Story: Broken But Brave
Chapter Ten: News of Panic

I disclaim Ginny's quote from Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix.

Harry Potter woke up to the peaceful chirp of birds, the next day. He felt around for his glasses which was on his bedside table. As he groped for it, he was suddenly thrown back into a memory in his mind.

Harry Potter woke up to the peaceful chirp of birds that morning. He fluttered his eyes open but everything around him was a blur. The previous night's events hit him back as he remembered the wild auror chase he had done. He had arrested two known death eaters and that was no easy task. However, when he stunned two of the Death Eaters and sent them with a ministerial portkey, he, himself was stunned by a third concealed Eater. Fortunately for him, Ron got to his location and was able to save him from further harm but in this process, the best mates lost track of the third eater. As the side effect of getting hit using a very strong stunning spell, Harry lost consciousness. What he did not know was how he got to the bedroom in Potter Manor. Sure, Ron would have apparated them but it would have been difficult given the fact that only two aurors were looking for several dark arts practitioners. Perhaps their mission was dismissed the moment Harry lost consciousness. Harry sighed and that was when he heard the weight shift on his bed.

"You idiot!" he heard Ginny say. "How many times have I told you not to give yourself completely up to your damned job?!" Harry winced as she shouted. He could not see her without his glasses. He could just make out an outline with a mane of red hair.

"Err. . ."

"I know you can't see me. Take this, no wait." saying so, his vision became sharper as Ginny put his glasses on.

"Thanks."

Ginny sighed. "Quit that hellish job and let's go to the muggle world. Don't get me wrong, I love this world after all this is the place I grew up in but really, after all the tough challenges which this very world threw at us, I'd like to lead a life of peace."

Oh how much Harry regretted now not taking her request into consideration. Even till then, he blamed himself every single day, every single hour and every single minute if his mind was not occupied with doing something else.

Shaking himself partially of the reflective thoughts, he put his round glasses on and got off his bed and walked to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee. After that, he will be leaving to his new office for the first big event of his career in Smithson and Co.

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

The alarm of the phone woke Ginny Weasley up. She had bought a phone as soon as she joined the company as that would have been a necessity. For now, she had to get ready real soon. Iliana had called her up the previous night and asked her to come to the office at sharp seven. Ginny groaned and whined but when the receptionist said that a new contract meeting was scheduled, Ginny had no other option.

Ginny was asked to check the Google about some new companies which would be interested to make a contract with their company. After she had completed the said task, she reported that to her boss Madam Lithuvika. Pleased by this, Madam Lithuvika asked her to schedule a meeting and even lead it. If she turned out to be successful, she would be promoted to the job of Mr William, Madam Lithuvika's PA. Mr William was an aged man and hence, he was thinking of resigning. This paved the way for Ginny to have a shot.

The previous night was a very tiresome one for her. She had stayed up till ten to one (if she remembered right) typing the important details in the company provided laptop. She had to make the presentation which would contain the statistics and graphs of the growth and development of Smithson and Co. over the past seven years. She still had a lot more to type but no time. For instance, she did not remember typing the acknowledgement slide. Muggle inventions were still complicated to the witch and she had to struggle with inserting a pie chart and modifying it to fit the data. On top of that, Ginny did not know to operate the touch pad mouse of the laptop. She knew very well to operate a desktop with the wired mouse but laptop was foreign to her. She had used it previously but had not mastered it.

Sighing, Ginny got off the couch where she was lying. This day was going to be one long day but surely she will get through it. After all, anything is possible if you have enough nerve.

After taking a nice relaxing shower, Ginny had a hurried breakfast of some buttered toast and milk. She felt like a child drinking milk but milk always provided her with energy. It was exactly ten to seven when Ginny apparated to a small alcove near the company building. She was obviously late for the half past six bus to the company and apparition was the only solution. She walked into the huge building and was met by an excited looking Iliana, sitting in her position behind the receptionist table.

"Morning, Ils," Ginny greeted.

"Good morning, Ginny. We need to talk," Iliana replied. Ginny nodded and Iliana led her to the canteen after asking the security to inform her should anyone visit. "Had breakfast?" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Is this why you called me in so early?" The red head asked. "To ask if I had breakfast?"

"No. You have some work! You have the work of making sure the presentation and everything is perfect! Remember, Ginny! You may get a promotion if this meeting goes really well!" Iliana exclaimed. Ginny nodded.

"Right, sorry. Yes, I had breakfast."

"Oh, I thought we could dine together. . . Perhaps a chocolate cake?" Iliana asked with a smirk.

"I'd never say no to a chocolate cake," Ginny winked back and the two giggling girls ordered two pieces of chocolate cake and sat at one of the vacant tables. The people who just finished their night shift were dining there, looking tired but happy nevertheless. Their happiness indicated that the previous night of their job went well.

"So, what is it?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Firstly, I have never seen you interact with Mr Potter," Iliana said, looking just as curiously as Ginny was. "Not even a hello."

"Ahem. Who is Mr P-Potter?" Ginny stuttered.

"Who? Who! He's the new receptionist for God's sake!" Iliana exclaimed, feigning anger.

"Maybe he's night shift, yeah. I have never seen him," Ginny lied. To be honest, she had seen him looking at her with squinted eyes several times but she turned away each time so that he would not identify her. If she were to leave after her shift, she would put up a glamour charm, changing her face shape, eye colour and covering her freckles. Usually, he was not seen when she left, so that was not a huge problem as such. That is, until now.

"Night shift?! He literally works beside me, idiot," Iliana chided. Ginny shrugged.

"Haven't spotted him."

"Yeah, maybe because he is too decent not to look at any girl in that way," Iliana suggested, although in a curious tone. Ginny shrugged once again. To make it sound like she never knew him, she asked a question of her own.

"Well, what about him?"

"You will be delighted to know that I have personally set up an introductory meeting for you both," Iliana said, smiling happily as Ginny sat frozen. Sure, Iliana did not know about Ginny's past and she was a good friend but she was too naïve for her own good. She believed in almost anything and everything one would say. "I figured that I want my best friend and new friend to know each other and since fate doesn't want to make you meet, I made!" Iliana exclaimed, looking like a child who is excited for a new toy to be given.

"Oh, nice. . . H-how will I m-meet him?" Ginny stuttered, trying her best not to. Failing however.

"He will be here at 8 AM to set up the computers and make sure that they work. I asked the peon to take the day off and let Harry do the job instead of him. If Madam Lithuvika sees that, she might promote him as well. He's really efficient. Quite hard working, I must add. He can get your post as soon as you get promoted. You know, he's a guy and he must look after his family. The salary which he would get as a receptionist will not be enough for that. Hell, it doesn't help me too! Too much of expenditure in one month. I had been to his house yesterday for discussing this. Quite empty, I must say. Anyways, since he's gonna be your successor, I want you to tutor him about the basics but first, get to know him. He is really nice," Iliana spoke quickly with a smile adorning her face. Ginny bit her lower lip. Harry is too attractive for his own good and now she felt possessive.

"Okay. . ." Ginny said and as much as she tried to smile and talk normally, she found that a new monster was now residing in her chest.

How did this chapter turn out? I hope it went well. I had the flow of writing when I wrote it as I was previously working on my school essay so I think this went well.

I'm really happy and ecstatic that this book is receiving good amount of votes and comments. I feel really encouraged. I wanna make it even more proper for a nice amount of audience. Thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to me! :')

Love,
Miyoko x