Chapter 5
Friday November 8th, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
The Gardens
2:19 p.m.
Friday afternoon found Josephine in the gardens for two reasons, one Narcissa was home and she was avoiding her sister-in-law at all costs... And two, it was a lovely day and probably one of the last until spring... and she had to get the spells cast that would keep the flowers blooming throughout the winter. When she looked up and the sun said it was heading towards five, she rose and was casting a few final charms when Jozséf suddenly rose from where he had been sitting on a bench as they discussed her schedule for the week. Glancing at him she saw the look that was reserved for when he felt she needed protection, and looked around to find out what had caught his attention... then she heard the sound of footsteps running towards them.
"Josette!"
Hearing her name from the familiar voice both relaxed and Jozséf returned to his seat as she turned to see three figures appear around the corner of the path. "What in Merlin's name are you three doing here?" she asked shaking her head. "We thought we were under attack or something..." she teased lightly.
"Oops, sorry," Pansy smiled, though she looked far from sorry. "But hey, we're free and decided to come bug you early. You can't complain..."
"Who says I can't," she countered with a smirk. "Well it appears to me that we need to send a message to Gabby to let her know she can come tonight after all, and let Eva know we're going to be at the Chateau..."
"I'll inform Zeta of the change in plans," Jozséf spoke up before silently disappearing down the path.
"Chateau?" asked Ginny in confusion, she had barely gotten a look at Malfoy Manor as she followed Pansy and Millicent through to the gardens.
"I have a Chateau in France," Josephine explained as she cast one final spell before turning to them. "Honestly my sister-in-law is home this weekend and I want to be as far from her as possible... she's a bit of an evil demon... who has the strange ability to not die..." she frowned. "Although I never did try using Iocaine powder... maybe that would have done it..."
"You are one scary woman Josette," Millicent giggled. "Remind me to never tick you off..."
"Hang on, are you saying you tried to kill the Lady Malfoy?" asked Ginny, a hint of uncertain fear in her voice.
"Relax little one, I only try to poison people I truly hate... let's just say there is some very bad blood between my father's choice of wife for his only son and I... And I was a child at the time... I haven't tried anything since I turned thirteen..."
"Except that time you turned her into a mouse and Serephine thought she was lunch," Eva spoke up as she joined them. "Jozséf works fast," she explained.
"That was a misfired spell," Josephine defended. "And you're not helping to make Ginny any less freaked..." she added with a pointed look.
"Sorry little one," Eva apologized. "Just remember that Josie is a bit crazy but in a good way... that whole trying to kill Narcissa was a phase of a spoiled rich girl..."
"Hey!" Josephine exclaimed. "How is that keeping people from thinking I'm a bitch? Keep it up and I'll tell your husband on you!"
"As you can see... they're both out of their minds," Pansy whispered to Ginny. "And I don't think she ever really was trying to kill Lady Malfoy..."
"Are you sure?" questioned Ginny nervously.
"Positive... she's nuts, not homicidal," Millicent agreed while the two elder women argued over what they'd tell Eva's husband Horatio and Lucius about to get back at each other.
"I guess I'll take your word for it," Ginny said uncertainly.
"Relax girl, she'll never hurt any of us," Gabrielle spoke up as she joined them. "I caught the tail end of the conversation... And I heard those two arguing about who did what in the past... I always wonder just what other things they did when they were our age..." she chuckled.
"Maybe she ought to talk to Fred and George, I'm sure they could give her some ideas as they always managed to prank Ron and Percy without them knowing," Ginny said.
"Let's not give her any more ideas," Pansy countered. "Hey!" she called getting the two to stop and look over at the four of them. "Are we going to France or not? I'm hungry..."
"You're not getting any of my caviar Pansy," Josephine shot back. "But yes we can go whenever you four are ready, and hi Gabbs."
"Hey," Gabrielle smiled. "Let's get out of here already..."
"Yes please," agreed Ginny, not liking the idea of being in the same house as the man of her dreams, the man she actually kissed but knew she could never have.
"Okay ladies...do we want to apparate to the Crossroads? Take the Floo to the crossroads? Or I can probably hunt down a portkey from here to the Chateau directly..." Josephine asked.
"I can't apparate yet," Ginny pointed out. "I'm not old enough."
"But you can side-along apparate with one of us," Eva countered with a smile.
"Is that really safe?" questioned Ginny.
"It can be quiet safe, but if you aren't comfortable with the idea we don't have to," Josephine explained.
"I've just never done it before," Ginny admitted.
"Do you want to try something new now or perhaps wait until you feel more comfortable with the idea?" Eva asked softly, the other three girls had stepped away to look at the roses.
"These days everything is new so what's one more," shrugged Ginny.
"Okay, why don't you go with Josette and I'll take Gabbs?" Eva agreed.
Ginny nodded and walked over to where Josephine was standing.
"Don't worry Gin, I passed my test with flying colours," Josephine smiled as she held out her hand.
"Good cause the last thing I want to deal with is my family after they find out I've been splinched," commented Ginny as she took Josephine's hand.
"I promise, no splinching," Josephine chuckled. "Close your eyes and take a deep breath and let it out, repeat that a few times," she instructed before Ginny did as told. Glancing over at the others Josephine winked before, as Ginny was mid breath, she apparated both of them. "Okay, you can open your eyes," she smiled.
"What the heck just happened?" asked Ginny as she wobbled on her feet, her mind and body a little disoriented.
"We travelled a couple hundred miles," Josephine answered as she held Ginny's shoulders to give her a second to steady. "How are you feeling? Want to sit down?"
"Might not be a bad idea since the room is currently spinning," Ginny said.
"It will do that for a while, once you start to learn how yourself you'll have to deal with that... but it will pass," Josephine nodded as she helped Ginny sit.
"Makes me never want to try," commented Ginny quietly.
"It's a pain, but the ability does come in handy little one. But just because you can, doesn't mean you have to. We can use portkeys and Floo in the future."
"Yes please," Ginny said as she rubbed her temples.
"Okay I'll have a special portkey made for you..." she agreed. "Do you want to go lay down for a bit before dinner?"
"Would you mind? This week has been a little stressful and the apparating hasn't helped much," Ginny said.
"Not at all, one of us will come get you in about an hour or so, come on let's get you upstairs," Josephine agreed as she held out her hand and helped Ginny to her feet.
"Thanks," Ginny said as she followed Josephine from the room.
"You're welcome," she smiled as they made their way up the stairs, Josephine taking Ginny's hand to help her in case the slight change in elevation affected her dizzy spell. "These will be your rooms whenever you are here," she continued after they reached the door at the end of the hall.
An Hour later...
Josephine paused at the door to Ginny's rooms before knocking once. Getting no answer she let herself in, assuming that Ginny was probably still sleeping, an assumption proved true when she slipped into the bedroom. Though she was a bit surprised, happily so, to hear Ginny talking in her sleep, a very familiar name passing the young girl's lips. She couldn't wait to tell Eva...
Shaking her head though she ignored the fact Ginny has just called for Lucius, and crossed the room, "Ginny," she called softly before reaching down to touch the younger woman's shoulder.
"Mmm?" mumbled Ginny as she rolled over. "Josette?" she asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.
"Morning," Josephine smiled, "Or should I say evening. Dinner is ready so I came up to get you," she continued.
"Okay," Ginny said as she struggled to sit up. "I didn't expect to actually fall asleep. I guess the week's taken more out of me then I thought."
"Understandable little one, it's been a long week for you. Would you like to change into something more comfortable?"
"I wouldn't mind actually. I spend so much time in this uniform I forget I have other clothes at times," replied Ginny.
"I'll be honest Ginny, I have no idea how any of you do it. I would have gone nuts had I gone to Hogwarts or any school... as it was I drove my tutors crazy," Josephine chuckled. "I'll go wait in your sitting room, and you'll find some clothing in your closet since you probably didn't bring too many options with you for the weekend..."
"Well considering Pansy and Milli practically kidnapped me after my last class, I didn't really have time to grab much of anything," Ginny said as she walked over to her closet and opened it. "By the Goddess," swore Ginny quietly when she opened the closet and found it packed with clothes of all shapes and sizes.
"Now you don't have to worry about packing," Josephine smirked before turning and heading towards the door. "Have fun," she called over her shoulder before slipping out of the room.
Ginny glanced back over her shoulder just catching sight of Josephine as she left the room, before turning back to the closet before her, stepping inside to get a better look at everything it contained. After looking through everything for a few minutes, Ginny finally decided on an outfit of a nice pair of fitted white jeans, a turquoise sweater and a pair of white tennis shoes and quickly changed out of her uniform before heading in the direction Josephine had gone a few minutes before.
"Ready?" Josephine asked when she spotted Ginny.
"I think so," replied Ginny.
"Okay then," Josephine nodded before they headed towards the door. "You look lovely," she added softly as they made their way down the stairs.
"In jeans and a sweater? I hardly believe that," commented Ginny.
"Sometimes jeans and a sweater are just as beautiful as the most expensive designer dress. It's the person that makes the clothes, and if you are comfortable with what you are wearing, then it shows and what on one person might be the worst outfit, on another is gorgeous."
"If you say so," Ginny said. "These are the nicest non uniform clothes I've ever had."
Josephine merely nodded, sending a small smile Ginny's way as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Ginny!" Gabrielle and the other two rushed over. "Come on, you have to see this."
"What are you talking about?" asked Ginny as Gabrielle and Pansy each grabbed an arm.
"Come on," Gabrielle continued as they pulled her towards the dinning room.
"I think they're more excited than Ginny will be," Eva whispered to Josephine as she joined her friend.
"I think Gin will be more excited," Josephine countered as they followed the four who had just entered the dinning room. "Is it too quiet in there?" she raised an eyebrow before they reached the dinning room doorway. Inside Ginny was just staring at the small puppy she had rescued the previous weekend. "Gin?" Josephine asked concerned.
"She was happy initially..." Pansy whispered confused.
"I don't understand," Ginny said quietly turning her head to look at Josephine.
"We wanted to give you a gift, and as you don't have a familiar..." she trailed off.
"But we're not allowed to have dogs at Hogwarts, only cats, owls and toads," countered Ginny sadly.
"Little one, Dumbledore can't stop you from having her. You're nobility, there are different standards for us," Eva pointed out.
"Yeah, it's the best perk," Gabrielle agreed. "None of the headmasters or mistresses can keep us from doing anything as long as it won't affect the other students."
"I can keep her?" Ginny asked tentatively, her quiet voice making her sound like a little girl.
"Oui, she's yours and no one can take her away from you," Josephine smiled.
"This isn't a joke right?"
"No little one, no joke," Eva agreed. "She's all yours."
Ginny smiled suddenly before rushing over to where Gabrielle and Millicent were playing with the puppy, quickly kneeling down and picking the puppy up, giggling when the puppy started licking her face in greeting.
"I think she likes it," Eva chuckled. "You're going to spoil her rotten you realize," she continued to Josephine softly.
"She deserves some spoiling," Josephine shrugged. "Call it giving Lord and Lady Rosewood a chance to see their only granddaughter treated as they would have treated her," she continued quietly.
"Very true," Eva agreed softly, "very true."
Josephine smiled sadly at her oldest friend before turning her attention back to Ginny and grinning, "Gin girl, I hate to interrupt your bonding but dinner is ready if you're hungry..."
"I'm starving," Ginny laughed, as the puppy licked her nose. "Lunch was a long time ago and I barely got any thanks to Ron."
"Well the only way you're going to be hungry after dinner is if it's your own fault," Millicent smiled. "Zeta and the elves here put out quite the meal."
"Yeah, we're trying to get Josette to part with a few of the elves so we can steal them for our own houses one day," Pansy chuckled as she took her seat.
"I've told you before, it's not up to me it's up to them," Josephine smirked. "It's not my fault that my elves who happen to be free like sticking around..."
"I'd love to have a house elf," commented Ginny. "Even if it would send Hermione off in a fit, at least then I wouldn't have to scrub the kitchen floor every summer.
"Oh that had to suck," Gabrielle shuddered. "Girl welcome to the second best thing about being nobility, you don't have to scrub floors..."
"Hear hear," Eva agreed as she held up her glass. "The third best thing is that once you have a group of friends... they're there for life and will defend you to anyone else. Even if we do have to be right royal witches, no pun intended, to the world at large."
"Now that's the truth," Millicent agreed. "Of course the shopping is good too..."
"And the balls," Pansy giggled.
"I'll take your word for that," commented Ginny, as she felt the puppy lick her ankle before curling up at her feet.
"Give it time girl, you'll get to experience it all," Gabrielle smiled as Zeta and five other elves appeared, each carrying a plate that was levitated up to sit in front of one of the women. "Soup miladies, today we have gazpacho with fresh rolls," Zeta explained as the five other elves disappeared only to reappear with a second plate. "And mushroom puffs," she continued as she snapped her fingers and a plate appeared that she placed in front of Josephine. "We hope you find it to your liking," she nodded before all six disappeared.
"I love your elves," Pansy sighed. "Can they train mine since they won't leave you?"
"I'll send Zeta over when you've got a house of your own," Josephine chuckled.
"Start from the outside and work in," Gabrielle whispered to Ginny in regards to the formal setup and the multitude of silverware.
"Thanks," whispered Ginny in return.
"Welcome," Gabrielle winked.
Two hours later they had completed the seven course meal and discussed various topics, including interrogating Ginny on what she was going to name the puppy, which she announced would be known as Kylie. They also discussed the plans for the weekend, starting with etiquette lessons and dining lessons... Josephine teasing that she'd be testing the other three as well so they better watch it.
"So what's first?" asked Ginny curiously.
"Posture," Eva spoke up. "Basically you get to walk around with a book on your head..."
"Such fun," Gabrielle giggled. "Milli had the worst time with that book..."
"Like you had an easier time," Millicent countered rolling her eyes. "It's an evil evil book I swear it's possessed."
"It's not going to bite me or anything is it?" asked Ginny worriedly.
"It's not evil and it's not possessed... it just takes time," Josephine answered with a smile. "Eva and I even took days to conquer it, and we spent six hours a day practicing. But personally I think you're not going to have too much trouble Ginny, your posture is very good already."
"Well I guess something good came out of that stupid diary first year," Ginny mumbled. "What?" she asked when everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. "Tom was on my case constantly about sitting up straight and keeping my elbows off the table etc etc because it wasn't 'lady like'." Ginny couldn't take it anymore after a few minutes of no one saying anything. "Okay guys, are you going to say anything because you're starting to freak me out here."
"Sorry," Josephine shook her head to snap herself out of her surprise. "Who knew, Voldemort cares about posture," she chuckled.
"It's actually how I learned most of what I already do know," Ginny said quietly.
"Hmm," Josephine nodded. That was an interesting event... she'd have to look into that. It was just odd sounding. "Well, then good for him," she continued with a smile.
"It was annoying to tell you the truth. I have no idea how he managed to even know that I was slouching or sitting with my elbows on the table," Ginny said.
"Personally I think we're better off not knowing," Pansy spoke up.
"I still can't believe Harry actually thought he was being possessed by Tom in his fifth year," Ginny chuckled shaking her head. "He was so sure of it and so determined to protect everyone he forgot that there was someone around who actually had been possessed by him."
"You're kidding," Eva asked in shock. "Potter thought he was being possessed by Voldemort..." she continued shaking her head.
"Tom was trying to draw him out by invading his dreams," Ginny explained. "Sending him images of the Department of Mysteries cause Tom wanted the prophecy about them. He assumed he was being possessed," she shrugged. "No one said Harry was all that bright at times."
"Well you have to give the boy some credit... raised by Muggles, no knowledge of our world. He gets told he's a wizard, thrown head first into our world, then finds out he's a hero but the dude he supposedly killed wants him dead... He's been playing catch-up since day one on the eleven years he missed," Josephine shrugged.
"And he probably would have been better off befriending Draco when he offered and gone to Slytherin," countered Ginny.
"True," Eva agreed. "Very true."
"Don't get me wrong, I think Harry's a really nice guy I just think Ron is not the right friend for him," commented Ginny.
"You're probably right," Pansy agreed. "He does have his good points; you just don't see them often around Ron."
"Harry's loyal to a fault, it's why he took Ron back after their blow up during the Tournament and why he'll never turn his back on Ron," Ginny said.
"That's not always a good quality," Eva sighed. "Poor kid, his own nature is his own worst enemy."
"Well you can blame the Headmaster for that," Ginny commented. "He allows Harry free rein to pretty much do whatever he wants which gives Ron and Hermione the same freedoms. You have no idea how much stuff they've done that any normal student would get in so much trouble for."
"Dumbledore is a bloody idiot," Josephine grumbled.
"Yes but in his eyes, Harry and by extension Ron and Hermione, can do no wrong," Ginny said.
"That may be his biggest mistake, save his treatment of the Nobility."
"While I'm finding this quite interesting, I think Ginny needs to stop stalling," Pansy said.
"I'm not stalling," countered Ginny.
"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of France," countered Pansy dryly.
"Come on Gin, I promise it's just a regular book like any other," Josephine smiled as she rose.
"I'm not stalling," argued Ginny.
"Of course she's not," Gabrielle agreed. "Come on I need practice as it is before my debut."
"Come on Kylie," Ginny called to the puppy that had hopped to its feet the minute she stood up, the puppy following at her heels as Gabrielle led Ginny from the room, her arm through Ginny's.
"Well, that worked," Eva chuckled.
"And you two, stop trying to freak her out," Josephine ordered Pansy and Millicent who looked around innocently. "That hasn't worked on me since you were seven," she smirked before she and Eva followed after Ginny and Gabrielle.
"Damn, now how are we going to get away with things?" Millicent asked Pansy once the two were out of the room.
"Wait until we marry and get away with things then..." Pansy shrugged.
"Milady Pansy, Milady Millicent," Zeta appeared in front of them. "Milady Josephine has a message for you, she says to 'Get your butts in the library or she'll make you practice with the family history book'."
"Oh crap," both girls muttered before hurrying out of the room.
"Nice of you to join us," Josephine smirked when they rushed into the library. "Have a book," she continued handing them a smaller book, but looking over at the table where the Malfoy family history dating back to before the time of King Arthur lay.
"Chop chop," Eva spoke up, Gabbs and Ginny are already balancing books, hurry up," she continued glancing over at Ginny who was doing exceedingly well at balancing the book standing still.
"Oops," Ginny giggled after a crash sounded, bending down to pick up her book that Kylie was trying to get a hold of, barking at it in the process.
"I hate when you do that," Millicent teased.
"Try it then complain," Gabrielle countered with a laugh before Millicent's book fell to the floor.
"No more ballet moves," Millicent chuckled.
"Show off," teased Ginny.
"Why thank you," Gabrielle smirked. "I learned it from the blonde over there," she added.
"Hey, we are not going there," Eva spoke up. "I had to go through lessons with little miss ballerina," she teased while Josephine rolled her eyes.
"It's not my fault my grandmama is a scary woman who insisted on me dancing... I ran from it as fast as I could," Josephine countered. "I think my worst mistake was telling the other ballerina in the family about it..." she teased and Gabrielle sunk to the ground in a curtsy before rising.
"I wish I could be that graceful," mumbled Ginny.
"Girl, I remember you from the Yule Ball, you are graceful," Pansy argued.
"You must have been watching someone else Pansy, cause I am anything but graceful," argued Ginny.
"No, you were dancing with Longbottom and you two put the rest of your house to shame," Millicent countered. "Trust us girl, we've been tortured with learning every dance there is from the tango to the cha cha to Irish step dance. We know good dancing when we see it."
"At least I had a better time than Parvati," Ginny giggled. "Poor girl, her and Padma had to go with Ron and Harry and had the worst time."
"Oh God I remember that," Pansy chuckled. "Ron was positively green with envy over Hermione and Krum."
"They had the worst fight ever later that night, all of Gryffindor was talking about it," Ginny said.
"All the school was talking about it," Millicent countered. "I can't believe she's dating him... If anyone had treated me like that, I don't care how many years have past I wouldn't date him if someone was willing to pay me a hundred thousand Gallons."
"Trust me, I don't know what she sees in my brother," Ginny said as her book went crashing to the floor once more, sending Kylie into a barking frenzy. "She'd be better of with Harry if you ask me but then of course, according to the world at large, I'm destined to marry Harry once he's out of school," she said as she picked her book up, patting Kylie on the head in the process and placed it back on her head.
"Do you want to marry Potter?" Gabrielle asked curious.
"Once I did, but now…"
"Then regardless what the world at large says, you're not destined to marry him," Gabrielle countered.
"If I don't marry Harry, I'll probably spend the rest of my life alone," countered Ginny
"Not necessarily little one," Eva argued.
"And if you want Josephine can help with a betrothal down the road," Millicent continued. "Yes our father's are planning ours but they all know that Josette gets final approval, and she's already promised that we get a say so perhaps we will all be able to find love yet..."
/-/If only she could/-/ thought Ginny sadly.
"Why don't we take a break from this for the night and do something for fun?" Josephine asked as she looked at the time.
Ginny nodded, catching the book as it tipped from her head before it hit the floor.
"So what to do?" Eva asked as she sent the books flying back to their places on the shelves for the four.
"Anything as long as I don't have to think about my family," commented Ginny as she sat down on the floor and put Kylie in her lap, who curled up in a ball before closing her eyes and going to sleep.
"Stargazing in the jacuzzi?" Millicent offered. "One of those Muggle movies that Lady Alexandra sends you from Boston?"
"Stargazing implies remembering your astronomy which means thinking and I would prefer not to think at the moment," Ginny said.
"Girl we don't stargaze for constellations, we make our own stories and images in the stars," Pansy smiled.
"Still requires active thought process," countered Ginny.
"Movies it is," Josephine chuckled.
"As long as it's got Richard Gere or Antonio Banderas I'm good," Ginny said her gaze on her lap as she stroked Kylie. "What did I say?" asked Ginny looking up when the room went silent.
"She knows Richard and Antonio..." Pansy finally spoke up, looking between Ginny and Josephine and Eva who were suddenly grinning like idiots. "Well if they didn't love you already..."
"We have a new favourite, we love you three dearly, but this girl loves Richard and Antonio... she just moved up the list," Eva announced, Josephine just nodding next to her. "But you get to fight her for Antonio..." she added pointing at Josephine who was still just grinning.
Ginny smiled in return before laughing at the still stunned looks on Pansy and Millicent's faces. "You forget that I live in Gryffindor Pansy. Most of Gryffindor is made up of Muggle-born or half Muggle students."
"True," Millicent spoke up. "So then, do we watch An Officer and a Gentleman or Evita..."
"Evita!"
"Officer and a Gentleman!"
Gabrielle, Pansy and Millicent chuckled when Josephine and Eva both yelled before turning on each other and arguing about it. "Looks like you get to make the deciding vote Gin," Gabrielle smiled.
"Hmm," Ginny thought. "Very young Richard in a navy uniform or a singing Antonio…I say Antonio."
"Yes!" Josephine cried, dancing in a circle around Eva.
"And you claim you aren't spoiled..." Eva teased. "I'm so having your elf go get me some nice Parisian truffles for this..."
"Bite me," Josephine winked. "And you can ask one of the other elves, I'm having Zeta go get a few other things..."
"I hate you," Eva smirked.
"Oh come on, you know you love the quicksand I walk on," Josephine countered as she hooked her arm in Ginny's. "So you like a singing Antonio as well, I knew you had good taste little one."
"What can I say there is just something about the way he looks at Madonna…it's so intense. I just wish I could have someone look at me like that just once in my life," Ginny sighed.
"You and me both, sweetheart, you and me both," Josephine agreed.
"Okay now you've got me wanting to ditch you ladies and go home..." Eva sighed.
"Horacio's in America Evita," Josephine countered with a smile as they entered the 'theatre' room, complete with a screen the size of one wall. On the opposite side were a number of couches and chairs.
"Oh I could fall asleep in this," Ginny said as she collapsed into one of the comfy chairs, picking little Kylie up and gently placing her in her lap.
"Don't worry, been there and done that," Millicent giggled.
"Okay so... if there's anything you would like, speak now or forever hold your peace," Eva announced as she picked up a piece of parchment.
"Big bowl of buttered popcorn and a big glass of iced tea please," Ginny said.
"Oh that sounds good, I'll have the same," commented Millicent.
"Make mine a Butter rum," Pansy agreed.
"Chocolate covered strawberries, popcorn, and sparkling cidar," Gabrielle added.
"And you Josie?" Eva asked after jotting that down.
"Usual," Josephine smiled. "But you're not getting my Godiva so... get you're own."
"Witch."
"Look who's talking," Josephine countered tossing a throw pillow at her. "Watch it I'll sic my cousin on you."
"Cousin?" asked Ginny curiously.
"Hey! I'm not being anyone's attack witch anymore!" Gabrielle put her two cents in before anyone could say anything else.
"Okay, now I'm seriously confused," Ginny said. "But you know what I'm just going to sit here and enjoy my ignorance for the time being."
"My Pére is Josette's mother's cousin. We're second cousins," Gabrielle continued.
"I see…sort of," Ginny said. "Way too much information right now I think."
Josephine chuckled, "Don't worry it's a bit confusing period. Good rule of thumb, pretty much every family is joined by one marriage if not more."
"Definitely too much information now," Ginny groaned as her head hit the back of the chair.
"In that case block it all out and focus on Antonio Bandaras singing," Eva smirked, nodding towards the screen before going out to meet Zeta with the requests.
"Now that sounds like a very good idea," Ginny said as she snuggled down in the chair, Kylie curling up in her lap.
Saturday November 9th, 1997
Riviera Côte D'azur, France
Malfoy Chateau
Downstairs Breakfast Room
9:37 a.m.
Ginny was out by the time Zeta got back with the munchies, so everyone crashed after the movie. The next morning Josephine and Eva were up at dawn, Eva heading back to her own home to take care of a few things. While she and Jozséf took care of various things until the kids woke; she mentally planned the day's events for young Ginny. Pansy, Millicent and Gabrielle rose before Ginny, and with a bit of a plot in mind sent them off for a day in Spain with Eva. So when Ginny finally came downstairs in search of food and people, she and Josephine were the only ones in the house.
"Morning Ginny," Josephine smiled when she spotted the younger woman, Kylie on her heels. "Breakfast?"
"I would love some," Ginny said as she sat down at the table, Kylie lying down at her feet. "Where is everyone?"
"At Eva's, they're having an impromtu riding competition. And giving us the day to ourselves," she explained as she rose and rang a small bell, before walking around to stand behind Ginny. "Last night you had your first experience with the insanity of proper dining..." she teased lightly.
"Is that what that was?" laughed Ginny in return.
"Mmm hmmm," Josephine chuckled.
"Mistress Josephine? Mistress Ginny?" Zeta asked appearing a second later.
"We'd like breakfast please," Josephine smiled.
"Of course Mistress Josephine," Zeta nodded before disappearing.
"Going to be a bit evil today little one," Josephine smiled as she picked up a number of scarves.
"Uh…Josette? What are you doing?" asked Ginny nervously as Josephine started draping a scarf around her chest.
"Posture Ginny... This is going to help you remember how to sit and hold yourself while eating."
"How is tying me to a chair going to help my posture?"
"Believe me love, after the first three meals - if you even need that many, you never forget to keep your back firmly against the chair," Josephine smiled.
"My posture's not that bad," whined Ginny. "And besides it's not like the tables at Hogwarts even have chairs."
"No your posture isn't that bad, but we're not preparing you for eating meals at Hogwarts little one, we're preparing you for eating among the nobility. And I hate to break it to you Ginny, but trust me the rest of your classmates who slouch over their meals and everything else are going to have horrible back problems in a few years. Relax and breathe, it's not that bad really. Between you and me, Millicent had the scarves for three days. Eva and I had them for a week... we despised our tutor..."
"Please don't do this Josette please," Ginny pleaded desperately.
Josephine frowned at the tone in Ginny's voice before stepping back. "What is it Ginny?" she asked stepping back to give her space.
"I can't do this, please don't make me do this," begged Ginny as she leapt up from her chair and started backing away from Josephine and the table, Kylie whimpering worriedly as she followed.
"Honey, sweetheart, take a deep breath. Talk to me; tell me what's on your mind. We can always find another way to do this if need be... Just talk to me," Josephine pleaded softly, not moving from where she stood, not wanting to frighten the girl anymore.
"It's always how it starts," Ginny sobbed as her back hit the wall and she slid down it so she was sitting on the floor, pulling Kylie to her. "It's how he gets to me…"
"How who gets to you? How what starts?"
"Tom," Ginny wept quietly into Kylie's neck.
"Oh honey," Josephine whispered sinking down to the floor where she stood. "Ginny... it's okay we won't use the scarves... but... But would it help to talk about it?" she offered softly.
"No one's ever wanted to know before," Ginny said quietly as she wiped away a few tears.
"I want to know whatever it would help you to get out," she countered gently.
"It always started the same. I'd hear his voice inside my head and then I would start to lose control over what my body was doing. Not long after I was a prisoner in my own head until he left. It's part of why I hide in the shadows. I learned how to blend into the background when he took over my body so as not to be caught. After that, no one wanted anything to do with me because of what they think happened to me in the Chamber of Secrets so I continued to hide in the shadows," explained Ginny, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Oh sweetheart..." Josephine sighed. "I wish I knew how to help you, but in this... I'm afraid I'm not the one who can help you. But I do know this; there are those who will be by you however long it takes for you to be free of that which haunts you."
"No one will stand by me because nobody cares about me enough to learn the truth about what I went through," sobbed Ginny quietly.
Josephine carefully rose and moved over to slide back down to the floor next to her. "Hey, hey... it's okay to cry little one. But it's different now, I care, Eva cares, Pansy, Milli, and Gabby all care. The rest of the world may be full of bastards who don't give a damn, but here, this circle... we're here for you no matter what. We don't care what happened in your past, what choices you make in your future... we care about you. No one is going to get to you without passing through us first."
"You promise?"
"Promise. As long as it's in my power, I'm going to do everything I can to help you. You're family now little one, perhaps not by blood but by choice."
"I'm sorry about reacting the way that I did. I had no idea that was going to happen," Ginny said.
"Hey, it's okay," she countered gently. "We all have our demons, Eva can tell you, the smell of lilies, cinnamon, and of all things cloves can send me into a complete meltdown. For some unknown reason that's what my grandmére smells like and she and I do not get along."
"I wish I knew my grandparents," Ginny sighed quietly.
"They were wonderful people little one," Josephine smiled. "My Pére spoke highly of them both... I'm so sorry you can't meet them. Although..."
"Although?"
"Come on," Josephine stood, holding a hand out to Ginny.
"Where are we going?" asked Ginny nervously as she took Josephine's hand and allowed the older woman to help her up.
"To make a wish come true, at least partially," she countered pulling her towards the study. Grabbing a bit of Floo Powder she glanced back at Ginny. "Do you want to bring Kylie?"
"Will she be okay in the Floo?"
"Of course, if you hold her that is."
Ginny knelt down and picked her puppy up before rising to her feet once more. "Where are we going?"
"The Paris Crossroads first. From there we're going to Dublin."
"Dublin?" Ginny asked in shock. "As in Dublin Ireland?"
"Oui."
"What's in Dublin?"
"Rosewood," Josephine answered as she offered her hand so they could go together.
"I'm confused," Ginny said as she took Josephine's hand.
"You didn't get a chance to know your Grandparents Ginny, but there is a way for you to meet them," she explained.
"Their portraits," Ginny said as realization sunk in as to what Josephine was referring to. "But they'll be so disappointed in me."
"Whatever for?" Josephine asked surprised.
"For what I've done, for what I tried to do," Ginny replied quietly.
"Ginny, what in Merlin's name are you talking about? If it's about what happened when you were eleven... they'll never blame you for that. It wasn't your fault," Josephine shook her head, no anger in her voice, simply confusion.
"Why do you think I live my life in the shadows Josette? When people look at me all they see is the girl that tried to kill half the school. I still hear them whispering behind my back," countered Ginny.
"Then they are fools Ginny," she answered gently. "What happened was never your fault, and you are more than the girl they say you are. You are an amazing woman, with a kind and gentle soul. The soul of a Lady... the kind of woman Lord and Lady Rosewood, and all of those who have come before them, would be proud to call one of their own."
"And if it turns out that my mother is right and I'm not cut out to be a lady, what then?"
"Your mother is wrong little one," Josephine shook her head. "You are a lady at heart, and even if you choose not to take your place in society, your grandparents will love you still because you are their granddaughter, their blood, their family. Nothing mattered more to Lord and Lady Rosewood than family, nothing broke the Lord's heart more than the loss of his children and grandchildren."
"Are you sure?" asked Ginny uncertainly.
"If I'm wrong, I'll give you my house in America," Josephine smiled.
Ginny merely smiled slightly in response, and soon after they were on their way to Dublin.