Title: "An Abundance of Third Wheels"

Author: Emmyjean

Classification: H/G, R/H, G/Other, Multiple POV

Summary: Ron and Hermione are finally a couple, and Harry is only beginning to realize his true feelings for Ginny - but is it too little, too late? Set during Harry's seventh year.

Spoilers: Through Goblet of Fire

Rating: PG

Notes: Everything belongs to Rowling.

PART ELEVEN

Justin leaned against the cold stone wall, his eyes trained on the stairway to his left. He knew that all the Gryffindors always came via that stairway to the Great Hall, and he wanted to speak to Ginny before breakfast. He hadn't been able to sleep all night, thinking about everything that had happened yesterday evening. There were some things he said that he knew he had to apologize for...he would never have said them if it hadn't been for his blind rage at Potter's interruption.

He glared into space as he recalled the confrontation outside the Gryffindor Common Room. He had been thinking all night about how much he wanted to tell her - finally tell her - what she meant to him. He didn't know if he was in love, because he didn't think he'd ever been in love. All he knew was that he had never before felt this strongly about any girl. All he wanted to do was spend time with her, and he didn't care who knew. He would have accomplished this already if her brother and Harry hadn't broken in. It wasn't Weasley he was necessarily angry at...he knew that Ron would never have thought to intervene if Potter hadn't suggested it to him. Justin would be prepared to bet money that this is what had happened. Damn prat...he didn't want Ginny's affections, but the minute she began to give them to someone else, he became bothered by it.

A flash of red hair caught his eye, and as he turned to look he could see her coming down the stairs. For once, she wasn't surrounded by her friends - she was walking alone, looking forlorn. This would make it easier for him to say what he needed to say.

"Ginny!" he called softly as she walked past him, laying a hand on her arm. She looked up at him as he pulled her to the side, and he could swear he read guilt in her eyes. Surely, she didn't blame herself for anything that had happened?

"How are you?" he asked tentatively as he brushed her hand with his.

She heaved a trembling sigh, and answered quietly, "Oh...as well as can be expected, I suppose."

He laughed softly, and continued, "Listen...I wanted to apologize for everything that happened last night."

She waved her hand and said, "No, Justin...please don't. Nothing was your fault."

"I know," he agreed, "But there were some things I said that I regret saying in front of you, because I think they were probably very embarrassing. I need you to know that I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you, Ginny."

She looked up at him, and he thought he could see her eyes welling up with tears. He reached up and brushed her cheek with his thumb, and said, "Look, I...I need to say some things to you. I've...been wanting to say them for some time now."

She closed her eyes, and he thought for the hundredth time how utterly sweet and real she was. His heart gave a slightly painful twinge as he thought it. He unthinkingly reached to push her thick red hair behind her shoulders, and found that it was tangled on the chain she wore. He smiled, and went to untangle it for her...and then let his smile fade as he caught a glimpse of the pendant that was pulled out from underneath her robes by his efforts.

It was that Unicorn Stone she had been admiring that day at Hogsmeade. He had been planning on getting it for her for her birthday in a few weeks, assuming everything worked out between them. She had been talking about how she couldn't afford it...for herself...

He looked back into her deep brown eyes and found them looking straight back at him, watching him with what Justin could now definitely say was guilt. He frowned slightly as he fingered the stone, and suddenly came to a realization - she had gone to the last Hogsmeade weekend with Potter. It must have been him who had gotten it for her...but, it hadn't been part of a necklace when he had seen it. That must have been done of her own accord. He felt his heart sink like a stone to his stomach as he realized what this meant.

"Potter?" he asked quietly, laying the stone gently back to its resting place on her front.

She nodded feebly, casting her eyes to the floor as she did.

He sighed, and replied, "I see."

She looked up quickly and said, "Justin...it's just that I..."

"I know," he interrupted, his bitter disappointment and the terrible ache that had begun to seep through his chest making it impossible for him to be completely understanding, "I guess knew it all the time...I just didn't want to admit it to myself."

She looked back down and stared intently at his chest, apparently not able to reply. It was all the response he needed.

"You'd rather be pining after him than with someone who...who cares about you and is willing to do something about it?" he asked, his voice still soft and low.

"Justin, it's not that simple. If only I could explain it to you..."

"It's alright," he interrupted, suddenly very tired, "I don't need to know."

"Justin, please..."

"No, really," he continued, unable to keep the words inside, "I have to hand it to Potter...he must have something going for him."

She met his eyes once more, her own looking misty and sad. His heart broke for the second time in five minutes, and he couldn't help wishing he hadn't been so harsh and trying one last time.

"Ginny...you don't have to settle for anything."

She let out a breath and replied, "Justin...I wish I could make you understand. If I were to continue to see you, it would be you who was settling. There..."

He wanted to say more but knew that it was no use. She was in love with Potter, and there was nothing anyone could do about that. Not him, not her, not even Harry himself. A surge of anger enveloped him at the injustice of it all...he had finally found a girl who he thought was perfect, and she was already spoken for by someone who wouldn't even treat her the way she should be treated. He looked once more into her dark, expressive eyes...and knew he had to get away from her before he begged her to reconsider.

"Well...I guess I'll see you around, then," he said quietly, secretly hoping he wouldn't have to see her very often anymore. It would hurt too much.

Her face fell as she understood the truth behind his statement, and she cast her eyes downward as she replied, "Oh...yes, of course."

She turned to leave, but for some reason that was beyond him, he caught her arm. He didn't want to say goodbye like that. On an impulse, he bent his head and gave her soft cheek a lingering kiss. It was so much less than what he wanted to do - but he knew it was his absolute last chance to do anything at all. He straightened, and she smiled at him before turning and walking in the opposite direction of the Great Hall...he couldn't blame her. He wasn't hungry anymore, either.

After watching her walk out of sight around a distant corner, he turned to head back up to the Hufflepuff dorms...and caught sight of Harry and Ron coming down the staircase on the way to the Great Hall for breakfast. He felt his anger not as a hot ball in his chest, but rather as a dull, cold lump of metal in his stomach. He felt as if he was going to be sick, and knew he had to say something. He didn't know what, but before he had a chance to think he called,

"Hey, Potter!"

Harry turned and regarded him with a frown on his face, and Justin suddenly know exactly what he wanted him to know. He walked over to stand beside him and said in a low voice,

"You don't deserve her."

With that, he walked away as Ron looked at his friend with a startled expression on his face. He knew that would cause some problems. He knew he had gotten out at least some of his frustration.

Unfortunately, he didn't feel any better...he suspected he wouldn't for a long while.

To Be Continued in Part Twelve

More fic by Emmyjean at

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www.hiddentower.50megs.com