I don't own Harry Potter. Wish I had that Brilliance.
The Gift Of Love : Chapter 1
Despite the boy's appearance, Harry Potter was not your average teenager. He was far from average for he was a wizard. A famous one as well having fought off the Dark Lord Voldemort more than once. He had become famous as a baby when Voldemort killed his parents and the spell to kill Harry had backfired on the evil wizard. He wished he was not famous for it was his parents' love that had protected him. He hadn't done a thing. However, the only people that knew about that were Dumbledore and himself.
Harry sometimes wished he was just an ordinary muggle. Muggles didn't have to fight an evil wizard who was dead set on killing him. Harry had faced more danger than a full grown man. He had watched people die without him being able to stop it. And people wondered why the light had disappeared from his green eyes.
Harry was lying on his bed in the dorm he shared with his best friend Ron Weasley and two other Gryffindors. Images of Sirius, Cedric, and his parents flashed through his mind. He cursed the lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead, the scar that marked him the Dark Lord's equal. Frustrated and angry, he leaped out of bed and walked down the stairs towards the common room. He sat down heavily in his favorite chair in front of the blazing fireplace.
He was in his seventh year at Hogwarts. Although the year had just started, he was dreading the day he graduated. Hogwarts was the only true home he had known other than the Weasley's Burrow. He didn't want to leave the safety within the walls of the school he loved so much.
Ginny Weasley stared at the brown haired, green-eyed boy with glasses who had taken her chair. At age seventeen, Harry Potter looked almost thirty when he was lost in thought. Ginny was just a year younger than her friend and yet felt so much younger. Never in her wildest imaginations could she have thought of the things he had gone through in time she had known him. She envied his bravery and willingness to sacrifice himself to save the ones he loved. She gave a slight cough.
His head spun around, his hand already on his wand. "Oh, hey, Ginny." He relaxed.
She sat down in the chair next to him. "What are you doing up this late, Harry?"
"Nothing. Couldn't sleep," he muttered.
She smiled sadly at him. Over the past two years, the two had become close. Ginny had come to consider the famous boy her best friend.
The two sat in silence, something they had done often since the death of Harry's godfather Sirius Black. The silence was never uncomfortable. They could sit for hours without speaking and Ginny could still know when to leave him be or to comfort him. He was amazed at how quickly he had come to need her friendship. Sometimes it seemed she was the only one who was willing to listen to him.
Ron and Hermione had finally realized they liked each other and had started dating. Harry was truly happy for them. Their lives needed some happiness. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood were also dating. They made a cute couple if Harry did say so himself.
Harry had trouble admitting he was lonely, but when he was alone with Ron and Hermione, he felt a horrible pain inside him. However, he would not risk it. It would put that person at too much risk, especially with Draco Malfoy still at school, who would no doubt tell the Death Eaters.
Ginny looked over at the handsome boy next to her. When will he realize he's not alone? She wondered.
That morning at breakfast, Harry was surprisingly happy despite his lack of sleep. Ginny was very energetic as well even though she had spent the rest of the night in the common room with Harry. She watched as Ron, her brother, and Hermione fed each other. It was quite grotesque. She and Harry had a laugh out of it. The Great Hall became silent as Headmaster Dumbledore stood to make announcements.
He went through the usual daily things. Then a smile appeared on his face. "We are giving you a special treat this Christmas, a Christmas Ball. It is formal naturally and is for fifth years and up. Younger students may be invited by the older if they wish." The hall broke out into a loud roar as girls began talking of what to wear and boys began complaining about the girls.
"Let's get out of here," Ginny said loudly to Harry.
He laughed and nodded. He followed her into the hall. They began walking and the voices died out behind them. "They're all crazy! What an uproar."
She laughed. "Just another chance to watch Ron and Hermione disgust us."
He smiled. "Great."
"You want to go together? As friends of course," she asked him.
He looked at her surprised. "You don't have anyone in mind?"
She shook her head. "No. I've been so busy with school and stuff I haven't really thought about guys lately."
He smirked. "Stuff meaning me."
She smiled at him. "Maybe, but I like spending time with you. Hermione is the only other real good friend I have and with her and Ron together all the time, you're stuck with me."
"So I'm a last resort, eh?" He asked jokingly.
"Yeah. I mean, I guess I could try Malfoy, but that would be a little crazy of me."
They laughed together. Harry took her hand. "Thanks, Ginny."
She looked up at him. "For what?"
He shrugged. "For being here for me when I needed someone. You don't have to, yet you still do it anyway. You've become my best friend."
She smiled brightly at him. "You're my best friend, too, Harry." She hugged him. "I'm always here for you."
He smiled at her and they began walking again. "Will you go with me to the Ball?"
She laughed and punched him playfully on the arm. "No." His face fell in mock rejection. "Yes, you pain."
Suddenly, Harry felt happier than he had in a long time.