Chapter Six

First Meeting

Ginny felt a trill of excitement run down her spine as she approached the Portkey that would take her to France. From there she would board a carriage that would take her to the school.

She turned and waved to her parents as they stood at the car. They knew she had to do this herself. Her brothers were jealous. They started school a week ahead of her. She tried to explain that she had a shorter winter break and probably wouldn't even get home, but they were having none of it.

A young man with curly blonde hair nodded politely to her as he held open the door to the Portkey chamber. Ginny cast one last look over her shoulder as the man took her bag. He led her forward. A golden statue of an angel stood on a cherry desk. Ginny steeled her shoulders and nodded to the man. They both touched the statue at the same time.

The world spun and Ginny closed her eyes, listening for the command.

"Now!"

Ginny released the statue at the same moment he did. She opened her eyes as her feet touched the ground. The man smiled at her and Ginny found herself smiling back. She didn't trust easy, but for some reason, she trusted this man.

"Ginny!"

Ginny turned and stiffled a gasp.

Lysandra looked like she had stepped off the cover of any number of romance novels. Her dark hair was tied back in a long braid, about three inches longer than in the picture she had sent. Her green eyes danced brightly. She was thriteen if Ginny remembered and looked fifteen. It occured to Ginny that she was about the same height as Harry had been when he hugged her good bye at Kings Cross.

"Ly?"

Ly laughed. She stepped forward and embraced Ginny. "So glad you're here! I finally have someone to talk to in fluent English."

Ginny felt herself get caught up in Ly's infectious nature. Before five minutes had passed Ginny and Ly were in a carriage together.

The young man watched them depart. His curly honey blonde hair lightened to an ash blonde and straigtened. A smirk spread across his now aristocratic features.

"Have fun, Firefly."