A/N: While reviews and constructive criticism are welcomed and appreciated, please refrain from using derogative language and/or personal insults. I have put a disclaimer for the contents of the story in the summary, and have rated it accordingly. While the notion of domestic violence might be hard for people to digest, for some people it is a reality.

Chapter 2

The summer sun warmed her body, and the grass was soft under her bare feet. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers. Birds chatted around her, filling her ears with their sweet music. She must have fallen asleep in the gentle heat, but she didn't care. She was happy and carefree and had her whole life ahead of her.

She opened her eyes as someone called her name. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Hermione running towards her. She was yelling, though she couldn't hear the words. She stood up, and as she did, a clock stuck ten. 'Ten o'clock?' She thought. 'Oh no! I'm going to be late'. She ran towards Hermione, not even bothering to put her shoes back on. She grabbed Hermiones' hand, and the two of them ran back to the house.

Ginny burst into the kitchen, panting, and proceeded up the stairs without greeting her family. She stepping into her room, and heard Hermione enter behind her.

'What were you doing, Ginny? I've been looking everywhere for you. All morning guests have been arriving, and no one knew where you were! Everyone wanted to congratulate the lucky bride on her big day!'

Ginny mumbled about going for an early walk to clear her head, and losing track of time. Hermione shook her head in disapproval, but otherwise didn't say anything. Now was not the time to be arguing, and Ginny had to get dressed. She took off her sun-dress and went to the bathroom for a quick wash. She soaped her hair and brushed her teeth extra-thoroughly. She toweled herself quickly and used a drying spell on her hair. She put on the underwear chosen by Hermione, and went back into her room.

Hermione sat her on the bed and did her make-up. Not too much, Ginny didn't go in for make-up much, but enough to enhance her natural beauty. She braided her hair and wrapped it around her head, and added flowers and jewels. She helped Ginny slip into her dress, and handed her a pair of silver shoes with a low heel.

Ginny looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled. Her dress was off-white, with a tight bodice that loosened at her hips, and fell gracefully to the floor. Pearls and jewels were sewn into the fabric down her left side, forming the trunk and branches of a tree. Eleven branches spread out in every direction, representing their two families joining becoming one. She added a diamond tiara to her hair, and put on a light veil.

She turned to Hermione. 'Do I look okay?' she asked nervously. Hermione laughed, and gave her a hug. 'You look beautiful Ginny. Harry is a very lucky man. Come, let's to down to the hallway. Arthur is waiting to give you away'.

Ginny met her father in the hallway. He was dressed in black velvet robes that Ginny had bought him from a muggle shop. He held out his arm to her, tears gathering in his eye. Ginny took the proffered arm, and squeezed it tightly. She looked into his face, and grinned broadly. He smiled back. 'My only daughter is getting married. I am so proud of the woman you have become, my angel', was all he said, kissing her on the forehead. Ginny could feel tears welling up in her own eyes, and gave him a tight hug.

Ginny watched through the window while the guests were seated. They'd decided on a small garden wedding at her parents' house, the place where they had first met, all those years ago. Ginny smiled at the memory of the shy, nervous girl who was a complete klutz around the great Harry Potter. She was thankful now that Ron had chosen to sit with Harry on his first day of Hogwarts, inadvertently bringing Harry into her life.

When all the guests were seated, soft music began to fill the air. The sound of harps and flutes echoed around the yard, and Harry began his walk down the isle. He stood next to Ron, his best man, and all eyes turned towards Hermione, now following the same route as Harry, magnificent in a dress of pale blue.

When Hermione had taken her place, Ginny turned to her father. 'My turn now. Are you ready?' Mr Weasley only nodded, stepping into place beside her. The doors opened and they moved out into the yard.

Ginny was aware of everyone watching her, but she only had eyes for one person. As they drew closer to the end of the isle, Ginny saw Harry brush a tear from his cheek. She admired his beauty, his green eyes sparkling in the sunlight, and in that moment all of her nerves disappeared. She had dreamt of this day for so long, and she was happy that it was about to become a reality.

Ginny took her place on the right side of the minister. 'Dearly beloved,' he began. During the service, Ginny never took her eyes off Harry. She thought back to their first kiss back when she was in fifth year. She remembered all the study days in the library, dancing in the moonlight, and the long walks around the lake. Every touch, every kiss, every feeling came flooding back to her in this moment. She loved Harry with all her heart, and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him.

'I now pronounce you husband and wife. Harry, you may kiss your bride.' Harry smiled as he removed Ginny's veil off her face. He took her in his arms and drew her face to his. 'I Love you, Ginerva Molly Potter,' he breathed. 'I love you more, Harry James Potter,' she replied, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She bought her lips up to his and kissed him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ginny woke on the bathroom floor, her body aching with the abuse of the night before. Her head throbbed and her sex was on fire. She sat up slowly, laying her hands on the wall as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She breathed deeply, allowing the oxygen to flow through her body. She stood up on shaky legs and stumbled over to the vanity. She closed her eyes and counted to twenty, then lifted her chin and looked in the mirror.

Dried blood was caked all over her face. There was a nasty gash in her forehead that was still weeping, and her nose stood at a funny angle. A mass of purple bruises painted her face. Scanning her body, fingerprints pressed onto her body showed clearly where Harry had gripped her so forcefully the night before. Ginny pulled her wand out of one of the draws.

'Episkey' she murmured. Instantly, her nose went back to its correct position and the gash on her forehead closed over. She groaned and fell over the sink, dizziness getting the better of her again. Even this small amount of magic left her weak and exhausted. As Harry's beating and verbal abuse got worse, Ginny found herself increasingly unable to perform basic magic. Already she was unable to protect her sons or herself from danger, and she feared that soon she would lose her magic completely.

She reached out carefully with shaking hands, and turned on the tap. She grabbed a washcloth from the basin and began to bathe her face. The warm water felt good on her skin, and she sighed in relief. She stepped into the shower, allowing the hot water to soothe her aching body.

When she finished washing, she walked to the door and opened it gently. The house was quiet, so presumably Harry had already left for work. Silently, she crept to her bedroom and got dressed. She applied makeup to her face, managing to conceal all of the bruises.

Walking to her sons' room, Ginny prayed that Harry had, for the most part, left them alone. It was bad enough that he forced them to watch when he beat her, without turning his rage towards his kids as well. Ginny opened the door and put her head around it. James and Albus were both sitting in Albus's cot, playing with some stuffed animals. James was making them dance as Albus giggled. Ginny noted that Albus's nappy had soaked through, and that James, who had only recently started going to bed in underpants, had had an accident.

Albus looked up and saw her standing in the doorway. "Mamma,' he cried, smiling from ear to ear. Ginny smiled back and went and picked him up. 'Good morning, my beautiful boy,' she cooed. He buried his head in her shoulder and she rested her cheek on his, breathing in his scent. She changed his nappy and put on his day clothes, before placing him gently on the floor. He began to whimper.

'I know you're hungry, Albie. I'm just going to get James cleaned up and then we will all go have breakfast' she soothed. She helped James out of his dirty underwear and cleaned him up with baby wipes. James went to his cupboard and pulled out some dragon underwear and his favourite green pants and purple shirt. Ginny helped her son into his clothes, hiding a giggle at the mis-matched colours.

She picked Albus up and walked with James into the kitchen. She settled Albus in his highchair and helped strap James into his booster seat. Searching through the fridge and pantry for something to cook, Ginny's heart sank as she realized how little food remained. It had been weeks since she had been shopping, and Harry refused to give her any money, preferring instead to spend it on drink.

She sighed and pulled some cereal out of the cupboard. She poured a bowl for James and added the last of the milk. She popped some bread in the toaster, saddened that there would not be enough food for her this morning. She buttered the toast and spread some jam, then handed her boys their breakfast. James at happily, while Albus looked at his fascinated. He picked up a piece and shoved it in his mouth, making his mother smile. Ever since Ginny had introduced solid food to his diet, he had been fussy and usually refused food. Every small achievement felt like winning a marathon for Albus's eating.

As her boys ate, Ginny quickly stripped their beds and put their soiled sheets into the wash. She opened their window to give the room some air, and moved the mattresses so they were lying in the sun.

Ginny returned to the kitchen and laughed all the food now on the floor. Children were such messy eaters. She sat at the table and looked at her children. James with his untidy black hair and brown eyes; Albus with his red hair and green eyes. She was suddenly overcome with the thought that she was a terrible mother. Every day Harry would abuse her and torture her, and now her children were part of that suffering. Ginny bowed her head, willing her eyes to stop leaking. Her children deserved better than this. Though she took care of them as much as she could, Ginny knew she was neglecting her children. Their state when she walked into their room this morning was evidence of that.

A sharp tapping on the window roused her out of her thoughts. Looking up she saw Errol, her families' ancient owl, asking entry to the house. Ginny stood up and opened the casket, allowing him to fly in and promptly crash into the fridge. She quickly untied the letter from his leg and carried him to the bird feeder in the corner of the kitchen. She saw her mothers' handwriting on the envelope, and opened it with a heavy heart.

My dearest Ginerva,

We've heard no word from you in over six months now, and we are all starting to get worried. We would like you to come over for lunch. Bring the boys with you.

Love, mum.

P.S. We included something to help you on your travels. Now you have no excuse to not come.

Ginny pulled a second envelope out of the first and broke the seal with her finger. Inside, she saw a hint of floo powder. Ginny smiled. For months she had been trapped inside this house. Harry had all the doors warded to prevent her from leaving, and he always took their supply of floo powder when he left the house. He had warded their property to prevent owls carrying letters, so she had been completely cut off from her family for several months.

Harry wouldn't be back for several hours. That was enough time to get to her parents house and back, and perhaps she could even ask for some money to buy food. Ginny smiled. With a heart that was lighter than it was when she woke up, she got her sons ready and flooed to her parents' house.