A Modern Day Fairy Tale

A/N: This is a project my friend Tatiana started, but never had the guts to continue. I think it’s a great idea, so we decided that I would write it, and Tatiana would help with ideas, names, plot etc. . .

Therefore, here comes the disclaimer:

Disclaimer: Characters and many situations belong to J. K Rowling and the various publishers, and Warner Bros Entertainment. Plot, certain names, and other things you don’t recognize belong to T. Cheladyn. Creativity, inspiration and other things you don’t recognize belong to me, Pink Inspiration. The story in which this FanFiction is based, is (obviously, Harry Potter) and of course, the long ago legend and fairy tale which I’m sure we’ll all recognize.

Summary: Ginny is forced to spend the summer with her least favourite relatives. Cooking, cleaning and catering to their every wish are included in the bargain. But what happens when Draco comes along? Maybe singing ‘Some day my prince will come’ in the shower has finally paid off. . .

Just a note, there will be NO, and I repeat NO sex in this fic. It is based on a FAIRY TALE, therefore, you see my point. I do not include sex in any of my fics, and I don’t intend to start. If you’re looking for that sort of thing, look somewhere else.

That said, please enjoy:

A Modern Day Fairy Tale

Prologue

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,

They were two bonny lasses;

They built their house upon the lea,

And covered it with rushes.

Bessy kept the garden gate,

And Mary kept the pantry;

Bessy always had to wait,

While Mary lived in plenty.

*

No. That was the first word that had come out of my mouth. I was stubborn as a small infant licking a lollypop and refusing to give it up when they’ve gotten it all over their hair and hands.

"Now Ginny. . ." My father’s voice had trailed off.

"Now Ginny. . ." I had mimicked.

"Virginia Weasley!" My mother scolded. "You will stop talking in that tone of voice right now."

I sighed. "Why do I have to go?"

"Your father and I are going on a business trip for the Ministry. You know Bill and Charlie are very busy with their work and won’t be coming home this summer. Ron, Fred and George are putting together the joke shop this summer and you will just be in the way," My mother explained. In the way. That’s all I always was. Ginny, get out of here, you're in our way. Ginny dear, mind moving over? You’re in the way. Ginny! I’m so sorry you couldn’t come with Harry and I, but you would’ve just been in the way.

"I hate them! I hate those relatives! They don’t even-"

"Now Ginny. . . Hate is such a strong word that should-"

"Only be used in the case of extreme revolt," Mrs. Weasley finished. She nodded her head firmly to show that she wasn’t going to budge.

"In that case, it fits perfectly," I mumbled before crossing my arms and pouting.

"Ginny. . ." My father warned.

"So, it’s final. I’ve already called Lucinda to tell her, and she says her daughters are looking forward to your visit," My mother said with a thoughtful smile.

"So, uh, they’re not actually related to us, are they?" I asked hopefully. My mother glared at me.

"No. Lucinda’s father was adopted into my family. They’re not related by blood, no. But, and this is a firm but, you are to pay the highest respect and gratitude to them while in their home. I know you’re wonderful at getting along with others, Ginny. Everyone loves you. Just don’t let that friendliness falter just because you aren’t quite acquainted yet. Is that clear?" My mother asked and turned to look down her nose at me. I hate when my parents do that. It only reminds me of my shortness. Even my mother at a mere 5"5 was taller than me. Go figure. I get hand me down everything, they figure I may as well get hand-me down height. Except like my clothing, it’s worn out and shows absolutely no evidence of its glorious days.

"Of course she will, Molly. Ginny is very adjustable and friendly," My father said with a proud smile. Friendly and adjustable. Go me. I vowed at that very moment that I would stop being adjustable.

"Ginny dear, why don’t you go pack? You’ll be there the whole summer, and Lucinda will make arrangements to get you safely back home a day before leaving for Hogwarts." My mother gave me a small push towards the staircase and I found myself trudging up with a heavy heart. Walking into my room, I took out my wand and retrieved a large suitcase. Not really feeling the desire to pack myself, I cast a spell and all my clothes started flying to and fro, reorganizing and folding themselves neatly in the battered bag.

I left my room and decided to go search for my favourite sulking spot: the small swing located between two large oak trees in our backyard. Trekking my way through the many untrimmed and overgrown bushes, I finally found my spot, only it was already occupied. Harry was sitting sadly on the one swing, moving slowly back and forth in a dead motion.

He looked up when he saw my feet and gave a small smile. "Hi," he said in unconvincing happiness.

"Hey. I’m sorry for interrupting you. I’ll be leaving now," I said miserably and turned to go. Harry’s arm was placed firmly on my shoulder.

"No, stay. Please?" I turned around and nodded. Harry grinned and moved over so there was room for both of us on the large seat. I walked to the bench and curled up in a corner.

That was the end of my first life.

*

"Ginny, darling!" My step Aunt Lucinda cried warmly and hugged me.

"Hello," I choked out from her tight embrace and patted her back awkwardly. She stepped back into the house, and I assumed I was to follow her. When I was no further from the doorway, she stopped suddenly and turned around. "Take off your shoes. You don’t want more mess to clean up later." She watched as I untied the laces of my spiffy new shoes (I had gotten them as a going away present from my mother) and cautiously put them near the front door.

"Sorry," I mumbled. She smiled an odd smile that was a cross between pathetic and over-nice.

"Those are beautiful shoes, deary. Shame you won’t be keeping them." I opened my mouth to ask why I wouldn’t be keeping my own shoes, but my step aunt had already started walking through the corridor. I quietly followed her, stopping every few seconds to observe something.

Before I knew it, I found myself standing in a large, elegant looking living room. Two young women stood before me. I moved forward to shake their hands. I didn’t know much about these people. Only that they were relatives of mine, and I had put them under my ‘people I never want to see again’ list when I was nine. Daniella, the oldest one had pulled my hair and spilled orange pop on my bright pink party dress on our first meeting. Ever since then, I had known there was something I didn’t like about her. Anastasia, he younger one seemed nice enough, had she not followed her sister’s every wish. I could only guess what Daniella had taught her over the years.

"Hello, Ginny," Daniella said in a silky voice and shook my hand. "You remember me, don’t you? I’m Daniella Louise. I’m nineteen. How old are you, again?"

"Fifteen," I responded without much emotion.

"How nice. This is Anastasia Marie, my sister," Daniella pushed Anastasia forward and she shook my hand.

"Nice to see you again, Anastasia," I said with a smile.

"I’m fourteen," she stated out of nowhere.

"Do you like being fourteen?" I asked in an attempt to break the cold ice between us.

"It’s pleasant enough," she responded coldly. I nodded before turning back to my step Aunt.

"Right then. Now that you have met my charming daughters, I’ll show you a room where you can keep your things." I heaved my heavy suitcase off the floor and lugged it after me as I followed Lucinda. We walked on a little ways until we came to a simple wooden door. My step aunt just walked through and motioned for me to set my things down. The room was simple, to say the least. There was a small wooden bed with a mattress and a blue quilt. In the corner was a desk with a piece of parchment, a quill and a bottle of blue ink. "You sleep here," she told me.

I nodded. "This is fine."

"We have certain rules in this house, Ginny," she told me, suddenly putting on a mask of sternness. I nodded dumbly again. "You do realize, that you, although partially family, are a welcomed guest here. I will do my best to make sure your needs are met, and that you are relatively comfortable."

"Thank-you."

"Now, in order for this household to work, what with one extra burden put on our shoulders, you will help out. Is that understood?"

"Yes ma’am." This wasn’t usually the way someone welcomed you into his or her home, was it? If it was, then I must’ve been living in a hole all my life.

"The kitchens are on the main floor, to the right. Breakfast is promptly at eight ‘o clock, lunch will be served at one ‘o clock, and dinner at seven-thirty ‘o clock. Daniella doesn’t like eggs, ham or broccoli. Anastasia doesn’t eat or drink dairy products. As for myself, I don’t favour lamb or turkey. Understood?"

"Yes ma’am," I repeated again. So I was expected to help with the meals. I could accept that. I had done it many times at home; it wasn’t like it was new.

"Any other assistance my daughters or myself would require, we will notify you of." And with that, my step Aunt Lucinda swept out of the room, her expensive gold embroidered mauve robes sweeping out behind her.

I sat down on the bed. So, I mused, my list for summer activities will look a bit like this:

-Cook meals (make sure not to include eggs, ham, broccoli, any drinkable/eatable dairy products, turkey or lamb. That was okay. I never really liked lamb anyway)

-Help around the house

-Try and make friends with Daniella and Anastasia

-Try my best to not be, and I quote, ‘friendly and adjustable’

That night, I really hadn’t the slightest clue just how right I really was.

*

A/N: So what did you think of this here fic? Please review and let me know! Oh, and if you have any future ideas for this, just tell me in your review.

The nursery rhyme at the beginning is called Bessy Bell and Mary Gray. I will include nursery rhymes for all the chapters in this story. Just thought it was a good little addition. It will always apply to the chapter itself too.