Parallel
By deemarie
Chapter 13
Ginny sat at the window of Bill's flat watching the scene below. It was nearly midday and the crowds rushing by in the street below held Ginny fascinated. She hadn't often been in the muggle world. The pace of everyday life amazed her. Why did muggles live like that, rushing from place to place yet never seeming to get anywhere? How could they stand it?
Face it, Weasley, that inner voice told her, that's where you want to be right now. You want to get lost in the teaming masses you see down there. One more anonymous face in the crowd. What a perfect place to hide. You could hide from everything down there. No one would find you. Bill keeps a stash of muggle money. You could take some and run and hide. You know where he keeps it. He won't be home for hours. You could be long gone by then. Maybe out there you could forget. Imagine, Weasley, you could forget Harry. You could forget everything, everyone...
Everyone? Mum, Dad, her brothers, Hermione - What was she thinking? Are you really that selfish, Weasley? If you left, imagine how you would break everyone's heart. I must be loosing my mind! It's being cooped up in this flat. Bill hadn't actually forbidden it, but he did want her to stay in the flat. He told her if she needed anything, to take some of the muggle money and go to the shop on the corner. Most anything she might need was there. Maybe all she needed was to get out for a bit. A walk to the shop might do her some good.
Bill was low on a few of the necessities. That's what she would do. The secretary drawer held the money. Ginny went over. But how much should she take? Perhaps £20 would do it? He really needed eggs, milk and perhaps a good Stilton. She could make him an omelet for lunch. He said he would be home around 1. Maybe doing that would occupy her mind; keep her from thinking about Harry, about running away. She grabbed the money and put it in her jeans pocket. She was heading to the door when Bill Apparated in front of her. She jumped back, startled.
"Bill!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing home so early?" Bill reached out and took her hands in his.
"Ginny, we need to go to St. Mungo's," he said calmly. Ginny's brow furrowed.
"Why?"
"It's Ron," he said. "He's been hurt. It's not critical," he said as a look of horror passed over Ginny. "But he's been badly injured. The healers say he'll be all right. Hermione is in a bad way. She could really use you right now." The rising tide of panic Ginny was beginning to feel started to subside. Hermione needed her. Ron would need her.
"Let's go." Bill's flat had no fireplace, so they couldn't use the Floo network and Ginny's Apparition test wouldn't take place until October. So Bill hailed a taxicab and they rode to St. Mungo's. Bill had the cab drop them at the end of the street, they walked to St. Mungo's entrance. The dilapidated storefront that served as the entrance to St. Mungo's hadn't changed since she was last here. Bill leaned into the glass and spoke to the mannequin. He leaned further in, Ginny's hand firmly in his and the next thing she knew she was in the main lobby.
Bill knew where he was going, so they skirted the witch behind the reception desk. He led her to the waiting room outside the ward where Ron was. It was funny, but she and Bill hadn't said a word to each other on the journey over here. Somehow she knew that if something really wrong had happened to Ron, Bill would have acted differently. So when she finally faced her siblings she was ready.
Mum, Dad, and Hermione must be in the ward with Ron. She saw Fred and George sitting in chairs, their faces were as hard as stone. They may have teased Ron mercilessly, but they really loved their little brother. If they ever found out who did this to him, Ginny shuddered to think of the revenge they would extract. Bill went and sat by his brothers. Charlie was in Romania, but he certainly must have gotten a message by now. Ginny was sure they would see him by morning.
Percy was there. He sat apart from everyone. She knew her brothers were still angry with him. The look on Percy's face told her that he wanted to be with his brothers, but was aware they still had hard feelings. Honestly, her brothers were a stubborn lot. Percy could be a prat sometimes, but this was family! When push came to shove, Percy had been there for them. Hadn't he proven that? He was there, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them during the final battle. Well, if her brothers were too pig-headed to see how much he was hurting, then she would show them.
"Percy," she said walking to him, arms outstretched. "I am so glad you are here." They held each other tightly. Percy was shaking with silent sobs. Ginny hugged him tighter. The next thing she knew, three more sets of arms had joined hers. Then all of a sudden they were all taking at once. The reconciliation had begun. Ginny backed away and let the boys talk.
She turned around hugging her arms. Harry was sitting in a corner by himself. He was watching the brothers with a look of longing on his face. Then it was gone and he looked at Ginny. He stood up and came over to her.
"That was wonderful," he said. "What you just did, there took a lot of courage. Fred and George wouldn't even acknowledge he was there."
"They just needed a little push, is all," she said. "Weasley pride can be a bit of a hindrance at times. They just needed a reason to talk to him." She realized how close she was to Harry and started to back away.
"Do you think I could go and see Ron?"
"Your Dad will let us know. The healers are still working on Ron. I expect it will be a while yet."
"But Bill said he wasn't critical." A look of worry furrowed her brow.
"He's not, Ginny. Don't worry. But his hand was badly damaged. He's in a lot of pain. They want to make sure he is ready to see everyone before they let us in."
"How's Hermione?"
"She'll be all right," Harry answered. "She's strong. But I suspect she'll need you before long. She'll be glad you're here." Harry paused. "I know I am." Did he really mean that? Ginny couldn't look away. She was searching his eyes for the truth.
"Oi! Harry!" George's call broke the tension between them. With a wink, Harry left Ginny to join the boys in their reunion. She didn't begrudge him that. She was grateful that George had interrupted. She walked over to the ward door and peered through the glass hoping to catch sight of Ron. The ward wasn't crowded and she saw her parents and Hermione standing opposite a screened in bed. Arthur had one arm around Molly and the other around Hermione. A healer came around the screen and spoke briefly to them. The news was good as Ginny saw the three of them visibly relax.
Forty minutes later, after all the Weasley's had spent time with Ron, found Harry, Ginny and Hermione alone with him. The boys had taken their parents up to the teashop.
"What I don't understand," Hermione said, "is why anyone wanted to hurt you, Ron. Can you think of anyone?" But before Ron could answer, Harry spoke up.
"I'm not sure that Ron was the intended target," he said, quietly. They all turned to him. "I kept the wrapping." He pulled the plain brown wrap from his jeans pocket. He handed it to Hermione.
"The owl delivered that package to you, Hermione." Ron tried to sit up, sputtering something a little incoherent. The healers had given him a pain-reducing potion and it left him a bit groggy. "If that owl hadn't dumped the bowl of porridge, you would have opened it. That poison was meant for you." Ron was finally able to string a few words together.
"When I find him, I'll kill him."
Harry and Ginny left moments later. Ron was becoming increasingly agitated. They all thought that alone, Hermione would be able to calm him down.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny said, anxiety flooding her voice, "who would want to hurt her and why?"
"I don't know, but thank goodness Hermione was at the Burrow when this happened and not at her house."
"Why?"
"How long would it have taken the Grangers to get Hermione here? She would have been in a lot worse shape. She may have even lost her hand." Ginny blanched. How could this have happened? Who would want to hurt Hermione? Ginny swayed a little. Harry grabbed her hand and led her toward the fireplace at the end of the corridor. Ginny started to go quietly, not registering anything because of the thoughts coursing through her brain.
"I'll take you back to the Burrow." Harry said. Ginny stopped short. She wasn't going anywhere with Harry.
"It's okay, Harry. I'll wait here for Bill. I'll go back to the flat with him." Harry turned to her.
"I think you'll be needed at home, Ginny." Home? Home was the last place she wanted to be. Despite everything that happened today, she still did not want to be anywhere that Harry was. Liar, Weasley, her voice taunted her.
"No, really, Harry, I'll just go back to Bill's flat." Harry rolled his eyes. They were beginning to attract attention. She started to back away from him. She had to get away. Suddenly, with a look of determination on his face, Harry strode to Ginny and picked her up.
"What are you doing, Harry? Put me down, this instant!" She struggled against him, to no avail. He was strong, much stronger that she had ever suspected. She felt his well-muscled arms in a vise like grip against her. He set her down as he got to the fireplace keeping one arm wrapped around her. He grabbed some Floo powder, which he quickly tossed into the fire.
"You better hang on tight if you want to make it through without getting hurt," he said in a low voice. The air around them was crackling with magic, just waiting to be released. Now she had done it! You've really gotten him angry. She knew she was on the loosing end. She gripped him tightly about the waist and stepped into the emerald colored flames with him.
"The Burrow!" he shouted.
By deemarie
Chapter 13
Ginny sat at the window of Bill's flat watching the scene below. It was nearly midday and the crowds rushing by in the street below held Ginny fascinated. She hadn't often been in the muggle world. The pace of everyday life amazed her. Why did muggles live like that, rushing from place to place yet never seeming to get anywhere? How could they stand it?
Face it, Weasley, that inner voice told her, that's where you want to be right now. You want to get lost in the teaming masses you see down there. One more anonymous face in the crowd. What a perfect place to hide. You could hide from everything down there. No one would find you. Bill keeps a stash of muggle money. You could take some and run and hide. You know where he keeps it. He won't be home for hours. You could be long gone by then. Maybe out there you could forget. Imagine, Weasley, you could forget Harry. You could forget everything, everyone...
Everyone? Mum, Dad, her brothers, Hermione - What was she thinking? Are you really that selfish, Weasley? If you left, imagine how you would break everyone's heart. I must be loosing my mind! It's being cooped up in this flat. Bill hadn't actually forbidden it, but he did want her to stay in the flat. He told her if she needed anything, to take some of the muggle money and go to the shop on the corner. Most anything she might need was there. Maybe all she needed was to get out for a bit. A walk to the shop might do her some good.
Bill was low on a few of the necessities. That's what she would do. The secretary drawer held the money. Ginny went over. But how much should she take? Perhaps £20 would do it? He really needed eggs, milk and perhaps a good Stilton. She could make him an omelet for lunch. He said he would be home around 1. Maybe doing that would occupy her mind; keep her from thinking about Harry, about running away. She grabbed the money and put it in her jeans pocket. She was heading to the door when Bill Apparated in front of her. She jumped back, startled.
"Bill!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing home so early?" Bill reached out and took her hands in his.
"Ginny, we need to go to St. Mungo's," he said calmly. Ginny's brow furrowed.
"Why?"
"It's Ron," he said. "He's been hurt. It's not critical," he said as a look of horror passed over Ginny. "But he's been badly injured. The healers say he'll be all right. Hermione is in a bad way. She could really use you right now." The rising tide of panic Ginny was beginning to feel started to subside. Hermione needed her. Ron would need her.
"Let's go." Bill's flat had no fireplace, so they couldn't use the Floo network and Ginny's Apparition test wouldn't take place until October. So Bill hailed a taxicab and they rode to St. Mungo's. Bill had the cab drop them at the end of the street, they walked to St. Mungo's entrance. The dilapidated storefront that served as the entrance to St. Mungo's hadn't changed since she was last here. Bill leaned into the glass and spoke to the mannequin. He leaned further in, Ginny's hand firmly in his and the next thing she knew she was in the main lobby.
Bill knew where he was going, so they skirted the witch behind the reception desk. He led her to the waiting room outside the ward where Ron was. It was funny, but she and Bill hadn't said a word to each other on the journey over here. Somehow she knew that if something really wrong had happened to Ron, Bill would have acted differently. So when she finally faced her siblings she was ready.
Mum, Dad, and Hermione must be in the ward with Ron. She saw Fred and George sitting in chairs, their faces were as hard as stone. They may have teased Ron mercilessly, but they really loved their little brother. If they ever found out who did this to him, Ginny shuddered to think of the revenge they would extract. Bill went and sat by his brothers. Charlie was in Romania, but he certainly must have gotten a message by now. Ginny was sure they would see him by morning.
Percy was there. He sat apart from everyone. She knew her brothers were still angry with him. The look on Percy's face told her that he wanted to be with his brothers, but was aware they still had hard feelings. Honestly, her brothers were a stubborn lot. Percy could be a prat sometimes, but this was family! When push came to shove, Percy had been there for them. Hadn't he proven that? He was there, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them during the final battle. Well, if her brothers were too pig-headed to see how much he was hurting, then she would show them.
"Percy," she said walking to him, arms outstretched. "I am so glad you are here." They held each other tightly. Percy was shaking with silent sobs. Ginny hugged him tighter. The next thing she knew, three more sets of arms had joined hers. Then all of a sudden they were all taking at once. The reconciliation had begun. Ginny backed away and let the boys talk.
She turned around hugging her arms. Harry was sitting in a corner by himself. He was watching the brothers with a look of longing on his face. Then it was gone and he looked at Ginny. He stood up and came over to her.
"That was wonderful," he said. "What you just did, there took a lot of courage. Fred and George wouldn't even acknowledge he was there."
"They just needed a little push, is all," she said. "Weasley pride can be a bit of a hindrance at times. They just needed a reason to talk to him." She realized how close she was to Harry and started to back away.
"Do you think I could go and see Ron?"
"Your Dad will let us know. The healers are still working on Ron. I expect it will be a while yet."
"But Bill said he wasn't critical." A look of worry furrowed her brow.
"He's not, Ginny. Don't worry. But his hand was badly damaged. He's in a lot of pain. They want to make sure he is ready to see everyone before they let us in."
"How's Hermione?"
"She'll be all right," Harry answered. "She's strong. But I suspect she'll need you before long. She'll be glad you're here." Harry paused. "I know I am." Did he really mean that? Ginny couldn't look away. She was searching his eyes for the truth.
"Oi! Harry!" George's call broke the tension between them. With a wink, Harry left Ginny to join the boys in their reunion. She didn't begrudge him that. She was grateful that George had interrupted. She walked over to the ward door and peered through the glass hoping to catch sight of Ron. The ward wasn't crowded and she saw her parents and Hermione standing opposite a screened in bed. Arthur had one arm around Molly and the other around Hermione. A healer came around the screen and spoke briefly to them. The news was good as Ginny saw the three of them visibly relax.
Forty minutes later, after all the Weasley's had spent time with Ron, found Harry, Ginny and Hermione alone with him. The boys had taken their parents up to the teashop.
"What I don't understand," Hermione said, "is why anyone wanted to hurt you, Ron. Can you think of anyone?" But before Ron could answer, Harry spoke up.
"I'm not sure that Ron was the intended target," he said, quietly. They all turned to him. "I kept the wrapping." He pulled the plain brown wrap from his jeans pocket. He handed it to Hermione.
"The owl delivered that package to you, Hermione." Ron tried to sit up, sputtering something a little incoherent. The healers had given him a pain-reducing potion and it left him a bit groggy. "If that owl hadn't dumped the bowl of porridge, you would have opened it. That poison was meant for you." Ron was finally able to string a few words together.
"When I find him, I'll kill him."
Harry and Ginny left moments later. Ron was becoming increasingly agitated. They all thought that alone, Hermione would be able to calm him down.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny said, anxiety flooding her voice, "who would want to hurt her and why?"
"I don't know, but thank goodness Hermione was at the Burrow when this happened and not at her house."
"Why?"
"How long would it have taken the Grangers to get Hermione here? She would have been in a lot worse shape. She may have even lost her hand." Ginny blanched. How could this have happened? Who would want to hurt Hermione? Ginny swayed a little. Harry grabbed her hand and led her toward the fireplace at the end of the corridor. Ginny started to go quietly, not registering anything because of the thoughts coursing through her brain.
"I'll take you back to the Burrow." Harry said. Ginny stopped short. She wasn't going anywhere with Harry.
"It's okay, Harry. I'll wait here for Bill. I'll go back to the flat with him." Harry turned to her.
"I think you'll be needed at home, Ginny." Home? Home was the last place she wanted to be. Despite everything that happened today, she still did not want to be anywhere that Harry was. Liar, Weasley, her voice taunted her.
"No, really, Harry, I'll just go back to Bill's flat." Harry rolled his eyes. They were beginning to attract attention. She started to back away from him. She had to get away. Suddenly, with a look of determination on his face, Harry strode to Ginny and picked her up.
"What are you doing, Harry? Put me down, this instant!" She struggled against him, to no avail. He was strong, much stronger that she had ever suspected. She felt his well-muscled arms in a vise like grip against her. He set her down as he got to the fireplace keeping one arm wrapped around her. He grabbed some Floo powder, which he quickly tossed into the fire.
"You better hang on tight if you want to make it through without getting hurt," he said in a low voice. The air around them was crackling with magic, just waiting to be released. Now she had done it! You've really gotten him angry. She knew she was on the loosing end. She gripped him tightly about the waist and stepped into the emerald colored flames with him.
"The Burrow!" he shouted.