Disclaimer: I own nothing, so don't sue me. You wouldn't get anything
anyway. I'm broke.
They followed me, as I knew they would, and had caught me up even before I had reached the stone wall at the back of our yard.
"Gin, you have some serious problems," Ron remarked conversationally, falling into step beside me.
I didn't bother to look at him, and continued on as though I hadn't heard him.
"Ron's right, Ginny, you're being a real bitch," Harry commented.
"D'you have something you want to tell us, Ginny? Because I've heard that when someone is raped, they don't want to say, because they're scared that the rapist will-"
"Hermione, I thought you were supposed to be intelligent. Get it through your head: I. Was. Not. Raped. It was all quite legal and consensual. Harry, I don't give a shit if I'm being a bitch. I'll be a fucking bitch if I want to. Oh, and Ronald, if I have problems, then you most certainly have got some serious issues of your own."
We had reached the wall by now, and I climbed over, casting a furious glare at the Golden Trio before turning and walking into my house. I was greeted by my mother, who was sitting at the kitchen table, looking quite grim.
"Ginny, we need to talk."
"More talking?"
"More talking. Sit." She gestured to the same chair I had occupied earlier, and I obediently lowered myself into it.
Ron, Hermione and Harry entered just then, and my mother shot them a warning glance when they stopped on their way upstairs, looking at the two of us inquisitively. Shrugging, my brother led his friends upstairs, leaving my mother and I alone once again.
"What did you want to talk about, mum?" I figured I'd better be polite, since I had a feeling I knew where this was going.
"Your father and I have been talking, and we have a bit of a problem with you going back to Hogwarts this term." She said it all with the tone of one commenting on the weather, and I gaped.
Though I had known it was coming, I still couldn't believe it.
"What d'you mean?! Mum! I have to go back! I'm a prefect! I'm on the Quidditch team! I have NEWT level courses! I have to go back!"
"Ginny, we know, but the way you've been acting all summer, we think you would be better off going to a school that has stricter policies in regards to some of your... endeavors."
"Mum! That was in the summer! When I'm back at school, things'll be different! I mean, I'm a prefect! I can't go around breaking the rules and stuff!"
"Be that as it may, Ginny, we can't have you pulling stunts like the one you pulled last night."
"So it's because I was with Draco, then, is it?"
"Not entirely, no..."
"But because I spent one night with Draco Malfoy, you're afraid to send me back to school?"
"We aren't afraid, Ginny..."
"You think I'm going to go off and have a sordid affair with a Death Eater's son?"
"Well, no, but..."
"It was a one time thing, mum! We just wanted to have some fun."
"Ginny, that's not the point, the point is, you've lost our trust. And as much as we would like to be able to trust your brother and his friends to watch out for you while you're at school, we can't have him following you around all the time, and he certainly can't be in your dormitory with you. He has to be able to-"
"So I can't go back to Hogwarts because you think I'm going to go sneaking around and getting drunk all the time? Mum, come on. It's not like I have any way of getting alcohol, and there are measures you can put in place to insure that I don't go wandering. But bloody hell, mum, I don't need a keeper. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself."
"You've certainly shown us that this summer," she remarked sarcastically, raising her brows.
"Do you want to know why I've been doing what I've been doing all summer?"
"If you would be so kind as to inform me."
"Because I don't have any freedom. All my life, it's been "Ron, please go with her so that she doesn't get in trouble." "Fred, George, look after Ginny, would you?" "Boys, I want you to make sure Ginny doesn't get into trouble at school this term." I can't stand it, mum! I never get to do anything on my own. There's always at least one of my brothers standing around, watching. I haven't gotten the chance to be hurt, or have my heart broken, like the other girls my age, because no boy has ever had the nerve to hurt me; they're all afraid they'll get the shit beaten out of them. I've never had the chance to try to do things on my own, because I've always had someone there to tell me how to do something, or to do it for me. And this summer, well, I've just had enough. I can't take it any more."
"Ginny, I, well, I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry about it. I'll go unpack my stuff."
"Whatever are you talking about, dear?"
"Well, I'm not going back to Hogwarts. And until you find somewhere else to send me, I shouldn't need my school things all packed up. At least I'll be able to read my text books."
"Oh, Ginny! I didn't know that was how you felt! Why didn't you tell us?"
"I didn't want to hurt you, or make you think I didn't like the attention. Because I do, I like the attention, I would just appreciate it more if it were in a different form."
She was nearly crying now, and I applauded myself inwardly for my acting skills; I had always been so convincing. Of course, some of what I had said was true, but mostly, I just wanted to go back to Hogwarts, no matter what it took.
"Oh, dear, I feel so awful now! You should have said something, Ginny!"
"It's okay, mum, don't worry about it."
We were both standing now, and she pulled me into a hug. It was quite funny, really, because I had always been shorter than my mother, always, but at that moment I realized that I must have grown quite a bit, seeing as how I could look over her head.
She released me, and, sniffling, she sighed.
"Don't worry about unpacking your things, dear. You'll be on that train tomorrow, but you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that, mum?"
"That you'll behave yourself while you're at school."
"I always do, mum. Don't worry. I promise."
She nodded, and I figured I should leave and let her cry in peace. I mounted the stairs quickly and silently, and rounded the corner to see a gaping Harry, Ron, and Hermione, all perched on the steps.
My ire rose quickly, and, apparently afraid of getting another tongue lashing, they scrambled away. It amused me, really, that the three of them – all older than me, both boys bigger than me, Hermione and I being about the same height – were afraid of me. Harry, however, shot me a strange look as they rounded the corner.
Smirking, I paid his expression no mind, finished climbing the stairs to my room, and went inside, careful to close the door even if I couldn't lock it – the handle didn't have a lock, and I couldn't use magic, still being underage as I was. Restless, I left the room a minute later, and crossed the hall to the bathroom to have a shower.
As I stood under the beating water, letting the scalding heat turn my flesh pink, I sighed in relief: I was going back to Hogwarts. Sure, it had taken some serious acting on my part, but mum would never see past it; I was her baby, she would believe me in anything.
I turned off the water, and stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel. Hair dripping into the terry cloth, I left the bathroom, not particularly caring about the small wet footprints I was leaving on the carpet.
Holding the towel around me with one hand, I pushed open the door to my room, and had just stepped inside when those bloody prickles on the back of my neck came back. I turned, having some inkling of who it was, and wasn't surprised to be staring up into a pair of bright green eyes.
"That was some pretty good acting, Ginny," Harry commented, crossing his arms over his chest.
"And your point is?"
I turned away from him, intent on getting into my room and putting some clothes on, but he followed. Feeling his hand on my bare shoulder, I whirled, fully intending to tell him off. But he released me, and stepped back, giving me space. I was suspicious at once – more so when I realized he had closed the door, and was leaning against it.
"Out. Now." I gestured towards the hallway hidden behind the door, and he smirked. There was an odd gleam to his eyes, I noticed.
"Why would I want to leave, Ginny?"
"Because I told you to."
"I'm not inclined to listen to someone who has routinely been telling me to fuck off all summer, Ginny."
He took a step forward, and I unconsciously took one backwards, causing a wicked laugh to part his lips.
"What do you want, Harry?" I asked, stopping my retreat, though he kept moving toward me.
"You."
Woah, hold up Gin! Did he just say that? Did he? Yes, he did, and I don't like it. Nor do I like the look in his eyes. But you had to know, Ginny, that this was bound to happen; the boy was practically stalking you all summer. And he was pretty upset about the whole sex-with-Draco thing. Well, everyone was upset about the whole sex-with-Draco thing, so that's not a big deal. And it was him – not your brother – who 'rescued' you from the lake. Well, I suppose, but Ron was hyperventilating. Still...
The inner discussion taking place distracted me from my current predicament, as I waited for my mind to inform me of the best course of action, or for Harry to do something. I blinked, surprised, when I felt Harry's lips on mine.
He kissed me softly, lightly, innocently. But I couldn't have been more furious. Reaching up with the hand not clutching the towel around my body, I pushed the Boy Who Lived as hard as I possibly could in the chest. He stumbled back, green eyes blazing, but didn't advance on me again.
"Out, Potter. Now."
"No."
"You little fucker! Get out!" I hissed, as he approached again.
"I've already told you; no."
"Why?" I figured I'd try another tactic; confuse him, distract him.
"Why what?" He stopped in his tracks.
"Why do you want me?"
"Because you're beautiful... you're amazing... perfect..."
"So it's because of the way I look? I never thought you were a shallow bastard, Potter, but apparently I was wrong."
"Because a git like Malfoy doesn't deserve you..." he had continued as though I hadn't spoken.
"Excuse me?"
"You deserve someone who will worship you, give you everything you want..."
"Potter, you're talking like Draco and I went out and eloped. It was nothing more than casual sex. Get over it, and get out."
"Casual sex?" He didn't seem to understand the term.
"Yes, casual sex. As in, no ties, just some fun between the sheets, forget about it after."
"Oh." He seemed to come to his senses, as though he had been in a trance or something. I rolled my eyes.
"Now would you please be so kind as to leave?"
"Sorry, Ginny. I'm sorry."
With the last apology hanging between us, he backed out of my room and closed the door behind him when he was in the hallway. I rolled my eyes again when he was gone; it seemed as though the Boy Who Lived was finally snapping.
Dropping the towel on the floor, I pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a tank top, and slipped a pair of flip-flops on my bare feet before leaving my room. I grabbed my purse on my way out, and wandered down the hall to the stairs. Going down the stairs quickly, I emerged in the kitchen, where mum was sitting at the table, apparently writing a letter.
"What'cha writing mum?"
"A letter to Dumbledore," she replied absently, intent on her work.
"What about?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You." She looked up, then, and caught sight of my purse.
"Where are you going, Ginny?" She asked, suspicious.
"Diagon Alley. I was rechecking my potions stuff, and I need more powdered ginger root." It wasn't entirely a lie; you can never have too much powdered ginger root.
"Well dear, have a good time. And while you're there, can you pick up some more floo powder? We're nearly out." She seemed quite relieved that I wasn't venturing out into the muggle world, but was off to somewhere that she felt comfortable with.
"'Kay mum. I'll see you later."
I turned away, walking into the living room where the fireplace was situated. I grabbed a handful of floo powder, thew it into the fireplace, and spat, around a mouthful of ash, my destination.
I was engulfed in fluorescent green flames, and a moment later, was shot out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron. One of the witches sitting at the table beside the fireplace helped me up, and I thanked her profusely, dusting off my blue jeans – I had been wise enough to wear a black tank top, so the soot wouldn't show.
Thanking the witch again, I left the noisy confines of the pub for the more sedated atmosphere of the small yard behind, and tapped the brick wall with my wand. Moments later, I was ensconced in the bustling and jovial crowd of Diagon Alley.
A/N: My eternal thanks to all my lovely reviewers, whom I love. I would thank you all personally, but I'm too bloody lazy. You all know who you are.
They followed me, as I knew they would, and had caught me up even before I had reached the stone wall at the back of our yard.
"Gin, you have some serious problems," Ron remarked conversationally, falling into step beside me.
I didn't bother to look at him, and continued on as though I hadn't heard him.
"Ron's right, Ginny, you're being a real bitch," Harry commented.
"D'you have something you want to tell us, Ginny? Because I've heard that when someone is raped, they don't want to say, because they're scared that the rapist will-"
"Hermione, I thought you were supposed to be intelligent. Get it through your head: I. Was. Not. Raped. It was all quite legal and consensual. Harry, I don't give a shit if I'm being a bitch. I'll be a fucking bitch if I want to. Oh, and Ronald, if I have problems, then you most certainly have got some serious issues of your own."
We had reached the wall by now, and I climbed over, casting a furious glare at the Golden Trio before turning and walking into my house. I was greeted by my mother, who was sitting at the kitchen table, looking quite grim.
"Ginny, we need to talk."
"More talking?"
"More talking. Sit." She gestured to the same chair I had occupied earlier, and I obediently lowered myself into it.
Ron, Hermione and Harry entered just then, and my mother shot them a warning glance when they stopped on their way upstairs, looking at the two of us inquisitively. Shrugging, my brother led his friends upstairs, leaving my mother and I alone once again.
"What did you want to talk about, mum?" I figured I'd better be polite, since I had a feeling I knew where this was going.
"Your father and I have been talking, and we have a bit of a problem with you going back to Hogwarts this term." She said it all with the tone of one commenting on the weather, and I gaped.
Though I had known it was coming, I still couldn't believe it.
"What d'you mean?! Mum! I have to go back! I'm a prefect! I'm on the Quidditch team! I have NEWT level courses! I have to go back!"
"Ginny, we know, but the way you've been acting all summer, we think you would be better off going to a school that has stricter policies in regards to some of your... endeavors."
"Mum! That was in the summer! When I'm back at school, things'll be different! I mean, I'm a prefect! I can't go around breaking the rules and stuff!"
"Be that as it may, Ginny, we can't have you pulling stunts like the one you pulled last night."
"So it's because I was with Draco, then, is it?"
"Not entirely, no..."
"But because I spent one night with Draco Malfoy, you're afraid to send me back to school?"
"We aren't afraid, Ginny..."
"You think I'm going to go off and have a sordid affair with a Death Eater's son?"
"Well, no, but..."
"It was a one time thing, mum! We just wanted to have some fun."
"Ginny, that's not the point, the point is, you've lost our trust. And as much as we would like to be able to trust your brother and his friends to watch out for you while you're at school, we can't have him following you around all the time, and he certainly can't be in your dormitory with you. He has to be able to-"
"So I can't go back to Hogwarts because you think I'm going to go sneaking around and getting drunk all the time? Mum, come on. It's not like I have any way of getting alcohol, and there are measures you can put in place to insure that I don't go wandering. But bloody hell, mum, I don't need a keeper. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself."
"You've certainly shown us that this summer," she remarked sarcastically, raising her brows.
"Do you want to know why I've been doing what I've been doing all summer?"
"If you would be so kind as to inform me."
"Because I don't have any freedom. All my life, it's been "Ron, please go with her so that she doesn't get in trouble." "Fred, George, look after Ginny, would you?" "Boys, I want you to make sure Ginny doesn't get into trouble at school this term." I can't stand it, mum! I never get to do anything on my own. There's always at least one of my brothers standing around, watching. I haven't gotten the chance to be hurt, or have my heart broken, like the other girls my age, because no boy has ever had the nerve to hurt me; they're all afraid they'll get the shit beaten out of them. I've never had the chance to try to do things on my own, because I've always had someone there to tell me how to do something, or to do it for me. And this summer, well, I've just had enough. I can't take it any more."
"Ginny, I, well, I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry about it. I'll go unpack my stuff."
"Whatever are you talking about, dear?"
"Well, I'm not going back to Hogwarts. And until you find somewhere else to send me, I shouldn't need my school things all packed up. At least I'll be able to read my text books."
"Oh, Ginny! I didn't know that was how you felt! Why didn't you tell us?"
"I didn't want to hurt you, or make you think I didn't like the attention. Because I do, I like the attention, I would just appreciate it more if it were in a different form."
She was nearly crying now, and I applauded myself inwardly for my acting skills; I had always been so convincing. Of course, some of what I had said was true, but mostly, I just wanted to go back to Hogwarts, no matter what it took.
"Oh, dear, I feel so awful now! You should have said something, Ginny!"
"It's okay, mum, don't worry about it."
We were both standing now, and she pulled me into a hug. It was quite funny, really, because I had always been shorter than my mother, always, but at that moment I realized that I must have grown quite a bit, seeing as how I could look over her head.
She released me, and, sniffling, she sighed.
"Don't worry about unpacking your things, dear. You'll be on that train tomorrow, but you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that, mum?"
"That you'll behave yourself while you're at school."
"I always do, mum. Don't worry. I promise."
She nodded, and I figured I should leave and let her cry in peace. I mounted the stairs quickly and silently, and rounded the corner to see a gaping Harry, Ron, and Hermione, all perched on the steps.
My ire rose quickly, and, apparently afraid of getting another tongue lashing, they scrambled away. It amused me, really, that the three of them – all older than me, both boys bigger than me, Hermione and I being about the same height – were afraid of me. Harry, however, shot me a strange look as they rounded the corner.
Smirking, I paid his expression no mind, finished climbing the stairs to my room, and went inside, careful to close the door even if I couldn't lock it – the handle didn't have a lock, and I couldn't use magic, still being underage as I was. Restless, I left the room a minute later, and crossed the hall to the bathroom to have a shower.
As I stood under the beating water, letting the scalding heat turn my flesh pink, I sighed in relief: I was going back to Hogwarts. Sure, it had taken some serious acting on my part, but mum would never see past it; I was her baby, she would believe me in anything.
I turned off the water, and stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel. Hair dripping into the terry cloth, I left the bathroom, not particularly caring about the small wet footprints I was leaving on the carpet.
Holding the towel around me with one hand, I pushed open the door to my room, and had just stepped inside when those bloody prickles on the back of my neck came back. I turned, having some inkling of who it was, and wasn't surprised to be staring up into a pair of bright green eyes.
"That was some pretty good acting, Ginny," Harry commented, crossing his arms over his chest.
"And your point is?"
I turned away from him, intent on getting into my room and putting some clothes on, but he followed. Feeling his hand on my bare shoulder, I whirled, fully intending to tell him off. But he released me, and stepped back, giving me space. I was suspicious at once – more so when I realized he had closed the door, and was leaning against it.
"Out. Now." I gestured towards the hallway hidden behind the door, and he smirked. There was an odd gleam to his eyes, I noticed.
"Why would I want to leave, Ginny?"
"Because I told you to."
"I'm not inclined to listen to someone who has routinely been telling me to fuck off all summer, Ginny."
He took a step forward, and I unconsciously took one backwards, causing a wicked laugh to part his lips.
"What do you want, Harry?" I asked, stopping my retreat, though he kept moving toward me.
"You."
Woah, hold up Gin! Did he just say that? Did he? Yes, he did, and I don't like it. Nor do I like the look in his eyes. But you had to know, Ginny, that this was bound to happen; the boy was practically stalking you all summer. And he was pretty upset about the whole sex-with-Draco thing. Well, everyone was upset about the whole sex-with-Draco thing, so that's not a big deal. And it was him – not your brother – who 'rescued' you from the lake. Well, I suppose, but Ron was hyperventilating. Still...
The inner discussion taking place distracted me from my current predicament, as I waited for my mind to inform me of the best course of action, or for Harry to do something. I blinked, surprised, when I felt Harry's lips on mine.
He kissed me softly, lightly, innocently. But I couldn't have been more furious. Reaching up with the hand not clutching the towel around my body, I pushed the Boy Who Lived as hard as I possibly could in the chest. He stumbled back, green eyes blazing, but didn't advance on me again.
"Out, Potter. Now."
"No."
"You little fucker! Get out!" I hissed, as he approached again.
"I've already told you; no."
"Why?" I figured I'd try another tactic; confuse him, distract him.
"Why what?" He stopped in his tracks.
"Why do you want me?"
"Because you're beautiful... you're amazing... perfect..."
"So it's because of the way I look? I never thought you were a shallow bastard, Potter, but apparently I was wrong."
"Because a git like Malfoy doesn't deserve you..." he had continued as though I hadn't spoken.
"Excuse me?"
"You deserve someone who will worship you, give you everything you want..."
"Potter, you're talking like Draco and I went out and eloped. It was nothing more than casual sex. Get over it, and get out."
"Casual sex?" He didn't seem to understand the term.
"Yes, casual sex. As in, no ties, just some fun between the sheets, forget about it after."
"Oh." He seemed to come to his senses, as though he had been in a trance or something. I rolled my eyes.
"Now would you please be so kind as to leave?"
"Sorry, Ginny. I'm sorry."
With the last apology hanging between us, he backed out of my room and closed the door behind him when he was in the hallway. I rolled my eyes again when he was gone; it seemed as though the Boy Who Lived was finally snapping.
Dropping the towel on the floor, I pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a tank top, and slipped a pair of flip-flops on my bare feet before leaving my room. I grabbed my purse on my way out, and wandered down the hall to the stairs. Going down the stairs quickly, I emerged in the kitchen, where mum was sitting at the table, apparently writing a letter.
"What'cha writing mum?"
"A letter to Dumbledore," she replied absently, intent on her work.
"What about?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You." She looked up, then, and caught sight of my purse.
"Where are you going, Ginny?" She asked, suspicious.
"Diagon Alley. I was rechecking my potions stuff, and I need more powdered ginger root." It wasn't entirely a lie; you can never have too much powdered ginger root.
"Well dear, have a good time. And while you're there, can you pick up some more floo powder? We're nearly out." She seemed quite relieved that I wasn't venturing out into the muggle world, but was off to somewhere that she felt comfortable with.
"'Kay mum. I'll see you later."
I turned away, walking into the living room where the fireplace was situated. I grabbed a handful of floo powder, thew it into the fireplace, and spat, around a mouthful of ash, my destination.
I was engulfed in fluorescent green flames, and a moment later, was shot out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron. One of the witches sitting at the table beside the fireplace helped me up, and I thanked her profusely, dusting off my blue jeans – I had been wise enough to wear a black tank top, so the soot wouldn't show.
Thanking the witch again, I left the noisy confines of the pub for the more sedated atmosphere of the small yard behind, and tapped the brick wall with my wand. Moments later, I was ensconced in the bustling and jovial crowd of Diagon Alley.
A/N: My eternal thanks to all my lovely reviewers, whom I love. I would thank you all personally, but I'm too bloody lazy. You all know who you are.