Alone

Disclaimer: Anything related to J.K. Rowling's HP novels is not mine.

I can't believe it! Here I am, pathetically sitting in front of the Gryffindor common room for the third time this week because I, again, so carelessly forgot the password. It's strange though, especially for me to be forgetful, because I could memorize Harry's schedule every day, and I don't know what has gotten into me lately, for I seem to be loosing and forgetting everything nowadays. Anyway, I was stuck here, and was harsh to face reality. It was hard enough to sit on the stone cold floor with a nearby window open, ruffling my hair with a gentle breeze, but to make matters worse the portrait of the fat lady, who was giving me a look of utter dislike, kept going, "hmph" every once in a while, much rather like something Hermione would do.

It seemed as though hours passed as I sat there freezing from head to toe. It was a good thing I had brought my books along with me; at least I had something to do, even though I was finishing a particularly nasty report for my potions teacher, Professor Snape, on healing potions for vampire blood connections.

After my homework (that I currently had with me) had been completed, I sat there staring at nothing in particular just wondering what to do next. Maybe I could go down to the great hall and try to find a Gryffindor to help me into the common room. Besides, the feast was going to start soon, well, I look at my watch to check the time, it was only 5:30, maybe not.

I sat there for a while and, suddenly making up my mind, I stand up and collect my things from the floor. Just then, I hear footsteps on the ground, approaching in my direction by the sound of it. As I stood there, wondering if I should run for it in case it was a teacher or Filch looking for students to punish, I see someone come into view just around the corner.

It was Harry.

Oh great! Just what I need, Harry to see me like this, blue now from the cold, wandering around absentmindedly.

He walks casually down the corridor, with one hand in his robe pocket, and the other swinging a newspaper, by the looks of it, The Daily Prophet. I want to run for it, but my legs don't seem to want to move, as though they're nailed down to the floor. I look down to hide my face, I didn't want him to see me, and I quickly smooth my hair on my head.

He comes to a halt in front of me. I can only see his shoes, for I don't look up.

"Ahh, Ginny?" he sounds curious, "Are you okay?"

I get red and hot in the face from being addressed by him.

"Ah," I utter, still staring at my feet. "Ah huh"

"Are you sure? You look distressed."

That Harry Potter. No wonder he's such a great wizard, he can see right through you. That's partly one of the things that makes me so nervous around him, it's as though he can read your mind. No I think no one else has that kind of strength, well except for Dumbledore, but still, he believes whatever his eyes tell him. Even if this is the way I really feel about him, I don't let my feeling show on the outside.

"No, no," I say in a rather higher voice than usual, "I'm fine."

I look up for the first time and stare into those bright green eyes. He looks concerned.

"No, really, I am," I tell him, blushing furiously, "honestly." I add, hoping what sounds like a firm conclusion.

Harry stares at me, unconvinced, but drops the subject. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Have you seen Ron or Hermione anywhere?"

"Oh.no, I'm sorry." I'm breathing hard now, but hoping that it isn't apparent.

"Oh, okay, well I'm going to the library to finish up some work. See you!" And he turns around and starts off the opposite direction.

It's now or never. I know I have to do it now, before it's too late. God I hate my conciseness! But before I knew what I was doing, I shouted after him.

"Harry wait!" I run toward him and he turns around.

"Yeah? What is it?"

I blush again; I love it when he's concerned. But then suddenly I forget what I was going to ask him. Oh no, why now? I think to myself. He's staring at me waiting for an answer, while I replace the silence with long "uhhhh's." After a while, it all starts to come back too me.

"Oh, um," There's a long pause as I'm gathering enough courage to ask him.

Finally, "Whatsthepasswordtothecommonroom?" I ask, blending all of my words into one long word.

He's searching my face, clearly confused on what I had just said.

"I'm sorry?"

I take a deep breath, choosing to use clearer sentences without having to repeat them over again and feeling like a complete idiot. "What's the password to the common room?" I repeat, this time much more understandable.

"Oh, it's Poisangust." Says Harry, sounding a little surprised.

"Right, thanks." I forge a smile, but I feel really dumb at the moment. He smiles back (my heart somersaults), turns, and sets off toward the library.

I turn and walk the opposite direction. I feel relieved, glad that that was over. As I approach the fat lady, Ron comes running into view. Oh god, are they all spread out? He seems to be in a hurry.

"What's up Ron?" I ask him, plainly interested.

"Oh hi Ginny. Have you seen Harry, it's really important?" He's panting a little. At the mention of Harry's name I pay more attention.

"What's wrong?"

"None of your business Ginny, I have to find Harry." He says, annoyed, "Have you seen him?"

What seemed so urgent that he couldn't tell me? And who says I take "none of your business" for an answer? I take this moment to my advantage.

"Oh yes. He just came by here, and told me that he's going to the great hall to get a snack." I brake off, searching for more words.

"And?" He asks, pressing me on.

"And then he said he was going to the owlery to send a letter, come back here in about an hour, go to quidditch practice, come back, take a shower, and then go down to the feast." I say gleefully. He looks abashed, and gives me a small "Thanks".

He turns, and starts down the stairs. Oh, did it feel good to get back at him. Just then, I had sudden idea. I strode over to the railing, leaned over, and shouted out to him, "Oh Ron? Before you do all that, Harry told me that he had to have a word with Professor Dumbledore, so he went down to his office. You know where it is, right?" I paused for a moment, letting those words sink in, and enjoying the horrified look on his face. "Oh and from what I heard you have to have a password to get in. Good luck!!" I added and left to the portrait hole, wickedly grinning, and laughing to myself.