Chapter 13: Just Friends
"And lastly, as more recent addition to our staff," McGonagall continued, but suddenly, Ginny wasn't listening. Trelawney had shifted a little, and Ginny had caught sight of the man standing behind her beside a towering Hagrid. He was staring straight at her, his bright green eyes wide with surprise.
Through the haze, Ginny heard McGonagall confirm what she was too shocked to process.
"The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor will be filled by Mr. Harry Potter."
Ginny stood in shock, her eyes locked with Harry's, as the professors around them clapped enthusiastically for him.
"I hope that you will make our three new professors feel very welcome here and will help them in whatever way you can," Professor McGonagall said, smiling broadly.
"Now," she continued, "If you will all have a seat, we can begin serious discussion of the upcoming year." With a flick of her wand, she Summoned a few dozen chairs to the front of the Hall. Still recovering, Ginny sank into the nearest seat. She watched Harry find a chair and turn distractedly to answer a question from Hagrid.
"Are you all right, Weasley?" Madam Hooch said from beside her, placing a solid hand on Ginny's arm.
"Oh," Ginny said, clearing her throat and tearing her eyes away from Harry, "Yes, I'm fine, thank you."
For the next two hours, Ginny forced herself to focus as Professor McGonagall led a discussion of the various traumatic experiences the incoming students had been exposed to under Voldemort's reign and how the professors could best address these issues. She even contributed a few comments when McGonagall brought up students whose parents had kept them at home for the duration of the four years. But a little part of her mind refused to ignore the fact that Harry was sitting just a few feet to her left, and that every few minutes he was glancing surreptitiously at her.
She remembered that Harry had been at an interview during the lunch with Draco, Ron, and Hermione, and she realized that he must have been meeting with McGonagall to discuss the position. She hadn't known he was interested in teaching, but then again, she reflected, he had been so good at teaching defense in DA…it made sense, really. Well, she thought wryly, this would put an end to Harry's avoiding her. But Merlin, Draco wasn't going to like this. She sighed and rolled her eyes, forcing her attention back to McGonagall.
When the bell tower struck noon, the ever-punctual headmistress cleared her throat and rose from her seat. "This marks the end of today's whole-staff discussion. We will adjourn for lunch, and I hope you will spend the rest of the afternoon settling in to your accomodations and starting your lesson plans. We will meet again here tomorrow at ten o'clock. Good day." And with that she swept from the room.
All of the professors rose and began to chat and disperse. Ginny stood and determinedly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Then, adjusting her robes, she marched over to where Harry had just finished saying goodbye to Hagrid.
"Hello, stranger," she said, trying for a confident smile.
Harry grinned back rather uncertainly. "Hi, Gin," he said. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I guess I never mentioned it to you," Ginny replied. "I didn't know you had a job here either."
Harry nodded. They lapsed into silence, and Ginny shifted uncomfortably. The last time they'd spoken had been that emotional night in the forest, and somehow, talking again in the harsh light of day felt…awkward.
Just when Ginny decided to just tell him goodbye and retreat to her room, Harry ran a restless hand through his hair and spoke. "Gin," he began, "Do you wanna…would you like to maybe grab lunch? At the Three Broomsticks or something?"
Ginny smiled encouragingly. "Sure," she replied. "I'd like that."
They made small talk about the weather and Ginny's parents all the way into Hogsmeade. When they were seated at a central table in the Three Broomsticks, Ginny watched everyone else in the pub turn to stare at them. When Ginny went out with Draco, they often got glances, particularly from young witches admiring Draco's good looks. But this staring was of a different caliber entirely. Ginny realized that she hadn't been out with the great Harry Potter since they'd dated at Hogwarts, and he was only more famous now. But Harry didn't seem to notice (she supposed he was used to it), and after Rosmerta had brought them drinks and taken their order, he looked up from the menu and regarded Ginny curiously.
"So," he said slowly, "Why didn't you ever mention that you got a Charms professorship?"
"Well, I was going to the night the three of you came home," Ginny answered honestly, meeting his eyes, "but things got kind of intense, and I guess I just forgot."
Harry smiled. "Yeah," he agreed, "I guess things did get a little intense. But you could have told me later…it's exciting! I would've liked to know."
"Well," Ginny said, raising her eyebrows at him teasingly. "You've been avoiding me, mister. I've barely seen you since that night."
Harry shrugged sheepishly. "I guess I have kind of been avoiding you," he admitted.
Ginny looked at him seriously, holding his bright green gaze. "Do you want to tell me why?"
Harry sighed deeply and sat back in his chair. Then, after a moment, he seemed to think better of it and leaned forward again, placing one elbow on the table and anxiously rubbing the back of his neck.
"I guess…." he began. He stopped short and looked up at her. "You really want an honest answer?"
"Of course I do," Ginny said. "We're supposed to be trying to be friends, remember?"
He nodded. "I guess," he started again, "I had this image of where you would be in my life when I came home, you know? And now that that's no longer an option, I sort of had to figure out what my new life was going to be like."
"And that new life didn't include me?" Ginny asked slowly.
"No, no, it did," Harry assured her quickly. "I just thought it would be easier somehow…to figure everything out if I didn't see you for a while."
Ginny nodded. "I think I understand" she said. "Unfortunately, that plan seems to be shot to hell now, doesn't it?"
Harry laughed aloud and took a swig of his Butterbeer. "Seems to be. Although," he added thoughtfully, "It wasn't really working anyway."
Ginny was about to ask him what he meant, but just then, Rosmerta brought out their food. And by the time the barmaid had left, Ginny had thought better of it.
"So why didn't you ever mention working for Hogwarts?" she asked instead.
"Well, like you said, we never really saw each other. My fault, of course," Harry said quickly, grinning at Ginny's peeved expression. "But it was sort of an impulse thing. You see, Kingsley asked me, Ron, and Hermione to join up with the Aurors as soon as we got back. You know, to get started sorting out all of the remaining dark wizards around the country…."
"Yeah," Ginny said, "Hermione mentioned that."
"Oh yeah, over dinner the other night? She said you guys had dinner."
Ginny nodded.
"Well, I was at the Ministry with Ron, going to meet with Shacklebolt," Harry continued, "and I ran into Professor McGonagall in the hall, and she asked if I would consider taking the Defense post. And I realized that I am just so bloody exhausted from the past four years. I figure I could use a break before I start Auror training." He sighed heavily. "I think really doing it…really killing him…it took a lot out of me."
As he finished speaking, Harry looked so worn out and weary that Ginny reached out and put her hand over his. Harry put his other hand over hers; his skin felt warm on hers.
"Well you made the right choice then," she said softly. "And you'll be a great Defense professor," she added. "Remember DA?"
Harry grinned brightly. "And your students will be in good hands too," he said, "Just promise not to teach them the Bat Bogey, okay? I don't think I can take one of those from every kid I fail on an exam."
"Do you plan on failing a lot of students, Professor Potter?" Ginny laughed.
"Only the annoying ones," Harry quipped.
They spent the rest of the meal chatting cheerfully about their lesson plans. Harry told Ginny with a confidential gleam in his eye that he had drawn up rules for an inter-house dueling competition to get his students thinking about the spells more practically, and Ginny imparted some of the teaching tricks she'd learned in Geneva. Ginny realized about mid-way through their conversation that their hands were still clasped on the table, and she withdrew hers quickly. Harry, who hadn't seemed to have noticed either, reddened a little and settled his hands on his lap.
"I can't believe we were both in Geneva at the same time!" Ginny said quickly. "Do you think we passed on the street?"
"Maybe once or twice," Harry said, smiling widely at the possibility, "Although, we weren't out much in the day."
"I knew I should have risked the muggings and gone on late-night walks!" Ginny said. "Maybe then we would have run into each other. Merlin, I would've had a heart attack."
Harry laughed. "Well," he said, reluctantly glancing at the clock on the pub wall, "We better get back to school. Lots to do."
They paid for their meal and walked outside into a heavy downpour.
"Bloody hell," Ginny said. "That was sudden."
Harry shrugged. "English weather," he sighed. "Here, let's walk."
As they stepped out from under the overhang, he wordlessly cast a spell, and a small, clear dome – rather like a bubble – erected itself around them. The rain pattered noiselessly against the walls of the dome, keeping them perfectly dry as they started back toward the castle.
"Nice spell," Ginny said, grinning and nudging Harry appreciatively. "You'll have to teach me that one."
"Came in useful over the years, let me tell you," Harry replied.
"By the way," Ginny said, "You said Hermione told you about our dinner. But did she happen to mention the scandalous circumstances of my inviting her and Ron to the Leaky?" she asked slyly, cocking an eyebrow at him and smiling.
"No," Harry said curiously, "What?"
"Well, I went over to the Burrow to ask all of you to dinner, and my mum tells me Ron and Hermione are in Ron's room. So I go up there, and what do I find but –."
"Them shagging," cut in Harry.
Ginny turned to him, eyes wide, and he burst into laughter. She realized she hadn't heard him laugh so fully in years. "How did you know!" she asked incredulously.
Harry recovered himself and faced her, grinning. "Same exact thing happened to me two years ago. Except," he added thoughtfully, "Ron's room was a tent…and the Burrow was the backyard of a very disreputable-looking house. I've learned to knock."
Ginny guffawed. "I did knock! And Merlin, have they been shagging all over Europe!"
"Apparently so!" Harry laughed. "I try not to think about it. That's the best course of action." He shuddered.
"Thanks for the tip, Potter."
"No problem. I think I won the bet though," he added cheekily.
"What bet?" Ginny said.
"Remember? You said they'd be blind for a least another ten years, and I said that one of their fights would inevitably lead to them shagging in highly inappropriate places, which is exactly what happened," he finished happily.
"Ohhh yeah!" Ginny exclaimed. "What was the prize for winning that one again?"
"Erm…," Harry said, suddenly reddening and glancing at her side-long. His awkward expression triggered Ginny's memory, and she felt her cheeks heat.
"Well, unfortunately, I think we're gonna have to do a rain check on that one," she said uncomfortably.
Harry snorted. "Yeah, definitely."
They reached the entrance to the castle, but as Harry started inside, Ginny grasped his arm and held him back. "Harry, wait," she said seriously. He looked at her questioningly, all concern.
"Are you going to be okay…you know, with all this? You said you needed to figure your life out and all that, and I just want to make sure…."
Harry covered her hand with his and squeezed. "It's fine, Ginny," he said, meeting her eyes, "Like I said…that whole thing," he waved his hand dismissively, "it was silly. We…," he nudged her good-naturedly on the shoulder, "we get along really well, Gin, always have. Even before we were, you know, together. It'd be a shame to give that up."
Ginny looked at him searchingly, but he smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, really," he repeated.
"All right," she said finally. "I'm glad you feel that way." Harry nodded and pulled her into a gentle, friendly hug. She smiled and patted him on the back.
"So," he said, pulling away and smiling brightly. "I'm going to go work on lesson plans. Maybe I'll see you at dinner?"
"Yeah," Ginny agreed, grinning back. "I'd like that."
Ginny spent the rest of the day finalizing her curriculum and settling in to her new living space. She found Harry sitting with Hagrid and Madam Pomfrey at dinner, and they passed an hour in friendly chatter. Everything seemed to be going really well with Harry, and it made Ginny hopeful…maybe everything would work out fine after all.
But when she had gotten back to her room and was getting ready for bed, Draco floo'd her to ask her about her day. She told him cheerfully about McGonagall's discussion and about how Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey, and Madam Hooch were getting along. It was only after they had confirmed their dinner and sleepover plans for the next night and said goodbye that Ginny realized she hadn't told him about Harry.
As she lay in bed that night, alone for the first time in two years, she could be completely honest with herself. She hadn't forgotten to tell Draco about Harry's job and their lunch…she had purposefully kept it from him. But why? She knew he would be angry and would overreact, that's why. And she was happy to be friends with Harry again…but she also knew it was delicate. She didn't want Draco's anger and jealousy to muck it up. Ginny sighed and rolled onto her stomach. No, for now she would keep it to herself. What Draco didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And, she thought, rolling her eyes, her friendship with Harry was totally innocent anyway.
Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter! I know it was rather short, but don't worry – the next one will be longer and there will be much more drama (I think you know what will happen, *nudge nudge*). So stay tuned! It'll be up very soon! And in the meantime – please review!