Written for the Marathon Competition (3 of 7 Weasley fics) and the Ultimate Patronus Quest (horse: write about Ginny Weasley)
Content Warning: implied attempted sexual assault
"You know what they say about redheads, don't you?" the boy by the stream says.
Ginny tenses. She doesn't like attention, and the way he stares at her makes her skin crawl.
"Fancy letting me find out if it's true?"
He steps closer, reaching for her. Ginny wishes that she were older, that she had a wand and knew the amazing spells that her brothers know. But she's only seven, and the boy is older, maybe twelve or thirteen, and she feels her heart racing, her nerves stretched so thin that they might snap.
"My brothers are nearby," she says, and it isn't a complete lie. They'd hear her scream, she's sure of it. But she's wandered off, and she doesn't know if they'd reach her in time.
The boy smirks. "Really? I don't see anyone," he says, and now he's almost on top of her. "Not very nice to lie."
He grabs her by the hair, and she screams. But she can't just rely on her voice. This boy means to hurt her, and Ginny will not let that happen. She swings her arms wildly. She's wrestled with her brothers before, but only when their parents weren't within earshot to remind the boys that Ginny is so small and delicate. Her tiny knuckles connect with the boy again and again.
"Don't touch me!" she screams. "Keep your filthy hands off of me you- you- you-"
Tears dot her lashes, burning her eyes, but she doesn't stop swinging, not until she hears a familiar voice. "Ginny? Ginny!"
The boy releases her, and Ginny takes in the damage she's done. His face is red, but she doubts it will even bruise. More than anything, she's probably wounded his pride.
"I was just playing," the boy says with a scowl.
"Jimmy Baxter?" Bill says. "I've seen your mum in town. Want me to tell her how you like to sneak up on little girls?"
The boy's cheeks glow red, and it has nothing to do with Ginny's fists. "No sir," he mumbles.
"Get out of here. Now," Bill says, and the boy nods, hurrying off.
Ginny takes a step back when Bill turns his attention to her. He's going to tell Mum and Dad, and then she'll get in trouble for fighting a Muggle boy. She sniffles, wiping the tears from her eyes.
But her brother's touch is gentle as he examines her. "Did he hurt you?"
Ginny shakes her head. "I didn't want to fight him! But I didn't have a choice! Honest!"
Bill chuckles and holds her close, kissing her forehead. "We were all so sure we'd have to protect you," he tells her. "Looks like you're going to put us out of a job."
"What do they say about redheads, Bill?" she asks.
"I'm sorry?"
"He said he wanted to find out if it's true. What's that mean?"
Bill's face blanches, and he holds her even tighter. "Thank God," he says. "Thank God I found you when I did."
"What's it mean?" she insists.
"You'll understand one day. But not today. Come on. Let's get you home."
And Ginny doesn't understand any of it, but Bill is sixteen and wise, and if he thinks that she doesn't need to know yet, she'll accept it. "Do you think Mum will let us have ice cream?"
Bill smiles at her, but she can't help but notice how sad he looks. "Maybe, kid," he says, looking over his shoulder.