Things I'll Never Say

Chapter Two

Authoress' Note: See disclaimer in first chapter.

Here's chapter two. Enjoy.

--

'You're what?'

'Oh, Ron, don't be such a drama queen!'

'You've gone mad!'

'I have not.' Ginny protested, crossing her arms across her chest. She sat in the midst of Ron's messy office, with Ron sitting behind a desk stacked high with papers.

'You have!'

'She has what?' Both redheads turned at the voice, and Ron glowered. Ginny smiled up at the figure that had entered the room, and then waved her hand airily at her brother.

'He's pronounced me mad.'

'Oh? What for?'

Harry Potter had changed since defeating the Dark Lord, and the changes were obvious. For one, he was always cheerful, always encouraging someone and patting another someone on the back for something. As opposed to his depression before the defeat of Voldemort, everyone was grateful that he was back to normal. Another change, Harry always seemed to be dating some gorgeous model. He was famous, and he showed it in the way he dressed, the girls he took out, and his house.

'For moving to Paris.'

'You're moving to Paris?' Harry looked surprised, and Ginny nodded. 'When?'

'I'm leaving in a week. I start work in a week and a half.'

'Wow,' Harry said, shaking his head slightly. 'That's too bad.'

'Why? Why is it too bad?' Ginny asked, frowning.

'Oh, I don't know. I guess we'll all just miss you, that's all.'

Ginny nodded slowly, eying Harry oddly.

'Oh, brother.' Ron said, rubbing his eyes. 'I need a coffee.' Standing up, he shook his head. 'Paris, of all the places.'

'What's wrong with Paris?'

'Oh, nothing… You want a coffee?'

--

'I can't believe you're actually going through with this,' Hermione said into Ginny's ear. They were locked in an embrace, and Hermione was reluctant to let go.

'I need to. And I'll come visit, I promise.' When the brunette finally let go, Ginny gave her a wide smile.

'Be careful. And call me as soon as you're able.'

'I will.'

Ginny turned to the next person in the line of people saying goodbye. 'Goodbye, Ron.'

'Yes, call Hermione if anything goes wrong, and I'll come right there.'

'I'll be fine, Ron,' Ginny reached for her brother for a hug, and he clung to her tightly, as if she was moving half way across the world.

Ginny hugged both her parents, both Fred and George, and then Lavender, saying goodbye, and trying not to cry. Turning, she muttered something about the entire world being there to see her off, and reached for the last person there to see her off.

'Goodbye, Harry,' she muttered into his chest.

He squeezed her back, and whispered in her ear, 'I'll miss you.'

When Ginny finally made it to the car she had rented, she was nearly in tears. 'I'll miss you,' she called as she climbed into the car. The little trailer behind the car carried everything she could possibly need in a new city, there was music in the stereo, and she was all set.

'I still don't like the idea of her driving, through that tunnel!' Molly said, frowning.

'Oh, let it be,' Arthur muttered, taking his wife's hand.

With one final wave and goodbye call, Ginny shut her door, and started the car.

She was off.

Off to a new life, off to new friends, a new job. A new her.

--

After Ginny pulled the car into the parking lot of the apartment building she had been given the address for, she closed her eyes, and gripped the steering wheel tightly. Was she really sure this was the right thing to do? What if it all blew up in her face?

Well, then she'd go crawling back home, and she'd live with her mother again. And she didn't really think that was a welcome idea. She was here, there was no turning back. She flipped off the stereo, and turned the key. The silence of the car seemed odd after so long of having the music blaring to keep her thoughts away from home. She got out of the car, locked the door behind her, and stretched. Yawning slightly, she turned towards the front doors of the building that she would be living in, with a girl she didn't yet know.

There were twelve floors, it looked like, and the front doors were all glass. She could see a desk with a man behind it, but there was no sign of the girl who was supposed to meet her. Just as Ginny turned around to look around the parking lot, a figure burst out of the doors, grinning. 'Ginny!' she called, and Ginny turned on her heel.

There, heading towards her, was a girl who appeared about her age, with long black hair. She was wearing a wild multicolored skirt, and a black tank top, and a pair of flip flops. Ginny grinned at the sight of the girl, who was still rushing towards her. The girl wrapped Ginny in her arms for a giant hug, which Ginny tried to return.

'You must be Ginny!' She said, pulling herself away from the redhead.

'Wouldn't it be funny if I wasn't?' Ginny asked, cocking an eyebrow with a grin. She could already tell that she and Lavender's friend Julia were going to get along.

'I'm Julia,' the girl grinned. 'Come on, I'll show you the apartment, and then I'll call up a couple friends to help move your stuff up. I wasn't sure what time you'd be here.'

'Oh, I'm sure we could bring the stuff up ourselves… I don't really have that much.'

'Oh, no, darling. You want these friends to come over.' She winked as she took Ginny's arm, and led her into the building. Ginny couldn't help but giggle slightly.

'This,' Julia announced, 'is Timmy, our doorman. An incredibly sweet man with an incredibly sweet little daughter.' The man behind the counter looked up with a smile for Ginny. He was young, and Julia pointed to a picture of a little girl who appeared to be about four, that was resting beside the man.

'Nice to meet you,' Ginny smiled, and Julia led her away from Timmy with a wave.

'This is the elevator.'

'Nice to meet you too,' Ginny replied, as they stepped in.

Julia grinned. 'I'm so glad Lav was able to hook us up. I was looking for a roommate who wouldn't trash my stuff. These French all seem to think that anything they can see is up for grabs.' She frowned slightly, and then grinned. 'And I've heard so much about you!'

'Good things, I hope.'

'Always.' They arrived at the tenth floor, and Julia held the button, while Ginny stepped out into the hallway. 'We're in 10-5,' Julia announced, pointing to a door. 'Go on in. It's open.'

Ginny turned the handle, and pushed open the door. The first thing she noticed was the coffee smell, and the incredible pile of shoes at the door.

'I collect shoes,' Julia explained with a grin. 'Here, let me show you around.' She led Ginny into the tiny kitchen, and announced, 'This is the kitchen. The most important room in the entire place. It's where I make coffee!' Taking Ginny's arm, she led her into the living room. Ginny couldn't help but notice the TV, X-box, and huge stereo system.

'Not mine,' Julia explained, frowning slightly. 'I'm babysitting all my friend's electronics, while she's in India for a couple months.'

'Ooh, fun.'

'Yep. This is my room.' The room Julia was pointing to surprised Ginny slightly. Everything from the rug, to the dresser, to the bedspread was purple. Different shades, but all purple. She eyed the beanbag chairs.

'I didn't know there was such a color as neon purple.'

Julia snickered, and then nodded. 'You'd be surprised how hard it was to find the right fabric for those. I went shopping for my own, you see. They were this awful green color before.' A few feet down the hallway, Julia pushed open a door. 'This is your room.'

The room was all white, with a blue duvet, and black pillows. The dresser and desk were white, and the carpet was beige. Ginny was relieved to not see any purple. She grinned at Julia. 'It's perfect!' She clapped her hands together a few times, and let out a little sigh. 'I can't believe I'm here. It seems so odd.'

'Yeah? I couldn't believe I was here the first time I got to Paris, either.' She interrupted herself to point to the bathroom. 'Bathroom,' she announced. Ginny nodded, and Julia led her back to the dining room area that separated the tiny kitchen and the living room. 'Paris was nothing like I thought it was going to be. I thought it was the city of romantics, that everyone was going to be beautiful, nice, and everything was going to be dandy. Instead the people I work with are rude, I couldn't find any decent clothes for myself because apparently being anything over size two is evil and I have huge hips, and the coffee was disgusting.'

Ginny smiled sympathetically.

'But it's all good now. I've been here two years, and I know where everything is. I've met the nice people, I know where to buy coffee that I like, and I have a favorite shoe store. All that jazz.'

'And you live in a nice apartment.'

'Small, but nice,' Julia agreed. 'Coffee? I'll phone up Peter and Marcus in a bit and get them to help you with your stuff.' She raised one eyebrow, slightly suggestive, and Ginny gave a little smile.

'So,' Julia began. 'What brings you to Paris, anyways? I thought the British didn't like the French. Lav told me that you got a new job, but not why. Said that you'd tell me if you felt like it.'

Ginny couldn't help but laugh. 'A few things bring me here. And you're right. My mother was horrified at the idea of me coming here. But, I needed to get away. Man problems.'

'Oh, honey,' Julia cooed, frowning slightly. 'What happened?'

Ginny took a deep breath, and stared into the cup that Julia had handed her. 'I was living the life of someone completely different than me, with my boyfriend. And I didn't realize it until I found out he'd been cheating on me.'

'Oh…' Julia looked sad, and Ginny shrugged. 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't worry about it. I'm over him. Well, almost.'

'I'm glad that you got away, then. It's important.'

'Yeah. Why did you leave Canada?'

Julia flashed a lopsided grin. 'Man problems.'

--

'Hi, I'm Ginny Weasley,' Ginny shook the hand of the man behind the desk. She was wearing a pair of black dress pants, a white collared shirt, and a black jacket. Her heels made her appear taller, something she always appreciated when going to work.

It was her first day, and she was being introduced to Curtis Low, the editor at "YouBoi". He kept shaking her hand, and saying how nice it was going to be to have an accomplished writer on the team. Meg Bryans, a middle aged woman with a warm smile, was showing Ginny around the office, introducing her to everyone, making sure she was settled.

'Now, as you know,' Meg explained, as Ginny settled down in her desk. 'The magazine goes out once a week, always by Saturday morning. Deadlines are Friday by noon. You'll be writing a one page advice column, where you respond to letters that people send.'

'Right.'

'Aaand. Coffee machine's over there. Lady's room, that way. Anything else you think you need to know?'

'Nope, I should be fine.' Ginny smiled at the warm woman's smile, and thanked her again for her kindness.

An hour later, after Ryan, the tech guy had explained to Ginny all the programs they used, Ginny sat down to actually begin her work. She was ecstatic. She was on her way to the new her. Or rather, the real her. She was writing for a magazine, which she loved, but she had no one to control how she dressed or acted, or who she went out with. She had a wacky but very lovable roommate, who had already introduced her to a few rather good looking young men. She was getting familiar with her neighborhood, and only had to get on a bus to get to work. She was all set.

'Excuse me, Ginny Weasley?' a voice interrupted her thoughts, and Ginny looked up with a smile. In front of her stood a tight-lipped young woman with blonde hair, too much cleavage, and too high of heels.

'Yes?'

'I just wanted to let you know. If you ever try and take away my job, I will see to it personally that you no longer have one. Alright?' Ginny couldn't do anything but nod, and stare, wide-eyed as the woman walked away.

A voice came from the desk to her left. 'That's Meg Taylor. Don't worry about her. She's just a bitch.'

'Oh, thank you, uhm…' She trailed off, realizing she didn't know the young man's name.

'Adrian.'

'Ah, yes. Thank you, Adrian.' She smiled warmly, and the man, who appeared to be about twenty-five, smiled widely back.

An hour later, Ginny hadn't really accomplished anything. The computer programs they used were different than the ones she was accustomed to, and she was mostly playing around.

'Hey,' a head poked around her cubicle, and Ginny found herself staring at the man, Adrian, who had introduced himself earlier. 'Me and Scarlet were wondering if you wanted to join us for lunch. We're going to the Bistro, a small little sandwich place down the road.'

'That sounds wonderful.' Ginny logged off her computer, and grabbed her bag. She was introduced to Scarlet, a slightly plump, but beautiful young brunette.

After they had all ordered, they began the small talk. Asking Ginny where she was from, telling her where she was from, what sort of columns they each wrote. Ginny found herself enjoying the company, and she stated so.

'Yeah, well,' Scarlet said, grinning. 'We're better than Meg, that's for sure.'

'Yeah, Meg gave Ginny a little 'warning' this morning.'

'Oh, really? Well, that means she thinks you're good enough to be concerned over, anyways.'

'What job does she have? That she doesn't want me stealing?'

'She interviews all the celebrities, and stuff.'

'Oh? I got to interview the celebs at my last job.'

'Oooh. Really?'

'Yeah, "Be You".'

'Hey, I read that magazine!'

Both Scarlet and Ginny looked at Adrian oddly, and then Scarlet began to laugh. Ginny was still confused.

'He likes men,' Scarlet whispered dramatically, and Ginny couldn't help but giggle.

'I get it now.'

They talked the rest of their lunch hour like they had all been friends for years.

--

'Come on, dress up! I'm taking you for supper!' Julia announced, as soon as Ginny walked through the door.

'What? Why?'

'Cause I just got paid. And I feel like it.'

Ginny, grinning, threw her bag down on the table. 'Sounds good to me! Where are we going?'

'It's a surprise. But, oh. Wear that black dress with the halter top and the low back.'

Ginny raised her eyebrows, but agreed.

--

The both emerged a little bit later, dressed up. Ginny was wearing a form hugging black dress with a low back, and a halter top strap. The dress hugged her hips, and then flowed out so that if she was to twirl around, the dress would twirl out. A pair of silver earrings dangled from her ears, and her hair was tied up elegantly with a black clip, and a fake flower stuck out from the up-do.

'You look gorgeous!' Julia called, and Ginny grinned. Julia was wearing a black dress too, but her black hair fell down loose.

'You look ready for a night of dancing,' Ginny commented. Julia just grinned.

'Come on, a taxi's waiting for us.'

The taxi stopped outside of a little Italian restaurant in downtown Paris. Julia had got reservations, and the good looking Latin waiter led them to a table near a dance floor, where a few couples were doing a fast dance along to the lively music playing.

'My god,' Ginny commented as they took a seat. 'How did you know I love to dance in Italian restaurants?'

'I'm psycho.'

Ginny sniggered. 'Physic?'

'Same thing.'

And so after a meal of red wine and a delicate meal, Julia began surveying the restaurant for someone to dance with.

'All we need to do is catch the eye of some cute young man, and we're all set.'

'I don't know,' Ginny giggled, after perhaps a bit too much wine. 'That waiter is pretty fine.'

'I don't think they'd let him dance though,' Julia commented. 'Ah! There.' She nodded her head, and Ginny narrowed her eyes to see across the dance floor. At a table, two young men sat, a brunette who was facing their direction, and a blonde who was facing away from them. 'There. Now, we just occasionally look over and look suggestive, and they'll come dance.'

Ginny snorted. 'Look suggestive enough, and any man'll dance with you. No, scratch that. Any man would dance with you, no matter the situation.'

'Pah, whatever.'

'I'm serious.'

'More would dance with you.'

'Nuh uh.'

'Stop arguing with me. I'm right.'

'Pfft.' But Ginny was grinning. She looked at her empty cup. 'Want some more wine?'

'Sure!' Julia grinned, and motioned the nearest waiter over. 'We'll have another bottle, please.'

'Of course, signorina,' the young waiter smiled, and was soon back with another bottle of red wine.

'Okay,' Julia commented after taking a sip. 'Come over here and dance with me! I want to dance.' She was still eyeing the man across the restaurant, a funny little smile playing at her lips.

'I'll dance with you,' Ginny nodded, and the raven haired beauty grinned as if was the best idea she'd heard all day. Ginny stood up, and gave a funny little bow. 'Could I have this dance?'

Julia, trying hard not to snigger, took her friend's arm, and let herself be led to the dance floor. Ginny put one hand on her friend's hip, and took her other hand. She began to lead her around the dance floor in a lively dance, which Julia soon caught onto.

'Wow, I never knew you could dance!' Julia looked surprised, but pleased at the same time.

'I took lessons about a year ago.'

'Damn, forget men. You're a way better dancer than any of them!'

'But not quite as good looking, eh?'

'Oh, honey, you're better looking than most of them!'

Just then Ginny spotted the brunette that Julia had been eyeing coming towards them. 'Well, with a choice between me and him, you're going to dance with him, no?'

Julia snickered. 'I still love you,' she commented, and they slowed down as the man approached them.

'May I?' he asked, and Ginny wondered for a moment who he wanted to dance with.

'Of course,' Julia gave Ginny's hand a squeeze, and let go of her friend's arm. Ginny headed back to her table, full of smiles. An elderly Latin couple smiled warmly at her, and she smiled back.

It seemed that since arriving in Paris, she was nothing but smiles. It was a nice change.

'Excuse me? Would you like to dance?' Ginny looked up to see the blonde that Julia's current dance partner had been sitting with. He was quite good looking, and even if Ginny hadn't had a few too many drinks, she probably would have been unable to say no.

'I would,' she responded, and he helped pull out her chair. He led her to the dance floor, just as a slower song was starting.

'My name is Paul,' he said, smiling a warm smile that made Ginny want to kiss him. Or perhaps that was the wine talking.

'Ginny.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you,' he said, as he twirled her around.

--

'My god,' Julia sighed, taking Ginny's arm, and leading her through the restaurant. 'That boy could dance.'

'Mmmh.' Ginny sighed. 'So could Paul.'

'Did you give him our number?'

Ginny snickered. 'I couldn't help it.'

'Oh, me neither!' And then they both burst into giggles.

They reached the doors, and Ginny pushed them open, waving brightly to the waiter at the front desk. 'Come on, let's go catch a taxi.'

'Coming,' Julia followed Ginny out of the warm restaurant, and immediately wished she had brought a sweater or something.

'Ginny, I need you! I'm cold!'

Ginny, giggling, turned on her heel, and spread out her arms to hold her friend. Just then someone came out of the restaurant, and bumped right into Ginny. She lost her footing, and fell straight on her rear, with a yell. Her feet landed on the ground with a thud, and she could hear Julia giggling.

'Oh my god, I'm sorry,' came the voice from the figure who had knocked her over. 'Here, let me help you.'

Ginny mumbled something inaudible, but took the hand offered to her. She couldn't help but notice how strong the man's grip was. She brushed off her skirt, and muttered something about hoping her dress wasn't ruined. She looked up into the man's face, who was apologizing again, and froze. Her hand was still in his, but she found she couldn't pull away. She was staring up into a face that she recognized well.

--

Authoress' Note: Mwaha. Cliffy! Let me know who you think it is. Or who you think it should be. ;D Even though I already know who it is, and your opinion isn't going to change my mind. Haha.

Review, please!