Ginny Weasley and The Boy Who Lived
Chapter 5: Farewell from Platform 9¾.
The morning of Ginny's departure from the Eyrie was much less hectic than Harry expected. Though there were probably several reasons for this: one, only Ginny was leaving and next to Percy she was probably the most organised of the Weasleys; two, Dobby had done most of her packing the night before and Apparated to Hogwarts with her trunk and three, the twins weren't there to mess things up. Harry and Ginny climbed into the front seat of Harry's Ford Puma, Ron stowed her rucksack and Mercury's cage in the boot and hopped into the backseat, he was scowling. Harry didn't need to be a mind reader to know what was annoying him. "I'm sure 'Mione'll let you know soon what she's doing." he told him, Though I think I know.
"I know she will Harry, but that's not the point. I'm her boyfriend, we've known each other for seven years."
"Exactly seven years." added Ginny.
"Ginny." Harry shook his head at her.
"She shouldn't need to keep secrets from me, Merlin knows I can't keep any from her."
"Ron, forget about it. How's work?"
Ron perked up immediately. "It's great, I've been doing some research for Mr Wisp."
"Kennilworthy Wisp? The author of Quidditch Through the Ages?"
"The one and only. He's getting to write a new edition of Quidditch Through the Ages with some new material."
"What sort of new material?"
"A chapter on school Quidditch teams, and also the section on brooms will be expanded to include the Cleansweeps Seven and Eight, Nimbus 2000, 2001 and 2500, and Firebolt racing brooms and the Lightning sports broom."
"I'll bet my name'll creep in there somewhere." commented Harry sardonically,
"Brilliant. That's all I need. More fame."
Ron shrugged, "Probably. You are the most successful Quidditch player in Hogwarts history and expected to be one of the leading Seekers in the League next season. Wisp wouldn't be doing his job if he left you out."
Harry was silent until he pulled into the car park at King's Cross Station. "Let's get you on the train." he said to Ginny as he got out of the driver's door. She nodded and joined him on the pavement. Ron got her stuff out of the boot and loaded it onto a nearby trolley. He wheeled it into the station and they followed him, hand-in-hand. He went out onto the platforms and through the wall between Platform's 9 and 10, Harry and Ginny a few steps behind.
----
As soon as they emerged through the barrier, Harry spied Tom's white-blond head towering above the crowd. He tapped Ron on the shoulder and pointed towards him. They made their way through the throng of students and parents towards the train. By the time they got to him, he was about to climb up into the train, Peter was already on board, Roger was just heaving one of their trunks into the carriage. "Nymph!" Ginny shouted, Tom turned and smiled. "I thought you weren't going to make it." "Well I did." she told him, she plucked her pack and birdcage off Ron's cart and handed them to Peter. She turned back to Harry and Ron, "I guess this is goodbye for a while I guess." she sighed; she hugged Ron and then Harry, tilting her head up so he could kiss her. They shared a tender moment and then Ginny broke away. She went to the step and pulled herself into the carriage, the boys got in after her.
----
A moment later, just as the train was about to puff away, a red head poked a nearby window. "When will I see you again?" Ginny asked Harry.
"I'll try to make it up for Halloween, but owl me with the dates for the Gryffindor Quidditch matches, I want to be there."
"Will do!" replied Ginny and watched as Harry and Ron disappeared into the crowd and the Hogwarts Express puffed out of Platform 9¾. As the view of the station gave way to fields, Ginny ducked back into the carriage and sat down beside Peter. "How did the rest of the summer go Nymph?"
"Quiet. Nothing much happened, although a small pack of Volpes dropped in, I repelled them easy enough with the militia's help. Sonja went home last week but I did see her in Diagon Alley on Friday when we went in to pick up some stuff from Quality Quidditch Supplies. What about you?"
"Nothing much. We played the usual pick-up Quidditch at the House. Harry's started training with the Cannons, Ron, Charlie and I went along for a few of the sessions." "That must have been fun. Did you get any good tips?"
"A couple, the Cannons are a pretty new team but only the Chasers have played together before. They don't work well as a team well yet, they've got a chance though."
"Of course they have a chance." said Tom, "They've got Harry 'The Hero' Potter for Seeker, the only Seeker in 200 years to break Roderick Plumpton's 90% capture record. How many times has he not caught the Snitch? In a total of 28 games, including two International games, how many times has he lost the Snitch. Once?"
Ginny nodded. "The game against Hufflepuff in third year. When the Dementors invaded the pitch, he fell off his old Nimbus 2000 and Diggory caught the Snitch."
"I've always wondered why the Dementors affected him more than the rest of us that year." mused Peter, "I mean, Athena knows I go all cold inside, but he passed out. It's not because he's weak either, he's one of the strongest- minded people I know. Do you Ginny?"
"Yes. I asked him a few months ago, after a particularly gruelling session with the Timorous. Remus explained it to him in second year, Harry was affected more by the Dementors because he has horrors in his past that we don't have."
Tom nodded, "That makes sense. What did he hear?"
"He used to hear his parents' death. Now he can banish them before they affect him."
"What did you see or hear?"
"The Chamber of Secrets. Every time a Dementor came near me I remember being held prisoner down there by Riddle." She shivered, "I'm just glad that I don't have to experience it anymore." Her friends nodded grimly.
At that moment, the old witch appeared with the food cart. "Anything off the trolley dears?" she asked.
"Certainly madam." replied Roger and loped over to her, he came back with his huge arms full with boxes of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs as well as some cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties. Peter bought each of them some pumpkin juice before sitting back down beside Tom. There were no sounds for a while except chewing and slurping. Ginny was rather amused at her Famous Wizards cards: Merlin; Gryffindor; Flamel and a brand-new card, Harry. "I wonder if that means anything?" wondered Ginny aloud.
"What? Your cards?" asked Peter. Ginny nodded. "I doubt it, except maybe Harry, that one's only been out a month, it's still very rare. But don't take my word for it. I'm no Seer. Chess?"
Ginny laughed, "No way. You're too good for me. Play Nymph?"
"Cousin?"
"Sure why not?" replied Tom, "What's the score?"
"430 to 397. In your favour." Peter told him, as she reached up to her pack to get her chessmen.
After two hours she gave up, Tom had thrashed her 3-1. "Exploding Snap?" suggested Ginny.
When the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Ginny, Roger and the cousins were some of the first to get off onto the platform, they left their luggage and Mercury and Heimdall in the carriage.
"First years! First years!" called a familiar voice.
Ginny smiled and glancing over at the stair down to the lake and the boats and spied a familiar red head, "Charlie!"
He turned and grinned as she walked over, "Hi Ginny. Sirius asked me to escort the first years, apparently Jim's busy with something." He shrugged, "FIRST YEARS OVER HERE!!! I'll see you later."
Ginny nodded and walked over to the horse-less carriages and climbed in after Roger and the cousins. Peter looked at her. "Is there trouble? I was expecting Howlett to be there."
"Howlett had something he needed to do. Charlie won't or couldn't, say what. I'm sure he handle it."
The carriages moved off around the lake and soon stopped outside the main doors. Ginny could feel a familiar presence nearby, but she just put it down to Sirius, who was standing outside, waiting for the first years to arrive. Deciding it didn't really matter; she followed her friends up the steps and into the Great Hall, nodding a greeting to Sirius as she passed.
Once she was seated at the top end of the Gryffindor Table, she looked up and watched as the new students trooped into the Hall. Sirius placed the Sorting Hat on its usual stool and it sang:
"Welcome all to Hogwarts School.
Where work and fun are both the rule...
A thousand years and more ago
Four Wizards did this place make known
A place of learning of many kinds
A House for each, of different mind:
The daring Gryffindors, whose
Bravery you may well choose.
The clever Ravenclaws, where
Wit and learning is the fare.
Kind Hufflepuff of forest soil
May bring fun, but also toil.
The sly Slytherins, you may to depend
Use any means to their own end.
Now put me on,
I'm never wrong,
For I'm the Sorting Hat!"
Sirius unrolled a long parchment. He turned to the first years, "When I say your name, come up and put on the Hat." He instructed, "Once you are Sorted, go to your House Table." One or two students nodded in acknowledgement. "Abbott, Peter." "Hufflepuff!" "Burke, Michael." "Gryffindor!" "Cricket, Charles." "Slytherin!" "Delacour, Gabrielle." "Ravenclaw!" "Eckhardt, David." "SLYTHERIN!" "Fox, Luther." "Grantham, Anna." "Slytherin!" "Holland, Natalie." "RAVENCLAW!" "Ink, Edward." "RAVENCLAW!" "Jenkins, Jane." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Kazin, Kath." "Gryffindor!" "Lake, Laura." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "McGonagall, Athena." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Needles, Ned." "SLYTHERIN!" "Oldham, Jim." "SLYTHERIN!" "Perkins, Peter." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Quinn, Jonathan." "Slytherin!" "Rogers, Sharon." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Tyler, Stanley." "RAVENCLAW!" "Underwood, Maura." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Vernon, Vincent." "Slytherin!" "West, Wallace." "Gryffindor!" "Xavier, Frank." "Ravenclaw!" "Yamis, Mohammed." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Zeddmore, Wilson." "Gryffindor!" With that Sirius rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat and returned to his seat beside McGonagall. Ginny scanned the Staff Table and did a double take as she recognised the woman sitting on the other side of Sirius. "So this is where she is." She muttered under her breath, "No wonder she kept quiet."
McGonagall stood up and cleared her throat. "Before you we begin the feast, I have a few announcements to make. Unfortunately, last year we lost some members of staff, who must be replaced. Some of these replacements were announced last year but the last two were not decided on until after the end of term. So it is now my pleasure to announce the post of Keeper of Keys and Grounds will now be filled by James Howlett, whom some of you may remember from last year." There was smattering of applause, mainly from the older Gryffindors. "I am pleased to announce a very special appointment, fresh from taking her own NEWT exams, as the new Transfiguration Professor. Hermione Granger!" Hermione stood up and this time there was loud and enthusiastic clapping from most of the school, except of course the Slytherins. After a moment, she sat back down again. McGonagall paused, "Furthermore, Quidditch try-outs will be in two weeks, anyone in second year or above who wishes to try out should see their Head-of-House." She looked around the Hall at the assembled students, "You may begin."
Immediately, the tables were filled with food and drink. The four friends dug in heartily. For the next two hours, the Hall filled with the chatter of students and the sound of eating and drinking. Ginny's keen ears picked up a conversation that two first years were having further down the table. "Your name's Athena McGonagall right?" Michael Burke asked his black-haired year-mate, whose long hair was pulled back in a severe bun. "Are you related to the Headmistress?"
"Yes." Glancing down the table, Ginny spotted McGonagall easily, the resemblance between her and Professor McGonagall was uncanny. "She is my father's sister, I have not seen her in six years and I do not expect any favours. My family has a long history of being strict with its members, and its friends."
"Do you agree with this policy?" asked another of the students.
"I do indeed, Peter Perkins."
Ginny tuned out the conservation and turned back to her friends, "Who's going to be Captain now Harry's not here?"
"Sirius suggested I take over, but he said it was up to us. I did run the practises while Harry was away last year though. I talked to Sonja and the girls, they okay with it. What do you guys think?"
"I'm fine with that." replied Ginny, "I doubt Paul or Eric'll mind either." Roger and Peter nodded to indicate their approval. "Okay, next question, what opening have we got on the team? You and Roger are our Beaters, Bird's a great Keeper, the girls and I have the Chaser spots covered.?"
"We don't have opening per say." admitted Tom, "Although Sonja told me if someone else comes along for the Seeker position, she's willing to step down."
"That girl has a serious self-confidence problem."
"True, although she did lose her first and only match last year."
"She won't make that mistake again." said Ginny confidently.
Tom nodded, "Probably not. But I think we should get a back-up, just in case and try and get hold of another Keeper and a couple of Beaters, and another Chaser if possible. That way, whoever takes over next year won't need to go out recruiting unless they want to."
"Good idea." admitted Ginny. "Let's do it."
At the end of the feast, McGonagall got to her feet again, "I now have a few other remarks to make. The Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, forbidden to all students, as is the village to all below third year or without the proper permission slip. Thank you everyone for your attention. Now off to bed."
Dennis Creevey, the new fifth year Prefect began making his way through the crowd, he was hampered by still only being 5'3 and he still hadn't lost his squeaky boyish voice. "Roger, Tom go give him a hand will you?" asked Peter, her Head Girl's badge gleaming silver on the breast pocket of her robes. The two boys nodded and started pushing their way through the crowd, which parted swiftly in front of them. As soon as Dennis had lead the first years out of the Hall, they hung back and allowed the other students to pass by them until Ginny and Peter caught up, "Thanks."
"Any time." replied Roger. "Who's Head Boy?"
"Armen Sharma. The Ravenclaw Beater and probably their new Quidditch Captain. He was the only one in our year to pass five subjects in the June exams."
"You on the top floor?"
"Yes. Sharma's in the suite over at Ravenclaw, it's had the most use in recent years, the Hufflepuffs haven't used theirs in twenty years, Diggory was the closest they ever got, we're second best, of the last twenty appointments we've had eight Head Girls, with four in the row and six Head Boys. The Slytherins have had three Head Boys and two Head Girls." She halted at the Fat Lady's Portrait, "Polaris."
The portrait opened and they walked into the empty Common Room. "You've been researching." accused Ginny, pausing at the bottom of the girls' staircase.
"Yes." agreed Peter and followed the boys up their staircase, Ginny headed up the girls' stair. "Night Ginny. Get some sleep."
"I will."
A/N: I hope you like how things are panning out so far. Did you guess what Hermione's 'new job' was? Please let me know and review.
Chapter 5: Farewell from Platform 9¾.
The morning of Ginny's departure from the Eyrie was much less hectic than Harry expected. Though there were probably several reasons for this: one, only Ginny was leaving and next to Percy she was probably the most organised of the Weasleys; two, Dobby had done most of her packing the night before and Apparated to Hogwarts with her trunk and three, the twins weren't there to mess things up. Harry and Ginny climbed into the front seat of Harry's Ford Puma, Ron stowed her rucksack and Mercury's cage in the boot and hopped into the backseat, he was scowling. Harry didn't need to be a mind reader to know what was annoying him. "I'm sure 'Mione'll let you know soon what she's doing." he told him, Though I think I know.
"I know she will Harry, but that's not the point. I'm her boyfriend, we've known each other for seven years."
"Exactly seven years." added Ginny.
"Ginny." Harry shook his head at her.
"She shouldn't need to keep secrets from me, Merlin knows I can't keep any from her."
"Ron, forget about it. How's work?"
Ron perked up immediately. "It's great, I've been doing some research for Mr Wisp."
"Kennilworthy Wisp? The author of Quidditch Through the Ages?"
"The one and only. He's getting to write a new edition of Quidditch Through the Ages with some new material."
"What sort of new material?"
"A chapter on school Quidditch teams, and also the section on brooms will be expanded to include the Cleansweeps Seven and Eight, Nimbus 2000, 2001 and 2500, and Firebolt racing brooms and the Lightning sports broom."
"I'll bet my name'll creep in there somewhere." commented Harry sardonically,
"Brilliant. That's all I need. More fame."
Ron shrugged, "Probably. You are the most successful Quidditch player in Hogwarts history and expected to be one of the leading Seekers in the League next season. Wisp wouldn't be doing his job if he left you out."
Harry was silent until he pulled into the car park at King's Cross Station. "Let's get you on the train." he said to Ginny as he got out of the driver's door. She nodded and joined him on the pavement. Ron got her stuff out of the boot and loaded it onto a nearby trolley. He wheeled it into the station and they followed him, hand-in-hand. He went out onto the platforms and through the wall between Platform's 9 and 10, Harry and Ginny a few steps behind.
----
As soon as they emerged through the barrier, Harry spied Tom's white-blond head towering above the crowd. He tapped Ron on the shoulder and pointed towards him. They made their way through the throng of students and parents towards the train. By the time they got to him, he was about to climb up into the train, Peter was already on board, Roger was just heaving one of their trunks into the carriage. "Nymph!" Ginny shouted, Tom turned and smiled. "I thought you weren't going to make it." "Well I did." she told him, she plucked her pack and birdcage off Ron's cart and handed them to Peter. She turned back to Harry and Ron, "I guess this is goodbye for a while I guess." she sighed; she hugged Ron and then Harry, tilting her head up so he could kiss her. They shared a tender moment and then Ginny broke away. She went to the step and pulled herself into the carriage, the boys got in after her.
----
A moment later, just as the train was about to puff away, a red head poked a nearby window. "When will I see you again?" Ginny asked Harry.
"I'll try to make it up for Halloween, but owl me with the dates for the Gryffindor Quidditch matches, I want to be there."
"Will do!" replied Ginny and watched as Harry and Ron disappeared into the crowd and the Hogwarts Express puffed out of Platform 9¾. As the view of the station gave way to fields, Ginny ducked back into the carriage and sat down beside Peter. "How did the rest of the summer go Nymph?"
"Quiet. Nothing much happened, although a small pack of Volpes dropped in, I repelled them easy enough with the militia's help. Sonja went home last week but I did see her in Diagon Alley on Friday when we went in to pick up some stuff from Quality Quidditch Supplies. What about you?"
"Nothing much. We played the usual pick-up Quidditch at the House. Harry's started training with the Cannons, Ron, Charlie and I went along for a few of the sessions." "That must have been fun. Did you get any good tips?"
"A couple, the Cannons are a pretty new team but only the Chasers have played together before. They don't work well as a team well yet, they've got a chance though."
"Of course they have a chance." said Tom, "They've got Harry 'The Hero' Potter for Seeker, the only Seeker in 200 years to break Roderick Plumpton's 90% capture record. How many times has he not caught the Snitch? In a total of 28 games, including two International games, how many times has he lost the Snitch. Once?"
Ginny nodded. "The game against Hufflepuff in third year. When the Dementors invaded the pitch, he fell off his old Nimbus 2000 and Diggory caught the Snitch."
"I've always wondered why the Dementors affected him more than the rest of us that year." mused Peter, "I mean, Athena knows I go all cold inside, but he passed out. It's not because he's weak either, he's one of the strongest- minded people I know. Do you Ginny?"
"Yes. I asked him a few months ago, after a particularly gruelling session with the Timorous. Remus explained it to him in second year, Harry was affected more by the Dementors because he has horrors in his past that we don't have."
Tom nodded, "That makes sense. What did he hear?"
"He used to hear his parents' death. Now he can banish them before they affect him."
"What did you see or hear?"
"The Chamber of Secrets. Every time a Dementor came near me I remember being held prisoner down there by Riddle." She shivered, "I'm just glad that I don't have to experience it anymore." Her friends nodded grimly.
At that moment, the old witch appeared with the food cart. "Anything off the trolley dears?" she asked.
"Certainly madam." replied Roger and loped over to her, he came back with his huge arms full with boxes of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs as well as some cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties. Peter bought each of them some pumpkin juice before sitting back down beside Tom. There were no sounds for a while except chewing and slurping. Ginny was rather amused at her Famous Wizards cards: Merlin; Gryffindor; Flamel and a brand-new card, Harry. "I wonder if that means anything?" wondered Ginny aloud.
"What? Your cards?" asked Peter. Ginny nodded. "I doubt it, except maybe Harry, that one's only been out a month, it's still very rare. But don't take my word for it. I'm no Seer. Chess?"
Ginny laughed, "No way. You're too good for me. Play Nymph?"
"Cousin?"
"Sure why not?" replied Tom, "What's the score?"
"430 to 397. In your favour." Peter told him, as she reached up to her pack to get her chessmen.
After two hours she gave up, Tom had thrashed her 3-1. "Exploding Snap?" suggested Ginny.
When the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Ginny, Roger and the cousins were some of the first to get off onto the platform, they left their luggage and Mercury and Heimdall in the carriage.
"First years! First years!" called a familiar voice.
Ginny smiled and glancing over at the stair down to the lake and the boats and spied a familiar red head, "Charlie!"
He turned and grinned as she walked over, "Hi Ginny. Sirius asked me to escort the first years, apparently Jim's busy with something." He shrugged, "FIRST YEARS OVER HERE!!! I'll see you later."
Ginny nodded and walked over to the horse-less carriages and climbed in after Roger and the cousins. Peter looked at her. "Is there trouble? I was expecting Howlett to be there."
"Howlett had something he needed to do. Charlie won't or couldn't, say what. I'm sure he handle it."
The carriages moved off around the lake and soon stopped outside the main doors. Ginny could feel a familiar presence nearby, but she just put it down to Sirius, who was standing outside, waiting for the first years to arrive. Deciding it didn't really matter; she followed her friends up the steps and into the Great Hall, nodding a greeting to Sirius as she passed.
Once she was seated at the top end of the Gryffindor Table, she looked up and watched as the new students trooped into the Hall. Sirius placed the Sorting Hat on its usual stool and it sang:
"Welcome all to Hogwarts School.
Where work and fun are both the rule...
A thousand years and more ago
Four Wizards did this place make known
A place of learning of many kinds
A House for each, of different mind:
The daring Gryffindors, whose
Bravery you may well choose.
The clever Ravenclaws, where
Wit and learning is the fare.
Kind Hufflepuff of forest soil
May bring fun, but also toil.
The sly Slytherins, you may to depend
Use any means to their own end.
Now put me on,
I'm never wrong,
For I'm the Sorting Hat!"
Sirius unrolled a long parchment. He turned to the first years, "When I say your name, come up and put on the Hat." He instructed, "Once you are Sorted, go to your House Table." One or two students nodded in acknowledgement. "Abbott, Peter." "Hufflepuff!" "Burke, Michael." "Gryffindor!" "Cricket, Charles." "Slytherin!" "Delacour, Gabrielle." "Ravenclaw!" "Eckhardt, David." "SLYTHERIN!" "Fox, Luther." "Grantham, Anna." "Slytherin!" "Holland, Natalie." "RAVENCLAW!" "Ink, Edward." "RAVENCLAW!" "Jenkins, Jane." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Kazin, Kath." "Gryffindor!" "Lake, Laura." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "McGonagall, Athena." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Needles, Ned." "SLYTHERIN!" "Oldham, Jim." "SLYTHERIN!" "Perkins, Peter." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Quinn, Jonathan." "Slytherin!" "Rogers, Sharon." "GRYFFINDOR!" "Tyler, Stanley." "RAVENCLAW!" "Underwood, Maura." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Vernon, Vincent." "Slytherin!" "West, Wallace." "Gryffindor!" "Xavier, Frank." "Ravenclaw!" "Yamis, Mohammed." "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Zeddmore, Wilson." "Gryffindor!" With that Sirius rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat and returned to his seat beside McGonagall. Ginny scanned the Staff Table and did a double take as she recognised the woman sitting on the other side of Sirius. "So this is where she is." She muttered under her breath, "No wonder she kept quiet."
McGonagall stood up and cleared her throat. "Before you we begin the feast, I have a few announcements to make. Unfortunately, last year we lost some members of staff, who must be replaced. Some of these replacements were announced last year but the last two were not decided on until after the end of term. So it is now my pleasure to announce the post of Keeper of Keys and Grounds will now be filled by James Howlett, whom some of you may remember from last year." There was smattering of applause, mainly from the older Gryffindors. "I am pleased to announce a very special appointment, fresh from taking her own NEWT exams, as the new Transfiguration Professor. Hermione Granger!" Hermione stood up and this time there was loud and enthusiastic clapping from most of the school, except of course the Slytherins. After a moment, she sat back down again. McGonagall paused, "Furthermore, Quidditch try-outs will be in two weeks, anyone in second year or above who wishes to try out should see their Head-of-House." She looked around the Hall at the assembled students, "You may begin."
Immediately, the tables were filled with food and drink. The four friends dug in heartily. For the next two hours, the Hall filled with the chatter of students and the sound of eating and drinking. Ginny's keen ears picked up a conversation that two first years were having further down the table. "Your name's Athena McGonagall right?" Michael Burke asked his black-haired year-mate, whose long hair was pulled back in a severe bun. "Are you related to the Headmistress?"
"Yes." Glancing down the table, Ginny spotted McGonagall easily, the resemblance between her and Professor McGonagall was uncanny. "She is my father's sister, I have not seen her in six years and I do not expect any favours. My family has a long history of being strict with its members, and its friends."
"Do you agree with this policy?" asked another of the students.
"I do indeed, Peter Perkins."
Ginny tuned out the conservation and turned back to her friends, "Who's going to be Captain now Harry's not here?"
"Sirius suggested I take over, but he said it was up to us. I did run the practises while Harry was away last year though. I talked to Sonja and the girls, they okay with it. What do you guys think?"
"I'm fine with that." replied Ginny, "I doubt Paul or Eric'll mind either." Roger and Peter nodded to indicate their approval. "Okay, next question, what opening have we got on the team? You and Roger are our Beaters, Bird's a great Keeper, the girls and I have the Chaser spots covered.?"
"We don't have opening per say." admitted Tom, "Although Sonja told me if someone else comes along for the Seeker position, she's willing to step down."
"That girl has a serious self-confidence problem."
"True, although she did lose her first and only match last year."
"She won't make that mistake again." said Ginny confidently.
Tom nodded, "Probably not. But I think we should get a back-up, just in case and try and get hold of another Keeper and a couple of Beaters, and another Chaser if possible. That way, whoever takes over next year won't need to go out recruiting unless they want to."
"Good idea." admitted Ginny. "Let's do it."
At the end of the feast, McGonagall got to her feet again, "I now have a few other remarks to make. The Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, forbidden to all students, as is the village to all below third year or without the proper permission slip. Thank you everyone for your attention. Now off to bed."
Dennis Creevey, the new fifth year Prefect began making his way through the crowd, he was hampered by still only being 5'3 and he still hadn't lost his squeaky boyish voice. "Roger, Tom go give him a hand will you?" asked Peter, her Head Girl's badge gleaming silver on the breast pocket of her robes. The two boys nodded and started pushing their way through the crowd, which parted swiftly in front of them. As soon as Dennis had lead the first years out of the Hall, they hung back and allowed the other students to pass by them until Ginny and Peter caught up, "Thanks."
"Any time." replied Roger. "Who's Head Boy?"
"Armen Sharma. The Ravenclaw Beater and probably their new Quidditch Captain. He was the only one in our year to pass five subjects in the June exams."
"You on the top floor?"
"Yes. Sharma's in the suite over at Ravenclaw, it's had the most use in recent years, the Hufflepuffs haven't used theirs in twenty years, Diggory was the closest they ever got, we're second best, of the last twenty appointments we've had eight Head Girls, with four in the row and six Head Boys. The Slytherins have had three Head Boys and two Head Girls." She halted at the Fat Lady's Portrait, "Polaris."
The portrait opened and they walked into the empty Common Room. "You've been researching." accused Ginny, pausing at the bottom of the girls' staircase.
"Yes." agreed Peter and followed the boys up their staircase, Ginny headed up the girls' stair. "Night Ginny. Get some sleep."
"I will."
A/N: I hope you like how things are panning out so far. Did you guess what Hermione's 'new job' was? Please let me know and review.