Wings of Time

Chapter 2

The Woes of Ginny Weasley

The platform wasn't as crowded as it usually was September first. The parents who were there were either dashing their children onto the train or Apparating off the platform. Everyone was frazzled and running around frantically. Several parents were crying their eyes out as they bid adieu to their children.

Molly Weasley was one of those crying parents. She had kissed her only daughter at least twenty times and gave her countless amounts of hugs. Bill, Fred, and George seemed anxious as they watched over the platform as though they were half expecting Death Eaters to attack. Arthur Weasley was talking in low voices with Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. They all had their wands drawn and gripped tightly in their hands. Other Order of the Phoenix members and Aurors littered the platform in and out.

The whistle blew loudly. Molly gave Ginny two more kisses and sent her off towards her father. Arthur kissed and hugged her and turned her into the direction of her three older brothers. They each took turns in hugging their sister before Ginny made her way onto the Hogwarts Express. The train slowly started to leave the station as Ginny stood in the doorway.

Several cloaked figures were seen out of the corner of Ginny's brown eyes. Her head snapped towards them as one of them raised their wand in the air. The redhead's eyes flickered to see the cloaked figures faces, which were covered in white masks. Ginny opened her mouth to warn her family when spells started flying in every direction. A green spark hit the train inches away from Ginny's head.

A hand reached out and pulled Ginny back from the doorway as a red spark flew in, barely missing her. The train started to speed up and the figures fighting on the platform started to slowly fade. The Hogwarts Express turned the corner, and the blurs of people were gone. Ginny whipped around to see that a tall, black-haired boy was holding onto her elbow. His blue eyes shimmered lovingly as he studied the girl's face in front of him.

"Ian?" Ginny asked hoarsely with tears shining in her eyes.

"The one and only," he smiled a gorgeous smile.

Ian Van Stantvoordt was a Gryffindor in Ginny's year. The two were good friends since first year. Ginny had often confided in the boy and considered him one of her best friends. Ian's father had been killed in the first war, and he lived alone with his mother.

"Do you think they're okay?" Ginny asked anxiously.

"I don't know," Ian answered honestly. "Let's find a compartment... unless you're going to go off and snog Harry Potter."

Ginny faltered. Ian didn't know about what happened between Ginny and Harry. His mother had arrived at Hogwarts before they broke up and dragged him home. Ginny and Ian hadn't written all summer due to constrictions because of the war. Ginny didn't know exactly how Ian had convinced his mother to let him come back to Hogwarts, but he had managed the unthinkable and for that Ginny was glad.

"Harry isn't coming back to Hogwarts this year," Ginny replied stiffly.

"Why? You'd think he'd want to spend time with you -"

"Harry and I aren't dating anymore," Ginny said flatly, "and Harry has other things to do than be at school."

"Oh."

The two friends walked down the corridors of the Hogwarts Express until they saw Luna and Neville disappear in a compartment. Ginny jogged to catch up with them with Ian trailing behind her. The compartment door flung open to reveal a dreamy looking Luna Lovegood.

"I thought you were coming," Luna said wistfully.

Ginny slipped in the compartment and sat down across from Neville, who waved madly at her. Ginny returned the wave with a forced smile. Her mind was wandering to the skirmish that had occurred and if anyone had died. Luna took a seat next to Neville as Ian sat down next to Ginny. They sat in silence for several minutes.

"Did you see the battle break out?" Neville asked nervously.

"I think everyone did," Luna replied as she pulled out a copy of The Quibbler to read. "I wonder if some Illuminating Corkscrews are helping in the scuffle. I thought I saw a couple when I got onto the train."

"Illuminating Corkscrews?" Neville questioned.

"Oh, yes," Luna spoke dreamily, "they are nasty buggers. They're shaped like corks, and they have wings. They attack those who give off evil vibrations. You can't see them unless they turn on their lights."

"I wonder why they chose to attack the platform..." Ian wondered aloud as he ignored Luna's last comment.

"Well, it's really not that mind boggling," Ginny spoke up. "I mean, half the Or-"

Ginny cut herself off. Nobody knew about the Order of the Phoenix in the compartment. It was true, however. Half the Order was out on the platform under the commands of Alastor Moody. When Dumbledore had passed, Moody had immediately taken charge of the Order. He was the most experienced, oldest, and closest to Dumbledore. It was only logical that Mad-Eyes would assume Dumbledore's role.

"Half the what?" Ian questioned.

Just as Ginny was about to make up some sorry excuse, there were pops sounding from outside their compartment. The redhead jumped up and slid opened the door to see Remus Lupin standing there with several other Order members. Lupin's lip was split open and there was blood running down his face. The other Order members - whom Ginny couldn't quite place names with - had minor scrapes and bruises as well.

"Lupin!" Ginny shouted as she flung her arms around him. "Please, tell me my family's okay."

Ginny felt the man tense at the sudden touch, but slowly relaxed. One of his hands patted her gently on the head in comfort. Ginny pulled away slightly embarrassed as she swept a hand over her face. Lupin looked dazed for a second before stating, "No one's dead."

"Is anyone seriously hurt?"

"Not really, no," Lupin said hesitantly. "You mustn't worry, Ginny."

"What are you doing on the train, Sir?" Neville asked timidly.

"Uh? Oh," Lupin stammered as though his mind were on something else, "Headmistress McGonagall wanted as much protection on the train as possible."

"If you could Apparate on the train, then what's to say that Death Eaters couldn't just Apparate on too?" Ian challenged.

"Oh, uh, special charms," replied Lupin with a wave of a hand. "The train can recognize special signatures that allow only certain wizards to Apparate onto the train."

"Professor Lupin-" Neville started but was shortly cut off by the man he was addressing.

"Right then, I need to patrol the train."

With that, Lupin and the others with him sauntered away from the small group in different directions. Several more pops could be heard a little ways down the train, but Ginny paid no attention to them. She walked back into her compartment with the others in tow. The rest of the train ride dragged on for hours with no entertainment. Even the witch with the trolley of treats was nowhere to be found.

The train was almost at Hogsmeade Station, so everyone changed into their school robes. There were two loud whistles before the Hogwarts Express came to a halt. Ginny stepped off the train to see a sight she never saw before. Wizards were everywhere with their wands drawn. Several were even flying above on brooms as if scouting the area. Hagrid shouted for the first years, but the boats to Hogwarts were nowhere to be seen. Students hurried into the horseless carriages as quickly as they could.

Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Ian jumped into a carriage and immediately it started trotting down towards the castle. The carriage ride was the shortest one ever. It raced down the trail at a record speed. It stopped right in front of Hogwarts. The four friends piled out of the carriages to see most of the teachers standing outside of Hogwarts with their wands drawn.

"Quickly!" McGonagall shouted. "Get in the Great Hall!"

Everyone increased their pace and filled into the dreary castle. The Great Hall was half empty when the students had stopped filling in. The Slytherin table was the sparsest of them all. Ginny sat awkwardly at the Gryffindor table with Ian next to her. The Patil twins were nowhere to be found. Dean Thomas was also absent - and good riddance to him. Draco Malfoy was also missing, though that was a given. There were so many missing that Hogwarts looked almost pathetic.

Ginny turned towards the Great Hall entrance where the first years were walking in with Professor Flitwick. The redhead half expected to see Harry running into the dining hall with a smirk spread across his face, but it didn't happen. Her brown eyes wandered over towards Pansy Parkinson who was crying her eyes out on Blaise Zabini's shoulder. Her eyes then wandered down to the Quidditch Captain badge pinned to her robes. This should be Harry's, Ginny thought bitterly.

The Sorting Hat burst into song, but Ginny didn't bother to listen to what was said. Denis Creevey was meandering towards her with a serious look on his face. He sat down next to the littlest Weasley and his eyes immediately flickered to the badge on Ginny's chest. He smiled sweetly at her before turning to the front of the hall, where the sorting had just began. There wasn't a considerable amount of first years, and Ginny was positive this was the shortest sorting ceremony in the history of Hogwarts.

The food had then appeared in front of everyone. Hands reached out and took the delicious food. Ginny didn't have much of an appetite at the moment - nor had she really had one all summer since Harry, Ron, and Hermione had disappeared into the night. Her eyes flickered towards the doors in mere flash of hope, before turning her head towards the staff table with disappointment written all over her features.

Horace Slughorn was bent over the table eating as much food as he possibly could. Hagrid looked absolutely miserable as he pushed his food around without eating. McGonagall and Flitwick were nervously watching the students as if they half expected someone to jump up and start cursing the place. To Ginny's surprise, Remus Lupin was sitting in-between McGonagall and a man who strangely looked eerily like Dumbledore - only his eyes were cold and his hair was a darker shade of gray. Once dinner was over, McGonagall stood up stiffly to address the student body.

"There have been any alterations to the teaching staff at Hogwarts, and it is only appropriate to inform you all," McGonagall declared austerely. "I am now the new Headmistress at Hogwarts, and Professor Flitwick is the Deputy Headmaster. Professor Slughorn has officially taken over the post of Potions Masters and will be the new Head of Slytherin House. Those fifth year and up may remember Professor Lupin. He has respectfully taken up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor again and has been named the new Head of Gryffindor House."

A mount of whispers from the older students erupted in the Great Hall. Ginny looked around at her fellow students talking about "ruthless werewolves". The redhead wanted to smack them or at the very least send a very powerful Bat-Bogey Hex at them. How could anyone think that the lonely, cursed man could be ruthless? Her eyes strayed over towards Remus Lupin who looked extremely uncomfortable at what was transpiring. McGonagall gave a creepy "hem-hem" that sounded eerily like Umbridge. Everyone stopped talking at once.

"I see that the older students have not failed at spreading around elaborate lies about Professor Lupin. Yes, Professor Lupin is a werewolf-" whispers broke out again, "EXCUSE ME! I assure you that none of you are in danger! Once a month, at the full moon, Professor Lupin will be leaving the castle to ensure the safety of all of you. At all other times, you will respect and treat Professor Lupin as you would any other teacher. If I see any - and I mean ANY - disrespect towards him, you will live a very miserable year at Hogwarts. He is a man, a human being, and I will not have you treat him any differently."

Ginny felt a sudden pang of admiration towards her ex-Transfiguration teacher. Her words had no doubt touched Lupin beyond recognition. Ginny did what she thought was necessary to show support to Professor Lupin. She clapped her hands loudly and shouted a very thunderous, "Welcome back, Professor!" Some students looked at Ginny as though she was crazy, but she could honestly care less at the moment. Lupin gave her a thankful smile.

"Lastly," McGonagall spoke in a dreading voice, "Professor Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth Dumbledore, will be taking over the post of Transfiguration teacher. I know it may be awkward for some of you to address this man as Professor Dumbledore, but I only ask you to see that they are different and not to confuse them. I guarantee you that once you have your first lesson with Professor Dumbledore, you will not think of them as one in the same."

McGonagall then went on about how security was tightened largely over the course of the summer. No one was to leave the castle unless there you were going to a class. The curfew was now an hour earlier. There would only be two Hogsmeade trips, and they would be announced at the last second so no Death Eater plots could be formed.

The students were banished to go directly to their dormitories and sleep. Ginny was about to get up and follow Ian out when Lupin called her to stay behind. Nervously, the teenager walked up towards the staff table. There was no doubt in her mind what they were going to ask. They wanted to know where Harry was, and they weren't going to stop until they got an answer. Lupin, McGonagall, Hagrid, Dumbledore's brother, and Flitwick led Ginny back to the Gryffindor table as the other teachers left to make sure that the students made their way back to their dormitories safely.

The five stood across from Ginny in a patronizing way. She wanted nothing more than to leave than be interrogated by them until she passed out. She took a deep breath and waited for one of them to speak. The silence was deafening. Ginny wondered if her professors could hear her heart pounding, for it felt as though it was going to pound out of her chest.

"Ginny," Lupin started as calmly as possible, "your parents told us you know nothing of what happened to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I believe, as well as others, that you aren't being completely honest with us. We need to know where they went so that we can protect them. Please, Ginny, just tell us the truth."

"I don't know where they went!" Ginny cried.

"It isn't news to us that you and Harry had developed something very special last year," Lupin pressed. "I highly doubt Harry wouldn't have said at least something to you."

"He didn't," Ginny tried to sound as convincing as possible.

She was a fairly good liar. When she was little, Fred and George had taught her how to lie to their parents so that she would never be caught at doing something wrong. They had taught her a little too well, however. She had often lied when something happened and blamed it on her brothers. It was then her brothers who would be punished instead of her. It was payback for always being the one picked on by her brothers. Then again, during very heated conversations, Ginny's lying ability was nearly impressive.

"I'm highly trained in Legilimency, Ginny," Lupin spoke softly. "I know you aren't telling us the whole truth."

"Okay, so he said something," Ginny admitted for there was no reason to go on lying if Lupin could see straight through her lies.

"What did he say?"

"At Bill's wedding, we went into my room. He told me that the three of them were leaving during the night and weren't coming back to Hogwarts."

"Where were they going?" McGonagall spoke up.

"Godric's Hollow," Ginny stated as Lupin paled significantly, "and then off to finish what Professor Dumbledore had started - not you, but the other one."

"What was Albus doing?" Aberforth Dumbledore spoke in a gruff voice.

Ginny's swallowed a lump in her throat that she didn't even know that was there. Her eyes wandered over towards the grumpy, old wizard. His sharp blue eyes bored into Ginny as though he were trying to unravel an anonymity. Ginny quickly turned back to Lupin whose eyes too were burning into her.

"Go ahead, Ginny," Lupin encouraged.

"Dumbledore was teaching Harry about Voldemort all last year," Ginny tried to be as vague as possible. "He showed Harry how to kill him. Harry felt as though it was his duty to finish him off. Ron and Hermione didn't want Harry to go alone, so they went with him. I - I tried to convince Harry to let me go too... but... he made it seem like he would rather die than have me get hurt."

"How do you kill You-Know-Who?" Flitwick piped up.

"Something about destroying his Horcruxes."

"Horcruxes?" Lupin's brow furrowed. "How many?"

"I don't know," Ginny answered honestly. "Harry made it seem like there were quite a few."

"Quite a few?" Flitwick exclaimed. "Surely you are mistaken!"

"That's all I know, Professor, I swear!" Ginny exclaimed to Lupin. "Please, can I go to my dorm now?"

The walk to Gryffindor Tower was too long and quiet. Lupin looked as though he was thoroughly thinking through everything Ginny had said minutes ago. The redhead wanted to kill herself. She had betrayed Harry. Harry had made her promise not to tell anyone what they were doing, and she did. She spilled it all out. Her conscious battled with it.

What else could I have done? Lupin can read minds!

You could have been less obvious about of the whole situation.

He knew I wasn't telling the whole truth, and he would have forced it out of me in the end.

Maybe he wouldn't. How do you know? You didn't even try.

I didn't think.

You could say that again.

I never meant to betray Harry so easily. I meant to try, but it didn't work out.

Meaning to and doing so are two utterly different things. You didn't try to do anything. You gave up. So much for your Gryffindor bravery.

Ginny hated when the little voice in her head outsmarted her. It was royally annoying. She wanted to bang her head on the walls, but refrained from doing so - at least until she found herself alone somewhere. Usually Ginny was a quick thicker and would come out with something that could pass Lupin's creepy mind reading abilities, but she was too worried about her brother, friend, and quite possibly the love of her life that she couldn't even think straight.

They reached Gryffindor Tower, and the two bade each other a goodnight. Lupin spoke the password ("Heart's Parade"). Ginny walked up to her dormitory and collapsed down on her bed. She welcomed sleep with open arms, except sleep wasn't as willing to accept the embrace. After hours of tossing and turning - and a horrifying dream of Harry dying - Ginny fell into a peaceful slumber. Only the sleep didn't last long for she was rudely awoken by someone's alarm.

Ginny treaded down to breakfast to see that almost all of the students were already eating. Lupin was discussing schedules with the Gryffindors. He was currently talking to Ian. Ginny sauntered over towards the two and sat down to the left of Ian. Both boys looked up briefly at her before returning to the schedule.

"That looks about right," Lupin stated. "I'll see you in Defense later then. Ginny, you want to eat first or discuss your schedule?"

"Schedule," Ginny said firmly for she wasn't hungry.

"You have amazing results in Defense, Charms, and Potions - Outstandings actually. Impressive. You're in those courses easily. History of Magic... I see you rather failed that one. You made the Divination with Exceeding Expectations, but I see you didn't put down that you wanted to continue studying."

"Divination is fruitless," Ginny declared with a wave of the hand. "What else?"

"Muggle Studies you barely passed, but you don't want to continue that either?"

"I learned all that I could learn in that class."

"Right then," Lupin said with a smile creeping up on his face. "So the only other classes you are taking are Ancient Runes, Arithmomancy, Astronomy, Herbology, and Transfiguration?"

"Correct," Ginny declared.

Lupin tapped his wand to the schedule and then handed it to Ginny with a smile. The shabby professor then stood up and went off to find another sixth year. The redhead leaned over to compare her timetable with Ian. They had basically all the same classes except that Ian was continuing with Care of Magical Creatures. That was weird, since Ginny knew he was going to be the only one in that class.

Potions was first that day, a free period followed, lunch, Transfiguration, and finally Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ian's schedule was full due to the fact that he had Care of Magical Creatures before lunch. Ginny questioned her friend on why he was taking the class, and he simply answered, "There's never a dull moment with Hagrid."

The two made their way towards Professor Slughorn's classroom. Ginny dragged her feet the whole way there while making all sorts of noises of protests. Ian ignored her feeble attempts to try to get out of class. It wasn't that Ginny didn't like school or Potions; it was the fact that she was inducted into the 'Slug Club'. She had never really been to any of the meetings before - for Harry had slyly made all Quidditch practices on those days. Ginny had a feeling she would do the same.

They walked into the classroom and sat towards the back. Ginny smacked her book down onto the desk heavily. Several students who were already there looked at her oddly before turning away. Slughorn didn't seem to notice the noise for he was too busy reading the rubbish in the Daily Prophet. Ian hissed at her to sit down. Ginny did so but only after she gave out a very long and dramatic sigh.

The class was an utter waste of time in Ginny's eyes. They had to make a Babbling Beverage for kicks. The student that made the best babblings received a special gift from Slughorn. It wasn't a surprise when Luna had won at the end of the lesson - for she was extremely gifted in Potions. She had simply received two vials of Babbling Beverage for fun. Luna had given one of the vials to Ginny and asked her to 'use it well'.

The rest of the morning passed slowly. Ginny had walked with Ian outside to Hagrid's Hut, only to find that no one was there. The two made their way to Hagrid's front door and knocked. The half giant appeared in the doorway with an apron tied around his large waist and a kettle in his right hand.

"What could I do fer yeh?" asked Hagrid.

"I have class..." Ian trailed off.

"Then yeh should get there!"

"I have class with you," Ian stressed.

A smile spread across the man's face and his eyes lit up. He dropped the kettle with a loud clunk and whipped his hands on his apron. Hagrid led the two Gryffindors towards the pumpkin patch. Ginny felt slightly guilty for going since she wasn't in the class, but she didn't dare say anything. Hagrid looked absolutely thrilled to have the two in his company. Since he didn't have any lessons planned, the two Gryffindors saw what the other classes were covering. Hagrid was about to show them something that was hissing with fangs when the bell rang to indicate lunch.

Lunch passed slowly, as Ginny was excited to attend Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. After what seemed like forever, the two Gryffindors made their way to the Transfiguration classroom. The room looked different than it did when McGonagall used it. The room was dark and dreary. There was even a stand in the corner of the classroom filled with Firewhiskey bottles. Ginny and Ian took a seat in the middle of the classroom so that they could see the reactions from all the students.

Aberforth Dumbledore strolled into the classroom five minutes after the bell had rung to indicate the beginning of class. The grumpy man sat down behind his desk, took out the Daily Prophet, and began to read. Students looked at each other with puzzled looks etched on their faces. Nobody knew exactly what was going on. Ten more minutes passed before Dumbledore put down the paper. He seemed mildly surprised that there were students waiting for him.

The old man stood up and grabbed a goblet from off his desk. He held it in his left hand. His wand was then pointed at the goblet. The man jabbed the goblet twice with the tip of his wand. The goblet had disappeared and was replaced with a bottle filled with liquid. The sixth year students glanced at each other nervously. It wasn't until the professor talked that everyone shut his or her mouths immediately.

"Now, do what I did," the Transfiguration professor grumbled brusquely before retreating to his desk and taking a swing of the liquid in the newly transfigured bottle.

Several students let out laughs of disbelief. Others stared at the professor as though they had never seen anything like him before. There were the ones with their mouths hung open in confusion - which was exactly what Ginny was doing. The students sat waiting for the professor to elaborate on what to do, but none came. The sixth year students slowly started picking up goblets from a box in the front of the room. They went back to their seats and started poking the goblets.

Ginny started flipping through her Transfiguration book lazily trying to find what Professor Dumbledore had done. Ian was prodding his goblet fiercely, but it didn't turn into anything. Students were getting frustrated for they didn't even know what incantation to use. The bell rang and every student quickly tried to leave the classroom at once. Nobody wanted to stay longer than they had to.

Ginny and Ian made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was most likely going to be a class that they could actually learn in. The two Gryffindors were the almost the last students to walk into the room. All the students were squished towards the back of the room - except Luna Lovegood, who was sitting in the middle of the front row. Ginny smiled and went over to sit to the right left of Luna, and Ian then sat down on the other side of Ginny.

Remus Lupin soon walked into the classroom with a grimace of disappointment sketched on his weary face. He forced a warm smile at the three pupils in the front row. Lupin walked around his desk to stand in front of it and several teenagers had shifted farther back in the room. Ginny turned her head around to face them. Her eyes caught Colin Creevey's, and Ginny motioned him to come forward. Colin feverishly shook his head.

"Right then," Lupin said with fake cheer as he surveyed the class, "I was thinking of training you in fighting off those who are joining forces with Lord Voldemort."

Several people gasped in horror as chairs skidded back farther. Others shivered in fear. Ginny had cringed at the name as she watched Luna sit there as if she hadn't heard the name. Another frown appeared on Lupin's face as his eyes flickered towards Ginny. The redhead gave Lupin what she hoped was an encouraging look.

"Like you, werewolf," a snide comment came from the back of the room.

"How many of you have attempted a Patronus before?" Lupin continued as though he hadn't heard the last comment.

Ginny and Luna raised their hands in the air. Ginny twisted her body back to see other members of the DA from two years ago timidly raise their hands up in the air as well. Lupin had then asked those students to approach the front. The kids from the back of the room stood as far away from the Defense professor as possible while Ginny had went over and stood so close to Lupin that their arms were almost touching. Luna had went on Lupin's other side and stood nearly a foot away from him.

"Now, I want you to show the class and myself how far you have progressed in your Patronus."

Everyone in the front of the room concentrated for several seconds before shouting the spell. Luna's wand emitted a silvery peacock. Zacharias Smith, Michael Corner, and Colin Creevey's wands emitted silvery smoke. Ginny's wand had emitted an indistinctive swirl of silver with four legs.

The rest of the class was spent attempting to conjure a Patronus. Lupin had asked Luna to help him instruct the other students, which she did so gladly. Although the only students helped were Ginny, Ian, and Colin. Others seemed tense around Professor Lupin, and tried their hardest not to get too close to him. It was as if they half expected Lupin to bare back his mouth and sink his teeth into them. It royally annoyed Ginny to no end.

After class had ended, Ginny went up to Lupin to tell him not to worry that the students would soon warm up to him. The professor gave her a dubious look before he sent her off to dinner. Ginny wished there was something she could say to make up for her peers idiotic behavior. She knew, however, that nothing she said would ever make a difference. Her peers had to show it and not have her apologize for them.