Author's Note: Hello all! Well I just recently came back to this story and, even though my writing is not at my finest, I still want to continue this story!

Sorry it has taken me three years to update, but I hope you're still along for the ride! And hopefully I will get to fixing up these first few chapters.

Chapter 5: The Announcement

By the time I reached my dormitory, Ginny was already awake and dressing. Our other roommates were nowhere to be found, making me curious as to what time it was.

"Where the hell were you?" Ginny shrieked when she noticed my entrance.

"I just needed some air," I replied cooly.

After my meltdown, I felt ready to face my problems head on. I knew I needed to be a role model for the other students. More importantly, I needed to prove to myself that I was strong enough to do so.

"Some air," She seethed, "Well, next time, maybe clue your best friend in on your whereabouts before she assumes the worst."

"Can do," I mumbled, more irritated that I should have been. I hadn't slept in what felt like days, and my patience was beginning to wear thin.

I felt Ginny's eyes on me as I grabbed clean robs from my wardrobe.

"You're absolutely filthy," She commented.

I turned around to glare at her, "I know, alright!"

We stared each other down for a moment, locking eyes with intensity. Strangely, Ginny burst out laughing.

"This is all so ridiculous, isn't it?" She chocked out, trying to catch her breath in between fits of laughter, "What is happening to us?"

I was, at first, taken aback by her reaction, but her laughter was contagious and soon enough I found myself crouching on the ground, holding my stomach, and laughing hysterically as well.

When we composed ourselves, we turned back to our separate duties of freshening up.

"Meet me in the Common Room when you're ready," she said with a smile, "Harry and Ron are already waiting."

I nodded in return and she hastily left the room. I was tempted to just stay in my dorm for some much needed alone time, but I knew Ginny wouldn't stand for it. I quickly changed into my clean robes, disregarded my hair completely, and sauntered down to the common room. I was already in happier spirits.

"Finally 'Mione, jaysus," Ron said, standing from the couch in exasperation, "I'm starving."

"So sorry Ronald," I replied with joking sarcasm, "I can't believe I kept you waiting."

He grumbled something to himself as the four of us exited the common room and made our way to the Great Hall. Before we even arrived, however, we were derailed.

"What's going on?" Harry asked as hoards of students swarmed the entry way to the Great Hall.

A spritely first year turned around, absolutely joyful, "Dumbledore has cancelled all classes for the rest of the week!"

The four of us shared a look before pushing our way through to the Great Hall to take our seats and listen to Dumbledore's official announcement.

The commotion in the hall was parallel to that when the announcement was first made. It's pathetic that a cancellation of classes is equally as important as the marriage law to these students.

I sat awkwardly, crunching on a piece of toast as Ron and Harry stuffed themselves with breakfast foods. Ginny gave Harry a disgusting look as she poked at her omelet.

I still couldn't find it in myself to eat.

Just as my food concerns were beginning to take over, Dumbledore approached his podium and pointed his wand at his vocal chords.

"As you may already know," Dumbledore started, "I have decided it is in the best interest of the students at Hogwarts to temporarily cancel class sessions. The remainder of the week should be seen as a reading period for first through fifth years. For sixth and seventh years, please take this as an opportunity to reach out to your loved ones, and significant others, to prepare for the weeks ahead."

He paused, and the room was silent, "Sixth and Seventh years are granted permission to leave school grounds to visit their families. Please file a report with Professor McGonagall if you chose to do so."

This time, he stared directly at me, "do not be fearful of the future. Rather, embrace it," Dumbledore said, his usual twinkle returning to his gaze.

I nodded, as if we had been having a private conversation. He half smiled in my direction, then took leave from the Great Hall. The commotion began once again, ten fold.

Ginny and I left together quickly after Dumbledore's announcement. It was impossible to talk over all of the buzz.

"So," Ginny started, linking arms with me as she only did when she wanted to butter me up, "Ron's going to Pavarti's this weekend to meet her parents, apparently," she started.

"That was quick," I remarked bitterly. Considering the proximity of the wedding, however, all actions needed to be quick.

Ginny nodded, continuing, "Harry and I are going to visit mum and dad, and George is bringing his new girl, Kira O'Connell, so we were thinking you and Fred should come up as well."

I stopped in my tracks, pulling my arm away from Ginny's grasp, "I don't think so." I replied without even pausing to think.

"Oh come on! Don't you think it would be much less awkward with all of us there to defuse the situation? Plus, we're all going to the Order meeting tonight, anyway! It's just too convenient," Ginny said, batting her eyelashes.

I mentally kicked myself for forgetting about the Order Meeting. Which was certain to be awkward indeed considering Fred would, without a doubt, be in attendance.

"I suppose that would be alright," I mumbled, picking at my nail beds nervously.

"Perfect!" Ginny squealed, far too excited, "You two are going to fall in love, I just know it." She smiled.

I rolled my eyes, "Please Ginny, don't intervene, alright?" I begged, knowing that she would, of course, be intervening.

"Fine, fine," She said, waving me off with her hand. "Now, come on. We need to go pack!"

I followed behind Ginny, who was nearly skipping with excitement, back to the Common Room. The sickness in my stomach rising up once again.

Things were about to get interesting.

Author's Note: I wanted to get back in the swing of the story, and I'm quite excited to continue it! Like I said, I plan on fixing up the first few chapters. But, until then, I hope you enjoy!