To Save Her Sanity

Chapter One: Alone at Last

Ginny sat on the couch in front of the fireplace in the common room. The rain was pouring on the Hogwarts grounds, but she didn't mind the gloomy weather. She was perfectly contented sitting in the common room, reading a book, and enjoying the sound of the rain as it drizzled to the ground. No one knew that Ginny liked to read, not the kind books Hermione fancied, oh no, Ginny liked the mystery books and romance novels, good ol' fiction! No one cared that Ginny often wrote stories herself, just to relieve the pent up stress each day.

Ginny had been hesitant, since the chamber of secrets incident, to pick up and start another diary. She later found it was necessary in order to keep her sanity, so she welcomed the comfort that her diary brought her each night before she ventured off into sleep. Writing for Ginny was very cathartic and relaxing, it helped to calm her nerves. And being a Weasley, and being considered one of the poorest wizarding families in the world, really did take a toll on Ginny. She was constantly being judged by people, peers, even her family members would sometimes taunt her for being anti-social. It really wasn't Ginny's choice whether people talked to her or not, she was perfectly content by herself...most times.

Ginny's reading time was interrupted by a loud noise coming from outside the portrait. The twins, Ginny thought to herself, she didn't know how she knew it was them, she just knew. It was like she could sense their presence. Sure enough the portrait swung open and in charged George and Fred, laughing like they had just pulled the best prank of their lives. Ginny could have sworn that she almost saw tears in Fred's eyes as he grabbed his sides and collapsed to the common room floor.

"And then," said George, not noticing Ginny's presence, "when he pulled out his wand, and realized it wasn't real...oh, that sent him over the edge."

"Ay, I remember," Fred said still holding his sides, "and then Harry told him not to get mad, 'cause that would only make it worse, but you know Ron."

Uh oh! Ginny thought, they've been messing with Ron again. They should really stop that he gets quite angry! As if on cue the portrait hole swung open again and in charged Ron red with anger, with a worried looking Harry, and an irritated Hermione trailing behind him.

"What's your issue?" Ron said speaking to the twins, he often referred to them as one person, because they both might as well be one person.

"Ay, Ron, calm down, we was only 'aving a bit of fun!" George said trying to calm himself down.

"Ron, please calm down, first you make a big scene in Hogsmeade and now this..." Hermione stated looking rather frazzled.

"What happened?" Ginny voiced, but no one heard her. Harry continued the conversation from there, "Fred, George, you know how Ron gets, please just say your sorry so we can be done with this." It almost sounded as if Harry were pleading with them.

"You want us to apologize to this little git?" Fred and George said simultaneously, both pointing at Ron. "It's not our fault he made a total fool out of himself in public," George said as if he believed every word, "or have you not noticed that Ron has a tendency to attract embarrassment wherever he goes?" George and Fred were the only two laughing, and it rang awkwardly throughout the whole common room. Everyone else was still at Hogsmeade; the only reason Ginny didn't go was because she didn't feel like being around people at the moment.

"Forget it, I don't want an apology, you can stick your apology straight up your--,"

"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione shouted, she wasn't used to hearing Ron curse. Harry on the other hand knew all too well that Ron was pissed off and it wouldn't do any good. As if to contradict Harry's thoughts Ron backed down and pushed George and Fred out of his way to go sit by the fire; Harry and Hermione slowly followed suit.

"Well hello Ginny," Harry said just noticing another red head before him.

"Hello Harry," Ginny said in a very soft and almost hurt voice.

"Ginny what's wrong?" Hermione asked sounding sincerely concerned for her. Ginny on the other hand just shrugged as Harry put everything together in his mind.

"How long have you been sitting here Ginny?" Harry asked afraid he already knew the answer.

"I was here the whole time," she answered simply.

"Well why didn't you say anything?" Hermione asked, "We could have used your help you know, you probably know more ways to tame your brothers than we do." This statement seemed to make Ginny angry, but she politely excused herself saying that she didn't feel well and that she'd be in her dormitory if anyone should need her.