Chapter 9 – The Letter

Ginny walked into her hotel room and placed her suitcase on the bed. What a crazy morning. Ginny woke up late and then couldn't find her robes. She was almost late for her portkey. Ginny didn't really enjoy playing in France for this match. Sure Paris was beautiful and the food was amazing, but the fans were a bit strange in her opinion. They always seemed almost cold to her, like they really didn't care much about that match. The crowds back in London and around the UK have spoiled her with their love and passion for quidditch, not to mention their love for her in particular.

Ginny looked around the room. It was good enough for a night or two while the Harpies were in town. Their match was set for tomorrow afternoon and the girls had the next day off before setting off for home. The room had a window looking out over the street, a bed, a desk, and chair, plus a separate loo. Overall it wasn't bad. The team has stayed in worse while on the road.

Ginny started to unpack her suitcase. She hung her quidditch robes on a hook that was on the back of the door. She took out her nightgown and left it on the bed. As she looked for her toothbrush she saw a piece of parchment, folded up in the corner of her suitcase. Ginny didn't remember packing anything like that before, but then again she hadn't used this suitcase in a month or so.

Ginny pulled out the piece of parchment from the suitcase and unfolded it. She immediately recognized Harry's small printing. Ginny smiled at the sweet gesture of a letter from her husband. She noticed the letter was dated from a while ago, the day after she and Harry fought over the housework. Ginny started to read the letter.

My Dearest Ginny,

By the time you read this, I'm sure we've already made up but I want you to know that I truly am sorry. I didn't realize what a strain I put on you during the season. I talked to Kreacher and told him when I give him time off, he's to refuse it. He was more than willing to accept that order from me! I love you so much. How about after the season ends, we head out on a holiday? I've got some time off coming and you could use the relaxation. We could go somewhere new like the States or somewhere in South America. We could even go to the Burrow. It would be just like in the summer when we were kids! I always miss you when you're away on the road but that just makes your homecoming that much sweeter. See you soon!

All my love,

Harry

Ginny folded up the letter and put it on the bed. A smile came across her face as a couple of tears rolled down her cheek. Ginny finished unpacking. There was a team meeting in less than an hour. As she was finishing up her thoughts drifted to Harry. She suddenly realized how much she misses him. Ginny sat down on the bed and just smiled about it. She considers herself lucky to be with Harry. Harry is kind, decent, brave, and honest. Ginny doesn't have to worry about what he's doing while she's away from home with the girls like some of the others do. Ginny knew that Abagail's husband got caught with a woman who lived down the street from them. They've been separated since then and Abagail might divorce him. Ginny thinks about all the little trinkets and knick-knacks that Harry has bought for her and she giggled. He always knows how to make her smile. He always did, even when they were kids. She thinks about the cupboard in the kitchen that displays all those little trinkets. Every time she sees it, it reminds her that she has the best husband and how much he loves her.

Ginny heard a knock at the door to her room as she sat on the bed. She called out, "It's open."

Gwen walked in and took a look at Ginny, "Everything alright Potter?"

Ginny looked up at Gwen, "Never better."

Gwen sat down next to Ginny, "Good," she looked closer at Ginny and asked, "Have you been crying?"

Ginny blushed, "I just found a letter in my suitcase from Harry, that's all." She handed the letter to Gwen.

Gwen opened the letter, "This letter better not be a Dear Jane letter. I can't have our star chaser down in the dumps. Abagail hasn't been the same since she found out about her husband. We can't afford to have the both of you not playing up to form. If this is something…" Gwen suddenly stopped talking while she read the letter.

Gwen put down the letter and smiled, "You are one lucky woman Potter." Gwen realized that Ginny needed a friend. She didn't need to Gwen to fix anything, just to listen to her and Gwen was more than willing to do that.

Ginny smiled, "I am."

Gwen stood and walked over the window, "What were you fighting about?"

Ginny shook her head, "Nothing really, just the housework. It didn't help that I wasn't having the best day. I was already mad about something else."

Gwen nodded, "I get it."

Ginny smiled, "I felt that he wasn't doing enough and he thought I had enough time in the day."

Gwen laughed, "They all do don't they?"

Ginny laughed, "They do. Harry felt so bad. He spent the entire day cleaning the house without magic. He did the laundry and even started dinner."

Gwen whistled, "Without magic? What did you say to him?"

The expression on Ginny's face changed. She wasn't smiling anymore. She frowned, "It wasn't really what I said. It's what I did."

Gwen asked, "What did you do?"

Ginny replied, "I smacked him across the face."

With a shocked look on her face, Gwen asked, "You smacked him?"

Ginny nodded, "Yes and I'm not proud of it. I then stormed off to our bedroom. We talked about it after Harry cleaned the house and started dinner and after we both had time to cool off. I was madder than mad. Anyway, I am very lucky. Harry never brought it up again and since then, he's stayed true to his word."

Gwen nodded, "That's good to hear."

Ginny smiled, "Have I ever told you about the cupboard of knick-knacks?"

Gwen shook her head, "No, I don't think you have."

Ginny's face lit up, "Harry always picks up little trinkets and stuff in his travels. It's never anything expensive, just trinkets or figurines and stuff like that. He says there just things that make him think of me or something he thinks I'll like."

Gwen smiled, "Like the little house-elf he brought you in Ireland."

Ginny nodded, "Well, he's picked up so many things, that I bought a cupboard to display them in. I have it in our kitchen."

Gwen smiled, "That must look wonderful." She then got a sly look in her eye, "And I bet things in the bedroom are pretty good, right?"

Ginny blushed, "We've never had a problem there."

Gwen smiled, "There's something else isn't there? It's ok Potter, you can tell me."

Ginny blushed a little again, "Reading the letter, I realized how much I miss him when we're on the road. I never really thought about until now. I was always caught up in everything you know? I was always thinking about getting to the portkey on time or the match or doing my very best for the team and the fans. I didn't stop to think about how Harry felt about me being away. We never talked about it."

Gwen just nodded, "You've got a good man there."

Ginny continued, "Harry always does his best to be home every night now so I won't worry so much. I know he can take care of himself when he's on an investigation and everything, but that doesn't stop me from worrying. When he can't make it home, he always sends word that he's ok and he loves me. I've never written to him or anything while I've been away." Ginny started tearing up, "Gwen…"

Gwen stood up, "Potter, pack your bag. Go home and take care of your husband."

Ginny started to protest, "What about the match? What about the team?"

Gwen shook her head, "Don't worry about it. We'll manage without you, besides we've already clinched a playoff spot. I'll figure out something to tell the rest of the team. Now go."

Ginny stood up and hastily packed her suitcase has she wiped away her tears. She hugged Gwen, "Thank you." Ginny realized right there that she really needed to be with Harry. It was almost an uncontrollable urge. She needed to let Harry know how much she loved him, how much she appreciated him. Ginny needed to let Harry know how much she needed him.