The following Monday, Ginny was awakened early by her mother tapping at the door. She grumbled and sleepily stretched, stumbling off to the bathroom. Splashing some water on her face helped her awaken, and she returned to her room and reached into her wardrobe for her neatly pressed school uniform.
Once dressed in a white blouse and plaid skirt, Ginny ran a comb through her hair and clomped glumly down the stairs in her new patent shoes. Both her parents were in the kitchen, and both turned and smiled as she entered.
Her father walked over and gave her a warm hug. "You look like a true Muggle! All set for school, then? I have your books here and so if you're ready, I'll walk you into town, then."
"Arthur."
"Yes, my dear?"
"Don't you think Ginny should have breakfast first?"
"Oh, yes, yes of course."
As they walked through the village, Ginny saw many other children dressed in school uniforms, all heading in the direction of the school. She noticed that only the youngest had parents accompanying them, and that her father's attire was drawing amused glances. A block from the school, she shook off his hand.
"I can go the rest of the way by myself."
"Are you sure?"
She wasn't sure she could go at all, but forced a smile. "Yes, I'm sure."
He kissed her on the forehead and turned down a side street, waving as he walked along. Ginny forced her feet to keep moving and soon arrived at the school gates. Unlike her previous visit, the yard was now crowded with children, some running and laughing and others, mostly older girls, standing talking in small groups. She walked through the gate and hurried up the path and through the doors, eyes staring straight ahead.
Once inside, she found her classroom and took a seat in the back row, next to the windows. There were a few other kids in there but they didn't take much notice of her. As she arranged her books and pencils on the desk before her, the class slowly filled up and soon a tall, gray haired woman entered.
"Good morning, class. I am Mrs. Grant and I will be your teacher for this year. I understand we have two students who are new to Ottery St. Catchpole this year. Diana Mellings and Ginevra Weasley, please come to the front."
Ginny gulped and rose to her feet, conscious of the eyes on her as she walked forward, along with a brunette who was even shorter than her. When she reached the front of the classroom, she turned to face the other students, knowing her face was turning red but unable to do anything about it.
"Diana, please tell the class about yourself."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm from London, but my mum had to come here to care for her sick father and I couldn't stay in the City because my daddy is away on business too much and Mum didn't want me to always be alone with the maid."
"You're Dr. Chambers' granddaughter, is that right?"
"Yes, Mrs. Grant."
The teacher smiled. "Your grandfather is a great asset to the village, and we are all saddened by his recent illness. Please give him and your mum my best."
Diana nodded an acknowledgment.
"Now, Ginevra, please tell us about yourself."
Heart thumping, Ginny addressed her classmates. "Um, well first of all, everybody calls me Ginny. I used to be homeschooled. And, um, now I'm here."
A pair of girls in the front row giggled but Mrs. Grant shut them up with a sharp look.
"Thank you, Ginevra. You may both take your seats."
Mrs. Grant was the only one to speak to Ginny all the rest of the day, and what she had to say wasn't always nice. Ginny ate her lunch alone while the other kids laughed and chatted together, and spent her recess periods leaning against the wall, her toe tracing circles in the dirt. She got lost on her way to the restroom and had to ask a younger boy for help, and then on her way back got lost again. She spent the last hour staring at the clock, silently willing it to move faster. Finally the day was over, and she darted out of the room ahead of her classmates and took off at a run through the village.
Ginny was met by her mother as she approached the Burrow. "Well, you look like you're in a hurry. And how was your first day, dear?"
"Awful."
"Awful? Didn't you make any new friends?"
Ginny began to cry. "Nobody likes me, they all laughed at me because I don't know the kings and queens, and my teacher said my penmanship is atrocious, and I hate it and I'm never going back!"
Mrs. Weasley tried to pull her daughter into a hug, but Ginny pushed back. "Leave me alone, it's all your fault anyway!"
With that she whirled and raced up the path and into the house, letting the door slam behind her. She didn't stop until she reached her room, where she locked the door, threw herself on her bed and sobbed.