A year in the life of Harry Potter
Chapter 39: September, 4
A/N: I got the idea for this story plot when I watched Moulin Rouge, and I take the musical as a bit of a guideline but it's not really going to turn into it, at least not everything.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Harry asked as he entered the common room after his last lesson. He saw Ginny sitting in an armchair by the the fireplace, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why didn't you go to lessons today? Professor McGonnagall sent a letter to your parents."
Ginny looked up and without saying another word she got up and walked away to the girls' dormitories.
"I'll talk to her," Hermione said, coming in behind her.
"Fine," Harry muttered, slumping down in the armchair in which Ginny had sat moments earlier. He only hoped she wasn't crying because of last night.
Later on, when Hermione hadn't returned after an hour, he got up again and made his way to the library. If he had to wait he could meanwhile start on his homework. However, he got lost and walke around the castle trying to find his way back to the common room. Then he saw a door. Its handle was in the form of the head of a hawk. He touched it wondering if it would open.
"What came first, the fire or the phoenix?" the handle spoke.
Frightened Harry stumbled backwards and ran away. As he stopped to catch his breath he found himself in front of the library.
"There you are," Hermione said as she exited the library. "I was looking for you everywhere. Where were you?"
Harry shook his head, still shocked. "Don't matter," he said, trying to get his breath back. "Did Ginny talk to you?"
Hermione nodded. "Did you know that she can draw?" she asked excitedly. But then her face darkened. "Ronald ripped her drawings up."
Harry was glad that she hadn't been crying because of the night before, but at the same time he was seething with anger. How dare he tear Ginny's drawings up?
"Do you know where he is?" he asked her.
"Harry, don't do anything stupid!" Hermione yelled. "She wouldn't want you to get into trouble because of her brother. She said so herself."
"Yes, but he can't keep ripping up every drawing she makes," the boy argued.
"Then talk to him, but don't fight."
"You really think someone like Ron would listen to me and do what I tell him?" Harry asked disbelievingly.
"Try it at least," Hermione begged. "We can always tell one of the teachers."
"Yeah, and what will they do?"
"They - they-"
"Hermione, the teachers won't be able to do anything," Harry said. "This is something we have to sort out for ourselves. We have to become independent. We can't just keep going back to the adults for help. We're growing up. Sooner or later we have to start standing on our own two feet."
"Fine," Hermione said, giving in. She sighed. "But let's go back to the common room for now."
Upon their return they found Ginny sitting in the same armchair she had sat in the whole day. When they came over to her she looked up.
"Maybe," she whispered, "maybe I should just stop to draw."
Harry shook his head. "Don't. Don't stop. I'm sure one day you'll be a famous artist, Ginny. To predict the future you have to create it, so don't stop."
She managed a small smile.
"Alright," she whispered. "I'll continue. I'll continue, for you."