Author's Notes: Many thanks to Arnel for betaing. Enjoy!
The morning of the Hogsmeade visit dawned with low clouds that promised snow at some point that day. However, that couldn't put a damper on Ginny's eagerness for the day and she practically ran down to the Great Hall to scarf down a quick breakfast.
Unbelievably, even though Ginny knew Hermione was looking forward to this day as much as she was, she found her friend at the table revising. Demelza sat across from her, spooning porridge into her mouth and staring at their friend in amazement.
"Hermione," Ginny said, sliding into a seat next to Demelza. "What are you doing?"
Hermione glanced at her briefly before returning to her parchment and books. "Well, obviously, I'm not going to get any revising done once we go to Hogsmeade, and with Harry, Ron, and our parents coming to the feast tonight, there's no hope of it until after they all leave."
"Really?" Demelza asked. "You can't take one day off?"
"No!" Hermione exclaimed, scandalized. "And I suggest you two do some revising before you leave as well."
"I revised before I came down this morning," Ginny commented, helping herself to some eggs and bacon.
Demelza rolled her eyes. "The only thing I saw you doing this morning was brushing your hair and staring absent-mindedly at Harry's Chocolate Frog card."
"He looked really cute in it this morning," Ginny sighed.
"You're going to see him in an hour!" Demelza remarked.
"We have a whole hour still?" Ginny whinged.
"Here," Demelza said, sliding a piece of parchment over to Ginny. "Willow sent me a letter today, you can read it. Guess what? She found out she's having a boy!"
"Really?" Ginny asked, but then looked troubled. "I wonder why she didn't write me?"
She noticed Hermione and Demelza exchange glances and wondered what it was about. She hadn't heard from Willow since the term had started. She knew that Dennis had received a couple of letters from Willow, but she hadn't thought anything of it, since he was Colin's brother and they had spent some time together before he left for Hogwarts. Ginny had comforted herself with the knowledge that Willow hadn't sent Demelza any letters either, but now she had. Of course, she reasoned, perhaps Willow assumed Demelza would simply share the letter with Ginny. Then why not address it to the both of them?
Ginny scanned Willow's letter and saw it simply contained general information about how she was fairing and that she was having a boy. She knew that there had undoubtedly been another portion of the letter that was for Demelza's eyes only.
"Look, Ginny," Demelza said, suspecting that Ginny had come to her sad conclusion. "Willow loves you. She told me to tell you so."
Ginny shook her head. "She's angry with me."
"No, she is not," Hermione said, closing her books and looking over at Ginny with compassion. It only made Ginny feel worse. "She's jealous of you, Ginny. You have to know that."
"I know," Ginny admitted. "But what am I supposed to do?"
"Exactly what you are doing," Hermione encouraged. "Live your life, love Harry."
"What if she never gets over it?" Ginny asked. "That Colin died and didn't come back and Harry did?"
"She will," Demelza insisted. "You have to give her time. You've been writing to her, right?"
Ginny nodded. She had written several letters to Willow, asking how she was doing and feeling. She'd told her how term was progressing, Quidditch, and what everyone was up to. As well as telling her friend how much she missed her and wished she was here.
"Keep doing that," Hermione insisted. "She simply needs more time, Ginny, like Demelza said. Her baby is due in December, right around the holidays. I think, like her mum said, once she has her baby, she's going to have a new perspective on things."
"I hope you are right," Ginny said. "I really miss her. It's been hard being here without both her and Harry. You two are amazing, and I love you, but I know you understand."
"Of course we do!" Hermoine replied, beginning to place her books, quill, and parchment into her rucksack. "Now, I have to run this up to our room and get ready to see Ron! We're meeting at Honeyduke's. Where are you meeting Harry, Ginny?"
"At the gates," Ginny said, glancing at her watch, the thought of seeing Harry soon warming her heart and making her feel better. She knew her friends were right and at the moment there wasn't anything more she could do about Willow than what she was. Today was about her and Harry and she was going to try her best not to let anything ruin it.
"Well, you two have fun," Demelza said. "I'm staying here, where it is nice and warm. I'll see you at the feast later."
Demelza rose, waving good-bye and moved down the table to sit with Dennis. Ginny raised her eyebrows at that and Hermione chuckled before saying she'd see Ginny later and heading back to their room. Ginny remained where she was for a moment, but she wasn't hungry any more and so anxious to see Harry, that she left, even if it meant she would have to wait at the gates until Filch decided to open them.
However, by the time she walked down the path and reached the gates, she saw they were already open and waited impatiently as Filch inspected all the students in front of her. It seemed to take an interminably long time, but eventually she reached the front of the queue. Filch eyed her suspiciously, but since she wasn't carrying anything, there was no reason for him to detain her and he grudgingly allowed her to pass.
As soon as Ginny walked out of the gates that separated the Hogwart's grounds from the road that led to Hogsmeade, she saw Harry standing off to the side, waiting. Without a thought, she threw herself at him and kissed him soundly on the lips. Harry responded in kind and pulled her closer, and they probably would have remained there for the rest of the day if Filch hadn't yelled at them, threatening Ginny with detention and to ban Harry from the premises.
Snickering, Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and led him away. He glanced back over his shoulder and shook his head.
"It's amazing to me that after everything that has transpired, some things will never change," he said.
"Filch isn't happy unless he's threatening a student with detention," Ginny said. "We probably just made his day."
Squeezing his hand tighter, Ginny resisted the urge to skip down the lane. She was going to Hogsmeade with Harry for the first time ever. Excitement bubbled in her stomach at the thought and she began making a list of the places they should go, the things they should do. Quite honestly she didn't care as long as she got to spend the day with him. Surprising as it was, she was finding it harder to be away from him this year than last. Probably because she had less to worry about and quite simply the fact that they were seeing each other again, albeit long-distantly and not being able to kiss him on a daily basis was slowly driving her insane.
"So," Harry said. "I haven't been here in ages. I suppose you haven't either, really. Where would you like to go?"
"Oh, I was really hoping we could go to Madam Puddifoot's," Ginny said sweetly, looking over at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
Mischievously, she watched as he swallowed and attempted to wipe away the slight look of distaste that had crossed his face before he answered, rather convincingly. "Alright, that sounds like – fun."
"You're the best!" she cried and threw her arms around him for a brief hug before letting go and doubling over in her laughter. "Oh, Harry! Your face was priceless! If I wasn't sure you loved me, I'd know now."
Harry looked sour. "Very funny."
"I thought so," Ginny managed, before giving in to her laughter again. "What's wrong with Madam Puddifoot's anyway?" She finally asked when her giggling had subsided. "I've been there a couple of times, and it's not so bad, but Hermione told me once you detest it."
"It's not so bad, if you're a girl," Harry commented. "It's a bloke's living nightmare. All that pink and far too much expectation."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ginny asked.
"Well, you know," Harry answered. "If a lad takes a girl there, she expects him to, you know." He said, waving his hands between them in a completely random, indefinable way.
"No, I don't," Ginny said stubbornly. "Explain it to me."
"Kiss her," he finished lamely.
Ginny crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you want to kiss me?"
"Of course I do," he said earnestly. "But we don't have to go to Madam Puddifoot's to do that. I can kiss you right here." He took a step forward, reaching for her.
"It's cold out here," Ginny complained, even though he looked so incredibly inviting.
"I'll keep you warm," he said. Taking her hands, he closed the gap between them and pulled her hands inside his unbuttoned jacket until her arms were wrapped around his waist underneath the warm fabric. Then he placed his arms around her and looked down into her eyes. "Better?"
Ginny's head was already starting to spin with desire and the excitement in her belly had suddenly turned into a flame that was spreading rapidly. "Much," she squeaked, but returned his gaze unflinchingly.
"Do you really want to go to Madam Puddifoot's?" he murmured softly.
"Not really," she replied. She licked her lips as Harry watched her hungrily and a moment later crushed his lips to hers passionately. The fire exploded in her belly, turning her legs to jelly, and if Harry's arms hadn't been around her she was fairly certain she would have crumbled to the ground.
The middle of the lane to Hogsmeade was probably not the best place for him to be snogging her senseless, but she didn't have the power to stop it. All coherent thought was rapidly fleeing and her brain was turning to a warm, fuzzy mush. He wasn't kidding when he said he could keep her warm.
Dimly she was aware that students were still walking past, snickering as they whispered about rooms and decency, and another thought crept in of their picture splashed across the front page of the Daily Prophet. News was slow these days and Harry was still a hot commodity. Oh, Merlin was he hot. Did it really matter if someone took their picture? It wasn't like it was any secret they were seeing each other, and Harry's lips were so soft and warm and his tongue was doing that blissful twirly dance with hers that usually led to…
"Ahem!"
They broke part immediately, but Ginny was quite pleased that Harry took a firm hold of her hand even as they turned and faced the shocked visage of Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter," she said highly affronted. "While I know it has been some time since you have seen each other, do you think the lane to Hogsmeade is an appropriate place for such carrying-on?"
Ginny flushed scarlet and peeked over to see that Harry looked very much the same. She had to stifle a snicker as he answered for them. "We're sorry, Professor. We'll be more discreet."
"I should hope so! Might I suggest Madam Puddifoot's?" Professor McGonagall remarked dryly. "From what I hear, that seems to be the place most young couples go. Good day to you both."
She swept by them and Ginny had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from bursting out in laughter. Harry stood there gobsmacked and watched the professor go.
"Looks like we'll be going to Madam Puddifoot's after all," he finally muttered, and Ginny completely lost it and laughed uproariously.
After that, they contented themselves with holding hands and window-shopping. Zonko's had reopened, but neither of them much felt like going in; the memory of Fred and George contemplating buying Zonko out and opening a Hogsmeade branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes still fresh in their minds.
Their wandering led them down the path towards the Shrieking Shack. To this day the ghost stories associated with the condemned building kept most visitors away except those there on a dare. The path was deserted and the neglected house looked sad and lonely up on the hill against the grey sky, and as the first snow of the season began to fall, Harry and Ginny stopped at the gate.
"Have you ever been inside?" Ginny asked.
"A couple of times," Harry answered. "It's as run down on the inside as it looks outside."
Shivering, Ginny stepped closer to his side and sighed in contentment when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Standing in this spot, with the snow falling quietly around them, brought thoughts of Willow and Colin once again to Ginny's mind. She knew it would be useless to try to shove them away, since undoubtedly, her worry over her faltering friendship with Willow would continue to plague her until she talked to Harry about it.
"Do you remember the first song we ever danced to?" she asked.
Harry smirked. "Don't you mean the only song we ever danced to?"
"You know what I meant," Ginny replied with some exasperation.
"Of course I do, Gin," he answered warmly. "I'd been thinking about you for months and couldn't pass up the opportunity to actually have an excuse to hold you in my arms. I'll never forget that moment."
"Willow wrote that song after…" Ginny stopped, her voice catching. "She and Colin had their first kiss here, in our fourth year. She loved him so much for so long. I was jealous of her then; that she was so certain, and not only that, but that Colin was too. At the time I didn't have a clue what she was talking about when she described how Colin made her feel. All I knew was I had never experienced it."
Harry looked at her uncertainly, waiting for her to continue. Ginny could feel tears prickling her eyes, and as much as she knew Harry hated to see her cry, she couldn't stop them from trickling down her cheeks. Looking up at him, there were flakes of white snow clinging in stark contrast in his dark hair, and she reached up to brush the snow out of his hair.
"What I feel for you is so much more than she ever described and it scares me. I love you so much, and whenever I am with you it feels like a dream. Now, we only have today and then you're going to leave, and I miss you already!"
"Gin," Harry said softly, pulling her into a tight hug. "Don't be sad now. We still have the rest of the afternoon and the feast tonight."
"I'm sorry," Ginny apologized. "I'm being such a girl right now. It's just, Willow sent Demelza a letter today."
"And not you," Harry deduced.
"It hurt my feelings that she snubbed me. Because I can't help that I'm happy and she's not. It's not my fault and I feel like she's taking Colin's death out on me by ignoring me," Ginny explained in a rush.
Harry didn't respond immediately, but instead stroked her hair gently. Ginny pressed her ear against his chest, feeling his warmth and listening to his heartbeat. It never failed to make her feel immensely better.
"I know what it is like to have a close friend take something out on you that you have no control over," Harry said. "It's very upsetting, to say the least."
"Ron's always been a prat," Ginny remarked.
Harry chuckled. "Maybe, but in hindsight, I can understand his frustration. To this day, he still apologizes, for the Tri-Wizard tournament… for the hunt. I keep telling him to stop, all's forgiven, but he won't. Willow… her situation is different. She's always been by your side, never faltering. Like Hermione with me."
He paused and this time, Ginny waited. He was right; Willow had never turned her back on Ginny. In their sixth year, she had risked terrible punishment by taking Polyjuice Potion and pretending to be Pansy Parkinson, all so Ginny could make an attempt to steal Gryffindor's sword for Harry. Willow had always comforted Ginny when she was hurt or sad. She'd been there during some of Ginny's darkest hours and understood her like no one, except Harry, did.
"Besides saying that I understand how you are feeling, I don't know if I can say anything else that will help you," Harry continued. "All I know is, if your friendship with Willow is strong and true, she'll figure it out and come around. You have to give her time."
"That's what Hermione said," Ginny admitted.
"Well, she is fairly bright," Harry said. "She's usually right."
"So are you," Ginny remarked.
Harry pulled away from her slightly so he could look at her. "Willow doesn't hate you, Gin. She hates what Fate did to her. You have nothing to do with that. She just needs to figure out how to go on. It would be an incredibly hard thing to do, don't you think? You and I have talked about this, but I will say it again. I don't know if I would be able to go on without you; I love you that much, and it scares me too. I feel exactly the same way you do. No one makes me feel as alive as you do. So, if Willow and Colin felt the way we do now, yeah, I think she has every right to be having a hard time of it."
"You love me that much?" Ginny whispered.
"You know I do," Harry answered.
"Can we go to Madam Puddifoot's and have hot chocolate and chocolate chip scones and make fun of the other couples in there?" Ginny asked.
"Whatever will make you happy, love," Harry replied.
"You do," Ginny said.
Harry cupped her face in his hands and brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs, all the while gazing into her chocolate brown eyes with his emerald green ones before kissing her softly. Breaking away, he took her hand and they walked back towards High Street and then on to what would be the highlight of their day: sitting in a back booth of Madam Puddifoot's and making fun of a couple who was quite oblivious to the world around them. The girl had bushy brown hair and the boy's hair was as red as a tomato, and they were so busy frantically snogging, that they didn't even notice when their two best friends walked by and attempted to say 'hello'.
TBC
