RP: Music Festival

[shh_luna]

Date: August 25, 2005
Character(s): Luna Lovegood, Ernie Macmillan, Caradoc Dearborn, Ginny Weasley, Lavender Brown, Ron Weasley, Eleanor Branstone, Zacharias Smith, Mandy Brocklehurst, George Weasley, Lisa Turpin, Draco Malfoy, Marietta Edgecombe, Arabella Figg, Julian Avery, Rabastan Lestrange, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Wayne Hopkins, Eloise

Comments

[shh_ginny]

She'd been at the Quidditch pitch that morning to carry boxes and levitate tables around but had begun to feel underfoot after that and opted to go home and catch a catnap before the festival began. Now, coming awake on the sofa with a book on her chest, Ginny scrambled up and checked the time. 'Sod on.' She cursed silently, dashing upstairs to take a quick shower and pull on a fresh pair of denims and George's button-down that he'd let her wear to bed two nights ago when she'd Floo'd over at 3 a.m. having woken from a nightmare.

Apparating to the pitch, Ginny gave the shirt a tug to straighten it and smiled as the music washed over her. Grinning, she went in search of a blanket, stopping to remind the volunteers where she'd be when they wanted to be spelled for a breather and, nicking a soft blanket from the pile, headed over to the grass to the left of the stage. Shaking out the blanket, she flopped down on it and folded her arms under her head as she stretched out.

[shh_george]

George walked through the crowd, his hands shoved in his pockets. There was a good turn out, and he couldn't wait to get the fireworks started. But it was still early and there was lots to be seen and he really wanted to grab some food.

A flash of red caught his attention and he grinned as he saw his sister laid out on one of the blankets beside the stage.

"Nice shirt," he said, striding up to her and groaning as he sat down beside of her. "You have good taste, buying something so spiffy. I hope you weren't expecting anyone, cause you get me now instead." He grinned and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "How are you, babe?"

[shh_ginny]

A shadow crossed her view only a second before George spoke and Ginny smiled broadly as he sank down on the blanket beside her. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she laughed, giving the shirt a tug. "Isn't it? Regular posh, I am. Thought you knew that."

"Well, I was expecting a handsome, funny wizard and look at that! I got one." Ginny smirked. "I'm doing okay, still a little sleepy. Took a catnap after helping to set up this morning and only just woke up."

[shh_george]

"Of course I knew that," he said, smiling at her. "And you certainly did get gone." He laid down beside her, propping up on his elbow and studying her face. "And how did you sleep last night, angel?" he asked, brushing her hair back from her face. She'd scared him showing up in the middle of the night, out of breath and trembling. But he'd have rather had her frighten him than try to handle it alone.

[shh_ginny]

"Better. Better-ish." She shrugged, but reached out and curled her hand into his, remembering the way he'd startled awake and the hammering of his heart under her cheek after he let her curl up against his side in bed just like he had all those years ago in Hogwarts when she'd woken in the Gryffindor dormatory that first night, suddenly afraid to be away from home, slipping down the stairs to the boys dorm only to find him already tossing his quilt back without a word. "Didn't have my George-pillow but it wasn't too awful. How's your day been, love?"

[shh_george]

She didn't sound like it was really better. "You could have had me. ANY time, babe. You understand? It helps me too, if you need an excuse. But you have to sleep and hell, you got Fred you can go to if you want as well. I know Ron and Perce have occupied beds but Bill and Charlie don't. You never have to be by yourself if you don't want to." He hugged her and kissed her hair. "Thanks for trusting me. I'm glad you came over, that made me feel good." He smiled down at her as he pulled back. "My day was good. Very good. We hired a new hand at the shop. Mornings only, but that means that once she's comfortable, Fred and I can start rotating days and sleeping in. Perhaps we'll get to take a day off once a week or so."

[shh_ginny]

"Nah, I'd never... you and Fred were the only ones I ever went too when I was... when I couldn't sleep." She ducked her head sheepishly. "Careful with that offer, mate. I'll be driving you crazy showing up every night and scaring away the birds."

Ginny settled back, looking up at him as he spoke. "Wow, a whole day off? Can the world survive that?" She teased. "Seriously, that's brilliant news. Is it the same girl you mentioned? Hannah?"

[shh_george]

"No birds to scare away," he said easily, laying his cheek against her forehead. "Seriously, Gin? Anytime. You are always welcome and if I have a bird there, I'll send her home. You're my family. You're what's important."

"Yeah," he said, smiling, "Hannah Abbott. She's really sweet. And she seems terribly excited. I think it's a good fit. I really hope it works out."

[shh_ginny]

"Yeah? Okay, okay. I'll come over tonight." Shifting closer, Ginny smiled at the warm, soft brush of his cheek, comforted by his georgescent. The twins made her feel out of time, ageless, propelled along their childhoods without boundries. She remembered running into their bedroom, all pigtails and babyteeth, and flopping over Fred's knee with a wobbly 'Wed!' when Mum had hollared up the stairs for him. When she was little, she couldn't fathom what the fuss was. They were Georgenotfred and Frednotgeorge and GeorgeFred and FredGeorge. Snuggling up to George now, she could have been 6 all over again for all that mattered.

"So, with all this potential free time in the future, you think we could do something?"

[shh_slughorn]

Horace wasn't a fan of Weird Sisters, or rock music in general for that matter, but he was feeling positively benevolent. Since finding the cause of his nightmares he'd had several nights of blisfully undisturbed sleep, and he felt that it was time to get out and about again. He also thought it would be a good idea to present Ginny Weasley with a small present to thank her for her help, and she was probably going to be somewhere around the festival. After a stop at the chocolate shop he apparated to the Quidditch pitch and started to look around, eventually noticing her with one of her brothers, either Fred or George. If it had been anyone else he would have described their position as intimate. As it was, he simply coughed politely and said "Miss Weasley?"

[shh_ginny]

The opening band just finished one song and were gearing up for another as Ginny asked her brother a question, blinking as another shadow fell over the blanket and she looked up, thinking it might be Fred or Charlie. "Oh. Hello Professor Slughorn."

She lifted a hand to shade the sun from her eyes and stood to be polite. "I didn't think you were a fan of this kind of music, sir. I was just about to get George and I something to drink. Was there something you needed, sir?"

[shh_slughorn]

"I just wanted to thank you again for your help the other day," said Horace, "and give you a small token in appreciation." He handed her a small but expensive box of chocolates. "I've decided to ask the Ministry to take charge of the..." he looked around "...book, they ought to be able to keep it safe. Now, I really must be off before they start playing loudly again, I hope that you'll both enjoy the concert." He raised his hat politely and went on his way.

[shh_george]

George laid there, with his hands behind his head as he watched the interaction. He nodded at Slughorn and said, "Professor," politely. And as he walked off he raised and eyebrow at Ginny.

"What was that about? I do hope you're not into men that old... cause that's just gross, Gin. Now get your arse back down here and tell me what it is you want me to do, because that last comment sounded like you were leading up to something. I can't stand suspence."

[shh_ginny]

"Thank you, Professor. It really was nothing though." She smiled and took the package, surprised. "I'm glad you found a solution for the book, I'd hate for you to lose more sleep because of it. Do have a nice day, sir, and thank you again."

Ginny waited until the Professor turned and walked away before settling back down on the blanket beside George, putting the expensive looking box to the side. "Ewww, don't be gross, George. He was just thanking me for... well, nothing really. All I did was stop to chat with him on my lunch break. Jogged his memory about something." She kissed his cheek and grinned. "Well, I was thinking of a fishing trip or something. Maybe we could go see the pyramids like we did that one summer."

[shh_george]

"Jogged his memory, huh? And how'd you do that?" He grinned at her as she kissed his cheek.

Oh. She wanted to take a trip. He wasn't opposed, not at all in fact. But...

"We might can. How long would we be gone? I can't leave Fred alone with the shop for too long, you know? Tell me more, what are you thinking? You know I'd love to take you away for a bit. It'd be fun."

[shh_ginny]

"Yeah, just talked, that's all. I don't even remember half of what we said. He was having odd dreams and come to find out, it was a book he had. That's all. And no, I didn't see it. I wouldn't have gone anywhere near the bloody thing if I had." She answered, folding her arms behind her head again.

The band was starting up again and she turned her head toward him to hear. "Just a day or two, love. I thought it'd be fun. We could camp up at the Loch, if you wanted, or crawl around some dusty tombs. Whatever you wanted, really. Just thought it'd be great to get away with you since we've had so little time."