109.

[hexuality]

[ video ]

I don't know how to do this.

[It's Ginny voice, but she isn't in the frame. What you see is the living room of Building 12 #915, so thoroughly lived-in, so homey, photographs and cushions and slippers kicked off on the rug. A cat streaks across the floor and out of sight. There's a heavy exhale, shaky on the edges, then the feed cuts out.

When the image comes back, it's her bedroom with an empty suitcase on the bed. To be honest, it may very well remain empty. It's more ceremonial than anything, maybe. But Ginny's now walking in front of the camera, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor with her hands curled into the blanket. When she speaks, it's low and steady but the real struggle is in her expression, which is why she'd hiding it for the most part.]

I've tried to go home for years. I've tried and failed for so long that I'm not even sure I can believe that this time'll be different, but it... It feels different, like everyone's—gearing up, packing up. Like the end of the school year. Only it isn't a holiday; we wouldn't be coming back, right? We can't.

I shouldn't want to. I've always said this place was the holiday. But it's... I mean, I couldn't help it after a while, could I, feeling attached? It became home. I hated that it did. Maybe it isn't home, maybe I meant that—that you lot made it home. It's been five years and I don't know how I can go back to a world where our times don't line up or where I've got magic and you haven't or...

[Or you're dead. Or haven't been born yet. Or you just don't exist.]

Bloody hell. [She inhales sharply, tipping her head back, composing herself. She isn't crying. She doesn't cry. But you can see the tightness in her jaw and shoulders, the flush across her cheeks, how determined she is to not look at the camera.] Gone home twice, never left time for goodbyes. Always gave a hard time to my friends who did the same to me. And now here we are and I'm mucking it up completely.

[Ginny falls silent after that, sitting for a long time. Then Sir Weatherby hoots softly off-camera and it shakes her from it, a fleeting smile passing over her lips as she glances over her shoulder at the owl.]

You're coming with me, of course. And the cats and the puffs.

[Finally, finally, Ginny looks at the camera, eyes bright and blazing, voice softer.]

And I know you lot can't. Home's a mess, even coming over to The Burrow for dinner wouldn't make all the rebuilding worth it. But please let me see you before we all head off, because... Well, if this is really it, I want to make sure— [Breathe, Ginny. She smiles.] If we're friends, we're family, too. I never let family off easily.


[ooc; please come say your goodbyes. thank you so, so much poly. it's been an honour and a joy. i love you.]

Comments

Video

[trenchknives]

Hey, kid, I...

[Frankly, he's not sure he has any idea how to do this. Of anyone in the City, Ginny's been one of the most important to him, one of the ones who's consistently been there for him, no matter what.]

If there were any way to thank you, y'know, for everythin'... I would. But there ain't, so I guess you just gotta accept my clumsy attempts anyway.

[A pause.]

And yeah, the people here -- people like you -- made it feel like home.

Video

[hexuality]

Jimmy.

[This is too hard, oh hell.]

Careful, I'll get emotional. No one wants that.

Re: Video

[trenchknives]

Shit, I already am emotional. I don't want you to feel bad, but...

[A long sigh.]

I'm not sure how to not feel bad. I'm gonna miss you.

Video

[hexuality]

[She has to look away at that, a breath like a laugh but laced with something else.]

Damn it, Darmody.

[Right in the heart.]

Me too. You're a good bloke, no matter what you think. I won't forget that.

[primrosella]

Oh, Ginny, I know you must be terribly busy, but something's arrived for you--do you have a minute, by any chance? It's the strangest thing, but a man just came by with a box, and it's addressed with your name on it.

[hexuality]

I—what? For me?

Rosella, haven't you got a wedding to rush off to?

[primrosella]

I was checking on the champagne, and he just turned up!

[She has arguably been checking everything today, and also rushing around like mad so one must forgive her for sort of just aggressively managing everything as it comes without much thought.]

It'll just take a minute, I'm sure, but do you know someone by the name of R. Miller, by any chance?

[hexuality]

[THE HELL.]

Rudy? Er, Rudy Miller's all I can think... Hang on, he isn't there, is he?

video;

[chakotay]

If I come see you, would it be too much to ask for another flying lesson?

[ one last flight to remember and a last chance for them to see each other off properly. ]

video;

[hexuality]

No, of course not. [She cracks a smile.] I'll even give it to you for free.

[They've always been free, have been for years.]

video;

[chakotay]

[ he smiles at that. ]

Then I'll see you at the same place?

video;

[hexuality]

Weasley Stadium deserves to have one more race before we go. I'll meet you there.

[skintoskin]

Hey.

Saw your message and... just thought I'd...

[He shrugs.]

I dunno. Wish you luck, I guess?

[hexuality]

Thank you. You too, with wherever you decide to go.

video;

[67chevyimpala]

Sounds like you have a challenge waiting for you.

video;

[hexuality]

Yeah. [She smiles, shrugs a bit.] I'd say the hard part's over, but fighting's all I've known for years. This bit's what's new.

[She'll be coming home a week after the battles, but there are still so many funerals left to go to, the mourning, the rebuilding of the school and their government, the world.]

I like challenges, though. You know that, Dean.

voice

[brobeforehos]

Ginny- [A goodbye like this one isn't easy to make. No goodbye is easy, but this one is just...

There's a long pause, and then the quietest voice Mae has had.] I don't know how to do this.

voice

[hexuality]

Oh, Mae. Don't.

[That little silent sound is her heart breaking.]

We haven't got to. We've got a few days, right? We can go have a drink and watch a movie.

voice

[brobeforehos]

I like that option a lot.

voice

[hexuality]

I'll even let you pick. When I go back, all my magical friends won't know anything about Muggle movies.

[intheblanks]

You just do it. Like ripping off a bandaid.

I've got a box of those for you, by the way.

[hexuality]

I didn't grow up with bandaids and the war's over. You think I need them now?

audio;

[candothat]

I feel that I have many things I would like to say to you, but I forgot them once I began recording. Maybe I'll remember them before we are made to leave.

audio;

[hexuality]

I feel the same way about you. About everyone.

[She pauses.]

But I do know that I want to thank you, Pavel. You've been... you're an incredible friend.

audio;

[candothat]

As are you. I wish that I could recruit you into Starfleet to make saying goodbye unnecessary.