Disclaimer: This story includes characters and situations that are part of the Harry Potter universe, which is copyright J.K.Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Brothers, Bloomsbury, etc. No copyright infringement is intended and no money is being made in the production of this FANFICTION. Not many outside resources were needed this time, but I (as always) made extensive use of the Harry Potter Lexicon when writing this chapter.
Author's Note: Ah, finally the fun starts. My speed-beta-reader Katy did an amazing job with this one, which is why it's out so fast. She said she loved a certain bit at the end so I hope you all like it too. And if the end of this chapter does seem a bit… H/G… well, I know it is and I know what I'm doing and it's all there for a reason and that reason is that this is not a normal T/G fic. There's lots of things that have to be overcome before you get to smut (if you ever get to smut) and one of those things is Ginny's inherent distrust of Tom and everyone's reaction of 'When something bad happens, go to Harry'. In any case, huge great thanks go to Fantome (don't worry about missing a chapter here and there; I'm so pumped that you're even continuing to read this that I don't mind at all) and Lady Lestrange (I certainly don't intend to abandon it, but we'll see what college has to say about that. I'm kinda busy but I'll look over at your fics the next time I get a chance) for reviewing so quickly that I couldn't get another chapter out before they caught the last one.
Expectations of Grandeur: Chapter 15: Ginevra Molly Weasley
Ginny, Neville, and Luna talked about everything going on at the school while nursing their Butterbeers. Neville had finally gotten out of the Potions class and was surprising himself with how well he could do when not fettered by his fear of Snape. He was almost certain he could pass enough N.E.W.T.s to become a research herbologist at the Ministry, and Luna was working on him to use his future power to check the basements for Fudge's secret army. Ginny almost smiled. A job studying new uses of various plants would most certainly put Neville in a position to be useful for the Order, which was all he could ever want. She hoped that she could be so lucky, but chances were her family would ban her from doing anything more interesting than building a home as crowded and cluttered and forcefully cheerful as her mother's.
Luna, on the other hand, seemed fit to follow her father's footsteps proudly and happily, and become the country's leading expert on wacky conspiracy theories. She was currently chattering to Neville about one of the more surprising rumours – that there was a giant in the Forbidden forest.
"Wouldn't someone have found out about it? Couldn't we see it over the trees from the tower or something?" Neville asked, unsure of exactly how tall Giants were and whether or not an average sized Giant would be covered by trees in the forest.
"The trees are tall enough," Luna assured him, "Some of them are fifty feet high." Luna was adamant, and whether or not she had actually gone into the forest and measured the trees, she would stick to her statement on their height. Ginny didn't really want to ask – it seemed all too likely that Luna would have gone into the forest to measure trees to confirm her Giant story. "And besides," she said, "he sits down mostly."
Ginny raised one eyebrow and just shook her head, smiling. Soon they were done with their Butterbeers and the sun was fast setting behind the hills. They left the Three Broomsticks and started to walk back towards Hogwarts together, idly chatting. Luna wasn't having an easier time now that she had taken part in saving the world, but perhaps that was to be expected. Her Ravenclaw housemates continued to steal her things and make her life difficult, and although she presented their abuses with frank sincerity, she seemed toughened against them to the point that they washed over her like so many raindrops. Ginny smiled. This calmness, assertion and acceptance were exactly what she needed. Luna hadn't questioned Tom's origins or Ginny's assertion that she could handle him. She had merely accepted that Tom was as innocent as Ginny and acted on that – saying that Tom wasn't up to a thing. Perhaps Luna was showing wisdom beyond her years, perhaps she knew things that surpassed proof, but Ginny didn't much care. It was just nice to have a friend who knew about Tom and wasn't angry with her for spending time with him.
"Hey! Guys! Wait up!" came a familiar voice behind them, Harry's, as he ran forward to meet them. He must have run the whole way from Zonko's, where they had seen him conferring quietly with Ron and Hermione, and was completely out of breath. His hair looked even messier than usual and his robes were in a state of disarray. He smiled at Ginny as he bent forward to keep from fainting. "Sorry," he gasped, "just didn't want to walk to the castle alone - you don't mind, do you?" His head was between his knees at that point and Ginny glanced meaningfully to both Neville and Luna, trying to convey her suspicions. Luna remained silent, but Neville missed the glance and assured Harry that all three of them were pleased for his company. Ginny sighed as Harry stood up, beaming and running a hand through his untameable hair before they started off again towards the castle. She wasn't sure whether to be happy or angry that he fell into step beside her. She remembered a day when it would have been so much simpler, but any more Harry was just a reminder of all the insufferable idiots in the world that insisted on treating her like a porcelain doll.
"Ron and Hermione just started bickering about something or other, I can't tell what – never can – and I figured I'd have to run to catch up with you all." He smiled, and everyone smiled back, unsure of exactly how to take this surprise visit.
"They've stolen Luna's things again," Ginny said, after an awkward silence had taken up far too much of the walk to the school.
"Really? We should do something about it," Harry said vaguely, fulfilling his role as the hero with less than stunning excitement and determination.
Luna shrugged, somehow managing to show even more indifference than Harry himself. "It's really not that big a deal – they always give it back."
Another awkward silence descended. Ginny, at length, tried again. "It seems so strange to not have DA meetings anymore," she commented. "I'd hate to think that you would try to do something without our help after last year."
Neville nodded and Luna agreed, adding a comment about how isolated she felt in Ravenclaw. Harry sighed. "We have a decent Defence teacher," he said, "Why do you need the DA?"
Luna spoke up again. "The DA was more than a study session, Harry. It ended up a real army – the people that you could count on to follow you into the fray and back you up. Don't deny that we didn't help, at least a little."
And honestly, Harry couldn't deny that they hadn't helped last year in the Department of Ministries. But he was still loath to say that he missed the DA.
Neville spoke up. "Harry, you were a good teacher, and more than that, you were a good leader. For once in my life I felt like I was learning something, like I could help in the fight…" He trailed off for a moment. "I want to avenge my parents just as much as you do, Harry," he whispered, and then promptly blushed, embarrassed that words like that had ever come out of his mouth. Little did he know how apropos they were to Harry, whose mind immediately caught on a hint of Trelawney's prophecy. But he said nothing.
Ginny sighed and shrugged, trying to convey to Luna and Neville that she had done her best to bring their wish up (or really to bring anything up) as another awkward silence descended. Harry was, for now, the biggest downer she could imagine. When Harry spoke up, however, the conversation promptly took a turn for the worse and Ginny found herself wishing for silence. "Ginny, why are you having private tutoring sessions with…" he trailed off, looking at Neville and Luna and wondering whether to call him Ophicus, as the school did, Tom, as Ginny did, or Lord Voldemort, as he was wont to call his enemy.
"You-Know-Who?" Luna supplied, smiling slightly and suppressing a laugh. Harry looked awkwardly between the two of them, wondering if Luna really knew who Ophicus was, or if she was just supplying an anonymous moniker for Ginny's anonymous tutor.
"Or perhaps Tom?" Neville grinned. Ginny laughed. Harry frowned.
"How do you know about him?" he snapped. Harry, now that he had the information to dole out, was of the opinion that the more people he could keep listening to him because he had more information, the better. The fact that Luna and Neville knew exactly what was going on while not being terrified of Ophicus Marvolo simultaneously shocked and angered Harry.
"It was pointless to try to keep us in the dark forever, Harry," Luna said calmly. "I thought better of you, especially after we helped you last year. But Ginny's told us everything."
Harry's eyes bugged out and he looked furious. "Then why aren't you warning her to stay away from him?"
"He's no more danger to Ginny than he is to anyone else," Luna said.
"He's already tried to kill her once!" Harry shouted.
"And you, and Hermione, and Colin, and Mrs. Norris," Neville insisted. "And many, many more people if you count You-Know-Who's victims and not just those our second year."
Harry sighed slightly. "Exactly," he said, "which is why she should stay away from him."
There was a pause and Ginny decided it wasn't worth her while to answer back to Harry just yet. Instead, Luna spoke up in her trademarked dreamy voice. "Actually, it would probably work to our advantage to have someone who could know what was going on in his head, and as Ginny is the only person in the entire school he's spent much time talking to, I think she's our best option at the moment. Except Blaise Zabini, who I think might stand a chance to become his boyfriend," she added, as an afterthought.
Harry paused for a moment, unsure of how to take this. "Boyfriend?" he asked.
Luna nodded. "I'm almost certain he's gay."
"Why?"
"Have you seen him talking to any girls?"
"Ginny," Harry answered immediately.
"Except her."
Harry considered for a moment. "Well, you might have a point," he said at length. "But he could always be antisocial. He hasn't been too talkative to male students either."
Luna shrugged. "Besides, from what Padma says, only gay guys are as attractive as he is. Which stands to reason that were Draco Malfoy ever to lose the overly sharp nose, he would be a shoo-in."
Ginny blinked for a moment and looked at Harry and Neville's shocked faces before cutting in. "As interesting as this is, Luna," she said firmly, "I think that the point of the matter is that I am in no particular danger from Ophicus Marvolo at the moment, and Harry should just lay off."
Harry, however, did not seem like he had any intention to do so.
"Listen, Ginny, Ron and I are worried sick that you're going to get yourself into trouble again, and your mother made me promise to keep an eye on you. The only reason I can see that you'd be hanging around that Ophicus is an act of rebellion, and let me tell you that those don't get you anywhere fast, so you might as well can it and start acting like a responsible adult. Have a little thought for yourself and those around you. It doesn't do to go spending time with Lord Voldemort."
Ginny glared daggers at Harry. "He's not Lord Voldemort," she spat, "He's Tom Marvolo Riddle. There's a difference, ask Dumbledore. If you want me to start acting like an adult, maybe you should start treating me like one. I don't need you to watch over me, Harry James Potter. I don't need anyone to watch over me, I'm not a small child in need of a nanny. Had you thought for a moment you would have realised that perhaps, just perhaps, the reason I spend time with Tom Marvolo Riddle is that he's the best in your year at Potions, and I am desperately in need of help. But maybe you're too thick headed to realize that."
"Hermione would help you," Harry offered.
"Tom's better."
Harry sighed. "Yes, and I expect that Lucius Malfoy is wicked good at hexes, but I don't see you going to get his help on them."
"This is different, Harry, and you know it."
"No, Ginny, it isn't. Going to Voldemort for help on Potions work is worse than asking Mr. Malfoy to tutor you on Charms."
"For the last time, Harry, he's not You-Know-Who."
"Prove it."
"No one can, you know that."
It was at that point that they noticed Neville and Luna were long gone. All the better for them, though Ginny hopelessly. Harry was ranting again. "… that Dumbledore says so is no reason for you to go about, trusting him implicitly and acting like he's your best friend!"
"Dumbledore's word should be good enough for you, Harry."
"He's not perfect," Harry said, disappointed. "You should know that."
"I do. But I still trust him." There was a pause in which no one spoke.
"Look, Ginny, I know you and if anyone who isn't a Death Eater knows Voldemort I know him too. I know you're a powerful witch and you're coming into your own, but that doesn't mean that I trust you to confront the most powerful dark wizard of our time. More than that, it doesn't mean that I would have you confront him out of choice. I wouldn't do that myself and I've faced him more than any other living wizard. It's terrifying; you should know that from last year. We don't think you're a worthless child, Ginny. We just want to make sure you're safe."
Ginny shook her head. "I can make sure I'm safe, Harry," she whispered, and then louder, "Besides, you're one to tell me you know what's best. You don't really know me. You don't even know my name."
"Yes I do," he insisted.
"What is it?"
"Virginia Molly Weasley," answered Harry without a pause, and Ginny laughed.
"Wrong, Harry. Maybe you should do your research better." She started to walk away, but Harry called behind her.
"What is your name, then?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"Because, Ginny, I'm your friend."
Ginny stopped to stare at Harry as he ran the couple steps to her and smiled down at her. She only glared, although she could barely see him, blinded by rage. "Harry, even given my embarrassing crush on you my first year, any thinking wizard would know that that's too little, too late. You're my friend? Prove it." She took a step away and started walking, trying desperately to keep him one step behind her so that she wouldn't see his face. She could hardly see where she was going, but she hadn't walked into a wall yet so she just kept barrelling onward.
"I saved you from Riddle, from the Basilisk!" he nearly shouted.
"You would have done that for Millicent Bulstrode," she answered quickly, "and you're the only one who doesn't seem to know it."
"I… I…" Harry stumbled, trying to think of one time he had done something truly spectacular for Ginny in the more recent past. She turned to watch his gaping face victoriously, but that was her undoing. The floundering look on his face touched her heart, because for once Harry Potter was thinking of Ginny Weasley as not a little girl in need of rescuing, but as a thinking human being. And simultaneously, he realised that he hadn't behaved like her friend. Ever.
"I know, Harry. I know," Ginny said, calmly. "We are friends," she said, finally softening to the panicked, despondent look on his face, "perhaps only for my brother's sake, but we are friends. You got me out of my funk in Grimmauld Place, and allowed me to stand up to my mother calmly. That has to count for something. But that doesn't mean that you should have control over my life or who I talk to. You'll have to find a good reason for me not to talk to Tom in order for me to do so."
She hadn't noticed that while she was talking softly, Harry had been staring at the wall behind her and not at her face, but now that she had stopped talking it was obvious. He stood, dumbstruck, eyes wide, mouth slightly open, and slowly he pointed to the wall, saying rather bluntly, "Well, is that good reason?"
Ginny blinked, and then she flinched. Suddenly she wasn't sure she wanted to see what was on the wall behind her. Slowly she turned around to see something written on the wall, in red blocked letters that she hoped against hope were written in red paint and not blood. The Heir of Slytherin has returned, it said. The school will soon be mine.
Ginny felt her knees give out under her and she grabbed the nearest solid object, which happened to be Harry. She hardly noticed as he lifted a hand to her shoulders to steady her. This couldn't be happening. She shuddered and impulsively looked down at her robes, and only when she was sure that they were pristine did she close her eyes and weep. It was Tom, she knew it. It wasn't her, but it was Tom, and perhaps that was even worse. She had been wrong, or right, or something, but it had all been too late, and whatever horrible plan Tom had was already in motion. It would all happen again, as sure as her name was Ginevra Molly Weasley, but she wouldn't be called fool so quickly, she vowed ruefully. She needed help, and she needed it immediately. "Ginevra," she gasped into Harry's shirt.
"What?" he asked.
"My name. It's Ginevra."
"Oh," he said dumbly as he led her to the Gryffindor Tower. "I guess that means we're friends?"
"We'd better be, Harry. We'd better be."