The morning off her departure was a tense one. Since there was only Ginny, she'd be side along apparating with her mother. She received a kiss and a hug off each of her brothers, Fred and George sneaking Weasley products into her overly large pockets. Her father ruffled her hair before pulling her in strongly. "Just stay safe ok? Keep your head down. Please Ginny, promise me?" She knew she couldn't do that so she just nodded.
"Come along dear." Her mother shrunk her trunk and placed it in her pocket. "Have you got everything." Ginny nodded again, preferring to remain silent. Her wand was clutched tightly in her hand. They were outside the wards when her mother offered her arm. She took it tightly and pressed her eyes closed, waiting for the squeezing and nausea. At least she'd be able to learn how to do that on her own this year.
Kings Cross was busy and bustling, bursting with life as shouts and clamours echoed through the air. Almost nothing had changed for the muggles. They still ran around absorbed in themselves, too preoccupied to notice anything unusual. Her mother gripped her arm tightly, fearing she'd be lost in the crowd. The brick wall between the two platforms loomed alarmingly in front of them. To Ginny it looked far less welcoming and far more solid than before. Never the less she slipped through the barrier with ease.
The contrast between platform 9 and 3/4 and the rest of the station was disconcerting. Here there was little to no noise, parents and family members shuffling their kids through a new ticket system. Her mother shared a worried glance with her as they joined the line. At the front wizards in black robes checked names off of lists. A little girl with pig tails was brushed through, as was her father. Her mother was held back and another wizard directed her to a seating area. A port key had been set up in the middle. The sign above the benches read,
Mudblood Registration and Verification. Please take a seat.
There were already a couple seated, even a few students. Ginny recognised Justin from the year above comforting his sobbing mother. Horror struck, she moved towards them. Her mother's arm stopped her. She shook her head and Ginny understood. They were muggle born and there was nothing they could do about it. Their fates had already been decided.
"Next." The wizard waved them forward and held his hand out for Ginny's ticket. "Names."
"Ginerva Weasley and Molly Weasley nee Prewett." The wizard scanned them thoroughly. His eyes narrowed at their shabby clothing and flaming red hair.
"No mistaking you lot." Ginny growled and the bloke laughed. "They say red heads have a temper, might wanna keep a lid on yours girlie, wouldn't want to disappear would ya?" Her mother held her back as she moved to punch the man. Another wizard approached.
"Problem?" The one checking their tickets cackled.
"This one can't seem to respect authority. Bunch o' blood traitors." The new man eyes them warily as they were waved through. An ink mark was smudged onto her inner wrist, the letters were simple PB.BT. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they stood for. Ginny yanked down her sleeve whilst the security wizard accompanied them to the train. He hovered around them until Mrs Weasley pulled Ginny into a fierce hug and kissed her cheek goodbye.
"Behave. Please Ginny behave. I can't lose you too." She was referring to both Percy and Ron. Ginny hugged her back.
"I'll try." Her mother nodded solemnly, her eyes watering. She cupped Ginny's cheek and nodded, like she saw something she approved of.
"Good girl." With that she pulled away and watched Ginny board the train, her trunk safely stowed inside her pocket. The security man finally disappeared and the whistle of the train pierced the air. Panicking, Ginny reached her hands out of the door and clasped her mum's. Her mother just smiled encouragingly as the train started to pull away and their hands were parted.
Ginny made sure to keep her eyes on her until the steam from the funnel and the drizzly mist of the morning completely obscured her vision.
Sighing, she turned around and was prepared to face the challenge of finding a compartment. The train was empty of familiar faces. Those of aristocratic families were softly whispering to each other and excluded any outsiders. Ginny remembered the new rule of every underage witch or wizard having to attend Hogwarts. She guessed they must be the home taught ones.
Moving on, she found herself wandering past the main Slytherin compartment. Of course Nott couldn't resist jumping up and blocking the hall. "Move." She didn't have the patience to deal with his dragon dung. He only smirked confidently and lounged against the door.
"Really Weasley, that's no way to speak to your superior." She snorted.
"You're not my superior. Now move before I hex you into the middle of next year." She waved her wand threateningly and Nott scowled. He reluctantly let her pass.
"Just you wait Weasley. Once we're at Hogwarts you'd better watch your back."
"Whatever." She muttered, rolling her eyes and shoving past him.
She stalked down the corridor, recognising no one. The continued stares and whispers irked her even more. It was when she finally reached the last compartment that she slid the door open and almost tripped over someone on the floor. There were fourteen people squashed into one compartment. Ginny knew every single one of them. "Ginny!" Neville greeted her from where he was pressed against the window. She waved slightly and glanced around in confusion.
"The Slytherins kicked us out. They knew we were old DA." Ginny nodded slowly. Terry Boot and Micheal Corner were curled up by Seamus and Neville on one seat. Padma, Parvati, Lavender and Susan were on the other seat. Luna and Hannah were sat on the floor whilst the Creevey brothers and Demelza and Cootes were awkwardly squished on the luggage racks.
"Why didn't you fight back?"
"Because Harry's not here anymore."
"So?!" They looked at her like she was crazy. "He's Harry bloody Potter. He's a boy, not an army." She still didn't get much of a response. She rolled her eyes and sat down on the floor, shutting the door and leaning against it. "You call yourself DA yet you're all spineless wimps."
"We're not you Ginny." Parvati whispered. Ginny groaned.
"I don't want you to be me. I want you to get a grip on yourselves."
"It's dangerous." Her eyes almost bugged.
"It's dangerou- OF COURSE IT'S DANGEROUS WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLOODY WAR!" Her face flushed with anger at her so called fellow DA members. "You signed up for a reason. It was to fight."
"Yeah. Umbridge. Not you know who." Murmurs of agreement echoed around the compartment.
"Do you want Harry to win the war or not?! Cos if you do then we've got to do our bit." Uneasy glances were passed around. Ginny couldn't believe it!
"Lead us." Heads swivelled to Luna. "Lead us Ginny. Harry was nice. We were friends." She smiled, remembering Slughorn's party. "I want to help him." People agreed with Luna. Ginny's jaw dropped.
"I can't lead!"
"Why not?!" Neville challenged her.
"It's not fair. I demand that someone else does it." An argument broke out. People shouted and shoved, each trying to be heard over the other. Terry agreed with Ginny but Micheal agreed with Neville. The Creevey brothers sniped at the Patil sisters and caused another round of arguments.
Finally Hannah made herself heard. "ENOUGH!" She got everyone's attention. "I think there should be three leaders. Like a council." It didn't sound like a bad idea. She pressed on. "I nominate Ginny. All in favour say aye." Aye's were heard from the majority. Seamus spoke up.
"I nominate Neville." Again the vote was in favour. Neville blushed right to his roots. Only one person left. Ginny personally thought Luna would make an excellent addition and was about to voice her opinion when Colin beat her to it.
"I think Hannah. She is the one that came up with it." Everyone nodded. So it was decided. Ginny, Neville and Hannah were now the leaders of Dumbledore's Army.
~Review~
I don't normally do A/Ns but this is a quick note to say that I'm open to requests. For this book or others. I'm not fussy so any ship goes at any rating.
