Avoiding Our Grasp

Chapter One****Life in Egypt

Ginny Weasley opened her eyes barely a crack, and was blinded by the ever-dependable sunlight that was streaming into her room. She rolled over onto her side, and her arm rested on the cold spare pillow next to her, a reminder that she slept alone. This is why you hate double beds, she thought to herself. She only slept well in twin beds, where there was no extra space when she occupied it, and so she wasn't constantly reminded of her unhappiness by the lack of body heat beside her.

The warm Egyptian air greeted her as she sat up straight and stretched. Taking a look at the clock nest to her bed, she remembered that she had to be at Gringotts by 9:00 am, and it was already 8:30. She rolled out of bed and thrust open her curtains. The view of the city below greeted her, as it always had. This is why you love living here, in Bill's apartment. It's so beautiful. Ginny couldn't argue with herself in that respect. She really did love it here. She loved her job, she loved Bill and his wife, Fleur, she loved... just about everything. Well, almost everything. Glancing at the clock again, she hurried in to take a shower before Bill woke up.

It had been five years. Five years sine Ginny Weasley last experienced true and utter happiness. She remembered exactly the place when she realized that her life was perfect. When she knew it couldn't get any better. She was in a broom cupboard, snogging Harry, and as she messed with his hair, she knew she could die and life would be wonderful. Then Harry, Ron, and Hermione graduated, and Ginny was left alone at the school, with no one to comfort her. She had never been close to anyone her age, and now she was a loner: friendless and distraught. Her grades never suffered, as she took consolation in Hagrid, growing closer to him than she ever had been.

She owled Hermione, and Hermione always sent back lengthy replies about her training, and her hopes to someday be a teacher at Hogwarts. Ginny smiled at the thought: Hermione always knew exactly what she wanted, and she always seemed to be able to get it. Nevertheless, Ginny still missed the group. It wasn't quite the same, only 'talking' to them through letters. She just was so tired of being alone, and took every opportunity to go home, hoping to see Harry and Ron and Hermione, and to be together with all of them, just like the old times.

It never happened. Sure, Ron came back, sometimes bringing Hermione, and Ginny loved being back with her best friend and brother, but it was never the same without Harry. He sent her owls, telling her what was going on in his life, how busy he was, and how much he missed her, always careful never to mention coming to the Weasleys'. How she missed him...

"Ginny!!" Bill yelled, banging on the bathroom door. "Oy, Ginny! You're using up all the hot water!"

"All right! I'll be out in a second!"

"Fine! But hurry up, won't you? You're bloody slow!"

Ginny turned back around and let the water run over her body for another moment and then turned off the faucet. Grabbing a towel, she jumped out of the shower and left the bathroom, encountering a pouting Bill leaning against the wall, yawning. She gave him a mischievous grin, and stuck out her tongue. He laughed and went into the bathroom.

Ginny continued down the hall to her bedroom, which she entered, shut the door behind her, and flopped onto the bed, enjoying the bit of cold air she felt around her, intensified by the remaining water droplets clinging to her skin. She let her mind roam back to Harry, if only for a moment. Bloody hell, she loved him. It had become so strong, especially after graduation. Graduation...

Their graduation had been difficult. Ginny put on a brave face, and attended the long ceremony, cumulating in hugs from everyone, and a quick snog from Harry, who was off to say goodbye to Dumbledore and McGonagall. She smiled and laughed, and pretended to be happy for her brother and her best friend and the love of her life, when inside, she was screaming and crying, and shouting hurtful things. She didn't want them to leave her.

Later that night, there was a magnificent party at the Burrow, attended by heaps and heaps of people: Aurors, Hogwarts students and graduates, teachers, and many others. Ginny once again thanked the stars for her good acting skills, and walked around laughing, playing the hostess, and acted like she was having a fabulous time. After about 10 pm, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Ginny?"

"I'm going to take a quick walk, I'll be back soo-" Ginny was out the door before she could even finish her sentence. She continued down the road, taking odd turns and such, not thinking, barely breathing, just wanting to get out. She arrived nearly two miles from her house, on a deserted street with only one streetlamp. She slumped onto the side curb, and began weeping. Not softly, in fact. She was sobbing loudly, crying for everyone and everything that was changing, when she had been perfectly happy with how it was. She sat there for nearly ten minutes, crying so hard she could hardly breathe. Suddenly, she felt the grass underneath her move, and as she turned around, she found herself staring into the eyes of Harry Potter.

"Ginny?" Harry asked, concern flooding his features. "Are you all right? I saw you leave, and I figured I could help..." Harry sat down next to her. Instinctively, Ginny leaned into Harry and collapsed into his embrace.

"Harry, I just don't... I can't... Please don't leave!" Ginny burst into a fresh wave of tears. Harry pulled her closer, and let her cry. After a moment, he seemed to think better of it, and lifted her up.

"Ginny, listen to me. I love you. I will always love you, and I'll always be there for you, even when you can't see me. I'll come visit on all the holidays, and by this time next year, we can move in together. I promise. Just don't cry; I can't bear to see you unhappy."

"Oh, Harry... I don't know what to say. Thank you for making me feel better." Ginny wiped her eyes, and glanced around. "You know, Mum doesn't know where we are, and we best be getting back."

"Oh no you don't." Harry said playfully, "We've got some urgent business to attend to first."

"Really? What, pray tell, is that?" Ginny replied, grinning.

"This." Harry said, and pulled her toward him, stopping her mouth with a long, warm kiss.

"Ginny! We've got to go!"

"Coming, Bill! Let me pull my robes on!"

"All right, but make it quick; I don't want to be late!"

"I know, be right there!"

"Brilliant."

"Bloody Hell," Ginny muttered under her breath, as she turned around to find her robes. There'll be time for fantasizing about Harry later, but I've got to go! Ginny thought to herself, as she dug out her robes and her underthings.

"Ginny!"

"Right! I'm ready, let's go!" Ginny called as she ran through the kitchen, grabbed a piece of toast from Fleur's outstretched hand, and ran out the door, following Bill.

Running to catch up with her oldest brother, Ginny wheezed, "Why- can't- we- just- apparate- there-?"

"Because," Bill explained, slowing so Ginny could catch her breath, "we're needed to test the new visitor's entrance."

"Oh. All right."

"It should be just over there, next to the old bar room, see it?"

"Yes... is it in the alley?"

"Uh huh. Turn right here, and continue down this way."

Ginny and Bill made their way down the alley and turned right, facing a dead end, with a small garbage can. Bill stepped up to it and turned the handle on the lid 360 degrees, and then tapped it with his wand. To Ginny's surprise, the handle turned and a voice began to speak.

"Welcome. Please state your name and business."

"Bill and Ginny Weasley, employees of Gringotts."

"Welcome Mr. and Ms. Weasley. Pharaoh's Alley wishes you a pleasant day."

The bricks in the wall began to recede, and the pair stepped through the wall, into a Egyptian version of Diagon Alley, the wizard marketplace that Ginny was used to at home in England. Egyptian wizards moved about quickly from place to place, chatting happily with each other. Bill led Ginny down a narrow alley that winded about, and before they knew it, they were directly in front of Gringotts bank.