Keep Your Enemies Closer

by juxtaposed

The battles keep getting bigger, the losses more profound. When the ultimate loss happens, everything changes. Everyone changes. Harry and Ginny now find themselves dealing with an old friend - and a new enemy. But how do you defend yourself against someone who knows everything about you? Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

also

Hermione reminisces. Harry has mental arguments. Ginny just has issues.

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies, blah blah blah, I don't own anything or anyone you recognize. Unless, of course, you recognize something or someone I do. No lawsuits or paperwork, please.

Chapter Three: From the Point of View of Another Main Character

He watched her wet her lips, and was suddenly overcome with the urge to do it for her. What the -? he thought. No. No. NO. I am not having less-than-pure and more-than-platonic inclinations towards her.

Yeah, right. Even I know that's a lie. You like her. You have for the past two years.

Yes, I like Ginny -

Ha! I knew it!

- as a friend. She's like a sister to me!

A really hot sister.

Ew!

Kidding, kidding. But she is hot.

Yes, she's beautiful. But -

But, nothing. You have a thing for Ginny, admit it, Potter.

I do not - ugh! I'm not listening to you anymore!

Kind of tough, Potter, considering I'm in your head!

Shut up.

Oh, good comeback, how long it'd take you to come up with that one? Come on, Potter, you're making us both look bad here. I mean, I am you, after all.

Unfortunately.

I heard that.

Well, duh.

Like you said, in my head.

Heh heh.

What?

You're a poet, and you didn't -

Don't finish that, or I swear I'll hex you straight into hell.

Ooh, tough guy now, aren't we?

For God's sake, just shut. Up.

Well, alright, just this once. And only because dear Ginny is looking at you like you've grown an extra head.

I wish I had, then you could get in that one and leave me alone!

Or maybe there'd already be another me there, ever thought about that?

Stop it! I'm trying to talk to Ginny now.

He gave himself a mental glare as he - temporarily - stopped arguing with himself. Ginny was giving him a slightly odd look. He focused on her. Yes, focusing on Ginny. "So...what is it?" he asked, referring to the look she was giving him. As if you don't already know.

Prat.

She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. Just...you were kind of staring at me."

"Appreciating the view is all," he said, smiling widely, a note of cheekiness in his voice. She blushed, and he did, too, realizing what he'd said.

Oh. My. God. You did not make me say that to her.

Well, someone has to do the work around here.

Ginny is not work! She's my friend! My best friend! And pretty much my only friend, which she might not be for much longer if you keep -

Oh, knock it off. You fancy the extremely-well-fitting pants off of her. Excuse me for trying to make some progress with her.

Well, her pants are rather...hang on a minute. Not the point.

Then what is?

The point is, mister smart-ass, that I do not...oh, god. Just stop making me do and say things that make everything awkward.

Oh, come off it. Really, I mean it. Its some great sexual tension I feel right now, you could probably excuse yourself for a few and -

Do not finish that sentence. I mean it.

"Oh." She bit her lip, her cheeks still crimson, and her eyes darted to the kitchen. "Well, we should probably..." Her voice held a note of regret. "I mean...you must be hungry."

I'm hungry, alright. Hungry for love.

Will you please stop that?

Ugh, spoilsport. Look at her!

I'm looking.

Then you ought to notice that she fancies the pants off of you too! Speaking of which, its getting a little...pinchy. Try thinking of something less arousing, will you?

I'm not the one who's getting aroused! Its you, you keep eyeing Ginny like a piece of meat.

Except that, well, meat doesn't really do it for me. I'm strictly women - that's human women, mind you - only.

He cleared his throat. "Well, uh, yeah. Kind of, I guess. It's been a long day." He followed her into the kitchen. "So, what are we having?"

"Well, I was digging through the fridge for edibles and - did you know we had goat cheese?" she suddenly asked. He blinked and made a face.

"Goat cheese?" he repeated.

"Yeah. Weird, huh? But it was there...and kind of expired."

"Expired?" he repeated. Again. Oh, good, Potter. Wonderful grasp of vocabulary. A plus.

"Well, kind of an understatement. It was green." Ginny grimaced.

"Its not supposed to be green."

"And blue."

"Not supposed to be blue either."

"And -"

"There can be no possible good of me knowing all this." He cut her off.

She giggled, a sound that made his heart stop for a moment. Wait, did I just -

What have I been trying to tell you all this time? Honestly, I swear. You've got a skull thicker than the Forbidden Forest.

It's the same as yours, remember.

Hey, no pawning off insults to me. I'm the one who actually realized you - me - we had feelings for Ginny.

No I don't.

You still haven't noticed? What is wrong with you, man?

There is nothing wrong with me.

You're having mental arguments with yourself.

Well, at least its only mental.

No its not. If Ginny weren't around you'd be yelling out loud at me.

I would -

An hour ago, when you were leaving the Ministry. You told me to toss off, nearly scared off an old woman.

Yes, well, I...fine. Shh.

"Well, if you lost your appetite, I wouldn't have to cook you dinner." She said mischievously. He laughed.

"Yeah, right. I'm a nineteen-year-old guy who's seen mass murder and destruction. Kind of hard to make me lose my appetite over moldy cheese."

"What if I told you -?" Ginny was effectively cut off by the hand he placed over her mouth. Tingles shot up his spine from his skin on her lips. Oh, no, I'm not in love with her.

I'm not.

Yeah right.

I'm not.

Then why are you practically weak in the knees from just touching her?

Well, I...shh!

Oh, for God's sake. Kiss her already.

What? No!

Just do. Kiss her.

No.

In spite of himself, he found himself leaning forward. No! He could feel her shivering slightly, and it was definitely not from cold or fear. He held her gaze as he brought his face to about six inches away from hers, sliding his hand from her mouth to cradle her cheek. "Kind of hard," he murmured softly. Oh, I'll just bet you are.

You're a pervert.

Meanwhile, she seemed to have thought of the same innuendo, and a renewed blush reddened her cheeks. "Um..."

Oh, God.

But he kept his cool. "To make me lose my appetite?" he reminded her. She blushed even brighter. Ooh, someone's had naughty thoughts. He couldn't help smirking. "Why, whatever were you thinking of, Gin?" She didn't reply, and her cheeks kept turning redder, spreading to the tips of her ears. He leaned in a little bit closer, inhaling her scent of strawberries and cream. "Let's eat, shall we?"

Yes, eat her.

Get out of my head.

You want to, admit it.

I said get out.

Denial aint just a river in Egypt, pal.

Shut up and leave me alone.

You want her.

Get lost.

You do...

Harry Potter was truly beginning to believe he was going stark raving mad.

AN: Okay, this chapter has been reformatted for easier reading. Hope it helped! And, dont be shy about leaving me a review - hint, hint. Also, the "hungry for love" line is accredited to my best friend who never gets sick of using that line on poor, defenseless girls.