Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter; it all belongs to J. K. Rowling
Chapter 3: You've got to be firm with him
"Ginny dear, you're late," Molly said to her daughter with a disapproving look. Ginny stepped into the kitchen and placed a kiss on her mother's cheek.
"I know, I'm sorry mum I'm just so tired with working so much," she half lied, half admitted.
"Well soon you'll only be working one job, you've looked so pale and tired lately you've really had me worried," Molly sighed.
"I'm fine mum, is every one here?" Ginny asked feeling a change of subject was needed.
"Yes there all out in the garden, well everyone except for Harry. James and Lily mentioned that he didn't go home last night, they presumed he'd gone out drinking after the 3 broomsticks and ended up at some girl's house." Ginny flinched slightly at her mothers words, if only she knew. Well at least she had discovered that everyone seemed to be interested or talking about Harry's love life. Ginny realised her mother was watching her very closely.
"Well Harry's old and big enough to make his own decisions mum," she said avoiding her mother's gaze.
"Yes but he keeps making the wrong decisions Ginny and appears you do too," Ginny's head snapped up to look at her mother. "He's using you Ginny and don't you dare stand there and try to defend him," Molly added.
"I'm not going to try and defend him…" Ginny cut off suddenly as Harry entered the kitchen.
"Harry dear, so glad you could make it," Molly said all trace of her disapproving tone gone.
"Thanks for inviting me Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, carefully avoiding Ginny's gaze.
'God we must look so obvious.' Ginny thought.
"Now Harry you've known me long enough to know that you call me Molly."
"Well thanks Molly for the invite, oh these are for you," Harry said holding out a bunch of pink roses to Molly.
"Oh Harry dear you shouldn't have," Molly beamed.
"Kiss arse," Ginny mouthed to Harry as her mother went to put the Roses in some water. Harry chose to ignore Ginny's comment and instead looked out of the window.
"Well why don't the two of you go outside and show your faces. Dinner won't be much longer," Molly said.
"You don't need any help?" Ginny asked.
"No it's fine, of you go," Molly said as she practically pushed them out the door leading to the garden. It appeared they were definitely the last to arrive as the garden was full of people. They slowly walked over to Ron and Hermione, both fully aware of many sets of eyes on them.
"How on earth is your mum going to serve a dinner up for all of these people?" Harry asked.
"She'll do it, she's probably been up since the crack of dawn preparing it all," Ginny replied. "I think your parents guessed you were at mine last night, they mentioned it to mum that you didn't go home and then mum began to lecture me about you," she explained.
"Great, so there definitely all going to be watching us with a beady eye," Harry moaned.
"Where have the both of you been?" Hermione asked as they finally approached them.
"I had a lie in," Ginny said.
"And I too had a lie in," Harry replied. Hermione gave them a knowing look before turning to look at Ron.
"Well do you think you should inform the best man that you have a suit fitting on Friday," she said bossily,
"I was just about to mention it," Ron said with a roll of his eyes, he turned to look at Harry who was smirking at him. "We have a suit fitting on Friday mate, but you already knew that seen as Miss stress head here just told you."
"Yes that's right Ronald I am stressing, you do realise we only have just over 2 months before the wedding," Hermione snapped.
"She suddenly realised this morning that we don't have long left," Ron whispered dramatically to Harry and Ginny.
"Hermione don't stress, I told you that I'll help out in anyway that I can," Ginny smiled.
"Yes well I did ask you to do something for me yesterday but clearly you haven't done that yet," Hermione said rounding on Ginny.
"Hermione what are you going on about?" Ron asked whilst shaking his head and looking at Harry, "She's really stressed because she started her period…"
"Ron if you dare utter another word then so help me god I will take my wand and shove it up your…"
"Where's Ginny gone?" Harry asked suddenly. Hermione stopped talking and looked around; there was no sign of Ginny anywhere.
"Maybe she decided to mingle?" Ron wondered.
"Hermione what did you mean when you just said that you asked her to do something but clearly she hadn't?" Harry asked.
"Oh…er it's nothing," she blushed furiously.
"Well what ever it was Hermione it's clearly upset her, it's not like Ginny to let anyone snap at her and get away with it without an explanation," Harry commented.
"Maybe she just decided to go and have a chat with someone else," Hermione offered still blushing.
"Well she's not over there talking with your brothers Ron and she's not with my parents," Harry said as he looked around.
"And she's not with any of the order or professors," Ron added.
"Look can we just change the subject?" Hermione asked.
"Sounds like something's up to me," Ron said under his breath. Harry nodded slowly still searching the small groups of people for Ginny.
"Okay well if you all want to get seated, lunch will be around 5 minutes," Molly said before returning to the kitchen. The three of them walked over to the extremely long table and seated themselves near the end; close to the rest of the Weasley's. After everyone was settled Harry looked up and down the table for Ginny, but still she was no where to be seen.
"Maybe she went in to help mum?" Ron said.
"Yeah maybe," Harry replied, but clearly she hadn't as Molly emerged from the kitchen alone. Hermione was beginning to look very panicked and worried.
"Where is she?" she kept mumbling under her breath. After Molly had placed all of the many dishes on the table everyone began to help themselves to her fabulous cooking.
"Where's Ginny?" Fred asked suddenly and a little louder than he had intended.
"Yeah where's Ginny?" George echoed causing more people to look and ask.
"She said she wasn't feeling to well so she nipped upstairs to the loo," Hermione lied.
"Well that doesn't surprise me, she's working herself too hard," Molly said waspishly.
"Now Molly don't badger her about working too much again when she comes down for her lunch," Arthur said.
"I'll badger her all I want Arthur, she's working herself ragged. She'll make herself ill," Molly replied.
"Sometimes Molly we work so hard to hide ourselves away from reality." Dumbledore commented.
"Well whatever it is she's hiding from she can't hide forever," Molly said looking up at her daughter's old bedroom window and catching Ginny's eye.
Ginny looked down at all the people she loved and cared about the most in the world and sighed heavily. Never before had she been judged by so many people for her actions. She knew she was being used by Harry but never put an end to it because she had convinced herself they would eventually end up with one another. But that was some time ago now and still they were no closer to being a couple. Would she allow herself to be judged and taunted by these people any longer or would she bury her head in the sand and try to ignore it
"Your idea of happiness Ginny is someone else's idea of hell," she said to herself as a stray tear fell down her cheek. "No more Harry," she breathed whilst looking at him. But something's are just easier said then done.
"Where did you get off to?" Harry asked Ginny as they helped Ron and Hermione clear the table.
"I just went for a walk to clear my head, I was feeling quite dizzy so I went to get some space," Ginny lied.
"Well we were really worried about you Ginny, you just disappeared like you'd fell of the face of the earth," Hermione said.
"Well like I say I went to clear my head and get some space," Ginny repeated patiently. Both Ron and Hermione didn't look convinced as they walked to the kitchen with some plates.
"You know I think this has something to do with what Hermione said," Harry remarked quietly as he and Ginny started to head towards the kitchen too.
"Oh really, well what makes you think that?" Ginny asked.
"Just the way she snapped at you, then all of a sudden you were no where to be seen," Harry replied. Ginny nodded before replying,
"Well yes what she did say upset me but not enough to make me hide away."
"So what did it mean, you know what Hermione said?" Harry asked whilst looking at her through the corners of his eyes.
"I'd rather not say Harry," she answered coolly.
"Okay…so anyway are we still on for going out and getting some serious drinking done this afternoon?" Harry asked finally looking at her.
"Er about that Harry, I don't think it's a good idea," she replied avoiding his gaze.
"What. Why?" he asked.
"Well this little thing where we've agreed no more sleeping together, its plainly clear that as soon as were drunk enough to forget any of our actions we'll end up back at my flat and in my bed," she said finally looking at him.
"Right so you really think that much of yourself that you think I'm going to fall into bed with you every time I see you. God Ginny get your head out of your arse," Harry snapped. They were standing still facing each other now only inches away from Sirius and Lupin over hearing them.
"What do you mean get my head out of my arse? And no Harry I don't really think that much of myself but I do know you and how mardy you get when you don't get your own way. God forbid you've had a drink because then there's no reasoning with you," she retorted.
"You know if you're going to start moaning again about how we can only be friends then I'm going," he said through narrowed eyes.
"That's right Harry, deny the fact that you were agreeing with me this morning that this has to stop," Ginny said angrily.
"You know I don't know how or why I put up with your constant nagging and whining?" he half laughed.
"Well then don't. You don't have to put with me Harry, if you're that fed up with me nagging or whining then PISS OFF," Ginny shouted before taking the plates that were in her arms and slamming them on top of Harry's pile. She ignored Sirius and Lupin's stares and stalked off down the garden, apparating before anyone could stop her.
"Man she's annoying," Harry yelled to no one in particular before going into the kitchen and slamming the plates down with so much force that it made both Hermione and Molly to jump.
"Ginny…GINNY," she turned at the sound of her name being shouted and was met by Lily.
"Hi Ginny how are you?" Lily asked as they stood in the middle of the very busy Diagon Alley.
"Good thank you Lily and yourself?" Ginny asked.
"Fine thank you. Are you on your dinner?" Lily asked.
"No I've just finished work for the day and decided to pop in and see my lovely brothers," Ginny grinned at the ever delightful bright display in Fred and George's joke shop.
"Oh I see, well do you fancy getting a coffee first? I've been out shopping for Harry's birthday most of the afternoon and could do with a sit down," Lily smiled.
"Sure," Ginny answered before they set off up towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"So still busy with work?" Lily enquired.
"Yes very, it's nice to get an early finish for a change," Ginny replied.
"I saw your mother on Thursday and she commented on how you're working too much," Lily said with a smile.
"Well you know my mother, she's not happy unless she's worrying over one of her children," Ginny grimaced. They walked through the door to the Leaky Cauldron and seated themselves towards the back. After Tom had come and taken their order Lily spoke again.
"You mother also mentioned that you apologised for the way you just suddenly disappeared on Sunday."
"Yes I did, your son and I had a few choice words and I decided to leave before things got worse," Ginny explained.
"It doesn't surprise me that Harry managed to upset you, he seems to be doing that to a lot of people lately," Lily sighed.
"Are you okay Lily?" Ginny asked with a concerned frown.
"Oh yes fine, just concerned for Harry and if I'm honest you too. Harry seems to be lost right now; no one is able to pull him out of this rut he's stuck in. I also don't think it's very fair the way he's been treating you and I've told Harry this, but of course he always goes on the defenses when you're mentioned," Lily admitted.
"You don't have to worry about me Lily, Harry's barks worse then his bite," Ginny smiled warmly as Tom placed their drinks down on the table.
"You know I don't know what it is about you Ginny Weasley but you really have a hold over our son," Lily smiled. "Although he treats you the way he does he'd never let anyone else hurt you. Whenever you're mentioned he always rises to the bait and defends he has any feelings for you. I'd even go as far to say that he's very much in love with you." Ginny nearly choked on the coffee she had just sipped and looked at Lily as if she had gone mad.
"Not to be rude Lily but I very much doubt that Harry is in love with me," Ginny replied.
"Oh well I happen to disagree with you there Ginny, I think it's quite obvious that Harry is in love with you," Lily said with a smirk. Ginny sat there letting Lily's words sink in for a couple of minutes.
"Anyway I'm sure you don't want to talk…"
"Does Harry talk about me to yourself and James?" Ginny suddenly asked.
"No he doesn't, like I say it is normally us who bring you up in conversation," Lily answered.
"Do you know why were not talking this time?" Ginny wondered. Lily blushed before speaking,
"Yes Ginny your mother told me, but I assure you I haven't told anyone else but James."
"You know sometimes I wonder why I bother trying to be friends with Harry." Ginny said.
"Well there must be something that makes you want to be friends with him, or something that lets you just allow him to sleep with whenever you want," Lily added wearily.
"Oh come on Lily you know why I let him do all those things, I think everyone knows why apart from Harry…actually scrap that last part he does know why and that's why he takes advantage of it," Ginny sighed.
"Well at least your starting to be a little bit more firmer with him, that's why he's mad with you because you stood up to him," Lily explained with a smirk.
"You know there was a time when Harry would have done anything for me, but those days are well gone," Ginny smiled sadly. Lily took a sip of her coffee and watched Ginny closely.
"Why don't you ever date other men Ginny? I mean maybe if Harry thought there was a chance some other man could give you everything you want and whisk you away he might actually admit his feelings for you," Lily advised. Ginny laughed lightly.
"Lily Potter are you giving me tips in how to seduce your son?" she asked still laughing.
"No I'm just saying show Harry that you can see and date other men and not care about him, believe me he'll soon come running," Lily said with a wink. Ginny laughed some more but had to admit Lily Potter had given her something to think about.
So here's the next chapter, hope you like? xx