Ginny lay in her bed, full of nervous energy. The very next day, she would be getting her first wand, just one step closer to going to Hogwarts. She threaded a small piece of green fabric through her fingers as she stared at the ceiling. She didn't see the long, thin crack running across the ceiling, nor did she see the stain in the corner just above her bed. Instead, she saw a pale boy. It was a ghost of a memory, but she could still see his pale blue eyes regarding her with curiosity. It had been five years since that day in the forest.
She sighed heavily and rolled over onto her stomach, the pink floral sheet tangling around her legs. Sleep finally claimed her, but the handkerchief with the silver dragon was still clutched in one of her pale hands.
It seemed like only moments later, her mother was rushing in to wake her. "Ginny, dear, you must wake up! You've overslept!" The older woman clucked her tongue, and rushed about pulling out clothes for Ginny to wear.
She sat up in her bed quite suddenly, looking at her mother with horror. "Why didn't anyone wake me sooner?" she asked loudly as she raced out of her room toward the bathroom. She banged on the door until her brother's face appeared in the doorway. A toothbrush was hanging from his mouth, but that didn't stop him from speaking. "Are you mad?" he asked.
He nearly choked on his toothbrush as she pulled him out of the way, slamming the door in his face. "Mum! Ginny's gone mental!" he stated, a toothbrush still hanging from his mouth. A bit of drool started to make its way down his chin. Molly stopped briefly to wave her wand and muttered a spell that would clean up the drool before continuing down the stairs to finish making breakfast.
Not long after, a group of Weasleys and one very flustered looking Harry Potter were rushing to eat their breakfast. "Hurry up dearies. We don't want to miss the book signing," said Molly with a slight blush to her cheeks. The twins rolled their eyes and started to make fun of their mother as she moved about collecting dishes. The words 'Lockhart' and 'love' could be heard being muttered between the two.
Mr. Weasley quickly ushered the children toward the fireplace, just barely large enough for a person to stand in and covered in soot. Ron made a big deal about Harry not being used to this means of travel and proudly took it upon himself to show him how it was done. Harry soon followed, and they all stared in horror as he disappeared. Molly asked what the boy said, knowing that his annunciation was off. She sighed, stating how they would have to retrieve him when they got to Diagon Alley.
Ginny went next, carefully speaking the words of her destination. The fire engulfed her, causing her a bit of discomfort. She soon joined her brother, though, and started to brush off her skirt. Ron gave her a glare, still angry about what happened earlier that morning. After they were joined by the rest of their family, Arthur took off too look for Harry, and Molly herded them toward the book store. Ron went to find Hermione in the crowd, Molly joined the crowd that was fawning over the man signing books, and the other boys dispersed to search for their books.
Ginny looked at the man signing books with curiosity, but moved toward the staircase while skimming through the books on her list for school. She didn't notice the boy standing just at the top of the stairs until she bumped into him. "Oh sorry…" she started as she looked up. She noticed his pale blue eyes at once. "It's you," she said, barely audible above the commotion on the main floor.
Recognition flashed across his face pale, but regal features. "You look familiar…" he said, before she wrapped her arms around his waist. He shifted a bit, unsure of how to react before he realized who she was. "You're the girl from the forest," he said, remembering the small girl dressed in yellow with flowers in her hair. He relaxed a bit and he took in her appearance. She had a natural beauty about her, and she smelled of vanilla and honey. Her skin was covered in freckles, like cinnamon dust against her pale skin. She pulled away then, a smile lighting up her face. Her eyes were warm and bright, and they seemed to be full of secrets. She had smooth curls of auburn hair tucked back with a white flower.
"What are you doing here?" she asked brightly. He held up a book in response and pulled her away from the stairs so that a young couple and their son could pass. "Do you go to Hogwarts? What is it like?" she continued, curious if she would be seeing him around school.
"Always asking questions," he said, smirking a bit. "Of course I go to Hogwarts. Let's see your list then," he said, holding out his hand. She produced the list, and he turned to search for the books. He pulled out a brand new book for her history class, and she blushed slightly. "That looks really expensive. Perhaps they have older ones?" He gave her an odd look before trading the book with an older one that looked as though it had been collecting dust for the past century. She nodded her head, just as they heard a shout from downstairs.
"Ah Harry, my boy!" Lockhart shouted. He pulled a confused looking Harry up to join him. Flashes of cameras lit up the main floor, and the boy that Ginny was with rolled his eyes. "Always looking for attention, that one…" he muttered as he moved back toward the stairs. She followed him down the stairs, not yet ready to let him out of her sight.
"Just can't stay out of the spotlight, eh Potter?" He came to a stop on the last step next to a man that shared a striking resemblance to him. Ron stood next to Harry, both glaring at the boy. Molly quickly made her way around the two men to grab hold of Ginny's free hand. "Come along dear," she muttered, dragging the girl toward the rest of her family. The boy with blue eyes raised his eyebrow at her but said nothing.
"Keeping rather horrid company as always, Arthur," said the older man, gesturing toward Hermione and her parents.
"Quite interesting actually. They were just telling me about the number two pencil," stated Arthur proudly.
"What nonsense. No wonder you can't even provide your children with nice things." As to make his point, he grabbed the stack of books that Ginny was holding. "Mingling with muggles," he scoffed, shoving the books back toward Ginny. "Come Draco." He turned and stalked out of the store without another glance back. Draco paused for just a moment to look at Ginny. He shook his head as if he was considering something and decided against it. Then he followed his father, leaving a rather confused Ginny in his wake.