It was nearing the end of April and still Ginny hadn't heard a peep from Harry. She worried that they had moved on to some other venue and she fretted away. She became more and more restless, but she had finally heard back from Neville about two days ago. The letter from Neville read:

Dear Ginny

I am currently camping out in the out in the Room of Requiremnt, hence I wasn't able to get your letter so easily. Your owl couldn't find me. We don't even go to lessons anymore because it's become too dangerous. McGonagall spoke to me and advised all of us who couldn't return home to stay here. She said it was the safest option, can you believe it? However, I didn't want to return to grandma anyway. At least here I feel like I can do something useful.

So many more people have joined the D.A now! There's a portrait in the Hogshead which leads into a secret passage and it connects the room to the restaurant. The bartender is sending us meals with some house elves that work for him. We also go and collect when they warn us that they're no guards around.

That's another thing! They have Death Eaters patrolling Hogsmeade just in case Harry, Ron and Hermione try and get near Hogwarts! The whole place has suddenly gone mad. I don't know, I think Snape suspects they might try sometime soon.

I hope you're feeling much better than when I last saw you! Hogwarts just isn't the same and I miss you every day. So does Seamus, and even McLaggen, although he won't say it. It's obvious because he's moping all the time and getting on everyone's nerves. Demelza and Katie miss you too. Will you be coming back to school or will you stay at home until the end of the term?

Thinking of you and missing you

Neville

Ginny sighed as she read the letter again and placed it on her bedside table. She missed her friends dearly. Life just wasn't life right now. It's like she was just waiting for something to happen…and that something was for Harry to come back. She had taken up painting because she found it therapeutic. Aunt Muriel also had paints and paper lying around which she never used.

So Ginny had started painting the sunset to begin with. Then she had moved on to some flowers in Aunt Muriel's garden which she had zoomed in on to focus the painting. Ginny decided she liked painting the flowers the most. Admiring nature was so inspiring for her.

Aunt Muriel had commented that she "Wasn't bad." This, for Aunt Muriel, was the closest thing to a compliment Ginny could expect. So she took it as one. Finally, Ginny became tired of painting just flowers. She had bought a picture of herself and Harry from the wedding with her from the Burrow. She wanted to paint it, but she wasn't sure how it would turn out. Yet she tried to start it anyway. After scrapping the painting for what felt like the thousandth time, Ginny huffed in frustration.

She was sitting at the small dining room table. It was nothing in comparison to the one at the Burrow, which she truly missed. Her mum glanced up from the book. The kitchen and the living room sort of blended together. Her mum was on the other side of the room, reading a book and she glanced up when Ginny made that noise. Her mum asked, "Everything ok Gin?" Ginny grimaced and whispered, "Yeah, it's fine mum. Just can't paint Harry's face accurately." Her mother smiled at her in empathy and replied, "Take a break. It will help clear your head."
Ginny sighed and stared at the splotch that was Harry's face. It looked like a mess. She groaned and muttered, "I can't bear sitting around here day after day! What's going to happen to my education? Is it just not going to happen?" Her mother watched her and then came and joined her at the table. Her mum looked tired, with dark rings under her eyes, as though she hadn't been getting any sleep. She watched Ginny closely before saying, "Ginny, I got the fright of my life when I received that message. I couldn't believe that could happen to you in such a safe environment! I was a wreck. Right now your safety means so much more to me than your education. Your education will come one day, but that day is not now."

Ginny watched her mother closely. She looked so fragile and so tired. Even though her mother didn't voice it, Ginny could tell she worried day in and day out over Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as the rest of the family. Having seven children to worry about in these dark times would give any mother greyer hairs and dark rings under her eyes from a lack of sleep. Ginny suddenly felt a great empathy for her mum and she got up from the table to go and hug her. Ginny whispered to her, "They'll be ok, mum. I know they will. Harry isn't the type to give in." Her mother smiled bleakly at her and hugged her fiercely, "I know, dear. I'm more worried about your brother giving up than any of those three."

Ginny pulled out of their hug and frowned, "What do you mean? Why would you think that?" Her mother sighed and shook her head, "I don't know, I just don't think Ron has the stamina to stick out being away from home for so long. I'm surprised he's coped thus far!" Ginny smiled and kissed her mum on the head, "Why don't you go and have a rest? You look exhausted." Her mother grimaced bleakly and whispered, "I would if I could, Ginbug. I have nightmares and horrible images the moment I close my eyes. I don't like putting myself through that…" she shivered and Ginny felt herself pale. Her poor mother! She nodded grimly and suggested, "I'll make you some tea then, shall I?" Her mother smiled gratefully at Ginny, "Yes please dear. There's nothing a good cup of tea can't solve." Ginny couldn't agree more.

XXX

It was the first day of May and Ginny was reading the morning paper. The reports Neville had given her about a week ago seemed to be true: there were Death Eaters being placed in Diagon Alley, although reports did not claim them to be Death Eaters. Ginny read the report, positively brimming with outrage:

It has been bought to the public's attention that there are currently Death Eaters (followers of Voldemort) patrolling Hogsmeade in search of Harry Potter (Undesirable Number 1), Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley- his accomplices.

Please do not be alarmed of such presences in the village. They are not Death Eaters, but are rather Ministry guards who have been employed to protect the safety of the village. There have been rumors circulating that Undesirable Number 1 and company have been planning on returning to the school in due course. The Ministry simply aims to eradicate Undesirable Number 1 and his cohorts in case these rumors are proved to be true.

Should anyone have any information on Undesirable Number 1 and his friends please contact Dolores Umbridge, of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission Department. For more information, please turn to page seven…

Ginny slammed down the paper with such force over her morning tea, that Crookshanks, who had had to stay with them during Hermione's absence, jumped in fright and ended up hissing at Ginny, back arched. She said furiously, "How can people believe such bullshit!" Aunt Muriel, who generally speaking hadn't been too nosy during their stay, now voiced her opinion, "I suppose they're just trying to calm the worried population. And Ginerva, you know not to use such language!" Ginny couldn't help but roll her eyes and she murmured, "Believe me, Ron uses much worse on a daily basis!" Her mother had gone to do a weekly shop. It was about the only time she left the house and Ginny worried about her while she was out.

Her Aunt Muriel shook her head and sighed, "It doesn't matter. It's not what a young, eligible lady such as yourself should be doing!" Ginny stared at her Aunt in disbelief! She just about exploded, "Aunt Muriel, you are so archaic, do you know that?! It's not like I'm going to be meeting a handsome suitor or anything anytime soon! Besides, the one I love is who knows where, and I…" she cut herself off. She never discussed her private matters with Aunt Muriel. She never let the old bat in either. She would just never understand the modern way…

Aunt Muriel eyed her beadily. She placed down her porcelain cup of tea and she said with conviction, "Ginerva, do not think I am blind. I may be old, but I hear things and see things going on in this family that you might not realize. It's one of the good parts of being the old bat that I am." Ginny bit her lip, uncertain of where this was heading. Aunt Muriel laughed at her nervous expression and chuckled, "I know you love the Potter boy. It was as plain as day at the wedding. Why do you think I kept making comments about your short skirt?" Ginny stared at her Aunt in disbelief, "Were you trying to sexualize me to my ex-boyfriend?"
Aunt Muriel chuckled at the look of shock that had come over Ginny's face. Then Ginny broke into a grin and whispered, "Aunt Muriel, you're a genius! I thought you were just trying to embarrass me!" Her Aunt laughed and shook her head, "Not at all, dear. I was trying to get Mr Potter to see what a fool he was for dumping you. I wanted him to know what he was missing out on." Ginny shook her head in awe. Then she got up and hugged her Aunt- something she never did willingly. She whispered, "Aunt Muriel, you're the best!" Her Aunt chuckled and shrugged, "I may be old, Ginbug, but I am not blind, as I said. Mr Potter kept staring at your short dress the whole evening." Ginny blushed and she remembered the intense looks which Harry gave her at the wedding. She shuddered at the memory and whispered, "As I said, you're a genius!"

A/N: And so the next chapter will be the beginning of the war! We're finally there! Woohoo! I really enjoyed writing this chapter. It gave Ginny the much needed mother-daughter moment. I also liked writing Aunt Muriel as sneaky. You wouldn't see it coming! I always thought she might have alterior motives for making those comments in the book.

Thank you to starrya47, topofthemuffin, and GoGetEmGirl for such positive feedback!
Topofthemuffin: I guess you'll have to wait and see!

GoGetEmGirl: So happy you've finally caught up!

Side note: I have 123 followers on this story which is absolutely incredible! I never dreamt it would be so many! I'm so, so grateful! If I could hear your thoughts from all of you that would be amazing.

And so starts the battle of Hogwarts….dumb dumb dumb