The following evening Penny headed down to the Great Hall where she met Ginny, who flashed a smile at her. As they stop in line chatting Penny couldn't help but notice the grey eyes of Luna Lovegood watching the pair of them.
'Watch out, Looney eleven o'clock' Penny muttered under her breath, Ginny turned and looked back at the blonde girl before turning back to Penny with a worried expression.
'You don't think she knows about...do you?' Ginny whispered frantically.
'No, no' Penny reassured her quickly 'No, she probably thinks we are developing a conspiracy to overrun the Ministry by mass producing gingers' Penny finished as Ginny started laughing so hard other people in the queue turned to stare. Trying to suppress the sound Ginny shoved her fist in her mouth but her shoulders carried on shaking. Penny pressed her own fist against her own lips to hide her own giggles until the blonde had turned away and entered the fireplace.
'The Burrow' Ginny said when it was her turn in the fireplace. Penny reluctantly went next and disappeared into the spinning abyss.
As she landed in the Burrow living room fireplace she was shocked at what she saw. It could not have been more different than the Manor, but in its own way was extremely magical. In one of the chairs a pair of needles seemed to be knitting itself. In another corner of the living room was the most bizarre clock Penny had ever seen. There appeared to be nine hands, four of which pointed to 'School' and one that had just moved from there to 'Home'. Walking over to it Penny saw that hand had 'Ginevra Weasley' written on it.
The next second Mrs Weasley burst into the lounge and crossed it pulling Penny into an unexpected hug. Ginny and Penny's eyes met over the short witch's shoulder as Ginny smirked and rolled her eyes.
'Penny dear, so good to see you' Mrs Weasley beamed at the dark haired witch 'Are you hungry?'
The evening flew by quickly and before she knew it Penny was being lead upstairs by Ginny, who pushed her bedroom door open on the first floor. A poster of a musical band and another of a Quidditch team decorated the walls, and a small desk over looked the window. There was an orchard outside that looked exceptionally pretty with the sunset lighting it a dark golden colour. It took a second before Penny realised Ginny was watching her intently, evidently awaiting something.
'It's very pretty' Penny said as Ginny smiled nervously. Ginny launched into rapid chatter about everything from the Quidditch team she supported to the band and the orchard outside as darkness slowly overcame it. Penny couldn't help noticing Ginny was acting very oddly, and couldn't work out why. Mrs Weasley popped up briefly and set up a bed for Penny as Ginny sat on her own.
'Don't be up too late talking girls' She said as she left, closing the door behind her.
After Mrs Weasley had left Penny went and sat beside Ginny, confused as the red head carried on chattering.
'Shush' Penny said chuckling planting a kiss on Ginny's lips. After a second Penny pulled away puzzled by Ginny's tenseness and the way the red head was avoiding her gaze and blushing. Why was the usually confident red head suddenly acting so strange? Suddenly Penny realised, this was the first time they would be sharing a room, alone, all night. Surely the red head didn't think... Penny went scarlet as realised what was bothering the other witch.
'I guess we should get ready for bed' Penny said in a voice that didn't sound like hers. As she moved awkwardly to her own bed, not meeting the red head's gaze. Opening her trunk she found her pyjamas and began to undo her school robe. Glancing round she saw the red head quickly avert her gaze and start fiddling in her drawers for her own pyjamas. Once she had changed Penny climbed into her bed, and played with her hair as she sheepishly peered under her eyelashes at the red head. Blushing as she glimpsed a plain black training bra, she quickly rolled to face away, trying not to smirk. She heard the rustle of blankets which told her Ginny had gotten into bed. After a moment's pause Ginny spoke before she turned off the lamp.
'Night Penny.'
'Night Ginny.'
Time past slowly as Penny laid there in the darkness, she was sure Ginny was laying awake too. Penny blushed as her mind wondered. Did Ginny expect her to do something? Now? Penny knew how it worked with a boy and a girl from people at the orphanage, and even heard rumours about what the boys could do with each other. But this? She blushed as she pondered, her mind wondering over the red head in the other bed. Perhaps she could ask Hermione? A thought she dismissed quickly. Hermione was wise in many ways but Penny was sure she was too good and pure to know about such things. Plus explaining why she wanted to know would raise too many uncomfortable questions. As Penny's mind raced until she heard Ginny let out a small snore, relaxing knowing Ginny clearly wasn't waiting expectantly for her. Pushing her thoughts aside she fell into an uneasy sleep.
'Lies! The Dark Lord cannot be gone! You lie! Crucio!' The hysterical voice shouted, followed by screams, so many screams, Penny wanted it to stop, she couldn't stand it.
Penny woke with a start, a veil on sweat on her forehead, confused and dazed. Gathering her wits she remembered she was at the Burrow, the Dementors were far away. Nearby Ginny continued to snore softly. Pulling her head in her hands she cursed inwardly, now the visions were invading her dreams, tormenting her even without the Dementors. Getting out of bed she wandered to the window, admiring the orchard by moonlight. She pulled a thick robe on as she quietly left the room.
Heading down the stairs she came to the kitchen, jumping when she saw Mrs Weasley was still up, sat at the table reading a copy of Witch's Weekly. Looking up she appeared surprised to see Penny stood there.
'Penny dear, it's very late'
'I'm sorry Mrs Weasley, I'll just...' Penny began, half turning to head back up the stairs.
'Nonsense dear, not to worry, did you want a hot chocolate?' Mrs Weasley said, ushering Penny to sit. Putting a steaming mug in front of the dishevelled witch, Mrs Weasley resumed her seat and peered across at Penny for a moment before speaking. 'So what was the nightmare about?' She asked, causing Penny to start.
'How did you...' Penny began as Mrs Weasley smiled sadly.
'Penny dear, I have seven children, I know the look of a child whose sleep was disturbed by a nightmare.' She said before adding 'Plus Ginny had many nightmares last summer following her ordeal.' Penny looked into her cup saying nothing as she felt herself being watched.
'I was dreaming of my mother' Penny said eventually, so quietly it was barely audible.
'Ah' Mrs Weasley said in response 'A Dementor induced dream?' She asked as Penny nodded.
'I thought I was going to have to walk past them to get here but I keep going via the Great Hall.' Penny said.
'Yes, you normally would have to come via the Hogwart's Express, but with Black on the loose they seem to think it safer to go via the Floo Network.' Mrs Weasley said. 'I am surprised even the Dementors make you see Bellatrix though, as she must have been in Azkaban since you were born.' Mrs Weasley speculated as Penny stared.
'You know...' Penny started
'Of course Penny. You look almost identical to the Bellatrix Black I knew when she joined Hogwarts the year after me.' Mrs Weasley said as Penny sipped her hot chocolate quietly. 'It doesn't matter Penny' Mrs Weasley said gently, patting Penny's hand before continuing 'Coming from a bad family doesn't mean you have to be bad as well, Andromeda is proof of that.' Penny paused as she raised her mug, frowning.
'Who is Andromeda?' She asked as Mrs Weasley frowned slightly.
'Andromeda, Andromeda Black. One of your aunts.' Mrs Weasley peered curiously at Penny's expression 'You didn't know Narcissa Malfoy is not your only aunt?'
'I suspected there was more than one, Narcissa used the term sisters...But she wouldn't tell me anymore' Penny said quietly 'What is this Andromeda like? Why would Narcissa be less ashamed of my mother than her?' Penny said in a rush as Mrs Weasley hesitated.
'Well I think Andromeda is the most decent Black there has been for generations but your aunt Narcissa is...' Mrs Weasley trailed off clearly unsure how to proceed in case she offended the small witch. Penny raised an eyebrow and continued for her.
'A snob stubbornly convinced that being rich, powerful and a pureblood disassociated with anything Muggle means she ought to be greeted with a red carpet and a fanfare everywhere she goes?' Penny injected as Mrs Weasley looked faintly surprised.
'Not sure what that last bit means but you seem to have the right idea.' She replied before adding 'You are very observant for such a young child.' Penny frowned at the term.
'I am not a child, I'm thirteen.' Penny replied tersely as Mrs Weasley smiled.
'I thought Ginny said your birthday wasn't until the end of August.' Mrs Weasley challenged.
'Almost thirteen.' Penny grumbled into her cup as Mrs Weasley's smile widened. 'So why won't Narcissa speak about Andromeda?' Penny asked.
'Because she married a Muggle-born.' Mrs Weasley responded as Penny looked confused for a second.
'She cut off her own sister because she married a Muggle-born?' Penny said sighing as Mrs Weasley nodded. Her aunt was worse than she thought.
'Well her parents cut her off. Cygnus and Druella believed very strongly in blood purity, especially Cygnus. They ordered the whole family to cut her off and her sisters followed that order.' Penny was quiet for a while before standing up to leave.
'Thank you for the hot chocolate. Good night Mrs Weasley.'
'Goodnight Penny.'