Ginny's New Life

Chapter Three

Crash and Burn

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"Ginny, are you listening to me?" Hermione asked sternly.

"Hummm?" Ginny replied.

"Ginny Weasley, pay attention to me!" Hermione said.

"Oh…I'm sorry Hermione."

"What are you looking at anyways?" Hermione asked.

"Those girls over there, their talking about Harry." Ginny replied.

Hermione and Ginny were sitting in a small corner of the library, working on their Transfiguration essay. The library was crowded today because it was raining and cold outside, the perfect day to do homework. However it seemed that no one was in the homework mood. Several small groups of people were floating around the library holding copies of that day's Daily Prophet. Ginny and Hermione made a vow sometime ago that they were going to stay away from all newspapers and magazines.

"Ginny, we have been here almost a month, haven't you gotten used to everyone talking about Harry by now?" Hermione asked.

"No, I mean yes, but something is different today. I want to see what's on that paper." Ginny said still eyeing the giggling girls.

"No you don't Ginny; it will only make things worse." Hermione said. But to Hermione's surprise, Ginny still wasn't paying attention to her. Ginny slammed her book shut, pushed her chair back and stood up. She marched over to the group of girls, red hair flying as she went.

Hermione could hear Ginny say, "Can I have a look at that paper? Thank you." And without waiting for a reply Ginny snatched the paper out of their hands and walked back over to Hermione with it in her hands.

The moment Ginny sat back down and looked at the cover she jumped back out of her seat. "Hermione! Look, its Harry!"

Sure enough, Harry was front page news on the paper, but this time the article wasn't about Voldemort or his refusal to grant interviews. This time, Harry could be seen flying on his Firebolt, hair fanning in the wind and his hand outstretched reaching for a golden snitch. The headline read: Potter brings glory back to the Cannons. Ginny scanned the article and choose a section to read out loud to Hermione.

Cannons Seeker, Harry Potter, leads the Cannons onto their tenth strait win against the Ballycastle Bats of Ireland. The Cannons won 470 to 10 the winning catch coming from Potter. His spectacular feint confused his opposing seeker and allowed him the lead he needed to catch the snitch.

Harry will lead his team to Wales next to battle the Caerphilly Catapults, the match will take place next Tuesday, seats are still available. Many Quidditch fans think the Cannons may stand a good chance at making the playoffs, a feat that hasn't happened for almost thirty years.

"Wow, it sounds like the Cannons are doing well then, I bet Ron is delighted." Hermione said while she looked at Harry's photograph on the paper.

"Harry has too beside himself, he was so nervous about playing professionally, and look at how well he is doing!" Ginny exclaimed.

The group of girls that Ginny snatched the paper from walked over to Ginny and Hermione. The oldest looking girl was dark skinned with black hair; she looked thoroughly aggravated as she stood with her hands on her hips. "If you don't mind that is my paper."

"Oh, right, sorry." Ginny said as she handed the paper back over.

They all turned on their heals and marched away from Ginny. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at them. "Hey, what happened to our no magazines and no newspapers pact?" Hermione asked Ginny.

"Oh, well…I guess I'm too nosey for my own good." Ginny said smiling.

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It was another rainy, cold day and the ceiling of the Great Hall was dull and gloomy. Everyone seemed to be exceptionally groggy as they sat and ate breakfast that morning. Ginny and Hermione didn't have anything to say to each other, nor did it seem anyone else at the Gryffindor table. An odd quite was surrounding the entire room. The only noises heard were the usual snide remarks coming from the Slytherin table.

Ginny who had decided to re-join the Quidditch team as a Chaser was getting the most attention from the Slytherin's today. The first match of the season was Gryffindor against Slytherin; the game was to be held later that afternoon. Ginny, who was starting to get used to being talked about was doing a superb job of ignoring the remarks being made. Ginny couldn't help but think that Harry would be proud.

"Wow Ginny, you really are getting good at ignoring people." Neville said as he sat down beside Ginny and pulled up a plate of sausages.

"Thanks Neville, I'm trying." Ginny replied, turning to toss an evil glare in Pansy's Direction.

"Oh, hey did you guys hear? The first Hogsmead weekend was just posted, it's next weekend." Neville said.

Hermione and Ginny exchanged excited looks. "Really, that's great. I…I'll see you at the game Ginny I need to go do something." Hermione said as she stood up and quickly walked from the room.

"Now where is she going, she didn't even finish her breakfast." Neville asked.

Ginny giggled, "She's going to tell Ron about the Hogsmead weekend."

"Oh, I didn't know they were dating." Neville replied.

"You didn't, have you been living under a rock? I thought everyone knew!" Ginny said, astounded.

"Well, I have been a little preoccupied with Luna." Neville said quietly.

"How cute are you, I bet Luna is very happy." Ginny said then she leaned over and gave Neville a hug. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for the game. I'll see you soon."

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"Welcome to the first match of the season, Slytherin versus Gryffindor!" Came the booming voice of the new Quidditch announcer. The crowd cheered as he finished his welcome message.

Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindor team were now circling the pitch as the Slytherin's were gathered around their captain for last minute instructions. Both teams were dressed in rain gear, ready to face the nasty day. Ginny, who was concentrating so hard on her task at hand didn't even bother to look in the stands for Hermione. She glanced around and singled to her team that she was ready, everyone followed suite.

The team captains meet in the middle, shook hands and as soon as Madam Hooch blew her whistle they were off. Ginny quickly found herself in possession of the ball. Her confidence growing as the Gryffindor's cheered her on; she swerved in and out of green colored robes, choose a hoop and scored! The gold and red supporters cheered and in the distance Ginny heard someone call her name.

She didn't have time to see who is was, instead she focused her attention on the game and took off after the small Slytherin boy who now had the Quaffle under his arm. Ginny shot off after him put her hands around the ball and yanked it away from him. She spun around and once again she heard a familiar voice call her name in the distance. But she didn't stop to look; she continued heading towards the Slytherin goal hoops. Ginny swerved left but threw the ball right, faking out the Keeper and scored once more. Her spirits were now flying high, and she decided to take a moment to look for Hermione.

She heard her name being called again and when she found the source her heart skipped a beat and she nearly fell off her broom. There, wearing an old school sweater and waving his arms in the air was Harry. Sitting next to him was Ron who was so focused on Hermione that he wasn't watching the game, nor was she. But Ginny didn't care, Harry was there, he was there to watch her.

Ginny waved excitedly and saw Harry motion to watch the game. When she turned to see what was going on she didn't even have a moment to think. A large soaring Bludger was heading right for her. She tried to duck down but wasn't fast enough. The ball hit her shoulder with a sickening crack. Ginny instantly felt the pain course threw her; she turned her broom down and headed for the ground, she knew that it was broken and she couldn't play anymore.

Ginny awoke several hours later to find herself being watched by many pairs of eyes, each of them looking down in concern as she rested in the Hospital Wing. It took Ginny several minutes to focus her eyes and realize that Harry was holding her hand and looking at her intently.

"Ginny, how are you feeling?" Harry asked.

Ginny sat up in bed and felt a slight pain in her shoulder; she looked down and realized her arm was resting in a sling. "Did I break it?" She asked.

"Yeah, but Madam Pomfrey mended it quickly. She said you would be stiff for a few days but you can leave when you're ready." Hermione said, standing behind Harry.

Harry was still looking at Ginny intently; a slight smile was spreading over his face as he realized that Ginny was fine. Ginny could tell that he wanted to tell her something but didn't want to do it in front of all the people in the room.

Hermione turned to Ron, realizing that Ginny wanted to be alone with Harry, and signaled for them to leave. Neville and Luna were in the room as well, once they said a goodbye to Ginny they left too, leaving Harry and Ginny alone for the first time in over a month.

"Harry, who won the game?" Ginny asked.

"That new bloke you have as a Seeker caught the snitch right after you fainted, Gryffindor won." Harry smiled, still holding her hand.

"Oh, good I would have felt…" Ginny didn't get to finish her sentence because Harry leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

Once he pulled away he said, "I have missed you so much."

Ginny smiled, "I have missed you too, and it's just not the same talking to you in that mirror. When I saw you in the stands today all I wanted to do was jump off my broom and go kiss you. I can't believe you came today."

"How could I not come to your game?" Harry replied.

"I saw you in the newspaper you know, talking about you turning the Cannons into a winning team and all. All the girls around here are just nuts about you, its annoying really." Ginny said.

"I'm not the only good player on that team that bloody paper didn't talk about anyone else." Harry said angrily.

Ginny smiled and pulled him in with her good arm for another kiss, this time with more passion than before. Before they knew it Harry was sitting on the bed with her, gently rubbing his hands up her back while continuing to kiss passionately.