Chapter 2: An Embarassing Confrontation
Everybody in the restaurant turned and stared in the direction of the commotion. After a few whispered breaths and a few stances of people trying to get a better view, a stern looking older man walked out of the kitchens with both of his hands raised to calm the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am going to have to ask you all to stand up quietly and exit through the doors," said the man in a hushed tone. "I am terribly sorry about all of this but there has been a most unfortunate accident." The man lowered his hands and walked back into the kitchens. Some people just stared, some stood up so quickly it was as if their chairs had pecked them on their behinds. The Weasleys and Harry all looked at one another for a few seconds before Fred broke the silence.
"That's rotten luck we hadn't gotten our meals yet. We could of had a free meal."
"Oh Fred! Someone gets seriously injured and all you can think about is food? You don't suppose it was our waitress? It sounded an awful lot like her." Mrs. Weasley looked quite alarmed.
"Well, they asked us to leave - I suppose we'd better go." said Mr. Weasley, standing. Everyone followed suit and walked quietly out to the Weasley's van. Ever since their Ford Anglia had been set wild in The Forbidden Forest after Ron and Harry flew it their second year of Hogwarts, the Weasley's owned a great purple GMC Mini-Van. It wasn't exactly tasteful, but it could accomodate the whole Weasley family and Harry without having to be enchanted, much to Mrs. Weasley's liking.
"Now put on your seat belts. Your father can be a bit mad if he drives on an empty stomach," whispered Mrs. Weasley to the crowd piled in the back seat just as Mr. Weasley was opening up the driver's side door to get inside. Harry held back a laugh; he couldn't imagine Mr. Weasley having a bad case of road rage. The thought was somewhat ammusing.
"Well, where are we off to?" said Mr. Weasley, clasping his seat belt in place. Harry heard Mrs. Weasley sigh. He could only assume it was due to Mr. Weasley still seeming in high spirits.
"We could go to Velvet Haven." shrugged Ginny.
"The Haven is terrible Ginny. You just want to go there because Jeremy works there." stated Ron, irritably.
"How about Sampsons?" offered George.
"Ohh, they have good steak sandwiches there!" said Fred, a dreamy look glazing his eyes.
"I don't want a steak sandwich." said Ginny
"Hush!" snapped Mr. Weasley. "Harry, it's up to you, where would you like to eat?"
"Say Sampson's Harry," whispered Fred.
"Harry, no!" pleaded Ginny.
"Will everyone back please stop talking and give Harry a break?!" said Mrs. Weasley in an unnusually loud voice. Once everyone was quiet, she asked again "Harry, what sounds good to you?"
Harry felt a bit uncomfortable. Just name a place, he told himself. You're making a big deal over nothing.
"Um, that place right there looks good." pointed Harry, in the direction of a small blue cafe on the side of the road.
"Chicobod Cafe, Harry?" said George, a look of revulsion on his lips.
"Chicobods it is!" announced Mr. Weasley, steering his car quickly into its parking lot.
Chicobod wasn't exactly the luxury or tastefulness of the other place, but it suited just fine. Mr. Weasley paid the bill and they all left with their stomachs full and happy.
"Dad?" said George, getting back into the car. "Do you think we could over and look at the flats on Spring Road since we're nearby?"
"Excellent idea, George. It's still early enough, we could swing by and see if it's a place you and Fred would be interested in living in," said Mr. Weasley.
Everyone besides Fred, George, Harry and Mr. Weasley gave great sighs of annoyance.
"Well, if we must go, I suppose we could make double use of the stop," said Mrs. Weasley. "Ron, Diagon Alley has a known intrance just a few blocks from there. Since Ginny got new robes over the Summer, I suppose we could stand to get you some new ones also. We'll all meet back at the car in an hour."
Harry knew he didn't want to look at apartments or listen to Mrs. Weasley fuss as Ron tried on new robes, but he knew the alternative. Ginny. What would he and Ginny do for an hour by themselves? Obviously, Ginny had been thinking the same thing.
"Mum, what am I supposed to do for an hour? Madam Milkin's is the only thing left open in Diagon Alley right now and I don't really don't feel like looking at Ron try on robes or browse the new flats."
"Well, there's the park right by," informed Mrs. Weasley. "You and Harry could go for a walk."
Harry gulped and looked at Ginny. Her face was red and he was sure his was also. How in the world could Mrs. Weasley suggest something so... so... preposterous?
"Oh, a walk!" chimed George. "And with Harry. How ever so splendid would that be Ginny?"
Ron and Fred laughed.
"Fred!" shrieked Mrs. Weasley. "You leave your sister alone. It's a perfectly lovely evening. There's nothing wrong with a walk between friends."
"O.k., mum. If you call THAT friends."
"I said enough!"
Harry looked out the window, his face hot. There was no way to get out of this one. He was to take an hour long walk in the park with Ginny at dusk. It would be interesting to say the least.
"O.k." said Mrs. Weasley, eyeing Harry and Ginny catiously. "We'll be back in one hour and I expect you two to do the same." They both nodded. "We are in the muggle world and with You-Know-Who in prison, I don't hardly think anything could happen, but just keep an eye out."
"Mum, we'll be fine. You don't have to worry." assured Ginny, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, mum, she'll be fine. She has Harry to look out for her," teased Fred.
Mrs. Weasley gave Fred a dissaproving look before he and George left with their father. Turning her eyes back to Harry and Ginny, she repeated the words "One hour!" again before disappearing with Ron.
Harry was utterly and completely alone with Ginny now. He didn't know why it had to be so uncomfortable; it just was. Maybe it was because she'd always had that crush on him, or maybe it was his rescuing her from the Chamber of Secrets four years ago, he did not know.
"Honestly!" sighed Ginny, shaking Harry to his senses. "You think a mother could have a bit more faith in her child."
"Yeah," was Harry's only response. He looked at Ginny, not quite knowing what to say.
"Look, we don't have to go for a walk. I don't know why she mentioned that. It seems a bit silly, really."
"We could sit." Harry pointed to a bench at the entrance of the park. "That is if you want to."
"Oh. That's fine. Let's go sit down."
And so they did - in complete and utter silence. This was getting to be a bit rude, Harry thought.
"That was sure strange, what happened at the restaurant and all," said Harry, breaking the tension.
"It was, wasn't it?" said Ginny. "I wonder what happened. Do you think it was our waitress?"
"Could have been. She kind of gave me the creeps."
"She did look at you quite particularly. It wouldn't have been so odd if we weren't in a muggle restaurant," added Ginny.
They sat in silence for a few minutes pondering this, before Ginny spoke again.
"Do you ever get sick of it?" she asked.
Harry looked at her, his brows furrowed. "Sick of what?"
She hesitated a moment. "Do you ever get sick of people goggling at you everywhere you go?"
Harry looked down. Yes, he got tired of it. Should he tell her that though? She, afterall, was often one of the gogglers. "A bit."
"I always feel strange around you, Harry," she said in a sort of whisper.
"Strange?" Harry looked at her again.
"Look, I'm going to stop myself before I say anything I don't care to share." She looked down to the floor and Harry thought it looked as if she were about to cry.
"Ginny?"
"No Harry, I'm sorry. I'm fine. I've just been thinking a lot lately. I'm in a strange mood. I'm sorry."
"Ginny, there's no need to be sorry. If you want to talk about it, please do." Harry was feeling a little uneasy. He didn't exactly know if he wanted to hear what Ginny had to say, but he couldn't ignore it for some reason. He was interested in what she was feeling.
Ginny smiled. "You're probably going to think I'm crazy," she mused, still eyeing her feet.
Harry laughed silently. "Ginny, who isn't crazy?"
"Too true, Harry." She took a deep breath before continuing. "O.k., it's like this," she started. Then she paused and Harry looked at her more intently than ever. She quickly looked up at him then looked back down again. "I think there's something about you, Harry, more than just who you are in a history book, that attracts people to you."
Harry just kept staring at her. Why was she telling him this? What should he say? He had to say something. She looked so nervous sitting there; he couldn't leave her like that any longer.
"You think I'm attractive?" asked Harry incredulously. You idiot, he scolded himself, what kind of question is that?
Ginny looked at him and smiled. "Well, to put it in those words, yes."
Harry was confused. "Wh-what words would you have put it in?" Bloody hell, what are you doing to this poor girl?
Ginny studied him for a minute before looking away. "I don't know, Harry. I just know I make it much too obvious that I'm fond of you, and I guess I wanted you to know that it's not because your Thee Famous Boy Who Lived."
"Then why?" Harry couldn't help himself. He didn't mean to seem so confronting and demanding, but this was just all so shocking. Shy, small Ginny Weasley was sitting here confronting her feelings to him. It all felt so ...strange.
"Your have your ways, Harry." Her voice was serious and quiet. Her big brown eyes were boaring straight into his. "Your eyes, for one." Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt cold and clammy, yet heated like an oven all at the same time. He had never thought about Ginny in this way. Never. It was unheard of. He didn't know how to take it, or what to do for that matter. It was almost as if a guilty feeling was coming over him. Not necessarily a bad guilty; it was a good guilty. He was exploring new territory; seeing Ginny in a whole new light and though it felt wrong, it felt good and fresh and new.
Harry broke his gaze before choosing his words. "Your brothers would have a field day with what you're telling me right now, Ginny." He smiled.
Ginny smiled too. "I suppose you're right. I'll stop harassing you. I'm sorry." She looked away.
"Ginny, don't say sorry. Who wants to take a compliment with a `sorry' at the end of it?"
She looked at him, astonished. "Oh, Harry! That's not what I meant. You know I didn't-"
Harry was shaking with laughter. "I know, I know. It's fine. Since we're on the topic of harassing, is it my turn to harass you now?"
"What would you harass me about?" asked Ginny in all seriousness.
"Oh don't worry, I'll think of something," he said with a smile.
Ginny's face turned bright red, almost matching the color of her hair. "Well, I guess it is only fair."
"Yes it is." Harry was quite enjoying this, as nerve-racking as it was. He studied Ginny for a minute. Ginny sat motionless, staring straight ahead, fully aware of his eyes on her. "Well, for one thing, I like when you blush like that." Oh dear god, thought Harry. This is insane. This is absolutely insane. I'm flirting with Ginny Weasley. He went on. "I like the fact that you like me for who I really am."
She looked up at him and briefly smiled. It faltered, however, upon seeing the serious look on Harry's face. They both stared at eachother, emotionless, too scared of what to do next. Harry finally broke the gaze.
"Ginny, I don't exactly know what to make of this." There he said it. He let her know he was uncomfortable. That this was too surreal to make true.
"You don't have to make anything out of anything. I just wanted to let you know that I think the world of you. I always have." Ginny looked a bit sullen; like she had failed.
"Ginny, do you get the urge to do something that you know you really shouldn't do, but want to do it anyways?" Harry could only hope that Ginny knew what Harry was asking when he asked her this, and not just take it as a rhetorical question.
"Yes," she answered. "And I know that if I never take those risks, then I will never really know if they were actually risks at all."
Harry shook his head. She did know what he was talking about and she was being brave in her reasonings. It was the prefect time to do what he wanted to do. He knew it was just an impulse; that he clearly wasn't thinking logically. Hew knew this was Ginny, Ron's little sister, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's daughter. He knew these facts. He also knew she was confessing to him, telling him just what he meant to her. He adored her for that. He wanted to make a move, to show her just how she was affecting him right now; but for some reason he just couldn't make himself do it. He tried to; he did. He had to do something. What he did end up doing, however, even startled himself.
Leaning forward, watching the startled look on Ginny's face, Harry opened his arms and took Ginny into the biggest hug he'd given anybody in his life. Hesitantly, Ginny's arms slowly circled around his shoulders. He squeezed his arms around her waist harder and layed his head down on her shoulder. As awkward as the situation looked, Harry felt very content and warm in Ginny's embrace. Ginny smoothly rubbed her small hand up and down Harry's back, soothing him even more.
Againt the curve of her shoulder, Harry began talking in a cracked whisper. "I like how you hold me," he said and he heard Ginny sigh contentedly. "I don't know what's going on Ginny, but I've never known anyone who's given me as much credit as you have. Thank you for that."
Ginny closed her eyes and breathed in hard through her nose. "Harry, I sit there and watch you go through life and it amazes me seeing what you put up with."
"What do you mean?" he asked, his head still resting on her shoulder, arms wrapped securely around her waist.
"It's almost like I want to take care of you, Harry. To give you the caring that you've never had. You seem so fragile and lost sometimes. I can't stand to sit there and watch people turn against you, telling you they hate you, cause there's no reason to hate you. You're an ordinary boy living in an unfair, demented world." Ginny was trying to keep her voice still and firm, tears locked back in her dry throat.
"Sometimes, when I'm alone, I sit there and wonder why, out of everybody, why do I have to be the Dark Lord's culprit?" said Harry. "I know he's in the Fhorkanza Prison, but for how long? He's going to get out; everyone knows he is."
Ginny hugged Harry even harder, and, unable to resist any longer, kissed his forehead. Harry raised his head and removed his hands, staring at her in astonishment. That feeling of awkwardness swept over him again. He couldn't help it. He was feeling very vulnerable right now and, quite frankly, he was scared he would take advantage of her.
"Ginny, look. I'm feeling sorry for myself and I don't mean to be. I am who I am and I can't change it. I know that. The only thing I can do is accept it and move on. I don't want you to think I'm trying to take advantage of you. I guess I'm just feeling empty and I wanted someone to confide in. I don't want you to think that I'm -"
"What's wrong with that?" interrupted Ginny. "What's wrong with wanting someone to confide in, someone to turn to when your upset. Harry, you're always so self-reserved and try to hide your feelings. You, sitting here, telling me how you really feel is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time, Harry. It's what I want. But most importantly, I think it's what you need."
"Yes, but...." Harry halted. Ginny obviously didn't know the full affect she was having on him. He didn't only want to take the advantage of telling his woes to her. He wanted to hold her, to touch her, to feel her. He was afraid to admit it to himself, but for some reason he wanted to be loved right now; even by Ginny Weasley. He didn't care about right and wrong at the moment, he only wanted to act on impulse. He was scaring himself beyond words.
"But what, Harry?"
Harry stared at her. She was egging him on, she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
"I'm acting on impulse, Ginny. I'm feeling overly vulnerbale, and I'm scaring myself. I'm afraid."
"Harry, please. There's nothing wrong with acting on your impulse. If you feel like telling someone something, then tell them. Trust me, it will make you feel better. You can pretend I'm not here if you'd like."
Harry sighed a frustrated sigh. "Ginny, I'm not talking about telling my secrets to you. I have no regrets about telling you how I feel, ok?"
"Oh," said Ginny, biting her bottom lip. "Then what exactly do you mean?"
If Harry was going to tell Ginny just exactly in what context she was making him feel vulnerable, he would have to do so in the presence of Mr. Weasley, Fred and George.
"Oy! Harry. Ginny." shouted George from across the street, near the car. "Come look at these floor plans. The bedrooms big enough for a king sized bed."
Harry was almost thankful they were back. He was glad he and Ginny had this little talk, but he was scared on how it would end. He turned to Ginny quickly before standing up.
"Look, I'll explain more later if you'd like. Thanks for the talk, Ginny. I needed it."
Harry very well knew that a mere 'thanks' wasn't a tactful way to end that personal, yet strange conversation, but he didn't quite know what else to say. He stood up, eyed her quickly once again, giving her a gentle smile, before crossing the street to listen to Fred and George talk excitedly about the floorplans. Ginny walked over a minute later but did not look at Harry. Actually, it seemed to Harry, that she was for some reason avoiding him at all costs. Harry couldn't help but feel a little guilty inside. He knew Ginny was trying to comfort him and be a loyal and caring friend. She had even told him he was attractive. He knew there was more to be established between them, yet it was still new unexplored territory and he had plenty of time to think things through before furthering his conquest with Ginny.
O.k. I'm ending here. I enjoyed writing this chapter immensely. It was actually though at times, cause I wanted to make Harry and Ginny's actions seem somewhat true to the books (though I know it's a little mushier than the books). Please Read/Review. N one did on the last chapter :( ...Well, new chapter coming soon.
Everybody in the restaurant turned and stared in the direction of the commotion. After a few whispered breaths and a few stances of people trying to get a better view, a stern looking older man walked out of the kitchens with both of his hands raised to calm the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am going to have to ask you all to stand up quietly and exit through the doors," said the man in a hushed tone. "I am terribly sorry about all of this but there has been a most unfortunate accident." The man lowered his hands and walked back into the kitchens. Some people just stared, some stood up so quickly it was as if their chairs had pecked them on their behinds. The Weasleys and Harry all looked at one another for a few seconds before Fred broke the silence.
"That's rotten luck we hadn't gotten our meals yet. We could of had a free meal."
"Oh Fred! Someone gets seriously injured and all you can think about is food? You don't suppose it was our waitress? It sounded an awful lot like her." Mrs. Weasley looked quite alarmed.
"Well, they asked us to leave - I suppose we'd better go." said Mr. Weasley, standing. Everyone followed suit and walked quietly out to the Weasley's van. Ever since their Ford Anglia had been set wild in The Forbidden Forest after Ron and Harry flew it their second year of Hogwarts, the Weasley's owned a great purple GMC Mini-Van. It wasn't exactly tasteful, but it could accomodate the whole Weasley family and Harry without having to be enchanted, much to Mrs. Weasley's liking.
"Now put on your seat belts. Your father can be a bit mad if he drives on an empty stomach," whispered Mrs. Weasley to the crowd piled in the back seat just as Mr. Weasley was opening up the driver's side door to get inside. Harry held back a laugh; he couldn't imagine Mr. Weasley having a bad case of road rage. The thought was somewhat ammusing.
"Well, where are we off to?" said Mr. Weasley, clasping his seat belt in place. Harry heard Mrs. Weasley sigh. He could only assume it was due to Mr. Weasley still seeming in high spirits.
"We could go to Velvet Haven." shrugged Ginny.
"The Haven is terrible Ginny. You just want to go there because Jeremy works there." stated Ron, irritably.
"How about Sampsons?" offered George.
"Ohh, they have good steak sandwiches there!" said Fred, a dreamy look glazing his eyes.
"I don't want a steak sandwich." said Ginny
"Hush!" snapped Mr. Weasley. "Harry, it's up to you, where would you like to eat?"
"Say Sampson's Harry," whispered Fred.
"Harry, no!" pleaded Ginny.
"Will everyone back please stop talking and give Harry a break?!" said Mrs. Weasley in an unnusually loud voice. Once everyone was quiet, she asked again "Harry, what sounds good to you?"
Harry felt a bit uncomfortable. Just name a place, he told himself. You're making a big deal over nothing.
"Um, that place right there looks good." pointed Harry, in the direction of a small blue cafe on the side of the road.
"Chicobod Cafe, Harry?" said George, a look of revulsion on his lips.
"Chicobods it is!" announced Mr. Weasley, steering his car quickly into its parking lot.
Chicobod wasn't exactly the luxury or tastefulness of the other place, but it suited just fine. Mr. Weasley paid the bill and they all left with their stomachs full and happy.
"Dad?" said George, getting back into the car. "Do you think we could over and look at the flats on Spring Road since we're nearby?"
"Excellent idea, George. It's still early enough, we could swing by and see if it's a place you and Fred would be interested in living in," said Mr. Weasley.
Everyone besides Fred, George, Harry and Mr. Weasley gave great sighs of annoyance.
"Well, if we must go, I suppose we could make double use of the stop," said Mrs. Weasley. "Ron, Diagon Alley has a known intrance just a few blocks from there. Since Ginny got new robes over the Summer, I suppose we could stand to get you some new ones also. We'll all meet back at the car in an hour."
Harry knew he didn't want to look at apartments or listen to Mrs. Weasley fuss as Ron tried on new robes, but he knew the alternative. Ginny. What would he and Ginny do for an hour by themselves? Obviously, Ginny had been thinking the same thing.
"Mum, what am I supposed to do for an hour? Madam Milkin's is the only thing left open in Diagon Alley right now and I don't really don't feel like looking at Ron try on robes or browse the new flats."
"Well, there's the park right by," informed Mrs. Weasley. "You and Harry could go for a walk."
Harry gulped and looked at Ginny. Her face was red and he was sure his was also. How in the world could Mrs. Weasley suggest something so... so... preposterous?
"Oh, a walk!" chimed George. "And with Harry. How ever so splendid would that be Ginny?"
Ron and Fred laughed.
"Fred!" shrieked Mrs. Weasley. "You leave your sister alone. It's a perfectly lovely evening. There's nothing wrong with a walk between friends."
"O.k., mum. If you call THAT friends."
"I said enough!"
Harry looked out the window, his face hot. There was no way to get out of this one. He was to take an hour long walk in the park with Ginny at dusk. It would be interesting to say the least.
"O.k." said Mrs. Weasley, eyeing Harry and Ginny catiously. "We'll be back in one hour and I expect you two to do the same." They both nodded. "We are in the muggle world and with You-Know-Who in prison, I don't hardly think anything could happen, but just keep an eye out."
"Mum, we'll be fine. You don't have to worry." assured Ginny, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, mum, she'll be fine. She has Harry to look out for her," teased Fred.
Mrs. Weasley gave Fred a dissaproving look before he and George left with their father. Turning her eyes back to Harry and Ginny, she repeated the words "One hour!" again before disappearing with Ron.
Harry was utterly and completely alone with Ginny now. He didn't know why it had to be so uncomfortable; it just was. Maybe it was because she'd always had that crush on him, or maybe it was his rescuing her from the Chamber of Secrets four years ago, he did not know.
"Honestly!" sighed Ginny, shaking Harry to his senses. "You think a mother could have a bit more faith in her child."
"Yeah," was Harry's only response. He looked at Ginny, not quite knowing what to say.
"Look, we don't have to go for a walk. I don't know why she mentioned that. It seems a bit silly, really."
"We could sit." Harry pointed to a bench at the entrance of the park. "That is if you want to."
"Oh. That's fine. Let's go sit down."
And so they did - in complete and utter silence. This was getting to be a bit rude, Harry thought.
"That was sure strange, what happened at the restaurant and all," said Harry, breaking the tension.
"It was, wasn't it?" said Ginny. "I wonder what happened. Do you think it was our waitress?"
"Could have been. She kind of gave me the creeps."
"She did look at you quite particularly. It wouldn't have been so odd if we weren't in a muggle restaurant," added Ginny.
They sat in silence for a few minutes pondering this, before Ginny spoke again.
"Do you ever get sick of it?" she asked.
Harry looked at her, his brows furrowed. "Sick of what?"
She hesitated a moment. "Do you ever get sick of people goggling at you everywhere you go?"
Harry looked down. Yes, he got tired of it. Should he tell her that though? She, afterall, was often one of the gogglers. "A bit."
"I always feel strange around you, Harry," she said in a sort of whisper.
"Strange?" Harry looked at her again.
"Look, I'm going to stop myself before I say anything I don't care to share." She looked down to the floor and Harry thought it looked as if she were about to cry.
"Ginny?"
"No Harry, I'm sorry. I'm fine. I've just been thinking a lot lately. I'm in a strange mood. I'm sorry."
"Ginny, there's no need to be sorry. If you want to talk about it, please do." Harry was feeling a little uneasy. He didn't exactly know if he wanted to hear what Ginny had to say, but he couldn't ignore it for some reason. He was interested in what she was feeling.
Ginny smiled. "You're probably going to think I'm crazy," she mused, still eyeing her feet.
Harry laughed silently. "Ginny, who isn't crazy?"
"Too true, Harry." She took a deep breath before continuing. "O.k., it's like this," she started. Then she paused and Harry looked at her more intently than ever. She quickly looked up at him then looked back down again. "I think there's something about you, Harry, more than just who you are in a history book, that attracts people to you."
Harry just kept staring at her. Why was she telling him this? What should he say? He had to say something. She looked so nervous sitting there; he couldn't leave her like that any longer.
"You think I'm attractive?" asked Harry incredulously. You idiot, he scolded himself, what kind of question is that?
Ginny looked at him and smiled. "Well, to put it in those words, yes."
Harry was confused. "Wh-what words would you have put it in?" Bloody hell, what are you doing to this poor girl?
Ginny studied him for a minute before looking away. "I don't know, Harry. I just know I make it much too obvious that I'm fond of you, and I guess I wanted you to know that it's not because your Thee Famous Boy Who Lived."
"Then why?" Harry couldn't help himself. He didn't mean to seem so confronting and demanding, but this was just all so shocking. Shy, small Ginny Weasley was sitting here confronting her feelings to him. It all felt so ...strange.
"Your have your ways, Harry." Her voice was serious and quiet. Her big brown eyes were boaring straight into his. "Your eyes, for one." Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt cold and clammy, yet heated like an oven all at the same time. He had never thought about Ginny in this way. Never. It was unheard of. He didn't know how to take it, or what to do for that matter. It was almost as if a guilty feeling was coming over him. Not necessarily a bad guilty; it was a good guilty. He was exploring new territory; seeing Ginny in a whole new light and though it felt wrong, it felt good and fresh and new.
Harry broke his gaze before choosing his words. "Your brothers would have a field day with what you're telling me right now, Ginny." He smiled.
Ginny smiled too. "I suppose you're right. I'll stop harassing you. I'm sorry." She looked away.
"Ginny, don't say sorry. Who wants to take a compliment with a `sorry' at the end of it?"
She looked at him, astonished. "Oh, Harry! That's not what I meant. You know I didn't-"
Harry was shaking with laughter. "I know, I know. It's fine. Since we're on the topic of harassing, is it my turn to harass you now?"
"What would you harass me about?" asked Ginny in all seriousness.
"Oh don't worry, I'll think of something," he said with a smile.
Ginny's face turned bright red, almost matching the color of her hair. "Well, I guess it is only fair."
"Yes it is." Harry was quite enjoying this, as nerve-racking as it was. He studied Ginny for a minute. Ginny sat motionless, staring straight ahead, fully aware of his eyes on her. "Well, for one thing, I like when you blush like that." Oh dear god, thought Harry. This is insane. This is absolutely insane. I'm flirting with Ginny Weasley. He went on. "I like the fact that you like me for who I really am."
She looked up at him and briefly smiled. It faltered, however, upon seeing the serious look on Harry's face. They both stared at eachother, emotionless, too scared of what to do next. Harry finally broke the gaze.
"Ginny, I don't exactly know what to make of this." There he said it. He let her know he was uncomfortable. That this was too surreal to make true.
"You don't have to make anything out of anything. I just wanted to let you know that I think the world of you. I always have." Ginny looked a bit sullen; like she had failed.
"Ginny, do you get the urge to do something that you know you really shouldn't do, but want to do it anyways?" Harry could only hope that Ginny knew what Harry was asking when he asked her this, and not just take it as a rhetorical question.
"Yes," she answered. "And I know that if I never take those risks, then I will never really know if they were actually risks at all."
Harry shook his head. She did know what he was talking about and she was being brave in her reasonings. It was the prefect time to do what he wanted to do. He knew it was just an impulse; that he clearly wasn't thinking logically. Hew knew this was Ginny, Ron's little sister, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's daughter. He knew these facts. He also knew she was confessing to him, telling him just what he meant to her. He adored her for that. He wanted to make a move, to show her just how she was affecting him right now; but for some reason he just couldn't make himself do it. He tried to; he did. He had to do something. What he did end up doing, however, even startled himself.
Leaning forward, watching the startled look on Ginny's face, Harry opened his arms and took Ginny into the biggest hug he'd given anybody in his life. Hesitantly, Ginny's arms slowly circled around his shoulders. He squeezed his arms around her waist harder and layed his head down on her shoulder. As awkward as the situation looked, Harry felt very content and warm in Ginny's embrace. Ginny smoothly rubbed her small hand up and down Harry's back, soothing him even more.
Againt the curve of her shoulder, Harry began talking in a cracked whisper. "I like how you hold me," he said and he heard Ginny sigh contentedly. "I don't know what's going on Ginny, but I've never known anyone who's given me as much credit as you have. Thank you for that."
Ginny closed her eyes and breathed in hard through her nose. "Harry, I sit there and watch you go through life and it amazes me seeing what you put up with."
"What do you mean?" he asked, his head still resting on her shoulder, arms wrapped securely around her waist.
"It's almost like I want to take care of you, Harry. To give you the caring that you've never had. You seem so fragile and lost sometimes. I can't stand to sit there and watch people turn against you, telling you they hate you, cause there's no reason to hate you. You're an ordinary boy living in an unfair, demented world." Ginny was trying to keep her voice still and firm, tears locked back in her dry throat.
"Sometimes, when I'm alone, I sit there and wonder why, out of everybody, why do I have to be the Dark Lord's culprit?" said Harry. "I know he's in the Fhorkanza Prison, but for how long? He's going to get out; everyone knows he is."
Ginny hugged Harry even harder, and, unable to resist any longer, kissed his forehead. Harry raised his head and removed his hands, staring at her in astonishment. That feeling of awkwardness swept over him again. He couldn't help it. He was feeling very vulnerable right now and, quite frankly, he was scared he would take advantage of her.
"Ginny, look. I'm feeling sorry for myself and I don't mean to be. I am who I am and I can't change it. I know that. The only thing I can do is accept it and move on. I don't want you to think I'm trying to take advantage of you. I guess I'm just feeling empty and I wanted someone to confide in. I don't want you to think that I'm -"
"What's wrong with that?" interrupted Ginny. "What's wrong with wanting someone to confide in, someone to turn to when your upset. Harry, you're always so self-reserved and try to hide your feelings. You, sitting here, telling me how you really feel is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time, Harry. It's what I want. But most importantly, I think it's what you need."
"Yes, but...." Harry halted. Ginny obviously didn't know the full affect she was having on him. He didn't only want to take the advantage of telling his woes to her. He wanted to hold her, to touch her, to feel her. He was afraid to admit it to himself, but for some reason he wanted to be loved right now; even by Ginny Weasley. He didn't care about right and wrong at the moment, he only wanted to act on impulse. He was scaring himself beyond words.
"But what, Harry?"
Harry stared at her. She was egging him on, she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
"I'm acting on impulse, Ginny. I'm feeling overly vulnerbale, and I'm scaring myself. I'm afraid."
"Harry, please. There's nothing wrong with acting on your impulse. If you feel like telling someone something, then tell them. Trust me, it will make you feel better. You can pretend I'm not here if you'd like."
Harry sighed a frustrated sigh. "Ginny, I'm not talking about telling my secrets to you. I have no regrets about telling you how I feel, ok?"
"Oh," said Ginny, biting her bottom lip. "Then what exactly do you mean?"
If Harry was going to tell Ginny just exactly in what context she was making him feel vulnerable, he would have to do so in the presence of Mr. Weasley, Fred and George.
"Oy! Harry. Ginny." shouted George from across the street, near the car. "Come look at these floor plans. The bedrooms big enough for a king sized bed."
Harry was almost thankful they were back. He was glad he and Ginny had this little talk, but he was scared on how it would end. He turned to Ginny quickly before standing up.
"Look, I'll explain more later if you'd like. Thanks for the talk, Ginny. I needed it."
Harry very well knew that a mere 'thanks' wasn't a tactful way to end that personal, yet strange conversation, but he didn't quite know what else to say. He stood up, eyed her quickly once again, giving her a gentle smile, before crossing the street to listen to Fred and George talk excitedly about the floorplans. Ginny walked over a minute later but did not look at Harry. Actually, it seemed to Harry, that she was for some reason avoiding him at all costs. Harry couldn't help but feel a little guilty inside. He knew Ginny was trying to comfort him and be a loyal and caring friend. She had even told him he was attractive. He knew there was more to be established between them, yet it was still new unexplored territory and he had plenty of time to think things through before furthering his conquest with Ginny.
O.k. I'm ending here. I enjoyed writing this chapter immensely. It was actually though at times, cause I wanted to make Harry and Ginny's actions seem somewhat true to the books (though I know it's a little mushier than the books). Please Read/Review. N one did on the last chapter :( ...Well, new chapter coming soon.