Black Cat

Chapter One

I am invisible. Even though my striking red hair is anything but ordinary, it just makes me a Weasley, a member of the crowd, a nobody.

I am ignored. Of course, they laugh and joke like nothing's wrong, but they know I'm watching them, always on the sidelines. Alone, as always. I have no real friends, only people that sometimes utter a "Hi Ginny."

What do they think I do during that time, twiddle my thumbs? Do they even care about how lonely I become, knowing that no one is there to talk to each day, to care about me?

I am an illegal Animagus. No one knows, of course. I mean, who would want to talk to me? It is something I did with my time since they didn't care. I don't even know how it happened, it just did, after ages of practicing, I finally perfected it.

I change into a black cat. I know it's strange, most people would believe me a fox. But, unknown to most, my hair color doesn't define me. I am me, not because of what color my hair is.

I love lurking throughout the darkness of Hogwarts grounds. I leap through the grasses, going wherever I please. It is a freedom I have never known. It is also a wonderful tool for spying.

I see every person sneaking out for a moonlight kiss. I hear all the latest gossip. I know every secret of these grounds, yet no one wants to talk to me. I am nothing to everyone.

My world is a complete secret from everyone else. I cannot even write it down because of my stupid fear of diaries. Curse Tom Riddle.

I curse him with all my heart. He's probably the reason no one wants to go near me. He warped me. I wonder what I would have turned out to be like if he had never gotten hold of me?

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It was a dreary spring day. Rain was falling non-stop making everyone in a bad mood. Unknown to most, Ginny Weasley was the unhappiest of all.

It was raining, so it wouldn't give her a chance to prowl the grounds. She stalked into the Great Hall, wearing a heavy scowl, but of course, no one noticed. Everyone else was glum as well, talking about the horrible weather. Only three at the whole Gryffindor table were cheerful. They always were.

"What's the matter Ginny?" Harry Potter asked Ginny. He had been laughing at Ron's bickering with Hermione, when he noticed Ginny scowling. Being the good person he was, he asked what the problem was.

"Nothing, just nothing you'd understand," she huffed, and then stomped off. Harry was confused, what had he done wrong?

"Aww, having girlfriend problems Potter?" A familiar drawling voice asked.

"Sod off Malfoy," Ron growled, finally looking up from his arguing with Hermione.

"You'd better not ask Weasley to help you, his choice of a future girlfriend is a Mudblood," Draco Malfoy replied, smirking. Ron blushed redder than the roots of his flaming hair. Before a fight could break out, Draco strode out of the hall, Crabbe and Goyle behind him.

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(Ginny's POV)

Argh! The nerve of him! Asking me what was wrong after ignoring me all these years! I need some way to vent out these frustrations! I wish it wasn't raining. Oh, who cares? Everyone will just think I'm someone's pet cat.

I love the feeling of changing. All my improved senses, it's almost overwhelming.

I'm walking through the halls of Hogwarts, ignoring the glances of students, prowling. I hope no one will find me out of my dorm. What am I thinking? No one will notice, they never do.

Oh no. Here comes someone's feet! Ahh! Shoot, that was close! One more step *shivers*. Oh well, back to prowling.

It's some weird girl. Oh no! "Oh, what a cute widdle kitty!" Eww, eww eww! What a freak! I have to get away! *Scratch* "Ow, you stupid cat!" Oh no, run, run, run!

Eww, I hope I never see her again. It's a rat. Ignore instinct, ignore instinct. I HAVE TO CHASE THE RAT! Run, run, run, run! Eww, it's dead. Okay, I'm not going to eat that. Man, that took a lot of will power.

Okay, where am I? Shoot, I'm lost. Lost, lost, lost. I guess I might as well go straight. Stupid rat, I hope it goes to rat hell, if there is one.

I'm really lost, and I can't change back! Shoot! I have to wait until I get back to my dorm! I mean, what if someone sees me? Just thought of something, what if people are awake in the dorm when I get back? How am I supposed to change back? Maybe I can slink under the bed...Oh well, onto the task at hand.

Where am I? It's starting to get really dark. Wait, is this the dungeons? Oh no, oh no! What if Slytherins like torturing cats? What if I'm their new toy? Wait, someone's walking down here! Maybe it's some great cat lover, to the rescue! Okay, I'm not that optimistic. Hey, that's, MALFOY! I'm doomed.