"Cherry Tulips"

"He's a great boy," whispered Hermione from beside her, "he has a sweet sense of humor, his taste in brooms is impeccable, and he's completely infatuated with you. He adores you, Ginny. What else could you ask for?"

"Attraction," Ginny sniped back. "I could ask for that, couldn't I? I could ask for something other than that feeling of friendship that I hold for him. I could ask for more. I deserve more."

Sighing, Hermione stood up from the Gryffindor table and walked across to speak to Luna. Ginny could tell that her friend was exasperated with her – that she could no longer stand to argue.

Eyes dropping to her plate, Ginny ignored the snorts of her brother beside her, and the silly grins Harry would display. Today wasn't a good day – not a good day at all.

He was a great boy, Ginny knew this. He did have a calm and quite sense of humor. He owned over thirty rare brooms and he did treat her as if she was already his. Disregarded was his arrogant past and gone was the nasty shell he once harbored. Zacharias Smith adored Ginny Weasley, but, sadly enough, she did not adore him. Ginny watched as Zacharias chugged a cup of pumpkin juice down – blue eyes laughing and blonde hair gleaming.

Ginny turned away in disgust – gleaming? When in the hell did she ever notice such gleaming?

Clearing her throat, she immediately shot up from her seat and skipped off to her next class early. There was no use in wallowing about like a pointless being. She would use this time wisely for her studies – even if it meant isolating herself from everyone else.

Just as she took a step through the Great Hall doors, Zacharias was behind her, grabbing her hand and cupping it. "Christ, Gin, you're a speedy walker. Took me ages to catch up," he joked, squeezing her fingers lightly.

Trying hard not to cringe, Ginny threw him a bright smile. "Must dash, Zacharias. I've got class in a few and I'm really behind in the chapter. Er … would it possible if we talk later?"

"It's all right. I'll just walk you," he offered.

Her smile turning bitter, Ginny muttered, "Of course you will."

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing," she answered quickly, her pace slowing down to match his. If she were to walk with him, she might as well do it side by side.

Zacharias laughed. "You know – everyone's going down to swim by the lake next week. I was wondering if you wanted to go … together."

Ginny gulped. "Um … I do believe I'll be busy next week. Ron's asked me to help him with things … for the family."

"Oh, that's too bad. I guess we'll reschedule?"

"Of course. We could always join my friends at Hogsmeade next weekend. It'll be no problem," she suggested, dismayed at the sight of a group of Slytherins headed their way.

"Well, I was really hoping it'd just be me and you-"

"Hey, Smith," called out an amused voice, "did you catch yourself a Weasley?"

Zacharias looked up and chucked. "Yeah, Zabini. One of the prettiest, I believe."

"I do agree," Blaise Zabini purred, walking forward and eying Ginny up and down. "Quite the catch. Smart, punctual, confident … mind sharing her?"

Ginny sneered. "I don't touch things that have been used too often."

The Slytherins behind Blaise laughed loudly.

Blaise nodded approvingly. "Very good, Weasley. Very good."

Ginny rolled her eyes and turned to Zacharias. "I'll just go ahead. I need to catch up on some reading, anyway. You can just stay and chat with your," she turned back to the Slytherins and shuddered, "friends."

"There aren't any classes today, Weasley," Blaise informed her. "They've been cancelled do to the conference the professors are holding. Some important matter, I presume."

Ginny's eyes widened in sheer shock. "This can't be," she whispered to herself, hand slipping out of Zacharias'. "I've got a research paper to hand in … I have loads of paperwork left to do for Herbology."

Blaise stared at her, frightened. "By God, Weasley, you've turned into Granger."

"I have not!" Ginny yelled.

"Okay, okay," Zacharias intervened. "Listen, Gin, why don't you just go back to your dormitory and do your work and the blokes and I will go have a bite. All right?"

"Yes, Ginevra," Blaise mocked, "do listen to your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend!" she hissed, stalking away and ignoring the jeers of the Slytherins. "Bloody git." Lips pursed, Ginny trekked her way through the long corridors of Hogwarts – Blaise's sarcastic voice filling her mind. "He's not my boyfriend," Ginny said aloud. "He's not."

He definitely wasn't. When Zacharias walked her from class to class, it meant nothing. It didn't matter if he always bought her trinkets, or mended her clothing, or even helped her in classes – Zacharias Smith was not her boyfriend. He just held her hand to be sweet and opened doors to show that he was a gentleman. The way he'd speak so highly of her was only because of their special friendship and that alone.

Out of breath, Ginny halted in the middle of the hallway and came to a massive realization. Whether she liked it or not – Zacharias Smith was her boyfriend.

"Fuck," she mumbled.

It was the first of all firsts.

Hogwarts was decorated lavishly. Long rouge drapes hung on the walls – thick vines wrapped themselves around the chandelier and tiny, floating stars twisted and turned around each mesmerized student. Ginny stood still, Hermione standing speechless behind her, as the professors smiled mysteriously in their seats.

"Bloody hell!" Ron roared from behind the crowd. "This is brilliant! What's all this for?"

Just as Ginny reached out her hand to grab an escaping star, she felt a cool, soft hand stop her. "You mustn't do that. Stars are not obtainable."

Rolling her eyes, Ginny jutted out her chin. "Honestly, Zacharias, I can take care of myself."

"That may be true, Weasley, but I'm not your Zacharias."

"And neither am I," added another amused voice.

Ginny spun around completely and found herself face to face with Blaise and his very passive mate, Draco Malfoy. Ginny stared as he calmly let go of her hand.

"Where is the dear Smith, anyway?" Blaise asked. "Mind finding your boyfriend, Weasley? I'm in need of a chat with him."

Ginny glared. "He's not my boyfriend."

Hermione tugged at her arm. "Ginny, look, look!" she chanted excitedly, pointing as a falling star was headed their way. "Dumbledore just said that the four falling stars will choose four students of who will receive some sort of prize. Circe, Ginny, it's headed our way!"

"Falling star?" Ginny asked, dumbfounded. "Hermione, what are you –"

"Fuck, Weasley, watch out!" yelled Blaise, pushing both her and Hermione towards the floor. The three watched, enthralled, as it shot right onto Malfoy's chest, the impact leaving him unharmed.

"Is he not hurt?" Hermione whispered.

"He doesn't look it."

"Students! Students!" bellowed the Headmaster. "I believe our last falling star has chosen its target. Will all four students chosen please walk forward?"

Ginny's eyes followed the four bodies that swam through the gigantic crowd. She couldn't place who the other three were, but she was desperate to know what sort of prize they would receive and why.

"Good, good!" Dumbledore laughed, as all four winners stood before him – all confused, except one. "Bewilderment does look quite funny on some of you," he joked. He looked to all the other students. "You may not understand, children, what is occurring, but a new tradition has been passed. This tradition has been revived from many years ago – when I, myself, was not even born. A tradition of the wishes and desires that only four students truly deserve."

"Deserve?" Hermione hissed. "What does Malfoy deserve?"

"Each falling star represents a deity. I think you all know which four deities I am speaking of: Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazaar Slytherin. Each star has chosen a student who has desired something that they could never acquire." At the blank stares of the students, he added, "Again, you may not understand this. This tradition was started by chance, when the ceiling was opened and the stars came to place."

"The ceiling? How did the ceiling open?" Ron asked, not aware of his outburst.

"We do not know, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore answered, "but, four falling stars came down and chose four students. Four students who have the chance to receive what they have always wanted."

With that, Dumbledore retrieved his wand from his pocket and stepped forward, eyes twinkling. "Ms. Bones," he acknowledged, "what have you wish?"

Susan swallowed hard. "I-I-I don't know, Sir."

"Do not be afraid."

"I-I suppose I'd like a room filled," she blushed, "with chocolate."

Hermione snorted. "Typical. You don't wish for world peace – you wish for bloody chocolate."

Dumbledore chuckled and waved his wand – Susan's falling star rising from her chest and into the tip. "Adjoining your dormitory, dear, is your room full of chocolate. Do what you want with you prize."

"Neville Longbottom," he announced, "your wish?"

Neville looked away, uncomfortable.

"A wish is not restricted, Neville. You may ask whatever you want."

"My-my," he whispered, eyes watering, "I want my parents to be well again."

Dumbledore's lips quirked into a sad, but proud grin. Once again, he waved his wand. Neville's falling star shot out of his chest and into the tip of the wand. Dumbledore smiled. "The deed is done."

Neville let out a shaky breath.

"Miss Patil, your desire?" Dumbledore quickly asked, as if this was a race for time.

Padma smirked. "I'd like to be irresistible, Sir," she stated, eyes flirtatious and chest threatening to pop out of her shirt.

The students laughed deafeningly.

Dumbledore bit back a chuckle and waved his wand – Padma's falling star also shooting into the tip.

Ginny watched as Padma's body sparkled with fervor – tempting the males around her to walk forward and touch. Ginny giggled. "Doesn't seem like a great desire to me."

"Irresistible?" Hermione asked, horrified. "What has the world come to?"

The sparks soon faded away and Ginny yelped when Ron crushed her right foot – struggling to break through the crowd. "Padma," he cooed. "Padma!"

Hermione almost retched.

"Last, but not least, Mister Malfoy, what is your desire?"

The girls were the only few that listened, especially with the male student body trying to fight each other just to reach Padma Patil, who was obviously enjoying the attention.

Ginny waited patiently as Malfoy contemplated his answer – or lack thereof.

"Mister Malfoy, we don't have a lot of time –"

"Ginevra Weasley."