LbN: Thanks to everyone who's left reviews! Happy reading!
"You'll want to try the Quake model…and the Nimbus…." Seamus mumbled, pulling brooms from the shelf. "I was surprised you called. I thought you said you wouldn't want another broom for a while."
"I was coming up here anyway, to the training facility. I have to talk to Ginny."
"Oooh. Right."
"What?" Harry asked warily.
"Have you talked to her since she dumped you?" Seamus asked bluntly.
"No. That's why I came by today."
"I'm not following you."
"Ron and Hermione get home next week. Molly's having a double party for their homecoming and George and Angelina's engagement. Today's going to be awful, but better to get it over with now."
Seamus nodded, and handed him two brooms. "Start with those. Tell me how you like them."
An hour later, Seamus had somehow talked him into two brooms. They walked out of the training arena and onto the Dublin Destroyers' Quidditch pitch. Hollyhead Harpies players zoomed overhead. One of the players flew down to meet them.
"Hi Angelina," Harry said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks! What's up? Are you here to see the game?"
"Unfortunately, no. I came to see Seamus. He roped me into buying two brooms."
"He's good at that. Best salesman on the island, right?" she said, winking at Seamus.
"Try 'in the world'," Seamus answered.
"I know you guys are training," Harry said. "But do you think I could talk to Ginny? Just for a minute."
Angelina was quiet for a second. "Er…will it…upset her?"
"Don't think so. I'm not…trying to get her back or anything. I just need to talk to her."
"Fine then. One second." She mounted her broom again and took off.
Harry looked up, hoping this was a quick encounter. He held his breath as Ginny flew down to meet him.
"Hi you two," she said, a bit out of breath.
"Afternoon Ginny," Seamus said. "I'll give you a moment." He wandered over to the managers to grill them about the Harpies' broom choices.
"Hey," Harry said. He'd been planning what he'd say for days, but now he couldn't even look at her.
"Hey. How have you been?"
"Okay. You?"
"Okay."
They stood there in silence for a couple of minutes. Finally, Harry said, "I'm glad I decided to get this over with now. Don't want to make George and Angelina's party awkward."
Ginny laughed. "True."
"I don't hate you," Harry said, remembering her letter. "I meant it when I said I understood. I just wanted to tell you that."
"Thanks," Ginny said softly. "I don't want things to be weird between us forever."
"Yeah. I er… I have to get going. Are you bringing a date to the party?"
"Would it bother you?"
"Not if I'm prepared for it."
She smiled at him. "Yes. I'm bringing someone."
"Cool. Well, I'll see you then."
Ginny nodded, mounted her broom, and took off back to practice.
Harry watched her go. "Oi, Seamus? Want to grab a drink before I go?"
The phone kept ringing. Harry ran around trying to find it, but the ringing seemed to be coming from everywhere. "Aaarrrgh!" he yelled. He regretted the decision to move into a Muggle flat more and more with each ring. Tossing aside his cloak, he found the phone wedged between the cushions of the couch. "Hello?"
"Harry?"
"Hermione?" he nearly yelped. "How are you? Where are you?"
"We're in Portugal. Mum and Dad say hi. How are you?"
"Great. Just got unpacked."
"Unpacked? I thought you and George—"
"I gave him the house. Angelina will be traveling up to the wedding, and I figured she'd want to come home to him on the rare occasions that she can. I moved into a flat closer to the Ministry. It's a weird kind of place—never been in a flat that had an attic. Have to clean it out from the last renter."
"That was good of you, Harry. I'm sure George and Angelina are really grateful. And if you wait until we get there, we'll help you clean out the attic. Ron's bugging me to talk to you. Can't wait to see you!"
"Mate! Are you coming to Mum's in a few days?"
"Of course! I can't wait to see you."
"Yeah. You bringing anyone? You know Ginny's bringing Andrew, right?"
Harry smiled when he heard Hermione yell, "Ron! She may have wanted to tell him!" "I might. Don't know though. Wait…Andrew? Andrew Kirke?"
"Yeah. Er…did you know?"
"I knew she was bringing someone. I talked to her the other day."
"Oh. Good. Well look, I can't wait to see you. I'll bring you a snow globe from Portugal."
"Cheers mate," Harry said, laughing.
"See you!"
Harry punched the off button and put the phone on the table this time. There was a knock at the door. He peeked out of the spy hole and saw a delivery man. "Hi," he said.
"Signature," was all the man said. He pushed the package into Harry's hands and left without another word.
"Who stole your Butterbeer, mate?" Tonks asked. "You look down."
"Watkins turned down all of my proposals. Every. Single. One." He tossed her the envelope that had been delivered the day before.
"Did Kingsley see these?" Tonks asked.
"Probably not."
"Are you going to ask him?"
"Probably not. If Watkins wants a pissing contest, I'll give him one."
Tonks rolled her eyes and kept reading. "Oh, nice of him…. He didn't even give you pointers for revision."
"It's fine," Harry said. He took the envelope back. "I'll lay low for a while. Let him get over his little tantrum. Hey…."
"Yeah?"
"George and Angelina are having their engagement party on Saturday. Do you want to go? Ron and Hermione will have just gotten back too."
"Sure," she said. "Meet at your place?"
"Yeah…brilliant. I'll see you tomorrow." He started to walk out, but turned when she called him.
"Don't worry about Watkins. His pride is a little wounded right now, but he'll get in line when he figures out that you're not trying to steal his job."
"Even though I am, kind of," Harry said with a grin.
"Exactly!" Tonks chirped. "See you tomorrow."
