Heroes

            Ginny is in the fifth year dormitory with Hermione, sobbing miserably.  She lets Hermione rub her back sympathetically.  She can't tell Hermione anything about what's happened, though she's dying to get it off her chest.  She looks up at Hermione and just starts crying again.

            "Ginny, I don't know what to do or say if you won't tell me what's wrong," Hermione says gently.  "Can't you at least give me an idea?"

            Shaking her head, Ginny cries even harder.  Hermione sighs.  "What do you want me to do, then?  I'm really at a loss here, Ginny."

            Katie Bell knocks on the fifth year door.  "Hey, Harry is looking for the two of you.  Says to meet him in the library."

            Hermione stands.  "Come on.  We'll get your mind off of this.  Let's go see Harry."

            Ginny sighs and follows Hermione.  They make their way to the library, ignoring the looks Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy give them.  Draco snickers suddenly.  "Just so you know, Weasley,  I know all about you.  And when I'm done, the whole school will, too."

            "If you knew all about me, Malfoy, then you'd know that I couldn't care less what you or the rest of the school knows," Ginny says coldly.  "And go ahead and tell the whole school.  You won't be bothering me."

            Draco, obviously disappointed in Ginny's reaction, walks away with his own friends, falling into obnoxious fits of laughter as he tells them what he knows of Ginny and Johnny's relationship.  Ginny keeps walking, hoping that Hermione wouldn't ask any questions.

            Ginny should have known that it isn't in Hermione's nature to not ask questions.  "What was that all about, Ginny?"

            "I don't want to talk about it," Ginny murmurs.

            "I'd rather hear it from you than through the rumor mills here," Hermione says.  "Please talk to me."

            Ginny sighs.  She shakes her head.  "Johnny's going to kill me…" she starts softly.

            "What?" Hermione gasps.  "So, was she responsible for Zimmermann's attack?  I thought she might be up to something!  Those Americans always are.  Are the rest of them involved?  I can't believe I let myself trust them!"

            "No, no, no," Ginny says quickly.  "It's just… our secret.   I don't know how Draco knows but… there's no easy way to say this… Johnny and I care for each other very much.  More than just friends normally do.  My crush on Harry is gone because I fell in love with Johnny."

            Hermione's expression would be comical if it had been any other situation.  Ginny has never seen Hermione look so puzzled.  When it finally sinks in, Hermione just looks at Ginny.  "You realize that Johnny's a girl… don't you?"

            Ginny nods.  "I know people think it's wrong and weird but I really have started to fall for her.  I don't even know how it happened.  But it feels so right.  Please don't be freaked out or anything."

            "I'm not freaked out," Hermione says.  "Just concerned.  Johnny's not from around here.  She doesn't even like magic.  And how do you think she's going to treat you?  She's just a boorish American…"

            "Hey, that's enough." Ginny says.  "Johnny's not like that.  You just have to give her a chance.  You gave Colby a chance."

            Hermione is quiet.  "That's different.  He's not like the others…"

            "How come it's all right for you to date people outside the school but if any of us does it, you think they're not good enough?" Ginny asks.  "What about Ron?  What's so bad about my brother that you refuse to give him the time of day?"

            "Your brother?" Hermione asks.  "Ron likes me?"

            Ginny laughs.  "Of course he does!  He's just a little bit funny when it comes to showing it.  How can you be so smart at everything else and be so ridiculous when it comes to the most obvious things?"

            "I'm not ridiculous," Hermione huffs.  She sighs.  "Maybe if he'd be a bit more forward..."

            "When he was forward, you slapped him and went to the Halloween Ball with Colby," Ginny says.

            "Well, what about Neville?  He fancies you and you want some foreigner," Hermione says.  "What's wrong with him?"

            Ginny shakes her head.  "Nothing!  There's nothing wrong with him."

            "Except that he's not a girl," Hermione replies.

            "Except that he's not Johnny," Ginny answers.  They arrive at the library.  "Not a word about this to anyone.  Johnny doesn't… I don't know.  Things are still complicated."

            Madame Pince looks at the girls and nods in the direction of a large table occupied by Harry, Ron, Daniel, Colby, and Johnny.  Ginny takes a sharp intake of breath.  Johnny seems so out of place with the group, her green robes not matching the red and orange of the Gryffindors'.  She forces herself not to turn around leave.

            Johnny stands up slowly.  She wants to disappear, remembering the awful things she'd said to Ginny.  When Ginny and Hermione approach the table, Johnny holds out a hand, barely noticeable to anyone but Ginny.

            A tear slips down Ginny's cheek as she takes Johnny's hand.  She feels the older girl grip it tenderly she knows that things between them are finally all right.  She throws her arms around Johnny.  "I love you so much."

            Colby and Daniel look confused for a minute.  They just grin and wait for the pair to take their seats.  "Apparently congratulations are in order..?" Daniel starts.

            "Stuff it, Harper," Johnny says congenially.  She sits down, still holding Ginny's hand.  "So, I guess everyone here's up to speed on the situation at hand, right?"

            "Not everything," Hermione says.  "Recap for me, please."

            Harry took a deep breath.  "Zimmermann is working for Voldemort.  He practically told that to Johnny and Ginny when he spoke to them about their public display of affection earlier, I guess.  He's got some kind of agenda involving Johnny but we're not quite sure what it is yet.  There are Giants in the Forbidden Forest and now Pansy knows about them.  It's sure to get back to Draco, which, in turn, will get back to his father…"

            "Things are not good," Hermione says under her breath.  She let Colby take her hand but her eyes were on Ron, who's sitting quietly by himself.

            "To say the least," Daniel agrees.  He sighs.  "So, now what?

            "Well, we need someone to keep an eye on Zimmermann," Harry says.  "Someone who would be prone to following a teacher around anyway, asking questions a lot…" he looks at Hermione.

            Hermione's eyes widen.  "Me?"

            "That would be too suspicious?  The best friend of Harry Potter following a guy who's already pretty much admitted being in league with You-Know-Who?" Ron asks.

            Ginny has been sitting quietly next to Johnny the whole time, enjoying the feel of the older girl's hand on her own.  She looks up from her lap.  "I'll do it.  He already knows that I know a lot anyway."

            "No!" Johnny snaps.  "Heck no, that ain't happening.  I won't let him get at you that way!"

            "What choice do we have?" Ginny asks.  "I won't let him do this to you.  Besides, we all know that You-Know-Who's ultimate target is Harry.  He hasn't made his move toward him yet but he will eventually, I know it.  What kind of person would I be if I didn't do my part to help out?"

            Johnny doesn't respond but she knows Ginny's right.  She shakes her head.  "There really isn't much else we can do…" Harry says apologetically.

            "I know, I know…" Johnny grumbles.  She looks at Ginny.  "You be extra careful."

            Ginny smiles.  "Yes, ma'am."

            "Johnny, you should keep an eye on the Slytherins.  That Death Eater prank has got to be a part of it…" Daniel says.

            "What about Snape?" Ron asks.  "He's all chummy with Zimmermann.  He's probably up to no good, too."

            Hermione rolls her eyes.  "For the last time, Professor Snape's not trying to hurt Harry!  But, if you're so sure, why don't you keep an eye on him, hm?"

            Ron flushes and glares at Colby, who has an arm around Hermione.  "I will…"

            Harry shakes his head.  "Well, with that taken care of, what about the Giants?"

            "Didn't you say that Dumbledore was going to try to win them over to our side before Voldemort's power could increase?"  Hermione says.  "They could be on our side."

            "Yeah," Colby finally speaks up.  "Wasn't Hagrid friendly with one of them?"

            Harry makes a face.  "Well, that doesn't necessarily mean much.  Hagrid's friendly to anything potentially dangerous.  But for right now, we can only assume that Professor Dumbledore has a reason for them being there."

            "All right, then…" Daniel grins.  "Now we're getting somewhere!"

            Harry stands.  "Well, I guess it's time for us to get to bed.  We all know our parts.  We'll report to each other regularly to keep things updated.  Good night, all."