Chapter 8 - A friendship forged!
Ginny wasn't in the mood to celebrate, even if the occasion demanded that she be happy for her brother, George who finally balled up the courage to propose Angelina. Everybody in the garden went to give the now-engaged couple their congratulations.
Why in the world had she come down? She knew. It was her niece. Her family had the sense enough to see that she wouldn't be coming down from her bedroom anytime soon. And hence, sent little Victoire to summon her. If there was one person Ginny would do absolutely anything for, it was her niece whom she'd come to love dearly.
It even surprised herself considering she'd never been a fan of Fleur, but maybe it had to do with the little fact that Victoire had called her aunt even before she could say uncle. That had been her small victory over her jealous brothers but she would take it any time. Also, a sense of maternal instincts prevailed everytime she caught sight of babies. Taking good care of Teddy did that to her.
If Harry thought his godson didn't require her services anymore, she decided she wouldn't hesitate to hex him. Harry or no Harry, she'd grown quite close to the little turquoise haired boy who changed his hair a flaming red everytime she held him.
As the line of well-wishers started to dissipate, she moved forward to offer her congratulations. As she came close, a young blonde whom she hadn't noticed before beat her to it. She watched with a hint of envy as the couple laughed at whatever the new comer had whispered to them.
She moved closer to get a better look, and was taken aback by the familiarity of that person, but couldn't quite place where she'd seen her before. The girl's smile faded as she noticed Ginny staring at her, and was filled with a kind of ...was that sympathy?
Ginny stopped midway and was about to turned around and walk away, when she heard George call out her name. Groaning inwardly, she forced a smile on her face and approached the couple.
"Finally you two! And, I thought Ron was worse!" Ginny said with a dramatic sigh, as she hugged her brother and then Angelina. George scowled at her while Angelina grinned, her face radiating with joy.
Their happiness was so contagious that Ginny couldn't help back but give a genuine smile in return. After all that they've been through, they deserved it.
"But seriously, I'm happy for you guys. It's been long over due!"
"We know, Gin! And for that, I love you, little sis!" George said happily. Not since Fred's death had she seen him like this. Normally, she wasn't an emotional person, atleast not by Hermione's standards, but this occasion called for another hug.
She gave George a bone-crushing hug worthy of her mother, but he just laughed lifting her off the feet and spinning her around once.
"What was that for?" he asked amused.
"Just take it when I feel like bestowing it upon you!" Ginny said with mock-air, relieved that her voice sounded steady.
She blinked back the tears, threatening her eyes. No, Ginny, not here, you know you are way more tenacious than that. She was well aware of the girl staring at her from the corner of her eyes. There was something knowing about her that unnerved Ginny.
"In that case, I'm ever grateful, your highness!" George played along, with a slight bow.
Angelina sensing the discomfort, hastened to introduce the two girls.
"Ginny, I'm sure you remember" Angelina said gesturing to the new blonde, "Fleur's younger sister, Gabrielle!"
Ginny held back a gasp. How could she not recognize before? The resemblance was unmistakable. Maybe, it was the dark. The young girl surprised her with an hug, but thankfully did not do the air-kissing which she found so annoying.
"It's nice to see you again, Ginny!" Gabrielle said with a warm smile.
Ginny decided she liked the girl, and offered a weak smile. The girl looked at her with such respect that Ginny wondered how she'd ever mistook it as sympathy. She again blamed it on the bad light.
"The pleasure is mine. It's been quite a while, Gabrielle!"
"I've started work at the Ministry, right out of Beauxbatons. It's been a long time, and I missed Fleur. So, I'm here on an indefinite summer break!"
"That's great."
Ginny walked with Gabrielle to the far end of the garden, from where they could see all of her family members. Her Dad, Mum and Charlie were discussing about her brother's adventures in Romania. Percy and his wife, Audrey joined Angelina and George, and they seemed to laughing fondly at Hermione giving her husband a lecture about proper table manners, while he grinned goofily, saying something in her ear which made her blush crimson red.
Bill was chasing after little Victoire who found the garden gnomes hilariously funny, while Fleur watched her husband in amusement. Ginny realized with an ache that her whole family made for a pretty picture. They weren't completely alright but together, they'd moved on. To distract herself from thinking about a certain black head, bespectacled man, she started a conversation with Gabrielle.
"So, what type of work do you do at Ministry?"
"Curse breaking of a milder form, you could say. Not as colorful or dangerous as Bill, but my department works in tandem with the Aurors to check for dark-magic on suspicious artifacts and to make them free of it."
Ginny was surprised, and even mildly impressed by the French woman's career choice. People have to be blind to not notice her beauty, or her graceful figure but, the fact that she chose a profession which can be as dangerous to her beauty spoke volumes about her commitment. There was something soft about Gabrielle that she hadn't seen in her elder sister. Maybe, it was the absence of that infuriating arrogance, or the constant complaining about British, or maybe it's the fact that she spoke proper English. Whatever the reason, Ginny found she liked her.
"That's intriguing. What's it like?"
Gabrielle was taken aback by Ginny's interest but answered happily, "Well, we do get to go to lots of interesting places, that we suspect might hold ancient magical artifacts that were long since deemed lost by the wizarding world. If we succeed in finding it, we run them through dark-magic detectors and then, break the curses accordingly. Usually, they are of milder forms, but the ones that are true Goblin made, are tough to crack, and that's where Bill comes into picture!"
"Wow. It sounds very exciting!"
"Yes, it is, but I'm sure not as much exciting as holding yourself in mid-air and claiming victories for your team from the claws of defeat!" Gabrielle said with a raised eyebrow.
Ginny blushed, shrugging modestly. It was true, she had saved her team, Holyhead Harpies on more than one occasion. Gwenog Jones was proud of her, and Ginny had really high hopes for her future. Her training period is about to begin in a week's time, and thankfully distract her from Harry. She was infact leaving for Ireland where her new coaching awaits her.
"So, do you follow Quidditch?"
"Not really. I like Quidditch but that's just it. Let's just say, if you were the captain, you would be wise to pick me last!" Gabrielle said, without any trace of resentment.
Ginny laughed, "C'mon, you can't be that bad!"
"I wish you can say the same thing, after I butch up the game very badly. But, the fact of the matter is if Hermione and I were to play, she would win it in grand style!"
Ginny laughed harder, feeling her spirits being lifted, "I appreciate your honesty! I really do."
Gabrielle smiled back, "But, I do know about how Holyhead Harpies are doing in the season thanks to my ever-chattering, all time Quidditch rooster/ best friend, Max! He is a big fan of yours. Infact, he will pretty much kill to be the one standing here, conversing with you, right now!"
Ginny recovered enough to reply, "Let him know, I'm very touched and grateful for his support. I didn't know people followed Holyhead in France."
"Oh, he's all American! I will convey your message, I'm sure he will be seeing stars!" Gabrielle said rolling her eyes.
Both girls became quiet, engrossed in their own thoughts, not aware that they were thinking about the same person. If they had known, or atleast had an hunch, perhaps their new found friendship would have sunk faster than the titanic.
Harry Potter, what have you done?
