She had watched him. She'd followed him with her eyes for two, almost three years now. Ever since fourth year. Ever since he'd knocked into her desk and knocked her things everywhere and he'd got down on his hands and his knees and helped her pick everything up. She endured her friends teasing and had been too swept up to notice that somewhere along the line between acquaintances and friends she'd crossed the line and fallen in love with him.

Because sometimes it was good to be a fool.

He watched her since their first year, when they'd sat across from each other at the Slytherin table and they'd resolutely ignored each other. He'd ignore the jibes of his friends and date faceless girls, trying to get his addiction to her out of his veins. Then he'd become her friend and suddenly falling in love with her wasn't an option; it was a definite.

Because sometimes a crush is really something more.

Then Ginny had appeared and she found herself caught up in the red head's winning ways and strange changes of mood. And she watched as the girl slowly wrapped everyone around her little finger, including him. Including the one she'd watched since fourth year. The one who used to smile charmingly but was now too involved in insulting… no, flirting with Ginny.

Because sometimes jealousy blinds us.

Then Ginny had appeared and she spent less time just chatting to him - less time, even, chatting to her friends. The two girls became inseparable and couldn't be found one without the other. And he insulted her because it was easy and she'd banter back, occasionally managing to make him smile. Occasionally managing to make him forget that she was stealing his girl from right under his nose. Then he'd remember she'd never been his girl and Ginny could do what she liked.

Because sometimes irrationality clouds reason.

She talked to Ginny and became friends and found that Ginny was in love. And not with her guy. She was in love with someone impossibly out of her reach. So she told a few truths and Ginny told her a few ideas and they hugged each other and it was ok, both of them dreaming of a stupidly impossible future.

Because sometimes dreams are better than reality.

His friends talked to him, persuaded him and scorned him and, at dinner, pinched his leg. He started to ask, but words failed and he buried himself in his meal. Then Ginny pinched his leg and grinned and he realised that he'd been a fool all along and, from somewhere, he found the right words and asked her and she said yes and suddenly the world was a little brighter.

Because sometimes dreams do come true.

When they met the next day and walked together to Hogsmeade they were joined by shouts and cries of 'at last!' and they both blushed at the realisation they'd been fools for each other since the beginning. Carefully, tentatively, they took each other's hands and walked hand in hand, pretending that they weren't. When they kissed later it was just as careful, just as tentative, and they both stopped pretending.

Because sometimes pretending just isn't enough.


A/N: Confusing, I know, but I think it's kinda sweet. Easier to understand if you read the story it's a companion to, but I don't think you have to. This is really just a bit of fluff for my WtMT readers because there's been so much angst and gorey things going on lately. Anyway, I hope you liked!
Much love
Cal
xxx

PS, yes that's Ginny as in Ginny Weasley. And no, it's not a dark!Ginny. Time travel. It messes with your head. 8-o