Chapter 7: Regretting
She had just made probably the biggest mistake of her whole life... Running up the trail , she rushed past the party. No Harry in sight...
Damn! Ginny continuted to run into the house, she quicklysprinted up the stairs towards her room. Hermione! She could help her!
Ginny wanted to apologize to Harry…She wanted so much more with Harry. She had her chance right in front of her and she didn't take it. I am such an idiot! Running into her room, she saw Hermione sitting on her bed clearly evident that she was reading.
Hermione looked up. "Ginny?" The redhead had tears streaking from her eyes and she was shaking.
"Hermione! I have to find Harry!"
Hermione stood up at Harry's name! "Ginny! What happened! Did Harry get kidnapped!" Hermione prepared to rush to the backyard to tell everyone before Ginny held her arm.
"No Hermione, Harry's…I talked to Harry Hermione."
Hermione visibly relaxed. Having no idea what Ginny was talking about, she sat down along with Ginny on the bed.
"Tell me what happened Ginny. What did you talk about?" So Harry has more wits than I thought. Hermione couldn't help but grin.
"Well…I wanted to talk to him and we began to walk to the lake. All went well until we started talking about Dean. He asked why I went out with him?"
Hermione stayed silent rubbing Ginny's arm to keep her calm. She still had no idea what had happened out there.
"What did you say Ginny?"
Ginny breathed in and out before speaking in barely a recognizable squeak. "I-I...
Hermione's soft face immediately turned grave as she stopped rubbing Ginny's arm and stood up. "What did you say Ginny!" Hermione said in a more firm voice.
Giny tried to speak clearly. "I...slapped him. I;m sorry hermione. I just got so angry!"
"What!" Hermione's soft voice was gone...
Ginny looked up to see Hermione clearly upset over this. "I know Hermione…I regret…slapping him but my temper…it just exploded. And Harry, he just looked at his feet looking so helpless. That just made me feel more angry. He didn't say anything!"
Hermione paced around the room getting more upset by the second. "Maybe he wanted you to finish Ginny. He felt like he deserved your anger! That's Harry, he doesn't yell at people anymore. He takes the punishment."
"But I misunderstood Hermione! I thought he didn't love me anymore!" Ginny was starting to cry again. Hermione made no attempt to comfort Ginny anymore. Growing up and developing a motherly protection over Harry, she was infuriated.
"But he said that he loved you right? I know Harry would do that."
Ginny nodded." Yes, he said he loved me. He said he would sacrifice his life anytime for mine. Then-"
"Then What?" Hermione's piercing glare was making Ginny regret even more about her latest actions. Stuttering, she continued evidently not wanting to.
"I said…that i…didn't love him anymore." Hermione stopped pacing. She had her back to Ginny and Ginny could only imagine what Hermione's face looked like.
Hermione softened and turned her glare back at Ginny. This time she didn't yell. Her voice was calm but piercing. This was when Hermione was really upset. She used her full knowledge to break anyone that upset her.
"Listen Ginny and listen to me well…" Ginny tensed up and looked at Hermione like a scared dog.
"Do you know how hard Harry has tried to keep you safe, how it hurt him everyday to break up with you? Did he mention that in your conversation?"
Ginny nodded.
"Did he mention that he lost so many people that he cared about close, like family. Ginny, he's lost his parents, he's lost his godfather, he's lost just about anyone who acted like a guardian to guide Harry through his difficult times!"
"You were special Ginny. You were to him more than just a friend. Did you understand that he was tired of losing the people that he cared about?"
Ginny shook her head in a 'no'.
Hermione was relentless. "You know that inside he didn't want to break up with you. You knew that he loved you. You knew that he didn't mean to hurt you Ginny. You knew everything! There was no misunderstanding! There was only frustration that he actually did this. He didn't want to break off with you Ginny! He only did it because he cared about you too much!" Hermione had traces of tears wellowing up in her chocolate brown eyes.
Ginny was now wallowing in shame and pity. Hermione was right...
"Ginny…look at me!"
Ginny quickly looked up.
"You broke Harry's heart didn't you? You…let all your years of anger out on him when he was the most weakest."
"Merlin Ginny! He just took out Voldomort! Do you know how tired he is! He's an emotional wreck right now!All those years of being safe Ginny, and this is how you repay him! I know Harry loves you and I am positive that you love him back. Is that right!"
Ginny nodded her head, tears silently escaping.
"Hermione walked towards the door. "What have you done Ginny…"
"I don't know! I broke his heart! I know that! That's why I want to find Harry and apologize to him! Where is he Hermione!"
Hermione stopped at the door. "He left Ginny. He went with Ron to one of their daily hangouts."
Ginny gulped at this, Ron was going to know…
"Ginny…you have probably just made the worst mistake in your life. You know you love Harry and he just told you that he loves you himself. You ruined it. Where's your heart Ginny?" Ginny looked down.
"I need to go to Harry, who knows what he's doing right now." Hang in there Ron.
Ginny immediately stood up. "I'm going too!"
Hermione opened the door before stopping Ginny. "You…will...stay…here…" she growled.
Hermione walked out and slammed the door.
Ginny was left in her room now. All was silent except from the talking downstairs. Feeling sick, she sobbed into her bed. An idea finally came up in her mind.
The Ministry Ball. It was tomorrow. She had to apologize to Harry and do much more at the ball. She had to fix this.
"She did WHAT!" Ron bellowed out causing all of the customers at the Burning Grail to glance annoyingly at him.
"Really Ron, its' alright. Part of me always knew that she didn't love me anymore…No need to hope." Harry took a sip of his butterbeer before the food arrived. Harry dug in but Ron did nothing.
That's strange, Ron would never say no to food.
"Ron, don't worry about me. I'm fine." Inwardly, Harry felt like a wreck. But Harry was good at keeping his emotions in check. He put on a brave face.
"I'm sorry Harry…"
Harry looked up. "Why Ron, there's nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault that she hates me. Besides, I'm sure she's happy with Dean."
Ron banged his fists on the table. "Dean! Dean is the worst boyfriend I've ever seen! That bloke has no job! He ignores Ginny most of the time!. Inwardly, I know he only wants Ginny because of her body!"
Harry shrugged. "It's her life…"
Ron was shocked. Taking a sip of his butterbeer, he stared at harry eating peacefully. Suddenly, he understood.
"Stop hiding your emotions Harry…"
Harry looked up. Damn, Ron knew. "I'm sorry Ron, I'm just…hurt, s'all"
"Ginny…" Ron looked ashamed. He was just about to say something when suddenly Hermione appeared through the front door. She glanced frantically around around the pub before sighting Harry's raven hair. Walking as fast as she could, she avoided tables and chairs before pulling Harry up from his seat and hugging him.
"Wha-"
Hermione shushed Harry. "Harry, I'm really sorry."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Why is everyone sorry tonight?"
Harry sat down looking at his feet. Hermione pulled a chair from the table and sat down next to Harry. Putting a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder, she coaxed Harry to looked into her eyes. Her eyes were soft and anxious.
"It's alright guys. This is just a rejection. Anyway, I've had my chance, I just didn't grasp it and hold onto it."
Ron interjected. "No Harry, as Ginny's brother, I have a right to say that this was her fault. I'm terribly ashamed of her attitude…" Ron looked down.
Harry stared at Ron before squeezing his shoulder's lightly. "It's not you fault Ron, it never was.. I just have to move on I guess…"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other helplessly. They stayed silent.
Harry, noticing the silence decided to change the subject. "So, Ministry Ball's tomorrow. You guys coming?"
Ron smiled. "Wouldn't miss it Harry. We'll be right beside you."
Harry smiled inwardly at his friends. They were here at one of his roughest times.
"Come on Hermione, have something to eat. It's on me."
Hermione smiled. "Harry's such an understanding guy."
After much eating and laughing from the trio, Harry stood up and excused himself just as Ron was spitting out food from talking to Hermione. She looked disgusted.
Walking through the men's room, Harry remembered something. "That letter…" Reaching into his pocket, Harry took out the elegant blue letter. Slowly opening it, the letter itself popped out and black writing started to appear on the parchment. Harry read out loud.
Dear Mr. Potter…
"Ron, swallow before you talk!" Hermione had to fix Ronald's serious lack of eating manners.
Ron gulped before something popped out in his mind. "Why is Harry taking so long?" It's been almost 20 minutes!" Hermione looked shocked.
"Harry's business in the toilet is none of our Ron!" Hermione giggled as Ron made a face at the word toilet. "I'm not hungry anymore."
"Really? Wow, I never thought that I would live long enough to hear Ron say that." Harry sat back down, clearly emotionless in the face. Hermione went back to her salad. Ron tried to ditinguish Harry's emotion before giving up. If Harry wanted to keep something from them, it was alright.
"Guys..." Both Hermione and Ron stopped eating. "I've decided to say sorry to Ginny tomorrow. I guess it's worth the risk. I jsut don't feel to great right now making her cry."
Hermione inwardly cried out in frustration. Harry, you are so clueless sometimes! Ron seemed a bit uneasy.
"I'll come with you. Besides, it's the Ministry Ball tomorrow. Perfect chance to say something to my sister casually."
Harry sighed. He had jsut read one of the most peculiar letters that he's seen in his life. Whose this Mr. Lee? From the letter, this mysterious individual knew everything about Harry. He also knew that Harry wanted a job, something not too into the public."
Harry decided to keep this information from his two friends. This can be discussed later.
Sighing, Harry went back to his butterbeer.
Tomorrow can change everything...
Author's Note: Well, the ministry ball tomorrow where Harry makes a powerful decision. Remember to Review!