Ginny entered the Great Hall with Luna Lovegood. Without looking anyone in the eye, she slowly walked to her seat next to Harry, Ron and Hermione. She only marginally noticed how Luna said goodbye to her and hurried to the Ravenclaw table. Ginny also ignored the many surprised looks that followed her on her way through the hall, because at that moment Romilda Vane, Harry's crazy fanatic, sat down next to him and thus on Ginny's place.

She paused briefly, dismayed, to look around for a new seat. And this was not long in coming.

"Ginny!" Dean Thomas called to her and waved her over.

Poor, poor Dean. They'd only been together since the end of their fourth year of school and she'd already managed to screw up during the holidays. Now she could only hope that he would never find out, even though she knew deep in her heart that sooner or later the story would come to light. All you can do is wish that it would happen as much "later" as possible.

With a forced smile she went to Dean, who was sitting next to Ron. Even before she could sit down, he received the compliment that she will probably hear often today.

"You look breathtaking!" he breathed in his voice with unmistakable pride and incredulous joy to have her as a friend.

Again she forced a happy smile as she thanked him and tried hard to keep her feelings of guilt under control. It would break his heart.

Without a word, she cast a suffering look at Hermione over the heads of a few students. Hermione replied with pity and smiled encouragingly at her. She was the only one who knew and it should stay that way, because she had no one else to listen to and understand. She could tell Ron or Fred or George, maybe Bill, but she didn't have the heart. They were her brothers and also boys. You would never understand her, let alone look at her the way you do now. She saw herself differently and wasn't as happy with this change as it might seem. Every day when she stood in front of the mirror and looked at her face, for a few seconds she was disgusted with herself, with what she has become. Fortunately, Hermione had the decency not to say a word about what happened that summer. Neither the boys, their friends, nor Ginny herself.

"Ginny?"

Dean looked at her questioningly. She shook her head as if she wanted to chase away the thoughts of summer on her brain.
Then she looked at Dean apologetically.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" she asked.
"I asked how your train ride was," Dean repeated patiently. Ginny thoughtfully let out a relieved breath. She expected any moment that Dean would ask about her summer vacation and was afraid of it.She didn't mean to lie to him.
But she couldn't quite honestly answer this question either.

Her gaze touched the Slytherin table, where a certain Malfoy, resting his head on his hand, was watching her shamelessly. When their eyes met, Draco's lips brushed a cheeky, barely visible smile, while Ginny demonstratively turned away from him again.

"Quite boring," she reported to Dean and rolled her eyes to make it clear. "As always, actually!"

In her mind, however, the scene from the train replayed. She cursed herself inwardly for going alone to find Hermione in the prefect compartment. To her chagrin she met Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini in the hallway. Of course, Malfoy didn’t miss such an opportunity and threw his usual insults at Ginny, while Zabini was simply content with secretly looking at Ginny, who was distracted by the blonde, from head to toe in admiration. The situation wasn't unusual and Ginny decided that these two guys weren't worth being upset about, but just as Ginny was pushing past Malfoy between the narrow walls of the train, Malfoy had purposely grabbed her bum. Ginny would have ignored that too and let him get away with it if he hadn't wanted to push her into a compartment to "show respect for the weasel girl," as he called his intentions. And if Hermione, who was a prefect patrolling the hallways, hadn't come by and caught her, he would have even done it. As a farewell, the Slytherin wished Ginny a nice ride and whispered that she shouldn't feel too safe between her friends, because what "a Malfoy wants, he gets that too".

Those words didn't bother Ginny, because what Malfoy didn't know was that she was no longer a naive little girl and that she was no longer easily intimidated. She gave the still staring Slytherin an appraising look before turning her attention to the front where Dumbledore rose.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts! Welcome all newcomers! I wish you all a good, happy school year. I wish you new friendships, valuable knowledge and moments to remember later! Now let our worries rest until tomorrow and the feast." start!"

He raised his hands in the air at the last word and instantly felt the plates of deliciously fragrant food. This caused a general astonishment among the new students, but also among a few old people, such as Ginny's always-hungry brother Ron.

But suddenly Professor McGonagall got up and clinked the knife edge on a crystal glass a few times while she gave Dumbledore an annoyed look because he had apparently forgotten something.The students immediately turned their attention to the pedestal.

"Before you turn to the food, I would like to announce that there are some changes in the teaching staff. Many of you will definitely remember the tragic accident of the flight instructor Madam Hooch last year. When she fell off her broom , Madam Hooch will have to stay in the hospital indefinitely. The former Gryffindor team captain has agreed to act as a teacher.

Oliver Wood entered the hall and there was a few seconds of silence. Then the hall burst into jubilation, especially the Gryffindors. Ginny noted that Oliver has changed slightly after leaving Hogwarts. Most of all he looked more grown up.

When Oliver's gaze touched their part of the table, his eyes widened briefly, but then he grinned and gave Ginny a friendly wave. He still seemed to be able to come to terms with her. She waved back while Fred and George, who were sitting across from her, exchanged knowing looks and Dean twisted his mouth for a moment.

But above all, not even Ginny went unnoticed, as Harry's enthusiasm that his old friend is back suddenly disappeared and he only had a simple "hello" left for his former team capital.

So they started the first feast with mixed feelings and jealous thoughts, each in their own way. And only Ron, who smacked his lips loudly and washed down one dish after the other with sweet grape juice, was really happy at that moment!

* * * * *


Here is the second chapter, I think by now you are more clear about the story. And I'm always happy to receive your honest opinions, don't worry, I can take criticism pretty well and try to implement it. I also look forward to hearing all of your wishes for Ginny. I will try to respond to your wishes, I promise!

Hope you liked it,
best regards
Annie