"Ginny" Hermione called in a soft sing song voice, while stuffing some last minute items into her Hogwarts trunk.
Ginny just moaned loudly and rolled over, dragging her duvet over her head.
"Come on Ginny. Everyone's up and if you don't get a move on we'll be late." Hermione sighed, sick to death of having to go through this every time she had to get Ginny out of bed before midday.
"Fine, fine, fine" Ginny yawned, throwing the blankets off of her and jumping out of bed with her arms stretched out in a "ta da" kind of way, with a big Ginny grin on her face.
Hermione smiled at her friend's ability to always act like a crazy little ray of sunshine, even when it was 7:45 on the first day of school, after a night of less than six hours sleep.
Ginny stretched out her limbs, making her small pyjama top ride up, revealing her pierced naval that Ginny had gotten that summer because (in her own words) "the mood" had taken her. Ginny swung the door open and wandered down the rickety staircase, regardless of the fact that her blue and white striped pyjama bottoms had rolled up around her knees, her hair was a huge mess and she wasn't wearing a bra.
Hermione shook her head, marvelling again at Ginny's new found care free, confident attitude. A few years ago she wouldn't have left her little room until she was fully dressed.
A few hours later, the whole Weasley clan (the family had managed to spend the last week of the summer holidays together), plus a Potter and a Granger were ambling through Kings Cross Station laden with trunks and animal cages.
Molly was doing her annual mother-melt-down.
"Oh Goodness, I can't believe my little Ron is in his last year of Hogwarts. I remember bringing you here on your first journey on the express. You were so nervous you held my hand all the way to platform 8!" She squealed to Ron who's discomfort was visible to everyone but his mother.
"What are you talking about Mum? He did that last year too" Ginny cracked, standing beside Fred and George who laughed heartily at their little sister's joke, proud that she had become a girl after their own hearts. That summer she'd even spent some time at the joke shop, helping with new projects and even coming up with ideas for new ones.
Ginny kissed her mother and father on both cheeks, and assured them that she would keep Ron out of trouble before jumping on the Hogwarts express, and joining the trio in waving wildly at the rest of the redheads as they pulled away from the station.
Ginny sighed.
"I wish this summer didn't have to end" she declared. Everyone had been in a wonderful mood, and even Harry hadn't had anything to worry about all summer. They were all grown up now so the Weasley's and their guests had spent their nights drinking, talking and playing games, able to fully enjoy each others company. The Borrow was always a laugh and always so lively, and this year it was more so. As well as all the children returning, members of the Order kept coming by to stay, and Molly was always more than happy to welcome them in for as long as they wanted.
Ginny had loved spending so much time with Tonk's, who in her opinion was one of the coolest witches Ginny had ever met. They had gone out into Diagon Alley and places of the sort every night she was down at the Borrow, and Tonk's had been the one to go with her to have her naval pierced.
"It was a lot of fun" Hermione admitted smiling. She glanced at Ron who was grinning madly. It was no secret that Ron and Hermione had hooked up that summer, and now they were apparently waiting for Harry and Ginny to finally do the same.
After all, they had spent the summer flirting wildly with each other, but in Ginny's opinion that didn't mean anything. She saw Harry as part of her family and she was sure that went for him as well.
Harry put his arm around Ginny in a very platonic, almost brotherly way before whispering,
"I bet it was" in her ear. Ginny giggled loudly hiding behind her sweeping fringe so that she wouldn't have to deal with Hermione's scolding look.
Just then, Malfoy and his two henchmen burst into their carriage. The trio turned around, but Ginny kept with her back to them, staring at the English countryside speeding by her. In her opinion, anything was better than looking at that elitist little runt.
Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron swore under his breath.
"Potter" Malfoy spat, as though that alone was an insult.
"Malfoy?" Harry replied lazily.
"Just here to welcome you to your last year at Hogwarts. I was hoping to get the inside scoop on your plans for the grand finale. What amazing stunt are you going to pull of this year? Finally kicking the bucket perhaps; it is long overdue".
"Just get out Malfoy" Hermione said in a voice she had wanted to sound brave, but it just came out pleadingly.
"Oh? Why don't you make me you half-breed?" He said back, keeping his typical cool Malfoy façade.
"Now he's asked for it!" Ron yelled, whipping his wand out off his pocket and pointing it at Malfoys jugular.
"Don't bother Ron. He's not worth it." Ginny said calmly. Not even turning to face the little crowd behind her, preferring to stay facing the window.
"Harsh words coming from the filthy mouth of a Weasel".
Ginny ignored him, still watching the hills pass her by.
Malfoy stood expectantly, waiting for her to react, but she didn't. She didn't even turn around so that he could get a better look at her. Her appearance had not gone unnoticed when she was at the station surrounded by that unsightly family of hers. The real reason he had even bothered to elbow his way into the carriage was to see if he had been mistaken in thinking the little carrot topped girl had improved.
"I see that Ron's snoring and Hermione's shrill voice have finally damaged your hearing. It was only a matter of time. I've heard your house only has one room, so I suppose there's no getting away from them. Is it true that you all sleep in the same bed? Must be a tight squeeze with that oversized bag of a mother you have" he sniggered.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly, nudging each other in approval.
At this, Ginny span around angrily; her fiery hair draping across her shoulders and framing her face like a halo and robe of fire and her big, almond shaped eyes widening with her obvious anger, making her look entirely dramatic.
"Don't ever speak of my mother" she said slowly and clearly, but with obvious outrage and contempt.
"You are not even worthy to mention her name in conversation" she finished. Nobody insults Molly Weasley in front of her daughter, now that her daughter had the confidence to fight back.
"Not worthy to speak of a big old muggle-loving pauper?" He questioned, the infamous and most infuriating Malfoy smirk playing on his perfect lips.
"Shut your ugly trap Malfoy. And stop coming here for cheap thrills. Does it entertain you to enrage people? Does it amuse you to make people hate you?"
"Yes" he said simply, before turning on his heel and striding away with Crabbe and Goyle stumbling along behind him, laughing loudly.
Ginny narrowed her eyes at the retreating figure, shooting daggers towards it.
Yes…something has got to be done, a little malicious voice declared in Ginny's mind. The devil that seemed to be having more stage time than the angel lately.