Alternate Choices –
Author's note: I couldn't stop myself from thinking of how it would be, at that pivotal moment in time, when Ginny finally chose either Harry or William. My imagination went in both directions, thinking of possible endings. As either choice became more elaborate, I simply couldn't put one aside for the other. What can I say? I want a happy ending for everyone. So, here is what would have happened, if Ginny had chosen the other.
Thank you for your generous feedback. But most of all, thank you for taking time out of your lives to read my story. It is the highest compliment to know that someone finds my work to be worth their attention.
Enjoy.
"Please, come with me," plead Will, caressing her cheek with his calloused hand.
"I -- I can't --," Ginny gasped, her mind reeling.
"Breathe, lass," said Jack, calmly.
It was unimaginably surreal. To be surrounded by complete anarchy, unable to think clearly, much less breathe, and to stand in the middle of it all inside an eerie calm center, with the heady scent of salty ocean and a man pledging his love for her, asking for her follow him into the unknown.
"No, Ginny! Please, no!" Harry pounded on the invisible barrier with his fists.
Hermione rushed forward and pressed her palms flat against the barrier, her eyes wide and frightened, her hair whipped in the gusting wind.
Ron's eyes brimmed with tears that spilled unabashed down his cheeks, continuing his fruitless fight to get to his sister.
"Will, we must go now," said Jack.
"Please, let me take you away from it all. I will keep you safe," said Will, imploringly.
Ginny glanced back once more. Behind her, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood, refusing to stop their attempts to break through to her.
Professor Dumbledore, with the aid of Professors McGonagall and Vector, slowly got to his feet.
She blinked, and memories flashed through her mind's eye.
Her first ride on a 'borrowed' broom. Facing Malfoy as he insulted Harry in Borgin and Burkes. Her mother's warm hugs. Her father's delighted expression as he marveled over a Muggle plug. Neville trying so desperately not to step on her toes at the Yule Ball. Harry's laughter. The vast loneliness of her first year. Catching the snitch under Cho's nose. Ron and Hermione's bickering. Sirius's smile. Fred and George making her laugh until her sides hurt. Harry dragging Cedric's body from the maze. The heart clenching fear of almost losing her father. Harry, kneeling before her in the Chamber, telling her it was all going to be alright.
The answer came to her with vivid clarity.
She turned back to look at Will, feeling her heart give a painfully nervous jolt of excitement. She held his gaze, and gave a slight nod.
Will's face broke into a beaming smile. He quickly ducked his head, pressing his lips firmly against hers. Ginny's mind swam, feeling a rush of dizziness. Will pulled away just as quickly and looked around.
Professor Dumbledore was making his way over, leaning on a conjured cane. Professor McGonagall hovered close to him, her eyes darting between all that was going outside of the barrier and that within.
"Will! Now!" Jack shouted in a gruff voice.
"We must hurry," said Will, pulling on Ginny's hand.
"GINNY !" screamed Harry, pummeling his fists against the barrier.
"GINNY -- NO!" shrieked Ron, kicking and clawing to try and get through.
Hermione pounded uselessly with her fist against the invisible force field. "Ginny, please!"
Ginny closed her eyes and blocked them all out, for with every cry she heard it shot a razor sharp pain through her chest. She hurried forward across the smooth surface of the water, clinging tightly to Will's hand.
Jack looked back with a crooked grin. He took a step forward, into the portal, and fluidly vanished.
Ginny didn't look back, only forward. Will turned to glance at her with a reassuring smile and stepped through the threshold, pulling her with him. The last thing she remembered of the moment was a blinding white light and the echoing cries of those she was leaving behind ringing in her head.
The ship gently swayed with the ocean's current, something she had slowly grown accustomed to, and found comforting, almost like the gentle rocking of a mother's arms. Beyond the dirty panes of glass of the captain's quarters the night's sky was clear and the stars shown with breath taking clarity.
Ginny inhaled deeply, relishing the intoxicating sea air. She turned to a small writing desk, where several freshly written pages of parchment sat. Flexing her fingers, she picked up the quill once again, to finish the task she had begun days earlier. From a perch near the windows, a small white owl sat, cocking her head sideways to stare at her mistress.
"You did well, Aesa," said Ginny, dipping the quill into the ink well. The owl gave a tired hoot, and ruffled her feathers before settling back down.
It was while at Tortuga, restocking provisions for their ship that Ginny came upon a strange shop that most of the inhabitants, drunken or otherwise, ignored. This was a sign to Ginny, that the darkened and dusty doorway was special. Will had told her that this was the first time he'd ever noticed the blackened door, with its oddly engraved symbols running around the edge of it, off in the corner of an otherwise busy street.
Taking Will's hand, they opened the door, a small bell chimed above their heads.
The shop was small, dark, and dusty. The outer walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of boxes and jars of strange items.
"Is it wise to be here?" Will had whispered in her ear.
Ginny squeezed his hand and nodded, she couldn't believe her good fortune in finding a magical shop.
An old, wizened looking witch, stood behind a counter, wearing a color shawl draped over her hunched shoulders. She eyed them carefully as they walked around.
Ginny approached the counter and began ticking off a list of items from memory, of things that she could use.
The old witch smiled, showing large gaps of missing teeth.
There was a moment when Ginny paused, fearful that they couldn't make payment but the witch reassured Ginny that the gold Will offered was suitable enough. As the couple turned to leave, the witch stopped them. She had them stay while she shuffled behind the curtained doorway. When she returned, she carried a tiny white owl in her opened palms.
"This is for you child. She needs a good home, and freedom to spread her wings. Something I dare say she doesn't receive here with me."
Ginny tried to refuse such a gift, but the old witch would hear none of it, pushing the owl into Ginny's arms.
"You tend to her well. When you return to Tortuga, come back and visit old Metis."
At times, it struck Ginny that it had been over a year since that fateful night, when she returned to the Black Pearl with Will. After rushing through the portal, they fell hard onto the floor of the Captain's quarters just as the door burst open and a glowering Ana Maria stomped in. Ginny couldn't help but grin, recalling Ana Maria's rage, not truly noticing Ginny's presence as she stormed across the cabin and proceeded to roughly slap Jack across the face before launching into a tirade about looking for him just over an hour, putting the entire crew to the task of searching him out and to find him right back where she had left him. Jack took it all in stride, looking properly shamed until Ana Maria had lost her head of steam, and then told her the long tale of how he had come to disappear, and the adventure he and Will had been on. That set off another fit from Ana Maria with the same speech about cursed treasure and learning their lesson. Suffice to say, it was several hours before the red mark of Ana Maria's hand faded from his cheek, and several more weeks of Jack treading lightly, before the dark skinned beauty's temper faded.
There was a light rap at the door and Will poked his head into the ship's cabin. The smile on his face caused a deep sense of warmth to spread through Ginny's tired limbs.
"We are to set anchor soon," he said, walking to her side.
"I will be done shortly," said Ginny, adding a few more words to the bottom of the letter.
"Are you sure you wish to do this?" asked Will.
Ginny carefully signed her name and set down the quill. She raised the parchment and gently blew on the ink. "I am very sure."
Will leaned down, lightly kissing Ginny on the temple. "The alternate ship will be awaiting our arrival; we do not risk taking the Pearl to harbor. I shall return when we are ready to board."
Will turned to go, but Ginny caught his hand. He glanced back as she raised his palm to her cheek and nuzzled against it. Will smiled softly, caressing her.
"Thank you, Will," said Ginny.
"You are welcome," said Will, trailing his finger along her jaw, which sent tiny electrical jolts up Ginny's spine.
She watched Will close the door and she turned back to the desk.
Though Ginny normally wore slacks and tops of Ana Maria's, (which the female pirate was only too happy to share, once she learned Ginny's secrets and the fact that the witch could transfigure bits of leather and torn cloth into suitable clothing) for this night, she wore a traveling gown commonly worn by the women of the time. She charmed the dress to appear to be fashioned with a corset beneath, but was free of the wretched device. Within the many folds of the emerald green dress, Ginny had constructed a hidden pocket.
She pulled her wand out of this pocket and stared at it, her only link to the life she'd left behind. She didn't allow herself to fall into memories and wasted no time tapping her wand against the stack of papers. They seamlessly fused together to create a long roll that quickly wrapped itself up tightly.
Ginny held a stick of red wax over a candle's open flame, which was securely mounted onto the desk. She allowed a thick, fat drop of wax to fall onto the roll of parchment. Quickly, before it had time to cool, Ginny picked up an insignia stamp and firmly pressed it against the melted wax. When she pulled it away, a perfect impression was left behind, that of a sparking wand crossed with a pirate's blade. Across the very bottom of the seal was a small, sleeping dragon.
Will had taken great care to carve the design for over a month, during the long nights at sea while the two of them talked. Once he had finished, Ginny used her magic to transfigure the end of the stamp into solid metal, leaving the elaborately carved handle still made of wood. It was now her most prized possession from this time, this place, her new home.
Setting the stamp aside, Ginny began a series of protective spells over the parchment and wax seal. It took such deep concentration and power on her part, that she was exhausted by time there was another light tap on the door.
"Ginny," said Will, "It is time."
It was the wee hours of the morning by the time they arrived at port. Ginny kept her wand out, beneath her cloak; the letter secured in a large velvet pouch to with Ginny had tied the strings tightly to her belt and kept a firm grip upon her lap. No one spoke as Will and Ginny climbed inside an awaiting carriage, the driver of whom was closely watching all around the misty fog with narrowed eyes.
Tired as she was, Ginny dared not fall asleep, knowing that neither Will nor the driver could find the exact location of the place in which she sought. Nothing was familiar to her, but there was a deep sense of purpose and direction within her, and she allowed herself to trust in that as a guide.
By the bright light of the full moon, Ginny could see the sign above the door. She indicated to Will, who pulled on a cord that was attached to the jacket of the driver, instead of a bell, to try and be as quiet as possible and avoid attention. The carriage rolled to a stop and Will climbed out, looking around before helping Ginny down. There, before her, was a sign that hung over freshly painted door of the Leaky Cauldron.
Will was reluctant to allow Ginny to go in alone, but she had already discussed with him, at length, that this was something she had to do on her own, and she knew she'd be perfectly safe within Diagon Alley. She could see by his expression in the moonlight that he still wished to argue with her, but held his tongue.
Ginny reached up on tip toe as Will bent forward and she gently kissed his lips. "I will return shortly. I promise."
Will stared down at her, clearly concerned. For a moment, Ginny feared he would change his mind and insist on following her, but finally, Will nodded, caressing her cheek once more before allowing his hand to fall to the pummel of his sword.
Ginny flashed a sweet smile and made her way to the door of the Leaky Cauldron. The inside was dimly lit by half melted candles flickering from the center of rough hewn, wooden tables. There were but a few wizards about, for such late an hour, drinking from their tankards of ale. A few eyed her cautiously, but none bothered her as she walked purposefully across the room. A bartender glanced up from polishing off the bar top. Ginny looked him straight in his one eye and gave a courteous nod, but otherwise did not pause as she wended around tables to the back door which would lead out to a small court yard, holding the velvet bag, and its contents, tightly against her, hidden beneath her cloak.
-o-
The streets of Diagon Alley were quiet and peaceful. Ginny had such an intense sense of home, with familiar surroundings that time hadn't changed from the future she'd left behind, that it brought a painful ache deep inside the pit of her stomach. She had to remind herself that this was the past, that there would be no Harry, Hermione, and Ron sitting at a table eating ice-cream sundaes and laughing over there, where Florean Fortescue's Parlor would one day be.
Gringotts stood out like a white beacon in the moonlight, looking the same as she had always remembered it. One either side of the large white doors, stood two goblins, watching her closely as she approached. Without word, they opened the door and allowed her entrance.
The floor of Gringotts glowed richly by the light of thousands of flickering candles. Her footsteps echoed as she approached a desk, where a goblin sat, bent over a large register, his nose splattered with flecks of ink as he scribbled away with a quill.
"Glomhasp, please." Ginny's hushed tones felt like a shout in the surrounding quiet.
"Ginvera, I presume?" said the goblin, setting his quill down and staring up at her. His voice was startlingly deep and Ginny was caught off guard for a moment.
"Yes," she answered, noting that the remainder of the front lobby was empty, though she knew better than to believe that this goblin was the only one about.
"No surname given on your notes, nor now?" asked the goblin, studying her intently with his beady black eyes.
"Glomhasp, I presume?" she asked, wishing to give as little information as possible to this goblin, or any other.
"I am," the goblin answered. "You are on time, as your owl delivered posts said you would. Though I do find all this rather curious. Not unheard of, but curious."
"I'm sorry, then, that your curiosity will not be sated this night." Ginny's back straightened and her chin tilted higher, prepared to dig her heels in to see what needed to be done, what must be done, without giving too much away to those that need not be told.
Glomhasp grinned, something Ginny was sure was a rare occasion, and laced his abnormally long fingers together over the register and leaned forward.
"Very well then. I shall be assisting you, personally. You can be rest assured, Miss Ginevra, that my son, and his sons after that, shall see this task to the finish. Your item will be secure, with only I and my son having the knowledge of what needs to be done. Now, do you have payment?" Glomhasp indicated to a chair that magically appeared next to her.
Ginny sat, carefully placing the velvet bag on her lap. Using her wand, she released the spell that bound the ties and opened the draw strings. From within the bag, Ginny pulled out a small box that was adorned with heavily worked gold and encrusted with pearls around the edge. Across its top were the etchings of the Goddess Eurynome in mother of pearl. Along the bottom edge of the box were ancient etchings in a language Ginny was not familiar with. Gently, Ginny sat the box on top of the desk, and sat back.
Glomhasp stared greedily at the box. He gingerly reached out a finger and barely touched it. "So, it is true. I dared not believe. Such a treasure, and to have fallen into Muggle hands. I can not imagine what possible mishap could have occurred had they dared to open it," he mused, looking over it carefully.
Ginny bit the inside of her lip and waited.
"Yes, yes. This shall suffice as payment," said Glomhasp. He waved his hand, and the box disappeared, leaving a faint vapor that quickly faded.
Ginny knew that the treasure she had presented was more than enough for payment, as she was sure Glomhasp knew as well. It was a priceless item that could have kept her family well tended to for generations to come. There was no possible way to do this, needing to ensure her name was lost to history, and it caused her many sleepless nights. It came to her one night, despite the lack of money; her family had always been rich in happiness, with great love and support that no pile of galleons could bring.
Ginny shrewdly watched Glomhasp and waited.
"Shall we head to the vault?" asked Glomhasp, giving the hint of what Ginny presumed was his attempt at a smile, as he flashed a hint of pointed teeth.
Ginny gripped the scroll and stood. "Yes, please."
-o-
Ginny stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron and quietly closed the door behind her. A haze of fog had begun to roll in over the streets of London as the dark skies showed the first hint of lightening. She watched Will's back as he paced away from her. With the snap of the door's latch, he spun around.
"You're back!" said Will, in a loud whisper. He strode over to her, taking her hands and gripping them firmly. "Let us leave. We shall speak in the carriage."
Will listened as Ginny described speeding through cold, dank tunnels deep beneath Gringotts. She told him of a small vault that was guarded by a creature that Glomhasp had to get under control before she was allowed to exit the cart. She couldn't make out the monster's shape in the shadows but she could smell its putrid, sulfuric breath and feel its rumbling growl more than hear it. Ginny guessed that it was probably a dragon guarding the vault, but was unsure of which breed. Will blanched.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop and Will tensed, peeking through the covered curtains. Someone shouted in an authoritative voice and hurried footsteps could be heard.
"Search the carriage!"
Ginny reacted instinctively. She pulled out her wand, and without hesitation, rapped it roughly on the top of Will's head. He whipped around and looked at her in surprise as he reached up to touch the top of his head; all the while, fading from view.
"Sit still, make no sound and you won't be seen," Ginny said in a hushed whisper.
She felt Will squeeze her hand and heard him gasp, apparently realizing he was transparent.
"Shh."
The carriage door was opened by a jovial looking man with plain brown hair pulled back by a simple bit of white cording; he wore a naval military uniform. He held up a candle lit lamp and glanced in. On the opposite side of the carriage, the other door opened by another man in a military uniform, this gentleman being plumper than his fellow solider, having not much neck to him and a distinctive chin.
"Good morn, miss. We apologize for the disturbance, but orders have been dispatched by Commodore Norrington, of the British Fleet, to be on alert and search. A tip was given that a wanted pirate was due to arrive in London," said the first solider.
"But I am on my way out of London, sir," said Ginny, keeping her eyes down. Through her calm facade, she held her wand tightly hidden under her cloak.
"Right – Yes, well," said first solider, stumbling over his words.
"It isn't safe for a lady to be traveling out at this hour of the morning," said the second solider.
"Family emergency," said Ginny, feeling Will shift as the second solider stuck his head in further to glance around. "As you can see, I harbor no pirates in my carriage or otherwise."
"All the same, we have to check," said the second solider.
"She doesn't look like the sort to be up with the likes of Sparrow," said the first solider with a chuckle. "Besides, it was only a rumor that he would be about."
The second solider scowled and the first quickly lost his grin.
"This is neither the time nor the place to speak so openly. It was because of that attitude that we lost our position in Port Royal, Murtogg!"
"I thought it was because of that barmaid over at the --" Murtogg was silenced quickly by the second solider swatting at him from across the carriage.
"Gentlemen, please!" said Ginny, leaning forward and casting her hand out, fearful that one of them might bump into Will.
"I – I'm so sorry, miss," said Murtogg, looking abashed.
"My apologies," said the other solider, taking off his hat.
"Quite alright, Mr. . . I'm sorry I do not know your name," said Ginny, hoping that switching topics might move things along.
"Mullroy, miss."
"Mullroy," repeated Ginny, smiling demurely.
Something in her tone made Mullroy stand a bit straighter and grin proudly. Murtogg glanced between Ginny and the soldier, Mullroy and then clearned his throat, startling Mullroy.
Right then, off you go miss. Safe trip and all," said Mullroy, clearing his throat and struggling not to look embarrassed.
"G'bye, miss," said Murtogg. With a slight nod of his head, he shut the carriage door.
"Clear!" Mullroy shouted, shutting the door.
Ginny held her breath, daring not move, and waited. The carriage jostled to a start, and they were off again. Neither spoke for several long minutes, but Will took Ginny's hand, and squeezed it tightly.
"We shall have to use the alternate plan." Will's voice was but a faint whisper directly against Ginny's ear, but the caress of his breath against her flesh was enough to cause Ginny to feel instantly hot. A flush flooded up her neck and stained her cheeks. Her eyes lids fluttered and for one powerful moment, she lost awareness of her surroundings. His scent filled her nostrils as she breathed deep and her heart tripped over itself with the dizzying emotions that swept over her.
She cleared her throat and nodded before she reached up to tug sharply on the cord three times, paused, then tugged three times more. Within a few seconds, the carriage made an abrupt turn and they were steadily on their way to a secondary boat, waiting a distance away.
-o-
It had been agreed between Will, Ginny, and Jack that the less that knew of Ginny's gifts, the better. So, though the crew thought it odd that Jack sent orders that everyone was to be below deck until further orders; they did not question their captain.
The moon lit deck of the Black Pearl was eerily quite and empty, save for three people standing watch.
Jack Sparrow paced several steps away before swinging around to return starboard. Ana Maria, with her raven waves of hair pulled back in a long plait, leaned against the ships edge, looking carefully out over the water with a spy glass. Mr. Gibbs narrowed his eyes, and started hard at a spot of sea, lowering his whittling stick and sliding a small knife back into its sheath.
"Cap'n," whispered Gibbs.
Ana Maria turned to glance out where Gibbs had indicated with a jerk of his head as Jack approached.
A slight ripple against the current of water was the only indication that anything was outside of normal. But, within a matter of seconds, a small boat shimmered into view. Will glanced around cautiously, steering with the rudder. Ginny glanced up to the ship, pocketing her wand away.
Jack, Ana Maria, and Gibbs made quick work of helping Ginny and Will aboard. The small boat was banished with a wave of Ginny's wand.
"Welcome back, Miss Ginevra – Will," said Gibbs, smiling in an almost fatherly manner, for a pirate. "If'n you'll excuse me. I'll go see to the men, and have them back up and ready to make way to set sail on you command, Cap'n."
"It went well?" asked Ana Maria.
"Yes," answered Ginny.
Ana Maria gave a shadowed smile and moved across the deck to prepare to hoist the anchor.
Will laid a gentle hand on the small of Ginny's back. It was a subconscious gesture, but one that Ginny found brought her a greater sense of security than anything that could have ever been spoken.
"Well, luv," said Jack as the crew of men filtered up onto deck and quickly went about their duty, "Where to next?"
Ginny glanced up at Will and he smiled encouragingly down at her with inquisitive eyes.
"Wherever the wind takes us," said Ginny, beaming happily.
"You heard the lady! Move you scabrous dogs!" barked Jack, walking away towards the helm of the ship to take the wheel. He turned back to Ginny and Will and roguishly winked.
The crew began to call out to each other, though not as loudly as normal, as they prepared the Black Pearl to leave.
Will slipped his arms around Ginny, and pulled her closer to him. As the men rushed about, Will slowly lowered his head and tenderly pressed his lips against hers.
Ginny felt all of the air rush out of her lungs as he kissed her. She held on to his coat sleeves for fear of her knees going weak. Slowly he ended the kiss and moved to gently nuzzle her temple.
"I love you, Ginny," he whispered.
Ginny smiled happily, slipping her arms around his waist, "And I love you."
Professor Dumbledore twitched his wrist, causing the sleeve of his dark blue robes to fall down his arm as he moved around the large wooden desk. There was a half an empty period left before his next class of first years was due to arrive. With a flick of his wand, the chalk board at the head of the room began to write out the day's lesson on how to transfigure a match into a needle.
Outside the classroom windows, a bright, mid September sky could be seen, with a few fat, fluffy clouds floating by. It was a glimmering movement that caught his light blue eyes. Professor Dumbledore set aside his text book and curiously walked over and opened the window further. The sun reflected off of a gracefully swooping creature as it flew closer to the castle. Dumbledore stepped back as a golden phoenix with long pearl-white plumage flew into the classroom. He watched the phoenix swirl high above the vaulted ceiling before coming to land lightly on his desk. Gripped in its talons was a roll of old parchment.
"You have something for me?" asked Professor Dumbledore, stepping over to the desk.
The golden phoenix cocked its head to the side, causing the small tuft of pearl white feathers on the top of its head to bob. Dumbledore stood patiently as the phoenix assessed him. Finally the phoenix bowed its head low and took flight, leaving the scroll still on the desk.
Professor Dumbledore picked up the aged scroll and sat down behind his desk. His fingertips tingled from the powerful magic used to cast the many enchantments over the seamless roll of yellowed parchment with its faded and browned seal of wax affixed to it.
For several minutes he studied the scroll, staring at the emblem of a sparking wand crossed with a sword along with the tiny sleeping dragon beneath it. He did not recognize the symbol from anything of the many history books he'd studied over the years. He attempted a variety of different charms, to open the scroll, with no success.
Finally, it came to him, and he nodded in understanding. Dumbledore pulled a match from the box on his desk, and with a tap of his wand, transfigured it into a needle. The corner of his mouth quirked with the irony of today's lesson, and its new-found importance. Carefully, he pricked the side of his finger with the sharp needle, and instantly, a large droplet of blood formed. He held his hand inches above the old wax seal, and allowed the drop of blood to fall on it. The wax began to glow brightly as the blood was absorbed into the tiny cracks, turning vivid red and new.
The wax seal cracked of its own accord and fell in chunks onto the desk. The scroll began to peel at one end and unfurled before him.
Dumbledore lifted the parchment and began to read the gentle, curving words of a feminine hand.
As his eyes ran down the page, his brows furrowed and his prior curious expression became deeply grave.
"Ginevra. . ." Dumbledore muttered curiously. Removing his half-moon spectacles, he sat back against his chair, and stared at the profound letter in his hand. He sighed and tapped his finger against his spectacles.
From off in the distance, bells tolled, letting everyone know that classes were about to begin. Professor Dumbledore curled the scroll back up neatly, and stowed it away securely in one of the many deep pockets of his robes. He collected the bright red bits of wax and put them in another pocket just as the door of the transfiguration classroom opened and groups of Slytherin and Ravenclaw first years poured in.
As the last few students entered the room, Professor Dumbledore stood at the front of the desk, showing an exterior of pleasant serenity, while inside, his mind weighed heavily on what he just read and what he must do with the information given to him.
A lone Slytherin boy walked into the room, and promptly took his seat, not chattering as the other students were, but keeping to himself. Professor Dumbledore closely watched this boy, with his handsome, guarded face, and his shrouded eyes.
"Good afternoon, Tom," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Good Afternoon, Professor," said Tom Riddle, his voice neither rude nor polite. Instead the boy seemed to weigh exactly why it was that the Professor would want to say hello to him. Quickly, his eyes darted back down to his text book.
Professor Dumbledore's hand grazed over the scroll within his inner robe pocket and he studied the boy before him in a very new light.
"Today class, we shall practice how to turn a match into a needle. . . ."
"Hurry up! We don't want Ginny to be late!" called Molly Weasley, gripping Ginny's hand tightly as the Weasley family raced through the King's Cross station.
"Well, how many times did we have to go back because Ron forgot something?" called George, several paces behind his mother, reaching to toss a small bag on top of the trolley Fred was pushing beside him.
"And whose ruddy fault is it my socks kept disappearing?" Ron shouted back, hurrying to keep up beside his father, who was leading the group.
"Ron!" chided Molly.
"Fred's" George answered.
"You're Fred!" said Fred.
"Oh come on you lot!" Molly snapped impatiently.
Ginny clutched to her mother's hand almost tripping as she tried to hurry along. She had been waiting for this moment since Bill had first gone off to Hogwarts, and thanks to all the delays, she was afraid of what sort of impression she would make to start her first year at Hogwarts by missing the train.
"Percy, Ron -- you first." said Molly as they came up to platform nine and three quarters.
Ginny watched her brothers disappear through the barrier. After glancing around to be sure no one was paying attention, Fred and George quickly followed.
"Come on sweetheart, it's time to go," said Arthur, pushing the trolley to the barrier.
"Here we go, dear," said Molly, giving Ginny's hand a gentle squeeze.
Ginny took a deep breath and rushed forward, along with Molly, through the barrier.
The first thing Ginny saw, after crossing through, was the enormous red engine of the Hogwarts Express, with its puffs of white smoke streaming from the stack. A large crowd of parents and students milled about on the platform, some handing over their luggage, while others caught up with friends they hadn't seen all summer.
Ginny looked around and found her brother, Percy, standing near-by, talking to a pretty blond-haired girl. Fred and George hurried to their friend, Lee Jordan. The three of them began talking and hauled their luggage towards the train.
Molly let go of Ginny's hand and turned to speak to Arthur, who had just handed over Ginny's trunk to one of the wizards working on the Hogwarts Express.
Ginny stepped up to stand beside Ron and tried to absorb all the excitement.
"Ready for your first year?" he asked, glancing down at her.
"Ron!" A boy shouted before she has a chance to answer.
Ginny turned in time to see the smiling face of a boy, with messy black hair and vivid green eyes behind round glasses, push a trolley away from the barrier. Behind him, a couple appeared, holding hands and smiling happily. The woman had beautiful, long red hair and eyes that matched those of her son's. The handsome man looked to be an older version of the boy as the child rushed up to them.
"Hiya Ron!" said the boy, who looked down at Ginny and smiled.
Ginny felt her stomach give a tiny lurch.
"Hiya Harry!" said Ron, touching Ginny's shoulder. "This is my little sister, Ginny."
Harry's smile broadened as he stuck out his hand, "Hello Ginny."
"You're the boy Ron's been talking about all summer. Poor Errol has been run ragged trying to keep up with all his posts," said Ginny, taking Harry's hand to shake. She couldn't help but notice how Harry's green eyes made her think of fresh pickled toads.
"James, Lily, how are you?" said Arthur Weasley, stepping over and extending his hand for James to shake.
"Just fine Arthur, and yourself?" said James, firmly shaking Arthur's hand.
"I promised Harry, he could come to Ron's house next summer, since we were off on holiday this season. He was simply incensed and had our owl, Pere, plumb worn out with all the letters," said Lily, laughing.
"He's welcome any time," said Molly.
"So where are we going to sit Harry?" Ron asked.
Ginny felt a blush burn her cheeks when she realized she still had a hold of Harry's hand. She let go quickly and twined her fingers behind her back. Harry turned to look at Ron.
"Wherever is fine with me," Harry said, quickly glimpsing out of the corner of his eye at Ginny and smiling before looking away again.
"Hi Harry. Hello Ron," said a female voice.
Ginny glanced around and saw a bushy haired girl slowly approaching. Ginny watched Ron's expression grow nervous for a flash before recovering himself.
"Hi, Hermione," he said, swallowing.
"Hello," said Hermione. "You must be Ginny. Ron talked all about you last year."
Ginny smiled brightly, her embarrassment quickly vanishing, "Hello."
A short distance off, Ginny saw a boy with silvery blond hair sneer over at the group before being ushered on further by his parents.
"Git," Ron said, scowling at the blond.
"Oh, ignore him, Ron," said Hermione, turning her back on the boy as he walked on.
"Let me take one last look at you before you head off," said Harry's mother, Lily, taking a hold of her son's shoulders and turning him.
"Mum," Harry groaned, although his smile betrayed him.
Lily reached up, brushing a stray lock of his black hair away from his smooth brow.
"You behave yourself this year," she said. Harry looked out the corner of his eye and grinned at Ron. "And I don't want to hear of anymore stunts," Lily chided. "If Sirius sends you another care package, I want you to owl home straight away."
"Oh, Lily, ease up on the boy," James chuckled.
"Alright mum," Harry agreed.
Lily leaned forward placing a kiss onto her son's forehead, "Be good."
The engine whistle blew loudly, informing everyone that it was soon time to depart.
"Oh! Hurry up, dears!" said Molly, giving Ron and Ginny a quick hug.
Ron and Harry rushed forward, racing to see who could get to the train compartment first.
"Boys," Hermione huffed. She turned to Ginny as they walked together to the train. "Have you had a chance to read, Hogwarts a History?"
Ginny shook her head. "I've only gotten to the third chapter," she admitted.
"Really?" Hermione asked, smiling excitedly. "I'm not even sure Ron has open his copy."
"Oi! Ginny! Hermione! Hurry up!" Ron shouted through an open window.
Harry stuck his head out, his eyes sparkling brightly. "We've saved you some seats!"
Climbing the stairs to the train, Ginny took one last glance behind her.
Her parents and the Potters stood together in the crowd of other parents and waved. She saw Molly and Lily put their heads together for a moment and then laugh before looking back at their children.
Ginny took a deep breath, and released it. Nervous as she was, she was also excited to finally be starting at Hogwarts, where she was sure she would make plenty of friends and have the experience of a life time.
The End