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Author: Grandma Kate Story: Ginny's Second Year at Hogwarts Rating: Everyone Setting: Pre-OotP Status: Completed Reviews: 7 Words: 30,095
The Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended. Arthur and Molly settled back into their routine. They still rose before it was light so that Arthur could get into the Ministry early but found themselves headed up to bed earlier during the dark cold winter months. Molly continued her fitness exercises although the weather kept her inside for weeks at a time so she didn't have a chance to walk as much. Exercises to get back in shape for dueling took about an hour a day. She stretched all of her muscles, usually while she was listening to Days of Destiny. The fast music that introduced Bedside at St Brigid's became her signal to start to practice parrying and thrusting. The time flew by as she listened to the problems that the epidemic of Dragon Pox made for the Pediatric Ward. Declan and Siobhan were on their rotation with Healer O'Malley and Molly leapt in the air and spun around when they began discussing whether they each wanted to have children. 'I knew that they'd fall in love as soon as they learned they were not brother and sister!' she said, jumping halfway across the kitchen and pointing her wand at the sink. ***** Hedwig brought a letter from Ron the end of the first week of February. Molly opened it with trepidation. Dear Mum and Dad, I have horrible news. Crookshanks finally ate Scabbers. There's nothing left of him but some blood on my sheet. Hermione refused to keep her vicious giant cat away from my poor defenseless old rat. She kept saying that it was in a cat's nature to chase rats but I didn't think she'd let him EAT poor defenseless Scabbers. And she is not even sorry. I don't consider her my friend any more. Now I don't have a pet at all. But Harry got his new Firebolt back when the professors couldn't find anything wrong with it. So we're going to clip the wings of Ravenclaw! Love, Ron 'Oh dear,' murmured Molly. 'Percy's old rat lived for a very long time. I wonder if Hermione's cat actually did eat him?' Arthur read Ron's letter when he came in from his shed. He also commented on how long Scabbers had been a pet in their family. 'I wonder if he was charmed to have an especially long life? This business may be quite a strain on the friendship between Ron and Hermione.' 'I hope they can still be friends,' said Molly on Saturday night as she started dressing for their evening out to celebrate Arthur's birthday. Dinner and dancing at Diagon Alley was far less fattening than another birthday cake besides the one Molly was making for Arthur to take into work on Monday. ***** Arthur's actual birthday was on Sunday. A very large owl arrived with a present from Kate and Nic. It was a Muggle drill with an extra battery. The card said that he could bring it by Nic's workshop to re-charge it any time. The older Weasley boys also had sent Muggle presents. Bill's was a compass with a note telling his father that it worked just like the Four Point Spell. Arthur again commented on how clever the Muggles were at getting along without magic. Charlie sent some oven gloves that Muggles use for holding hot things. He said that the Muggles called them 'mitts' and that they were not as good as dragon hide gloves but pretty good for Muggle made. Arthur wondered if they used them to catch balls, too. A bit later, Hermes arrived with a birthday card signed by all five Weasleys at Hogwarts. He took an owl treat and a drink of Errol's water and then flew off to return to Hogwarts. In addition to the card, Percy included his usual weekly letter reporting that he was busy and that he didn't think the twins were spending enough time on their studies and too much time on Quidditch. He did admit that both Ron and Ginny seemed to be doing their homework. Therefore, it was a surprise when Hermes tapped at the window the very next morning while Molly and Arthur were eating breakfast. Molly gave him a bit of her bacon and opened the letter. 'Let's see what… Arthur, listen to this!' said Molly in great excitement. Dear Mum and Dad, I hasten to inform you Ron is not injured although he had quite a scare when Sirius Black slashed the curtains of his four-poster. He screamed unusually loudly when he saw Black standing by his bed with a knife in his hands. Professor McGonagall heard him and came to our common room, intending to reprimand me for allowing the victory party to go on too long. I politely, but firmly, informed her that I had ordered everyone to bed even though they wanted to continue to celebrate winning the match with Ravenclaw. Apparently, Sirius Black was allowed access to the Gryffindor common room by our substitute portrait guard. The Fat Lady was still under repair from the vicious slash he gave her when she denied him entry earlier. Sir Cadogan said that Black had a list of each of the passwords for the week. It turns out that Neville Longbottom, in Ron's year, had written them all out so he wouldn't forget them and then had lost the list! Every Gryffindor stood watch in our common room for the rest of the night. Security was tightened for the whole castle. The Fat Lady has returned to duty with several security trolls guarding her. Fortunately, there has been no sign of Sirius Black since he attacked Ron. Ron, however, has become quite the celebrity. He seems to be constantly telling someone about his harrowing experience. In contrast, Neville is in disgrace and must wait outside in the hall until someone takes pity on him and lets him in. As the situation develops, rest assured I shall endeavor to inform you promptly. Sincerely, Percy 'My guess is that we will hear some other versions of Ron's narrow escape,' said Arthur, as he entered the fireplace to go to the Ministry carrying the birthday cake to share with his coworkers. A school owl arrived with a letter the next day. Molly recognized Fred's writing. Dear Mum and Dad, We know that Percy wrote to you about Ron. OUR YOUNGEST BROTHER IS MAKING THE MOST OF HIS CHANCE TO BE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION. When he saw Sirius Black with the knife, Ron was really scared. HE YELLED SO LOUD THAT EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE TOWER HEARD HIM. And McGonagall came back after she'd already broken up the victory party. HARRY CAUGHT THE SNITCH EVEN THOUGH THAT SCUM MALFOY AND HIS GOONS TRIED TO SCARE HIM. We have a good chance to win the Quidditch Cup. HARRY'S FIREBOLT IS AWESOME! Harry really likes the present we gave him. HE'LL GET TO USE IT AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. Neville got a Howler from his Gran. BUT YOU YELL LOTS LOUDER ON THE ONES YOU SEND US. Love, Fred and GEORGE 'Oh my,' muttered Molly. 'So they think I'm louder than Augusta Longbottom, do they?' ***** Molly and Arthur were sitting at the kitchen table late on Sunday morning when Hedwig arrived with short letters from both Ron and Ginny. Dear Mum and Dad, I know that my brothers told you about my close call. I was surprised to see Sirius Black standing next to my bed with a big knife but I don't think it was me he was after. I think I scared him off before he could hurt Harry. We went to Hogsmeade today. Too bad Harry still can't go. Hermione got a letter from Hagrid that says that the Ministry has decided that Buckbeak is dangerous and must be executed. We tried to find a way to save him. We've had too much excitement here. We'd all feel better if we had some home made treats to take our minds off things. Love, Ron 'Ron sounds like he thinks that anything can be cured if he has enough biscuits,' said Arthur with a smile. 'Let's see what Ginny has to say about all of the excitement.' Dear Mum and Dad, This is kind of a strange year. I don't like being around the Dementors and I'm scared that Sirius Black will get in to Gryffindor Tower again. I'm worried that this time he'll stab Harry but I don't know why he wants to hurt him. I guess all the trolls will scare him off but I don't like the trolls either. I am doing well in my classes and getting my homework done. I like Professor Lupin a lot better than the professor who taught Defense Against the Dark Arts last year. Professor Lupin is helping Harry learn how to not feel so hopeless when the Dementors come and how to scare them off. Maybe he can help me after he learns what to do. I don't faint like he does but I get very scared and shake all over. I'm doing well in all of my classes. It makes me sad that Hagrid's hippogriff Buckbeak might get his head cut off. It was all Malfoy's fault and he wasn't hurt that badly anyway. He complained to his father and now Hagrid is in trouble. I've made friends with some of the other people in my year. Colin is the boy with the camera and he's very funny. Fred and George are still letting me sit with them in the common room. I like all the girls who are the Gryffindor Chasers. Angelina and Alicia are nice to me and Katie always talks to me. I'd like to play Chaser sometime when there is an opening. I'm glad that it's not so cold. I bet you'll have blossoms and new leaves at home in another month. Have a good Valentine Day. I love you both. Love, Ginny Arthur smiled at Molly after reading Ginny's letter. 'It sounds like she knows what Quidditch position she wants to play. She'll be taking after her Mum as a Chaser.' ***** Arthur and Molly had a lovely long lie in on the next Sunday, which was the day before Valentines Day. Arthur hummed as hurried off to work the next morning at the usual time. He had arranged for a surprise for Molly that he knew she'd love. Valentine's morning, Molly started right in to work on making Arthur the Muggle dessert he had grown fond of- cheesecake with cherries on top. Then she tidied up the house, exercised as usual, and took an extra long soak in the bath. She dressed in a set of robes in a flattering shade of pink and put the special dessert in the middle of the table so that Arthur would see it as soon as he stepped into the kitchen. As he came through the floo, Arthur held out a pot full of bright red tulips in full bloom. 'For the prettiest Molly in the world,' he said as he bent to kiss her. 'If you put them out in the sun after they finish blooming, you can plant them in the ground next year and they'll bloom again.' Molly was delighted with her present and she and Arthur had a delicious dinner, promising to eat more sensibly the rest of the week, or whenever they finished the cheesecake. The rest of February seemed to fly by and soon it was time for Molly to make the cake for Ron's fourteenth birthday. She sent it and some new tee shirts for Ron to the Ministry with Arthur so he could send them in the post between there and Hogwarts. 'No sense wearing poor Errol out any more then necessary.' Molly said with a sigh. ***** As the ground began to thaw, Molly was glad to be able to spend more time outside. She dug up the vegetable garden and began to plant some flower seeds left from last year. She went into Diagon Alley to the garden shop and bought more seeds and a new sun hat. She'd left her old one out in a summer thunderstorm and it got quite tatty looking. Her Walkers and Talkers group resumed taking healthful walks in the warm spring sun and she began to practice dueling again. She'd been the girls' champion at Hogwarts in both Sixth and Seventh Year and had a feeling that she might need the skills again if reports of Death Eater activity proved true. Besides, she told herself- it was good exercise. She certainly ached in muscles she hadn't remembered she had. The Wizarding Wireless Network started running a garden show early on Saturday featuring the retired Herbology professor from Hogwarts, Florien Gardener. He always made a joke about his name to start every program but was helpful and practical about which plants needed warming charms and which should be left alone because they grew better when they were chilled all winter. Molly frequently listened to the Marathon of Days of Destiny after the garden show. It always surprised her that the children of the characters she had followed when she was a teenager and young mother acted just like their parents had. Almost everyone fell in love with the wrong person while ignoring a more suitable life companion that was right under his or her nose. Fortunately, Fiona and Roderick remained faithful to each other unless they had amnesia or were under Imperio. ***** Ron took a few days to send a letter thanking his Mum for the extra large cake and the new extra-large tee shirts. Hedwig arrived in the early afternoon on the following Sunday. Dear Mum and Dad, We had a good party with all the food you sent. Wood, who is Quidditch Captain, even stopped practice early so the twins and Harry could come. We just know that we'll beat the Slytherin snakes after Easter. The whole team is staying over the Easter Holidays to practice and get homework done. Harry is going to catch the Snitch faster than Malfoy because he is a better Seeker and he has a better broom. His Firebolt can really go! Hagrid's really sad that Buckbeak's sentenced to death. We try to cheer him up but it's hard. I hate to see someone that big cry. Speaking of big people, I'm glad to have some longer tee shirts. My old ones were making me feel a bit drafty around the middle. Love, Ron Arthur laughed when he read Ron's last paragraph. 'It sounds like Ron is going to be as tall as Bill before long. Eating the food at Hogwarts must agree with him.' ***** Percy's letters for the rest of March were entirely about how hard he was studying and how his group of mostly Ravenclaws was getting revisions started. By the final week, the twins were sufficiently upset by Oliver Wood's extremely long and grueling practices that they wrote home, as well. Dear Mum and Dad, Oliver Wood thinks we have elected him King or Emperor. OR SOMETHING THAT MEANS HE GETS TO BOSS US AROUND. We are practicing three times a week even during what is supposed to be our Easter Holiday. AND HE DOESN'T CARE IF WE HAVE TIME FOR A NICE RELAXING DINNER OR NOT. Angelina and Alicia tried to talk to him. KATIE BELL DIDN'T EVEN TRY BECAUSE SHE KNEW HE WOULDN'T LISTEN. Harry thinks he's serious when he tells him, 'Catch the Snitch or die trying!' I THINK WOOD IS SERIOUS! Ginny's doing quite well. SHE'S FUN TO JOKE AROUND WITH. Angelina and the rest of the Chasers like her. MAYBE THEY CAN GIVE HER TIPS ON BEING A CHASER AFTER THEY LEAVE. We know you won't forget our birthday. APRIL FOOL IS THE BEST DAY TO BE BORN ON. Our birthday is very close to Easter this year. YOUR CHOCOLATE EGGS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. Love, Fred and GEORGE 'Not everyone would be as enthusiastic as Fred and George are about being born on April First,' commented Arthur after he read their letter. 'I guess it is just as well that they didn't come on their due date, May First. They're not exactly the May Queen type.' Molly laughed at the idea of Fred and George with wreaths of flowers on their heads dancing around a May Pole. 'I hadn't seen my feet since February so I was glad they decided to come a month early. Even Mary Margaret was surprised how fast they arrived on the scene.' 'And they've been on the go ever since then,' said Arthur with a smile. I'm glad the twins are including Ginny with their friends. Ron and Harry and Hermione don't seem to have much time for her. However, I'm sure they'll all be at Fred and George's party. ' ***** Two evenings before the First of April, Molly assembled several packets of home made chocolate eggs. She sent enough for Percy to share with Penelope and the twins to give one each to their Quidditch team and their friend Lee Jordan. Ron and Ginny also got some extra chocolate eggs for Harry and Hermione. She put the packets with the two cakes that Arthur would take to the Ministry to send to Hogwarts for the twins' birthday and Easter. 'I'm sending Hermione's eggs in Ginny's packet. She's still hero-worshiping Harry and is too shy to talk much around him, much less give him candy,' said Molly. 'But it'll get easier as time goes on. I just know they'll have a special relationship when they are a bit older.' Arthur nodded. 'You and Lilly would have had them exchanging Promise Rings by now if things had been different.' Molly laughed and blushed as she said, 'Lily said we'd have to wait until they were sixteen and fifteen just in case Harry turned out to be a git like his father was when he was young. Oh, how I wish that Lily and James had lived to see Harry grow up.' Molly gave a great sigh. Arthur came over to hug her and said, 'aren't you nearly finished here? I'll take a warming pan up to warm up our bed and wait for you there. He waggled his eyebrows. Molly blushed again.
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