Three's A Crowd

A/N This is a jkr fanfiction and everything in the story, except Maissie Pottinger, belongs to her and her brilliant are reviews are appreciated!***********************************"

I'm looking for Charlie Weasley's room. I believe he's staying here."

That voice. That familiar voice stopped me mid-step

Shock.

Panic.

Zina.

She was standing in the lobby of the Inn and Maisse and I were going to walk right by her. How did she know I was here? Nathaniel knew where I was, but he wouldn't say anything would he?

"Charlie? What's wrong?" Maisse looked concerned. She put her hand on my arm.

"Someone's asking for me in the lobby," I answered quietly, though I knew that answer would not explain the look on my face. What should I do? Disapparate away? That would raise even more questions from Maisse. As much as I wanted to, I knew it was wrong.

"Do you know them?" she was trying to look around the corner to see who it was.

I took a deep breathe, "Yes, Maisse, I know her," I answered matter of factly. I couldn't put this off any longer. I put my arm around Maisse and smiled weakly, "Let's go."

Before I saw her, I spoke, "Hello, Zina."It wasn't until after I said those words that I saw she was holding a small child. A year old maybe? A red-headed-child.

"Oh Charlie!" She exclaimed, "I was just going to leaving you -" she spun around and saw Maisse. The surprised on her face spoke volumes. She thought I was here attempted to recover, "a note. "She didn't take her eyes off of Maisse, "I thought you were alone." I detected a note of hurt in her voice.

"Zina, this is Maisse," I looked down at Maisse; her eyes were locked on the child in Zina's arm, "my ... girlfriend."

Maisse broke her gaze on the child, looked at me, confused. Her social graces kicked in and she smiled at Zina and stepped forward, hand extended. I didn't want to release Maisse, I was holding onto her for support - physical and moral. Maisse effortlessly moved away from me and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Hello, Zina. I'm Maisse. Maisse Pottinger. It's a pleasure to meet you." I couldn't see her face, but could hear the smile in her voice.

Zina shook Maisse's hand without saying a word.

"And who is this adorable little boy?" Maisse smiled at the child.

"Oh, um, this is Rory, my son." Zina looked at me. I could have sworn she was about to say 'our' son.

No one spoke for a long, uncomfortable time.

Once again, Maisse spoke, "Charlie and I were on our way to see the castle and have a picnic. Would you and Rory like to join us, Zina?"

Stunned was the only world I could come up with! I did not want them to 'join us'. This weekend was about us - Maisse and me. I did not want Zina anywhere around us. I knew I had some explaining to do and really didn't want to prolong it. It was time to share my dark secret with Maisse.

"Oh, no," Zina was as stunned as I was at the invitation, "I don't want to intrude on your holiday." She looked at me and asked, "Can we talk when you get home, Charlie?"

"Yes, I'll floo when I get back."

With that, Zina turned and left the Inn quickly.I exhaled as if I'd been holding my breath the entire time, which I probably was. "Well, that was -"

"Awkward," Maisse cut me off and looked up at me. For the first time, I couldn't read her eyes, "I think we need to talk. Can we go back upstairs?"

"Of course, anything you want, "I took her hand and led the way back to our suite.

We'd planned to picnic on the grounds of the castle, but that wasn't happening now. I was sad. This wasn't supposed to be how this weekend ended. I doubt she was hungry now so I started to put everything back.

"Charlie?" Maisee said in a sweeter voice than I'd expected, "I don't want to cancel our picnic," she walked behind me and put her arms around my waist, rested her head on my back, "Let's eat on the terrace and talk."

I levitated the basket outside and turned in her arms. I cradled her head, now resting on my chest in one hand and wrapped my other around her waist. I whispered in her ear."No matter what just happened or what is about to happen it changes nothing about how I feel for you."

We stood like that for a few peaceful moments until she released me and we walked outside where I'd set the picnic up. She sat down at the table,"So," she began, "that's Zina?"

"How - "I shook my head, "Ginny told you about her, didn't she?"

"Yes, when we had lunch a few weeks ago. She told me you'd had a serious girlfriend, Zina, and a very bad breakup. That was all. I didn't ask for details, I assumed you'd tell me about it if you wanted me to know."

"Well, I guess now's a good time," I smiled, trying poorly to make light of the situation, "I was always going to tell you , just not this weekend."

"Why not?"

"Well, this is the first you and I have seen each other since we began writing. I just wanted this weekend to be about us, see if what we felt while writing was the same in person. I didn't want to bring my issues into it." I reached across the table and took her hand.

"Ok, but since 'your issue' was just downstairs, I would like to know what happened. It had to be big for her to follow you here." She prompted.

"I guess you could say that," I took a breath to compose myself before telling her about most embarrassing moment, my dark secret.

"Zina and I were friends before we started dating. Friends for a few months. Our best mates were, and still are, dating. We were together a lot before we officially started dating and we dated for two years. She was the only girl I ever took home to meet my family; my first serious girlfriend. We planned to move in together.

The day before we were moving her stuff into our new flat was Merlin's Day. The Romanian National Quidditch Team was having their annual celebration. I'm friends with most of the organization, so we were going, as we'd done the past two years. For a few weeks prior to the party, she'd been distant. I still saw her everyday almost. I just figured it had something to do with work. She worked for the Romanian Ministry in the International Magical Cooperation Department. This was always a busy time for her, but she'd never been so withdrawn with me.

Merlin's Day Celebration went on all day. There was plenty of food, drink and quidditch. A full day of gluttony as you would call it," I smiled at her as I said this, she nodded for me to continue, "It started as a great day. I can still see it - hot and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. That night, as the fireworks began, I saw her talking and dancing with a young man from her office. She'd invited a few friends from work to the party. I didn't think anything of it, after the fact, I realized she'd spent more time with him that day then with me. Well, at some point during the fireworks, I saw them sitting together. She was sitting between his legs - clearly, they were romantically involved.

I was sitting with our friends, Nathaniel and Emma. The look on their faces were as surprised as mine. They had no idea of what was going on. I looked at the faces of my other friends their, many showed pity. Pity for me. Most everyone it seemed knew what she was doing.

I didn't do or say anything - then. I just sat there, silent. Nathaniel tried to get me to leave, but I wouldn't. I don't know why. Maybe I was afraid of making a scene? Denial? Anyway, as the fireworks were ending, I looked at her and she was snogging the git. That's when I lost it. I went over to the two of them. Her 'friend' quickly excused himself; she and I had some civil words.

Nathaniel was still trying to get me to leave. Instead, I went home with Zina. My excuse? I'd left my broom there. Reality? I wanted to start immediately on working through this. I knew we could get past it. We were moving in the next day after all. It sounds so pathetic now, but that night I was desperate for things to work out. We talked until the early hours of the morning, but I never got any answers as to why this happened or what our future held - immediate or long term. No commitment about moving in or even still dating. Even knowing all that, all the uncertainty, I was desperate to keep her in my life. I spent the night. We had sex. In the morning, I was clear headed. I was disgusted with my previous night's behavior and left without so much as a good-bye."

During my tale, Maisse summoned a bottle of firewhisky and poured each of us one. I guess she figured a few stiff drinks would help us get through this. I picked up my glass and drank half. Maisse didn't interrupt or ask questions. I knew the questions would come. Until then, I continued.

"About a week later, I went to Zina's flat. I wanted to talk to her. I don't know why or about what. She hadn't floo'd or sent an owl. I hadn't spoken to her since that night and I missed that companionship. Well, her flat was empty. She'd moved out. I went to her office. She'd resigned. I asked our friend Emma if she knew where she was and she didn't, though she was so mad at her it didn't surprise me. Zina just vanished. Until today, I haven't seen her in two years."