Here is the next chapter, it's just about the summer before school starts. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4
Sunday 5th July 1992
"Oh my god, he is so brave. Going up against you-know-who, I mean. . ." I was talking to Ron about Harry Potter. I had been going on about him to Ron for the whole week he had been back. I was probably getting annoying but I couldn't help it, he intrigued me ever since I saw him at the train station a year ago.
"Ginny! Will you go away! I'm trying to right a letter to Harry", Ron said as he dipped his quill in his ink bottle and continued writing.
"Oh, how is he? Did he write back to your last letter? When is he gonna come and stay?" I asked getting more and more excited.
"Well if you leave and let me finish then I will ask him and he hasn't replied to my last letter yet", Ron said looking a bit confused as to why he didn't get a reply. I heard mum call me down, so I left Ron to it and went downstairs to see what mum wanted.
***
Saturday 18th July 1992
Another two weeks passed by without a single word from Harry. Ron had written to him quite a few times now and he was beginning to get worried. The twins said maybe Errol wasn't delivering the letters properly, so Ron wrote again. He had asked Percy if he could borrow Hermes but Percy said he needed him. I don't understand what Percy is up to. He has spent most of the summer so far locked up in his room and he's been sending a lot of letters as well. I walked into the kitchen for Lunch, Ron was tying a letter to Errol's foot and mum was setting lunch on the table.
"Don't worry Ron, I'm sure he just didn't have time to reply or something", Mum said to Ron as Errol soared of not so gracefully.
"I don't know mum, you know what the muggles he lives with are like", Ron said as he sat down at the table. "I just hope he's ok, he's a really good friend". Mum smiled at Ron and put some food down in front of him. I sat down opposite him as the twins and Percy joined us.
***
Friday 31st July 1992
I was sat in the living room laughing at the jokes Fred and George were telling me. Ron was sat near us also looking amused. Mum walked in with Dad, who was carrying his dinner on a tray.
"Hey Dad", the four of us said in greeting as dad sat down on an armchair.
"Hello kids. Ron I just heard that Harry got an official warning for using magic in front of muggles", Dad told Ron and then started eating his dinner. Ron sat up straight as he heard this.
"They must be treating him badly, I'm sure he was provoked. I know he shouldn't but something is going on." Ron said and everyone sat around thinking. "Today's his birthday as well; I sent him a card and present".
"I'm sure he'll be ok Ron", Mum said not looking so sure.
***
Monday 3rd August 1992
"Oh well done Percy, oh your father will be so happy", Mum said hugging Percy. He just got his OWL results, he got twelve. If he didn't live with me I would think he didn't have a life, actually I still doubt it. Bill got twelve OWLs as well but he was fun and still is. I left the kitchen and went up the stairs, as I passed Fred and George's room I saw Ron knocking on their door. Fred poked his head out of the door.
"What do you want Ron?" Fred asked as he spotted him.
"I need your help. Both of you in particular. Can we talk?" Ron asked him. Fred smiled at Ron's words.
"Us in particular? Ok, we'll talk in your room, be there in a minute", Fred said and then disappeared behind the door. I was sure I heard an explosion go off in their room as Ron walked up to his room. I wonder what he wants their help with, huh. I walked into my room and over to my bed. In 28 days from now I will be on my way to Hogwarts.
***
Tuesday 4th August 1992
I woke up and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. After I was done I decided to go downstairs for breakfast without changing out of my nightdress, only my brothers and mum are downstairs I could hear them. I walked downstairs still a bit sleepy. I walked into the kitchen only to find the one and only Harry Potter sat at the table with my three brothers. As soon as I saw him I squealed and ran back out of the kitchen and to my room. Oh no he saw me like this, I look awful. I quickly searched through my wardrobe for something to wear. I decided on my blue jeans with a short-sleeved red top. Once I was dressed I heard voices coming from the garden. I went over to my window. I saw Harry standing outside watching Ron throw a gnome over the hedge. I carried on watching them all de-gnome the garden.
I heard the front door slam and realised that dad was home. I watched the boys go back into the house. Voices could be heard coming from downstairs.
"LIKE CARS, FOR INSTANCE?" I heard mum yell. She must have found out about the car dad enchanted. I walked over to my door and opened it a little. I could hear mum telling dad off. I saw Ron come up the stairs with Harry. I watched as they approached nearer and then he saw me. I panicked and quickly shut the door with a snap. I leaned against the door as I heard Ron speaking to Harry.
"Ginny, you don't know how weird it is for her to be this shy, she never shuts up normally –"Ron said and then I heard them walk up the stairs to Ron's room. He was staying here for the rest of summer, how am I going to survive. I grabbed my pack of exploding snap cards and began shuffling them.
***
Tuesday 11th August 1992
Life at the burrow was a lot different with Harry around. I didn't say a word to him and every time he came into a room a managed to either knock something over or break something. Today is my 11th birthday, so mum took me out to celebrate. When we got home she made a big dinner and a large chocolate cake (Yum). I enjoyed my birthday very much and I was happy that Harry was here at my house on my birthday. I can't wait for my Hogwarts letter to arrive; I'm so excited about starting school.
***
Wednesday 12th August 1992
I walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table for breakfast joining mum and dad.
"Here Ginny dear, your Hogwarts letter is here", Mum said handing me an envelope. I took it from here excitedly, opened it and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Weasley,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. The Hogwarts Express will leave from Kings Cross Station, platform nine and three quarters at eleven o'clock.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
I re-read my letter and then took out the equipment list, which said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with a Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Once I had read through my equipment list properly, I handed it to mum to look over and then started eating my porridge. I looked up and saw Harry enter the kitchen with Ron, as soon as I saw Harry I accidently knocked over my porridge bowl. I dived under the table to get my bowl and felt my face redden as I emerged. I'm sure Harry noticed but he pretended he didn't and sat down at the table taking the toast mum gave him.
"Letters from school," Dad said passing Harry and Ron identical envelopes. "Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry – doesn't miss a trick, that man. You two have got them, too," Dad added as Fred and George walked into the kitchen still in their pyjamas. There was silence for a while as they all read their letters.
"You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!" Fred said to Harry looking at his letter. "The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan – bet it's a witch".
"That lot won't come cheap," said George, looking at mum and dad. "Lockhart's books are really expensive ..."
"Well, we'll manage," said Mum, but she looked worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things second-hand."
"Oh, are you starting at Hogwarts this year?" Harry asked me. I nodded, blushing furiously and managed to put my elbow in the butter dish. Besides Harry no one saw as Percy walked in at that minute. He was fully dressed and had his prefect badge pinned to his knitted tank top.
"Morning, all," Percy said. "Lovely day." He sat down in the only remaining chair but got up immediately pulling Errol out from underneath him.
"Errol!" Ron said taking him from Percy and taking the letter from him. "Finally – he's got Hermione's answer. I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursleys." He took Errol over to the perch trying to make him stand but to no avail. He placed him therefore on the draining board muttering 'pathetic'. He then ripped open the letter and read it out loud:
Dear Ron, and Harry if you're there,
I hope that everything went all right and that Harry is OK and that you didn't do anything illegal to get him out, Ron, because that would get Harry into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if Harry is all right, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl, because I think another delivery might finish your one off.
I'm very busy with school work, of course and we're going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley?
Let me know what's happening as soon as you can, love from
Hermione.
"Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then, too," Mum said clearing the table. "What're you all up to today?"
Harry, Ron, Fred and George were all planning to go to the small paddock we own uphill. It's surrounded by trees and therefore the best place to practise quidditch. They asked Percy if he wanted to join them but he said he was busy. So the four of them got their broomsticks and headed off for the paddock. I went to my room and went over my school list. I couldn't wait till we went shopping next week.
***
Wednesday 19th August 1992
Mum woke everyone up early and after a quick breakfast we all put our coats. Mum picked up the flower pot and peered inside.
"We're running low, Arthur," she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today ...ah well, guests first! After you, Harry dear!" Mum offered him the Floo powder. He seemed confused.
"W-what am I supposed to do?" Harry stammered
"He's never travelled by Floo powder," Ron said suddenly. "Sorry, Harry, I forgot."
"Never?" said Dad. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?"
"I went on the Underground -/"
"Really?" said Dad eagerly. "Were there escapators? How exactly –"
"Not now, Arthur," said Mum. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dear, but goodness me, if you've never used it before –"
"He'll be all right, Mum," Fred said."Harry, watch us first". Fred too a pinch of Floo powder and threw it in to the fireplace. Once the flame had turned emerald green and rose as high as Fred, he stepped in and shouted 'Diagon Alley!' and then vanished.
"You must speak very clearly, dear", Mum told Harry as George grabbed some Floo powder as well. "And mind you get out at the right grate ..."
"The right what?" Harry asked nervously as George vanished out of sight as well.
"Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly –"
"He'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss," said Dad as he got some Floo powder from the pot.
"But dear, if he got lost, how would we ever explain to his aunt and uncle?" Mum asked Dad.
"They wouldn't mind," Harry said to mum. "Dudley would think it was a brilliant joke if I got lost up a chimney, don't worry about that."
"Well ...all right ...you go after Arthur," Mum said finally. "Now, when you get into the fire, say where you're going –"
"And keep your elbows tucked in," Ron advised him.
"And your eyes shut," Mum said. "The soot –"
"Don't fidget," Ron said. "Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace –"
"But don't panic and get out too early, wait until you see Fred and George." Harry took a pinch of Floo powder and went over to the fireplace. He threw it into the flames and then stepped in.
"D-Dia-gon Alley," he coughed and disappeared from sight.
"Did that go wrong?" Ron asked mum.
"I hope not dear. Ron you go next," Mum told Ron. He got some powder and after scattering it in the fireplace, he stepped in and vanished with a yelled 'Diagon Alley!' Percy went next and then I stepped into the emerald flames.
"Diagon Alley!" I yelled and felt the familiar spinning as I was sucked through fireplaces. I landed in the Leaky Cauldron. I got up and dusted myself off as Mum appeared behind me.
"Harry's not here, we're going to look for him," Percy stated as he ran off behind Ron and the others. Mum dusted herself off as well and grabbed my hand.
"Come on dear, we have to find him. The poor boy, he's probably so lost. Oh Arthur, what – where –"
"Molly, dear, don't worry we'll find him," Dad reassured mum and went to catch up with my brothers. Mum and I entered Diagon Alley behind dad. Mum was looking everywhere as was I. Harry could have ended up anywhere, hopefully not too far.
"There he is!" Fred yelled. "Over there by Gringotts". My brothers and dad who were already ahead of us ran off to Harry. Me and mum made are way quickly too them. As we got closer I noticed Harry (wearing broken glasses) was standing with Hermione Granger, who I had briefly seen at the train station before and a really tall man, who seemed really friendly. This must be Hagrid the games keeper. Mum started running faster, I only just managed to keep my hold of her hand.
"Oh, Harry – oh, my dear – you could have been anywhere –" Mum pulled out a large clothes brush from her bag and began sweeping of the soot from Harry's clothes. Dad repaired Harry's glasses with a tap of his wand.
"Well, gotta be off," said Hagrid as Mum shook his hand thanking him for finding Harry. "See yer at Hogwarts!" He turned and walked off into the crowded street.
"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione as we climbed the steps of Gringotts bank. "Malfoy and his father"
"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" Dad asked Harry as he walked behind them and beside mum.
"No he was selling."
"So he's worried," said Dad looking slightly satisfied. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something ..."
"You be careful, Arthur," Mum said as we were ushered inside by a bowing goblin. "That family's trouble, don't go biting off more than you can chew."
"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" Dad asked indignantly but got distracted by a couple, who were standing nervously at the counter. I am guessing that they're Hermione's parents. "But you're Muggles!" Dad was extremely happy to see them. "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing Muggle money. Molly, look!" Dad pointed excitedly at the small pieces of paper in Mr Granger's hand. Must be muggle money.
"Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione as my family and Harry were led to our vaults. I enjoyed the journey down to our vault. Mum scoped the whole lot of money into her bag. Then we were led to Harry's vault 687 and waited as he filled a bag with money.
Once we were all outside on the marble steps, we all separated. Percy muttered something about needing a new quill. The twins had spotted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan. Dad insisted on taking the Grangers to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink. Mum and I were going to a second-hand robe shop.
"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your school books," Mum said as we set off. "And not one step down Knockturn Alley!" Mum shouted at the twins' retreating backs. We entered a second hand robe shop and started looking around. We found some robes in very good condition, a black pointed hat and a winter cloak as well. Charlie had sent me a pair of dragon hide gloves, so I didn't need to worry about that. After we left there we went to get my other things. We got my brass scales, telescope and a set of glass phials from a second hand shop.
"How about this one, mum?" I asked mum pointing at a pewter cauldron near me. Mum came over to me, to take a look.
"Yes, I think that one will do nicely," Mum said picking it up and walking to the counter with it. Once she had paid for it we walked out and went to the apothecary to get my potions ingredients, it smells awful in here. We got some basic ingredients for me, as that would be fine for the school year. Then we went to Olivanders to get my wand, its nine inches willow and unicorn hair. "Alright dear, just your school books left." We up to Flourish and Blotts, there seemed to be a queue. I saw a sign in the window, which said:
GILDEROY LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12.30 – 4.30 pm
We checked the time and realised that it was about 11:45. We got into the queue straight away and it was a good thing too, as it increased rapidly once we did. It took us about fifteen minutes to get inside the shop. Once we were in, I told mum to stay in the queue whilst I got the other books I needed besides the Lockhart ones. She agreed only because the queue had gotten even bigger. I walked off to the back of the shop and a helpful sales lady helped me find all the books I needed at a reasonable price, since they were second-hand. I went over to mum and got the money of her and paid for my books. I carried all my books back to mum who took them of me and rearranged everything to make it easier to carry. I helped her out by putting most of my books into my cauldron, which I was carrying. We waited in the queue as the rest arrived, it was nearly one o'clock when Ron arrived with Harry and Hermione.
"Oh, there you are, good," Mum said to the three of them as they approached us. "We'll be able to see him in a minute ..."
Gilderoy Lockhart slowly came into view seated at a table surrounded by pictures of him. He was wearing blue, the same colour as his eyes. A short man was dancing up and down taking pictures.
"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, stepping back to get a better picture. "This is for the Daily Prophet."
"Big deal," Ron said rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it. Gilderoy Lockhart looked up at Ron and then he noticed Harry.
"It can't be Harry Potter!" Lockhart exclaimed and Harry was dragged to the front to join him. The photographer went mad taking countless pictures, resulting in thick black smoke covering us all. All of us moved to the edge of the room and I put my cauldron down on the floor next to me. Lockhart smiled broadly and muttered something to Harry. "Ladies and Gentlemen; what an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography – which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge –" (The whole crowd applauded at this, Harry didn't look very happy at all) "- he had no idea, that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his school fellows will, in fact, be getting the real, magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that, this September, I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
Harry was presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart and then he staggered over to where I was standing.
"You have these," Harry mumbled to me, tipping the books into my cauldron. "I'll buy my own –"
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" said a voice, I looked up to see a blond boy with a pale pointed face. Harry straightened up and looked at the boy, I could tell they didn't like each other at all. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page." I was furious now, how dare he talk to Harry like that.
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" I said anger rising inside me as I glared at the boy.
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled the boy making me go a violent shade of red. Ron and Hermione managed to make their way over both clutching stacks of Lockhart's books.
"Oh, it's you," Ron said looking at the boy like he was something repulsive. "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," said the boy sneering at Ron. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for that lot." Ron went as red as I felt and dropped his books into my cauldron. He started towards the obnoxious boy but Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket to prevent him from starting a fight.
"Ron!" Dad said as he struggled out of the crowd towards us with Fred and George. "What are you doing? It's mad in here, let's go outside."
"Well, well, well – Arthur Weasley." Standing there with his hand on the pale boy's shoulder was a man who must be his father. He had the same pale pointed face, blond hair and from what I could tell the same grey eyes as well.
"Lucius," said Dad nodding coldly. Oh so this is Lucius Malfoy and his son, why am I not surprised.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Mr Malfoy. "All those raids ... I hope they're paying you overtime?" He reached into my cauldron and pulled out my battered copy of A Beginner's guide to Transfiguration. "Obviously not; dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?" Dad went as red as his hair.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," Dad said.
"Clearly," said Mr Malfoy, his eyes looking to Mr and Mrs Granger who were watching the scene apprehensively. "The company you keep, Weasley ...and I thought your family could sink no lower –"
There was a loud thud as my cauldron went flying. Dad had thrown himself at Mr Malfoy knocking him into a bookshelf, making dozens of heavy books fall over our heads. The twins yelled 'Get him, Dad!' as Mum yelled 'No, Arthur, no!' The shop assistant said something too but I couldn't hear. Then there was a loud 'Break it up, there, gents, break it up –'
It was Hagrid making his way over to us, he pulled Mr Malfoy and Dad apart in an instant. Dad had a cut lip and Mr Malfoy had been hit in the eye by some encyclopaedia. He was still holding my Transfiguration book and he threw it at me.
"Here, girl – take your book – it's the best your father can give you –" he said and beckoned his son over and they left the shop.
"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," Hagrid said to Dad and almost lifted him from the ground as he straightened his robes. "Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that. No Malfoy's worth listenin' ter. Bad blood, that's what it is. Come on now – let's get outta here." The assistant looked like he wanted to stop us but one look at Hagrid changed his mind. We gathered all our things and took off down the street. The Grangers looked rather shaken and Mum was furious.
"A fine example to set to your children ...brawling in public ...what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought ..."
"He was pleased," said Fred. "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking the bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report – said it was publicity."
We got to the Leaky Cauldron and said goodbye to the Grangers, who were taking the bus. Dad wanted to ask about that I could tell but mum gave him a look and he said nothing. We gathered round the fireplace and one by one set off back home.
***
Tuesday 25th August 1992
I dipped my quill into my ink bottle and writing back in my diary to Tom. I had found the diary amongst my school books, it had a name Tom. I would write in the diary and Tom would respond to what I said, he was so comforting to me. I told him all about Harry and how hard it was to talk to him or even around him. He would tell me it was ok and not to worry. I heard mum call everyone for dinner and I finished writing before I closed the diary and put it in my draw.
***
Monday 31st August 1992
Finally the last day of the holidays has arrived. I packed all my clothes neatly into my trunk, then I placed all my school books in there and then arranged the rest of my stuff in there as well. Lastly I placed my uniform on top of everything as I would have to change into it on the train. Once my trunk was all packed I sat and wrote to Tom for awhile before going down to dinner. Mum had out done herself for dinner and the treacle pudding was delicious. Fred and George then let off some of Filibuster's Fireworks, which filled the kitchen with red and blue sparks that lasted for half an hour. Then we all had a mug of hot chocolate and headed off to bed.
Well there we go all done. I am working on the next chapter, shall be up as soon as possible. Read and review people please!!!