Dissclaimer: I don't own anything
Ginny sat on her bed, running a brush through her hair. Gabrielle's bed was directly next to hers, only separated by a night stand. Her friend was going through her nightly ritual of braiding her hair while singing a lullaby her mother taught her. It soothed Ginny every time, without fail.
And in that moment, she needed it.
When Gabrielle finished her singing, Ginny held her brush still. It had been an eventful day, and she felt all of her energy draining within seconds. "I need a bubble bath."
"And to think you came to me with a lust for dirt," Gabrielle grinned. "Now you love soft things and feeling pretty. One year in the Palace and you knew you were born to be a princess."
Ginny didn't respond. "Apparently that's true. Maybe not a princess, but a rich Mistress Black. Who would've thought?"
"Oh Ginny," Gabrielle shook her head. "You were so strong tonight."
"It's what they taught me," Ginny answered. "Beauxbatons creates some of the best politicians and international associates. I should be good at social situations."
"But it's just us right now," Gabrielle encouraged. Ginny still didn't say anything, so the blonde girl hopped up from her bed and came to sit before her friend. "Do you remember when we first moved into our dormitory? You were scared, but so strong."
"And you told me that we would be best friends," Ginny jumped in. "You could see right through my facade, and you told me that I didn't need to be scared because I wasn't alone."
"Exactly," Gabrielle beamed. "And that applies now. You don't have to be scared, because you aren't alone. Think of Harry right now. He has nobody in this house right now, because he must feel some anger towards Master Black and most likely can't find comfort in him. But you...you have me."
"And that's all I need for now," Ginny said. She hugged her friend, who kissed both her cheeks before gliding back to her own bed. "What did you think of Harry's friends?"
"Luna was a dream," Gabrielle smiled. "I think we'll be the best of friends. Hermione was a little more reserved, but I think I could like her."
"She's so intelligent, and Ron fancies her. You can tell she's driven young woman and I hope I get to know her better."
"I also loved seeing my sister, though on the arm of your brother was quite a shock. Who would've thought that out families would join one day?"
"They aren't engaged yet," Ginny rolled her eyes. She paused and thought of Bill's handsome features. "Though they would make a lovely couple."
"I agree," Gabrielle yawned. "Oh my. I do believe the day is finally catching up with me."
Ginny felt the heaviness in her bones increase and agreed. "Goodnight, my friend."
"Oui, Goodnight, Ginny."
"He's so handsome!"
"He's only nine, dearie," Molly reminded her daughter. "And you're only eight."
"It doesn't matter," Ginny giggled. "I love him. We're going to be married one day."
Molly chuckled. "Just keep thinking that way, and it's sure to happen."
"Oh it will," Ginny promised. "Just you wait, Mummy. It will."
)-(
When Harry awoke to the sound of his alarm clock, he wanted to shoot the wall. He knew he needed to be awake early to get a run in before leaving for the internship, but he was still highly irritated by it. Every morning, it was the same battle with himself: to run or not to run.
Once he managed to pull himself from his bed, Harry donned his running clothes and tied his trainers on. He did a few jumping jacks to get his blood flowing, then went ahead and left his room. As usual, the house was still dark. He knew his way around, however, so he went on without expecting to collide with another human at the first floor landing.
"Bollocks!" Harry cursed, reaching out to catch the person. He felt a thin, but sturdy pair of arms and realized that he could see the white of someone's eyes. Their form was slightly pressed to his, giving him a moment to assure they were female.
"Harry?" a voice said. "I'm so sorry."
"Ginny?"
"Yeah, again, so sorry," she said in the darkness. "I didn't think anybody was up and thought I could slip out."
"Slip out?"
"I like to run really early in the mornings," Ginny explained. "I always think it's the best time, and I've gotten into quite the habit of it."
Harry blanched. "Oh. Well, I'm headed out to do the same."
"Oh."
There was an awkward silence for a moment. Harry pinched himself on the arm to bring his mind into focus; he needed to make it work, right? Well, he had to start somewhere.
"Would you like to run together?" he asked nervously. His voice seemed the wrong pitch when he spoke, almost like it had when he was going through puberty. The cracked sound made him chastise himself. Funny how he was practically engaged to the girl and he couldn't even work up enough courage to sound like an actual man.
"That would be lovely," she answered. He felt a little less silly. "Thank you."
"No problem. Err, I guess we should get going."
They went the rest of the way in silence. Ginny was a much focused runner, beginning with an intense look in her eyes. She was determined, eyes set on a fixed point somewhere in the distance. Harry continued to marvel at her strong, yet gentle nature, even when he turned away. She was so soft, cool and collected, where he tended to act on emotion and give off a warmer vibe that suggested he rolled with the current, changing as he went.
The more they ran, the more Harry enjoyed glancing at her face. He tripped more than once because he was so focused on how she lost tension with every bounce of her step and swish of her ponytail. Her face smoothed into a relaxed and peaceful look.
Developing feelings for her was going to be very easy.
When they finished running and did cool down stretches, the pair returned to the house. Harry commented that he was hungry. Agreeing, she followed him into the kitchen. Ginny jumped at seeing a woman and man in there cooking.
"Hello," the woman smiled. She was plump in a good way, with frazzled brown curls and bright blue eyes. "Harry, who is this?"
"Ginny Weasley," Harry replied, kissing the older woman's cheek. "Ginny, this is Isabel and her husband, Marcus. They do all the cooking since Kreacher struggles with his age. Unless your Mum comes over to cook, of course."
"It's lovely to meet you," Ginny nodded to each. Marcus stopped chopping vegetables and kissed her hand gallantly. She giggled.
"It's an honor to meet you, Milady."
"Just Ginny will do fine."
Harry groaned. "Not you as well."
Before Ginny could question, Marcus turned on Harry. "Just Harry, what would you like for breakfast? We've already got a ham and pickle sandwich and crisps, an apple, and pumpkin juice for packed lunch for our grown up Just Harry."
"Oh I see," Ginny nodded. "I've made a grave mistake, it seems."
Harry shot her a look that made her laugh again. She sat with him at the table in the kitchen. Harry was waiting, looking around the room as if that would inspire him. "I'd just like a fry up with pumpkin juice."
"Alright," Marcus turned to Ginny. "And Just Ginny? What will you be having?"
"Umm..." she trailed off, not sure how to explain that she didn't eat a typical English breakfast.
Isabel cut in. "Master Sirius told us last week that you would be arriving, so we've chocolate croissants, plain croissants, and an assortment of jams for your liking. We also have hot chocolate."
Ginny smiled in relief. "To drink, I'd like hot chocolate, with a glass of water. And a chocolate croissant with whatever fruit you have on hand would be lovely."
"Strawberries and grapes will do, yes?"
"Yes," she agreed. When she turned back to Harry, he was gaping at her. "What?"
"How can you eat so little?" he exclaimed. "I eat a full breakfast and I'm still hungry by ten thirty!"
"I can't eat a heavy breakfast," she shrugged. "If I do, I feel sick."
He simply shook his head. "We're going to have to get you used to English food again."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Who says I won't have you eating French food by New Years?"
"Because," he smirked. "We're on English soil. I have the advantage."
Ginny felt a blush creep up her neck. For the first time in eight years, she felt attraction to Harry. It wasn't as innocent as it had been so long ago, but it was most definitely just as real. He must've noticed her looking strangely, because he tilted his head. "Are you alright?"
He's as oblivious as ever, she mentally sighed. "Yes, I'm fine."
Ginny was given her water, Harry his pumpkin juice. There was an awkward silence before he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, I work at the ministry for an internship through Hogwarts. So Sirius and I'll be leaving soon after breakfast."
"What do you do there?" Ginny asked, realizing she knew nothing about Harry. The thought that she was to marry him and she didn't know him anymore stressed her immensely.
"I work as a sort of assistant to the head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour," he explained. "Some of my friends work there too, in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures—Luna in the Spirit Division, and Hermione for the head. Ron works under Sirius in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Sirius is head of the British and Irish Quidditch Division."
"Brilliant," Ginny shook her head. Her croissant and fruit were placed in front of her by Isabel, who gave a motherly smile. "Thank you."
"What will you do during the days while Sirius and I are gone?" Harry asked as he dove into his own food.
"I'm actually going to spend the day with my mum," she said stiffly.
Harry stopped scooping up his beans. When they fell off the spoon, he just set it down awkwardly. "Oh."
"She asked me to last night," she went on. "I couldn't say no."
"I haven't spoken to Sirius since we were all in the library," Harry replied. "I don't how we're supposed to take the trip to work."
"You have to forgive him," Ginny explained. "Especially since he was trying to do the right thing. He...well, Sirius is all the family you have; all the good family anyway. All he ever wanted was the best for you."
"How do you know that?"
"I saw it in his eyes," she smiled. "I'm trained in diplomacy, Harry, and I know how to read people."
He shifted. "Still. I don't know how to handle it."
"Well," Ginny reached across the table and grabbed his hand. He looked utterly shocked, making her smile. "You don't have to go through it alone."
After a moment of hesitation, Harry squeezed her hand back.
)-(
"I'm exhausted."
"Maybe you shouldn't have had so much firewhiskey," Dean grinned.
"Shut up," Ron grumped. "I need a hangover potion."
"You need to learn to take responsibility for your drinking," Lavender giggled.
"You're too loud," he groaned, setting his head down.
Harry laughed and ate his sandwich, watching as Lavender and Seamus poked and bothered Ron. He looked a couple tables over in the lunch room and saw Granger sitting alone. He kicked Ron under the table, who then threatened to stab him with a fork.
Harry glanced over at Granger. "Well if you don't like us so much, then go find somewhere else to sit."
"What?" Ron asked incredulously. "What do you...oh."
"Yeah, go on," Lavender nudged him. "Be a man."
"She won't say no to you, Ron," Luna assured him.
"Yeah," Neville said. "She's talked about you. I think she's hot for ya."
Ron gathered his lunch up. "Right. I'll go. I'll be a man."
Still looking uneasy, the group of friends watched Ron walk over to his crush. He asked if he could sit down, thoroughly surprising the girl. She nodded, moving her books aside. Ron moved to sit down and—
...and promptly threw up all over her.