She looked away. "Go back to bed."
I tilted her chin up to look at me. I fought down the anger as I traced the various bruises on her face.
"Why do you let him?"
She shook her head. "Just let it be. It really isn't so bad."
I clenched my fists and punched the stone floor. "Ginny, just let me. I could take care of you. Please."
She shook her head again, scarlet hair flying. "Please, he... Oh don't."
She flung her self into my arms and I held her. We might have stayed that way forever.
But I knew what I had to do. For her.
He was standing in the common room, staring deep into the flames.
I came into the room, ready. "Hey," I called.
He turned, surprised. He relaxed as he saw it was just me. I fought down anger for the second time that night. So I was just some little boy, not even worthy of a moment's hesitation. Background, easily dismissed. That's me.
Not any more.
"I want to talk to you."
He tried to look interesting but he was impatient. He was waiting for her. But she wouldn't come. Not tonight. Never again.
"About Ginny." I continued.
He snapped to attention, staring at me.
"What about her?" he growled.
"I want you to stay away from her."
He stared at me contemptuously. "You really don't get it do you? You'd be nothing with out me. I made you who you are."
I shook my head. "She did it. She grabbed my hand when I was falling. She led me home when I was lost. I'm better because she made me. And I've watched for a year now as you destroy her slowly. But not any more."
"And just how are you going to make sure I stop?" he sneered. "Fight me?"
She looked up as I entered.
I knelt and took her freckled hands. "Ginny. It's over. Harry isn't your boyfriend any more."
She stared at me in disbelief. Then she threw her arms around my neck. "Thank you, Neville." she whispered.