August 31st, 1992

Ginny was pacing back and forth in her room. It had been such a busy week and slightly overwhelming. The rest of the year had gone fairly quickly, her brothers had come back home and Ron regaled her with all the incredible events he'd experienced for his first year at Hogwarts and as Harry Potter's friend. They'd gotten up to quite alot, and even though some of it was pretty scary, they were alright and eagar to return. Her brothers had ended up on a bit of a rescue mission that summer however, when they had not heard from Harry at all. Turns out there was something to do with an intercepting house elf and Harry's extremely strict muggle family. She didn't really understand, and was a bit spaced out as she was quickly approaching her first day at Hogwarts, as well.

They'd all gone to Diagon Alley together for their supplies and such, and there was that rather unpleasant run in with the Malfoys... but Ginny couldn't help but worry after her friend, Luna. They had not spoken much in the past couple weeks, and she knew Luna was spending as much time as she could with her father, who seemed to be grieving being left alone for the first time ever. Luna had mentioned to her in a letter through owl post that her father never expected to be sending Luna off to school on his own, and then returning to an empty home without his wife, whom he missed dearly. Ginny worried how Luna might cope, leaving him behind, but hoped she would be excited to start term.

There was another thing itching at the back of her mind, which Luna would blame on Wrackspurts, or something of the like. Ginny knew she was going to be sorted into Gryffindor. All the Weasleys were, and she was too much like her mum to be placed anywhere else. Luna, however, was so unique and so clever, she had a feeling she'd be put into Ravenclaw. Luna thought so as well, as it was her mum's house. This made Ginny quite sad. Would they ever have time for one another at Hogwarts? Would Luna meet more interesting, more intelligent people that she could be friends with instead?

She knew, obviously, they'd be making new friends... but the thought of being replaced made her chest hurt. She thought of talking about this with her mum, but decided to wait and see what happened. In any case, she felt she could talk to Luna about anything, so if she started feeling upset about it, she would seek her out.

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Ginny managed to settle herself into an empty cabin on the train, wondering who might eventually join her. She thought about going to sit with her brothers, but decided to allow time for her to think. It didn't take long for the door to slide open, and she grinned broadly when her friend Luna stepped inside.

"Luna! Oh, I am so happy to see you, finally! How are you? How's your father?" Ginny gushed as Luna took a seat across her.

She smiled wistfully and stared out the window. "Oh, he was quite upset upon my departure, but I think he will be alright. I promised him I would write often, as long as he promised to send me every new edition of the Quibbler. I think that cheered him up some."

She turned her eyes to Ginny and continued to smile at her with an air of dreamlike contentment.

"That's great to hear, Luna. Mum and Dad were absolutely beside themselves when I boarded. Constantly yelling at Fred and George to look after me, fussing over my things and my clothes and my hair. You'd think I was leaving forever."

They both giggled and sat quietly for awhile. The door slid open again, and in walked a quirky little blond boy holding a massive camera. The flash went off and both girls blinked rapidly.

"Hi, I'm Colin Creevey and this is also my first year at Hogwarts. I hope you don't mind my taking a photo of you. I can give you a copy at the school." he said quickly, barely taking a breath and sitting in the open spot beside Ginny.

"Uh, no that's alright." Ginny said, slightly aggravated by his rushed nature.

"I'd love a copy, thank you Colin," Luna replied dreamily and Ginny looked back at her with her brow raised, but she was already gazing absentmindedly out the window again.

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Ginny was awestruck when the first years were led into the Great Hall. It was so much more beautiful than her brothers had described, and she grabbed on to Luna's arm anxiously, who patted her hand in a comforting manner.

"Are you nervous?" Ginny asked under her breath as everyone gathered around the sorting hat.

"No, I'm quite excited. I've never spoken to a hat before."

Ginny felt a little crestfallen. She hoped she wasn't alone in feeling some trepidation at being sorted separately from Luna. Seemingly sensing her discomfort though, Luna whispered, "You're still my best friend, Ginny. Always will be."

Relief washed over the red head, and she stood more confidently beside her counterpart.

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Naturally, Ginny was sorted Gryffindor, much to the excitement of her brothers, Hermione and Harry, and Luna was sorted Ravenclaw. With a last squeeze of each other's hands, they'd parted ways and Ginny couldnt help but feel a tiny bit sad. Hermione had saved her a spot though, and she was grateful when the food appeared, helping to distract from her melancholy.

"Ron, must you be so... so..."

"Horrifyingly disgusting?" Ginny finished for Hermione, who nodded quickly in agreement as they watched him swallow, rather than chew, his dinner rolls and chicken. He paused mid bite and stared for a moment before shrugging and continuing on with his awful display of table manners.

"So Ginny, are you excited for your first year? What do you think so far?" asked Harry, who was sat across from her at the table. She smiled widely and nodded her head.

"Very. Everything looks way cooler than you lot let on!"

Ginny enjoyed the rest of their meal, and once everyone was led back to their common rooms, she went straight to her dormitory and unloaded the trunk by her bed. She noticed a blank, and tattered journal tossed among her things, and couldn't recall where it may have come from, but shrugged and set it aside for the moment to finish her unpacking.

She thought about the upcoming year, the classes she might have and especially Luna. She hoped they would have several classes together and maybe even their free period. She couldn't help but to smile though. This year was going to be great.

End Chapter 3