A/N: 2020 - Revised
2006 - Well, internet sooner than I thought! Thanks so much for the lovely reviews! I feel quite loved! And I'm very glad that people are liking this… I was worried that it would suck, being my first fanfic. I'm working hard, trying to balance the pace - don't want to upset the story at all. Anyway, here's 13!
Disclaimer: Oh, yes, I'm having an identity crisis. I am sooo J. K. Rowling...
Ginny groaned and dropped back on the hospital bed, her anger and frustration only somewhat tempered by her confusion. After Malfoy's departure, Ginny had scrambled out of her bed. She'd gathered up her belongings and made for the door, only to find her way blocked by Madam Pomfrey. No amount of begging, cajoling, and attempts to prove her good health could convince the woman to let her pass. Instead, she ordered Ginny back to bed, threatening the use of a mild sedative if she did not comply on her own.
After what a nightmare the previous year had been, Ginny had really been looking forward to getting to play on the Quidditch team this year. What was that 'talent like mine' bit all about anyway? I can hardly believe he really meant to compliment me… Ginny rubbed her head, blinking back tears. It doesn't matter, anyway - I can't very well make the team when I'm stuck in here.
"He is such a prick!" Ginny blurted out, unable to suppress the sentiment. No reply came to her from the nearly empty room. With that, she rolled over and did something very unlike herself - she cried herself to sleep.
When Ginny and Hermione returned to the Gryffindor common room the next day, Ron and Harry rushed over to bombard them with questions.
"Yes, Ron, I'm fine," Ginny sighed rather dejectedly.
"You sure you're alright sis? I figured what with making the team and all, you'd be over the moon!" Ron drew back to study her in his brotherly way. Ginny gaped at him.
"I- what?" She couldn't have heard him right. She hadn't been anywhere near the tryouts yesterday.
"Yeah! Blimey, Gin, you were awesome," Harry gushed. "You scored almost every goal!"
Ginny turned away from the pair of them, taking a few steps. She pressed her hand to her abdomen and found that she was breathless. How could this have happened? I didn't go, I wasn't there - there's just no way!
"I- I have to go. I'll catch up with you guys at lunch, okay?" Without waiting for a reply, Ginny turned and left the common room.
No destination in mind, she walked in a daze. She soon found herself in the library and sat down at a table in the back, mind still churning with the same thoughts. How could I have made the team? I didn't even go!
Ginny didn't realize she had company until the chair across her was pulled out with a dull scrape. She found herself facing Luca and Luna.
"I thought you'd be here," Luna said in her floaty voice. Luca shot her a glance that told Ginny that perhaps they had argued about where to look. Ginny smiled to herself a bit.
"This is so weird you guys, Harry and Ron are saying I made the team but I was in the Hospital Wing the whole time - and it's not just that they made a special exception for me. Harry said I scored goals! What happened yesterday? I wasn't there!"
"But Gin, you were there. You were with me," Luca insisted. "We both made Chaser. You sure you're okay? You sure that potion didn't cause some sort of lasting damage? Maybe to your brain?" Luca put a hand to Ginny's forehead as if to feel for a temperature.
Ginny swatted her hand away with a somewhat cross "I'm fine."
"Okay. Well then, if you're sure, Luna and I were going to go hunt down Hermione and the boys. You wanna come?" The pair stood up.
"Er, no, thanks. I'll stay here a bit." Ginny smiled weakly.
"If you're sure, then." Luna gave a wave as the two walked out.
Ginny sighed and sank back in her seat, only to jump to her feet when a familiar voice spoke from behind her.
"Yes, that was wonderful flying out there. How many goals was it? Fourteen? Yes, Gryffindor could use talent like that."
A/N: 2006 - This is SO not how it was supposed to go, but I couldn't resist. I really like it, even if it IS really, really, really short. But I promise to have the next one done up tonight! I hope...