Chapter 2

"I could have never known. It's such a bewildering thought that you and me—"

"All good things take time and are often out of the blue." He tilted her chin towards him and—

"Ginny, come on. We've finally stopped. It's time to get going." Luna gently awakened her friend who's eyes fluttered open, "Gin, you still don't have your robes on!" Ginny looked at her muggle garb and sighed.

"I'll be out in a second, tell them to wait for me." Ginny said as she began unbuttoning the burgundy blouse. Luna shut the door and opened the trunk. Since her father had stepped up in the Ministry. Arthur Weasley had become the Head of the Muggle's Affairs Department, which brought in triple his previous revenue and since she was the only girl her mother had began spoiling her with all kinds of things. Among her new belongs were new robes that fit her exactly, silk white blouses, and a peculiar green and red locket on a silver and gold chain. After slipping on her new crisp attire she was sure to cover the precious locket.

"Sheesh Gin what took you so long?" Neville asked as she climbed into the carriage with Hermione, Ron, Harry, Luna, and Neville.

"Buttons are hard." Ginny pouted as she sat in the coach that smelt of old hay.

"I'm sure they are," Hermione rolled her eyes and looked out the make-shift window. There was a dot in the distance that began coming at them. It was very small but grew in size and brightened in color as it came nearer. "Look!" She pointed out the window and Harry turned. He knew the color and shape particularly well and jumped with joy as he saw Fawkes come closer.

"It's Fawkes," He pointed out as the fiery bird landed in the fiery headed girl's lap. He lifted his leg and presented a small scroll no longer then a chocolate frog's leg. Ginny untied it and Fawkes jumped to Harry's lap where he caressed his friend for a moment before fluttering away.

"What's it say?" Ron asked curiously.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to see me as soon as we get there." Ginny said. She didn't bother mentioning the long, spindally explanation as to why but she did.

"Are you in trouble?" Luna asked putting perhaps to much airy emphasis on trouble.

"No. Well, not really. Actually I'm not quite sure his pen is so hard to decipher." Ginny said turning it, like a work of art open to translation by the beholder's eye.

"Here, let me look at it." Harry reached for it but Gin snatched it away.

"No, it's written to me not to you." Ginny said pocketing it. "I'll just have to do what it says and go visit him."

They arrived at the castle and Ginny ascended the stairs to the hall in which the Head Master's office was.

"Come in, come in my dear. We mustn't lurk in doorways, it's rude. One might question your upbringing." Dumbledore said with a smile as Ginny stood outside the gargoyle.

"Sorry sir." Ginny followed him up the stairs and into his office.

"Now, Ginerva, Ginny, do you know why, or understand, why I have asked you to come today?" Dumbledore asked.

"Remotely." Ginny said, taking a deep breath she continued to explain, "I used magic outside of school."

"You did and for that I must punish you, ten points from Gryffindor." Ginny cringed as being the person responsible for losing the first ten points of the year, "And for saving Mr. Malfoy's life, twenty-five points to Gryffindor." He smiled as the young girl perked up.

"Thank you sir." She turned.

"Not so fast young lady." Ginny stopped as she reached for the door.

"Yes Professor?" She asked as she turned.

"I have reason to be concerned about you young lady. But the ironic thing is the person responsible for your well-being at Hogwarts is responsible for the reason I have to be concerned."

"Professor, are you saying that you are concerned about what you are going to do to me?" Ginny asked, completely understanding his dialogue.

"You are a smart girl aren't you?" Ginny nodded and Dumbledore continued.

"I don't know why I'm to be concerned but Professor Trelawney, I know she is not always the most skilled prophetess, during a meeting one day began murmuring uncontrollably. She said 'Hair as hot as flames; brought to the evil side by the head master; Gryffindor princess loses her skill.' She said it over and over until I was able to disern it."

"Sir, what does it mean?" Ginny asked somewhat confused.

"It means that, a girl from the Gryffindor House with hair similar to fire is brought to the evil side by the head master."

"Sir, you wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't and that's what I'm concerned about. If someone is about to take my place, or if I am to do something dreadful without knowing it. But, child tell me how everything is for you right now."

"I have everything I could want, with Dad's promotion. I have new robes, decent muggle clothes, and other apparel." Ginny said thinking back to that morning. "Our house has been fixed up and I received a broom for my O.W.L.s."

"Sounds like you are perfectly happy." Professor Dumbledore frowned, "Materially."

"Sir," Ginny paused trying to find the words to fit her question, "Have you ever felt that something was missing? Almost that something was missing for your world or even that you didn't belong in this world or the life you had but somewhere else?"

"Ginerva, I did. And once in a while I do wonder. Is this the path I was directed? Is this the dream I want to follow?" He patted her on the shoulder. "Ginny, make your choices wisely and be sure not to be afraid to ask me for help for following your dreams."

"See this girl yet?" Blaise said elbowing Draco that had looked at every girl.

"Did you have any idea that there were so many girls with red hair at this school?" Draco asked.

"There's a lot of people. Lots of girls. Lots of red heads."

"Aren't red heads supposed to be rare?" Crabbe asked. Blaise glared at him and Draco nodded.

"Yeah, they are supposed to be really rare." Draco said with a smile. The Great Hall doors swung open and Professor Dumbledore swept in, followed by a Little Witch in a black hat.

"Hey, there's your mysterious girlfriend." Blaise elbowed Draco but he didn't take his eyes off her, until she sat inbetween the Mud-Blood and Potter.

"Blaise, this is going be a much harder fight then I realized."

"Look, I'm not helping. It's not my problem." Blaise said. Draco grabbed Blaise's tie and pulled him close. "It will be your problem," Malfoy hissed, "When I get through with you." Draco tossed the tie back away and Blaise recomposed himself. "Where do you wanna start boss?" Draco grinned as he again began to look at the fiery headed girls in Slytherin.