Story: The Titans of Secrets
Chapter Two: O.W.Ls

A few weeks after the brunch with the Potters, the youngest Weasley siblings were lounging in the kitchen, watching their mother spin and weave through the utensils, cooking up delicious dishes.

The brunch had been a joyous affair but the absence was Harry Potter was missed dearly. Lily had taken great pains to reassure the Weasleys, especially Molly, that it was no fault of theirs for his leave. Although it did not escalate the situation, it definitely made Molly feel better. Ron in particular was crestfallen as he really wanted to meet the Puddlemere United Quidditch star.

"I don't think he's as good as his family," Ginny said off-handedly, talking about Harry.

"Shush, Ginny! You shouldn't remark on the poor boy without even knowing him!" Molly reprimanded her daughter.

"I agree with Ginny. We only want to help him with his social anxiety mum! We have proved ourselves enough, haven't we? Gilligan trusts us! His parents trust us! I think he just wants to show off that he's busy," Ron snorted.

"That's so harsh of you both! We don't know what trouble he is going through. We shouldn't blame him. . ." Molly tried. "He must –" But before she could continue her unsuccessful convincing, an owl swooped into the house, holding three letters in its beak.

"Is there any secret sibling of ours who has just turned eleven?" Ron asked his mum as he took the letters with the Hogwarts seal on it. He turned it around his hands and a clunk sounded. He looked up at the two women with widened eyes.

"Open it," Ginny whispered. Ron did not wait enough to let her finish her sentence as he tore open the envelope to reveal a shining badge which had the title, 'Head Boy' carved intricately on it. He grinned at his sister as his mother enveloped him in a bone crushing hug with tears of happiness running down her plump cheeks.

"This is so great, Ron dear! Not one child in the family without an honorary title. We are so proud of you!" Molly sobbed. Fred and George took this moment to enter, as if they had been waiting for it.

"Oh George!" Fred exclaimed. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, Fred. I did. I am very sad to say that we have been officially disowned," George wailed. Ginny burst out laughing as their mother continued smothering Ron. "We ain't neighbors either!"

"Oi! For whom is the other letter?" Ginny cut in, partially to save Ron and partially out of curiosity. Ron sent her a grateful look before pulling away from his mother and holding up the two letters. He passed one to Ginny: her Hogwarts letter. Then he passed the other to his mother.

"It says you and dad, mum," Ron said when Molly took the letter from her son's hands.

Opening it, she read through it quickly and her confusion raised steadily. "Ginny? Open your letter. Your O.W.L.s results would have come surely?"

Ginny did as she was told and opened her letter. Along with her supply list was her results. Her eyebrows shot up upon scanning the parchment. She was rather surprised to find her results being exceptional with ten O.W.Ls. She had passed in every subject!

On the bottom left was another note in what seemed to be Albus Dumbledore's handwriting.

Dear Miss Weasley,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been promoted to seventh year. This decision has been wisely revised and taken by the ministry itself after seeing your splendid performance in O.W.Ls.

If you wish to decline the offer, feel free to write back and Professor McGonagall will be visiting you.

Think it over twice. It's better to think before acting.

Congratulations once again.

Sincerely,
Headmaster Dumbledore

Everyone in the room gaped at her in awe. The twins had their mouths hanging low in a comical way and Ron had fallen off his seat, his badge on the ground beside him. After a minute of tense silence, there was an outburst of happiness and joy.

"Oh, Ginny dear! That's so wonderful!" Molly smothered, hugging her daughter. The twins were doing some sort of victory dance, singing a ridiculously lyrical song which was 'Our sister is promoted! The others of her year probably got roasted!'

The commotion was so loud that no-one but a pair of eyes noticed Ron running to his room.

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"Ron?" an unsure voice spoke from the other side of the door. The boy in question did not respond. The door creaked open and Ginny walked in. She knew that he was pretending to be asleep as he made no move to give her space to sit on the bed.

"I'm sorry, Ron. I stole your spotlight, didn't I?" she asked in a small voice. When Ron kept up his silence, Ginny hugged his turned back. "I never knew this would happen. I don't want to lose my best friend. . . I'm sorry Ron. . ."

Ron could no longer stay angry at her. Heck, he had no idea how he got angry at her. She was his little sister, his best friend and he should have been celebrating her victory instead of feeling jealous of her achievements. He turned around and hugged her back. "It's my fault. Now that I think of it, I'm glad you are promoted. Congratulations Ginny. We can study in the same class. It's just. . . I-I don't know why I am so insecure," he apologized.

"Everyone is insecure to things they don't know about, Ron. I'd always say the same."

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By the time the Weasleys got used to the fact that Ginny was promoted, it was the first of September: the day Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry started its fresh year.

After a hustle and bustle to the train station, Ron and Ginny finally boarded the Hogwarts express. They found Hermione and Neville in a compartment. Hermione was curled up on a seat with a book on her lap whilst Neville was petting his toad, Trevor. As soon as Neville saw the pair of siblings, he grinned and motioned them to come in.

"So, congratulations Ginny!" Neville exclaimed, startling Hermione. Ginny grinned at him in gratitude and returned Hermione's quick hug.

"I can't believe it! We are in the same year now!" Hermione exclaimed, returning to her seat beside Ron.

"Blimey, neither can I," Ron said, putting an arm around Hermione who smiled at him.

"Not to dampen your spirit or anything but what do you reckon it's for?" Neville asked. " Surely you aren't the only one with the most number of O.W.Ls? Hermione too scored ten O.W.Ls."

"The Ministry has requested has such, Neville. It probably has some reason," a dreamy voice answered and everyone turned around to find Luna and Gilligan standing near the entrance of the compartment. Ginny smiled at the blonde girl as she took a seat beside Neville.

"I don't think it's bad. C'mon, she gets to skip one whole year!" Gilligan exclaimed, pouting lightly from beside a chuckling Ginny.

"Hey Gilligan. How are you?" Hermione asked. The boy in question smiled at her.

"I'm good. . . Miss Granger?"

"Yeah but you can call me Hermione," the bushy haired girl offered. Gilligan nodded.

"I'm really lucky to have met you all over the vacations. I would have been rendered alone if it weren't for you guys," Gilligan admitted.

"Where's your brother? He didn't come with you?" Neville asked.

"He did, but I have no idea where he's gotten to."

Silence reigned for a few minutes before Ron proposed a match of Wizard's chess and the rest of train ride was filled with fun and games.

Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the late update! Balancing school and editing Moira was so hard!

I have entered Moira for Wattys! Eek!

Your thoughts on this chapter? Comment!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x