October 11

Dear Tom,

I'm so embarrassed I think I'm going to cry. I didn't want any Pepperup Potion but Percy made me go up there, he MADE me. He wouldn't shut up about it all morning, and finally he took my hand like I'm a baby, and he dragged me. He's such a bully, I hate him. I tried to make bunches that would cover the smoke, but they're not working at all.

Are you ill?

Hardly ILL. I just have a cold. I tried not to let him see it because I know how he is, but he was all over me at breakfast. "Ginny, you're sniffling, Ginny, you're blowing your nose quite a lot, Ginny you look peaky, let me take you to Madam Pomfrey." Percy SHUT UP!

Did you say that?

Of course I did. He just patted my head and said he understood if I was irritable, because I look so tired and washed out. He said it right in front of Harry. Not that it matters, not that Harry thinks I'm pretty in the first place, but I hardly want him looking at me when I look like this.

Then you are ill.

I look awful. I feel awful. I didn't even wake up in time to watch the Quidditch practice. I don't know. I'm not ill enough to take that STUPID POTION. And now I have to sit here in the common room and let my head steam and smoke and look like a chimney. I hate this. I can't go to the dormitory with it though, because the smoke starts to make a funny smell if it's in a small space for too long and I don't want the girls to have to breathe my stupid steam.

I HATE RON.

You certainly are filled with hatred this morning.

He's a dirty great git. Laughing at me as if his head wouldn't look just as stupid as mine, if it were smoking. Ha ha HA. I've put you up in front of my face, Tom - my feet are up on the chair and you're propped on my knees so that Harry can't see over you anymore, because as soon as Ron started laughing, Harry looked over here for a second. He looked sorry for me.

Pity…? Well, perhaps he has begun to care for you…

Or else he thinks I look like a freak. He'd probably feel sorry for anyone who looked as stupid as I do. Ron's taking out his chess set now, they'll probably play for hours and ignore me - oh no, Hermione's going to play with Ron. Harry's gone upstairs. Good, I don't want him looking at me. I don't want anyone looking at me. I'm just going to do my homework and try not to care that Fred and George are HUGE UGLY IDIOTS.

Is every brother out to get you?

I think so! George just came up behind me and wiggled my bunches and said they look like the flames of passion. And Fred said really, really LOUDLY that I must be on fire with love. I hate them forever. I'm going to study something and probably not remember any of it later because I'm too ill and too mad. Bye, Tom.