Before we begin the story of my second year, I would like to take some time to share my thoughts on some other Muggle created media in the Wizarding World universe. The first is the Fantastic Beasts film series, focusing on Newt Scamander, Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindlewald. They are a generally accurate depiction of that time in history, though of course some aspects were over dramatised for added entertainment purposes.
I found them to be very enjoyable, certainly far more than Professor Binns's teaching of it! The third film in the series, Secrets of Dumbledore, while ok, could have been a lot better. It did leave out some battles and that lets it down. Overall though, they are a nice addition to our story and Joanne actually did a good job writing those. It's just a shame that the Muggles cancelled the series after 3 films. I hope they continue it on in some other format.
The second, and by far the most controversial, is the stage play, the Cursed Child. Joanne arranged a special performance of this to all living members of both the main story and the events the play itself depicts. We all gathered together at the Palace Theatre in Central London to watch it and, I can categorically state right now that it does not depict actual events. While the play was great to watch performed in front of us, the story is in no way accurate to how the Wizarding World really is. Several aspects diverge from the known laws of our world, and a lot of us are portrayed in ways that aren't accurate to who we actually are. Harry himself is a prime example. The special effects and how you lot recreated the effects of spells was sublime and extremely well done though, so I will give the producers credit for that. Overall it's a good thing, and entertaining, though not accurate at all. Now that I've said that, let's get on with my second year!
Before we headed home from King's Cross, I made plans with Demelza and Amy for them to come to the Burrow in the second week of the holidays, and that Demelza and I would also visit Amy in Wimbourne that week too. We also hoped to visit Luna at some point. We said goodbye to Amy with promises to write in the next few days.
As our car was currently running wild in the Forbidden Forest, we needed a new way of getting home, and therefore Dad had arranged for us to take a Muggle train down to Exeter, where we would then take taxis back to Ottery. Dad apparated to and from the Burrow a few times with our trunks and owls, with Steve doing the same for Demelza, then they headed home themselves while Mum supervised us on the train.
It was a very different experience taking a Muggle train. Instead of compartments, the train carriages were full of seats out in the open, some around tables, others as sets of 2. Demelza, Ron, Mum and I sat at a table with Fred and George behind us. Percy was left on his own in the pair behind Ron and Mum.
"So Percy, how's your girlfriend?" I called out.
Everyone except Percy and Mum laughed.
"What, what's this-Percy, girlfriend, what?" Mum said, bewildered
"Wow that's a big confidence booster for you Perce" said Fred
"Yeah, when even your own mother can't believe it, that's defo a good sign" added George
"Who says I don't believe it?" she snapped. "Percy, I think this is simply won-der-ful news, you must invite her down to ours some day" with the way she said "wonderful" in such an emphatically slow manner causing everyone to snigger and Percy's face to go red.
"Oh yes, that will be a lovely day indeed when Penny comes to the Burrow" I said, causing yet more sniggers and embarrassment for Percy
"Gin, you have certainly developed a level of cheekiness we approve of" said Fred
"Yep, finally, we must admit that you are indeed our sister" came from George
"Thanks guys" I said, smirking
"So am I your brother then?" asked Ron
"Who's that guy sitting over there Fred? asked George
"No idea, do you know Ginny?" said Fred
Ron scowled amid more sniggers.
"So what do you guys think about the Gryffindor Quidditch teams next year?" said Demelza, changing the subject. "It's such a shame that we couldn't finish the season this year, I'm sure we'd have won both cups comfortably"
A few Muggles gave us strange looks at the mention of the word Quidditch, but I think they just assumed it was teenager slang and didn't question it.
"If we are able to finish the season, we'll win both next year, easily" I said. "It's Wood's last year, he's going to be extra determined. I'm hoping he can give me a tryout for the first team, I'm thinking a shootout between me and Alicia directly would be fair"
"It would, and you'd defo win that mate, you're brilliant, there's not many better eleven year olds out there, hell, I don't think there's many equivalent 11 year old's to you, let alone better, and certainly not at chaser!"
"Am I really that good?" I asked
"You are mate, honestly, keep this up all your school years and a pro career is defo realistic for you. Wood called you generational for a reason."
"We have to agree" said Fred, with George nodding alongside him. "You defo proved us ridiculously wrong last year"
"But you're not going to listen to that are you Ginny?" said Mum "you're going to follow your father into the Ministry"
"I am not!" I responded hotly "Pro Quidditch is the only career I want, and I'm going to do everything I can to get it!"
"Professional Quidditch is such a soft career option" said Mum
I raised my eyebrows
"Is it now? You know Tom said exactly the same thing to me right?"
That shut Mum up for a moment.
"I have bucketloads of talent according to most. I'm not going to let it go to waste" I continued
Mum bit her lip, then said "Fair enough, I didn't know Tom had said that to you, I apologise, Ginny"
"Don't worry about it" I replied.
"What about you Demelza" Mum asked
"Well, I would love to play alongside Ginny professionally if I can, but I know I'm not as good as her. If I can't do that, then I'd love to be a commentator, a journalist or something in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Hey, maybe I could even work in a non playing role for the Holyhead Harpies. I just know that if I can't be a player I'd love to work in the sport"
"I second that" said Ginny
"Look, mate, I know you love to be modest, but you're gonna be a pro player, and a damn good one at that, you're far too talented not to be. To be able to tell you're destined for that when you're only 11 is something special mate, so be proud of it"
"Still, it's good for you to have a backup plan to cover all eventualities" said Mum
"I would actually agree, as unlikely as D seems to find it" I replied
Demelza rolled her eyes
We all then looked at Fred and George
"Well, we only want to open a joke shop. That's where our talents lie as you all well know" George said
"That is something you will not ever do! I don't care what anyone says here, that is so unambitious and wasteful! Under my watch, you will not be making any more joke products! You're going to put your talents into something more useful! came from Mum
"But we don't have any other useful-"
"No, I don't want to hear it!"
"That is so unreasonable-"
"Didn't you hear me?"
The twins fell silent
"I'm going to go into the Ministry" said Percy
"Thank you Percy, at least one of you agrees with me"
"No wonder he's the most disliked in the family then" said Ron
"That will be the rest of today and tomorrow in your room!" shouted Mum, causing several Muggles to turn towards us again "and if I hear you make comments like that again, it will be a week, do you understand me?"
Ron nodded
"It's worth it though" he mouthed to me
"What would you like to do as a career Ron?" I asked
"I dunno, being an Auror would be nice I guess, maybe something with the Chudley Cannons? I dunno at this point to be honest"
"Your grades have been quite average this year Ronald" said Mum "you'll need to put a lot more work in to become an Auror"
"Ah well, Chudley it is then"
"That's another day in your room"
Ron scowled.