Chapter 2: The Long and Arduous Wait

Ginny let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Merlin, this was the strangest early birthday I've ever had, she thought. I feel like I've gotten loads smarter in just one hour, taking all of this information in.

The eight-year-old looked down towards the books and notes that lay on the ground, and then at the small, purple, beaded handbag in her hand that belonged—will belong—to her future sister-in-law, Hermione Granger. Best to put these in this bag now, before I forget and cock up the whole thing, Ginny thought.

She did just that, so quickly that she still did not catch the titles of any of the books, not even before she swiftly placed the notes on top of them. She was amazed at how the books and notes looked bigger on the inside, whilst on the outside, it looked like she was carrying an empty handbag in her right hand.

Whoever this Hermione Granger girl is, she must be wicked smart to know a charm like this. I can't wait for her to be my sister-in-law! Ginny thought excitedly. If only I could tell her about these books... No. I promised Rosie that I wouldn't tell her or Ron. As much as I don't like that I'll be hiding all of these secrets for Merlin knows how long, I've never gone back on my promises, and I'm not about to start now.

Ginny halted her thoughts as she mulled over her youngest elder brother. Merlin, I still can't believe that Ickle Ronniekins is going to get married in the next decade. It's going to be ever so hard to not gape at him when next I see him.

Ginny's thoughts then wandered over to Scabbers, Percy's pet rat of nearly nine years. If I recall correctly, Dad once said that a domesticated rat's average lifespan is roughly three years.

Ginny frowned and tucked her left hand beneath her chin as she grew increasingly suspicious. So then... How has Scabbers been in this family for almost a decade? Why haven't any of us ever noticed that before? Hmm... I think I will hold off on reading the books for now. In three weeks, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George will return to school, and Percy will take Scabbers with him. Percy's room is on the second floor, right above my own room, and it overlooks the garden, so really, I can't read the books anywhere without the risk of having that stupid fat rat nearby. Yes, I can wait another three weeks. For now, I best keep this handbag with me at all times, or hide it somewhere. Thankfully, Scabbers doesn't like going to my room. It's probably because of all of the pink paint on the walls.

Ginny's thoughts began to go off on a tangent. Which reminds me, why is my room painted pink? I know that I'm the only girl in a family of seven children, the seventh born in this family, and the first girl to be born into the Weasley family in seven generations, but pink is not my favourite colour. That would be green. Pink is more suitable for toads, my least favourite animal. Well, no, I also don't like snakes, especially really big snakes. But, since there are no snakes anywhere in Ottery St. Catchpole, I've never had to worry about snakes. Still, thanks to that pond in the garden and those other ponds in the cornfield, I've seen more toads than I'll ever want to in any lifetime. And if I should ever happen to run into a pink toad, I know I'll want to obliterate it immediately.

Ginny sighed. Oh, if only I had a wand. Perhaps one made of yew wood. Well... only two more years until I can get one. Then I can try out that Bat-Bogey Hex that George once told me about.

Ginny shook her head vigorously. Merlin, my thoughts ran rampant there. Focus, Ginny, focus! Right, so I'll wait until the four of them and Scabbers return to Hogwarts in three weeks. Then, I'll start reading the books. In the meantime, I'll keep the handbag with me at all times and stay away from Scabbers. That last bit shouldn't be too hard, since I rarely ever go to Percy's room and that rat rarely ever comes out of that room. Still, I'll need to keep an eye out for him, just in case.

As Ginny walked through the orchard, through the overgrown garden towards the Burrow, she couldn't help but think, Why am I getting this odd feeling that I'm about to grow up too fast?

That night, Ginny lay in her bed, thinking about everything that transpired that day: Rose's visit and everything that the woman told her, receiving the books and notes, and how her family didn't seem to suspect a thing.

It was only noon when Ginny returned to the house after her talk with Rose. Her father was still at work, her mum was still out in the village shopping with Charlie and Percy, and Fred, George and Ron were still sleeping.

Eleven o'clock was the perfect time for Rosie to come, Ginny thought. I wonder if she and Hermione knew that they would all still be busy or asleep while I was playing in my beloved orchard, not having a care in the world.

Seeing Ron come down with the twins at one o'clock for lunch, just one hour after Rose returned to her own time, was odd. More than odd, actually; it was bizarre. The fact that Ron's future daughter came to visit her and pleaded for her to change the future was something that Ginny still needed to wrap her head around. Luckily, all he did was return her odd look, shrug, and move further into the kitchen to eat.

He's going to settle into a rotund middle age if he keeps eating the way he does, thought Ginny, feeling relieved at his lack of questions and looking disgusted at, and ashamed of, his bad table manners.

Somehow, no one in her family had noticed the purple handbag that Ginny kept at her side at all times. Not even the twins asked her about it. Or, if any of them did notice, they didn't say anything about it out loud. Ginny felt even more relieved at that. At the same time, though, she didn't like how she was already keeping a secret from them, even if it was seemingly a mere old handbag.

Now I really can't wait until I read the books. Then the secrets will continue to pile up, she thought sarcastically, as she punched her pillow into a comfortable shape and clasped her hands behind her head.

She looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Three weeks is an awfully long time to wait, though, she lamented in her thoughts as she reviewed everything that Rose told her for the umpteenth time.

She then quietly chuckled to herself. Merlin, Ginny. You're more excited about reading a bunch of books in three weeks than you are about celebrating your birthday in an hour. Then again, they are about the future, so of course my curiosity has shifted towards them than for my own birthday. Besides, the age of nine isn't a very important age. I won't have a significant birthday for another two years, when I can finally attend Hogwarts myself.

She sighed sadly at the thought of not yet being able to attend the same magical school that her parents, brothers, and cousins have, but she reminded herself that with all of the time in the world between now and then, she can at least reread the books at her own pace and plan better.

Ginny nearly yelped when the Muggle alarm clock on her nightstand went off at exactly midnight. She quickly slammed her palm against the button on the top. After taking a few seconds to calm down from the shock and to wonder why her Muggle-loving father gave her the blasted thing in the first place, she stared at the device.

Midnight. Twelve o'clock midnight. Exactly twelve hours had passed since Rose returned to her own time. Exactly thirteen hours ago, Ginny's life changed. Hopefully, for the better, she mused in her thoughts.

She settled back into her bed and looked up at the ceiling once more. "Happy birthday, Ginny," she whispered to herself, before closing her eyes.

For the first time in years, Ginny didn't dream about Harry Potter, the hero of the Wizarding World. Not about meeting him, nor about marrying him. She still dreamt about wearing the most beautiful white dress and walking down the aisle with a smile on her face, but this time, she was walking towards a tall, faceless stranger.

Seeing the stranger woke her up just three hours later. For the very first time in Ginevra Molly Weasley's life, she was uncertain about her future. And she cared about that, very deeply.

Knowing that she wouldn't sleep well with that realization hanging over her head, the now nine-year-old crept downstairs and headed outside towards the broom shed. Hopefully flying will help me feel better, like it always has, Ginny thought.

Three hours later, though, at the crack of dawn, Ginny returned to her room and lay on her bed, still thinking about the uncertain future. For once, flying did not make her feel better. If anything, it only made her thoughts run even wilder.

Bloody hell. I haven't even read the books yet and I already feel like I'm growing up too fast. Nine-year-olds don't worry about the future. Ginny sighed sadly. If this is how I feel now, I can't imagine how I'll feel in two months after I finish reading the books. She sighed heavily again. This is going to be a long three weeks.

Ginny punched her pillow into a comfortable shape again and settled her head in it. She closed her eyes in the hopes that sleep would finally claim her.

It didn't.

11th August 1990 – 18th August 1990

Ginny's ninth birthday came and went. In all honesty, the nine-year-old was more anxious for her brothers leaving on first September than for her own birthday, as she was desperate to start reading the books that were still hidden in her new—or old, rather—handbag.

In the evening of her birthday, after the birthday feast and the birthday cake, Ginny opened her presents—a toy pyramid that turned into a Sphinx if one presses just the correct block from Bill, a toy dragon that somehow breathed fire from Charlie (which Molly wanted to throw away, thinking it was too dangerous a toy for a young girl to have, only to reluctantly change her mind when Ginny played with it for half an hour without burning herself), a book about the history of the Ministry from Percy (which Ginny planned to keep under her bed with his other books), Exploding Snaps from Fred and George, some Chocolate Frogs from Ron, a red ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles from her mum, a new cauldron from her father, and two books from Adele and Ethel: one about the history of the Holyhead Harpies, and one about all of the charms known to witch and wizard. Percy and Molly weren't too keen about this last gift, but quickly shut their mouths when Arthur told them that he'd check it for any Dark magic. He also reminded them that Adele and Ethel would never give Ginny or her brothers anything that was potentially dangerous, and Molly's brother would never let his twin daughters allow it either.

Afterwards, Molly finally asked about the small, purple, beaded handbag that her only daughter suddenly acquired.

"My friend Rose from the village gave me this handbag as an early birthday present," Ginny explained. "She had to give it to me by owl a day early because she'll be out of town for the rest of the summer. Her owl arrived to me while I was playing in the orchard yesterday morning, when you were out with Charlie and Percy."

"It looks rather old, though," replied a suspicious Molly. "Why would your friend give you something so old and tattered? Auntie Muriel would seem more likely to give this away than a friend."

Bugger, Ginny thought. I didn't think of that. When did Mum become so sharp?

Ginny panicked in her thoughts for a few moments, trying to think of another false explanation. Her and Molly's attention was briefly diverted when they heard whooping sounds coming from outside. Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron were chasing a screaming Percy on their broomsticks in their Quidditch pitch, while their father was struggling to keep a straight face and shaking from trying to hold in his laughter. Then, an idea came to Ginny, thanks to something her mother just fed to her.

"Well, I didn't want to confess this, but, you caught me. It was Great-Auntie Muriel's. Don't you remember that she used to carry this around with her? Well, she got a bigger handbag recently, and she said she couldn't wait to get rid of this 'useless small thing,' so she decided to give me this hand-me-down for my birthday, but a day early." Ginny sighed a bit theatrically. "I'm sorry, Mum. I know that you think her gifts are something dreadful, but I couldn't bear to throw this away. I've never had a handbag before, and although this is a very old handbag, I've always wanted one to keep my most precious items safe. And I couldn't bear to have you angry at me for keeping it or her for giving it, so I felt that I had to make up an excuse for her. Please don't be mad, Mum, and please don't ask me to burn it or throw it away," she said, trying to look as genuinely shameful as possible.

That ended any further questioning on Molly's part, as she truly was not a fan of her loud, abrasive, gossip-loving aunt.

"Ginny dear, I could never be truly angry at my children. Not even Fred and George, as much of a ruckus they so often cause. I apologize for being so suspicious. And of course you can keep the handbag. It is a birthday present, after all," said Molly, smiling as she hugged her only daughter.

As Molly let go, though, Ginny could have sworn that she heard her mother mutter under her breath, "Even if that old crone thinks a small, old handbag is just perfect for our family."

As Molly moved towards the kitchen to clean up the mess caused by Fred and George's joke, which involved the birthday cake exploding when Ginny blew out the candles, she again muttered to herself about how the twins would do all of the chores for the next week as punishment. Given that they are underage, and therefore cannot use magic to do those chores, Ginny agreed that that seemed like a good enough punishment.

An hour later, as Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron were taking turns showering after their two-a-side Quidditch match—Ron was dismayed to lose to Fred and George yet again—Molly and Arthur managed to persuade Ginny to let them perform scanning spells on Adele and Ethel's charms book, to ensure that they didn't accidentally buy her a book chock-full of Dark Magic. Percy insisted on watching as well, stating that he wanted to ensure that his only sister wouldn't end up becoming a Dark Wizard. Ginny thought this to be an odd reason—surely he knew her better than that—although she also felt that the real reason was because he wanted to stay away from their brothers. His glasses were askew and the bridge of his nose had a very small patch of dirt, which Ginny supposed couldn't be washed off even after his shower. The dirt was finally cleaned off after their father cast Tergeo and Scourgify on his nose.

At least Mum and Percy will be at ease now, Ginny thought as she watched her mother and father perform three different scanning spells—Paellego, Exploro, and Examino—on the charms book. Ginny, Percy and their parents were relieved to find that the book was safe to use, although her parents reminded her that she won't be able to use the book not only until she gets her own wand in two years, but also until she attends Hogwarts.

Blast the bloody Trace, thought a slightly miffed Ginny as her mum tried out a dust cleaning charm from the book—Detergeo.

Scabbers was another story. As usual, Ginny seldom ever saw him come out of Percy's room, so she did not have to keep a close eye on him like she thought she would. She was glad that he stayed in Percy's room throughout her birthday. However, the few times she did see him after her birthday had passed, such as the rare times Percy brought him down to eat a meal with them, Ginny couldn't help but scowl at him, when she was sure that he wasn't looking. Whenever she was caught doing so, she would pretend to cough or complain about the dust as cover-ups.

I've become quite the actress, Ginny thought amusedly, as her family never questioned her about it after that.

During one of those rare times she was in the rat's presence, Ginny realized that she didn't know the whole story of how Scabbers became a part of their family, other than that one time her father told her about how long a domesticated rat's lifespan is in the Muggle world. A week after her birthday, she decided to go for broke and ask her father about it in his garage.

"Percy discovered him in the garden one day when he was five," Arthur explained as he fiddled with one of his beloved plugs. "It was just after the First Wizarding War ended in 1981, over three months after you were born. If I recall correctly, it was mere days after your favourite hero, Harry Potter, defeated You-Know-Who. He looked awfully worn down and frightened, Scabbers did. Perhaps it was because he had just lost his toe. So, Percy took pity on him and declared him as his 'new pet rat.'" Arthur paused and looked intently at his daughter. "Where did this sudden interest in Scabbers come from, anyway?"

"It just occurred to me that Scabbers has had a long life for a rat. For as long as I can remember, he has always been in our family. So, I became curious. There's nothing wrong with that, right, Dad?" Ginny said in a convincing tone.

Arthur chuckled. "Of course not, dear. There's this great Muggle phrase that I'm quite fond of, one that Bill and Percy often go by: 'knowledge is power.' I'm glad to see that you've taken to that as well, Ginny."

"Me too, Dad," said Ginny, smiling.

If only you knew about my knowledge, and just how powerful it may become, she mused sadly in her thoughts, thinking about the secrets she's been hiding from her family for a week.

"You know," Arthur began thoughtfully after a few moments, "it is a bit odd that Scabbers has lived as long as he has. Most domesticated rats have a lifespan of three years, so he should have passed on back in 1984, right when Charlie began attending Hogwarts." He paused for a few moments before continuing. "Then again, he could be a magical rat, since all magical beings, including us witches and wizards, have a longer lifespan than those of Muggles. So, there is that possibility."

"I suppose," Ginny replied, unsure of what else to say.

All of that information about Scabbers made Ginny even more suspicious of him. He's been living with us ever since the First Wizarding War ended, ever since Harry Potter defeated You-Know-Who. And he just happened to lose his toe not too long before Percy found him? There are way too many odd coincidences when it comes to that stupid fat rat, Ginny mused in her thoughts.

She kept a firm hold on that suspicion throughout the next two weeks of waiting.

1st September 1990

After a long three weeks since Rose's visit, first September had arrived at last. However, finally being free of Scabbers, and by extension, finally getting to read the books, could not have gone any slower.

The Weasleys' identical twin cousins from their maternal uncle, sixteen-year-old sixth years Adele and Ethel Prewett, arrived at eight o'clock that morning so that they could all travel to King's Cross Station together. Their father, and Molly's other older brother, Auror Ignatius Prewett II, was on a mission, so they came alone. Ever since their mother, Auror Camilla Longbottom, the older sister of Frank, died at the end of the First Wizarding War, Molly had become like a second mother to the girls, and she has often invited them over from their home in Stoatshead Hill as much as possible. Whenever Ignatius was on a mission, the girls were welcomed to the Burrow with open arms, and stayed with Ginny in her room. Hearing that they would often walk from the hill to the Burrow by themselves never sat well with Molly, and she's had more than a few words with her only living brother over the matter.

Rose told me that I had to give them the books after I finished, Ginny thought as she sat with her older, equally red-haired cousins at the kitchen table, waiting for her brothers to come down with their trunks. Ginny had woken up early specifically so that she could catch her cousins alone. I can't tell them anything now, not while everyone is still running about. I have to make sure that they'll send me letters, so that I can ask them to come home for Christmas this year. It's the safest way to give them the books. Thank Merlin Percy decided to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays this year. That means that Scabbers will stay there too.

She paused as her thoughts turned elsewhere. Wait... Why does Percy seem so keen on staying this year anyway? I wonder if it has to do with that blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl in Ravenclaw whom Charlie kept teasing him about.

Ginny shook her head vigorously. Merlin, when I think too much, my thoughts run wild. Focus, Ginny, focus! Ask them about exchanging letters before it's too late!

"Say, Adele, Ethel," Ginny began. They looked up at her, bright brown eyes meeting bright brown. "You won't forget to write to me, will you?"

They smiled at her. "Of course not, Ginny," said the wavy-haired Adele.

"We'd never forget our favourite cousin," said the straight-haired Ethel.

"We're not about to pull a Ron on you."

"And especially not a Fred and George."

Ginny returned their smiles. "Good. Because I'd really like to know how your sixth year NEWT classes go. You did receive ten OWLs after all, so I can't help but be curious. Besides, I'm more comfortable in asking you than my brothers; they never tell me the whole truth about most things. And Quidditch, of course. I'd like to know how well you do in Quidditch this year. If Fred and George make the Gryffindor team, try to go easy on them. They're only second years, after all."

Adele and Ethel shared a long odd look. They each tied their long hair, which ran down to the middle of their backs, into a single plait before they looked at their small cousin and began speaking.

"We're Chasers, Ginny, not Beaters," said Adele.

"So we don't have to worry about your mischievous twin brothers," said Ethel.

"But, we do have to worry about their Keeper, Oliver Wood," Adele continued.

"What we're worrying about right now, though, is—" Ethel began.

"Why are you so curious about our classes?"

"Because, dear cousin, we don't mean to offend, but you do take more after Fred and George than either Bill or Percy."

"So what's up with you?" Adele finished.

Ginny blanched and cast her eyes down, her thoughts running unchecked. Bugger! I slipped! I've never asked them about their classes before. What a dead giveaway that was! Way to cock things up, Ginny! And they noticed! No wonder they were Sorted into Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor!

Ginny looked back up, and was surprised to see them staring at her intently, rather than looking suspicious of her. Phew. I guess I haven't cocked things up after all! She thought, feeling relieved. Right, best to give something away before they do become suspicious.

"I've got to tell you something," Ginny began carefully, "but I can't say it in person. It has to be done by letter. In fact, I'll explain everything in my first letter, I promise."

Her bright-haired cousins shared another long odd look, and Ginny was becoming nervous when they finally nodded and answered.

"All right, we'll be waiting for Errol," said Adele.

"When should we expect a letter?" asked Ethel.

"In a month, give or take a week," said Ginny, feeling relieved again. "Please, don't worry about it for now. Everything will make sense soon, I promise."

"Well, you've never been one to go back on your promises," said Ethel.

"And we've always trusted you with our secrets, so now it's our turn to return the favour," said Adele.

Ginny smiled at them again and nodded. Perfect. Good form, Ginny.

"By the way, you understand why we couldn't come over for your birthday, right?" Ethel asked tentatively.

Ginny nodded. "Of course. You were celebrating your mum's birthday earlier that week, and, as usual, you and your father reminisced about her. I've said this every year for four years now; it's okay. I understand completely."

They smiled at her. "See, if it were Fred and George, they'd hang it over our heads—" began Ethel.

"And then pull pranks on us to show that they didn't really mean it," said Adele.

"Leaving us to contemplate which hex to use on them."

"Even if we're not of age just yet."

"Not for another five days, at least," they finished together, with matching sly grins on their faces.

Ginny laughed. "That sounds just like you."

As they laughed with her, Ginny felt a sweeping sense of triumph. Brilliant. Things are already starting to fall into place. Once that stupid fat rat is gone, I can finally read the books! She thought excitedly as she clutched the beaded handbag underneath the table. Then, her thoughts travelled over to the birthday presents she received from her cousins. The Harpies book and the charms book were now in her room, on her desk next to her bed.

"Oh, and thank you so much for the books! I can't even use the charms book until I get a wand, and even then, I won't be able to use it until I attend Hogwarts, but I've looked through the book about the Holyhead Harpies a dozen times now! I positively love it!" said an excited Ginny as she shared a hug with her cousins.

"Well, we figured that your Mum, Dad and brothers—" began Adele.

"Would never give you such a book, since, apparently—" continued Ethel.

"You're 'too young and too little.' But, we know better."

"Just don't try any dangerous moves that those women have used."

"Such as the Wronski Feint—"

"Or the Starfish and Stick—"

"Although, those moves aren't used by Chasers—"

"But, regardless—"

"Please don't try anything dangerous," they finished together, donning a strict look on their faces.

Leave it to Adele and Ethel to have twin telepathy, to have the ability to finish each other's sentences, which, strangely enough, Fred and George never do, Ginny thought.

"I won't. I promise," Ginny said aloud, making sure to keep her hands on the table so that they wouldn't accuse her of crossing her fingers underneath the table.

It wouldn't do well to destroy their trust so soon after earning it, Ginny thought. Still... It won't hurt to at least look up those manoeuvres. The Wronski Feint sounds familiar, possibly because Charlie's done it, but I don't believe I've heard of the second one.

Ginny's feeling of triumph from earning her cousins' trust, unfortunately, didn't last long. After they all finished eating breakfast, Molly discovered that Fred and George didn't pack their trunks the night before like they were supposed to, so they rushed to do so an hour before the eight Weasleys and two Prewetts left the Burrow. Then, fifteen minutes before the Knight Bus was to arrive, Charlie raced back home to retrieve his Prefect badge. Finally, right as the Knight Bus arrived, Percy realized that he forgot Scabbers. Ernie Prang, the elderly driver of the Knight Bus, was nice enough to wait patiently, for which Molly expressed her gratitude as Arthur returned with Percy via Side-Along Apparition five minutes later.

Thank Merlin he remembered that stupid fat rat, Ginny thought bitterly, watching the rat in question writhe in his cage as the Weasleys and Prewetts entered the Bus and greeted the conductor, Mr. Shunpike. As she sat next to Ron, she looked around at her bus companions, starting to her left.

Mr. Shunpike's own son, Stan, was a passenger on the Bus as well. He was a Hufflepuff in Charlie's year. Charlie sat next to him, and they were primarily talking about their plans after leaving Hogwarts come June—Charlie is going to move to Romania to study dragons (something that wasn't sitting well with Molly), while Stan is taking over his father's job, since Mr. Shunpike was craving retirement. To Charlie's left, Adele and Ethel were quietly, but excitedly, talking about coming of age in five days, which meant that they would be eligible for Apparition lessons in the Spring. To their left, Fred and George were grinning like a Cheshire Cat as they looked at an unsuspecting Percy, clearly preparing to pull a prank on him when they were away from their parents. To Percy's left and Ginny and Ron's right, Molly and Arthur were quietly discussing sending Howlers to their sons for nearly making them late. Ron nudged her gently, and they quietly lamented together over not being able to attend Hogwarts just yet.

While talking to her youngest older brother, Ginny remembered what Rose had said in regards to her future father. "Say, Ron," she began in a whisper. "Want to play Quidditch together when we return home?"

Ron looked at her as if she'd just asked him to snog Scabbers senseless. "You must be barking mad! You're too—"

"I've been stealing yours, Charlie's, Fred's, and George's broomsticks from the broom shed every night since I was six," Ginny whispered promptly, trying to ignore her rising anger towards her daft brother. "Since you lot never bothered to teach me how to fly, out of the stupid accusation that I was too young and too little, l had no choice but to teach myself. It wasn't easy, practicing in the darkest of hours, and I had to hide my injuries from Mum and Dad, but I wasn't going to wait around until I wasn't little anymore to finally learn."

She then remembered that Rose mentioned Ron's jealousy over her being a better Quidditch player than him at Hogwarts in the future, and then pressed on. "It took me some time to finally get the hang of flying, and then some more time to get the hang of throwing the Quaffle. I'm sure that I'm positively bollocks when it comes to Seeking, Keeping and Beating, since those are not my favourite positions, but I promise you, I'm a good Chaser, which, as you know, is excellent for keeping up a high score during a game."

As Ginny spoke, Ron looked a bit jealous, as expected, after learning that his younger sister learned how to fly a year before he did. Then, he looked a bit doubtful as she spoke about the injuries she had to hide, as he remembered that she often wore long-sleeved clothing for some odd reason that he could not fathom when she was around six years old. Eventually, he gaped at her as she spoke about her favourite position.

Good. You almost have him, Ginny thought. "Think about it. If we practice all year round, we'll have a chance in beating Fred and George at two-a-side Quidditch next summer, when they return from Hogwarts. You can block George's Quaffle, since he's bollocks at throwing, and I can swerve around Fred's supposedly brilliant Keeping skills and score on him."

Her youngest older brother flashed the most triumphant smile she'd ever seen on him. He truly loathes the fact that he's always lost against the twins at two-a-side Quidditch, even with Bill or Charlie on his team, thanks to Fred and George's tactful play of launching the Quaffle towards Ron's head, which always caused him to dodge it rather than hit it away.

"You're not going to tell anyone, are you? No one else knows about this, except for Adele or Ethel, and they promised me years ago that they wouldn't tell," Ginny whispered.

"Not bloody likely," Ron whispered excitedly. "If you were able to teach yourself how to fly on an adult broomstick, in the middle of the night, and manage to hide your injuries from Mum and Dad for months, then you've got to be pretty good, right? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It'll be our secret. Besides, I'd really like to win against Fred and George for once. Practicing every day for the next nine months will make that a cinch. If I can get Mum and Dad to let you play with me, you can use Mum's broomstick."

"Those twin devils won't know what hit them," Ginny whispered with a mischievous expression, which Ron returned.

After a few moments of revelling in their upcoming triumph, Ginny decided to go for the kill. "As I said before, I don't make a good Seeker, Keeper, or Beater, and although I prefer playing as a Chaser, I am interested in learning how to play in the three other positions. Since Charlie and the twins will be away at school and would probably refuse to teach me how to play their positions anyhow, can you teach me how to play as a Keeper?" she asked in a whisper.

Seeing the gleeful smile on Ron's face, particularly because she brought up his favourite Quidditch position, made Ginny think that learning a new position wouldn't be that bad after all.

Hopefully, this will help him become less jealous and unbearable as he gets older, especially when he pursues Hermione. Take that, marriage counselling! Ginny thought triumphantly, becoming amused as Ron somehow went from giving her tips on how to be a good Keeper to raving about the hopeless Chudley Cannons. She personally favoured the Holyhead Harpies, but she didn't want to bring about a petty argument over which team was better. Not after they just found a common interest to build up a better sibling relationship.

I can tease him about his team later. For now, I'm going to cherish this moment, Ginny thought, smiling as Ron began to rant about how the Cannons should return to their old motto, thinking that that would help them regain their motivation.

He seems to be ignoring the fact that the Cannons have lost the League Cup for the last ninety-eight consecutive years, Ginny thought, shaking her head at her staunch brother, but smiling all the same.

Ginny didn't think she'd ever be happy to see her brothers and cousins leave, especially since they were returning to Hogwarts (she still huffed over not doing the same), but she couldn't help it. As soon as the Hogwarts Express rounded the corner, a few minutes past eleven o'clock, she felt elated. Now that the stupid fat rat was gone for the next nine months, Ginny was finally able to read the books without hesitation. Now, she'll be able to fulfil her promise to Rose, to change the future for the better.

I've never gotten this excited over reading before. I think this'll definitely be worth the long arduous wait, Ginny thought. Hmm... I don't want to be asked about the books just yet, so I think I'll wait until everyone's asleep to start reading the first book. Something tells me I'm not going to get much sleep tonight anyway.

That afternoon before dinner, Ginny and Ron had fun playing Quidditch together for the first time. Ron was able to persuade their parents that Ginny should play with him when he promised that he and Ginny wouldn't fly too high up in their Quidditch pitch. Even with their mum's broomstick, which Ginny never practiced on, Ginny nonetheless impressed Ron with her now not-so-secret Chaser skills, having scored on him eight consecutive times. She also nearly gave him heart failure when she unsuccessfully tried to perform a Wronski Feint. She would have collided with the ground had Ron not already been close to the ground and grabbed her shoulders to stop the impact.

In turn, Ron taught her the Double Eight Loop, and successfully blocked six of her goals in the next friendly match. He also unsuccessfully tried to perform the Starfish and Stick manoeuvre, and would have fallen towards a serious head injury had Ginny not grabbed both of his ankles a foot before the impending impact. They both thanked Merlin that Molly wasn't around to see either of their unsuccessful attempts.

By eleven o'clock that night, after making sure that Ron and their parents were asleep, Ginny settled into her bed and opened the beaded handbag. She pulled out the books and notes, setting the latter on her nightstand beside her alarm clock. She turned her head towards her bed, and her eyes widened when she finally saw the title of one of the books.

"Harry Potter!" Ginny whispered to herself excitedly. "These books are about Harry Potter!"

Her thoughts were unrestrained. How did I not notice the titles of these books before? They're written in big letters! Then again, these books put together are a bit heavy, so I just blindly set them on the ground and didn't think about them until Rose left. Then, I was in such a hurry to make sure I didn't forget to put them in this handbag, and I didn't think to look at the titles! Of course, I did put the notes on top of them... Merlin, this biography series is about Harry Potter! Oh, now I have to start reading them.

Ginny looked at the book closest to her, and realized that she didn't know which book was the first one. Hmm... The spine of this book doesn't have the year on it, such as 'Year 1' or 'Year 2' or anything like that. I'll have to check all seven books for the copyright page, then, she thought.

Ginny took the book closest to her and stared at its cover. It was predominantly red, with yellow and white letters that read 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' The illustration showed the Hogwarts Express, and something else which left Ginny mesmerized. Below the train stood a boy with round-rimmed glasses, untidy jet-black hair, and a scar shaped like a lightning bolt upon his forehead. Ginny's primary focus, however, was on the boy's almond-shaped bright green eyes.

Merlin, he's cute, she thought. I love his eyes. They're so beautiful...

Ginny shook her head vigorously. Stop getting distracted, she thought, although the blush that crept up her neck betrayed her as she struggled to get her thoughts together. Find the copyright page and check the publication year. That'll determine if this is the first book.

Seven minutes later, after finally looking away from the boy on the book cover, Ginny found the copyright page and saw the publication year. She checked the other six books, and then stacked them on top of the notes in chronological order, arranged from top to bottom.

Ginny's eyes turned back to the first book, which lay in front of her. She gazed at the boy on the cover, getting lost in his green eyes once more, before nodding and donning a determined expression. Right, now to fulfil my promise to Rosie, she thought as she took the book in her hands, opened it, and began to read the first chapter.

Original Author's Notes (2/14/2015):

1. I know that J.K. Rowling said that Ginny was the first girl born in several generations, but I'm just using the lucky number 7 a bit more than she did, particularly when Ginny says she was the seventh girl born in seven generations.

2. It is currently unknown if Stan Shunpike attended Hogwarts. However, in my story, I am assuming that he did. I have also assumed that he would have been Sorted into Hufflepuff. Despite his actions in the seventh book, he was Imperiused. So there's no way he could have been in Slytherin. I can't see him being a brave Gryffindor or a dignified Ravenclaw either. Therefore, I Sorted him into Hufflepuff, a House full of kind, loyal, and diligent students. I wrote Mr. Shunpike as a kind old man, and Stan will take over his father's job after leaving Hogwarts, so that his father can enjoy retirement. Plus, in canon, after Voldemort's ultimate defeat, Stan went back to his job as the Knight Bus conductor. So Stan is pretty loyal and diligent, and that's ultimately why I put him in Hufflepuff. Now, HP Wikia says that Stan was born in 1973, while HP Lexicon says 1975. In POA Chapter 3, Harry assumes that Stan is "only a few years older than [Harry] was, 18 or 19 at most," and then HBP Chapter 11 describes Stan as being 21 in 1996. This would mean that Stan was born in 1975. However, it makes more sense to me if Stan were born in 1973, because I've always gotten the impression that he had been the Knight Bus conductor for a while by the time he debuts in POA. Therefore, for this story, I am sticking with HP Wikia's birth year of 1973. This would also make him around the same age as Charlie and Tonks. In OOTP, Tonks threatened to hurt Stan, which could mean that she may know him. For this story, I am assuming that she does, and my Sorting Stan into Hufflepuff would further drive that home, since Tonks was a Hufflepuff in canon. This also gives me an excuse to give the severely underused Charlie something to do here.

3. I will NOT have Ginny or her companions read the books out loud. That will NEVER happen throughout this story. That is a violation of the rules of fanfiction. In fact, just as a heads up, the next chapter will skip ahead five weeks, beginning right when Ginny has finished reading all seven books.

4. The book covers that I described are the old book covers from the original Bloomsbury editions (such images can be seen on Wikipedia and TVTropes), not the new ones from the new Bloomsbury editions (those were released in 2014).

5. Adele and Ethel Prewett, and their parents, Ignatius Prewett II and Camilla Longbottom, are all my original characters. Adele and Ethel's birthday of 6th September, 1973, is the random date I picked. Ignatius being an Auror and Molly's other older brother, other than the canonical Fabian and Gideon Prewett, and Camilla being the older sister of Frank and also being an Auror, are also my creations.

6. The four spells—Paellego, Exploro, Examino, and Detergeo—are all my creations. They derive from the Latin translations of "scanning," "test," "investigate," and "clean."

7. A big shout-out goes to the Harry Potter books, HP Wikia, and HP Lexicon for all of the information that I needed to describe certain things.

8. To all of those who have read this chapter: thank you, thank you, and thank you! I appreciate any reviews, either praise or criticism (as long as the criticism is not too harsh)!

New Author's Notes (7/17/2016):

1. Unlike the previous chapter, this chapter was not beta-ed.

2. I added in Ginny stating that she wanted a wand made of yew wood based on something that J.K. Rowling posted on Twitter in April 2016, where some information about Ginny's wand was given for the very first time: the core and length of Ginny's wand are still unknown, but it is made of yew wood, which, given its description on Pottermore and HP Wikia, matches her fierce protectiveness of Harry and other people who have been bullied (such as Neville and Luna).