September 1, 1995, The Hogwarts Express
This will be my last entry. Perhaps I will start another journal later on in the school year, or maybe even next summer, but for now, this is it. I assure you, I have plenty to tell you today. I'll start from the beginning, all right?
I was awakened early (again!) by Mum having a loud screaming match with Mundungus Fletcher. It seems he was trying to sneak in more of those stolen cauldrons I was telling you about earlier this summer. Hermione was already up, so I talked to her for a few minutes before lugging my school trunk into the hallway.
Well, I was trying to get down to the living room, where Moody was telling me to put my trunk, but I didn't get there by walking. Before I even left the hallway…BAM! Two heavily loaded trunks slammed directly into me, and I saw a glimpse of two tall figures with bright red hair before tumbling down two flights of stairs. I had no idea what was going on, and I must admit, I was pretty scared for a second or two.
Turns out that Fred and George had bewitched their school trunks to fly downstairs into the living room so they wouldn't have to make the trip, but the trunks hit me instead. As soon as I landed, Mum came running, and I don't think I've seen her yell at Fred and George like that in a long time.
Mum patched me up within a few seconds, but her shouting at gotten Mrs. Black all riled up, so she, in turn, started screeching at the Order members who had gathered to escort us to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Actually, I believe they were only there because Harry was with us, but that's an entirely different story.
Moody was complaining about a man called Sturgis Podmore being late for guard duty again, and that he'll be reported to Dumbledore. I didn't see Broderick Bode, and I didn't see Tonks at first, but Mum told me that she would be meeting us later on.
Mum told Sirius that he wasn't allowed to come. I'm assuming that Dumbledore told him that even going out in his dog form is dangerous. But Sirius wouldn't listen, and in the end, Mum let him go, but only after telling him that if he got caught, it would be on his own head.
Harry left the house with Mum, Ron and Hermione went with Dad, and then Professor Lupin took Fred, George, and I. Once we got through to the platform, we all took our luggage and said our farewells. Tonks hugged me goodbye and promised me that she would keep in touch. Mum ushered all of us on the train, and we started our journey to Hogwarts.
Ron and Hermione announced that they had to go to the prefect carriage to receive their instructions from the Head Boy and Girl, and that left Harry and me. Alone.
I was just about to go off to see which compartment Michael was in, but I felt a surge of pity for Harry. I don't know what came over me, but I suggested that the both of us go find seats. Together. He must have been so surprised, because I don't usually spend a lot of time with him.
Yeah, I knew that I should have gone in search of Michael, but Harry looked so…upset…that he might have to travel on the train alone. So forgive me for my kind deed.
We walked along each compartment, and I couldn't help but notice that everyone was staring at Harry as we passed. No doubt it was because of what the Daily Prophet's been saying about him. Anyway, we ended up sharing a compartment with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw in my year.
Let's just say that Luna is very…different. She recognized Harry, of course, the instant that he sat down across from her, but other than that, she kept to herself. She was reading that rubbish magazine, the Quibbler. Turns out that her father's the editor. No surprise there.
Neville brought out some sort of gray cactus that he got for his birthday over the summer. I don't remember the name, but it started with an m, and when Neville poked the cactus, loads of smelly, green Stinksap sprayed all over the compartment. I managed to throw my arms in front of my face in time, so the sap only got in my hair, and Luna had her magazine to protect her, but Harry and Neville were soaked in it. The entire compartment smelled like dung, and guess who should walk in at this precise moment?
That Ravenclaw girl, Cho Chang. Yeah. The one that Harry practically adores, according to Hermione.
Harry had to wipe some sap off of his glasses in order to see who was speaking to him. He turned bright red as soon as he realized that it was Cho. After she left, he looked like he regretted ever taking a compartment with Neville, Luna, and I, which I thought was rather rude. It's not our fault that the cactus has defense mechanisms that involve spraying Stinksap on the attackers!
Anyway, I cleaned up the mess in the end, and within seconds, the compartment was back to its usual sparkling state. Harry was quite for the rest of the hour, during which we ate Pumpkin Pasties and swapped Chocolate Frog cards. Luna continued reading her magazine, so she didn't pay too much attention to us.
We're still riding along to Hogwarts. It's rather difficult trying to write on a moving train, but I'm faring just fine. Ron and Hermione have just joined us, and they're relating stories about the prefect carriage. It seems that Draco Malfoy's made Slytherin prefect, along with that cow, Pansy Parkinson. Harry didn't seem too happy about that.
I can hardly believe that summer is finally over. I mean, I've been wishing to get out of 12 Grimmauld Place for ages, but right now, it seems that I'm going to miss Kreacher, and strangely, Mrs. Black's yelling portrait waking me up every morning. It sounds very odd, I know, but it's true, all at the same time.
I've just realized that I'm about to embark upon my fourth year at Hogwarts. I'll get to see Michael and all of my other friends, and I'll learn new things, and I'll see what the war decides to bring the wizarding world. I've experienced so much this summer, and I just hope that the school year is just as exciting as the holidays were.
I think that's a lovely note to end on, don't you think? It's all about new beginnings.
I shall write again, eventually, my dear Journal, but for now, I guess this is good-bye.
-Ginny
Ginny Weasley quietly closed the cover of her journal and ran her fingers over the leather cover. No one seemed to be taking notice of her, so she took advantage of the lull in the conversation to stealthily slip the little book behind her. She felt a slight sense of sorrow at the thought that she wouldn't be writing in it for a long time.
She looked up from her hands just in time to see Ron do a rather funny impression of Gregory Goyle, one of Draco Malfoy's goons. Everyone laughed, and even though Luna was laughing the hardest, it was Harry's laughter that reached Ginny's ears. She was puzzled for a moment…why on Earth would Harry's laughter seem to ring out above all the rest.
As Ginny sank back against her seat, she closed her eyes and relaxed against the soft material. For the first time in a long while, she felt at peace with the world. But she couldn't help but wonder…did Harry hear her voice just as strongly as she heard his?
Oh my god. It's over. I can't believe it. My eyes are tearing up as I type this. I swear, as soon as I'm done writing this author's note, I'm going to go get a huge tub of ice cream and cry.
First of all, I would like to thank every last person who reviewed my story. You have no idea how much this means to me. And guess what? My father finally got a job this morning, after months of waiting. I couldn't be happier than I am right now, and it's because I've had so many reviews to keep my going.
So here we go. Cheers to:
Jazipan, Machiavelli, Jr., Ronniekinzluvr, Kat, prongsgurl202113, Little Writer Girl, Alex202, someone, Bel-Halliwell, wannabeweasley, Crazy Girl Sarah, monketprobs, teddy673, uasoccerbear08, Harry's Kat, Morei Sky, harryz babi, Darache, steele-2006-294, fatalgambler, AureliaSea13, kittyatza, lela grrl, Lyra Sakura, sandshark, maraudersprincess, Yasona Black, Gonzo the English Maestro, Indis the name harrys the game, AHRTCCKD, da idiot, mingingbent, scarsoflife, FrogsofChocolate, Bri McPoopers, Freja Lerke-Falkenborg, Slytherin Girl Gryffindor Girl, kiddykidkid, TitanTammy32, swoosh, erin, hillela, Siriusly Pranked, biya, IamSiriusgrl, dreamweaves, Dream Phantom, Emma, BabeBunny, RavenclawStudent2006, Alastar Dunkirk, twilliams1797, Rogue200315, tree stump, Billycan, Faerex, Padfoot Gal, MarliS, Draco'sBrokenAngel, metalmarc, heiel3, torn between, girlforeverlost, ravenclawgenius, and Islander2.
Wow. That's a lot of reviewers! Everyone who's reviewed gets three cookies!
So this is it. I've reached the end. I hope that everyone enjoyed this story! Lots of love to everyone reading this.
Black Ice, my next story project, will be up within a few hours, so check for that soon.
So, goodbye, my fantastic Hear My Voice readers. I had so much fun writing this, and I hope you had just as much fun reading this.
Love forever,
Roxy Black