Forgetting the Past

Chapter 3: Ginny's in the Way

Hermione reasoned with Ron all night. Harry slept fitfully, often awakening to the sound of Hedwig hooting, which was unusual for her. In the morning everyone was groggy and un-talkative, quietly sipping their tea. Harry felt bad for causing this awkwardness between his guests, and best friends. He wanted to make it up to them somehow.

"Well I guess I'll be off for work then," Harry said, almost as a question.

"Yes, yes of course! You'll want to go know or you'll be late," Hermione said looking up at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall. It had been a gift from Mrs. Weasley when Harry had become headmaster and it resembled the one in the Weasley house very closely.

"Do you two want to go to a museum or something when I'm done work?" he asked them, trying to patch things up.

"Yeah go on then," said Ron reluctantly, "have a good day at work mate."

"Great! I'll see you later." And with that Harry disapparated.

He apparated just outside the Hogwarts grounds. He took a deep breath of fresh air as he walked the last mile to work. He waved to Hagrid on his way past the half-giant's hut. Hagrid waved but was distracted by the trainee grounds-keeper make some mistake that ended in one of the pumpkins blowing up, again.

Finally getting in to his office Harry noticed a letter on his desk. He thought this was strange since he usually got his mail during morning post in the hall like everyone else. He approached it cautiously and noticed that it smelt somewhat of lilacs. He tested it for a trace of spell but it seemed normal enough so he opened it. He read:

Harry

I had a lovely time yesterday. I was hoping that we

could grab lunch at this lovely little café I found in

London. Perhaps you could give me your decision about

the job then?

Draco

He didn't have time to consider what this meant because Ginny burst in at just that minute.

"It's time for breakfast! Where an earth have you been?" she said annoyed.

"Just amusing your lovely brother and his wife," replied Harry, grabbing his hat and following her downstairs, "You know it would be great if you learned to knock!"

"Oh shut up you!" Ginny smiled at him and probably would have tried to grab his hand if they hadn't just been entering the hall. Ever since he'd awarded her the position teaching flying lessons she seemed to have started flirting with him even more, if that were possible. He didn't want to do anything to ruin their friendship and he was worried that mentioning anything to Ron would only make things worse. He made a mental note to talk to Hermione about it later.

The rest of the morning was spent fairly quietly, with only a few students being brought up to see him in his office. At lunch time there was a knock on his door and a short wizard came in to Harry's "enter".

"Good morning Headmaster sir," the little wizard said bowing down to the ground and then straightening back up again, with a bit of difficulty.

"Euh good morning," Harry said awkwardly, "do I know you?"

"No, no of course not. Please excuse me for not excusing myself earlier. I am your chariot driver for today and my name's Rando," Rando took this opportunity to bow once again, "at your service sir."

Ginny took this moment to come barging into Harry's office once again, only this time there was a little wizard bent into a bow right in front of the door. Ginny and Rando collided ending up in a pile on the ground in front of Harry's desk.

"Really Ginny! If you had knocked..." Harry couldn't help laughing as he looked down on the two trying to straighten themselves out.

"Not funny Harry. Who's this?" she asked looking disdainfully at Rando.

"My ride," Harry proclaimed, no longer caring where it was taking him.

"Are you ready then sir?" Rando approached the door eagerly ready to hold it open for him.

"He most certainly is not! Harry I thought we might be able to go for lunch..." she looked at him beseechingly.

"Not today Professor Weasley. I have a prior arrangement. Sorry," and with that Harry walked out with Rando at his heels. Ginny just stood there by the window and watched him leave the grounds in the chariot, which went much faster than anything a muggle would call a chariot. She of course had no way of knowing just how much of a goodbye that lunch hour would end up being.