I don't not own the world of Harry Potter, I only wish I did!

The Cruelty of the Past

Chapter One

Birthday

Ginny Weasley's eyelids fluttered open as the thought that it was morning ran through her head, but she was not ready to get out of bed just yet. She thought about going back to sleep for a while longer. As she closed her eyes she realized that today was August eleventh and her seventeenth birthday! She was now an adult, free to do as she chose. Master of her own world! The only person she had to answer to now was herself. She remembered that later, around lunchtime, she would head to the Ministry and take the test to get her license to Apparate. Then later that evening, her family would get together to celebrate. Yes, she still had a year of school left, but her course load would be light. She was hoping once school was finished to play Quidditch professionally, but if that didn't work out she thought about writing, perhaps becoming a serious journalist. The world was hers to take.

One year ago, it was not such a happy place; her world had been at war. But the war ended a few months back, and good won over evil. Ginny took a moment to reflect on the things that were discovered during and after the final battle. Severus Snape was not all evil and in fact acted very nobly. The Malfoy family had shown that family was more important to them than Tom Riddle's cause. Her brother Fred was gone. Ginny was doing her best to remember his smile and laughter. She knew he would not want them crying over him. Ginny also knew that Harry Potter, her boyfriend, was feeling like it was his fault that Fred and others had died. She understood his guilt, but she knew he had to work it out for himself. All she, and anyone else, could do was be there for him and let him know they did not hold him responsible for the deaths. She worried more about George; he was like a lost soul without Fred.

She realized, when the war first started, that it was unlikely her family would come out unscathed, but she hoped that the twins would both come out okay.

Ginny decided she was wasting the first day of the rest of her life thinking about the past. She removed the sheet that she was covered with and pulled herself out of bed. She walked over to the door, removed the terry towel robe that hung there and laid it on the bed. She then took off the sports bra and panties she had been sleeping in and pulled the robe around herself. Ginny opened the door and headed down the hall to the bathroom. As she turned on the shower she mused about the fact that the past couple of weeks had been very nice. Ron had started working at the joke shop with George, therefore he was gone early each morning. By the time she got up, everyone else except her mother was out of the house. This meant no fighting to get into the bathroom!

As she showered she thought about the coming school year. Her family was giving her the traditional gift for all girls in the Wizarding world; money to buy a whole new wardrobe for the year. This meant brand new school robes for her. With all the boys working and making their own way in the world, it was no longer a financial hardship on the family to only have one income. She looked forward to a school year without any brothers around, unless you counted Neville Longbottom; he was working this year as a teacher apprentice. Last year he had taken over the role of big brother for her. They had become very close as school had been a very scary place during her sixth year. She, Neville and Luna Lovegood now had a better understanding of the Golden Trio's closeness, bonding over the things they had to endure together. It would be a good year. Harry had already said he would come and meet her for all of her Hogsmeade visits. She smiled as she washed her hair and remembered him asking her if she wanted to date him again. He was more nervous about asking her than he had been about fighting Voldemort!

When she got back to her room she found a butter yellow, smart looking tank top and shorts set laying on her bed. This looked like something a woman would wear, not a girl. She guessed this was the start of her new wardrobe. She then pulled out a white bra and matching white panties and smiled. Life would most definitely be different. Once dressed, Ginny finally headed downstairs.

"Happy birthday, Ginny!" Molly said as she looked over her youngest child. "Oh, my baby's an adult now!"

Ginny could see the tears forming in her mother's eyes. "I may be an adult now, Mum, but I will always be your baby. Nothing will ever change that."

Molly smiled warmly at her. "Come on, you need something to eat. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Just some juice and an apple, Mum."

"Ginny! That's not the way to start the day," Molly gently scolded.

Ginny was not worried about her figure at all. She just hated to see her mother go all out for nothing. "Really, Mum, I'm just nervous about my test today," she fibbed

"Oh well, alright. Your father told me to tell you to come to his office once your test is done. He wants to take you to lunch this afternoon."

"Why? I mean, he never did that with the boys, did he?"

Molly grabbed her cup of tea and sat down across the table from her only daughter. "Ginny, you're his little girl and you will always be different from the boys. So, do you like the outfit? It does look very nice on you."

"Yes, Mum, it's very nice."

"I spoke to Hermione and Luna; they will meet you after lunch with your father. Then you can go shopping for your new stuff. Just remember you're shopping for clothing for an adult to wear."

Ginny smiled at her mother. "Right, Mum. Only smart clothing."

"Yes, and make sure you get yourself at least a couple of outfits for evening engagements. A black dress is always a good place to start, and remember; you are a respectable witch."

Some days Ginny believed her mother thought she had no sense at all. "Well, Mum, I'm going to finish getting ready and then head to the Ministry."

Two hours later, Ginny stood in a washroom at the Ministry for Magic checking herself over. She had just passed her Apparition test without any problems. She had to admit she felt older; she most certainly looked more mature in the summer outfit her mother had given her. And unlike many other girls her age, Ginny did not wear much make-up, preferring a more peaches and cream complexion. She only wore some light eyeliner, mascara, and some clear lip gloss. As she finished washing her hands she checked her watch; it was close enough to lunch to head to her father's small office. She pulled the door open and stepped into the hall, but at that second her small frame was hit by a large, very solid frame. The impact temporarily knocked the wind out of her, and as she looked to see who had run into her she was shocked to see Lucius Malfoy. "I'm sorry," he muttered and continued in the direction he had been going. What, no sarcastic comments? And he said, "I'm sorry?" Maybe having found out he was not as important to Tom as he believed brought him down off his high horse, she thought. She finished making her way to her father's office and lightly knocked on the open door.

Arthur looked up from the report he was working on. "Ginny! Happy Birthday!" He rose and came around his desk to kiss Ginny's cheek. "You look beautiful."

She smiled at him. "Thanks, Daddy. Are you ready to go to lunch?"

"Yes, but tell me: how did your test go?"

"I passed, no problem."

"Good! I'm glad. So what would you like for lunch?"

"Something light. I saw the cake Mum's working on and I don't want to think about the weight I'll put on before it's finished! I swear, you would think she's got the whole Wizarding community coming tonight. I don't think Bill's wedding cake was as big!"

"Now Ginny, you have to understand that you're very special to your mother. She has always felt bad that you had to – um, not have the advantages other witches have had. Now that things are calmer, she's just trying to make it up to you."

"Daddy, you and Mum gave me more love and caring that anyone else I know. Sure my books and robes were not the best, but they were given with love. I could not have asked for more... well, maybe a couple of brothers who weren't so protective. But you and Mum can't control the boys."

Arthur smiled at his daughter. "Come on, dear." As they headed out into the hallway, they ran into Kingsley Shacklebolt. "Kingsley, I thought you were in conference with Lucius Malfoy all day today," Arthur greeted.

"That will be on hold for a few days. Lucius' wife was just found dead."

"That explains it," Ginny commented.

"What?" Arthur asked Ginny.

"We, Mr. Malfoy and I, literally ran into each other in the hall right before I got here. He said he was sorry. I thought it was a little odd."

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked, concern clear in his voice.

"Yes, it was just an accident," she assured her father.

"Well, excuse us, Kingsley. I'm taking Ginny for a birthday lunch."

Kingsley's eyes fell on Ginny. "Yes, you're seventeen now, right?"

"That's right," she replied.

He reached down, took hold of her hand, and placed a kiss on top of it. "Happy Birthday," he said warmly. As he released her hand, he looked at Arthur. "The men will be breaking down your door now, Arthur."

"Don't I know it. But I think the fact that Ginny and Harry are a couple should help."

"Well, I will let you get on with your lunch, Arthur. Miss Weasley, good day."

Ginny and the other girls stopped at a café for something to drink when Hermione asked, "Ginny, I don't mean to offend you, but you've spent a lot of gold today. How are your parents affording this?"

Luna laughed. "Hermione, you still don't understand, Pure blood families believe that sons are to go out and get a job to make their own way when they are of age, while daughters are cared for until they marry. Most regular Pure blood families start putting money away for their daughters the minute they're born. The money remains untouched until they come of age."

"Yes, and Mum and Dad are no different. I know they've added to the fund over the years and that Mum has put away at least half of any birthday money I ever received just for today," Ginny explained.

"So it's like Muggles saving for their children's college educations," Hermione summed up.

"Pretty much. I'm sure that my Great Aunt Tessie added a fair amount, too. It goes back to the times of having dowries. Parents are setting up their daughters to start life."

Hours later, Ginny, Luna and Hermione returned to the Burrow. Hermione had convinced Ginny to buy only robes on Diagon Alley and then head to the Muggle shops of London for the rest of her stuff. The exchange rate was very good for wizards and therefore Ginny's money would go farther. The girls returned with their arms heavy with packages, laughing and in good spirits. They planned on getting ready for the party that evening at the Burrow. When Hermione was in the bathroom and Luna was making room in Ginny's closet, a Ministry owl swooped into the room and dropped a letter in Ginny's lap. The address read, ' Miss Ginevra Weasley. Smallest Bedroom. The Burrow.' Inside it read:

This letter is to inform you, Miss Ginevra Weasley, of a betrothal that has been on the books for eight generations. The betrothal states that the next born Weasley girl will wed the first unmarried Malfoy male that is under the age of fifty. From the day the said female Weasley is born until this marriage has taken place and the couple is expecting their first child, neither family will produce any offspring. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Alfred Jefferson