Ginny could not remember the last time she had seen her family so carefree. Even her Mum was enjoying the splendor of Diagon Alley. As they slowly made their way through the shops in search of school supplies, Ginny's mind began to wander. She pulled at her braids in thought. Hermione grinned assuming the tugging was the consciousness that came with a new hair style. "Relax, Ginny. You look amazing!" Hermione laughed linking her arm with Ginny's. Losing track of Hermione's babble, Ginny felt herself being pulled into a new ice cream shop. "I heard this place has the best ice cream, apparently it never melts! What a strange thing…never melting ice cream, though I am sure that the owner himself might have started such a strong rumor. I think he means it takes longer to melt than the regular ice cream…I should try to bring some back for my Mum and Dad. Mum loves strawberry ice cream…." Hermione continued to ramble until Ginny was finally able to wander off with the excuse of needing a bathroom. Ginny made her way towards the small bathroom in the back. As she turned the corner she looked up to see Draco pressed against the wall. His arms tangled around some girl. Ginny gasped and almost instantly regretted she had made any sound at all. Draco and the girl broke apart and looking over the girl's head, he smirked at Ginny.
The girl spun around, "Dracooooo. Who is that?" she whined tugging at his shirt. "Nobody, Rachel, just a friend." Draco replied pulling Rachel closer. Ginny made a small noise in the back of her throat, since when had she and Draco ever been anything that remotely resembled friends? Draco raised his eyebrows in question, "Was that your plan Ginny? Stand there and watch me with a girl? Or, maybe you have somewhere else to be?" He said with a mocking tone. Ginny nodded slowly and walked back to the table where Hermione sat. They sat in silence before Hermione finally spoke up, "So, what ever happened between you and Dean?" Ginny shrugged, "I guess it was something in the beginning but, he just wasn't too great. I dunno." Hermione nodded in sympathetic understanding. Yet Ginny's mind was somewhere far off. She wasn't exactly sure of what had happened on her way to the bathroom. She was still far off by the time the rest of her family had arrived with Harry. "C'mon dearies, time to go home, you've got a big day ahead of you." Ginny's Mum called as she bustled into the ice cream shop. Ginny's Mum held Ginny's chin, "Got everything then? Books? Your cauldron?" She asked as Ginny nodded. "Good, everybody, off to the Burrow I'm thinking."
Early next morning Ginny was awake and packed. Hermione sat on her bed in the shared room reading a book. "I think I'm going to go get some breakfast now, coming?" Hermione asked as she rose from her bed. Ginny nodded and started for the door. Just on the stairs you could hear the noise and excitement coming from the kitchen. The shouts and clanging rose up to Ginny and Hermione's level. With a grin, Ginny and Hermione made their way down to breakfast.
"Let's see now, sausage, gravy, cold potatoes, hot cereal…" Ginny's Mum said as Hermione and Ginny sat down at the table. "Cereal please, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said with a grin. Ginny helped herself to sausage and gravy. No sooner had they finished than it was time to leave. They loaded everyone's trunks into the provided Ministry Car's and clamored in. They arrived right before the train was about to pull off. "Hurry now! Hurry! Harry dear, you mustn't forget Hedwig!" "I won't Mrs. Weasley!" Harry called as he rushed towards the barrier. As he passed into Platform 9 ¾ , Ron began to follow in suit, "Ron dear, don't forget to wash behind the ears!" "Mum!" Ron groaned before entering the barrier. Fred and George laughed, "We remember Mum, and we won't put a toe over the line." They assured her, but Ginny was sure she had heard Fred whisper to George, "She never did say anything about an arm though…" After the twins, it was Ginny's turn. As she started forward, she felt her Mum's hand resting on her arm. She leaned in and said quietly, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, dear."