CHAPTER 6!

Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong,
And no one understands you
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears your screaming

Welcome to my Life – Simple Plan

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Ginny,

The girls (Lavender, Parvati, Padma, and myself) want to invite you to lunch. We feel like you've dropped off the face of the earth since the dinner party at your home last week ago, and we'd like to make sure that you are still alive and well. Also, (probably much to your dismay) we have not forgotten that your birthday is only 2 days away. We would like to organize a present for you, and maybe a dinner party. Anyway, we were wondering if you would meet us at 12 o'clock (on the dot!!) at the Three Broomsticks so that we can check your pulse and ascertain that you are indeed still with us.

We miss you!

Love Hermione xx

Ginny laughed at the letter she held in her hand. Hermione didn't often have a very good sense of humour, but it was oh so cute when she tried. She quickly scribbled a reply and sent it off with Hermione's owl Sebastien, and got ready for her morning run. Harry had left for work already, something for which she was rather thankful.

He had given her a serve about losing her phone again, but had purchased a new one on his way home from work. Other than the ripping remarks, and a lecture about wandering around Paris on her own, he wasn't speaking to her. Needless to say she was grateful for the peace.

She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, left, and locked the apartment after her. She had her little muggle device that played music pushed into the space between her chest and her bra, screaming music at her. Newfangled thing as it was, she enchanted it to play non stop, and to respond to commands from her voice.

She was half way around the park that she ran at, when she ran, clean into another woman.

"I'm so sorry!" she panted, taking her headphones out.

"No, don't be. It was all my fault. I'm Julie," she replied, holding out her hand.

Ginny laughed at the irony of it. "I'm Virginia. Call me Ginny,"

"Nice to meet you. I'm so sorry about that,"

"Oh don't worry. I'm sure it was as much fault as anyone's!"

"Right. Well, I should probably get going. It was nice to meet you,"

"Yeah, you too. Catch you around!"

Julie waved and ran away, and Ginny laughed once more, before putting her headphones back in and running the rest of the way around the park.

She got back to her apartment at around 11, and took a quick shower before heading into her little walk in wardrobe to work out what to wear. She pulled on her underwear, and browsed her pants, before deciding on a blue dress, with a belt tied around her waist line. She pulled on her boots, pinned her hair up in a bun, and tidied up her make up, before heading into the kitchen to grab a drink.

Gin,

Hope you're doing okay. D told us about your little trip to Paris the other day, how exciting! I can't believe he took you shopping, I am so incredibly jealous. It's totally not fair. B never takes me shopping anymore, it's so aggravating. Although I do steal all his charge cards and spend thousands of galleons on clothes all by myself…and then rack up huge lunch and dinner bills, not to mention my phone bills…I love phones. Best thing muggles invented really. Anyways, so we were thinking little get together for your birthday, nothing big. You me, B, D, maybe some of your less biased little friends (if you have any). Let me know ok? Love you and miss you heaps, B and D send their love!

Love, L…xx

Ginny grinned. Luna wasn't very good at hiding her identity, but whatever. She grabbed a self-inking quill out of the bench drawer and a piece of parchment, and scribbled quickly:

Hey you!

I would totally love to hang out with you guys on my birthday. I'm not quite sure if inviting any of my other friends would be a good idea, because all I really have are Ron and Hermione, and God only knows how they would take that invitation. But I will most definitely hang with you guys – I'll have to find an excuse to escape my darling husband, but I'll work it out. He kind of hates me right now anyway, which works out well in my favor. See you soon!!

Love Gin…xx

Satisfied, she grabbed a bottle of Butterbeer out of her fridge and popped the cap expertly, checking her watch.

"I have 15 minutes before I have to leave…bugger it, I'll just go now. Chances are there'll be someone there I know anyway, so no big," she held her Butterbeer tightly and apparated out of the apartment and into the arrivals room of the Three Broomsticks.

"Virginia Weasley!" Rosmerta cried, excitedly. "What can I get you miss? Anything, everything on the house for you!"

"Rosie, as I've told you a million times, call me Ginny. And I think I've told you a million and one times, I'm paying you, and that's the end of it. I have a traveler, but I can guarantee it will be gone in a few, so we'll talk soon!"

Rosmerta smiled, and showed her to the table reserved for the 5 girls. War had not been kind to Rosie. After the incident in Ginny's 5th year, when Draco had used her under the Imperius curse, her pub had been taken off her. Boarded up and dusty, it had sat there until the middle of Ginny's 6th year, when Draco had purchased it with his father's money, and employed Rosmerta as a form of apology. He paid her inflated wages, and after a year, she bought it back. Voldemort had taken out Draco's betrayal on Hogsmeade – the closest he could get to Hogwarts, and Rosmerta had been tortured. A large scar ran down the left side of her face, the result of what Voldemort saw as her own betrayal to him. She had chosen not to have it removed, as a reminder of her mistakes. He had burnt the Three Broomsticks to the ground.

When Voldemort was defeated however, and Draco released, he had rebuilt the Three Broomsticks from the ground up, and once again employed Rosmerta under inflated wages until she could buy it back. He blamed himself for her losses, and poured money into the business at every opportunity he got.

Ginny was contemplating all of this, when the waitress delivered her a drink.

"One on the house, compliments of the owner," she said.

Ginny scowled lightheartedly at Rosmerta, before laughing and waving in thanks.

"Milking in the spoils of your title again eh?" Hermione whispered in her ear, scaring her.

"Hermione!" she squealed, jumping up to hug her friend.

"I can't believe that you put yourself in that position Ginny!"

"What position?"

"That article never should have been published. It never should have happened in the first place!" Hermione exclaimed, taking a seat.

"Oh come on, we talked about this. How long has it been since I smiled like that?"

"Since before you married Harry," Hermione replied, begrudgingly.

"Well, it can't have been all that bad. Besides, a very good thing came out of it,"

"Which is?"

"Harry isn't speaking to me," Ginny said, grinning.

Hermione laughed in spite of herself. "That's a horrible thing to say!"

"But true nonetheless. My life hasn't been this peaceful in like, 4 years!"

"God, has it been that long?"

"Mhmm. How weird is it? I can remember my 7th year as if it were yesterday. I – "

"Hooked up with the Slytherin Sex God?" Lavender finished from behind her. Ginny grinned.

"Well, yes. There was that. How are you Lavender? Parvati?"

She hugged each in turn, and looked around. "Where's Padma. She's never too far behind,"

"Getting drinks. She'll be here in – never mind,"

"Hi Ginny!" Padma exclaimed, hugging her neck from behind.

"Hey Padma, how are you?"

"Forget me! I want to hear the story of you and Draco Malfoy!"

"Oh my God. Is that what you're all hear for?" she asked. They all looked at her, expectantly.

"But Hermione you've already heard this!"

"Yes, but it's awfully romantic. I want to hear it again,"

"You know, as Harry's best friend, you're not being all that loyal!"

"Harry doesn't have a romantic bone in his body! Draco Malfoy however, knew how to treat a girl,"

"From what I hear, he still does," Parvati replied, giggling.

"Oh really? I must ask him about that," Ginny said, smiling, but her heart ached. How many girls had he been with since I married Harry…he has every right to, it just…hurts.

"Come on! Tell us the story!" Lavender exclaimed.

"I thought we were here to talk about my birthday?"

"Ginny Weasley, if you attempt to change the subject again I will hex you into oblivion. Tell the damn story!" Padma exclaimed.

"Bollocks! Alright, but I'm giving you the short version which is nowhere near as romantic. Back in my sixth year, we had to share a dorm because we were the Head students. Anyway, I used to stress out a lot, and I was still moping over Harry, and I had some…well I guess you could say deadly habits. Anyway, one night he came in and found me all bloody and crying, and he told me some stories and we just sort of sat for a while. Then we started talking a little bit more, and we used to study together and stuff like that. Then, about half way through the year, he found me all upset, and he made hot chocolate and then he and Blaise and Luna took me to my first ever Slytherin Party. Then on the night of his graduation, he told me he loved me, and we were together like, my entire 7th year. He used to sneak up to the castle and into my room,"

"That's so sweet!" Lavender gushed.

"Aren't I just?"

Ginny whipped around to find Draco next to their table.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, smiling.

"Hermione, ladies. I'm just doing a bit of shopping. It's a friends birthday in a few days, and I have to get her something, or she'll kill me,"

"You're going to get me killed, you know that. Get out of here before I hex you," she replied. "On second thoughts, what are you buying me?"

"Bye ladies!" he waved, and apparated out.

"Arsehole,"

"Oh my God. He's gotten hotter," Parvati sighed.

"I know. The downsides of being married," Padma added.

"He's not that good," Ginny sulked.

"Oh my God, as if you wouldn't go for him if you weren't married to Harry!" Parvati exclaimed laughing.

"If I wasn't married to Harry, I'd be married to Draco!" Ginny replied, smiling slightly.

"Fair point," Hermione said. "But your brother would have killed you,"

"Actually, I'm amazed at how supportive everyone has been! You wouldn't believe what mum did,"

"What?"

"After I told her my little story, and how Harry had blackmailed me, she actually replaced my wedding photo with the one from the Prophet. To remind her of the day her daughter came back to her, or some shit like that!"

"Wow, that's so sweet. I would have thought she'd kill you," Parvati replied.

A waitress sidled up and pulled out a note pad. "Are you ladies ready to order?"

"Yeah sure…"

After a very satisfying, deep-fried lunch, Ginny and the others sat around the table, feeling, but not looking, very bloated indeed.

"I haven't eaten that much in like, forever!" Parvati exclaimed.

"Me either. That was so good!" Padma replied.

"Well, item of business number…well God knows. Ginny's birthday!" Hermione said, sitting up more in her chair, and staring at Ginny.

"Oh holy hell," Ginny whispered dramatically.

"Ooh yeah!" Lavender squealed.

"Well, I'm busy that night, so it's out," Ginny informed them.

"Is Harry taking you out?" Hermione inquired, looking surprised.

"As if that little fun sucker would know what to do for me on my birthday! I probably won't even see him!"

"Really?" Padma asked.

"Oh yeah. He's barely spoken to me since that article came out. Actually tried to apologize so he could sleep with me. I told him to go visit Ms Davis and leave me alone,"

The girls laughed, and Ginny felt quite pleased. She was rather sick of Harry's feeble attempts to apologize. Every time he came near her, she felt her stomach and winced, bringing tears to her eyes. Fake tears of course, but just enough to anger him.

"Well, what about the night after your birthday? We could go out for dinner or something?" Lavender asked.

"Dinner sounds good. Maybe after that we can do something fun,"

"Like what?" Hermione asked.

"We could go back to my place, kick the boys out…maybe hire a stripper…" Lavender replied.

The four girls giggled slightly, and Ginny nodded. "I am going to get spoilt, wasted and have the best time of my life," she exclaimed, raising her glass into the air.

"I agree!" Parvati replied, clinking her glass to Ginny's.

"Guys, do you really think this is a good idea?" Hermione asked, slightly unsure.

"Hermione, if you're going to spoil it for me, you can go. Let's face it, it's not going to happen anyway. Apart from the fact that our husbands would tear us apart bit by bit, lets be honest; we are society's elite now. We don't do fun," Ginny replied, her face falling.

"How to ruin a good daydream,"

"Well, let's leave it in the dreams. Dinner it is?" Parvati asked.

"Dinner it is," Ginny replied.

When Ginny apparated home, it was to find Harry slumped over the kitchen table, a smashed bottle of Firewhisky on the floor.

"Oh no…" Ginny whispered, cleaning up the mess the bottle had made first. If he had passed out, chances are he wasn't waking up soon, so she had time to clean up his mess first.

When that was done, she lifted his arm and put it over her neck, grabbed him around the middle, and dragged him to the bedroom, dumping him on the bed.

"Weasley you dolt, you're a witch, why didn't you just use magic for that!" she exclaimed, reprimanding herself and whacking her forehead with her hand. "Harry? Harry?"

He grunted at her, and began to snore.

So this is what I married…joy! "Aguamenti!" she yelled, pointing her wand at him, and practically drowning him in water. He sat up, coughing an spluttering, and she quickly dried him, and the sheets before he realized what she had done.

"Evening Harry,"

"Oh God, my head is thumping. What did you do to me?" he moaned.

"I've been out for lunch with the girls, don't blame me! I came home to find you slumped on the table next to a smashed bottle of Ogden's finest,"

"I was so angry…so angry and I can't actually remember why…"

"That's alright, it'll come to you," she replied, smiling. After everything he'd done, she enjoyed seeing him like this, but she did feel some form of pity.

"Am I really such a bad husband?" he asked.

She lifted up her shirt so he could see her stomach and removed the glamours from her skin. The purple bruise appeared slowly back on her skin. It seemed to have gotten worse, rather than better. He cringed.

"Did I actually do that?"

"Yep, and it hurts like hell!"

"Why don't you get rid of it? It's just a simple flick of your wand,"

"Because I want to let it heal. I want you to see what you did to me, and I wish to God that I had the courage to show Ron. He would probably inflict the same wounds on you…plus some!" she exclaimed.

"Don't sound so happy about the idea,"

"Well, what do you expect?"

"Take pity on me, I have a headache!"

"Oh please," she snorted in disgust. "I am not going to take pity on you, you did this yourself! I will not bow down to you like the rest of the wizarding world, because unlike them, I see your faults. I know that you're only human!"

"You used to think I was perfect,"

"That was before I married you, before I met Ms Davis,"

"Can we please not fight?" he asked, lying back down on the bed.

"I don't understand why you won't just let me go. Neither of us are happy," she sighed, sitting back down next to him.

"Because I don't want you with him. He'd just lord it over me!"

"Oh Harry, he's not that bad! He only hates you because you stole me!"

"Yea sure. Oh, I remember why I got drunk. Your little friend is going to be the new Potions master at Hogwarts, and nothing I say will change McGonagall's mind!"

"Well, you have to admit, he was the best at Potions in your year. Even Hermione admits that,"

"Yeah but why him! Anyone but him!"

"What's the problem Harry? If he's living at Hogwarts, then he's away from you!"

"Yeah, but not from you," Harry replied, sulkily.

"What do you mean? Unless you've gone totally off the deep end Harry, Hogwarts is in Scotland, I'm in London!"

Harry pulled a crumpled letter out of his pocket and handed it to her glumly.

"I wasn't going to give this to you, but McGonagall said that if I didn't she'd curse my ears off," he said, as she opened it.

Mrs. Virginia Potter,

We are pleased to offer you the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year of 2002. The present master of the subject, Professor Remus J. Lupin, is retiring after a fairly short stay at our school, and after reviewing your grades and aptness in the subject, the School governors and myself would like to offer you the position.

Please owl us back before June 31st with your decision, as the books and class schedules depend on your acceptance. We await your owl, and will be immensely pleased if you would join us for the new school year.

Yours,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts

"Oh my fucking God," Ginny whispered, amazed.

"So you see my dilemma. I can't keep you here forever. I can force you not to go, but…well anyway, Hermione will be there to look after you I suppose,"

"Hermione?" Ginny asked, surprised.

"Yeah, it seems this is the year for retirement. Snape, Remus and Flitwick are all leaving. You, Hermione and Ferret face have been offered their positions,"

"Oh my God,"

"Are you going to do it?"

"Of course I am! This is the opportunity of a lifetime!"

She glanced at him briefly as she ran out of the room to owl McGonagall and Draco, and to call Hermione. It crossed her mind, looking at him on the bed, that he might actually be just as battered and broken as she was…