Chapter 12

Well, guys, looks like I was right- my schedule is just as crazy as I thought it would be. And yet I still managed to crank this chapter out; am I not a good little fanfic author? I sorta think it stinks, but I didn't want to go any longer without giving y'all anything, and I don't want to keep you waiting any longer, so here it is. Enjoy;D

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Lavender Brown sat up in her bed, folded in an awkward position as she took one last swipe at her toenail. There. Now the bubblegum pink of her toes matched her perfectly painted fingernails. She wiggled her toes happily and blew at them lightly as she thought of how they would match Parvati's now. Yay, like, how totally cool.

Across the room Hermione was starting on her third piece of parchment, writing an essay that Lavender knew wasn't due for another week, because it was for one of the only class that they shared, History. The bed around her was littered with pages upon pages of notes and open books. Lavender rolled her eyes. What a complete bore that girl was. It was only their first day of classes and already she was going starkers over one little paper. Lavender huffed and tried very hard not to feel jealous of her roommate. Everyone thought she was so wonderful because she was so smart, and Lavender couldn't help but notice that some people might even consider her pretty now that she was older. Lavender assured herself that she was much more attractive then Hermione, but felt the jealousy rise up in her again when she thought of how Hermione had gotten a boyfriend before she had.

Not that Lavender had a 'thing' for Ronald Weasley. Oh, no, she had never much liked red hair, though she had to admit that he wasn't a bad catch. It was just the principle of the thing. Lavender was prettier, therefore she was supposed to get first boyfriend. Not that she couldn't get a boyfriend if she didn't want one; in fact, she was fairly certain that Seamus Finnigan had had a crush on her for some time now. But Lavendar didn't have a thing for Seamus either. No, she was more into a dark-haired, green-eyed quidditch seeker with a scar on his forehead. Namely Harry Potter.

She twirled her hair around one of her fingers lazily as she stared off into space. She had liked Harry ever since their third year. There was no reason for it really, it was just that he was so fricken famous, and who wouldn't want to date a famous person? She had often daydreamed about what it would be like to have her name mentioned alongside his, and this had led to the beginning of her jealousy of Hermione in her fourth year, when Hermione had gotten so much publicity from her supposed relationship with Harry. Lavender knew that they thought of each other more as siblings, but it had still driven her a little mad. And Harry had asked Parvati to the Yule ball that year, and Lavender had pretended to be happy for her. She had secretly rejoiced when he acted like a complete 'tard toward Parvati at the ball, because then she had felt as if she was back in the running; even she was above chasing after someone involved with her best friend. But his actions at the ball had definitely ended all chances of the Great Harry and Parvati Romance ever progressing.

Then last year she had started going absolutely bonkers over him once he started the DA meetings. He had been so sexy when he was in charge like that, and he was really starting to grow into one handsome man. He had so many more experiences then the other boys, and Lavender was sure that, despite what Cho said, he would be a great kisser. But he had been completely oblivious to the moves she had been putting on him last year, he was so obsessed with Cho (quite pathetic, really). And then she had been frustrated beyond anything when she had seen him with Ginny yesterday, and it had been SO obvious that something was going on between the two of them.

Now while she had been jealous of Hermione when it was thought that Hermione might have a relationship with Harry, Lavender was positively green with spiteful envy where Ginny was concerned. Because, while Hermione didn't present much of a threat, Ginny did. She was one of those girls who got along with everyone, popular and un-popular alike. And everyone adored her because she was so nice to everyone, and so sweet, and sporty, and so attractive in an impish and (Lavender thought) coquettish sort of way. Everyone thought she was so perfect. But Lavender smiled. Not anymore.

She hadn't really MEANT to spread the rumors about Ginny, but she wasn't going to pretend she wasn't happy they were out. She had been feeling very sulky yesterday when she had glimpsed Ginny kissing Harry goodbye in the hallway. They had thought that no one had noticed, but she had. She noticed everything Harry did. . .But anyway, she had gone to be alone in her room for a little while, but Hermione had been there saying how she needed to ask Ginny something concerning Ron, and so Lavendar had left. She had been going to see Seamus for a morale booster (when boys were after you they were as eager to please as young pups), passing Ron and Neville on the way up. And Harry and Ginny had forgotten to close the door.

She had heard everything, every sordid little detail. Every insult Harry had hurled at Ginny had been like honey to her gossip-hungry little mind. She had even been standing right there in the hall when Ginny ran from the room, but the brat had been too teary-eyed to even notice her. Lavender had crept down the stairs a few moments later, just in time to see Ginny ducking out the portrait in the common room, Hermione's arm curled around her consolingly.

Lavender had immediately gone to find Parvati and spilled everything she had heard to her friend. Lavender wasn't stupid, she had known that Parvati would go blabbing off to everyone, especially her sister. And, as gossip usually does, the rumors had gotten more exaggerated and sordid with every person it passed through. So, not twenty-four hours later, the whole school knew what kind of girl Ginny was.

Just then, the girl currently skulking around in Lavender's thoughts entered the room, making a bee-line toward Hermione. Lavender sank deeper back into her bed, doing her best to seem invisible. She wanted to hear this.

"Hermione, if I ask you something, could you please answer me truthfully?" Ginny got out hurriedly as Hermione looked up. "I promise I won't get mad."

"What now?" Hermione looked worried.

"Well, it's just that. . ." Ginny bit her lip. "I really don't know what to think. . .I overheard some Hufflepuffs talking about me and Harry in the hallway, and, I mean, I don't even KNOW them. . .and they knew about my argument with Harry and everything, and. . .my goodness, Hermione, people have been looking at me strangely all day, and Luna came up to me today and said that she believed me to be the most virtuous person that she has ever met, no matter what anyone says, and I don't know what that's supposed to mean exactly. . .But I'm pretty sure that somehow everyone knows about what happened with Harry and me and you were the only one I told. . .and I was wondering if maybe, you know, by accident you might have said something to someone somehow, and well, I don't know. . ."

Hermione just stared at Ginny for a second, but before she could respond Ginny was speaking again, shaking her head. "You know what, Hermione, I'm being stupid. Of course you didn't say anything to anyone, I know that, but I don't know how else. . ." she worried her lip some more, wringing her hands worriedly. "How can everyone know, Hermione?" she whispered.

Hermione hesitated, "Did you not talk to Harry today?"

"Oh, no, what did he do now?" Ginny groaned leaning against Hermione's bedpost and crossing her arms.

"Well," Hermione put down her pen, "Someone overheard your, uh, argument last night and you know how rumors spread. . ." Hermione looked as if she might say more but didn't.

"How long has Harry known about this? How did he find out?" Ginny got out stiffly, her fists clenching so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"There was a confrontation Malfoy," Hermione said, playing with the edge of her parchment, unable to look Ginny in the eye.

"When? Was it before lunch?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah." Ginny digested this and Hermione still wouldn't look at her.

"What aren't you telling me Hermione?" Ginny demanded, and Hermione finally looked up.

"It's something that Malfoy said. . .I think that everyone has the impression that you and Harry. . .you know," Hermione raised her eyebrows. Ginny groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, as if she was getting a headache.

"I can't believe Harry didn't warn you," Hermione shook her head.

"Don't even get me started with him," Ginny let out a frustrated sigh.

"What is it?"

"Hermione, he's acting like a BOY," Ginny whined, pressing her hands to her eyes in frustration.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I mean he's acting stupid," Ginny sighed, gingerly clearing off a spot on Hermione's bed so that she could sit down. "He just doesn't GET it. He doesn't get anything. And I don't think that I should have to explain it to him. Am I wrong?"

"What exactly doesn't he get?"

"I told him that Dean kissed me without my permission, and he doesn't believe me. He thinks I'm just saying it to protect his 'delicate feelings'. He said he would forgive me."

"He didn't!" Hermione looked appalled.

"Yeah he did. Real magnanimous of him don't you think? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"That was a big word." The corner of Hermione's mouth kicked up a bit.

"Tell me you are not serious."

"Oh, no, it's just hard to believe that you and your brother are related sometimes," Hermione smiled teasingly, and Ginny snorted.

"Anyway," Ginny said, "I think he should trust me. I don't think I should have to explain everything to him as if he were a child. I told him that when he understands where he went wrong, then I'll talk to him," Ginny looked suddenly unsure of herself.

"You're afraid he won't come to his senses, aren't you?" Hermione patted Ginny's arm consolingly when Ginny nodded. Hermione sighed, "You know everything will work out, right? The two of you are meant to be with each other, you're perfect together."

"I thought so too, but now. . ." Ginny faded out.

"He'll come around," Hermione reassured her. "Despite how he's acting, he's really not stupid-"

"Agh!"

Hermione stopped and looked across the room, and Lavender cursed again, standing up. She had forgotten to screw the cap back on the nail polish, and it was now soaking into her comforter and decorating the sleeve of her robes. She looked at Ginny and Hermione across the room and put on a fake smile. "It spilt," she said, holding up the now empty nail polish bottle. Way to point out the obvious.

Hermione cleared her throat and smiled back at Lavender stiffly. She never really had been able to stomach the vacant little twit. "I'd forgotten you were over there, Lavender."

Lavender made an unresponsive hmm-ing noise, and quickly pulled out her wand and cleaned up the pink mess. "Well, I'm going down to dinner now. I'll leave the two of you to talk about. . .whatever," she said knowingly, and left Hermione and Ginny staring after her before they could say anything.

"This isn't good, is it?" Ginny sighed, and Hermione shook her head.

"No, no it's not," she muttered. "Darn Harry, this is all his fault. Why does he have to go and act like such an idiot?"

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Harry watched Hermione and Ginny enter the Great Hall tensely. Ron stopped talking when he saw the direction of Harry's gaze and shifted in his seat uncomfortably, but Harry didn't pay much attention to this. He had been in a bad mood ever since his talk with Ginny at lunch that day, and he still didn't know exactly what she wanted to hear. He was trying to be the good guy by forgiving her, damn it, what more did she want from him?

Dinner was awkward, to say the least. Hermione and Ron had picked up on the tense vibes between the two, and conversation had been sparse. Whenever anyone talked to Harry he would grunt out one word answers, and Ginny had chosen to sit as far away from him as possible while still sitting in the same group. They avoided eye contact at all costs, and Ginny was the first to leave the table, nearly running from the Hall. Harry watched her go, the glass he was holding nearly breaking in his hand, he was gripping it so tightly.

Dean got up to leave just seconds after Ginny, and Harry gave in to the urge to follow. He had to settle this once and for all. So he followed Dean all the way back up to the Gryffindor common room, entering the common room quietly and hoping to find Dean alone so he could confront him. He was unprepared for what he found instead.

"Ginny, wait." Harry stepped back against the wall and into shadows instinctively at the sound of voices. He had a clear view of Dean, who had put a hand on Ginny's arm to stop her from heading into the girls' dorms. Other then the three of them, the room was completely empty.

"I told you not to touch me again," Ginny said quietly, but she turned around. She really wasn't in the mood to deal with Dean right now. She just wanted to go upstairs and be alone with her thoughts, to just escape from everyone for a little while. It looked like that wouldn't be happening.

Dean quickly retracted his arm and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Everything was quiet for a second, and then Dean got out in a muttered rush, "Iamsorryginny."

"What?"

"I said I'm sorry," he ducked his head ashamedly. "For what I did yesterday. I don't know what came over me. I'm not like that, I just. . .You know I'm not like that right?"

Ginny rubbed her eyes exhaustedly. She was sick of it. Sick of all of it: the drama, the misunderstandings, the gossip. She just needed to get away. "Yeah, Dean, I know," she sighed, and almost groaned at his pathetically hopeful expression. "Look, Dean, I appreciate you coming to apologize to me, and I forgive you, but there's never going to be anything between us. Okay?"

Dean looked disappointed. "You're sure Harry is who you want to be with?"

Ginny wasn't sure exactly what to say. "I was," she said, but her voice cracked, and Dean looked at her concernedly.

"What happened?"

She breathed and tried to get her emotions in check. She had to stop acting so emotional, but she could already feel her eyes starting to water. Damn her easy tears; she would not cry over him again. "He doesn't trust me enough to believe me when I told him I didn't kiss you. He seems to believe that you have more character then to force something like that."

Dean looked guilt-stricken. "Oh, Gin, I had no idea. . .I'll make it up to you. I'll go to Harry and tell him exactly-"

"No!" Ginny almost shouted, and Dean's eyes revealed his confusion. "I don't want you to do that."

"But wouldn't that clear everything up-"

"You wouldn't understand if I tried to explain my reasoning to you, Dean," she said, and felt a headache steadily creeping up on her. "Let's just say that I want to know that he trusts me, okay? I don't want him to apologize to me because he was wrong, I want him to be sorry that he didn't trust me. Do you understand?"

"Not really," Dean admitted. "You're sure you don't want me to explain what happened to him?"

"I already did that, and if your word means more to him then mine, then maybe Harry and I really aren't supposed to be together," Ginny said.

"All right, but if you change your mind-"

"I won't," Ginny said with quiet certainty, "but thank you." She touched his arm and smiled at him sadly, then turned and walked up the stairs. Dean watched her go, and then made his way up to the boys' dorms.

Harry left the shadows and walked over to the couches in a slightly dazed state. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Just ten minutes ago he had still been feeling betrayed and hopeless, but now everything had changed.

Ginny had been telling the truth.

And he was an asshole.

Harry put his head in his hands and groaned, thinking to what he had just heard Ginny say. She wanted him to trust her. So THAT was what she had been trying to get at earlier that day. And she was absolutely right, he should have trusted her, should have been able to take her at her word. But he wasn't used to trusting people, couldn't she understand that? Experience had taught him that the only person you could truly depend on was yourself- even your best friends weren't completely reliable.

But he loved her.

And wasn't that part of what loving someone was about? Trusting her as if she were not separate from you, until her word was as good as your own, until you couldn't tell where you started and she began? Harry's thoughts jumbled in his head, coming at him too fast, and he tried to straighten them out. Before, when he had thought he loved her, he had said it without ever really knowing what 'love' was. But he knew now; he loved her because she had become a part of him.

Could he convince her that he trusted her though? When she found out that he had overheard her conversation with Dean she might find it hard to believe in his trust. And he WOULD tell her what he had overheard. There was no more room for lies between them; enough was enough.

He jumped up quickly when he heard someone and looked over to find Lavender entering the common room alone. He had thought it might be Hermione or Ron, neither of whom he wanted to speak to right now, and he relaxed when he saw who it was. "Oh, it's you."

"Gee, don't sound so excited, Harry," Lavender pouted dramatically and gazed at him from beneath her lashes, a flirtatious look that she had practiced many a time in front of the mirror.

"Sorry, didn't mean to offend you, just thought you were someone else," Harry said distractedly, and glanced toward the stairs to the girls' dormitories, wondering if he should try to see Ginny now. He could have Lavender go get her for him. . .he had a feeling she wouldn't come down. He felt something touch his chest and glanced down in surprised to find that it was Lavender's hand.

"I heard about what happened with Ginny, and I think it's just awful. If there's anything I could ever do to. . .help you out, let me know," her lips curled as she patted his chest. She fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously.

Harry looked at her concernedly. "Are you feeling okay, Lavender? Its there something in your eye?"

Lavender frowned and withdrew her hand. "No I'm fine," she said. Jeesh, what a thick head this boy had. "I'll see ya later, Harry," she smiled, and walked away, swinging her hips in what she thought to be a sultry motion. She went to toss an enticing look over her shoulder, but instead gave a huff of irritation when she saw that he wasn't even watching, that he was already walking up the stairs to his own room with his head bowed as if deep in thought. She marched the rest of the way from the commons without looking back.

Harry rubbed his chin as he thought. What was he going to do about Ginny? There had to be something; he would fix this. He didn't know how, but he would. He would think on it tonight, and then find her tomorrow and put everything the way it should be. No way was he going to screw this up again.

But his nightmares that night had different plans for him.

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dun dun DUN!! Uh-oh. . .what's haaaaappening??? I know and you don't, muahahaha!! I'm sorry, not incredibly long, only. . .3250 words, but I've been SUPER busy, and I'm amazed that I even got that out. Okay, I'm gonna go now. . .Tehehe, later dudes ;-D

And remember, the more reviews I get, the faster I write! ;-D (Not really, but you know what I mean. . .oh, just review, damn it;)