Hi everyone! So a reviewer let me know about some mistakers I made in the last two chapters, so I promise that I will try to keep all the details straight! I know the sorting hat was a little blunt but I'll just leave that to my lack of creativity and my unfortunate inability to call J.K. on the phone and ask her opinion *sighs sadly in front of computer*. I'm going to start jumping around in the time frame since I don't think much happened to Ginny before she left Hogwarts for christmas (besides the all important stealing of Gryffindor Sword!). Thanks to those who reviewed and here is chapter 4!
The first day of classes passed in a monotone blur, the only one sticking out to me was my first in the morning Defense Against the Dark Arts class (which the Carrows had shortened to Dark Arts). it was absolutely horrid to sit through. Amycus, I refused to acknowledge him as a teacher, went down the list in my class and those who he deemed weak were pulled from their seats. They were forced to stand in front of the class as horrible magic was performed on them. One poor Ravenclaw girl was forced to down a whole bottle of Veritaserum and for an entire hour she spilled all her innermost secrets and thoughts, including how she caught her own mother in bed with a muggle from next door. By the end of the class she was in hysterics and I had never been more disgusted than I was with the Carrow standing in front of me.
By the time I got down to dinner that night I was too tired to realize all the commotion going on around me. I only noticed when an exhausted first year collapsed next to me and dropped a paper onto the table. A heading caught my eye and I felt my heart drop a thousand feet from my chest to my stomach.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC INFILTRATED. UNDESIRABLE NO. 1 SPOTTED TODAY
I didn't bother in reading the story beneath it; I bolted from the table, running like wildfire down the Great Hall, catching a scathing look from Crabbe and Goyle just before turning the corner.
"Neville!" I shouted, running up the boys staricase. I hoped he'd be in there. He was, luckily, and he seemed to have the paper in his hands.
"I know! I can't believe they'd do that; they could have gotten Hermione killed!" He looked sick, and I knew how he felt.
"Wait, why Hermione?" I asked him.
I have to admit, I didn't really pay attention to much over the rest of my summer. Like I said, I locked myself in my room half the time, only leaving for meal times or when Fred and George were going to experiment a new product (which more often than not gave out an absolute horrid smell in which we had to leave the house), so I wasn't around to read about all the new reforms the Ministry put in place.
"Ginny, all Muggleborns are being brought in for question. The Ministry thinks that Muggleborns stole their wands from pure-bloods. But Hermione is publicly known for being with Harry, therefore they'd probably kill her before accusing her of stealing her wand. Geez," he blew out a breath. "Ron and Hermione really are risking their lives to help Harry."
I sat down next to him on his bed, and my eyes lingered over to the only two empty beds, side by side, in the room. I wished I saw their trunks by the end, but the floor was bear. My brother and Harry weren't coming back.
"Yeah, but that's what friends do."
Neville reached over and grabbed my hand. For a minute I smiled at the feel of someone's hand in mine, the warmness and familiarity of the caring gesture. But then I realized how different Neville's hand was from Harry's, and I felt the prick of tears in my eyes.
"Excuse me, Neville. I have some homework I need to do so…" I walked quickly out of the dorm, trying not to notice the small hint of let down in his eyes.
I walked slowly to the library, eventually taking a seat in the largest chair all the way in the back. Harry and I would come back here everyday while I 'studied' for my examinations. He'd trail kisses down my cheek to my neck while I poured over the many different wand motions to transfigure a toad to a quill. I'd smother my giggles, and the two of us would lose ourselves to each other. Madam Pince would find us, snatching our stuff and throwing it out into the hall. We'd be outright laughing as we ran back to the common room. It had been fun.
I missed fun.
Later that night, after I took the long walk back up memory lane and took a hard right onto reality road, I sat down quietly at one of the tables in the common room. I had a few spare bits of parchment a million thoughts, but no words were coming out. I had already written a hasty hello to Mum and Dad, letting them know I was alright and that I had read the article in the Daily Prophet today. Then I wrote to Bill and Fleur, just to let them know about the odd sorting hat song and that nothing unusual happened. I left out Snape being Headmaster to Mum, but I thought Bill should know. That left me with only one person to talk to, but it'd be too dangerous to send him a letter.
Harry-
Hi. It's odd being here at Hogwarts and not seeing you. Or Ron and Hermione, but mostly you. Everywhere I pass I'm reminded painfully of the time we spent here and I don't think my heart can take much more. Neville held my hand today. I don't think he meant it in a romantic way, just comforting. Still, the only hand I want to hold is yours. I told myself that our kiss would be a goodbye kiss, something for each of us to hold onto in case we never met again, but I can't let you go. You want to know something funny? After Bill and Fleur's wedding, I had this dream where I was at a different wedding. I saw Ron in the front of the alter, waiting next to you. Then Hermione walked downy he aisle, reached out and took your hands. You were going to marry her and that alone made me wake up with my heart racing. Of course I know that you and her have never seen each other that way ( I can only hope, anyway), but I can only imagine what life alone with her and Ron will do to you all. On the other hand, maybe my brother will finally open his eyes and just admit his feelings for her! Selfishly I'll confess that I hope he does that so she won't get any ideas about you… Ah, I'm rambling about nonsense! I just really miss you.
All my love,
Ginny
I folded the letter and tucked it safely into a small pocket in my bag. I went up to my dormitory where, much to my disgust, Romilda Vane sat on her bed gossiping with the other girls.
"Oh look who it is! Lovesick puppy, Ginny. Tell us again how it felt to be dumped by Harry Potter?" Her sneer was Malfoy worthy. Hmm, I wonder when he gave her lessons.
I didn't respond; I changed quickly into pajamas and climbed into bed. I turned away from them, but their words still stung as they spoke.
"I heard," whispered Shelby Wallace, "That he fell for some muggle girl! And that he dumped Ginny to be with her! I bet he was with her all summer."
"Or maybe he just realized how much better he could do," snickered Romilda.
"Or maybe," I spoke loudly, shocking myself even. I sat upright in bed, glaring at them all. "He finally saw the imminent dangers of our world. Maybe he LOVED me more than any of you will ever know, especially you Romilda." Her nostrils flared as her eyes bulged. I could see anger rising in her face.
"Just remember, Romilda; I didn't have to sneak him some love potion filled chocolates to make him love me. He fell for me all on his own."
I laid back down, trying to hide my smile.
The next few weeks of school passed by in terrible blurs, highlighted only by the unfortunate double classes of Dark Arts. Neville got beat so bad last week in his class that he had to spend almost the whole of this week in the Hospital wing. He was released yesterday, and I saw him only for a moment; just long enough to make sure he was okay and to make plans to go to the Owlery in the morning.
I woke up early and dressed quickly. I met Neville down in the common room, and together we exited the tower.
The walk to the Owlery seemed surprisingly short. Neville kept me laughing the whole way up, and even Luna popped up somewhere.
"So you and Luna, huh?" I smiled at him as we entered the Owlery. Neville blushed but shook his head.
"No. Luna's great and lovely, but she's just my friend. A really great friend."
I pet the owls while Neville finished up his letter and tried to find an owl to use. I reached in and fingered the letter I had written, seriously tempted to send an owl off with it, but I couldn't risk it.
I heard some sniffling on the other end of the Owlery, and I didn't need to walk over there to know it was Neville. I frowned slightly; poor Neville. Everyone in the Wizarding world either doted on Harry or hated him because of what happened when he was a baby, but not one person realizes what happened to Neville. True, not many people know, but it still doesn't change the fact that something terrible happened to Neville; almost worse than Harry.
Neville may not bear a lightening bolt shaped scar, but it is quite obvious to me that on the inside, all he is is scarred.
"Neville? Erm, are you ready to go get breakfast?" I asked tentatively. He wiped his eyes and nodded.
The walk back was much longer. Neville seemed so far into his own mind that I had to remind him where to go. When Luna took a seat with us at the Gryffindor table, I was thankful she had enough tact to not ask any questions.
"Ginny, we have Herbology together this morning, correct?" Luna's airy voice drifted over to me through the chatter of students. I nodded, my mouth full of toast and eggs.
"Hmm, maybe we could ask Professor Sprout about the Carrows?"
"Ask what? Why they're evil horrid beings? She won't know the answer, Luna."
"No, I think she'll know the real reason behind Professor McGonagall not taking the Headmistress position."
I checked the time, then we bade goodbye to Neville and set off towards the greenhouses. We made light chatter, but otherwise stayed to ourselves. When we entered the greenhouse, I was assigned to sit with the rest of the Gryiffindors, and Luna with the Ravenclaws. With a sigh, I took the remaining seat next to Romilda.
The lesson went as usual; Professor Sprout talked briefly about the plant we'd be dissecting; something about pods. I was too busy staring out the window, watching Snape cross the grounds to care. He walked down to Hagrid's hut, and disappeared inside. Hagrid wasn't in though; he'd had a class deep in the forest this morning to look at Unicorns. He'd told me last night at dinner when I'd said hello. I watched the house, but Snape never exited. Finally I had to turn back, because I saw Luna's hand shoot into the air, and I knew what she was going to ask. Not a serious question, but one we all knew the answer too.
"Er, yes Ms. Lovegood?"
"Professor, why did Professor McGonagall turn down the Headmistress position?"
Professor Sprout looked tired as she answered the question. By the look on her face, I assumed she'd been asked that question almost as much as Professor McGonagall.
"Since you are all almost of age, I feel I can be blunt with you. Unless you've been living in the shadows, I assume that you are all aware of You-Know-Who and his followers taking over. The same has happened here at Hogwarts. That is why-" She cut off abruptly, her eyes swiveling to the doorway. We all turned as a unit to see Snape standing there. I whipped my head around, but Hagrid's house seemed perfectly intact.
"Professor Sprout, I do hope you are not filling these children with information useless to them." His deep drawl crawled over my skin like bugs. I fought off a shiver, keeping my eyes glued to his stiff form. Professor Sprout glared at him.
"Not useless, no. Rather relevant, I'd like to think."
"Wow, two day in and already two standoffs between teachers." Shelby whispered to our table. I had to agree with her.
"As relevant as you may think it is, I must ask that you stay on topic." His voice dripped as though doused in acid, and he only stayed to give one last glare before leaving in a swish of black robes.
Professor Sprout stood quite still. Then, moments before the bells rang across throughout the school, she said, "As you can see, we have a wonderfully relevant Headmaster to go along with our relevant information."
"I told you she'd not have any new information." I whispered to Luna on our way out.
"Weren't you listening, Ginny?" Luna's eyes widened. "Professor Sprout said it all!"
Before I could decipher what she meant, we passed by a group of Slytherins, Crabbe and Goyle in the thicket of it all. When they saw us pass by, they smirked.
"Hey Weasley!"
Against my better judgement, I turned back. Crabbe, who I had heard speak maybe once in all my time at Hogwarts, walked towards me a little.
"What?" I spat.
"Watch yourself."
"Excuse me?" I crossed my arms, mentally checking for my wand in my back pocket. Crabbe's smirk fell off his face and smashed on the floor.
"I said watch yourself. Who's to say what'll get you."
"Coming from a normal person, I'd take that as a nice, caring gesture. However, since this came from Crabbe, I took it differently.
"That a threat? I'm so scared! DId you hear that, Luna? Big bad Crabbe told me to watch myself!" I laughed shrilly in his face, trying to hide the sliver of fear that I got from him. Fear, because what he said was true.
Crabbe's anger flared and he pointed his wand at me faster than I thought possible. I whipped mine out just in time.
"Furnunculus!"
"Crucio!"
The spell hit me harder than I remembered, and when I could finally open my eyes again, I was pleased to see boils covering his skin. Cold hands were on my face and blonde hair fell over me as Luna peered down at me.
"Are you okay?"
Her voice felt a million miles away, but I managed a nod. Her face filled with relief as another face swam into view. The worried face of Professor McGonagall stared at me, her hands reaching down to help me up. Shakily, I stood and came face to face with Snape.
"Ms. Weasley, do you understand the strict rules we have here at Hogwarts? Rules about attacking other students?"
I probably looked like a fish gasping for air. My mouth hung open in pure shock at the fact that I was being reprimanded for this.
"Surely you aren't suggesting that it was Ms. Weasley who started this?"
Snape turned to look at McGonagall, his icy stare making her stiffen. McGonagall tightened her grip on my arm.
"Unless my eyes deceive me, I believe Mr. Crabbe is the only one with visible injuries. Therefore, I request that Ms. Parkinson take him up to the Hospital Wing, while Ms. Weasley accompanies me to my office."
McGonagall, sensible enough to not argue in front of a crowd, released me. I stumbled unsteadily, but followed after Snape. I tried to leave a good amount of space between me and him, but he kept stopping to wait for me. I refused to meet his eyes, choosing to stay silent until I was seated in front of Dumbledore's desk. Snape took a seat in front of me and the silence grew steadily.
Finally, I broke it. "If this is some ploy to get me to spill where Harry is, you're wasting your breath."
His eyebrows raised up. "Am I?"
"Yes."
Snape smiled and, let me tell you, he can't pull it off. It looked more twisted and snarl-like than anything warm and inviting.
"Actually, Ms. Weasley, I brought you up here solely for the purpose of punishment."
I looked around the room while Snape rustled for something in the desk. A glint of metal caught my eye and I focused in on the sword of Gryffindor. I'd have recognized it even without the elegant writing on the blade. I remember Harry holding tightly to it (and me) as Fawkes the Pheonix carried us and Ron back out of the Chamber of Secrets. Lockhart too, but I don't bother much with remembering him.
"Taking a trip down memory lane?" Snape's hateful voice brought me back to the present. I looked at him and shrugged.
"Not really. There are some memories I'd like to leave in the past."
"You've spent too much time with Potter, I see. You seem to be losing respect for your Professors."
I glared long at him. I felt the strongest urge to tell him just how much respect I had for him, but I decided that I wanted to live tonight.
"My apologies, Professor Snape."
He nodded once, then continued. "Since I'm aware of the dangers posed to you by Mr. Crabbe, you get off punishment this time. However, I'll not be so kind the next time you turn your wand on another student. Clear?"
It was funny; hearing Snape talk in an authoritative voice reminded me of Harry back in my fourth year. Of course Harry was teaching us how to defend ourselves and Snape was reprimanding me for giving Crabbe boils because he used the Cruciatus curse on me, but who's keeping track, really.
"Clear, Professor Snape."
"Dismissed, Ms. Weasley."
It was two days after I left Snape's office, and I was browsing the Restricted section of the library, looking for information on human transformations. Professor MCGonagall assigned this three foot long parchment on all the dangers of transforming a person with and without their acknowledgement; I figured where else would I find dangers on transformations than the Restricted section. Regardless of what I was doing in the library, I found something that peeked my interest. I heaved the heavy book off the shelf.
It made a small dust cloud when I set it down, but otherwise no one noticed what I was doing. As I gripped the cover I sincerely hoped it wasn't one of those screaming books. It wasn't, thankfully.
The book was called 'Dangerous Magic and How To Deflect It'. It caught my eye; I remembered over hearing Hermione whispering to Ron a few days before they all left to get Harry.
"Ron! This isn't a joke." Hermione whispered angrily, carrying a pile of her own clothes to our room. I was laying down, pretending to be asleep.
"Calm down, Hermione. I know it's serious but that doesn't mean we have to spend our whole summer waiting on baited breath for something to happen." Ron leant against my door, or at least I was assuming he was; I heard the door creak.
"Ron," I peaked through my eyes a tiny bit, trying to see them. Hermione stood, arms crossed, looking frighteningly at my brother. "Ron, we're going to be dealing with dangerous things, things even I haven't read about! There is no way we can spend the rest of our summer happily. Once Harry gets here, we'll have to really buckle down and start planning."
Ron sighed. "Fine. But let's go before Ginny wakes up. The last thing we need is unwanted questions."
I wonder if Hermione ever read this book…
For the better half of an hour I poured over that book, reading stuff I already knew. The three unforgivable curses and the ways to fight them off; all except the killing curse. I guess I could always ask Harry how he survived it, but I doubt he'd know. Stunning spells and ways to shield them were a good four chapters in length. The book was a bust in the end. All it told me was that there were different kinds of evil magic ( they refused to list them though…) and very few ways to destroy or end them.
"Ginny?"
I jumped when I saw Neville round the corner, something in his hand. When he sat down across from me, he slid over what was now a piece of parchment.
"This came for you. An owl came to the common room, a few minutes after you left. I didn't know where you went so I've been traveling through the castle trying to find you." He smiled a little.
"Neville," I laughed. "Why didn't you just wait for me to come back?"
"It came from your family owl, so I figured you'd want to read it right away."
I looked down and noticed it was Bill's neat handwriting etched across the front of the letter.
"Thanks, Neville!"
I opened the letter eagerly. Mum and Dad hadn't been writing lately and I was happy to hear from someone in the family.
Hello Ginny!
Sorry I couldn't write you back when you sent your first letter. I've been extremely busy at the bank right now (the goblins aren't taking to kindly to their even lower status now). I have to admit that I was surprised when you said McGonagall wasn't Headmistress. I was sure she'd take over for Dumbledore; I guess when you have You-Know-Who running things, the decision isn't really that fair. Either way, things are getting more dangerous by the day. I have to go now, Gin. Be careful and Mum and Dad send their love.
-Bill and Fleur
I hoped no one had searched this letter. Bill would be in a load of trouble if people found out we were talking about Him. I folded it back up, then turned to Neville.
"Hey, did you know the sword of Gryffindor is in Dumble- Snape's office? I saw it hanging on the wall when he brought me up there a few days ago."
Neville blinked once, his face paling.
"Impossible. The sword of Gryffindor is supposed to be in some secret vault; somewhere so deep only the oldest of goblins at Gringotts know where it is."
I shook my head a little. I remember back to a time where Neville, bless his heart, wasn't the brightest bean in the Bertie's every flavored box.
"Neville, how'd you find that out?"
"My Gran told me! Sometime after the events in my second year. You know, when Harry saved you. She said that the sword must be able to move itself because it was supposed to be locked up somewhere safe." Neville looked worried, and I bet I did too.
If the sword was supposed to be somewhere safe, where evil hands couldn't touch it, that means something went wrong. Snape shouldn't have it; the Order should.
"You know what we need to do then, right Neville?" I half smiled at him. He looked stricken with the idea.
"You're not trying to say we should…"
"Oh yes. That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Oh that sounds quite fun!"
Luna's reaction to my plan was unexpected but welcome. She'd agreed to find the perfect distractions for us, and then meet up with Neville and I in front of the gargoyles guarding Snape's office. We'd hide out until Snape went running, then sneak in while the office was still open, and steal the sword. If everything went as planned, we'd be well down the hall and on our way to the Room of Requirement. If all went as planned.
At five o'clock on the Monday before Christmas break, Neville and I snuck up to the large gargoyles, settling in behind them.
"Excuse you! I don't remember inviting you to stay behind me." The gargoyle Neville stood behind spoke. I jumped.
"Shh! Please don't talk!"
The gargoyle 'hmph'd but didn't talk after that. A few minutes later, an enormous bang sounded beneath us. The floor shook and dust fell from the ceiling. Snape came running down the steps, just as planned. I drew back a smidge, afraid he'd see me, but he gave no sign of seeing anything out of the ordinary. As soon as his footsteps rounded the corner, Neville and I sprung up the stairs before the spiraled back behind the wall.
"Wonder what Luna set off…" I said quietly. We back tracked and waited on the bottom step until we heard a light 'tap tap tap' and one stomp on the floor. It was Luna of course. She was smiling big as we climbed the staircase and slid through the large oak door. There was the sword, shining brightly in its case.
"Ginny," Luna whispered. "What about the paintings? Won't they tell on us?"
I rolled my eyes. "Luna, please. They have much better things to do than watch us. Besides, we're going to be extra quiet so we don't wake them."
Neville was the tallest out of the three of us, so he was the one who reached up and grabbed the hilt of the sword. It swung down hard, almost cracking Luna on the head. I cringed as metal hit stone.
"Sorry!" He exclaimed.
"It doesn't matter! Come on, let's go!" I grabbed the sword from Neville and lead the way back down the steps. Just before I reached out to open the wall, it swung open. I nearly screamed from fright; Snape stood in front of me, seething from head to toe.
"And just what do you think you are doing with that?"
I stared blankly at him; usually excuses came so readily to my lips. Now I just stood gaping like an idiot. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks and I knew it was all over. We were done. I gasped when Snape reached out and ripped the sword from my grip. Then, pushing the point into my back slightly, he made us take the walk of shame back into his office.
"You there, Dippet; go get the Carrows for me."
Professor Dippet looked highly offended to be sent on this task, but left his seat none the less. When he returned, it was with a hatful voice he said, "They are to be here in a moment."
When Tweedle E and Tweedle Vil walked in the room, I felt a surge of panic. Ever since the first night here, I tried to stay under the radar with them. Though they absolutely disgusted me, they instilled a certain fear in me that I just couldn't shake. Their wands were aloft, curio waiting behind their lips.
"Stealing, Ms. Weasley, is forbidden."
"Don't blame her! It was all me!" Neville shouted from my right. I swelled with happiness and pride; I really had a great friend in Neville.
"Shut it, Longbottom." Snarled Amycus. The room felt much smaller with them in it. The Carrows closed in on us; Snape sat calmly at his desk.
"I have been very patient with you these past months. I've over looked all your little…complications this year. But now you have pushed me too far."
My heart sank. Snape was cruel and the Carrows were almost inhuman when it came to punishment. I couldn't even fathom the punishment he'd give us.
"Thursday at fifteen minutes past seven, you will join Hagrid by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Failure to show up will result in immediate expulsion."
He dismissed us then, and I've never seen three kids run so fast as we did. It wasn't until I was climbing under the covers, to worn out to get some dinner, that I realized something.
Snape had let us off easy. It was as if….for just one moment….he was on our side.