Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that belong to JKR (obviously) I do own the original ones though

CHAPTER TWO

The journey to platform nine and three-quarters was anything but enjoyable. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny had all packed into the Neon Mr. Weasley had acquired from one of his friends at work. Mr. Weasley had only managed to magically enlarge the insides of the car about a foot before Mrs. Weasley caught him and lectured him about Muggles not all being as stupid as we make them sound.

Hermione and Ron had gotten into one of their infamous bickering sessions about homework and classes. Harry had rolled his eyes dramatically before turning and directing his attention on Ginny. It seemed Ginny had waited forever for Harry to direct his attention to her. Now that it was happening however, it seemed so...it just wasn't like Ginny had expected. She really didn't look any different than she did last year, her hair still tumbled down her back in unruly waves. She had pale skin, dotted with freckles across her nose. Her eyes were a boring brown color, and she wore no make up. The only thing that was different was the fact that she had finally gotten robes that fit her figure instead of hiding it.

"So...Ginny, you have your OWL's this year?" Harry made an attempt to have a conversation with her. He really knew nothing about her, Ginny mused, so it was fitting that he wouldn't know what to talk about to catch her interests. He had five years to fix that, I'm not throwing him a bone now. Ginny told herself smugly. For some reason she was getting great pleasure out of having Harry squirm, and maybe even feel a fraction of the the hurt he caused her when he didn't see her when she wanted him to.

"Yes." Ginny answered simply. Even Harry couldn't miss the obvious bored tone of her voice.

"Well...then your going to need to do a lot of studying. If you want, I could...you know...help you out...considering I've already taken them and all."

"I don't think I'll need much help." Ginny answered coolly. "But if I do I'll be sure to ask." she flashed him a bright false smile, but Harry seemed satisfied with that and didn't talk to her for the rest of the drive.

How could I have thought I was in love with him? Ginny asked herself incredulously. I should have listened to Parvati when she was complaining about Harry not appreciating girls.

"Alright! Everybody out!" Mrs. Weasley ordered from the front seat, as the car came to a stop in front of Kings Cross station. The next five minutes were spent hustling around the too small car, loading trunks, distraught owls, and Crookshanks onto the trolleys. With only minutes to spare they made it through the barrier and were heaving their luggage into compartments on the bright red steam engine.

Ginny followed Ron, Harry and Hermione into the compartment at the back of the train. She didn't fancy a whole train ride with only them for company, but she didn't want to find any of the people from her own year either. Maybe she would run into Colin later, she thought, but he still wasn't what she would call a close friend. He was however the closest thing she had to one at Hogwarts. If he would get over that stupid obsession with Harry he might be more tolerable to hang around. Besides, he probably had Kayla Patterson hanging all over him. Ginny scowled at the thought. She definitely didn't want to be around that air head for any longer than possible, and Kayla felt the same way about Ginny. This proved difficult however, when one was forced to share sleeping quarters with the one you wanted to avoid. Kayla was also a Gryffindor fifth year, along with Cassandra, Gloria, and April. Ginny was not looking forward to spending another year with only them for company. Kayla and Cassandra were the pretty popular ones in the group, while April was shy and just followed them around. Gloria was the 'brain', but she was still pretty and gossiped enough to be included in their group. Gloria would talk to Ginny in classes, and was always friendly enough, but avoided her anywhere else. Ginny was positive that this was because of Kayla, or Cassandra. They had taken an immediate dislike to one and other, probably because of the rumors surrounding Ginny after the Chamber of Secrets incident. No one knew for certain what had happened, aside from most of the staff, Harry Ron, and Hermione. That didn't stop the rumors though. Ginny had never fit in with their group and was considered odd. They tended to just stay away from her. That, combined with the rumors that spread, no one at school really knew what to think of her.

No one commented on her staying in their compartment, so Ginny took a seat by the window and pretended to be asleep to avoid Harry's attempts at conversation. Sure she was being rude, she even felt bad about it for an instant, but he was extremely awkward and brought up the most pointless subjects. When Harry gave up and let her sleep, he turned to Ron and Hermione and started to argue with them.

Hours had passed, before a a rough spot on the track jolted Ginny awake. I must have actually fell asleep, she thought happily. After not getting any the night before she was relieved she wouldn't look like a walking zombie her first day back. Keeping her eyes closed to avoid the flood of light, Ginny was about to ask someone the time. He actions were halted however, when she heard Harry mutter, "Don't worry Ginny's still asleep."

"Well, have you heard from him then?" Ron asked impatiently. Ginny realized she was probably shouldn't be listening in on this conversation, but she was far too interested to pay any attention to her morals.

"Yeah...Sirius and Remus are out doing something for Dumbledore, he won't tell me what though. Sirius said he'll come by and visit around Halloween if all goes as planned." Even though they thought Ginny was asleep, Harry was talking in a whisper. Ginny hadn't heard anything interesting yet, so she didn't see a reason for them to be so secretive. However, she might have thought differently if she had put the right identity to those two names.

"Do you think they're gone after Pettigrew?" Ginny heard Hermione ask. Pettigrew...Ginny thought, why does that name sound familiar?

"I hope they catch the thilthy little rat." Ron growled, but was still able to keep his voice down, despite the obvious hatred he felt. Ginny was surprised, she had never heard Ron express that much hatred to any one but Malfoy and Snape. This was getting very interesting, and Ginny was getting a naughty little thrill out of finding out one of the 'dream teams' many mysteries.

"I hope they do to, but if Sirius is caught he'll be thrown right back into Azkaban. Wait, they won't even do that, they'll just kill him out right." There was obvious worry in Harry's voice. Ginny heard Ron and Hermione trying to comfort him, but she was to stunned to care. Sirius, the only Sirius I know about is Sirius Black. Ginny was so shocked she almost fell off her seat. Luckily she managed to keep her composure before anyone noticed she was in fact wide awake and listening to private conversations. At first her mind tried to convince herself she must have been mistaken, but really, how many Sirius' were roaming around trying not to get thrown back into Azkaban?

Only one.

The only person to ever break out of Azkaban was Sirius Black. Wow, these three kept even more secrets than people suspected.

Pettigrew, the name popped back into her head. She was positive she had heard the name before but couldn't place it. Oh, well probably not even remotely important after what I just heard.

Harry sighed before changing the subject to something else that lost Ginny's interest immediately. This left her free to contemplate the information she had just been supplied. Sirius Black was coming to visit Harry around Halloween...does Dumbledore know about this? Ginny thought panicked. Then she remembered what he had said about Sirius doing something for Dumbledore.

What the hell is an escaped convict doing helping Dumbledore and visiting the boy he was supposed to want dead?

There was no way Black could be innocent, there had been tons of eye witnesses when he had murdered all those Muggles and poor Peter Pettigrew.

Holy shit. That was Ginny's only capable thought when she realized what her mind had just stumbled across.

About an hour later Ginny still didn't know what to think. It was obvious that Pettigrew wasn't dead. Therefore Black couldn't have killed him, but what about all of those Muggles? Black was working for Dumbledore, which meant he probably was innocent, and most probably not working for Voldemort.

But she still had a million unanswered questions.

Such as: How the hell did he escape Azkaban if not through Dark Arts?

Why would he be visiting Harry instead of killing him?

Where was Pettigrew all the years he was supposed to be 'dead'?

If Black is looking for Pettigrew by the instruction of Dumbledore, does that mean that Pettigrew should have been the one in Azkaban instead of Black...

....the list could go on and on. Ginny wanted answers to all of these questions, but she figured 'waking up' and asking for them might not be the best idea.

When Ginny felt the train come to a stop, she was shaken by Harry, "Wake up Ginny, we're here." Ginny made a point of opening her eyes slowly, and stretching languidly before standing up. "I can't believe I slept that whole time!" She said in her well practiced 'innocent-little-girl' voice. No one even batted an eye lash, assuming she wouldn't have a reason to lie about something like sleeping.

On the way out she caught Ron exclaiming unbelievingly that they hadn't had a run in with Malfoy yet. Usually he showed up at least once at their compartment. He would then infuriate them all as much as possible before escaping behind his wall of bodyguards (i.e. Crabbe and Goyle). Ginny was even surprised when she heard this announcment, picking on Gryffindors was usually Malfoy's favorite past time. Harry, Ron and Hermione were his most targeted victims. Oh well, she thought. I have enough to try to figure out aside from Malfoy's lack of insults.

In the Great Hall, Ginny sat between Harry and Colin. Colin greeted her warmly before getting an elbow in the ribs and a dark look from Kayla on his other side. He obediently ignored Ginny for the rest of the sorting and feast. My classmates are like puppies. Ginny thought amused, and irritated at the same time. April, and Gloria both listened raptly and enviously to Cassandra telling them about her summer boyfriend. Cassandra had Spanish background and had an exotic beauty about her. She had already had so many boyfriends even she had lost count. Kayla didn't mind being disclosed from the conversation, only because she was busy flirting and whining to Colin about how much she missed him over the holidays. Colin was completely dazed by her big blue eyes and pretty golden waves of hair to care what she was saying. John, Joey and Adam (the other fifth year boys) were casting resentful, jealous looks at Colin. Aside from an aloof greeting, none of them even acknowledged Ginny's presence.

Harry would try to engage her in conversation when he wasn't immersed in one with Ron and Hermione (which wasn't often). The rest of the time, Ginny used to look around the Hall at the rest of the Houses. Ginny smiled at the bunches of nervous first years at the end of every table. She remembered when that had been her. She had been so looking forward to coming here, making friends, learning to become a real witch. Well, that hadn't turned out like she expected, but at least she would become a real witch...

That's when she noticed something odd at the Slytherin table. It wasn't really that odd, just different. Malfoy was usually right in the center of attention, people surrounding him, hanging onto his every word like he was god. Today, he was at the end of the table separated from the rest of his house. Only a few people Ginny didn't recognize the names of were surrounding him, along with Delphinium, who was a girl in Ginny's Potions and Care of Magical Creatures class. His hired body guards, Crabbe and Goyle were almost at the opposite end of the table lost in the crowd of Slytherins. The other Slytherins seemed to be completely ignoring Malfoy and his little group, either that, or were shooting them disgusted looks. Malfoy didn't look as if he cared at all, and was still wearing his smug, 'I'm better than everyone' expression.

As if he sensed her gaze, Draco looked up from where he was seated across the Hall and caught her curious gaze with his steely gray one. Ginny felt her face heat up and Draco smirked as she looked hurriedly down at her plate.

I just got caught staring at a Malfoy She thought to herself disgustedly.

The next morning Ginny woke up fifteen minutes later than she should have. "Damnit." she muttered sleepily. "They could have at least woken me up." As she opened her velvet hangings, it was confirmed that all her dorm mates were long gone to breakfast. Ginny continued to mumble a string of incoherent obscenities as she padded over and took a quick shower before using a drying spell on her hair and throwing on one of her new robes.

Ginny ran through a completely empty Gryffindor Tower and made her way as quickly as possible to the Great Hall. Even the Great Hall was practically empty by the time she reached it. Harry and Ron were currently being dragged out of their seats by a stern looking Hermione. "If we don't leave now we'll be late for Potions!" Ginny heard her exclaim. Ginny almost laughed at the dread that crossed her brothers features at the word Potions.

Harry was the first to spot Ginny hurrying into the Hall. "Ginny! You're going to be late, you'd better pick up your schedule." He looked like he wanted to talk further, but Hermione wouldn't have it. "Come ON!" She demanded taking each of them by the arm. (Ron didn't look like he minded the contact that much) Aside from a few bored looking seventh years, Ginny was the only one left at Gryffindor's table. She picked up her schedule and a slice of toast and made her way out of the Hall.

Her first class this term was to be Care of Magical Creatures. At lease Hagrid probably won't give me detention for being late. Ginny thought relieved.

As she trudged across the field, she could see the rest of her class already sitting outside the paddock in front of Hagrid's cabin. Everyone looked up as Ginny reached them, slightly out of breath.

"Ginny, yer late." Hagrid observed.

"Sorry Professor, it won't happen again." Ginny replied sitting down behind the rest of the Gryffindors and beside Delphinium, the Slytherin she saw with Malfoy yesterday.

"Alrigh, I'll let you go with a warnin because it's the firs day." Hagrid said gruffly. "Now, on with the lesson. "These here are Ezless, they're part bird and part snake. I managed to get my hands on three. They are very hard to get a hold of, mind, so be careful around them." With that said Hagrid opened a crate that stood behind him on a small table. Inside were three different colored birds (one was black and green, one was red, and one was black and purple.) They had fluffy little bodies that could probably fit in the palm of your hand. Their heads however were the heads of snakes, protruding from their cute fluffy bodies. They also had a snake like tail, along with bird's wings. After Ginny's initial shock of seeing two creatures that were nothing alike forming one being, she decided that the creatures were rather cute, in an interesting kind of way.

"Now, no one knows all of the abilities of the Ezless, each one seems to develop it's own individual talent. They are very rarely kept as pets, but when they find someone to look after 'em they will be fiercely loyal. You can't just go out and decide you want one as a pet and choose, the Ezless will choose it's master, it won' stay with someone who it hasn' chosen to be with.

The class listened to Hagrid's lesson in odd fascination, or in the case of the Kayla and Cassandra pure disgust. ("Look at how ugly that thing is...") ("Who would want anything with a snake head as a pet?") Ginny scowled at their backs, while silently thinking the only pet's those would consider owning would be kittens and puppies.

"Why did they even take this bloody class?" Ginny hissed under her breath. The only person to hear her was Delphinium who was beside her, also throwing dirty looks at the two Gryffindors in front of them. Delphinium gave Ginny a startled/weary glance before directing her attention slowly back to lesson Hagrid was giving.

Ginny went through the rest of the lesson studying the odd creatures set in front of the class. They were really quite beautiful, none of them had made a noise since Hagrid had set them out, but one seemed to be paying particular attention to Ginny. Ginny stared back at it, it was the one with the purple and black feathers. Ginny almost shrieked when she heard it whisper in a hiss, but unmistakable English "hello".

Ginny almost said 'hello' back before realizing how ridiculously crazy it would look. Instead she just averted her gaze and convinced herself that she hadn't really heard a snake talk.

''Why do you ingorrre me cchhild?" the Ezless hissed again. Ginny quickly looked around at her other classmates, but none of them showed any sign of hearing anything unusual. This can't be possible...Ginny thought frantically. There was absolutely NO way that Virginia Weasley was a parlestounge. Even though the Ezless wasn't a real snake, that had to be what it was talking in right? It did, after all, have a snake head...

It just didn't make sense...only dark wizards ever inherited that trait. Them and Harry...but Harry was only a parlestounge because Voldemort had accidentally given him some of his abilities through the failed Avada Kadavra curse. None of her relatives were parlestounge...the thought of it was insane. Weasleys' were Gryffindor to the core, well except for maybe her. Besides, Ginny would have surely already known by now if she had the ability right? Right?

Ginny looked nervously around at her class before risking another quick glance at the Ezless. It was looking at her expectantly.

"I know you can underssstand me. I can sssee into your mind" Ginny's brow started to sweat, as she fidgeted nervously in her place on the grass.

Is this really happening? Or am I going completely insane?

This isn't possible, she told herself over and over again...it just isn't...

unless...

Oh my god

Ginny's body stilled, and a numbing shock seemed to encase her physically and mentally.

Harry had become parlestounge because Voldemort had accidentally given him the trait. Could it be possible that the same sort of thing happened to her with Tom Riddle. He had after all taken over her body for periods of time...he had drained her of her energy, in turn pouring a bit of himself into her. Everyone assumed he had used the Imperious curse on her, but Ginny had felt that in her third year when she had asked Mr. Moody (a.k.a. Barty Crouch) to teach her to fight against it. Tom Riddle had literally been seeping into her body, taking complete control of it before he had enough of her energy to form a body of his own. Could it be possible that he had unknowingly left bits of himself behind? Even if he was aware of what he was doing, he had expected her to be dead soon after so it wouldn't have mattered. Tom had made her speak parlestounge to control the Baslisk, and enter the chamber, could she have picked up the ability without knowing?

Ginny searched her memory desperately for any time in which she had come in contact with a snake after her first year.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

The Ezless picked that time to continue speaking. "Yess, I can sssense your ability to ssspeak my tounge."

Ginny said nothing, just stared at the creature numbly. It would probably take a while for her to get over this shock, she was still recovering from the whole Sirius Black thing. The only thought that came in clear was that she couldn't let anyone find out her new found skill. People already avoided her, adding the ability to talk to snakes wouldn't help matters one bit.

The Ezless didn't seem to take offence to Ginny's silence, instead went on speaking. "I have been waiting for long yearsss for the one who belongsss with me. I am happy I have finally found you."

Ginny's eyebrows puckered in confusion, what was the Ezless talking about?

"I sssense your confusion...I can sssensse the goings on in your mind...sssoon you will sssense mine alssso." With that said, the Ezless jumped off the table and flew right in front of Ginny, landing directly at her feat. Kayla and Cassandra, (who the Ezless almost landed on) let out loud shrieks of terror and ran to the opposite end of the paddock. The Ezless didn't seem to notice them, or the others in the class that were backing away wearily. Hagrid hadn't said anything about them being dangerous, but no one really knew what they were capable of either. The Ezless stared up at Ginny with small purple eyes. Ginny couldn't help but be fascinated by their color.

"Alrigh' Miss Weasley...just stand up slowly and back away so as not to startle er." Hagrid was saying nervously from the front of the paddock, slowly inching his way forward. "They aren' known to do any harm to anyone unless they threaten their owner...an I made certain these ones didn't have an owner."

Ginny hesitantly followed Hagrids instructions, even though she felt that there was no need. For some reason she knew that the Ezless didn't pose a threat to her. As she started to back away, the Ezless followed her progress slowly afterwards. Ginny moved to the side and so did the Ezless. Ginny stopped moving and the Ezless stopped directly in front of her, it was about the size of Pigwidion, Ginny thought absently. Then without warning, it jumped up with a flap of black wings and landed on her shoulder. Instead of frightened, Ginny felt comforted by the Ezless' warm presence. She reached out a hand to pet it's feathery body and it leaned in, as if enjoying her touch. She was only vaguely aware of the rest of the class staring at her in shock. Most of all Hagrid.

"I don' believe it." He whispered dazed.

Ginny looked away from the Ezless on her shoulder and directed her gaze at Hagrid, "What's the matter?" She asked wearily.

"I think...I think it's chosen you to be it's owner." Hagrid told her, he looked more excited now that he got over the shock. "This hasn' happened in a while Miss. Weasley! It musta seen somethin special in you." Hagrid exclaimed.

"What, you mean I have to keep her now?" Ginny asked startled. She wasn't against the prospect, once she thought about it, but it came as a shock for someone who was never allowed the luxury of her own pet.

"Seems that's already been decided. She won't leave your side if indeed she has chosen ya. An she'll be fiercely loyal, Ezless are great companions to have." Hagrid grinned at her and asked her to stay behind as the rest of the class packed up for their next lesson.

Hagrid explained to Ginny all the methods she would have to use to take care of her pet, and what sort of things it would eat. About ten minutes later she managed to break free and arrive late to her Charms lesson. (The Ezless flying hot on her trail)

Ginny entered the Great Hall for dinner and sat down heavily at the Gryffindor Table. Her first day back and she had managed to be late for the first two classes. She lost twenty house points in Transfiguration from Magonagall for transforming her partners desk into bird that flew out the window before she could change it back. The other Gryffindors were avoiding her even more than usual now that she had her new pet, who she had named Circe during a boring lesson on Goblin Rebellion. Ginny soundlessly started to pile potatoes and roast onto her plate, and filled her goblet with pumpkin juice. She set aside a little portion of the meat, just like Hagrid had told her to and placed Circe down onto the table to eat it.

"Um, Ginny, what is that?" Ginny heard Ron ask, surprised, from a few seats down the table.

"This is my Ezless, Circe." She replied carelessly. She was well aware that most of the people around her were also listening to find out what the creature was on the table.

"Your Ezless?" Hermione asked, not doing a very good job of hiding the disbelief in her voice. "You do know that those are very rarely kept as pets. You can't just decide to keep one Ginny, it has to choose you. I wouldn't be surprised if you woke up tomorrow and it was gone. I'm surprised that Hagrid would agree to let you try and keep it, they are very rare."

Ginny felt a bubble of irritation rise at Hermione's matter of fact tone. Was it so unbelievable for something to actually want to be kept as her pet?

"I'm well aware of that Hermione." Ginny replied, trying unsuccessfully to keep the irritation from her voice, it had been to long of a day for her to be pretending to be polite. "Hagrid only let me keep Circe because she started to follow me around in class and it seems she won't listen to anyone else but me now. She chose me to be her owner, so I get to keep her."

Hermione's looked taken aback, but still managed to come up with a reply. "Oh, well, that's great then! They are really loyal, and fascinating creatures. You know there is still so much people haven't found out about them, if you'll let me do you thing I could study it for a bit?" Hermione's face seemed to shine in eager anticipation of studying something.

Ginny looked down at Circe uncertainly. For some reason she got the strong impression that her pet did NOT want to be Hermione's study project. Her feelings were confirmed when she heard Circe hiss, "I would prefer miss, if I was not studied and examined. It is very insulting and degrading for proud creatures like myself to be subjected to such humiliation."

Harry, who was had just sat down in time to hear about Ginny's Ezless heard what Circe said and threw a grin at Hermione. "You just insulted her Hermione. How would you like to be studied like a lab specimen? You know Circe here has feelings too."

For once Hermione looked at a loss for words. Ginny could tell she was stuck between wanting to uncover secrets about this mysterious creature, and her animal rights obsession. In the end she decided to not offend the Ezless and restricted herself to looking things up in the library.

Ron didn't say much about Circe out loud, but he did send a few weary looks at his sisters pet. He didn't like anything that had any parts of a snake, it was just a natural association he made with snakes and the Dark Arts. The snake was after all the mascot for Slytherin House, how much more proof did you need?

"Potter, Granger, Ron and Virginia Weasley" The drawling voice of Professor Snape voice announced from behind Harry. "I would like all of you to meet me in the DADA classroom at seven on the dot. Don't be late, and bring your wands." Before any of them could ask any questions Snape had turned on his heel and glided up to the teachers table.

"What do you think that's about?" Harry asked nervously. "I don't think we did anything wrong in Potions..." He looked at Hermione for confirmation. She shook her head looking curious also.

"He can't be giving us extra work, or detention now can he? I mean, I wouldn't put it past him but why would he tell us to meet him in the DADA classroom? And why is Ginny coming along?" Ron asked nervously.

"I don't even have Potions until tomorrow." Ginny supplied.

"Weird," Harry muttered. "I don't fancy a late night meeting with Snape, but it seems we don't have much of a choice." He looked at Ron who was scowling, and Hermione who was looking for an explanation that made sense.

"I guess we'll find out at seven." Ginny said, picking up her bags and motioning to Circe that she was finished and leaving. "See you guys then." She said over her shoulder, and caught a glimpse of Harry following her progress out of the Hall. She chuckled to herself, but failed to notice that green eyes weren't the only ones watching her leave.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Authors note: I hope you liked this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be a nice reader and REVIEW to tell me what you thought of my fic so far. Reviews are the motivators to keep me writing, if there aren't any than I'll get sad and think this story isn't worth continuing if it isn't being read.

I'll get the next chapter up as fast as I can, but I don't know when exactly that will be

Cheers

*Imp