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--
Strawberries and Blueberries--Your enthusiasm is infectious--this story probably wouldn't be nearly so far along without you to egg me on! *winks*
Adrienne--Ginny's experience with Tom Riddle's diary probably makes her much more likely to realize that just because it LOOKS like someone is involved in something doesn't mean they are or wanted to be, although I think the potential is older than the experience. Unfortunately, she's also very young and inexperienced...and circumstances do make Sirius Black look very bad, so it's not surprising she would accept Lupin's judgement over hers. She and Harry are inquistive...and the differing ways they apply the trait produce differing results...it is ironic justice that Ginny's seem somewhat more complete at this stage since she's so left out. In a strange way, I think passing on Bill's advice was a step Ginny had to take before she could realize it completely herself. I love writing her and Lupin together...they fit very well...so I'm glad you enjoying reading it! *hugs*
EEDOE--Sometimes that one simple sentence says more than paragraphs...Lupin always makes me want to throw my arms around him, bury my face in his neck and sob. He has such sorrow and such depth, but even though he'll never completely bridge the fissure between himself and the majority of the wizarding world, he never stops reaching out. Like so many other HP characters, he's a statement on bravery (and much more). If I can't give him true love, at least I can give him a confidante like Ginny. *hugs*
Bill--Aww...my sympathy! Shall we stage a revolt? *winks* How much Ginny's doubts influence Lupin's later behaviour is a thought I've been rolling around myself...certainly it didn't hurt to know that someone who'd never met Sirius before was still willing to consider his innocence...I agree with you completely about how lonely Remus must be...but he and Ginny do share a lot of similar experiences and fears that suit them to be good confidantes, and I think Remus is wise enough to realize that age may not be that important.
I've been a bit worried I might loose my balance in walking the fine line between rivaling Hermione and outright challenging her position as the "cleverest witch" of her year. I don't want to do that-- and I don't think Ginny does either--as they are two separate witches, and JKR herself has established Hermione as more studied. On the other hand,I agree with you completely about many different types of intelligence, and I got the distinct impression in OotP that while Hermione was theoretically brilliant, Ginny sometimes had the upper hand when it came to practice (such as with the strange music box at Grimmauld Place). So, my hope is, that I've managed to put Hermione and Ginny on more or less equal footing, but in different ways...As you say, Hermione is coolly logical, while Ginny relys more on gut instincts and intuitive leaps. It actually tickled me quite pink to have you comment you didn't know who was more intelligent! *hugs* The best friendships are those where equals meet and learn from each other...I hope Hermione and Ginny are developing that sort of friendship. Let me know what you think. *winks and hugs*
****************
Ginny considered telling Hermione about her conversation with Professor Lupin, but that would have meant telling her about the Occulumency lessons as well...which probably would have meant finding a polite way of telling her she wasn't invited, and might mean telling her why they had started in the first place, which was something Ginny had no desire to discuss. Besides, she reasoned in an attempt to make herself feel better about keeping secrets from someone she was beginning to trust, it wasn't as if Hermione hadn't kept considerably more than one secret from her over the years...And, anyway, there was no point in bringing up her conversation with Professor Lupin, as-essentially-nothing had changed. Sirius Black had still betrayed the Potters, and he was still after Harry.
She was slightly cheered by receiving a letter from Bill at breakfast, and tore into it with enthusiasm.
~~Ginny,
It sounds as though you've been working extremely hard...I'm very proud of your determination to make something good out of your school experience. I think that it may be one of those choices Dumbledore used to talk about-the kind that determine who you are far more than your abilities-so don't be discouraged if progress is slow...it's still progress. Lupin sounds like an excellent teacher.
I'm glad to hear you're spending more time with Hermione...from what Ron said about her, I gather she's very level-headed. Hopefully she'll help you look at yourself more objectively...it sounds as though she already has.
Egypt is very much the same...a land full of enigmatic mysteries...and a lot of sand. However, something exciting is about to happen...I've just received word The Daily Prophet wants to do an article on Gringott's Cursebreakers, and I'm one of the wizards they've chosen to represent our department...I bet you'll try to tell me I should use it to impress girls. Who knows, maybe I will. Anyway, I'll send you a copy when it comes out.
Your loving brother,
Bill~~
When she finished reading, Ginny tucked it into the pocket of her robes, where she proceeded to carry it around all day, brushing it slightly with her fingertips at random intervals, and telling herself it was kind of like having a bit of her brother to visit.
She was still repeating bits of it to herself over her Herbology homework when Professor McGonagall strode into the Gryffindor Common Room a few nights later. She didn't usually come into the Common Room, and Ginny might have been worried there was an emergency-like Harry being accosted by Sirius Black-if her purpose hadn't been easily apparent from the sleek-and very shiny-broom she held in her hand. Her feet had barely touched the floor before people were gathering around her, murmuring in awe and disbelief at the sight of the Firebolt. Professor McGonagall must have been in a good mood, because she was positively indulgent, allowing such behavior to run on for nearly two minutes before demanding, "Where's Potter? Not here?" She even rolled her eyes almost humorously and asked the ceiling, "What did I expect?" Before climbing back out the Portrait Hole.
Ginny didn't waste any time in clapping her books shut and running up to the third year girls' dormitory in search of Hermione. As expected, the older girl was sitting cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by a wall of books, quill behind her ear. Ginny shoved the books out of the way and all but pounced on Hermione. "Hermione! You have to come down to the Common Room, right now!"
Hermione stared at her as if she were mad. "What-and see Harry and Ron? No thank you!"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "That's just it...Harry's got his broom back! I mean...he will have by the time he shows up in the Common Room!"
"Good...I'm very happy for him," Hermione said stiffly, "but I really need to work on these reports."
"Don't you see?" Ginny demanded impatiently. "If you want to make up with Ron and Harry, you'll never have a better chance than this! Harry will probably be so happy to have his broom back he'll forget all about why McGonagall took it...which means he'll be ready to show it to you-if you're in the Common Room-and all you have to do to make up is admire it!"
"Maybe I'd rather not make up," Hermione said, "maybe I'd rather not have friends who disappear at the first sign of something disagreeable."
"I can understand that," Ginny admitted, "only Harry and Ron don't do they?"
Hermione's face said quite plainly she understood what Ginny was talking about, and didn't much like it.
"Come on," Ginny said as if it were all settled, "I'll help you haul all this stuff downstairs."
The tremulous smile on Hermione's face was more than thanks enough...although moving her books and charts and notes and reports downstairs turned out to be back-breaking work.
Author's Notes--
Strawberries and Blueberries--Your enthusiasm is infectious--this story probably wouldn't be nearly so far along without you to egg me on! *winks*
Adrienne--Ginny's experience with Tom Riddle's diary probably makes her much more likely to realize that just because it LOOKS like someone is involved in something doesn't mean they are or wanted to be, although I think the potential is older than the experience. Unfortunately, she's also very young and inexperienced...and circumstances do make Sirius Black look very bad, so it's not surprising she would accept Lupin's judgement over hers. She and Harry are inquistive...and the differing ways they apply the trait produce differing results...it is ironic justice that Ginny's seem somewhat more complete at this stage since she's so left out. In a strange way, I think passing on Bill's advice was a step Ginny had to take before she could realize it completely herself. I love writing her and Lupin together...they fit very well...so I'm glad you enjoying reading it! *hugs*
EEDOE--Sometimes that one simple sentence says more than paragraphs...Lupin always makes me want to throw my arms around him, bury my face in his neck and sob. He has such sorrow and such depth, but even though he'll never completely bridge the fissure between himself and the majority of the wizarding world, he never stops reaching out. Like so many other HP characters, he's a statement on bravery (and much more). If I can't give him true love, at least I can give him a confidante like Ginny. *hugs*
Bill--Aww...my sympathy! Shall we stage a revolt? *winks* How much Ginny's doubts influence Lupin's later behaviour is a thought I've been rolling around myself...certainly it didn't hurt to know that someone who'd never met Sirius before was still willing to consider his innocence...I agree with you completely about how lonely Remus must be...but he and Ginny do share a lot of similar experiences and fears that suit them to be good confidantes, and I think Remus is wise enough to realize that age may not be that important.
I've been a bit worried I might loose my balance in walking the fine line between rivaling Hermione and outright challenging her position as the "cleverest witch" of her year. I don't want to do that-- and I don't think Ginny does either--as they are two separate witches, and JKR herself has established Hermione as more studied. On the other hand,I agree with you completely about many different types of intelligence, and I got the distinct impression in OotP that while Hermione was theoretically brilliant, Ginny sometimes had the upper hand when it came to practice (such as with the strange music box at Grimmauld Place). So, my hope is, that I've managed to put Hermione and Ginny on more or less equal footing, but in different ways...As you say, Hermione is coolly logical, while Ginny relys more on gut instincts and intuitive leaps. It actually tickled me quite pink to have you comment you didn't know who was more intelligent! *hugs* The best friendships are those where equals meet and learn from each other...I hope Hermione and Ginny are developing that sort of friendship. Let me know what you think. *winks and hugs*
****************
Ginny considered telling Hermione about her conversation with Professor Lupin, but that would have meant telling her about the Occulumency lessons as well...which probably would have meant finding a polite way of telling her she wasn't invited, and might mean telling her why they had started in the first place, which was something Ginny had no desire to discuss. Besides, she reasoned in an attempt to make herself feel better about keeping secrets from someone she was beginning to trust, it wasn't as if Hermione hadn't kept considerably more than one secret from her over the years...And, anyway, there was no point in bringing up her conversation with Professor Lupin, as-essentially-nothing had changed. Sirius Black had still betrayed the Potters, and he was still after Harry.
She was slightly cheered by receiving a letter from Bill at breakfast, and tore into it with enthusiasm.
~~Ginny,
It sounds as though you've been working extremely hard...I'm very proud of your determination to make something good out of your school experience. I think that it may be one of those choices Dumbledore used to talk about-the kind that determine who you are far more than your abilities-so don't be discouraged if progress is slow...it's still progress. Lupin sounds like an excellent teacher.
I'm glad to hear you're spending more time with Hermione...from what Ron said about her, I gather she's very level-headed. Hopefully she'll help you look at yourself more objectively...it sounds as though she already has.
Egypt is very much the same...a land full of enigmatic mysteries...and a lot of sand. However, something exciting is about to happen...I've just received word The Daily Prophet wants to do an article on Gringott's Cursebreakers, and I'm one of the wizards they've chosen to represent our department...I bet you'll try to tell me I should use it to impress girls. Who knows, maybe I will. Anyway, I'll send you a copy when it comes out.
Your loving brother,
Bill~~
When she finished reading, Ginny tucked it into the pocket of her robes, where she proceeded to carry it around all day, brushing it slightly with her fingertips at random intervals, and telling herself it was kind of like having a bit of her brother to visit.
She was still repeating bits of it to herself over her Herbology homework when Professor McGonagall strode into the Gryffindor Common Room a few nights later. She didn't usually come into the Common Room, and Ginny might have been worried there was an emergency-like Harry being accosted by Sirius Black-if her purpose hadn't been easily apparent from the sleek-and very shiny-broom she held in her hand. Her feet had barely touched the floor before people were gathering around her, murmuring in awe and disbelief at the sight of the Firebolt. Professor McGonagall must have been in a good mood, because she was positively indulgent, allowing such behavior to run on for nearly two minutes before demanding, "Where's Potter? Not here?" She even rolled her eyes almost humorously and asked the ceiling, "What did I expect?" Before climbing back out the Portrait Hole.
Ginny didn't waste any time in clapping her books shut and running up to the third year girls' dormitory in search of Hermione. As expected, the older girl was sitting cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by a wall of books, quill behind her ear. Ginny shoved the books out of the way and all but pounced on Hermione. "Hermione! You have to come down to the Common Room, right now!"
Hermione stared at her as if she were mad. "What-and see Harry and Ron? No thank you!"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "That's just it...Harry's got his broom back! I mean...he will have by the time he shows up in the Common Room!"
"Good...I'm very happy for him," Hermione said stiffly, "but I really need to work on these reports."
"Don't you see?" Ginny demanded impatiently. "If you want to make up with Ron and Harry, you'll never have a better chance than this! Harry will probably be so happy to have his broom back he'll forget all about why McGonagall took it...which means he'll be ready to show it to you-if you're in the Common Room-and all you have to do to make up is admire it!"
"Maybe I'd rather not make up," Hermione said, "maybe I'd rather not have friends who disappear at the first sign of something disagreeable."
"I can understand that," Ginny admitted, "only Harry and Ron don't do they?"
Hermione's face said quite plainly she understood what Ginny was talking about, and didn't much like it.
"Come on," Ginny said as if it were all settled, "I'll help you haul all this stuff downstairs."
The tremulous smile on Hermione's face was more than thanks enough...although moving her books and charts and notes and reports downstairs turned out to be back-breaking work.