Author Note:
A. L. Nowicki- I just decided that Dumbledore disposed of Kreacher while Harry was at the Dursleys and no one wants to mention it to him. You'll just have to wait and see about who Ginny will focus on now. hehe
Princess Cythera- Glad you like it!
fieryred20- unfortunately, conflict is a part of life. there will be bits and pieces, but mostly snogging. It makes life more fun
Lil Bre- Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy the rest of it too!
Chapter 8
Ginny and Hermione closed the door and curled up on the beds. The room was sparsely decorated so they decided they would make it a little homier in the morning. Right now they had more pressing things to discuss- boys. Crookshanks jumped up onto Ginny's lap and she petted him automatically. "Hermione, do you like Harry better than Ron? Because that is definitely what it looks like to me. If you do, that's fine with me, but my poor brother has been pining over you for years." Ginny laughed a little and Hermione did too.
"No, I don't think I do. I don't really know. I've always liked Ron, but ever since the Dept. of Mysteries, I feel like Harry needs me. I mean, after all, he did just lose his godfather. Has Ron really been pining over me for years? I can't believe I never noticed."
"Yes he has. Everyone knows that, even Draco. We were talking about it just yesterday."
"Hermione's eyed Ginny for a moment then said, "It looks to me like I'm not the only one who's torn between two guys. What exactly is going on with you and Draco anyway?"
Ginny blushed and said, "I'm not sure that there is anything. I think I like him, but how can that be? It's Draco. Anyway, I'm sure he doesn't fancy me at all."
At this, Hermione threw her pillow at Ginny and Crookshanks jumped to get out of the way. "Hey, what was that for? Ginny exclaimed.
"It must be in the Weasley blood. You are as thick as Ron is, I swear. Even I noticed that he couldn't take his eyes off you during dinner."
Ginny blushed to match her hair again. "Really? Are you sure? He really is quite fit, you know. I had never seen him out of his school robes before. Hard to tell what's under all that fabric, isn't it?"
Now it was Hermione's turn to blush because she had been thinking the exact same thing. "That hair cut is really nice, too, don't you think?"
Both girls started giggling hysterically and didn't stop for at least 5 minutes. Finally Hermione said, "We'd better get some sleep, now. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. "All those books to review and such. I do hope the results for our OWLS come soon."
Now it was Ginny's turn to throw a pillow. "How can you possibly think about school? We're only 2 weeks into summer holiday. You don't even know what newt classes you'll be taking."
"Well, can't hurt to be prepared though. Maybe I'll just help you review for your OWLs ,then."
"I'm not going near a school book for at least another month. Why should I? I'm not Percy. Much closer to Fred and George actually." Ginny started laughing again, and this started a full out pillow fight, which caused Crookshanks to run for safety under the dresser.
Downstairs in the boys' room, things were not nearly as lively. Mrs. Weasley had placed a camping bed in there and the boys decided to take turns sleeping on it because it wasn't nearly as comfortable as the beds. Harry asked Draco to tell him everything that had happened and led to him being at Grimmauld Place.
When Draco finished, Harry let out a long whistle. "I'm sorry, but this just seems too weird. You were so awful to my friends and me for years and now we're just supposed to forgive you? How is that going to happen? Can you tell me that?" Harry had obviously not lost his bad temper from last year yet.
"Simmer down, mate," Ron said. "I know exactly how you feel. But, I've spent the last few days with him and he hasn't said one derogatory comment. Not one. He's changed. Ginny even agrees."
Draco's ears perked up at the thought of Ginny. But Harry was ready to blow his top. "How in the hell do you know what I am feeling? Did you just watch your godfather die and come back to his house only to find the one person you hate more than anyone else there? I don't think so! Just leave me alone!"
Draco gave Ron a slightly scared look, but said "Why don't we all try and get some sleep. Maybe things will seem simpler in the morning. I'll take the camp bed tonight."
Ron got up and turned out the lights and all three boys laid back alone with their thoughts. Draco could be mistaken, but he thought he heard muffled crying in Harry's direction. Finally, they all drifted off to sleep. Draco dreamed about his father. He was beating his mother and Draco was screaming at him to stop. He jerked awake and realized he had tears pouring out of his eyes. He quickly wiped them away and rolled over. After what seemed like an hour, he drifted off again, but this time his sleep was dreamless.