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.

Author's Notes--

Strawberries and Blueberries--Two chapters at once for your reading pleasure...plus, they make more sense that way. ;-)

EEDOE--I'm actually flattered you called that painful...I must have done a good job portraying the awkwardness and humiliation of the situation. *grins* I hope you enjoy the library scene as much as I did. I'm looking forward to re-reading OotP soon myself. And, in conclusion--Bring on the Ginny!! *winks* *hugs*

Bill--What a beautiful and insightful review!! I'm totally blown away!! One of the most amazing things about this story has been the reviewers...I'm honored just to have caught your attention! I would like to tell Ginny to hang in there myself (like you, I love her for the way her soul shines through...even when it's endangered--or especially when it is)...maybe even give her a hint at better things to come...but I suspect that if many of us knew as kids the happiness that was in store for us as adults, we wouldn't appreciate it anyway. It's amazing how our hopes and dreams evolve as we get older...possibly because of experience...it's a double-edged sword, but--like truth--not unwelcome. I think JK Rowling has done a wonderful job of showing how we change with our experiences in her books, and my personal opinion is it's something unique and very special to give children. I'm proud of her. I love hearing your thoughts...thanks for sharing! *hugs*

*********************

Blushing madly, Ron came up to her once or twice to say, "Malfoy's just a git, Gin, you shouldn't let him bother you this way." And Hermione kept shooting sympathetic glances at her when she thought Ginny wasn't watching. Ginny tried to be polite, but she hardly even noticed. At a loss for how to feel or what to think, she simply tried not to do either. She might have walked about in a shocked haze indefinitely, if it hadn't been for Ron's birthday.



She didn't really want to be bothered...She had too many problems to care...But Ginny remembered Ron forgetting her birthday. She remembered how much it hurt, remembered how she had felt. She didn't want to inflict that on anyone, let alone Ron. She might have inflicted much worse...shame, disgust, horror in what she had done, and in whatever evil lurked in Tom Riddle's diary, but...she hadn't done so knowingly, and she wasn't going to start now.



Through sheer force of will, Ginny bounced into the Common Room on March 1st, leaping at Ron as he got up with such enthusiasm he tumbled back into the couch. "Happy Birthday, Ron!"



"Happy Bir--" Harry and Hermione both began, their voices drowned out by a short series of violent bangs that made everyone jump. Everyone except Ron, because he was still caught in Ginny's embrace. Fred and George had set off a series of Filibuster's Wet-Start No-Heat Fireworks. The room was full of bright orange stars that nearly matched Ron's face. Ginny snickered, feeling almost human. The other Gryffindors laughed and applauded. Fred and George bowed and tossed showers of sweets-"easier than cake," they explained, and Ron didn't seem to mind the exchange.



"Cheers, Mate," Dean offered, tossing him a Chudley Cannons postcard. "Seamus helped me pick it out."



Neville offered him a little cloth pouch on a cord you could wear around your neck. It had a slip of paper covered in different letters tucked inside it, and was easily recognizable as one of the countless charms and amulets he'd been buying for protection. The gesture was incredibly generous, and Ginny was extremely proud of Ron when he didn't point out he wasn't on the list of the monster's preferred victims. If he hurt Neville's feelings, she wouldn't have been able to forgive him...besides, a little unneeded protection wasn't necessarily a bad thing.



There was a thin little book of the entry-level jobs for wizards with the most promotion opportunity from Percy, a blindingly orange book entitled "Cannon History" from Hermione, a box of chocolate frogs from Harry-"Thought you might get Agrippa, mate."-and a package of dungbombs from the twins.



Errol had fallen into the table that morning, tied to a large package from home. Ginny grabbed it while Ron was distracted with his latest rant about Malfoy and Snape, She pulled it out from her robes and tossed it in his lap. "I thought this was late!" Ron exclaimed. "I figured Mum was still sore about the car and wanted to make me squirm." He tore into it, and yelped with surprise as a large chunk of ripply black glass hit his foot. Ginny picked it up and hefted it curiously. There was a note from Charlie attached.

"--Ron, ever wonder what happens to sand when its hit with dragon fire? Now you know. Best Wishes, C-" Ginny read aloud.



"Cool," Fred said, lifting it out of her grasp.



"No, hot," George said, taking it from him.



Interested in the rest of his presents, Ron didn't even notice. Ginny grinned and shook her head.

Bill sent a mummy's bandage, a long crumbly yellow-white strip that made Ginny want to shiver and a little scroll that explained some of its uses in Egypt. Dean and Seamus nearly knocked over the table in their haste to get a good look at it.



They knew the bizarre toy that looked like a flat-sided ball tied to a string had to be from Dad, and Hermione was trying to explain it-something called a yo-yo-even before Harry found the note. Cupcakes thick with frosting and topped with jelly beans came along with an affectionate note from Mum that made Ron's ears burn red again, even though it wasn't read aloud.



Ginny waited just long enough for Ron to decide that she didn't have a gift. He didn't say anything, but she could tell he was fighting disappointment. "Hey, Ron," she said as he started to console himself with a cupcake. "Aren't you going to open mine before you eat that?" She pointed at his pocket.



Frowning bemusedly, Ron stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a round little package. George whistled and Fred wolf-called. Grinning, Ginny pretended to bow.



"Snape! On a dartboard!" Ron looked as if he couldn't believe his luck.



Ginny grinned and held one of the darts in front of Ron's nose. "Tarantallegra." He began to laugh.

Ginny tossed it lightly at the board. "Ten points to Gryffindor" the board said in Snape's voice. Ginny helped herself to a cupcake amid a roar of Gryffindor laughter, and tried not to remember Tom's.