A/N I promise to make Harry not such a stupid git. It will get better and I swear that there is a plot. Give it one more chapter. I swear. Oh and if you read the story please please please please review. I love reviews. Can't express how much I love them. Adore them really. Best thing ever.
The Party
(Lily)
Invisibility is a skill that some people have from birth. Not true invisibility, but the ability to blend in with the background. To become unseen if not completely concealed. It can be learned, but usually someone is born with it. They either discover over time that they can creep about unnoticed, or know from the beginning that they can suddenly go unobserved. Kids are best at it. Mainly because it is more useful to them. As they age most grow out of it and never have reason to use it again. But a slight few keep it and use it and become more shadow than man.
My father retained this talent, though I don't think he knew he had to begin with. I watched him slip into the shadows at my uncle's party, saw him sip his drink and look longingly at my mother. His dark hair falling into his eyes as he bowed his head, eyes the same color as mine. Except his held ghosts.
I watched those ghosts come slowly to the surface and fall back again. One shaped like my mother, her gentle smile and long flaming hair wrapping around her. Another were the grandparents I had never met. Another my aunt Luna. Another me as a baby. Each of them dancing through his piercing green gaze.
Suddenly those eyes lit upon me. I met his gaze easily, and found he was surprised to find me watching him. I smiled at him hopefully, wishing he would come and dance with me as Uncle Ron was doing with Mab, but he only shifted uncomfortably and looked away. I turned from him then and watched the chaos that was the party.
Uncle Ron was dancing merrily with Mab standing on his feet. Aunt Hermione laughed as she passed by them with Uncle Neville who was trying very hard not to step on her feet. Uncle George was sitting next to his girlfriend Alicia talking quietly while Uncle Fred and Angelina danced wildly to the music of the wizarding wireless someone had turned on. Ivy and Lotus were swaying to the music in a corner waiting patiently for their father to come back. Suddenly someone tapped me on the shoulder, I jumped and spun around.
"Can I dance with you?" Meshach asked smiling.
I nodded and he pulled me out the center of the room. We danced a little, but mostly just talked.
"How are you feeling?" I asked with a pang of guilt.
"Fine." He replied.
"You sure?"
"Of course."
My guilt only worsened, if it weren't for my dumb fear of heights we'd have never gotten caught. He wouldn't have fallen and my father wouldn't have been mad at me.
"Where is your dad?" He asked looking around.
"Over there against the wall."
"Oh I didn't see him."
"You wouldn't. He doesn't want to be seen." I answered smiling.
He nodded.
Meshach was like that, he never questioned people's motives, just accepted them. If someone didn't want to do something, that was fine, he might not understand but he let it go. If I said my father didn't want to be seen, then that was the way it was.
"Meshach why don't you go dance with one of the twins?" Uncle Ron said.
Meshach smiled at me and nodded his assent.
"Come on little miss, step on up here, I'll dance with you." My uncle beamed.
I grinned and stepped onto his feet. Slowly we danced around the room. There was a sudden shriek as my mother was lifted from the ground and thrown over Uncle Fred's shoulder then spun unceremoniously around. She wailed and begged him to stop, but laughed all the same. Quickly I glanced at my father. He was watching with a strange look I had never seen before. Somewhere between longing and happiness.
"What's wrong, Lils?" Uncle Ron asked with a frown.
"Nothing." I said quickly.
"Something is the matter."
"Well, I was hoping my dad would dance with me." I said feeling stupid for thinking it.
Uncle Ron chuckled and lifted me into his arms.
"We'll just go and get him then, now where is he?"
"Over there against the wall." I said pointing.
He nodded and we weaved through the others, past Neville swinging Lotus around in a circle and past Hermione dancing with George to where my father stood.
"Harry, Lily wants to dance with you." He announced.
My father looked at me and frowned. "I don't feel much like dancing."
"Harry, stop being a git and dance with your daughter." Uncle Ron whispered and kicked my father in the shin.
Father nodded then and took me from my uncle's arms. He smelled of sweet wine and the outdoors. His grip was unsteady and I thought he might drop me, but he didn't. Both of us were uneasy.
"You don't have to dance with me if you don't want to." I whispered nervously.
He didn't respond, simply set me on the ground and took my hands. Our steps were fumbling and slow, we backed into several people, I laughed as we did. Father still said nothing, just held onto my hands tightly. I looked at him several times finding the ghosts in his eyes all resembled me. He did not smile or hug me as I wished him to, instead when the song was over he let go and tried to walk away.
"Do you have a dance for me?" A voice asked.
My mother was standing beside him now, her face hopeful. Father looked at her with a strange sort of pain and nodded slowly. Stepping away I watched them dance, father with is arms around her, mother with one hand entwined in his unruly hair. For a moment they reminded me of my Aunt and Uncle, loving and so wonderful together, but then I saw my father's face. Those ghosts were dancing as well, and tears were coming to his eyes.
"Lily? Come and sit with your grandfather for a moment."
I turned and grinned at my grandfather. He wore his usual black robes and carried a glass of sweet wine. Without a second thought I hurried to climb onto his lap.
"Have you been dancing?" He asked.
I nodded and snuggled against him.
"Perhaps in a bit you'll dance with me?"
"Sure." I replied smiling happily.
There was no one on the earth I loved to sit with more than my grandfather. He was wonderful. When I was a baby I fell asleep listening to him tell me stories and sing me funny songs. He smelled of the peppermint he kept in his pockets, and was always easy to cuddle against.
"Here take a sip of this, but don't tell your mother I let you." He whispered and let me drink from his wine glass.
I looked back to see my mother whispering in my father's ear. He did not answer, merely shook his head and walked away. For a moment longer he was visible and then he slowly slid into the background again.
Across the room Uncle Neville had taken to dancing a very silly dance with Uncle Ron and they were shouting for my father to join them. In moments my father had emerged from his hiding place and they all swung wildly about in a circle. Cheers and laughter erupted from around me as they acted like children.
"You aren't letting Lily have any of that wine are you Dad?" My mother said with a smile.
Grandfather looked up at her innocently and then back down at me.
"No, of course not, alcohol is not for children." He said giving me a wink.
"I think it's about time Lily went to bed, Ivy and Lotus are already there waiting."
As she spoke I did feel a bit tired. The wine had made me feel warm all over and drowsy. I said nothing but reached from my mother to pick me up. She obliged and I tucked my head against her neck, loving the feel of her silky hair on my face.
All of my cousins were in the room we were sharing. Ivy and Lotus were already in bed while Meshach and Mab changed clothes. Mia was sleeping soundly curled up in a chair across the room.
"This was your Uncle Fred and George's room when they were young." Mother said as she set me on the ground.
"Where will you be Mummy?" I asked keeping hold on her hand.
"Just on the landing above this." She assured me smiling.
I nodded and began to change clothes as well. Soon all of us were in bed and slowly drifting off to sleep, I thought I heard Meshach stirring, but fell into dreams before I knew what was happening.
(Ginny)
Since I can remember, the twins have thrown the very best of parties. Everyone smiled and danced and generally enjoyed themselves. With enough wine and firewhiskey to inebriate the whole of England they would carry on until late in the night, carousing and joking. There was no excuse for having a horrible time, if somehow you managed it, you deserved it anyway.
I watched the others dance and laughed at their antics. Ron was doting on one of his daughters, while Hermione was twirled around by Neville, whom I noticed was lighter on his feet than when he last danced with me. Fred and Angelina were having a wild time of it as usual. Even my daughter had found someone to dance with, her cousin Meshach swayed back and forth to the music as he spoke with her.
I had not danced yet, and was standing at the edge drinking my third glass of sweet wine when one of my brothers approached me.
"Not dancing?" Fred asked curiously.
"Not yet, were you going to offer?"
He laughed a little and looked around.
"Where's Harry?" He asked.
"I don't know. Probably outside. He likes the night air." I lied.
My husband had a habit of disappearing when I needed him most. I love my brother, but truly wished to dance with Harry. To be in his arms, to pretend for only a minute, that things were okay between us. That he wasn't distant and unreachable, that he was warm and loving the way I remembered him.
"Well, are you going to dance with me or not? Can't have my only sister sitting alone can I?" He cried with a laugh.
I set my drink on a table and held out my arms for him to take, instead I found myself thrown up over his shoulder. Screaming in protest I kicked a little and tried to pull his hair, he ignored me and began to spin in a circle. I closed my eyes and wished he would stop, the wine was churning in my stomach. Finally the wild ride was over and he dropped me to the ground.
"How was that Sis? Anything like you remember?"
I slapped him on the shoulder and nearly lost my balance. He caught me and set me upright again.
"Here, drink your wine, you'll feel better." I took the proffered glass and sipped it a little.
For the first time since we arrived at the party I saw Harry. He was dancing with our daughter, awkward and very uneasy he was slowly taking her around the floor. She seemed to be having fun, which made me smile. Lily was much like her father, and tended to hide in the background until forced to come out and be seen.
For several years now Harry had been cold with Lily. He rarely had time for her, though I saw that he tried his best when he had to be around her. Strangely enough she didn't seem to mind. I couldn't read her any better than I could her father.
Gulping the rest of my wine I made a decision. There would be no more dodging me. As the song ended I pushed through the others to be at his side.
"Do you have a dance for me?" I asked.
There were shadows under his bright green eyes, I longed to chase them away. Sadness loomed there, hidden, I wished desperately it would leave. Once he had been happy, joyful, smiling. Once my touch didn't seem to hurt him, there was no scar marring my features.
Warmth spread through me as his arms engulfed my body. I could have lived in that moment, pressed so close to him, smelling his scent, just being with him. One hand slowly trailed his spine to grip his hair, while the other rested on his hip. A shudder spread through the both of us.
"Do you remember when we used to bathe together?" I whispered in his ear.
"Yes." He answered quietly.
"Your hands would cover every inch of me. Always exploring." His grip on me grew tighter.
"I remember."
"I miss your hands on me."
"Ginny…" He started huskily in my ear.
"The bathroom upstairs is empty, no one would miss us."
Silence followed.
"I think I've had to much wine, would you like to take advantage of my condition?" I murmured playfully.
Suddenly he stopped dancing and gently pushed me away. With a pained look on his face he shook his head and turned. Nothing had changed. He didn't want me. He never wanted me. Stunned I stood and watched as he walked away. Someone bumped my shoulder and I turned.
"I think it's time to put the kids to bed. Arthur is starting to give them sips of wine again." Hermione whispered smiling.
I nodded and went to find Lily. Just as I was told, my father had was holding Lily and letting her drink from his glass.
"You aren't letting Lily have any of that wine are you Dad?" I asked grinning in spite of myself.
When I was very small he did the same to me. I had loved sitting on his lap with the lovely warm feeling that sweet wine gave you.
"No of course not, alcohol is not for children." He answered with a wink.
I smiled and told them it was time for Lily to go to bed. She let me lift her up and carry her upstairs to the twins old room. The rest of the children were already there, so I left my daughter to be with them while I went back to the party. As usual she only seemed vaguely interested in her surroundings.
When I reached the front room again I found that the music had been turned down and everyone was chatting quietly. Quickly I searched the room for Harry and didn't see him. Not that it was unusual, but I had hoped for once that he would have stayed. A lonely feeling settled in my chest and I decided to go to bed. Perhaps things would look different in the morning.
"No, Neville you are staying the night. Everyone is staying the night." Fred was saying with one arm clasped around Neville's shoulders.
"But…" He began to protest.
"No. I saw you drink that third glass of wine and we have a rule in this house." Fred paused for effect.
Several other people had become interested in the conversation and were watching as I was.
"What is that?" Neville asked.
"Friends don't let friends apparate drunk."
I chuckled to myself.
"Why not?" Asked Alicia Spinnet who had just walked up with George.
"Ask George." Fred said simply.
All eyes turned to him.
"Well, you see," George began with an embarrassed look on his face, "I was coming home from a party with a…. lady friend of mine. We were going to meet in the bathroom of her house so I was already partially undressed. I apparated into a bathroom full of steam and pulled back the curtain on the shower to find my mum staring back at me."
There was an eruption of laughter as George turned bright red.
"And that is why to this day if a Weasley gets drunk, we stay put. Or else you might end up half naked lying in the hall with your mum wrapped in the shower curtain scolding you loudly for being drunk and irresponsible." Fred finished.
"I see." Said Neville.
"Now have another glass of wine and sit down, it's only really late, we don't go to bed around here until really early."
I giggled as Neville obeyed.
"Good night everyone." I said.
"What? Going to bed so soon Sis?" Ron asked grabbing Hermione around the waist.
"Yeah, I'm tired. Had a bit to much wine I think." I hoped I sounded happy enough.
"We've all had a bit to much wine and you don't see us chickening out do you?" Fred cried.
"It's been a long day."
"Well if you want to miss all the fun, I mean I'm sure that's not the only embarrassing story I get George to tell." Fred was silenced momentarily by a bat upside the head from his twin.
"Sorry guys." I mumbled and made my way back up the stairs.
"Night Sis." My three brothers chorused after me.
There is nothing lonelier than going to bed alone. The hall and landing seemed chilled and empty. I tried to find joy in being in my childhood home, but instead was left with only painful memories. I was going to bed in the same room I had growing up, the same room where Harry first came to see me at night, where we first kissed, where we first made love. But instead of going to be with him, I was going alone.
As I came to the landing to my room I paused and took a deep breath.
"Ginny." A voice behind me said.
Turning I found Harry climbing the stairs after me.
"What? Look Harry I'm tired. I tried very hard tonight to make you see, to make you understand, but you didn't want me…"I was cut off my his mouth covering mine.
A thousand thoughts came to mind, but I couldn't focus on a single one as I met his hungry kisses. I wanted him, I needed him and nothing else mattered. His tongue met mine and his teeth grazed my lower lip. Passion seemed to fuse our mouths together. Slowly he pulled away and moved his biting kisses to my neck, I dug my fingers into his shoulders.
I hadn't realized we were moving until my back hit the wall. His hands had been still until then, laying on my hips, I felt them slid down under my thighs pulling them up to wrap around his waist. I hoped momentarily that no one would catch us, but quickly forgot as he pressed against me. Fingers twining in his dark hair I clutched him to me, pleading silently for this to never end.
"I love you." I whispered.
He froze.
"What's wrong?" I asked confused.
"Nothing." He answered quietly.
I smiled against his cheek as he resumed his kisses. The scent of wine and the warmth of being pressed together soon became to much for either of us. His hands left my thighs and began to search for the edge of my shirt.
"Ginny." He moaned in my ear as his hands touched the flesh beneath my blouse.
That was all the encouragement I needed. Gently I pushed him back and lowered myself to the ground. Seeing confusion in his eyes I took both his hands and led him to the door of our room. Moments later I was in the room pressing him against the door with kisses of my own. Gripping the edge of his shirt I pulled it over his head and let it fall to the floor. He smiled at me, eyes darkened with passion, before lifting me into his arms and depositing me on the bed.
"I want you." He murmured against my neck.
"Then take me." I answered.
(Harry)
I woke to find her beside me. Legs tangled in my own, one arm draped across my chest, fingers twisting a lock of my hair. She was so soft and warm I hated to wake her. Sighing deeply I strained to remember the events of only a few hours before. Bits of images returned to me slowly. Seeing her leave the room, following her. Kissing her, pressing her against the wall, wanting her so badly I couldn't control myself. Again I looked at her laying there.
There were several mulberry colored marks blossoming on her pale skin, they trailed down her neck to her shoulders, one stained her breast, another her hip bone. Realizing I was the cause of these marks I tried to cover them with her hair, I didn't want to see remains of my passion. Praying I hadn't hurt her I smoothed her silky hair over the offending blemishes.
I could not remember much, my mind was still fogged with wine. I could not remember if she had agreed to this. I could not remember if I had forced her. How rough had I been? Did she enjoy herself? Did she play along for my sake? The same old fear raised in my chest.
How could I lie here next to her, when there was every possibility that she had only played along. I knew she did that sometimes. She would smile a fake smile and allow me to have her, when really she didn't want me. My mind remembered when things had been so simple between us. Before I could no longer tell when she wanted me and when she didn't.
She deserved so much better.
"Harry? What's wrong?" She asked sleepily.
"I'm so sorry." I answered.
"For what?"
"I can't do this. I can't be here." I wanted to explain to her, but she wouldn't understand.
"What?" The confusion was evident.
"I…I can't. I've… got to go." I stammered rolling out of her grasp and off the bed.
Climbing unsteadily to my feet I searched quickly for my clothes.
"I don't understand. What's wrong?" She repeated.
"You are…I can't…I've got to go." I tried.
Pulling my pants up and buttoning them I made my way to the door, grabbing my shirt where it had fallen. I did not need to look back to see the hurt in her eyes. She didn't understand that I was no good for her. She married a fool. I'd have let her go free if I didn't need her so much. I'd always been selfish like that.
As I suspected there was a case of fire whiskey on the table in the kitchen, glasses set next to it. Pouring myself a bit I swallowed it before I could think twice. The burning was wonderful at the back of my throat Silently I thanked the man who had invented such a powerful drink. Perhaps he had been unworthy of his wife as well.
Thinking to sit in front of the fire, I made my way to the front room. It was not empty as I had hoped. Ron and Hermione were seated in front of the very fire I had thought to have for myself. She was resting her hand lovingly on his thigh as he whispered in her ear. She laughed a little and smiled in a knowing way.
I wondered darkly if perhaps she wouldn't laugh like that if she could see the rage he was capable of. If he told her how he had killed a man would she still love him? I had seen his blue eyes turn to fire. Hermione would never see that, she only knew him peaceful. Wickedly I thought about telling her. Perhaps then they would understand what it was like to be unable to talk to your spouse. Pondering this I took another drink of firewhiskey and refilled my glass.
She laughed again and stood up to stretch. I saw his eyes roam over every inch of her, drinking her in, loving every bit of what he saw.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" He asked smiling.
"Only half a dozen times today." She answered.
"I have been remiss. You must think I'm a horrible husband."
"Yes, I was beginning to think you were no longer attracted to me." There was laughter in her voice.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her to him. She laughed and sat on his lap.
"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I love you." He whispered touching her hair.
For a long moment he just looked at her, as if he were trying to memorize every inch of her face. I could feel my blood running cold and took another drink of whiskey to warm it.
"If you don't stop being so beautiful I won't be able to wait till we get upstairs to have you." Ron whispered.
She blushed and looked away.
"Ron, this isn't our house, we can't, what if someone hears?" She protested.
"That didn't bother you last time."
"We were seventeen. That hardly counts."
His hands were traveling to her waist.
"Harry was in the room right below us, could probably hear everything and you still came to my room."
"Ron, you lived here then, it was different." She insisted, but there was a smile in her eyes.
It was strange to think that while I was sneaking into Ginny's room, Hermione had been sneaking into Ron's. It's a wonder we didn't run into each other on the stairs.
"Besides what if one of the children comes looking for us?" She continued.
He grinned, "Yes, think of the children."
"We have three." She laughed kissing his cheek.
"Well, then I think it's about time we got started on a fourth." He murmured.
I could not see where his hands went next, but her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly. Some part of me knew I should go back to the kitchen, I should let them be alone. Instead I remained buried in the shadows watching jealously as my best friend shared a moment with his wife.
"Well, when you put it that way how can I refuse?" Said Hermione with a soft knowing smile.
"Come on then." He replied setting her on her feet and standing.
Possessively he put an arm around her waist and guided her out of the room.
"Shouldn't we clean up down here first?" She asked looking around.
"George will in the morning." He replied.
"But won't he want to sleep in?"
"Mum took care of that ages ago, nothing gets by those curtains." Ron laughed and pulled her with him once more.
I stepped further into the shadows and they passed within inches of me. Her hand was slowly trailing under his shirt as they began to climb the stairs and I longed to change places with him. Not to have Hermione, but to have someone love me so much. To have someone want to be with me so badly. To have someone look at me like that. Forgetting the glass I gulped the drink straight from the bottle and wandered into the living room.
(Neville)
I woke in the early morning hours. My heart pounded from dreams that haunted me. Dreams I thought I had left behind years ago. If I closed my eyes I could still feel her skin on mine. The clarity of it frightened me and I shook myself hoping to clear it away, but found her hold on me was far stronger than I had thought. I lay a moment longer, straying into pleasant thoughts of fire red hair and pale skin. Finally I climbed out of bed and went to get a drink.
I skipped the firewhiskey that sat on the table and poured myself a glass of wine instead. Sounds from the front room drew me to the doorway. Harry sat alone in front of the dying embers of the fire. A near empty bottle of firewhiskey rested in his lap. Were it not of the strangely distant look on his face I would have joined him. Instead I stood in the doorway and watched. I could not think why he would be sitting alone drinking, when he had a beautiful wife upstairs.
We all had seen him leave, following her upstairs with a determined spring to his step. Ron made several comments to Hermione on this. Hermione didn't see things the way he did though.
"I think something is wrong between them." Hermione had said.
"Oh it's nothing a drunken shag won't fix." Ron had replied.
Hermione had not been convinced but said nothing.
It seemed however, that Ron had been wrong in his assessment. Harry was alone and drinking heavily, while it appeared Ginny slept. Sipping my wine absently I wandered to the stairs. Quietly I climbed past my room, past the children's room and up to the landing that led to where she slept.
She was more beautiful than I remembered from my dream. Her face was serene with sleep, though even from where I stood I could see she had been crying. I longed to go and comfort her. Fragments of my dream came to me, how soft her lips must be, what it was like to have her hair fall around me.
"Neville."
I turned and found Harry standing at the top of the stairs.
"Harry, I…"
He frowned.
"Did you need something?" He asked.
"No, I was looking for the children and I guess I went up too many levels." I lied.
He nodded and pushed past me to into the room.
"Goodnight." He mumbled and shut the door.
I was left standing alone. With every step down to my room I felt a little more guilty. I was in love with my brother's wife.
(Lily)
It was dark when I woke. I lay still, wondering what had woken me. Sounds across the room caught my attention and I propped myself up to see what it was. Meshach lay on his back on the floor. His mouth opened and closed like a fish as he gasped for air. Somehow I managed to climb over Ivy's sleeping form without waking her and knelt beside my cousin.
"What happened?" I asked taking his hand.
"My chest… it hurts…" He managed.
"I'll go and get your mother."
"No…stay with me."
Frowning and biting my lip I stayed where I was.
"Is it, from the spell?" I asked a terrible clenching in my stomach made me stammer.
He nodded and gasped, his chest heaving.
"I need to go and get help. You could die." I whispered urgently.
"Just…stay with me." He repeated.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I laid my forehead on his struggling chest. Suddenly I knew what was wrong. I could see the straining muscles in his chest and understood how to fix it. Jerking my head up I looked at his fear filled face and knew exactly what to do.
"Meshach I can help you." I said.
"How?" His voice was growing fainter.
"Just hold still."
Deliberately I placed my hand over his heart. In my mind I could see the injury and carefully began to fix it. Muscle eased and torn flesh healed, slowly his breathing grew easier. At last I pulled away and his gaze was confused.
"How did you do that?" He asked with a deep breath.
"I…I'm not sure. Don't tell anyone though. Please." I begged.
"Okay." He said and smiled a bit at me.
"I don't know what I did."
"Whatever it was, it's pretty handy."
I laughed a little and shook my head.
"You are feeling better though?"
"Yeah, ever since the hospital I've had a heavy feeling over my heart, didn't want to worry Mum though. Thought it would fade, but it just got worse and worse as the day went. Thanks." He explained.
I shrugged. Somehow having this power didn't frighten me like it ought to have. It seemed almost right.
"I'm gonna try to sleep now." He said and hugged me hard.
"Okay, good night."
I crawled back over Ivy and curled into a tight ball. I had no idea what was going on, but it didn't seem like something I wanted to tell my parents about. Stories of my father and his strange abilities had followed me since I was born, I didn't need anyone to know that I too was out of the ordinary. Meshach wouldn't tell. Thinking that perhaps I had imagined it all anyway I slowly drifted off to sleep.
The Party
(Lily)
Invisibility is a skill that some people have from birth. Not true invisibility, but the ability to blend in with the background. To become unseen if not completely concealed. It can be learned, but usually someone is born with it. They either discover over time that they can creep about unnoticed, or know from the beginning that they can suddenly go unobserved. Kids are best at it. Mainly because it is more useful to them. As they age most grow out of it and never have reason to use it again. But a slight few keep it and use it and become more shadow than man.
My father retained this talent, though I don't think he knew he had to begin with. I watched him slip into the shadows at my uncle's party, saw him sip his drink and look longingly at my mother. His dark hair falling into his eyes as he bowed his head, eyes the same color as mine. Except his held ghosts.
I watched those ghosts come slowly to the surface and fall back again. One shaped like my mother, her gentle smile and long flaming hair wrapping around her. Another were the grandparents I had never met. Another my aunt Luna. Another me as a baby. Each of them dancing through his piercing green gaze.
Suddenly those eyes lit upon me. I met his gaze easily, and found he was surprised to find me watching him. I smiled at him hopefully, wishing he would come and dance with me as Uncle Ron was doing with Mab, but he only shifted uncomfortably and looked away. I turned from him then and watched the chaos that was the party.
Uncle Ron was dancing merrily with Mab standing on his feet. Aunt Hermione laughed as she passed by them with Uncle Neville who was trying very hard not to step on her feet. Uncle George was sitting next to his girlfriend Alicia talking quietly while Uncle Fred and Angelina danced wildly to the music of the wizarding wireless someone had turned on. Ivy and Lotus were swaying to the music in a corner waiting patiently for their father to come back. Suddenly someone tapped me on the shoulder, I jumped and spun around.
"Can I dance with you?" Meshach asked smiling.
I nodded and he pulled me out the center of the room. We danced a little, but mostly just talked.
"How are you feeling?" I asked with a pang of guilt.
"Fine." He replied.
"You sure?"
"Of course."
My guilt only worsened, if it weren't for my dumb fear of heights we'd have never gotten caught. He wouldn't have fallen and my father wouldn't have been mad at me.
"Where is your dad?" He asked looking around.
"Over there against the wall."
"Oh I didn't see him."
"You wouldn't. He doesn't want to be seen." I answered smiling.
He nodded.
Meshach was like that, he never questioned people's motives, just accepted them. If someone didn't want to do something, that was fine, he might not understand but he let it go. If I said my father didn't want to be seen, then that was the way it was.
"Meshach why don't you go dance with one of the twins?" Uncle Ron said.
Meshach smiled at me and nodded his assent.
"Come on little miss, step on up here, I'll dance with you." My uncle beamed.
I grinned and stepped onto his feet. Slowly we danced around the room. There was a sudden shriek as my mother was lifted from the ground and thrown over Uncle Fred's shoulder then spun unceremoniously around. She wailed and begged him to stop, but laughed all the same. Quickly I glanced at my father. He was watching with a strange look I had never seen before. Somewhere between longing and happiness.
"What's wrong, Lils?" Uncle Ron asked with a frown.
"Nothing." I said quickly.
"Something is the matter."
"Well, I was hoping my dad would dance with me." I said feeling stupid for thinking it.
Uncle Ron chuckled and lifted me into his arms.
"We'll just go and get him then, now where is he?"
"Over there against the wall." I said pointing.
He nodded and we weaved through the others, past Neville swinging Lotus around in a circle and past Hermione dancing with George to where my father stood.
"Harry, Lily wants to dance with you." He announced.
My father looked at me and frowned. "I don't feel much like dancing."
"Harry, stop being a git and dance with your daughter." Uncle Ron whispered and kicked my father in the shin.
Father nodded then and took me from my uncle's arms. He smelled of sweet wine and the outdoors. His grip was unsteady and I thought he might drop me, but he didn't. Both of us were uneasy.
"You don't have to dance with me if you don't want to." I whispered nervously.
He didn't respond, simply set me on the ground and took my hands. Our steps were fumbling and slow, we backed into several people, I laughed as we did. Father still said nothing, just held onto my hands tightly. I looked at him several times finding the ghosts in his eyes all resembled me. He did not smile or hug me as I wished him to, instead when the song was over he let go and tried to walk away.
"Do you have a dance for me?" A voice asked.
My mother was standing beside him now, her face hopeful. Father looked at her with a strange sort of pain and nodded slowly. Stepping away I watched them dance, father with is arms around her, mother with one hand entwined in his unruly hair. For a moment they reminded me of my Aunt and Uncle, loving and so wonderful together, but then I saw my father's face. Those ghosts were dancing as well, and tears were coming to his eyes.
"Lily? Come and sit with your grandfather for a moment."
I turned and grinned at my grandfather. He wore his usual black robes and carried a glass of sweet wine. Without a second thought I hurried to climb onto his lap.
"Have you been dancing?" He asked.
I nodded and snuggled against him.
"Perhaps in a bit you'll dance with me?"
"Sure." I replied smiling happily.
There was no one on the earth I loved to sit with more than my grandfather. He was wonderful. When I was a baby I fell asleep listening to him tell me stories and sing me funny songs. He smelled of the peppermint he kept in his pockets, and was always easy to cuddle against.
"Here take a sip of this, but don't tell your mother I let you." He whispered and let me drink from his wine glass.
I looked back to see my mother whispering in my father's ear. He did not answer, merely shook his head and walked away. For a moment longer he was visible and then he slowly slid into the background again.
Across the room Uncle Neville had taken to dancing a very silly dance with Uncle Ron and they were shouting for my father to join them. In moments my father had emerged from his hiding place and they all swung wildly about in a circle. Cheers and laughter erupted from around me as they acted like children.
"You aren't letting Lily have any of that wine are you Dad?" My mother said with a smile.
Grandfather looked up at her innocently and then back down at me.
"No, of course not, alcohol is not for children." He said giving me a wink.
"I think it's about time Lily went to bed, Ivy and Lotus are already there waiting."
As she spoke I did feel a bit tired. The wine had made me feel warm all over and drowsy. I said nothing but reached from my mother to pick me up. She obliged and I tucked my head against her neck, loving the feel of her silky hair on my face.
All of my cousins were in the room we were sharing. Ivy and Lotus were already in bed while Meshach and Mab changed clothes. Mia was sleeping soundly curled up in a chair across the room.
"This was your Uncle Fred and George's room when they were young." Mother said as she set me on the ground.
"Where will you be Mummy?" I asked keeping hold on her hand.
"Just on the landing above this." She assured me smiling.
I nodded and began to change clothes as well. Soon all of us were in bed and slowly drifting off to sleep, I thought I heard Meshach stirring, but fell into dreams before I knew what was happening.
(Ginny)
Since I can remember, the twins have thrown the very best of parties. Everyone smiled and danced and generally enjoyed themselves. With enough wine and firewhiskey to inebriate the whole of England they would carry on until late in the night, carousing and joking. There was no excuse for having a horrible time, if somehow you managed it, you deserved it anyway.
I watched the others dance and laughed at their antics. Ron was doting on one of his daughters, while Hermione was twirled around by Neville, whom I noticed was lighter on his feet than when he last danced with me. Fred and Angelina were having a wild time of it as usual. Even my daughter had found someone to dance with, her cousin Meshach swayed back and forth to the music as he spoke with her.
I had not danced yet, and was standing at the edge drinking my third glass of sweet wine when one of my brothers approached me.
"Not dancing?" Fred asked curiously.
"Not yet, were you going to offer?"
He laughed a little and looked around.
"Where's Harry?" He asked.
"I don't know. Probably outside. He likes the night air." I lied.
My husband had a habit of disappearing when I needed him most. I love my brother, but truly wished to dance with Harry. To be in his arms, to pretend for only a minute, that things were okay between us. That he wasn't distant and unreachable, that he was warm and loving the way I remembered him.
"Well, are you going to dance with me or not? Can't have my only sister sitting alone can I?" He cried with a laugh.
I set my drink on a table and held out my arms for him to take, instead I found myself thrown up over his shoulder. Screaming in protest I kicked a little and tried to pull his hair, he ignored me and began to spin in a circle. I closed my eyes and wished he would stop, the wine was churning in my stomach. Finally the wild ride was over and he dropped me to the ground.
"How was that Sis? Anything like you remember?"
I slapped him on the shoulder and nearly lost my balance. He caught me and set me upright again.
"Here, drink your wine, you'll feel better." I took the proffered glass and sipped it a little.
For the first time since we arrived at the party I saw Harry. He was dancing with our daughter, awkward and very uneasy he was slowly taking her around the floor. She seemed to be having fun, which made me smile. Lily was much like her father, and tended to hide in the background until forced to come out and be seen.
For several years now Harry had been cold with Lily. He rarely had time for her, though I saw that he tried his best when he had to be around her. Strangely enough she didn't seem to mind. I couldn't read her any better than I could her father.
Gulping the rest of my wine I made a decision. There would be no more dodging me. As the song ended I pushed through the others to be at his side.
"Do you have a dance for me?" I asked.
There were shadows under his bright green eyes, I longed to chase them away. Sadness loomed there, hidden, I wished desperately it would leave. Once he had been happy, joyful, smiling. Once my touch didn't seem to hurt him, there was no scar marring my features.
Warmth spread through me as his arms engulfed my body. I could have lived in that moment, pressed so close to him, smelling his scent, just being with him. One hand slowly trailed his spine to grip his hair, while the other rested on his hip. A shudder spread through the both of us.
"Do you remember when we used to bathe together?" I whispered in his ear.
"Yes." He answered quietly.
"Your hands would cover every inch of me. Always exploring." His grip on me grew tighter.
"I remember."
"I miss your hands on me."
"Ginny…" He started huskily in my ear.
"The bathroom upstairs is empty, no one would miss us."
Silence followed.
"I think I've had to much wine, would you like to take advantage of my condition?" I murmured playfully.
Suddenly he stopped dancing and gently pushed me away. With a pained look on his face he shook his head and turned. Nothing had changed. He didn't want me. He never wanted me. Stunned I stood and watched as he walked away. Someone bumped my shoulder and I turned.
"I think it's time to put the kids to bed. Arthur is starting to give them sips of wine again." Hermione whispered smiling.
I nodded and went to find Lily. Just as I was told, my father had was holding Lily and letting her drink from his glass.
"You aren't letting Lily have any of that wine are you Dad?" I asked grinning in spite of myself.
When I was very small he did the same to me. I had loved sitting on his lap with the lovely warm feeling that sweet wine gave you.
"No of course not, alcohol is not for children." He answered with a wink.
I smiled and told them it was time for Lily to go to bed. She let me lift her up and carry her upstairs to the twins old room. The rest of the children were already there, so I left my daughter to be with them while I went back to the party. As usual she only seemed vaguely interested in her surroundings.
When I reached the front room again I found that the music had been turned down and everyone was chatting quietly. Quickly I searched the room for Harry and didn't see him. Not that it was unusual, but I had hoped for once that he would have stayed. A lonely feeling settled in my chest and I decided to go to bed. Perhaps things would look different in the morning.
"No, Neville you are staying the night. Everyone is staying the night." Fred was saying with one arm clasped around Neville's shoulders.
"But…" He began to protest.
"No. I saw you drink that third glass of wine and we have a rule in this house." Fred paused for effect.
Several other people had become interested in the conversation and were watching as I was.
"What is that?" Neville asked.
"Friends don't let friends apparate drunk."
I chuckled to myself.
"Why not?" Asked Alicia Spinnet who had just walked up with George.
"Ask George." Fred said simply.
All eyes turned to him.
"Well, you see," George began with an embarrassed look on his face, "I was coming home from a party with a…. lady friend of mine. We were going to meet in the bathroom of her house so I was already partially undressed. I apparated into a bathroom full of steam and pulled back the curtain on the shower to find my mum staring back at me."
There was an eruption of laughter as George turned bright red.
"And that is why to this day if a Weasley gets drunk, we stay put. Or else you might end up half naked lying in the hall with your mum wrapped in the shower curtain scolding you loudly for being drunk and irresponsible." Fred finished.
"I see." Said Neville.
"Now have another glass of wine and sit down, it's only really late, we don't go to bed around here until really early."
I giggled as Neville obeyed.
"Good night everyone." I said.
"What? Going to bed so soon Sis?" Ron asked grabbing Hermione around the waist.
"Yeah, I'm tired. Had a bit to much wine I think." I hoped I sounded happy enough.
"We've all had a bit to much wine and you don't see us chickening out do you?" Fred cried.
"It's been a long day."
"Well if you want to miss all the fun, I mean I'm sure that's not the only embarrassing story I get George to tell." Fred was silenced momentarily by a bat upside the head from his twin.
"Sorry guys." I mumbled and made my way back up the stairs.
"Night Sis." My three brothers chorused after me.
There is nothing lonelier than going to bed alone. The hall and landing seemed chilled and empty. I tried to find joy in being in my childhood home, but instead was left with only painful memories. I was going to bed in the same room I had growing up, the same room where Harry first came to see me at night, where we first kissed, where we first made love. But instead of going to be with him, I was going alone.
As I came to the landing to my room I paused and took a deep breath.
"Ginny." A voice behind me said.
Turning I found Harry climbing the stairs after me.
"What? Look Harry I'm tired. I tried very hard tonight to make you see, to make you understand, but you didn't want me…"I was cut off my his mouth covering mine.
A thousand thoughts came to mind, but I couldn't focus on a single one as I met his hungry kisses. I wanted him, I needed him and nothing else mattered. His tongue met mine and his teeth grazed my lower lip. Passion seemed to fuse our mouths together. Slowly he pulled away and moved his biting kisses to my neck, I dug my fingers into his shoulders.
I hadn't realized we were moving until my back hit the wall. His hands had been still until then, laying on my hips, I felt them slid down under my thighs pulling them up to wrap around his waist. I hoped momentarily that no one would catch us, but quickly forgot as he pressed against me. Fingers twining in his dark hair I clutched him to me, pleading silently for this to never end.
"I love you." I whispered.
He froze.
"What's wrong?" I asked confused.
"Nothing." He answered quietly.
I smiled against his cheek as he resumed his kisses. The scent of wine and the warmth of being pressed together soon became to much for either of us. His hands left my thighs and began to search for the edge of my shirt.
"Ginny." He moaned in my ear as his hands touched the flesh beneath my blouse.
That was all the encouragement I needed. Gently I pushed him back and lowered myself to the ground. Seeing confusion in his eyes I took both his hands and led him to the door of our room. Moments later I was in the room pressing him against the door with kisses of my own. Gripping the edge of his shirt I pulled it over his head and let it fall to the floor. He smiled at me, eyes darkened with passion, before lifting me into his arms and depositing me on the bed.
"I want you." He murmured against my neck.
"Then take me." I answered.
(Harry)
I woke to find her beside me. Legs tangled in my own, one arm draped across my chest, fingers twisting a lock of my hair. She was so soft and warm I hated to wake her. Sighing deeply I strained to remember the events of only a few hours before. Bits of images returned to me slowly. Seeing her leave the room, following her. Kissing her, pressing her against the wall, wanting her so badly I couldn't control myself. Again I looked at her laying there.
There were several mulberry colored marks blossoming on her pale skin, they trailed down her neck to her shoulders, one stained her breast, another her hip bone. Realizing I was the cause of these marks I tried to cover them with her hair, I didn't want to see remains of my passion. Praying I hadn't hurt her I smoothed her silky hair over the offending blemishes.
I could not remember much, my mind was still fogged with wine. I could not remember if she had agreed to this. I could not remember if I had forced her. How rough had I been? Did she enjoy herself? Did she play along for my sake? The same old fear raised in my chest.
How could I lie here next to her, when there was every possibility that she had only played along. I knew she did that sometimes. She would smile a fake smile and allow me to have her, when really she didn't want me. My mind remembered when things had been so simple between us. Before I could no longer tell when she wanted me and when she didn't.
She deserved so much better.
"Harry? What's wrong?" She asked sleepily.
"I'm so sorry." I answered.
"For what?"
"I can't do this. I can't be here." I wanted to explain to her, but she wouldn't understand.
"What?" The confusion was evident.
"I…I can't. I've… got to go." I stammered rolling out of her grasp and off the bed.
Climbing unsteadily to my feet I searched quickly for my clothes.
"I don't understand. What's wrong?" She repeated.
"You are…I can't…I've got to go." I tried.
Pulling my pants up and buttoning them I made my way to the door, grabbing my shirt where it had fallen. I did not need to look back to see the hurt in her eyes. She didn't understand that I was no good for her. She married a fool. I'd have let her go free if I didn't need her so much. I'd always been selfish like that.
As I suspected there was a case of fire whiskey on the table in the kitchen, glasses set next to it. Pouring myself a bit I swallowed it before I could think twice. The burning was wonderful at the back of my throat Silently I thanked the man who had invented such a powerful drink. Perhaps he had been unworthy of his wife as well.
Thinking to sit in front of the fire, I made my way to the front room. It was not empty as I had hoped. Ron and Hermione were seated in front of the very fire I had thought to have for myself. She was resting her hand lovingly on his thigh as he whispered in her ear. She laughed a little and smiled in a knowing way.
I wondered darkly if perhaps she wouldn't laugh like that if she could see the rage he was capable of. If he told her how he had killed a man would she still love him? I had seen his blue eyes turn to fire. Hermione would never see that, she only knew him peaceful. Wickedly I thought about telling her. Perhaps then they would understand what it was like to be unable to talk to your spouse. Pondering this I took another drink of firewhiskey and refilled my glass.
She laughed again and stood up to stretch. I saw his eyes roam over every inch of her, drinking her in, loving every bit of what he saw.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" He asked smiling.
"Only half a dozen times today." She answered.
"I have been remiss. You must think I'm a horrible husband."
"Yes, I was beginning to think you were no longer attracted to me." There was laughter in her voice.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her to him. She laughed and sat on his lap.
"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I love you." He whispered touching her hair.
For a long moment he just looked at her, as if he were trying to memorize every inch of her face. I could feel my blood running cold and took another drink of whiskey to warm it.
"If you don't stop being so beautiful I won't be able to wait till we get upstairs to have you." Ron whispered.
She blushed and looked away.
"Ron, this isn't our house, we can't, what if someone hears?" She protested.
"That didn't bother you last time."
"We were seventeen. That hardly counts."
His hands were traveling to her waist.
"Harry was in the room right below us, could probably hear everything and you still came to my room."
"Ron, you lived here then, it was different." She insisted, but there was a smile in her eyes.
It was strange to think that while I was sneaking into Ginny's room, Hermione had been sneaking into Ron's. It's a wonder we didn't run into each other on the stairs.
"Besides what if one of the children comes looking for us?" She continued.
He grinned, "Yes, think of the children."
"We have three." She laughed kissing his cheek.
"Well, then I think it's about time we got started on a fourth." He murmured.
I could not see where his hands went next, but her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly. Some part of me knew I should go back to the kitchen, I should let them be alone. Instead I remained buried in the shadows watching jealously as my best friend shared a moment with his wife.
"Well, when you put it that way how can I refuse?" Said Hermione with a soft knowing smile.
"Come on then." He replied setting her on her feet and standing.
Possessively he put an arm around her waist and guided her out of the room.
"Shouldn't we clean up down here first?" She asked looking around.
"George will in the morning." He replied.
"But won't he want to sleep in?"
"Mum took care of that ages ago, nothing gets by those curtains." Ron laughed and pulled her with him once more.
I stepped further into the shadows and they passed within inches of me. Her hand was slowly trailing under his shirt as they began to climb the stairs and I longed to change places with him. Not to have Hermione, but to have someone love me so much. To have someone want to be with me so badly. To have someone look at me like that. Forgetting the glass I gulped the drink straight from the bottle and wandered into the living room.
(Neville)
I woke in the early morning hours. My heart pounded from dreams that haunted me. Dreams I thought I had left behind years ago. If I closed my eyes I could still feel her skin on mine. The clarity of it frightened me and I shook myself hoping to clear it away, but found her hold on me was far stronger than I had thought. I lay a moment longer, straying into pleasant thoughts of fire red hair and pale skin. Finally I climbed out of bed and went to get a drink.
I skipped the firewhiskey that sat on the table and poured myself a glass of wine instead. Sounds from the front room drew me to the doorway. Harry sat alone in front of the dying embers of the fire. A near empty bottle of firewhiskey rested in his lap. Were it not of the strangely distant look on his face I would have joined him. Instead I stood in the doorway and watched. I could not think why he would be sitting alone drinking, when he had a beautiful wife upstairs.
We all had seen him leave, following her upstairs with a determined spring to his step. Ron made several comments to Hermione on this. Hermione didn't see things the way he did though.
"I think something is wrong between them." Hermione had said.
"Oh it's nothing a drunken shag won't fix." Ron had replied.
Hermione had not been convinced but said nothing.
It seemed however, that Ron had been wrong in his assessment. Harry was alone and drinking heavily, while it appeared Ginny slept. Sipping my wine absently I wandered to the stairs. Quietly I climbed past my room, past the children's room and up to the landing that led to where she slept.
She was more beautiful than I remembered from my dream. Her face was serene with sleep, though even from where I stood I could see she had been crying. I longed to go and comfort her. Fragments of my dream came to me, how soft her lips must be, what it was like to have her hair fall around me.
"Neville."
I turned and found Harry standing at the top of the stairs.
"Harry, I…"
He frowned.
"Did you need something?" He asked.
"No, I was looking for the children and I guess I went up too many levels." I lied.
He nodded and pushed past me to into the room.
"Goodnight." He mumbled and shut the door.
I was left standing alone. With every step down to my room I felt a little more guilty. I was in love with my brother's wife.
(Lily)
It was dark when I woke. I lay still, wondering what had woken me. Sounds across the room caught my attention and I propped myself up to see what it was. Meshach lay on his back on the floor. His mouth opened and closed like a fish as he gasped for air. Somehow I managed to climb over Ivy's sleeping form without waking her and knelt beside my cousin.
"What happened?" I asked taking his hand.
"My chest… it hurts…" He managed.
"I'll go and get your mother."
"No…stay with me."
Frowning and biting my lip I stayed where I was.
"Is it, from the spell?" I asked a terrible clenching in my stomach made me stammer.
He nodded and gasped, his chest heaving.
"I need to go and get help. You could die." I whispered urgently.
"Just…stay with me." He repeated.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I laid my forehead on his struggling chest. Suddenly I knew what was wrong. I could see the straining muscles in his chest and understood how to fix it. Jerking my head up I looked at his fear filled face and knew exactly what to do.
"Meshach I can help you." I said.
"How?" His voice was growing fainter.
"Just hold still."
Deliberately I placed my hand over his heart. In my mind I could see the injury and carefully began to fix it. Muscle eased and torn flesh healed, slowly his breathing grew easier. At last I pulled away and his gaze was confused.
"How did you do that?" He asked with a deep breath.
"I…I'm not sure. Don't tell anyone though. Please." I begged.
"Okay." He said and smiled a bit at me.
"I don't know what I did."
"Whatever it was, it's pretty handy."
I laughed a little and shook my head.
"You are feeling better though?"
"Yeah, ever since the hospital I've had a heavy feeling over my heart, didn't want to worry Mum though. Thought it would fade, but it just got worse and worse as the day went. Thanks." He explained.
I shrugged. Somehow having this power didn't frighten me like it ought to have. It seemed almost right.
"I'm gonna try to sleep now." He said and hugged me hard.
"Okay, good night."
I crawled back over Ivy and curled into a tight ball. I had no idea what was going on, but it didn't seem like something I wanted to tell my parents about. Stories of my father and his strange abilities had followed me since I was born, I didn't need anyone to know that I too was out of the ordinary. Meshach wouldn't tell. Thinking that perhaps I had imagined it all anyway I slowly drifted off to sleep.