Ginny

Percy sent a very abrupt owl earlier. I don't know what's gotten into him lately! Now he says that he'll be coming alone. Something's wrong, but I have no idea what.

I don't know why, but the other day Percy popped into my mind. I've been worried about him ever since, because I feel like something's wrong. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, I don't know. ~~Ron said he asked George for some money, but he has a job, doesn't he? Why would he need extra money?~~ I don't understand.

...

The last couple days have been too much. I was in the hospital wing, because of Peeves, when all hell broke loose. Then I had to stay in the hospital wing because of Draco. And then Dean nearly dumped me because of my brothers. Goodness.

Well, I'm finally back in my own bed. It's snuggly and warm, and my entire day today was spent in it, reading, napping, and other recooperative activities-ing. Tomorrow is the start of another week, so maybe it can prove better than the weekend.

Hermione is in the hospital wing! I hope everything's alright with her. I wonder if I'm on the list Madam Pomfrey talked about. I'll have to go down and see tonight after dinner. Or maybe I could ask Ron how she's doing, he seems to be spending quite a lot of time down there with her... Not that that's bad, it's just... curious.

I'm back.

Today was a nice relaxing day. We didn't do much. Dean, his mum, and I went to Diagon Alley and then to platform 9 3/4 as planned. I did get my owl this evening! His name is Alastair. He's a light tawny owl, very regal.

Well, as tomorrow is the start of the term, I'd better be heading to bed. I hope I get a chance to talk to Hermione soon to figure out what all the chaos is around here; you can almost feel it when you walk in.

biking and a picnic

Today was considerably better than yesterday. Yes, much better. Dean came in the guest bedroom to wake me up this morning. He seemed kind of embarassed to see me in my pajamas. I have to admit that I was kind of embarassed to be seen that early, what with my hair all mussed up and the sheets strewn everywhere. (By the looks of it, I must have been having a violent dream.) He said that breakfast would be ready soon, and then he'd planning for us to go biking. Then he just stood there, with his hands in his pockets, not really knowing what to say. I must say, I felt bad for him, but it was kind of endearing. So I took a quick shower and meet the Thomases downstairs for another wonderful meal (I really don't know how his mum does it). Dean didn't seem surprised that I know how to ride a bike. Most wizards are, but again, Dean being Muggle-born, he knows all about these things. So we took the bikes to a trail near Dean's house and set off. We rode to a nearby Muggle museum, and then had the lunch that his mum had sent along. The picnicing was nice. We were sitting in the same park we ended up near last night. We had turkey sandwiches and milk (very Muggle-ish food, eh? I'm learning so much! This whole thing is like a big study trip, with perks of course). After we finished our sandwiches, we talked a little. Conversation came a lot easier today, and as we talked we packed things up. When he went to take the picnic basket out of my hands to tether it to his bike, I thrust my hand into his. I wasn't being brave, because I didn't realize what I was doing at all until it was done. His hand was warm and soft, but not too soft, and it felt safe. It felt forgiving for my having been so hard to read yesterday. Our eyes met for a second, and Dean smiled. Then we realized that we needed both hands to ride back to his house. It was pleasant though, and even when we both let go, there was a mutual understanding that it was for functionality of the biking, not for reasons like yesterday's.

Tomorrow, Dean and I are heading to Diagon Alley to get me an owl, and then back to Hogwarts. I can't wait to see everyone again.

almost...

I just arrived at Dean's house this afternoon. It was odd traveling by Muggle car. Whenever we had ridden in dad's old Anglia, he had modified it so it was very roomy and comfortable, much more so than Dean's little black car. I had to wear a harness, which made me wonder just how safe it was to be riding with him in any car. His mum and dad are such nice people. His mum made us all dinner by hand. I just stood and watched in awe. I must've looked pretty silly, because Dean asked awkwardly if I wanted to see the rest of the house or just watch his mum cook. Neither of us really knew what to say to that, so we just sat down at the kitchen table and stared at the tiling on it. There was a brief conversation where I asked if the table was made by Muggles, and pointed out how difficult it must be to put all those tiles in nice rows like that without at least some sort of backup system if it looks all wrong. He didn't seem intrigued. I guess I just share dad's interest in Muggle artifacts. Besides, Dean was raised by Muggles so it must all be second nature to him.

After dinner (which was wonderful, by the way), Dean's mum suggested we walk to a nearby ice cream shop and get some dessert. So the two of us walked a couple of blocks over, he suggested the marshmallow sundae cone, so we both got those. We wandered around and talked a little. It was kind of awkward when the conversation died down because Dean and I haven't spent that much (or any) time together alone. After we finished our ice creams, he moved to hold my hand. We were walking side by side, so I saw his arm move, but I thought he was just pointing past me at something on the sidewalk. So I backed away from his hand so I could see what it was. I know, I know. How stupid can you be, Ginny?! Oh my. I felt terrible. I wish there was some way I could go to him and say, "Dean, I really did want to hold your hand. Really. I just thought you were pointing past me... at... something." But I can't do that! First of all, you can't talk to boys like that, or they'll think you're insane. (I have enough brothers to know that much.) Secondly, it sounds like a terrible, made-up excuse! Who just randomly points at the sidewalk without saying "Look!" or "Did you see that?" And it was such a perfect atmosphere too. The sun was just setting, so the sky was that gorgeous pale purple pink, and there was a park close, so the swings were silhoetted against it. There was even a light breeze to make the swings sway slightly. It was the stuff that just makes Hollywood romance scenes. But no! I had to go and think that he was just pointing at something. You are stupid, Ginny. You are going to end up living at the Burrow forever, because you will never get married if you keep this up!