Chapter 6

4:45 PM

Well, that was one of the most interesting and confusing afternoons I've had in a rather long time. So good to talk to Harry again, just like old times. Well, almost like old times. This time there was something subtly…(well, to quote Harry)… different. Not really sure what it was. Maybe it's just the butterbeer getting to me. Or my cold medicine. Anyhow, to recount:

Finally convinced myself to move from my excessively cozy spot in the book store. The manager was rather angry when I left without buying anything, since I'd spent a good hour in there reading. Oh well, he may just have to deal with it. Stepping outside, I stopped for a minute and inhaled (unfortunately causing a small cough attack from the cold, wet air). It was really quite wonderful outside. It was snowing, but not just any type of snow. It was that enchanting sort of snow where flakes the size of your eyes drift down lazily around you, hiding the world from you and creating a sense of serene privacy, even though you're standing in the middle of town. After standing on the doorstep for a few seconds, I started walking towards our meeting place. It's always in the same place. There's a spot overlooking the Shrieking Shack that few people except Harry, Ron and I seem to know about. I smiled as I made out a familiar figure through the falling snow. As I approached, however, my smile faded. I could tell even from a distance that there was something very wrong. I can't figure out how I knew, can't quite put my finger on it. Nonetheless was absolutely certain there was something amiss when he turned around and I saw his face. His eyes were glazed over and his jaw was clenched, his cheeks had that funny pinkish-grey blotchy color that someone gets when they're trying to hold in really strong emotions. "Harry!" I said, quite concerned, "What's wrong?"

"Ginny broke up with me." He replied through clenched teeth. "She said I wasn't paying enough attention to her."

I was speechless- filled with a mix of shock and pity and some other really confusing emotions that I can't quite place.

"She said…she s-said…",he continued, "she said that it was obvious that I d-d-didn't feel the same way about her as she did ab-about me. Why would she say that? What did I do?"

And so he went on for about 45 minutes. Apparently Ginny felt that Harry hadn't been the same lately, that he had been distracted by something (or someone) else. She had told him that she had thought about it for a while, and that Harry needed to sort out his feelings, and when he was done dealing with his issues to come back and talk to her.

All I could do was walk beside him as he wandered aimlessly around the parameter of the Shack. Finally, he stopped and looked at me, seemingly as though he had just realized I was there. "Thanks for listening, Herm, you're a true friend, ya know that? And you know what else? I realize now that I'm actually not all that sad that Ginny and I broke up. I mean, I don't know, it's just not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe she has a point. I guess my heart just…wasn't in it." he said as he gave me a warm hug (Which was extremely pleasant, since I was freezing and my cough seemed to be worsening). Actually, that hug was so sweet and comforting and secure, for just a minute I wondered if the crazy girls of the "Elite" had a point. What if Harry and I…

Nah, never. That would be way too weird.

But still…

Finished reading? Review, please! (if for no other reason, it makes me want to update faster) (hah! little bribery there!)

Constructive criticism welcome:-)

Next chapter hopefully on its way. Don't worry, I haven't abandoned this fic! You try being a 17 year old at the end of her junior year in high school and trying to finish a fic. Not easy. 8)