Chapter 3
She had made up her mind to do it. She was going to do. She only hoped that she didn't lose her voice when she opened her mouth to speak to him.
"Harry?" Ginny called uncertainly.
It was there. All systems go.
He was sitting on the stone steps of the castle, a book open in his lap, and he was scribbling furiously on a leaf of parchment. He was dressed in his Quidditch robes, his broomstick lay at his feet.
He looked up at her, and smiled.
"O-oh, you're busy, I won't bother you."
"No, no." he said, closing his book. "I could use a break."
She took a small step toward him, and sat down. "Are you waiting for Cho?"
"Yeah," he replied.
There was a pause, and Ginny began wringing her hands.
"Are you okay, Ginny?" he asked.
"I… I uhm… was just wondering…"
"Take your time," he said. "Maybe you should sit down." He watched her for a few seconds more, and then replied, "It's only me,"
Only him! She laughed nervously. He was only the boy she was head over heels in love with. That made her heart beat faster. "It's just… the ball," she said quickly. "I was going to ask… maybe, if you wanted to, if you… you… you would come with me." There. She had said it. She had done it, it was over. And it had practically been painless… until she looked at his face.
It held the look of deepest sorrow, mixed with a little of… what was the word? Ah, pity. "Oh," he sighed. "Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry, but, I already asked Cho… and…"
"Oh," Ginny said, quickly jumping to her feet to hide the fact that tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks any second. "Well, that's okay, it--- it was stupid to ask anyway… I'll… I'll see you later, Harry."
"Wait," Harry said, lightly grabbing her arm. They both stared at each other for a minute, and then Harry bent down and kissed her cheek. "I'll save you as many dances as you want. I promise," he whispered.
Ginny could only nod as she turned and walked back into the castle. Only when the huge oak doors closed, did she break down in sobs. She put a trembling hand to her cheek. It was still warm from when Harry had kissed her.
Stupid. She had been so stupid to ask him. He was the most popular boy in school, and he was with the most beautiful girl. But even that hadn't stopped her. She supposed it could have been worse, but now, as her heart was in a million jagged pieces, she climbed the stairs to her dormitory, trying to forget the look of pity he had held on his face.
Ginny found her way into the Gryffindor common room. Hermione and Ron were snuggling by the fire, and Ron stood up abruptly, knocking Hermione to the floor when he saw Ginny in tears.
"Ow! Ron!" Hermione declared, in a heap on the rug.
"Sorry, Herm," Ron blushed, and offered his hand. He gave her a small kiss before the both of them rushed over to Ginny.
"Ginny!" Hermione cried, alarmed. "What happened?"
"He--- he said no," she said quietly. "He was really nice about it, but he said no."
"He said what!?" Hermione cried.
Ron sat down in a chair, his hands at his temples. "I knew something like this would happen. I knew it." He got up. "Excuse me, I have to go rip my best friend's guts out."
"Sit there," Hermione shouted, and Ron shrank back. "I'll handle this."
"What're you going to do!?" Ginny squeaked. "Hermione, don't…"
"I'm just going to talk to him," she said quietly.
"Don't force him," Ginny said miserably. "He's made his choice… please, just let it go." And she left the two of them there for her dorm.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!"
The instant Harry heard Hermione's shriek, he knew he was in trouble. Hell hath no fury when Hermione was mad, But what had he done? Think! He scolded himself as she tore her way towards him. Think, think think…
He still sat outside, doing his homework, waiting for Cho when she skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Hi Herm," he said, and gave a little smile.
"How could you?" she asked, sounding genuinely hurt.
"What did I do?" he asked innocently.
"Ginny," she replied.
"Gin… Ginny?"
"You turned her down for the ball!"
"I know, I feel terrible, but I already asked Cho. What can I do?" he asked, raking a hand through his hair.
Hermione sighed. "You're not supposed to be with Cho, Harry."
He looked at her, puzzled. "I'm not?"
"No," she said. "She's not good enough for you. She never has been, she never will be." Hermione rambled, crossing all lines.
"Hermione, just calm down," Harry said.
"Harry, you're my best friend. I care so much about you."
"I care about you too, Herm. What are you getting at?"
"Harry, are you ready?" Cho had finally shown up.
He looked at Hermione, and then stood up. "Uh--- yeah. Hermione, can we finish this conversation later?"
"Just think about what I said," she replied before giving him a smile and Cho a look before returning to the castle.
Harry scratched his head. "Okay," he said, not having the faintest clue of what she had been talking about.
End of ch 3!!
Yeah, I know, I'm treating Harry like a typical guy in this chapter, blind to all to signs. Heehee. Don't worry, I promise he'll get allll sweeet ;)
As always, thanks for the reviews. Luv ya all!