Disclaimer--If you like it, assume I don't own it. The Potterverse belongs to JKR, Steve Klowes, Scholastic and WB. Fanon belongs to the multitude...I'm simply paying homage with the sincerest form of flattery. No copyright infringement is intended, and no money is being made.
Author's Notes--This is intended as a sequel to that story intended to cover the events of Ginny's third year at Hogwarts. For those of you who know my posting habits, you already know posting has been a lot slower in this work (for which I apologize--I've missed our "club"), and it will probably continue to be slower. I really hope you'll make the effort to stick with me anyway. As you all know, I may not own it, but I work hard, and I love it, so if you read it and enjoy it, please review it!
I realized--a little belatedly--I had never responded to the fantastic reviews for the last chapter of SoA, so I'd like to do so--more briefly than they deserve.
Lid'l Rogue--Thanks!...hope you're still reading.
SelenA--Thanks...I'll consider original stories someday, but I have a long way to go before I'm done with this year.
Raiining--I'm so happy you noticed my themes! *beams* *does little dance* Thanks!
Bee11--I thought it was rather fitting for Ginny and the twins to pull that prank together...I'm brainstorming on Pig's name...any suggestions?
Adrienne-- I'm really proud of Ginny and Lupin, too...I think their relationship is really incredible, and I'm honored to have been part of it. Thanks so much for the great in-depth review of the story as a whole...that means so much to me...it was really beautiful, and I will hold it close to my heart. I'm honored to have you as part of the circle as well...it really wouldn't be the same without you! *hugs*
EEDOE--I'm glad you liked Ginny's summary of her year...I thought it was rather poetic. ;-) Thank you for reading another story...and another...*hugs*
Bill--I'm not a witch, but if I were...would my boyfriend be in trouble! *winks and makes wry face* I'm glad you think I'm good with the pranks...I think it's all the things I wish I could do in real life and never really would. *sighs* I'm glad you noticed the way the end of SoA dove-tailed with the end of MoP--I'm pretty proud of that! Thanks for keeping Ginny and me company on the way. *hugs*
I know you guys want to get to the good stuff...not much longer...just chapter two reviews...
Bee11--I loved that exchange with Ginny and the twins...it sounded just right. *winks* I missed you too--thanks for still reading! *hugs*
J. Rhaye--Thanks for letting me know who you were--I would have missed you if you hadn't! You have a great point about Ginny being the centerpoint for an emotional tug-of-war and how that must affect her--I'm impressed! I have to admit, I hadn't really thought about Ron, but now that you mention it...*grins* *BIG HUGS*
EEDOE--Hmmm...maybe you were channeling Smeagle, but I've always had a bit of a soft-spot for him...*grins and winks* I'm thrilled you're thrilled! *hugs*
Bill--Nice catch on the reference to Ginny's prank! *winks* Ginny as spokesmodel...what an interesting idea...*smirks* *hugs*
Okay...I hope that's everyone, if not, I really apologize--I appreciate you all! Now--on with the story!
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Days melted one into the next, dissolving in a puddle of remembered summer sun. Ginny practiced flying whenever she could steal the opportunity, helped the twins develop ideas for new products and the occasional prank on Percy, performed a joking rain conjuration dance spell that left them both soaked and a little surprised with her friend Luna Lovegood who lived nearby, wrote letters to friends who didn't--even if she could never quite manage to write one to Harry--watched clouds with Ron, played chess with Dad, obsessed over Quidditch scores when no one was watching, and otherwise did whatever happened to strike her fancy.
One night at dinner, when Percy had just finished listing--at length--his reasons for deciding on his new position with the Department of International Cooperation for the thirteenth time, describing the importance of his first assignment researching the thickness of imported cauldron bottoms for the ninth, and hinting at his possible involvement with some secret upcoming event for the sixth, and had just moved on to bragging about how invaluable his help had been in helping Mr. Crouch plan the Quidditch World Cup for the fifteenth, Dad interjected, "Oh, that reminds me." His voice was mild, but his eyes were sparkling, and Ginny wasn't the only one who noticed--Ron stopped in the middle of a yawn with his mouth full of food, the twins froze in the process of miming Percy's speech (though that might have been the way Mum was glaring at them), and even Percy seemed mildly intrigued.
"Did you get tickets?" Ron asked excitedly through a hurried swallow.
"I did indeed," Dad confirmed, beaming with satisfaction.
"Good seats?" George asked eagerly.
Dad grinned. "Top box. Right next to Bagman himself, boys."
"How many?"
"Enough for everyone," Dad reassured the suddenly nervous-looking Ron. "You and Percy, Fred and George, Bill and Charlie and me, even Harry and Hermione--and, of course, Ginny." Ginny let out a breath she hoped no one could see--there for a minute, she'd been afraid she was about to be left at home while her brothers saw the best game of Quidditch in England, and if they went without her, she wasn't sure she'd ever recover. "I offered to get one for your Mum, too, but--"
"I don't care to see any game England can't win," Mum sniffed. Dad patted her hand with an affectionate grin.
"Harry and Hermione are coming too?" Ron repeated, as if wanting to be sure he'd heard correctly.
"Harry's nearly one of the family," Dad said promptly. "Of course he's included--and so is Hermione since her parents won't be allowed to attend--due to security. Your mother and I will write their families first thing tomorrow, and then you can write them directly."
"Cool!" Ron said, immediately satisfied.
Ginny grinned, feeling a little flutter in her stomach at the thought of seeing Harry.
"Oh, it will be so nice to see Bill and Charlie," Mum said happily, and the flutter deepened as Ginny realized she would finally have the chance to introduce Harry to the rest of her family. She tried to concentrate on how nice it would be to see Hermione, whom she missed almost as much as she had missed Harry, having become quite close to her over the course of the last year, but her mind was suddenly blank. Even the food left on her plate couldn't hold her attention--she just wasn't hungry. With a squish and a start, she realized she'd put her elbow in the butterdish--again. Blushing deep red, she pulled it hastily clear, and feigned nonchalance.
The next day, Bill and Charlie arrived in time for a nice family dinner. Mum shooed Ginny off to bed long before she was ready, but Ginny knew she was far too excited to sleep, so she waited until she was sure no one was paying any attention to her and snuck out to the garden to stare up at the stars.
They hung overhead, impossibly far away in an endless sky, but somehow so clear and brilliant she felt as though she could reach out and touch them…the sight somehow reminded her of the way she had once felt Harry's presence as if through a shifting veil, a light that touched her…and she knew that connection would always be with her. She wondered if somewhere he was thinking about her…
She wondered what would happen when they were in the same place together…
Maybe they would finally be able to talk to one another…have a conversation…even talk about what had happened… She could do that now. She wanted to do that now…to know if he noticed, if he knew, if he felt the connection between them, too. She thought he did, but she had never been comfortable enough to ask him…she had never been able to separate herself from what she had done. She could do that now, too. She wondered if Harry could…but she secretly thought he always really had.
Slowly even thoughts of Harry faded into the vastness of midnight beauty. Ginny could feel herself falling into the trance of intense awareness that was the first and hardest step of Occulumency…after a year of practice, it was finally becoming something she did without thinking. She smiled to herself, making a distant mental note to tell Professor Lupin the next time she wrote him…
Perhaps it was the thought of him, and the hazy recollection of their last conversation that reminded her of Tom…or the version of him that still existed…she felt almost as if she could sense him out there, somewhere just beyond the bounds of the garden, lurking, coiled like a snake about to strike…and the idea made her shiver. But she knew she was being silly--Professor Dumbledore himself had said Tom--she refused to grant him the dignity of that ridiculous self-title, at least in her thoughts--was a mere shadow of himself, barely clinging to life…he wasn't even in England. He was in Romania. There was nothing to be worried about…not even Sirius Black.
Author's Notes--This is intended as a sequel to that story intended to cover the events of Ginny's third year at Hogwarts. For those of you who know my posting habits, you already know posting has been a lot slower in this work (for which I apologize--I've missed our "club"), and it will probably continue to be slower. I really hope you'll make the effort to stick with me anyway. As you all know, I may not own it, but I work hard, and I love it, so if you read it and enjoy it, please review it!
I realized--a little belatedly--I had never responded to the fantastic reviews for the last chapter of SoA, so I'd like to do so--more briefly than they deserve.
Lid'l Rogue--Thanks!...hope you're still reading.
SelenA--Thanks...I'll consider original stories someday, but I have a long way to go before I'm done with this year.
Raiining--I'm so happy you noticed my themes! *beams* *does little dance* Thanks!
Bee11--I thought it was rather fitting for Ginny and the twins to pull that prank together...I'm brainstorming on Pig's name...any suggestions?
Adrienne-- I'm really proud of Ginny and Lupin, too...I think their relationship is really incredible, and I'm honored to have been part of it. Thanks so much for the great in-depth review of the story as a whole...that means so much to me...it was really beautiful, and I will hold it close to my heart. I'm honored to have you as part of the circle as well...it really wouldn't be the same without you! *hugs*
EEDOE--I'm glad you liked Ginny's summary of her year...I thought it was rather poetic. ;-) Thank you for reading another story...and another...*hugs*
Bill--I'm not a witch, but if I were...would my boyfriend be in trouble! *winks and makes wry face* I'm glad you think I'm good with the pranks...I think it's all the things I wish I could do in real life and never really would. *sighs* I'm glad you noticed the way the end of SoA dove-tailed with the end of MoP--I'm pretty proud of that! Thanks for keeping Ginny and me company on the way. *hugs*
I know you guys want to get to the good stuff...not much longer...just chapter two reviews...
Bee11--I loved that exchange with Ginny and the twins...it sounded just right. *winks* I missed you too--thanks for still reading! *hugs*
J. Rhaye--Thanks for letting me know who you were--I would have missed you if you hadn't! You have a great point about Ginny being the centerpoint for an emotional tug-of-war and how that must affect her--I'm impressed! I have to admit, I hadn't really thought about Ron, but now that you mention it...*grins* *BIG HUGS*
EEDOE--Hmmm...maybe you were channeling Smeagle, but I've always had a bit of a soft-spot for him...*grins and winks* I'm thrilled you're thrilled! *hugs*
Bill--Nice catch on the reference to Ginny's prank! *winks* Ginny as spokesmodel...what an interesting idea...*smirks* *hugs*
Okay...I hope that's everyone, if not, I really apologize--I appreciate you all! Now--on with the story!
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Days melted one into the next, dissolving in a puddle of remembered summer sun. Ginny practiced flying whenever she could steal the opportunity, helped the twins develop ideas for new products and the occasional prank on Percy, performed a joking rain conjuration dance spell that left them both soaked and a little surprised with her friend Luna Lovegood who lived nearby, wrote letters to friends who didn't--even if she could never quite manage to write one to Harry--watched clouds with Ron, played chess with Dad, obsessed over Quidditch scores when no one was watching, and otherwise did whatever happened to strike her fancy.
One night at dinner, when Percy had just finished listing--at length--his reasons for deciding on his new position with the Department of International Cooperation for the thirteenth time, describing the importance of his first assignment researching the thickness of imported cauldron bottoms for the ninth, and hinting at his possible involvement with some secret upcoming event for the sixth, and had just moved on to bragging about how invaluable his help had been in helping Mr. Crouch plan the Quidditch World Cup for the fifteenth, Dad interjected, "Oh, that reminds me." His voice was mild, but his eyes were sparkling, and Ginny wasn't the only one who noticed--Ron stopped in the middle of a yawn with his mouth full of food, the twins froze in the process of miming Percy's speech (though that might have been the way Mum was glaring at them), and even Percy seemed mildly intrigued.
"Did you get tickets?" Ron asked excitedly through a hurried swallow.
"I did indeed," Dad confirmed, beaming with satisfaction.
"Good seats?" George asked eagerly.
Dad grinned. "Top box. Right next to Bagman himself, boys."
"How many?"
"Enough for everyone," Dad reassured the suddenly nervous-looking Ron. "You and Percy, Fred and George, Bill and Charlie and me, even Harry and Hermione--and, of course, Ginny." Ginny let out a breath she hoped no one could see--there for a minute, she'd been afraid she was about to be left at home while her brothers saw the best game of Quidditch in England, and if they went without her, she wasn't sure she'd ever recover. "I offered to get one for your Mum, too, but--"
"I don't care to see any game England can't win," Mum sniffed. Dad patted her hand with an affectionate grin.
"Harry and Hermione are coming too?" Ron repeated, as if wanting to be sure he'd heard correctly.
"Harry's nearly one of the family," Dad said promptly. "Of course he's included--and so is Hermione since her parents won't be allowed to attend--due to security. Your mother and I will write their families first thing tomorrow, and then you can write them directly."
"Cool!" Ron said, immediately satisfied.
Ginny grinned, feeling a little flutter in her stomach at the thought of seeing Harry.
"Oh, it will be so nice to see Bill and Charlie," Mum said happily, and the flutter deepened as Ginny realized she would finally have the chance to introduce Harry to the rest of her family. She tried to concentrate on how nice it would be to see Hermione, whom she missed almost as much as she had missed Harry, having become quite close to her over the course of the last year, but her mind was suddenly blank. Even the food left on her plate couldn't hold her attention--she just wasn't hungry. With a squish and a start, she realized she'd put her elbow in the butterdish--again. Blushing deep red, she pulled it hastily clear, and feigned nonchalance.
The next day, Bill and Charlie arrived in time for a nice family dinner. Mum shooed Ginny off to bed long before she was ready, but Ginny knew she was far too excited to sleep, so she waited until she was sure no one was paying any attention to her and snuck out to the garden to stare up at the stars.
They hung overhead, impossibly far away in an endless sky, but somehow so clear and brilliant she felt as though she could reach out and touch them…the sight somehow reminded her of the way she had once felt Harry's presence as if through a shifting veil, a light that touched her…and she knew that connection would always be with her. She wondered if somewhere he was thinking about her…
She wondered what would happen when they were in the same place together…
Maybe they would finally be able to talk to one another…have a conversation…even talk about what had happened… She could do that now. She wanted to do that now…to know if he noticed, if he knew, if he felt the connection between them, too. She thought he did, but she had never been comfortable enough to ask him…she had never been able to separate herself from what she had done. She could do that now, too. She wondered if Harry could…but she secretly thought he always really had.
Slowly even thoughts of Harry faded into the vastness of midnight beauty. Ginny could feel herself falling into the trance of intense awareness that was the first and hardest step of Occulumency…after a year of practice, it was finally becoming something she did without thinking. She smiled to herself, making a distant mental note to tell Professor Lupin the next time she wrote him…
Perhaps it was the thought of him, and the hazy recollection of their last conversation that reminded her of Tom…or the version of him that still existed…she felt almost as if she could sense him out there, somewhere just beyond the bounds of the garden, lurking, coiled like a snake about to strike…and the idea made her shiver. But she knew she was being silly--Professor Dumbledore himself had said Tom--she refused to grant him the dignity of that ridiculous self-title, at least in her thoughts--was a mere shadow of himself, barely clinging to life…he wasn't even in England. He was in Romania. There was nothing to be worried about…not even Sirius Black.