Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places, etc. I only own the plot... No lawsuits please!
Almost Paradise
7:47 AM
Emerging in my cubicle, I am happy to note that for once I'm early. Maybe Harry should come around more often. I know my boss will be delighted. I snort at the stupidy of my thoughts. I put my bag beside my desk and sit in my spinning chair. Before I can even get one minute of peace, my boss Mr. McCourt, interrupts. Without awknowledging my presence he dumps a large stack of letters onto my desk.
"Ahem." I mumble.
"Ms. Weasley stop grumbling and get through these letters. Now." Mr. McCourt replies in a thick Irish accent.
Quickly and quietly he slips out of my cubicle. Staring at the pile, I sigh in defeat. What a great start to a shitty day.
12:22 PM
Retelling the events of this morning, Luna Lovegood looks at me with a twinkle in her eyes.
"What are you thinking?" I ask.
"It sounds like he came back to see you." Is her ridiculous response.
"Oh, right. He came back to rekindle a lost romance between us. Today you're acting more looney than you usually do."
"Don't you think it's romantic?"
"Romantic?" I hiss, "What's romantic? A ghost came back to haunt me! I find nothing romantic in this situation."
"Did something happen with you and the ghoul in the attic?"
"Luna, I was still referring to Harry."
"He's a ghost?"
"A bloody poltergeist. Anyways, I'll let you get back to work."
As I walk away, I look back to see Luna with an expression of utter confusion on her face.
4:51 PM
Only nine minutes until I can leave. Usually I'm glad to leave work, go home to one of mum's delicious dinners, but tonight I'm dreading this. All I want to do is get drunk off my ass. With this sudden idea I'm writing a letter to mum saying that Mr. McCourt is making me work late tonight and not to worry about me. After stopping by Luna's cubicle, we're on our way to the Leaky Cauldron.
1:36 AM
"Whoopsie!"
Spilling Firewhisky down my blouse, I don't bother cleaning it up.
"Loo-ney!" I sing, "Can't I stay longer?"
"C'mon Ginny."
Before I can even blink my eyes, Luna and I are in the Burrow's living room.
"That was fast! How did'ya do that?"
Too dizzy to stand, I sit down. Why is the house spinning?
"The house isn't spinning." Did I ask that aloud?
"Yup."
Somehow I'm on my feet again and I'm walking towards the kitchen.
"Bye Looney!"
Stumbling through the doorway, I shield my eyes from the bright light.
"Too bright!" I moan.
"Ginevra Weasley! Where have you been?"
Where did that come from? I uncover my eyes to discover everyone sitting at the table.
" 'Ello everyone!"
"Are you drunk?"
"Gred! Forge! How's the shop?"
"She's drunk." Who's drunk?
"Totally smashed." Who was smashed?
"I'll go to bed now... G'night-"
"Hold it right there Ginevra! Where have you been?"
"The Leaky Cauldron of course!" Why is the house spinning again?
"Oh dear, she's going to fall! Quick-"
Why are there two arms holding me? They're nice. Muscular.
"Harry set her down on this chair."
Wait, now I'm sitting. Where did the arms go?
"Ginny, how did you get home?"
"Looney!"
"Looney?"
"She means Luna Lovegood."
"Mumsie," I yawn, "can I go to bed?"
"Yes, yes... Harry will you take Ginny to her room please?"
The nice arms are back! Yay! Now we're walking up the- "Oops!"
"Gin, you're going to -mph- have to -mph- get up."
Why is it dark? "Where am I?"
"You're in your room now. Well..."
He turns to leave my room. Before I lose the nerve I ask, "Why did you leave?"
"Ginny, you're drunk. Right now isn't the time-"
"Harry," I plead, "why didn't you come back to me? I waited for you. Mum kept saying 'Ginny dear, everything will turn out fine. Harry will be back soon. Don't give up honey.' After a while I knew you weren't coming back." Why is my face wet? I'm crying. Not now. Not in front of Harry.
"Gin-"
"Nevermind. Forget I even asked. Please leave." Why can't I stop crying?
"Please-"
"Jesus Christ Harry! Just leave!"
Locking the door, I slowly slide down to the floor. With my head resting against the wood, I let the tears flow freely.
This chapter is much longer than the last. What do you think? Review?