After the Battle

Chapter 11

'Mum, Mum?', Ginny bubbled as we walked throught the door.

'Yes dear?', Mrs Weasleys head popped up from a pile of dirty pots and pans.

'Guess what? We saw McGonnagal-'

'Professor McGonagall dear', Mrs Weasley corrected.

'Yeah, well she said that I can repeat my sixth year at Hogwarts and Harry and Hermione are going to come too. And, and she said that she wants Harry to take some of the DADA classes and be Head of Gryffindor!' Ginny babbled with an eager look on her face.

'That sounds wonderful dear', she said to Ginny, 'And congratulations Harry dear', she said looking at me. 'But Ginny, I'm really sorry but I don't think that we can afford for you to go back.'

'But Mum-', Ginny started, stroppy face poised and ready to go.

'It's ok Mrs Weasley, i'll pay for Ginny', I offered.

'Oh no, Harry. I couldn't let you do that.'  Mrs Weasley answered politely, yet it frustrated me. Ginny started to wander off looking crestfallen.

'Gin, wait-', I started but Mrs Weasley was too quick.

'I can't even begin to say how much we would struggle to pay for Ron too-', she rambled.

'Mum', Ron interjected, 'I'm not going to go back to Hogwarts.'

'You must finish your education Ronald Weasley, how do you expect to suceed in life without any exam results?!?', she questioned furiously.

'Mum, I'm going to work with George, in the shop. Neither of the twins ever had NEWT's but they've done ok. I mean in my opinion they are, were, successful. The shop makes money, it incredibly profitable and popular. That's sucess mum!.'

'I suppose you're right, as long as you have security, as long as your happy, then I suppose you must be sucessful', Mrs Weasley finally agreed, 'I still don't know what to do about you Ginny.'

'Honestly Mrs Weasley, I really don't mind. You've done so much for me over the years and i'm going for free this year because of the classes i'm taking for McGonagoll so really it would be just like Ginny going for free, and me paying.' I said calmly, in a considered manner. I really hoped it would work, that Ginny would be able to come.

'Harry, I'm sorry but I really can't let you, you're being very kind but you are going to work hard for that money.'

'Ok, how about this Mrs Weasley. I'm still going to be quidditch captain and I can't begin to describe what having none of the Weasley on my team would do to Gryffindor. Please Mrs Weasley, I really can't face going back to Hogwarts without Ginny', I looked at her as I said this, Mrs Weasley thought I was just worried about the quidditch team but Ginny understood. She smiled shyly covering her face under her fringe.

'I'll talk to Arthur about it when he gets in,' Harry smiled at Ginny but she didn't look hopeful. She opened her mouth to talk but Mrs Weasley was to fast, 'No, Ginny. That is final.'

I walked past Ginny and started to ascend the stairs to bed. She smiled at me and followed as did Ron but Hermione said, 'I have to visit my parents, night', and then mouthed at Ron, 'I'll be up in a sec.' Ron gave her a questioning look but it was too late, she had already left.