House: Gryffindor

Year: 5

Category: Drabble

Prompt: [Emotion] Hopeful

Word Count: 420

"Here we go," Ginny Weasley whispered to herself, holding her backpack in her arms, not knowing what to do next.

An 18 year old with packed bags and 10 pounds in her pocket, on a train to Amsterdam with strange muggles. Who would know what to do next? She was running away. Running away from anything that would remind her of the life she wanted to leave behind. Sure, she loved her family. But nobody really understood her. At least not since Fred died.

It's better for everyone if we don't get into the details of what happened.

She had no plan in mind other than to get as far away as possible.

All she did was hope everything would turn out alright.

It had just been a couple hours on the train, and Ginny had already found a friend. Her name was Ashley, and turns out she was a witch too. Ashley had recognized Ginny from when she played for the Harpies.

Luckily for Ginny, Ashley knew a place in Amsterdam where you can exchange galleons for pounds.

"You really saved my life today, Ashley," Ginny said once they got off the train, heading towards the exit.

"Hey, no problem. It's not everyday I get to meet a Quidditch star!" Ashley replied, grinning from ear to ear.

Ginny smiled. She knew running away wasn't the only choice she had, but it was the best one. She just hoped it was the right choice.

"You need to go back, Ginny," Ashley finally spoke her mind.

It had been 4 weeks since the day the young redhead left her home.

"What do you mean?" Ginny replied, brows furrowing.

"I mean that you're moping around. You want to go back home, but you're too proud to face everyone."

Ginny smiled sadly, she knew Ashley was correct. "How did you get to know me so well?"

"I'm just hoping sending you back isn't the wrong move," Ashley thought out loud.

"What are you thinking?" the redhead's friend spoke as they approached the Burrow.

"I'm just hoping everyone doesn't hate me," Ginny replied, not quite sure how to enter.

Back in the Burrow

"What's wrong, Ron?" George asked his brother with a hint of worry in his tone.

"Our sister's gone, that's what's wrong!" Ron said, half shouting. "I'm just hoping she comes back, George. Everything's wrong without her."

And then the door opened, and Ginny Weasley entered her home. She looked at her five brothers, all gathered in the dining room.

"I'm back."