Chapter 31: Losing friends
Ginny ran up the stairs to her dormitory. Hermione who had seen her confused friend followed without hesitation. She found a sobbing Ginny lying on her bed.
"Ginny what happened?"
Ginny threw herself into Hermione's arms and cried: "Harry broke up with me!"
"He did WHAT? But that can't be, he loves you" exclaimed Hermione. She was apparently shocked by that news. Hadn't it been only yesterday that Harry told her how glad he was that Ginny was back safe and healthy? Ginny looked up and wiped her tears away.
"Well, that's what I thought too, but he says he doesn't love me anymore."
Hermione sat quiet for a minute. She couldn't believe it. The way Harry always looked at Ginny, spoke to her and cared for her, showed that he was deeply in love with Ginny. So why had he broken up?
"Is it another girl?" asked Hermione carefully.
"I don't think so. But I haven't asked him about that possibility."
"What exactly did he say?"
Ginny recited their conversation word by word to Hermione. "… and then he looked at me with an ice cold expression on his face. He looked right into my eyes and said: 'Ginny, I don't love you!'" A new rush of tears ran down her cheeks. Hermione hugged her tightly. These words didn't sound like Harry at all. He never looked down on anybody, even if he didn't like them. It was not in his nature to be so cruel to anyone he liked. Hermione recalled Harry shouting at her and Ron several times during the last year. He only uttered hurtful words when he was extremely angry. But by what means would he have been mad at Ginny? What could she possibly have done to make him break up with her? A feeling of suspicion woke in Hermione and she couldn't ignore it. This whole break-up thing was too strange. She would talk to Harry as soon as she found him. She decided not to tell Ginny about this though; she didn't want Ginny to hope for things to become as they once were. If Hermione stirred up Ginny's hopes, Ginny would be even more disappointed than she already was.
"Have some rest now. Maybe you have a sleep and don't try to think about it all the time."
"Thanks Hermione", whispered Ginny and slipped under the sheets of her bed.
Hermione closed the door quietly as she left the room. She ran down the stairs and went straight to the room of Requirement.
By the time she had arrived there, she was fuming. She pushed the door open and started shouting at Harry, who still sat on the couch.
"Why in Christ's name did you do this? Ginny's a real mess. You've hurt her feelings a lot. I just don't get why you did this to her! Don't you know that she loves you more than anything in the world; don't you know what you've done? You – "
She stopped as she saw Harry's bloodshot eyes. He had been crying too and Hermione immediately felt sorry for her overreaction.
"Harry… why?" she asked in a softer voice.
"I had to. There was no other choice. If I hadn't broken up with her, Voldemort would've killed her. It's a bit complicated, but I know it's the truth. I've had two visions about it. Somebody inside Hogwarts delivers information about me to him! And it's not Snape!"
Cold shivers were running down Hermione's spine. She was horrified, somebody – no, not somebody – Lord Voldemort planned to kill her best friend.
"So… you still love her?"
"Of course I do. But that's not the point."
"Then why did you break up?" asked Hermione frowning.
"Don't you see? She was in danger while being my girlfriend, now she's free" he replied.
Then he told Hermione how it had come to the end of their relationship.
"You followed Cho's advice? And how did she find out?" Hermione was taken aback.
"I thought it was pretty obvious. Everyone knows that Voldemort tries to kill me, that's the thing he wants more than anything in the world. So if he found out about me having a girlfriend, he would do everything to kidnap her, so he could blackmail me to join him. And I decided to act before it was too late. Besides, Dumbledore told me the same thing. Not to break up… only that Ginny might be in danger."
"Harry, I am not sure I understand. If you still love her, you could've found another way!"
"How do you picture me telling the girl I love more than anything in the world that her life is endangered by a slimy maniac, just because I am her boyfriend? Her life would've been predominated by fear. It's the best thing I could do and I am sure I made the right choice in breaking up with her. I am really sorry I had to hurt her this much. But I had to, at least now she will be safe."
Hermione nodded. She thought that Harry had acted very nobly in protecting Ginny, but nonetheless it felt strange.
"Could… could you please explain everything to Ron? I don't want him to be angry at me too. And whatever happens, Ginny must never know the truth! I also think it wise if you and Ron ignore me from now on. Seeing you two along with me after the break-up would only cause problems. People wouldn't understand why Ron isn't mad at me and they'd start asking embarrassing questions."
"I promise Harry. Maybe we can meet here sometimes if you feel lonely." She got up and opened the door.
"One more thing Hermione." She looked back over her shoulder and closed the door again.
"Please take care of Ginny and help her to get over me. She'll forget me soon" he added in a shaking voice.
"I don't think that she'll get over you all too soon, but I'll do what I can."
This time, she really left the room and Harry was alone again with his grief.
After dinnertime, Harry returned to the common room and saw that it was unusually crowded. He wanted to go straight upstairs to his dormitory. Halfway across the room, Ron came running towards him. Harry stopped dead and backed away in alarm. Ron was now standing very close to Harry.
"Harry! I warned you!"
"Ron I – "
"I told you if you hurt her feelings I'd kill you!" He threateningly raised his fists and shook them. "If Ginny hadn't told me not to, I'd kick the hell out of you!"
The common room had become very quiet. Everyone was staring at Ron and Harry. It had been a long time since Ron and Harry's last fight. Harry felt very uncomfortable. He walked past Ron, half expecting Ron to punch him. But Ron didn't react. Harry went up the stairs to the dormitory. Ron followed, still shouting at him.
"Don't you run away Harry! I haven't finished yet!"
Harry sat down on his bed and feared for the worst. This would probably be the end of his and Ron's friendship. But to his surprise, Ron closed the door and said: "Okay. I don't think anyone will hear us."
Harry didn't understand. He felt weak and numb. He would never have dreamt that this whole story affected him that much. Ron sat down on his own bed and looked at Harry.
"Thank you."
"WHAT?" asked Harry flabbergasted. "Ron I thought you were angry at me. You're supposed to hate me!"
"No Harry. I am sorry for yelling at you down in the common room, but I had to. Otherwise people wouldn't have believed it. They expect me to be mad at you. And besides, now everybody knows that you broke up with Ginny."
"So Hermione told you everything? I am glad you understand."
"That's why I wanted to thank you."
"Why, what for? For breaking your sister's heart?" Harry hadn't expected any words of thank at all.
"Yes, I want to thank you. Even though you love her, I know you do, you broke up with her. I really appreciate it. I think you made the right choice and I would've done the same thing. I bet we won't meet frequently from now on, will we? But Hermione and me we'll find a way. You are not alone, Harry."
Harry nodded and lay down on his bed. Hermione and Ron thought him to be noble and talked of him like he was a hero. But Harry didn't feel noble at all and he already doubted if he made the right choice. He had been so sure about it, and now he was very uncertain. The more he thought about it the clearer it became to him, that he was a coward and a traitor.
The following days were nearly unbearable for him. Everywhere he went, people looked judgingly at him. Hermione and Ron did their best to ignore him and tried to cheer up Ginny. It was hard for them to see Harry so alone and depressed. But it was even harder for Harry to see Ginny. Every time he saw her sad face, he felt an urge to run to her, throw his arms around her and tell her that he wanted to make it undone. This made him feel very miserable. He would give anything to rewind time, but it was too late.
Apart from his two best friends, his other friends from Quidditch and his classmates avoided him. Harry didn't know what exactly Ron had told them, but it was clear that they blamed him for the break-up and thought him to be cold-hearted. 'Don't they see that I am suffering too?'
But of course no one was supposed to see him suffering, they would find out that Harry only pretended not to love Ginny anymore. In addition to that, Ginny was very popular and Harry was held responsible for her misery. So Harry was even lonelier than he could've imagined.
He wasn't the boy who lived anymore, but the boy who ruined Ginny's life.
The evening before the Easter Holidays began, Hermione informed Harry about Ginny's departure.
"She thinks that it will be easier for her, if she doesn't see you for a while. Maybe Ron and I'll have some time for you now."
Harry nodded and his thoughts returned to the parchment he was holding in his hands. After the Easter Holidays, they had to choose at least three of the new subjects. Harry hadn't made his decision yet. At least that would take his thoughts away from Ginny for a while.
Not many pupils left the castle for the holidays. Most fifth years had stayed, because they wanted to learn for their O.W.L exams. Harry still had to meet Ron and Hermione in secret. They met in the room of Requirement and did their homework, learned for the end of the year tests, played chess or just talked. Harry was glad to have them and he didn't think about Ginny all the time when he was with them.
In the second week of the holidays, Harry received a note from Hagrid. Harry was surprised that Hagrid was still talking to him and Hermione confessed that she'd explained everything to him. Harry thanked her; the number of his friends was decreasing. The note read: "Meet me at 6 p.m. at my hut."
So at 6 Harry went down to Hagrid's. Hermione had joined in, but Ron hadn't wanted to. He preferred staying in the castle. Hermione and Harry were received by Hagrid who hugged Harry so tightly that Harry thought he might suffocate.
"Yeh alrigh', ey? I been worryin' 'bout yeh ever since 'mione told me about it."
Harry didn't want to talk it all over again and quickly changed the topic.
"Why did you want to see us?"
"Well, I asked meself if yeh wouldn' want ter visit Grawpie again… he speaks much better now and asked for yeh."
Harry and Hermione looked uneasy at each other. Their memories of Grawp, Hagrid's half-brother weren't too positive. They agreed nonetheless and followed Hagrid into the darkening forest. Grawp was sitting on a rotting tree and waved at them from above.
"Hagger bring Hermy?"
Hagrid called up to the giant. "Yeah, she's here and I brought Harry too!"
Grawp bowed his face to the ground and stretched out his hand. Hermione stepped back, but Hagrid stopped her from running away.
"It's okay; he wants ter shake hands with yeh." Hermione still looked revolted but dismissed the thought of escaping. Grawp carefully put out his little finger. Hermione grabbed it with both hands and shook it. Then Grawp moved his little finger to Harry who shook it as well.
"Hagger food?" Hagrid unwrapped the large lump that had been hanging from his back. It contained several dead ferrets and some other unidentified meat. Grawp took it and swallowed it down in one go.
"Grawpie, haven' yeh forgotten somethin'?" Grawp scratched his head as if he were thinking hard about an answer, and then shook his head.
"Yeh didn' say the magic word! We been practising so long and yeh still don't remember? How will yeh ever find a giantess who likes yeh, with this lack of manners?"
Grawp lowered his eyes, he seemed to be ashamed. Hermione and Harry chuckled. It was as if Hagrid would raise a child. Only that this child was nearly as tall as a tree.
"Sorry, Hagger. Not angry Grawp. Please!" Grawp smiled down at Hagrid.
"I meant the other one" said Hagrid a little flattered.
"Thank you!" beamed Grawp. Hagrid laughed proudly. "See, I been trainin' him. He doesn't attack the trees anymore, only when he's upset."
The three of them sat down on logs and watched Grawp who had become very interested in his feet. Hagrid told them that he visited Grawp every day and taught him some things.
"I show yeh somethin'. Grawp how was yer day?"
Grawp took his eyes of his feet and told them: "Grawp wake up, wash, comb, eat. Play with birds and trees. Hagger come, Hermy and Harry! Grawp friends!"
Hagrid had tears in his eyes. "Look at him. He's changed so much, he is friendly and nice. I plan on taking the Forbidden Forest Studies class to him some time."
"NO!" objected Harry and Hermione in unison.
"Why not?" asked Hagrid slightly offended. "He's behavin'!"
"Yes, he has changed. But Malfoy's in that class. If he knew about Grawp, he'd have you sacked. Besides, we don't know how Grawp will react if there are so many people gathered around him. Please Hagrid, don't" pleaded Hermione.
"Well, best we go now. Already late!" Hagrid rose from the log and they said 'Goodbye' to Grawp. Grawp waved at them and returned playing with his toes.
Half an hour later, they were standing in front of Hagrid's house. "I'll go in and try to convince him not to reveal the secret about Grawp" insisted Hermione.
Harry nodded and went towards the castle. The full moon was up and reflected itself in the smooth surface of the lake. It was then, that Harry noticed someone standing at the shore. As he went closer, he recognized Cho. He was sick of people avoiding him and actually glad to meet her. After all, she was one of the few persons who knew the truth.
"Hi. What are you doing out here?"
"Oh Harry. I didn't see you. I was just looking at the moon and the stars. Why aren't you in the castle?"
"I was visiting Hagrid."
They walked together into the direction of the castle. Harry was silent and thought about how romantic this evening could've been if Ginny was here and still his girlfriend.
"It's hard for you, isn't it? I've seen everyone avoiding you." Harry heard real sympathy in her voice. "Well, I am getting used to it." He wanted it to sound jokingly, but his voice betrayed him. 'You silly liar, you're not used to it at all', a small voice in the back of his head told him.
"I don't know how you feel Harry, but I'd do anything to make you feel better. It's not fair that everyone's just on Ginny's side. If they only knew the truth!"
They had both stopped. Harry looked at her and saw a reflection in her eyes that didn't belong there. Suddenly Cho's face transformed into Ginny's in front of Harry. Overwhelmed by all his sorrow and caught by the moment, Harry took Cho's face in his hands and kissed her emotionally. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the kiss. He felt that she returned it. As he opened his eyes, he realised that he had been kissing Cho and not Ginny. He was scared of himself and backed away.
"I… I am sorry Cho. I didn't mean to. This should never have happened!" he stammered and ran away without casting another look at her. He only hoped that nobody had seen him.
Harry entered the room of requirement and tried to calm down. He was disgusted by himself. How on earth could he have done this? He wanted to punch himself, punish himself for what he just had done. He swore loudly and asked himself over and over again how this could have happened. He didn't have his feelings under control and why did he think he kissed Ginny when he saw Cho standing in front of him. Harry was very confused and angry at himself. After a while, he felt calm enough to go to the common room.
"Is Harry already back?" asked Hermione. Ron who had been waiting for them shook his head. "No, I thought he was with you."
"Well, he was. But I had to talk to Hagrid and Harry told me he'd go back to the castle."
"I don't know – wait, there he is!" said Ron as the portrait swung forward and Harry entered the room. He sat down next to Ron and told them he'd wandered around and forgotten time.
Hermione took the seat opposite of Harry and didn't show any reaction to his apology.
"So Hermione… have you succeeded in convincing Hagrid not to lead our Forbidden Forest Studies class to Grawp?"
"Yes, I have" she answered shortly.
"What did he want to do? Is he mad?" blurted Ron out. "Tell me everything right from the start."
Hermione and Harry told him about their visit in the forest and Hagrid's plan. She looked all the time at Harry and surveyed him with her eyes.
"Tell me Harry. Where did you wander about when you left me? I would've seen you after leaving Hagrid's house, wouldn't I?"
Harry tried not to become nervous. "I just went to the lake and then walked along the forest. You couldn't have seen me on your way back."
Hermione looked into his eyes as to find out what he really thought. But he seemed quite cool.
"Guys, I'm going to bed." She kissed Ron and went to her dormitory. Soon Harry and Ron followed.
The following days, Harry noticed that Hermione's behaviour towards him became ever colder. The second last evening before start of term, the three of them were sitting in the room of requirement. Harry and Ron were discussing some tactics for their last Quidditch match of the season; Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. The match against Hufflepuff had been shortly after the Christmas Holidays. Harry had caught the snitch after five minutes and won the game for Gryffindor. Hermione sat next to Ron and read a book. From time to time, she shot angry looks at Harry. He tried to ignore her and pretended that he just imagined things.
Ron excused himself for leaving, he met Dean and Seamus in the common room. As Harry was alone with Hermione, he daringly began: "Ginny's coming back tomorrow, isn't she? I'd really like to see her back."
"Pf", made Hermione and rolled her eyes.
"What's the matter with you? You've been glaring at me for the entire week! I know I hurt Ginny's feelings and she hates me. I thought you had understood why I had to do it!"
"That's what I thought too, but now I know better!" she spat.
"What does that mean?" asked Harry bewildered.
"Oh come on Harry. Don't play the nice innocent guy! You and Cho, together? Kissing in the moonlight? Doesn't it ring a bell?"
"Did you… have you… it's not what it looked like!" explained Harry desperately.
"I saw you kissing her! Don't tell me you didn't because I saw you very clearly" she roared.
Harry had really hoped that nobody had witnessed the scene, but he was unlucky. Hermione had seen him kissing the girl Ginny hated more than anything in the world. And now she expected an explanation from Harry for the betrayal he committed. Harry was still silent while Hermione kept glaring at him.
"Who do you think you are?" she growled.
"Hermione, please I – "
"No Harry. Now I will tell you something and you'll let me finish! Every day since you broke up with Ginny you have told me how much you miss her. You always say that you're regretting it and you claim that you still love her. I tried to comfort you and help you. So did Ron. And what for? Just to see you kissing another girl as soon as Ginny's away! I have really had enough of you, Harry. I didn't plan on telling you that I saw you. I thought maybe he has made a mistake and confesses it to us, so we can help him. But oh no. You just keep it to yourself and pretend that nothing has happened. And day after day you tell us that you can't forget Ginny! How am I supposed to believe a single word you tell me? Don't you realise that if Ginny ever finds out, she'll be shattered completely? I just don't get you. If you really love her, then why in God's name have you kissed Cho?"
Harry still didn't reply. He looked down on his shoes and a feeling of shame overcame him. Hermione's words were very powerful and they hurt him even more, because he knew that most of it was true. He looked at her and finally answered: "I know I've made a huge mistake. But I swear I didn't mean to kiss her, it just happened… "
"Oh, how original!" snorted Hermione. "You shouldn't have let it happen!"
"You don't understand. Back then, I saw a completely different Cho. I saw the girl I fell in love with two years ago and not the person she has become ever since. But in the moonlight, she reminded me so much of Ginny and I really thought I was kissing Ginny, not Cho. Somehow Cho's face transformed into Ginny's. I can't explain it. I kissed a mere memory!"
"What a rubbish! Listen to yourself, you're talking nonsense. 'I kissed a mere memory.'"
"That's the truth. I didn't have my feelings under control. I really didn't want to kiss her, you've got to believe me!" he pleaded.
"Be that as it is. You can turn it what ever way you want, Harry. Fact is, you kissed her!"
Hermione turned to leave the room.
"What are you going to do now?" asked Harry desperately.
"I have no idea. I will have to make up my mind. I am just warning you once more. You've got to pay attention, because you can't afford to lose the few friends you've left. As for me, I am not sure I want to be friends with you anymore. I can't trust you. From now on, I'll have a real reason to ignore you. All I hope for, is that you didn't stir up any new hopes in Cho. The last thing Ginny needs now, is to see Cho running after you. She doesn't need to get hurt even more."
Hermione paused. Then she faced Harry and it caused her much effort to tell him the true opinion she had of him. "You thought you had become a traitor for breaking up. You hadn't. At the contrary, it was very unselfish. But in kissing Cho you really have betrayed Ginny and you gave your love for her away. Just think about it!"
Hermione left the room and slammed the door shut.
Ginny had long ago decided to spend the Easter Holidays at home in the Burrow. She would rather stay there than meet Harry every day. After their separation, she had a hard time. Even though she was feeling bad, she guessed that Harry had more troubles than she had. Ginny couldn't help feeling sorry for him, even though she hated herself for pitying him. He was the one who had broken up, so why did it matter to her? But she had noticed that everyone tried to comfort her and she really appreciated all the help she got. Nonetheless, she would have preferred if someone looked after Harry too. He was always alone and nobody seemed to want being friends with him anymore. She wasn't sure if most of her friends knew the real reason Harry had broken up with her. Some thought that Harry had another girlfriend; others claimed he had only been playing with Ginny's feelings. She didn't know the true reason herself, but she knew that the other reasons were not true. Sometimes, Ginny was almost sure that Harry still had feelings for her. But surely he hadn't broken up with her if he still liked her. After the first unbearable week of their separation, she thought it would be best to forget him. That was an easy thing to say, doing it was far more difficult. It still felt unreal that she couldn't go to Harry and be with him. She couldn't even talk to him normally, if they ever talked. The first day after their break-up, she woke up and prayed that everything had just been a terrible nightmare. Going down to the common room and seeing Harry leave as he saw her, made her realise that it had been real. She had informed Hermione about her leaving for the holidays. It would be best to avoid Harry for two weeks. She had to prepare for her O.W.L.s and at home there would be no one to bother her.
As she was sitting on her own in a compartment of the Hogwarts Express, she thought back on the happy moments she had shared together with Harry. Their relation had appeared so strong and unbreakable to her. And yet it was over now. A new wave of sadness rolled over her. She closed her eyes, tried to chase Harry out of her mind and get some rest. But his face was clearly visible in front of her. His untidy, jet-black hair; his emerald green eyes, his scar and the smile that made her knees weaken. In her mind she still looked upon Harry as the boy who loved her and was angry at herself for thinking such things. He didn't love her and had turned her down. Some hours later, the Hogwarts Express arrived on platform 9 ¾. Ginny climbed out of the train, dragging her luggage behind her. Her mother was waiting for her at the gate, arms wide open. Ginny ran to her and hugged her. "Hello darling. Why didn't Harry come along?" Ginny quickly answered: "He preferred staying at Hogwarts." This was of course a downright lie. Ginny had sent a letter home to announce her stay, but she hadn't mentioned the true reasons. Her mother had been so glad to call Harry a real member of her family now. Molly and Ginny left King's Cross station and took the Knight Bus to get to the Burrow. During the ride Molly asked: "Why have you come back? Is there a special reason?"
"No mum. I just wanted to see you again. And I think I'll be able to prepare for my exams without being disturbed." Her mother seemed to be satisfied with the answer, because she didn't ask further questions. The Knight Bus stopped abruptly in front of the Burrow. "Finally home" sighed Molly. They had the house for themselves. Fred, George and Percy had moved out; Bill, Arthur and Charlie were working and Ron was at Hogwarts. "I'll go up and unload my trunk" said Ginny and went into her room. She opened the large suitcase, took out her few muggle clothes, her books and other stuff. At the bottom of her trunk, she found a small silver bracelet. It was the phoenix -bracelet Harry had given her on Christmas Day. How could she have forgotten about it? She put it on and touched the head of the engraved phoenix. She thought back on these days. They had been among the happiest of her life. She remembered how she was standing with Harry in the snow-covered grounds. They had been a couple for three months and that special night he had told her for the first time that he loved her. Everything around her became blurred. Tears ran down her cheeks and she began to cry uncontrollably.
Molly had patiently waited for her daughter to come back downstairs. As Ginny hadn't come back after half an hour, she went upstairs to her room. She found Ginny in tears, sitting on her bed.
"Ginny what happened?" Molly sat down next to her daughter and patted her head.
"Oh mum! It's so horrible! Harry broke up with me" she sobbed. Molly put her arms around her daughter and rocked her softly.
"But why? Have you had a row?"
"No, he doesn't love me anymore…"
Now Molly understood the sudden return of her daughter. The first love is very strong and impossible to forget. "Are you sure? Is there no way you and Harry will be together again?"
Ginny's voice became almost hysterical. "I am sure. Harry won't give us another chance. He doesn't feel for me what I feel for him! I can't stand it any longer. He was so mean to me. I just want to forget everything!"
Ginny was still held by her mother and slowly relaxed. "If there's anything I can do for you, you'll tell me. We will find a way to cheer you up."
"Thanks mum. I think I'll lie down for a while. I am really tired."
Ginny buried her face in her pillow, though she didn't cry anymore. All the confused feelings, mingled with exhaustion overcame her.
She slept till early evening. She got up and had a long shower. She found it very refreshing and some of her
self-confidence came back. She dressed and went downstairs. On the table in the kitchen her parents, Bill, Fleur and Percy were having dinner. Ginny joined them and began picking her food without real interest. Nobody asked her about Harry or her stay over the holidays. She guessed that her mother had told them everything, so no one came to the idea of bothering Ginny. She secretly thanked her mother for this. After dinner, all the members of the Weasley family, gathered around the fire in the living room. They talked about their day at work and listened to each others' tales. Ginny sat back and all the sad thoughts were driven out of her head. The later it became, the more carefree she became. Soon Percy left them and her parents went to bed. If Ginny hadn't slept the day away, she would've welcomed her bed. But she knew that once she was alone, she'd start thinking of Harry again. So she decided to keep Bill and Fleur company. They played cards, while Bill was joking around all the time. Ginny and Fleur were having stomach aches from all the laughing. It was the first time in weeks that Ginny felt able to have fun again. Around midnight, Bill wanted to go sleeping. Fleur stayed behind, promising to join him in a couple of minutes.
"Maybe I shouldn't ask, but I didn't 'ave any chance to come and see you at Hogwarts… so, how are you?" asked Fleur tentatively.
"It feels great being home again. Not seeing him everyday might help to look to the future."
"I 'ad already noticed at school that it was over between you two. I 'adn't told a single soul, not even Bill."
"That was very nice, thank you" replied Ginny.
"I just want you to know… maybe we can go shopping some time, just you and me? You can always come to me and talk about everything you'd like to. I don't know 'ow you feel right now, but I 'ave been lovesick myself some times."
Ginny nodded. "Shopping sounds great to me!"
Fleur smiled. "We'll sure find a way to make you happy again! Night."
She went to bed too. Ginny was alone in the living room. Strangely enough the happy feeling stayed with her. She wanted to look upon her relationship to Harry as thing of the past. A new chapter of her life had to begin now.
Ginny spent most time of her holidays together with Fleur and Bill. During the mornings she learned for her O.W.L.s and in the afternoon, she would go shopping with Fleur or just travel on foot through Muggle London. It seemed to Ginny that Bill and Fleur wanted to keep her occupied as much as possible so she would forget about Harry and most times they had success. In the second week of her holidays, Ginny and Fleur went to Diagon Alley. They met Fred and George who told them that a youth club had opened some time ago. Teenagers from 16 years on were allowed in there and apparently they had a lot of fun. As Ginny's birthday had only been some days ago, they decided to have a look at the club tonight.
At eight o'clock in the evening, Fleur and Ginny dressed up and left the house. They met Bill at the entrance to the club and went in. The club called 'Cosmos' was crowded with teenagers. Bill and Fleur were easily the oldest persons there, but they didn't mind. They had only accompanied Ginny to cheer her up. The three of them sat down at the bar and had some fruit cocktails. While Fleur and Bill were talking about something, Ginny noticed that a tall boy was looking at her from time to time. She pretended she hadn't seen him and quickly looked away. As Bill left for the bathroom, Fleur leant closer to Ginny and whispered: "There's a boy in the corner and 'e's staring at you all the time. Go over and talk to 'im." Ginny blushed but in the semidarkness of the club, no one saw her reddening cheeks. "No way, Fleur. I can't. I prefer sitting here with you." Fleur nodded, but as soon as Bill was back, she dragged him to the dance floor. Ginny remained sitting on her chair and to her horror, the tall boy came walking towards her. Ginny turned her face to the bar and hoped he would just walk by, but the boy took the seat next to her.
"I've seen you from over there" he said and pointed to the corner. "My name is Jonathan Parker." He was tall, had very dark, almost black eyes, dark hair and a cute smile.
"Hi. I'm Ginny Weasley. Nice to meet you!" They shook hands.
"So you're all alone here?"
"Oh no. I'm here with my brother and his girlfriend." She pointed at the dance floor and waved at them. Fleur waved back. "I'm not sure I like this" muttered Bill. "Come on, sweet'eart. Let 'er 'ave fun!"
"You're still going to school? Hogwarts I presume!"
"Yes, I am in my fifth year. What school do you go to?"
Jonathan laughed. "I am not going to school anymore. I graduated last year. I moved here from Australia and just started working here." Ginny smiled at him, because she didn't know what to say any more.
"Hey, do you wanna dance?" he asked.
"Sure" she replied, glad for avoiding an embarrassing situation. They went to the dance floor and danced to a few fast songs. When the DJ played a slower one, Ginny wanted to go back to the bar, but Jonathan held her back.
"Please dance with me" he whispered and Ginny let him put his arms around her waist. She laid hers on his shoulders and they moved to the soft music. The song ended and the two of them went to the bar. They sat down and picked up their conversation.
"In Australia I lived very close to animals all my life. But life wasn't easy there for me, because of my father. After my mom died, I decided to come to England and start a new life. Now I am working in the London Zoo."
"You're working among Muggles?" asked Ginny surprised.
"Yes. They can be really interesting sometimes. Do you have a problem with them?"
"Not at all. My father would love to hear from you." Jonathan looked at her in bewilderment. Ginny couldn't suppress a small giggle. "My dad thinks Muggles are the most fascinating creatures alive. He works in the Ministry, section for Misuse of Muggle Artefacts."
They were silent for some time. Ginny relaxed, she hadn't felt so well since Christmas. Jonathan looked at her. He seemed to be looking for words, because he opened his mouth several times and then closed it again. Ginny smiled, she loved when boys became nervous. "I… I know it's not polite to ask a lady about her age… but I am really curious so…" he mumbled.
"I am sixteen, my birthday was last week and you are?"
"I am eighteen."
They talked on and on, about many things. That night was amusing, but much too soon Bill and Fleur came to tell Ginny they had to go home. Jonathan accompanied them to the Leaky Cauldron where they would use to fireplace to travel home.
"Go ahead. I just want to say goodbye" said Ginny. Bill didn't like the thought of leaving Ginny alone with this guy, but Fleur convinced him to wait inside for his sister.
"Well…" began Ginny. "It was a very nice evening!"
"Yes, it was. I am glad we met each other." He leant down, but Ginny stepped back. "I am sorry; I don't think it's the right time."
"It's still about your ex-boyfriend, isn't it?" She had told him everything about Harry, their relationship and the sudden break-up. Ginny nodded, slightly ashamed. "But we can stay in touch" she suggested.
"Sounds good" agreed Jonathan. Ginny was on tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, before she went inside. Bill gave her a disapproving look. "What?" asked Ginny, but he only shook his head. They went home and Ginny fell asleep with a happy memory about this evening.
The happy feeling lasted for the last days of her stay. She learned some more and the last day, they had a family meeting. Fred, George, Percy, her parents, Bill, Fleur and even Charlie managed to come to the Burrow. They ate together and talked around the fireplace. On Sunday, Fleur and Ginny left together for Hogwarts. They climbed into the Hogwarts Express and talked about the funny holidays they had together. Ginny thought she might look forward now and don't think about Harry too often. But the nearer they arrived to Hogwarts the sadder Ginny became. Fleur noticed this and tried to distract her for some time, but it was hopeless.
As the two of them were standing in the Entrance Hall, they let out deep sighs. It was as if they hadn't even been away a single day. The miserable feeling caught up with Ginny and she was reminded of all the bad things that had happened here before she had left. It was as if the two happy weeks hadn't been real. She had felt so happy, so alive and now she fell back into her old life. She wanted to run back to the Hogwarts Express and return to the Burrow more than anything else in the world. Fleur left her at the bottom of the marble staircase and went to her room. Ginny slowly moved upstairs to the Gryffindor common room, knowing that she still hadn't forgotten about Harry. This chapter of her life had only just begun and she was afraid of what might happen. But there was no point running away from her problems, she had to face them and clear them up. The portrait swung forward and she stepped into the deserted common room, muttering: "I am back" to herself.