An Argument with Ron -

The days and weeks swiftly flowed by. Ginny's classes were more difficult, but she still maintained a decent grade point average, nothing compared to Hermione's, but still fairly good. Luckily there were no further incidents with Malfoy to speak of. Ginny believed she must have rattled his cage on their last encounter, at least enough to keep him away from her for a while. She would occasionally catch Malfoy giving her a dirty look from across the main hall while she ate, but would dismiss it.

Ginny would see the trio at times during meals or in the evenings studying in the Gryffindor common room. That is when Quidditch practice wasn't going on. Ginny spent most of her evenings either with Colin and Ginger or occasionally with Hermione, studying. From her talks with Hermione, she and Ron were getting along well and taking it slowly. Ginny was tempted to ask how Harry was but refrained, reminding herself of her resolve.

Hours passed and the common room emptied as students left to retire for the evening. Hermione shut her Arithmacy book and looked at her watch. "I think I'm going to head up and get some sleep," said Hermione, standing and stretching her arms.

Ginny looked up from the Potions text she was reading. "Night Hermione," she said with a slight yawn.

"Goodnight," Hermione replied and walked to the stair entrance.

Ginny looked around at the empty common room and curled up on the end of the large, leather sofa. Tucking her arm beneath her head on the end of the couch, Ginny settled in to continue reading her assignment.

Somewhere along the way, Ginny drifted off to sleep.

She was in a dark corridor. She was very cold. Everything seemed to be faded and void of color. Her bare feet felt the cool, smooth stone as she stepped forward. "Ginny...." she heard whispered in the distance. Goosebumps rushed up her arm as she hastened down the hall, unsure of where she was going. There was a faint, dim light at the end of the corridor, if only she could get to it.

A sinister chuckle bounced off the walls causing Ginny's heart to pound in her chest. She began to run, her long hair flowing out behind her as she dashed down the length the passageway. She pushed her body to move faster towards the light. The veil thin nightdress clung to her form as the cold, dank air created a layer of moisture over her exposed flesh. Racing down the never-ending corridor she began to feel panic clench her insides. She heard her name called over and over, the menacing whispers reverberating off of the stone walls. Glancing behind her, she saw a figure standing with his arms stretched out beside him. The gray light behind him cast the man in shadows making it impossible to tell who he was. His evil laugh became louder as it echoed up to surround her. She choked on a gasp and rushed forward towards the ever-distant light. The sound of his laughter began to pound into her skull as she continued to flee. The light at the end of the hall continued to appear always further away. She whimpered and ran as fast as she could. She felt sweat leave a cold trail down her side as she flew down the passage. Her heart continued to slam in her ribcage. She glanced back again and realized the figure was getting closer now, his arms reaching out towards her. A scream welled up her throat as she watched him move swiftly towards her.

Ginny woke with a start; Harry stood bent over her, gently shaking her shoulder. Ginny abruptly rose onto her elbow and looked around. She saw the common room dark and deserted save for her and Harry.

"Ginny are you alright?" Harry asked cautiously. Ginny glanced back up with fear filled eyes, her breathing ragged. Harry stared down at her worriedly. Ginny shifted her gaze down to the Potions text that was lying forgotten on the floor.

"I -- It was nothing, just a silly dream," she said dismissively. Ginny sat up fully and began to shiver. Harry sank down beside her and put a brotherly arm around her.

"You want to talk about it?" Harry asked, patting her arm lightly. "You're cold as ice," said Harry in mild surprise, he frowned and rubbed her arm. Ginny leaned her head onto Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes. Visions of the figure in the hall came flooding back. Opening her eyes again, she raised her head and chose to stare at the fire burning brightly in the grate. Harry's presence caused warmth to soon seep back into her skin.

"What are you doing up?" Ginny finally asked.

Harry glanced at her out of the corner of his eye with her attempt to change the subject. "I couldn't sleep," he answered.

Ginny fell back into silence, staring at worn rug with its faded pattern before the fire. Reaching up, Ginny rubbed her palm over her forehead and down her temple, attempting to wipe away the remaining memory of her dream.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" asked Harry. Ginny inhaled and exhaled slowly, letting her hand drop onto her lap. "Ginny. . . Ginny look at me," Harry commanded gently. He took Ginny's chin and tilted it so had no other choice but to look at him. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" he asked.

Ginny nodded and made a failed attempt at a smile. "It was nothing really, Harry, just a dream," she tried to reassure him. She hated lying to him but couldn't bring herself to talk about it at the moment. Harry looked at her skeptically but in the end chose to turn to face the fire, his arm still around her in a warm embrace.

Time passed slowly as the two of them sat, watching the fire crackle and pop in the hearth. Like always, Ginny found comfort in being near him. Soon the tension left her and she began to relax, her eyes fluttering closed. Harry shifted in his seat bringing Ginny out of her stupor.

"I better go to bed," she said and stood, feeling his arm drop from her shoulder. Harry joined her and the two walked to the stairs. When they arrived at the split Ginny paused. Harry stopped with her, looking down at her quietly.

"Harry," she said.

"Hmm?" Harry put his hand into his pocket.

"Thank you," said Ginny, wrapping her arms around herself, she could still feel the warm imprint of his hand on her shoulder.

"Anytime," Harry said, giving her a tired smile.

Ginny turned to walk up her section of stairs towards the girls dorms, not noticing that Harry remained in the same spot, watching her round the corner until she was long out of view.
The next morning Ginny awoke early and decided to go for a run. After dressing and leaving the common room she walked down the empty halls, enjoying the early morning quiet. Outside the sky was still clinging to night. She could see the first hints of light creeping along the horizon. She set out at a slow easy pace. Her breaths came out in small puffs of steam rising up before her. Ginny needed to think. Last night's dream was still very vivid in her mind. She knew she should tell someone. Past experiences taught her that there was always the chance that it was more than a simple dream. But on the other hand Ginny knew that if she said anything, it would cause great fuss, something she wanted to avoid at all cost. Not to mention it would cause her friends to worry, especially Harry, and he didn't need it. With the constant threat of Voldemort looming over him, he had enough to worry about.

Continuing her run around the lake she came to the decision to keep it all to herself for a while longer. There was always the off chance it was stress induced and a figment of her over active imagination. 'Old memories simply becoming new nightmares,' Ginny thought, she glanced down at her watch and decided it was time to head back up to her dorm so she could shower and get ready for class.

Ginny raced to the castle entrance and entered the front hall. Stepping through the doors Ginny took a couple of deep breaths, feeling her pulse pounding in her chest. She wiped a drop of sweat off of her jaw as she turned to head in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.

"Well what do we have here?" a smooth male voice spoke from behind her. Ginny recognized the voice immediately, clenching her jaw she turned to see, Malfoy a few feet away from the door, walking her way. "And what would you be doing out on the school grounds so early in the morning?" asked Malfoy, coming to a halt with in less than an arm's length from her.

Ginny felt exasperated with his intrusion on her quiet morning and was in no mood for his games. "None of your concern Malfoy," her response was short and clipped.

Ginny impatiently watched Draco survey her appearance, his Prefect badge catching the light as he stood before her. She saw his gray eyes roam over her, taking note of her flushed features. Draco openly glanced down to her chest and watched as it rose and fell quickly while Ginny worked to catch her breath. Ginny reached up and wiped her wet bangs from her brow with the back of her hand, feeling disgust at his leering. She saw Draco smirk with darkened delight in her not-so-welcoming tone, and he took advantage of it.

"You really shouldn't be out by yourself at such hours," Draco admonished, his voice deepening as he reached out and ran the back of his index finger up her arm. "You never know of the dangers out there waiting."

Ginny stood stiff, fists clenched, glaring down at his hand and then back up at him. "Don't touch me," Ginny hissed.

Draco dropped his hand and narrowed his eyes as he took a threatening step forward. "I'll -- "

"Mr. Malfoy, would you care to explain what is going on?" demanded Professor Snape as he came upon them, looking between them suspiciously. Draco stepped back and faced his Head of House.

"Nothing sir, if you'll excuse me," Draco said with a slight incline of his head before he turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

Professor Snape looked down at Ginny. "I suggest you go and get ready for class," he said sharply.

"Yes sir," Ginny answered.

Professor Snape gave her a reproachful glance before abruptly turning and stalking off down the corridor.

"Git," Ginny muttered through clenched teeth as she stormed off to the Gryffindor tower.
Arriving in the common room, Ginny was greeted by a very agitated Ron. Seeing his sister come through the portrait, he rushed up to her, Harry and Hermione a few steps behind him. "Where have you been?" Ron demanded.

"I went out for a run, why?" Ginny asked, her ire rising even further.

"Why didn't you tell anyone where you were going?" Ron pressed.

"I didn't realize you needed notice on my every move," Ginny shot back at him darkly.

"Ron she was only out for a run," said Hermione, trying to defuse the situation.

"She should have told someone!" Ron barked at Hermione.

"Don't bite my head off Ronald Weasley!" Hermione snapped.

"Why are you so upset about me going jogging?" Ginny sharply asked.

"You just can't go running off by yourself!" said Ron, his voice growing louder with every word.

People in the common room had stopped pretended not to pay attention and were staring at them.

"You are making absolutely no sense!" Ginny barked back just as loud. For the life of her she simply couldn't understand Ron's over reaction to her going on a simple run.

During the exchange Colin and Ginger looked at one another silently and decided to come and stand near by, quietly watching. "What's going on, Ginny?" Colin asked looking back and forth between the two angry Weasleys.

"I have no clue, why don't you ask him!" Ginny shot.

"Why don't you tell your friend that it is not safe for her to go wandering around by herself in the wee hours of the morning!" Ron shot back.

"What are you going on about, I only went for a run!" screamed Ginny, having reached her limit of tolerance.

"Ron, really, I don't think she did any harm," said Hermione as she stepped in between them.

"Stay out of this!" Ron yelled at her.

Colin's chin dropped and Gingers eyes widened. Harry shook his head, adjusting his knapsack on his shoulder.

"Fine!" yelled Hermione, she turned and stormed to the stairs, heading towards her dorm. She brushed past Seamus and Dean at the stairs entrance as they were on their way down. Both boys glanced at her curiously before turning to the scene in the middle of the common room.

"What did you yell at her for?!" Ginny exploded.

"I -- You – I," Ron spluttered.

Harry took Ron by the arm. "Maybe we should go for a walk," he said.

Ron left the common room in a huff with Harry right behind him. Ginny turned to her two friends standing there, looking stunned. Ginny let out a loud shriek of frustration and stormed up to her dorm. The common room immediately started buzzing with excitement.

After taking a cool shower to settle her hot temper, Ginny dressed in her school uniform, cursing to herself when she pulled her robe on, only to realize she had put it on inside out. "Stupid insufferable gits!" Ginny growled, fixing her robe. She was in the middle of gathering her hair to put in a pony-tail when there was a quick knock on the door. Ginger poked her head in before entering a red-eyed Hermione followed.

"Safe to enter my own dorm?" Ginger lightly joked. Ginny walked over and embraced Hermione tightly.

"I'm really sorry you got yelled at," said Ginny.

Hermione hugged just as tightly in return and rubbed Ginny's back. "Don't mind me, I'm fine." Hermione replied with a slight smile.

"I have honestly no idea what that was all about," Ginny admitted, stepping out of the embrace to finish her hair.

"He is worried about you, Ginny," said Hermione, watching her friend jerk the brush through her hair.

Ginger nodded in agreement and stepped into the conversation. "Colin and I were down in the common room and saw him before you arrived. He had asked if we knew where you were and when we answered that we didn't, he went into a fit."

Ginger walked over and gently rubbed Ginny's arm as Ginny angrily tossed the brush onto her bed.

"Ever since your first year he's been overly concerned with you Ginny," said Hermione.

"He doesn't act that way at home," Ginny grumbled.

"I think it has more to do with being here at Hogwarts. You do have to admit, more seems to happen here than anywhere else," reasoned Hermione.

Ginny let out a long sigh and with it, most of her anger. "So what are we going to do with him?" she asked, walking over to her night stand.

"Sell him to the highest bidder?" Hermione offered.

"No, no one would take him." Ginny snorted.

"I guess you're stuck with him, aren't you?" said Ginger teasingly.

Ginny snorted with a grin and reached down for her book bag. The girls made their way out of the dorm and down for breakfast.
The three girls entered the hall to find a sulking Ron sitting along side Colin and Harry. Colin was the first to stand up and walk over to them.

"You alright, Gin?" he asked.

Ginny looked up at Colin and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine now, thanks."

Colin leaned down and gave Ginny a quick peck on the cheek. Hermione noticed that Harry give a dark look before turning back to Ron. Colin wrapped his arm around Ginger and the two left to sit at another section of table.

Hermione and Ginny approached Ron as he and Harry stood to face the girls. Ron stuffed in his hands into his pockets, his shoulders hunched. "Ginny, I'm really sorry I flew off the handle like that," Ron said looking at his sister. "I just get really worried about you, and – and. . . Will you forgive me?"

Ginny gave him a level look. "Promise you won't go making an ass out of yourself in front of the entire common room again?" she asked. Ron nodded, looking uncomfortable. "You can talk to me in a sane, civil tone you know. I'm not a child." Ginny said sternly.

"You're right Ginny, I'm really sorry," Ron said apologetically. Ginny sensed that he meant what he said, even though she had the sinking feeling this wouldn't be the last time.

"You giant prat," teased Ginny, gently punching him on the arm.

Ron's shoulders lost some of their tension and he smiled at her, but quickly looked shamed again, turning to Hermione. "Um. . . Hermione, I'm really sorry I shouted at you, can we go for a walk and talk?"

Hermione looked him up and down for a moment as if debating. "Why don't you walk me to class," said Hermione. Ron brightened considerably and placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back, leading her out of the Hall.

Ginny sat down at the table, reaching for a piece of toast. She saw Harry still standing there and turned to him.

"What did you say to him to change his attitude?" asked Ginny.

Harry sat down beside her and reached for his juice glass. "I reminded him of exactly who his sister is, and that she's not a little child anymore. I also told him that you're wise and wouldn't go off doing something without thinking. That you're a bright, intelligent woman who knows how to make smart decisions."

Ginny looked at him, stunned. "You really said that about me?" she asked.

"It's the truth," Harry answered matter-of-factly.

"Thank you very much, Harry," Ginny smiled at him.

"I need to get to class. I'll see you later on," he said, grabbing his knap sack and standing. Ginny turned and watched Harry leave the hall.

Facing the table once again, the hairs on the back of her neck rose uncomfortably. It felt as if someone was staring a burning hole right through her. Ginny glanced around the hall at the other students, finally noticing Draco watching her closely from the Slytherin tables. When her eyes connected with his, Draco raised his glass to her in a mocking salute and gave her a cocky grin. Ginny glared over at him and stood, grabbing some toast before she walked out of the hall, deciding to go early to her first class of the day.
Several days later Ginny decided it was time to get her revenge for Ron's overbearing behavior.

Seventh year students, each, had their own dorm room. Ron woke by someone banging on his door. Half asleep he stumbled across his room to answer the door. Pulling it open with a yawn, it took him a moment to notice that no one was standing there. Looking around he found an envelope taped to his door. In his half awake state it was only after he had removed the envelope from the door and broke the seal that he realized it was a howler. The boom of Ginny's voice was loud enough to shake the dust from the walls of the seventh year corridor.

"GOOD MORNING MY BROTHER RONALD WEASLEY! JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM GOING FOR A RUN AROUND THE LAKE. SEE YOU AT BREAKFAST!"

Immediately the howler shined a large toothy smile before shredding itself to pieces. Ron looked up from the falling shreds of the howler to find every door was open in the rounded landing of the boys' seventh year floor and each of his classmates stood with their heads poking out, some giving him dirty glares while others grinned wryly. Harry stood against his door frame, his hair tousled looking half asleep. Harry chuckled as he turned back into his dorm room.

"Point one, Ginny. Ron - zero," he muttered under his breath.

Ron groaned in embarrassment and went back to his bed.


Heading out the common room door after hearing the howler explode, Ginny laughed so hard she had to wipe tears out of her eyes.

"Nice one, dear. I'm sure the twins would be proud," said the Fat Lady, shaking her head before going back to her morning tea as Ginny walked down the hall in a fit of giggles.