Chapter
Seven: The Lie.
Harry
lifted up his Cloak of Invisibility and looked around the deserted sports
cupboard. Ginny was huddling close to him under his cloak and when they were
both sure the coast was clear, they stepped out. The sports hall and cupboard
were a relic of a more physical Hogworts curriculum and these rooms in the West
Wing were due for refurbishment over summer. They felt quite safe here, hoping
that Peeves or Filch did not bother too much to patrol these dead rooms. Harry
whispered 'Illuminaric" and his wand glowed gently, illuminating the musty
cupboard and it's cobwebbed empty shelves.
"How
did you ever find this place?" asked Harry.
Ginny
blushed as she recalled her and Penny daring each other to snog Colin Creevey
in here that one time - Penny had done it, but Ginny bottled out, and did not
fancy the idea much when Colin kept on bringing up Harry all of the time. That
had been almost two years ago. "Oh, one of the girls I know discovered
it." Ginny said in a casual tone.
They
stared longingly at each other. "Poor Neville." sighed Harry.
"Yeah."
said Ginny. "Penny's not too happy about poor old Draccy, but -"
"Draccy?"
Harry interrupted with a snort.
"Yeah.
'Draccy'. Makes you cringe doesn't it?" sighed Ginny.
"But
why Malfoy? He's an animal!"
"I
could not say Harry. Something about his good looks, background and the fact
that he would be such a challenge to catch." she said sarcastically.
"Or something like that anyway. What would I know, eh?"
Harry
felt hurt by this remark. "Hey, I'm not like Malfoy! I wouldn't hurt you
or anything now would I?"
"No
Harry. Of course you would not." Ginny agreed wearily. She thought Harry
was being unfair and this really began to annoy her. Of course he had hurt her
- and often! Everyone knew that she liked him, but he never once showed her
anything. For three years, she had endured the taunts, names and laughs at her
whilst Harry got all of the sympathy. And all of a sudden, he changed his mind
just when she decided to get over him. What was she doing here with him
tonight?
"Because
you love him", said a treacherous voice deep inside her.
Harry
stared at Ginny who looked so amazing in the gloom of the cupboard. He wanted
to hold her, kiss her and just take a chance on her. Everything seemed there.
"But
what about Cho Chang and her wonderful eyes?" a voice challenged him
inside. "And dear God, Cho has an amazing body and wit to match! Ginny's
your best mate's little sister! And what's more, she is really Neville's girl,
not yours. Face it Harry, you have been the centre of attention since you came
here - and Malfoy's always looking for a way to bring you down. Ginny could be
that. Imagine what people would say? 'Harry stole his best friends beloved?'
Even the rumours about you and Hermione are more bearable than that!"
Harry
braced himself to do what he must. But before he could act, Ginny threw her
arms around him and they cuddled. Harry whispered. "Ginny, I can't do
this... please..."
Ginny
put her finger on his lips and when Harry appeared calm, she gently pushed her
arms around him and kissed him, long and hard. Harry seemed a little
bewildered. "Oh come on Harry! Please!" thought Ginny to herself.
Harry seemed rigid with disbelief at Ginny's advances.
Parts
of Ginny's brain realised that something was wrong. "Okay. Time for the
less subtle stuff." she thought. Pushing herself away from Harry, she took
his right hand with both of hers and placed it on her left breast. "There
ya go boy - there's a big hint for you!" she thought.
Harry
suddenly wrapped his arms around her. "Bingo!" thrilled her mind and
Ginny braced herself to lay back and think of England, when Harry suddenly
broke off.
Confused,
Ginny looked around. "W-What's wrong Harry?" she stuttered.
Harry
looked sadly into her eyes. "Ginny. This is wrong... I... "
Ginny
kissed his mouth desperately to stop these poisonous words coming out. Harry
pushed her away. "Ginny, I'm sorry. I can't love you. I mean, I don't love
you. Get it?"
She stared
at him and suddenly felt very foolish. "Ok Harry, I understand." she
said.
Harry
opened the cupboard door and was about to leave, when he remembered he had to
use the invisibility cloak to get Ginny back as well.
"Come
on Ginny. Let's go back."
Ginny
felt really angry and sad. Harry had really messed up her emotions, and Ginny
had almost won him over. She was ready to scream at him when she realised he
had tears in his eyes. Part of her brain sent out requests for advice; her body
screamed out an obvious message, but the rest was blank. "I do not get
boys at all. What is there problem?" she concluded.
They
snuck back wordlessly and parted without saying goodnight in the Gryffindor
common room.