A/N - Thank you to everyone who reviewed, i really appreciated it. as for who the secret admirer is - you'll just have to read and find out. i'm not saying anything until its in the story. now, on with the show.





Chapter Three - Mystery

I sat in the back of History of Magic, my head in my arms, my eyes only half open. Binns was droning on as usual. I could hear the snores of Amanda who was sitting next to me. On my other side was Colin, who was still getting some funny looks due to his green hair, though it was mostly covered by his hat. Colin was busy writing, which was odd, considering Colin didn't take notes in any class, especially History of Magic. I closed my eyes, only to see an image of Harry, his green eyes sparkling. It seemed like I had an image of Harry pasted to the back of my eyelids, for every time I closed my eyes; there he was.

Suddenly, I felt something slide under my arm. I opened my eyes and looked down at the desk. There was a piece of parchment with my name on it. I turned it over and read.

Hey, Ginny, it's Colin.

I looked over at him. He winked. I continued reading.

I've been thinking about your "secret admirer". I've come to a few conclusions. First of all, he's no Ravenclaw, otherwise the writing would have been much better. I also doubt that it's a Slytherin, for obvious reasons. That leaves us with a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff. It could be anyone, but it's probably not someone who currently has a boyfriend. I'd say that our number one suspect is probably Neville Longbottom, because we know that he used to like you. But as I said it could be anyone. I'll ask around. Now go back to sleep.

I turned to Colin again and whispered "Thanks."

Colin the green-haired winked again.

I thought about the letter. Colin was right; it probably was Neville. Neville was such a sweetie, but I knew that it would never work. I didn't really like him like that; we weren't even good friends.

I took a spare piece of parchment and wrote -

Colin. I'm going to talk to Neville during lunch. To find out if it's him.

I passed the note to him. He read it, turned to me and nodded.

The bell rang, and everyone got up to leave. Amanda's head jerked up as she awoke.

"Whoa," Amanda muttered, "I think I fell asleep again."

I laughed. I'd tell her about my secret admirer later. Meanwhile I noticed Amy staring at me. I caught her eye and she looked away. I decided that I should forgive Amy; I wasn't that mad at her anyway.

I walked over. "Amy, I'm sorry for blowing up at you - "

"No, Ginny stop." Amy paused. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have said those things."

"You're right though."

"I still shouldn't have said it. I'm really sorry."

"It's all right." I smiled. "Friends again?"

"But of course." Amy smiled, and hugged me.

"Hey, I see you guys have made up!" Jessica exclaimed, as she and Amanda walked over.

The four of us walked down the corridor towards our next class, Charms. I took the letter out of my pocket and handed it to Amy.

"Check this out," I said. "You were all too busy before, but I think you should read it."

Amy read the letter. "Whoa, Ginny! This is news!" She handed the letter to Amanda whose eyes opened wide as she read its contents. Jessica then grabbed the letter, and handed it back to me.

"Wow Ginny. A secret admirer. That's great!" Jessica was smiling brightly.

"I wonder who it is!" Amy exclaimed.

"I bet it's Colin." Jessica replied.

"Or maybe Neville." Amy added.

"It's not Colin," I continued. "But it could be Neville. I haven't asked him yet."

"Would you go out with Neville?" Amanda asked. "If it's him?"

I thought for a moment. "No." Jessica and Amy looked disappointed.

"Don't hurt him," Amanda reminded me.

"I won't." I stated. But I wondered if it would be so easy.

* * *

After Charms, I quickly walked towards the Great Hall for lunch. The decorations were still up, but I ignored them, as I looked for Neville. It didn't take long, I found him sitting by himself at the Gryffindor table. I walked over to him.

"May I sit here?" I asked politely.

"Of course," Neville replied. "How are you?"

"I'm just fine."

"What is it, Ginny?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Well, Neville, it's just that…"

"What is it?"

I took out the letter, which by now was somewhat crumpled, and handed it to him. "Did you send me this?"

Neville flattened out the letter on to the table and read it. His eyes opened wide as he read the contents.

"Ginny," he whispered. "Did you really think I would send you this? You've already told me that you don't think of me that way."

"I know. But I thought, maybe -"

"I know that we can only be friends, nothing more. And I'm okay with that."

I sighed in relief. "Well, if you're quite sure that it isn't you -"

"I am." Neville smiled.

"- do you have any idea who it could be?"

Neville thought for a moment. "It has to be Colin."

"It's not. I asked him."

"He could be lying."

"You could also be lying."

"Ginny," Neville sighed, "don't be blind. It's obvious that Colin adores you."

I blushed, then recovered. "How many times do I have to tell you people that Colin and I are just friends. Nothing more than that."

"Think that if you want. Deep down you know that's not true."

I just stared at him, thinking about his words.

"You're wrong," I replied, and I walked away.