I'm surprised I even got 3 pages done, considering I'm used to writing only about 2 for my other fic. (I'm really sorry I got so caught up in it. 7 chappies in 3 days, imagine that!) Anyhow, I've decided to slow down the pace for both fics. Unless, that is, I've got nothing to do or am totally bored in class. So therefore, I'm not really slowing down the pace at all!

Lonely Companions:

Ginny walked through the corridors, searching for the room of requirement. When she finally got there, she found it was already in use.

"That's strange, almost everyone is studying for exams..." Ginny said, and opened the door. She was in for the surprise of her life.

(&)

"Hey, Ron; you know where Ginny is?" asked Harry they were sitting in the Gryffindor common room on a Saturday, and the entire room was quite. Everyone was studying hard for exams.

"No," Ron sighed.

"Hmmm…well, I'm going to go find her, okay?"

"Yeah, whatever."

Harry jumped up from the table, stretched, and gathered his books. He paced through the halls, looking for Ginny: not in the library, not on the grounds, not in the Great Hall, where was she?

Just then, he banged into something. Or rather, someone.

"Oh, hi, Harry. Were you looking for me?" It was Ginny.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was. Where were you?"

"Oh, here and there. You know, got places to go, things to do…people to see…"

"Who's more important than me?" Harry said, teasing her.

"Ummm…depends."

"On what?"

"On how good a friend they are, how much they need me, how mental they are…"

"Mental? I can be mental; and I need you! And aren't I a good friend?" Harry joked, giving Ginny puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah, sure. Now I have time for you. What do you want to do?"

"Oh, I was thinking along the lines of romantic picnic by the lake, watching the sunset, kissing for hours on end…"

"Harry!" Ginny laughed.

"Just kidding. No, I was serious about the picnic by the lake watching the sunset thing, though."

"You think my new friend could come?"

"Oh, I guess."

"And Ron?"

"Fine."

"And then tomorrow we can 'kiss for hours on end', okay?"

"YES!" Harry jumped in the air, throwing his arms up. Ginny stared.

"You like kissing me that much?"

"Not for hours on end, but yeah, of course I like kissing you, you're the love of my life!"

"Aww, how sweet, Harry. But now I've got to go and get my friend. You get Ron."

"And the picnic from Dobby."

"Yes." Ginny pecked him on the lips, and said, "See yah!"

Ginny hurried back through the corridors through which she had come.

(&)

"Hey! Ron!" Harry yelled across the common room. A few people shushed him, so he whispered, "You're coming with me, Ginny, and her friend out for a picnic by the lake."

"Mhmm…"

"Don't just sit there, put your books away and come with me to get the picnic!"

"Okay, okay!" Ron pushed his books off the table and into his book bag, along with all the parchment, quills, and ink. He and Harry then set off to the kitchens, to get the picnic dinner.

(&)

"Come on, you can't just sit in here cooped up forever!" Ginny told the girl laying on a small white cot. They were in the room of requirement.

"Look, I don't know what happened to you, but at least come on this one picnic!"

"You forgive easily, you know that?"

"Yes, I do. Now come on!" Ginny yelled again, this time pulling on the older girl's arms to hoist her off the cot. She was surprisingly light.

"Okay, okay! I'll come with you. But don't go laughing at me if I, like, go completely insane or anything. And don't get worried, either. It's completely normal."

"Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, Nicole."

"Mhmm, that's what I like to hear. Now lead the way!" Nicole said, giggling.

"Since when do you giggle?"

"Since always, my dear friend. Just not often. I don't get to have much fun."

"Okay, then." Ginny started to leave, when Nicole stopped her.

"No, Ginny! I have to get my cloak on."

"Oh, yes. Here you are," Ginny said, handing Nicole a silver cloak hanging on the wall. Nicole carefully put the cloak on, covering her face with its hood, and then stood right next to Ginny.

"Lead the way, my dear friend!"

And Ginny led the way to the Great Hall, where they would meet Harry and Ron.

(&)

Oooooo! A cliffie! What's gonna happen at the picnic between Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Nicole?