Disclaimer--Nothing here belongs to me--It's for the love of the craft and intended only as flattery.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--I'm so glad you love this story! *hugs* I'm glad you liked that line at the end of the last chapter...I thought it was hilarious. *winks*
Bee11--I think the visit to St. Mungo's has to be very hard on Neville...and probably on his grandmother as well...perhaps that's why she has such a hard time reaching out to Neville. I like your theory about Ginny possibly asking Neville to the Ball...I hadn't considered that before. I thought that exchange was very meaningful for both Ginny and Hagrid...and I'm totally blown away you caught the reference to Ginny's wand! *applauds* You definitely deserve another quick post or two for that! *hugs*
EEDOE--Isn't Hagrid a great big teddy bear? *grins* I agree with you completely about Neville...his quiet bravery is a match even for Harry's heroic flamboyance, and someday everyone is going to realize it...I just hope Neville gets to enjoy it. He definitely deserves it...possibly more than almost any character in the series. You have Ginny pegged perfectly! *laughs and winks* Knowing I put a smile on your face put one on my face, too! *hugs*
Bill--Of course you knew the significance of the pendant! *beams* Hagrid is definitely more...insightful than he sometimes seems. Now that you mention it...so many of the recurring characters in Harry's life are heroes (I like the idea of the study, btw)...I wonder if one of JKR's messages is quite simply that--everyone in life has the chance to be a hero, whether big or small, and we should admire and appreciate that...and of course the different types of heroes go along nicely with the different types of love. *grins* You are very definitely right about Ginny's reconstruction of herself being a theme in my story...I can't promise a divine revelation, but I do think Ginny gets her positive experience. I hope our thoughts on this will be as similar as they often are. *winks* *hugs*
*****************
Christmas Eve was a lovely long late night affair, with the Burrow dark but cozily alight with dozens of taper candles beaming like stars. Mum made lovely hot cocoa with as many marshmallows as she could cram into the mugs, and the whole family sang Christmas carols until they were hoarse. Then dad lit the final starry light atop the tree with an elaborate flourish of his wand. Then after a series of hugs that left everyone laughing and off-balance, they wove their way to their respective rooms to tumble into bed and pleasant dreams.
Christmas morning dawned with a flush that reminded Ginny of her own embarrassed blush, fading to soft mauve, and eventually to the rosy ripeness of a dewy fresh summer peach that looked good enough to eat. Ginny waited breathless at her window, listening to the twins pound down the stairs with a reckless abandon she nostalgically pictured Ron forcing her to join, listening to Bill and Charlie pretending to complain but sounding far too cheerful to be angry, listening to Percy lecturing them all about acting their age, and watching the peach wash away until all that remained were misty silver-grey clouds that made the whole sky glow with pale moonlike radiance.
Ginny hated to move, but her stomach demanded it, rumbling a not-so-nice acknowledgement of the smells wafting up the crooked stairs.
Pulling her ancient, patched dressing robe over her pajamas-she'd deliberately chosen to wear a green pajama top with red pajama bottoms-Ginny bounded down the stairs, excited as any of her brothers. Everyone ate their bacon and eggs as quickly as they could, even Mum and Dad, and then everyone, even Mum and Dad, raced into the living room. Dad won, so he got to open the first present.
After that, Percy grabbed a present from under the tree-he was closest, but Ginny was convinced he'd gone out of his way to make sure he was...he usually did-and it was to George, so he got to go next.
They opened all the presents in turns, throwing wrapping paper at one another so it fell around them in crinkly piles like leaves in autumn. Ginny's hand-knitted Weasley sweater was lavender again, but this year it had narrow dark purple bands at neck, waist and cuff. Dad gave her a copy of a muggle magazine he thought she might like since it seemed to be full of girls her age. Charlie gave her a huge book on Quidditch Strategy. She couldn't wait to read it, but the sight of it was enough to make the twins roar with laughter. Ginny rolled her eyes at Charlie, and he smirked and nodded. Bill gave her a statue of Bastet from Egypt. It was carved from a smooth chunk of rosy alabaster, and Ginny loved it. In a last ditch bid to make up for forgetting her birthday at the beginning of November, Fred and George had pooled their money to buy her the handsome copy of "Abstract Astronomy" they'd seen her coveting in Flourish and Blott's that summer. Ron had gotten her "A Detailed Study of Egyptian Hieroglyphics", no doubt for a similar motivation.
Christmas dinner was a feast to rival any at Hogwarts with a lovely juicy Beef Wellington, creamy mashed potatoes with rich, meaty gravy, a huge salad made from four different greens, and overflowing with tomatoes, onions, carrots, ham, cheese, bacon, and homemade croutons, green beans, pie and flaming plum pudding. Full to bursting, they wandered back into the living room, supposedly to chat, but really to stretch out and enjoy their food comas in companionable silence.
Eventually Fred and George roused enough to suggest a makeshift game of Quidditch. Charlie looked enquiringly in Ginny's direction, but she would have made an odd number unless Percy decided to play, which had never happened, and he was already disappearing in the direction of his bedroom. Ginny suspected Hermes would soon be flying off in search of Penelope. Ginny briefly considered playing anyway, but she didn't really feel like dealing with the twins' incredulous reactions. A little belatedly she met Charlie's eyes, shaking her head, and mouthed, "Thanks but no." Charlie nodded, and she knew he'd expected as much from the twins reaction to his gift.
She was surveying her new books in the vain attempt to decide which one to read first when Dad suggested a game of chess. A quick glance revealed Mum was still enjoying the rare chance for a nap. Reassured she wasn't leaving her at loose ends, Ginny was more than willing to agree. She wasn't nearly as good at chess as Ron-none of the Weasleys were, in fact, though Dad came close-but she was good enough to play without being spotted a piece, and enjoyed the rare one-on-one time with Dad.
After Dad's bishop put her in checkmate, it was time for a quick-and delightfully unhealthy-late dinner consisting of crackers, holiday cheeseball, and summer sausage before bed. She feel asleep wondering what Ron would have said about her chess tactics, and woke late the next morning.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--I'm so glad you love this story! *hugs* I'm glad you liked that line at the end of the last chapter...I thought it was hilarious. *winks*
Bee11--I think the visit to St. Mungo's has to be very hard on Neville...and probably on his grandmother as well...perhaps that's why she has such a hard time reaching out to Neville. I like your theory about Ginny possibly asking Neville to the Ball...I hadn't considered that before. I thought that exchange was very meaningful for both Ginny and Hagrid...and I'm totally blown away you caught the reference to Ginny's wand! *applauds* You definitely deserve another quick post or two for that! *hugs*
EEDOE--Isn't Hagrid a great big teddy bear? *grins* I agree with you completely about Neville...his quiet bravery is a match even for Harry's heroic flamboyance, and someday everyone is going to realize it...I just hope Neville gets to enjoy it. He definitely deserves it...possibly more than almost any character in the series. You have Ginny pegged perfectly! *laughs and winks* Knowing I put a smile on your face put one on my face, too! *hugs*
Bill--Of course you knew the significance of the pendant! *beams* Hagrid is definitely more...insightful than he sometimes seems. Now that you mention it...so many of the recurring characters in Harry's life are heroes (I like the idea of the study, btw)...I wonder if one of JKR's messages is quite simply that--everyone in life has the chance to be a hero, whether big or small, and we should admire and appreciate that...and of course the different types of heroes go along nicely with the different types of love. *grins* You are very definitely right about Ginny's reconstruction of herself being a theme in my story...I can't promise a divine revelation, but I do think Ginny gets her positive experience. I hope our thoughts on this will be as similar as they often are. *winks* *hugs*
*****************
Christmas Eve was a lovely long late night affair, with the Burrow dark but cozily alight with dozens of taper candles beaming like stars. Mum made lovely hot cocoa with as many marshmallows as she could cram into the mugs, and the whole family sang Christmas carols until they were hoarse. Then dad lit the final starry light atop the tree with an elaborate flourish of his wand. Then after a series of hugs that left everyone laughing and off-balance, they wove their way to their respective rooms to tumble into bed and pleasant dreams.
Christmas morning dawned with a flush that reminded Ginny of her own embarrassed blush, fading to soft mauve, and eventually to the rosy ripeness of a dewy fresh summer peach that looked good enough to eat. Ginny waited breathless at her window, listening to the twins pound down the stairs with a reckless abandon she nostalgically pictured Ron forcing her to join, listening to Bill and Charlie pretending to complain but sounding far too cheerful to be angry, listening to Percy lecturing them all about acting their age, and watching the peach wash away until all that remained were misty silver-grey clouds that made the whole sky glow with pale moonlike radiance.
Ginny hated to move, but her stomach demanded it, rumbling a not-so-nice acknowledgement of the smells wafting up the crooked stairs.
Pulling her ancient, patched dressing robe over her pajamas-she'd deliberately chosen to wear a green pajama top with red pajama bottoms-Ginny bounded down the stairs, excited as any of her brothers. Everyone ate their bacon and eggs as quickly as they could, even Mum and Dad, and then everyone, even Mum and Dad, raced into the living room. Dad won, so he got to open the first present.
After that, Percy grabbed a present from under the tree-he was closest, but Ginny was convinced he'd gone out of his way to make sure he was...he usually did-and it was to George, so he got to go next.
They opened all the presents in turns, throwing wrapping paper at one another so it fell around them in crinkly piles like leaves in autumn. Ginny's hand-knitted Weasley sweater was lavender again, but this year it had narrow dark purple bands at neck, waist and cuff. Dad gave her a copy of a muggle magazine he thought she might like since it seemed to be full of girls her age. Charlie gave her a huge book on Quidditch Strategy. She couldn't wait to read it, but the sight of it was enough to make the twins roar with laughter. Ginny rolled her eyes at Charlie, and he smirked and nodded. Bill gave her a statue of Bastet from Egypt. It was carved from a smooth chunk of rosy alabaster, and Ginny loved it. In a last ditch bid to make up for forgetting her birthday at the beginning of November, Fred and George had pooled their money to buy her the handsome copy of "Abstract Astronomy" they'd seen her coveting in Flourish and Blott's that summer. Ron had gotten her "A Detailed Study of Egyptian Hieroglyphics", no doubt for a similar motivation.
Christmas dinner was a feast to rival any at Hogwarts with a lovely juicy Beef Wellington, creamy mashed potatoes with rich, meaty gravy, a huge salad made from four different greens, and overflowing with tomatoes, onions, carrots, ham, cheese, bacon, and homemade croutons, green beans, pie and flaming plum pudding. Full to bursting, they wandered back into the living room, supposedly to chat, but really to stretch out and enjoy their food comas in companionable silence.
Eventually Fred and George roused enough to suggest a makeshift game of Quidditch. Charlie looked enquiringly in Ginny's direction, but she would have made an odd number unless Percy decided to play, which had never happened, and he was already disappearing in the direction of his bedroom. Ginny suspected Hermes would soon be flying off in search of Penelope. Ginny briefly considered playing anyway, but she didn't really feel like dealing with the twins' incredulous reactions. A little belatedly she met Charlie's eyes, shaking her head, and mouthed, "Thanks but no." Charlie nodded, and she knew he'd expected as much from the twins reaction to his gift.
She was surveying her new books in the vain attempt to decide which one to read first when Dad suggested a game of chess. A quick glance revealed Mum was still enjoying the rare chance for a nap. Reassured she wasn't leaving her at loose ends, Ginny was more than willing to agree. She wasn't nearly as good at chess as Ron-none of the Weasleys were, in fact, though Dad came close-but she was good enough to play without being spotted a piece, and enjoyed the rare one-on-one time with Dad.
After Dad's bishop put her in checkmate, it was time for a quick-and delightfully unhealthy-late dinner consisting of crackers, holiday cheeseball, and summer sausage before bed. She feel asleep wondering what Ron would have said about her chess tactics, and woke late the next morning.