Disclaimer--The Potterverse and its inhabitants don't belong to me, I'm just borrowing them with grateful respect for those who brought it into being for us to visit. Any influences from the books, movies, or fellow fanfic writers are not intended as copyright infringement, only the sincerest form of flattery.
Author's Notes--I've put a lot of time, thought, and effort into this story--I love it and I'm proud of it. Please don't print or post it elsewhere without my knowledge, and if you read it, please let me know what you think.
I know you're all anxious to get to the story, but since I really appreciate your input, I'd like to take time out to respond to the reviews for the last chapter of "Ginny Weasley and the Memory of Power" as well as the first chapter of this story. :-)
Nekuyr2004--Thanks. :-) I hope you think this one is great, too.
Adrienne--Welcome to the club!! *waves* You swept me totally off my feet with your review--it was so amazing--you'd better believe I'll treasure it for a long time. Thanks so much! I'm thrilled you loved "Memory of Power" so much. *beams* I'm sorry you're suspended in suspense, but it's kind of fun, too. *winks* I can't promise anything, but I try to update fairly regularly. I hope to hear from you again.
EEDOE--It makes me so happy to know you loved "Memory of Power" as much as I do--I think sharing it with you was one of the most fun things I've ever done. *grins* I'm so glad you're here to share this one, too! *does little dance in chair* You earned every word of that dedication! *hugs* I'm glad you liked the beginning--it seemed like the perfect place to start--and I agree with you about the need to talk about it being essential to healing...hopefully she won't always feel so supressed. I loved that exchange between Ron and Bill, too! *hugs again*
Bill--What I said to EEDOE about sharing "Memory of Power" definitely applies to you as well! You've been my rock! I thought the last chapter tied things up nicely, so it was nice to see you thought so as well.(Especially about the final sentence ;-) ) I thought the moment with Hagrid was significant as well, for much the same reasons. Hmm...Horrible Ginny betraying Wonderful Percy is a viewpoint I'd never considered before, especially as Percy himself doesn't really seem to hold it against her. *grins and shrugs* I agree with you that the little imperfections in characters are very good in a story--they keep it entertaining. Your assessment of was so nice and so inspiring--THANKS!
I'm delighted to write "Specter of Atonement" *winks* JKR...*dissolves into wild giggles* I love you! *hugs* Actually, my cat reference probably related to Ron's remarking Ginny was a great cat lover, but I like your theory better! I think Ginny's attempt to jump back on the horse's back is an incredible instance of her Gryffindor Bravery, her determination, and her resilient strength...but it's also telling she COULDN'T write, isn't it? Now that you mention it, I wonder if the twins have seen that impression, too...*muses* I like your suggestion about Molly...maybe she's the source of Ginny's ability to lie so easily--a born actress! *winks* I wanna go to Greece!! It's one of my top 4 countries to visit! I wanna go to Egypt, too...*sighs* Stupid poverty.
Enjoy the phone call. *winks and more hugs*
**********
The feeling didn't last.
"How was your conversation with Harry?" Mum asked, already handing them steaming mugs of cocoa as they walked in the door.
Ginny kicked dully at the closest chair leg, bouncing her toes off the scratched, scuffed wood to give a little expression to her feelings.
"We didn't actually get to talk to Harry," Ron said, managing to sound angry and sheepish at the same time.
"What?" Mum surveyed them with her hands on her hips.
"Didn't the...the...the muggle-thingy...work?" Dad asked curiously.
"Er...yeah..." Ron said, shifting his weight uncomfortably. "I think it did..."
Ginny flopped into the chair she'd kicked and took a sulky sip of cocoa.
"Someone talked to me-I think it was his Uncle Vernon-and, and I asked for Harry..."
So loudly Ginny had thought her eardrums might burst...but they weren't sure how loudly you had to talk for the sound to get all the way down the strange, snaky silver wire that seemed to connect them.
"Only I must have done something wrong because the man seemed really mad at me...and he said he'd never heard of Harry, he didn't know what school I was talking about, and I should never contact them again. Maybe he misunderstood, but I don't know how-I was speaking as loudly as I could."
Ginny nodded. "They were both yelling so loudly, I heard the whole thing, too."
"Oh dear," Mum said with a sigh. "I hope you didn't make trouble for Harry."
"You don't think the muggles will punish him because we used the...the...telephone...wrong?"
Ginny said with a frision of alarm.
"I hope not," Dad said without much confidence. "They certainly shouldn't."
"I guess I'd better not try it again, just in case," Ron said. "But what do you reckon I did wrong?"
"Eh...well, not being there, I can't really be sure," Dad said. "Unless you're not supposed to speak loudly..."
"That poor boy," said Mum, "We wanted to invite him for the summer again...but Dumbledore didn't seem to think we should take him away from his relatives so soon, let alone out of the country."
"Why should it matter how long Harry has to stay with his relatives?" Ginny said, her voice shaking with the effort of putting herself forward, "They don't even like him. They were starving him last year, Mum!"
"Now, Ginny," Dad said soothingly, "I agree with you, but Dumbledore is a very wise man, and a great wizard. If he says Harry has to spend time with the Durselys, I'm sure he has his reasons."
Ginny snorted, wishing she could feel indignant, but she was far too grateful to Dumbledore for the kind and compassionate way he had treated her after she nearly destroyed the school for her anger to have much heat.
"Wish I could borrow Hermes," Ron muttered, "least then I could send him a letter."
"Good luck with that," Ginny said around the rim of her cocoa mug.
This summer, like last summer, Percy had spent most of his time in his room with Hermes flying in and out the window at regular intervals...His constant contact with Penelope Clearwater, his girlfriend, was nearly as sweet as it was annoying. Fred and George had spent most of the week enchanting Percy's hat so every time he put it on it began to sprinkle him with lurid pink heart-shaped confetti-Ginny was secretly convinced they'd somehow managed to steal the confetti from their former Defense against the Dark Arts Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, on Valentine's Day, but she tried not to think about that-and sang "Percy and Penelope sitting in a tree, K-I-SS-I-N-G!" loudly and off-tune in both their voices. Even Mum had been absent-mindedly humming the tune around the kitchen as she made breakfast the other day.
Ginny didn't think anyone else was aware of it, but the twins had been attempting to intercept Hermes on his frequent trips away from the Burrow. She suspected they intended to elaborate on Percy's love letters with a few lyrics or limericks of their own. While she understood the temptation, she didn't think Penelope-or Percy, for that matter-deserved that, so the third time she caught them at it she'd threatened to tell Mum.
"Aw, Gin," George said.
"That's hitting below the belt," Fred said.
Ginny shrugged.
"So is sabotaging someone's letters to their girlfriend," Ginny said coolly.
"You know," George said reluctantly. "Much as I hate to admit it--"
"Our little Snaps might just have a point," Fred said, crossing his arms and shaking his head. "Fine."
"But you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Ginger," George added.
"Being a fink!" Fred remonstrated.
"I'd take care of it myself," Ginny said, shrugging, "but away from school we're not allowed to do magic, and I've been close enough to being expelled already, thank you very much."
Fred and George both seemed to wince.
Ginny swigged at her cocoa a bit more violently just remembering the look in their eyes...She put her empty cup in the sink, and wandered outside, unsure what to do, or even how she felt. Part of her confusion, she knew, was because it had been such an unexpectedly eventful day, but another-larger-part had been curling through her veins like a sluggish snake ever since Harry Potter had rescued her from Tom Riddle's diary.
The feeling reminded her of what it had felt like to be aware of Tom's presence inside her, ready to rise up, ready to strike...it worried her and made her feel sick. But she knew Tom was gone. She knew she was free. She just...wasn't prepared for it. She had been so close to death, so certain she was going to die, and Tom was going to live...She wasn't sorry that turned out not to be the case, but now that it wasn't, she wasn't sure what to do with the fact she was still alive...after everything she had done...She didn't know how to go back to being Ginny Weasley, normal little girl, she wasn't even sure she wanted to.
Author's Notes--I've put a lot of time, thought, and effort into this story--I love it and I'm proud of it. Please don't print or post it elsewhere without my knowledge, and if you read it, please let me know what you think.
I know you're all anxious to get to the story, but since I really appreciate your input, I'd like to take time out to respond to the reviews for the last chapter of "Ginny Weasley and the Memory of Power" as well as the first chapter of this story. :-)
Nekuyr2004--Thanks. :-) I hope you think this one is great, too.
Adrienne--Welcome to the club!! *waves* You swept me totally off my feet with your review--it was so amazing--you'd better believe I'll treasure it for a long time. Thanks so much! I'm thrilled you loved "Memory of Power" so much. *beams* I'm sorry you're suspended in suspense, but it's kind of fun, too. *winks* I can't promise anything, but I try to update fairly regularly. I hope to hear from you again.
EEDOE--It makes me so happy to know you loved "Memory of Power" as much as I do--I think sharing it with you was one of the most fun things I've ever done. *grins* I'm so glad you're here to share this one, too! *does little dance in chair* You earned every word of that dedication! *hugs* I'm glad you liked the beginning--it seemed like the perfect place to start--and I agree with you about the need to talk about it being essential to healing...hopefully she won't always feel so supressed. I loved that exchange between Ron and Bill, too! *hugs again*
Bill--What I said to EEDOE about sharing "Memory of Power" definitely applies to you as well! You've been my rock! I thought the last chapter tied things up nicely, so it was nice to see you thought so as well.(Especially about the final sentence ;-) ) I thought the moment with Hagrid was significant as well, for much the same reasons. Hmm...Horrible Ginny betraying Wonderful Percy is a viewpoint I'd never considered before, especially as Percy himself doesn't really seem to hold it against her. *grins and shrugs* I agree with you that the little imperfections in characters are very good in a story--they keep it entertaining. Your assessment of was so nice and so inspiring--THANKS!
I'm delighted to write "Specter of Atonement" *winks* JKR...*dissolves into wild giggles* I love you! *hugs* Actually, my cat reference probably related to Ron's remarking Ginny was a great cat lover, but I like your theory better! I think Ginny's attempt to jump back on the horse's back is an incredible instance of her Gryffindor Bravery, her determination, and her resilient strength...but it's also telling she COULDN'T write, isn't it? Now that you mention it, I wonder if the twins have seen that impression, too...*muses* I like your suggestion about Molly...maybe she's the source of Ginny's ability to lie so easily--a born actress! *winks* I wanna go to Greece!! It's one of my top 4 countries to visit! I wanna go to Egypt, too...*sighs* Stupid poverty.
Enjoy the phone call. *winks and more hugs*
**********
The feeling didn't last.
"How was your conversation with Harry?" Mum asked, already handing them steaming mugs of cocoa as they walked in the door.
Ginny kicked dully at the closest chair leg, bouncing her toes off the scratched, scuffed wood to give a little expression to her feelings.
"We didn't actually get to talk to Harry," Ron said, managing to sound angry and sheepish at the same time.
"What?" Mum surveyed them with her hands on her hips.
"Didn't the...the...the muggle-thingy...work?" Dad asked curiously.
"Er...yeah..." Ron said, shifting his weight uncomfortably. "I think it did..."
Ginny flopped into the chair she'd kicked and took a sulky sip of cocoa.
"Someone talked to me-I think it was his Uncle Vernon-and, and I asked for Harry..."
So loudly Ginny had thought her eardrums might burst...but they weren't sure how loudly you had to talk for the sound to get all the way down the strange, snaky silver wire that seemed to connect them.
"Only I must have done something wrong because the man seemed really mad at me...and he said he'd never heard of Harry, he didn't know what school I was talking about, and I should never contact them again. Maybe he misunderstood, but I don't know how-I was speaking as loudly as I could."
Ginny nodded. "They were both yelling so loudly, I heard the whole thing, too."
"Oh dear," Mum said with a sigh. "I hope you didn't make trouble for Harry."
"You don't think the muggles will punish him because we used the...the...telephone...wrong?"
Ginny said with a frision of alarm.
"I hope not," Dad said without much confidence. "They certainly shouldn't."
"I guess I'd better not try it again, just in case," Ron said. "But what do you reckon I did wrong?"
"Eh...well, not being there, I can't really be sure," Dad said. "Unless you're not supposed to speak loudly..."
"That poor boy," said Mum, "We wanted to invite him for the summer again...but Dumbledore didn't seem to think we should take him away from his relatives so soon, let alone out of the country."
"Why should it matter how long Harry has to stay with his relatives?" Ginny said, her voice shaking with the effort of putting herself forward, "They don't even like him. They were starving him last year, Mum!"
"Now, Ginny," Dad said soothingly, "I agree with you, but Dumbledore is a very wise man, and a great wizard. If he says Harry has to spend time with the Durselys, I'm sure he has his reasons."
Ginny snorted, wishing she could feel indignant, but she was far too grateful to Dumbledore for the kind and compassionate way he had treated her after she nearly destroyed the school for her anger to have much heat.
"Wish I could borrow Hermes," Ron muttered, "least then I could send him a letter."
"Good luck with that," Ginny said around the rim of her cocoa mug.
This summer, like last summer, Percy had spent most of his time in his room with Hermes flying in and out the window at regular intervals...His constant contact with Penelope Clearwater, his girlfriend, was nearly as sweet as it was annoying. Fred and George had spent most of the week enchanting Percy's hat so every time he put it on it began to sprinkle him with lurid pink heart-shaped confetti-Ginny was secretly convinced they'd somehow managed to steal the confetti from their former Defense against the Dark Arts Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, on Valentine's Day, but she tried not to think about that-and sang "Percy and Penelope sitting in a tree, K-I-SS-I-N-G!" loudly and off-tune in both their voices. Even Mum had been absent-mindedly humming the tune around the kitchen as she made breakfast the other day.
Ginny didn't think anyone else was aware of it, but the twins had been attempting to intercept Hermes on his frequent trips away from the Burrow. She suspected they intended to elaborate on Percy's love letters with a few lyrics or limericks of their own. While she understood the temptation, she didn't think Penelope-or Percy, for that matter-deserved that, so the third time she caught them at it she'd threatened to tell Mum.
"Aw, Gin," George said.
"That's hitting below the belt," Fred said.
Ginny shrugged.
"So is sabotaging someone's letters to their girlfriend," Ginny said coolly.
"You know," George said reluctantly. "Much as I hate to admit it--"
"Our little Snaps might just have a point," Fred said, crossing his arms and shaking his head. "Fine."
"But you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Ginger," George added.
"Being a fink!" Fred remonstrated.
"I'd take care of it myself," Ginny said, shrugging, "but away from school we're not allowed to do magic, and I've been close enough to being expelled already, thank you very much."
Fred and George both seemed to wince.
Ginny swigged at her cocoa a bit more violently just remembering the look in their eyes...She put her empty cup in the sink, and wandered outside, unsure what to do, or even how she felt. Part of her confusion, she knew, was because it had been such an unexpectedly eventful day, but another-larger-part had been curling through her veins like a sluggish snake ever since Harry Potter had rescued her from Tom Riddle's diary.
The feeling reminded her of what it had felt like to be aware of Tom's presence inside her, ready to rise up, ready to strike...it worried her and made her feel sick. But she knew Tom was gone. She knew she was free. She just...wasn't prepared for it. She had been so close to death, so certain she was going to die, and Tom was going to live...She wasn't sorry that turned out not to be the case, but now that it wasn't, she wasn't sure what to do with the fact she was still alive...after everything she had done...She didn't know how to go back to being Ginny Weasley, normal little girl, she wasn't even sure she wanted to.