Hey! I hope that you all have been enjoying my story! But some of you don't
care to review *sniffles* so I want five reviews in order to get Chapter
Six! Oh this Chapter is looong! 17 pages! I have had to divide it into two
sections! Enjoy, and review!!!
~*Tay*~
*Two very important shoutouts to Gwen Sanderson, who, during my exile from ff.net, cured my need for fanfiction! (
And to Bella!! I luv ya gurl! Omg! I just read chapter two! It was excellent! Seriously, I dunno what I would do w/ out you! I'd prolly die! Lolz!*
So everyone- go read (and review!) Gwen and Bella's stories!! (In case your wondering, the Bella that I'm talking about it the one who is writing A Story of Lily, or the first Bella, currently, in the directory w/ a (1) beside her name!)
1 The Return of Lily and James
Chapter 5: Important Realizations and The Christmas Ball
1.1 Section one: Important Realizations
The next few weeks passed quickly for James and Lily. Halloween came and went, and pretty soon Christmas had taken over the castle. It was decorated in its customary mistletoe and garland. The Great Hall had its traditional 12 Christmas tree's and glowing ice sickles. But James Potter was not in the holiday spirit. He had not yet had a chance to talk to Harry about Ginny-and a knot of anxiety was forming in his stomach. On this particular day, James was at the Gryffindor table especially early because he had not gotten much sleep. He had been up half the night thinking about how he was going to go about getting Harry to fall in love with Ginny. What's worse is that he had to lie to Lily about his progress the day before-an act which made him feel terribly guilty.
"Hey, John!" the very person John was thinking about sat down next to him and began to eat.
"Hey, Harry," he said sadly.
Hermione heard his sad tone and asked concernedly, "What's wrong, John?" James raised his head up to look at her. "Oh my goodness! You look horrible! Are you feeling alright?" She exclaimed upon seeing his pale face, complete with dark bags under his eyes.
"Yes, Hermione, I'm fine, I just didn't get very much sleep last night, that's all." He replied.
He could tell that Hermione was going to press him further, so he quickly interjected, "Have you seen Ginny and Li-Emily?"
"Nope, sorry John!" replied Ron as he turned away and began talking with Hermione, his ears redder than usual.
James looked at Harry who was watching his two best friends flirt openly. James stood up and said, "Hey, Harry-are those two an item yet?"
Harry grinned, "Nope, not yet, but they both like each other lots! They are just to dumb to come right out and say it!"
James chuckled a little, "Well, I'm gonna head on to the greenhouses. Do you wanna come?"
"No thanks, I think I'm going to stay here and finish my breakfast and watch these two stutter and blush."
James felt his stomach sinking. "Ok, then. Bye Harry." Dammit! I was going to talk to him about Ginny! Oh, Lily is going to kill me!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Harry sighed as he looked up from writing his essay on Human Transfiguration. His gaze wondered around the room until it rested on Ginny. He felt the familiar jolt in his stomach that he had been getting around her for quite some time. His throat went dry when she smiled her dazzling smile. The smile that made him go week at the knees, the smile that he would cross the ocean for.
Harry and become quite prone to knocking things over, tripping, and other embarrassing things around Ginny. But the thing was, she didn't do it around him anymore. He chuckled slightly when he remembered how she had accidentally put her elbow in the butter dish when he went to visit the Burrow for the first time, right before he started his 2nd year at Hogwarts.
He frowned when he thought about how differently she had been acting around him recently. Almost as though she was avoiding him.
He banished those unwelcome thoughts and tried to concentrate on his essay. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Ginny Weasley out of his mind.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Ginny! Ohmigosh, Ginny!" Ginny looked up from her comfortable position on her bed to see Lily racing toward her with Lauralie at her heels. "Guess what?!"
"What?" she asked impatiently.
"There's going to be a Christmas Ball!" exclaimed Lauralie with a squeal.
"Oh great!" replied Ginny unenthousiasticley.
Lily cast Ginny a concernedly look, but Lily ignored her and went back to writing. Lauralie then grabbed Lily by the wrist and bounced out of the room to find Jenna and Kat and tell them the "wonderful news".
Ginny sighed and finished her diary entry. She had been writing about her behavior that had stumped Harry. She had come to the conclusion that Harry would never feel the same way about her that she felt about him, so she was trying to rid herself of the crush that had held her captive since she first laid eyes on the great Harry Potter. Seven long years ago, and not one second glance from him. She had had it with him and was not going to let him run her life anymore. She would have fun at this Ball, and look stunning while she was at it, and not give Harry a second glance. She would make him feel the same way she had felt, all of these years.
While she was still determined and angry, she marched down to the common room and out of the portrait hole to tell Jenna and Lily her important realization. What she didn't know, was that someone else had come to an equally important realization, and was looking for her at that very moment.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Harry walked briskly through the halls on his way to the Gryffindor Common Room. He was going to invite Ginny to the dance. He had finally confessed to himself, (With James' help) that he really did love Ginny. Love was such a powerful word, but he was sure that love was the feeling he had for Ginny, nothing else would do. He thought back on his conversation with "John".
~*Flashback*~
As Harry and James were walking from the last class of the day, Divination, the 6th year Gryffindor Transfiguration class was let out ahead of them. The minute he saw Ginny, Harry went crashing to the floor, having tripped on a statue of armor when he was preoccupied with his Ginny Watching, as Ron and John called it. His books and parchment went everywhere, not to mention his inkwell smashing into a thousand pieces. James helped him clean up, then, ever so gently he asked, "Harry, do you want to talk about it?"
For some reason unknown to him, Harry agreed and followed James into the empty Transfiguration classroom. They sat in silence until James interrupted it. "Harry," he said slowly, "Do you think you love her?"
This question caught Harry totally off guard. His first reaction was to deny it until he was blue in the face, but something told him that he could tell James.
He thought for a moment, but eventually came to his "important realization." "Yes, John, you know, I think I do!" It felt wonderful to get it off of his chest and admit it to himself and someone else. Harry was now grinning like an idiot with a faraway look in his eyes.
"Well, then Harry, what are you standing around for! She is a pretty girl, you don't want someone else asking her to the dance, do you?"
Harry smiled his thanks at James and took off at a high speed.
~*End Flashback*~
Harry and Ginny were both so preoccupied with their thoughts that they didn't realize they were headed strait towards each other when-
SMACK! They ran right into each other and fell on their butts. "Ginny!" exclaimed Harry when he saw who it was.
Ginny felt her cheeks heat, up but this time, it was not from embarrassment, no, this time, it was anger.
Harry stood up and held out a shaking hand to help her up. "Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry." he stammered.
She looked up at him furious, and before she could stop it, her temper that was a characteristic of all redheads, got the best of her.
"I bet you didn't even see me, did you?! But wait, this isn't very surprising, why should I think that you would this time, when you NEVER HAVE?! I'm just Ginny, the FREAK who has been in love with you since I FIRST SAW YOU! I'm only Ron's little sister, right Harry? That's all you have ever seen me as, and how you will always see me as!" Then she said, her voice seething, "Well, let me let you in on a secret, Harry Potter. I DO NOT, AND NEVER WILL, LIKE YOU!!" She yelled, and then turned on her heel and ran, tears blinding her vision, ignoring Harry's calls to come back.
Section 2: The Christmas Ball
Lily and James were not happy the days after the Hallway Fiasco, as they had come to call it. They were starting to think that it was hopeless, although Harry was so obviously in love with Ginny, she was doing a very good job ignoring him. The ball was to be the Saturday night before the students would go home for the Christmas holidays. James and Lily would, of course, be staying at the castle, with Harry, Hermione, Jenna, and the Weasley's. Lily and James both had many people ask them to the ball, but they both politely declined each offer, for obvious reasons. They might have been in the middle of a task that would decide the future of the world, but they were still madly in love with each other.
Another reason they were both upset was because Harry and Ginny both had dates that weren't each other. Ginny claimed to be very happy to be going with a seventh year, Dean Thomas, even though it was apparent to Jenna and Lily that she really wasn't. Harry was going to the ball with Lavender Brown, who was utterly devoted to him and virtually begged him to go with her. Harry accepted only because Ginny was going with Dean. Ron and Hermione were going together, as they had finally faced facts and told each other their feelings. They were now known around the school as a "couple". Lily was extremely annoyed with Ginny as well. No matter how many times she and Jenna tried, Ginny stoutly refused to believe that Harry had feelings for her.
Finally, Saturday came. The castle was buzzing with gossip and the loud whispers of excited girls, planning what they were going to wear, and wondering what lip-gloss would match their robes.
The sixth and seventh year girls (Ginny, Lily, Kat, Lauralie, Jenna, Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati) had gone to Hogsmeade the Saturday before and picked out their dress robes. The ball was starting at 7:00 and would go until 10:00. The girls got up from playing chess and things with the boys at 5:00. However, the boys didn't follow until around 6:30 (typical males).
Lily had selected satin, midnight blue robes with black heeled sandals. The robes were tight until her waist, then they flowed down gracefully to the floor. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head, with soft ringlets hanging around her face.
Lauralie was wearing pale blue robes that matched her icy blue eyes. They were tight and showed off her perfect model body. Her beautiful blonde hair was cut pixie-style, and she had charmed it to glitter. She decorated it with real butterfly's that matched her dress and sparkled.
Kat was wearing rusty red robes that matched her curly black hair perfectly, which she had pulled up halfway. Her dress robes were loose, as she was pleasantly plump.
Ginny was stunning. She had satin white dress robes that fit tightly until her waist, when they flowed down to the floor like Lily's. Her flaming red hair that was normally strait now had delicate curls that cascaded down her back.
They joined Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender at the stairs, before anyone saw them. Hermione looked beautiful in pale pink robes that shimmered. Her cinnamon colored hair was strait and shiny, with a few ringlets that were evenly spaced about an inch apart all around her head. Lavender was wearing pale yellow robes with (in Lily's opinion) far too much makeup, while Parvati was wearing gold dress robes with as much, if not more, makeup on than Lavendar.
As they descended the stairs, the common room went quiet and gasps could be heard through the crowd. All of Gryffindor house was staring at them.
They found James, Dean, Harry, Ron, Neville (who was dating Kat), and Seamus (Lauralie's date). Parvati was going with a seventh year Ravenclaw, so she excused her self and set off to the Ball early. The boys were gaping- each at a particular girl (I bet you can guess).
James found his voice first, "You-you girls look very nice," he stammered. The girls giggled and Lily took his arm. They each partnered up with their dates and made their way to the Great Hall.
When they entered, an amazing sight met their eyes. Snow was falling gently from the ceiling in big, sparkling flakes that melted before they touched the floor. The only source of light was a band of gold sparkles that floated around the outer walls, casting a warm glow. Like the Yule Ball, there were small, circular tables surrounding a raised platform and stage. On the stage, the band (The Stupefies- a hot new boy band) started to play the first song of the night, which was a fast number. James and Lily went off together followed by a very pink Ron and Hermione.
Harry stared at Ginny for what seemed like an eternity. She was talking to Lauralie, Dean, and Seamus. She was so beautiful-
"HARRY!" Lavender yelled, interrupting his thoughts.
Harry jerked his head away and looked at Lavender.
"God, I've only been trying to get your attention for the past 10 minutes!!" she exclaimed in frustration. "Look, Harry, I'm sorry-I don't mean to hurt you, but, I-I just don't think we are meant to be!" she blurted. "I'm really sorry."
"That's great, Lav!" Harry exclaimed.
She looked shocked, but it quickly turned into a smirk. When she went in to hug him, she whispered, "Good luck with Ginny, Harry." She pulled back and walked away without looking back. He gaped after her. Then he shook his head and grinned. Am I that obvious?
When he turned to where Ginny was standing, he couldn't see her anymore. He searched all over, but unfortunately, he got cornered by his Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor fan clubs and had to dance a whole dance with each of them (slow and fast). He also danced with Lily, Jenna, Hermione, Parvati and Lavender. Neville talked to him about Herbology for about 15 minutes, and he had to endure about 30 minutes of Ron droning on about how wonderful Hermione was.
By the time he found Dean and Ginny, it was time for the last dance. When Ginny saw him, she took off in the other direction. But Harry, who was much quicker, caught her easily.
She struggled to free herself, all the while, not looking into his eyes, for she knew that once she did that, she would be powerless. "Let go of me!"
"Ginny, just dance with me once, please?" he begged. He tilted her chin so she was looking into his eyes. He led her onto the floor and she followed.
The lead singer of The Stupefies said, "This next song, which will be the last, I wrote myself. Its called 'Selfish.'"
Harry put his arms around her waist, and hesitantly, she put her arms around his neck. Ginny felt odd tingling feeling where their bodies were touching.
I just don't understand
Why you're runnin from a good man, baby
Why you wanna turn your back on love
And why you've already given up
Ginny tried desperately to fight the feeling that was threatening to knock down the walls that she had carefully built around her crush. Ever since the collision in the hallway, Lily's words echoed in her head, "God Ginny! You're killing him! You must be so blind! Anyone could tell that he is totally in love with you!"
See, I know you've been hurt before
But I swear I'll give you so much more
I swear I'll never let you down
'Cause I swear its you that I adore
Harry felt Ginny's body against him, and he felt like this was where she was meant to be.but did she feel it too?
And I can't help myself babe
'Cause I think about you, constantly
And my heart gets no rest
Over you, you, yeah
Ginny felt the walls around her crush crumbling. No! She couldn't give in! She wouldn't!
You can call me selfish
But all I want is your love
And you can call me hopeless
Because I'm hopelessly in love
And you can call me unperfect
But who's perfect?
Tell me what do I gotta do
To prove that I'm the only one for you
So what's wrong with being selfish?
Harry marveled at the likeness between the song and his situation. He looked around and his gaze fell on Ron and Hermione. They were staring at each other, love apparent on their faces. Oh, how he wished he could look at Ginny that way!
I'll be taken up your time
'Till the day I make you realize (realize)
that for you there could be no one else
I've just gotta have you for myself
Ginny's wall was now down totally, and she couldn't help it. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Baby, I would take good care of you
No matter what it is you're going through
I'll be there for you when you're in need
Baby, believe in me
Harry felt Ginny tense up and then relax ever so slightly. He was sorely tempted to kiss the top of her gorgeous head, but resisted.
'Cause if love is a crime (hey, yeah)
Then punish me, I would die for you
'Cause I don't want to live without you
What can I do?
Oh, well, Ginny thought wryly, there go the tears.
You can call me selfish
Harry felt wetness on his robes. Is Ginny crying?
He thought puzzeldley.
But all I want is your love
He took a deep breath. "Ginny?"
And you can call me hopeless (hopeless)
Harry gently lifted her chin. Green eyes bore into brown. Ginny felt herself melt. Then she grabbed her senses. She angrily brushed her tears away.
Because I'm hopelessly in love
"Yeah?" She managed to choke out.
And you can call me unperfect
But who's perfect?
His eyes and voice were so full of emotion, he held her gaze steadily. Then he stated, quite plainly,
Tell me what do I gotta do
"You don't have to run anymore."
To prove that I'm the only one
Her brown eyes brimmed with tears again and she looked away. Don't do it Ginny! Don't fall for him!
She told herself angrily.
For you
She began to cry again. Then she whispered, "Yes, I do," and fled the Great Hall.
So what's wrong with being
Selfish?
As the dance ended, students applauded enthusiastically and then started to file out of the Great Hall to their respective Common Rooms. Harry just stood there, frozen.
He felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw James standing there with Ron behind him, looking confused.
"Hermione and Lily went after her," he muttered distractively, running a hand through his hair, making even messier than usual.
Harry became confused. "Who's Lily?" he asked.
James went ghostly white. "Uh, did I say Lily? I-I meant Emily!"
Ron gave them both weird looks, "Well anyway, c'mon chaps, lets go to bed."
They agreed and left the Great Hall. They were almost to the Gryffindor Common Room when they heard someone running. They turned and saw Hermione. "Harry!" she yelled when she saw him. "Ginny-lake-freezing- HURRY!" she was out of breath but managed to get that out.
That was all Harry needed. He took off with James at his heels. They made it to the lake in record timing. They saw Lily on the west bank, as white as a sheet.
"Harry! James! Ohmigod! She is going to drown! Hurry! Do something!"
Harry looked out at the dark, frozen water. He spotted a huge crack in the ice and a white body thrashing around:Ginny.
Harry was hit with a sudden inspiration. His window! He left it open! He took his wand out of his pocket and yelled, "Accio Firebolt!" praying that its path wouldn't be blocked. But sure enough, he heard the whizzing of his prized racing broom as it hurtled through the air, stopping right next to him. He wasted no time in climbing on and shooting across the lake to the center.
Ginny had stopped thrashing around, she was now only making a feeble attempt to stay afloat. Harry lowered his broom so that the tips of his toes were in the icy water.
"Ginny, hold on! You have to keep swimming! Grab my hand!"
Ginny was too tired and cold to order her limbs to work. Her breath was becoming labored.it felt as though knives were stabbing at her throat. She was so tired.her eyes closed and she began to sink.
Harry was so terrified of losing her, he didn't even think about what he did next. He flew into the icy waters and pulled Ginny onto his lap. Her body was so cold and stiff! He pushed the unwelcome thoughts from his mind and urged his Firebolt up, praying that it would respond in the icy waters. Miraculously, it did. They went soaring up in the air, Harry clutching her lifeless body to him.
He approached Lily and James and landed gently, Lily had tears streaming down her face and James looking extremely pale. Suddenly, they heard the great oak door from the castle bang open, and 5 figures came hurrying towards them. Professor's Dumbledore and McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey, Ron, and Hermione.
Relief flooded over them when they saw that Harry had successfully rescued Ginny.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Madame Pomfrey when she saw Ginny's lifeless body. "She's frozen solid! Oh but thank God, she has a pulse! It's there, but faintly!" She conjured a stretcher and warm blankets and was about to float Ginny up to the castle when she noticed Harry shivering to. She quickly conjured him a blanket. "You come too, Mr. Potter." She commanded, but it wasn't necessary.
When they had all made it up to the Hospital Wing, and Ginny was all settled in with a drying charm and many blankets and hot water bottles, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey conversed. The five teenagers waited anxiously.
Dumbledore approached them with a grave but relieved face. "Miss Weasley was indeed frozen, but Mr. Potter saved her from a very untimely end. I believe that she is in your debt again, Harry?" Harry blushed and Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. The he turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva? Would you be so kind as so owl Miss Weasley's parents? Tell them that they may come and visit her as soon as it is convenient for them." Professor McGonagall nodded and left the Hospital Wing. "You may stay here as long as you wish.if I'm not mistaken, you all will be staying with us for Christmas?" they nodded. He then bid them goodnight and left.
Lily couldn't contain herself any longer. She burst into tears (followed directly by Hermione) and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh-oh Harry!" she sobbed, "You were so brave! I was s-so afraid G-Ginny wou- would." she trailed off, but no one needed to hear what she was thinking because they had all thought it. Harry hugged her back. Her embrace was so familiar! If he didn't figure out why, it would surely drive him mad! "Oh, but I'm so proud of you!"
She finally stepped back and James put an arm around his wife and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "She's right, Potter." He said hoarsely. They turned and walked out of the Hospital Wing. Lily's sobs had subsided, leaving her very tired. James muttered the spell that would make her feather light, and carried her to bed.
As he was tucking her in, she whispered, "Oh, James, I wish we could tell him."
He looked at her and sighed. "Me too, Lil, but we promised Aurora." She nodded in understanding and sniffled.
James sat down and gathered her in his arms and rocked her to sleep. Then he gently laid her back on her pillows and kissed her on the forehead tenderly. "I love you, Lily," he whispered.
When he was not even two feet away, he heard a small, "I love you to, James." He smiled to himself and left.
Aww! Isn't that adowable? Did you like? I hope you did! If so, REVIEW! Please! Remember, I want at least 5! Oh and don't worry, next chapter there will be some kissing! ( lol. Well I'm gonna go! Don't forget to review! *puppy face*
Taylor ;)
~*Tay*~
*Two very important shoutouts to Gwen Sanderson, who, during my exile from ff.net, cured my need for fanfiction! (
And to Bella!! I luv ya gurl! Omg! I just read chapter two! It was excellent! Seriously, I dunno what I would do w/ out you! I'd prolly die! Lolz!*
So everyone- go read (and review!) Gwen and Bella's stories!! (In case your wondering, the Bella that I'm talking about it the one who is writing A Story of Lily, or the first Bella, currently, in the directory w/ a (1) beside her name!)
1 The Return of Lily and James
Chapter 5: Important Realizations and The Christmas Ball
1.1 Section one: Important Realizations
The next few weeks passed quickly for James and Lily. Halloween came and went, and pretty soon Christmas had taken over the castle. It was decorated in its customary mistletoe and garland. The Great Hall had its traditional 12 Christmas tree's and glowing ice sickles. But James Potter was not in the holiday spirit. He had not yet had a chance to talk to Harry about Ginny-and a knot of anxiety was forming in his stomach. On this particular day, James was at the Gryffindor table especially early because he had not gotten much sleep. He had been up half the night thinking about how he was going to go about getting Harry to fall in love with Ginny. What's worse is that he had to lie to Lily about his progress the day before-an act which made him feel terribly guilty.
"Hey, John!" the very person John was thinking about sat down next to him and began to eat.
"Hey, Harry," he said sadly.
Hermione heard his sad tone and asked concernedly, "What's wrong, John?" James raised his head up to look at her. "Oh my goodness! You look horrible! Are you feeling alright?" She exclaimed upon seeing his pale face, complete with dark bags under his eyes.
"Yes, Hermione, I'm fine, I just didn't get very much sleep last night, that's all." He replied.
He could tell that Hermione was going to press him further, so he quickly interjected, "Have you seen Ginny and Li-Emily?"
"Nope, sorry John!" replied Ron as he turned away and began talking with Hermione, his ears redder than usual.
James looked at Harry who was watching his two best friends flirt openly. James stood up and said, "Hey, Harry-are those two an item yet?"
Harry grinned, "Nope, not yet, but they both like each other lots! They are just to dumb to come right out and say it!"
James chuckled a little, "Well, I'm gonna head on to the greenhouses. Do you wanna come?"
"No thanks, I think I'm going to stay here and finish my breakfast and watch these two stutter and blush."
James felt his stomach sinking. "Ok, then. Bye Harry." Dammit! I was going to talk to him about Ginny! Oh, Lily is going to kill me!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Harry sighed as he looked up from writing his essay on Human Transfiguration. His gaze wondered around the room until it rested on Ginny. He felt the familiar jolt in his stomach that he had been getting around her for quite some time. His throat went dry when she smiled her dazzling smile. The smile that made him go week at the knees, the smile that he would cross the ocean for.
Harry and become quite prone to knocking things over, tripping, and other embarrassing things around Ginny. But the thing was, she didn't do it around him anymore. He chuckled slightly when he remembered how she had accidentally put her elbow in the butter dish when he went to visit the Burrow for the first time, right before he started his 2nd year at Hogwarts.
He frowned when he thought about how differently she had been acting around him recently. Almost as though she was avoiding him.
He banished those unwelcome thoughts and tried to concentrate on his essay. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Ginny Weasley out of his mind.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Ginny! Ohmigosh, Ginny!" Ginny looked up from her comfortable position on her bed to see Lily racing toward her with Lauralie at her heels. "Guess what?!"
"What?" she asked impatiently.
"There's going to be a Christmas Ball!" exclaimed Lauralie with a squeal.
"Oh great!" replied Ginny unenthousiasticley.
Lily cast Ginny a concernedly look, but Lily ignored her and went back to writing. Lauralie then grabbed Lily by the wrist and bounced out of the room to find Jenna and Kat and tell them the "wonderful news".
Ginny sighed and finished her diary entry. She had been writing about her behavior that had stumped Harry. She had come to the conclusion that Harry would never feel the same way about her that she felt about him, so she was trying to rid herself of the crush that had held her captive since she first laid eyes on the great Harry Potter. Seven long years ago, and not one second glance from him. She had had it with him and was not going to let him run her life anymore. She would have fun at this Ball, and look stunning while she was at it, and not give Harry a second glance. She would make him feel the same way she had felt, all of these years.
While she was still determined and angry, she marched down to the common room and out of the portrait hole to tell Jenna and Lily her important realization. What she didn't know, was that someone else had come to an equally important realization, and was looking for her at that very moment.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Harry walked briskly through the halls on his way to the Gryffindor Common Room. He was going to invite Ginny to the dance. He had finally confessed to himself, (With James' help) that he really did love Ginny. Love was such a powerful word, but he was sure that love was the feeling he had for Ginny, nothing else would do. He thought back on his conversation with "John".
~*Flashback*~
As Harry and James were walking from the last class of the day, Divination, the 6th year Gryffindor Transfiguration class was let out ahead of them. The minute he saw Ginny, Harry went crashing to the floor, having tripped on a statue of armor when he was preoccupied with his Ginny Watching, as Ron and John called it. His books and parchment went everywhere, not to mention his inkwell smashing into a thousand pieces. James helped him clean up, then, ever so gently he asked, "Harry, do you want to talk about it?"
For some reason unknown to him, Harry agreed and followed James into the empty Transfiguration classroom. They sat in silence until James interrupted it. "Harry," he said slowly, "Do you think you love her?"
This question caught Harry totally off guard. His first reaction was to deny it until he was blue in the face, but something told him that he could tell James.
He thought for a moment, but eventually came to his "important realization." "Yes, John, you know, I think I do!" It felt wonderful to get it off of his chest and admit it to himself and someone else. Harry was now grinning like an idiot with a faraway look in his eyes.
"Well, then Harry, what are you standing around for! She is a pretty girl, you don't want someone else asking her to the dance, do you?"
Harry smiled his thanks at James and took off at a high speed.
~*End Flashback*~
Harry and Ginny were both so preoccupied with their thoughts that they didn't realize they were headed strait towards each other when-
SMACK! They ran right into each other and fell on their butts. "Ginny!" exclaimed Harry when he saw who it was.
Ginny felt her cheeks heat, up but this time, it was not from embarrassment, no, this time, it was anger.
Harry stood up and held out a shaking hand to help her up. "Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry." he stammered.
She looked up at him furious, and before she could stop it, her temper that was a characteristic of all redheads, got the best of her.
"I bet you didn't even see me, did you?! But wait, this isn't very surprising, why should I think that you would this time, when you NEVER HAVE?! I'm just Ginny, the FREAK who has been in love with you since I FIRST SAW YOU! I'm only Ron's little sister, right Harry? That's all you have ever seen me as, and how you will always see me as!" Then she said, her voice seething, "Well, let me let you in on a secret, Harry Potter. I DO NOT, AND NEVER WILL, LIKE YOU!!" She yelled, and then turned on her heel and ran, tears blinding her vision, ignoring Harry's calls to come back.
Section 2: The Christmas Ball
Lily and James were not happy the days after the Hallway Fiasco, as they had come to call it. They were starting to think that it was hopeless, although Harry was so obviously in love with Ginny, she was doing a very good job ignoring him. The ball was to be the Saturday night before the students would go home for the Christmas holidays. James and Lily would, of course, be staying at the castle, with Harry, Hermione, Jenna, and the Weasley's. Lily and James both had many people ask them to the ball, but they both politely declined each offer, for obvious reasons. They might have been in the middle of a task that would decide the future of the world, but they were still madly in love with each other.
Another reason they were both upset was because Harry and Ginny both had dates that weren't each other. Ginny claimed to be very happy to be going with a seventh year, Dean Thomas, even though it was apparent to Jenna and Lily that she really wasn't. Harry was going to the ball with Lavender Brown, who was utterly devoted to him and virtually begged him to go with her. Harry accepted only because Ginny was going with Dean. Ron and Hermione were going together, as they had finally faced facts and told each other their feelings. They were now known around the school as a "couple". Lily was extremely annoyed with Ginny as well. No matter how many times she and Jenna tried, Ginny stoutly refused to believe that Harry had feelings for her.
Finally, Saturday came. The castle was buzzing with gossip and the loud whispers of excited girls, planning what they were going to wear, and wondering what lip-gloss would match their robes.
The sixth and seventh year girls (Ginny, Lily, Kat, Lauralie, Jenna, Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati) had gone to Hogsmeade the Saturday before and picked out their dress robes. The ball was starting at 7:00 and would go until 10:00. The girls got up from playing chess and things with the boys at 5:00. However, the boys didn't follow until around 6:30 (typical males).
Lily had selected satin, midnight blue robes with black heeled sandals. The robes were tight until her waist, then they flowed down gracefully to the floor. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head, with soft ringlets hanging around her face.
Lauralie was wearing pale blue robes that matched her icy blue eyes. They were tight and showed off her perfect model body. Her beautiful blonde hair was cut pixie-style, and she had charmed it to glitter. She decorated it with real butterfly's that matched her dress and sparkled.
Kat was wearing rusty red robes that matched her curly black hair perfectly, which she had pulled up halfway. Her dress robes were loose, as she was pleasantly plump.
Ginny was stunning. She had satin white dress robes that fit tightly until her waist, when they flowed down to the floor like Lily's. Her flaming red hair that was normally strait now had delicate curls that cascaded down her back.
They joined Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender at the stairs, before anyone saw them. Hermione looked beautiful in pale pink robes that shimmered. Her cinnamon colored hair was strait and shiny, with a few ringlets that were evenly spaced about an inch apart all around her head. Lavender was wearing pale yellow robes with (in Lily's opinion) far too much makeup, while Parvati was wearing gold dress robes with as much, if not more, makeup on than Lavendar.
As they descended the stairs, the common room went quiet and gasps could be heard through the crowd. All of Gryffindor house was staring at them.
They found James, Dean, Harry, Ron, Neville (who was dating Kat), and Seamus (Lauralie's date). Parvati was going with a seventh year Ravenclaw, so she excused her self and set off to the Ball early. The boys were gaping- each at a particular girl (I bet you can guess).
James found his voice first, "You-you girls look very nice," he stammered. The girls giggled and Lily took his arm. They each partnered up with their dates and made their way to the Great Hall.
When they entered, an amazing sight met their eyes. Snow was falling gently from the ceiling in big, sparkling flakes that melted before they touched the floor. The only source of light was a band of gold sparkles that floated around the outer walls, casting a warm glow. Like the Yule Ball, there were small, circular tables surrounding a raised platform and stage. On the stage, the band (The Stupefies- a hot new boy band) started to play the first song of the night, which was a fast number. James and Lily went off together followed by a very pink Ron and Hermione.
Harry stared at Ginny for what seemed like an eternity. She was talking to Lauralie, Dean, and Seamus. She was so beautiful-
"HARRY!" Lavender yelled, interrupting his thoughts.
Harry jerked his head away and looked at Lavender.
"God, I've only been trying to get your attention for the past 10 minutes!!" she exclaimed in frustration. "Look, Harry, I'm sorry-I don't mean to hurt you, but, I-I just don't think we are meant to be!" she blurted. "I'm really sorry."
"That's great, Lav!" Harry exclaimed.
She looked shocked, but it quickly turned into a smirk. When she went in to hug him, she whispered, "Good luck with Ginny, Harry." She pulled back and walked away without looking back. He gaped after her. Then he shook his head and grinned. Am I that obvious?
When he turned to where Ginny was standing, he couldn't see her anymore. He searched all over, but unfortunately, he got cornered by his Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor fan clubs and had to dance a whole dance with each of them (slow and fast). He also danced with Lily, Jenna, Hermione, Parvati and Lavender. Neville talked to him about Herbology for about 15 minutes, and he had to endure about 30 minutes of Ron droning on about how wonderful Hermione was.
By the time he found Dean and Ginny, it was time for the last dance. When Ginny saw him, she took off in the other direction. But Harry, who was much quicker, caught her easily.
She struggled to free herself, all the while, not looking into his eyes, for she knew that once she did that, she would be powerless. "Let go of me!"
"Ginny, just dance with me once, please?" he begged. He tilted her chin so she was looking into his eyes. He led her onto the floor and she followed.
The lead singer of The Stupefies said, "This next song, which will be the last, I wrote myself. Its called 'Selfish.'"
Harry put his arms around her waist, and hesitantly, she put her arms around his neck. Ginny felt odd tingling feeling where their bodies were touching.
I just don't understand
Why you're runnin from a good man, baby
Why you wanna turn your back on love
And why you've already given up
Ginny tried desperately to fight the feeling that was threatening to knock down the walls that she had carefully built around her crush. Ever since the collision in the hallway, Lily's words echoed in her head, "God Ginny! You're killing him! You must be so blind! Anyone could tell that he is totally in love with you!"
See, I know you've been hurt before
But I swear I'll give you so much more
I swear I'll never let you down
'Cause I swear its you that I adore
Harry felt Ginny's body against him, and he felt like this was where she was meant to be.but did she feel it too?
And I can't help myself babe
'Cause I think about you, constantly
And my heart gets no rest
Over you, you, yeah
Ginny felt the walls around her crush crumbling. No! She couldn't give in! She wouldn't!
You can call me selfish
But all I want is your love
And you can call me hopeless
Because I'm hopelessly in love
And you can call me unperfect
But who's perfect?
Tell me what do I gotta do
To prove that I'm the only one for you
So what's wrong with being selfish?
Harry marveled at the likeness between the song and his situation. He looked around and his gaze fell on Ron and Hermione. They were staring at each other, love apparent on their faces. Oh, how he wished he could look at Ginny that way!
I'll be taken up your time
'Till the day I make you realize (realize)
that for you there could be no one else
I've just gotta have you for myself
Ginny's wall was now down totally, and she couldn't help it. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Baby, I would take good care of you
No matter what it is you're going through
I'll be there for you when you're in need
Baby, believe in me
Harry felt Ginny tense up and then relax ever so slightly. He was sorely tempted to kiss the top of her gorgeous head, but resisted.
'Cause if love is a crime (hey, yeah)
Then punish me, I would die for you
'Cause I don't want to live without you
What can I do?
Oh, well, Ginny thought wryly, there go the tears.
You can call me selfish
Harry felt wetness on his robes. Is Ginny crying?
He thought puzzeldley.
But all I want is your love
He took a deep breath. "Ginny?"
And you can call me hopeless (hopeless)
Harry gently lifted her chin. Green eyes bore into brown. Ginny felt herself melt. Then she grabbed her senses. She angrily brushed her tears away.
Because I'm hopelessly in love
"Yeah?" She managed to choke out.
And you can call me unperfect
But who's perfect?
His eyes and voice were so full of emotion, he held her gaze steadily. Then he stated, quite plainly,
Tell me what do I gotta do
"You don't have to run anymore."
To prove that I'm the only one
Her brown eyes brimmed with tears again and she looked away. Don't do it Ginny! Don't fall for him!
She told herself angrily.
For you
She began to cry again. Then she whispered, "Yes, I do," and fled the Great Hall.
So what's wrong with being
Selfish?
As the dance ended, students applauded enthusiastically and then started to file out of the Great Hall to their respective Common Rooms. Harry just stood there, frozen.
He felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw James standing there with Ron behind him, looking confused.
"Hermione and Lily went after her," he muttered distractively, running a hand through his hair, making even messier than usual.
Harry became confused. "Who's Lily?" he asked.
James went ghostly white. "Uh, did I say Lily? I-I meant Emily!"
Ron gave them both weird looks, "Well anyway, c'mon chaps, lets go to bed."
They agreed and left the Great Hall. They were almost to the Gryffindor Common Room when they heard someone running. They turned and saw Hermione. "Harry!" she yelled when she saw him. "Ginny-lake-freezing- HURRY!" she was out of breath but managed to get that out.
That was all Harry needed. He took off with James at his heels. They made it to the lake in record timing. They saw Lily on the west bank, as white as a sheet.
"Harry! James! Ohmigod! She is going to drown! Hurry! Do something!"
Harry looked out at the dark, frozen water. He spotted a huge crack in the ice and a white body thrashing around:Ginny.
Harry was hit with a sudden inspiration. His window! He left it open! He took his wand out of his pocket and yelled, "Accio Firebolt!" praying that its path wouldn't be blocked. But sure enough, he heard the whizzing of his prized racing broom as it hurtled through the air, stopping right next to him. He wasted no time in climbing on and shooting across the lake to the center.
Ginny had stopped thrashing around, she was now only making a feeble attempt to stay afloat. Harry lowered his broom so that the tips of his toes were in the icy water.
"Ginny, hold on! You have to keep swimming! Grab my hand!"
Ginny was too tired and cold to order her limbs to work. Her breath was becoming labored.it felt as though knives were stabbing at her throat. She was so tired.her eyes closed and she began to sink.
Harry was so terrified of losing her, he didn't even think about what he did next. He flew into the icy waters and pulled Ginny onto his lap. Her body was so cold and stiff! He pushed the unwelcome thoughts from his mind and urged his Firebolt up, praying that it would respond in the icy waters. Miraculously, it did. They went soaring up in the air, Harry clutching her lifeless body to him.
He approached Lily and James and landed gently, Lily had tears streaming down her face and James looking extremely pale. Suddenly, they heard the great oak door from the castle bang open, and 5 figures came hurrying towards them. Professor's Dumbledore and McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey, Ron, and Hermione.
Relief flooded over them when they saw that Harry had successfully rescued Ginny.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Madame Pomfrey when she saw Ginny's lifeless body. "She's frozen solid! Oh but thank God, she has a pulse! It's there, but faintly!" She conjured a stretcher and warm blankets and was about to float Ginny up to the castle when she noticed Harry shivering to. She quickly conjured him a blanket. "You come too, Mr. Potter." She commanded, but it wasn't necessary.
When they had all made it up to the Hospital Wing, and Ginny was all settled in with a drying charm and many blankets and hot water bottles, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey conversed. The five teenagers waited anxiously.
Dumbledore approached them with a grave but relieved face. "Miss Weasley was indeed frozen, but Mr. Potter saved her from a very untimely end. I believe that she is in your debt again, Harry?" Harry blushed and Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. The he turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva? Would you be so kind as so owl Miss Weasley's parents? Tell them that they may come and visit her as soon as it is convenient for them." Professor McGonagall nodded and left the Hospital Wing. "You may stay here as long as you wish.if I'm not mistaken, you all will be staying with us for Christmas?" they nodded. He then bid them goodnight and left.
Lily couldn't contain herself any longer. She burst into tears (followed directly by Hermione) and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh-oh Harry!" she sobbed, "You were so brave! I was s-so afraid G-Ginny wou- would." she trailed off, but no one needed to hear what she was thinking because they had all thought it. Harry hugged her back. Her embrace was so familiar! If he didn't figure out why, it would surely drive him mad! "Oh, but I'm so proud of you!"
She finally stepped back and James put an arm around his wife and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "She's right, Potter." He said hoarsely. They turned and walked out of the Hospital Wing. Lily's sobs had subsided, leaving her very tired. James muttered the spell that would make her feather light, and carried her to bed.
As he was tucking her in, she whispered, "Oh, James, I wish we could tell him."
He looked at her and sighed. "Me too, Lil, but we promised Aurora." She nodded in understanding and sniffled.
James sat down and gathered her in his arms and rocked her to sleep. Then he gently laid her back on her pillows and kissed her on the forehead tenderly. "I love you, Lily," he whispered.
When he was not even two feet away, he heard a small, "I love you to, James." He smiled to himself and left.
Aww! Isn't that adowable? Did you like? I hope you did! If so, REVIEW! Please! Remember, I want at least 5! Oh and don't worry, next chapter there will be some kissing! ( lol. Well I'm gonna go! Don't forget to review! *puppy face*
Taylor ;)
