Ginny's Sixth Year

Chapter 14

The next day passed in a blur of starvation, homework, and boring classes. Detention came, and this time, I was handed a strangely familiar quill by Alecto Carrow. I asked her where the other Professor Carrow was, and she responded with a sneer and a "none of your business." She told me to write "Muggles, Mudbloods, and blood traitors are filth."

"I don't mean to be rude, ma'am, but you haven't given me ink," I pointed out.

"Oh, I don't think that ink is necessary for this activity," she said, her voice dripping in false sweetness. "Now get to it, Weasley!" She spat out the my last name as if it was poison.

It was then that I realized what this quill was. I hadn't seen one like it in two years, after the D.A. got caught the first time. I should have been at least a little bit apprehensive about the quill, but I was relieved that the Black Quill was the only punishment I would be facing today. I looked at my left hand, the scar from the last time I had seen this quill still visible. I picked up the quill and began to write.

I must have written the evil message in my hand 100 times at least. When I was finally allowed to leave, I proceeded straight to the common room, where I was met with four letters.

Ginny, 

It's Percy Weasley. I know you haven't heard from me in the past few months, and I know that you probably don't like or trust me very much anymore, but I want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for trusting Umbridge, I'm sorry for abandoning you and the rest of our family, and I'm sorry for being to stuck-up and trying to be a role model for you. I'm so glad that you are just the way you are, and I have no idea why I thought that you should have been like me. Oh, and by the way, you can tell it's me because you caught me snogging Penelope Clearwater in your first year, and then proceeded to tell Fred and George. 

Stay safe,

Percy

I didn't know at the time if I forgave Percy. I decided to write him back once I did decide.

Ginny,

It's Fred and George, once again. We wish we could send you delicious food to share with your common room, but George didn't think that the owl you used would like us very much. We're so sorry, and I hope that this torture ends soon. If this meal thing lasts longer than a couple weeks, and then you get a normal amount of food, make sure you eat really slowly. It will keep you from throwing up. Make sure that you divide up the food equally for everyone, don't be a hero, Ginny. We don't want anyone dying here.

Riddle's words echoed in my mind. At least one person in your family won't make it.

Gee thanks for sending us a letter that was in your pocket when you were bleeding. Did you forget about Fred's phobia? You could have rewritten the letter or something! You freaked Mum out too. Just don't do that again, please.

Stay safe,

Gred and Forge

I moved on to the third letter. It was from Mum. Oh dear, I was in for it.

Ginny Weasley,

It's your mother, Molly Weasley. I sent Ron a howler about him crashing his father's car in 1992, when you went to Hogwarts for the first time.

GINEVRA WEASLEY! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Not only did you land yourself in detention with two VERY DANGEROUS DEATH EATERS FOR A MONTH, but you DIDN'T WRITE YOUR MOTHER ABOUT IT! Am I suddenly less trustworthy than the twins? They told me that you don't want to come home. If you had said that you didn't want to come back, then I would have let you stay for the rest of the term at least! If you are nearly bleeding out and being tortured and starved on a daily basis, then I need to know!

All that being said, I love you. I just want you to be safe. Please don't get more detentions. I miss you, Ginny. I wish Ron was there to help you get through this. Write to me often.

Signed,

Molly Weasley

Mum didn't demand I came home immediately? That was a shock to me. I tore open the final letter, and I was surprised to see three letters inside.

Ginny, 

Ron told me what happened. I'm so sorry. I wish I was there with you. 

I wish we could tell you of our progress, but in case this letter falls into the wrong hands, I can't. Thank you for standing up for Muggles, but don't, whatever you do, do it again. Saying things like that could get you killed.

Miss you,

Hermione

Hermione wrote me a letter, meaning the other two were from Harry and Ron. I was so happy, I could have cried. Fortunately for me, I didn't. I had already made enough of a fool of myself this year.

Ginny,

Ron read me your letter. I was so glad to hear from you, though I'm sorry for what you and the rest of the school are going through. 

I can't tell you much more than all three of us are alive and well. I'm sorry that I'm not there for you. I miss you.

Harry

All three of them were alive and well. I was so glad.

Ginny,

Thank you so much for your letter. I'm so glad that you are alive, no matter how ugly all your scars probably look. If possible, go to Madame Pomfrey. She'll help.

We're all fine. I love you, Ginny. 

Miss you,

Ron

I folded all six letters neatly, went upstairs, placed the envelopes on my nightstand, and went to sleep.