Missing Years

Ginny looked at the floor of her bedroom in disgust. Every item she currently owned was scattered about, flung over chairs and tossed on the floor in a colorful yet messy heap. Nothing. How was it possible she had nothing to wear? She and Harry had been too many events since the downfall of Voldemort, many important galas and balls alike. Surely you would think she'd have a dress right for tonight, but she didn't. Maybe she was being overly picky, but nothing she tried on felt right. It all had Harry written all over it. He had picked out most of it, so she wasn't sure why she was surprised at that fact.Throwing her hands up in frustration, she raked slender fingers through her hair tryign to come up with an idea. Glancing at the fireplace, her brain turned on and she knew exactly what to do. Hurrying to the fireplace, she glanced at the clock on the wall. She only had a few hours to go, get back, and get ready, but she was sure she could do it.Grabbing a handful of floo powder she threw it into the grate and watched as the familiar green flames shot into life. Stepping into the fireplace, she went through the familiar steps.

"Bill and Fleur's," she said in a very firm clear voice. Instantly she felt a spinning sensation and closed her eyes to ease the mild turning her stomach was enduring.A few moments later the sensation faded and she stepped out into a neat looking living room, full of sunlight. Using a quick spell to clean off herself and the floor, she looked around and wandered to the kitchen she had been in on a dozen occasions. Fleur had her back to the doorway, her long platinum waves rolling over her shoulders as she sat cooing to a tiny baby with hair the same shade as Ginny's and reprimanding another older girl with blonde ringlettes for chewing with her mouth open. The child noticed Ginny and broke out into a huge grin, ketchup smeared on her lips.


"Auntie Gin," she squealed and jumped up from her chair running to hug Ginny's leg.


"Adrielle, get over here and eat your lunch, and don't you touch her, you're filthy!"


Fleur stood with a smile as she wiped her hands on a dish towel and hugged Ginny tightly. She always thought it was funny how close she and her husband's younger sister had become when in the beginning the girl before her, couldn't stand them together. Now, they were the best of friends and Ginny came to visit often, sometimes by herself, sometimes with Lily and Harry at her side. She did normally owl first, but Fleur wasn't upset. She was glad to have her sister around any time at all.


"Sorry about the mess, the kids have been giving me a rough time. So what brings you here today, Ginny?"


Ginny smiled at her sister-in-law and shook her head. "Don't worry about it, our house is the same way. I am actually in need of some dress advice slash shopping."


"Oh really? What's the occasion?"


Ginny was glad she didn't have to explain the whole thing, seeing as Fleur and Bill were the other people who had known of Her and Draco's situation. "Well, as I'm sure you've heard, Draco isn't dead. In fact, he's back in London and they're holding a gala for him tonight. He invited me to come, so I need something to wear." Ginny had purposefully left out the part about Alissa, but Fleur was smarter than most people thought.


"He found her, didn't he? She's the little girl on the news reports. That's why you're going isn't it, Gin?"


Ginny faltered for a moment, but found her voice once more. "Yes, it's Alissa. I don't know how he found her, but he did. I have to go, Fleur. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't."


The blonde haired woman gave Ginny a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Of course you do. Does Harry know? I mean, that you're going, not about you and Draco."


Ginny, shook her head. "No. He's at work and he will be until late. I dropped Lily of at my mum's for the night. Then I came here."

Fleur looked over her husband's sister and decided to say nothing more on the matter. Trying to lighten the mood she snapped her fingers and grinned. "If you don't mind hand me downs I have a gorgeous dress that would look stunning on you! I got it as a gift, it was a bit too large in the bust for me, but it would accentuate your curves very nicely."

Ginny smiled broadly as a thanks for the change in subject and mood and laughed, "Fleur, most of my life has been full of hand me downs, you know I don't mind. Are you sure you're willing to part with it?"


Fleur giggled and disappeared from the kitchen silently. When she returned she was holding up a stunning floor length silk gown in a deep shade of green. It had a halter style top and the low cut neckline was set off by a bunch of sparkling diamonds. It was beautiful.


"I have some shoes that are encrusted with the same type of diamonds, it was a set, and since you and I wear the same size they're yours."


"Fleur, wow, I mean, I can't just take that from you. It's amazing. Let me pay you for it, or something. Really, I just can't."


"I insist, sister. Not often do I get to do things like this and I know it's for a good cause."


Ginny looked at the woman before her and tears of happiness welled up in her eyes. It was absolutely perfect and Fleur was just giving it away. Hugging her sister in law tightly, Ginny grinned from ear to ear. "It's perfect, Fleur, stunning." Looking at the clock on the wall she sighed, wishing she had more time to spend with her sister.It was nearly time for her to get back and get ready though, if she wanted to be to the gala on time.

Fleur caught the younger girl looking at the clock and knew she must be on a strict time limit. Smiling she nudged the girl in the shoulder and nodded toward the clock. "I know you need to go, Gin, you aren't hurting my feelings. Go get beautiful and have fun tonight. Oh, and don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
With a wink to Ginny Fleur smiled once more and Ginny knew exactly why she loved the woman. Kissing the baby on the head and doing the same to Adrielle, Ginny blew them all kisses and departed quickly.