Harry/Ginny

Prompt #23 "I don't believe you!"

Harry smiled at Ginny, who was talking excitedly about plans the group of them had for Hogsmeade weekend. They were all back at Hogwarts, which was surreal. Still, he made it, and was taking his Seventh year.

The castle was extra-full, with students who were supposed to be finished with Hogwarts returning. Some were returning because it was cathartic, like returning to the scene of a crime to prove that the place itself was not evil. There were many years with a healthy mix of older and new students.

Harry spared a look at the Slytherin table. It was the house where fewer students returned. They always walked in groups together, afraid that the other students would take revenge.

Pansy Parkinson was stealing glimpses his way, and he frowned slightly. Parkinson had changed a great deal since trying to sell him to Voldemort, most of it because of her mother's death at the hands of her rogue Death Eaters. Still, he didn't know what she wanted with him.

There was laughter and he realized Ginny was telling a joke. Ginny was awesome, and he was happy to have her back.

Seeing that it was nearly time for class, the rest of the group got up and went off to prepare. It was Care of Magical Creatures, the one class he had dropped in favour of remedial Ancient Runes. As the hall began to empty out a shadow fell across his plate.

"Potter, a word." It was Parkinson. What could she want with him?

A couple of minutes later and they were alone in an empty study room. She cast privacy spells, stating them aloud for his benefit.

"I've been watching you, Potter. You're besotted with that Weaselette."

"You needed to cast privacy spells to tell me that?" Harry asked.

"No. I needed to cast privacy spells because I have to tell you what she was doing while you were off saving the world."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Shagging Blaise Zabini." The petite Slytherin replied.

"I don't believe you" Harry responded. "Ginny wouldn't do that to me. She waited for me, she told me."

Parkinson rolled her eyes. "Why would I pull you into this room to lie to you? You saved the world. I'm just trying to save you. Save the embarrassment and heartache of finding out later, when it's too late."

"I don't believe you" Harry repeated.

Parkinson shrugged. "Fine. Marry her. Pretend she's the Guinevere to your King Arthur. But don't forget how that story ends."

Harry snorted. "That's not a fair comparison. I don't believe you. Ginny's an awesome girl, she'd never do that to me. She waited."

Parkinson shrugged, twirling her wand. "Believe what you will, Potter. Just because you Potters are the epitome of honour that does not mean it will hold true for Weasleys."

"Why bother?" Harry asked suddenly. "Why tell me?"

"You're a mess when you're depressed. The world can't handle someone with as much power as you have love-scorned." Parkinson replied. "I've done my duty. I've got to go."

Parkinson left, leaving Harry to shake his head at the whole thing.

But there was a nugget of truth to her words that bothered him.

WC – 537