I want to preface this by saying 2 things. The first is that I've been away in Italy since Thursday, so that's why there's been no updates. Nothing work related, just a little holiday that Harry and I took together. Secondly, I'm not sure what the point is of leaving reviews on this, because I'm telling a true story here. I'm not going to change events that actually took place in my life just because some of you don't like them. If you're wondering how I could have possibly participated in the Horcrux Hunt despite the trace etc, don't worry, all will be explained. Trust me, it will make sense in the end.

I've not read a single review, and I don't have any intention of doing so. I'm doing this to expose the flaws in Joanne's version of events and say what really happened. I'm not here to create a good fantasy tale. So don't bother leaving reviews because I'm not going to read them. Now that I've said that, let's get back to my first night at Hogwarts...

"Alright firs' years, all firs' years over here please" was the first thing we heard when we stepped off the train.

"That's Hagrid isn't it?" I asked

"Yes" replied Hermione, "and oh that reminds me, as a second year now, I will be going up to the school in those carriages".

She pointed at a large number of them that were parked at the end of the platform.

"See you two later, where hopefully we'll be re-united with Harry and Ron!".

We nodded and she hurried off.

"They're horseless, look" said Demelza

"Probably pulled by Thestrals, which we can't, and hopefully never will, see" I said.

We lined up in a queue with the other first years behind Hagrid, and it was at this point where we had the displeasure of meeting three rather disgraceful people. I was pushed from behind, and, caught by surprise, I almost fell over. Enraged, I turned around, and found myself facing a rather ugly looking girl. She had boils and acne covering her face, as if she'd been hit by the Furnunculus Curse, long black hair, and dark brown skin. She was slightly shorter than me, and was flanked by 2 girls who were taller, and only slightly prettier.

"Well if it isn't Ginevra, the latest of the Weasley blood traitor scum" she said.

"Don't call me that, and keep your hands off me if you know what's good for you!" I said aggressively, pulling out my wand.

Demelza tried to move in front of me "no, don't, we don't need you in detention on the first night!"

The 3 girls laughed.

"Oh please, let her try" one of the taller ones said to Demelza.

"If you know any magic at all, we're first years in case you hadn't noticed. You can't do shit with that!" said the other.

"How do you know I can't?" I said, though less confidently this time. She was right, of course, but I didn't want them to know that.

"Go on then, do it" said the smallest girl.

I bit my lip, seething and embarrassed. I knew I couldn't do anything right at that moment and they successfully called my bluff. But this only spurred me on. Like with Draco Malfoy at Flourish and Blotts, these girls would get what was coming to them.

"Thought not" she said. "This is Mulciber, and this is Yaxley". She pointed at each of her companions in turn. "And I'm Avery. Lillian Avery".

The fact her name was so similar to Harry's mother's angered me so much that I started forwards, but then-

"Everything ok back here?" said Hagrid's voice. We all jumped, and Demelza and I quickly turned around before he could light up our confrontation with his lantern.

"Yes Hagrid" we said simultaneously and slightly too quickly. Hagrid looked suspicious, but to our great relief he turned away without saying another word and returned to the front of the line to lead us away.

We walked down a narrow pathway beneath the bridge that the Thestral pulled carriages used, and shortly arrived at a sort of dock, with a large number of boats moored next to it on the lake.

"No more than 4 to a boat, everybody clamber on, there you go-"

Hagrid broke off as there was a splash, someone had fallen into the lake! A few people started to panic, but Hagrid immediately waded in and pulled them out by the scruff of the neck. It was a very small, mousey haired boy. Demelza and I climbed into a boat together.

We set off, and after passing under another bridge and around a couple of corners, finally, I had my first glimpse of Hogwarts castle. I heard Demelza gasp next to me and I couldn't resist doing the same. It looked simply magnificent! The vastness of it, combined with it's beauty in the night, the yellow lights in the windows reflecting off the lake onto the surrounding mountains, made for quite the spectacle. Suddenly though, I noticed something very strange. It was only for a second or two, but I swear I saw something that looked very much like our Ford Anglia, almost collide with the castle wall, but miss by inches and sore away in a wide arc!

I tapped Demelza on the shoulder and tried to point this out to her, but by that point it had gone, leaving me unable to explain and Demelza looking very confused.

When we reached the shore, Hagrid led us up to the main castle doors, and knocked very hard 3 times. A very stern looking woman answered the door.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall"

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here"

We walked into the Entrance Hall, where we saw great marble staircases going up and down on both sides, and then another pair of doors which must lead to the Entrance Hall.

Professor McGonagall stopped us in front of the doors.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Seven years of expert magical education await you. I trust that you will all do your very best to succeed in your time here, as your parents and siblings may have done. Each year at Hogwarts traditionally begins with the start of term Feast, but before that, you will be sorted into your houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin all have a proud history, and all have produced many generations of successful witches and wizards. Your houses are who you will eat with in the Great Hall, attend your lessons with, and spend free time with in your common rooms. We operate a points system here. Good behaviour will be rewarded with House Points, and any rule breaking will mean you lose house points."

I had a sudden unexplainable feeling that I would end up gaining and losing a lot of points.

"I hope you enjoy your time with us. These years of your lives are ones for you to cherish. I hope you will not waste them away by acting immaturely. I must now enter the Hall for a short time, and you will soon be called in. Please wait calmly for the invitation to enter."

"How do we get sorted into houses?" asked the same mousey haired boy who had fallen into the lake.

"We try on a talking hat, which then shouts out the name of the house it thinks we're most suitable for" I told him.

"Do you think you could take a picture of me while I'm sorted, my dad would love to see it!" he said rather enthusiastically.

He showed us a Muggle camera. I only knew because dad had one out in the garage at home.

I bit my lip.

"Umm, I dunno, not really sure how to use these. I'm assuming you're muggle born?"

"Yeah, my dad's a milkman, we couldn't believe it when I got the letter, always thought magic was a myth. Colin Creevey by the way, nice to meet you"

"Ginny Weasley, and this is Demelza Robins"

"Great. Listen, I heard a rumour that Harry Potter attends Hogwarts now. Is it true?"

"Yeah, he's a second year" said Demelza.

"Oh wow, really, have you two met him, do you think you could introduce me? I'd love to get a picture with him so I can prove I've met him!"

Demelza and I exchanged a look. Why on earth did he want a picture with Harry, I mean sure he's famous and all but he's not a celebrity.

When I told Colin this however, he didn't seem to take it in, and eventually we just moved away from him, feeling a bit weirded out.

At this point, the doors opened, and we took that as our invitation to walk inside. The Great Hall looked magnificent, and I tried my best to take it all in as we walked down the aisle that separated the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables from those of Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I saw Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table and she waved to us, but I was disturbed by the fact she was not accompanied by Harry and Ron. Eventually we reached the Head's table, which strangely had one empty chair, and of course had Gilderoy Lockhart, looking more self obsessed than ever. Professor McGonagall bought out the sorting hat and laid it on a stool.

Now, I know that you're probably now expecting me to transcribe the song it sung to us at this point, but it didn't sing a song before my sorting, which everyone seemed pretty disappointed by. It said that it had struggled to create a new one and it wasn't going to repeat last years. It would however, make sure that next years one was extra special to make up for it, as it knew that plenty of things would happen this year to give it inspiration.

"When I call your names, you will walk up to the stool, place the hat on your head, and it will tell you your house. When it does so, please sit down at your house table immediately." said Professor McGonagall.

"Avery, Lillian!"

Avery shoved me as she walked by, and confidently strode up to the stool.

The hat was barely straight above her head when it yelled "Slytherin!"

"Very fitting" I muttered to Demelza, who nodded.

The sorting continued, with Colin Creevey becoming a Gryffindor, a rather odd looking girl, with Butterbeer corks for a necklace and her wand behind her ear (Lovegood, Luna) becoming a Ravenclaw, and Mulciber joining Avery in Slytherin. Then it was Demelza's turn. I whispered good luck to her and crossed my fingers, praying for Gryffindor, and to our great relief she became one, and sat down opposite Hermione. Eventually, it was just me and Yaxley left.

"Weasley, Ginevra"

A few people laughed, including Yaxley, and I bit my lip and blushed at having my stupid official name revealed publicly. Anyone who dared call me that afterwards, if I'd told them that I hated that name, was going to seriously regret it.

I was temporarily blinded as the hat fell down over my eyes.

"Another Weasley eh, Molly churns you lot out like there's no tomorrow. Well, it's an easy call in any case, Gryffindor!"

I jogged over to the Gryffindor table who were clapping and cheering, and found myself a seat 2 down from Demelza, as Yaxley ended the sorting by becoming the newest Slytherin.

I had a feeling that I had not seen the last of that evil trio.