Disclaimer--The Potterverse and its inhabitants don't belong to me, I'm just borrowing them with grateful respect for those who brought it into being for us to visit. Any influences from the books, movies, or fellow fanfic writers are not intended as copyright infringement, only the sincerest form of flattery.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--I'll miss your reviews, but hopefully you can enjoy the story now or in the future. :-(
Adrienne--I'm so glad you decided to review again! *grins and waves* For me, sensitivity, perceptiveness, and good old fashioned horse sense (later in the series) are the traits that come across most strongly about Ginny, so it makes me happy to know you appreciate the same traits in my characterization. Thanks! I hope you enjoy what happens next. :-)
EEDOE--It's kind of sad to see our Ginny getting older, isn't it? *sighs too* My theory about Ginny's role in the rest of the series is vaguely similar to yours...it will be interesting to see if JKR's is. I thought it was sweet, and very likely, the family considered Harry--after all, Molly looks at him as one of her own. (And I loved the idea of her accidentally falling into the twins Percy-torture. *snickers*) I'd love to hear about your friend's experience in Egypt sometime! Until next time...*hugs and winks*
Bill--I like the new routine, too...even if it is impractical for the long term...it's so nice. *sighs* I feel rather parental toward Ginny myself...and why shouldn't we? This Ginny belongs to us--writer and readers--and she's an adorable firecracker growing up too fast! ;-) It's great you've picked up on the fact Ginny relates and is related to, in a special way by all of her brothers...I think she's a very family oriented, fiercely loving person, and that's important. And, as you say, being a very sensitive girl recently responsible for endangering the lives of many of her classmates and friends as well as herself, she's wrestling something closely akin to Survivor's Guilt. It is too bad no one seems to know what kind of help she needs, but she's young and resilient, and I think she'll be stronger and wiser for it in the end--tempered in fire, so to speak...Damn Experience. *winks* I'm looking forward to seeing Egypt through Ginny's eyes myself. This should be fun. *hugs*
***********
Saturday morning arrived in no time.
Ginny had assumed they would travel to Egypt via Gringotts interbranch transportation, but Mum and Dad weren't done surprising them. "Bill could get permission for us to travel that way like we did at Christmas," Mum said, "but your father and I decided that if we were going to take a holiday for once, we might as well do it right, and see some of the scenery." Ginny was glad they felt that way...she wanted to see as much of the world as she could, and this might be her only chance.
And, as usual, they were running late.
Mum shouted instructions, racing past at a clip, doing four or five things at once, while Ginny, Fred, George, and Ron bumped into one another in the halls, dazed and wiping sleep from their eyes as they tried to eat their toast, get dressed, and find their shoes. Percy, on the other hand, seemed reasonably alert. It made Ginny want throw water on him.
In the midst of all the noise, they almost didn't hear Mrs. Diggory arrive. "Good morning," she said as Dad ushered her in, indecently cheerful.
The Weasleys mumbled indistinct and unenthusiastic replies as they continued their chaotic rituals.
"We really appreciate you giving us a lift," the blur that was Mum gushed. "I really don't know what we do..."
Mrs. Diggory smiled her calm and enigmatic smile. "Of course. I'm happy to-Merlin knows you and Arthur have Amos and I enough favors over the years."
"Well," Mum said dismissively, "what else are neighbors for? Do go on and have some breakfast while Arthur loads the trunks in the car."
"Thank you," Mrs. Diggory said politely, perching on a scuffed wooden chair, and pouring herself a glass of orange juice. "I'm never quite myself in the morning without my juice, I'm afraid."
Ginny felt the same way about her coffee. Her instant mug was already packed, but it didn't matter, as Mum always made a pot for Dad anyway. She helped herself, hoping the caffeine would wake her up and the liquid would wash the tickling crumbs out of her throat.
Eventually, they were all crammed into Mrs. Diggory's car, which, while bigger than Dad's blue Anglia had been, seemed considerably less roomy, and on their way to the King's Cross Station. Ginny held her breath, partly because Fred's elbow in her stomach made it necessary, and partly because she half expected someone would have to go back for something, but they got there without incident.
"Platform 7 1/4," Dad read off the tickets. "I think that's this way." He pointed off to the left. Struggling with her trunk and trolley, which were almost as tall as she was, Ginny followed him.
It was nothing like the school train.
Ginny stared. It was long and sinuously sleek, shining silver in the bright lights of the station. The front was smooth and seamless as an eel's head, and there was something reminiscent of a fish's ruffled tail fin about the back. Thin, swirly black letters on the front spelled out-Leviathan.
Dad let them take it all in for a moment, then started to herd them aboard. Ginny was disappointed to see the interior as well was different. On the Hogwarts Express, there were separate private compartments for peace and quiet. This train just had rows and rows of seats. They were going to travel in the middle of a crowd. Ginny hated crowds. She sighed, and tried to think positively. At least the trip wouldn't be boring...some of their fellow travelers looked almost too interesting...Like that tall, ashen-skinned wizard over there, wearing a burnoose that looked as though it might be made of bandages...or that extremely pudgy witch whose hair seemed to be composed of snakes...
The train didn't move in the same steady, reassuring rhythm as the Hogwarts Express, either. Instead, it wound along the ground in a fashion that felt almost slithery. It was an interesting sensation, and all Ginny's brothers seemed to enjoy it, but she had seen far too much of snakes lately. She concentrated on the sunshine and rolling scenery, and managed-if not to forget about it completely-at least not to think about it.
It wasn't long before they reached the Channel. The Leviathan reared up in a most surprising and serpentine way, and plunged right into the water with a splash. The whole family seemed to catch its breath. Several of their fellow travelers glanced at them and smiled indulgently.
The Leviathan whipped through the water, very much like the eel of which it reminded Ginny. Rocks jutted out at them in strange, haunting formations, circled by sparkling fish. Water pressed against the windows, sliding and rippling as the light shone through it in tangled ribbons, encasing them like liquid aquamarine. It was beautiful, exotic and mysterious...and Ginny saw the Slytherin Common Room at Christmas, wavering blue-green light dancing across the marble-cool features of a statuesque face...and shivered. Ron looked over at her enquiringly. "Scared?"
Ginny shook her head mutely. She didn't want to mention Tom to Ron, even if she could find the words...didn't want to remind him...to worry him...over a memory...only a memory.
"It's okay," Ron said kindly, "Nothing can touch us in here."
Ginny forced a wan smile for him. He reached out and took her hand, his long fingers warm over hers, and her racing heart slowed down a bit.
She still felt trapped, though, ready to jump. Just as she thought she couldn't stay seated another second, the Leviathan surfaced again-They were in France.
Mum and Dad took them to lunch at a little café in Paris. They had oysters-the boys didn't care for them, they thought they were slimy, but Ginny thought they had a delicate taste and silky texture-bread and soft, runny white cheese, and some nice crisp apples on the sidewalk under a striped awning, and watched people walk by. It was lovely.
Or it would have been-if they didn't have to get back on the Leviathan.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--I'll miss your reviews, but hopefully you can enjoy the story now or in the future. :-(
Adrienne--I'm so glad you decided to review again! *grins and waves* For me, sensitivity, perceptiveness, and good old fashioned horse sense (later in the series) are the traits that come across most strongly about Ginny, so it makes me happy to know you appreciate the same traits in my characterization. Thanks! I hope you enjoy what happens next. :-)
EEDOE--It's kind of sad to see our Ginny getting older, isn't it? *sighs too* My theory about Ginny's role in the rest of the series is vaguely similar to yours...it will be interesting to see if JKR's is. I thought it was sweet, and very likely, the family considered Harry--after all, Molly looks at him as one of her own. (And I loved the idea of her accidentally falling into the twins Percy-torture. *snickers*) I'd love to hear about your friend's experience in Egypt sometime! Until next time...*hugs and winks*
Bill--I like the new routine, too...even if it is impractical for the long term...it's so nice. *sighs* I feel rather parental toward Ginny myself...and why shouldn't we? This Ginny belongs to us--writer and readers--and she's an adorable firecracker growing up too fast! ;-) It's great you've picked up on the fact Ginny relates and is related to, in a special way by all of her brothers...I think she's a very family oriented, fiercely loving person, and that's important. And, as you say, being a very sensitive girl recently responsible for endangering the lives of many of her classmates and friends as well as herself, she's wrestling something closely akin to Survivor's Guilt. It is too bad no one seems to know what kind of help she needs, but she's young and resilient, and I think she'll be stronger and wiser for it in the end--tempered in fire, so to speak...Damn Experience. *winks* I'm looking forward to seeing Egypt through Ginny's eyes myself. This should be fun. *hugs*
***********
Saturday morning arrived in no time.
Ginny had assumed they would travel to Egypt via Gringotts interbranch transportation, but Mum and Dad weren't done surprising them. "Bill could get permission for us to travel that way like we did at Christmas," Mum said, "but your father and I decided that if we were going to take a holiday for once, we might as well do it right, and see some of the scenery." Ginny was glad they felt that way...she wanted to see as much of the world as she could, and this might be her only chance.
And, as usual, they were running late.
Mum shouted instructions, racing past at a clip, doing four or five things at once, while Ginny, Fred, George, and Ron bumped into one another in the halls, dazed and wiping sleep from their eyes as they tried to eat their toast, get dressed, and find their shoes. Percy, on the other hand, seemed reasonably alert. It made Ginny want throw water on him.
In the midst of all the noise, they almost didn't hear Mrs. Diggory arrive. "Good morning," she said as Dad ushered her in, indecently cheerful.
The Weasleys mumbled indistinct and unenthusiastic replies as they continued their chaotic rituals.
"We really appreciate you giving us a lift," the blur that was Mum gushed. "I really don't know what we do..."
Mrs. Diggory smiled her calm and enigmatic smile. "Of course. I'm happy to-Merlin knows you and Arthur have Amos and I enough favors over the years."
"Well," Mum said dismissively, "what else are neighbors for? Do go on and have some breakfast while Arthur loads the trunks in the car."
"Thank you," Mrs. Diggory said politely, perching on a scuffed wooden chair, and pouring herself a glass of orange juice. "I'm never quite myself in the morning without my juice, I'm afraid."
Ginny felt the same way about her coffee. Her instant mug was already packed, but it didn't matter, as Mum always made a pot for Dad anyway. She helped herself, hoping the caffeine would wake her up and the liquid would wash the tickling crumbs out of her throat.
Eventually, they were all crammed into Mrs. Diggory's car, which, while bigger than Dad's blue Anglia had been, seemed considerably less roomy, and on their way to the King's Cross Station. Ginny held her breath, partly because Fred's elbow in her stomach made it necessary, and partly because she half expected someone would have to go back for something, but they got there without incident.
"Platform 7 1/4," Dad read off the tickets. "I think that's this way." He pointed off to the left. Struggling with her trunk and trolley, which were almost as tall as she was, Ginny followed him.
It was nothing like the school train.
Ginny stared. It was long and sinuously sleek, shining silver in the bright lights of the station. The front was smooth and seamless as an eel's head, and there was something reminiscent of a fish's ruffled tail fin about the back. Thin, swirly black letters on the front spelled out-Leviathan.
Dad let them take it all in for a moment, then started to herd them aboard. Ginny was disappointed to see the interior as well was different. On the Hogwarts Express, there were separate private compartments for peace and quiet. This train just had rows and rows of seats. They were going to travel in the middle of a crowd. Ginny hated crowds. She sighed, and tried to think positively. At least the trip wouldn't be boring...some of their fellow travelers looked almost too interesting...Like that tall, ashen-skinned wizard over there, wearing a burnoose that looked as though it might be made of bandages...or that extremely pudgy witch whose hair seemed to be composed of snakes...
The train didn't move in the same steady, reassuring rhythm as the Hogwarts Express, either. Instead, it wound along the ground in a fashion that felt almost slithery. It was an interesting sensation, and all Ginny's brothers seemed to enjoy it, but she had seen far too much of snakes lately. She concentrated on the sunshine and rolling scenery, and managed-if not to forget about it completely-at least not to think about it.
It wasn't long before they reached the Channel. The Leviathan reared up in a most surprising and serpentine way, and plunged right into the water with a splash. The whole family seemed to catch its breath. Several of their fellow travelers glanced at them and smiled indulgently.
The Leviathan whipped through the water, very much like the eel of which it reminded Ginny. Rocks jutted out at them in strange, haunting formations, circled by sparkling fish. Water pressed against the windows, sliding and rippling as the light shone through it in tangled ribbons, encasing them like liquid aquamarine. It was beautiful, exotic and mysterious...and Ginny saw the Slytherin Common Room at Christmas, wavering blue-green light dancing across the marble-cool features of a statuesque face...and shivered. Ron looked over at her enquiringly. "Scared?"
Ginny shook her head mutely. She didn't want to mention Tom to Ron, even if she could find the words...didn't want to remind him...to worry him...over a memory...only a memory.
"It's okay," Ron said kindly, "Nothing can touch us in here."
Ginny forced a wan smile for him. He reached out and took her hand, his long fingers warm over hers, and her racing heart slowed down a bit.
She still felt trapped, though, ready to jump. Just as she thought she couldn't stay seated another second, the Leviathan surfaced again-They were in France.
Mum and Dad took them to lunch at a little café in Paris. They had oysters-the boys didn't care for them, they thought they were slimy, but Ginny thought they had a delicate taste and silky texture-bread and soft, runny white cheese, and some nice crisp apples on the sidewalk under a striped awning, and watched people walk by. It was lovely.
Or it would have been-if they didn't have to get back on the Leviathan.
