Things Change
A/N Hello again. I haven't got much to say because I am mega tired and feely sleeeeeepy.
(- _ -) zzzz
Oh well. Here we go with chapter seven!
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Ginny and Ron sat in silence in the car on the way home, both looking out of the window at something different. Ron and Hermione had had an emotional goodbye, both promising to write to each other, whilst Ginny and her father just stood there looking the other way. You'd think Ron wouldn't be seeing her again for another five years from the way they'd been acting.
Unlike her brother, who was undoubtedly thinking about Hermione, Ginny's mind was still back at Hogwarts with a certain three male students. Ginny sighed, tracing a line across the window with her finger. She was so confused. Harry was the boy she had always pined after, for as long as she had known him. Thom was a friend who, it seemed, could be something more. And Draco...she didn't know what Draco was. He was the bad boy, the rebel, the one that all the girls at school thought was hot apart from her. Of course, that had changed rapidly in the last few weeks. She couldn't deny that he *was* hot, because he definitely was. And then there was that strange half-truce they had made on the train...
Boys were just too complicated, she decided. During the holidays she would try and think about them as little as possible.
After a couple more hours in the car, they arrived back at the burrow. As they got out of the car, Mrs Weasley came rushing towards them, enveloping them both in a hug and kissing them on the cheek.
"How are you, my dears? Oh, you look so thin! Are you eating enough?" she asked as she brought them into the warm, colourful kitchen. It smelled like sausages, and when Ginny looked there was indeed an enormous frying pan of about fifteen big, fat sausages on the stove.
Ginny removed her scarf and gloves, putting them over the back of her chair. Her mother was bustling around the kitchen preparing hot chocolates for them. Ginny was just opening her mouth to speak when Ron started talking about Harry, Quidditch, and school. Ginny shut her mouth and lent back in her chair, watching. She murmured her thanks as her mother gave her her drink, sipping the hot brew and feeling the warmth spread through her body. Things were almost normal again at the burrow, in a sense. She was coming second again. But that was how it always was and she was used to it. She didn't mind.
Fred and George appeared in the kitchen, followed by Percy, and soon everyone was sitting around the table. Ginny watched as her brother and parents talked. She was thankful that they, at least, were still alive, and she wouldn't spoil Charlie's memory by whining about coming second. She would just accept it and move on.
As her mother set the table, Ginny realised that her mother had only put out eight plates, meaning she had either forgotten Bill was bringing his girlfriend, or she didn't know. Ginny was ready to bet on the latter.
Thinking about Bill's girlfriend made her nervous. What if Bill's girlfriend didn't like her? What if she didn't like Bill's girlfriend? What if, (shock horror) her *mother* didn't like Bill's girlfriend? Ginny didn't want to think about *that*.
"Mum, when's Bill getting here?" she asked.
"Oh, in about five minutes I should think dear, although he did say he might be a little late. I can't imagine why" Mrs Weasley replied as she got out another frying pan and slipped some more sausages onto it, along with four eggs (A/N These frying pans are *big*!).
'I think I can' Ginny thought to her self.
"Oh, okay" she replied instead.
Bill was a little late. Mrs Weasley was just putting five sausages and two eggs onto Ginny's plate when there was a popping noise and Bill appeared in the middle of the kitchen. There was a girl standing next to him. The whole family watched in shock as Bill and the girl dusted themselves off and stood up straight.
Her hair was long, so blond it was almost white, and her eyes were large, a deep blue colour. She was tall and slender, almost as tall as Bill. Ginny recognised her. She was -
"Fleur Delacour" the girl said, sticking out her hand for Mr and Mrs Weasley to shake. "It iz such a ple-zuur to meet you all at last"
Mrs Weasley stayed silent for a moment, before recovering slightly from her shock and taking Fleur's outstretched hand and smiling.
"So nice to meet you. I'm afraid I haven't got a place for you at the table; Bill didn't tell us you were coming"
"I know" Fleur replied, looking at Bill and smiling. "We wanted it all to be a surprise"
Mrs Weasley got out an extra plate and set it between Bill and Ginny whilst Mr Weasley conjured a chair and set it down by the plate. Fleur sat down gratefully. Her gaze fell on Ginny as Bill sat beside her.
"Ah, *you* must be Jzzzinny. I 'ave been most eager to meet you"
Ginny held out her hand and smiled. Fleur smiled back, (sincerely, Ginny noted with mild surprise) shaking her hand in welcome. Whilst the introductions carried on round the table, Bill greeted Ginny.
"How are you?" he asked, enveloping her in a tight hug. His shirt smelled faintly of women's perfume. That was definitely new.
"Fine," Ginny replied, sitting on the arm of Bill's chair. "School's been a bit hectic" ('way too many boys around' she thought ) "but it's all the same really. I got your letter, by the way"
"Good. I thought -"
But Ginny didn't get to find out what Bill thought because just then she had to move over to her place again, because the introductions had finished and dinner was underway. Her mother insisted on giving Fleur second, third and fourth portions of everything, adamant that Fleur was underfed.
Dinner passed smoothly, and afterwards everyone went into the living room. It was almost like the old days, in a way. Fred and George were sitting on the floor by the fire, pouring over some Weasley's Wizard Wheezes order forms. Ron was sitting on the armchair with Quidditch for AllSorts (A/N No, that's not a spelling mistake). Her parents were sat on the sofa with Bill, talking. Only two things were different. One was that Fleur Delacour was sitting next to Bill, her hand enclosed in his. Second was that the spot Charlie would have filled was empty.
~You've missed out number three~ whispered a voice in Ginny's head
'No, I haven't' Ginny thought. 'I'm not really a part of this'
~Are you sure?~ the voice whispered back.
'I'm sure'
And with that, Ginny retreated upstairs to her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Ginny, pass the roast potatoes please"
Ginny obediently passed Ron the bowl of potatoes and accepted the beef from Percy. It was Christmas day, and Mrs Weasley had just served Christmas dinner. The whole family (including Fleur) sat around the table, which was piled high with food. A magnificent turkey sat in the middle, surrounded by stuffing, cranberry sauce and ham.
As usual the room was filled with chatter.
"Dad, can I have the chipolatas?"
"I was thinking about tattoos..."
"Hey Percy, did you hear about that Hippogriff?"
"Her hair fell off"
"Bill Weasley, you are not getting a tattoo!"
Ginny listened quietly to everyone as she ate. She didn't really feel like talking, so she watched instead. Fred and Percy were having a mildly civilised conversation, George was talking to her father, and Mrs Weasley, Fleur and Bill were talking about tattoos. It seemed like Bill wanted one, and Ginny was betting on Fleur agreeing. Her mother, however, wasn't so keen on the idea.
"A horrible mark on your skin that'll be there forever if I know you!" she was saying, her hand resting on her wand. It was obvious she was resisting the urge to chop Bill's hair off right there and then.
The rest of dinner was pretty uneventful, the talk remaining the same. Ginny eventually got drawn into a conversation about magical beasts by her father and Percy. Once everyone was full ("Are you sure dears?") they all cleared away the table and moved to the front room - all apart from Ginny, who decided to go into the garden. Sitting on the swing-seat (A/N I always imagine the Weasleys as having a swing-seat) in the early evening light, Ginny swung back and forth, gazing at her sneakers, but not really seeing them. She was thinking about Harry.
'Do you still like him?' she asked herself silently. 'Is he still 'The-Boy- Who-Lived' to you? Or is he just your brother's best friend, like you're his best friend's little sister?'
Her questions weren't answered, but at that moment something did happen. She heard the sound of wings, and looked up to see an owl swoop past her, breaking her out of her reverie. It circled the garden once before dropping a letter onto her lap and perching itself on the arm of the swing-seat. Ginny opened the envelope and pulling the letter out.
//Hey Ginny!
How are you? I'm fine, but it's pretty boring here at home. My parents are always going out, so I'm stuck here on my own most of the time. I've got my stepsister bugging me permanently of course. She's such a pain in the neck.
Anyway, the real reason I sent this letter is to ask if you wanted to meet me in Hogsmeade on Friday, the 30th December. I've got the whole day to myself, so if you could I'd like to see you there. We can exchange Xmas gifts.
Send Ravioli back with your reply
Thom x//
Ginny smiled. It was nice of Thom to send her letters. Mentally checking her calendar, (A/N I know it sounds dumb but I didn't know how else to put it) it looked like she was free on the 30th. She jumped off the swing seat (promising Ravioli she'd be back in a minute) and headed to the house.
"Mum!" she called.
"Yes?" Mrs Weasley's voice carried out from the front room. "What is it dear?"
Ginny popped her head round the door.
"Can I go to Hogsmeade with one of my friends on Friday?"
Mrs Weasley, who was sitting on the couch, turned to Mr Weasley.
"I should think so, don't you dear?"
Mr Weasley nodded and smiled.
"Of course"
At that moment, Ginny heard the sound of somebody thundering down the stairs, and Ron appeared behind her. He had a letter in his hand.
"Mum, Harry wants to know if me and Hermione can meet him in Hogsmeade on Friday. Is that okay?"
"Well, that's splendid dear! Ginny wants to go in on the same day! Why doesn't Ginny go along with you?"
"But mum -!"
"Why -?"
Both Ron and Ginny tried to protest at the same time, but Mrs Weasley shook her head.
"Now, I'll have none of that. Ginny, you can't expect to go wandering around Hogsmeade on your own with criminals like Sirius Black on the lose"
Ginny made a little 'umph' noise.
"Secondly," Mrs Weasley continued. "Ron, you have a responsibility to look after your little sister"
Ginny and Ron opened their mouths to object, but Mrs Weasley put her finger to her lips.
"No arguments. Now, you both go and tell your friends that you can come see them"
Ginny scowled and slunk away back to the garden, grabbing a piece of parchment and a quill from the hall as she did so.
Ravioli twooted as Ginny sat back on the swing-seat. Hurriedly scribbling a reply to Thom, Ginny then tied the letter to the owl's leg and gave him an owl treat she had in her jean pocket. He chirped happily and spread his wings, flapping away over the garden wall.
"I hope you don't mind saying hi to 'The Dream Team', Thom" Ginny whispered to herself as she watched the sun set behind the horizon. "Cause it might be difficult to ignore them on Friday"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N I'll try and carry on in a little while because I feel a bit down right now and not really in the mood to write at the mo. Have fun, R&R and all that.
S.e.a
A/N Hello again. I haven't got much to say because I am mega tired and feely sleeeeeepy.
(- _ -) zzzz
Oh well. Here we go with chapter seven!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny and Ron sat in silence in the car on the way home, both looking out of the window at something different. Ron and Hermione had had an emotional goodbye, both promising to write to each other, whilst Ginny and her father just stood there looking the other way. You'd think Ron wouldn't be seeing her again for another five years from the way they'd been acting.
Unlike her brother, who was undoubtedly thinking about Hermione, Ginny's mind was still back at Hogwarts with a certain three male students. Ginny sighed, tracing a line across the window with her finger. She was so confused. Harry was the boy she had always pined after, for as long as she had known him. Thom was a friend who, it seemed, could be something more. And Draco...she didn't know what Draco was. He was the bad boy, the rebel, the one that all the girls at school thought was hot apart from her. Of course, that had changed rapidly in the last few weeks. She couldn't deny that he *was* hot, because he definitely was. And then there was that strange half-truce they had made on the train...
Boys were just too complicated, she decided. During the holidays she would try and think about them as little as possible.
After a couple more hours in the car, they arrived back at the burrow. As they got out of the car, Mrs Weasley came rushing towards them, enveloping them both in a hug and kissing them on the cheek.
"How are you, my dears? Oh, you look so thin! Are you eating enough?" she asked as she brought them into the warm, colourful kitchen. It smelled like sausages, and when Ginny looked there was indeed an enormous frying pan of about fifteen big, fat sausages on the stove.
Ginny removed her scarf and gloves, putting them over the back of her chair. Her mother was bustling around the kitchen preparing hot chocolates for them. Ginny was just opening her mouth to speak when Ron started talking about Harry, Quidditch, and school. Ginny shut her mouth and lent back in her chair, watching. She murmured her thanks as her mother gave her her drink, sipping the hot brew and feeling the warmth spread through her body. Things were almost normal again at the burrow, in a sense. She was coming second again. But that was how it always was and she was used to it. She didn't mind.
Fred and George appeared in the kitchen, followed by Percy, and soon everyone was sitting around the table. Ginny watched as her brother and parents talked. She was thankful that they, at least, were still alive, and she wouldn't spoil Charlie's memory by whining about coming second. She would just accept it and move on.
As her mother set the table, Ginny realised that her mother had only put out eight plates, meaning she had either forgotten Bill was bringing his girlfriend, or she didn't know. Ginny was ready to bet on the latter.
Thinking about Bill's girlfriend made her nervous. What if Bill's girlfriend didn't like her? What if she didn't like Bill's girlfriend? What if, (shock horror) her *mother* didn't like Bill's girlfriend? Ginny didn't want to think about *that*.
"Mum, when's Bill getting here?" she asked.
"Oh, in about five minutes I should think dear, although he did say he might be a little late. I can't imagine why" Mrs Weasley replied as she got out another frying pan and slipped some more sausages onto it, along with four eggs (A/N These frying pans are *big*!).
'I think I can' Ginny thought to her self.
"Oh, okay" she replied instead.
Bill was a little late. Mrs Weasley was just putting five sausages and two eggs onto Ginny's plate when there was a popping noise and Bill appeared in the middle of the kitchen. There was a girl standing next to him. The whole family watched in shock as Bill and the girl dusted themselves off and stood up straight.
Her hair was long, so blond it was almost white, and her eyes were large, a deep blue colour. She was tall and slender, almost as tall as Bill. Ginny recognised her. She was -
"Fleur Delacour" the girl said, sticking out her hand for Mr and Mrs Weasley to shake. "It iz such a ple-zuur to meet you all at last"
Mrs Weasley stayed silent for a moment, before recovering slightly from her shock and taking Fleur's outstretched hand and smiling.
"So nice to meet you. I'm afraid I haven't got a place for you at the table; Bill didn't tell us you were coming"
"I know" Fleur replied, looking at Bill and smiling. "We wanted it all to be a surprise"
Mrs Weasley got out an extra plate and set it between Bill and Ginny whilst Mr Weasley conjured a chair and set it down by the plate. Fleur sat down gratefully. Her gaze fell on Ginny as Bill sat beside her.
"Ah, *you* must be Jzzzinny. I 'ave been most eager to meet you"
Ginny held out her hand and smiled. Fleur smiled back, (sincerely, Ginny noted with mild surprise) shaking her hand in welcome. Whilst the introductions carried on round the table, Bill greeted Ginny.
"How are you?" he asked, enveloping her in a tight hug. His shirt smelled faintly of women's perfume. That was definitely new.
"Fine," Ginny replied, sitting on the arm of Bill's chair. "School's been a bit hectic" ('way too many boys around' she thought ) "but it's all the same really. I got your letter, by the way"
"Good. I thought -"
But Ginny didn't get to find out what Bill thought because just then she had to move over to her place again, because the introductions had finished and dinner was underway. Her mother insisted on giving Fleur second, third and fourth portions of everything, adamant that Fleur was underfed.
Dinner passed smoothly, and afterwards everyone went into the living room. It was almost like the old days, in a way. Fred and George were sitting on the floor by the fire, pouring over some Weasley's Wizard Wheezes order forms. Ron was sitting on the armchair with Quidditch for AllSorts (A/N No, that's not a spelling mistake). Her parents were sat on the sofa with Bill, talking. Only two things were different. One was that Fleur Delacour was sitting next to Bill, her hand enclosed in his. Second was that the spot Charlie would have filled was empty.
~You've missed out number three~ whispered a voice in Ginny's head
'No, I haven't' Ginny thought. 'I'm not really a part of this'
~Are you sure?~ the voice whispered back.
'I'm sure'
And with that, Ginny retreated upstairs to her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Ginny, pass the roast potatoes please"
Ginny obediently passed Ron the bowl of potatoes and accepted the beef from Percy. It was Christmas day, and Mrs Weasley had just served Christmas dinner. The whole family (including Fleur) sat around the table, which was piled high with food. A magnificent turkey sat in the middle, surrounded by stuffing, cranberry sauce and ham.
As usual the room was filled with chatter.
"Dad, can I have the chipolatas?"
"I was thinking about tattoos..."
"Hey Percy, did you hear about that Hippogriff?"
"Her hair fell off"
"Bill Weasley, you are not getting a tattoo!"
Ginny listened quietly to everyone as she ate. She didn't really feel like talking, so she watched instead. Fred and Percy were having a mildly civilised conversation, George was talking to her father, and Mrs Weasley, Fleur and Bill were talking about tattoos. It seemed like Bill wanted one, and Ginny was betting on Fleur agreeing. Her mother, however, wasn't so keen on the idea.
"A horrible mark on your skin that'll be there forever if I know you!" she was saying, her hand resting on her wand. It was obvious she was resisting the urge to chop Bill's hair off right there and then.
The rest of dinner was pretty uneventful, the talk remaining the same. Ginny eventually got drawn into a conversation about magical beasts by her father and Percy. Once everyone was full ("Are you sure dears?") they all cleared away the table and moved to the front room - all apart from Ginny, who decided to go into the garden. Sitting on the swing-seat (A/N I always imagine the Weasleys as having a swing-seat) in the early evening light, Ginny swung back and forth, gazing at her sneakers, but not really seeing them. She was thinking about Harry.
'Do you still like him?' she asked herself silently. 'Is he still 'The-Boy- Who-Lived' to you? Or is he just your brother's best friend, like you're his best friend's little sister?'
Her questions weren't answered, but at that moment something did happen. She heard the sound of wings, and looked up to see an owl swoop past her, breaking her out of her reverie. It circled the garden once before dropping a letter onto her lap and perching itself on the arm of the swing-seat. Ginny opened the envelope and pulling the letter out.
//Hey Ginny!
How are you? I'm fine, but it's pretty boring here at home. My parents are always going out, so I'm stuck here on my own most of the time. I've got my stepsister bugging me permanently of course. She's such a pain in the neck.
Anyway, the real reason I sent this letter is to ask if you wanted to meet me in Hogsmeade on Friday, the 30th December. I've got the whole day to myself, so if you could I'd like to see you there. We can exchange Xmas gifts.
Send Ravioli back with your reply
Thom x//
Ginny smiled. It was nice of Thom to send her letters. Mentally checking her calendar, (A/N I know it sounds dumb but I didn't know how else to put it) it looked like she was free on the 30th. She jumped off the swing seat (promising Ravioli she'd be back in a minute) and headed to the house.
"Mum!" she called.
"Yes?" Mrs Weasley's voice carried out from the front room. "What is it dear?"
Ginny popped her head round the door.
"Can I go to Hogsmeade with one of my friends on Friday?"
Mrs Weasley, who was sitting on the couch, turned to Mr Weasley.
"I should think so, don't you dear?"
Mr Weasley nodded and smiled.
"Of course"
At that moment, Ginny heard the sound of somebody thundering down the stairs, and Ron appeared behind her. He had a letter in his hand.
"Mum, Harry wants to know if me and Hermione can meet him in Hogsmeade on Friday. Is that okay?"
"Well, that's splendid dear! Ginny wants to go in on the same day! Why doesn't Ginny go along with you?"
"But mum -!"
"Why -?"
Both Ron and Ginny tried to protest at the same time, but Mrs Weasley shook her head.
"Now, I'll have none of that. Ginny, you can't expect to go wandering around Hogsmeade on your own with criminals like Sirius Black on the lose"
Ginny made a little 'umph' noise.
"Secondly," Mrs Weasley continued. "Ron, you have a responsibility to look after your little sister"
Ginny and Ron opened their mouths to object, but Mrs Weasley put her finger to her lips.
"No arguments. Now, you both go and tell your friends that you can come see them"
Ginny scowled and slunk away back to the garden, grabbing a piece of parchment and a quill from the hall as she did so.
Ravioli twooted as Ginny sat back on the swing-seat. Hurriedly scribbling a reply to Thom, Ginny then tied the letter to the owl's leg and gave him an owl treat she had in her jean pocket. He chirped happily and spread his wings, flapping away over the garden wall.
"I hope you don't mind saying hi to 'The Dream Team', Thom" Ginny whispered to herself as she watched the sun set behind the horizon. "Cause it might be difficult to ignore them on Friday"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N I'll try and carry on in a little while because I feel a bit down right now and not really in the mood to write at the mo. Have fun, R&R and all that.
S.e.a