InsaneJournal

NaNo FanFic Part 14
Previous Part
Pairings this part: None, but mention of plenty
Rating: PG
Notes: Dashed off at work so that I would have a Part 14 to post for Michelle. 


February 2002, Ottery St. Catchpole

The day Ginny got promoted to first string as Chaser, she did what any young and excited Quidditch-playing war veteran would do; she apparated to the cemetery with a bottle of champagne in one hand and her reserve squad jersey bundled under her other arm. 

Veronica and Sally had begged her to come out to celebrate with them, but Ginny was firm.  This was something she had to do.  She would be free later to party with Veronica and Sally and David and Alex and anybody else Veronica had let into the flat. 

The Weasley family graves took up a long green slope with a gnarled and ancient apple tree shading the top of the hill.  The most recent two stones were on the western incline, and after almost four years they had weathered well enough that the newness of the corners no longer cut at Ginny's heart.  

"Well, I did it!" Ginny announced as she cast a warming charm then settled on the now-thawed grass between the graves.  She draped the jersey across Fred's tombstone and popped the champagne cork.  "Champagne all around, I think."  She poured a generous portion into the dirt in the shadow of her father's marker, where during the spring a riot of wildflowers bloomed, then did the same in front of Fred's marker.  Fred did not get wildflowers; bright rainbows of night-blooming pinwheels with blossoms as big as Ginny's hand had taken over the ground where Fred lay.  George disclaimed all responsibility, but he often spent summer evenings lying among the flowers that were as close as nature got, really, to fireworks. 

"I know I told you last month that I didn't expect to get it until summer," she said after having a hefty swallow of champagne herself. "But I made every save in our last reserve game and they gave me the news this morning.  I'll have to travel more, of course, but I think that will be all right.  Bill will still be here in the winters, and George is going to give Mum another grandbaby by spring.  So she'll be fine."  Ginny reached out to trace the grooves of her father's name and dates.  "She'll be just fine." 

She took her time finishing off the champagne, sharing every so often.  Once her news was announced, she didn't feel the need to fill the whole visit with conversation.  Every so often there was a thought worth sharing, but for the most part she sat in comfortable silence. 

"I'm leaving my old jersey with you, Fred. I thought you'd appreciate that."  She applied a light sticking charm to the sleeve so that the cloth would not simply blow away in the next strong breeze.  "Everyone else is doing well, I know you'd want to know all the gossip.  Lenore is growing like a weed, Dad, you should see her.  Well, you probably do more than me.   I hope she likes Egypt.  Hermione is keeping a wedding binder the size of a small dog, I may have to kill her before she gets to the altar.  Ron and Harry are still bouncing around the world.  I'm never sure when I'll see them at Dinner Club.  Harry looks good.  I miss him sometimes, but he's so much happier now.  It's good to see him smile and really mean it.  I think I told you about Alice last time I was here, but we broke up, and I'm with Christopher, the Keeper for the local pub team.  I think I mentioned him after that blow-up in Liverpool over the broom repair bills."   She ran out of recent news rather quickly.  The sun was low to the horizon and the chill in the air had grown sharp. 

"I should go.  I love you.  Mum and I will see you again come spring."  The stones, even after a warming charm, felt cold under her lips.  The wind kissed her cheeks as she stood, and she hugged the champagne bottle to herself as she apparated home. 

Veronica had bought the local Tesco's entire stock of Muggle canned whipped cream for a very loud, very messy, very racy party game.  Ginny thought of Fred, and laughed, and get a mouthful of cream sugar sprayed in her face for it the moment she appeared. 

Next Part