Wow, another update? What is the world coming to?

I hope you enjoy this chapter; we get a glimpse of some of the other characters and how they're coping.

I'm not sure when I'll get the next chapter up, seeing as I haven't actually written it yet... the prompt is "Cigarettes" and I'm really having trouble fitting it in! If anyone has suggestions, feel free to make them.

I've also come to the very sad realisation that I can't individually reply to all the reviews I get, as much as I'd like to. I've just started my new full-time job this week (reception for public service, whoopee) so my leisure time is suddenly limited. Rest assured, though, that I read and appreciate every single one of your reviews, and if you have any questions or anything, I'll answer them in the next chapter (at least, as much as I can without giving the plot away).

A couple of people said that they couldn't imagine Harry as less than perfect. I'm not going to say too much about this, but I will say that Ginny is struggling with this too!

Finally, a very happy new year to all of you. It's currently 1:30 p.m. on 01/01/10 here in Australia (wow, that looks really cool) but I know it's not quite 2010 yet for some of my readers. (I feel like I'm speaking to you from the future!) Anyway, don't party too hard, because I still expect you to review! :)

Shoutouts: Delia-of-the-Oysters (who wins Pen-Name of the Week), Miss Weasely, Lunaclaw14, mailen1194, xxxBekaForEvaxxx, werewolfatemyphoenix and laura-csm. You guys are awesome! Thanks for helping me reach 50 reviews!

8. Puzzle
Saturday

Ginny, Ron and Hermione arrive late on Saturday morning to find Harry still nursing his eggs and toast. Ginny has dark circles under her eyes; the sounds escaping Hermione's room through Ron's imperfect Silencing Charm made it difficult to sleep.

"Did I tell you I saw George yesterday?" says Harry.

Ginny's ears prick up at this. "No. How was he?"

"I only saw him from a distance, but he seemed good. Perky."

"Perky?" For nearly four years, George's moods have ranged from "a bit down" to "clinically depressed". "Perky" is not a word anyone has used to describe him since the death of his twin.

Harry nods. "He was even smiling. Which, now you mention it, is a bit odd…"

"Maybe he's got a girlfriend?" says Ginny, somewhat hopefully.

Ron snorts. "Yeah, a different one every night. Why do you think I spend so much time at your place, Gin?"

"Actually," says Harry, "he was with a girl. They were holding hands and everything."

"Who?"

"Angelina."

"Jolie?" Hermione blurts out.

"What? No, of course not. Angelina Johnson."

"Who's Angelina Jolie?" asks Ron with interest.

"Nobody," says Hermione, blushing. "Really? Angelina Johnson?"

"But didn't she…" begins Ginny.

"Used to go out with Fred?" finishes Harry. "That's what I thought, too."

"That is too weird," says Ron. "Why would she want to go out with George? Sounds really depressing."

"I think it's about time George found someone to talk to about Fred," says Hermione firmly. "Maybe he'll finally start pulling himself together."

So, just in case it's not clear (which it probably isn't), you can have some of my notes:

-Ron has moved in with George in Diagon Alley and pays a reduced rent in return for helping George in the jokeshop after hours. He actually spends most nights at Ginny and Hermione's flat.

-George (at least up to this point) tends to have a steady stream of girlfriends staying over at his flat, which Ron tends to try and avoid.

-Ginny and Hermione live together, also in London.

-This system works quite well, as Mrs Weasley (who disapproves of pre-marital cohabitation) is appeased, George gets support from Ron, and Harry doesn't need rent (he'd let Ginny move in for nothing).

-Ginny might not spend so much time at Harry's, except living in the same house and Ron and Hermione is frankly disturbing. Ginny has already been scarred for life.

Yep, I actually work off these notes. I know I'm crazy ;)