To Hogwarts –
Waking early, Ginny looked out the window at the bright day beginning. Curled up beside her, Hermione slept peacefully. Too peacefully in Ginny's opinion. "Wake up sleeping beauty," Ginny said poking Hermione in the side.
Hermione stretched and opened her eyes. "Morning," she said.
"We should get moving if we want to get our school supplies," Ginny said climbing out of the bed.
After dressing, the girls headed downstairs. The kitchen smelled of wonderful breakfast foods cooking while the old radio on the shelf quietly droned on the latest wizarding news. Arthur Weasley sat at the table drinking his morning tea and reading the Daily Prophet when the girls entered the room.
"Good morning, ladies," said Arthur.
"Good morning," the girls answered. Ginny leaned over and kissed her kindly father's cheek before sitting down.
"And what plans do you have for today?" Arthur asked, smiling at his daughter.
"We must go to Diagon Alley for the children's school supplies dear," Mrs. Weasley answered, placing a mound of delicious muffins on the table.
"Thank you mum, they smell wonderful," Ginny said, reaching for a warm muffin.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione, opening a napkin to spread across her lap.
Several minutes later a ruffled looking Harry and Ron came down the stairs. "Good morning gentlemen!" Arthur said brightly, "I'm glad I was able to see you before heading off to work. Molly dear, remember I will be meeting Percy after work to finalize some plans at the office," Arthur said and stood to prepare to leave. Ron and Harry sat down after sleepily muttering their good mornings. Hermione and Ron glanced at each other and smiled, both sporting a healthy blush. Ginny looked at the two of them and then over to Harry who was watching his friends. He turned his attention to Ginny and rolled his eyes with a grin. Ginny smiled and shook her head and raised her glass to her lips.
"Have a good day, be safe," Molly said and kissed her husband goodbye.
"You too," said Arthur giving Molly one last peck. He gently squeezed her arm and patted it before giving a final farewell wave before turning to walk out the door to apparate.
Once breakfast was finished, everyone stood and prepared to leave. Dishes were cleared, cloaks were gathered and they filed into the living room to travel. With Mr. Weasley receiving a major promotion and all but two children now out of school, finances had become less of a stress on the family. One at a time the group went into the fireplace. Diagon Alley their destination, and hopefully a pleasant day waited.
After setting a time to meet back and with money distributed, the teens parted ways with Mrs. Weasley. Walking down Diagon Alley the group spotted several schoolmates doing their own shopping. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan stood outside of Florish and Blotts looking over their school lists. Both were happy to see the group approach. After speaking a few minutes the four made to leave. "See you at school," said Seamus, giving Ginny a quick wink before turning to walk away with Dean.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny caught up with Neville Longbottom just inside the apothecary shop. It was obvious that Neville had gone through many changes over the summer. He had lost the remainder of his extra weight, replacing it with firm muscle. His new hairstyle flattered his now more defined facial features and his soft eyes became more obvious. Seeing the four, Neville greeted them happily. After receiving compliments that caused him to blush, Neville excused himself to be on his way. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, eyebrows raised, knowing what the other was thinking about Neville's very obvious improvements. The girls suppressed giggles while they walked on behind Ron and Harry, who were busy discussing Quidditch.
Several hours and many purchases later it was agreed by all that a stop at the ice cream parlor was in order. The four were sitting at an outside table enjoying their sundaes and discussing their new items when unpleasant and unwelcome presences approached. Draco Malfoy and his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle stopped in front of their table.
"Well, well, if it isn't the dynamically dull trio and their little tag along," said Draco. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled obediently, standing a step behind Draco.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" said Ron, clenching his fist tightly around his spoon.
"Nothing you have Weasel," said Draco, pulling a face as if the name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Be gone, Malfoy," Ginny growled.
Draco turned and gave Ginny a haunting stare. He appraised her from head to foot. "My, my, it appears little Ginny is growing up, and filling out quite nicely," he said with a nasty grin.
Ron sprung to his feet and attempted to lunge at Draco. He would have succeeded had Harry not jumped at the same time and grabbed a hold of Ron's arm. Ginny huffed, setting her spoon down beside her sundae; she had had her fill of the little meeting. Instead of allowing Malfoy to make her angry, she decided it was time to take a new approach to dealing with the great git. Closing her eyes for a moment, Ginny took a deep breath and decided to refuse to rise to Malfoy's bait. She exhaled and opened her eyes, changing her whole air. Sitting back in her chair, Ginny slowly crossed her legs making sure the three idiots took notice. Waving her hand lightly, she began to speak in a husky voice.
"Really Draco, could you do no better? Well I suppose not," heaving a fake sigh, Ginny continued, "I do believe I tire of this, do go try and play like good little boys elsewhere."
Draco's jaw clenched tightly shut as he stared daggers down at the youngest Weasley. Crabbe and Goyle's mouths hung open in confusion glancing back and forth between Ginny and Draco.
"I think you should go," said Harry through clenched teeth. He had his wand in one hand with a vice grip inside his pants pocket while he held onto Ron's arm with the other.
Ginny could see Draco's eyes narrow as he took in her causal dismissal. Ginny turned her attention back to her sundae, picking her spoon up once again to dip it into the sweet topping. Draco abruptly turned on his heels and stormed away, leaving Crabbe and Goyle to stand there looking confused. Crabbe turned a baffled stare to Goyle who could only shrug and scratch his head not understanding.
Draco turned to find them still standing at the table. "Come!" shouted Malfoy. Instantly the two hurried to follow.
Ron and Harry slowly sat back down each casting dark glares at Draco's back before the boy turned and disappeared from view.
"What was THAT all about?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"I am not going rise to his taunts anymore," Ginny answered, twirling her spoon into her sundae.
Ron glanced over at Ginny, his brows furrowed as he studied her. After a few moments a slow grin began to appear. "Did you see the look on his face?" he asked, shaking his head as he took a large bite of his ice cream.
Harry said nothing, staring down the path Draco had just taken. Ginny glanced up in time to see Harry turn his attention back to her. His gaze bore into her, searching for something. Harry looked down at his sundae before turning his attention to something Ron said to him.
Hermione leaned towards Ginny. "You must use the force wisely my dear vixen," she whispered.
Ginny glanced over at Harry who was now talking to Ron before looking back at Hermione. "Yes oh sage one," said Ginny with a forced laugh.
That evening the Weasley family decided to have a going back to school barbeque. Sadly Bill and Charlie couldn't make it. Bill was tied up in Egypt with a mission from Dumbledore for the Order. Charlie's wife, Melody, was expecting their first child and chose to remain home. Percy, after having made amends with the family, arrived with his new bride, Penelope. The twins were up to their usual tricks and pranks which had everyone laughing. They brought their girlfriends, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell.
Dinner was delicious as usual thanks to Mrs. Weasley's wonderful cooking. She bustled about accepting only minimal help as she prepared the meal. There was plenty of laughter and joking done by everyone. George spiked the punch, as normal, of course leading to a scolding from their mother. As evening turned to night Fred and George set to work casting charms to prevent muggles from seeing what was to come.
"Ready?" said Fred, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
"Get on with it," Ron shouted.
"Watch it little brother or you might find a few extra surprises waiting for you in your truck at Hogwarts," threatened George.
"Boys," Molly warned, settling back into her chair beside her husband. Arthur chuckled, patting Molly's hand.
With a grin, Fred and George then shot off several of their personal blend of fireworks. The night sky light up in a rainbow magnificent shapes and colors bursting forth into the air. The stars above glittered and winked at the group, adding to the beauty of George and Fred's amazing show.
Sitting on the ground a short distance off Ginny watched the bright, colorful display across the darkened sky. She reveled in the warmth and happiness her family gave. Ginny glanced around and saw Ron and Hermione sitting closely together, holding hands. Hermione bent head to rest on Ron's shoulder. Harry walked over and sank down on the ground beside Ginny. The two didn't speak, both content to watch the brilliant display above. It had become like that between them. They were able to find comfort, as friends, simply being near each other. Ginny wrapped her arms around her bent knees as a tremendous explosion of red lit up their surroundings quickly followed by a smaller burst of gold within the red's center. She could only hope against hope to make the night last as long as possible.
Back at the table Arthur and Molly sat looking out in the yard at their two youngest children. Molly turned to Arthur and wistfully smiled. Arthur squeezed her hand and smiled in return. They knew what the other was thinking without the need to utter a single word. It wasn't necessary to say what they knew was happening to their almost grown children. Arthur unlaced his fingers from his wife's and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He pulled her closer to him to kiss her on the temple as a firework in the shape of Professor Snape slowly did cartwheels across the sky.
The next morning in the Weasley home was chaotic. People rushed around grabbing a bite of toast, throwing last minute items into trunks and racing back upstairs for other forgotten items. Taking the family van, that had been enchanted to provide as much space as needed, they began the drive to King's Cross. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in front talking. Harry and Ron occupied the second bench while Hermione and Ginny sat in the third row. They could hear Pig fluttering around happily in his cage from the back. Hedwig ruffled her feathers and settled down to nap. Crookshank curled up in his wicker cage occasionally giving Pig a disgruntled glare. Ginny turned around to check on her cat of two years, Clark. Sensing his owner's attention, he raised his fluffy black head and looked back her with startling green eyes. The guys turned in their seats and started talking to the girls about their upcoming year. They speculated on how sadistic, Professor Snape would be this year and how many points he would take from Gryffindor within the first month.
As with any other year, they arrived at King's Cross pressed for time. "You would think we'd arrive with time to spare at least once after all these years!" Molly exclaimed as they rushed through a crowd of muggles.
After putting their belongings on trolleys, they hurried through the station to platform 9 3/4. Crossing the barrier the first thing that came into view was the Grand Hogwarts Express. Steam puffed out of the smoke stacks as workers prepared for the train's departure.
After storing away their trunks and securing their pets the group said their final goodbyes to the Weasley parents. Harry and Hermione thanked them for a wonderful stay. Ginny hugged her father tightly then turned to her mother. Mrs. Weasley embraced her daughter hard. "Have a wonderful year my dear, don't give up all hope," Molly whispered into Ginny's ear. Ginny stepped back looking confused and suspicious. Molly smiled reassuringly, giving her a final pat on the arm.
Mr. Weasley gave Ron a hearty hug and pat on the back. "Try to stay out of trouble this year," he said to the group as the kids waved and headed into the train's compartments. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley put an arm around each other and waved one last time before they turned to walk back to the van.
Rolling hills and trees passed as the train speed along its path to Hogwarts. Ginny had her stereo out playing, yet again thankful that her father had charmed it. Harry and Ron were involved in a game of exploding snaps while Hermione read one of her seventh year text on Magical creatures. Ginny sat curled up in her seat and watched the game the guys were playing when the food trolley arrived. Ron and Harry made their usual purchase of a pile of sweets and settled down to eat. Ginny turned her attention back to the window to watch the passing scenery. She heard Ron tell Harry how he had read about Oliver Wood signing on for another four years with Scotland's premier Quidditch team.
As the sun began to set, the group knew they would be soon arriving at the train station and began to gather up their items and put on their robes. The door to their compartment opened and Draco Malfoy stepped in with a sneer on his face. His two half-wit sidekicks stood just outside the door behind him.
"Oh, I must have gotten lost and ended up in the poverty section of the train," Draco rudely joked. They could hear Crabbe and Goyle snickering in aisle way.
Ginny jumped up and walked over to Malfoy before Ron and Harry had a chance to move. Crossing her arms beneath her breasts Ginny looked up at the Slytherin.
"Oh Malfoy, we really must stop meeting like this. People will begin to think you might like us," said Ginny, with a teasing smile on her lips.
Draco looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "Potter, you really should keep a tighter rein on your little girlfriend," replied Draco, without moving his gaze from hers.
Ginny's eyes flashed dangerously before she recovered. His snide comment had cut by throwing into her face what she didn't have, but she would not let Malfoy know it. Ginny reached up and lightly trailed a slender finger along Malfoy's jaw line while slowly batting her eyelashes. "Mmmm... Malfoy" she purred, "I thought you knew. I'm the one who enjoys controlling the whip."
Draco looked down at her, covering his initial surprise with narrowing his eyes, and stepped back out of the compartment, walking off with Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
Shutting the compartment door, very pleased with herself, Ginny turned around.
"Ginny!" Ron yelled, his face a rather healthy shade of red.
Hermione's eyebrows were about to crawl into her hairline, her book slipping off of her lap. Harry stared at Ginny with a dark expression before he turned and began to roughly shove items into his bag.
Ginny frowned at her friends. "I was just getting rid of him!" she protested.
"Ginny you can't say things like that!" said Ron, pointing towards the closed compartment door.
"Ron," Hermione said warningly.
Harry did not look at her, instead continuing to stuff items into his pack before jerking it up out of the seat.
"Just drop it," Ginny growled back, the golden flecks in her eyes becoming more prominent in her growing anger. "I refuse to allow him to get to me anymore. He's a stuck up bastard and I've had enough! It's time for Ginny to play by her own rules!" she raged. Ginny turned on her heels and left the compartment, slamming the door behind her.
Walking a few doors away Ginny saw Colin Creevey and Ginger LeMange, both from her year and in the house of Gryffindor. The two smiled and waved their friend to join them. Ginny sat down beside Colin and tried to let go of her anger. "Hi Ginny, everything ok?" asked Ginger.
"Yeah, just another run in with that ass Malfoy and then a healthy dose of over bearing Ron," Ginny grumbled.
Ginger leaned forward in her seat and gave a sympathetic pat on Ginny's knee. Colin and Ginger had been dear friends ever since the beginning and knew Ginny's feelings on virtually everything.
"I don't want to think about them right now. So what have the two of you been up to this summer?" Ginny said in hopes of changing the subject. Colin and Ginger gave each other a secret smile. Ginny looked at her two friends closely. "Ok you two, what's up?" she said watching for clues.
Colin blushed. "We're going steady," he said shifting the camera that was seated beside him.
"That is so wonderful!" Ginny squealed. She threw her arms around Colin giving him a fierce hug and a big kiss on the cheek.
"Hey now, that's my man your groping," Ginger said with a huge smile.
Ginny gave Colin a loud raspberry on the cheek before diving across the compartment onto Ginger to hug her. "I always knew you would get together," Ginny said, lightly kissing Ginger on the cheek.
Finally the Hogwarts Express came to a halt and the students filed out to the waiting carriages. "First years! First years come this way," Hagrid yelled from a few feet away. Walking over to where the Care of Magical Creatures stood, Ginny gave him a hug.
"Hi Hagrid!" Ginny's muffled voice called from the depths of Hagrid's fur coat.
"Ginny! How was yer summer?" said Hagrid, giving Ginny a gentle pat on the back causing her knees to slightly give.
Ginny took a step back craning her neck up to look at his grizzled face. "It was nice, thank you. I'll see you at the Sorting ceremony," Ginny said with a wave.
"Alright then," said Hagrid with a nod, he turned and called again for the first years to follow him.
Ginny weaved her way through the crowd of students towards a carriage where Colin and Ginger were already seated and waiting. She paused at the step and glanced around seeing Harry entering another carriage a few feet away followed by Hermione and Ron. Squaring her shoulders, Ginny climbed in with a firm if not forced smile on her face. Colin and Ginger sat beside each other and looked at Ginny curiously but chose to say nothing. Ginny sat and turned to stare out the window. The line of carriages began their journey to the castle. She watched Hagrid lead a group of nervous looking first years to the boats. A chill ran up her spine and she shuddered, fighting to suppress painful memories of her own first year. 'This will be a good year,' Ginny resolved, the carriage rounded a corner causing her to loose sight of Hagrid.
After the sorting of the new students Headmaster Dumbledore stood and gave out the announcements for the New Year. As always, the dark forest was off limits. The students and staff welcomed their new Defense against the dark arts teacher, Rand al'Thor, from Edmond's Field. 'Hopefully this one will last,' Ginny thought, playing with the edge of her napkin. At the Gryffindor tables Ginny was seated beside Hermione with Colin and Ginger across from her. Across from Hermione were Harry and Ron. Neither Harry nor Ron would look at Ginny during the sorting and announcements from Dumbledore. Colin and Ginger gave her a friendly smile and shook their heads sympathetically.
Hermione leaned towards Ginny. "Don't mind them, they'll get over it. I think it just hit Ron, tonight, that you're not that same eleven year old girl entering Hogwarts for the first time," Hermione whispered in her ear. She patted Ginny on the knee and went back to her dinner.
Ginny glanced over at Harry and Ron before turning back to her plate of barely touched food. She decided to not think anymore of the incident on the train. Ginny squared her shoulders and stabbed her fork into a piece of pasta as people chattered happily around her. She had vowed to have an enjoyable year, and that's exactly what Ginny intended to do.
