Love or Infatuation?
By
Cherished Dreams

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.


Jealousy was something Ginny couldn't handle very well, so she took matters in her hands and started making excuses to send more time with Harry. Of course I had also received the end of many glares and Weasley tantrums but when one time she looked on the verge of tears, I led the girl away and told her my plan.

It was nearing May and the weather had warmed a little. The birds were out and chirping when I led a somewhat fuming Ginny out to the rock overlooking the lake. We sat down and I turned to face her. "Ginny.." She interrupted and said curtly "Look Hermione, I like Harry and you've known that for a long time now. How could you even try something with him, knowing very well that I have liked him since before my first year?!" I smiled weakly, which she glared at. I sighed and started my explanation. "Ginny please listen to me. I don't like Harry romantically. I never could. He's my older brother figure, and I hope to keep it that way. No more. No less."

She frowned and opened her mouth but I raised my hand and frowned. She stopped and turned to look at the lake. I plunged on. "Jealousy, Virginia Weasley I've realized is not your strongest point and I think we've both noticed that."

I grinned and breathed, "He loves you Gin."

She blinked a couple of times and exclaimed, "WHAT?! Harry Potter l-loves m-me?" She ended weakly, her face and ears steadily turning crimson, a common Weasley trait. I laughed and said, "Seems like I was mistaken in thinking that only guys were dense." She blushed even harder if that was even possible and placed her hands on her cheeks to cover her reddening face.

"That's why he asked me to help him get you to like him." She suddenly grinned and leapt onto me, embracing me tightly. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I laughed happily and explained to her about going on with the whole act of hating me and not to worry because he only had his eye out for her.

We talked for the rest of that afternoon until, I looked at my watch after what seemed like hours after I brought her out there, and cursed mentally. I grabbed my book bag and tie from a nearby tree branch. Gin looked at me expectantly and I shot her an apology. "Sorry gin. Gotta rush. Err.. Gotta meet up with Harry." I started rushing away, when I remembered to tell her something. "Oh and Gin! Come up to the common room in about ten minutes, and wear your hair up in plaits. Harry will be waiting for you!" I grinned at the blush quickly appearing on her face and rushed away to the common room, where Harry was waiting for me.


Harry was going to be late if I didn't meet Harry in five minutes. I cursed silently running down the corridors. Left, right, up, right, right..

I turned a corner and bumped into someone right in front of me. I just barely had time to see their face before I teetered, my balance was thrown off, about to fall backwards and painfully land on the floor. I braced myself for the impact, but after a few seconds, none came.

I curiously opened my eyes and found Malfoy's hand holding mine.

It had seemed that he had he had leaned forward and grabbed my hand just before I fell to the cold, not to mention HARD, stone floor. He blinked a couple of times, processing the situation and set me back on me feet. I straightened my robes and just barely heard him ask, "You okay Granger?" It was my turn to blink and process that this person, a Malfoy, just asked about my well-being. I nodded and hesitated before saying, "Thank you." He nodded and stalked off.

My cheeks burned, as I ran carefully towards the Griffindor common room. I made it on time, and Harry's head turned, as I entered the portrait. "Are you okay 'mione?" I nodded and calmed my breaths. We had planned this out ever since last Saturday. Harry had Quidditch training on Saturday afternoons and as he stood out in front of me, it seemed liked he had just gotten back.

"I thought we said you'd change out of your Quidditch robes?" I asked. He shook his head and pointed to the nearby window. The sun was just setting and I nodded, before rushing to my dorm room to retrieve the small pouch he had asked me to mind. When I got back to the common room, Ginny had arrived. I grinned, when I saw her wearing her hair in plaits. Harry looked at the pouch in my hand when I walked up to him, and asked, "Tonight?!" I nodded and he pocketed it. I nodded my head in Ginny's direction by a bookshelf and he stalked over there, gripping his Firebolt tightly, his knuckles turning white. He tapped Ginny on her shoulders and after she had accepted his invitation, he led her out of the portrait and to the Quidditch field.

I smiled, took a new book that Harry had bought me for helping him and settled on one of the seats by the fireplace. It wasn't until an hour later, that Harry and Gin returned, hand in hand, grinning happily. She was wearing the necklace that Harry had bought her and it glowed a faint red. I had just returned to the book that I was reading 'Dragonology', when an eagle swooped through the windows. I watched it land on my book and extend its leg out. Everyone watched on curiously, some murmuring to each other.

It was an ivory coloured paper crane. I held it in my hand and inspected it.

Nothing.

The eagle hopped towards my hand and pecked on one of the paper crane's wings, and flew away. It fluttered gently in my hand and I smiled.


A/N: please please please.. don't forget to add your email addy in your review or something.. i want to send out my thanks to everyone that reviews.. and if you're going to sign the review.. please have your email addy on your bio.. :D i hope that made sense.. :D