Chapter 2 – A New Opportunity
The next day Ginny woke early and was surprised by the smells already coming from the kitchen. She pulled on a dressing gown and followed her nose to breakfast. She found Viktor standing at the stove cooking while Charlie sat on a stool talking to him.
"Morning guys. Smells delicious in here. I see that Viktor cooks."
"Yes Ginny, he's actually quite good. It's another reason I hate it when he is away during the season." Charlie replied while pulling her into a hug.
"Your timing is excellent Ginny. Just finishing up and ready to dish."
A half hour later Ginny was comfortably stuffed with eggs, bacon and cinnamon toast. Viktor and Charlie had just left the table to get ready for a day out and she had offered to do the cleanup. As she finished the dishes, Charlie came in as they prepared to leave.
"Hey Ginny. Vik and I have a full day planned. We'll probably eat out. Help yourself to whatever. Have any plans for today?"
"No worries Charlie. I don't expect you all to wait on me. I've had my fill of that for the next century. If we all happen to be around for a meal then we can eat together. If not, I'm a big girl. I haven't really thought of what I want to do today."
"Well one thing I can agree with mum on is that you should get out. Maybe you should go visit George and Ron at the shop. They might put you to work though."
"Actually, that's not a bad idea. And I really wouldn't mind a bit of work. Don't tell them I said that though."
"Well then, have a good day Ginny. Love you." With that Charlie gave her a peck on the cheek and left the flat with Viktor.
Ginny took a long shower and then headed out of the flat. It felt good to be out on her own. This was her first unaccompanied trip since the accident. She felt like a grown up again and the beautiful day helped to lift her spirits. She made her way to Diagon Alley and began to slowly stroll to the end where Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was located. She stopped to window shop along the way and relished being alone. As she passed Eeylops Owl Emporium, she heard a squeal and suddenly a girl of about thirteen came running toward her.
"Wow! You're Ginny. Ginny Weasley. Of the Harpies. Wow. Oh wow" the girl enthused. "I saw the paper about your accident. You are looking good. Are you better now? Can I get your autograph?"
Ginny chuckled at the enthusiastic girl and signed a magazine she produced. The girl squealed once again and then ran off to tell her mum. Ginny had never been able to accept her celebrity status, but today she welcomed it and the encounter perked her up even more. She continued strolling down the street and paused outside Quality Quidditch Supplies to admire the new Firebolt 3.0 in the window display. As she stared at the broom, Ginny looked to the left and saw a small sign that read: 'For sale. Entire shop with full inventory, name recognition. Inquire within.' Staring at the sign, Ginny's curiosity was piqued and she decided to go in and ask.
Entering the shop, Ginny saw that there was only one customer on the slow weekday morning. Ginny waited and soon the shop was empty and she approached the sales-wizard. She was about to ask about the sale when the short wizard behind the counter jumped out and grabbed Ginny's hand.
"Ginny Weasley of the Harpies! So glad to see you are doing better. Welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies. I'm Liam Greenworth, proprietor of this shop. Can I help you with something? Looking for anything in particular?"
Ginny smiled at being recognized yet again. "Actually, I was curious about the sale. Can you tell me a bit more?"
"Not much to tell. I'm 68, widower, no children. I've done well with the place and have a fair bit tucked away. Decided it's about time that I travel. So I'm selling the entire place, as you see it. Asking price is 375,000 galleons."
Ginny's eyes got wide. 375,000 galleons, wow. She had never dreamed it would be that much. Of course, looking around, the place had a lot of expensive stock.
"Are you possibly interested Ms. Weasley? I know it's a lot, but the place is worth it. I'd love for someone like yourself who knows and loves the game to take over the shop."
"Well, the potential is intriguing Mr. Greenworth. I may be interested, but I need to think on it. You probably read in the paper that I was forced to retire due to my injuries? Well, I've been trying to figure out where to go now and this is definitely a consideration. And please call me Ginny. Ms. Weasley is my mum."
"I understand Ginny and I must say that I was saddened when I heard the news that you were retiring. You're one of the finest chasers I've seen. It's a right shame, but at least you survived. I know the idea of taking over the shop is a big one, but please consider it. I'll be ready to go whenever I find a buyer."
Ginny nodded and assured Liam that she would indeed consider it. Then she said goodbye and made her way out and on to her brothers' shop. When she reached Weasley's Wizard Wheezes the place was packed. Ginny was glad that George and Ron had expanded the shop the previous year. If they hadn't half the crowd would have been in the street. She slowly worked her way through the masses and eventually saw George. Seeing his sister, he waved to her and pointed to the back storeroom. Ginny kept maneuvering and eventually made her way through the crowd to the relative quiet of the storeroom, where George was waiting.
"Hi Ginny. How are you? You're looking good. Any particular reason that you've graced our humble shop with your angelic presence?"
Ginny smirked at her brother. "I was bored. Decided to get out and come see how the place was doing. Looks like business is very good."
"Yes indeed. So you said you were bored? I can probably find something to keep you busy."
"Sure thing George, what do you need?"
George grinned and began to give Ginny instructions on stocking a new batch of supplies that had arrived but were still packed. Soon Ginny was involved in the task and George disappeared back into the shop. While she worked, she continued to mull over the idea of Quality Quidditch Supplies. She spent several hours working until a tap on her shoulder made her jump.
"Hey Ginny you can let up a bit. We've closed the shop for lunch. George ordered sandwiches from down the street."
"Oh, hi Ron! I hadn't realized it was lunch. Let me just put away these last couple items and I'll join you."
A few minutes later, Ginny made her way upstairs to what had once been George's bachelor flat. It was now offices and a meeting a room for the expanded shop and its employees. When she arrived, she was thrilled to see George's wife Angie holding the newest family member, baby Roxanne. Little Fred was sitting in a booster seat and squealed when he saw his aunt. Ginny let out a small squeak of her own and swooped to pick up her nephew. She snuggled him for a minute, but when food arrived, he squirmed and she put him back in his seat so that he could eat.
"Typical Weasley boy. Food first before anything."
Angie laughed. "Here Ginny, you can hold Roxy. I already fed her."
Ginny took the baby and cooed over her, then she settled Roxy on one arm and began to eat with her other hand. Lunch progressed as the family spent time catching up. Everyone was happy to see Ginny returning to normal and Ginny's spirits lifted being with all of them. The topics switched from the shop, to family and friends.
"Ooh, almost forgot. Guess who I saw yesterday at the market?" Angie asked.
A chorus of "who?" answered her.
"Katie! I haven't seen her since the wedding, but wow, she is getting big. We chatted for a bit. Harry just got a promotion. He's now a case supervisor in the Auror department. They are both getting really excited for the baby." As she spoke, Angie glanced over at Ginny, waiting for a reaction.
"That's good to hear Angie. I'm glad they're happy. I can see you looking at me a bit worried, but there's no need. Harry and I have been done for years. We had fun and I still care about him, but we both grew out of our relationship." Ginny replied.
With that, Ron turned his attention on his sister. "So Ginny, any plans yet? I mean, we love your help around here, but I don't think it's probably your long term goal."
"Actually Ron, I have been thinking on that. I really didn't have any idea until this morning when something interesting happened. Have you seen that Quality Quidditch Supplies is for sale? Well, I went in and talked to Liam and he's selling the whole place, completely stocked. It's expensive, but I have to admit that I'm intrigued."
"Quality Quidditch Supplies, that would be great! You'd be perfect. Would we get family discounts?"
"Oy, really Ron? That's the first thing you think of?"
George jumped in, "So, how expensive is it exactly?"
"375,000 galleons"
Ron began sputtering his butterbeer. "What?"
"Wow, that's a lot Ginny. The idea is great, but can you afford it?"
"Well, I've been living fairly frugal. The Harpies pay most my expenses in season and I've had a good salary, most of which I've saved. Plus, there is my 10% stake in the shop that I inherited when George split out Fred's share. I've been taking the monthly payments from that and saving them as well. I think I can probably come up with about 310. I only just found out about it this morning, but I have been thinking maybe I could get a Gringotts loan for the rest. It's a lot to consider."
The table grew silent for a few minutes, when George finally spoke up. "Ginny, I might have another idea. I know Liam Greenworth and he's a good guy. You said he liked the idea of you buying the place. Maybe you can work a deal with him where you pay him 300 and then agree on paying him a percentage of profits for a set number of years to pay off the rest. It will give him an additional income stream for his travels. I'm not sure if he'd be interested, but you could ask. If not, I'll loan you the difference. But, whatever happens, you are NOT taking a loan from Gringotts. They charge way too much interest and I just don't trust them."
"Wow, that's a good idea George. I'll think on it. And thanks for the offer of a loan. It's a lot to consider. I'll think on it a while. Liam hasn't had many inquiries and finding a buyer is taking him a while."
Soon everyone finished their lunch and Ginny gave her sleeping niece back to Angie and headed back downstairs to finish her stocking. She was done by three and left the shop, wandering up Diagon Alley and stopping at Fortescue's for an ice cream cone. Then she picked up some groceries and headed to the flat.
Ginny spent the next several days working in the shop with her brothers. George joked that he didn't want her getting her own shop, he quite liked having her help around. Ginny continued to contemplate the idea of purchasing Quality Quidditch Supplies and each time she walked by, she gazed at the store. Four days after her initial talk with Liam, she decided to go talk to him about the proposal that George had come up with. As she entered the shop shortly before closing, Liam looked up and waved to her. Ginny let him finish with his last couple of customers before going over to talk to him.
"Hi Liam. I've been thinking about possibly buying the shop. Can we talk?"
Liam grinned. "Sure thing, let me lock up and we can have a cup of tea in the back."
A few minutes later, Ginny sat drinking tea and chatting about current events with Liam. He was a sweet man and easy to talk to. Eventually the subject came back around to the shop.
"So Ginny, you think you'd like to buy my place? Like I said, I'd be thrilled if you did. I'd know it was in good hands."
"Yes Liam, I've given it a lot of thought. And I've talked to my brothers, since they have business experience. The thing is that I'm a bit short of the asking price. I know 375 is a good price, given the stock. I have been saving for years and have about 312 in savings. I don't want to clean myself out completely, so I was wondering if we may be able to work out a deal. I can pay 300 up front and then I can pay you 10% of the store profits on a monthly basis for seven years to make up the difference. I think that will allow a tidy sum for your travels and will give you more in total by the end."
Liam sat and contemplated for a couple of minutes, then he smiled. "Ginny, I think that might work. I hadn't considered an idea like yours, but having a monthly income stream would be helpful. And I really would like to see the place in good hands. I built this place from the ground up over thirty years. It means a lot to me. Shall we shake and call our lawyers to do the paperwork?"
Ginny agreed and shook Liam's hand. She was about to be a business owner.
Over the next couple of days, Ginny met with a lawyer George had recommended and soon the deal was all but done. She and Liam signed the paperwork on Wednesday evening and the contract would go into effect at midnight. Ginny left the office after the signing and wanted to celebrate, but that was going to wait until Saturday. Molly was having a family dinner and Ginny had decided it would be a good time to make her announcement to everyone. George, Ron and their families knew, but had agreed to stay quiet until Saturday. In the meantime, Ginny decided to get some Chinese and take it back to the flat. Vik was back playing and Charlie had gone to see his game, so the place was all hers.
As she stood in line for Chinese, two hands suddenly wrapped around her head and covered her eyes. "Guess who!"
Ginny laughed. She knew the voice quite well. "Luna!"
Luna let her go and she turned around give her a hug. "Oh Ginny, you look so much better than the last time I saw you. What's up?"
Ginny suddenly wanted to spill her good news, but the line was moving forward. "I have news Luna. Got plans tonight? I'm staying with Charlie and he's out of town. Want to share Chinese while I tell you about it?'
Luna grinned. "I've got no plans and dad's taken care of. Sounds excellent Ginny."
They proceeded up the line, purchased the food and Ginny side along apparated Luna to the flat, since she hadn't been there before. Luna looked around while Ginny dished the food and poured some wine.
"Nice flat. Charlie must be doing well."
"Oh yes. He's a trainer now at the reserve. Hard to believe, but at 29, he's already considered old for a dragon handler. Most only last three or four years. So now he trains new handlers. He still misses it though and gets a few hours a couple times a week working in the field with his students. He was happy in Romania, but the offer Wolverhampton made him was too good to refuse."
Luna arrived back in dining area next to the kitchen and they began to eat.
"So Luna, how's the Quibbler and how's your dad?"
"The Quibbler is doing very well. Dad isn't though. He's seen a lot of healers, but he keeps getting worse. Some days he barely recognizes me and keeps asking for mum."
Luna looked a bit downcast and Ginny reached out and put a comforting hand on Luna's arm. Luna snapped out of her funk and looked up at Ginny with a smile. "Ok, enough of that. I did not come here to mope. You look fit to burst. What's your news?"
"I just spent most of my savings and bought a shop!" Ginny exclaimed. "Quality Quidditch Supplies. I start the transfer from the current owner next Monday. He's going to spend a couple of weeks getting me acquainted with the place before he leaves on safari."
"Ooh Ginny, congratulations! That's excellent. You're perfect for that store. I'm so happy for you."
The rest of the meal was spent catching up on news about family and friends. They soon finished a full bottle of wine between them and started a second. Ginny was feeling decidedly relaxed and happy. Her life looked like it was finally turning around. When they finished eating, Ginny whisked the trash away and she and Luna took the wine to the living room while they kept talking. As they sat on the couch, Luna moved and put her arm around Ginny. Ginny looked at her and smiled as Luna leaned in and kissed her. They snogged for a few minutes, when Ginny pulled back.
"Wow Luna, I've missed you. I didn't know if you were still interested. I know we've been on and off through the years, but I thought you were with that guy Greg?"
"Oh him, I finished with Greg a couple months ago. Caught him cheating. I wasn't too upset. You know I go both ways, but truthfully, men are just too much work. I've missed you Ginny. It was just so hard to stay together with you traveling everywhere. But now we're both here together with no one else around, so I'm willing if you are."
Ginny responded by standing up, taking Luna's hand and leading her to the bedroom.