Rp: Getting Caught Up

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Date: 20. November, 2001
Characters: Ginny Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, various NPCs, mentions of other characters.
Setting: The new pub
Content: G, maybe PG for a little language
Status: Open: Private, Complete


They had been transported 5 million years into the past, to a place that was but a fraction of where they had used to be. They had been working in the same building for weeks, and yet all Alicia and Ginny had managed to talk, were a few fleeting comments in passing. As luck would have it, they had either been on different shifts, or if they had been on the same shifts, they had been in two different locations... or too busy to talk about anything else but the patients they were treating.

Back in school, they had never been particularly close, mainly due to the age difference, but they had been on friendly terms. Things had changed a little after the war, and especially after Ginny had finished school and started her training at St. Mungo's. Again, they hadn't been as close friends as Alicia was with Angelina and Katie, but she considered Ginny a friend, and it pained her that they hadn't had more time to get caught up now that they were here.

Alicia found that rounds had taken forever today, however, once she had changed out of her scrubs and into her every-day jeans and t-shirt and crossed the center square to the new pub, she found that maybe they hadn't. At least Ginny wasn't there yet, which could only mean that somebody's rounds were taking longer than hers had. Taking a seat at one of the tables where she could see who was coming and going, Alicia took out her datapad and started replying to some of the messages that were waiting for her. There weren't any from Ginny, which was good, but quite a few from Sam, all of which she replied to with one quick message, and one from Viktor. That one made her smile. In the two weeks since their first date, they had seen each other when they had been running or shared lunch during their work days. Far from enough for Alicia's liking, but it was what time had allowed, and as she sat there waiting for Ginny, the messages started flying back and forth, planning a second real date tomorrow or the day after.

Comments

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

"You do, too," Ginny pointed out, though she really hadn't had much frequent contact with Alicia in the past. For the last week or so, though, Ginny had noticed how much more relaxed Alicia had seemed at the Medical Center. Oh, she was still very professional but there was something about her that Ginny just couldn't put her finger on that had changed ever so slightly. Her own lack of a love life and just how long her life had been without that kind of companionship made her vaguely unaware of the possibility that her friend might have one.

"Yeah, that's true. It's okay, I mean, so far, he's been a great guy and that's grand in itself," she agreed, flashing an easy smile. Even if he had been interested in her, it would take something pretty bold on his part for her to notice. "No, no, I won't but I dunno, maybe I'm just not cut out for it. My history with guys is... well, it's pretty pathetic. It's nice to have something that I really enjoy doing to keep myself focused on."

Deciding on the chips after all, she plucked another one from her plate and gestured with it as she spoke. "What about you? Anything new and exciting that I can live vicariously through you?" she teased lightly.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Alicia stopped completely when Ginny attributed her the same effects as Sam. "Thank you..?" she said hesitantly, the chuckled. "I don't know. I mean, I do know, but I wasn't aware that it was showing. However, I don't think it's just me, I think it's... You too, Ginny. It's a much needed change of air, for everybody and hopefully it'll continue along that line." Her smile turned bright and warm. "Just look at the food, here. It's all better for us, I'm sure."

Arching an eyebrow in disbelief, she shook her head. "Not cut out for it? That's a load of... yeah," Alicia huffed. "Of course you are, and just because you haven't found the perfect someone by now, it doesn't mean that it won't happen tomorrow or in a year. Who knows? Maybe it'll be Pucey and maybe it won't." Then she chuckled. "Your history with guys are pathetic... well, what does that make mine, then? I mean, like you said, I crushed on Cedric Diggory and your brother, which you claimed was absolutely horrible, so how's it going to go when I add that I have... sort of... fooled around with another of your brothers... and Oliver Wood?" She held out her hands. "You're 20, Ginny, and I'm not saying that to make myself sound ancient or wise or anything. I'm saying that because... you're 20! You've only just started!"

Still in a light mood, Alicia picked out four chips, eating them in quick succession until she noticed Ginny gesturing at her with a chip of her own. "Why do I get the feeling you're not thinking about the crushed thigh bone I helped Heal over in Two?" she groaned with a chuckle, washing down her chips, before she hummed for a moment. In a way, she wanted to share with Ginny, but she didn't want to kiss and tell, not when it came to Viktor. "He is... unlike any man I've ever known like that before, and I think it's safe to say that he swept me off my feet, completely, on the first date. Figuratively, speaking."

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

"You're right but I think it's more than just fresh air and food," Ginny replied slowly, musing her own internal thoughts aloud. "I've been thinking about, well, everything since I came through. The fresh air is fantastic. It's grand to be able to look up and see open sky, tree tops, and the mountains. The food tastes better once you get used to the differences. But... I think its more than that. What we see in the medical center made me think about it. We're seeing accidents, not violence. There's no real danger here. No one's worried about rogue Death Eaters. We aren't seeing the same places that were damaged in the war, places that remind us of what we went through - who we lost."

She held up both her hands in surrender, laughing brightly. "Alright, alright! I promise you I'm not giving up. I'm just not... well, I'm not really thinking about it. If it happens, it happens."

It didn't come as a huge shock that Ali was seeing someone - that made sense when she considered how her friend had a perpetual almost smile on her lips these days and Ali was a pretty witch, too. "Swept you off your feet? Why, I didn't know you were such a romantic! So, who is this lucky guy, anyway?" Ginny chuckled, happy to see her friend blossom with joy to talk about this mystery man.

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Resting her elbows on the edge of the table, Alicia leaned forward, listening to Ginny, considering what she was saying. It was all so very simple that she couldn't believe nobody else had considered that, and if they had, couldn't believe they hadn't shared it. "That is probably the keenest observation and the wisest conclusion I've heard here," she admitted with a relaxed smile. "I hope we can keep it this unspoiled for many years. Generations, preferably."

Though she hadn't truly believed that Ginny would completely turn her back on a romantic future with someone else, it was still with a bit of relief that Alicia watched her surrender. "Good girl," she teased, then bowed her head solemnly. "And thank you for indulging me."

She couldn't help but groan when Ginny called her a romantic. "I'm not, I swear. I mean, usually I'm not. There's just no other way I can describe what happened." Running her fingers through her hair, she considered what she could tell Ginny about Viktor and more importantly how to tell her. She tilted her head back, looking at the ceiling for a moment. "Remember how I said that back in school I would have disagreed with you in preferring Viktor Krum over Cedric Diggory?" Slowly she lowered her chin until she was looking at Ginny, a blush creeping into her cheeks as that stubborn smile settled on her lips again. "What if I told you that I don't disagree with you anymore, and that he is an even more amazing and romantic man than he is fit?" She arched an eyebrow at her friend, hoping that she would catch on without Alicia having to spell it out for her.

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

"I don't know about that but I agree, it should be a priority to... well, for us to adjust here rather than try to recreate London," Ginny agreed with a shy smile. It wasn't every day that someone called her wise or a keen observer, even if that someone was a friend whose opinion she respected.

She laughed softly at Alicia's awkward hedging, pleased with herself for hitting on what she'd thought was going on with Alicia but, as Ali went on, Ginny's laughter turned to incredulous surprise. "You're... you're dating Viktor Krum?" she repeated slowly, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to think of what to say. Her friend was dating one of the sexiest wizards she'd ever met and she was, admittedly, a little jealous. Ginny groaned and shook her head. "And you're telling me that he's not only the sexiest thing on two legs but he's a romantic as well? Okay, details. I want to know everything."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Alicia could feel her face go warm and she was convinced that her cheeks were beet red and that every single person in the room could see what was going on in her head and every intimate thought and fantasy she had had and still had about the Bulgarian Seeker. Covering her mouth with her hands she leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table again, her eyes widening as realization hit Ginny and Alicia could have sworn that somebody had cast a Sonorus on the redhead's voice. Slowly, she nodded, hoping that Ginny would take the hint and keep her voice down, which she at least did... but then she continued, and while Alicia wanted her to know, she could have kicked herself for telling those particular details about Viktor.

Again, she nodded, that yes, he was a great, big, bloody fabulous romantic that made her heart pound and her nipples harden just thinking about him. The by now permanent delightfully heavy feeling in her stomach now flared up, nearly taking her breath away. "What can I tell you?" she asked rhetorically, taking a long gulp from her soda, hoping that that would cool down the burning in her face. "I met him while we were both jogging and we got to talking... he invited me over to dinner, and we talked and danced," she drew in a deep breath, her smile still very much present. "And we spent the evening on his deck, just... talking..." Chewing on her lower lip while looked at Ginny. "I'm not sure what to tell, really."

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

She muffled a laugh in the palm of her hand when Ali's cheeks flushed red. Dropping her hand, Ginny picked up a couple of chips and dipped them in the vinegar sauce that was left over from her fish. It gave the chips a delightful tart edge. She made a mental note to walk home later, instead of apparating, and to bring a bag of the chips home for Charlie.

"Dancing? And talking. Merlin's beard, you danced with him? I just... it's something I'm trying to get my head around," she replied with a bright smile. Ginny reached across the table to pat Ali's hand. "I'm happy for you, really, love. That's fantastic. I knew he was a good bloke but this is just brilliant. Of course, if he hurts you, I'll hex him into next week."

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

Picking up the last chip she wanted from her plate, Alicia began relaxing again, and with that the blush disappeared. Almost. She pushed her plate off to the side of the table, signaling that she was done, and swallowed down the last of her soda before she dared look Ginny in the eyes again. It was silly, she knew. Ginny was a friend, and she wasn't there to judge her, but Alicia still felt that she had shared something very intimate with her. Maybe it was because the whole situation was so new to her, maybe it was because she hadn't talked to anybody about it until now, or maybe it was both, but now that it was done, or at least started, she felt that she ought to relax, and took a deep breath hoping that that would work.

"Well, yeah, it started as dancing and we ended up just standing there," she amended. "But it was nice and he really is a good bloke. He's almost too good." She smiled at the way Ginny patted her hand, found a bit of comfort in it, even in the way Ginny threatened magical harm to him if he hurt her. "I know that this is going to sound naive and a little foolish, but I doubt he's going to hurt me, and if he does, it'll be unintentional." Looking up she met Ginny's eyes and she could feel the heat threaten to creep back into her cheeks. "He wants to meet Sam, to... announce make him aware of his intentions." Slowly she nodded. "Yeah, that's courtship, and I've never tried that before." As she spoke, her nodding turned into a slow shake of her head. "It was a little daunting to hear, but I... like it."

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

"Naive, maybe. Foolish, no," Ginny admitted softly. There was something in Alicia's voice and Ginny didn't know her well enough to attribute what it was to anything overt. Her friend was a cautious type, though, and to hear her talk now, Ginny was surprised by her gentle joy. It wasn't like Alicia was dancing on the tabletop but there was something deeply sincere in what she was saying. "He might be a good bloke but he's still a bloke. And a bloke who either didn't date before or he was remarkably good at avoiding the press."

She popped another chip in her mouth, and almost choked on it a second later when Alicia continued. "Court… courtship," she half-choked, half-whispered, leaning even further forward across the table, her eyes wide but she kept her voice down now. "Viktor Krum wants to court you? Merlin! Alicia! That's… Merlin, I'm a bit speechless here." Ginny pushed her plate away then. She wasn't jealous but some part of her warned that stuffing chips in her mouth wasn't going to do anything to help her own romantic prospects. "Well, all right, not too speechless. Does he have any single friends?"

[tt_alicia.insanejournal.com]

With a small smile, Alicia gave a non-committing shrug. She could see what Ginny was saying and knew that she was right, but she really couldn't see Viktor intentionally hurting her. Oh well, naïveté, she figured, was part of being in love, wasn't it? At least she was pretty certain that love didn't grow from taking calculated risks, but from going in fully aware that it might cause you heartbreak, yet still sincerely doubting that it would happen to her. "I think a bit of both," she told Ginny. From Viktor she knew that there had been other women and from the papers she knew that there hadn't been anyone serious enough to introduce to the surrounding world.

"Viktor Krum is courting me," she corrected Ginny with a worried frown hoping that Ginny would get the chip she was choking on lose. "Believe me, I had the same reaction when he more or less spelled it out for me, but it..." again, she shrugged, "we want the same things in life and for the future, so why not be upfront about it rather than go into this thinking it's only temporary?" The few chips on her plate was calling to her again, and just as she popped one into her mouth, it was Ginny's turn to make her choke. "As a matter of fact..." she coughed, then chuckled when she had her throat cleared. Hadn't Viktor talked about it not just being him who'd changed his mind about seeking a future here? That most of his team had as well? "But, you're busy with your training, so..." Grinning too brightly, she popped the final chip into her mouth and winked at Ginny.

[tt_ginny.insanejournal.com]

"Wow, just wow," Ginny agreed, nodding although some part of her brain was just immersed in a mixture of disbelief and amazement. "No, that's a great way to approach it - but I have to admit, that's a lot braver than I would feel. Though, maybe not if it was Viktor Krum doing the asking."

"Busy, not dead!" she chuckled, lifting a hand to signal the server that they were done. Both their datapads chimed softly and they rose, joking mildly as they chatted while walking toward their respective homes.