Harry Potter & the other characters and places in this story belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter Eight - ConfessionsThe opportunity came one windy Saturday afternoon late in November. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, and most of the students were eager to go. Ron and Hermione were going, since Hermione wanted to get her Christmas shopping done early. Harry sensed that they wanted to be by themselves for a while, so he said that he had to finish his Arithmancy assignment. After the students had left, Harry noticed that Ginny had remained behind as well. She was sitting in a chair by the fire in the Gryffindor common room, and writing an essay. Harry realized that if he wanted to talk to her, now was the time. But there were still quite a few younger students milling around, and he didn't want to be overheard.
He walked over to Ginny feeling very nervous indeed. What would he say to her? Suddenly he thought back to how Ron had felt before his little talk with Hermione in the library. This was worse. At least Ron knew Hermione pretty well. Harry hardly knew Ginny at all. He walked over towards her slowly.
"Hi Ginny," he said.
She looked up and blushed slightly before looking back down at her parchment and saying, "Hi Harry. How are you?"
"I'm fine. How's your arm?" he said.
"My arm?"
"You got hit with a Bludger yesterday in Quidditch practice. It looked pretty bad."
"Oh, I didn't think anyone saw that. It didn't really hurt that much," she said quickly.
Harry knew that it must have hurt a lot. The Bludger had been moving very fast. "Um… Ginny?"
"Yes?" she finally looked up from her parchment. Her dark brown eyes were looking up at him. He had never noticed her eyes before. They were… Concentrate Harry… Constant vigilance!
Harry took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you about something. Do you want to go for a walk?"
Ginny blushed furiously and looked away, but she smiled and said, "Sure, just let me get my coat."
"OK," Harry replied, and then raced up the stairs to get his own coat. He met Ginny back in the common room and they went out through the portrait hole.
"Where do you want to walk?" Ginny asked after they had left the castle.
"Um… I don't know. How about down by the lake?" Harry replied.
"Sure," said Ginny.
They walked along in silence for a while. The sky was overcast, threatening to rain, and it was windy and quite cold. By the time they reached the lake, their cheeks and noses were red. Finally, Ginny spoke up, "You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Um, yeah," said Harry. "Let's find some place to sit down." Ginny pointed to a bench near the edge of the lake that was sheltered by some evergreen trees. They made their way towards it and sat down. It was warmer here. Harry looked over at Ginny. Her penetrating brown eyes were looking at him again, with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. Her red hair was blowing loose in the wind. Suddenly he felt very strange to be sitting this close to her. Their legs were touching, but Harry didn't want to move away. Finally Harry took a deep breath, "Ginny, I have a confession to make."
"What is it?" she asked, looking even more confused.
"I- I heard you playing the piano."
"What!" she exclaimed, with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. She stood up to run away, but Harry caught her hand and held on to it. She slowly sat back down, but did not let go of Harry's hand. Her hand was cold. He suddenly had an urge to take her other hand and warm that up as well, but now was definitely not the time.
"Please let me explain," he said. Ginny nodded. "It was an accident, really. It all began with the Marauder's Map." Ginny looked confused. "It's a map that Fred and George gave me that shows all of Hogwarts, and all sorts of secret passageways and stuff. Well, there was this room marked on there that I'd never been to before, so I decided to explore it one night. I should also tell you that I have an Invisibility Cloak. Anyways, I got there, and saw all the interesting objects, and then I sat down in the sofa by the window and looked out and saw the moon shining on the lake, and it was so peaceful. I just sat there and thought about things."
"Anyways, I left the room and went back to bed. Several days later, I had a sore wrist from Quidditch practice, and I couldn't sleep. So I decided to go back to the tower room. I was sitting on the sofa, looking out the window again, when all of a sudden I heard noises. There was no way I could get out, so I put the Invisibility Cloak back on, and then you came in. At first I was afraid you were going to come and sit on the sofa, but you didn't. You just sat at a desk behind me and looked out the window. Then you went over to the piano, and I was really surprised, because I didn't know that you played the piano. Then you started playing and…" he stopped talking and looked straight into her eyes. "It was amazing…" he said earnestly, and Ginny blushed. "I've never heard anything like it before. It was like I was seeing into your soul. And then you finished playing and left. I felt so guilty because you obviously didn't know there was anyone there. It was your place to be alone and you had found it before me, so I decided never to come back. A while later I went back to Gryffindor tower too."
"But the next day was so weird. It seemed like you were a completely different person – laughing at me when I tried to drink the maple syrup. And more than anything I wanted to hear you play the piano again. That night, I saw you had your music with you in the common room, so I knew you were going to practice again. I- I went back to the room and waited for you. Then I realized how angry Ron would be if he knew what I was doing. I was about to leave, but then you came in again and played the piano, and it was the same feeling. I never wanted it to stop. But I felt so guilty. I'm so sorry. After that night, I haven't been in that room since. I promise you!"
Harry looked up and saw that Ginny was still looking at him, but she was crying. He felt like an absolute idiot. He hung his head and said, "Can you ever forgive me?"
"I feel so embarrassed that you heard me. Yeah, I'm kind of upset that you came back that second night. I mean the first time was an accident. But you promise me that you haven't listened to me since then?" she asked.
"I promise," said Harry seriously.
"Look at me," she said, and Harry looked up. She looked into his bright green eyes for a long time before finally saying, "I believe you, and I forgive you."
"Thank-you," said Harry, and he felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. This had definitely been the right thing to do.
Ginny smiled and asked, "So you actually liked listening to me?"
"I can't even describe it! Ginny, it was magical! I would close my eyes, and I would see the moon shining on the waters of the lake. How did you learn to play like that? And how did you ever find the tower room?"
"Well, actually, I found the room by accident. At the very beginning of my first year at Hogwarts, before all that horrible stuff started to happen, Hermione was taking some of the first year girls on a tour of the castle. She pointed out that painting and said that during the summer she had seen a lunar eclipse, and then the painting just opened. We persuaded Hermione to let us explore the tunnel, and we found the room. I saw the piano there, and one of the other girls played a few notes. Hermione mentioned that she had taken piano lessons when she was younger. Later that night, I asked Hermione if she would teach me how to play. She gave me a few lessons and got her parents to send all her old piano music."
"Well, later on in first year, things started to get really bad, you know, with the diary and everything. But then in second year I started practising every night. You see, I don't really have any close friends here. I guess you could say that Hermione is a good friend, but she's always really busy. In my second year she was trying to take way too many courses, as well as help Hagrid with Buckbeak. Then last year was the Triwizard Tournament and everything. So in the evenings when I was done my homework, I didn't really have anyone to talk to, so that's why I started practising every night. Besides I love playing the piano, so I like to practice whenever I get the chance."
"Wow," said Harry, and they sat in silence for a while. Harry suddenly remembered that he was still holding Ginny's hand. She hadn't removed her hand from his, so he decided to leave things as they were. He didn't want to be rude. He thought about what she had been saying – how she didn't have any close friends at Hogwarts. After what happened to her in first year, it must have been hard for her to make friends. He felt guilty that he and Ron and Hermione had never really included her in any of their activities. To him, she had always been Ron's little sister. But now he realized that she probably liked that about as much as Ron liked being known as Percy's little brother. He decided that he wanted to get to know Ginny Weasley better.
It was getting chilly after sitting still for so long, and it had begun to rain. "Let's go back to the castle," said Harry. "Ron and Hermione should be coming back from Hogsmeade soon. Let's see if they bought us anything."
"Sure," said Ginny. She shyly withdrew her hand from Harry's as they stood up from the bench. After they left the shelter of the trees, they realized that it was raining very hard. By the time they made it back to the castle, they were both soaking wet. As they stood dripping water onto the floor of the Entrance Hall, Ginny said, "Harry, I'm really glad you told me about this."
"I'm glad too," he said. "I feel much better now."
"And Harry, I'd like it if you'd come with me when I practice every once in a while."
"Really?!" Harry couldn't believe that she actually wanted him to listen to her music.
"I mean, I still want to be by myself most of the time, but how about Saturday nights starting tonight?" asked Ginny.
"Sure… of course! I'd like that. Um… when?" Harry asked.
"Well, we'll have to wait until everyone is asleep. Just come down to the common room when you can and wait for me."
"Sure," said Harry.
"And bring that Invisibility Cloak, I'm sure it'll come in handy. I've had too many close calls with Filch and Peeves over the years," said Ginny.
+ + +
Harry lay awake in bed waiting for the sound of Ron's snoring to begin so he could go downstairs to the common room. Hermione and Ron had brought back all sorts of candies from Hogsmeade, to share. They also told all of Gryffindor house how Dean Thomas had 'accidentally' spilled Butterbeer all over Malfoy at the Three Broomsticks. Ron and Ginny had played a game of wizard's chess while Hermione read her History of Magic textbook and Harry pretended to do his Transfiguration essay. He had really been listening to the dialogue between Ron, Ginny, and their chess pieces. It was much more entertaining than his Transfiguration essay.
Finally Ron began to snore, so Harry knew he was asleep. He took the Invisibility Cloak and Marauder's Map out from under his pillow, put his robes on over his pyjamas, and went downstairs. Ginny was already there, sitting by the fire. She looked up and smiled as he approached. Harry's heart skipped a beat. He was planning on walking through the castle at night in the dark with Ginny Weasley! What was he doing?
"Let's go," she whispered.
Harry activated the Marauder's Map. Ginny was amazed at all the details. "Wow, no wonder Fred and George hardly ever got caught!" She handed the map back to Harry and picked up her music books. Harry awkwardly draped the Invisibility Cloak over both of them, and they slipped out of the portrait hole. Ginny was right next to him the whole time they were walking. He kept checking the Marauder's Map every few seconds. There was no way he wanted to be caught. Ron would kill him. But at the same time, he felt a surge of excitement at being so close to Ginny. It was a weird sensation.
They arrived at the picture of the moon, and went into the tunnel. The room was the same as the last time Harry had seen it, almost two months earlier. Except tonight there was very little moonlight, since the sky was overcast. Harry was about to light his wand, but Ginny whispered, "No, not yet. I like to sit here in the dark for a few minutes before I practice." She moved over to the sofa and sat down. Harry didn't know whether to follow her or not. "Come on, Harry, sit down! Make yourself at home," she said quietly. Harry tried not to trip over anything in the semi-darkness as he made his way over to the sofa. He sat down at the opposite end of the sofa. She sat in silence for a long time, and stared out the window. There was little to see except the rain falling. Finally Ginny spoke.
"What were you thinking just now?" she asked.
"Well, I was thinking about how Ron would kill me if he found us here like this," he replied.
"If you'd rather not be here, I understand," said Ginny, "I was stupid to think that you would want to do this."
Harry said, "No, I didn't mean that. I just meant that I hope that Ron doesn't find out."
Ginny laughed softly, then lapsed into silence again.
"What were you thinking about?" asked Harry.
"What I always do. Thanking God that I'm alive for another day, that I have family and friends who care about me. That sort of thing. I know it sounds silly," she said.
"Not at all."
She looked over at him in surprise. Then she reached out and took Harry's hand and said, "Harry, I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life. I would have died if you hadn't come along and fought the basilisk and defeated Tom Riddle. I want you to know that I think about that every day, and realise how lucky I am to be alive. And I have you to thank for it."
Harry was dumbfounded. "I- I- Don't mention it. It was nothing."
"No Harry, it wasn't nothing to me! You risked your own life to save some stupid girl who had been writing her innermost thoughts to an enchanted diary and terrorising the school."
"That wasn't your fault!" said Harry, "How could you have known that the diary once belonged to Voldemort? Even Hermione didn't know that Voldemort's name used to be Tom Riddle. And once he had you under the Imperious curse, you're not responsible for your own actions."
"I know, I know. Well, I don't want to talk about it any more. I just wanted you to know that I'm grateful. Now, it's getting late; I've got to start practicing!" She jumped up from the sofa and moved over to the piano. She lit her wand and arranged her music.
"Sorry, but I've got to practice my scales first. I hope you don't mind," she apologized.
"Of course not," said Harry.
After ten minutes of technical exercises, Ginny again breathed a sigh of relief. "I really hate this part, you know. Hermione always forced me to do it, though, and now I'm glad. I don't like it, but it really does help me play better. Kind of like running around the lake in our Quidditch uniforms." Harry laughed.
Ginny returned her attention to the piano. "Let's see… what should I play first?" She flipped through her music and selected a piece. She started to play, and once again, Harry felt the sensation of wonder and amazement, and peacefulness. And this time, he could enjoy it better because she had invited him to come. He watched her play. It was as if she had forgotten he was there. Her slender fingers moved easily and gracefully across the keys. Some strands of her vibrant red hair had started to fall into her eyes, but she didn't stop playing. The light from her wand lit up her face. She was… beautiful!
Harry's eyes widened. What was he thinking? Constant vigilance… Constant vigilance… He kept repeating those words in his mind until he was able to force his eyes to look out the window. There was no way he should be thinking that Ron's sister was beautiful. But then… she wasn't just 'Ron's sister'. She was Ginny Weasley. This was all very confusing! This is when it would be helpful to have an older brother or his father to talk to, who could tell him what to do.
By the time Ginny was finished her first song, Harry had pulled himself together somewhat, and applauded enthusiastically.
"Wow, I'm not used to having an audience! You really liked it?" said Ginny, and Harry nodded. "Well," Ginny continued, "It's kind of nice having an audience. I quite like it, in fact. I was worried I'd be too nervous and make a whole bunch of mistakes."
"No, it was great!" said Harry, trying not to sound too emotional.
Ginny played a few more songs, and then concluded with her usual last song. The music faded away at the end, and the last chord was barely audible. Neither of them moved for a while; the moment of silence seemed the natural conclusion to this piece rather than applause. After a while, Harry said, "That one's my favourite. What's it called?"
"It's the first part of the song called the Moonlight Sonata. It's by Beethoven. It's my favourite too," replied Ginny. "Well, it's getting late. We should get back to Gryffindor Tower."
"Right," said Harry. They checked the Marauder's Map, then left the room. On the way back, Harry felt quite tense. Ginny was so close beside him. Her hair was touching his face. He wanted to reach over and touch it… Constant vigilance… Constant vigilance… Harry didn't know why he kept repeating Professor Moody's words, but they helped him focus and not get carried away.
Half way across the dimly-lit Entrance Hall, Harry spotted Filch approaching. There was no time to hide, so they had to stop where they were and hope that Filch didn't run into them. Filch came down the stairs, followed by his cat Mrs. Norris. Ginny turned to face Harry, and they tried to remain as still as possible so Filch wouldn't hear them.
Harry found himself staring directly into Ginny's dark brown eyes, softly lit by the flickering candles along the walls. He couldn't move. Neither could she. He looked into her eyes and saw fear, excitement, and happiness. He couldn't look away, and he didn't want to. This was when Harry knew for sure… He was falling in love with Ginny Weasley. There was absolutely nothing he could do about it. He couldn't help but smile slightly. At his smile, she smiled too. They stood there motionless long after Filch's footsteps had died away. Finally, the words Constant vigilance made it back into Harry's mind once more, and he blinked several times. Ginny looked away with a shy smile. He was pretty sure she was blushing. His own face burned, so he probably was too. Without a word they turned and hurried up the stairs. Just after they got through the portrait hole, Ginny whispered, "See you next Saturday." She winked, then disappeared up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
To be continued…