Authors: - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W X Y Z
Author: Grandma Kate
Story: Ginny's Fifth Year at Hogwarts
Rating: Everyone
Setting: Pre-DH
Status: Completed
Reviews: 7
Words: 44,208
| Chapter Navigation: | Previous | Next |
The Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Bold Face Type indicates a direct quote from Chapter Eighteen, Birthday Surprises, or Chapter Nineteen, Elf Tails, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
A/N This story is told from Molly's Weasley's point of view and parallels Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the summer after it.
Molly and Arthur had a bit of a lie-in on Saturday, the first day of March. The weather had been unusually wet all of February. Now a strong wind had begun to blow. As she and Arthur dozed on and off, Molly thought back seventeen years ago, when Ronnie was born and remembered what a good baby he was. He nursed well and slept through the night at an unusually young age. She'd had to wean him early when she got pregnant with Ginny before he was a year old. Fortunately, he liked solid food and drinking out of those little Muggle cups with weighted bottoms and just a small opening.
When Molly and Arthur finally decided to get out of bed it was nearly lunchtime, so Molly heated up some leftover soup and began to think about what to make for dinner. They might as well just have sandwiches tonight. She was still cooking far too much for the two of them to eat at one meal so they always had leftovers.
Arthur spent the rest of the day in his new recliner, reading a book or looking at magazines. He occasionally commented that it would be easy to modify one of those tell-a-vision boxes so it did not have to use eckeltricity. Molly worked on mending while she hummed along to music playing on the Wireless.
Late in the afternoon, both of them were startled when a Hogwarts owl blew into the kitchen window. Arthur got up and let the wet bird in. Molly hurried to put a tea towel down on the counter with some owl treats as Arthur removed the parchment from the bird's leg and looked at it quickly.
'You'd better sit down to hear this, Molly,' began Arthur in a quiet voice. 'Don't worry. Poppy Pomfrey thinks our birthday boy will make a full recovery.'
Molly clutched her chest as Arthur read —
Dear Mr and Mrs Weasley,
Your son Ronald has had an unfortunately eventful seventeenth birthday morning. Early in the day, he ate several Chocolate Cauldrons infused with a Love Potion intended for his friend Harry Potter. It took quick thinking and a plausible story made up by Mr Potter to get the lovesick lad to follow him to Professor Slughorn's office. The good professor immediately brewed an antidote to the Love Potion but then subsequently decided to open a bottle of oak-matured mead to celebrate Mr Weasley's coming of age. Unbeknownst to him, it contained a deadly poison.
Mr Potter reported to me that when he drank the mead, your son crumpled, his extremities jerking uncontrollably. Foam was dribbling from his mouth, and his eyes were bulging from their sockets. Fortunately, Mr Potter had the presence of mind to find a bezoar in Professor Slughorn's Potions Kit and insert it into Ronald's mouth, thereby saving his life. Mr Weasley is responding well to this universal antidote and there is every indication that he will suffer no permanent effects from drinking the poisoned mead. It is fortunate that he ingested it in the office of our Potions Master and that a bezoar was immediately available.
He is currently resting comfortably but I am sure he would be glad to have some family members around him when he becomes conscious again. Arrangements have been made for you to use Professor McGonagall's private Floo connection should you be available to visit.
Sincerely,
Madame Pomfrey
'We must go as soon as we are more warmly dressed,' announced Molly starting up the stairs with Arthur following her. They dressed quickly and threw Floo powder into the fireplace.
"Minerva McGonagall's office at Hogwarts!' Arthur said loudly as he stepped into the green flame. Molly followed suit and found herself being steadied by both Arthur and Minerva as she stepped out onto the gray carpet.
'I'm sure you want to see Ronald immediately,' said Minerva, leading them out of her office and toward the hospital wing. Arthur held Molly's arm all the way there. Ginny, Hermione, and Harry were all sitting in chairs outside the double doors. The three of them rushed toward the Weasley parents. Molly hugged Ginny and then turned to Harry and Hermione.
'Have you seen him? How is he?' They all shook their heads as the doors opened and Madame Pomfrey joined them in the hall.
'He has not yet regained consciousness but he's resting comfortably and his vital signs are normal,' she said in a quiet voice. 'You may go in immediately. I have not allowed his sister and two best friends in because he needs to rest after all the substances he ingested before breakfast. Professor Dumbledore would like a word with you after you have seen him.' Poppy Pomfrey shooed the other children back into the hall. 'Let your parents have a moment with the poor poisoned lad. I will let you in as soon as possible.'
Molly rushed to Ron's bedside. He was easy to find since he was the only patient in the entire wing. 'He's so still!' whispered Molly, as Arthur put his arm around her. She bent to smooth Ron's hair and sat in the chair next to Ron's bed. 'He's so pale!'
'He is usually pale in the winter but I think he might be a little more peaked-looking from ingesting a Love Potion and poisoned mead before lunch.'
Molly snorted. 'Arthur, you make it sound like he did it on purpose.' She looked fondly at her youngest son. 'Oh, Ron, if it hadn't been for Harry, you might not be here.'
Arthur pulled her upright and whispered, 'Molly, do you want to stay with him for a while? I can go to Professor Dumbledore's office to find out more about how all of this happened. Do you want to go with me?'
'I have a bone to pick with him about allowing Hogwarts students to have Love Potions,' said Molly, patting Ron's cheek before she stood up. 'I'd better come with you. Maybe Poppy will let the children in to sit with him. They can tell him that we'll be right back.'
Molly and Arthur went to Madame Pomfrey's office and asked her to let Ginny, Harry, and Hermione in and said that they'd be back from seeing the Headmaster as soon as possible. They left her office and headed down the corridor as Ginny, Harry, and Ron came in through the double doors.
Professor Dumbledore was waiting for them at the top of his moving staircase. 'I am pleased to see you, Molly and Arthur! Have you seen your son?'
They nodded as he indicated that they should sit at a small table set with a substantial tea. 'I had the house-elves prepare something nourishing. I doubt that you have had time to eat for a while.'
He waved his hand and the teapot rose and began to pour three cups of tea. 'I think a little Firewhisky should be added to yours, Molly.' He poured a healthy amount into the cup in front of Molly. 'Arthur, do try the smoked salmon, it is unusually good tonight.'
'What can you tell us about what happened this morning?' said Arthur as he helped himself to some smoked salmon.
'I received the following information from Miss Granger and Mr Potter. Miss Romilda Vane gave Harry Potter a whole box of Cauldron Cakes before Christmas. Miss Granger warned him that they were laced with Love Potion so he did not even open the box. He put them in his trunk, intending to dispose of them, but forgot about them due to the excitement of the Christmas holidays. This morning they somehow became mixed in with your son Ronald's presents. The Love Potion had been strengthening for months, so after you son ate several of them, he declared his undying love for Miss Vane.'
Molly sighed and put her hand over her mouth. 'Thank Merlin that Harry figured out what was wrong.'
'Mr Potter told him that Miss Vane was getting extra help with Potions and convinced him to go to Professor Slughorn's office to see her.' Albus chuckled. 'He explained the situation to our good Potions Master who made an antidote which worked quickly and your son immediately ceased to fancy Miss Vane.'
'But how did he happen to drink poisoned mead?' asked Arthur.
'Ah, that is a slightly more complicated story. Apparently, a bottle of oak-matured mead that Professor Slughorn had intended to give me for Christmas was still in his office. He decided that they should drink some to celebrate Mr Weasley's coming of age. The poison took effect immediately. If it had not been for Mr Potter's presence of mind to use the bezoar that he remembered was in Professor Slughorn's potions kit, I am afraid we would have lost your youngest son.'
Molly shuddered. 'So once again, Harry has saved one of our family members.'
Albus nodded gravely. 'Indeed, that seems to be the case.'
Arthur and Molly sat in silence while Albus recommended several of the tea items that had been prepared. They ate very little and thought a great deal about how lucky they were that Ron had not died.
'It seems that the news of the poisoning has reached your sons Fred and George. I am informed that they are even now entering Hogwarts intending to visit their youngest brother.' Dumbledore seemed to be amused by the information that he had just learned. 'They may be more successful in rousing him that Madame Pomfrey has been!'
Molly and Arthur finished their tea, thanked Dumbledore for his hospitality, and headed back toward the hospital wing.
When they opened the double doors of the hospital wing, they saw Hagrid, Fred, George, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny all gathered around Ron's bed. Molly rushed toward them, seized hold of Harry and hugged him very tightly. 'Dumbledore's told us how you saved him with the bezoar,' she sobbed. 'Oh, Harry, what can we say? You saved Ginny… you saved Arthur… now you've saved Ron…'
'Don't be… I didn't…' muttered Harry awkwardly.
'Half our family does seem to owe you their lives, now I stop and think about it,' Arthur said in a constricted voice. 'Well, all I can say was that it is a lucky day for the Weasleys when Ron decided to sit in your compartment on the Hogwarts Express, Harry.'
Madame Pomfrey cleaned up the muddy footprints that had been left on the floor with her wand and reminded them that Ron was not to have any more then six visitors at one time. Hagrid, Harry and Hermione left, leaving Ron with just family grouped around him.
'Has he been awake at all?' asked Molly.
'He almost came to and said what sounded like Hermione's name but then he went back to snoring,' said Ginny.
'Most interesting!' said Fred. George nodded his head with a huge grin on his face.
Molly frowned at the twins. 'Don't let me hear about you teasing Ron about Hermione while he is in the hospital wing.' The twins looked insulted.
'Won-Won has another girlfriend, you know,' said Ginny. The twins laughed maniacally at her.
Arthur hugged the twins and Ginny and suggested that they leave their mother and him with Ron for a while. He sat next to Molly as she held Ron's hand and told him everything that they had learned about what had happened that day. Ron snored a bit louder every once in a while but gave no sign that he heard any of her story. Finally, Molly began to yawn so they kissed Ron good-bye, asked Madame Pomfrey to let them know how he was doing, and went back to Professor McGonagall's office to return home through her Floo. They went to bed immediately, glad that the next day was a Sunday.
When Molly and Arthur woke the next morning, Arthur put his arms around Molly and asked, 'All right there, Mollywobbles?'
Molly snuggled closer and nodded. 'I hope the rest of March is a bit less eventful. Bill and Fleur and the twins are coming for brunch. Maybe we'll hear if our youngest son is conscious yet.'
They went downstairs and Molly prepared a brunch that would have fed the whole family. Bill and Fleur left right after they ate a little, saying they would go to see Ron as soon as he was able to enjoy having visitors. The twins needed to open their shop after lunch, so they also left promptly
Since it was still very windy outside, Molly and Arthur spent a quiet afternoon reading, mending, and listening to the wireless. Just before Molly started dinner, Pig blew up against the kitchen window. Arthur let him in and gave him an owl treat. Ron's owl flew over to Errol's cage, drank some water, and promptly fell asleep. Arthur read —
Dear Mum and Dad,
It was good to see you last night. Fred and George stayed all night in the common room but left before breakfast so they could eat with you and Bill and Fleur this morning. Did you know that they were in Hogsmeade yesterday because they might buy Zonko's? Unfortunately, if someone keeps trying to kill students, they say there won't be any Hogsmeade weekend business. I suppose they're right about that.
Madame Pomfrey told us that Ron was awake so the twins and Hermione and Harry and I got to go see him after breakfast. He's a little confused about what happened yesterday morning. He remembers opening his presents and said to tell you that he loves his watch. It's the nicest one he has ever seen. Anyway, he remembers a little bit about being really embarrassed about being obsessed with Romilda Vane but not what happened when he drank the poisoned mead.
Madame Pomfrey has told him how lucky he was that Harry knew just what to do. Hermione is very worried about Ron but I think she's almost more worried that Harry is using his Potions book the wrong way. I'm not quite sure how you can use a Potions book the wrong way, but I'm glad he saved Ron's life. Hermione and Harry and I just hung out with him after breakfast. It was nice even though he didn't say much.
We have a Quidditch match against Hufflepuff next weekend and Madame Pomfrey says that Ron can't play. That means that Harry is going to have to let Cormac McLaggen be our Keeper. No one is going to be happy about that. McLaggen thinks he knows everything about everything. He made Hermione feel really uncomfortable when they went to the Slug Club party. Sometimes people make you feel uncomfortable without meaning to, but I think he's just a natural git.
Anyway, Ron is looking better. Don't worry about him.
Love,
Ginny
Molly and Arthur were even more reassured Wednesday night when the twins came for dinner and reported that other than not liking to have to take essence of rue twice a day, Ron was enjoying his time in the hospital wing. He said that all of his classmates were visiting him. He said that he got rid of the ones he didn't want to talk to by pretending to be asleep.
The windy March weather continued for most of the rest of the week. Then it became calm and sunnier over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, Molly and Arthur decided that the garden beds nearest the house were dried out enough to turn over. With both of them using their wands at once, the task was soon finished. They had just begun to take a little rest in the shade when Hedwig arrived at the Burrow. Molly ran in to get an owl treat and two glasses of cold water while Arthur opened the parchment.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I am much better but now Harry is in the next bed. Here's how he got hurt — Stupid Cormac McLaggen had to take my place as Keeper and he thinks he knows more about Quidditch than even our Captain. While the game was going on, he was ordering everyone around. He took the bat from a Beater named Peakes. Harry tried to make him give it back but McLaggan accidentally hit him with a Bludger and cracked his skull. Harry is all right but has to stay in the hospital wing to heal. We both get out on Monday.
The funny thing is that I heard the whole Quidditch match because Luna Lovegood was the commentator and she was very funny. She was a lot better than that Smith git from Hufflepuff that called the last match and was so insultingthat Ginny ran into. Anyway, we lost the game to the Hufflepuffs. And Harry still thinks that Malfoy is up to something but we don't need to worry because he says he has everything covered.
I guess that's all. On my birthday, I didn't get any of the cake you made but I wanted you to know that I really like the watch you gave me. It is the best watch that I have ever seen and I will always think of you every time I use it. Thank you.
Love,
Ron
'It sounds like Ron is better but Harry is worse,' said Arthur reflectively. 'I don't believe I've ever heard of a Keeper disabling his own Seeker with a Bludger during a Quidditch match.'
'Maybe I should bake a cake to send to Hogwarts tomorrow to celebrate Ron and Harry getting out of the hospital wing,' said Molly. 'Never a dull moment with those two.'
'You better include a note reminding Ron to dispose of those Cauldron Cakes that he thought someone had sent him for his birthday,' chuckled Arthur. 'No sense having the whole Love Potion thing happen again.'
Molly laughed but did as Arthur said and sent a note with the belated birthday cake reminding Ron to be careful about what he ate. She also thanked Harry again for saving the lives of so many Weasleys and said that she hoped his skull would heal properly. Arthur took the cake in to the Ministry post Monday morning.
Molly was somewhat puzzled when she got a note from Ginny mid-week. She gave the strange school owl a treat and noticed that the parchment had what looked like tearstains on it.
Dear Mum and Dad,
It was nice of you to send a cake to celebrate Harry and Ron getting out of the hospital wing. Ron was still unconscious when we ate his first birthday cake. I am glad that you thanked Harry for saving his life. Getting your skull cracked by a Bludger that was aimed at you by your substitute Keeper is not a joke no matter what some insensitive Gryffindor team members think.
I don't know why some people cannot understand what other people are trying to tell them. Ron is practically hiding every time his girlfriend is around and yet she doesn't take the hint. When you like someone for a while but then realize that you don't like him or her the same way that they like you, it is hard to get him or her to understand how you feel without coming right out and saying it especially if you don't want to hurt their feelings or make them stop being friends with you because they are in your House or are members of the same team as you.
I am studying for my O.W.L.s and don't have too much spare time to spend doing anything except studying so everyone should understand that I have to have time to study. Ron and Harry and Hermione and everyone else in their year have to learn how to Apparate. Harry has special lessons with Dumbledore so everyone is busy. Why can't some people just leave me alone?
Love,
Ginny
When Arthur read Ginny's letter that night he was just as much in the dark about what Ginny was so upset about as Molly had been when she first read it. It was not until later that night after Arthur had dropped off to sleep that Molly began to wonder if Ginny had finally realized that she had strong feelings for someone besides Dean and didn't know what to do next. She wished her baby girl were not so far away so she'd be able to support her in what she needed to do.
A/N: My Beta Trelawney2213 and my preBeta bookish_327 have helped make this more readable. They have my thanks.
| Chapter Navigation: | Previous | Next |
