A/N: Thank you all for the pleasant and inspiring reviews you sent me… They make me go on…

By the way, to Makoto, I just want to answer your question. Yep, Harry is not good at expressing things especially with girls but then, he has to grow up a little right? So, I made him say those to Ginny. Ginny would look stupid if Harry wouldn't comment on her look even just once right? Hope you understand my point. Don't worry I'm not mad. It's good that you say what you think about my fanfic.

To everyone else, don't worry I'll mention your names next time but for now I'm sorry I can't because I'm in a hurry. But I appreciate all the things you've done for me, really, thank you!!!

Disclaimer: The characters in this fanfic are J.K. Rowling's and not mine… But I own the plot of the story, at least.

Reminder: THIS IS A HARRY AND GINNY FANFIC!

Another thing, please check on my Chapter 19 again. I changed something there. It's the part where Kyle told Ginny that if Hufflepuff will beat Ravenclaw they will reach the finals. I changed Ravenclaw to Slytherin. The reason will be obvious on the succeeding chapters.

Chapter 20

Ginny's Very Secret Diary

Ginny looked down on the floor to view the glass slippers on her feet. She ran her hand softly on one of them, making sure that it wasn't part of a dream she was having.

If it is a dream, I don't want to wake up anymore, Ginny thought to herself.

She reached for her diary in her drawer and unlocked it. She was in a great mood to write a new entry on her diary.

Dear Diary,

I had the most fantastic night of my life with Harry! It was so wonderful. The place, the lights, the food, the music, my dress and Harry… Everything was so nice.

The night was very fun and Harry was very sweet. He gave me a pair of glass slippers just to fulfill my silly wish to become Cinderella. He's such a wonderful person. We danced together all night. Though I felt really awkward during our first dance. Everything went better after every music.

I wish I could have him as my partner, if ever there would be a Yule Ball this year. Of course I know it's impossible because he'd be taking Maya if ever there would be a ball. That's the reason why I envy Maya so much this year. Not because she's prettier or because she's rich. But because she has Harry.

I wonder if I can ever tell Harry that I love him very much… And if I tell him, what will he do? Laugh his head off, I guess.

I really had fun tonight I hope it never ended… But Cinderella has to leave when the clock strikes midnight…. If only I could live happily ever after like her in the end…

Ginny closed her diary and locked it. She took the shoes off her feet and placed them inside an empty box to keep them. She finally rested herself on her bed; her other roommates continued to sleep, clueless on what had happened to the girl with flaming red hair.

***M***

It was already the middle of the month of November. The whole school was starting to be covered with blankets of white freezing snow.

"Ginny, I still can't understand why we're up in here. Ron and Hermione are back there in the tower, enjoying the warm couches near the fireplace, while we're in here, freezing in cold." Harry complained, shouting a bit to fight the loud cheering around them.

"I promised Kyle that I'll be watching him play today." Ginny shouted back. She clapped her hands together when she saw that Hufflepuff scored another goal, leading with a score of 50-0. "Besides Harry, I didn't ask you to come with me. I just said that I'll be going here and if you could say that to Ron if ever he'll look for me." She added, not taking her eyes off the game.

It was true. Ginny didn't ask Harry to come with her. But Harry insisted to come with her because he wanted to watch over her. Harry didn't want Ginny to be the only Gryffindor in the stadium. To think that Malfoy, a bunch of Slytherins and Kyle were in the stadium too.

"But how can you stand this cold!" Harry shivered and hugged his coat tighter. "Even with this coat, I can still feel the coldness entering my body." He was trying to convince Ginny to go back to the tower as much as possible.

Ginny looked at Harry and giggled. "Don't you remember that this coldness, you keep on complaining about, is the same coldness you feel when you're playing in the Quidditch field for Gryffindor?" Ginny said. "And you don't mind the cold."

"Of course, I mustn't mind that. We got to win even if I get a broken arm or lose my bones." Harry replied.

"Well, I don't mind the cold too." Ginny said. "If this cold is trying to stop me from watching the game today, too bad it won't succeed." She smiled at Harry; her cheeks were reddish due to the cold environment.

Harry shrugged at Ginny and looked back at the game. Deep inside, Harry felt a tinge of jealousy. He felt jealous of Kyle. Ginny was withstanding the cold only to watch the game, because she promised it to Kyle.

"Kyle's very lucky. I think he'll win because you're here watching him." Harry said to Ginny.

Ginny just looked at Harry for a second and said, "I hope they'll win against Slytherin. That will teach Malfoy a lesson!"

Too bad Harry didn't know how luckier he was than Kyle. He didn't know that Ginny endured the same cold the past three years and until now just to watch him play in the Quidditch field. She watched every game Harry had had in his whole life. Every win he gained and even the time when they lost for the first time. Harry didn't know that he was so lucky that Ginny was willing to sacrifice so much she even did that charm so he could be protected from his scar pains…

"So," Harry tried to change the topic to push the feeling of jealousy aside. "Where's Maya?" He asked casually.

Ginny looked at Harry, startled.

"Huh?" She said.

That very instance, Harry was sure he saw through Ginny's eyes glint differently upon hearing Maya's name. It was like she was hurt suddenly by Harry's words.

But Harry's thought was changed when he saw Ginny smile.

"Oh! Maya?" She said. "She's in the tower asking Hermione's help. Snape has given her a punishment and she has to make a report about the Singing Potion, which she has to turn over before dinner tonight." She explained.

"Snape hates all Gryffindors." Harry said gloomily. "Poor Maya." He said sympathetically.

"You bet." She agreed.

Harry focused in the game. The scores were closing to a tie; Slytherin already scored sixty while Hufflepuff got seventy. Malfoy and Kyle were tailing each other for the Snitch.

Harry saw something gold glitter in the far end of the stadium. It was near the goal posts of Hufflepuff. Harry noticed that Kyle had seen it too but he wasn't giving out any action for Malfoy to notice the Snitch.

"MALFOY!" The Slytherin Keeper shouted at Malfoy and pointed on the Snitch near one of the goal posts he was guarding.

The game began to speed up. Kyle and Malfoy started to race for the Snitch. Kyle was greatly on the lead but one of the Slytherin beaters whacked a Bludger at his direction to try and knock him off his broom. Kyle had to slow down or the Bludger would hit him right on the head.

"So long, sucker!" Malfoy smirked at Kyle as he passed by him.

Kyle tried to catch up with Malfoy but it was no use. Malfoy was inches away from the Snitch and—

Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Slytherin wins!" She announced.

Malfoy circled the stadium, holding the small glittery Snitch on his hand. Malfoy saw Harry and Ginny and stopped in front of them.

"I didn't notice you were here, Potter." Malfoy said. He looked at Harry then at Ginny. "You even brought your girlfriend with you." He smirked at them. "Too bad, you'll lose in the Quidditch Finals this year, Potter. That is if you'll beat Ravenclaw on your match. I bet you'll let the Ravenclaw win because of their seeker, Cho Chang." He said drolly.

"Don't brag too much, Malfoy." Harry said casually. "Just wait until you fight with us. I won't be needing Ron to look for the Snitch for me. I'm not as dumb as you." Harry smiled coolly. "We'll see who'll lose this year, Malfoy."

"The loser's obvious, Potter," said Malfoy and flew away towards his teammates.

"Yeah, pretty obvious, it's you." Harry said, looking at Malfoy.

"Let's go, Harry." Ginny said.

"Okay."

"Let's go to the Great Hall. It's nearly lunch." Ginny suggested as they walked back inside the castle.

"Ginny!" Someone called.

Ginny turned her back to see Kyle, running towards her.

"Hi, Kyle." Ginny greeted. "Hope you're not feeling bad back there in the stadium." Ginny said with a tender voice.

"It's all right." Kyle said. "Our team captain knows we did our best to win. We'll just have to practice harder for next year."

"That's the spirit!" Ginny smiled at him.

"By the way, thanks for being there." He smiled gratefully.

"That's all right. I promised to you, remember?" Ginny replied.

Kyle nodded. "So, Harry, make sure you reach the finals, okay? Beat the Slytherin so they'll see who's the best." He said.

"I'll do that, don't worry." Harry said, determined to beat those Slytherins—especially Malfoy.

The three made their way to the Great Hall to have their lunch. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were already decorating the hall. Hagrid was with them, placing the sixth Christmas tree in the corner. The walls were filled with garlands of holly and mistletoe. There were red and green ribbons hanging on the walls. The ceiling was the same as outside—gloomy, like snow would fall any minute.

The best of the decorations were the tall Christmas trees, all decorated differently. One was decorated with silvery balls; the other was filled with glowing candles while another one was furnished with sparkling tiny icicles and snowballs.

"Hi, Hagrid!" Harry greeted with a smile. "Finished with the Christmas trees?"

"Harry!" Hagrid said, a little surprised. "So, how did the game wen', eh? I saw yeh an' Ginny goin' ter the Quidditch stadium this morning."

"We lost." Kyle said softly but forced a small smile.

"That's all righ'. Just got ter do better next time." Hagrid said, patting a huge hand on Kyle's shoulder.

"Thanks, Hagrid." Kyle smiled gratefully.

"I'll be goin' now. S'ill need ter get the other trees." He said, his bearded face looking jolly as ever.

Harry, Ginny and Kyle said farewell to Hagrid. The Great Hall was still vacant so Ginny and Harry decided to return to the Gryffindor tower to call the others. Kyle said good-bye to the two and headed to his own common room.

Outside the castle, snow started to fall again. Ginny shivered and hugged her cloak tighter.

"It's a good thing the match finished before the snow fell." Ginny told Harry.

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Imagine how cold it would have been out there." He gave a shudder

Harry and Ginny passed by a group of ghosts singing a Christmas carol.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight

We're happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland!

"How time flies! It's already December! The next thing we'll know, the holidays has begun." Ginny said joyfully.

"Are you going to have your vacation in the Burrow?" Harry asked.

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know. Mum said she'll just owl us if she and Dad has already planned about holidays. We didn't hear anything from them so far." She replied.

"Password?" The Fat Lady asked them with a beaming smile.

"Crescent Beam!" Ginny recited heartily.

"Very well." The Fat Lady said with a smile. "Happy Christmas!" She added.

"Same to you." Ginny and Harry said together as they passed through the portrait hole.

Ginny and Harry saw Ron, Hermione and Maya immediately, sitting comfortably on the armchairs near the fireplace.

As usual, Ron and Hermione are on their usual hobby of fighting. Even though they loved each other very much, they had a very queer way of showing it. Maya, on the other hand, was busy writing things down.

"Why would you like to put this on Maya's report?!" Ron said, pointing at the parchment he was reading. "It's dull!"

"Don't listen to him, Maya." Hermione said. "You just don't understand what you're reading!" She said to Ron.

"Hermione! Ron! Quit the fight, will you?!" Harry said, looking at them. "You both act like kids!"

Ginny and Maya giggled together as they watched the scene.

Hermione made a face at Ron. "Ron's the only one who's acting like a kid." She protested.

Ron also made a face at Hermione. "Oh, yeah?"

"Both of you are acting like kids." Harry said, grinning at the two.

"By the way, what happened to the Hufflepuff and Slytherin match?" asked Ron excitedly, looking at Harry then at Ginny.

"Hufflepuff lost." Harry said sadly. "I would have wanted them to win instead of Slytherin."

"Too bad." Ron said, looking disappointed as well. "Well, let's go down. I'm all famished up." He said, patting his stomach lightly.

The four agreed and they all went to the Great Hall to have their lunch.

When they had arrived, the hall was completely decorated. All twelve Christmas trees stood on their respective places, each with a different color and style.

"Enchanting." Hermione commented, looking around the Great Hall.

"Enchanting." Ron copied Hermione, then beamed at her. Immediately, Ron received a terrific nudge at the side from Hermione, nearly breaking his ribs.

Another great work done by the house elves in the kitchen, everything that was on the table looked and tasted delicious; Harry and Ron couldn't stop themselves from taking third helpings.

After lunch, the five returned to the common room to spend the rest of the day. Harry and Ron decided to play wizard's chess while Hermione, Maya and Ginny watched them.

After Harry's third loss, Ginny got tired of watching and decided to read a book near the fireplace. She sat herself comfortably on an armchair and opened her book.

Hermione, noticing Ginny was sitting alone, decided to join her by the fireplace.

"Can I join you?" She smiled at Ginny.

"Sure." Ginny said, smiling back, then returned to her reading.

Ginny couldn't finish reading a page because Hermione kept on clearing her throat or sighing. Every time Hermione did that, she would look at Hermione, but Hermione would just tell her not to mind her.

"So what's up?" Ginny asked, giving up on the book. She closed it gently and placed it on her lap.

"Well," Hermione started, "I was supposed to tell you this a long time ago but… I just can't find the right time and the right words to start with." She explained.

"What's it all about?" Ginny asked. "Let me guess… Ron?" She said hopefully.

Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron and I are fine. It's not about Ron." She said then paused. "It's about Harry."

"Harry?" Ginny repeated, looking at Harry's direction. He was now playing with Maya; Ron was coaching Maya so she could win. "What about him?" She asked Hermione.

"Remember the night when you became Cinderella because of him?" Hermione said.

"How could I forget that?!" Ginny said, smiling as she remembered Harry that night.

"Well, do you know why he did that?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry's direction.

"He said he just owes a lot to me and that he wants to do something special." Ginny said, recalling what Harry had told her.

"That's what his mouth said." Hermione pointed out. "But I think, he did that because of something else." She said.

"Something else?" Ginny said. "Like what?"

"Like something more…" Hermione replied. "Perhaps he likes you…but he keeps on denying it to himself."

"If he does like me—which is impossible—why does he have to deny it?" Ginny asked, confused.

"It's hard to be Harry Potter. He thinks that if he gives his attention to you, he'll just hurt you. You-Know-Who is still out there and after Cedric's death… Harry… well, he's scared to make the same event again." Hermione told Ginny. "Maybe you should be the one to tell him about how you feel towards him."

"And watch him laugh his head off, when I do tell him?" Ginny said, looking at Hermione in terror. "No way!"

Hermione tried to open her mouth to speak but Ginny talked again.

"Worse, what if he doesn't talk to me anymore. We'll lose our friendship." Ginny said in horror.

"At least, you won't regret anything." Hermione tried to convince her. "Look. What if Harry likes you too and he's also having the same trouble like yours. He's afraid of losing the friendship you've gained that's why he doesn't want to take the risk. Why not be the one to take the risk? He wouldn't dump your friendship just because he knew that you like him. He owes a lot to you."

"But—"

"No more buts." Hermione intruded her. "You must tell him. I'll give you until Tuesday to tell him. If you won't, then I will." She said seriously.

"Hermione, you can't do this to me!" Ginny complained. "You only gave me three days!"

"It's only going to hurt both of you if you'll keep it longer." Hermione defended. "This is for the best. I swear."

Ginny sighed in submission. "Okay, you win." She said. She looked at Harry and a hard lump formed in her throat. Could she do it? Tell Harry how she really felt?

At dinner, Ginny was still having a problem on how she would approach Harry. She lost her appetite for eating that she never finished her pudding.

Maybe I'll just tell him tomorrow, Ginny thought, looking at Harry, who was eating his pasta slowly.

When everyone had been filled up, Albus Dumbledore stood up and everyone fell silent; all eyes were looking at him.

"As we all know, Christmas is approaching fast. And I have a few announcements to make about that." He started, his eyes twinkling merrily. "All students who will not go to their homes for Christmas will stay here at Hogwarts and they need to sign in on the list found in front of the staff room."

"Are you signing in?" Harry asked Ron.

Ron shrugged. "I dunno. I'll still have to wait for Mum's owl." He replied.

"How 'bout you, Hermione?" Harry said.

"I'll be staying here. My parents need to go to China but they can't bring me with them." She explained.

"That's great." Harry grinned at her. "Are you staying here too?" Harry turned to Maya.

"No, I'm going home. My parents are expecting me there." Maya said apologetically.

Harry was about to say something but Professor Dumbledore began to speak again.

"Well, before the holidays begin, we'll have a ball to celebrate Christmas all together." Dumbledore said. "This time, every year is allowed."

A loud cheer was heard from the first, second and third years. Harry could see a lot of girls giggling especially Lavender and Parvati.

"The ball will be held in the Great Hall on Wednesday, starting from seven o'clock until midnight. I'm afraid you aren't going to be excused from your morning classes but afternoon classes will be canceled to give you time to prepare. Everyone is required to wear dress robes." He continued.

"What?!" Ron gasped in alarm. "I haven't got any dress robes in my trunk. They didn't put it in the list!"

Ron wasn't the only one having that problem. Everyone didn't bring any dress robes. The ball was very sudden. The crowd began to complain why they weren't informed earlier so they could have prepared.

Professor Dumbledore raised his hand to silence them. "Yes, yes. I know that all of you weren't able to prepare for this and I am truly sorry." He said. ("He'll cancel the whole thing!" Lavender said dreadfully.) "But we will still continue the ball. As a treat to all of you, I have arranged a special meeting with the people from Madam Malkin's and they will come here tomorrow to measure each of you. Then you can tell them what color and style of dress robes would you prefer to wear for the ball. Don't worry because I have arranged the payment already. Let's just say, that will be Hogwarts gift to all of you. They'll deliver the dress robes here on Tuesday afternoon to be given to all of you." He said thoroughly. "You can start looking for a partner for the ball tomorrow. For now, let's just take a good night rest so we'll have strength for tomorrow. Good night!" He beamed at them and sat down.

Everyone stood up from their seats and walked to their dormitories. Everyone kept on chatting about the ball on Wednesday. Ginny, on the other hand, didn't care much about the ball like the others. She was still busy thinking about her problem with Harry. She only got until Tuesday night to tell Harry…

Ginny immediately lied down on her bed the moment she and Maya entered their room.

"So, excited about the ball?" asked Maya, sitting on Ginny's bed.

"Not really." Ginny answered, sitting up.

"Me too." Maya agreed. "Well, I'll just wait and see what happens." She ran a hand through her black hair.

"Don't worry, Harry will ask you sooner or later." Ginny said, smiling.

"And Kyle will be asking you too," said Maya in return.

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "If ever I'll be lucky to get a partner—"

"I'm sure you'll get one." Maya told her certainly.

"I hope he's a better dancer than Neville." Ginny continued, smiling.

And the two burst into fits of laughter.

"Are you still awake, Harry?" Ron asked. Everyone in the dormitory was already asleep. Neville's snores were very audible.

"Yeah," said Harry. He was already resting on his bed but he couldn't fall asleep. Many things were inside his head.

"So, you're going to ask Maya?" Ron asked Harry,

"You're taking Hermione," said Harry as a statement.

"Yes, I've already asked her and she said yes." Ron said, for the first time happy to be attending the ball.

"Good." Harry said, happy for his friend. "I thought you're going to make the same mistake you did last year. Imagine, you asked Hermione as a last resort!"

"I know it's my fault last year. But I won't do that again. She's special to me." Ron answered, feeling guilty.

"At last, you've finally admitted it's your fault!" Harry said, half-laughing at his friend.

"Hey! You've changed the topic already!" Ron said. "So you're going to ask Maya?" He repeated the question.

Harry just continued to stare at the ceiling. He didn't know what to answer.

"Harry, you still awake?" Ron asked.

"…"

"What a sleepyhead! He fell asleep!" Harry heard Ron say, then silence followed. Ron must have gone to sleep already.

Harry sighed. He didn't have any idea if he really wanted to ask Maya to the ball. Maya was great almost perfect but he couldn't stop thinking about Ginny. Maybe I should ask Ginny instead of Maya, Harry thought. But of course, Kyle's going to ask Ginny too. And what would Ron think if I would ask his sister? Harry thought.

Harry didn't know what time he finally drifted away. The only thing he knew, he wanted to ask Ginny out to ball. The reason? He didn't know that too.

The next day, Madam Malkin's group came to Hogwarts just after breakfast.

"Ginny!"

"Oh, Maya. Hi!" Ginny gave a small wave at her.

"I just finished my dress robes. So, finished with yours?" said Maya.

"Yes." Ginny replied.

"And what color did you choose?" Maya asked excitedly.

"I won't tell you." Ginny said, smiling. "You just have to wait till the ball to see it."

"Okay then," said Maya. "Let's go check out, Hermione. I saw her earlier, and I think she's already finished."

"Okay." Ginny said, following Maya through the large buzzing crowd of students in the Great Hall.

Ginny and Maya found Hermione together with Harry and Ron.

"Maya, I'll just go to the tower to get something, okay? I'll just see you later," said Ginny, hurrying off.

"Umm… I'll just go to the library to check out a book for my homework. See you guys later," said Harry, scurrying away like Ginny.

"Library? Since when did Harry love to go there?" Ron said, rather puzzled by Harry's behavior.

"I think he's not going to the library," said Hermione, a smile on her lips.

"Maybe he's going somewhere he doesn't want us to know…" Maya said, wearing an identical smile as Hermione's.

Harry ran through the stairs and the corridors to catch up with Ginny. He was going to ask her already to go with him to the ball. If Ginny wouldn't go with him, he'd ask Maya. Maya had been his friend too so it wouldn't be that bad. At least, he would be going with his friend and not some third or sixth year student he didn't even know or a girl who kept on giggling and giggling. Early this morning, when Harry was walking in the corridors to go down for breakfast, a Ravenclaw third year student approached him. Blushing furiously—and to Harry's fright—she asked Harry if he could go with her to the ball. Of course, Harry said no immediately. Another girl approached Harry and asked him the same question. This time, it was a sixth year Hufflepuff who kept on scratching her head like she had lice ever since she was a kid. Harry also said no. Harry even met Parvati Patil before breakfast and she flashed Harry a weird look as if she was trying to flirt with him or something. Parvati approached Harry then giggled. Harry began to regret his decision of taking Parvati last year as his partner. Guess he was too desperate.

Harry saw Ginny standing on the corridor beside a statue of a tall wizard. Harry walked faster towards her, making a mental note on how to ask her. But he stopped immediately and hid beside a statue when he saw that she wasn't alone. She was talking to Kyle.

"Sure, I'll go with you." Harry heard Ginny say.

Harry felt his heart crumble into thousand pieces. It was like standing next to a dementor; all his happiness had vanished. Ginny was already going with Kyle.

He clenched his fists. "I'll just have to go and ask Maya." He told himself. He looked at Ginny and Kyle for the last time and walked away, feeling deeply unhappy.

"Harry!"

Harry jumped in surprise. He turned back and saw Ginny running towards him.

"Hi!" Harry greeted in a friendly manner.

"So, who are you taking to the ball?" Ginny asked curiously.

"I don't know yet."

"Did you ask Maya already?"

"Haven't asked her yet," said Harry, walking to the tower. "I wanted to ask someone else but I can't anymore." He said casually.

"Really?" said Ginny. "I wonder who she is." She didn't have any idea that Harry was talking about her.

"Someone asked her already and she said yes." Harry said.

"How did you know?" asked Ginny.

"I heard them." Harry said, looking at her. Sometimes, she can get so clueless about things, Harry thought.

"That's all right," Ginny tried to comfort Harry. "The girl doesn't know what she's missing."

"You better not say that." Harry said.

"Why?"

"Never mind." Harry said as they entered the portrait hole.

Ginny raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Umm…Harry?" said Ginny hesitantly. She had to tell Harry now.

"Huh?" said Harry.

"…"

Ginny opened her mouth then closed it again. She couldn't say it—not now.

"So?" Harry looked at her, waiting for her to talk.

Ginny flashed a smile. "Nothing." She said and walked to the girls' dormitories.

"Ginny?" A girl's voice called out from behind the door of Ginny's room.

"You can come in. I'm alone." She called back.

It was Hermione.

"So did you tell him already?" She asked, sitting on Ginny's bed.

"Not yet."

"Better tell him soon." Hermione reminded her.

"Okay, on Tuesday night, then, I'll tell him—everything." Ginny said.

"Harry's still not asking Maya." Hermione told Ginny.

"I know."

"Do you think he'll ask you?" Hermione said hopefully.

"He won't." Ginny said, feeling a bitter pain inside her.

"Don't be so sure, dear." Hermione said, her eyes glinting in a special way.

It was already Tuesday evening. This was the evening when Ginny would finally tell Harry everything. This was also Harry's last chance of securing a partner for the ball. He wasn't asking Maya yet. The evening was still young. Some of the Gryffindors stayed in the common room for a while before going to bed. All of them were talking about the ball tomorrow evening. Harry and Maya were playing wizard chess on the corner. Ron and Hermione were seated near the fireplace, having their usual habit of fighting about something that was sure to be nonsense. Ginny perched herself on a seat also near the fireplace, she was writing down something on a notebook.

As the night grew deeper, one by one the Gryffindors went upstairs to take a rest. Ron and Hermione already went up and the only ones left were Harry, Maya and Ginny. Harry and Maya were still playing while Ginny was just sitting on the armchair, thinking.

How will I tell Harry? He's still with Maya, Ginny thought. Maybe I should go up and go down here a little later, if Harry's still here. Or I'll just tell Hermione that I'll tell Harry early in the morning tomorrow.

Ginny stood up. "I'll go up already, Maya." She said and climbed the stairs as fast as her feet could carry her.

Silence filled the common room. Only the sound of the fire crackling softly could be heard.

"Maya?" Harry started.

"Mhm?" said Maya, looking towards Harry.

"I know this is already late and I should have asked you sooner but… can you go with me to the ball?" Harry had finally said it. That went well. At least it was better than when he asked Cho to the ball last year.

Maya looked at his eyes and smiled. "I thought you wouldn't ask me anymore." She said.

"I'm sorry it came too late," said Harry apologetically.

"It's all right." Maya smiled.

"So will you come with me?" Harry asked.

"Sorry," said Maya. "But I can't. I'm already going with Jeff. We sort of finally fixed everything up and we're starting all over again." She looked at Harry, feeling sorry for him.

"It's all right." Harry smiled. "I'm happy for you." It was weird but he didn't feel that disappointed. He felt more disappointed when he saw Ginny saying yes to Kyle.

"So you're not going to the ball anymore?" said Maya.

"I guess so." Harry shrugged. "I'm not that important there, anyway."

"I think you just don't want to go because you're going to see something you don't like." Maya concluded.

"Huh?"

"Like perhaps, seeing Ginny with Kyle?" said Maya simply.

"…"

"I'm not the one you really want to go with, am I right?" Maya said.

"…"

"It's Ginny." Maya said certainly.

"You told so yourself. She's already going with Kyle." Harry said gloomily.

"Did you even try to ask her?" said Maya.

"I already saw her saying yes to Kyle," said Harry.

"I still think you better tell her."

"Tell her what?" asked Harry.

"That you love her."

"But—"

"Trust me, Harry. Tell her tomorrow. Going to the ball with Kyle doesn't mean Ginny already loves Kyle. Who knows? Maybe she just said yes to Kyle because she got tired of waiting for you to ask her." Maya told Harry.

"Why are you helping me with Ginny. You should be helping Kyle not me," said Harry.

"I'm not helping any of you. I'm doing this to end up Ginny's suffering." Maya said. "If you think that stopping yourself from falling in love with Ginny will prevent her from getting hurt, you're wrong. Dead wrong." She looked into Harry seriously. "You're hurting her even more if you won't tell her how you feel about her." Maya smiled at Harry then stood up. "I'll go upstairs now. Good night." She said.

"You're a real friend, Maya." Harry smiled at her gratefully.

Maya smiled back. "Think about it, Harry." She said and walked away.

Harry was left there all alone with his thoughts. He stood up and sat on one of the chairs near the fireplace.

Is it true that I love Ginny Weasley? Harry closed his eyes to think and leaned his back on the soft armchair. He felt something hard touching his back. He took it and saw—a purple notebook. It was not just a notebook, it was a diary. It was unlocked so Harry opened it for some identification. The moment he opened it, something fell from it. Harry bent done and got it. It was a flower; the pink cosmos he had given Ginny back at the Burrow. She still kept it, Harry thought, smiling to himself. So this is Ginny's diary? He thought. He flipped on the first page and saw Ginny's name. Now he was sure, it was Ginny's.

Harry closed the diary. He was about to go to bed but… Out of curiosity, he opened the diary again. He started to read the diary entries, starting from vacation. Now, he knew that Ginny planned very hard on what gift to give him last vacation. He knew that Ginny was so happy when she became his best friend.... He finally knew that Ginny loved him.

Harry looked at the diary and smiled. It's true, I love her very much And all those times I tried to protect her from getting hurt.... Harry closed his eyes for a while. I was the one hurting her. I'll tell her everything tomorrow. Whatever Ron says, I don't care. He thought determinedly.

Harry continued to read Ginny's diary entries that he didn't notice (or hear) that someone was climbing down the stairs of the girls' dormitories. It was Ginny.

"I wonder where I left my dia—" Ginny froze at the foot of the staircase. Of all the people who could find her diary, it was Harry Potter who found it—the very subject of her diary. And to her horror, he was reading it!

A/N: Okay folks! We're getting close to the ball. It's already on the next chapter so keep tune okay? By the way, please review this and tell me something.

Since Christmas is near and I don't have classes anymore. I can post the next chapter faster. But you must first give me ten or MORE reviews for this chapter before I post it. If you give me ten reviews within two days you'll have the next chapter within two days so please keep the reviews coming.

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