I don't own Harry Potter or the characters...
Ginny rolled over in bed and looked at the clock. Once again she had overslept so she hopped out of bed and jumped in the shower. It wasn't until she was pouring herself a cup of coffee that she noticed the International Prophet had arrived. The owl dropped it and flew off. She threw it on the table preparing to leave when a small headline on the bottom of the front page caught her eye. The article was tiny, just an informational item, but it rocked Ginny's world to its foundation.
Harry Potter Marries American after Whirlwind Romance
In a small and private ceremony over the weekend, Harry Potter married American Paige Callaghan. Mr. Potter, the boy who lived, is recently divorced after a rocky marriage to his childhood sweetheart. He and the new Mrs. Potter met at the American Embassy in London and had been inseparable since then. The two also announced that they are expecting their first child at the end of May. The wizarding world wishes the happy couple good luck in their new marriage and are thrilled that Harry Potter has found a bit of happiness in what has truly been a tumultuous life.
Ginny's coffee cup fell to the floor and shattered. She couldn't believe it. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. He was supposed to come crawling back to her, begging for forgiveness. She would make him suffer a bit but then they would live happily-ever-after. She never could have imagined his happily-ever-after would be with someone else.
She wondered why no one had told her but then remembered the unopened letter lying on the table from her mother. It had arrived when she was just coming in after a late night out. All she wanted was to sleep it off so she tossed the letter to the side and passed out on the couch. Ginny ripped it open. Sure enough it was her mum breaking the news about Harry's wedding. It was written after the fact however; her mum knowing she would come and try to stop it.
Ginny chocked on a sob. She wrote a quick note to work stating she wouldn't be in today and attached it to her owl Ebony. Ginny was already in trouble at work for being late and missing so many days. She figured she would likely be fired but didn't care. She had to go home to England, talk to Harry; maybe it wasn't too late for an annulment.
Her mind was racing while she packed; thinking of everything that had happened to her over what was approaching a year. It all boiled down to Hermione. So what if she might have been innocent, like her dreams continued to tell her, she was the reason her life had gone to hell. She yelled in frustration to silence the voice in the back of her head telling her it was her own fault.
Her owl Ebony flew back through the window with a note attached. It was from work telling her if she missed today to not come back at all. Furious, Ginny wrote a return note saying that she quit. She would just find a different job, a better job for that matter.
Ginny paused her frantic packing and sat on the edge of the bed, then slid down to the floor. She began to cry like she hadn't since she was a child. He was married, she thought, and their going to have a baby…
I approached my Monday morning class with some nervousness. They were my seventh years and I waited for something to be said. Breakfast had not been an issue; no students seem to be looking at me and Hermione giggling. I thought I must be in the clear.
"Good morning class. I hope you all enjoyed your first weekend of the year. Weekends were always my favorite part of the week."
"I hear that they still are." Commented one of the boys under his breath. The class began to laugh.
I was about to retort when tap, tap, tap. I looked and saw my mum's owl at the window. I walked over and took the note.
"Love letter from Ms Granger?" One student said followed by even more laughter.
I however was not laughing. The note from mum stated that Ginny had arrived after having learned about Harry's marriage. I was glad that Harry and Paige were still out of town. It was obvious that mum feared the worst and so did I.
The laughter in the room had ceased, I suppose at the serious expression on my face. I took a moment to compose myself then started the lesson on vampires.
When the class was over, Sandy Waller shooed her friends off and came up to my desk. "Is everything okay? I can see that you are really upset. Is there anything I could do to you? I mean for you?" She batted her eyes.
Shocked at her obvious slip up, I replied, "no thanks. Don't you need to get to class?"
"Ms. Granger isn't worth it Ron."
"That's Professor Weasley to you."
"Of course, Professor Weasley; I like a man of authority." She said and turned to leave. She strutted her way out of the room and gave a well timed glance back at me with a wink.
I decided I needed to let McGonagall know about her before she started rumors and got me in trouble. Ironically, she walked into my classroom at that very moment.
"I'm glad you're here Professor McGonagall, I need to talk to you about one of your students."
"It can wait Professor Weasley. I need to speak with you and our librarian. Oh here she is." Hermione just walked into the classroom and McGonagall closed and sealed the door behind her.
"You wanted to see me Minerva."
"Yes, there have been some rumors floating around about Mr. Weasley, I mean Professor Weasley, leaving your room early yesterday morning."
Hermione began to stumble, looking for the appropriate words so I spoke up. "They are just rumors; besides we are both adults."
"Adults that must set an example for my students."
"I'm sorry Minerva, it won't happen again." Pleaded Hermione confessing as though to get out of detention.
"I hope not, well at least not here. In the future just be more discreet. Don't you have a home on the village you two could go to?" She turned to leave and I couldn't help but laugh.
"How can you laugh at a time like this?" I asked Ron you seemed a bit maniacal behind his desk.
"It's funny!" He got up and came around his desk to me. "Come here." He leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss.
"Ron stop! Students have been snickering at me all morning." I said as I wiggled away just in time for his next class of frightened second years to come in.
"Who cares what they think. They are just jealous." He whispered.
I made to go so that he could begin class but he stopped me. "Look, I got an owl from mum. Ginny's back again, she found out about Harry."
My insides tied in a knot. I'm glad the couple was still in Rome. "Oh no, but what can she really do now? They are married."
"I don't know but I can tell mum is worried. I may go over there after classes. Do you want to come?"
"No thank you." I answered abruptly.
"I understand but I wish you would. You will have to see her again eventually. I plan on being with you forever so…"
I gave him a big smile, "ask me later okay. I want to think about it." I did leave this time and I heard him begin his lesson.
When I entered the library I found that I had a visitor waiting at my desk; it was Sandy, Ron's ever present stalker.
"Hi Ms. Granger; I was wondering if I could get a book out of the restricted section."
"Sandy, you'll need a note for that from a Professor."
"No Ms. Granger, you can check my schedule. I'm in NEWTS level DADA, doesn't that entitle me to enter."
"What book do you need?" I inquired.
"That's my business." She said in a very rude voice. "I'm sure that Ron, I mean Professor Weasley, would be happy to sign a note if you need it. I planned on meeting him tonight so I'll ask him then."
What a little bitch, I thought. "Yes, that would be appropriate." I answered not giving her the satisfaction of losing my cool. "And tell Professor Weasley that if he'd like his class to have access, he need only tell me and I'd be happy to grant it." I gave her a condescending smile and went about my business; however, she did not leave.
"I was wondering if you had heard those ridiculous rumors that were going around about you and Ron. I mean Professor Weasley, he told me to only call him Ron in private." She added the last part under her breath. She seemed annoyed that I wasn't affected by her obvious attempts to make me think there was something going on between them. "Don't worry anyone who knows you wouldn't be able to believe it for a minute. But you know kids they always jump to the wrong conclusions."
Especially in your case, I thought. "So true, but I'm not worried about it. Thanks for your concern." She was frustrated that she couldn't get a rise out of me. "Sandy, don't you need to be in class?"
"Oh no, it's my free period."
"Well, I would spend it studying. I know from experience how hard Ron can be." I left her pondering the double meaning of my statement.
When classes were over I knew I needed to convince Hermione to accompany me to the Burrow. I found her in the library talking to McGonagall and decided I'd seize the opportunity to beg her to speak to Miss Waller.
"Professor McGonagall can I ask you a huge favor." I began to beg.
"That depends and please start calling me Minerva like Hermione does."
"Could you get Sandy Waller off my back? She is driving me insane." I pleaded and Hermione began to laugh. "What?"
"She was in here earlier I think to convince me that you two were an item. Plus she was trying to get into the restricted section. I'd watch what you eat and drink from now on."
"Don't stress yourself Professor Weasley." Minerva said seeing my anxiety. "Her behavior hasn't gone unnoticed. She's about as subtle as a banshee. I'll have a chat with her, but don't expect her to stop her fascination with you. A young lady's heart is a mystery."
How well I know I thought looking at Hermione.
"I must go," added Minerva. "I need to talk to Hagrid over some very unusual like creatures I've seen wondering the grounds at night. If he's done experimental breeding without a permit again…" She stormed out of the library.
I turned to Hermione, "So I'm asking you later. Will you come to the Burrow with me? I'm sure mum would love to see you."
"I don't know. I don't think I can bear a scene with Ginny. Last time she was here she had you doubting me again. I'm not sure if I want you to go."
"I have to."
"I know. Do you promise to protect me?" She asked with an adorable smile.
"Of course." I assured, kissing her forehead.
We left the library and walked out the castle and off the grounds. Several students that were enjoying the few remaining warm days pointed at our holding hands. There even a few cat calls. We reached the castle gates and walked into the streets of Hogsmeade where we apparated to the Burrow.