Ginny's POV
Sunlight streamed through Ginny's bedroom window, and for the first time in weeks, she woke up feeling genuinely excited instead of terrified. The knot of anxiety that had been sitting in her stomach for months had loosened considerably after her conversation with Tom last night.
Two more days, she thought, stretching in her narrow bed. Two more days until Hogwarts.
The thought still made her nervous, but it was the good kind of nervous now - the kind that came with anticipation rather than dread. Tom had been right about so many things. She was Ginny Weasley, and that was enough. She didn't need to be Bill's shadow or Charlie's echo.
She could hear the familiar sounds of the Burrow waking up - Mum cooking around in the kitchen, Dad's cheerful humming as he got ready for work, the twins already plotting something that would probably result in an explosion before breakfast. It was comforting and chaotic and perfectly normal.
I should write to Tom, she decided, glancing at the diary sitting on her desk. Tell him how much better I feel.
She slipped out of bed and padded over to her desk, picking up the diary and settling into her chair. The leather felt warm under her fingers again, almost like it was welcoming her back.
Good morning, Tom, she wrote, smiling as the familiar sensation of her ink disappearing into the page occurred. I wanted to thank you again for last night. I actually slept well for the first time in weeks, and I even woke up excited about Hogwarts.
The response came quickly, Tom's elegant handwriting appearing across the page.
Good morning, Ginny. I'm delighted to hear you slept well. There's nothing quite like a good night's sleep to put things in perspective, is there?
Exactly! I keep thinking about what you said - about being myself instead of trying to live up to everyone else's achievements. It feels... freeing, I suppose. Like I have permission to just be me.
You never needed permission for that, but I'm glad the reminder helped. Are you feeling more confident about starting school?
Much more confident. Though I have to admit, I'm still a bit worried about the actual coursework. What if I'm behind the other students? What if I don't understand the magic they're teaching?
There was a pause before Tom's response appeared, longer than usual.
Ginny, may I make you an offer? It might sound strange, but I hope you'll consider it.
What kind of offer?
Tom's POV
I hesitated, accessing Tom Riddle's memories about magical education and pedagogy. This was a big step - offering to teach her magic would establish a much deeper connection between us. But it was also the perfect way to ensure she succeeded at Hogwarts, to give her the confidence and skills she needed to thrive.
Be careful, I warned myself. Don't make this about control. Make it about helping her become better.
I could teach you magic, I wrote carefully. Before you start at Hogwarts. Basic spells, fundamental theory, techniques that would give you a solid foundation. I have all the memories of my own education, plus fifty years to think about better ways to explain difficult concepts.
I paused, then added quickly: I know how that must sound - a mysterious magical entity offering to teach you spells. I wouldn't blame you if you said no. But I genuinely believe I could help you feel more prepared and confident.
Ginny's POV
Ginny stared at the words, her heart racing. Tom wanted to teach her magic? Before she even got to Hogwarts?
That's... that's incredible, she wrote. But how would that even work? I thought underage wizards weren't allowed to do magic outside school.
Ah, excellent question. The underage restriction - the Ministry's Trace only detects magic performed by a wand in the presence of registered underage wizards. Since you haven't been marked by the castle it can't detect you, plus you're in a wizard community, so any spells cast near can just be attributed to your parents so there shouldn't be any detection issues. Plus, I know ways to practice magic that don't trigger the Trace even with a wand.
Ginny's excitement was building. Learning magic before school? Having that kind of advantage?
What could you teach me? she wrote eagerly.
Quite a lot, actually. Basic levitation and movement spells - you'd be amazed how much of magic is simply learning to direct your intent clearly. Fundamental defensive concepts that could keep you safe. Light creation, temperature manipulation, basic transfiguration theory. And most importantly, I could teach you how to sense and understand magical energy itself and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
But Ginny, the writing continued, I want to be very clear about something. If I teach you magic, it would be as your tutor and friend, nothing more. I wouldn't ask for anything in return except your friendship.
Ginny was stunned, as she wrote. I didn't think of that, why would you do all that for me when we just met?
Because in one night, you've shown me genuine kindness Ginny. Even when knowing that I could possibly hurt you, you accepted me.
The honesty in those words made Ginny's throat tight with emotion.
Tom, that's the most generous offer anyone's ever made me. But are you sure? It sounds like a lot of work for you.
Teaching you would be my pleasure, Ginny. I've had fifty years to refine my understanding of magic, to think about better ways to explain concepts that confused me as a student. Sharing that knowledge with someone who would use it well... there's nothing I'd rather do.
Besides, he added, and she could almost hear amusement in the written words, what else am I going to do with my time? I'm rather limited in my entertainment options.
Ginny found herself giggling at his comments. When would we start?
We could start right now, if you'd like. I should warn you though - I'm a fairly demanding teacher. I believe in thorough understanding rather than just memorizing spells. I'll push you to think deeply about the why behind the magic, not just the how.
I want that, Ginny wrote without hesitation. I want to really understand magic, not just perform it.
Excellent. Then we'll begin without the wand, since we'll deal with the most fundamental concept in all of magic - the relationship between intent, will, and energy. Close your eyes and try to feel the magic inside yourself. Don't worry if you can't sense anything at first. Most wizards never learn to consciously feel their own magical core.
Ginny set down her quill and closed her eyes, trying to turn her attention inward. At first, she felt nothing unusual - just her heartbeat, her breathing, the warmth of sunlight on her face.
I don't feel anything, she wrote when she opened her eyes.
That's perfectly normal. It takes practice. Try this instead - think about a time when you experienced accidental magic. Something emotional, when your magic responded without your conscious control.
Ginny thought back to when she was seven and had gotten angry at Ron for breaking her favorite toy. She'd shouted at him, and all the windows in the room had rattled so hard that Mum had come running.
Good, Tom wrote when she described the memory. Now try to remember not just what happened, but how it felt. That surge of energy, the sense of something flowing out of you.
This time when Ginny closed her eyes and focused on that memory, she could almost feel it - a warm, tingling sensation that seemed to start somewhere in her chest and spread outward.
I think... I think I can feel something, she wrote excitedly.
Excellent! That's your magical core. With practice, you'll be able to access that feeling whenever you want. Now, try to intensify that sensation. Don't force it - think of it like turning up the warmth in a room, gradual and controlled.
Ginny tried again, focusing on that warm tingling and trying to make it stronger. For a moment, she felt it respond, growing brighter and more noticeable.
I did it! It got stronger!
Perfect. You're a natural at this, Ginny. Most students take weeks if not months to learn to consciously access their magical core. Now, here's where it gets interesting. Try to direct that energy to your hand.
Following Tom's instructions, Ginny imagined the warm energy flowing down her arm to her right hand. To her amazement, her palm began to tingle, and she could swear she saw a faint shimmer in the air above it.
This is incredible, she wrote. I can actually feel the magic moving!
And that's just the beginning. Once you can consciously direct your magical energy, you can start shaping it into specific effects. Let's try something simple - creating light. Keep that energy focused in your palm, but now imagine it becoming visible. Think of warm sunlight, or the glow of a candle flame.
Ginny concentrated, trying to visualize light forming in her hand. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, a soft golden glow appeared above her palm, no brighter than a candle but definitely there.
She gasped, nearly losing her concentration. The light flickered and faded.
I made light! I actually made light!
You did indeed. And without a wand, which is considerably more difficult than wand magic. You have remarkable natural ability, Ginny.
Can you teach me more?
Of course. But first, let me explain the theory behind what you just did. Magic is essentially the art of imposing your will upon reality. Your intent shapes the energy, your will directs it, and your magical power provides the force to make it happen. The clearer your intent and the stronger your will, the more effective your magic will be.
This is why emotional magic is often so powerful - strong emotions provide clear intent and powerful will. But they also make magic unpredictable and potentially dangerous. The goal is to achieve that same clarity and power through conscious control rather than emotional reaction.
That makes so much sense, Ginny wrote. In Bill's Defense Against the Dark Arts books, they always talk about having a clear mind and strong intent.
Exactly. Now, let's work on control. Try creating that light again, but this time, see if you can make it brighter or dimmer at will.
For the next hour, Tom guided her through increasingly complex exercises. Light creation and manipulation, moving small objects without touching them, even changing the temperature of the air around her hands. Each success built on the previous one, and Tom's explanations made the underlying principles crystal clear.
You're an exceptional student, Tom wrote after she successfully levitated her quill for a full minute. I'm honestly impressed by how quickly you're grasping these concepts. Most wizards never learn wandless magic this sophisticated.
It's because you're such a good teacher, Ginny replied. The way you explain things makes it all seem logical instead of mysterious.
Magic should be logical. It follows rules, even if they're not always obvious. Understanding the rules is what separates a true witch or wizard from someone who just waves a wand and hopes for the best.
Can I ask you something?
Always.
Why are you such a good teacher? I mean, you obviously know more about magic than most people, but you also seem to really understand how to help me learn.
Tom's response took longer than usual to appear.
I suppose it's because I remember what it was like to be confused and frustrated when I was learning. I was largely self-taught before Hogwarts - no one at the orphanage understood magic, obviously. When I finally got to school, I was desperate to prove myself, to show that I belonged there.
I made a lot of mistakes in my eagerness to excel. I focused on being impressive rather than being thorough. I learned powerful spells before I truly understood the fundamentals. And that... that led me to make some very poor choices later on.
Teaching you properly, helping you build a solid foundation - it's partly my way of doing things right this time. Of using my knowledge the way it should have been used from the beginning.
Ginny felt a surge of affection for her mysterious friend. Thank you for sharing that with me. And thank you for caring so much about teaching me the right way.
Thank you for giving me the chance to do better. Now, shall we continue? I'd like to teach you some basic shielding concepts before you have to get ready for your journey.
Oh! I completely lost track of time. What time is it?
Ginny glanced at her small clock and gasped. They'd been practicing magic for over two hours. She could hear increased activity downstairs - Mum would be calling her for breakfast soon.
I should probably get ready soon, she wrote reluctantly. But Tom, this has been amazing. I feel so much more confident about Hogwarts now.
You should feel confident. You've just learned magic that some seventh-years struggle with. But remember - this is just the beginning. Once you start formal classes, you'll be able to do so much more.
Will you keep teaching me? Even when I'm at school?
As long as you want me to. I can help you with homework, explain difficult concepts, even teach you advanced magic that won't be covered in your regular classes. Think of me as your private tutor.
That would be wonderful. I can't wait to tell you about everything I learn at Hogwarts.
And I can't wait to hear about it. Now go get ready, and don't worry if you can't practice the wandless magic around your family. Some things are better kept private until you're more skilled.
I understand. Thank you again, Tom. For everything.
No, I insist, thank you, Ginny.
Ginny's POV
The morning passed in a whirlwind of activity. Mum fussed over her trunk, making sure she had enough warm robes and remembering to pack extra quills. Dad checked and double-checked her ticket, looking almost as excited as she felt. The twins made increasingly outrageous jokes about what could go wrong at Hogwarts, while Percy gave her a lecture about proper study habits that she pretended to listen to.
Harry, who had been staying with them for the past few weeks, mostly listened quietly to the chaos with an amused expression that suggested he was still getting used to the Weasley family's particular brand of loving mayhem.
Through it all, Ginny felt a warm glow of confidence that had nothing to do with her family's preparations. She had a secret now - she could already do magic. Real magic, without a wand, things that most wizards couldn't do. Tom had given her something precious: the knowledge that she was capable of more than she'd ever imagined.
I can't wait to get to Hogwarts, she thought as she helped Mum pack sandwiches for the journey. If I can do this much without one, imagine what I'll be able to do once at school.
The drive to King's Cross was chaotic, with Dad's flying Ford Anglia packed to the brim with luggage, a *wild-adopted* Harry and family members. Ginny found herself squeezed between Percy and the twins, listening to their increasingly wild stories about Hogwarts while trying to contain her excitement.
__________
Platform 9¾ was everything she'd imagined and more. The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed in the magical lighting, steam rising from its chimney like something out of a storybook. Students and families crowded the platform, a sea of robes and trunks and excited chatter.
I'm really going, Ginny thought, her heart racing. I'm really going to Hogwarts.
"Now, you be good," Mum said for the fifth time, pulling Ginny into another fierce hug. "Write to us, let us know how you're getting on. And don't let Fred and George talk you into anything foolish."
"We would never corrupt our baby sister," Fred said with mock innocence.
"We save that for special occasions," George added with a grin.
"Boys!" Mum scolded, but she was smiling too.
Dad ruffled Ginny's hair. "You'll do brilliantly, sweetheart. And remember - being nervous just means you care about doing well."
Percy straightened his prefect badge importantly. "As a prefect, I'll be keeping an eye on you. Make sure you follow the rules and focus on your studies."
"Thanks, Percy," Ginny said, trying not to roll her eyes.
Ron appeared at her elbow, looking almost as nervous as she felt. "Ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, and realized she actually meant it.
The whistle blew, and suddenly everything was motion and noise. Final hugs, last-minute reminders, trunks being loaded onto the train. Ginny found herself swept along with the crowd, climbing aboard the Hogwarts Express with her heart pounding and her stomach full of butterflies.
She found an empty compartment and pressed her face to the window, watching her family on the platform. Mum was dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. Dad was waving enthusiastically. The twins were already plotting something that would probably get them detention before the week was out.
As the train began to move, pulling away from the platform and her family, Ginny felt a complex mix of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, homesickness, and underneath it all, a steady sense of confidence that she owed to her mysterious friend.
Thank you, Tom, she thought, touching her bag where the diary was safely stored. Thank you for making me ready for this.
The Hogwarts Express picked up speed, carrying her toward her future, and Ginny Weasley had never felt more prepared for whatever lay ahead.
PS: And Harry and Ron were forgotten, left behind...