A/N: Back with a new Harry Potter story, this time a more extended one shot. I wrote this as part of the Ginuary gift exchange event on the Ginny Lovers Discord server, genuinely great space on the internet for Harry Potter fans. So here is a story for flordetangerina using the "missing moments" prompt as inspiration. I tried experimenting with other prompts, but none of it materialized into anything I felt like seeing through to the end. Admittedly this story was in the back of my head for a while before this gift exchange event, so I'm crossing my fingers it's a quality story! My endnotes are pretty lengthy, but I really I couldn't help it.
Harry was only just starting his third year in the magical world, but he was sure the worst thing that existed in it—apart from Voldemort—was Dementors. He woke up very early his first full day back at Hogwarts, five in the morning, to be exact. The memory of the Dementor on the train still fresh in his mind like a persistent storm of despair. It nagged at him, keeping him wide awake, as did the annoying thought of being continually mocked or pitted for being the only kid on the train to faint. It was this that finally made Harry give up on going back to sleep. Anything was better than staring up at the ceiling of his four-poster bed stuck in these thoughts. Harry quietly crept downstairs, surprised and perhaps grateful at who also apparently couldn't sleep. Ginny Weasley was sitting by the fire as if transfixed by the flames.
Harry gently approached Ginny. "I did not think anyone else would be awake this early." It was a friendly greeting.
Ginny turned and met his eyes in slow motion, gave a slight shrug, and turned back to the fire. Harry knew instinctively she wasn't herself. Sure, there was no awkwardness about her, but she wasn't happy either, but Harry would take either state over the plagued one he saw now. It reminded him too much of the previous year and her horrible trauma with Tom Riddle's diary.
Harry continued as if trying not to spook a small animal. "I couldn't sleep either. Do you mind if I sit with you?"
"Um, sure." Ginny watched Harry sit next to her with a little more life in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" He asked with concern.
The tiny bit of life in her eyes died at the question.
"Just tired." Ginny feebly lied.
Harry thought it would be insensitive to point out that if she were only tired, sleep would come quickly, and she would not be down here so early. He'd been through the difference. It was happening to him right now and had happened plenty of times as a child stuck with the Dursleys at Privet Drive.
Ignoring her lie completely, he said, with a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry Ron kicked you out of our compartment on the way here."
"He acts like I'm five years old." Said Ginny with melancholy annoyance, picking at the carpet on the floor. "Four brothers here, and none of them care about me unless I'm having a fit or nearly dead. I'm an obligation."
It was an angry mumble, but it was the most Ginny had ever spoken around Harry, let alone while sitting alone with him—except perhaps in the immediate aftermath of the chamber. It surprised him a great deal, but again he had enough tact not to react. Another moment later, and the last of Ginny's words registered in his brain, and he felt like he'd been thrown into ice-cold water.
"You still remember," Harry said gently, without moving at all.
Ginny looked back into the fire. "Remember what a gullible idiot I was, hard to forget." She was full of self-disgust. "People still look at me funny. Do you know what it's like to have people stare at and mutter about you all the time?" Ginny turned back to Harry in slow motion, realizing what she said, and a blush rapidly flooded her cheeks as she bowed her head, mumbling, "Sorry," quite sheepishly.
Harry wasn't sure how long it would take Ginny to remember who she was talking with and clam up again. He was glad for her company and resolved to let her lead their conversation.
Ginny suddenly broke a long silence; her voice was shaky and timid. "That Dementor on the train… made me relive everything I did, and after, I was just starting to get over it."
Harry was empathetic. "That's what those things do to you? I'm sorry that must have been terrible, but at least you didn't faint. You're already stronger than me." He told her encouragingly.
"I had a fit, same difference," Ginny mumbled, embarrassed, avoiding eye contact with Harry again.
"Why not tell your family?" Harry suggested gently.
"They'd just worry or pity me, and people here still think I'm barking mad," Ginny said with her eyes on the fire again.
"I don't pity you or think anything of the sort; it was Voldemort," Harry reassured her.
"Then I annoy you," Ginny said dismissively, cringing at the name usage.
Harry corrected her assumption. "No, you haven't annoyed me ever. I just don't like how people make fun of you or me or your feelings. You are not a fangirl; they are intrusive. You hardly talked to me before now."
"Thanks," Ginny sighed deeply, avoiding looking right at him. "He told you, didn't he?"
"Who told me what?" Harry asked, truly confused.
"Riddle, he told you that I— fancy you." She blushed to the roots of her hair; she had almost admitted to being in love with him, but she wasn't that bold right now.
"I didn't need Riddle to tell me about that, to be honest." He said quietly. "I haven't forgotten that you stood up to Malfoy last year in Flourish and Blotts."
"I'm sorry he thought I was your girlfriend," Ginny mumbled quickly, blushing through her entire face.
"I'd be lucky to have you." It was true, Harry thought. He was flattered that Ginny was so taken with him.
"You don't have to nice to me, Harry." She said dismissively.
Harry continued thoughtfully. "I remember the first day I saw you on the platform at Kings cross so happy and innocent. I'm sorry he took that from you and that, yesterday, you had to relieve last year." He said earnestly.
"You were writhing on the floor," Ginny said abruptly yet calmly, surprising them both.
"I thought I fainted?" Asked Harry, quietly startled.
"Um, you did," She looked him in the face again. "But before then, you were moving all funny on the floor like someone was attacking you. That's when our new professor sent the Dementor away. You jerked and then were still." She looked awkward for the first time. "We tried calling your name a few times, but you wouldn't come around, so whoever his name is—"
"Lupin?" Harry interjected quizzically.
Ginny nodded. "Lupin, yeah," She put her head on her knees, subdued. "He slapped you awake; it took a few tries."
"I remember someone slapping my face. Was I that bad then?" Harry asked quietly.
Ginny nodded with a strained expression. "The Dementor didn't affect me too badly at first, but then I saw you, and I got scared you were dying, and it made everything worse, and it all came back."
"Ginny." Harry grabbed her hand and squeezed it empathetically.
"You kept pleading to be taken instead." Her voice was a whisper now.
At Ginny's words, Harry could finally start piecing together how Dementors affected him.
"My mother sacrificed herself for me. Everyone thinks I stopped Voldemort, but it was her. She willingly threw herself between us." Harry volunteered freely to Ginny without being entirely sure why.
Ginny's eyes widened, and her voice shook. "That's what you go through? I'm sorry, Harry, that must be bloody awful."
Harry sighed, feeling dejected. "Reliving it is not what bothers me. It's that people think I'm a hero; I'm not. She stopped him, not me; I'm nobody's hero." He said very matter of fact.
"You're my hero," Ginny said seriously, blushing so hard she seemed to radiate, though the fire likely aided it.
"You glow when you blush, you know." Harry couldn't help telling her.
"That's because I'm by the fire," Ginny mumbled dismissively, breaking direct eye contact.
He shook his head. "No, it isn't. I remember when you spilled your porridge last year, you came up from under the table glowing." He smiled at her. "I don't need the sun when you're around."
"What, you remember that?" Ginny asked shyly.
Harry nodded and squeezed her hand, answering in a slow, thoughtful tone. "You are extremely memorable. After I boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time, I watched you out of the window until we took off."
Ginny suddenly felt bolder. "Harry, are you saying that you—"
"I don't know. No girl has shown an interest in me the way that you do. I'm not exactly sure how to handle it." Harry said honestly.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have put you on the spot," Ginny said apologetically.
Harry continued as honestly as he could. "I do know that I hate when terrible things happen to you. When I found you in the chamber, I was terrified you were dead, and then Riddle made so angry I was shaking."
"You nearly sacrificed yourself for me. If Dumbledore's Phoenix hadn't healed you, you would have died trying to save me." Ginny said, guilt-ridden. "If I hadn't been so bloody stupid…" Her head sank back onto her knees in shame.
Harry shook his head. "He took advantage of you and enjoyed your pain. That's not your fault Ginny!"
"You're the only one that doesn't think it's my fault," Ginny said gratefully.
"Your family— "Harry began quickly.
"Will never look at me the same way again." Ginny sighed irritably.
"Well, if it helps, I like looking at you and talking to you too; I wish you were in my year," Harry told her gently.
"Ron doesn't." She said a little bitterly.
"Who cares what Ron thinks. I'm not that intimidating. Don't be afraid to come around more." Harry urged her gently.
"It's not you that spooks me; it's other people judging or teasing. I can tell it's the same way for you with me. It's easier when no one else is around." Ginny said quietly. "Not that I expect you to meet me in secret just to talk to me." She added very quickly.
"Then it's a good thing I like talking to you and would anytime," Harry said genuinely.
"I like talking to you too, Harry, and don't worry. I don't expect to be your girlfriend or anything." Ginny said shyly.
"I didn't tell Malfoy you weren't, you know, not that I can even have one with a killer after me," Harry said, closing the gap between them a little bit now. He had no idea why he felt like telling her this.
Ginny was very empathetic. "Well, I'm glad I defended you, and I'm sorry you go through so much, Harry, and your relatives are treating you so awful that they hold you captive and starve you. Then you have nearly gotten killed here every year at Hogwarts; it's not fair."
Harry sighed and shrugged. "I'm sure that trend will continue for all seven years, which means that you wouldn't be safe being my girlfriend anyway."
"I would not care," Ginny said, blushing tomato red but keeping eye contact.
"I care, but this is worth a little less sleep sometimes." He squeezed her hand.
Ginny nodded, still looking directly at Harry, surprising herself. "You don't mind me?"
Harry shook his head. "Nobody else understands what it's like dealing with such awful things. The way people pity us, McGonagall pulled me aside moments after I got in the doors." He said, subdued.
Ginny chucked irritably. "I know all about that sort of thing. It's called overprotectiveness, and it's gotten worse for me since last year." She let out a heavy sigh. "I haven't decided if I hate that more or people's pity, whispering and mocking."
Harry nodded and sighed, looking quite irritable. "Yeah, why do people do that sort of thing? Ron's Harry Potter fan club joke last year, I wanted to hex him." He squeezed Ginny's hand again. "You are not like Colin Creevy; he has no boundaries."
Ginny lifted her head, sharing Harry's annoyed expression. "It's just like Ron to say something like that, git." She gave him a sympathetic smile. "You do not like people mocking your fame."
"You would think my best mate would get that," Harry said sadly.
Ginny sighed in agreement. "Ron's a bit slow at paying attention to other people's feelings. That's going to be a big issue for him and Hermione."
Harry sighed, annoyed. "I honestly hate being stuck as their third wheel."
Ginny smiled nervously at him. "Just find me if they're bickering; I'll keep you company; got to be somewhere in this huge castle away from people."
"And if you need to talk, come find me." Harry reminded her quietly.
"I will… Now, if only I could sleep." She said fearfully.
"I'll stay down here with you. You have the couch. I'll take an armchair." Harry said automatically, standing surveying the room.
Ginny stood up too and shook her head. "I know how to change the size of stuff. Mum always does it to our regular clothes to save money. I can't let you sleep in a chair. We can both have the sofa."
Um, well…" Harry trailed off awkwardly.
The look on her face showed a struggle to keep her composure. "Oh, I'll just— just suck it up then. See you, Harry."
"Gin, wait," Harry called abruptly. She was nearing the spiral staircase.
Ginny was abrupt now too. "I get it, you don't know if you fancy me, Harry, but that's not what this was about."
"I'm used to being uncomfortable, so the chair is fine for me. I didn't realize you wanted me on the couch with you." Harry said apologetically, coaxing her to close the considerable gap between them.
"You make me feel safe, but I was trying not to come across pathetic," Ginny mumbled quickly, not looking directly at him.
"How long were you already up when I came down?" Harry asked with concern.
"Since after two; I know it's stupid, but I— "Ginny began quietly.
Harry shook his head. "I don't know much about those Dementor things, but they make me faint. It's not stupid or pathetic." He assured Ginny as he squeezed her hand.
"It feels that way." She said emotionally.
"Yeah, it does." Harry agreed quietly.
"Then you'll stay next to me?" She asked seriously.
There was blunt sincerity in her question. Harry knew right then, for reasons he did not understand, that Ginny needed him.
He nodded. "I will, I promise, but I have a better idea than sleeping on the couch. I'll be back in a moment."
Harry returned a bit later with a silvery invisibility cloak. Ginny eyed it curiously.
"It was my dad's, an invisibility cloak, Harry explained. "That way, we can go upstairs and avoid drama from other people, including your brother; I hate drama, you know," Harry said adamantly.
"I do know, but I'm not listening to Ron snore all night… What's left of it anyway." Ginny said adamantly.
"I don't think this is how I pictured visiting the girl's dorms, but avoiding Ron's snoring for once will be nice," Harry admitted shyly.
Ginny blushed, looking apologetically at him. "You'll have to hold my hand on the way up; the girl's staircase has a security spell to keep boys out unless we take you up there with us."
"I'll use this over myself then; I can't think anyone will notice you holding an invisible hand in all that darkness anyway."
"What about getting up again later in the morning?" Ginny nervously asked.
Harry scratched his head, thinking hard. "I think we will have to stay in your bed so we can be the last people downstairs, invisibly in my case." They both blushed.
Ginny gave a small smile. "Thank Merlin. There are hangings over every bed in all the dorms."
Harry nodded in agreement. "Lead the way, Gin."
Ginny nodded, blushing at the way Harry shortened her name. Harry made a last-minute decision to put the cloak over them both. Then she took his hand, leading him up the girl's staircase to her dorm, and gently pushed open the door guiding him quietly to her empty four-poster bed, using her wand to close the hangs around it, giving them privacy.
"I'm glad we are both short; I think there is room to spare," Harry whispered in Ginny's ear, extra close to minimize the sound.
Ginny was glad Harry could not feel the warmth that this sent through her entire body. She nodded, and he lifted the cloak off them and stuffed it in his pocket. Silently they got into her bed, Harry after Ginny, both of them on their backs. Harry then draped the blanket over them.
"For later, so people just think you're already eating breakfast or something," Harry advised.
Soon Ginny retook his hand. "Thank you, Harry."
"Sure thing, Gin, try to get some sleep, okay. You've been up much longer than me." Harry said, softy.
"What if the dreams start again." She asked fearfully.
Harry didn't answer right away. He seemed to be deep in thought. "I am not going anywhere, I might not be in the market for a girlfriend, but I do care about you." He finally told her.
"Because I'm Ron's little sister?" Ginny asked, subdued.
"No, because you're you, Gin," Harry said, seriously, smiling at her.
"Friends then?" Ginny asked in a hopeful whisper.
"I'd say so since I'm sleeping with you," Harry said with a rhetorical grin. "Goodnight, Ginny."
"Goodnight, Harry." She took it upon herself to lean over and kiss his nearest cheek. "Just in case you never had a good night kiss." She softly whispered.
Harry couldn't remember being kissed goodnight in his life. He touched the spot on his face where Ginny had just kissed him, realizing that he felt just as safe around Ginny as she felt around him, suddenly sure Ginny being a Weasley, did not have very much to do with however he felt about her. Still, Harry was too tired to make further sense of that, and sleep claimed him relatively fast.
All too soon, muttering awoke Harry. It seemed that in their hours asleep, Ginny had cocooned herself against him. He did not dare move with girls actively getting ready for their day just outside the closed hangings surrounding Ginny's bed.
Ginny suddenly let out a deep breath and muttered emotionally in her sleep. "I love you, Harry."
An unknown girl scoffed in the room. "There she goes again, dreaming about Harry Potter for like the hundredth time! So, he rescued her. She doesn't think he'll fall in love with her; her entire family is dirt poor!"
"Forget the lack of money; she caused all that trouble last year; it was an obligation to rescue her because he knows the rest of her family!"
"You both don't know anything. You're just jealous Harry Potter wasn't your knight in shining armor! Let's get downstairs for breakfast."
"Some of us still need to change first!"
"Maybe you should stop gossiping and get a move on then…"
The rest of the conversation consisted of complaints about their clothes and bodies, which Harry deliberately ignored as much as he was able. Only once the room was empty did Harry gently rouse Ginny.
"Gin, you gotta get up, I don't think it would be good for anyone to find me here, and you are, uh, preventing my escape."
She responded anxiously; her dream had shifted. "No, don't make me… I don't want to, just let me go!" She gave an audible whimper of despair.
If she was dreaming about me before, she's not now… "Ginny, wake up; you're alright!" He said urgently.
"NO!" Ginny sat bolt upright, registered her surroundings, took one look at Harry, and then collapsed feebly into his chest crying. "Harry…"
"I'm here; I promised you that I would be. You're alright, Gin." He told her softly.
Her voice was small and afraid. "Harry, I feel like I'm back at square one, stupid dreams!"
He squeezed her empathetically. "I don't think either of us counted on Dementors dragging up our worst memories this year, Gin."
She lifted her face and smiled sadly at him. "I like the way you shortened my name; it makes me feel noticed." Ginny blushed.
"Listen, Gin, a bit before you started having that fit, um, you said… I love you, and well, I don't think that I—"
"Feel the same way." Ginny finished working very hard to appear casual but internally bracing herself to forever be stuck in the friend—zone with the boy she loved so deeply it overwhelmed her.
"I don't know, honestly. I feel safe around you too, I know that much, but that's about all I know right now. Maybe if I ever have a quiet year here." Harry joked dully.
"So, I shouldn't get my hopes up then." Ginny smiled sadly.
Harry suddenly thought of the perfect way to explain himself. "I know that if Hermione were in love with me, this conversation would be much more awkward because I won't ever feel that way about her."
"And me?" Ginny asked, unable to stop herself.
He squeezed her gently. "I'm quite taken with you, but I've never had a girlfriend, let alone a girl who is in love with me. I would rather not use you as a practice dummy."
"You are protecting my feelings, is that it," Ginny said calmly, carefully parsing his words. "That's a stupidly noble reason, but I appreciate it anyway." She lingered on his eyes in affectionate amusement. "We should get to breakfast— I'll have to take you downstairs again."
"You don't need to change or anything?" He asked uncertainly.
"I slept in my school robes, didn't feel like doing much of anything after the Dementor killed my joy yesterday."
"I honestly wasn't expecting you to talk to me, but I'm glad you have. Now, you just need to work on being yourself when I'm around other people." He told her encouragingly.
"I don't know if I'm comfortable with that yet," Ginny admitted shyly.
"I can see why; I overheard your dorm mates gossiping and mocking you," Harry said sympathetically.
Ginny shrugged. "People always do that; I'm used to it."
"Come on, let's go eat. You'll feel better." She nodded appreciatively, retaking his hand and leading him back downstairs. Naturally, Ron was quite animated that his best friend and sister arrived late for breakfast.
"Bloody hell, there is a killer on the loose." He hissed anxiously.
"I did not realize we had to be joined at the hip, Ron. Sorry, but sometimes I don't feel like being the third wheel to you and Hermione bickering like an old married couple." Harry retorted irritably.
Ron's ears went red, Hermione blushed. "We don't—"
Harry was unable to hold back a sharp laugh. "Oh please, you have been on about that cat since she got it!"
"What's your story then?" Ron said, turning to Ginny as though Harry had said nothing.
"I overslept, didn't sleep much last night, stupid Dementors, they are horrible," Ginny mumbled quietly.
"I thought you would be over it by now, though? It's nearly been a day." Ron said casually. Harry groaned inwardly at Ron's obliviousness.
Ginny gave her youngest brother a death glare. "Your worst memories roses compared to mine, but sure Ron, I'll get over it." Ginny retorted sarcastically with ice in her voice.
Ron made to retort, but McGonagall's voice rang out sharply near their table. "Potter, Miss Weasley; your schedules for the year."
"Professor, could I talk to you in private for a moment," Harry asked quickly.
"Certainly, the chamber attached to the Great Hall will do." She led him away.
He looked around aimlessly, somewhat subdued. "I just wanted to apologize for snapping at you yesterday. It turns out that the Dementors affected me much worse than I thought."
She answered bluntly. "I'm glad you understand that an encounter with Dementors is never to be brushed off. It irritates me to no end that they have been stationed around the school, but Albus cannot overrule the Ministry." Her face became a mixture of worry and fear. "I have already told Miss Weasley to be wary of wandering outside by herself, and I must impress the same thing upon you, Potter. Dementors rattle even the greatest of witches and wizards. Your most harrowing experiences are things most adults don't suffer through, which means contact with Dementors is inherently more dangerous for both of you." She noted his look of frustration. "I do not say this to treat you childishly. Dementors have a natural pull towards anyone who has suffered as much as you and Miss Weasley have in your young lives; that is a fact. You must be careful." She finished seriously.
"I understand that now; thank you, professor," Harry said gratefully.
Of course, Potter, now you are in danger of being late for your first class, though between you and me, Divination is not particularly important, especially the way she teaches the subject."
"Who, professor?" Harry asked.
McGonagall's departing words. "You'll see soon."
Harry was glad when his lessons for the day ended. Divination was ridiculous and made him quite irritable, and so did the muttering as he passed people walking to classes. Rather than stick around the Great Hall for dinner, he took as much food as he could carry back to the Gryffindor common room.
"It's easier just to eat here, you know." Ron pointed out rhetorically.
Harry shrugged. "I need quiet, and I'm honestly knackered; I couldn't sleep last night."
"We noticed." Ron and Hermione said together. "We're going to visit Hagrid. Are you sure you won't come?" Hermione asked.
He assured them and himself. "I'll go myself later in the week. Say hello for me, and I'll see you both later."
The common room was empty save for Ginny as people were at dinner or outside enjoying after lessons free time.
Harry greeted Ginny kindly as he joined her on the couch. "I didn't see you at Dinner; you hungry?"
Ginny nodded, somewhat subdued. "I suppose, and yeah, I had Herbology today. I swear the air feels different with the Dementors around. It's like they can sense me even though they aren't inside the grounds." She shook with anger. "I hate those things, Harry; I hate that they brought it all back when I was finally starting to let it go; it took all summer, and I didn't even set foot in Hogwarts this year before being forced to remember it all!" Her voice was anxious now, and she struggled against the threat of sobs. "I heard his voice, laughing, mocking me. It got so much louder when I saw you fall unconscious."
Harry put his arm tightly around Ginny. "I'm sorry; I know what that's like." He sighed, suddenly pained. "It's my parent's murder that I hear around a Dementor, I'm sure of it. My Mum, begging for mercy, and" But he trailed off, unable to finish.
Ginny cocooned herself against Harry, sounding apologetic. "I don't have any right to need you this much. I'm sorry," Ginny said quickly.
Harry shook his head. "I don't care about me. I'm used to awful memories." He gently gripped her shoulder, his voice soft. "You are the first person that has ever needed me. That means a lot to me. I just want to help you."
Ginny looked at him with more appreciation than anyone else ever had in his life. Her voice was heavy with emotion. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You already are. I think I forgot how much it helps that you know what I'm going through."
"Are you sure? I feel like this is not enough." He said hesitantly.
"It is Harry; exactly what I needed. Besides, the best thing about you is when you are heroic in small, quiet ways. That's why I love you."
Harry squeezed her hands tightly in his. There was a delicate tone to his voice. "Gin, I have no idea how to be in a relationship, and I would hate to screw up with you. I hope you understand that."
"It is still a stupid noble reason, but I appreciate it, just like I said yesterday." She said, looking at him with solace. "I'm just glad you are willing to be friends. I was shy because I thought you were annoyed by me like Ron is."
Harry sounded charmingly dismissive. "If I were annoyed by you, I would have told Malfoy you were not girlfriend that day in Flourish and Blotts last summer. Besides, I don't think you've noticed, but your feelings don't bother me."
Ginny looked at Harry apologetically. "Then hopefully, this doesn't bother you either."
As if she made up her mind right then, Ginny captured Harry's lips in a tender kiss; she pushed firmly against them; it was intimate but not the slightest bit greedy. Harry was very aware of how soft Ginny's lips felt; he had not expected his first kiss to be so pleasant. He was tempted to kiss her back but didn't want to act like he was willing to date Ginny and subject her to his complete lack of experience because he wasn't going to treat her love that carelessly, so he just waited. Ginny was glad because she liked knowing how Harry's lips felt on hers. She wanted it to continue for minutes, hours, days, forever, though neither of them knew how long the moment lasted.
"That was my first kiss. It was nice." Harry admitted shyly after Ginny slowly pulled away.
Ginny blushed. "I'm glad I just thought that this way; when some other girl is your first snog, I still got to be your first kiss, and you were mine. You don't mind, do you?"
Harry gave her a reassuring smile. "I never mind you, Gin. "
"Thanks for being there for me, Harry. I was serious when I said I feel safe with you." She told him earnestly.
"I know, I feel the same way, and I am glad you can talk to me when we are alone," Harry told her just as earnestly.
"Me too; how do you deal with the gossip? It is so bloody annoying," Ginny said miserably.
Harry sounded empathetic. "I wish I had an easy answer, but people love to gossip. Look at how fast it traveled around the school that I fainted. Now I have a death omen called a Grimm." He shrugged impatiently.
Ginny wore a sad smile. "I heard about that; Ron reckons our Uncle Billius died six hours after seeing the Grimm, but he wasn't all that healthy anyway. You're going to be okay, Harry."
"You will be too, you know," Harry told her urgently.
"And if I'm not?" Ginny asked nervously.
"If you aren't, I'll be there like I promised yesterday, and we can suffer through it all together." He told her seriously.
"Thank you, Harry." She said appreciatively.
The Dementors' trouble reared its ugly head in the middle of November during a Quidditch match under terrible weather conditions. Numerous Dementors flooded the Quidditch pitch attracted by the large crowd and quickly sought after Harry, making him fall off his broom and the match resulting in a loss. Permitted to leave the hospital wing Sunday night, he'd gone to bed early but was unable to sleep and so chose to wander downstairs.
"We can't keep meeting like this," Ginny said with a sad smile when he joined her on the couch.
"You couldn't sleep either, huh?" Harry asked with an irritable sigh.
"No, I just kept picturing falling over and over," Ginny admitted quietly.
"I can't believe I lost the match," Harry said dully.
"Better that than your life." Ginny pointed out, the relief in her voice palpable.
"You relived stuff again?" Harry asked sympathetically.
Ginny nodded. "You did too?"
Harry nodded. "It was much worse this time. Louder, and she was so desperate to keep me alive. I never realized that before." He said, looking haunted.
"I'm sorry, Harry. Reliving that anytime you're around those wretched things…" Ginny said, looking at him with a pained face.
Harry was suddenly talking openly. "I think I saw her, my Mum, in my head. She looks like you, if you were an adult, except her hair was dark red, she didn't have any freckles. It's one thing to see her in the pictures Hagrid gave me, but to see her in my head." Harry's voice was breaking now, but he did not care. "She was so beautiful, and she's just gone forever!"
"I'm sorry, Harry. I wish I could do something." Ginny said sadly.
"It's enough that you remind me of her; I think that's why I feel drawn to you. I'm sorry." He said somberly.
"I don't mind; if I help you just by being around, I will," Ginny said calmly.
"How can I miss people that I never even knew?" Harry asked irritably.
"Harry, they are your parents. It's human to miss them!" Ginny said empathetically.
"I just feel so weak, Gin." He did not bother to stop the tears that slowly escaped his eyes now.
Ginny moved into a tight embrace with him. "It's alright, Harry." She stroked his back and the back of his head gently.
"I can't relive it anymore. It just makes me want my parents back. If it keeps happening, I'll go mental." He said anxiously.
Ginny broke the hug, "Don't worry, I'll make sure that doesn't happen to you, Harry!" She looked fiercely determined.
"I'll be glad for that," Harry said earnestly, taking her hand almost instinctively. "I still wonder why me, Gin?" He admitted relatively subdued.
Ginny blushed. "Harry, I have loved you since before I ever knew what love meant. My parents told me that your name was the first thing that I ever said besides Mum and Dad." She continued as if trying to comprehend something intangible. "I just feel it, and I have been in love with you since I was five, but just being here for you is enough."
"I'm glad that you understand what it's like to live with—to relieve awful memories if I had to go through this alone." He stopped abruptly.
"You are not alone, Harry." She said earnestly.
"I know, but Ron and Hermione won't ever understand, and sometimes I wish they would just stop bickering. I have bigger problems than a bloody cat chasing a rat." There was a bitterness in his voice he hated.
"That fight is ridiculous. I don't think that those two realize how annoying the bickering can be." Ginny said sadly.
"No, they don't." He sighed.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked with genuine concern.
"I, am tired and I wonder how tired I will be by the time Hogwarts is over." He laid down right there on the couch.
"I'll let you get to sleep," Ginny said, getting up to leave.
"Stay, please." He said quietly, shifting over as much as possible to make room for her.
Harry was already falling asleep. Ginny gave a small smile. "Anything for you." She climbed onto the couch sliding in next to Harry, even sleeping; his expression looked restless. Ginny leaned over and kissed Harry's scar. When she tried to move back, his arm pulled her gently against his body. Ginny was sure that Harry's life was only going to get more complicated. Today, Dementors and a serial killer, at some point Voldemort, would come back—he tried twice already; eventually, she fell asleep feeling a mixture of worry and safety.
A flood of sunlight woke Harry up the following day while it was still relatively early. Harry was only briefly flustered to find Ginny lying asleep on top of him, remembering that he asked her to stay with him last night. He caught the overwhelmingly pleasant flowery scent of her hair and breathed it in as he stroked her flaming mane gently. A forced cough behind him made Harry freeze.
"You have five seconds to get out from underneath my little sister," Ron said in a dangerous whisper of barely contained rage.
"Ron, it's not what it looks like; our clothes are on thickhead! We fell asleep together, that's all." Harry insisted quickly.
Ginny stirred for a minute. Ron seemed to get angrier by the second but did not say anything more, clearly trying to absorb what he saw.
"Harry, how long have you been awake?" Ginny said groggily.
"Long enough for Ron to— "
The mention of his name brought Ron out of his shocked state. "Ask what the hell is going on with you two?" He asked angrily.
"Don't have a cow, Ron," Ginny said with bored irritation. "You slept with that Teddy Bear to feel safe until Fred and George turned it into a spider."
Ron turned red. "Why are you sleeping together," Ron asked impatiently.
"Are you that oblivious? You try reliving memories of You-Know-Who and see how easy it is to sleep." Ginny growled, standing up now.
"Ron, I've felt worse than I ever have with the Dementors around. It's like being depressed except much worse because I just want to see my parents again." He said dejectedly.
"But you're parents are— " Ron stopped looking very sympathetic, realizing what Harry was saying without actually saying it. "Oh, well, maybe you should talk to someone." He suggested rather delicately.
"I am talking to someone, your sister." She understands in a way, you and Hermione won't ever be able to, especially when you have such a petty argument going on at the moment. I'm going to figure out how to fight these things, but misery loves company, and I'm pretty miserable lately." He said bluntly.
Ron looked at Ginny. You too?" Rob asked, subdued.
"I have been since before school started, Ron. Maybe it's easy for most people to bounce back from the effects of the Dementors, but for us, it's like fighting not to drown." Ginny said in a weighted, emotional voice.
"Right, well, my bad. I didn't realize…" Ron trailed off.
"Why would you realize I am having trouble? You don't care enough to have me around unless, of course, I'm nearly dead, then you care," Ginny said, unable to hide how bitter she felt.
"Hey, don't— " Ron said sharply.
"Don't what! I'm supposed just to forgive you now that you feel bad?" She retorted. "Sorry, Ron, but sympathy doesn't mean much if you feel guilty, I needed you last year, and before we even left for Hogwarts, you treated me like a plague! It was just too embarrassing to be around me, is that it?" Ginny was shaking now.
"Ginny, please- "
"No," She repeated the word with emotional pain. "No… The three brothers I'm closest to made me feel so alone that I wrote in that damn diary, and— " Ginny swallowed hard and walked away through the portrait hole.
"Ron, I'll see you and Hermione at breakfast in a few hours, alright," Harry said calmly.
"Wait, what will it take for her to forgive me?" He asked desperately.
Harry scratched his head, his face blunt. "Not treating her like she's an annoyance would be a great start. Make your sister a priority, and I'm sure she will come around."
"Is that what you are doing?" He asked quizzically.
"That's what she needs," Harry said automatically.
"Don't give her though the wrong idea. She has a fangirl crush on you," Ron said bluntly.
"I have fangirls, but your sister isn't like that. She is in love with me since she was five." Harry said, humbled.
Ron laughed at this. "Come on, Harry; she idolizes you. She is too naive to understand love." Ron said dismissively.
Harry shook his head. "She'd do anything for me. I think she understands love just fine. Figure out your row with Hermione. I'm going help her." He left without another word leaving Ron with an odd puzzled look.
Harry found Ginny in a broom cupboard along a corridor just off Gryffindor tower; he shoved aside his hatred of small spaces and joined her inside on the floor, working hard to ignore the sudden tremor of his limbs.
"Good spot for playing hide and seek," Harry said casually.
"I was hoping you would find me," Ginny admitted quietly.
"I figured you didn't go very far," Harry said, holding her hand.
Ginny sighed. "I wish this hopeless feeling would go away; it makes me want to— to…" She couldn't finish.
"Die," Harry finished utterly matter of fact.
Tears slowly fell down Ginny's cheeks. "Yes, " She admitted hoarsely.
"I know, me too," Harry confessed with an equally hopeless sadness.
Ginny collapsed into Harry's arms, tears silently falling down her face. "It's going to be alright."
"You don't have to make me feel better," Ginny said feebly.
"I can't stand when you are sad." He said softly.
"You are shaking," Ginny said quietly, suddenly aware of his small but constant tremors as she was nestled against him of the slight tremors in his arms and legs.
"I'm a little claustrophobic," Harry admitted, embarrassed.
"I should have realized, I'm sorry!" Ginny wailed apologetically.
"I don't care about me." He insisted calmly.
"But I care about you. We should leave so you are alright!" Ginny insisted emotionally.
"I'm okay at the moment. I'll let you know if I'm not anymore, I promise; it's still easier than those sodding Dementors." He assured her.
"I'm happy you're not dead. I could not go through this alone. I need you, Harry." Ginny said quietly.
"I wish I knew how to fight those stupid things. I've seen a spell." He sighed.
"All I know about that is it's challenging to maintain, and even Dumbledore struggled when he sent them away." Ginny said fearfully, "He took out his wand immediately, but it was a minute or two before it went all white like at the train."
He frowned. The idea that Dumbledore would struggle to do any magic spell made Harry uneasy.
"I'll find some way to learn it, Lupin knows, and he is a great teacher," Harry said confidently.
"Well, if you do, someday, once you are good at it. Can you teach me?" She asked hopefully.
"Yeah, of course," Harry said without hesitation.
"Thanks, and Harry, it means a lot that you tolerate my feelings." Ginny was quite clearly, extremely grateful that Harry exercised discretion about her feelings, especially around other people.
"I don't know if you noticed, but I don't have many people who love me. There is no point pushing you away because you've been in love with me. If it bothered,I wouldn't be here in a confined space with you." Harry assured her quietly, with a slight grin.
Ginny smiled gratefully through a slight chuckle. "Fair point, I can't guarantee it will last, but I feel a little better."
"You can find me after lessons if it doesn't last." He told her consolingly.
"That means a lot; I didn't mean to make you late for breakfast, Harry." She was very apologetic.
"I wanted to make sure that you were alright, relieving Voldemort—sorry." He added as she shuttered. "I know how hard that is."
"You are the only one who understands." Ginny stood up in the small space, grabbing his hand, which still shook continuously with tremors. "You braved claustrophobia for me."
"Much easier than a giant snake," Harry admitted with a small smile.
"Let's go down to breakfast before we miss it completely," Ginny said as she led him out into the corridor, blushing from disbelief that she was the subject of the sort of rescue usually found in sappy fairy tales. "I still haven't properly thanked you for that, saving my life." She leaned into him and kissed him. It was much more confident than one she'd chanced at the beginning of the term, but again she refrained from snogging him, but their heads were still together as she pulled slowly away, holding his cheek. "Now the cliché is complete, rescued damsel thanks the hero with a kiss." She said with a guilty smile.
Harry chuckled softly. "Not until we fall in love." He said with an oddly twisted smile.
"We?" She said, wearing her twisted smile. "Nice try, but I'm already there; this is all on you, Harry."
"Sure, add that to the list." He said playfully, shaking his head in amusement.
"I wouldn't give up on you, not really," Ginny told him softly.
Harry might not know exactly how he feels about me, but I'm his friend in a way no one else is; that's enough for now.
Ginny took surprisingly happy solace in those thoughts, which kept her more miserable ones at bay as they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast together, both certain that they felt less sad in each other's company compared to being alone.
A/N: That's it I am. I am honestly pleased with how this turned out; I have maintained the opinion that JKR scarcely has Ginny in book three because having her and Harry grow closer after he had just saved her life is about as cliché as cliché can get. She avoids it by being very deliberate and sparse with Ginny's appearances in POA.
I often hear many people say JKR was terrible at writing romance, but what people don't understand is that she wrote romance only as a payoff to what I'm deeming character on character characterization.
Let me explain. JKR's biggest strength is Characterization. She is entirely aware of this strength and develops the core romantic relationships using her biggest strength as a writer. At every age, we see how they observe, think and react about and to each other. It increases as the characters age, it is not for them to be aware of but us, the people, reading the books.
Romance and romantic scenes are, in my opinion, a filter. In an action-adventure series where each book has its unique plot, JKR did not have time to waste developing her character's feelings using this traditional method. Yet, she still managed to communicate to us, the readers, how they feel and grow with the characters' ages, just like the overall plot does.
Characterization was her development tool. It pays off in the last two books with some romantic moments where characters express the feelings JKR has been hinting at to us, the reader, all series. As early as when 11-year-old Harry Potter watched 10-year-old Ginny Weasley out of the window, half-laugh half cry as she ran alongside the train until she was out of sight❤️