This Life
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.

Part Sixteen

The next morning, Hermione and Ginny were enjoying their first breakfast as official members of Slytherin House, when an old, lumbering owl landed on their table.

"That's my family's owl." Ginny whispered, terrified, though relieved to see that the letter wasn't a Howler.

"Might as well see what they have to say." Hermione said encouragingly.

Ginny hesitated and then opened the letter. Generations of her family had been in Gryffindor and now she had chosen to be resorted and into Slytherin of all places... She knew her parents weren't going to be happy with her, but she hoped that they weren't too harsh.

Dear Ginny,

Your father and I received several owls last night about the turn of events. From your brothers, as well as one from Professor Dumbledore.

Your brothers are quite upset and I must admit that your father and I are quite surprised to hear that you chose to leave Gryffindor House.

We're also disappointed that you didn't write and tell us yourself. Ginny, we love you and we're not going to judge you too harshly, we just want to know why you made this decision.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Mum

Ginny put down the letter.

"Bad news?" Hermione asked her.

Ginny shook her head. "No. Mum and Dad were actually quite understanding."

"That's great." Hermione said with a big smile.

Ginny nodded, but then cast a nervous look over at the Gryffindor table. "Mum and Dad reacted okay, but I'm pretty sure my brothers are going to be a different story all together..."

She knew from experience that Ron Weasley was not the moist pleasant person to deal with and she was afraid about how he was going to react. She shared her concerns with Harry, right after breakfast.

He nodded. "You have a point, there's no telling what he might do to her." He was quiet, as if trying to decide what to do. "I guess really the only thing to do is make sure she's not alone." Harry said finally. "I'll talk to Draco and to some of the Second Years, we'll make sure that Ginny always has someone with her. Wesley should find it harder to bother her then."

"Thank you." Hermione said gratefully.

Harry just smiled and shrugged. "She's one of us now and we Slytherins take care of our own."

It was that simple.

Hermione marvelled at how anyone could think that Slytherin was the worst house and Gryffindor was the best. So much stupid prejudice when the truth was exactly the opposite. It was the Gryffindors who bullied and judged and were just absolutely horrid and the Slytherins who protected and cared.

No, Slytherin was definitely the best House of all, if only the rest of the school would just wise up and see that, how much better everything would be then.