AN: It's the first time that I'm posting a multi-chapter story without the story being finished. I try to upload a new chapter at least every 2-4 weeks.
Thank you so much to KSummer and GryffindorHealer for giving the chapters a final look over.
"Go ahead and change. I'll take over for you now," said the woman in nurse's clothing, holding a mug of coffee that she had just picked up from the break area. Looking up from the journal where she'd just finished the shift report, Ginny smiled at the woman, her favourite colleague. Her dark ebony skin, the stylish short, curly haircut and the bright brown eyes, which could smile as warmly as her lips, always radiated good mood.
A glimpse at her watch told Ginny there were still fifteen minutes until shift change. Giving her colleague a grateful smile, she stretched to loosen the tense in her sore back. "Thank you, Amy. But I'll go and check on Mrs Winterbottom before I leave. I promised her."
Amy laughed. "You like the old lady, don't you?"
"Yeah, she's always so lonely and rarely gets visitors," replied Ginny, almost apologetically. "I try to make it a little more homey for her."
Giving her a pensive glance, Amy asked, "Isn't it the same with you? You only see your family once a month. And you've never mentioned friends either."
"One of my brothers also lives in London, and we meet occasionally," Ginny protested half-heartedly.
Amy raised her eyebrows at her. "You are far too often alone, and you work too much. Almost every weekend. Every now and then, you should take a day off. And you should think about getting yourself a boyfriend and going out at least once a week. When was your last day off?"
Ginny scowled. "Must have been three weeks ago when I visited my parents."
"See! Take an advice from an older woman," Amy replied, good-naturedly.
"Older woman, my arse," Ginny snorted. "I bet you're not even forty."
"That makes me almost twice your age. Now go. I don't want to be responsible if you work overtime again," Amy finished the discussion, barely hiding a satisfied grin.
"Okay, okay. I'm going," Ginny chuckled. "We have two new patients. You can find everything important in the journal. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll pop in again before I go."
She knocked before entering Mrs Winterbottom's room.
"Hello Ginny. Glad you didn't forget me," croaked the older woman in a hoarse voice. "Can you please help me sit up? I want to read but can't hold my book while lying down."
"Yeah, sure thing." Ginny gave the woman a warm smile, holding out her arm for her to sit up while she adjusted the headboard. She fetched another pillow from the closet and stuffed it behind the woman's back. "Lean back, Mrs Winterbottom. Is it okay, or do you need another pillow?"
"Oh, yes, my dear. That's perfect. Thank you so much. Now I only need my book. It's over there in the top drawer. If you would be so kind."
Ginny opened the drawer and grabbed the book. Her eyebrows rose as she read the squiggly writing on the cover: The House of Joy. "This one?" Ginny asked, holding the book higher, the front page towards Mrs Winterbottom.
"Yes, my dear," said the woman with a mischievous smile. "It's so boring here all day long. I need to read something exciting every now and then to remind me of the good old days when I was young and my husband was still alive."
Laughing, Ginny handed the woman her book. "Then I hope you have fun with it. We won't see each other until Monday. I have my weekend off."
"You're visiting your family, aren't you?" the woman inquired. When Ginny said yes, she smiled, pleased and nodded. "That's a good. Family is important."
Ginny sighed. Mrs Winterbottom had only a cousin, close to her age, who stopped by occasionally. Her daughter moved recently to Australia and wouldn't be able to visit her mother for another few weeks.
After waving the elder woman goodbye, Ginny made a quick stop at Amy's after changing and showering. When Amy assured her that everything was okay, Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. Now, she deserved a reward. And a visit to her favourite café, a cosy place where she used to unwind for an hour before heading home, was just the thing she needed today.
As she walked into the café, a familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her. The place was bustling with people, a mix of students engrossed in their textbooks and tourists wanting to give their feet some rest after walking around all day. Ginny scanned the room for a free table, and her heart began to sink until she spotted one by the window that had just become available, one of her favourite spots.
She made her way over to the table, her mind already occupied with a comforting latte macchiato and the delicious chocolate sprinkles she could never resist. Before settling in, Ginny suddenly felt the urgent need to use the loo. Luckily, the waitress just came to clear the table, and Ginny placed her order before rushing off to relieve herself.
Upon her return a few minutes later, Ginny was taken aback to find a young man occupying her table. Frowning slightly, she looked about, her heart sinking. It would certainly take a while to get another table. Luckily for her, the waitress, a friendly face she knew well, came over with her order and, with an apologetic smile, informed the stranger, "I'm sorry, sir, but this table is already taken."
A mixture of embarrassment and apology in his eyes, the young man looked up at Ginny. "I am so sorry. I didn't notice. There were no other tables available, and this one looked so inviting."
Ginny wavered for a moment, torn between the desire to have a table to herself and feeling guilty for chasing someone away. At least, that's how it felt to her. Finally she mustered a friendly smile. "Don't worry, I don't mind. There really aren't any other tables available, so why don't you sit with me? We can share the table." When the stranger hesitated, she added with a chuckle, "I promise I won't bite."
The young man smiled with gratitude. "Thank you. And I promise I won't take up too much space."
Ginny sat down and put her bag on her lap while the waitress served her latte and the cake.
"Oh, the cake looks delicious," the stranger said, leaning forward to admire Ginny's chocolate sprinkles. He gave her a shy smile and turned to the waitress, "If you don't mind, I'd have one of those too, please, with a piece of Treacle Tart, and a large black coffee."
"A large black coffee?" Ginny asked playfully, raising her eyebrows as the waitress walked away.
"Oh, I..." the man began, reddening slightly. Giving her a crooked smile, he shrugged. "My godfather always drank black coffee to wake up in the morning. He even claimed the coffee was named after him since his last name was also Black." The man smiled to himself, probably replaying the scene in his memory. "At some point, I must also have gotten into the habit of it." He chuckled quietly. "Now I love the bitter taste."
Sheesh, is his laugh contagious, Ginny thought and couldn't suppress a broad grin. She took the opportunity and eyed the stranger a little closer. His black, messy mop of hair fell slightly over his forehead and covered half of his ears. He wore thick, black-framed glasses he occasionally pushed back on his nose. Ginny's breath hitched as she met his eyes, which were watching her as closely as she was watching him. They were of a deep emerald green that seemed to suck her in and almost took her breath away.
"Oh, I'm Harry, by the way," she heard the man say, bringing her focus back to him. "And I don't usually occupy tables that are already taken."
Ginny chuckled, but it took her a moment to break eye contact and focus on her latte to have a sip.
"I'm Ginny," she finally uttered, putting down her mug. "Are you often around? I can't remember I've ever seen you."
"The cake is really amazing," praised the man ...Harry was it after the first bite and took a sip of his coffee. "I'm often here when I'm in the area. Once or twice a month. And you, if I may ask?"
"Once or twice a week, after work," Ginny replied with a sheepish smile. "Almost every Friday. And this is my favourite table. Unfortunately, it's often taken."
"I can imagine," Harry replied, grinning. "You can the watch street life outside so well."
"Exactly," Ginny agreed, chuckling.
"So you work around here if I understand correctly?" asked Harry.
"Yes, but only during the semester break and on the weekends," Ginny explained. "I study medicine."
"Oh, that's...wow," Harry said, impressed.
"Why are you so surprised?" Ginny asked, bewildered. "A lot of medical students come here. The university hospital is just around the corner."
"No. It's just that I have a lot of respect for studying medicine. Must be pretty hard, right?" Harry asked, clearly interested.
"There's a lot to memorize, that's true," Ginny admitted. "But if you can help people in need, or at least improve their situation, it makes up for it. I've wanted to be a doctor since I was twelve or so."
Savouring a piece of her chocolate sprinkles, she stole glances at Harry, whose expression was a mixture of thoughtfulness and amusement. Sipping her latte, she enjoyed the perfect complement to the delicious crumble, letting out a delighted "hmm."
"What's there to grin about?" She asked, amused as Harry focused back to his cake to hide a growing smile.
"Oh, it's nothing," Harry replied quickly before taking another bite of cake. "You really seem to enjoy yourself."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Don't you like the cake?"
"Oh, of course," Harry responded, dumbfounded. "I just enjoy watching you."
"Is that your way of hitting on girls? A bit unusual," Ginny said teasingly. "Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that you took my table?"
"What?" Harry exclaimed, perplexed. "Hell no. I never usually chat up girls. It's just... I don't know. You're so easy to talk to."
Ginny eyed Harry again while relishing her chocolate sprinkles, always avoiding direct eye contact. He seemed like a nice guy. She sighed internally. It wasn't a good idea to get involved with a Muggle. It would only lead to problems. Heaven. She sighed audibly. It wasn't a good idea to get involved with men at all, no matter whether they were muggles or wizards. That would only lead to problems.
"I wish I could read your thoughts," Harry said, giving her a lopsided smile.
"Better not," Ginny snorted.
"Something has spoiled your good mood. Are you going to tell me?" Harry asked, suddenly becoming serious. "I hope it's not my fault?"
"Your fault? Heavens, what makes you think that?" Ginny shook her head. Glancing briefly at her watch, she uttered, "It's just... I have to go home soon. I have an appointment with my brother, and I'm actually already a little late."
"Your brother? Really?" Harry asked, probably suspecting an excuse.
"Yeah. Who else? I don't have anyone else here in London," Ginny admitted.
"Isn't this a bit lonely?"
"I've gotten used to it. Do you have many friends?" Ginny asked.
"There aren't that many either. But I travel a lot," said Harry and paused. "We could meet up sometime when I'm back in London. What do you think?"
Ginny gave Harry a thoughtful look. Should she really get involved with a Muggle? He was nice. If she was honest, she liked him. But she would never be able to introduce her family to him, wouldn't she? Playing such hide-and-seek games wasn't hers. On the other hand, would it really hurt to have company every once in a while?
"We could go out for dinner or a movie together," Harry suggested.
Ginny smiled. "Why not?"
"How can I contact you?" Harry asked joyously, obviously relieved that she'd agreed. "I can give you my mobile number."
"I don't have a mobile," Ginny said, her brow furrowing. "I don't have a phone at all. Except at work. But private conversations are not welcome there."
"I'm sure no one will tear your head off over a single phone call," Harry said encouragingly, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "If you give me your number, I'll call you when I'm back in London sometime in the middle of next week."
"All right, then," Ginny gave in and shared her number with Harry so he could save it on his phone. Who knows if he wouldn't have forgotten about her by next week?