Disclaimer--Nothing here belongs to me--It's for the love of the craft and intended only as flattery. Most of this scene is from PoA and belongs to JKR, who is a MUCH more accomplished writer than me.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--Thanks! I liked that moment too. :-)
Bee11--I didn't actually expect that either! *looks sheepish* but I think the story is probably better because it did. :-) It is too bad the school usually ends up witnessing her embarrassing displays of affection for Harry, but I think she's sort of accepted it...Professor Lupin has always seemed extraordinarily insightful and compassionate to me, so it makes sense he might approach a student who's possible isolation reminded him of his own experiences as a werewolf...Glad you're enjoying the story! *hugs*
Adrienne--*laughs* I missed your reviews the last couple of chapters, but I realized you probably hadn't had much of a chance to review...I have a bad tendency to get so caught up in the story I can hardly wait for the next part!! (And I tend to encourage that tendency because as long as I'm caught up in the story it's less likely for me to loose interest and forget what I was thinking in between chapters...*looks sheepish*) I really appreciate your reviews of all the chapters--thanks! *hugs* I thought the Harry/Ginny was incredibly romantic, so I'm really glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought his little gesture and possible look spoke volumes. *winks* It was fun to write the interaction between Bion and Luna...they spend so much time together they almost have to be close friends, but at the same time I get the definite impression Luna drives Bion slightly nuts and he tries to torment her *smirks* As for Bion's reaction to Ginny checking out Wood...Lupin...I might as well say it again...I love him! *grins* Ginny does seem to have a tendency to know things the trio doesn't...or at least things they don't know she knows...*smirks* Thanks so much for the glowing review! *hugs*
EEDOE--Yay!! I'm glad you like Ginny's new friendship! I agree...it always seemed odd that Hermione and Harry are at the Burrow a fair amount but we never see anyone visiting Percy, Fred or George...but, of course, JK's books are beautifully detailed without a lot of unnecessary characters. *winks* As for my own little imaginary version of her world, Lee has visited the twins several times...and Bion did say his parents claimed he visited Ginny when they were little. *grins* Anyway...I hope you have a happy holiday with Ginny! *hugs*
Bill--The reason I love Lupin as a character (aside from my tendency to associate him with myself) is because he has faced so much...in his own nature, in the loss of his closest friends, in second-guessing his own choices...and has never lost his sense of humor or his compassion for others. He's calm, centered, and deep...a true spring of such depth the source is never seen. He is wise and practical without being proud or asking for pity from others or himself ...the kind of man who can change lives just by being himself. Or fire-tempered steel that bends but never breaks. *winks* I do think part of the reason he decided to confide in Ginny was because he wanted to help make her path a little easier than his has been...and Ginny probably realizes that. I don't know about mastering Occulumency, but I certainly think she will have an easier time with the subject than Harry...as you say, she's already had some experience with it. I hope you're as pleased with your namesake's part in this story as I am with yours! *hugs*
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Hagrid accompanied the students to the station in Hogsmeade, and Ginny-feeling slightly embarrassed about not having made time to visit-pulled him aside to give him the elaborately carved pipe she'd purchased him in Egypt. "Got a bit o' a gift fer yeh as well," Hagrid whispered. Ginny, trapped against his furry overcoat in a massive hug, managed a sound that might have been a reply, but he didn't seem to notice. Luckily, he had to loosen his grip to pull the little package out of his pocket.
Ginny hesitated with it in her hand, but Hagrid laughed. "What'er yeh waiting fer? Open it."
The strings knotted around the paper didn't seem to want to come loose. Ginny had barely begun to struggle with them when Hagrid reached out and cut them. Laughing, but touched by his eagerness,
Ginny pulled the paper apart to reveal a little velvet jewelry box. "Hagrid," Ginny said softly, touched and sorrowful he'd spent any of his humble salary on her.
"Aww, now," he said, shaking his head. "Just go on."
Nose stinging with the sudden urge for tears, Ginny eased back the lid of the box. Nestled in the soft blue silk of the box lining was a delicate silver pendant wrought in the ethereal shape of a mooncalf dancing under a canopy of pale autumn-tinted leaves.
"It's beautiful," Ginny breathed, and burst into tears.
Hagrid looked horrified. "I thought yeh'd like it!"
"I do!" Ginny exclaimed, equally horrified at the thought he'd misunderstood her reaction. "It's one of the nicest things anyone's ever given me!" She threw her arms around him, oblivious to the fact they'd only just finished hugging, and kissed him.
Hagrid flushed dark as any Weasley ever had. "Well, now," he said, obviously trying to hide how pleased he was, "I reckon yeh're welcome."
"Ginny!!" Fred bellowed from the train. "What on earth do you think you're doing? You're going to miss the train!"
"Hey there, Ginger, get a move on," George shouted.
"Happy Christmas, Hagrid!" Ginny breathed in a rush, scrambling to comply with her brothers' rather rude command.
The twins had already disappeared. Ginny made a face and released it with a sigh and a shrug. She supposed she should find Bion and Luna, but the thought of finding Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe with them was surprisingly unappealing, and if she didn't show up they'd probably assume she was sitting with her brothers, so she didn't have to worry about hurting their feelings. Poking her head into the doorway of the first compartment she came to, she found herself face to face with Neville Longbottom.
"Hey, Ginny," he said, and the words were friendly enough, if delivered with a surprising lack of enthusiasm.
"Hey, Neville," Ginny said, trying to sound more enthusiastic about seeing him than he appeared to be about seeing her. "Mind if I join you?"
"Oh!" Neville said, looking around as if he hadn't realized the compartment was empty. "No...please do."
"Thanks," Ginny said, flopping onto the seat across from him. "Looking forward to holiday?"
"Uh, well..." Neville said, squirming uncomfortably. "No," he said as if the word were a great relief. "No, I'm not actually."
"Oh," Ginny said, and realized she was starting to sound like Luna. "That's too bad. I'm sure your grandmother will be happy to see you, though...as long as you don't mention the boggart!"
Neville smiled, but the expression seemed a bit slippery, as if it wanted to slide off his face. "I...she's not really that interested in hearing about school."
"Maybe she just took your classes for granted a little when you were doing basic coursework," Ginny said, trying to be encouraging. "But now you have all your new classes to talk about."
"Uncle Algy might be interested," Neville admitted, looking a trifle happier. "But Gran...has a lot on her mind."
"I know what that's like," Ginny said sympathetically, earning a strange look from Neville. "Living with people who always seem to be too busy to remember you're alive, I mean...it's not very pleasant."
"Well..." Neville said slowly, obviously reluctant to complain-which Ginny was quick to appreciate-"it can be a bit lonely...but I'm not sure it's any better when Gran does notice me." Suddenly realizing what he said, he clapped a hand over his mouth looking horrified.
Not sure how to ease his embarrassment, and feeling at fault, Ginny settled for politely failing to notice anything was remiss until he'd had time to recover.
Seeing how unhappy Neville was with the prospect of the entire break with his grandmother, Ginny wished she'd thought to invite him, too, but as well as they were getting along, the idea still seemed uncomfortably familiar. If they had Christmas at the Burrow again next year, maybe she could convince Ron to invite him.
When the witch arrived with her trolley of sweets, Neville insisted on buying Ginny a snack. She was so touched by the gesture she had trouble looking him in the eye, but he had just as much trouble looking her in the eye, so she figured he would understand...if he even noticed.
Trevor took advantage of their temporary distraction to pull his famous disappearing act. Neville was accustomed enough to it at this point he didn't panic, but Ginny tried to suppress her smile just the same.
Wandering the train, peeking and peering into every shadowy and unexpected crack, crevice, and cubby, actually proved to be quite a bit of fun. She and Neville took turns, each trying to come up with the most ridiculous comment to make when the spot turned up empty. The Express was just pulling into King's Cross Station when he finally dropped out of the luggage rack into Neville's lap. "Welcome back, Trevor!" Ginny exclaimed. "Perfect timing!" The toad blinked at her, then croaked in reply, making both Ginny and Neville laugh.
"Thanks, Ginny," Neville said as he gathered his luggage.
"Anytime," she assured him with a grin, but before she could say more, the twins had swept into the compartment and pulled her onto the platform in their wake. Ginny wanted to be annoyed, but she was laughing too hard to manage, and before she could arrange her mood into more suitable lines, she found herself sandwiched between Bill and Charlie in their signature hug.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--Thanks! I liked that moment too. :-)
Bee11--I didn't actually expect that either! *looks sheepish* but I think the story is probably better because it did. :-) It is too bad the school usually ends up witnessing her embarrassing displays of affection for Harry, but I think she's sort of accepted it...Professor Lupin has always seemed extraordinarily insightful and compassionate to me, so it makes sense he might approach a student who's possible isolation reminded him of his own experiences as a werewolf...Glad you're enjoying the story! *hugs*
Adrienne--*laughs* I missed your reviews the last couple of chapters, but I realized you probably hadn't had much of a chance to review...I have a bad tendency to get so caught up in the story I can hardly wait for the next part!! (And I tend to encourage that tendency because as long as I'm caught up in the story it's less likely for me to loose interest and forget what I was thinking in between chapters...*looks sheepish*) I really appreciate your reviews of all the chapters--thanks! *hugs* I thought the Harry/Ginny was incredibly romantic, so I'm really glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought his little gesture and possible look spoke volumes. *winks* It was fun to write the interaction between Bion and Luna...they spend so much time together they almost have to be close friends, but at the same time I get the definite impression Luna drives Bion slightly nuts and he tries to torment her *smirks* As for Bion's reaction to Ginny checking out Wood...Lupin...I might as well say it again...I love him! *grins* Ginny does seem to have a tendency to know things the trio doesn't...or at least things they don't know she knows...*smirks* Thanks so much for the glowing review! *hugs*
EEDOE--Yay!! I'm glad you like Ginny's new friendship! I agree...it always seemed odd that Hermione and Harry are at the Burrow a fair amount but we never see anyone visiting Percy, Fred or George...but, of course, JK's books are beautifully detailed without a lot of unnecessary characters. *winks* As for my own little imaginary version of her world, Lee has visited the twins several times...and Bion did say his parents claimed he visited Ginny when they were little. *grins* Anyway...I hope you have a happy holiday with Ginny! *hugs*
Bill--The reason I love Lupin as a character (aside from my tendency to associate him with myself) is because he has faced so much...in his own nature, in the loss of his closest friends, in second-guessing his own choices...and has never lost his sense of humor or his compassion for others. He's calm, centered, and deep...a true spring of such depth the source is never seen. He is wise and practical without being proud or asking for pity from others or himself ...the kind of man who can change lives just by being himself. Or fire-tempered steel that bends but never breaks. *winks* I do think part of the reason he decided to confide in Ginny was because he wanted to help make her path a little easier than his has been...and Ginny probably realizes that. I don't know about mastering Occulumency, but I certainly think she will have an easier time with the subject than Harry...as you say, she's already had some experience with it. I hope you're as pleased with your namesake's part in this story as I am with yours! *hugs*
****************
Hagrid accompanied the students to the station in Hogsmeade, and Ginny-feeling slightly embarrassed about not having made time to visit-pulled him aside to give him the elaborately carved pipe she'd purchased him in Egypt. "Got a bit o' a gift fer yeh as well," Hagrid whispered. Ginny, trapped against his furry overcoat in a massive hug, managed a sound that might have been a reply, but he didn't seem to notice. Luckily, he had to loosen his grip to pull the little package out of his pocket.
Ginny hesitated with it in her hand, but Hagrid laughed. "What'er yeh waiting fer? Open it."
The strings knotted around the paper didn't seem to want to come loose. Ginny had barely begun to struggle with them when Hagrid reached out and cut them. Laughing, but touched by his eagerness,
Ginny pulled the paper apart to reveal a little velvet jewelry box. "Hagrid," Ginny said softly, touched and sorrowful he'd spent any of his humble salary on her.
"Aww, now," he said, shaking his head. "Just go on."
Nose stinging with the sudden urge for tears, Ginny eased back the lid of the box. Nestled in the soft blue silk of the box lining was a delicate silver pendant wrought in the ethereal shape of a mooncalf dancing under a canopy of pale autumn-tinted leaves.
"It's beautiful," Ginny breathed, and burst into tears.
Hagrid looked horrified. "I thought yeh'd like it!"
"I do!" Ginny exclaimed, equally horrified at the thought he'd misunderstood her reaction. "It's one of the nicest things anyone's ever given me!" She threw her arms around him, oblivious to the fact they'd only just finished hugging, and kissed him.
Hagrid flushed dark as any Weasley ever had. "Well, now," he said, obviously trying to hide how pleased he was, "I reckon yeh're welcome."
"Ginny!!" Fred bellowed from the train. "What on earth do you think you're doing? You're going to miss the train!"
"Hey there, Ginger, get a move on," George shouted.
"Happy Christmas, Hagrid!" Ginny breathed in a rush, scrambling to comply with her brothers' rather rude command.
The twins had already disappeared. Ginny made a face and released it with a sigh and a shrug. She supposed she should find Bion and Luna, but the thought of finding Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe with them was surprisingly unappealing, and if she didn't show up they'd probably assume she was sitting with her brothers, so she didn't have to worry about hurting their feelings. Poking her head into the doorway of the first compartment she came to, she found herself face to face with Neville Longbottom.
"Hey, Ginny," he said, and the words were friendly enough, if delivered with a surprising lack of enthusiasm.
"Hey, Neville," Ginny said, trying to sound more enthusiastic about seeing him than he appeared to be about seeing her. "Mind if I join you?"
"Oh!" Neville said, looking around as if he hadn't realized the compartment was empty. "No...please do."
"Thanks," Ginny said, flopping onto the seat across from him. "Looking forward to holiday?"
"Uh, well..." Neville said, squirming uncomfortably. "No," he said as if the word were a great relief. "No, I'm not actually."
"Oh," Ginny said, and realized she was starting to sound like Luna. "That's too bad. I'm sure your grandmother will be happy to see you, though...as long as you don't mention the boggart!"
Neville smiled, but the expression seemed a bit slippery, as if it wanted to slide off his face. "I...she's not really that interested in hearing about school."
"Maybe she just took your classes for granted a little when you were doing basic coursework," Ginny said, trying to be encouraging. "But now you have all your new classes to talk about."
"Uncle Algy might be interested," Neville admitted, looking a trifle happier. "But Gran...has a lot on her mind."
"I know what that's like," Ginny said sympathetically, earning a strange look from Neville. "Living with people who always seem to be too busy to remember you're alive, I mean...it's not very pleasant."
"Well..." Neville said slowly, obviously reluctant to complain-which Ginny was quick to appreciate-"it can be a bit lonely...but I'm not sure it's any better when Gran does notice me." Suddenly realizing what he said, he clapped a hand over his mouth looking horrified.
Not sure how to ease his embarrassment, and feeling at fault, Ginny settled for politely failing to notice anything was remiss until he'd had time to recover.
Seeing how unhappy Neville was with the prospect of the entire break with his grandmother, Ginny wished she'd thought to invite him, too, but as well as they were getting along, the idea still seemed uncomfortably familiar. If they had Christmas at the Burrow again next year, maybe she could convince Ron to invite him.
When the witch arrived with her trolley of sweets, Neville insisted on buying Ginny a snack. She was so touched by the gesture she had trouble looking him in the eye, but he had just as much trouble looking her in the eye, so she figured he would understand...if he even noticed.
Trevor took advantage of their temporary distraction to pull his famous disappearing act. Neville was accustomed enough to it at this point he didn't panic, but Ginny tried to suppress her smile just the same.
Wandering the train, peeking and peering into every shadowy and unexpected crack, crevice, and cubby, actually proved to be quite a bit of fun. She and Neville took turns, each trying to come up with the most ridiculous comment to make when the spot turned up empty. The Express was just pulling into King's Cross Station when he finally dropped out of the luggage rack into Neville's lap. "Welcome back, Trevor!" Ginny exclaimed. "Perfect timing!" The toad blinked at her, then croaked in reply, making both Ginny and Neville laugh.
"Thanks, Ginny," Neville said as he gathered his luggage.
"Anytime," she assured him with a grin, but before she could say more, the twins had swept into the compartment and pulled her onto the platform in their wake. Ginny wanted to be annoyed, but she was laughing too hard to manage, and before she could arrange her mood into more suitable lines, she found herself sandwiched between Bill and Charlie in their signature hug.