AN: So... this is gonna be my first multi-chaptered HP story... hope you like it.
If someone's got this idea too, sorry, I had no idea.
Also, check out my new forum for HP roleplayers. There is a link on my profile.
Enjoy?
Molly's tear- stained face sent a pang to Ginny's heart.
Sadness and worry was in the heart of everyone on Platform 9 ¾ that day. It was a month after the Death Eaters had taken over the Ministry of Magic, and everyone was afraid for their children that were going to be riding the train to Hogwarts, which had also been taken over by the Death Eaters.
Around them, many hugs and tearful goodbyes were exchanged. No one wanted to go to Hogwarts this year—except the Slytherins.
"I'll be fine, Mum. Don't worry about me," whispered Ginny into her mother's ear, and she gave her a hug. She could feel her mother's tears soak into her shirt, but she didn't mind. Her own tears were soaking into her mum's shirt.
"I know… it's just…" Molly mumbled, her voice muffled, yet thick with tears.
"Ron. Hermione. Harry," she said, finishing her mum's sentence. Molly nodded, holding her daughter tighter. "They're fine, Mum. I can feel it. They're fine," Ginny muttered, not only to reassure her mother, but herself as well. She'd thought about the trio daily, hoping that they were safe, and that they had not been captured by Death Eaters.
Her mother let go of her, tears falling down her weathered cheeks. "I wish you didn't have to go," Molly whispered hoarsely, her hands grasping Ginny's shoulders. Ginny nodded, not willing to let her own tears fall from her eyes. Having six brothers toughened her up, but now, it seemed as if her defenses were falling.
"I'll miss you, Mum," she mumbled, as her mother wrapped her arms around her, hugging her again, as if she would never let go. The tears fell. "Send Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie my love," she whispered. She felt her mum nod, and let go.
"Bye, sweetie."
Her dad walked up behind the two women, and engulfed Ginny in a tight hug. "Make us proud, okay?" he whispered in her ear, pecking her softly on the top of her head. Ginny nodded, trying to blink away her tears. "You should get on the train. They'll be leaving soon. Don't forget; be ready for anything they ask you. You're a strong girl, Ginevra," he said, squeezing her gently.
"Bye Mum, Dad," she said shakily, waving feebly.
She stepped onto the train, looking back sadly at her parents. "Bye," she mouthed, and went in.
Arthur and Molly stood there for a moment, silent. He put an arm around his wife's shoulders, squeezing her gently. "She'll be fine. She's a brave girl… won't do anything stupid," he muttered to her, looking over at his red-haired wife. He turned around, making to leave. She nodded numbly, eyes fixed on the spot where her daughter had once been standing.
"Brave…" she mumbled, lost in thought.
"Molly?" Arthur called, interrupting her thoughts.
She shook her head, clearing her mind. "Coming, dear," she said.
Inside, Ginny was sullenly moving about the train, looking for her friends. She wiped her face of any sign of tears, and allowed herself to mill through the mess of people trying to find a compartment.
"C'mon, move it! Go faster, you buggers!" sneered a snide voice a few yards behind her. She turned around to see the familiar Draco Malfoy yelling at a few first and second years. They all pushed against her, trying to get out of the menacing Slytherin's way.
She rolled her eyes at the skinny, pale boy, and walked further down the train. "Oi, Ginny! Over here!" She turned around once more to see Neville waving at her, gesturing for her to join him. Slowly, moving with the crowd, she caught up with him. He grinned at her. "How are you? Luna's saved us a compartment. It's somewhere down here…" he said, peeking into some of the compartments.
They reached the compartment where only Luna and Seamus were sitting. "Hello!" said Luna cheerfully, hugging her friend. Ginny returned the greeting, and her eyes fell on Seamus.
"Hi, Seamus," she said to the boy, who looked oddly strange without his tall, dark skinned friend.
"Hey, Ginny," he responded dully. He looked up, his eyes slightly sad. "Dean's on the run. Dunno where 'e is. S'bout that new Muggle-Born registration thing," he said, in answer to her questioning look. She nodded shortly, slightly worried about her ex-boyfriend.
She took a seat next to Luna, who was holding a weathered-looking edition of the Quibbler. "How have your summers been?" asked Neville, who sat beside Seamus.
"Good, actually. Daddy and I went on our trip to study more about Crups. He thinks they're severely misunderstood," said Luna, putting her Quibbler down.
Suddenly, the compartment door slid open. The four of them jumped in surprise, looking at the door. A large, hulking man stood in the doorway, with beady black eyes and a grizzled mustache. A Death Eater. He had a weathered, menacing look, with scars down his cheeks and neck. His black, long hair was matted and greasy, as if it hadn't been washed in several days. Neville tensed, and something in the back of his head told him that he knew this man.
"Oi, all o' you, gimme your firs' name, las' name, blood status, and House. Startin' with you, boy," said the man, pointing a long, grubby finger at Seamus. Seamus looked untroubled, and merely looked at the Death Eater with a calm expression.
"Seamus Finnigan, Half-Blood, Gryffindor," he said. The man looked down at a piece of parchment he was holding, scanning it.
His mouth turned up in a sneering grin. "Finningan, eh? Says 'ere that you know a Dean Thomas, yeah?" he asked. Seamus paled.
"And if I do?" he said, voice slightly shaking. The Death Eater ignored him.
"You," he snapped, pointing at Luna.
Luna sat up a bit straighter and replied, "Luna Lovegood, Pure-blood, Ravenclaw." Fear grew in Ginny's chest. She knew that Luna's father had been publishing Harry-supporting articles in the last few weeks, and that Luna was in danger of being taken by the Death Eaters, if old Xeno made a mistake.
"Lovegood? Hah! You're father's in deep shit, I'll say," laughed the Death Eater, before he turned to Ginny. "I don' need ta ask who you are, now do I, missy? A blood traitor Weasley—your hair gives it away. Tell me, 'ow's your brother—the one who's got spattergroit, huh?" he sneered, and snapped at Neville. "Wha' 'bout you, boy?"
"Neville Longbottom, Pure-blood, Gryffindor," replied Neville shortly.
The Death Eater laughed. "How are ya' parents, Longbo'om? Gone loopy, yeah? We enjoyed doing torturing them," he spat. Neville shook in his seat, his hands turning into fists, his knuckles white. Blood rushed to his head.
The hulking man took one last look at the occupants of the compartment, and left, laughing. "HE'S GONNA PAY-!" roared Neville, and it took Ginny, Seamus, and Luna all of their strength to push him back into his seat.
"It's not going to help, Neville!" Luna cried, as they struggled to get their breath back. Neville's chest heaved as his lip trembled. He had taken his wand out of his pocket, and was now trying to stuff it back in.
"Luna's right, mate. They'll be lookin' for every chance to mess with you," Seamus agreed, sitting back down.
They sat in silence for a while, until Neville spoke up. "That was Rodolphus Lestrange. He was there – he was one of the four who did it," he said shakily. His face blanched, and he was still shaking.
Luna patted his hand encouragingly. "They'd be proud of you, Neville," she said quietly, as the other two nodded in agreement.
"What was that about anyways?" asked Seamus, referring to the piece of paper the Death Eater had been holding.
"My gram says that they're trying to get the Muggle-borns who haven't registered yet, and kidnap the students whose parents have been going against the Death Eaters," said Neville.
Ginny bit her lip. "Then why am I here? Shouldn't he have taken me to Azkaban, or something? My whole family is against the Death Eaters!" she said worriedly, wishing she had just stayed behind with her family. Her thoughts strayed back to Fred, George, and Charlie, who were still at home, not wanting to go to work yet.
"Your family is pure-blooded. They're just looking for the Muggle-borns. And sure, your family's been in contact with Harry, but that's not enough for you to be shipped off to Azkaban," said Seamus, in his thick Irish accent.
Luna nodded. "Your dad's being tracked, probably, for working in the Ministry," she said. Ginny paled, thinking about Death Eaters following her father home after work.
I wonder if they've checked for Ron yet. If they hadn't by now, they will once they realize he's not on the train with Harry and Hermione…she thought worriedly, remembering the smelly ghoul that Ron had shown her, explaining that the ghoul was "him" with spattergroit.
"Blimey, he smells. So you know the story now, right? This is me, unless they figure out that this is just a nasty ghoul. Then, just completely ditch him. Or put him back in the closet. Wherever," she remembered Ron saying.
The compartment door slid open again, and this time, Neville whipped out his wand, pointing it at the door. A surprised Hannah Abbott stood shocked, eyeing the wand that was inches away from her. "It's just me!" she squeaked.
Neville blushed, and put his wand down. "Sorry, Hannah. S'just the Death Eater—surprised us last time," he said, looking down. Hannah smiled kindly, also blushing slightly.
"Can I join you? Ernie and his friends aren't exactly the best company right now," she said, looking over her shoulder.
"Of course!" said Neville, a little too quickly. Seamus and Ginny chuckled, and Luna smiled. Hannah grinned brightly at him, and took the seat next to Luna and Ginny. They sat in an awkward silence, eyes flashing from the window to the door. Seamus turned to Neville, and started talking to him about some Quidditch game he went to two months before. "I heard Puddlemere United got beat bad. S'no good now, huh? Since Francis left? They have yet to find a good Keeper," said Neville cheerily.
"My brother got married," said Ginny, continuing their conversation of what they did during the summer. "Y'know, Bill? He got married to Phle—I mean, Fleur," she said.
Luna nodded. "It was a very nice ceremony. Until the Death Eaters came," she said absentmindedly.
Neville and Seamus jumped. "Death Eaters?" yelped Seamus. Ginny nodded grimly.
"Came in during the reception. Kingsley, the Head of the Aurors—well, ex- Head of the Aurors—sent a Patronus," she said. "Made it talk, he did. Said that the Ministry was overthrown, and that Scrimgeour was dead." The other four looked on with interest. "Everyone scattered. It was just my family and I—except for Ron. I reckon he was with Harry and Hermione," she mused.
"Those four are inseparable, aren't they? I wonder where they are. They wouldn't ditch Hogwarts unless they've got a good reason—but You-Know-Who's taken over the school, s'not exactly the best place to be at the moment," said Seamus.
Ginny nodded in grim agreement. "My mum was pestering them all summer. Ron and Hermione said they weren't coming back, and when Harry arrived, he said the same thing. Mum was mad... said they should continue their education. But now, I think she agrees with them. Now that Snape's headmaster," she retorted.
Seamus made a disapproving noise. "Bloody hell, that man makes me sick. Firs' he goes off an' kills Dumbledore, an' then he takes his place!" he said angrily.
"I heard You-Know-Who made him Head. He probably wants one of his own in the school," said Hannah, taking out a copy of the Daily Prophet. Seamus cringed.
"Ai, put that away! That paper's rubbish, you know that!" he said, sending a dark glare at the paper.
Hannah rolled her eyes at him, and pointed at an article. "Severus Snape, long-standing Potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, was today appointed Headmaster in the most important of several staffing changes at the ancient school. Following the resignation of the previous Muggle Studies teacher, Alecto Carrow will take over the post while her brother, Amycus Carrow fills the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Seamus snorted. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, my arse! More like Dark Arts, if you ask me. I can't believe that no one is doin' anythin' about this!" yelled Seamus, outraged.
"Shut it, Seamus! They might hear you!" Hannah scowled, sending him a warning look. Neville nodded in agreement.
Seamus slouched on the chair, as the woman with the food trolley rolled up to their compartment, knocking on the glass. Ginny jumped up to slide it back. "Anything from the trolley, dears?" she asked kindly. Ginny noticed that the elderly woman hadn't changed over the years- besides the fact that she was constantly looking over her shoulder. She couldn't blame her.
"I'll get a um... a Liquorice Wand and two Chocolate Frogs, please," Ginny asked, rummaging in her pocket for some loose change. The elderly witch nodded, and as she looked for the sweets, Hannah and Neville appeared behind her.
"Here you go, dear," she said, handing the sweets to Ginny as Ginny handed the money to her. She turned to Neville and Hannah. "Anything sweet for you, dears?" she asked them. Hannah nodded.
"I'll get the Every Flavour Beans and a Chocolate Frog, please," she asked, handing a small pile of Knuts to the elderly woman.
Neville stepped forward. "I'll get the same, please," he asked.
The woman nodded and bent to get their sweets. She stood back up and handed the candy to the two, and peered into the compartment. "Anything for you?" she asked Seamus and Luna. They both shook their heads no. "No? Okay. Goodbye, dears," she said, and pushed the cart to the next compartment.
Hannah tore open her bag of Every Flavour Beans and tossed a blue-looking one at Ginny. The red-head eyes the bean suspiciously. "What is it?" she asked, cautiously. Hannah shrugged.
"No idea. Try it," she said, and Ginny popped the bean into her mouth.
"Blueberry," she said, satisfied. Hannah smiled and popped a red one into her mouth. "Oi, Hannah- that's-!" Ginny yelled, moving to stop the Hufflepuff from eating the bean. She stopped her too late, and Hannah had already bit into the bean. Her face turned red, and she grabbed a bottle of water from her bag and gulped it down. "-Hot sauce," Ginny finished.
Neville chuckled, prodding Seamus. "Remember that night in our third year? We'd gone to Honeydukes and bought three packages of those? Harry kept getting the bad tasting ones, and he got hot sauce," he laughed. Seamus sniggered, remembering Harry run around fanning his burning face. The happy mood quickly sombered up as they thought of the "Golden Trio" again. "I hope they're okay," said Neville softly, voicing the thought that had been in everyone's mind.
"They should be okay. If they weren't, the Prophet would've said something about it. They wouldn't hide anything like that," said Ginny, not wanting to believe if anything had happened to her brother and his two best friends. Seamus snorted.
"Wouldn't be the first time they hid anything," he said, glaring at Hannah's copy of the Daily Prophet.
Luna opened her Quibbler again. "Daddy's the only one printing the Order of the Phoenix's side nowadays. Everyone else is too scared," she said, scanning the magazine.
"Amen," Seamus said, laughing. He crossed his arms and looked out past the window to the darkening sky. "We'd better change into our robes. Looks like it's gettin' dark," he murmured, and stood to get his school robes out of his bag as the rest did the same.
AN: Review?