Part III: Birthday and Party
Author email: alice_spinnet@yahoo.com
Category: romance/drama
Spoilers: All the books
Rating: R for language
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: The reasoning behind all the story of how they became friends will be revealed in the story. For now it is important to realize that it's a mystery for the reader. I am not giving out any guarentees on the ending of this story and you may be somewhat surprised. However, I am open to all suggestions which any of you may provide.
Part III: Birthday and Party (3/10 for now, is subject to change)
Part III: Birthday and Party
"Draco Malfoy, I never want to see you again," she stopped suddenly. "The wedding is off!" and with that, she stormed down the stairs. Draco could hear her footsteps fading and he collapsed on Hermione's bed. The entire world and everyone that was important to him had left. He felt like he was alone to forever roam the earth with no companion of any sort for all eternity.
When he awoke, the room was empty. He stood up and noticed it was the middle of the night. He stood and for the first time noticed his physical condition. He felt so tired, he couldn't believe how dry his mouth was and his posture was absolutely horrid. Draco tasted a bitterness in his mouth but quickly ignored it. There was a glass of water on the dresser next to him and he gulped it down. He got up quietly and looked around her room. Draco saw the letter that Hermione wrote and snatched it up off the desk. He read it several times and sadly dropped his head down in defeat. Suddenly he ripped it to shreds and angrily threw the remnants of the paper around the room letting them scatter all over the floor and furniture.
"So, according to the muggle news, we have new reports of even more mad cow disease and I warn all the wizards out there to be careful when eating in muggle restaurants. They don't have sanitizing charms and they certainly don't have spells to cure them. However, new research also shows that the mad cow disease has somehow evolved to repel the spell for mad cow disease, dubbed, "The Moo-Moo Spell" Dr. Frank Opari speaks on his view of this:"
The wizard radio trailed off as Draco walked into the kitchen and turned it off. Hermione looked up at him.
"Oh good! You're awake! I've been sleeping in Harry's room for the past two nights. I'm so sorry about everything. I gave you the rest of my sleeping potion to help you sleep, I hope you don't mind. How are you feeling? Do you want to eat anything? Are you thirsty?"
Draco shook his head, "Nah, I think I'll be okay. I just wanted to thank you for you know, being there even though I think I should really hate you right now."
"Oh I'm so sorry. Do you want me to clear things up with Pansy?" Hermione's voice was filled with guilt.
"No, I'm sure she'll come around. So, I think I'm actually going to go home now. It's getting quite late," Draco started off towards the door.
Hermione felt so bad. What could she do to make it up to him? "Wait, Draco! I really am sorry and I want to show you something." It was the least she could do. To let him have a piece of her soul since she had taken half of his when Pansy left.
"Huh?" Draco asked.
"I said, I wanted you to see something. I made this a few days after we moved in," she had half a mind to just forget the idea and make up something else but she knew she couldn't bring herself to do that. She couldn't lie to him after putting him through such a horrible ordeal. "How did I get myself into this mess?" she muttered so quietly that even Draco didn't hear her. She quickly stood up causing the chair under her to squeak loudly and Draco looked up in surprise. She smiled faintly and tore up the stairs. He followed closely.
"They arrived in her room and Hermione closed the door behind them and locked it. She turned to the curtains and closed them by hand.
Draco was surprised to see her not use magic and interrupted, "Hermione, why don't you just use magic to do that? Here I'll even do it for you, all you really have to do is just say---"
She cut him off, "No, don't do that, I have to do this, now sit and watch. Draco sat on her bed obediently as she closed them, opened them and closed them once again.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" he asked incredulously. "If you're trying to show me that you're not right in the head, I've got the picture, I really have to go now," he looked in her direction.
She had completely ignored that statement but when he silently started for the door, she immediately yelled, "Sit down," making Draco jump. She opened the curtains one last time and opened the windows. They were at least a hundred feet off the ground. Her room was definitely the one with the nicest view. That was the entire reason why she had chosen it.
Draco sat numbly and looked out the window, since he was stuck here anyway, he might as well enjoy the view. "Load of sodding crap is what it is," he thought silently to himself. Hermione had finally thrown open the window and it hit the wall loudly. Draco looked up quickly to see Hermione fling herself out the window in an almost flying motion.
"Oh my God!" Draco yelled. She's mad, she's trying to kill herself. But he saw her disappear and quickly he looked out at the window. He walked to her sill and stuck his head out. As soon as his head was there, he could see he was in a hidden room. And Hermione was in there. She sat on the sofa patiently waiting for him to join her. He climbed in rather clumsily and dusted himself off as he approached Hermione and sat at the opposite end of the couch.
"Draco, this is--" Hermione began but Draco had already started speaking.
"Hermione, what the fuck were you thinking? I thought you were trying to commit fucking suicide! Are you and Pansy in cahoots trying to see how much fucking stress you can put on me before I explode? Well, fucking answer me!" he sat down again looking quite defeated.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to show this to you. And hey, at least the machine doesn't connect to here, swear as much as you want," she chuckled at her joke however Draco's face was grim and he folded his arms, she quickly continued, "No one knows about this place, and since well, I lost a piece of your heart forever, I thought I could at least give you a very special piece of mine. And this is it. This is my sanctuary. If you ever want to talk to me about anything, you'll always find me here. I just thought you'd want to know about it, in case, you know--" she stopped, letting an uncomfortable silence follow.
After what seemed like forever, Draco spoke up, "Listen, I'm very thankful for this nice---" he motioned around the room, "--gesture of yours," he actually sounded pained to say it, "Please realize this is a hard time for me. I---I just need to be away from here for a while, and don't try to contact me. If you want you can tell everyone that we're not getting married anymore---" he paused to breathe in slightly, "It hardly matters," he finished and with that he stalked towards the window and left leaving Hermione standing there with her mouth open.
"How could he be this cruel? I shouldn't have told him. I should have let him leave when I had the chance and now, and now my secret is no longer a secret," she sniffed aloud. She collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.
"Ginny, Hermione's not home, let's talk about the plans," Ron said quietly.
"Ron, if she's not here, then it's really dumb to whisper. Alright, so I'll go get us some drinks and you make popcorn, meet me in my room in ten minutes," she said sternly.
"Yes, sir! Miss Ginny," he stood straight up and looked at her. Ginny burst out laughing.
"Oh cut it out Ron, we should hurry, she'll be back soon," she laughed.
"Yeah, sure," said Ron.
--------------Ten minutes later:-------------
"I'll talk to Hermione and try to convince her what a great person you are and how horrible Harry is, and you'll do the same for Harry, right?" she asked, double checking everything.
"Yes, we've already been through this, I'm quite sure we'll be fine. But, remember, try to be as inconspicuous as you can. You don't want them to know what we're planning. I feel so bad. Are you sure we shouldn't let them just get married?"
"Ron?" Ginny asked lightly.
"What?" he answered.
"Do you think Hermione would be happier with you or with Harry?" she said very quietly.
"I don't know. All I know is that I'll be happier with her. But I know I can make her happy. I know it. All it takes is for her to give me a chance and--" he trailed off to a sigh, "and we'll have a wonderful life together," he breathed out.
Oh God, thought Ginny, he loves both of them. And him being with Hermione might ruin what he has with Harry. "You can decide what you want. Just make a well thought out decision, okay?" she didn't want to push him to sabotage their wedding but in her own heart she really did. She wish she could yell out at him, "Come on Ron! Don't be such a baby! You want her, you're gonna have to do something and not just sit around watching her get married."
"I want to do this. I know I sound crazy but if I don't, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. So, I'll send Harry an owl asking him how things are and everything. You should too actually. Start getting closer to him and stuff," he paused.
"Actually, you should spend time with Hermione while Harry's away all the time, you know, plan the wedding, then have her realize that it's more your wedding than Harry's and have her break up with him,"
"Alright, we'll each write our separate letters and double check with each other before sending them off. Maybe we should send them at different times too. Just not to be too suspicious," Ron started. "And, I have a feeling Hermione is here so we should definitely change the subject now. So, Ginny. How's life for you?" he asked sarcastically.
"Well, pretty much surrounded by Harry. Oh God, I am obsessed. I feel like a stalker. Well, I think you should go then, okay?" she was cheerful for once. No one had seen that genuine smile on Ginny for years. Ron treasured the moment and walked off still holding the bowl of popcorn.
"Hey! I want some popcorn too!" Ginny yelled!
"It's mine now!" he said sardonically and popped a handful into his mouth.
Ginny put on an angry expression and said, "Fine! I'm not giving you any of the drinks then!"
"Fine, don't, since there's none left," Ron retorted stifling his laughter.
Ginny gasped as she looked behind her a the thin layer of juice covering the very bottom of the pitcher staining it a slight pink. Her eyes darted to the tray on her bed, where even emptier glasses stood next to cookie crumbs. She sighed heavily and conjured some pink lemonade and then some popcorn. "Nevermind then, I'll just eat my own!" she huffed and closed the door in Ron's face. She smiled again. She could begin her letter to Harry.
Ginny walked towards her desk and took out her favorite stationary parchment. It was made of rough paper. A stiffer paper. Almost like half made stuff but leaves and twigs were flattened and stamped into it. It was dyed a slight violet color and she looked at the glitter, the iridescent bits shining in the light. She admired the craftiness and remembered when Harry had given it to her.
"I'm so sorry Gin, I can't believe Wood asked us to leave for the quidditch tournament the day of your birthday. I'm really sorry. I feel like a daft idiot. I can't believe I hadn't said anything when he asked us if there were any conflicts. I guess I could cancel. I can apparate there the next day. Do you want me to stay Gin?" Harry asked quietly.
"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "You know that I want you to stay, but I don't want you to do all this for me. Just go. Get me something nice from Bulgaria alright?" her voice shook but she could feel the confidence build up. Perhaps she could delude Harry into thinking that she was alright and that the party would go on. The problem was, there was no party. She had only wanted to spend some time with him.
"Alright then. He kissed her softly on the cheek and ran up to Hermione's room. She sighed softly. What she wouldn't give to be Hermione any day. Anything.
"I swear," she whispered to herself. "I would sell my soul to the devil if I could be her and marry him. I really would." She walked back up to her room and walked into the bathroom. She saw her own pained expression in her eyes and knew why Harry offered to stay. She knew he wouldn't be able to anyway but now she knew why. She looked so miserable. It was a pity offer. She silently thanked God for not allowing her to agree and let Harry stay. She was at least thankful for that.
------The Next Day------
Ginny woke up and saw that it was already quite late. "Great," she groaned to no one in particular, "My birthday and I've already woken up late," she heaved herself off the bed with great effort because she was so tired and dragged herself into the bathroom to get ready. After she finished changing. She went downstairs and saw that no one was home. "I'm not that late am I?" she glanced at the clock to her left and saw that it was only 9:30. "Where on earth could everyone be?" Ginny walked to the stove and started to boil some water. She looked at the table and was surprised at what she saw. A magnificent breakfast was in front of her seat at the dining table. It was still steaming so she knew that a warmth charm had been used on it. It didn't matter to her though. Ginny slowly walked over to the table and took in the smell of her first breakfast that she didn't have to make for herself in years. Her mum would always make breakfast but she made so many breakfasts that it was more like a buffet than a breakfast.
She hungrily ate and when she was on her third pancake. She saw the note tucked neatly under the spoon she had yet to use. She stuffed another piece of pancake into her mouth and slowly unfolded it with the fork still dangling from her mouth. Suddenly it fell from her mouth and with a clang hit the floor. Ginny hardly noticed and suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore. The note read:
Hey Ginny!
How are you? And by the way, Happy Birthday! I'm really sorry but I won't be able to make it. Harry asked me to come with him on the quidditch trip and you know how much I really want to spend time with him. I'm really sorry. I thought we could celebrate again later by having a belated birthday night for you with you, Harry, Fred, George, Ron, and me. Since they're all on the quidditch team. I'll see what type of souvenirs they have in Bulgaria. You wanted one right? Harry's a bit busy so I'll get it for you, I hope you don't mind. Celebrate with Draco. You guys are dating. You should have a good night together anyway. I really am sorry about it all. Thanks for understanding.
Love From,
Hermione
"God! Why is it always her. I'm really beginning to hate that bitch," she seethed. She recoiled, realizing the meaning of her words and silently thanking the heavens that no one was around to hear her sudden outburst of anger. "I shouldn't resent her, she doesn't know I love Harry. It's not her fault," she said confidently. Quickly, she picked up her fork and continued with her half eaten pancake.
"We're back!" yelled Harry as he ran in and gave Ginny a big warm hug. She reveled in the feeling and drank in his scent that was uniquely Harry, Oh Harry, she thought to herself, Why, after all these years have you not asked me out once. Not at all, not a slight turn from Ron's little sister, that's all I'll ever be to you, she jerked in Harry's arms and he released her huskily. She immediately regretted it and felt Hermione giving her a hug while apologizing for the delay of her birthday. She walked outside with Harry which Fred and George engulfed her with hugs. She hardly listened as she watched Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand out the door over Fred's shoulder.
"We missed you Ginny," Fred or was it George? Her tears were blurring her vision now.
"Oh we're happy to see you too!" called George, it had to be George, maybe it was Fred, she couldn't tell--- they mistakenly had thought she was crying because she was so happy to see them. She smiled faintly and allowed them to pick her up and take her to the kitchen and propped her at the head.
When Harry and Hermione returned, they had a large birthday cake in the middle of the table and twenty candles on it around the perimeter of the cake. Hermione dimmed the lights and Ron showed up suddenly as well as Draco, who at the time had been dating her.
He took her hand and whispered seductively in her ear, "Happy Birthday sweetie," Ginny shivered giggled slightly. Having accomplished his goal, Draco stood up straight and sang along with the rest of the group as "Happy Birthday" in the most awful key ever was sung for her. The notes were all wrong and the blend was horrible. Draco winced at the sound of their voices but Ginny hardly noticed. She smiled brightly and heaved a great sigh as the song came to an end. "I wish," she whispered to herself, "That one day I will find someone who I love so much that I will completely forget about Harry forever," and with that, she bent over careful to hold the backing of the chair after what happened with Ron the previous year when Fred pushed his face into the cake. Pushing out all those thoughts, she blew out all nineteen candles in one breath as everyone clapped.
The cake exploded.
Ginny jumped back in response as he lovely cake was well, all over everyone but mostly on the table floors and he walls.
"Oh my!" shrieked Hermione as Harry laughed loudly.
"Fred and George joined them and went to their fridge and pulled out a brand new cake shaped like a bottle of gin, "This is your cake, Gin," they emphasized the name. Then sniggered and muffled their sounds of laughter by turning their backs.
"How cute," "Gin" replied. "Right, let's get to presents!" everyone cheered.
"Wait, what about the 'gin' cake?" Fred asked.
"Abandon it," Ginny replied and with that conjured up her own cake. It was a round cake, with ice cream in the center, just how she liked it. The outside was covered with a thin crust of chocolate. On top of that were swirls of chocolate syrup poured onto the glazed surface in a small design that was enchanted to move around. And on top of that were eight chocolate roses all pointing to the center, where a mini fountain was sitting there. It was a white bowl, with two fish at the top, frozen in motion with their mouths open and water squirting out in opposite directions. They crossed midair and fell into the petals of a water lily between the fish. When that overflowed, it went to the next level, and then the next. And the bottom never over flowed, just stayed full to the brim. Dark frilly things surrounded the base of the fountain and she felt her mouth start to water. She set it on the table, removed the fountain, and after leaving the cake, immediately turned off, cut it into eight pieces, letting everyone each have a rose and gave one to each person, leaving one for an extra.
Everyone carrying their slice of cake, walked over to the sitting room where the white carpet was just perfect. The walls were covered with an equally milk-white and in the center was a marble table and a fireplace made of white marble. The leather sofas were also white and it would have been a pity if anyone ever dripped any of their cake anywhere in that room because it was absolutely enchanting. And it was enchanted, so that the sun, shone 24 hours a day there. The windows went from the floor to the ceiling and their garden already obscured most of the view anyway so it was good that the ceiling reached the sky's limits and beyond. There was no artificial light.
Ginny sat patiently on the floor as everyone sat in a circle around her, each holding their own gift for Ginny. Hermione faced her. Next to her was Harry, who sat beside Fred and of course then George who say directly behind her. Ron was sitting next to George and she couldn't exactly see him. And next to him was her Draco, sitting next to Hermione. Hermione went first, she handed Ginny a small package, it was so small quite similar to a ring box. If Draco had given that to her, she would have immediately thought he was proposing to her. The thought made her shiver as she reached for the gift. She thanked Hermione and examined the outside. It was intricately wrapped and undoubtedly done by magic, no human could have so meticulously taken the time to do so themselves. She smiled and saw that it was a jewelry box. How strange, "It's a necklace!" she said out loud. "Oh it's lovely Hermione! It was in the shape of a bouquet of flowers, roses to be exact and it was absolutely lovely. thanked Hermione kindly.
She quickly put it on as Fred and George handed their gift, it was a large box, about a metre and a half or so tall and thirty centimetres wide. It was only five centimetres thick though. What a strange package, she though. The gift wrapping paper had not been done by magic as Hermione's was. She saw the spellotape that had the words "Happy Birthday" all along it and blinking, changing colours every few moments. This was wrapped all around the gift several times creating a whole, "Five year old gift" look. She gave them a severe look but inside she appreciated this much more than the magically wrapped one.
Fred and George laughed to themselves and showed a smug look. "If anyone wants to use the service of the two best gift-wrappers in the world, come see us. We only charge thirty galleons a gift, but wait, if you owl now, you can get it at, yes, at twenty galleons a gift and we'll throw in a free ribbon and birthday card!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Umm, right, we'll request the services of you two when---"
They cut her off, "I know, very soon. Well, there is a waiting list for this type of thing and we'll have to charge a--" George began.
"Oh shut up with the both of you! You're going to drive everyone mad with your ruddy ranting!" Draco said loudly. It actually wasn't loud, he possessed the quality that both Snape and McGonagall had. The ability to calm a crowd and keep complete silence even with the softest voice.
"Right," started Ginny, "I'm going to open the gift now," and she did, it was a new Scintillate Sword, only the newest ladies broom model out there. The silver handle was imprinted with glitter that sparkled in the light. She admired the broom and carefully put it back in the box. She slowly looked up at Fred and George with her mouth open.
"We're assuming that means, "Thank you" because having your mouth hanging open usually doesn't mean much to us, but we'll make an exception for you if you want," Fred started.
"Oh, right, thank you so much! This must have cost you a fortune!" she started, but she thought and realized they must have been rich, they played quidditch during the quidditch season and that earned a quite respectable amount and plus, the still had the joke shop to keep the occupied the rest of the year. Yes, they could definitely afford something like this. She muttered a thank you and continued on her way through to the next present, Ron's.
He silently handed her a strange shaped box. It was almost a perfect square and quite large but it was a smooth cardboard box with not wrapping of any sort whatsoever. The box itself was a greyish color and the lid was a light purple color. There was a bright Christmas ribbon hastily tied around it and it didn't match the box's colors at all. She overlooked the fact and knew that it was probably wrapped with as much love and care as Fred and George's were. Which then she supposed wasn't very much and sighed heavily.
Ron looked up at her quizzically. She slowly untied the ribbon and cautiously lifted the lid of the box. Inside, she saw a framed picture of Neville. She gasped loudly and slowly took the picture out and stared at it. The tears flowed freely down her face. He had of course, been killed and she did miss him. If he were still here, she probably wouldn't be as obsessed with Harry as she is now. She missed him, dearly and if she could do anything to bring him back---" she stopped that train of thought It was depressing. She looked up at Ron.
Ron shrugged, "Colin gave me that photo of him. He hadn't developed it correctly so it's a still photo. But if you keep looking, I took the negatives and made another one, so that he waves to you. And, the bracelet, that's from him. He happened to share with me the thought that he loved you and wanted to tell me about it since I am your older brother and everything," he sat up a bit straighter as everyone groaned. Now, if you'll keep looking---"
Yes Ron, thank you for that, umm, how shall I say, 'informative speech' that you so kindly had to give us," said Ginny before plunging her hands back into the box and retrieving a white owl with grey spots on the head. It looked just like her old owl, Jasmine. Ron had accidentally set her out of her cage one day and she had just never returned.
"I found her," he spoke quietly. "Or if not then I found the exact carbon copy of her because there is nothing different from this owl and the one you had four years ago in your 6th year!" he exclaimed.
Fred and George examined the owl and concluded that Ron was right, "Either this was the real thing or she was just infinitely close to the owl she had owned so many years ago."
"Well, thank you Ron. I can't believe you found her. Where---?" Ginny began.
"She flew into the Burrow and yeah, we recognized her and you know, I'm---" he stopped talking when he realized what he was going to say, and his mind he concluded, "I'm really sorry I didn't give you anything pricey like the ones they have. I feel like an idiot," but he didn't. Instead he rapidly motioned to Draco to give his gift.
Draco smirked at Ron and drawled, "What Weasley?" Ron glared daggers at him and Draco looked at Ginny. Draco's gift was shaped like a bottle of wine. She looked curiously in his direction but he said nothing.
Ginny examined the paper and it too was magically wrapped. It was lovely paper though. She carefully dug her fingernail between the edges where the paper overlapped and slowly undid the wrapping. She wanted to save it. With that done, she saw that it was indeed a wine bottle but it was completely empty save a small piece of parchment. It looked old and tattered as if it were some treasure map. Ginny removed the cork slowly as it made a 'pop' noise. Slowly she turned the bottle downwards as all the contents fell out. Bits of sand fell onto the carpet and the large piece of parchment became wedged in the neck of the bottle. Ginny stuck two of her fingers in to retrieve the paper and as she pulled it out. A red, purple like, shimmering dust glowed around it. She quickly read the parchment as it said,
"I'll give you your gift later, follow the map. See you tonight!"
And she looked around the room. Harry was eyeing her in a very peculiar manner and she realized she was the only one who could read it! "Draco, did you enchant it so that only I could read it?"
"Of course, don't want any nosy people trying to pry their way into my letter, now do we?" his head bobbed back and forth as he glared at all the members of the Gargantuan.
"Thank you Draco, I'll umm, read it later, alright?" she nodded to him and he understood she read it. Alright, who's next?" she said cheerfully.
"Well, since everyone else has already gone, I suppose it's me. Now, umm, here you go. It's not as nice as some of the other presents here but I got it while I went to America once. I visited a field and they made these things and I thought I'd buy some for you. And I have some other stuff if you don't like it, I mean---"
"It's okay, Harry," she said as she laughed slightly. She opened the box. It was, like Ron's filled with many different things. At first it looked like an empty box but she reached her hands inside, she felt a smooth water-like material. It was an invisibility cloak! "Oh, Harry, I can't take your fath---"
"No, it's okay, this is a different one. I would never give away my dad's," he smirked and tossed his chin up. Ginny could only think how cute he looked when he did that. However, she thanked him and saw that underneath it, there was much, much more. There was mini-vase that refilled with fresh flowers every morning, a never shrinking bar of soap, a lovely scarf that matched the dress he complimented her on the week before, and the precious notepaper he had acquired while on his trip in the country and a bottle of wine from the vineyards there. She looked up at him,
"They had vineyards and I thought you might like some," he shrugged. "I hope you like it." "Oh thank you Harry!" she hugged him tightly. She reluctantly released him and watched sadly as he reached for Hermione's hand. She automatically reached for Draco's and leaned back and rested her head on him. She looked back and smiled at Draco.
"I can't wait until tonight!" she whispered to his smiling face.
Ginny tore her thoughts away from the memory. It was a great birthday after all, she enjoyed it thoroughly and yet, years later, she was still in the same position, no one wanting her, and her still yearning for Harry. Even when she was dating Draco. No wonder he broke up with her that night. She understood. It wasn't hard to tell that she was still very much in love with Harry.
"I'm going to have to be more discreet next time," she said aloud and reached for a pen to write her letter.
Hi Harry! How's quidditch? I hope you're having a great time. I'm sure you'll win, so no need for me to wish you luck. I have a business assignment in Bulgaria, which is where you're playing next, right? Why don't I come to one of your games and see how you've been. I haven't seen you play in ages! Alright? If that's a yes, send me a ticket, I have no idea where or how to get these. Sorry! See you soon!
Love,
Ginny
Ginny had, of course been lying about the business and assignment in Bulgaria, there was obviously none of that there, but he didn't have to know that. Plus she did know how to get a ticket. She's been attending his games since he started playing. He just hasn't been able to spot her under the big hat she always wears. She sighed heavily and went downstairs to their private owlry and found Jasmine sleeping in the corner. She reached up and gently patted her head. Jasmine's eyes immediately flew open and softened as she saw Ginny. Ginny tied the letter to her and told her to give it to Harry. She watched as it flew off.
Wormtail sneaked into the ministry and tapped into their files of private homes. Quickly he made a copy with a flick of his wand and stored it into his pocket. Suddenly, there was nothing there but a little mouse scurrying through the room and under the door back into the outside world.
"So exactly what are you proposing we do?" screamed Ron. He was certain he had heard incorrectly. Fortunately, fate was on his side and he relaxed, letting out a deep sigh he didn't know he was holding in.
"I'm saying that we should get the plan going and if you haven't realized, we don't have a plan, therefore we can't continue with it and I'm suggesting that we get some sort of plan together so that we can act upon it!" Ginny retorted.
"So, when you said all that stuff about killing them, it was a metaphor?" his voice was so much calmer but still menacing.
"Of course you daft prick! And I'm not exactly sure what we should do, just that we should definitely hurry," she said quickly.
"Why?" Ron asked curiously.
"Because, they are spending the entire vacation together, how are you supposed to not realize that they aren't spending time with us?" she was actually getting angry at how dim witted Ron was.
"Maybe it's because they're engaged," Ron suggested.
"Yes, and it's our job to stop that from happening. Just try to spend time with Hermione, even one of us spending time with one of them is good because they're not with each other," Ginny stopped listening to Ron and thought about her remark, she was desperate. She shivered inwardly and shook her attention back to Ron. "Um, I'm sorry, I wasn't really focusing, could you repeat that?"
"Actually no, I'll talk to you later, the match is about to begin, bye!" Ron hung up the phone and put out the fire.
Ginny did the same and asked quickly threw in more powder yelling "Harry!"
"Hermione, I love you," Harry whispered softly.
"And I you," she replied and groaned quietly and she pushed herself up off the bed. Quickly she showered and dressed.
Harry frowned slightly, "Please Hermione, just stay for the match, don't go back to work just yet, it's nice to have someone I love waiting for me after everyone leaves. I---"
"I have to go, people are counting on me to treat them and it's quite pointless if I don't have a productive thing to do here. Plus, no one knows I came with you, I really should go back Harry, they might worry, you know that," she said soothingly.
"You're hired, your new job is to make love to me every day from now until the end of time," he said teasingly.
"Well," she paused, "I guess I'll have to resign soon. I would never want to do a job like that!" she huffed.
"I didn't mean that, you know it, come on, come to bed---"
"No, I have to go now, bye Harry," and with that she gave him a soft peck on the cheek and walked out the door with her luggage. Harry groaned loudly and fell back onto the sheets, disappointed but at the time, putting it off until he can deal with it later. He had a headache and just wanted to sleep for now but no such luck was with him. A moment later, Ginny's face appeared in the fireplace, frantically yelling.
"Harry! Harry? Are you there?" Ginny sounded quite urgent and Harry groaned as he got up.
"Ginny! What's wrong? What's troubling you?" he was concerned and that made Ginny feel a tad be guilty but she didn't show it.
"Oh nothing! It's just that I wanted to let you know that Pansy owled the Gargantuan to tell you that your girlfriend's cheating. I'm not sure whether or not that's true but I thought I should tell you. You should talk to Hermione. I'm sure it's nothing though. So how is everything with you? Quidditch well?"
"Umm, well, I'm good, wait, what about this Hermione thing? I don't get it, she's been cheating? Pansy told you this? Who could it be? Look, I'll get back to you later alright? I should go. Bye!" and with that, he left the fire place, causing the fire to extinguish itself. Then Harry threw himself onto the bed, waiting for sleep to take over.
Ginny sighed with frustration. This was definitely not what she had in mind. She wanted to get him to dump her. Not fret over her. "Damnit! Why can't I do anything right?" She hurried back into her room and slammed the door.
Harry dreamed. He dreamed of Fudge's death:
"Let's find Percy Weasley," declared Hermione. "Soon, before they take Fudge's body away."
"Well, do you know where he is?" Harry asked.
"Actually no, I thought that we could go to the Burrow and ask them to find him. I'm sure they still have the clock," she replied
"Let's go then," he answered and they were off.
"Lo, Mrs. Weasley, how have you been?" Hermione said politely.
"I could be better, come on in dearies, you don't want to be outside that long, the bugs will get in. Have you had dinner yet? Do you need a place to stay for the night? Is there anything you need? You're not in trouble, are you? Because, if Ron has---"
"Actually, we're fine, can you by any chance can help up find Percy?" Hermione cut her off.
"Oh right, that's not hard, he's in his room, just run on up, you know where it is," she said cheerfully.
Harry noticed the masked happiness in her voice and said, "But we would like to have two glasses of lemonade though, could you get some?"
Hermione looked quizzically at him and Mrs. Weasley sighed with delight saying, "Of course! Coming right up!" He smiled at Mrs. Weasley before taking her hand and climbing the stairs.
They knocked quietly on the door. "Percy?" Hermione asked.
Next chapter, what has Percy Weasley got to do with this whole thing? Whose address did Wormtail take? What happened to Draco and the unfolding plan of Ron and Ginny. Keep reading to get the rest of this riveting story!! (LOL) Thank yous to everyone that has reviewed. Greatly appreciated. Next time I will have individual thank yous so if you want to be in it, let me know what you think of the story!! Everyone that reviews the next chapter will be in it! By the way, WANTED, I'm looking for a BETA reader, or several, or whoever is interested. Must be a dedicated person. LOL.. Anyone interested? Tell me in a review or write me an email, at alice_spinnet@yahoo.com and I'll send you the story. I've also revised the first two chapters so that the grammar is well, "better" than before. Thanks everyone!
Forever,
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