Outside Looking In
My best friend has officially lost his marbles.
Harry is staring across the common room, obviously millions of miles away. A strange dreamy look is on his face.
He's been acting like this for the past week. It's getting quite annoying, especially since he won't tell Ron or me why.
I stick my nose back into my Study of Ancient Runes book. I try to read the words before me, but my mind keeps drifting back to Harry's odd behavior.
I figure it out after a few minutes, and I feel like smacking myself. Why hadn't I spotted it earlier? (Well, the fact that I spend a good deal of time with Ron instead of Harry might have had something to do with it. And don't you say a word about neglecting him, because I'd rather snog Ron any day. Oh dear, that didn't come out right…)
Harry is head-over-heels for a girl. The hard part is figuring out which one.
All right Hermione, watch Harry's eyes. He is looking at a gaggle of females near the fireplace, giggling over something. Sixth-years.
There's Mariah Diggle, who takes after her grandfather as far as common sense goes. Erika Kelly, the best female prankster at Hogwarts. Deirdre Koveland, the boy-crazy one with an almighty crush on my boyfriend. And Ginny Weasley, my boyfriend's little sister.
Mariah is far too much of a ditz for Harry to ever even consider her. Deirdre is too fickle, one minute she's dating Draco Malfoy, the next Justin Finch-Fletchley. Erika is already going out with Dean Thomas.
He couldn't be watching Ginny!
Ginny turns slightly and seems to catch Harry looking in her general direction. She smiles slightly and, wonder of wonders! Harry smiles, a dazed, lovesick look on his face.
Ron hasn't spotted this exchange, he's engrossed in a chess game with Seamus, who hasn't noticed either.
Ginny is now neon red. Harry grins evilly, then turns back to his homework. Ginny stares at him for another moment, then turns sharply and starts talking to Deirdre again.
Well, this is an interesting development.