37. The Wasp Who Got Stepped On


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"Life will only change when you are more committed to your dreams that you are to your comfort zones."
~Billy Cox
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When a deafening roar from the yellow and brown crowd filled the air, Ginny knew that her throw had gone through. It had been carefully timed with Jenny, who had spotted the Snitch. The Quaffle had gone through, Jenny had caught the Snitch, leaving them the winners with three hundred and sixty points. Gwenog Jones was already doing loops in the air, and Ginny whooped and flew straight up, laughing for joy. 

They had beaten the Wasps. 

The next few hours were a blur of colors and sparkles and people congratulating the team. They received the winner's cup at the top box, shook hands with the pompous mayor, had dinner at one of the most fancy galas Ginny had ever been to and met young fans who wanted autographs. In the flurry of joy, Ginny didn't notice a certain man keeping a keen eye on her and following her movements.

Soon enough, the team ended up at a loud muggle pub in which the music was enough to drown out all other sound. 

"Hold up," Gwenog halted the team outside the doors, "Transfigure your clothes, come on. Muggles don't know shit about the Harpies."

Ginny did as she was told, and charmed her Quidditch uniform into the best presentable dress she could manage. Some of her team (namely Fiona) made sure to leave a whole lot of skin exposed.

They walked through the doors into the mess of drunk, swaying people, who surged and stomped with the music.

"Weasley, are you coming for the drinks?" Gwenog yelled over the ruckus, "Muggles are insane, they've got burning whiskey!"

Ginny laughed, "I'll have just one."

True to her word, Ginny only had one of the flame-licked glasses of alcohol. But she had several more of the smaller glasses, and those were the ones that caused most damage. Her throat burned, her head felt light, and even though she was sweaty she didn't stop dancing. Lights flashed everywhere, dancing behind her eyelids even when they were closed. She hadn't had a girl's night in ages. Not that going with Harry wasn't fun, but this was a different kind of fun altogether.

Gwenog had already gathered a crowd. She was balancing empty flutes of champagne on her forehead. Ginny knew it was the use of a simple Sticking charm, but the muggles didn't, and several of them whooped and hollered.

"Ginevra!" Someone was tapping her shoulder.

Ginny turned around and cupped her hands over her ears theatrically, "What?"

Roger elevated his eyebrows, "They've got another bar on the other side, do you want to go check it out?" 

"Didn't your team just lose against us?" Ginny bellowed, her words beginning to slur together, "You lost the match! Go sulk!"

"We're done sulking," Roger laughed, looking admittedly dashing in his casual muggle attire.

Ginny didn't shrug Roger's hand off when he placed it on her arm to lead her in the direction he had indicated. They wove through the mess of dancing people, avoiding stepping on toes as much as possible. 

"This isn't a bar," Ginny said, a little confused as to why Roger had led her to a dimly lit, secluded corner of the place. 

"I'll get the drinks," Roger said, and disappeared through the crowd again. 

Ginny found a seat nearby and sat down. Her hazy mind was already starting to pound with a headache, so she could only imagine how bad it would get in the morning. Now that she wasn't distracted with anything else, she felt the ache of over exertion settle into her muscles.

"Here you go," Roger was back carrying two glasses full of amber liquid.that smelled like olives. 

He sat down next to Ginny, much too close for her comfort. 

Ginny could figure out that her brain was trying to tell her something, but she couldn't really understand it. 

"Congratulations on winning the match," Roger said, lifting the glass to his lips in a slow, deliberate manner. The music didn't sound so loud in the corner they were in, so she distinctly heard the words he spoke in his low voice. 

His hand was back on her arm. 

Ginny smiled uncomfortably and moved a little away, choosing not to drink what he had offered her just yet, "Hands to yourself, please."

"Why do you push me away?" Roger asked, his eyes going from brown to liquid black, and his hand slid around her waist, "Are you really that invested in Potter?"

Ginny could finally make out what her brain was telling her: too close. Get away. Too close.

"There are so many out there who are better for you," Roger said, leaning closer with every word, "I don't think Potter even has enough time left to spend with you because of all his responsibilities."

With a hungry look, Roger surged forward, and his laps crashed down against hers. It was harsh. Sloppy. Uncoordinated. Their teeth clashed together. All wrong.

Her senses came back to her. 

Shoving him off her with as much strength as she could muster, she stopped herself from crying out. Roger fell off the seat to land on the floor, looking surprised. 

"Don't touch me," Ginny said, livid, her chest heaving with heavy breaths, her hand twitching to where her wand was concealed, "Without my permission."

She stormed past him, making sure to step on his outstretched palm as hard as possible. Hearing him yelp was satisfying.

"Weasley where did you- what the hell happened to your hair?" Joanne, Ginny's fellow chaser, questioned, looking concerned.

"Roger, he fucking-" Ginny gritted out, hot angry tears making their way down her cheeks. 

"Oh, no he didn't," Joanne placed her glass down on the nearest table with a thunk, where it was immediately knocked over when someone fell onto it, "Where did you leave him? I have big feet, and I kick very well."

"Leave him be, he's not worth it," Ginny said, "Tell Jones I'm back at the hotel."

"If you need anything, find a way to send a message," Joanne said bracingly, "And if he drops by again, cast a full body bind. The rest of the team will help you take care of him later. We can leave him to freeze in the lake."

"Thanks," Ginny left the pub feeling a little shaken and angry beyond explanation. She knew that she had to tell Harry about this. 

Oh, she would murder Roger if he ever showed her his stupid measly face again. 

~~~~

Molly jumped on Ginny as soon as she stepped out of the floo. 

"So good to have you back!" Ginny's face was smothered with kisses, "So good! I've made lunch, you go wash up, then come straight back down, you hear me? Oh it's been much too long! To think that you've grown up so much!"

"Good to be back," Ginny answered spritefully, melting into her mother's warm embrace which she had never come to fully appreciate before then.

Her bags were taken away immediately, and her broom was carried away by George for 'cleaning', but everyone knew he wanted to fly it. 

Ginny spotted Hermione's mass of messy brown hair without any problem. Harry, who was standing by the door with her bag, motioned for her to go to him, but Ginny shook her head and pointed to Hermione. Harry nodded in understanding. 

"Hello 'Mione," Ginny said, hugging her as tightly as possible and effectively depriving her of air, "How are you?"

Hermione was beaming, and there were tears (of joy? Mostly) in her eyes, "I'm doing fine."

"Look, I really hope you can forgive me," Ginny said in a rush, not waiting to keep the topic for later, "I'm sorry, I know I was a complete cow."

"It wasn't completely your fault, you know," Hermione said, trying to be consoling.

"Whatever, I'm just glad we're back to normal," Ginny said, waving away the seriousness, "I'll come around tomorrow, maybe, or next weekend. You can tell me more about your study sessions."

"I'm looking forward to it," Hermione said, grinning, and Ginny didn't miss the faint pink that crawled onto her cheeks.

Ginny turned to Harry, and tilted her head towards the stairs discreetly. Then she turned to the stairs herself and told everyone she was going to go keep all her things upstairs and take a bath before coming down for lunch. 

Harry followed soon after, and other than Ron coughing loudly, nobody else reacted. 

Ginny could feel Harry looking at the back of her head as they climbed, and she suddenly became concerned about whether or not she had dandruff issues. 

"Put them by the bed," Ginny placed her bag on the floor, and Harry placed her broom kit and her trunk at the foot of the bed. 

"Congratulations on the win," Harry said, giving her a small grin. 

"Thanks," Ginny said, and took in a deep breath to shut down the butterflies in her stomach. 

"I'm sorry you ever doubted me," Harry said at last. 

Ginny threw herself on him before even deciding to do so. He kissed her softly, and Ginny was reminded of the sharp contrast between him and Roger. 

"It was so horrid of me to ever think that," Ginny said, willing herself not to cry of relief at having been reunited with Harry again. She had been starved for physical affection (his, especially) ever since she had left. 

"Doesn't matter," Harry said, "We're fine now, though, aren't we?" 

"I hope so," Ginny shrugged, then spoke again before he could say anything, "I have to tell you something."

"You have to wash up first," Harry said.

So that was how they ended up with Harry helping Ginny wash her hair, her sitting in the tub surrounded by bubbles (thank goodness for that), and him sitting beside her, rubbing shampoo into her head.

Harry listened to her as she narrated the entire 'Roger incident' to him without interruption. When she was done speaking, Harry looked stormy. 

"I never expected Roger to turn out this way," Harry said at last, his nostrils flaring. He handed her a towel and stepped out of the bathroom to give her some privacy, "And I hope I never see him again."

"Me too, or I may accidentally Avada him," Ginny said, surprised that Harry had taken this so well. She quickly wrapped one of the towels around herself, and used the other to twist her hair up, "Thanks for your help, by the way."

"OI! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING UP THERE?"

"Ron, shut up for once-"

"'Mione, you know mum doesn't like anyone doing the hanky panky in the house!"

Ginny groaned, "Why is Ron like this?"

Harry was rolling around on the bed with laughter, "Ridiculous."

"Aren't you staying for lunch, dear?" Molly was asking Hermione when Ginny and Harry reached downstairs. 

"I wish I could, but I have to study for the exam," Hermione said regretfully, "Ginny, you won't mind will you?" 

"I will unless you promise that we'll all go out soon," Ginny said instantly, "No ice cream because it's cold, but maybe we can go out for tea?"

"You decide the day," Hermione agreed, and quickly embraced Ginny again, "See you. Don't forget to tell me about it if anything happens."

Ginny 'tched', "Why would I ever give you those details?"

"I don't know," Hermione laughed, "But I was only joking. That would just be...weird."

"BYE, HERMIONE!" George shouted from the garden, and he whizzed past the kitchen window not soon after.

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