Aftermath
A/N: Sorry for the delay. It's been too late, I know. But believe me when I say I was very busy. I didn't have time enough to have a proper breakfast. So hopefully, you will forgive me. And this chapter is a bit angsty, so I am just praying that you won't curse me. LordRem: Thanks a lot for both your reviews. I did read your previous review and thanks a lot for the support. And you can be my other beta by all means. The more the merrier. But my updates will take time as I am still busy. Please do let me know if you want to beta. MelGinnylover: Thanks a lot for your review. It was really inspiring for me. And all the best for your exams. I am having my engineering exams too and hopefully you do understand how busy I must be. Jaydove: You got it absolutely right. There will surely be people interfering. And I am not going to say anything more. And most importantly, thanks a lot for your review. And thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, followed and favourite the story. I was pretty much amateur when I started the story, but now I can say that with all your help I have improved a lot. Thanks to the following reviewers: mdauben, , Isashi Sanada, Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER, Arithmetic13, wizmage, Jaydove, Guest, HGrSoulmate, Anonymous, Guest, mahhhfy, .71, GinluvsHarry34, HPHGPJMR Cosmyk Angel, GinPotter34, Katrine, LordRem, Anonymous, GirlWithAnArmyBelt, MelGinnyLover, Guest, Guest.
"Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley." Professor McGonagall's voice echoed through the hall.
Harry came out of his trance, and so did the others. "Ginny, did she say?", "Isn't that his best friend's little sister?" Many voices were heard echoing similar thoughts. The first thought to pass through Harry's mind was that she was anything but just a 'little' sister. Then he shook his head and finally looked up at everyone muttering. His eyes sought his best friends'. While Hermione was looking at him with a concerned expression Ron's eyes rested somewhere else.
Harry followed Ron's eyesight and directly looked at Ginny. She was bending her head down with her eyes away from the others vision. He was not sure if he was imagining it or not but… A lone tear dripped onto the table where Ginny's face was bent down.
Harry's heart and stomach clenched at the sight. His eyes remained on the lone tear that had fallen onto the wooden table. For some moments his mind remained blank. He just looked at the tear with a feeling of dread settling in his heart. A feeling that was worse than when he had faced death consumed him.
Then he looked back at her to find her hastily wiping away her tear as a very soft sniff was heard. His feeling of dread only increased by the sight and the sound of her crying. Ginny never cried, never. She was a strong girl. And now, she had cried. And- he was the reason for it.
He didn't know which was worse. Knowing that he was the reason Ginny cried or that she didn't return his feelings. Yeah, that was the only reason for her tears. Ginny did not feel anything more than a friend towards Harry; probably even brotherly, but no romantic feelings at all.
But no. She had a crush on you remember? His inner monster asked him.
'Sure.' Harry thought. 'She had. She got over me, didn't she? Wasn't that what Hermione told me? She got over me.'
She gave up on you. Not got over you. She could and never would get over you.Harry gave a bitter sweet smile and asked, 'Well… And how do you explain the crying?'
I.. I am sure there is some other-
'Just shut up and get lost for now.' Harry thought holding a hand over his head. And thankfully there was no voice and no words from the other end. Harry sighed. Now there was not even his inner monster to distract him.
There was a loud clearing of throat and Harry looked at Professor McGonagall. "The choosing of the partners is done." She said. And just then, there were some loud murmurs in the great hall. Hermione looked at Harry and asked him concernedly, "Are you alright?" she asked him.
Harry looked at her. "Yeah. I suppose." He said. "Harry I think we should-" she stopped in mid-sentence as Kingsley spoke again.
"I am not going to say anything much seeing that each one of you are at different phases of feelings right now. All I ask is for you and your partner both to follow the house-elves, who will direct you to your rooms, or shall we say- cottages." At this there were several murmurs of questioning.
"Oh yes. I forgot to mention it." Kingsley said. "Like I told you, your bonding time with your partner; While that can also happen with you both at your different dormitories, I think it is best that you stay together and get to know each other even better for you have not more than around a year for your bonding time. You still can enter your house common rooms and your dormitories. And there are several charms on your cottages to see that there is nothing inappropriate going on. Anyway," he sighed, "now you might follow the house elves and they will lead you to your respective cottages. Your belongings have already moved into the respective places." He said and backed away to have a word with McGonagall.
Harry simply sat in his place with no movement or no speech. He simply looked blankly at the table. 'You and your partner.' Kingsley's words echoed in his head.
He clenched his teeth at those words. Ginny did not like him back. And he was not going to force her into anything. He was going to stay away from her and see that she didn't have to go any more emotional stress because of him. If needed he would stay out of the world's sight so that she didn't have to undergo the pain.
And there's the noble Potter again. The voice said. Harry groaned internally now. Why the hell did this voice irritate him so much? May be he had to live as some monk meditating his time away to stay away fro-
"Come on Harry. We need to get you to your rooms." A voice said holding a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry turned to look into the soft blue eyes of his best friend. Harry sighed and looked down again. "I- I am sorry Ron. I- I don't know what to…" he trailed away.
"It's ok." Ron said softly. "I understand what you might be feeling… on second thoughts," he said with a small grin, "I actually don't."
Harry looked back at Ron and gave him a small smile. He sighed and stood up. He turned and found that Hermione was with Ginny talking something with her. And by the looks of it, she was highly unsuccessful in getting any word out of Ginny's mouth.
"She's trying to talk to her." Ron said. "I think it came as a bit of shock to everyone." He told Harry. Harry gave a small nod to Ron but did not say anything much.
"Cheer up mate. It's not Parkinson or Bullstrode." He said with a small grin. "It could've been worse."
Harry looked at Ron this time and said, "Ginny's not bad Ron. She deserves someone better than me and I don't lik- don't want to see her hurt because of me. I just… I just wish I was not responsible for this." Then he added the last part in a whisper to himself, "And she doesn't like me."
"I am sorry I didn't-" Ron stopped in half as Ginny and Hermione neared them.
"Let's get going." He said and walked with Harry in front of Hermione and Ginny.
Harry heard Hermione talking in whispers with Ginny but he heard no reply from Ginny herself. He sighed and closed his eyes. He always brought pain to her one or the other way. He always brought pain to everyone one or the other way. His mind was now running with similar thoughts.
Finally when they reached the exit of the great hall they were met with the smiling house-elf, Winky.
"Hello sirs and madams." Winky bowed deeply. Harry was sure that Hermione had tutted from behind, but he was in no mood to care about that. He was trying to drown himself in self-pity and worries.
"Winky is to take Misters Potter, Weasley and Thomas and Miss' Weasley, Granger and Patil to their respective cottages."
"Well then… take us there Winky." Ron said with a small smile. It looked like he was the only level headed one of the group. What with Harry kicking himself in the brain and Ginny in a depressed mood and Hermione trying to not let her S.P.E.W steam out and Dean and Parvati blushing beet red behind them and giggling slightly, it looked like only Ron was in a proper condition. Quite ironic really, 'Ron the level headed one', he thought was something to tell the future generations. Harry snorted internally.
When Harry was out of his reverie and looked around, he saw that they were walking out from the stone corridor and were climbing the stairs.
With nothing much to say to solve the problem, Harry turned to Ron when they were good distance away from the girls. "Ron I- I am sorry." He said. Why he was telling sorry to Ron, was behind his reach. Maybe he just had to tell someone and let out his guilt.
Ron looked at Harry and asked simply, "For what?" Harry stuttered slightly. "I-I don't know. G-Ginny was crying because of me and I feel guilty and… I don't know what to do."
Ron sighed and looked at Harry, "Look mate, this is in no way your mistake. You didn't ask for a marriage law neither did you charm that basin to show you and Ginny together. It just happened… And you are not to fault. And about Ginny's reaction…. I have no idea why. Maybe Hermione will be able to talk to her." He said and gave a small pat on Harry's back.
"I suppose…" Harry said not entirely convinced yet but considerably lighter than before. Sure, Ginny probably didn't like him that way, but he wasn't the one responsible for them being put together. It wasn't his fault. That only made him feel slightly better. The thought that Ginny didn't like him back was still haunting him.
"This is Mister Weasley and Miss Granger's cottage." Winky bowed deeply. Hermione let go of Ginny after whispering something in her ear and came to Ron. Ron gave a small smile to Harry. "We will come to you both in a few minutes." He said and disappeared behind a door that had a nameplate, 'Weasley and Granger'.
Harry sighed as he looked at the nameplate and walked further without paying much attention to his surroundings. Why did it bother him so much that Ginny didn't return his feelings? Sure, when Cho was with Cedric he felt a bit upset about it but not this much. Was this something more than a crush on her? Or was he just imagining things? Why did it bother him so much? Why-
"This is Mister Potter and Miss Weasley's cottage." Winky said bowing to Harry and to Ginny who stood right behind Harry. Harry sighed as he looked at the name plate showing, 'Potter and Weasley'.
"Thanks Winky." Harry said as he saw no reaction from Ginny as she looked at the door. Winky bowed deeply again and left with Dean and Parvati leaving Harry and Ginny to stand awkwardly not looking at each other.
"Um…" Harry started unsure of what to say. Let's get into our room Gin-Gin. His inner voice said. Harry's eyes widened at the boldness. 'Wha- I can't just say that so- directly.' He spluttered.
What was he supposed to say now? To get into the room? Of course that was obvious. But was he supposed to say it so boldly? Or was he supposed to follow the principle of 'Ladies first' and let Ginny do what she would do? And moreover was that all he wanted to tell her? Was there something more than the obvious to tell her? Should he do it now?
He cleared his throat a bit uncomfortably and looked at Ginny with the courage he was left with. "Ginny I-" he started but stopped as he saw her tear rimmed red eyes and backed away.
"I can't do this." She whispered stepping back. "I- I can't." She said and ran from there.
Harry stood frozen as he watched Ginny run away. Away from the corridor. Away from the cottage. Away from- him. He just looked at the place where her red hair blazing as fire had disappeared. It felt like something had creeped its way into him and was slowly killing him. Why was this paining so much? He never felt like this. Why were the feelings getting so intense? Sure, he had had a crush on Ginny. But was it supposed to hurt this bad? He questioned himself and stood there in the lonely corridor.
He was pulled back from his reverie when he felt a tap at his shoulder. He turned to look at Ron and Hermione standing there looking at him with concerned and questioning expressions each face mirroring the other.
"She left." Was all he said. Ron stood there gaping while Hermione broke from her shock and held onto Harry's arm. "First get in. It is not going to look good if someone passes by." She said and pulled Harry to the room.
Harry just stood like that and obliged Hermione as she pulled him into his room and Ron followed them.
"Looks similar to ours." Ron commented as he looked around at the cottage. It consisted of a king sized bed in the middle of the room. There were a few arm chairs at the corner and a small couch at the side. A bathroom was there along with a walk in closet at the opposite corner.
"Every room is similar Ron." Hermione muttered and sat on the couch and Ron took his place next to her. Unsure of what to do or where to sit, Harry just stood there like a stranger in his own room. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and pointed at an arm chair. "That seat is not taken." He said with a small grin.
"Oh right…" Harry muttered and sat there and shuffled his feet looking at the ground and not daring to look up or talk one word. He was afraid he'd spill his guts out to his friends and tell them everything he felt. But something was stopping him. Was it because Ginny was Ron's sister? Was it because he felt Hermione wouldn't understand his position when he himself did not? He had no idea.
Hermione sighed and looked at Harry. "Do you know where Ginny is?" Harry shook his head still looking down. "And am I right in telling that you are extremely depressed?" Harry took a deep breath and nodded again. "And may I know the reason why?" she asked softly.
Harry looked up at her and heaved a deep breath. "She doesn't like me back." He whispered in a very soft tone. Why was his demeanour breaking in front of his friends? Why did he want to actually spill his guts out and tell them both how he felt even if it might not solve his problems?
Hermione sat there with a shocked as well as a small smug expression meanwhile Ron just sat there and gaped at Harry. "Did he just say 'she doesn't like me back?"
"I believe he just did." Hermione said with a small smug grin. Harry couldn't stop himself and asked out loud, "What are you so smug about?" She just grinned at him. "I had my doubts that you did feel something for her."
Ron looked at Hermione and gaped. "You knew?" he nearly shrieked. "Of course not Ronald!" she huffed. "I just had a feeling... that's it." Harry couldn't stop himself and gave a small smile. Of course Hermione would know everything. Who was he kidding all this time trying to hide his feelings?
"But back to the matter…" Hermione said and looked at Harry and he groaned out loud remembering his depression. There was no point in hiding now that both of them knew it.
"She doesn't like me back! And moreover I have only hurt her through this. I don't want to hurt her in any way. I don't want her to be hurt in anyway. And now, she's crying because of me." He whispered closing his eyes.
Both Ron and Hermione's eyes widened. "She's actually crying?" Ron asked. Harry gave a small nod as he looked down. He couldn't look into their eyes now knowing that they too would accuse him. He couldn't bear it if they accused him too. He somehow knew it was not his fault. But that didn't stop him from beating himself.
"Harry, look here." Hermione said in a soft yet commanding tone. Harry opened his eyes and looked at her. "None of it was your fault." She said.
"Yeah Hermione's right. None of it was your fault." Ron backed her up. Harry looked at Ron and raised his eyebrows. Either Ron was trying to butter her up or trying to make Harry feel better, he didn't know. Harry sighed and whispered, "Alright, not my fault. But I am still down." He said a bit stubbornly.
Both Ron and Hermione rolled their eyes at him. "You are the world's biggest idiot Harry Potter." Hermione said. Harry cringed at her tone. That was the tone she used when she was desperate about something. "Alright fine…" Harry sighed. "But she doesn't like me back Hermione. And I don't want to do something that will make her uncomfortable." He sighed.
Hermione stomped her foot in frustration. "Who said she doesn't like you back?" she asked. "B-but… you said she... she gave up on me..." Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Exactly… gave up on you. Not got over you." She said.
Told you. A smug voice said from his inside. 'Piss off' Harry muttered in his head.
"And how does that explain her crying?" Harry asked in an exhausted voice. "Well…. it's obvious isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah… it's obvious." Ron said not taking his eyes away from Hermione and he had a goofy expression. Harry narrowed his eyes at Ron. Was he here to help Harry out of his depression or to admire Hermione when she got all passionate and mysterious about something?
"And pray tell me how it is obvious?" Harry asked in a low voice. Ron snapped out from his world when he heard Harry's voice and looked at Harry with a small gulp. "Um… repeat?" he asked meekly.
"How is it obvious?" Harry asked with a smug expression. "Er…" Ron said.
"Um… well…" Ron stuttered. "B-because… because nothing has changed!" Ron said with an air of triumph. Harry's eyebrows shot up to his hair line. He was sure Ron didn't even know what he was talking about.
"Exactly!" Hermione said with a small smile. If Harry's eyebrows could go any higher, he was sure it would leave his face. "Care to explain?" Harry asked in a tired voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Well… Ginny had a crush on you from as long as she remembered. But you never gave her a second look." Harry's expression became a bit guilty at this. "Not that it is your fault; she was a lot shy around you, wasn't she?" Harry smiled a bit goofily at this remembering the butter dish incident.
"Are you listening?" Hermione asked with an impatient voice.
"Um… sorry." Harry muttered.
"Well… you never gave her a second look. And trust me, she was rather sad about it." Hermione said. "And then later… I sort of told her to move on from you." Hermione sighed. "I thought she did move on… but now I know it's not true…"
Harry's head was reeling. How the hell was her tears supposed to mean that she hadn't moved on from him? Why was it so twisted? Why was life so twisted?
"I don't understand one word of it Hermione…" Harry sighed.
"Think…" Hermione said impatiently. "All Ginny ever wanted was you, and you never gave one look back at her. And then, she built these walls around her to never let herself feel anything other than friendly towards you and… now. All the walls just collapse like that… she has to let herself feel something for you… And not because you like her… but because of some stupid law. And she feels that the feelings you might show to her in the future would be just an obligation and she's sad about it…. Get it?" Hermione asked.
Harry just stared at her. "You mean… she's sort of… upset that she has to do it all again? I mean… rebuild her feelings." Harry asked awkwardly.
"Partly, yes." Hermione said. "But think about it… you like one person for so long and the person doesn't give you a look back. And you try so hard to let go and you nearly succeed… and then, it all collapses and you have to let the other person back in your life. Just like that. How would you feel?"
Harry thought for a minute. "Um… distraught? Confused?" he said. "Precisely." Hermione smiled.
"And how do you know that she hasn't gotten over me?" Harry asked.
"Well… if she really had gotten over you, she wouldn't be this upset. You would be just like any other guy for her."
Harry looked at her for a minute, "That makes some sense, I guess." He muttered.
"It sure does…" Ron muttered shamelessly staring at Hermione. Harry was frankly a bit surprised that Ron hadn't hit him when he confessed his feelings for his sister.
"Um Ron… did you hear what we were talking about?" Ron shook his head goofily. "Turned it out. I don't want to listen to my best mate confessing his undying love to my sister."
Harry turned red in the face. "Right, Ronniekins is busy with staring at his future Mrs Weasley." He muttered under his breath. But it looked like both Ron and Hermione had heard it and they both turned a shade of deep boiling scarlet. Harry just sniggered at the both of them.
He shook his head and smiled, "Well… thanks for talking to me both of you. I actually feel a bit better." He smiled. Hermione smiled and hugged him. "We are always there for you. Don't you ever forget that." She said. Harry awkwardly patted her back while Ron smiled from behind.
"I think you both should go." Harry smiled. "I don't want to see any more of those goofy grins and those looks. I feel like some third wheel."
"Oh Harry, we are so sor-" Hermione started but Harry just waved it off. "Never mind. I understand. You might want to spend some time with yourselves. Go on, I will be alright." He said and gave a small nudge to Hermione.
"Yeah… we should go." Ron said and had pulled Hermione from the room in one go with him.
"Ronald! That was so rude!" Hermione chastised from the doorway. "I don't care." Ron muttered. "But-" Hermione's reply was lost in a small muffled moan.
Harry rolled his eyes from the room. Now that they weren't bickering as much, they snogged. Harry snorted slightly and lied down on the comfy bed with a much lighter heart than before.
It was hours before he woke up again as soft arms shook him awake. He squinted his eyes and looked at a determined Ginny Weasley standing before him.
"I am sorry." Was the first thing she said. And before Harry could reply for that, she had spoken.
"Can we start it all over again?"
A/N: Don't curse me. Don't tell me you expected Harry and Ginny to snog senseless as soon as their names were announced. It takes time… Put yourselves in their shoes and think. And I don't think this is my best chapters. One of the worst if I must say. I was really busy and just wanted to put it up so the bad quality. I am sure you are not satisfied with the chap. But I have no excuse other than I was busy. Hope you understand. And my next update will be only during Jan end. I am busy until then. Anyway, thanks a lot for reading. Please review. Constructive criticisms welcome, but please no flames.
