I woke up at ten to six. I was no longer so excited for Hogwarts that I woke at five am. I got dressed, checked my trunk for the 3rd time and went downstairs for breakfast. Anna and Vi were already down, still dressed in their pyjamas. They were going straight back to bed after they dropped me at the train station.

I quickly ate my breakfast, before brushing my teeth and shoving my wash bag in my trunk. I grabbed my wand and put it in the waistband of my jeans. I had sewn a little loop in each of my trousers so they wouldn't slip or move.

I let Mumford out of his cage and told him to fly to Hogwarts. I then shoved his cage and treats into my trunk. Thank God I put an Undetectable Extension charm on it last year.

I lifted the trunk downstairs (I had also put a Feather Light charm on it) and threw it into the boot of Anna's car.

We drove to the train station, and I said my goodbyes to Anna and Vi. They said that I was coming back next summer, whether I liked it or not. I smiled, saying that next time I'm paying rent.

I never told them I could come back for Christmas. It wasn't that I didn't want to be with them, it was just it was my favourite time of year at Hogwarts. There was hardly anyone there, and it was beautiful, and I had great conversations with Hagrid. He was easily one of my favourite professors. I had purposely already taken the Ancient Runes NEWTs in Fifth Year, because while I liked it and had wanted to do it at NEWT level, I knew it would clash with Care of Magical Creatures. And anyway, I think that Professor Sturing was glad to be rid of me. She didn't like me correcting her.

~•~

When the train arrived at Kings Cross, I went to the cafe I go to every year and bought a tea and this giant cookie that was quite possibly the best cookie in the world. It was a highlight for me.

I ran through the barrier, and tried to get onto the train as quickly as possible.

This did not happen.

'OH! RORY! OVER HERE!'

Oh God, not again.

It was Ms. Potter.

Again.

And her family.

Again.

Complete with ALL Weasley families who had children attending Hogwarts.

Wonderful.

Ms. Potter waved to me frantically. Why couldn't I be a rude person? Why did I feel the need to be polite?

I couldn't help it though. I wasn't rude and felt I had to be polite.

I walked over to greet Ms. Potter. I thought all it would be was a simple hello. It wasn't.

Ms. Potter hugged me, questioned me whether I had a good summer, why didn't I come over when I didn't have work, did they work me too hard, did I eat enough, why was I so skinny (I wasn't, she exaggerated) etc.

She didn't even take a breath! Thank God for Mr. Potter, who cut her off mid-Spanish Inquisition.

'GINNY! You're scaring the poor girl!'

She looked slightly embarrassed.

'Well, how am I supposed to know how they treat her in that Muggle orphanage?'

'Actually, Mrs. Potter, I don't live there anymore.'

Mrs. Potter looked almost, relieved, I think.

'Oh that's great! You were adopted!'

'Oh ehm, no not really.'

Mr and Mrs Potter looked confused, so I explained further.

'Well, the summer after Second Year, I left the Children's Home and lived in the Leaky Cauldron and worked there part time to pay for my bed and board. I spent two summers there, before Hannah said I couldn't live there anymore. I understood why. I know Professor Longbottom doesn't like me much, so it was fine. But then my friend from the Children's Home, Violet, said her and her sister had moved into a house with a spare room, so I could spend the summer there. Really it all worked out…' I trailed off at the look of shock and horror on Mr and Mrs Potter's face.

'Love, a child should have a stable home environment.'

'No, really everything was fine!'

Mrs Potter wasn't having it.

'You should stay with us!'

I stared at Mrs Potter. She was obviously crazy. Then I saw Mr Potter nodding. Oh no. No no no no NO!

'No really, I like being with Vi and Anna! And anyway, I'll move out when I finish Hogwarts! That's only one summer! There's no point!'

'But, Rory,' Mr Potter began, 'There's Christmas and Easter holidays in between, and you won't be able to move out straight away!'

'I would! I have money saved up from the job I had over the summer, and I have that job again next summer! It is more than enough to tide me over until I get a job!'

I hadn't noticed until then that the entire Weasley/Potter clan was now staring at the girl arguing with the Chosen One, and his far much scarier wife. Bloody brilliant.

'You can't have that much money.' Mrs Potter reasoned.

'You'd be surprised.' I retorted.

I was getting annoyed now.

'You spent the summer babysitting according to James!'

'I spent the summer looking after seven kids for eight hours a day, five days a week, while teaching them French. I earned more than a few quid.'

'You shouldn't have to earned money for a living at sixteen!'

'WELL I DON'T NEED CHARITY!' I roared.

There was silence. I was fuming. I grabbed my trunk and turned on my heel. I stomped towards the train and found and empty compartment.

I transfigured a quill in my pocket, and threw it at the wall of the compartment, before fixing it with Reparo and throwing it again.

Why couldn't the Potters leave me alone?