Chapter 10: Dinner Guest.
We've been at it for six bleeding hours.
Six hours was a fair bit of time to be doing anything. It was almost a shift of work, you could easily have several plays within that time, and the fact that the entire wedding would probably be over in that time six hours was a long time to be wedding planning.
"What do you think Gin, I know that ice sculptures are a bit much but I think that this swan would do perfectly!"
The look on Hermione's face was desperate. I could tell she didn't want to be deemed a "crazy bride" or "Bridezilla" or other rubbish so I did what I had been repeatedly doing since this little shindig started.
"If it's what you want, then I think that it's a wonderful idea." A brilliant smile spread across her face as she made several marks across the paper she'd been holding.
Should I mention that Bill and Fleur had a swan at their wedding?
Did I want to die?
No.
So as I sat at the table that was covered in every type of color coded, alphabetized, and numerical notebook and day calendar there was and flipping through my magazine; I had to wonder. Did this happen to every person who got engaged? Hermione was nothing if not sensible to the very core, but put a ring on her finger and she's babbling on about the advantages of chiffon to silk like it's something that is relevant in her daily life. Would that happen to me when I get married?
Pssshhh…
Like I'm ever getting married.
That is such a depressing thought.
The minute I get home I'm owling Charlie. At least he could coach me on the path of being a legendary bachelor for the rest of my life. Except, you know, I'm a girl.
The chatter of male voices and the tinkling of keys brought me out of silent pity party and gained my focus on the all too familiar forms coming through the door loaded with boxes. Hermione greeted Harry and Ron brightly as she rushed over to give my brother a kiss on the cheek and to remove some of the boxes from his stack.
"Thank goodness you're here; I've got mountains of stuff for you to do."
A fake smile twisted at his lips as he let out a very weak, "Great." Hermione being on her current wedding high didn't register his sarcasm and instead pulled him towards the table. "I ran into Harry, he bought us all dinner."
I didn't move from my spot as Harry shuffled forward with his own leaning tower of takeout boxes. Instead I ignored him, and continued to flip through my magazine as if he wasn't there.
I was being childish I knew. I just needed space. I needed him not there all the time so that I didn't have to think about him for one second of the day. Harry was going to be in my life forever, longer than forever. He was, whether I liked it or not a part of my family. Did I know that I needed to get over this aversion I had to him? Yes. I did. If I could I would I swear. It was hard. So hard and having to be around him all the time wasn't helping.
A box materialized in front of me and my gaze clashed with Harry's incredible emerald ones. In the dim light of Hermione's apartment mixed with the vibrant colors of the setting sun I could swear his eyes were on fire. It was like they were peering into me as he gave me a small smile and pushed the box towards me.
"Thanks" I murmured as I grabbed a utensil from the middle of the table and opened my box.
Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Red Potatoes.
Aka my favorite meal ever in existence of meals.
I peeked around at what the others were eating. Perhaps this was a coincidence.
Chicken.
I fought the panic, mixed with the urge to smile, chastising myself for even the thought.
So he remembered my favorite meal. So he ordered it for me specifically. Friends could do that. That would like me getting him Earl Grey because I know he preferred it. It was a brotherly thing to know. Ron surely knew my favorite meal.
Yeah, but Friends and Brother's didn't give you the most incredible snog of your life while you're wearing a dress that represents the most finite type of commitment.
My stomach dipped and heat flashed over me as my mind reeled back to the moment. Of Harry's lips tangling with mine, the pressure of his hands on my hips as he pressed me closer to him, the silky feeling of his hair as I tore my hands through it.
Stop THINKING ABOUT IT GINNY!
I pressed my legs together in agony. He was driving me bonkers and he had no idea he was doing it.
Curse Henry and Gwen for being the most adorable couple I've ever seen in my life.
I take that back.
I don't curse them they are perfect for each other.
Life was confusing, so much more so than I thought it was going to be when I was 11 and had a Harry Potter Shrine in my closet. I just wanted to marry the bloke and spend the rest of eternity with him. There weren't complications and reservations or anything else weird that I hate and that realistically can't justify my going back to him. I am incredibly stubborn, anyone who had ever met me could tell you that, but I wasn't completely blind. It was obvious I still had feelings for Harry, whether it's unresolved closure I needed or fate was just a fickle bitch and we really were soul mates , there was something there. Either way I had too much respect for myself than to just fall to my knees and start licking his trainers.
Why in the world was this so hard?
I wordlessly ate my heavenly meal as I watch Ron and Hermione excitedly discuss the details of their wedding, so blissfully happy. So content with being with each other and planning for their future. Here I sat, across from the Power couple of the century and next to the man I was once certain I was going to marry, wondering if there was any happy ending with rainbows and starlight nights for me.
I was a Lone Wolf.
Had been since I realized he wasn't coming back.
Life was the equivalent of a ball hanging midair ready to start its descent. I had no idea what was ahead of me or where I was going to go. I didn't know anything for sure and it was the not knowing that was the hardest.
Maybe I was destined to be alone. I was so emotionally unavailable people couldn't even say the word girlfriend in my presence without some sort of horrified shudder.
I don't know.
I just don't know.
Training today practically murdered me.
Stairs. We did stairs.
Coach must have had a wild hair up his ass or something or he was severely pissed at someone.
I was covered in sweat. Not even just covered, I was soaking in sweat. My legs felt like jello and all I really wanted to do was go home and soak in a bath for the rest of my life.
Gwen was as chipper as ever. Skipping about as if we didn't just run the will to live out of our systems. "I have to get into a shower, Henry's going to be here to pick me up in a bit." And with that she bounced off in a flamboyant flourish. Crazy bint. Sometimes I didn't know why I loved her so much.
I sank to the bench slowly and achingly removing my Quidditch gear. It took ages to get everything unstrapped and put back in my bag and I was debating on hitting a shower or just going home and taking the bath that I desperately craved. I slowly hobbled towards the locker room tunnels inwardly debating on my course of action.
"Harry!"
Panic coursed through me as I recognized the emerald eyed form leaning casually against the tunnel wall smiling at me.
What the fuck was he doing here?
Why the hell did it have to be when I looked so sodding awful?
"What are you doing here?"
He shoved his hands casually into his jean pockets looking absolutely adorable. "I was in the area, thought I'd drop by. See if you wanted to grab a bite to eat. Talk about wedding stuff." The words that I'm sure were there somewhere refused to come out so I just stared at him instead, my mouth gaping open like a fish out of water.
Silence hung between us.
Come on Ginny, you can do this, use your words.
Another few beats of silence passed before Harry stampeded to the rescue. "You were incredible up there. Loads better then I remember you being. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself. You could probably outfly me any day."
I blushed.
I actually honest to Merlin blushed.
"Thanks." I mumbled hoisting the strap on my gym bag farther onto my shoulder. Pride swelled within me.
"So what do you say, want to grab some dinner?"
"Yeah. Just let…" But I was cut off, cut off be a flash of blue and being thrown forcefully over someone's shoulder. I shrieked as I was spun around.
"RED!" A familiar voice shouted from under me. Oh god no. Not now. "What do you say? What do you know? What do you know? What do you say?"
"HENRY PUT ME DOWN." He finally flung me back to my feet, his boyish grin infectiously making me crack a smile.
Then I remembered. Henry. Harry.
"Henry, this is Harry." Harry's jaw was locked tight a cold smile on his lips and his emerald eyes dancing with something akin to anger. "Harry this is Henry." Henry, always the optimist seemed not to be phased by Harry's indifference.
"Yeah, how's it going? It's nice to finally meet you. Big fan of yours when you were at Hogwarts, never seen someone fly quite like you." Harry grudgingly shook Henry's hand but there was no change to his features.
I feel I must interject here.
"Henry, where is your girlfriend?"
"I was getting to that. Just saw you first thought I'd say hello."
"Find her, she has some sort of surprise cooked up she can barely keep to herself. Put her out of her misery will you?" Henry bid Harry and I goodbye before jogging down the tunnel towards the locker rooms.
"Sorry about that. Barmy that one."
Harry's eyes didn't meet mine as he responded. "No it's alright, I best be going anyways."
"But I thought you wanted to grab some food?" Internal bells were ringing. I did not know why.
"Another time."
And just like that Harry Potter turned and disappeared from my sight.
I blinked several times trying to figure out what just happened.
How in the world we had just pulled an entire 180.
Gwen and Henry re-appeared hand in hand and smiling broadly. "What are you doing ho? Do you want to grab some grub with us?" Gwen said successfully pulling me out of my confused state.
What the hell, why not right? This day couldn't possible get any weirder.
"Yeah give me a second I need a quick shower."
Approximately ten minutes later I stumbled back out of the locker room, freshly showered and wearing not sweat soppy clothes.
"Where are we headed?"
"Palamino."
The Palamino. Also known as Fancy as Fuck.
"I'm not dressed to go to the Palamino!"
"You are fine, and your famous we go where we want." Typical Gwen. She does what she wants. This is why I loved her.
Yes Ma'am.
I saluted as I spun on my heel and popped into the alleyway. Henry joined next followed by Gwen who wobbled as she reappeared.
Not much for apparition that one.
We went inside and I proceeded to drown myself and the conundrum that encompassed Harry Potter out of mind. Henry and Gwen were exactly what I needed in that moment and as we spent the next hour and half laughing and joking and generally making fun of each other I couldn't remember the last time I had been so happy.
That could have been the drink talking though.
Either way, I was having fun and that was all that mattered.
That was until another half an hour passed and a very familiar head of hair bobbed into the peripherals of my vision.
FUCK. ME.
Faster than you can say Quidditch I was under the table watching Harry fucking Potter being seated across the restaurant. But it wasn't until I saw who slid into the booth next to him that I felt the urge to grab a fist full of black hair and bash it into a brick wall.
Harry fucking Potter going to dinner at the Palamino with Cho fucking Chang.
A/N: Hey everyone! A little bit faster update this time! Not much better I know but I am working on it! I have a pretty good idea about what's going to happen the next chapter too so get excited!
Just to let you guys know, I am actually working on finishing one of my other stories which is going to be a next gen kind of sequel to this one. That's why I haven't been updating as fast on this one. But once the other story is complete I will be posting it in it's entirity on here for you all to read!
I love you so much!
Thank you all for reading!