Summary: An nineteen-year old Ginny struggles through a particularly difficult life. Facing her complicated love life, being hated by everyone, and finally realising that she had lost everything she could ever imagine.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter or any of the characters you recognise in this story. (Cause if I did, I'd be so damn rich by now… *Sigh* Think of all the possibilities…) Nah, they belong to the wonderful author J.K Rowling. Oh yeah, and also Bloomsbury, Warner Bros, etc.
A/N: Chapter One was a bit short, but this chapter is definitely longer. I'm so sorry if Draco hasn't come up yet, but he will be there in the next chapter if everything goes well. Please review your thoughts on the story so far.
Chapter 2: The Party
Ginny awoke the next morning, feeling peculiarly sore all over. She rubbed her eyes, trying to refresh her brain. The morning sun outside was clouded, letting a little twinkle of light shine through. She got out of bed and drank the water that was already prepared for her.
A loud knock on the door startled her. "Darling," her mother's voice rang out. "We've got to be leaving in about 2 hours, so you better hurry!"
Ginny moaned irritably. Two hours? Is she kidding? She needs to look her best; she's going to see Harry for God's sake! Ginny quickly ran out of her bedroom and into her luxurious, sparkling bathroom. She took off her expensive, pink sleeping wear, and started to have her 'beauty' bath.
She finished with only one hour to spare. Ginny opened her wardrobe to reveal her collection of the clothes that would make a girl drool. There was a pile of clothes that looked like it was straight from 'Veronica's Closet', a range of real fur coats, elegant party clothes, and others that were just too wonderful to describe.
She chose one carefully, checking to see if it was spotless and perfect. It was a sparkly, emerald gown, with a shining gold hem underneath, and a low-cut neckline. The dress would leave her slim, smooth back bare. She also wore her sapphire necklace, with its matching bracelet. For the hair, she tied it up in a neat, elegant chignon, and decorated it with gold accessories.
Finishing touches were the jade, high-heeled, strapless shoes and the most irresistible make-up on her face. She eyed herself in front of her mirror. Cho is going down, she thought as a smug smile crept up her face.
******
Lord Bracknell's mansion, which was called 'The Red Rose', was filled with hundreds of people talking and laughing with each other. The Weasleys entered in and was greeted instantly by a number of important people.
Ginny shuffled away from all the hustling, and made her way into the ballroom. Fifty or so people were gathering there, and a clear ringing voice made her head turn. "Ginny! Ginny Weasley! Over here!"
Ginny craned her head. There she saw her old friend standing patiently. Hermione, with her now-straight brown hair, was waving enthusiastically over at her, wearing a big, happy grin on her face.
Ginny smiled as a feeling of warmth entered her body. She walked over to Hermione and waved a hand.
"Hi Herm," she greeted.
Hermione's mouth was open. "Wow, Ginny! Look at you! You look beautiful!" she exclaimed as she gave Ginny a big hug.
"Umm, yeah… Thanks… Hey, careful… Don't ruin my earrings…" Ginny said as she pulled away from Hermione's embrace.
"Oh, sorry," said Hermione, still grinning. "Did you hear the good news?"
"What news?" asked Ginny, pretending not to care.
Hermione clapped her hands together. "About Harry and Cho, of course! They're engaged!" exclaimed Hermione.
Ginny yawned. "Oh yeah, that. Yes, I heard it from Seamus yesterday when he was visiting," said Ginny.
Hermione eyed her carefully. There seemed to be no joy whatsoever in Ginny's face. "Is anything wrong?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, no Herm. Nothing's wrong," said Ginny; there seemed to be a lump stuck in her throat. "Ahem… Do you know where the others are? Oh, and I need a drink."
"No, I don't know where they are; I've been trying to find them… Let's go outside and get that drink first, ok?" suggested Hermione.
Ginny nodded; still searching the room for Harry. They made their way outside onto the green lawn. It was decorated with colourful strings hanging up on poles, and circus tents and stalls. People were having their own picnics on the grass, laughing merrily.
"Come on, I think the refreshments are over here…" said Hermione as she led Ginny into a bunch of crowds gathering around.
Ginny bumped into a person on her way past the crowd. It was Parvati. "Oh my God! Is this Ginny Weasley??" Parvati asked, surprised.
"Yes…. Parvati?" said Ginny with annoyance.
"Yeah, it's me! Wow, Ginny… You've certainly changed!" commented Parvati. Her eyes were clouded with jealousy.
"Thanks," said Ginny. "Although I can't say the same thing about you," she murmured as an afterthought.
"Sorry?" asked Parvati.
"Nothing… So, where's Lavender?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, she's right here," said Parvati as she pulled Lavender out from the crowd. "Lavender, this is Ginny. You still remember her?" Parvati asked Lavender.
Lavender's eyes widened when she saw Ginny. "Weasley? Ginny Weasley?" she said unbelievingly. "Wow… Um, yeah, I still remember you, of course."
Hermione's head popped up from the crowd. "Ginny! You weren't following me…" she complained.
"Herm, I'm here! I've met Parvati and Lavender!" Ginny called out.
"Oh!" said Hermione. Parvati, Lavender and Hermione all exchanged greetings; complementing each other's dresses and hair, which Ginny found extremely annoying. Ginny looked at Parvati's group and found two handsome guys standing patiently.
"Mmm… Who's this?" she asked silently.
She made her way over to the two guys while Hermione was still talking with Parvati and Lavender.
The guys looked up when they saw her. She saw the twinkle in their eyes and watched them hypnotised. Yep, I did it again, she thought as she smiled proudly.
"Hello, hello…" Ginny said.
"Hi!" said one of the guys, who had fair hair and light blue eyes.
"Hi! I'm Andrew!" said the other guy with brown hair and hazel eyes.
"I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley. And who are you, Sir?" she asked the guy with the blue eyes.
"I'm Thomas," he said with a cough. Behind Ginny, Parvati, Lavender and Hermione were walking towards them. Parvati and Lavender seemed angry and they stared daggers at Ginny as they wrapped their arms around their partners.
"Thomas here, is my boyfriend," said Parvati, furrowing her eyebrows at Ginny. Thomas' eyes were still fixed unto her as Parvati gave him a sharp nudge. "Um, yeah… I'm her boyfriend, that's right…" said Thomas as he gulped.
"And Andrew is my boyfriend," said Lavender proudly.
"Ah," Ginny said. "Nice to meet you both." She extended her arm and shook both the guys' hands, and watched as Andrew let out a hopeful sigh.
"Oh… I'm sooo thirsty," moaned Ginny.
Thomas straightened up, and tore Parvati's grip on him. "I'll get you a drink, Ginny!" he said straight away.
Andrew looked over at Thomas angrily. "No, I will get Ginny a drink," he shouted as he looked over at Ginny pleadingly.
Ginny laughed; a soft, gentle laugh. "Oh, boys, boys… No need to fight…"
Parvati and Lavender were frowning hatefully.
"Andrew, you can get me a drink," Ginny decided, smiling at Lavender's puffed up face.
Andrew released Lavender's arm and ran over to the refreshments tent. Ginny's heart stopped when she spotted Harry walking along the lawn, with Cho beside him. They were kissing passionately. Ginny gaped, anger building up inside her.
"Here you go, Ginny," Andrew panted as he handed her the drink.
Ginny's eyes were far away as she pushed the drink out of her sight. "I've changed my mind. I'm not thirsty anymore. Please excuse me," she said as she strode over to catch up with Harry. Andrew stood there, eyes still fixed on Ginny until she was out of sight. Lavender's eyes were nearly filled with tears as she saw the impact Ginny had on her boyfriend.
"She is such a bitch," Parvati said as she gave Lavender a comforting hug.
******
"Harry! Harry!" Ginny shouted, running across the lawn.
Harry turned around and saw Ginny, in the most incredible looking dress, with her usual flaming red hair. She looked better than ever.
"Hey, Ginny!" he said as he gave her a quick hug.
Ginny wanted to hold onto Harry's hug forever, but Harry quickly pulled away. Next to him, Cho grinned happily. She was just as elegant, just as beautiful. Her silky black hair hung across her shoulders gently and her dark, brown eyes lit up when she saw Ginny.
"Hi Ginny! You look great!" Cho exclaimed as she gave Ginny a hug. This time, Ginny quickly pulled away in disgust.
Ginny saw Cho's shining diamond ring as she pulled away. That should have been mine… she thought.
"So I heard you guys are engaged," Ginny choked out. She thought she really needed that drink after all.
Harry smiled and put his arm around Cho, as Ginny flinched. "Yes, we're getting married in two weeks," Harry said.
"Wow, that's a bit quick, isn't it?" Ginny muttered heavily.
"That's what I thought at first," Cho's quiet voice said. "But, we've been together for two years, so…"
"Mr Potter! Mr Potter!" Ginny looked over as a short, friendly looking man ran up to them.
"Yes, Mr Baudleire?" asked Harry.
"There's a meeting being held now in the living room. I think you should participate," the short man said.
"Yes, of course. I better go now, honey," Harry said as he kissed Cho's forehead. "See you later." Ginny looked over at the two loving couples and felt as if she was about to vomit.
Cho smiled and waved faintly as Harry was ushered away by Mr Baudleire.
It can't be true… It can't be… Harry should be engaged to ME! Ginny thought desperately as a wave of fiery jealousy swept over her.
******