Chapter I: Initium
A/Ns: Hello and welcome to my first ever fanfic. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.
This story takes place in Ginny's fifth year, Draco's (and Harry's) sixth, which would mean the sixth book, for those particularly gifted in mathematics. As you may realize, this first chapter is as close to the beginning of the sixth book as possible.
I really don't want to change much of anything that happens in the books; this story is basically the 'behind the scenes' kind of thing. Also, the characters are supposed to act exactly as they would if J.K.R. were writing this. (too bad I'll never be as good as her)
And one more thing: all my Latin that I use in this story is genuine, because unlike most people, I can actually read it and, on good days, speak it. The title of this story in English literally means Help Me to Feel (or Realize). The title of this chapter means The Beginning. So, if you have any other comments or questions, I'd be happy to answer them in a review. Now, without further ado…on with the show!
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter book series. sigh But I do own a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone written in Latin! (You may now call the author a complete nerd. Go ahead.)
In this chapter: The mystery of Harry Potter's bloody nose, Ginny daydreams (or not so much) about Malfoy, and Some playful and exasperating banter.
Ginny Weasley sat in the Great Hall surrounded by happily chattering people and gazed at the ceiling. It had always fascinated her from her very first day at Hogwarts. Right now, it was covered with beautiful sparkling stars that flickered every now and then as a thin cloud passed over them.
When Ginny was little she would often get scolded by her mum and belittled by her brothers for staring off into space and ignoring the world around her. As she grew older, she became less of a dreamer and more of an "achiever" as her mum put it. Smiling slightly, she remembered her first day at Hogwarts. Back then, she was a shy, blushing little girl who was intimidated by almost everything. Now that she was in her fifth year, however, she was a strong-willed, independent person who stood up for whatever (or whoever, she thought dreamily as she glanced over at Harry) she believed in.
Shaking her head slightly, she reminded herself yet again that Harry would never notice her the way she wanted him to. He would always just consider her to be like a sister.
Besides, she thought, Dean's a great boyfriend. She glanced over at her current boyfriend, who was now deep in conversation with his best friend, Seamus Finnigan, assuredly defending his favorite sports team, the West Ham football team, which Ginny had learned more about than she ever wished to in the short time they had been dating.
She glanced back at Harry, who was now glowering at the Slytherin table. She quickly looked over and caught Draco Malfoy doing an apparently hilarious impression (at least to the Slytherins). She couldn't quite understand what he was trying to portray, but when she noticed the repeatedly exaggerated hand gestures towards his nose, everything seemed to click into place.
Harry had come into the Great Hall with blood all over his face. When Hermione had cleaned it off for him, he had asked, "How's my nose looking?" Ginny had been surprised by the question at the time, but now it all made sense. Malfoy must've done something to make Harry late for the feast and, in the process, given him a bloody nose.
She glared with renewed hatred at the source of the now raucous laughter coming from the Slytherin table. Oh…how she wanted to hit him with a good curse right now…a Bat-Bogey Hex…maybe a couple of random charms from that brilliant book Fred and George had given her for her birthday, 1,001 Charms, Potions, and Spells for Enemies, Siblings, or Other Pests…and maybe slug him in what was left of his face for good measure…
"Ginny! C'mon, you've gotta back me up!" Dean said, shaking her out of reverie.
"Huh?" Ginny said, snapping her head back to the conversation.
Dean just shook his head while Seamus smirked broadly, obviously happy that Ginny couldn't help Dean in the argument. Ginny smiled apologetically at her boyfriend, but was unable to say anything more because at that exact moment, Dumbledore stood up to make his Start of Term announcements.
"The very best of evenings to you!" he began, smiling broadly and spreading his arms wide.
"What happened to his hand?" Seamus whispered, staring wide-eyed at the blackened remainder. Down the table, Ginny could hear Harry and Hermione discussing the same topic and what may have caused such an injury. She listened to all the whispers now surrounding them, then turned her attention back to Dumbledore, who was continuing with his speech as if everyone was listening carefully.
"…and Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
Ginny shared an amused smirk with Ron before going back to listening.
"Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise.
"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn"—Slughorn stood, smiling indulgently at the students—"is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."
Surely Ginny had misunderstood the headmaster. Slughorn? The Potions master? If Slughorn was teaching Potions and there were no other new teachers—she quickly scanned the staff table for confirmation—that must mean…no…surely not…
"Professor Snape, meanwhile," continued Dumbledore, "will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"No!" shouted Harry, voicing her thoughts completely. She glared up at Snape, who acknowledged the students with a mere wave of his hand, not even bothering to stand. Incensed, Ginny shifted her glare over to Dumbledore. How could he do this?
After a few moments of mutinous mutterings, Dumbledore resumed his speech, now addressing the subject of Voldemort and the Death Eaters and how important it was that everyone follows the rules established for the student body's safety. He paused, sweeping over the students with his blue eyes before continuing.
"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"
Ginny got to her feet and suddenly realized just how tired she was. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned widely, dragging her sore feet toward the entrance hall. Dean poked her in the side, making her quickly lower her arms and giggle, being highly ticklish.
"Stop," she muttered, swatting his hand away.
"Just having some fun, Gin," he said, grinning.
"Oh, is it fun you want, Thomas?" she replied teasingly, poking him roughly in the side a few times.
The two laughed and continued on their way to Gryffindor Tower, bantering back and forth, and accompanied by an exasperated Seamus.
By the time Ginny stretched out on her wonderfully soft and warm four-poster bed, she was exhausted enough to drop off immediately. Before she lost consciousness, she stirred up enough energy to pull the covers over herself, then promptly fell asleep.
A/N: So??? What'd you think?? I know it's really short and to the point, but I had to have an intro sort of chapter that sets up the story. Plenty of D/G coming up soon! If you're kind enough to leave a review, I'll be kind enough to answer it with more than just the customary, "Thanks!" Don't be afraid to criticize, I'd be more than happy to improve my writing. And by criticize, I mean something like, "You really need to have more character speech." or "I didn't get enough of Ginny feelings or personality in this intro." Just as long as it's not something completely unproductive like, "This story sucks." or "You should burn yourself at the stake, you're so bad." Thanks for reading!