AN:This is the first fanfic I've ever written, although I've been reading them for a while. I don't expect to do a very good job because I'm writing the whole story while I'm supposed to be listening at school. Right now I'm not exactly sure where this story is going. I already have several chapters written but I won't add the next chapter until I get at least 5 reviews.
Chapter 1 - Worries and Grief
Ginny Weasley sat in her bedroom at the Burrow, so caught up in her romance novel that she didn't hear the person enter her room.
"Ginny?" came Percy's tentative voice. He had recently admitted he was wrong about Fudge, and while Mrs. Weasley had welcomed him back with open arms, he was still walking on eggshells around the rest of the family.
The petite redhead marked her page in the book by folding the corner and set it on her bedside table. She looked up inquiringly at her older brother.
"Dinner's ready, Mum told me to come get you," he answered her unasked question.
Ginny nodded, still unwilling to forgive him for betraying the family...and Harry. At this thought she frowned slightly. Since Harry couldn't come to the Burrow, and nobody thought it was a good idea for him to go to number 12, Grimmauld Place, he had to stay with the Dursley's all summer. No matter how cheerful Ron said his friend sounded in his letters, Ginny was sure it was just an act. That just worried her even more. She recalled acting the same way after the Chamber of Secrets. and that didn't lead to anybody's death.
She slowly followed Percy down the stairs and into the kitchen. Her entire family was sitting around the table, chattering loudly as usual. Bill and Charlie had come home to help with the Order shortly after Voldemort's rendezvous at the Ministry of Magic. Ginny sighed as she sank down in the seat across from Ron.
"What's up Gin?" her youngest brother asked.
"Just worried about him." There was no need to tell Ron who she was talking about.
"Me too Gin, me too. But he is doing fine, I got a letter from him yesterday."
"I just wish there was something I could do. Its awful that he has to stay with the Dursley's now of all times." Ron adopted a thoughtful look before replying.
"You could write him a letter. After Sirius...well...he just has me and Hermione now. You should..." Glaring, Ginny cut him off abruptly.
"I don't think he'd appreciate a letter from his best friend's little sister Ron."
"It was just a suggestion, calm down woman. Write to him if you're so worried. What can it hurt?"
Me she thought to herself sighing, before replying quietly "Fine. I'll write to Harry." She got up from the table, no longer hungry, and returned to her room.
Contrary to popular belief, Ginny Weasley was not over the Boy-Who-Lived, but it was not from lack of trying. She'd had two boy friends during her fourth year and she had convinced herself she no longer had a crush on him. Now she was sure it was something more. That was why she had insisted on joining her brother and his friends on their excursion to the Department of Mysteries. She had to help Harry.
They had never been close, so she wasn't exactly sure what to write. The letter had to sound sincere so she didn't want to spend a lot of time thinking about it. Finally she just wrote the first thing that came to mind. Ginny raced to Ron's room and quickly attached the letter to Pig's leg and sent him on his way before she could chicken out.
As she watched the retreating owl she cursed herself under her breath. She was utterly embarrassed. She'd worked so hard last year not to act like a total idiot in front of Harry and she'd succeeded until that damn letter.
***
Harry Potter was a mess. There was no other way to describe him. Not only was he in desperate need of a shower, but his clothes were dirty and wrinkled, and it looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks. In fact he hadn't slept well in weeks. He'd been having nightmares ever since he had arrived back at Privet Drive.
Harry lay on his bed staring blankly at the wall. He didn't even look up when his aunt pushed his dinner through the cat-flap fitted in his door. His aunt and uncle were happy to accommodate for his self-imposed imprisonment. His pale skin showed that he hadn't been outside all summer and he only left his room for trips to the bathroom.
Pigwidgeon flitted in through his window and flew into the wall, finally breaking Harry out of his trance-like state . He rose from the bed and took the letter from him before dumping his entire meal into Hedwig's food dish. She hooted disapprovingly (Harry had lost a lot of weight this summer) but both owls gulped down the food gratefully.
Remembering Pig had brought him a letter he sighed. All summer he had been trying to convince Ron and Hermione he was fine...but he wasn't. Although he hated lying to his friends he didn't want them worrying about him. Harry opened the letter and peered at the unfamiliar, tidy handwriting, before checking the signature. Ginny. Why was she writing to him?
Dear Harry,
How are you? No don't answer that! I know you are doing awful. You sit around doing nothing all day but blaming yourself for Sirius' death. You haven't started your summer homework. You have nightmares so you aren't sleeping well and you stink because you haven't taken a shower in weeks.
Harry blinked. How did she know? He thought he had fooled both of s friends but little Ginny Weasley, who he hardly spoke to, saw right through him. He turned his eyes back to the letter.
Don't worry, Ron still thinks you are fine. Have you considered becoming an actor? You could be the next Michael J. Fox.
Seriously though, you can talk to me about it. I promise not to laugh (that would be cruel) and I won't mention it to anyone else. It will make you feel better and keep me from worrying so much. Well first thing's first. Go take a shower this instant or you'll be receiving a howler from me tomorrow Harry James Potter!
Love,
Ginny
Harry smiled slightly as he set the letter down on his desk. He got out a fresh pair of clothes for the first time this summer, and left his room to go take a shower.