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--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!
Lady Siri--I appreciate reviews whenever I get them--I definitely understand that I can't have them all the time...so long as I get them once in a while. *winks* I'm glad you liked it. The "Club" is simply the group of all the dedicated reviewers who discuss the story like a book club. We have a lot of fun, and I think we make good friends. :-)
Raiining--I think it's interesting to see them interacting, too...you know they must from the books, but you never see it...It makes me very, very curious...*grins* Hmm...interesting question--Who knows Ginny best? My gut instinct would be to say Remus Lupin...he knows a lot of the secrets she can't or won't share with anyone else...but her brothers (except Ron and Percy) all seem pretty on the mark...I wouldn't think Neville knows her best, because she's very private, and he's very shy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love her just as much. Luna...can be perceptive in her own way, but is too abstract to be very involved with Ginny's personality--though she's more interested in Ginny than she would be in almost anyone else, I think. As for Hermione...she might almost tie Lupin...she and Ginny understand one another as girls who stand out, and they have the added connection of caring about a lot of the same people. I'd be interested to know what you and the others think.
Bee11--Yay!! You noticed how Ginny saw the CD as more of a creature than an inanimate machine...I thought that might be a realistic reaction in someone who hadn't seen one before. I'm with you...I don't think Hermione mentioned much about that incident in her second year to her parents..though it probably did cross Ginny's mind when she saw them--you're right, that is scary to contemplate. *shivers*
J.Rhaye--"Simple fascination with the things we take for granted really is like a muggle's fascination with all things magical." What a great observation!! I love it!! You're right...I love the way Arthur looks at everything with childlike wonder...it's truly a great gift, and the world would be a better place if more people had it. I'm glad you think the Hermione/Ginny interactions are getting better...that's as it should be, since their relationship is growing and deepening...I hope I can keep it up! (And they do have to get that "sister" thing down, don't they? *winks*) As for Crookshanks, he's extremely bright, and most cats do seem to have a sense for...sympathetic humans. *grins* *hugs*
EEDOE--"She was the explosive fireball and he was the soothing calming balm. She ran the house weilding a wooden spoon, he got his point across with a subtle word or a look. She is the over protective tyrant, he's the over indulgent softy. But when push comes to shove, don't get in Arthur's way because he'll battle to death to protect those he loves. And if your hurt Molly with be the most loving, nurturing figure you can always turn to." I couldn't summarize it better in a million years. That's what I love about them too...the balance that works--it's good chemistry. (which might explain the 7 kids *winks*) I'm glad you liked Hermione's parents' names. *does happy dance* I just picked the first soothing names that came to mind and sounded appropriately British. You got Hermione and Ginny's relationship in one, too. *giggles* I'm doing my best to get it right, so I appreciate the praise. *winks* I thought Ginny's reaction to the cd player was pretty adorable too. *grins* Until next time. *hugs*
Bill--Yup...Ron is a perfect example of why I'm utterly convinced romance is nearly--if not quite--an unrealistic expectation. *winks* I think you have the answer...OF COURSE Hermione has the strength of a female weight-lifter--she is! *grins* Those classes sound like a great idea...and I'm not entirely sure the luggage ISN'T a conspiracy...Glad to hear from you. *hugs*
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"AR-THUR WEASLEY," Mum bellowed, making Hermione drop her trunk so that it clattered across the floor. Ginny winced, half-expecting it to burst open and scatter a small library across the floor. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
"Picking up Hermione, dear," Dad said, not quite pulling it off, "you knew that."
"I ALSO KNOW IT DOESN'T TAKE THREE-QUARTERS OF AN HOUR TO 'POP IN AND OUT AGAIN'-YOU HAVEN'T BEEN CROSS-EXAMINING THE GRANGERS HAVE YOU?" The look on Dad's face obviously gave him away, because she scarcely paused to draw breath before reproaching him, "OH, ARTHUR, REALLY! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MUST THINK OF US--"
"Actually, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said hesitantly, "I think they enjoyed it."
"Oh, hello, Hermione dear," Mum said kindly. "How nice to see you again. I hope you're looking forward to the World Cup?"
"It should be fascinating," Hermione said immediately. "I've been reading up on the subject-did you know that--"
"Dad!" Ron interrupted, bounding into the room. "Where have you been? We're late to pick up Harry!" He paused, glanced over his shoulder in their direction, turned back to Dad, glanced in their direction again, and grinned. "Oh, hey, Hermione! Good to see you!"
"And that reminds me," Mum said in a tone that bordered on dangerous, wheeling back toward Dad, "just what kind of impression do you think you're making on the...Dursleys...and Harry, being late as if you weren't concerned about wasting their time?"
"Want some help carrying your trunk upstairs?" Ron asked Hermione hastily. "You'll be staying in Ginny's room-I hope that's okay?"
Hermione glanced over at Ginny, irritation, amusement, and affectionate forbearance swirling in the expression. "I think we'll be able to manage," she said dryly.
"That's the spirit," Ron said pluckily, wrestling the trunk in the direction of the stairs as the sound of Mum and Dad's argument trailed behind them. "Ginny's not so bad."
"Ooh, Ron stop," Ginny crooned. "The flattery might go to my head."
"Well," Ron said, ignoring her, "here you are...I'll leave you to get settled while we run and get Harry-shouldn't be long."
Ginny had a momentary thought of demanding to go along, but she knew Harry wasn't comfortable with his relatives, and she didn't want to put him in an awkward position by gawking at him in a situation that might embarrass him...and, anyway, she could hear Ron shouting at Fred and George to get a move on, and the presence of the whole family seemed a bit excessive. As much as she wanted to see Harry, Ginny could wait. She knew she would always want to see him, no matter how long it took...and, for some reason, she trusted him to eventually come to her. Hermione must have felt the same, because she didn't raise a single protest.
Ginny and Hermione collapsed on the bed.
"Ron didn't miss me at all, did he?" Hermione sighed after several minutes of staring at the ceiling. "Sometimes I think he's really only friends with me to humor Harry…I mean, he hardly ever notices me except to criticize or start some sort of argument, and we really don't have much in common--"
Ginny raised up on one elbow to stare at her until she trailed off into uncertain silence. "Ron's a prat," she said succinctly, and waited a beat before adding, "But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you-my brothers pick on me constantly, but they wouldn't let anyone else get away with it."
"Ron does stand up for me…" Hermione mused.
"At least he talks to you," Ginny added wryly. "Even if it is to argue--"
"Ron and Harry want to include you," Hermione said firmly. "They just don't know it yet," she added a bit weakly at Ginny's skeptical expression.
"Ooh," Ginny crooned, "brilliant. My problems are solved, in that case."
A second later, a pillow came crashing down on her head. Sputtering, Ginny struggled free of the smothering weight, to stare somewhat dazedly at Hermione. "Was that-? Did you just--? You hit me with a pillow? What--?"
"Your problems would be solved, if you would just make them realize it," Hermione said primly.
Ginny snorted. "If I have to make them realize it, I'm not sure it would really be what I wanted, you know?"
"Kind-of," Hermione said, with a far-away look that said she was reaching for an idea.
As if on cue, they both sighed.
"Come on," Ginny said resignedly, "I'll introduce you to my older brothers."
"Don't I know them already?" Hermione asked archly.
"Very funny," Ginny grinned.
They met Mum at the top of the stairs. "Hello, girls," she said brightly. "Having fun, are we?"
Ginny caught herself in the middle of rolling her eyes. Mum didn't seem to notice. "I was just putting new sheets on Ron's extra bed," she explained. "I'm sure the old ones must have been musty-he never remembers to ai--"
The end of her sentence was drowned out in a sudden burst of raucous and highly infectious laughter from the kitchen. Hermione looked at Ginny. Ginny looked at Hermione and shrugged.
The laughter was followed by the sound of shouting, but, for once-oddly-it wasn't coming from Mum. Ginny picked up the pace, suddenly curious...she could hardly recognize the sound of Dad's voice, he raised it so seldom...what had upset him now, she couldn't imagine, but she suspected it had something to do with the twins-it usually did.
The first thing Ginny saw as she slid into the kitchen was Harry Potter...she didn't even have to look for him. The contact, like a greeting between old and familiar friends, was so comfortable, and so right, Ginny couldn't help grinning at him, in spite of the sudden surge of doxies in her stomach. To her surprise, Harry grinned back, the expression lighting up his whole face so her knees felt weak, a reaction that made her face burn predictably. Luckily, her family was there to provide a distraction.
"Tell me what, Arthur?" Mum's tone made it clear she was asking for the first time.
"It's nothing Molly," Dad said awkwardly. "Fred and George just-but I've had words with them-"
"What have they done this time? If it's got anything to do with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes--"
"Why don't you show Harry where you're sleeping, Ron?" Hermione interjected. Ginny was impressed by her quick thinking.
"He knows where he's sleeping," Ron said, "in my room. He slept there last-"
"We can all go." Hermione said a bit more forcefully, exaggerating her expression.
"Oh, right," Ron said, a little too brightly.
"Yeah, we'll come too," George said quickly.
"You stay where you are," Mum snarled.
Without further encouragement, Harry headed for the relative calm upstairs, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny not far behind.
Author's Notes--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!
Lady Siri--I appreciate reviews whenever I get them--I definitely understand that I can't have them all the time...so long as I get them once in a while. *winks* I'm glad you liked it. The "Club" is simply the group of all the dedicated reviewers who discuss the story like a book club. We have a lot of fun, and I think we make good friends. :-)
Raiining--I think it's interesting to see them interacting, too...you know they must from the books, but you never see it...It makes me very, very curious...*grins* Hmm...interesting question--Who knows Ginny best? My gut instinct would be to say Remus Lupin...he knows a lot of the secrets she can't or won't share with anyone else...but her brothers (except Ron and Percy) all seem pretty on the mark...I wouldn't think Neville knows her best, because she's very private, and he's very shy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love her just as much. Luna...can be perceptive in her own way, but is too abstract to be very involved with Ginny's personality--though she's more interested in Ginny than she would be in almost anyone else, I think. As for Hermione...she might almost tie Lupin...she and Ginny understand one another as girls who stand out, and they have the added connection of caring about a lot of the same people. I'd be interested to know what you and the others think.
Bee11--Yay!! You noticed how Ginny saw the CD as more of a creature than an inanimate machine...I thought that might be a realistic reaction in someone who hadn't seen one before. I'm with you...I don't think Hermione mentioned much about that incident in her second year to her parents..though it probably did cross Ginny's mind when she saw them--you're right, that is scary to contemplate. *shivers*
J.Rhaye--"Simple fascination with the things we take for granted really is like a muggle's fascination with all things magical." What a great observation!! I love it!! You're right...I love the way Arthur looks at everything with childlike wonder...it's truly a great gift, and the world would be a better place if more people had it. I'm glad you think the Hermione/Ginny interactions are getting better...that's as it should be, since their relationship is growing and deepening...I hope I can keep it up! (And they do have to get that "sister" thing down, don't they? *winks*) As for Crookshanks, he's extremely bright, and most cats do seem to have a sense for...sympathetic humans. *grins* *hugs*
EEDOE--"She was the explosive fireball and he was the soothing calming balm. She ran the house weilding a wooden spoon, he got his point across with a subtle word or a look. She is the over protective tyrant, he's the over indulgent softy. But when push comes to shove, don't get in Arthur's way because he'll battle to death to protect those he loves. And if your hurt Molly with be the most loving, nurturing figure you can always turn to." I couldn't summarize it better in a million years. That's what I love about them too...the balance that works--it's good chemistry. (which might explain the 7 kids *winks*) I'm glad you liked Hermione's parents' names. *does happy dance* I just picked the first soothing names that came to mind and sounded appropriately British. You got Hermione and Ginny's relationship in one, too. *giggles* I'm doing my best to get it right, so I appreciate the praise. *winks* I thought Ginny's reaction to the cd player was pretty adorable too. *grins* Until next time. *hugs*
Bill--Yup...Ron is a perfect example of why I'm utterly convinced romance is nearly--if not quite--an unrealistic expectation. *winks* I think you have the answer...OF COURSE Hermione has the strength of a female weight-lifter--she is! *grins* Those classes sound like a great idea...and I'm not entirely sure the luggage ISN'T a conspiracy...Glad to hear from you. *hugs*
*****************************************************************************************************************************
"AR-THUR WEASLEY," Mum bellowed, making Hermione drop her trunk so that it clattered across the floor. Ginny winced, half-expecting it to burst open and scatter a small library across the floor. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
"Picking up Hermione, dear," Dad said, not quite pulling it off, "you knew that."
"I ALSO KNOW IT DOESN'T TAKE THREE-QUARTERS OF AN HOUR TO 'POP IN AND OUT AGAIN'-YOU HAVEN'T BEEN CROSS-EXAMINING THE GRANGERS HAVE YOU?" The look on Dad's face obviously gave him away, because she scarcely paused to draw breath before reproaching him, "OH, ARTHUR, REALLY! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MUST THINK OF US--"
"Actually, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said hesitantly, "I think they enjoyed it."
"Oh, hello, Hermione dear," Mum said kindly. "How nice to see you again. I hope you're looking forward to the World Cup?"
"It should be fascinating," Hermione said immediately. "I've been reading up on the subject-did you know that--"
"Dad!" Ron interrupted, bounding into the room. "Where have you been? We're late to pick up Harry!" He paused, glanced over his shoulder in their direction, turned back to Dad, glanced in their direction again, and grinned. "Oh, hey, Hermione! Good to see you!"
"And that reminds me," Mum said in a tone that bordered on dangerous, wheeling back toward Dad, "just what kind of impression do you think you're making on the...Dursleys...and Harry, being late as if you weren't concerned about wasting their time?"
"Want some help carrying your trunk upstairs?" Ron asked Hermione hastily. "You'll be staying in Ginny's room-I hope that's okay?"
Hermione glanced over at Ginny, irritation, amusement, and affectionate forbearance swirling in the expression. "I think we'll be able to manage," she said dryly.
"That's the spirit," Ron said pluckily, wrestling the trunk in the direction of the stairs as the sound of Mum and Dad's argument trailed behind them. "Ginny's not so bad."
"Ooh, Ron stop," Ginny crooned. "The flattery might go to my head."
"Well," Ron said, ignoring her, "here you are...I'll leave you to get settled while we run and get Harry-shouldn't be long."
Ginny had a momentary thought of demanding to go along, but she knew Harry wasn't comfortable with his relatives, and she didn't want to put him in an awkward position by gawking at him in a situation that might embarrass him...and, anyway, she could hear Ron shouting at Fred and George to get a move on, and the presence of the whole family seemed a bit excessive. As much as she wanted to see Harry, Ginny could wait. She knew she would always want to see him, no matter how long it took...and, for some reason, she trusted him to eventually come to her. Hermione must have felt the same, because she didn't raise a single protest.
Ginny and Hermione collapsed on the bed.
"Ron didn't miss me at all, did he?" Hermione sighed after several minutes of staring at the ceiling. "Sometimes I think he's really only friends with me to humor Harry…I mean, he hardly ever notices me except to criticize or start some sort of argument, and we really don't have much in common--"
Ginny raised up on one elbow to stare at her until she trailed off into uncertain silence. "Ron's a prat," she said succinctly, and waited a beat before adding, "But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you-my brothers pick on me constantly, but they wouldn't let anyone else get away with it."
"Ron does stand up for me…" Hermione mused.
"At least he talks to you," Ginny added wryly. "Even if it is to argue--"
"Ron and Harry want to include you," Hermione said firmly. "They just don't know it yet," she added a bit weakly at Ginny's skeptical expression.
"Ooh," Ginny crooned, "brilliant. My problems are solved, in that case."
A second later, a pillow came crashing down on her head. Sputtering, Ginny struggled free of the smothering weight, to stare somewhat dazedly at Hermione. "Was that-? Did you just--? You hit me with a pillow? What--?"
"Your problems would be solved, if you would just make them realize it," Hermione said primly.
Ginny snorted. "If I have to make them realize it, I'm not sure it would really be what I wanted, you know?"
"Kind-of," Hermione said, with a far-away look that said she was reaching for an idea.
As if on cue, they both sighed.
"Come on," Ginny said resignedly, "I'll introduce you to my older brothers."
"Don't I know them already?" Hermione asked archly.
"Very funny," Ginny grinned.
They met Mum at the top of the stairs. "Hello, girls," she said brightly. "Having fun, are we?"
Ginny caught herself in the middle of rolling her eyes. Mum didn't seem to notice. "I was just putting new sheets on Ron's extra bed," she explained. "I'm sure the old ones must have been musty-he never remembers to ai--"
The end of her sentence was drowned out in a sudden burst of raucous and highly infectious laughter from the kitchen. Hermione looked at Ginny. Ginny looked at Hermione and shrugged.
The laughter was followed by the sound of shouting, but, for once-oddly-it wasn't coming from Mum. Ginny picked up the pace, suddenly curious...she could hardly recognize the sound of Dad's voice, he raised it so seldom...what had upset him now, she couldn't imagine, but she suspected it had something to do with the twins-it usually did.
The first thing Ginny saw as she slid into the kitchen was Harry Potter...she didn't even have to look for him. The contact, like a greeting between old and familiar friends, was so comfortable, and so right, Ginny couldn't help grinning at him, in spite of the sudden surge of doxies in her stomach. To her surprise, Harry grinned back, the expression lighting up his whole face so her knees felt weak, a reaction that made her face burn predictably. Luckily, her family was there to provide a distraction.
"Tell me what, Arthur?" Mum's tone made it clear she was asking for the first time.
"It's nothing Molly," Dad said awkwardly. "Fred and George just-but I've had words with them-"
"What have they done this time? If it's got anything to do with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes--"
"Why don't you show Harry where you're sleeping, Ron?" Hermione interjected. Ginny was impressed by her quick thinking.
"He knows where he's sleeping," Ron said, "in my room. He slept there last-"
"We can all go." Hermione said a bit more forcefully, exaggerating her expression.
"Oh, right," Ron said, a little too brightly.
"Yeah, we'll come too," George said quickly.
"You stay where you are," Mum snarled.
Without further encouragement, Harry headed for the relative calm upstairs, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny not far behind.