Chapter 14 – The Aftermath: Unexplored Feelings

When Anna heard Sean and Ginny make their statement, she looked at her father who looked as shocked as anyone did, which made her think he had pretended to get over it. They all went over to the Hall she, Lily, Lupin, and Remus stood around looking at the adults getting increasingly drunk and James and Sirius try to sneak some fire whisky past their parents. Mr. Weasley stood on the stage facing everyone and spoke.

"I know this should be a day of celebration, but due to certain circumstances beyond our control it is not. The break up surprisingly was not a bad one, but it was still a break up. That, however, does not mean we cannot enjoy ourselves. Therefore, I want everyone on the dance floor with a partner. And have fun!" Mr. Weasley came over to Anna, Lily, Lupin and Remus. Who were still standing around watching Sirius and James who were now dancing vicariously with some of Sean's relatives.

"Why are you lot not dancing? I just said everyone has to dance with someone," Mr. Weasley said.

"I don't dance," said Anna and Remus together.

"Well that's ok then, Lily you can show Remus how to dance and Lupin you can show…umm."

"Anna," she replied helping him, feeling slightly upset.

"Yes sorry it has been a long day, now come on. Dance!" He said pushing them all on to the dance floor. Remus took Lily's hand and led her to the dance floor. Anna jumped slightly as she felt Lupin's hand on hers. He started to pull her towards the dance floor.

"Hell no, I was serious. I do not dance," Anna started protesting. However, Lupin was dragging her on to the floor, ignoring her protests. He put his hand on her back and held the other one in his hand.

"It is easy, I will guide you," he said smiling at her a smile she just noticed lit up his blue eyes, which sparkled with mischief. Anna put her hand on Lupin's shoulder and he started guiding her to the music.

"What, don't you trust me?" He asked when she kept looking at her feet. Anna thought for a moment that she did trust him. He was the first person she ever considered trusting. However, did she truly believe she could trust him, no not yet. She could not.

"Not yet but I might eventually," she replied and at this he stopped and stared at her in the eyes. Those penetrating blue eyes, suddenly she felt he could see into her soul and see what was going on in her head it unnevered her slightly.

"Fair enough," he said grinning and shaking his long curly hair.

"How long did it take you to grow your hair this long?" Anna asked running a hand through his hair. When she realized what she had just done, she quickly drew her hand away blushing.

"About five years," he replied.

Lupin smiled, he was used to it, and all the girls liked him. He knew there was a fan club for him, Sirius, James and Remus. He found it funny as did James but Sirius and Remus found it annoying. He hoped Anna was not part of it, as he had dated most of the girls in the fan club. As he danced with Anna his hand around her waist, he realized something, that all the girls he went out with were the same. He had never met anyone like Anna before all of the guys agreed there was just something about her that made her different from all the other girls at school. Something about those green eyes and curly blond hair made her different. There was something she was not telling him, but he would be patient she would come around and tell him. Anna brought something out in him that he had never known before. He could tell her his secrets about how he got nervous before Quidditch games, how he did not understand Snape's homework. Moreover, when he could not do some spells in Defense Against the Dark Arts, he could not tell anyone that especially a girl. He had to keep up good form around girls as they were always looking, staring, judging, he would give anything to be able to ignore it like Remus did.

"So are you happy that Ginny and Sean did not get married?" he asked trying to see if she would admit to having an affair with Harry Potter.

"I guess it is sad that they did not, but if it was not meant to be, then what can we do about it," she said, confused on where he was going with his questioning.

"Do you reckon Ginny and Professor Potter will get together now?" Lupin asked, still trying to get some sort of reaction.

"I dunno, maybe…I do not think Professor Potter is ready yet," Anna replied, suddenly realizing she understood where he was going with this.

"How would you know?" he asked somewhat harshly and regretted it the instant he saw the look in her eyes.

"He just does not seem ready that is all," she said trying to understand why he was acting this way, and they danced in an uncomfortable silence.

"I am sorry," Lupin said after too long. "I did not mean to snap at you. I am just coming to terms with something I really do not want to be coming to terms with." He said his suspicion of Anna and Harry Potter secret affair becoming increasingly pronounced. How did she know he was not yet ready?

Harry could not believe his ears they were not getting married and he could not be happier. He felt horrible why would they break up. Was it his fault? Did Sean know he had said something to Ginny? Did he not marry her because of what Harry had said? Should he say something to her or Sean? He did not know why he was thinking all of this as he was planning to stop Ginny from marring Sean in the first place. All these thoughts went running through his head as he watched as the people dancing, he looked around to find Sean or Ginny but could not see them anywhere.

He watched as his daughter danced with Romulus Lupin. He had his eyebrows raised so high; they were in danger of merging with his hairline. What was she doing dancing with a boy? This was not good his daughter was growing up…he could not have that. His thoughts drifted back to Ginny. Harry still had not seen Ginny since she and Sean stood up and told the crowd the wedding was off, she had not come to the Hall, neither had Sean. He wanted to talk to her, find out why they had not gotten married.

He was walking back to Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione and Ginny was still no where to be found. When he got back to Hogwarts he went to his office took off his cloak and started towards her office. He rounded corners so fast he almost knocked a few students over as he passed them. As he came around the last corner of the fourth floor, he did hit something small with a lot of red hair. He froze as he saw who it was. He did not want to find her that soon.

"Oh Merlin, I am sorry Gin," Harry said putting out a hand to help her up. She took it and looked up at him. Harry could not say anything he had lost control of his voice. Say something, he told himself. Say anything. "I am sorry to hear the wedding is off," Harry said. He expected the normal reply of thank you, but it did not come. Instead tears formed in Ginny's eyes and she said.

"Are you? But why are you?" she retorted. Harry's eyes widened in shock people were starting to stare at them now.

"Come on, Gin, let us go to your office and talk," Harry said leading her into her office. Ginny was wiping her eyes on her robe sleeve and hiccuping. Harry pushed Ginny into her office and closed the door behind him; then went over to the cupboard and getting two cups of tea.

"Now let us talk," he said and Ginny looked up.

"Fine, I am not getting married and all you can say is I am sorry," Ginny exclaimed sounding slightly hysterical.

"Um…what was I supposed to say?" Harry said and he knew even before the words left his mouth he had said the wrong thing.

"YOU, HARRY POTTER, WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN US SINCE YOU ARE STAYING NOW!" Ginny shouted leaving Harry very taken aback and blushing.

"Oh," he said weakly. However, before Ginny could start shouting again he said quickly, "I did not know why you broke up; I did not know if it had anything to do with me. I did not know." It was then Ginny's turn to blush.

"Oh…Yeah sorry," she said regaining her composure. They drank the rest of their tea talking quietly about the reception Hall. After nearly an hour Harry told Ginny, he had to leave. He got up, went to the door, and said goodbye. He had almost closed the door again when he heard Ginny tapping her foot looking furious again. What had he done now? He looked at her and raised his eyebrows in questioning. She did not say anything, but stood there looking at him with raised eyebrows as well.

"Ok what have I done now?" He said coming back in and closing the door behind him and walking over to her.

"What have you done now? What have I done now he asks? Oh Merlin! THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE HARRY POTTER! I BREAK UP WITH MY BOYFRIEND, TELL YOU I WANT TO GO OUT WITH YOU THAT I WAS READY. HOWEVER, YOU TURN AND LEAVE WITHOUT EVEN—" Ginny exclaimed but was cut off by Harry putting his arms around her and kissing her on the lips to stop her shouting at him. His lips touched hers soft and warm. Ginny who was stiff and annoyed two seconds ago fell limp against him and melted into his body sliding her arms up around his neck. Harry pulled his head back and said.

"Sorry I thought it would have been too soon, I mean you broke up this morning. It is too soon for me. I just saw you with him yesterday like nothing was wrong and you were the happiest people alive. However, now you have broken up and you are yelling at me for not making a move on you. I cannot, not just yet, I need to get the idea of you two out of my head…can we wait for a few weeks. Please?" Harry said quietly and Ginny looked at her shoes.

"Sorry," she muttered, "I did not think how you would feel about all this. Yeah we can wait a bit." Harry nodded and was about to leave when Ginny asked, "when will you know you are ready?"

"We will both know," he replied and left. Harry walked back to his office dejected and annoyed. He was doing the right thing; he could not start something with Ginny as soon as she broke up with Sean. Could he?