Chapter 3- Rumors and Romilda

The first evening back had gone fairly normal, though a sting came as McGonagall gave the welcome. She had introduced a new Transfiguration teacher—a twitchy looking man in his fifties, with balding spots in his brown hair. Everyone clapped but Ginny wondered what he'd be like. Maybe he'd ease up the subject. The one thing Ginny noticed as well was that there was no Defense Against the Dark Arts professor announced.

Ginny lead the new students, which seemed to number more than the other years put together. After explaining the password and everything else they might need to know, Ginny walked up to the girls' dorm without so much a good-bye to Dean. He seemed just as bent not to talk to Ginny, which was just fine. She expected to greet a room full of girls, already gossiping about their summer, but instead as she flourished the door with a wide grin, there was nothing. Just one bed and her trunk. The room was much smaller. She took a deep breath. She should have figured this. "Oh well, more space," she said and started to unpack her things.

The following morning, she walked down the stairs alone, passing quite a few people who all seemed to avoid her. Whispers ensued, where as she was descending the stairs she had heard full conversations. Ignoring it, she continued on and made it to the Great Hall just as the post was coming in. She was surprised when two letter came down to her, brought by a large stocky owl. She grabbed a croissant off the table and ripped some off to give the creature, then started with her letters.

Dear Ginny,

Prefect! Oh I am so proud! Your father and I continue to talk about it and how grown up you have become. I'm only sorry we didn't know before so that we could have gotten you something at Diagon Alley. Please write and let us know what you would like. And be careful.

Love,

Mum

Ginny rolled her eyes. This was ridiculous. She was chosen out of sheer desperation, as the Great Hall attested to. They had set up fewer tables to make it seem full, but the effect was still impressively sad. Opening the second one, Ginny smiled.

Dear Ginny,

Your mum told me about being Prefect! Congratulations and I hope that you take it more seriously than your brother ever did. Those first years certainly need some guidance, especially now, and I know that you'll help them get it.

We've all been doing well. Harry's brooding quite a bit, and I know he misses you if that's any consolation. I've missed you too. Sometimes it gets lonely with these two, so I hope you don't mind if I write quite a bit. I know you'll be busy so I'll understand if I don't get anything in return. You'll have to tell me about your classes, though, if you get a chance. Part of me wishes to be back. I went and bought the list of books I would have used and am practicing! I'm hoping to still have a shot at the NEWTs.

Have fun and study!

Hermione

Ginny was glad to hear they were doing alright. They had left two weeks before her, but no one really knew where, and if they did they weren't telling Ginny. Well now she'd be able to leave them out of the loop. Except Hermione. Hermione was good to write to.

Grabbing a hasty breakfast Ginny went out into the foyer and along with the other sixth years, went to set her schedule. "Hey Ginny," Colin said. Ginny smiled.

"Hey Colin, how are you?"

"Good," he said. "I heard our new head is going to be Madam Hooch."

Ginny thought on this. She could handle Hooch. That might actually be fun, but instead of the rumored Head of House being there for schedules, there stood the new Headmistress. "Good morning," she said. The sixths year Gryffindors replied, "good morning."

"Madam Hooch will be taking over my place as your advisor, but as I've been following your education to this point, I will be helping you to set your schedules and get you started on this most important year. You all have gone through the O.W.L.s and I expect that you are ready to relax, but I must warn you that to do so now would be a severe mistake, as your real education starts now. This year and the next will prepare you for the field that you desire to work in. Please be thoughtful, listen to the suggestions, and remember what was discussed nearly two years ago when you were counseled on a future career."

With that, Professor McGonagall started alphabetically assigning schedules. Many of the students sauntered off to class, looking like they wished the summer hadn't ended quite yet. Ginny was last. She walked up to the table determined.

"Well, Miss Weasley, it looks as though you have many options open to you." Ginny had done fairly well on her O.W.L.s, despite the events that surrounded the postponement of the exam. About a third were top scores, most of them following one grade down, and divinations was a fairly poor score, but since Ginny didn't plan on continuing that class, she acted as if it hadn't been there at all. "We discussed that you would like to go into Healing; is that something you're still looking at?"

Ginny took a deep breath. "I want to take classes that will help the Order."

McGonagall looked up at her over the rims of her glasses. "I believe that any class would help in the long run, were there still to be an Order."

Ginny figured she'd get something like this. "Harry talked about how they had come to fetch him when he first left his Aunt and Uncle's this summer," Ginny said. "I don't want to be stuck here and I don't want to be pushed aside."

"What makes you think that anyone has pushed you aside?" McGonagall asked.

Ginny had had an entire speech prepared, but it seemed to have disappeared. "I'm going to help one way or another," she declared, her voice sounding frustrated.

"If the need arises, Ms. Weasley. For now, you're in school," she said sternly, looking back down.

"I don't need your permission to leave," Ginny threatened. "I don't need anyone's—"

"Ms. Weasley, this is neither the time nor the place." Despite her declaration, Professor McGonagall seemed to have a moment of hesitation, a thought pass through her mind. "I'm willing to make a bargain with you.

Ginny stopped her mouth slightly agape and listened.

"Once you determine a way to help the Order—on your own—I will be open to using you in that manner."

"In exchange for what?"

"That you remain here to help Hogwarts for the time being."

Ginny thought on this. She had felt that Prefect had been given to her for this purpose—that and the lack of candidates. They seemed to have things pinned, but Ginny wouldn't fall for it. They didn't need her here any more than she wanted to be here under these circumstances, but she really had no other choice. "You'll keep me up to date?"

"Certainly, at least with what is known by the entire Order."

Ginny didn't expect she'd know everything, but it was more than she would be told if her mother were involved.

"Deal." She put out her hand and shook with Professor McGonagall. "Put me in whatever," she said.

"I would suggest for you to continue in Charms. Professor Slughorn has requested you continue in his class. I'm guessing you didn't have interest in Divinations?"

"Got that right," Ginny said. She could have sworn she had seen a grin on McGonagall's face.

"I do believe you did well in Transfigurations."

"Not as well as Charms," Ginny mentioned. "Ancient Runes was better too."

"I still think Transfigurations would be a benefit to an overall curriculum."

"Fine," Ginny said, just wanting to be done with this.

"And that should do," Professor McGonagall finished and handed over the schedule. "Come see me if there are any concerns," she added with an alarming emphasis.

"Thanks," Ginny said, noticing that she was going to be late for Potions. She stopped mid-run with a question. "What happened to Defense class?"

McGonagall didn't look up from her papers. "We've included it in the agenda of each class." She glanced over with a severe look. "It's no longer going to be an entity of its own."

Ginny swallowed, wished McGonagall farewell and ran off.

Now it was time to think, and even though Slughorn was going on and on about something she was sure was important, Ginny couldn't help but have her mind elsewhere. What did she have to offer the Order? Was this a cruel trick of McGonagall to make Ginny realize how useless she really was? "Ms. Weasley, you aren't quite yourself," the jovial professor pointed out.

"Just a bit… distracted," Ginny said, averting her eyes to the potion she had just ruined. Too many hartworms.

"Ah, I see," Slughorn said with a wink. "Just don't let it affect my star pupil too much," he said, adding a nudge. Ginny gave a polite grin and set back to work. She couldn't help the Order with potions, that was for sure.

After lunch she found Luna and walked to Transfigurations together. The class was gathering and they were starting to see a mixture of fifth and sixth years. Romilda Vane walked in looking rather pleased with herself. "There must be a mistake," Ginny said, looking back down at her schedule. It wasn't on their part as far as she could tell. Instead of debating, she walked in, knowing the professor would have to sort something out. There were murmurs and whisperings as they entered, but Ginny didn't think much of it. When had they ever combined years for classes?

She sat down in the back, Luna taking the seat behind her. "So now I have to prove myself, or something."

"It sounds like Professor McGonagall's willing at least."

"Yes, but now it's on my side of the pitch," Ginny said, slumping in her chair. "I would rather it the other way around."

"Ms. Weasley, please stop your incessant talking," a voice came from behind. Ginny barely had time to respond when the Professor walked down the aisle to her right. There had been several groups talking much louder than her, but she didn't argue.

Everyone else either became quiet or giggle at the reprimand. The professor continued his pace, looking rather like a bird strutting to the front—neck jutting forward with each step. "Welcome to Transfiguration," he said, turning around and placing his books down.

"Good afternoon. I am Professor Holladay." He wrote his name in a slanted scribble on the board. "There has been a bit of a scheduling problem, but I have assured the Headmistress that I would take on both classes until the timing issue is resolved. Until then, I will be teaching both pre-and post- owl students. For the first week or so we will review some of the basics to Transfigurations and—Ms. Weasley, pay attention!"

Ginny had just leaned over to grab her text, but looked up as he called her name. "Professor, I—"

"No excuses, just pay attention," he said. Ginny could see Romilda laughing behind her hand.

Ginny slumped back in her chair, jaw clenched. "Now, if there are no more interruptions, I would like to ask someone the theory of Roboust."

One of the Ravenclaw girls raised her hand, but Professor Holladay continued to look to the back of the room. "Ms. Weasley," he said with a grin. "You were supposed to have been an excellent student , perhaps you would be so kind as to tell us."

Ginny met his eyes and said, "The theory of Roboust states that anything with matter can be changed into an equally massed object."

"Wrong," he said with a grin. The Ravenclaw girl put her hand down as well, looking confused. "Roboust established that there's a connection between the molecules of one item and another."

"That's what I just said!"

"Text book answers won't do here, Ms. Weasley," he retorted. Ginny nearly started to talk again, but he continued into a long lecture about the theories of ancient wizards and how they apply now.

As the class let out, Ginny was the first to get up and storm out, Luna keeping up just behind her.

"What was that all about?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know, but your answer was exactly what the text says."

"And what teacher has ever been dissatisfied with that?" Ginny added. "He must be off his rocker."

"Maybe he's all they could find."

Ginny nodded. This year just seemed to continue to throw bludgers at her, and she was trying to dodge the best she could. She and Luna walked into the library. Romilda Vane was sitting across from some other fifth years, recounting something to them. Ginny caught her eye, and Romilda's demeanor changed.

"And what is with that?" Ginny asked. "Second years run and everyone else seems to avoid me."

"Didn't you know?" a cruel voice asked from behind. Ginny turned to see Pansy with a smug look on her face.

"Know what?" Luna asked politely.

"It's the talk of the school. Who's Weasley's next victim? I suppose you've already hit Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, and since no Slytherin would dare date you my bet is with Hufflepuff."

Ginny scoffed. "Who said I was out to date anyone?"

"Oh, did Potter satisfy your thirst to make people miserable? I suppose that you couldn't really settle on him, though, could you? He'll be dead before you even graduate."

Ginny pulled out her wand. Luna stepped between them. "Is that some sort of a threat?"

"Take it as you like," Pansy said, walking off with a cool bitterness.

Ginny turned from Luna, who still stood there with silent protection. She strode over to the table where Romilda was. "What have you been spreading around?"

Romilda gave a look of confusion. "Why would I spend my time in talking about you?"

"Don't be daft!" Ginny shouted. Madam Pince was looking over their way. "Tell me what you've been telling everyone."

Romilda looked as though she'd challenge the redhead, but sighed. "I just think it fair to warn others about how you set out to break hearts. A Weasley trait, we've found."

"A Weasley trait?"

"Yes. Poor Lavendar last year had to endure your brother and who knows what else might happen to someone who doesn't know how your family works."

Before anyone could do anything, Ginny's wand waved directly and a light flashed. Everyone looked towards Romilda and it didn't seem to have any kind of an effect. It wasn't until Ginny was walking off that Romilda started to scream and claw at her robes. "Get them off! Get them off!" Three hours later the hex was finally lifted. Romilda had scratches all over her arms from trying rid herself of roaches that didn't exist. Visit one to the Headmistress's office.

A/N: We're starting to get to that main course I was talking about. I'm ending it here, but the next chapter has been started and it should be a good one. I hope you enjoyed this one and that you're getting a feel of a "new Hogwarts" that I imagined. Thanks for the reviews!