CHAPTER 12

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT

"You know that necklace looks very familiar.'' Hermione said to her friend as she took a seat in Hermione's modest home. "Have I seen it before? It's really nice.''

"Yeah you've seen it before, it was the one Harry gave me, you know, the one that played our song.'' Ginny said fingering the locket that still hung around her neck.

"So why are you wearing it?'' Hermione asked, her eyes lighting up. "You're not back together are you?'' the hope obvious in her voice.

"No we're not. I was just thinking about him last night and I don't know, it sort of felt natural to put it on. I know it sounds silly but I somehow feel closer to him this way.''

"Why don't you just talk to him Gin?'' Hermione said, sitting down opposite her friend, looking deep into her eyes.

"No, he hasn't even tried to contact me in any way, shape or form since the night of the party; he obviously doesn't want to know. It's up to him, the balls in his court now.''

"But Gin you know what he's like.'' Hermione pleaded.

"Well if he really wanted me to forgive him, and for me to even consider taking him back he could at least talk to me." Ginny said she knew that she wouldn't need to consider it. The truth was that if Harry walked up to her that very minute, apologised and asked for a second chance, he'd have it before you could say Quidditch. But Ginny was stubborn; it was a Weasley family trait, along with the red hair and freckles. If he wanted her, he'd have to come to her.

"So you're saying that you would consider it?'' Hermione asked hopefully, her eyes lighting up.

"Oh come on seriously Hermione, I'd have him back like a shot and you know it.'' Ginny said smiling. "I just wish he'd stop being such a prat and come and see me so we can get this over with. I can't get him out of my head, I see him every time I close my eyes. It still doesn't feel right going to sleep without his arms wrapped around me.'' Ginny said wistfully. "And how long has it been since that last happened?''

"Like I said before you know what he's like. He's a man, need I say more."

"Yeah I know too damn well what he's like. Unless he doesn't even want us to get back together and all that at the party was just a bit of fun.'' Ginny said worriedly. "A bit of drunken fun, a dance and then hopefully a bit more.'' Ginny said bitterly.

"I'm sure it wasn't." Hermione said, quick to reassure her friend. "Harry's not like that and you know it.''

"How do you know though? No one knows what's going on in his head really, do they?''

"Ginny, you're worrying over nothing, you know how he feels about you.''

"Do I? To be honest with you Hermione, I'm not so sure, he keeps blowing hot and cold, one minute he's telling me that he never stopped loving me and then he doesn't speak to me again for almost a month." Ginny ranted. "At least with Andrew its perfectly clear how he feels.''

"Have you had another poem from him?'' Hermione asked curiously.

"No, but he gets flirtier by the day, maybe I should just go out on a date with him, I mean at this rate I'll be 105 before Harry sorts himself out.''

"No don't jump into anything too soon, I mean it wouldn't be fair on Andrew if you went out with him if your still in love with Harry.'' Hermione said quickly.

"You're right.'' Ginny said, knowing that she never would've gone out with Andrew anyway, she pulled her fingers away from her neck, she had been holding on to the locket unconsciously all the time she'd been talking to Hermione. She looked up and out of the window of her friend's living room and was shocked to see a large glossy black owl perched on the window ledge, its bright yellow eyes gazing at her importantly. "Hermione you have an owl.'' Ginny said simply, enraptured by the beautiful, almost regal owl at the window.

Hermione got up and crossed the room; she too seemed puzzled by the sudden appearance of the black owl. She pulled the window open and the owl stuck out its leg and waited for the scroll it had tied to its leg, to be removed. Hermione hastily removed the parchment and the owl flew off immediately. "I wonder what this is all about?'' Hermione said as she scanned the scroll for any sign of the sender.

"Maybe you have a secret admirer too.'' Ginny said getting up and walking over to where Hermione stood, she had opened the scroll and her eyes widened with shock as she read of the letter, she broke into a huge grin as she read it a second time. "Well what is it? Tell me I can't stand the suspense.''

"I got it.''

"What?"

"I got it Gin, I got the job!'' Hermione squealed beaming. "I can't believe this, I can't believe it, I got the job."

"Oh my God Hermione, that's amazing! Congratulations.'' Ginny said happily, hugging Hermione tightly. "This is great!"

"I know, I have to tell Ron.'' Hermione said happily, the letter still clutched tightly in hand.

"Where is he?'' Ginny asked, pulling back from Hermione, pulling her wand out and getting ready to apparate.

"He's in Quidditch practice, at the Cannon's grounds. We have to get Harry first, I have to tell him." Hermione said happily. "Plus the security guards will most likely let us past if we have Harry with us."

"Ok then let's go." Ginny said quickly hoping against hope that she wouldn't make a prat of herself.

Harry tucked his wand away into the pocket on the inside of his robes, he had just got back from a long tiring night shift at auror headquarters and wanted more than anything to take of his robes and collapse into bed, but he desperately needed something to eat first.

He walked out to the kitchen from the slightly messy living room and pulled a clean bowl from the dwindling supply in the cupboard, his eyes strayed to the growing pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. He pulled his wand again and said a few simple words and the dishes started to magically wash themselves. As the dishes got soapy in the sink, he conjured a plate of toast and jam and sat down on the sofa in front of the TV and hungrily demolished the four slices that he had just made. Once he had finished he put the empty plate down on the coffee table and sprawled out on the sofa, but it didn't feel right, his robes felt too tight around his neck, and it felt stiflingly warm in the apartment.

He wearily stood up and stripped of his robes, t-shirt and jeans before heading to his bedroom, carrying the pile of clothes up with him, thinking that he should try and get some sleep before he collapsed.

"Harry are you in.'' Hermione shouted only ten minutes after Harry had just got comfortable. "Harry are you there?''

"Yeah.'' Harry called groggily out from his room.

"Good then we're coming in.'' Hermione called, as Harry heard two sets of foot steps start to make they're way into his bedroom, and from the sound of it, one set was definitely not Ron's, unless Ron had taken to wearing high heels.

"Wait Hermione!" Harry called out, but it was too late, he didn't even have time to cover himself with blankets before Hermione and Ginny came bursting into his room, Hermione beaming, clutching a piece of parchment. He looked again, positive that his eyes were deceiving him. Ginny. It couldn't be, not here, not in his room. But it was, and she seemed to be blushing a deep shade of red. Probably because she just walked in and caught you sprawled out on the bed in your boxers you prat, Harry thought to himself, as he hurriedly pulled on a pair of jeans. "Thanks for knocking Hermione.'' Harry said grumpily as he fastened the button on his jeans. He looked over at Ginny and smiled apologetically, she looked as beautiful as ever, her cheeks still flushed red and her hair slightly tousled.

"I'm sorry Harry I couldn't wait I just had to tell you. I got the job.'' Hermione said, watching as Harry grinned and then rushed forward to hug her, congratulating her. Ginny looked on as the two friends embraced, she looked Harry up and down, he looked gorgeous, even with tired eyes and messier than normal hair. She wanted him to hold her like that, wanted to feel his bare muscular chest pressed up against her.

"Isn't it amazing.'' Hermione said once Harry had pulled away from her. I can't believe it.'' She enthused still beaming.

"Congratulations Herm, you deserve that job more than anyone I know.'' Harry said, his voice soft and his eyes warm. Ginny's heart melted right there when she watched as Harry pulled Hermione in for another hug and gave her a brotherly kiss on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you.'' He whispered hoarsely, squeezing her tightly. He looked over at Ginny as if he had suddenly become aware that she was still there. "Isn't it great Gin?''

"Yeah it's amazing." Ginny said, wishing she could have thought of something more interesting to say, and cursing herself for wanting him so badly. She must've been looking at his chest because Harry suddenly blushed deeply and rushed to put on a t-shirt. "Sorry about this." Harry said to Ginny shyly. "I wasn't expecting company.'' He said shooting Hermione a look.

"Its all right.'' Ginny said, having trouble getting her voice to work properly.

"Harry, will you come with us to tell Ron, he doesn't know yet?'' Hermione asked, she had been watching Harry's and Ginny's exchange and even though she was ecstatic that they were speaking she desperately needed to tell Ron, she felt as though she would burst if she didn't tell him soon.

"Sure, where is he? Training?'' Harry asked, glad for something to distract him from Ginny for a second, she was mesmerising.

"Yeah, are you both ready to apparate?'' Hermione asked, watching as both her friends nodded their assent. "Great, well then lets go.''

"Weasley!" A loud and burly voice shouted up into the air, magnified, echoing through the empty stands. "Visitors.'' The security guard quietened his voice and walked of the pitch, back to guard the gates to stop any fans getting into the Cannons home ground.

Ron flew downwards sharply and touched down on the ground, stumbling slightly the team Captain shooting his a curious look, Ron never had visitors, come to think of it, no one ever had any visitors, he didn't even know if they were allowed to have visitors. I wonder who the hell it is? He thought to himself as he jogged off the pitch to the front entrance, abandoning his broom on the ground. He was taken aback when he saw Hermione, Harry and Ginny standing there waiting for him. Hermione looked a though she were going to explode.

"What are you lot doing here?" Ron asked, looking at Harry and Ginny briefly, his eyes drifting over to Hermione who couldn't stand still with excitement.

"I got it Ron.'' Hermione said happily.

"Really!" Ron asked his attention focused completely on her, knowing exactly what she was talking about without even having to ask.

"Yeah, I've got the letter right here. I just can't believe it.'' Hermione gushed as Ron picked her up off the floor and swung her around, kissing her hard all the while.

"You wouldn't believe how many times she's said 'I can't believe it.' today." Ginny said to Harry, trying to break the awkward silence that had enveloped them both.

"How many times?'' Harry asked, smiling at Ginny, tiredness forgotten.

"About a million.'' Ginny said rolling her eyes.

"I can't believe it.'' Harry said shocked. "A million times." The laughter in his voice was contagious and soon both he and Ginny were in hysterics.

"What are you two laughing about?'' Ron asked, smiling at his sister knowingly. Ginny just rolled her eyes at him. He had put Hermione down now but he still had one arm wrapped around her, Hermione was positively beaming.

"We just can't believe it that's all.'' Harry said seriously, sending Ginny into another fit of hysterics. He caught her eyes and for a moment it felt as though nothing had changed it all. He felt as though he had been hearing her laughing for years, seeing her smile, looking into her eyes. They held their gaze for what felt like an eternity, before Ginny looked away, suddenly aware that they were both being watched closely by both Ron and Hermione. She blushed crimson, and was pleased to see that Harry also had a pinkish tinge to his cheeks.

"Well I have to tell my parents now." Hermione said, breaking the silence abruptly. "They'll be so proud.''

"And I better get back inside." Ron said quickly, kissing Hermione again, and mouthing well done to her before rushing back inside the pitch. Hermione smiled at them both before apparating off once again.

Harry and Ginny stood together, both of them knowing that they had just been stitched up, the silence around them was deafening. Ginny fidgeted with her hands awkwardly, unable to think of a thing to say.

"You know what we should do now.'' Harry said as though he had struck gold. His eyes bright and playful grin plastered across his face.

"What?'' Ginny asked uneasily, she hadn't spoken to him properly for years but she still recognised that look, and the crazy ideas that came with it.

"Throw Hermione a surprise congratulations party, it'll be great she won't be able to believe it." Ginny laughed in spite of herself, she wasn't sure about it. It was a good idea, but it would mean spending a lot of time around Harry, and it felt awkward not knowing whether he felt about her what she felt for him. She looked up at him, and saw his bright green eyes shining with excitement and she couldn't say no to him.

"That sounds like a plan.'' Ginny said grinning, Harry smiled back and for a moment she forgot everything that had happened between them. "Well I can't really do anything tonight, I'm working.''

"Same here.'' Harry said, glancing down at his watch, which told him that he only had another two hours free before he'd have to go back to headquarters, luckily tonight wasn't going to be another all night job. He was dead on his feet, but as soon as he had seen Ginny all tiredness had been forgotten. "How about tomorrow evening?'' Harry said casually, hoping that he wasn't blushing, he hadn't planned any of this. How was he going to handle being in the same room as her and not being able to hold her?

"Sounds good to me, I should be getting off early tomorrow anyway.'' Ginny said unsurely, she definitely didn't think that this was going to be a good idea. He still hadn't mentioned anything about the party about Hogwarts. "I love it at St Mungo's but it's so tiring." Ginny said, hoping that her inhibitions about the next night weren't showing.

"I bet you love it there.'' Harry said trying to keep his voice light-hearted, and succeeding.

"What do you mean?'' Ginny asked confused.

"Oh, I've heard about your secret admirer.'' Harry said, hoping that he sounded casual. "Some guy from work eh?''

"Uh I think so.'' Ginny said what was he doing? Wasn't he even a little upset? He didn't sound upset, or jealous. Maybe he really had gotten over her, it had been long enough. But then why couldn't she get him out of her head. "I'm not sure, he's the only one it really could be.''

"I'm sure you've got men fighting for your attention Gin, it could be anyone, you're a beautiful woman." Harry said without a trace of a blush.

"Uh thanks.'' Ginny said awkwardly, what was with men and mixed signals, one minute Harry was joking around like nothing had ever happened between them and the next he was calling her beautiful?

"Well I'd better be off now anyway.'' Harry said, sensing that Ginny was feeling uncomfortable with him. "Sirius will go mental if I'm late tonight. So I'll come by yours tomorrow at seven is that ok?''

"That's fine.'' Ginny said. "See you then." She stood awkwardly for a moment before Harry apparated unsure whether to hug him, or just wave. She wanted to hug him but it wouldn't feel right. Harry made her mind up for her, giving her a quick smile and a wink and apparating quickly off.

Ginny stood shell-shocked. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Harry was coming over hers tomorrow night, they were going to plan a party together, and she was going to have to talk to him normally, when she could barely form a sentence around him. She turned into a shy school girl whenever Harry was involved, no matter how much she fought it, Harry had captured her heart in Hogwarts and it would be his forever.

"You look into my eyes I go out of my mind,

I can't see anything coz this loves got me blind,

I can't help myself,

I can't break this spell,

I can't even try.

I'm in over my head,

You got under my skin,

I've got no strength at all in the state that I'm in,

And my knees are weak and my mouth can't speak,

Fell too far this time

Angel I'm too lost in you,

Caught in you,

Lost in everything about you,

So deep I cant speak,

I can't think,

I just think about the things that you do,

I'm too lost in you.

When you whisper at me,

I shiver inside,

You undo me and move me in ways undefined.

You're all I see and you're all I need,

I'm going crazy with love for you angel,

I can't eat and I can't sleep,

I'm going down like a stone in the sea,

No one can rescue me.

I'm too lost in you."

Ginny read the poem over and over again, it was beautiful, just like the last one, but still with no name. It had the same handwriting and everything but who was it from, it had to be Andrew, who else could it be, no one else had been actively showing her any interest for ages.

She scanned through it one more time, whoever had written it had called her angel; Harry had been the only person to call her angel. She looked down at the poem in her hands written on a pink piece of parchment, Harry wouldn't write something like this, would he? It must just be a coincidence, her hopeful mind jumping to conclusions.

She folded up the poem quickly and placed it into her handbag, this would call for a quick visit to Colin. She still hadn't told him that she had spoken with Harry, or that he would be coming over that very night. She had gotten home from work the previous night and found that the poem had been posted through her letterbox. She had been so wrapped up in it she had forgotten to tell Colin and now even still after a full days work she couldn't get it off her mind. Harry would be arriving in a few hours but she had to see Colin first.

A few seconds later Ginny apparated straight into Colin's front room, to find him and Dan sitting in front of the TV watching what had to be a Muggle film. "Hiya guys.'' Ginny said breathlessly I'm so sorry to barge in on you, but this is urgent.''

"What's the problem Gin?'' Dan asked switching the TV off immediately. "Is something wrong?''

"No, well yes, here look at this.'' Ginny said thrusting the parchment into Dan's hands and waiting nervously as they both read through it. "Well what do you think?''

"Its beautiful." Dan said. "Whoever writes these must be crazy about you Ginny.''

"Didn't Harry used to call you his angel?'' Colin asked his eyes still fixed on the parchment.

"That's what I first thought, but it can't be him.'' Ginny said, hoping that Colin would contradict her and tell her that there was a chance that it could be.

"Why can't it be?'' Dan asked imploringly, "We saw the way he was with you at the party Gin, he couldn't take his eyes off you.''

"Well he's obviously gotten over me then.'' Ginny said sadly.

"What do you mean?'' Colin asked curiously.

"I saw him yesterday, Hermione got the job in the Department of mysteries, so we went to tell Harry and Ron, and then Hermione and Ron buggered off leaving me with Harry.''

"That's great news for Hermione.'' Dan said happily.

"So what happened with you and Harry then?" Colin asked, literally on the edge of his seat. "Did he say anything to you?''

"Not really, I mean we had a laugh and for a while it felt as though nothing had ever changed between us, then it got awkward. That's when Ron and Hermione left. We were just standing there in silence. " Ginny said thinking back to the previous day. "Then Harry broke the silence..."

"An obvious sign that he like you.''

"No an obvious sign that he felt uncomfortable, I just froze I couldn't think of a thing to say to him, not a single thing."

"Why are you so convinced that he doesn't still have feelings for you?" Colin asked.

"I don't know, he just keeps blowing hot and cold, one minute he's all over me, then we don't speak for over a month, then he acts like we never had an argument, like he never hurt me, then he tells me I'm beautiful." Ginny said, holding her head in her hands, why does he have to be so... so...Harryish."

"Is that even a real word?''

"It is now.'' Ginny said miserably, and now he's coming over and I don't know what we're going to talk about..."

"He's coming over? Why?'' Colin demanded "How could you leave that part out of the story?''

"Well I was going to tell you both, before I was rudely interrupted.'' "She said looking at Colin smiling. "Anyway he suggested that we plan a surprise party for Hermione, so he's coming around tonight to arrange some things.'' Ginny said.

"Well he's going to have his chance tonight isn't he?'' Dan said slowly. "And if he doesn't take it then he's a fool Gin. Your beautiful, you could get anyone you want.''

"I want him.'' Ginny said quietly.

"You'll get him, I'm sure of it.'' Colin said comfortingly. "Now what time did you say he was arriving?"

"Seven-ish.'' Ginny said, looking at the watch on her wrist. "Bugger, he'll be here soon, I have to go an change. I'll speak to you both tomorrow.'' Ginny said pulling her wand without another word and apparating quickly.

Dan looked over to Colin who was sitting, still staring at the spot where Ginny had just been sitting. "Nothings ever easy for her is it?'' He said shaking his head.

"Nothing's ever been easy with Ginny.'' Colin said fondly, he cared deeply for her.

"If you ask me Harry doesn't deserve her, she's a great girl, she doesn't deserve to get messed around."

"Nothing's ever been easy for those two either.'' Colin said slowly. "You didn't see them together Dan, you didn't see how happy he made her, how much he worshipped her. He only broke up with her because he thought it would save her, but he was wrong, he destroyed her. He knows what he's done."

"Then why doesn't he try to make it right. Why's he putting her through this?''

"I don't know, maybe he thinks she's given up on him, maybe he's given up on her. If you ask me the both of them need their heads banging together. I love Ginny, she's always been there for me, but she isn't half stubborn. If they'd both just talk I'm sure they'd be back together in a shot."

"Why can't anything just be straight forward?''

"I saw them in school they were in love, something like that never goes away, and no matter if they try and fight it, I know they'll be together someday.'' Colin sighed. Why couldn't they see it like that though?

(A.N Hey guys hope you like the longer chapter, I know I've left a sort of cliffy again and I'm sorry, but I wanted the next chapter to start at Ginny's house. So you'll have to wait and see what happens. Please leave a review Thanks xxxxx by the way, the next chapter is already half written so it won't be long now I promise.)