Ginny Weasley and the Memory of Power
by Jedi Amoira
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Disclaimer--I don't own Ginny, the Weasleys, Hermione, Harry or Tom. I don't Hogwarts, Diagon Alley or the Chamber of Secrets. I don't own...well, if you see something you like just assume I don't own it, and you'll be fine. I have done my best to rely largely on my own imagination and vocabulary for the scenes I describe, however I have borrowed from JK Rowling, the movies, and my fellow fanfic writers wherever I found something I really liked. I hope they all take this in the manner in which it is meant--as sincere flattery of their skills.

A/N--I have some great reviewers, but an author writes for praise, and I need more! If you like it, PLEASE leave a review! I may not own any of this, but I have worked very hard and do love this story. If you like it, please say so. And please respect my work and don't print or post it elsewhere without my knowledge. Thanks!

Bill-I was thrilled you reviewed so quickly!! You're closer than it looks about Ginny's b-day...I hope you don't mind my little twists. ;-)
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"Hey, Ginny," Tempest greeted her, "you've been awfully scarce lately. It seems like I haven't seen you in days."

"She's probably been taking the chance to explore the castle," Colin suggested through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

Ginny nodded agreement, then stopped. "What chance?"

"Well, uh, you know," Colin said, confused. "What happened to Mrs. Norris."

"Mrs. Norris?," Ginny repeated with a frown.

"Where have you been?," Tempest demanded, not entirely rhetorically. "She was hanging from the light fixture in the hallway last night? Right next to that message Filch keeps scrubbing?"

Ginny dropped her fork with a clatter, and nearly slid under the table when Harry turned to look directly at her with concern in his bright green eyes. "Hanging?," she repeated faintly, struggling not to sound hysterical. "Cats don't hang."

"Not usually," Tempest agreed. "Are you sure you haven't heard this?"

At Ginny's weak shake of her head, Tempest explained, "She was Petrified."

"So she's…"

"No," Harry hurried to assure her, "just frozen. Professor Dumbledore says they'll be able to revive her as soon as the Mandrakes are ready."

Ginny burst into tears.

She couldn't even decide if it was because she was scared she had somehow done something to the cat, or because she was relieved it wasn't permanent, or because Harry's attempt to reassure her was so overwhelming…

Tempest, Colin, and Hermione stared at one another. Harry jumped, looking guilty as if he felt personally responsible for upsetting Ginny even though he'd only been trying to make her feel better. Ron, who hadn't been paying any attention at all, turned and stared. "Ginny? What's wrong with you?"

"Ron," Hermione hissed sharply. "Try to be sympathetic. Your sister is upset about Mrs. Norris."

"Good Heavens," Ron shouted, obviously stumped, "WHY?"

The thought of what Ron would say if he knew Ginny thought her involvement was even remotely possible coupled with the memory of when she was little and Ron used to bring her hot chocolate and hug her when she cried made Ginny sob that much harder. Harry was looking all around as if hoping to find a magic cure somewhere in the room.

"I know you like cats, Gin," Ron said, trying to sound reasonable, "but Mrs. Norris is a menace. You can't so much as sneeze without her telling Filch about it; it's practically a holiday to have her out of commission!"

Ginny, trying desperately to get herself under control before Harry became convinced she constantly had hysterics and ought to be avoided, and only managed to make herself cough when she inhaled a little too energetically. Tempest thumped her violently on the back, nearly knocking her into her plate at the same time Colin tried to hand her a glass of pumpkin juice. Hermione smiled sympathetically and used the sleeve of her robe to mop up the puddle spreading across the table. "Ron," she warned, shaking her head slightly.

"What?," Ron demanded in a much-suffering tone. Before quickly adding, with an expression of dawning realization, "Temporarily! She's only out of commission temporarily, Gin. Honestly!"

To Ginny's relief, the post owls swept into the room, temporarily drawing everyone's attention away from her.

Or almost everyone's attention, anyway. Harry was still watching her with a quiet, thoughtful look deep in his emerald eyes. His scrutiny made her feel warm and sweet and distinctly uncomfortable at the same time. Hoping to assuage his concern, she attempted a weak smile, only to feel her lips wobble dangerously…

Errol tumbled headlong into her lap, a limp knot of ragged feathers—saved by the owl. "Thanks, Errol," Ginny muttered the words so softly she didn't even think the owl could hear them. She lowered her goblet, letting him drink what Hermione had managed to salvage. He hooted a soft thanks and lurched into the air uncertainly. She watched until he had more or less disappeared from sight, before glancing down at the package.

"Care package?," Harry asked, looking incredibly awkward.

"Care package?," echoed Fred. "That's no mere Care Package, my friend."

"Not today," George added.

"Today is a special day for ickle Ginny," trilled Fred, ignoring her glare of embarrassment.

"Today is her birthday," concluded George in sing-song.

"Which is why we got you this," Fred added, dropping another package on top of the first.

"Thanks," Ginny said, eyeing the package suspiciously. The twins smirked.

"And the--" George shuddered dramatically—"Prefect is busy with his pressing duties, but he asked us to give you this." He waved a large, floppy envelope with a dramatic flourish.

"But," Fred continued importantly, suddenly snatching the packages from her lap, "you can't have them yet."

Ginny crossed her arms and scowled. "Why not?"

"Because you have to come upstairs with us," George explained. "Since we went through all the effort to steal a cake."

"And ice cream," Fred said with an air of self-congratulation.

In spite of herself, Ginny had to grin. "So what are we waiting on?"

"Happy Birthday, Ginny," Hermione said enthusiastically as they all stood up to go to the Common Room. "I'd love to help you celebrate, but I really have to get to the library. I've wasted too much time as it is."

Ron stared after the waving ends of her bushy hair as she disappeared in a flash. "What's was that all about?"

"Probably worried about our next exam, knowing Hermione," Harry said with a shrug. A sudden thrill coursed through Ginny as she realized he was walking so close to her his fingers nearly grazed her hand.

"She needs to sort out her priorities," Ron muttered to himself, then shrugged at Ginny. "Mental, that one," he explained.