Harry Potter and The Last Horcrux
Ginevra Weasley

The train sped along towards its destination on a grey fallday. A redheaded seventeen-year-old girlwas looking out the window at the passing scenery. It was dreary view as the train sped towardsits destination. She sighed as shethought about how quiet this trip was. She looked over at her traveling companion and smiled.

The blonde-haired girl was reading a newspaper, upside downas usual, with her wand stuck behind her ear. The red-haired girl chuckled softly to herself.

‘Well, something’s never change,’ she thought.

The blonde-haired girl lowered the paper and looked at thegirl with a questioning look.

“What’s so funny Ginny?”

“I was just laughing at you.”

The other girl pushed her glasses higher on her nose, “That’spretty rude.”

Ginny chuckled, “I sorry, it’s just this is the last time wehead to Hogwarts and this trip is so quiet.”

Luna smiled at Ginny, “I know. I was thinking the same thing when I got on.”

Ginny sighed sadly, “I just keep expecting Harry, Ron orHermione to open the door and walk in.”

Luna nodded in agreement, “I’d even take a visit from DracoMalfoy.”

“Now I know you are looney,” Ginny said and both girlslaughed, “This sucks.”

Luna smiled, “I’m sure we’ll have fun. After all we’re both prefects and you’ll havethe quidditch team to captain.”

Ginny nodded, “That’ll be hard now that Harry and them aregone, it just won’t be the same.”

Luna slyly smiled at Ginny, “How is Harry?”

“I don’t know really,” Ginny replied, absently gazing outthe window, “I haven’t seen him since we got off the train last year afterschool ended.”

“Really?”

Ginny nodded, “He started his Auror training soonafterwards.”

“He doesn’t get breaks?”

Ginny again nodded, “He does, but he’s always away when hehas any free time. He just disappears.”

“You miss him?”

Ginny nodded slowly, “Yes,” she whispered sadly.

Her mind wandered to the week before when she had gone withher mother to Diagon Alley to get her school supplies.

“Oh I just can’t seem to accept this.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, “Oh Mum please stop.”

Mrs. Weasley gave her youngest a sad smile, “Just youwait until your children go to school, then you’ll know what I’m feeling now.”

“I’m sure Bill and Fleur will need your help when thebaby comes,” Ginny countered.

Mrs. Weasley harrumphed, “Well I’m just sad that this isthe last time I’ll ever do this.”

“I’ll make sure to make a commemorative stamp,” Ginnysaid dryly.

Mrs. Weasley slapped Ginny’s arm lightly, “Oooo, that’llbe enough out of you. Come on now let’sget to the Leaky Cauldron. Your father,brother, Hermione and Harry will be meeting us soon.”

They walked into the LeakyCauldron and looked around. Tom, the owner, greeted them as he came forward from theback of the restaurant. “Molly! Good tosee you!”

Mrs. Weasley smiled, “And you too Tom. Have either my husband or son arrived yet?”

“I don’t believe so,” Tom said as he gave a quick lookaround before shaking his head, “No, not yet.”

Mrs. Weasley pointed to an empty booth, “May we?”

“Of course,” Tom offered, “Please sit anywhere you’dlike.”

Tom disappeared into the back again while the twoWeasley’s sat down.

“I hope they’ve not run into any trouble?” Mrs. Weasleysaid looking around.

Ginny looked around the near-empty room. Since Dumbledore’s death and Voldemort’sincreasing activities everyone in the wizarding world was on edge. The Leaky Cauldron was more like a morgue. There was bright and cheery music, yet itstill felt forced and the general atmosphere was not cheerful at all.

“Ah, here they are!”

Ginny turned and saw Ron and Hermione walk inhand-in-hand. They looked around and saw Mrs. Weasley and walked over.

“Hi Mum,” Ron said hugging his mother, “Dad’s still atwork and he said he can’t make it.”

“That’s all right I know he’s busy,” she said, “Oh, helloHermione,” she said giving the younger woman a bone-crushing hug.

Hermione had changed since the trio’s graduation fromHogwarts. Her hair was a lighter shadeof brown and straightened. She hadfilled out more in certain areas and was now becoming a very beautiful woman.

Ron had finally stopped growing. He put on more muscle and his hair had beenshortened. He certainly looked morehandsome than the last time Ginny had seen him. She was certain Hermione was making sure Ron kept himself presentable,especially now that he had taken the vacant position in Mr. Weasley’s office atthe Ministry.

“Where’s Harry?” Mrs. Weasley asked looking around.

Ron cleared his throat, but it was Hermione who answered,“He’s not coming.”

Then Ginny’s stomach dropped into her shoes.

Mrs. Weasley’s face dropped, “Oh, I’m sorry to hearthat. I was looking forward to seeinghim. Where is he?”

Hermione glanced at Ron before answering, “I don’tknow. Once we were given the next coupleof days off he just left.”

“Oh, well I’m sure whatever he’s doing, it’s important,”Mrs. Weasley said and sat next to Ginny so Ron and Hermione could sit together.

“Now how is your training going Hermione?” Mrs. Weasley asked.

Ginny smiled at her mother. Hermione was the only girl Mrs. Weasley hadever accepted immediately when she found out Ron and her were dating. Ginny knew her mother hoped Ron wouldeventually marry Hermione. Ginny wassure Hermione was thinking along the same lines, especially since they wereliving together with Harry at Grimwauld Place.

“Great! We’re inthe advanced training program where we’re paired up with an Auror and theytrain us in real-time,” Hermione replied enthusiastically, “We still haveclassroom instruction, but this way of learning is loads better.”

Ginny had to smile again. Hermione was always excited when it came to learning, which was funnyconsidering her boyfriend was the exact opposite. Ginny was going to miss her just for the factthat Hermione was the one that kept Harry, Ron and much of the Gryfreplaceor Houseafloat throughout most of the school year.

“Arthur mentioned to me about that. They want to get as many new Aurors trainedas soon as possible now with the war on,” Mrs. Weasley said, “With whom are youpaired with?”

“An Auror named Kathryn Ryan.”

“Never heard of her,” Mrs. Weasley said, “Is she a goodteacher?”

“Yes,” Hermione replied, “and she’s very intelligent.”

“Well at least you’re with someone you like,” Mrs.Weasley said with a smile, “What about Harry?”

“He’s with Kingsley Shacklebolt,” Hermione answered.

“Oh good,” Mrs. Weasley sounded relieved, “At least he’swith someone who will look after him.”

The four ordered lunch and settled in and talked aboutwhat was going on in the family. Charliewas now the head dragon researcher in Romania, Bill and Fleur were living inThe Burrow with his parents, Percy was still a no show in the family after his‘visit’ two Christmases ago and Fred and George had purchased Zonko’s andturned into a branch store of Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezey’s. Eventually the conversation turned toHarry.

“How’s Harry holding up?” Mrs. Weasley asked withconcern.

Hermione looked at Ginny, “Harry’s okay.”

Ron gulped, “Yeah, he’s doing great.”

Mrs. Weasley gave them both a hard stare as if she wastrying to catch them in a lie. When theystayed silent she spoke, “Well I suppose that’s good to hear. I have been worried ever since Remus waskilled, that Harry would not take it well.”

“He seems to be taking it okay,” Ron said quickly, “Justthis past Monday he was saying how well he feels.”

“I’m sure,” Mrs. Weasley said, not believing her son fora moment, “Well I’m heading to the little witches room before the food comes.

As she walked away Hermione turned to her boyfriend,“Very nice Ron. Now your mom knowsHarry’s not alright.”

Ron looked at Hermione and shrugged, “I didn’t know whatelse to say.”

“What’s wrong with Harry?” Ginny asked leaning forward.

Hermione gave her friend a small sad smile, “I thinkHarry’s getting stressed out that’s all.”

Ginny nodded, but Ron added, “I think he’s trying to replaceYou-know-who.”

“Ron!” Hermione shouted at him.

Ginny’s stomach tightened at the thought. Hermione turned and saw Ginny’s face andcleared her throat.

“It’s okay Ginny. I’m sure Harry will be fine.”

Ginny nodded.

The train suddenly lurched going around a turn, bringingGinny back to the present. She lookedout the window and saw Hogwarts in the distance.

Luna looked at her, “And?”

Ginny blinked at Luna in confusion. She never heard the question her friend hadasked, “What?”

“So how’s Harry?” Luna asked again.

“I don’t know,” Ginny said, “I never found out.”

“Well I’m sure he’s being a pain in someone’s butt,” Lunasaid and went back to her paper.

Ginny’s smile faded. She sighed and looked out the window at the dreary sight again, “This isgoing to be a very boring year I just know it.”