Chapter IV
Ginny tried to scream loudly to get someone's attention, but she was in the Quidditch field and she was only going to practice by herself. A boy caught her neck and he pressed it so hard that Ginny choked. She believed that she was going to die today. But to her surprise the boy let go, but then a whole bunch of them started punching her and hitting her with a bat.
"Stop!" said Ginny, who managed to talk. Blood was oozing from the other end of her right eyebrow. She can feel bruises forming. This continued for about a minute, when suddenly Ginny knelt down in pain and fell down to the ground. Draco, who came just in time, went over to see it. He knew Slytherins would punish her for only a little bit, but not as severe like this. Draco turned to the Slytherins and shouted, "What the heck were you guys trying to do?! You are going to kill her!!"
The Slytherins looked at each other nervously. Draco then put his hand under Ginny's back, and then shouted, "Get out of here before I tell father to get your miserable faces out of this school!"
The Slytherins ran, and not one dared to come back. Draco took Ginny in his arms and gazed at her. "How can they do this to you?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry."
Ginny slowly opened her eyes. Draco looked at her with concerned eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Ginny."
Ginny didn't do anything but cried on his chest. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?" she asked between tears. Draco shook his head and just cradled Ginny for a while. Then they went straight to the Hospital Wing. And Draco had to carry her all the way there.
It was only a night that Ginny had to stay in the Hospital Wing for the night. The next day, she went down the corridors and then went inside her dormitory. It was weekend again. She glanced around the room and then found a piece of letter pinned down on her desk. She went to it and opened it.
Dear Ginny,
I am going. I know it's not a right thing to do, but I decided to make myself free. Free to fly. I thank you for all the friendship you have done to me, especially when I was in need. I am leaving today to Paris, to fulfill my duty as an artist there. I will not be coming back anymore, but there are chances I will visit. Harry knows about this, and I didn't mean to surprise him. But once if he is sad because of this, can you please comfort him for me? He means the whole world to me, but we have to get separated. He will understand one day.
I would just like to thank you for everything. We will still be in touch. And please do me a favor. Please keep the dress I gave you. It's one of my thanks to you, and I know it isn't enough. I hope you will not lose your sweet smile, your great and kind personality, and especially your friendship! I wish you a great life, and BYE BYE! I will miss you a lot. Take Care.
-Cho
Ginny gaped at the letter. Cho couldn't leave, not right now that Harry is beginning to smile. Ginny dropped the letter and searched for Cho, but she was nowhere. She then went outside by the entrance, where she saw Harry sitting there, staring at the sky. He was once again the emotionless one. Ginny slowly walked to him and asked, "May I sit?"
"Sure," muttered Harry. Ginny sat beside him, and said nothing. But Harry spoke up, "So you just knew about Cho right?"
"Yes," Ginny said, quietly. "How did you know?"
Harry looked at her and said, "Saw the owl." He pointed at the sky. Ginny smiled and said, "So, aren't you going to do anything about it?"
"What for?" asked Harry, shaking his head. Ginny looked at him and declared, "You should fight! I know how much you love her, Harry. And you couldn't just let her leave just like that!"
Harry shook his head. "No," he said. "Once Cho makes up her mind about something, she will never change. Never."
"But still," Ginny told him. "But I am sure you don't want her to leave?"
Harry became silent. "Well, of course," Harry said at once. "I mean, who would want her to leave?"
"Okay," Ginny said, standing up. Harry looked at her in confusion and said, "Where are you going?"
"Find Cho."
Ginny ran as fast as she could. She ran outside, and finally saw a wave of black raven hair. "CHO!!" Ginny shouted. Cho turned and smiled. "Hello, Gin."
"You cannot leave!" gasped Ginny, exhausted. "What about me? Harry? Everyone?!"
"You know Ginny," Cho started. "I have to live on my own. I need to be free. My life is very complicated."
"You cannot leave Harry like this!"
Harry then appeared, but Ginny didn't see him since she was facing Cho. Her back was facing Harry, though. Cho saw him but didn't say anything. Ginny then shook her head and said, "The first time I came here, I gave up already since I knew I am poor and all, and couldn't make friends, because almost all people here are rich!!"
Cho stared at her. Ginny then began to cry and said, "When I saw Harry, I knew that I had an explanation to come to school! It was him who cared, who saved me from danger! I don't want him sad, and without you, I know he will!"
Harry gasped. Cho shook her head and said, "I know."
Ginny then fell down to her knees. Harry gasped again, and couldn't believe of what he is seeing. Cho looked surprised too. "Ginny, what-"
"Please," Ginny said. "I couldn't bear looking at Harry not smiling anymore! He needs you!!"
Cho knelt down before her. "I know that," she then again. "I don't like Harry looking sad. But look at my situation. Now, don't cry. You know, just stand the other way around so tears won't fall. I know Harry would be sad. But I have my own plans, my own future. I need to make myself free before I can even come back to Harry. I couldn't bear another year with so many problems with my dad's business and all. I need to help my father with his business."
Ginny suddenly understood. She stood up slowly. Cho did the same. Ginny then flung her arms around her and said, "I understand. I just want you to take care too. Thanks for everything."
Cho nodded and looked at Harry, who remained silent. Cho let go and whispered, "I still need to get my ticket and all. I'm heading to Muggle Paris. Meet me at Hogsmeade's train station later at 6."
Cho waved and turned and began walking away. Ginny rubbed her eyes and turned, and gasped, "Harry! What are you doing here?!"
"YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!!!" Harry said, angrily. "You weren't supposed to beg her to be with me! What kind of help is that?!"
Ginny burst into tears. "I just thought-"
Harry shook his head violently and shouted, "NO!!"
Ginny was scared. And ran away from him.
That night, at 6, Ginny went to Hogsmeade's station. She brought a huge cloak with her and covered herself. She was confused, and didn't know what to do next, now that Harry was mad at her. Ginny then met up with Ron, who was with Hermione, talking softly. To her surprise, Draco Malfoy was there, leaning against a post. He looked up at her, but Ginny looked down as she caught his eyes. She went straight at a bench beside the post of where Draco was leaning on.
"Bit of a shock, huh?" asked Draco, as he threw a ball in the air and catching it again with one hand. Ginny nodded. She didn't feel like talking too much. "Why are you here?" asked Ginny.
"Just wanted to thank Chang," said Draco. "She did a lot of stuff for me, mind you. Like for giving me the chance to go to the boat to have vacation in Egypt."
It was true; Cho had given him the chance to go with them. Ginny nodded as a sign of that she understood. Draco looked at his watch and said, "It's strange not seeing Potter."
Ginny gasped. She only realized that Harry was nowhere. But Cho did come, looking exhausted, but she went on a straight talk with Hermione and Ron.
"Yes," Ginny nodded. "I'm not sure if he will show up."
He didn't after a long time. When it finally reached 5 minutes to 7, Cho went to pack her stuff in the train. She came back and announced, "Well, this is it. Goodbye."
She waved and slowly turned to the entrance of the train. But then a loud clattering noise came, and Ginny turned. It was Harry, looking very sulky. He stood there quietly. Ginny looked at him and suddenly shouted, "Aren't you going to do anything?! Are you afraid to say goodbye to her for one last time?!"
Harry stared at her. Cho looked relieved. Harry then ran to Cho and hugged her tightly. "I am sorry, Cho. For not letting you feel true happiness. I'm going to miss you a lot, and don't forget me."
Cho smiled and hugged him back. Ginny cried in joy. Draco saw this and said, "What a crying baby!" Ginny ignored him completely. Ron and Hermione were looking happy.
Cho and Harry finally let go. Cho then waved at all of them, and entered the train.
The train then started moving after a few minutes. It went slow at first, but became faster and faster. Then it went out of sight.
The whole lot of them suddenly turned and started walking towards the castle. Harry caught up with Ginny and said, "I'm sorry." Ginny didn't look up upon him, but then said, "For what?"
"You taught me how to learn," Harry told her. Ginny then looked at him and said, "I'm glad you did that, Harry. I really am."
Harry grinned. "Thanks," he said again, then went to Hermione and Ron. Draco walked neatly beside Ginny. "Well," he started. "Are you feeling okay now?"
"Guess so," Ginny said, nodding. "But I am okay, thanks for asking."
(A/N: You will never know the real 'personality' of Draco here. You won't understand until you read the whole story until the end!')
"Well," Draco said again. "I kicked those goons outta school."
Ginny stopped dead. "Are you serious or are you just scaring me?"
"Seriously," Draco told her. They continued walking. "It was a complete out-of-the-plan! What they did to you was almost murder!" Ginny laughed. "So," she said. "You cared?!"
"'Course not," Draco said, blushing. "I want to do what's right."
Ginny eyed him suspiciously. It was cute to see Draco blushing. "Yeah right!" Ginny said. "JOKE!" Draco then shook his head and walked ahead of her. Ginny laughed quietly on her own. Maybe Draco isn't so bad.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny had the feeling that she was going to tell Harry what she felt about him this day. She stood up and went down to the Great Hall. Ginny waited for Harry until he finished his soup. When he started to get up, Ginny grabbed him out of the hall and went to a quiet room.
"What are we doing here?" asked Harry, looking around the dusty room. Ginny stopped dead and said, "Harry, I got to tell you something."
"What is it about?" asked Harry. Ginny gulped down and asked, "Would you love anybody else before Cho?"
Harry stared at her. "What?"
Ginny repeated the question. Harry looked up and said, "No. I will love Cho until I die, and no one can ever replace her. Not even the prettiest girl on earth!"
Ginny's heart sank. What a rip off, she thought. She felt weak in the knees. What was it? What was this feeling? It was like making her cry, make her die. What is it?
The next morning, Ginny felt as though a dart came and pierced her heart. She went pale, and never forgot the words 'No. I will love Cho until I die..'. She shook mentally and muttered to herself, "If that was what Harry said, then that's final." She stood up and changed to her robes and quietly went down the Great Hall, no expression on her face.
She then settled next to Hermione, who whispered to her, "You did great yesterday night. It helped Harry a lot."
Harry, who was facing her, nodded and smiled a little. Ginny gave him a miserable smile and grabbed her goblet and drank it quickly. Ron, who knew that she only ate little, said, "C'mon, Gin. Don't tell me you are greatly affected by Cho's departure! If she was here today, she'd say you need to eat more. I bet ya."
Ginny nodded in agreement. But the tension was building up. She couldn't face Harry or she would burst into tears right now. She stood up quickly and ran as fast as she could.
"Ginger!"
Ginny turned around. Draco was running towards her. Ginny got a bit annoyed and half-shouted, "Who are you calling ginger?!"
"You," Draco answered, as he breathed fast. Ginny got mad at him and there again, because of her huge anger of calling her ginger, her fist came slamming against Draco's left cheek.
"What did you do that for!?" yelled Draco, caressing his left cheek. Ginny glared at him severely and said, "Don't you dare call me Ginger!!"
She ran away. Again, she was scared and prayed that her day was going to be nasty, but at least she'll be alive.
Well, her day wasn't so bad. In fact, it wasn't so bad after all. But whenever Draco was around, she squeaked and ran for him. But one time, he caught her just in time and asked, "What are you running for?"
"Let go," Ginny said at once. "I'm running from you."
"Obvious," said Draco coolly. He released Ginny's hand from his grip. "So I ask again, what for?"
Ginny looked around, carefully not looking into those cold gray eyes. "Because maybe you would punish me all, again."
"I suffered enough," Draco told her at once. Ginny's face wrinkled into a confused one. "What do you mean?" she asked. Draco sighed and said, "I can't look at you anymore with people punishing you. Once you are hurt, I am too."
"I don't get you," said Ginny, eyeing Draco suspiciously. Draco shook his head and said, "Your brain works too slow. Don't you even get a clue of what I feel for you?"
'He likes me?' she thought. Ginny gulped. Draco grabbed Ginny's shoulders and said, "I like you!"
Ginny gaped at him. But then an angry shout filled the whole hallway, "MALFOY!!!"
Ginny and Draco both turned their heads on the direction where the shout came from. Ron. Ginny finally released from Draco's grip. Ron was looking very furious. "What were you doing?" he asked Draco.
"Just telling her some stuff," Draco said. "And you don't care for what I told her."
"Of course I do!" Ron shouted, as he headed to Draco. Hermione came running from a corner, and saw this whole thing. She ran to Ron and grabbed his fist.
"What is going on?" asked Hermione. Ginny shook her head and said, "C'mon. Draco was just almost going to punch me. So he grabbed my shoulders.."
Draco looked at Ginny in disbelief. Ginny nudged him hard on his ribs and continued, "But he didn't do it, so there isn't a reason for you to fire up, Ron."
Ron calmed down. Hermione smiled at Ginny, and turned to Ron and said, "Okay, done! C'mon, Ron. I don't like seeing such nonsense fights here."
Ron nodded. "Once you hurt Ginny," he told Draco, but he didn't face him. "You've got to answer me.."
He and Hermione then walked away. Ginny looked at Draco and said, "He's just overprotecting me."
Draco snorted. Ginny rolled her eyes on him and said, "Shut up."
Ginny and Harry was walking towards the lake for a talk. They were just talking about Cho and nothing else. But Ginny never got bored of listening to him about Cho. She was just imagining she was Cho.
"She never ever let other people hurt others," Harry said. "I remember the moment when Ron was shouting at Hermione. Cho got so furious with Ron and shouted to him that girl should be respected." He laughed at the memory.
"So there is no one like Cho?" asked Ginny. Harry shook his head and said, "She must be a real angel. Such a clean personality. But I have no trust in her anymore."
Ginny stared at him. Harry frowned and said, "She lied to me. She didn't even tell me she was going, and I didn't know how I can even accept that."
"You'll understand," Ginny said for comfort. Harry sighed miserably. Ginny then thought it was the right time to tell her feelings towards him. Ginny looked at him and said, "Er-Harry?"
"Yep?" asked Harry, looking at the sky. Ginny blushed and then said, "I love you."
Harry turned his head to her. Ginny hanged her head towards herself. Harry smiled a little and said, "I thank you for letting me know you care. But I love you too, only as a friend."
This made Ginny cry. Harry tried to comfort her again with words, but Ginny ran way from him to the castle. She then bumped into Malfoy AGAIN (no one knows why they meet up always, maybe it was just LOVE that makes them together?). She looked at him and sniffed. Draco questioned her, "Who made you cry?"
"Oh nothing," Ginny said at once. She began wiping her tears with her hands, but tears formed and fell. Draco shook his head and slowly and said, "Your lying."
Ginny said nothing. She sat by the wall, hugging her knees. Draco stood there and said, "You know, just do a handstand and tears won't fall."
Draco did one. He flipped over and his body was the way around. His hands were the ones who was guiding him. This made Ginny laugh a little. Draco then flipped to stand again and sat next to her. "It's true," he said. "I did it like loads of times."
~~~~ A/N: Here it is. Please R/R. You dunno how much it means to me!!!
Ginny tried to scream loudly to get someone's attention, but she was in the Quidditch field and she was only going to practice by herself. A boy caught her neck and he pressed it so hard that Ginny choked. She believed that she was going to die today. But to her surprise the boy let go, but then a whole bunch of them started punching her and hitting her with a bat.
"Stop!" said Ginny, who managed to talk. Blood was oozing from the other end of her right eyebrow. She can feel bruises forming. This continued for about a minute, when suddenly Ginny knelt down in pain and fell down to the ground. Draco, who came just in time, went over to see it. He knew Slytherins would punish her for only a little bit, but not as severe like this. Draco turned to the Slytherins and shouted, "What the heck were you guys trying to do?! You are going to kill her!!"
The Slytherins looked at each other nervously. Draco then put his hand under Ginny's back, and then shouted, "Get out of here before I tell father to get your miserable faces out of this school!"
The Slytherins ran, and not one dared to come back. Draco took Ginny in his arms and gazed at her. "How can they do this to you?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry."
Ginny slowly opened her eyes. Draco looked at her with concerned eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Ginny."
Ginny didn't do anything but cried on his chest. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?" she asked between tears. Draco shook his head and just cradled Ginny for a while. Then they went straight to the Hospital Wing. And Draco had to carry her all the way there.
It was only a night that Ginny had to stay in the Hospital Wing for the night. The next day, she went down the corridors and then went inside her dormitory. It was weekend again. She glanced around the room and then found a piece of letter pinned down on her desk. She went to it and opened it.
Dear Ginny,
I am going. I know it's not a right thing to do, but I decided to make myself free. Free to fly. I thank you for all the friendship you have done to me, especially when I was in need. I am leaving today to Paris, to fulfill my duty as an artist there. I will not be coming back anymore, but there are chances I will visit. Harry knows about this, and I didn't mean to surprise him. But once if he is sad because of this, can you please comfort him for me? He means the whole world to me, but we have to get separated. He will understand one day.
I would just like to thank you for everything. We will still be in touch. And please do me a favor. Please keep the dress I gave you. It's one of my thanks to you, and I know it isn't enough. I hope you will not lose your sweet smile, your great and kind personality, and especially your friendship! I wish you a great life, and BYE BYE! I will miss you a lot. Take Care.
-Cho
Ginny gaped at the letter. Cho couldn't leave, not right now that Harry is beginning to smile. Ginny dropped the letter and searched for Cho, but she was nowhere. She then went outside by the entrance, where she saw Harry sitting there, staring at the sky. He was once again the emotionless one. Ginny slowly walked to him and asked, "May I sit?"
"Sure," muttered Harry. Ginny sat beside him, and said nothing. But Harry spoke up, "So you just knew about Cho right?"
"Yes," Ginny said, quietly. "How did you know?"
Harry looked at her and said, "Saw the owl." He pointed at the sky. Ginny smiled and said, "So, aren't you going to do anything about it?"
"What for?" asked Harry, shaking his head. Ginny looked at him and declared, "You should fight! I know how much you love her, Harry. And you couldn't just let her leave just like that!"
Harry shook his head. "No," he said. "Once Cho makes up her mind about something, she will never change. Never."
"But still," Ginny told him. "But I am sure you don't want her to leave?"
Harry became silent. "Well, of course," Harry said at once. "I mean, who would want her to leave?"
"Okay," Ginny said, standing up. Harry looked at her in confusion and said, "Where are you going?"
"Find Cho."
Ginny ran as fast as she could. She ran outside, and finally saw a wave of black raven hair. "CHO!!" Ginny shouted. Cho turned and smiled. "Hello, Gin."
"You cannot leave!" gasped Ginny, exhausted. "What about me? Harry? Everyone?!"
"You know Ginny," Cho started. "I have to live on my own. I need to be free. My life is very complicated."
"You cannot leave Harry like this!"
Harry then appeared, but Ginny didn't see him since she was facing Cho. Her back was facing Harry, though. Cho saw him but didn't say anything. Ginny then shook her head and said, "The first time I came here, I gave up already since I knew I am poor and all, and couldn't make friends, because almost all people here are rich!!"
Cho stared at her. Ginny then began to cry and said, "When I saw Harry, I knew that I had an explanation to come to school! It was him who cared, who saved me from danger! I don't want him sad, and without you, I know he will!"
Harry gasped. Cho shook her head and said, "I know."
Ginny then fell down to her knees. Harry gasped again, and couldn't believe of what he is seeing. Cho looked surprised too. "Ginny, what-"
"Please," Ginny said. "I couldn't bear looking at Harry not smiling anymore! He needs you!!"
Cho knelt down before her. "I know that," she then again. "I don't like Harry looking sad. But look at my situation. Now, don't cry. You know, just stand the other way around so tears won't fall. I know Harry would be sad. But I have my own plans, my own future. I need to make myself free before I can even come back to Harry. I couldn't bear another year with so many problems with my dad's business and all. I need to help my father with his business."
Ginny suddenly understood. She stood up slowly. Cho did the same. Ginny then flung her arms around her and said, "I understand. I just want you to take care too. Thanks for everything."
Cho nodded and looked at Harry, who remained silent. Cho let go and whispered, "I still need to get my ticket and all. I'm heading to Muggle Paris. Meet me at Hogsmeade's train station later at 6."
Cho waved and turned and began walking away. Ginny rubbed her eyes and turned, and gasped, "Harry! What are you doing here?!"
"YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!!!" Harry said, angrily. "You weren't supposed to beg her to be with me! What kind of help is that?!"
Ginny burst into tears. "I just thought-"
Harry shook his head violently and shouted, "NO!!"
Ginny was scared. And ran away from him.
That night, at 6, Ginny went to Hogsmeade's station. She brought a huge cloak with her and covered herself. She was confused, and didn't know what to do next, now that Harry was mad at her. Ginny then met up with Ron, who was with Hermione, talking softly. To her surprise, Draco Malfoy was there, leaning against a post. He looked up at her, but Ginny looked down as she caught his eyes. She went straight at a bench beside the post of where Draco was leaning on.
"Bit of a shock, huh?" asked Draco, as he threw a ball in the air and catching it again with one hand. Ginny nodded. She didn't feel like talking too much. "Why are you here?" asked Ginny.
"Just wanted to thank Chang," said Draco. "She did a lot of stuff for me, mind you. Like for giving me the chance to go to the boat to have vacation in Egypt."
It was true; Cho had given him the chance to go with them. Ginny nodded as a sign of that she understood. Draco looked at his watch and said, "It's strange not seeing Potter."
Ginny gasped. She only realized that Harry was nowhere. But Cho did come, looking exhausted, but she went on a straight talk with Hermione and Ron.
"Yes," Ginny nodded. "I'm not sure if he will show up."
He didn't after a long time. When it finally reached 5 minutes to 7, Cho went to pack her stuff in the train. She came back and announced, "Well, this is it. Goodbye."
She waved and slowly turned to the entrance of the train. But then a loud clattering noise came, and Ginny turned. It was Harry, looking very sulky. He stood there quietly. Ginny looked at him and suddenly shouted, "Aren't you going to do anything?! Are you afraid to say goodbye to her for one last time?!"
Harry stared at her. Cho looked relieved. Harry then ran to Cho and hugged her tightly. "I am sorry, Cho. For not letting you feel true happiness. I'm going to miss you a lot, and don't forget me."
Cho smiled and hugged him back. Ginny cried in joy. Draco saw this and said, "What a crying baby!" Ginny ignored him completely. Ron and Hermione were looking happy.
Cho and Harry finally let go. Cho then waved at all of them, and entered the train.
The train then started moving after a few minutes. It went slow at first, but became faster and faster. Then it went out of sight.
The whole lot of them suddenly turned and started walking towards the castle. Harry caught up with Ginny and said, "I'm sorry." Ginny didn't look up upon him, but then said, "For what?"
"You taught me how to learn," Harry told her. Ginny then looked at him and said, "I'm glad you did that, Harry. I really am."
Harry grinned. "Thanks," he said again, then went to Hermione and Ron. Draco walked neatly beside Ginny. "Well," he started. "Are you feeling okay now?"
"Guess so," Ginny said, nodding. "But I am okay, thanks for asking."
(A/N: You will never know the real 'personality' of Draco here. You won't understand until you read the whole story until the end!')
"Well," Draco said again. "I kicked those goons outta school."
Ginny stopped dead. "Are you serious or are you just scaring me?"
"Seriously," Draco told her. They continued walking. "It was a complete out-of-the-plan! What they did to you was almost murder!" Ginny laughed. "So," she said. "You cared?!"
"'Course not," Draco said, blushing. "I want to do what's right."
Ginny eyed him suspiciously. It was cute to see Draco blushing. "Yeah right!" Ginny said. "JOKE!" Draco then shook his head and walked ahead of her. Ginny laughed quietly on her own. Maybe Draco isn't so bad.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny had the feeling that she was going to tell Harry what she felt about him this day. She stood up and went down to the Great Hall. Ginny waited for Harry until he finished his soup. When he started to get up, Ginny grabbed him out of the hall and went to a quiet room.
"What are we doing here?" asked Harry, looking around the dusty room. Ginny stopped dead and said, "Harry, I got to tell you something."
"What is it about?" asked Harry. Ginny gulped down and asked, "Would you love anybody else before Cho?"
Harry stared at her. "What?"
Ginny repeated the question. Harry looked up and said, "No. I will love Cho until I die, and no one can ever replace her. Not even the prettiest girl on earth!"
Ginny's heart sank. What a rip off, she thought. She felt weak in the knees. What was it? What was this feeling? It was like making her cry, make her die. What is it?
The next morning, Ginny felt as though a dart came and pierced her heart. She went pale, and never forgot the words 'No. I will love Cho until I die..'. She shook mentally and muttered to herself, "If that was what Harry said, then that's final." She stood up and changed to her robes and quietly went down the Great Hall, no expression on her face.
She then settled next to Hermione, who whispered to her, "You did great yesterday night. It helped Harry a lot."
Harry, who was facing her, nodded and smiled a little. Ginny gave him a miserable smile and grabbed her goblet and drank it quickly. Ron, who knew that she only ate little, said, "C'mon, Gin. Don't tell me you are greatly affected by Cho's departure! If she was here today, she'd say you need to eat more. I bet ya."
Ginny nodded in agreement. But the tension was building up. She couldn't face Harry or she would burst into tears right now. She stood up quickly and ran as fast as she could.
"Ginger!"
Ginny turned around. Draco was running towards her. Ginny got a bit annoyed and half-shouted, "Who are you calling ginger?!"
"You," Draco answered, as he breathed fast. Ginny got mad at him and there again, because of her huge anger of calling her ginger, her fist came slamming against Draco's left cheek.
"What did you do that for!?" yelled Draco, caressing his left cheek. Ginny glared at him severely and said, "Don't you dare call me Ginger!!"
She ran away. Again, she was scared and prayed that her day was going to be nasty, but at least she'll be alive.
Well, her day wasn't so bad. In fact, it wasn't so bad after all. But whenever Draco was around, she squeaked and ran for him. But one time, he caught her just in time and asked, "What are you running for?"
"Let go," Ginny said at once. "I'm running from you."
"Obvious," said Draco coolly. He released Ginny's hand from his grip. "So I ask again, what for?"
Ginny looked around, carefully not looking into those cold gray eyes. "Because maybe you would punish me all, again."
"I suffered enough," Draco told her at once. Ginny's face wrinkled into a confused one. "What do you mean?" she asked. Draco sighed and said, "I can't look at you anymore with people punishing you. Once you are hurt, I am too."
"I don't get you," said Ginny, eyeing Draco suspiciously. Draco shook his head and said, "Your brain works too slow. Don't you even get a clue of what I feel for you?"
'He likes me?' she thought. Ginny gulped. Draco grabbed Ginny's shoulders and said, "I like you!"
Ginny gaped at him. But then an angry shout filled the whole hallway, "MALFOY!!!"
Ginny and Draco both turned their heads on the direction where the shout came from. Ron. Ginny finally released from Draco's grip. Ron was looking very furious. "What were you doing?" he asked Draco.
"Just telling her some stuff," Draco said. "And you don't care for what I told her."
"Of course I do!" Ron shouted, as he headed to Draco. Hermione came running from a corner, and saw this whole thing. She ran to Ron and grabbed his fist.
"What is going on?" asked Hermione. Ginny shook her head and said, "C'mon. Draco was just almost going to punch me. So he grabbed my shoulders.."
Draco looked at Ginny in disbelief. Ginny nudged him hard on his ribs and continued, "But he didn't do it, so there isn't a reason for you to fire up, Ron."
Ron calmed down. Hermione smiled at Ginny, and turned to Ron and said, "Okay, done! C'mon, Ron. I don't like seeing such nonsense fights here."
Ron nodded. "Once you hurt Ginny," he told Draco, but he didn't face him. "You've got to answer me.."
He and Hermione then walked away. Ginny looked at Draco and said, "He's just overprotecting me."
Draco snorted. Ginny rolled her eyes on him and said, "Shut up."
Ginny and Harry was walking towards the lake for a talk. They were just talking about Cho and nothing else. But Ginny never got bored of listening to him about Cho. She was just imagining she was Cho.
"She never ever let other people hurt others," Harry said. "I remember the moment when Ron was shouting at Hermione. Cho got so furious with Ron and shouted to him that girl should be respected." He laughed at the memory.
"So there is no one like Cho?" asked Ginny. Harry shook his head and said, "She must be a real angel. Such a clean personality. But I have no trust in her anymore."
Ginny stared at him. Harry frowned and said, "She lied to me. She didn't even tell me she was going, and I didn't know how I can even accept that."
"You'll understand," Ginny said for comfort. Harry sighed miserably. Ginny then thought it was the right time to tell her feelings towards him. Ginny looked at him and said, "Er-Harry?"
"Yep?" asked Harry, looking at the sky. Ginny blushed and then said, "I love you."
Harry turned his head to her. Ginny hanged her head towards herself. Harry smiled a little and said, "I thank you for letting me know you care. But I love you too, only as a friend."
This made Ginny cry. Harry tried to comfort her again with words, but Ginny ran way from him to the castle. She then bumped into Malfoy AGAIN (no one knows why they meet up always, maybe it was just LOVE that makes them together?). She looked at him and sniffed. Draco questioned her, "Who made you cry?"
"Oh nothing," Ginny said at once. She began wiping her tears with her hands, but tears formed and fell. Draco shook his head and slowly and said, "Your lying."
Ginny said nothing. She sat by the wall, hugging her knees. Draco stood there and said, "You know, just do a handstand and tears won't fall."
Draco did one. He flipped over and his body was the way around. His hands were the ones who was guiding him. This made Ginny laugh a little. Draco then flipped to stand again and sat next to her. "It's true," he said. "I did it like loads of times."
~~~~ A/N: Here it is. Please R/R. You dunno how much it means to me!!!
