Buying Cauldron Cakes from the Snack Trolley

Ginny Weasley sighed. In her last year at Hogwarts, Ginny found she was anything but happy. She had never been on the train without Hermione, and only once without Ron. She had always sat with them, laughed and joked with them, playing Exploding Snap and Wizard' Chess, and joked about what new adventure Harry would face the coming year.

But now she was alone. Ron, Hermione and Harry had all finished school and moved into Auror University. Luna's father had taken her to France with him as he attempted to expand The Quibbler's audience (she was now enlightening the Beauxbaton pupils about Crumple-Horned Snorkacks). The Gryffindors in her year were giggly girls that she didn't get on with. She was glad she was Head Girl and that she would be sleeping in the private chambers.

Ginny boarded the train after a big goodbye from her parents and four of her brothers (Percy was still ignoring his family and Charlie was in Romania again). Her mother had bought her a beautiful brown wood owl to celebrate her making Head Girl. Ron had promised to write everyday but Ginny knew it wouldn't last long. Just like the twins didn't write much to her either. Searching the train, Ginny decided she did not want to sit with anyone. She contemplated introducing herself to the first-years but even they looked at her as if she was a washed-up loser when she looked in through the glass door at them. I wasn't that bad when I was eleven was I, she thought.

So Ginny resigned herself to the fact that she would be sitting alone for the long ride. She found an empty compartment and entered it, dragging her case along behind her. She put the owl cage on the chair and sat next to it. She stood her trunk in the corner and took out a book, Advanced Herbology. She opened it and began to read. Might as well get a head start, she thought, especially if I have to patrol corridors until all hours at night.

Ginny read a few chapters of her book and looked out of the window. She realised they were further along than she thought. Her stomach rumbled and she pulled the sandwiches her mother made her from her pocket, Corned beef. She usually loved corned beef but she didn't feel like it at that time. Rummaging through her pockets she found a couple of knuts and a sickle. Ginny took the money in her hand and stood up, putting her book down on the chair. She poked her head around the door to see if the Snack Trolley was coming her way. It wasn't, so making sure her (yet-unnamed) owl was okay, she left the compartment in search of the trolley.

Peering in through a few compartments Ginny noticed a few people she knew; fifth and sixth year Gryffindors, Prefects in the seventh year she got to know during their patrolling, Colin and Dennis Creevey (whom she refused to sit with after Colin pounced on her during her fifth year on the train home). Ginny walked the length of the train and at the front she saw the cart parked by the driver's door. She knocked on the door and the Snack trolley lady came out. She smiled at Ginny.

'Yes dear,' she said.

'I was wondering if I could buy something from the cart,' Ginny said politely. Molly Weasley had always taught her children to be polite and considerate (although they were not two words you could easily associate with the twins) No matter what situation they were in.

'Of course dear, but I'm afraid you might be too late. You should have asked when I was making my rounds,' the old witch said wisely.

'I know I'm sorry. I was immersed in a book and I didn't notice you walk past,' Ginny said apologetically. The old witch raised her eyebrows, but she had a look that told Ginny she was used to going unnoticed. The woman got up from her chair next to the driver and walked with Ginny into the passageway.

'I don't mean to be rude, Miss,' Ginny said. The witch looked at her.

'But I've been at this school for seven years and I still don't know your name. I don't think anyone does!'

The witch chuckled. 'Well, thank you for asking! My name is Hazel. Now, you want what my dear?'

Ginny thought about it. 'I'd quite like a Pumpkin Pasty, please.'

Hazel searched through the trolley, opening magical drawers that seemed to go on forever.

'Oh. I'm afraid I've ran out. But I do have some Cockroach Clusters here, Professor Dumbledore let me put them on the trolley new this year,' Hazel told Ginny.

Ginny screwed up her face. She didn't think she could ever eat anything with the same name as an insect that could survive what her father called a 'nuclear attack'. 'Can I please just have a Cauldron Cake?' Hazel nodded and gave Ginny the cake. Ginny held out the money but Hazel shook her head.

'Have that one on me,' she said. 'In fact, have two. This will make us friends.' Ginny smiled at the witch as she planted another cake in Ginny's hand. Ginny turned to leave.

Ginny walked back down the aisle and found her compartment. Her owl was still in its cage, her book still on the chair. Ginny flopped down and looked out of the window. Dusk was falling now. She could see a faint reflection of herself in the window. Her red hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, her eyes looked tired and her skin was white. When did I let myself go? She asked herself. She had always tried so hard with her appearance. Firstly to impress Harry, but she realised after a while that it was never going to happen. Then she tried so hard to be asked to the Yule Ball, which she succeeded at. Then when she was with Michael she did not have to try so hard, but whenever there was a chance she would meet him (such as Hogsmeade weekends) she spent extra time on her looks. Ginny then tried to divert herself from her next boyfriend. She had got together with Draco Malfoy half way through her fifth year, much to the disgust of her brother and his friends. Ginny sighed at the thought of it.

'Too late now,' she said out loud.

'What's too late, my dear?' Ginny heard from the door. She looked up and saw Hazel stood with a handful of sweets from the trolley. 'Can I come in?'

Ginny nodded and moved her book. Hazel sat down and deposited the sweets on a free chair.

'What is it dear?' Hazel asked.

'Oh it's nothing. Boy trouble,' Ginny joked. She had not seen Draco for over four months but her throat still contracted when she thought of him.

'I see,' Hazel said. 'I have been there myself. Anything that talking can help with?'

'I don't think so,' Ginny said. She sighed and looked out of the window. It was dark now and she could see nothing but the reflection of the inside of the cart.

'It's a closed book.'

'Well, nothing is a closed book if you still think about it,' Hazel said wisely.

Ginny thought about this comment for a moment. 'Mind if I pour my heart out?' she asked jokingly.

Hazel shook her head and Ginny relayed the story of her relationship with Draco. Ron, Hermione and Harry had spent countless nights trying to talk her out of it. But the fact of the matter was Draco understood her. She did not fall for his 'my father was evil and bullied me' story and pity him, but she did feel sorry for him. She had been dominated by an evil man for only a few months, Draco had had it all his life.

Their relationship was a rocky one, but Ginny found that part of his appeal. After threatening Harry at the end of his fifth year, Draco went back to Hogwarts all guns blazing. After a hallway scuffle Ginny and Draco were both taken to Professor Dumbledore's office and reprimanded. Instead of being given detention, Draco and Ginny were to study together every night for three weeks. Dumbledore had that twinkle in his eye when he told them. Naturally they had both objected, but after two weeks of continuous contact, Ginny fell for Draco. She craved his attention, and went as far as to pretend to fail Potions so he would help her out. Eventually, Draco noticed the girl in front of him and fell for her.

They spent almost everyday together from then on, their relationship lasting until Ginny's sixth year. But half way through the year, Draco was called out of school by his mother. His father had escaped Azkaban and was after them. Apparently Lucius thought Draco was a traitor for still attending Hogwarts under Dumbledore's rule. Narcissa Malfoy took her son into hiding, and his contact with Ginny was ceased. Hermione, Ron and Harry tried their best to help Ginny get through the difficult time, even suggesting boys she could date instead. But it was no use. She knew in her heart that she loved Draco Malfoy, and she would not be able to rest until their relationship had played itself to the end by choice, not because it had been forced to end.

Hazel said nothing as the little red head spoke passionately. She could see the spark in her eye whenever she mentioned Draco's name, the sadness in them when her story came to an end. Then Ginny sat, waiting for a reaction but getting nothing.

Hazel eventually spoke, 'and you don't know where he is?' she asked.

Ginny shook her head. She expected at least a small reaction.

'Here have some cake,' Hazel said handing Ginny one of the Cauldron Cakes that had been abandoned on the chair. Ginny took a bite, still expecting an answer. 'And he didn't finish his seventh year?'

Ginny shook her head once again.

'Well, then that boy is not a fully fledged wizard,' Hazel noted.

'I don't mean to be rude but I've just told you that I've lost the one boy I've ever really loved and all you can talk about is his education?' Ginny exclaimed quite unable to comprehend the witch in front of her.

'I understand Ginny, I was just enquiring. Now, I must get back to the driver. We are almost there,' Hazel said looking out the window and then at her watch. 'Eat some sweets; the first years don't want an upset Head Girl guiding them through the corridors do they?'

Ginny thanked her and sat up straight. She picked up her book but she couldn't concentrate. Hazel had brought up a lot of history Ginny didn't want to remember. No, I cant blame Hazel, Ginny thought.

Ten minutes later, the train started to slow down. Ginny heard a bustle as some students gathered their belongings. Ginny knew better, as did most of the other students. The train slowed down fifteen minutes before they reached Hogsmeade. However Ginny put her book in her bag and tidied up the sweet wrappers. I'll have to do some extra work to take them off my hips, she thought. Ginny heard someone outside and looked up. It was Hazel again.

'Hi,' Ginny said. She's cheered up, but still looks broody, Hazel thought.

'Hi, just thought I'd let you know we are almost there,' Hazel said.

'I know,' Ginny said, wondering why the Snack Trolley lady had turned into the talking clock.

'Well as Head Girl it is your duty to round up the students, making sure they all get off the train!' Hazel laughed.

'Okay, do you think I should go now?' Ginny asked, glad that Hazel had come. She had forgotten all about her duties. She sighed. Guess it all starts now.

'Oh I'd leave it a few minutes. After all, we won't be in Hogsmeade for another five minutes. You'll just get the first years excited!' Hazel said. Ginny nodded. 'Well, I'd better go and clean up the cart. See you soon Ginny.'

Ginny said goodbye, and stood up. She changed into her robes and made sure she had everything. Feeding the last of the cakes to her owl, Ginny looked at herself in the window. She didn't look as bad as she had a few hours ago, but she was no spring chicken.

Ginny walked out into the corridor just as the train pulled into the station. She met up with some sixth year prefects and assigned them carriages to empty. She wandered down to the front of the train and started filing the students out. When she was satisfied that the front end was clear Ginny walked the length of the train making sure the prefects had done their jobs. They had so Ginny walked back to her compartment and grabbed her hat. She was just stepping off the train when she saw Hazel tidying up the trolley.

'Hazel,' she called.

'Oh Ginny dear,' Hazel said looking up. 'I wanted to see you before you left.'

'I just wanted to say thanks for the lovely chat earlier and for the cakes,' Ginny smiled.

'Oh that's alright dear. I wanted to let you know. There is a student in the bathroom at the other end of the train. I knocked on the door but they didn't want to come out. Think it might be a first year!' Hazel said.

'Thank you. I'd better go and coax them out. Let them know we're not too bad here!' Ginny said. 'Bye, see you in the summer!'

'Goodbye, Ginny. Good luck in your NEWTs,' Hazel said as Ginny made her way back up to the front of the train.

She reached the bathroom and knocked on the door.

'Hello,' she said. 'My name is Ginny; I'm the Head Girl at Hogwarts. What's your name?' she asked.

No reply came from behind the door so she tried again.

'Okay, I guess you're a little shy. I'm going to walk down the train and off the first exit. I hope you'll join us, or I'll have to send Hagrid in for you. He's an eight-foot half-giant. I can assure you I'm not that scary!' Ginny giggled at her own joke. She turned and did as she said, walking towards the first exit. She heard a click of the lock and the door swing open. She didn't turn around, determined not to frighten the newcomer.

'That great oaf? He doesn't scare me,' she heard from behind her and turned around. Standing with his hands in his pockets and his hair in front of his eyes was Draco Malfoy.