It was almost 7 and they were the last ones there. All of the other harpies had dressed up for the occasion. Gwenog was wearing a black jumpsuit, Lei was wearing a sequined romper, Sonya was wearing a white v-neck dress, Gilat was wearing ripped black jeans and a black top, Nicole was wearing a light blue sequined skirt, a white wrap top and a flower crown, and Myra was wearing an all pink glitter two piece.
"Ready to go?" asked Gwenog. They all nodded and headed to a local bar for dinner. It was the perfect type of place to go before an after party. The club had called ahead for them, so getting a table was not a problem. Their waiter came over a few minutes later.
"What can I get you ladies to drink?" He asked
"Just water for me," Gwenog said. Gilat was about to say something when Gwenog cut her off "No, Gil, I won't be getting alcohol. One of us have to keep the rest of us from doing something stupid. Unless one of you wants to do it?"
"I can," said Ginny
"No way you're a rookie! It's a harpies tradition to get the rookies drunk!" Nicole yelped
"For the record, what's your alcohol tolerance?" asked Gilat
"Pretty low, I've never really drank," Ginny said
"Then maybe you should get a mixed drink so you don't taste it as much" Leí suggested
"Uh sure, how about the pineapple drink?" Ginny asked
"Pineapple sangria miss," Their waiter said
"Yes, that"
"And for the rest of you?" The rest of the harpies ordered their drinks and meals, a surprising awkward silence followed.
"So you really never drank in school?" asked Sonya, it being the question on everyone's mind
"I mean, I drank a little 4th and 5th year but nothing serious, like a butter beer every now and again"
"That shouldn't even be classified as alcohol" Myra muttered
"I mean, there was so much going on, drinking with friends was really not a thing" Ginny continued "I had firewhiskey once, when Moody died, we toasted to him. And in 6th year, drinking makes you less inhibited and when you're fighting a war, that's kinda stupid. Last year it was sort of a habit for us"
"Wow" Gwenog said
"But that was years ago, we won today!" Ginny cheered. The other harpies got the hint to change the conversation. Ginny drank her pineapple drink. It was sweet but had a bitter aftertaste. It wasn't bad. They finished up their dinners and headed to the club. It was loud even from the outside. It was a muggle club, so they would have to be careful about magic. Gwenog walked to the front of the line. She told the bouncer her name and she let them in.
The club was even louder on the inside. The lights were purple and there was a dance floor in the middle. There was seating on one side and a bar on the other. Nicole took Myra's hand right away and they made their way over to the dance floor. Gilat and Sonya headed over to the bar.
Gwenog and Vasilina took Ginny and Lei over to the dance floor. The music had a strong beat and it was easy to dance to. Gilat and Sonya returned to the group with shots of some sort of amber liquid. Ginny really couldn't tell what it was
"One coke for Gwenog," Gilat said, passing out the drinks, "one shot for Vasilina Lei and Nicole, and two shots for the rookies" Ginny sniffed the amber liquid. It smelled kind of like fire whiskey, but not quite. She watched the other Harpies down their shots and Myra down both. Ginny closed her eyes and downed the shot.
"What is that?" She asked as it seared her throat
"Whiskey," said Myra "aren't you gonna drink the other one Ginny? Or are you light weight"
"She doesn't-" Gwenog started. Not wanting to be one upped, Ginny downed the other shot "never mind" said Gwenog, rolling her eyes. Ginny continued to dance with the other Harpies, Gilat brought over more drinks but that was when things started to get blurry for Ginny. The next thing she remembered she was in the hotel lobby, swaying violently. Somehow, she got back to her room, and was laying on her bed in her pjs. Vasilina sat on the other bed. While both of them were less inhibited, Ginny was far less
"I feel sick" Ginny said
"You drank a ton for a lightweight"
"I'm not a lightweight" Vasilina snorted
"You've never drank"
"So?" Vasilina rolled her eyes "Hey Vasi, do nightmares get worse when you're drunk?"
"I don't really get them to be honest, why do you ask?"
"That must be nice,"
"What's nice?" Vasilina asked
"Not getting them"
"Do you get them a lot?"
"All the time"
"Oh wow, that must be hard"
"I guess"
"What are they about?"
"Depends on the night. Sometimes I'm being chased by death eaters, usually in the department of mysteries or I see Sirius die. Others I'm seeing Bill getting attacked by greyback and Dumbledore's body"
"Wow"
"The Battle ones are the worst though." She said "I see Fred and I just try to save him and I can't or it's Tonks Lupin, Colin" Ginny choked down a sob "Or Harry"
"Harry?" Vasilina knew almost nothing about the battle. All of what had happened in the forest had been classified. Ginny was one of the only people to know that Harry really had died.
"In Hagrid's arms. You know he really was hit with the killing curse? He has a huge lightning scar on his chest and everything. I really thought he was dead. Bill had to hold me back. I wanted to kill them, all of them."
"You really love him." Vasilina mumbled
"You know he's the only person who calls me Gin? I just didn't want to live in a world without him. I couldn't. I fought Bellatrix when the fighting started again. She shot a killing curse at me, Harry almost cursed her! Mum did it instead. You know after the battle I was so mad at him, for scaring me like that. I didn't talk to him at first. God that was stupid of me huh?"
"Ginny I'm-" Vasilina turned around. Ginny was asleep.
Sun hotel, Farmounth EnglandGinny Weasley woke up the next morning, with almost no memory of the night before and a massive headache. Vasilina was still asleep, but there was a cup of water, a pain relieving potion and a note from Gwenog. Ginny downed the bitter potion and drank the water. Her vision began to clear and the light wasn't hurting nearly as much. Ginny read the note from Gwenog
Dear Ginny,
You definitely drank too much last. For future record, never take drinking as a competition with Myra and Never do anything Gilat tells you when drunk. All and all you were ok for a drunk rookie. I left you a pain potion, a cup of water and a stomach settling potion. You need to drink all three. If you wake up before Vasilina and it's after 9:30, wake her up. We have a harpies brunch at 10:30. Also, not sure if you remember but you mentioned why you've never drank before last night. I don't think that's the type of thing you want the whole world knowing so the team is sworn to not tell. Also don't worry, you didn't do anything more embarrassing than anyone else before 2 am. I have no idea if you are doing something stupid in your room. This is why I stay sober.
Lots of Love,
Gwenog
Ginny did remember dinner and the beginning of the party but the rest was a blur of drinks and dancing. She must have fallen asleep pretty quickly. She checked the time. It was already 9:45. Ginny walked over to Vasilina to wake her up. She shook her a listless bit and Vasilina grumbled.
"C'mon Gwenog said to get up" Vasilina tried to throw a pillow at her. Ginny stepped out of the way
"You missed"
"You're hungover"
"Fair point. I'm going to change. You better be up when I get back"
"What ever"
Ginny picked a pair of jeans and a sweater and headed into the bathroom to change. Her makeup from the night before was a mess. She quickly took it off. She showered, changed and put on some red lipstick. She fixed her hair and headed out of the bathroom. Vasilina was sitting up and had some clothes picked out. She quickly headed into the bathroom. Ginny checked the time. It was 10. They would have to be downstairs in half an hour. Vasilina left the bathroom at 10:20, giving them time to go meet the others. They were both heading out when Vasilina stopped her
"Ginny, before you fell asleep last night you said some really uh-personal stuff"
"I don't remember that" Ginny stamered. She should be able to remember that right? Why couldn't she remember? Her heart started to beat faster and a chill ran down her spine.
"I mean you were really drunk and-"
"Why can't I remember?" She choked out. She was trembling and her breath was shallow. She leaned against the wall for support.
"You were- are you ok?" Ginny was now sitting back to the wall with tears streaming down her face.
"It's not my fault"
"Ginny-"
"I can't remember"
"Oh god Ginny" Vasilina ran over to the door. She needed help. Gwenog was walking out of her room "Gwenog!" She yelled. Gwenog heard turned to see Vasilina's terrified face
"Are you ok?" Gwenog asked
"Ginny-" Gwenog ran into the room.
"It's not my fault-"
"Ginny sweetie it's Gwenog"
"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt"
"What's wrong with her?" asked Vasilina
"There's nothing 'wrong' with her, She's having a panic attack" Gwenog said as calmly as possible "try and stay calm for her and stay back. She needs space" Vasilina nodded
"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt"
"No Ginny, your ok, no one got hurt"
"I'm sorry! I didn't want Justin or Colin or Mrs. Norris or Hermione to get hurt."
"Ginny, you are ok. They are ok"
"I'm sorry Harry"
"Harry?" Vasilina asked. Gwenog shook her head not knowing what Ginny had meant.
"Riddle made me do it!" Ginny yelled
"Who's Riddle?" Vasilina asked
"Ginny, look at me." Ginny looked up "You can get through this. You are strong, and I am proud of you. What you are thinking is scary but it can't hurt you."
"I don't know where I am. He took me here. I'm sorry Harry"
"Ginny, what can I do to help you?"
"Diary…"
"Diary?"
"Maybe she means that diary she has in her quidditch bag. She takes it everywhere" Vasilina said
"Ok go get it" Vasilina ran over to the bag. She took out the plain white book and handed it to Gwenog. She opened it. The first page was titled 'what to do if Ginny's having a panic attack page 1'
If Ginny is having a panic attack, and is repeating phrases like I'm Sorry and it's not my fault, she's reliving a memory. Physical contact from someone she trusts helps steady her and stay in the moment, rather than the memory. Gwenog read quickly. "Vasilina, hold Ginny" Vasilina walked over to Ginny and wrapped her arms around her. She continued reading Ginny feels like her body's not hers and that something else was or is controlling her. Repeat 'My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am [where she is and what she is doing]' "Ok Ginny, repeat after me," Gwenog said "My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England"
"My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England"
"My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England" Gwenog repeated
"My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England, My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England. My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England" her breathing began to level and she started to stop shaking. "My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England, My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England. My name is Ginny Weasley, I am 18, I am sitting on the floor of The Sun hotel in Falmouth England" She breathed out and looked up at Gwenog
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired,"
"Ok, let's go back inside. Is that ok?"
"Yeah" Gwenog led Ginny over to the bed to sit down. Vasilina followed and sat at the opposite bed
"What do you need, Ginny?"
"Could I have a glass of water" Vasilina got up to get her one. "Can I talk to you?" Ginny looked up nervously
"Of course,"
"I always talk to Harry or Bill after panic attacks"
"I can call one of them-"
"I'm ok."
"Ok." Vasilina walked back into the room with a glass of water. Ginny sipped her water.
"I was back there with Harry."
"Where was that?" asked Vasilina. Gwenog glared at her
"The chamber, with Harry. After Riddle-" she choked
"It's ok Ginny" Gwenog said rubbing her back
"After Riddle tried to kill us. He-he possessed me and made me open the chamber of secrets. He was after Harry. Harry stopped him and saved me." She paused "Riddle took advantage of me. He was my first friend at school. When I couldn't remember what happened when people were getting petrified, he told me everything was fine. I had no idea what a monster he was. I had no idea who he was"
"Who was he?"
"Voldemort" Gwenog shudder and Vasilina glared
"Don't say that name." She hissed. Ginny started to get angry
"I survived, I can say it. It wasn't totally him, just a version of his past self, trapped in a diary"
"That must have been really hard" Vasilina said
"I don't think I want to go to brunch" Ginny said softly
"Ok, do you want to go home, stay here or go somewhere else?" Gwenog asked
"I want to go home"
"Ok I'll call Harry for you"
"I don't-"
"Ginny you shouldn't be alone right now and you said you usually go to him during a panic attack" she nodded
"He understands"
"I'm patronusing him now, ok?"
"Ok" Gwenog sent her patronus
"Vasilina, go downstairs and tell the others I'll be down in a few minutes."
"What should I tell them about Ginny?"
"that she had too much to drink and needs to sleep it off"
"Now everyone's gonna call me a lightweight" she chuckled
"I think they already are.."
"Go Vasilina" She left and they waited for Harry to arrive. They heard footsteps and there was a knock at the door. Gwenog got up and opened the door. Her and Harry walked over to where Ginny was sitting. She stood up and Harry hugged her
"Are you ok?" He whispered. She shook her head.
"I just want to go home" Harry spinned in his spot and they both apperated to Grimmauld Place