A Walk By the Lake -
Hermione led Ginny through the entrance and towards the stairs with Will close on their heels, Jack followed behind them.
"Ah, Captain Sparrow, Mr. Turner, just the men I was looking for," Professor Dumbledore called from the base of the steps as the group made their way half up the staircase. They stopped and turned to look down as Professor Dumbledore stepped forward, placing a hand on the banister. "I was hoping to have a word with you concerning your 'heirloom'," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Of course," Jack said, giving a passing glance over Hermione and Ginny before stepping down the stairs to the headmaster. Will hesitated, looking back at Ginny.
"Mr. Turner, if you would accompany us also?" Professor Dumbledore said with a knowing grin. Will frowned down at the headmaster before turning to once again look at Ginny.
"It's alright Will," Ginny said, nodding her head slightly, "I'll be fine."
Hermione eyed Jack standing beside Professor Dumbledore. "We'll meet you in the Gryffindor common room later," she said, gently tugging Ginny's arm to pull her further up the stairs.
Will reluctantly walked back down and followed as Professor Dumbledore led the two pirates away.
Ginny sat on the edge of the hospital bed waiting on Madam Pomfrey to come examine her. The nurse was busy at the moment at the far end of the hospital wing tending to the only other patient in the ward, a second year who was at the moment violently throw up slugs into a large basin. Ginny cringed hearing the boy wretch followed by the squelching wet sound of slugs hitting the basin.
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "When will they ever learn not to use that horrible hex?" she grumbled. Ginny closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers trying to prevent the onset of a headache. "You sure you're alright, Ginny?" asked Hermione, watching Ginny closely.
Ginny took a deep breath in releasing it in a long sigh. "I don't know Hermione," she said, dropping her hand down onto her lap.
"I've seen the way he's looked at you," Hermione said quietly.
"Who?" Ginny said, her shoulders tensing.
"You know who I'm talking about, Ginny." Hermione answered, lacing her fingers together in her lap. Ginny squeezed her eyes shut, scrunching up her face to try and push away thoughts she didn't feel like dealing with at the moment.
"Why is it the only man, other than Harry, that I've felt such intense feelings for is a pirate from another time?" Ginny said, opening her eyes to look at Hermione. "And not only that, he appears to have taken an interest in me to only have to leave once Dumbledore has figured out how?" said Ginny. She turned away from the sympathetic look on Hermione's face. Ginny clenched her jaw to fight the tears she felt burning the back of her eyes.
"Ginny," Hermione said gently, "I don't know what to tell you." Hermione reached out to pat Ginny's knee. Ginny reached up wrapping a lock of fiery hair around her finger giving it a sharp tug.
"It doesn't help that all the sudden Harry and Ron act as if they are ready for a pirate lynching," Ginny said, tugging her hair again.
Hermione grinned, "They are acting the bit of the jealous boyfriends now, aren't they?"
Ginny groaned, "Just lovely, so you're saying he's finally noticed me once I've found someone else?" Ginny said and gave her lock of hair a third tug.
"Keep that up and you'll go bald," said Hermione, still grinning.
"I fail to see the humor in all of this," Ginny snapped, letting go of her hair.
Their conversation was interrupted as Madam Pomfrey came over quickly to examine Ginny. She pulled the white curtains around Ginny's area, allowing Hermione to stay as Ginny disrobed enough to show the nurse her slightly bruised shoulder. With a wave of the nurse's wand Ginny's purple bruise began to vanish before their eyes.
"You're free to go Miss Weasley," the nurse said as the sound of the boy retching again followed by a loud squishing noise as more slugs fell into the basin. "What was that child thinking?" Madam Pomfrey grumbled as she moved the white curtain and hurried away.
Ginny moved her shoulder carefully, noting all soreness was gone as she shrugged her robe back in place. "Well, one problem solved, nine hundred and ninety-nine more to go," Ginny grumbled as she slid off the edge of the bed to stand.
"Ginny, I'm not going to encourage or discourage you with what you decide," Hermione said as the two made their way towards the exit. "I can only hope that you find happiness, even if for a short while," Hermione said, shrugging and looking down at the floor. Ginny pushed open the hospital wing doors, looking over her shoulder at Hermione.
"I could ask you the same concerning a certain dashing pirate captain," Ginny said as the girls wandered down the quiet corridor.
It was Hermione's turn to give Ginny a sharp look, "What about him?" she asked.
Ginny gave her a crooked grin, "Well he is rather handsome," she said.
Hermione crossed her arms beneath her chest, "And arrogant, and cheeky, and deviously. . ."
"Delicious?" Ginny supplied.
Hermione furrowed her brows turning her gaze onto Ginny's. "You're incorrigible," she said, frowning at Ginny's smile.
"True, but I also know good eye candy when I see it," Ginny said, nodding her head. Hermione snorted, dropping her arms to her sides. "I have an idea. How about, for now, we just forget Harry and Ron. We'll do as you suggested before our little pirates from potions incident and enjoy tomorrow. Bonus being we'll have two of the most interesting escorts Hogwarts has ever seen." Ginny said, linking her arm with Hermione's, determined to not think anymore about what her heart was screaming at the moment.
"You do tend to take after Fred and George's twisted branch of the family tree, don't you?" said Hermione, squeezing Ginny's arm with her own.
"We do have more fun swinging from that limb," said Ginny with a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes failing to suppress a smile. "This should make for a very interesting harvest ball."
Hermione and Ginny entered the common room, laughing and talking about what they were planning to wear the next day to the ball. Ron and Harry were sitting close to the portrait entrance and were on their feet the moment the two girls stepped in, heading towards the stairs.
"What did Madam Pomfrey say?" Ron asked, stepping up to the two women. Hermione frowned up at Ron, her back straightening a bit. Ginny looked up at Ron before looking over his shoulder at Harry who was just a step behind him.
"My shoulder is fine, as you knew it would be," Ginny said in a bored tone.
"Well, it doesn't hurt to be safe, does it?" said Ron, looking down at Ginny but giving Hermione glances out of the corner of his eye. Ginny watched her brother and fought the urge to smack him upside the head.
"So where are they?" Harry asked, stepping up to stand beside Ron.
"I presume, 'They', means Jack and Will," Ginny said, putting her palms on her hips, "and, 'They', are with Professor Dumbledore right now," she said, lifting her chin up.
"You're not going to go with them tomorrow, are you?" Ron asked. Ginny could hear a touch of distress in his voice.
"Of course we are Ron, who else would we go with?" Hermione asked, sounding irritated. Ron scowled looking down at Hermione.
"Well I guess I have my answer then," Ron said, curling his nose in anger as he stormed off towards the boys dorms. Hermione's face took on a confused expression through her frown.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she yelled at Ron's retreating back. Ron threw his arms up into the air as he walked away but otherwise didn't answer. Harry shot the two women a disgruntled look before going after Ron. "What on earth is that all about?" Hermione asked. Ginny only shook her head, watching Harry's back as he walked away. "That's it, I'm going to bed," Hermione ground out through clenched teeth, "If you want to stay over with me in my dorm then I'll see you later, otherwise I'll see you in the morning." Hermione said before storming off to the girls' stairs, fists clenched at her sides.
Ginny sat by the fireplace watching the flickering yellow and orange flames dance as the remaining students went about their evening. Seamus offered Ginny a game of exploding snaps which she politely declined. The sun had long since set and through the windows you could see the sky had cleared and was now shining bright with stars. The portrait swung open and Jack entered with Will.
"Ah, Ginny, my lass, why are you sitting here all alone?" Jack asked, walking up to stand beside Ginny's chair, smiling down at her.
Ginny gave him a warm smile, "I'm just enjoying the fire," she lied. Jack gave her a close look but chose not to press her on the subject.
"So where be our lovely Hermione?" Jack asked instead, looking around the near empty room.
"She decided to retire for the evening," said Ginny, reaching up to brush a long lock of hair off of her shoulder.
"Ah, well then," Jack said, fingering his braided beard, "I think I'll be calling it a night," he said, looking pointedly at Will.
"Yes, good night then," Will said, not bothering to look at Jack but instead stared at Ginny.
"Good night, Jack," Ginny said, giving him another soft smile.
"Good night, Luv," Jack said quietly before heading to the hidden door the guest bedroom.
"Ginny," Will spoke, making Ginny's heart jump. Ginny looked up at Will, her eyes lingering on his broad shoulders before traveling to his face. "Would you like to take a walk?" he asked, offering her his hand. She hesitated for a moment before slipping her slender hand into his. "Sorry, my hands still seem to be that of a blacksmith," he said, looking down at the calluses that covered his palms, "You would think after all this time it would have changed."
Ginny looked down at his hand, running her thumb lightly over a rough callous. "I think they are just fine," she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Ginny stood and they made their way over to the portrait entrance, her hand still held tightly in Will's, both still had their outer cloaks on from earlier. "It's almost curfew," Ginny said, looking down the hall as the portrait closed behind them.
"Oh, don't you two make the lovely couple," the Fat Lady said, smiling down at Ginny and Will. Ginny looked up at the Fat Lady in surprise.
Will smiled up at the portrait. "Thank you kind lady," he said, inclining his head slightly.
"Oh such the gentleman!" the Fat Lady gushed, fanning herself with her pink lace fan as a blush crept up her large cheeks. Ginny gave the portrait a final strange look as Will pulled her towards the stairs.
"I'm sure we'll be fine, Ginny, being a guest should give us some leeway," said Will, stroking the back of Ginny's hand with his thumb.
The couple wandered down to the school grounds without incident, eventually finding themselves standing in front of the lake. A breeze had picked up, bringing with it the crisp smells of dried leaves as the full moon shown down illuminating everything in its silvery light. Will let out a sigh, staring out at the rippling water. Ginny turned her attention from the lake to look up at Will as he stared out at the water. He had a sad, distant look on his handsome face.
"You miss the sea?" Ginny asked, watching him.
Will tore his gaze from the water to look down at her with a sad smile, "That I do," he answered.
"Tell me more about your life," Ginny asked, looking up at the shadows the moonlight cast upon his handsome face.
"There's not much more to tell," Will said, looking back out at the lake. "I was a blacksmith then joined up with Jack. . ." he said, watching an owl fly across the sky above them before turning his eyes back to the lake.
"How did you meet Jack?" Ginny asked, pulling a stray strand of hair out of her eyes that the breeze blew into her face. She could feel Wiil's hand tense around her own.
"It's a long story," Will said, seeming unwilling to talk further about it.
"Who was she?" Ginny asked after several quiet moments. Will took a deep breath in, closing his eyes before releasing it.
"She was apart of how I came to be who I am today," Will said, opening his eyes to stare out at the water, "Her name's Elizabeth, Elizabeth Swann."
Ginny looked down at their clasped hands, "What happened?" she asked softly. Ginny looked up again, seeing Will's jaw clench in the moonlight.
"Let us simply say the idea of me being a pirate lost it's glamour for her after a time," Will said, his voice hardening.
Ginny said nothing more for several minutes as the two of them stood together, her hand still held in his, both lost in their own thoughts. Ginny looked up at the twinkling stars finding one in particular. A wave of sadness came over her when she found it, Sirius - the Dog Star.
"The stars are more amazing from the deck of the Pearl," Will said softly. Ginny's gaze went from the star to Will's face as he glanced up at the stars. "Nothing around you for miles but the sea and the clear open sky," he continued while looking up.
"I would love to be able to see it, I'm sure it is beautiful," Ginny said, turning once again to look up at the stars. Will looked down at her sharply, searching her face. Ginny turned to look at him; her heart began to thud in her chest under the intensity of his gaze. Slowly Will's head began to lower towards hers. She stared, transfixed on his tender lips as they inched closer to her own. The rush of her blood racing through her veins roared in her ears. Ginny licked her bottom lip nervously as Will moved closer, his brown eyes still searching her face as seeking out an answer. She felt a flood of warmth over come her from his body heat, chasing away the autumn chill. Her eyes fluttered closed when his face was a mere inch away from her own. His lips hovered over hers for a moment. She inhaled his masculine scent deep into her lungs, putting to memory the smell of sea salt, and warmth and something that was unique to only him.
Ginny was jolted out of her daze by the screech of an owl, causing her to jerk back away from Will before their lips met. Turning to look up she caught sight of a snow white owl soaring in the sky, slowly circling high above her before flying off towards the direction of the owlery.
"Hedwig," she whispered. Will had pulled back at the same time she had and was watching the owl from earlier soar in the night sky.
"Who?" Will asked, watching the owl fly away.
"Um. .. uh," Ginny stuttered. "Harry's owl," she said in a low voice, not looking up at Will's eyes.
"Oh," Will said sounding disappointed. "Perhaps I should take you back up, Ginny, It is getting late," said Will, quietly.
Ginny nodded, looking back up at the retreating owl before letting Will lead her back to the castle.
"Enjoy your walk my dears?" the Fat Lady asked with a pleasant smile when they returned to the Gryffindor common room entrance. "Yes Thank You," Ginny mumbled, not looking up at the portrait. "Password dear," the Fat Lady said kindly.
"Whomping Willow," Ginny said causing the portrait to swing open. They stepped together to the center of the common room, Will took Ginny's hand, which he had still kept a firm grip on, and enclosed it in both of his own. Looking down at her he silently searched her face once again. Ginny could only stand in place, looking up at him; the now familiar sensation of falling came over her yet again. For a moment it looked as if Will wanted to say something but decided at the last moment not to speak. Instead Will brought Ginny's hand up, tilting his head down he place a warm kiss onto the back of her hand. Electrical shivers shot up Ginny's arm, feeling his moist lips tenderly pressing against the back of her cool hand. Will heard Ginny's sharp intake of breath while holding her hand to his lips for a few lingering seconds. Will lowered her hand, smiling down at the flustered look on Ginny's face.
"Good night, Ginny," Will said, reaching up and brushing the back of his fingers down her cheek, turning them over to lightly trail his finger tips next to her lips and down her chin before stepping back and turning to walk to the guest room entrance. Ginny stood their, watching his back as the wall opened and he walked through, not looking back as the door closed behind him. Ginny's heart was skipping in her chest; she took a couple of deep slow breaths to calm herself. Ginny reached up, touching her cheek where she could still feel Will's warm touch. She closed her eyes for a moment, her head swimming with a jumble of confusing thoughts and emotions.
With a slight sigh Ginny turned to head to the girls' stairs and jumped covering her mouth to stifle a yelp of surprise. Harry stood at the base of the boys stairs, watching her.
"Harry, you startled me," she said with a shaky laugh. Harry didn't speak, his hand gripping the hand rail so tight his knuckles stood out white in the dim of the room. Ginny looked around the empty common room nervously under his intense gaze. "Right, then." she said, "I think I'll head to bed now," Ginny began to walk to the girls stairs.
"Ginny," Harry said, stepping into the common room quickly. Ginny paused at the stairs entrance to turn and look at Harry, her heart slamming in her chest. "Did you or Hermione read the note Pig brought last night?" Harry asked slowly.
"Note?" Ginny said, looking confused as she thought, "Oh, it was destroyed; we never saw what it was. Why, was it of importance?" she said.
"I. . ." Harry began before shoving his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh of defeat he looked around the common room to the spot of stone wall that hid the guest room entrance. His face hardened, clenching his jaw. "No, no it was nothing." Harry said looking down at the floor before turning sad green eyes back to Ginny. "Good night Ginny," Harry said, slumping his shoulders.
"Harry," Ginny said, stepping forward to him quickly, her heart breaking at the sadness she saw. Harry turned, looking at her. Without thinking she placed a hand on his forearm. "Are you sure?" she asked. Ginny wasn't sure she could handle hearing his answer but felt she still had to ask. Harry's eyes slide down to her hand on his arm. Ginny felt an intense fire engulf her starting from the point of contact of her fingertips on his arm. Slowly almost reluctantly she withdrew her hand, linking her fingers together behind her back.
"I'm sure, Ginny. Goodnight," said Harry, his eyes lingering a moment on her lips before turning to go up the staircase.
"Good night, Harry," she whispered to his back as he went around the curve of the stairs.