EXPECTATIONS
Chapter 1: At the Burrow
Ginny sat on her bed in her small room at the Burrow, thinking. The cramped room filled with stuffed animals and trinkets was silent except for the small alarm clock on the dresser which was ticking incessantly.
Time certainly has turned on me, Ginny thought as she gazed absently at the clock. Things used to be so simple. Impatiently swiping away some hair that had fallen into her face, she remembered her childhood, when the idea of growing up seemed carefree and easy, desirable, even.
"Ginny!" Bill called from the air, watching his little sister shakily get onto a broom for the first time. "You'll be fine!"
"Easy for you to say! I'm scared!" young Ginny called in a small frightened voice.
"Everything will be fine, just remember what I've taught you!"
Taking a deep breath, Ginny pushed off the ground…and soared gracefully into the air. "This is so great!" she whooped with joy. Bill laughed with delight as she flew towards him. Together they flew off to enjoy the day in the sunny meadow next to the house.
Ginny sighed as she came back to reality, picking at the tassel on the edge of her bed covers. At sixteen, she was starting to feel more grown up. With the constant threat of war, she took on the great responsibility of helping her mother at both Headquarters and the Burrow. Even though she enjoyed the hectic atmosphere, she was frustrated that most people still seemed to view her as a child. She was always forced to leave the room during discussions, and she was always being told that she was too young to do the things that her brother and his friends were allowed to do. Ginny had always felt that she was in her brothers' and the Trio's shadow, but recently, that feeling had become worse and worse.
This year, all that is going to change. I'm going to forget all about the Trio. I'm going to be my own person now! No more holding back! No more hiding in Ron, Harry, and Hermione's shadow!
With an air of resolution, Ginny hopped off her bed and crossed the room. Flinging open her bedroom door, she marched down the hallway and jogged down the stairs. Yes, she thought, reaching the landing between the kitchen and living area, this year is going to be something completely different.