CHAPTER 6
THE PARTY
The small apartment had been magically enlarged to hold the many guests that would be arriving shortly. Ron and Harry were drinking bottles of beer, with some of the players of Ron's Quidditch team, banners had been hung from the ceiling, and a large table had been conjured that held plates full of sandwiches and party snacks, and two huge bowls of punch, carefully brewed by Harry and Ron themselves.
Hermione was rushing around making sure that everything was perfect, growing slightly irritated at Ron for not helping out a little, this was his party not hers.
"Mione, need a hand?'' Ron called through to her, as though he had read her mind.
"Uh yeah could you just hang these last few banners, and blow up these balloons while I go and get ready quickly.'' Hermione said, handing them over to Ron, knowing even as she handed them over, that giving a pack of balloons to a bunch of already quite tipsy men wasn't a very good idea if she wanted them to be blown up on time, but she had no other choice.
"Sure babe, you go get ready, we'll take care of everything else.'' Ron said moving closer to her and kissing her lightly on the forehead.
"Thanks.'' Hermione replied smiling, she never could stay properly annoyed at him for long. She rushed of to the bathroom and jumped in the shower quickly, knowing that she had left it a bit late to start getting ready, the guests would be arriving in half an hour. As she got out of the shower, she grabbed Ron's white robe and wrapped it around her, before she magically dried and curled her hair into lose ringlets.
She spent a bit longer doing her make up, preferring to do it the Muggle way, before she slipped into her midnight blue dress, that fell to just below her knees and swayed around her calves, the thin straps were laced with silver thread. She smiled at herself in the mirror as she hooked her diamond earrings into her ears, and fastened the matching necklace around her neck. She slipped on her favourite pair of heels and applied a slick of strawberry lip-gloss before going back out to see if they had actually managed to blow up at least one balloon. She knew that none of them would've thought to use magic, they may be good Quidditch players but they weren't too quick on the uptake.
Hermione stepped out into the living room that was adjoined to the kitchen and saw that they had actually blown up the balloons and hung the banners she was impressed.
"Like it?'' Harry asked, moving up beside her.
"It'll do.'' She said loftily, smiling at her friend. "I can't believe he actually did it.''
"Well we did.'' Harry answered smiling; he reached a hand up and tried to tame his messy hair. "You look great.'' He said nervously to Hermione.
"Thanks Harry. You're looking pretty sharp yourself.''
"Well I try.'' Harry said looking down at himself; he had on a smart pair of faded blue jeans and a white shirt. "I have to look my best for the ladies.''
"Or one lady in particular.'' Hermione said winking. "One that is only coming thanks to me, your amazing and pretty best friend.''
"That's true, thank you Hermione, this means a lot to me.'' Harry said hugging Hermione.
"Hey, you'll crease my dress if you carry on like that Potter.''
"Oh and we wouldn't want that to happen would we.'' Harry said sarcastically, receiving a playful slap from Hermione, he was just about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"Oh my God they're here.'' Hermione shouted, before straightening her dress and rushing to answer the door.
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"It's almost 7'oclock." Ginny said as she applied mascara to her long lashes. "Everyone will be getting to the party soon.''
"Everyone except us Gin.'' Colin said from his seat at the end of Ginny's bed. "We have to make an entrance, you have to make Potter wonder whether or not you'll actually show up."
"But what if he doesn't wonder, what if he doesn't even notice that I'm not there.''
"Well its better that than to have him think that you're pathetic and show up early, then he'll know that you haven't got anything better to do.''
"But I haven't"
"You can't let him know that.'' Colin said expertly.
"Oh I see now.'' Ginny said. "I have to make him think that I'm doing him a favour by actually showing up at his party.
"That's right!"
"Great, I can't wait to see everyone's face when I walk in, with this beautiful dress and you and Dan. We're going to look great.''
"I know Gin, when don't we look great.''
"When the three of us went out that one night and got very very drunk, and you and Dan had to practically carry me home. As I recall none of us looked too hot the next morning.''
"Oh shut up! You know what I mean. We looked great before we went out though, you have to admit that.''
"Yeah we sort of did, no-one else was dressed as Muggle police men after all." Ginny said laughing. "And I'm sure that everyone was only staring because they were jealous."
"I don't care why they were staring, I had a great time and that's all that counts.'' Colin said defensively
"Well I think we're going to have a better time tonight.''
"We will if we ever get there, hurry up Gin, you haven't even done your hair yet.'' Colin complained. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a tight white top, with a pinstriped jacket.
"Where did you say Dan was again?'' Ginny asked, ignoring Colin's attempts at hurrying her, she needed to get everything perfect.
"He finished work late, so he's popped home to get ready and he's coming round straight after." Colin said, smiling as the doorbell rang. "Ah, that should be him." He said happily as he jumped up and ran to answer the door. Ginny watched him leave rolling her eyes, which had been coated in a shimmery white eye shadow.
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"It's almost eight o'clock, where is she?'' Harry demanded of Hermione. "You said that she would be here. I've looked everywhere for her, she's not here Herm.'' Harry said desperately. "What's the point if she's not here."
"Harry, I don't know why she's not here, maybe something came up, all I know is that she said she'd be here and I don't think that she'd lie. I'm sure she'll show up.''
"I hope she does Herm, I really need to sort things out with her.''
"She'll be here Harry, and in the mean time I suggest you go and mingle with people you've been ignoring everyone all night.'' Hermione said, pushing Harry off in the direction of Neville and Luna who were chatting with Seamus and Lavender.''
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Ginny stood nervously outside the door of Harry's apartment. Colin and Dan stood either side of her. She could hear the laughter and music faintly from inside; she supposed that the whole place had been soundproofed. This was it, she was going to have to face him now, and she would show him that she wasn't desperate for him back, even though she was starting to doubt herself, she knew that she was falling for him all over again. She took a deep breath and rung the doorbell.
It took a while, but eventually Hermione's smiling face appeared in the doorway, she looked flustered but gorgeous as always, she enveloped Ginny in a hug and smiled.
"I'm so glad you came.'' She sighed happily. "And you two.'' She said beaming at Colin and Dan. "Now come in and join the party.'' She said standing back and letting the three friends inside.
Colin and Dan walked over to the table and grabbed a bottle of beer each, after telling Ginny that they were there for her. She stood and looked around for a moment, Hermione had certainly done a good job of decorating the place, and it looked fantastic.
"You look gorgeous Gin.'' Hermione gushed. "That dress is amazing.''
"Thank you.'' Ginny said smiling, noticing that she was attracting a bit of attention from the male population of the room. "You look great too Hermione, I love your dress and your earrings. Are those the ones Ron bought you?''
"Yeah, they're my favourites.'' Hermione smiled.
"They're gorgeous.'' Ginny said smiling, her eyes scanning the room for him, she gazed around the crowded room, in search of his trademark messy black hair, she looked around and saw loads of familiar faces from her days at Hogwarts, a few members of the Chudley Cannons and her family.
"Ginny.'' Mrs Weasley screeched upon seeing her daughter, Ginny walked over to her mother and smiled, before giving her a hug. "Oh I haven't seen you in so long, what have you been doing, oh, don't you look gorgeous.''
"Hi mum.'' Ginny sighed wearily, she loved her mother dearly, but she did wish that she wouldn't fuss as much. "It's great to see you too.'' She said looking at her brother's form over her mothers shoulder; they were all smirking at her.
"Where's Bill?'' Ginny asked, mentally counting all the members of her family, only to discover that they were all there except her eldest brother.
"He couldn't get away in time.'' Mrs Weasley said sadly. "Its lucky Charlie were on holiday otherwise he wouldn't have made it either.''
"Oh that's a shame.'' Ginny said sincerely. "It would've been nice to see him.''
"I know, I hardly see any of you anymore.'' Mrs Weasley said sadly. "You've all grown up so fast.''
"Come on now dear, don't get upset.'' Arthur Weasley said wrapping his arms around his wife. "Lets let the kids have a good time, we should be getting out of here, it's not really our thing is it?''
"No I suppose not.'' Molly said. "Have a good time everyone.'' She said as Arthur lead her out of the crowded apartment, Ron giving him a thumbs up as he left.
"Oh God! I thought she was going to start crying right there.'' Ginny said relieved.
"Tell me about it, she's been fussing over us for ages before you arrived.''
"Thought she'd never leave.'' George added.
Ginny turned to her brother Charlie and rolled her eyes; he too looked as though he was getting a bit fed up of his mum making him feel like a baby. "You look lovely Gin.'' He said smiling at his baby sister. "So grown up.''
"Shut up, not you as well.'' She said laughing, glad that she had her brothers around her.
"Who are you trying to impress anyway?'' Fred asked mischievously. "A certain Mr Green eyes maybe?''
"No.'' Ginny answered scathingly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to get myself a drink.'' Ginny said turning her back on her brothers, you'd think after leaving school they would've grown up a bit. She knew full well that even as she walked away from them they'd be laughing and talking about her, but she didn't care, she wasn't going to let them spoil her night.
"Ginny!" A voice called to her, but even from hearing it she knew that it wasn't him, she turned around and saw Dean Thomas walking in her direction.
"Oh hi Dean.'' Ginny said smiling sweetly. "You look great.''
"Same to you.'' He said eyeing her appreciatively. "How are you?''
"I'm good thanks. How about yourself? How are things with you and Parvati.''
"They're going very well, we got engaged last week.'' He said grinning proudly.
"That's great Dean, congratulations.'' Ginny said genuinely, as she felt a hand on her arm; she turned and saw that Harry was standing next to her. His bright green eyes sparkled in the dim light and his hair was just as messy as ever, she could feel the rise and fall of his chest, he was standing so close to her. He smiled briefly at her.
"What's great?'' He asked.
"Dean and Parvati are engaged.'' Ginny said looking up at him her browse furrowed slightly in confusion.
"Nice one mate.'' Harry said clapping Dean on the back; he still hadn't removed his other hand from Ginny's arm. "You haven't got a drink?'' He said looking down at Ginny's empty hands.
"No I haven't.'' Ginny said nonchalantly. "I was just about to get one.'' She was entranced, he smelled so great, a smell that she hadn't smelt since they were together, a smell that she had missed for four years, a smell that was captivating her as she looked into his deep green eyes.
"Well we can't have that can we. What kind of host would I be if there was someone at my party without a drink? If you'll excuse us Dean?''
"Yeah sure, see you both around.''
Harry lead Ginny by the hand over to the table piled high with food and punch, and filled a glass of punch for her. "Thanks Harry.'' Ginny said shyly as he handed the glass to her.
"No problem, can't have anyone going thirsty can we?'' He said, smiling his smile that had always made her go weak at the knees, it seemed he hadn't lost his touch. She cursed herself for falling under his spell so quickly, she reminded herself that he wasn't really interested and of how quickly he had run off the other day.
"So did you end up getting your shopping?'' Ginny asked innocently.
"What...oh um...yeah.'' Harry said looking down at his hands awkwardly. "I just remembered I didn't have any money with me.'' He said hoping that he sounded convincing.
"Oh right.'' Ginny said smiling innocently at him. "How silly?''
"Yeah, very silly.'' Harry said, this wasn't going the way he had planned, he looked down at her. She looked gorgeous, why couldn't he bring himself to tell her. He fought the urge to stroke her soft shiny hair that was swaying enticingly before him.
Ginny swayed gently back and forth in time to the music that was playing, taking small sips of her punch to steady her nerves. The track changed and a loud bass line pumped through the air of the small apartment. "I love this song.'' Ginny said.
"You..Uh..You wanna dance?'' Harry asked quietly.
"Sorry what?'' Ginny asked.
"Do you want to dance?'' Harry said, more clearly this time.
"Yeah sure.'' Ginny said, putting her glass down and moving into the middle of the room, where people were slowly filtering onto the 'dance floor' that Harry and Ron had created earlier. Ginny started dancing smiling over at Colin and Dan who were dancing the other side of the room. Colin started at her open mouthed when he saw who she was dancing with and mouthed 'Good work' to her.
"You're a great dancer'' Harry said to Ginny as she twirled around into front of him, since leaving Hogwarts her and Colin had lived a party lifestyle, even more so when he met Dan. They loved to party, Ginny was out dancing almost every weekend with those two and she loved to dance, it made her feel free.
"Thanks Harry.'' She said smiling. "Wish I could say the same about you though.'' She said cheekily.
"Hey I'm trying my best you know.'' He said defensively, smiling back at her.
"Here let me show you. You have to relax.'' She said as she grabbed his hands and put them around her waist, oblivious to the fact that both Ron and Hermione were watching the intently.
"What is she playing at, is she drunk?'' Ron asked loudly. "I'm going to stop this. What's she playing at, doesn't she remember what he did to her.''
"Ron calm down.'' Hermione said soothingly, placing a hand on his chest. "They're just dancing, it's not as though they're jumping into bed together.''
"But...but..." Ron said trying to think of an argument but it was getting increasingly more difficult as Hermione kissed his neck.
"Just leave them alone.'' She whispered into his ear.
"Ok.'' He sighed, before grabbing her around the waist and pulling her onto the dance floor. "Watch this.'' He said as he started showing off his new dance moves. You could always count on Ron to start dancing when he was drunk.
"Very good babe.'' Hermione said trying to keep a straight face. "Oh wow, that's even better than the last one.''
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"That's better.'' Ginny said as she danced with Harry. He still had his hands on her waist, she stepped in closer to him, so that they're bodies were completely touching. She felt him tense up and she looked up into his face and smiled wickedly, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She could hear every part of her brain screaming at her to stop this, that it was madness, that he didn't like her and was probably only dancing with her out of friendship or worse pity. But she ignored it, whatever was in that punch must've been very strong.
"What are you doing Gin?'' Harry asked, as she started swaying against him. He could feel her whole body against him and it was driving him wild, after years of no contact and now this. His brain was in overdrive.
"I'm just dancing.'' She said coyly. "Don't you like it?'' She asked cheekily, she could feel from the bulge in his pants that he liked it a lot.
"I like it Gin." Harry said heavily. "I like it too much.''
"Good.'' Ginny said, as she continued to rub against him, thankfully her brothers weren't watching her now, and they weren't watching when Harry took her hand and lead her out of the front door and down into the street below. "Where are we going Harry?''
"You'll see.'' He led her over to a fountain and sat down on the edge of his beckoning her to come and sit next to him.
"What are we doing Harry?'' Ginny asked suspiciously as she sat down next to him. "Why are we out here?''
"I just thought it would be nice if we came and had a talk. You know to catch up.''
"Why couldn't we do that inside?''
"It's too loud in there.'' Harry answered simply. "You know you look gorgeous tonight Gin.''
"Thanks Harry. You don't look too bad either.''
"I mean it Gin, you were the prettiest girl in there, and you're the prettiest girl in most rooms." Harry said blushing slightly under her gaze. "I'm glad you came.''
"Yeah, I'm glad I came too. I didn't want to though.''
"Why not?''
"Because of you. I thought it would be awkward seeing you again, especially after you ran away from me the other day.'' Ginny said looking down at her shoes.
"I didn't run away from you, well maybe I did, but...'' Harry buried his face in his hands. "Like you said it's just awkward. I made a right prat of myself that day; especially when I thought you were with Colin. I can't believe no one told me he was gay."
"So how did you think we'd been a couple for?''
"Since Hogwarts.'' Harry said blushing
"Oh my God! I can't believe that, that's unbelievable. Its pretty obvious that he's gay Harry."
"Well it is now.'' He said defensively, smiling despite himself as he watched Ginny smile, the smile that he'd always loved. "So where did you learn to dance like that?'' Harry asked smiling wickedly. "Very impressive.''
Ginny smiled. "Colin, Dan and I are quite the party animals.''
"Who's Dan?'' Harry asked quickly hoping that it wasn't Ginny's boyfriend.
"He's Colin's boyfriend.'' Ginny said not noticing the tone of jealousy in Harry's voice. "They've been together for a while now.''
"Oh right. So what about your boyfriends then?'' Harry asked, knowing that he needed to know this before he could tell her what he'd been hiding for so long.
"I haven't really had the time to have boyfriends, I mean I go out with my friends a lot but there haven't been any men in my life. I've been concentrating on my career, I'm starting in St Mungo's in two weeks.'' Ginny said proudly.
"Yeah I heard.'' Harry said. "Hermione told me, that's excellent.'' He smiled inwardly, very pleased that she hadn't had any other boyfriends, maybe she still had feelings for him, or maybe your deluding yourself a nasty voice in his head told him.
"So what about you Potter, bet you've had loads of girlfriends.''
"No none.'' He said directly. "I haven't been interested. Too many late night shifts.''
"Oh right.'' Ginny said, that was unexpected, she would've thought that Harry could get any girl he wanted, he was gorgeous. "That's a shame."
"Not really, there's only ever been one girl I was interested in.'' He said looking into her soft eyes, and holding her small hand in his own.
"But...you said.'' Ginny started, not wanting Harry to lead her on again, she remembered exactly what he had said to her all those years ago. He had broken her heart.
"Forget what I said, I only did it to protect you. I couldn't be with you and make you the prime target for Voldemort, that's why we had to finish, that's why you couldn't know. That's why you had to hate me." Harry said all his emotion bursting out from where they had been locked for years. "I couldn't be with you Ginny, no matter how much I loved you, how much I missed you, how much I pined for you every night, it wasn't worth it, your life and your safety was more important than that."
"So you never stopped loving me?'' Ginny asked slowly trying to take in all of this new information.
"No never, you were my life Ginny. I only told you I didn't so that no one would come after you to get to me. I couldn't tell you what I was doing because you wouldn't have let me, you wouldn't have let me protect you, that's why I had to push you away when all I wanted was to pull you closer."
"Your unbelievable.'' Ginny said
"I'm sorry Gin, but I only did it for you, it killed me Ginny. I didn't want you to get hurt angel.''
"DON'T YOU ANGEL ME!" Ginny shouted, standing up from her seat, wrenching her hand out of Harry's. "HOW DARE YOU SAY YOU DIDN'T WANT ME TO GET HURT. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU DID TO ME HARRY? YOU BROKE MY HEART YOU BROKE MY FUCKING HEART." She screamed her voice going hoarse. She lowered her voice and spoke to him, her voice seething with anger and hurt. "You told me you didn't love me, do you know how much that hurt? Do you know how that made me feel? I would've done anything for you and this is how you treat me. I didn't need protecting Harry I wanted to be with you, I wanted to protect you."
"Gin look I'm sorry it was the only way.''
"No it wasn't. You had to be the hero. You had to be the big man who could do it all alone. I'm stronger than you think Harry. I would've stood by you. I would've died for you. Do you know how many sleepless nights I had, I cried and cried for you Harry, tortured myself, always wondering why, why you would say that, why you would leave me? It was hell for me Harry absolute hell."
"I'm sorry I just wanted to save you.''
"DON'T YOU GET IT, I DIDN'T NEED SAVING, I NEEDED YOU.''
"Gin please...''
"Save it, I don't want to hear it, just you stay away from me.'' She said as she stalked off angrily.
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(A.N Hey Guys, I know I'm going to get reviews complaining that I didn't get them back together but please be patient with me. The stories not over yet, far from it!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter it was great to write, and I hope it doesn't let anyone down... too much! ;-) )
The small apartment had been magically enlarged to hold the many guests that would be arriving shortly. Ron and Harry were drinking bottles of beer, with some of the players of Ron's Quidditch team, banners had been hung from the ceiling, and a large table had been conjured that held plates full of sandwiches and party snacks, and two huge bowls of punch, carefully brewed by Harry and Ron themselves.
Hermione was rushing around making sure that everything was perfect, growing slightly irritated at Ron for not helping out a little, this was his party not hers.
"Mione, need a hand?'' Ron called through to her, as though he had read her mind.
"Uh yeah could you just hang these last few banners, and blow up these balloons while I go and get ready quickly.'' Hermione said, handing them over to Ron, knowing even as she handed them over, that giving a pack of balloons to a bunch of already quite tipsy men wasn't a very good idea if she wanted them to be blown up on time, but she had no other choice.
"Sure babe, you go get ready, we'll take care of everything else.'' Ron said moving closer to her and kissing her lightly on the forehead.
"Thanks.'' Hermione replied smiling, she never could stay properly annoyed at him for long. She rushed of to the bathroom and jumped in the shower quickly, knowing that she had left it a bit late to start getting ready, the guests would be arriving in half an hour. As she got out of the shower, she grabbed Ron's white robe and wrapped it around her, before she magically dried and curled her hair into lose ringlets.
She spent a bit longer doing her make up, preferring to do it the Muggle way, before she slipped into her midnight blue dress, that fell to just below her knees and swayed around her calves, the thin straps were laced with silver thread. She smiled at herself in the mirror as she hooked her diamond earrings into her ears, and fastened the matching necklace around her neck. She slipped on her favourite pair of heels and applied a slick of strawberry lip-gloss before going back out to see if they had actually managed to blow up at least one balloon. She knew that none of them would've thought to use magic, they may be good Quidditch players but they weren't too quick on the uptake.
Hermione stepped out into the living room that was adjoined to the kitchen and saw that they had actually blown up the balloons and hung the banners she was impressed.
"Like it?'' Harry asked, moving up beside her.
"It'll do.'' She said loftily, smiling at her friend. "I can't believe he actually did it.''
"Well we did.'' Harry answered smiling; he reached a hand up and tried to tame his messy hair. "You look great.'' He said nervously to Hermione.
"Thanks Harry. You're looking pretty sharp yourself.''
"Well I try.'' Harry said looking down at himself; he had on a smart pair of faded blue jeans and a white shirt. "I have to look my best for the ladies.''
"Or one lady in particular.'' Hermione said winking. "One that is only coming thanks to me, your amazing and pretty best friend.''
"That's true, thank you Hermione, this means a lot to me.'' Harry said hugging Hermione.
"Hey, you'll crease my dress if you carry on like that Potter.''
"Oh and we wouldn't want that to happen would we.'' Harry said sarcastically, receiving a playful slap from Hermione, he was just about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"Oh my God they're here.'' Hermione shouted, before straightening her dress and rushing to answer the door.
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"It's almost 7'oclock." Ginny said as she applied mascara to her long lashes. "Everyone will be getting to the party soon.''
"Everyone except us Gin.'' Colin said from his seat at the end of Ginny's bed. "We have to make an entrance, you have to make Potter wonder whether or not you'll actually show up."
"But what if he doesn't wonder, what if he doesn't even notice that I'm not there.''
"Well its better that than to have him think that you're pathetic and show up early, then he'll know that you haven't got anything better to do.''
"But I haven't"
"You can't let him know that.'' Colin said expertly.
"Oh I see now.'' Ginny said. "I have to make him think that I'm doing him a favour by actually showing up at his party.
"That's right!"
"Great, I can't wait to see everyone's face when I walk in, with this beautiful dress and you and Dan. We're going to look great.''
"I know Gin, when don't we look great.''
"When the three of us went out that one night and got very very drunk, and you and Dan had to practically carry me home. As I recall none of us looked too hot the next morning.''
"Oh shut up! You know what I mean. We looked great before we went out though, you have to admit that.''
"Yeah we sort of did, no-one else was dressed as Muggle police men after all." Ginny said laughing. "And I'm sure that everyone was only staring because they were jealous."
"I don't care why they were staring, I had a great time and that's all that counts.'' Colin said defensively
"Well I think we're going to have a better time tonight.''
"We will if we ever get there, hurry up Gin, you haven't even done your hair yet.'' Colin complained. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a tight white top, with a pinstriped jacket.
"Where did you say Dan was again?'' Ginny asked, ignoring Colin's attempts at hurrying her, she needed to get everything perfect.
"He finished work late, so he's popped home to get ready and he's coming round straight after." Colin said, smiling as the doorbell rang. "Ah, that should be him." He said happily as he jumped up and ran to answer the door. Ginny watched him leave rolling her eyes, which had been coated in a shimmery white eye shadow.
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"It's almost eight o'clock, where is she?'' Harry demanded of Hermione. "You said that she would be here. I've looked everywhere for her, she's not here Herm.'' Harry said desperately. "What's the point if she's not here."
"Harry, I don't know why she's not here, maybe something came up, all I know is that she said she'd be here and I don't think that she'd lie. I'm sure she'll show up.''
"I hope she does Herm, I really need to sort things out with her.''
"She'll be here Harry, and in the mean time I suggest you go and mingle with people you've been ignoring everyone all night.'' Hermione said, pushing Harry off in the direction of Neville and Luna who were chatting with Seamus and Lavender.''
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Ginny stood nervously outside the door of Harry's apartment. Colin and Dan stood either side of her. She could hear the laughter and music faintly from inside; she supposed that the whole place had been soundproofed. This was it, she was going to have to face him now, and she would show him that she wasn't desperate for him back, even though she was starting to doubt herself, she knew that she was falling for him all over again. She took a deep breath and rung the doorbell.
It took a while, but eventually Hermione's smiling face appeared in the doorway, she looked flustered but gorgeous as always, she enveloped Ginny in a hug and smiled.
"I'm so glad you came.'' She sighed happily. "And you two.'' She said beaming at Colin and Dan. "Now come in and join the party.'' She said standing back and letting the three friends inside.
Colin and Dan walked over to the table and grabbed a bottle of beer each, after telling Ginny that they were there for her. She stood and looked around for a moment, Hermione had certainly done a good job of decorating the place, and it looked fantastic.
"You look gorgeous Gin.'' Hermione gushed. "That dress is amazing.''
"Thank you.'' Ginny said smiling, noticing that she was attracting a bit of attention from the male population of the room. "You look great too Hermione, I love your dress and your earrings. Are those the ones Ron bought you?''
"Yeah, they're my favourites.'' Hermione smiled.
"They're gorgeous.'' Ginny said smiling, her eyes scanning the room for him, she gazed around the crowded room, in search of his trademark messy black hair, she looked around and saw loads of familiar faces from her days at Hogwarts, a few members of the Chudley Cannons and her family.
"Ginny.'' Mrs Weasley screeched upon seeing her daughter, Ginny walked over to her mother and smiled, before giving her a hug. "Oh I haven't seen you in so long, what have you been doing, oh, don't you look gorgeous.''
"Hi mum.'' Ginny sighed wearily, she loved her mother dearly, but she did wish that she wouldn't fuss as much. "It's great to see you too.'' She said looking at her brother's form over her mothers shoulder; they were all smirking at her.
"Where's Bill?'' Ginny asked, mentally counting all the members of her family, only to discover that they were all there except her eldest brother.
"He couldn't get away in time.'' Mrs Weasley said sadly. "Its lucky Charlie were on holiday otherwise he wouldn't have made it either.''
"Oh that's a shame.'' Ginny said sincerely. "It would've been nice to see him.''
"I know, I hardly see any of you anymore.'' Mrs Weasley said sadly. "You've all grown up so fast.''
"Come on now dear, don't get upset.'' Arthur Weasley said wrapping his arms around his wife. "Lets let the kids have a good time, we should be getting out of here, it's not really our thing is it?''
"No I suppose not.'' Molly said. "Have a good time everyone.'' She said as Arthur lead her out of the crowded apartment, Ron giving him a thumbs up as he left.
"Oh God! I thought she was going to start crying right there.'' Ginny said relieved.
"Tell me about it, she's been fussing over us for ages before you arrived.''
"Thought she'd never leave.'' George added.
Ginny turned to her brother Charlie and rolled her eyes; he too looked as though he was getting a bit fed up of his mum making him feel like a baby. "You look lovely Gin.'' He said smiling at his baby sister. "So grown up.''
"Shut up, not you as well.'' She said laughing, glad that she had her brothers around her.
"Who are you trying to impress anyway?'' Fred asked mischievously. "A certain Mr Green eyes maybe?''
"No.'' Ginny answered scathingly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to get myself a drink.'' Ginny said turning her back on her brothers, you'd think after leaving school they would've grown up a bit. She knew full well that even as she walked away from them they'd be laughing and talking about her, but she didn't care, she wasn't going to let them spoil her night.
"Ginny!" A voice called to her, but even from hearing it she knew that it wasn't him, she turned around and saw Dean Thomas walking in her direction.
"Oh hi Dean.'' Ginny said smiling sweetly. "You look great.''
"Same to you.'' He said eyeing her appreciatively. "How are you?''
"I'm good thanks. How about yourself? How are things with you and Parvati.''
"They're going very well, we got engaged last week.'' He said grinning proudly.
"That's great Dean, congratulations.'' Ginny said genuinely, as she felt a hand on her arm; she turned and saw that Harry was standing next to her. His bright green eyes sparkled in the dim light and his hair was just as messy as ever, she could feel the rise and fall of his chest, he was standing so close to her. He smiled briefly at her.
"What's great?'' He asked.
"Dean and Parvati are engaged.'' Ginny said looking up at him her browse furrowed slightly in confusion.
"Nice one mate.'' Harry said clapping Dean on the back; he still hadn't removed his other hand from Ginny's arm. "You haven't got a drink?'' He said looking down at Ginny's empty hands.
"No I haven't.'' Ginny said nonchalantly. "I was just about to get one.'' She was entranced, he smelled so great, a smell that she hadn't smelt since they were together, a smell that she had missed for four years, a smell that was captivating her as she looked into his deep green eyes.
"Well we can't have that can we. What kind of host would I be if there was someone at my party without a drink? If you'll excuse us Dean?''
"Yeah sure, see you both around.''
Harry lead Ginny by the hand over to the table piled high with food and punch, and filled a glass of punch for her. "Thanks Harry.'' Ginny said shyly as he handed the glass to her.
"No problem, can't have anyone going thirsty can we?'' He said, smiling his smile that had always made her go weak at the knees, it seemed he hadn't lost his touch. She cursed herself for falling under his spell so quickly, she reminded herself that he wasn't really interested and of how quickly he had run off the other day.
"So did you end up getting your shopping?'' Ginny asked innocently.
"What...oh um...yeah.'' Harry said looking down at his hands awkwardly. "I just remembered I didn't have any money with me.'' He said hoping that he sounded convincing.
"Oh right.'' Ginny said smiling innocently at him. "How silly?''
"Yeah, very silly.'' Harry said, this wasn't going the way he had planned, he looked down at her. She looked gorgeous, why couldn't he bring himself to tell her. He fought the urge to stroke her soft shiny hair that was swaying enticingly before him.
Ginny swayed gently back and forth in time to the music that was playing, taking small sips of her punch to steady her nerves. The track changed and a loud bass line pumped through the air of the small apartment. "I love this song.'' Ginny said.
"You..Uh..You wanna dance?'' Harry asked quietly.
"Sorry what?'' Ginny asked.
"Do you want to dance?'' Harry said, more clearly this time.
"Yeah sure.'' Ginny said, putting her glass down and moving into the middle of the room, where people were slowly filtering onto the 'dance floor' that Harry and Ron had created earlier. Ginny started dancing smiling over at Colin and Dan who were dancing the other side of the room. Colin started at her open mouthed when he saw who she was dancing with and mouthed 'Good work' to her.
"You're a great dancer'' Harry said to Ginny as she twirled around into front of him, since leaving Hogwarts her and Colin had lived a party lifestyle, even more so when he met Dan. They loved to party, Ginny was out dancing almost every weekend with those two and she loved to dance, it made her feel free.
"Thanks Harry.'' She said smiling. "Wish I could say the same about you though.'' She said cheekily.
"Hey I'm trying my best you know.'' He said defensively, smiling back at her.
"Here let me show you. You have to relax.'' She said as she grabbed his hands and put them around her waist, oblivious to the fact that both Ron and Hermione were watching the intently.
"What is she playing at, is she drunk?'' Ron asked loudly. "I'm going to stop this. What's she playing at, doesn't she remember what he did to her.''
"Ron calm down.'' Hermione said soothingly, placing a hand on his chest. "They're just dancing, it's not as though they're jumping into bed together.''
"But...but..." Ron said trying to think of an argument but it was getting increasingly more difficult as Hermione kissed his neck.
"Just leave them alone.'' She whispered into his ear.
"Ok.'' He sighed, before grabbing her around the waist and pulling her onto the dance floor. "Watch this.'' He said as he started showing off his new dance moves. You could always count on Ron to start dancing when he was drunk.
"Very good babe.'' Hermione said trying to keep a straight face. "Oh wow, that's even better than the last one.''
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"That's better.'' Ginny said as she danced with Harry. He still had his hands on her waist, she stepped in closer to him, so that they're bodies were completely touching. She felt him tense up and she looked up into his face and smiled wickedly, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She could hear every part of her brain screaming at her to stop this, that it was madness, that he didn't like her and was probably only dancing with her out of friendship or worse pity. But she ignored it, whatever was in that punch must've been very strong.
"What are you doing Gin?'' Harry asked, as she started swaying against him. He could feel her whole body against him and it was driving him wild, after years of no contact and now this. His brain was in overdrive.
"I'm just dancing.'' She said coyly. "Don't you like it?'' She asked cheekily, she could feel from the bulge in his pants that he liked it a lot.
"I like it Gin." Harry said heavily. "I like it too much.''
"Good.'' Ginny said, as she continued to rub against him, thankfully her brothers weren't watching her now, and they weren't watching when Harry took her hand and lead her out of the front door and down into the street below. "Where are we going Harry?''
"You'll see.'' He led her over to a fountain and sat down on the edge of his beckoning her to come and sit next to him.
"What are we doing Harry?'' Ginny asked suspiciously as she sat down next to him. "Why are we out here?''
"I just thought it would be nice if we came and had a talk. You know to catch up.''
"Why couldn't we do that inside?''
"It's too loud in there.'' Harry answered simply. "You know you look gorgeous tonight Gin.''
"Thanks Harry. You don't look too bad either.''
"I mean it Gin, you were the prettiest girl in there, and you're the prettiest girl in most rooms." Harry said blushing slightly under her gaze. "I'm glad you came.''
"Yeah, I'm glad I came too. I didn't want to though.''
"Why not?''
"Because of you. I thought it would be awkward seeing you again, especially after you ran away from me the other day.'' Ginny said looking down at her shoes.
"I didn't run away from you, well maybe I did, but...'' Harry buried his face in his hands. "Like you said it's just awkward. I made a right prat of myself that day; especially when I thought you were with Colin. I can't believe no one told me he was gay."
"So how did you think we'd been a couple for?''
"Since Hogwarts.'' Harry said blushing
"Oh my God! I can't believe that, that's unbelievable. Its pretty obvious that he's gay Harry."
"Well it is now.'' He said defensively, smiling despite himself as he watched Ginny smile, the smile that he'd always loved. "So where did you learn to dance like that?'' Harry asked smiling wickedly. "Very impressive.''
Ginny smiled. "Colin, Dan and I are quite the party animals.''
"Who's Dan?'' Harry asked quickly hoping that it wasn't Ginny's boyfriend.
"He's Colin's boyfriend.'' Ginny said not noticing the tone of jealousy in Harry's voice. "They've been together for a while now.''
"Oh right. So what about your boyfriends then?'' Harry asked, knowing that he needed to know this before he could tell her what he'd been hiding for so long.
"I haven't really had the time to have boyfriends, I mean I go out with my friends a lot but there haven't been any men in my life. I've been concentrating on my career, I'm starting in St Mungo's in two weeks.'' Ginny said proudly.
"Yeah I heard.'' Harry said. "Hermione told me, that's excellent.'' He smiled inwardly, very pleased that she hadn't had any other boyfriends, maybe she still had feelings for him, or maybe your deluding yourself a nasty voice in his head told him.
"So what about you Potter, bet you've had loads of girlfriends.''
"No none.'' He said directly. "I haven't been interested. Too many late night shifts.''
"Oh right.'' Ginny said, that was unexpected, she would've thought that Harry could get any girl he wanted, he was gorgeous. "That's a shame."
"Not really, there's only ever been one girl I was interested in.'' He said looking into her soft eyes, and holding her small hand in his own.
"But...you said.'' Ginny started, not wanting Harry to lead her on again, she remembered exactly what he had said to her all those years ago. He had broken her heart.
"Forget what I said, I only did it to protect you. I couldn't be with you and make you the prime target for Voldemort, that's why we had to finish, that's why you couldn't know. That's why you had to hate me." Harry said all his emotion bursting out from where they had been locked for years. "I couldn't be with you Ginny, no matter how much I loved you, how much I missed you, how much I pined for you every night, it wasn't worth it, your life and your safety was more important than that."
"So you never stopped loving me?'' Ginny asked slowly trying to take in all of this new information.
"No never, you were my life Ginny. I only told you I didn't so that no one would come after you to get to me. I couldn't tell you what I was doing because you wouldn't have let me, you wouldn't have let me protect you, that's why I had to push you away when all I wanted was to pull you closer."
"Your unbelievable.'' Ginny said
"I'm sorry Gin, but I only did it for you, it killed me Ginny. I didn't want you to get hurt angel.''
"DON'T YOU ANGEL ME!" Ginny shouted, standing up from her seat, wrenching her hand out of Harry's. "HOW DARE YOU SAY YOU DIDN'T WANT ME TO GET HURT. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU DID TO ME HARRY? YOU BROKE MY HEART YOU BROKE MY FUCKING HEART." She screamed her voice going hoarse. She lowered her voice and spoke to him, her voice seething with anger and hurt. "You told me you didn't love me, do you know how much that hurt? Do you know how that made me feel? I would've done anything for you and this is how you treat me. I didn't need protecting Harry I wanted to be with you, I wanted to protect you."
"Gin look I'm sorry it was the only way.''
"No it wasn't. You had to be the hero. You had to be the big man who could do it all alone. I'm stronger than you think Harry. I would've stood by you. I would've died for you. Do you know how many sleepless nights I had, I cried and cried for you Harry, tortured myself, always wondering why, why you would say that, why you would leave me? It was hell for me Harry absolute hell."
"I'm sorry I just wanted to save you.''
"DON'T YOU GET IT, I DIDN'T NEED SAVING, I NEEDED YOU.''
"Gin please...''
"Save it, I don't want to hear it, just you stay away from me.'' She said as she stalked off angrily.
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(A.N Hey Guys, I know I'm going to get reviews complaining that I didn't get them back together but please be patient with me. The stories not over yet, far from it!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter it was great to write, and I hope it doesn't let anyone down... too much! ;-) )