Ch. 2 – The Return
Ginny worked for hours on her acceptance letter. It had to be just right… perfect. The first one sounded too eager. The next sounded too needy; the next, too familiar; the next, too formal. On and on it went. She had a hard time imagining him struggling with his letter. He had it so easy in that way. He always seemed to know exactly what to say and how to say it to get the result he wanted. Finally, she had written a letter that seemed right… just right. She eagerly signed her name to it and began to read it back to herself.
Professor Snape,
Thank you for your offer of an Apprenticeship. I know that these offers are not given lightly. I am honored to accept your offer and look forward to our future work together.
Respectfully,
Ginerva Molly Weasley
She folded the letter, addressed it and slipped it into the pocket of her summer cloak. She wondered how long she would have to prepare. She knew that she would need supplies to begin her Apprenticeship, and though she knew that somehow Mum and Dad would pay for them, she would feel better if she could pay for part of them herself. She was off to Diagon Alley to find a job and send her acceptance letter.
XXX
Three long weeks Ginny worked at The Leaky Cauldron bussing tables and waitressing twelve hours a day. It was hard work, but it was honest work. She managed to keep the job secret from her family until she purchased her new supplies. When Ron found out he gave her the riot act, but she didn't care.
Ginny found herself once again in front of Hogwarts front door. To her surprise it was Dobby who met her. "Ms. Ginny, Master Snape is not here. He asked Dobby to take you to your room, next to his. He asks that I help you unpack. He said he will be back soon to see you." Ginny nodded and Dobby began to lead her to the dungeons.
"Have you seen Harry Potter, Ms. Ginny?"
"Yes, Dobby, he is doing well. He is staying in Diagon Alley, I'm sure he would love for you to visit." Dobby nodded and his ears flopped happily.
In a matter of minutes she had unpacked. Her room was small – but not smaller than her room at the Burrow. She had dismissed Dobby before unpacking her most personal possessions: her grandmother's quilt; her second-hand guitar – purchased with her first paycheck; her doll collection – Tessa her rag doll from when she was a girl, Sarah her porcelain bride doll from her 13th birthday, and Alexandra her Egyptian princess doll the Bill had bought her when they visited him in Egypt; and perhaps most prized of all - her Muggle book collection – mostly gifts from Hermione. Also present were her graduation gifts: the tea set from her Mother (white with blue-grey flowers); a Muggle rubber duck from her father – who was still trying to determine their function; fencing foil, jacket, glove, boots, and helmet from Charlie; an ankh amulet from Bill; a small Wizard's Wireless from Fred and George; and a Muggle CD collection and player from Ron, Hermione, and Harry, who spent months searching for the right music.
All of this combined with her new cauldron, sickle (for collecting plants), brass scales, vials, reference books, log book, portable potions cabinet (for her private store of ingredients and pre-made potions), censor, and other accoutrements combined to make her room the coziest in the dungeons. When she finished her work there was a light knock on the door, "Ms. Weasley, when you have finished, would you please join me in my office?"
"Yes, Professor."
XXX
Snape's office was dark and dank… just the way he liked it. Ginny walked in and sat in the chair across from his desk. "I'm very glad you accepted my offer, Ms. Weasley."
"I'm glad to be back, Professor," she said sincerely.
"The journey you have chosen to embark on will be a long and difficult one. You will study many arts besides the art of potions in order to obtain the title of Potions Mistress, Herbology for example, as well as the History of Potions. But enough of the formality… how did you enjoy your vacation, however short it may have been?"
"It wasn't much of a vacation, Professor. I worked at The Leaky Cauldron as a busgirl and waitress for three weeks in order to earn enough money to pay for my supplies, and of course the Order meetings… I wish I knew what Dumbledore has in store for me."
"Don't we all," Snape replied mysteriously. "How did you sleep?"
Her brown eyes locked with his – she hadn't told anyone about the dreams… ever. "How did you know?"
"All who have been touched by Voldemort have the nightmares, Ms. Weasley. I can read it in your face."
"I slept better, since I was away from here. All of my time with Tom was spent within these walls; he follows me everywhere, but here is where my dreams are most potent."
He nodded. "I took the liberty of mixing up extra Dreamless Sleep. I wasn't sure if you would have had time to make any. There will be one dose available here tonight and every night for this week – after that I expect you to be self-sufficient." She nodded, thankful for that kindness. "Well, that is all for today. I expect you in the store room at 7 am sharp Ms. Weasley. Until then, you are free to go."
She stood and turned to leave. "What are your plans for the rest of the day, Ms. Weasley?"
"Actually I was rather looking forward to fencing, sir." His usual grimace faltered slightly and she thought that she caught a glimpse of a smile.
"I was hoping you would say that."
XXX
Minutes later the pair was in the Great Hall, tables pushed against the wall. Ginny was dressed in a tight pair of black athletic pants and a white tank top, over which she wore her fencing jacket and glove. Her fencing boots were laced tight. Snape saluted her and she returned the salute. They both put on their masks and fell into engarde.
"Ready?" asked Snape. Ginny nodded. "Fence."
They closed the distance to the en garde line and engaged one another. Ginny extended first. Snape parried and followed with a riposte. Attack. Parry. Riposte. Bind. Parry. Riposte.
Snape was trying not to notice how good Ginny looked in her new fencing equipment. It was form fitting and the form was well-shaped. In his split second of distraction Ginny attacked with a ballestra, a hop followed by a lunge, and hit her mark. The magical buzzer sounded and a light glowed from the point of Ginny's foil.
"First touche to you, Ms. Weasley," Snape said begrudgingly. "Recover." They backed to their starting position and the match continued.
After five fast-paced, intense minutes of fighting, the match was called – it had ending in La Belle – a tie.
"Good job, Ms. Weasley. Until tomorrow morning."
A/N: Sorry for the filler. When I first wrote this chapter it was much longer, but I decided to separate it into two chapters to make it easier to read. I thought about deleting this chapter entirely, but parts of it are referenced later, so I left it in.
One more apology about the technicality of the fencing scene: I am a fencer. I think that I used to write better swordplay scenes before I knew what I was talking about. I'm seriously considering re-writing it. What do you think? Please review!