A/N – I'm having trouble writing this fic at the moment, for some reason it's just not clicking. I'm currently writing Ch 16 and I'm struggling. It's not writer's block at all, because I know the entire story – even the end. I don't know, I'd just love support from you guys! (Not that I don't get heaps already – you guys are amazing)
NOTE – One of my BETA's has pulled out of her position as BETA, (luvhp224) so that makes things difficult. She was finding it a bit too time-consuming BETAing this fic, and I admit I can understand that. But she may be back!
Thanks to my ingenious, incredible and intelligent BETA: Nesserz
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Ch 10 – Fallen Petal
Dedication: To luvhp224, thanks for all the help you've done so far. I hope you have a relaxing break.
Ginny yawned and looked at the clock; it was only six thirty in the evening that same day and she felt like diving under her covers for a few centuries. She threw down her book and tugged at her hair, wishing she could find the courage to Floo to Jason's house and explain everything. That wasn't possible though, because once she explained why Harry had been sitting on her floor with a bowl of pancake batter on his head, she would explain why he was there in the first place, then why she was on such good terms with him to have him there, then how she was on such good terms and she really didn't want to go into that with Jason.
Funnily enough, she really wanted another pancake. Making up her mind to do just that with the last remnants of the flour and other pancake cooking necessities, she got up off the couch and was on her way to the kitchen when the familiar sound of someone Apparating startled her.
Expecting Harry, Jason or even someone from her family she turned around instantly. The last thing she expected to see was the red and tearstained face of Hermione. Ginny stopped and stared, not quite sure what to do or say. A dry, racking sob from Hermione answered her question quickly enough however. In two strides she had reached her friend and was enveloping her in a tight hug.
"Oh gosh. . . oh come sit down." Ginny said, leading Hermione over to the couch. Hermione didn't say anything, just kept sobbing and crying, her face wet.
Ginny got up, preparing to Floo Ron.
"No. . . please don't go to Ron." Hermione croaked from the couch, another tear running off her cheek and falling on her lap. Ginny was confused, this had to be bad.
"W-why not?" she asked gently, coming to sit by Hermione again.
"B-b-because." Hermione sobbed, breathing heavily. "I d-don't want him t-t-to know."
"Know. . . what?" Ginny whispered, wrapping her in another hug.
Hermione shook her head, not answering, her shoulders shaking. Ginny looked around frantically, eyes wide. Ron clearly needed to know whatever it was, it was obviously important.
"What can't he know Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking at Hermione's dark chocolate eyes.
Hermione looked away for a second then looked back down at the floor. She whispered something that Ginny couldn't hear.
"Who's Darren?" Ginny asked, straining her ears. Hermione looked even more upset. She whispered again, audibly this time.
"I'm barren."
Ginny recoiled, gasping. "No. . . you can't be! No!"
More tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and Ginny could see, through her eyes, that she was telling the truth.
"Oh, Mione." Ginny said, hugging her friend tighter. Her own troubles seemed so trivial now compared to this and she felt her own eyes moisten.
They sat there for what seemed like hours, Ginny not letting go of Hermione. Ginny cried with her, knowing the pain her friend was going through. After a while, Hermione stopped shuddering and sobbing, now only sitting there as still and as silent as a rock. Neither said anything, nothing seemed to be appropriate. Presently though, Ginny knew she had to ask the question she didn't want to ask.
"Hermione. . .?" she ventured. Hermione nodded, still not talking.
"When are you going to tell Ron?"
"I don't know how." Came the quiet and sad reply.
"He'll find out anyway." Ginny replied gently. "He'll wonder why. . . you know."
Hermione nodded miserably. "Does he know you're here?" Ginny asked.
"No. . . I went the doctor for a check-up just to make sure. She said she saw something funny in one of the results. And then. . . when she came back, she told me I wasn't. . . I wasn't able to have children." Ginny made a funny noise, her heart breaking a little bit when she heard this.
"So Ron wasn't there?"
"No. . . he was waiting for me when I got home. He didn't know where I had gone." Hermione said, eyes shining with tears. She took a shuddering breath. "When. . . when I saw his face. . . I just. . . I couldn't bare it. I had to leave, I couldn't stay there and not tell him."
"Why not?" Ginny pressed softly.
"Because, he would hate me!" Hermione said hysterically, waving her hands about. Ginny closed her eyes painfully.
Ginny shushed her, calming her down. "Ron would never hate you, you know that. He adores you, so he would accept anything as long as you were with him." She said seriously, holding Hermione's wrist.
"I knew you would say that but. . ."
"But what?"
"He wants children more than anything, he always has." Hermione cried. "Now I can't give him what he wants the most."
Ginny shook her head. "No Mione, more than anything he wants you. What he wants the most is your love, he always has."
Hermione didn't answer, rocking slightly. Ginny opened and closed her mouth, wishing she could say she felt her pain, but she couldn't because she didn't. Her problems were tiny in comparison to this.
"Can I, can I stay here tonight?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"Of course you can. But. . . one thing."
Hermione looked confused.
"You have to promise to tell Ron." Ginny said firmly.
Hermione turned away, wiping another tear. "I. . . can't."
"Why not?" Ginny asked again.
"Ginny, he would hate me!" Hermione cried, her face was twisted like she was fighting a battle with herself.
"Do you really think so Hermione?" Ginny said quietly, in a sad tone.
". . . I did." Hermione whispered. "But now I think it will just ruin what we have."
Ginny was silent, it wouldn't ruin it, just change it. "What you have can't be ruined Mione. You've been going out since you were seventeen, and he finally worked up the courage to marry you. Do you think he's going to let something like this ruin everything?"
Hermione didn't answer, she just kept shaking her head and staring mutely at the floor. Glistening teardrops filled her eyes, slowly falling to wet the carpet.
Ginny sighed and got up, going to get the bed ready for Hermione. Maybe she was just dreaming and she would wake up with a happy Hermione, no Harry and an unhurt Jason. Ginny stopped in the hallway and leant against her door, taking a shuddering breath and closing her eyes. If there was one day she would love to erase and start again it would be today. She knew Hermione probably wanted to be left alone for a while, she always did when she was sad or upset.
Ginny had a shower and changed into her pyjamas, going to the kitchen for some tea. She returned into the living room, Hermione's sobs had ceased and she had fallen asleep on the couch, cheeks wet and face pale. Ginny stared at her, arms limp at her sides. Ron needed to know, yet Hermione needed to be the one to tell him.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ginny said as softly as she could and watched as she directed Hermione as she floated through the air towards the bedroom. Ginny followed, placing the still sleeping Hermione on the bed and covering her with a blanket.
"You have to tell Ron." Ginny whispered, knowing Hermione was totally oblivious to what she was saying. She tip-toed out of the room and into the living room, collapsing on the couch. Her head was pounding painfully and she closed her eyes and waited for sleep to overcome her.
It never came.
She found that images of Jason's face when he walked into the kitchen this morning kept running through her head, like a blow every time.
It's no use, I wont get to sleep without at least talking to him.
She got up off the couch and headed to the fireplace, intending to go to Jason's house. She almost jumped when the fire glowed green and the object of her thoughts appeared with a nervous look on his face.
"Hi." He said instantly, stepping out and brushing himself off.
"Hi." Ginny replied tensely.
Jason took another step towards her, then, seeming to get shy, stepped back again and pulled out a bouquet of daisies from behind his back and held them out to her. Ginny coloured and a warm feeling rose up inside her, maybe today wouldn't end too badly after all, for her. She took the flowers hesitantly, stepping forward slowly. Jason still looked a bit nervous so she tried to smile, to show she wasn't upset. Instead, her smile wavered and her lip trembled and her eyes watered up.
Jason's nervous face instantly turned to one of concern as he took the last strides between them and enveloped her in a hug.
"I'm s-sorry. . . I didn't mean to be like this. . . I'm not sad you're here or. . . anything, I'm j-just upset about something else." Ginny sobbed into his shirt. She'd been crying a bit over the past few days, it was most unlike her.
"Shh. . .shhh." Jason said, leading her over to the couch. Ginny started to laugh, a trembling, forced laugh. Jason looked even more worried.
"No, nothing's wrong. It's just that I was playing your role a little while ago." Ginny said, referring to her comforting Hermione earlier.
Jason furrowed his eyebrows. "I just wanted to say sorry for jumping to conclusions this morning. I've been thinking about it all day, about how I didn't even give you a chance to explain. I'm so sorry." He whispered in her ear, stroking her hair fondly. Ginny nodded and set a smile on her face, leaning her head into the crook of his neck. Her wet lashes made even more wet stains on his shirt but he ignored it.
"I was thinking about you all day too, the day sucked without you." She said softly, cherishing being with him again.
Jason nodded, a smile on his face. "I love you."
"I love you even more." Ginny said childishly. Jason chuckled and pulled away slightly.
"I don't think that's possible." He said tenderly. "What did you mean you were playing my role earlier?" he asked suddenly, curious.
Ginny shot a look at the bedroom then back at her fiancée. "Hermione." She said simply.
"Is in there?" Jason asked.
"Yes."
"But. . . why?"
Ginny surveyed him quietly, not knowing whether to tell him or not.
"It's nothing serious, is it?" Jason asked anxiously. He was good friends with Hermione, as Ron worked at the Ministry and they worked together sometimes.
Ginny nodded, sighing. "It is. . . it is very serious."
"She's not ill is she?" Jason asked, shooting another look at the door.
"No, well yes. . . she is ill but not. . . not how you think she would be."
Jason looked like he was going to question further but Ginny held a hand to his lips. "No. Hermione needs to sort it out on her own, nobody can do it for her. She needs to tell Ron."
"Tell Ron what?"
"Once he knows, she'll find strength to tell everyone else." Ginny answered thoughtfully.
"You seemed to have gained some wisdom recently." Jason said, only half jokingly.
"Being sad gives you lots of time to think." Was the quiet answer.
"I believe you." Jason said honestly.
They sat there together for a while in each other's arms, comfortable silence stretching between them. Just as Ginny was beginning to feel drowsy, she felt Jason begin to shift, like he was trying to get up without waking her up. She opened her eyes and blinked at him.
"I thought you were asleep." He murmured.
"Almost." She smiled, yawning.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Jason asked hopefully.
"Of course." She kissed him on the cheek.
Ginny smiled as once again, she thanked herself for running into Jason's car that unforgettable Sunday morning as she watched him Disapparate out of her living room.
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Why don't I ever wake up feeling totally happy anymore? Ginny thought as opened her eyes. Although she had sorted things out with Jason, there were still the problems of Hermione and Harry.
I wonder if Hermione's still here, Ginny wondered absently, getting up and padding across the hallway and to a stop in front of her door. She was.
Ginny walked quietly into the kitchen got some tea, planning to let Hermione sleep. This plan, however, backfired when the pale and tired-looking brunette shuffled into the kitchen barely seconds later. Hermione stood in the centre of the room for a second, looking at Ginny, who was looking at her.
"Morning." Hermione said finally, staring at the floor. She really looked awful; her make-up had rubbed while she was sleeping and her bushy hair was slightly flat, almost lifeless. Ginny's heart went out to her, wishing there was something she could do to take away the pain, yet knowing Hermione and also Ron had to handle it themselves.
"Come sit." Ginny said, patting the seat beside her. Hermione forced a wan smile and sat down, arms around herself.
"I'm going to go stay with my parents for a while." Hermione said after a slight pause, not looking at Ginny. Ginny stifled a moan, this was not how things were supposed to go, Hermione needed to tell Ron.
"Are. . . are you sure?" Ginny asked softly.
"I need to tell them, especially my mother." Hermione answered, twirling a finger in her hair.
Ginny wanted to argue but she couldn't make herself do so, Hermione just looked so sad and lost sitting beside her. Maybe some time with her family might convince Hermione to tell Ron, and everyone else. Suddenly, Ginny thought of something.
"Hermione. . .?" she ventured. Hermione looked at her questioningly.
"How come you were able to tell me?" Ginny asked curiously. "I mean, only me."
Ginny expected Hermione to think about the answer to this for a while, or at least say something about being her sister-in-law was the reason. She was surprised with the instant reply Hermione gave her.
"Because you're Ginny. You've got the perfect life and you're always in control. Sometimes it's nice to be around you simply because of that, it makes me feel better. I wish everything could be as simple for me as it is for you."
Ginny opened and closed her mouth like a fish, totally speechless. Her life? Perfect? Her life was hardly perfect at the moment. "Mione, my life is anything but perfect." Ginny said flatly.
Hermione looked doubtful at this but nodded anyway, sighing. "Yet, somehow you've made me feel slightly better." Hermione said honestly, giving a small smile at her friend.
"That's Ron's job. Hermione . . ." Ginny stopped then plunged onwards. ". . . promise me as soon as you get back from being with your parents you'll tell Ron."
". . . okay." Hermione said finally, breathing deeply. "I promise I will."
Ginny turned and hugged her. "Thank you." She whispered. "Now, what would you like to eat?"
"I'm not hungry; I think I'm just going to get going." Hermione said, moving to get up.
"You have to eat!" Ginny argued.
"I'm really not hungry, besides Mum will force me to eat." Hermione said, attempting to lighten the mood. Ginny looked unconvinced still, nonetheless. Hermione stooped low to meet Ginny's eyes. "Thankyou so much for everything Gin, you're really the sister I never had. I will come straight to you after I get back."
"You mean after you tell Ron." Ginny reprimanded.
"Alright." Hermione said quietly, her face darkening again. They hugged again, this time a hug of goodbye. Hermione wiped her eyes and tried to smile, though not quite succeeding. Hermione stood back at waved her hand, eyes closed. She Disapparated instantly and Ginny was left sitting alone in the kitchen.
An abrupt peck at the window interrupted Ginny from sinking into her thoughts. Lou hovered impatiently by the window, carrying what seemed like a sackful of letters. What on earth? Ginny mused, going over to open the window. Lou flew in quickly, dumping the heavy pile on the table instantly then hooting accusingly.
"I'm sorry!" Ginny exclaimed to her owl, holding her hands in the air. "I must be really popular today or something. . ." she joked. At that moment more tawny owls flew in, banging into several items before dropping dozens more letters on the already crowded table. What is going on here? Ginny thought in pure amazement, walking over to the table to examine the city of letters in front of her. All of the other owls flew out, hooting loudly. Maybe there was a problem at the ministry Ginny thought offhandedly, picking up a handful of letters. No, all addressed to me she thought, astonished.
Putting aside The Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, Which Witch and The Quibbler, Ginny opened the first letter.
I've always held you in the highest esteem, but after this episode any respect I had is gone. I hope you are justly punished for such a thing.
Ginny started, laughing in shock. "Excuse me?" she asked the letter. Getting no reply, obviously, she opened the next one.
I often ask myself why people who seem so normal do such things, and I ask the same thing about you. That was disgusting behaviour and you deserve to be punished.
"Punished for what?" Ginny exclaimed, dropping the letter and reaching for another one.
A poor innocent child, what were you thinking? People trust you with their children and what do you do? You throw away that trust and so something like this. My child will never set foot in your school.
"This is ridiculous, I haven't. . . what are they. . . what is going on?" Ginny asked herself, horrified. She reached for another one.
Because of the current circumstances, I'm sure you will have no trouble understanding why I wish to remove my daughter Sally from Enfantes. I do not want to risk her with your inhumane punishments. I shall be advising other parents to do the same.
A lump rose in Ginny's throat, something was horribly wrong here. She opened more and more letters, all declaring her a horrible person and wanting to remove their children from her school. Ginny took shallow quick breaths, gripping the edge of the table tightly. She had no idea what was going on. Suddenly, she spied the papers and decided there was something that would help her understand what was going on. Ginny picked up the Daily Prophet, ready to flip through the pages for any sign of something that may explain what was going on.
She didn't have to flip far though, what she was looking for was on the front page.
Enfantes Headmistress crosses the line with punishment
Young Tommy Peterson, six year old son of Mark and Olivia Peterson, went to school yesterday thinking it was going to be similar to any other school day. He never suspected what Headmistress Virginia Weasley was capable of. Ms Weasley, arriving late at Enfantes, spent her whole day verbally abusing fellow staff as well as children, this tyranny continued and Tommy, daring to speak out, was unjustly punished.
After forcing all children and staff to vacate the room except for Tommy and herself, Ms Weasley remained in the room for quite a length of time. Tommy revealed later that his teacher struck him many times, yelling loudly. "It was the scariest thing I ever saw." He admitted to this reporter, hiding in his mother's arms, the fearful look in his eyes telling the truth. Ms Weasley will probably be facing an enquiry after such a disgraceful show.
And it went on; describing how all the children had gone home crying and declaring they were never going back. There was another quote from Olivia Peterson who said she "wouldn't rest until Virginia Weasley was punished." Ginny felt her knees go weak, everything went slightly hazy, she leant on the table and it tipped slightly, sending a flurry of still un-opened white envelopes to the ground.
A pop startled her and she turned to see Harry Potter stride into the kitchen, a bold look on his face. Seeing Ginny's face however, he stopped and swore. Ginny broke into sobs and wordlessly pointed to the papers all over the ground, she fell hard on the ground, crying shamelessly. Harry was there instantly, holding her tightly. He picked her up and carried her to the fireplace, she barely noticed, she was crying so hard. It's all lies! Why would Tommy do that, why would he lie?
Harry grabbed some Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "The Burrow!" he shouted. They disappeared into the whirling green smoke.
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Thanks to: michaelrccurtis, Emerald Desire, lost angel92, sugar-coated-evil, phoenix, cggekk241, blueangel, daydreamer04, Harry/Ginny,pinkpunkrose
Naz1 – Lol, I'd totally forgotten you were from Australia! Silly me, how could I forget too? When I have time, I'll pop in to have a look at Ginny visions. I agree with you about Ch 9, but it was a filler mainly. Although, as you can see, some things happened in that chapter that effect this one.
Midnightdreaming – Sorry again about your fic. And yay! Another Aussie! =D I'll keep you guessing about Colin, and Jason didn't really know what to think when he saw Harry and Ginny – that's why he was hurt. I'm glad you liked my one-shot though.
LauraKay – The violin looks so hard, but I bet you're really good if you practice that much.
Hye em yes – when you say Philly, you mean Philadelphia, right? If so, that's awesome. It's such a mad name.
Kneh13 – I'll leave you guessing about Colin too, but he's fairly important plot-wise. Lol, I trip over everything too, I'm the biggest klutz.
Sarah Noisette – I'm not positive –and anyone correct me if I'm wrong- but yes, I think you are my only British reader =D I never realised until you said it, you're right; I do have people from all over the world reviewing me. Lol, the thought is oddly scary and thrilling. You made me laugh when you told me about your pancake landing on your mom's head, nice timing! Lol. I know, I have to fit a pillow fight in here somewhere. I don't know where though. And much luck on work experience!
Hippie-Banana – there are going to be a lot of newspaper articles on Ginny and her family and stuff. And not in a good light either, and I'll leave you also guessing about Colin. Australia is nice, but I bet Sweden is better. I had a Swedish nanny when I was little, she was so nice.
Cherryblossom08 – I wish I had an accent lol. I'm very jealous. I've got a mix between and Aussie accent and an American one – it often turns heads lol. I love Disney World, you'll have to tell me all about it. What's a Sea-Doo? Oh wow, I went pontooning or whatever you call it on the Chesapeake Bay, it was major fun =D what kind of cat do you have?
Dracoisahottie13 – Nup, the sounds have nothing to do with the toxic air, keep thinking. But the toxix Gringott's part does come back, so don't forget about it. I want to learn to surf someday too, but I'm hopelessly unco at everything, I have no balance at all. Our Summer is from about November-March. It's still weird for me, because I used to live in America and hot Christmas's suck.
JamieBell – Lol, my aim is to get over a thousand. But I don't know if I can do it, let alone by Ch 18. hehe. Woah! You must be so excited to be going back to Taiwan! How long are you staying?
Clau-hogwarts-writer – I'm not quite sure how to stop writer's block. But what I do is keep writing –even if it sucks- and don't stop. Just keep writing, even if it is nonsense that has nothing to do with plot OR story and it doesn't make sense. Just. Keep. Writing. =D
Annay – you want Jason to win Ginny? Hmm, I wonder if you'll change your mind later ;)
Buffster44 – I'm not even sure how Jason is going to take it yet, I'm not there yet. Lol, it's so frustrating. Australia is interesting I suppose, but I'd love to be back in America.
HannahLuLu22 – Thanks, glad you liked the pancake bit. I think a few people did =D You didn't have your usual long review this time ;)
Hadhafang – don't know if I can make Jason happy, I don't know if he will be in the end. But I promise I'll try.
VoicezWithin – Lol, I'm glad you like my fights. I love writing humorous fights, they're so fun.
Deer boy – I'm so glad you passed!! My dad asked me why I was "squealing with excitement" lol. Do you realise that "Accidentally in Love" is just about my favourite song, I love the Counting Crows!! I fell in love with it when watching Shrek 2, and am, in fact, using it for this fic. I love it. Your blood cousin sounds slightly creepy – he wants to kiss you? I'd be a bit disturbed. Have fun driving about madly!
Goldilocks31890 – Did it really seem rushed? Hmmm. . .
Icegirl-kat – well I'm glad you reviewed that chapter then =D There's not too much H/G/R/Hr interaction but you did remind me about it and I will try to put it in, because I've been meaning to. I love Harry and Ginny fighting too, romantic in a weird sort of way lol
Meli – thankyou for reviewing! I'm glad you did, I love talking to my readers. I hope you review more. Thanks for the compliment too.
Lilcykomonkey – I'm glad you loved WAM so much, I'm not that fond of it – well the first half or so. I'll try and reply but I'm very busy at the moment, so it may take a while.
Lizzie Weasley – A lovely long review! Hope the corn wasn't too bad. . . Yeah, Jason was upset. . . hmm, don't know what else to say. And yes I did like your dancing pineapple song, you're a songwriter in the making lol ;) That's fine about the dedication and the layout for your fic, I don't mind in the slightest. I got the idea of someone else anyway.