One Year

One Year

Chapter Eleven:

June

+++++

In addition to her NEWT exams, the month of June brought Ginny to perhaps the most nerve-wracking experiences of her life: her appointment with a Muggle neurologist.

"Now look this way..."

Ginny's eyes moved to the left, and the doctor's light shone brightly in her eyes.

"Now put your hands out to the side and alternate touching your nose."

Ginny's arms went up and she performed for the doctor. It felt rather silly to be touching her nose. She thought for sure that the exam would be much different.

"Good. Now hands on your sides and stand on one foot then the other." The doctor stepped back to observe Ginny's balance. "Now have a seat. We're done with this part."

Ginny hopped onto the exam table and watched the doctor nervously as he jotted notes on her chart.

"Okay, now could you tell me about the accident again?" he asked without looking up.

"Er, well it happened during a Quidditch match--"

"You play Quidditch! My sister played when she was at Hogwarts! It's an amazing sport! What position do you play?" His eyes were wide, and Ginny could feel his excitement.

"Seeker."

"Really? Amazing. Adrienne got the Headmaster to allow us to see one of her matches, and it was fabulous. She was a, what do you call it, a Chooser?"

"Chaser, sir. Well, the accident happened as I was diving for the Snitch..." Ginny continued with the explanation of what'd happened, not allowing any pauses in which Dr. Haworth-Smith could interrupt.

"Was this your first concussion?"

"No, sir. I had one back when I was sixteen. I was, er, fighting someone." Ginny had a difficult time thinking of the right words to describe the battle of her life against Bellatrix Lestrange. "And I got knocked out."

"Uh-huh." He nodded as he wrote down more notes. "Well, I am going to order a CT scan and possibly an MRI."

"What? What's that?" Whatever they were, they didn't sound very fun.

"Oh, I'm sorry. They are electronic scans of the brain. They'll let us see if there is any underlying damage, and then we'll be able to figure out what's going on." Dr. Smith gave her a reassuring smile. "It won't hurt, I promise. It's all very routine." The doctor stood and headed toward the door. "I'll go get your parents and your brother, then."

Ginny watched him leave the room, and she barely contained her giggle upon hearing the doctor refer to Harry as her brother. There was nothing brotherly in how she felt about him in the least.

The door opened again and in walked her parents and Harry, who walked up to her and kissed her soundly on the lips, making the doctor do a double take.

"He's not my brother, Doctor. Harry's my boyfriend," Ginny informed the gob smacked doctor.

"Yes, well then. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny will need to undergo some brain scans to determine what is troubling her. I'll have the nurse take you all to the radiology lab." He smiled briefly at them. "Any questions?"

"What exactly does this test do?" asked Ginny's father with an excited look on his face.

"Well, it takes pictures of the brain-"

"Amazing..." her father interrupted.

"I suppose, yes. It gives us a good image of the whole brain, and from there we'll be able to tell if there is anything wrong physically. I think it is rather unfortunate that the folks at St. Mungo's haven't tried something like this." Dr. Haworth-Smith's eyes lit up at the mention of his sister's workplace.

"Muggle medicine isn't well received in certain parts of our world," Harry told the doctor. "Mr. Weasley here had stitches a few years back, and Ginny's mum was mortified." Harry nudged Ginny as they watched her mother blush.

"Well, let's get this going then, alright?" The doctor stood and ushered them out of the room.

=====

Ginny, her parents, and Harry walked out the clinic doors, relieved that there was nothing seriously wrong with her. Dr. Haworth-Smith had explained that Ginny suffered from Post-Concussion Syndrome, which affected a small percentage of people. With her prescription anti-depressants, things should get better for her in a few weeks. She still needed to take breaks throughout the day, but otherwise, she didn't have to do anything different.

Once the foursome reached the Leaky Cauldron, they stepped in front of the Apparation point of the pub and Disapparated, reappearing in the village of Hogsmeade. Professor McGonagall had allowed Ginny the day off from classes in order to see the doctor.

"Ginny, dear, would you like your father and I to walk you up to the gates?" asked her mother, a much more relaxed person than she had been a few hours before.

"That would be fine, Mum," she answered, but her eyes kept drifting toward Harry. Even though they spent the day together, they really had no opportunity to talk.

"Molly, I think they'll be fine. Let's get home." Her father's voice was deep, and if Ginny wasn't mistaken, she could have sworn her father's hand was caressing her mother's backside. Block the image, block it NOW.

"Oh, yes. There was that, er, thing that needed doing."

Ginny watched her mother blush, and she wished that she wasn't standing there listening to her parents' sexual innuendo and watching her father feel up her mother. She initiated the goodbyes and soon she and Harry were walking toward the castle hand in hand.

"Did you see where your dad's hand was?" asked Harry in an amused voice.

"Yes," Ginny replied in a not-so-amused voice. "Put your hand back here and make me forget what I saw, Potter."

She reached out and pulled him to her, pressing her lips to his, effectively driving those particular images from her mind. Harry willingly opened his mouth when her tongue met his lips. Ginny continued to dominate the kiss and pushed Harry down to the grass, straddling his hips and still kissing him.

"Ginny...hey!" Harry sat up with Ginny still in his lap. "What's up with you? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but what brought this on?" His eyes searched hers for an answer, and his hand stroked her cheek. She closed her eyes at the sensations he was causing.

"I guess I'm just happy that there isn't anything really wrong with me, you know? Now that I know what's going on," she said hurriedly, "things can only get better, right?" She smiled widely at him as she finished speaking.

"There's m'girl. There's my Gin," Harry purred before leaning in for another kiss. He stood and pulled her up beside him with his arm around her waist. "But as much as I'd like to stay, I have to get you back up to the castle. McGonagall has me on a short leash after December." The memory made Ginny smile.

"Yeah, well, that wasn't entirely your fault, you know."

"I'd rather not push it," Harry leaned down and rested his forehead on hers. "You need to get back up there, Gin."

Ginny sighed and nodded her head. "Go ahead. Send up Bambi." Harry'd shown her the Muggle movie earlier that summer, and she loved referring to his Patronus as the lovable cartoon stag.

Harry stepped away from her, took out his wand, sending the brilliant stag into the air. Once it trotted away, all they could do was wait for someone to arrive at the gate and let them in.

The two of them waited in awkward silence, hand in hand, until they saw a glowing form coming across the field.

"What is that?" Ginny asked, her hand pointing out toward the castle. "Isn't that Remus' Patronus?" The two of them watched as the form of a wolf trotted toward them.

The silvery wolf stared at Harry, opened its mouth, and whispered into Harry's ear. Harry nodded and the form dissolved into the cool air of the early evening.

"What was that all about?" Ginny looked back over at the castle, wondering why no one had come when Harry called.

"Apparently, there was an explosion in the kitchens."

"What? Was anyone hurt? What about Dobby? Winky?" This was unbelievable. Things like this just didn't happen at Hogwarts. There were too many protective spells around the castle.

"Well, it appears my ownership of Kreacher has ended," Harry said with a touch of moroseness. "He's dead."

Ginny let out an involuntary laugh. "Sorry, Harry, but I'd think you'd be relieved."

Harry returned her laugh and nodded. "Looks like the staff are still trying to sort things out, so Remus sent the spell to unlock the gate with his Patronus." Harry took out his wand and whispered so softly that Ginny was unable to hear anything. The wrought iron gates creaked open eerily, just wide enough for Ginny to enter. "Well, I'll see you."

"What spell was it, Harry?" Ginny teased him, curious as to what sorts of spells the teachers used to protect them.

"I can't, and you know that. It'll be changed once you get inside anyway." Harry smirked at her, making Ginny roll her eyes at him. "Now get on up there." He kissed her quickly on the cheek and ushered her through the gate, making it shut harshly behind her. "You need Hedwig tomorrow?" He grasped her hand through the gate.

Ginny shook her head and kissed his knuckles. "I love you, Harry."

"Me, too," he answered with a hint of a blush. Ginny stepped away and their fingers disentangled from each other, and she reluctantly made her way back to the castle.

=====

Ginny rubbed her temple for what seemed like the tenth time in five minutes, the headache pounding mercilessly against it. But this headache wasn't from her injury. She had been studying non-stop for the past two hours in the library. NEWT's were scheduled to begin on Monday, and this was just not the way she wanted to spend a beautiful Saturday in June. But her determination was winning out, despite her inner protests. She wanted to succeed in this more than anything, and a bloody headache wasn't going to get in her way.

She slid lower on her chair and pulled her Defence textbook closer to her. She knew most of this already, thanks to practical experience, but wanted to make sure she did her best. She was determined to give Percy a run for his money.

The sharp sounds of heels against the hard floor distracted her from her reading, and she looked up to see Madam Pince standing before her, lips pursed in her usual manner.

"Miss Weasley," the woman began, "Professor McGonagall wishes to see you in her office."

"Now?"

"Now," Pince replied curtly and turned around sharply, heading off in the opposite direction.

With a huff, Ginny stood up and gathered her things into her bag, nearly spilling her ink in her haste.

It felt good to be out of the library, and if she was truly honest with herself, she would admit she was tired of studying anyway. She glanced longingly out the windows that lined the halls and wished beyond anything that she could be outside flying, preferably with Harry. She missed that, flying, almost as much as she missed him. She hadn't got on a broom since her accident, and that fact frightened her. She shook the thought out of her head and made her way to the headmistress's office.

She rode the now familiar stairs up to the office and saw Professor McGonagall actually happy, smiling broadly even. What put her in such good mood?

"Ginny. Please, sit down." She walked over to the hard wooden chair that sat in front of the efficient-looking wooden desk, with nary a paper out of place. It was so typical of the woman.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Yes. I have just returned from a meeting with Madam Pomfrey, Healer Malory and Doctor Haworth-Smith. We have come up with a schedule for your exams, so they will not tax you too much," the professor informed her.

This was rather unexpected, as Ginny had no idea this would be happening. It was also a surprise that McGonagall would go along with any change to the test schedule.

"You will take your theory exams in the library with breaks every forty-five minutes. Your time allotment will be the same as your classmates, and since your surname is at the end of the alphabet, you will finish in time for your practical exams." Professor McGonagall handed Ginny a piece of parchment with her timetable. "Professor Lupin will oversee all of your exams and will also administer any medications, should you require them. Does that sound agreeable?"

Ginny didn't know what to say. "Er, sure. Thank you, Professor." She smiled weakly at the headmistress.

"You are very welcome, Miss Weasley. I was happy to do it."

"You're kidding." McGonagall raised an eyebrow at Ginny's comment. "What I mean, Professor, is that you are usually pretty, well, er..."

"Strict?" McGonagall smiled at her. "Ginny, this is not your fault. You are a bright student, and any accommodations that were made are not out of favouritism. They are from a willingness to allow you to do your best on your exams."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." Ginny's smile grew wider, and she could swear that McGonagall's eyes twinkled.

"Now go outside. The fresh air will do you good." Professor McGonagall put her hands on Ginny's shoulders and turned her around to face the door. "You've been staying inside far too much."

Ginny left the office with a light heart, determined to take the advice.

=====

Monday morning was bright, cheerful and all the annoying things it could be for the first day of exams. Ginny awoke early, even before Enid, who liked to get up at 5 am for some ungodly reason. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her stomach a swirl of nerves. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep and rolled out of bed to head for the bathroom.

When she returned to the room, Enid was awake and playing with Hedwig, who was perched on the chair next to Ginny's bed.

"She's a beautiful bird," Enid cooed, stroking Hedwig and eliciting a soft hoot from the snowy owl.

"Isn't she? I'm a bit protective of her since she got sick in November," Ginny told Enid. "Morning, baby," Ginny told Hedwig and bent down to untie the note that was attached to her leg. "How've you been? Harry's been staying out of trouble, I hope." Ginny reached into the drawer of her bedside table and pulled out a treat before Hedwig perched herself on top of the window sill.

"Ready for today, Ginny?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. You?" Ginny unrolled the letter but laid it in her lap, waiting for Enid to leave.

"Nervous as hell." Enid smiled and grabbed her bathroom items, leaving Ginny to read her letter.

Morning, Sunshine

So, it's the big day. You'll do well, I know it. I wish I could give you a kiss for luck, but if I did, you'd be late for your first exam.

I can't believe this year is almost over. I'm excited that you'll be finished with school and you can spend more time with me. I don't know if I told you this, but the time we had together in Sweden was the best time I've ever had. It was amazing, seeing you everyday and being with you, even if it was just listening to music or Quidditch on the wireless. Ron would laugh if he ever found out I'm saying this, but I don't think I could handle being apart from you much longer...I love you so much, Gin, and I really don't think there's going to be anyone else for me. You're it. Always and forever. I know this is a lot to throw at you at one time, but I wanted you to know this before you go back home. I'm going to be there for a month, in between sessions. I can't think of a better way to spend a month than with you.

Hermione has an idea. She'd like you to move in with her. I think it would be bloody brilliant. Think about it. Sweet talk your mum. Put on those puppy dog eyes and turn on the charm like you do with me...but different.

Good luck this week, and remember I love you.

Harry

Ginny wiped a stray tear that escaped her eye and hugged the letter to her body. With a sob, she curled on her side and cried happy tears.

Later that morning, it was eerily quiet as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. A number of students were hunched over their breakfast, frantically re-reading notes from the past year. It was exactly what Ginny was planning on doing as well.

She stepped up to the Gryffindor table and took a seat across from Colin, who was idly munching on a piece of bacon that hung from his mouth, leaving his hands free to rustle through the unorganised mess he called notes.

"Can you even find anything in there?" she asked, pouring cream on her porridge. She watched as Colin nodded, the bacon wagging like a dog's tail.

"Asowutwee," he muttered with the bacon still in his teeth. Ginny smiled and opened her notebook, scanning the pages to get in some last minute studying.

So absorbed was she in her reviewing, she jumped when she heard Professor McGonagall begin to speak.

"Attention, please. I remind all students that today marks the beginning of your final exams as well as OWLs for the fifth-years and NEWTs for the seventh-years. Fifth and seventh year students are to remain in the Entrance Hall until it is time for the exams to begin." She cleared her throat and then continued. "Conversation in the hallways will be kept to a minimum, and the corridors will be patrolled in between classes. Now off you go."

The sound of benches scraping the stone floor echoed through the Great Hall. Ginny made her way through the mob of students and caught up with Luna. The two of them found a quiet corner and people-watched for a while, trying to relax.

"Should we get out the Extendable Ears, Lu? I need something to take my mind off things," Ginny suggested, even as she began searching for them in her bag.

"Oh wouldn't that be interesting."

The two of them each took an earpiece and began strolling about the Entrance Hall, pretending to gossip as they listened to their fellow seventh-years.

====

"The third use of dragon's blood is as a stabiliser for Veritaserum..."

Too boring. The girls continued on.

====

"Monkshood is the same thing as wolfsbane..."

Ginny shook her head at the girl's inane chatter about first year Potions knowledge.

====

"So you wanna meet me at the North Astronomy Tower? We could finish up where we left off last night..."

"Will you do that thing you do with your tongue?"

Ginny and Luna gave each other silly looks and slowed their walking, continuing to listen to the racy conversation.

====

"Are you sure this thing'll work? I remember Granger confiscating it back in fourth year..."

Ginny chuckled at the memory of hearing about the things Hermione, as a Gryffindor prefect, had confiscated in the days prior to her own OWL exams.

====

"I hear Jonathan Martin got some girl pregnant. That's why he got expelled."

That comment made them stop in their tracks. Ginny thought for sure that the stories about Jonathan had all worn out. This one was a new rumour.

"Nah, that's not right. Remember, he was found in the cave down by the village."

"Wasn't he with a woman from the village? He was about to...well, you know."

"I think so. Luckily, Lupin got there in time."

"So, how did he know? It's not like the man is a bobby or anything. D'you think it was a student?"

"Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure it was a student. Wonder who?"

"He was pretty out there, so I wonder if it was an ickle third-year he lured out there to get his jollies with."

"Ugh, don't make me think about it anymore. He was one of Malfoy's cronies, if I recall. Had a bit of a nasty streak, I'd say."

====

Ginny felt a tug on her sleeve, which pulled her attention away from the boy's conversation. She looked up to see Luna, pointing to the doors of the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick stood on his usual stool, about to instruct the students.

Ginny rolled her eyes at Flitwick's reminders about Auto-Answer Quills, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs, and Self-Correcting Ink before ushering her classmates and the fifth-years into the Great Hall. Before Luna turned to leave, Ginny pulled her into a hug, whispering, "Good luck."

Luna smiled and patted Ginny on the back, then they parted, Luna for the Great Hall and Ginny to the library.

At the library, she was greeted by Professor Lupin's toothy grin. He'd been smiling a lot more these days. Couldn't have anything to do with impending fatherhood, could it? Ginny thought with a grin of her own.

"Good morning, Professor."

"Yes, it is, Ginny. Yes, it is," he answered.

"Well, you're not taking exams now, are you?" Ginny reminded him. His eyes finally lost their glaze, and he began to look more like himself.

"I suppose not." He held the door open for her, and she entered the eerily quiet library. There were no students, no noise. Not even an errant ghost floating about waiting to distract a studying group of students. Standing by the desk was Madam Pince, her arms crossed and wearing her traditional pursed lip look. She was a little ray of sunshine, she was.

"Lupin," she muttered, her lips barely coming apart. "Miss Weasley, please come with me." Pince began walking away from her, and Ginny hurried to catch up. "No running in the library."

Ginny followed the librarian to a small alcove containing a large desk, a wooden chair, a settee, and a pitcher of water with matching glasses.

"Oh, you didn't have to get me the comfy couch for my exams, Irma! That was so sweet," Ginny teased, flinging herself onto the hideous floral upholstery. She immediately cringed inwardly, and silently cursed her moods and her condition.

"Miss Weasley! Show some respect, my dear. It's only because the headmistress asked me that I am allowing the two of you to disrupt my library." The haggard-looking woman glared at Ginny, clearly awaiting an apology.

"Irma, Minerva and I thank you for these arrangements," Lupin began, his voice even and deep. "I am sure Miss Weasley appreciates it as well, don't you, Miss Weasley."

Ginny felt her cheeks warm up at the remark and cleared her throat before speaking. "Yes, thank you, ma'am." She got up and settled herself in the wooden chair and retrieved her quills and ink, setting them carefully on the desk.

"Your first exam is Potions theory. You will work in forty-five minute blocks and have a ten minute break wherein you will be able to relax and take any pain medication you may need," the professor rattled off, as if reciting a carefully written speech. "I will remain here while you take your exam."

"And what will you be doing?" Ginny asked slyly.

"Catching up on my child-rearing reading," Lupin replied cheekily, sitting down on the settee and swinging his legs onto the cushions. "Seriously, I have my own exams to mark." With a flick of his wand, Professor Lupin produced a packet of parchment, handing it to Ginny. "You have a total of two hours for the exam. The first forty-five minute section will begin...now."

=====

"Thank you, Miss Weasley. I suspect your Defence mark will be rather spectacular," mused Miranda Gobschalk, the Ministry official who had helped administer the NEWT exams.

Ginny smiled at the elderly witch, relieved that her final exam was now over with. She was done. It was all over. She silently left the Great Hall a bit dazed that all it took to complete her years at Hogwarts was a Shield Charm, a Patronus, and a scamper through an obstacle course that proved to be no challenge at all.

A smile came over her face as she saw Luna waiting for her next to the stairs, already changed into a more comfortable outfit of track pants and a garishly pink t-shirt.

"How'd you do in the obstacle course?" Luna asked, her face screwed up in a tight frown. It was obvious Luna didn't do very well. "I'm afraid I confused the Hinkypunks with Grindylows and blew the poor things to smithereens. I nearly vomited right there on the spot."

"I think I did rather well," Ginny answered. In fact, Ginny did extremely well on the obstacle course. According to the proctor, she had the quickest time and no penalties. "You did get your Patronus to work, didn't you?" That particular charm was always a trouble spot for the girl. Ginny had Luna practising it nearly every day in anticipation for the exams.

Luna breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "Yes! And it was fully corporeal, too." Ginny could see the joy in Luna's face over the appearance of her barn owl Patronus. The heart-shaped face of the owl reminded Ginny so much of her friend.

"Wonderful! Come upstairs with me. I need to get out of this uniform!" Ginny and Luna traipsed up the stairs to the Fat Lady. "Freedom!" Ginny shouted.

"Pardon me, but is that a Ravenclaw with you, dearie?" the Fat Lady admonished.

"Yes," Ginny replied brusquely, "and it doesn't matter that she's here. Now let us in! Freedom!" Ginny was reminded of the night of the Solstice Ball when the Fat Lady was too drunk to let her into the common room.

"Sorry, but the password was changed not ten minutes ago," the Fat Lady huffed and left her portrait.

"You crazy old bint! I should take some paint thinner to you!" Ginny slid down the wall to wait for someone to open the portal from the inside. "Damn her!"

"And I thought Brutus was difficult," Luna told Ginny. Brutus was the occupant of the portrait that guarded the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. "He is so very particular about pronunciation. One wrong accent and he becomes as nasty as a Snorkack." Luna joined Ginny on the floor to wait for entrance.

It was only a few minutes' wait before the door opened. Ginny was able to retrieve the new password, 'Metamorphmagus Mambo', from the sixth year prefect. Once inside, Ginny turned to Luna and muttered, "Remus really needs to get a sense of humour, don't you think?" Both girls giggled at the remark.

=====

The day before term ended, Ginny, Luna and Colin sat under what they called 'The Tree of Friendship.' The same tree sheltered Ron, Harry and Hermione during their days at Hogwarts; Ginny was eventually added to that circle, as were Neville and Luna in the days following the battle in the Department of Mysteries. That battle bonded the six of them in ways no other could understand. It felt appropriate to spend her last days at Hogwarts there with two of her closest friends.

"Ginny?" Colin asked, looking up into the azure sky. The three of them had been reminiscing about their years at Hogwarts, laughing at times, crying at others.

"Yeah, Colin?"

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but what really happened to you our first year? I know you were taken to the Chamber, but no one ever really said why."

It was true. Ginny didn't really talk about that time in her life much, and would prefer to forget that it ever happened. She didn't blame Colin for being curious, which was actually not surprising at all. She often wondered why he didn't ask sooner as she and Colin rarely kept things from each other.

"The Heir of Slytherin was Voldemort. But you knew that." Colin nodded. "Well, it was really that diary that I had back then that started it all."

"I remember that. You were always writing in it and kept hiding it from the rest of us," Colin remarked, turning onto his stomach and chewing on a piece of grass. "But it was just a book, wasn't it?"

"No, it wasn't." Ginny went on to tell the story of how the diary was a Horcrux and the horrible things it made her do. It felt cathartic to get the story out, to tell someone who wouldn't judge her or condemn her for something she had no control over. Colin and Luna were kind enough not to interrupt her as she spoke, realising she needed to get it out and for that, Ginny was eternally grateful. She didn't think that she could stop and start several times as she relayed the tale to her friends. When she finished, Luna wore the most loving expression Ginny had ever seen.

"You are definitely a Gryffindor. Your bravery that year proved it. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Luna scooted over to Ginny and wrapped her arms around her dearest friend.

"Thank you." A flood gate opened and Ginny found herself crying for the little girl who lost her innocence so long ago at the hands of a mad man.

=====

The day was finally here. In a matter of hours, she would no longer be a student at Hogwarts. She would be a fully-qualified witch on her way to embark on a new journey in her life. The prospect both thrilled and terrified her at the same time. She was thrilled that she would be one step closer to her dream of being a Healer and living with Hermione in the flat her friend was leasing. It was found in a mixed neighbourhood on the outskirts of Diagon Alley. But she was terrified that she would now have to take care of herself completely for the first time in her life. Throughout her school years, she insisted that no one took care of Ginny Weasley. That wasn't entirely true. She always had her parents' home to return to and her mother's food to eat and her father's quiet strength. Soon, she would be the one helping to maintain a home. She would be cooking. She would have to be strong for herself, because her future depended on what she made it.

And then there was Harry.

They loved each other deeply, and Ginny knew beyond any doubt that they were meant to be together. How would they proceed now that she was out of school? Would they become intimate? Would they live together at some point? When would they get married? Would they get married? Even more worrisome was the thought that spending more time together would make them realise it was all a mistake. This year, they barely saw each other for more than a week at a time. Could they really manage being together?

With a heavy sigh, Ginny fell back against her pillows and pulled the covers back over her head, hoping to get a few more minutes sleep. Unfortunately, it was at that very moment that a shriek erupted outside her curtains, causing her to jump out of her bed, wand drawn, ready to do battle.

"Stupefy!" Ginny shouted without thinking, the spell making contact with whomever was in the room. A thunk on the floor told her that her victim had fallen.

"Um, Ginny?" Carrie Newton broke the silence. "Maybe you should look to see who's on the floor."

Oh hell, who did I curse? Ginny's eyes made the journey from Carrie's face to the floor very slowly. She was filled with a sense of impending doom as her eyes alighted on the white trainers coming from scruffy blue jeans that led to an old brown trench coat that looked oddly familiar. Her heart sunk upon seeing dark brown curls cascading down the back.

"Oh, Hermione! I'm SO sorry! Ennervate!" Ginny watched as Hermione's eyes fluttered open and darted around the room.

"Honestly, Ginny, look before you curse!" Hermione smiled brightly and held out her hand, which Ginny took, helping her friend off the floor.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you and all, but still, this isn't like you at all!" Ginny suddenly stopped, eyeing the young woman before her and pointing her wand at her. "Are you really Hermione Granger? Prove it!"

"Ginny, it's me!" She took a step, but was halted by the tip of Ginny's wand in the middle of her chest.

"What went wrong with the Polyjuice Potion you took in your second year?"

"Oh please, don't make me say it--"

"Answer the question."

"Iturnedintoacat," Hermione mumbled. There were several giggles from Enid and Carrie, who were both standing behind Hermione.

"Pardon? I didn't quite hear that," Ginny snapped back, a smile beginning to play across her lips.

"Fine, then. I turned into a cat because I thought it was a strand of Millicent Bulstrode's hair but it was a cat's instead. I was in the Hospital Wing for weeks." Hermione began to blush. "Ron rather liked my tail."

That was all it took for Ginny, Enid and Carrie to burst out into fits of laughter that echoed throughout the large room. Hermione looked utterly mortified at the other's laughter at her expense, but soon joined in and then found herself wrapped up in Ginny's arms in the warm hug she was expecting.

"So, what are you doing here?" Ginny pushed Hermione down onto her bed, feeling more elated than she had in a long time. "Is everything alright? Is it Harry?"

"Calm down. Everyone is fine. Harry's been up since dawn; he's so excited to see you." Hermione cleared her throat and began again. "I'm here for work. There are two students that've been hired in the Department of Mysteries, and I've been sent to take them to the Ministry."

"But how did you get here?" Enid asked, getting impatient and climbing onto the bed beside the other two.

Three pairs of eyes immediately focused on Hermione, eagerly waiting her explanation. "Well, I developed a new skill recently." Her face looked sheepish, and Ginny knew she was just bursting to say what was going on.

"No! Get out! You're an Animagus, aren't you?" Ginny had a feeling that was what Hermione was working on.

"Yes. I'm a mouse." Hermione was rather pleased with herself.

"A MOUSE! Dear Merlin, Ron's going to FREAK. He had enough problems with the whole Scabbers-Pettigrew thing, and now you!"

"Ginny, Ron's fine with it." Hermione touched her friend's arm, soothing away her worries. "I Apparated here, and then transformed inside the gate. I crawled up the vines to get here. McGonagall knew I would be arriving today and gave me the spell for the gate. Luckily, you left the window open. I crawled inside and then changed back. You two saw me!" Hermione turned toward the others, and they nodded their agreement.

"You sure Ron's fine with it? Just don't go showing off around McGonagall. She may just eat you."

=====

Ginny looked around the Great Hall for the last time, taking in all that was around her. The school banners hung from the enchanted ceiling which was bright with the midday sun, and the colours of the four Houses draped the windows and walls. Chatter filled the large room and filled Ginny with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, remembering the good and the bad from the past seven years.

The clink of a spoon upon a glass quieted the Great Hall, and Professor McGonagall rose to address the student body.

"To all of the students leaving us for the final time this year, I wish to say 'Well done.' You have been a wonderful example to the underclassmen, and you should be proud of your accomplishments." She paused and took a piece of parchment from Professor Flitwick. "Your NEWT scores will be given to you by your Head of House shortly. The staff and I are also pleased to inform you that we are recognising one boy and one girl for achieving the highest marks. First, we are pleased to honour Mr. Gregory Smythwyck of Ravenclaw." Applause broke out and Gregory stood, clearly revelling in his accomplishment. He was Head Boy for good reason. "And I am very pleased to say that Miss Ginevra Weasley of Gryffindor achieved top marks as well."

Ginny's jaw dropped. This couldn't be happening. She wasn't the brain in the family. This was wrong.

"Ginny, stand up!" Colin urged her, poking her in the ribs.

When she rose, the applause began and unlike Gregory, she felt embarrassed and unworthy. Above the sound of the clapping, she heard a squeal of delight and turned to find Hermione standing just inside the doors, beaming at her and smiling broadly. Ginny sat down quickly and hoped to hide from the attention.

"I am proud of each of the seventh-year students, and I wish you all the best in your future paths, wherever they may lead." McGonagall sat down with a smile, and the chatter of the students grew again.

Professor Lupin made his way to the Gryffindor table and took a seat across the table from Ginny, next to Enid. The remaining seventh-years gathered round to receive their marks.

"Ginny, well done." He reached out his hand, which held her marks, and Ginny took it with shaking hands. "You really outdid yourself."

She opened the envelope and scanned the page, amazed, shocked and proud all at the same time.

Care of Magical Creatures--O

Charms--O

Defence Against the Dark Arts--O

Potions--O

Arithmancy--E

Herbology--E

Muggle Studies--E

Transfiguration--E

Astronomy--A

Along with her marks was a letter from St Mungo's.

Dear Miss Ginevra M Weasley,

We are pleased to accept you into our Apprentice Healer programme. Your OWL and NEWT marks have shown you to be an outstanding student, and we feel that you will be a wonderful addition to our staff.

Your training is set to begin on 1 September. Please report to the office of Healer Clarissa Painter at 0900 to receive your timetable and materials.

Congratulations again and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Augustus Pye

Healer

Apprentice Healer Programme Chair

St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies