31st August 1996
Ginny woke up very early that morning, excitement bubbling at the thought of going to Diagon Alley—and meeting Harry Potter. It might seem silly to some, but before starting her first year, Ginny had harbored a huge crush on the Boy Who Lived. After the events of last year, though, the idea of liking someone she barely knew seemed almost laughable.
She'd lost her innocence down in the Chamber, along with that silly crush on a boy she'd only heard stories about. She realized how dangerous the world truly is, and how easily one can lose their life due to a seemingly harmless mistake.
Ginny still had nightmares of her time when Tom possessed her, leaving her feeling dirty and scared. She kept it hidden from her family knowing that no matter how much they loved her, they possibly could not understand how she felt.
She was grateful to Harry—not just for saving her, but for fighting a fifty-foot basilisk to do it. This year, she decided, she would try to be a real friend to Harry and get to know the boy behind the stories, outside of what she'd heard from Ron and the school rumor mill.
After packing her stuff and making her way down to the ground floor of Burrow, she sits down on the couch reading her coursebook for the next year. Once everyone was ready, they used the Floo network to reach the Leaky Cauldron.
Entering the pub, they spot Hermione waiting there with her parents. Ron and Ginny quickly rush forward to meet her, as Ginny hugs her warmly while Ron settles for a handshake.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asks looking around to spot him.
"He might still be in his room" suggested Ron.
The three of them asked Tom, the innkeeper, about Harry's room number. Standing outside Harry's room, Hermione hesitated, suggesting they knock but Ron simply turned the knob and barged in.
As they entered the room, the first thought in all three minds was that they were in the wrong room. They were greeted by the sight of a boy doing pushups with his upper body naked. Realizing that he had company, he stood up from the ground revealing his toned body and handsome face.
"We're so sorry for intruding," Hermione stammered, cheeks pink. "We thought our friend was staying here."
"It's all right, Hermione. Also, the friend you were looking for is standing right in front of you." Harry replied with a cheeky smile.
"Harry?" Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she took a step forward, arms raised for a hug—only to freeze when she realized how sweaty he was. She settled for a sheepish smile as Harry laughed softly.
"You guys should sit down," Harry said, still smirking. "I'll be right with you after I shower." He turned to Ginny, his grin turning teasing. "Try not to stare too much, okay" .
Ginny's face flamed. "Prat," she muttered, but couldn't help laughing.
"Blimey, was that really Harry?" Ron blurted out in surprise.
"I don't know. What happened to him to change him so much over the course of two and a half months?" Hermione asked herself frowning. She still couldn't believe the person she spoke with was her introverted and shy best friend.
Ginny on the other hand was really happy for Harry. She had known him for over a year and yet this was the first time she had seen him so relaxed and carefree.
When Harry emerged, freshly showered and dressed, Hermione immediately launched a barrage of questions. "Harry, what happened to you over the summer? Where did you get those clothes? Why are your glasses different? What happened to your scar? And—"
Before she could continue, Harry stuffed a cupcake into her mouth. "Merlin, Hermione. At least let me answer one question at a time." Harry said trying to rein in his irritation at being interrogated.
As they made their way down for breakfast Harry answered everyone's questions gently with half-truths and some lies. Once they were satisfied, the talk turned to summer holidays and shopping lists.
At the breakfast table, Mrs. Weasley pulled Harry into a hug. She fussed over him, asking if his relatives had treated him properly. Harry recounted the story of Aunt Marge's visit, making everyone—except Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, and Percy—burst into laughter. But when he spoke of the Ministry worker's mistake, his face turned sad, and the laughter faded.
After breakfast, they decided to explore Diagon Alley. Ron and Hermione drifted toward the pet shop—Hermione needed a new pet, and Ron needed tonic for that wretched rat—leaving Harry and Ginny alone.
Ginny felt a pang of awkwardness; she'd never really spoken to Harry like this before. He had always seemed so distant—polite but reserved. But something had changed over the summer; Harry seemed more open now, more willing to talk. She wondered if it had something to do with how they'd both faced Tom in the Chamber, or perhaps—she didn't know what it was, but she was grateful.
"So, how are you? I mean… after everything that happened with Tom last year?" Harry asked gently.
Ginny stiffened. "I am fine," She said quickly with a fake smile.
Harry shook his head. "You don't have to lie to me, Ginny. I can't pretend I know exactly how you feel—but I know it's not something you just get over with a summer holiday."
Ginny's eyes filled with tears. "What do you want me to say?" she burst out. "That I have nightmares every night? That I still hear his voice sometimes? That I feel like I'm never really safe anymore?" She clenched her fists, her voice trembling. She hated that she sounded so weak.
Harry reached out, his expression gentle but firm. "I can't even begin to imagine what it felt like, being possessed like that. But bottling it up—it won't help. Talk to someone when you're ready. Even a mind healer could help." His voice softened. "I just don't want you to suffer alone."
They walked in silence for a while before reuniting with Ron and Hermione, who were fighting over their pets.
"Why did you have to buy that monster, Hermione?" Ron shouted in rage. "It wants to eat Scabbers."
"Crookshanks is not a monster." Hermione shot back, crossing her arms. "Cats eat rats, Ronald."
Harry chuckled, watching them bicker. He threw a quick glance at Ginny and offered a small, reassuring smile. She smiled back, feeling lighter than she had in months.