Title: Seen Lie
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Harry/Neville, Ginny
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 473
Summary: Ginny tells a lie, but Harry sees through her.
Notes:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Speed Drabble - Prompts Used - Neville/Harry, Glass, Candle
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Chocolate Frog - Nundu - Gold - Write about someone telling vicious lies.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: September Event - (dialogue) "When I say I miss school, I mean I miss my friends, not the learning."
365 Days of Drabbles Challenge: Prompt Used - Wind
Harry tilts his head. "I thought you said you missed school," he says in confusion.
Ginny laughs as the wind blows through her hair. "When I say I miss school, I mean I miss my friends, not the learning."
"Oh," he says, eyes looking behind Ginny, hoping to catch sight of Neville.
"Harry, I need to tell you something," Ginny says, suddenly looking shy and unsure of herself.
"What is it?" he asks, fingering a glass figurine of a merman that he has in his pocket, a reminder of everything Neville means to him.
"I know that you like Neville, that I can't hold a candle to him in your eyes. There's something you should know, though. Last year, when Neville was my date to the Yule Ball, he tried to touch me, even when I said 'no.' I had to use the Bat-Bogey Hex on him so he'd leave me alone."
Harry's eyes finally zeroed in on her, and they narrow suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly telling me this?"
Ginny stammers, nervously fingering a red strand of hair. "I just thought you should know what kind of person you like."
"Interesting. I would think you would have told me or one of your brothers last year if that really happened. You're not the kind of girl that would be scared to come forward.""
"N-Neville was your friend. I didn't want to ruin that."
"So, you decide to tell me right after Neville and I go public with our relationship? I'm not sure what you're playing at, but I know the kind of person Neville is. He's kind, with the gentlest soul. He would never try to force himself on anyone, boy or girl."
Ginny's eyes turn sad. "I thought... I mean... Okay, I lied. I really like you, and I want my chance with you, the chance Neville stole."
Harry walks passed her, finally seeing Neville. He paused in step, though. "You never had a chance with me. You were always only my best friend's little sister. I never saw you as more. I'll forgive you for the lie because I know what jealousy does. My jealousy of seeing Neville with you last year is what pushed me to tell him I liked him."
Ginny is left knowing it's her fault Harry is now with Neville as Harry strides quickly over to his boyfriend.
"What were you talking to Ginny about?" Neville asks.
"Nothing important." He kisses Neville on the lips, and he finally lets go of the merman figurine as they make their way into the castle.
For the first time in a long time, Harry is happy. He once again silently thanks Merlin that Ginny went to the Yule Ball with Neville. If she didn't, Harry probably wouldn't have the best thing in his life walking right next to him.