We use our voice to communicate with others, but this was one of those times when the Weasley family, or to be specific Ginny and her father, sat listening to Molly. Now Mr. Weasley had just returned home from work and had a lot on his mind, so he ignored his wife, saying, “Really?” every once in awhile just to be part of her conversation. Ginny, on the other hand, only heard “Blah, blah, blah and blah!” Harry this and Harry that. Dinner, chicken , Harry, tablecloths and where on earth did I put that recipe for… it was driving Ginny absolutely batty!
Molly did not notice the lack in conversation as she continued her now twenty minute monologue and Ginny was now seriously considering setting the tablecloth on fire. A few minutes more and she would have, but Molly soon ended with, “Well? Blue or green?”
“Blue or green what?” Ginny asked as she absentmindedly flattened her mashed potatoes to the ceramic plate.
“I suppose we can discuss the colors later on,” Mrs. Weasley sighed as she helped herself to another slice of bread.
“Mum, I don’t need to pick out colors for anything,” Ginny stated, thoroughly confused at what they were talking about.
“Of course you need to pick a color for your tablecloths!”
“Mum, I don’t use table cloths.”
“For your wedding reception you will! Honestly, Ginny I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
“What the hell!”
“Ginevra! Your langue has become absolutely atrocious! Do you think Harry wants his future wife using such vulgar language?”
Ginny got up from the table so fast that for the second time that day her chair clattered to the ground. Mr. Weasley looked just as startled as his daughter. He respected Ginny’s choice and did not push her for details. All he knew was that Harry had purposed and Ginny had rejected him. This was definitely way out in left field as the Muggles said. He looked at his daughter; she shook her head and yelled, “Heck no!”
“Of course you’re going to marry him! I have had enough of your childishness; it’s time you-”
“I would rather marry Draco Malfoy!” The room went as silent as the grave at this outburst. Molly let a gasp escape her; this was not what she wanted to hear.
Yes, at this point Ginny would gladly choose him over Harry and it wasn’t like Draco didn’t have any redeeming qualities. He had joined the good side in the end, and when he wanted to, he could be very nice. Ginny would have used the word sweet, but she had never seen him be “sweet” so she decided it was best not to bank on something like that.
“You…you-”
“Mum, I mean it. If they both purposed to me, I would choose Draco over Potter.”
Another gasp came, except this time from Arthur Weasley; he was very surprised at his daughter calling Harry by his last name.
“Well, we have nothing to fear from him. I doubt that you would accept any such proposal after you see Harry again. He is coming for dinner this Friday and you have to be here,” Mrs. Weasley stated triumphantly.
Things were going downhill rather fast now. Ginny knew she would end up in Saint Mungo’s if she saw Harry again. She had to leave; Fall Bay now seemed like a distant mirage. She would not let her only escape be torn from her. “No!” This was not going as she had planned, “Dad, may I please go to Fall Bay with Cho and Luna? If I stay here, I will end up at Saint Mungo’s.”
“You will be going no such place!” Molly yelled, causing the tea kettle nearby to shake with apprehension.
Whether she meant Fall Bay or Saint Mungo’s, neither she nor Ginny could discuss because Arthur Weasley finally spoke. “Molly, I think Ginny should go to Fall Bay with her friends.”
“But-”
“Yes!”
“But only…”
“But only what?” Ginny asked, worried that her life as a single girl would be thrown away for a single summer vacation.
“Ginny, this dinner means a lot to your Mum, so if you want to go on this vacation, you really should be there.”
Even though her father didn’t say it as a command, Ginny knew this was no request.
“That sounds reasonable and Luna can spend the night!” Ginny smiled, proud of her quick thinking. It was possible that with Luna there, she wouldn’t be approached by him.
*
Dear Cho,
Well, after a long dinner conversation my dad said I can go with you and Luna to Fall Bay! But I have to be at the family plus Potter dinner this coming Friday! I know you have to work so I invited Luna over to spend the night. Hopefully she will keep Harry occupied while I try to stay calm. I would rather not go to Saint Mungo’s anytime soon. So I now only have to endure the rest of this week. Goodness knows I shall be on Potter Watch the whole time!
Let me know when and where Luna and I should meet you. Thanks again for saving me. I don’t know what I would have done!
Your friend,
Ginny
When her letter to Cho was done, she began one to Luna.
Dear Luna,
I can go to Fall Bay! I’m very excited about this, but I do have a small favor to ask of you.
This coming Friday, my mum is having the family and Harry over to dinner. I would like you to come too so that I won’t be so worried about you-know-who! This invitation also includes a sleepover so that you won’t have to Apparate home late. Please, please say you will come! It would mean a lot to me!
Your friend,
Ginny
Ginny sent the two letters on their way. After watching the sky for a few more minutes, she threw herself on her bed, closing her eyes. Memories flashed before them and they all included the one person she wanted most to forget. “Uggh!” One thing was for certain. This was going to be a very long week for Ginny Weasley.
The Charm of Fall Bay by dancingwithneville
Chapter Notes: Thanks to my wonderful Beta reader Kate aka th_poet !
Thank you for all your help!
I don't own any of Harry Potter, Chracters and or anything that you think belongs to JK Rowling.