September 1st, 1998
"Ginny, are you ready?"
Taking an 360° rotation of her room, Ginny's hand stroked her duvet on her bed and she was satisfied that she had everything for Hogwarts. Her eyes fell on the pillow where Harry's head usually rested. This would be the last time she and Harry would stay in this bed until she broke up for the Christmas holidays. She reached over and picked up his pillow, burying her face in its cotton fabric, inhaling the scent of her loved one, memorizing it for future purposes.
The summer had been absolute bliss. She spent her days in the garden, exploring the bordering fields and Apparating to Diagon Alley for a visit to George and an ice-cream. By night, she would curl up by Harry's side next to the fire. Sometimes Ron and Hermione would join them but they left after Harry's birthday to find her parents in Australia. Bill and Fleur would occasionally stay for mugs of hot chocolate. However Harry and Ginny were usually by themselves which they both didn't mind. The summer had definitely been absolute bliss and now it had ended.
She had woken up on Harry's chest by the sun breaking through the curtains. They stayed in bed for as long as they could before Mrs Weasley started banging a metal saucepan with a ladle, awaking the whole house. Excitable chatter filled the breakfast table as everyone was going their separate ways today. Hermione and Ginny were going back to Hogwarts and Harry and Ron were moving into 12 Grimmauld Place to be closer to the Ministry where they would later today start Auror training. Once breakfast was over with, Harry and Ron Apparated to London to take the rest of their belongings to Grimmauld Place while Ginny and Hermione went to check they had packed everything they would need for Hogwarts.
And now Ginny was sitting on her bed, engulfing herself in Harry's scent from his pillow. She heard footsteps echoing up towards her room. Opening her trunk hastily, she bundled Harry's pillow inside and slammed it shut, sitting on it just as Harry knocked gently on the door and came inside.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah I think so. Can you take my trunk down?" She latched the buckle and pulled it towards Harry. She picked up the cage that housed her birthday present, a male Barn Owl with reddish auburn coloured feathers and a pearly white belly called Barney, and she followed Harry, who's body was completely tense as he lifted the trunk down the stairs.
"Harry? You're a wizard," Ginny said, trying not to giggle at Harry's suffering.
"I know Ginny. Thankyou." When Harry spoke, his breath was heavy and deep and the sound of his voice was masked with panting. He stopped on a step that was the first in a set going in a different direction so there was room for him to drop the trunk and catch his breath.
Ginny couldn't help herself this time. She burst into a fit of giggles but when Harry shot her a scowl, she had to stifle her giggles. "Harry, you're a wizard. Why don't you do what most wizards would do?"
The expression on Harry's face was one that was worthy of a picture. His head was cocked to the side with his eyebrows pulled together in a frown and a purse pouting on his lips. "What are you talking about?" he said, resting his body on the nearby banister rail.
"Levitate the trunk Harry!" Ginny said sternly and Harry turned a blushing pink in his cheeks as he pulled out his wand from his back pocket and with a flick he had learnt in his first year, the trunk lifted itself and proceeding down the stairs with Harry, Ginny and a caged Barney following. "Bloody hell," Ginny exhaled loudly under her breath. "Here you are, defeater of Voldemort and yet you don't think to levitate the trunk. They will kick you out of Auror School if they hear of this," Ginny teased, interlacing her fingers around his and following the trunk out of the Burrow.
"Oh my god, Ginny you are just so funny," Harry said, putting on a girly false tone and pretending to laugh frantically. This made Ginny laugh and she nudged him playfully as she had the suspicion he was mimicking her. The nudge made Harry lose focus and the trunk zoomed upwards in the air.
"I got it," Hermione called, drawing her wand from inside her jacket and raising it to the sky. Sure enough, the trunk was led back to the ground, right next to the open boot of the Ministry car that had been hired.
"Some wizard you are," Ginny said playfully before skipping towards the end of the garden.
Platform 9 ¾ was bursting with goodbyes. Everyone was kissing their parents and joining their friends aboard the brilliant red steam engine. Some of the first year mothers were crying, flapping white handkerchiefs around. Others were straightening out their children's clothes and piling their children with bags like a mule.
Near the back of the train, Ron and Hermione were stood in a loving embrace, their eyes fixed on each other and the surrounding noise blocked out by their own will power. Ron's hand reached for Hermione's cheek to wipe a single teardrop that had formed.
"Don't cry Hermione. I'll be in Hogsmeade every weekend to see you."
"I know." Hermione's voice cracked with tears. "But it won't be the same without you."
"Come on." Ron pulled her up against his body and kissed her hair, stroking it sweetly. "It'll be fine. With all the classes you are taking, you'll barely have time to miss me."
"I love you," Hermione whispered, pulling away so she could look at his face. "I love you Ronald Weasley."
"I love you too Hermione."
The pair shared a long and passionate kiss.
Ginny's farewell to Harry was less tearful in comparison. She had hugged her mother and father and it was now time to face the inevitable and say goodbye to Harry. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry, at least not in front of Harry. He had already seen enough of her crying on the days that followed the Battle of Hogwarts.
She allowed herself to be pulled in to his chest, his head fitting on top of her like a perfect jigsaw and she stroked the part of bare skin that was exposed on his chest. "It's going to be weird at Hogwarts. Now that you aren't there." Her fingers started tracing a figure of eight at the bottom of his neck where the skin hugged the bone and outlined a hollow space.
"I won't be far Ginny. You'll see me every weekend," Harry said, inhaling deeply and sighing almost depressingly. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Bursting into laughter, Ginny looked up at Harry and saw his eyes glazed over with potential tears. "That was slightly cheesy Harry. You should use this time apart to think of better lines." She reached up to ruffle his hair with her fingers and then she left her hand to rest on his cheek.
"I love you Ginny." Harry was deadly serious now. His face was close to crying and Ginny knew that she only needed one of Harry's tears to set her off.
Her thumb flexed across his cheek, right under his left eye. "I love you too Harry." He sighed deeply as if he needed reassurance. "Let's depart happy. I don't want my last memory of you to be a crying version."
Harry blinked hard and when he opened his eyes, he smiled brightly. His emerald eyes were dazzling in the sunlight and Ginny smiled warmly at the sight. His eyes had always been Ginny's favourite feature. They were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and they were, along with the person they belonged to, her most treasured possession.
"We shall kiss but only for a second and then I shall walk onto that train, wave to you around the bend and see you on Saturday."
Tipping her head up towards the sky, her lips soon found Harry's and they were kissed like they had in their bedroom. The movements weren't the same because they were in public but the feelings were similar. Happy. Heaven. Beauty. Bliss.
"I'll see you on Saturday," Harry whispered and stepped back next to Ron who was on the brink of tears as Ginny and Hermione climbed onto the Hogwarts Express. The carriage door banged shut and Ginny pulled the window so she and Hermione could wave out of the window. Hermione's eyes were streaming tears and Ron was breaking into a silent sob.
"I never thought you'd be one to cry Ron." Neville was standing behind Harry and Ron. He smiled happily and stood next to Harry. "I came to wave Luna off."
Harry turned back to Ginny and saw Luna's head poking out of the window. All three of them were waving and smiling: although Hermione's face wasn't a happy one. A high pitched whistle filled the station and the train let of steam. Some of the mothers let out a wail. The clock struck 11am and the train's pistons started to roll and warm up for the long journey. Harry waved at Ginny who was blowing kisses to him. Smiling widely, Harry plucked a kiss out of the air and held his closed fist right by his heart. He kept waving until Ginny disappeared around the corner and then the station fell silent.
Parents were scattered, sobbing silently and be escorted from the station floor. Harry and Ron said goodbye to Mr and Mrs Weasley and watched as they left through the brick wall. Over the course of 10 minutes, Ron had become a sobbing, nervous, love-struck cry baby.
"Come on Ron. Let's get a butterbeer down your throat before we go to the Ministry." Harry wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder and Ron turned towards Harry's shirt and cried heavily, the tears staining Harry. "Are you coming Neville?"
Neville nodded swiftly and the three of them exited through the brick wall.
Harry had managed to persuade Ron to calm down and the three of them left Kings Cross Station relatively happy: Neville and Harry's happiness made up for Ron's sorrow. They piled into a glossy black taxi and Harry gave the driver directions to the Leaky Cauldron.
"My grandmother is so excited that I'm training to be an Auror. Fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts is the best thing I ever did." Neville took another sip of his Firewhisky and winced as it travelled down his throat, leaving a burning sensation to the middle of his chest where it finally subsided.
The 3 of them had been sat in a corner of the Leaky Cauldron guzzling butterbeer nervously as they waited anxiously for the clock to strike 1pm so they could Apparate into the Atrium and begin their training. Ron had quickly forgotten about Hermione when the realisation of what he was about to do came to light. He started gulping butterbeers down and taking regular trips to the bathroom to relieve himself.
When Ron returned from his fifth trip to the bathroom, his face had gone bright red and Harry knew he would start hyperventilating if he didn't get another butterbeer down his throat. "I got you a water Ron. I think you've had too much butterbeer." Ron sat down and instantly, his lips were on the glass, taking small but frequent sips.
"Your parents would be so proud to know that you are following in their footsteps," Harry replied, resuming his conversation with Neville. "You were so brave. I mean, dealing with the Carrows, killing the snake, leading Dumbledore's Army into battle. I bet the ladies were in love with you."
Neville laughed nervously and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah kind of." His face turned a Weasley red and he looked down at his hands bashfully. "I've had a thing for Luna since Dumbledore's Army started. Obviously I didn't want to say anything. I didn't think I could but when I saw fighting, something triggered inside me and I ran up to her and kissed her. I'd never kissed anyone before. And then she told me I smelled of success and Stupefied a Death Eater that was creeping up behind us. It was the best experience ever."
Harry smiled as Neville told his battle romance. He too had a memory of the battle when he kissed Ginny in the middle of utter chaos. The kiss had managed to wrap all his thoughts up and send them to Ginny's brain. I love you so much. Remember that if I don't come back. The kiss had been desperate but like Neville, it was one of Harry's best experiences.
"Well I think you make a wonderful couple. You both deserve some happiness."
"You and Ginny deserve happiness too. I remember when I took her to the Yule Ball in fourth year." Neville face made it look like he'd just said something he shouldn't. "You aren't angry at me are you Harry?" Neville asked timidly, shying away from Harry.
Harry laughed and not knowing what to do, Neville laughed too but it was strained and nervous. "Of course, I'm not angry. I'm glad you took her and had a great time. I was a bit preoccupied at the time to realise my feelings towards her." Harry took a sip of his butterbeer and wondered what Ginny was doing right about now.
The clock struck 1pm and all three of them stood up, said 'goodbye' to Tom who was polishing a glass behind the bar, and then they Apparated to the Ministry.
"Hermione, Ron is not going to find someone better. He's crazy about you." Ginny had been dealing with Hermione's sobs for well over an hour and she was starting to go insane. She looked over at Luna who had her head resting on the compartment window and was reading this month's issue of the Quibbler upside down. Enviously, Ginny wanted to scowl at her. She could easily tune out Hermione's sob and focus on whatever she wanted which left Ginny to deal with the continuous sobs.
"How do you know? How does anyone know anything these days?" Hermione's voice broke several times and raised and faltered numerous octaves. "I bet there is a beautiful instructor leading Auror training and they'll fly off into the sunset on a Hippogriff."
Letting out a sigh of angst, Ginny ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you hear how crazy you sound Hermione? Ron couldn't get another girl just as much as you can't get a bad grade. Now pull yourself together."
Hermione nodded silently and dabbed her eyes with her sleeve. "You're right," she repeated several times. "You're absolutely right." She smiled bravely and pushed herself into a conversation about the subjects they were taking that year.
"Who's going to be our Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?"
"I don't know. McGonagall is keeping it under wraps." Ginny turned on the bench and pulled her knees up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. "I hope it's someone that likes us to use our magic. We're all like a year behind."
"I spoke to the new Headmistress at Harry's party." Luna didn't stray from the Quibbler as she spoke in her dreamy, dazed voice.
"Did she mention anything about the new professor?" Hermione's face lit up and Ginny smiled, knowing that Ron wasn't at the frontal of her mind. She leaned towards Luna, excitedly about what information she had acquired.
Luna rested her Quibbler on her lap and started twisting her fingers up to the sky and then back down. "Yes."
"And?" Hermione was about to fall off her seat in anticipation.
"She said that there would be a new professor for the post."
"We know that Luna. Anything else?"
"Nope."
Ginny laughed, resting her head on her knees. After a moment of rage, Hermione managed to calm herself down and laugh too. It was only Luna who was searching the ceiling of the compartment for something but she seemed to give up and quickly clutched at her necklace. It was the same she had given to Harry for his birthday.
"What's wrong Luna?" Ginny managed between laughs."
Luna's eyes were ablaze with worry. "There are Nargles in here."
"How do you know?"
"They have been known to make people laugh uncontrollably."
This set Ginny and Hermione into another spiral of laughter as Luna frantically looked around the compartment.
"Welcome everyone! I'm Kameron Wilson, Head of the Auror Office and as of today, your new boss." A tall, slim built wizard stood into front of Harry. With sandy brown hair stopping at his shoulders and eyes bluer than a cloudless sky, Kameron didn't look like a wizard. Maybe a surfer or volleyball player. His tanned skin suggested he belonged on a beach. But he smiled genuinely and seemed to enjoy being a part of the new revolutionised Ministry of Magic.
Kameron stretched his arms out and clicked his fingers. "Today is just about you showing us your skills. We want to see where you are in your education and then tomorrow, you will be assigned a mentor, a Auror that you will shadow and assist when needed, and a timetable will be given to you, telling you when and where your classes are."
A red headed stocky man stepped up to the right of Kameron Wilson and cleared his throat. Harry and Ron recognised Percy instantly and smiled at each other. "If you'd like to follow me, I'll be leading you to the training hall." Immediately, Percy turned on his heels and started down the corridor. Those that hadn't been listening had to sprint to catch up.
The inside of the training hall reminded Harry of his hours in the Room of Requirement with Dumbledore's Army. There were bookshelves stacked to the ceiling and stretching the length of an entire wall. Mannequins were lined up opposite and Harry guess those would be their targets. There were some sofas in the corner and spare cushions lined up on top of each other.
"Welcome to the training hall which will also be your common room where a buffet will appear everyday at lunchtime." Percy gestured to the room with wide open arms. He was constantly smiling and Harry assumed he must be working high up and close with the Minister himself. "Most of your practical work will take place here and all of your classrooms are further down the hall so saying you were lost won't work as an excuse." A couple of people sighed deeply and Harry heard Seamus Finnigan murmur 'Rats' under his breath.
"If you could all line up across the length the of the hall, Kameron will take you through the introduction." Percy beckoned to the door and everyone hurried into a line. Harry was wedged between Ron and Seamus but many were disappointed that they hadn't secured a place next to him. Already his celebrity persona was betraying him. It wasn't even the first day.
Wilson entered the hall and walked up and down the line of potential Aurors, Percy stalking behind the Head of Auror but always keeping a one step distance. Once he had returned to where he had begun, he asked everyone to draw their wands. Everyone scrabbled in their pockets whilst Harry and Ron had theirs drawn instantly. Months of being on the run had heightened their senses and reflexes. As Harry looked around he saw Seamus and others still searching and once they had found them, there were strangely disarmed instantly. Wands were shooting up the line into the open hand of Wilson.
"All those without wands could be dead by now if you had been facing a Death Eater." Wilson stalked back up the line and Percy followed like a lost puppy. Every so often, he would pause and hand a wand back. "Your wand is your weapon," he said, as he paused in front of Harry and handed Seamus his wand. "Sometimes, your only weapon. Be first to draw and you'll be last to stand." He continued down the line and when he got to the last person, he stopped and Percy hurried to stand behind him.
"Now first, I want each of you in turn to cast a Patronus. I hope you are all familiar with what one is." Harry looked around and saw all of Dumbledore's Army smiling and smirking. They had covered this in a lesson and Harry knew that they all could perform one very well. As Wilson walked back up the line, one person would cast their patronus and white mist would blast out of the end of their wand. Sometimes the mist took the form of an animal but not everyone had it mastered. Harry felt an unusual nervousness when any member of the DA was asked to perform but he guessed it was if they went wrong, it was because he didn't teach them well enough. But no one had let him down; all taking full animal apparitions.
Kameron and Percy paused to the left of Ron and Harry caught a glimpse of a smile on Percy's lips as his brother muttered the incantation and a Jack Russell Terrier burst from his wand and pranced around the room, barking at a mannequin. Many laughed and Harry even heard a laugh come from the head Auror himself, even though he was looking at his clipboard. He nodded to Ron and immediately the barking dog was blown away with the non-existent wind.
"Harry Potter, if you would."
"Expecto Patronum," Harry said clearly, filling his head up with thoughts of his mother and father and as a new addition, Ginny and as a result, he watched his father erupt out of his wand in his Animagus form. The stag leaped into the air and landed gracefully on all fours. It turned to face Harry and started launching its head back and Harry knew it was cheerful because he was. However Harry noticed a difference in his patronus. It was real; at least it looked like it was real. It was opaque and pure white instead of a ghostly translucent form it had always assumed and Harry knew it was because of his added memories of Ginny that made it so real.
Everyone was watching Harry's patronus in awe. As he looked around, he saw that mouths had fell to the floor. Even Ron's. He guessed that nobody had ever seen his patronus like this. Harry smiled bashfully and Kameron managed a croaky 'thank you'. He dropped his wand hand to his side but the stag didn't disappear as Ron's did. It remained thrashing around the hall, cantering from wall to wall. Beside him, Harry could hear Ron's murmurs. "Wow!" Percy nearly dropped his clipboard and notes along with it but managed to keep hold of them. Wilson's head was on the verge of whiplash at the amount of times his head jerked from Harry's wand and his prancing patronus.
"How are …? But you're ….?" The Head Auror was constantly flashing his head around the room with a confused expression and eyes bulging out of the sockets until it seemed he became dizzy from the sudden movements. "How are you doing that Potter? Your wand is down."
"I don't know," Harry started shaking his head frantically. "It's never been so clear and it always disappears when I put my wand down."
"Do you think you can make it disappear?" Percy asked, his eyes watching the stag.
"I'll try." Harry lifted his wand and the stag started to trot towards him with his head held high. As Harry pointed the wand at a version of his father, the stag dropped his head and as his nose touched the tip of his wand, he started to float away, particle by particle, just like Ron's Jack Russell Terrier.
"Thankyou Mr Potter," Wilson said, nodding to Harry before moving on Seamus who managed to produce an adequate fox. But no one managed to produce a creature with such clarity.
The rest of the induction went by without a hitch. All the members of the DA managed to complete all the tasks set but everyone waited anxiously when it was Harry's turn. But nothing extraordinary happened like the patronus. He managed to disarm a mannequin and several people Harry didn't know clapped frantically when they watched Harry cast 'Expelliarmus'. Like the others, he successfully used 'Stupefy', 'Reducto' and 'Bombarda' and smiled bashfully as everyone clapped. Of course everyone clapped for everyone but Harry seemed to acquire more than most.
"I want one more spell from you all and then we shall call it a day I think," Kameron said, nodding to Percy slowly and smiling, stretching his arms out once again and making a clicking sound with his knuckles. Percy nodded and almost bowed to Wilson before walking over to a cupboard that was taller than him and within, revealing a mannequin that was slightly bigger than all the rest and wore a mask that Death Eater were said to have wore during publications of their Dark Arts. It was wheeled out into the centre of the hall and Percy then returned to Wilson's side.
Stepping forwards, gesturing to the mannequin, the Head Auror smiled, revealing his sparkling pearly whites. "This is a Erised Bot."
Harry marvelled at the name and remembered where he had heard it before. He raised his hand and Wilson nodded to him. "Is it of any relation to the Mirror of Erised, sir?" He felt every pair of eyes on his face and blushed embarrassment at his interruption.
"It is in fact Mr Potter. I'm surprised. Not many people know about the mirror. For those that are confused by Mr Potter's question, the Mirror of Erised is a magical mirror that was once home at Hogwarts. It is said that anyone that looks into the mirror, will see their deepest desires reflected back at them. Is that what you experienced?"
"Yes sir, Ron and I found it in our first year at Hogwarts. It also showed me where the Philosopher's Stone was when I was battling Quirinus Quirrell. I didn't realised that were other items with such magical properties."
Wilson was deep in the story and looked disappointed when Harry wrapped it up swiftly. "Oh yes. The mirror is not alone. Thankyou for sharing Mr Potter. Today you'll be casting a spell of your choice on the Erised Bot to showcase your talents. I want you to use the best spell you know. Walk up to the Bot, whisper your spell and then step back and cast away. The Erised Bot will show the signs that your spell has worked, even though it won't be damaged. Let's start from the bottom of the list shall we." He looked down at Percy's clipboard and smiled. "Mr Weasley, I do believe that means you. In your own time."
Suddenly, Ron started panicking and sweating as he stepped up to the Bot and paused in front of it. Harry saw him wiped his hands on his trousers and was surprised when his wand didn't slip from his fingertips. With a panic-stricken expression, Ron glanced back at Harry, who smiled encouragingly, and then at Percy, who sneaked a thumbs up. He reached up to the Bot's daunting mask and whispered to it. It nodded slowly and Ron took 5 steps back, raising his wand.
"Confringo," he bellowed and everyone looked at the Bot for a reaction. Nothing happened for a few seconds and someone started to laugh, thinking Ron had done something wrong. All of a sudden, the mannequin burst into flames. Ron smirked at everyone in the line and looked at Harry for reassurance. Like Percy, Harry smiled and gave him a thumbs up. Wilson flicked his wand and the flames stopped, leaving no evidence that it had ever caught on fire.
"Thankyou Mr Weasley, who's next?"
"Firstly I would like to welcome all new first years. It's a pleasure to have you join our school." Professor McGonagall looked around at the four long tables. All the students were staring up at her with wide, innocent eyes, believing and absorbing every words she uttered. It was moments like these where she missed Dumbledore and his wisdom.
"Before the feast begins, I would like to introduce the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Hestia Jones. She will be taking on the troublesome post and I'm sure you will join me in wishing her the best." Minerva started clapping and gestured to a small, black haired witch that stood up, smiling and waved slightly as she pivoted towards the four tables before sitting down and staring at her hands.
Looking back at the students, Minerva smiled and ceased clapping. Everyone else soon followed. "I would also like to introduce our teacher for Muggle Studies, Professor Bertie Cooks. I expect the same reception towards Professor Cooks as Professor Jones." Again the teacher stood up and everyone clapped until he sat down and McGonagall was looking forward.
"We went through hell last year. I won't deny it. I won't dress it up. Our precious school became corrupt and wounded. If many of you could have seen the state this castle was in last term, you'd assume you were in a different Hogwarts. But after intense efforts from the staff and resident house-elves, we managed to transform the rubble back into our loving home.
"Today we begin anew. The Memorial Gardens are open for all and I hope you shall treat it and those buried below with respect. Everyone lost someone last year but all I ask is that you do their memory proud and try to best in all aspects of your life. Including your school work.
"Now enough of the lectures. Let the feast begin!"
Harry stood face to face with the Erised Bot. He had already whispered his spell and the mannequin had nodded although it took longer than it had with others. He raised his wand and smiled. It wasn't his best spell but it was the one he was most proud of. The memories that came with it would soon overwhelmed him so he had to do his spell soon.
"Sectumsempra." A ray of light shot out of his wand and hit the mannequin dead straight in the chest. After a few seconds, blood started excreting from non-existent lacerations in the shape of an 'X'. The room filled up with clapping and with a distant flick of his wand, Wilson stopped the bleeding.
"Thankyou Mr Potter. Would you mind telling us the origin of that spell? I'm afraid I've never come across it." Kameron whispered into Percy's ear and he started scribbling on his clipboard. He walked up to Harry who had returned to his spot between Ron and Seamus.
"Professor Severus Snape. He developed it when he was a student at Hogwarts."
"Interesting," Wilson murmured, turning his back on Harry and walked back up the line. "Miss Parvati Patil?"
"What a day!" Ron collapsed on an armchair situated by the fire in exhaustion. The day had been long and never-ending, filled with emotions that Ron had never felt with such intensity. He reached for his hot chocolate and wrapped his cold hands around the mug, warming them up and taking a sip, feeling the hot sensation trickle down his throat.
"You have a letter from Hermione," Harry said, walking into the room with Barney perched on his shoulder and two letters in his hand. "There you go," he said, passing the one addressed to Ron and then sitting on one side of the sofa; the side closest to the fire.
With a flick of his wand, Harry conjured a blanket and watched Barney flutter to the mantelpiece before reading Ginny's letter.
Dear my beautiful Harry,
Today has been such a whirlwind. I miss you so much and it's weird being in Hogwarts without you. I wish you were here to hold me as I fall asleep. I think that's what I'll miss the most. Not waking up by your side. Not looking up and smiling at your beautiful eyes.
Hermione has been crying for the majority of the day. It took her hours to stop of the train but as soon as the food trolley rolled to our compartment, she burst into tears, crying how Ron loved food. She even started to sob when the feast appeared.
Do you remember Hestia Jones from the Order? She's the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I hope she knows what she is teaching. You'll always be a better teacher though. We have a new Muggle Studies teacher but I wasn't really paying attention as I'm not taking the class but Hermione seemed impressed.
I'm going to see Fred tomorrow. George said he might come up too but I'm not holding my breath. He's been doing so well. I don't think visiting him now will help.
I miss you so much. I'm literally counting the seconds to Saturday.
Quidditch try-outs have already got 20 applicants. I can't believe I'm Captain. I may need you help with try-outs but they won't be until the weather clears up.
I can't wait for your letter. Write back as soon as you get the chance. I want to hear everything about Auror Training. Is the new Head nice?
I love you so much Harry. And I'm so proud of you.
Your Ginny
P.S; I stole your pillow from the Burrow so tonight I'll be sleeping with you. I love you.
Harry held the letter to his face and breathed it in, hoping that it was have traces of Ginny still lingering on the parchment. The scent of vanilla wafted up his nose and Harry closed his eyes, thinking of Ginny. Before he knew it, he was asleep and dreaming on him and Ginny walking along the beaches by Shell Cottage.
