It was Saturday morning and Ginny was going to Hogsmeade with Michael. She wasn't dressing up like how she had for Cedric. She didn't fancy Michael, even though he was sweet and had amazing blue eyes. She had also told him as a friend and so she didn't want to give him the wrong impression if she came all dolled up.
When she met him in the quad, he was busy talking to Cho. Ginny froze mid-step and hid behind a pillar so that the Cho and Michael couldn't see her. She could hear their conversation though, and Cho was saying adamantly, "Don't get your hopes up. If I'm still mourning Cedric then she definitely is!" Ginny's heart rate sped up. They were definitely talking about her. She heard Michael reply, "I'm not. But the fact that she accepted my invitation in the first place is a good sign."
Cho was silent before she retorted, "She's not interested in that way!" Michael sighed, "I know, Cho. But there's no harm in trying." Cho murmured something that she couldn't hear and then Ginny heard footsteps walking off. She peeked to see that Cho had walked off. Michael liked her. She didn't like him. She was feeling like saying yes was a bad idea.
However, she plastered a smile onto her face and tried to act like she hadn't heard that entire conversation as she walked towards him. He smiled happily as he saw her and grinned, "Ginny! Glad you came." She shrugged her shoulders, "Why wouldn't I?" she asked, almost too curiously. Michael shook his head and replied, "Dunno. Just glad you did." She forced a smile and nodded, "Let's get going."
When they arrived in Hogsmeade, Ginny asked Michael, "So, where are we going?" He seemed to blush a little before replying, "Um…Madame Puddifoots." Ginny froze and shook her head, and replied, "Uh…Michael I said this wasn't a date." He asked ignorantly, "So?" He knew full well. It seemed she would have to spell it out as she sighed, "Madame Puddifoots is kind of like a couples coffee shop and I'm not too keen to go there." Michael chuckled, "Fine…I was pushing it. Sorry, Ginny. You want to go to the Three Broomsticks instead?" She smiled and nodded, "Please. I prefer it there anyway."
Michael nodded in agreement, "Alright. Sorry about that." She smiled kindly, "No worries. It's okay." He nodded and asked, "Did you go in there with Cedric?" She raised her eyebrows sky-high and shook her head slightly, "No-not at all. Why would you think that?" Michael shrugged and whispered, "Cho kind of mentioned that you fancied Cedric."
Ginny nodded and replied, "Did she mention that she dated Cedric while he didn't want to date her?"She realized she'd said too much and that Michael just go and repeat that to Cho. She clasped her hand over her mouth and whispered, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to say that." Michael shrugged and whispered, "It's alright. I'm sure Cho knows." Ginny frowned as they arrived at the Three Broomsticks and Michael stood aside for her. He nodded and replied, "Yup. I think it was pretty obvious to most people. If Cho wasn't happy then how could Cedric be happy?"
Ginny nodded in understanding, "Ah, you mean it was a knock-off effect? Yes I agree." She looked around the place and found a booth at the far end. She noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione a few tables away as she headed towards the spot and she waved at them, "Hey guys." Hermione and Harry waved back at her, but Ron gave her a suspicious look. Michael murmured, "I don't think your brother likes me much." Ginny giggled and replied, "Don't take it personally. Ron doesn't' like any guy I'm with, whether a friend or something more."
They reached the booth and Michael asked her, "Butterbeer?" She nodded and grinned, "That would be great, thanks!" At that moment as Michael was walking away from her and she had nothing better to do than twiddle her thumbs, Julia and Rebecca walked in with Colin dragging behind them. Ginny had felt awful every time she looked at Colin because of the humiliating remarks the two girls he was with had made about her in front of him last year. She'd tried to smooth the edges but that had proven difficult. The girls shot her a dirty look while Colin completely ignored her and Ginny rolled her eyes so that they couldn't see.
Finally Michael reappeared with the drinks and she smiled gratefully, "Thanks Michael. How much were they?" She began to fish out her purse from her bag but he stopped her, "Free of charge." Ginny smiled gratefully again, "Thank you!"
At this moment, Luna waltzed in wearing a light blue cocktail dress and her radish earrings. Ginny watched her look around in wonderment and Ginny suddenly felt sorry for her. Luna was a bit of a loner because she was so different. She whispered to Michael, "I think we should invite her over. I feel bad watching her look for company." Michael sighed and nodded, "Oh, alright." Ginny grinned at him and got up from the booth.
She walked over to the girl with silvery-blonde hair and smiled kindly, "Hi Luna. I'm Ginny. We shared a carriage to the school if you remember?" She nodded thoughtfully and grinned, "I do! You're Ronald's sister!" Ginny nearly laughed at the use of her brother's full name from someone other than her mother and nodded, "Yeah! Would you like to join me and Michael?" Ginny indicated their table and Michael smiled nervously at her.
Luna beamed brightly, "Thank you! That would be lovely!" She almost floated over to the table and Ginny asked, "You didn't come here with friends?" as they sat down. Luna shook her head and glided into her seat as she replied, "Nope! I sometimes like to be alone with my own thoughts for company." Michael sideways glanced at Ginny. So she pretended to nod in agreement with Luna, although personally she hated the company of her own thoughts. It had led her to writing in the diary and that had ended terribly.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them before Luna piped up, "I hear Ronald got into the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Congratulations!" Ginny smiled blandly and she nodded, "Yeah, thanks Luna." The girl nodded and replied, "No problem. It's a pity you didn't get a spot before he did though. I saw you fly in your second year and you were really good!" Ginny felt herself blushing and Michael turned to face her after awkwardly sipping his Butterbeer, "You were in the team?" he asked in surprise. Ginny nodded and whispered embarrassedly, "Yeah, just as a substitute though because Angelina couldn't play for one game. I must say I miss it." Luna frowned and asked, "What made you decide to pull out? I heard you almost got offered a position? I'm sure you could have gotten one if you stayed a reserve long enough." At this Ginny nearly choked on a sip of her Butterbeer. Luna seemed to have a knack for bringing up unnerving topics that most people would rather sweep under the rug.
Ginny floundered for words but she didn't have a way to get this passed this one and she couldn't think up a good enough reason. She wasn't about to divulge the chamber incident to this girl she barely knew, and she wasn't going to go into her relationship with Harry now either. Thankfully, Michael saved her from answering and asked, "Do you play Quidditch, Luna?"
Luna went on about how she preferred listening to commentators than playing the actual game-something about their voices being soothing. Ginny looked at Michael gratefully and he grinned at her as he easily diverted the topic. By the time they paid for their drinks, Ginny decided that she actually rather liked Luna's quirkiness. It was so different and unexpected.
By the time they made their way back to Hogwarts, Ginny felt like Luna might someday be a good friend. She was more honest than any other person she knew and it was so refreshing. Michael seemed to be intrigued by her too, and they laughed all of the way back. When they reached the entrance, Luna nodded, "Thank you both, for your kindness and generosity. I will see you in the common room, Michael." He nodded and smiled, "Thanks for joining us, Luna."
When she left, Ginny grinned at him, "She's quite the character isn't she?" He nodded and laughed, "Yeah, you could say that! She's different from anyone else I know, that's for sure." Ginny nodded and smiled, "Thanks for a great day. I'm sorry if it didn't go as planned." He shrugged his shoulders, "I was trying my luck. It's good that you put me in my place. Have a good week Ginny." She smiled at him and hugged him quickly as they walked up the stairs and departed to their own common rooms.
Author's note: So this has been a long time coming but I did say I may not get to post in the week. Anyway it's sometimes nice to take a break, especially when you're feeling writers block coming on and it certainly helped to clear my mind and want to write again! Anyway, here it is and thank you to everyone's who been reading it while I've had a break! You guys rock.