Ch 21 –
[a/n Merci for all the reviews! I am all snuggled up cause I dragged the couch in front of the comp and my big warm blanket cause it's cold and rainy. Just thought you'd like to know that. I loved writing this chapter; it all just flowed for me. It may actually be my favourite now – instead of "Let the Rain Fall Down". But this chapter feels like my best yet and I hope you all feel the same. I worked really hard on it. We're nearing the finish line so stay with me. . . I found it extremely hard on whom to dedicate this chapter to – there were too many people who deserved it! So in the end I chose a few people. . .
Naz1 for giving me the idea of doing something on Louise by herself. I think she wanted me to do a whole chapter on her but unfortunately that wouldn't have worked out with the plan and also you would have guessed Lou's secret. This is also dedicated to grimmauld for a reason that I cannot tell at the moment. Also to Hannah because she really wanted a dedication and since because I am the author I can do that ;)
Well I give you the one-and-twentieth chapter! NOTE: VERY LONG CHAPTER BECAUSE THE LAST ONE WILL BE SLIGHTLY DELAYED BECAUSE I HAVE SCHOOL CAMP NEXT WEEK. And that's not a good thing, stupid endless Australian bush. *shakes fist at Australia* Actually this is now the longest chapter – even longer than ch 14 which I discovered earlier was actually the longest when you count the words.
Please also note that although the chapter is entitled Christmas time, it is not Christmas yet in the chapter. I am contemplating on whether to have it in the next one or to skip a few months for the last chapter. But Christmas wouldn't be important in this fic so I don't think I will.
~*~*~*~*~*
*
'When I was young every Christmas Eve
I could not sleep
Trying to catch that old St. Nick
Leaving presents under my tree
And every year I'd fall asleep laying in my bed
Dreaming of a million sugarplums
Dancing in my head
adfadfasdfa
Oh how much joy it is at Christmas time
The spirit of giving is in our lives, oh
Oh, how much joy it brings to see the ones you love
This year's gonna be the best Christmas
Christina Aguilera – Christmas Time
*
Ginny sighed as she stared into the dancing flames of the common room fire. They cackled and popped merrily, not suiting her mood. It had been a couple of weeks since she had walked in on Harry and. . . her. Harry had constantly coming up to her and trying to explain but she wouldn't listen, she had seen it with her own eyes. But he had stopped trying to talk to her when she had punched him in the face. She didn't have red hair for nothing. Needless to say, Harry had avoided her after that.
And now the days of moping about before Christmas, waiting to go home were almost over. She just wanted to go home and lie on her bed and ignore the world. The whole world being Harry. Of course, he was coming to the Burrow too but that didn't matter. Her room had a door and she intended to use it.
Unless he came in of course. That may be a problem because she didn't think she had the strength to ignore him flat out in that particular situation. She dug her nails into her pillow, silently screaming into it. When she had been with Harry for only that short period of time, she had felt like they had been together forever.
Not in that argumental old-married-couple way like Hermione and Ron, but feeling so sure of each other and their feelings they could just sit there and have a whole conversation while being totally silent. For some reason she couldn't talk to Louise about it, they had just lost that closeness they had had before. She had found it much easier to talk to Luna. Ginny smiled faintly remembering the conversation that had made them so much closer.
*
Ginny had been sobbing alone in the girl's dorm when a red-eyed Luna had come in, stopping in surprise upon seeing Ginny. Ginny smiled weakly up at her and asked,
"Does loving someone always hurt this much?"
Luna had looked down at her silently for a second before sitting down beside her behind the bed, out of view from people coming into the room. She had wrapped her in a hug.
"What happened with Harry?" Luna had asked, with the wisdom of an old lady.
"Cheated. Then I caught him at it." Ginny said sadly.
"With who?" Luna asked; dismayed.
"Bree. Bree Warren," Ginny whispered before taking a pillow and hugging it fiercely.
"Her? But Harry hates her!" Luna protested.
"Apparently not," Ginny said.
"Ginny, are you sure of what you saw?" Luna asked seriously, turning Ginny's head towards her.
"I'm positive Luna, how long do you think I spent trying to think otherwise?" Ginny had answered flatly. It was then that Ginny had noticed that Luna's own eyes were red, like she had just been crying.
"Luna, what's wrong?" Ginny asked worriedly.
"Didn't I just ask you that?" Luna joked, trying to sound cheerful but failing – and pretty miserably at that too.
"What's wrong?" Ginny repeated.
Luna looked down at her lap, picking at her robes. "I was just thinking about. . . my dad." She said quietly.
"Oh Luna," Ginny said, unsure of what else to say as she hugged her friend.
"It's okay, I just have no one to go to really. This will be my first Christmas at Hogwarts." Louise said unhappily.
"Oh! You should come to the Burrow!" Ginny exclaimed.
"The Burrow?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My house," Ginny explained. "I'm sure my family wouldn't mind, in fact they'll probably beg you to come when they find out you're alone!" Ginny said.
Luna looked unsure and said shyly. "I would love too, but I don't think I should be there at such a family time."
"That's stupid. If you have no family, you get one. In this case, mine." Ginny said simply, her sadness temporarily forgotten at her friend's trouble.
"Thank Gin," Luna said, her happiness showing her eyes.
"Anytime," Ginny said tiredly, leaning her head back against the bed, all of her unhappy thoughts were running back to her. Luna saw her look and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"Ginny, I know you disagree, but I know there must have been a very good reason for what you saw." Luna said thoughtfully, looking out the window.
Ginny eyes widened at her and she said, "You know, you reminded me so much of Louise just then."
"Did I?" Luna asked, looking amused. "Speaking of Louise, I would have though you would have spoken to her about this."
"I would have," Ginny admitted truthfully, "But I just don't feel that close to her anymore. Ever since. . . well you know."
Luna nodded in understanding. "I know."
They sat in silence for a second, both content just to think their thoughts.
"Ginny…" Luna said hesitantly.
"Hmmm?" Ginny answered.
"What do you think of Neville?"
"Well what do you think I what I think of Neville?" Ginny answered sarcastically.
Luna took a second to work this sentence out before saying, "I know that. But before – what did you think of him then?"
Ginny pursed her lip, much as she hated to say it, she had liked Neville before. He was always nice to her even when she was the old Ginny.
"He was. . . a good guy," Ginny breathed out as calmly as she could. Luna smiled happily and her shoulders relaxed.
"Do you think he might ever like someone else?" Luna said cautiously, shooting a sideways look at Ginny.
Ginny saw the look and her jaw dropped. "You like him don't you?" she asked in amazement.
Luna's red face and stammer was all she needed for an answer.
"This is great!" she said. Luna looked faintly shocked.
"It is?" she asked guardedly.
"It is!" Ginny confirmed. "This means he'll get over me!"
"But how do you he will like me?" Luna asked.
"How could he not?" Ginny said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Luna smiled at her.
"You're a good friend Ginny," Luna had said as she stood up. "I need to go take a shower."
Ginny nodded at her and smiled back, thinking what a wonderful person she was and she had never known as Luna walked out of the room.
*
But that had been about 4 days ago, before Mrs Weasley had owled all of them saying her and Arthur were going to some tropical place for their anniversary. Which meant they were all staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. But Luna hadn't minded because she at least had someone to be with. Louise too, was staying for Christmas break.
It was odd really; Louise never spoke about or mentioned any family. Ginny couldn't really ask her now, she didn't think she could. But McGonagall had asked her to send a letter to Beauxbatons thanking them for sending over Louise. So she had and was expecting a letter full of thank-you's in the near future.
But now Ginny had to focus on the other problem at hand, well the other problem other than Harry of course. She had done something she regretted yesterday evening. Something that she wanted to do, but then in a way didn't.
She had signed up for the Talent Quest.
Yes, the Talent Quest. Dumbledore had said that he thought Muggle traditions were an excellent way to get to know your fellow students. So he had introduced a Talent Quest about 3 weeks ago. And last night, with all rational thoughts gone from her head, something had made her sign up. She regretted because she was going to be the center of attention. But she wanted to do it because she knew she could. Because she had a good voice, although no one knew that and neither had she until last year when she was singing aloud in Diagon Alley. At least 6 people had stopped her and asked her if she was a professional performer. They had been amazed when she looked slightly confused and shook her head slowly.
So she knew she could sing, not conceitedly but she knew she wasn't half-bad. She still regretted it but when her thoughts had left her head all she could do was put her name on that sheet. They almost hadn't accepted her though because the contest was tonight. And then the Yule Ball was tomorrow night and then everyone was off for the holidays.
Ginny sighed and hugged her pillow tighter. The common room was empty thank Merlin; everyone was out on the grounds having snowball fights.
She got up and stood in front of the fire, the common room was already quite roasting, but she had always loved fire. It was so warm and comforting, yet could cause so much danger. When she was little her mum had always had to keep her away from it because she loved it so much.
Ginny curled up in front of the fire on the rug, closing her eyes to get rid of her thoughts – mainly the ones about Harry. She would have used the Pensieve but she would be damned if she would use anything he gave her now.
She kept her eyes closed, running her fingers over the soft rug slowly. She slowly started to slip into a deep slumber. She tried to open her eyes, warning herself it was dangerous to sleep in front of a fire. But her eyes seemed to be glued shut.
"Just for five minutes," she whispered softly before drifting off.
~*~*~*~*~*
Neville Longbottom shuffled into the Common Room cautiously, his eyes searching for a certain person - not naming names of course but his initials were Ron Weasley.
But the room was empty and Neville sighed happily and walked confidently into the room. The room was stifling he noticed as he collapsed onto one of the couches. He was already sweating and he had only been in there about two minutes. He wiped his brow and walked over to the fire to put it out.
But he never quite made it as he tripped over the body of Ginny Weasley.
"Sorry!" Neville gasped, massaging his foot and peering down at the body on the floor.
"Ginny?" he asked rhetorically.
There was no answer as Ginny remained curled on her side. Neville leant down and shook her shoulder gingerly. He tripping over her should have woken her up. He noticed the room was actually faintly smoky.
"Ginny?" he asked a bit more anxiously and shaking her harder.
But still she didn't answer. Neville pushed her onto her back and gasped when he saw her flushed face. There was sweat dripping of her in buckets and she looked awful. Neville quickly doused the fire before turning back to her.
"Ginny!" he shouted, taking her by both shoulders and shaking her violently. Ginny's head flopped to one side and Neville looked around worriedly. He smacked himself in the head and quickly felt for a pulse.
He sighed in relief, it was faint but it was there. But now what did he do? He had to tell someone but he didn't want to leave her. Just then Ginny started coughing loudly and her whole body shook ferociously.
"Ginny!" Neville yelled, taking her hot, sweaty hand and gripping it tightly. Ginny opened her eyes groggily as another racking cough hit her.
"What. . . happened?" she asked unfocusedly, blinking slowly and breathing heavily.
"Oh Ginny! You're alright!" Neville cried, hugging her. He then realised what he was doing and fell backwards and looked at her like she was going to strike him.
Ginny was looking at him in amazement, her jaw open. "You. . . you saved my life," she whispered breathlessly.
Neville blushed and looked down, "You wouldn't have died, well yes you may of but I just did what anyone would do."
Ginny coughed again and stared at him calculatedly. On one hand she wanted to kill him for lying to her before, but on the other hand you couldn't kill someone who had just saved your life. She cursed herself mentally, she had been so stupid. How could she have fallen asleep in front of that fire?
Neville nodded and started to get up, casting her a worried look and backing away slowly.
Ginny shook her head at him. "No, thank you Neville. I don't know how I can repay you."
Neville looked up hopefully, "Well, you could not stay mad at me." He suggested awkwardly.
Ginny smiled, "Done," she said warmly before going into another coughing fit. He deserved it, he had just saved her and she couldn't express her gratitude enough. Neville may not know it but she knew she may well have died.
"Do you want to see Madam Pomphrey?" Neville asked, noticing her still sweaty body and flushed cheeks.
"I'll be alright, I just need a shower," Ginny answered, getting up. She stood a little unsteadily and Neville rushed to her side before she collapsed.
"That makes two," she joked weakly as he led her to the couch.
"You could tell Ron not to stay mad at me either," Neville joked back.
"Yes, I will," Ginny said seriously. Neville's head swivelled round at her in surprise.
"Really?" he asked.
"Really," she answered. "Even I think he needs to get over it, he's going over the top." She said truthfully.
"But you can't tell him about this little thing," Ginny added hastily. "I had something like this happen before when I was 8 and Mum hasn't let me near fire since. Ron has to keep an eye on me when I go near a fire here. He would tell Mom and I would get in big trouble."
"Deal." Neville said.
Suddenly Ginny caught sight of the time. "Oh my goodness the Talent Quest is on soon!" She got up instantly.
"You're not going in the Talent thingy after that are you?" Neville said incredulously.
"I have too," Ginny said. "Besides after a shower I'm sure I'll be fine," she added after smothering a cough. Her clothes were sticking to her and she had a horrible headache but the show must go on.
Neville look disbelieving but nodded as she ran up the stairs.
~*~*~*~*~*
"So who is going in this thing anyway?" Ron asked as they sat down in the Hall.
Harry shrugged, "Dunno," he said unhelpfully.
"What's with you anyway mate? You've been acting like this for weeks!" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. Ron didn't know about Ginny and him, and he meant to keep it that way otherwise Ron would swap his warpath on Neville and start on him. How Ron didn't know he had no idea, but he suspected Hermione had been "distracting" from Ginny's behaviour as well. Ginny had been ignoring him ever since she had seen him with Bree.
He had tried to talk to Bree to admit it but she wouldn't say anything to him but blow him a kiss. He had even gone to Dumbledore who had been mysteriously absent. Professor McGonagall was out of the question. It would be way to embarrassing explaining what had happened and he didn't want to even think about Professor Snape.
He knew she had used Polyjuice and if he could prove that then Bree would be in trouble and Ginny would understand. He smacked his head and groaned, he couldn't get Ginny out of his mind. He had come to this thing specifically to get her out of it.
"It's starting," Hermione said.
"Thanks Mione, we couldn't tell by the way the lights were dimming and how everyone was shutting up," Ron said. Hermione glared at him and he softened, hugging her. They looked up at the stage expectantly.
"Okay, let's get started." Said the excited voice of Dean Thomas. "We are going to be your commentators for this evening," Seamus said, stepping up.
"So, for some reason Professor Dumbledore decided to have some Muggle contest and. . . yeah." Dean said, shooting a look at the somewhat less than amused teachers at the back. They all looked like this was the last thing they wanted to do on a Friday evening. Except for Dumbledore of course, whose eyes were twinkling merrily.
"And so, on with the show!" Seamus cut in, elbowing Dean. "First up is Thomas Regenolds doing the uh. . . mime?" Seamus ended in disbelief as Dean pulled him off the stage and m a pale 6th year shuffled onto the stage.
By then end of the mime act, even Harry had to try and force the smile from his face. The guy had obviously no idea what he was doing yet he kept a very serious face even when he toppled over.
The second person was a tall and blushing 3rd year girl, who proceeded to do some sort of weird Irish dance and Harry had laughed after Ron had said,
"How does she get her legs up in the air without falling backwards?" he asked in disbelief. Of course, 2 seconds after that the girl promptly fell backwards and started sobbing hysterically and had to be led off the stage.
Seamus looked very appreciatively as he came back on afterwards.
"A great Irish dance. It's a pity she used Indian music and a Mexican outfit." He said in all seriousness.
There was no comment from anyone to this so Dean said, "And now, all the way from Slytherin house, we have Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle on the flute and clarinet!" Seamus started snickering as a red-faced Crabbe and Goyle worked their way up onto the stage. Even Hermione was looking amused as Ron turned in his seat to see an angry and disbelieving Draco Malfoy staring up at his cronies with a you-are-dead look.
Once Harry got over his disbelief he had to admit they were quite good. He could tell from looking at Ron's face that he thought so too.
"Looks like someone had been practicing." Ron whispered to Harry who smirked and nodded.
"If Draco joined them they would have an instant band," Harry said back.
"I think he's more of a solo career person," Ron joked before Hermione shushed them.
Oddly enough there was huge round of applause after Crabbe and Goyle had finished. Harry noticed that Draco Malfoy did not join in. Crabbe and Goyle gave rather clumsy bows before walking off the stage.
"Well, that was. . . odd." Dean said. Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively from his seat and shook his head. Snape just looked murderous. Most of the performers seemed to be Muggles, judging by their "talents."
Half an hour later after juggling acts, mind-reading, tap dancing, who could eat the most Bertie Bott's beans in one mouthful, a person who had a semi-breakdown on the stage, someone who placed 46 hats on their head at one time and an assortment of others.
"And the last talent performing for the evening will be Ginny Weasley who will be singing." Seamus said.
Harry literally fell out of seat. Did he just say what I think he said? He thought in doubt. Ron was gazing up at the stage in shock while Hermione was blinking very rapidly. There were a few whispers and murmurs in the hall.
"But, she can't sing!" Ron said incredulously. Harry shrugged and kept his eyes glued to the stage.
She walked slowly in the center of the stage, her head held high. She was dressed in a plain white loose dress that covered her knees with no ruffles, no fancy cuts and no jewellery. Her hair was slightly tousled like a breeze had swept through it and hung around her shoulders. She had no makeup on and just some plain white shoes.
She scanned her eyes slowly over the large crowd and squeezed her eyes shut for a second before opening them again. And with a deep breath she began.
Well there's a little boy waiting at the counter of a corner shop
He's been waiting down there, waiting half the day
They never ever see him from the top
He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground
He gets to his feet and he says
Harry sat there stunned. Her voice was beautiful. It was sweet and untamed, reaching for something inside you.
What about me, it isn't fair
I've had enough now i want my share
Can't you see i wanna live
But you just take more than you give
Ron had gone bright red and was clutching his seat tightly. How could he not have known? How could he not know that his little sister had such a gift?
Well there's a pretty girl serving at the counter of
the corner shop
She's been waiting back there, waiting for her dreams
Her dreams walk in and out they never stop
Well she's not too proud to cry out loud
She runs to the street and she screams
The whole Hall had gone quiet, stunned into silence. It was like they were under a spell. In the shadows behind everyone, Louise smiled and nodded her head before walking out of the Hall.
What about me, it isn't fair
I've had enough now i want my share
Can't you see i wanna live
But you just take more than you give
Dumbledore turned his head to look Louise just before she walked out. She stopped, and like she had sensed it, turned around and looked at him. Dumbledore gave her a searching gaze before nodding. Louise smiled softly before walking out. No one noticed.
So take a step back and see the little people
They may be young but they're the ones
That make the big people big
So listen, as they whisper
What about me
And now i'm standing on the corner all the world's
gone home
Nobody's changed, nobody's been saved
And i'm feeling cold and alone
I guess i'm lucky, i smile a
lot
But sometimes i wish for more than i've got and I say
Ginny roved her eyes along Harry's row, her stare stopping on him. She held his gaze and sung louder.
What about me, it isn't fair
I've had enough now i want my share
Can't you see i wanna live
But you just take more than you give
She held his gaze a second longer after the song finished, an unreadable expression on her face. He got up quickly and strode to the bottom of the stage.
"Ginny please listen to me!" Harry pleaded.
Ginny stared at him again, wanting so much just to go to him and believe him. But she couldn't, forcing herself to remember that exact moment when she had come in and seen Harry kissing Bree. The hurt she had felt at that moment was enough for her to ignore him now. She shook her head at him and his head drooped.
She ran off the stage and behind the curtain. The teachers all looked astonished, quite blown away by her performance. Even Snape looked remotely impressed. Which was an accomplishment because he hadn't even clapped when Crabbe and Goyle had performed. But now he was.
And so was everyone else. The applause was tumultuous.
"Wow," said Dean as he and Seamus stepped back on the stage. "And now the judges will quickly decide the winners." Harry sat back down, knowing Ginny would win, it was obvious. Ron shot him a curious look.
"What was that about? You haven't hurt her have you?" Rona asked suspiciously.
"I thought you said she couldn't sing." Hermione said loudly, distracting Ron. Harry quickly thanked her with a look.
"I did," Ron said as he rubbed his eyes.
"Well you were wrong," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I know," Ron said without the slightest trace of remorse, only pride.
"Ahem, the judges have come to a decision!" Seamus shouted as Dean whistled piercingly.
"In 3rd place, we have Sarah Fraiser with the mental breakdown! Well done, it was very believable!" Dean announced. The girl promptly broke down into tears again.
"It wasn't an act!" she sobbed before running out of the hall. She burst back in 1 minute later and snatched the award before running back out again.
"Right then," Dean said brightly, after a short pause. "In second place, now this was a hard decision but we decided on Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle!" The slightly embarrassed Crabbe and Goyle walked slowly onto the stage, smiling thickly and waving. Draco slumped further down in his seat, ignoring the looks people were giving him.
"Nice flute playing Goyle!" Seamus shouted.
"Did your mom teach you?" Dean added wickedly. Goyle nodded with his head down, tripping over his robes.
"And in first place, which will come as no surprise, Ginny Weasley!" Seamus yelled. There was a loud applause as people turned their heads, looking around for the person in question.
"First place Ginny Weasley!" Seamus yelled again.
No answer.
"Ginny?" Dean asked into the microphone.
~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny hurried back into the common room, ignoring her blistering headache as she ran along the corridors. She didn't want an award, she didn't want congratulations, she had just wanted people to know how she felt.
And she had.
She reached the Common room and said the password quickly and scampered into the room. There were a few people scattered about who had refused to go to the Talent Quest, though no one she knew.
She ran up the stairs, into her dorm and flung herself onto the bed. She needed to sleep, her throat hurt and she felt sick. Thank Merlin they were the worst effects from her fire experience. She owed Neville a lot, she thought as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*
Louise sighed and stared at the smooth glassy cover of the lake. Just when she thought things were beginning to work out, all this had to happen. She snapped a blade of grass off with her fingers and slowly shredded it to pieces.
This was getting difficult; she never knew when it was the right time. All these things just kept on happening when she thought it was safe. She had even had to take the letter back secretly and make changes it to it.
Hopefully Ginny wouldn't be too hurt or upset, the letter should explain everything. She had grown so close to Ginny, but her all these events kept occurring, coming in between them.
She just hoped it would all be over soon.
~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny applied the eyeliner to her eyes and added the finishing touches to her outfit. She stood back and surveyed herself in the mirror. The Yule Ball was starting soon.
It looks good, she said with satisfaction, looking down at her turquoise robes.
All she had been hearing about today was her singing last night. How amazing she was, how talented, what a great voice she had and all of that. She had just nodded and smiled faintly, not wanting the attention. As selfish as it sounded, she had done it for herself – not them.
She walked out of the bathroom and into the girl's dorm, getting ready to go down. She was surprised to see Luna and Louise lying on the floor in pyjamas, surrounded by pillows and blankets. Luna was hugging her knees tightly and giggling at something Louise had said. Louise was lying on her back, with her hair strewn out behind her. In her white pyjamas and the dim light she looked like an angel.
"I take it you're not going?" Ginny asked as she raised her eyebrow.
"No, what on earth would we do?" Luna answered, giving her a smile.
"Nothing, I suppose," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"We're going to be in here the whole evening, pigging out and gossiping," Louise said. "We've got no reason to go."
"Sounds fun," Ginny said wistfully, smoothing her robes.
"Well then ditch the ball and stay with us," Luna suggested.
"Nuh, I really want to go," Ginny said unexcitedly.
"Well have fun then," Louise said sincerely, waving to her as Ginny walked out of the room.
Ginny stopped at the top of the staircase, her eyes taking in all the people below her who hadn't noticed her. All the girls in with their beautiful robes and hair, the boys looking less sloppy than usual and realised something with a jolt.
She didn't want to go the ball.
She had no reason to, Harry and she were fighting, she wouldn't have fun and it would be a waste of time.
She backtracked into the dorm as a surprised Luna and Louise looked up.
"Back so soon?" Luna asked.
"Not going," Ginny answered simply, walking over to her bed and drawing the curtains as she changed into her own pyjamas. She rubbed off her make-up and took her hair down.
"Why not?" Louise asked, frowning.
"Because I have next year, as well as the graduation ball, as well as the end of NEWTs ball. Why on earth do I need to go to this one?" Ginny asked as she plopped herself down next to them on the blankets.
"Excellent, that means you can help us figure out how to make Neville notice Luna," Louise said, shifting over for Ginny and offering her some Honeydukes chocolate.
"I still can't get over that Luna has noticed Neville!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What's wrong with that?" Luna asked in a hurt voice.
"I just never thought of you two. . . together." Seeing the look on Luna's face she added quickly. "That's not a bad thing of course, I just never imagined it."
"It's obvious, she wants his B-O-D-Y," Louise sang.
Luna laughed and swatted her with a pillow lightly.
"What was that?" Louise asked in mock outrage.
"Something you deserved." Luna replied.
Louise looked over at Ginny wickedly.
"I think Luna here needs to be taught the ways of the Pillow Wars," she said as Ginny grinned back and they both started advancing on a scared Luna.
"I think so too," Ginny said, grabbing a pillow and fluffing it up menacingly.
"Please no! No!" Luna shouted as they attacked her while laughing madly. "Nooooo!"
~*~*~*~*~*
"Where's Ginny?" Harry asked Ron impatiently. They were and the Yule Ball and hanging around the food table while Harry was waiting for Ginny. Well, he hadn't told them that but he secretly was.
Ron looked puzzled and answered, "I would have thought you would have known, weren't you two going together?"
Harry shifted his feet and looked down at a spot on the floor, seemingly becoming very interested in its shape.
"Uh, no, whatever gave you that idea?" Harry asked nervously.
"The fact that you're going out? Or I think you are, you haven't been talking to her lately. . ." Ron trailed off and stared at Harry calculatedly.
"Ooh, Ron I love this song!" Hermione exclaimed, tugging Ron forcefully away from Harry. Harry sent her another look of thanks. She had been distracting Ron because Harry had told her what had happened and although she didn't have a solution she helped on the Ron side of things. Even though Ron had been fairly accepting of Harry and Ginny going out, he would be much less understanding if he knew what had happened.
"Wanna dance Harry?" said a mellifluous voice behind him. Harry turned around and stared at a smiling Bree Warren.
"No, why on earth would I want to do that?" he said coolly as he pushed by her, ignoring her annoyed expression. She looked angry and dragged two of her friends away from their partners and out of the Great Hall.
He signalled at Ron and Hermione. "I'm going to practice some Quidditch," he yelled over to them before stomping out of the Hall, pulling at his stiff dress robes.
~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny opened her eyes slightly and groaned. Her stomach felt very full and she groaned slightly. She was still on the floor, enclosed by the blankets and pillows, as was Luna. Food and drink lay littered around them. Louise seemed to be missing.
She smiled to herself as she noticed Luna had her arms curled tightly around her pillow and she looked like she was in a dream.
Probably about Neville Ginny thought, judging by the look on her face.
They had all fallen asleep, exhausted after 20 minute long pillow fight. They had spent the next forty minutes discussing everything from boys to what they wanted to be when they grew up. Luna wanted to be a healer somewhere; Ginny had wanted to be a teacher for something while Louise had said with a mysterious smile on her face that she wanted to help people. She had looked at Ginny when she said this with an indecipherable expression.
Ginny lifted her head of the squashed pillow to see where Louise had gone. Not finding her, she got out and padded out to the hall. The common room was silent from where she was, and she judged people were still at the ball. She turned around when she heard footsteps coming quickly from the other direction of the girl's dorms.
Louise has stopped at their dormitory and was giving Ginny strange looks. Then she would flick her head towards the bathroom door and back to Ginny again. Ginny tilted her head questioningly and opened her mouth to speak and Louise quickly put her finger over her mouth, shushing her. Then she looked back at the bathroom door again before looking back at Ginny.
Ginny raised her eyebrows and tip-toed to the bathroom door and leant her head against it; listening. Louise looked satisfied and walked back into their dorm before Ginny could say anything.
"-then he ignored me at the ball!" a voice was saying indignantly.
"Well I would too if you tricked me into kissing you," a voice replied.
"But Harry and I belong together!" the first voice whined. Ginny's eyes widened, that voice belonged to Bree Warren.
"After the potion wore off what did he do?" the second voice asked. It was one of Bree's friends.
"Pushed me off him," Bree said grouchily. "But not before Ginny saw," she added gleefully.
Ginny's mouth became an O of shock. That utter, utter bitch!
"I got rid of the Polyjuice potion – just like you said." a vivacious third voice said.
"Good, but I doubt it matters too much, we were already making them in Potions," Bree said. "But it was all worth it tricking them, you should have seen Ginny's face, it was like I had slapped her!"
Ginny swung open the door and strode in, a determined expression on her face. She walked right up to Bree and slapped her across her face.
"You bitch!" Bree exclaimed, nursing her cheek. Ginny slapped her again, on the other cheek.
"You should have seen your face," Ginny replied with a smile. Then she slapped her once more across the cheek, because symmetry is overrated and flounced out of the bathroom.
As soon as she was out in the hall she started to run and she skidded into her dorm. Luna was still asleep on the floor but Louise was standing there at the window like she had been waiting for her.
"Broom." Louise said simply, pointing out the window and down at the grounds.
Ginny knew what she meant and nodded her thanks.
She ran down the stairs, bumping into many people leaving the Yule Ball – including Ron and Hermione.
"Ginny!" Ron exclaimed. "Where were you?"
"And why are you in your pyjamas?" Hermione asked.
"No time, can't talk, broom." Ginny said as she rushed by them. She ran outside in her bare feet; regretting it slightly because a layer of snow was covering the ground. She gritted her teeth and kept running, the Quidditch pitch in sight.
She saw him before she had even reached the Pitch. He was swooping around in the air, going upside down at some points. She walked into the middle of the pitch, hopping slightly because her feet were freezing and she had forgotten her wand.
Harry must have seen her because he had stopped moving up in the air and was looking down at her. Just then Ginny's feet decided they couldn't take the weather condition anymore and she collapsed on the ground. Harry immediately zoomed downwards, a worried expression on his face.
He stopped about a yard from her. She looked at him as her whole body shivered and her teeth chattered.
"Ginny what are you doing out here? You're, you're blue!" he said in shock, jumping off his broom and covering her with his cloak. He stepped back after touching her, evidently thinking it wasn't allowed.
"Had. . . had to tell. . . you that. . . heard Bree. . . talking about tricking me. . . us." Ginny said as her whole body shook. She could no longer feel most of her body parts.
Harry looked like it was a dream come true. "You mean that. . . Bree confessed?" he asked.
"No," Ginny said bitterly. "I overheard her, then I slapped her." Harry chuckled and looked at her fondly.
"Three times." Ginny added proudly, trying to stand up but slipping and falling on her back.
"Ginny," Harry said as it just dawned on him. "You're in your pyjamas! Barefoot!"
"I had to tell you that I. . . misunderstood. And that I. . . still want to go out with you." Ginny said shyly as she drew Harry's cloak closer around her.
Harry closed the gap between them and hugged her strongly. He then cursed aloud and took out his wand, performing a heating charm on her clothes. Ginny sighed happily as some of the warmth returned to her body.
"Ginny," Harry started.
"Hmm?" Ginny asked, still content in his warm hug.
"Do you want to go for a ride?" he asked.
Ginny pulled back in shock. Harry coloured and said quickly,
"I mean on my broom? Together."
Ginny looked at the broom skeptically and then back at him.
"Will it hold us?" sha asked nervously.
"Yes."
"Well, okay then." She said, as he helped her to her feet and over to the broom.
She climbed on and ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the broom as Harry got on in front of her. They rose up into the air and Ginny grabbed him around his middle and gasped.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked confusedly.
"Scared." Ginny replied, her eyes still welded shut.
"What on earth for? You play Quidditch and you play it well!" Harry said – even more confused.
"Yeah, but it's entirely different when you're not controlling the broom," Ginny protested, opening one eye a slit.
"Well then get in the front and control it." Harry said simply.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"We're in midair!"
"So?"
"We sound like Ron and Hermione!"
That shut Harry up. He flew down and looked at Ginny with a half-smile.
"Do you. . . really forgive me?" he asked slowly, like it seemed impossible.
"Merlin Harry! What is there to forgive? You should be forgiving me for not believing you." Ginny said exasperatingly.
Harry grinned at her and pulled her in front of him onto the broom before they flew up into the air. The sun had set a little while ago but there were still a few shades of violet on the horizon, peeking out from the clouds.
Ginny tucked her head in Harry's neck, shivering despite the heating charm. He wrapped his arms around her and they flew faster, ducking and swooping while Ginny laughed at Harry's face.
"You're right," he said a while later – still up in the air. "It is scarier when you can't control the broom."
Ginny stopped in the air and turned halfway round to face him, nodding at him pointedly. Harry threw up his hands and laughed. They leant closer then-
"Oy Lovebirds!" a voice called from below. They both looked down to see a crowd assembled beneath them consisting of Luna, Louise, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Parvati, Lavender, Hermione and Ron staring back at them.
"Snowball fight!" Ron yelled as he unsuccessfully tried to throw one up to them. Ginny grinned and winked at Harry, going into a dive as the crowd scattered.
As soon as they hit the ground however they were swarmed by flying snowballs and shielded themselves frantically.
"You should be on my side!" Ginny shrieked at Luna and Louise. But she was pleased to note that Luna and Neville were standing next to each other and sending shy looks at the other.
"Every man for himself!" Dean sung out as they all yelled and attacked each other. Ginny laughed for the first time in days, surveying all the happy people before her as she joined the fight.
~*~*~*~*~*
Ginny smiled reminiscently as she towel-dried her hair in the dorm after the snowball fight, looking down at the instant photo Colin had taken in the middle of the snowball fight. He had come down soon after it had begun and they had insisted afterwards that they should all have copies.
In the photo Harry was putting a snowball down her back while she threw one at Seamus. Luna and Neville were oblivious to everyone else and stood on the edge of the photo smiling shyly at each other. Parvati and Lavender seemed to be trying to rip each other's hair out and Hermione had rubbed a handful of snow into Ron's face. Dean was lying on the snow in a spread-eagle after they had all dog-piled on top of him. Louise was furthest away from everyone in the picture and her shining eyes were fixed on the laughing Ginny.
Ginny put the photo down by her bed as she crawled under covers. Everyone else was asleep, just like she wanted to be in a second. She was exhausted. She was just in that exact position that you never want to move out of a when a soft tapping at the window jerked her away from her semi-dreams.
She waited for the tapping to stop but unfortunately it didn't.
"Not happening," she groaned as she went over to the window. It was a school owl.
Ginny opened the window as the owl zoomed in and landed on her bed. A letter for her, she thought as she sat on the bed. She opened it up, deciding she might as well read it. She recognised it as the school owl she had sent Madame Maxime thanking her for having Louise stay at Hogwarts.
Dear Virginia,
I was most confused to receive your letter concerning your exchange student as we had no exchange student this year. Further more, we have no Louise Legna registered at Beauxbatons. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding somewhere but I am sure if you talk to this Louise you can work things out.
I am sorry about the mistake and I hope things work out.
Regards,
Madame Olympe Maxime.
Ginny's blood had gone cold, colder than when she had been outside on the broom earlier. She slowly turned her head over to Louise's bed, where she was sleeping peacefully.
A person who didn't seem to exist.
~~Hmm bet you're intrigued now ay? I'm sure a few of you are beginning to guess Lou's secret. At least I hope you are. But the secret shall finally come out next chapter! But remember the last chapter is going to updated later than usual because of this awful camp I have to go to for 5 days. Let's hope I live! (seriously I hope so because we are going White Water Rafting and knowing my clumsy self and best friend we will tip or go overboard and die on the rocks on the bottom. . . Argh I'm scared now. *think happy thoughts think happy thoughts* Well ciao! And now review I want to know what ALL of you think of my new fave chappie! Oh and another thing- what did you all think of Ginny's song? Does the name ring a certain bell? *winks*. ~
Thanks to: Penny Pitton, Licky, MissLilyStar, Ronaholic, Glitter8262, The Hindu Dancer, J Wish, Fancyeyes, Phoebe-H
Happynutcase*numba1 – I'm actually not that fond of Romeo and Juliet. It annoys me. I'm envious of Ginny's nose ring, I still can't work up the courage to get one though.
clau-hogwarts-writer- he is a man, and a teenager at that. *sighs* It's funny you mentioned "Only if You Promise Me" cause that is one of my favourite fics. Nesserz's stuff is fantastic. She's actually my beta but not for this fic. She will be for the sequel I hope. Thanks for suggesting Beautiful Death – tis very good.
Dracoisahottie13 – I would never start posting the sequel before finishing this! Even I would get confused and plus you would have found out Lou's secret if I had. I was merely saying I had started writing the sequel. Glad you liked the chapter!
Guruguru214 – we haven't really had much time to chat have we? We did once but that was at a hectic period of time and I wasn't that interesting to talk to. I hope to talk to you soon. I like killing of character then bringing them back. . . for some reason. The email thing happened again but don't worry, I do know you address.
Magic sparkle 1 – I'm sad that it's ending too but I'm also happy because I have never completed a story before. You have no idea how many one-shots I have. I can't tell you about the letter – next chapter it will all come out. Thanks for the fic.
LunaMoon7 – I want the nose ring! =D When Louise that said that sentence you mentioned she meant. . . you'll have to find out next chapter! Well I think I can safely say that it contains her secret. How was my slight Bree Warren bashing? With the Fred/George question, I think you misunderstood. F/G were helping Ron, not actually coming there. If that's what you meant of course.
Miss ray – I think the Polyjuice/Bree thing was a bit predictable about halfway through the chapter, I gave MANY hints. Glad you were laughing – that makes me very happy
Dk Lili – Harry in a diaper is quite amusing isn't it? I was laughing while writing it. You were right though, Ron's Revenge was a perfect name. Yup, now only one more chapter. But don't forget the sequel is coming out VERY soon.
Hannah – thank you so much for the fics! Muchos Gracias. Of course this fic will turn out okay in the end. I'll tell you here and now that Louise is not going to die. In a way she. . . damn no I would give it away. Good you noticed she was sick in the "True Colours" morning. Tres good. I can't tell you why Lou said all those things without giving them away. Luna has nothing to do with Louise. I needed Luna to change because if she was weird still I couldn't make her do things I needed. Don't worry, I don't think I have an existent social life anymore either because I spend my life typing away at this computer. (nuh I love going out and doing things with my friends.) Yup well you got the chapter partly dedicated to you – because I can.
Laura Kay – Of course Lou's letter would explain everything. That's the whole point. I personally think Ron is pretty justified in what he is doing. But Ginny won't kick his arse cause he saved hers. I love Nesserz's stuff too. She's my BETA reader but she isn't for this fic. She does great H/G stuff as well as Ron/Hermione. The catalogue thing is interesting – where can I find it? The symbols at the end are pointing to the review button Lol. But that's a good idea how they can relate to "Let the Rain Fall Down". I haven't decided yet if I was going to continue "When We Were Young" but now that you mentioned that idea I think I may. But only after the sequel to this and my other l/j fic.
Ginny Potter 08 – I think I must have been a little crazy. But I'm glad with how it had turned out. Thanks so much for the fics, haven't got around to all of them but the ones I have I love. No Lou is not a werewolf but keep thinking like that. Heh, a few people seemed to be falling of their chairs. Well at least their reviews said they did.
Seraph – play was weird, but I hope it was funny at least. It did take some work you're right.
Deer boy – the polyjuice thing was very obvious I know. But then again it was meant to be. We didn't get to talk over the sun setting unfortunately but I'm sure there will be many more chances ;) We shall have a bonding MSN moment soon.
Dolphingirl79 – I couldn't tell if you were serious or joking when you asked who was trying to break up Harry and Ginny. Fell out of your chair huh? A Few people seemed to do that actually.
Kay Spring – I think everyone is dying for Lou's secret. I hope you won't be too disappointed.
Naz1 – thanks for the idea on Louise. I know you said a whole chapter but it would have worked. But thankyou so much anyway! I can't believe I never thought of that. I need to speak to you on MSN! We always seem to miss eachother. I hope we will soon though.
Sarah Noisette – My mom says I spend too much time on the computer too, she says I don't do enough schoolwork. Which is basically true I have to admit. But then I say at least it's something constructive like writing and reading.
Missprongs – fixed it! =D
Cggeek241 – yes it was obvious but it was meant to be. I wanted it to be.
RebelRikki – Poor Bree, slapped by Ginny and stabbed in the heart by you. Oh well, can't say she didn't deserve it. Glad you found the play entertaining.
Yeoldcrazy1 – well only 1 more chapter now. And it will be out later too. Well Bree can go on the list but Neville is taken off. Poor guy. Hope this chapter didn't disappoint you.
Lost angel92 – being that the 3rd last chapter I wouldn't harm the H/G relationship permanently. This shall be happy ending fic. I love those.
Eric 2 – of course you have seen it before. I believe almost everyone has. But it is my fic so I can do it too.
Nesserz – Hello! Wow it's good to see a nice very familiar face, er name. I don't mind in the leas that you don't review too often, we speak plenty on MSN anyway. We can talk for hours. I'm glad I made you laugh aloud, it reminded me that I have laughed aloud since reading the 3rd chapter for Un Bloody-Believable. With the Ron's thoughts thing. As for bringing up your fic, don't mention it, twas a pleasure.
Bballgirl02 – fixed!
Danceswithbats9 – I'm glad you liked it that much! I think some people were disappointed. Tell me what you think of this one because it has to be my favourite.
Lizzie Weasley – I'm sorry if I sounded mean too! I think I may have bitten your head off a bit much and I sincerely regret it because you are a favourite reviewer! You weren't really telling me how to write it, I just got a bit defensive when you said your own honest opinion. Don't say you won't criticise me when I need it because I appreciate it. It would be odd if you didn't express what you thought. I am a very opinionated person so I can understand. But I am truly sorry if I was too mean. As soon as I read your first word (ouch) I was like "oh no". Thanks for noticing the Ron and Neville thing; you were the only one too. I forgot you had a nose ring, I think that's so mad. I still can't work up the courage though. Lou's letter will tell her secret of course, but yes it was an odd present. I will check out the stories but I am extremely bust at the moment with work, school and writing so I may not be able to do it straight away.
VoicezWithin – go ahead with the language – she is a bitch. I am actually thinking about writing a parody, not sure what on but I have time don't i? The vampire play was my favourite, I thought it was sweet and hilarious at the same time. Harry in a diaper is a hilarious picture. You're quite welcome for the dedication.
PureWhiteLily – I don't know. It wasn't that important so probably that Hogsmeade weekend or something. Or maybe he snuck in with the Invisibility cloak.
Ana Morales – Of course I had to "throw a wrench into the works"! I thrive on drama! Well you got your make-up fluff. Tell me if it was to overdone.
LizaGirl – yes the Polyjuice was clichéd but hey – I'm the author so I can do that. Well I think you may have gathered by now but the fic only has one more chapter.
Kat Davi – an evil baby vampire too ay? Wah! But I suppose I am too. Oh well. That means when I am evil I have an excuse.
Grimmauld – congrats! You have pretty much targeted Lou's secret! I had to remove your review because it gave it away. But the next chapter will be dedicated to you for guessing – even if it's not the whole secret.
~~ So remember that the next chapter will be delayed by few days. Then it will be on to the sequel. =D Guess what – all up this chapter (reviews, a/n's, and actual chapter) is almost 10 000 words. I think someone needs more of a social life. *scampers off to find friends* ~~
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ALSO IF SOME OF YOU HAVE GUESSED LOU'S SECRET – WHICH I'M SURE SOME OF YOU HAVE BY THE END OF THIS CHAPTER – PLEASE ONLY TELL ME YOU KNOW AND DON'T ACTUALLY TELL ME HER SECRET BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE READ THE REVIEWS AND THEY WILL FIND OUT.