'I'll see you later, I think I'm just going to go to the Library for a bit.'
Hermione gave Ginny a suspicious look but regardless of her suspicions she gave her a small nod and made her way out of the portrait hole. Checking the Common room was completely clear, Ginny let out a long sigh and placed her head in her hands.
Harry had been right about the amount of work she would have but so unbelievably wrong when he'd said that it would distract her from thoughts of him. It was becoming a bit annoying really, she thought. Even when they'd spoken about it, she'd never thought it would be so hard. At the most inappropriate or unexpected times she'd realise how much she missed him or be reminded of something he'd said or done, and suddenly be on the verge of tears.
'I'm pathetic,' Ginny announced to the deserted Common room, 'It's not like we've broken up or anything… I'll see him on Monday for Merlin's sake!'
It was true and she knew it. There was three more full days left and she'd see him again. Although she knew this, she still couldn't help but wonder how much time he'd actually have to spend with her. After all, she'd be in her lessons and he'd be doing his own. It wasn't as though he was specifically coming to see her and would he even be allowed in the Common Room now? There were so many questions racing around her head and she doubted she'd be able to find answers to them without looking like the love-struck idiot that she was.
She had been so certain that finishing her education was what she needed but now Ginny was having doubts. It was so hard to be without Harry, as much as she detested herself so admitting it.
"But what can I do if I leave?" she thought to herself.
The only thing that seemed worth staying for now was Quidditch. She had been appointed Quidditch captain slightly later than usual, with all the work being done to get the school in order again. Ginny was quite pleased with the team she'd put together at try-outs the second week of term and was confident they could beat Slytherin in a few weeks. One of the girls in her dorm, Sarah, had asked Ginny if she wanted to go professional with Quidditch. Ginny quite liked the idea of that but had to admit she had no idea how to go about it and it felt rather silly to ask. She also wasn't sure she was, or would ever be, at that level so decided to just enjoy her last Quidditch season at Hogwarts.
The work was getting worse and worse. Harder every day; more of it every day and she understood less and less every day. Ginny had stopped voicing her feelings about Harry the second week of term when Hermione had snapped at her to, 'Forget about obsessing over the way he picks up a pen and pick up one of your own and write your essay.' That had been followed by a fifteen minute lecture on how far behind Ginny was and how she was putting her academic talent to waste. Ginny had thought the remark unfair but there wasn't much she could say, she'd learnt very quickly not to argue with Hermione and her admiration for Harry dealing with her had grown a considerable amount.
"There it is again, everything going back to Harry" said a rather annoying little voice in her head.
Ginny shook her head and got up from her armchair thinking she probably should go to the Library. Even though that was just her excuse to sit and mope about Harry, she had a particularly nasty Transfiguration essay due in the next day and she hadn't even started it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
'So what is actually going on with you and Hermione then?' Harry asked Ron for what seemed like the hundredth time since he'd told Harry he wasn't accompanying him to Hogwarts next week.
'Nothing, I told you. She replied back to my letter and said she forgave me and telling me about when the lot of them went to The Three Broomsticks. Which was really quite amusing actually I'll have to show you the–'
'If everything's so fine, why aren't you coming to Hogwarts then?' Harry persisted.
Ron busied himself with some papers on his desk and avoided Harry's eye, 'I've told you this as well you dopey git! I just don't want to go up there and speak to a load of kids about something I know nothing about!' Ron sighed in exasperation.
'I think it's you who's the dopey git! You're training to be an Auror and, you said it yourself, last year you did plenty of things most of the best Auror's haven't. You know everything about this stuff!' Harry exclaimed, tugging at the ends of his hair in frustration.
'Yeah I used to think that but doesn't this whole training programme make you re-think all that? I mean it feels like we were just insanely lucky now, don't you think? Of course, you always had the actual power and skill and Hermione was always the cleverest and the one who worked everything out, came up with the plans, put the pieces together. I was just sort of…there.' Ron looked down at his hands, fiddling with the zip of his jacket.
Harry lowered his voice, 'Come on Ron that's not true and you know it. Anyway don't you want to see Hermione and everyone? You know McGonagall's letting us go up tomorrow night don't you? We could have the whole weekend to spend with them and then if you don't want to teach on your own just come and help me with demonstrations and stuff like that, please Ron?'
Ron looked away again, 'I'll think about it. Anyway you'll hardly notice I'm there if I do go. I'm not going to interrupt anything going on between you and Ginny mate, especially not after the way you've been sulking around the place ever since she left.' Harry laughed at the expression on Ron's face and Ron joined in momentarily before his expression changed to one of seriousness again and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
'Speaking of which though I did, you know -want to say to just,' Ron coughed loudly, 'Not that I don't trust you but-you know…look after her and don't, um don't make her do anything she -,'
'I know what you mean and don't worry we've talked about it and you know I wouldn't, I would never err…' Harry trailed off, feeling his face get hot.
'Though equally, Hermione's like a sister to me and though I think it's safe to say what you're discussing has come and gone for you and Hermione -you know don't …hurt her or anything.'
Ron sighed and shutting his eyes leaned back in his chair.
'Are you going to tell me what's really going on with you two?' Harry asked, in a careful quiet tone he rarely used with Ron.
'Nothing! Nothing's going on, I promise.' Ron mumbled.
'If you say so.' Harry said, clearly unconvinced but said nothing more on the subject, sensing he wasn't getting anywhere with it anytime soon.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ginny was sat in the Library she hadn't finished her Transfiguration essay, despite her staying up into the early hours of the morning attempting to do so. She had fully expected to be given detention and maybe worse but oddly Professor McGonagall had let her off with nothing more than a small reprimand, though Ginny sensed it was somehow a half-hearted effort. As bizarre as that was, however, Ginny still had an essay to finish and not a lot of time to do so. She was experiencing that peculiar sensation of simultaneously looking forward to Monday and dreading it with all she was worth. She almost considered admitting defeat and leaving the Library even though she was sure McGonagall wouldn't be so understanding the second time around.
"How can I possibly concentrate when I know Harry's coming only two days from now?" She thought to herself, and squirmed in excitement at the thought.
Ginny had gotten over the initial horror that she was thinking and saying such things because she was far too happy about it to keep it in now. She could see him, and kiss him and a collection of other things she had been thinking about when she was very much alone.
It is important for all these points to be considered when considering Human Transfiguration and…
'Argh!' Ginny shouted, getting startled looks from nearby students.
'Stupid Harry, in my stupid thoughts, stopping me from doing this stupid essay.' She muttered to herself.
'Wow, think I'll just leave if that's how you feel' She was even imagining his voice now "I've officially lost it" she decided internally.
But she wasn't imagining a hand on her shoulder, and that was definitely someone's breath on the back of her neck.
She whipped her head around so quickly she made a mental note to check with Madam Pomfrey for whiplash, 'Harry!' She screamed jumping up from her chair and knocking it over to the floor in the process.
He laughed at her response and pulled her into his arms, after what felt like so long he finally got to do this and it was every bit as amazing as he'd remembered.
'What? How are you, I mean…What are you doing here, you're not supposed to be here till Monday!?'
'Well I spoke to -,' Harry responded, but he was cut off by another voice,
'I don't care who you've been speaking to or who you are speaking to you won't be speaking in here. This is a Library. I don't know how many times I have to tell everyone this! Now out, if you can't contain yourselves!' Madam Pince screeched at them, dangerously close to their faces and holding a book high in her hand as though about to strike someone with it.
'Umm right… sorry, let's go Gin.' Harry tried desperately to stifle his laughter but failed magnificently, pulling Ginny by the arm Harry sprinted down the length of the Library and out of the doors.
They rested against the stone wall and laughed freely, whilst trying to catch their breath. Ginny had just got her breath back and opened her mouth to speak when Harry scooped her up in to his arms and pulled her into one of the sweetest, gentlest kisses she'd ever shared with him. It wasn't desperate or full of unresolved sexual tension or lust like others they'd shared had been it was more tender and loving and Ginny liked it just as much.
It didn't stay that way for too long, soon the kiss grew more passionate and their tongues were fighting for dominance. Ginny undid a few of Harrys buttons and slid her hand across his bare chest, feeling his heart beat increase to an alarming pace. He placed his hands on her thighs and pulled her up into the position they'd been in on Kings Cross and Ginny crossed her ankles around his waist and moaned into the kiss. Harry pulled away and started showering soft kisses across her neck,
'If you keep making sounds like that Gin this really isn't going to last long' he said in between kisses.
At his words Ginny jumped off of him and stepped back.
'What? Did I do something -,' Ginny silenced him with a finger to the lips.
'Shh! I hear something!' She whispered.
And then he heard it too. 'Your shirt, do it up.' She hissed at him.
Harry began hurriedly fighting with the buttons on his shirt, 'You might want to sort your skirt out to.' He said with a roguish grin.
The footsteps were closer until a figure came into view. A figure with a tight bun and an unreadable expression on her face.
'Ah I see you found Miss Weasley okay then Potter?' she asked and Ginny didn't know if she was imagining it, but she thought she saw a hint of a smile flash across her face.
'Err yes, she was ...um in the Library.' Harry spluttered, thanking Merlin Ginny had heard the footsteps when she had.
'I hope you didn't upset Madam Pince too much with your arrival Harry? From what I heard it caused quite the stir.' McGonagall said raising an eyebrow at him.
'Well we-,' Ginny began.
'I quite understand Miss Weasley and I'll say that I hope your brain is in much better shape after this weekend obviously pining after Mr Potter here is having quite the effect on your studies.'
Ginny's face turned roughly the same shade of red as her hair and she didn't even attempt a response.
'Well I'll leave the two of you to it then.' McGonagall said, and she was definitely smiling now as she walked away. When she got to the end of the corridor she turned on her heel to face them once again, 'Oh and Mr Potter please sort out your shirt never have I seen clothing in such a mess.'
Harry's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and mortification and Ginny turned, if possible, even redder.
When Harry looked down though, he couldn't blame her. Several buttons were missing and the ones that weren't were all done up incorrectly. He realised he didn't care if Ginny did this to all his shirts if she'd touch him the way she just had again.
A/N: This is going to have to be really quick because I really shouldn't be doing this right now. I've had, and am still having, lots of exams. Hence the delay in replying. I quickly realised I haven't actually listened to anything in the last year so really should start learning, seeing as I have billions of mocks this week. Man how I regret taking all three sciences!
I digress….
Thank you so much to all those who reviewed and favourited and followed, I love you all. And one day I will show you just how much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, like I said it was written in quite a hurry and my mind is full of Physics. I apologise profusely for any spelling mistakes.
ARGH! There were people I wanted to thank specifically and I don't have time to look at their exact user names, but to those who've reviewed every chapter. Or almost every chapter, I am eternally grateful!
Please tell me what you think of this chapter and all the others for that matter.
I regret to inform you that nothing has changed and I'm still NOT JK Rowling. I know, bummer right? This is her world and her characters. I am merely playing with them (wink, wink) oh dear. I need to go now. Bye. I love you
All of you.
Forever and Ever.
Amen.
