Don't forget to go on photobucket, go to the search box, click to down arrow, choose "people", and type Gryffindordoll91. There you can see the banners and the chapter images!
So, I hope yall like this chapter. Yall have no idea how hard it is for me to type "you guys" instead of "y'all". It's really hard. I always have to backspace and retype because I always write "yall" on accident. Oops.
Yall are waaaaay ahead of HPFF... they don't even have the 2nd chapter of this story yet. It takes so freaking long to validate, and then I get rejected, and have to fix it, then re-validate it... ugh. it's really annoying. And I'm just rambing on and on just so I can reach 7,000 words... it's at 6,961 right now and that's gotta change! I NEED TO REMIND YALL TO REVIEW because my HP fics never get as much feedback as my Twilight ones do...
Disclaimer: JKR's birthday is the same day as Harry's. Who knew that? I didn't! But I do now... but my birthday isn't August 31st... I'm basically saying I'm not JKR. I don't own Harry Potter. But I am boring everyone now. So, read on!
oh, and happy birthday to my bestest friend in the whole wide world Catherine(: even though she'll never see this because I refuse to let her read my fics. anyway...
Oh, oh, How could you do it?
Oh I, I never saw it coming
Oh, oh, I need an ending
So why can't you stay just long enough to explain?
-When It Rains - Paramore
"'Lo, Ginny," mumbled Harry the next morning.
I mumbled out a response, concentrating more on not falling asleep in my corn flakes than formalities. I hadn't slept very well last night, yet I still woke up at the crack of dawn (eleven-fifteen is quite early!). My mind kept running over and over my conversation with Hermione, and then the conversation with Harry. Something was off about that, my subconscious told me. If he was scared of me, why would he invite me to his lake house for extra Quidditch practices?
"What's for breakfast?" Ron shouted, barging into the kitchen.
I glowered at him for making such a ruckus this early in the morning, while Harry answered, "Cereal."
Ron made his way over to the cereal box on the counter while Harry took a seat next to me, a bowl of corn flakes in his hand.
"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Africa," I grumbled, stabbing my spoon into the soggy mass of flakes.
"What? Why?"
I rolled my eyes. "What a dumbarse," I muttered to Harry. He started laughing and choking on his cereal. I thumped him on the back.
Ron sat down across from us and began shoveling cereal into his mouth, milk running down his chin.
With one last cough, Harry said, "No, I think Hermione's still asleep, Ron."
My brother looked up from his food and wiped his face with his arm. "She sleeps a lot, that Hermione."
"Well, it's certainly helping, isn't it?" I said, reaching to take a sip of pumpkin juice.
"What d'you mean?"
"She looks much better now. The bags under her eyes are gone, and her hair and face looks healthier."
"Hermione's always been healthy," Ron said, blinking stupidly. "She's always had really nice skin."
Beside me, Harry hacked out a cough. I assumed he was still choking on his cornflakes.
"Er," I said, "right. She has always had nice, um, skin."
Ron nodded at me and returned to his cereal. I did the same, and not five minutes later Hermione entered the kitchen.
"Good morning," she said.
"'Morning," Harry, Ron, and I chorused.
She made herself a bowl of cereal and sat next to Ron. Ron's ears turned slightly pink, but I think I'm the only one who noticed.
"So, what are the plans for today?" she asked.
"Well, Ron and I were going to go up to the lake house and start getting everything ready for the party," said Harry.
"You're actually having the party, then?" Hermione clarified.
"Yes, why wouldn't I?"
"Well, you've never really been one for parties in the past…"
Harry laughed. Ahh, how I loved the musical sound of his laugh. "I know. But this is a time for us to live a little, you know?" He looked down at his corn flakes. "Merlin knows we deserve it."
Hermione pursed her lips. "Okay, fine," she consented. "But you need to plan a little bit. You'll need to provide an Apparation point around the house so no Muggles see, and tell the guests how and when to arrive."
"Erm, to Apparate, just focus on 'Harry Potter, Sunshine Lake,' and to Floo, it's 5855 Sunshine Avenue." He thought for a moment. "It'll be next Saturday night, five to whenever. We'll need daytime to do all the things on the water."
"Bathing suits?"
"Required."
"YES!" Ron exclaimed, almost knocking over his pumpkin juice in his excitement.
We all shot him a confused look. He muttered something that sounded a lot like "girls" and "bikinis" before he spooned more cereal into that gob of his.
Hermione turned to Harry again. "Are Muggles allowed to come?"
"No," Harry answered.
Well crap. I guess I couldn't invite Mark anymore. But I'll be at a party with Harry freaking Potter – who could compare? Mark certainly couldn't, no matter how gorgeous he was.
"Are you going to provide alcohol?"
"Er, sure."
"Are you going to provide food?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to provide accommodations?"
"What is this, twenty questions?"
"Answer the question!"
Harry raised his hands in a surrendering gesture before responding, "Sure." He dropped his hands and added quickly, "But I want everyone out by four in the morning. The only people allowed to stay the night will be you, Ron, and Ginny. Actually, I want you all to stay the whole weekend."
He was letting me stay? All weekend? Really? I felt elated. Clearly, my assumption from yesterday that Harry hated me/was avoiding me was incorrect. Usually, I hated being wrong. Today, I was glad I was.
I finished my cereal and stood.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked.
"Back to Summer's, nosy," I replied.
"Okay, well be sure to tell her about the party."
I laughed. "I will."
"If I didn't know any better, Ron," said Hermione, "I'd say you fancied Summer."
"What?" Ron's ears turned a slight shade of red again. "Yes, I do like summer, it's so warm and there's no school…"
"We've been out of school for two years," Harry pointed out.
Ron shot him a death glare. I was still laughing.
"As much as I would like to stay and see Hermione embarrass my brother," I interjected, "I have to go."
The other three said goodbye to me, and I walked outside, still in my pajamas, and Apparated to Summer's. I walked in through the back door, and was greeted with two screeching voices immediately.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
"OH MY GOSH!"
Amy threw her arms around me right as I stepped over the threshold. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh we've been so worried!" she said in one breath. Summer coughed from behind her and raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I've been so worried," Amy amended. "Summer didn't seem to mind so much."
Amy stepped back.
Summer smirked at me. "Did you spend the night with Mark?" she laughed. "I didn't think you would do that on the first date, Ginny!"
Most people would have blushed at Summer's words, but I didn't. I was used to it. So I sent her a cool, intimidating stare and said, "No. Charlie's in the hospital."
Summer stopped smiling. Ha. I loved making people feel guilty.
"Oh no!" said Amy, ever the caring one. "Is he alright?"
"He got bitten by a Catalonian Fireball or something," I explained, "and the venom was making him sick. Mum and Dad needed me home. Charlie cracked his spine, but the Healers at St. Mungo's said he should be fine after a few weeks of hospital time."
"Well, at least he's okay."
I nodded. "On a happier note, guess who I got to see last night?"
"Mark?" Summer said.
I cocked an eyebrow at her. She grinned, and I smiled in response, knowing she couldn't be that stupid. Well, sometimes she could. But OBVIOUSLY I got to see Mark last night, so I knew she was joking.
"No," I responded. "Hermione and Harry were with Ron last night. They sat at the hospital with us and we talked."
I moved to sit on one of the couches. Summer and Amy followed.
"What'd you talk about?" Summer prompted.
"Well, I think I'm going to try out for the Holyhead Harpies."
Silence. Then – "GINNY THAT'S GREAT!"
"That's awesome, Gin!" said Amy happily. "You love Quidditch so much, and you're good. You'll enjoy playing professionally."
"Yeah, Hermione and Harry talked me into it."
Summer frowned. "But I thought you were mad at Harry for making Puddlemere United?"
"I was, but then Hermione told me it was for some personal reasons of his," I edited. Then, shrugging, I added, "He's having a party, you know."
"Who?"
"Harry. He wanted me to invite you two."
"When?" asked Amy.
"Next Saturday, five till four," I replied. "At his lake house."
Summer blinked. "What's a lake house?"
I laughed at her. "I'll side-along you guys," I said.
"Oh, okay!" she bounced up and down, shaking the couch. "I like parties!"
Rolling my eyes, I jokingly said, "Trust me, we know."
Summer playfully slapped my arm.
"Okay," interjected Amy, "tell us about your date with Mark!"
I grinned and launched into my story, grateful for such awesome friends.
The rest of the week passed fairly quickly. I stayed at Summer's (after I gave back her clothes), though we dropped by the Burrow on Wednesday to say hello to Ron, Harry, and Hermione. Before that, on Tuesday, Summer, Amy, and I went to visit Charlie in the hospital. He was asleep. We stayed to chat with Mum and Dad for a bit before we left to get lunch. After that, on Thursday, we went Muggle clothes shopping (the best kind of shopping, I hated robes).
I pretty much bought myself out. I found white, khaki, grey, and blue jean shorts that I liked, so I bought two of each color. Then I found a bunch of floral skirts that were fun to twirl in, not to mention how absolutely adorable they were. I then bought a load of shirts to go with said shorts and skirts.
But we didn't stop there. The girls and I then moved on to bathing suits. I bought three new ones, and let me tell you, I looked awesome in them. I hope Harry will be impressed.
Crap, no one was supposed to know I bought them especially for him! Well, no one does. I'm sure Summer and Amy guessed, but they wisely kept their mouths shut.
Next, we went dress hunting. I bought around… thirty dresses. There were more dresses that I wanted to buy, but I was out of Muggle money. Then I was quite sad. But the sadness was replaced by tiredness. I slept the rest of Thursday after we returned, spent all Friday packing, and then the day of the party hit me in the face.
"Are you guys wearing your bathing suits under your dress?" Amy called from her bedroom.
"Yes!" Summer and I responded from our own bedrooms.
My bathing suit was a bikini that wrapped around my neck to tie in the back. It was a solid dark aqua color, and that's just how I liked it. It was plain and simple, and therefore my favorite out of the three. I threw a solid yellow sundress over the top of it and slipped on my sandals. Leaving my hair curly, I put my wand in my duffel bag, zipped it up, and threw it over my shoulder.
My shoulder immediately sagged under the weight; it was heavier than I thought. I suppose I could have over packed, just a little… nah. I was only staying three nights. So, naturally, I packed nine pairs of shorts, eleven dresses, five pairs of sweatpants, eight t-shirts, thirteen nice shirts, and two pairs of jeans, plus undergarments and toiletries. I had to magically enlarge the bag twice, but everything fits snugly now.
Now, if I was staying four nights, that would be a completely different story.
I unzipped the bag, pulled out my wand, and cast a spell on my luggage to make it easier for me to carry. I wouldn't want Harry to think I over packed, because I didn't. It may be a little more than most people, but still not bad. Either way, over packing was NOT attractive.
Slipping the wand back into the duffel, I yelled, "I'm ready! Are you guys ready?"
"WE'VE BEEN READY FOR FORTY-FIVE BLOODY MINUTES!" Summer yelled back angrily from downstairs.
"OOPS!"
I ran down the stairs and found them sitting on the couch. Amy was clipping her toenails (random, I know) and Summer was using her wand to change the color of her dress. As of now, it was bright red.
"You look nice, Ginny," Amy commented.
"Thank you," I said. "So do you!"
Amy sported a floral romper. I can't pull off rompers and think they're hideous with my hair. However, the one-pieced tube-top-and-shorts outfit looked perfect on Amy. The string of a green bathing suit poked out of the top of the romper and tied around her neck.
I looked at Summer. Her button-up dress was now navy blue. She looked down at herself contemplatively and changed it back to red with a shrug.
"Done!" Amy said, clipping the nail off her pinky toe with a flourish. She put the clippers down on the coffee table and walked over to me.
"Alright, well grab my hands," I said. The two girls did so, and after a count down from three, we found ourselves materializing somewhere in the British countryside.
I looked to my left and gasped at the beauty of the water. Sunshine Lake stretched on as far as I could see, and Harry was right – it was sunnier here than I had ever seen Devon, or London. I suppose it had something to do with all the trees here. There were other houses lining the lake, each with stairs or pathways that led down to a dock that floated over the water. Each dock had multiple boats inside.
Looking to my right, I found myself craning my neck to see the top of Harry's massive lake house. It was quite modern – many windows lined the contemporary angles of the house. People were already milling about all around the house, the backyard, and the dock.
"There's a lot more people here than I thought there would be," Amy muttered to me.
We had barley taken two steps from our Apparation point when I heard my name being called.
"Ginny!" Dean Thomas said.
I threw on a fake smile. "Dean!"
Summer and Amy sniggered and walked away, going off to find other people they knew. Traitors.
"How have you been? I haven't seen you in two years!"
"Well, I just got out of school," I said conversationally. I shifted the duffel bag on my shoulder, hoping Dean would notice it was there and leave me be. No such luck.
"Oh, so you went back then? How did that go?"
"Neither here nor there," I replied. "But I learned everything I needed in order to pass my N.E.W.T.s, which I did, so it was fine."
"Well good!" Dean nodded his head and looked around. I wish he would just hurry up so I could go find Harry… "You know, I've been training to work at Ministry."
"Really?" I feigned interest. "In what department?"
"Department of International Magical Cooperation." He puffed out his chest proudly.
"Cool…" I said. Then I spied Harry walking with Ron over Dean's shoulder. They appeared to be looking for someone. Probably me! Oh, I was excited. Harry cared enough to look for me! "I have to go, Dean, I'm sorry. It was great to see you again, and I'm sure I'll see you around!"
"See you, Ginny!" He ambled off to go pester someone else.
"Oi! Harry!" I called. He and Ron both turned and looked around for a second until they spotted me.
"Ginny!" Harry said pleasantly when I came near. Ron muttered something in Harry's ear and walked away so it was just me and Harry. Well, me and Harry and the other thousands of people that were there.
"Hey! Great turn out," I commented.
He grinned. Merlin, someone please keep my knees from knocking together…
"I suppose you want to put your stuff away?"
I nodded. With a chuckle, Harry turned around and we started heading up to the house.
"You'll be rooming with Hermione," Harry said after a moment of silence. "I have plenty of other rooms, if you'd rather sleep by yourself, but I'm sure you'd like being with someone else instead of being alone."
"Ah, Harry, you know me too well." I smiled at him, and he returned the gesture.
Inside the house, I noted the current furniture that matched the outside of the house. Everything was so new.
I sniffed. The house even smelled new.
"Want a little tour?" Harry asked.
"Sure," I said, shrugging.
In the den, there were just as many people milling about as there were outside. They were just sitting around talking. I didn't think Harry knew this many people. He probably didn't. He's not really that social – I'm betting over half these people are friends of friends.
In the kitchen, there were more people. They were eating food.
In the living room, there were more people. They were playing video games.
In the bathroom, there were more people. They were peeing.
In the bedroom, there were – OH MY GOD!
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Harry apologized quickly, covering his eyes with his hands. The couple in the bed sprung apart and pulled the sheets up to cover themselves. I didn't recognize either of them. The man had shaggy brown hair, and the girl had very distinct features, unnaturally red lips, and long mahogany hair that I would think would be very pretty when it wasn't so disheveled. "Er, shit, I didn't mean to –"
The couple blinked embarrassedly at us. The girl pulled the covers completely up over her head.
"SHUT THE DOOR, HARRY!" I yelled at him, grabbed the doorknob and yanking it shut.
He uncovered his eyes. "Merlin, I didn't need to see that," he said. "And in Meredith's room, too…"
I felt my eyes automatically narrow. "Who's Meredith?" I tried to ask casually. Fail.
Harry turned slightly pink. I was too jealous of this Meredith chick to think of how adorable he was.
"You don't know?" he asked innocently. "I thought Hermione told you…"
"Told me what?"
"Meredith's my girlfriend. We've been dating for seven months."
I felt my mouth drop. "Are you serious?"
He nodded. "Yup. She comes up here a lot. She says she loves the lake, but I know that she gets bored of it after a day or so up here. That's okay, though," Harry shrugged, "I still like her just the same."
Oh. My. God. He has a GIRLFRIEND? Whose name is MEREDITH? And they've been together for SEVEN FREAKING MONTHS?
Okay, Ginny, calm down. Mope later. Look on the bright side. He said he still likes her just the same, not loves her. That's good right? Plus, he said I looked lovely last Saturday after my date with Mark.
And I was the one staying at his lake house until Tuesday. Not her.
But still! UGH! I felt angry and jealous and depressed all at the same time, and I couldn't let it show on my face.
Damn Harry! Damn him for ignoring me and avoiding me and lying to me and leading me on and breaking up with me and trying out for Puddlemere United and dating that Meredith bitch and inviting me to his lake house. Damn him for being so nice and gorgeous and sexy and ohh, my gosh….
"Ginny?" Harry said.
"Hmmm?" I said, snapping out of my not-so-innocent thoughts. God. He has a girlfriend, after all. Bad Ginny. BAD!
"This is the room you'll be staying in."
"Oh," I mumbled, looking around. It was a very large room, with two queen beds pushed up against opposite walls. It was a pastel yellow color, ideal for a modern lake house like Harry's, I supposed.
Hmm. Maybe I should forget Healing-slash-pro-Quidditch and become an interior decorator. Ideal for a modern lake house, my ass.
"Hermione's already claimed the bed near the door," Harry laughed, "but, personally, I prefer the one by the window best anyway."
"Er, thanks." I threw my duffel onto the bed by the window. It was a sky blue bedspread with sailboats on it. It was somewhat little-kiddish (though what use would a little kid have for a queen-sized bed, I don't know), but I liked it just the same. It was kind of comforting. Hermione's bed was similar, except it was navy with stars all over it.
"I like the covers," I commented with a million-galleon grin. Meredith my butt. Ha.
Harry looked at his feet sheepishly. "Shut up," he mumbled, blushing slightly. Aw, he's so cute! "I saw them and thought they were fun, but Meredith – who was helping me furnish this place – disagreed. She thought they were dumb. But I like them!"
Meredith. Great Godric, I just wanted to push her off of something tall. "I like them more!" I taunted, childishly.
"Nah-uh, I do!"
"That's a lie, Mr. Potter!" I said, laughing loudly. "Do you know where liars go?"
"Uh, hell?"
I made an obnoxious buzzing sound like one would hear on a Muggle game show. "INCORRECT! Liars go to time-out!"
Harry blinked at me for a moment before tilting his head back and bursting out laughing. I struggled to keep a straight face, but I managed.
"You heard me!" I said, moving around him to his back so I could push him. I shoved him to the nearest corner of the room (quite the feat, actually, because Harry was so heavy, but his laughter distracted him from his attempts to stop me) and made him stay there for a minute or two. He just stood there and laughed at the wall. What a creep.
I mean, honestly. I know I'm funny. That doesn't mean I want you to laugh like a maniac for 84763046 days.
That was an exaggeration. It was more like two minutes.
"Okay, well, I hope you'll be comfortable in here," Harry said once he sobered up and walked himself out of the corner. "Actually, I was looking for Meredith when I saw you… I better go. I'm planning on starting the boats in a few minutes."
Oh. He wasn't looking for me earlier. He was looking for his precious Meredith… "Okay, I'll be down there in a minute."
With a nod, Harry walked out of the room. I was alone.
I threw my head back to look at ceiling and sighed. Collapsing on the sailboat bed, I buried my head in the pillow. Harry had a girlfriend. But I was better than Meredith, I was sure.
I made a list in my head about my awesome qualities:
1. I was gorgeous
2. I was smart
3. I was funny
4. I wasn't conceited
5. I wasn't a slut
6. I was a good kisser
7. I was awesome
8. Did I already say I wasn't conceited?
9. I was athletic
10. Who wouldn't want to date a redhead?
11. Crap. Meredith didn't have red hair, did she?
12. Why am I still making this list?
"Ugh," I groaned just as I heard footsteps coming into the room.
I looked up and found Hermione staring at me, looking somewhat concerned. I glared at her.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Thanks for telling me about Meredith," I sneered, ignoring her question. Okay, I knew it wasn't her fault for not telling me. She probably just forgot. Or she was trying to "protect" me. What is it with everyone protecting me all the freaking time? I could protect myself, thank you very much.
Hermione's face immediately rearranged into an expression of sympathy. I DON'T WANT YOUR BLOODY SYMPATHY, HERMIONE!
"Oh, Ginny!" she cried, rushing over to hug me. I shook her off, grumbling. "I'm so sorry! I knew I should have told you… wait." She looked at me with an intense gaze. "Who told you?"
"Harry."
"I'm so sorry," Hermione said again. "I know that must have been hard for you –"
"Calm yourself, Hermione," I said, trying to laugh. Laughter cures all problems. Right? I mean, I was fine when I was laughing with Harry… "I'll be fine. It's not like I was in love with him or anything."
Hermione looked at me doubtfully, and I thought about my words. Was I in love with Harry?
…Nah. That's preposterous. I've never loved Harry. I would know it. Wouldn't I?
Ugh. This is all so confusing.
"What?" asked Hermione sharply.
"Crap did I say that out loud?"
Hermione snorted at me and nodded.
I smiled. I was glad I was easily distracted, and therefore able to enjoy myself more often, instead of being the type to mope around for ages like Harry or Amy.
Damn! I still had to tell Summer and Amy. That was a conversation I didn't really want to have. Oh, hate to break it to you, guys, but Harry's had a girlfriend for seven months now. Then they would swarm me with apologies and Summer would be upset that the Sex God was taken, and then we'd go stuff our faces with ice cream. And laugh a lot, because laughter cures all problems. Then I'd go shag Mark, just to make me feel better.
…Nah, just kidding. I'm not that desperate.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better," Hermione said lightly after a pause, "I think Meredith is an absolute tart."
I raised one eyebrow skillfully at her. Actually, it might have been two eyebrows. Or maybe I just looked constipated.
Note to self: practice one-eyebrow-raising in the mirror.
"I'm sure she'll be on the boat ride – she pretty much goes wherever Harry goes." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Actually, I haven't seen her around much since people started getting here. She always disappears mysteriously at parties."
"Why isn't she staying the weekend?" I asked. Then after a moment of thought, I added, "Not that I care, of course."
Hermione chuckled slightly. "She's going to Italy this weekend or something. Harry was totally bummed she couldn't come be with his best friends."
"I'm included in that?"
The older witch nodded. I felt myself smile, but I tried to restrain it. I wouldn't want Hermione to get ideas…
"Come on, let's go," Hermione said. "We'll want to get on Harry's boat – Seamus is driving the other one. It might explode or something."
Laughing, we walked out of the bedroom and through the house, where people were still milling about. We made small talk, and when we passed the previously-occupied bedroom Harry opened earlier, I burst out laughing.
Hermione looked at me like I was a loony and asked what was so funny. I told her nothing.
I wasn't funny at the time, it was just awkward. But now, looking back on it, I found it hilarious. People were having sex at Harry Potter's lake party.
Ha ha ha. That whole sentence just sounded really odd.
As Hermione and I walked down to the dock, I briefly wondered where Summer and Amy had gotten off to.
I didn't have to look long, though. I found Summer over by the drinks chatting up some blond bloke. Then, walking down the final flight of wooden steps to the dock, I found Amy swimming in the lake, surrounded by two of our ex-roommates at Hogwarts. We used to have three, making it six Gryffindor girls in my class, but Michelle Walters, sadly, died in the War. I was upset, of course, but I didn't know her very well, and my own brother had just died. I wasn't too terribly shaken from her death. I had Fred, Remus, and Tonks to worry about.
I waved to Amy, Ella, and Kaitlyn before following Hermione to the other side of the dock, where we clambered into the boat. It was fairly large, as far as speedboats go, but I'm sure magic had a hand in how many people were comfortably sitting inside it right now. I was terrified when I stepped on the boat and walked to my seat, as it kept rocking back in forth. Was I really that fat?
I noticed the next person to climb into the boat had a similar reaction to mine. Ah, wizards. Hermione and I found seats next to Ron in the bow of the boat.
Looking around at the people, I saw Luna Lovegood sitting in the back under the awning next to a man with hair so blond it looked white. He actually kind of reminded me of Draco Malfoy, except this guy was a lot lankier, and more awkward-looking. Malfoy was really buff and collected.
…What? He may be a prat, but the boy's attractive!
I waved at Luna and smiled, and she beamed loftily back. She spoke to the man beside her and they got up to sit next to me.
"Hello, Ginny," Luna said in that dreamy voice of hers.
"Hi, Luna," I replied. "Who's your friend?"
Luna took the hand of the man. "This is Rolf Scamander. He's my boyfriend." She grinned happily.
"Oh!" I extended my hand to Rolf. "Hello! I'm Ginny Weasley."
"It's nice to meet you, Ginny," Rolf said. "Your hair is quite lovely. Did the mahoginacks make it orange like that?"
I ran a hand through my hair self-consciously. "Er, the what?"
"Mahoginacks," he repeated slowly.
"I don't know what those are."
If Rolf was impatient with me, he didn't show it. He calmly explained to me that mahoginacks were similar to seahorses, but they were a lot smaller and made homes in your hair. He said they chose brown-haired babies to nest in, and then proceeded to change the baby's hair color. I told him no, mahoginacks did not nest in my hair as a baby, thanks for asking.
I noticed Neville, who was sitting next to Ron, talking happily to Hannah Abbott. He wasn't looking at me, so I decided I would catch up with him later on the boat ride. Ron and Hermione were, for once, not arguing.
"…I could have sworn I saw her with Matthew Caldwell earlier," Ron was saying.
"Do you think we should tell him?" Hermione asked.
Ron shook his head. "Nah," he said. "He trusts her so much – and we're not even sure. She and Matthew could be just friends."
Hermione looked at him uncertainly. "A girl like her couldn't be 'just friends' with anyone."
"Who are you talking about?" I interjected.
"No one!" Ron said quickly. "Don't worry about it." Then he immediately turned to talk to Neville.
"You'll find out soon enough," Hermione said to me. Then she turned away and muttered to herself, "Honestly, I don't know what he sees in her…"
Shrugging, I sat back and relaxed. What were we waiting on? Harry was behind the wheel, chatting lightly to a brown-haired bloke I didn't know.
Ugh. Must. Stop. Having. Thoughts. About. Harry.
Seamus's boat pulled out of the dock and began speeding away. The people on that boat screamed and whooped and put their hands in the air, enjoying the feel of the wind. I was ready for my first boat ride experience! Let's get a move on!
So, naturally, I said what was on my mind. "I'm ready for my first boat ride experience!" I hollered to Harry. "Let's get a move on!"
He looked away from the dude he was talking to (who was he? He was cute) and instead looked at me. He busted out laughing again. Honestly. The goal was for him to think I was sexy, not hilarious. Though I know I am both already. But that's not my point.
I have a big ego, okay? DON'T JUDGE.
"We'll go in a minute," Harry said. "Once Mere gets here."
Mere? He has a pet name for her? Only I am allowed to get a pet name from him! Gin! Hello! Remember me, Potter? The best ex-girlfriend you've ever had?
"Leave without that bitch!" someone called. The voice was deep but unrecognizable; obviously some random bloke that showed up for the alcohol.
"Oi!" Harry defended. "That's my girlfriend you're talking about. So either shut your mouth and get off my boat or I will do it for you."
The freaky part about Harry being mad was that he hardly ever yelled. He stared at you and spoke calmly, and made you feel guilty. The Guilty Card was always the worst way to go, but always the most effective. It's what Dumbledore did, too. Harry reminds me of him so much in so many ways… except much hotter.
That got me thinking. Was Dumbledore attractive in his day? I could see how girls would like his eyes – they were a very pretty ice blue color – and I guess his auburn hair was a turn on (trust me I would know).
Muhahahaha. Redheads will rule the world one day. PREPARE YOURSELVES!
Ahem. Right. Anyway, back to the dude Harry just told off.
The guy didn't say anything after Harry yelled at him. Smart move on the dude's part, though. Harry did defeat the darkest wizard of all time. But that was no biggie. Just a day in the life of Harry Potter.
"So Ginny," Luna addressed me suddenly. I turned my focus on her instead of Harry. "How have you been?"
"Dandy, Luna," I said. "Just dandy." I didn't bother mentioning that I saw her about two weeks ago at graduation. She probably knew already but was just making small talk. Luna was smart like that. Actually, she was a lot smarter than people gave her credit for. I'd like to see them remember all the weird things she does.
"Me, too," Luna said dreamily, squeezing Rolf's hand.
"So, er, how did you meet Rolf?" I asked. Someone in the back of the boat cat-called to someone else, but I ignored them and listened to the beginning of Luna's speech.
"Well, you see, I was in Russia looking for a Crumple-horned Snorkack with Daddy, as you know. It was a graduation present. Anyway, while we were there, we decided to…"
I stopped listening when I felt the boat jostle. It wasn't a big movement, though – nothing like the ones any of the rest of us had made, shaking the whole boat. It was a dainty step. I looked to the dock, saw her climb in, and then I felt my mouth drop in astonishment.
A/N: that was a really badly-written cliff-hanger... See, I had written on but I decided it was long enough and it's been a long day at band camp sooooo yall better be glad I'm getting this out now.
IT'S SO HOT. 110 degrees + humidity = band camp torture.
I don't even understand why I - as a dance team member - have to go to band camp. I'll learn my sets, my dances, and I'll leave. I don't need to perfect my sound. I don't play an instrument.
Oh and the FTSK concert = awesome. Moving on to the New Found Glory concert next month. WHOOO! And after that, FRAMING HANLEY. Yeeee
GO READ LEAH'S (BubblyAmericanWriter1) STORY. She finally named it. It's called Cliche, much? Pretty cute title if you as me. But Leah's a pretty cute person. So. That's that. (;
Songs: Fool Everyone - A Rocket To The Moon; Secret Crowds - Angels and Airwaves; crushcrushcrush - Paramore; Fifteen - Taylor Swift ( I had a random craving to listen to it...); Myspace Girl - The Afters
B/N: Oh my god, I swear, I really hate cliffhangers. They need to go crawl in a hole and die! But I really loved this chapter, and thanks so much for the shout out! :) It's been a while since I've written anything so I'm not sure of the response I'll get for the story but whether it's 1 review or 100 I'll still be happy. :)Oh, and I'm not a cute person... a unique person yeah, a random person, definitely, but cute? Meh, that could be debated. Anyways, REVIEW. Cuz the totally awesome Beta commands you! XD
A/N: Well I think you're cute. And I FINALLY got a new phone. I had the Samsung Glyde, on of Verizon's first touch phones... IT SUCKS PISS! NEVER GET IT! But now I have the Samsung Intensity.
I LOVE RAMBLING. I think I'll do it more often. Okay. Well. This is weird. Review. Okaybye.
