A/N: I recently found out that Ginny's full name is not Virginia, rather Gunivier or something like that. But for the purposes of this story (and avoidance of going back and fixing it) It shall remain Virginia as previously in the story. (I got the information on the name from the official Harry Potter site, in which the comment about the name was made by Rowling herself. So, I'm just kinda confused…)
A/N2: I realize and apologize for not updating sooner/quicker. I'm trying, honest… but I'm just finished my junior year of high school and it was chaotic beyond words. The classes were easy – just time consuming. It was the "adult" drama being played out by children who think they are adults rather than the disturbingly immature teenagers they are. AND I WAS DRAWN INTO THE MIDDLE OF IT. Can anyone honestly blame me for saying 'Fk you all' and not trusting those who've done nothing in the past three years but lie to me? What else could I have done?
AND NOW MY GRANDMOTHER IS IN THE HOSPITIAL, GOING IN FOR TRIPPLE BYPASS SURGERY. LIFE SUCKS--- oh wow, I'm sorry for unloading that out on you guys, faithful readers.
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
(I'm finishing this chapter to keep my mind off the surgery tomorrow.)
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It was about a week into the term that several things happened. First thing was that at breakfast, the Daily Prophet had an article about a Gringotts vault being broken into, and the curiosity of the vault being empty – in fact emptied earlier that same day. The group was sitting at Gryffindor, and Autumn pointed out that it was the very same vault in which Hagrid had gotten something from when he had taken the three shopping for school.
Second, was during a flying lesson – after a Gryff boy had been injured when he was unable to control his broom – Pansy has flown up with his Remember-all and tossed rather far. Harry had flown after it, and – after some impressive flying – easily caught it outside of Minerva's office. Which promptly caused her to march to the flying field to summon Harry. Of course, his group went to follow him – but a sharp command from Minerva stayed their movement, although not their objections. Seemed that the teacher sought out the captain of the Slytherin quidditch team (Marcus Flint) – explaining to him that he now had his seeker. (Harry really didn't like this guy, but the little snitch had caught his interest.)
Third was that when the group went to visit Hagrid that evening with questions about the article in the paper. Not only did he have an egg that hatched while they were there – that of a Norwegian Ridgeback (A rather vicious breed of dragon), but also he let some things slip out. Things about the vault's one item, things about a Nicholas Flemel.
A week after that, Professor Quirrel had come screaming into the Great Hall about a Mountain Troll being loose in the dungeons. All houses but Slytherin had been sent to their common rooms (obviously not the house that lived in the dungeons), Slytherin had instead been told to go to the Astronomy tower. As Hermione had not been feeling well she had just previously gone to the girl's restroom. The Gryfferins quickly ran to get their missing member and ran into the troll in the very room they had headed to while retrieving Hermione. Autumn and Harry quickly slipped to her side as they left Draco and Ginny to deal with the troll. Ginny threw some of the rubble from the troll's destruction at its head to get its attention and when the troll raised its club Draco 'swish and flicked' as he shouted "Wingardium Leveosar."(((a/n: sp, srry))) The other three scampered around the troll as Draco dropped the club right onto the troll's head. Just as the group was checking Hermione over for injury the professors came skidding into the room. Snape took ten points from Gryffindor for Hermione's stupidity and Minerva added ten points for Ginny's bravery. The same was true in reverse (Draco's bravery, Harry's stupidity) so that neither house lost or gained points.
A few months passed with little incident. The Slytherins said something about Hermione and Virginia sitting with the Terrible Trio only once, and quickly learned to keep silent about the pair of girls. When the Terrible Trio sat with their Gryffindor counterparts, it took the outburst of Ronald Weasley, and the ease with which Autumn and Virginia shut him up, to discourage any further outbursts. Autumn often noticed how utterly pleased Albus and Minerva always seemed to be when observing the ragtag group. Autumn also noticed the slight – almost not there – grin her own head of house always wore when watching the group.
Christmas break was now looming and the group talked to Virginia, the elder twins, and Percival about them staying over for the holidays. The Weasley siblings knew how desperate their youngest sister was to see and talk to their parents, and promised that they would do everything they could to arrange it. Hermione was quick to point out that they should do some more research on the facts that Hagrid had let slip, the odd behavior of the DADA professor, and the Mirror of Erised. As she would do the same while she stayed on at Hogwarts. (Her parents were going to France for the winter vacation. The rest of the group did not worry about her safty, for Ginny had an elder Gryffindor looking after, and the trio had an elder Slytherin doing the same.)
Harry had encountered the mirror and Draco wandering about late one night, when both had been restless. Autumn stayed only when the two boys promised that they would be fine. The boys took the invisibility cloak that had been sent to Harry just barely earlier in the week and wandered to the library and past. That was when they encountered Professor Snape threatening Professor Quirrel in the hallway. They stumbled into a room, trying not to get caught by Snape, who seemed to sense they were there, despite their cloak.
The boys later told the girls in their group what the mirror had shown both of them, and Hermione figured out what it was doing. From there, the group researched what it was, and advised Draco and Harry not to return to it. Harry had seen his parents smiling proudly at him. At that they knew the mirror did not show the future. Draco had seen his parents happy, in love, and loving him. From that the group decided that the mirror did not show the past. It suddenly clicked in the Gryffindor-know-it-all's head – the mirror showed the viewer what the viewer most desired. The group looked confused until Hermione and Ginny explained it like "the happiest, most content man in the world would look into the mirror and see only himself." It was only because of years on the street that bred a sense of being watched that had Autumn looking up at Headmaster Dumbledore – who had been staring intently at their group, then smiled proudly as the Gryffs explained the mirror.
Soon the elder Weasley siblings came back with "we each can have a guest." It was decided that Ginny would cover Autumn, Fred and George would cover Harry and Draco, and Hermione was staying put – to research and study of course. She sorely regretted having to miss the introductions, but her invite was for the day after Christmas. Mrs. Weasley had promised to come and pick her up from Hogwarts. Snape – whom it had been decided would be the trio's guardian, after some insistance from him and the children – looked at the children in his care when they asked, and knew that they would not be separated for a while yet, and that Autumn had the right to go to her parents. Not to mention Bill and Charlie Weasley, who would be home for the hols as well.
Soon the day came that the group was packed and ready to get onto Hogwarts Express to go home for the hols. The small group promised to meet up with their 'sponsors' when the train arrived at the London train station – but were, for now, holed up in their own compartment. Autumn was asleep between the two boys, who were chatting with the Gryffindor girl who was curled up around a book. It was the book in which they'd found information on Nicholas Flemel and the Philosopher's stone. Surprisingly enough, it also had a page on the Mirror of Erised. Hermione was purely interested in the information the book could impart – and had sent it along with them as she had the library to look through. The rest were truly only interested in the parts concerning them, but humored the amber-eyed girl and her thirst for knowledge.
All too soon the train pulled into Platform 9 ¾, and the group met up with the elder Weasley's. Trolleys were loaded with trunks and the group headed on their way. Percy led with his own trolley, then Fred and George with theirs. Behind them walked Autumn and Virginia, and the twins held hands and walked close together in nervousness. (The twins had double their stuff on one trolley as had Draco and Harry) Behind them Draco and Harry pushed their carts, and a grousing and snarky Ron made up the rear of the group.
Molly Weasley quickly spotted the congested group of redheads coming in her direction. She waited patiently for them to reach her before she gave Percy a hug, engulfed her elder sets of twins in an embrace, and found Ron and gave him the same treatment.
"Now, where is Virginia and aren't you going to introduce me to your guests?" The woman said, and her voice spoke of warmth and home to Autumn. The street-raised twin stepped forward in her black clothes and Molly looked at her questioningly. "Ginny?" Autumn smiled gently and shook her head.
"Sorry Mum. Wrong twin. That's Ginny." Autumn pointed to her twin, who was dressed in bright colors. Molly gasped, as she quickly understood what she saw. She swooped onto Autumn, tears in her eyes, and latched onto her missing daughter.
"Oh Autumn! We thought we'd never see you again!" Molly Weasley looked up and beckoned her other daughter into her arms. "My girls back together. Thank you Merlin! I never thought I'd see the day!" Molly backed up, her throat becoming choked with tears. "Why didn't one of you owl us when you found out she was at Hogwarts????" Molly asked her other children. Autumn took her mothers face between her hands and made sure her long lost mother was looking at her.
"Simple Mum, I wanted to tell you and Dad myself. I asked them not to tell you. I figured that we could wait for the hols, after all we've waited 8 or 9 years already right?" Molly half laughed/sobbed at her daughter's comment and quickly stood, drying her eyes and taking deep breathes to calm herself.
"Come, now who are your other guests?" Autumn grinned and waved the boys forward, who quickly came to either side of her.
"Mum, the dashing blond is Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and recently of London Muggle streets. The brunette hiding behind his hair is Harry Potter, raised at # 4 Pivet Drive and recently of London Muggle Streets. They were with me for our last year on the streets. Strangely enough both ran away from home on the same night and found me. Professors Snape and McGonagall retrieved us when we replied to our Hogwarts acceptance letters." Mrs. Weasley gasped and hurried (as to avoid press – how Autumn and Harry and Draco had gotten off this long was anybody's guess.) the pack of children out into the family car. Quite obviously it was charmed to fit more than it was suppose to hold because not only did everyone's luggage fit in the boot, but everyone themselves fit into the car comfortably. Autumn sat next to her twin and Draco and Harry were on the other side of her – the darkly clad, red-headed girl bounced with excitement as her mother (boy wasn't that just weird?) drove them to their home (yet another word alien to her, at least before Hogwarts.)
The group arrived at the Burrow and Autumn and her boys were absolutely charmed. However the charm scarcely held Autumn's (and by proxy the boys') attention, for she was nervous almost to the point of being sick waiting for her father and two elder brothers to get home. The three men would be arriving shortly before dinner. The two boys were given a tour of the house while the younger Weasley twins sat in the kitchen talking to their mother while the matriarch of the lively family cooked dinner for her brood. Molly Weasley insisted on knowing everything Autumn remembered. Autumn put that off by first explaining that she and her boys were in Slytherin, and that Ron was very upset about that – and even tried ordering Ginny about, telling her she couldn't even look at her twin and friends. Autumn smiled beautifully when telling how Virginia yelled at Ron – loud enough for the entire hall to hear – that there was no way she wouldn't hang out with her twin sister and friends, and that the house that they were in didn't matter one bit, and if he thought he could tell her what to do he had another thing coming.
Molly smiled at her twins – hesitating only slightly when Slytherin was mentioned – and said she'd speak to Ronald about his sisters. "Now, Autumn, stop stalling. Where have you been?"
"First I must tell you that our entire lives Virginia and I have dreamt of each other. We've always known about each other, always known what was going on in each other's lives. It was a blessing to dream of Virginia – to see our family and home. Because life on the streets wasn't exactly relaxing. Mum, I've been on the streets since I was taken from you. A girl on the streets raised me till she was killed – and from then I was on my own until Draco and Harry found each other and me about a year and a half ago." Molly gasped and leaned against the counter as she heard her eldest, Bill come in the front door hollering for his favorite little sister. The girls grinned at each other and Autumn moved out to the den, where Bill was coming through. His smile grew, but then faltered as he saw the way she was dressed, and the way she carried herself.
"Ginny? What did that school do to you??" Bill was only half serious, he'd loved Hogwarts, but this was not the little sister he knew. Of course there was always…. But that wasn't possible, she was dead. Ginny giggled at him.
"William, right? Humm, I wonder why Percival didn't owl you. I only asked him not to tell our parents." Bill did a double take and started stammering.
"There is no possible way. Not a one, she is dead, Ginny luv, this is a very good joke. I didn't know you even knew about Autumn. Did George and Fred tell you, and the three of you planned this out?" Autumn grinned her trademark grin and shook her head. "Okay, now that is just creepy. You can not have been taking lessons from Professor Snape."
"Catch up William. Since when does Virginia use your full name?" Autumn just grinned at her eldest brother, thrilled to be finally meeting the last members of her family. Bill's eyes bulged and he swooped down on his other little sister and pulled her into a bear hug. He was babbling in her ear – things much like their mother had said. During the school year, she figured out that George and Fred really didn't remember her, just Percival and up had clear memories of her. All had endeavored to keep it from Ginny. It was funny because Charlie apparated in with a pop while Bill was smothering her. He saw Billy engulfing a black clad red-head and started talking.
"Bill? Why are you smothering Ginny, and why is she wearing black?" William murmured into Autumn's neck and Charlie didn't understand it. Well, he did, just thought he misunderstood. "What? I didn't hear you Bill." William lifted his head up and tears glistened in his eyes.
"I said, that this is Autumn, not Ginny." Charlie fell back onto the couch in openmouthed, wide-eyed shock, mumbling 'It's not possible' over and over again. Autumn got Bill to set her down so she could go to Charlie, and noticed that the rest of the family was starting to gather in the doorways to the den. Autumn had been told that Charlie, as the oldest, had been the most effected of the children when she was taken. Charlie had adored his little sisters, and was the one to convince the other children who remembered not to talk about her, because he didn't want it to devastate and tear Ginny apart. He was also the one who'd held on to the belief that she was alive the longest. Too this day he was Ginny's favorite brother. (of course the rest of thier brothers didn't know that) Autumn went over to the couch and climbed up on it next to him. Charlie's eyes never left her. Ginny came up behind her and stood on the other side of Charlie. His eyes flit from one twin to the other. Finally he grabbed and brought them both close to him, near smothering them as Bill has done to Autumn.
The siblings (minus Ron) sat in the den, listening to Ginny and Autumn and Draco and Harry about the street and the first semester at school. Charlie was delighted with the inter-house relationship the children had formed… in his day he'd had a few friends in Slytherin house. (Hidden of course, they weren't as close as these five – so didn't see the sense in stirring up trouble) While Molly Weasley was in the kitchen finishing up dinner, 7 of her 8 children talked like the one that had been missing for all those years had never been gone. Molly Weasley had tears falling freely down her face when her husband walked in and wrapped his arms around her. Instantly, his first concern was the children.
"Molly dear? Is anything wrong with one of the children??" Molly shook her head and Author Weasley became more confused. He didn't understand. He knew that some of his children were bringing guests home for the hols. "Is it one of the guest children??" Molly nodded and Author's face darkened and he headed to find the new child that had upset his wife. Molly quickly grabbed him and let him to a part of the wall on which she had summoned a one-way mirror effect. Molly pointed out the three guests, and for a moment Author thought he was seeing things because he saw two Ginnys. Molly explained who the guests were in his ear as he watched his children. His breath caught half way through her explanation and Author took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you absolutely positive it is her?" Molly was taken aback. She honestly just had not thought that an imposter was a possibility. Ginny's faith in the girl, and the identical appearance (aside from a harder look in Autumn's eyes, and a small scar on her lip) had given Molly herself all the proof she needed.
"Do you honestly think that Albus would have sent us an imposter? She's connected to Ginny in her dreams, just as George and Fred are. She is identical to Ginny, except for a scar on her lip and there are no charms holding over her, I did check. Fire-call Albus before you go out to her if it makes you feel better My Love. I honestly hadn't even thought to question it." Author kissed his wife gently and used the fire in the kitchen to do as she had suggested. Molly watched the man she had loved since her own school days closely, and could tell he was bursting with hope. Author Weasley, employee of the Ministry of Magic, father of eight - not seven - children, threw some green powder into the fire and called out "Albus Dumbledore!"
"What can I help you with Author?" the cheerful face of Hogwarts' Headmaster bobbed in the green flames.
"Is it really her, Albus?" Author desperately asked his question and Albus chuckled.
"Ms. Autumn Weasley? It most certainly is Author, it most certainly is."
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Alright kiddies. That's it for tonight. I'll try to get another chapter posted for my other two fics soon, then get right back started on the next chapter for each. I'm hoping to get a few chapters up each, if not finish one or two of them this summer. BUT, ALAS, I MAKE NO PROMISES. AS I SAID BEFORE MY GRANDMOTHER IS IN THE HOSPITIAL AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF SHE WILL MAKE IT.
Keep her in your thoughts and prayers if it isn't to much to ask.
Normally I'd thank each review individually, but its 12:30 in the morning and I'm to tired. Instead:
Thank you, those of you who did review, and I will try to mention you next chapter.
Blessed Be!
Fiain Aingeal An Na Tailte