Disclaimer: I am but a humble writer, who will never become a billionaire and be freaking richer than the Queen of England.
A/N: Okay, I just changed my pen name from mello80 to FirstDaysOfSummer! And here's the chapter before I go to the beach. I'll be back on the 18th so expect a chapter and a HBP obsessed rave the next day. Hope you all love the next chapter and the next book!
Back Into My Heart
Chapter Four: Discovery"...the more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards."
- Arthur Koestler
The Burrow was completely dark. All the Weasleys and their guests were in their respective rooms, some sleeping, and some getting to sleep.
In Ginny's bedroom, which was now emptier than it had been, Ginny was sprawled all over her bed, desperately trying to sleep. But it seemed the more she tried to sleep, the farther away it got from her. Ginny was sleepy and tired, but she still couldn't stop thinking about anything and everything.
When she finally gave up on getting any sleep (at least for a little while), she couldn't decide what to think about. Harry, and the fact that she still had no idea if she loved him or not? Or Paul, who was really great, but there was still something weird about him?
Ginny chose Paul, as she knew thinking about Harry would only want to make her bang her head on the wall. Or jump up and go snog him until he changed his mind about dating… thickheaded prat. And Ginny had thought Ron was dim.
Paul was definitely the sweetest guy she had ever dated. And he was pretty damn hot. He seemed so sincere and thoughtful, but there was one little odd thing about him. Ginny didn't know what it was. Paul certainly hadn't done anything for her not to like him.
She thought about everything he had said to her and done… from the first time she talked to him to the last few words he had said to her at the burrow.
"I'll owl you later. I'd like to see you again," Paul had whispered. "Bye then." And then he kissed her! On the cheek, mind you, but all the same… Ginny's face glowed with happiness. He was so nice…
She couldn't wait to get an owl from him! Ginny hadn't dated anyone in almost a year, and she liked feeling special again. Too bad he was a muggle…
Ginny suddenly sat up in bed, her mouth open and her hand to her forehead. Too bad he was a muggle, but he would owl her later! What the bloody hell?
Then Paul wasn't a muggle, she thought confusedly. Why hadn't he said something, instead of saying he'd owl her? And how did Paul know she was a witch?
Ginny flopped on to her back again, staring at the ceiling. That author thing made since now! She thought he had just had his tongue tied, but now she realized his dad was an auror. That was why he had acted so awkward about authors.
Ginny then groaned and rolled her eyes, wondering how she hadn't figured it out the second he mentioned an owl. Paul was probably laughing at her right now, if he wasn't already asleep. How ironic that these things always happened to her….
She sat up again, knowing that she wouldn't be going to sleep any time soon, and tiptoed out of her room. Ginny walked quietly down the hall to Fleur and Hermione's guestroom. Hermione might still be awake, or if she was asleep she wouldn't mind too much. And Fleur, whom she was quite sure was asleep, wouldn't wake up. She was a heavy sleeper, something Ginny guessed was a French thing. Or maybe a Veela thing… She shrugged.
"Hermione," hissed Ginny, grabbing her arm and shaking it slightly. "Silencio!"
Hermione quickly opened her eyes, hearing the spell. She opened her mouth, looking like she was screaming, until she saw Ginny. Hermione glared at her until Ginny performed the countercurse.
"Finite," she whispered. "Sorry, but I didn't want you to wake up Fleur." Ginny smiled sheepishly, letting go of her friend's arm.
"Yes, well," said Hermione. "Fleur is a very hard sleeper. Don't you worry about her," she muttered at the end. "And if you try to wake her up, she talks like Ron."
Ginny giggled and said, "Bloody hell." Hermione raised her eyebrows at her and rolled her eyes exasperated.
"How many times must I tell you to watch your tongue?" Hermione was now sitting up.
"I'm of age," argued Ginny.
"Which means you need to have more responsibility and be more mature than that."
"Oh, for Merlin's sakes, Hermione. Just yesterday you dropped Hogwarts, A History on your foot, and I heard a few very dirty words." Ginny grinned mischeviously at Hermione's pink face.
"Well, I'm not perfect," she huffed. Her face didn't go back to its normal shade for a few minutes, though Ginny had made up what she had said. "What did you come wake me up for, anyway?"
"Oh, yeah." Ginny had completely forgotten about the two young men for a moment. "Well, you know how I told you about Paul?" And she explained everything she had just remembered.
"You were too preoccupied to notice the owl comment, eh?" Hermione hid her smile behind her hand, but Ginny could see her eyes sparkling.
"Well, he does have a nice d-" Ginny started, but Hermione hit her on the arm. "Hey, that hurt."
"Okay, so –in all honesty- if you could choose one out of the two, with no mention as to who was interested, who would you pick?"
Ginny tried to get around it, but the answer was blaringly obvious. "Harry, of course," she said, sighing heavily.
"And if Harry told you he was madly in love with you and wanted to marry you, what would you say?"
"Right now?" Ginny asked and opened her mouth.
"After you had been dating a few months or so," Hermione said obviously.
"Well, that's a big question," said Ginny, obviously avoiding the query.
"Yes…" Hermione waited for Ginny to say something else.
But Ginny didn't say anything, only sitting there staring at her hands. After a few moments, Hermione cleared her throat.
"I shouldn't lead Paul on, if I'm in love with Harry, eh?" Ginny asked in a grim voice.
"Well, I really think it's fine if you like Paul. But I wouldn't act like you're in love with him or anything, if you're not," Hermione said hesitantly.
"Yeah, thanks." Ginny laughed a little. "Hey, are you tired?"
"A good bit," Hermione said, smiling and yawning.
"Oh, sorry. Well, I'm going to try and sleep now. Thanks," said Ginny, getting up to leave.
"Any time, Gin." Hermione lay back down and pulled the sheets over her, her bushy hair sticking out everywhere.
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Ginny went back to her bedroom and tried to sleep again, but her mind was too wide awake and she could barely keep her eyes closed. Remembering the previous morning's hot chocolate, she got back up and went downstairs to the Weasley's kitchen.
She wandered around the kitchen, looking for the ingredients, when she heard someone outside on the back porch. Ginny froze, automatically thinking Death Eaters. She forced herself to calm down, and slowly crept to the window leading to the back yard.
With a sigh of relief, she saw that nothing evil was in her yard. Harry was just sitting in the rocking chair, rocking and staring into space. Ginny smiled a little bit, remembering what she had told Hermione, and went back to the kitchen.
Five minutes later, after she had fixed two cups of chocolate, she checked through the window again to see if he was still in the rocking chair. Ginny bit her lip, but grinned, and walked outside.
"Couldn't sleep?" Ginny quickly took the grin and soft look off of her face as Harry turned around, startled. He relaxed back into the chair seeing her, and Ginny sat down on the rocking chair beside his.
"Not really," he said, glancing at her with her pajamas on and hair messed up. Harry picked up a mug Ginny had sat down on the small table in between their chairs. "Thanks. I haven't had chocolate in the longest time."
She only nodded, savoring the warm, tasty flavor of her drink. Ginny smiled to herself, seeing Harry's Puddlemere United robe, which was fastened loosely over what she hoped was only boxers.
Both sat together peacefully, staring at the bright stars and glowing crescent moon. Harry looked awkward, not saying anything, and Ginny wondered how all of a sudden she was so calm. She figured it had something to do with the night air, which was surprisingly warm for the end of December in England.
"So, erm, do you do this much?" Harry struggled at conversation.
"Every once in a while. I love the night sky, especially with hot chocolate," answered Ginny, watching Harry drink.
"Yeah, it's nice."
"Any particular reason you're out here, or you just couldn't sleep?" Ginny turned her face forwards, not looking at Harry, and instead at her eerie-looking yard.
Harry didn't answer, and Ginny turned her head to look at him, just as he began talking. "I had things on my mind," he replied vaguely and slowly.
"Yeah, really. You're not alone in that," Ginny said, half-bitterly.
Harry gave a small smile. "Are you ready for N.E.W.T.s?"
"Oh, please," Ginny laughed, noting that Harry had changed the subject. "They're not for another six months!"
"Yeah, but it's still a hell lot of studying."
"I'll probably start studying after Christmas break. I won't study on my break from school! I already did the holidays homework on the train home," said Ginny, finishing down the last of her mug. "So how's auror training going along?"
They both talked for another hour. Harry told all about auror training. Ginny listened carefully, because she was trying to get into auror training after she graduated. Neither mentioned anything to do with romance in any way, but Ginny had a nice time just talking until they finished three cups and went upstairs to sleep.
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"Good morning, Ginevra, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, busying around the kitchen the next morning. It was breakfast time, and only Hermione, Harry, and Ginny were awake. "You three come up and help me with breakfast. We're having waffles!"
"I'll cook the waffles. Mum, have we got strawberries, blueberries, and chocolate chips in the pantry?" Ginny asked, looking around the pantry.
"Top shelf, dear," replied Mrs. Weasley. "But the chocolate chips are on the second to the bottom shelf."
Hermione cleared off the kitchen table and the end of the counter where a few stools were. Harry set the places with some plates, napkins, utensils, while Mrs. Weasley got the pumpkin juice, milk, and water.
Almost half an hour later, when the others were almost done eating, Ron and the twins came downstairs and sat down at the end of the counter.
"Have you made any strawberry waffles?" Fred asked.
"I like blueberry ones, Mum," George said, half asleep on the counter.
"And Ron will have chocolate chip," Mrs. Weasley finished as Ron opened his mouth sleepily. His eyes were still closed, and he was going to doze off on the counter top any minute.
Ron managed a sleepy, "Mmhhm," before laying his head down.
After the twins and Ron were served their waffles, Mrs. Weasley sat down also.
"What will everyone be doing today?" she questioned, pouring Harry some more pumpkin juice and wiping a spot off the table.
"Nothing," chorused Fred and George, who had gotten back to their usual selves with a glass of pumpkin juice and a half dozen waffles on each of their plates.
"Probably Diagon Alley," muttered Ron, whom everyone thought was asleep.
"I'm going to Diagon Alley tomorrow," said Hermione. "Along with Ginny. Why don't you just come with us then?" she proposed, downing her waffles with a large glass of water.
"All right, 'Mione," Ron said, drifting off back to sleep.
"Yeah, I really need to get my Christmas presents for everyone," Ginny told everyone, slightly embarrassed.
"I've got all but one. Me and Ron can go with Hermione and Ginny, then, tomorrow." Harry prodded Ron in the back. "Right, Ron?"
"Merlin, Harry, whatever," said Ron grouchily, keeping his eyes closed and head on the counter.
Harry laughed a little and sat back down.
"I think I'm going to the village, today," announced Ginny, standing up from the table.
"To see Paul?" Mrs. Weasley queried, with a small smile on her face.
"Maybe," Ginny replied, slighly defensive.
As Ginny went upstairs to her room, she glanced back and saw what she percieved as a highly uncomfortable look on Harry's face.
He must have had too many waffles, Ginny thought, dismissing the idea that he might be even a little bit resentful towards because of Paul.
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Up in her bedroom, she changed from her pajamas to a jumper and some muggle jeans to go to the village in. She had just completed dressing when an owl tapped on her window.
Ginny's immediate thought was that it was a letter from Paul, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to open it or not. She couldn't wait to hear from Paul, but she was thoroughly mortified she hadn't realized the owl comment.
However, when Ginny opened up her window, she noticed that it was Cathy's owl and grinned. She had been waiting for the owl to come.
She quickly took the letter from Cathy's owl, unfolded it, and jumped onto her bed.
Hello, Gin! The only thing that made me write this was because I know I'll get a letter back from you, which would be the best company I could get right now. And, of course, because I told you I would write you. Nana hasn't been talking much. She's mostly in her guest room watching all of her soap operas, and of course I have to cook for the both of us. Most of today, after I got home from the train station, was me lying in my bed, writing feet and feet of parchment of letters to everyone I know. Yours was nine feet, but I didn't send it to you because I know you'll never read it all. Besides, most of it was just me rattling on… What have you done since I left? Any progress with Harry? Right me back this instant!
Ginny got a huge smile on her face that often comes from reading a nice letter from your best friend. She got a quill and another piece of parchment from her drawer, and reached over for a book to write on.
Hey, yourself. You'll never believe what happened just seconds after your train left. Remember that hot guy from the village we were talking about? Well, he was there! And I talked to him, went out to lunch with him (that little café), and he walked me home! He's so nice, really. So thoughtful. But I feel like the biggest idiot ever! Before he left, he said 'I'll owl you.' Of course, I had thought he was a muggle… and I didn't even realize really what he had said. I just realized it last night! He must think I'm the thickest person in the world. Oh, well. Maybe he'll really owl me… I don't know about Harry. We'll have to wait and see with him. Talk to you soon!
Ginny fastened the parchment to the owl, who was perched on her bed frame staring at her. She dragged herself back off the bed and put the letter on her dresser. Just as Cathy's owl had left her window, she saw another, unfamiliar owl flying towards the Burrow.
Again, Ginny's first thoughts were of Paul's letter. This one she was sure was from Paul. Who else, who's owl she didn't recognize, would write her?
She hastily grabbed the letter and took a deep breath before laying back on her bed to open it. She wasn't quite sure why, but she closed her eyes while she opened it and only opened them a moment after it was right in front of her face. Ginny began reading, trying to keep her fingernails out of her mouth.
Hey, Ginny. I hope you don't mind that I'm writing you. And that I didn't say anything to you about my magical blood. I don't really know how to explain it. I never have before, but you see, I'm not really a wizard. I'm a muggle. That sends owls, because my dad's a wizard. He married my mum, who's a muggle like me, and they had me, who's a muggle. As soon as I got to your house I could see you were a witch. Magic was all around your house. But, don't worry, an uninformed muggle wouldn't have known. I'm going to work right now, at a little muggle bookstore in the village. I'll be off work at five, though, so would you like to come to the village then? Please write me back when you get this.
Ginny let out a huge breath she had been holding the whole time she scanned the letter. Seeing nothing bad, she read it again more carefully, grinned, and started writing a reply.
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"Hey, Mum, what time is it?" Ginny called, walking down the stairs on the way to find her mother.
"Around twelve. I think we'll be having a late lunch today. Around one-thirty or two?" Mrs. Weasley was found in the Weasley living room, dusting the furniture and looking at the bookshelf.
"Okay, well, I'm going to the village around three or four," Ginny told her mum, sitting down on a couch.
"Are you going to be seeing that Paul boy?" Mrs. Weasley asked slyly.
"Yes. He's a muggle, but his dad's a wizard."
"Did you ask him if he was magical?" Mrs. Weasley dropped her feather duster and turned around.
"No, of course not. But he slipped up a few times and then he figured out we were magical," explained Ginny, shifting on the couch. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sat back on her legs.
"He seems nice. Is he a nice boy?" she interrogated
"Yes, mum. Really nice." Ginny didn't feel like talking to her mum. She was getting nosy, and in everyone's business again.
"All right, then, dear. Come give me a hand and don't just sit on the sofa," Mrs. Weasley commanded.
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"Hey, where are you going?" Harry asked Ginny easily. He was sitting outside on the porch with Ron and Hermione.
"Oh, just to the village. I'm meeting Paul at five and wanted to go around the village a bit." Ginny instantaneously mentally slapped herself. Why had she told Harry she was having plans with another guy? She did want him to like her…
Harry's eyes flickered with something, but were again guarded quickly. His facial expression went wooden, but Ginny could tell he was trying to act normal.
"Have fun," he more forced out than said, and Ginny smiled lightly and turned away.
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On the walk to the village, the only thing Ginny thought about was Harry and their last conversation.
Why had he acted so different? she agonized. He had said it himself, right in front of her (though not to her), that he wasn't interested in anyone. Not Ginny, not anyone. She couldn't try and pretend that he fancied her when he obviously didn't. All she would get is more disappointment and frustrastion.
Think about Paul, she told herself. You shouldn't be bothering about someone you'll never get when you've got a perfectly amazing guy already. And she tried to believe. Ginny told herself she did, and she tore her thoughts from Harry to everything wonderful about Paul. He hadn't embarassed her, as clueless as she had been. Paul was kind and considerate of others. Such a sweetie. She was happy with him…
Ginny unexpectedly grasped that she was coming into the village. She smiled, seeing a large group of children laughing and talking in the street near the village square. They were playing some game, running around, which Ginny guessed was tag. She walked into the village square and looked around for a bookstore. Seeing none at the square, she went into Mr. Bana's flower shop, hoping he might know where it was.
"Hello, Ginevra!" Mr. Bana… Ike greeted her. "How you are today?"
"I'm doing great, thanks. Would you know where a bookstore is? How many are there in the village, anway?" Ginny questioned as Ike came around from the counter.
Ike took Ginny's arm and led her to the large window in the front of the store. He told her that there was one bookstore in the village, and gave her careful and precise directions to it.
"'Kay, then. Thanks, Ike!" she called behind her while she exited the flower shop.
"Any time," he said, bending back over his plants to water them.
Ginny walked through the square again, going towards the main road through the village. The bookstore Paul would be working at would take about five minutes to walk there. Ginny wished she could apparate, but knew she couldn't risk muggles seeing her.
As she was leaving the village square, she saw a little girl sitting alone, watching wistfully as the other children played tag. Ginny frowned, recognizing her as the child that had come over to her the other day complaining that a boy had stolen the soccer ball. However, she pushed it to the back of her head, along with Harry, N.E.W.T.s, and graduation, and continued walking to find Paul.
Ginny easily found the bookstore she was looking for, and glancing in the window, she saw Paul standing at the counter, ringing up some books for a few women. She opened the door, and Paul looked up at the sound of the bell attached to the top of the door.
He smiled upon seeing her, but quickly turned back to his customers. When they had left the shop, Ginny went over to the counter.
"You found me, did you?" Paul asked playfully.
"You were hiding?" Ginny retorted, jokingly.
"Not really," he said. "I'm not off for another forty-five minutes. Are you just going to bother me while I'm working?" Ginny rolled her eyes, but couldn't wipe the grin off of her face.
"Maybe," she replied evasively.
"I don't like the sound of that." Paul laughed, and made his way from behind the counter to help a shopper selecting a book.
Paul came back over to Ginny after a moment, and leaned on the counter beside her.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm leaving now," Ginny said, smiling. "But I'll be back in thirty-five minutes."
"See you then," said Paul, watching her leave and then going back behind the counter.
Ginny wandered around the village for a while, visiting at the pharmacy and guiltily eating a few sweets from the sweetshop with her coffee. She was munching on a few pieces of fudge when she saw the little girl still sitting in the square. Ginny went over and sat down on the bench beside her.
She looked up, surprised that some stranger had come to sit beside her. "Who- I remember you!" the girl said, her face breaking into a wide smile.
"Yes, I think you saw me out by the edge of the village one day. What's your name?" Ginny asked kindly.
"Lorelai," she pronounced deliberately.
"Hello, Lorelai. I'm Ginny, and I live a little ways over from the village," Ginny introduced herself. "Why aren't you playing tag with the other children?"
Lorelai's face turned dark. "I've been mean, and the other kids aren't my friends anymore," she said solemnly.
"What did you do?" asked Ginny concernedly.
"I- I put nasty things all over Michael's face. Daddy said I put boils on him!" she whispered, her face readying to cry.
"How did you do that? And who's Michael?"
"He was being mean to me and my friends! Michael's my half brother. I got really mad and then there were boils on his face…" Lorelai said, ashamed and turned away from Ginny.
"Did you do something weird like this before?" Ginny leaned back into the bench, her thoughts all over the place. Was Lorelai a muggleborn?
"Sometimes. I'm sorry and I didn't mean to though."
"Well, Lorelai, I think I know why." Lorelai turned to look at Ginny quickly, her face with a confused expression. "I think you're special. And it's not your fault that everything is happening." Ginny lowered her voice to a whisper, and Lorelai had a hopeful, almost believing look on her face. "You're a magical witch! And when you turn eleven, you can go to a really great school and get a wand where you can do magic!"
Lorelai only stared at Ginny in awe. "Really? You pinky promise?"
"Yes. But you can't tell anyone. Your parents will find out when you turn eleven and get a special letter. It'll be okay, though," said Ginny, smiling fondly at the little girl sitting beside her.
"I won't tell anyone," Lorelai assured her. "I'm a magical witch!"
Ginny grinned. She had never seen a muggleborn find out they were magical. It felt so special to tell Lorelai about magic.
"Well, I have to go now. I'm going to meet my friend, Paul. I might see you another time, though!"
"Bye, Ginny. Thanks!" Lorelai stood up and ran over to the other children, who grudginly let her play tag with her while Ginny watched.
Ginny turned around and headed towards the bookstore, a silly grin on her face from thinking about Paul and Lorelai.
A/N: I finished it! And I'm leaving for the beach in about an hour, so I better hurry and do review responses and dry my hair before I go. Hope you liked the chapter…
Responses to Reviewers:
EternalEcho: Strange in a bad way? Haha. Sorry if it creeped you out a bit. lol. And I guess you've got your questions answered in this chapter.
forgetyourwatch: Thanks so much! Hope you liked the little Harry/Ginny chat at the beginning.
kitotterkat: lol. Thanks!
ginny-wannabee: What convo's at the end? I don't know what you're talking about.. But thanks!
Arianna of Bellezza: Thank you!
Luna Lovegood2: Yeah, me too, but I had to add the drama.
GiGiFanFic: I don't think Lorelai is going to be taken in by the Weasleys. This chapter is about all you're going to see of her, except when Ginny goes to the village maybe. Yeah, I know about Harry. You gotta love him though. This chapter's longer though!
A/N: There you go! Expect another chapter in about a week or so. Hope y'all have fun with book six! I'm getting my copy at 10 AM that day at the beach. lol.