A/N: I'm VERY sorry for the long wait. The postcard chapter wouldn't materialize and then my computer crashed—TWICE! But mostly it's been sheer laziness and writer's block. Many, many thanks to whomever told me about NaNoWriMo sometime in March. (See for more info) but spending the month of November trying to write at least 50,000 words of an original novel helped a lot in getting the writing juices flowing again. (Notice I didn't say 'creative'). This is a dull chapter, but it is setting up the rest of the story a little. And to those who read 'Life Studies' and wondered where it fit in the W&K story line, it will be coming up in about two (story) weeks. Now, to work on the Courtship of Peregrin Took! And thanks to everyone who had faith and patience! K

Chapter 16

Hogsmeade was cold and icy when Ginny and her mother emerged from the Three Broomsticks. They had used a port key to get home the day before. This morning they had left the Burrow early for King's Cross Station. Mrs. Weasley had arranged for Ginny's bag to be delivered to Hogsmeade station the following day so they wouldn't be bothered with it. They then used the station's fireplace to travel to Diagon Alley. After spending the morning doing some shopping for school supplies that both Ron and Ginny had run low on, the two Weasley women went to The Leaky Cauldron to meet Mr. Weasley for lunch.

The meal had passed quickly, with Arthur checking his watch continuously. When Mrs. Weasley had finally called him on it, he apologized and explained that he had so much work backed up from the holiday that he didn't think he'd ever get finished. After reading Ginny a stern lecture on personal safety and giving both of his women a kiss and hug, he apparated to his office.

"Well, dear, are you ready?"

Mother and daughter had been sitting in the booth, finishing their tea when Mrs. Weasley spoke. Ginny nodded. The holiday had been lovely, even if she'd gotten sunburned on her nose, but she was ready to get back to school. She missed Labelle and her friends, and of course she missed Draco.

"Whenever you are, Mum," she said, sliding out of the booth.

Mrs. Weasley paid the bill and then they went to the Floo room, a room with multiple hearths designed for travel. Mrs. Weasley pulled out a small jar and gave it to Ginny. Juggling the bags of supplies she was carrying, Ginny managed to take a handful of the powder. She then stepped into the fireplace and shouted, "The Three Broomsticks!"

She stepped out of the fireplace at the Hogsmeade pub and waited for her mother. Mrs. Weasley was right behind. After brushing their clothes off, the two entered the common room and passed through.

"I'll walk with you, dear. The exercise will do me good," Mrs. Weasley said when they stepped outside. The older woman took a few of Ginny's parcels, adding, "I wish we'd thought to send these ahead, as well, so we wouldn't have to carry them."

Again, Ginny nodded. She huddled deep into her light cloak and wished she'd brought her heavier one, instead of packing it. She hadn't really thought that it would be this cold. Since there was nothing she could do about it now, Ginny just wrapped her arms around herself. "I forgot how cold it is here," she muttered, watching her breath fog and swirl.

That made her think of the last time she was in Hogsmeade, when Marcus Flint had materialized out of the fog and had tried to…well, Ginny wasn't sure exactly what he'd planned to do, but it was bound to be unpleasant. Ginny shivered, but it had nothing to do with the chill in the air.

"Ginny, are you all right?"

Mrs. Weasley's voice was concerned and Ginny smiled at the woman. "I'm fine, Mum," she said. "I guess my blood just got thin or something. Ready?"

Mrs. Weasley nodded and they began the long walk back to Hogwarts. Ginny wondered why she had automatically lied to her mother. The woman knew all that had gone on this year. Well, Ginny amended, Mrs. Weasley didn't know everything that had gone on. Ginny hadn't revealed the full extent of her and Draco's relationship, nor had she shared with her mother the fact that she was wearing a piece of jewelry charmed to allow Draco to find her wherever she was. It wasn't that she was afraid of what Mrs. Weasley might say, exactly, but there were some things that were just too private to share with one's mother. Ginny figured that full frontal snogging and allowing a boy to undress her so he could place an intimate item of jewelry around her waist fell into that category.

But she had been carefree these last several days, and knowing that she would be once again at risk made her tense and uncomfortable. And though it would have been nice to share her concerns with her mother, as she had over the holidays, Ginny figured that reminding Mrs. Weasley of why the Weasleys had taken her to Brazil in the first place would probably not be such a good idea. So she merely hugged herself tighter and pushed back the memory of Flint and his creepy presence and his insinuating voice.

As the women walked, they didn't speak; they'd spent the past two weeks together and were comfortable in their silence. Ginny didn't mind, though. She was wondering what everyone had been up to and whether they'd be hanging around the common room so she could see them.

She already accepted that she wouldn't see Draco until supper. The postcards she had sent from Brazil probably wouldn't arrive here until the following week. And anyway, she wouldn't risk sending a postcard direct to Draco until several issues between them were resolved. When she could safely walk around without the silver chain she wore at her waist then she could probably safely risk talking (or kissing or writing) to Draco in public.

Ginny smiled as she remembered how shocked she'd been when Bill told her she'd have to use muggle post to get the cards to England.

"There just isn't enough business here for the Owl Post," he'd explained. "Besides, the vultures and other large birds of prey usually get 'em before they've gone ten miles!"

So Ginny had used the special address he'd given her to get them to the main post office in London. From there, with the special routing code she'd added, they'd be sent to a small office in a place called Griffen Glen. And from there, they'd be sent out by Owl Post.

It was quaint and different, but now no one at Hogwarts knew exactly when to expect her. And actually both Ginny and her parents thought that was for the best. The holidays didn't officially end for another two days, so no one would be looking out for Ginny just yet.

Ginny was just thinking that maybe she could sneak up on her friends and surprise them when the gates to Hogwarts became visible through the gloom ahead.

"Wow, that was fast," Ginny said.

"You were so wrapped up in your thoughts, I doubt you noticed anything while we were walking, dear. I didn't like to bother you, so I just let you be."

Ginny turned to her mother. "Oh, Mum, I'm sorry. Did you want to talk? I thought we were just enjoying being together."

"I was, Ginny," Mrs. Weasley assured her. "But now that we're almost there, there is something I want to say before I head home."

Ginny swallowed. It was always dicey when their mum got that concerned but almost fierce look on her face. It usually meant a severe scold, but not always. She wondered what her mum would want to say that was this serious and that she hadn't already said.

"What is it?"

"Ginny, I know you're a sensible girl," Mrs. Weasley began. Oh, this is going to be worse than I thought, Ginny couldn't help thinking. "And I know you understand all about…well…sex and all that, but…"

Mrs. Weasley paused, as if at a loss. Ginny's face was burning. Good grief, her mother was choosing now of all times to talk to her about safe sex? The walk to the castle couldn't end soon enough as far as the girl was concerned.

"Mum, really, I don't plan to do anything that you need to talk to me about, so could we, kind of, just, maybe table this conversation for now?"

Ginny's voice was pleading, but Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to notice. She gave Ginny a look of understanding. "Very few girls your age plan to do anything their mums would lecture about, dear. That's why mothers do lecture. I just want you to be sure you know what to do if, well, you do something you didn't 'plan' on." Mrs. Weasley's face was bright red as she opened her handbag and rifled through it. "Oh, dear, your father would be so upset if he knew what we were discussing. But a girl must be prepared for the, erm, worst. So!"

Now she pulled a small bottle with a cork stopper from her bag. "This is a simple contraceptive potion," she explained. "I'll owl you the ingredients so you can make your own; it's quite easy. But this is just in case you need it before. Now," she raised her hands at Ginny's instant protests. "I know you don't plan to need it, but just take it. Just in case."

Ginny couldn't remember feeling this mortified in her life. "Mum," she whispered, looking around as though she expected half the student body to suddenly materialize in the forest around them to listen in on their conversation. "You make it sound like I plan on pouncing on Draco the second I see him and drag him off to…uh, assault his virtue!"

The woman stared at her daughter for a second before bursting out in laughter. "Oh my, Ginny," she gasped between breaths. "You see what happens when you read those trashy novels? You go into theatrics! Honestly, dear, assault his virtue! Oh, I wish you had an older sister; I'd love to repeat that story to her!"

"Well, I didn't know my embarrassment was so funny to you," the girl huffed. "And anyway, I didn't start it. You did with the 'planning' and the 'just in casing'. You went to school here; you know how hard it is to get a second to yourself around here, let alone time to 'just in case'."

As her mother tried to control her amusement, Ginny crossed her arms and marched down the trail in the direction of the castle gates. She pulled up short when her mother called, "Virginia Weasley, you will stop this instant!"

Facing the woman, Ginny could still feel her face burning. She stuck her lip out mutinously. "Honestly, Mum," she muttered when Mrs. Weasley caught up with her. "I really don't want that thing."

"Honestly, dear, you might be glad of it some time. So just wipe that lookyou're your face, take the potion and keep it in your trunk. It works up to two hours before to two hours after. Now take it." She placed it in her daughter's unwilling hand. "And we don't need to discuss this again."

Ginny thrust the bottle into her pocket, still glancing around for any possible witnesses. Sighing with relief that they were absolutely alone, Ginny finally looked at her mother.

"You know," she said suddenly. "Most mums would be frantic if they thought their daughters planning for just in cases." Seeing the humor in the situation, Ginny giggled and hugged her mum tightly. "Thanks for being so great!"

"All right, dear, that's enough," her mother assured her, patting shoulders. "Now, Ginny, you're going to muss my hair!"

Ginny pulled away quickly but not before giving her mother's knitted cap a little tug, releasing a few stray curls.

"Now, stop that!" she muttered, tucking the curls back into place. "We're almost there and what will Professor Dumbledore think if he sees me with my hat out of place and my hair a mess? He'll think we were attacked on the road is what!"

Ginny finally settled down, but not before she gave her mother another brief hug and kiss.

"Fine then, Mum. Lead on!"

As they approached the castle, the large front doors opened. Ginny watched curiously, wondering who would be out and about on such a cold day. She was about to remark to her mother that it was probably that horrible man, Mr. Filch, when a streak of orange, white and black fur raced out of the door and made a bee-line at the two.

"Labelle!" Ginny squeaked out as the streak resolved itself into a large Kneazle that was now launching itself right at her chest.

"Oof!"

"Here! Now, off of Ginny! Now!"

Labelle had struck Ginny in the middle of the chest and the impact had knocked the girl off her feet. She'd wrapped her arms around her friend as she fell and had made the 'oof' sound as they landed on the ground. Now Labelle was purring and meowing for all she was worth, sitting tall and proud on her mistress's stomach. For her part, Ginny was trying to laugh, but it was difficult enough with having the breath knocked out of her. Having the huge feline hampering her breathing by sitting on her diaphragm made it even harder. But the smile on the girl's face made it clear that she didn't mind a bit.

Mrs. Weasley wasn't as accepting. She took one look at the pair on the ground and went straight into 'mother' mode. "I said, get off of Ginny, now!" she said in that tone of voice that demanded obedience, or else.

Labelle's ears flattened, and she slunk off her mistress, looking so much like a repentant child that Ginny, who was now able to breathe, did finally laugh!

"Oh, Mum, please! She was just happy to see me," Ginny pleaded when she couldn't stand the Kneazle's guilty pose any longer. "And I'm happy to see you too, love," she added, speaking directly to the feline. "How did you know I was here?"

Mrs. Weasley had opened her mouth to speak, but she snapped it closed as she glanced toward the castle door.

"Ginny, get off the ground immediately! Now you're covered in mud, and you're just sitting there, laughing like a fool! And how did Labelle know you were here?"

Ginny was spared having to explain that she hadn't explained about Labelle's unique abilities to communicate telepathically with people by a call from the doorway.

"Ginny! You're back!"

Colin, Daisy and Su were hurrying down the steps, Su and Daisy shrugging on their cloaks, while Colin was tugging his practice robes tighter around his slender frame.

"Labelle started going nuts and screaming at us until we followed her," Colin said when he was beside them. "We figured you must be back. How are you, Mrs. Weasley?"

Su and Daisy greeted Mrs. Weasley, too, but then they turned to Ginny.

"Your nose! It's peeling!"

"Wow, Ginny! Your hair looks lighter! It's great!"

"Did you lose weight? You look fab!"

Ginny was a little overwhelmed at the sudden attention, but at the same time it was rather lovely to be with her friends again. Labelle was rubbing at Ginny's legs, meowing for attention when Ginny noticed that the Kneazle was rubbing against her upper shins.

"Labelle! You're almost to my knees!" she cried, shocked. "Are you ever going to stop growing?"

While the other teens made comments about how much she ate and how she now took up half of a couch in the common room, Labelle sent Ginny an image of a very majestic looking Kneazle lounging on a large marble platform and being waited on by small, insignificant humans. Ginny laughed and kneeled beside her friend.

"I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking, love!" she whispered, scratching the soft feline head just behind the ears.

"So, where's your bag," Colin asked as he took a few of Ginny's parcels.

"We sent it ahead to the train station, but it won't get here until tomorrow, when all the other kids get back."

"If you lot are quite finished, Ginny needs to get inside and clean herself. And I need to get home."

Mrs. Weasley's brisk tone had the teens popping to attention and even Labelle gave a startled mrow! The woman's gaze softened as she looked at her daughter.

"Now then, dear. You go along and tell your friends about your vacation. And get that cloak rinsed out instantly! Give me a hug and then I'll be off!"

Ginny gave her mother a quick, fierce hug and backed away.

"Thanks for everything, Mum. You're the greatest."

As they stepped back onto the first castle step, they saw the woman take something from her pocket. She waved her wand over it and it transfigured into her broom. She mounted and gave them a brief wave. Ginny waved back and they watched as she flew away.

"Well, Gin," Colin said, hefting her packages. "Welcome home."

Ginny and her friends tumbled into the common room laughing over some joke Colin had made. Labelle immediately ran to a couch and chased away the occupants. Ginny hurried over and sat down with an exaggerated sigh.

"I'm exhausted!" she said, dropping the bags she'd been carrying and calling Labelle over. "What has everyone been doing while I was gone?"

Her arrival caused some comment but not a lot. Ron wasn't around, to Ginny's disappointment. She still felt a little guilty about going on the trip when Ron had to stay behind. She'd gotten him a present from Brazil that she thought he might like, but since it was packed in her traveling bag, it was probably just as well. She wouldn't be able to give it to him until tomorrow anyway.

"Not much," Su finally answered, opening one of Ginny's parcels and casually inspecting the contents. "Ugh, frog's eyes. Better put these away soon."

"Oh, those are for Ron. He was out of them. I hope he didn't get some in Hogsmeade already."

Ginny met Su's eyes for a second before they both said, "Not bloody likely!" Then they both collapsed with laughter at the thought of Ron spending valuable money on anything as unimportant as school supplies!

"So tell us about your trip," Daisy pleaded, grabbing at Ginny's hand. "Was it warm?"

She said it so wistfully, Ginny giggled again. "Has it been that cold here?"

"Well, we had another ice storm and I nearly froze my…ears off," Colin answered.

As the girls rolled their eyes, Colin pretended to be hurt. "Well, it was cold!"

"Did you have practice today? Where's the rest of the team?"

Colin looked down at his practice robes and shrugged. "I don't know. Practice just got over when Labelle started in. So instead of running up to take a shower, we," he indicated Su and Daisy and Labelle, "ran downstairs instead. Except Ron and Harry. Hermione was here waiting for them and they went off to her room, I think."

Ginny nodded and was about to ask about Harry and how he'd been acting, but Daisy asked again for Ginny to tell them about her trip. She smiled and nodded and began.

"I sent tons of postcards," Ginny said when she'd finished. "But they probably won't get here until next week. It was so lovely, though. Warm and beautiful, and the people were very nice."

"That does sound lovely," Daisy sighed. "It's been so cold lately. I can't wait for spring."

They asked Ginny a few more questions but soon Dean came over to claim Su for himself. Dennis, Colin's brother, was shooting Daisy looks from across the room, causing the girl to blush. Ginny noticed and grinned.

"Look, I'm going to put my things away and freshen up. I'll talk to you guys later?"

Daisy blushed harder, but nodded and hurried over to Dennis' side. Colin stood with Ginny and helped her with her packages again.

"You got everything?"

"Yup, I'll get them upstairs just fine." She looked at Colin's soiled robes. "Are you going to shower and change now? Will you be down here when I finish up?"

Colin gave Ginny a brief smile. "I'll be here. I figure you'll want to talk about your Adonis?"

Ginny frowned. There was something odd in Colin's voice now. "Well, I did want to know what he'd been doing. Why? Is something wrong?"

Colin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "No, nothing's wrong. Just hurry, right? Ron and Harry will probably be back soon, and I'd rather they not be around when we're trying to talk."

Ginny bit her lip, but Colin told her to go on, so she went. After dropping her bags onto her bed, she grabbed the comfortable pajama bottoms and tee shirt she usually wore to lounge around the common room and hurried to the shower. Daisy's right, she thought as she finished up and was combing her hair. It's really cold here after all that sunshine.

Dressing and throwing a heavy jumper over her tee shirt, Ginny slipped her feet into her slippers and headed downstairs.

Labelle was still on the couch, saving her place, and Colin was sitting beside the Kneazle, stroking her and talking softly.

"Trying to steal my friend from me?" Ginny teased.

Labelle meowed reassuringly and moved aside, while Colin scoffed.

"As if," he said. "Labelle tolerates me when you're not here."

Ginny started to deny this, but Labelle herself strolled over to the young man and placed her paws on Colin's shoulders. She nuzzled him gently before sauntering back to Ginny's lap.

Colin couldn't help smiling. "Well, I guess I've been told, haven't I?"

The girl grinned at him for a moment, before her expression turned serious. "So, what's been going on, Colin?"

The young man looked suddenly grim. "I'm not sure, exactly," he admitted. "It's possible that nothing has been going on. But something happened right after you left that made Blaise and I uncomfortable. And Blaise isn't happy, either. He doesn't like it."

Ginny's heart started to beat a little faster, but she only said, "Well, what is it? Don't leave me in suspense. Did Harry attack you or something?"

"Huh?" Colin glanced up at her suddenly. "It isn't about Harry, Gin. It's about—you know, your Adonis."

Labelle meowed soothingly when Ginny's stomach began to churn. She stroked the soft head and nearly glared at her friend. "Are you going to tell me or let me think of a thousand awful things that could have happened?"

Looking abashed, Colin apologized. "I just don't know if I'm making something out of nothing. In fact, if Blaise weren't concerned too, I'd probably have convinced myself that I'm overreacting. The day after you left, your Adonis had a visitor."

Colin studied his hands for a second before adding, "It was his father."