Chapter 13:
In the kitchen, there was some chaos going on. Bill was leisurely trying to clean up things from the Order Meeting. Fleur was getting ready to go to wherever she was staying, and people began piling in to get away from Mrs. Black's horrible yells in the Great Hall. Snape was inside the room as well. Ginny almost jumped on sight of him.
"Un- Professor Snape!" she said enthusiastically, running over to where he was standing.
"Why, hello, Miss M-er, Miss Weasley," he said in a cool voice. "How are you doing? Had a good summer?"
"No," frowned Ginny. "You should know that. Anyway- I have a question." Ginny lowered her voice. "Which side are you really on?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"It really is none of your business, Miss Weasley. And I should think that the answer is obvious." Ginny looked up at him doubtfully.
"Well, both sides believe you're a spy for them. That's probably going to happen to me, too, you know… I hate this place. DO you know how far either side is on the contract?"
"Miss Weasley, the contract is not either side's biggest concern right now. And if one side breaks it, it's good for both sides… did you ever think that possibly nobody would break it?"
"Yes they will!" yelled Ginny. "I know they will… I hate you! Just get away from me!" At this point, Bill and Fleur had come back from their lip lock, and Fleur had left. Bill looked at Snape menacingly.
"Is there a problem here, sis?" he asked. Ginny frowned. She didn't like being referred to as their 'sis,' even if it was true. But who to defend, Bill or Snape?" She finally settled on Bill, and turned up her nose.
"Yes, Bill, Severus will not stay out of my personal affairs. And he's bothering me, and I don't even think that he's on your side."
"That's nonsense!" exclaimed Snape indignantly. "And, Miss Weasley, it's Professor Snape."
"Well," said Bill angrily, "You're no longer my Professor, so get out of our affairs, Severus, and leave us alone!" Snape glared at them both and then swept from the kitchen, robes billowing behind him.
"Thanks," said Ginny, smiling at her brother, as everyone began piling into the kitchen. Bill grinned and put an arm around her, giving her a half-hug. Ginny then looked up and gave a real hug to a Weasley for the first time. Bill looked surprised at first, but then he relaxed and hugged her. Unluckily for Ginny, all of the Wealseys entered the room to see it, as well as Harry, Hermione, Tonks and Sirius. And Mundungus. Uh-oh. Ginny hastily stepped back and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Mrs. Weasley was fighting back tears and Mr. Weasley was hugging her. Fred and George were clutching their hearts jokingly, but really did look amazed, and Hermione was nudging Ron, who looked awestruck, whispering, "I told you it would take time!"
Sirius, contrary to everyone else, was smirking at Ginny, eyebrows raised. Lupin was smiling slightly, and Tonks looked very surprised. Ginny glanced quickly at Mundungus, hoping sincerely that he wouldn't tell her father or something. Finally, Ginny sighed loudly.
"What are you all looking at? So I hugged someone; is that so unusual?" she demanded. Apparently, this was the wrong question: it was so unusual, by the looks on everyone's face. Mrs. Weasley snapped out of her state of surprise and smiled gently.
"Of course not, dear. We knew that this would just take some time. But, anyway… who's ready for dinner? Everyone go on and sit down; Bill, put those papers away! Fred and George, please put the stew and butterbeers on the table while I get the rest of the dinner out of the oven, all right, dears?" Ginny sat down at the table, a bad mood setting in when she ended up in between Sirius and Hermione. She had just begun to brood inwardly about her ill fate, when suddenly, Mrs. Weasley was yelling.
"Fred—George—NO, JUST CARRY THEM!" Food was shooting at everybody, because her stupid brothers decided to levitate it. Ginny dove away from the table quite suddenly, as a knife, a pot of stew, and about a dozen Butterbeers hurled towards them. The pot slid across the table and just missed falling off onto Ginny. A knife had landed, point down, where Sirius's hand had been only a moment before, and the butterbeers crashed and splattered onto nearly everyone.
"FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! THERE WAS NO NEED- I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS- JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY LITTLE THING!"
"We were just trying to save a bit of time!" said Fred, running to take the knife out of the table. "Sorry, Sirius, mate- Didn't mean to-"
Harry and Sirius were both laughing. Mundungus was cursing loudly, and Ginny was stuck between laughing or yelling at the twins. Hermione's stupid cat ran into the other room, hissing loudly.
"Boys," said Mr. Weasley seriously. "Your mother's right; you're supposed to show some responsibility now that you're of age—"
"None of your brothers caused this sort of trouble! Bill didn't need to Apparate every few feet! Charlie didn't charm everything he met! Percy—" Mrs. Weasley broke off, looking at Mr. Weasley apprehensively.
"Let's eat," said Bill quickly.
"It looks wonderful, Molly," added Lupin, helping himself to the stew. Ginny watched Mrs. Weasley carefully through the silence. She looked so sad. Stupid Percy. And this stupid woman! She had other children! Why couldn't she just let one go and settle with six? Or, better yet, with five, and allow Ginny to go to the family that now had only one child left. Nobody spoke for about five minutes, during which Ginny quietly observed everyone, most of whom looked sort of wistful. Harry, however, looked between angry and excited, and Sirius looked the same. Ginny wondered what Harry was thinking about. She suddenly remembered that she hadn't gotten a letter from Michael in two days, and it was his turn to send one. Bloody idiot. Hot bloody idiot, definitely- but still. Suddenly, Mrs. Weasley spoke, taking everyone by surprise.
"I've been meaning to tell you, there's something trapped in that writing desk in the drawing room, it keeps rattling and shaking. Of course, it could just be a boggart, but I thought we ought to ask Alastor to have a look before we let it out.
"Whatever you like," sighed Sirius. Ginny looked at him with almost pity- did people honestly believe that he cared about cleaning? Ginnt turned away and turned to Tonks and Hermione. Tonks was one of the people Ginny was liking more and more every day. The girl was so funny, and Ginny couldn't believe that she hadn't picked up on it the summer that Tonks had lived with her family.
"Tonks," said Hermione. "Do the pig nose!" Tonks had a rare gift- she was a Metamorphmagus. Ginny suspected that the only reason her father had allowed her to stay that summer was because if she turned out to be a supporter of the Dark Lord, then a Metamorphmagus would be very helpful. Some chance of that, now that she was an Auror and in the Order of the Phoenix. After requesting a few favorite noses, Ginny turned to Harry, who had just been listening to a discussion on goblins.
"So, Ginny," he began awkwardly. "Er… how do you like being here? I really think that, er- the Weasley hair suits you." Ginny tried not to blush, and vaguely considered saying something hateful, but decided against it. Maybe she could pretend to be on these people's side, and then she could hand them in to the Dark Lord. But was she allegiant to Him? No, not really. Ginny was just an independent, then.
"Well… you know," Ginny answered sadly. "It's really hard and all. I don't even know these people, and the next second, they turn out to be my family, and I haven't seen my… other family in a year unless you count the two days of summer before I came, but- it really pains me to think that I'm not allowed to be with them, by law. I mean… it's so different here."
"Really? The Weasleys are different from the Malfoys?" joked Harry. "Who would've guessed?" Ginny smiled.
"It's a big change. I miss my family. I don't even know whether to be angry or not anymore- it isn't like anyone can do anything until the contract is broken. I suppose then it will be up to me, as it should've been since the beginning."
"What do you think you'll decide on when that happens?" asked Harry curiously. He was so cute. Ginny sighed.
"Don't ask me that," she pleaded. "I am going to go back, because I was raised with that family and I love them. I just don't know these people," she confessed sadly.
"What if you get to know them?" asked Harry. "I can guarantee that you'll love the Weasleys once you become one of them."
"That can't ever happen. It would be treason. I can't let it happen, Harry." Harry just shrugged and looked away.
After dinner, as everyone was clearing their plates somnolently, Sirius and Mrs. Weasley got into another argument.
"Since when does someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?" demanded Sirius. "Harry's been trapped in a Muggle house for a month! He's got the right to know what's happen—" Ginny tuned in eagerly. If Sirius won this battle, they surely would be told what was happening!
"Hang on!" interrupted one of the twins angrily.
"How come Harry gets his questions answered?" demanded the other.
"We've been trying to get stuff out of you for a month and you haven't told us a stinking thing!" Go Fred and George! cheered Ginny inside her head.
"You're too young, you're not in the order!" mocked Fred. "Harry's not even of age!"
"It isn't my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing. That'a your parents' decision," said Sirius. "Harry, on the other hand-"
"It's not up to you to decide what's best for Harry!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. Ginny sighed exasperatedly, bending down to try to get Hermione's cat from under the table. This woman was always mad about something! "You haven't forgotten what Dumbledore said, I suppose?"
"Which bit?" asked Sirius as if he was trying desperately to calm himself.
"The part about not telling Harry any more than he needs to know!"
"I don't intend to tell him more than he needs to know!" raged Sirius. "But as he was the one who saw Voldemort come back-" Ginny shuddered and dropped what she was holding. How could he say the name? "-he has more right than most to—"
"He's not a member of the Order of the Phoenix! He's only fifteen and—"
"—and he's dealt with as much as most in the Order, and more than some!"
"Nobody's denying what he's done!" shouted Mrs. Weasley. "But he's still-"
"He's NOT a child!" said Sirius.
"He's not an adult either! He isn't James, Sirius!"
Ginny watched Sirius's face go cold. "It's perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly."
"I'm not sure you are! Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!"
"What's wrong with that?" asked Harry, looking hurt. Ginny gazed into his emerald eyes for a moment.
"What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, however much you might look like him! You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!"
"So now I'm an irresponsible godfather?" asked Sirius angrily.
"Meaning you've been know to act rashly, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and—"
"We'll leave instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!" said Sirius with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Arthur," began Mrs. Weasley, turning around to a weary Mr. Weasley. "Arthur, you back me up!"
Mr. Weasley took a minute before speaking. "Dumbledore knows the position has changed, Molly. He accepts that Harry has to be filled in to a certain extent now that he is staying at Headquarters."
"Yes, but there's a difference between that and inviting him to ask whatever he likes!" she protested, convincing Ginny once more that redheads all were stubborn.
"Personally," spoke Lupin, ""I think that it's better that Harry gets the facts-- not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture—from us, rather than a garbled version from… others." Ginny blushed and exchanged uneasy glances with Fred and George, who looked genuinely surprised.
"Well," began Mrs. Weasley, taking short breaths, "I can see I'm going to be overruled on this one. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who's got Harry's best interests at heart—"
"He's not your son," said Sirius carefully.
"He's as good as," said Mrs. Weasley, a fire in her eyes. "Who else has he got?"
"He's got me!"
"Yes. The thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, isn't it?" Wow, thought Ginny. That had been rather cold.
"Molly," said Lupin angrily, "You're not the only person here that cares about Harry- Sirius, sit down! Now. I think Harry ought to have a say in this. He's old enough to decide on his own."
"I want to know what's happening," said Harry quickly.
"Very well," said Mrs. Weasley sadly. "Ginny—Ron—Hermione—Fred—George—I want you out of this kitchen, now." There was an instantaneous uproar.
"We're of age!" yelled the twins.
"If Harry's allowed, why can't I," demanded Ron.
"I want to, Mrs. Weasley!" shouted Ginny angrily. She was NOT her mother and couldn't order her away!
"NO!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "I absolutely forbid—"
"Molly, Fred and George are of age," said Arthur nervously.
"Oh, all right, Fred and George can stay but Ron—"
"Harry'll tell me and Hermione everything you say anyway!" protested Ron. He then looked uncertain. "Won't you?"
"'Course I will," said Harry after a slight hesitation. How sweet.
"Fine! Fine! Ginny- BED!"
"What?" demanded Ginny.
"You heard me! BED!"
"But- I want to know! That isn't fair! You can't tell me what to do!" she protested, livid.
"Yes, I can, Ginevra; I am your mother and I will not—"
Ginny turned beet red. "YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER!" she shrieked, jumping up and stomping up the stairs as hard as she could. "I HATE ALL OF YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FAMILY, AND I DON'T BELONG HERE! THIS ISN'T FAIR! WELCOME ME INTO THE BLOODY FAMILY OR LET ME GO HOME! I—JUST—WANT TO—G-GO—HOME!" wailed Ginny, breaking into sobs.
She raced up the stairs and blindly into her room, all of her homesickness and resentment flowing out. Once it started, it just gained momentum. In her room, Ginny flung herself onto her bed for a moment before angrily opening her trunk and throwing things inside. She was going to run away and go find the contract, tear it up, and move far away. She hated the Weasleys, she hated Voldemort, and her parents, and her boyfriend, and her brother, and her friends, and her enemies, and her boyfriend and life and- and- The door opened, and Ginny, sobbing in a heap on the floor, didn't look up but tensed, curling into a ball on the floor, wondering if she could cry her lungs out.
"Ginny," said Mrs. Weasley softly, extending a hand to Ginny's shoulder. Ginny wrenched herself away, tears pouring from her eyes. "Ginny, dear… what's really the matter?" Ginny looked up into her mother's eyes for a moment.
"I hate this," whispered Ginny bitterly. "I hate all of it- nothing makes any sense! I don't ever want to go back to school, or to the Malfoys, or even downstairs! I want to go far, far away… where I don't have two families; where I- I d-d-don't have t-to decide, and I d-don't have to b-be in a w-w-war, and I'm s-s-so scared th-that he's coming back!" she cried loudly. "What if h-he remembers? The C-Chamber was s-s-s-so… I never want to see h-him again, a-and I don't deserve to b-be a Gryffindor o-o-or a Slytherin, and it isn't fair…." Ginny then fell silent, and didn't move away as Mrs. Weasley stroked her hair, though she was very tense, and was still crying noiselessly.
"It'll be all right, Ginny… shh. It's okay, dear…"
"W-Why w-w-won't you tell me what's g-going on?" asked Ginny, trying to wipe her tears away. "I have a-a right to know! B-both s-s-sides will want me as a spy! I have people I c-care about on b-both sides! And what if he finds out about the D-diary? Why did he w-w-want my p-parents to kidnap me in the f-f-first place? I feel so unsafe! I just want to know the truth a-and go h-h-home! What if I n-n-never see them again? I am so scared…"
"Shh, Ginny. Hush, dear. You don't need to worry. We'll take care of you, honey. You'll see. It'll turn out all right!"
"No, it w-won't," said Ginny miserably. "Either D-Draco o-or Dad or M-Mum or Blaise o-or T-Trista or Eira o-or Uncle S-Severus o-or any of them w-will die, or one of you or H-Harry or my friend in Gryffindor will d-die! I don't want to be alive with this knowledge! I want to run f-far away and always believe that they're alive forever…" After Mrs. Weasley comforted Ginny a few more minutes, she turned to go downstairs.
"It will be all right in the end, Ginny. I love you," she whispered as she closed the door.
"G-goodnight… Mum," whispered Ginny. The door paused for a second, during which Mrs. Weasley must have heard Ginny's word. The door then closed, leaving Ginny feeling particularly resentful.
"Why did I say that?" she asked herself angrily. A few minutes later, the door creaked open.
Hermione?" whispered Ginny excitedly. "What did they say? What's happening?" Hermione climbed into her own bed and then looked at Ginny seriously.
"The only thing we didn't know is that there's a weapon that You-Know-Who's after! And the Order is guarding it!"
"A weapon?" asked Ginny interestedly. "What kind?"
"They didn't tell us, except that it's going to make Him more powerful than last time, if he gets it!" Ginny shivered.
"Where is it?"
"They wouldn't tell us," said Hermione. But I wish I knew!"
"Yeah, me too," agreed Ginny thoughtfully. They then said good-night and started to try and sleep. Suddenly, Ginny spoke up.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"I did something stupid."
"What?" asked Hermione worriedly.
"I called Mrs. Weasley 'Mum.' I just—"
"Did you?" asked Hermione, impressed. "Good for you! You're not betraying anyone, Ginny. Relax. It's okay to like people here, you know."
The next morning, when Ginny awoke, there were three letters waiting for her. Hermione had already made her bed and gone downstairs. Ginny opened up the letter from Draco first.
Ginny-
Hi! I know who the next Defense teacher will be. I found out this morning; it's a woman named Dolores Umbridge. Apparently she's working for the Ministry and will be trying to fix Hogwarts. And she's got the right ideas, if you know what I mean. This dinner went fine… I was scared, though. He is very… morbid-looking. But in an intimidating way. You can almost feel the power and evilness radiating off of him. I've got some great news for you the next time I see you in person. So, Potter's there? Did he tell you about getting expelled? What a loser. I hope he doesn't manage to get off! Well, we all miss you here. Mother and Father send their love. And so does Blaise, who will make a suitable boyfriend if you ever decide to dump that Corner bloke. Write back soon. Love from,
Draco
Ginny grinned to herself as she curled the parchment back up, sealed it, and put it into her trunk with the rest of the letters. She wondered what he had to tell her, and what he meant about Umbridge being a Ministry spy. Interesting. And Ginny simply couldn't believe that Draco had actually eaten with the Dark Lord! Ginny shuddered, wondering if he bore any resemblance to the old Tom.
Ginny then proceeded to the next letter, from Michael.
Dear Ginny,
How are you? Sorry I didn't send this too quickly. We've been busy. How are things with the Weasleys? Do you hate it? Do try to hang in there—only a few weeks until we can see each other again! I miss you so much ist isn't even funny. Have you seen Potter this summer? I know he's good friends with the Weasleys. If so, is he practicing Quidditch at all? If you get thee chance,, take some notes on his playing. Anyway, everything is good here… see if you can't come for a visit or something. Wouldn't that be nice? Who do you think would be worse if they caught us kissing this year: Draco or Ron? I shudder to think. Anyway, that's about it. I wonder who our Defense Teacher will be this year. I wish Lupin would come back. I'll talk to you later. Love,
Michael
It figured- Michael only cared about Quidditch, always. What a bore. Ginny rolled her eyes and continued to Ceridwen's letter.
Dear Ginny,
Hi! What's up? Oh my goodness, guess what? I've just realized that the spot of Keeper is open on the team! Are you going to try out? You should! So, what've you been up to? Is Harry there? Wink I know you still fancy him. How's Michael doing, anyway? Guess what? Aidan asked me out! I'm so excited. We're going to Diagon Alley together next week. Maybe you and Michael'd be interested in doubling? Of course, you do have two families protecting you, so I understand if you can't. Life is pretty normal here, and boring. Write me back. Love from
Ceridwen
P.S.- Are you serious that You-Know-Who is really back? My parents don't believe it… and I honestly don't know what to think. But if you're sure… well, we'll talk later. Lylas.
Ginny sighed slowly as she put down the letter. Would people really believe that You-Know-Who was back? Apparently, Ceridwen's family didn't. It was obvious that it was better for the Malfoy side that people didn't know He was back. But what about the Weasleys? I don't care about the Weasleys, she thought firmly before starting downstairs.
A/N: Thank you so much for all of the reviews- and one in particular- Lily Evans29- your story was the first I ever read on fanfiction! I was so happy when you reviewed- of course, you never updated again (it was the one about the computer…) but still :-D Thanks, everyone!