Ginny was on pins and needles all day, as one would be when there's been a reveal of Voldemort's followers that were possibly lurking around every corner. She was glad she was behind the bar— it was not hard to see whether any of her visitors had a Dark Mark (or a rats tail). She was on the lookout for anyone suspicious, and Peter Pettigrew was her first suspect.

That's why she had 'forgotten' to service Harry's Auror friends the night they were at the bar. Indeed, the unusual visitor that Wednesday night was none other than Snape himself and Ginny made a beeline to see him the moment he sank into his usual dark corner at the end of the bar.

"Nothing yet," she whispered, sliding him his usual.

Snape nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "I'll keep my eyes out."

"Sounds good."

It was nice, working with Snape like that, and it allowed her to keep an eye on him in case he was trying to pull a suspicious trick from up his sleeve.

She watched him scan the room. She wondered how he was good at reading situations like that. From the outside, he seemed the regular antisocial sort of person but in action he was masterful at reading people. In the course of minutes he had slid over to speak with a few women enjoying their martinis , Ginny was certain they worked for the local Floo network services and would know about the coming ins and outs of the town.

She jumped when Harry's Auror workmate Will slid over and ordered a drink. He'd been trying to get her attention for some time now and was frankly not in the mood.

"You'll wait like everyone else," Ginny said, making him a Bloody Mary. "Six fifty."

"Auror discount?"

"Six fourty."

Will smirked, slid over a ten and took a sip. "You're his girlfriend, aren't you?"

"Well that's one way to put it." Ginny said, then followed Will's gaze to Snape. "No, oh no, you've got it all wrong."

"I meant Potter's."

"Oh, er right," Ginny said, "it's complicated."

"Meaning you are not together?" Will continued.

"That's on a need to know basis."

Will looked at Snape and his expression darkened. "It's a shame we can't arrest him right here. Potter's got such an affinity for him. I'll bet he's keeping him around just so he can take him down himself when he pleases. If it were my decision, I'd have him locked up. Wizards like that don't deserve to walk free."

Or maybe Harry was keeping him close by so he could gather Intel on the Dark Lord's whereabouts? Kind of like how The Dark Lord had kept Severus alive to do so himself.

Ginny shrugged. "I'm sure Harry has his reasons."

"As he usually does," Will said. "You're straight speaking and I respect that. I'd hate to see you on the wrong end of Harry's whims."

"What do you mean?"

"He does this every time we do a business trip," Will said. "Finds some bird to toy with and then leaves her hanging. Thinks that because he's the Chosen One, every witch is going to flock all over him." His voice sounded angry, very jealous.

"Harry's not like that," Ginny said surely. "We grew up together and he isn't that sort of man. He's honest and loyal to a fault."

"Really? Let me guess," Will said. "You liked Harry before he became the Chosen One, but you kept it on the down low, tried to be chill, be casual about your feelings, but kept getting looked over in favor of other witches. I'll bet it was hard, seeing Harry invite someone to the Yule Ball or hearing him discuss yet another one of his crushes with you while you kept a straight face, but everything inside you was just fuming. Because you're not just any girl, you're the 'cool girl'. You never raise your voice or get angry or jealous. You don't complain, even when he's blatantly disrespectful because youre not about to make a scene."

The glass in Will's hand exploded, sending shards piercing into his skin, while Ginny frowned. She Summoned a few napkins and tossed them to the wizard with the words, "Clean up and get going."

Will grabbed hold of Ginny's hand before she could walk off. "Ginny, is it? You are a beautiful witch, really didn't mean to offend you."

"You did."

"Come on, don't be like this. Let me make it up to you. I can show you a good time, make you feel things Potter only did to others."

"Merlin, you're drunk. Take the Floo back to the inn, will you?" Ginny said.

"Promise I won't hurt you-"

"I believe the witch made herself very clear," boomed the voice of Severus Snape. "Unhand her or your next strike will come from me."

Well apparently, that is what Will wanted because the two wizards marched outside with Ginny grabbing hold of Snape's robes and hissing, "you cannot be seriously doing this."

Snape grumbled, "Didn't like a bully in the best of times."

In that darkened alley, Snape had Will spinning in the air in ways Ginny could only imagine in her worst of nightmares. What frightened her more was the idea that this was likely only a fraction of Snape's true strength and that as a Death Eater, he could inflict much more pain on a wizard. Poor Will likely came off easy with a broken nose and a sore arm and a limp foot. Snape took only a minor cut to the ear, but left unscathed.

"Just you wait, you bloody traitors," Will muttered, spitting out blood, "The two of you didn't just go against me, you went against the whole Magical Ministry. Can't wait to see you and your whore behind the bars, you filthy Dark Lord lovers-"

He gave Snape the dirtiest of looks, but was met with a spell that lifted him into the air by the throat. Snape's eyes were the darkest shade of black they'd ever become.

"Threaten Ginevra one more time, and I will personally bury you and the rest of your troop into the dust. Trust me, Mr Cobden, nobody will tell what color your robes are when you are laying a hundred feet under Cagailshire. Do I make myself clear?"

He did and Will clutched his throat as he Apparated into the night shadows.

Snape tilted his head to Ginny. "You're well?"

"Y-yes."

"Have a good night." Snape looked at her and then he too Apparated off.

All Ginny could think about for the rest of the night as she closed the bar and wiped the tables was his voice saying her name. Severus Snape, the man who hadn't really cared for anyone enough to refer to them as anything but their formal title, who was a lone island, who slept with a different witch each weekend, who didn't talk with anyone who couldn't do anything useful for him—he called her Ginevra. Not Miss Weasley, not Muggle lover, not witch…but Ginevra.

Ginny's mouth went a little dry when the door opened.

"Ginny?" Talia said walking over and placing an envelope with her paycheck on the table.

"Oh, it's you."

"Of course. Who else would it be?" Talia said and her face went serious. "Are you feeling well?"

"What?"

"You're all…red. Not coming down with a cold?"

"Cold? No. Oh Gods," Ginny muttered.

"Apparently there's been yet another brawl outside. Something's in the air. Came to check in on you."

"That?" Ginny said. "Just a few drunks fighting over a miscommunication. Nothing I can't handle."

Talia smiled. "I know. Go home, you look like you could use some rest."

Ginny didn't want to go home. She stood outside, her robes wrapped around her feeling like she should have visited Snape and at the very least thanked him for yet again stepping in on her behalf. She didn't know where he lived.

-xxx-

Harry found Ginny doing her groceries and gave her a huge hug, telling her how sorry he was for Will's behavior and how he had been rightly reprimanded and will no longer bother her. He apologized for not having been there himself to help her.

"I understand," Ginny said quickly, smiling. Clearly, her answer was not enough to let her pass by Harry with an armful of crisps, oatmeal and bananas. "Listen, no worries. Severus took care of me-"

Harry's eyes widened. " Severus ?"

Ginny hoped Snape would not mind her using his first name in casual conversation. Either way, it had its intended effect on Harry who looked uncomfortable.

"Yeah. He was there at the right time. Looks like Will learned his lesson the hard way."

Harry frowned. "All I'm saying is that you should be careful who you trust Gin. You don't want to mix with…the wrong crowd. Rumors can start."

Ginny leaned in, not containing her emotions. "That's rich coming from you. Take your own advice first and be cautious about what your mates are doing. I don't care that they're Aurors—they better keep their hands and their opinions to themselves or they're going to make a whole lot of enemies in Cagailshire. I don't want them near me again. Understood?"

Ginny left Harry in a stupor, paid for her food and left.

The following morning, she did find a bouquet of beautiful roses from Harry and an invitation to dinner. At first she considered tossing everything out, but then decided to give Harry a chance. After all, second chances could prove surprising.

A\N: Severus got his revenge and he's served it cold. Ha! Hopefully Will got the message!