Story: Broken But Brave
Chapter Eleven: Trapped With a Failure

The clock ticked eight as Ginny Weasley entered the conference room. She looked at her watch to recheck the time as slight panic rose through her. She still had some more typing to be done but there was one more huge problem which burdened her head. She was going to meet him, but she didn't want to! If she would meet him, she would surely look like a fool and stutter things and it was one hundred percent sure that he would ask her to go back with him to the Wizarding World. That would be the only reason he is now in the muggle world. Personally, he did not like it because of his barbaric "family".

Ginny had to formulate a plan. Now more than ever, her brain had to work! She could almost hear the clicking of the gears in her mind as a sure but harsh plan formed in her mind.

"I'm sorry, Iliana but I must do this."

With that thought, she used a glamour charm, changing her eye colour to midnight black and her hair to long, dirty blonde. She adjusted her cheekbones and smile line to make her look more healthier and then strode out of the conference room.

She climbed down the stairs but suddenly caught herself as her heart skipped a beat, for she had heard his voice.

"Okay! I suppose you need to press F2," he said, most probably talking about PowerPoint.

"Is it? Ginny and I were-" she heard a gasp, "-struggling to get the presentation on a full screen! I forgot the shortcut key and there is some problem with the taskbar." she heard Iliana say. Ginny stealthily walked to a pillar and hid behind it. From her place, she could see the duo walking back to the receptionist table. She couldn't see his face, only his hair which was . . . less messy?

"G-Ginny?" he stuttered. Iliana nodded.

"My best friend. I shall introduce you to her in a few. Funny how you both never met each other with me being here."

Harry nodded. "Err. . . h-her name is Ginny?" He asked as Ginny rolled her modified black eyes.

"Yes, Ginny Weasley. Have you met her?" Iliana asked, looking at him suspicious.

"Maybe," Harry said, scratching his neck as they approached the desk.

"Ooh! I realize that the world is too small."

Harry snorted and Iliana looked up at him. "Right," he quickly covered up his snort.

"Maybe the introduction is a waste of time," Iliana said as she sat down and opened her drawer, taking out stacks of paper.

"No!" Harry shouted, causing the lady to look at him with raised eyebrows. "Err. . . I mean I-er. . . it would be nice to meet your best friend."

Iliana smiled and looked at another stack of papers. "You need to sort them into the correct order. They are needed for the meeting."

"Okay," Harry said and sat down beside Iliana to sort the papers. The monster in Ginny's chest roared slightly but this was the perfect time to do it. Ginny raised her wand, still hidden from the duo's sight.

"Obliviate."

A white light lit the tip of her wand as she thought of what she wanted to do. Iliana's eyes looked down and she fainted on the desk as Ginny lowered her wand and hid behind the pillar.

"Miss Sallow? Miss Sallow, what happened?" Harry asked. He quickly got up and grabbed a paper glass and filled it with water from a water purifier. He ran back to the desk and sprinkled some water on Iliana's face. Iliana stirred and blinked her eyes open. She shook her head as if trying to get water out of her ears. Harry raised his eye brows at this and Ginny flinched.

Harry was an auror, an observant at that. He learnt several human body language and psychology for the sake of identifying criminals. It was pretty obvious that he would know the side effects of different charms, spells, curses and hexes. This was what Ginny feared. What if he found out that someone modified Iliana's memory? No muggle can do it and it would once again become obvious that a witch or a wizard was in the building. There would be high chances that Ginny would be caught by the auror.

"W-Who am I?" Iliana asked and Ginny face palmed. Harry's expression turned even more suspicious.

"Miss Sallow? Do you remember me?" he asked. Iliana stared at him before answering.

"Harry. Mr Potter?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I remember. What should I do now?"

Harry's eyebrows almost reached his hairline. Almost being the keyword. He looked around and Ginny quickly hid herself behind the pillar. "You are supposed to introduce me to Ginny Weasley."

"Ginny? Ginny, who?" Ginny swore. She should have seen this coming. He was an auror for Merlin's sake!

"Your best friend who I haven't met."

"Oh! It's not Ginny Weasley. Her name is Serena Keith," Iliana said.

"Oh, okay? Can we go then?"

That was all Ginny heard. She instantly ran to the stairs as several people looked at her curiously. She did not care. She bolted upstairs and into the conference room and locked it magically. She removed her glamour but let the eye colour remain the same. She modified her jaw to look more sharp when there was a knock on the door. Ginny cast the unlocking charm to reverse her locking charm.

"Enter," she said as she covered her face by holding up a file and 'reading' it.

The door opened and Iliana spoke up. "Serena? I told you right? About my new friend and co-receptionist. If that's a word. Meet him! Serena, this is Harry Potter. Harry, this is my best and first friend here, Serena Keith."

"Hello, Serena." Anyone would think that was a normal greeting but Ginny knew better that it was said in a sarcastic manner. For, she had lived with him. Ginny kept the file in front of her face but gave a curt nod, her back turned towards them.

"Ahem. Harry, you can help by setting up the laptop. I shall go and retrieve more files."

A shuffling was heard and the sound of the door closing was heard.

"Gin," he said. Ginny's heart skipped two beats as she heard his nickname for her from his mouth. Ever since he was arrested, she refused being addressed as anything other than 'Ginny'. She hated 'Ginevra' and her nickname of 'Gin' reminded her of him who she lost for a noble cause. "Quit it, I know it is you."

"I don't know who are talking about," she lied, the file still clutched tightly in her hands.

"Accio file."

Instantly, the file in Ginny's hands flew to him. She groaned and turned toward him, a frown ceasing her forehead. Harry's only reaction when he saw her was raising his eyebrows.

"Whatever magic you did, mister, I do not know. Please give it back, I need to go through the pl-" Ginny started but was cut off.

"Really?" Saying so, Harry walked over to the desk and switched her laptop on, a smirk etched on his face. He typed something and the laptop unlocked, probably the password but how on earth did he find that?!

"Hello, may I know how you know my pass-"

"Shush!" Harry said and Ginny turned away, her arms folded across her chest. This was expected. Of course, he wouldn't allow her to talk until he did.

"Colloportus," she heard, "Accio wand! Muffiliato!" before Ginny could even react or yelp, her wand flew out of her blazer pocket and into his hand. She gulped. What was he going to do? He had been imprisoned in that hellish place, Azkaban for five years. What if his mental state changed. . .? Such questions raced through her mind when he pointed his holly wand at her.

"W-what? H-Harry, put it down! I'm disarmed!" Ginny exclaimed nervously. She sounded as if she was begging but she was indeed defenseless. The door was locked and they were now in a 'soundproof' room because of his charm.

"Got my name out," he said as his smirk got wider. There was something in his eyes that Ginny noticed. Something that she hadn't seen since when they reunited after the war - desire. "I shall get yours now."

Phew! That was one hell of a chapter. It was tough to write with making Harry sound like some expert detective but I like an auror Harry on a case, so that's why I made him like that. Ooh, cliffhanger! Sorry about that, I couldn't resist.

I shall try my best to upload soon. I'm not keeping well currently.

Post your reviews about the chapter! Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x