Vanilla Whispers – Eleven
Santa Ginny -
The night before students were to leave for the holidays found most of the sixth and seventh year Gryffindors gathered in the common room. Hermione, Ron and Harry were sitting at a table looking down at a chessboard. It appeared that Ron was letting Hermione win and she knew it, which made her quite irritated.
"Honestly Ron, I'm just not going to play if you are going to go easy on me," Hermione complained
Ron merely grinned, ordering his rook to go forward.
"I don't think he's letting you win anymore, Hermione," said Harry, looking up from his book to watch Ron's rook take over Hermione's bishop, dragging it, kicking, from the board.
Hermione's chin dropped, she stared down at the board carefully.
Ginny sat with Colin and Ginger across the room, playing cards on a low table. Earlier, after most of the underclassmen had retired for the night, Ginny had gone to her dorm and retrieved her charmed stereo; it quietly played in the background.
"Gin," said Colin.
"What?" answer Ginny, studying the cards in her hand.
"No, gin," pointed Colin.
"I said what, Colin," said Ginny, looking up from her cards to find a smirking Colin, proudly displaying his winning hand of cards.
"We really have to learn to play another card game with her," said Ginger, holding her cards against her chest and dodging away from Ginny's swinging arm.
"I'll be right back, guys," said Ginny, dropping her cards on the table and making her way towards the stairs.
"Want me to come with?" offered Ginger.
"I've got it," Ginny answered over her shoulder, completely missing the pair of green eyes that followed her across the common room.
Several minutes later, Ginny came struggling downstairs with a large, red-velvet bag in her arms.
"Early presents!" Ginny huffed, attempting to heft the slipping bag more securely in her arms.
Ginny had been working for weeks with George and Fred to get all of her purchases completed. She had a hard time hiding them from her curious dorm mates who always wondered why she was receiving owls in the late into the night. She had intended to send her presents out for them to have on Christmas morning, with the change of plans on how she was going to be spending the holidays, she had decided to hand out her gifts early. Fred and George were only too happy to send her extra sweets to be sure no one was left out, at a discounted rate of course. She made the vow on pain of a hex the next time she saw them that the candies weren't of their own creation. They wrote back feigning hurt that she would ever accuse them of such a thing and told of how they wished they could have took her in over the holidays, but with their business trip to Bermuda on the way, it wasn't possible. They did promise to bring her back a triangle, which made Ginny hard pressed to not wake her dorm mates with laughter while reading the late night note.
The room turned and watched Ginny struggle with the large bag. Seamus jumped up from his seat was at her side in an instant to help her carry the cumbersome bag across the room.
"Ginny, it isn't Christmas yet!" Lavender said, applying another coat of, Wondrous Willa's Ever Changing nail lacquer.
"I know," said Ginny, following Seamus across the room. "But I wanted to give them out now before everyone left. A special thank you, of sorts, for the great party you threw me." Ginny smiled brightly. Seamus glanced over his shoulder at her and Ginny pointed to an armchair next to the fireplace. "Thank you," said Ginny, reaching for the bag's drawstrings after Seamus had put it down.
"Was me pleasure," said Seamus with a slight raising of the eyebrows as he walked away.
Sitting down in the chair, Ginny rummaged in the velvet bag and triumphantly pulled out a Santa hat. She placed it on top of her head creating a few chuckles. "Now listen up! When I call your names please come sit on Santa Ginny's lap and receive your treat!"
First to be called to Santa Ginny's lap were Colin and Ginger. They each took a leg and Ginny handed them a present.
"Open it!" Ginny encouraged them eagerly.
Colin messily ripped his box open to find a leather portfolio.
"For your photos!" said Ginny excitedly.
Colin was thrilled and kissed Ginny on the cheek, "This is the best Gin, thanks."
After watching Colin unwrap his gift, Ginger began to carefully remove the paper of her package.
"Bugger that!" said Colin, taking the box out of Ginger's hands, despite her protests, and tore the wrapping off of the box. He handed the now paper free package to his girlfriend with a proud smile. Ginger scowled at him but readily accepted the gift back.
"I love them!" Ginger cried, looking down at a pair of gorgeous earrings. She threw her arms around Ginny and squeezed before hopping off of her lap. The couple moved off as others gathered around to take a look at their gifts.
For the next several minutes Ginny continued to happily hand out various presents. Candy for Dean, Neville and Seamus, "For being so sweet to me," she said which earned her a grin and a thank you from each.
She purchased her dorm-mates matching tops in different colors, much to their delight. Ginny had calculated correctly and had enough sweets and gifts everyone in the room who reverted back to young, child-like behavior and enjoyed sitting on Santa Ginny's lap.
"Hermione and Ron!" Ginny called out, pulling out two brightly wrapped packages. The two walked over and sat on her lap. "Ugg, Ron! You're going to break my leg, you big oaf!" Ron gave her a mildly dirty look before turning his attention to the presents she held. Ginny handed them their gifts and bit her lip, waiting for their reactions. Ron was the first to pull out his gift. Everyone cheered to see him hold up a pair of bright-orange silk boxers. There were speculations that no one had ever seen Ron blush so bright.
"Gee thanks sis," Ron muttered, wadding the boxers up quickly and stuffing them back into the box.
Hermione opened her package and took out a small bottle of, Personally Yours perfume.
"Oh, Ginny, thank you so much!" Hermione gushed.
Ginny cleared her throat and pointedly nodded back to the box. Looking confused, Hermione handed Ron the perfume and stuck her hands in the small box again, when she pulled them out the room completely exploded. Catcalls and applause issued forth. In Hermione's hands was a matching pair of bright orange bra and thong panties.
"Ginny!" Ron yelped, jumping off of his sister's lap and gawking down at his girlfriend's hands before averting his eyes. Hermione blushed like she's never blushed before. A few requests came out for Hermione to try them on where as the girls in the room, not to be left out, called for Ron to try on his boxers. Hermione put the garments back into the box, rising from Ginny's lap, refusing to look at Ron.
Ginny felt she would crack a rib from laughing so hard as Hermione and Ron walked away.
"Ginny 2, Ron zero," muttered Harry.
Once Ginny caught her breath, she reached into her bag for one last present. The room knew who was next, and hush fell over the crowd.
"Harry", said Ginny putting on her best smile. Her stomach clenched into a giant knot as Harry stood and wiped his palms on his jeans. She felt her heart flutter as he approached. She steeled her nerves and channeled a bit of her twin brothers as Harry sat on her lap and glanced around the room looking a little embarrassed. Ginny couldn't believe her own nerve as she rested her hand on Harry's knee.
"Now have you been a good boy Harry?" Ginny teased, throwing all caution to the wind.
"I've tried," Harry croaked and had to clear his throat.
Ginny handed him his present, watching him closely. Harry took the rectangular box and carefully opened it. Folding back the tissue paper he exposed an ornate golden frame with a photo of a smiling Ginny beside a grinning Fred and George who made it their business to pop on top hats, successfully making their heads disappear. The now headless Fred and George wandered around with their arms stretched out before them, eventually walking off of the photo, leaving Ginny to stand outside near a flowering bush alone. The photo Ginny laughed as the wind was blew gently. She reached up and pulled several strands of hair out of her face while she glanced over to her off frame brothers. The photo Ginny looked back up at the camera, her hand on her shoulder. The photographer caught a glimmer of a seductive, mysterious young woman in those few moments by herself.
Harry stared at the photo for several seconds before glancing down at the box to find a picture of a happily smiling and waving Ron and Hermione with their arms around each other. When Harry didn't say anything Ginny tried hard to ignore the bubble of nervousness filling her chest.
"Colin took them for me out by the lake," Ginny said softly, staring at her lap. She felt overwhelming stupid for thinking he'd like her gift. Ginny stole a glance at Harry while he was still staring at the photo. Harry looked back up at the real Ginny and smiled.
"Thank you, I love it."
-o-
Ron pulled Hermione onto his lap nuzzling her neck. "Nice present your friend got you," Ron said into Hermione's ear.
"She's your sister," Hermione replied.
"So will I get to see how your Christmas present fits?" Ron daringly whispered while nibbling on Hermione's ear. Hermione giggled and moved her head from the tickling of his mouth.
"Only if I get to see you in yours," she answered.
Ron glanced over to Harry, who stood across the room talking to Dean and Seamus. Ron's eyes traveled down and glimpsed at Ginny's present that Harry had yet to put down. Ron turned his head and saw Ginny sitting sideways on a couch with Colin and Ginger. Her legs were draped across Ginger's lap and her head rested on the back of the couch, she looked tired and strained. Ron shook his head and rubbed Hermione's back
"Think this is going to work?" asked Ron.
Hermione stopped staring at Ron and turner her attention to Ginny before glancing at Harry.
"I hope so," Hermione whispered, resting her head against Ron's forehead.
By ten the next morning, while students said their final goodbyes and gathered to go to the train station, snow fell lightly in fat flakes that took their time fluttering to the cold earth. Ginny stood against the doorframe of the main entrance with her arms crossed under her breasts, the hem of her cloak stirring in the occasional breeze as she watched the students climb into the carriages. She had said her goodbyes to her friends earlier and made an occasional wave to them before stuffing her hand into her pocket again. She watched Harry walk over and talk to Ron. Rubbing her arms to chase away the chill, Ginny decided to head back to her dorm. A few steps away from the door, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the shadows and stood in her path.
"Are you going to move?" asked Ginny.
Draco only smirked, his rich woolen cloak shifting in the breeze from the open doorway. Ginny shivered with chill and pulled her robe around her tighter as she went to walk around him. Draco sidestepped, putting himself in front of her again. Ginny's jaw clenched, her fist gripping her wand tightly.
"Is there something you want or are going to block my path all day?" Ginny snapped.
Ginny's eyes widened in surprise, she stood rooted to her spot as Draco reached out and touched a lock of her hair. He stared at the fiery strands while they slid through his fingers. His gray eyes moved to hers, looking down at her with intensity she'd never seen before. Before she could react, Draco leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"I want it all little Ginny."
Ginny stumbled back a few steps. Draco's smile didn't reach his eyes as strode past her and out the front door. Trembling, Ginny sat down on a bench. She glanced at the open doorway and scowled, anger at herself rising heating the chill in her bones. Making a mental note to never allow something like that to ever happen again, Ginny made her way to the Gryffindor tower.
-o-
Arriving in the common room, Ginny noticed something was amiss. It was typical that most of the students went home for the holidays, but usually there were a few strays that would remain. Standing in the center of the common room, she started counting off names of various students in her head. Every other Gryffindor, every single one of them, save one, had left for the holidays. Realization came to her at once. She was going to be here, for two weeks, alone, with Harry. Ginny slowly sank into a chair, numb with shock.
"What in the bloody hell am I going to do?" she muttered to herself, glancing around the empty room. Ginny didn't know if her heart could take it, much less her sanity. With the way things were going, she feared "The Boy Who Lived", would soon be, "The Idiot that Didn't".
Harry walked through the entrance to the Gryffindor common room to find Ginny sitting, curled up in one of the armchairs by the fireplace with her head resting against the corner with her eyes closed. Clark lay curled on her lap, enjoying Ginny slowly stroking his back. Harry sat down on the opposite chair and reached over to scratch behind Clarks ears. Harry glanced around the empty common room and frowned.
"Where -- Where is everyone?" Harry asked. Ginny didn't move or open her eyes as she spoke.
"Gone."
"Gone?" asked Harry, his voice rising in mild surprise.
"Gone," Ginny answered flatly.
Harry looked around again in disbelief.
"You mean to tell me, no one else stayed behind?" Harry asked, his voice cracking slightly.
This time Ginny did open her eyes, lifting her head to look at him.
"So it appears."
Ginny watched Harry swallow, his eyes shifting around the room.
"Oh," was all Harry could say.
"Yeah," Ginny answered, clutching Clark to her chest as she stood. "I think I'm going to head up to my dorm and lay down before this headache turns into a full-blown migraine."
Ginny made her way up the stairs, her back stiff as she stroked beneath Clark's chin.
Harry ran his hands through his messy hair, resting his forehead on his palms as the fire crackled merrily in the hearth.
This was going to be rough two weeks.
