Protector

Protector

Chapter One: Prelude to the School Year

Ginny

My Hogwarts letter came today, along with my Prefect badge. Mum went on and on about how proud everyone is about it, but I think Harry is jealous. He looks dark most the time and I wonder how I ever liked him. He spends a lot of time alone now and sometimes Ron and Hermione go to talk with him but they always come back looking depressed or angry. Then other times he's with everyone and having fun. He's changed so much.

Glancing over at him as I finish my porridge, I look away. He still makes my heart race and sometimes ache, but it just wouldn't work out. I'm with Dean now and I really fancy him. We've been owling each other all summer long. We planned to ride to Hogwarts together but since I'm a Prefect now, I suppose that we'll just have to ride in the carriages and not on the train.

Hermione comes and sits to my right and across from Harry. Mum gives Hermione her letter and as Hermione opens it, Ron watches her. We're all quiet as Mum talks about how we're going to go to Diagon Alley. Ever since July, we've been in Grimmauld Place for everyone's safety. The Order asked Hermione's parents to stay but they didn't come. I listen through the kitchen door when the Order members have their meetings. No one thinks much about me sitting outside. They think that Voldemort is working on something that will wipe out muggles or muggle-borns at least. That's why they asked the Grangers to come stay at Grimmauld Place. Not only that, but also some have guessed that Hermione's parents could be targets because of how close Hermione is to Harry. I don't like listening to their meetings but I do just so then I know what's about.

Hearing identical pops, I look over to my right and see Fred and George materialize into the kitchen. I'm glad they're here. They're my favourite of my brothers, except for maybe Charlie, but I don't see him as much. They aren't possessive like Ron or uptight like Percy, and I really don't know Bill as well as I know them. Bill went to Hogwarts just before I was born.

Instantly they start talking and hassling Ron about his Prefect badge. I hide mine back in the envelope and look over at Hermione who's glancing at Fred and George. Finally, Mum comes along and makes them sit down. They went out for the Order last night. I don't know exactly what they were to do but that it took some doing to get Mum to admit that they're eighteen and can make their own decisions. She looks relieved to see them alive.

"Well, eat up, we've got a busy day," Mum sits down at the table. "We'll be meeting your father at Diagon Alley; he had some Ministry business to attend to this morning."

Dad is the head of the Improper Use of Muggle Artefacts Department of the Ministry of Magic. He always has to deal with people who misuse muggle things or try to play tricks on muggles with their belongings. Finishing my porridge, I excuse myself and try to find my shoes. I can never find my shoes. When I was little, I went everywhere in my bare feet and still do. I think I just don't want to find them.

Reaching under one of the sofas in the front room, I pull them out and slip them on heading over to the fireplace where everyone is. We all floo to Diagon Alley and instantly, Ron and Hermione are talking to Harry about going out to get everything. Ron reminds me that I'm not invited and I pretend that I wouldn't dream of joining them. I want to though, but I simply look to Mum who gives me my usual supply allowance, reminding me to spend it wisely.

Fred and George walk off to their Joke Shop across the street as I start for Flourish and Blott's. Entering the bookshop, I'm greeted by one of several workers. "What year are you in, Miss?" he asks.

I smile and respond, "Fifth-year." He grins and I find myself grinning back. He's somewhat cute with curly blonde hair and green eyes. He also has a lot of energy for doing such a boring job.

"Here we are," he returns. "What extra classes are you taking besides the main six?"

"Runes," I tell him and he hands me seven books, all used. My family's reputation precedes us. We're very easy to spot and almost all the shopkeepers know to give us the used supplies. Even if only Ron and me live at home with Mum and Dad now, our family is still tight-pressed for money like we were when all seven of us children lived at our house. Only once did we come into enough money to renovate our home and go to see Bill in Egypt. That was two years ago and there is still enough saved up that Ron and I get more spending money for supplies than I suspect we would have gotten had we not come into that money.

Paying for my books, I count my coins and place them back in my pocket before turning around and colliding with someone, our books flying everywhere. Dropping to one knee, I begin picking up the books I can find as whomever I just collided with picks up six others. Standing up, we both hurry out of the shop to make sure that we have the right books without being in the way or having anyone think we're stealing them.

Stepping out into the unseasonably warm August morning, I look up and then blink. "Neville!" I should have known it would be him. Who else would accidentally collide with someone? I just didn't think about it.

"Hi," he responds and then looks down at the books in his arms. "I think most of these are yours or they gave me my books from last year."

I stare at the six books in his arms and then nod. "Then I must have some of yours. Looking down at the first book, I pause and then look up at him, "You're taking Advanced Potions?"

"Y - Yeah," Neville replies quietly. "I don't know how I did it, but I got an O I guess." He shifts his weight and then hands me the book on top of his pile, "I think this Runes book is yours."

"Yeah and here's your Advanced Charms."

"Transfiguration Level Five?"

"Advanced Divination?"

We check our sets of books one last time and then I put mine into my bag and he puts his in his arms. Then we stand and stare for a moment before I hook some hair behind my ear. "Well, I guess I'll see you on the train?"

"Yeah." He nods and then opens he mouth, shifting his weight before adding, "I heard you made Prefect. That's great."

I grin. It's kind of nice to hear it from someone other than Mum. "Thanks. I think it's great you got so many OWLs."

He smiles slightly and then a sharp voice exclaims from behind me, "Neville! There you are! Do you have all your books?"

He cringes and I look over my shoulder. A woman probably fifteen or so years older than Mum walks up to us, her blue eyes fixed on Neville. She's wearing a green dress with a very large hat decorated with a stuffed vulture. I pull my eyes away from her and try not to gape.

"G - Gran, sorry about leaving you in there - "

"We're running late now. If you want to go to St. Mungo's, we need to leave soon." She pauses and then turns towards me before looking back at Neville. "Well, aren't you going to introduce me to her?"

I again try not to gape. Certainly, his grandmother knows I'm a Weasley. I just smile nervously. I don't know exactly what to do. I'm not even sure why I'm meeting his grandmother. It seems so out of place.

"Gran, this is Ginny Weasley. Ginny, this is my gran."

The woman takes a few steps towards me and extends a hand. "I'm Melva Longbottom."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I shake her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well." She lets my hand go and then turns to Neville. "Come on, we have to start now if we want to get anything done."

He nods and waves goodbye and then they both disappear from my sight.

Neville

Gran is giving me odd looks. It's times like these when I wish she would say something but she never does. I open my mouth but can't think of anything to say as we enter the Floo Network building at Diagon Alley. Every year the day before I leave on the Express, I go and visit my parents in St. Muglo's. Gran tells me every year that it's pointless, that they don't understand what I'm telling them, or anything of the like. I don't know. I wish that I could go more often, but maybe after I'm out of Hogwarts I will.

Blinking, I realize we've flooed to the hospital. Stepping out, I readjust my books and other supplies and walk to my parent's room. Last Christmas I ran into Hermione, Harry, and Ron up in the room. I didn't know what to say at first, but now they know. I still don't know what to think of them knowing. I don't think they pity me, but I wish that they didn't. I didn't want people to see my parents. I'm not embarrassed, it's just painful, and I don't want to share my pain or gain pity from others.

Entering the room, I walk over to them and sit down beside them. Smiling, I see that they've noticed me. I never know if they understand who I am, but they smile and they like me. I would like to think that they know I'm their son, but I think that they just think of me as a nice boy who comes and visits them.

"Hi," I offer. "Sorry I'm running late." I show them my books and talk about how I'm unsure about Potions but think that if I could get an O on my OWL, I can somehow manage to survive Advanced Potions.

Before I know it, Gran is urging me to leave. We have many things to do before tomorrow. I go to get up and Mum hands me a gum wrapper. Ever since I can remember, she's given me one on each visit. On the inside of them, there's unintelligible scribbling. I don't know what it means and I wish I did. Accepting the wrapper, I hug them both, and then leave, slipping the wrapper into my pocket as follow Gran out the door.

Ginny

"Ronald Weasley! Honestly!"

I slip out of the room, Harry following as Hermione presses her pointer finger against Ron's chest, making a point of some sorts. They fight over the stupidest things sometimes. I'm not sure what started the argument and I really don't want to know either. It's late and I'm done packing. Looking over at Harry, I chance a conversation. "Want to go outside?"

He looks at me before nodding. I stare and then nod back and we slip out one of the back doors and into the garden. One we get outside, I look up at the stars. It's almost midnight and I'm certain that Mum is going to come down soon and make sure we're all ready to go tomorrow and make us all go to bed. It's a very long drive from Grimmauld Place to King's Cross and with all the chaos we create in the morning, we have to get up very early.

"We go back tomorrow," I say for lack of anything better to say.

Harry nods and he seems better than he has been all summer except for his birthday and a few other days. "I can play Quidditch again." His eyes stare transfixed on the stars. "I can be the Seeker again."

My heart sinks but I pretend that it doesn't. Harry deserves to be Seeker. He's much better than I am at Quidditch and the position is his without question from anyone. He's shorter than I am also, and even though I'm thinner, I'm certain that he's lighter or at least maybe my weight. "I'm glad."

He nods and then looks out at the garden. "I am not looking forward to weeding this."

I smile and laugh slightly. He looks over at me and a very small smile is on his lips. I almost stare but stop myself. He's always happy when we return to Hogwarts.

"Do you want to sit down?"

He raises an eyebrow.

"I mean, there's a garden swing not too far from here - just over those over grown monk's hood." I point to some lavender flowers that are almost as tall as Harry is. I don't know why I'm suggesting this. Well, we can still hear Hermione and Ron fighting and I do know that you can't hear them once you go to the swing.

He nods and we navigate the over grown grass and other decorative plants and finally sit down on a hardwood swing. It's surprising that it isn't splintery since it's so old, but it's been charmed to stay nice I think. Looking up at the stars, I look over at him. I want to say something but I'm not sure what. Even if I've given up on ever dating him, I still fancy Harry slightly.

I sigh and look back up at the stars. I'm with Dean now anyway and I promised to see him as long as I could before I have to go to the Prefect's cabin.

To be continued....