Ginny's POV

I was sitting at my desk in my bedroom, everyone was either on patrol or training and yet, I couldn't focus on anything else except the letter right in front of me. It's been a while since I've heard from my mother, I've kept in contact with dad and my older brother, all except Ron. I re-read the letter once again, getting the same reaction I did the same four times. Pure and utter disbelief.

I had always looked up to my mother growing up, she was an amazing person who would do anything for her family and extended her care and generosity to others in need. However, I knew I wanted more than to be a housewife, not that there is anything wrong with it but I saw how much my family struggled financially, especially with just my father's income coming in. When Bill and Charlie left home and started their career, they helped by sending money over as much as they could. I always felt that my mother could have done something to help, I had suggested that she sell her knitted jumpers, which were always so warm and comfortable but in her eyes, it was too much effort and would rather do them for our family at Christmas instead.

After a while, I had lost a lot of respect for her and deep down, she could see it too. I grew a lot close to my brothers and dad, along with my friends and sibling bonds.

I placed the letter back down on the desk and wiped the tears that had escaped my eyes. I was feeling frustrated with myself for even shedding a tear for the woman who had said such hurtful words, but the thing that hurt the most was that I found myself not surprised by reviving such a letter. A small knock was heard from behind me, I quickly placed the letter in the drawer and tried to compose myself the best I could.

"Come in" I called out and saw that it was Paul. The sight of him instantly made me want to burst into tears, his presence made me feel so loved and protected that I simply couldn't hide what I was feeling from him. His eyebrows furrowed in concern when he noticed my sore eyes and flustered cheeks.

"Beautiful, what's wrong?" He asked as he kneeled in front of me, taking my hands in his instantly.

"M-My mum sent me a letter-"

"That's good, isn't it?" He interrupted in confusion. I hadn't told him what occurred when we departed from England, my mother's controlling nature was something I had gotten used to but it still angered me beyond belief. As a child, I had thought all parents treated their children that way, but when I arrived at Hogwarts and heard the way some of the students talked about their families, I knew my mother was toxic and it wasn't normal.

"Not necessarily, she is a very controlling woman and when we left England, she wasn't happy about me accompanying Hermione on her new journey. There's more that went on but it isn't my place to speak about" He nodded his head slowly in understanding, but his frown deepened when he noticed me growing more emotional. He sat down properly on the floor and pulled me into his lap, I instantly curled into him and buried my face into his chest.

"Sometimes, family are people that don't share your blood. I don't get along with my father, especially after my mother's death and when I met Sam, he instantly became a big brother to me. He was there for me more than anyone ever has, and then the others joined and we turned into a family. If your mother is making you this emotional and is unhappy with your decisions, then simply let her wallow in her disapproval. You're an adult, Ginny, you make decisions for yourself. You have a family here, who all love you and will support whatever decisions you make" I listened intently to his words, his heartbeat remained steady which indicated that every word spoken was nothing but the truth. I pulled away slightly and looked up into his dark brown eyes, I couldn't help but feel my love increasing for the man in front of me.

"I love you, Paul" I whispered as I cupped his cheeks in my hand. An adorable smile formed on his face and I let out a giggle when he brushed his nose against mine, which was something he always did when he wanted to show his love.

"I love you too, baby" He responded before leaning forward and connecting his lips with mine. The kiss was slow but full of passion, I could feel the love he had for me through it and at that moment, I knew that no matter what my relationship with my mother turns out to be, I'll always have Paul and those who I surround myself with daily.

"Are you going to show Hermione?" Paul asked after he broke the kiss. I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples, feeling a headache begin to form. I knew I had to tell Hermione, it did involve her too but I hated to see the pain it caused her when my mother would make such comments about her, especially when Hermione saw her as a second mother, or magical mother as she used to say.

"I-I have to" I whispered in response, earning a small smile from my mate, though I could see the anger in his eyes. I knew it was aimed at my mother and not me, his anger and frustration were understandable but it still made me nervous at times, knowing Paul had the most struggle with his temper out of the rest of the pack.

"How about we get some lunch and then you could show Hermione, I'll be by your side if that's what you want" I immediately shook my head but had a thankful smile that was aimed directly at him.

"Thank you, but this is something I need to show her by myself" Paul nodded in understanding and placed a kiss on my forehead before grabbing my hand, pulling me softly from the room. I hadn't noticed how hungry I was until my stomach made a loud growl, I lowered my head in embarrassment, hiding my flaming cheeks.

"Yeah, you most definitely need to eat" Paul chuckled, making me slap his arm playfully with a smile on my face.

We made it to the kitchen and found a range of dishes on the counter, all having a spell over them so they remained fresh and untouched by any bugs. I was used to Hermione's buffet-type food but the pack were still adjusting to the wide range of choices they could choose from at every meal. Paul stopped abruptly at the door, his eyes wide as he looks over the many dishes, and before I could open my mouth, he dashed forward and began piling food onto his plate.

"Hungry, are you?" I teased as I politely took what I wanted onto my plate. Paul turned towards me with a mischievous glint in his eye, one that resembles my twin brothers whenever they were up to something.

"I'm hungry for you, baby" He growled and licked his lower lip. His dark, lust-filled eyes sent excited chills down my spine and I had to stop myself from clenching my thighs together, and instead, I raised an eyebrow.

"Of course you are, I'm fucking delicious" I responded smugly, sending him a flirtatious wink before walking past him, making sure to add a little more swing in my hips. Another growl was heard from him which made me smirk as I took a seat at the table, it wasn't long until he joined me with a pout on his face.

"You're a tease"

"I've learnt from the best" I chuckled with a shrug, making him tilt his head in confused curiosity.

"Hermione?" He guessed, making me shake my head with a smirk.

"Nope, Sirius" His eyes widened in shock, knowing how conspicuous and damn right horny the man was, which was saying a lot because the wolves tend to be horny at least 95% of the time. Before anything else could be said, Hermione strolled in with Sam and Luna close behind. Seeing the happy smile on Hermione's face made my heart clench, knowing that the letting will wipe it all away. I diverted my attention to my plate, pushing the food around and my leg began to bounce up and down, feeling the nerves building up. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the multiple calls coming from Hermione and Paul.

"Gin?" the feeling of Pauls's hand on my shoulder snapped me back into reality. I looked up with slightly widened eyes and saw eight eyes looking down at me, all with worried expressions.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought," I said with a smile, one that wasn't all that convincing from the frowns that appeared on their faces.

"What's wrong?" Luna asked softly as she sat beside me, taking my hand in hers.

"I-I have to speak to Hermione" I mumbled and if they hadn't had enhanced hearing, they wouldn't have heard a single word. Hermione looked over at Paul with a questionable look, but he nodded his head towards the hall, indicating that she should talk with me elsewhere.

"Come with me" Hermione grabbed hold of my hand softly and pulled me towards the garden, taking a seat on the outdoor couches.

"What's wrong, Gin? I'm getting worried" I conjured as much Gryffindor bravery as I could and summoned the letter from my mother, it appeared in my hand and I hesitantly held it out for Hermione to take. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion but took the letter, nonetheless. The moment she opened the parchment and recognised the writing, her eyes teared up and her jaw clenched. It didn't take long for her to finish the letter but what I wasn't expecting was for her to set fire to it.

"You are neither a disappointment nor disrespectful. You decided to accompany me on this new journey and for that, I couldn't be any more thankful. I still sit and wonder what it would have been like if I left on my own and in all honesty, I don't think I'd be as happy as I am right now. You're my sister, Ginerva Weasley and ill support any decision you make, including your choice of maybe visiting your family...-"

"Why would I do that?" I asked with a look of disgust, making Hermione laugh quietly into her hand.

"Your brothers and dad might visit, but I think it's been a long time coming where you need to have a deep conversation with your mum. You need to explain to her everything you have felt, all the things you wish could be different" Her words struck my heart and left me with the painful truth, knowing that I had always delayed such a conversation with her because I was always afraid. I was afraid of being disowned, which was something that was a regular threat when it came to my older brothers and them doing something she didn't approve of.

"You're right... But you're all coming with me" I said sternly, earning a hesitant and uneasy look from Hermione.

"I don't know... It's going to be awkward with Ron there and knowing your mum hates me-"

"You need to show them that you don't need Ron to be happy! You have found your mate, the person you were always supposed to be with and you've found your pack... Don't hide that" I could see the gears turning in her mind, she was weighing out the cons and pros of the trip which I had always found rather amusing.

"Fine, but that would most likely mean that Luna will join us, and if Luna joins-"

"Then so does Edward and the Cullens" I laughed as I imagined how weird our dynamic looked to those outside of our group.

"This is going to be fun"