Epilogue
Dear Professor Lupin,
I am writing in confidence yet again as I broke at least a half- dozen rules and smuggled Ron and Ginny into the curse breakers' training course this morning. Ginny had a bad flashback the night she received her Hogwarts letter, and that experience (combined with a couple of Chocolate Frogs) helped me convince her to give it a try. I have to say, she was brilliant. They both were. I can assure you Ron and Ginny each deserve their spots in Gryffindor and weren't just Sorted by their last name.
I can't tell you anything about how the course is set up, and I have sworn Ron and Ginny to secrecy unless they want a plethora of hidden deeds revealed to whichever family member would be most upset by them, so you won't get anything out of them about it, either. But I can tell you about the magic they performed.
Ginny learned Scarpin's Revelaspell in about five minutes flat and had the audacity to tell me ″it seemed straightforward enough″! The only time I saw her have difficulty was when I asked her to hold the spell so I could read the writing it revealed, and I think she could have done that if I hadn't been worried about tiring her too soon. She has also mastered Finite Incantatem, Wingardium Leviosa, and Alohomora, and if anyone in Hogwarts is attacked by bat bogeys, you need look no further for the culprit.
Ron has mastered all those spells as well (with the exception of Scarpin's, and I'm not sure about the Bat Bogey Hex) and should have no problems reversing a Disillusionment Charm once he has a proper wand (there was an unfortunate incident last September first involving a flying car and the Whomping Willow. You probably saw it in the Prophet). Both of them are smart and careful (naturally, Ginny more so) and after a couple of hours were problem- solving with confidence. Ron has a natural instinct for strategy (don't ask him to play chess unless you like losing), and he and Ginny together were as good as any first- time trainee I have seen. I am pleased to say I think both of them will do well in your class this year, but I would still appreciate any extra help you can give to Ginny, especially. She hasn't come out and said so, but I think some of her memory gaps extend to lessons, as well, and I know she is nervous about navigating the castle.
I am anxious to find out if the results of your research in the Restricted Section support our suspicions about the diary and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Bill Weasley
()()()()
Dear Bill,
How are you? I got my new wand! Fourteen inches, willow and unicorn hair. It was loads of fun being chosen and it works better than Charlie's old one, too, even before I broke it. We met up with Harry and Hermione in Diagon Alley and Hermione's parents let her stay with us at the Leaky so we all went to King's Cross together. Harry had already been in London for weeks— he blew up his aunt! And without a wand, too. The Ministry had to puncture her and modify her memory and everything. It's really funny except for the part where she was talking rubbish about Harry's parents— I mean, isn't it enough that they're dead?
Hermione keeps asking me questions about Egypt. Loads and loads of questions that I'm sure even you don't know the answer to. Do you think I could have Amy's address so I could give it to her? I used to think Ginny talked a lot, but now I think Hermione is worse, especially if it's anything boring. Not that Egypt was boring— I had a great time! But you know what I mean. Sometimes I remind her about homework just to get some peace and quiet.
Ginny seems to be doing okay. I made sure to snub her on the train just like we had agreed on 'cause she didn't want me to treat her special in front of anyone else and she doesn't look as pale as last year. She's showing up for meals and lessons so I think she's getting around the castle okay. She's in the common room a lot more too. She and Colin Creevey are working on something now— Potions, I think.
Harry's back from Quidditch practice— gotta go.
Ron
()()()()
September 7, 1993
Dear Bill,
How are you? I hope you have your next assignment and are out in some fascinating new site right now. I know how much you hate desk duty, but we appreciated you staying in town for us.
I wrote all the prefects and the Head Girl the week we got back, just as you suggested, and you were right— it did make the first meeting on the Hogwarts Express go more smoothly. The color- coded planner is great. September is already glowing with eleven different shades for all my various classes and responsibilities. I am certain you have heard about Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban by now. The school is surrounded by Dementors for extra security (although I don't think Professor Dumbledore likes that very much), and I have given strict instructions to every Prefect that anything out of order is to be reported to me or Catherine immediately.
Ron is constantly with Harry and Hermione, as per usual, and so far they are staying out of trouble (although the year is young). Fred and George have been no worse than normal. I am hopeful the pressures of O.W.L.s will limit their time for mischief- making. Then again, said pressure may only aggravate their proclivity for chaos.
Ginny is doing well, although she runs in the opposite direction every time she spots me in the halls (even though I've been avoiding her just like you said). She is eating, and appears to be sleeping (of course, I can't verify this personally, but the female Gryffindor Prefects say they have not noticed her up and about at night), and isn't nearly as peaky. I even saw her flying this weekend— she's good. I wouldn't be surprised if she plays for Gryffindor once she grows up a bit, but right now a brisk wind would knock her off her broomstick.
I still have an essay to finish for Flitwick and reading for Arithmancy, but I wanted to get a letter to you before my duties become overwhelming. Stay safe.
Your brother,
Percy
P. S. Please thank Amy again for the movie. When I told Penelope that I had watched it this summer, she was thrilled (we were in the empty classroom next to that tapestry of trolls dancing ballet).
()()()()
Dear Bill,
Why didn't you tell us fifth year sucks? It's only the second week of school and already we have done more homework than all of last term. So far Percy is behaving himself, but Alicia says he is more obnoxious than ever in prefect meetings. Oliver is absolutely obsessed about winning the Quidditch Cup this year. We know we said that last year, but we were wrong. But it is great to be on the pitch again.
We have done two essays EACH this week and are tired of writing, but we have been paying attention to Gin- Gin and we want the credit for it. Our sources tell us she has occasional nightmares but is able to go back to sleep, that every girl in her dormitory was impressed by her Egyptian necklace and silk pajamas, and that she can hold her own with Snape. She has had no detentions so far (we are hopeful this will change as the school year progresses), is smart enough to avoid Percy whenever possible (we might need to take lessons), and joined us, Lee, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie for a rousing game of Exploding Snap two nights ago (and almost won).
Christmas is a mere three months and ten days away, and we think this level of diligence deserves a generous line of credit at Zonko's.
Your favorite brothers,
Gred and Forge
()()()()
Dear Bill,
I hope my presumption is not offensive, but given the number of secrets that are being shared in these letters, strict letter- writing etiquette seems unnecessary. Please correct me if you disagree.
My research has revealed nothing except that our suspected subject is not addressed in any of the Defense Against the Dark Arts texts in Hogwarts. Having both studied under Dumbledore and received a lengthy lecture on what I could and could not teach in my N.E.W.T. lessons this year, I am certain he has pulled any such books off the shelves, and I am not so foolish as to imagine myself a talented enough wizard to successfully break into Dumbledore's office. I am not even sure that he kept the books.
So, that leaves us with no special instructions for assisting Ginny in her recovery other than what is generally recommended after exposure to dark magic, and I am certain you are already familiar with the list. Fresh air and sunlight, exercise, the company of friends and loved ones, and staying involved in favorite activities are the things that come immediately to mind. And unlimited amounts of chocolate, of course.
For this reason, I know you will be delighted to hear I spotted Ginny by the lake yesterday afternoon trading Chocolate Frog cards with several other second years from not only Gryffindor, but also Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. I have yet to see her alone; during meals, before and after class, in and out of the castle, she is always in the presence of at least one or two others. Her most consistent companion is a fellow Gryffindor by the name of Colin Creevey, but don't worry. The boy is most definitely smitten, but Ginny has no idea.
For various reasons, I rode the Hogwarts Express on September first, and although I fell asleep in an empty compartment, I woke up in one that also included Ron, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. It was a most enlightening journey. You may have already heard from your siblings that Dementors stopped and boarded the train not far outside Hogsmeade, searching for Sirius Black. Ginny came into the compartment when the train stopped, as well as another third- year Gryffindor, Neville Longbottom. Unsurprisingly, Ginny and Harry were the ones most seriously affected when a Dementor attempted to enter our compartment, and yes, I gave everyone chocolate. Fudge has pressured Dumbledore into stationing Dementors around the school boundaries, but Dumbledore has absolutely forbidden them to come onto the grounds, so they should not be a problem for Ginny.
You were right. Your sister does have a talent for Defense, and Professor Flitwick tells me she is his best second- year student. I spoke with Ginny privately during the first week of school under the pretense of concern about her barely passing marks in several subjects last year. Of course, this required me to meet with all the second years who had the same marks, but that's not a bad thing. Ginny said she had been looking through her book in preparation for class (I believe Hermione has somewhat adopted the girl, and a more studious pupil I have rarely met), and there were some things she didn't remember. This is hardly surprising, not only because of her experiences last year, but because none of my second years seem to have learned any Defense at all. At any rate, she is doing very well so far, and I will continue to keep you informed.
Remus
()()()()
September 18, 1993
Dear Bill,
How are you? I hope you have been finding loads of treasure. I'm sorry I didn't write sooner, but Mum kept us busy getting ready for school and now I'm finally settled in. We went to Diagon Alley nearly as soon as we got back, and guess who was there? Harry Potter! He blew up his aunt and ran away and the Ministry put him up at the Leaky Cauldron until school started. I wanted to sink through the floor when I saw him. He cut his hair over the summer, and he is SO CUTE! I thought I was going to have to stay in Mum and Dad's room, but Ron's friend Hermione was there, too, and Mum let me stay with her instead. We had met last year, of course, but we didn't really know each other. She is a bit of a know- it- all, but she's all right. She was impressed when I cast Scarpin's Revelaspell on all my books (they're fine). I was really nervous about going back to Hogwarts and she offered to tutor me. She also knows lots of secret passageways from hanging round with the boys and she promised to show them to me, too, in case I ever need to get away from Filch. I think she fancies Ron, but I can't tell for certain yet. I'll keep you posted.
Have you heard about Sirius Black? There are Dementors stationed all around the school in case he comes here, and they searched the Hogwarts Express, too. When the train stopped and the lights went out, I went looking for Ron, and that's where I was when a Dementor came into our compartment. It was awful, Bill. I felt cold and sick, and I kept hearing Tom telling me all those awful things, like when he came out of the diary last year. But it turns out Ron and everyone was sharing a compartment with our DADA professor, Professor Lupin, and he shot some silvery stuff at it and drove it away and gave us all chocolate. I'm giving Percy some of my birthday money to buy me some during the first Hogsmeade weekend. Now I have proof that chocolate makes you feel better!
You would like Professor Lupin. He is a much better teacher than Lockhart— Hmm, that's not quite the compliment I meant it to be. Anyone would be a better teacher than Lockhart. But Lupin's really good! I've learned so much already, and his lessons are fun. I never have nightmares on the days I have DADA. Charms is my best subject, but I'm behind in Herbology, Transfiguration, and Astronomy (we won't talk about Potions. Snape is as slimy as ever). I don't remember anything about Astronomy except how to find the Big Dipper and the North Star, and I knew that before I came to Hogwarts. Hermione has loaned me all her notes and star charts from the last two years— all five zillion pages of them. She says I can catch up in Herbology by rereading the text, but I don't know about Transfiguration. Are you sure Professor McGonagall has a soft spot for Weasleys? I think you might have to be a boy to qualify. She always stumbles over my name, like she doesn't know how to pair "Miss" with "Weasley." Well, Colin and Libby have invited me to play Gobstones so I'm going now. Miss you!
Love, Ginny
P.S. Percy doesn't know I'm borrowing Hermes, so send him a letter, too, will you?
Laughing, Bill folded the parchment and tucked it back in the envelope. Now this sounded like his chatty, gregarious sister.
Mission accomplished.
The End
Well, there you have it. Thank you so much for reading; I could not have asked for a better response! Kudos to the four reviewers who have been with me since the very beginning: My Dear Professor McGonagall, Hermione's Harmony, Rosetta Wild, and Il'Diko. Chocolate Frogs to beta and NaNo cheerleader vancabreuniter and kankusan, respectively. Your support and encouragement has been invaluable.
There are deliberate grammatical/punctuation mistakes in some of the letters, especially Ginny's and Ron's. I hope you were able to tell who had written each one long before you saw their signature. And yes, Percy is referring to the Room of Requirement ;)
I usually have a new story ready to go when I finish one so that I can continue weekly updates, but real life has been kicking my butt-well, I was going to say "recently," but it's more like all year. I am working on a way-post-Hogwarts Auror-centered Harry/Ginny fic that is a sequel of sorts to "Sharing Life Together." At this point, I think it will be a trilogy posted in separate installments, but don't hold me to that. I would like to say it will be ready by Easter, but mid-April is a safer bet.
Once again, thank you so much for reading!
keeptheotherone