A/N - Okay guys, I want to say something before I continue on with my story. Because of some things, about four years ago my parents took away my Harry Potter books and have ever since not allowed me to have them or anything else Harry Potter related. So because of this, if I ever make a mistake on locations or names or anything like that, it's because I only have my memory to go by. My knowledge of Harry Potter goes up to the fourth book only, my mind is not yet updated. But if I ever need any answers to some questions about locations, people etc., I hope you wont mind answering them. I would love that you help me in this way.

Chapter Four: Familiar Surroundings

Ginny entered rather reluctantly into the Great Hall. Along side her all the other Hogwarts students were rushing in past her, excited for some reason or other. She simply took her time, slowly making her way in. She was in no hurry.

She stopped and stood by the entrance for a while. Her eyes slowly began to pace over her surroundings, such familiar ground; ground that she hadn't been to for quite a while.

Just too familiar. she thought, with a slight wrinkle of her nose.

Ginny continued to allow her mind to wander. That is, until she was snapped back to reality when she was shoved so hard from behind, she nearly lost her balance. Before she had time to react, Ginny heard the all too familiar drawl from behind her meet her ears.

"You're in my way, Weasel."

Her heart immediately sank. She knew too well who that voice belonged to.

Not now. she dreaded. Ginny could just sense that stupid smirk on his face.

She whipped around. Knowing well what to expect, she made sure to match the same glare the boy she was now facing gave her.

"Well, I wasn't aware Malfoy", she was able to drawl with as much equality to mach his, "that you wouldn't have at least some decency to show a bit of manners."

She was very well aware that he wouldn't, but she wasn't about to grant him the dignity of not doing so.

He stood there for a moment, glaring at her with such hatred it almost frightened her. She did her best not to back down from his gaze; she would not let him intimidate her.

"Oh please, Weasel", he finally stated with disgust, "don't think I'd bother to waste them on the likes of you." As he said this, he shoved past her once again and made his way to the Slytherin table.

She glared at his retreating back, her blood beginning to boil. Never before had she hated him with such a passion as she did this moment.

If only I had my wand! she scolded herself through clenched fists.

Indeed if only she did have her wand; she'd hex him into oblivion!

But Ginny knew she'd best thank her forgetfulness. Receiving detention while back so soon was not on her to do list.

But what I wouldn't give to...

She took in a deep breath. Calm down Ginny. she told herself.

Her breathing soon calmed down as she began to regain her self control. She was slowly able to unclench her fists, which had turned very white against on her already pale skin.

It irritated her to no end at how much she let him get to her. But he succeeded in it with full force.

She rolled her eyes, more at herself if anything. And with a sigh, she headed toward the Gryffindor table, catching up with the rest of her peers.

She settled at the table, making herself comfortable next to Hermione, across from Harry and Ron.

Hermione turned to look at her and leaned over, "Gin, are you okay?" She whispered in her ear. Concern was clearly written all over her face.

Ginny blankly started at the girl. Of course she was okay.

"Of course I'm okay. Why do you ask?"

"Because…I saw Malfoy talking to you. Whatever he said must have had you pretty upset. You looked as though you were about to explode! What did he say to you anyway?"

Ginny's eyes instinctively darted over to the Slytherin table. She scanned the table until she allowed her eyes to land on a certain blond haired boy. Her eyes narrowed and she shot him a deadly glare.

She scoffed. "He was just being his usual self."

"Humph. Not surprised." Harry butted in.

"That slimy git. Who does he bloody hell think he is!" Ron gritted through his teeth; he had followed his sister's gaze. "Gin, what did he say to you!"

"Oh Ron," Ginny rolled her eyes, "you don't have to constantly be worrying about me. I'm not the shy and defenseless little sister you still obviously remember me as. I can take care of myself. Give me some credit will ya?"

"It's not that," Hermione jumped in, "It's just with Malfoy, you don't ever know what to expect."

"Yeah, we all worry about you Gin." Harry said with added brotherly affection.

Ginny's eyes roved from one to another. She sighed feeling defeated and leaned back.

She knew they were all for the best. But she couldn't help but feel smothered by their big brother/big sister act. She hated that she felt that way, but she couldn't help but feel that way nonetheless.

It was enough to have Ron so over protective of her, she didn't want to have the other two start up with it.

Too late. she suddenly seemed to realize.

"Attention students!" Dumbledore's voice rose among the noise. He was stationed at the usual table in front of the hall with the rest of the staff, centered for all to see.

He had his hand raised up, bidding for their attention. "The ceremony will now commence! So please, give us your undivided attention and let the Sorting begin!"

His timing was perfect. As soon as he had finished speaking, the door flew open and a crowd of many new young faces filed in, a mixture of excitement and a bit of fear written on their features.

They each began to wait in line as as their names were being called out, waiting to be sorted into among the four houses.

Watching this scene unfold in front of her brought back to life many memories and feelings that had been lying dorment deep within Ginny. They flooded through her as though it was only a moment's past.

"I remember my first year at Hogwarts." Ginny related suddenly, bringing her head to rest in her hand.

"Aye, it seems so long ago." Harry finished her thought.

"I can hardly believe this is our last year here." Hermione shook her head disbelievingly.

"Time flew by quickly, yeah?" Ron nodded his head.

"You're telling me. Seven years here we've spent." Harry gestured.

"I really am going to miss this place." Hermione sadly shook her head.

Ginny chuckled a bit. "Come on! You all are acting as though the year is already over. We still have time left." She tried to uplift their spirits.

"Yes. I suppose that's true. But still…." Hermione trailed off.

The short span of silence was broken by the sorting hat's booming voice, filling the entire Great Hall with many echoes.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the sorting hat suddenly voiced next.

The whole of the Gryffindor table began to scream and cheer at the new addition. The new addition being a small young girl, flushed and beaming as she took a seat at her house table.

"I wonder did we look that small." Ron mused.

Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother's simplemindedness. "Of course we did. We were the same age than."

"Yes but, we've really grown." He answered back.

Ron was interrupted by Dumbledore, as he once again stood and gathered their attention. As tradition went, he made his speech directed especially to the first years, but that which also served as reminders for the rest.

His voice faded in Ginny's mind as she remembered a very important thing.

She perked up from her slouched position and tapped Hermione's shoulder, getting her to turn around and face her.

"Hermione, you haven't forgotten to talk to Dumbledore have you? About my wand?" she pleaded.

"Don't worry Gin. I've got you covered. I'll talk to him right after dinner." She reassured her with a gentle pat on her arm.

"Speaking of which!" Ron's excitement could hardly be contained.

His eyes were glued on the table at the remarkably prepared dishes that had suddenly appeared before them. Soon all the students were digging in. The noise level too very quickly picked up as they were immersed in the usual chatter of catching up with old friends.

It never ceased to amaze Ginny how food could make someone so happy. Ron really being the person to spark such a thought in her mind, as she watched him stuff his face.

"What?" Ron snapped with his mouth full, looking rather piggish. His question was barely audible.

"Oh! Nothing." She looked around casually. She began to serve herself as well, getting lost in the cheerful conversation and atmosphere brought on by such an occasion.

So it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Being here once again was nothing new to her. And the memories these familiar surroundings brought back to her mind were rather pleasurable. No it wouldn't be so bad.

Not at all. she smiled to herself. Hergaze skimmed through the room, enjoying the scene of happy faces that greeted her eyes.

They subconsciously brought themselves in the direction of the Slytherin table, landing on one blond haired Slytherin in particular. Her smile immediately vanished from her face.

Than again, I could be wrong. she glared.

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The feast eventually ended that night and all the students were than sent off to their respective dorms; still in good cheer and with more than very full stomachs.

Up in the Gryffindor tower, Ginny was sitting by the fireplace with Harry and Ron in the common room. The two boys had made themselves comfortable by taking on a game of chess.

She on the other hand was pretty anxious, walking back and forth, sitting down to get up and do so again only seconds later.

Hermione had headed to the headmaster's office to inquire about the whole incident with Ginny's wand; asking for permission for an early trip to Diagon Alley to purchase one again.

The latter was waiting impatiently for the older girl's return and answer.

"What in the world is taking her so darn long!" Ginny threw up her hands, pacing the room for the thousandth time.

"Just be happy she's doing this for you Gin. Asking for something like this can't be real easy." Ron robotically stated. He was deeply concentrating on the game, not even looking up.

"I am happy!" Ginny defended herself. "It's just that-"

Before Ginny even had the time to finish her trail of thought, the common room portrait flung open.

Hermione stepped in, a bright smile on her face.

She briskly walked toward the direction that Ginny was standing. "He's given us permission! He says we can go as early as tomorrow." She beamed.

Ginny let out a deep breath she didn't know she had been holding. Unbelievable relief flooded through her at the good news. That is until….

Ginny's face fell. "But I have no money." She couldn't help but blurt out.

Hermione smiled at her friend. "Gin, you know not to worry about such things. I'll take care of it."

"But I can't let you do that!" she cried. Hermione had done so much for her already, this was too much.

"Well I'm going to do it anyway." Hermione wheeled around and took a seat by the fireplace.

"Oh I promise Hermione, I'll pay you back I swear it!"

"Please Gin. I'm doing this because I want to do it. Consider it an early Christmas present." She smiled. "Now, I'm off to bed." And with that, Hermione quickly ran up the stairs to bed, not allowing anymore response from Ginny.

"I don't believe her." Ginny stared after her, a small smile showing on her lips. She owed a lot to that girl.

"The least you could've done is say thank you." Ron butted in, a victorious grin on his face as he destroyed another one of Harry's bishops.

"Oh shut up." She rolled her eyes.

"Make me." He looked up at her for the first time.

She took a step forward. "Oh I will."

"Now, now children settle down." Harry interrupted.

"She started it." Ron tried to shift the blame.

"Oh grow up Ron. I'm off to bed now.'Night Harry." She nodded her head in his direction and ran out of the room.

She ran up the stairs and threw open the door to her dorm. She shared it with three of her other class mates who provided her with nothing but queer looks as she entered into the room.

"What?" She asked them.

They were all huddled up on one bed, continuing to just stare at her, than at one another. Finally they simply went back to whispering and giggling amongst themselves.

What's their problem?

She rolled her eyes and walked over to her trunk. She opened it and grabbed her pajamas and what other necessities she felt she needed. Than she stood up and briskly walked into their bathroom for a bath, eager to escape the quiet whispers and glances thrown her way by the other girls.

About half an hour later, she walked out of the steam filled room still wearing her bath robe, running her brush through her still wet hair. To her surprise, she found her roommates had already gone to bed.

Good idea. she thought as she quickly changed and made her way to her own four posted bed.

She crawled in and closed the curtains; she very much enjoyed the small amount privacy it provided her. She tucked herself in and made herself comfortable, or at least tried to.

She tossed and turned for a while; rolling on her side for a few minutes, than turning over on the other side, only turn back over once again.

Definitely not as comfortable. she thought, referring to her own mattress back at the Burrow.

After what felt like forever of restless tossing and turning, she finally allowed the darkness to envelope her as she closed her eyes and went off to sleep.

A/N - I was actually quite pleased with the way this chapter came out. But I'm still trying to think of a way to get our favorite couple together. Yeah yeah I know it's my story but my first one at that, so if you'd like to help me brainstorm (I'm not too good at it myself) I'd gladly accept what you have to offer.

Don't forget to R&R!