Okay. Time for one of my "I didn't know exactly what to write but I promised you a chapter and I needed to get this part done anyway" type chapters. I hope you still like it, as the end is pretty sweet :) Eeee! I am so excited about my audition on Satuday. Just two days and I will be auditioning to become an American Idol. That is so bizarre! Anywha, next chapter will be up by Tuesday the 10th. Please review. I got 32 reviews for this chapter and I'd like to keep that trend going. giggles Thanks so much for all the reviews – my formal 'thank you's are, as always, at the bottom. Enjoy!
Chapter; The Sixteenth
Daft Question and a Fit of Daring
Ginny couldn't decide if she was more embarrassed than furious or the other way around. How could they say those things about her in front of Harry? Had he really not caught on to their insinuations?
It was then that she realized that Harry was looking at her rather strangely. "What?" she asked tentatively.
"Is that how you get along with all of your brothers?"
"Thank God, no! My oldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, who were both out of school before I started, are almost like uncles to me; they don't pick on me much and they're great to have around when I don't have enough money for something…plus I hardly ever get to see them – hence, uncles and not just really great brothers. Those don't exist." Harry laughed at this comment, but Ginny wasn't finished yet.
"The oldest other than those two is Percy who is the complete opposite of anyone in our family. He has pretty much disowned us, and I can't seem to dreg up any remorse about that. You saw how Fred and George treat me – and yes, it's always like that, in case you're wondering. Then, my youngest older brother, Ron, is just way too weird for my taste. I mean, not Fred and George weird, but just…weird. Of course, growing up with five older brothers, two of which were Head Boys, and three of which are great Quidditch players, he's… Well, just about the only thing he's got going for him is his height." Ginny was thoughtful for a moment. "Though, he has fairly good taste in women. He's been after my best friend and flat mate for years now. Speaking of Hermione…I need to remember that I'm still mad at her…"
"Wow. I wish I could forget to be mad at people." Harry chuckled and grinned broadly as Ginny scowled at him, holding back the smile that she didn't want him to see.
"So, what about your family?"
Harry just looked at her. "Excuse me?"
"What about – oh bloody hell! I am so sorry. Augh. I feel like such an idiot. Please forget that I even asked such a stupid question." Ginny was beside herself with grief. What are you thinking? Are you daft?
And yet, Harry laughed. "It's refreshing to know that someone can forget who I am every once in a while."
Tilting her head, Ginny gazed at Harry for a moment. "I'm sorry. Who are you again?"
Harry laughed in true amusement, which Ginny took as a good sign. She had hoped that making a joke like that wouldn't add salt to any wound made be her previous statement. Though from his expression, it didn't seem as though there were any wounds evident.
When he finally calmed down, he looked at her seriously. "I have to say though, that you might be wrong about Fred and George."
"Oh, am I now?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah. I mean, I don't know brothers –"
"Since you don't have any"
"Yes. But I do know boys."
"And that's because you are one, correct?"
"So glad you noticed," he replied caustically. "As I was saying, I know boys, and they don't treat you like that because they hate you. I mean, I'm in that shop all the time, and if they ever treat someone respectfully, they rip that someone apart as soon as they leave the store. It's the people they like that they give a hard time. Take me for example: I always brag that they give me discounts, but really…I know it's just the same price as everyone else gets. But they told me that since I didn't act as though I expected a discount, they decided that they wouldn't charge me extra, as they had planned." He shook his head slightly, amused by the expression on Ginny's face. "So, in a way, I have a discount, because if I was as arrogant as they had expected me to be, I'd be paying double."
"Wait a minute, though," Ginny spoke when Harry had finished. "Why did you agree to buy the Canary Creams for me then, if you don't have a discount?"
Ginny was surprised to see a faint blush, but she must have been imagining it, because all he said was: "I wasn't sure you'd let my buy something for you otherwise."
"But you didn't. You're going to let me pay you back for them."
"Really? Am I?"
Before Ginny really had a chance to retaliate, Harry began speaking again.
"Do you know what time it is?"
Harrumphing facetiously, Ginny responded. "Not precisely, but I can guess based on the conversation our stomachs are having."
"Mine isn't talking," Harry said, almost defensively.
"What? You stomach is too good to talk to my stomach?" Harry laughed.
"I can't believe we're having a conversation like this! Let's just go get something to eat…you know, before my stomach lessens itself by responding to yours."
Ginny stuck her tongue out and followed Harry down the street.
A half an hour later, they were busy consuming food in the classiest restaurant in Diagon Alley. Seated in a private dining room they hardly ate privately, what with the cameras around. Their conversations were less in-depth since their food was keeping them pretty well occupied. Despite its reputation, the food really wasn't all that spectacular and considering how long it had taken Ginny to decide what she wanted to eat anyway, it really didn't seem worth the trouble.
Harry paid and as they were leaving she boldly spoke. "If I'm still on the show after the next rose ceremony, maybe we could just eat at a fast-food place on our next date instead."
"You don't like sit-down restaurants either?" he asked in return.
"Either? You mean you don't? Why in the world did we go there if neither of us likes sit-down restaurants?"
"I figured it was what Connie would expect." Ginny nodded at this comment, but she didn't leave it at that.
"You know, Connie isn't here. And these cameramen aren't going to stop us from doing something that Connie wouldn't approve of. Heck, I've already just about gotten chewed out for something else that I've done 'wrong' on this show, and I would have just as rather said 'screw Connie. Let's eat at a muggle McDonald's!'" Looking around she saw that the cameras were a safe distance away (thank goodness) and so did not regret her words at all.
"Alright," Harry began. "Next time I'll take you to McDonald's or wherever else you might like to eat instead. Is it a deal?"
"Absolutely," Ginny responded, trying to stay calm. Not 'if you're still around for the next date I'll take you there,' but 'next time I'll take you there'! Ooooh! Could it be? And in a fit of daring, Ginny reached out and tentatively grasped Harry's hand.
Smiling directly into her eyes, Harry squeezed her hand and the two resumed walking. Or rather, Harry resumed walking while Ginny practically floated beside him.
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Twins-rule: hehehe Oh, I'm sure they enjoyed their new facial decorations; they are probably hard at work at this moment trying to figure out how she did it! Lol I hope to have a bit more of Fred and George in later chapters. They are very hard to write though, you know that? sigh
SeleneA: Yeah, I think last chapter was my favorite. Aren't innuendos fun? Yay! Lol
Joy Cutting: Hey, that sounds like me! Staying up late reading stories that aren't finished…and are hardly ever updated. Kind of makes staying up until four in the morning seem a waste…almost. Anywha, I'm glad you liked it. I loved that chapter; I can hardly believe that I wrote it! Hehehe
IceSugarHigh: I'm not even sure how Harry would have gotten a hold of any pictures of his family. Anywha, no Knockturn Alley. First of all, that's hardly the place to take a date (unless, perhaps, you're a Malfoy) and I'm not even sure Harry would be comfortable down there. No, I think not. Yep, five more days for Ginny to sit and wait to see if she'll get picked again. Doesn't it sound like fun? Hehehe
Potterloverno1: Thanks! Here's an update!
Loves to Read: You can never get "too into" a story. It's not possible! Hehehe So, those stories are great aren't they? I wish I could write like Snuggle. Anywha, I'm glad you thought it was funny. I, personally thought it was hilarious…that isn't conceited, is it? I hope not. That was my favorite chapter though :) Thanks so much for your reviews!!
NightWing509: Why thank you :) I rather liked that part as well grins
Harry/Ginnyfan4ever: Yay! Gred and Forge! Fun-ness. Anywha, I hope you liked the interaction in this one, even though there wasn't much…
PrettyWithAJadedPistol: Thanks for the luck. Just two more days. Eek! I can't wait. Yay, cute Harry and cute Ginny. So much cute-ness going around!
Miss Corker: Well, welcome to your 20's! I've been here for a good…four months (as of today, my birthday was April 5th) I like Fred and George, but they are a bit hard to write. One of your favorites? Really? Yay-ness! H'mmmm…what is it with me today and making up words…? Anywha, I hope you liked this update…even though it was short and rather slow-moving. le sigh
Fred-George-Lee-Luver: Oh, no, they weren't growing right before their eyes. They just noticed that she had grown, that's all. No, no – Trista isn't evil! Lol
Milky way bar: Let's here it for laughter! That's always a good sign :)
Tricia Emily: Ah yes…I remember being 17…I still looked like I was 12… sigh Anywha, yes, I agree. If my brother ever did something like that to me, I'd…wait…my brother does stupid prat-like stuff all the time. Why have I never thought to hit him for it? ponders
JamieBell: Yeah, I like Fred and George too, but they are a bit difficult to write. You have to be almost as crazy as they are to think of the things they might do or say…and I'm only that crazy when it's caffeine induced… hehehe Or sleep deprivation, that works too. Yeah, invisalign is supposed to be so much more comfortable, but my tongue has been butchered!! It's getting a little better, but still… Yeah, I'm really auditioning for American Idol and yes, I have been singing forever. My first solo was when I was two. As to how good I am, I don't really like to brag, so I'll say this as much without pride as I can. I was given a $375 scholarship when I was a sophomore in Highschool. I was in the New York Womens' All State Choir my senior year and in college I had one of the few solos in the elite audition-only choir as a Freshman. So, I'm good, but I don't know if it's good enough to be an American Idol. I'll tell you in a few days! Lol I hope you liked this chapter :)
Sunflowerchild: silence If chapter 15 was too short, I'm not even sure I want to know what you think of this chapter… The last chapter was almost five typed pages…this one was barely two. Sorry. It's short, but it must be dealt with.
HermioneRon 4ever: Oh, don't worry, I will tell everyone what happens at the audition! And thank you so much: I'm glad you like my story!
The ever-lovable Snuffles: Well, I update every four days…it's just sometimes I take advantage of the full day… sheepish grins Thanks so much for reviewing!
Snuggle the Muggle: Yeah, sorry it was a bit late… I'm still getting used to posting regularly, as I've never attempted this before. Really? You have a soft-spot for the twins? Hehehe Repartee is fun! Especially when it involved innuendos! Lol And tomorrow, I get to read your next chapter. I'm so happy!! grins
Rayah Papaya: Well, happy 14th birthday. My nephew turned 14 on May 11th. I feel so old…and yet look so young sigh I'm 20, but I swear, you probably look older than me. Anywha, enough of the self-pity lol The "rack cracks" huh? lol Yes, I rather enjoyed those too. Thanks for the luck. I'll be sure to tell everyone how it went the next time I post. Prayer would be very much appreciated!
Chewy1: Thank you so much. Yeah, if only I could draw, I could create one awesome comic strip with this story (and another story that I'm planning).
Wouldn't it Be Lovely: Ah, not a fan of Harry, eh? I know a lot of people like that. I just hope I'm not making Harry too likable… Wait, let me rephrase that… I hope that I'm not making him too perfect in this story. I don't need another Mary-Sue type character…which is probably why I'm making him seem so out of it sometimes. I mean, a guy that doesn't see that Janice is a horrible person? Definitely not a Mary Sue, eh?
Bakaneko: No, the date isn't over yet. It may even have one more chapter…it depends on my inspiration. They had no reason to do anything bad to the cameramen, but it would be just like them to try to publicize their store anyway they could! Lol
Spaced Out Space Cadet: Thanks so much, as always! I'm glad you thought it was funny. I did too, now that you mention it winks Thanks for the luck, and though I'm not sure if I'll kick that exact body part, I may kick something similar. shrugs Sorry, I tried to make a joke there and it didn't work. I'll just shut up now…
Kawaii-konnichiwa: Thanks for the luck. I hope I make it too :) And, thank you for the review.
Allimba: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked it.
Nat: Well, of course I had to use her "enlargement" to full advantage. What's the point of putting a character through something like that if no one notices? Hehehe Yeppers, everybody loves Gred and Forge!
Elvencherry07: Thanks for the luck. I'm glad you liked the chapter :)
Laura: Thank you so much! Both for the review and for the luck :)
Manders: You made me so happy!! This is your favorite fic right now? I am so honored!! Thanks so much. I hope you continue to think so, despite my constant writer's block. Thanks again, and keep reading! Hehehe
Kery J. Wales: That's cool. You can review while you're in Denmark. So…does that mean you'll be reviewing more often? Hehehe Just kidding. As long as you keep updating your story :)
Heather: Well, I think there will be enough talking and other interaction between Harry and Ginny that they won't need another clandestine affair. grins
Thanks again to all my reviewers; you guys are great!! Next chapter will be up by the 10th. Jaa, mata ne.