Disclaimer: All except for the plot here belongs to JKR.

Ginny had never really cared for church.

Her whole family was non-religious. She believed it had something to do with God persecuting witches and wizards, but no one ever really clarified for her.

Soleil's father was a Catholic. He had very mixed feelings on his wife and daughter, at least, when it had been announced they were witches. But now, he was ok with it. Joyful, even. Such is the power of love.

Ginny had once gone on a week's holiday with the Garneau family. The Sunday before she left, she had gone to a Catholic mass. She would never forget what she saw and heard.

It was a marvelous building, soaring towards the heavens and with a bell tower rang out raucously at noon. The doors were made of oak, and as she pushed them back, the smell of incense filled her nose.

It was amazing, what the people felt there. It was a sort of unity; a family, of mixed people. The Wizarding world could probably never comprehend how magical this place was. For one moment, Ginny felt part of a higher being, as if she was no longer the forgotten Weasley; she was someone.

It was more than she had felt in her over sized family, or in Hogwart's even larger one. It wasn't like she went to church every moment she got. But it was something, that memory. It was a reprieve, a solace, if you will.

"Oi! Ginny!"

She turned to find Soleil peering at her weirdly. The raven-head was trying frantically to put on a pair of pants and boots while at the same time finishing up her Charms homework.

"Finally! I've been trying to get your attention for ages! Come on, Gin, we're going to be late for class, and I really need to know what the movements are for hovering charms!"

Sighing, Ginny walked over and took the quill from Soleil. She looked over at the piece of parchment, smiled, and scribbled down a few things.

"You just needed to remember the flick at the end, it's very important." She sat down and resumed the arduous task of deciding her hairstyle for the day.

"Stop being a smartass, Gin."

Ginny mock glared. "Oh, fine then, curse all you like! But we'll see if I help you next time you're in desperate need of my answers!"

"As if I'm ever." Soleil deadpanned. A moment later, she glanced down at her Potions homework, lying unfinished on the desk. "Ginny, my dearest, best friend. I was wondering, have I told you how brilliant and sharp-witted you are lately? And how beautiful too, and look at all that…that…model-esque stature you have!"

"Suck-up." Ginny laughed, but took the parchment and quickly finished it, just as Soleil stepped out, fully clothed.

"Let's go, then!" The cheery girl chirped. Ginny rolled her eyes but followed her out into the common room. Ron looked fit to burst, as Harry had just beaten him in Wizard chess for the fifth time in a row. Ginny couldn't help but let a comment go by.

"What's up, Ronald? Some bird make you go all red in the face? If you want, I'll ask 'Mione for lessons, she'll surely give them to you!"

She and Soleil narrowly escaped as hexes hit the portrait hole. The Fat Lady glared irately at them, and refused to open for the people inside.

"…Teach them manners." She mumbled.

"Aren't they going to be late for classes?" Soleil asked, wide-eyed. Ginny smirked.

"Serves them right. Come on, now. We've got Herbology first thing, then Charms."

"Oh, Gods!" Soleil cried suddenly. "I've just remembered, we've got a Charms test and I haven't studied!"

Ginny wasn't paying much attention to her friend's moaning. Soleil was something of a genius, although she was very, very lazy. She would probably pass the test with ease, then shrug it off as a lucky occurrence.

"Geez, Gin. Check out the snow!"

Soleil's exclamation caused her to turn, and when she did, she couldn't help but utter a gasp. It was falling so thickly, and so quickly, the grounds were totally covered. She could see that it had covered much of Hagrid's hut, and gulped.

"Don't we have class with Hagrid today?" she muttered under her breath.

"No way!" Soleil narrowed her eyes. "If they make me go out there…someone's getting hurt!"

The two giggled, but made their way down to class all the same. Outside, Professor Sprout was jogging to push all of the children in. "Come now, come! We're going to have class in here, down in the dungeons!"

"The dungeons?" A girl gasped. Ginny tried desperately to remember her name. "But…there's a class, and surely, we need light for plants!"

Everyone knew it as an excuse to abstain from seeing Snape until it was inevitable, but Professor Sprout merely chuckled.

"Yes, yes, I know. But Professor Snape has graciously allowed us to stay on the other side of his room, as long as we stay quiet. And besides, we will be studying a new breed of plant, which needs darkness."

"What's this plant called?" Soleil sounded suspicious.

"Devil's Snare!" Professor Sprout exclaimed happily. "Dumbledore had finally allowed it, and we have a small sprig of it downstairs. Come on, it's waiting!"

And Sprout was gone, heading for the dungeons. Absolutely no one moved, until the girl Ginny was still trying to figure out, made a choking noise.

"She's mental."

"Off her rocker." Someone agreed.

"Devil's Snare?"

Ginny stared hard at the girl, then sighed and spun on her heel. "Let's just get down there, and get it over with."

Everyone looked at her the same way they had regarded Sprout. She shrugged.

"What? It's not like we'll touch it or anything…"

Oh, how wrong she was.

Ginny almost choked as she realized what class Snape was having at that exact same moment. It was her brother's, and from the glares he was sending her, he was still upset about the comment this morning.

Harry was grinning, and Hermione smiled at her. Ginny returned the smiles, and turned to find Soleil when she locked eyes with Malfoy.

Surprisingly, he wasn't staring at her with hate. Rather, he seemed confused, and somewhat flustered.

"Come now, class! We have to dissect this Devil's Snare immediately, while it's still writhing!" Professor Sprout now seemed very much excited, and did not seem to notice the weird looks she was getting.

"You said we didn't have to touch it!" The girl Ginny still couldn't remember hissed at her. Soleil shrugged, taking her friend's side.

"It's not her fault! She didn't know!"

"Whatever." The girl rolled her eyes and stalked off. Ginny smiled at Soleil. She turned and stooped to gather her bag, but when she straightened, she realized that Malfoy was still staring at her with the same expression.

Feeling rather unnerved, Ginny spun on her heel and immersed herself in the work.

By the time Potions class was over, it became apparent that there was a huge blizzard outside. Dumbledore had sent a notice to all the teachers, saying that the last outdoors class for all students would be Care of Magical Creatures, which would be taking place right now, and be attended by all the students.

"Poor Hagrid." Ginny walked alongside Hermione and Soleil. "He'll have so much on his hands…I wonder what he has prepared for us today?"

Hermione shivered as they exited into the snow. "I hope it's nothing dangerous…" after a moment, all three burst into giggles.

Upon arriving at Hagrid's cabin, they found a huge crowd. Of course, seeing as the whole school was in attendance, it was normal. Several other teachers had gathered to help with the students.

"Alrigh'!" Hagrid emerged from his hut. "Were goin' ta see Grawp! He's come ta visit me, an' I plan ta properly receive him! Into the forest, now! All of ya!"

There was a moment's hesitation, before the teachers began herding the students after Hagrid, who had strode in.

The darkness in the forest was even more overwhelming with the added canopy of snow. Hagrid led them all a good way in, before placing his hands on either side of his mouth and facing east.

"GRAWP!" The words were so loud; every person feared there might soon be an avalanche of some sort from the trees above them. A rumbling did come, but it was not that of the snow falling…

"Haggy!" Grawp called joyfully. "Hermy!" He also cried, catching sight of Hermione. She waved weakly. Grawp had learned much English over his time spent with Hagrid, but had soon retired to mountainous regions up north.

"How be you?" Grawp extended a massive hand at all the students, who were gazing up at him in fright. Many simply nodded their heads, except for one certain person, who walked past the students to stand next to Hagrid.

Ginny Weasley smiled cheerfully up at the gargantuan man in front of her. Hagrid was blinking at her in surprise as she waved a hand, attracting the attention of Grawp.

"Sonorous…" She whispered, and her voice grew louder. She spoke normally, but Grawp could understand exactly what she was saying.

"Hello, Grawp. I am Ginevra Weasley. How are you? I'm fine."

Grawp looked confused for a moment, before smiling largely. "Grawp fine, fine! Ginny pretty!"

Ginny beamed as he used her nickname, and also at the compliment. "Why, thank you Grawp! I suppose you've come to show us something?"

Grawp nodded, and looked to Hagrid. The man did not seem to be upset about having his lesson interrupted, in fact, he was rather pleased, and waved Grawp on. The giant held out a hand.

"This giant hand. See how hard?" Grawp took the dagger Hagrid had removed from his belt, and sliced I against his palm. There was no scar, nothing. He pressed harder now, the point digging at his skin, but nothing penetrated.

"Giant skin very hard. Careful, careful, when giant mad!" Grawp waved a warning finger, and everyone nodded. Grawp smiled, and brushed himself off. "Big snow coming. All in! In big cave now! Bye!" He looked down at Ginny, and grinned widely at her. "When Grawp come again, her bring gift for you, pretty Ginny!"

She waved. "Bye!" Then touched her wand to her throat. "Quietus." Grawp waved merrily and padded away.

There was a long, draw out silence, before Hagrid turned to Ginny and clapped her on the back. She almost fell over.

"Great! Just great, Ginny! Tha's fifty points ter Gryffindor right there! Keep it up, Gin! Now, come on, everybuddy, time to get in!" teachers and students alike cast Ginny incredulous looks as they stomped past her.

Hermione opened and closed her mouth. Ron put a hand over his eyes, and Harry seemed to be having difficulties breathing.

"When we first met him…" Hermione's voice was hoarse. " We were terrified!"

"Well. Not me!" Ginny replied cheerfully. She turned to Soleil, who was grinning shrewdly. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall in twenty minutes. I just want to see if I can convince Hagrid to let have a niffler! I've wanted one for ages!"

"And so the plot thickens…" Soleil laughed, and lead the stunned Golden Trio into Hogwarts.

Ginny sighed, and was about to turn around when someone grabbed her arm. She turned and found herself face to face with Draco Malfoy.

"What was with that trick, Weasley? Trying to prove something?" He sneered at her, but Ginny detected something else. She smiled winningly at him.

"Why, Malfoy is that concern I hear etched in your voice? You were worried for me?" She had meant it as a joke, but when Malfoy didn't answer, she panicked.

"You were actually worried?"

His eyes hardened. "Of course not. Forget it, ok? Let's just go back to the castle." They both turned.

…Then turned.

…………Then turned.

"Where in all the seven hells are the tracks?" Malfoy seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"Oh my God." Ginny fell to her knees. "We're lost!"