Chapter 2: Ah the Joys of Shopping

It had been two weeks since Ginny started working at Flourish and Botts. She was really enjoying it there and liked Martha quite a bit. The only thing that topped those off were her first two pay checks! Ginny had 30 galleons, and she was quite ready to spend it!

So that Saturday morning she decides to talk to her mom. "Mum, I thought about going to go into Diagon Alley today to shop, is that ok with you?"

'It's fine dear, just be careful," Mrs. Weasley answered while cleaning up from that morning's breakfast.

After getting her answer, Ginny quickly ran up to her room to shower and dress. She was running down the stairs when she met up with her brother, and needless to say he wasn't in such a good mood. 'I guess he found out that I borrowed Pig,' Ginny thought.

"Ginny! Did you use Pig again?" At her nod he continued, "Bloody hell Ginny, I need him so I can send my letters to Hermione and Harry," Ron yelled at her.

"Well I'm sorry! He'll be back in a few hours, you can send them then," Ginny glared at him and then started off to Diagon alley thinking, 'I am defiantly getting an owl today.'

When Ginny entered Diagon Alley she decided the first thing she should do was to open her own Gringots account. She walked into the large building where she was greeted by a Goblin.

"Ah Miss Weasley are you here to visit your family account?" The goblin seemed to be deciding if it was her or an imposter. 'Goblins are really paranoid' she thought, 'but then again I suppose they need to be.'

"No actually, I wish to set up my own account," Ginny stated.

"Ah very good then, if you'll follow me please." The goblin led her to a counter.

"Here we go Tasunx will gladly help you from here," the goblin addressed nodded.

"Alright Miss Weasley, the terms to opening a bank is simple, don't cheat us and don't cheat others, the consequences are extremely severe. Now that being said, I'm sure we'll have no problem with you; your family is known for its honesty. Now if you will simply fill out these forms we can get started."

Thirty minutes later, Ginny had her own account with 20 galleons in it.

'Alright,' she thought, 'First things first I need an owl, so my blimly idiot brother will stop griping.'

Eeylops Owl Emporium was busy as Ginny made her way into it. 'Oh my gosh,' she thought looking around, 'How am I going to find one in this mess?'

There were owls of every size, brown, grey, white, and many other colors, how would she ever pick one? Ginny wondered around and halted in front of cage that housed large owls.

"Those owls you are looking at happen to be the most intelligent of owls and the largest. They trust few people and are very protective and close to the few they do. They are the best we have, but cost a pretty knut let me tell you," a shopkeeper said in admiration to the owls.

"How much are they," Ginny inquired?

"6 Galleons, 13 sickles, and 21 knuts," the shopkeeper answered.

Ginny thought about it. It would take over half her money; these owls were nearly the cost of a new wand! But the shopkeeper said they made good companions and were protective. After debating a while longer, Ginny finally said, "I'll take one."

"Alright missy, if you're sure and you have the money," he said looking at her red hair.

Realizing he knew she was a Weasley, she held her head up and replied, "I have enough money."

"Ahem, yes, well why don't you pick one out." The shopkeeper had the decency to blush.

Ginny looked around the cage and spotted a pure black one, who seemed to have a powerful look about him. "I want that one," she said while pointing to him.

"Ah very good choice. He's an alpha male and a very dominant one at that. Right, now why don't you go pick him out a cage, but I'll let you know that he doesn't appreciate them very much."

Ginny nodded and walked over to the cages. Ginny picked a nice one that would be perfect for travel, and then got a perch so that he could use it while at home and at Hogwarts. She also picked up a water bowl and some owl treats.

Alright missy, your total comes to 7 galleons and 3 knuts. She handed over 8 galleons and received 16 sickles and 26 knuts back. She put Orpheus (which means darkness in Greek) in his cage and told him it was only for a short while. Orpheus hooted at her in understanding and went to sleep when Ginny put the cloth on, that came with the cage.

Ginny decided to go to her favorite clothes shop, Madam Roberts Styles and Trends. This shop specialized in casual clothes and didn't bother with robes, as Madam Malkins was the exact opposite.

Ginny entered the shop and browsed the jeans area, it had been quite awhile since Ginny had jeans that fit, and they had never been new. Ginny looked at the styles, it was quite ironic actually that the wizarding clothes were of the same style as muggle clothes were with the difference of the magical thread, cloth, and spells, put on them.

Ginny came across a dark blue pair of flair jeans and a black pair of almost the same style while browsing the racks and picked them up. She tried them on and both pair fit so she decided to get them.

"Will that be all for you miss," the lady asked as she wrapped the package in brown paper.

"Yes ma'am," Ginny replied.

"Well then your total purchase comes to 1 galleon, 7 sickles, and 23 knuts."

Ginny handed her the exact amount and left promising herself to come more often.

Ginny headed home with Orpheus, her new clothes, and her total amount of money left that totaled 1 galleon, 9 sickles, and 3 knuts. That wasn't bad for a girl who had never had any money of her own to spend and she still had her 20 galleons in her bank account.

"Mum I'm home," Ginny called out after dusting the leftover floo powder off her clothes.

"I'm in the kitchen Ginny dear!"

Ginny took Orpheus to the kitchen to show her mum. She sat him on the table and uncovered the cage. "Mum meet Orpheus."

Mrs. Weasley turned around and stared in awe at the large owl. "Ginny that is a Sacred owl, the most intelligent and largest of the owl group, how did you afford him!"

"Mum, I have a job now you know, but you're right, he did cost quite a bit."

"Well, I think a nice barn owl would have been just fine for you, I believe you should save your money," Mrs. Weasley scolded.

"I am saving my money mum! I just wanted something special to me and Orpheus was perfect!" Ginny's mind reeled. Why was her mother being so difficult?

"Ginny I just don't want you to spend money carelessly, what else did you get?"

"I bought two new pairs of jeans," Ginny answered.

"Didn't you get anything for school?"

"No, but I opened a Gringots account and have started saving," Ginny said.

"Oh, well I'm sorry dear I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I should've known you would have more sense than your brothers when it comes to money," Mrs. Weasley apologized, giving her daughter a hug.

"It's alright mum; I know you were just concerned. Anyways I'm going to put up Orpheus' cage, and get out his perch so he'll be happy. Then I'll come back down to help you with dinner."

Ginny grabbed Orpheus and her clothes, before trudging up the stairs. She put Orpheus' perch on her dresser and let him out. He hooted in appreciation before giving Ginny a friendly nudge with his beak before flying out of the window, to explore and probably hunt. Ginny put her jeans away into her drawer and then returned downstairs to help her mum.

"So, Ginny, how is the new job going," Fred asked her. Her brothers were home for supper for the first time since Ginny and Ron had been home.

"It's so great! Today I got to go shopping and I got an owl and a few pairs of jeans. I even opened my own Gringots account!" Ginny was beaming with excitement as she answered him.

"Excellent! I always new we would rub off on our little Ginny bug," George said with pride.

Mrs. Weasley gave a very un-lady like snort. "The only thing you two taught her was a simple disregard for the rules."

"Ah mum, thanks we did the best we could." Fred and George grinned at each other.

"May I be excused please?"

"Of course Ginny," her mum answered while she started gathering the dirty dishes to wash.

Ginny headed up to her room so she could write to Colin and Luna. She gave Orpheus, who had come back from hunting, an affectionate pat on his head before setting down to write.

Dear Luna,

Hey girl! What's up? I know I haven't written in a while, but I've been really busy with my new job and helping mum out with the house. Guess what? I got an owl today, he's the one who is delivering your letter of course, isn't he beautiful? Anyways, I was wondering if you and Colin would like to hang out next Saturday, there is a new club that opened in Diagon Alley for 15 to 20 year olds. I really want to go! Please respond RSVP.

Love,

Ginny

Dear Colin,

Hi Colin! Sorry I haven't written the past week, I've been busy with my job and helping mum. Anyways have you heard about that new club in Diagon Alley, The Charm? Well, I wanted to know if you and Luna wanted to go with me. I really want to go! Anyways write back!

Love,

Ginny

Ginny folded the letters and put them in envelopes. "Alright Orpheus, are you ready for your first job?"

The owl hooted in agreement, so Ginny tied the letters to him and off he flew. After watching him fly into the distance, Ginny went to her bed and got out her diary.

Dear Diary,

I finally went shopping today! I got some new jeans, opened a Gringots account, and got Orpheus (he's a Sacred owl)! I hope that I'll be a good friend to him… Anyways I wrote Luna and Colin about going to this new club in Diagon Alley, The Charm! It's supposed to be really cool it's only meant for ages 15-20. My brothers, Fred and George, went the other night and said it was wicked. Well I better go mum needs some help with a few things before I go to bed and I also want to chat with Orpheus when he gets back.

Love,

Ginevra Weasley

Ginny put away her diary and went downstairs for awhile to help her mum clean the kitchen and living room.

"Night mum, I'm heading off to bed," Ginny told her as she put away the last of her cleaning utensils.

"Alright Ginny dear, Good night and pleasant dreams."

When Ginny entered her room she noticed Orpheus was back.

"Well Orpheus, how do you like your new home? I know it's not the fanciest place in London, but it's the best place in the world to me," Ginny said while moving onto her bed.

Orpheus hooted and flew over to perch on Ginny's left knee, which was up in the air.

"I suppose the best way for you to understand me is by telling you my life story." Ginny told Orpheus everything about her. How she was spoiled by Fred and George, how when she was younger she was picked on by her other older brothers, she cried when she told him about the Chamber of Secrets and

Orpheus nudged her affectionately. She also told him about being the shadow of the golden trio and how she just wanted to break free from it all and show everyone who she really was. When she finished she gave him a small hug and lay down to sleep. To her surprise she felt a movement above her head and realized Orpheus had laid down on her pillow next to her, she didn't know owls did that. Oh well. She was comforted by this, and fell asleep peacefully.

Alright there is chapter 2! Alright go me! Anyways I've decided to update on Wednesdays for sure. I might be able to sneak a chapter or two more in but no promises. I have Relay for Life, a job, and preparing for college also.

I would like to thank my reviewers!

Betsy (you were my first reviewer thanx a bunch!), -Her-Highness-of-Slytherin, Marauderfan1992, Kendra, GothicSorceressRikkuis, Clare, LarryJoeBob, and Halldarkangel1.!

Thank you all very much! You are the inspiration behind the story, for with out you there would be no encouragement, thus making it hard to write! The reviewers are always special to me!

Also I want to thank my betas Ashley and Emalee who put up with all the mistakes my fic has before it's sent to them! Thanx a bunch you guys!