Chapter 10: There's Something About Ginny

'Harry!' Ginny exclaimed as she bounded forward and hugged him tightly. 'It's so good to see you.'

Harry's arms were stiff as he brought them around Ginny, who was almost a head shorter than him.

Tomoyo couldn't see his expression, but she watched Ginny's face carefully as they parted. Her smile was warm and affectionate. Ginny's eyes travelled to Tomoyo, and she smiled kindly.

'You must be Tomoyo!' she cried and moved to hug her tightly, knocking Tomoyo's new beret to the floor. 'I've been just dying to meet you! You're such a talented seamstress. I remember I was so jealous of Sakura's Yule Ball gown.'

Tomoyo was in shock as Ginny withdrew, grinning confidently. 'I'll have to commission you.'

'What are you doing here, sis?' Ron asked, looking pleasantly surprised at the prospect of seeing family.

Ginny stared blankly, her light brown eyes blinking twice before she averted her gaze, and offered a small smile. 'Oh, well, it's Christmas, isn't it? I just missed you all, so...'

Ron inched forward, hands on his hips as he leaned in sceptically. 'Really? And Mum approved?'

Ginny craned her neck, as though making a great effort to avoid eye contact with him. 'Mum will be fine with it. Eventually.' She noticed Ron's eyebrow rise higher. 'Well, the Burrow isn't so exciting, anymore. The twins are busy with their business. It's just me, Mum and Dad.'

Hermione shook her head slowly, a grin on her face. 'You've been bored, I see?'

The group continued their chatter as Tomoyo's gaze left Ginny and fell to her feet. She kneeled to retrieve her beret and noticed that Harry had left the half-opened envelope where it had fallen out of his grasp—on the floor. She looked up as the others watched Ginny raptly. Harry seemed to be fixated on her. Ginny reached and grabbed his hand, holding it, laughing at something. The others laughed as well. Harry didn't laugh, but he seemed taken by her, mesmerized. A lump formed in Tomoyo's throat. It felt like everyone was happy, and she was an outlier, forgotten. Forgotten just like Harry's gift. For a moment she felt dizzy, and she looked down again, staring at the envelope. She reached for it and wondered for a moment if she should take it back.

'What do you think, Tomoyo?' A voice called.

Was that her name? The dizziness got worse, and she felt her hand tremble.

'Tomoyo?' The voice called again. Once Tomoyo looked up she noticed it was Sakura speaking to her. Unthinkingly, she stumbled upwards and dropped the envelope onto a nearby table before bringing her arms roughly to her sides.

'Um, y-yes?

'Ginny is going to be staying with us. I was thinking she should stay in your room. Is that okay?'

Tomoyo looked at Sakura before regarding Ginny. Ginny looked at her glowingly, her grin wide and toothy. Tomoyo felt something icy wash over her. She returned her smile with a cold stare.

'Ahem,' Hermione cleared her throat, drawing their attention. 'Actually, there is space in my room. I'm sure, I mean, it would be suitable for Ginny to stay with me.'

'Really?' Ginny giggled, releasing Harry's hand and coming over to hug her. 'Wonderful! It'll be like old times.'

Sakura smiled, clapping her hands together approvingly. 'Great! It's settled then.'

Ron smiled approvingly, slinging his arms around both Ginny and Hermione. 'My two girls together. This'll be a Christmas to remember.'

No sooner than he had spoken did they hear a strange shuffling noise. The group turned their heads and saw the haunting figure at the base of the staircase. Draco's hair was a dishevelled mass of hay on his head. His pale face was set in a grimace, host to bloodshot, sleep-deprived eyes. Still enveloped in his grey Snuggy, he looked as though he had stepped out from a horror film.

'Do you know what time it is?' he grunted agitatedly. He crooked his head, his darkly ringed glare falling accusingly on each of them. Then his eyes bulged, as he noticed the red-headed girl.

'What's she doing here?!' He roared, knitting his eyebrows as he lashed out a draped arm, fingers hidden in its folds as he pointed tenaciously at her.

Ginny scoffed, raising a single eyebrow. 'Wow! Malfoy! You look good.'

Ron and Harry chuckled at her blatant sarcasm.

'Yes, you would think so, wouldn't you?' Draco sniffed.

Ginny frowned. 'Really, though, you look awful. What on Earth are you wearing?'

'Take a picture! It'll last longer!' Draco spat. He noticed from the sidelines, Meiling who seemed to be suppressing a small laugh.

'That's right!' Ginny snorted. 'Then I can show Slytherin House what's become of their king.'

Something seemed to flicker across Draco's eyes. He appeared loathing, his eyes narrowed into slits. 'You dare cross me? You know what they call you: "Ginny, the Gryffindor..."' his thin lips pulled into a sneer. But no one heard what he said next as Chi-Tun came yipping down the stairs, followed by Kero and Diana who ploughed through his legs and sent him careening forward, tripping over the ends of his sleeved blanket. Draco tumbled to the ground and landed on his face. Ron and Harry howled with laughter. Sakura and Trunks rushed forth attempting to help him as Meiling bounded over to restrain her puppy.

Ginny remained in place regarding Draco with a bitter expression. 'I know exactly what they call me — and I don't care,' she grumbled under her breath. She turned away only to notice Tomoyo looking at her strangely. She quickly averted her gaze.

'I heard visitors,' Kero chirped defensively as Chibusa gave him a scrutinizing look that she then directed at Diana.

'I wanted to see, too,' Diana mewed.

Syaoran sighed wearily as he watched Sakura rubbing tenderly at Draco's forehead. He turned to Ron who was quieting down, and trying to regain his breath.

'Well, you were right about one thing. It'll be a Christmas to remember.'

With that, everyone scuffled around, noting the late hour and headed to bed for the night.

The Hello Kitty clock mewed at 1 AM as Tomoyo placed down the filthy duster on the bench and paced to the laundry.

They just loved her, Tomoyo thought bitterly, biting her lip as she pulled out a mop and bucket. She needed a distraction. Everything was just so dirty with so many rowdy, rude teenagers without a drop of etiquette. She had to make the place clean, shiny and fresh.

'Tomoyo?' Sakura whispered, rubbing sleep from her eyes. 'Everyone's asleep. What are you doing?'

Tomoyo jolted and gave Sakura a disarming smile. 'Oh, I just wanted to help the maids. They've got their work cut out for them, now that there's another wonderful guest.'

'Oh...' Sakura said, looking confused. 'Well, do you want help?'

'No-no, not at all, not at all,' Tomoyo said sweetly, her eyes narrowing as she continued to mop the kitchen tiles with vigour.

'Ok ...I'll be in my room, if you need to talk,' Sakura offered gently and left the room.

Tomoyo snorted derisively when she was gone. 'Help...that's the last thing I need.' She stared at her reflection in the soapy water and recoiled in horror. She looked again, her heart racing. She could have sworn that she had seen another girl looking back at her.

Daylight broke through the windows, and it poured into the house, flooding the walls with its radiance. It was Christmas morning, and the dawn of the festive season. But Tomoyo didn't feel anything. She threw her legs over the edge of the bed as she stood, and regarded herself in the mirror. The girl she saw reflected back was a stranger. Tomoyo didn't want to see her anymore so she turned away and noticed her camcorder tossed on the floor. She didn't feel like taping anything. Nonetheless, as she bent over and held it between her hands it gave her comfort. Strength. Tomoyo descended down the stairs. As she walked by, she heard the voices.

'You must work out every single day, right?' a girl's voice carried from below.

'Oh, uh, not particularly,' a boy laughed awkwardly.

'Then how did your muscles get so big? They're huge.'

Tomoyo peered at Ginny standing in the distance. Trunks was shifting his weight and scratching at his temple uneasily as she interrogated him. Tomoyo decidedly skulked by for the kitchen, camera in tow.

'Tomoyo — Merry Christmas! Good Morning!' Sakura had just excited from the kitchen with Syaoran, Hermione and Ron following behind her. Tomoyo's shoulders slumped. Since when did they wake up so early?

'Merry Christmas,' Tomoyo responded softly.

'Tomoyo!' called Ginny, waving at her. 'I didn't see you come. Sit with us!'

'Oh, well, I better not,' Tomoyo uttered, clutching her camera. 'I was just—'

But her excuses were meaningless as next thing she knew arms were grabbing at her and dragging her over to the couch in the living room where they all sat, including Trunks who looked relieved. Once the others joined them, he vacated the area insisting he had to make a phone call. The others commenced conversation. Tomoyo sat beside Sakura and directly across from Ginny who happily continued her chatter, eventually directing it more towards Tomoyo. Tomoyo couldn't focus, and felt her mind wander again as she watched the others. Ron and Hermione who sat on either side of her, completely absorbed by her every word, chortled and slapped their knees. Sakura looked cheerful too, as Ginny turned and playfully tugged on the pigtails in her hair. Syaoran seemed to regard them with polite interest.

Harry came forth, out of nowhere.

Tomoyo watched as they turned their heads to regard him. Their mouths moved, but Tomoyo didn't hear the words come; it was like she was merely the observer of a silent film. They beckoned Harry to sit and he sat in an awkward space between Ron and Ginny. Tomoyo watched as he averted his gaze from her slightly, half-smiling as Ginny leaned forward, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Tomoyo felt the dark feelings return, as she stared intently at Ginny's hand rested on Harry's shoulder, and her gaze moved up the other girl's arm, up her neck and then her face. A bright smile was plastered on it. Tomoyo noticed as Ginny flicked back her long red hair revealing her long slender neck. Tomoyo imagined for a second her hands reaching out, wrapping around that neck and squeezing tightly. She wondered how much torque it would require before that beautiful neck would finally …

Tomoyo felt a cold rush in her stomach. What was she thinking?

'Hey Tomoyo, can you make me a dress?' Ginny said suddenly.

Tomoyo jerked out of her trance. 'Oh, um—er…'

Ginny grinned at her. 'I have a galleon—I'd love a pretty one like you made Sakura, but in blue (that's my favourite colour)—what do you think, Harry?' She turned to him. 'You remember the Yule Ball, right?'

Harry stared back at her briefly before turning his head, looking embarrassed. Was that a hint of redness in his cheeks?

Tomoyo felt a tightness in her chest. She stood quickly, a tight grip on her camera. 'I've got to go. Sorry,' she whispered as she dashed away.

Syaoran watched as Tomoyo disappeared around the corner. She'd been acting strange. He returned his focus to Ginny, who didn't seem to miss a beat as she began a new conversation with Sakura. She was an interesting girl. He didn't know her very well, but he recalled the few meetings he had with her years ago at Hogwarts. She was the slight young girl who would stand glued to Harry's side ogling the bespeckled boy, and ogling Syaoran. He noted she was no longer doing this, as she spoke with some refinement and greater confidence since that time. Something about her reminded him very much of Meiling. She was clearly bright, much like Meiling, but something about her was also very brash and honest. He realized that she was also a lot like Ron.

Ginny noticed Syaoran's gaze and grinned at him. Syaoran responded by nodding politely.

'I find it so inspiring how you and Sakura overcame everything. You two haven't a clue how much of an impact it made at Hogwarts,' she continued, biting into one of Syaoran's biscuits.

'Ginny, isn't it too early to be eating sweets?' Hermione chided teasingly.

'Oh, sorry mum,' she joked back.

'Thanks,' Syaoran responded, feeling a bit embarrassed but recovered when Sakura gave his hand a squeeze. However, when he returned to glance at Ginny, she still fixated on him with an intent expression. Giving way to a wave of awkwardness, Syaoran cleared his throat.

'Err, pardon us.'

He gave Sakura a knowing glance, and the two retreated up the stairs to her bedroom and closed the door. The bed creaked as they sat down and Sakura rested her head on his shoulder.

'It's amazing to see Ginny again,' she said in a nostalgic tone. 'Even with Harry and the others around, I haven't thought much of Hogwarts.'

'You were there longer, so I suppose it was more like home to you than to me,' Syaoran replied as he stroked her arm.

'No. It wasn't home any more when you left.' She stared at him sidelong. 'It's just a strange, familiar feeling, like I'd never left.' She frowned slightly. 'I do wonder though, why she arrived so abruptly.'

He nodded. 'I don't think she's being completely honest, but I suppose that's her business.'

Sakura sat up straight and kissed his cheek. 'Hopefully she's alright.'

Shortly after Sakura and Syaoran left, Ron excused himself to take his morning shower. Ginny watched as he disappeared up the staircase. It was just her and Hermione. She cocked her head, as though making sure the area was clear, before turning to Hermione and giving a mischievous grin.

'What?' Hermione looked at her pressingly. 'Why are you looking at me like that?'

'Syaoran is still cute, isn't he?' said Ginny.

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Oh, Ginny. I really do hope you're over that little crush by now.'

Ginny nodded, thoroughly dismissing the notion. She then cupped her chin in her hands as she leaned in close. 'It's rather odd.' Her voice dropped to a low whisper.

Hermione leaned in. 'What are you getting at?'

'Didn't you have a thing for Syaoran at one point, as well?' Ginny asked coyly.

Hermione pulled back in surprise. 'Ginny!'

'Well, you're so alike, so serious and a tiny bit bossy. I thought you would have gone for him if Sakura hadn't.'

Hermione looked flushed, brushing strands of hair behind her ears as she responded through baited breath. 'Ginny, please. Don't open that Pandora's Box.'

'Isn't opening things what she's good at?'

Hermione and Ginny swivelled around, noticing that Draco had just descended the stairs and overheard them. He was no longer wearing the Snuggy, but rather, his hair was well groomed and he donned a crisp leather jacket, accented with metal studs along the shoulders.

Ginny cast him a dirty look. Draco suddenly chuckled, as though recalling some unspoken joke.

'I meant the Chamber of Secrets, but now that I think of it, that could mean many things.'

Hermione glared. 'Really, Malfoy? Was that supposed to be funny?' She was still sensitive, as during that dark time at Hogwarts she nearly met her death by Slytherin's monster. That monster had indeed been released by Ginny. It was an unpleasant memory.

Draco was indifferent. He slipped on a pair of similarly studded leather boots and went through the door, shutting it with a slam. Ginny stared blankly ahead, so angry it seemed, her body shook.

'When does he ever stop being such an arse? Honestly — he's lucky Ron didn't hear him!' Hermione was livid. But Ginny simply stood and left the living room without uttering a word, and headed up the stairs to their room, leaving Hermione to watch confusedly after her.

After dinner they settled in the living room to eat Christmas cake and open presents that had just arrived from the Weasleys. They were surprised to find a wax-sealed yellow envelope addressed to Ginny.

Ginny seemed tense and held her breath as she opened it. The envelope simply flopped onto her lap like any other piece of paper. However, she yelped in surprise as it shot into the air and curved into the shape of an angry mouth. It bellowed in Mrs. Weasley's voice:

'GINEVRA MOLLY WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU GO TO JAPAN WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE? I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO ASK HOW YOU LEARNED TO APPARATE. YOU SHOULD HAVE SENSE ENOUGH TO KNOW IT'S FAR TOO DANGEROUS TO BE DOING THIS. COME BACK HOME IMMEDIATELY — OR ELSE!'

Ginny's face drained of all colour, save for the light spray of freckles on her nose. She gulped audibly. Everyone stared in shock.

A soft chuckle sounded from the corner. Hermione glanced over to see Tomoyo staring vacantly at Ginny, her mouth a small hole as she giggled like tinkering bells. Hermione suspected it was an impulsive reaction of fear, if unusual, as the Howler was quite loud. Tomoyo's eyes then became alert and snapped to Hermione. Her giggle immediately transitioned into a polite cough as she folded her hands into her lap.

Ron twisted a finger in his ear. 'You heard her! You have to go back — she'll kill you!'

Ginny frowned as she shook her head slowly. 'I can't.'

Ron gawped at his sister and grimaced.

Hermione tilted her head, and peered at Ginny carefully. 'There's something you're not telling us. Ginny…why did you really come?'

The colour returned to Ginny's face as she turned with a stern expression. 'Let's sit down. This will take a while.' She took Harry's hand and led him to the couch. He followed obediently.

Seated in a circle in the den, they gave her their full focus. It took a full forty minutes for Ginny to narrate everything in detail. 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away.' she concluded, her head bowed. 'Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I didn't want to spoil things.'

Harry stared at her, silent.

Sakura leaned forward, speaking softly, 'So that's why we hadn't heard from Dumbledore. He was called to testify before the Ministry of Magic?'

Syaoran leaned back, shaking his head slowly. 'I don't believe it. How could all of this happen?'

'And not just Dumbledore—'Ron spluttered, 'but Fudge too? He's no longer the Minister? Blimey!'

Harry recalled meeting Fudge in his third year when Sirius had escaped Azkaban. He had been a brightly dressed, portly man with a friendly grin. But everything had escalated to displace his position.

'It's a Leave of Absence,' Hermione clarified. 'So he's not permanently dismissed, right? But it's still awful.'

Harry exhaled sharply as he mussed his hair. 'I'm still trying to understand. This Umbridge person — she's the new Headmaster?'

Ginny nodded, tears welling in her eyes.'She's a horrible, disgusting, ugly woman. It's awful, just awful! She's removed Muggle Studies, Care for Magical Creatures and DADA in place of studying the Dark Arts. She's put Slytherin students in charge to ensure "order". She basically tortures students in detention – with a quill – that etches into their skin and leaves a scar.' She met Harry's sombre gaze, and looked resolute. The fact that they left scars was significant. 'We made so much progress in uniting Hogwarts in spite of our segregated Houses, but she's slowly eroding things so it's everyone versus Slytherins.'

'So...Mad-Eye Moody is actually Barty Crouch Jr, the Minister's son? And he's a Death Eater?' Ron pressed.

Syaoran interjected, 'You left out the important part of course…that Lucius Malfoy is behind all of it.'

Sakura's face was carefully neutral as she remained silent.

Ginny nodded and leaned forward, whispering, 'You have to be careful with Draco. I don't care what Dumbledore said — how does anyone know that badge is really meant for him anyway? I'm sure even I'd be way more helpful than he could ever be!'

Tomoyo glared silently in her direction.

Meiling stood up suddenly, but sat back down and whispered back, 'I agree! What good is someone who can't even be honest about their feelings anyway?'

'No,' Sakura muttered, surprising the others as they turned to look at her. She folded her arms, looking serious. 'This is isn't about Draco. This is about his father. They're not the same person, so give him the benefit of the doubt.'

Ron groaned as he rolled his eyes at the ceiling.

Hermione leaned forward, gesturing her hands in a placating manner. 'Sakura please…what doubt is there?'

They suddenly heard the front door open and close with a quiet snap. They turned to see Draco stripping off his boots and coat. He turned slowly to stare at them, his face a canvas of blue and purple: imprints of blue lipstick marked his cheeks, and above those blossomed a fresh bruise on his temple, both suggesting a misadventure.

They stared at one another for an excruciating moment before Draco coughed curtly and bandied up the stairs, his bedroom door slamming from above.

It was half-past two in the morning. Ginny stood alone in the kitchen. She watched the steam waft from the tea pot as she poured, filling her cup to its brim. She couldn't sleep, and she was desperate for something to calm her nerves. With the cup in her hands, she seated herself in a waiting chair. Blowing at the hot liquid, she took a cautious sip. Then she heard footsteps. She jerked her head upwards, wincing slightly as she had nearly spilt her tea. She watched as Draco shuffled into the room, breathing out a strident yawn as he reached for the refrigerator door. He stared into it for a while, its light shining into kitchen, before finally pulling out a can of Cola Pop Fizz. Ginny glared with annoyance as he downed its contents then slammed the empty can onto the counter. He turned his head and gave her an odious frown as if only then realising her presence.

'Are you looking at me again with those filthy eyes?' He muttered in a repulsed tone. 'Disgusting.'

'You know what's disgusting, Malfoy? The fact that you think you can walk around here pretending everything's okay.' Ginny rested her cup on the table, eyeing him coolly. 'Why are you here? Everyone knows your lot is up to no good. So how 'bout you? Are you here on Daddy's orders? '

Draco knitted his brows. 'I think you really should mind your own business.'

'Answer the question. Were you sent to spy on them?'

'What part of "mind your own business" do you not understand?'

'I'm not afraid of you,' Ginny snapped, drawing back her seat and coming to a standing position.

'Oh,' Draco snarled, his teeth visible as he approached her slowly. 'Well maybe you should be?'

Ginny was unmoved by his attempt to intimidate her. 'You're scum.'

'Ha! You think your insults affect me? Now, how does that rhyme go again? Ah, yes…' Draco's menacing façade broke into a wicked smile. Ginny stared back with a wary gaze.

'Ginny, Ginny,
Quaint and poor
Greedy, needy, wanted more,'

Ginny's eyes flashed. She knew the rhyme all too well. 'Don't you dare,' she started.

'Hey, Ginny, Ginny

What's the score?
Who's the guy, tell us more!'

'Shut …up….' She huffed through clenched teeth, her voice wavering.

'Ginny, Ginny,

First it's one and now it's four?
She must have love spells galore,'

'No! It isn't true! You know it isn't!' She didn't know what had come over her, but she was losing her calm.

'Ginny, Ginny
She's a Siren with her lore—'

Ginny's hands bawled into tight fists, her lower lip trembled.

'Cause she's the Whore of Gryffindor!'

'I SAID TO SHUT UP!' Ginny shrieked. Finally, she had lost all control. Her hand came out like a whip and struck Draco hard on his right cheek. Draco scowled at her, but she wasn't finished. She reached for her teacup intent to splash its piping hot contents at him when suddenly, she felt a firm grip at her arm. She turned, her light brown eyes round with surprise as they met with bright green.

'Harry...'

He had walked in on it. He looked between Ginny, who had tears in her eyes, and Draco, whose cheek was tinged red. It didn't help the appearance of the several 'mystery' bruises he already had on his face.

'All the best with that one, Potter,' Draco sneered. He turned on his heel and left the room.

Ginny's body shook with quiet sobs as she turned into his chest. Harry felt a warmth bloom in his chest as his arms encircled her quivering form. He felt the familiar slightness of her waist and the familiar definition of her long arms, toned from Quidditch. He pulled her closer. Just like that, his resolve had melted.

'It's been hard this year,' Ginny whispered into his shoulder. 'The rumours, all of them, they're not true! I would never hurt you like that.'

Harry rubbed the space between her shoulder blades and inhaled the faint smell of daisies in her hair. All too familiar. He realised then that after all these months, he had yearned for this feeling, that scent.

'They've just been tormenting me, calling me a whore – often enough that I almost started to believe it,' she cried, clutching at him as her tears drenched the front of his night shirt. She shook her head, grounding her head into his chest. 'But it's not true!'

'How long has this been going on?' Harry rasped, stunned by the discomfort in his chest.

'It started with Pansy ...since last year.'

'...The year we broke up?'

She nodded and sobbed.

Harry felt a surge of guilt. 'I had no idea ...' He clenched his jaw. 'I'm so sorry, Ginny. Does anyone else know?'

'No, no one,' Ginny whispered, 'not even Hermione.'

All that time she had faced it alone. She had always been brave, and independent. Part of what had drawn him to her. Now she had come back into his life like a shimmering memory, lighting up the dark of his present life. He could not fathom how he could believe she had cheated on him. He had been an idiot. He had missed out on so much. He had failed to be there for her.

'I'm sorry,' he blurted.

'You ignored my Owls,' she sniffed. 'So much has changed. I hate it. I wanted to tell you everything. About Pansy. About Hogwarts and Umbridge. About us.'

Ginny's sobs ceased and they stood for awhile. When she had stopped crying, she drew away from him and gazed at him openly. Her eyes were puffy from crying, but they were shining. He looked at her brown eyes, her sparsely freckled nose and the rich red of her fringe. She is beautiful, he thought.

'Harry...' she murmured and stood on her toes to end the distance between them, lips pressed to his.

She stepped away. 'Harry, please come back with me. Hogwarts needs you ...I need you.'

Harry stared at her in a daze. Leave? Go back, simply abandoning the task Dumbledore had set before him? He did miss Hogwarts. He also missed stability. He knew what it was like to be with her. It was comfortable and familiar, so different to his life of late never knowing what was next. Going back? It would be so easy.

The next morning the group sat at the kitchen table nibbling on fresh fruit, porridge, sausages and an assortment of condiments on toast. Meiling yawned loudly and stretched out her arms, knocking over a disgruntled Chibiusa's coffee mug, the contents sloshing onto the table and into her porridge. She chortled as Chibiusa mopped up the spilt coffee with a napkin and turned to regard the others. Ron pawed at Hermione's shoulder, eyeing her cinnamon toast as she read the morning paper. To the right of Sakura and Syaoran sat Tomoyo, stirring a silver spoon absently into her porridge. Her eyes were downcast, slightly dark around the rim as though she had not slept well.

Meiling tilted her head and looked towards Ginny and Harry. They were chatting quietly to each other, Ginny's hand not visible above the table, but Meiling suspected was rested on his knee. She felt a stab of annoyance – from what she could glean, Harry and Tomoyo were interested in each other. She wasn't sure if they had confessed, but it was bleedingly obvious. Yet here Harry was, sitting close and comfortable with his former girlfriend. At first Meiling had been impressed by Ginny, but now she suspected the redheaded girl lavished in the attention.

After breakfast a few of them set out for a walk in the nearby park to admire the snowfall, and Meiling remained behind to query Hermione.

Meiling sat heavily on Hermione's bed, as Hermione placed down her book. 'You know what's happening,' Meiling said angrily, and immediately lowered her voice to avoid others' attention. 'Ginny is trying to wean her way back into Harry's arms. But you know that's not ok!'

'No, really,' Hermione started, smiling slightly. 'They've known each other for years. We're all friends, practically family, and they're on good terms now. She wouldn't...'

'But Tomoyo and Harry like each other. You've seen the way they stare longingly after each other, like they're in some kind of romantic manga.' Meiling sighed in frustration and folded her arms. 'Ginny knows. She loves the attention.'

'Ginny isn't like that,' Hermione said in a warning tone. 'You don't know her.'

'Maybe I'm not like her dearest friend (though she's tried), but I know how people like her behave. I used to be like that,' she sighed softly, frowning. 'When I first realised that Syaoran had fallen for someone else, I couldn't accept it. I denied it for ages, and I lorded this over Sakura the one and only time I met her. But I was only sabotaging myself. Ginny needs to stop and move on.'

Hermione scoffed as she shook her head, but she looked doubtful. 'I'm not sure it's the same situation. Besides, what business is it of ours? They can sort it out themselves. They're practically adults, actual adults by wizard standards –' She cut off when Meiling gave her a deadpan stare as though to say 'Really?!' – 'Alright, so hormones are raging.'

Meiling's eyebrows shot up. 'Wow, you're listening to me?'

Hermione tilted her head back and forth, looking defeated. 'There's some truth to all you've said, I suppose. But I don't think Ginny will listen.'

'Then speak to Harry.'

'It shouldn't be our responsibility,' Hermione continued to argue, 'they'll resent us if it doesn't work out.'

'It won't work out either way,' Meiling reasoned, looking concerned. 'It will just hurt everyone.'

'Fine, I'll talk to Ron.'

'No – he's the least tactful person I've ever met,' Meiling snapped.

Hermione waved a hand dismissively. 'It's a boy thing – Harry will probably take Ron's word over mine.'

Meiling folded her arms again. 'Fine ... but it had better work out.'

It was Sunday, three days since Christmas and since the day Ron's little sister had arrived in Tomoeda. Ginny had been an exciting addition to the household initially, but it seemed as time passed she had worn many down with her exuberance and curiosity. Chibiusa for one had grown weary of the annoying questions Ginny would frequently pose to her ('Are you a Metamorphmagus? Is that why your hair's so weird?') but out of politeness she would endure it. Perhaps it was Chibiusa's innate inability to criticise openly such a seemingly good-natured person, but in the end it seemed the easiest way around the awkwardness was avoidance. Since the training room happened to be one of the few places in the house Ginny did not seek as a hangout spot, she decided that it was the best time to get into shape.

She made her way down the halls, water bottle in hand. She thought of a strategy: she would settle on some light physical training. Sit-ups, perhaps? Aerobics?

Once she opened the door she regarded with frustration that someone was already there. With his back to her, she saw him fully stooped in a squatting position, his hips thrust backward and arms spread out for balance. Then she saw him rise slightly, before returning to squat once more.

She let out a strangled sigh.

Trunks twisted his head and, hovering in mid-stoop, stared in stunned silence as Chibusa strode stiffly into the room, her nose in the air. She deliberately positioned herself on the farthest end of the room, ignoring him as she grabbed a yoga mat and unrolled it onto the floor. Her head shot up and she glowered at him.

'You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine.'

'Uh…' he muttered, still in mid-squat.

'And don't look at me,' she added as she got into position on the mat, her legs stood apart, face deliberately turned away, her high ponytail dripping down her back like liquid jewels.

Trunks stared blankly, not expecting to see anyone else training this early in the afternoon, least of all Chibiusa. She raised an arm over her head, tilting slightly. Trunks watched as she then tilted in the other direction. He wasn't sure how long he had remained watching, still in mid-squat, when Chibiusa's reproachful eyes met his.

'I said not to look!' she snapped, colour creeping to her cheeks.

Taken by surprise, Trunks fell over and landed on his backside. He sat up gingerly, rubbing his back. 'I wasn't...I was midway through a sneeze,' He pretended to sneeze, but she didn't appear to be listening. Well, she still thought he was an idiot. Trunks groaned internally, picking himself up before turning to pull some weights.

Hermione pored over stacks of books and newspapers, her frizzy hair pulled back in a chaotic explosion on her head. Ron strolled in with a mouth full of sugar cookies. He leaned against the door-frame and studied her flustered expression and the way her fingers twitched as she turned page after page.

'Are you studying for school?' he queried, swallowing the last of the sugar cookies and brushing the crumbs off his shirt.

'No,' she responded briskly, pushing loose strands of hair from her face. 'I'm looking for information, I've been researching the Crown Institute – you remember where that awful massacre occurred several months ago – unfortunately the patient list is strictly confidential, so that was a dead-end.' She sighed wearily as Ron nodded sympathetically. 'Now…now I'm sourcing local books on Clow Reed and similar wizards from Asia. As you know, Sakura and Syaoran's brand of elemental magic is quite distinct from the European variants.' She stood up and patted her cheeks. 'Sakura has the Time Card, and so it is assumed that Clow too had a similar ability to control aspects of space and time.'

'So that sounds like progress,' Ron offered helpfully.

Hermione looked up at him as if he were insane. 'Not at all! All we know is that the enemy and the "ally" can perform similar spells. But we don't know if the "ally" we know of, or the enemy in fact, are directly connected to Clow. We really don't know anything!' Her voice went high as she laughed thickly, tears springing in her eyes. 'Ron, I'm so frustrated!'

'Aw, love, c'mere,' Ron muttered and pulled her into his arms. She seemed to melt against him, shaking slightly. 'So Malfoy's been quiet lately,' he said conversationally, attempting to distract her. Hermione nodded against his chest. 'So, perhaps he's been scared off by Ginny.'

Hermione made an odd choking sound and pulled her head up to peer at him. 'Ron, you don't suppose that …Ginny still fancies Harry?'

Ron blinked owlishly at her. 'You think?'

Hermione pulled back fully and folded her arms guardedly. 'Well, I was just wondering. They seem close, right? But it's probably nothing.'

Ron was mute for a moment, mulling it over in his head. That couldn't be right, they'd been apart for a long time, neither indicating their interest in each other, least of all to Ron. 'Harry said himself he was over her.'

'Really?'

'To be honest, I was a little confused at first, but I'm glad they're speaking again. It was getting difficult.'

She regarded him glowingly, a cheeky twinkle in her eyes as the bridge of her nose crinkled. 'You've handled it well enough.'

Ron felt a smile tug at his lips, and he felt his heart flip-flop. She was beautiful. 'I reckon the two of them would've sent me mad.'

She brought her arms around his shoulders and he leaned in, admiring the amber sheen rolling off her thick eyelashes. 'We wouldn't want that, would we?'

'Hey, 'Mione, say why don't you take a break from all the reading?' he whispered, his breath blowing wisps of hair away from her face.

'Best idea I've heard all day,' she whispered back and pulled him in for a kiss.

After ten sets of sit-ups and four push-ups, Chibiusa flopped down. Lying idly on the mat, she stared tensely at the ceiling. Unthinking she turned her head, lifting her neck slightly to peer at Trunks. She watched as he performed a dead-lift, veins in his muscled arms and calves swelling as the giant dumbbell rested on his shoulders. She lifted an eyebrow.

Why does he work out anyway? She wondered silently to herself. Isn't he toned enough?

She noticed sweat dot his brow, his eyes downcast with concentration, his stomach muscles contracting as he grunted, extending his arms fully upwards. Her eyes lowered to his torso, covered by a white t-shirt that was soaked from perspiration, pressed against his chest like a sheet of plastic Saran wrap. She imagined for a moment his muscled chest underneath. She pictured his lean, chiseled abdomen. Like a procession of images in her mind, a memory long suppressed came rushing back to her. All of a sudden, she remembered that moment when she had seen him fully unclothed in the sauna—the moment she saw everything.

'Why are you smiling?'

Chibiusa let out a short shriek as she noticed a flash of fur and bright red eyes. 'Ack! N-No—I wasn't!' Diana had appeared at her side, casually licking her paw. Chibiusa slowly regained her breath. The cat looked up at her lazily. 'My, you must have had quite the work out. Your face is flushed.'

Chibiusa rubbed at her cheeks, feeling self-conscious as she peeked to see if Trunks had been watching.

He peered back, this time with the usual smirk on his face. 'Oh yeah, your cat walked in. I was going to say something, but…ya' know …you said to not look or something like that.'

Chibusa's eyes narrowed. She wasn't allowing herself to fall victim to another one of his traps.

'Yeah, that's right, Briefs. Don't even look.'

'But,' he said, his smirk growing wider, 'If I'm not mistaken, you were in fact staring at me.'

Chibiusa recoiled. He noticed?

'I mean, I could sense it, you know,' he added matter-of-factly.

Her thoughts were an open book.

'Whatever. No way would I stare at you. In your dreams,' she retorted, and then her hand rose delicately to her forehead as she brushed some of her fringe from her eyes.

'No, no,' Trunks' mimicked her, stroking back his fringe in an exaggerated fashion. His gaze was intense, as though he were looking right through her. 'In your dreams.'

Chibiusa felt her stomach lurch, disbelieving as her jaw went slack.

'So this is where the magic happens?'

'I guess you could say that?'

'No I mean, literally — magic. See, it's a joke!'

Trunks and Chibiusa spun towards the door. An eager Ginny emerged, followed by a tired-looking Meiling.

'Hey, you two are here?' Ginny exclaimed as she approached.

Meiling leered suggestively. 'Ginny was right. I guess there is some kind of magic in the air? Hm?'

Ginny chuckled, swatting Trunks on the back, before quipping amusedly. 'I hope we weren't interrupting anything. I guess there aren't a lot of opportunities for privacy with so many people, eh?'

Trunks cleared his throat uncomfortably, edging away from her and returning to where he had left his dumbbell. Ginny squinted before turning to Chibiusa. 'What's he training for? Isn't he toned well enough already?'

Chibiusa shrugged weakly. She stumbled over to Diana who stopped licking at her hind leg to gape at her. She did not relent.

'What?' Chibiusa croaked, her voice startlingly raspy.

'Oh, nothing,' Diana purred, eyes shining with mirth. 'Couldn't help but notice that he likes you a fair bit. Doesn't seem one-sided either, Small Lady.'

Chibiusa frowned, crossing her arms. 'I couldn't help noticing that you seem to be pruning more than usual, lately. Who are you trying to impress?'

Diana rolled her eyes, her lips curling strangely as though trying with great effort to hide a smile.

'Wicked! A talking cat!' Ginny exclaimed out of nowhere and pulled a petrified Diana roughly into a hug.

Trunks gave no regard to the girls' conversations, now giving way to doing some leg stretches. He passed an eye over Meiling who seemed to be bored, perhaps even spacing out. He thought it strange. She and Ginny seemed close in the beginning. It made sense, seeing as though they were similar. With she and Draco no longer on speaking terms it looked as though Ginny had become her companion. In the very least, they seemed to find cracking jokes at Draco's expense to be a suitable pastime. Three days had passed and now, it looked like a different dynamic altogether. They still mingled, but it seemed forced from Meiling's end.

Trunks snapped out of his thoughts, ears piquing as he overheard Ginny harass Chibiusa:

'Yes, but let's just suppose you did get married — what colour do you reckon your kid's hair will be? Like a pink-purple, or something random, like green?'

Trunks felt the heat rise to his face and pretended with great effort as though not to have heard. Through the corner of his eye, he observed Chibiusa excuse herself, her words a jumbled mess, before scuttling through the door, her cat guardian at her heels. Then oddly enough, Ginny followed after her. He glanced at Meiling, perplexed.

'She left?' Trunks asked, trying to sound casual.

'Yeah,' Meiling sighed again. 'Salmon Girl said it's her turn to prepare dinner. So of course Ginny offered to help.'

Trunks chuckled and thought to himself, A clear lie. She never sets a foot in the kitchen. Don't blame her though.

'You came here to escape Ginny too, didn't you?' Meiling asked.

Trunks gave a weak grin. 'A noble attempt, but alas…I failed it seems.' He cocked an eyebrow. 'You?'

Meiling frowned. 'She was ok at first. But she's quite irritating, isn't she?'

Trunks inclined his head but didn't respond.

She continued, 'Ever since she found out I was a Squib, she's been practically dissecting my entire family tree.'

'Well, yesterday she kept pinching me to see how hard she'd have to go before it would hurt. Ever since she found out I was Saiyajin. I'm just thankful she's never seen me turn Super Saiyajin.'

Meiling laughed, then said thoughtfully, 'Have you noticed her and Harry?'

Trunks nodded. 'Yeah. It's weird. I thought he and Tomoyo…well, I guess it isn't my business.'

Meiling shook her head, looking resolute. 'It isn't right. I'm worried she isn't going back and I fear what'll happen if she sticks around.'

Trunks thought for a moment. She was right. 'I agree.'

Meiling crossed her arms, giving a final nod. 'She has to go.'

The smell of steak and kidney pie and hot chips wafted from the kitchen as Chibiusa and Ginny clanged about donning aprons. Harry's mouth watered as he passed through the dining room.

Something white and square pulled at the corner of his vision. He turned fully and picked up the envelope from the table. It was half-opened. Realisation dawned on him as he scrambled to open it fully. Two tickets trimmed with gold lay across his palm, with neat black print: 'TOYOHASHI TENGU'.

It was Tomoyo's gift to him.

He had forgotten all about it.

What a great gift! He then remembered, with a heavy ball in his stomach, how they had discussed going to a game together. He stared at the tickets, deeply ashamed. But it wasn't just about the game. It was the day he had rowed with Ron… about Ginny.

'You bloody idiot,' he muttered to himself.

'Harry?' Ginny asked, dressed in a pink apron as she walked towards him. 'Ooh, what are you looking at?'

'Um, nothing!' he stuttered and shoved the tickets into his shirt pocket.

She had seen his movement and went to reach into his pocket. 'Ah, you sneaky!' she pulled the tickets out and stared at them. 'Wow, Harry! Did'ya get these for us?' She beamed. 'The Japanese Quidditch team? That's wonderful!'

'No,' Harry said frantically and snatched them from her hand. 'They were a gift.'

Ginny flashed him a dazzling smile. 'For you to use? Let's go!'

Sakura, Ron and Hermione walked in.

'Oh, Ginny, there you are,' Hermione said as they approached.

Harry stuffed the tickets roughly into his trouser pocket, the corner of the envelope digging into his leg.

'You came all this way, Gin, and you haven't seen much around here,' Ron said, clapping a hand on her shoulder, 'we should take you around before you go.'

'By the way, will you need a lift to the airport?' Sakura asked. 'We can arrange for the limo to take you – you're leaving on New Years, right?'

Ginny shook her head frantically and grinned as she grabbed Harry's arm, making him bend over uncomfortably, his glasses lopsided.

'I'm not leaving.'