Time Changes Everything
A fan fiction by Pottergirl
Everything belongs to J.K.Rowling, and no copyright infringement is intended.
All of you were so good to me with those reviews that I decided to send up chapter nine as soon as possible…I still haven't checked out the reviews I received after I uploaded chapter eight, so the replies in here at the end may not include some of the later reviewers. But don't worry, I won't forget those too…I'll reply to those next time…
About this chapter…no, I won't say anything…*you* read it yourself! He he!
Oh yes, one thing I would like to point out…I am simply fascinated by Invisibility Cloaks! I love them, and therefore I like using them a lot, and for very exciting purposes! ^_~
Chapter 9: Under The Invisibility Cloak…
Hermione was present at almost every Gryffindor Quidditch practice, bringing along her books, and studying while watching Ron play. Ginny was with her almost every time, and though Hermione knew why that was, she never told Ginny that.
Harry was very pleased with Quidditch practices. They had managed to cut their practices shorter to lessen the stress. Instead, usually after Quidditch practices, Harry and Ron would join Hermione and Ginny on the grass, and they would just sit together and talk nonsense about Snape, Professor Trelawney or any other thing that was a good point of debate.
It was now the second week of December, and Harry knew he was running out of time. He could be late. The girl he wanted to ask to the Christmas Ball could very well be asked by someone else before he got round to it. Like last time. But the hard point was asking. When would be the right moment to ask her? Outside her class? In the Common Room? In the Great Hall? Or after Quidditch practice?
Harry's mind pondered over these matters as he directed another Quidditch practice an hour before sunset. He knew he had to do it. And quick.
He looked towards the ground. There they were… Hermione and Ginny. Harry did not know he was staring until George called out,
'Harry watch out!'
Harry was jerked out of his thoughts, and he turned to George to find a vicious, hissing Bludger speeding towards him. He looked at it blankly, not knowing what it was or where it came from, or what it could do. He was preoccupied.
And it hit him.
Harry felt a growl of pain escape him and he clutched his arm, which was now filled with excruciating pain. George and Fred flew over.
'What were you doing?' Fred demanded, examining Harry's arm. Harry winced.
'You've got to get down,' said Fred. Harry nodded, and teeth gritted together, he descended, touching down on the ground. The rest of the team was around him in an instance.
'What happened?' asked Ginny, making her way through between the towering Fred and George.
'Bludger. Don't know what you were thinking Harry. You had ages to move out of its way!' said George.
Harry could not speak. Clearly, he had fractured his arm. Badly.
'Shut up, you two. Can't you see his state? Stop lecturing him and take him to the Hospital Wing!' Ginny said to her brothers admonishingly.
Fred sighed slightly, and giving in to his sister's orders, produced a magical stretcher and Harry found himself being floated into the castle to Madam Pomfrey.
'Really, boy, I don't know how you do it,' said Madam Pomfrey, shaking her head as she examined Harry's arm. Harry tried not to wince as she felt it. 'You always manage to get into the Hospital Wing once a week!'
'I can't believe it myself,' said Ron.
'Now lie back while I get you a healing potion,' said Madam Pomfrey sternly, and walked away stiffly.
'You don't have to stay,' said Harry, settling back on the pillows. 'I'll come round in a few minutes.'
'Don't know if we can leave you alone for long, captain,' said Fred innocently. 'Anything might happen.'
'Earthquake?'
'Flood?'
'Hurricane?'
'Or another Bludger?'
'Honestly,' said Hermione. 'If you people have ever read Hogwarts: A History, you'll realize that no such disasters can ever strike Hogwarts!'
Everyone nodded quickly, not wanting to argue with the prefect who had read Hogwarts: A History so many times that it's every word was on her fingertips.
Fred and George tried to conceal a snicker.
'Guess it won't be too risky after all. See you Harry! Captain Harry,' said George, and they left with Angelina, Alicia and Katie.
Ron and Hermione sat down beside Harry on the bed while Ginny sat down in a nearby chair, as Madam Pomfrey returned with a large glass flask of bright purple potion. She took out her wand.
'Now, I'll perform the charm, and after that you must drink this potion,' she instructed Harry.
Fred returned that very moment.
'Ron, Hermione, McGonagall wants you right now…about some broom cupboard,' he said, his eyes twinkling. Ron and Hermione turned bright red at his words.
'We'll see you later,' Ron mumbled, and both Ron and Hermione left the Ward, looking quite pale by then.
Harry grinned at Ginny. Madam Pomfrey, who had not realized what Fred had been referring to, turned to Harry, raising his wand. She muttered something under her breath, and Harry felt his arm heal instantly. Madam Pomfrey handed him the flask containing the purple potion.
As Harry drank it down, he felt a sharp pain in his scar. He put the empty flask away, thoughtfully.
An after-effect of the potion?
'Now, give it ten minutes, and then you can leave,' said Madam Pomfrey, and left.
Harry looked up at Ginny.
'Any of Snape's poison's would have been loads better than that,' he commented, the bitter taste of the potion still present in his mouth.
Ginny was looking at her lap. Harry looked at her closely. He wondered if this was the time to do it. After all, it would be quite difficult getting to talk to her alone.
'Um…Ginny?' said Harry slowly, turning a little pink. Ginny looked up at him quickly.
'Willyougoballwimme?' The words had come toppling out, and Harry was amazed how quickly he had got to them. He was certainly improving. He closed his eyes; thankful he had been able to say that. He opened his eyes again quickly.
Ginny was staring at him.
'Ginny?' Harry asked loudly, getting worried, his cheeks starting to warm up. She did nothing.
'Ginny?'
Ginny blinked suddenly.
'Oh sorry…' she said. Harry frowned slightly, wondering what was happening.
'Ginny, did you hear what I said a moment ago?' Harry asked slowly, wondering if she had actually heard him ask her to the Ball or not. Ginny raised an eyebrow.
'You said something. Sorry, I didn't hear, I guess. What were you saying?'
Harry looked at her closely for a moment, and realized she was saying the truth. Why had she gone deaf like that? What was happening to her? He thought for a moment, and then shook his head. He couldn't bring himself to ask her to the Ball again at that time.
------------------
Harry sat on a large armchair in the Gryffindor Commonroom, parchment and quill in hand. He was supposed to be doing his Potions homework - a summary of the ways of brewing a potion for dreamless sleep.
At the moment, he was not working. He had written his name and the title of the summary on the top of the parchment but that was it. Drooled all over the paper were small scribbles that looked distinctly like 'Ginny' that had been made when Harry, quill in hand was staring at Ginny.
Ginny happened to be sitting by the fire, right across him, doing some schoolwork. Her straight, silky hairs lay strewn about her shoulders, glinting enchantingly in the dancing firelight. Harry could not take his eyes off her. With barely four days left to the Ball, he still had not asked her if she wanted to go with him.
The problem was, even though he had said it once, he couldn't bring himself to face her - and ask her again. And worse – it seemed to be getting more difficult as the days passed by. It seemed that Ginny was on his mind quite a lot these days. He had been lucky he'd not been spotted by anyone while he was staring at her. He had already been hit by a Bludger in his arm, fracturing it just because he had his eyes on Ginny instead of Quidditch practice.
Harry had managed to ask Hermione if Ginny was going with anyone. Hermione had looked at him strangely, and smiling, told him that Ginny had been asked once but she had refused. So, thought Harry, she wasn't going with anyone. At least not yet, with four days left for the Christmas Ball. Harry gazed at Ginny. What if no one asked Ginny to the Ball? She wouldn't be able to go…poor Gin-
No, he decided. How was that possible? He was going to ask her. Soon. Very soon.
That night, Harry lay in bed thinking off all possible ways and times to ask Ginny to the Christmas Ball. He knew he had to do it the very next day. There was no time left at all. All the other boys in his year, even Neville, had gotten dates by then. But he was the only one left. Harry felt strange, too nervous and scared to ask a girl to a simple Ball. In fact, he realized, this was even tougher than asking Cho to a Ball, and in Harry's case, that was saying something.
Harry turned on to his back, frowning. He couldn't sleep. No…every time he closed his eyes, he saw visions of Ginny, and they filled him with a funny feeling. Why did she have that effect on him? Why? He could not understand what was happening to him…the previous night, he had even seen her in his dream. Only her.
Harry sat up in bed, and ran his fingers through his already messed up hair. A deep rumble sounded from his stomach. Sleep had definitely decided to forego him today but hunger had not. He had not eaten much at dinner, and so, he was suddenly feeling hungry. He got out of bed, and took out his Invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. He could go down to the kitchens to get something to eat, and get some fresh air.
There was no one in the Commonroom when Harry got there. The fire had almost burned out and the room was in darkness. Harry stepped out of the portrait of the Fat Lady into the corridor. He reached into his robes' pocket to pull out the Marauder's Map but his fingers closed upon empty space. There was no map. Harry groaned inwardly. He must have dropped it in the Commonroom somewhere.
He turned around to face the Fat Lady but she had gone, probably for a night-time stroll. Now he was in a fix. Even if he had his cloak, without the map he felt very vulnerable, not knowing what was hiding around the corner.
Harry decided he'd risk it. He couldn't do anything else either. So, wrapping the cloak around himself tightly, he set out for the kitchens. The castle was cold, and Harry wished he had his woolen cloak with him. But he could not wear a thick cloak under his Invisibility cloak. Thus, shivering slightly, he tiptoed down corridors, cautiously turning around corners to avoid running into anyone.
Harry was tiptoeing down a staircase when he heard a faint clang. He stopped, listening intently. There was an impatient sigh, and then silence. He hurried down the stairs, wondering who, other than himself was wandering about the castle at night. He peered into the corridor at the base of the stairs. It was dark, and the candles had almost burned out.
Harry squinted into the darkness, and thought he saw the dark outline of a small figure, standing against the wall. His heart began beating quickly. It could be anyone. He took a step backwards, not taking his eyes off the dark figure. The person took a few steps forward; there was no sound of footsteps. Harry grabbed the railing of the staircase in preparation for turning around.
The person halted, and as he had come nearer, Harry could see a much darker and clearer outline. The person, whoever he or she was, bent down and then straightened up again. It took a quick step forward. There was a loud, resounding clang, which Harry could only compare with the falling of a large suit of armor. He turned a fraction, knowing Filch, the caretaker would be there in seconds.
Harry stepped back on to the staircase quickly as the person hurried down the corridor. Apparently, whoever it was, knew very well too how quickly Filch appeared out of nowhere at the slightest sound. Harry was ready to turn around and run himself, as the mysterious figure suddenly stepped into the light shining down from the staircase. And Harry recognized the figure.
A whirlwind of red hair, freckles, and a light, springy stride. That person was none other than Ginny Weasley, the girl who had stolen his sleep that night.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Ginny could get into trouble. What was she doing slinking in corridors at this time of the night? And with that sudden clang from the falling of the armor, Filch could come and catch her any moment.
Ginny looked up at the stairs panic spreading across her features. She looked over her shoulder to see if Filch was coming or not. There was a faint meow.
Harry and Ginny both recognized that meow. Mrs. Norris, Filch's ever-present, trusty cat. And then-
'Let's hurry, my sweet…we'll catch them…'
Filch.
Ginny was stunned, panic gripping her. Weakly, she stepped onto the staircase but she was still in view of anyone who was in the corridor. The candle light from the staircase fell upon her face, illuminating it. Filch's voice came again, much nearer.
'It must be that old armor of Sir Harvard, my sweet, precious, yes it is…very precious…someone's going to be in a lot of trouble…'
Ginny climbed another step, at least not in view of Filch just as he turned into the corridor.
'There it is!' cried Filch, and hurried down the corridor, Mrs. Norris trotting ahead of him. Ginny suddenly gave a small shriek, feeling very scared. She had never been a situation like this before, and she had never had any run in with Filch.
Filch, who had bent down beside the armor of the Sir Harvard, stood up, a quick, evil smile spreading across his face. The culprit was still there, too terrified to move or run.
'Student out of bed…' he hissed, and hurried down the corridor to the staircase.
Harry knew what was happening as he heard Filch's footsteps draw nearer very quickly. Ginny was standing against the wall, terrified, her eyes wide in fear.
Harry ran down the staircase, and grabbed Ginny's arm, pulling her to himself. Filch reached the staircase, and Harry threw the cloak around Ginny and himself, only just concealing them both. She would have screamed if Harry had not covered his mouth with his hand, quieting her.
Silence. Harry heard Ginny's unsteady breathing beside her. His own heart was beating madly, not imagining what Filch would do if he found him – with Ginny. Already, Ron and Hermione had been told off by Professor McGonagall about a particular broom cupboard. He held his breath. Ginny was standing in front of him, and Harry knew if Filch reached out, he would touch Ginny.
Filch's face contorted in disappointment, as he looked up at the empty staircase. He gave a low, frustrated sigh. Harry waited. Filch's eyes roved the staircase once more, and he looked away, into the corridor.
'Come along sweet…we could still catch them…' he said, and Harry knew what Filch was going to do.
He pressed himself and Ginny against the wall, holding her arm lightly. Her breath, against his neck was warm, though very irregular, and he wondered whether gooseflesh broke out across him out of fear of Filch catching them or that warm, tingling breath.
Filch climbed the staircase, hurrying by them with Mrs. Norris at his feet. Harry and Ginny both looked down at it, waiting. Mrs. Norris turned her large lamp like eyes in their direction and sniffed slightly. She stepped closer, sniffing intently. Filch called out to her just then, and without another look, she hurried up after him obediently.
When Filch's footsteps could not be heard anymore, Harry finally let himself take a deep breath. He realized he was still covering Ginny, holding her arms, and he stepped back quickly, releasing her arms from his grip. He removed his cloak quickly, and saw Ginny looking at him with wide eyes.
'Harry…' she whispered.
'You okay?' Harry croaked, his voice cracking in his dry throat. She nodded mutely. Then, she closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She opened them and looked at him again. Harry saw she was perspiring, even in such cold weather. She bent her head, her forehead lightly touching Harry's shoulder.
'T-thanks…for that,' she whispered, her voice uneven, as the panic and fear gradually evaporated leaving a feeling of intense gratitude and gratefulness.
'It's alright,' Harry whispered, touching her back slightly. She looked up at him.
'I don't know where that armor came from…I was being careful,' she explained. Harry realized that was not the best place for talking.
'Listen…let's go back to the Commonroom, okay?' he asked. She nodded quickly.
Harry threw the cloak around themselves, and holding her hand so that they might not separate and step out of the cloak, he led the way to the Commonroom. The Fat Lady was back, fortunately, and though she would have liked giving them a lecture on being out of their beds late at night, she was sleepy after her stroll, and quickly let them through after asking the password.
Harry took off the cloak as they stepped into the Commonroom. Ginny looked at him, then looked at her hands.
'Harry…I'm sorry for tha-' she began, but Harry, quite surprised, cut her off.
'Sorry?' he asked. 'But why?'
She looked up at him.
'I mean…you had to…and Filch…'
Harry smiled. 'Ginny, you don't have to be sorry…In fact, there is nothing to be sorry for. I could have run into Filch too. Fortunately I had my cloak and -'
Harry stopped, remembering the Marauder's Map. He walked over to the portrait hole, and retrieved a parchment lying near it. She looked at the parchment in his hands, then smiled.
'The Marauder's Map?' she asked.
'You know about it?' Harry asked. Ginny giggled.
'Fred and George showed it to me once but they never let me use it,' she said. Harry smiled.
'I dropped it today, I guess or I would have found you on it and even alerted you before Filch neared you,' he said. He tapped the parchment with his wand and said,
'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'
Harry and Ginny studied the map as it began to form on the parchment. Harry pointed to a dot labeled 'Argus Filch', moving down a small corridor, somewhere near Hufflepuff house.
'There…he's gone…'
Ginny saw themselves, two dots labeled 'Harry Potter' and 'Ginny Weasley', side by side in Gryffindor tower. They seemed so close…a little too close. Ginny lifted her eyes slowly, realizing how close she and Harry were, as they studied the Marauder's Map.
Harry glanced at Ginny to see her face quite flushed. He looked back at the map. He saw a dot labeled 'Argus Filch', the one he'd just seen but to Harry, suddenly, that dot was very new. In fact, try as he might, he could not recall who Argus Filch was. A thought flashed in his mind constantly.
She was there, so very close. They were alone. She was there. The one he had to ask. The one who had been having the strangest effects on him. The girl who had been on his mind all day, and the past few days. He could do it. He could ask her. He could ask her to the Christmas Ball, there and then. There was no better time.
Harry glanced at her. Now that he knew he was going to do it, how should he do it? Ginny looked up at him and smiled. He felt his brain go haywire. Since when did Ginny's smile turn his mind into a whirlpool? He returned her smile weakly, and saw Ginny blush slightly. Seeing her blush gave him a strange feeling of confidence. He could do it. She was no monster that would eat him up…was she?
Harry shook himself mentally. He cleared his throat, and turned to her.
'So…what were you doing down there?' he asked, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
'Oh…' she said, looking up at him with sparkling brown eyes. 'I was going down to the kitchens to get something to eat.'
Harry chuckled. 'That's exactly what I was going down to do too.' Ginny grinned. She loved it when he laughed like that. It made his eyes green eyes twinkle.
'Great minds think alike?' she asked, raising an eye brow. Harry laughed.
'That's probably it,' he said, and looked at the Map. 'Do you want to go down then?'
'Where?' asked Ginny, bewildered.
'Kitchens. We have the Map now and the cloak,' said Harry, grinning devilishly. Ginny giggled and gave in.
Ginny felt a strange happiness. She was holding his hand for the second time that single night. It was only the two of them, alone, going down to the kitchens for a midnight snack. She smiled to herself. It felt like a little secret only the two of them shared. She felt wonderful, being there with him. She marveled the change in relationship, even if it was very little, that had come about between the two of them. Only a few months ago, she would have been too shy to string a few words into a sentence before him, and now, she was able to talk to him quite freely, if not very openly. It was wonderful. She was able to find out what kind of a person he was, and he would be able to realize she wasn't just plain old Ron's little sister. Hopefully.
Harry was trying to build up enough confidence to ask her to the Ball later than night. He knew what he had to do. If only those things went right, and he didn't end up…mumbling, muttering or stuttering.
'Harry Potter sir!'
'Hello Dobby,' said Harry with a smile, stepping into the large Hogwarts kitchen full of elves. Ginny looked around in awe at the elves. It was the first time she had seen the kitchens of Hogwarts.
'Dobby, this is Ginny Weasley,' Harry said, letting Ginny step forward, and shake hands with an ecstatic Dobby.
'How are all of you still awake?' asked Harry curiously. He didn't think elves did not sleep at all. Dobby grinned.
'We is cleaning the castle, Harry Potter sir. Dobby is the head elf at night,' he said squeakily. Harry knew what that meant to Dobby.
'That's very good for you, Dobby,' he said. Dobby turned to Ginny.
'Miss, is you knowing Masters Fred and George?' he asked curiously. Ginny was fascinated by Dobby. She gave a small giggle.
'Yes, I'm their sister. Have they come down here before?' Dobby nodded vigorously. A few elves, who had been watching timidly, standing behind Dobby, slowly came forward.
'Will the master and mistress like something?' they asked in unison. Harry nodded but before he could say anything, all the elves dispersed, and immediately reappeared with a large tray of various eatables. Ginny gave a tiny gasp as she saw the tray laden with pastries, cakes, hot buttered toast and two cups of tea.
'We really can't eat all that,' she said. 'I could do with just some toast and hot tea.' Harry nodded.
The elves immediately returned with a large, neat tray of buttered toast and two cups of tea.
'Thanks,' said Ginny, taking the tray and settling down on a small chair. The elves looked at her precariously as if "thanks" was a foreign word. She didn't notice it. Harry sat down on a small stool next to her.
'Where's Winky, Dobby?' he asked, suddenly noticing the absence of a filthy little elf, crying her eyes out. Dobby looked up at Harry with large eyes.
'Winky is gone with someone…they is taking her away,' he said. Harry nodded, wondering if Professor Dumbledore had sent her somewhere else. Ginny offered him a buttered toast and some tea, and he took it, feeling the warmth of the teacup comfortable.
'Do you stay up all night, Dobby?' Ginny asked curiously.
Dobby nodded. 'Yes, Miss but Dobby is sometimes-'
'Master Potter! Miss Evans!'
Dobby's voice was drowned by one with a shaky, old tone.
Harry and Ginny looked over Dobby to see an old elf with wrinkled skin and a knobbly figure; someone Harry had never seen before in the kitchens. Dobby glanced over his shoulder, and then looked back at Harry.
'Don't mind him, Harry Potter sir,' he said, as if apologizing. The old elf was slowly walking up to him, dragging its feet.
'Wait,' Harry said to Dobby. 'Who are you?' he asked the old elf.
'You don't know me, Master Potter? Jef? It's me, Jef, sir,' said the old elf, Jef, excitedly.
Harry didn't know any old elf by the name of Jef. But he remembered what the elf, Jef, had said. He had mentioned his mother's and father's surnames. This meant…
'You knew my mother and father?' Harry asked quickly. Jef stepped right up to him.
'But sir, you is Master Potter…' he said, confused. He turned to Ginny, walking up to her.
'You…is Miss Evans,' he said, timidly pointing her out to Harry. Ginny glanced at Harry who realized how co-incidental it was that Ginny had flaming red hair too, like his own mother. To anyone, at first sight he and Ginny could look exactly like James Potter and Lily Evans- his own parents.
'Jef…' Harry said, and the elf turned to him quickly. Apparently, he was very rarely called by his own name by any human, and he was taken aback.
'Look Jef,' Harry tried to explain. 'I am not James Potter, and she is not Lily Evans…I am Harry Potter, and she is Ginny…Weasley.'
Jef shook his head. Dobby quickly intervened.
'Harry Potter sir, Jef is not knowing much. He is not leaving Hogwarts for many years…he is not knowing or remembering what is happening right now.'
'But he knows my parents,' said Harry. Jef turned to him.
'You…you is not Master Potter?' he asked, rather disheartened. Harry shook his head.
'I am Harry Potter…my father, James Potter, died a long time ago,' he said. Jef looked at him, disbelieving.
'But…how can that be?' he gasped, as if finding out for the first time. Harry felt sad. He felt as if he himself had been told about it for the first time.
'Do you remember anything about them?' he asked gently. Jef, who looked quite shocked, nodded.
'I is remembering so much about them…' he said, his expression turning dreamy, as if recalling wonderful memories.
'Master Potter and Miss Evans came down to the kitchens very much when they was in seven year. Sometimes Mater Potter would come with Master Black and Master Lupin…and sometimes only with Miss Evans. They was happy, all of them. Master Potter was liking Miss Evans very much, and he is asking her to marry him one night here…'
Harry took a sharp intake of breath. In that very same kitchen…
'But then…' continued Jef, 'they is leaving Hogwarts…and they is not coming back any more. I is waiting all these years but they is not coming back…'
Harry did not have the heart to tell Jef how long ago his parents had died. Jef stepped closer to Ginny who backed away a little.
'You is not Miss Evans…you is not having green eyes…and….and-'
Jef's eyes grew very wide, and he stepped back hurriedly.
'You is not Miss Evans, you is…you is…'
'She's Ginny Weasley,' said Harry quickly, thinking Jef might have forgotten that already. Jef shook his head.
'She is not Miss Evans…I can…see…she is…oh no…' Jef pointed a trembling finger in Ginny's direction. Ginny looked very confused, even a little fearful of the old elf. It made her feel strangely uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Jef turned and hurried off into the back of the kitchens, apparently not caring if his old legs could carry him so fast. Ginny turned to Harry.
'What…happened?' she asked. Harry was just as confused as she was.
'Jef,' sighed Dobby, 'is not right in mind very much, Harry Potter sir. He is not remembering anything. Professor Dumbledore is good. He is keeping Jef here even when Jef is not working any more. Don't mind, please, Miss Weasley. Jef is not feeling well.'
Ginny nodded, and quietly took a sip of her hot tea.
Harry had forgotten all about the little affair with Jef in the kitchens by the time he was heading back to Gryffindor with Ginny, under the Invisibility cloak. I have to ask her to the Ball. That was the only thing he knew just then.
As Harry took of the cloak in the Commonroom, Ginny gave a small yawn.
'That toast was what I needed…I think I'm going to sleep for hours now,' she said. Harry nodded mutely. He seemed to have lost the ability to speak.
'Thanks Harry…it was nice of you to share that cloak,' she said, smiling at him. Harry felt quite dazzled by that smile.
''S alright,' he said, barely getting the words out. He hoped she didn't notice him looking at her too intently. Like staring.
'I'll go up then, it's late. Goodnight, see you in the morning,' said Ginny, and turned to go up to the girls' dormitories.
She's going! She's going!
A voice in Harry's head screamed frantically, and Harry felt himself jump into a state of emergency. This had never happened in Cho Chang's case.
'Ginny…!' he called out, just wanting to make her stop. Ginny turned around quickly, her nightdress swirling at her feet.
'Yes?' she asked, smiling slightly. Harry stepped closer so that he wouldn't have to call out the words, waking up the whole of Gryffindor tower.
'Ginny…me…you…with will…Ball for…is Christmas…' Harry said, knowing he had gotten the words out but not realizing in what order.
Ginny realized what he had said. Happiness flooded through her and a sense of lightness. She felt very, very happy, and wanted to savor the moment. He had asked her to the Ball. Harry Potter had finally asked her, Ginny Weasley, Ron's little sister, to the Christmas Ball…when she had thought he would never, and there were only two days left for the Ball…
But Ginny was not going to give in that easily. This boy had to pay for making her wait all these years, all these days.
'Ball for Christmas? Honestly Harry, you don't have to get me anything, and even a ball, I mean, I think I'm a little old for balls…' she said innocently. Harry blinked.
'Old for Balls?' he asked, confused.
'Yes,' said Ginny, trying not to smile. 'I mean, I had my last, a blue one when I was seven…but I really don't need one now, I mean I really am too old.'
Harry shook his head slightly and stepped forwards. This was definitely not going according to his plans. He cleared his throat.
'No Ginny, I mean…'
'What?' asked Ginny, grinning at him now, making him lose control of his senses.
'Ginny…' Harry said in a whining tone, as if begging her to stop having that effect on his mind. 'The Ball…at Christmas…' he said, trying to make her understand.
'Harry,' said Ginny patiently, 'I really don't need a ball.'
Harry felt very weak. How could he explain it to her?
'But the Ball…'
'Harry, I'm sorry…balls are for little children.' She gave him another dazzling smile.
Harry shook himself mentally, trying to think properly. Ginny could barely keep from giggling at Harry's plight. It was amazing to see him reduced to that.
But Harry surprised her. He took her hands suddenly in his, and stepped closer, regaining his dignity and senses. Ginny's smile faltered, her heart pounding madly as he gazed into her eyes.
'Ginny,' said Harry, clearly. 'Will you go with me to the Christmas Ball as my date?'
Ginny felt her cheeks burn, even though he had already asked her the same question but the fact that he now held her hands, and looked into her eyes with his own green ones, grinning, counted for something. It made her own senses go out of her control…and she felt as if she was once again the eleven-year-old girl who peeked at Harry from behind doors. Facing him was something almost…impossible.
'Will you?' Harry asked again, squeezing her hands lightly. She has to say yes, she has to!
'I would love to,' Ginny whispered, breaking into a grin herself, and hugged him, taking him by surprise. Harry was shocked but then he hugged her back, and she stepped away, whispering,
'Thanks for asking me, Harry.' Harry nodded, feeling very light, as if his heart had suddenly been pumped with air.
She looked up at him, grinning, and he couldn't help doing the same. For a moment it seemed that their eyes would remain locked forever. But Ginny lowered her gaze, feeling herself blush.
'I'll wait for you in the Commonroom on the night of the Ball,' Harry whispered. Ginny nodded.
'Thanks,' she whispered. 'Goodnight.'
Harry watched Ginny go up the girls' staircases, and grinned at her when she turned back once before disappearing from view to wave at him. It was wonderful, Harry realized. Ginny Weasley was going to the Christmas Ball with him…it was great…now if only the next two days passed quickly…
Hmm…satisfied? He he…okay, before I go off track, I'll answer your reviews!
Oh, and yes, for those of you who haven't heard, JKR plans more of boy/girl stuff and relationships in the next HP books…a reporter recently spread rumors that she'd go about Harry/Hermione. But, when theinfamous inerviw was actually aired for audience on BBC, as I heard, JKR never mentioned a Harry/Hermione couple. She only said, yes, there would be more boy/girl stuff there since out fav trio are now 15 and "hormones will be working overtime"!. Mugglenet.com reports book 5 could be filled with more relationships and luv, than other stuff…also we need to remember as JKR said "Ginny will play an important role". Also, a German newspaper reported that Harry Potter will receive his first kiss in book 5 (~*Angel*~ told me that). Another thing, Book 5 is said to be 700 pages long…but we don't know since Rowling has stillnot counted the pages of the finished book. She has already said no book would be longer than book 5, but since she hasn't counted yet, we never know…while writing, she may have forgotten how much she actually wrote! Also, how do we know its 700 pages long when it hasn't been counted yet? I just wish Order of the Phoenix would hurry up! It's presently scheduled for June 8, 2002.
-Pottergirl
*~* Ginny Potter*~* : Hmm…you do seem serious… I know, I hate cliffhangers myself; I know how you must feel. Same about H/G. I actually start getting irritated if I do not find good H/G fics or enough of H/G fics~ Keep reading!
K i w i : I know it was a bad cliffhanger, really but I couldn't help it! *grins evilly* Just hope there won't be anymore cliffhangers, I don't know, not soon I guess…!
Suze: he he, I was so surprised to hear that. Well, I do the same…lay awake thinking all night what's going to happen next. It's the same in case of my own fics or some other person's. I love making up the next part myself…but it's intimidating when people leave you at cliffhangers. You're excited but angry too, that the story ended like that. Have you heard of the "1000 Arabian Nights" and the actual background of the Arabian Nights? If you have, you'll realize, a particular Arabian sultan suffered exactly what we all do when left at a cliffhanger! Keep reading!
Rane: Thanks really for the compliment. I do not like to rush things myself. It looks un natural but, what can I say? I myself rushed into a R/Hr pairing in the second chapter of this fic…I think now I should have left the two of them a little longer there. Anyway…hopefully it seems alright just like that. And here's the next chapter…y'know these review are really softening me…I can't resist putting up chapter after chapter!
Jane: Oooooops…sorry, I should remember not to anger you again! He he!
Crydwyn: He he, cliffhanger again…I think I really have to stop with this cliffhanger thing…My fic isn't exactly only romance, well, at least yet…I mean…well, I don't know myself! I have yet to write more chapters, I know what I am going to do, I know that perfectly well. I just have to write it down. The chapters you are currently reading were written by me a short while ago. I still have two or three chapters to go, and then I will have to start writing again. But don't worry, I write very fast, and I can't stop once I've started. If you don't like romance, you'll probably find the later parts better…no, (to all the romance lovers) I do not intend to move away from romance…
Yukito Forever: Yes, here you are… I started giggling when I read that…yes well, you're right, how am I going to write the end if you kill me right now? You'd regret it probably! He he…anyway, yes, sorry for the cliffhanger!
SailorChibi: Not a bad cliffhanger? What if I take this statement in the sense that you don't think this is a cliffhanger? Yes, I know what you actually mean…you mean it *is* a cliffhanger…but dosen't matter…I don't mind what you said…because I have been reading reviews like that since I started writing out these answers! I think I've learnt to live with them! He he, doesn't matter, really. And thanks for adding me to your favorites! Keep reading!
Amen: Thanks, keep reading!
Cheap-o: He he, I am continuing…I feel I have improved…if you read my first fic which is the first chapter of "Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione", you'll see how stupid it seems…!!!
AkemiAngst: Well, H/G and R/Hr are my favorite couples too…I hoe JKR goes the same way! And try these sites : for R/H www.sugarquill.com and for H/G www.gryffindortower.net. I love these sites!
Budgiebird: He he, sorry again there…and I will be continuing, yes…just keep checking back here quickly to see uploads!
Kristi: Well, did you like this chapter, chapter 9? If you did, you'll love chapter 10, hopefully…