A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Onto the chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot, Joseph Jackson, Amanda Jackson, Rebecca Livingston, Ashlee Cooper, Jim and Jena, plus the plot.
Chapter Ten: Never Left You
"Good morning class!" greeted Ginny bursting through the classroom door of her fifth years, "And boy am I glad to have come back! I am sure you all enjoyed Professor Livingston teaching you all."
Her class merely murmured, which told Ginny they were glad to see her but wouldn't admit it to anyone.
"Well, I understand you are all up to Unit 16, Section Three, correct?"
"Yes Professor," answered one of her students.
Ginny nodded, "And you are finding it rather difficult, I would imagine?"
Her class murmured again, wondering where Ginny was heading with this.
"Well come on, stand up. For you to understand we need to have a practical lesson," smiled Ginny.
The lesson ended on a high note with all the students fully understanding the fundamentals of the Unit and Section. Ginny gave them each twenty questions telling them they would be important for their O.W.L exams.
"How was class today Ginny?" asked Harry at lunch.
"Good," smiled Ginny not meeting his eye contact.
Harry just nodded, a bit curious as to why she wouldn't look at him. He cut into his fish he was eating for lunch just as Hermione arrived. Students in the hall began whispering amongst themselves as Hermione passed them, some yelled out rude comments that were hurtful, some told those people to shut up, but through it all Hermione managed to keep her head held high.
When Ginny saw Hermione arriving, she watched her with a slight death glare but when McGonagall looked her way, she looked down at her plate focusing on stabbing the chicken down the middle. Hermione sat quietly beside Ginny and placed some cold chicken and salad onto her plate. She said nothing to Ginny or a quiet Hagrid beside her.
After ten tense minutes, Ginny finally stood and strode out of the hall. She couldn't handle sitting beside Hermione any longer. She had nothing at all against Hermione's relationship with Rebecca, Ginny had an open mind to those things but what she was disgusted with was Hermione's way of ending things with Ron. Naturally Ron would've been hurt, but he was more hurt with how Hermione broke up with him.
"Ginny! Ginny!"
Ginny turned around quickly in anger as Hermione ran over to her. She crossed her arms and glared at the once innocent Hermione Granger.
"What?" asked Ginny angrily.
"We need to talk. Don't you think?" replied Hermione in a calm tone.
"No I don't. I think you need to speak to my brother and explain why you did what you did. It was cold and completely heartless."
With that Ginny turned and stormed up the marble staircase as a tan coloured owl flew in. It hooted circling the room before gracefully swooping down to Ginny and dropping a lime green envelope into her open hands. With another hoot, it glided out the nearest open window. Ginny looked at the writing. It was neat and the Y's had a loop for the hook of the letter. She turned the envelope and saw it was from Joseph. With a grin Ginny opened the envelope and pulled out matching lime green paper. She unfolded it, her heart fluttering at what he could possibly want to tell her.
Dear Ginny,
Well sorry for the lime paper. Amanda put the order for more stationary in and accidentally ticked the lime colour instead of white. She was half asleep putting the order in, well so she says anyway. I am writing just to remind you about our date tomorrow night, in case you have forgotten. I hope you haven't!
Oh and I have the date for the first court hearing. It is on the 5th of March. Three weeks away. Well see you tomorrow night at seven… at the school gates.
-Joey.
Ginny grinned and pocketed the letter as the bell for lesson rang.
GGinny nervously looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was finally daring herself to wear one of her fitted robes, instead of the loose ones. The robes were a emerald green, like McGonagall's, but fitted around her body. She was still very self conscious of herself, but had been told that was a natural reaction after what had happened to her. With a final sigh, Ginny ran a hand through her red hair, which she had made wavy with a simple spell Lavender Brown had shown her back in her student days. She grabbed her wand and pocketed it before collecting her black purse. She left her office, locking the door behind her and sticking up a sign saying: PROFESSOR WEASLEY WILL BE BACK AT 11PM. She walked through the castle and down the marble staircase into the Entrance Hall, where Harry was giving a student a stern talk about doing spells in corridors. When he saw Ginny however, he muttered to the student to go into the Great Hall for dinner.
Harry felt butterflies appear in his stomach as he watched Ginny descend the staircase. Her face looked much brighter and happy then it had in days and the way her red hair bounced was tantalizing.
"G-Ginny," he finally called walking over to her, "W-where are you going?"
"Out," replied Ginny simply with a shrug, "On a date."
"A date?"
Ginny nodded, "Is that illegal?"
"Well… I thought we had something going on."
Ginny raised a red eyebrow, "How can we have something going on when you are dating Cho Chang?"
"I'm not dating Cho."
"How can you not be? I saw you both out together – twice!"
"Only for drinks as friends. I would never date Cho… when she cries… the muggle firemen could use her as their tank of water!"
Ginny didn't know what to say. She suddenly felt guilty. She had assumed Harry was dating Cho, with how they were acting at the Pub… but when she thought about it some more, it was Cho making all the moves, not Harry.
"I-I'm sorry Harry. I just assumed."
Harry didn't say anything, he just nodded and looked away from her as though to look at her would burn his eyes.
"I do love you Harry."
"But you still date other guys when you are in love with someone."
"No! The way you two were… it just seemed that way."
"Why didn't you ask?"
"You know me Harry! I'm stubborn… I'm a Weasley! When I assume something I automatically believe it."
Harry just nodded and walked past Ginny, "Go on your date, don't let me stop you."
Ginny looked at Harry, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She watched Harry run up the staircase and down the corridor ignoring faculty who said hello to him. Ginny was in a dilemma. Again.
"Boys are more trouble then anything else," muttered Ginny making her decision.
G
"What do you want?"
"We need to talk."
"What if I don't want to talk?"
"Well I do and I think you should hear me out."
"Why do you deserve that option? I don't see a reason in giving it to you."
Hermione sighed and looked at an angry Ron in annoyance before crossing her arms, "I'm sorry."
"Oh and I suppose you think that changes everything? That it makes everything better?"
"No I don't think that, I know I hurt you and in the process made everyone else disgusted in me."
"Well you deserve their disgust because how you did everything is disgusting!"
Hermione sighed again and looked at Ron with a glare, "What do you expect me to do? Travel back with a time turner and come and see you and tell you in person? I MADE A MISTAKE! I AM SORRY!"
"I'm sorry doesn't take away my hurt Hermione. I love you… and you…" Ron couldn't finish. All he could do was look at Hermione showing how hurt and broken hearted he was.
Hermione bit her lower lip, her heart pounding in her chest. She did love Ron that she couldn't change. But with Rebecca, a wild side of her came out. But Rebecca was in France, she was in England. How did she know it was going to work?
"Can… I know I don't deserve what I am about to ask you… but can you give me some time?" asked Hermione quietly, "I just need to sort myself out."
Ron looked at Hermione taking a deep breath. He could tell from her face that she was serious about what she had asked. He nodded and Hermione gave him a small smile. She said thankyou quietly before walking over to the apperating point.
Ron watched her disappear before walking back inside the Burrow, where his mother was dishing up dinner for him and his father.
G
Ginny walked over to the school gates and looked at Joseph. He turned and smiled at her warmly, dressed in a black robe set.
"Glad you remembered," said Joseph with his smile.
Ginny smiled back with a small nod, "Joey… I have to cancel tonight and any potential relationship for us. It's Harry… I thought he was dating Cho… but he isn't and I love him Joey… I have for years and I am so sorry for this… please… I hope you understand."
Joseph nodded with a small smile, "Funny thing is Ginny, as much as I find you to be a really great girl I kind of figured you really were with someone else."
"That obvious?"
Joseph nodded, "I saw you watching Harry the other night at the pub. I thought, hey I may loose out here but why not give it a shot?"
Ginny smiled with a nod, "Better then just ignoring the opportunity."
Joseph nodded, "So I'll see you on Saturday, court preparations."
Ginny nodded again, "Yeah, Saturday. Bye Joey."
"Bye Ginny."
Ginny smiled and turned, heading back up to the castle. She walked quickly at first before breaking into a run. She burst into the castle, startling McGonagall who was leaving the Great Hall. The old witch, cried out at Ginny, who ignored her as she dashed up the marble staircase, holding her long robes up, so that she didn't trip and fall. She ran all the way to Harry's office and banged on the door. When no answer came, Ginny turned and ran towards the Astronomy tower. It was the only place she could think of finding Harry at. She reached the tower door and opened it nosily. Sure enough leaning on the ledge railing stood Harry, gazing up at the starry night sky.
"Harry," said Ginny quietly walking over to him.
Harry didn't move or say a word. Her did, however, cross his arms in a stubborn matter and continue to look at the nighttime sky.
"I didn't go," pushed on Ginny, "I told Joseph the truth… I belong to someone else. That someone is you, Harry."
Harry shifted his weight from one foot to the other and muttered, "Really?"
Ginny stepped closer tentively, "Really."
Now Harry uncrossed his arms and turned to Ginny with a small smile, "No more Joseph?"
"No more Joseph, Harry. Only you. It's always been you. I knew I could crack through that rock wall around your heart."
Harry took hold of one of Ginny's hands and pulled her towards him with a smile, "You did, didn't you? You never really left me."
Ginny kissed him softly on the lips with her shy smile, "Harry, no one you know left you. We all just waited for you to come around. And you have."
Harry grinned and kissed Ginny again, this time with more passion. He didn't move his hands from around her waist or try to go further. He knew it would take time before Ginny felt ready for that, but just having her in his life again was more then enough.
"I love you, Ginny," murmured Harry.
"I love you too, Harry," whispered Ginny leaning her forehead against his, "One of us has to leave the school but…"
"I will. I have been dreaming of opening a school for people planning on getting into the Aurour business… like I can train them up with defence spells. Does that sound stupid?"
"Not at all!" cried Ginny with true enthusiasm, "Harry something like that would suit you. You would be perfect for it. Ron hates working at the Ministry, he could work with you. Be partners. Maybe even with Remus."
Harry smiled with a nod at Ginny and kissed her again, "We should go have dinner."
"Why not complete my planned evening?" replied Ginny, "Let's go out to dinner together – as a couple."
"Well then, Miss Weasley, will you do me the honour of being my date for this evening?" asked Harry holding out his hand with a bow.
"I would be delighted to accompany you as your date this evening Mr Potter," smiled Ginny, curtsying and taking his offered hand.
G
A week passed with Harry leaving the school to begin his business. He moved into a house at Hogsmeade, which allowed him to remain seeing Ginny. He ended is counselling sessions with Cho, telling her he was fine now and no longer wished to see her in professional or friendly terms. As for Ginny, things with her and Joseph were fine. They remained friends and there, thankfully, was no awkwardness between them. Preparation for court continued, but as for Ashlee, she still wouldn't budge on being a witness for Ginny.
Hermione took a week leave from Hogwarts and headed to France. Ginny did and didn't care. It was confusing for her. Hermione was her bestfriend, but Ron was her brother. She knew they had spoken but Ron wouldn't tell her a word about it. Harry told Ginny that the two needed space and time to sought things about.
Hermione woke up lying beside Rebecca and gave her a small smile. Rebecca grinned at her and dove in for a kiss. It was enjoyable, but for some reason Hermione just wasn't fully into it. This Rebecca noticed and pulled away frowning at her girlfriend.
"Hermione… what is wrong? Last night you were fine but now… something is bothering you," pointed out Rebecca, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.
Hermione sat up, pulling the blanket up with her, "I don't think this is working."
Rebecca frowned, looking confused, "How isn't it?"
"I'm… I love Ron. I like you… a lot but I love Ron… and I want to be with Ron."
Rebecca nodded, "And you came here because?"
"To see if I was making the right choice… and I am, by ending things with you. I'm sorry Beck, but… I have to follow my heart and my heart lies with Ron."
"Right, well you should get dressed and pack… and go back to Ron," said Rebecca a bit bitterly as she stood up and pulled on her clothes, "I'm going to get some milk."
Hermione just nodded, feeling utterly guilty. She went and had a shower and dressed in fresh muggle clothing of long black dress pants and a pink long sleeved top, pulling on her black cloak. She packed her gear and when she walked out to the large living room, dining room and kitchen area Rebecca was walking back in a glass bottle of fresh milk.
"Beck, I don't mean to hurt you," said Hermione honestly, "I guess… I allowed this relationship to let me look at other options. And I thankyou for that. You let me do something I couldn't as a teenager."
"I understand," nodded Rebecca quietly, "At least it ended before one of us fell in love."
Hermione nodded, "I should go."
"You should."
Hermione nodded again and gave Rebecca one last hug before apperating back to England. Little did she know Rebecca had fallen hard and fast for the brown haired woman.
G
"So we brought you all here… because we may have found a cure for Fred," said Ginny looking from one of her brothers to the other, including Fred and George, "But it is a really risky one. Did you all get your articles?"
Her brothers nodded and all showed Ginny they were holding it as Ron walked in with a tray of food his mother had cooked before leaving for shopping in Diagon Alley.
"So, you know it could make Fred worse… but it could make him walk again. And there is only a 50 percent chance. And my lawyer Joey, he said it is exactly as it sounds: risky yet also a risk that could be worth taking."
"What's your verdict?" asked Ron, "Fred wants to go for it… but he wants everyone's approval."
The Weasley boys all looked at each other unsure of what to say, but it was George who spoke first.
"I do and don't want Fred to do it," he admitted, "He could become worse, so bad it says here that he'll wish to be dead and I don't want him to be that way… but then again, he could walk again. It's a complete… I don't know what to choose."
"I agree with George," said Percy sounding like a true brother for once and not like the king of the world.
Everyone looked at Percy in surprise, even Ginny.
"Well, Fred is my brother and I want to see him happy, but I don't want to see him looking worse," said Percy in annoyance, "I might not show it but I care a lot about everyone in this family."
"I never doubted that," lied Ginny with everyone nodding in agreement to her lie, "Look, everyone… I want Fred to do it. I know the consequences, but I believe it will be worth it. I am putting my faith into this option."
"So am I," said Ron, "That is two votes… George?"
"I'm in."
"Percy?"
Percy nodded.
"Me too," sighed Charlie.
"Okay… may as well," sighed Bill.
"That is everyone," said Ginny, "We should contact them now and get everything organised.
"Wait," said Fred, "I want Mum and Dad's approval first."
Everyone looked at him as if he were insane.
"Fred… Dad will agree," said Ron slowly, "But Mum… she won't… if she knows it could possibly make you worse. It would be best if you just got it done, come here in your wheelchair and jump out saying 'Surprise Mum! I can walk.' Don't you agree?"
"Well… when you put it that way," said Fred just as slowly as Ron, "It would be best."
"Good," said Ginny, "I'll send off the paper work."
A/N: As you can gather the story is beginning to wrap up. So another two-four chapters and it will be done. Anyway please review!
Bye for now!
Love yas!
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