Chapter 2: Battleaxes
In which I see her fire.
...
Of course when I wrote that Hogwarts is more cheerful, I meant that it isn't. Since the start of term it's been almost as if Snape as replaced the suits of armor with Dementors.
What's gotten into that girl?
Seamus answers Colin at dinner a few days later, Who?
Ginny Weasley, who else? She's always alone. And she never speaks, just stares off.
Seamus chews a radish as thoughtfully as radishes can be chewed. She's got a right to be. Now that Harry's off, God knows where. And they all say her brother's got spattergroit but I don't believe that for all the gold in Gringotts. Not to mention Hermione was one of her best mates.
Colin looks at her for longer than necessary. When he talks it's like he's whispering to her, or whatever Ginny he has in his head.
Soon, you and I. We'll get married, He tells us.
...
When I see her I stop breathing. There, in the sand pit on the edge of the lake, she spoke with a voice so sweet you'd believe in miracles.
So?
So what?
My pussy. Don't you want to see it?
Ginny Weasley, her uniform tight at her waist, kicked at the sand. What sort of joke is she playing?
How much? I ask only to catch her off guard or scare her away, but she just smiles.
Whatever you like.
I'm broke.
I know you are. So am I. If I wanted money I'd go elsewhere.
And she won't take her eyes off me. She looks so unashamed at her words she could be talking about Quidditch or spellwork.
Why do you want to show it to me?
Ginny shrugs and the movement of her shoulders kills me.
Can I ask you something? She shrugs again. Merlin. You've been awfully quiet this year. When we all got back to Hogwarts, well, after everything I sort of expected you to be one of the loudest voices. And everyone's really confused with Harry gone. We all thought you'd have your shit together. Have your battle ax all sharpened and ready, you know?
I don't have a battle ax, Neville.
News to me.
She almost laughs.
When I listen to Alecto in class I get so angry, I can't stand it. I want to scream at her, curse her into oblivion- but I know that won't help. I smuggled back a bottle of Charlie's fire whiskey, in case. I had to break it out my first night back. I was drinking alone in my dormitory and I found this-
Ginny hands me something from her pocket that's the size and shape of a gobstone. Whatever it was I could barely see it with the disillusionment charm that was placed on it.
Fred and George, she explains. It's an enhanced receiver for my wizards wireless. Fits in my ear so I can't hear what's going on around me and charmed so no one can hear the noise. No matter how loud it is. That first night I was still so angry. The whiskey didn't help. I just put them in, spun the dial to a random station.
And who was on the radio?
The Buzzcocks. Even Fallen In Love. It's stupid, yeah. But when I just can't take it I turn up the volume and pretend.
That's why you're ignoring everyone?
Some people aren't worth talking to.
And me?
I told you, I just feel like it today.
But not other days?
Depends.
Why's that?
Cause you're not the only one.
You mean Harry, and Dean, and—
She frowns so I understand the topic is closed. Sitting down on the old tire swing that's on the edge of the sandpit Ginny looks at the ground.
Take it or leave it, Nev.
Well, what would you do?
Yes, I'd like to see it.
Her face lights up as she asks if I prefer a 'quickie' or a 'longie'
A quickie I just lift my skirt, Ginny explains. A longie is on the swing.
The swing is not long enough, I tell her.
You're such a pain! It's free and you're bitching?
Ginny gets off the swing and walks past me towards the castle. Without turning back she says:
The offer won't last. Don't come whining if others take it up.
Okay then. The swing.
I must be half mad. The whole thing was game of chicken. She wasn't about to-
Ginny begins to swing on the tire swing, and as the wind touches her skirt it becomes more than obvious she doesn't have on anything underneath.
Her legs are long, and they swim through the air. Her feet almost touch me, spread apart. Then the swing swings, and she pulls them back, leaning forward so her red hair shines.
Some dam in me burst. Since Ginny, the ink in my quill has flowed easier. For once a piece of sky came down and didn't crush me.
For once I've got something that's different.
...
A/N - keeping it short and sweet for now. youtube the buzzcock's song if you're not familiar, it's the best.