A/N – Not too long of a waiting period, and this chapter is like 8 pages compared to the normal 5-6, so be happy. Plus there are five letters. Yes, I said it, FIVE letters. Please enjoy, and review if you want (please?).
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The next two months seemed to drag on forever. Ginny lived every day, just waiting until she could plop down on the couch and read her letters from her owl-pal, because it was the only we she could relieve stress. All of the professors were piling loads of homework on the fifth years in preparation for OWLS. But that wasn't Ginny's only problem. Harry had been showing a strange interest in her lately as well, offering to do simple things such as carrying her books to class and walking her back to the common room.
February 14th was a particularly bewildering day. Ginny awoke to the smell of fresh roses, and the soft mewing of a cat. As she opened her eyes and her vision came to her, she realized she had two bouquets of roses – one yellow and one pink – and that Kaida had experienced the prick of their thorns. Quickly Ginny reached for the cards attached to the roses. The card on the pink bouquet read:
Ginny,
I know you can't wear this color, but I figured you might like these flowers. Missing you lots.
Love, Colin
The next card said:
Ginny,
I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now but it's not really easy for me. I really like you and I love being your friend, but maybe we could be more than that?
Hope you like the flowers.
With love,
Harry
Ginny froze and blinked.
"Miinndyyyyyy….." Ginny said, slightly freaked out.
Mindy grunted and rolled over, facing Ginny. "What?" she mumbled.
Ginny handed both cards to Mindy and watched as she read them, and then looked up at the flowers. Mindy's grin annoyed Ginny, as she began to laugh.
"See?" Mindy said. "I told you Valentines Day is for losers."
Ginny eyes hung. "What do I do?"
Mindy shrugged, "Go out with one of them? Or tell them both to bug off. It's not that big of a deal."
Ginny sighed and shrugged. "Well what about you? Did Blaise send anything?"
"No," Mindy said. "Why should he? It's not like we're-" Her words were cut off as a medium sized, pristine looking bronze colored owl swooped in through the window, landing gently in front of Mindy.
Ginny grinned, "You're not what?"
"Shut up," Mindy snapped. "It better not be from him… that lousy jerk."
She opened the small letter angrily and read it in silence. Her eyes glazed over as she read it, and dropped it wordlessly, as if in a trance. Her fingers opened the small package routinely and sitting inside on a pad of black velvet was a silver necklace with a heart pendant hanging delicately from the chain. Inside the heart there were two stones, an emerald and a garnet. Mindy's fingers closed around it and she just stared in front of her.
"Mindy…? Are you alright?" Ginny asked, swinging her legs over the side of her bed.
"I'm…" she trailed off. "Fine."
She dressed solemnly that morning, and walked beside Ginny to breakfast without saying a word.
Ginny was doubly confused. What was in that letter that could have such an effect on Mindy?
Later that day, Mindy made her way to the library, taking a seat in the far side by a window. Dinner would be over soon.
As she sat there alone, trying to study, two Slytherin's sat down before her. She stared at them both in turn with an even eye, wondering why they were there, and hating them for it.
"Do you want something?" Mindy asked bitterly.
"Yes, we do as a matter of fact," Rose said, replying with the same bite as Mindy had reaped.
Mindy raised her eyebrows saucily, "What?"
"Talk to Blaise," Rose said pleadingly. Mindy opened her mouth to speak but Rose shook her head. "No, listen to me. Blaise loves you. That night was a mistake, but all he did was kiss me. It was my fault too… he was tired and I took advantage of that. He told me no, Reed. C'mon, just talk to him."
Mindy stared at her blankly. At that point, Draco rolled his eyes and opened his mouth. "Listen, I'm not all for you dating Blaise, but if it'll make him stop walking around like a zombie every day, by God go for it." Draco stopped for a second, and against his better judgement, went on, "I know you still want him and he doesn't talk much anymore. All he does is work and it's really, really annoying."
"I can't just… go talk to him. Not now," Mindy said quietly, as if to herself.
Draco stared at her. "I don't care how you do it, and really, I don't care when, as long as it's soon, but you better talk to him or I will personally shove my foot up your-"
"Draco hush," Rose said, cutting him off. "Just please talk to him."
Both Slytherins stood up and walked away just as they had come. As they walked out, a flood of others walked in. Mindy relocated to the far corner of the library, behind bookcases where she was out of sight, and she slid down against the corner, sitting on the floor.
o.O.o
At the same time Rose and Draco were leaving the library, Ginny was walking toward Blaise, who was seated at a table in the Great Hall doing homework. She sat across from him and waited until he looked up.
"Yes?"
"Talk to her," Ginny said.
Blaise knew exactly what she meant but he shook his head doubtfully. "She won't listen. I've tried everything."
Ginny stood to go, "Well I think your letter today did something. Just… talk to her. She'll be in the library about now."
And before Blaise could fit in another word, Ginny was gone.
o.O.o
Blaise sat stupidly for a few minutes and perhaps against his better judgement, stood up and walked to the library. He glanced around at all of the tables and didn't see her. As he turned to go, however, he caught a glance of Mindy's brunette hair. She was sitting in a corner, her head in her knees, her legs hugged to her chest. Blaise thought at first she was crying, but her shoulders were perfectly still and she was completely silent.
At first he was hesitant, but he was remembering what Ginny had said and walked forward.
"Mindy?" he said in a low voice. Her head slowly picked up and to Blaise's surprise, she smiled softly at him. Blaise extended his hand down to her, and she slipped hers into it, slowly raising from the ground. As she stood, she slid straight into his chest, and he hugged her, as if it were the most natural thing on earth.
"Blaise?" she whispered.
"Huh?"
"I love you."
o.O.o
Ginny was alone in her dorm, doing homework that night. Mindy hadn't come back from the library, and it had been nearly an hour since Ginny had spoken to Blaise, so she guessed they had made up. Or he had never talked to her.
As she worked, Ginny became aware of a soft tapping at the window. She opened it and a small black owl stumbled in, dropping a little package and a single crimson rose on the windowsill. Ginny quickly shut the window, gathered the package, note, and flower, and went back to her bed.
She smiled inwardly as she read the note.
Hey S,
Okay I don't write sappy love letters, but I saw this and it reminded me of you. Now you'll know when I'm thinking about you. I've got one, but it's manlier. Ha-ha. I hope you like it.
Happy Valentines day.
-D
Ginny realized how much she loved his blunt simplicity, that in it's way was so complex. He had just a way of putting things that made Ginny want to laugh.
She opened the package and inside there lay a sliver ring, with the stones. The middle stone was in the shape of a heart, and it was a clear diamond, sparkling bright. One either side there was a smaller stone, that was purple. Inside there was an inscription in cursive, reading 'Strawberry'. Ginny smiled, slipped on the ring and watched as the outer stones changed from purple to green, and picked up a note at the bottom of the box, which said,
Now isn't this cool? It's purple when you're neutral; since you said purple is your favorite color and green when I'm thinking about you.
Ginny grinned, enjoying the fact that 'D' was thinking about her at that very moment.
o.O.o
D-
Thank you so much for the ring! It was absolutely gorgeous, and the idea is amazing (of course, but don't you go getting bigheaded again). I even put the rose you sent in a vase beside my bed. I made a water solution so it won't die. I wish I had gotten you something, but I've been under so much stress with the work load being piled onto us. I'll make it up to you, I swear.
So I'm curious. You said you have a ring like mine as well. Does it turn a color when I think about you? If so, what color? And what does the red color mean? The edges of the heart are glowing reddish.
Kaida is so funny. This afternoon when I came in after classes, she was on top of Rini's cage (Bee's rabbit), pawing at her. When I walked in she started watching me and mewing as if asking me to help her catch the rabbit.
Okay so, I know it's early, but my friend Violette (A/N : remember, that's what Ginny calls Vivian) is making me excited. For the ball in May, are we going to match? I'm going to be getting a dress in a month or so, and I was just wondering if you wanted to match colors. I'm thinking purple. You know I love purple.
Alright, workload haunting. I need to get to it. Thanks so much again for the ring. Just don't look for it! You're not aloud to know who I am.
The love of the Strawberry
o.O.o
S-
Well, I'm glad you like it, but of course I knew you would. And of course the idea was amazing; I thought of it. As for making it up to me, how do you plan to do that? I have some ideas. My ring – it turns red when you think about me. Red for strawberries. The red around the heart? I'm not telling. You'll figure it out. I'll only tell you that mine is shading green (although it's not a heart, because that's not manly). Ha-ha.
Is Kaida as stupid as she was when I got her for you? She used to run into walls when I was keeping her, but she did catch a bird once so I suppose she has some intelligence, for a cat at least. How big has she gotten? Not much more, I'm guessing.
Sure we can match at the ball, but only if we're wearing green. That's my favorite color. Girls are so weird. You're already thinking about getting a dress? The ball is three months away.
Well, I have a particularly happy friend in my dormitory now, so I have to go.
To the box,
D
o.O.o
D-
You have ways for me to repay you, huh? I think I'll go with my own method, as it is probably more legal than yours. I sent you something sweet, hope you like it.
Why won't you tell me what red means? It got even redder today, but not too much. The outer stones are green, so I guess you're thinking about me. Either that or my ring is broken. He-he.
Green sounds okay, but I'd rather wear purple. I guess we'll just have to see about that, huh?
Did you see the big mass of brown, vile smelling smoke in the library today? Points for me and Violette. What can I say? Madam Pince is fun to make mad.
Time for dinner,
-S
o.O.o
S –
The dungbombs were you? You are a very bad little girl aren't you? That makes me wonder if it was you all the other times it's happened this year. Maybe next time I'll catch you while you're in the act.
Professor Trelawney told me I'm to have a friend die in the near future. You better watch out, it just might be you. But then, she's told me I'm going to suffer great losses and sorrows since I started her class, so I guess I'm used to it and you probably have nothing to worry about.
I thank you for the chocolate, though most of it hopped away. My owl (the one sitting before you), got quite a spook. You should set one in front of that dumb cat and see how she reacts.
I'm going.
-D
o.O.o
Dear my lovely owl-pal,
Are you busy? You seem busy. Why don't you write me? I got a letter that said to stop writing you, and I figured it must have been someone playing a prank. I can't wait to meet you!
Please, please, please write me! I miss you a lot!
With lots of love,
Your owl-pal
Mindy rolled her eyes at the letter and tossed it in the fire before her. She had only once written her owl-pal, and it had been her saying not to write her. But tonight, Mindy was in a good mood. The last few days had been golden, being back with Blaise and understanding how everything was just a mistake. She hadn't realized how much she really missed him, so she, for a few moments, realized that perhaps her owl-pal missed her. She decided to write.
Hey kid, she wrote, in festive purple ink,
How many letters have you sent me, anyway? So much paper wasted. Sorry about it, but it was me that told you not to write. I'm not really a people person, if you know what I mean, so don't expect me to write much, if at all, after this. But while I'm in a good mood, I'll tell you a little about myself (since I already know all about you).
My middle name is Louise; my favorite color is navy blue; I have a boyfriend whose middle name is Michael; my dad died when I was younger; I have no siblings; I have a best friend that is like my other half – her middle name is Molly; I'm 5 foot 3 inches tall; I'm 16; my birthday was in December, on the 19th; I don't like quidditch, except for when my BF or BFF is playing; I don't like pumpkin juice; I won't drink alcohol; my mother's name is Lindsay.
Is that enough? If you're wondering why I gave you middle names, it's because I can't give out first names. No offense, but you are slightly obsessive and would probably figure me out. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that information gave me away.
I'm going to bed now. Good-bye obsessive child.
Mindy walked to the owlery and found her tiny owl, which she didn't keep in her room because she never used it, and sent the letter off. As she was leaving she walked into someone, who kissed her softly. She smiled up into Blaise's sparkling royal blue eyes. To Mindy, his eyes were the most gorgeous in the world.
"Who'd you write to?" he asked, holding her hand as they walked away from the owlery.
"That obsessive 13 year old that writes me twice daily."
Blaise looked surprised, yet amused, "You actually wrote to him?" Mindy nodded. "Did you use profanity?" Mindy shook her head with a smile. "Are you on something?" Mindy rolled her eyes and pushed him playfully, causing them both to sway to the side.
"So anyway," she said, "Hogsmeade is tomorrow. Are you going?"
He grinned at her. "I was thinking about it."
As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady Mindy kissed him and muttered the password, and before walking in she said, "Save a carriage and I'll meet you there at nine, okay?"
"Sure," he said, kissing her one last time. "'Night."
"'Love you," she told him.
"I love you too," he said in response, walking away in happiness. Ever since they had been back together, establishing their love, they couldn't stop saying it. It was like word-vomit, only in a good way. Like vomiting up dry sugar.
o.O.o
"Ginny, can I ask you something?" Harry asked as Ginny was about to reach the stairs to her dormitory.
She turned around when he reached her. "Yeah sure."
"Do you… wanna come with me to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" he said quickly, glancing around as she stared at him.
"Uh…" At the moment she couldn't think of an excuse, and without time to think she responded. "Yeah, I guess so."
He beamed at her. "I'll see you in the morning."
Ginny raced up the steps and sat on Mindy's bed, waiting for her to return.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o
Woot! New chapter. So what do you think? It could be better, but the end will be coming hopefully this summer. And I know the ending, which might be slightly tragic and hard to right, but there's more coming up. Also, there will be a sequel. I've already gotten ideas, but Ginny and Draco won't be the main characters. They will be in it though! Don't judge too quickly, and perhaps you'll enjoy it.
This coming Tuesday I'm going out of town for a class trip, and I'll be in the car for 8 hours there and 8 hours back, so I should be able to get something written, if I'm not sleeping or talking the whole time. Which is a possibility.
Thanks so much for all of your support! It was so nice to come back and have people still here supporting me and reading my stories. I thank every one of you for that. Now I can answer some questions.
Q: Why does Draco tell Ginny he can't find the parchment?
A: I meant to put this in an earlier chapter, but never got to it, so if I don't, here's your answer. Draco made the parchment thinking it would be better to talk to Ginny faster, but it ended up disappointing him. He enjoyed receiving letters from her, instead of writing so fast, so he told her he lost it even though he didn't. Sorry about that!
I don't know the rest of the questions, cause I didn't have a chance to look. Anyway, hope you liked.
Love, Bambiky