A/N: I'm back, hopefully for a while. I'm very sorry for abandoning this!

Dean was asleep when Ginny finally returned to her compartment.

"Dean," she said, shaking him awake. "Wake up, we're almost there. We need to put our Hogwarts robes on."

"Oh, right," said Dean, blinking a few times and yawning. "What did that fat guy want?"

"He invited me to lunch with some other kids, mostly ones who were famous or had famous relatives. He's a new teacher this year, his name is Slughorn."

"But you're not famous," said Dean. "Are you?" he added uncertainly.

Ginny had been thinking about this. It did seem like she had not fit in with the rest of the group.

"It seemed he just liked my Bat-Bogey Hex," she said. "He said not many people could do it and must have thought I was special or something."

"Huh, that's wild. If I did that I'd have gotten in trouble for sure," said Dean, giving Ginny a glowing look. "Who else was there?"

"Harry and Neville, another Gryffindor named McLaggen, some Ravenclaw, and a Slytherin who's always staring at me."

"Who's that?" said Dean quickly.

"Blaise Zabini."

Dean tried to hide the jealousy from his face, but he failed miserably. Ginny found it rather endearing.

"Well, we better change, we'll be there soon," said Ginny.

As they disembarked from the train ten minutes later, Ginny caught sight of Ron and Hermione on the Hogsmeade platform, but Harry was nowhere to be found. The pair stopped to talk to a mousy-haired witch that Ginny recognized as Tonks.

"Wotcher, Ginny," she said, spotting her.

"Hi, Tonks! What are you doing here?"

"I'm stationed at Hogsmeade for security. You haven't seen Harry, have you? I didn't see him get off the train."

"No, I haven't," said Ginny.

"But you saw him on the train?"

"Yeah, last I saw him was when we left Slughorn's compartment. He put his Invisibility Cloak on, but he didn't say what he was doing."

Tonks groaned.

"Right," she said irritably. "I'll see if I can find him."

"You better hurry!" said Hermione anxiously. "The train's going to head back to London soon!"

"Yeah. Well, I'll see you all later. Have a good term and stay safe!"

They bade an unhappy Tonks goodbye and moved towards the carriages that awaited them as usual.

"I miss the old Tonks," said Ron.

"Hey, Ginny!" said Dean excitedly. "Did you know these carriages are actually pulled by these things called thestrals? They're invisible to most people though. I learned about them in Hagrid's class last year."

"Yeah, I did, actually. In fact, I rode on one to the Ministry last year."

"You rode on one?" said Dean, astounded. "But you can't see them, can you? Hagrid said the only people who can see them are ones who have seen someone die!"

"I can't see them, no. It wasn't a fun experience, trust me. I never want to ride on one again."

Dean merely stared at her with his mouth slightly open for a moment before they began making their way to the carriages. He, Ginny, and Seamus got in one and sat across from Amber, Lena, and Jack, who they caught up to on the platform, and Ginny spent most of the ride telling them about Slughorn's "Slug Club".

The carriage rattled to a stop and they stepped out into the breezy night air, with the familiar stone steps leading up to the castle before them. Ginny and Dean promptly got in line, which was growing quickly and seemed to be moving much slower than usual. In fact, it felt like they had made very little progress after five minutes.

"What's taking so long?" she said to Dean. "It's cold."

"Dunno," said Dean, putting his arm around her and pulling her close in an attempt to warm her up.

The grumbling amongst the students picked up as the line continued moving slowly. When they at last reached the top step, Dean, who was much taller than her, stood on his tiptoes to see what was causing the holdup.

"Looks like Filch," he said.

Sure enough, after the line had dwindled and they had made it into the Entrance Hall, Ginny could see Filch poking people with some sort of stick.

"What's he doing?" said Dean.

"Probably searching people? Some new security measure I guess."

"Ugh…"

When it was their turn, Filch immediately began prodding Dean everywhere he could reach, making no effort to be gentle.

"Ouch! Hey!"

When he was through, Dean headed towards the Great Hall, massaging his rib cage.

"Now your turn, missy," hissed Filch.

Ginny stepped forward nervously. He first jabbed his Secrecy Sensor in her bag, then began prodding her everywhere just as he did with Dean, including her hair. Ginny tried the best she could to straighten it when he had finished. She would have loved nothing more than to Bat-Bogey Filch into next week, but resisted the urge.

She followed Dean through the doors to the Great Hall and over to the Gryffindor Table, which was furthest from the doors.

"Can't believe Dumbledore put that old bleeder in charge of security!" Ginny could hear Ron fuming to Hermione, once they were out of earshot to Filch. "He can't even do magic!"

They found spots near the middle of the table and Ginny sat near them, with Dean sitting between her and Seamus. A gale of laughter rang out from the double doors and turning around, Ginny saw Malfoy and his cronies walking in looking very pleased about something. He glanced in their direction and gave them a very smug look before taking his seat at the Slytherin table. Lavender and Parvati walked past, bursting into giggles as they did so.

'Hey Ginny," said Parvati over Lavender's giggles. "Good summer?"

"Yeah, pretty good. Played lots of Quidditch. You?"

"Great! I visited family in India, it was nice getting away from everything going on…"

Lavender for some reason kept glancing over toward Ron and Hermione as Parvati gave Ginny details about her summer.

"Well, see you Ginny," said Parvati, and her and Lavender kept walking, renewing their fits of giggles, though more subdued this time.

Once everyone else had sat down, the double doors to the Great Hall opened again and the first-years filed in, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool in one hand and the Sorting Hat in the other. They formed a line in front of the staff table as McGonagall placed the hat on the stool. They all looked somewhere between nervous and terrified.

"Hard to believe we ever were that tiny, isn't it?" Dean muttered, amused.

Ginny smiled half-heartedly in response. She tried to think about her first-year experience as little as possible.

"Where is Harry?" said Ron in a hushed voice.

"I don't know," said Hermione anxiously. "But I hope Tonks finds him, or he's going to miss the feast. Oh look!"

There was a distraction in the form of a Patronus, which had entered through the wall like a ghost and took the form of something large and furry. There were some oos and aahs from some of the younger students, and some of the first years squealed in fright. It stopped at the staff table and appeared to say something to Professor Snape, who promptly got up and headed out to the entrance hall.

"What was that about?" Ginny heard Ron say.

"Maybe they found Harry?" said Hermione.

Just then, the double doors opened once more and Ginny turned, expecting to see Harry, but instead she saw the gigantic figure of Hagrid, who she only realized upon seeing him was not at the staff table with the rest of the teachers.

"Sorry I'm late," he said loudly, walking past their table. He beamed at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, but the smile faded when he saw who was missing.

"Where's Harry?" he said quietly, leaning over towards them. Ginny saw a few leaves and small twigs in his beard as though he had been in the forest.

"No idea," said Ron.

"Hmm," said Hagrid with concern. "Well, I'm sure he's alrigh'," he added. "Dumbledore wouldn' let anythin' happ'n to him."

He continued down the table toward the first years. Professor McGonagall gave him a reproving look as he trudged awkwardly up to the staff table. One first-year fell backward in his hasten to make room for Hagrid to pass through. The crowd became quiet in anticipation.

The Sorting hat gave its usual speech about unity in the face of danger. Some five minutes later the Sorting began. Ginny silently reminisced about her own Sorting and how terrified she was that she wouldn't be in Gryffindor.

"Why can't the Sorting be done after the feast?" Ginny heard Ron mutter irritably.

McGonagall went through the names alphabetically, as usual, and slowly the line of students dwindled as they took their seats in their respective chosen Houses. McGonagall had reached the "G's", and Harry had still not showed up. The students continued to dwindle… there were five students left… three students…

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, silently asking each other the same question. Finally, "Yarbrough, Henry" was sorted into Hufflepuff and Dumbledore stood up to speak.

"As I'm sure everyone is quite famished, the things I have to say to you all can wait — let's eat!"

The food appeared in front of them. As the scent of all the delicious food reached her nostrils, Ginny suddenly realized how hungry she really was. She loaded up her plate and momentarily forgot about Harry. Ron, she saw, was already stuffing his face. For awhile all that could be heard were people chatting mixed with the tinkling of silverware.

"I look forward to this all summer," said Dean, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I can't wait to see what they have for dessert. I hope there's loads of treacle tart!"

"Blimey," said Ron loudly. "What've you done to your face?"

Ginny looked towards him and gasped. Harry had finally arrived and was sitting between Ron and Hermione, and there was blood all over his face below the nose.

"Why, what's wrong with it?" said Harry, grabbing a spoon and squinting at his distorted reflection.

"You're covered in blood!" said Hermione. "Come here —"

She raised her wand, said, "Tergeo!" and siphoned off the dried blood.

"Thanks," said Harry, feeling his now clean face. "How's my nose looking?"

"Normal," said Hermione anxiously. "Why shouldn't it? Harry, what happened, we've been terrified!"

"I'll tell you later," said Harry curtly. He was clearly conscious of everyone staring at him. Ginny quickly went back to her food, but was still listening intently.

"But —" Hermione began.

"Not now, Hermione," said Harry, and she protested no further.

Disappointed, Ginny finished her meal, but she perked up when dessert arrived and helped herself to a large portion of chocolate pudding and pumpkin pie. When she finished, she gave a big yawn.

"Tired already?" Dean teased.

"I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Fair. Say, er... what do you think about me trying out for a Chaser position this year? You know, since there's two open spots. It would be great to be on the team together!"

It looked like Dean had been screwing up his courage to ask this for a while and was afraid Ginny would take it the wrong way. She felt taken aback slightly. She had to admit, she would be very put out if Dean caused her to lose a spot on the team, but she liked the idea of him making the team as the third Chaser as well.

"Oh — yeah, you should do it, Dean! That'd be great! I didn't know you could play."

It was true. Ginny knew Dean liked sports, but didn't know he actually wanted to play Quidditch. Dean looked relieved.

"Well, I'm not great — not as good as you, anyway — but I did some practicing last year in my free time, as I can't practice at home, being Muggle-born, but I think I have a shot."

"I'm gonna Bat-Bogey you so hard if you make the team over me," Ginny teased. Dean laughed nervously but their conversation ended as Dumbledore stood up and the crowd became quiet.

"The very best of evenings to you!" he said, smiling broadly, his arms opened wide as though to embrace the whole room. Ginny noticed his right hand was blackened and shriveled as though it had been burnt to a crisp. Other students noticed as well as a murmur went around the hall. Dumbledore merely smiled and shook his purple and gold sleeve over his injury.

"Nothing to worry about," he said airily. "Now… to our new students, welcome; to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you. There are a few items I wish to go over before I send you off to your dormitories…"

"Surely he could've cured that himself?" said Ginny in an undertone.

"Yeah, you wouldn't think there'd be a curse he couldn't cure, since he's Dumbledore and all," said Dean.

"…naturally, the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden," Dumbledore was saying, "and Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."

"Like that'll stop me," said Ginny under her breath.

"Those wishing to play for their house Quidditch teams," Dumbledore continued, "should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise.

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn," Slughorn stood up, his bald head gleaming in the candlelight, his big waistcoated belly casting the table below into shadow, "is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."

"Potions?"

"Potions?"

The word echoed all over the Hall as people wondered whether they had heard right.

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," said Dumbledore, raising his voice so that it carried over all the muttering, "will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No!" came a loud voice to her left. Ginny turned and saw Harry staring at the staff table, incensed.

"But, Harry, you said that Slughorn was going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts!" said Hermione.

"I thought he was!"

"Blimey, why would Snape want that job?" said Dean. "Everyone knows its jinxed."

"Maybe he'll be gone after this year then!" said Seamus hopefully.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and the chatter died down again.

"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength."

Just like that, the Hall was now dead silent and a palpable tension filled the room.

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them — in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and each other's safety."

Dumbledore's blue eyes swept over the students before he smiled once more.

"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say goodnight. Pip pip!"

With the usual deafening scraping noise, the benches were moved back and the hundreds of students began to file out of the Great Hall towards their dormitories.

"Hang on," said Ginny, as Dean started toward the door with the other students. "Let's tell McGonagall we want to try out for Quidditch."

"Oh, right!" said Dean, and he turned around and joined Ginny as they made their way to the staff table.

"Professor," said Ginny, "we want to try out —"

"— for Quidditch? Got it. Knew you would, Miss Weasley, but you too, Thomas?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll put your names down. Good luck."

"Thanks, professor."

Ginny was extremely tired when they got back to the common room, so she kissed Dean goodnight and headed up the staircase to her dormitory. She stopped at the sixth-year dorm first and found Hermione going through her bag.

"So what happened to Harry?"

"Malfoy," said Hermione simply. "Harry followed him to his compartment to eavesdrop, using his Cloak, and it, er — didn't end so well."

"Git," said Ginny.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," said Hermione. "I'm exhausted."

"Me too," said Ginny. "Good night."

Ginny overslept and had to hurry down to breakfast the next morning. Most students were just finishing up or had already left, but she spotted Lena sitting by herself near the end of the Gryffindor table, and Ginny took a seat next to her.

"Oh, hey!" she said. "McGonagall didn't think you were coming to breakfast, so she gave me your schedule. Looks like we've got Transfiguration first, then double Potions with the Hufflepuffs."

"Thanks. I don't know about this Slughorn guy, but anyone's better than Snape I guess."

"Got that right," Lena agreed.

Ginny looked over her schedule. She had a free period after lunch, then Herbology and Ancient Runes in the afternoon. She had very little time to eat and still make it to Transfiguration on time, so she quickly downed two muffins and some pumpkin juice before setting off.

She was one of the last students to arrive on time, with Lena just scurrying through the door a few seconds before the bell rang.

"Had to say goodbye to Jack," she said, smiling broadly and taking a seat next to Ginny.

"Now then," said Professor McGonagall. "Welcome back. As I'm sure you all know, the end of your fifth-year is when your O.W.L.s take place, and therefore is considered the most challenging year of your magical education. Fortunately for you all, every professor this year is competent in what they teach — unlike last year."

For a split second, Ginny thought something of a smirk appeared on her face, but it vanished so fast she thought maybe she had imagined it.

"I will be most disappointed if anyone in my House does not pass their O.W.L. with a minimum of an 'A'. I expect everyone in this class to put forth the effort and practice that is required. How you do on these examinations will impact you for the rest of your life, so it cannot be understated just how important it is that everyone takes their classes seriously and not skive off. Does everyone have their books?"

There was a general murmur of assent. Their first lesson consisted of Vanishing Spells, and Ginny found that it was quite difficult. By the end of the lesson, she had only been able to make one antenna of her snail disappear.

Next was Potions with Slughorn. She, Lena, and Amber walked together down to the dungeon where Potions lessons were held.

"Sure feels much better coming down here without having to worry about spending an hour with Snape," said Ginny happily.

"Yeah, it even feels less cold," said Lena.

"And less batty," said Amber.

"I can fix that," said Ginny, pulling out her wand and pointing it at Amber jokingly. They all laughed.

Most of the Hufflepuffs were already there when they arrived, but only a few Gryffindors. They took a seat with Loraine, a fellow fifth-year Gryffindor that Ginny rarely talked to.

"Ah, Miss Weasley!" boomed Slughorn, ignoring Lena and Amber completely. "It was a pleasure meeting you on the train!"

"You too, sir," Ginny responded politely.

Once class started, Slughorn introduced himself to the rest of the class and, like Professor McGonagall, began talking about the importance of O.W.L.s.

"…the fifth year has always been considered the most critical in magical education, so it is vital that everyone keeps up with the workload or, I'm sorry to say, you risk failing your O.W.L., which would be most unfortunate! I certainly hope that happens to nobody in my class."

They spent their first lesson attempting to brew a Draught of Peace, and Ginny felt she had at least scraped an 'A' when it was time to hand a sample to Professor Slughorn at the end of class. When they were dismissed, Ginny took extra-long putting her things away, and once everyone else had filed out, she approached Slughorn, who was tidying up his desk, collecting papers and stacking them.

"Er, Professor," said Ginny tentatively. Slughorn looked up and broke into a wide smile upon seeing who it was.

"Miss Weasley! How can I help you?"

"I was just wondering why you invited me to the Slug Club. It seemed like I was the only one there who wasn't famous or had a famous relative."

"Ah, well," said Slughorn importantly. "I was always adept at finding the best and brightest during my first tenure here. It is true that many of those I invited had gifted relatives who I also taught, but it's never too early to find the stars of the new generation, and it's not too often you see a student who can perform a Bat-Bogey Hex!"

Ginny smiled sheepishly.

"Er, thanks. At first I thought I was going to get a detention."

"Detention?" said Slughorn with a belly laugh. "Wouldn't dream of it! Certainly not before we even get to school! Bat-Bogey Hexes are pretty harmless, all in all. No, I can see lots of talent and promise in you already, Miss Weasley, and I'm rarely wrong about these things. Potions can be a tricky subject to master, but I have every confidence you will be one of my best fifth-years. Which reminds me, I need to get ready for my N.E.W.T. class. You better run along, I wouldn't want to make you late for your next class."

"Right," said Ginny. "Thank you, sir."

"Anytime, Miss Weasley," said Slughorn, and he disappeared into a room off to his left that looked like it was for storage. Ginny returned to grab her things from her desk, but Slughorn quickly returned, levitating a cauldron that looked like it was made of pure gold. Steam was rising from it in very aesthetically pleasing spirals as he set it on the floor near one of the tables. Ginny noticed a chocolatey smell filled the room almost instantly.

"What's that?" she said, completely forgetting about going to her next class.

"This?" Slughorn chuckled. "This is Amortentia. I will be introducing in to my N.E.W.T. students shortly."

"It smells wonderful!" said Ginny. "What is it? What's it for?"

"It is the strongest love potion in the world," said Slughorn dramatically.

"It smells like chocolate," said Ginny, taking a step closer to the cauldron and taking a deep breath. It didn't just smell like chocolate; it smelled like the finest, yummiest chocolate she could have ever dreamed of getting her hands on. A feeling of great contentment washed over her, and as the fumes filled her nose, she could also distinctly smell a woody scent. "And a broomstick," she added.

Slughorn chuckled again.

"I take it you like Quidditch?"

"Yes! I was on the House team last year and I've already put my name down for tryouts this year, too!"

"Marvelous," said Slughorn. "Most people can detect a third scent. Can you?"

Ginny inhaled the potion's intoxicating fumes again. She could indeed detect a third scent mingled with the others, one that was curiously familiar. For some reason it reminded her of an event or encounter that happened somewhat recently, but she could not retrieve the memory.

"I smell it, but I'm not sure what it is," she said truthfully.

"Ah, yes. That happens a lot. Sometimes it takes a while for these scents to click with people. Well, I must retrieve three more potions, give me one second…"

He disappeared into the storage room once again, and Ginny had a fleeting desire to nick some of the Amortentia and stick it in her bag, but before she had a chance to even retrieve a flask, Slughorn reappeared with another bubbling cauldron, this time black. If it was emitting an odor, it was easily drowned out by the scent of the Amortentia, which Ginny was still fixated on.

"Any guesses what this one is?" said Slughorn cheerfully.

"It just looks like water," said Ginny.

"It does indeed! Here's a hint: it is one of the most heavily regulated potions by the Ministry and is forbidden to use on students."

Ginny considered the hint for a moment, then thought she had the answer.

"Truth serum?"

"Yes indeed! Veritaserum, in fact. None of your secrets are safe if you are tricked into drinking this one."

The very thought gave Ginny horrible anxiety.

"That one should be illegal," said Ginny forcefully.

"Not to worry!" said Slughorn genially. "As I said, it is illegal to use on students. Allow me to show you one more."

He retreated to the storage room once again, and Ginny turned back to the Amortentia unconsciously and took another deep breath. It was the most pleasing thing she had ever smelled in her life. It filled her with a warmth that seemed to spread to her fingers and toes and she began to feel a bit lightheaded.

"Careful, now," said Slughorn warningly. Ginny had not noticed him returning. He dropped a lid on the potion, extinguishing the scent immediately. She felt she had just snapped out of a trance. "Amortentia can drive you mad if you smell it for too long. Now, can you tell me what this is?"

He indicated a small cauldron now sitting on his desk filled with a golden liquid. The contents were splashing around merrily, like fish.

"I have no idea," said Ginny, who had never seen or read about a potion that looked like this.

"Yes, not too many people know about this one," said Slughorn. "It is Felix Felicis. Also known as liquid luck. One spoonful of this, and you'll be the luckiest person alive for the rest of the day."

Her mind went wild. This was it! All she needed was luck! A huge stroke of luck that would cause Harry to realize that he was, in fact, madly in love with his best friend's sister, and Ron being totally fine with it.

"I need some of that," she blurted out. Slughorn gave his usual belly-laugh.

"Don't we all! I'm afraid I am reserving a bottle of this as a prize for my N.E.W.T. students. Perhaps you will be the lucky girl next year and win it."

"But sir — please —"

"I'm sorry, Miss Weasley, but I can't be seen as playing favorites, especially when I've already let you in to the Slug Club. Maybe next year — you certainly have the talent to win it. You better run along now, or you'll definitely be late to your next class. Until next time!"

There was too much truth to that to ignore. She thought she would be able to charm Slughorn and get him to relent, but he proved much more resistant than she anticipated.

"Goodbye, sir."