Chapter 8: The Letter Marks the Start
Ginny was smiling when she entered the house. She was in a great mood after spending the day with Harry. However, her dearly beloved and not at all nagging Aunt Muriel had to ruin it. The instant Ginny entered the house all she heard was, "WHERE WERE YOU, YOU IGNORANT GIRL! I THOUGHT YOU WOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO LEAVE THE HOUSE!" This went on and on to the point that Ginny was ready to eat dinner at the hour she was accustomed to at 6 o'clock.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Aunt Muriel screeched.
"I'm so sorry Aunt Muriel," Ginny began using her acting skills that she had perfected over the years of getting away with pranks. "I only went on a walk and lost track of time. Next time I will try to write you a note."
Although Aunt Muriel was still fuming, she calmed down slightly. "Like you should have done in the first place. Now, go to your room. You aren't allowed out of it till the morning."
"Yes, Aunt Muriel."
Muriel smirked like she had just won a major battle. However, to Ginny, being in her room all night was the least of her concerns. She rather liked it. A house elf would bring her food and she could read Harry's letter.
The letter. She had no idea what to expect. Harry had changed. These changes seemed positive, but Harry was becoming more and more unpredictable. Ginny hurried her way up to her room.
Once inside, she began:
Ginny,
I hope that this finds you well and that you are doing okay. Well, I guess as well as could be expected. I don't know if I'll even send this, but I really need to get something off of my chest.
First off, though, I want you to know that I am here for you. Last year was a lot for you (and me too if I'm being honest), and I know from experience that bottling everything up can be exhausting after a certain point. I just want to let you know that I am here for you.
Moving on, have you realised how…
At this point there was a scratched out word that looked a lot like an explicit word starting with an F. This caused Ginny to laugh softly.
...messed up the wizarding world is? Like seriously. Why is there a freaking basilisk in the middle of the bloody school! And the fact that the teachers didn't figure anything out about the bad things happening the past two years? I mean come on. Even muggles have better surveillance WITHOUT magic.
I think the problem has to do with people like Dumbledore and Fudge and Malfoy. Dumbledore reacts and is too trusting. He also won't punish those who are doing something wrong if they're from the wrong family. Kinda unfair. It's like he's trying to divide the houses. Fudge blatantly accepts bribes for accused death eaters, and Malfoy. EVERYONE knows that he is a bloody death eater! How would they not! It's all just very aggravating.
Well, to sum this up, I am tired of feeling useless and used. And I bet you are too. To be honest, Ginny, none of my friends know what it's like to live through something so traumatizing. But you now do. I feel kind of bad for being slightly thankful about the chamber. Not that I'm saying it was a good thing or anything! It was an horrific experience. But, I feel like I have somebody to relate to now, if you will let me.
Anyways, my goal is to start studying and trading. I ordered some awesome new books that I can't wait to read.
Hope your summer gets better from here! Stay in there and keep on fighting for every happy moment.
Harry
Ginny was slightly shocked by this letter, but not as surprised as she would have been a year ago. Harry was right. The wizarding world was effed up. And they had borne the brunt of it before they were even 13.
Now, Ginny decided, she wanted in. She was going to help Harry and they were going to make the world a safer place. Even if their impact wasn't huge, it would still be worth it.
-The Truth Behind Major Events-
Dumbledore's summer did not start out easily, and he doubted it would get easier until Harry Potter had left Hogwarts. To start, Sirius Black had escaped. He may be innocent, but he was too rebellious and strong willed to be allowed near Harry. He wouldn't allow Harry to be pushed into Dumbledore's plan.
Moreover, the Board of Directors were furious about the Chamber of Secrets incident. They weren't furious with Ginny, as he had been expecting. No. They were furious with Dumbledore himself! They thought he should have figured it out sooner.
"How dare they!" Dumbledore thought, slightly muttering the words to himself. "They aren't wrong, but why were they questioning his credibility? Preposterous!"
Dumbledore stood up to check his trinkets pertaining to Harry. The wards were weaker than normal, something he would have to check up on. Another worry was that the trinket regarding Harry's health was doing better than intended. This did not fit Dumbledore's perfect plan, but maybe the boy could use a break. Dumbledore would just need to check the wards in the upcoming weeks.
"Awww," Dumbledore thought, "what should my candy inspired passwords be this year?"
-The Truth Behind Major Events-
Ginny was walking towards Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Her Aunt was having important society members over, and she didn't want them to see her 'hooligan' of a niece. Ginny jumped at the chance, and asked if she could see some friends from school who lived around the corner. Her Aunt distractedly agreed, and Ginny was out the door.
Arriving at Number 12, Ginny knocked on the door and waited. Nobody responded, so Ginny decided to just walk in. Ginny walked into the kitchen and smiled at Harry and Sirius eating breakfast together. Harry seemed fairly relaxed, and he was acting like a kid for once.
Sirius looked up an instant later. "Ah, look what the cat dragged in. Now, Miss Ginevra, will you be requiring breakfast during your morning visit?"
"Why, thank you kind sir! Don't mind if I do." At that Ginny plopped down next to Harry and Sirius went and got a plate for Harry. "Good Morning Harry! How are you?" She asked as she stole a piece of toast.
"Oh, it's been a struggle," Harry responded, adapting to the overall mood of the room, "I haven't seen you in a whole 16 hours! What will I ever do? Oh, and stop taking my toast!"
"Eh, you'll manage on both of those accounts." At this Ginny turned to look directly at Harry. "So, in your letter you mentioned training. I want in."
"Erm, okay, although it's not all set up yet." Sirius reentered the room at this point. "Sirius, didn't you say that there was no way the trace can be detected here?"
"Why yes I did!" Sirius began. "I'm guessing Ginny wants me to help train her too?" At the duo's smiles Sirius's inquiry was confirmed. "Good, we'll start tomorrow. Now let's make a game plan."
Sirius then went on to explain the 6 week training regiment he had concocted last night. It involved studying, spell practicing, dualing, and even physical exercise.
"You see, kiddos, most wizards overlook the benefits of taking care of their body. If they did, they would be happier, healthier, and stronger magically and physically. I'll run to the store after lunch and pick up some things we need. You two write down your clothing size, shoe size, and favorite colors." Ginny and Harry quickly did as instructed. "Oh!" Sirius said as he was leaving the room, "Please get a good night's rest tomorrow, I'll expect both of you in this kitchen at 7 a.m. sharp! And Ginny, let me deal with your Aunt."
Harry and Ginny just looked at each other for a second.
"What did we just agree to?"
"I have no idea."
-The Truth Behind Major Events-
A/N
So I was thinking about having Muriel kick Ginny out, but I wanted to ease into the flat out bashing. Also, very cliche for Ginny to move in with Harry and Sirius and the story would move wayyyyyy too fast.
Furthermore, sorry for the minor grammar mistakes. I'm trying to get updates out and with school and such. I'm focusing more on efficiency than perfection since I as a reader appreciate a few small errors more than a chapter that takes weeks to be written (though that will prob still happen).
Also, 1,500 words for a school essay seems like it takes forever to read, but the chapters on here, not so much. I just found that interesting.
Have a lovely day and please let me know how you like TTBME!
Vale! ~SS
