Wow, thank you everyone so much! I love my reviewers!
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Harry smiled to see the familiar castle again, after so long. He walked to Great Hall with his two best friends, and sat down at the Gryffindor table. While waiting for the first years to be herded in, he began glancing around the Hall, looking for familiar faces. And then he saw her. . .
She was walking in with some of her friends, talking excitedly and laughing. She looked so amazingly gorgeous when she laughed; why had he never noticed her before? They sat down a little ways away from him, and he tried not to stare. But it was impossible.
She was so beautiful. He watched her, trying to memorize the exact way she gestured with her hands as she talked, to memorize her features. Her face was so delicately structured, her eyes so sparkling and deep, her lips so soft looking. He wondered what it would feel like to touch her silky looking hair, to hold her in his arms.
He jumped about a foot into the air. he almost shouted.
Ron looked at him strangely. I said, what do you think of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Harry looked vaguely at the staff table, where the new wizard was sitting.
he said, not even seeing him.
Harry, are you all right? Hermione asked concernedly. Harry nodded, still absently looking up at the staff table. Hermione started to say something, but at that moment, the first years and Professor McGonagall entered the Hall. In the bustle of the Sorting, Harry could stare at her again. He was lost in her features when Ron stuck his elbow into his ribs.
Harry! What're you staring at my sister for?
Harry tore his eyes away from Ginny, and turned to face Ron. I'm not staring at your sister, he lied. Why would I be? I was looking at the first years. They were standing almost behind her, and it seemed like a reasonable excuse to him. Ron eyed him suspiciously, but shrugged it off.
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Lying in the solitude of his scarlet-curtained bed, Harry wondered what had come over him. He didn't like Ginny like that. . .did he? She was Ron's little sister. True, she was beautiful, but beauty wasn't all that mattered. But then he thought of her kindness, her gentleness, her sense of humor. . . He rolled over and shoved the pillow on top of his head.
he mumbled into the mattress. I like Ginny Weasley. But I can't do anything about it, because of Ron. That's fine with me, I don't mind a bit. Even as he began drifting off to sleep, his mind kept arguing with him, very much in Ginny's favor.
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The object of Harry's confusion lay perfectly still in her own bed, not that far away. She looked asleep, because Kelly and Bethany were whispering nearby, but thoughts were running frantically through her mind. Thoughts of Harry Potter. . .
Had he really been staring at her all through dinner? Why would he want to stare at plain little Ginny Weasley? She thought again of his brilliant green eyes, of how sexy his untidy black hair was, how he looked without his glasses, due to some kind of eye surgery. He had always been handsome in Ginny's opinion, but his new look added to the height and muscles he had gained. Please, Harry, Ginny thought silently. Please notice me.
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Harry had to work hard to keep from looking at Ginny during breakfast the next morning. Even as he gloomily pushed a pile of scrambled eggs around on his plate, his eyes kept straying to her. She was sitting in a ray of sunlight, and it turned her auburn hair into differing shades of red, blonde and chestnut. The long strands cascaded down her back in a silky looking waterfall of color. Harry glanced down at his hands, imagining them entwined in Ginny's hair. He looked over again, only to find her looking at him. She blushed slightly, and turned away to talk to one of her many friends.
Harry sighed, drawing a long look from Hermione.
she asked cautiously. Are you all right? You don't look well.
I didn't get much sleep last night, Harry replied shortly. It was true. Thoughts of Ginny had kept him up much later then usual, and she had been haunting his dreams, also.
Hermione said softly. I just wondered. . . She trailed off.
Oh, nothing, she said, glancing at Ron. He gave her an understanding look, and squeezed her hand gently. Harry glared at them.
Tell me, Harry demanded. Please, Mione? She didn't answer.
Ron darted a look at Hermione, and apparently received some sort of signal from her. Okay, Harry, he said quietly. Mione and I were wondering. . .well, you've been acting sort of weird since the train, and. . .we were wondering if anything's the matter.
Harry said, sounding confused. Except that I'm falling in love with your sister, he added silently. I'm sorry, he said, feeling a need to elaborate. I haven't gotten much sleep lately, and. . .why didn't Hermione want to tell me?
Ron took a deep breath and looked around, as if making sure that no one was listening. We've been hearing rumors, he said slowly. About you and. . .Malfoy. Harry's mouth dropped open.
That's disgusting! Harry exploded. He could feel people glancing their way, and lowered his voice. You don't believe that, do you?
Of course not, Hermione interjected. But we thought maybe you had heard them, and it was bothering you.
Harry said, making a face. Malfoy! Ugh. There was a brief silence.
Hermione said, trying to start a conversation. What's your schedule like today, Harry?
Harry pulled his schedule out of his bag. First I have Advanced Charms, then Herbology, and after lunch I have Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. He pulled a face at the thought of classes with Snape.
Ron said, studying his chart. I have Charms and Potions with you, Harry.
And we have Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts at the same time, Hermione said.
Harry smiled. At least with Ron, Potions would be somewhat bearable. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall began tapping her goblet with her fork. Everyone looked up at the staff table as Dumbledore stood up.
If I may have your attention, he said, even though he already did. I would like to make a very important announcement. There was a brief pause. There will be a ball on September 30, to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. A year. . . He paused as people began murmuring. A year in which we will not have to worry about Voldemort. He waited for the gasp at the name. Thank you. Oh, and would the Head Boy and Girl please come see me after the meal. People began talking excitedly as he sat down.
Wonder what he wants to see us for? Harry said absently. Hermione shrugged, and then a newspaper fell on her head.
Oh, mail's here, she said, snatching it out of Harry's eggs. Ron received a small package from Errol, who looked as if he were about to keel over at any moment, and Harry caught a letter from Hedwig. He pulled it open and began reading.
Hey, Harry. How's the second day at Hogwarts? Feel any different this year? At least you don't have to worry about Voldemort anymore. Harry, sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable when I gave you. . .um, yeah. I know you're probably not going to need them, but you never know. Speaking of which, anyone look any different this year? Well, I don't really have much more to say. Owl me if anything comes up. Sirius
Harry looked up to see Ron frantically shoving something in his pocket, and Hermione trying very hard not to burst out laughing.
What did you get, Ron? Harry asked curiously. Ron turned scarlet.
Uh, oh, nothing, just Fred and George trying to be smart, he stammered. Hermione gave in to her giggles.
Same thing Sirius gave you, Harry, she choked out between laughs. Ron's face became even redder, if that was possible, and he elbowed his girlfriend in the ribs. She shoved back, still caught up in hysterics. Harry felt someone's eyes on him, and looked up to see Ginny staring at them, bemused. As Harry's eyes met hers, she looked away quickly. Suddenly, Harry got a great idea. The ball.
It would be a perfect way to ask Ginny out without sounding like he was desperately in love with her. It was to celebrate the beginning of the year, right? And if Ron and Hermione were obviously going together, he would want to go with someone who he knew pretty well, right? It all made perfect sense.
Now he would just have to find some way to ask her.
