A/N – Hey guys! To all those under Hurricane Watch for Hurricane Frances: Stay safe and don't die! (seriously) And for all those who were effected by what happened in Russia: lot's of love from down under! And to all those who have been reviewing this fic over the months: You. Are Amazing!
Anyways, enjoy chapter! I think you all knew the papers would do something about the dancing, or should I say Bree Warren would do something? Eh, you all saw it coming. You know you did.
Oh yes, one other thing. I am a drama queen, my friends say it, my family says it, my teachers say it… so sometimes I can't help if my personality reflects my writing. This fic is dramatic, and if you don't think so now… just wait lol. But [hopefully] it's not a soap-opera over-acted type fic. Well, I don't think it is.
And everyone thank my wonderful friend and BETA Nesserz! Luvhp224 is going to be back next chapter =D
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Ch 13 – Scrapes
Dedication: dracoisahottie13 – for starting high school. Enjoy the early years while they last…
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Ginny stumbled blindly towards the kitchen, cradling her awful headache. Only a slight hangover, but enough to make her want a potion to soothe it. It was really quite late in the morning, almost eleven. She readied the potion, groaning slightly. Stop breathing so loud, she thought to herself miserably. She shuffled back into her bedroom, completely oblivious to the gigantic pile of letters on her kitchen table.
She walked back into her room, noticing just how messy it was for the first time in a while. Well, that gives me something to do.
- - - - - - -
Two hours later, the room was covered wall to wall in boxes and other articles Ginny had found in her frenzied clean-up of her extremely messy bedroom. Bits of last night had come drifting back at her, so vague and unclear they could have been dreams. Yet she knew that they were true, how could she forget the feeling of dancing slowly in that huge room, many eyes on her and. . . Harry.
Harry. . . It was weird really, how she could feel so comfortable around him. Especially because Jason couldn't even believe her about Tommy. It should have been the other way around, it should have been Jason. But it wasn't. It was Harry who believed her, and her family.
But it was Jason who she needed most of all, because she loved him.
Ginny sighed and stretched her legs out, looking helplessly around her room, it looked even worse that it had before. The potion hadn't really worked and her headache only seemed to be pounding harder.
A crack in the living room made her jump suddenly, and she moaned as her headache throbbed harder. Who or what was that? She wondered, preparing to get up. She didn't need to however, as she heard a soft tap at her door.
"Come in." Ginny said guardedly, leaning away slightly.
She relaxed as a pale Hermione stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. Ginny took one look at her face and held out her arms silently.
"You look really calm for what they're saying." Hermione said, tears welling up in her chocolate eyes.
Ginny raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything as Hermione hugged and clung to her, sobs racking her slim frame. What they're saying?
"You told Ron didn't you?" Ginny asked gingerly, as Hermione collapsed against the bed beside her on the floor.
Hermione nodded mutely, holding her head. "I had to tell him Gin, I didn't want to because of you being low on money and all as well as what the Peterson's are saying you did but . . . he needed to know."
"He did." Ginny agreed softly, hugging her friend again. Inwardly she cringed, what must her family think of her for walking out of the room like that after her dad had just told her the horrible news of their money problems? She felt terrible, but she hadn't been thinking clearly at the time.
Hermione cried silently, only her shuddering gasps giving her away. "He j-just w-walked away." She stammered, wiping her eyes. "He d-d-didn't even say anything afterwards. J-just left."
"Oh Mione," Ginny said weakly, not completely sure what to say to her friend.
They sat there for a long time, the redhead keeping a strong arm around the brunette as she cried out all her tears. It was a while before they said anything. Ginny was at a loss for what to do, obviously Ron and Hermione needed to work things out on their own but because Ron was so thick he had to react in the worst possible way. Hermione needed help, not his anger.
"Thanks Gin, I'm surprised you're not like this with what they said about you." Hermione said presently, trying to lighten the mood. She wiped another tear that was dropping down her face and leaving a salty trail.
Ginny pursed her lips, smiling wanly. "I know," she said softly. "But I'm getting over it now, it'll blow over. I was just a bit upset at first."
Hermione stared, her tearstained face looking surprised. "You're getting over it? Already?"
"Uh. . . yes?" Ginny said uncertainly, looking puzzled.
"Oh well. . . good for you." Hermione said hesitantly, looking like she wanted to say more. "Um. . . even though. . . even though it only happened this morning?" Hermione asked timidly, as though expecting Ginny to explode.
"What?" Ginny asked, shaking her head with a bewildered look on her face.
"Y-you mean. . . you don't know?" Hermione asked fearfully.
"Know what?" Ginny asked, perplexed.
"Oh Ginny, it's all over the papers. Everywhere. Surely. . . surely you know?" Hermione asked with real worry.
"Know what, Hermione?" Ginny asked a note of hysteria in her voice, her heart was hammering painfully against her ribs. Hermione looked like she wished she hadn't said anything, like telling Ginny what she knew was the last thing she wanted to do. Her eyes were red and she looked like she was near tears again.
"Ginny. . ." Hermione softly, as if trying to speak so low Ginny wouldn't hear. "They're saying. . ."
"What. Are. They. Saying?" Ginny asked slowly and deliberately. It couldn't be that bad, Tommy Peterson's blow had already been struck.
"Oh Gin, they're saying. . . you'rehavinganaffairwithHarryandcheatingonJason." Hermione said in a rush, like the quicker she said it the less damage her words could do.
Ginny drew in a sharp intake of breath, ignoring it as it got caught in her throat and almost choked her. No, it wasn't possible, couldn't be possible. Lies aren't possible. Besides, what proof did they have that she had even talked to Harry?
"But it's okay," Hermione said uncertainly, looking tired and upset. "Because. . . because you're not right, not cheating? You didn't go out dancing with Harry last night, did you?"
Ginny's stomach plummeted, she felt shaky. How could they? She was sure there had been no reporters, completely sure.
"You didn't, right?" Hermione said, but the tone of her voice plainly stated she knew the truth. Ginny opened and closed her mouth, ready to deny it but finding her mouth couldn't seem to form words. Then it struck her, almost like lightening.
Bree. Bree Warren.
Ginny sprung up, her heart beating a wild tattoo as she bolted towards the kitchen, breathing unsteadily. She stopped in the doorway, hand groping for the side of the door to keep her up. The kitchen table was a sea of white envelopes, some had slipped of the edge and onto the floor. Lou sat on top of the pile, calmly fondling his snowy wing. She walked over to the table, hands shaking. Right next to Lou were a bunch of papers, looking perfectly normal. But Ginny knew one of them contained something completely untrue.
Ginny knew which paper to go to; the Witch Weekly sat gleaming on top of the pile, its glossy cover shining. And there, there on the front cover, was a larger than life photo of her dancing in Harry's arms, a look of pure bliss on her face. Harry was smiling, his eyes vacant but he looked happy as he twirled her about the front cover of the magazine.
A Secret Romance?
Most people would think being engaged to the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports is glamorous enough, so why is it that Virginia Weasley takes it further with a secret romance with Harry Potter? Bree Warren reports.
Last night, where would one think to find Virginia Weasley? Perhaps with her fiancée? Or maybe with her family, eating a quiet dinner? Perchance wrapped in the arms of Harry Potter, global Quidditch star?
Late the night before, Weasley and Potter strolled into a pub with a dancing arena completely at ease, with only a few seconds before they headed to the dancefloor. They evaded anyone they knew, preferring to gaze into each other's eyes for the evening while dancing together.
"I knew as soon as Harry came back something like this would happen." Says Colin Creevy, well-known photographer.
Ginny couldn't keep reading, she had dropped that paper and chills were running down her spine. Even Colin was against her! All of these letters, all of them, were filled with angry replies to this, this article! She swore and felt her knees buckle against the leg of the table and she grabbed at the closest envelope, ripping it open violently.
It's shameful when someone not only abuses children that are not even theirs, but also abuses their trust in their soon-to-be husband. Jason deserves better and so does Harry Potter.
Ginny threw it on the floor and tore open another one, reading it swiftly.
I used to be you're biggest supporter, now I hope you're justly punished for this adultery.
Ginny sobbed and smacked a hand over all the envelopes, sending them flying over the edge in a torrent of white. They fluttered to the ground, a gentle contrast to her anger.
"No! No!" she cried, her voice breaking. "It's not true!" She didn't hear the soft thudding of Hermione's footsteps come up behind her and a sigh of regret came from her friend's mouth. Ginny flung out her hand, as if trying to steady herself. Her hand was clutching for something solid, something secure. Hermione's hand was there in an instant, gripping hers tightly.
"Sh, sh." Hermione whispered, pulling Ginny into a hug. Her own problems could be sorted out later, right now Ginny needed her. Ginny closed her eyes, wishing a hole would open beneath her so she wouldn't have to face the world.
"It's not true." Ginny repeated again, blinking back tears as she held on to Hermione tightly.
- - - - -
"Do you need this or can we get rid of it?" Hermione asked gently. Ginny looked up from where she was sitting huddled on her bed, a few hours later. Hermione was helping her clean out her room, or rather, Hermione was cleaning out her room. Ginny had just sat there, numb with misery, unable to do anything.
How could Colin do that to me? She wondered sadly. I thought he was my friend. Ginny closed her eyes, they were red and sore from crying. Something that hours of Hermione comforting her could not heal. We're both a bit heartbroken at the moment, Ginny thought wryly.
"Ginny?" Hermione questioned timidly, holding the cardigan in front of her for Ginny. Ginny looked at it, suddenly recognising the ugly red cardigan from that unforgiving day that wasn't so long ago yet seemed light-years away. It still bore signs of mud from the dirty lake she had fallen into. Oddly enough, she was reminded of Harry when she saw it.
I hate him, I wish he'd never come back. Otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation. Ginny thought angrily.
"Throw it out." Ginny said, glancing away dismissively. Her room looked a bit like a bomb-shelter now; the boxes that had been neat all over her floor were now flung in every direction. Hermione had just finished all her drawers and now she had moved onto Ginny's closet. Hermione nodded and placed the ugly cardigan into the increasingly large pile by the bed. She turned back to the closet and began digging through more piles of clothes, small sounds of frustration coming from her mouth. Ginny knew how she felt; life seemed horribly messed up at the moment.
"What on earth?" Hermione gasped, pulling a white object out of the closet. Ginny looked up again, wondering what it was this time. What she saw almost made her topple off the bed altogether in shock. Hermione was holding a huge white, perfect feather, not damaged in any way for being squished under piles of clothes. In fact, it was almost gleaming in the dim light, sparkling even.
She knew that feather.
Louise's feather!
"Oh uh, just a souvenir I got a long time ago." Ginny managed out, having to restrain herself from jumping up and grabbing the feather. She had forgotten all about it, she thought she had lost it – years ago.
"Oh, okay." Hermione said nonchalantly, moving as if to lay it on the pile of throw-out items.
"No!" Ginny cried, panicking. That feather was her last link with Louise, her only link with Louise.
"Yes, I think you should keep it too." Hermione observed quietly, turning the feather around in her hands. Suddenly, the feather seemed to grow brighter for a second, then it dimmed again, going back to its original tiny glow. Hermione didn't seem to notice, just kept turning it over in her hands. "Where did you get it?" she asked.
"Oh uh, from. . ." Ginny began, trying to think up a quick, simple lie. She wasn't in the mood for this, she just wanted to crawl under her covers, to hide just for a little while. "Er. . . Louise?"
Hermione nodded, a slight look of interest on her face. "I remember her, you haven't spoken to her in years, have you?"
"No." Ginny replied, not elaborating. She held out her hand for the feather and Hermione passed it to her before turning back to the closet. The feather was still beautiful, in an unrealistic way. It was pure white and not one feather was ruffled or bent, and it was perfectly straight. Ginny turned it over in her hands but it didn't glow brighter again, just remained pure white.
It wasn't a lie really; she hadn't spoken to Louise in years – not since the last day of her sixth year. There was no way she could tell anyone the truth behind Louise – if that was even her real name – and she had the strange feeling that even if she tried, she wouldn't be able to. Besides, she would never see Louise again, Louise had told her that herself. She placed the feather down on the bed carefully, stroking her fingers over its silky edges.
A sob interrupted her thoughts, Ginny turned to see Hermione had leant against the closet and begun crying. Her heart went out to her friend, no matter how bad things were getting for her, Hermione's would always be worst. Ginny got up instantly and rushed over to her friend, whispering and soothing her as she wrapped her into a hug. Mione was shaking, and she looked deathly pale.
"I j-just love him so much." Hermione said, her chin wavering.
"I know you do." Ginny said. Hermione nodded stiffly, still being hugged strongly by Ginny. She felt something wet drop onto her hand, and she realised with shock that Ginny was crying too.
"Y-you're crying." Hermione stammered, drawing back and wiping her eyes. Ginny didn't answer straight away, just had a faraway look in her eyes.
"Everything is going wrong." Ginny said quietly, her voice oddly calm, even though her eyes were filled with tears. "Crying helps."
They sat together for a while longer, content to be quiet with each other, as two close friends. The room was quiet, the mess it had been before was now cleaner, apart from where Hermione had dropped the clothes she had been carrying when she had begun crying. In the kitchen, Ginny could hear at least one more owl fly in with more letters. She knew what they would contain. She knew that her life was slowly falling into pieces, small pieces that were getting harder to put back together. But Hermione didn't need to as well; she needed to make up with Ron.
"Hermione, go to Ron." Ginny said firmly, trying to move back.
"But you. . . what about you?"
"Just go Mione, you have to." Ginny said. As much as she wanted Hermione to stay, Hermione needed to make up with Ron. While she needed to work things out with Jason, who was most likely confused as to what was going on. There was no point in them both fighting with their loved ones.
"You're the best friend Gin." Hermione said honestly and hoarsely, giving the redhead a tight hug. Ginny gave a small smile and a quizzical eyebrow, not saying anything. "No you really are, I don't know what I would do without you." Hermione insisted as she got up.
"Thanks Hermione." Ginny whispered, glad one person believed in her who wasn't family – two actually; if you counted Harry. But she never knew with Harry. They walked out into the hallway, silence falling again between them.
"Do you mind if I use your Floo? I don't think I'm up to Apparating." Hermione asked, looking tired and resigned for the battle she was about to have with Ron, because it was going to be a battle, both Ginny and Hermione knew it.
"Sure." Ginny answered, knowing full well how Hermione felt at the moment; like she wanted to somehow get rid of the world and everyone in it, to not face anyone for days on end, to scream until her throat was dry and scratchy. On the outside however, one could only tell all this by her eyes. Hermione walked over to the fireplace, taking a pinch of Floo powder and waving good-bye to Ginny. Just as she was about to throw the powder on the fire however, a large crack interrupted her.
A very confused and angry-looking Jason stood in the midst of her living room, seeming very agitated. Hermione saw the look on his face and cast a worried look in Ginny's direction. Ginny saw the look and shook her head. "It's okay Mione." She kept her eyes on her fiancée, not sure what to say to him. Hermione gave one last hesitant, troubled look in their direction before disappearing with a shout and a burst of green light from the fire.
Jason sighed and ran a tense hand through his already messy hair, and then he sighed again, not knowing what to say either. He began pacing around the room, clenching and unclenching his fists in frustration.
"It's probably not a good time. . . right now." Ginny whispered, looking down at her pyjamas and running a hand through her unruly mane of red hair. Jason stopped pacing instantly and faced her. The expression on his face was frightening, Ginny paled visibly.
"Not. A. Good. Time?" Jason said slowly, angrily. Ginny nodded unhappily, looking at the ceiling like something fascinating was up there. "It's never a good time! You never want to talk about it! You didn't tell me about Tommy, and now I find out about. . . about this affair?"
"Jason-" Ginny pleaded, looking at him now.
"No Gin! What is happening to you? To us? I never see you anymore, Catherine said you seemed distant with her and all you can say is it's not a good time?"
"Jason, just listen to me, not the papers for once in your life!" Ginny yelled.
"So now you're turning around and making this my fault?" Jason asked, astonished.
"No, I'm not! If you'd only listen to what I have to say then-"
"The thing is I can't listen to what you have to say because you won't say anything! It's 'not a good time', remember?" Jason interrupted; he was breathing heavily and had resumed pacing around the room.
"Jason-"
"Just tell me Gin, do you love me? Because right now, and last night according to the paper, you really don't seem to." Jason interrupted again, except this time his voice was weak and unsure, almost pleading.
"I. . . do. I do love you." Ginny said quietly. "I was going to ask you the same question though, because if you loved me you would know me, and if you knew me then you would know that I do."
Jason fell silent, closing his eyes. "Pictures don't lie Ginny, pictures don't lie." Ginny felt sick, she couldn't deny she had been dancing with Harry last night, but she knew she wasn't having an affair – she didn't love Harry.
"Pictures don't, but Bree Warren does. You know she does Jason, just think of all the things she's written about us."
"You don't have to read what she's written, you only have to see the picture Ginny! I know she fabricates a lot of things, but I didn't even have to read it Ginny, the evidence is already there in the picture."
"I was upset, Harry was there and he offered to cheer me up and take me dancing." Ginny said in a defeated tone, wearily tucking her hair behind her ears.
"Did he offer to do this too?" Jason asked, holding out the newspaper with the picture on it in front of her face. She had no choice but to watch as Harry held her close to him as they whirled about together, both smiling.
"No, believe it or not, sometimes slow dances come on at those places." Ginny replied evenly this time, he was taking it too far. Jason nodded, rolling the paper up quickly. Ginny looked at him, wanting to scream out how much she loved him, but she couldn't.
"I love you Ginny, but I don't know how much I can take." Jason said sadly, then he disappeared with a crack. The room, which had been tense with energy only seconds before, was now quiet and calm. Ginny stared straight ahead, she could feel her eyes watering up with tears again, threatening to spill over. Why couldn't he understand? She didn't want to blink, because she knew if she did then the tears would come freely, with no barrier to stop them going on forever, like she knew they would.
She blinked.
Then they came, tears that were more heartfelt then the one's she had shared in her bedroom with Hermione, because they were tears of heartbreak. She hated crying, to her it was a sign of weakness; she never cried. But lately she seemed to be a human waterworks, falling apart every time. She fell onto the floor and hit it hard, but she didn't notice because of the sobs racking her body, she didn't notice that Jason had left the newspaper and that is was there in front of her face, she almost didn't notice the hands that lifted her into a tight, safe hug.
She kept crying, letting the tears from deep inside her come out, the ones that had hid when she had cried before. She knew that someone was holding her, comforting her, but she didn't know who it was. It could only be one person though; only one person would hold her while she was crying on the floor.
"I hate you." She yelled, beating at him blindly, unable to see through her tears. She hated him, he had ruined her reputation, and everything going wrong was linked to Harry.
"Please don't hate me." Harry whispered, holding her arms so she couldn't hit him. Ginny shook her head, her eyes welded shut and her arms slowly stopped thrashing in his and held him tighter, breathing unsteadily. She couldn't hate him, but she wanted to.
"Everything's going wrong." She cried into his shirt. Harry didn't deny it, just sat there and let her cry on his steadily dampening shirt. He didn't know what to say, his usual confidence always disappeared around Ginny, leaving him bare and unsure. He was sure of one thing though, Jason and Ginny were going through a rough time. He had Apparated in the kitchen and had heard part of the argument. He had seen Ginny fall seconds after Jason left and the only thing going through his mind was to catch her.
"Why are you here?" Ginny asked, quieting her weeping to hear his answer. Why was he here? Why did he seem to care so much when she was upset?
"Well. . . I. . . you. . . the papers. . . dancing." Harry said vaguely, darting his head around the room nervously. He didn't really know why it was so important for him to see if Ginny was all right about what the papers were saying. "We both know it's not true." Harry said uncertainly, as Ginny nodded. "Don't worry, we'll set it straight."
Ginny sniffed, wishing she could stop crying but new tears kept coming and replacing the old ones. "Th-thanks." she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning against him on the floor. She found that she couldn't really hate him, he had been something like a rock to her these past couple of days. Always there, always knowing what to say, or what not to say. The two were so wrapped up in their thoughts they almost didn't notice the fireplace in front of them glow an emerald green, but Ginny heard the slight roaring sound and moved her head to face the fireplace.
Mrs Weasley's head was in the middle of it, looking pale and upset. Normally, she –or anyone else for that matter- would have been surprised or even shocked to see her daughter wrapped in the arms of Harry Potter when she was going to be engaged to another. Normally she would have questioned them endlessly, normally she would have asked about what the papers were saying, and normally she would have asked why Ginny was crying.
But Mrs Weasley didn't even bat and eyelid, only looked at them with shaken and upset eyes.
"Come quick, something terrible has happened. It's the twins." She said in a choked voice.
[ Dun dun dunnnn.... Mm, a cliffhanger. A lot of chapters are going to start having them now… Ah well, I haven't had to many in this fic, so it's only fair ;) Oh, and please don't hate me for what you're going to be reading from now on.. it's a bit sad. ]
Thanks to: kneh13, magic sparkle 1, hye em yes, India Ink, GW-Dreamer, meli, Amanda, EmptyLight, the-insufferable-know-it-all, hpgoldensnitch, lost angel92, Hadhafang, JayBird, Kristin, Squashes, cggeek241, Lily Dwarf, Emerald Desire, xiaoxiao, cutemara, Yvette Sorrow, michaelrccurtis, HarryPotters-angel, katmiester, katezwinch, Swishy Willow Wand,
Naz1 – lol, you always seem to be the first to review… I'll try and get that chapter to you asap.
VoicesWithin – I meant something that will make sense all in good time… =D You'll just have to wait.
Harry & gin – well thanks for reviewing! Even if you don't again, it's flattering to know you read all my fics. So thanks.
Granger's Twin – Remind me to check out that fic then, otherwise I'll forget. Hope you weren't badly effected by Frances… No way does Colin like Ginny!! He likes Bree… at the moment ;)
Cherryblossom08 – Well the guy sounds like a complete jerk. Get your girls n some chocolate ;)
Rayah Papaya – I think I remember you reviewing once before or something, glad to see you again!! Yes, I see many fics where a character comes back and instantly they start liking each other again. So glad you like this one.
Clau-hogwarts-writer – hey you're welcome =D Glad you loved it so much lol
WhiteRabbit5 – Lol, the pigeons were a particularly interesting effect. But the dress is amazing, no? You're exactly right you know, he loves the idea of her, not actually her. Hopefully that becomes clearer in later chapters.
Milygo – hurrah! New fan! Glad you're enjoying it so much… Don't worry, everything works itself out.
DayDreamer04 – If I said Cath doesn't like Harry… I didn't mean too. She does… kind of. It doesn't really progress… hard to explain. You'll see. Oh gosh yes, I love dancing. I'm known for suddenly bursting into song and having a little jive. Well not really, but it would be cool if I was. I do tend to have a little jig every now and then.
Marauder23 – lol, of course it was all over papers. Hope I'm not too predictable. Nope, no Cath/George. Someone else for her.
Musicsage92 – Yeah it was off, you had to click round in darkness until you found the light switch. Then you had to do the darts in a specific order and you got a safe… and then I forget what was inside. Something cool. Ron's a bit over the top, I admit I made him so. I needed a diversion or some sort for something that's going to happen with Mione n' Ron later.
CrazedChipmunk – Nuh, I'm not trying to make you hate him. Jason just… a few people have put it nicely. He loves "the idea of Ginny". (taken from someone else lol – they properly coined it). The perfect woman who has a great job, never complains etc. So when that stops, he gets confused.
Post-Scriptum – Yes, definitely am a Drama Queen. Tell me if I go over the top, though, like I said in my AN, I can't help it sometimes if my personality reflects my writing.
Winter Distortion – cool name ;) Lol, glad you love it so much.
Aquarius Angel – don't you worry, Bree has a slap coming sooner or later.
Icegirl-kat – lol, don't you love being right?
JamieBell – I'm a Drama Queen, way too dramatic for my own good. Sorry bout that. Like my AN said, sometimes I can't help it if my personality reflects my writing.
Harry Kid – thanks for all the reviews you've been leaving. Glad you're loving it so much!!
Lilcykomonkey – I didn't answer your question for a reason lol
Deer boy – I wish I had time to be lazy lol… I never do anymore. I'm taking a break from writing after this fic is done.
Dracoisahottie13 – starting high school ay? I remember my first day if high school, it was years ago – and it feels like it too! Enjoy the early years while they last – seriously.
Lizzie Weasley – Another computer?! I wish I had a new one… jealous. Don't worry, BUE will skyrocket any day now. Well, that what I think, cause I love it. No problem about stopping by your lj, I always get so excited when people visit mine.
review? pretty please?