Learning Ginny: A Love Story
By syders
Summary: It starts off during the summer before Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts and Ginny's 5th year and will continue until I find a good place to stop. In the midst of a terrible time, love stirs and victories grow. Watch as Harry and Ginny fall in love, only to be brutally torn apart. Will that ever see each other again? And knowing me that means that it might never stop(!
A/N: Hey everyone!!! This is officially my second fan fiction story and it is a romances b/w (between) Harry and Ginny, with some stuff on Hermione and Ron too (just for you lolo(.) Plus everyone on the ice skating team is a witch, but Mercedes Blanc and Lawson Newton are the only ones in Gryffindor with Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts, but is a muggle born. Plus there are give-aways to the plots of the third and fourth books, so if you have not read them, I don't suggest you read this as it may confuse you. Well here goes..
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the things that look unfamiliar, such as Mercedes Blanc and Lillana Newton, her gang of nitwits, and Sam, though if she heard me say this, she'd probably kick me. There is also some reference to the Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes (my own personal favorite ice skater!!!!) from the Winter Olympics of 2002. And Coach Max is a real coach at my school who coaches the soccer team. The brilliant and wonderful JK Rowling owns everything else.
Chapter 1- The Skate Off and the Aftermath.
Ginny Weasley woke up the first Saturday morning of summer to find the dawn light streaming across her face. She sat up and stretched, then tried to untangle her legs from her sheets. No luck there, she was a very wild sleeper. After about five minutes of trying to free her pale legs, she just decided to yank her legs from the sheets. She did so falling in the process trying to be as quiet as she could and not wake Hermione who was still asleep on the floor. She then walked over to the window and opened it breathing the warm scent of summer. She turned around and walked over to her dresser where she pulled out a pair of light blue tights and a white baby tee. She took a shower and washed her hair, put on the pants and the shirt, then slid white knee-highs over the pants, but not pulling them all the way up. She slid on her running shoes and grabbed her white Hogwarts ice-skating Team sweatshirt and ran downstairs. She was supposed to meet her best friend in the entire world Mercedes Blanc at the rink and train for five hours before everyone else got there. The team was a new development that was created in order to keep the kids in good spirits and strengthen the bonds between schools. The five am practices were part of a new training plan that their coach had put together for them, and they were planing to stick to it, even if everyone else didn't.
When she got to the kitchen it was empty, but there was a note for her from her mother on the table. She read it as she flew past.
Dear Gin, Honey, I want you to eat something before you leave, or at least take some money with you to get something after. Be home by eight, because Harry will be here at nine. Have a good practice and don't start anything Lilla. We don't need another broken nose to explain to your father, do we? Mum
She sighed, flipped the note over and wrote back to her mother.
Dear Mum, I will eat some toast, then take 3 galleons to buy lunch. Also you know very well that practice doesn't start until ten and is going to be an all day thing, so I have absolutely no idea what time I will be home, but I will try to be here around three. I can't wait to see Harry, but I have more important matters to handle. And I don't try and find trouble with Lilla she always starts stuff. See you around three, Gin
She looked at her watch. It read 5:30. "Shit! I'm late!" She muttered to herself grabbing a few pieces of bread and running to the back door. She grabbed her skates, snatched her purse off the counter quickly tied the strings and flung them over her shoulders and ran out like the devil was hot on her heels grabbing her broom as she ran out the shed. She climbed on and kicked off without stopping, the wind drying the vibrant red hair that she had neglected to dry. "Oh Merlin! 'Cedes is gonna kill me." Ginny muttered to herself as she spotted the rink somewhere below her. And sure enough, as she landed in front of the rink there was Mercedes, broom over shoulder, skates around neck, and just as impatient as ever. She was tapping her foot on the ground and was giving Ginny a reproachful look. She was wearing the same thing as Ginny, blue pants and a white baby tee it was the team practice uniform, but her knee-highs were pink instead of white, cause Ginny was the captain.
"It's about time!! Where have you been??? I was beginning to think you'd flown across the path of Death Eaters or something." She said annoyed. "I wanted to get on the ice before the Snob Queen and her supporters get here." She said referring to the girls' mortal enemy Lillana Newton, a pureblood who thought she was better than every one else and treated Ginny and Mercedes like the dirt she walked on ever since they had met, and it had only gotten worse after Ginny was made captain.
"Oh hush 'Cedes! You said to be here at five thirty and it's only five forty-five. I'm here." Ginny said smiling at her friend's attitude as she landed.
"Yeah, but I had to wait until you got here to get in, you are the only person besides Coach Max who has a key. So I had to sit here for fifteen minutes and wait."
"Oh stop your nagging and let's go! I'm itching for some ice. Besides, did you bring your stuff for tonight? You are still sleeping over right?" Ginny said only seeing the brunette's duffel, her trunk was missing.
"Yes silly, I'm still spending the rest of the summer with you, but my dad is bringing my trunk and Nia over later."
"Oh, okay." Ginny said as she turned to the door and unlocked it with the key around her neck. When she walked in she flipped the switch on all the lights, went into the locker rooms, and propped her broom against the wall and Mercedes followed her example rambling on the whole time. She threw her purse into her locker, pulled off her running shoes then stood up and stretched every single muscle in her body. She listened quietly to her bones pop and ease out of sleepy stiffness while Mercedes rambled on about promptness and responsibility. "MERCEDES CHRISTIAN BLANC, SHUTUP!" She shouted stopping Mercedes mid sentence. "You're starting to sound like Percy and I get enough of that at home already."
"Oh. Sorry. But you did have me a little worried there. I mean you never know what can happen these days with Voldemort back and everything."
"Yeah I know, I'm sorry for yelling." Ginny said getting on the stationary bike in the middle of the room.
Mercedes got on the treadmill and started talking to Ginny with huffs and puffs in the middle. "So Ginny, who else is coming over your house tonight?" She asked after about thirty minutes of silence.
"Um, you and Lawson are coming to dinner, then we're going to Sam's party after that. My mum left me a note that said Harry will be over at about nine, and she told me to be back by eight." Ginny said, sweat dripping down her forehead as she peddled with all her strength. Samantha Chesterson was the most nicest fifth year girl at Hogwarts and her father was a movie producer, so naturally, getting invited to her birthday party was something good 'cause you never knew who you were going to bump into. She was also a small portion of the New Marauders, the most popular group in Hogwarts. The entire group consisted of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Samantha Chesterson, Roane Hughes, Lawson Newton, Mercedes Blanc, and Ginny Weasley. They hadn't really even thought of having a name until Professor McGonagall sort of mentioned that they had all been getting into so much trouble, that seemed to be taking after the Marauders, only with a slightly larger group. It clicked! Then it only seemed right to call themselves the New Marauders especially since Harry's father had been a part of the first one.
"Eight? She must know that you won't be back any time around then." Mercedes said looking at Ginny.
"I wrote her back and told her just that. Said I wouldn't be back till about three." Ginny said climbing off the stationary and then getting on the treadmill as Mercedes started to do a set of crunches.
"Good. So what are you wearing to Sam's party tonight?" Mercedes gasped from the floor. God, she hated crunches!!
"Uh, a light green shirt, and a jean mini skirt with the boots my mum got me for my birthday. How 'bout you?"
"Pink halter top and jeans."
"That's cool." Ginny said turning up the speed on the treadmill to about 9 without even stopping.
"Merlin you're fast. If we went to a muggle school, you'd definitely be on the track team." Mercedes said finally finishing her crunches and climbing on the stationary. Ginny just smiled, talking might confuse her and make her fall and she certainly didn't need a rug burn any-where on her body just then. After another hour of running at top speed Ginny got off the treadmill, and did her crunches. She didn't mind them nearly as much as she used to. She finished and sat down on the wooden bench to put her skates on. She took off her sweatshirt and put her thick waist length red hair in a bun. Then she wobbled out on her blades, took off the blade guards and stepped onto the ice. "Boy it's been way too long since I've been here." She muttered to more to herself than anyone else gliding around in circles doing the occasional jump or spin.
"What do you mean? We were just here last night with every one else practicing for the meet." Mercedes said gliding up beside her then skating away, warming up for what they were about to do.
"I know, that's too long. Sometimes I wish I could live here."
"Girl you are way too obsessed with this sport."
"I know, hey did you see Sarah Hughes last night? She was awesome. Genevieve Blanche was good too, but she had that nasty spill after the double axle. But come on, what professional can't do a double axle? Even we can do those!! If you ask me, she's been spending a little too much time off the ice. I mean I know she broke her leg and all, but come on, you can't be all that bad after three months off!!" Ginny ranted.
"All right Ginny!, We should just skate now and talk later." They warmed up for about an hour and a half then went to the bleachers that were built into the floor and wall.
"Ready?" Mercedes asked pulling out her wand and pointing it at the sound system.
"Yeah, I want to practice my routine some more."
"But you've all ready mastered yours, let me at least try mine." Whined Mercedes.
"Fine," Ginny said. "But I'm giving you pointers." She skated off the ice and sat down on the bleachers next to the sound system that she had only just figured out how to work. Mercedes took her starting position and Ginny started the music. From the second she started, Ginny began shouting pointers and tips to make the performance better.
"Thank you, oh, Queen of the Rink." Mercedes joked as she finally stepped off the ice. "I'll be sure and give you a few pointers of my own."
"Yeah, yeah," Ginny said. "My turn, my turn." She pushed past Mercedes and sped around the rink once before slowing down and taking her starting stance. She felt every worry and thought leave her and only felt the chill of the ice on the bottom of her up raised arms. She smiled to herself and somehow knew she was going to place first at the meet next weekend against the Levine Phoenixes. She nodded at Mercedes to start the music and let the soft notes lead her every move. She didn't think about the combination, only did what her feet told her to do, executing every spin, turn, and jump perfectly. When she finally finished, Mercedes didn't have one bad word to say.
"That was wonderful, you are gonna blow those poseurs away. Even though you suck at Divination nobody skates like you Gin." Mercedes praised.
"Is that so huh? Well why don't you put your blades where your mouth is?" said a snotty voice from the other side of the rink. "How about a skate off?"
Mercedes and Ginny turned to see a mean blonde bimbo (no offense you blondes out there, some of my best friends are blondes and they are the nicest people. She is just mean though.), standing across the rink, near the locker rooms. It was Lilliana Newton and her "BFF's" Lana Figg and Abigail Sands were standing right next to her with an evil smirk on her face.
"Leave them alone Lilla." Said a boy walking out of the locker rooms and over to Ginny and Mercedes, his best friends. He was Lawson Newton Lilliana's twin brother, but they didn't look like each other, or act like each other. Law, as everyone called him, was fun and caring and he was always one to end fights between his sister and his best friends, while Lilliana, or Lilla, was always one to start fights, then turn and run with her tail between her legs once it got serious. Law had dark brown hair, violet blue eyes and a healthy olive complexion, but Lilla was a shiny blonde with dark brown eyes and pale, almost white skin. She reminded Ginny of someone who could be Malfoy's twin instead of Law's.
"What if I don't, huh? Gonna tell our precious father?"
"No Law, let's get this over with once and for all. You want a skate off Lilla? Well you just got yourself your Christmas wish. Bring it on honey, and I'll tell you what your worth." Ginny said gliding over to where Lilla was standing with Lana and Abby.
For a second, Lilla's smile faltered, she hadn't expected Ginny to accept, let alone accept it the way she did. But she put on an evil smile and said, "Children first. Oh and remember it's freestyle, so do your best, and choose whatever music you want. I'll skate to whatever you skate too." Ginny had to bite her toung to keep from slapping Lilla hard across her face.
"Fine." She forced out. Ginny turned around on the ice doing a couple of spins on the way to the other side of the rink to change the CD in the player to something fast and upbeat.
When she reached the other side Law whispered in her ear, "You know you don't have to do this Gin."
Ginny turned to Law and bored her sky blue eyes into his violet blue ones and said, "Law this ends right here, right now. I am sick and tired of your little bitchy sister always doing things to nerve me. It is over." With that she pulled Coach Max's CD case out from the shelf under the sound system and picked a CD by Sum 41, a good muggle rock group and handed it to Mercedes who put it in the player and got ready to start it. "Besides, I can skate to rock with rhythm and she can't. Law as soon as the music starts keep a good watch on Lilla and Lana, make sure they don't start any funny business. 'Cedes, same for you, keep a good watch on Abby." Ginny added as she stepped back out on the ice confidant and calm once again. Her previous anger and restless gone. As the music started, she started a flashy routine she'd come up with at home while she listened to one of Percy's long speeches on respect and responsibility after she had walked in late after practice one day. She heard gasps from the front door that sounded distinctly familiar and more from the door of the locker room as she flew around the rink giving it all she had, but ignored them. Who cared if the only people who had actually seen her skate freestyle were Law and 'Cedes. That should have expected that she'd burst someday, finally give up on trying to make peace with Lilla. But this time she'd had enough, and wasn't putting up with Lilla's bitterness anymore. When the fast music stopped she did a t-stop infront of Lilla, Lana, and Abby spraying them with ice, but they were still too stunned from Ginny's performance to move.
"Your turn." Ginny said sweetly making Lilla snap out of it, scowl and push past Ginny to the sound system choosing a song on the same CD.
"Now watch how it's really done." Lilla called from the center of the rink. But Ginny was back with 'Cedes and Law and all three could have cared less if Lilla could even think about stringing two beats together in the middle of a drum solo. Which she couldn't by the way. They were just glad that someone finally had the guts to stand up to Lilliana Jane Newton.
"Oh poor Law. He is cursed with having a brat for a sister. A twin sister at that." 'Cedes said loud enough for everyone to hear after Lilla was finished making a fool of her self. "Let's all give him a hug to make him feel better." She added making half of the team laugh and the other half mutter insults under their breath.
In the middle of all the laughing, Ginny again heard the familiar voices and looked across the rink into the opposite stands and saw three of her favorite people, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and her brother Ron Weasley.
"HARRY!!!!!!" She screamed. And looked at her watch. Ten thirty???????? She must have really been into her skating. The time had flown by. She hopped off the bleachers glided across the ice as fast as she could and flung herself into Harry's arms.
"Woah Gin careful, you don't want to kill him do you?" Ron said playfully. He knew his sister still had gotten over her crush on Harry a long time ago, but he still liked teasing her.
Ginny blushed violently and stood as straight as she could in her skates. "I'm just happy to see that he's still alive, what with the attacks on the area around his aunt and uncle's house. Nothing more, nothing less." She said flattening her sweaty hair and bangs as best as she could.
"Sure Ginny, sure." Ron said smirking, receiving a "look" form Ginny and a slap on the arm from Hermione.
Harry ignored him and said, "So Ginny, I didn't know you were a skater."
"Well Harry, there are a lot of things you don't know about me." Ginny said.
"Well maybe I'll just try and find out." Harry said quietly.
"Ginny do you like to skate?" Hermione said putting her head on Ron's shoulder and changing the subject to a more open one before someone spilled feelings that didn't need to be spilled.
"L-l-like?" Ginny almost choked on the word.
"No, not like. Ginny here is obsessed with and can't get enough of skating. As a matter of fact she is the team captain" A tall Coach Max said skating up behind Ginny, "But now she has to practice with the team for next weeks competition. But you can stay if you like."
'Thanks, I think we'll do that." Harry said smiling.
Ginny turned and started talking to her coach about the meet, then skated to the middle of the rink. "Okay every one line up! Time for role call!" All of the team members, ten girls and ten boys, lined up in front of Ginny as she called off names.
"Anna A."
"Here." Said a raven-haired girl near the end of the line.
"Daniel"
"Here!" Said a black boy brightly.
"Anna C."
"Here." Said a girl right infront of Ginny. Ginny looked up from the paper she was reading off of and looked at the girl.
"Hello Anna I'm glad to see you're feeling better. How's your throat?"
"Still a little sore, but better. Thanks for asking."
"No prob." Ginny said and continued with the list. When she got to Lilla's name, Lilla grunted and didn't say anything else. Then Ginny called Law's name after that, and Harry couldn't believe they were twins. Lilla looked like Malfoy, but Law looked like Cedric did before he died.
After Ginny finished calling the names. Max moved to the front of the group and said loudly so everyone could hear, "I want you to grab you couples partner, we are going to work on the ice dancing routines. They need to be perfect, because there might be scouts there from the national teams and I'd like to boast that I have former team members on our national teams. Ginny and Law, you're up first, let's go." He skated over to the bleachers next to the sound system, sat down, and started an upbeat jazz tune.
Harry looked over to where Ginny was and saw that she was pared with Law and a hot jealousy surged through him, but he didn't know why. He watched as Law grabbed Ginny lightly around the waist and threw her in to a perfect triple axle, then watched in awe as they completed a simple side by side double toe loop. After that Law took Ginny's hands and they executed a perfect death spin then, while still spinning, Law picked Ginny up and held her over his head. She then slid down his back and pulled him to a stop as the music slowly ended. Harry could easily see that Ginny and Law were by far the best skaters there.
"Excellent, excellent as always Gin and Law. How did you come up with that particular routine? And how did you find the music to go with it?" Max asked.
"Well the music was Law's idea and I created the routine doing a play-by- play in my head as I listened to my brother Percy talk about his wonderful job at the ministry. Then I came here a worked it out into steps. Perce was kinda upset that I just up and walked out on him, but it was really just a spur of the moment type thing." Ginny said with a light voice.
"Good, good. And what type of out fits will you be wearing?" Max asked clearly interested in what his best team members had chosen.
"Well, we don't exactly know yet, but we're going to Wittnauer Alley with Marc and 'Cedes tomorrow." Ginny said referring to the magical showing center in Switzerland that concentrated on sports and nothing else. It had everything to do with muggle sports and magical sports alike.
"All right, well let me know at Wednesday's practice all right?"
"Sure thing coach M." Law said ushering Ginny off the ice and over to Harry, Ron and Hermione, although Ron and Hermione were um. busy, they had recently spilled their guts out to each other and were now boyfriend and girlfriend.
"You guys were great!!" Harry said. "You're a real team."
"Thanks, we're hoping to empress a scout at the meet, though we'll have to finish school at Hogwarts before we go anywhere, 'specially to the Olympics if they aren't here, which I highly doubt. The Winter Olympics have never been held here in England as far as I know, and believe me I know a lot. And if-"
Law cut her off, "Gin, you're ranting again." He and Mercedes constantly had to remind her that she was doing just that, because she would go on forever about the history of ice-skating if you let her. She was like a female Oliver Wood.
"That's okay, I know nothing about this sport." Harry said with a grin. "By the way I don't think I've said hello to you yet Law. But not like it's been a long time eh? Only left Hogwarts last Monday, also I'll need to talk to you about the new chaser since Katie graduated." Harry and Law were the Captain and co. captain of the Grffindor Quidditch team, and Law was the Keeper.
"Sure thing Harry, I'm coming to dinner at the Weasley's tonight, maybe we can talk then."
"Sure." Harry smiled.
Ginny turned around and looked at Max. "Is everyone done?" She asked.
"Yeah, but I think I'm gonna keep Lilla and Chad for a little while longer. Lilla keeps messing up the side-by-side and she needs to get it right. So can you write that down in the books, and remind her of it on a later notice?" he called from across the ice.
"Sure Max. It's already done." Ginny said, then she looked at Lilla and said, "Hope you get it soon, you wouldn't want to miss the party at Sam's tonight would you?" Ginny said sweetly. "Everyone in our year and up will be there." With that Ginny ran into the locker rooms with Mercedes, both girls giggling madly.
"Girls," muttered Law, "Yeach."
"I hear ya." Said Harry. As Law smiled and walked to the locker rooms to change and get his stuff.
Fifteen minutes later Ginny and Mercedes came back out in their sweatshirts and running shoes, their skates slung over their shoulders, and their brooms in their hands. Ginny looked at her watch. It was two o'clock. "So how did you guys get here?" She asked.
"We flew." Hermione said pointing at a set of brooms by the door.
"Well let's go. Law we'll see you around six?" Ginny said.
"Yep. I'll be there."
"Cool." Ginny said leading everyone to the door. "Let's go, last one to the Burrow is a rotten egg!" She hopped on her broom and took off not expecting anyone to catch up with her. Boy was she wrong.
A raven-haired blur shot past her like a bullet ruffling her hair and causing her hair band to fly off, and her skates to bounce painfully against her back. "Oh, and that was my favorite one too." She said in dismay as the hair band fell to the ground beneath them and her now long hair floated freely in the wind. "You'll pay for that Harry!!" She put on a burst of speed and caught up with him quickly. She looked at his face as she pulled up next to him and saw that he was smiling. "You did that on purpose." She said.
"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Harry asked playfully.
"I'm gonna beat you home!" She shouted back, putting on another burst of speed and shooting towards the Burrow, which was now only about two miles away. She'd be there within seconds. She landed at the front door and heard him land just a few seconds after her. She whipped around to face him with a triumphant grin on her face. "Ha! I beat you!!" She said poking him in the chest.
"Yes you did, now can we please get cleaned up?" Mercedes said landing behind Harry.
"Sure 'Cedes come on up. We can have Hermione help us with our hair and makeup." Ginny said. Turning and walking into the house, Mercedes by her side.
A/N: I know that was a very long chapter, but I just kept getting ideas. R/R please tell me what you think. This first chapter was kind of boring, but I had to get it started and it will all get better in the next chapter. Thanks to lolo and friends for getting me started. And lolo, yes Samantha is the Sam we all know. Remember R/R!! TTFN- syders
Summary: It starts off during the summer before Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts and Ginny's 5th year and will continue until I find a good place to stop. In the midst of a terrible time, love stirs and victories grow. Watch as Harry and Ginny fall in love, only to be brutally torn apart. Will that ever see each other again? And knowing me that means that it might never stop(!
A/N: Hey everyone!!! This is officially my second fan fiction story and it is a romances b/w (between) Harry and Ginny, with some stuff on Hermione and Ron too (just for you lolo(.) Plus everyone on the ice skating team is a witch, but Mercedes Blanc and Lawson Newton are the only ones in Gryffindor with Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts, but is a muggle born. Plus there are give-aways to the plots of the third and fourth books, so if you have not read them, I don't suggest you read this as it may confuse you. Well here goes..
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the things that look unfamiliar, such as Mercedes Blanc and Lillana Newton, her gang of nitwits, and Sam, though if she heard me say this, she'd probably kick me. There is also some reference to the Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes (my own personal favorite ice skater!!!!) from the Winter Olympics of 2002. And Coach Max is a real coach at my school who coaches the soccer team. The brilliant and wonderful JK Rowling owns everything else.
Chapter 1- The Skate Off and the Aftermath.
Ginny Weasley woke up the first Saturday morning of summer to find the dawn light streaming across her face. She sat up and stretched, then tried to untangle her legs from her sheets. No luck there, she was a very wild sleeper. After about five minutes of trying to free her pale legs, she just decided to yank her legs from the sheets. She did so falling in the process trying to be as quiet as she could and not wake Hermione who was still asleep on the floor. She then walked over to the window and opened it breathing the warm scent of summer. She turned around and walked over to her dresser where she pulled out a pair of light blue tights and a white baby tee. She took a shower and washed her hair, put on the pants and the shirt, then slid white knee-highs over the pants, but not pulling them all the way up. She slid on her running shoes and grabbed her white Hogwarts ice-skating Team sweatshirt and ran downstairs. She was supposed to meet her best friend in the entire world Mercedes Blanc at the rink and train for five hours before everyone else got there. The team was a new development that was created in order to keep the kids in good spirits and strengthen the bonds between schools. The five am practices were part of a new training plan that their coach had put together for them, and they were planing to stick to it, even if everyone else didn't.
When she got to the kitchen it was empty, but there was a note for her from her mother on the table. She read it as she flew past.
Dear Gin, Honey, I want you to eat something before you leave, or at least take some money with you to get something after. Be home by eight, because Harry will be here at nine. Have a good practice and don't start anything Lilla. We don't need another broken nose to explain to your father, do we? Mum
She sighed, flipped the note over and wrote back to her mother.
Dear Mum, I will eat some toast, then take 3 galleons to buy lunch. Also you know very well that practice doesn't start until ten and is going to be an all day thing, so I have absolutely no idea what time I will be home, but I will try to be here around three. I can't wait to see Harry, but I have more important matters to handle. And I don't try and find trouble with Lilla she always starts stuff. See you around three, Gin
She looked at her watch. It read 5:30. "Shit! I'm late!" She muttered to herself grabbing a few pieces of bread and running to the back door. She grabbed her skates, snatched her purse off the counter quickly tied the strings and flung them over her shoulders and ran out like the devil was hot on her heels grabbing her broom as she ran out the shed. She climbed on and kicked off without stopping, the wind drying the vibrant red hair that she had neglected to dry. "Oh Merlin! 'Cedes is gonna kill me." Ginny muttered to herself as she spotted the rink somewhere below her. And sure enough, as she landed in front of the rink there was Mercedes, broom over shoulder, skates around neck, and just as impatient as ever. She was tapping her foot on the ground and was giving Ginny a reproachful look. She was wearing the same thing as Ginny, blue pants and a white baby tee it was the team practice uniform, but her knee-highs were pink instead of white, cause Ginny was the captain.
"It's about time!! Where have you been??? I was beginning to think you'd flown across the path of Death Eaters or something." She said annoyed. "I wanted to get on the ice before the Snob Queen and her supporters get here." She said referring to the girls' mortal enemy Lillana Newton, a pureblood who thought she was better than every one else and treated Ginny and Mercedes like the dirt she walked on ever since they had met, and it had only gotten worse after Ginny was made captain.
"Oh hush 'Cedes! You said to be here at five thirty and it's only five forty-five. I'm here." Ginny said smiling at her friend's attitude as she landed.
"Yeah, but I had to wait until you got here to get in, you are the only person besides Coach Max who has a key. So I had to sit here for fifteen minutes and wait."
"Oh stop your nagging and let's go! I'm itching for some ice. Besides, did you bring your stuff for tonight? You are still sleeping over right?" Ginny said only seeing the brunette's duffel, her trunk was missing.
"Yes silly, I'm still spending the rest of the summer with you, but my dad is bringing my trunk and Nia over later."
"Oh, okay." Ginny said as she turned to the door and unlocked it with the key around her neck. When she walked in she flipped the switch on all the lights, went into the locker rooms, and propped her broom against the wall and Mercedes followed her example rambling on the whole time. She threw her purse into her locker, pulled off her running shoes then stood up and stretched every single muscle in her body. She listened quietly to her bones pop and ease out of sleepy stiffness while Mercedes rambled on about promptness and responsibility. "MERCEDES CHRISTIAN BLANC, SHUTUP!" She shouted stopping Mercedes mid sentence. "You're starting to sound like Percy and I get enough of that at home already."
"Oh. Sorry. But you did have me a little worried there. I mean you never know what can happen these days with Voldemort back and everything."
"Yeah I know, I'm sorry for yelling." Ginny said getting on the stationary bike in the middle of the room.
Mercedes got on the treadmill and started talking to Ginny with huffs and puffs in the middle. "So Ginny, who else is coming over your house tonight?" She asked after about thirty minutes of silence.
"Um, you and Lawson are coming to dinner, then we're going to Sam's party after that. My mum left me a note that said Harry will be over at about nine, and she told me to be back by eight." Ginny said, sweat dripping down her forehead as she peddled with all her strength. Samantha Chesterson was the most nicest fifth year girl at Hogwarts and her father was a movie producer, so naturally, getting invited to her birthday party was something good 'cause you never knew who you were going to bump into. She was also a small portion of the New Marauders, the most popular group in Hogwarts. The entire group consisted of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Samantha Chesterson, Roane Hughes, Lawson Newton, Mercedes Blanc, and Ginny Weasley. They hadn't really even thought of having a name until Professor McGonagall sort of mentioned that they had all been getting into so much trouble, that seemed to be taking after the Marauders, only with a slightly larger group. It clicked! Then it only seemed right to call themselves the New Marauders especially since Harry's father had been a part of the first one.
"Eight? She must know that you won't be back any time around then." Mercedes said looking at Ginny.
"I wrote her back and told her just that. Said I wouldn't be back till about three." Ginny said climbing off the stationary and then getting on the treadmill as Mercedes started to do a set of crunches.
"Good. So what are you wearing to Sam's party tonight?" Mercedes gasped from the floor. God, she hated crunches!!
"Uh, a light green shirt, and a jean mini skirt with the boots my mum got me for my birthday. How 'bout you?"
"Pink halter top and jeans."
"That's cool." Ginny said turning up the speed on the treadmill to about 9 without even stopping.
"Merlin you're fast. If we went to a muggle school, you'd definitely be on the track team." Mercedes said finally finishing her crunches and climbing on the stationary. Ginny just smiled, talking might confuse her and make her fall and she certainly didn't need a rug burn any-where on her body just then. After another hour of running at top speed Ginny got off the treadmill, and did her crunches. She didn't mind them nearly as much as she used to. She finished and sat down on the wooden bench to put her skates on. She took off her sweatshirt and put her thick waist length red hair in a bun. Then she wobbled out on her blades, took off the blade guards and stepped onto the ice. "Boy it's been way too long since I've been here." She muttered to more to herself than anyone else gliding around in circles doing the occasional jump or spin.
"What do you mean? We were just here last night with every one else practicing for the meet." Mercedes said gliding up beside her then skating away, warming up for what they were about to do.
"I know, that's too long. Sometimes I wish I could live here."
"Girl you are way too obsessed with this sport."
"I know, hey did you see Sarah Hughes last night? She was awesome. Genevieve Blanche was good too, but she had that nasty spill after the double axle. But come on, what professional can't do a double axle? Even we can do those!! If you ask me, she's been spending a little too much time off the ice. I mean I know she broke her leg and all, but come on, you can't be all that bad after three months off!!" Ginny ranted.
"All right Ginny!, We should just skate now and talk later." They warmed up for about an hour and a half then went to the bleachers that were built into the floor and wall.
"Ready?" Mercedes asked pulling out her wand and pointing it at the sound system.
"Yeah, I want to practice my routine some more."
"But you've all ready mastered yours, let me at least try mine." Whined Mercedes.
"Fine," Ginny said. "But I'm giving you pointers." She skated off the ice and sat down on the bleachers next to the sound system that she had only just figured out how to work. Mercedes took her starting position and Ginny started the music. From the second she started, Ginny began shouting pointers and tips to make the performance better.
"Thank you, oh, Queen of the Rink." Mercedes joked as she finally stepped off the ice. "I'll be sure and give you a few pointers of my own."
"Yeah, yeah," Ginny said. "My turn, my turn." She pushed past Mercedes and sped around the rink once before slowing down and taking her starting stance. She felt every worry and thought leave her and only felt the chill of the ice on the bottom of her up raised arms. She smiled to herself and somehow knew she was going to place first at the meet next weekend against the Levine Phoenixes. She nodded at Mercedes to start the music and let the soft notes lead her every move. She didn't think about the combination, only did what her feet told her to do, executing every spin, turn, and jump perfectly. When she finally finished, Mercedes didn't have one bad word to say.
"That was wonderful, you are gonna blow those poseurs away. Even though you suck at Divination nobody skates like you Gin." Mercedes praised.
"Is that so huh? Well why don't you put your blades where your mouth is?" said a snotty voice from the other side of the rink. "How about a skate off?"
Mercedes and Ginny turned to see a mean blonde bimbo (no offense you blondes out there, some of my best friends are blondes and they are the nicest people. She is just mean though.), standing across the rink, near the locker rooms. It was Lilliana Newton and her "BFF's" Lana Figg and Abigail Sands were standing right next to her with an evil smirk on her face.
"Leave them alone Lilla." Said a boy walking out of the locker rooms and over to Ginny and Mercedes, his best friends. He was Lawson Newton Lilliana's twin brother, but they didn't look like each other, or act like each other. Law, as everyone called him, was fun and caring and he was always one to end fights between his sister and his best friends, while Lilliana, or Lilla, was always one to start fights, then turn and run with her tail between her legs once it got serious. Law had dark brown hair, violet blue eyes and a healthy olive complexion, but Lilla was a shiny blonde with dark brown eyes and pale, almost white skin. She reminded Ginny of someone who could be Malfoy's twin instead of Law's.
"What if I don't, huh? Gonna tell our precious father?"
"No Law, let's get this over with once and for all. You want a skate off Lilla? Well you just got yourself your Christmas wish. Bring it on honey, and I'll tell you what your worth." Ginny said gliding over to where Lilla was standing with Lana and Abby.
For a second, Lilla's smile faltered, she hadn't expected Ginny to accept, let alone accept it the way she did. But she put on an evil smile and said, "Children first. Oh and remember it's freestyle, so do your best, and choose whatever music you want. I'll skate to whatever you skate too." Ginny had to bite her toung to keep from slapping Lilla hard across her face.
"Fine." She forced out. Ginny turned around on the ice doing a couple of spins on the way to the other side of the rink to change the CD in the player to something fast and upbeat.
When she reached the other side Law whispered in her ear, "You know you don't have to do this Gin."
Ginny turned to Law and bored her sky blue eyes into his violet blue ones and said, "Law this ends right here, right now. I am sick and tired of your little bitchy sister always doing things to nerve me. It is over." With that she pulled Coach Max's CD case out from the shelf under the sound system and picked a CD by Sum 41, a good muggle rock group and handed it to Mercedes who put it in the player and got ready to start it. "Besides, I can skate to rock with rhythm and she can't. Law as soon as the music starts keep a good watch on Lilla and Lana, make sure they don't start any funny business. 'Cedes, same for you, keep a good watch on Abby." Ginny added as she stepped back out on the ice confidant and calm once again. Her previous anger and restless gone. As the music started, she started a flashy routine she'd come up with at home while she listened to one of Percy's long speeches on respect and responsibility after she had walked in late after practice one day. She heard gasps from the front door that sounded distinctly familiar and more from the door of the locker room as she flew around the rink giving it all she had, but ignored them. Who cared if the only people who had actually seen her skate freestyle were Law and 'Cedes. That should have expected that she'd burst someday, finally give up on trying to make peace with Lilla. But this time she'd had enough, and wasn't putting up with Lilla's bitterness anymore. When the fast music stopped she did a t-stop infront of Lilla, Lana, and Abby spraying them with ice, but they were still too stunned from Ginny's performance to move.
"Your turn." Ginny said sweetly making Lilla snap out of it, scowl and push past Ginny to the sound system choosing a song on the same CD.
"Now watch how it's really done." Lilla called from the center of the rink. But Ginny was back with 'Cedes and Law and all three could have cared less if Lilla could even think about stringing two beats together in the middle of a drum solo. Which she couldn't by the way. They were just glad that someone finally had the guts to stand up to Lilliana Jane Newton.
"Oh poor Law. He is cursed with having a brat for a sister. A twin sister at that." 'Cedes said loud enough for everyone to hear after Lilla was finished making a fool of her self. "Let's all give him a hug to make him feel better." She added making half of the team laugh and the other half mutter insults under their breath.
In the middle of all the laughing, Ginny again heard the familiar voices and looked across the rink into the opposite stands and saw three of her favorite people, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and her brother Ron Weasley.
"HARRY!!!!!!" She screamed. And looked at her watch. Ten thirty???????? She must have really been into her skating. The time had flown by. She hopped off the bleachers glided across the ice as fast as she could and flung herself into Harry's arms.
"Woah Gin careful, you don't want to kill him do you?" Ron said playfully. He knew his sister still had gotten over her crush on Harry a long time ago, but he still liked teasing her.
Ginny blushed violently and stood as straight as she could in her skates. "I'm just happy to see that he's still alive, what with the attacks on the area around his aunt and uncle's house. Nothing more, nothing less." She said flattening her sweaty hair and bangs as best as she could.
"Sure Ginny, sure." Ron said smirking, receiving a "look" form Ginny and a slap on the arm from Hermione.
Harry ignored him and said, "So Ginny, I didn't know you were a skater."
"Well Harry, there are a lot of things you don't know about me." Ginny said.
"Well maybe I'll just try and find out." Harry said quietly.
"Ginny do you like to skate?" Hermione said putting her head on Ron's shoulder and changing the subject to a more open one before someone spilled feelings that didn't need to be spilled.
"L-l-like?" Ginny almost choked on the word.
"No, not like. Ginny here is obsessed with and can't get enough of skating. As a matter of fact she is the team captain" A tall Coach Max said skating up behind Ginny, "But now she has to practice with the team for next weeks competition. But you can stay if you like."
'Thanks, I think we'll do that." Harry said smiling.
Ginny turned and started talking to her coach about the meet, then skated to the middle of the rink. "Okay every one line up! Time for role call!" All of the team members, ten girls and ten boys, lined up in front of Ginny as she called off names.
"Anna A."
"Here." Said a raven-haired girl near the end of the line.
"Daniel"
"Here!" Said a black boy brightly.
"Anna C."
"Here." Said a girl right infront of Ginny. Ginny looked up from the paper she was reading off of and looked at the girl.
"Hello Anna I'm glad to see you're feeling better. How's your throat?"
"Still a little sore, but better. Thanks for asking."
"No prob." Ginny said and continued with the list. When she got to Lilla's name, Lilla grunted and didn't say anything else. Then Ginny called Law's name after that, and Harry couldn't believe they were twins. Lilla looked like Malfoy, but Law looked like Cedric did before he died.
After Ginny finished calling the names. Max moved to the front of the group and said loudly so everyone could hear, "I want you to grab you couples partner, we are going to work on the ice dancing routines. They need to be perfect, because there might be scouts there from the national teams and I'd like to boast that I have former team members on our national teams. Ginny and Law, you're up first, let's go." He skated over to the bleachers next to the sound system, sat down, and started an upbeat jazz tune.
Harry looked over to where Ginny was and saw that she was pared with Law and a hot jealousy surged through him, but he didn't know why. He watched as Law grabbed Ginny lightly around the waist and threw her in to a perfect triple axle, then watched in awe as they completed a simple side by side double toe loop. After that Law took Ginny's hands and they executed a perfect death spin then, while still spinning, Law picked Ginny up and held her over his head. She then slid down his back and pulled him to a stop as the music slowly ended. Harry could easily see that Ginny and Law were by far the best skaters there.
"Excellent, excellent as always Gin and Law. How did you come up with that particular routine? And how did you find the music to go with it?" Max asked.
"Well the music was Law's idea and I created the routine doing a play-by- play in my head as I listened to my brother Percy talk about his wonderful job at the ministry. Then I came here a worked it out into steps. Perce was kinda upset that I just up and walked out on him, but it was really just a spur of the moment type thing." Ginny said with a light voice.
"Good, good. And what type of out fits will you be wearing?" Max asked clearly interested in what his best team members had chosen.
"Well, we don't exactly know yet, but we're going to Wittnauer Alley with Marc and 'Cedes tomorrow." Ginny said referring to the magical showing center in Switzerland that concentrated on sports and nothing else. It had everything to do with muggle sports and magical sports alike.
"All right, well let me know at Wednesday's practice all right?"
"Sure thing coach M." Law said ushering Ginny off the ice and over to Harry, Ron and Hermione, although Ron and Hermione were um. busy, they had recently spilled their guts out to each other and were now boyfriend and girlfriend.
"You guys were great!!" Harry said. "You're a real team."
"Thanks, we're hoping to empress a scout at the meet, though we'll have to finish school at Hogwarts before we go anywhere, 'specially to the Olympics if they aren't here, which I highly doubt. The Winter Olympics have never been held here in England as far as I know, and believe me I know a lot. And if-"
Law cut her off, "Gin, you're ranting again." He and Mercedes constantly had to remind her that she was doing just that, because she would go on forever about the history of ice-skating if you let her. She was like a female Oliver Wood.
"That's okay, I know nothing about this sport." Harry said with a grin. "By the way I don't think I've said hello to you yet Law. But not like it's been a long time eh? Only left Hogwarts last Monday, also I'll need to talk to you about the new chaser since Katie graduated." Harry and Law were the Captain and co. captain of the Grffindor Quidditch team, and Law was the Keeper.
"Sure thing Harry, I'm coming to dinner at the Weasley's tonight, maybe we can talk then."
"Sure." Harry smiled.
Ginny turned around and looked at Max. "Is everyone done?" She asked.
"Yeah, but I think I'm gonna keep Lilla and Chad for a little while longer. Lilla keeps messing up the side-by-side and she needs to get it right. So can you write that down in the books, and remind her of it on a later notice?" he called from across the ice.
"Sure Max. It's already done." Ginny said, then she looked at Lilla and said, "Hope you get it soon, you wouldn't want to miss the party at Sam's tonight would you?" Ginny said sweetly. "Everyone in our year and up will be there." With that Ginny ran into the locker rooms with Mercedes, both girls giggling madly.
"Girls," muttered Law, "Yeach."
"I hear ya." Said Harry. As Law smiled and walked to the locker rooms to change and get his stuff.
Fifteen minutes later Ginny and Mercedes came back out in their sweatshirts and running shoes, their skates slung over their shoulders, and their brooms in their hands. Ginny looked at her watch. It was two o'clock. "So how did you guys get here?" She asked.
"We flew." Hermione said pointing at a set of brooms by the door.
"Well let's go. Law we'll see you around six?" Ginny said.
"Yep. I'll be there."
"Cool." Ginny said leading everyone to the door. "Let's go, last one to the Burrow is a rotten egg!" She hopped on her broom and took off not expecting anyone to catch up with her. Boy was she wrong.
A raven-haired blur shot past her like a bullet ruffling her hair and causing her hair band to fly off, and her skates to bounce painfully against her back. "Oh, and that was my favorite one too." She said in dismay as the hair band fell to the ground beneath them and her now long hair floated freely in the wind. "You'll pay for that Harry!!" She put on a burst of speed and caught up with him quickly. She looked at his face as she pulled up next to him and saw that he was smiling. "You did that on purpose." She said.
"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Harry asked playfully.
"I'm gonna beat you home!" She shouted back, putting on another burst of speed and shooting towards the Burrow, which was now only about two miles away. She'd be there within seconds. She landed at the front door and heard him land just a few seconds after her. She whipped around to face him with a triumphant grin on her face. "Ha! I beat you!!" She said poking him in the chest.
"Yes you did, now can we please get cleaned up?" Mercedes said landing behind Harry.
"Sure 'Cedes come on up. We can have Hermione help us with our hair and makeup." Ginny said. Turning and walking into the house, Mercedes by her side.
A/N: I know that was a very long chapter, but I just kept getting ideas. R/R please tell me what you think. This first chapter was kind of boring, but I had to get it started and it will all get better in the next chapter. Thanks to lolo and friends for getting me started. And lolo, yes Samantha is the Sam we all know. Remember R/R!! TTFN- syders