{18th July 1992}
{Ginny's POV}
Stepping into the hallway, my bag slung comfortably over my shoulder, I felt a wave of anticipation surge through me. Today wasn't just any other day, it was my eighteenth birthday. A smile crept across my lips at the thought of finally being able to use magic.
At the Burrow, turning eighteen would've meant hours of gentle pleading with Mum to finally allow me to get my own wand from Ollivanders, only to end up inheriting one of the family's battered wands. I know raising seven children on just Dad's salary had put a decent dent in our family coffers, but I'm allowed to be selfish... It's my wand we are talking about.
Thankfully, though, things were different right now. My eyes dropped to the delicate silver ring on my finger, its elegant black stone refracting the morning light. For once, I had something that was just mine.
Before I could take another step, the door beside mine burst open, and a pair of matching faces stepped through dramatically. Fred and George stepped into the hallway with matching grins, and I'm pretty sure they had been waiting to hear my door open. Idiots that they were, she knew she had occupied a special place in their hearts.
"Well, look who it is, our ickle baby sister, all grown up," Fred said, wiping away a fake tear.
"Eighteen already?" George echoed, feigning deep confusion. "Are we really that old, Fred?"
"I believe we must be ancient," Fred replied with a sad face, clutching his chest. "Our fierce little Gin-Gin, a legal adult. Merlin, help us all."
Rolling my eyes fondly, I shot them both a look of mild exasperation. "You're both ridiculous, you know."
"It's our best trait," Fred declared proudly.
'Why do I get the feeling that he might genuinely believe that?'
"Happy birthday, Ginny," George added softly, stepping forward to give me a quick hug. Fred immediately joined in, wrapping his arms around both of us as they both tried to squeeze me into a potato chip.
Laughing softly, I pushed them back gently. "Alright, alright. Don't smother me."
Fred pulled back, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, did you want to be smothered by someone else, Rigel perhaps?"
My cheeks warmed slightly. "I haven't even seen him yet."
Fred raised an eyebrow at my non-answer, shooting a knowing glance at George. "I'll bet he's been up for hours working on some spectacular spell to impress you."
George nodded sagely. "Yes, likely something romantic and unnecessarily complicated."
I gave them both a playful shove, my blush deepening slightly. "Shut it. Rigel's just a good friend."
"Uh-huh," Fred replied skeptically. "And Mum hates knitting sweaters."
George leaned forward, his face unusually serious. "Be careful, though, Ginny. I know Rigel's a good guy, but he does have a lot of rumors going around about being involved with a lot of girls in Hogwarts."
I narrowed my eyes playfully at him. "I know, I'm not looking to marry him tomorrow now, am I?"
Fred looked at me with narrowed eyes, making sure the point stuck before pointing to my new ring. "Did you try it yet?"
George's eyes lit up immediately, his grin widening. "...Care to give us a demonstration?"
Fred nodded eagerly. "Yeah, show us some of that fancy ring magic of yours."
Suppressing a grin, I raised my hand, focusing carefully as I performed a smooth, semi-circular motion with my index finger, finishing with a three-fingered salute. The ring burst into bright white light, illuminating the entire hallway. Fred and George stumbled back dramatically, feigning blindness.
"Blimey, Ginny!" George complained loudly, blinking rapidly. "Give a good wizard some warning!"
Fred grinned widely, exaggeratedly rubbing his eyes. "Well, you certainly picked that up quickly."
I grinned back, feeling rather proud of that. "Impressed?"
Fred gave me an exaggerated bow. "Utterly dazzled, my fair lady. Lady magic herself bows before you..."
Laughing, I shook my head as they retreated toward their room, already whispering animatedly about incorporating some hand signs into their joke products.
With a deep breath, I turned toward the living room. My steps faltered slightly when I spotted Rigel already sitting quietly on the sofa, lost deep in thought. His trunk was nowhere in sight, but knowing Rigel, it was probably tucked neatly away in his pocket, shrunken down effortlessly. My eyes lingered on his face, noting a faint crease between his brows, a shadow of concern I wasn't accustomed to seeing on his usually calm features.
Hesitantly, I approached, worry stirring gently in my chest. "Rigel?" I called softly, trying not to startle him. "Are you alright?"
He blinked, startled from his thoughts, then quickly recomposed himself, offering me a gentle, reassuring smile. "Ginny, good morning."
I didn't miss how smoothly he had evaded answering my question. I frowned slightly, stepping closer. "Something's troubling you, isn't it?"
Rigel sighed quietly, glancing away momentarily before returning my gaze. "It's nothing serious," he said softly, though his voice lacked its usual certainty. "Just…thinking through something complicated."
I nodded slowly, not entirely convinced. "Do you want to talk about it?"
He hesitated again, seeming torn, before finally offering me a genuine smile. "Not right now, but thank you for the offer."
Respecting his wishes, I returned his smile warmly, noticing his gaze had dropped to my hand. Recognition flickered across his face, and a spark of excitement danced in his eyes.
"Ginny," he said softly, expression brightening. "Happy birthday."
My heart fluttered slightly, warmth rising to my cheeks. "Thank you, Rigel."
With a mischievous grin, Rigel suddenly raised his hand in a graceful flourish. Butterflies burst forth from between his fingertips, swirling elegantly around me in a mesmerizing dance of color and light. I gasped softly, unable to contain my awe as my eyes swirled around trying to track their little dance.
'How did he already know such a complex spell with the ring?'
"Showing off now, are we?" I teased lightly, smiling despite myself.
He chuckled quietly, eyes sparkling playfully. "Maybe just a bit."
Before I could reply, the butterflies gathered swiftly in front of me, merging seamlessly into a bouquet of brilliant red roses. My eyes widened in amazement as I watched the bouquet hover gracefully before me, waiting.
Only then did I notice Rigel's wand in his hand. I raised an eyebrow at him accusingly, trying to hide my amusement. "Hey, that's cheating!"
He grinned shamelessly. "Nope, it's just a creative use of all available resources."
Laughing softly, I reached out and grasped the bouquet, inhaling its enchanting fragrance deeply. Yet, as I did, the roses suddenly folded into themselves, their petals crumbling to dust between my fingers. The magical dust coalesced instantly into a small red jewelry box nestled gently in my palm.
My breath caught at the depth of the magical display I wasn't used to seeing, surprise overtaking me as I lifted my gaze to Rigel, who wore an expression of gentle pride. "Go on," he urged warmly. "Open it."
Fingers trembling slightly, I carefully opened the box. Inside was a thin golden necklace, delicate and beautifully woven. At its center rested a glittering blue gem.
"Oh, Rigel…" My voice was barely above a whisper. "It's gorgeous."
He visibly relaxed, clearly pleased by my reaction. "I thought you might like it."
Meeting his gaze, I smiled warmly. "It's perfect."
Rigel stepped a little closer, his voice softer now. "It suits you."
My cheeks flushed, but I refused to look away. "Thank you," I repeated sincerely.
Rigel nodded gently, looking briefly thoughtful. "Actually, it's enchanted as well. It will offer minor protection, nothing too powerful to fight off serious harm, but enough to splash away some minor spells and hexes."
Various emotions entangled within me as I looked at him, gratitude mingling with quiet admiration. "You didn't have to."
Rigel smiled gently, meeting my eyes earnestly. "I know." He grinned.
A comfortable silence settled between us briefly, broken only by Sirius's loud voice echoing from down the hallway. "Rigel! Ginny! Hurry up, or we'll be late!"
Rigel rolled his eyes fondly, sighing dramatically. "Always in a hurry."
I chuckled softly, closing the necklace box carefully. "We probably should go."
He nodded reluctantly. "Probably."
As we moved toward the doorway, I couldn't help glancing down at the necklace again, warmth spreading through my chest. "It really is beautiful, Rigel. Thank you."
His eyes softened warmly. "You're always welcome, Ginny."
Before we could step out fully, Fred's voice drifted from the kitchen doorway. "So, did Rigel manage to sweep you off your feet yet?"
George appeared beside him, smirking widely. "Yeah, did he finally pull off some big magical gesture?"
Rigel raised an eyebrow at the twins, amused yet unfazed. "Jealous you didn't think of it first?"
Fred laughed heartily. "Merlin, no. We're terrible at that."
George nodded vigorously. "Yes, we'd probably conjure something dreadful."
Rigel glanced sideways at me, smiling gently. "I thought Ginny deserved better than your usual 'conjure-and-run' gift strategy."
Fred placed a hand dramatically on his chest again, feigning offense. "Rigel, we're hurt!"
I chuckled. "Mostly because it's true."
Smiling, I stepped forward, lightly taking Rigel's arm. "Ignore them. Let's go before Sirius starts yelling again."
Fred and George exchanged meaningful glances but mercifully didn't comment further. Rigel smiled down at me, his expression reassuringly warm.
"After you, birthday girl."
My heart fluttered again, and as we finally stepped out to join the others, I tightened my fingers gently around his arm. Yes, today was certainly turning out to be a birthday unlike any I'd ever known.
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AN: A hint of Ginny's emotions before...
P.S.- 54+ chapters on P.atreon!