Disclaimer: This world belongs to J.K. Rowling and I'm merely playing in it. I am making no money off of my writing at all.
Author's Note: Hi, guys! This is my first every fanfiction! This story is mostly outlined and I hope to finish within three months. However, I've got a couple of characters giving me a hard time about where they think they should be versus where I planned them to be. I hope to write an interesting story. Currently, it is pretty tame, as I am starting with Ginny Weasley's first year of school. The story will span several years of her life, however, and things will get much darker and mature fairly quickly. I may have to change the rating at some point, we will see. Reviews are appreciated, as I have never done this before! Thanks a bunch!
Ginevra Weasley was one tough eleven year old, if she did say so herself. And she did. She was the youngest of seven, and the only girl. Daily survival in her crowded home demanded a certain level of physical, mental, and emotional fortitude. Ginny was more than up to the task. Despite this, she found she had one weakness. She absolutely could NOT talk to Harry Potter without sputtering like a fool and blushing scarlet every bloody time.
Harry was spending what was left of the summer with at The Burrow, and Ginny found herself drawn to him in a way she'd never felt before. She wanted to be near him, to speak to him, to get to know him. Yet, every time she attempted, she ended up fleeing in utter embarrassment. Of course, tonight the dinner, rowdy as usual, was focused entirely on the brief altercation between her Dad and Lucius Malfoy at the book store. The entire family expressed indignation over that prat, Ginny included. As dinner drew to an end, Ginny slipped quietly up to her small bedroom to finish packing for Hogwarts. Usually, she would stay downstairs with the boys, maybe play a game of wizard's chess or exploding snap. Tonight, Ginny felt like being alone.
As she packed her things neatly away, she contemplated what Hogwarts would be like. Would she make friends? She wasn't very good with people. She was too aggressive, and very competitive. She was also, she had to admit to herself, a little spoiled. Not with material items, of course. She folded and tucked her thrift store robes into her well-worn trunk. Generally, though, Ginny got what Ginny wanted. She was the baby after all. She stacked her books neatly, and found an odd leather-bound book she didn't remember buying. Opening it, she found only blank pages, slightly yellowed with age. A diary, perhaps? Maybe her dad had bought it as a gift. He did things like that sometimes, generally asking her to keep quiet. Mum didn't like to spend any extra on unneeded items, especially at the beginning of the school year. She decided to make an entry. Grabbing a quill and inkpot, she perched on her bed and used her knee as a desk.
Dear Diary,
My name is Ginny Weasley, and I am eleven years old. Tomorrow, I will go to Hogwarts for the first time. I am nervous and excited. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight!
She paused, not sure what else to write about. Her words seemed to sink into the parchment and vanish, to her astonishment. The page was completely empty again! Brows furrowed, she watched as ink began to bleed back onto the page, forming words once more. They were not her words, however.
Hello, Ginny Weasley. My name is Tom. Hogwarts is quite an exciting adventure, to be sure.
"Merlin's beard!" Ginny gasped. What a neat bit of magic this was! She'd never heard of such a thing before.
She wrote, What are you?
I am a memory, of sorts. My creator wanted a way in which to keep his knowledge in the event that he was unable to pass it on, answered the diary.
Can you do magic still? Ginny asked.
The words spilled from the depths of the parchment, it seemed, as Tom the diary replied, No. I can merely answer you. I can share information, I can give advice, and I can be a listening ear. A friend, even.
I could use a friend, Ginny admitted. My brothers say that I'm not very likable.
Oh, you seem quite endearing to me, Ginny Weasley.
Thank you, Tom. I believe I will be able to sleep after all. I will write again after I've arrived at Hogwarts. Ginny found herself smiling. This was an amazing book!
Sleep well, dear Ginny.
Morning came all too soon, and Mum was haranguing them all to hurry, hurry, hurry! Ginny was already dressed and ready to go. She'd hardly been able to eat as her anxiety returned. She'd spent her entire life stepping through that brick wall and watching her brothers leave her to go to Hogwarts and it was finally her turn!
She barely registered the passing time as they made it to the train station. Passing through the barrier, it felt like she was seeing the Hogwarts Express with new eyes. A sudden commotion brought her sharply back to reality.
"Mum, what's happened?" she asked. Molly Weasley was furious.
"The wall has been blocked!" she nearly screeched. "Ronald and Harry are still on the other side!"
"Now, calm down, Molly," Arthur tried, but Molly wouldn't be calmed. The train whistled. Molly pulled Ginny into a brief hug.
"Go ahead, dear. Your father and I will handle this. You need to board the train quickly now. Write me as soon as you're Sorted, dear!" Molly said hastily. Her dad kissed her quickly on the forehead, and they were both striding away. Another day, another crisis, Ginny thought. Putting it from her mind, she did as her mother said and boarded the waiting train.
Ginny tossed her long red hair over her shoulder and made sure to exude confidence, though it was only a façade. She was a witch, and a Weasley, and the world couldn't throw anything at her that she couldn't handle! The first compartment she came to was full of upper classmen, and she moved along quickly. It wasn't long before she found an empty one, and took a seat by the window. She had decided to read one of Lockhart's books on the way to school, to pass the time. She leaned back in her seat, using one leg to prop the heavy book on and leaving the other to swing back and forth. The very picture of casual confidence, she figured. She hadn't even gotten the first page read before the door slid open.
"May I sit here?" The girl was small, with large liquid blue eyes and ridiculously long wavy white-blond hair. She wasn't looking at Ginny, but gazing vaguely around the compartment.
"Of course," Ginny said. "I'm Ginny Weasley."
"I'm Luna Lovegood," answered the impish girl, taking Ginny's proffered hand. Instead of shaking it, she pulled it closer to her face and examined both the palm and the fingers quite intensely. "You are an enigma, Ginny," she said, releasing the hand and taking a seat opposite Ginny. "Perhaps you've been playing near Hortling Branspiras?"
"Ah, no, I don't think—"Ginny sputtered, but the door was suddenly occupied again.
"Ginny! Have you seen Harry and Ron?" Hermione Granger, her long bushy hair nearly bristling with the witch's energy, stood in the doorway.
"No, I haven't. The barrier to the platform blocked them from entering. Mum and Dad said not to worry, they'd handle it."
"The barrier blocked them? That's completely unheard of. I must find a professor," Hermione swirled away again, disappearing as suddenly as she had appeared. The door slammed shut behind her.
Luna looked at the door momentarily before making eye contact with Ginny for the first time. Ginny quirked and eye brow at her, and Luna sighed. "Wrackspurts," she said wispily, making a vague open-handed gesture around her ears. For some reason, this struck Ginny as funny.
"Totally," she agreed, before giving in to a fit of giggles.
Ginny's first real view of Hogwarts took her breath away. Nothing, none of the stories told to her by her family and not even pictures in the books she had read, could have prepared her for the majesty of the castle. Ancient stone walls rose high above them, stone ramparts topping them like a royal crown. Candlelight shone out from all the visible windows, and tall towers stood above it all, seemingly surveying the world around them. Ginny Weasley was in love.
Waiting with the other first years in the huge entry way, Ginny felt as if her heart would pound right out of her chest. They were met by a tall woman with a stern face.
"Welcome, First Years," she said, her voice lilting with a gentle Scottish accent. "I am Professor McGonagall, and I will be escorting you the Sorting." Ginny felt as if she knew all about this professor already. As if sensing her thoughts, Professor McGonagall turned her gaze to Ginny. Her eyes widened for a moment with shock, and then she gave a very small smile. "A Weasley, then? Very well, let us all make way to the Great Hall."
As the huge doors opened and McGonagall led the way ahead of them, every first year stared around in amazement. The huge ceiling was open to the beautiful starry sky, with candles floating all around above them. A complicated charm, Ginny knew. It was still quite magnificent to behold. The group came to a stop at the head of the room, in front of a long table at which sat many teachers and the headmaster. Albus Dumbledore was world famous, and not even his striking yellow robes with shimmering purple runes could diminish the power that he exuded. He regarded the first years with bright blue eyes that twinkled merrily.
On a stool at the head of the huge room was an old ratty wizard's hat, pointed by saggy. There seemed to be a large tear at the brim, which opened and began to—sing? Yes, the hat was singing. Ginny almost laughed at the absurdity, astounded that her family hadn't told her about a magical singing hat!
"I know I'm not much to look at,
I'm not a pretty cap.
But, as you'll soon find,
Looks truly bear no mind.
You see, it's my sacred duty,
To put you in your place.
I've got smarts, not beauty,
So come to me with haste.
Do you go to sly Slytherin,
The House of strong ambition?
There to grow in power,
Your life a blooming flower?
Perhaps you are a Hufflepuff,
Where you find the truly tough?
Loyal, honest, and hardworking,
Will you find out if you're worthy?
Ah, brave and brash, a Gryffindor,
Are you one of these proud number?
Would you let danger find a friend,
Without you there to stand against?
Maybe you are a Ravenclaw,
Wisdom and knowledge over all?
Finding answers to life's query,
Not always careful, your mind is busy?
Always remember the Houses Four,
Stand united at Hogwarts' door.
Against all calamity you will fight,
Together as one, Houses unite.
So come to me, with open minds,
I'll tell you where your likeness finds,
Never mind that I'm too old and bent,
There's never been a student wrongly sent!"
Silence fell as the Hat ended its song, though only for a moment before the Hall rang with polite applause. McGonagall took her place beside the stool, and a long roll of parchment appeared in her hand. She began calling names. As each child was called, they would scamper up to the stool. The stern professor would place the dilapidated Sorting Hat upon the student's head, and the Hat would soon shout out which House the student belonged in. Ginny was positive she would be in Gryffindor. All of her brothers were, and her parents had been as well.
"Ginevra Weasley!" called Professor McGonagall. Ginny made her way to the stool, her shoulders straight and her head held high. She tossed her hair over her shoulder just as the Hat slid over her eyes.
"Hmmm. A… Weasley, then? How peculiar." The Hat seemed to be speaking directly into her ear. Ginny wasn't certain if the voice was in her head or not. "Quite a bit of bravery and determination, I see. Definitely some strong Gryffindor traits. However… That's simply not where you belong."
"Excuse me?" Ginny muttered, almost silent. The Hat seemed to hear her fine, though. It chuckled.
"Oh, yes, I can see quite clearly what you expected, child. Your path lies elsewhere. You are not exactly who you think you are. But where to put you. You are very clever, knowledge has a lot of importance to you. Ravenclaw, perhaps? You could do quite well for yourself in Ravenclaw…"
"I'm a GRYFFINDOR," Ginny hissed. The Hat ignored her.
"Truly a loyal heart, I see. Hufflepuff wouldn't suffer for having you. But is that where you will truly shine?" Ginny began to panic slightly. What was happening? She was a Weasley, so she was a Gryffindor! "Ah, a Weasley, you say? Not exactly, my dear. You must listen carefully to me. Your destiny is fraught with danger. Your task will not be an easy one in the years to come. You will not understand at first, but child, the safety of the wizarding world falls on your young shoulders."
"WHAT are you on about?" Ginny whispered fiercely.
"Nothing to concern yourself with right away child. Wars cannot be won overnight, and child soldiers should relish their youth for as long as they are given. Good luck to you… Gentiana Potter." The next word was shouted for the whole Hall to hear. "SLYTHERIN!"
Ginny couldn't move. The Hat was removed from her head, revealing a shocked student body. Applause started slowly, and McGonagall pressed gently on Ginny's back to get her moving. Ginny looked up at the woman with wide eyes. McGonagall had already schooled her face into what was supposed to be a calm and reassuring look. She nodded and Ginny shakily made her way to the Slytherin table. Every step of the way felt wrong to her. What had happened? She didn't look for her brothers at all, and she didn't notice the sharp stare of the Headmaster following her to the table.
"Now, with another successful Sorting under our belts, I must say only a few words. As usual, the Forbidden Forest is named so for a reason. Please avoid finding yourselves there for any reason whatsoever, students. I welcome all of you to another grand year at Hogwarts, and I hope that our First Years are guided by our older students with kindness." It seemed to Ginny that the old wizard's gaze paused at the Slytherin table for longer than necessary at this statement. "Without further ado, let's eat!"
Food appeared on the tables in that instant, but Ginny found that she wasn't particularly hungry. Something in her chest felt hot and tight. A knot, it seemed, was tangled just beneath her sternum. Gentiana… Potter. What in Merlin's beard was that supposed to mean? The heat from the lump in her chest seemed to radiate through her body. She pushed food around on her plate, unable to stomach more than a few bites.
What would her family think? Was she a Dark Witch? Why did the Sorting Hat call her Gentiana Potter? Potter?! What did this all mean? Ginny's thoughts ran wild as she played with her food. There were only two other girls, and four boys, that had been Sorted into her House with her. Seven baby snakes, she thought bitterly. "Hey," a voice pulled her out of her hateful thoughts. She looked up to see none other than Draco Malfoy, the boy Harry and Ron hated most. "Don't look so glum, Weaslette," he said. His voice wasn't unkind, despite the gibe. "Slytherin isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be." Before she could answer, the feast was ending and she was being led to the dungeons with all the other Slytherins.