Ginny Weasley and the Year of Healing

Summers End

The next morning at breakfast, their owls arrived.
"Ah, there they are. I was beginning to wonder."Her mother commented as they began opening their letters.
Dear Ginevra,
I was most pleased to hear you were attending another year at Hogwarts. I understand that you finished your sixth year under extreme duress, however I believe, besides Defense Against the Dark Arts, you have sufficient knowledge to continue on to seventh year classes. If I remember correctly from our interview together, you did not have a specific career in mind. With that knowledge and the areas we discussed, I have arranged Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ancient Runes, Divination, Astronomy and Herbology. I have arranged for you to study with a group for your O.W.L DADA exam. You will take both the O.W.L and N.E.W.T exams. If you wish to protest this arrangement simply owl me.
Headmistress,
McGonagall.
Ginny rolled her eyes at the address. But then felt immediately stressed when she realized she had to take seven N.E.W.T's and an O.W.L. She was going to be spending a lot of time at the library with Hermione. She opened the second letter.
Dear Ginevra,
Congratulations on obtaining the position of Gryffindor quidditch captain. I expect us to win this year and will want to know when you schedule tryouts.
Headmistress,
McGonagall.
Ginny was confused.
"Harry? Didn't you say you were going back to Hogwarts?"
"Yeah Gin, my letter is right here."
"Then why has McGonagall made me quidditch captain?"
She looked up from her letter to see Ron smirking.
"Probably because Harry can't keep anyone in line."
"Shove it, Ron. I asked McGonagall not to give me any responsibility."
Ginny nodded and she could see why he wouldn't want the bother.
"You're still going to try out for seeker though, right?"
Harry nodded and Ginny opened her last letter.
Dear Ginevra,
Congratulations on making Head Girl. I've included a list of the Head Boy and prefects. Your badge is included as well, be sure to go to the prefect compartment on the train. And again congratulations.
Headmistress,
McGonagall.
Ginny felt faint. Head girl? She hadn't even been a prefect. What was McGonagall thinking? Ginny would've burned the letter and hid the badge if it hadn't tumbled out of the envelope. Her mother saw it instantly and gasped.
"Oh Ginny! Head Girl! Oh I'm so proud!"
Her mother continued to fuss over her for some time but Ginny was still dumbfounded. She turned to Hermione, who was sporting a guilty expression.
"You! You talked to McGonagall too, didn't you?"
Hermione's expression turned even more sheepish and she pushed her hair back anxiously.
"I just need time to myself, Ginny. I'm already taking nine N.E.W.T's and I'm working on my parent's memory. I'm sorry Ginny, I didn't know she was going to pick you. I swear."
Ginny sighed and assured Hermione it was fine. She checked the letter to see who the Head Boy was and was shocked to see it was Theodore Nott. Theo had been there his seventh year, her sixth. He'd been there the entire time until a month before the battle. She'd seen him around the halls usually, by himself looking haunted. The only thing she knew about him was his father was a death eater and he was in Slytherin. She quietly turned to Harry and asked him in a whisper.
"What do you know about Nott?"
"The younger?"
"Obviously Harry, what would I want with a dead death eater?"
Harry turned pink.
"Right. Well not much I suppose. I know he hung around Malfoy and Zabini sometimes, other than that I can't say."
Ginny had known that much herself but she thanked him anyway. Looking over the prefect list she saw Luna was one for Ravenclaw. Dennis Creevy and Demelza Robins were the two she knew for Gryffindor. Her heart squeezed when she read Dennis' name. Collin was no longer with them. The others were young enough she didn't recognize their names. How many kids had they lost?
After they finished reading their letters, they all agreed to visit Diagon Alley at noon so Ginny went to grab the list she'd made earlier and change clothes. It was the last full week of break before they had to get on the train to Hogwarts. She was stressed to think of returning to normal. This summer had been an escape from everything bothering her. Seeing the castle again would bring it right back to the forefront of her mind. For a second she was grateful that McGonagall had given her so many responsibilities. At least she would be busy, leaving her less time to wallow.
Ginny put on a simple outfit and then paused remembering the talking mirror she had gotten. Pulling it out she stepped back, letting the mirror see her haircut for the first time.
"Oh perfect. It looks darling, I knew it would. That's precisely why I recommended it. But dear, what is that hideous frock you have on. No. It simply won't do."
The mirror then began harassing Ginny to show her her entire wardrobe. Ginny groaned but did as she was bid. By the time Hermione came to grab her to leave, every piece of clothing Ginny owned was strewn around the room.
"No, no, no. None of this will do. The new robes are fine, bland but fine. The cloaks are the only nice thing you own."
Hermione curiously asked Ginny who she was speaking to.
"This blasted mirror, who seems to think I dress like a ragged scoundrel."
"That's because you do, dear. Not to worry! We're going to fix that. Be a darling and take me with you shopping."
Ginny rolled her eyes and snapped the mirror shut without a reply before stuffing it in her bag. She threw the plain robes on and headed down with Hermione.
The four of them and Molly departed without a hitch. Arriving at Diagon Alley, Ginny was relieved to see no wanted posters left on the buildings. Most of the busted windows had been repaired as well. And it seemed most of the buildings had been repainted, so they shined like brand new. It was a welcome sight.
"Come on, you lot. Let's get parchment and quills first."
The group moved slowly around Diagon Alley gathering all of the supplies they'd need for the coming year. It was uneventful until they entered the Quidditch shop and saw several Slytherins. The trio they'd been discussing over breakfast in fact.
"Potter, Weasley, Granger."
It was Malfoy who spoke first. It was odd to hear a neutral greeting from him. Harry stood dumbfounded with his mouth slightly parted so Ginny answered for him.
"Malfoy, Nott, Zabini."
Then she shouldered past them to look at the brooms. She still hadn't made up her mind whether she wanted a new one or not. Hermione quickly joined her. Likely to escape the quidditch talk Harry and Ron were engrossed in.
"That was weird."Hermione commented as Ginny compared the newest Nimbus against the newest Firebolt.
Ginny would get something a couple years older of course, if she got one but it was amazing to see the advancements. She ignored Hermione's comment. The last thing she wanted to discuss was a bunch of Slytherins.
"I testified at Malfoy's trial, you know." Hermione persisted.
Ginny groaned, turning to face her friend.
"What does it matter 'mione?"
"Returning to Hogwarts is a condition of his parole."
Ah she's neverous, Ginny thought. The noise level in the shop grew as more people filed in, covering their conversation.
"Does that bother you?" She inquired while reaching over her to grab a pair of dragon hide gloves.
"I don't think it bothers me. I'm not annoyed or even nervous."
Ginny turned to look at Hermione, who was nervously stroking her hair, not believing her at all.
"What's the problem then?" Ginny asked.
"Well, he did help us at Malfoy Manor and then again at the Battle at Hogwarts."
Ginny groaned, not wanting to start this conversation up again. Hermione had spent most of the summer trying to convince them all that Malfoy was just some tortured soul. Well, her argument had been more sophisticated than that. But Ginny didn't really care to listen. Sure Malfoy had done a few out of character things but to insist he was a changed person was insane.
"'Mione, you know I don't get your whole thing with Malfoy-"
"Keep your voice down!" Hermione hissed, cutting Ginny off.
Ginny rolled her eyes but continued anyway.
"But, if you think there's merit to interacting with him then you should go for it."
Someone brushed past Ginny, knocking her into the broom display. She didn't bother to see who it was.
"Really?" Hermione asked, still looking nervously around the room.
"Don't settle for less than the perfect apology from him of course. I bet you could get a really grand display out of that imbecile. But yea, sure. Why not? It is a new year after all."
Hermione left Ginny alone in peace and she continued browsing the brooms. She reached out to grab an older model when a hand stopped hers. She glanced up to find Blaise Zabini staring back at her.
"You don't want that model, trust me."
He wore a charming smile and a pressed suit. Ginny thought it was a bit much for a stroll in Diagon Alley. She didn't answer him, just moved over to grab her second choice. Unfortunately, her silence didn't phase him.
"I'm the Slytherin captain this year, you know."
Ginny hadn't known. She hadn't bothered to review McGonagall's list of captains. She'd been too busy stressing out over the other countless lists she had. As she looked over the broom she'd resolved to buy, another person knocked into her. She ignored it, like she was ignoring Zabini.
When Ginny looked up Zabini was gone though. And she didn't consider his bizarre behavior as she checked out. Her mind was already fixed on going home to test out the broom. A bit controversially, she had gone with the Nimbus over the Firebolt. It had a better stability rating and Ginny didn't relish the thought of falling off her broom after a nasty blow.
Meeting up with the others outside, Ginny stood beside Harry.
"Zabini is the Slytherin captain." She said noncommittal.
Harry's head snapped to face her, his eyes narrowed.
"That's not good, Zabini actually cares about practice."
Ginny was inclined to agree with him. They'd fought with Zabini over pitch times before, the bloody bastard was rigorous. They discussed strategy as the group walked around to other stores, picking up supplies as they went.
"Oh, mum. I need a new trunk." Ginny said pushing forward to the front of the group.
Molly looked up from her list frazzled.
"Yes well, can you go by yourself dear? We've still got to grab robes and I don't want to be late starting dinner."
Ginny nodded.
"Yeah mum I can go alone but I need two new sets of robes."
"I'll order them dear."
Ginny said goodbye to the group and made her way over to the trunk supply store. Ginny hadn't been in there in ages, usually one trunk lasted a lifetime. She remembered walking into the store at eleven, bursting with joy. The store looked unchanged by time. The building still resembled a large trunk, which made her smile.
A bell over the door announced her arrival. Inside the walls were covered in a shabby print of flowered wallpaper that was peeling in spots. The wooden plank flooring groaned and squeaked under her feet. The trunks were arranged on shelves or haphazardly placed on the floor, so Ginny had to weave around them as she walked. The whole room smelled faintly of wood glue and sawdust. The latter she saw floating through the air where the light flooded in the windows.
Entirely unsure of where to start, Ginny decided to locate the shop owner. It was odd not to see them anywhere about, as surely plenty of eleven year olds would need a new trunk for the school year. She wandered about, admiring the many varying trunks she saw as she went. It wasn't until she reached the very back of the shop that she heard any signs of life. It sounded like someone was hammering.
Pushing open the only door in sight, Ginny finally located the shopkeeper. Bent over a worktable was a relatively young wizard, she guessed no older than Bill.
"Hello." She called out, hoping not to startle the man. She was, after all, barging into his workroom.
The wizard straightened up and turned to face her. His face confirmed her age theory, as it was unwrinkled and flushed.
"I'm sorry, did you have an appointment?"
Ginny frowned. Since when was this place appointment only?
"No. I'm afraid not. Is it by appointment only?"
The wizard wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his arm. Ginny remained hovering just inside the doorway. After too long of a silence to be comfortable he finally spoke.
"Yes, nowadays it's usually by appointment only."
Ginny's shoulders slumped. It would be pointless to go home and schedule an appointment to see this man again. The semester started in a week. The old her might have jinxed the man and demanded he work with her now. But that Ginny was gone so she simply turned to leave. She didn't want to argue with the man and felt no real desire to sway him to her point of view. She'd just borrow George's trunk.
"I said usually by appointment." The wizard's voice rang through the room, drawing her attention back.
Ginny knew the man was being childish but made no comment about it. Instead she told him what she needed.
"And what happened to your trunk? Those last a lifetime you know." He gave her a pointed stare.
"It burned. At the battle of Hogwarts. It burned with the common room." Ginny's voice took on that horrible dead quality as she answered him.
The wizard's demeanor didn't change in the slightest at the revelation and Ginny found herself liking him more for it. He dove into the differing options for trunks without a second thought.
"I understand since you are returning to school, that this will likely be full of books. However, might I recommend a different model? I can still stamp it with the Hogwarts crest if you want but I figure you might want to use it after school."
Ginny shrugged, a trunk was a trunk to her.
"Sure, show me whatever you recommend. But I don't want the crest on it, either way."
Her trunk was gone, burned with everything she had been. There was no replacing it even if it were functionally the same trunk. No, she wanted this trunk to reflect the new her. The woman she would become despite it all.
The wizard, whose name Ginny still did not know, left to retrieve a trunk and Ginny sat admiring the simple workshop. Along the walls were trunks in stages of disrepair and several odd tools she couldn't identify. The wood table she was sitting at was a beautiful dark wood, albeit stained with glue and paint. The stool she was sitting on looked hand carved. The legs were beautiful spindly branches. Whoever had made this workshop, clearly loved their job.
The wizard returned carrying a medium trunk, it was an aged golden color with three straps across it. The wizard placed the trunk in front of her and thrust it open. The inside lining was dark and moody. Black blue and grey rolled together. Lightning struck across the fabric. She turned quizzically towards the wizard, who was sporting a curious look in his eyes.
"The lining is enchanted to reflect whatever you want it to."
Ginny hadn't desired anything but she did like the way the lightning struck against the dark background. It reminded her of the wrapping paper George had used for her birthday gift. Other than the bizarre lining, the trunk was normal. It did contain a false bottom that was cleverly hidden beneath the lining, which she appreciated. After looking the trunk over, she decided to get it.
"Do you want anything stamped on it? You said you don't want the crest but I have plenty of other options."
The shadow at Ginny's side began to stir at this. It wasn't visible but she could sense it now. Like a soft weight at her neck, almost as if it were an invisible cat perched on her shoulders.
The wizard pulled out a catalog of stamps she could flip through. The book was very thick, it would take her months to get through the entire thing. She had resigned herself to sitting there as long as it took but the shadow at her side had other plans. As soon as she had opened the book, the shadow had flipped to a page halfway through the book. Ginny recognized the design instantly, it was reminiscent of the wind pattern on the bag Hermione had given her.
Ginny was suddenly very thankful for the little light spirit at her side. She told the wizard which design she had in mind and within minutes he had stamped the chest, checked her out and she was back on the streets. She still didn't know the wizard's name either. Having wasted a lot of time at the trunk store, Ginny decided to floo home from the Leaky Cauldron. She trusted her mother to gather her robes for her and saw no other reason to stick around.
Walking in, Ginny was greeted by Katie Bell.
"Ginny! Heard you're the new quidditch captain."
Ginny was slightly confused, how did she know already?
"Of course you know, planning to help me make the schedule too?"
Katie smiled ruefully at her. "No, no. Nothing like that, but I will be dropping in to see a few games."
After being goaded into a drink and a few pleasant exchanges with Katie, Ginny flooed home.
***
The burrow was back to full chaos when Ginny arrived home. Bill, Fleur and Victoire were there for dinner as well as Andromeda and Teddy. The two children were fascinated with each other and all of the adults with them. As insufferable as Fleur was bound to be, Ginny was excited for another niece or nephew.
Ginny went into the kitchen to greet her mother first. Who was several hands deep in what appeared to be some pastry dough.
"Mum, I'm back. I got the trunk as well." Ginny perched on a stool to sit with her mum. She hadn't done that in a long time.
"That's nice dear. I left your robes on your bed upstairs." Molly continued kneading the dough and distantly the radio warbled out a tune.
"The shopkeeper was a bit odd, said it was usually by appointment only now. Weird isn't it?"
Molly stopped kneading at that and looked up at Ginny.
"Who was it dear?"
Ginny shrugged. "He never told me his name and I didn't inquire. He seemed to be dealing with his own issues."
Molly's face twisted with empathy.
"Well dear, we were all affected by the war. There's a lot of hurt people out there now."
They sat in silence for a moment, both thinking of their own loss. But before long Molly had shooed Ginny out of the kitchen, which suited her well enough. Now she could test out her new broom. Not bothering to take her trunk up, Ginny grabbed the broom and headed out to the orchard. The trees were ripe and heavy with fruit, as harvest was upon them. Ginny felt a pang of sadness that she wouldn't be here to eat all of her mother's baked goods. But at least George would eat well, if he remembered to.
Ginny shook her head as she stretched, trying to clear her mind of her many worries. For most of the summer Ginny had been numb. She had been barely existing, just walking around distanced from everything. But in the past few weeks, she'd begun to feel closer to the surface. It was overwhelming to suddenly hear every conversation or random sound. Her thoughts were clearer too, but mostly anxiety cut sharply through her. The sensation of the walls closing in on her had only grown acutely. She could feel it now, like a vice around her lungs.
Breathing deeply, Ginny mounted her broom and took off. Almost instantaneously the stress fell away from her as the wind whipped her hair around. She put the broom through the paces, working it around the orchard. She was so singularly focused that she failed to notice the growing crowd of admirers. She soared straight up as far as she dared before flipping backward and free falling down. Ginny laughed, feeling alive she righted the broom and looped around again. It was late and the sun was just beginning to set, the sky was streaked with a brilliant orange. The air around her was starting to cool and she could hear the birds settling down. Up here, nothing could touch her.
When Ginny finally came to a stop, she noticed the several people watching at last. Several whoops went up as she dismounted.
"Blimey Ginny, fly like that and the harpies will be falling over themselves to draft you game one!"
Ginny laughed. "Harry, you just focus on keeping those lucky snitch hands ready. I'll worry about recruitment."
Bill spoke up next, defending Harry. "Gin, you really should consider it. You fly like you were born on a broom!"
They decided to play a quick game since they had enough players. It took Ginny ten minutes of begging George to get him to participate but it was worth every second when their team won the first two rounds. They lost the next three and by the time they finished Ginny was exhausted. Her mother and father had come out to watch the last couple of games and after they all walked back together for dinner.
Teddy stole the show at dinner when he figured out how to look like a near identical copy of Harry. He'd always been pretty good at mimicking his hair and eyes but it was nothing compared to now.
"Oh Ginny grab the camera! We can't miss this!" Molly called.
Ginny rose to grab it and snapped a picture of Harry with his miniature copy godson. Teddy giggled and shifted his hair to mimic Ginny's. The red was shocking against Harry's green eyes. Then just as quickly he shifted to blonde to mimic Victoire who screamed in delight.
After dinner they all sat in the main room around the fire telling stories. It was then that Ginny wished Charlie were here, he always had the best stories. She wouldn't see him until Christmas, if they were lucky. Bill was telling them an interesting story from his curse breaking days.
"… inside there was a layer of curses so deep, it took us months just to map out how many were there."
"How many were there in the end?"
Hermione's eyes were alight with curiosity and Ginny could see her hands twitch like she was itching to examine them herself. Ginny tuned out the rest of Bill's story, starting to feel restless within her own skin. The scar on her face phantom burned with irritation. She excused herself and after retrieving her trunk, retired upstairs.
In her room, Ginny flipped the trunk open and was greeted with a different design on the lining. Now it reflected a clear calm night sky, with millions of twinkling stars. It was beautiful and she was glad the grumpy shopkeeper had suggested it. Ginny packed all of the things she'd obtained in there and then she included her gifts from her birthday, taking extra care to remember the invisibility cloak from Harry. Once she was packed and out of ways to distract herself inside, she went outside to sit on the roof.
George was already up there when she opened the window to slip out. It was cooler now that the sun had firmly set.
"Hello, brother of mine."
George grunted in response. Ginny sat next to him and gazed out at their yard. In the distance she could see something moving but was unable to make it out.
"It's the aurors." George said when she'd asked.
"They're here around the clock. Probably shove off when you lot do."
That made Ginny's skin crawl. Logically she knew they were here mostly for Harry but it still made her uncomfortable to think of a group of aurors watching their every move. She was sure McGonagall wouldn't let a band of aurors roam around Hogwarts and that was reassuring if nothing else.
"Georgie, d'you ever reckon we'll feel normal again?"
It was a question that clawed at her every minute of every day. She wasn't sure if they'd ever been normal, at least not since she'd started Hogwarts.
"I dunno Gin."
They sat together in uncertainty, a new sort of normal of its own with the comfortability of experience. They knew how to be uncertain, how to feel lost.