Chapter 1 Reluctant Juliet
"I have to what?!?" Sixteen-year-old Ginny Weasley shrieked.
"It's hardly an extraordinary request, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said as she pushed her spectacles back up her nose. "We are performing Romeo and Juliet. You are Juliet. You have to kiss Romeo."
"But why does it have to be him??"
"Because he's the one who got the part." Professor McGonagall gave her a look. "Now honestly, Miss Weasley, don't you think you're overreacting just a bit? You only have to kiss him a few times and one of those times you'll be dead anyway."
"But--" Ginny protested.
"No more buts, Miss Weasley. Either you do this or you forfeit the part to your understudy. Now, which will it be?"
Ginny sighed in resignation and hugged her school books to her. "Okay, Professor, I'll do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to like it."
Professor McGonagall smiled slightly. "That's why it's called acting , Miss Weasley. Now you'd best get back to class. I just wanted to touch base with you on this to make sure you knew what was coming."
Ginny nodded sullenly and headed toward the door.
"Rehearsal is at 7 o'clock sharp, Miss Weasley." Professor McGonagall called out. "I trust you won't be late."
Ginny waved resignedly in response then headed slowly back to class. Suddenly she found herself dreading that night's rehearsal.