Chapter 13

The Fight

A MONTH LATER

"Harry!" Someone called from down the empty hallway. Harry turned to see Crystal walking quickly towards him. "Hi!" She said when she reached him.

"Erm, hi, uh, Crystal." Harry said warily.

"Why so nervous, Harry?" She asked softly, running a finger down his arm.

"I'm not, just curious." He said, moving his arm casually out of her reach.

"Curious as to what, Mr. Potter?" She asked, giggling slightly.

"As to why you're approaching me in a vacant corridor." Harry retorted.

"Well, is it wrong for a girl to approach an attractive guy and talk to him?" Crystal said, tilting her head making her curls fall to one side of her face. Her blonde hair wasn't nearly as attractive as Ginny's auburn in Harry's opinion. Harry was taken aback at her forwardness. He widened his eyes in surprise.

"Am I making you nervous, Harry?" She whispered, coming closer to him.

"No, you're making me nauseous." Harry replied without thinking. She didn't seem offended. In fact, she seemed happy at his honest answer, and she said so.

"I like it when guys are honest with me." She said, resuming her stroking of his arm. Harry retreated and found a wall behind him. He turned to leave. "Oh, no, Harry, please don't go. I wanted to talk to you about Ginny." She said, stepping easily in front of him and taking hold of his arm. He shook her off but paid attention the mention of Ginny's name.

"What about Ginny?" He asked suspiciously.

"I've seen her hanging around with Colin Creevy quite a bit lately." She looked at him carefully as she spoke.

"Yeah? And?" Harry snapped.

"Well, don't you think that's a bit odd? She's with him a lot. And I swear I saw him go up to her room the other day." She said, raising her eyebrows and pouting her lip in an innocent way.

"Well, you were mistaken." Harry said, trying to push her out of his way, but she wouldn't budge.

"I don't believe I was, Harry. She's cheating on you." Crystal brushed her hair out of her face.

"Ginny would never do that. Ever." Harry said forcefully, just as something fell to the floor a little ways down the hall. He tried to look but Crystal pushed him against the wall.

"Yes, but you would." She said, coming closer. He narrowed his eyes and took her shoulders in his hands to push her away, but suddenly she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Harry was taken by surprise and didn't have time to react. His hands were still on her shoulders. He was in the middle of pushing her away when he heard a shrill cry. Crystal pulled back and without warning slapped him hard across the face.

"What are you doing? You jerk!" She yelled, before turning. She stopped abruptly at the sight of Ginny standing there with her eyes wide and her hands over her mouth. Harry was still in shock from Crystal's kiss. He blinked and looked at Ginny. Her eyes were filled with tears and hurt.

"Harry?" She began feebly. "What were you doing with Crystal?"

"Can you believe his nerve? He just pulled me to him and started kissing me!" Crystal said quickly, faking outrage as she pointed at Harry. Ginny moved her hands from her mouth and looked at Harry, her eyes hardening.

"Is that true?" She demanded.

"Ginny! I—"

"It is, Ginny! I can't believe he'd do that to you." Crystal said, putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder in mock sympathy.

"I can't believe it either." She said, breathing heavily through her nose. Sadness filled her eyes as she looked at Harry, who was sputtering and stuttering, trying to explain. "I don't even want to know, Harry. Here." She threw her ring at his feet and started to storm off.

"You heartless bitch!" Harry roared at Crystal. She smirked and walked off.

"Oh, I'm a heartless bitch? You cheating bastard!" Ginny shrieked at him from down the hall.

"No! Ginny, I was talking to Crystal!" Harry said, picking up the ring and hurrying towards her. She turned and ran. He followed her.

"Get away from me, Harry. I never want to see you again." Ginny said, her voice choked with anguished sobs.

"Gin, please. It wasn't what it looked like." Harry pleaded. Ginny whirled around and Harry almost fell over in his haste to stop as well.

"DON'T! Don't call me Gin, and how the hell else could it have been anything but what it looked like?" She yelled. Harry cowered under her rage.

"But, Ginny, please let me explain. She kissed me—"

"Oh, yes, and you were just in such a hurry to make her stop that you held on to her and closed your eyes?" Ginny spat.

"I was in shock, Ginny! She just did it, right out of the blue and I had my hands on her to push her away and I had my eyes shut so I wouldn't look at her!" Harry cried.

"Oh yes, because that would've made you want to shag her, huh, Harry? How many others are there? Hmm? How many?" She demanded in a low voice.

"Ginny, I would never do that to you! Never! She just came at me and then kissed me and I just was frozen." Harry said weakly.

"Oh yes, and she just slapped you because she wanted to, huh?" Ginny said.

"She set me up! I, Ginny you know, I'd never ever hurt you like that!" Harry held out his hands hopefully but she recoiled like she'd been bitten by him.

"Is that so? Well, you already did Harry. Goodbye." She turned and walked away. Harry was in such shock and confusion that he just stood there. When Ginny realized he wasn't following, she broke into a run and went the only place she thought to go; under the tree by the lake. She sat there for nearly an hour, sobbing until she heard her name.

"Ginny?" Hermione said softly, sitting down by her friend.

"Oh Hermione! Harry—"

"I know, Ginny, he told me." Hermione cut her off.

"Can you believe him?" Ginny choked out.

"Listen." Hermione said, stuffing the end of an extendable ear in Ginny's own ear. She became very quiet as she listened. Harry was crying softly.

"And then she just came at me and kissed me, and I was so shocked I just stood there."

"But you were holding her?" Came Ron's sharp reply.

"No! I was trying to push her off, then she just slapped me and said, 'what are you doing, you jerk!' and I was so confused, then I saw Ginny and it just all fell apart and she gave me back the ring." Harry let out a cry of despair.

"But you kissed her?"

"No! Not at all! She just pressed her mouth on mine and I didn't know what to do! I was…just…shocked!" Harry replied angrily through his tears.

"And Ginny wouldn't let you explain?"

"Can you blame her? She has every right to be angry." Harry said faintly. "Ron, you have to know I'd never hurt Ginny like that! It's not worth it! She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"I know you wouldn't, Harry. But it's not me you have to convince." Ron replied. Ginny pulled the extendable ear out and shoved it at Hermione.

"Well?" Hermione snapped.

"I need to be alone, Hermione."

"You don't believe him? Ginny, he's crying. Harry, Mr. I-can-handle-anything, is crying. Crying because he upset you so much. That has to be worth something!" Hermione said, aghast.

"I need to be alone, Hermione." Ginny repeated hollowly.

"Okay. Just, hear him out if he comes to you." Hermione said, softening her voice and putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder. She didn't reply. Hermione stood and went back up to the castle. Ginny sat thinking late into the evening until she got too cold and had to return to the dorm.

"Fifty points from Slytherin!" She snapped as she caught two boys practicing dueling behind the stairs. "No magic in the hallways! Go back to your dorm!" She yelled. The two second-years ran down the dungeon steps and disappeared.

Harry sat in the common room, waiting for Ginny to arrive. He saw her hurry through the portrait and ran up to her room. He made to follow her but Hermione grabbed the back of his robes.

"Not a good idea Harry. She needs time to think." Hermione said, shaking her head. Harry looked at Ron, who nodded gravely.

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Less than one week later the buzz that Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter had broken up was all over the school. Crystal was coming onto Harry worse than ever and he finally snapped one day and told her to sod off and he never wanted to see her again. She finally took a hint and left him alone. Harry and Ginny had still not talked and Harry was becoming desperate to see her.

She always left before he woke in the mornings, ignored him during class and beat him back to the common room after class. She would then run to her room and not come back down the rest of the night. Harry finally decided to do something drastic. He discussed his 'plan' with Hermione and she agreed to help him.

The very next day Harry skived off his last class and went back to Gryffindor tower. Ginny didn't even notice he'd gone. She'd taken to having Colin as her partner when needed, and Harry had become very worried about this until he found out that Colin was dating someone from fifth year. Hermione agreed to keep Ginny in the library until Harry let her know the common room was clear.

Hermione had developed two separate gold 'warming' Galleons and Harry would thump his four times when the coast was clear and hers would warm in her pocket. Harry went straight up to Ginny's room (after finally breaking through the charmed door) and set up everything he'd needed. He sat in the common room the rest of the day and into the night until the room was empty except for him. It was around 11:00.

Harry thumped his coin four times and threw his invisibility cloak over his head. Not long afterwards he saw the portrait hole door open. Ginny and Hermione were giggling about something and Ginny looked like she was in a pretty good mood. Harry took that as a very good sign. Ginny and Hermione said goodnight. Hermione disappeared up to her dorm and Ginny went up the stairs to her room. Harry waited.

When Ginny walked into her room she threw her stuff on her chair by the door and looked at her room. There were vases upon vases of red and white roses all around with some of the petals on her bed. Ginny frowned slightly, wondering what this was all about. She saw a note in the center of her bed. She picked it up slowly and sank down onto her bed. She rested against the pillows and opened the letter.

Dearest Ginny,

I really hope you'll read this. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I know I can't ever tell you that enough, but you have to know that I am in no way shape or form attracted to that stupid Crystal girl. You're my one and only and I love you with all my heart. Wait! Please don't put this down!

(Ginny had been at the point of closing the letter when she spotted that and jumped in surprise. He knew her very well. She sighed and continued reading.)

I pray that you didn't put this down or were on the verge of doing so. Please hear me out Ginny. Nobody makes me feel like you do. You've made me so happy and I've always marveled at the fact that you chose me to be with you. It broke my heart that day to see the hurt in your eyes as you threw your ring at me, and it broke my heart even more to know I'd caused it.

It kills me to think I've lost you. I want to be with you forever. Please, please if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I'd never ever hurt you intentionally or accidentally again. I'd always laughed at these people who'd get this dopey look on their face when they looked at their wife or husband or whatever, until I found you.

You put that dopey look on my face and I realized that it's love. I love you so much I don't think you'll ever know. I'd do anything for you. I'd do anything to have you back in my arms. If you think that it won't work between us anymore, I'll try to respect that, even though I'll reduce to nothing without you in my life.

Please, Gin, believe me when I say how sorry I am. You make me so happy. Even when I'm mad or upset, all I have to do is look at you or take you in my arms and everything is okay. You do that for me, Ginny. I've been aching for you over these past few weeks.

I've even had to stop myself from holding you when I see you in class because I remember that you don't want me to. If, by any slim chance that you can forgive me, please come down to the common room. I'll wait there forever if there's a chance. If not, then well, I'll just have to deal with it. Just let me know that you don't need me.

I love you, always and forever,

Harry.

Ginny sat staring at the letter in her shaking hands. A single tear escaped her filled eyes. She brushed it away and continued looking at the letter.

"I'll wait there forever." She mumbled out loud to herself as she read the letter again. She put it down and stood up, entangling her hair in her hands. She remembered how much she wanted him to take her in his arms as well. It killed her to know that he wouldn't because she didn't want him to. She went to her door and took a deep breath. She pulled it open slowly and descended the stairs to the common room.

Harry sat staring into the fire and occasionally looking up the stairs hopefully. He was still covered with his invisibility cloak and thought that was better anyway. Harry heard a strange creaking noise and turned back to the stairs leading to Ginny's room. He jumped when he saw her and his heartbeat quickened and got louder. She bit her lip and looked around the room fearfully. Harry stood but remembered his cloak.

"Harry?" She called softly. She sounded scared. Harry threw off his cloak and looked into her chocolaty eyes.

"Hi, Gin." He said gently. She stood there, looking into his emerald eyes.

"I saw the roses. They're lovely." She said, wringing her hands and chewing continuously on her lip.

"And the note?" His voice cracked. She smiled softly.

"I got it too."

"Did you read it all?" He inquired. She giggled a little.

"Yes, Harry. I read every word." They stood staring at each other for a minute. She descended the last of the stairs and went around the sofa. She sat down and patted the spot next to her. He sat down slowly, not wanting to throw her off balance. She bit back a grin. Harry looked at her questioningly.

"Uhm, and what did you think?" He inquired.

"Promise to answer me truthfully?" She demanded.

"Of course." Harry said, starting to put a hand on her leg, but moved it casually under his instead and waited.

"Did you mean it?"

"Every bit."

"And did you kiss her?"

"No."

"Did you want to?"

"Never."

"Do you miss me?"

"Every second."

"Were you cheating on me with anyone?"

"Of course not."

"Do you put everything you've said on my life?"

"I do."

"Do you love me?" Ginny looked into Harry's eyes. He smiled softly and looked deep into Ginny's dark eyes.

"Always and forever." He answered tenderly. Her eyes filled with tears. He reached out to her and she fell into his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Harry! I should've let you explain and we would never have had to go through all this. I should've known you'd never hurt me, but I was just so upset that I thought you had and I just looked beyond all reason. It killed me not being with you or kissing you or...anything." Ginny said, starting to cry softly. Harry held her close and rubbed her back.

"You had every right to be angry and upset. But I'll not pretend I wasn't devastated about you throwing your ring in my face. That nearly ripped my heart into. I've missed you so much. And I'll never let you go for anything ever again." Harry said softly into her ear. She nodded.

"I'll never let you go." She confirmed. He turned his head slowly to hers and looked into her eyes. She closed them and pushed her head forward. Harry went lightheaded as their lips connected. He felt it'd been a lifetime since he'd held her or kissed her. He deepened the kiss, parting her lips with his tongue. She met it with hers and caressed his.

When they ran low on breath Ginny pulled away and rested her forehead against Harry's. He brushed his nose against hers and she giggled softly. He pulled her legs over his lap and held his hands on her back to support her. She put her arms around his neck and ruffled up the back of his hair. He smiled softly and pecked her lips with his.

"My room?" She suggested huskily.

"You sure?" Harry asked softly. She smiled with a sigh and nodded.

"Definitely." She confirmed. Harry put his arm under her legs and lifted her. She giggled loudly and Harry captured her in a kiss to quiet her. He stumbled up the stairs and kicked her door open, using his wand to shut and lock it. He tossed her on the rose-petal covered bed and leapt above her playfully. She laughed and put her arms around his neck.

"I missed that laugh." He said, kissing her on her neck. He moved his head up and blew softly in her ear.

"I missed that." She said, shuddering. He laughed and they leapt under the covers.

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Harry collapsed on top of Ginny a while later. They were both breathing heavily.

"It's true…what they say." Ginny panted. Harry raised his head and looked at her inquiringly.

"What?" He breathed.

"Make-up sex is the best." She said seriously. Harry laughed heartily.

"That it is." He replied, leaning down and kissing her passionately.

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Word got around very quickly that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were back together. Crystal took this very hard and was convinced that her plan should've worked had Harry come to her for comfort, but he'd gone back to Ginny. She was furious, yet she steered clear of Harry and Ginny because every time they saw her they glared daggers at her, daring her to talk to one of them. She didn't.

Three days after they were back together, the whole entire school knew and the couple couldn't be happier. Ginny and Harry were hardly ever seen without each other. Hermione and Ron had insisted on going on a double date and buying them lunch that weekend, for it was another Hogsmeade weekend. They said that it was a gift for Harry and Ginny as congratulations on them getting back together.

Well, who were they to say no, but they had agreed that they'd meet for lunch at the Three Broomsticks later on in the day, because Harry and Ginny wanted some time alone together which they hadn't had in a while. They walked along, looking in the windows of shops and enjoying each other's company. When the time that they'd meet Ron and Hermione drew near, Harry stopped Ginny in the shade of a building.

"I have something of yours." Harry said, reaching into his pocket.

"Of mine?" Ginny asked, obviously confused.

"Yes. Close your eyes." He said. Ginny was smiling broadly as she fluttered them closed. "Hold out your hand." He said. She automatically held out her right hand. When she felt that he'd put something in it, she looked down and saw the beautiful emerald and white gold ring sparkling in the palm of her hand. She gasped.

"Oh, Harry! It's even more beautiful than I remember!" She said, picking it off her palm and holding it into the light. Harry smiled and took it. She held out her right, slightly shaking, hand and he slid the ring into place.

"I accept it…again!" She cried before he'd even asked. He smiled and slipped his arms around her waist. She put hers around his neck and kissed him soundly. She sighed into his mouth and wondered how she'd gone on without him in her life for that short period of time. She didn't dwell on it. She had him now and that was all that mattered. He pushed his forehead against hers and smiled happily.

"I love you so much." He said with his eyes closed. He pecked her on the lips. She smiled into the kiss.

"I love you too." She sighed a happy sigh again. They walked hand in hand back to the Three Broomsticks, Ginny's ring glinting off in all directions.