Brave At Heart

"There's the silver lining I'm looking for." Private Indie Ginny Weasley for After the Darkness Verse

[orthographewrites]

❃

❃ = dancing with them:

Between the necessary bad there had to be a necessary good. What would the world look like, if all you did were remember the gloomy and grim parts? 

May was a hard month for many witches, wizards and muggles; young as old. It was a look-back over many years of harsh battles and destruction made to their different worlds, whether they were aware of it, or not. But it was also a time to sit there and remind yourself, and others, of the many wonders still lingering around. Society had to move on to grow, even if the ache never truly did. 

The Order had gathered up in late May to celebrate all of it. To remember and to remind, with upbeat music to drown the many frowns after a small speech made by Harry during dinner and for people to work off the leftovers of the dessert. Harry himself had dragged Ron with him to the back of the room, hiding away from the people craving a conversation with him past this point in time. Some days you begged for something more childish and light, and Ron was the perfect match for that as both had quickly found it in them to joke around about work. 

It wasn’t until half an hour later, when the middle floor had started to calm down, that another wave of flames came to land in front of the two men – Ginny clearing her throat to announce her presence to her brother and boyfriend. “Let’s dance.” Her eyes glued themselves onto Harry, challenging as she held out her hand for him to grab. She wouldn’t accept a no, he recognised that tone all too well by now. 

“You know I don’t dance, Ginny…” Harry spoke back as he shifted in his chair and moved his own eyes over at the live band playing. No, it was an activity he preferred to avoid until death did them apart. But another, more dedicated stare made him sigh and eventually tell Ron he’d be back soon enough – allowing Ginny to lead them up against the dance floor. “If I step on your feet and fall and break my leg, know I’m blaming it all on you.” Harry rolled his eyes, but placed his hand around Ginny’s waist as he had many times before, placing his focus down at his feet the second they began to move to the music surrounding the room. // @midnight-howlings 

[bravcenough]

orthographewrites:

The image that painted itself inside his head as Ginny began to ramble up the mention of her brothers, with girlfriends, inside their tiny house caused the building to create an imaginary pop. No, she was right, they wouldn’t all fit there unless they made space for them in their tiny garden as well – but who wanted to have tea outside at the end of winter? No spell could make that idea tempting. “I don’t think you’re going to be able to round them all up at once, Gin – Charlie isn’t even in England and Percy is who he is. But no… even without those two we would have to scatter around. How come we have spells to expand upon tents, but not ordinary rooms?” Harry shook his head, laughing quiety to himself as his eyes swept over the street in an attempt to find a spot good enough to apparate them back home to the Burrow. It was still quite thrilling to think that he and Ginny would soon be standing inside their own home, furnished with their choices and their taste. For someone whose most belongings had happened to be just enough to fill a coffin each years, it was almost nerv-wrecking to suddenly have so much. What did you even do with it? “Are you ready to leave? I think we should be safe from prying eyes here”, Harry added as he stopped in his tracks, pulling Ginny with him into the side of an alley. 

She knew it was silly, to want to get her whole family crammed inside their house, but it had been so long since they had a gathering like that. She felt weird not having them all around all the time. Although, she would just have to get used to that, what with moving out and all. “I know, we really can only fit Mum and Dad right now.. Maybe when it’s warmer, we can do something with the rest of them. I think Charlie is going to be coming for a visit around May.” Ginny replied, smiling at his question. “Guess you’ll have to make a new spell for it. Could come in handy with our family.” She joked, her eyes watching his as he looked for a place to leave from. She was relieved to be heading home, at least, to her home for the next few weeks. She was still packing up her room from the Burrow and she couldn’t even picture not apparating home there after practice. It would definitely take some getting used to, and she was excited. Excited and terrified all at once. She moved with him into the alley, nodding at his question. “Yeah, before the streets get more congested and everyone sees us.” She told him, wrapping her arms around his middle to make apparating easier. There was always the fear of losing your grip if you went just holding hands, and she didn’t want to risk getting splinched. “I’ll talk to Mum and Dad about coming over to tea when we get back, alright?” Ginny added as she leaned her head back to look up at him.

[orthographewrites]

☮

☮ = waking them up after a nightmare:

They should be over. 

Nothing more to fear. 

Not a piece of him that didn’t belong there. 

Waking up in cold sweat with your girlfriend’s worried and newly awoken stare was not something to celebrate, but closer to a Boggart’s curse. Something to still remind him there were things out there, a tenebrific cloak yet resting over his being and the people he held dear. What that was, Harry couldn’t tell nor explain if anyone dared ask; maybe just a tint of paranoia blended with a fine mixture of grim memories to hold him back? Or perhaps something else, something out of this known world of theirs. 

It didn’t really matter. 

Harry blinked and pulled a confused hand through his messy bangs, locking his green eyes with Ginny’s delightful hazel brown gaze. He found himself lost for a moment, and his heart slowed down by the wonder and calm she brought with her. “Again?” he questioned. A sigh, deep and exhausted. It wasn’t unsual for him to have nightmares, he had had them since he was merely a child after all – but no matter how much time passed, his body and mind never seemed to grasp the concept, it was like getting jumped by a friend known and still scream when their face pushed up against yours. “I’m sorry… go back to sleep, I’ll just grab some water and calm down. Will be back before you know it.” Although shaken, Harry managed to press a small kiss of reassurance to Ginny’s cheek before he threw the blanket off his body and welcomed the chilly air against his skin. She understood and she didn’t hold him back. One of many reasons his heart had attached itself to her’s. // @midnight-howlings

[hatepotion]

thinking about what to caption this brought up the dilemma of if it is ok to unironically say “glo up”

[bravcenough]

disgracedgoddess:

Hestia would be considered the disgrace of her family if they knew how much time she spent on muggle London. She loved magic and she would never resent it, but it felt easier to be around people who simply didn’t know anything about her or her family. Not everyone seemed to be so keen in forgetting what the Carrows did as Ginny seemed to be. But her parents were dead, aunt and uncle in prison, and her sister was the last thing she had. She shrugged, not wishing to share any of that with the Weasley. “Didn’t you?” She asked. It was approximately midday and Hestia was just too pick about her routine ─ right time and right thing to eat. She knew that people weren’t as obsessive as her. Another bite as Ginny filled the silence between them.

Good. Hestia could say that her work was good. She had her sister ─ and she was good. However, she didn’t think she had the same expectations as Ginny. She tilted her head, examining Ginny’s face for a second. That sounded a lot like hope. It didn’t seem right either to say she didn’t harbor those feelings. She wanted to stay away from controversial topics. “It is a bit hard to forget.” Hestia admitted, not that Ginny could think otherwise on a day that her name is probably being mentioned a lot in the Wizarding World. “May I ask what you are doing here?”

There was so much anger left in the world, and on days like today, where they were forced to drudge up old wounds, that anger seemed to multiply. People on the streets were avoiding eyes, the heroes of their world staying indoors for the most part because no one knew what the reaction would be like. Ginny was lucky enough to get out of the heat of it, hiding in plain sight now. She almost wished she had an invisibility cloak of her own so she could head back home without being seen or questioned. “No, I didn’t really think I would be out here too long. There’s another memorial around five, so I can’t be stuck in the Muggle world for long.” She replied with a shrug, trying to push the anxiety of the upcoming memorial out of her head. She didn’t want to face those memories, she didn’t want to think about the ones who fell. Her brother, Tonks and Professor Lupin coming to mind first. No doubt Teddy would be sitting with Harry this year, and she wasn’t ready to see the expression on the boy’s face yet.

At her comment about her name, Ginny felt her ears burn. “Yeah, I guess it is..” Ginny muttered as she shifted her feet, knowing the entire Wizarding World knew her, or at least thought they knew her. Hestia was right, it was hard to forget it. The question however, brought Ginny’s attention back to her former schoolmate, pushing her lips as she tried to think of something to say. “It’s hard to sit around today. I don’t like not doing anything.”

[bravcenough]

disgracedgoddess:

Honestly, Hestia didn’t hate any of them. She was supposed to ─ blood traitors, mudbloods, non-humans ─ or that was what her father told her so, but she just never understand the source of all that hate. It was at least intriguing how muggleborns got their magic, but she never wrapped her head around her family values. It lacked logic and Hestia had always been a big fan of logic. She was forced into a war that wasn’t hers, she just did what she had to do to survive and to protect her sister. Her sister was the only thing that matter, so Hestia just didn’t bother in holding grudges. That seemed exhausting. 

That didn’t mean, however, that she had to like them. Hestia definitely didn’t like Potter. Granger had always been a source of frustration and envy. But Ginny had never been relevant to her, so there was a chance she could actually like her (it was small, but existed). “Try having a pint with them── nonstop blab.” Hestia pulled her bag closer, taking out her lunch and she opened the Tupperware on her lap. She shook the fork between her fingers for a moment. “I learned not to expect anything at all,” she shrugged, taking a bite off her salad, “it avoids disappointment altogether.” That she could thank her parents for, which normally was something others could understand in theory. And that was something she wanted Ginny to imagine she knew just in theory. “I am Hestia. In case…” her voice died down because ‘in case you don’t remember me chasing you’ seemed a bad conversation starter.

Ginny could usually come off as an angry person if you didn’t know her. Over the years since the war, since she became more famous within the world, because of the battles, but also because of Harry, she had adapted a pretty hard expression reserved for the public. She tried to make herself look unapproachable to avoid reporters asking every question they just had to know. But to her family, she was kind, she was always laughing and tried her hardest not to harbor any anger. 

So with her old classmates, her old “enemies” in school, she tried to do the same. To let the fighting from the war finally fall away. It did no good to keep the anger going, especially when there was still so much rebuilding that needed to be done. Both physically and socially. “I think I’ll pass on that one. Wizards chat enough for me already.” She joked, eyes dropping down to Hestia’s bag as she started to pull food out. “Came prepared, yeah?” Ginny added, before looking back up at her. “I guess that’s one way to go about things. But then you don’t expect anything good either, ya know?” She replied, nodding when she finally said her name, a smile crossing her lips in an attempt to put the past behind them. “Hestia, right, yeah I remember you. Ginny. But I assume you already remembered that.”

[bravcenough]

disgracedgoddess:

Today.

If it were for Hestia, today, just like any other day, would be the same. She was used to a very specific routine. She would go to work, eat a salad for lunch, go home, talk to her sister, read a book and sleep. Boring, predictable and controlled, which was everything she could wish for herself. Whenever she lost control, even for a second, her life took a curve ball she didn’t know how to deal with. Emotions had never been her strength. Instead, there was no work at the ministry so they could go to a service for the lives that were lost ─ the fallen heroes. Eulologies, tributes, people convulsing into tears that could make any sane person uncomfortable. Which was why she was even more surprised that Ginny Weasley, another of one their heroes, was out there in Muggle London instead Hogwarts or wherever.

Hestia knew more about Ginny than she would care to know. She and her friends had given the Carrows enough trouble on senior year, consequently, Hestia had gotten in trouble for not being able to contain Dumbledore’s Army. Alecto had never been good with emotions either, but unlike Hestia, she lashed them out. She had thought that being reminded of the Battle was the worst thing on that day, but remembering her family wasn’t helpful to pretend this day was just like other. “Maybe it is to match people’s humor. Londoners are just awfully cranky.” Hestia trailed off. She didn’t care to be accepted by anyone but her sister, yet, she had the urge to fill their silence with small talk for some reason. “It would be too much disappointment to expect for a sunny day.”

Ginny was not ready for whatever was going to come of today. Practices had been canceled, a way of giving people the time they needed to be with their families if they chose. But Ginny had almost wished that she could be there today, to pretend that today was just like any other day. That she didn’t have people coming up in the streets, more so than usual, thanking her and her family for what they did. Apologizing to her for her losses. Today was harder than any other day and once again she wished she was not one of the “heroes” of the Wizarding World that they all labeled her as.

Even though she could barely remember the name of the girl next to her, the more she stood with her, the more memories came back. She was one of the students the DA fought against all through her sixth year. She remembered running to the shrieking shack to escape the Carrows, usually after they ducked out of her and a few other students’ sight. But that was behind them now, the war was over. Grudges didn’t need to be held. Thankful for the small talk, Ginny’s eyes flickered between the dreary sky and the brunette next to her. “They definitely aren’t the cheeriest group, are they? Seem too caught up in their own heads.” She replied with a nod, a shrug accompanying her next comment. “Better to expect the rain and get the sun instead of the other way around, yeah?”

[bravcenough]

disgracedgoddess:

It had been two years since the Battle of Hogwarts. It was more than time enough to put her affairs in order, but it didn’t matter how much she tried to fix her family blood, ties and reputation, that was something that Hestia’s perfectionism neurosis would never reach. So she did the best two things she could ─ reacted with sarcasm and faded into the background, always swaying between one another. 

It was remembrance day, which meant that Hestia was avoiding people like the plague. Muggle London seemed the most safe place to be, which was why she never expected a magical companion. She picked the Hyde Park in a failed attempt to be alone, but destiny apparently had other plans. “Great weather, right?” She looked at the grey skies and to the person beside her.

Two years.. Somehow she had made it two years since that Battle. It didn’t feel like that long had passed, but then again she never liked to think that she had gone this long without one of her brothers. There was a large dinner at the Burrow tonight, with the Order and anyone who could make it, honoring those who passed. Another service, another eulogy. Ginny didn’t think she could take it.

She missed her brother terribly, always having been closest to Fred and George, despite Ron being closer in age. They were always there for her and she felt as though she and George had mourned him the most out of the siblings. There was still so much setting up that needed to be done back home, but Ginny wasn’t ready to face her family yet, so instead she went out to London, hiding amongst the Muggles. They wouldn’t be mourning today, there would be no reminders here of the world she lived in. They would have no idea about the Battle of Hogwarts even if she mentioned it. But she couldn’t even escape her world completely, seeing a slightly familiar face. She didn’t think she had ever spoken to her, but Ginny knew her face from around school and the Ministry when she would go visit Harry and Ron. “About as good as it’s going to get today, I think.”

[bravcenough]

rcmildavxne:

Nothing felt very familiar anymore. Not the shoppes, not the people, not even the landscape. Had they ever felt familiar though? Throughout her time at Hogwarts, she had always felt a little bit out of place. She had her little group of friends, and some people she was friendly enough with. Then, there were some of the fellas that she flirted mercilessly with. But she’d always had a thing for Harry. 

Sure, she went around it in all the wrong ways, but that didn’t make her crush any less real. Hermione had been wrong; she wasn’t just interested in him for his ‘Chosen One’ status. She’d watched him from afar very since she’d first seen him. She was devastated when he’d ended up with Ginny, bitter even, but now here she was after everything had gone to hell with that redhead. 

“Tha’s good, then.” Kicking up some of the dirt on the ground, she shook her head. “Oh, they haven’t… I wasn’t in the crowd anyways. I just didn’t want to be around there any longer.”

Ginny and Romilda had never really spoken, never forming any kind of friendly relationship, and Ginny chalked that up to Harry. They both had had their crushes, and Ginny was always jealous of Romilda. Always worried that he would pick her, she was his age and always nicer to look at. She was classified as the ‘best friend’s little sister’, where as Romilda had a clean slate. 

And yet, Ginny had somehow come out on top, and part of her wanted to be smug about it. But things were too raw for anything other than anger, she didn’t have time for any petty feuds from school. Even if they were never really addressed as such. 

“I don’t blame you. I was in the crowd and I couldn’t handle being around it any more. We’ve all mourned, I don’t know why we have to keep dragging those feelings up again.” She replied, spinning her wand in her hands as she spoke.

[bravcenough]

owl ➝ harry

[bravcenough]

orthographewrites:

Ginny, 

I think I did my best TRY, not my fault the teacher acted like a loopy old lady. Too bad it showed she actually knew what she was doing. That I can do, and believe me, if I can spend most of the morning the day after just nestled down in bed next to you I’m fine. Wouldn’t that be something though? I’ll be the youngest in history – as if I need something else to add to my resume. 

Ron is stubborn and he only wants what’s best for her. He just… doubts that’s him, you know? He has those problems, constantly worries there’s someone better and more worthy out there wereas Hermione is more straight forward. I should tell her to wack him a bit and just drag him along. Just let them work it out.

Harry

Harry,

Maybe we all should’ve listened to her sooner. I wouldn’t mind that either, it’s been far too long since we’ve had any mornings like that. I’ll make sure to keep the rest of the girls out of our hairs. Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been the ‘youngest in history’ for something. This would be what, twenty now? 

Well, with you as his best friend, can you really blame him for that? He’s known for his comparisons. But he needs to get over himself. And Hermione just needs to suck it up. It’s easier said than done, I’ve got Hermione asking me to get your help with it all the time. It’s like we’re shoved in the middle of them all the time.

Ginny

[bravcenough]

owl ➝ harry

[bravcenough]

orthographewrites:

Ginny, 

Even when I have you to hold me back and push me on? I firmly believe I have more than enough. It wouldn’t be a bad activity for the days off, I’m sure we can steal the field a street down for a few hours. And excuse me, who took over my stop during the sixth year and finally brought it all home? A moment to hold onto, wouldn’t you say? Absolutely not, I might run for the hills after the first day and you will never see me again. 

Says the one who hates wasting money. 

Harry

Harry,

Even then, definitely. I don’t think anyone would mind if we took it for a couple hours. Maybe get my brothers to come down and we can have a proper match, we’ve got enough of us for it. Have Hermione keep score, ‘cause Merlin knows she’s a terrible player. I might’ve taken home the cup, but you’re a brilliant Seeker. I’ll stick to being a Chaser from now on. Make sure you keep from running until I get home, yeah?

I didn’t say I was spoiling him. But I know your spending habits.

Ginny

[euphoriette]

“in loving memory of the past time” by Jérémy Barniaud on Flickr.

[bravcenough]

orthographewrites:

Ginny was right about the masses starting to flock, hearing the mumbles and the shouts from the afternoon crowd wishing to finish off their shopping before dinner. Parts of him grew withheld as they walked forward, wishing on his own that life could go back to a somewhat normal – at least normal for him and Ginny. The streets were yet to turn safe, as much as the auror office fought to keep the peace and seek up those supporters left in the country; and those who had managed to sneak outside it. “Maybe”, Harry replied with a nod as he hugged her hand tighter, turning a right around the next corner to find the main street leading them back outside. Would there ever be such a thing as ‘normal’ again, was the question. The lot of them (he, Hermione, Ron, Neville etc) were considered heroes by now, a new type of level of fame that didn’t just cause people to creep up to him, but the people he usually had as a shield as well. “Have you showed your parents the house yet, by the way?” Harry hadn’t openly spoken to either Mr or Mrs Weasley about the move, figuring it wasn’t really in his power to do so besides soak in the knowledge he belonged to the Weasley family in a whole different way these days. He had mentioned it in passing and sat around the table with Ginny as they announced their plans for their future – but past that he was at a loss. Honestly, he felt a bit bad pulling Ginny away so soon. 

Things felt safer with Harry around, but she still reached to grip her wand with her free hand. She just wanted to make sure it was within reach, never trusting who was in the crowds. It was impossible to pick out the few supporters left, and with everyone always staring, her guard stayed securely up. The streets were flooded now, the afternoon rush gaining speed as they tried to escape before being noticed. Times like these, Ginny wished they both could fit under Harry’s invisibility cloak. Rounding the corner, she leaned her body closer into Harry’s, wanting to weave through the crowd easily but of course, they were a fairly easy pair to point out. She could hear a couple whispers snaking through the crowd as they walked down the main street, her ears burning red with each comment. She turned her attention to Harry, attempting to drown the crowd out. “I haven’t had the chance to bring them ‘round yet. It felt off just inviting Mum and Da’ over and not my brothers..” She replied, knowing their new house wasn’t anywhere near the size of the Burrow, it would be hard to cram the entire Weasley family around their table. Especially if her brothers all brought their girlfriends, or wife in Bill’s case. "The house might burst open trying to fit all of us in there.”

[tintinnabulous-blog1]

starter for ginny

[bravcenough]

tintinnabulous:

“Brilliant. There’s that little chippy down the way, does that work?” Holyhead wasn’t exactly London, but it was bustling enough that the outskirts of town hid a small magical street with shops and restaurants and the public apparation point for the stadium. The beer was cheap and the food was good, and that was enough for most of the team (and most of their fans, too).

Katie started strolling slowly in the right direction, knowing that a response probably wasn’t necessary - they probably weren’t going to be doing any apparating until after they got some food in their systems.

“Brilliant.” She repeated with a smile, one brighter than before with the thought of some warm food in her stomach. She was always subject to anger when she was hungry and although she was exhausted, she was ready to run to where ever she could find food. 

The walk wasn’t long, but it felt longer with the rumbling in her stomach getting louder with each step. “So how’re things? Besides the team and everything. Feels like we haven’t had a chance to really chat in a while.”

[bled]

[sommerlanding]

indie & nature blog

[owlpostagain]

I know that Ron’s over-protectiveness with Ginny can be annoying, but keep in mind that she nearly died four years ago because none of her brothers were paying close enough attention to her.

[knjarchipoet]

YES