Author's Note: Dear readers! It doesn't matter if you love or you hate this story, I need reviews! Even if you can find absolutely nothing positive! And I fooking hate these Ginny-only chapters. Waaaaiiit for it.

The summer faded away quietly into the annuals of Ginny's life. Summer, the great stronghold of all youth. Responsibility shucked. Idle squandering embraced. Frantic bouts of nonsensical joy anticipated. Meaningless teenage love, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing, bitter sweetly experienced. Summer, once a great stronghold, now faded through Ginny. Summer as she knew it was dead and she really didn't care.

If summer was for youth, then summer had nothing for Ginny anymore. Too many deaths, too much sorrow stole her youth away. When she was younger, she would spend her holiday in the company of her brothers and friends, enjoying life with vigor. Not enough vigor, as she had taken them as a given. Only after they were gone forever did she realize they were precious treasures.

Another element of summer was bonding with Harry. The teenage…love, was it?…was unhindered by school. She never had to owl him, he stayed at her house! Sadly, this was another thing that changed. All she could do was owl, to no avail. Every day, she'd hope for a response than never came.

She was going to give it one final try. Tomorrow, she would board Platform 9 ¾ for the last time. The thoughts of the coming school year filled her with anxiety. Simply stepping out in public brought on paparazzi. Surely Harry was experiencing that tenfold. He probably can't write me back for security reasons, Ginny thought. That made perfect sense. There were probably a couple of Death Eaters who were set on revenge out for him. Her family received several anonymous letters, filled with vile insults and threats of vengeance. She hoped someone would put these people in prison. She had just had an encounter with one not too long before. Sure it was just Draco, but knowing him he was probably part of some nefarious plot.

Dear Harry,

How've you been? I know you might not be able to get this right now. Some people are acting really weird and scary out there. I worry about you! Tomorrow I start school again. Write me soon as you can!

Love,

Ginny

She stuck the letter in the envelope and tied it to her owl's leg. The owl spread its magnificent wingspan into the night air, and disappeared into the dark horizon. Ginny had run out of things to say in her correspondence a long while ago. She climbed into bed, staring at the ceiling. This was something new in her life. She'd gaze above for 2-3 hours until she'd go to sleep. She'd be greeted by a flashback of someone dying. No matter if it was a Death Eater or someone in Dumbledore's Army, she'd wake up in night sweats and tears. She wondered why she wasn't dead herself.

Morning broke gloriously, just as it always seemed to on this day these past seven years. Ginny no longer marveled at its splendor. All it meant was more paparazzi. This time she wouldn't be able to go home and hide, she'd be stuck in a classroom with them. Maybe even some of the teachers would be as dense as the students.

She made her way to the Weasley kitchen. There were no happy chattering brothers today.

Molly and Arthur scarcely spoke to her these days. Normally, Ginny would try to make conversation with them. Today, she just quietly ate, taking up as much time as possible. If she dawdled long enough, they'd hurry to the platform more.

The ride was cold and silent. The morning may be beautiful, but it was like 50 dementors were with the Weasleys that day. She slipped away from them as quickly as possible. She really didn't want to have to hear any uncomfortable goodbyes, and she certainly didn't want to see any tears. She had seen enough in the past year to last a lifetime.

She walked through the platform with her head held low. As expected, all conversation shifted to her. The usual "Where's Harry?" and the "TELL HARRY I SAID HI!" exploded from the lower years. Ginny kept pushing her way through the crowd. She desperately sought out someone from her year. She found a Ravenclaw girl she had said hello to a few times. Better than nothing.

Ginny offered a smile to her. The girl grinned ecstatically and screeched "Ginny!" She ran over to her and threw her arms around in a hug.

"Ginny, you must tell me everything! Did Harry really use Avada Kedavra?"

Life was a massive unpleasantry.

Ginny just walked away, ignoring the feverish cries of her admirers. She found a secluded compartment in the train. She pulled her cloak up over her eyes. I shouldn't be surprised, she thought as she held back tears. She sat in a quivering lump the entire journey. Thankfully, she wasn't noticed. Her mates were carelessly talking about idle things.

Finally, the great crimson train was at the docks. Ginny slowly rose, feeling the sticky tracks of tears down her face. Her flaming hair was mussed. She couldn't bear to hear them call her name again. She pulled up the hood of her cloak and quickly found a nice, unoccupied boat. Nausea rose in her throat as it glided over Hogwarts Lake. She was filled with worry. The uncertain horrors of her new situation fully hit her. What if it never stopped? What if there was no one she could talk to? What happens if some Slytherin decides to take revenge?

The boat finally arrived at the docks. The year had finally begun. Her eyes were greeted by the familiar sight of Ruebus Hagrid. "Seventh years, this way! All you lot come this way!" the giant boomed. As Ginny passed, he gave her a wink and a smile. She feebly returned it.

Ginny walked through the endless labyrinth of corridors to the brilliant Great Hall. She had managed to evade further attention to this point. She could no longer hide and would have to put on a happy face for dinner conversation. She took her seat at the Gryffyndor table. She had came equipped with her standard answers.

"No, me and Harry aren't getting married."

"No, Harry used magic to kill Voldemort."

"Yes, Harry's fine."

"No I do NOT know how Harry's 'lower wand' is. But I'll be sure to tell him you asked, Klaus."

The cycle of frippery ended with a stern voice. "Attention. The feast will begin momentarily, but first I have a few announcements to make." The new Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall proclaimed. Ginny was impressed that there was finally competence in a Hogwarts' hiring move.

"First and foremostly, I want to express the utmost gratitude for the heroic acts of bravery that Hogwarts witnessed this previous year. Many of your fellow students laid down their lives for yours." Her voice hiccupped as she delivered these words. "Some of our brave warriors are in this school at this very moment. I ask you treat them with the dignity they deserve." McGonagall's eyes hovered on Ginny. "You will also get the chance to see more of these heroes this time next week. Hogwarts will be holding a feast in their honor." She smiled broadly at those words.

Ginny silently cursed her life. It was as if at times, the universe conspired for her misery.