Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just my musings and imagination.

A/N: I wrote some dialogue between Harry and Ginny that mimics those with Harry and Cho. I want to show how difficult the dynamic of Harry's girlfriends can be with Hermione in between. I don't think any girl can really undermine Hermione's presence in Harry's life. Their "relationship" with Harry will eventually dissolve as Hermione takes a more prominent role in Harry's love life.

Death of a Dream

I can't let Harry continue on like this.

The red headed siren thought.

The war is over, he should be celebrating with me and not mourning about someone who doesn't even matter.

Enough is enough, Harry should be more concerned about the future, instead of living in the past. Whether the bushy head wakes up or not no longer matters.

Harry is now more than famous. He is not only The Boy Who Lived, but the Man Who Triumphed. Other witches would snatch him up in a minute. I must hurry up and secure him as soon as possible.

I must remind him of all the times we shared. The fun we have playing quidditch, the jokes that we made about phlegm. Our stolen moments around the lake, and our passionate moments in the broom closet. I must make him remind him of me. I'm here. The bushy head may be out cold. She might never wake up. Oh well, poor Ron I suppose. But Harry needs to pay more attention to me.

The war is over. The Golden Couple can retrace their steps. People will expect us to get back together, maybe even married.

Ginerva Potter. I like the sound of that.

People will be so in awe of us. With his roguish good looks and my supernatural beauty, what witch and wizard wouldn't want to be us?

We would be perfect together. Maybe we can even pose for Witch Weekly, I've been wanting to get recognized for ages. This could even be an entry to a proliferative modeling career. I just need Harry to cooperate. He has always been dutiful before. After all, what man can resist my feminine wiles? You can ask the string of losers I dumped before Harry how they felt. None of them could resist. Not even Harry.

"Harry, you should come with me to Inglebee and Samuels quidditch party this weekend." Ginny said, "They are holding a massive game at Stoatshead Hill. It's going to be seven against seven, and they're one seeker short."

"You should go Gin-" Harry said, "I'm busy this Saturday. I have a meeting with Dr. Francis at St. John's Memorial Hospital regarding Hermione's condition."

"A muggle healer?" Ginny asked aghast, "You are seeking medical advice from a muggle?"

"Yes," replied Harry solemnly, "Seeing how there hasn't been any progress in the wizarding world, I am trying alternative medicine. Muggle science and medicine has evolved tremendously in the past few centuries. I'm sure they can help, or at least, do no harm."

"But muggles!" Ginny responded in shock, "You don't know the things they get themselves wrapped up in. I mean they cut people open for goodness sake!"

Harry smiled wearily, "That's what they do Gin- and you might be surprised, but more often than not, people can recover from those surgeries. They actually work."

"But Harry, do you have to go this weekend? Can't you reschedule? The party won't be the same without you."

"Sorry Gin-" Harry replied, "I've been waiting for this appointment for weeks. It's the only day Dr. Francis has that's available. Besides, I'm really not in the mood to play if you know what I mean."

"The things you'll do for Hermione Granger!" Ginny spat, "Ever since we were together, she just had to poke her nose in at everything. Can't we have some alone time? It's always Hermione. Every time, she's concerned, you just drop whatever you do for her."

"That's what friends-no- family do for each other." Harry responded evenly, "It's been so long since I've known Hermione. She and I are like family."

"You mean like a sister, right?" Ginny said hopefully. "You've always viewed her as a sister. Isn't that what you told Ron?"

"Maybe," Harry said reluctantly, "Not always. I'm not quite sure how I view Hermione. I've never given it a thought too deeply. But I might have implied that to Ron since at the time, Ron looked so spooked and defeated by Voldemort's Locket. I just had to reassure him so he can continue the horcrux hunt with us."

"So, Hermione is not like a sister. But, what about me?" Ginny responded looking lost, "I've been waiting for you to come back to me, Harry." Ginny said as she took a step toward Harry.

"So long…" Ginny said as she took another step.

If Harry had been calm before, he now felt panick-stricken as he took a step backward.

"Ginny, stop." Harry ordered. "It's over. It has been over for a long time. I'm not sure how it started in the first place. But I've been suspicious that I was not fully in control of my actions back at Hogwarts."

" Hermione always suspected that as Riddle grew stronger after my fourth year, his influences on me increased greatly. That's why I was so different coming back to Hogwarts in my fifth year. And why I had those horrible nightmares and why Dumbledore told me to practice Occlumency. Voldemort and I were linked, and not just our wands, but our minds and souls. He played a part in every reckless decision I've made so far. How else could Sirius have died? Riddle planted those images in my mind Ginny. He was the real culprit. I was just under his misguided influence." Harry rationalized.

"So, us being together, it wasn't real. It's not under my volition. You were going out with a piece of Riddle, and not Harry." Harry said imploringly. "Please forgive me, but I really had no self control over many things that happened at Hogwarts. I was reckless and foolish."

"No, I'm foolish!" Ginny cried, "for waiting all this time for you. For liking you all these years, when you've never noticed me. I played quidditch for you. I went out with all those boys to make you jealous. But you never cared! It's always been Hermione hasn't it? She stands in between you and everyone else! No wonder Cho broke up with you. Wasn't it also because of Hermione? Even now, she is unconscious, she still has a grip on you. You're so thick headed that you don't even notice!" Ginny yelled.

"Gin- I" Harry said hesitantly, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say. I wish I told you sooner. I kind of thought time would erase all wounds, and we'll leave what we had at Dumbledore's Funeral."

"You'll be sorry." Ginny muttered bitterly. She swept her hair and left Harry standing forlornly in the wake.

A/N:Hope you enjoyed this segment. I wanted to mirror some of H/G's dynamic to H/C since I can sense Hermione might play a pivotal role in any of Harry's relationships. I also wanted to point out that Harry's character in OotP, HBP, and DH is very altered compared to the previous four books because of the horcrux within him. As Voldemort gets stronger and gains more power, the horcrux might play a role in Harry's subconscious leading him to many ill-fated decision making. Perhaps the whole floozy with Ginny is really just an effect of the horcrux, and not just bad writing. If you enjoyed this segment or have any suggestions or feedback, please feel free to leave a review. I really appreciate any feedback and suggestions.