Ginny was having a very agreeable meal. As per Ryan's prediction, the conversation mainly circled around the Airbornes' Quidditch victory, a topic which was of great interest to everyone at the table, even Natalie, who had become just drunk to celebrate anything and everything. Moreover, each dish Ginny tasted was scrumptious, reminding her of the gourmet dishes at the Yule Ball.

Though she generally didn't like to remember the ball; aside from the meal it hadn't been a pleasant experience. From when she'd heard of it, she'd had the recurring dream that Harry would ask her as his date, and every time he'd approached her in the Gryffindor common room, her heart skipped three beats; and by the time she had given up hope and accepted Neville Longbottom's invitation, Harry was desperate, and was willing to go with her as a last resort. Ginny was nobody's last resort, and flatly refused to accompany him. She still vividly pictured herself on the dance floor, her feet being tread on by Neville's awkward movements, her eyes occasionally wandering to Harry and Parvati, her heart swelling with jealousy and humiliation.

"What're you thinking about?"

Ryan's friendly tone popped the unpleasant memory bubble, and Ginny's mind was back in the present. She smiled at him.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she said, meaning it.

"For a second there, you were freaking me out, yeah," Ryan said, relieved. "You looked so serious, and your cheeks were getting all pink-"

"I was thinking about the game yesterday," Ginny lied, wishing to change the subject. "I think those Stings broke just about every rule in the book."

"Might've. Still lost though, bloody doxies."

"Your language, Ryan," cautioned his mother, sitting on her son's left.

"That's what they are," he professed mildly.

"Somebody could've gotten killed, don't you think?" Ginny wondered.

"Ah well, for the love of the game," sighed Ryan, happily sinking his teeth into a cream-filled pastry.

"But that's exactly it- it's just a game."

Ryan stopped chewing and glanced at her warily.

She grinned impishly.

"You are way too gullible."

Ryan's expression remained serious, but a different serious. His eyes grew soft, and as they always did when he was explaining something important, were looking directly into hers.

"Gin, d'you want to go outside with me a bit, y'know, get some fresh air?"

As if he had put a spell on the youngest Weasley, she nodded, trance-like, pushing back her chair and slowly rising.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We hope you have enjoyed your supper. Would you please give your fullest attention to the president of the most established institution in the entire wizarding world, our dear Archibald Wecklebridge."

Ryan leaned over to Ginny.

"Haven't got the greatest timing. They're giving out the awards now," he said, looking disappointed.

"What awards?"Ginny asked, resuming her seat.

"Bunch of 'em, but the most important is the Best Employee of the Year Award. My dad put in a good word for Bill, I hope he gets it."

"Oh."

Her nerves reacted at once. Please, please let Bill win!She'd never seen Bill at work but knew he must be good at what he does because he seemed genuinely appreciated. Besides, who could deserve it more than her favourite brother?

Other awards were given out first, making the ceremony, from Ginny's point of view, drag on for eternity. All heads of departments were offered season tickets to the Quidditch games of the team of their choice; either the Woollongong Warriors or the Thundelarra Thunderers.

"Don't fret- we'll keep your selection private. We Gringotts folk like to keep our business relations friendly," said Wecklebridge, which got a big laugh from everyone present.

"I'll bet your dad will let you have has many as you like," Ginny shouted to Ryan over the clapping, trying not to show how envious she was.

"They really went all out this year," Ryan yelled back, his eyes shining with excitement.

Finally, the time had come. Ginny glanced uneasily at Bill. Bill saw it, flashed up his eyebrows and grinned. I wonder if he's nervous, she thought. You can't tell what he's thinking at all.

"The award I am about to present is the most prestigious one of the evening," Wecklebridge began, holding his wand up to his mouth. "Though I know most of us are wondering what could be more prestigious than season Quid tickets."

General laughed echoed through the room.

"Yes, well, much as we may feel differently, there are more important things than Quid. There is...punctuality."

"Quid's more important than that!" someone shouted from across the room.

"S'why you ain't gettin' the award, Petey!" someone else shouted back. Everybody laughed.

"Let me finish, will ya," Wecklebridge said good-humouredly. "Punctuality, I said. Then there's dauntlessness, which is necessary in every job because every job has its challenges. A cheery disposition and sincerity to go with it, and speaking of things that go together, passion and efficiency; never has to be told twice what to do. Innovative; always moving forward, and always pushing their limits. Massive energy- I myself have never seen anything like it- aside from maybe myself, 'bout thirty-five years ago," he said chuckling. His audience listened attentively. Under the table, Ginny's finger were red from wringing the lace napkin so tightly.

"This employee has been with us for about a year, and just when we think we've seen everything they've got, they pull out some new magic from their wands and astound us all. Still so young, yet he is an example for all of us. Ladies and gentlemen, I think you all know who I'm referring to. This year's Best Employee Award is richly merited by-"

Ginny stopped breathing.

"-Mr. Bill Weasley."

In a swift moment, almost every person in the room was on his or her feet, clapping, hooting or shouting Bill congratulations. Ginny was doing all three at once. Bill was in a daze, looking as though he'd just landed on the moon. It was only once Ginny cried, "You got it, Bill! You got it!" and gave him a massive hug that reality slowly registered in his mind. As he got to his feet, Russell Buchanan along with several other department members gave him a slap on the back along with a "You make us proud!" and "Go get it, mate!", while Adelaide Buchanan gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. Bill made his way to the stage where all the chairmen and the president awaited him. Back at his table, Ginny and Ryan stood on their chairs and clapped hard, cheering loudly for him. Ryan began to chant, "Weasley! Weasley!" The rest of the table joined in, and in a matter of seconds, a large number of the guests had followed suit. The room was subdued at last after Bill received his award (a framed, official piece of parchment), a large bonus, and was asked to say a few words. His face flushed with exhilaration, Bill spoke, his voice filling the room.

"All who know me will tell you I'm better at cracking open high-security vaults than speaking in public. But like Archie said, every job presents its challenges."

Everyone laughed.

"So I'll keep it short. If I'm any of the things he said, it's because the people at Gringotts offer motivation in a million ways. This is one of them," Bill joked, waving his check around, which got a big laugh. "But other ways too. Russell Buchanan- great man, you're like a father to me. He's the kind of chap who anyone would be privileged to work under; we in Security get to be the lucky ones, and every one of us knows it. Speaking of which, you're all invited to pints at Luke's next weekend, my treat. Oh, and one more thing,"he shouted, to be heard over the clapping and cheering that erupted, "I'd like to thank my baby sister, Ginny, who I reckon I shouldn't call baby anymore."

Two hundred pairs of eyes turned to look at her. Ginny, despite her usual bashfulness, was oblivious to it, still basking in an ocean of pride. If only Mum and Dad could see him now, she privately wished.

"...She came all the way from the UK on a Firebolt to see me.. I know they say there's no place like home, but with Ginny here combined with you brilliant folk, Aus has really become my home away from home. Thank you very much, and enjoy the rest of your night!"