Anything from the Harry Potter books belong to JK Rowling, who rocks. And a very special thanks to the fic that inspired this, Rose Among the Thorns: The Third Evans Sister by Jedi Blu, Lady at Large.
It begins, as with most quaint tales, with a train ride.

Ron Harry and Hermione immediately went off to claim a compartment, leaving Ginny on her own as usual. Well, best find a place to settle down, Ginny thought, hoisting her trunk into a more comfortable position. Grumbling to herself about useless lumps for brothers, Ginny made her way down the train, only to find the only compartment not packed to the brim contained Draco Malfoy and his goon platoon

So Ginny moved up the train.

And just when her arms were going from "going to fall off" to numb, she found a compartment half way through the last passenger car. There was just one girl there, she looked to be about Ron's age, with long raven hair that seemed to flow and weave as if it had a mind of its own. Ginny was put very much in mind of Harry's unruly locks. The girl was just absently stroking a little dog, which Ginny recognized as being a Beagle. The Beagle began to bay as Ginny slid open the door.

The strange girl looked over from the window, revealing steely grey eyes. Ginny studied her further as the girl silenced the Beagle with a tap to the head, she determined that strange girl's face was long and thin with pale skin, it was also a little pointed, giving her a rather aristocratic look. This girl was smaller then Harry, if by only a few inches. But when she smiled Ginny just about had heart attack.

The stranger had Harry's smile!

"Is something wrong?" Ginny blinked, unaware she had been openly staring at the girl.

"What?" she replied dumbly.

"You're looking at me like you've seen a ghost or something." Was the reply. Ginny looked sheepish, and blushed profusely.

"Sorry, today must have put me pout of me mickey!" The girl laughed, a soft sound, and then extended out her hand to Ginny.

"I'm Gabby." Ginny shook her hand with her free one, answering "Ginny Weasely."

"That short for Virginia?"

"No." Here Ginny grimaced. She hated her full first name, "Ginerva." (this is confirmed by JK Rowling herself.)

"Really?" Ginny nodded, "My Mum's middle name is Ginerva."

"Smashing." Was Ginny's reply, then a cold nose made her to jump and drop her trunk.

"Boscow!" scolded Gabby, snapping her fingers over the seat beside her. Immediately Boscow the Beagle leapt into the seat, and sat down.

"That's a well trained dog you got there!"

"Thanks. Found him in Ellensburg." Was the reply as Gabby hoisted Ginny's trunk up into the carrying nets and Ginny settled herself into the seat in front of Gabby

"Ellensburg?"

"It's about two hours east of Seattle, Washington."

"I had a Pen-friend from Seattle. That'd make you American then?" Gabby nodded, "Isn't there a huge academy for magic in that city?"

"Starsborough Academy for Witchcraft and Wizardry." Gabrielle returned, nodding in confirmation, "That's where I went until Mum got a job at Hogwarts, she's English, and with Dad's death and all…" Here, Gabby stopped and Ginny could see the slightly glassy-eyed look of someone about to cry. So, Ginny handed Gabby a nice handkerchief, and looked away.

"There was really nothing left for us. Dad's folks died a few years ago, and his sister… well, it's not something I like really thinking about. Mum's family died a long time ago too." Ginny turned to Gabby to take back the handkerchief.

"What about you? How many people are in your family?"

"Nine. There's Mum and Dad, plus my brothers. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. And me of course."

"You have six brothers?"

"And we've all got red hair." Ginny stated proudly. At that, Gabby grinned, before stating, "I was raised alone. Mum says I have a half brother over here, but we've never met. Doubt he even knows I exist." Ginny blinked, a bit surprised, but Gabby explained, "My natural father bailed on Mum when she found out she was pregnant. My dad, actually my stepfather, couldn't have kids. But he adopted me when I was five, and raised me, so he was my dad." Ginny smiled.

"He sounds like a wonderful man."

"Yes." That was the last they spoke before a prefect found them and told them it was time to change into their Hogwarts robes.

"By the way Gabby," Ginny called as she slid the black robes over her head, careful not to disturb her miniature ponytail, "What house are you hoping to be sorted into?"

"Oh! I was sorted when we first moved here."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I HATE being the center of the attention. I'd die if I had to get up there with the first years. Dumbledore was really nice about it." Somehow, Ginny felt that she wasn't getting the whole truth, but decided to bother Gabby about it later.

"What house were you sorted into?"

"Gryffindor."

"That's my house!"

"Well isn't it lucky for me!" The girls grinned huge grins, just in time for the train to come to stop. They then excitedly clambered off the train, Gabby telling a joke about a man with a wooden leg named smith.

Note from the Chica: Yes, the first chapter done! Much thanks to Vega Sailor and Sand3 (who both have Harry Potter fics and love reviews, hint hint, nudge nudge) for listening to me whine about the difficulty with this chapter, and their excellent advice. As you see it turned out great. Now please review for me!