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--Ginny's one of a kind, isn't she? I'm so glad you appreciate her! *winks*
A Member--Thanks for the invitation! I'm really flattered. :-) I'll definitely look into the possibility of joining...it looks like fun.
Adrienne--The trio do tend to assume their the only ones who know what's going on...it's only poetic justice Ginny could sometimes tell them something as well if they'd include her a little more often. *winks* Since Ginny wasn't there when the incident happened, and cares about all the people involved, it makes sense for her to be a little more fair...I'm sure she'd try to be fair no matter what, but it might be harder in a different situation. *snickers* Yeah...I'm not sure I'd want Ginny mad at me, either, but Hagrid did seem to handle it pretty well. More girl-bonding dead ahead. *hugs*
EEDOE--Stoopid FF.Net! Bill posted a possible explanation for your problem with his review--I hope it will help! *hugs* Exactly! Ginny can't help but side with Hermione on an issue that hits so close to home, poor girl! And poor Hermione...feeling abandoned by her friends but still loving them enough to want to back them up...she's quite the trooper...luckily, I think Ginny will appreciate and respect Hermione's loyalties to Ron and Harry. Ginny did put Hagrid in line more quickly than Harry, but she has more reason to have confidence in Hagrid...she does get the confidence to face down Harry eventually, as you said! (I also agree with you about it being almost impossible to stay mad at Hagrid--thanks for calling that line adorable, I loved it.) Ginny is a bit of Nancy Drew at that...*grins* But, then, that's what SS first made me think of...Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Scooby Doo. *laughs* *hugs*
Bill--Thanks for the explanation about FF.Net! I didn't know that could happen. *shakes head* This had to be a pivotal moment for Ginny...for the first time she has a flesh and blood confidante her own age--and one who was actually involved in what happened the year before and doesn't blame her for it! It's kind of cool their experience is so similar to your own. *grins*
I loved that bit between Ginny and Hagrid, because it seemed so real when I was writing it. I agree, surely that sight had to cheer Hermione a bit! I do think Ginny had the potential to make such deductive leaps on her own, however I also think you have a point about Tom's influence...what happened with him has to affect the way she analyzes other situations in the future, and seeing how his mind worked could influence how she uses hers. I wonder what you'll think about what happens next...*hugs*
*************
Ginny met Hermione in the library at lunchtime the next day. Hermione had a list of books she thought might contain information about hippogriff-attacks on humans. They grabbed as many of the books as they could and spread them out on one of the big tables. As they flipped through the books, Ginny produced several sandwiches she'd picked up from the kitchen. Hermione tore into them as if she hadn't eaten in days, but considering the way she'd been avoiding Ron and Harry, Ginny found that all too likely. "Here's somefin thad might be interesching," Hermione slurred through a mouthful of sandwich-something she normally would have scolded Ron for- so lost in what she was doing she didn't notice Ginny's stare.
Ginny watched her for a few concerned seconds more, and had only just forced her eyes back to the book she was supposed to be searching when Madam Pince swooped down on them like a great, flapping bird of prey. "What do you think you're doing?"
At that particular point, the only thing Ginny thought she was doing was leaning so far sideways in her chair she it was threatening to tip over sideways in the attempt to avoid Madam Pince.
"We're jes' doing some researdh, Madam Pincsh," Hermione tried to explain, unfortunately spitting a little froth of bread crumbs over part-thankfully bare-of the table.
"You're not just doing research," Madam Pince breathed so hotly Ginny would have sworn she could smell brimstone. "You're eating."
"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "So?"
"You have food!" Madam Pince hissed-and Ginny suddenly had a vivid mental picture of a volcano letting off steam before it erupted. "In the library! Do you know what that does to the books?"
"Um..." Ginny replied intelligently. "No?"
Madam Pince pointed at the door with a flourish Ginny was sure she'd intended to come that close to hitting her nose, and moved closer in a most intimidating fashion.
Ginny and Hermione exchanged one wild-eyed glance, and dived for the door. They ran all the way to the Common Room, and collapsed onto one of the cozy overstuffed sofas. And suddenly Hermione caught Ginny's eye, and they both burst into laughter. They laughed until they couldn't hold themselves upright, and only roused from their sprawls when they couldn't wait another second and still make it to afternoon classes on time.
After that, Ginny and Hermione still met in the library at lunchtime, but they only looked for a way to save Buckbeak for three-quarters of an hour-they used the last fifteen minutes to sneak off to a nearby supply closet and eat. Hermione did her homework in her dormitory most evenings, and Ginny joined her two nights a week to work on homework of her own-Hermione always had something interesting to add that made it less of a chore-or play with Crookshanks and keep Hermione company. Two nights a week, Ginny stayed in the Common Room-she played Exploding Snap with Colin and Tempest, watched the twins latest pranks, or just tried not to stare at Harry. The last night of the week, she met Professor Lupin to learn Occulumency atop the highest astronomy tower. Saturdays, she either slept in or caught up on homework in the morning, then met Hermione to go to Hagrid's for tea. After tea and talk, she and Hermione would go back to the library for more research about Buckbeak. Sundays she spent with Lee or Bion or Luna...or sometimes just by herself for the peace and quiet.
Ginny was amazed at how quickly things fell into routine, and how comfortable they felt. For the first time, she really felt as if she fit at Hogwarts. Suddenly, she no longer felt like the awkward little girl who made a suspicious her closest friend...and she found she look not only Hermione, but Colin, Nick, Justin, and even Penelope in the eye.
~~Dear Bill,~~
She wrote after a few weeks had passed.
~~I don't feel guilty as often as I used to...but maybe that's because I've been spending a lot of time with Hermione and she enjoys my company so unselfconsciously I know she doesn't feel like I have anything to feel guilty about-so do Colin and Nick, and on the rare occasions I see her, Penelope. I hardly ever see Justin at all, and Mrs. Norris makes everyone feel guilty-but Hermione is the only one who knows I felt guilty at all... Remember what I told you about Professor Lupin?~~
She had told him about meeting Lupin in the Astronomy Tower while she was home over Christmas-all but the bit about Lupin being a werewolf. She trusted Bill not to let it slip, but Lupin had trusted her, and that was important.
~~Lessons are going very slowly, but at least I feel like I'm doing something...the first step is clearing your mind, and I think it's beginning to help. But, maybe, I just feel better because I'm finally taking your advice-yours and Professor Lupin's-and learning something instead of punishing myself.
How's Egypt?
Ginny.~~
It was the first thing she'd written since Harry had rescued her from herself that reminded her of how much she used to love the feel of the quill in her hand, the scratch of the nib on parchment, the flow of the ink giving form to how she felt, without making her feel hot and sick with guilt or fear...or loneliness. And that seemed like the greatest accomplishment of all as she watched the school owl take flight.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--Ginny's one of a kind, isn't she? I'm so glad you appreciate her! *winks*
A Member--Thanks for the invitation! I'm really flattered. :-) I'll definitely look into the possibility of joining...it looks like fun.
Adrienne--The trio do tend to assume their the only ones who know what's going on...it's only poetic justice Ginny could sometimes tell them something as well if they'd include her a little more often. *winks* Since Ginny wasn't there when the incident happened, and cares about all the people involved, it makes sense for her to be a little more fair...I'm sure she'd try to be fair no matter what, but it might be harder in a different situation. *snickers* Yeah...I'm not sure I'd want Ginny mad at me, either, but Hagrid did seem to handle it pretty well. More girl-bonding dead ahead. *hugs*
EEDOE--Stoopid FF.Net! Bill posted a possible explanation for your problem with his review--I hope it will help! *hugs* Exactly! Ginny can't help but side with Hermione on an issue that hits so close to home, poor girl! And poor Hermione...feeling abandoned by her friends but still loving them enough to want to back them up...she's quite the trooper...luckily, I think Ginny will appreciate and respect Hermione's loyalties to Ron and Harry. Ginny did put Hagrid in line more quickly than Harry, but she has more reason to have confidence in Hagrid...she does get the confidence to face down Harry eventually, as you said! (I also agree with you about it being almost impossible to stay mad at Hagrid--thanks for calling that line adorable, I loved it.) Ginny is a bit of Nancy Drew at that...*grins* But, then, that's what SS first made me think of...Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Scooby Doo. *laughs* *hugs*
Bill--Thanks for the explanation about FF.Net! I didn't know that could happen. *shakes head* This had to be a pivotal moment for Ginny...for the first time she has a flesh and blood confidante her own age--and one who was actually involved in what happened the year before and doesn't blame her for it! It's kind of cool their experience is so similar to your own. *grins*
I loved that bit between Ginny and Hagrid, because it seemed so real when I was writing it. I agree, surely that sight had to cheer Hermione a bit! I do think Ginny had the potential to make such deductive leaps on her own, however I also think you have a point about Tom's influence...what happened with him has to affect the way she analyzes other situations in the future, and seeing how his mind worked could influence how she uses hers. I wonder what you'll think about what happens next...*hugs*
*************
Ginny met Hermione in the library at lunchtime the next day. Hermione had a list of books she thought might contain information about hippogriff-attacks on humans. They grabbed as many of the books as they could and spread them out on one of the big tables. As they flipped through the books, Ginny produced several sandwiches she'd picked up from the kitchen. Hermione tore into them as if she hadn't eaten in days, but considering the way she'd been avoiding Ron and Harry, Ginny found that all too likely. "Here's somefin thad might be interesching," Hermione slurred through a mouthful of sandwich-something she normally would have scolded Ron for- so lost in what she was doing she didn't notice Ginny's stare.
Ginny watched her for a few concerned seconds more, and had only just forced her eyes back to the book she was supposed to be searching when Madam Pince swooped down on them like a great, flapping bird of prey. "What do you think you're doing?"
At that particular point, the only thing Ginny thought she was doing was leaning so far sideways in her chair she it was threatening to tip over sideways in the attempt to avoid Madam Pince.
"We're jes' doing some researdh, Madam Pincsh," Hermione tried to explain, unfortunately spitting a little froth of bread crumbs over part-thankfully bare-of the table.
"You're not just doing research," Madam Pince breathed so hotly Ginny would have sworn she could smell brimstone. "You're eating."
"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "So?"
"You have food!" Madam Pince hissed-and Ginny suddenly had a vivid mental picture of a volcano letting off steam before it erupted. "In the library! Do you know what that does to the books?"
"Um..." Ginny replied intelligently. "No?"
Madam Pince pointed at the door with a flourish Ginny was sure she'd intended to come that close to hitting her nose, and moved closer in a most intimidating fashion.
Ginny and Hermione exchanged one wild-eyed glance, and dived for the door. They ran all the way to the Common Room, and collapsed onto one of the cozy overstuffed sofas. And suddenly Hermione caught Ginny's eye, and they both burst into laughter. They laughed until they couldn't hold themselves upright, and only roused from their sprawls when they couldn't wait another second and still make it to afternoon classes on time.
After that, Ginny and Hermione still met in the library at lunchtime, but they only looked for a way to save Buckbeak for three-quarters of an hour-they used the last fifteen minutes to sneak off to a nearby supply closet and eat. Hermione did her homework in her dormitory most evenings, and Ginny joined her two nights a week to work on homework of her own-Hermione always had something interesting to add that made it less of a chore-or play with Crookshanks and keep Hermione company. Two nights a week, Ginny stayed in the Common Room-she played Exploding Snap with Colin and Tempest, watched the twins latest pranks, or just tried not to stare at Harry. The last night of the week, she met Professor Lupin to learn Occulumency atop the highest astronomy tower. Saturdays, she either slept in or caught up on homework in the morning, then met Hermione to go to Hagrid's for tea. After tea and talk, she and Hermione would go back to the library for more research about Buckbeak. Sundays she spent with Lee or Bion or Luna...or sometimes just by herself for the peace and quiet.
Ginny was amazed at how quickly things fell into routine, and how comfortable they felt. For the first time, she really felt as if she fit at Hogwarts. Suddenly, she no longer felt like the awkward little girl who made a suspicious her closest friend...and she found she look not only Hermione, but Colin, Nick, Justin, and even Penelope in the eye.
~~Dear Bill,~~
She wrote after a few weeks had passed.
~~I don't feel guilty as often as I used to...but maybe that's because I've been spending a lot of time with Hermione and she enjoys my company so unselfconsciously I know she doesn't feel like I have anything to feel guilty about-so do Colin and Nick, and on the rare occasions I see her, Penelope. I hardly ever see Justin at all, and Mrs. Norris makes everyone feel guilty-but Hermione is the only one who knows I felt guilty at all... Remember what I told you about Professor Lupin?~~
She had told him about meeting Lupin in the Astronomy Tower while she was home over Christmas-all but the bit about Lupin being a werewolf. She trusted Bill not to let it slip, but Lupin had trusted her, and that was important.
~~Lessons are going very slowly, but at least I feel like I'm doing something...the first step is clearing your mind, and I think it's beginning to help. But, maybe, I just feel better because I'm finally taking your advice-yours and Professor Lupin's-and learning something instead of punishing myself.
How's Egypt?
Ginny.~~
It was the first thing she'd written since Harry had rescued her from herself that reminded her of how much she used to love the feel of the quill in her hand, the scratch of the nib on parchment, the flow of the ink giving form to how she felt, without making her feel hot and sick with guilt or fear...or loneliness. And that seemed like the greatest accomplishment of all as she watched the school owl take flight.