A Matter of Circumstance

Chapter 11 - Confrontations

It was surprisingly easy to find him. Harry didn't know much about Mark Englewood other than he dealt in magical artifacts. It hadn't mattered - with his celebrity status in the Wizarding World, Harry had friends in all the right places. With a simple visit to the Registrar's desk at the Ministry of Magic, he knew right where to go.

Within minutes, he had Apparated at the front door to Englewood's Enchanted Emporium. Through the front window, Harry could see Mark arranging some items in a display case.

His heart pounding, Harry ignored the closed sign on the door and stormed into the shop. At the thunderous sound of the front door slamming, Mark whirled around to face him.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you!" Harry said through clenched teeth.

"Get out," Mark spat bitterly as he pulled his wand from his robes.

Harry strode forward slowly. "Not until I'm through with you."

"What do you want?" Mark asked, as he backed away. His eyes darted around frantically as found himself hemmed in by display cases.

"Me ... personally? I'd be happy to just kick your arse and be done with it," Harry answered, still moving closer. His eyes were narrowed and filled with malice. "However, I want Ginny to be happy ... and unlike you, what makes her happy is very important to me."

"So, Ginny sent you? Sent her hero, Harry Potter, after me?" Mark sneered.

"Ginny doesn't know I'm here." Harry stopped a few feet from him. "For some unknown reason, she's not seen fit to dump your sorry arse ... yet." With his fists clenched tight, he felt the muscles in his neck bulging with restrained fury. Slowly shaking his head, he continued, "No, I'm here to set you straight on a few things and you can consider yourself lucky. If Ginny's brothers find out what you've done, they'll very likely just hex you into oblivion."

"You don't scare me."

"I should." Harry raised his fist and as he unfurled his fingers, every piece of glass in the shop cracked.

Mark cast a nervous glance around the shop. "I haven't done anything," he insisted.

"No?" Harry was pleased to see the glimmer of fear in his eyes. "What do you call trying to coerce Ginny into having sex with you?"

"I call it my right as her fiancé." Mark straightened his shoulders and defiantly thrust out his chin.

Harry saw red. "Your 'right'?!" he roared. Springing forward, he tackled Mark into the tall case behind him, causing the thick glass to crack further. He pulled the wand from Mark's hand and flung it across the room.

"Yes! My right!" Mark choked out. Harry's forearm was pressed tight against his throat as he was pinned against the display. "She's mine, Potter. She belongs to me. I've invested two long years into this relationship ... always doing and saying the right thing ... finally convincing her that it was in both of our best interest to marry. I'm not about to let it go to waste just because the man she thinks she loves is forced to pay attention to her! She agreed to marry me!"

Harry hadn't thought it possible to grow more enraged that he had been. He'd been wrong. He leaned into Mark harder. "And you think this gives you the right to force yourself upon her?!"

"Bit rich coming from you ... shagging her every night!" Mark taunted. "Oh, I was willing to go along with protecting her reputation since it was being saved for me. But as long as she's putting out for you every night, there's no reason for her to withhold herself from her future husband. I won't take no for an answer."

"That's too bad," Harry ground out, his face mere inches from Mark's. "Because once I finish with you, you won't have a prick left to threaten anyone!" Harry's anger had reached the critical point and he pulled his fist back.

"Harry! Stop ... He's not worth it."

Harry turned his head to see Ginny standing in the doorway. It was apparent she had been there long enough to hear the exchange, for her face was a mask of hatred as she glared at Mark. Harry slowly lowered his fist but pressed his arm tighter against Mark.

Stalking closer to them, she rounded on the man she was engaged to, her face red with fury and tears of anger in her eyes. "You disgust me!" she spat, slapping Mark hard across the face. "I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on Earth!" With an air of finality she turned and strode purposefully toward the door.

"But--"

Mark's plea was cut short as Harry shoved hard against him, sending him crashing through the glass.

"Don't ever come near her again," Harry hissed at the form now crumpled before him. "You do, and I will kill you."

As he left the Emporium, Harry quickly scanned the street for any sign of Ginny. Not spotting her ginger head among the pedestrians, he Apparated home, hoping she would be there.

He found her at the kitchen table, her eyes fixed on the tabletop before her, tears running down her cheeks. The sight of her distress tore at his heart and all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and comfort her.

"Ginny ..." he said sympathetically as he walked toward her.

"Please leave me be, Harry," she said quietly, not bothering to look up.

He stepped up next to her and gently laid his hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry--"

Startling him, she leapt from her seat and away from the table. "Don't. Don't touch me. Just leave me alone." Pulling out her wand, she aimed it at the fireplace and called out, "Incendio!" She strode to the fireplace, and grabbing a handful of Floo powder from the mantle, she tossed it in and stepped into the flames. Before Harry could utter a word, she cried, "The Burrow!" and vanished.

Harry knew enough not to try and follow her, but that didn't keep him from worrying. He spent the rest of the evening wandering from room to room. Pondering Ginny's reaction, he felt he could understand at least some of what she was going through. She had obviously cared a great deal for Mark. She would not have agreed to an engagement otherwise. Mark's betrayal must have felt like a physical blow to her. These thoughts only fueled Harry's hatred for him. Harry couldn't help worrying that Ginny would have a difficult time trusting another man ... trusting him.

It was nearly ten before Ginny returned home. She stepped out of the lounge fireplace slowly and looked hesitantly around the room. While she was no longer crying, her eyes were rimmed with red and her face was pale.

Harry made an effort to keep his distance from her. Before he could think about it, the words just slipped from his mouth. "I'm sorry ..."

Ginny met his gaze. Tears welled in her eyes once more and her chin quivered. Then she surprised Harry by launching herself into his arms.

"I'm so sorry I snapped at you," she sobbed.

Harry instinctively wrapped his arms around her "Shhh ... it's okay," he murmured, "I understand."

"You must think I'm such a fool." She pulled back to look up at him. "He knew I didn't love him ... but I thought I could learn to ... with time," she said as she lowered her head back onto Harry's chest.

He stood immobile as he recalled Mark's words from earlier that evening ... 'the man she thinks she loves'. Harry's pulse raced. Is it possible? he thought to himself. Can she really still love me?

He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to look into her eyes. "I could never think you a fool," he softly whispered. He then slowly lowered his head and gently brushed her lips with his own. His heart soared as she responded to him, pressing herself close to him.

Guiding her to his room, Harry considered telling Ginny his feelings. He wanted so badly to let her know that she was loved and cherished. In the wake of today's events, he wasn't sure if saying the words was wise, but he knew he had to at least show her how he felt.

In the flickering candlelight, Harry led her to the bed and they stood silently taking each other in. Watching the light play off the strands of her hair, he reached out to gently run his fingers through her fiery mane. Stepping close to her, he ran his hand down her arm as his mouth came down to meet hers. He caressed her with his lips, undressing her with his heart as well as his hands.

When she stood naked before him, she reached out her hands and slid them slowly up his chest. In turn, she sensuously removed each item of his clothing; taking time to caress his bare skin as it was exposed. His blood burned as he saw her eyes sparkle with pleasure and curiosity; how they simmered with heat as her fingers slowly unfastened his belt and slid his trousers' zipper down. The desire that flared to life in her eyes made him tremble with need. Each feather-light touch sent shivers of pleasure through his body until he could take no more torture.

Harry gathered Ginny in his arms and carefully laid her on the bed. Her arms slipped around his neck and he was pulled into a deep kiss. Lying down beside her, he pulled her to face him. His hands roamed over her body as their tongues mated languorously. Giving in to his ardor, he took her in one smooth stroke. Their bodies moved together in a fast, primal rhythm as they fervently kissed and caressed each other; reaching their their climaxes within moments of each other.

He pulled the duvet over their bodies. Though he'd never spoken the words, Harry knew that he'd made love to Ginny that night. And while she was still quiet and reserved, he felt relieved at the return of the intimacy they had shared earlier in the week.

In the quiet of the night, Harry thought of the woman lying in his arms - so gentle and trusting, always willing to believe the best of people. Even so, she had always been very perceptive and he was curious how she had not noticed the kind of person that Mark was. Once more risking her ire, he spoke up. "Ginny ... may I ask you something? I don't want to upset you ..."

Ginny looked at him curiously for a moment before a rueful smile shimmered on her lips. "You want to know what I was doing with Mark?" she replied.

At his nod, she sighed. "I'm not sure I really understand, myself. I can only say that in the two years Mark and I have been seeing each other, he has never acted like that. He's never been anything but kind and considerate ... to me and my family."

Harry hated the thought that crossed his mind, but felt it was only fair to voice it. "You don't suppose that there was something making him act that way, do you?"

"Like the Imperious Curse?" Ginny frowned and shook her head. "The thought had occurred to me, but I talked to Dad a bit this evening and he had other ideas that made much more sense."

"Ideas?" he asked. "What do you mean?"

"Dad admitted that he's always been a little suspicious of Mark." Ginny sat up in the bed and settled back against the pillows. "I knew that Dad hadn't been keen on him when he and I started seeing each other. But I figured it was because he was just feeling protective of me ... or maybe because Mark was so much older. Or I don't know ... maybe because Mark didn't go to Hogwarts."

Harry pulled himself up onto his elbow and looked skeptically at her. "You know your dad isn't like that," he chided her.

"I know ..." she said with a sigh. "Frankly, at the time I really didn't care. I just decided that I couldn't let my family's opinions interfere in my love life." She gave a small laugh. "Really, Harry ... if I did ... I might as well give up and adjust to the idea of being an old maid. I'm not sure there's a man alive who would please all eight of them."

Harry found himself wondering if he would meet with the approval of all of the Weasleys. Shaking himself from that thought, he asked, "Did your dad tell you why he had been suspicious of Mark?"

"Not exactly," she answered. Looking a bit put out, she added, "But he did say he did a bit of checking ... more like abusing his position if you ask me."

"Now, Ginny ..." he reproved.

"I know, I know ... Well, what he found out didn't really tell Dad much at the time. I suppose, in retrospect, it makes things a lot clearer."

Harry was beginning to think Ginny was trying to avoid telling him something. "Well?" he prompted.

"Mark has always been ambitious. I suppose if he had gone to Hogwarts, he might even have been sorted into Slytherin." She looked a little uncomfortable now and cast her eyes down, watching herself twist the bed sheets in her hands. "Anyway, he did well in Cantania Magia Preparatory and as soon as he finished, he started dealing in artifacts. He's done well for himself but I think he's still a bit of an outsider."

At Harry's questioning look, she explained, "It seems he's very interested in climbing the social ladder, so to speak. Dad says he made of lot of contact with some influential wizards ... trying to ingratiate himself into their tight circles. I don't think he was very successful. Dad now thinks he was primarily interested in how being married to the Minister's daughter could help him gain acceptance."

If he could have hated Mark any more, he would. "Oh, Ginny ... I'm so sorry," he whispered. "You don't deserve all this. I can't imagine how you feel."

"Honestly, I don't know how I feel," Ginny said quietly. "It hurts to find out someone you thought you knew is entirely different from what you thought." She looked up at Harry. "I couldn't understand why he was acting like that. I had actually gone to the shop to confront him about his behavior. I guess I was just lucky you got there first. I don't think he would have been that up front with me."

"It must have been quite a shock to you."

"Yes ... I guess I was more stunned than anything at first. Then ... well, I don't think I've ever been so hurt and angry in my life." Ginny's brows were once more knotted in irritation. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and visibly relaxed. "Once I had calmed down and talked with Mum and Dad, I was more concerned that I had been rude to you. You didn't deserve the way I acted. I'm so sorry ... friends shouldn't treat friends like that ..."

The word 'friends' twisted in him like a knife. How could he tell her that he didn't want to be just her friend? After all she had been through, he didn't feel he had the right to add any more pressure to her. It would only add more stress to an already uncomfortable situation.

"Ginny ... I already told you ... it's okay," he quickly replied. "I don't want you to worry about it, all right?"

She appeared to hesitate for a moment, then smiled gamely at him. "All right," she assured him. "I guess I'd better get to bed ... my bed," she corrected as Harry lifted a brow. "It's getting late and I need to get to The Burrow early tomorrow to help Mum get ready for the family get-together." Bending down, she placed a soft kiss on his forehead and whispered, "Good night, Harry."

When she had left the room, Harry closed his eyes, lay back and sighed heavily.

*****

The gathering at The Burrow on Sunday was a subdued affair. Tensions ran high as speculation of Ginny's broken engagement passed surreptitiously from one family member to the next. It was apparent to Harry that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had only told Ginny's siblings that the engagement had been called off. It also appeared that everyone had been warned not to question Ginny about it. Obviously, that warning did not include Harry as Ron cornered him in the lounge after supper.

"So ... Harry ... let's step outside and get some fresh air." Ron's outward demeanor appeared calm, but Harry had known him long enough to be able to tell that underneath, his friend was seething.

As the two men walked to the edge of the garden, Harry wondered how much of the situation he should share. Deciding that he could neither avoid or lie to his long-time friend, he waited patiently for the pending question.

They stood at the far wall of the garden for what seemed ages. Ron's hands were shoved deep into his trouser pockets as he stared into the night sky. "When we were little," he began, "before I started Hogwarts, there were two years when Ginny and I were alone - the only two children at home. We had always been close, but during that time we only had each other and there was a ... special bond forged between us. It was more than me being just her big brother. I was also her friend."

Harry watched as Ron sighed deeply and lowered his gaze to the low wall in front of him. Pulling his hand from his pocket, Ron picked up a loose rock from the top of the wall and flung it out into the field. "We've had many disagreements since then ... many times when we couldn't stand to be around each other for very long. But even during those times, that bond we shared was always there." He turned to look at Harry. "Remember that time in fourth year, when I tried to ask Fleur to the Yule Ball?"

Harry nodded as he turned to look back out over the dark horizon and tried to recall details from those days that seemed so far in his past.

"Ginny was there to comfort me. Even though we weren't particularly close during that time. She's always been there for me when I needed her the most." Ron's voice choked as he added in a whisper, "It's just killing me that I don't know how to help her now."

Harry closed his eyes and massaged his forehead. "Ron, I wish I knew what to tell you ..."

"Tell me what happened, Harry," Ron interjected. "Tell me why my baby sister is no longer engaged. Tell me that my best friend isn't hurting her ... that my worst fears aren't coming true."

Harry dropped his hand and opened his eyes to look at Ron. Taking a deep breath, he replied, "I wish I could say that I'm not hurting her ... I don't mean to hurt her." As he saw anger seep into Ron's eyes, he quickly added, "But it's not what you might think ..." He then filled Ron in on what he knew.

"That bloody bastard!" Ron's hands were now clenched on top of the garden wall. "You should have killed him."

"Believe me, I wanted to," Harry answered with a growl.

"What stopped you?" Ron asked in irritation.

"Ginny," Harry replied simply. He closed his eyes and willed his anger to subside.

"Ginny stopped you?" Ron asked incredulously. "I would have thought she'd be all for hexing him into next week."

"She might have been," Harry agreed as he opened his eyes and looked out into the darkness. "But honestly ... I think she is relieved to be rid of him."

"Well, I know I am," Ron said resolutely. Ron's voice took on a curious tone as he asked, "What about you?"

Harry looked back to Ron. "What do you mean ... what about me?"

"Are you relieved?" he asked seriously.

"Yes ..." he answered thoughtfully. "And no. I mean ... I am relieved that he's out of her life." Harry stood in silent contemplation.

"But?" prompted Ron.

"I'm ... I'm just ..." Harry just couldn't seem to verbalize what he was feeling. There was certainly frustration. But underneath maybe a little hope. He just wasn't sure exactly what he was feeling.

"Yes?" Ron seemed to be getting a little impatient.

"I don't know what to do," answered Harry with the first complete thought that came to his mind.

Ron stared at Harry for a long time. Finally, with a sly grin, he declared, "You're in love with her, aren't you?"

Harry knew that he was, but was a bit surprised that Ron somehow could tell. "Yes," he confirmed in a quiet voice.

"I think I see your problem, mate." Ron was now grinning widely. "Tell her. Just do yourself - and her - a favor and tell her."

Harry wished it were that easy.

*****

The following morning, when Harry wandered bleary eyed into the kitchen, he was greeted with not only breakfast on the table, but with a bright "Good Morning!" from Ginny.

"I think I forgot to tell you ..." he responded groggily.

"What?" she asked in much too chipper a tone.

"In this house," he began, trying to stifle a yawn, "no one is allowed to be cheerful until I've had at least one cup of tea."

"My ... aren't we grumpy today?" she pouted playfully.

Harry's only response was a half-hearted humph as he fixed himself a cup of tea.

When the Daily Prophet arrived, Harry offered to let Ginny read it first but she waved him off as she rose from her chair. "I need to go get ready. Madam Pomfrey asked if I could come by early."

As she reached for her plate, Harry scolded her, "I'm cleaning up today."

"Force of habit," she replied smiling sheepishly. "See you in a bit!"

Harry absent-mindedly unrolled and smoothed the paper as he watched her leave the room. Picking up his teacup, he sipped at the warm liquid and turned his attention to the headlines. He nearly choked as he read the headline:

Minister Can't Manage Own Family

By Alfred E. Obloquy, Daily Prophet Reporter

As he read the article, Harry felt sick to his stomach.

An anonymous source reports that Miss Ginevra Weasley, the only daughter of Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley, is currently residing with none other than the wizard who defeated the Dark Lord, Harry Potter. While this, in and of itself, is a scandalous affair, the severity escalates when one considers that Miss Weasley had recently accepted a proposal of matrimony from Mr. Mark Englewood, proprietor of Englewood's Enchanted Emporium. Mr. Englewood, a prominent and respectable entrepreneur in our community, has been unavailable for comment.

At 22, Miss Weasley (known by her family and friends as Ginny) is the youngest of the Minister's children. She currently plays professional Quidditch in the British and Irish League as a Chaser for the Pride of Portree. As a professional Quidditch player, Miss Weasley is held up as a role model for our children. It is anticipated that the Department of Games and Sports will conduct a full examination of this situation.

However, it appears that ignominious behavior is nothing new to Miss Weasley. Rumor has it she was involved in serious affair at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in only her first year. Details of this incident appear to be carefully guarded, but sources tell me it involves the flagrant use of dark magic. Sources also reveal that Miss Weasley was quite open in her personal involvement with several young men during her school years at Hogwarts.

In this age of declining morals, it is imperative that our leaders present a strong example against today's culture, where sexual promiscuity is too often treated as just another lifestyle choice with little risk of adverse consequences. I am afraid that our Minister's disregard for his own daughter's misconduct may be reinforcing one of the worst messages being delivered by our popular culture, which is that values are trivial.

It certainly makes one question whether Minister Weasley's time would be better spent bringing his daughter back into line rather than pressing for more reform to Muggle relations.

He'd re-read the article twice and was pacing the lounge when Ginny returned downstairs. Unsure of how to break the news, he simply handed the paper to her at her questioning look.

Ginny's mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide as she read through the article. "I don't believe this!" she exclaimed. "How did anyone find out?"

"My guess would be Mark," Harry answered bitterly. He vowed to himself that if his suspicions were confirmed, Mark would pay dearly.

"Oh, Merlin ... this is awful! I have to do something ..." Ginny appeared frantic and near tears. "I'm going to the Prophet right now and--"

"I'll go," Harry interrupted. "My practice isn't until later this morning. You need to go to Hogwarts."

"Oh ... right," she replied weakly. Her eyes were glistening as she looked at Harry and plead, "They just can't do this ... it's just not right."

Harry assured her that he would pull every string available to him to set this right. The sickening thing about it was that the story, at its core, was not libelous: Ginny had been living in his home while she was engaged to another man. Without a full accounting of the circumstances, it would remain as salacious and vulgar as the report implied. As he saw her off, he started mentally making a list of every witch or wizard he might contact in order to correct this twisted excuse for journalism. No one was going to get away with this type of attack against him or anyone he loved.

An hour later as he finished dressing, he thought he heard a thud downstairs. Pulling his wand, he quietly descended the steps. As he peered into the kitchen, he was surprised to see Ginny sitting at the table. Her face was pale and she was trembling.

Harry quickly pocketed his wand and stepped into the room. He opened his mouth to ask why she was home, but was stopped short when she looked up at him with a shocked expression and said quietly, "I've been put off the team."