As they entered the common room the first thing they saw was Ginny and Dean. Ginny was pressed against Dean and they seemed to be devouring each other. Avery could feel Harry tense. She looked at him He seemed to be fighting some kind of internal battle.
Ginny is like his sister and he feels protective. That's all. He's just protective of her. Avery convinced herself. But just underneath the surface was a butt load of doubt. She pushed it away.
"C'mon Harry." She took his hand and led him away to where Ron was sitting near the fire. Ron looked just as tense as Harry. He was sitting up and glaring towards Dean and Ginny. There was no Lavender in sight and Avery thanked God for that.
"Hey Ron." Avery said as she sat down in a chair across from him. But Ron didn't hear her. Now both he and Harry were sitting next to each other and looking over at the couple.
"I'm gonna kill him." She heard Ron mutter.
"Hey!" Avery leaned over and snapped her fingers under his nose. Ron started and looked up at her. Avery kicked Harry in the shin.
"Bloody- what was that for?" Harry grumbled rubbing his leg.
"If you keep looking over at them it won't make you feel any better." She told them.
Both boys looked down at their feet. But Avery felt horrible. She now looked over at Ginny and Dean and saw that they had finally surfaced. Ginny kissed Dean goodnight as he headed for his dormitory. Then Ginny turned and began walking towards them.
As she neared the fire, Ron abruptly stood up, grabbed his homework, and marched toward the stairs. As he did Avery heard him mutter something about Hermione. Ginny sighed and plopped in front of the fire facing Harry and Avery.
"I don't get it," Ginny told them. "He slinks around with Lavender all the time but he's upset when he sees Dean and I? He's such a prat!"
Harry didn't say anything. He just stared at her. Avery noticed that Ginny's hair was glowing from the firelight. Her skin took on a golden hue. She looked beautiful. Avery cleared her throat.
"He's your brother. Its natural that he should feel protective."
Ginny groaned. "I can take care of myself, and he knows it."
"But he would probably feel worthless if he didn't try and protect you." Avery countered.
Ginny stayed silent.
Harry was still staring at her.
"Harry," Avery said.
He jumped and turned to face her.
"I'm-I'm going to bed. See you in the morning." She stammered as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Goodnight, Aves!" Harry smiled at her, but it didn't reach his eyes. Avery wanted to cry but she held herself together. As she climbed the stairs she turned around and saw that Ginny had climbed onto the couch with Harry. They weren't sitting close or anything, but Avery felt like someone was squeezing her heart in an iron fist.
Avery climbed into bed. Now she let the tears flow. Avery wasn't a big crier but this hurt. Harry looked at Ginny like he had never looked at her before. Avery wasn't a beauty with her black hair in tight ringlets and blue eyes. She was average, less than average some might say. But she was a Gryffindor. Heart of a lion. A lot of times too brave for her own good. In her third year, Fred and George Weasley dared her to touch the trunk of the Womping Willow. She did it to show them she could and it resulted in a broken rist, but she had earned the twin's respect. Avery was tough and could take care of herself. But she was no Ginny Weasley, smart and beautiful, athletic and flirty. And those were all the things that Harry seemed to want.
Avery pulled the covers over her head. She heard the door open.
"Avery?" Hermione's voice was muffled from Avery's cotton fort.
Avery didn't answer and she heard Hermione move away.
She had to accept this. Harry no longer loved her.
But she still loved him.