If I were JK, I probably wouldn't have to write a huge paper on the relation between women and propaganda in Nazi-Germany. I would be sitting in one of my great houses, enjoying the weather... So I guess I'm not JK

35. (about writing and missing)

-I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.-
Anne Frank

Dear Evelyn,

So here's your first Friday free-period letter. Since I haven't missed you at all this week, I really had to force myself to write this one.

I'm kidding, of course. I actually had to force myself to wait until today, because otherwise I would get into trouble with my homework and other such unimportant things at school.

Everything here is fine. And I hate it, because at the same time, it's not. Hogwarts seems different without you. Emptier, I guess. I don't know. I feel like that stupid first-year again, afraid of everything. Though this time I'm better in hiding it. And I have you to write to, instead of an evil wizard in a secret diary that also controls a huge snake that attacks other students… but still. It's fine here, but no fun.

Suzie and Hermione both claim that I've been awfully moody since you left, but I'm not the right person to judge. I guess I've been snapping at people more than usual, but that's just because they're all so… I don't know how to describe it. They're all trying to protect me, and think I'll be helpless without them, but I'm not. I miss you, but they don't understand that they can't replace you.

Katie is still in St. Mungo's. Rumours are that she has lost her arm and is in an irreversible coma, but hopefully those really are just rumours. Apparently she's still unconscious, in any case. Harry has therefore asked Dean to play in her place until upcoming match – Dean's thrilled. Our first practise is tonight, and I will tell you all about it in my next letter. I hope Dean doesn't play too poorly and can get into shape before the match. We'll beat Slytherin, of course.

Suzie also promised to keep you posted, didn't she? Well, if she didn't, there's very little going on in the rumours and gossip department. Romilda Vane, that annoying girl in fourth-year, walked past me the other day and asked me about Harry. Apparently, he now has a secret fan-club (which doesn't contain me, before you ask) of fourth years. I haven't teased him about it yet; he seems to have a lot of other things going on.

Another rumour has it that you are not just pulled out of school, but are actually being held hostage by Death Eaters and that Colin is attempting to save you, but hasn't succeeded yet. People's fantasy is far too big here. Though I think that if you actually were kept as a hostage, Colin would definitely want to save you. What's going on with you two anyway? Were you dating before you left? And if so, how come you never said anything to your best friend about it? (That's me, by the way.)

The biggest bit of gossip I can tell you is that Hermione finally asked my brother out. There's a Christmas party, organized by Slughorn, and after some pushing from me, she finally got up the courage to ask him. Now just hope that neither of them does anything stupid before then… which of course they probably will.

It's weird to write about all these little school problems, when there's actually so much danger outside these walls, and, with the attack on Katie, also inside. According to Hermione, Harry has this whole theory about how Malfoy is a Death Eater and is trying to kill someone. Who that someone is, and how he's planning to do so, remains a mystery.

According to Ron, he and Hermione are having a hard time talking the idea out of Harry's head… I don't know. It sounds a bit far-fetched. What do you think?

Oh, and before I forget, I wrote Fred and George this week, and mentioned you not being here. They were actually pretty shocked to hear that, and promised to send you something "that would cheer her up". So be careful when you open your mail!

Then the least favourite part of the letter: the homework. It still seems like every teacher is determined not to let us have any social life at all, because the amounts they're giving us are only increasing. For Potions we're to write an essay about the Draught of Peace, how it's used and its long-term side effects. Then, for Transfiguration, McGonagall wants us to finish up the eighth chapter, so finish it, summarize it and answer the questions in the last paragraph.

Let's start with the good news: there's no work for Herbology; Sprout dismissed us early because she had to take Dianne to the Hospital Wing because she was attacked by the flesh-eating sunflower in the fourth greenhouse (you should have seen it: her hair is really uneven, she's sprouting yellow flower-petals everywhere and there are marks on her whole neck).

Astronomy was cancelled due to the weather, but we still have to write an essay about the relationship between Venus and Mars, and how their cycles influence each other. Nine inches.

Snape wants us to write a three-foot essay on the Imperius curse: how to fight it, and how to recognize its use in daily life. He's in a foul mood, so if you happen to send yours in, you'll probably get a 'D' no matter what you write.

You also have to answer questions 15 through 30, little things about wand-techniques. They're harder than they seem, according to Colin. I haven't started myself.

Then for Ancient Runes, you have to read the first five chapters of that book she handed out the last lesson and summarize it. I don't have Arithmancy, so you'd have to ask Suzie about the homework for it.

Are you really planning to do all this? Because if I was sitting at home, at least I could be glad I didn't have homework! And how will you write essays about spells that you can't practise? Or potions that you've never seen? Besides, there isn't such thing as a second Hogwarts library standing around. Where were you planning to get your information?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to second-guess you. It's just that I find it hard to believe that you're there, and not next to me during class, or in the four-poster bed on the other side of the room.

Write to me soon, okay? I want to know how you are, how your family is, and how you're dealing with everything that has been going on. In the meantime – here's my sock, just as promised.

Love,

Ginny

--

hmm... probably not what you guys had expected to find this week, but let me know if you liked this form of writing...

I have to apologize in the name of my editor, Lisa: she was too busy to edit this chapter, so I did it myself... If there are too many grammar and spelling mistakes in it, don't worry: we'll replace this chapter for the edited version next week...

Next week is another important chapter from the books... I won't tell which one, but those of you who have read HBP recently should be able to know about which scene I'm talking about...

Review me about this chapter and I might even give a sneak-peak to the reviews I like most :P (that means that you have to write more than; "Love it, update soon!")

x-mokimik-x

ps: this chapter has now been revised. If you still find errors, please lt me know.