Chapter 4

The next morning the whole school knew about the incident the night before. Harry and I stood close, trying to ignore all the nasty things said to us. I never realized how many people liked Ginny. Harry held my hand which made me feel safe regardless of all the whispers. I winced as we walked by Ginny and her brothers. Ginny looked down and Ron, Fred, and George glared. It was the worst breakfast I ever had.
"How are you?" Harry asked me. I smiled. Now I know why Ginny likes him so much. At that thought I felt so guilty I shook my head to show him not good.
We took a seat and he gave me a comforting hug. I felt like crying. I almost did as the person next to me pushed me purposely as he reached for an omelet. The only real comforting thought was I would have Harry with me the entire day.
Harry gave me a hug and the guy next to me scowled. It wasn't until lessons started that I realized how long this day would be.

This was one of the worst and best days of my life. Every time I passed Harry in the halls he was with Hermione. Every time they passed me they blushed and walked as far away from me as possible. Daniel, the sixth year boy, grew fond of me and was now walking with me to my classes like a body guard. It was actually quite nice. People were talking to me and smiling. They were so nice it made everything almost worth it. Almost. Because every time I saw Harry and Hermione, my heart sunk. It made me feel worse and worse every time.
I was in Transfiguration when Lizzie got nervous and tried any thing and everything to get my attention from the door. I, of course, was curious and looked over. There, standing in the doorway, was Harry and Hermione. Harry caught my eye and blushed.
"Professor," Hermione said quietly. "Snape would like to see Ginny Weasley for a moment."
That's when I panicked. I had to walk all the way to Snape's classroom with THEM? I looked at Lizzie for any sort of help or comfort, but she looked at me helplessly.
"Ginny, are you going?" McGonagall asked.
I slowly got up, all eyes were on me. I made sure I didn't look Harry or Hermione in the eyes as we started to walk. This was the most awkward moment of my life.

Hermione and I didn't know whether to walk by each other, or to walk on either side of Ginny. All we knew as how awkward this was, for all of us. It seemed to take forever for us reach Snape.
"Ginny," Snape said in that cold voice.
"Yes?" Ginny asked, barely over a whisper.
"Mr. Weasley here has so much confidence in his love potion he said he would even try it on his sister," Snape smiled unpleasantly. So, are you ready for a taste?"
Malfoy laughed. Ron turned pink and concern filled his eyes.
"You can't do that, can you?" Hermione asked looking in Ron's cauldron. The potion was supposed to be red, but it was a sickly yellow.
"Of course I can!" Snape snapped. "Now take a seat you silly girl!"
I was ready to pounce on Snape. Snape knew something was wrong with the potion, and he was still willing to test it on Ginny? Now, I know Snape and Madam Pomfrey could fix, or mend whatever happened to Ginny, but still. And now he was talking to Hermione like that.
"Here it is," Snape said, an evil smile spreading over his lips. He was holding a cup of Ron's potion out to Ginny. "I don't have to," Ginny said boldly. Everyone in the class was too shocked to gasp. Most just sat with their mouths open.
"If you don't, your brother will fail," Snape said, his smile now faltering a little.
Ron threw his head down on his table. Some of the kids laughed, some glared at Snape. I knew Ron would never live it down if he failed a class. Ginny must have known it too because she reluctantly took the cup.
"And, uh, what is it supposed to do?" Ginny asked smelling the thick goop in the cup.
"It's supposed," Snape started impatiently, "to make you loved by everyone of the opposite sex."
"Even you?" Ginny asked, her face scrunched up in disgust. The whole class laughed. As soon as Ginny said it, she blushed and looked at Ron.
"I am past love potions!" Snape shouted loudly. "Now go on!"
Ginny jumped, but took a gulp. It was silent as she finished it off. We all stared at her, waiting for something, anything happened. All of a sudden, my insides turned. Boys all over the room, except Snape and Ron, were getting weird looks on their faces.
"Guess Ron is getting an F," Hermione said sadly. She hadn't seen the expresions and she couldn't feel this¼thing, inside me now.
"It worked," Snape scowled.
Soon all the boys were staring at Ginny longingly, counting me. I didn't know anything except how nice her hair was and how bright her eyes were. Boys were now bringing her their quills as a present.

This was crazy! Boys were dying to be with ME! I looked at Ron's confused expression and sighed in relief that my own brother didn't fall in love with me. Then I spotted Harry. He was sitting there, goggling at me. It hurt me even more than being turned down by him. I knew he really didn't love me. I knew he didn't even like me, like me. Hermione, like most girls, were staring at the potion, wanting some for themselves.
"Hey Ginny," Draco Malfoy said to me.
"Hey," I answered back. So many guys have came up to me, but Malfoy was¼different. He didn't throw presents in my face, or ask to marry me. He was calm and nice.
"Your hair looks great like that," Malfoy said shyly.
And charming. I blushed.
"Thanks. I did something new to it," I smiled.
"OW!"
"Stop! That was my toe!"
"Move! She's mine!"
"I saw her first!"
That's when I was snapped back to reality. Malfoy didn't like me, he was just under a spell. As soon as this wore off, he would go back to being a jerk.
"Shouldn't you make this go away?" I asked Snape.
"Not enjoying yourself?" Snape smirked. "It will go away in a little while. Ten minutes tops."
I sighed. This was just dandy. I sat down.
"So, how are you?" Malfoy asked.
"Not good," I replied.
"Can I help?" Malfoy asked, grabbing my shoulder. Malfoy sure was sweet when he was in love.
"Stop loving me," I retorted.Suddenly, there seemed to be an explosion. There was a bright light and then everything was different. Everyone was back in their seats, no longer gawking at me.
"What the?" I asked.
"You¼you broke the spell," Snape said out of breath.
"How?" I asked, confused at the look of awe on Hermione's face.
"You knew they didn't really love you. You didn't get a big head. You told them to STOP loving you because you knew it wasn't real," Hermione whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.
"It, uh, wasn't that hard to understand," I answered bewildered.
"No. It's very rare to be able to break the power of a love potion!" Hermione exclaimed.
I blushed as the awe turned into admiration and respect. I saw Harry grab Hermione's hand under the table and give it a squeeze. That's when I realized she talked to me. My gaze was set on Harry's hand.
"Well, I knew none of you would truly love me," I answered, suddenly shy. "Not when you have someone else."
All eyes went onto Harry and Hermione. They blushed. Ron blushed to. I have no clue why, but he did.
"Can I go?" I asked a shocked Snape.
"Just tell me," Snape said. "What did it feel like? What was going through your mind to break the spell?"
"I, well, I just knew. All of the boys came up, except, um, Harry," a single tear rolled down my cheek. "And I knew he didn't love me. Or even like me." I sobbed. "I was talking to Malfoy, who was really nice for a change, when all the other boys started pushing each other. I knew I wasn't good enough."
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Harry, glaring, scowling. I stormed out of the room. I didn't want to go back to Transfiguration. I just wanted to get away. Far away.