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Here's another chapter. Enjoy! :)
Harry was barely aware of the happenings around him as he made his way to the Head's dorm. He muttered "Bravery" to the half asleep portrait of The Just Lady (the tenth head girl of Hogwarts. A Slytherin known to punish her own housemates for prejudice against muggleborns) and walked in.
The dorm was empty as expected since Hermione was yet to return from Hogsmeade. He cast a drying charm on himself and sat on the couch staring at the fire. The dancing red and orange flames treacherously reminded him of Ginny's beautiful hair. The memories of all the time spent with her in the past six years hanging in the air surrounding him.
He played her words over and over again in his head and embraced the solace of the moment as he began to cry unabashedly. He got up and screamed and pushed the books, kept on the table, to the floor. He upturned the chairs of the dining table and threw his sneakoscope across the room.
Wrapped up in his agony, neither did he notice the portrait door opening and closing, nor the two pairs of feet approaching him slowly. He just remained on the floor, crying at his misfortune.
This was how Ron and Hermione found their best friend of six years. Crouched on the floor, surrounded by thrown books with some of the pages hanging out, pieces of broken glass, upheaveled furniture, the upholstery looking like it'd seen much better days and Harry himself sobbing like he'd lost everything he'd ever held dear.
Hermione was stunned and tears welled in her eyes at the state of the boy whom she loved like her brother. She seemed unable to move, not understanding what had happened in the five hours they'd left him to his own devices. Ron looked equally worried and scared for Harry. Yet it was Ron who rushed towards Harry.
"HARRY! What happened? Tell me please. What is it mate?" Ron asked with his hand rested on Harry's shoulder. Hearing Ron's voice made Hermione move too and she sat on the other side of Harry with her arms around him.
Harry didn't say a word but started crying more as soon as his friends flanked him. Hermione and Ron had been the siblings he'd never had. Every day of his life since the age of eleven had been spent with them, sans the two summer vacations he'd been with the Dursleys before Sirius had come into his life.
The beauty of their friendship was that they always gave each other the space when needed. It was an unspoken agreement and understanding of the other in times like this that made their bond even stronger than that of their peers.
When he eventually stopped sobbing and seemed a bit more stable, Ron spoke, "Harry. Whatever it is, you can tell us. We're here for you no matter what happens."
"Yes, Harry. Ron's absolutely right", agreed Hermione.
Maybe it was the statement that Ron spoke or the way he said it, but it made Harry feel like Ron had an inkling as to what his charade was all about. That, combined with his emotional instabity at that moment, made him narrate everything that had transpired in his life from the moment he had found Cho cheating on him. Ron's face turned red at the mention of Harry having sex with his sister and his hold on Harry slackened when he said he'd apparently addressed her as Cho in his sleep. However, he didn't leave Harry, nor did he launch into the overprotective big brother mode. They let Harry finish the entire tale right till the moment where Ginny ultimately left him heartbroken at the quidditch pitch. Harry somehow was partly hoping Ron would punch him for his mistakes.. atleast that would be better than losing Ginny. Also, he himself felt like he'd made the biggest mistake of his life - not sleeping with her, but not realizing his love for her on time. Now it seemed like everything was lost and that it was lost for good.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I never meant to hurt her. I never meant for things to end up like this. Go on, Ron, beat me up. I deserve it. I messed it all up. I've lost her. She doesn't love me. She doesn't even like me anymore", he said miserably with his head hung and eyes downcast.
"No Harry don't talk like that", said Hermione.
"No 'Mione, he's right. He deserves it", said Ron and punched Harry on his shoulder. Harry didn't even bother defending himself.
"RON! What are you doing? He said he's sorry!"
"Yes. He is sorry and also the biggest idiot in the history of Hogwarts. He's being sorry for the wrong thing. Harry, you are the most ignorant guy if you think even for a second that you've lost Ginny forever", he said.
Harry's head snapped up and his eyes widened so comically fast that Hermione would have laughed her ass off had the situation not been so serious.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, a glimpse of hope in his eyes.
Ron rolled his eyes and said, "you yourself said that she said she can't date you NOW. She said she needed time. She didn't say she'll never give you a chance. She is just scared she's a rebound. She's right. Absolutely right. You are an idiot, that's for sure. Harry, my sister has had a crush on you ever since she could walk and talk. Though, she fell in love with you when she was around twelve, I think. You have been in love with her for the past three years. Honestly, even I noticed it! It's been so obvious. Then you had to do the stupid thing of getting scared about acknowledging your feelings and running behind that Chang girl. None of us even liked her. She used to behave rudely to all of us behind your back. She'd threatened Ginny once and had asked her to stay away from you. Of course Ginny never told you this. But mate, she loves you. Always has. She just never wanted to lose your friendship. Right now though, she's hurt. Badly, if I must add. She needs time mate. Still, you can't give up on her. You need to - I don't know - win her love back or something. Dont give up. She never really gave up on you until you um.. you know whatever happened between you two".
"You think so? You're not angry at me for having -"
"Don't say it!" Ron exclaimed. "I'm not comfortable with the idea of having to talk about.. that. Whatever that you do with my baby sister. I did get angry when you told us about it but I know you both love each other. I - I just want you both to be happy". Times like this, always took Harry by surprise. It was one thing talking to Ron about his life. Though, Ron replying this way always reminded him of the actual maturity his best friend possessed behind the happy-go-lucky guy image.
"He's right, Harry. Umm.. Ginny had told me about that.. that night. She was devastated. She felt you still loved Cho and that you'd regret being with Ginny. She was too scared of losing your friendship and she was also scared of getting hurt again", said Hermione, "but she loves you. I'm positive. You need to woo her Harry. Show her that she is so much more than a rebound. It's high time. She deserves to be made to feel special Harry".
"But - but she's dating that fool Thomas!", he remarked exasperatedly.
"They're not dating. Yet. He's trying hard Harry but no matter what he does, he just can't take your place in her heart. The love you and Ginny share is very different from any infatuation. You both know each other like an old married couple does. Still, you need to win that love like it's your first crush."
Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. "What do I do?"
"You know her more than she knows herself. Start small... like show appreciation for the small achievements she makes, praise her good moves during practice. DO NOT try to behave like an overpossessive boyfriend whenever any other guy is with her. Don't scowl. You dug your own grave. We are helping you out. Which means you CAN'T afford to anger her with petty issues. Have faith in yourself. Don't tell me you haven't watched all the sappy romantic movies that Sirius keeps hidden in his library when you're bored. Woo her Harry. Don't go over board but don't ignore her either. You just start. Ron and I will help you out at every step. Right Ron?"
"Umm.. I'm not really comfortable with planning how to get Gin to snog him. Ugh can you relax on the glare? Seriously, every bloody time. Fine! I'll help you too. Just, just don't get physical, you know. Not in front of me."
Harry was smiling so hard he felt his cheeks might tear. He silently thanked whatever forces existed above for giving him the most wonderful best friends. He got up and tackled both of them in a bone breaking hug, all three smiling widely.
"Ok. So, tomorrow our mission begins. Mission Ginny", said Hermione.
"Mission Ginny", Harry repeated softly. He'd win her back. Ginny Weasley was his lifeline and one did not just give up on life. He'd chase her harder than he'd chased all snitches combined in his entire lifetime. For the first time in the whole day, Harry felt hope and confidence in his love. He'd get his Ginny back. At all costs.
A/N: Another chapter comes to an end. Yet, it feels like just the beginning of the love story. Let me know what you think about it. Liked it? Hated it? That review button just has your name on it. So hit it and send me your opinions, comments and your expectations for our very own golden couple. You can also PM me. Thank you all:)
Coming up next: Wooing Ginny
Love you all.
Until next time,
MrsGinPotter
