BROKEN AND UNREADY

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit tribute to the works of JK Rowling who created and, together with her publishers and licensees, owns the characters and settings elaborated herein.

A/N: Spoilers, post-seventh year fic, begun after OotP and not compatible with HBP or DH. Thanks to all my reviewers and especially to my previewers, Bellegeste and Lady Memory.

Last chapter: "We get it, we do. You like sorting people out. That's why you followed us around before we were even friends and why you thumbed your nose at him all those times in class to help Neville. But you can't sort him out. You'll only break your heart if you try."

Long after they'd gone, she was still staring into the fire. At last, she got up, poured away her cold tea and went to bed. She should write to Severus, tell him the boys wouldn't be a problem. But then she'd have to tell him what they'd said, and worse, how it made her feel.

She'd told him she wanted his friendship. She'd promised to stand by him. She'd confidently declared that nothing the boys could say would deter her. She didn't break promises. She wouldn't. Her teeth clenched.

He was so broken. And she was so unready.

Two days later, she stared at Percy as he pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up his nose and leaned forward. "Well?" he said.

"Why would you want me in your department and not someone more experienced?"

"I want a Muggle-born perspective. And I know you." His eyes slid past hers. "Er, your quality of work and your ethos."

She looked him over and decided on bluntness. "Or my friendship with your family?"

He took off his glasses to polish them.

"I fail to see why you'd imagine your social relationships have any relevance to this career opportunity." His mouth hardened. "Except insofar as Ron's absence can only be conducive to your application and focus. But my subordinates' private lives are hardly my concern." He put his glasses on and picked up a sheaf of papers, riffling through them slowly, his eyes elsewhere. "And mine is not theirs. Do you want the job or not?"

"I saw Ron last night," she said coldly. "He's grown up, you know."

"It was certainly well past time he did so. If rather surprising, given the company he keeps."

"Just apologise," she urged. "Sink your stubborn pride and get it over with. Wouldn't it be worth it?"

"And then what?' he said bitterly. "Apologise for living?"

Ginny dragged Colin out of the Hall to show him Hermione's letter.

"I told you she wouldn't thank you for meddling," he said.

"Us. You helped."

He ran a finger inside the neckline of his robes. "Only because you badgered me. Don't you think you should stop now? Before she fills the next one with Bubotuber Pus?"

Ginny stared at the letter long enough to make him twitchy.

"We're going to be late," he said. "And it's Potions next. The last thing we want is for him to find out. Come on!" He started to walk, then stopped short. "Criminy! Do you think she told him?"

Ginny smiled tightly, crumpling the letter and shoving it in her pocket. "She didn't send a Howler."

"She will next time."

"She didn't send a Howler because she hasn't told him. She doesn't want him to know." She chewed on her lip a while as they strode. "Or she doesn't want everyone else to." Her eyes lit and her lips curved.

"Ginny," Colin said uneasily, "haven't you done enough?"

"She's my friend. I'd do anything for her."

"Except butt out," he muttered.

Ginny scowled.