When You Wasn't Famous
By: Sam Lincoln
Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and are used here without permission.
"When you're a famous boy/it's gets really easy to get girls/It's all so easy you get a bit spoiled/but when you try to pull a girl who is also famous too/It Feels Just Like When You Wasn't Famous
-When You Wasn't Famous, The Streets
Chapter 4: Weekend With the Weasleys
Ginny sipped on a glass of red wine as she circulated through the Burrow. No matter where she went in the world her favourite place to visit was the daft house she grew up in. That wasn't always the case. For the first few years she played in the league, surrounded by all the flash and glamour that went along with it, she found herself deeply embarrassed by the quaint home and what it represented. As part of her fanatical drive to prover she belonged, she played down her background since she thought being in league meant being flash, and the Burrow was the opposite of flash. To her credit it was a phase she grew out of, especially when it was pointed out to her that a rags to riches story like hers could be very profitable.
But beyond the narrative angle Ginny could never be at odds with her family for long, because as frustrating as they could be she did love every one of them, even her mum. They were her family, how could she not? Without her older brothers being so Quidditch mad she never would've grown to love the game herself. If her mum hadn't been so adamant that Ginny couldn't fly with her brothers she never would have broken into the broom shed and nicked Charlie's broom for late night training sessions on her own. Though as she thought back on it now it was strange how easily she was able to open the shed. She wondered if her dad, whose job it was to make sure the grounds were locked up at night, didn't have something to do with it. Which if true just gave her another reason to love her daffy father.
"Hey there squirt," Bill said to her. "Have a seat. You look like you're about to plow into someone, and it wouldn't do for the newest member of the English National Team to hurt herself before she got onto the pitch."
"I've flown for England before Bill," Ginny told her brother before flopping onto the sofa next to him. "Where's your 'charming' wife?"
"Out watching the kids play with the gnomes, and be nice," Bill said to his sister. To say that Ginny and Bill's French wife Fleur did not get along would be an understatement. Ginny, in part echoing her mum's sentiments, had thought Bill could do better than a tarted up French snob who thought herself better than the Weasley's because she was from a well-to-do French family, and therefore truly knew what civilized meant. In honesty the hostility was one-sided. Fleur went out of her way to be accommodating to Ginny, even including her as a bridesmaid at her wedding, and letting the under-age girl tag along for the hen night. No matter the kindness given though, Ginny would take it in the worst possible way.
It wasn't until years later, after Ginny joined the league, that the relationship between the two sisters-in-law took a turn for the better. Ginny had been in dire need of a new set of dress robes for a league social function and turned to Fluer in a moment of desperation. In the process of selecting the proper robes for the occasion Ginny discovered that the distant Frenchwoman not only had a brilliant eye for fashion, but she was devoted to Bill and positively doted on their children. After the reaction Ginny's robes got in the press she immediately hired Fluer as her fashion director and if they weren't strictly speaking friends, their relationship was friendly.
"I get along just fine with your wife these days, it's mum who has the problem with Fleur, and even she's come around most days. I think the grandchildren helped on that score."
"They are the cutest trio you're liable to meet," Bill said.
"About that, are you sure they're yours Bill? I don't see any way a gangly wanker like you could have spawned such adorable little monsters."
Bill glanced out the window and saw his wife and three children cavorting with a garden gnome. "They all had the good sense to take after their mother. But we aren't here to talk about my family. I know you've flown for England before, but Merlin Ginny, this is a hippogriff of a different colour!"
Ginny looked at her brother and was unable to contain her grin. "I know, it's mental isn't it?"
"How does it feel?"
"Honestly, this is going to sound conceited, but I feel like I belong on that team. I've played against all the other blokes on the squad, and I'm just as good as any of them."
"It's not conceited if it's true," Bill said. "And in your case it certainly is true." He leaned over and pulled Ginny in for a hug. "I'm proud of you kid. I know how hard you worked to get to this point."
"Thanks Bill," Ginny said as she returned the hug. "That means a lot."
"Oh is it time for hugs? Nobody told me. George get over here, we're hugging Ginny!" Fred shouted over at his twin before diving on Bill and Ginny.
"Righto Fred, be over in a trice," George said as he rushed over and added on to the rapidly forming pile.
"Get off you two lummoxes," Ginny said. She ineffectually pushed at the mass of her brothers.
"Say the magic word," Fred said in a sing-song voice.
"If you don't get off me this instant I'm going to banish your bits to the other side of the planet," Ginny said.
"Sounds like the magic word to me eh Gred?"
"Right you are Forge."
The twins clambered off Bill and Ginny. "Sorry about that Ginny, but it's not everyday we get to hug our wise, eldest brother." Fred said.
"And sorry Bill, but it's not everyday we get to hug our most fair little sister," George said.
"At the same time," Fred said. "Still Ginny, we both wanted to say congratulations."
"Even if you just trumped us for all time," George said without malice.
"Don't sell yourself short Georgie," Bill said. "The pair of you topped the Prophet's list of up-and-coming businessmen."
"That's very true," Fred said as he and George sat down in a pair of easy chairs across from the sofa. "And we had record profits last quarter too."
"But none of that compares to what you've gone and done little sister," George said.
"Though I bet we hit a record in back to school sales with a few new advertisements from our main endorser," Fred said to George as he shot Ginny a pointed stare.
Ginny sighed dramatically. "Fine, get in touch with Hermione and set something up. I won't even charge the usual rate. Though if you keep having record quarters I might have to change my mind."
For as long as Ginny could remember Fred and George had wanted to open a joke shop. One that could rival Zonko's in Hogsmeade. Their product ideas were brilliant, but there was no way Gringott's was going to lend the necessary Galleons to a pair of fresh out of Hogwarts wizards. That was when what Ginny privately dubbed "The Miracle" occurred. An anonymous donor provided the funds the twins needed to get Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes up off the ground. To that very day the twins refused to say who their mysterious benefactor was. When pressed all they would say was that the investor was a like-minded individual who was more comfortable as a silent partner. Ginny had her suspicions about the identity of this silent parter; but since the twins were her biggest sponsor she didn't see the need to press them for the information.
Fred's face lit up in delight. "That will be a brilliant. A couple of wireless spots will be just the thing we need to finally knock Zonko's out of the top spot."
"Have we told you our next big idea for promoting the improved Canary Cream line?"
"No but I'm sure you're about to," Ginny said with a resigned smile on her face. She loved to hear what the twins were working on next. And she especially loved getting her hands on prototype Wheezes and doing field tests. That being said, the twins' enthusiasm for an idea often far outstripped everyone else's.
"The Weasley Wizarding Wheezes Expo," Fred said with a grin.
"The what?" Bill asked.
"It's quite simple really, we invite some fans of the shop and a few members of the press to a hall we've rented and we demonstrate all the new products for them. Instead of having to take out advertisements in the Prophet to raise awareness they'll do it for us as a news item."
"That is clever," Ginny said. "I'm guessing you'll be expecting me to make an appearance at this thing?"
"Of course!"
Ginny sighed. "Talk to Hermione. If the dates line up I'll be there."
"Talk to me about what now?" Hermione asked as she and Ron walked up to the sofa.
"This expo thing the twins are talking about putting on. Apparently I'm expected to be there to trot around the stage."
"Yes, I imagine you would be. Don't worry, I'll be sure you aren't the recipient of any product demonstrations." Hermione said. She glared at the twins, the implied threat going unvoiced.
"We would never do that to such an important spokeswitch like Ginny, would we George?"
"We absolutely would not," George said.
"You absolutely would," Hermione said. "Ron make sure they don't do anything to my client, and your sister, that would present her in a bad light."
Ron looked up from the plate of tiny sausages he was shoveling into his mouth. "Oh no, I'm not taking sides here."
Throughout his education at Hogwarts Ron's two career goals were either to be an Auror or play in the Quidditch League as a Keeper. Unfortunately for Ron, his grades weren't good enough to qualify for Auror training, and no clubs were even willing to sign him to their developmental squads. Although unbeknownst to Ron that wasn't completely true. The Chudley Cannons, Ron's favourite club, had decided to offer Ron a spot on their reserve squad. Sadly, in typical Cannons fashion, the owl carrying the letter got struck by lighting and wound up in Sussex. The Cannons assumed Ron wanted nothing to do with the club, and Ron never knew the offer was on the table.
Fortunately for Ron the twins had an opening at the shop working on the sales floor. To the surprise of everyone, Ron included, he took to the job like a fish to water and now was in charge of retails operations for all of the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes shops. He was also in charge of managing endorsements, which often put him into conflict with his wife. The generally consensus among the family was that this was a deliberate move on part of the twins. Their love of elaborate pranks on their family remained undimmed throughout the years.
"Ginny," Hermione said. "Can I speak to you for a moment, in private." Ginny nodded and led Hermione out of the living room.
"I wonder what that's about?" Bill asked his brothers.
Ron shrugged. "Probably something to do with the arrangement for the Euros. Anybody want a Butterbeer?"
Ginny ushered Hermione into her old room and shut the door behind them. "I'm impressed," Hermione said as she looked around the room. "Your mum hasn't changed a thing."
Ginny sighed. "Of course she hasn't. I think she elects I'll come to my senses and move back in any day now. Now what was it you wanted to talk about?"
"How are you feeling? About all of this really."
Ginny stared at Hermione in disbelief. "This is only the moment I've waited my entire life for. How do you think I'm feeling?"
"I know it's a career highpoint, but he is also on the team."
Ginny groaned and sunk onto her bed. "Merlin Hermione, is that what you're worried about?"
"Of course that's what I'm worried about. I was there Ginny. I remember how cut up you were afterwards."
Ginny threw her hands up in frustration. "That was years ago, and might I remind you we played together just fine the next year."
Hermione sat down on the bed next to Ginny. She draped an arm across the younger woman's shoulders. "I also know that was the last relationship you were in that could even be remotely called serious, and now you're going to be playing with him in some of the most high pressure Quidditch in the world."
Ginny flopped backwards on the bed, covered her face with a pillow and groaned. "What is it with you and Luna? I'm fine, it will be fine. I am perfectly capable of playing with Harry Potter without incident. Now could we please drop it?"
Hermione rested a hand on Ginny's knee and stroked it comfortingly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to harp on it, but it's my job is to look out for your mental well-being. If you want me to let the matter drop then I'll let the matter drop."
Ginny tossed the pillow aside and sat back up. "Please let it die. I just got named to play for England in the third most prestigious Quidditch tournament in the world. Can we focus on that and not the fact that Harry bloody Potter is also on the team?"
Hermione leaned over and hugged Ginny. "I certainly can do that."
Ginny grinned at Hermione. "I made the team!"
Hermione hugged Ginny again. "You did."
"This means we can get the twins to up their sponsorship fee right?"
Hermione laughed. "I'll get right on it." The two friends stood up and made their way back to the party.
Author's Notes: So this chapter exists pretty much to catch up on the Weasley's. Obviously there isn't much catching up to do because as always the rules is stick to canon'ish, but I'm sure everyone wants to know what Bill is doing even if he never shows up again, sorry Bill! Also, I am ridiculously proud of that joke about Ron and the Cannons. Thanks again to all you kind people who take the time to read this, and let's do this again next week.
-sam