Disclaimer: I own none of this. J.K. Rowling owns all characters and locations, the story line is mine though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1
"This is bullshit!" Ginny yelled, throwing her books across the family room, "I don't see why I am forced to go back to school when there is a war going on! I can help, Mum, I know more about Vold-"
"Ginevra, your father and I have already decided. Hogwarts is the safest place for you and you know it. Now no more of this arguing, go upstairs now and pack for school," Mum barked angrily leaving no room for arguments. Ginny threw one last pleading look at both of her parents before stomping up stairs and to her bedroom, not caring that she was acting more like a petulant five year old than a seventeen year old witch.
The last year had definitely led to some changes in the wizarding world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all but skipped their last year of school in favor of private training with the members of the Order, only returning to Hogwarts every few months for tests and reviews with Dumbledore. Ginny, however, had been left to carry out her sixth year pretending that her three friends were all being hospitalized for draconian mumps, a curious disease contracted from powdered dragon scales that would go into remission only to return with vengeance, and not secretly training to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Ginny had hoped that this year she would be able to follow in her brother's footsteps, but alas her bloody parents had other plans for her.
Ginny threw her belongings into the trunk, not caring what got broken or damaged, she would have to do some repairo charms when she got to the school after her temper was under better control. She knew the inner workings of Voldemort's mind better than anyone thanks to her encounter with Tom Riddle's diary in first year, she had more experience than any of her peers with dealing with Dark Magic, and she found that she was always more perceptive to dark spells than most people. Hell she could sense when someone who was marked was near, if that alone didn't make her a valuable asset than what did? Apparently none of that mattered for no matter how hard she tried she would always just be poor little Ginny, weak and unable to defend herself.
Oh no, she knew how to defend herself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It seemed that even the world outside seemed bleak as Ginny boarded the scarlet train that would take her away from her family and friends. She couldn't help but think that no matter how the war played out this year that it would be her last time having to wave goodbye to her loved ones. Not a comforting though.
"Gin!" Colin cried, entering the train car and pulling her into a tight hug. "I was wondering where you'd gotten to."
"Yeah well you found me," she muttered.
Ginny sighed and turned her attention back to the window plane, only half listening to her friends chatter. She loved Colin to bits, but she really just wasn't in the mood to talk and it was taking all her energy to force herself to feign interest. Since first year she and Colin had bonded over their love for the Boy-Who-Lived but as they got older they had become close friends. When more of their fellow Gryffindors joined them, Colin thankfully guided their attention away from the brooding girl, tossing her a questioning look. Ginny shook her head, forced a weak smile, and challenged Colin to a game of wizard chess.
It seemed like forever before they arrived at Hogwarts. Thankfully Ginny's mood had improved making the carriage ride to the school ground much more enjoyable. As much as Ginny hated to admit it, she couldn't help but think that maybe this year wouldn't be so bad. It was hard to imagine that outside this bubble that was Hogwarts that there could really be a dark wizard hunting down her brother's best friend. Oh, how easy it was to imagine how normal everything was one moment then only to have all those comforting thoughts ripped away at the last moment.
That would be how the welcoming feast started.
Students gathered around the diminished house tables, eyes scanning the group and categorizing those who had not returned from the summer break. The Gryffindors were definitely more upbeat than most of the other tables, chatting animatedly and trying to think positive. The Slytherin table was by far the smallest; most of the children had transferred schools or had left to join their parents as Death Eaters. Ginny knew all about being forced into an undesired roll by your parents. The only difference between them and her was that she refused to be corralled onto a path she didn't want. "One way or another", Ginny swore to herself, "I will fight in this war".
After the sorting (six new children for Gryffindor), Dumbledore rose gracefully from his chair, "Welcome back everyone. I would like to start this year with a few words of warning. As you know, Voldemort has returned and is in the process of increasing his power once again." Dumbledore look around the room, his eyes gliding seamlessly over the student body, "Many of you are at risk. Those who are Muggle-born have the highest risk for being here, but alas not even those who are pure-blood are safe anymore. Unfortunately our sources are spread to thin to guarantee protection for your families at home. Therefore, no one will be allowed to leave the school grounds without teacher supervision. Hogsmeade trips will be cancelled until further notice, and students will no longer be able to return home for Christmas holiday." The old wizard sighed softly, "I am truly sorry for these turn of events. "
Silence fell over the room. Ginny turned to a shaking Colin beside her, his breathing harsh as he tried to keep himself in check. "Colin," Ginny whispered softly, "Let's get out of here. Go for a walk or something, yeah?"
Colin shook his head slowly, "How can Professor Dumbledore not care that families are dying out there. My Dad, there is no one to protect him, what if the Death Eaters find him, what if…" Colin trailed off, tears prickling his eyes, "I think I need to go find Dennis, yeah, Dennis needs me." With that Colin grabbed his younger brother's hand and left the hall.
Ginny watched her friend leave the room, sighing softly. It must be hard to know that while he was safe here in the castle his Muggle family and friends would be out in the war zone. But then again, wasn't her own family is the same position? Weren't her loved ones all leading different missions against the Dark Lord? The only difference was that her family chose to place themselves in danger; they chose to sacrifice their lives for the good of wizarding kind despite the dangers that would rain down upon them.
So why was she not allowed to make that same choice?
Ginny stood from the table, her food only half eaten, and stormed from the dinning hall. She ignored the looks from her fellow Gryffindor's and instead stomped off to the Room of Requirement for some much needed peace. Unfortunately her plan was shattered the exact moment that she ran into a very solid object.
"Five points from Gryffindor for not watching where you are going, Miss Weasley," Snape snapped.
Snape rushed past her leaving Ginny to stare at his billowing robes. Severus Snape, now that man was a conundrum. Everything was an oxymoron with that man. He would make it as hard as possible to like him, but then be insulted when you thought badly of him. As a double agent, Ginny knew it was his job to confuse people and hide behind a facade, but who was the real Severus Snape?
Ginny couldn't help but admit that she had always been a bit curious about him. Harry never told her much about the older man; she knew that the Potions Master and Boy-Who-Lived had finally reached some sort of an understanding and that Harry trusted Snape, but he never really explained what exactly had caused this trust to form. Stifling a yawn, the red head shrugged off her thoughts and decided bed would be the best course of action.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please review all! I need tons of feedback to help guide my thoughts. Thanks!