(HP) A Girl and Her Book

A GIRL AND HER BOOK, "A Very Burrow Breakfast"
20 August, 1992 ○ 8:08 AM GMT

Percy's talking to you before you even step into the room. "Letter from Bill on the table, Ginny… let me know if he's heard anything about the internship opportunity at Khirbet Midras,"

"Sure, Percy," you reply quickly, sitting down at the table. Mum's prepared a plate of food for you, and although you're sure it's gone a little cold now, it's still her cooking. Breakfast sausages and gravy with some biscuits at the side.

"You're looking a little under the weather today," Percy observes, folding down his copy of The Daily Prophet. You wonder how he paid for his own subscription; Mum had canceled hers last year when that awful op-ed about Dumbledore's 'willing neglect of safety in our schools' got traction.

"Mm'fine," you reply, digging into the first bite of your breakfast.

"I heard you had a little confrontation with Malfoy in the alley," Percy says. Oh no. You recognize that voice. He's getting ready for one of his lectures again. His eyes glint and you think he notices the dread spreading across your face. "I think you did good. Better you said it than anyone else, right? Malfoy can't go getting mad at a kid, it's a bad look even for him."

You swallowed your sausage bite. That was new from Percy.

"Just keep an eye out on the train for his son. Penny's said he's a real menace. I'll be keeping watch, but it won't go over too well if I'm the one who steps in." Percy gives you a practiced smile while you swallow your second bite. That was more thoughtful than he usually gets. Wait. You smirk and lower your fork.

"When'd you start calling her Penny, Perce?"

Percy unfolds his newspaper, bringing it up to guard his face. You think you see him blushing on its other side.

"Don't go swatting Bludgers in a glass pitch, Ginny," Percy says, his voice much more controlled. You flush a deep, deep red. He wouldn't say anything about Harry, would he? "And let me know about that internship."

You finish the rest of your meal in as much silence as The Burrow allows. Mum's finished yelling upstairs, and Dad's finished tinkering on whatever he—oh, no, no he's not. His "car" is doing its best impression of a dragon again. You roll your eyes, set your finished plate back down, wipe your hands off and turn your attention to Bill's letter.

Bill Weasley's Letter said:

Hey Gin,

Can't write too long today. Found something big last week. Gringotts says it's still confidential, but as soon as I can show you, I know you'll go crazy. How's it going back home? The new wand treating you well? I know they can be a bit scary at first, but you have that Weasley fire in you. You'll have it down in no time. How's Harry? I can't believe that you all really broke him out like that. I'd heard stories about the Dursleys but I never imagined they were true.

Sorry. Lot to say, not a lot of time. Little tip for you about Hogwarts; the kitchen is always open and the house elves there have a lot of fun stories to tell. Just rub the fruit bowl and they'll let you right in. Ask them about the special menu.

I know there's a lot of pressure for you to go to Gryffindor. You'd do great if you did, but don't make yourself do it for somebody else. You're going to Hogwarts. Mum and Dad already went and graduated. And don't worry about it if you end up with friends in different houses. It took me a long time to realize some of the sweetest people I know came from different Sortings.

Oh, and say hi to Hagrid and Luna for me!

Love,

Bill

PS: Birthday present should be coming in the mail by September. It got stuck up in customs. Wish I could've been home for your big day

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

You look up and tuck some of your hair back behind your ear. Even with him mentioning how busy he was, it's more than he was able to write the last few times. You rub your neck nervously, then fold the letter over in your hand; across the table, Percy has lowered his newspaper back down and is looking at you for an update.

You shake your head. Percy frowns.

Fred's hand claps down on your shoulder. "Bill got anything fun to say, Ginnykins?"

You shake your head. George bends over your other shoulder, skimming across the letter. "He's taking notes from Percy again, Fred."

"Hate to hear it, Georgie. Used to write all sorts of fun things. When's the last mummy he uncovered?"

"Hate to tell you, Fred, but that's all classified now. Need to get clearing from the Gringotts dunce department to hear a word about it."

"That so, George? Good thing we got Perce right over here to tell us all about it."

George grins and takes a seat next to you at the table. "Any news in the paper, Perky?"

Fred takes a seat at your other side, taking your glass of water and finishing it. "News in that paper is barely worth reading, Georgie. I get all my news from the Quibbler."

"That so, Fred? Any good tips on how to Lovegood?"

Percy folds his paper over the table and glowers. Fred laughs.

"One hundred and one tips for getting your penny in or out of—" Percy gets up from the table and storms away. Fred doesn't finish his joke, instead falling into a deep laugh with George.

George leans over and rubs his knuckles against the top of your head. "Lighten up, you look like you saw a dementor last night." Fred fakes a gasp.

"I knew it! So that was light we saw from your room last night! How'd you avoid the kiss, Ginnykins?" Fred sells the fake-shock on his face, while George shakes his finger between the two of you.

"Come now, Fred, you know she's saving herself for marriage. If you just say no to the dementor, I'm sure it'll—"

You tune out the rest of their teasing and rambling and collect Bill's letter back into its envelope. You'll have to thank Errol for it later.

How do you plan to spend the rest of your morning?
[] Go meet Harry and Ron out in the fields. Harry shouldn't have to be the one degnoming…
[] Go catch up to Percy and ask him for help sending a letter back to Bill.
[] Go check on Dad in his workshop and make sure that 'car' thing doesn't fly away.
[] Go see what Mum is up to, and figure out whatever chores she has planned for you today.
[] Figure out what The Twins are up to today. Prepare counter measures.
[x] Go to your room and study. Perfect time to get practice in for the semester!
[] Go to your room and "study" with your new Diary. You have secrets for it, and maybe it has secrets for you.

The wand you received from the Ministry Repatriation Program is an heirloom of the First Wizarding War. The program, put in place by Barty Crouch Sr., is meant to re-home the wands of wizards that have died during the course of the war or to re-home the wands of individuals imprisoned on life sentences in Azkaban. Many wands of Azkaban inmates, now long deceased, have been added to the pool over the years to continue the program after its initial run.

In doing so, the Crouch administration meant to reduce the overhead price of wand purchases on families damaged during the First Wizarding War and overwrite the wand-connections of former Dark Wizards, such that any Azkaban escapees [if it is even possible to escape from Azkaban] would be without proper wand and at significant disadvantage in any future criminal behaviors.

For your family's service in the war, and the loss of British patriots and war heroes Fabian and Gideon Prewett, you and your siblings have been given the opportunity to take wands collected through the repatriation program.


[] A 12¾" wand of Walnut with a dragon heartstring core. It draws from absolute devotion.
[] A runed 11" wand of Blackthorn with a dragon heartstring core. It reads "if nothing else, human."
[x] A 13½" wand of Yew with an unknown core. It is ancient and aristocratic.
[] A 9" wand of Apple with a phoenix feather core. It is proud, and needs not boast its power.


As for you, Ginny Weasley… What traits and boons define you?


[] Improve Ability Score
An ability score is improved. An ability score at T (Troll) is improved to D (Dreadful). An ability score at D (Dreadful) is improved to P (Poor). Improving an ability score at P or a higher level takes an additional Boon Point for each level above P.
IE: Improving a skill from T to D takes one point. Improving a skill from P to A takes two points. Improving a skill from A to EE takes three points, etc.

[] Eidetic Memory
You remember everything that you've ever seen or heard, from the moment of your birth until now. There are quite a lot of things said in the earshot of children that you may not have been meant to know, and there is almost limitless value in perfect recall.

[] Positive Impressions
People are predisposed to like you in your first encounter. Enemies may hesitate in their opening attacks and potential allies might share information they normally wouldn't. This effect decays over time, becoming progressively weaker in each meeting.

[] Second Affinity
No matter if this boon is taken or not, you will have an affinity towards Defense Against the Dark Arts due to your choice of Bill Weasley. By taking this boon, you are able to choose an additional Skill to receive partial Affinity benefits (half bonus of full affinity). Affinities improve learning times, reduce regression possibilities and reduce associated Spell DCs.

[] Intense Affinity
Your affinity for Defense Against the Dark Arts is improved to an intense affinity. The benefits of your affinities are improved significantly (1.5x bonus of full affinity). Affinities improve learning times, reduce regression possibilities and reduce associated Spell DCs.

[] Egyptian Spells
From Bill, you've learned the basics of the new wanded school of Egyptian magic. You learn a number of Egyptian hexes, jinxes and charms that are not present in the curriculum of Hogwarts or most European schools. While not better than their European variants, they often require different counter-spells or techniques than those your peers are familiar with.

[] Active Runes
From Bill, you've learned how to make the most basic usable rune-circuits. Rune-circuits can be used to perform simple magical tasks, but must be established ahead of time and have no ability to adapt to new circumstances. You are familiar with the Active Runes of locking and unlocking doors, closing and unclosing doors, tucking and untucking beds, drying and washing clothes and opening or closing trigger mechanisms.

[] One with the Wind
You are a natural flyer, above and beyond your peers. Your skill at flying is improved to A (Acceptable). You acquire an Old Weasley Family Broomstick (D). Flying provides catharsis, emotional stability and can be used to regulate your mood. Prolonged stretches without flying will bring negative effects.

[] Wandless Acolyte
You have learned to use your accidental magic in helpful ways, manifesting the most basic level of wandless magic. Wandless magic is fickle, temperamental and prone to backfire; but it is also almost universally unexpected and, when mastered, respected. You improve to D (Dreadful) with Wandless Magic.

[] Prophetic
Divination takes you whether you will it or not. You are expected to undergo one major vision a year and have the potential for smaller visions. You gain Divination III. Your Affinity influences the visions that you receive through your divinity. Some other minor skills—including Astronomy and Ancient Runes—benefit from your innate mastery of divination.

[] Occlumens
Your mind is naturally guarded and shielded. Your gain Occlumency II and Willful I. You are able to use Occlumency to improve your studying times, store information and meditate, among other uses. You understand the concept of legilimency, but your natural guarded mind makes study of offensive mental magic more difficult.

[] Seventh Child
You are the seventh child of the Weasley family, and the first daughter of the Weasley family in several generations. This is a great omen. You are more effected by the magic of others, and your magic has more effect on others. Your magic can be considered "more real" than the magic of others.




[] Decrease Ability Score
An ability score is decreased by one level. Ability scores can only be reduced this way once.

[] Short Attention
You have a short attention span for things in your life, including practice, training and study. Failing a studying task locks you out of studying that subject for the next training cycle or period. Spell DCs not related to your Affinity are increased.

[] Negative Impressions
People are predisposed to dislike you in your first encounter. Enemies may choose more lethal attacks and potential allies might withhold critical information. This effect decays over time, becoming progressively weaker in each meeting. This flaw may only be taken once.

[] Wanderlust
You have a desperate need to travel the world and leave The Burrow behind you. You must see each and every corner of the world, travel to each and every European School of Magic, and eventually you must leave Europe and travel further. Staying too long in one place progressively weakens rolls made and damages your mental health.

[] Weasley Pride
Every slight to you or to your family will be paid back in full. You cannot let matters go, no matter how small, and you take any perceived insult personally. Though this trait will not force you into fights at clear baiting, failure to take revenge on those who slight you will damage your mental health and blur your connection to reality. You receive bonuses to rolls made in pursuit of petty vengeance.

[] Broken Shield
Your mind is naturally an open book. Even those who aren't skilled in legilimency can occasionally see past the curtain into your surface thoughts. Mental magic is extremely effective and influential upon you, to positive and negative ends. Any attempts to learn Occlumency will be hampered with critical flaws in your defenses until mastery is reached.

[] Leadfooted
You can't fly, no matter how hard you try. Attempts to use brooms or other forms of magical flight backfire spectacularly. Forms of magical transportation, including Floo networks and Portkeys, have a chance to backfire on you or simply not work. Your skill in Flying is reduced to T (Troll) and cannot improve by normal means.

[] Egyptian Curse
Bill passed artefacts on to you that may have been ill-advised. You suffer from an ancient Egyptian curse, the symptoms of which are still unclear, but frequently leaves you with sleepless nights and high fevers. You gain a set of Ancient Egyptian Trinkets, but it comes with great cost.

[] Opposed Wand
You and your wand do not get along. Advances in wand relationship take longer and regressions take place more easily. Your wand is more likely to switch ownership to another individual if you are defeated in a duel or other challenge.

[] Misanthrope
You've grown up with six siblings in a tiny house and you can't stand it. You don't like being around people and frankly, people don't like being around you. You face significant disadvantages in social situations but have heightened emotional stability while alone.

[] Quibbles
You bought in fully to Luna Lovegood and her family's peculiar view of the world. You truly believe in a variety of different magical creatures whose existence cannot or will not be confirmed. You are, at a minimum, viewed as odd; many would go as far as to call you insane. Your relationship with Percy and The Twins is significantly reduced.