Fleur began to laugh, "Iz just like old times then, izn't it? Le two brothers still finish their same thoughts." Ginny had noticed how much better her English was getting, finally.
Mrs.Weasley was beaming widely looking up at the portrait of her son. "Remember we were going to get one made, but they are so expensive?" Ginny saw a tear fall from her eye, "And now we can have Fred home with us again, like a real family."
Mr.Weasley stepped over and gave her a warm hug. Percy was the next one to speak, "We ought to have copies made of it, so that Fred can go from place to place anytime he likes. Reckon' you'd like that wouldn't you?"
Fred smiled and nodded. "We could have one in the joke shop! And another one in my house, and another in the dining room!" George rambled excitedly.
From then on it was decided that they would make several copies of Fred's portrait to hang anywhere they pleased and it would be like Fred was still with them all the time. Even though, the person in the painting wasn't really Fred himself, but the likeness of him, his personality captured he it would be just like the real him. It was a great feeling, and Ginny's mood had changed dramatically. Soon everyone was racing into the dining room, George carrying the picture of Fred with him, to start the meal.
"Ginny, are you staying for supper?" Mrs.Weasley asked after reprimanding George to be careful.
Ginny took in a deep breath as the fight between her and Harry flooded back to her, "Actually mum, I need to stay here tonight."
Mrs.Weasley looked very disturbed, "Of course, but whatever for sweetheart?" She asked, looking directly at Ginny.
"Harry and I had a bit of a fight is all, I just needed to get out of the house for awhile."
She could already tell that her mother was staring to get worked up, and was already thinking hard to figure out why they were fighting. She teetered on the brink of speech but was interrupted by shouting coming from the dining room.
"Oi! Mum, where've you gone so quickly, c'mon let's eat already!" Came George's distinct voice.
Obviously nothing had changed, he was still the fun loving brother Ginny had grown up with, and he still didn't know when to be quiet. Mr.Weasley was already telling him to mind his manners while he was home. Mrs.Weasley rushed from her daughter into the other room, "Oh stop it the both of you! It's just like we are a family again! Fred is here, George is just as rude as ever, and everyone else is home safe and sound." Bill eyed his mother and was about to add something, "Of course, Charlie isn't here, and either is Ron, but it's still nice." She finished and took a seat.
Ginny decided to join them all for supper, and had a very enjoyable time. Afterwards, they all went to make copies of Fred's portrait and hang the original in the family room. All the Weasley's clapped and cheered when it was hung. All in all, the night hadn't turned out to be so bad.
Soon, everyone had gone back to their own homes and Ginny was walking the steps to her old bedroom. Somehow she managed to avoid any other questions that her mum had for her, for now at least. She knew that first thing tomorrow morning she would be asking her every detail on why her and Harry were fighting; but hopefully by then she would have calmed down and would be able to seek her mother's advice.
The next morning had soon arrived; the sun was shining brightly above the Burrow. Ginny hadn't gotten much sleep; she was worried about Harry, and what would happen between them. She decided that they had to sit down and have a serious talk, a calm talk too. Ginny threw on her clothes and clamored down the staircase to see Mrs.Weasley having morning tea with the portrait of Fred.
Her eyes widened from over the rim of her cup, "Good morning Ginny." She said softly, and Ginny guessed her father was still asleep.
"Morning mum, morning Fred."
Fred nodded inside his picture frame. Mrs.Weasley pulled the teacup from her lips and patted the seat next to her. "Now Ginny dear, you ought to tell me about you and Harry deary."
Ginny sighed, but stepped forward to talk to her mother. After she had told her everything that had happened between them Mrs.Weasley offered her advice, which was the same that Ginny had given to herself: 'talk to Harry rationally and then decide on how you feel.'
A few hours later, Ginny had joined her parents round the breakfast table and found herself feeling better about talking to Harry again. Shortly after they were finished, and Mr.Weasley left for work, Ginny traveled back to her home.
Harry was sitting in the chair, looking distraught and tired, she stepped closer, "Harry?" she said quietly.
Harry whirled around to face her, "GINNY!" he cried, jumping to his feet to hug her. Ginny hugged him back and then led him to have a seat at their table.
"We've got to work through this, like adults." She told him at last, Harry was too nervous to talk and only gave a small nod. "I'm not ready to try yet Harry. I need time yet. I'm tired of you pressuring me constantly about it, it's only making things worse."
Harry protested, "Ginny if I've ever pressured you, you know that I didn't mean to do it."
"I know, and I understand why you want this so badly, I know how much it would mean to you to be a parent. I'm excited about starting a family too… but it just doesn't feel like the right time."
"What are you talking about? It's the perfect time! I don't have much work, and you aren't working anymore."
"There you go again! That's always your reason! But, it's just not right. I don't understand why you can't just let whatever is supposed to happen, happen. I'm not ready, and trying for a baby seems wrong in some way. I don't know how but it does to me. Can't you respect that?"
"Of course I can! Ginny, I love you very much. I don't want to upset you, but don't you think that what I want matters at all?"
Ginny did not know what to say to this at first, "I know what you want Harry, but I'm not going to drop everything that I believe in just to make you happy!"
"I'm not asking you to!" Harry retorted, "Look, all I'm saying is that you should take into consideration how I feel about it, then make a decision with me. It isn't all up to you to decide this stuff."
She felt a sudden flare of anger rise in her and couldn't help but think that Harry was being a little selfish, then again so was she. "Well what sort of a decision can we make if you want to and I don't?"
Harry shook his head, " I just think we should give my ideas a chance for a change."
"For a change? FOR A CHANGE!" Ginny bellowed. "Everything we do is from your ideas!"
"It most certainly is not!" Harry paused, "Wait. I'm sorry, let's try to talk without yelling… please?"
Ginny knew that he was very right, but now it was too late she had remembered what he said to her last night. "You expect me to calm down after all the things you've said to me! And what was that rubbish last night about 'me not doing something right.'"
"That…that just slipped out. I didn't mean anything by it."
She folded her arms menacingly across her chest. "Right. I'm sure."
There was a long silence, both of them were thinking about what was happening, finally Harry spoke again, " So… what happens now?"
"I don't know."
"Gin, we can get ourselves through this, right?"
Ginny couldn't look at him, the truth was, was that she had no idea if they could or not. They had been going through a rough time for the last few months, and their relationship was indeed loosing its spark. It always seemed to get worse, instead of better.
"I don't know that either."
Harry looked away, stunned by Ginny's words. "I think….I think, I'm going to spend a few more days at the Burrow."
"GINNY! No! You don't have to leave home!"
"Yes Harry, I do. I need time to think about this, because whatever we are doing isn't working."
"It doesn't have to be like this, we can get through this together…" Suddenly Harry was interrupted by a loud
CRACK!
All of a sudden, Ron and Hermione were standing in front of them, all smiles.
"Harry. Ginny. We have news!" Hermione squealed.
"Uh, thanks but, this really isn't the best time right…." Harry said, but was cut short by Ron.
"It won't take long."
Ginny gave Harry a sad look and then forced herself to ask about their news, as calmly and as sweetly as she could.
"Ron and I got back together! To stay!" Hermione yelled happily.
"Oh my goodness!" Ginny yelled, rushing to her feet to give them both a hug in turn. "When did this happen?"
"Just last night actually."
Harry had decided to follow Ginny's lead and patted Ron on the back. "I'm telling you mate, this time around is going to be different. Right Mione'?"
Hermione nodded and leaned in to kiss Ron on the lips. Ginny plastered a fake smile on her face. She was indeed happy for her friends, but wished that they wouldn't have come unannounced.
Harry on the other hand was furious with them. It was happy, but why did they have to come now? Didn't they realize they had their own life and problems to deal with? Suddenly they were expected to drop everything to parade around the two of them. And what was with the kissing? In his house? Had they no clue at all what Ginny and he were going through? They hadn't kissed like that in a very long time.
Finally, Hermione pulled herself from Ron and looked at Harry and Ginny again, "Listen, we were thinking the four of us could go out tonight and have some fun… like old times! Wouldn't that be exciting?"
Harry began to say that they really weren't interested but Ginny said: "Sure, let's go!" And hastened to grab her coat and bag from the chair.
For the rest of the day the four friends went into London and talked and laughed like never before. Except Harry of course, who was busy strewing about his own situation. He couldn't help but think that the tables had completely turned, only a few short years ago, Ginny and Harry were the ones that couldn't keep their hands off of one another. They were the ones that snogged all day and didn't care what anyone thought. Now, it wasn't them at all. It was Ron and Hermione instead. Harry noticed how sickening it must have been for the two of them, it made him very uncomfortable. He wanted more than anything to grab his wife and kiss her the way Ron was kissing Hermione every fifteen seconds, but knew better than to try it.
They went out to eat and Ginny was starting to have a wonderful time, Harry had noticed this and just seeing her happy, made him happy also. Ginny hadn't smiled or laughed like that in nearly three weeks. He was finally beginning to have fun; it was nice to be together with his best friends again. Even though, the awkwardness never subsided when he saw Ron and Hermione kissing and flirting.
It was around ten that night when they finally got home. They said their goodbyes to their friends and went inside their house. Ginny was still laughing at a story Hermione had told her and couldn't help but repeat it back to Harry when they stepped inside.
Harry also laughed, he loved seeing her smile it was nice.
"Ready for bed?" Harry asked her, taking her by the hands.
Ginny, who had still been immersed in fits of laughter stopped abruptly when Harry said this, "No, not tonight." She said, shaking her hands free of his grasp, "Well, I'm going to get back to the Burrow now…"
"You can't tell me your still planning on staying there?!" Harry asked her in a very upset voice.
"Of course I am going to. I can't stay here, not tonight."
"But… but I thought we were having fun…. Out with Ron and Hermione… I thought, I thought you would stay."
Ginny bit her lip, "I'm sorry, I can't." And with that she was gone from their house only a few minutes after she had entered it.
Harry stood there staring, expecting her to come right back. It was nearly ten minutes before he came to the conclusion she really wasn't going to come back. She might never come back to him, and if she did it would never be the same as it was before, when they were first married.
He grew angrier with every passing second; he hated seeing Ron and Hermione so happy when he was so miserable. He didn't understand why Ginny was so intent upon staying away from him. He didn't understand why she wasn't as eager as he was to have a family. And nothing could make him understand why she wouldn't even listen to what he wanted.
What would be next for them? Was it possible for their situation to get worse? In the back of his head Harry knew that things could indeed be worse, but it didn't feel like it. Ginny and he were separated, maybe even permanently. And he still had no work, and no money to pay the many bills lying on top of the counter. He didn't know what he would do if he and Ginny didn't fix things.
He was scared.
A/N: Please review, this chapter is still boring and I am deeply sorry. I hope you are not loosing interest, I need to get a few more things in the next chapter, and then it will move forward and get very intense. Hope that your having some fun reading!