Ginny was in the centre of the maze on the Malfoy mansion on her fifteenth birthday. The Malfoy's were in Paris for the day, where Draco hadn't managed to persuade her to come. Over the years she'd grown attached to him. She was delighted now, to spend her summers at his house, where Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy now treated her as a member of the family, much as they would if she were their own daughter.
Narcissa's favourite thing to do was to take Ginny out to boutiques and buy her fabulous dresses that Ginny knew she would never get the chance to wear. Starting from when she was thirteen, Narcissa began holding balls at the mansion every Friday night, where she got Ginny to parade her dresses, much to Ginny's distaste.
Lucius showed her every single new book he bought for their library, which she devoured eagerly, leaving no subject unread. Now and then, like today, the Malfoys traveled overseas. Usually Ginny used this time alone in the mansion to explore.
In her second summer there, she found Lucius's secret library. Hidden very well behind the actual library, Ginny devoured these books quickly, learning why they were kept away. Though she knew she really shouldn't read books about dark magic, Ginny couldn't help herself. And Lucius never knew she had been in his secret library.
But now Ginny was there for a different reason. It had been four years since she had heard anything from her family. This morning, and she had no idea how it happened to come about, but an owl was sitting outside the window of the room she always slept in at the mansion.
Tied to its leg was a small parcel.
Ginny opened the parcel now. The moment she had seen her name written on the outside, in that familiar scribble which her brother had called handwriting, her heart had almost stopped beating.
Checking despite herself to make sure that she was alone, and that none of the weird creatures known as house elves were around, Ginny opened the box which had been wrapped up in brown paper and addressed to her.
Inside was an envelope, and several stacks of pictures. Ginny decided to look at the pictures first. Her family, happy together, without her. They didn't seem to miss her at all. There were pictures of holidays, pictures of just being at home, pictures of school.
Unlike wizarding pictures, these didn't move. But Ginny was glad of this. She had the feeling that, if these pictures were to move and to talk, they'd be very rude to her.
Finally, Ginny opened the thick envelope, and found heaps of letters inside.
Ginny.
Mum and Dad were scared stiff when they found out you hadn't arrived at Crimson. Then this weird old guy came and told us you were a witch. Ginny, you aren't a witch, are you?
Chris
Ginny,
We miss you. Please come back. Mum says you're evil. But I can't believe you could be evil. Ginny, please come back. For me?
Chris
Ginny,
It's been a month now, and I miss you so much. Mum and Dad are beginning to act like you never existed. I keep on looking through old family albums just to prove you did.
Chris
Ginny,
It's summer, and you're not here. I don't know what summer will be like without you there to brighten up our days. I tried talking about you last night, but Mum just ignored me and changed the subject, as if I had brought up low grades.
Chris
Ginny,
Why do I keep writing you these letters? I keep on intending to post them to you, but then I realise I don't know how. Where are you living now? Where's this Hogwarts place? Ginny, I miss you. Please come back. For me. Life's not the same at the Lee house without you.
Chris
Ginny,
Another year, another summer without you. I passed all my subjects at school! You'd be proud of it. I saw Mum crying over a picture of you last night. I guess you're not as dead to her as she tries to let on. I know you probably have heaps of witch friends, and probably have a new family, but you don't know how much I miss you.
Chris
Ginny,
Another letter. I've written one every day since you've been gone. Why do I keep on writing them? I know I'll never send any of them.
Chris
Ginny,
Mum found my collection of letters yesterday. I came home, and she was halfway through reading them. I dont know what to think. She was crying, and when she saw me standing in the doorway, she stopped, and just left them there on my bed. I was worried fr so long about her finding out about them, but I never expected this to be her reaction.
Chris
Ginny,
I have a girlfriend! Her name is Michelle, and she's really sweet. I just know you'd love her! She has the most amazing clear blue eyes, and jet black hair. Ginny, have you got a boyfriend? Do you have someone who you really love, as much as I love Michelle?
Chris
Ginny,
A letter arrived yesterday. I don't know who sent it. But you'll never believe it! It was delivered by an owl. An owl! Can you believe it? It came hooting at my window in the night.
Chris
To Christopher,
I have heard all about you by now, though you'll know nothing of me. Your sister loves you, and misses you and your family more than you could ever imagine. From what Ginny told me, I thought you'd be the best person to write to. The most likely to brighten up her day. If you do still love your sister, send her something with this owl. Nothing too large, she can't carry really heavy loads. If you don't, then do what you want with the owl. Keep her, if you want, or send her out. If she comes back to me with nothing, I won't tell Ginny. There's no way I could break her heart like that.
Please, though, send her some token of your affection.
A friend.
Ginny,
I don't know who this person is, but they gave me a way to talk to you. I chose some random letters. IL hope you don't mind. There are probably heaps more in there that are longer, and better worded. I made sure I didn't give you any ones I made illegible from crying!
Sometimes here we miss you more than other times. I know that I wish, every night, that you could be here to talk to. I thought about telling one of the others that I was writing to you, but I decided against it. I'm glad you remember us. And from what your friend says, it sounds like you miss us too.
Please talk to us, Ginny. We all miss you.
Chris
Ginny had been crying silently as she read through all these letters. Short as they may be, they were too the point. Just like the Christopher she used to know so well.
It seemed strange to her that this would arrive on her birthday, but she knew it could be nothing more than a coincidence.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Ginny made her way back up to the mansion. In her room, she took out a piece of parchment and a quill.
Chris,
I miss you too! You have no idea how much! When first I came here I was so sure there was no such thing as magic. I tried, and I tried to explain everything scientifically. But it couldn't work out! There was no way some of the things we had to do could be explained with science.
Then I was so worried for my soul. You should have seen me. I got a 99% on a test I should have got 100% on, purely because I was so worried about my soul. But then Professor Dumbledore told me that I can't help who I am.
I'm really glad you miss me. I mean, I'm sad you miss me, but I'm glad too. At least I know you care. I thought you all hated me. I promise you I'm not evil! I would never go against the bible. I really wish I could bring you all here, and show you my world for a time.
Heh. I'm coming to think of it as my world. Well, I guess it is. It's the world I belong in, whcih I guess means I can't belong in your world. I'm nearly in my fifth year now. I'm so excited! One of my Professors has even promised to show me how to turn into an animal. I already know how, but she's promised to help me find the animal I can turn into. You have no idea how long I've been waiting to try this!
Imagine how amazing that could be. I could turn into a cat, for example, and wander around the world in the body of a cat for a while.
It's too late in the holidays now to come visit you, but do you think you could persuade Mum and Dad to let me come home for Christmas? Please, Chris?
Ginny
A/N: I have the bug. The writing bug. Expect more soon.