A/N: So far ff.net hasn't deleted my older version. I'm pretty sure it will since I deleted all the chapters, but if not I'll try and find another way or just leave it there.

Disclaimer: I own zilch of what J.K. Rowling created. I own the plot, Allie, Kara, Caitlyn, Brian, Josh, Aimee, and Ron & Hermoine's kids (Nick and Kyle who are twins).

Ginny sat in a horseless carriage with Brian, Josh, and Allie. Brian and Josh were laughing rather loudly about an idea that they had come up with for a prank that involved Snape, pink tutus, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and penguins.

"So Ginny, do you think that Harry will really be teaching this year?" Allie asked this question cautiously as she wasn't sure how Ginny would react to it.

"I don't know."

"Do you hope he is?"

Ginny sighed. She had mixed feelings. Part of her wanted him to come back and teach, while the other part was afraid of what might happen if he did. She knew that teachers and students had to keep a firm line between a professional relationship and a closer one. Plus she was very happy with Colin, so she thought.

"Ginny?"

"Huh? Oh. Well.I don't care about him anymore, really," Ginny hoped she sounded convincing.

"I think he should. He needs to see that you have moved on from him and don't need him anymore and couldn't care any less about him," said Brian.

"Yeah. Right." Ginny pretended to agree.

"Are you happy to see Colin again? It's been a whole summer," Allie attempted to drag the subject away from Harry. She could tell Ginny was uncomfortable.

Ginny had almost forgotten all about Colin. At the end of 6th year, he had asked her out. She had said no due to the fact that she was going with Harry. But when Harry had broken up with her, Ginny owled Colin to tell him yes in hopes that she'd forget Harry sooner. He seemed nice enough, a little possessive maybe, but still nice. But she didn't really know him that well. He adored her though, and was always giving her things. Only Allie and Kara knew how she really felt.

"Colin? Oh, well, he's nice and all, and I really like him," said Ginny.

"But you are going out with him," stated Brian.

"So?"

"So, he's just 'nice and all' to you? And you 'really like him'? That sounds more like you like him for a friend," said Brian.

"He is nice and I do really like him," said Ginny.

"Ginny! The guy adores you! He gives you presents almost everyday! He respects you! Have you ever seen the way he looks at you when he thinks you can't see?! I have! I have never seen any guy look at a girl the way he looks at you! It's a look of pure love, admiration, and respect. He's in love with you, Ginny! Colin would go to the ends of the Earth and jump off just so you could be happy! He would eagerly give his life just so he could save yours. To him, your wish is his command! Colin is sweet. He can give you what you need. Love. In fact, he is giving it to you now! If you can't see it, then you are the blindest person I know!" shouted Alex.

"I--I-" stuttered Ginny.

"Do you love him just as much Ginny?" asked Brian quietly.

"Where do you come off telling me how much I should like a person? It's my business who I like and who I don't! My relationship with Colin is mine and Colin's business and nobody else's!" Ginny glared so hard at Brian that she could've shot daggers at him through her eyes if that were at all possible.

But at that moment, the carriages reached Hogwarts. The four of them stepped out into the howling wind and whipping rain that stung their cheeks.

"Blimey, it's bloody wet out here!" yelled a familiar voice. It was Ron. He was helping Hermoine usher the kids inside. Ginny ran over to them, thankful for an excuse to get away from Brian, who she knew would be expecting an answer to his question.

"Ron, hi! I'm really glad that you decided to come to the castle with Hermoine!" shouted Ginny over the roar of the rain. She gave him a big hug.

"Ahh, well it's the least I could do. I want to be there for her. Plus, I need to help watch over our twins, Nick and Kyle."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Why couldn't Ron admit he just couldn't stand being away from Hermoine?

"Well, I'm sure she will appreciate your support," giggled Ginny.

"Ginny, you had better get inside or you might get sick! This weather is just awful! I mean, it's cold, the wind is blowing hard and it's raining!" scolded Hermoine.

Ginny tried not to laugh. Hermione's motherly instinct had become strong. She was about to go inside where everyone else was, when Hermoine came up behind her and gave her a great bear hug.

"Oh, I missed you so much, Gin!" she said, as if she hadn't yelled at Ginny a few seconds ago and as if she hadn't seen Ginny in a good few years.

"M-me t-too!" gasped Ginny. "But I-I'd miss y-you more if you c-could let go of me! I can't breathe!"

"Oh! I'm sorry Ginny! Well, let's get inside now! Don't want to miss the Sorting!"

They stepped inside and entered the Great Hall. Ginny took her place at the Gryffindor table and sat between Allie and Kara, with Caitlyn across from her and Brian and Aimee on either side of Caitlyn, and Josh next to Brian. Brian gave her a look that said, "I'm expecting an answer from you. Soon." So Ginny gave him her "shove it or else" look.

After the Sorting, Aimee turned to Ginny eagerly.

"Well Ginny," she said in a more dramatic voice than necessary, "I don't see Harry at the teachers' table, do you?"

Ginny turned around in her seat and saw Hermoine, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and all the other usual professors. But there was an empty seat.

"Well no," she said.

"But look!" gasped Caitlyn as if she had made the discovery of the century. "There's an empty seat! He could be teaching here, but is late or something!"

"Yeah!" Aimee and Kara said together.

"Right!" scoffed Ginny, "How well did you guys know him again? He wouldn't be late for anything. It's "not my way" as he used to say."

"You never answered my question on the train, Ginny," Aimee said all of a sudden.

"Huh? What was your question?"

"Ginny, don't play stupid. I asked if you wanted him to come back or not. Do you?"

"I really don't care."

"You can be so frustrating! Why don't you-?"

But at that moment, Dumbledore stood up to announce the beginning of the year.

"I have but a few announcements this year. First that our Arithmancy professor retired last year, and the person taking her place is Hermoine Weasley!" Dumbledore stopped as everyone clapped.

"The second announcement is that we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. However, he was unable to make it tonight due to an unexpected happening. Anyway, you will all see him tomorrow at breakfast. This one may just stick around for more than a year too." Everyone laughed at that, and Dumbledore ended, "I would also like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is well.just that. Forbidden. Also, Mr. Filch's list of banned items has been extended. A list will be provided in each common room. Now let us all dig in!" Dumbledore sat down and everyone clapped.

"Ginny! That means that he still could be coming back!" exclaimed Allie.

"I know," sighed Ginny.

All of a sudden someone came up behind her and wrapped their arms around her, kissing her cheek.

"Hi Colin!" Ginny put on a perky face.

"Hi!" Colin was absolutely beaming. He took a seat next to Ginny after Allie had everyone scoot over for him. The food appeared and they all dug in.

"More potatoes, honey?" asked Colin.

"Um, no, I'm fine, thanks," said Ginny.

"So Colin, do you think that Harry is going to teach?" asked Alex in a would-be casual voice.

"The nerve of him," thought Ginny to herself, "asking him that question to Colin."

"Well, I don't know. None of us do, know do we? We'll just have to wait and find out," said Colin. Ginny could tell that the smile on his face was a forced one. Ginny was very well aware that Colin knew of Harry's history with Ginny. He no longer worshipped him the way he used to do.

"Look," said Jessica, coming to Ginny's rescue, "can we just forget about this until tomorrow? We can worry about it then, if it even happens."

Ginny had to make sure she thanked Jessica afterwards.

"Yeah, if we don't stop talking about it now, the subject will be worn out by tomorrow and then if Harry does come back, none of us will want to talk about it," Beth said, making sense in an unusual way but agreeing with Ginny and Jessica.

Ginny also had to make sure to thank Beth.

"Maybe you guys won't want to talk about it, but I will!" exclaimed Amy.

"Can we just drop this whole, "oh I can't wait to see if Harry is coming to teach at Hogwarts" subject?" Stephen sighed, exasperated.

"Yes, let's just drop the subject," said Ginny. "Please!" she added, noticing Alex's look.

(A/N: ok, I just have to say this, I can't resist it: I just saw a long commercial of the "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and it looks sooo good!!! They showed a part where Harry is flying on a broomstick, and it is awesome! I can't wait until it comes out!!! Now on with the story)

The plates of food cleared themselves, and the students went up to bed. Ginny was walking next to Jessica, Beth, and Brittany.

"I can't believe that this is our last year here!" said Brittany.

"I know! It's flown by so fast!" said Jessica.

"I'm sure going to miss this place!" screamed Beth.

Several people turned and stared at Beth. She smiled and said, "Yes. I'm fine."

"No you're not," joked Ginny.

"Yes. I'm fine," said Beth again.

They reached the portrait hole.

"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.

"Godric," said Jessica, who had been made a prefect. They all entered. Jessica, Beth, Brittany, and Amy all started up to the girls' seventh year dorms.

"Aren't you coming?" asked Amy.

"No, I'm going to sit by the fire awhile and think," said Ginny.

"Um, okay." Amy gave Ginny an odd look, and went up the stairs.

Colin sat down beside her on the couch. He had noticed that Ginny had stayed behind and he wanted to be with her. They were now the only ones left in the common room. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest.

"I missed you," he said.

"Me too."

They stared into the fire, just being together. Colin sat up and kissed her full on the mouth. Ginny didn't feel the warmth flood through her like it did when it was Harry. She didn't seem to fit against him right, either. Harry was wonderful. She could get lost in his eyes, lose herself just by being with him. She flew when he looked at her, and she melted when he kissed her. But Colin was just.Colin. She broke away from him and said,

"I had better go to bed now."

She left him. When she got to the top of the staircase, she looked back. What she saw made her wish she hadn't done that. Colin had sunk to the floor with his face in his hands. Ginny wanted to go back and comfort him. She almost did. Almost. Instead, she went into the dorm and plopped down on her bed, not bothering to undress. Ginny fell asleep, her mind on Harry.

Down in the common room, Colin still sat on the floor in the same position Ginny had seen him in. Deep down he knew that he had lost her, the love of his life. He could not hold on any longer.

(A/N) It's done!!! Yay!!! I hope you guys haven't given up on me!!! Sorry I took so long! Well, I will know if you all review!

-WolfEyes