~ The End of Rivalry ~

~ The End of Rivalry ~

Disclaimer: All characters, as usual, belong to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything except this story. 'Dreaming of You' belongs to the late singer Selena.

Chapter One: Precious Moments

       Seventeen year old Harry Potter sat with his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley, by the window in the Gryffindor common room, watching the sun set slowly under the horizon. It was nearly June, and in just one month Harry was to graduate from his seventh and final year at Hogwarts and begin his life as a qualified adult wizard. Ginny, on the other hand, would be staying for one more year and then join Harry after she graduated. Both were extremely reluctant to leave each other's arms. After all, though they had known each other for ages, it had only been a couple of months since they realized their true feelings for each other.

        Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder, and he held her gently in his arms. She sighed. Neither of them had said anything for awhile, and she felt she had to hear Harry's voice one more time before he was to leave her for a year. She spoke.

        " Harry?"

        " Hmm?"

        " I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens to us, I'll always love you."

        Harry smiled and pulled Ginny closer to him.

        " Don't worry Ginny, nothing bad will happen to us, I'll make sure of that," he said reassuringly.

        " Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right." But she wasn't so sure. Something in the back of her mind told Ginny that her relationship with Harry, as magical as it may have seemed, would not last forever. Damn her conscience! She didn't want something bad to happen to her relationship, she wanted something good! But in her case, that was asking for a lot.

        The trouble was, Ginny was dating Harry Potter. The hero who had defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort once and for all in his sixth year at Hogwarts. The Boy Who Lived. The boy who everyone in the wizarding world recognized as a world renowned figure. And he was constantly in danger. No one knew exactly why, but Harry had always been known to get in quite a bit of trouble every single year he was at Hogwarts. Perhaps it was a curse that came with defeating the Dark Lord. Or perhaps it was Harry's extraordinary bravery traits. But whatever it was, Ginny often worried about his well-being and his safety. Because she loved the boy. And it would break her heart if he were ever to leave her.

       " Ginny? Are you all right? You're unusually quite tonight. Is something the matter?" Harry's soothing voice sounded in Ginny's ears. She looked into his gentle green eyes, which at the moment were full of concern and worry. For her. She smiled. Just the sound of Harry's voice had melted all her worries away. She shook her head.

       " No, I'm fine. Don't worry about me--I'm just a little tired," she answered.

       Harry looked uncertain for a moment, and then grinned.

       " Aww, Ginny. Do I really bore you that much?" he teased, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Ginny felt her heart skip a beat and giggled.

       " Harry, how could you ever think that you'd be a bore to me? I love you so much, " she said, returning his kiss.

       Harry pulled Ginny close to him, stroking her shiny copper hair.

       " I love you too," he said, whispering in her ear. Then he added," Isn't it funny how five months ago, we hardly even said hi to each other. And look at us now--I can't stop saying 'I love you' to you."

       Ginny privately agreed. She had loved Harry forever, but she hadn't known his feelings for her until that night after the Winter Ball on Christmas evening--five months earlier. She sighed and placed Harry's hand on her cheek. Yes…that was the best Christmas she had ever had. The night Harry told her that he loved her…

      

 ~ Told in Ginny's point of view ~

 

          It's nearly two o'clock in the morning, but I can't sleep. All I can think about is you. The way your beautiful green eyes sparkle when you're excited or anxious. The way your raven black hair runs wild no matter what you do to it. I love everything about you: Your looks, your voice, your wonderful personality and heart.

       Oh, why must I feel this way? I could love Neville, as he told me tonight at the Winter Ball that he cared deeply for me. But the thing is, I just don't feel the same way for him. I like Neville, but I don't love him, at least not like the way I love you. Only you. Forever in my heart you'll always be, Harry. But how can I make you see, that you're the only one for me?

Late at night when all the world is sleeping

I stay up and think of you

And I wish on a star that somewhere you are

Thinking of me too

Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight

Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight

And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be

Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

       The girls' dormitory is oddly silent tonight. Usually after a ball, all the girls stay up until dawn, gossiping and chattering about their dates and how much fun they had. But not me. My mind is filled with thoughts for you. Only you. I think about how good you looked tonight, those velvet green dress robes bringing out the color of your eyes. I remember seeing how happy you looked, dancing with that Gryffindor seventh year, Parvati Patil. Just the thought of it makes my heart ache. Because I would have given anything to be her tonight, just to be in your arms and to look into your eyes. Just to be with you.

Wonder if you ever see me

And I wonder if you know I'm there?

If you looked in my eyes

Would you see what's inside

Would you even care?

I just wanna hold you close

But so far all I have are dreams of you

So I wait for the day

And the courage to say how much I love you

Yes I do!

   

       Sometimes at night, I fall asleep dreaming, dreaming about you and me. Together. And I wish upon the brightest North Star, hoping that someday my dream would come true. I just can't seem to be able to fight up the courage to say, " Harry, I love you. Do you love me too?" It's just too hard--and embarrassing. What if you say no? I would be heartbroken.

      Most of the time, I feel like a third wheel, the odd number out in a group of evens. I mean, look at it this way: You have Parvati, Ron has Hermione, and who do I have? No one. Neville doesn't really love me, he just thinks he does. After all, I wasn't even his first choice to the ball. He had wanted to go with Hermione, but when he found out she was already going with someone else, he asked me. See what I mean? I'm always the last resort, the annoying little sister who tags along with her brother and his two best friends because she has no where else to go.

      I'm not trying to feel sorry for myself, as it may seem like. I just want what almost every other girl my age wants. To hear the one they love say that they love them back. Pity stuff like that only happens in fairy tales.

     Ginny sat up in bed and pulled back the hangings of her four poster. The icy moonlight shone on her face as she stood up and pulled on her bathrobe. Being careful as not to disturb anyone, Ginny tiptoed as quietly as she could and started down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room.

I'll be dreaming of you tonight

Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight

And there's no where in the world I'd rather be

Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

Corazon

I can't stop dreaming of you

No puedo dejar de pensar en ti

I can't stop dreaming

Como te necesito

I can't stop dreaming of you

Mi amor, como te extrano

                                       

 ~ Harry's point of view ~

      Harry sat alone in the deserted Gryffindor common room, his green eyes staring into the happily dancing flames of the small fire flickering in the fireplace.

      Harry sighed contently and leaned back in his chair. He turned his gaze away from the fire for a moment and looked up at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was nearly 2:30 in the morning, and yet Harry couldn't sleep. He didn't know exactly what was wrong with him, but he had a feeling that it wasn't just a case of sudden insomnia.

      Staring into the bright flames, Harry suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. Those flames--just like her hair, he thought.

     No! I can't be thinking about Ginny now! How can she still like me after I've completely ignored her for nearly seven years--that's practically my whole time at Hogwarts! He finally knew what was keeping him awake all these nights. Ron's little sister--Ginny.

      For the past four months, Harry had noticed a change in his feelings toward the shy Gryffindor sixth year. At first, he had thought it was just an especially nasty case of nerves, but now he had finally realized what his feelings really meant. He was falling for Ginny Weasley.

     Harry felt a pang of guilt in his heart as he thought about Ginny. He remembered that less than a year ago, all he really thought of her was as his best friend's little sister. Just another one of the Weasleys. He was deeply ashamed of his ignorance. Poor Ginny, having a crush on him for almost seven years. And look how he had treated her. He didn't deserve her.

      But still, tonight--tonight, he'd come to realize something that he couldn't understand how he hadn't noticed before. Ginny had changed-- from the quiet little girl with freckles and flaming red hair to a beautiful young woman with a sparkling personality underneath her shyness. Harry had seen the way Ginny's pretty brown eyes glittered as she walked into the Great Hall with Neville earlier that evening. Her now copper colored hair shone and contrasted beautifully with her sky blue dress robes. Harry felt like kicking himself. He mentally told himself that Ginny had obviously gotten over him. Of course she did. How could she still like him? He had completely ignored her for four years, and now that he'd finally come to his senses about his feelings for her, it was too late. Ginny was with Neville now.

      Feeling extremely angry with himself for his ignorance, Harry got up from his seat and made a mental decision. He had to tell Ginny how he felt about her, or go insane. She was most likely over him by now, but Harry knew he had to tell her just to set things straight between the two of them.

     Ginny felt her mouth drop open when she saw who was standing by the fireplace, staring deeply into the fire with his green eyes shining with anticipation.

      " Harry?"

    Harry turned around slowly to see Ginny standing by the staircase, looking lovely in the pale moonlight. His eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat as she smiled and started toward him.

      " Ginny! What are you doing up at this time of night?" he stammered.

      " Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing, " Ginny replied, her smile growing wider. " I couldn't sleep. Same with you too, I guess? Harry? Harry? Hello?"

      " Huh? Oh!" Harry grinned sheepishly as Ginny playfully waved her hand in front of his face. " Er--sorry. I--er, had something in my eye. Yeah." Something in my eye? How lame was that? Damn! That had to be noticeable! What's she going to think of you if you keep staring at her like a hopeless idiot!

      " It's ok, happens to me all the time," Ginny said, laughing pleasantly.

"Can I sit down?"

    She wants to sit down! Ha! I must be dreaming. Why would she want to waste her time sitting down with me when she can go to sleep? I think those Canary Creams I had at the Winter Ball are starting to affect my ability to think…

      " Harry? Harry? Harry!"

      " Huh? Oh! Sorry again, Ginny. " Harry muttered. He could feel his face turning red. " Er--yeah, sure you can sit down." He gestured to an armchair next to him.

      Ginny had to hide her laughter as she plopped down next to Harry. He's so adorable when he's flustered! I guess he's just not used to talking to a girl in the middle of the night. Or maybe he's just out of it, considering it's almost three o'clock in the morning…

      They sat there for awhile, not saying anything. Finally, Harry cleared his throat and turned his face toward Ginny.

      " So--Ginny," he began, " Did you have a nice time at the ball tonight?"

     Ginny smiled.

      " Yeah, it was great. Neville's not much of a dancer though. He kept stepping on my toes during the slow dances," she frowned, pointing to her slippered feet. " I mean, not to make him feel bad or anything, but he's just not my type." She looked up and smiled at Harry. " You know that Neville likes me, right?"

      " Yeah, yeah I knew that." Harry tried to smile back, only to find that his lips weren't working properly. Well, at least she says that he's not her type- that could be a good sign. But how am I going to tell her how I feel about her? What if she laughs and says, sorry, but I'm not her type either? That would be horrible. And imagine if the whole school found out? I can just see it now on the front cover of the Daily Prophet: Harry Potter: the boy who lived--rejected by Ginny Weasley, in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room at three o'clock in the morning. I'd never hear the end of it from Malfoy…

     Ginny must have noticed the look on his face because a minute later she said,

      " Hey, Harry. Is everything all right? You don't seem like yourself this evening. What's the matter?"

      Oh no! Now she suspects something! I knew I shouldn't have gaped at her like that! But I have to tell her sooner or later. Might as well do it now. Oh, if someone asked me right now if I'd rather face a fully recovered Voldemort or Ginny, I'd pick Voldemort. Harry shook his head. He was pathetic. The boy who lived--relived attacks of Lord Voldemort, the most evil dark wizard of the century, defeated him forever just a year ago, and he couldn't even tell a girl that he had feelings for her. Yes, he was pathetic.

      Pushing these unpleasant thoughts out of his mind, Harry turned his gaze toward Ginny again and looked deep into her beautiful brown eyes, which, at the moment, were filled with concern and worry. He took a deep breath and asked,

      " Ginny?"

      " Yes, Harry?"

      " I-er, have something to confess."

     Ginny felt her heart beat faster. She looked straight into his eyes. He looked determined. He was going to confess something. But what?

      " Oh, okay. Go right ahead."

      " Ginny-- I --I love you."

  

Late at night when all the world is sleeping

I stay up and think of you

And I still can't believe

That you came up to me

And said " I love you"

I love you too!

     Ginny gasped as he heard Harry's declaration of love. He loved her! Oh, how she had longed to hear him say those words, and now he did! She must be dreaming. With tears in her eyes, Ginny flung herself into Harry's arms. Sobbing into his shoulder, she hugged her arms tight around him.

     " Ginny! What's the matter?" Harry exclaimed, his voice full of concern. " Was it me? Did I say something to upset you?"

    Still sobbing, Ginny tilted her face up and looking into his eyes, shook her head and smiled.

     " No, Harry. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just that I've been waiting for so long, yearning to hear your voice say those very words to me. And now you did. And I couldn't love you more."

Now I'm dreaming with you tonight

Till tomorrow and for all of my life

And there's no where in the world I'd rather be

Than here in my arms dreaming of you endlessly

     Harry stared at Ginny in astonishment.

     " You mean it? You still love me even though I've ignored you for nearly seven years?" His voice broke, and he held Ginny close and whispered in her ear, " Ginny, please forgive me. I've been meaning to tell you for ages, I just could never fight up the courage to tell you. And I meant to ask you to the ball, but Neville had already asked you so--"

     " Shh, Harry. Don't worry about it. I forgive you. And I love you. I've always loved you and I always will love you. So you can shut up about it. " Ginny replied, grinning.

     Harry smiled back and released his grip on her. Then, he suddenly had an idea. He stood up and held his hand out to Ginny, a mischievous grin forming on his lips.

     " Ginny, may I please have this dance?"

     Her grin returning his, Ginny stood up too and placed her hand in his.

     " Yes, Harry, you may have this dance. "

  

    And so standing there together, with the pale silver moonlight shining down on them, Harry and Ginny danced their first dance to the music playing in their hearts, in which only they could hear.

Dreaming of you tonight

Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight

And there's no where in the world I'd rather be

Than here in my room

I'll be dreaming of you tonight

Endlessly

And I'll be holding you tight

Dreaming…with you…tonight!

     Ginny sighed happily. Precious moments--those were precious moments. Especially the moment when Harry told her he loved her. And danced with her in the moonlight. Ginny sneaked a glance at Harry, who had fallen asleep. She grinned and leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Harry's eyes fluttered open, and he sat up straight on the couch, looking disorientated.

     " Wh-wha?" He looked around, failing to stifle a yawn." What time is it?"

     " It's almost eight," Ginny said cheerfully. " You slept for two hours."

     Harry looked horrified.

     " Eight o'clock! Oh no!" he exclaimed.

     Ginny laughed. " It's ok, Harry. You still have all night to do your homework, don't worry about it."

     But Harry shook his head, looking utterly disappointed.

     " No, that's not what I meant. Forget about homework--I missed dinner!"

     Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes.

     " It's only dinner, Harry. You won't starve. Besides, I'm hungry too."

     Harry stared at her.

     " You missed dinner too? Why?" 

     " I was thinking."

     " You were thinking? That's why you missed dinner and didn't wake me up? Because you were thinking?" Harry shook his head in disbelief. Girls, he thought bitterly.

     " No, it's not like that. I was more like reminiscing," Ginny said, looking thoughtful.

     " Reminiscing? How could reminiscing possibly be more important than dinner?"

     Ginny sighed again. As sweet as he was, Harry could be so dense sometimes. She shook her head. Boys, she thought.     

     " What I meant was that I was reminiscing that night after the Winter Ball. The night you first said you loved me, remember?"

     Remembered? That was an understatement. Harry had had that night I  in his mind ever since it happened. And that was five months ago.

     " Yeah, I remember. I'll never forget that night, Ginny. Never."

     Ginny smiled happily.

     " Neither will I. It will always be in my heart, Harry. Just like you."

     And the two young lovers sat together, each one remembering the precious moments of their relationship--and cherishing them.

A/n: I know, I know, I suck at romance fics. But this is my first time writing them, so don't be too hard on me. Oh, and by the way, this is only the first chapter of the story, so stick around. The story will get darker as we go--just to warn you. Ok, that's about it. Luv ya lots!