On the way back to school, Ginny sat in a compartment with Ron, Hermione, Neville and Colin. Colin sat next to her and for once he was quiet. She found this slightly strange, and halfway through the journey, she announced she was going to find the trolley. Colin said he'd join her, but he still didn't make conversation. Halfway down the passage, Ginny stopped and turned to him. He nearly walked into her because she stopped mid-step and asked, "Colin, what's wrong?" Colin shook his head and preceded down the hall way, "Nothing's wrong." Ginny took hold of his hand and forced him to face her. He seemed tense as she pulled him into an empty apartment, "No seriously, what is wrong? I know you and I know that if you're not talking inanely about something or other, then there is something bothering you." Colin grimaced as he whispered, "It's just that...well I heard from a friend that you're interested in...in Diggory." Ginny's eyes widened as she laughed to try and ease the awkwardness of the situation, "Uh...we just walked to the World Cup together and I haven't seen him since." Colin was looking anywhere but at her as he mumbled, "Jack told me that he saw Diggory give you a kiss on the cheek at the camp site." Ginny felt so many things at once. She felt irritated, astounded that he even knew that, but most of all betrayed. She frowned up at him as she snapped, "Did you actually ask your friend, Jack, to spy on me when he was there?"
Colin looked up from his sad, doe-eyed state and he shook his head furiously, "No! No he just saw it happening! He was in the tent opposite you and he thought he'd tell me!" Ginny raised her eyebrows sky high as her patience was reaching its limit and she said bitingly, "Look, let's get one thing here straight, Colin. It is really none of your business who kisses me on the cheek, or who I decide to kiss! You are my friend so I expect you to fulfil that role, and not become another big, older brother. I have far too many of those as it is. I most certainly don't need another!" Colin's eyes flashed angrily at her as he protested, "You KNOW that's not why it upsets me!" Ginny folded her arms crossly. She was just fine in not acknowledging Colin's feelings for her, but now he had to bring them up and ruin everything! Ginny asked sarcastically, "Oh yeah? Then what is the reason, Colin?" She was being ignorant on purpose. She just wanted him to say it out loud. He swallowed and spat, "You know I like you as more than a friend!" Ginny nodded as she replied, "Yes, and I'm pretty sure you know that those feelings aren't mutual!" She stalked out of the compartment and slammed the door behind her. She returned to her compartment and hoped to the heaven's that he had the sense not to follow her. Luckily, he did!
The Feast was amazing as usual. Rebecca and Julia sat beside her, as Harry, Ron and Hermione sat opposite. Rebecca asked her during the feast, "So where's Colin? You two are usually joined at the hip." Ginny shrugged and replied, "Eating elsewhere. We had a fight on the way over." This caused Julia to laugh as she was swallowing as mouthful of pork. Luckily it went down as she commented, "Wow! That must be a first! What about?" Ginny grimaced as she whispered, "Well...at the world cup, Cedric Diggory kissed me on the cheek. And you know Jack? Apparently he saw it happen and thought Colin had a right to know. Basically Colin told me how he felt about me and I snapped at him." Rebecca didn't look impressed and said, "That's pretty bitchy, Gin. I mean, yeah he probably can be a giant pain in the rear but it took a lot of guts for him to admit it." Ginny was shaking her head before she'd even finished talking, "Nu-uh, that's where you're wrong. I forced it out of him because he had no reason to be acting off."
That's when Hermione perked up. Obviously she'd been eaves dropping on their conversation-so had Ron and Harry. Hermione commented, "Oh, so that's why he was so quiet on the way over! I did think it was odd!" Ginny nodded and sighed, "I just feel like he ruined a perfectly goord friendship. Now I'm not sure what to say to him. Besides it's not his business that Cedric did that." Julia grinned, "Oh Cedric, who's about three years older in Hufflepuff? He's a catch if ever I saw one!" Ginny nodded as she looked over at Cedric now. He was laughing amongst his friends and suddenly his eyes landed on her. She found herself blushing like she hadn't in a long time, and the gaze was so intense. He looked so cute when he was laughing. Dumbledore made an speech, which broke off the gaze. She felt all warm inside.
When the Triwizard tournament was announced, her initial reaction was fear. She looked over at the twins, who were grinning from ear to ear, and then to Ron, who looked like he had never been more excited in his life (except for maybe at the World Cup) and then to Harry, who was watching Dumbledore intently. She felt the fear for him spread over her, causing her to feel nauseated. Hermione whispered, "You okay?" She shook her head but then Dumbledore continued, "Introducing the Beauxbaton's school and headmistress Madame Maxine," which cause the main doors to open and a flurry of blue robed girls to flutter down the hall. The boys yelled and whooped, Harry and several other's even stood up and were clapping. Ron just stared dumbly after them, and Hermione looked miffed too. Ginny felt an intense sort of jealousy forming in her chest from Harry's reaction as she glared at him and clapped half heartedly herself. She caught Cedric's eye at the Hufflepuff table, and he rolled his own brown eyes dramatically, causing her to giggle. Then he winked at her. Hermione whispered, "What's so funny about that display?" Ginny turned her gaze back to Cedric and laughed, "Ced seems to be about the only boy here agreeing with our opinion of the Beauxbaton's Academy." This sent Hermione into fits of laughter, as the applause died down.
Next to enter were Durmstrang. Immediately Ron identified Viktor Krum from the bunch immediately. As he passed their table, Krum gave Hermione an intense look, which caused her to blush and made Ginny giggle. Ron looked less than impressed. Eventually Dumbledore got Mr Barty, a ministry official, to announce that the Triwizard Tournament would be only open to students over the age of seventeen, due to dangerous tasks.
Ginny felt herself exhale at the announcement in relief. The announcement caused much booing and displeasure among the rest of the audience, particularly Fred and George. But she found herself feeling only relief for Harry and her brothers. She watched Harry as his expression turned into one of relief as well. He turned and saw her watching him intently, and he smiled at her knowingly. She whispered to him so only he could hear, "Thank goodness!" Her brother's may have wanted "eternal glory" but she knew that as long as they were safe and sound, eternal glory didn't matter. The rest of the feast with as much groaning and complaining from Ron and the twins as possible, but Ginny only felt relief flooding through her. For once this year, everyone she loved would be safe.
Author's Note: Hey everyone, thank you for all of the viewing and the amazing reviews!