Chapter 7: Expressionism

The half-haze filtered through the window, illuminating dust particles that filtered down through the air to the wide-planked wooden floor. It wasn't optimal lighting, but Gin thought it helped provide the right atmosphere. She sat back and looked at the canvas and then over to photograph of the swan that she'd taken out of the magazine for inspiration. Mary Caroline had insisted that they use a swan in their logo, especially as Gin's patronus was a swan. Gin had initially refused, but when her friend reached up and pulled the swan pin out of her hair she finally gave up. Then there was the name she'd used when she had "pulled an Al" in Richmond, Leda. Most people couldn't think about the name Leda without going on and thinking the words 'and the swan' in regards to the myth, not to mention the countless depictions in art.

With her paints on the side of the little table Gin set about mixing her colors. By unconscious thought or accident the initial roughing out of the swan was grey. There were no grey swans, to the best of her knowledge, only black and white ones. She liked the concept of something in-between the usual black and white, good and bad dichotomy. Grey it was.

The little bell rang above the front door, which could only mean that Mary Caroline was back with the forms they needed. Securing their little gallery location was hard enough, but the paperwork to start a new business was beyond the level of all rational thought. "I'm back here. Come see what I'm thinking about for the logo."

The footsteps were all wrong for Mary Caroline, as there seemed to be a quick stutter of steps followed by slow, measured ones. Soon a red-headed little boy ran over to her.

"Can I paint, Aunt Gin? I wanna paint a dragon."

She reached down and picked him up. "Well, Artie, I think that can be arranged." She looked up expecting to see HR or Lily, but it was her godmother, Ginny Potter, who stood in the doorway.

"Don't let him get paint all over, Gin. He's going over to The Burrow later and mum would have a fit."

Gin nodded and stood up, putting Artie on her hip. She walked over to a table that was currently composed of an old door over two sawhorses and picked up a rather large roll of paper. The two of them walked into an empty adjoining room and Gin sat both Artie and the paper down. "Unroll the paper and I'll bring you some paint, ok?"

Her nephew nodded and began unrolling the paper, so Gin returned to the room with the canvas. Instead of going to her paints, though, she walked over to a small box and opened it up, taking out a small strip of primary colors, a large paintbrush and took a glass of water, as well as an empty glass off of the windowsill. She nodded towards her godmother. "Watercolors. They're Mary Caroline's, but she won't mind. Back in a sec."

Ginny watched Virginia kneel down next to Artie on the floor and show him how he only had to use a small amount of water to use the paint. After purposely putting too much water on the paper, and showing him how it didn't work, Virginia took out her wand and repaired the paper. Then she took the brush, dipped it in the water and the black paint, and with efficient, compact strokes made a rudimentary, almost symbolic looking dragon outline. After dipping the brush in the second glass of water she pulled a rag out of her back pocket and wiped the brush clean. She watched Artie begin his first attempt, helped correct how he held the brush, and told him to have fun.

"He'll be good for a while. Would you like some tea? I think we have a kettle around her someplace." Virginia motioned for Ginny to join her in the other room. After finally procuring the kettle and setting about making tea, Gin conjured a pair of chairs and sat down. "I'm sorry I haven't come to see you lately. I've been busy, but that's not a good excuse."

Ginny sat down and nodded. "I had lunch with your mum the other day. So sorry to hear about the name change."

Virginia nodded. "Yeah. Who knew that Williams & Boyd sell plumbing supplies? Williams B Galleries sounds intriguing. Is there an A gallery?" She shrugged. "Right now that's all we'll be, a B-grade gallery unless we can attract some better talent." Gin glanced over at the kettle for a second. "But that's not why you're here, is it? To see how the gallery is coming along?"

"Actually it is." Ginny reached into her bag and brought out a piece of parchment. "After all, I am your oldest patron."

Gin smiled, thinking back on how her godmother had convinced Molly and Arthur Weasley to convert the old chicken coop into her first studio, and how whenever she saw Ginny she mysteriously ended up with a few extra Gnuts, Sickles or the occasional Galleon to spend on art supplies. "That is true. What did you have in mind?"

"I'd like to invest. Not enough to be an owner, mind you, but a silent investor. Emphasis on the silent part." She handed Gin the parchment. "I hope this will be enough to help you get on your feet. Yes, your mum told me that you were thinking about sinking all of your inheritance into this gallery and the one in the UMS. You know your mum. I just didn't want you to have to do that. If you're not comfortable with having an investor, consider it a business loan."

Gin took a look at the parchment and felt her throat tighten. All of the remodeling work for the gallery could be completed, there'd be enough to secure a place in Richmond and she'd have enough left over to attract some top-flight talent. Well, at least one or two good artists. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything right away. Talk to your friend and let me know; there's no expiration on the offer."

Excitement crept into Gin's voice. "I will, I will. Thank you, thank you very much."

The kettle sang its song, so the two witches set about making tea. Once they'd prepared their tea Ginny took a deep breath. "How are you, Gin? We haven't seen you very much lately."

After a sip of tea Virginia shrugged. "Good, I guess. I'm sure mum's told you that I'm going to split my time between Richmond and London. Mary Caroline's doing the same thing. I expected her to be back by now, but she's probably still over at Lavinia's school, working on their art instruction stuff. She's good with the kids."

"Don't sell yourself short, Virginia." Ginny nodded towards the other room. "I saw how you were with Artie. I liked how you showed him how to do things."

"Its how Aunt Candice taught me. You've met her, right? Uncle Ted's wife?"

Ginny nodded. "A long time ago, but yes, I remember her. I didn't realize she painted."

Virginia looked at her godmother for a moment and saw her foot tapping slightly on the floor. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Besides the investment you really came here to see if I've cracked up because I haven't heard from Hugo, right?"

The tapping of Ginny's foot ceased immediately. "Is it that obvious?"

Virginia chuckled softly. "No, you did a rather good job. To answer the question you haven't asked, I'm doing ok. Some days are better than others. I still wish he'd talk to me, though. And it's so hard to avoid your family. So many Weasleys."

Ginny laughed. "Very true. You should have heard what Bill told Harry when we got engaged, telling him that we were everywhere and we'd ruin his life if he messed me about." Her face fell as she realized what she'd said. "Oh bloody hell."

After another sip of tea Gin nodded. "Oh, don't apologize, I understand. Better than most, probably."

Loud music burst forth from the other room, startling both of the witches and almost causing Ginny to lose hold of her teacup. Gin set her teacup on the floor. "I'll be right back."

Gin listened as the music suddenly stopped, and then Virginia told Artie that he wasn't allowed to touch her WUMP, that she would clean him up but he had to clean up the walls. A few moments later she returned and sat down.

"I don't know how you managed, three kids. I don't think I'd ever be able to do that."

Ginny smiled at her. "We'll see."

Two weeks later found Gin once again in Richmond, enjoying the fact that October in her father's old stomping grounds was still warm compared to London. Despite the fact that she would have to have multiple conversations regarding her real identity with the people who had known her as Leda she frankly just didn't give a shit. She'd got her hair cut again, she had on some of her favorite clothing, including that military jacket she'd modified, and along with Mary Caroline they'd just secured the stylish old office building for their gallery. The entire first floor.

"So what are we going to do to celebrate? Big dinner and then drinks?" Mary Caroline flashed her a smile and wiggled her sunglasses by pushing down on the temple pieces behind her ears. "Seafood? Sushi? I heard there's a new band playing down in The Holler at Two Chopt, Rocket Something."

"Rocket what?"

"No, that's their name. Rocket Something."

Gin pushed her bangs out of her sunglasses, still amazed at the fall sunlight that fell through the trees that lined the Fan District street. "Not sushi, I had that the other day." She wondered about where to go and it popped into her head almost immediately. "The little French place down in Carytown. I could use a good martini."

"Isn't that place expensive?"

"Not tonight." Gin pulled out the keys to her Jeep and unlocked it. "Come on, we're celebrating. We can afford one good night out. Merlin knows we deserve it."

"You said it, partner." Mary Caroline climbed into the Jeep, buckled up and looked at Gin through the open driver's side door. "Let's stop back at our apartment first. Oh, sorry, the flat." She giggled.

"That sounds so weird in your accent." Gin buckled up and started the Jeep. "Say 'pop by the flat and have a cup of tea.' Come on, do it for me."

"Fine."

After Mary Caroline said the phrase Gin broke out in a fit of the giggles. In retaliation Mary Caroline to made Gin say 'Well bless her heart, she just can't make grits worth a damn' in her best Scottish accent. As it wasn't Gin's usual accent, which normally was a mash of her father's slight Southern accent, her Mum's London accent and a mix of Stintborough thrown in for good measure, it came out an unmitigated mess.

When the two of them had finished cracking each other up and finally arrived at the old house where their apartment was located, Gin looked over to Mary Caroline oddly. "There's someone on our porch. Don't look right away."

Of course Mary Caroline immediately looked over to their porch. "Do you know him? He's cute."

"Never seen him before in my life. Maybe he's here for someone else. Come on, and keep your wand close. Let's find out what this dodgy guy's up to."

As the girls walked towards the building the young man stood up and Gin took him in with a quick glance. Fairly tall, thick dark brown curly hair that fell over his eyes slightly, jeans and shoes that looked a little too nice for the sorts of people who frequented her building. Gin looked at Mary Caroline out of the corner of her eye and her partner nodded slightly.

"Hey there, can we help you?" Mary Caroline stopped a few feet away from the porch. "Looking for someone?"

"Yes, perhaps you can help me. I'm looking for Virginia Boyd."

Gin eyed him warily. The accent was English, putting her on her guard. "I'm Virginia. Do I know you?"

He hesitated a second and then shook his head negatively. "Nice to meet you. Sorry about popping up at your flat unexpectedly. I'm Peter Pyle. Al Potter said if I ever ended up in this fair city I should look you up. I met Al on one of his last films."

"Oh, you're an actor?" Mary Caroline brightened immediately, causing Gin to roll her eyes. Ever since meeting Finn Waters that disastrous night she spoke to Hugo, all her partner could do was talk about how much she liked English 'boys' more than the usual Virginians she'd dated.

Peter shook his head. "No, afraid not. Mostly I just kept the tea trolley stocked. I want to make films, and, well, bottom rung and all that."

He rubbed his chin with the last three fingers of his right hand, and Gin felt an odd sense of recognition. Before she could think about it further she heard Mary Caroline say that something sounded wonderful. She turned to her with suspicion and leaned in so only Mary Caroline could hear. "What did you just agree to?"

"Shush, sweetie. We're going to get a free meal out of this."

Peter walked down the steps and stood in front of them and once again Gin felt a sense of familiarity, but this time it wasn't an action, it was a smell. She knew that smell. Banishing the memories from her mind she smiled at Peter.

"As I said, I'm sorry to arrive unannounced. Dinner is the least I can do, that way you can fill me in about this city. I have so many questions, especially about the statues on that one street. I'm afraid I don't know my way around very well, so perhaps I could meet you back here before we go out? The night is on me, ladies. With that settled I have some errands to run, so I'll meet you back at, what should we say, seven? Is that too early?"

"Seven is fine, thank you. We'll see you then!" Mary Caroline nodded at him, grabbed Gin's arm and half-pulled her up the steps to their building. They stopped at the door, waved at Peter, and watched him walk away.

Gin lowered her chin and fixed her roommate with a glare. "I hope you know what you're doing."

The night had been fun; even with her initial reservations Gin had to admit it. They'd all shared a lavish meal at the restaurant, including two bottles of wine, enough that Gin left her Jeep parked on a side street and they'd shared a taxi to the closest entry point for Two Chopt. As they rode over in the taxi, Peter on the far side of the back seat and Mary Caroline next to him, Gin kept thinking back about their dinner conversation. It was obvious that he knew Al, and not just from the commonly known facts. He had mentioned Erin, and even the little Celtic knot tattoo that Al had on his arm, so it wasn't just the random things that people would know from reading the fan magazines. That had made her feel more comfortable, led her to let her guard down on the fact that he wasn't some random stalker.

The little club in Two Chopt was even more fun, and after a few more drinks and once the opening band left the stage Gin let herself go with the music. After the first set, when the band was on break, she even bummed a cigarette from a girl with frightening taste in clothing and went outside to get some air and pollute her lungs. She hadn't had a cigarette in ages, and after the food, the music and all of the drinks at the club it tasted wonderful. Mary Caroline was giving Peter all of her best Southern girl moves, as Gin called them, and even though he was polite they didn't seem to be working. That surprised her, as she'd found a letter to her from Finn Waters on the table the other day, so she'd obviously impacted at least one Englishman.

She'd successfully bummed another smoke off of a wizard who looked suspiciously underage, but after looking around for a light she saw a wand at the end of her cigarette, a small, controlled flame waiting for her. She leaned over and lit the cigarette and saw Peter standing next to her.

"Thanks. Been a long time since I've smoked, but I just needed them tonight."

"Glad to help out a lady in need." Peter leaned against the wall next to Gin. "I know I probably shouldn't ask, and my mum would be aghast at my lack of manners, but you were engaged to Hugo Weasley, correct?"

Gin exhaled the smoke forcefully. "Shit. Yes, I was. Listen, Peter, you seem like a nice bloke, and you're friends with Al, but I don't want to talk about it."

He moved away from her slightly, but turned back. "Listen, I know, completely inappropriate, especially after what you just said, but when I arrived today I asked someone for directions, and they called you Leda. Led to a horribly confusing conversation which somehow resulted in me insulting the man. Anyway, the fact that I barely escaped a physical confrontation isn't the thing here, is it? Why the name change? I think it would be advantageous being named Virginia in, well, Virginia."

Gin considered slapping him and walking away, but something about the way he stood there gave her a feeling that she could trust him. She hadn't told anybody what had happened, not even Mary Caroline, and it had been building up inside her for so long that she just wanted it out. After taking a long drag off the cigarette she swept her hair off of her face, bangles jingling.

"I've known Hugo all my life. He's one of my brother's best friends, and he'd always been around the house. I think it was somewhere in my fourth year when I really noticed him, and not as one of HR's mates. Nothing really happened for a long time, as he was rather popular with the girls, but when the war started I began writing him. That's when things really started, and I found out how wonderful he really is. He's so smart, funny, so many good qualities that I don't have enough time to explain. Besides, I'm not good with words, just art. Dad's the writer. Anyway, when he came back from the war everything just went into this accelerated hyper-reality, where things are so good that you feel like you need to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming."

She tossed the cigarette onto the ground and put it out with the toe of her boot. Peter watched her intently, hanging on to her every action, and to Gin he seemed to be breathlessly waiting for he words. After sighing she looked over to him. "You really want to hear all this?"

He didn't say a word but simply nodded.

"Right. We got engaged at the party that happened after he'd returned, his welcome home party. My little sister got engaged at the same time, and he asked me in the kitchen of my parents' house. I still can't believe it; I accepted his proposal by just saying 'sure.' Looking back on it now I completely went about it the wrong way; he'd wanted to the big, grand gesture, but I stopped that in its tracks. Shouldn't have done that. Ok, now Hugo had to start his Auror training. I had been working at my mum's magazine and had just been sacked, so I decided that I'd go to Italy and study painting with this supposedly wonderful Muggle art instructor. We'd been apart for so long that what was another few months? We had the rest of our lives to be together. But when I got to Italy I just kind of fell apart. I was scared. I didn't want to be the little Auror arm-candy wife, happy to stay at home and pop out fourteen kids. I wanted to do something with my art, to open a gallery, something more than what I saw ahead of me. And one day I just walked into my art class, quit, packed a bag and moved to Richmond. If I couldn't be myself I would be someone else, and that's when I became Leda."

Gin looked over to the empty area around the club and heard the music begin, but she didn't care about the band. She just wanted another drink and another cigarette.

"So, you've decided to become someone else. What happened next?" Peter had his hands clasped behind his back and slightly rocked on the balls of his feet. "Why would that end it with Hugo?"

"Oh, I found a way to end it, definitely." Gin sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She kept her eyes shut as she knew that if she looked at anything she would begin crying, and she couldn't do that. "I met the little wizarding art community here, it's small but there's definitely some talent. I went to an opening for a girl I know whose sculptures were displayed for the first time, and of course there was a party afterwards. You might not know it but I can really hold my liquor. That's what's still, to this day, so confusing. I remember having a couple of drinks, only a couple, and the next thing I remember is waking up the next day. In bed with an artist named Chance. Naked."

"You were slipped a potion." Peter's voice was flat and hard. "He drugged you."

"It's the only explanation I can think of, and I've been over it so many times I could scream." Gin opened her eyes. "I thought that it was over, that I could block it out, that it was a slip. That was it. I knew I'd have to tell Hugo eventually, I can't lie to him, never could. Most people I can either be nasty to or ignore and they'll leave a topic alone, but not with Hugo. He knows me too well. I managed to block it out for a while but then I…for a week I thought I might be pregnant." She shuddered and crossed her arms over her chest. "It was during that week that I sent Hugo's ring back. I couldn't bear to think that I'd…how could he raise a baby that wasn't his? By the time I found out I wasn't pregnant it was too late. It's all too late. I threw it all away." Tears began to fall and she angrily reached up and wiped them away. "Why the bloody hell am I telling you this? I just met you. I need to go."

She started to walk away but Peter reached out and grabbed her arm. "It's never too late. Tell him what you told me. Do you still love him?"

"I tried. He's too angry, and he has every right to be. Do I love him? I'll always love him." She jerked her arm away from him, leaving him standing alone outside the club as the music pounded through the brick walls.