A/N: Me so glad that you all liked my fanfic! (gets my 100th tissue paper and blows). I'm deeply touched that I'm determined to continue this fanfic 'til the end. Anyway, thanks a million to those who reviewed. I appreciate it a lot. Thanks for the checking tsutsuji and I'm really flattered by your comment (blushes). To ginny5 and ginnyweasleygurl, first time I saw your names, thanks for dropping by and wish you'd become my regular reviewers. Danielle, long time I haven't heard of you! Thanks! DG Revlis, you are simply the best! Bucky, this chapter's for you… (Harry's getting jealous!). Kirstie, don't worry I'm going to make another as soon as I finish this fanfic. And Lil (or Ellis if you prefer)!!! Don't shout at Kyle like that! (Just joking…) He's not ugly (in fact, he's cute) but I still want Harry for Ginny so I'll shout with you… GO TO HELL KYLE!!! Hehehe! What am I doing??? I'm the author here... Ahem ahem. Let's just go back to normal. I think my screw's loosening up again (hehehe).

I love you all guys! Thanks to you all I am willing to continue typing until late in the evening!!!

I thought of doing this chapter before the Hogsmeade. I hope you will like it.

Disclaimer: What shall I put in here this time??? You all know what disclaimer means. I guess I'll just tell you again that I don't own Harry Potter but I can borrow him and the others. So I made this fanfic for you to enjoy!

Chapter 13

Jealousy Fills the Air

Ginny crept quietly out of bed and pulled her robes. She went downstairs and sat on her favorite armchair by the fire. The five of them had planned their Hogsmeade weekend well. She really couldn't wait for that day to come. Her brown eyes focused at the cracking fire as her mind drifted away.

Harry.

He's going to start courting Maya soon. He's starting to give her presents. Maya's so lucky to have Harry. But then, why was Harry jealous when he saw me with Kyle. His eyes told me he didn't like Kyle very much. Maybe he just didn't want me to get hurt and all. He always told me that. But Kyle's kind to me and he's Maya's cousin so I think there's no problem with that…

Kyle.

Well, he's cute and nice. I like his eyes very much… purple, they look so gentle and warm. But Harry's eyes are far better than Ky—Wait a second! Here I go again. Comparing the guys I meet with Harry. Harry and Kyle are different. I think I must stop comparing Kyle with Harry so I can see him for what he is. Maybe, just maybe, I can forget Harry…

Ginny felt someone was behind her that disturbed her from her thoughts. She looked back and saw Harry looking at her.

"Harry?!" Ginny said, a little surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Same to you. What are you doing here?" Harry answered, sitting on the armchair close to Ginny.

"I can't sleep again. Just having some thinking about something…" Ginny replied, looking back at the fire.

"Thoughts about… let's say, Tatterson?" Harry said, looking at Ginny with a teasing smile.

Ginny looked at Harry and said, "Kyle?"

"Yup, that guy."

"He's kind and nice to me." Ginny said, breaking their eye contact.

"You like him?" Harry asked, his smile was now invisible. Ginny knew by the way Harry was looking at her, he wanted an honest answer.

"Well… he's cute, that's obvious." Ginny replied.

"So you do like him?" Harry impelled.

"I dunno yet." Ginny answered honestly.

"Yes or no."

"No… not yet I guess." Ginny said, still not looking at Harry's eyes. Not yet because I still love you, Ginny thought sadly.

"So… you're not yet sure?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded.

"What if he courts you?" Harry asked.

"That's not going to happen." Ginny said.

"Really?"

"Wait a minute. Why are you asking me those questions all of a sudden?! What makes you have the right???" Ginny said.

"Just be careful. I don't like that guy much." Harry said then smiled.

"And why is that so?"

"Just a hunch." Harry shrugged and smiled again.

"If I can say so, I think my best friend's just jealous." Ginny teased.

Harry's mouth felt dry and his heart began to race. "I-I'm not jealous." He blurted out.

"Maya wouldn't like it if you were the jealous type." Ginny said.

"Why?"

"Jeff, her former boyfriend, was the jealous type and they broke up because of that." She explained. "I'm just curious, what happened to Cho Chang? I thought you liked her." Ginny asked.

"She's had enough of pain already after Cedric's death. I don't think I ought to court her after what happened to Cedric. And besides, I don't feel anything for her anymore." Harry answered with pure honesty.

"I understand." Ginny smiled. "How about Maya? You have plans of courting Maya, right?" She asked. Ginny really didn't know why she was asking all these. She knew she would just get hurt if she'd hear the answer but her heart told her she must still ask.

Harry didn't know what to answer actually. He was not sure if he wanted to have any relationship with Maya.

"If I ask you, Gin, do you think I should court her?" Harry said.

"Well, I don't know. Do you like her?"

"She's very nice and undeniably beautiful too." Harry answered. "But I'm not sure if I do like her that much."

"I'm sorry Harry but I can't answer your question. You must decide for yourself regarding that matter." Ginny said, smiling softly.

Harry smiled back and looked at the fire. "Thanks, Gin." He said.

Then silence ruled over the two of them. A couple of minutes more, Harry decided they must go up already.

"Gin I think we should go—" He turned to Ginny and saw that she was already sleeping on the arm of her chair.

She must be tired, Harry thought, smiling. He thought of waking her up but seeing her sleep so peacefully, he didn't want to disturb her anymore.

Harry continued to watch Ginny sleep silently. Her face was so young and pretty. An angel. Harry admitted to himself that Ginny was pretty and very attractive too but no matter how pretty she was Harry still kept on thinking about Ginny as his best friend and nothing more.

"Ginny. I'm really confused, you know." Harry whispered to her. "I don't know if I just want you as a best friend. Ever since that Tatterson came, I always feel jealous when he talks to you. But then, I know I can't love you because you're my best friend and I will only hurt you if we try to. Maya is also cute and nice but she's never made me smile like you always do. But Maya seems to be the one for me—that's what my mind tells me." He looked at Ginny as if waiting for an answer.

"Harry…" Ginny suddenly mumbled. Her eyes slowly opened and she smiled.

Harry smiled back and said, "At last, you're awake Sleeping Beauty."

"I'm sorry I fell asleep." She said.

"That's all right. Let's just go upstairs already so that we can both rest." Harry advised.

"Okay." Ginny said.

"Good night, Sleeping Beauty." Harry said, going to the boys' dormitories.

"Good night," Ginny said, "my beloved prince."

"Where are you going, Ginny?" Maya asked Ginny while she finished her lunch.

"I'll be off to meet Kyle, he's going to give me something." Ginny answered then took her last slice of cake.

"Who's Kyle?" Hermione asked. "Your friend?" She asked suspiciously.

"He's Maya's cousin. My new friend." Ginny told Hermione. She stood up from her chair and looked at Maya. "If Ron and Harry are looking for me, just tell them I'm by the lake." She smiled and bade good-bye to the two girls then headed to the large oak doors to the Entrance Hall.

After a couple of minutes, Harry and Ron arrived looking tired and worn out after their Quidditch practice.

"How did your practice go?" Maya asked.

"Fine. Much better than before." Harry said, sitting down; his broomstick stayed beside him.

"That practice really swept my energy." Ron said, helping himself with some pumpkin juice.

Hermione waved her wand and out came two towels. "Here, Harry." She said, tossing one to Harry. She got the other one and started wiping Ron's face. "You need to change your clothes after you eat," said Hermione.

"Say, where is Gin?" Ron said, looking around for any sign of his sister.

"She's on the lake to meet my cousin." Maya answered with a smile.

"Cousin?" Harry repeated.

"Ginny said you already know my cousin. He's Kyle Tatterson." Maya said.

"Kyle?!" Harry and Ron both said at once.

"Kyle's your cousin?!" Harry said in shock.

Maya nodded.

"And what does this Kyle have to do with my sister?" Ron asked earnestly.

"I introduced Kyle to Ginny and they're friends now." Maya explained.

"Is this guy nice?" Ron asked, his protective brother image showing.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "Don't worry about Ginny, she can handle herself. She's grown up and she's not a 9-year old girl anymore!" Hermione said.

"I know, Hermione, I know. But she's still my little sister and she's my responsibility." Ron pointed out.

"You're too protective on her." Hermione complained.

"I just don't want her to get hurt." Ron reasoned out.

"I'm finished." Harry said, quickly standing up. "I'll just go take a walk outside." And he went away.

"He's finished?" Ron said. "He only ate two slices of sandwiches and a glass of pumpkin juice." He said.

"Maybe he's on diet." Hermione shrugged.

"Harry, on diet?" Ron repeated. "No way!"

At the same time, when the four were talking in the Great Hall, Ginny was already at the lake.

The lake was very peaceful indeed. The black calm water glistened as the bright sun reflected on its surface. The giant squid was nowhere to be found, probably taking its lunch down the lake. The trees across the lake were green and lively, they even danced when the wind blew. On the lakeshore, Kyle was standing and looking across the lake as he waited for Ginny.

"I'm sorry I was late." Ginny said.

Kyle turned around and looked at her. He smiled and said, "That's all right. I just arrived here a couple of minutes ago."

"I'm really sorry. I got stuck with Peeves because he kept on playing with my hair." Ginny said as she tried to fix one of her pigtails.

"That explains the—er—look of your hair," said Kyle with a smile. "Want me to help you?" Kyle offered, taking out his wand.

"Okay." Ginny said, giving up on her hair.

Kyle walked closer to Ginny and pointed his wand on her hair. After mentioning few selected words, his wand sparked and Ginny's hair was good as new.

"Thank you." Ginny said, touching her hair. "You did a great job. You must be good in your magic and all." She smiled.

"Not really." Kyle said.

"You're very modest." Ginny complemented.

"Thank you." Kyle replied. "And before I forget, here's my gift for you." He handed Ginny a box with red ribbon.

"Thanks." Ginny took the sketchpad. "Can I open it?"

"Sure." Kyle smiled. "Hope you'll like it."

Ginny opened the box and saw a Muggle book inside. A Little Princess, that was the title of the book. "How did you know I like reading Muggle books?" Ginny asked.

"Umm... you told me about it." Kyle answered.

"I see." Ginny said, looking down and feeling a bit embarrassed that she forgot about it.

The two sat down on the soft green grass and watched the giant squid that was now gliding in the water surface.

Ginny took the book out of its box and a slip of parchment fell out of the book. She took the parchment and examined it.

It was a drawing of her. She was sitting on the lake smiling softly.

"You draw very well." Ginny said, smiling.

"That's because my subject is very beautiful." Kyle smiled back.

Ginny immediately blushed at this but said nothing.

"I wonder how you can make your drawings move. Pictures in the wizarding world move when you dip them in the correct potion." Kyle said.

"I don't know how to make them move too. But with your drawings, they don't need to move to look realistic. I like them very much even though they don't move." She said.

"I also like your drawings." Kyle replied.

Harry was watching the two from the very start. He hid himself behind a tree near the lake, still holding his Firebolt.

Why am I doing this to Ginny? Sneaking and watching her without her permission. She might think I don't trust her. But this Kyle is getting into my nerves already. Why does he have to ruin everything?! He's taking Ginny away from me, Harry's mind said. Then another voice inside him said, And why do you care so much if you lose Ginny? She's just your best friend. You have Ron and Hermione and even Maya.

But Ginny's Ginny. She's not Hermione or Ron. She's different. I care for her because… because—This isn't right! Harry scolded himself. How many times do I have to tell myself that I don't love her?!

But you do love her, his heart whispered. But you'll just hurt her if you'll love her, his mind said. Are you afraid that she doesn't love you? His heart asked. Partly, Harry was afraid of what Ginny would say. But what if she also loves you and the happiness you bound to protect is already gone because you keep yourself from noticing her, his heart pointed out.

Harry looked back at Ginny and Kyle. They were laughing together. Ginny looked so happy with Kyle.

If you really love Ginny, you mustn't interrupt her happiness. If she's happy with Kyle, well, you just have to give her up, his mind said.

But I can't give her up just like that, Harry thought and without thinking any further, he walked towards the lake.

"Hi, Harry." Kyle greeted immediately, noticing Harry's presence.

Ginny turned around and met Harry's eyes. His eyes were not the same old eyes she used to adore so much. It was like it was in deep sadness, like when he thought about Cedric's death.

"Hello, Harry." Ginny said cheerfully, trying to cheer up Harry.

Harry nodded and said, "Your brother's looking for you, Gin."

"Why?" Ginny asked curiously.

"I don't know." Harry answered. He really didn't know why he told Ginny that but it was too late to take it back.

"Just finished practicing?" Kyle said, trying to make a conversation. He was looking at Harry's Firebolt.

Harry nodded.

"The first match is between your house and mine, right?" Kyle said.

"You're in Hufflepuff?"

Kyle nodded. "I hope the match will be fun for both our houses." He said.

"I hope so too." Harry agreed.

"Well, I think I must go now." Kyle stood up. "I hope to see you around. I'm glad you liked my present Ginny." And he hurried back to the castle.

"Where's Ron?" Ginny asked Harry.

"Probably in the common room." Harry answered.

And the two started walking back to the castle together.

"You look good together." Harry said after what seemed like ages of silence.

"Huh?" Ginny said, puzzled.

"Kyle and you."

"…."

Ginny didn't know why Harry kept on pairing her with Kyle. Ginny sometimes wanted to slap Harry and tell him that she didn't like Kyle but him. He was so blind not to notice it!

"You and Maya look good together too." Ginny said, trying to change the topic.

But Harry didn't seem to hear what she had just said.

"What did he give you?" Harry asked instead, not looking at Ginny as they walked through the corridors. Instead, he just glanced at her sideways.

"A Muggle book and a drawing." Ginny answered casually.

"That's sweet." Harry said.

"Yeah." Ginny agreed. But I'd appreciate it more if you were the one who would give me a present…Ginny thought.

They arrived at the common room after passing through the Fat Lady's portrait.

Hermione was sitting on one of the armchairs, reading a book.

"I'll go upstairs and keep my broomstick." Harry said, excusing himself.

"So where's Ron?" Ginny asked Hermione.

Hermione closed her book and answered, "Upstairs, taking a shower. Why?"

"Harry told me Ron's looking for me." Ginny explained.

"He did?" Hermione said uncertainly. "I don't remember Ron telling me he wants to see you." She said.

"But Harry went to the lakeshore and told me that Ron was looking for me…" Ginny said.

"Wait a minute, I think I get it." Hermione said, smiling.

"Get what?" Ginny asked, looking confused.

"Let me get this straight. He went to you on the lakeshore while you were talking to Kyle, am I right?" Hermione said, sounding more like a detective.

"Yes."

"I think I smell jealousy filling the air." Hermione concluded with a confident smile.

"Jealousy?" Ginny repeated.

"Harry's jealous of Kyle." Hermione said.

"Jealous? Why should he?" Ginny said in a 'Hermione-Give-Me-A-Break' tone.

"Because he likes you." Hermione said it as a statement and not as a question.

Ginny gave a hollow laugh. "Yeah, right. Harry likes me. And how about Maya?" She said.

Hermione shrugged. "Maybe he just realized the truth."

"You're just exaggerating it too much, Hermione." Ginny said.

"Am I?" Hermione said. "Or are you just being blind of the truth like he did?"

Ginny paused. Harry was jealous? He liked her? This was getting too complicated for her. She wanted to drink a glass of butterbeer fast. She only wished the Hogsmeade weekend would arrive quicker.

A/N: At last! This chapter's finished. It's long, I know. And I really promise the Hogsmeade chapter will come next. I'm really sorry. I just wanted to make this chapter to emphasize Harry's jealousy. Please do review for me and tell me what you think. I wish I'd see new reviewers again. The more reviewers the more I am inspired to continue this fanfic! Please keep the reviews coming. They help me a lot. If you don't have anything to do, I'd appreciate it if you re-read some of the chapters and give some reviews (that is if you're not yet reviewing certain chapters) Thank you! I'm going to eat now. I'm starving. (Miara: Hey! A cup of butterbeer please!) Ciao!