Disclaimer – I own absolutely nothing. Really now, if I owned all of this, would I be writing fanfiction? This all belongs to the brilliant J.K. Rowling.
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Part I: I'm Not A Child Anymore
"Ginny! You better wake up and get down here, Harry and Hermione will be arriving in a few minutes!"
Virginia groaned as she heard her mother's attempt to make her wake up. She glanced at her muggle alarm clock, which did not go off today. 9:30 AM it read, an hour later than what she would've normally woken up at. Virginia stifled a yawn before getting off her bed and headed to the bathroom to proceed to her normal morning ritual. She took a quick shower and then brushed her teeth. Today she had picked out an emerald green long sleeved shirt that was light enough to be worn in summer with comfortable jeans. She pulled her auburn hair into a tight ponytail with a few ringlets framing her face. With one last look in the mirror she proceeded down the stairs to greet Hermione and Harry.
She advanced to the kitchen to grab a bit of breakfast, she was greeted with a peck on the cheek from her mother and father and a hoarse good morning from Ron. Virginia went to sit down at her seat, but not before surveying the table. The table was set to seat 12 people, but with only 4 people it looked empty. Fred and George had decided to pursue their lifelong dream and created Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, which was stationed in Hogsmeade. The both of them now lived in a flat not far from their shop. Both were single but seemed to be married to each other instead. Percy had taken over Barty Crouch's job after the fatal incident in her third year with the Triwizard Tournament. He too had his own flat near the Ministry. Bill was still in Egypt, he wrote that he was dating a Veela named Fler or Floo or something of the sort, all Virginia knew was that Bill's girlfriend was the School Champion from Beauxbatons at the Triwizard Tournament. Charlie was still in Romania doing who knows what with dragons. He wrote in his letters that he was dating but he still didn't have anyone special enough to bring home.
Her glance now turned to Ron, who was wolfing down his bacon and eggs no doubt happy that Harry and Hermione were coming over. Her thoughts went back to the first month of summer vacation. That was when Ron actually acted like a big brother, talking, joking, and playing with her. Virginia sighed. She knew that would all end after Hermione and Harry would arrive, Ron would go back to being the insufferable git he had been all through last year.
"Ginny? Ginny are you there?"
Virginia shook herself, "What? Did you say something?"
Arthur eyed his daughter, "Yes actually, I said that Bill will be coming tomorrow, and will be staying with us until your school term starts, he's also bringing his girlfriend Fleur as well."
Virginia's eyes widened in excitement, "Really dad? Ooh that's great! I can't wait for him to come!" Obviously, Bill was Virginia's favourite brother. They shared a special bond that could've only formed between the youngest and oldest child. Bill treated Virginia as if she was a grown woman instead of an 11 year old child that most of her brothers treated her as.
Breakfast continued on silently with small conversations about the up rise of Voldemort. Apparently, the Dark Lord was gaining power each day and Death Eater attacks were becoming more common. Due to the fact of this, this year Defense Against the Dark Arts and Divination classes were increased to 2 hours instead of one. This meant that one class had to be cancelled for the year; sadly it was Care of Magical Creatures. Dumbledore had decided to cancel the class because of lack of student participation. It was obvious why Dumbledore wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts' time increased, but many wondered why Divination? And not Potions or Transfiguration? Dumbledore simply replied that they needed to find Seers to find out future attacks of Voldemort or Death Eaters. Virginia wasn't exactly ecstatic about these arrangements; she really did hate Divination and the old bag Trelawney, pathetic excuse of a Seer if you asked her.
Suddenly, a sound came from the living room. Ron hastily dropped his napkin on the table and said, "That must be Harry and 'Mione." He then left and walked at an anticipated pace to the living room. Molly and Arthur followed behind with an equal pace as Ron. Ginny groaned and proceeded to follow her family, but with a much slower pace.
Harry and Hermione arrived by Floo Powder and sure enough there they were. They were covered with black soot; they eagerly tried to wipe it off. Molly eagerly went over to them and took them both in a huge embrace; she fawned over them as if they were her own children. Virginia heard her mother say how thin Harry looked and the muggles must've been starving him again. She also heard her mother say to Hermione how grown up and pretty she looked now. Hermione's face flushed.
Ron went over to Harry and looked like he was about to embrace Harry but shook his hand instead. Virginia rolled her eyes at Ron, he and his manly tactics.
Ron then went over to Hermione and took her in one hell of a hug if you asked her. When Ron let go, his face was about the same shade as his hair. Virginia snorted at Ron, ever since the Yule Ball in their fourth year Ron had begun to have feelings towards Hermione. Now they were in their seventh and final year at Hogwarts Ron still hadn't even told her yet.
Virginia was pulled out of her thoughts when her mother had called out to her to come over and greet Harry and Hermione. Virginia sighed and reluctantly walked over to give both Harry and Hermione a hug and a brief hello, before she excused herself to go upstairs and prepare Hermione's bed. Virginia didn't miss the dazed look on Harry's face as he stared at her.
Wow, she's definitely changed through the summer, Harry told himself mentally as he watched Ginny's retreating back.
After Virginia was out of ear shot, Ron quietly said to Harry and Hermione, "That was weird, Ginny didn't even blush or stutter when she talked to you Harry." Hermione made a face at Ron and point blank said that Ginny was not a child anymore and her crush on Harry was diminishing. Harry held back a disappointing look instead he just shrugged, pretending he didn't care as usual.
Virginia took the stairs two at a time and rushed into her room and closed the door softly. Her room was no longer the awful pale pink it had been for the last 15 years of her life but now a soft shade of lavender. The childhood toys she had grown up were now no longer in her room, but now upstairs in the attic, she still had a few exceptions though like her favourite stuffed dragon she had grown up with. Hermione's cot was right beside her bed; it had a Chudley Canon pillowcase with a light blue comforter. Virginia made her way to her bed and sat on her white comforter giving a loud sigh.
Oh so now he notices me, it only took him about 6 years, Virginia thought to herself, I hope he doesn't think I'm going to fall to my knees and worship him now that he's noticed me, if he does, he has no idea."
Unexpectedly, someone knocked on Virginia's door.
"Ginny, can I come in? I have to put my stuff in your room," came Hermione's voice.
Virginia got up and opened the door to see a disheveled and flushed Hermione, probably from the hugs her mother and Ron gave her, "Hi Hermione, sure you can just put your trunk anywhere."
"Thanks Gin," Virginia flinched as Hermione called her "Gin", but made sure she didn't see it.
After Hermione got things settled in, she sat down on her cot and gestured Virginia to sit in front of her. Virginia did what she was told.
"So Ginny, what's with the new attitude?" Asked Hermione curiously.
"What do you mean? My attitude hasn't changed a bit,"
"Ginny, I meant your attitude towards Harry. I mean, last year if Harry gave you that dazed look you would've been blushing furiously but this year…"
"Hermione, I am not a child anymore! I am over O-V-E-R over Harry Potter! I wish everyone could treat me like a god damn grown woman for once instead of an 11 year old!" Virginia cried out angrily, she then made her way towards the door, but Hermione caught her wrist and pulled her down onto the cot to sit beside her. Virginia reluctantly stayed.
"Ginny, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It's true you're no longer a child anymore, you're practically all grown up now," Hermione softly told her, she stroked Virginia's hair in a motherly gesture, and looked down at her, "Well you definitely look all grown up."
Virginia rolled her eyes. It was true, the last few years had been good to her, even if Virginia never believed it. Her hair was not the bright orange her brothers all had but a nice deep auburn colour. Her hair was not straight, it was naturally wavy, and was very long; it came about halfway down her back. Her mother had always asked to cut it for her, but Virginia always said no because it was one of her few good features, and after that her mother would always murmur that she was becoming worse than Bill. She had a sprinkle of freckles across her nose, but they weren't that visible, unless you studied her for an amount of time. She had developed curves in all the right places. Her chest was not huge but not too small, they were about the perfect size for her petite 5'3'' form.
But, Virginia didn't see these things. She saw a girl with bright red hair, too many freckles, an undeveloped body and way too short for her liking. She was always too hard on herself, if only she knew that there were a few boys at Hogwarts always giving her the same dazed looks Harry had given her.
"Thanks 'Mione, I'm sorry that I freaked out on you, I overreacted," Virginia said kindly.
Hermione gave Virginia a small smile, "Its okay Gin, so any plans on how you're going to let Harry down gently?"
Virginia grinned at Hermione, "No not really, haven't given it any thought yet, but have you given any thought about Ron yet?"
Hermione blushed. "Well…actually I have to go and get…ah I have to go help your mother with something," Hermione said quickly. Before Virginia could utter another word, Hermione was gone.
Virginia laughed softly. It was so obvious that Ron and Hermione were meant for each other. After Hermione had broken up with Viktor Krum at the beginning of term last year, Ron had begun to give her hugs and pecks on the cheeks more times than enough times. Not that Hermione was complaining of course.
Virginia straightened the comforter on Hermione's cot that had a few creases on them after they sat on it, and then made her way downstairs where she found Hermione and Harry eating breakfast.
"Here Harry, have some more French toast, I swear you're becoming more like a stick each year," Molly hastily shoved more French toast onto Harry's plate.
Virginia smirked at what her mother said. Harry Potter was anything but a stick. He had gotten a more muscular build due to the fact of him training for Quidditch the last few years, and his shoulders had gotten broader. He went through a major growth spurt last year and was now at least 5'10". His hair was a dark chestnut colour which was always untidy (he never did like gel), and under the bangs of his hair was the oh so famous lightening scar that Voldemort had left on him. He had gotten rid of the black-rimmed glasses now replaced with modern silver rimmed ones that went well with his emerald green eyes.
Ron and Hermione sat beside each other. Ron stared lovingly at Hermione, while Hermione looked flushed and awkward. She soon became very interested at the piece of bacon that was on her plate.
Virginia made her way to sit beside Harry and across from Ron and Hermione. She listened attentively to her father as he talked about the newest muggle artifact he was studying; the cell phone. Virginia was listening to the point where Arthur was wondering how a phone could be used without a wire when Harry tapped her on the shoulder.
Virginia turned to face him, "Yes, Harry?"
"Ginny, I was just wondering, well…could I have a word with you after breakfast outside?" Harry asked hopefully.
Virginia looked at him strangely, he almost sounded desperate, "Oh sure, of course."
Harry gave Virginia a huge smile and continued eating his breakfast.
Virginia turned her attention back to her father's speech about the cell phone, but her thoughts wandered off to what Harry was going to ask her.
(A/N – Hmmm…should I leave it here? No I'm not that evil…hehe)
After Harry and Hermione had finished with breakfast, Ron and Hermione went upstairs to do a bit of last minute homework (A/N – Sure they are *wink wink*). Arthur then had to go to his job at the Ministry of Magic. Molly then said that she was going to check up on the twins and see that they weren't up to any trouble.
When everyone had left the living room, except for Harry and Virginia, Harry motioned for them to go out to the backyard. Virginia nodded and made her way to the backyard. They sat beside each other on the stone bench with an awkward silence at first before Harry broke it.
"Ginny, I don't know what was wrong with me for the past 5 years, I swear I must've been blind or something," Harry took a chance to glance at Ginny, she had a look of surprise, but Harry continued, "I think I'm seeing you in a new light."
Virginia raised her eyebrows and started, "Harry, I…"
But she didn't get very far because Harry held up his hand and said, "No, let me finish. I just want to say, I'm sorry that I ignored you for practically 5 years, and…well, are you willing to give us a chance?" Harry emphasized on the word us.
Virginia simply stared at him, speechless. What? Does he really think, I still have a crush on him? Ginny's mind screamed at her. She looked into Harry's bright green eyes filled with hope and what was that other emotion in his eyes…lust?
Virginia hesitated. "Harry, I'm sorry but…I don't have any romantic feelings towards you anymore, I practically love you like a brother now," Virginia told him quietly, "I'm really sorry Harry." She looked at Harry, his green eyes were no longer bright but dull, and filled with no longer hope but hurt.
Silence fell down between them before Harry spoke, "I…but…I'm Harry Potter! The boy that you've been madly in love with for the past 5 years! What happened to that sweet little girl then Ginny??"
Virginia stood up and glared daggers at Harry. "I am no longer in love with you Harry Potter, no wait...I never was in love with you! I was infatuated with you but never in love with you! Just because you're Harry Potter, doesn't mean that I'll fall to your feet and confess undying love for you!" Virginia then looked down at him, he looked taken back, but she continued anyways, "I am not an 11 year old Harry! I'm not a child anymore!"
Virginia stomped back inside of the house, flushed and angry. She left an utterly shocked Harry Potter outside. Who knew little Ginny Weasley had claws?
A/N – Ooh Harry is so egotistical. I got the idea of making him have a huge ego when I was talking to my friend Mary that all of the guys at our school just thought too highly of themselves, heh. Oh don't worry, Draco will come into the story next chapter. So now you're thinking that this chapter doesn't relate to the prologue whatsoever? Oh how wrong you can be my friend, it applies to later chapters, don't want to reveal anything too soon. REVIEW PLEASE! Oh I'll decide on my beta reader very soon, sorry this chapter isn't beta read yet.