Authors Note: In this chapter there is a poor use of Spanish. I have never learned to speak or taken a Spanish class in my life. All Spanish used is courtesy of Babel Fish, but you should be able to capture the main idea (hopefully). It is not meant to offend anyone and I want to apologize in advance if it does. Happy reading!
Chapter 34
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
Tarapoto, Peru home of the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers and Rio Largo an all Wizarding village, the historic village is quaint and full of life. The Tree-Skimmers are based out of the town since it's close to the Amazon the perfect place for a hidden Quidditch pitch. In the center of the village is Edificio Centro, the community town hall. Here they hold concerts, plays, town meetings basically anything that called for a mass amount of people to be in attendance. Today it was being used for a meet and greet for the Holyhead Harpies. Ginny sat behind a table with her fellow teammates on stage, they first answered questions and now fans were filing across the stage to get autographs.
She had been in Tarapoto for four days, on the first day she had Quidditch practice, on the second day she played the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers and won, on the third day she spent the day doing interviews with the local newspaper "Épocas Diarias" (Daily Times), Dairio Quidditch (Peruvian branch of Quidditch Daily), and with Carlos Fernandez on his wireless show. It was now the fourth day and the team was doing a meet and greet for their fans, she was somewhat surprised to see that they had so many Peruvian fans and that they weren't chased from the country after beating the home team. But most importantly this was the end of the season before the holiday break. The rest of the team would be returning home and Ginny would stay for another three days and relax with Hermione, Padma, and Luna who were currently enjoying the luxuries of Ginny's suite at the "Magia Magnífico Meson".
"Gracias mucho por venir y demostrar a los Harpies de Holyhead un rato maravilloso," the spokes person for the Harpies thanked everyone for coming and showing the team a wonderful time as the team waved and rose from their seats and exited from a side door.
Ginny headed back to her hotel with Stan trailing two steps behind her, she was ready to start her girl's only holiday full of fun in the sun. Well semi girl's only, Stan would be there but Ginny has found he's good at making himself inconspicuous and though she was convinced that Eric was over reacting when he hired him he has come in handy. But now wasn't the time to be concerned with stalkers and overzealous fans it was time to relax because when she went home for Christmas she would have to explain to her parents why Harry wasn't with her and she wanted to not think about that for as long as possible. "Gracias," she thanked the doorman as he opened the door for her, she crossed the lobby to the lift and rode up to the tenth floor to her room.
Stan conjured a stool and sat outside the door as Ginny went inside just in time to here Padma say, "I'm becoming a professional Quidditch player so every time I travel I can stay in rooms like this," as she delicately laid down across the sofa.
Ginny laughed, as she pushed Padma's legs out of the way to slouch down on the couch and said, "I wish it was always like this myself but I have spent plenty of time in crummy inns and sleeping in carriages. It's not as glamorous as it seems." The room had a huge comfy sitting area with a gigantic fireplace. There were two bedrooms each with two king size four posters and private bathrooms.
"Not to mention you'd actually have to learn to play Quidditch," added Hermione.
"Maybe one of these days I will," she said defensively.
"Aren't you married to a Quidditch player," asked Luna, Ginny groaned in misery.
Padma laughed, "not yet but I never get to experience his grand hotel rooms because I don't travel with him… Ginny stop whining," she hit her with her foot. "You'll ruin your complexion besides its Harry's loss."
"It's too bad the knight in shining armor let his get rusty," Hermione spat rolling her eyes
"What exactly happened that's got you acting like Malfoy," asked Ginny arching an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Hermione stood up from her armchair quickly, "I thought we were here to have fun. Let's go out… dinner and dancing anyone?" She smiled falsely and rushed to her room to change.
Ginny's eyes widen and looked over at Padma, "what happened?"
Padma sat up and shrugged, "don't know he overheard some things and is not talking to her."
"They must have broken up. She's harboring misery that's deeper than a simple quarrel," Luna said nonchalantly as Padma and Ginny looked at her in surprise. "Dinner and dancing sounds good, maybe she'll loosen up and talk."
"Or maybe we could get a few drinks in her and she'll tell us everything," Padma chuckled.
"Or at least we can fine someone to give her a good shag," laughed Ginny
They all got ready to go out. They were going to "Movimiento" it was a restaurant known for its food and but mostly their live music that keeps the dance floor packed. The four women walked up the street, with Stan walking two steps behind in his shiny black shoes, black slacks and button down neatly tucked in with his black belt and shimmering silver buckle. All the shops were closed nothing but restaurants and pubs open. The village was decorated for Christmas with wreaths, garland, and magically floating candles everywhere. There was a heavily decorated 20-foot Christmas tree in front of the town hall.
Ginny was wearing a short emerald green one shouldered dress, she had on gold strappy stilettos that she probably wouldn't be able to walk in by the end of the night but she loved them and she was grateful for the warm weather to wear them but couldn't help thinking we probably should have taken a carriage. Her vibrant red hair was hanging straight down her back. Hermione was wearing a simple black strapless dress on loan from Padma because when she came out of the bathroom and declared she was ready to go she was wearing sweats while everyone else looked fabulous. Padma also insisted that she wear purple strappy sandals she had brought along to go with the dress. Hermione's hair was pulled back into a low bun, it was messy but in an intentional looking way. Padma was wearing high waist black pants with a shear black halter top that was tucked in, her dark hair was curled and flowing beautifully down her back. Luna was wearing a yellow satin strapless top that let a little of her midriff show. She had on a yellow flowing skirt that sat on her hips and ended just below her knees, the fabric was sheer but there were so many layers you couldn't see through it. Being the only sensible one of the four she had on gold flat strappy sandals that wrapped her legs and tied. Her long platinum hair pulled back into a ponytail that blew lightly in the warm night air, with her radish like earrings dangling from her ears.
"Hola, Senorita Ginevra," Ginny turned around to see who was calling her to be blinded by the flash of a camera. "Una foto por favor."
Stan stepped in front of the reporter, "no gracias."
Ginny grabbed Luna by the arm and pulled her across the street towards "Movimiento" with Padma and Hermione on their heels. "Hola," the man at the door smiled as he opened the door. The music was pumping and Padma was already swaying to the beat as they were escorted to a table.
"Forget dinner," Padma said as they took their seats, "let's dance!"
"How about we drink," suggested Ginny.
"I like that plan," agreed Hermione.
Luna shook her head. They all looked over their menus and when their waiter came they placed their orders.
"Please tell me that's not all you're eating," Padma said as Ginny and Hermione ordered large slices of Chocolate cake and three fire whiskey's.
"Of course not, I plan on having some ice cream later," Ginny smirked as the waiter came back with their drinks her three pre-opened fire whiskeys.
"This should be an interesting night," said Luna starting in on her strawberry margarita.
Luna was absolutely right, she and Padma decided to join in on Hermione's and Ginny's whiskey gulping which eventually turned into throwing back tequila shots. They all hit the dance floor and were shaking everything and every male eye in the room was on them. They finally left around 3am when Ginny attempted to some sort of spinning move and went crashing to the floor. She was laughing so hard as Luna tried to pull her up but with no success fell to the floor as well. Stan left his position of two feet away and got them both to their feet and ushered all four girls out. The doorman was very helpful, when he noticed Stan struggling to keep all four women balanced he graciously got them a carriage to go back to the hotel. Ginny was the last to climb in, as she did she stumbled and was blinded by a flashing light. Stan stepped in the way of the photographer who was now getting pictures of his back and helped Ginny into the carriage, then climbed in himself and closed the door as it pulled away.
"Are you ladies going to be okay," Stan said before leaving them alone in their room.
"Of course," Ginny spun around and kicked off her shoes, Stan ducked as one went flying over his head and broke a vase in the corner.
"Are you sure…"
"We'll be fine," Padma smiled, patting him on the arm, "whose address is this," she asked trying to focus her eyes on the smudged writing on the back on her hand.
"You ladies have a good night," he said leaving the room slowly, unsure if they should be left unattended.
"Nice… guy," slurred Padma, "where's Hermione?"
"Don't know… Hermione, Hermione…" Ginny sung her name as she walked crookedly towards the room Padma and Hermione shared. "There you are… you silly goose." Hermione was lying across her bed holding her head. Ginny plopped down next to her.
"Ginny? Why are there so many of you?"
"There is only one Ginny… she just… happens to have three heads," Luna stumbled into the room and climbed onto the bed.
"So this is where the party went to," Padma kicked off her shoes and climbed on the bed with the rest of them.
"Yes our pity party wasn't so pitiful," laughed Hermione
"Why do you need pity? Your husband didn't try to use the imperious curse on you," Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"No, it's just the man I think I might want to spend the rest of my life with. Heard me telling Padma I love Ron, he made me choose between him and Ron right then and there and when I couldn't do it I began to cry. He whirled on me with such fury in his eyes while crying and told me I didn't have the right to cry because he was the one getting his heart ripped out," she said quickly and continued laughing hysterically.
Ginny stifled her laughter and the smiles on Luna and Padma's faces fell.
"Draco Malfoy cried?" Ginny whispered in shock.
"Yeah what a wimp!" Hermione continued laughing, until her laughing slowed and turned into tears. "… I broke his heart. It should have been so easy for me to have just said Draco I choose you."
"It will never be that easy because Ron's your best friend," Luna said sympathetically.
"I care about him so much and I'm sure I ruined this forever. Draco's not one to forgive so easily. He still isn't fully speaking to his father," Hermione rested her head on Ginny shoulder and she gently patted it.
"My brother's a git, if he wasn't so immature and just let you and Draco be instead of declaring he would never speak to you again this wouldn't have happened," Ginny sneered.
"This isn't Ron's fault, I should have spoken up and just made my decision," Hermione wiped furiously at her tears.
"It's no one's fault, Draco should have never asked you to choose. He knows how much Ron means to you and he should just be secure enough to know that you want him and not Ron," reasoned Padma.
"It can't be that simple," said Ginny skeptically
"Yes it can, love should be strong enough to conquer all outside forces." Luna smiled slightly.
"Maybe love isn't meant to last forever or maybe it's meant to be shared with others. Because it certainly doesn't fire unforgivable curses at you, I know I love Harry but lately I've been thinking we aren't the perfect fit," Ginny sighed
"There is absolutely no excuse for what Harry did. I still can't believe it and right in the ministry too…. I believe love last forever but not always in the way we expect. You can be in love with someone leave them and still love them but not be in love with them. You have the ability to fall in love with someone else…" Hermione cut her off, Luna.
"I never told Draco I loved him," whimpered Hermione
"Do you," asked Ginny
"That seems to be the question of the hour," Hermione wiped her eyes. "Sometimes I think that I do but I'm afraid to admit it because my heart is so intertwined with Ron's."
"He's your soul mate," giggled Ginny, "if you believe in that sort of thing."
"You don't have to be romantically involved with your soul mate, although it could happen," offered Luna, "Your soul mate is your kindred spirit, the person you feel so deeply connected to, they are the true love or loves of your life. That love for them is unfaltering. It's raw, true, and pure. You'll always be in love with them. What made the decision between Draco and Ron so hard is that Ron and Harry are your soul mates. Deep down you know that you will never under any circumstance let them go."
"So I must really love Ron," tears began to flow from Hermione's eyes again. Padma hit her on the leg, "Ow! What was that for?"
"For a bloody brilliant witch you surely don't listen! I told you that you can't reason with the heart. You told me your heart is telling you to be with Draco."
"But Ron's …"
"Your best friend and either you're going to have to let him go and wait until he comes back because I may not be his biggest fan but I could never deny that the boy loves you and he will come back to you. So you need to stop trying to over analyzing this situation and deal with it. It's your life do what you want," Padma stated.
"Alright little miss know it all let's talk about you and Aidan," retorted Hermione.
"This isn't about me, but what about me and Aidan?"
"Is he your soul mate?" Asked Hermione
"I don't believe in that sort of thing but I do know that I can talk to him like no one else. I could tell him something so devastating and I know that he'll support me and that's scary because he'll do anything for me. But I know that I want to be with him as long as it last," explained Padma
"Does he even know where you are right now," asked Hermione curiously
"Nope, all I told him is that I would be with the girls, not that it's any of his business. I don't have to report to him." Padma shrugged
"I love how you treat him like he's merely an accessory," smiled Luna
"He does complements my outfits quite nicely," she laughed, "but we're just comfortable, no drama no fuss…" she smiled, "I love him."
"Is that why you haven't set a date for the wedding?" Counter Hermione
"No, we're not in a rush we just want to be together because we enjoy it. We don't want it to become because we have to be together." Shrugged Padma, "but mostly the cost of living is cheaper if you're married."
"Completely off topic and all but how was the shag," asked Ginny
"Do you mean me and Aidan," Padma said pointing to herself, "Or Hermione and Draco?"
"I hope she meant you because I have no comment," Hermione laid her head back into the pillows
"I meant you," Ginny said poking Hermione in the shoulder, "word around the locker room is that Aidan's fantastic in the sack…"
"That he is," Padma agreed with a smile
"But the real question is, are all the rumors about Draco true," pried Ginny
Hermione looked at her, "how can you not be embarrassed to ask such questions?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "grow up and share"
"Please do, I'm quite curious myself," they all looked at Luna, "What!"
"You know if Luna wants to know you should share," Padma nudged Hermione
She sighed, "The rumors aren't true…. He's ten times better!" They all laughed, "He can… I won't go into detail."
"Please do," Ginny begged, "I need someone to tell me something because I haven't been with Harry since September."
"Hermione's too prudish for that," Padma said waving her hand dismissingly, "But I'll tell you about Aidan. So he does this thing with his tongue…"
Potter Get's Tipsy!
Our eyes abroad told us that the wife of our hometown hero, Harry Potter was partying at "Movimiento" or "Movement" in Rio Largo the wizarding village, in Tarapoto, Peru last night. Ginevra Weasley aka Mrs. Potter the Seeker for the Holyhead Harpies was seen dancing the night away. At 3am she had to lean on her bodyguard for support in order to leave the establishment! The Harpies had finished their Peruvian tour earlier that evening and while the rest of the team returned home apparently Ginevra decided to stay and have some fun! Do we have a new party girl on the rise or just another town drunk?
"Skeeter Report"
"Look at this. I'm here being miserable and she's off having the time of her life," Harry furiously waved the tabloid in front of Ron's face. Harry was leaning lazily across the counter at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. Where he had been all morning deciding to blow off training for day… he owled out sick
"She took Hermione with her," Ron said taking the paper from Harry, "since when do you buy the Skeeter Report? I'll bet you anything this isn't even true." On the cover of the magazine was a photo of Ginny stumbling into a carriage outside of "Movement".
"You're probably right. She wouldn't let herself get caught in that situation. Lately I've been buying everything that has Ginny's face on it," he ran a hand threw his messy hair. "Apparently she's very much in style," he said flipping through "Wizard's Style" which had loads of photos of Ginny out and about and talking about what she's wearing.
"Is it possible to die from heartache?" Asked Ron coincidently restocking the love potions
"Maybe, because I think I've had a stroke at least once a day," he looked at his watch, "and I think I'm scheduled to have one in a few minutes. But before it starts I better be going."
"Where are you off to?"
"Skydiving," she Harry as if it were nothing while, Ron dropped the bottle of potion he was holding in shock.
"Have you gone mad? Only an idiot would jump out of a plane, you could die!"
"Doesn't sound half bad right now"
"Look I know you miss Ginny but give her time mate, she'll come crawling back," Ron said in desperation at the thought Harry might really jump from a plane.
"Will you give up that ridiculous plan already? She's not going to come crawling back! I'm going to have to do some pretty heavy begging… I had my chance and I missed it," Harry stood up tall and proud, "I just need something to take my mind off things and if that means jumping from a plane then so be it!"
Harry charged from the store, "WAIT! COME BACK!" Ron shouted after him, "my god. LEE!" Ron shouted up the back stairs as he rushed around putting the extract merchandise he was restocking in the back. The few customers in the store watched Ron as if he were insane.
"Why are you screaming," asked Lee coming downstairs, "what's going on," he watched Ron curiously as he rushed about the shop.
"Harry is going to commit suicide!"
"What!" Lee said alarmed
"He has decided to go skydiving," Ron explained
"You mean jump from one of those muggle flying things," wondered Lee
"Yes and I must go stop him! Can you watch the store for a bit?" Asked Ron hopefully
"You do know my wireless show is live right?"
"Can't you do one of your music hour things?"
"No! Those are reserves for nights of parties and hot dates. They are not just to be thrown about without good cause," he crossed his arms defensively.
"When's the last time you had a hot date? And I think Harry jumping from a plane is a good cause," stated Ron.
"It's not like the girls come running to you Weasley…."
Ron cut him off, "will you do it or not?"
"Yeah, yeah, I just got some new Screaming Banshee that's really good. I suppose I could play that…" Lee reasoned mostly to himself.
"Thanks," Ron shouted over his shoulder as he ran from the store.
_IN THE MUGGLE FLYING THING_
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" Ron shouted over the plane engine. He, Percy, and Harry were wearing their skydiving jumpsuits, complete with goggles and helmets with their parachutes strapped to their backs.
"YES I CAN, IT'S PERFECT, ACTING LIKE I'M COMMITTING SUICIDE WITHOUT ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH WITH IT," he shouted back.
"RELAX RON ITS GREAT FUN," Percy beamed.
"FUN, FUN? YOU TWO IDIOTS ARE GETTING READY TO JUMP FROM A PLANE!"
"WE'RE AT THE CORRECT ALTITUDE FOR THE JUMP," shouted the instructor.
"SPLENDID!" Percy said excitedly rising from his seat. The instructor pulled open the door. Percy stood on the edge of the opening. He turned around and said, "SEE YOU ON THE GROUND!" He saluted and then with the grace of a diver and ballerina he jumped from the plane.
"PERCY!" Ron shouted in horror.
"WHO'S NEXT?" Asked the instructor
Harry took a deep breath and said "ME!" He made his way over to the door trying to keep his balance. He grabbed onto the handle and looked down and gulped. He felt someone grab his shoulder.
"DON'T DO THIS MATE! SHE'LL BE BACK…. JUST GO TALK TO HER!" Ron pleaded.
"SHE WON'T TALK TO ME!"
"YES SHE WILL SHE LOVES YOU!"
"I USED THE IMPERIOUS CURSE TO TRY TO GET HER TO COME BACK!"
Ron's eyes widened in shock then filled with rage. He immediately grabbed Harry by the throat, "YOU ASSHOLE THAT'S MY SISTER!"
Harry let go of the handle to try and loosen Ron's grip on him. They struggled back and forth. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" They screamed in unison as they lost their footing and went falling out of the plane.
"WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" Ron screamed grasping Harry into a hug position.
"I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING I'VE EVER DONE WRONG TO YOU!" Harry shouted hugging Ron back tightly.
"SAME HERE… I MUST ADMIT I CALLED HERMIONE A MUDBLOOD AND A SLUT… TWICE!"
"YOU WHAT?" He was getting ready to adjust his body that would smash into the ground any moment to glare at Ron when he noticed the red stringing hanging from Ron's parachute and remember they were supposed to pull it and without hesitation he pulled the string.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! HHHHHAAAARRRRRYYYY!" Ron screamed as the force pulled him up and forced him to lose his grip on Harry.
Harry pulled the string on his own parachute and went flying up as well, "CALM DOWN RON WE'RE SAFE!"
"THEN WHY ARE WE HEADING FOR THOSE TREES!"
Harry looked down below them and noticed they were going to crash into the trees, he pulled out his wand shouted "reducto" a clearing appear amongst the trees just in time for him to hit the ground face down.
"I think every bone in my body is broken," Ron whined a few feet away, covered by his bright orange parachute.
Harry pulled himself up onto his hands and knees and slowly moved towards Ron, his parachute dragging behind him. He crawled onto the parachute and over to the form of Ron laying under it and punched him in the arm.
"Ow! What was that for," Ron asked pulling the parachute from over his face.
"For calling Hermione a Mudblood," then hit him again, "twice!"
"I called her a Mudblood once and a slut twice," Harry hit him again, and then he punched Harry, "That's for using the imperious curse on my sister!"
"She's too quick for me, she blocked it," he sighed
"You're the one who decided to marry a seeker."
"She gave me her rings back," Harry sighed
"You used an unforgivable curse."
"You jumped from a plane to try and stop me… you really are my best friend. Thanks."
"All in a day's work," Ron stated proudly. Harry couldn't help but smile as he rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Big Girls Don't Cry" Fergie
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