Chapter 2 – Fight For Your Right (To Party)
"Ginny!"
"What is it, Shaz?" Ginny looked up from her desk.
"Check this out!" Sharon pointed at the notice board.
Ginny stood and walked next to Sharon. She read:
Office Party at the Club UK...
"Hmm, we haven't had an office party for ages… we usually have it at the Club Odeon…"
"But this is going to be fun! Club UK! All them Poms! Yum!" Sharon said, practically drooling.
Ginny winced. "Um, yeah…"
Walking back to her desk, Ginny sighed. The last thing she needed was going to a club on a Friday night with Sharon flirting outrageously and pairing her up with some dud, when her mind has been plagued by a certain dark haired, green- eyed man. It was far easier for her to forget about him when he was more than a thousand miles away in England but just recently, he moved to Melbourne to play for the Baysiders.
How can I possibly function when the man I fancy is just living three suburbs from me?
"Yoo-hoo… a knut for your thoughts, Weasley."
"Huh?"
Sharon smiled knowingly. "Thinking about Mr. Potter are we?"
Ginny raised an eyebrow.
Sharon shrugged. "Hey, I've got a talent. Might as well use it from time to time on my best mate."
Ginny smiled. "I've never gotten to thank you properly for that,
Shaz."
Sharon waved her hand. "Don't mention it."
"Oh, and if I catch you looking into my future without asking permission first, you are so dead!" Ginny said menacingly.
Sharon nodded. "Understood. Oh, would you like to invite Harry to the party?"
Ginny, who was taking a sip of her tea at that moment, almost spluttered. "And why would I do that?"
"Oh you know you do," Sharon winked.
"No, I don't," Ginny muttered.
Sharon walked over to Ginny's desk and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Gin?"
"Huh?"
"How long have you been waiting to pin this guy, huh?"
Ginny looked at Sharon incredulously. "I am NOT planning to pin Harry, Shaz!"
"Hey, it's me you're talking to here. How long, doll?"
Ginny sighed in resignation. "Alright! Forever, Shaz. It's been forever."
Sharon patted Ginny shoulder sympathetically. "Why wait then? I think its fate that he chose to be here. He could have played anywhere in the world if he wanted to. He's a very talented seeker."
"Have you taken a peek into the future again, Shaz?"
"No, I'm telling you as a friend. What are the chances of you two meeting at a train station? I just saw that in your future, I didn't make it happen!"
Ginny sighed. "I don't know, Shaz. What if he doesn't like me? We've known each other for what? 10 odd years? It took me 5 bloody years to make him consider me as a friend. It'll probably take me another 5 to make him realize I'm a girl."
Sharon gave her a cheeky grin. "Well, there are ways to make a guy realize you're a girl. I could give you a few tips…"
"No friggin' way, Shaz!"
Sharon shrugged. "Oh well, your lost! If Harry is as sexy looking as I saw him in Witch's Weekly, I'll take a shot at him Gin! I'm serious!"
Ginny waved her hand nonchalantly. "Be my guess. You'll be more successful than I would ever be, I reckon."
Sharon sighed in defeat. "Oh Gin! Do what you have to, alright?"
Sharon walked to her desk and started to prepare for her next class.
Ginny tried to concentrate on her lesson plan, her conversation with Sharon still on her mind.
Do what I have to do.
But what is it that I have to do?
For starters, why don't you contact Harry and invite him to the party?
Are you crazy?
Well, what's the worse that could happen?
He might say no…
Well, that's not so bad… it's not like you're asking him out on a date now is it?
Hmm…
Come on, you know I'm right!
All right, you talked me into it.
Fine.
Fine.
***
Ginny finished her final class for the day. She was looking forward to going home and having a chat with Harry. She went to her desk in the faculty room, packing her things, when a voice called to her.
"Hey, Gin. What's up?"
Ginny looked over to the owner of the voice and scowled. It was Peter Goode, a fellow professor at the MHEM. He was the professor of the Defence Against the Dark Arts Class and was one of Ginny's least favourite people. What he had in the looks department, he lacked in personality.
"Hey," Ginny replied unenthusiastically.
"Are you going to the club on Friday?" Peter moved to Ginny's side, looking her over.
"Yes, Shaz and I are going," Ginny answered rather uncomfortably.
"Why don't you come with me, Gin? I'll show you a real good time," Peter made a move to touch a lock of hair that was touching Ginny's face.
Ginny raised her hand just in time to stop Peter from touching her. "Peter…" Ginny said, eyes flashing.
Peter was wise enough to take the hint. He turned around and was about to leave when he turned around and said with a smirk, "You better be careful next time, Virginia. I won't be as nice."
Peter left, but made no indication of hiding the fact that he was perving rudely at Ginny.
Ginny was visibly shaking with anger. She had been having the same problem since Peter was transferred to MHEM, two years ago. As much as she wanted to report him, it didn't help that one of the school governors, Steven Goode, was Peter's uncle. So she resorted to threatening him bodily harm, which everyone knows she can fully inflict on anyone who comes across the wrath of her famous temper.
Ginny, taking deep breaths, collected herself and thought she would deal with Peter later. Tonight, she had more important things to think about.
Like how in the world will I invite Harry to the party…
***
"Harry Potter!"
After much practice and second thoughts, Ginny finally found the courage to call Harry's name out on the fire at her flat. She had been pacing for two full hours, trying to figure what to say, and how to say it.
Be confident. Don't take no for an answer.
You're NOT asking him out on a date.
It's just an office party. No big deal.
That's right.
Right.
"Oh bloody hell."
Ginny felt slightly ill. She wanted to slap herself silly for being ridiculous. Surely, Harry wouldn't be thinking much about a small invitation, would he? Before Ginny could think of an answer, Harry's head popped out in the fire.
"Gin! Hi. What a surprise!"
"Hi Harry!" Ginny could barely breathe, but looked calm nonetheless.
"How have you been?"
"Good. How's practice?"
"Well, you know… It's a bit busy now, considering the season's about to start and all," Harry replied easily.
Ginny visibly relaxed. See that's not so bad…"Um, Harry? The reason why I called is to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Um, are you doing anything Friday?" Ginny slightly blushed.
Thank Merlin we couldn't see each other in colour…
"Um… nothing I can think of… why?"
Ginny took a deep breath. "Would you like to come to our office party? It's going to be at the Club UK in the city… that is, if it's okay with you."
Harry smiled. Ginny referred to it as the "lethal Harry" grin. If possible, Ginny felt herself redden some more.
"Sure, I'll be glad to go. I haven't been to many clubs around Melbourne."
"Great…"
"Great…"
"So… I'll see you then," Ginny said.
"Yeah, it'll be fun," Harry replied.
"Bye, Harry."
"Goodnight, Gin." And with a pop, Harry's head disappeared from the flames.
With a smile on her face, Ginny went to bed. She hoped Friday would come soon.
A/N: The people of Melbourne would recognize some of the places that I have written in this story.
From Chapter 1:
· Hawthorn and Toorak are fair dinkum suburbs… Toorak is a posh suburb though, I thought Harry would fit right in.
· Flinders Street is one of the main city streets. It also holds the main station of the city, which holds 12 platforms and trains going to all suburbs of Melbourne
· Hudson's is a popular coffee shop in Melbourne. Collins Street is one of the main city streets.
From Chapter 2:
· Club UK is an existing club in Exhibition Street, Melbourne
"Poms" is an Aussie slang word for British people.
Oh, and if you guys haven't noticed, the story and chapter titles are all rip offs of songs:
Great Southern Land by Icehouse
Give My Regards to (Flinders) Street is a rip off of the song "Give My Regards to Broadway"
This chapter is named after the Beastie Boys' song.
Please leave review people! Thanks for reading!
