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Chapter 4
Ginny opened the door of the Head's compartment, and for the second time that morning, smack into a person standing behind it. Only this time, it wasn't a stern looking witch, it was one of the most handsome wizards she had ever seen.
"Tristan! I'm so sorry", Ginny managed, holding her breath. "What are you doing here?" she asked, barely containing her surprise.
"Not a problem", his deep voice murmured, as he bent down to grab the wand she had dropped when she entered the room. Twirling it lightly between his deft fingers, he handed it back to her. "What am I doing here?", he repeated. "Why Ginny, I'm head boy".
Ginny stifled a gasp. She had completely forgotten that her being head girl would also mean that there would be a head boy. Any head boy, let alone Tristan-freaking-Davies.
"Oh, yes of course", she mumbled, once again regaining her composure. Tristan was the younger brother of Hogwarts' own Casanova, Roger Davies. Ginny wasn't very familiar with himnot just because he was in Ravenclaw, but because he had spent the past two years in a foreign exchange program at Beauxbatons in France.
"I can understand if you're surprised to see me, Ginny. I was surprised myself when I was chosen".
"Well, a little", she answered, "Only because you've been away from the school for so long".
He looked thoughtfully out the train window, eyes following the swiftly moving countryside. "Professor McGonagall said she chose me because I've been away from Hogwarts. These are different times. She wanted someone who had experienced other cultures, who was familiar with international relations. I think she sees something coming…", his voice trailed off, and he turned back to look at her. "I'm sure everything will work out just fine", he said to her, his eyes still echoing that same smoldering gaze.
"Yes. I'm looking forward to it", said Ginny, a spark of her confidence shining through her frazzled exterior.
They called the prefects into their compartment, and went over the new rules. Tristan arranged the first meeting in the prefect's council chamber for later that evening, after the feast. Once all instructions were relayed, the prefects were sent off to patrol the rest of the cars, and Ginny settled into a deep purple chaise. She and Tristan spend the rest of the journey conversing lightly about his time in France and which of the students would be most likely to be discovered in broom closets when it came time to make their rounds. She found his company to be light and enjoyable, and the journey went by much quicker than expected. The train gave a loud whistle as it pulled into Hogsmeade Station.
Ginny smoothly exited the train and stepped onto the platform, a cloud of smoke billowing around her. The sun was just beginning to set behind the castle in the distance. "Some things never change", she thought to herself, looking up at the striking castle slowly fading into dusk.
She ushered the first years towards Hagrid, who was waiting at the dock, and then sent the rest of the students over to the line of carriages. Only, this time something was different. Ginny could see the thestrals. She was momentarily shocked, not because of the thestrals. No, she had always known they were there. She was shocked because of the reminder of the reason why she could now see them, of the terrible toll that was paid, of the loss she had witnessed with her own eyes. Eyes that were now well versed in death, and able to see the mystical creatures before her.
She observed several of the older students coming to the same realization around her. "Come along, everyone. We're going to be late for the feast", she said softly, as the students loaded themselves into the carriages now beginning the climb up the hill to the castle.
Tristan came up behind her. "What was that all about?", he asked, concerned, oblivious to the presence of the creatures pulling the carriages. "You missed a lot while you were gone", she said quite seriously, not meeting his gaze.
He helped her into the carriage and they set off for the castle.
After ensuring that all of the students had made it safely to the great hall for the feast, including several nervous looking first years who had tried to hide behind suits of armor in the entry hall, Ginny stole off to one of the prefect's bathrooms and quickly fixed her hair and changed into fresh robes for the feast. "There", she thought, giving her renewed appearance a wink in the mirror. "New year, new hot head boy, no brothers, and no Harry. This is going to be an exciting year", she said aloud. "Get out there or you'll miss the feast!" her reflection chimed back. Ginny laughed and went back to the great hall, just in time for the sorting.
After the first years had taken their seats at their house tables, several promising first years among them, Professor McGonagall stood up to give the start of term speech.
"Good evening, Students, and welcome to the start of another year at Hogwarts. We've all worked very hard to make this year just like any other, just like it was, but it is not", McGonagall said wearily.
"Being able to return to the castle this year is a blessing we should all be thankful for, and did not come without cost. As you can see, much work has been done over the summer holidays to restore the castle to the home you know and love. And for new students, into the school that produced your brothers and sisters, and perhaps your parents and grandparents. The spirit of Hogwarts has always been much greater then the castle or even us teachers. Remember that. But most importantly, as you attend classes, enjoy your meals, visit with your friends your common rooms, and walk through these hallowed halls, remember. Remember our dear friends who died to protect it. The price paid for our safety was very high, indeed.
I ask, that this year, you work to deserve their sacrifice. We must not let such things happen again. We must not let the events of last term carry us further apart. Band together. It has been said before, but interhouse unity is imperative."
Now her voice became very grave. "Students….This year will make or break Hogwarts. More then you know. You must stand together, or you will fall. You must work very hard at your schoolwork and achieve your education, because it is you who will use what you have learned here at Hogwarts to repair the world. You……you… must grasp this."