Disclaimer--Nothing here belongs to me. Most of this scene is from PoA and belongs to JKR, who is a MUCH more accomplished writer than me. They're for the love of the craft and intended only as flattery.
Author's Notes--
Bee11--The expression is very close. I think it's usually "a taste of their own medicene", but you got the point across quite well. :-) I'm totally in agreement with you that it's nice to see the pranksters as victim once in a while, and, like you, I'm pretty sure that's why Ginny does it. *winks* (Especially since it is a challenge to do it without the twins catching on...and I don't think they know) I think Dumbledore and McGonagall are both the kind of teachers smart enough to know kids wouldn't be kids if they didn't make a little mischief, and part of their ability to be great teachers lies in letting kids be themselves without letting them go too far. And...they both needed a bit of a laugh. Ginny and Dobby...the possibilities are endless. *grins and winks*
Adrienne--I'm glad I got to you before the withdrawal got too bad! *grins* I agree--it seems like way too long since Ginny was up to any tricks...and she needs a few! I think you and I see very much eye-to-eye about Lee...Ginny may not realize it, but I think Lee might. I think McGonagall and Dumbledore do have a sixth sense about what students are up to...they probably wouldn't have lasted in positions of authority in a magical school if they didn't...I fully suspect nearly everything the twins do is with the implied approval of Dumbledore and McGonagall...and that the twins haven't the faintest idea. *grins* Exactly...for Ginny, the briefest glance from Harry has worlds of meaning and emotion...and is enough to keep her going. As for Harry...he's a bit less um...romantic. *sighs* Tom is very parallel to Harry in Ginny's thoughts and feelings...but as you say, the other side of the coin...which may make Ginny very pivotal in the future. Like you, I think she has to deal with her feelings for both of them...one way or another. I'm glad you're back...and I love having you as a loyal reviewer...so it's not much inducement to stop writing so addictively! *laughs and looks sheepish* *hugs*
EEDOE--Isn't Lee a doll? I could easily sway MYSELF to vote for Lee or Bion (rather to my own chagrin), but I know that neither of them can stand up to the bond she already shares with Harry. They are however, very good and attentive friends I hope continue to populate her world for a long time to come. (And...if Harry would eventually be less convinced of his importance to her than we are, well...*smirks and winks*) Yup...Ginny will never forget and never be free...especially when she's still recovering...I'm sure it will be better later, but even as an old woman she's probably going to have a few bad moments at random sights and sounds--who wouldn't! I'm so glad you loved the prank...I almost couldn't type for laughing!! I had to read your glowing review of the scene to my sister, too! *hugs*
Bill--I read my sister your review too...(and, for the record, it's our favorite prank by a Weasley, too...if we do say so ourselves. *winks and looks sheepish*) You're as in tune with me as always...I love your reviews! I hope you aren't disappointed with the direction of this chapter, though...*hugs*
*************
The Prefects-headed by Percy-herded them back into the Great Hall as soon as Dumbledore finished his instructions. Gryffindors were still spreading out across the strangely empty space, most of them wearing expressions clearly bewildered, when the other houses began to arrive. Dumbledore left them there under Percy's eager guard with a plethora of purple sleeping bags, the majority of them still trying to figure out what had happened.
Ginny watched Harry pull a sleeping bag into the corner with Hermione and Ron, wondering why she felt so...detached from what she was seeing. Shaking her head as if to dispel reverie, she grabbed a sleeping bag of her own and tried to find a quiet spot to be alone.
Strange unexplained events...peoples' lives in danger...Harry...it was as if her first year of school was happening all over again...She shivered, pulling her knees up to her chest, and wrapping her arms about them as if to pull them close for protection.
She longed to write, to forget herself and spill her thoughts across the page so they couldn't eat at her from the inside like some sort of silent lingering disease...but her diary was in the tower, still blank and untouched. And even if she had it, she wouldn't have known where to begin...how to put what she was feeling into ink...The very thought of writing brought the strange feeling of déjà vu into even sharper relief. Sirius Black...he knew Tom...what if he...She swallowed, tilting her head back against the wall, and tried not to finish the thought.
All around she could the same question, a constant throbbing hiss like the flowing of the tide-"How did he get in?"
And without ever really thinking it, Ginny had one thought repeating over and over in her head-/What if it was me?/
Knowing it wasn't...wasn't enough.
She knew Bion was watching her from nearby. She tried to ignore him.
The stars twinkled calmly overhead, as if everything were right in the world and there was nothing of which to be afraid...
"-idea as to how he got in, Professor?" she heard Snape say a long time later, her entire body stiffening with each word.
"Many, Severus. Each as unlikely as the last," answered Dumbledore's reassuring tones.
Ginny opened her eyes to look at him, a vague shadow in the dark, and wondered if he suspected it might be her...
"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before-ah-start of term?" Snape was snarling like an angry werewolf.
"I do, Severus," Dumbledore said.
"It seems-almost impossible-that Black could have entered this school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed--"
Ginny felt dark nausea writhe through her stomach, spitting acid.
"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said with such conviction Ginny's stomach immediately settled. "I must go down to the dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."
"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy inquired. Ginny wondered how he could be so stupid...he had been on the train, didn't he know what dementors did? No one should be exposed to that...
"Oh yes," ice dripped from Dumbledore's words. "But I'm afraid no dementor will enter this school while I am headmaster."
Ginny opened her mouth to cheer, realized she was supposed to be asleep, and hurriedly closed it.
Dumbledore's soft footsteps moved away, carrying her with them, leading her into deep and blissful sleep.
Sunlight streamed over her from the Enchanted ceiling, mellow and autumn-golden, warming her to the tips of her toes. Ginny arched her back and stretched, reaching out with fingers and toes in every direction, and sighed in satisfaction.
"Everyone upstairs to dress," Percy was ordering over the babble of waking students, "so the
Great Hall can be prepared for breakfast. Chop, chop."
Ginny rolled her eyes, but she scrambled up to the Tower just the same.
"The password's Scalawag," the Prefect waiting by the Portrait Hole whispered as if convinced they were about to be overheard.
"Thanks," Ginny whispered back, trying not to mock. She turned to the Portrait-now a crazed-looking man in armor accompanied by a rather plump gray pony. "I'm Ginny. What's your name?"
"How dare you insult me! Evil Knave!" the knight shouted, trying to brandish his sword, and merely falling over attempting to pull it from the scabbard, "Of course I am Sir Cadogan, knight of great renown!"
"Right," Ginny said, her voice a bit too dry. She tried to alter her tone, and added, "My apologies, honored sir. May I go in? Scalawag is the password."
"Very well, you may pass this time, ungrateful cur," the knight proclaimed, obviously feeling very generous, and swung open. Ginny glanced at the Prefect, widening her eyes. The Prefect returned a very similar look, shrugging helplessly.
Still cheerful despite her run-in with the Tower's unlikely new guardian, Ginny tripped up the stairs-to the boys' dorm.
She rummaged happily about in Ron's trunk for a bit, selected a particularly cozy pair of russet-colored socks, and carried them triumphantly downstairs, where she passed Ron in the Common Room and couldn't resist raising her eyebrows at him. He, as usual, didn't seem to notice, which made her snicker slightly as she went about her business.
When the mail owls arrived, she was surprised to see Errol dropping toward her like a feathery brick. It wasn't until she reached for the package, she suddenly realized-it was her birthday. She was twelve years old today. Disappointment panged through her. Ron hadn't wished her Happy Birthday last night. She knew it wasn't his fault...she'd forgotten, too. But it was the second year in a row he hadn't wished her Happy Birthday on Halloween, the second time they'd failed to complete the old and beloved ritual. She sighed heavily, drawing a surprised look from Neville.
"Hey, Ginny, what's wrong?"
Ginny smiled, genuinely touched he would ask, and started to answer. Before she could, Ron swore a little ways down the table.
"Careful, little Ronnikins," Fred warned.
"You wouldn't want us to feel we should set a better example," George added.
"We might have to wash your mouth out," Fred finished, raising his wand with a flourish.
"Oh, sod off," Ron snapped.
George clicked his tongue against his teeth, shaking his head.
"Such language," Fred said sadly.
Ginny snickered in spite of herself.
"I forgot to wish Ginny Happy Birthday!" Ron shouted, a bit louder than he'd intended. Half the Gryffindor table turning round to look at him. Ginny blushed, instinctively trying to slide out of their line of sight.
Fred looked at George. George looked at Fred. George swore. Fred swore, too.
Ginny laughed in spite of herself.
Author's Notes--
Bee11--The expression is very close. I think it's usually "a taste of their own medicene", but you got the point across quite well. :-) I'm totally in agreement with you that it's nice to see the pranksters as victim once in a while, and, like you, I'm pretty sure that's why Ginny does it. *winks* (Especially since it is a challenge to do it without the twins catching on...and I don't think they know) I think Dumbledore and McGonagall are both the kind of teachers smart enough to know kids wouldn't be kids if they didn't make a little mischief, and part of their ability to be great teachers lies in letting kids be themselves without letting them go too far. And...they both needed a bit of a laugh. Ginny and Dobby...the possibilities are endless. *grins and winks*
Adrienne--I'm glad I got to you before the withdrawal got too bad! *grins* I agree--it seems like way too long since Ginny was up to any tricks...and she needs a few! I think you and I see very much eye-to-eye about Lee...Ginny may not realize it, but I think Lee might. I think McGonagall and Dumbledore do have a sixth sense about what students are up to...they probably wouldn't have lasted in positions of authority in a magical school if they didn't...I fully suspect nearly everything the twins do is with the implied approval of Dumbledore and McGonagall...and that the twins haven't the faintest idea. *grins* Exactly...for Ginny, the briefest glance from Harry has worlds of meaning and emotion...and is enough to keep her going. As for Harry...he's a bit less um...romantic. *sighs* Tom is very parallel to Harry in Ginny's thoughts and feelings...but as you say, the other side of the coin...which may make Ginny very pivotal in the future. Like you, I think she has to deal with her feelings for both of them...one way or another. I'm glad you're back...and I love having you as a loyal reviewer...so it's not much inducement to stop writing so addictively! *laughs and looks sheepish* *hugs*
EEDOE--Isn't Lee a doll? I could easily sway MYSELF to vote for Lee or Bion (rather to my own chagrin), but I know that neither of them can stand up to the bond she already shares with Harry. They are however, very good and attentive friends I hope continue to populate her world for a long time to come. (And...if Harry would eventually be less convinced of his importance to her than we are, well...*smirks and winks*) Yup...Ginny will never forget and never be free...especially when she's still recovering...I'm sure it will be better later, but even as an old woman she's probably going to have a few bad moments at random sights and sounds--who wouldn't! I'm so glad you loved the prank...I almost couldn't type for laughing!! I had to read your glowing review of the scene to my sister, too! *hugs*
Bill--I read my sister your review too...(and, for the record, it's our favorite prank by a Weasley, too...if we do say so ourselves. *winks and looks sheepish*) You're as in tune with me as always...I love your reviews! I hope you aren't disappointed with the direction of this chapter, though...*hugs*
*************
The Prefects-headed by Percy-herded them back into the Great Hall as soon as Dumbledore finished his instructions. Gryffindors were still spreading out across the strangely empty space, most of them wearing expressions clearly bewildered, when the other houses began to arrive. Dumbledore left them there under Percy's eager guard with a plethora of purple sleeping bags, the majority of them still trying to figure out what had happened.
Ginny watched Harry pull a sleeping bag into the corner with Hermione and Ron, wondering why she felt so...detached from what she was seeing. Shaking her head as if to dispel reverie, she grabbed a sleeping bag of her own and tried to find a quiet spot to be alone.
Strange unexplained events...peoples' lives in danger...Harry...it was as if her first year of school was happening all over again...She shivered, pulling her knees up to her chest, and wrapping her arms about them as if to pull them close for protection.
She longed to write, to forget herself and spill her thoughts across the page so they couldn't eat at her from the inside like some sort of silent lingering disease...but her diary was in the tower, still blank and untouched. And even if she had it, she wouldn't have known where to begin...how to put what she was feeling into ink...The very thought of writing brought the strange feeling of déjà vu into even sharper relief. Sirius Black...he knew Tom...what if he...She swallowed, tilting her head back against the wall, and tried not to finish the thought.
All around she could the same question, a constant throbbing hiss like the flowing of the tide-"How did he get in?"
And without ever really thinking it, Ginny had one thought repeating over and over in her head-/What if it was me?/
Knowing it wasn't...wasn't enough.
She knew Bion was watching her from nearby. She tried to ignore him.
The stars twinkled calmly overhead, as if everything were right in the world and there was nothing of which to be afraid...
"-idea as to how he got in, Professor?" she heard Snape say a long time later, her entire body stiffening with each word.
"Many, Severus. Each as unlikely as the last," answered Dumbledore's reassuring tones.
Ginny opened her eyes to look at him, a vague shadow in the dark, and wondered if he suspected it might be her...
"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before-ah-start of term?" Snape was snarling like an angry werewolf.
"I do, Severus," Dumbledore said.
"It seems-almost impossible-that Black could have entered this school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed--"
Ginny felt dark nausea writhe through her stomach, spitting acid.
"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said with such conviction Ginny's stomach immediately settled. "I must go down to the dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."
"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy inquired. Ginny wondered how he could be so stupid...he had been on the train, didn't he know what dementors did? No one should be exposed to that...
"Oh yes," ice dripped from Dumbledore's words. "But I'm afraid no dementor will enter this school while I am headmaster."
Ginny opened her mouth to cheer, realized she was supposed to be asleep, and hurriedly closed it.
Dumbledore's soft footsteps moved away, carrying her with them, leading her into deep and blissful sleep.
Sunlight streamed over her from the Enchanted ceiling, mellow and autumn-golden, warming her to the tips of her toes. Ginny arched her back and stretched, reaching out with fingers and toes in every direction, and sighed in satisfaction.
"Everyone upstairs to dress," Percy was ordering over the babble of waking students, "so the
Great Hall can be prepared for breakfast. Chop, chop."
Ginny rolled her eyes, but she scrambled up to the Tower just the same.
"The password's Scalawag," the Prefect waiting by the Portrait Hole whispered as if convinced they were about to be overheard.
"Thanks," Ginny whispered back, trying not to mock. She turned to the Portrait-now a crazed-looking man in armor accompanied by a rather plump gray pony. "I'm Ginny. What's your name?"
"How dare you insult me! Evil Knave!" the knight shouted, trying to brandish his sword, and merely falling over attempting to pull it from the scabbard, "Of course I am Sir Cadogan, knight of great renown!"
"Right," Ginny said, her voice a bit too dry. She tried to alter her tone, and added, "My apologies, honored sir. May I go in? Scalawag is the password."
"Very well, you may pass this time, ungrateful cur," the knight proclaimed, obviously feeling very generous, and swung open. Ginny glanced at the Prefect, widening her eyes. The Prefect returned a very similar look, shrugging helplessly.
Still cheerful despite her run-in with the Tower's unlikely new guardian, Ginny tripped up the stairs-to the boys' dorm.
She rummaged happily about in Ron's trunk for a bit, selected a particularly cozy pair of russet-colored socks, and carried them triumphantly downstairs, where she passed Ron in the Common Room and couldn't resist raising her eyebrows at him. He, as usual, didn't seem to notice, which made her snicker slightly as she went about her business.
When the mail owls arrived, she was surprised to see Errol dropping toward her like a feathery brick. It wasn't until she reached for the package, she suddenly realized-it was her birthday. She was twelve years old today. Disappointment panged through her. Ron hadn't wished her Happy Birthday last night. She knew it wasn't his fault...she'd forgotten, too. But it was the second year in a row he hadn't wished her Happy Birthday on Halloween, the second time they'd failed to complete the old and beloved ritual. She sighed heavily, drawing a surprised look from Neville.
"Hey, Ginny, what's wrong?"
Ginny smiled, genuinely touched he would ask, and started to answer. Before she could, Ron swore a little ways down the table.
"Careful, little Ronnikins," Fred warned.
"You wouldn't want us to feel we should set a better example," George added.
"We might have to wash your mouth out," Fred finished, raising his wand with a flourish.
"Oh, sod off," Ron snapped.
George clicked his tongue against his teeth, shaking his head.
"Such language," Fred said sadly.
Ginny snickered in spite of herself.
"I forgot to wish Ginny Happy Birthday!" Ron shouted, a bit louder than he'd intended. Half the Gryffindor table turning round to look at him. Ginny blushed, instinctively trying to slide out of their line of sight.
Fred looked at George. George looked at Fred. George swore. Fred swore, too.
Ginny laughed in spite of herself.