Ginny Weasley, In Her Own Words

GWIHOW

October 19

Joanna, I think I might be close to a break-through on my Protection Charm.

That's wonderful, Ginny!

Yes...except it's a bit complicated.

All right, let's start at the beginning.

Of course. Not that there's all that much to tell. I eliminated the usual methods of protection pretty quickly, because there was a lot of research already, and I knew I couldn't really add much to it. That wasn't what Professor Flitwick wanted, anyway - he wanted a new outlook. So I started thinking about what has protected people, besides the usual charms, and, since I'm really doing this for Harry, of course I thought of his mother's love. Harry told me that Professor Dumbledore told him that that sort of love and sacrifice leave a mark, and that that's what protected him from Voldemort.

But, Ginny -

I know. Voldemort took some of Harry's blood in his re-embodiment ritual, so Harry doesn't have that protection anymore. But there's other types of love, so I wondered if one of them would work as well. I know a mother's love is one of the most powerful, but I thought...I even tried to research the varying strengths of love. I'm certain you can tell how that went.

Breila, please tell me you're not considering sacrificing yourself for Harry.

Oh, no, Joanna! That would be...well, that would be just sick, don't you think? Especially when we don't even know it'll be needed.

Yes, I do. I'm very glad, Ginny.

You must think I'm a silly, lovesick fool to think I'd do something like that.

No, of course I don't. I just worry about you.

I know...

Ginny, I'm sorry. Of course I should have known better - I should have trusted you better.

Well, yes. But I forgive you. I'm really not as bad as I might seem to you, you know. You're the only one I can really pour my feelings out to, and especially my feelings for Harry, so you get rather a concentrated dose. Anyway, I think I may have figured something out, but there're a few catches. One is that it has to be true love. Clichèd, isn't it? It won't work at all if it's not. Another is that it won't work through a wand.

What? How can you do a spell without a wand?

Well, young children do it all the time, and of course there are jinxes and counter-jinxes. This would be a charm, though, which is different, but Harry told me that Professor Quirell, when he was possessed by Voldemort, did wandless charms, so it is possible for adults.

For Voldemort, maybe.

I rather suspect Professor Dumbledore can, too, though I'd bet he wouldn't admit it. I think that man likes being mysterious just for the sake of being mysterious. It doesn't matter anyway, because there's someone else who can - Theo Black.

Have you mentioned him before, Ginny? His name sounds familiar, but I can't place it.

He's the other student in our Auror training classes. He's also Sirius' cousin. He and Harry have been working together, because Theo has the ability to augment other people's magic.

How does he do that?

Nobody knows, not even him. Professor Vector (that's our Arithmancy teacher) has been trying to figure it out for years, ever since Theo arrived at Hogwarts. However, Theo has been able to explain how he does his wandless magic. Not everyone he's tried to teach has been able to do it, and some people can do it for some things but not for others. I actually haven't been able to master it, yet.

Then how do you know you'll be able to cast the Protection Charm?

Because it's for Harry, Joanna, I have to do it.

Oh, right. So, are there any other catches?

Of course, and this is the one that makes all the rest hopeless. It has to be mutual.

What has to be mutual?

The true love. For my Protection Charm to work, both Harry and the person who's casting the charm have to love each other.

Oh,

breila.

Yes, so I've effectively failed.

For now.

What do you mean?

I mean that Harry doesn't love you now. But he might in the future, Ginny, so I wouldn't give up on your charm quite yet.

Oh, of course not. Besides, maybe I can figure out a way to make it work with only the caster's love. I'm also going to ask Theo if he'll work with me on the wandless magic.

That's the spirit, Ginny. Keep your chin up.

GWIHOW

October 26

Joanna, Percy just sent me an owl, and it's very strange.

It's strange that Percy sent you an owl?

No, that's normal. He thinks it's his familial duty to keep in touch with all of his siblings. But he was almost gushing in the letter, and Percy never does that.

Gushing?

Yes, about Penny. He just kept going on and on about how wonderful she is - how sweet, and understanding, and supportive...you know, I really didn't need to hear all of that. I like Penny, and I'm glad Percy's found someone, but...I really didn't need to hear all of that.

Your brother must not have many people to talk to if he's owling his sister about his girlfriend.

Yes, and it's rather sad, but he's really brought it on himself. He's just so pompous and serious all the time. I really don't know how Penny puts up with it - she's quite pretty, and really nice, so I'm sure she could do...oh, not better, because Percy's a good person, but maybe more suited to her.

Pretty isn't everything, Ginny. And, speaking of pretty, did you ever find out about the Highwayman Charm?

Oh, yes - didn't I tell you?

No, you didn't. Who knew it?

Fleur.

The Care of Magical Creatures professor?

Yes. The stories she told me almost make me glad I'm not beautiful. Almost.

You sound like you do just fine, Ginny. There's, what, four boys interested in you?

Four? I'd say one - Colin.

And William, and the Malfoy creature -

I don't think Malfoy's interested in me, as me. I think he just wants to bother a Weasley, and I'm the only one available to bother this way. Unless there's something about him I don't know. Besides, that's only three.

And Harry.

Joanna. I know you're trying to encourage me here, but I don't think Harry fancies me at all. He's certainly never shown it.

Well, maybe not yet. Anyway, so what is the Highwayman Charm called now?

The Pepper-Spray Charm. Apparently, there's this spray that Muggle women use to repel attackers called Pepper Spray. It's illegal, but lots of women use it anyway. So, some Muggle-born witch started calling the charm that (after all, we don't have highwaymen anymore), and it stuck.

It's certainly a colorful name, so I think it's appropriate. Did your teacher know why it's not being taught to women anymore?

She said that it is taught, in one of the last classes seventh year. Of course, if any young witch's mother wants to teach it to her daughter, she can, but it's assumed that no one would need to use it at Hogwarts.

But what about holidays?

Exactly. And I obviously feel that I need it in Hogwarts! But Fleur said that it's a very powerful spell - since you're using all of your anger and fear to drive your attacker away, you have quite a lot of force. She wouldn't even teach it to me until I explained why I needed it.

What did you tell her?

The truth. I think she and Bill are becoming really serious, and I don't want to start lying to family. I certainly remember what happened the last time I did that. Besides, I could tell that she wouldn't tell anyone else, and that she'd let me handle this my own way. And she did. She said that it will be much better for me if I learn to handle these sorts of threats on my own, but that if I ever felt that it was too much for me, to come to her. I will, too, if Malfoy frightens me too badly. But now I feel confident enough to start going around alone again.

I'm so glad, Ginny.

Me, too. You know, Fleur is really nice, once you get to know her. I remember last year, when she first came for the Triwizard Tournament, I didn't like her, because she seemed so snobby and mean. She called Harry a little boy! But I suppose she was just really nervous about the tournament, because she's been very pleasant this year. She's a good teacher, too, Hermione tells me. The fifth years have been studying centaurs, and I'm really interested in them, because they can tell the future, too, though it's in a different way than a Seer. So I asked Fleur some questions, while I was in her office, and she said that she'll take me into the forest and introduce me to some. She was very interested in what I told her about my experiences with visions - she said that her sister has shown flashes of possibly being a Seer, so she was glad for everything I could tell her.

Wait a minute, Ginny. Am I remembering correctly? I thought the forest was forbidden for students. At least it was in your great-grandmother's day.

Yes, but I'll be going in with a teacher, so that's all right.

Well, I suppose.

Fleur also wanted some good dirt on Bill. It's funny - Angelina has asked me some of the exact same questions about Fred. Is it a girlfriend thing?

They probably just want to know everything they can about the men they love. What did you tell her?

Nothing much. Bill is so much older than I am - by the time I can actually remember things, he was already through Hogwarts. I could tell her things about some of the girls he's brought home, but I don't think that's what she wants to hear.

Probably not. Speaking of your visions, Ginny, have you had another one, yet?

No, and - oh, Joanna! I'm late for a session with Miss Stuart. Bye!

At one o'clock in the morning, Ginny? Oh, bother, she's gone.

GWIHOW

October 27

Joanna, you won't believe what happened last night.

Since it seems to have involved you wandering the halls of Hogwarts at one o'clock in the morning, I think I will believe it.

But I was supposed to! See, Miss Stuart has been trying everything she can think of to help Harry and me induce visions. And when I say everything, I mean everything. Last night she wanted to try extreme weariness, so she told us to meet her at one. It felt rather strange, legitimately wandering the halls after hours. From what they've told me, Harry, Hermione and Ron have done a lot of nocturnal wandering, but Harry said that this was the first time he was supposed to be doing it. He said that he almost wished we'd run into Filch, because we actually had a legitimate excuse. Of course, that didn't help us when we ran into Professor Snape.

What was he doing out that late?

I don't know - and we certainly couldn't ask him! But the funny thing was, even though we had permission to be out of Gryffindor Tower that late, both Harry and I completely froze when we first saw Snape.

I can understand that. He sounds terrifying.

Well...at least nerve-wracking. He, of course, was perfectly thrilled to catch two Gryffindors out of bounds. He said a number of very cutting things to Harry, including that Harry should be more intelligent than to try sneaking around with a girl with six brothers.

Ginny! You've got to admit, he does have a wicked sense of humor.

Oh, sure, I can laugh about it now. Harry's face! And he wouldn't look at me for awhile after that. But then Snape started talking about detention, and that unfroze me. I had detention with Snape back in my second year, and I never want to go through that again. He made me cut up newts' livers for hours, and he kept coming over and telling me to cut them more evenly. Have you any idea how difficult it is to cut a newt's liver evenly? They're mushy. Ergh. I can still feel the slime.

Ginny, are you trying to make me sick?

You're a diary, Joanna, you can't get sick. I think I may, though. Anyway, I started to protest that we had permission to be out, but Snape wasn't listening. I must say, though, that he seemed perfectly normal. I mean, remember what we were talking about before - that he might feel comfortable sacrificing a Weasley for the good of the cause?

I'm not likely to forget, Ginny.

No, of course not, sorry. Anyway, I think I was overreacting. He was just...just a teacher, you know? A particularly nasty teacher who had just caught the boy he hates out of bounds, but just a teacher.

I'm glad you're feeling more comfortable, Ginny, but could you still owl Remus, to ease my mind? I'd like to hear what he has to say.

Oh, so would I. I've actually already owled him - I borrowed Hedwig from Harry, because I didn't want Pig to lose the letter.

Did you tell Harry why you were writing to Remus?

I didn't have to. When I told him who I was writing to, he pulled this weird face, and said, "What, is Remus the confidante of all the Gryffindor girls, now?" I had no idea what he meant, of course, but I went along with it. It turns out that Hermione's been writing to Remus, too, for advice.

Advice about what?

What do you think? Classes, and what she could do once she leaves Hogwarts, and the magical world in general. This is Hermione, after all.

True. So, did Snape give you and Harry a detention? That opens up some possiblities.

Joanna...I don't think I want Harry to associate me with newts' livers.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Anyway, it doesn't matter, because he didn't. Miss Stuart came up just then, and told him exactly what I had been trying to - that we were out legitimately, to meet her. She gave him such a look; Hermione told me that Harry's parents and their friends feuded with Snape all through school, and I can certainly believe it. Not that Miss Stuart seems to take it seriously, at least not now, but she obviously enjoyed tweaking him like this.

I'm babbling, aren't I? I can't believe I can babble while I'm writing, but there it is. Harry told me that before this year he hadn't believed Ron when he told him that I never shut up. Nice thing for Ron to say, huh? But I suppose it's true.

Why wouldn't Harry believe Ron?

Because whenever I was near Harry, I became really shy, and never said anything. Not now, of course, not since you've been helping me, but before.

I'm glad I could help. And I don't mind your babbling.

Good, because I babble when I'm nervous, and I'm nervous right now. The Gryffindor-Ravenclaw Quidditch match is in twenty minutes, and I'm nervous for Ron.

I'm sure he'll do fine, Ginny.

Oh, I am, too. I think. He's nervous, though; he hardly ate any breakfast, and he looked like he was going to hex Harry when he suggested some sausages. Harry told me that Ron kept pressuring him to eat before his first Quidditch match, and he was trying to even the score.

Oh, by the way, I told Hermione about my new Protection Charm, and she thinks I should tell Harry.

She does.

Yes, but I don't agree with her. First of all, I haven't perfected the wandless magic yet. But more importantly, it's so embarrassing! I really think Harry's able to see me now as a person and a friend, and not as the girl who had that crush on him for so long. If I admit to him that I still love him, what's that going to do to our friendship? Not to mention the fact that it has to be mutual, and it certainly isn't.

What did Hermione say to all that?

She conceded each and every point, and then she still said that we should tell him. "He deserves to know about the possiblity, Ginny," she said. What is she trying to pull?

Maybe she knows something you don't.

Oh, no, I asked her that. She just said that she thinks that Harry should know all of his options. That nothing good ever comes from leaving people in the dark. I said that in this case, nothing good could come from telling him. I did promise that if I ever perfected the charm, and the wandless magic, that I would tell him, at least that the charm exists. I certainly won't tell him that we could cast it, if only he'd fall in love with me.

I think you're right on this one, Ginny. But I do think that if...well, if Harry ever falls in love with someone else, and she falls in love with him, that you should tell him then, too.

Yes, you're right. Assuming that this girl can do wandless magic, of course.

Of course. Ginny, shouldn't you be heading to the stands to watch the match?

The match! Oh, I'm going to be late - bye, Joanna!

GWIHOW

WE WON!!! Gryffindor won!!!

Oh, I'm so glad, Ginny. How did Ron do?

He did absolutely wonderfully. The final score was 300 to 20, so you can see he certainly didn't let many goals through.

It sounds as though Harry didn't catch the Snitch that quickly, though. I thought he was simply the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen.

You're teasing me, Joanna, but you're absolutely right. He is. This was a different situation. You see, the Ravenclaw Seeker is Cho Chang.

Oh.

I didn't mean it that way! Harry certainly wouldn't sabotage his team, even if he did still fancy her, which I'm certain he doesn't. No, it's just that she wasn't even close to being herself out there, which I can certainly understand. Cedric was the Hufflepuff Seeker, and I'm sure she was thinking of him the whole time.

Oh, the poor girl. How horrible!

I know. Harry obviously thought so, too, because he kept an eye on her, and he usually almost ignores the other Seeker. It was a good thing he did, because she almost fell off her broom at one point! He had seen the Snitch at that point, but he lost it again, because he was worried about Cho. That's why the score was so high. Ron told me that Angelina (she's the captain) told Harry off afterwards, but even Ron could see that she didn't really mean it.

And you're all right with all of this, Ginny?

Yes, I am. I don't think Harry still fancies Cho, so I think it just shows how truly caring he is. Even if I did think he does - how could I hate someone so obviously heartbroken? Of course, Harry being so noble makes me melt, every time, but that's something I just have to live with. After all, he does it so much. Anyway, Joanna, I have to go - I'm meeting Theo to work on my wandless magic. I just wanted to let you know how the match went.

Thanks, Ginny - I'm glad everything went well.

Bye!

GWIHOW

November 6

Joanna, doesn't it seem like I only write to you when I have something important to tell you?

Everything you tell me is important to me, Ginny.

I know, but I mean I don't ever write just to say hi.

That's all right. What happened this time?

Draco Malfoy.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes. Theo and I had arranged to meet in Professor Flitwick's classroom to work on my wandless magic. I got there a bit early, so I was practicing summoning and banishing, which we've been working on in my regular Charms class. Malfoy must have been walking by and heard the noise, because he stalked in, looked around the room, and smiled nastily when he saw I was alone.

"Lonely, Weasley?" he asked. (I think this conversation is burned into my brain.)

"No, I'm doing just fine all by myself, thank you, Malfoy," I said.

"You don't look it," he said. He waved his hand at all the cushions scattered around the floor where I'd banished them. "You look like you're expecting a lot of company."

He sounded like he thought he was being all seductive, Joanna. I should have laughed - it should have been funny - but I didn't. I don't want Draco Malfoy thinking of me that way! The only person I want to think of me like that is Harry, and even him...well, I don't want it to feel like this - ashamed, and dirty, and silly.

Ginny, Ginny, calm down. You're all right, right? You invoked the Pepper Spray Charm, right?

Well, no, I didn't. I...I panicked, Joanna. I just stood there like...like a house-elf and watched him come. Because as soon as he saw me freeze and stare at him, he smiled and started walking towards me.

Ginny -

I know, I know. What's the point of going to all that trouble to find and learn the Pepper Spray Charm if I'm not going to use it? But I didn't. When he was almost close enough to touch, I let out a shriek, which just made him smile wider. It was a good thing I did, though, because the door opened, and Katie Bell walked in.

Thank goodness,

breila, but...who's Katie Bell?

She's one of the Chasers on our Quidditch team.

So she was able to take care of the Malfoy creature?

Yes, and so well! I really wish I had that much poise and self-confidence. She just stood there for a moment, eyebrows raised, obviously taking in everything that had happened. Malfoy snarled at her - he really did, Joanna - he's like the poor man's Snape. But Katie just stood there, holding the door open and staring at him, and he stalked out without a backward glance at me.

Oh, Ginny, I'm so glad. I wish I could hug this Katie Bell.

She was so wonderful. I broke down, of course, and she was right there, holding me until I calmed down. She's friends with the twins, and of course I'm acquainted with her, but I didn't know her that well. But none of that mattered. She asked me if I wanted her, Angelina, and Alicia - she said she knew I wouldn't want her to tell Fred or George - to teach Malfoy a lesson. And when I told her that I wanted to take care of it myself, she understood.

Uh, Ginny, I'm not so sure that's a good idea anymore.

I'll do better next time, Joanna. I know I will.

Ginny, I'm worried about you. It was one thing when you felt vaguely threatened, but it's obvious now what Malfoy wants with you. Why are you being so headstrong? I'm sure that if you think about this logically, you'll realize that you should get help. Didn't Fleur say that if you needed help, you should go to her?

Yes, but I'm going to take care of this myself, Joanna. I decided that while I was crying into Katie's shoulder. I need to do this. And if that's headstrong, then so be it.

Well, Ginny, I'm obviously not going to change your mind, but I can't say that I approve.

I have to do this. I have to show everyone that I can take care of myself.

All right. And Katie understood this? She won't tell anyone?

No, she promised that she wouldn't. Besides, something happened after that that drove all thoughts of Draco Malfoy out of her head.

For heaven's sake, what?

Theo Black. He finally showed up - he's always late. He was surprised to see Katie there, and she was surprised to see him, since she probably thought I was just practicing, what with all the cushions all over the floor. I gather they have a few classes together, though they didn't seem to know each other all that well. Anyway, I told Katie what Theo and I were doing - I didn't want her to think that I met boys alone all the time, what with him and Malfoy. She was very interested, and Theo offered to teach her wandless magic, too. I'm not entirely sure he should - Professor Moody gave him permission to teach me, but he didn't say anything about anyone else. I can see, though, that Theo probably wouldn't care about that, especially when his prospective student is a pretty girl. Katie didn't get very far, which encouraged me a bit, since I still haven't made much progress. But at any rate, I hope she'll be thinking more about that and less about my problems.

Oh, Ginny. You are a stubborn girl.

It's a family trait - you should be used to it by now.

Yes, I should be. Speaking of which, it's late - go to bed, young lady. You sound like you need some sleep.

I suppose I do. Good night, Joanna.

Good night,

breila.

GWIHOW

November 13

Hi, Joanna.

Hi, Ginny. What's going on?

Nothing. I just wanted to say hi.

Uh, huh. Nothing's going on?

Right, absolutely nothing. Harry and I still haven't managed to induce a vision, I haven't made any progress on my wandless magic, Remus hasn't written back yet, and Ron still hasn't gotten up the nerve to ask Hermione out. On the plus side, though, Malfoy has barely looked in my direction.

That is good news. Well, if nothing exciting is going on, how are your regular classes going? You rarely talk about them.

That's because they're boring compared the the extra ones. They're going just fine, though. The only class I don't do too terribly well in is History of Magic.

Because you sleep through it.

All of us do - even Hermione nods off, or at least so Ron and Harry say. She denies it, of course. But Hermione can at least stay awake long enough to do research in history books about goblin rebellions. I can't; they're just too boring. So I don't do very well in that class, but all the rest are fine.

Even Potions?

Oh, yes. Poor Professor Snape - he tries so hard to find fault with me, but I make sure that he just can't. Not that I'm some amazing Potions master or anything, but I don't make stupid mistakes, and I keep my mouth shut. That's something Ron and the twins never manage to do. I am glad that I tend to pick things up quickly, and don't need to work too hard to get decent marks, because the extra classes are certainly taking up a lot of time. It's even worse for Harry, Ron and Hermione, of course, because they're studying for the O.W.L.s, too. Harry even fell asleep in the common room the other day...at least, I hope he was asleep.

Why?

Well, I was reading one of the books Miss Stuart gave me - Moste Momentous Meanderings by Mombi the Magnificent - when Hermione started in on me about my Protection Charm again. She just doesn't let up! I've told her and told her that I'm working on it, and that it won't work, anyway, because it has to be mutual. If she knows someone who loves Harry and whom he loves back, she's welcome to tell me, and then we'll deal with it. But as it is, no good will come of harping on it.

True. It sounds as though Hermione likes to be in control of every situation.

Yes, she does. And, of course, the fact that I was reading a book on Divination didn't help - Hermione has never believed in any form of Divination.

Even your vision?

Well, she hasn't said much. I think that she's a little leery of something like a vision, which takes interpretation and almost leaps of faith to understand. This isn't something she can analyze down to the last detail and know that she's gotten everything out of it just by studying it long enough. She's usually quite supportive, though - I think it was just that she thought I should be working on something more 'useful', like the Protection Charm. Anyway, she told me I was wasting my time, and I snapped. I told her again that it had to be mutual (I'm quite certain that's all I said - I didn't name names), so if she wanted to talk about completely pointless...and I slammed my book shut.

So, Harry wasn't asleep anymore, was he?

No. He jumped, and took his head off his arms. He looked really confused, too, so hopefully he was asleep. I might not have named names, but surely he could have figured out what we were talking about.

Hmm. Boys aren't usually as quick to understand such things as girls are, Ginny.

Don't I know it. Honestly, the way Ron goes on, acting like he can't understand a thing Hermione's doing to try to attract him...but even someone as clueless as Harry would have to understand that conversation.

Well, hopefully he was asleep.

Yes. And I should go to sleep, too, Joanna. I just wanted to say hi.

Hi, Ginny. Bye, Ginny. Good night, Ginny.

GWIHOW

November 17

Joanna, Remus wrote back, but...he's managed to confuse me even more than I already was.

What did he say?

Here, I'll copy it for you:

Dear Ginny,

Thank you for your interesting and flattering letter. You do ask difficult questions, though. I will try to answer them, insofar as they are answerable. Professor Snape has undertaken a difficult and extremely dangerous task. The trials that he has gone through to fulfill that task are something that I sincerely hope you will never have to face. His resolve has been tested again and again, and will continue to be tested for as long as his task is incomplete. I have not asked him for details of those trials, though some have come out in our meetings and discussions, so I do not know if he has killed a Muggle, or anyone else, since Voldemort's return. I do not know where he would draw the line to ensure the success of his mission - no one but Professor Snape himself knows that. This I do know: whatever our history has been, whatever school-boy pranks have festered, my respect for Professor Snape grows every time I see him, and every time I think about what he is doing. He may not be the most pleasant person to deal with, but he is one of the bravest men I have ever met. I remember what it was like to be fourteen (difficult though that may be for you to believe), and I know that it can be hard to understand more than the most straightforward and honest sort of bravery. But I hope that you really think about what Professor Snape is doing, and what trials of conscience and courage he must face every day.

I know that this isn't the answer you wanted. I can't give you that answer. Only one man can, and I'm not sure you'd want to ask him. He might not even know for certain himself, until the moment the decision is forced upon him, which way he will jump. I will tell you this, since I'm sure it is what worries you the most: I do not believe that he would ever harm Harry. He knows how important Harry might be in this war. No one knows for certain, but it is possible that if we lose Harry, no matter what the rest of us do, we might still lose the war. Professor Snape knows this, and will act accordingly. For the rest, you will just have to make up your own mind, like the rest of us.

If you ever have need of any more ambiguous answers, Ginny, feel free to owl me again. The responsibilities that your talent will force upon you may feel heavy at times, and an impartial ear could come in handy. I promise to be that ear if you need me.

Give my regards to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Yours,

Remus

What an amazing letter, Ginny. You know, I'm very glad that you have people like this to turn to in these troubling times.

Me, too. Even though Remus didn't answer anything, really, he gave me a real answer...that probably didn't make any sense.

Yes, it did. Remus gave you respect - he respects you enough not to fob you off with an easy answer. He treated you like an adult, and that has to feel good, even though at the same time it probably feels a little scary.

Exactly, Joanna. All of that.

He sounds like an amazing person, to respect a fourteen year old girl that much.

I think...I think he just respects everyone. He was a simply wonderful teacher - probably the best I've ever had - and he was especially good at getting us to think, instead of just parroting answers back. He's giving me the benefit of the doubt - that I'll really think about this, and not go tearing off and do something stupid in Snape's class, or something.

Yes, it's something that will entail much thought - on both our parts. And speaking of thinking, are you going to show the letter to Harry, Ron, and Hermione?

I'm not sure. Definitely not yet...I want to feel more comfortable in my own opinions before I open up a discussion with any of them. I think that Harry deserves to read it - and Professor Snape deserves to have Harry read it - but at the same time, I think he's not ready to, yet. I'll probably show it to Hermione first...definitely something to think about.

Yet another thing.

True. They keep piling up, don't they?

There's another thing to think about in that letter, Ginny. I'm not sure if you noticed it.

Oh, of course I did. Remus evidently knows exactly how I feel about Harry. Apparently, boys get better at noticing things once they've become men.

Some of them do, anyway. Others never learn.

I think Ron will be one of those. Anyway, I don't mind too badly. Now, if it were Sirius...but I think he's another one like Ron, so I don't think I have to worry about that. And I know Remus wouldn't tell him

Although it can be helpful to have the guardian on your side...

Oh, Joanna. You sound as though it's a war between Harry and me.

In some ways it is.

I don't want it to be. That's not the way it should be. Oh, Joanna, I'm getting cranky. I should go to sleep.

All right, Ginny. I'm sorry if I made you cranky. Good night.

Don't be silly, Joanna. Good night, yourself.