Disclaimer: It's really not mine…I may look like it but really isn't…

A/N: you'll see a bit more of the HBP plotline but still take into notice that this is a different take on things. Keep an open mind !

That was all.

Enjoy yourselves!

Chapter Three

A Run for Their Money

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OWL results came and gone and quickly I fell into the daily routine of the Burrow household. At first Mrs. Weasley wasn't as welcoming as she was with Harry and Hermione, I guess the fact that her youngest and only daughter fled off into another universe (not that I told her) touched a nerve.

"It wouldn't hurt if she wrote us more often." Mrs. Weasley mumbled every now and then. "Not that you're not welcome dear." She always added when I turned the whitest shade of pale at the mention of Ginny.

Two weeks into my arrival, things were starting to fall into place. Every morning I'd snuck up into the attic and try to open the door and fail miserably. Then I'd come down for breakfast, where Ron (he was the friendliest of all Weasleys from starters) greet me along with Harry (who wasn't to me almost at all) and Hermione (who didn't warm up me yet.).

"D'you play quidditch?" Ron asked me one morning with a mouthful of food.

I stared at him for a long minute, my knife midair with butter for my toast. "Do I play quidditch?" I repeated slowly.

"We plan on playing some later," Harry said impatiently. "Two-a-side, we got Hermione to agree to play are you in?"

"When you ask so nicely like that," I said, dryly. "How can anyone refuse?"

Hermione stifled a laugh and Ron grinned, Harry wasn't as taken as the rest. "You do know how to fly on a broom?"

"No, actually I don't know." It was strange but I felt my face burning.

"I'll teach you!" Ron jumped from his seat. "Let's go!" he pulled me up from my seat and soon we were outside brooms laying on the ground and Ron Weasley breathing on my neck.

"Now lift your right arm and say 'UP!'" Ron pointed out and held up my arm. I could feel Hermione's eyes boring holes in my neck.

"I think I can manage thanks." I freed my arm from his grasp. "Up!" the broom shot into my hand.

"Not bad." Harry said. "Can we play now?"

"Afraid I'd beat you?"

"I don't know how to play the game and I am the Gryffindor quidditch team seeker." He ruffled his hair and made it look even messier than usual. I couldn't help but chuckle at this familiar reflex.

"Then you wouldn't mind me being on your team right?"

Hermione laughed as both Harry and Ron looked confused. All in all I was rather rubbish at this game, as Harry mentioned every once in a while or whenever I dropped the ball or fell off my broom.

"I think after today," Harry said at dinner that very evening. "I will never allow you on a broom."

"You're really annoying." I said while helping myself with some rhubarb pie. "On international levels."

"That would be enough the two of you." Mrs. Weasley said from the head of the table and flicked her wand to fill our glasses with milk. "Harry dear, we'll be having a little gathering tomorrow to celebrate your birthday."

"Presents time!" Ron called and Hermione smacked his arm. "What!?"

"Gluttony." Hermione shook her head. I like her. She's smart.

XxXxXxX

Well it wasn't a very fun birthday tea. Remus Lupin did showed up , with bad news along with birthday greetings.

"There have been another couple of Dementor attacks," he announced, as Mrs. Weasley passed him a large slice of birthday cake. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it – well, frankly, I'm surprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters; Sirius's brother Regulus only managed a few days as far as I can remember."

"Actually-" I began to say but I was cut off by Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes, well," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning, "Perhaps we should talk about something diff-"

"Did you hear about Florean Fortescue, Remus?" asked Bill, who was being piled with wine by Fleur. "The man who ran-"

"The ice-cream place in Diagon Alley?" Harry and I both interrupted. Harry gave me a weird look and Remus arched his eyebrow at us.

"He used to give me free ice cream. What happened to him?"

"Dragged off, by the look of his place."

"Why?" Ron asked. Mrs. Weasley didn't look very pleased with Bill for answering the questions.

"Who knows? He must've upset them somehow. He was a good man, Florean."

"Speaking of Diagon Alley," said Mr. Weasley, "Looks like Ollivander's gone too."

"The wand-maker?" I asked, trying to look startled as possible.

"That's the one. Shop's empty. No sign of a struggle. No one knows whether he left voluntarily or was kidnapped."

"Kidnapped." I said in a matter of fact (well it is a fact they just don't know it). "Voldemort must be keeping him away so he can tell him all about the brother wands connection the two of you have." Only when I finished did I notice everyone staring at me.

"I'm sorry?" Harry asked bewildered.

"Or maybe he's dead?" everyone kept staring at me. "Fresh air it is!" I jump off the sofa and dashed out to the back garden. The air was warm and humid and I could barely make out the moon from behind the clouds. I walked over to the patched of grass and set down, taking off my (Ginny's) sandals and crunching the grass with my toes.

I'm so stupid. Everyone must think I'm some sort of a loony or a dangerous threat to their safety with what I just said. I'm no close to go home than I was two weeks ago or maybe it was last night when I stumbled here. Damn it! I can't even keep track of time. I have no money, no clothes and if I'm not wrong I'm probably two years old in this time (if I even exist in here). Everything I do is wrong. Everything! Please god I want to go home.

I curled up and hugged my knees close to my body before resting my chin on top of them. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Someone came and set next to me. "You're really scary sometimes," It was Ron. "I find it amusing."

Next thing I knew I crashed my lips against his at first he stumbled but as he recovered and kissed me back, I realized something rather important. I'm kissing Ron Weasley! I pushed him off me and looked at him horror struck hands over my mouth.

"Merlin!" he said looking dazed as his face turned red. "Sophie I-"

"Ron-"

"Where do I start?" he advanced towards me and tried to hold my hand.

"No." I backed off and got up on my feet. "Ron, you and I come from very different worlds, more different than you can imagine. I've only dreamed of your world, of the spells and learning and living in this magic and winning over the darkness but here I am lost in this mess I've created and you…oh Ron I'm so sorry but you know this isn't right!"

"I don't understand. You kissed me." from confusion he moved to anger.

"I know and I'm sorry!"

"But I fancy you!" he insisted. "Have been for quite a while now-"

"You know me less than a month." I'm stuck here longer than I thought

"I'm still a man, Sophie!" he said lividly. "And you're tongue was in my mouth."

"Look Ron," I said and edged away from him. "I was upset and you were so nice and sweet and I like you…but this can't work between us."

"Why not?!" he hissed. "I'm a boy and I fancy you and you're a girl that thinks I'm sweet and likes-"

"-other girls." What did just say? I'm this close to becoming a sodding Mary Sue!

"y-you like other girls?" he asked dumbfounded. "You mean you're one of those witches?"

"One of those witches?" is he saying what I think he's saying?

"You stir the potion the other way around." He said quietly his ears deep red.

"That's right." I answered quickly. "I got carried away just now but it won't happen again, Ron, with me, ever."

"I see." Ron said and looked down.

"It might happen with Hermione though," I said and lifted his chin. "When will you understand you were meant for each other? Open your eyes Ron." I stirred his head to the window and we both watched Hermione tilt her head back and laugh and something funny someone must have said. Ron looked down again, blushing fiercely this time. "Let's go back inside?"

Ron nodded meekly and together we walked silently into the house while the voices in my head kept screaming: Mary Sue! Mary Sue!

XxXxXxX

The morning after, Harry received his captain badge attached to his Hogwarts letter, I received an attachment notice as well: a scholarship account that has been opened for me at Gringotts. Ron was somewhat avoiding me and started spending more time with Hermione. and Harry, well he was mostly ignoring me or watching me like a hawk (though I haven't got a clue onto why he was doing that).

Two days later, on Saturday morning we were all ready after much fighting on Ron and Mrs. Weasley behalf to go to Diagon Alley and purchase our school supplies for the new school year. As expected (by me mostly) Hagrid met us at the Leaky Cauldron and we walked into the magical street.

Did I say magical? I meant gloomy and gray and very boring street. It was dull and just plain sad. And purple, all the walls were covered with purple Ministry of Magic posters with security advices and Wanted shots of Death Eaters at large, among them I spotted, were the haughty face of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Disgusting wench," I mumbled as I was followed by the poster Bellatrix penetrating eyes. Harry turned around and gave a strange look which I returned by sticking out my tongue at him, he rolled his eyes and resumed conversation with Ron and Hagrid.

We walked pass an amulets stand and a seedy looking wizard gave me an irking look as he asked Mrs. Weasley whether she wanted to get me (he did refer to me as the pretty little girl) something to protect my neck. Mr. Weasley wasn't pleased with this but he was stopped and we walked pass the leering creep.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I with Hagrid as security left the rest and went to Madam Malkin's shop. We entered the small shop and I little time to admire the place before a drawling voice reached my ears.

"…not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone." That was Draco Malfoy and soon after Madam Malkin tried to reason with him but he, being who he is, yelled at her. We walked further in and behind the rack; standing on a stool was the pointy faced, blond haired, Slytherin's pride and glory: Draco Malfoy.

"He does look a bit like a ferret." I whispered to Hermione and she giggled at my remark, which was to be honest rather true. That boy looked nothing like Tom Felton. If the only the fans knew the truth.

"If you're wondering what the smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in." he said and both Ron and Harry drew out their wands while Madam Malkin tried to cool things down, along with Hermione's repeating pleads to stop.

Malfoy made his famous remark about Hermione's black eye (I admit it, I kind of laughed, but masked it by faking a caugh fit) and soon Narcissa and Harry exchanged some words and threats. It was only when Draco and her made their way out of the shop when he bumped into me and then stopped and turned around and looked at me.

"You're not a Weasley." He stated and checked me out thoroughly. "Out of my way." He pushed me aside and I knocked into Harry's chest as he walked away and out of the store.

"Git." Harry mumbled. "You okay?" he asked. softly might I say.

I nodded. "His left arm," I whispered quietly and Harry looked down at me. "That needle wasn't even close to it. Think about it." He gave a puzzled look but I was out of his reach before he could comment.

Madam Malkin was keen to get rid of us and as soon as we were all sorted she kicked us out of her store and locked up behind us. We made our way towards to meet Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and together we all headed to Fred and George's shop.

It was all it cracked up to be and even more as we entered. Mrs. Weasley looked appalled with the U-NO-POO sign but the rest of us thought it was absolutely brilliant. Hermione was checking the day dream patented charms when a voice startled us from behind. "You can have one for free," Fred beamed at us and greeted Harry with a hand shake. Hermione mentioned her black eye and he handed her a tube of healing ointment he and George brewed.

"Ah!" Fred called as he spotted me. "The newest addition! And she even got the red hair to match this time." He reached out and touched my hair. "Sophisticated Sophie."

I slapped his hand away. "Now now Fred," I smile playfully at him. I always liked him and George, maybe if I'd stay long enough...

"How did you I'm Fred?"

"Supernatural powers."

"Cheeky!" George called from behind and draped his arm around me and Fred. "And quite a sight, though Ronald here-" he pointed over at Ron who was busy shoving down merchandise off the shelves. "-Tells us you're a Holyhead fan, if you catch my drift." hw winked.

I was about to answer when something outside caught my eye. "Harry," Harry gave me a strange look but turned around and looked at where I pointed and nodded. "Sorry boys." I freed myself from George grasp and fallowed Harry to get Ron and Hermione.

"You're not coming." Harry said firmly.

"Oh Harry you're so funny!" I punched his shoulder and pulled out his invisibility cloak. "Let's go."

I wasn't sure, as we staggered clumsily under Harry's cloak that this infect was the right thing to do. Wasn't it the Trio's job to spy after Malfoy and start speculating and raise suspicions about him? On the other hand, Ginny Weasley was no longer here, I need to fill her in and make sure everything goes as it is written in the books. On the other other hand, some things have changed, Ron and I kissing, me nudging Ron to make his move on Hermione, pointing out Malfoy's Dark Mark and me being here on the whole. This is crazy.

"What's crazy?" Hermione asked as we stopped around Borgin and Burkes and Ron took out and handed us each what seemed to be and Extendable Ear.

"I'm sorry?" I asked.

"You said 'this is crazy.' What do you mean by that?"

Damn it. "I was thinking out loud."

"So you agree we should stay out of it?" Hermione asked.

Harry and Ron looked at me as if I've grown another head. "I practically dragged you here. And I think for a reason-" I pointed at the store as just then Draco entered and started a conversation with the shop's owner.

A few minutes later, just after his cloak swished past us, Ron asked. "What was that about?"

"I have no idea." Harry said. "He wants something fixed-"

"Mended." I corrected him.

"Right," He said. "But he also wants to set something aside-"

"Reserve it for later." I interrupted him again.

"Stop it." He said firmly.

"You three stay here-" Hermione whispered and ducked out of the cloak before any of us protested. We heard her enter the shop and greet Borgin good morning, afterwards she started picking through things and then she asked about the necklace, it's price and about Malfoy's interest in it.

"This is crazy!" I heaved and followed Hermione's lead by revealing myself and walking into the store.

"Out!" Borgin called. "Get out of here!"

Hermione was about to flee for her life but just than I came in. "There you are!" I said angrily. "Are you crazy?!"

"I-I-I…" Hermione paled and stuttered.

"You what?" I put my hands on my waist. "I thought you were above this, Pansy!"

"Pansy?" Hermione repeated slowly.

"Am I supposed to call you Madam Parkinson?"

"Parkinson?" Borgin piped from the counter and I turned my attention to him.

"Yes." I sneered. "This is Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy's girlfriend-"

"Girlfriend?" Hermione stammered.

"I'm sorry," I said dryly. "Mister Malfoy future wife." That's when both Borgin and Hermione looked on the verge of fainting. "I'm guessing that he was here otherwise she wouldn't be here."

"Well…he was but-"

"Was he buying anything?" I asked and waved him off.

"Look here Miss…?"

"Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass." I answered and gestured Hermione to come stand next to me. "Listen, you old fool, if you know something about anything he wanted to obtain in this…shop you call it? I suggest you come clean or I'll-"

"The necklace! He was interested in that bloody necklace!" Borgin broke down. "Though if it's for you I'd stay away from it, it's-"

"Cursed?" I snorted. "Smashing. Give him something for his generosity." Hermione pulled out a sickle. "That'll do." I threw on the counter and took Hermione by the hand and slammed the door behind us.

"Sophie-" Hermione began to say but I shushed her.

"Not yet." I turned around and saw Borgin standing by the door watching us before he waved his wand and locked it putting up a CLOSED sign and walking inside the store. We walked silently out of Knockturn Alley before Ron and Harry showed up from under the cloak and we reentered Fred and George's shop.

"That was," Ron began to say. "Scary."

"You have no idea." Hermione agreed. "I thought you went insane in there!"

"He was one step from pissing himself!" Ron roared with laughter.

"Ron, that's vulgar!" Hermione protested but a small smile was there. "What do you think, Harry?"

"I think it was dangerous and a stupid thing you two just did." Harry shook his head. "What if Malfoy returned? Or the real Pansy came in?"

"A thank you would've been nicer." I snapped. "We got the information didn't we?"

"Well, Hermione was pretty obvious at first-" Ron began to say.

"I'd like to see your acting skills at action, Master of Disguise!" Hermione cut him off.

"Instead of fighting can we discuss how pleased Malfoy looked walking out of the store and about that necklace?" I tried reason with them.

"You four!" Hagrid's booming voice interrupted us. "We're leaving! An' don't be thinkin' 'bout sneakin' out again, ye' here?" we joined the rest as they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"It was fun though, wasn't it?" I whispered to Hermione.

"Oh yes!" she said brightly. "Very!"

"Heard that Harry?" But he pushed pass us looking very sulked. "He was broody all through the fifth book, but-"

"Fifth book?" Hermione asked and I almost broke my neck from the speed of turning to her.

"Nothing!" I squeaked. Once again a tune played in my head now singing joyfully:

Mary Sue! Mary Sue! M-ary SUE!!

A/N: the conversation between Lupin, Bill and the group is taken from chapter six pg.103-105, and again from pg. 109-112, and pg.113-123 from the same chapter. Not everything is taken from there but I still want to clear it up.

Next time! Hogwarts, the Slug Club, meeting Luna and …Surprise!

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SnowFlakeGinny!