Red

Red, I thought angrily. Why does my hair have to be red? Everyone sees me as 'red hair and freckles' or the 'Weasley girl'.

To most people that's all I am. And how can I be anything different with six brothers of whom I followed through school?

Bill is my oldest brother. He is funny and smart and was a Head Boy at school. Now he works as a cursebreaker for Gringotts bank. Although he wants to please everyone, he is still his own person. He hasn't let mum cut his red locks since he was fifteen!

And then there is Charlie. He is also smart, but physical too. Charlie was captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team. Now he works with dragons in Romania.

Percy is my third oldest brother. He wasn't as athletic as Charlie but he was definitely like Bill. Percy was a prefect and Head Boy. But, Percy tried too hard to succeed; to rid himself of the 'red hair and freckles' label. He abandoned our family just before my fourth year at Hogwarts. We don't mention him, a lot, but we all know he is possibly the most successful Weasley.

Fred and George. What can I say about Fred and George? Together, they were the pranksters of the school. They went down in history for their antics at Hogwarts. But separately? Fred has always been the most daring one. He is the one who pushed George into buying 93 Diagon Alley. George has always been the sensible one; he has a good head on him and is a good listener.

Ron. My favourite brother. Ron, or course made prefect and quidditch captain in his last year. He was also Head Boy, but he persuaded Dumbledore to give the badge to Harry. Of course, Ron is best friends with Harry Potter, the one responsible for the downfall of Voldemort. Ron is as considerate as George, and he too has a sensible head. Sometimes, he rules with his heart (not mentioning a certain muggleborn friend of his).

And then there is me. Ginny. The only female in three generations of Weasleys. When I first went to Hogwarts, I had a lot to live up to. Three Head Boys, two quidditch captains, school pranksters, prefects. I think my brothers collectively have every single good trait a person can have.

I was made prefect in my fifth year at Hogwarts. Mum was so proud. She squeezed me until my face was red. Mum and dad bought me a broomstick. Nothing fancy, but it was better than Ron's! I was proud too, as I was when I was sorted into Gryffindor. I don't know what would have happened if I wasn't.

And now, aged twenty-five, I stand here in front of my mirror. I'm still at the Burrow, living with my parents and Ron. And know that I am still just 'red hair and freckles'. I know I will never be anything else. I can never live up to my brother's reputations. But I have recently realised something - I don't want to.

Red, I thought angrily. Why does my hair have to be red?