One Day

One Day

Chapter 1

"Hermione, I really would prefer not to go. You could go with Neville and Luna. It isn't my reunion anyway". Ginny was on her last line of defense. She wouldn't be able to hold Hermione off too much longer. Going to the reunion really wouldn't be so bad. She knew so many in their year. Plus, she hadn't seen Luna in a long time.

Ginny blamed Ron for her predicament. He couldn't be that indispensable at work. OK! He was Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Did that mean every little detail needed his special attention? Well, maybe a ministry banquet wasn't a little detail, but honestly, he could send his assistant. Well no, I guess Seamus is going to the reunion. Lavender would have his head on the chopping block if he didn't make it.

There was another person Hermione could go with, but Ginny couldn't bring herself to mention his name. Harry. He was very busy. He had his Auror duties, and he was still a partner in Weasley Wizard Wheezes. He also lent his name and personae to worthy charities. Yes, busy, though Ginny was sure he would want to go to the reunion if Hermione asked him.

"Oh Ginny, please? I truly want you to come with me. Lately, I don't know, I just haven't been feeling like myself. I'm feeling out of sorts."

"Mione, that is probably because you are five months pregnant. Of course you don't feel like your old self."

"That's just it. I'm so emotional lately, Ron is afraid to come near me. I think he believes I may lose my mind and hex him for what he has done to me. I need you to help keep me calm. You will make sure I see the funny side of things."

Well, that was a revelation. Ginny never thought Hermione would actively pursue the funny side of anything. Her normal path was to a book and finding the logical answer to her questions. Ginny was beginning to feel guilty. Hermione sounded like she really needed a girlfriend. "All right. What time do we have to be there?"

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We need to Apparate to the Hogsmeade Train Station by 7:00p.m. They are sending the carriages to take us up to the castle. I will meet you in front of the station sign."

"Alright. I suppose it's formal robes?"

"Um, yes. Is that o.k?"

"Of course it is. I just need to check mine and make sure they will hold up to Parvati's inspection."

"That's exactly what I was talking about. You'll help me keep things in perspective. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." With that, Hermione hung up the phone.

Telephones really were handy, Ginny thought. Ron and Hermione had always had one. It was the easiest way to keep in touch with her parents. Plus, it was the only way they had to reach Harry. He didn't have a fireplace connected to the Floo Network. Also, with Hermione getting bigger, it was easier for her to talk to people, there was no need to stick her head in the floo and give herself any more pain.

Besides the phone, Ron and Hermione also had other Muggle conveniences: a microwave, a stereo and a dishwasher. Dad just loved visiting their place. Mum wouldn't let him get a phone. She was afraid of what he would do to it. So, Dad always took a tour of the house with Hermione while she explained any new device they had purchased. Mum would sit and tell Ron he was too thin, then she would offer to whip something up for him.

Ginny had adopted some Muggle ways. The one she enjoyed the most was the programmable coffee pot. It was nice to stumble out of bed in the morning and not have to think about magicing up anything. The Weasleys were not known as morning people.

"No rest for the weary. I best get myself moving to make sure I really am up to Parvati's inspection." With this thought in mind, Ginny walked to her closet. She checked her dress robe. It was dark green velvet and had gold piping around the neck and wrists. The frog closure was also gold. It highlighted Ginny's hair and made her skin glow, at least that's what Hermione told her.

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"Wow! Who was in charge of the decorations? The Great Hall has never looked so wonderful. It is even better than the Yule Ball during your fourth year." Ginny's breath was taken away when she stepped into the hall. It was like being transported into a fairy kingdom. The walls and ceiling were covered in midnight blue silk, glowing crystal balls were suspended from the ceiling giving the impression of a star lit sky. The House tables were removed and replaced by small tables for 8 people. Each table was draped with golden cloths and had bowls of red roses nestled among glowing candles.

"I will give you three guesses, but you will only need one." Hermione rolled her eyes as she looked over to see Parvati, Lavender and Padma rechecking every last detail and fussing over any minor discrepancies from the master plan.

Ginny and Hermione giggled as they looked for a place to sit. Hermione spied Neville and Luna and made eye contact with Ginny. Ginny nodded and off they went to join the Longbottoms.

Neville and Luna looked extremely happy. They complimented each other perfectly. Ginny sighed, to have a marriage, even a relationship, like theirs would be a dream come true. Neville was gentle and caring and Luna was patient and loving. They were both hopelessly in love. Ginny thought, why can't I have what everyone else does? What was wrong with me?

A reserved sign sat next to Neville on the table. Ginny wondered who it was for, and before she could stop her mouth, she said, "Are you expecting the Minister of Magic? Because, you know Dad is at a banquet tonight. Or, was this just for me?"

Neville blushed and looked up at Ginny. "I am not sure what that is about. When we showed up, the sign was given to me by Lavender. I guess there was someone who requested to sit at our table and I was to see that a seat was saved for them."

"I hope it is not for Malfoy. That would ruin the night faster than you can say bouncing ferret." Ginny sat next to the sign and checked Hermione's reaction out of the corner of her eye. It was a good thing. She was gagging on her pumpkin juice. Seeing her best friend smiling made Ginny glad she accepted the invitation. This night might turn out better than she thought.

Soon the hall filled up and it seemed that almost every one in the year had come. Several people were not going to be able to, though. Ginny blinked back tears as she thought of those lost in the war. The Weasleys were lucky; they didn't lose any family members. Others were not so lucky. The list was long, but the list of those who should have been here tonight was especially long. It seemed that most of the students in Harry's year felt it was their duty to rid the world of Voldemort. They considered it a personal honor to fight beside Harry, and would not hear of his refusal of support. It had been an amazing sight to see, also heartbreaking.

Professor Dumbledore was speaking to the crowd. Ginny was glad he was still here. It would not be Hogwarts without him. He thanked the committee who organized the reunion and then started the festivities with the school song. Ginny was never sure how to sing it. Should it be slow and sad, fast and happy or somewhere in between. She always went for fast and happy.

That done, the buffet tables magically filled to excess with food. Hermione looked none too pleased with the amount of work assigned to the House Elves. This was their summer break. With her lips set in a straight line that even Professor McGonagall would envy, she looked ready to pounce on Padma as she walked by.

Just when Padma had stopped to say hello, Ginny jumped in before she could speak. "Everything is breathtaking, Padma. You have done a tremendous job. It must have been terribly difficult to get dinner organized." Her eyes twinkled as she looked from Padma to Hermione, a huge grin plastered to her face.

Padma gave them every excruciating detail of her workload and what was required to make this night a success. Hermione was snickering into her napkin and had tears running down her face by the time Padma was through. She gave Hermione a strange look, as if she was off her rocker, and went looking for Parvati.

After dinner ended, the food and buffet disappeared, a dance floor taking its place. While everyone was relaxing and wondering what sort of music would be provided, Luna leaned across the table to Ginny. She had the usual dreamy look in her eyes when she said, "That spot is for you, you know."

Luna, she hadn't really changed, thought Ginny. Just as lovable and unpredictable as ever. Ginny got up and excused herself. She knew that Luna meant well, but she was in no mood to deal with her "sight".

She suddenly felt the need to get away from the table. Happy loving couples surrounded her. Ginny left Hermione deep in conversation with Neville about the availability of pharmacology plants. Luna was chatting with Susan Bones-Macmillan about an upcoming article in The Quibbler. Susan's husband, Ernie, was trying hard not to laugh, but he never could take Luna seriously.

Ginny decided a walk on the grounds would help lift her spirits and headed out of the castle.