A/N: So I'm back with chapter two! To the two anonymous reviewers: thank you so much! You made my day! I hope you enjoy this chap as much as the first. I thought I was done with it last week, but it seems Hagrid had more to say. (Is it strange that his dialogue comes most natural to me?) I've also added cover art for this fiction: it is "Dear Tom" by chicxulub. I found it on deviant art and messaged them for permission, but did not receive a reply. So I guess I'll just credit it here- yes it is fantastic BUT IT IS NOT MINE!
Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling (Too bad, so sad). Everything in bold is a direct quote from Chamber of Secrets.
"Hello, Ginny Weasley. My name is Tom Riddle. How did you come by my diary?"
Ginny paused; her quill poised over the yellow page. Should she reply to him? Or was it an it? Whatever this was, it certainly couldn't be evil. The reply to her message was too polite for it to mean her any harm. She resolved to at least write one conversation and see how this diary worked. That should be enough to satisfy her curiosity with this strange book.
"I found it in my transfiguration book. Who or what are you? I've never had a book talk back to me before."
"I am a collection of memories from my previous owner. I can speak to you because I have retained his personality in these pages."
"Oh, like a portrait!"
"Yes. You are a clever girl."
Ginny brightened at the compliment. Usually her opinions and ideas weren't considered in her family. She was used to being ignored because she was the youngest. For once, someone was acknowledging that she wasn't completely naive.
"You said that you found this diary in your transfiguration book. Are you a student at Hogwarts?"
"I'm starting my first year there in a week. I'm really excited!"
"Oh, you will enjoy it. I also went to Hogwarts and I would say they were some of the best years of my life. So, Ginny, tell me more about yourself."
"I live here at the Burrow with my parents. I have six older brothers. Bill lives and works in Egypt. Charlie is in Romania keeping dragons. Percy is a Prefect and starting his sixth year. Fred and George are twins and starting their fourth year. Ron is starting his second year."
"But Ginny, I asked about you. You've told me everything about your brothers, but tell me something about you."
Ginny was flattered. Finally, somebody wanted to know about her. She could be more than just the seventh Weasley to at least one person- even if he was a diary.
"Thank you, Tom. People don't usually notice me. I'm the youngest in the family so my brothers are kinda overprotective. They think I don't know what I'm doing or they think I'm annoying. My Mum wants me to be her perfect little girl, but I like the stuff my brothers do. She won't even let me ride a broom without one of them around. And I'm a pretty good flyer if I do say so myself. I'm actually sorta nervous for this year. Ron and I used to be close, but he ignores me most of the time."
"Oh. That surprises me. I'm rather enjoying your company. However, I have been all alone for years. Why do you think Ron is ignoring you?"
"Last year he made some friends- Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. According to Ron, Hermione is the most brilliant muggleborn he has ever met. And Harry is the hero of the Wizarding World. He defeated You-Know-Who. I can't even compete with that."
"Harry Potter? I may have been dormant for a few decades, but I do know that name. He is in his second year at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, he's actually staying with us for the summer which has been completely embarrassing."
"How so?"
Ginny thought on Harry. His bright emerald eyes and raven black hair. His heroism and humility. Even with her thoughts of him she became flushed and flustered. Where could she begin to explain how she felt about him?
"Well, I seem to make a fool of myself whenever he is around. He is so amazing. Growing up, I had always heard stories about him and I wished that one day I could meet him. Then last year, he was just there and all the things I had ever thought to say vanished from my mind. He's even better than the stories and I can't even tell him that."
"That does sound frustrating. Don't fret, Ginny. I will definitely help you get closer to Harry Potter. But Ginny, can you keep me to yourself? I want this to be our little secret."
Why shouldn't she keep Tom a secret? This was one of the best conversations she had had in a long time. HE spoke to her as an equal. HE thought her opinion counted. HE cared about her feelings. Her brothers never had. Certainly, her parents never did. Ginny also reminded herself that if they knew about Tom, he would probably be taken from her. A diary that writes back was rare enough in the magical world for Ginny to have never heard of such a thing before. Either her parents would take it away for her protection or her brothers would claim it as their own. She resolved that the diary was safe and it was hers alone.
"Yes, Tom. I want that too. I'm so glad I've got this diary to confide in."
%G%
Summer ended far more quickly than Ginny had anticipated. Before she knew it, it was the night before her first trip to Platform 9 3/4 that would end with a train ride. Her Mum prepared all of Harry's favorite foods for dinner.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley! This treacle pudding is delicious."
"Oh, you are very welcome, Harry dear. We have loved having you here with us." her Mum beamed.
"Some of us more than others." Fred murmured under his breath with a sideways glance to Ginny.
Ginny felt herself blush scarlet to the roots of her hair while George announced, "And in honor of Harry's visit and the end of summer, Fred and I have taken it upon ourselves to go out with a bang."
"Couldn't have said it any better myself, Forge!"
The twins simultaneously pointed their wands at two brightly colored boxes on the kitchen table.
"Incendio!" they shouted in unison and instantly the boxes burst apart letting loose a shower of sparks that shot around the kitchen. Ginny looked around the room at her family. Red and blue light reflecting off their smiling faces. Her gaze caught on Harry's face. She was struck by the look of pure wonder she saw. Being raised in the Wizarding world, she realized how much she took for granted that magic was real. How difficult it must be to live in a world without magic. The Filibuster Fireworks fizzled out and her Mum finished the evening off with a round of hot chocolates before bed.
%G%
The next morning brought the annual Weasley rush to King's Cross. Last minute laundry, textbooks, and supplies were jammed haphazardly into trunks then packed away into the boot of the Ford Anglia.
"Everyone to the car in five minutes!" her Dad called up the stairway.
Ginny made the familiar trip down the stairs in such a hurry that she didn't notice the soft body at the bottom until she was looking up from the floor.
"Are you alright?" Harry offered her his hand.
"I…um…stairs…yeah…fine." she managed to mumble as Harry hoisted her to her feet.
Before Harry could utter a word in reply, Ginny was off like a shot. She took her place between her parents in the front seat of the car; praying to Merlin that Harry would forget how utterly ridiculous she was. Her brothers and Harry clambered into the backseat.
"All here? Right, well, off we go!" her Dad announced as he fired up the Ford Angelica.
As they started out of the yard, Ginny's stomach had a sudden swooping sensation. Usually she would blame it on the raven haired boy in the backseat, but he hadn't done anything at the moment to warrant this reaction. Her stomach settled when George stopped the car to retrieve his forgotten fireworks. Soon they were down the drive, but Ginny felt again as though she was going to be sick. She clutched her middle and passed it off as eating her breakfast too quickly. Fred yelped that he had forgotten his broomstick. While he ran to the shed to get it, Ginny felt the wave of nausea pass. Fred dove into the backseat, broomstick in hand.
"Sorry. Can't leave home without this!"
"Yes, how else would you impress the ladies, Fred." George snickered.
"Why George, they would have to settle for my devilishly good looks."
"Yes, we are quite handsome."
Their Mum's patience appeared to be wearing thin.
"Are you both quite finished now? Let's get you off to school." she admonished.
The Ford Anglia finally pulled away from the Burrow and trundled down the country roads of Ottery St. Catchpole. Ginny felt more and more sick the farther down the road they travelled. She didn't understand it. She didn't feel that nervous for her first year. Hadn't she been looking forward to it all summer? She would finally have exciting things to write about in her diary. HER DIARY!
"STOP THE CAR!" she shrieked.
Her Dad slammed on the brakes and the whole Weasley family plus Harry hurled forward and back from the force of the stop.
"Ginny! What on earth—" her Mum started.
"I forgot my diary! I can't go to school without it! I need it!"
Her brothers gave a collective groan.
"Better turn around, Arthur, before we're really late."
Ginny ran up to her room and found her diary on her bedside table. Instant relief washed over her the moment it was in her hands. She ran back to the car, mumbling thanks as her parents argued over the use of the car's flying abilities under what her Dad called, 'emergency situations'.
%G%
"Late as usual! Hurry now! We don't have much time. Percy first." Her Mum said while looking nervously at the clock overhead. Percy pushed his trolley through the barrier between platforms nine and ten followed by her Dad, Fred and George.
Her Mum turned to Harry and Ron. "I'll take Ginny and you two come right after us." They both nodded and Ginny was pulled by the hand through the barrier. Platform 9 3/4 always had a mystical quality about it. People evaporated in and out of the thick fog the Hogwarts Express billowed from its smokestack. Ginny quickly searched for the rest of her family in the crowd. Her Dad found them.
"Percy is already on the train."
"Yeah, probably already searching for any contraband" Fred said.
"Or seeing if there are any troublemakers lurking about." returned George.
"Too bad he doesn't realize"
"That we're out here."
Her Mum sighed exasperatedly. "Oh, you two! Mind your brother! You could learn a thing or two from the example he sets. Now come here, give us a hug before you're off."
Fred and George hugged both their Mum and Dad. "Remember what we talked about, boys. Watch after your sister." her Dad said.
"Of course!"
"Wouldn't dream of leaving her."
"What are brothers for?"
Now her Dad was encouraging her brothers' already overprotective natures? "Great! I won't even be able to breathe with all of their hovering!"
Her Mum craned her head above the crowd. "Where did Harry and Ron wander off to?"
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. How are you? Are Harry and Ron already on the train?" It was Hermione Granger. Ginny felt the familiar twinge of jealousy rise in her.
"Oh Hermione dear! Lovely to see you. I actually thought they might be with you." her Mum furrowed her brow.
"No, I saved a compartment for us and then came here to find them." Hermione replied.
Her Mum turned to her husband. "Arthur, they only have five minutes until the train leaves!"
"Alright, Molly, we'll find them. Let's see Ginny off first." Her Dad pulled her into a hug. "Bye, love. Learn lots and mind your brothers." Ginny felt the tears at the back of her eyes, but she held them in; simply nodding her head against her Dad's chest. When he released her, she was swept up in the bone-crushing hold of her Mum.
"Stay safe, dear. Behave yourself and write us, alright? We love you." her Mum began to sob.
"Oh, Mum! She'll be fine!" Fred cut in.
"Yeah, no need to worry yourself!" George said.
Her Mum backed away; furiously swiping at her eyes. "Right, right. Well, off you go! And don't forget to write!"
Ginny groaned. "For the millionth time, Mum, I will!" She then mumbled a soft "love you" to her parents before following Fred, George, and Hermione to the train.
"Do you want to sit with us?" Hermione inquired. Ginny brightened at that. Maybe she would be included in Ron's friends this year.
"I would like that." she answered relieved. Fred and George helped Ginny stow her trunk and left the two girls to meet Lee Jordan. The girls stared awkwardly between each other, not sure what to say. Ginny decided to break the ice.
"Wonder where Ron and Harry got off to."
Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, I was curious about that as well. But maybe…" she trailed off.
"Maybe what?"
"Oh it's silly. But we never really agreed that we would sit together on the train. Maybe they made other plans?" The bushy-haired girl spoke uneasily.
Ginny was confused by Hermione's theory. "I seriously doubt it. Ron spoke of nothing else but you and Harry all summer. I'm sure he meant to meet you."
Hermione's cheeks pinked. "Oh…well, that's nice to hear." At that, the train began to lurch forward. "Oh no! I hope they didn't miss the train!" Ginny and Hermione searched the entire length of the train but to no avail. Neither Fred nor George had seen them. Ginny tried to find Percy to help, but he was probably too preoccupied with the other Prefects or had vanished into the same ether that had claimed her youngest brother and his best friend. It became apparent that they were not on the train. Firstly because the Weasley red hair was nearly impossible to miss and secondly Harry Potter was…well…Harry Potter and someone would have been bound to spot him. As more and more distance was travelled, Hermione became increasingly agitated.
"Highly irresponsible of them! Could be anywhere! Do they even care how they are worrying us?" Ginny had an inkling that a similar tirade was being had by her Mum back in London.
Hermione finally settled while reading a textbook as Ginny began to write another diary entry to Tom. They continued in a tense silence until hours later the Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop.
%G%
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a booming voice called over the din of the crowd.
Ginny managed to squeeze through a space between two third year girls before gathering with about thirty other scared first years. The owner of the voice was none other than Hagrid, Hogwarts groundskeeper. She had heard all about him from Ron and saw him for the first time at Diagon Alley. It was a relief to see another familiar face.
Hagrid glanced down at her.
"Another Weasley, eh?" Ginny quickly nodded her head. "Well, if yeh are anythin' like yer brothers, Hogwarts has gotten another fine addition." Hagrid winked and then turned to the rest of them.
"C'mon, follow me. Mind yer step, now!"
The cluster of students broke off from the main crowd and followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path.
"Almos' there! Yeh'll see Hogwarts jus' round this bend here."
"How are we going to see the castle with his fat head blocking it?" a blonde girl with a pointed face remarked. A couple girls around her giggled.
"Why don't you shut your fat mouth?" Ginny cut back.
"If I wanted your opinion, ginger, I would have asked for it." sneered the blonde.
"Alrigh' now! No need for tha'! Everyone to the boats!" Hagrid touched Ginny's shoulder and carefully led her away from the blonde and her cronies.
"Better watch tha' Weasley temper. Migh' not be 'round the next time to keep yeh out of trouble."
"Sorry, Hagrid. They just shouldn't be saying things like that about you." Ginny fumed.
"Aww— tha's alrigh'. 'M used to it by now. Heard much worse come to think o' it. Off with yeh now." Ginny made her way towards the dock as Hagrid called after her. "And stay out of trouble!" Hagrid addressed the rest of the first years. "No more'n four to a boat!"
Ginny clambered into a boat with a mousy haired boy and two girls, but didn't exchange any pleasantries. They were too entranced by the sight of Hogwarts castle looming over the black lake. Although the castle's dark stone walls towered towards the sky, it emanated a sort of warmth. Light poured from thousands of windows; a beacon to guide the little fleet of boats home. They glided across the lake into a dark tunnel. The boats drifted to a stop and the first years climbed out. Hagrid led them down a passageway to the castle door. He knocked three times and the door was opened, revealing a tall, slender witch in tartan robes.
"Thank you, Hagrid."
"O' course, Professor McGonagall."
The witch shrewdly surveyed the group before her.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
Professor McGonagall proceeded to explain the sorting ceremony to the nervous cluster of first years. They all were fidgeting under her gaze; as if she was staring straight into each of them.
After confirming the ceremony preparations were complete, Professor McGonagall returned to lead them through heavy oak doors. Her brothers had told her about this place, but they had clearly understated its magnificence. Ron had even mentioned the enchanted ceiling and still his description paled in comparison to the reality before her. She marveled at the deep indigo sky swirling with hundreds of celestial bodies. Lit candles floated; suspended in midair giving a warm glow to the entire room. Ginny and the rest of the first years marched down the aisle in a single file formation. Students in yellow and black were on their left and students in red and gold were on their right. Ginny was so mesmerized by her surroundings that she jumped when one of the twins hissed her name. Fred and George simultaneously winked and tugged on one of their ears. This was their sibling secret code- you will be brilliant; we're behind you. Percy even managed a firm nod of confidence. She took a deep breath. "You can do this. You can do this."
Professor McGonagall set a 4-legged stool in front of the group and procured a pointed hat, which Ginny thought had obviously seen better days, from behind her. When she placed the hat on the stool, the brim pulled apart at the seam and to their surprise the hat began to sing.
"Many years ago- far more than I remember
Our four founders bound as one in an endeavor
To teach witches and wizards all kinds of new things
And to share in the joy that true knowledge brings
Their puzzle was just how to sift through the crowd
To claim the students that would make each house proud
Well, I was the answer to their age old question
The best way to sort them was through my intercession
So what's my method to determine your worth?
I'll tell you the secret- it all starts at your birth
The magic quill found you- your place here reserved
But my job is to find where your magic's best served
When I'm placed on your head, I pick through your brain
Don't worry- it's never caused anyone pain
Yes, I search through your mind and when I am through
I announce which house you are sorted into
Do I see the bravery old Gryffindor was after?
Or perhaps wisdom Ravenclaw thought mattered?
Or cunning which was best Slytherin argued?
Or maybe the loyalty Hufflepuff so valued?
Whatever the case, whether lion or eagle
Badger or snake, all the Houses are equal
At the end of this night, all Hogwarts will cheer
As you join our ranks for your very first year!"
As the Sorting Hat finished its song, the general assembly gave a raucous round of applause. As the cheering faded, Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
"When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and put the hat on your head to be sorted. Applebaum, Eustace!"
Ginny silently cursed her last name for starting with 'W'. Her nerves were already starting to get the best of her and a long wait would only heighten them. About a dozen first years were sorted, however Ginny was having difficulty paying attention. She couldn't help searching the Gryffindor table for Ron and Harry. They were still no where to be seen.
"Lovegood, Luna!"
A girl with white blonde hair appeared from their number. She seemed to be nervous by the way she floated toward the front; her eyes wide as if in a trance. She needn't of worried, Ginny thought. The sorting hat merely hovered over her head before it declared Ravenclaw as her house.
Finally, after "Urquhart, Gavin" was made a Slytherin, Ginny stood alone.
"Weasley, Ginevra"
Why had her Mum insisted on naming her that? Now the whole world knew her awful name. "My name is Ginny", she mumbled under her breath as she sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat over her head. The hat was so large that it went over her eyes and the Great Hall was blocked from her view. Although the hat had explained that it read minds, Ginny was surprised to hear it begin to speak.
"Hmmm…another Weasley, eh? Ahhh…but this time a girl! I haven't sorted a female Weasley in…"
"Generations. Ages upon ages. A millennia. Yes, I've heard this all before." Ginny thought rather annoyed. She was sick of people being impressed simply because she was a rare female in a predominantly male lineage. She knew her Mum loved her, but sometimes the pressure to be the perfect girl she had always wanted was exasperating. What was worse was when complete strangers would expect the same from her. As if being the first Weasley woman in a generation meant she had to fit some sort of ideal mould.
"Well, well! I like you! You are certainly a fiery one! Not to mention clever and determined. And your loyalty is bar none. Why, you would do well in any of the houses here. Yes, very well indeed! Now where to place you…?
Ginny nervously picked at her fingernails. She just wanted to be with her brothers. She wanted to feel like she belonged. She wanted to be close with Ron again. Maybe if she were in Gryffindor, they could return to how they used to be. Where was he though? She didn't want to do this alone. She startled when the small voice spoke once more in her ear.
"Yes, I do see your concern. And true, the Weasleys certainly know how to make lion-hearted offspring. Who am I to argue with their success? I'm quite confident to call you GRYFFINDOR!"
Ginny heaved a sigh of relief as the hat's final judgement was shouted to the entire hall. The whole Gryffindor table was cheering as Ginny, the last of the first years, joined them. Fred and George had their thumb and forefingers in the corners of their mouths; their whistles echoing off the walls of the Great Hall. Percy even stood and was clapping vigorously. "Well done, Ginny! Well done!" Hermione Granger was beaming at her from across the table.
But where was Ron?
She knew if he was here, he would be giving her a hug (or at least a strong clap on the back since he was, after all, in public). Ginny gave a weak smile to the table and then turned her attention to Professor Dumbledore's speech; hoping Ron and Harry were on their way.
%G%
"You mean to tell me that they flew here in a muggle car?"
"Yes, isn't that amazing! It's all that the school can talk about right now."
"Yes, that is rather impressive, but, Ginny, may I ask how Ron reacted when he heard you were sorted into Gryffindor?"
"Oh…well, he was rather distracted and there was a crowd surrounding him and Harry. I'm sure he's happy I'm here."
"Oh I'm sure, I'm sure. But if you don't mind me saying, you are his only sister. He should make the time to tell you how proud he is of you. It's not everyday that his sister is sorted, now is it?"
"Well, I suppose. I guess Ron could have said something. He did kind of ignore me when he came into the common room. He and Harry did worry me and he didn't even notice I was there- either of them."
"They don't appreciate you as much as they should. But I do, Ginny. I know how it feels to be ignored. I learned how to make people notice me. I assure you, you won't be ignored this year."
"No one's ever understood me like you, Tom. Talk to you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Ginny."
Ginny closed the diary and looked around the first year girls' dorm. The two girls who had been in her boat had also been sorted into Gryffindor. Matilda Bailey and Maggie Cattermole sat on the former's bed chatting away in hushed tones. It seemed that they had become fast friends on the train and, as is typical of girls that age, there was no room inside their close knit bond— including Ginny. The final member of the quartet was Viola Shafiq and she had turned in early; bed curtains drawn shut. Ginny hoped that Viola was just overwhelmed by the events of the day and she could try to make friends with her tomorrow. If all else failed, Ginny would at least have Tom to turn to.
%G%
Her Mum had sent a Howler to Ron, but it was heard by the entire Great Hall at breakfast. Ron looked equal parts shocked and mortified. His ears remained a violent shade of scarlet for at least a half hour after the howler went silent. Fred and George even had the good grace to look concerned for their brother. Ginny had seen and heard her brothers get into trouble loads of times, but this was the most serious punishment she had ever witnessed. She was not only embarrassed for Ron, but for herself and her family. Her Dad was facing an inquiry at work. If he lost his job, how would her family manage? And here at Hogwarts, if her classmates found out she was related to Ron and that they were poor, she would never make any friends. Ginny felt a twinge of guilt at that. "Stop thinking only about yourself!" She wasn't given much more time to dwell on it because Professor McGonagall was handing out their class schedules and she needed to find her first class.
After receiving hurried instructions from Percy about the general direction to go and following students who appeared to know where they were going, Ginny finally entered the Charms classroom. Matilda and Maggie were sitting with each other in animated conversation. She noticed that the seats next to them were taken. Viola was sitting with a group of Slytherin girls so that was out. Scanning the room quickly, Ginny noticed a Gryffindor boy sitting alone in the second row.
"Anyone sitting here?" Ginny asked the small, mousy haired boy.
"No," he replied with a broad smile, "it's free." Ginny returned the smile.
"Thanks. I'm Ginny, by the way."
"I'm Colin. I must say...I'm so excited to actually start learning some magic. My dad's a milkman and I didn't know I was a wizard until I got my letter. My whole family was shocked! Can you believe we go to school with the famous Harry Potter? How are you liking it so far?"
Ginny already liked Colin. His excitement was so contagious and it was wonderful to meet someone her own age that was so friendly.
"It is more than I ever imagined! I have six brothers and they have all gone to Hogwarts so they've told me things, but it is different now that I'm here."
"Wow, six brothers! I have a younger brother and sister and I thought we had a pretty big family!"
Ginny nodded and opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted by Professor Flitwick's high-pitched call to order. He was shorter than the whole class of first years. Ginny remembered the twins mentioning that the Professor was half-goblin, but was much friendlier than his ancestry would suggest.
"Class, today we will be covering one of the most basic of charms-'Reducio.' This charm is very useful for making things smaller. If a wizard or witch has a cumbersome object that needs transporting or would like something valuable to be hidden, a good Reducio can make said object pocket-sized or even microscopic!" Professor Flitwick squeaked with excitement.
"Looks like someone used a Reducio charm on him a long time ago and he hasn't figured out the counter-charm!" came a haughty voice from behind her hushed enough for the Professor not to hear.
Ginny turned and glared at a girl with shiny blonde hair in Slytherin robes. It was the same girl who had made fun of Hagrid yesterday. She was centered between two girls who were attempting to stifle their giggles behind their hands. It was a low blow to mock the Professor for his height in Ginny's opinion. There was nothing he could do about his parentage. He seemed nice and he was trying his best to make the class interesting. Ginny was even more disappointed to see that one of the girls joining in the teasing was Viola.
"What are you looking at, ginger?" sneered the blonde.
"Someone who obviously thinks she is funny, but has the wit of a flobberworm."
The blonde's sneer pinched into a tight scowl. Ginny heard Colin take a low hiss of breath, but she would not back down.
"Ladies, I know we all want to get to know each other, but this is not a social club. Please converse between classes and not while I'm teaching. You may miss some valuable information. Now everyone, please come forward and grab a goblet. We will be practicing the incantation and wand movement together!"
Ginny rose from her seat and made her way to Flitwick's desk. She lost her balance as someone shouldered past her.
"Watch yourself, ginger! Wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself on your first day!"
"Good one, Lavinia!" cackled a Slytherin girl next to her. Viola laughed hesitantly along with them. "So much for having friends in Gryffindor." Ginny felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Ginny...they're just being stupid...ignore them. I tell you...my dad told me to never hit girls, but if I could make an exception, they sure would be asking for it." Colin chuckled.
Ginny gave him a warm smile. "Thanks, Colin."
"Well, maybe one friend in Gryffindor."
Charms class had been enjoyable and Ginny had been able to shrink her goblet after her third try. As the week went on, she found that the other classes were a different story. She didn't mind getting dirty in Herbology, but History of Magic was excruciating boring. Professor Binns droned on and on; never acknowledging that there were even students in his class. Professor McGonagall was terribly strict and transfiguration was more difficult than she had anticipated. The class was given a match to turn into a needle, but try as she might, it retained its form. Defense Against the Dark Arts was complete and utter rubbish and for one reason- Gilderoy Lockhart. The first class was spent taking a quiz on his books. This would have been fine if the questions actually pertained to the subject Lockhart was to teach. However, the subject of the quiz was the Professor himself; from his favorite color to his hopes and dreams.
"Absolute codswallop!" Ginny scoffed to Colin as they walked from his classroom to the dungeons. "We'll be lucky if we can defend ourselves against a ghost by the end of the year!"
"So ghosts can't really hurt you?" asked Colin curiously.
"Well, for the most part. Ghouls are more of a nuisance. We have one living in our attic and he just rattles the pipes when he's bored. Poltergeists can get violent, but the only one I've yet to see is Peeves and my brothers say he just throws stuff at you."
"I wish I had grown up magic. It's our third day and everything is new to me. You know so much more than me!"
"That's a load of rubbish, Colin. It's my third day holding a wand of my own and I still feel lost. Plus, I wish I knew more about muggles. My Dad works with muggle stuff, but I don't think he knows half of what they all do. I would love if you could show me how your muggle camera works."
Colin beamed, "Really? I can show you after dinner. I've got so many good pictures of Harry Potter. He said he would sign one for me. Isn't that great?"
Ginny pinked, "Oh…yeah…that's great…I would like to see them."
Colin didn't seem to notice and by that time, they were entering the Potions classroom. The moment Snape noticed her ginger hair and freckles and commented that 'he hoped she wouldn't be worthless like her brothers had been', Ginny added Potions to the list of classes she didn't much care for.
Ginny found Colin to be a very valuable friend. Not only was it helpful to have a partner in class, but Colin had memorized Harry's class schedule. It was like having her own personal spy. She could learn more about Harry, but without the negative side effects his presence gave her. And it seemed that Colin was completely blind to her infatuation and therefore her interest appeared harmless next to Colin's fanaticism. So when Ginny suggested that they try to get Harry's autograph after dinner, Colin heartily agreed.
Ron had mentioned over the summer that he, Harry, and Hermione liked to visit Hagrid's hut when they had a break. Ginny and Colin walked out the front doors of the castle and galloped down the rocky path to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The misshapen hut had moss growing in its cracks and black smoke billowed from the chimney. They scuttled along the side of the hut, listening carefully for any voices inside.
"Why can't we just knock and see if they're in there?", Colin whispered.
Ginny shushed him and strained to hear, but the next moment the wooden door burst open.
"Eh! Who's out 'ere!"
Colin yelped and hid behind Ginny. "Coward", she chuckled fondly. Quickly, she searched around the yard for some excuse and then came out from her hiding spot.
"Hello, Hagrid. We met at the boats. I'm Ginny Weasley. And this is Colin. We were just admiring your pumpkins."
Hagrid eyed her up and down suspiciously and then grinned. "Well now. They are comin' along rather well, aren' they. But they'll be double the size by Halloween, I can tell you tha'. Thought I should get a head start on them, yeh know. It's nice to meet yeh both officially now. But yeh shouldn't be wandering 'round this part of the grounds. The Forest can be very dangerous."
The half-giant's demeanor was so friendly that Colin seemed to find the courage to speak. "Well, we heard Harry Potter comes to your hut sometimes. We wanted to get his autograph."
Ginny blushed furiously and shouldered him with a hissed, "Colin!" Hagrid's grin widened.
"Yeah, Harry is known to come visit me once in 'o while, but you're a day early. He'll be in tomorrow though." he said with a wink.
"Oh, well then. Sorry to bother you. Oh, Colin! Look at the time! We've got to get back now. It was nice meeting you!" Ginny called back as she dragged Colin back towards the castle.
"Same for yeh both!" Hagrid chuckled.
"Absolutely embarrassing, Colin! I can't believe you said that! I had it well in hand until you decided to open your mouth! 'We wanted Harry's autograph'" Ginny imitated in Colin's voice. "Now Hagrid's going to tell Harry that we've been stalking around the grounds after him and…"
Colin loosened from Ginny's grasp. "Ginny! Will you just relax? Hagrid's not going to tell Harry anything. Why do you care so much anyway? If Harry had been there, we would have had to talk to him."
Ginny groaned exasperatedly and stormed off towards the castle. "Boys! Didn't they understand subtlety?" Tom was the only one who seemed to understand. She would have to ask his advice when she wrote in the diary before bed.
Ginny stopped and turned to see Colin standing still; mystified. She sighed.
"Are you coming or not?"
His face broke into a big smile and he ran to catch up with her.
%G%
The musty air was stale and rank. The room had obviously not been used in many years. Cobwebs hung from the corners of the ceiling and slime coated the walls of the passageway. Echoes from splashing water bounced throughout the room. The other end of the room was taken up by a marble relief of a man's head; his chin below a shallow puddle of water that flooded the room. A strange, foreign hissing was heard and after a short pause, the mouth of the man opened as if in a silent scream. The dark pit of the man's mouth came closer and closer into view. Suddenly, the pitch black darkness was broken by two blood red orbs with slitlike pupils. A slimy, forked tongue shot out into the light and returned to its hiding place; a jaw with rows upon rows of sharp, yellow teeth opening wider and wider, closer and closer…
Ginny woke with a start; gooseflesh and cold sweat, her heart hammering in her ears. She heaved a deep sigh of relief and clutched her chest in an effort to calm herself. "It was only a nightmare. It's over now." Ginny half expected her Mum to come rushing into her room with hushed, placating assurances. After the fog of half-sleep faded, she realized she was in her bed at Hogwarts. Her Mum would not be coming. Finally calm enough to attempt sleep again, Ginny settled into her pillow, blanket pulled up around her. Before she closed her eyes, however, she noticed something was amiss. Flipping the blanket off her legs, Ginny looked down to find her socks and the hem of her nightdress soaked through with water.
A/N dos: Oooooo...Spooky! If you take the time to review, it will be like a shiny wrapped present for me! Happy Christmas to you all!