New Beginnings

Chapter 33

The start of term came way to quickly for Harry's liking.

Malfoy Manor had been the best Christmas (or just holiday in general) and he'd been reluctant to give that up. If it wasn't for the Order and Dumbledore, Harry would've used every excuse in the book to stay with them.

Draco, however, was ecstatic. Though Christmas had been amazing, he couldn't handle the sly looks the adults threw at him and each other. He had no clue what they were for and he really didn't want to know.

Annoyingly though, life without the Weasley twins had dulled the usual atmosphere. The three murders had hidden it before, but now that they'd returned and everyone had settled back into normal life, nobody could miss the usual hubbub of George and/or Fred and whichever prank they'd pulled off. Peeves tried to fill the void, along with few attempts from lower years by nothing was twin worthy. Harry missed it the most, having grown up in Gryffindor tower, surrounded by the twins antics and though Slytherin was becoming his preferred house, nothing could beat Fred and George's mischief.

The entirety of Hogwarts had previously been under the assumption that since the twins had left, no other Weasley would set foot in the castle until one of them conceived. Unfortunately, or fortunately, they were wrong.

The third day of term, having somehow entered late, Ginerva Weasely set foot in the Great Hall, having undergone a massive transformation.

Silky, lightly curled, sunset red hair hung loosely, framing a now curvy figure that had somehow filled out perfectly in the time Harry had seen her. She hadn't gotten taller, just used barely noticeable heels to give her some added height. For some reason, she had decided to wear makeup. Light pink lipstick, drawn on (though perfect) eyebrows and gold eyelids. Harry presumed she'd either gotten lots of sleep or used some form of concealer, plus contour to accentuate her cheeks.

The only reason he knew was because Petunia had a morning ritual of caking her face before going downstairs and eventually he'd had to do it all. Although she'd done it in such a way that she looked starved.

"Someone must be posing as Weaslette." Pansy snickered, loud enough that a faint blush showed beneath Ginny's makeup. "than again, who'd want to be her?"

Even some Gryffindors snorted, unable to stop themselves. The others houses didn't try so hard to hide their laughter.

"Sir, I think you should make sure she's not an imposter." Piped up a random hufflepuff.

Though normally peaceful and uncaring of house drama, Ron and Ginny been quite vocal on their thoughts of the Badger house and they'd been itching for revenge.

"That's enough." Snape didn't need to stand like Dumbledore to get everyone's attention. "Ms Weasely take a seat."

She hurried down, not bothering to flaunt anything in her haste to not annoy a clearly tired Snape.

The noise level rise quickly, but not enough to induce any type of headache, for once the students were being respectful of their teachers during breakfast.

"I think she has a crush on Harry." Theo whispered suddenly, angling his face to subtly point across the room, all the while pretending to read. " I'd watch your back."

Blaise took a fast sip of his juice, "family's like hers try to marry back into wealth, seen it to often."

The three purebloods around Harry hummed in agreement, sharing the same expression without ever once looking at each other.

"That's normal?"

Luckily this time no one jumped. The disconcerting discovery that Harry was once again talking had several people startled every time he opened his mouth, only just getting used his voice again.