Chapter 6: Discoveries.
"Ginny is back on the team." Harry repeated looking at Ron, appearing very displeased.
"YOU'RE KIDDING MATE!!!" Ron yelled back.
"Later Ron." Harry said, looking at him. "Let's not waste time; out to the pitch." Harry ordered the team.
"Harry, you..." Ron started but was interrupted.
"Later...I promise." Harry said, before turning towards Ginny, "I want you and Ron here after the practice." He finished, rather coldly and left for the pitch.
Practice went well, unless you count Ron letting the Quaffle through almost all the time, having the team shout at him because he was still fuming about what happened.
Ginny, on the other hand, appeared quite pleased. She had convinced her parents to give her a little freedom, and that was a big thing considering how protective her parents were of her.
The practice finished and the team headed into the locker rooms. As the rest of the team filed out, Harry, Ginny and Ron met up as decided.
"Now what..." Ron started to say but Harry answered before he could finish.
"The letter from your mum. She told me to put her back on the team." Harry said angrily, glaring at Ginny.
"WHAT?!!! MUM!!!" Ron yelled.
He turned towards Ginny and yelled at her,
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HER?"
"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ASSUME I SAID SOMETHING?" Ginny replied in the same tone.
"BECAUSE MUM WAS THE ONE TO HAVE YOU KICKED OFF THE TEAM."
"MAYBE, SHE CHANGED HER MIND."
"YOU ARE NOT PLAYING. HARRY IS THE TEAM CAPTAIN AND HE DECIDES." Ron said turning towards Harry.
Ginny looked at Harry, worried a little that he might take her off the team again. Hence, when Harry said that he will allow her to play because it was Molly's decision, and because they might not get a chaser as good as her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"But Harry," Ron tried to say.
"I don't like it either Ron, but we have to accept it." Harry said putting an end to the subject.
Ron turned towards Ginny,
"I swear I will find out what you said to mum, and I will make sure she gets you off the team." Saying that he left for the Gryffindor common room.
Ron was lucky Ginny did not curse him because at the same time Harry addressed her,
"So are you happy now?" Harry asked coldly.
"Yes, I am." Ginny replied in the same voice.
Silence fell between them for a moment, during which both the teenagers were burning with rage.
"I don't see why you get so upset with me playing?" Ginny asked after five minutes.
"Maybe that's because we don't want you to get hurt." Harry replied furiously.
"What part of 'I won't get hurt' do you not understand?" Ginny replied.
"You got hurt while playing against slytherin."
"That was a foul, and it was after the game."
Harry was at a loss of words. She was right; she didn't get hurt "during the game".
"What? Cat got you tongue." Ginny said mocking him.
"You weren't the one who had to deal with you lying in the hospital wing unconscious."
"No one asked you to deal with it."
"I DO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU!!" Harry yelled. "I JUST WANT TO PROTECT YOU, IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?" Harry said yelling at Ginny.
"You won't always be there to protect me Harry," Ginny said softly.
"NOT IF I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
"But you can't; you can't Harry. Let me live...think about it." Saying that Ginny left, leaving a completely befuddled Harry behind her.
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Harry met up with Ginny the next day, as she was going to the library.
"Hi Ginny," He said, a bit nervous.
"Hello." She replied, not looking up to him.
They stayed silent for a while before Harry stopped, also stopping Ginny with him, causing her to look up at him.
"Look Ginny," he said looking at the floor, before looking up at her again, "I am sorry. I was thick, and I know I shouldn't have treated you that way. I really am sorry. It's just that I care for you a lot, and I don't want you to get hurt and..."
"Apology accepted, Harry." Ginny interrupted him, smiling at him.
"Really?" He asked looking at her.
"Yes! Although I am glad I didn't have to curse you but I am not so sure about Ron." Ginny said laughing, causing Harry to laugh with her as well.
They began walking towards the library once again.
"You know we all do that because we care for you a lot, and we don't want you to get hurt." Harry said as they entered the library.
"Yes, but you all don't seem to realise that there are times when you can't, when you won't be able to protect me." Ginny replied, dumping her books on a table.
"Dad always told me," she said as they both sat down opening their books, "that if you want to play a game you have to deal with the injuries. And you all have to realise that too." She finished.
"I am sorry Ginny. I was very thick." Harry said.
"It's ok. Although you still are very thick, nothing can change that." Ginny laughed, while Harry looked at her, pretending hurt, before laughing too.
"Would you kindly keep your voices down? This is a library." Madam Pince said from behind them.
"Thank you." She said and walked away when both the teens stopped laughing and started working on their assignments.
"I can't believe it." Ginny said while they were working. "I thought Professor Garry would be kind to us, considering she is an Order member and all," Ginny said the last part in a whisper, "but she seems to be overburdening us with homework. Do the teachers even realise we are also human beings?"
Linda Garry was the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, and an old member, that returned from America last summer.
"I don't think so. But considering the fact, Professor Garry and Snape were close; I suppose she got some influence from him." Harry replied, working on his potions homework.
"WHAT?!!" Ginny whispered astonished.
"Don't you know? I supposed everyone knew, even Hermione knows about it." Harry said looking at her.
"What?! No, I don't know." Ginny replied still surprised.
"Professor Garry and Snape dated In Hogwarts and beyond. Then she went to America, and they kind of lost contact. Now she is back. I think she brings out the good in Snape. He used to smile, rarely yes, but he did smile back at Grimmauld Place." Harry finished returning to his work.
"Its surprising considering she's muggle-born." Ginny said.
"And to top it of, she was in Gryffindor and a good friend of my mum." Harry finished.
"Really?" Ginny said surprised and looking at Harry, "How do you know?"
"She told me," Harry said nonchalantly. "Over the summer."
"Hmm. Maybe Snape is not such a bad person as he appears to be." Ginny said before returning to her work.
"Maybe..." Harry said remembering what he saw in Snape's mind during his Occulumency lessons in his fifth year.
They stayed silent for sometime, working on their assignments, until Harry broke the silence,
"Ginny, I missed our talks," he said sincerely, with a small smile.
"Me to Harry, me too." Ginny replied not looking up from her work, a smile plastered on her face.
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Ginny lied in bed that night, thinking about her day, as she did every night. She and Harry had started talking again, and though it was not as free as before, Ginny knew it would be in short time. Ginny thought about Harry's apology and smiled. She thought about what Harry had said; he cared for her. Her smile widened at that.
A small thought about Harry, made her mind wander back in time. If Harry had told her that he cared for her three or four years ago, she would blushed so hard that her face would have been redder than her hair. However, she got over her crush with time. By her third year, she had realised that Harry hardly spoke to her, that she hardly knew him. Harry was a stranger to her and she could not possibly love or like someone, she did not know about. When she realised that, she spent more time with her friends, she enjoyed her life even more with one less Harry, and a crush. In her fourth year, she found out what was going on and she took the news calmly. She knew what was about to happen, she knew that the world would never be the same again. Nevertheless, the news did not make her give up her life, she enjoyed her fourth year at school, pulling pranks, laughing, joking, possibly even more and dating. She started talking to Harry though not as much as Ron or Hermione, but they were not strangers anymore...and she felt closer to Harry, when they all battled the Death Eaters at the Ministry of Magic. When Sirius died, Ginny felt sympathetic towards Harry. Not only was Sirius a great person, but he was also Harry's godfather, whom Harry met in his third year (Ginny's second year), and knew for only two years.
Now in Ginny's fifth year, she and Harry had become good friends. They talked from anything to everything, and were very open and honest with each other. Now that she knew him, Harry had made a special place in her heart, and Ginny had a feeling it was more than just as a friend. Ginny cared for Harry a lot; she wanted him to remain safe, to share anything he was troubled with, but most of all she wanted him to share his burden, to enjoy life...to live.
Most of the girls would have loved to be in her shoes, to hang out with the one of the most eligible bachelors in Hogwarts, but Ginny was not one of them. Ginny agreed that Harry was exceptionally handsome, with a strong body, messy hair and emerald-green eyes, but Ginny didn't care what he looked like, it was his personality, what was inside, that mattered to her and Ginny felt, and in her subconscious mind knew, that she loved Harry, not as a friend or a brother, but as something more...
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January turned to February, and Harry and Ginny forgot about the fight, returning to their normal selves. During the last few days of January, Ron received a howler from Mrs Weasley, one which instead of apologising to Ginny, made him even madder at her and his mother.
"RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU SAY I WAS INSANE? I ALLOWED GINNY TO PLAY FOR A REASON. I DON'T LIKE IT BUT I ACCEPTED IT AND YOU SHOULD TOO. DON'T TROUBLE YOUR SISTER OR I WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE OFF THE TEAM."
Ginny started laughing as soon as everyone turned their attention back on their breakfast causing Ron to stare at her, get redder than was possible and leave the Great Hall. Harry on the other hand looked somewhere between surprised and scared.
On February 1st during breakfast, Dumbledore announced an upcoming ball on Valentine's Day for fourth years and above, causing squeals and giggles to be erupted throughout the hall. Ron asked Hermione to be his date at that moment exactly, to which she gladly agreed, while Harry thought about whom he should take.
The following weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend especially planned for the ball, as the ball was announced on such short notice. Ginny, Hermione and Luna set off to buy their dress robes, promising Harry, Ron and Neville to meet them at the Three Broomsticks at noon.
The three entered the shop to buy their robes, and were greeted by an elderly lady.
"Hello dears, and how may I help you?" She asked.
"We are looking for dress robes." Hermione answered.
"For the Hogwarts ball?" She asked. "Follow me dears." She said when the three nodded.
When Hermione and Luna were finished with their dress, the woman turned to Ginny.
"Let me see," She said thinking, "Ah! I have just the dress for you."
She left, returning a few minutes later with lime green dress robes in her hands telling Ginny to try them on. Ginny tried on the robes, and gasped looking at her reflection.
The lime green robes looked perfect on her, with little red rubies lining the hem, and sleeves. She walked out of the changing rooms, to hear two gasps.
"Ginny you look beautiful." Hermione said awed.
"Yes Ginny. You have to buy that dress." Luna added.
Ginny looked at the price tag and her smile faded.
Hermione who noticed this asked,
"What is it Ginny?"
"I can't buy this," Ginny said looking up.
"Nonsense. Consider it as a present." She asid eyeing the price tag.
Luna also looked at the tag.
"Ginny don't worry about the price." Luna said, "Consider it a late Christmas present from me."
"And me too." Hermione added.
"From us." Luna added.
"But..." Ginny started but Hermione beat her.
"You are buying that dress Ginny. Now come on we have to meet the others soon." Saying that Hermione left for the counter, the other two following.
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While the girls were shopping for their robes, the boys already shopped for theirs, went to Zonkos to gather some prank material, to Honeydukes for sweets, and then headed towards the Three Broomsticks.
Upon entering the café, they were surrounded by the sweet aroma of butterbeer and the bustling of students. They selected a table near the entrance and placed their orders. They talked about quidditch for a few minutes until Neville saw the girls enter.
"Hey Luna!!!" Neville shouted over the crowd, waving frantically to Luna indicating them to join their table.
The girls moved towards the table, joining the boys, and ordered their butterbeer. They chatted animatedly for a few moments when Hermione asked,
"So Harry, got a date for the ball?"
"Yeah." Harry said looking up at her.
Ginny felt a little saddened at this, although she didn't know why.
Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled, leaving Ginny confused. Ginny looked at the others and everyone glanced at her and smiled.
"Well..." Luna said looking at Ginny and smiling. "Who?"
"Susan Bones." Harry said casually.
Everyone except Harry and Ginny spluttered out their butterbeers, leaving the two confused.
"Why...is...is something wrong with her?" Harry asked looking at his audience.
"No...No...Harry. She is very good in fact." Neville said, forcing a smile.
Harry looked at him for a moment, unconvinced but then said,
"I don't know...I don't really know her that well, but she was a DA member, so I asked her. Better her than Pansy Parkinson." Harry said sipping his butterbeer, as the others nodded.
However, a second later, when Harry was not looking, Hermione turned to Luna and mouthed "Susan Bones?" while Luna on shrugged in response.
Unbeknownst to them both, Ginny noticed the exchange, and she instantly knew what it was about. They thought Harry had asked her. She snorted silently. Harry and her? Ridiculous. They were just friends, and Harry would never think of her as more than a friend. Nevertheless, as she thought that she felt she was lying to herself and felt a little disheartened at the fact that Harry would think of her as more than a friend.
She shook her head clear of her thoughts, and rejoined the merry conversation sipping her butterbeer.
They exited the café about an hour later and headed towards Hogwarts, when halfway through a tall handsome guy came up to them whom everyone immediately recognised as Simon Parker, a sixth year Hufflepuff.
"Ginny Weasley, right?" He asked Ginny who nodded.
"Do you mind if I talk to you...in private?" He asked her.
Ginny motioned for the others to go on while she stayed back.
"Yes?" she asked, smiling at him.
"I wanted to ask..." he asked running his hand through his blond hair. "Will you...will you go to the ball with me?" He finished nervously.
Ginny's smiled.
"Sure." She answered, as his smile widened.
"Great...then I will meet you in the great hall at seven ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure." She replied.
Simon stood there nervously, before kissing Ginny on the cheek and saying his goodbyes. Ginny then joined the others who were near the shrieking shack by now.
"So what did he say?" Luna asked.
"He asked me to the ball." Ginny replied cheerfully.
"WHAT?" Ron and Harry said simultaneously, stopping dead in their tracks.
"He asked me to the ball." Ginny replied.
"And you said yes." Ron asked his eyes wide open.
"Of course I said yes." She replied a bit harshly, her fight with Ron was still not forgotten and he still hadn't apologised. "What do you think you are the only one entitled to a date?" She said before walking away, with the girls following her, after glaring at Ron who looked ready to kill.
Harry felt a pang of jealousy towards Simon, though he had no idea why. He shook his head clear and walked towards the castle, a mad Ron and a calm Neville by his side.
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February 14th came soon. It was just after breakfast and all the Hogwarts' girls were up in their dormitories getting ready, while the boys wondered why they had to be ready so early. In fact, they only girls not in their dormitories were probably Ginny, Hermione and Luna.
The three girls and Ron, Harry and Neville, decided to enjoy their time until the ball and hence they headed towards the grounds for a little game of quidditch. That little game turned too long and by the time, they returned to the castle it was lunch. After lunch, they went to the Room of Requirement to enjoy their time playing wizard chess, exploding snaps and in Hermione's case, reading.
Two hours prior to the ball, the girls headed up to their dormitories to get ready. Ginny took a long shower, magically dried her hair, and got back to her dormitory to try on her dress.
Her dress indeed looked good on her. She opened her small jewellery box in her trunk and took out a simple necklace her mother had given her. Apparently, it was great-great-great-great- grandmother's and was passed along generations to the eldest girl. The necklace was simple with a silver chain and small heart-shaped diamond attached to it. It looked elegant on Ginny, with her dress. She decided to put her hair up with a few tendrils caressing her face. She looked at the mirror, and decided she was ready. She looked at her watch realising that she still had fifteen minutes to go. Glancing around the room, she noticed her roommates running around in panic, applying make-up and what-not. Ginny bit back a laugh. She never applied make-up, no matter what. She believed that if someone appreciates her, they should appreciate her for what she looked like, not what she appeared to be. She headed down stairs to the tower exit, to meet Simon. When she arrived in the common room, she saw Ron with Hermione. Hermione looked beautiful, in her baby blue dress, and she had used the hair- sleeking potion again. Ginny left the common room, unnoticed by her brother and friend and headed for the Great Hall.
On reaching the stairs, she found Simon looking at her and smiling nervously. From the corner of her eye, she also saw Harry waiting for his date, but at the present staring at her.
Ginny met up with Simon who kissed her cheek and whispered a "You look beautiful" to her, and together, hand in hand, they headed towards the Great Hall for the dance.
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Harry was waiting for Susan Bones when he saw Ginny descend the stairs and his breath caught in his throat. She looked enchanting and he could not take his eyes off her. He felt the pang of jealousy again as she approached Simon and truly wished he was there instead of him. He felt anger and protectiveness course through him as Simon kissed her cheek and she entered the Hall laughing with him.
Throughout the ball, Harry could not take his eyes off Ginny. She mesmerised him, and he forgot about everything around him. He did not even remember when his date left him, and to say that he had a good time was probably the greatest understatement of the year.
Harry returned to his dormitory quite early, and disturbed regarding his thoughts about Ginny. He changed into his pyjamas and lied down on his bed. A good night's sleep, probably that was what he needed. However, he was wrong. Images of Ginny on the dance floor, on the stairs, in the arms of Simon Parker kept haunting him. He got off the bed and started pacing the room. This was serious, and he needed to talk to someone. Ron was probably not a good idea, considering he was Ginny's brother, Neville...not a good idea either...then who.
And suddenly, as if a bulb lighted in his mind, his question was answered—Remus Lupin. After Sirius' death, Harry and Remus became close. He was a substitute father for him, and Harry shared everything with him. Remus now owned the mirror Sirius had, with Harry having the other one, allowing the two to keep contact. Harry took out the mirror from his trunk.
"Remus Lupin" He said to the mirror, and a few moments later Remus' face appeared.
"Hello Harry. Everything all right?" Remus' image said cheerfully.
"Actually no." Harry replied.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked frowning.
"Well you see," Harry started slowly. "I can't get this girl off my mind."
"Ahh...I see. Matters of the Heart." Remus smiled slyly as Harry blushed.
"So anyone I know?" Remus asked.
"Well...yes..." But as Harry was saying this another face appeared in the mirror and said to him,
"Wotcher Harry. How are you?" Nymphadora Tonks said cheerfully to him.
"Hi Tonks. I am fine. How about you?" Harry replied, getting more nervous by the moment.
"I am fine. So what are you two talking about?" Tonks asked disappearing from the view.
"Harry has some matters of the Heart to discuss." Remus said to Tonks, the sly smile plastered to his face.
"WHAT? YOU LIKE A GIRL!!!" Tonks said. Remus face now disappeared from the mirror, while Tonks face occupied it.
"Dora! Give that back!" Harry heard Remus say and then saw Tonks face disappear too.
From the back, Harry could hear sounds of laughter, "Give that back" and "No"; Harry had a feeling both of the elders were fighting for the mirror like kids.
'Dora?' He thought. 'When did that happen?'
Finally, both of them appeared in the mirror and Tonks said,
"Sorry about that. So who is it?"
"Ginny." Harry mumbled.
"GINNY!! GINNY WEASLEY!!!" Tonks shrieked, causing Harry to blush.
"Dora, keep it down a little, you'll burst my ear." Remus said smiling.
"Sorry." Tonks said, smiling at Remus, "Well what is it?"
"Not to be rude," Harry started, "But can I talk to Remus alone, please?"
"Sure, sure. Go ahead. Bye." Tonks said casually before disappearing from view.
"So Harry," Remus said, "What is it?"
"Well...you see..." Harry started, "It's just that...umm...You see, tonight was the Valentine's Day ball."
"Yes Harry, I am aware of that," Remus said urging him to continue.
"Ginny looked beautiful...she looked...mesmerising..."
"Continue..."
"Well she had another date and I sort of...I had this...this feeling...like...like..."
"Like she should have been with you, like her date should have been you."
"Yes."
"That's called jealousy Harry. You were jealous of her date."
"But why..." Harry said
"Tell me the full story Harry." Remus said interrupting him. "Tell me exactly how you feel for her."
"I want to protect her, I want to keep her safe, I want her to be happy... always, and never cry," Harry felt himself spill his feelings towards Ginny. "I hate it when she is angry, or when she is not talking to me. I like it how she shares everything with me, how she makes me open up. I like it how she makes me feel alive. I feel...no I know...I know she is the most beautiful girl on the surface of this earth, inside out." Harry finished to see Remus smiling at him.
"You are in love Harry." Remus said with a devilish smile. "You are seriously in love with Ginny Weasley."
"But Remus..." Harry started but was interrupted by Remus.
"You are Harry. Just think about it and you'll know. Good night." With that, the connection was broken.
Harry put the mirror back in his trunk and lied on his bed more confused and disturbed than ever. He thought about his conversation with Remus. He recalled how he felt towards her, his protectiveness, his care; how he loved to see her smile, how he loved her opening up with him, how he easily opened up to her, like he never did with anyone, not even Ron or Hermione. He thought about how her presence made him alive, how he hated not being with her, how he constantly worried about her. However, it was when he thought about how he had felt when she was in the infirmary, when it all seemed to fit together, and he agreed with Remus...
He was seriously in love with Ginny Weasley...
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Ginny returned to her dormitory later that night. She had enjoyed herself immensely, but she still felt something was amiss. She changed into her pyjamas and lied on her bed thinking. Simon was very good, as a person and as a dancer, but thinking about Simon made her think about Harry. He looked depressed tonight, he looked...disturbed and Ginny wondered why. Ginny wanted to know why, she wanted to make sure he was ok, but something in her heart told her that he was fine and she believed it. She thought about her time with Harry again; how comfortable, open and free she was around him, how she loved it when he opened up to her, how she felt proud it was her he opened up to, how sweet and carefree she made him...how sad she was when Harry hadn't asked her to the ball...how sad she was when she saw him with Susan Bones...
And then it clicked...
She was madly in love with Harry Potter...
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A/N: Wow. 4,430 words that's the longest I have written.
Anyway thanks for all you reviews. Please review for this one too to let me know how you feel.
Kagome Tonks: I don't think so I will be putting another fight between the two, but if I do I will keep your suggestion in mind.
Thanks once again to all those who read my story, like it and reviewed. I do hope you will like this chapter too.
Keep those reviews coming.
Take care,
Bye.
"Ginny is back on the team." Harry repeated looking at Ron, appearing very displeased.
"YOU'RE KIDDING MATE!!!" Ron yelled back.
"Later Ron." Harry said, looking at him. "Let's not waste time; out to the pitch." Harry ordered the team.
"Harry, you..." Ron started but was interrupted.
"Later...I promise." Harry said, before turning towards Ginny, "I want you and Ron here after the practice." He finished, rather coldly and left for the pitch.
Practice went well, unless you count Ron letting the Quaffle through almost all the time, having the team shout at him because he was still fuming about what happened.
Ginny, on the other hand, appeared quite pleased. She had convinced her parents to give her a little freedom, and that was a big thing considering how protective her parents were of her.
The practice finished and the team headed into the locker rooms. As the rest of the team filed out, Harry, Ginny and Ron met up as decided.
"Now what..." Ron started to say but Harry answered before he could finish.
"The letter from your mum. She told me to put her back on the team." Harry said angrily, glaring at Ginny.
"WHAT?!!! MUM!!!" Ron yelled.
He turned towards Ginny and yelled at her,
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HER?"
"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ASSUME I SAID SOMETHING?" Ginny replied in the same tone.
"BECAUSE MUM WAS THE ONE TO HAVE YOU KICKED OFF THE TEAM."
"MAYBE, SHE CHANGED HER MIND."
"YOU ARE NOT PLAYING. HARRY IS THE TEAM CAPTAIN AND HE DECIDES." Ron said turning towards Harry.
Ginny looked at Harry, worried a little that he might take her off the team again. Hence, when Harry said that he will allow her to play because it was Molly's decision, and because they might not get a chaser as good as her, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"But Harry," Ron tried to say.
"I don't like it either Ron, but we have to accept it." Harry said putting an end to the subject.
Ron turned towards Ginny,
"I swear I will find out what you said to mum, and I will make sure she gets you off the team." Saying that he left for the Gryffindor common room.
Ron was lucky Ginny did not curse him because at the same time Harry addressed her,
"So are you happy now?" Harry asked coldly.
"Yes, I am." Ginny replied in the same voice.
Silence fell between them for a moment, during which both the teenagers were burning with rage.
"I don't see why you get so upset with me playing?" Ginny asked after five minutes.
"Maybe that's because we don't want you to get hurt." Harry replied furiously.
"What part of 'I won't get hurt' do you not understand?" Ginny replied.
"You got hurt while playing against slytherin."
"That was a foul, and it was after the game."
Harry was at a loss of words. She was right; she didn't get hurt "during the game".
"What? Cat got you tongue." Ginny said mocking him.
"You weren't the one who had to deal with you lying in the hospital wing unconscious."
"No one asked you to deal with it."
"I DO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU!!" Harry yelled. "I JUST WANT TO PROTECT YOU, IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?" Harry said yelling at Ginny.
"You won't always be there to protect me Harry," Ginny said softly.
"NOT IF I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
"But you can't; you can't Harry. Let me live...think about it." Saying that Ginny left, leaving a completely befuddled Harry behind her.
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Harry met up with Ginny the next day, as she was going to the library.
"Hi Ginny," He said, a bit nervous.
"Hello." She replied, not looking up to him.
They stayed silent for a while before Harry stopped, also stopping Ginny with him, causing her to look up at him.
"Look Ginny," he said looking at the floor, before looking up at her again, "I am sorry. I was thick, and I know I shouldn't have treated you that way. I really am sorry. It's just that I care for you a lot, and I don't want you to get hurt and..."
"Apology accepted, Harry." Ginny interrupted him, smiling at him.
"Really?" He asked looking at her.
"Yes! Although I am glad I didn't have to curse you but I am not so sure about Ron." Ginny said laughing, causing Harry to laugh with her as well.
They began walking towards the library once again.
"You know we all do that because we care for you a lot, and we don't want you to get hurt." Harry said as they entered the library.
"Yes, but you all don't seem to realise that there are times when you can't, when you won't be able to protect me." Ginny replied, dumping her books on a table.
"Dad always told me," she said as they both sat down opening their books, "that if you want to play a game you have to deal with the injuries. And you all have to realise that too." She finished.
"I am sorry Ginny. I was very thick." Harry said.
"It's ok. Although you still are very thick, nothing can change that." Ginny laughed, while Harry looked at her, pretending hurt, before laughing too.
"Would you kindly keep your voices down? This is a library." Madam Pince said from behind them.
"Thank you." She said and walked away when both the teens stopped laughing and started working on their assignments.
"I can't believe it." Ginny said while they were working. "I thought Professor Garry would be kind to us, considering she is an Order member and all," Ginny said the last part in a whisper, "but she seems to be overburdening us with homework. Do the teachers even realise we are also human beings?"
Linda Garry was the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, and an old member, that returned from America last summer.
"I don't think so. But considering the fact, Professor Garry and Snape were close; I suppose she got some influence from him." Harry replied, working on his potions homework.
"WHAT?!!" Ginny whispered astonished.
"Don't you know? I supposed everyone knew, even Hermione knows about it." Harry said looking at her.
"What?! No, I don't know." Ginny replied still surprised.
"Professor Garry and Snape dated In Hogwarts and beyond. Then she went to America, and they kind of lost contact. Now she is back. I think she brings out the good in Snape. He used to smile, rarely yes, but he did smile back at Grimmauld Place." Harry finished returning to his work.
"Its surprising considering she's muggle-born." Ginny said.
"And to top it of, she was in Gryffindor and a good friend of my mum." Harry finished.
"Really?" Ginny said surprised and looking at Harry, "How do you know?"
"She told me," Harry said nonchalantly. "Over the summer."
"Hmm. Maybe Snape is not such a bad person as he appears to be." Ginny said before returning to her work.
"Maybe..." Harry said remembering what he saw in Snape's mind during his Occulumency lessons in his fifth year.
They stayed silent for sometime, working on their assignments, until Harry broke the silence,
"Ginny, I missed our talks," he said sincerely, with a small smile.
"Me to Harry, me too." Ginny replied not looking up from her work, a smile plastered on her face.
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Ginny lied in bed that night, thinking about her day, as she did every night. She and Harry had started talking again, and though it was not as free as before, Ginny knew it would be in short time. Ginny thought about Harry's apology and smiled. She thought about what Harry had said; he cared for her. Her smile widened at that.
A small thought about Harry, made her mind wander back in time. If Harry had told her that he cared for her three or four years ago, she would blushed so hard that her face would have been redder than her hair. However, she got over her crush with time. By her third year, she had realised that Harry hardly spoke to her, that she hardly knew him. Harry was a stranger to her and she could not possibly love or like someone, she did not know about. When she realised that, she spent more time with her friends, she enjoyed her life even more with one less Harry, and a crush. In her fourth year, she found out what was going on and she took the news calmly. She knew what was about to happen, she knew that the world would never be the same again. Nevertheless, the news did not make her give up her life, she enjoyed her fourth year at school, pulling pranks, laughing, joking, possibly even more and dating. She started talking to Harry though not as much as Ron or Hermione, but they were not strangers anymore...and she felt closer to Harry, when they all battled the Death Eaters at the Ministry of Magic. When Sirius died, Ginny felt sympathetic towards Harry. Not only was Sirius a great person, but he was also Harry's godfather, whom Harry met in his third year (Ginny's second year), and knew for only two years.
Now in Ginny's fifth year, she and Harry had become good friends. They talked from anything to everything, and were very open and honest with each other. Now that she knew him, Harry had made a special place in her heart, and Ginny had a feeling it was more than just as a friend. Ginny cared for Harry a lot; she wanted him to remain safe, to share anything he was troubled with, but most of all she wanted him to share his burden, to enjoy life...to live.
Most of the girls would have loved to be in her shoes, to hang out with the one of the most eligible bachelors in Hogwarts, but Ginny was not one of them. Ginny agreed that Harry was exceptionally handsome, with a strong body, messy hair and emerald-green eyes, but Ginny didn't care what he looked like, it was his personality, what was inside, that mattered to her and Ginny felt, and in her subconscious mind knew, that she loved Harry, not as a friend or a brother, but as something more...
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January turned to February, and Harry and Ginny forgot about the fight, returning to their normal selves. During the last few days of January, Ron received a howler from Mrs Weasley, one which instead of apologising to Ginny, made him even madder at her and his mother.
"RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU SAY I WAS INSANE? I ALLOWED GINNY TO PLAY FOR A REASON. I DON'T LIKE IT BUT I ACCEPTED IT AND YOU SHOULD TOO. DON'T TROUBLE YOUR SISTER OR I WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE OFF THE TEAM."
Ginny started laughing as soon as everyone turned their attention back on their breakfast causing Ron to stare at her, get redder than was possible and leave the Great Hall. Harry on the other hand looked somewhere between surprised and scared.
On February 1st during breakfast, Dumbledore announced an upcoming ball on Valentine's Day for fourth years and above, causing squeals and giggles to be erupted throughout the hall. Ron asked Hermione to be his date at that moment exactly, to which she gladly agreed, while Harry thought about whom he should take.
The following weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend especially planned for the ball, as the ball was announced on such short notice. Ginny, Hermione and Luna set off to buy their dress robes, promising Harry, Ron and Neville to meet them at the Three Broomsticks at noon.
The three entered the shop to buy their robes, and were greeted by an elderly lady.
"Hello dears, and how may I help you?" She asked.
"We are looking for dress robes." Hermione answered.
"For the Hogwarts ball?" She asked. "Follow me dears." She said when the three nodded.
When Hermione and Luna were finished with their dress, the woman turned to Ginny.
"Let me see," She said thinking, "Ah! I have just the dress for you."
She left, returning a few minutes later with lime green dress robes in her hands telling Ginny to try them on. Ginny tried on the robes, and gasped looking at her reflection.
The lime green robes looked perfect on her, with little red rubies lining the hem, and sleeves. She walked out of the changing rooms, to hear two gasps.
"Ginny you look beautiful." Hermione said awed.
"Yes Ginny. You have to buy that dress." Luna added.
Ginny looked at the price tag and her smile faded.
Hermione who noticed this asked,
"What is it Ginny?"
"I can't buy this," Ginny said looking up.
"Nonsense. Consider it as a present." She asid eyeing the price tag.
Luna also looked at the tag.
"Ginny don't worry about the price." Luna said, "Consider it a late Christmas present from me."
"And me too." Hermione added.
"From us." Luna added.
"But..." Ginny started but Hermione beat her.
"You are buying that dress Ginny. Now come on we have to meet the others soon." Saying that Hermione left for the counter, the other two following.
XXXXX
While the girls were shopping for their robes, the boys already shopped for theirs, went to Zonkos to gather some prank material, to Honeydukes for sweets, and then headed towards the Three Broomsticks.
Upon entering the café, they were surrounded by the sweet aroma of butterbeer and the bustling of students. They selected a table near the entrance and placed their orders. They talked about quidditch for a few minutes until Neville saw the girls enter.
"Hey Luna!!!" Neville shouted over the crowd, waving frantically to Luna indicating them to join their table.
The girls moved towards the table, joining the boys, and ordered their butterbeer. They chatted animatedly for a few moments when Hermione asked,
"So Harry, got a date for the ball?"
"Yeah." Harry said looking up at her.
Ginny felt a little saddened at this, although she didn't know why.
Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled, leaving Ginny confused. Ginny looked at the others and everyone glanced at her and smiled.
"Well..." Luna said looking at Ginny and smiling. "Who?"
"Susan Bones." Harry said casually.
Everyone except Harry and Ginny spluttered out their butterbeers, leaving the two confused.
"Why...is...is something wrong with her?" Harry asked looking at his audience.
"No...No...Harry. She is very good in fact." Neville said, forcing a smile.
Harry looked at him for a moment, unconvinced but then said,
"I don't know...I don't really know her that well, but she was a DA member, so I asked her. Better her than Pansy Parkinson." Harry said sipping his butterbeer, as the others nodded.
However, a second later, when Harry was not looking, Hermione turned to Luna and mouthed "Susan Bones?" while Luna on shrugged in response.
Unbeknownst to them both, Ginny noticed the exchange, and she instantly knew what it was about. They thought Harry had asked her. She snorted silently. Harry and her? Ridiculous. They were just friends, and Harry would never think of her as more than a friend. Nevertheless, as she thought that she felt she was lying to herself and felt a little disheartened at the fact that Harry would think of her as more than a friend.
She shook her head clear of her thoughts, and rejoined the merry conversation sipping her butterbeer.
They exited the café about an hour later and headed towards Hogwarts, when halfway through a tall handsome guy came up to them whom everyone immediately recognised as Simon Parker, a sixth year Hufflepuff.
"Ginny Weasley, right?" He asked Ginny who nodded.
"Do you mind if I talk to you...in private?" He asked her.
Ginny motioned for the others to go on while she stayed back.
"Yes?" she asked, smiling at him.
"I wanted to ask..." he asked running his hand through his blond hair. "Will you...will you go to the ball with me?" He finished nervously.
Ginny's smiled.
"Sure." She answered, as his smile widened.
"Great...then I will meet you in the great hall at seven ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure." She replied.
Simon stood there nervously, before kissing Ginny on the cheek and saying his goodbyes. Ginny then joined the others who were near the shrieking shack by now.
"So what did he say?" Luna asked.
"He asked me to the ball." Ginny replied cheerfully.
"WHAT?" Ron and Harry said simultaneously, stopping dead in their tracks.
"He asked me to the ball." Ginny replied.
"And you said yes." Ron asked his eyes wide open.
"Of course I said yes." She replied a bit harshly, her fight with Ron was still not forgotten and he still hadn't apologised. "What do you think you are the only one entitled to a date?" She said before walking away, with the girls following her, after glaring at Ron who looked ready to kill.
Harry felt a pang of jealousy towards Simon, though he had no idea why. He shook his head clear and walked towards the castle, a mad Ron and a calm Neville by his side.
XXXXX
February 14th came soon. It was just after breakfast and all the Hogwarts' girls were up in their dormitories getting ready, while the boys wondered why they had to be ready so early. In fact, they only girls not in their dormitories were probably Ginny, Hermione and Luna.
The three girls and Ron, Harry and Neville, decided to enjoy their time until the ball and hence they headed towards the grounds for a little game of quidditch. That little game turned too long and by the time, they returned to the castle it was lunch. After lunch, they went to the Room of Requirement to enjoy their time playing wizard chess, exploding snaps and in Hermione's case, reading.
Two hours prior to the ball, the girls headed up to their dormitories to get ready. Ginny took a long shower, magically dried her hair, and got back to her dormitory to try on her dress.
Her dress indeed looked good on her. She opened her small jewellery box in her trunk and took out a simple necklace her mother had given her. Apparently, it was great-great-great-great- grandmother's and was passed along generations to the eldest girl. The necklace was simple with a silver chain and small heart-shaped diamond attached to it. It looked elegant on Ginny, with her dress. She decided to put her hair up with a few tendrils caressing her face. She looked at the mirror, and decided she was ready. She looked at her watch realising that she still had fifteen minutes to go. Glancing around the room, she noticed her roommates running around in panic, applying make-up and what-not. Ginny bit back a laugh. She never applied make-up, no matter what. She believed that if someone appreciates her, they should appreciate her for what she looked like, not what she appeared to be. She headed down stairs to the tower exit, to meet Simon. When she arrived in the common room, she saw Ron with Hermione. Hermione looked beautiful, in her baby blue dress, and she had used the hair- sleeking potion again. Ginny left the common room, unnoticed by her brother and friend and headed for the Great Hall.
On reaching the stairs, she found Simon looking at her and smiling nervously. From the corner of her eye, she also saw Harry waiting for his date, but at the present staring at her.
Ginny met up with Simon who kissed her cheek and whispered a "You look beautiful" to her, and together, hand in hand, they headed towards the Great Hall for the dance.
XXXXX
Harry was waiting for Susan Bones when he saw Ginny descend the stairs and his breath caught in his throat. She looked enchanting and he could not take his eyes off her. He felt the pang of jealousy again as she approached Simon and truly wished he was there instead of him. He felt anger and protectiveness course through him as Simon kissed her cheek and she entered the Hall laughing with him.
Throughout the ball, Harry could not take his eyes off Ginny. She mesmerised him, and he forgot about everything around him. He did not even remember when his date left him, and to say that he had a good time was probably the greatest understatement of the year.
Harry returned to his dormitory quite early, and disturbed regarding his thoughts about Ginny. He changed into his pyjamas and lied down on his bed. A good night's sleep, probably that was what he needed. However, he was wrong. Images of Ginny on the dance floor, on the stairs, in the arms of Simon Parker kept haunting him. He got off the bed and started pacing the room. This was serious, and he needed to talk to someone. Ron was probably not a good idea, considering he was Ginny's brother, Neville...not a good idea either...then who.
And suddenly, as if a bulb lighted in his mind, his question was answered—Remus Lupin. After Sirius' death, Harry and Remus became close. He was a substitute father for him, and Harry shared everything with him. Remus now owned the mirror Sirius had, with Harry having the other one, allowing the two to keep contact. Harry took out the mirror from his trunk.
"Remus Lupin" He said to the mirror, and a few moments later Remus' face appeared.
"Hello Harry. Everything all right?" Remus' image said cheerfully.
"Actually no." Harry replied.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked frowning.
"Well you see," Harry started slowly. "I can't get this girl off my mind."
"Ahh...I see. Matters of the Heart." Remus smiled slyly as Harry blushed.
"So anyone I know?" Remus asked.
"Well...yes..." But as Harry was saying this another face appeared in the mirror and said to him,
"Wotcher Harry. How are you?" Nymphadora Tonks said cheerfully to him.
"Hi Tonks. I am fine. How about you?" Harry replied, getting more nervous by the moment.
"I am fine. So what are you two talking about?" Tonks asked disappearing from the view.
"Harry has some matters of the Heart to discuss." Remus said to Tonks, the sly smile plastered to his face.
"WHAT? YOU LIKE A GIRL!!!" Tonks said. Remus face now disappeared from the mirror, while Tonks face occupied it.
"Dora! Give that back!" Harry heard Remus say and then saw Tonks face disappear too.
From the back, Harry could hear sounds of laughter, "Give that back" and "No"; Harry had a feeling both of the elders were fighting for the mirror like kids.
'Dora?' He thought. 'When did that happen?'
Finally, both of them appeared in the mirror and Tonks said,
"Sorry about that. So who is it?"
"Ginny." Harry mumbled.
"GINNY!! GINNY WEASLEY!!!" Tonks shrieked, causing Harry to blush.
"Dora, keep it down a little, you'll burst my ear." Remus said smiling.
"Sorry." Tonks said, smiling at Remus, "Well what is it?"
"Not to be rude," Harry started, "But can I talk to Remus alone, please?"
"Sure, sure. Go ahead. Bye." Tonks said casually before disappearing from view.
"So Harry," Remus said, "What is it?"
"Well...you see..." Harry started, "It's just that...umm...You see, tonight was the Valentine's Day ball."
"Yes Harry, I am aware of that," Remus said urging him to continue.
"Ginny looked beautiful...she looked...mesmerising..."
"Continue..."
"Well she had another date and I sort of...I had this...this feeling...like...like..."
"Like she should have been with you, like her date should have been you."
"Yes."
"That's called jealousy Harry. You were jealous of her date."
"But why..." Harry said
"Tell me the full story Harry." Remus said interrupting him. "Tell me exactly how you feel for her."
"I want to protect her, I want to keep her safe, I want her to be happy... always, and never cry," Harry felt himself spill his feelings towards Ginny. "I hate it when she is angry, or when she is not talking to me. I like it how she shares everything with me, how she makes me open up. I like it how she makes me feel alive. I feel...no I know...I know she is the most beautiful girl on the surface of this earth, inside out." Harry finished to see Remus smiling at him.
"You are in love Harry." Remus said with a devilish smile. "You are seriously in love with Ginny Weasley."
"But Remus..." Harry started but was interrupted by Remus.
"You are Harry. Just think about it and you'll know. Good night." With that, the connection was broken.
Harry put the mirror back in his trunk and lied on his bed more confused and disturbed than ever. He thought about his conversation with Remus. He recalled how he felt towards her, his protectiveness, his care; how he loved to see her smile, how he loved her opening up with him, how he easily opened up to her, like he never did with anyone, not even Ron or Hermione. He thought about how her presence made him alive, how he hated not being with her, how he constantly worried about her. However, it was when he thought about how he had felt when she was in the infirmary, when it all seemed to fit together, and he agreed with Remus...
He was seriously in love with Ginny Weasley...
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Ginny returned to her dormitory later that night. She had enjoyed herself immensely, but she still felt something was amiss. She changed into her pyjamas and lied on her bed thinking. Simon was very good, as a person and as a dancer, but thinking about Simon made her think about Harry. He looked depressed tonight, he looked...disturbed and Ginny wondered why. Ginny wanted to know why, she wanted to make sure he was ok, but something in her heart told her that he was fine and she believed it. She thought about her time with Harry again; how comfortable, open and free she was around him, how she loved it when he opened up to her, how she felt proud it was her he opened up to, how sweet and carefree she made him...how sad she was when Harry hadn't asked her to the ball...how sad she was when she saw him with Susan Bones...
And then it clicked...
She was madly in love with Harry Potter...
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A/N: Wow. 4,430 words that's the longest I have written.
Anyway thanks for all you reviews. Please review for this one too to let me know how you feel.
Kagome Tonks: I don't think so I will be putting another fight between the two, but if I do I will keep your suggestion in mind.
Thanks once again to all those who read my story, like it and reviewed. I do hope you will like this chapter too.
Keep those reviews coming.
Take care,
Bye.