Hide Away

Hide Away

Chapter 1- Happy Birthday!

5 years later...

I came home tired and exhausted. I slowly turned the keys to my flat, failing to stifle a yawn.

I turned the foyer light on and then I heard, "Surprise!"

I screamed and jumped. Gathered in my small living room, were my family and friends.

I stared at them and then blinked a few times. They were all staring at me, smiling and looking happy.

I had no idea what was going on so I said, "Uh, what's this for?"

My living room was decorated with balloons, presents and a big sign, that said something, but without my glasses I could read it.

Ron laughed and made his way to me. "See I told you guys she would forget," he hugged me and said, "It's your birthday, Ginny."

I faintly remembered the date, December 3, oh yes, my birthday. I had completely forgotten that it was my 22^nd birthday.

I smiled at everyone, feeling the love flow out of eyes in the form of tears.

"Aw, thank you everyone," I said. I felt touched that all these people had gathered for me.

Ron smiled at me and I saw his wife, Hermione standing behind him. She smiled brightly at me and I saw her stomach was round, expecting their third child. Their twins were running around, laughing.

Ron scooped them up and brought them to me. "Come on," he said. "Give Aunt Gin a kiss and a hug."

They hugged me and planted huge kisses on my cheeks. I laughed and gently wiped them off.

Hermione came and hugged me gently, "Happy birthday, Ginny."

She led me to the living room and I saw the rest of the people there. There were only 8 people, but to me it seemed like a lot, considering I never saw this many people in my home.

Harry and Ginny were there too and I went and hugged them. They seemed really happy to see me and Luna's stomach was round expecting their first child.

Neville and Medea were there as well, as they were currently going out.

Medea hugged me and Neville smiled at me. I smiled back and said, "Thank you so much, guys."

Arthur and Eleanor sat down in my lap. They were only two years old, but they knew how to walk and talk.

I loved them to bits and couldn't help but tickle and laugh with them whenever I saw them.

The lights suddenly went out and I got up to see what had happened, when Hermione brought in a cake with twenty-two candles, I'm betting, on it.

Hermione smiled at me over the glow of the candles and put it on the coffee table in front of me.

"Go ahead," said Harry. "Make a wish."

I racked my brains. I couldn't think of anything I wanted really badly, but when I looked up at the happy faces of all the people who cared about me, all I wanted was for them to be happy in their days to come.

I leaned over, while holding Eleanor and Arthur to me. I wished that all my friends and family may have everything they ever need and have every happiness in the world.

I blew out my candles and then Arthur started blowing too. I laughed and blew them out with him. Luna took plenty of pictures and then the lights came back on.

I was so happy; I couldn't stop smiling. I can't remember when I smiled this much. Everyone could sense my happiness, so they seemed happy too.

Medea cut the cake and gave some to everyone. I took a bite and was in heaven. It was chocolate cheesecake made for me always, by Luna. It was my favourite and every birthday, she made it for me.

I thanked her, and gave her a big hug.

I gobbled it down and refused a second piece, I knew I was already overdoing it as it was.

I heard the familiar struggled Hermione was having feeding the twins.

"Hold still Ella. Don't you want to show Aunt Ginny what a good girl you are?" she asked.

I laughed and said, "Let me take her, while you feed Arthur."

"No way, Gin. It's your birthday and I'm going to have you baby-sit these monsters today," she laughed.

"Nooooo," cried Arthur.

"All right, all right," she said. "Mummy's sorry, you're not a monster."

I laughed as Hermione said, "Ron, can you give me a hand here?"

I glanced over at Ron, who was talking excitedly with Harry and Neville. "Just a sec, hon."

Hermione rolled her eyes and me, Luna and Medea laughed.

"It's always the same, Hermione," said Luna, taking Arthur from Hermione. "As soon as those three get together, it's like they can't even hear us."

I laughed and felt really warm all of a sudden. I glanced around felt like hugging everyone. I love my little family to bits, even though it's really small. I suddenly missed Mum.

Tears came to my eyes and Medea noticed, "What's wrong Gin?"

I tried to smile, "Nothing, I just miss Mum."

"Aw," said Hermione. She gave Ella to Ron and said, "Ron! Take her for a second."

"Sure, Hermione, whatever," he said, continuing to listen to Neville speak. When his wife dumped his baby in his arms, he just held her.

Hermione sat down beside me and hugged me. "I'm so sorry Ginny, but you can pretend I'm your mum. I'm always yelling at you anyways."

I laughed through my tears and hugged her back, gently. It was true; Hermione was always looking after me since Mum died of a heart attack. She would always make sure I was all right and she called at least once a week to check up on me.

I didn't hug her tightly, but she did. "Watch out, what if the baby falls out?" I asked.

Hermione laughed and said, "It's time for presents I think."

Everyone took out their presents and gave them one by one to me.

Ron gave me two tickets to a quidditch game for the summer. I squealed with delight. I hadn't seen quidditch in ages, but I still remembered the excitement of it all. The crowds cheering, brooms racing by, and colourful robes. Since Ron had gotten the job of referee for the games in Britain and a position in the department of quidditch, he had been promising to get me a ticket to a game. I guess he had been saving it for my birthday.

Then I remembered something. "Who am I going to go with?" I asked.

"Take Hermione with you," he suggested. "She could get out for a bit."

"I don't think so, Ronald. Who's going to watch three kids for me?" she asked.

"Three?" he questioned.

"Yes, Ronald, three! The baby will be born by then," she reminded him.

"Oh," he said. "I guess I forgot." He grinned at her as she rolled her eyes in exasperation. Everyone just laughed and I thanked Ron for the tickets.

Hermione got me a series of spell books. In my job, I always needed to learn background information on things, so this was going to be great.

"Great Hermione," said Ron. "Give her more books to read."

Hermione glared at him and said to me, "I hope you like them, Gin."

I nodded vigorously, "I love them Hermione. Thanks so much."

Harry got me a really pretty jewellery set and Luna got me some new clothes. 'I know you need them, Ginny."

I laughed and thanked them both.

Neville and Medea got me a really cool painting for my living room. It had a dolphin on it and Neville said, "It reminded me of you."

I smiled and thanked him as well.

Everyone stayed and ate and talked. They all left at twelve, while I cleaned up some of the mess.

It had been a great party, reminding me why I loved them all so much. If it weren't for them, I didn't know what I would do.

Oh shoot, I just remembered to check my sugar levels.

I ran to the kitchen and pricked my finger with a needle and put the blood in the machine. I preferred to do it the muggle way, because the magic way was too messy.

No one knew I was diabetic at all. I've kept it hidden for four years now, just monitoring my sugar intake. I hate drugs and so I refused to take insulin.

I rather poke myself twenty times a day than be drugged up. 18, great, I sighed. I knew I shouldn't have eaten the cake, but it was my favourite and Luna especially made it for me. My sugar levels would be at 25 if I had eaten the second piece.

They had left me the entire cake and I didn't know what to do with it, since I couldn't eat it.

I sighed as I threw it away. Mum didn't even know I had diabetes. I got it on my eighteenth birthday and a few days after that, she passed away.

I don't want everyone fussing and worrying about me more than usual, so I just keep it hidden.

I took out a carton of milk from the fridge and looked at the expiry date. It was really blurry and then I remembered that my glasses were broken.

My eyes were another problem. In seventh year, I got glasses for reading, but now I needed them for everything. I walk into walls if I don't have them.

Today had been such a hectic day at work that I didn't even get a spare moment to fix them.

I grabbed them from my bag and muttered a spell with my wand. They were broken in half from the place that rested on my nose.

I put them back on, but I couldn't really see any better. I needed new glasses, I finally admitted to myself.

I had been trying to pretend like they were dirty, but no matter how much I cleaned them, I still couldn't see any better.

I sighed again as I locked the front door and made my way to my bedroom.

The problem was money.

Harry tried to slip me twenty gallons, but I snuck them into Luna's purse when she wasn't looking.

He only wanted to help me, but I hated seeing pity in people's eyes for me. If I needed new glasses, then I would earn the money myself and buy them.

Another problem was that my job didn't pay that well. I mean I got by with food and the bill all right, but I hadn't bought any new clothes in two years and I needed new glasses.

I smiled as I put my new things away; I really appreciated them. I thanked Luna for giving me some new clothes; I could definitely use them.

I took of my clothes and put on my pyjamas. I loved my pjs. They were cotton, with a short sleeved, short shirt and long Capri's. They had roses on them and I felt so comfy when I put them on.

I climbed into bed and turned off the lights. I remembered how I had wanted to be an auror.

When I had finished the training, about two years ago, there were no jobs for Aurors anymore. All the evil wizards were caught, and the ones who did illegal things, had a different department who dealt with them.

I had to switch careers in the middle. I couldn't think of anything I rather be doing so I decided to work at my dad's old office, the misuse of muggle artefacts. I was in the middle level, but my pay was still low.

All I basically did was find out the people who were misusing muggle artefacts and then convicted them if I thought they were guilty or not. It was really boring, but I wanted to complete my dad's job so I had to start at the bottom.

In five years, everyone had changed a lot. When they were twenty, Hermione and Ron got married. A year later, they had Ella and Arthur while Harry and Luna got married. Neville and Medea started going out then and I had an idea Neville would be proposing to her soon.

Hermione had really blossomed into a beautiful woman, I had thought. Everyone who had made fun of her at Hogwarts was surprised to see her at her wedding. Hermione's bushy hair became straighter and turned a darker shade of brown. She stopped slouching, so she appeared taller and was almost always smiling. She had become a healer at St. Mungos and made good money.

Ron was still the same Ron he had always been. He was still tall with lanky arms but appeared more mature, sometimes. Tonight was an example when he still acted like a kid.

Harry's hair never tamed itself. It was always messy and he had gotten a wizard version of laser surgery, losing the glasses. His green eyes were the same and he was always happy when around his little family. Harry worked as an unspeakable at the Department of Mysteries.

Luna was short, although taller than me (what else was new? Everyone was taller than me!), with light blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Everyone was also surprised at her transformation as well. She worked as a journalist, publishing her own magazine.

Neville stopped looking like a nerd. He appeared more confident in himself and was more outgoing. He had gotten a job as a professor at Hogwarts.

Medea looked the same as ever. She had golden blond hair and brown eyes. She was always wearing cool outfits that she designed herself at her studio.

I smiled to myself. I hoped this year would be better one and that my wish would came true.

Chapter 2- A typical day in the life of Ginny Weasley

Beep beep---beep beep, went my alarm.

I groaned loudly, and shut it off. I rolled around in bed and remembered that it was Friday.

I cheered in my head and reached for my glasses. It was six o'clock and the sun wasn't up yet.

I yawned and made my way to the bathroom. I took a bath and brushed my teeth and washed my face.

I then made my way to my closet. Hmm...I looked around my closet.

The clothes Luna had gotten me were a little bit fancy, but I felt like dressing up today in my birthday clothes.

I picked a pair of black dress pants with a white shirt and a blazer on top. I picked a nice robe that Luna had gotten me. It was black and made of fleece.

I let my hair out and looked at myself in the mirror.

My hair was getting too long again. I kept it up to my middle back, but right now it was down to my bum.

I sighed; I'd have to trim it again. God, it grew so fast it was scary.

I didn't know to do with it, since it was so long. I was expecting a promotion today so I wanted to look really professional.

I decided to keep it out but tied it back loosely with a clip.

I made my way to the kitchen and looked for something to eat. I was out of milk and butter.

I stood in front of the fridge for ten minutes looking for something to eat. I groaned; there was nothing to eat!

I cursed myself for being so darn lazy and not going grocery shopping. But then I remembered that my pay check was due today.

God, I prayed that I would get promoted today. My boss, Mr. Zabini was a nice man and told me he wanted to move to another department where I would actually get recognized for my talents.

I decided to eat a banana, watching how much sugar was in it. I needed to eat something more; otherwise I would faint.

As I opened and closed cupboards, looking for something to eat, an owl hooted on the window.

I paid it and took the daily prophet from its beak.

It hooted at me and disappeared into the grey London sky.

I grabbed a toast and spread some peanut butter on it while I read the Daily Prophet.

The headline news, 'Draco Malfoy gives a hundred gallons to St. Mungos again!'

I rolled my eyes; he was always making the headlines. It was so annoying, I mean didn't the wizarding world have any other news other than the accomplishments and good deeds of pureblood bachelor Draco Malfoy?

He practically owned the Ministry of Magic. He's the head of Muggle Relations, Captain of UK quidditch, a member of the Wizengamot and head of Luminositers, which was also called the Department for NWP (National Wizard Police), which was like the being the head lawyer and a muggle police man. When there was no more dark magic and people needed to be tried and imprisoned for smuggling and violence, that department was created.

He was always meeting with the Minister of Magic, Albus Dumbledore who had gotten me this flat, and giving donations and such. He was stinking rich and had his own Malfoy Manor, when his mother died a few years back.

He was 23 and single, although EVERYONE wanted to go out with him. I thought it was just sick.

I glanced at my watch, 7:04. I better be going if I didn't want to be late.

I grabbed my bag and headed out. I didn't own a car, so I went places by muggle transport. Also, the Minister had put charms around for safety around the Ministry, so people couldn't apparate there anymore.

I grabbed a bus and sat down. I had brought my book with me, so I took it out and opened it to read. I still loved to read, but didn't have much time to do it.

I reached downtown London and went to the telephone booth and tapped in the number for the Ministry.

I felt a sharp and tug and in a few seconds I was at the Ministry.

I walked briskly to my department and went to my desk.

My desk was overflowing with weird things. There was a weird stench in the air and I found a teacup with rotting tea on my desk.

I plugged my nose with one hand and threw it out with the other. I cleaned up my desk and found seven messages waiting for me.

They were all from lawyers on behalf of their customers telling her that their client didn't know that muggles would be so upset.

I rolled my eyes; they all said the same thing.

"Ginny!" said Mr. Zabini as he walked into my little cubicle.

I jumped up out of seat and saluted him. It was a habit of his and he wouldn't speak to you unless you saluted him. I thought it was rather stupid, but if I wanted to get promoted I would have to salute him.

"Yes sir?"

"I have found you a new job," he announced. "It's with Muggle Relations. You'll be a Muggle Magic Watcher. Is that all right?"

I couldn't believe it; I was going to be a muggle magic watcher?

"That sounds great, sir," I said, still unable to believe it. "But sir, how did I...?"

He smiled at me. He wasn't that much older than me, Blaise Zabini. He had light brown hair and blue eyes and was a bit taller than me. He always treated me nicely and now he had gotten me this job.

"Look Ginny, you deserve to be somewhere better. You have all the qualifications, you just needed a nudge in the right direction," he said.

I was so happy; I couldn't even speak. I would be working with professionals and wouldn't be getting these rotting items in the morning. I would probably get paid more and have a proper desk.

"Thanks so much, sir," I said, unable to keep the smile off my face.

He smiled back, lighting up his blue eyes, making him seem a bit more attractive. "Listen, Ginny. You're no longer going to be my employee, so you don't have to call me sir anymore."

I smiled faintly and wondered where this was going.

"Um, if you're not busy sometime," he gulped, "would you like to have dinner...sometime? I know this sounds strange...I know hope you don't think I'm strange..." he trailed off.

I didn't know what to say. I mean dating my boss? Well he would be my former boss after today. It's not like I had a love life and some exotic boyfriend I would be cheating on.

I snorted; actually I hadn't been out with anyone since Hogwarts when Mr. Malfoy and I pretended to go out. That's a whole other story though, but I hadn't the time to out with guys. Even if I had, I was way too busy and didn't really want to.

"In your dreams," I said, snorting again, a most distasteful habit of mine.

His face fell and he said, "Excuse me?"

I realized I had said that out loud. "Oh shoot," I said, out loud again. I was telling myself that in my dreams would anyone want to be with me, but as usual I had to open my mouth again. And here I was talking to myself while the poor guy stared at me with confusion.

"Um, what I meant was...that in your dreams would only something happen with someone from your dreams," I said, quickly. "I think we're better off as co-workers."

He smiled again and said, "No problem, Ginny. But of you ever change your mind..."

I nodded and he went to his office.

I smacked myself on my forehead and plopped down on my chair. My god, this was probably the only guy who was going to ever show any interest in me like...EVER and I blew him off.

I sighed and started sorting through my files. If my mother were alive, she would've scolded me to go out with him. I knew I should have, since I hardly ever went out. I snorted again, hardly? What a bunch of b.s, I thought. I mean hardly would be someone like my mother who only went out to visit Ron and to do the marketing.

I, on the other hand, only left the house to go to work and to do groceries. I hardly ever saw my family, because they were so busy or I just didn't have the energy to drag myself there.

I sighed again, since I was so intent on being a stay at home loser, I guess that was the way I would be.

I packed up all of things that day and did the usual yelling at lawyers. I finished at five thirty and left with a bunch of good byes following me out the door.

I smiled and remembered all the good times I had had there. That's where it ended; there were no good times. There were only memories that were somewhere in the middle, too nothing to be classified as anything.

Mr. Zabini gave me my pay check and I went on my way to Diagon Alley to have it cashed right away, even though my feet killed and my stomach just wouldn't shut up.

I got my money and walked aimlessly around Diagon Alley.

This was the way I lived; there was no one to answer to and no time to come home by. It was nice, I told myself, but I would just end up tears because of it.

There was no one to answer to, because there was no one looking forward to seeing me there. There was no time to come home to by because there was no one there who cared if I came home or not, or whether I walked around all night.

I looked down at myself and felt stupid. I was all dressed up and was walking in Diagon Alley looking like I had something to do when I didn't.

My boots had three inches and they killed. It was starting to snow, so I decided to sit down somewhere.

I saw Florean Fortescues ice cream parlour that was open, for weirdos like me, who liked to eat ice cream in winter.

I trudged my way there and sat inside the parlour. There were some other strange people sitting there, and I felt right at home.

Florean came up to me and said, "Hey Ginny. Back again?"

I came here whenever I was down and needed to be high on sugar, so I knew him pretty well.

I smiled faintly and said, "Yup. Two scoops of Moose Tracks." I didn't like any of the strange ice creams wizards and witches were always inventing, so I always got muggle ice cream. Moose Tracks was chocolate with chocolate chips and mini peanut butter cups.

I hadn't eaten anything all day since morning, and when I thought about it I didn't even remember what it was.

I knew I would crash from dizziness on my bed, but that was just the way I wanted it. It was like getting drunk for me, which I never did. I would crash on my bed, not remember anything and be really sick the next morning, like having a hangover.

I didn't do this very often, that is go crazy with the sugar. But sometimes, like today, I felt that only sugar would cheer me up.

Florean brought me my ice cream and I licked it slowly, thinking.

I was thinking of Ron and Hermione. I loved it when I was at their house; it was just being home when everyone was still alive. I frowned at myself. It sounded so disrespectful when I said that everyone was still alive, it was just like saying when everyone was awake.

It was always loud and fun. Ron told me that he wanted to have a big family. He told me that he missed the old days as much as I did, and wanted to relive them again with a full house.

I finished my ice cream in an hour, with it trickling down my hand as it melted.

I left the ice cream parlour and continued my walk.

I wanted to go home, but I didn't have any idea where home was. My head throbbed with pain and I felt like I was going to fall.

An image of my bed drifted into my mind and I thought of it hard, then I apparated there.

I landed on my soft bed and the next thing I knew, everything was black.

Summary: Sequel to 'IT'S ONE CRAZY LOVE STORY!'

It's five years later since Ginny graduated from Hogwarts. Most of her family is dead and her life is a lot different than you'd expect.