Just Old Friends

Chapter 30: A Long Night

The party had ended and everybody had gone home for the night. Harry though sat in the kitchen, a mug of coffee in his hand, staring out of the window. A new moon had risen and not much light was gained from it, but he refused to turn the light on.

Looking at the sky, he thought it close to three, but didn't move even though he was so tired. He refused the calling of his bed. A small sound caught his attention, but he let it go assuming it was Ron or maybe Hermione going into the bathroom.

His mind was working overtime, coming to terms with a lot of new ideas and feelings that had taken over; he was completely confused, and the guilt that had taken over was something new. He didn't know why it was there... or so he was trying to convince himself.

Light suddenly took over the room and he found himself blinking several times before he could see straight. Turning slightly in his chair he found Hermione standing looking at him. She was dressed in her medical robes and he knew she was going to work early.

"Harry, you're up early! Wait... did you even go to bed?"

He gave her half a smile as he took a sip of his stone cold coffee and quickly spat it back out. Hermione opened cupboards and poured herself some cereal; he heard the kettle boil and then a cup landed in front of him as Hermione took the seat next to him with her breakfast and own coffee.

"I don't know how many times I have to remind you to put a heating charm on your coffee to keep it warm."

He just nodded while continuing to stare off into space. He was very much aware of the intense look Hermione was throwing at him and after a while he couldn't take it anymore and snapped.

"What?"

"Are you going to tell me what's going on or am I going to have to guess?"

Picking up his coffee he took a sip before looking back at his friend. He knew she was going to wear him down eventually and he felt like he needed to talk to somebody and Hermione had always been there, been someone he could talk to about anything. Things had changed for the most, but others always remain the same.

"I'm so confused Hermione, I don't know what to do, what to think or how I should feel, and then there's the guilt. I haven't done anything wrong, yet I still feel so guilty."

She gave him a look from the corner of her eye as she put her spoon back into the bowl.

"This is all about Ginny, isn't it Harry? You've seen something in her that's surprised you."

A chuckle left his lips; she had already known. Really, nothing had changed from their school days; she had always been a fountain of knowledge and somehow, he thought she'd always be.

"Look I know Ginny is pretending to be alright Harry. She refuses to let people see how weak she is. It's always been like that since her first year in Hogwarts, she was proven weak there she showed it to everyone and she doesn't like people to see that side of her anymore."

"It's still there though Hermione. I can see it in her she's trying to be brave but she can't be all the time. Today no yesterday, oh God whatever day the christening was I found her outside crying and all I could think about was wrapping my arms around her and keeping her safe for the rest of her life."

Something sparkled in Hermione's eye and a look of comprehension drew onto her features. Harry could see her mind working and then her eyes clouded a little as she took another mouthful of her cereal. Harry gave her time to swallow before he gave her a look which told her to speak up.

"When you see her do you get this fuzzy, fluttery feeling in the pit of your stomach, like you did on the first day of school?"

He nodded at her keeping eye contact at all time.

"Then you get this need to touch her and never let go, to always be there no matter what happens."

Again he nodded at his friend.

"And let me guess that's when the guilt comes in. You get this feeling that it's wrong that you shouldn't be thinking this at all, but you're still happy that you do."

"Yes Hermione, okay I fancy Ginny."

Hermione shook her head at him and he was about to question her when she took his hand in hers. Their eyes met and he knew instantly what it was, why he was acting like this.

"You're in love Harry."

How long had he felt that way, he couldn't work it out but he knew that what Hermione was saying was true. He was in love with Ginny Weasley. He loved Ginny Weasley.

And then it hit him; he was in love with Ginny Weasley. Things couldn't get any worse.

Okay so I know it's been a while since I last posted been really really busy lately, but on the bright side I passed all five of my January exams, now I only have to pass four in May and I go onto my second year in Uni.

Oh I also wanted to say a BIG YES! I don't know if anybody here watches Rugby (I can't stand it myself) but Wales won the Sixth Nations (sorry if you're not welsh!) and we won every game so its been a bit umm how to put it, well loud around here lately people are now getting over their hangovers. This is another reason for lack of post.

Anyway now to answer the reviews of people.

Vt I know they're really short but its because usually I'm moving onto another point, I can honestly say some chapters are longer than others in fact I've just finished a 6 page chapter, but the reason they're so short is because I'm writing them while doing essays and trying to do uni work but I promise when they're all together it isn't so bad, and plus there are a lot of chapters.

Brilliant author okay the end is near but not too near I think there's going to be around 40/45 chapters its going to finish with Hermione and Ron's wedding that much I'm sure of but it's a little way off at the moment. As for a squeal I doubt there will be one because I'm working on five other stories so I want to get some of them out, plus I don't actually like writing Ginny/Harry stories and I'm finding this so difficult to write.

Annie thanks yeah it is weird Ginny with brown hair. I'm trying to finish this story now and I have a question which should I do next my counterpart to EYO or my H/HR one (neither have much written yet I should say!)

Chica91 I'm glad that you enjoyed it hope you like this chapter as well

Jessie that's always good I love the fact that on a clear day I can see England (I think Devon, but I might have the wrong part of England) from Porthcawl beach it's a reminder that we're really all close and from Aber you can see Ireland on a clear day so the world is really small.

Anyway that's all I got to say please review when you're done

Kris