Harry rolled over in bed, awake. He'd been awake for a while now, he just hadn't moved at all, not wanting to disturb the others in his dorm. He decided he'd had enough of that, however, and got up.
He walked over to the window in the room, and looked out across the grounds. The sun was hitting the trees at a certain angle as it was coming up, and Harry looked down on the grass, pouring himself a glass of water from the pitcher by the window.
I wonder what time it is
, he thought. His eyes fell on six students standing around in a circle. It can't be that early, he thought, that one club for mystery lovers is meeting...Harry put down his glass of water, which he had not taken a sip from, and exited the dorm. He paused outside the door, then walked down the stairs to the common room and took a chair by the fireplace, which was just now burning out its last embers. Harry watched as the fire dwindled down to nothing.
A few seconds later, there was a shuffling sound on the stairs to the girls' dormitories, and Harry looked up to see Ginny Weasley in her pajamas and Alf slippers. Harry waved one hand and smiled at Ginny. She looked slightly nervous, but waved back, and started to slowly walk down the stairs.
'So what are you doing up, Ginny?' Harry asked. 'It's the holidays, we're supposed to be sleeping in, you know.'
'Then why are you up, Mr. Potter?' said Ginny, grinning. 'I'm up because I couldn't sleep. It was just... I don't know. Nothing, I guess. Just couldn't sleep.'
'Same with me,' Harry said. 'That, and something just seemed...unsettling?'
Ginny didn't say anything, but tried to give Harry a concerned and caring look.
'So, Gin,' said Harry, socking Ginny's knee lightly. 'What's been happening?'
Ginny shrugged. 'Same old stuff... I don't know.'
'Yeah,' said Harry. 'I never know how to answer those questions either.'
Ginny smiled, then dropped her gaze to the floor.
She's so cute
, thought Harry to himself. I mean...do I like her? I'd like to get to know her better...'Ginny,' said Harry abruptly after a few moment's silence. 'Ginny, would you like to go down to the Great Hall or wander around the castle? I think I'm going to.'
There was an instant spark behind Ginny's eyes, but she took a second to answer. 'Yeah, sounds like fun.'
'Let's go,' said Harry, standing up.
'In our pajamas?' said Ginny, smiling.
'Sure, why not?'
Ginny giggled. 'Alright. It's just that I've never been out of the common room in my pajamas.'
'You've gotta start living some time, Ginny,' Harry teased.
He walked over to the portrait hole and climbed out, Ginny on his heels.