A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the long absence on my part. I've been sick for a while, and the docs still don't know what's wrong with me, so I'm pretty much stuck being miserable. This also means I don't have much time for fanfiction, but I've had the beginning this story saved on my flashdrive for a while now and thought I might as well toss it out there to see how people react. So you'll have to tell me what you think! Even though I guess the plot doesn't even start until the first real chapter… maybe, if I'm still up, I'll post the first chappie later tonight!
And, for anybody reading any of my other stories, I'm hoping to work on those later tonight and update soon! You guys rock so much! *hugs* So, enjoy!
Prologue:
Feather dreams of summer drifted across her eyes as she smiled softly, feeling completely relaxed lying down in the green grass. Above her, the blossoming trees sang the last verse of Spring's beloved ballad, their leaves hovering in the air and shielding the bright sun's rays from her body. The joyful sounds of laughter and chatting students glided through the air alongside shrieks and loud splashes from a group gathered at the nearby shore. The Great Lake shone a royal blue under the sun's beating, its calm waters spotted with students enjoying the break from schoolwork.
Every year, for the past four years she had been attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft or Wizardry, this had been her absolute favorite thing to do – nothing. Doing nothing on the Grounds was as close to heaven as she was sure she had ever been. Letting her eyelids lower, she took a deep breath, inviting the scenery invade her senses. The soft rustling of the trees played nature's lullaby, the sweet aroma of the blooming flowers danced along the slight wind that caressed her face, the thousands of thin blades of grass tickled her skin. Yes, this was heaven.
"Hey you," a gentle voice from above interrupted her thoughts.
Her eyes fluttered open, her previous view of the blue sky and luscious trees blocked by his body. Not that she minded.
"Hey yourself," she responded, sitting up and folding in her legs. He sat down beside her and reached out to tuck a few wayward strands of hair behind her ear. She shot him a smile before taking his hands in hers.
"How did I know I would find you out here?" he teased.
"You must be a genius," she remarked. In all reality, he was extremely intelligent. Even before she fell in love with him, she knew that. Even back when they would fight like cats. Since then, of course, things had changed. The two of them had been going steady for months now, much to the surprise of their friends. She remembered when her younger sister told her parents she was in love. Her father had rolled his eyes at her "young foolishness," but her mother had smiled sweetly and got that twinkle in her eyes. At least she understood. She loved him and he loved her.
When she turned her face to look at him, and the sights and sounds she had been soaking in earlier seemed to fade away. Despite the fact that practically the entire school was outside enjoying the nice weather. Well, except the seventh years, who were probably holed up in the library, studying for their N.E.W.T.s. And the fifth years, crammed into the same space preparing for the O.W.L.s.
But one fifth year girl wasn't in the library, or even studying elsewhere for her upcoming exams. High on the ninth floor of the castle, inside the sixth years girls' dormitory, one fifth year sprawled out on the floor. The light from a nearby window spilled into a line in the otherwise dark room, providing the only means by which the Gryffindor girl could read the words penned in the book before her. Clothes littered the unnaturally unmade bed and surrounding floor after being desperately yanked from the open trunk.
Above the happy memories of simple days the fourth year couple were joyfully creating, this Gryffindor girl fought the angry shouts only barely contained in her throat as well as the tears that threatened to fall once again. She had no time to be carefree. She was on a mission.
Ginny knew she shouldn't be reading Hermione's diary. It was private. Reading another girl's diary was rude, invasive. Diaries were held with a sort of sacredness. They were not to be read by others. But it needed to be done. Ginny had to figure it out. She had to find out how everything had gone completely and irrevocably wrong.
She flipped open the worn leather cover.