Title: The Fifth Year
Author: Cactuskitty
Chapter Two: Big Surprise?
Summary: It's the summer before Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, and he
is feeling guilty about Cedric's death, and is staying at the Burrow. And when Mr.
Weaselys brother comes to visit and brings an unexpected guest more trouble is
caused…
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Harry Potter book
series, they belong to J. K. Rowling, so please don't sue.
Chapter Two:
Big Surprise?
Walter Weasley was Percy's idol when growing up, because in his eyes his uncle
was as close to perfect as you could come. He was Head Boy at Hogwarts, got the
top score on his O.W.L.S., add perfect records, and after graduating, joined
the Ministry of Magic at one of the highest paying positions. Walter was the
head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and very proud of it. But
even though Walter was one of the most successful Weasleys he was rarely spoken
of. This was due to the fact that Walter always thought himself better than all
of the other members of his family, and this feeling rapidly increased when he
met his wife, Treva. She treated them like scum, and felt that he should not
associate with people like them. So no one was surprised to find out that it
was she whom opted that he should avoid contact with his family. And for the
last seventeen years they had, until he found out about Percy's job at the
Ministry. Then he decided that the circumstances had changed and it was about
time to pay his brother Arthur, his junior by three years, a visit. So after
seventeen years of absence, no one was prepared for the surprise that
accompanied him.
When Walter walked into the Burrow he was not alone, like expected; he was
accompanied not only by his wife, (which was definitely a surprise) but a young
girl. The girl seemed to be about fourteen or fifteen, and appeared sociable,
unlike the two other people with her. Even if her features clearly resembled
the tall blonde woman, who was standing next to their uncle, her face was the
only difference between the two, despite their age. It very much resembled
Walters, besides the facts that it held no freckles. She too had the type of
face that people could easily give in to, the type of face that could change
expressions as rapidly as the weather. That allowed her to easily master the
art of persuasion.
To Virginia's surprise, when she turned around to ask Ron about the girl, she
soon recognized the strange smirk on his face. She had come to a very good guess
as to who this beautiful stranger was and could tell by that look that Ron
hadn't the slightest clue. Ginny had always been aware that her brother wasn't
the sharpest tool in the shed, but she never imagined that he was this much of
a git. She wanted so much to laugh at the fact that if her guess was right; Ron
was making goggle eyes at their cousin! Though, when she turned to whisper to
Harry to inform him of her brother's stupidity, she noticed that Ron wasn't the
only one who seemed to be breath taken by this new girl. As a matter of fact
Harry was almost giving her the same look Ron was.
So Ginny found herself in a very awkward position, with her brother it was
funny, but Harry, now that was just strange to her. It made this young Weaseley
wonder what he saw in this new girl that she didn't have. She started to feel
slightly jealous, and wanted to point out that this, this girl wasn't even that
pretty, wasn't even that filled out. Even though she was tall, skinny, and
blonde, there wasn't anything really special about her; she didn't even have a
real figure, gorgeous eyes, or anything special like that. Maybe it was because
she appeared so neat and clean, she made everyone seem awkward and out of
place. Then Virginia seemed to notice how petty she sounded, and let all those
thoughts disappear and restored them with ways she could make their guest feel
welcome.
Walter entered the house by saying, "Hello little brother, it's been a long
time."
"Much too long, if I do say so myself." As Mr. Weasley said this, his grim face
was replaced with a loving one as he welcomed back his lost brother in with a
smile. That was the start of introductions, and after that the twins took their
family's luggage, and joined the rest of them around the table outside. Before they
sat down Walter introduced the people with him.
"You all know my wife, Treva. And this, this is my daughter, or shall I say
your cousin, Ophelia." as he pointed to the tall blond girl. "She is fourteen…"
"Almost fifteen!" Ophelia added hastily.
"Yes, almost fifteen, and she attends Alberic Grunnion's Academy for Young
Witches and Wizards. It's outside Oxford, not very well known, but it's said to
be one of the best. I believe I heard that your children all have attended
Hogwarts, is that correct?" Walter asked, with a slightly sly look and his
face.
"Well brother, you heard correctly. I wouldn't dream of sending my children
anywhere else," Arthur answered with a face that clearly said that he didn't
want to continue the competition, so he quickly added, "Let me introduce you to
my children who are here. This is Percy; he graduated from Hogwarts two years
ago and is now working at the Ministry. These are Fred and George; they will be
graduating this year. Ron; my youngest son, he is fifteen, and will be starting
his fifth year at Hogwarts; same as your daughter I believe?" Ophelia nodded
and Arthur continued, "And this is my only daughter, Virginia, or Ginny as we
call her, she is also fourteen. I have two more sons; I believe that you met
them once? Bill and Charlie?"
"How could anyone forget those two, I heard that Bill is working for Gringotts,
is that correct?" Walter replied.
"Yes, of and how could I forget Ron's best friend. This is Harry Potter, he'll
be staying here also." Arthur added proudly.
"Harry Potter? Really! I'll be staying in the same house as Harry Potter! WOW!"
Ophelia stated to no one in particular, "I've heard so much about you! Harry
Potter's really here!"
"Yes, that's me." Harry replied meekly, not daring to look at anything other
then his shoes. Ophelia, taking a totally different approach, stared at Harry
with a look of admiration and something else that no one was able to identify.
Causing Harry to be even more nervous than he already was. No matter how many
times that happens he felt that he would never really get used to it.
"So it is… Wow!" Then she added with a blush, "I'm sorry, I don't usually act
this way. It's just that I never thought that I would really meet you in
person; let a lone stay in the same house. It's just really unexpected… Harry
Potter… Wow… Who'd have thought?"
As she said that the three of them turned around and looked at her. At this
sort of reaction you might think that she would be embarrassed, but instead she
just let out a cute little laugh, that made her seem even more loveable. (To
the boys at least, Ginny just found it annoying) Noticing how uncomfortable
Harry looked, Ron casually changed the subject to school, and Ophelia instantly
started talking about how beautiful hers is, due to the fact that it is just
outside Oxford. Then Harry asked her what part of Britain she lived in, about
her beautiful home outside of Sheffield, and her pet crup named Cleo. Then
their conversation drifted towards Quiddittich, which consisted of a heated
battle between Ophelia and Ron about who was better the Chudley Cannons or the
Holyhead Harpies. It ended in five minutes, with Ron backing down; no one could
figure out how she managed to do that. They continued to talk, until Mrs.
Weaseley realized how late it was and Treva suggested that they all go to bed.
* * * *
As the sound of singing drifted through the Burrow, Virginia rolled over in her
bed and caught a glimpse of the yellow clock hanging on the wall across from
her bed and realized that it wasn't even five thirty yet. She mumbled to
herself, "Whomever that is singing in the bathroom, boy have they got some
nerve. Waking me up at this hour in the morning, and their voice isn't even
that good. Awe bloody Hell, why couldn't they just wait a few more hours before
they decided to sing their little, bloody heart out. UGH! And why did they have
to start singing my least favorite song at the break of day…" She got out of
bed and started towards the bathroom, but then she heard the door to Ron's room
open and decided to stay where she was after reminding herself that it could be
Harry, and she didn't really want him to she he in her sleeping attire.
Ginny's guess had been correct, because Harry too had woken up and could be
found heading to the down stairs bathroom. Though his reasons were the exact
opposite of hers; when he stirred, he paid no heed towards the time and just
enjoyed their private concert. Harry had recognized the song from the Yule
Ball, because Parvati had told him that it was her favorite song by the Weird
Sisters and was called "Its Not My Fault" or something like that. He hadn't
really paid much attention to the song when it was sung at the dance, but now
he hung on this singer's every word, and couldn't help but wonder whom it was
singing. He was sure that it had to be one of the girls in the Burrow, but he
didn't know which. Because of this sudden urge to find out he finally snapped
out of his thoughts and realized that he was standing in front of the bathroom
with his hand raised to knock. Harry heard the water being turned off and
quickly stopped himself. He decided that it would be best just to head back
towards Ron's room when the door opened. To his surprise Ophelia stepped out
wearing nothing more than a towel and a shocked expression. And Harry found it
nearly impossible to breathe.
A/N: Okay I know it's kind of a cliffhanger, but that's all I can think
of right now. I have sort of been going through a writer's block lately… Oh
well, I really hope you like it, and I will be starting the new chapter as soon
as I get home tonight, so don't expect it for a while. Just joking…. not
really… ; ]
Thanks to Steffi and Tommy, my beta readers. Especially Steffi, she gave me the
idea to write a fic like this and with out her I never would have gotten though
any chapters.
Oh, don't let me forget to thank my two wonderful reviewers: Catalina Rose and
Lady Lightning thank you so much.
Okay that's all folks; this will be the longest A/N I'll ever have. I promise
to never again write a long one. So if I do I give you permission to call me on
it when you review. *Hint**Hint*
