The Sound of a Closing Book

~*~

Sound of door closing

"Hey."

"Hey. What are you up to?"

Faint sound of book closing.

Sigh. "Nothing."

"Oh, yeah. Now it's your fifth year, eh?"

Another sigh. "Yeah. It's a nightmare."

"Tell me about it."

Silence.

"Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

More silence.

"Are you – are you really . . . you know . . . is Dean Thomas . . . ?"

Giggles. "No." Stands up. "I just said that to get to Ron. You know how he is." Curious look. "Why?"

Blush. "Nothing."

Frown. "Oh."

Another silence. A sigh. Noise of someone sitting down in chair.  Faint sound of book opening.

"Should I . . . leave you to your . . . studying?"

Sharp intake of breath. "Um . . . if you want to." Sigh.

"Um . . . I'll see you later, then."

Quietly. "Yeah."

"Bye."

"Harry?"

Catching of breath. "Y-yeah?"

Smile. "Thank you."

Frown. "For what?"

"For . . . being there."

Smile. Opening of door. Shutting of door.

"Oh, God, Harry . . ."

Minutes pass. Pages do not turn. Eventually there comes the sound of a closing book.