The Seventh Year

Only If You Can Catch Him

The Christmas holiday was neither holly nor jolly for Luna, Neville, or Ginny. Ginny felt miserable, knowing she should have done more to save Luna. Neville couldn't bear the thought of Luna alone with the Death Eaters, likely being tortured. Luna felt lonely in the cool, murky cellar they had imprisoned her in.

All three had been separated for weeks, and it was finally time to go back to Hogwarts. Ginny ran through the bricks and reached Platform 9 3/4, followed by Mr and Mrs Weasley. Ginny hurried away from her parents in an attempt to find Neville. She spotted him behind several distraught parents waving goodbye to their children.

"Neville!" she called, waving for his attention. He turned and began to make his way through the crowd towards her slowly; his hands were in his pockets and a melancholic expression plastered on his face. Once he was within arm's length, Ginny grabbed his sweater and yanked him away from the mob of families. 

"Bloody hell, don't ruin my new sweater! Gran made it for me," he said bitterly. 

"Sorry," Ginny muttered. "I had to get away from my parents. We've just fought for the hundredth time about me coming back to school. Anyway, how was your holiday?" 

"Erm, let's— let's talk on the train." He patted her on the shoulder and wandered off, disappearing through the train's steam that clouded the air. 

"Great talk," she muttered to herself and went to find her mother. 

"Ginny! Where are you?" shouted Mr Weasley. She hurried in his direction and made her way through the packed station. Revealing herself, he grabbed Ginny and dragged her farther away from the Hogwarts Express.

"Dad, what are you doing?" she shouted as she realized what was happening. "No! I have to stay at Hogwarts. They'll hurt the younger years without me!" she pleaded. "Please, give me until the spring holidays!"

"Your mother won't be happy with me. We think it's best if you don't go back for any of the second term," he said and continued making his way towards Mrs Weasley. 

Ginny wiggled and thrashed her body, attempting to break free of his grasp. "Stop, please! Mom won't let me out of her sight if we go back." Mr Weasley looked conflicted but finally loosened his grip on her. They abruptly stopped in the middle of the crowd, blocking the traffic flow of people. 

"I— I'll tell your mother I couldn't catch up to you," he whispered. Ginny nodded and gave a weak smile before running off to board the train. 

As she boarded, the train whistle echoed through the station and began rolling on the tracks. Ginny ran through the carriages and found Neville waiting for her in the caboose. 

She slipped into the empty seat across from him and looked down. Neither of them could string enough words together for a sentence. Ginny grimaced at her last memory of the Hogwarts Express: two cloaked men, a cold draft, and Luna kidnapped. 

Neville read her expression and said, "Hey, it's not your fault. We did everything we could. We'll get her back, I promise. Want to know something?" Ginny reluctantly nodded and met his gaze. "Weeks ago, I practiced the Protean Charm and made it so we could change the letters on the coin. It was mainly so Luna and I could talk without the Carrows getting suspicious. You know, with them on our tails and everything, it was getting really difficult. Anyways, she let me know she's safe. Take a look!" 

Ginny frantically reached for her forged Galleon in her pocket. As Neville told her, the letters had been changed. The message Don't Worry, Safe replaced what should have been Unum Galleon on the top of the coin. 

Ginny put her hand over her mouth and gasped. "Don't worry. I'll check in with her every day. I'm just worried they'll take away the coin if they find it," he told her.