Chapter 4

It was Louis' birthday—his 18th—and despite his protests, Ginny was determined to help him celebrate. She'd invited his friends to Amis Enchantés and made sure they had a good amount of cake and wine.

"This was...great, Ginny. Thank you."

Ginny kissed his heating cheek, making his friends jeer, and left the group with a wink.

"Cute guy," one of the bartenders said, looking over Ginny's shoulder to the group.

"Far too young for me," said Ginny. "And you."

Ines pretended to be offended but laughed, too. "You never date."

"Not true," said Ginny, even if it was mostly true. Romance was just...not on her agenda right now. There had been a few blokes here and there, but no one who could make it past the wall that Ginny had erected long ago. One had tried, rather hard, but Ginny just couldn't bring herself to feel more than a slight affection for him.

"Maybe a younger man would be good for you." Ines bumped her hip against Ginny's but didn't continue as a customer caught her attention looking for a drink refill.

"She's right, Ginny," said Lucas, the manager at the café. "You spend too much time alone."

It might have seemed like a come-on had Ginny not known him for years. He was happily married with a houseful of children at home.

"I'm fine," she protested. "Besides, if I had a boyfriend, you'd complain that I'm never available around here."

Lucas tipped his head in acknowledgment and gave her shoulder a find pat. "One day, Ginny, when you least expect it…"

"Not bloody likely," she muttered as she walked away to check on her other tables.

Louis and his friends stayed until the end of Ginny's shift and insisted on walking her home afterwards, too. It warmed her a little and helped to chase away some of the loneliness and melancholy from the night.

The square just down the street from her flat was busy with loud groups who streamed out of the restaurants and bars on the edges. Ginny looped her arm through Louis' and pretended, just for a few minutes, that they were both different people, maybe even in love, or just good friends who were spending an evening together. It helped and hurt at the same time.

"Can you please…?"

She looked up, tilting her head to see through the people. A man was impeding the flow of bodies, trying to get people to look at the paper he was holding.

Ginny's breath caught in her throat as she took him in. There was no mistaking who he was; Harry's picture had been plastered on every newspaper in Europe just a few years ago.

The darkness of the evening made it hard to see, but she could make out the faint line of his famous scar just under the edge of his hair.

Had he come to find her? Would some member of her family appear from the crowd? The thought made her blood run cold.

"Harry?"

She hated how weak and shaky she sounded. But the fact that Harry's face showed genuine surprise helped calm her a little. He looked completely taken aback and hurried to cover his scar with his hair.

"Hello, Ginny."

Louis tightened his grip on her arm. "Ginny?"

"It's fine," she soothed. "He's an old family friend."

Louis' eyebrows rose as he looked from Ginny to Harry, and then back again. He'd obviously recognized Harry Potter. Thankfully, no one else in the group seemed to have yet.

"Can I help you with something, Harry?"

He blinked at her, his eyes still wide, as if he was trying to take the entire scene in and make sense of it.

"Er…"

"Are you lost?" She slipped her arm out of Louis' and gave him a quick wink, hoping he'd take the hint that she was fine here with Harry. Louis stayed there, however, frozen in confusion and inaction.

"Er, yeah, I suppose I am," said Harry. "I don't mean to be a bother."

It was a bother, of sorts, but the idea made Ginny feel bad. Her past felt like it was looming, encroaching on the world she'd built here in France.

"Not at all. Let me see."

Harry seemed to freeze for a moment and then lurched into motion, shoving the map he'd been looking at toward her. "I...I was looking for this address. Doesn't much matter, though. They're probably closed."

Ginny took a deep breath and hoped her hands weren't shaking too terribly bad. "Let me see."

The address was a boutique she knew well. They were a thrift store specializing in designer clothing. Marie and Ginny had shopped there often, occasionally snatching something too good to pass up.

"I know it. It's only a few blocks away, but...it is closed now." She glanced at her watch "time to be getting home, girl", to see that it had just turned eight. "They close at 6."

"Figures." Harry mussed his hair, his eyes darting toward Louis, who was still watching the exchange with curious eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt your...date."

Ginny sighed and shook her head. "It's not a date. Louis and I work together." She turned to Louis, who was being beckoned by his friends. "I'm really fine, I promise." Speaking in French to him seemed to snap him out of his trance and Louis nodded jerkily.

"Send an owl when you get home."

"I will." She moved forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek, feeling the skin heat there before he finally turned and joined his friends, who were walking away, sending shouts of "Au revoir!" and "merci pour le dîner!" back to Ginny.

When Ginny turned back around, Harry was wearing a strange expression that she couldn't quite place. It was sort of shocking to realize that there was no way for her to be able to read it, because she didn't know Harry at all.

"What brings you to-"

"I'm here for a case," Harry burst out. "I didn't want you to think...well, I didn't come just to find you, or anything."

"Oh."

The moment was beyond awkward, but Ginny couldn't bring herself to walk away. What had happened between them in the Chamber had forged a sort of tie that, no matter the years that had passed, Ginny didn't think she could dismiss completely. She hadn't seen him or even talked to him since the end of that year, but there seemed to be a gulf of things that needed to be said. If only she could bring her mouth to say something. Anything.

"What case?

"Muggle artifacts." Harry stuffed his map into his jacket. "I don't know if you know that I work-"

"With my Dad," Ginny finished. Yeah. I heard that."

Somewhere on the square a lone accordion began to play and Ginny closed her eyes against the intrusion of her present with her past. The two worlds shouldn't exist together and Ginny had tried so hard to make sure they didn't. Occasionally, a brother would show up and muck around with her carefully constructed world, but for the most part, they'd given up on her. Only Charlie kept in regular touch. He was the one she didn't mind visiting because he was less connected with everyone, and he never spoke of the past.

"Oh."

"And the boutique? It's part of your case?"

"One of a dozen," Harry said. "I've been all over Europe, it seems, trying to figure this out."

"Oh."

The music turned to a jovial, upbeat number and several revelers began to sing and dance, swinging each other widely. Ginny tore her eyes away from Harry and tried to find solid ground. She could just walk away. She'd given Harry his information and was under no obligation to stay standing here with him, no matter if he was her brother's best friend or not.

"You look…" He shook his head and the words disappeared between them.

"So do you."

Ginny took another breath, letting it out in a puff of steam. The night was growing colder and there was still a heavy precipitation in the air from the earlier rain.

"I'd better-"

"Can I buy you a drink?"

Ginny wasn't sure what made her ask. It wasn't an idea that was fully formed before it had tumbled from her lips. When Harry hesitated, Ginny swore to herself and tugged her coat closer. "Never mind-"

"I'd like that," he answered, speaking over her. He looked around as the crowd began to thin, streaming out from the square and leaving the music to echo around them.

Ginny nodded her head toward the side, indicating that they should walk that way. Harry fell into line next to her and they walked slowly.

"He's always here," Ginny explained as they passed the musician. "I love to come down here and listen to him play. It's just so...Paris."

"Yeah. I think so, too. I mean, I've only been here today, but..."

"It's charming." Harry made a sound in the back of his throat and Ginny glanced at him. "You don't think so?"

"Maybe under different circumstances," he said. "I've been pretty focused, I guess. But there are parts I've liked. The shops…"

"Oh, I love to just walk and look at the shops. I'd be homeless if I ever spent money in them, but…" Ginny clamped her mouth shut, feeling out of sorts talking to Harry Potter about her shopping addictions.

But Harry just nodded. He seemed intent on studying their surroundings, taking in the ornate statues on the square, the flickering light from the gas lamps that decorated the edges of the walk, and the tulips peeking out from the dark soil of the planters scattered here and there.

"How...how is everyone?"

"They're good."

There was more there, just under the surface, but Ginny was relieved when Harry let it go at that. He seemed to be perceptive of her hesitation, or perhaps the past was just as painful for him, as well. She didn't know. Her mother had once kept her up to date on all of the latest news from the Order of the Phoenix, but Ginny had asked her to stop the year that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had disappeared. She just couldn't handle hearing any more.

"And you? You're doing well?"

"Busy," Harry said. "You?"

"Busy," Ginny agreed.

They kept walking and the silence that should have been awkward seemed to ease into something manageable the more they moved.

"How long are you here?"

"I don't know." Harry tucked his hands behind his back as they walked. With a pang of sadness, Ginny was reminded of Professor Dumbledore and wondered if Harry had copied the action of his mentor subconsciously. "Possibly a few days but maybe longer, depending on what I find."

"Ah."

Ginny realized that the music had faded until she had to strain to hear it. They'd walked right past any of the bars and restaurants and out of the square.

"Oh. Well."

Ginny looked around, seeing a small wine shop that was still open. Harry seemed to have realized their predicament, too, and looked around helplessly.

"Do you mind?" She gestured toward the shop. "They have some really good, inexpensive bottles."

"I don't mind."

They entered the low-lit shop together, perusing the shelves. "I'll leave this up to your expertise," said Harry. "I honestly have no clue. I've had wine once, at a Ministry function." He clamped his lips shut and his forehead creased.

The gulf of years stretched between them again and Ginny turned to the shop owner, explaining what she wanted. He offered several selections and Ginny chose one. She was no expert, but she knew a few things to look for.

Once the wine was paid for and wrapped in a fancy bag, Ginny turned to find Harry watching her closely. She felt awkward and out of step, wondering if this was wise at all.

"Come on. My flat is just a block away."

Harry hesitated, but followed her out of the store and down the sidewalk. "It's a nice neighborhood."

"You should see it on Saturdays," she said. "The entire square is full of people selling everything you can imagine. And the other markets, too. Every vegetable known to man is there. The colors…" She smiled at the memories of hours wasted walking through the stalls, the tart taste of strawberries bursting on her lips when the vendors would offer her a berry from their piles. "The markets are like a rainbow come to life."

"I'd like to see that."

Ginny clasped the bag in front of her, casting about for something else to talk about. Merlin, how was she going to survive having Harry in her flat? She'd never even brought any of her brothers there and here she was inviting a virtual stranger home with her!

"Is there an equivalent to Diagon Alley here?" Harry asked. "I've been so focused on getting through this list for the case that I haven't taken the time to-"

"Oh! Yes! Rue Magique," she said. "It's a beautiful part of town, hidden behind some old buildings. The entrance is something really special. It's in a park that was rumored to be the place where… Merlin, listen to me. You don't need a history lesson." Ginny shook her head. "You'd have brought Hermione with you, if you did."

Harry chuckled. "No, I want to know. I guess I never really thought about it, just assumed that it exists in every large city."

"Most of them," Ginny agreed. "Well, anyway, the park is sort of hidden away in itself. You have to know what you're looking for or you'll walk right past it. There's a statue of Claudine the Conquered, but it's mostly hidden with ivy growth. If you look at her you'll see her wink and the gate will appear to lead you to the Rue."

"Sort of like the Fat Lady," Harry said.

Ginny smiled wistfully. "Claudine was a very feisty and stubborn witch, but she was very rich. She was what they call 'a catch', as far as I understand it, but Claudine had no intention of being caught. She always told people that she'd never marry and that she was rich enough that she didn't need a man."

"When was this?"

"Oh, let's see…" Ginny thought back to the lesson that Monsieur Deniau had given her when she first started at the agency. "Well before William the Conqueror. I can look up the exact date if-"

"Not necessary."

"Well, along came a man who made it well known that he wanted nothing to do with Claudine. Apparently, he was also very rich and handsome. Claudine was quite taken with him but couldn't bring herself to abandon her principles for the sake of Monsieur Plamondon-you know, I'm not sure anyone even remembers his given name at all. Everyone just calls him Monsieur Plamondon." Ginny trailed off, wondering why Harry seemed so interested in her ramblings.

"Well, some time went by, and Plamondon let it slip to a good friend that he was hopelessly in love with Claudine. The friend, as best friends often do, decided that he needed to step in and arrange a marriage. Everyone knew that Claudine was in love with the man."

"Did they ever marry?"

"No."

"Oh."

Ginny smiled. "Plamondon was killed, sadly, before anything was ever finalized. Claudine never married, and never showed interest in another man all the rest of her days. Her story became a sort of myth about love among the magical community. They affectionately named her Claudine the Conquered, and she was immortalized in that sculpture."

"It's sad," Harry said.

Ginny turned to look at him as they continued to walk slowly. "Sad? How? They were in love."

"And nothing came of it," he said. "She ended up alone because of her pride. If she'd given in sooner, maybe they would have had at least a few years together before he… Hang on, how did he die? In some war?"

She laughed. "Thestral races. He had been drinking and stepped out onto the track, or so the legend says."

Harry's face went blank and she could have sworn the edges of his mouth twitched upward into a sort of smile.

"Still. It's sad."

"But it's remembered as a great love story."

"Well, it's not."

Ginny chuckled and motioned toward the building where her flat was. Harry followed her across the street, his hands tucked into his jean's pockets.

"This is it," she said. "Do you...do you still want to come up?" She lifted the bag with the wine it in and Harry nodded.

"We have to be quiet," she said. "Madam Beaulieu goes to bed early. And she'll wake if we spook Lafayette."

Harry nodded, as if he understood all of what she was saying.

"And then Lafayette will climb into some obscure place and she'll end up screaming for me to come and find him for her."

"This sounds like a typical occurrence."

"At least once a week."

"Painful."

They shared a smile and Ginny removed her wand, using it like a key in the lock.

"Magical?"

"Of course," Ginny said. "Not everything magical is located in Rue Magique, Harry. Just like...England, there are witches and wizards who live all over the place." She'd almost slipped and said the word home. But it didn't feel like home any longer. Ginny wasn't sure if any place ever would again.

They went up the stairs as quietly as possible. Ginny unlocked her door and the lights flickered to life with her spell.

"It's nice," said Harry. He hovered in the doorway, as if unsure he would be welcomed in. And, in truth, Ginny wasn't sure why he would be, but she still felt drawn to him in a strange way that she couldn't describe.

"Thanks. It's a work in progress. It was a mess when Marie and I moved in." She moved forward and Harry seemed to take a deep breath before stepping in completely and closing the door behind him.

"Marie? Your-"

"Roommate."

"Oh. Is she…?"

"No clue where she is, honestly." Ginny lit another few candles and clicked the wireless on, turning the station away from her favorites to something that just played in the background. "Is that strange?"

Harry shrugged. "I lived with Ron for two years. Not much seems strange, anymore."

Ginny smiled tightly. "Marie is...what you might call a free spirit."

"Like Luna Lovegood?"

Ginny was startled to hear the name of her childhood friend slip from Harry's mouth. "You know Luna?"

"Of course, I know Luna," Harry said. "She went to Hogwarts." He shifted awkwardly and moved toward the table where Ginny had set the bag. "Can I help open this?"

"Yes." Ginny seized on the excuse to move into the kitchen, away from the warmth of Harry standing right next to her, the woodsy smell of him and the solid presence he held in her home. "I'll just get some glasses." Rather than summon them, Ginny moved toward the cupboard, taking her time to retrieve two mismatched wine glasses that she and Marie had bought from a local glass blower. They'd gone to a demonstration one day and watched the man create both, mesmerized that there was no magic in the process. It had seemed so magical.

"Here." Harry took the glasses from her and poured the wine into them. Ginny looked through the liquid into the flame of the candle on the table. The rich red color reminded her of stained glass, and she took a long swallow, praying there was a high alcohol content.

Awkwardness descended once more, and Ginny felt herself teetering on the edge of something huge. Everything was so mixed up tonight. Harry was here. In Paris. And he was here. In her flat. And he was here. Less than an arm's length away from her. And he was here.

"I don't remember much about you," she lied. It seemed as if the handful of moments they'd spent all those years ago were etched in her brain. Why did she forget little things she did every day, but remember the way his green eyes seemed to pin her in place?

"Me either." He drank a little sip, as if testing it to see if he would like it. He must have, because he took another drink. "Just...just that one day you were there, and the next day you were gone."

Ginny reached out to the chair that stood next to her, gripping the wooden back. "I...I think I'll change the wireless." She turned her back and bit her lip, closing her eyes. Everything was just too close right now.

"Ginny-"

"Harry. Don't. Not tonight."

He scoffed and she heard him pour more wine in his glass. "When, then, Ginny? Are you going to run again?"

"I didn't run."

"Right." Harry moved closer and Ginny wanted him to leave. She needed him to stay. "You never came back."

"I couldn't."

"I don't believe you."

She spun to look at him. He was so close, and it felt like she couldn't breathe. Those eyes, still so green, still so knowing. Maybe even more so, now.

"I couldn't. You don't-"

Harry swore and set his glass down hard on the table, sloshing a bit of wine onto the antique lace tablecloth. "Don't tell me I don't understand. You used to be… I thought you were someone else."

Ginny's hand shook and Harry took her glass, probably knowing that she would spill. "I can't-"

"I thought you were a Weasley."

Tears blurred her vision and she shook her head. "I thought so, too."

Harry scowled and moved impossibly closer, until he was nearly pressed against her. "Ginny-"

"I killed him, Harry. I killed Percy."