Surprise

"Happy birthday, Ginnykins!!!" Florence shouted in the sleeping woman's face. "I love you, I love you, I love you. Happy twenty-fourth, birthday!" she continued, showering Ginny's face with kisses.

Ginny groaned, trying to push Florence off. "Let me sleep as a present, yeah?" Ginny mumbled sleepily. Florence shook her head.

"I have a bunch of other presents to give you and one includes me, does that wake you up?" she chuckled. Ginny raised an eyebrow and grabbed her waist.

"Can I get that one now?" she asked eagerly.

"Nope. You will have to wait for that tonight. I have, however, prepared breakfast for you. Your favourite. A bunch of your favourites actually. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, fruits, toast, sausages, everything," Florence announced. She was still dressed in her pyjama shorts and oversized shirt of the Weird Sisters. Ginny was still in her pyjama shirt too, which was also a shirt of the Weird Sisters. They both loved that band.

"Five more minutes then," she groaned, turning on her side.

"I'll let you kiss me if you come to join me now," Florence teased. Ginny sprung up, crashing her lips onto Florence who giggled against them. "Happy birthday, my love," she whispered, stroking Ginny's cheek.

"Thank you, baby," Ginny said, giving her one more kiss before letting Florence drag her into the kitchen. The table was set and filled with delicious smelling foods. Florence pulled out a chair for Ginny, who giggled happily as she sat down. Florence sat down next to her and started to fill her plate.

"How does it feel to be twenty-four?" she teased, knowing how much Ginny despised that question. Ginny rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth quirked up slightly.

"Now I finally understand why you've been acting like an eighty-year-old this past year," she teased back. Florence scoffed, her jaw-dropping slightly.

"Well, be prepared Gin, in less than a fortnight I'll be whining like a ninety-year-old," Florence said dramatically.

"Bugger. That means we should get married soon so I can inherit all your money when you pass," Ginny said, smirking widely. There was a twinkle in her eyes that didn't only make Florence's heart skip a beat, but that also let her know that Ginny was in a mischievous mood.

"Now I don't want to marry you anymore. I knew it was all about the money," Florence gasped. Ginny stuffed her mouth with sausages and wiggled her eyebrows. "Now I'll have to find me another red-haired goddess. Got any cousins?" Ginny snorted and quickly swallowed her food.

"Don't for one second think that I'm letting you go Florence Zoia Peakes," Ginny said firmly. Florence's lips curled into a smile and pressed a quick kiss on Ginny's cheek. "Now, presents?" Florence burst into laughter.

After breakfast and Ginny unwrapping the five presents that Florence had gotten for her, the two of them were cuddled up on the couch, looking through Ginny's old picture book. Florence had gotten Ginny a new broom kit, a new pair of shoes that she had been drooling over for weeks, tickets for Weird Sisters, and two scented candles that smelled like firewood and vanilla.

"Oh Gin! This is adorable!" Florence squealed as they flipped the page, a picture of a three years old Ginny on a toy broomstick hopping around the garden at the Burrow. Her red hair was in two braids and she was wearing a set of denim overalls.

"Those overalls actually belonged to Ron before me," Ginny said with a soft chuckle. "I was often dressed in 'boy' clothes as a child because well, hand me downs were all we had or could afford." Florence nodded.

"Well, I think it's absolutely adorable," Florence said, flipping to another page. "Oh, you truly were an adorable child," she cooed, resting her head on Ginny's shoulder as she looked at a picture of Ginny at the kitchen table, puzzling with Fred and George.

"I love them," Ginny said. "But if you ever tell them I said that I will murder you in cold blood." Florence laughed and pressed a kiss on her shoulder.

"I wouldn't dare," she said truthfully. They flipped through a few more pages when there was a knock on the door. Ginny and Florence looked at each other, a confused look on their faces. Florence shrugged her shoulders. "Probably Padma. She always comes through the front door, they still haven't set up her fireplace."

They stood up and Florence put the picture book back into the bookcase as Ginny went to invite her guest in. But it wasn't Padma as they had expected.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINNY!! SURPRISE!" it sounded throughout the whole flat. Ginny froze for a second and Florence looked at them from the living room, her eyes widening.

The entire Weasley clan was standing in the hallway of the building, holding several bowls and dishes with food, and presents.

"Mum! Dad! Wow, erm... that's a surprise for sure!" Ginny said awkwardly. Fuck.

"Ah! You already have a guest," Mr Weasley said, stepping past his daughter after giving her a kiss on the cheek. He was holding a dish and quickly marched into the kitchen to put it away before walking over to Florence.

"Hi! I'm Florence, a friend of Ginny's," she said, shaking his hand. She swore she could hear Ginny's heartbeat speed up as the Weasleys entered their home. Arthur shook her hand enthusiastically.

"Arthur Weasley! I think I've heard Hermione mention you, yes," he said, nodding. "You were at the match a few weeks ago, right?" She nodded.

"Yes, I was. That was a great finale," she said, pushing away the knot that had formed in her stomach and trying to act as normally as possible. Mrs Weasley joined their conversation and pulled Florence into a hug, startling the poor woman.

"I'm Molly Weasley. Ginny's mum. Lovely to meet you," she said. She had a wide smile on her lips that pushed up her chubby, rose-coloured cheeks. The same spark that Ginny had in her eyes whenever she genuinely smiled were visible in Molly's.

"You're all early," Ginny said. The atmosphere around her was tense and Florence wanted to walk up to her, stroke her cheek and assure her it was all going to be okay - but that was, sadly, the last thing she could do.

"Well, mum just couldn't wait anymore," George said, smirking. Lee, Charlie, Bill - holding Victoire -, Fleur, George, Fred, Angelina, Harry, Ron and Hermoine were all standing grouped up together in the small kitchen area.

"If it was up to her we would have been here at five in the morning," Fred joked.

"Oh," Molly tutted at him. "Now that is not true. We all decided to surprise you with lunch and dinner. I wanted to arrange a brunch but Fred and George had a business meeting in the morning."

"Why as a surprise?" Ginny asked cooly. Florence shot her a look, pressing her lips together and Ginny let out a short sigh. "Nevermind. This is lovely. Thank you all. Florence, I'm so sorry for the interruption. Shall I walk you out?" Florence nodded but before she could move, Molly stepped up.

"Nonsense! Florence, dear, you can join us! We have plenty of food," Molly said but it wasn't as much a suggestion as it was an order.

"Oh! Erm, yes, okay. That sounds lovely, thank you!" Florence answered quickly. "Do we have enough space though?" she chuckled, looking at the family cramped up together.

"We'll make some, won't we?" Arthur smiled, lifting up his wand. Within seconds, the living area was cleared from the usual furniture and a large table with plenty of chairs filled the space. Molly, Hermione and Fleur set the table while Ron, Fred and George provided drinks for everyone. Ginny was chatting with Bill, occasionally eyeing Florence who was lost in conversation with Charlie about dragons.

Charlie was immensely cool. Bill looked cool too but she was certain that Charlie was cool. He worked with dragons in Romania and had many stories about that. He was incredibly excited about them and happy that Florence was excited to listen.

Florence was seated between him and Fleur and across from George. The apartment was filled with roaring laughter, intense conversations and delicious food. The Weasleys were great company, all of them.

"...and we recently got our hands on a Norwegian Ridgeback. We already have three of them at the reserve but this one is a true gem!" Charlie continued enthusiastically.

"Charlie, I think Florence has heard enough about dragons," George wheezed. Florence chuckled softly but shook her head. Charlie's cheeks flushed red.

"No, it's okay. I quite enjoy the stories. Reminds of classes with Hagrid. He was just as passionate about magical creatures as you are about dragons," she noted. Charlie flashed a smile at her before quickly stuffing his mouth with a piece of pie.

"So, you followed Care of Magical Creatures then?" Percy asked her curiously.

"I did. I got my N.E.W.T. in it. But I mainly followed it because I liked to draw the creatures and Hagrid let me use them for inspiration," she said, nodding. Percy gave her a curt nod.

"Which other N.E.W.T.'s did you attain? I remember you being in my Charms class, right?" Hermione chimed in.

"I attained five N.E.W.T.'s. Eight O.W.L.'s. I continued with Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy and Defence Against the Dark Arts, but I also got an O.W.L. in Herbology, History of Magic and Potions," Florence informed them.

"You were a Ravenclaw, right? Oh, shit!" Lee exclaimed as if he suddenly realised something.

"Language," Molly warned him. He nodded at her and then turned to Florence.

"You're Florence Peakes!" he said. For a second she was afraid he was going to mention the howlers but then he said something else. "You drew those comics making fun of Snape after he gave you detention over basically nothing, right? What? My Sixth year so your Fourth?" Florence snorted and nodded proudly.

"I did do that, yes. I got into more trouble for that afterwards but apparently, it has left me with quite a legacy," she chuckled.

"Sure has!" the twins said simultaneously.

"How did you and Ginny meet, dear?" Molly asked her, quickly changing the subject before the twins could ramble on about the pranks they pulled at Hogwarts. Victoire, who was two years old, climbed over to Florence's lap and Florence let her. She quite liked children though she had no wish of having them herself.

"Oh, a year and a half ago I was asked to design the new logo for the Holyhead Harpies. I did the entire creative side of the campaign and we met in a meeting and just got to talking. That's how we became friends," she said, glancing over at Ginny who was in deep conversation with Harry, her hand on his arm. A sting of jealousy shot through Florence but she turned back to her family, trying to ignore Ginny's laughter at something Harry said. She bounced Victoire on her knee who squealed happily.

"Oh, how lovely. So you're an artist?" Arthur asked.

"Sort of. I work for Magic Vision Marketing in the design department. I do most of the designs, yes," she said, nodding. Ginny stood up abruptly.

"Anyone wants another drink?" she asked. A few people nodded and Florence followed her into the kitchen, offering to help. Ginny was busy pouring drinks, her back turned to Florence. In a swift motion, she cast a silencing charm around them and finally turned to face Florence.

"Can't you come up with an excuse to leave?" she sneered. Florence frowned, her stomach twisting right back into a knot. "Just say you have another appointment or something."

"Gin, I'm just chatting with your family, I'm not telling them you're a lesbian," Florence said, swallowing hard. Ginny had an angry look on her face and though Florence knew it was hiding fear, she couldn't help but feel hurt.

"Well, I'm asking you to leave," she hissed. Florence took a step back. Ginny rubbed her forehead and let out a grunt. "I'll send an owl when they're gone and you can come back-"

"No. I'll stay for five more minutes and then I'll leave. But then I'm not coming back tonight." She picked up a few glasses and charmed the others to float with her before walking back into the living room, a bright smile on her lips. Ginny followed a few seconds later, an equally bright smile on her lips.

Ginny got lost in conversation with Harry again, which only enlarged Florence's pit of sadness. Charlie started to chat to her about dragons again but got interrupted when Fred and George shot a spoon full of mashed potato at him.

"Fred Gideon Weasley!" Molly exclaimed. Fred pointed at George who raised his hands in mercy. "George Fabian Weasley!"

"If you're going to keep drooling over her, you might as well ask her on a date while you're still in the UK," Fred told his brother. Ginny's head shot up in their direction. Florence looked at her and then at Charlie. Charlie's face was as red as the delicious tomato soup Fleur had brought.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a lesbian actually," Florence said. Charlie chuckled a little and shook his head.

"I'm sorry too. I wasn't planning on asking you out but these gits have been bugging me about getting a partner since they've been born basically," Charlie apologized. Florence laughed, relieved.

"Oh right. I forgot. Didn't you get outed to the whole school because your family threw you out?" Fred asked. Florence's smile faded and she looked at him. The entire table fell silent and looked at her. 

"Fred," Angelina exclaimed.

"Oh- Oh! I'm sorry, Florence, I didn't mean-"

"No, it's fine! It's fine. It's been what? Almost ten years? It's fine," she said quickly, shaking it off.

"Are you seeing someone thought? Because I know someone and I think you'd make a lovely pair!" Hermione said, changing the mood instantly again. Florence could feel Ginny turn green with envy but she didn't care. Ginny was flirting with Harry all afternoon and Florence was kind of done with it all at that very moment.

"Oh, I'm not actually," Florence said. Ginny's eyes filled themselves with flames. "So, sure! Why not? Gosh, this is embarrassing though. Great first impression right?" she laughed. The Weasleys laughed with her and Hermione asked for her address to send a letter to about it.

"Flo, didn't you say you had that meeting? It's almost four, isn't it?" Ginny asked suddenly. Florence felt a stab in her chest but nodded, putting on a smile.

"You're right. I'm sorry, I've completely lost track of time. Thank you so much for this lovely food. It was a pleasure to meet you all properly!" she said, standing up from her seat. "Ginny. Have a lovely birthday." Ginny nodded at her but Florence looked away, she was too hurt right now.

She said goodbye once more before walking to the door. She closed it behind her and let out a deep sigh. So much for a fun birthday. The door opened and closed behind her and for a second she hoped it was Ginny who had come through, apologizing and begging to introduce her as her girlfriend this time.

But it wasn't Ginny. It was Angelina who immediately spread her arms open, inviting Florence in for a hug. Florence accepted and let out another deep, sad sigh. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips together, trying to hold back tears.

It hurt so much. Ginny practically begging her to leave, flirting with her ex, shooting her jealous and angry looks, cautious to make sure Florence didn't out her. It hurt and it was becoming unbearable to deal with said hurt.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know we were dropping by as a surprise," Angelina whispered. "Fred didn't tell me it was a surprise until a few minutes before we left and I didn't have enough time to get a message out to you."

"It's okay, Ange," Florence whispered. "It's not your fault. It isn't. It's none of their faults. I'm just... I'm just getting tired of it. But that's my problem, not yours."

"I'm your friend. Your burdens are mine," Angelina reminded her. Florence hugged her a little tighter. It became harder and harder not to burst out in tears.

"I'm sorry. You should go back inside or they'll get suspicious. I'm going to go home or to Padma or... I don't know. Maybe to a pub or something. I don't really know or care right now," she said, pulling back from the hug. Angelina looked at her worriedly.

"I don't want to leave you alone in this state," Angelina said. Florence shrugged her shoulders.

"I'll go to Padma then. Don't worry, honestly," she said, patting Angelina's arm. "Just... Just make sure she doesn't snog Harry, yeah?" Angelina gasped softly and hugged Florence tightly again.

If Ginny didn't trust Florence, Florence didn't trust Ginny.

"Are you happy?" Angelina asked. "With her, I mean."

"I'm so happy with her. That is until her lovely family shows up and she turns into somebody I don't know." Angelina nodded and sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"No need to be. It isn't your fault," Florence shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm still sorry," Angelina sighed. Florence nodded and said goodbye before apparating to Padma's house, knocking on the door. Padma opened with a confused look on her face. Florence burst out in tears right away and didn't stop crying until she fell asleep.