This chapter is a lot shorter than I would have liked it to be. Bear with me please. I have been studying for finals for the past two weeks, and have had no time to concentrate on writing. Now that it's summer, hopefully I will. I'll try to update at least once a month, maybe sooner. No promises. Sorry. :(

Chapter 6

Ginny sat underneath the tree that Draco had just left. Her mind was so occupied with thoughts of what had just happened, that she didn't even notice that it had started to snow again. When she did realize it, she picked up her broomstick and flew back to her room, tears filling her eyes. As she got into her room, she tried to sleep for the rest of the night. But she could not fall asleep.

That morning, Ginny studied herself in the mirror. Her hair was a wreck and there were bags under her eyes. She frowned, and took out her hairbrush, beginning to brush her hair. Today there would be a Yule Ball at Hogwarts; a gathering of students who wanted to celebrate the season with their friends before they left for holiday. But it was more than just that to Ginny. She would be with Harry Potter, the guy of her dreams (literally), and the one guy who could make Draco jealous. Not that she wanted to make Draco jealous or anything… it was just bound to happen. Because Draco had kissed Ginny, and seeing her with his rival would just have to make him jealous, right?

"Are you okay, Ginny?" Ginny's roommate asked her.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" she asked abruptly.

"Well, for one thing, you've been brushing your hair for the past ten minutes. I don't think it needs any more brushing."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something," Ginny responded, putting her brush down.

"Don't apologize to me. You're wasting your own time. The Yule Ball starts this afternoon. You don't want to miss it."

"Right. Has breakfast started yet?" she asked.

"It's been over for an hour, Ginny. It's 10 o'clock."

"Oh."

Ginny examined herself in the mirror once again. She quickly took out one of her outfits and put it on, not caring if it didn't match at all. Then she headed down to the common room.

The common room was so packed it would seem the entire Gryffindor House was in there. She spotted Harry and walked over towards him. He looked up and their eyes met. Ginny smiled brightly.

"Hi," she said.

"Hey," he returned her smile.

"So… why is everybody in here?" she asked.

"There's a blizzard outside. It started snowing again last night," he replied.

"Do you think it will clear up soon?"

"I don't know," Harry said. He paused for a while, staring at her, and then said with a look of concern, "you look tired."

"I was up all night," Ginny replied.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I've just… had a lot on my mind lately," she said. She pictured Draco's icy eyes gleaming at her and shuddered.

Harry rested his hand on Ginny's shoulder.

"You'll be fine. Nothing ever gets you down, Ginny," he said with a smile. What a beautiful smile! Draco never smiles, Ginny thought. She tried to smile back at Harry but found that she couldn't.

"Come on, cheer up," he said, "I know. Let's sneak down to the kitchens and get some ice cream from the house elves."

"Really? Are you sure about that?"

"Of course. Well, As long as Hermione doesn't see," he said.

"Okay," Ginny lit up.

"Well, it looks like I got you to smile!" Harry said. Ginny's face turned pink.

"I… let's go," she said, and headed off towards the kitchens. Harry followed her.

After getting her ice cream (double chocolate fudge crunch with whipped cream and a cherry on top), Ginny felt much better. She shoved a spoonful of the chocolatey goodness inside her mouth while Harry watched amusedly.

"Thank you Harry," she tried to say, but it sounded more like "Ankoo, Darry."

"Er… your welcome?" Harry said, a half-smile plastered on his face.

"What?" Ginny said.

"You look ridiculous," he said.

"Do I have chocolate on my face? Ugh…"

"Well, you have a little bit on the side of your mouth," he said. He wiped it off with his finger.

"Thanks," Ginny said. He smiled.

"You're welcome."

"So… I hope I can still fit into my red dress for the ball after eating this," Ginny said. Harry laughed.

"I wouldn't worry about that. You have a nice, slender figure," he said. It struck Ginny that Harry had even noticed her 'slender figure.' Her face turned deep red.

"Um… thanks," she said, "Harry, why are you being so… nice?" He smiled at this.

"Why do you seem so surprised? I'm your friend. I'm supposed to be nice. I… you deserve better treatment, Gin," He said calmly. Ginny smiled inwardly at the sound of her own little nickname he had picked out for her. 'Gin.' She looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his face.

"Well… thank you. I need a friend right about now," she said.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Oh, no… I just… well," Ginny hesitated, "Yes. Somebody close to me, er… let me down. And right now I'd appreciate somebody to be there for me."

"Whenever you need me, Gin. You can talk to me about anything, you know," he said.

"Thanks." Ginny finished her ice cream they left the kitchen together, heading back to the common room.

Ginny and Harry passed Draco in the hallway, who scoffed at them. Ginny uncomfortably tried to look away; up, down, anywhere but at Draco. Harry noticed this.

"Don't let him bother you, Gin," he said comfortingly.

Ginny hesitated. "I… I can't help it. Lately he's been really nasty to me."

Harry put his arm around Ginny's shoulder. She seemed surprised at this, but Harry only smiled at her.

"It's okay. Just stay around me and I'll tell him off for you," he said. Ginny forced a smile back.

"You don't have to be so nice to me, Harry," she said.

"We already went over this. I want to be nice to you. You're my friend," he said. Ginny just looked at him in wonder. Do friends walk around with their arms around each other? Harry sensed Ginny's unease and removed his arm.

"Well, here we are," Ginny said, stumbling over to the portrait hole and mumbling the password. The fat lady just blinked at her.

"What was that, dear? Speak up a little," she said.

Ginny repeated herself, this time louder. The portrait swung open and Harry and Ginny stepped inside.

So that's it. You may complain about the length if you like, but the next chapterWILL be long. Until then, you can review.

And here is a little summary of chapter 7 to keep you interested:

Harry has been acting like more than a friend towards Ginny, it would seem. Why? That's not like Harry at all. At the Yule Ball, Ginny and Draco have another conflict, but not before what happens between her and Harry!