Ginny awoke the next morning and on her way to the loo to brush her teeth, she ran into Hermione coming out of Ron's room. Hermione blushed even more furiously than before and ducked back into Ron's room. Ginny giggled to herself, glad that Hermione seemed happy. She had been so miserable the previous year when Ron had been Lavendar's "Won-won." Ginny giggled again as she brushed her teeth.
"You're awfully happy this morning," a male voice said behind her. She turned to see Harry leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
"Hermione came out of Ron's room and I thought she'd die of embarrassment to see me standing here. But I'm glad they're happy. They took long enough about it." She turned back to the mirror to continue brushing her teeth, but held Harry's gaze in the reflection.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make you happy," Harry said softly, not breaking eye contact. Ginny shook her head. "You did make me happy, Harry. Trust me, I understand."
"I still care for you, Ginny." She sighed. "Harry, I do too. But we can't go back now. The whole world is completely changed. We were happy for a little while though, and that's enough." He nodded, and then turned and walked away without another word. She sighed again. She hadn't realized that he still felt that way, but she couldn't change how she felt. That childhood puppy love had faded now, and she felt that there was something else waiting for her. Someone else. If only she knew who it could be.
Down the hall, two people were whispering too each other. "Ginny saw me coming out of your room this morning. She knows I'm sleeping in here now." Ron glared at her.
"I thought we were going to be careful." Hermione furiously whispered back,
"She's not a baby. And besides, how long did you think we were going to keep it from her, living in the same house."
"She is a baby, she's my baby sister!" He argued. Hermione wouldn't back down however.
"Ron, she's sixteen, she's been possessed by Lord Voldemort, she's dated, and she's been on her own since all of you boys left. She's just as grownup as we are." He glared at her, not wanting to admit that she was right. But he latched onto one thing. "Well it's not exactly my fault that she was alone at home. Bill and Charlie haven't been there in years, and besides, Bill's married now. And she's better off without Percy. And well, Fred and George chose to leave. What was I supposed to do, let you and Harry go off without me?" She snuggled up against him. "No, Ron. It's not your fault. You just need to accept that she's not a little girl anymore." Together, they dressed and went down for breakfast. Ginny had conjured up eggs and bacon for everyone, but Harry was nowhere to be seen.
