Scarlet Flames

Disclaimer: I do not own anything here besides the plot. Characters and names belong to J.K. Rowling and publishers.

Summary: It's been five long years since Ginny's first met Harry, yet he still doesn't seem to get it. Then, when Draco Malfoy comes into the picture, things change. Can Harry realize faith in time? How one girl falls so hard, she can't bear to fall any longer.

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Chapter 3

You took your love away, too fast

Left no chance to say, look back

And now I know the truth, it makes it easier

When time goes by I'll understand

Lets pretend that I've moved on

That I'll tell myself that life goes on without you

I've opened my eyes, look deep inside

When times goes by I'll understand

You threw it all away

Pushed me far from you, in your life

Now I know that tears, they don't lead to loneliness

When time goes by I'll understand

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The clouds were purple, and the sky silver. It looked like it was going to rain, but the sun was shining as bright as ever.

'That's odd...' Ginny thought. 'I don't remember the sun ever being white...'

She was standing in a deserted place of some sort. There were no roads, no trees, and no buildings, save for one run-down church. The church bell struck five times.

Suddenly, Ginny felt the urge to run towards the church. She didn't know why, but she felt like there was something important she had forgotten. And there was something her heart tugged for in that church.

So she ran. She ran like her life depended on it. She ran until she could run no longer. She slowed down, gasping for breath.

There was light in that church. And now, she could hear soft music playing. She slowly walked up to the doors, and tugged. It did not open. She tried pushing it, but it did not move. Then she realized that there were at least eight gigantic locks on the door. And she did not have the keys.

She wiped the dust off a window to her left, and peered in. It looked like a party inside. And there was Ron... and Hermione! They looked very formal and dressed up. And they looked older somehow. Like they've aged ten years over night. But it couldn't be...

Then Ginny saw him. He was wearing a white tuxedo with a white tie. In fact, his entire outfit was completely white besides for the red rose pinned on his breast pocket. He was laughing, his bright green eyes bright and sparkly. And there was someone with him. Ginny could not see her face, but she was wearing a long white gown, with pretty embroidery. She was his bride.

Ginny felt her heart tugged once more, and she let out a cry of desperation. She banged at the window, yelling for them to let her in. But no one heard... except him. He looked at her, stared right into her eyes, and for a moment, Ginny thought he would come over and open the door for her. But the girl at his side, his new wife, pulled at his arm, and he gave her one last look, and turned away.

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"Gin... wake up, we're here."

Ginny felt someone prodding her arm, and she woke up. She was startled to see a pair of green eyes staring at her so closely.

Hermione, Ron, and Cho were nowhere to be seen. They must've left the train already.

"Finally, took me long enough to wake you..." Harry said, a grin spreading across his face.

Ginny gave a weak smile. "I... I was having a dream."

"Must be some dream... Ron and Hermione tried to wake you as well. As you can see, they gave up and left." Harry laughed.

"Yeah... some dream alright..."

"Care to share?" Harry asked as they got off the train, and headed towards the carriages lead by invisible horses, which would take them up to the magnificent castle that was Hogwarts.

"It was... nothing." Ginny stammered.

Harry smiled. "You can tell me."

"It... was silly, really." Ginny blushed as they got onto an empty carriage.

Harry continued to stare at her, so Ginny took a deep breath and said, "Okay, well... I dreamt that you were getting married... and all of us were, you know, there..."

Ginny decided to leave out the part about her not -really- being there at all, locked outside, overcome with jealousy and heartbreak.

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The sorting took place in the Great Hall as it had the previous years, and the new students were sorted into the four Houses.

They had dinner, and afterwards, Hermione, being a Prefect, lead the first years up to the Gryffindor Tower.

The rest of Gryffindor trudged upstairs after them.

"Wigglewarts." Hermione said sharply, and the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open. The first years, gaped in amazement, and the older students stepped into their Common Room.

While Hermione was giving the first years a lecture about boys and girls dormitories, Harry, Ron, and Ginny proceeded to their rooms, before they were stopped by Colin Creevy.

"Hello Ginny!" He said brightly. "Harry, Ron." He grinned.

Over the years, Colin's obsession with Harry had lessened, to Harry's relief. For one, he did not carry his camera around his neck anymore. He kept it in his pocket.

"Hey Colin." The three said.

Harry and Ron retrieved to the sixth year boy's dormitories, as Ginny started toward hers. Colin tagged along.

"So, how was your summer?" He asked.

"Alright." Ginny said shortly.

Colin smiled awkwardly. "Yeah. Me too."

Ginny sighed. "Sorry Colin, but I'm rather tired now... do you mind...?"

Colin's smile faltered, just a bit. "Oh, no... go on. G'night then."

Ginny did not see, but once she had turned to go up the stairs, Colin's shoulders had suddenly slumped in a disappointed manner.

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"Let's see... we've got Potions first." A round of groans followed that statement.

It was breakfast at the Gryffindor table, and they had just received their schedules.

Ginny reached for her brother's schedule and scanned it. "You've got double Potions again. And it's with the Slytherins too."

"Thank you Ginny, for that enlightening piece of information." Ron muttered.

Ginny shrugged. "I've got Transfiguration with Slytherins as well, you don't see me complaining."

"That's because you don't have Malfoy in your class."

And speaking of Draco...

"Did I hear my name?"

"No." Ron said quickly.

"What do you want Malfoy." Harry said, in an almost exasperated voice.

"You aren't happy to see me Potter? It's been an entire summer already." Draco said.

"Is that all you came to say? Because if it is, then it'd be nice if you left us now. We don't want the first day back to be ruined more than it is already." Hermiond said in a tight voice. She was glaring at him.

"Granger, pardon me for saying, but I wasn't speaking to you." His cold eyes stared back.

Ginny looked down at her plate. She felt herself blush as she remembered the incident on the train and in Madam Malkin's. She didn't know why she was blushing. It was quite silly, actually.

Harry sighed. "Look Malfoy, say whatever you have to say, and leave. You are wasting our precious time."

"Is that so?" He smirked. "Well, I was actually just wanting to have a word with Weasley, dunno why you Gryffindors think that as soon as I come 'round, I'm trying to pick a fight..."

"Maybe because you do." Ron replied. "Anyway, whatever favor you want to ask of me ---"

"Not you Weasel." Draco jerked his chin towards Ginny. "Your sister."

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Ginny thought she must have heard wrong. Draco, wanting to speak to -her-?

But as she looked up from her plate, she saw that the group was looking at her. And all of a sudden, Ron quickly stood up to face Draco and said, "No" again. This time though, there was a firm and final sound to it.

Ginny flushed as she felt herself getting angry. Who was Ron to decide who she should or should not speak to? She was about to say just that, although Draco got there first.

"Weasel, Ginny has a mouth of her own, doesn't she? I think she can very well speak for herself."

Harry knocked his glass of water off the table by accident, in shock of hearing Draco addressing Ginny by her first name.

Ron said, without taking his eyes off Draco, "Ginny, don't listen to this slime ball."

Hermione shifted in her seat, looking awkward.

Ginny cleared her throat and stood up. "Excuse me, if Malfoy has something to tell me, I don't have a problem with it. No one asked you Ron."

Ron's ears turned pink from anger, and he was about to protest but Hermione pulled him back.

"What must you tell me, Malfoy?" Ginny said, trying not to stutter.

"Actually, if you don't mind, this is a bit private, I'd feel better if we went outside." Draco said smoothly. He did not show any sign of embarrassment.

Ginny threw her napkin onto the table. "Let's go then."

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A/N: Yeah, I kind of left it off at an awkward moment. But the next part, I think, should be separated into another chapter. Take note of that dream in the beginning as well. You'll see soon enough. :D