A/N: So I just want to say that I received a review for my first fic,
Dreams (which, by the way, I finished and gave up on several weeks ago and
the only thing I may do with it is change some grammar and word errors and
make some things line up better) , today and I want to point out to who
ever wrote it that that fic is a piece of BLAH! Not that this one is any
better, but I never claimed to be a writer did I? Transitions? What are
those? Does Point A really need to go to Point B in a smooth manner?
Probably, but in my world, NAH!
Chapter 2: Some Kind of Wonderful
There was something about Harry that made Ginny feel young. Not that she was old, but old enough to feel embarrassed when she messed around and acted childish. But being around Harry always seemed to lift that feeling from her shoulders. Harry just radiated cheerfulness and playfulness. There was something mentally safe about being around Harry Potter.
Harry had quickly caught up to Ginny after she peeled out of the burrow. He grabbed her around the waist and easily picked her up, but tripped over his own feet and sent them both sprawling to the ground.
"Omph!"
"That was a tad less than graceful," Ginny giggled.
"A-ware! Thank you!" Harry spun around started to tickle Ginny mercilessly. "Apologize!"
"NEVER!" she managed to shout between bouts of laughter. Harry only dug his fingers into her sides harder.
Ron watched from the burrow door as his best friend and his sister wrestled in the grass. Harry had confessed to Ron about wanting to be with his sister, and though the overprotective brother had reared his ugly head, Ron was genuinely glad that it was Harry and not some muggle jerk off the street. Hell, he was practically a member of the family anyway.
"OK! OK! I'm sorry. I give up!" Harry finally let go and pushed himself up and then offered a hand to Ginny. He turned to the house and saw Ron standing at the door.
"Ronniekins! Come play Quidditch with us!" Harry yelled, knowing the nickname would be enough to at least get Ron away from the door.
Ron shot a glare at his friend, but walked out to the front yard, broom in hand.
"You gonna play?" Harry asked, gesturing at Ron's broom.
"No. I was planning on shoving this up your-"
"RON!"
"Sorry Gin. Yeah, I guess I'll play." Ron mounted his broom and kicked off from the ground. Harry followed quickly after, Ginny right on his heels with their Quaffle.
The three practiced shooting on each other for sometime, before Fred and George got home. They eagerly got their brooms and pulled Bill out to play too.
"Say, Ron, you're pretty good. You should play professionally," Harry kidded as he flew past. Ron had been playing for the West Ham team since they had left school two years ago and was causing quite a buzz in the Quidditch world. Word on the street was England was looking for a new Keeper and had their eye on the youngest Weasley brother.
As the sun set on them, Harry flew to the ground.
"I have to work tomorrow," he whined apologetically, as the Weasley boys stuck their tongues out at him. Ginny landed behind him, still a little skeptical about Harry being okay. She followed him inside and accosted him as he reached for Ron's door.
"You're still upset." He spun on his heels to face her, a bit surprised she followed him.
"I'm fine Gin. Really." He gave her a good-natured smile and attempted to open the door, but Ginny stopped him once again, stepping between him and his thoughts of her alone.
"That's a lie and you know it. You're going to go into work tomorrow all angry at Fudge about things and something bad is going to happen." Ginny crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked sternly at Harry.
"You underestimate me Virginia Weasley. I've done this before remember. And besides, it's not Fudge that's bothering me." Harry tried for the handle to the door again, not really wanting to confess to Ginny that it was her that had him a little bothered, but Ginny's hand shot out in front of it.
"Than tell me what really is wrong." It wasn't a question. It was a demand.
"I really don't think you want me to do that," Harry laughed, as Ginny tried to look sterner, but failed miserably. "Come on Gin. You look so much better when you're not angry." He pressed his fingers into her dimples and pulled her cheeks into a smile.
"You're not charming your way out of this one Mr. Potter. What's going on? Tell me. I want to help."
"Oh, Ginny, you help everyday without knowing. I'd tell you dear, but it might just knock your cute pink socks off."
Ginny didn't budge.
"Giiiiinnnnn," he whined.
"Haaaaarrrrrryyyyy," she whined back. He sighed in defeat and looked her straight in the eyes.
"Fine, I'll tell you, but you have to promise you'll let me go to bed right after. Agreed?" Ginny nodded. "Okay. You asked for it. I'm in love with you but you don't seem to want to pursue much more than a schoolgirl- esqe crush type thing. Ama-jig. Ama-bob. 'Cuse me." Harry brushed past her effortlessly, and shut the door behind him, leaving a very bewildered Ginny outside his door.
*~*~*~*~*
Ginny jumped out of bed hurriedly. She needed to talk to him before he went to work. The sun was just peering over the edge of the hill as she crept down the stairs to a *very* Harry-lacking kitchen. Two pieces of parchment hung on the icebox. One was written on, the other blank. Ginny pulled the first from the door and sat down to read.
*~*
Morning Everyone!
Short day at the office today, so I'll be home around 2ish. Ick, that is so un-me to say. "short day at the office??" BLAH! Anyway, I'm making dinner tonight, so no head starts on me Mrs. Weasley. Have a good morning.
Harry
*~*
Ginny giggled slightly and looked back to the other piece of paper. Harry scrawl was magically writing on the paper as she watched.
*~*
Morning Ginny.
First up I see. Well, sorta see. But anyway, we'll talk when I get home. I was hoping you'd help me make dinner tonight, if you're not too busy with the article and what not. Have a good day beautiful *wink*.
Harry
*~*
Ginny panicked. She flung the note to the table not knowing what to do with it. As she stared at the paper, Ron came barreling down the stairs, late for practice as usual. He snatched the papers from the table before Ginny could do anything.
"Have a good day at work my ass," Ron mumbled, throwing one of the papers back to the table. Ginny picked up the paper in wonder. "I'll Icke Ronniekins him right back to Hogwarts next time he does that." With that, the door slammed behind Ron.
*~*~*~*
"Harry! Just the man I was looking for."
"Cornelius. What can I do for you today?" Harry responded, not bothering to look up from his work.
"I was just wondering why you didn't want to come and work for me full time here. I got your owl yesterday, and was a bit taken aback by your refusal." Minister Fudge stopped as Harry's eyes darted to a piece of parchment on the corner of his desk and he began to laugh. "Excuse me?"
"So sorry Cornelius. It's just something I left for the Weasleys this morning seems to have made its way to Ms. Granger and Ms. Abbott's flat in Ottery St. Catchpole." Fudge just stared at him blankly. "Never mind. About your offer. I'm just out of Hogwarts, Cornelius, and I'm not going to whittle away the rest of my youth cooped up in an office everyday. One day when I settle down and such, I'd be honored to work full time on your staff. But for now, I think I'd like to stay where I am. Besides, I don't think Willow would be too happy losing me, isn't that right Ms. Bode?"
"Quite right Harry." A dark-haired witch had entered Harry's cubicle while he was talking. Willow Bode, head of the Department of Mysteries, was leaning against the makeshift doorway. "You have that report for me?"
"Yup. Here you go," Harry replied pushing the report to the edge of the desk. Willow picked up the report and laughed at the parchment on Harry's desk.
"Quite a list of notes you wrote this morning Mr. Potter. Good to see many of them aren't going to waste."
"You never know who may stop by, or what meddlesome female Weasley might run off with it." He threw Bode a smile as he shuffled some papers into their spot on the cluttered desk. "I should have that other report done for you before I leave today."
"Wonderful. Excellent job Potter. I'll be around about one to get that." Willow smiled, and turned to Fudge. "Minister."
"Bode." Fudge bowed slightly to Willow as she left the office.
"Now, Minister Fudge, if there's nothing else, I need to get finished with this other report. I only have a couple hours before I leave for the rest of the week." Harry looked up over his glasses at Cornelius expectantly.
Fudge sighed heavily, took one last look at Harry, bowed and left.
"Bout fucking time, asshole," Harry mumbled as he turned his attention back to his work.
*~*~*~*
"Oh my god, Hermione! It was so weird! He was so totally nonchalant about the whole thing. Just like, 'I love you', and then walked into his room. And in his note this morning, he called me beautiful. Mione, do you think he means it?"
"Harry wouldn't lie to you Ginny," Hermione responded matter-of-factly. "Especially about something like that. I think he was telling you the truth. What do you think?" Hermione bit down hard on a piece of carrot stick as she fed the rest to her owl, Morwen.
"I think he totally doesn't know how I feel about him in the least. I mean, sure, I still have that "crush" on him, but there's so much more to it now."
"Really. That's news to me. Why don't you explain it to me Ginny." Ginny jumped and spun around towards the door.
"Harry. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for my cooking assistant. I figured you were here."
"Oh, Harry, don't pat yourself on the back. You knew where she was cuz of the note," Hermione reprimanded.
Harry looked guiltily back at her. "You expose all my magic, ya know."
"Oh come off it. She's seen one before."
"But she had no idea she was seeing it. Mur on you Hermione. Mur on you and your silly brain and big mouth."
"Could someone please explain what you're talking about?"
Hermione kept staring right back at Harry. "The note you brought over. He writes them all the time. Makes a bunch of different ones each morning for a bunch of different people and you can only read what he wrote for you. And he can keep track of when you read it, and who reads it."
Ginny stared at the paper in her hands.
"So anyway. I need to get home to cook dinner. You're coming over right?" Harry asked Hermione. She nodded curtly, rolling her eyes. "Good. Gin, ready to go home?"
"Um, sure, I guess so," Ginny stammered, taking out her wand. Harry gave her a quick grin, and with a pop he was gone.
"Gin, listen, Harry meant what he said last night. Just talk to him. I'm sure you can get him to see you feel a little more deeply for him than he thinks you do. Good luck. And I'll see you later tonight. And relax! It's just Harry!" Hermione threw her a large smile, before Ginny disappeared from the flat.
*~*~*~*~*
"Bout time. I did all the shopping in the time it took you to get back here," Harry chided as Ginny appeared in the kitchen. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Do that again and I'll take you up on that offer."
"Eep!" She reeled her tongue back in quickly.
Harry laughed loudly as he put the chicken in the icebox. "Cute Gin."
"Harry, I HAVE to show you something. Wait here!" Ginny ran to her room, completely forgetting about being shy and uncomfortable around Harry. She pushed the door to her room open and began to rummage through her trunk. She finally found what she was looking for just in time for the weight of the situation downstairs to come crashing back. She was going to have to do this carefully, and tactfully for that matter, if she was going to do this right.
She walked back down the stairs slowly, calculating exactly how the song was going to do all the talking for her.
"So I scrounged this up at the Prophet office, just sitting around, and I brought it home. Hermione has one, so she showed me how to use it." Ginny heaved a boom box onto the kitchen table, and let a pile of CDs fall next to it. "So I went out to one of the muggle malls with Mione a couple days before you got here and picked up some CDs."
Ginny took a deep breath, hoping that Harry would realize what she was doing. She slid a CD into the slot and cued the CD up. "What do you need me to do?"
"Could you cut up that fruit for me?" Harry asked, pointing to a bag next to the sink as the song started to play.
*~*
I'm tugging at my hair, and pulling at my clothes. I'm trying to keep my cool. I know it shows. I'm staring at my feet; my cheeks are turning red. I'm searching for the words inside my head. I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it. Yeah.
*~*
"Good?" she asked, holding out a handful of fruit to him.
"Perfect," Harry answered, turning his head to look at her. "Oh, you meant the fruit! Yeah, that's great."
Ginny blushed as she dumped the handful of mangos into the bowl.
*~*
If I could say what I want to say, I'd say I want to blow you---away. Be with you every night; am I squeezing you too tight? If I could say what I want to see, I want to see you go down---on one knee. Marry me today. Guess I'm wishing my life away, with these things I'd never say.
*~*
"Who is this?" Harry looked at the CD player briefly.
"Avril Lavigne."
"Pretty good for chick rock."
'Is he truly that thick?' Ginny thought staring at the back of his head.
*~*
It don't do my any good; it's just a waste of time. What use is it to you what's on my mind? If it ain't coming out, we're not going anywhere. So why can't I just tell you that I care? I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it. Yeah.
*~*
"Ron doesn't like peppers, right?" Harry asked, looking up again.
"Right."
"Splendid. One salad with extra peppers." Ginny giggled lightly as Harry picked up a head of lettuce.
*~*
What's wrong, with my tongue? These words keep slipping away. I stutter, I stumble, like I've got nothing to say. But I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it.
*~*
Harry put down the lettuce he was cutting and hit the stop button on the CD player. "Sit," he demanded, pointing to the kitchen table.
Ginny dropped her knife and sat down at the table grudgingly.
"I need to do something. Feel free to slap me or what have you afterwards." Harry bent down quickly and kissed Ginny soundly on the lips. "Thanks." He turned back to his cutting.
"Wait, wait, wait! You're going to do that and then pretend as if nothing happened? I don't think so Harry Potter. You can't go up to someone who's in love with you and just kiss them and expect nothing to happen because of it. You may be the greatest wizard in the world, but you certainly suck at figuring out what girls will do next!"
Harry shrugged, hiding the smile that was growing on his face.
"You have no idea how to handle girls at all! I'm not going to just shrug that off. I care about you more than I think you even care to know. Way beyond some stupid schoolgirl crush. I'm not one of your hero-worshippers Harry. The name doesn't faze me at all anymore. This goes way beyond that."
"Ginny. Stop."
"NO!"
Harry chuckled. "So, you love me?"
Ginny caught herself. Did she just say that to him? She totally needed to check with her brain next time she went off on a rant. She looked up at Harry and saw the amused smile on his face. "You big jerk! You did that on purpose! You are so self-centered. You knew that I was either going to yell at you, or let it go."
"Got it out of you though, didn't I? Really, Ginny, would you have told me otherwise anytime soon if I hadn't done that to you? I mean, I know you're trying to tell me here with this song and all, but I would rather hear from you. You needed a push in the right direction." Harry laughed at his own joke. "Come here." He pulled a chair out and sat down. Ginny walked over and he pulled her into his lap.
"This was a mean rotten trick you played Harry James Potter. And I don't know if I shall forgive you soon for it." Ginny stared at the ceiling indignantly.
"I'm not looking for you to forgive me. Just talk to me. Really. Did you mean everything you said before?"
"Every word. Something about you after you left school drew my in. You really became the man behind the name to me. And you confuse the hell out of me!" Ginny began to hit Harry on the shoulder.
"OW! Stop. Don't do that."
"I try forever to get you to notice me, and then when I stop, you finally do! I love you so much, but I hate you!" Ginny started to hit him again. "You are so aggravating, and pompous, and pig headed - and sweet, and honest, and caring, and funny - and a jerk!" She hit him one last time for good measure, this time exceptionally hard.
"Who knew falling for you would be so painful?" Harry complained, rubbing his shoulder.
A sudden pop pulled their attention to the fireplace.
"Harry, we need you out here." Sirius's head hovered in the fireplace. "There's been a massive attack and some Muggles are really confused and need some new memories. We can only do so much to find everyone, but hell, we need some back-up. We're in Heathrow. How fast can you get here?"
"I'll be there in like 2 minutes, ok. Need to clean up."
"Harry, I got it. Go. They need you. I'll finish dinner. Be careful, though, cuz I want to finish this discussion later." Ginny got up and turned to face him.
"You sure?" Ginny nodded her head. "Oh, Gin, I owe you big time. You are an absolute doll, you know that? Stay safe all right and let Ron and Mione and your parents know where I am, and if I won't be home for dinner, I'll floo you and let you know, ok? Please, just stay inside, and try to reach Ron at the pitch and Hermione at her flat and get them home as soon as you can. I love you, remember that." Harry kissed her cheek and with a wave of his hand, he was gone.
Chapter 2: Some Kind of Wonderful
There was something about Harry that made Ginny feel young. Not that she was old, but old enough to feel embarrassed when she messed around and acted childish. But being around Harry always seemed to lift that feeling from her shoulders. Harry just radiated cheerfulness and playfulness. There was something mentally safe about being around Harry Potter.
Harry had quickly caught up to Ginny after she peeled out of the burrow. He grabbed her around the waist and easily picked her up, but tripped over his own feet and sent them both sprawling to the ground.
"Omph!"
"That was a tad less than graceful," Ginny giggled.
"A-ware! Thank you!" Harry spun around started to tickle Ginny mercilessly. "Apologize!"
"NEVER!" she managed to shout between bouts of laughter. Harry only dug his fingers into her sides harder.
Ron watched from the burrow door as his best friend and his sister wrestled in the grass. Harry had confessed to Ron about wanting to be with his sister, and though the overprotective brother had reared his ugly head, Ron was genuinely glad that it was Harry and not some muggle jerk off the street. Hell, he was practically a member of the family anyway.
"OK! OK! I'm sorry. I give up!" Harry finally let go and pushed himself up and then offered a hand to Ginny. He turned to the house and saw Ron standing at the door.
"Ronniekins! Come play Quidditch with us!" Harry yelled, knowing the nickname would be enough to at least get Ron away from the door.
Ron shot a glare at his friend, but walked out to the front yard, broom in hand.
"You gonna play?" Harry asked, gesturing at Ron's broom.
"No. I was planning on shoving this up your-"
"RON!"
"Sorry Gin. Yeah, I guess I'll play." Ron mounted his broom and kicked off from the ground. Harry followed quickly after, Ginny right on his heels with their Quaffle.
The three practiced shooting on each other for sometime, before Fred and George got home. They eagerly got their brooms and pulled Bill out to play too.
"Say, Ron, you're pretty good. You should play professionally," Harry kidded as he flew past. Ron had been playing for the West Ham team since they had left school two years ago and was causing quite a buzz in the Quidditch world. Word on the street was England was looking for a new Keeper and had their eye on the youngest Weasley brother.
As the sun set on them, Harry flew to the ground.
"I have to work tomorrow," he whined apologetically, as the Weasley boys stuck their tongues out at him. Ginny landed behind him, still a little skeptical about Harry being okay. She followed him inside and accosted him as he reached for Ron's door.
"You're still upset." He spun on his heels to face her, a bit surprised she followed him.
"I'm fine Gin. Really." He gave her a good-natured smile and attempted to open the door, but Ginny stopped him once again, stepping between him and his thoughts of her alone.
"That's a lie and you know it. You're going to go into work tomorrow all angry at Fudge about things and something bad is going to happen." Ginny crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked sternly at Harry.
"You underestimate me Virginia Weasley. I've done this before remember. And besides, it's not Fudge that's bothering me." Harry tried for the handle to the door again, not really wanting to confess to Ginny that it was her that had him a little bothered, but Ginny's hand shot out in front of it.
"Than tell me what really is wrong." It wasn't a question. It was a demand.
"I really don't think you want me to do that," Harry laughed, as Ginny tried to look sterner, but failed miserably. "Come on Gin. You look so much better when you're not angry." He pressed his fingers into her dimples and pulled her cheeks into a smile.
"You're not charming your way out of this one Mr. Potter. What's going on? Tell me. I want to help."
"Oh, Ginny, you help everyday without knowing. I'd tell you dear, but it might just knock your cute pink socks off."
Ginny didn't budge.
"Giiiiinnnnn," he whined.
"Haaaaarrrrrryyyyy," she whined back. He sighed in defeat and looked her straight in the eyes.
"Fine, I'll tell you, but you have to promise you'll let me go to bed right after. Agreed?" Ginny nodded. "Okay. You asked for it. I'm in love with you but you don't seem to want to pursue much more than a schoolgirl- esqe crush type thing. Ama-jig. Ama-bob. 'Cuse me." Harry brushed past her effortlessly, and shut the door behind him, leaving a very bewildered Ginny outside his door.
*~*~*~*~*
Ginny jumped out of bed hurriedly. She needed to talk to him before he went to work. The sun was just peering over the edge of the hill as she crept down the stairs to a *very* Harry-lacking kitchen. Two pieces of parchment hung on the icebox. One was written on, the other blank. Ginny pulled the first from the door and sat down to read.
*~*
Morning Everyone!
Short day at the office today, so I'll be home around 2ish. Ick, that is so un-me to say. "short day at the office??" BLAH! Anyway, I'm making dinner tonight, so no head starts on me Mrs. Weasley. Have a good morning.
Harry
*~*
Ginny giggled slightly and looked back to the other piece of paper. Harry scrawl was magically writing on the paper as she watched.
*~*
Morning Ginny.
First up I see. Well, sorta see. But anyway, we'll talk when I get home. I was hoping you'd help me make dinner tonight, if you're not too busy with the article and what not. Have a good day beautiful *wink*.
Harry
*~*
Ginny panicked. She flung the note to the table not knowing what to do with it. As she stared at the paper, Ron came barreling down the stairs, late for practice as usual. He snatched the papers from the table before Ginny could do anything.
"Have a good day at work my ass," Ron mumbled, throwing one of the papers back to the table. Ginny picked up the paper in wonder. "I'll Icke Ronniekins him right back to Hogwarts next time he does that." With that, the door slammed behind Ron.
*~*~*~*
"Harry! Just the man I was looking for."
"Cornelius. What can I do for you today?" Harry responded, not bothering to look up from his work.
"I was just wondering why you didn't want to come and work for me full time here. I got your owl yesterday, and was a bit taken aback by your refusal." Minister Fudge stopped as Harry's eyes darted to a piece of parchment on the corner of his desk and he began to laugh. "Excuse me?"
"So sorry Cornelius. It's just something I left for the Weasleys this morning seems to have made its way to Ms. Granger and Ms. Abbott's flat in Ottery St. Catchpole." Fudge just stared at him blankly. "Never mind. About your offer. I'm just out of Hogwarts, Cornelius, and I'm not going to whittle away the rest of my youth cooped up in an office everyday. One day when I settle down and such, I'd be honored to work full time on your staff. But for now, I think I'd like to stay where I am. Besides, I don't think Willow would be too happy losing me, isn't that right Ms. Bode?"
"Quite right Harry." A dark-haired witch had entered Harry's cubicle while he was talking. Willow Bode, head of the Department of Mysteries, was leaning against the makeshift doorway. "You have that report for me?"
"Yup. Here you go," Harry replied pushing the report to the edge of the desk. Willow picked up the report and laughed at the parchment on Harry's desk.
"Quite a list of notes you wrote this morning Mr. Potter. Good to see many of them aren't going to waste."
"You never know who may stop by, or what meddlesome female Weasley might run off with it." He threw Bode a smile as he shuffled some papers into their spot on the cluttered desk. "I should have that other report done for you before I leave today."
"Wonderful. Excellent job Potter. I'll be around about one to get that." Willow smiled, and turned to Fudge. "Minister."
"Bode." Fudge bowed slightly to Willow as she left the office.
"Now, Minister Fudge, if there's nothing else, I need to get finished with this other report. I only have a couple hours before I leave for the rest of the week." Harry looked up over his glasses at Cornelius expectantly.
Fudge sighed heavily, took one last look at Harry, bowed and left.
"Bout fucking time, asshole," Harry mumbled as he turned his attention back to his work.
*~*~*~*
"Oh my god, Hermione! It was so weird! He was so totally nonchalant about the whole thing. Just like, 'I love you', and then walked into his room. And in his note this morning, he called me beautiful. Mione, do you think he means it?"
"Harry wouldn't lie to you Ginny," Hermione responded matter-of-factly. "Especially about something like that. I think he was telling you the truth. What do you think?" Hermione bit down hard on a piece of carrot stick as she fed the rest to her owl, Morwen.
"I think he totally doesn't know how I feel about him in the least. I mean, sure, I still have that "crush" on him, but there's so much more to it now."
"Really. That's news to me. Why don't you explain it to me Ginny." Ginny jumped and spun around towards the door.
"Harry. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for my cooking assistant. I figured you were here."
"Oh, Harry, don't pat yourself on the back. You knew where she was cuz of the note," Hermione reprimanded.
Harry looked guiltily back at her. "You expose all my magic, ya know."
"Oh come off it. She's seen one before."
"But she had no idea she was seeing it. Mur on you Hermione. Mur on you and your silly brain and big mouth."
"Could someone please explain what you're talking about?"
Hermione kept staring right back at Harry. "The note you brought over. He writes them all the time. Makes a bunch of different ones each morning for a bunch of different people and you can only read what he wrote for you. And he can keep track of when you read it, and who reads it."
Ginny stared at the paper in her hands.
"So anyway. I need to get home to cook dinner. You're coming over right?" Harry asked Hermione. She nodded curtly, rolling her eyes. "Good. Gin, ready to go home?"
"Um, sure, I guess so," Ginny stammered, taking out her wand. Harry gave her a quick grin, and with a pop he was gone.
"Gin, listen, Harry meant what he said last night. Just talk to him. I'm sure you can get him to see you feel a little more deeply for him than he thinks you do. Good luck. And I'll see you later tonight. And relax! It's just Harry!" Hermione threw her a large smile, before Ginny disappeared from the flat.
*~*~*~*~*
"Bout time. I did all the shopping in the time it took you to get back here," Harry chided as Ginny appeared in the kitchen. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Do that again and I'll take you up on that offer."
"Eep!" She reeled her tongue back in quickly.
Harry laughed loudly as he put the chicken in the icebox. "Cute Gin."
"Harry, I HAVE to show you something. Wait here!" Ginny ran to her room, completely forgetting about being shy and uncomfortable around Harry. She pushed the door to her room open and began to rummage through her trunk. She finally found what she was looking for just in time for the weight of the situation downstairs to come crashing back. She was going to have to do this carefully, and tactfully for that matter, if she was going to do this right.
She walked back down the stairs slowly, calculating exactly how the song was going to do all the talking for her.
"So I scrounged this up at the Prophet office, just sitting around, and I brought it home. Hermione has one, so she showed me how to use it." Ginny heaved a boom box onto the kitchen table, and let a pile of CDs fall next to it. "So I went out to one of the muggle malls with Mione a couple days before you got here and picked up some CDs."
Ginny took a deep breath, hoping that Harry would realize what she was doing. She slid a CD into the slot and cued the CD up. "What do you need me to do?"
"Could you cut up that fruit for me?" Harry asked, pointing to a bag next to the sink as the song started to play.
*~*
I'm tugging at my hair, and pulling at my clothes. I'm trying to keep my cool. I know it shows. I'm staring at my feet; my cheeks are turning red. I'm searching for the words inside my head. I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it. Yeah.
*~*
"Good?" she asked, holding out a handful of fruit to him.
"Perfect," Harry answered, turning his head to look at her. "Oh, you meant the fruit! Yeah, that's great."
Ginny blushed as she dumped the handful of mangos into the bowl.
*~*
If I could say what I want to say, I'd say I want to blow you---away. Be with you every night; am I squeezing you too tight? If I could say what I want to see, I want to see you go down---on one knee. Marry me today. Guess I'm wishing my life away, with these things I'd never say.
*~*
"Who is this?" Harry looked at the CD player briefly.
"Avril Lavigne."
"Pretty good for chick rock."
'Is he truly that thick?' Ginny thought staring at the back of his head.
*~*
It don't do my any good; it's just a waste of time. What use is it to you what's on my mind? If it ain't coming out, we're not going anywhere. So why can't I just tell you that I care? I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it. Yeah.
*~*
"Ron doesn't like peppers, right?" Harry asked, looking up again.
"Right."
"Splendid. One salad with extra peppers." Ginny giggled lightly as Harry picked up a head of lettuce.
*~*
What's wrong, with my tongue? These words keep slipping away. I stutter, I stumble, like I've got nothing to say. But I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect, cuz I know you're worth it. You're worth it.
*~*
Harry put down the lettuce he was cutting and hit the stop button on the CD player. "Sit," he demanded, pointing to the kitchen table.
Ginny dropped her knife and sat down at the table grudgingly.
"I need to do something. Feel free to slap me or what have you afterwards." Harry bent down quickly and kissed Ginny soundly on the lips. "Thanks." He turned back to his cutting.
"Wait, wait, wait! You're going to do that and then pretend as if nothing happened? I don't think so Harry Potter. You can't go up to someone who's in love with you and just kiss them and expect nothing to happen because of it. You may be the greatest wizard in the world, but you certainly suck at figuring out what girls will do next!"
Harry shrugged, hiding the smile that was growing on his face.
"You have no idea how to handle girls at all! I'm not going to just shrug that off. I care about you more than I think you even care to know. Way beyond some stupid schoolgirl crush. I'm not one of your hero-worshippers Harry. The name doesn't faze me at all anymore. This goes way beyond that."
"Ginny. Stop."
"NO!"
Harry chuckled. "So, you love me?"
Ginny caught herself. Did she just say that to him? She totally needed to check with her brain next time she went off on a rant. She looked up at Harry and saw the amused smile on his face. "You big jerk! You did that on purpose! You are so self-centered. You knew that I was either going to yell at you, or let it go."
"Got it out of you though, didn't I? Really, Ginny, would you have told me otherwise anytime soon if I hadn't done that to you? I mean, I know you're trying to tell me here with this song and all, but I would rather hear from you. You needed a push in the right direction." Harry laughed at his own joke. "Come here." He pulled a chair out and sat down. Ginny walked over and he pulled her into his lap.
"This was a mean rotten trick you played Harry James Potter. And I don't know if I shall forgive you soon for it." Ginny stared at the ceiling indignantly.
"I'm not looking for you to forgive me. Just talk to me. Really. Did you mean everything you said before?"
"Every word. Something about you after you left school drew my in. You really became the man behind the name to me. And you confuse the hell out of me!" Ginny began to hit Harry on the shoulder.
"OW! Stop. Don't do that."
"I try forever to get you to notice me, and then when I stop, you finally do! I love you so much, but I hate you!" Ginny started to hit him again. "You are so aggravating, and pompous, and pig headed - and sweet, and honest, and caring, and funny - and a jerk!" She hit him one last time for good measure, this time exceptionally hard.
"Who knew falling for you would be so painful?" Harry complained, rubbing his shoulder.
A sudden pop pulled their attention to the fireplace.
"Harry, we need you out here." Sirius's head hovered in the fireplace. "There's been a massive attack and some Muggles are really confused and need some new memories. We can only do so much to find everyone, but hell, we need some back-up. We're in Heathrow. How fast can you get here?"
"I'll be there in like 2 minutes, ok. Need to clean up."
"Harry, I got it. Go. They need you. I'll finish dinner. Be careful, though, cuz I want to finish this discussion later." Ginny got up and turned to face him.
"You sure?" Ginny nodded her head. "Oh, Gin, I owe you big time. You are an absolute doll, you know that? Stay safe all right and let Ron and Mione and your parents know where I am, and if I won't be home for dinner, I'll floo you and let you know, ok? Please, just stay inside, and try to reach Ron at the pitch and Hermione at her flat and get them home as soon as you can. I love you, remember that." Harry kissed her cheek and with a wave of his hand, he was gone.