Ginny frowned slightly as she saw a crowd in front of the usual Transfiguration club meeting room. Ever since the beginning of the year, Ginny and everyone else could feel how little they were learning from the class with Umbridge as the teacher.

People had had hope for his replacement after the first intense lesson, but then he’d been murdered, so…

The third transfigurations teacher was somewhere in the middle. He was another secretary of Minister Fudge. He was also extremely incompetent and didn’t understand most of anything that he was teaching them. But he was nice about it and was barely thirty years old, so most people just felt bad for him more than anything. Well, Ginny did at least.

But that didn’t change that none of them were learning their transfigurations properly. Something that some people didn’t care about, just happy they would have less homework. But Ginny and many others wanted to feel themselves improve and not be left behind. So what used to be a small hobbyist club soon ballooned into one of the largest ones in the school.

Ginny honestly wished she’d tried out Transfigurations club earlier, it was interesting to see what the older years could do as they tutored all of the rest of them in some interesting transfiguration spells they all wanted to learn.

Ginny drifted to the door to their usual room and saw that there was a sign posted there.

“What’s going on?” She asked a nearby Slytherin boy, “What’s on the poster?”

“Club’s been shut down by Umbridge,” He said gloomily, “All of the clubs have been dissolved, everyone has to go through her to get reapproved. What are our chances, do you think? Whole thing probably happened because she didn’t like us practicing to get around that buffoon they call a teacher for transfigurations nowadays.”

“Oh. Oh no. Really? She can’t do that! Is she even allowed to?”

“Probably,” A older year Hufflepuff said, “Order of the Minister says that she can. An Educational Decree they’re calling it. It’ll be in the courts to see if it’ll hold up, but until that wraps up in a few years we’re stuck with following whatever rules Umbridge cooks up.”

“No,” Ginny said in disbelief, “Surely not. They can’t just let this happen while they sue, can they? That can’t be right.”

The Hufflepuff shrugged, “The Wizengott already decided. Until the case is fully finished, the Minister’s educational decrees will be valid. They’ll only step in if he does something really out of line, and dissolving our clubs isn’t it.”

“Just when I thought I couldn’t hate Umbridge any more,” Ginny muttered before her eyes flew open. Oh no.

“Wait, you said all clubs had to be reapproved? Including the dance club?”

The Hufflepuff gave her a strange look, “Yeah. You into dancing, Ginny? I didn’t know that.”

“No, no, I’m not. Just asking,” Ginny said as her mind raced. Eric was going to go ballistic, she just knew it. And Umbridge would probably refuse to reform the club out of spite, Ginny could see her being that petty.

Who knew what the boy would do then?

— — —

“I can’t believe that your transfiguration’s club was denied while Eric’s stupid dancing club got through of all things!” Alexa complained, “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Yeah,” Ginny said, rubbing her hand unconsciously, “Not at all.”

She was sure that Eric had done something horrible to make sure that his club had been approved. But whatever he’d done, he’d gotten away with it again.

“And now we can’t even use magic in the hallways or outside!” Alexa kept complaining, “It’s completely ridiculous. How are we supposed to study if we have to go to the common rooms or hide every time we want to cast our magic?”

“Sirius says that he’s trying to help repeal the educational decrees,” Ginny said, “But the Minister is pushing it hard. He’s obsessed with securing the school against Pettigrew and thinks this is just the price we have to pay for that.”

“Well, that’s stupid,” Alexa huffed, “We should form our own club. Under the radar, so we can practice without having to get approved by Umbridge.”

“Form our own club?” Ginny said, “But Umbridge would sniff us out immediately. She’s already broken up the transfiguration club up four more times after we tried to form big ‘study’ groups instead of calling it a club. The older years put it all together and got in trouble with her.”

“Who’s she to say what’s a study group or a club?” Alexa said, “Twenty people wasn’t even that many really. Banning gatherings of more than five of us at a time without permission was just too much.”

“I know,” Ginny said, “But at least she’s not our teacher still, right? That new Ministry person is terrible but at least he’s nice about it when he’s bumbling around. Imagine if we still had to talk to Umbridge face to face all the time still.”

“I guess…” Alexa said, “I’m just glad that Christmas break is soon. I’m sure things will get better when we get back.”

“Sure, Alexa,” Ginny said and patted the girl on the shoulder lightly, “Sure. Christmas will be great. Plus, we can still practice together. We don’t need a club to learn.”

“Pfffft. I hope so,” Alexa huffed, “Bah. Anyway, how about that potion’s test though? What did you think about…”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

— — —

“And Umbridge is just the worst, making all these stupid rules so as soon as I find a good club that I’m enjoying she just destroys it,” Ginny complained as she leaned against Olivia’s shoulder in Sirius’ house. The both of them were sitting on the couch. Olivia had been sitting there listening to her complain for a while, and Ginny suddenly felt guilty as she realized this must be how Alexa felt for the last month when she was complaining to Ginny all the time about the injustice of the educational decrees constantly.

“Yeah, isn’t she just awful?” Olivia said, “So bad. Sirius is doing his best at the Wizengott, but he’s not making much headway.”

“Mmmmhhh. I know,” Ginny whined, “It’s just so annoying, finally joining a club that I like and not being able to go anymore.”

Olivia suddenly grabbed Ginny in a headlock and started messing up her hair.

“Cheer up, you!” Olivia said as Ginny squirmed in her grip, “It’s not all a downer! I’ve heard rumors that you and your little friend are dating now, hm? Surely you’d tell your cool Wolf-kin Princess about it first? That I wouldn’t hear about it first from Ron of all people?”

“Grrrr. Mmmmhhhhhh!” Ginny squealed as she finally escaped Olivia’s headlock and patted her hair back down so it wasn't sticking up all over the place anymore.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ginny said primly.

Olivia reached out and flexed her hands and wiggled her fingers threateningly as if to tickle her. Ginny eyed Olivia’s hands warily.

“If you won’t talk, then I’ll just have to ask the boy himself all about it. I’m sure I can think of a few ways to make it embarrassing for you,” Olivia said with a smile.

“Alright, alright!” Ginny said, breaking at the thought of Olivia's vicious threat, “Yes, we’re dating. Yes, we kissed. Alexa has a boyfriend too now. Sorry, I just forgot.”

“Hm, forgot?” Olivia said lightly before stopping wiggling her fingers and slumping back against the couch again, “Too caught up in your whirlwind romance, couldn’t even take time to think of telling poor old Olivia about it?”

“It wasn’t a whirlwind,” Ginny said while blushing slightly, “We’ve been together since last year. We just never really… went beyond holding hands or hugging since then.”

“Huh,” Olivia said in genuine surprise, “I didn’t know that. I guess you did take it pretty slow then. So, tell me all about it. I’ll give you all my sage wisdom. Did you talk to your mom about all the girl stuff? The big talk and all that now that you have a boyfriend?”

Ginny shook her head, “No, what’s that? What talk?”

“Well, ask your mom about it,” Olivia said, “If you don’t understand what she tells you then just ask me. My parents certainly did a terrible job of explaining things. I had to basically figure it out myself. Even if you think it’s gross or awkward, just ask... We’ve all been through it. And Hogwarts isn’t going to tell you anything about it or answer any of your questions, so you can always ask me.”

“Thanks, Olivia,” Ginny said in relief, “I’ll do that. There have been some strange things happening with my body lately, but I wasn’t sure who to ask…”

“Well, Big Sis Olivia is here to help!” Olivia said in an over the top voice, “I’ve got to know how to deal with guys when I go on my big adventures as the Wolf-kin princess, don’t I?”

“Yeah,” Ginny said with a giggle, “I guess you do. Big Sis Olivia.”

“Yeah, you know it,” Olivia said fondly.

— — —

Molly didn’t want to give Ginny whatever the ‘talk’ was, saying that she would wait until Ginny was an unspecified amount of older. After Ginny begged Olivia to tell her what the secret was for a bit after becoming frustrated with the mystery, Olivia began. Only after glancing around and pulling Ginny to a more isolated corner of the house where they wouldn’t be interrupted and shutting the door behind them in the side room they were hiding in.

By the time Olivia was done, Ginny was in shock at what the older girl had said. Ginny grabbed her crotch protectively with both hands.

“You’re saying that I’ll start peeing blood sometime soon?” Ginny said, frightened by the prospect and still not totally sure that Olivia wasn’t making fun of her.

“Yeah,” Olivia said, “It’s called your period. And it's not pee. Remember all those other things I told you about how our bodies work? All of us women have it happen monthly after it starts up. You’ll be moody around that time too, your body’s hormones going all crazy. Just relax and use a quick Scourgify charm to clean up before anyone notices when it happens. You can't really hold it in like you can for your pee, it just happens either way so don't even try to stop it somehow. It’s perfectly normal for it to happen and nothing to be scared of. This is why you need someone to tell you that it’s fine. You have no idea how much I panicked my first time when I didn’t know what was happening to me…”

“What… you’re not making fun of me?” Ginny said, lifting her hands from between her legs hesitantly, “That’s really going to happen?”

“Yeah. None of your roommates or other friends have had it happen yet?”

“Well, not that they’ve told me,” Ginny said, still a little skeptical, “They are a year younger though so maybe they’re not old enough for it yet?”

“Oh, I forgot,” Olivia said, “You’re fourteen now. Yeah, it’ll be any day now then. Deep breaths, and Scourgify, okay? After everything we’ve been through, a little blood is nothing, right?”

“R… Right,” Ginny said as she began to calm down, “Thanks, Olivia,” She said genuinely grateful now that she finally accepted that it wasn’t some elaborate prank from Olivia on her, “I’m glad you’re such a good big sis.”

“Someone’s got to help you out with all those boys kicking around your house, right?” Olivia said, “And I’m glad I have such a cute little sis too. I was an only child. I… I always wished for a sister. Growing up, you know.”

Olivia looked sad for a moment, looking down at the floor, and Ginny grabbed her hand.

“Well, you’re my sister now,” Ginny said insistently as Olivia looked at her, “I don’t care if you don’t have our red hair. Or if you grew up with those horrible people. You’re part of the family now.”

“Thanks, Ginny,” Olivia said with some emotion and wrapped Ginny up in a firm hug, “That means a lot,” Olivia whispered, “Just let me know if you want to know anything about boys or growing up. I’ve got your back… Little sis.”

“I will,” Ginny promised, “Promise. Big sis.”

After another few seconds of hugging, Olivia released Ginny and drew back and wiped her face with her sleeve.

“Something in my eye,” Olivia said lamely, “Now let’s get back to the main room. I thought I saw a cake. Shame that Balthazar couldn’t come to enjoy it with what’s happening on Azkaban.”

“He’s fine, all turtled up inside of his wards,” Ginny assured Olivia as they left the side room they had holed up in and moved towards the kitchen together, “He’ll be fine, he just can’t talk to us while he’s under attack. I’m sure he has a plan.”

“I hope so,” Olivia replied, “But you know best about him. If you say so then I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“He’ll be fine,” Ginny said firmly.

“Well then I guess we’re free to enjoy the sweets without worrying about him aren’t we?” Olivia said, perking up.

“Come along my trusty squire Ginny! The Princess of the Wolf-kin needs your aid in the mighty quest for sweets!” Olivia said in her haughty princess voice.

“Of course, princess!” Ginny said as she straightened up so she would look more squire-like, “Onwards to adventure!”

And so sweets were had, everyone had fun for Christmas, and Ginny went to bed with a warm fuzzy feeling glowing in her chest when the night was through.