Title : One Night
Author: Ceara
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of anything associated with it. That pleasure belongs to the talented J.K. Rowling. I also don't own anything of value, so if you feel a great, overwhelming urge to sue me for something, think again because you wont get much.
Chapter Two
"Oh, Seamus! You have NO idea how happy I am!" Ginny cried dancing a small circle around her friend. "I thought that once I had given up on Harry that would be the end of it, but he's paying more attention to me now than he ever did before."
Seamus laughed at his small friend, shaking his head as she jumped and leaped around the empty common room. They had been back at Hogwarts for about a month now and Ginny and Seamus, both being more night people than day people, had gotten into the habit of staying up late into the night, talking or singing or some such thing. Sometimes they were joined by Hermione and once or twice Ron and Harry stayed downstairs with them, though Seamus suspected that those two were only there to make sure that nothing was going on between him and Ginny . Seamus smiled at the thought. Him and Ginny.
Life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was just about as normal as life could get at a school for underage witches and wizards. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were hot on the trail of some unspeakable evil, Ginny was, again, swooning over Harry, Snape was taking as many points as he could from Gryffindor, Malfoy was being a dirty git, the Gryffindor quidditch team was in the lead, and Ron and Hermione kept sneaking off for a little alone time whenever they could. As far as Seamus was concerned, the only thing different from last year was the fact that, instead of paying attention to most girls, like he had, Harry was only looking at one. Ginny Weasley.
Now Seamus was happy for Ginny but was just a little worried. He knew how his friend could be with girls, and he didn't want to see Ginny getting hurt. After thinking the matter threw and spending not a few sleepless nights, Seamus made up his mind to talk to Hermione about it. If anyone would know what to do, it would be her.
The next day, after transfiguration, Hermione was sitting in the Library when Seamus sought her out. She could tell that something was worrying him, but after knowing him for a few years she had found that if Seamus wanted to tell you something, he would get around to telling you at his own pace and in his own time, and that was just fine with Hermione. As he was sitting there, trying to work out what he was going to say, Hermione studied him. Dark hair and blue eyes, medium height, and wiry build, nothing new there, but there was something about him that made people stand up and take notice. A subtle look. Something that said that he knew what he was doing. But, as a girl, and as his friend, Hermione knew that there was something that he wasn't so sure about. She smiled to herself and decided to see what was going to happen.
"I'm not too sure our Ginny should be going around with the famous Mr. Potter." Seamus started out, keeping his eyes trained on the wooded table so that he wouldn't have to look at Hermione. "It's not that I don't want her to be with him.just not now. In a few years maybe t'would be better...but right now Harry's not really one to be nice to the ladies.not on purpose I 'spose.but I don't want to see our Ginny-gal hurt or anything.d'ya know what I'm trying to go about saying, Hermione? "
Hermione hid a smile and tried to look pensive. "Oh yes, Mr. Finnigan." she thought to herself. "I will definitely have to see what happens."
"Now Seamus, there is nothing to be worried about. Ginny is a grown girl and I'm sure she can take care of herself.she's not stupid you know. Or oblivious to what's going on around her." Except in some matters. Hermione gave her friend a small hug. "Don't worry. I'll talk to Gin if you want me to." Maybe. And with a smile she was gone.
Seamus watched her go, no more comforted than when he started talking to her. "Dammit!" he yelled banging his fist on the table and receiving a VERY stern look from Madam Pince and some of the other students sitting around. "Sorry." He muttered as he slouched out of the library.
Harry sat back at the Gryffindor table and looked down at the little, fiery- haired, girl at the end. Yes, this was going to be an interesting year. Ginny looked up from her food and caught his gaze. Harry flashed a smile at her and winked, congratulating himself as she blushed and looked away. Slowly, he got up and walked over to her. Putting his hands on the back of her shoulders he leaned down to whisper in her ear, telling her about the trip that was scheduled for Hogsmeade that weekend, and asking her if she'd care to go with him. Ginny, of course was ecstatic, though she tried to hide it and calmly assured him that she would love to go with him. Then, much to Harry's disappointment, she turned her back on him and went on with her dinner.
That night in the common room Ginny told Hermione every thing that had happened at dinner, and it seemed to her that Hermione was just as happy, if not happier, about the whole thing than she was. About the time that Ginny was busy finishing her story Seamus walked into the room, but Ginny didn't see him. Hermione, however, did and thought about turning their conversation toward a more interesting path. "Gin, can I ask you something?" Hermione questioned, discreetly motioning Seamus to say put. "Are you sure about, Harry?" Ginny looked at her friend as if she was crazy. "What do you mean "am I sure"? This is the boy that I've been waiting for my whole life practically." Hermione stood and walked over to where Ginny was sitting. "That's just what I mean, darling. Maybe, the only reason that you want him now, is the fact that you have for so long. Could be that you just want to do this to prove to yourself that you're attractive to him." Sighing, the little red head looked down at her hands. "I.I know. I've asked myself that over and over again. I've wondered if this was just a dream. I know he can't like me because of my looks. I know I'm not that pretty, but maybe.maybe he likes me for who I am." She looked up hopefully. "Maybe." Hermione smiled to herself. This was precisely what she wanted to hear. " That's exactly why he should like you. Look at me, I'm no beauty and Ron and I get on fine." Ginny snickered and Hermione shot her a look then continued. " AS I was saying.did you ever think that there may be some people out there who DO like you just for being you?" "What're you trying to say, Hermione?" Ginny asked, eyeing her suspiciously as if she knew something Ginny did not. "Nothing," Hermione chuckled and gave her friend a small hug. "Just think about it. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." And with that, she disappeared up the staircase. If Ginny had taken the time to look around her she would have seen Seamus leaning on the wall behind her, arms and legs crossed casually and face almost the exact same color of her fiery hair.
The entire student body was looking forward to the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, well the entire student body from third year on up anyhow. As Harry and Ginny walked along, past the small stores and pubs, they earned looks from most of the students they past. Hardly anyone could believe that the little red head was actually with Harry Potter. Ginny could hardly believe what was happening herself, but her disbelief was different from that of her fellow students. Here she was, walking down the streets of a picturesque little town were you could buy just about anything in the world, with Harry Potter holding her hand, and all she could think about was the fact that she'd much rather be in The Three Broomsticks with her brother, Hermione, Seamus, Dean, Neville, and the rest of her friends.
Ginny found it somewhat forward of Harry to hold her hand. Not that she really minded, but they weren't even going out and she didn't want to give him ideas.yet. "So, Gin," Harry began casually, "have you heard about the dance coming up soon?" Ginny's answer sounded tentative, but Harry decided that it was just because she was cold. "Harry?" She asked timidly just as Harry was about to say something else. "Could we just go into the Three Broomsticks for a quick mug of butterbeer, please? It's so cold." Harry noticed her teeth chattering and quickly pushed open the door to the Three Broomsticks. "After you." He invited her in with a little bow. Ginny thanked him and half-ran into the bar, partly to see her friends there and partly because she felt that if she stayed outside any longer she would be a giant ice cube. Ginny scanned the crowd of unfamiliar heads until she spotted her group. After Harry had excused himself to go buy the butterbeer, Ginny shuffled over to the table where they were sitting, still shivering slightly. "Hi, guys." Ginny greeted them as she pulled up a chair next to Neville and Hermione. Harry returned within minutes with their butterbeers, Ginny thanked him gratefully and gulped down the much longed-for warmth. Neville spotted Harry scanning the small table for a seat and jumped up. "Here Harry, you sit next to your girlfri- I mean Ginny." "Thanks, Neville." Harry said, "but I thought Gin and I might go over and sit in that little corner. I had something I wanted to talk to her about." He looked at Ron "Privately." Ron nodded his consent and turned back to the conversation that he was having with Hermione before Ginny's arrival, something about the merits of studying quidditch strategies through the ages. Ginny followed Harry with a strange feeling tingling in her stomach. As she sat down in the chair that he pulled out for her, she felt like running back to the safety of her friend's table. Ginny knew that Harry wanted to ask her about the Yule dance that was coming up and she wasn't sure she wanted to give him the answer he wanted to hear. Why did she feel so uncomfortable? Harry was talking but Ginny barely heard anything he said, she was concentrating too hard on her own thoughts. "So Ginny, about the ball." Harry was saying but was cut off as the door opened and Seamus Finnigan walked in. Ginny watched as Seamus strode over to the table that held her brother and the rest of her friends, look around at the faces, and lean down and say something to Ron. She quickly turned her attention back to her tablemate as Ron pointed over to where she sat. ".so what do you think?" Harry was asking. Ginny looked up at him, startled. "About what?" Harry let out a breath of exasperation and shook his head, opening his mouth to talk again. Just as he was about to re-ask Ginny to go to the ball with him two hands slammed down of the table. "And how would you two be feelin' on this fine day?" Seamus questioned boisterously. "Ginny m'dear, you know that I hate to pull you away from Harry like this but if you'll be wantin' my help with that potions essay you have to finish, now would be the time." Harry looked cross. "Actually Seamus, I was just about to." Ginny had no idea what Seamus was talking about, but she jumped at the chance to get out of the situation she had put herself in. Cutting Harry off she leapt to her feet and grabbed on to her friends arm. " Ahhh, how could I forget that?!? We have to go, NOW!" Turning to Harry she apologized for having to leave so early. Seamus slapped Harry on the back "I'll be seeing you then, mate." With that they both walked out into the cold November air.
"Would you mind telling me what that was all about?" Seamus asked
Author: Ceara
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of anything associated with it. That pleasure belongs to the talented J.K. Rowling. I also don't own anything of value, so if you feel a great, overwhelming urge to sue me for something, think again because you wont get much.
Chapter Two
"Oh, Seamus! You have NO idea how happy I am!" Ginny cried dancing a small circle around her friend. "I thought that once I had given up on Harry that would be the end of it, but he's paying more attention to me now than he ever did before."
Seamus laughed at his small friend, shaking his head as she jumped and leaped around the empty common room. They had been back at Hogwarts for about a month now and Ginny and Seamus, both being more night people than day people, had gotten into the habit of staying up late into the night, talking or singing or some such thing. Sometimes they were joined by Hermione and once or twice Ron and Harry stayed downstairs with them, though Seamus suspected that those two were only there to make sure that nothing was going on between him and Ginny . Seamus smiled at the thought. Him and Ginny.
Life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was just about as normal as life could get at a school for underage witches and wizards. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were hot on the trail of some unspeakable evil, Ginny was, again, swooning over Harry, Snape was taking as many points as he could from Gryffindor, Malfoy was being a dirty git, the Gryffindor quidditch team was in the lead, and Ron and Hermione kept sneaking off for a little alone time whenever they could. As far as Seamus was concerned, the only thing different from last year was the fact that, instead of paying attention to most girls, like he had, Harry was only looking at one. Ginny Weasley.
Now Seamus was happy for Ginny but was just a little worried. He knew how his friend could be with girls, and he didn't want to see Ginny getting hurt. After thinking the matter threw and spending not a few sleepless nights, Seamus made up his mind to talk to Hermione about it. If anyone would know what to do, it would be her.
The next day, after transfiguration, Hermione was sitting in the Library when Seamus sought her out. She could tell that something was worrying him, but after knowing him for a few years she had found that if Seamus wanted to tell you something, he would get around to telling you at his own pace and in his own time, and that was just fine with Hermione. As he was sitting there, trying to work out what he was going to say, Hermione studied him. Dark hair and blue eyes, medium height, and wiry build, nothing new there, but there was something about him that made people stand up and take notice. A subtle look. Something that said that he knew what he was doing. But, as a girl, and as his friend, Hermione knew that there was something that he wasn't so sure about. She smiled to herself and decided to see what was going to happen.
"I'm not too sure our Ginny should be going around with the famous Mr. Potter." Seamus started out, keeping his eyes trained on the wooded table so that he wouldn't have to look at Hermione. "It's not that I don't want her to be with him.just not now. In a few years maybe t'would be better...but right now Harry's not really one to be nice to the ladies.not on purpose I 'spose.but I don't want to see our Ginny-gal hurt or anything.d'ya know what I'm trying to go about saying, Hermione? "
Hermione hid a smile and tried to look pensive. "Oh yes, Mr. Finnigan." she thought to herself. "I will definitely have to see what happens."
"Now Seamus, there is nothing to be worried about. Ginny is a grown girl and I'm sure she can take care of herself.she's not stupid you know. Or oblivious to what's going on around her." Except in some matters. Hermione gave her friend a small hug. "Don't worry. I'll talk to Gin if you want me to." Maybe. And with a smile she was gone.
Seamus watched her go, no more comforted than when he started talking to her. "Dammit!" he yelled banging his fist on the table and receiving a VERY stern look from Madam Pince and some of the other students sitting around. "Sorry." He muttered as he slouched out of the library.
Harry sat back at the Gryffindor table and looked down at the little, fiery- haired, girl at the end. Yes, this was going to be an interesting year. Ginny looked up from her food and caught his gaze. Harry flashed a smile at her and winked, congratulating himself as she blushed and looked away. Slowly, he got up and walked over to her. Putting his hands on the back of her shoulders he leaned down to whisper in her ear, telling her about the trip that was scheduled for Hogsmeade that weekend, and asking her if she'd care to go with him. Ginny, of course was ecstatic, though she tried to hide it and calmly assured him that she would love to go with him. Then, much to Harry's disappointment, she turned her back on him and went on with her dinner.
That night in the common room Ginny told Hermione every thing that had happened at dinner, and it seemed to her that Hermione was just as happy, if not happier, about the whole thing than she was. About the time that Ginny was busy finishing her story Seamus walked into the room, but Ginny didn't see him. Hermione, however, did and thought about turning their conversation toward a more interesting path. "Gin, can I ask you something?" Hermione questioned, discreetly motioning Seamus to say put. "Are you sure about, Harry?" Ginny looked at her friend as if she was crazy. "What do you mean "am I sure"? This is the boy that I've been waiting for my whole life practically." Hermione stood and walked over to where Ginny was sitting. "That's just what I mean, darling. Maybe, the only reason that you want him now, is the fact that you have for so long. Could be that you just want to do this to prove to yourself that you're attractive to him." Sighing, the little red head looked down at her hands. "I.I know. I've asked myself that over and over again. I've wondered if this was just a dream. I know he can't like me because of my looks. I know I'm not that pretty, but maybe.maybe he likes me for who I am." She looked up hopefully. "Maybe." Hermione smiled to herself. This was precisely what she wanted to hear. " That's exactly why he should like you. Look at me, I'm no beauty and Ron and I get on fine." Ginny snickered and Hermione shot her a look then continued. " AS I was saying.did you ever think that there may be some people out there who DO like you just for being you?" "What're you trying to say, Hermione?" Ginny asked, eyeing her suspiciously as if she knew something Ginny did not. "Nothing," Hermione chuckled and gave her friend a small hug. "Just think about it. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." And with that, she disappeared up the staircase. If Ginny had taken the time to look around her she would have seen Seamus leaning on the wall behind her, arms and legs crossed casually and face almost the exact same color of her fiery hair.
The entire student body was looking forward to the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, well the entire student body from third year on up anyhow. As Harry and Ginny walked along, past the small stores and pubs, they earned looks from most of the students they past. Hardly anyone could believe that the little red head was actually with Harry Potter. Ginny could hardly believe what was happening herself, but her disbelief was different from that of her fellow students. Here she was, walking down the streets of a picturesque little town were you could buy just about anything in the world, with Harry Potter holding her hand, and all she could think about was the fact that she'd much rather be in The Three Broomsticks with her brother, Hermione, Seamus, Dean, Neville, and the rest of her friends.
Ginny found it somewhat forward of Harry to hold her hand. Not that she really minded, but they weren't even going out and she didn't want to give him ideas.yet. "So, Gin," Harry began casually, "have you heard about the dance coming up soon?" Ginny's answer sounded tentative, but Harry decided that it was just because she was cold. "Harry?" She asked timidly just as Harry was about to say something else. "Could we just go into the Three Broomsticks for a quick mug of butterbeer, please? It's so cold." Harry noticed her teeth chattering and quickly pushed open the door to the Three Broomsticks. "After you." He invited her in with a little bow. Ginny thanked him and half-ran into the bar, partly to see her friends there and partly because she felt that if she stayed outside any longer she would be a giant ice cube. Ginny scanned the crowd of unfamiliar heads until she spotted her group. After Harry had excused himself to go buy the butterbeer, Ginny shuffled over to the table where they were sitting, still shivering slightly. "Hi, guys." Ginny greeted them as she pulled up a chair next to Neville and Hermione. Harry returned within minutes with their butterbeers, Ginny thanked him gratefully and gulped down the much longed-for warmth. Neville spotted Harry scanning the small table for a seat and jumped up. "Here Harry, you sit next to your girlfri- I mean Ginny." "Thanks, Neville." Harry said, "but I thought Gin and I might go over and sit in that little corner. I had something I wanted to talk to her about." He looked at Ron "Privately." Ron nodded his consent and turned back to the conversation that he was having with Hermione before Ginny's arrival, something about the merits of studying quidditch strategies through the ages. Ginny followed Harry with a strange feeling tingling in her stomach. As she sat down in the chair that he pulled out for her, she felt like running back to the safety of her friend's table. Ginny knew that Harry wanted to ask her about the Yule dance that was coming up and she wasn't sure she wanted to give him the answer he wanted to hear. Why did she feel so uncomfortable? Harry was talking but Ginny barely heard anything he said, she was concentrating too hard on her own thoughts. "So Ginny, about the ball." Harry was saying but was cut off as the door opened and Seamus Finnigan walked in. Ginny watched as Seamus strode over to the table that held her brother and the rest of her friends, look around at the faces, and lean down and say something to Ron. She quickly turned her attention back to her tablemate as Ron pointed over to where she sat. ".so what do you think?" Harry was asking. Ginny looked up at him, startled. "About what?" Harry let out a breath of exasperation and shook his head, opening his mouth to talk again. Just as he was about to re-ask Ginny to go to the ball with him two hands slammed down of the table. "And how would you two be feelin' on this fine day?" Seamus questioned boisterously. "Ginny m'dear, you know that I hate to pull you away from Harry like this but if you'll be wantin' my help with that potions essay you have to finish, now would be the time." Harry looked cross. "Actually Seamus, I was just about to." Ginny had no idea what Seamus was talking about, but she jumped at the chance to get out of the situation she had put herself in. Cutting Harry off she leapt to her feet and grabbed on to her friends arm. " Ahhh, how could I forget that?!? We have to go, NOW!" Turning to Harry she apologized for having to leave so early. Seamus slapped Harry on the back "I'll be seeing you then, mate." With that they both walked out into the cold November air.
"Would you mind telling me what that was all about?" Seamus asked