September 4, 1996
Night was something of a pleasant time in the Gryffindor house. The fires kept them warm in their beds, stockings sitting close to the fire to be warmed for the morning.
But for some, this night was nothing short of horror. That's at least what the girls were starting to learn. Ginny let out another scream from her sleep.
"Ginny!" Hermione said, rushing to her bed, trying to shake her awake, only to be pushed off the bed by a thrashing Ginny.
"Get Ron," she yelled at Lavender, who was already by the door.
"She needs-" Lavender started.
"Ron. Now." Hermione demanded in her authoritative voice.
"Mum!" Ginny screamed out as Hermione shook her again.
"Ginny, it's Hermione," She said calmly as Ron rushed up the stairs.
Ron wrapped his arms around his sister clinging to her. "Shh. Ginny. It's ok." He said rocking her back and forth. "Wake up." he kept repeating until Ginny's eyes slowly opened.
"I'm sorry," Ginny said, tears in her eyes. "I didn't-" she whispered as she buried her head into his shoulder. Ron tightened his grip on Ginny, embracing her as tears came from his eyes.
"You didn't do this. This isn't our fault." Ron said, not sure if he was convincing her or himself.
September 5, 1996
Remus Lupin paced his new office, wondering where he went wrong. Sure, Sirius was Harry's primary caregiver, but Remus had thought he'd done a better job of curbing his more… Black tendencies. The fact still remained, Harry's 'Black' side was coming out.
"I can't get you out of detention with him, you know that, don't you?" Remus asked, turning to his godson. Harry scoffed and refused to make eye-contact. "Prongslet, don't act like that. You know I can't."
"Too afraid to risk your job standing up to a nasty pseudo-Death Eater?" Harry grumbled, crossing his arms and looking pointedly over Remus' shoulder.
Remus blinked at Harry for a full 30 seconds. He didn't know if he could answer without overreacting. Then, he started taking deep breathes while pinching the bridge of his nose.
Harry realized that he may have crossed a line when Remus didn't respond for some time. He knew he crossed the line when Remus looked up and gave Harry a look he'd only seen a handful of times growing up, and all of them were in relation to the Rat Bastard.
"Look, Moony, I didn't mean it like that," Harry pleaded. "It's just… Snape's acting like he actually hates me. Like he thinks all I can do is kill people's parents. My parents, the Weasley's, the countless other people who are dying right now because I couldn't convince Fudge that Voldemort was back."
"No, Harry. None of that is your fault." Remus sighed and wished Hestia was there to field these questions. "Voldemort killed your parents. Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange killed Molly and Arthur. Fudge's own stupidity is killing all these innocent bystanders. You are not any of those people. Not even a little bit."
Harry was silent for a few moments before he nodded his understanding. While he knew, functionally, that he wasn't responsible, it was still hard not to feel a little bit guilty.
"Now," Remus continued. "You have a detention with Snape. I suggest you get down there before he decides to make it a weekly thing."
Harry groaned as he stood and sulked his way out of the door, happy to have his Moony here to give him advice at least.
September 10, 1996
"Do you even have time this year?" Luna asked, pacing the length of their abandon classroom.
"I have to make time," Draco argued tiredly, leaning against a desk.
"How?!" Luna exploded, and Draco couldn't help but think that it was a bit uncalled for. "Did Voldemort gift you with a timeturner?! Is that how you're going to 'make time'?"
"No, Luna, he gifted me with books, Atria's safety, and something else," Draco said, looking up at the blonde, whispering the last bit.
"That was a good thing to ask for. She's going to need it," Luna huffed, resuming her pacing. "Are you sure you have time?"
"Luna," Draco said, drawing her attention and stopping her movements. "I will always have time for Quidditch."
"Of course you do," Luna said with a roll of her eyes. "You're such a man."
"Besides," Draco countered. "I will always make time to compete with Harry."
"You should really work on calling him 'Potter,' you know that, right?" Luna asked, glaring at her blonde companion.
"Fine, Potter, whatever. I've got muscle now." Draco waved his hand dismissively.
"You're 'muscle' is Crabbe and Goyle." Luna pointed out. "Do you really trust them to have your best interests at heart?"
"Of course not!" Draco shouted, causing Luna to flinch. He sighed and lowered his voice. "We both know that they're glorified spies. But, and here's the important thing, they're stupid. If I treat them better than their fathers treat them, they'll slowly become loyal to me."
"I really, really hope that works, Draco," Luna said with a shake of her head.
"I promise, it's already working. They wanted to target Ron, make fun of him for losing his parents. I told them it was a horrible idea because they'd get in more trouble for the comments than Ron would get into for whatever retaliation he dished out. They listened."
"Well," Luna huffed in surprise. "Keep working on them, I guess. I'll just trust them to keep you safe."
"And I'll try to actually have something to report next time we meet up," Draco promised. With that, they both went their separate ways.
Ginny, Astoria, and the other fifth-year Slytherins and Gryffindors walked out of their class, groaning over the amount of homework Flitwick assigned them to prepare for their O.W.L.'s. Astoria had whispered something to Ginny that made her laugh before she caught Draco staring at her.
She stopped, causing the ripple effect of students coming out of the room. With one stern look, Ginny started walking in the opposite direction.
"Come on, Gin. You can't avoid me forever," Draco said, running after her.
"I can try," she told him as he caught her arm.
"Why?" Draco said, feigning innocence as he captured her lips with his for a brief moment.
Ginny took a step away, shocked before her rage came forth. "Do not touch me," she bit out.
"Why?" he asked again, taking a step closer. "What happened wasn't your fault. It has nothing to do with us."
"You want to stand here and tell me this wasn't my fault? That we didn't blindly follow you and Harry to my parent's deaths? How Bill and Charlie keep insisting that it isn't my fault? I killed their parents too. Not just mine! It has everything to do with us. You chose to play the hero. You want to play whatever game it is here. Friend or foe? I honestly don't care anymore, just stay away from me and stop antagonizing Harry."
"We belong together," Draco said to Ginny's back. "You'll see."
September 15, 1996
The air was crisp and cold, and Ron still couldn't believe he had to actually try out. It wasn't like Harry didn't know his playing style or his keeper skills. It wasn't like he was McClaggan. That guy needed to go. Yesterday. Ron shook his head and focused on what Harry was saying. Oh great, they were going to have to go against chasers. New chasers.
"Couldn't you, like, give us real chasers?" Ron asked, rolling his eyes. "At least let Ginny throw them at us. She's got a wicked arm."
"Are you scared to be in the air for hours on end, Weasley?" McClaggan asked, smirking at his opponent.
"No McClaggan. Just don't want to mess up your perfect hair. It'd be a shame if you lost that style." Ron said dryly.
"Shut up, Weasley." McClaggan bit back unoriginally.
"Much as I loathe to admit it, McClaggen's right. It'll be a good test of your abilities to stay in the air for hours through a lot of frustration." Harry said sympathetically.
"See, Weasley, I know what I'm talking about," McClaggen smirked at Ron infuriatingly.
"I'd stuff it if I were you, McClaggen," Harry said with a roll of his eyes. "Ron's not wrong when he says Ginny's on the list of top five Gryffindor chasers this century. Plus, he's been practicing with actual house team players since before you even thought about Quidditch. So, it's not really going to be that much of a competition."
McClaggen glared at the duo before rolling his eyes and taking off for one end of the pitch, picking out what Ron could only assume was his preferred set of goals to tend. Ron rolled his eyes at the older boy's immaturity and said, "Joke's on him. Charlie made me train from both sets of goals. Told me to be versatile. Given his current arrangement, I don't think he just meant on the pitch, but I ain't gonna ask too many questions."
"Just get up there and make sure I don't have to put that arse on my team." Harry snickered and shoved Ron towards the other goals.
Ron laughed and mounted his broom, ready to do the Weasley name proud. He didn't notice Lavender and Pavarti giggling in the stands and watching him. He also didn't notice Hermione roll her eyes in McClaggen's directions. He did notice, when McClaggen started to pull ahead for goals saved, Hermione flick her wand as Ginny led an advanced attack.
Fortunately for Ron, Harry didn't see the Confundus that hit McClaggen. All he saw was McClaggen suddenly stop playing well when the real chasers came out. That was enough to convince Harry that McClaggen was a blowhard and he definitely wasn't playing for Gryffindor anytime soon. Harry just shook his head and signaled for everyone to land.
"Alright, I've seen enough. I'll look over everything and have the roster posted by the end of the weekend." Harry said diplomatically. "Hit the showers, everyone. You've done a lot of hard work today."
Ron waited for Harry to leave before hunting Hermione down. She was just heading back to the castle when he caught up with her.
"So, what was that about? Why'd you flick that spell at McClaggan?" Ron asked, slowing his pace to keep with her.
"How do you not know this, o great older brother?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow at him. "He's been harassing Ginny since the Slug Club meeting on the train. I decided that he shouldn't be rewarded with a spot on the team when he's just a creep."
"He's harassing Ginny?" Ron yelled, stopping in his tracks. "And Harry's not doing anything about it?"
"Do you not know your sister?" Hermione asked incredulously, stopping a few paces ahead of him. "Do you really think she'd let her boyfriend take care of her problems for her?"
"Well no! But that doesn't mean Harry can't take care of it on the side!" Ron ranted, continuing his walk.
"Oh really? And you don't think that'll upset Ginny?" Hermione snickered.
"Of course it will." Ron bit out.
"And you'll have to punch Harry's nose in for upsetting your sister." Hermione finished.
"Dammit, Hermione. Do you have to be right about everything?" Ron asked, rubbing his forehead in confusion.
"It's a happy accident that happens a lot. However, as one of her many older brothers, you could have a little chat with the blonde menace." Hermione suggested politely.
"Oh yeah right. And risk Charlie or Bill coming after me for upsetting their baby sister? Sometimes, the only child in you comes out and smacks people in the face." Ron commented with a roll of his eyes, even as he opened the doors to the castle and held them.
"Siblings are so funny, do you know that?" Hermione shot back, leading him up the stairs towards the Gryffindor common room.
"Speaking of siblings, how's mine? Fred doesn't talk to anyone in this castle except you, do you know that?" Ron asked, following her.
Hermione blushed a little and said, "Fred's fine. He's talking about coming to Hogsmeade on the first weekend. He wants to have a romantic weekend or something."
"That's so gross. You do understand that, don't you? The thought of you and my brother?" Ron asked as he shuddered.
"Oh yeah? And what about Harry and Ginny? You don't seem to have a problem with them." Hermione pointed out.
"Yeah, well that's because Harry knows that he's never going to do better than Ginny. He knows to treat her better than Merlin himself." Ron shrugged. "Plus, Ginny's going to be a virgin forever. I'll never have to deck Harry that way."
Hermione couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. Ron glowered at her, unamused. Then, she really couldn't help bending over letting out deep belly laughs at his expense.
Finally, Ron said, "I don't want to know whatever you know that's making you make that noise. It's not worth it. I'll let one of our other brothers catch her in a compromising position."
"Trust me, Ron. They've not done anything. She's still a lot younger than us. But you have to realize that if they do get married and have kids someday-" Hermione started.
"Gah! No! Stop! It'll be an immaculate conception! Trust me!" Ron hollered over Hermione, waving his hands in her face as they approached the portrait. "Look, I'm going to have a shower and try to drown myself after that mental image. Thanks a lot, Hermione."
"You're welcome!" Hermione smirked, settling herself down on a couch and pulling out her homework. "Don't forget that Fred and I have a date in Hogsmeade soon!"
Ron was halfway up the stairs, but that didn't muffle his screams of disgust from the common room, nor Hermione's sadistic laughter.
Gabs: Two updates in two weeks?!
Kat: Look at us go! Perhaps it's guilt?
Gabs: Perhaps it's better time management? The world may never know.
Kat: We may never know. Review, please?
Gabs: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! We own nothing!
XOXO Gabs & Kat
