Love Behind The Shadows
Chapter One: Routine Celebrations
Ginny followed her plump mother through a hoard of people, gathering around their appropriate train platform, while her brother and Harry quickly followed pursuit. Ginny smiled, holding in the giggle tickling her throat, as her mother continued muttering about bloody muggles as she weaved her way through another group of people. Finally, much to everyone's joy, platform 9 ¾ came into view.
"Come on now dears, hurry up or you'll be late!" Mrs. Weasley said, urgently
When no one stepped forward, submitting themselves up for going through first, Ginny sighed and pushed her cart easily before the barrier.
"Now Ginny remember-"
"Mum, I know … I've done this-"
"I know but-"
"Mum-"
"Bloody hell! Will the two of you shut up?" Ron said aggravated
Ginny glared daggers at Ron, "Oh, shove off Ron. You're the one who's to chicken to go first!" she seethed
"Am not! I just-"
"Everyone quiet!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked hysterically
A sudden silence fell upon the station, as though everyone filing in and out of the trains had listened to Ginny's enraged mother.
Molly let out a well needed breathe of air before continuing. "Ginny dear, go through"
Ginny smiled with satisfaction, and quickly muttered. "See you gits on the other side" Then as though a sudden adrenaline rush passed through her, Ginny sped off toward the barrier. Almost immediately she appeared on the other side, not a speck of dirt on her glistening new robes. During the summer, Ginny had made it her goal to earn enough money to buy herself a new set of stunning robes. Not only did they look great but, they fit her nicely; unlike her previous robes, which had drug on the floor, collecting grime.
Suddenly something flew into her back, causing her to fly forward, landing on all fours. She heard the dreaded ripping sound of fabric, and glanced down. Much to her dismay, her sudden fall had caused her to tear her once perfectly shaped sleeves. Blowing a fiery lock from her gaze, she glanced up at what caused her tremendous collapse. Her blood began to boil, as the red head towering above her snickered.
"You …"
Ron continued to laugh, harder.
"You bloody git! I'm going to-" As the words flew rapidly from Ginny's mouth, Ron's eyes widened, shocked at just how much his little sister had grown up. When she finally had finished, the entire group was standing above her, each ones expressions priceless in every way. Ginny hurriedly recovered from her fall, standing up straight. Easing her wand from her pocket she tapped her sleeve muttering 'reparo', quickly the tear was fixed, looking good as new. Then through the hustle and bustle of students entering the express, the clock rang out, signaling that all passengers should be aboard.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened, her face becoming stricken with worry. "Oh dear …" she muttered, as the clock continued to ring. "Everyone on the train now!"
Sensing her mother's urgency, Ginny was the first to respond, hurriedly rushing forward, and dragging her trunk within the express. Harry soon followed her, lugging his trunk and owl cage at his side. Once all three were within the express and had found a compartment, they waved from the window as the train began lurching forward, ready to begin its long journey.
"Bye mum!" Ginny called, grinning as she waved at her mother.
"Bye dear, be careful! Oh, and Ronald!"
Ron rolled his eyes in the compartment, and stood peering out the window. "Yes?"
"Don't cause any trouble this year! No adventures or-"
The train let out a howling whistle, as it began gaining speed.
"Bye mum!" Ron said, smiling before sliding back in the compartment.
Ginny watched as her mother's figure grew smaller and smaller, as the train raced forward. Finally she could see no more of the station and retreated to the safety of the compartment.
"Finally …" Ron muttered. "I don't know if I could take much more of her bickering …"
Ginny elbowed him in the arm, "Shut up, you git! She's just concerned …"
Harry chuckled, "Yeah Ron, give your mum a break"
Ron fell silent, sinking low in his seat, as he scowled over at Ginny. Ginny smiled perkily, feeling satisfied she had shut up Ron's never ending complaints. Suddenly Harry's hand slipped over Ginny's knee, and her eyes flew wide, her gaze flickering down.
"Ummmm Ron?" Ginny stuttered out, glancing up at her older sibling
Ron raised an eyebrow in response.
"Could you ummmm … possibly go find Hermione for me?"
The red head frowned, "Why?"
"I need to ask her something …" her gaze flickered down towards Harry's hand, which was easing higher and higher up her thigh.
Ron grunted and got up begrudgingly. "Sure Gin, just," he turned towards Harry. "No funny business …"
Harry raised a brow, a broad grin curling upon his lips. "Yes mum" he teased
Ron rolled his eyes, and left the compartment, muttering something about bloody gits on the way out.
Ginny sighed, relieved Ron had left. She turned towards Harry, "Are you bloody crazy! Pulling something like that with my brother in the compartment! He could have-"
Harry chuckled before pressing an anxious kiss to her lips; Ginny's pupils grew before gradually sliming back to normal size. A smirk curled upon her lips, she knew his motive, he was nervous. Nervous about the final battle, nervous about the coming year, and it was finally building up. The way his lips moved over hers hungrily, his hand playing with the edge of her skirt, dying to slid up further. Suddenly the creak of the compartment door rang out, and the couple sprang apart. Much to the couple's relief it was only Hermione.
"Hi Harry!" she said, grinning ear to ear.
"Hey Mione!"
"Hi Gin" Hermione greeted bending down, and capturing Ginny in a brief embrace.
"Hello Mione" Ginny replied, her gaze traveled towards the door, as if expecting Ron to trail in behind her bushy haired friend. "Ummmm Hermione, where's Ron?"
Hermione glanced over her shoulder, a frown furrowing her brows. "I don't have any idea … I assumed he was with the two of you"
"Well, he was but-"
Just then, the red head in question passed through the door.
"Oh, hello Ron!" Hermione said spinning around, and hugging Ron tightly.
A tinge of rouge set on Ron's cheeks, as his arms coiled around Hermione. "Hey Mione …" he greeted cheekily.
Soon the group was in deep conversation, about the coming year, if the final battle was actually going to occur within the course of Harry's last year, or not. As topics changed, Ginny was informed that Hermione was head girl, as she had received a letter by owl over the summer, this of course didn't surprise Ginny at all. With a great deal of time left, each friend shared what they had done over the summer, and sooner than expected the group found themselves exiting the train, and squeezing into a small carriage.
As the carriage bumped along the dirt road, leading to Hogwarts doors, Ginny gazed out the window longingly. In her recent conversation with the trio, she had become well aware that it was indeed their last year together, as of next year Ginny would be on her own. Of course that could have its advantages, for example she wouldn't have an older sibling hovering over her every second of the day, giving her more space. But, although it came with its advantages, it was accompanied by disadvantages. Just as she began listing them a voice brought her to, causing her gaze to flicker in it's direction.
"Gin, we're here …" Harry whispered
Ginny blinked, shaking her senses. "Oh," she glanced out the window, to see Hogwarts towering over the small carriages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, as every other voice in the large room fell silent. "Welcome, to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to announce that a masked ball is going to be held this coming Friday"
A murmur broke out, girls giggling with excitement, while the boys sat back annoyed.
"It is held for fifth, sixth, and seventh years only-"
"That's rubbish!" a fourth year cried out, annoyance apparent in her voice.
"Ms. Grinwald! That is most certainly enough!" Professor McGonagall hissed, rising from her seat.
Professor Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you Minerva. Now," he turned back to the sea of students. "You are expected to wear appropriate dress robes, masks included, and picture perfect behavior is expected as well." He paused. "Thank you" Dumbledore sat down gracefully in his chair, and the moment he became situated, mountains of food piled high on the plates before the students.
As usual the feast proceeded, students stuffing themselves full, until only the last crumb remained on there plate. Once everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood once more, and cleared his throat, a deadly silence bestowing upon the hall once more.
"As a last announcement, I would like to inform you all of our new heads" his gaze shifted towards Hermione, as a tinge of pink set upon her cheeks. "Ms. Granger, would you please stand?"
Slowly Hermione rose, "Ms. Granger, I am pleased to announce, is this year's head girl!" An eruption of cheers burst out, mostly from Harry and Ron, but the entire room clapped as well.
Dumbledore beamed, "Settle down, settle down"
The clapping slowly eased to nothing.
"Now, would Mr. Malfoy please stand?"
As the words dropped from his lips, Ginny's watched Hermione's brown pools widen in shock.
"And last but not least, Mr. Malfoy is this year's head boy!" Once more a wave of cheers crashed down on the silence, although this time, the cheers were coming from every table but one … Gryffindor.
"Thank you all, and have a splendid year!" Dumbledore called over the hooting from the overjoyed Slytherins.
Almost melodically, the sea of students rose and began filing out of the room. Ginny was shocked at the previous announcement, Draco Malfoy … head boy? The thought was certainly a strange one. Suddenly through her haze, the fat ladies portrait came into view, and Ginny smiled in relief. As it was Ginny was exhausted, her day had been long and drawn out, and she just wished it would end with a good nights sleep. A hand crept onto the small of her back, as Ginny passed through the portrait.
"Tired?" Harry whispered, his hot breath beating against her skin, as it passed through wisps of hair.
"Dreadfully …" Ginny replied, smiling
Harry chuckled, before turning Ginny around so she was facing him. "The you should be off to bed then, shouldn't you?"
"I believe so …" Ginny whispered
"Alright then, night Gin" Harry said gently before, placing a sweet kiss to her lips.
"Night Harry" she said dreamily.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: Well, this is only the beginning so trust me it's going to get better! I know it seems kinda boring but, soon enough it's going to get exciting! I promise! Well, thanks for reading a please review!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: Well, this is only chapter one, and I know it's incredibly short but, your just going to have to be patient with me! It will become interesting in time, I promise! So, review and be looking for chapter two! I hope to have it up soon!
