This chapter has been revised as of 12.09.06.

Enjoy!

o.O.o.O.o

"Dumbledore said we're supposed to write our partners tonight with the owls he gave us," Colin commented that night after supper, "I wonder who I got."

Ginny smiled, without answering, and stroked the small black owl which had been waiting for her. She had already named it Wren.

"I still think this whole idea is really stupid," Mindy stated as she pushed her medium-sized grey owl away from her. It hooted indignantly, but Mindy ignored it.

Ginny was still quiet, although there was a reserved smile on her face.

The door to the common room opened and in stepped Professor McGonagall.

"I've just come to see that each of you has written to your owl pal's, as I see many of you haven't," she eyed all of the owls around the room, "So get writing!"

She exited the room as quickly as she had entered it, and a few people began scrawling words onto their parchments. Mindy, once again, pushed her owl away.

"Come on Dy, just write the letter," Ginny urged, as she ceased to pet Wren.

"I don't want to. It's such a stupid idea," Mindy complained.

"Well," Ginny said, getting up, "I'm going to go up to the dorms to write and then go to bed. Goodnight dah-ling." Ginny waved her fingers with a grin and walked upstairs..

She got in the dorm and slipped into her pajama's and into bed, propping herself against the backboard of her bed and putting a book on her knees with a parchment on top, making it easier for her to write.

Dear…

I don't know what to call you, because I don't know your name! I'll call you… you.

Dear you,

Wait. Does that sound too formal? Maybe I should say…

To you,

But that sounds… weird. How about,

You,

But then there's no fun in that.

Okay, okay, I'm done.

How are you? I wish I could tell you my name, but then I'm sort of glad I can't. How do you feel about this whole pal program Dumbledore's cooked up? I kind of like it, personally. It seems like a good idea for house unity. But then, what if everyone ends up hating each other even more than we started with? Though I suppose that isn't really possible for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. What do you think?

Well I'm already sure you're a guy. At least I hope so. You aren't like a freaky cross-dresser person are you? That would really scare me, you know.

So we have to go to the ball together. I wonder what year you're in. Please don't tell me though, you know, because I'd be able to pick you out. I'm thinking maybe… it would be funny if you were a first year Hufflepuff. I doubt it, but it would be funny. Or maybe you're a seventh year Slytherin. I hope not.

So what's your favorite class? I find no harm in asking that. Mine is Transfiguration. I think Professor McGonagall is an amazing Professor. What do you think about Trelawney? She's crazy, no?

Well the rest of the girls are starting to come up here, so I'll end it here.

Please respond!

Waiting patiently,

Oh crap. I don't know how to sign this! I'll call myself… Strawberry. Yes, weird, but hey, why not?

Waiting patiently,

Strawberry

Ginny smiled at her completed letter, and sent Wren on her way, waiting in hope that her anonymous partner would be sending her something soon.

Ginny rolled over in her bed and turned off the lights when she heard the rest of the girls thumping up the stone steps to their bedroom. She pretended to be sleeping when they arrived, knowing if she did not, she would be up half the night talking about her summer.

When Ginny awoke the next morning she was in a hurry to get ready. She stumbled down the stairs after taking a fast shower and throwing on her clothes, finding Mindy sitting beside the fire with a note in her hand.

"What's that?" Ginny asked, motioning toward the note.

"I got it from my owl-pal last night," Mindy handed it over, "Take a look."

Ginny took the note and read.

Dearest owl-pal,

How are you fairing? I love the idea of meeting you! I don't know who you are but it seems just darling that we get to do this! I'm so excited to get to know you!

I can't write much, because it's time to go to bed, but please write me soon!

With much love,

Your owl-pal

P.S. Don't forget to write back!

Ginny handed the note back and began to laugh so hard her abs were complaining, along with her hungry stomach.

"I told you I'd get someone terrible!" she exclaimed and pitched the note into the fire, "I won't write them back. This is too stupid."

"Oh come on, Mindy," Ginny said between laughter, "It's not that bad." But she was fooling herself. Ginny burst out laughing again. Her laughter, however, was stopped by a small object hitting her head with much force.

"Ow! Mindy, you didn't have to hit me!" Ginny whined.

"I didn't! It was that little silver owl," she said, pointing to a small silver-grey owl sitting on the couch. It held a note.

"He wrote back!" Ginny grabbed the note excitedly and ripped it open.

Okay then, 'Strawberry' (By the way, I think that name is really stupid.)

I really don't like the idea of this thing but, whatever, I have to do it. Don't expect me to respond much. No, I'm not a cross-dresser, yes I am a male.

I have classes. Bye.

And my favorite Professor is Snape. Happy?

Ginny re-folded the note in dismay, "Okay then, my partner is definitely a Slytherin." She sighed and shrugged the letter off, deciding to reply in Charms.

Charms came, and as soon as Ginny knew Professor Flitwick wasn't looking, she pulled out a parchment and began to write.

Dear you,

Okay, well I can tell you aren't too enthusiastic about this, but I kind of am, so can you do me one favor? At least try and keep up the pace. I'd like to do this so please don't take it from me.

I'm kind of surprised to hear Professor Snape is your favorite, but then, life is full of surprises.

I'm glad to hear you aren't a cross-dresser!

Well I'm writing in Charms so I should go. Have a good day!

Strawberry (I don't care if it's stupid. I like it.)

And with that, she folded the note and sent Wren on her way.