Chapter 9: The Story

When Ginny woke up and met Colin in the common room his face was less than dismal.

"What's wrong?" She asked not budging from the last stair.

"Astoria Greengrass is going around telling people you wiped Malfoy's memories and replaced them all with ones of you guys together." They both sighed. "She's just trying to make this a miserable experience for you."

They left the common room and the whispering started almost instantly, Ginny had gone from Gryffindor princess to something resembling the plague. None of the Gryffindors trusted her anymore, the Slytherins despised her because she was engaged to their Prince, and the Ravenclaws were constantly trying to figure out what spell either one of them had been put under. It seemed that only a few Hufflepuffs would come up and congratulate her on the engagement which only infuriated everyone else more.

Breakfast was a quiet affair for Ginny which was definitely not normal for her, but when McGonagall marched towards her she could only groan. "Miss Weasley," She said a look of concern in the old witch's eyes, "Would you please come with me?"

Shooting a look over to Colin Ginny got up and followed her head of house out of the great hall and up to her office.

"Ginny, I have heard plenty of rumors about your engagement." The red-head lowered her head. "There is nothing to be ashamed of, dear. Getting married is one of the most wonderful things a couple can experience and I congratulate you on that, but I would like to know the true story straight from you." The story had been told a good three or four times since she had gotten to school a mere two days before and Ginny had gotten the time down to about fifteen minutes.

"And now that I'm here and everyone knows about it it's like no one wants to be near me. My own house hates me because I'm BETROTHED to someone who they only knew as being brainwashed by his abusive father!" Ginny threw herself backwards into the chair and started playing with her hair.

McGonagall smirked a bit, "Miss Weasley, I am going to tell you something I have never told anyone before." The girl was close to tears and Minerva had to do something to make her feel better about the predicament. "When I was in Hogwarts, so many years ago I had met this boy who was a few years older than I and we dated for a few years. He would come to quidditch games to be with me or meet me in Hogsmeade. The summer before my sixth year he asked me to marry him and thinking we were in love I said yes, my parents were furious that we were rushing this considering we were still so young and I wasn't even of age." The aged witch laughed at the memory. "When I returned to Hogwarts my friends all started separating themselves from me because I was suddenly 'too mature' for them, all because I had a ring on my hand!" Suddenly she reached in her desk and pulled out a box which held the ring. "I wrote to him all the time telling him that I felt tortured by everyone ostracizing me and he eventually broke the engagement off." The hurt look in her eyes was something Ginny had never seen before. "I was so upset and at the time Professor Dumbledore was the only person I could talk to, he was still teaching Transfiguration at the time and I spent most of my time studying that subject. It brought me to the greatest profession I could have ever chosen."

"I'm so sorry," Was all Ginny could say. She was sure that the woman had told no one else of this event and knew that it wasn't something to broadcast.

"It's nothing you should apologize for, way before your time anyway." The pair chuckled. "All I'm trying to say is that even though you're betrothed you and Draco seem to get along well enough and you don't seem entirely torn up about marrying him. Don't make the other students opinions and words make it so you regret marrying him and resent each other for the rest of your lives."

Ginny nodded and stood to leave for class. "Thank you professor." The women smiled at each other and when Ginny went to close to office door she noticed her mentor smiling sadly at the old ring.

"What did McGonagall want?" Colin asked as Ginny joined him in Potions.

"Just wanted to figure out what all the rumors were about." The pair got out their potion books and started preparing for today's lesson.

At the end of the class period Snape called out, "Miss Weasley stay behind for a word. " She groaned and wordlessly Colin told her he would wait outside. When the rest of the class had left Snape looked up from the parchments he was grading. "I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement to my godson," The simply pleasantry was shocking to Ginny. "However, that does not mean that I will stop docking points for reckless behavior. Just because Draco is part of my family does not mean that you are just yet." And with a wave of his hand Ginny left the dungeon, the twinkle in Snape's eye was something she had never seen before. Admiration, maybe?

She met up with Colin outside, still reeling from the short conversation and the pair met with Luna in charms class. Charms had always been easy for Ginny so she pulled out a piece of parchment.

Dear mum,

This year is going to be more difficult than I had anticipated. Everyone here is upset about me being engaged except for a select few and even the professors are starting to comment on it. I'm just not entirely sure how this year is going to turn out if this is only the second day of class.

Enough of my depressing thoughts, I was wondering what am I supposed to do to prepare for a wedding? I wasn't really part of planning Bill and Fleur's so I have no idea what to do.

Miss you and everyone at home.

Love,

Gin

After charms Ginny had a break so she made her way out into the warm September air towards the owlery to deliver her letter. Descending the stairs she ran into Hagrid who pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

"Ginny I heard yer getting' married!" He boomed excitedly. "I will be invited won't I?" He paused and when she nodded he continued with the celebration. "I'm so happy fer ya'," He continued after setting her back on the ground. "I heard Malfoy turned himself around after Lucius' death which is good cause we couldn't deal with you getting' hurt now could we?" Eventually he had to leave for class but reminded her that she was always welcome down in his hut.

At least there are some people happy for me. She thought returning to Gryffindor, sitting by the fire with Colin she pulled out parchment and began writing out the quidditch try-out poster.

After dinner Ginny was sitting by herself in the common room working on an assignment even though she wasn't really concentrating. She brought out another piece of parchment and began writing to Draco.

To my wonderful fiancé,

Start of term has been more than eventful. Apparently everyone either thinks our engagement is a joke, revenge, or a forced thing because I'm pregnant. But there are a few people who are happy for us, even Professor Snape congratulated us. Which makes me wonder if he really will go easy on me this year even though he said he wouldn't?

I got a slot in the pitch for quidditch try outs next Wednesday, not sure how many people are going to show up but they better be good because I guarantee Syltherin's team is going to try to eliminate me from playing this year. They are more than upset that I have this beautiful ring on my finger, especially Astoria Greengrass for some reason.

I can't wait to see you again; I had so much fun over the summer. I know the first Hogsmeade weekend is in October, I was wondering if you would be interested in popping over and having a drink with this beautiful girl I know. She would really enjoy your presence.

Missing you,

Ginny

She returned to her homework, she would send the letter in the morning.

A/N: Well it seems that Hogwarts will be very interesting this year folks, hopefully it doesn't get too violent.