Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Obviously, I'm not a millionaire.

WHITE LILIES

CHAPTER SEVEN: OWL POST

Ginny and I chatted until daybreak. When people started going down to have some early breakfast at the Great Hall, Ginny and I decided to dress up and do the same. Together, we went down to have some breakfast.

While I eat some cereals, I saw Harry arrive, looking around. When he spotted me, he passed the Hufflepuff table and walked towards me. He took the vacant seat at my front.

"Where were you?" he asked as he pulled a plate towards him. "I went into your room but you weren't there. Where have you been, anyway?"

"I was with Ginny," I answered and Ginny nodded beside me. "We decided to eat early. Look, I've got something to tell you."

And I told Harry everything that happened that night. Harry's face was serious as I tell him everything. When I was finished, Harry just stared at me.

"And that was it."

"Er...he was lucky you didn't see his face," said Harry as he took a bite off his pumpkin pie.

"But I think we have – a suspect," I said, removing Harry from the list. Ginny understood and she nodded.

Harry choked on his pie. "What? A suspect? Who?" And he took a goblet and drank.

I glanced at Ginny then looked directly at him. "Ron."

Harry sputtered and pumpkin juice splattered the table and my face. "Ron! Are you serious? How?"

And at that moment, I saw Ron pass and disappeared behind the oak doors. I nudged Ginny and she looked at me questioningly and saw who I was looking at. She nodded and stood up.

"Uhm – got to go," she said. "I need a word with my brother." And she left.

"What was that about?" Harry asked me.

"Uh – nothing," I said. But the truth is, I asked Ginny to tail Ron and watch his moves closely.

"Ron," said Harry, suddenly. "How come you suspect him?"

"Well, last night, my mystery man could've jumped into a tree like I told you. And this morning, Ron arrived at our common room like a mess, claiming he fell into a tree," I explained.

"Really?"

"Yes. And I reckon he's faking his jealousy on this guy," I added.

"Well, I – I don't think he's Ron," he said, finally. "I mean, he could be telling the truth, you see. Maybe he was really practicing Quidditch."

"But what if he's lying?" I insisted.

"Then there's nothing that I could do about it," he said and he turned back to his pie. There was an annoyed tone in his voice.

I sighed and started eating again when Harry turned back to me, a grin on his face.

"You know what?" he said. "Why don't we have a bet? If Ron's the one, I owe you ten galleons. If not, you should pay up."

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "That's unfair! I'm not even sure yet if he really is!"

"But you kept on insisting that he is!"

"But I – okay! Fine! You're on then, Potter!"

He beamed at me and held out his hand. "Deal?"

I looked at his hand then at his face. I took his hand and shook it. "Deal."

I woke up the next day a little late. I looked at my side table, expecting to see a bunch of lilies when – there's nothing.

I blinked my eyes once, twice but it wasn't there. I stood up and looked under my bed, under the table, and on every corner of my room but I wasn't able to see even a single petal.

I dressed up sadly and went down at the common room to meet Harry. I felt – lonely and incomplete. It seems as if something was missing. I don't know why.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked me when he saw me. "You look disappointed and upset."

"I'm fine," I said as we walked out of the Gryffindor Tower. But then again, "I mean, no."

"What's up?"

"Well, it's not a big problem, really," I said, blushing slightly. "But this morning, there were no lilies on my table." I waited for him to laugh but he didn't. Instead, he looked a bit guilty.

"I – I bet he didn't want to deliver it in person again after that event in your room. Don't worry, he might be sending them to you – uh – later," he said and we walked towards the Gryffindor table and sat down.

It was Monday once more and all fifth years and seventh years were very busy. As Harry and I grudgingly ate our breakfast, we heard loud flapping of wings as a thousand owls came to deliver packages and letters to everyone.

An owl swooped down towards me, delivering my usual subscription of the Daily Prophet. I took the Prophet from the owl's leg and it took off once more.

"Anything new?" Harry asked as I disappeared behind the paper, scanning it.

"Nothing," I said after a while and folding it. "Except if you want to know about the new song of the new band called –"

"Ah, never mind!" said Harry and he shook his head. "Forget that I asked about it."

I laughed and another owl landed on the table with something large tied on its leg. I stopped and took a closer look.

Tied on its leg was a large bouquet of flowers full of – guess what? White lilies. The owl held its leg to me for me to untie its burden.

"Look at that," he said, smiling. "He sent it to you by owl. Told you he's not going to give up yet!"

I untie the bouquet off the owl's leg. The owl took off again like the other one. I examine the lilies and saw a note with them. I took it and read.

You almost got me that night. I wouldn't dare risk it again.

You must not see me. Not now. Not until I want you to. Be patient.

That day will come.

Soon.