Hello, I think this might be my last update before I head off to University! Fear not though faithful readers, my updates will continue to be as sporadic as usual (there is no hope of me getting my shit together enough to actually have a writing timetable). Hopefully I will get a girlfriend when I get there, one can only hope. If so I will still try to update. I am particularly excited about this episode as I had a lot of fun writing it- please enjoy (it will probably be in two parts but may extend to three).
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily as he stared at the bemused faces of the Lower Sixth who sat in the Great Hall, having been asked to stay after breakfast. Some particularly hungry 16 and 17 year olds were taking the opportunity of extra time to continue to eat- he saw Aurelia Fletchley steadily munching through a plate of six bacon sandwiches, and Nigel Flint tucking into his fourth bowl of cereal. Two girls were playing a game of exploding snap, and a group of nerdy looking boys were playing three-a-side Wizards Chess. Despite these signs to the contrary, Dumbledore was confident that by the end of his speech he would have the entire hall's upmost attention. He coughed, then stood up.
'As you may know, Hogwarts is holding its fist Alumni day next week on Thursday. If you would like to volunteer to be a tour guide, please write your name on the board.' Gazing at the still disinterested faces, he coughed again then oh-so-casually slipped in his winning card. 'The Alumni day will be a full day event, so sadly if you do sign up, you must be prepared to miss all your lessons. I know how much learning means to you, so please do make your choice wisely.' With this Dumbledore sat back down to enjoy the sight of cogs turning in the Lower Sixth's minds, their eyes suddenly gleaming with Machiavellian interest. Certainly they enjoyed their subjects- they had chosen them this year after all- but how much better would a day off be? And doing tours wouldn't take too long, surely. In essence, the Sixth Form decided, they were being offered an entirely free day. The Headmaster sighed in contentment as a stampede of students ran to sign their name up for tour guide duty. Like taking candy from a baby.
On the appointed day, Ginny and Luna waited outside the Great Hall with the rest of the Lower Sixth, apprehensive for the arrival of the Alumni. It was not such a day off as they had been anticipating as not only did they have to give the ex-students a tour of the school but take them to various activities if they so wished, such as an Alumni Quidditch match, an Alumni feast et cetera. Still, Ginny reflected, better than double potions by far. Luna had her scarf wrapped round her neck to protect from the cold and looked very pretty- it was only just turning to Spring, and the chill that still lingered in the air had turned her nose and cheeks a lovely pink. She was just about to lean in to kiss her when she heard a discreet cough behind her.
'What is it Michael? I'm busy.'
'Ginny, the Alumni are here. You can't make out with your girlfriend as the arrive, that's PDA.'
Ginny longed to snap at him but couldn't argue that it may not be the welcome the Alumni were expecting, so instead watched the arriving ex-students with scorn and irritation, cursing them for interrupting her with their presence at such a crucial moment. She was very much cheered, however, by the arrival of Angelina Johnson.
'Hello, Ginny'.
Despite her irritated mood, Ginny couldn't help but smile. 'How are you doing, Angelina?'
They chatted for a while- Luna still seemed too shy around her childhood crush to speak much- when Ginny was briefly distracted by Oliver Wood striding past, looking slightly older but ever the energetic and slightly bonkers man she loved (he was dressed head to toe in Quidditch regalia). During this time, Angelina and Luna had begun a conversation about her commentary of the Quidditch match, which Angelina assured the blonde was the best commentary she had ever heard: Ginny was about to open her mouth to join in when a nasal drawl stopped her short.
'Are you busy?'
'Oh, um, no', said Ginny, turning round. There stood a tall, arrogant looking couple, both staring down their noses at her. 'Can I help?', she asked weakly.
'Give us the tour then', said the woman. 'That's your job, isn't it?' As Ginny miserably led the way she caught sight of Luna and Angelina, still deep in conversation, walking away together. Clearly she had drawn the short end of the stick, Alumni-wise.
Ginny soon learned the names of the couple- Gilbert and Sylvia Floppington. She knew this because they seemed desperate to inform her of their family history as soon as they set off, especially the fact that ever single Floppington was a pure blood, and that they had all been in Slytherin house.
'My late uncle Silbert paid for this inscription to be put up, you know', said Gilbert as they passed a plaque labelled The Eternal Home of the Floppingtons next to the Slytherin Common Room.
'No, my dear. It was your late sister Filbert, was it not?'. Ginny closed her eyes, silently massaged her temples and counted to ten.
Elsewhere in the castle, Angelina marvelled as Luna showed her around the Ravenclaw Common Room. 'This is gorgeous', she said. 'Thanks for letting me come in Luna, I know it's not technically allowed.' The room was entirely empty except for the two of them, all the other students either in lessons, giving tours or (in the case of the Upper Sixth) frantically revising in the library. Luna smiled. It was lovely to watch Angelina marvel at the high vaulted ceiling, the elegant statues. She had grown used to the beauty of the Ravenclaw Tower by now, and it was nice to see it again through fresh eyes. She watched as Angelina carefully examined the walls of books, all alphabetised, with wonder. She hoped the couple that Ginny was touring round the school were as nice as Angelina.
'Stop it!' yelled Ginny as Gilbert savagely tore down the Gryffindor banner hanging in the Great Hall.
'For my Great-Grandmother Shilbert!', he yelled, frothing at the mouth in rage. 'She left it in her will that the Gryffindor house should be expelled from Britain for treachery and her wishes were ignored! I demand justice!' As Ginny pelted down the hall after the enraged Gilbert, she caught sight of Sylvia sneakily enchanting all the house banners to match the Slytherin colours. Oh Merin, she should have stayed in potions.
As Angelina walked followed Luna thorough Hogwarts, she couldn't help but notice how pretty the girl was- how had she not noticed her while she had still been at Hogwarts? Her white blonde hair, her sweet laugh and her dotty humour were completely endearing. They were now looking through the library, and Luna was showing her the newly established section on Alternative Magic with some excitement.
'And look, here's Daddy's novel on the Crumple Horned Snorkack. I was so happy when I found out they stocked it, I thought Hermione Granger was going to blow her top. I quite like her, but I'm not sure how much she likes me.' Angelina watched as Luna pulled out a book which was bright pink and with acid green spots to show her Xenophenius Lovegood's book.
'It's amazing', she said quite sincerely, truly impressed by the sheer size and colourfullness of the volume. Luna beamed. The rush of footsteps drew their attention: looking at the entrance to the library they saw a man stood in the entrance, clutching what looked like the Gryffindor banner with a mad expression of victory upon his face. A woman, far less rumpled but looking equally smug appeared next to him. With a flash of recognition, Angelina realised they were the sleek looking couple Ginny had been paired with that morning. As if to vindicate this thought, Ginny ran in looking much the worse for wear. Her clothes were ripped, her hair messed up and she was bright red and breathing heavily from having run so far.
'Gilbert', said Ginny, a warning tone in her voice. 'Give me back that banner.' Gilbert whimpered then sprinted out the library in a flash, evidently unwilling to hand the cloth over. The woman followed at a more demure pace, her high heels tapping against the oak floor. Ginny sighed with exhaustion then collapsed into a chair.
'Are you ok?', asked Luna anxiously.
Ginny stared at her. It was as though she had aged ten years, purple shadows ringing her eyes, her cheeks hollow. 'I am never volunteering for anything again in my life', she said.
Giving Sylvia and Gilbert up as a lost cause, Ginny joined Angelina and Luna as they finished off their tour. Angelina hoped to catch the Quidditch tournament and Ginny was looking forward to it too, a match between old Alumni and the Lower Sixth (Luna had been invited to do the commentary for the match, much to her delight). The experience was so much more pleasant than walking with the insufferable Gilbert and Sylvia – Angelina was kind, funny and cool. So why, thought Ginny, did she feel anxious? Why was there the sensation of discomfort when she was around her girlfriend and someone she liked very much? As Ginny pondered this, she suddenly caught sight of Angelina gazing at Luna, a very tender look in her eyes. Ginny froze with horror. Shit, shit, shit.
To my non-British readers, I promise Gilbert is an extremely accurate example of an English gentleman.