A/N: I haven't written in a while, and I plan on finishing this story. J Thanks for reading!
I hate the way you're always mean and I hate the way you glare, I hate the way you do your hair, I hate it when you stare. I hate you're big dumb attitude and the way you read my mind. I hate that you're always there but I hate it when you aren't around, and the fact that you're never fair. But mostly I hate the fact that I don't hate you…you really, truly care.
I woke up to my neighbors snoring, disgruntled and annoyed. Mornings weren't my favorite's time of day- to say the least. I looked at the clock. 6:15. I might as well get up, as it looked like I would not be falling back into that deep sleep. And I was having a good dream too…I searched my thoughts trying to remember what had happened.
My eyes scrunched up and my covers pulled over my head. After a few seconds I realized it was too late, like always. I couldn't remember the last time I had a deep enough sleep to dream. Well, not since my first year at Hogwarts. After that my nights were filled with haunted thoughts about a good looking young man who never grew old and a giant serpent with huge yellow eyes.
I made another annoyed sound through my teeth before I finally gave up on the dream. All I had been able to remember were a pair of silver-grey eyes, a color much like the sea, just after a storm. Switching my short-lived attention span toward the upcoming events of today, I walked across my small room, carefully stepping over Hermione's sleeping figure, and opened my closet. Half-heartedly I picked my outfit, too upset about those silver eyes to really enjoy this like I normally did. I picked a pair of jean shorts and a strapless green top made of a silky material that clung to my body and hung in all the right places.
This past summer I had really changed, going from a little girl who was infatuated with the hero Harry Potter and had no taste or style. Over this past year I had developed curves in all the right places, and my long legs that once looked awkward on my petite body now looked graceful and beautiful. My big brown eyes that had always been one of my better physical traits now were accented with make up, something I didn't use to bother with in past years. Even my horrible red hair had darkened a few shades and I learned to embrace my freckles, although I secretly hated them.
To add to this, I got a job at a muggle clothing store in the larger town closest to the Burrow. The money I had gotten from this job and the great discount as an employee I got helped my expand my small wardrobe. Now I had, perhaps, too many clothes. Fashion was something I really enjoyed.
I knew that I wasn't the only one who had noticed these changes. As soon as Harry had come to visit, he started paying quite a bit more attention to the smallest of the Weasley family. Not that I didn't appreciate the attention, but the "I love Harry Potter" ship had sailed a couple summers ago. Maybe that explained why I chose to schedule work more often after the past few days…I regretted this decision, maybe just a little, as the school rush was starting to come in.
Not that I didn't like hard work, I loved it actually, but the manager of the store seemed to become more anal than usual. Paul Merchenko owned, managed, and was the primary designer of "Merchenko's Outfitters". He was a brilliant clothing designer and I idolized him, although I would never let him know that. Surely this news would make his already large head expand even more, and he might start asking me out to dinner every night again.
I glanced at the clock as I pinned on my employee name badge and slipped on some black ballet flats 6:40. I brushed through my curly red hair and applied the little makeup I wore. As I grabbed my keys I turned to look at myself in the full length mirror on my wall. The corner of my mouth turned town slightly. I gazed a moment longer before I turned on my heel and out the door.
I was careful to avoid all the squeaking boards on the floor as I snuck downstairs, knowing that everyone would still be asleep. Success was mine as I reached the bottom step and walked the small length of hallway before I entered the kitchen. I reached in the fridge and grabbed an apple. Straightening up, I suddenly was aware of the other person in the room. I turned slowly, not sure who to expect, and gasped.
"Harry! You scared me…" I hissed, closing the fridge and taking a step towards the door. I was going to be early, but it was worth missing this conversation, I was sure.
"Sorry, Gin." Harry replied shamefacedly. At least he had the decency to look sorry he had scared me. "I just wanted to talk to you." He took a step towards me. "You've been working all week and I haven't seen you at all!" He complained, taking another step forward. My hand now on the door, I smiled and took a step too, backward. "Oh, don't be silly, Harry, you've seen me at dinner!" I grabbed my purse off the table next to me and swung it over my shoulder.
I went to open the door, but Harry reached over and put his hand on the frame, holding me where I was. "You've really grown up, Ginny." He muttered, almost more to himself than to me. I gave him a wary look. "I wanted to ask you, since were going to diagon alley today, if maybe you wanted to get lunch with me while we were there." He trailed off, suddenly looking nervous. A faint tinge of pink surfaced on his cheeks. "Oh…" I replied, taken aback.
What do I do? I panicked silently. "You mean with you Ron and 'Mione?" I asked, my fingers crossed behind my back. "No, I meant just you and me…" He stared at the ground again, suddenly unable to look me in the eye. "Oh. Um…" I started awkwardly. This was not good.
"We could go just as friends." Harry interjected before I could find a nice way to let him down. His eyes suddenly found mine, pleading with me silently to accept. "Uh, that could be…okay. Yeah. Yeah, sure." I replied dumbly, feeling a sinking in the pit of my stomach. Harry's face instantly brightened and he took a step back, removing his hand from the door frame. "Great!" and he looked like he meant it. I smiled apologetically. "I have to go though. Work…" I explained lamely, opening the door all the way and turning to step out. Suddenly, I was tugged back into the house as he grabbed me up into a bone-crushing hug. I gasped for air. "Haa-ary…" I tried to inform him of my predicament, but he had already set me back out on the porch.
I grinned, smoothing out my shirt. "Thanks, Ginny!" He called as I shut the door, shaking my head. I made my way out to the car, still rubbing my bruised ribcage. He was excited. Too excited. I would have to break the news to him sooner than later, but I would rather it be later. I sighed audibly and started the car.
"Shoot!" I shouted, taking a look at the clock. It was now 7:00. I was going to be late. Cursing everything that was Potter, I backed down the driveway and sped off to work.