Ginny sighed. She had actually left Harry and Cho alone together in the
Common Room. She knew that they had gotten up to something together,
because Ginny had been waiting in the Great Hall for them to come down for
dinner, and she had been waiting quite a long time. When they finally did
come down, they had been flushed and Harry had acted very strangely, not
looking anyone in the eye during conversations. Ginny had almost punched
Cho. Her smug, self-satisfied smirk was enough to make Ginny mad with
anger. Skank. Ginny thought. You would. After Cedric Diggory, I'm not
surprised that you'd make Harry do it too. Ginny was practically fuming.
How she hated Cho. She glared at her, narrowing her eyes and curling her
top lip. She knew she must look like a right jealous little so-and-so, but
she didn't care. After all, she was jealous!
She felt someone's eyes on her and looked up to see Harry staring at her. He averted his eyes as soon as Ginny saw him, though. She looked him up and down. He certainly looked as if he'd been up to something with Cho. His hair was very ruffled, the top button on his shirt wasn't done up, and his glasses weren't sitting straight. He looked almost comical, and Ginny would have laughed at him, had the reason for his untidiness not been Cho. Harry glanced at her again and gave her a guilty smile. Ginny glared back at him. Stupid twit, She thought to herself. Anyone can see that Cho's a manipulative little cow...Except you. Why did Ginny have to love him so much? It wasn't fair, she loved him hopelessly with all her heart, and yet, he never gave her a second look. She sighed in defeat. She knew it would never happen. She knew that Harry wouldn't leave Cho, especially not for her. I just have to learn to forget about him, she thought to herself. Then maybe it won't hurt me so badly whenever I see him with Cho...........
****
Before Ginny knew it, two weeks had passed. It was Monday, and she was loaded down with more and more homework for the week. What made that somewhat more bearable though, was having Harry to help her. Sometimes Hermione helped her, but a lot of the time she was called away by Ron pashing her. Ginny wouldn't ever get Ron to help her, though. She didn't want him giving her a heap of cock-and-bull answers that she'd get nothing but a big "F" for. So most of the time, it was just her and Harry.
They were good friends now, and Ginny tried hard to conceal the fact that she wanted to be more than that with Harry. She didn't think he suspected her true feelings, or he never let on if he did. The time she spent with Harry doing her homework was the best time of her Hogwart's life. Just being in his company was good enough, but to have him next to her, laughing with her and talking with her was more than Ginny had ever hoped for. She felt so comfortable with him, so special. Everything he said to her mattered, and he would take her homework so seriously, making more effort than she did to make sure she'd get a high mark. He wouldn't let her miss a thing when he explained something, and the serious, concentrated look on his face often had her in fits on the common room floor. She couldn't help it, and she knew it annoyed him when he was trying to explain something important to her, but a lot of the time, her mind wasn't on her Homework when she was with him. She couldn't help but notice his gorgeous smile or his manly chest when she was mere inches away from him. As much as she always tried to tell herself that Harry wasn't worth her affections and that he was a stupid moron for dating Cho, she knew that she still loved him. It annoyed the hell out of her, yet she couldn't help but think that everything about Harry was perfect, gorgeous and admirable.
Ginny had just finished her homework with Hermione's help this time (to Ginny's disappointment), and was getting ready for Quidditch Practise. Harry was probably alone with bloody Cho again, getting ready for the practise together or something. Ginny had heard all day that Cho was going to come out and watch Harry train for the Quidditch match against her team (Ravenclaw) on saturday. Ginny stuffed her quidditch gloves on and carefully pulled her Orbit out from under her bed, where it was wrapped tightly and securly in its velvet wrappings. This would be the first time she'd use it, and Harry too. She knew that he was very eager to try out his Orbit at Quidditch practise. He had been practically bouncing in his seat at dinner.
Ginny carried it downstairs and was surprised to see Harry waiting in the Common room.
"Isn't Ron down yet, Harry?" Ginny asked him.
"No, it's not him I was waiting for," Harry smiled at her. "I was waiting for my fellow Orbit-owner."
Ginny laughed, "Fellow Orbit-owner?? Very cute name, Harry. What about Cho? Isn't she going to watch you play tonight?" Ginny asked rather tentatively.
"Oh, I think she can find her own way down to the pitch without getting lost, don't you?" Harry laughed. Ginny smiled, a little forcably. I wish she would get lost, Ginny thought to herself. A sudden thought struck her.
"And you think I can't find my own way there, do you?" She asked incredulously. Harry actually blushed. But he couldn't have, could he? Ginny asked herself.
"I just thought I'd make a grand-entrance with my fellow Orbit owner!" Harry grinned. "We own the best brooms in the world, we have to give them a decent introduction!" Ginny's heart sank. Dammit. I was hoping for a "That's because I like you more than Cho" excuse. You really have to stop being so hopeful, Ginny. Harry Doesn't like you!
"Guess so," She told him, rather bluntly. "Come on then, we've got to get going." She swept past him and out of the portrait hole. Harry followed her, jogging to catch up.
"Why the rush, Gin?" He almost panted. Ginny raised one eyebrow at him.
"Just a little thing called Quidditch practise, Harry dear," she told him sarcastically. He frowned at her, then he nodded.
"Guess that's a good enough reason."
They walked together in awkward silence. Ginny closed her eyes for a moment. Why did I have to be such a bitch to him just before? God, I bet he hates me now. She glanced at Harry. He didn't seem to look hurt at all, but just to be on the safe side (and because she certainly didn't want Harry hating her) she leant over and squeezed his hand. She never thought he'd think of that in any way other than being companiable, but he stopped walking and stared down at her searchingly. Ginny raised her eyebrows questionably.
"What?" She asked him. He looked at her a moment more, then shook his head. He squeezed her hand back and then walked on.
"Nothing, Gin. Nothing at all." She frowned and shook her head. Whatever.
When they finally got to the Quidditch Pitch, everyone was already there waiting for them. Cho jumped up and ran to Harry, giving him a big hug and a kiss. Ginny rolled her eyes in annoyance and got on her broom. She noticed that Harry didn't bother with his Orbit-Grand-Entrance thing like he told her he was planning on doing.
"All right! Come on everyone, on your brooms and get going!" She yelled to everyone. They obediantly hopped on their brooms and kicked off from the ground. Ron threw the Quaffle in the air for the Chaser and the Keeper (Ginny), and released the Bludgers. Lastly, he released the Snitch for Harry and they were finally all in the air.
Ginny went to her goal posts to defend them from the three Chasers and waited for an onslaught. The Chasers (Ron, Colin Creevey and a pretty 4th year named Mandy Rickets) were trying out a heap of moves in the middle of the pitch. Great. Ginny thought sarcastically. I'm gonna have lot's of fun here doing nothing. She flew to one of the goal posts and leant against it. She watched Godrey and Geoffry, the two beaters, belt the bludgers at Dennis. She laughed out loud when he copped on in the stomache and started whinging. Harry was high above her, searching for the Snitch, trying out a few moves now and then to keep himself busy. Ginny yawned and blinked a few times.
"Ron! Am I going to get to do anything, or not??" She yelled at her brother. He looked up and yelled back at her.
"We're just trying out a few moves, Gin! We'll be finished in a minute!"
Ginny nodded, then decided to give the Orbit a whizz. She flew up high, higher than the stands, higher than the top box. Far out. This baby isn't even having any trouble at all! And it's so quick! She spun around a few times and made a few dives. A voice at her shoulder startled her.
"Trying out your Orbit, hey Gin?" Harry asked, grinning. Ginny melted at that. God, he looks hot when he grins like that.
"Um, yeah. They're pretty good, hey Harry?"
"Pretty good?! They're the best broom I've ever ridden! And that's saying a lot!" He exclaimed passionately.
"Yeah yeah, ok. They are the best broom I've ever ridden too. Although, that isn't saying a lot!" She laughed, thinking of her family's financial state. It didn't really bother her anymore and she was able to joke about it. Ron, on the other hand, hated it, and was really sensitive whenever the subject was brought up.
Harry laughed at her joke too, "You've ridden a few, but this is certainly the best one by far!"
Ginny grinned,
"I reckon" she told him. Suddenly, a voice intruded on their conversation. Ron was yelling angrily up at them.
"OI! Ginny! Come down here and Practise, would you! We just stopped for you, and then we find out that you're not even at the goal-posts like you're meant to be! Come on, or we'll belt this bloody Quaffle straight through those blasted hoops of yours!" Ginny laughed down at him.
"Yes, ok, I'm coming Ron! Seeya later, Harry." She winked at him and flew down to the goal posts.
****
Harry watched her fly off. She really was gorgeous, he had to admit. With her wild flame-coloured hair streaming out behind her and her face flushed with excitement, she was a sight to behold. He caught himself staring and mentally shook himself. She was just Ginny, one of his good mates. He wasn't perving on her. Certainly not! He looked down for a sight of Cho, and saw her dark head in the stands. He was thinking about giving up looking for the snitch and going to pash Cho, when a loud, triumphant cheer broke through his thoughts.
"Yeah! Sucked in Ron! Good job sonny, but not good enough for me!" He heard Ginny shrieking triumphantly. Ron was trying to yell at her about it being unfair or something, but Ginny was just laughing.
Harry grinned. He loved her competitive streak. It made her so interesting. Everything about her was interesting. And incredible, and loveable. Harry remembered back a while ago when she had squeezed his hand. It had shocked him. He knew that she only meant it as a friendly gesture, but it had still worried him. He didn't want her to think of him like that. He thought of her as a sister, so he had just gathered over the months that she thought of him as a brother. He hoped to all hell that her crush on him was over. It was so long ago now that he had guessed that it had ended ages ago. She used to be so besotted with him, but that was years ago and she was younger then. He didn't think of her in that way anyway. Ginny was just, well, Ginny. She was Ron's little sister, a great buddy of his, but nothing more than that. Not like Cho, his beautiful, perfect Cho. He loved her deeply, and not like a brother loves a sister. Like a man loves a woman.
A flash of gold caught his eye and he tore after it. He was glad to have something else to keep his mind away from the two females down below. Harry performed a few fancy moves and easily caught the Snitch. He flew back to the ground just as Ron blew the whistle for end of practise. He was about to compliment Ginny on her excellent Keeping, when Cho came up to him and whispered playfully in his ear,
"Nice fly, Harry."
Harry turned to face her. "You think so?" He grinned at her.
"Yeah.........it's undone." Cho's eyes sparkled. Harry's eyes flew open and he struggled to quickly do his fly up, turning as crimson as his Quidditch robes. Everyone on the Quidditch team started laughing. Harry wanted to crawl under the stands and die. God, what an embarrassment. He thought to himself. And I bet Ginny saw, too. Great.
Cho turned back to him after being in fits of giggles on the ground and kissed him.
"It doesn't matter, Harry. No one saw anything. Apart from me, that is." She put her arms about his neck, but Harry wasn't in the mood for a big snog with her, especially not in front of his Quidditch team, who were all still laughing their heads off at his expense. Harry shrugged Cho's arms off of him and walked to the Changerooms. He knew that his offhand gesture had probably hurt Cho, but he didn't care right now. He'd apologise later.
She felt someone's eyes on her and looked up to see Harry staring at her. He averted his eyes as soon as Ginny saw him, though. She looked him up and down. He certainly looked as if he'd been up to something with Cho. His hair was very ruffled, the top button on his shirt wasn't done up, and his glasses weren't sitting straight. He looked almost comical, and Ginny would have laughed at him, had the reason for his untidiness not been Cho. Harry glanced at her again and gave her a guilty smile. Ginny glared back at him. Stupid twit, She thought to herself. Anyone can see that Cho's a manipulative little cow...Except you. Why did Ginny have to love him so much? It wasn't fair, she loved him hopelessly with all her heart, and yet, he never gave her a second look. She sighed in defeat. She knew it would never happen. She knew that Harry wouldn't leave Cho, especially not for her. I just have to learn to forget about him, she thought to herself. Then maybe it won't hurt me so badly whenever I see him with Cho...........
****
Before Ginny knew it, two weeks had passed. It was Monday, and she was loaded down with more and more homework for the week. What made that somewhat more bearable though, was having Harry to help her. Sometimes Hermione helped her, but a lot of the time she was called away by Ron pashing her. Ginny wouldn't ever get Ron to help her, though. She didn't want him giving her a heap of cock-and-bull answers that she'd get nothing but a big "F" for. So most of the time, it was just her and Harry.
They were good friends now, and Ginny tried hard to conceal the fact that she wanted to be more than that with Harry. She didn't think he suspected her true feelings, or he never let on if he did. The time she spent with Harry doing her homework was the best time of her Hogwart's life. Just being in his company was good enough, but to have him next to her, laughing with her and talking with her was more than Ginny had ever hoped for. She felt so comfortable with him, so special. Everything he said to her mattered, and he would take her homework so seriously, making more effort than she did to make sure she'd get a high mark. He wouldn't let her miss a thing when he explained something, and the serious, concentrated look on his face often had her in fits on the common room floor. She couldn't help it, and she knew it annoyed him when he was trying to explain something important to her, but a lot of the time, her mind wasn't on her Homework when she was with him. She couldn't help but notice his gorgeous smile or his manly chest when she was mere inches away from him. As much as she always tried to tell herself that Harry wasn't worth her affections and that he was a stupid moron for dating Cho, she knew that she still loved him. It annoyed the hell out of her, yet she couldn't help but think that everything about Harry was perfect, gorgeous and admirable.
Ginny had just finished her homework with Hermione's help this time (to Ginny's disappointment), and was getting ready for Quidditch Practise. Harry was probably alone with bloody Cho again, getting ready for the practise together or something. Ginny had heard all day that Cho was going to come out and watch Harry train for the Quidditch match against her team (Ravenclaw) on saturday. Ginny stuffed her quidditch gloves on and carefully pulled her Orbit out from under her bed, where it was wrapped tightly and securly in its velvet wrappings. This would be the first time she'd use it, and Harry too. She knew that he was very eager to try out his Orbit at Quidditch practise. He had been practically bouncing in his seat at dinner.
Ginny carried it downstairs and was surprised to see Harry waiting in the Common room.
"Isn't Ron down yet, Harry?" Ginny asked him.
"No, it's not him I was waiting for," Harry smiled at her. "I was waiting for my fellow Orbit-owner."
Ginny laughed, "Fellow Orbit-owner?? Very cute name, Harry. What about Cho? Isn't she going to watch you play tonight?" Ginny asked rather tentatively.
"Oh, I think she can find her own way down to the pitch without getting lost, don't you?" Harry laughed. Ginny smiled, a little forcably. I wish she would get lost, Ginny thought to herself. A sudden thought struck her.
"And you think I can't find my own way there, do you?" She asked incredulously. Harry actually blushed. But he couldn't have, could he? Ginny asked herself.
"I just thought I'd make a grand-entrance with my fellow Orbit owner!" Harry grinned. "We own the best brooms in the world, we have to give them a decent introduction!" Ginny's heart sank. Dammit. I was hoping for a "That's because I like you more than Cho" excuse. You really have to stop being so hopeful, Ginny. Harry Doesn't like you!
"Guess so," She told him, rather bluntly. "Come on then, we've got to get going." She swept past him and out of the portrait hole. Harry followed her, jogging to catch up.
"Why the rush, Gin?" He almost panted. Ginny raised one eyebrow at him.
"Just a little thing called Quidditch practise, Harry dear," she told him sarcastically. He frowned at her, then he nodded.
"Guess that's a good enough reason."
They walked together in awkward silence. Ginny closed her eyes for a moment. Why did I have to be such a bitch to him just before? God, I bet he hates me now. She glanced at Harry. He didn't seem to look hurt at all, but just to be on the safe side (and because she certainly didn't want Harry hating her) she leant over and squeezed his hand. She never thought he'd think of that in any way other than being companiable, but he stopped walking and stared down at her searchingly. Ginny raised her eyebrows questionably.
"What?" She asked him. He looked at her a moment more, then shook his head. He squeezed her hand back and then walked on.
"Nothing, Gin. Nothing at all." She frowned and shook her head. Whatever.
When they finally got to the Quidditch Pitch, everyone was already there waiting for them. Cho jumped up and ran to Harry, giving him a big hug and a kiss. Ginny rolled her eyes in annoyance and got on her broom. She noticed that Harry didn't bother with his Orbit-Grand-Entrance thing like he told her he was planning on doing.
"All right! Come on everyone, on your brooms and get going!" She yelled to everyone. They obediantly hopped on their brooms and kicked off from the ground. Ron threw the Quaffle in the air for the Chaser and the Keeper (Ginny), and released the Bludgers. Lastly, he released the Snitch for Harry and they were finally all in the air.
Ginny went to her goal posts to defend them from the three Chasers and waited for an onslaught. The Chasers (Ron, Colin Creevey and a pretty 4th year named Mandy Rickets) were trying out a heap of moves in the middle of the pitch. Great. Ginny thought sarcastically. I'm gonna have lot's of fun here doing nothing. She flew to one of the goal posts and leant against it. She watched Godrey and Geoffry, the two beaters, belt the bludgers at Dennis. She laughed out loud when he copped on in the stomache and started whinging. Harry was high above her, searching for the Snitch, trying out a few moves now and then to keep himself busy. Ginny yawned and blinked a few times.
"Ron! Am I going to get to do anything, or not??" She yelled at her brother. He looked up and yelled back at her.
"We're just trying out a few moves, Gin! We'll be finished in a minute!"
Ginny nodded, then decided to give the Orbit a whizz. She flew up high, higher than the stands, higher than the top box. Far out. This baby isn't even having any trouble at all! And it's so quick! She spun around a few times and made a few dives. A voice at her shoulder startled her.
"Trying out your Orbit, hey Gin?" Harry asked, grinning. Ginny melted at that. God, he looks hot when he grins like that.
"Um, yeah. They're pretty good, hey Harry?"
"Pretty good?! They're the best broom I've ever ridden! And that's saying a lot!" He exclaimed passionately.
"Yeah yeah, ok. They are the best broom I've ever ridden too. Although, that isn't saying a lot!" She laughed, thinking of her family's financial state. It didn't really bother her anymore and she was able to joke about it. Ron, on the other hand, hated it, and was really sensitive whenever the subject was brought up.
Harry laughed at her joke too, "You've ridden a few, but this is certainly the best one by far!"
Ginny grinned,
"I reckon" she told him. Suddenly, a voice intruded on their conversation. Ron was yelling angrily up at them.
"OI! Ginny! Come down here and Practise, would you! We just stopped for you, and then we find out that you're not even at the goal-posts like you're meant to be! Come on, or we'll belt this bloody Quaffle straight through those blasted hoops of yours!" Ginny laughed down at him.
"Yes, ok, I'm coming Ron! Seeya later, Harry." She winked at him and flew down to the goal posts.
****
Harry watched her fly off. She really was gorgeous, he had to admit. With her wild flame-coloured hair streaming out behind her and her face flushed with excitement, she was a sight to behold. He caught himself staring and mentally shook himself. She was just Ginny, one of his good mates. He wasn't perving on her. Certainly not! He looked down for a sight of Cho, and saw her dark head in the stands. He was thinking about giving up looking for the snitch and going to pash Cho, when a loud, triumphant cheer broke through his thoughts.
"Yeah! Sucked in Ron! Good job sonny, but not good enough for me!" He heard Ginny shrieking triumphantly. Ron was trying to yell at her about it being unfair or something, but Ginny was just laughing.
Harry grinned. He loved her competitive streak. It made her so interesting. Everything about her was interesting. And incredible, and loveable. Harry remembered back a while ago when she had squeezed his hand. It had shocked him. He knew that she only meant it as a friendly gesture, but it had still worried him. He didn't want her to think of him like that. He thought of her as a sister, so he had just gathered over the months that she thought of him as a brother. He hoped to all hell that her crush on him was over. It was so long ago now that he had guessed that it had ended ages ago. She used to be so besotted with him, but that was years ago and she was younger then. He didn't think of her in that way anyway. Ginny was just, well, Ginny. She was Ron's little sister, a great buddy of his, but nothing more than that. Not like Cho, his beautiful, perfect Cho. He loved her deeply, and not like a brother loves a sister. Like a man loves a woman.
A flash of gold caught his eye and he tore after it. He was glad to have something else to keep his mind away from the two females down below. Harry performed a few fancy moves and easily caught the Snitch. He flew back to the ground just as Ron blew the whistle for end of practise. He was about to compliment Ginny on her excellent Keeping, when Cho came up to him and whispered playfully in his ear,
"Nice fly, Harry."
Harry turned to face her. "You think so?" He grinned at her.
"Yeah.........it's undone." Cho's eyes sparkled. Harry's eyes flew open and he struggled to quickly do his fly up, turning as crimson as his Quidditch robes. Everyone on the Quidditch team started laughing. Harry wanted to crawl under the stands and die. God, what an embarrassment. He thought to himself. And I bet Ginny saw, too. Great.
Cho turned back to him after being in fits of giggles on the ground and kissed him.
"It doesn't matter, Harry. No one saw anything. Apart from me, that is." She put her arms about his neck, but Harry wasn't in the mood for a big snog with her, especially not in front of his Quidditch team, who were all still laughing their heads off at his expense. Harry shrugged Cho's arms off of him and walked to the Changerooms. He knew that his offhand gesture had probably hurt Cho, but he didn't care right now. He'd apologise later.