Becoming Slyffindor: A Generic Love Story

Chapter One: And Then She Shot Huge Bogey's At Me

Just a little disclaimer so you don't sue me.

I can honestly say this was the exact opposite of what I was expecting this year to be. My first thought about seventh year was the possibility that it would be quite dull. Harry and Ron hadn't contacted me all summer, and Ginny had sent me one letter, probably out of pity. After my initial anger at this, I had decided that I wouldn't let their abandonment ruin my year. So I decided that I would give Hogwarts a year to remember.

I was sick of doing everything by the book, being totally predictable 'Mione all the time. I wanted some mischief. I wanted some crazy times. I wanted something I could be remembered for other than that girl with the best marks, or the prestigious Head Girl with no sense of fun. No, I was tired of that. So tired. So I resolved to do something that would have me remembered as the girl that did the unthinkable. But I wasn't sure what that was yet.

* * *

I entered King's Cross Station alone but with my head held high. I tried to smile, or at least hide that I was upset, but I'm a terrible actress, and an even worse liar. Ginny Weasely approached me slowly, looking at the ground. I walked towards her, internally going over what I was going to say. Ginny looked up and the sheepish smile I expected was not there. Her eyes were fiery.

"Why the hell didn't you get back to me?" she seethed.

I was taken aback by the anger, but recovered quickly. Who was she to be angry with me? I had done nothing wrong.

"Why would I want to Ginny? I don't want to be pitied." I replied calmly. I started to walk towards the train.

Ginny looked at me incredulously before making a furious hiss sounding noise and following me. She grabbed my shoulder roughly and said, "I'm not finished!"

I turned around. "I don't care Ginny, I am. I've had a terrible two months okay? I've no contact with the wizarding world. You have no idea how frustrating it is to talk to Muggles all time who have no idea we just recovered from a war. I have had no one to celebrate with and no one to mourn with. And my three best friends, that's you included Ginny, chose to ignore me all summer." I paused briefly and pressed my lips together for a moment. "So if you'll excuse me Ginny, I'll take my leave."

There was silence. I started to walk towards the train once again but I heard a small voice say, "You didn't get the second letter did you?" I turned to see Ginny crying and she walked off quickly.

At first I was sure that she was simply upset because I had stood up to her, in fact I tried to convince myself that this was the case. But my intuition was screaming that something was very very wrong.

I boarded the train and put my bag on the luggage rack in the Head's compartment before searching the Express for Ginny. It was a very long process as the train's many cars were full and all quite loud. I saw a few of Ginny's friends but the volume made it impossible to flag them down to ask about her whereabouts. After nearly forty five minutes, I hadn't seen even a flash of her telltale red hair.

Feeling defeated, I slowly made my way back towards the Head's Compartment dodging around a large group second year boys.

"...and then she shot huge bogey's at me!"

I spun quickly. "Who said that?" The group of second years went deathly quiet. A taller boy with brown hair and freckles raised a quivering hand.

"Who shot bogey's at you?" I asked urgently. The boy paused for a moment, and then mumbled,

"Oh...well...it's really....I don't want her ....get in trouble...she seemed sad...it's okay."

Even in my urgency I admired the boy's wish not to snitch. My look softened and the boy relaxed.

"This girl had red hair right?" The boy nodded.

"Where is she I asked? I'm her friend." The boy nodded again understanding that I only wanted to comfort her.

"She's hiding at the back of the luggage car." he said, "I heard something back there so I looked in and saw her. I told her that what she was doing was dangerous. And then she hexed me."

"Thank you." I said and walked quickly towards the back of the train.

As I got closer, I saw a cluster of about ten students craning their necks to look inside the luggage car. I suddenly became aware of that second year's words; the huge amount of bags jammed into such a small place was very hazardous. I broke into a run.

When I finally reached the door, I shoved through the group, knocking over a blonde girl. I jerked the slightly ajar door open violently.

The luggage car was dark and ridiculously packed. I saw a large pile in the corner which appeared to have fallen over, with what looked like a small hand coming out from under it. My stomach heaved as I walked over.

"Ginny?" I whispered fearfully.

From the other side of the compartment I heard a loud "Yeah?"

Relief rushed into my system. I carefully made my way through the towers of baggage towards the sound. I looked down at Ginny and offered her my hand. She took it and I pulled her to her feet.

"What were you thinking?" I whispered angrily. "It's not safe back here." I lead her out the door and the crowd quickly disbanded.

I sat Ginny down in the nearest available empty compartment. She hadn't said anything but she didn't appear upset or angry.

I began to ask Ginny about the second letter she had sent me, and why it had made her so upset, when it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't seen Harry or Ron. I had searched every compartment. Every single one. They weren't on the train. I suddenly felt sick all over again.

"Ginny, where are Harry and Ron?" Her eyes filled with tears again.

"Oh. My. God. What happened to them?"