Ginny Weasley and the Memory of Power

Since it was their last night at home, Mum had made a meal of all favorite dishes like she did every year, only this year Ginny's was included next to those of Percy, Ron, Fred and George and--she was very pleased to see--Harry. Luckily, for once she didn't look so out of place because she didn't know what to say. No one else said much either. They were too busy eating.

After dinner she watched Ron beat Harry at wizard's chess even though she pretended not to. A couple of times she had advice on the tip of her tongue, only to have it vanish at the thought Harry might look at her. When the twins set off a sting of wet-start Filibuster fireworks, she jumped out of her skin and narrowly avoided spilling her cocoa in the process. Harry reached out to help her catch her balance, and her heart nearly stopped.

"Off to bed with the lot of you," Mum scolded fondly as the world came back into focus.

"Thanks," Ginny mumbled awkwardly.

"Anytime," Harry said so easily she felt even more uncomfortable.

The quiet solitude of her room was a relief, but she couldn't seem to fall asleep, no matter how hard she tried or how many sheep she counted. Finally, she kicked aside her covers, feeling frustrated, and groped around until she found the diary. She weighted down the pages with an illuminated rock the twins had charmed for her last Christmas.

--Tom?--

--Yes, Ginny?--

--You went to Hogwarts, right?--

--What do you want to know?--

--Do you think I'll like it there? I've been laying in bed worrying that I won't fit in.--

--Of course you'll fit in. The sorting will make sure of that.--

--Is the sorting difficult? Fred says it's a troll, but George says you have to dodge a rare curse.--

--I don't think I should ruin the surprise. It's a tradition.--

--Yeah-- Ginny wrote wryly -I know. But I don't see how it's supposed to help.--

--It will assign you to a house of people like you. People in the same houses almost always get along. I've never heard of anyone being completely left out. I'm surprised you don't already have a house you want to be in; a lot of people do.--

--Oh, I'll probably end up in Gryffindor. That's the house my whole family has been in...but sometimes I feel completely left out with them. What if there isn't a house for people like me? I'm not that interesting.--

--Sure you are. You figured out how to communicate with me. You're smart as a Slytherin.--

--I thought the smartest house was Ravenclaw.--

--Oh, they read a lot, but no one can outwit Slytherin. And you'd be noticed in Slytherin instead of hidden behind some book.--

--But I'd miss my brothers like I did when they went to school without me. And Harry.--

--Oh, of course. -

--Did you know Professor Dumbledore?--

--Is he the Headmaster? He taught Transfiguration when I was there.--

--My brothers say he's the best headmaster ever.--

--Your writing is becoming quite illegible. I think it's about time you went to bed.--

Ginny yawned heavily. -Maybe you're right. I'll talk to you tomorrow after the Sorting.--

--Good luck.--

The next thing she knew, a very-harried Mum was shaking her awake. Ginny had originally intended to put on her school robes before she left the house so she didn't have to change later, but suddenly it seemed too grown-up and official. She put on the plain blue dress she wore a lot instead, and was about to put on her rubber-soled tennis shoes when her lack of socks was discovered. With a mangled shout of frustration, she leapt off the foot of her bed and darted into the closest bedroom. In no time at all, she was tying her shoes, even if the green socks and blue dress did seem like an odd combination.

Ginny stormed downstairs, braiding her hair as she went and nearly ran face-first into the hastily-buttered toast Mum was holding out for her breakfast. The twins appeared to be arguing with Mum about packing up several of their experiments to take with them, Ron was chasing Scabbers, and Harry seemed to be short a shoe. Dad unearthed the shoe from beneath the sofa while Ginny set about helping to catch Scabbers. The next thing she knew, Mum was sweeping them out the door and into Dad's blue Anglia. They were nearly to the end of the road when Fred announced he had to go back for his broomstick. No sooner had they made it to the end of the road the second time than George announced he'd left something behind. When it turned out to be an extra packet of wet-start Filibuster Fireworks, Mum was livid.

They made it twice as far before Ginny got her bearings enough to realize the diary was still at home under her bed. "Dad, we have to go back--I've forgotten my diary!"

"Awww," the twins complained.

"What do you need a diary for," Ron demanded impatiently.

"Really, Ginny, you should try to be more organized," Percy added virtuously. Ginny elbowed him surreptiously in the stomach.

"Ginny, try to be sensible, dear", Mum advised. "We'll send you the diary by post."

"We aren't that far away from home," Ginny pleaded, trying not to look nervous at the idea of Mum getting a good look at it. "Wouldn't it be easier on Errol for us to just go back and get it?"

Mum sighed. "She's right, Arthur, dear."

"Thanks!," Ginny shouted.

She was out of the car and halfway upstairs before Dad had finished parking. She seized the nondescript little book in a white-knuckled grip and flew back. Her brothers would never let her live it down if her diary made them late.

Harry seemed amused, but more than a little dazed by the chaos of the situation. Ginny almost told him that once he got used to it he'd fit right in. She was actually glad they had to hurry at the station. She didn't have time to feel nervous. Mum and Dad whisked her onto the train and helped her pick out a compartment. She knew Ron and Harry would be joining her because there weren't many seats that hadn't filled up yet, and, at any rate, Ron had promised after she'd sheepishly admitted she didn't want to face her unknown schoolmates alone.

Hermione Granger came in as Mum and Dad were saying goodbye. She smiled warmly. Ginny smiled shyly back.

"Are you excited about starting Hogwarts, Ginny?," Hermione asked. "I was when I got on the train last year--well, I still am--it all seemed like some improbable dream even though I'd read Hogwarts: A History at least a dozen times. "

"I haven't read Hogwarts: A History at all," Ginny admitted, feeling remiss.

"It's a wonderful reference. I'd be happy to loan you my copy if you like. Unfortunately, I don't have it with me. It wouldn't fit."

Ginny found herself liking this matter-of-fact girl with the intelligent eyes and wild hair. Maybe they could be friends. "That's really nice of you. Thanks."

Hermione grinned. "No problem. So where are Ron and Harry? Searching for the snack trolley? I didn't think even Ron could be hungry yet."

Ginny snickered. "I bet he could," she contradicted. "I don't know where they--"

The train was moving. She and Hermione looked at one another, stunned. Then the door to the compartment began to jiggle. "There you are," Hermione said, turning to the door, her relief a little too evident.

"Oh, Hermione," said a somewhat round-looking boy with a vaguely puzzled expression. "Do you mind if we come in?" He was accompanied by a short, freckled boy with a camera.

"Some boy called Malfoy is making a dreadful racket in our one," the boy with the camera added vaguely.

"We have plenty of room," Ginny said.

"Malfoy's always like that," Hermione added. "Ginny Weasley, this is Neville Longbottom. Neville's in my year. Neville, this is Ginny--Ron's little sister. I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said, for the benefit of the freckled boy. "I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"Colin Creevy," the boy squeaked. "My dad's a postman."

Hermione looked somewhat nonplussed. "My parents are dentists," she told him. "Magic takes a little getting used to, but it's worth it."

"Everything's so exciting," Colin gabbled. "I didn't know places like Diagon Alley existed. And did you know they make candy that comes in every flavor? They're called Bertie Botts Beans and-- " Ginny realized she was staring.

"Hey," Neville interrupted so smoothly Ginny got the impression he was getting used to Colin's rambling, "where are Ron and Harry?"

"Wherever they are," Ginny said firmly, "Ron has some explaining to do. He promised to keep me company."

"She has witnesses," Hermione confirmed, looking dangerous momentarily.

"Ooh. Sorry," Neville muttered awkwardly and slapped his forehead.

"Trevor," Hermione said clinically a split-second before he exclaimed, "Trevor!"

Colin eyed Hermione interestedly. "Cool. Was that magic?"

"No," Hermione assured him with a smile, shaking her head. "I just know Neville." Ginny grinned. Neville and Colin were certainly entertaining, but she almost wished she had a chance to talk to Hermione without them around. Still, they had a whole year to get to know one another.

"Firs' years," an unlikely man towering over the crowd called as Ginny stumbled off the train. "Firs' years over here."

"That's Hagrid," Hermione explained. "He's going to take you on the traditional boat ride."
"Firs' years," Hagrid called again. Ginny looked over at him, uncertain. Hermione squeezed her arm in encouragement. "You'll do great, " she said, and Hermione was never wrong if Ron were to be believed. "I'll see you at the feast."
Ginny nodded and trailed after Colin who had scampered off ahead.

The lights of the castle melted and merged in the mist over lake, hanging in air just out of reach like a suspension of stars. The very air seemed alive with the throb of magic. Breathless, Ginny was suddenly very glad she had come.

The first years stopped in an uncertain clump in the entry, staring around unsurely. A tall witch in gorgeous robes of cut green velvet stood above them. She looked taunt, like a rope tightly pulled, but her eyes were touched with softness and her voice had the husky hint of a kitten's purr, warming Ginny to the tips of her toes. "I am Professor McGonagall," she said, and proceeded to explain the house system Ginny had been hearing about her whole life before she lined them up in pairs.

The Great Hall was even more magical than the view from the lake. The starlight sky hung overhead, so close you felt you could reach up and snatch stars from it. Just below it hung hundreds of candles ablaze in flickering rows. Ginny had never realized before the awesome power and possibility of being a witch, but she knew she would never again forget. They were irrevocably a part of her, the knowledge, this time and place, like her red hair or her freckles.

She tried not to look at the sea of faces on either side of her, but Hermione, Percy, and the twins muttered encouragement as she passed. She didn't hear anything from Harry or Ron. Violently squelching both disappointment and worry, Ginny vowed revenge. When she saw the hat, she extended the vow to the twins.

"Adumar, Nathan," Professor McGonagall read loudly.

A friendly-looking boy in glasses walked up to the hat and put it on. Nothing happened. Then, "Ravenclaw," the hat announced, and the boy went to join their table.

Anderson, Bettina was a Hufflepuff almost before she put the hat on.

Creevy, Colin became a Gryffindor after some deliberation.

Duran, Doug wore a heavy scowl. Ginny was almost relieved when he disappeared in the direction of the Slytherin table. Part of her remembered the diary's fascination with Slytherin and wanted to shiver.

Edwards, Nineve was Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff got Fraiser, Vivian and Geeble, Christopher. Hart, Patricia was a Gryffindor.

Ginny's legs were numb by the time they reached Lyman, Leonore, also a Gryffindor.

"Walden, Ian," eventually became a Gryffindor, and suddenly it was Ginny's turn.

She still couldn't feel her legs, but somehow she managed to walk to the stool. The hat felt heavy and old in her hands. She put it on and was glad she was sitting down when a voice spoke in her head. So, another Weasley, the hat--or so she assumed--said, sounding amused. But a girl. Isn't that a different story?

You tell me, Ginny thought, and felt a tickle suspiciously like a chuckle. A quick wit. And a strong love of books. Perhaps Ravenclaw. The hat paused and added You have the Weasley temper and a tendency to impatience, I see. Definitely NOT a Hufflepuff.

No, Ginny admitted ruefully, I'm afraid I'm not that nice.

It's a wise person who knows their own limitations. You would do well in Ravenclaw indeed. You're reluctant. Why?

Someone told me Slytherin was the real house of learning, Ginny temporized, not wanting to admit she was afraid that without her brothers she would be lonely.

You wouldn't do in Slytherin, the hat reproved, you're far too transparent. It's a tough call but when all's said and done you have to be loyal to your heart, Ginny Weasley. No matter what your head may have to say about the matter. Never forget that. And in your heart, you're a--"Gryffindor!"

Unsettled as she was by the experience, Ginny knew the hat was right. Gryffindor was her family. Gryffindor was home. Tears of joy pushed at the back of her eyes as she went to join them. She couldn't even hear the next name, the twins were cheering so loudly.

The feast was delicious, even if Ginny didn't notice half of what she ate because she was too busy craning around the table in search of Harry and Ron. She still hadn't found them when the Prefect led her back to the dormitory. She loved the roaring fire and squashy armchairs of the cozy Common Room instantly, even if the number of people in it was kind of overwhelming.

She was glad to escape to the first year girls' dormitory and put on the pajamas the house elves had laid out. To her own surprise, she was completely exhausted. She wouldn't even have written in the diary before falling asleep if she hadn't promised. -Well, the feast is over.--

--And?--

--I'm a Gryffindor.--

--Congratulations.-- Ginny knew it was ridiculous, but she couldn't help thinking the word looked a little flat.

--Yeah, no surprise there. Do you know any good tricks?--

--Isn't it a bit early to play tricks on your classmates?--

--Lighten up, you sound like Percy. Anyway, I want to trick my brothers, not my classmates. Ron lied to me, the prat. He was SUPPOSED to keep me company on the train--

--With Harry?--

--Well, yeah. But they weren't even at the feast. Supportive, huh?--

--Maybe they have a good reason.--

--And it would be?--

--You could sneak some vanishing parchment into his bag so he'll use it to do his homework. When he goes to turn the essay in--

--All the words will vanish and he'll think he has to do it again unless he wants to hand it in blank! You're pretty sneaky.

--I like to think so.--

--The school is incredible.--

--And it has incredible secrets. Someday I'll tell you a few.--

--Like what?--

--Not tonight. You need your sleep.--

--Wet blanket.-- Ginny drew a smiley face so the diary would know she was teasing and dropped it into the bag next to her bed.