The sun shone brightly over a perfectly azure sky, white, wispy clouds floated by as if in a dreamy trance as another glorious day greeted everyone at Hogwarts. The wind contentedly sighed, fanning the entire castle with a light breeze. Everyone inside the castle seemed affected by the cheerful weather…everyone except Ginny Weasley, that is. It has been three days since she sent Harry Potter an owl, and she still hasn't received any reply. Ron and Hermione both warned her that expecting an owl from him would be similar to expecting Draco Malfoy from becoming the sweetest and most humble person on the face of Wizard-kind.
Still, Ginny decided to send Harry a note. She rather thought that it was unfair of him not to let his friends know how he is—nor ask how they are. Busy or not, Ginny felt that sparing a few minutes is more than enough to let people know their importance in one's life.
Hence, her owl—and her frustration over his continued silence.
On her way to the Great Hall for some breakfast, she met Colin Creevey, her camera wielding, Harry Potter fanatic fellow-Gryffindor, and his brother Dennis. Both boys were engaged in an intense conversation. The moment they saw her, they immediately stopped and sported almost-guilty faces.
"Hi, Ginny," said Colin.
"'morning, Ginny," said Dennis.
"Hey guys! What's up?" said Ginny.
"Wha-? Oh, nothing," said Dennis.
"Yes, nothing," confirmed Colin, which baffled Ginny. She never saw the Creevey brothers act like this before.
"If you say so. See you around guys." Shrugging her shoulders, Ginny went straight for the Great Hall.
Everyone in the Great Hall was practically halfway through their breakfast when numerous owls swept through as they carried the mail. Sensing that it was going to be another luckless day, Ginny brought her attention back to her breakfast. However, an owl landed in front of her, knocking a saltshaker in the process. Frowning, she took the scroll tied to one of its legs. The moment she saw the letter's sender, she gave a big sigh of disappointment.
"That is not the owl you are expecting," a serene voice behind Ginny declared.
Ginny whirled around. It was Luna Lovegood, her protuberant eyes looking at the note Ginny was holding with knowing eyes.
"Oh, hi Luna," Ginny lamely greeted.
"That is not the owl you are expecting," Luna repeated.
"Yeah. I've been waiting for another owl. This one came from Hermione," said Ginny.
"It'll come soon, you'll see." Luna said sagely as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table.
Giving out another sigh, Ginny opened the scroll. Hermione's neat handwriting greeted her.
"Dear Ginny,
How are you doing? I guess you've heard by now that Ron's been mighty busy training with the Chudley Cannons. It has been almost a week since I last received a word from him. He can be so tactless at times. It's a good thing though, that he's learning to become more considerate of the people around him; although, I cannot exactly say the same whenever Viktor's name comes into the conversation. Honestly, he can be so…I'm sorry, he is your brother, but he can be so exasperating at times.
Anyway, how is your day? Has Harry sent you an owl? He hasn't sent me any word either. I know it has been days since you told me that you sent him one, but be patient, at least. My friends at the Auror Training Program in the Ministry told me that Harry's class will be taking its first exam tomorrow. I guess you can send him another owl to wish him luck even if he has been quiet for some time now. I sent him an owl wishing him luck yesterday and he also hasn't reply. I have to admit, letter writing really isn't a man's strong point.
At any rate, I hope you have a great day. Your father and mother send their regards. Hear from you soon.
Hermione"
Well at least somebody is patient enough to let her friends know what is going on, Ginny thought. I only wonder when Ron and Hermione will sort things out and be honest about each other's feelings.
Like they will, Ginny muttered to herself as she drank the last of her pumpkin juice, grabbed her bag and headed for Snape's dungeon.
A few hours later, Ginny is at the library doing an assignment for her Potions class. Snape was in a considerably foul mood during their class, for what reason, she didn't care. She herself was feeling dejected and was not in the mood to sympathize with anyone, least of all Snape. Steeling herself from feeling all the more downhearted, Ginny finished her assignment before meeting Professor McGonagall over the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
"Alright team; it's time to stop whining. Losing our famous Seeker to the Ministry doesn't give us an excuse to lose the Quidditch Cup trophy," a stern Ginny berated the dispirited Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
"We're not really whining, Ginny. We're really bothered with the fact that it'll be hard to maintain the House Cup if we don't have someone as good as Harry on the team," said a crestfallen Jack Sloper.
"Look at us! Compared to the time Gryffindor had Fred and George Weasley, Harry Potter and Oliver Wood, we're sitting ducks! Even Hufflepuff may have a chance of wiping us off the ground!" an almost hysterical Andrew Kirke wheezed.
Ginny's face reached a shade almost identical with her hair's, "Well it's about time we prove to those blokes that we can win the House Cup without depending so much on famous players! Angelina Johnson took almost all of us in during our fourth year! We don't play like idiots anymore! It's about time we show them that we can win on our own!" A long silence ensued as a stunned Quidditch Team stared back at her.
"WELL, ARE YOU WITH ME OR NOT?" Ginny bellowed.
The others dumbly nodded in response.
"Why? Why do I have to endure such punishment? Why did I end up with the most pathetic bunch of losers for team mates?" Ginny moaned to her friend Angela White.
"It can't be that bad Ginny, they're still probably trying to adjust with the fact that Harry's no longer with the team anymore," said Angela as she watched Ginny's muddy form slump on one of the common room's chairs.
"No, it was appalling, almost everyone played worse than the time they first joined the team. I could've given them the Bat-Bogey Hex just to stem my frustration. They all feel so hopeless now that Harry has upped and gone for Auror training." Ginny said blankly.
"Heard anything from Harry?" asked Angela.
Ginny sighed, "No, I swear I will hex that person if it's the last thing I do. I don't care if Hermione says that he's busy. Friends don't leave one of their own in the dark," a few minutes of silence followed. Heaving a big sigh, Ginny stood up and said, "Come on, we better get some sleep, things might get better tomorrow."
The following day seemed to sympathize with Ginny Weasley's dismal mood. The sun appeared to have decided to hide as grey, heavy clouds swelled ominously over the castle grounds. Everyone in and out of the castle huddled inside their cloaks to protect themselves from the wind's cold shrieks. Students unlucky enough to have classes in the dungeons found themselves looking at their breaths while vainly trying to get warm.
"May I remind you once more that if it were up to me, most of you wouldn't even get to step foot in my dungeon for Advanced Potions. Considering the kind of dunderheads most of you are, I find it surprising that you never managed to poison anyone who tried the abomination you called potion," Professor Snape said in his most sinister manner as Ginny's class silently listened. "You will concoct one of the most delicate and powerful potions known to magic, the Veritaserum. Ingredients and procedures," he waved his wand, "are on the board."
Ginny's mind was so preoccupied with so many things that it was a while before she felt Angela poking her from the side. "What?!" Ginny hissed. "Put your sample in a flask. Snape told the class to do that a minute ago. I've been telling you that for three times," Angela murmured as she labelled her flask.
"Oh, right," hurriedly, Ginny scooped a sample of her Veritaserum and labelled her flask. One does not move slowly in Snape's class unless he wants a taste of Snape's wrath.
"Well at least Snape didn't bite our heads off," smiled Angela as she and Ginny made their way for the Great Hall.
"Yeah, he probably finally got over the fact that Harry's passed his Potions classes and is now training to be an Auror. You should've been there when Ron told Hermione and I how Snape reacted when he saw Harry's name for the first time in the class list for Advanced Potions. Even Harry thought he would never train to be an Auror all thanks to Snape," said Ginny as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. Seeing her teammates talking quietly with the other Gryffindors, Ginny sighed, "You know, at times I am so tempted to send Fred and George an owl and ask for advice. Sometimes I am such at a loss as to what to do just to lift their spirits up." "Why don't you?" "I can't. Fred and George will scare them off the moment they know what's going on. Besides, knowing my brothers, I'm sure they'll tell me I can find a way," Ginny mimicked Fred's most snooty voice, "A true Weasley can worm his way out of anything." "I'm sure you can," assured Angela.
"I sure hope you're right, I sure hope so," Ginny said wearily as she banged her head on the table.
"Heads up, people! We're here to play Quidditch, not to sweep the castle grounds!" Ginny yelled at her teammates.
"It's no use, Ginny! We can't be the Gryffindor Quidditch Team without Harry as Seeker," wailed a hapless Andrew Kirke.
The scowl on Ginny's face became more menacing as her face turned a bright red, "Go back to the field," she motioned to everyone on the team.
"Everybody listen," she began quietly, "If I hear another word that we are nothing without Harry Potter nor my brothers, the person who said that will answer to me. Whoever doesn't have the guts to play Quidditch with the team will be given two choices: either I will hex the loser to kingdom come or feed him an entire set of Skiving Snackboxes without the antidotes. You hear?" Everybody nodded. "Good, let's go back and practice." Ginny said as she mounted her broom and flew up.
"Well at least today's practice was a vast improvement," Ginny reported to Angela as she plopped down her seat in the Common Room.
"So what happened?" "I gave the entire team a pep talk and they managed to play their best game in days."
Angela smiled knowingly at Ginny, "Let me guess, you either blew your top and frightened the team, or threatened them with something as bad as the Unforgivable Curses--" "Or both," Ginny finished.
"Both?" Angela stared.
"Well, I didn't really threaten them with the Unforgivable Curses. I simply told them that whoever had the guts to whine again would suffer by either one of my hexes or by being fed an entire set of Skiving Snackboxes sans the antidote. I guess that got them out of their pathetic state," Ginny casually said.
Angela giggled, "I'm glad I'm not in the team. I'd sure be dead afraid to cross swords with you. Your hexing Malfoy during our fourth year still is the stuff of legends in school. I can imagine Jack Sloper quaking in his robes when he heard you give your threat." "You can say that what I told them jolted them really good," Ginny grinned.
Both girls looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Just then, a snowy owl descended on the Common Room window. After scanning the people present, it flew towards Ginny, landed on the chair's arm and gave a dignified hoot.
"It's Hedwig!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Harry must have finally sent a reply. Open it! Let's hear what he has to say," said Angela.
Ginny excitedly took the scroll tied to one of Hedwig's legs. Sure enough, the letter was from Harry. Both girls read the short note together.
"Dear Ginny,
How's my favourite redhead? I was afraid you'd send me a Howler so I decided to send you an owl despite my just concluded exams.
Not that I wish to make you feel guilty. I wrote this letter during one of my breaks from studying, though Hermione would still berate me should she see the way I prepare for my exams—if you dare call it preparing.
Anyway, how's the new Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain? Don't ask me how I found out about it, I don't reveal my sources. How's the team going? When's the next match? How can I help? I hope I can watch you guys play—like I could, no thanks to my jammed schedule.
Living in Muggle London is quite nice; it's similar to living with a group of the worst Slytherins next door in the beginning. But I'm used to it now. My Muggle neighbour's taste in music was irritating at the start, but now it doesn't feel right if I don't get to listen to it. Even the Aurors living in the same building agree with me.
I miss all of you guys. Write soon.
Best,
Harry"
"What do you think?" Angela asked fervently.
"Think what?" "Well, do you think he fancies you now?" Ginny scoffed, "You're pulling my leg. Really." "Look, Harry says he misses you," Angela protested.
"You read the letter, it said ALL of us, it includes Ron, Hermione and whoever else is included. It's not just me," Ginny retorted.
"Still, who knows? He never dated anyone since Cho Chang. You've done the same since last summer. Only the two of us know that you never really gave up on him." "Well--", Ginny began lamely.
"Besides," Angela interrupted, "hadn't he been quite protective of you every time he finds out the guy you've gone out with? At least he can be quite civil towards the guy; unlike Ron who would readily hex or beat up the poor bloke," seeing the hesitant look on Ginny's face, Angela continued, "Look, if what Harry is doing for you does not mean that he fancies you, I don't know what does!"
As if agreeing with Angela's point, Hedwig gave a loud hoot.
"Oh, right, I have to answer his letter," Ginny blushed.
"Here's some parchment, ink and quill. I'll leave you alone so you won't be bothered. Tell me what you wrote later. Good night," said Angela as she stood and headed for the girls' dormitory.
Once alone, Ginny asked Hedwig, "So what do you think should I tell him?" Hedwig gave another hoot.
Ginny stared at the window for a few moments. Then she started writing,
"Harry, I've got great news! The prat is alive! How was your exam?--"
Still, Ginny decided to send Harry a note. She rather thought that it was unfair of him not to let his friends know how he is—nor ask how they are. Busy or not, Ginny felt that sparing a few minutes is more than enough to let people know their importance in one's life.
Hence, her owl—and her frustration over his continued silence.
On her way to the Great Hall for some breakfast, she met Colin Creevey, her camera wielding, Harry Potter fanatic fellow-Gryffindor, and his brother Dennis. Both boys were engaged in an intense conversation. The moment they saw her, they immediately stopped and sported almost-guilty faces.
"Hi, Ginny," said Colin.
"'morning, Ginny," said Dennis.
"Hey guys! What's up?" said Ginny.
"Wha-? Oh, nothing," said Dennis.
"Yes, nothing," confirmed Colin, which baffled Ginny. She never saw the Creevey brothers act like this before.
"If you say so. See you around guys." Shrugging her shoulders, Ginny went straight for the Great Hall.
Everyone in the Great Hall was practically halfway through their breakfast when numerous owls swept through as they carried the mail. Sensing that it was going to be another luckless day, Ginny brought her attention back to her breakfast. However, an owl landed in front of her, knocking a saltshaker in the process. Frowning, she took the scroll tied to one of its legs. The moment she saw the letter's sender, she gave a big sigh of disappointment.
"That is not the owl you are expecting," a serene voice behind Ginny declared.
Ginny whirled around. It was Luna Lovegood, her protuberant eyes looking at the note Ginny was holding with knowing eyes.
"Oh, hi Luna," Ginny lamely greeted.
"That is not the owl you are expecting," Luna repeated.
"Yeah. I've been waiting for another owl. This one came from Hermione," said Ginny.
"It'll come soon, you'll see." Luna said sagely as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table.
Giving out another sigh, Ginny opened the scroll. Hermione's neat handwriting greeted her.
"Dear Ginny,
How are you doing? I guess you've heard by now that Ron's been mighty busy training with the Chudley Cannons. It has been almost a week since I last received a word from him. He can be so tactless at times. It's a good thing though, that he's learning to become more considerate of the people around him; although, I cannot exactly say the same whenever Viktor's name comes into the conversation. Honestly, he can be so…I'm sorry, he is your brother, but he can be so exasperating at times.
Anyway, how is your day? Has Harry sent you an owl? He hasn't sent me any word either. I know it has been days since you told me that you sent him one, but be patient, at least. My friends at the Auror Training Program in the Ministry told me that Harry's class will be taking its first exam tomorrow. I guess you can send him another owl to wish him luck even if he has been quiet for some time now. I sent him an owl wishing him luck yesterday and he also hasn't reply. I have to admit, letter writing really isn't a man's strong point.
At any rate, I hope you have a great day. Your father and mother send their regards. Hear from you soon.
Hermione"
Well at least somebody is patient enough to let her friends know what is going on, Ginny thought. I only wonder when Ron and Hermione will sort things out and be honest about each other's feelings.
Like they will, Ginny muttered to herself as she drank the last of her pumpkin juice, grabbed her bag and headed for Snape's dungeon.
A few hours later, Ginny is at the library doing an assignment for her Potions class. Snape was in a considerably foul mood during their class, for what reason, she didn't care. She herself was feeling dejected and was not in the mood to sympathize with anyone, least of all Snape. Steeling herself from feeling all the more downhearted, Ginny finished her assignment before meeting Professor McGonagall over the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
"Alright team; it's time to stop whining. Losing our famous Seeker to the Ministry doesn't give us an excuse to lose the Quidditch Cup trophy," a stern Ginny berated the dispirited Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
"We're not really whining, Ginny. We're really bothered with the fact that it'll be hard to maintain the House Cup if we don't have someone as good as Harry on the team," said a crestfallen Jack Sloper.
"Look at us! Compared to the time Gryffindor had Fred and George Weasley, Harry Potter and Oliver Wood, we're sitting ducks! Even Hufflepuff may have a chance of wiping us off the ground!" an almost hysterical Andrew Kirke wheezed.
Ginny's face reached a shade almost identical with her hair's, "Well it's about time we prove to those blokes that we can win the House Cup without depending so much on famous players! Angelina Johnson took almost all of us in during our fourth year! We don't play like idiots anymore! It's about time we show them that we can win on our own!" A long silence ensued as a stunned Quidditch Team stared back at her.
"WELL, ARE YOU WITH ME OR NOT?" Ginny bellowed.
The others dumbly nodded in response.
"Why? Why do I have to endure such punishment? Why did I end up with the most pathetic bunch of losers for team mates?" Ginny moaned to her friend Angela White.
"It can't be that bad Ginny, they're still probably trying to adjust with the fact that Harry's no longer with the team anymore," said Angela as she watched Ginny's muddy form slump on one of the common room's chairs.
"No, it was appalling, almost everyone played worse than the time they first joined the team. I could've given them the Bat-Bogey Hex just to stem my frustration. They all feel so hopeless now that Harry has upped and gone for Auror training." Ginny said blankly.
"Heard anything from Harry?" asked Angela.
Ginny sighed, "No, I swear I will hex that person if it's the last thing I do. I don't care if Hermione says that he's busy. Friends don't leave one of their own in the dark," a few minutes of silence followed. Heaving a big sigh, Ginny stood up and said, "Come on, we better get some sleep, things might get better tomorrow."
The following day seemed to sympathize with Ginny Weasley's dismal mood. The sun appeared to have decided to hide as grey, heavy clouds swelled ominously over the castle grounds. Everyone in and out of the castle huddled inside their cloaks to protect themselves from the wind's cold shrieks. Students unlucky enough to have classes in the dungeons found themselves looking at their breaths while vainly trying to get warm.
"May I remind you once more that if it were up to me, most of you wouldn't even get to step foot in my dungeon for Advanced Potions. Considering the kind of dunderheads most of you are, I find it surprising that you never managed to poison anyone who tried the abomination you called potion," Professor Snape said in his most sinister manner as Ginny's class silently listened. "You will concoct one of the most delicate and powerful potions known to magic, the Veritaserum. Ingredients and procedures," he waved his wand, "are on the board."
Ginny's mind was so preoccupied with so many things that it was a while before she felt Angela poking her from the side. "What?!" Ginny hissed. "Put your sample in a flask. Snape told the class to do that a minute ago. I've been telling you that for three times," Angela murmured as she labelled her flask.
"Oh, right," hurriedly, Ginny scooped a sample of her Veritaserum and labelled her flask. One does not move slowly in Snape's class unless he wants a taste of Snape's wrath.
"Well at least Snape didn't bite our heads off," smiled Angela as she and Ginny made their way for the Great Hall.
"Yeah, he probably finally got over the fact that Harry's passed his Potions classes and is now training to be an Auror. You should've been there when Ron told Hermione and I how Snape reacted when he saw Harry's name for the first time in the class list for Advanced Potions. Even Harry thought he would never train to be an Auror all thanks to Snape," said Ginny as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. Seeing her teammates talking quietly with the other Gryffindors, Ginny sighed, "You know, at times I am so tempted to send Fred and George an owl and ask for advice. Sometimes I am such at a loss as to what to do just to lift their spirits up." "Why don't you?" "I can't. Fred and George will scare them off the moment they know what's going on. Besides, knowing my brothers, I'm sure they'll tell me I can find a way," Ginny mimicked Fred's most snooty voice, "A true Weasley can worm his way out of anything." "I'm sure you can," assured Angela.
"I sure hope you're right, I sure hope so," Ginny said wearily as she banged her head on the table.
"Heads up, people! We're here to play Quidditch, not to sweep the castle grounds!" Ginny yelled at her teammates.
"It's no use, Ginny! We can't be the Gryffindor Quidditch Team without Harry as Seeker," wailed a hapless Andrew Kirke.
The scowl on Ginny's face became more menacing as her face turned a bright red, "Go back to the field," she motioned to everyone on the team.
"Everybody listen," she began quietly, "If I hear another word that we are nothing without Harry Potter nor my brothers, the person who said that will answer to me. Whoever doesn't have the guts to play Quidditch with the team will be given two choices: either I will hex the loser to kingdom come or feed him an entire set of Skiving Snackboxes without the antidotes. You hear?" Everybody nodded. "Good, let's go back and practice." Ginny said as she mounted her broom and flew up.
"Well at least today's practice was a vast improvement," Ginny reported to Angela as she plopped down her seat in the Common Room.
"So what happened?" "I gave the entire team a pep talk and they managed to play their best game in days."
Angela smiled knowingly at Ginny, "Let me guess, you either blew your top and frightened the team, or threatened them with something as bad as the Unforgivable Curses--" "Or both," Ginny finished.
"Both?" Angela stared.
"Well, I didn't really threaten them with the Unforgivable Curses. I simply told them that whoever had the guts to whine again would suffer by either one of my hexes or by being fed an entire set of Skiving Snackboxes sans the antidote. I guess that got them out of their pathetic state," Ginny casually said.
Angela giggled, "I'm glad I'm not in the team. I'd sure be dead afraid to cross swords with you. Your hexing Malfoy during our fourth year still is the stuff of legends in school. I can imagine Jack Sloper quaking in his robes when he heard you give your threat." "You can say that what I told them jolted them really good," Ginny grinned.
Both girls looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Just then, a snowy owl descended on the Common Room window. After scanning the people present, it flew towards Ginny, landed on the chair's arm and gave a dignified hoot.
"It's Hedwig!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Harry must have finally sent a reply. Open it! Let's hear what he has to say," said Angela.
Ginny excitedly took the scroll tied to one of Hedwig's legs. Sure enough, the letter was from Harry. Both girls read the short note together.
"Dear Ginny,
How's my favourite redhead? I was afraid you'd send me a Howler so I decided to send you an owl despite my just concluded exams.
Not that I wish to make you feel guilty. I wrote this letter during one of my breaks from studying, though Hermione would still berate me should she see the way I prepare for my exams—if you dare call it preparing.
Anyway, how's the new Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain? Don't ask me how I found out about it, I don't reveal my sources. How's the team going? When's the next match? How can I help? I hope I can watch you guys play—like I could, no thanks to my jammed schedule.
Living in Muggle London is quite nice; it's similar to living with a group of the worst Slytherins next door in the beginning. But I'm used to it now. My Muggle neighbour's taste in music was irritating at the start, but now it doesn't feel right if I don't get to listen to it. Even the Aurors living in the same building agree with me.
I miss all of you guys. Write soon.
Best,
Harry"
"What do you think?" Angela asked fervently.
"Think what?" "Well, do you think he fancies you now?" Ginny scoffed, "You're pulling my leg. Really." "Look, Harry says he misses you," Angela protested.
"You read the letter, it said ALL of us, it includes Ron, Hermione and whoever else is included. It's not just me," Ginny retorted.
"Still, who knows? He never dated anyone since Cho Chang. You've done the same since last summer. Only the two of us know that you never really gave up on him." "Well--", Ginny began lamely.
"Besides," Angela interrupted, "hadn't he been quite protective of you every time he finds out the guy you've gone out with? At least he can be quite civil towards the guy; unlike Ron who would readily hex or beat up the poor bloke," seeing the hesitant look on Ginny's face, Angela continued, "Look, if what Harry is doing for you does not mean that he fancies you, I don't know what does!"
As if agreeing with Angela's point, Hedwig gave a loud hoot.
"Oh, right, I have to answer his letter," Ginny blushed.
"Here's some parchment, ink and quill. I'll leave you alone so you won't be bothered. Tell me what you wrote later. Good night," said Angela as she stood and headed for the girls' dormitory.
Once alone, Ginny asked Hedwig, "So what do you think should I tell him?" Hedwig gave another hoot.
Ginny stared at the window for a few moments. Then she started writing,
"Harry, I've got great news! The prat is alive! How was your exam?--"