Chapter
Four: Harry's Vow.
Harry
had not had a great night either. Ginny had looked so great in the starlight
last night, but today Harry felt like an idiot. What had he done? Harry
recalled feeling sorry somehow that he would have to push Ginny away, that part
of him had wanted to kiss her goodbye, just this last time.
Well,
he was a fool and hated himself. Unloading Ginny onto Neville seemed like the
ideal solution. So what had gone wrong? Ginny was very pretty, bubbly and quite
cute. But Harry did not love her, did he?
He had
succeeded in only confusing himself about this last point. Part of him must
have enjoyed having her give chase so readily, that Harry had not wanted to
surrender that. But surely he had to give her up for Neville's sake? After all,
Harry had hurt him badly. He was sure Neville had seen them kiss last night.
He
vowed to himself to forget about Ginny and to get Ginny and Neville together.
Harry had finally slept after making this promise.
Ginny
found him after lunch and grasped his hand earnestly.
"Oh
Harry. I've missed you." she cooed. Harry felt awkward.
"Ginny,
there's something I should tell you." began Harry. Harry had pushed Ginny
away and his sad eyes would not connect with Ginny.
Ginny
felt her world freeze and suddenly felt very foolish for accosting Harry.
"About
last night, on the balcony..." Harry pressed on.
Ginny
stopped him by putting her finger on his lips. "No Harry. don't say
anything. Let me have last night, please." Ginny shivered as Neville's
words appeared in her mouth. "It's all I have of you." she whispered.
The
pair of them hugged.
Ginny
held Harry's hand as he walked to class. He felt so terrible that he did not
resist. As they approached, they saw Hagrid walking towards them with Neville
in tow. Neville looked pale and scared. He did not look at them, but Harry and
Ginny realised that Neville stared only at their joined hands.
Ginny
stopped and wanted to run after Neville, but Harry's hand remained tightly on
hers. Harry realised that he was holding onto her hand harder than he realised
when his competitor was near. "Oh Ginny, sorry! Please - go see what's
wrong with Neville."
Ginny
turned to give chase when she heard Professor McGonagall call out her name.
"Miss Ginny Weasley and Mr Harry Potter. To your classes at once. Poor
Neville has to be excused. There is nothing you can do, so get to your lessons
now, please."
Neville
stopped in the common room long enough to grab his travel bag and stick a
change of robes and a few muggle garments in it. Hagrid helped him to an
awaiting carriage and within two minutes were gone from Hogwarts.
When
Harry left the lesson, he abandoned Ron and Hermione and immediately returned
to the common room to find Ginny. Inside the common room, Ginny rushed to meet
Harry with tears in her eyes. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown were chatting
frantically in the background, so Harry took Ginny to a quiet corner to console
her.
"What
is it Ginny? What has happened?" begged Harry frantically.
"Oh
Harry! Everyone's saying Neville was being taunted by Draco on the way to class
and he snapped! Draco's in the infirmary having been subjected to a Crucio
spell! Oh Harry! What if he never comes back? what if he's been expelled!"