The summer had been just as boring as Ginny predicted it would be. She had played Quidditch daily with Ron, Fred and George, and she had helped cooked meals and do household chores. The one exciting thing was that she got to see Bill far more often than she was used to. Bill arrived for dinner the first evening of the holidays and when they sat down and had dinner, he asked her about Harry, grinning, "So I hear you're in love with the Boy-Who-Lived." He winked at her and Ginny sent her mother a death glare. Luckily she was too busy talking to her father.

She rolled her eyes and murmured irritably as she stabbed a meatball, "Yeah, mum's seems to have spread the word like wildfire," she said bitterly. He chuckled and nodded, "I'm happy for both of you, Gin. It's about time that happened anyway. Mum's been waiting for years." She rolled her eyes again and muttered, "Has she?" Bill chuckled at the sour tone in her voice and sighed, "What's up, Gin? You know I'm not here to kid. I really am genuinely happy for you. But you seem…different." She shrugged and murmured, "I'm trying to figure out how to get Harry to see that he wasn't the cause of Sirius' death."
Bill paused mid mouthful and dropped his fork. He grimaced and said thoughtfully, "Yeah, he does tend to have that self deprecating tendency doesn't he? Have you figured it out yet?" She shook her head and replied, "Nope. I was hoping you could help." He shrugged and murmured, "I think dating you will have all the effect you need. According to Ron, he seems loads happier when you're around."

Ginny couldn't help but blush, "Really?" He nodded and smiled, "You're making a positive effect just by being there for him. Just keep it up and I'm sure you'll see a difference in no time." She smiled and Bill grinned at her before changing the topic, "So I hear my little sis helped to win the last Quidditch match of the season?" Ginny chuckled and shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I don't want to brag, but…" she grinned at him. They had played it before Umbridge disappeared and so Ginny had still had to fill in for Harry. She had played Seeker against Cho and that had been an experience. She'd been dreading it and she thought back to how Cho had been seconds away from grabbing the Snitch. Her flying hadn't been so great the entire game, but when Cho had seen the Snitch, she had sped up at lightning speed and then hung then hadn't stretched out her hand enough to grasp it, causing Ginny to win the match.
Angelina had been so proud of her that she insisted she'd be on the team the following year. Harry had kissed her thoroughly when they'd had a moment to themselves later on in the evening and he had been beaming at her the entire week, despite the fact that he had been upset that he couldn't play.

Ginny turned her attention back to Bill and he was waving his hand in front of her face again as she blinked. He chuckled and shook his head, "Thinking about Quidditch, are we?" he winked and Ginny rolled her eyes, "Yes," she blushed. She'd been daydreaming a lot recently and it was getting bad. Her mother had laughed at her and called it, "love struck," but her brothers got increasingly irritated with her.

Ginny fired back with another question, "And you, Bill? Where's your girlfriend mum's been waiting for?" Bill rolled his eyes and chuckled, "You know me, Gin, the second life is the simple life." Ginny laughed, "You will find someone, someday Bill."

Ginny was surprised when she was washing up the dishes to see Hedwig at the window. She jumped up and was grateful that no-one was around to witness her enthusiasm. She opened the letter that had her name on it and she placed Ron's down beside her before reading:

Dear Gin (a.k.a my Quidditch Star)

At this she couldn't help but giggle. He'd been calling her that ever since she'd won their second game.

Just wanted to let you know I'm safe at the Dursley's. May the fun commence! I miss you all already, particularly you. I wish I could spend the entire holiday with you guys. I don't know why Dumbledore insists on keeping me here. It's not fair.

Anyway I miss Sirius too. It's so much worse when I'm on my own with nothing but my thoughts-nothing to distract me. If this is just the first evening, I don't even want to know what tomorrow will be like. I'm already counting down the days until I get to see you again.

Hope you're well and that the news about us hasn't spread around the whole family yet-and that your brothers aren't giving you hell for it! If they are, I will give them hell for it when I get there!

I love you and miss you

Harry

She grabbed the nearest quill and parchment and replied:

Dear Harry

I'm so happy to hear from you so soon! I wasn't expecting it. I'm sorry that you're having a hard time already. One day, when I meet these people and I can legally do magic, I will come over there and give them a piece of my mind for treating you this way. It upsets me so much, but I'm sure Dumbledore has his reasons for doing this. I think dad said it has something to do with that house having the most powerful protective enchantment on it, and with Riddle being back, I think it's the best place for you to be for now, no matter how hard it is.

I certainly miss seeing you every day, and my brother's haven't been too bad. I keep daydreaming and they keep teasing me for it, but apart from that, they have virtually left me alone about you. Besides I've dealt with worse (Draco Malfoy for instance) so this is really nothing in comparison. Don't give them hell unnecessarily. If it's necessary, I will give you a written consent in writing!

Love and missing you always

Ginny

She quickly tied her reply Hedwig's leg, fed her some leftover meat ball and she took off again with a hoot of thanks. She felt butterflies in her stomach and then mentally slapped herself for being such a girly girl. This wasn't her and it made her feel strange because she wasn't used to it.

The following morning when Ginny came down for breakfast, she received an even more unexpected delivery from a familiar barn owl. She opened the parchment and it read:

Dear Ginny

I hope you've had a good year. I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch but things have been difficult around here recently. I was hoping you'd like to come and visit for tea sometime soon? Please let me know a.s.a.p.

Thank you and Kind Regards

Mrs Diggory

Ginny frowned. This was surprising. She hadn't heard from Mrs Diggory since she had visited her house last holiday. Ginny knew it would be rude if she declined, so instead she wrote back:

Dear Mrs Diggory

Of course I'd like to come to tea. When would suit you? Hope you're both doing ok.

Kind Regards
Ginny

Two days later, she went to visit Mrs Diggory, who, it turned out, merely wanted to catch up. She questioned about Harry and how he was doing with the loss of his godfather. It turned out that the paper had leaked the report on Sirius' death that morning. It had mentioned how Sirius was Harry's godfather, but it still maintained that he was guilty. This silently infuriated Ginny and she knew Harry would be furious when he got hold of this. She secretly hoped he never would.

The tea with Cedric's mum had been four weeks ago and Ginny was looking forward to Harry's arrival. Hermione had arrived two days ago and they had just received a letter from Dumbledore to say that he would personally be picking Harry up from the Dursley's and delivering him the following day. Her mother had been prepping all day for his arrival, by clearing out Ron's room and making space for an extra guest.

The following evening, Ginny was sitting on a perch next to her window and reading a book when she heard a massive splash in the pond outside their property. She squinted into the distance and barely contained herself form yelling in excitement. Harry had arrived.

She ran down the stairs as fast as she could and when he arrived in the house, she forgot how soggy and wet he must be as she flung her arms around his neck. He held her tightly and she didn't even realize that she was getting wet. She kissed his cheek and stood backwards to look at him. He grinned sheepishly at her and smiled, "Sorry for getting you wet." She shook her head and pushed his messy hair back and she whispered, "You shouldn't be apologizing. I'm the one who ran at you like a lunatic!" This made him hug her again and she giggled.

Suddenly she heard a clearing throat and Ron, Hermione and her mum stood behind them. Her mother ran up to Harry and hugged him fiercely and said, "I'm making you food right now, Harry!" She bustled into the kitchen and Ron said sarcastically, "Thanks for telling the rest of us that he was here, Gin!" They all laughed as Ron greeted Harry with a handshake and Hermione enveloped him in a tight hug.

They sat down and laughed and talked for the remainder of the evening. Her mother fussed over how thin he was and Ginny recalled this time last year when she felt like everyone had a usual, comfortable way of being with him. She had felt entirely lost when it came to him and now he was pleased to think about how non-lost she felt.

The next day was a Sunday and they were going to Diagon Alley in order to collect a few things for school. The excitement was tangible because they were all going to visit Weasley's Wizards Wheezes for the first time. The shop was a booming success and they were rarely empty. The twins were currently staying in a flat above the shop and it was so quiet without them at home.

At ten o clock after breakfast, they left for Diagon Alley. They used the Flu Powder to get into The Leaky Cauldron and then entered the alley that way. Ginny gasped when the walls separated and they saw the alley…or what was left of it. The alley was broken and run down, with the names of Death Eater's on various wanted posters plastered all down the alley. Most shops were vacated and looked run down-as if they had been broken into. Ollivander's wand shop looked the worst by far. It almost seemed as if there had been a struggle and someone had broken in through the windows. The street was eerie with only a few families running hurriedly back and forth between the few shops that were open.

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was easily noticeable as the brightest, busiest shop in the whole alley. There was a replica of Fred and George's face at the entrance, which was lifting his top hat to anyone who walked in. As they got closer to the shop, Ginny noticed a poster with Bellatrix's face laughing maniacally at them. It must have been from the time she had spent in Askaban.
Ginny saw Harry scowl and his fists clench into a ball. She laced her hand through his and squeezed it tightly. He seemed to relax a little and then they reached Fred and George's shop. Some You-Know-Who products were advertised in the window, which made her mother scowl, "They'll get in serious trouble for that!" However, it caused the rest of them to laugh.

As they walked inside, they saw a sea of familiar faces and bright red walls facing them. Ginny spotted Fred standing on a ladder a little further away, reaching for a product for a nine year old boy. They waited until Fred and George made their way over to them. They grinned and George said happily, "Welcome family and to our honoree guest-Harry- to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. This is the place to get rid of your fears of You-Know-Who, and to indulge in some You-Know-Poo." They all laughed and even her mum couldn't help but smile. She nodded as she looked around, "I must say boys, I am impressed. I never thought you could pull this off." Fred rolled his eyes, "Thanks mum for the vote of confidence! Harry, help yourself to anything." George nodded seriously, "For you, guest of honor, it is free." Harry grinned, "Thanks guys." Ron frowned, "And me?" he asked, holding an egg shaped object. The twins smirked at each other before reply, "Normal price." Ron frowned even more, "But, I'm your brother." Fred laughed, "Ten galleons!" They hurried off to help other customers.

Ginny headed towards a pink looking display and found some rather cute, fluffy creatures nestled in there that looked like puffballs. She held out her finger and one of them danced on it happily. It stared at her with massive eyes and she showed her mum, "Mum, look how cute these are! Can I have one please?" Her mother stared at it and the nodded in agreement, "Okay, sure Gin. What are they exactly?" Ginny read a sign above the display that said, "Pygmy Puffs." She purchased one from Fred and George but they gave it to her for free.

It bounced up to her shoulder and rested there and Ginny smiled, "I think I will call you Arnold." Her mother was telling her brothers she'd pay for it, but they told her she didn't need to. Ginny hugged them both and Fred grinned, "Hey, anything for our little sis." That's when Lavender Brown came up to her and tapped her shoulder, "Excuse me, Ginny, can I have a word please?" She frowned, but nodded and walked to the side with Lavender until they were out of ear shot of Fred and George and the girl asked her, "So…how are you doing?" Ginny nodded, "Pretty well thanks, and yourself." She thought it was odd. Lavender had never looked for a one on one conversation with Ginny, so she wasn't surprised when she replied, "Good good. I just wanted to know, is your brother interested in anyone." Ginny frowned, "You'll have to be a little bit more specific. I have a lot of them." Lavender rolled her big eyes and replied, "I mean Ron, of course!"
Ginny laughed in response and shook her head, "You're joking, right?" Lavender shook her head, completely unashamedly and ever so confident as she said, "Not at all. He's changed." Ginny smirked and replied, "Well apart from being in the Quidditch team, I don't think he's changed at all." Lavender actually huffed in irritation and said sharply, "You're avoiding the question, Ginny." Ginny restrained herself from rolling her eyes, "Nope. He's not as far as I know."

Lavender beamed, hugged her profusely and hurried over to a friend of hers, whom Ginny vaguely recognized from the common room. Ginny went up to George, who was at the till, and said amusedly, "Seems like Lavender Brown is interested in dear old Ronald." George, who was standing at the counter and ringing up items, nearly dropped the money he was holding and gasped with laughter, "No way!" Ginny smirked and nodded, "Yeah. She just told me herself." She was sincerely hoping that they would now get off her back about Ron.

She scanned the shop and looked for them, "Where are they anyway?" She could not see Harry, Ron or Hermione and reckoned they had snuck out. Ginny frowned suspiciously and went to go and have a look in the alley. As she did, they appeared seamlessly out of nowhere, but Ginny knew it was from under Harry's invisibility cloak. She frowned at them, and they didn't realize she was there until they nearly ran into her. They were in the midst of a heavy argument and Ginny raised her eyebrows, "So…what's this all about?" They looked at each other and Harry murmured, "I think Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater."

Author's Note: And let fifth year begin!

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