Ginny was walking down the stairs the next morning and she felt lighter than usual. She felt like today was going to be a good day. That was until she reached the portrait of Phineas Nigellus, who asked her questioningly, "I hope you're not trying to escape like a thief in the middle of the night too, are you?" Ginny halted in her tracks. Although the man in the portrait was annoying, she turned to him sharply and asked, "What are you?" He shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Potter…well, he tried to leave. I stopped him of course," he said rather proudly.
Ginny frowned and questioned him, "And why should I believe anything you say? You could be winding me up." The portrait had a reputation for doing that. He smirked and said arrogantly, "Dumbledore told me to tell the Potter boy to stay. By the way, you seem awfully close to him. It's almost as if you were in a relationship." Ginny could feel every muscle in her body tense. She's forgotten, last night when they were coming up for bed, that there were portraits watching. She'd been holding Harry's hand and it had been nice and warm in her own…she shook her head to snap out of it and she told Phineas sharply, "That's none of your business!" she snapped. He smirked and nodded, "You're right. But I'm sure it's mummy's business. Ginny clenched her firsts together and groaned, "Why you trying to make my life miserable for me?" He shrugged his shoulders, "It's entertaining." She rolled her eyes and felt like retorting, 'Yeah, well you clearly have nothing better to do,' but instead she kept herself quiet. There was no sense in arguing with a portrait. So instead, she headed towards the kitchen and found Sirius up and pacing.
He stopped when he saw her and smiled bleakly, "Hey Ginny. Why are you up so early? It's only six o clock." Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "Didn't get much sleep. Did Phineas also tell you about Harry?" Sirius nodded and she sighed, "I don't know what we're going to do about him! He's letting this all get to him, I can see it. I'm trying so hard to be there for him, but he's just not letting me!" Sirius grimaced and replied, "I know. Maybe we should just let him do things for himself though." Ginny raised her eyebrows and asked irritably, "But when is this behavior going to stop, Sirius? How long do we let him keep this up for? We can't let him escape in the middle of the night! He'll get himself killed!"
Sirius was still grimacing as he murmured, "You sound exactly like Molly." The way he said it made it sound like a bad thing, so she folded her arms, frustrated and replied, "Well, sorry if I don't want him to die!" Sirius snapped then, "Watch your words, Ginny! You know bloody well that I don't want that for him. Besides, don't act like you're his wife and you know what's best for him! You're only fourteen!" Ginny felt like she'd been slapped in the face. She knew Sirius had somewhat of a temper, but he had never snapped at her before.
That's when Harry entered the room and asked perplexedly, "What's going on?" he asked. Ginny couldn't even look at him she was so embarrassed. Her cheeks were flushed and Sirius asked Harry tensely, "You tried to escape in the middle of the night. Care to tell us why?" Harry stared at his feet and murmured, "Not particularly, no." Ginny felt like running in that moment-running as far away from Harry and Sirius as she could get. That's when Sirius asked, "Would you tell me on my own?" The deafening silence was enough for Ginny to know his answer.
At lightning speed, she ran up the stairs, eager to escape the awkward tension she had created. When she reached the safety of her room, she closed the door only to discover Hermione standing there, looking confused, "What's going on?" she asked sleepily. Ginny shook her head and murmured, "Don't worry. I've had enough of it." Hermione frowned and followed her to her bed where she picked up a pillow and hugged it tightly to her chest. Hermione sighed and sat down beside her, "Clearly something is very wrong Ginny. What's going on?"
Ginny sighed and whispered, "It's just…it's just…" Hermione smiled knowingly and finished, "You kissed Harry, didn't you?" Ginny jumped slightly and then nodded, "Yeah. I knew you'd figure it out." Hermione sighed and asked, "How did it happen?" Ginny grumbled, "After an argument between us-a big one, where I threatened to end our friendship." Hermione raised her eyebrows and sighed, "I'm sorry Ginny. Really I am. I thought it would have worked between the two of you and I know how much you'e wanted this. Harry's just in a really bad space at the moment."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "You don't need to tell me that. It's what I've been fighting against this entire time, but I feel like fighting is useless." Hermione nodded in agreement, "I know how hard it is to knock sense into that boy. The problem is, he's just as stubborn as you are, and he won't change his mind easily." Ginny sighed, "You really don't need to tell me, Hermione. I think we're better off as friends and I'm going to tell him that soon. He can go back to Cho and be happy with her." Her friend shook her bushy hair and replied softly, "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think that is going so well either."
Ginny shook her head, "It doesn't. I just want him to be happy. Please don't tell Ron that any of this happened though? I don't think he'd take it too well." Hermione grinned, "No, I somehow agree with you on that one."
At that there was a knock on the door and her mother popped her head around, "Oh good! You girls are up! Let's go and get breakfast, we're decorating the house shortly." With that, her mother disappeared down the stairs and Ginny's hands flew up to her mouth and she gasped, "It's Christmas tomorrow! Presents! I never got anyone anything and its Christmas! And Harry and I are fighting!" Hermione smiled bleakly, "You still have time to make up with him." Ginny frowned, "I know. It's just getting over the stubbornness that will be the problem. I still feel like I'm fuming." Hermione laughed, "Typical Weasley temper!" Ginny laughed slightly, "You could say that again."
They trooped down the stairs together and Ron met them at their room as he was grumbling to their mum, "I don't feel like decorating." Her mother began arguing and Hermione noted, "Seems like you and Harry aren't the only ones having a tiff." She nodded and was so grateful that Fred and George had taken Harry and Sirius' place in the kitchen. Clearly, they were having a one on one chat. Ginny paused mid thought and mentally slapped herself. She should stop being jealous of their relationship, or anyone who came into contact with Harry. It wasn't fair to him, especially if she truly wanted him to be happy. She needed to change her attitude. Maybe that was the problem with her and Harry.
Fred and George were busy making toast and frying up eggs. Fred said in a fake-happy sing song voice, "Morning sleepy heads! You're looking fine this morning Ginny." He was quite obviously being sarcastic, causing Ginny to glower at him. He issued her a falsely bright smile and she rolled her eyes heavily. George said rather loudly, "What's the matter Ginnikins? Didn't get enough sleep last night? Top of the mornin' to ya, Ron!" Her brother walked in just as George winked at her and she felt like she wanted to crawl under the table when Harry and Sirius walked back in.
Suddenly she got up, announced loudly, "I need…uh…the bathroom and she headed out the room as fast as possible. She got about half way up the stairs when Harry grabbed her arm and whispered, "Ginny, we need to talk." She shook her head and whispered in reply, "Nope. I'm sorry…I've got to…got to." He sighed and his green us met hers as she murmured, "Fine, but let's make this quick so that they don't start teasing me again!"
Harry nodded fast and dragged he into the lounge, closing the door behind him. She cut in before he had the opportunity to and she announced, "Listen Harry, I think we should just be friends." He did a double take and asked suddenly, "Why? What's wrong?" Ginny sighed and replied, "Everything is wrong Harry. I'm jealous. I'm uptight. I'm…becoming my mother. I don't want to mother you. Not so soon. Hopefully not ever. I think we need to be friends a little longer. I'm not ready for this yet." Harry raised and eyebrow and said firmly, "Sirius was going to apologize for saying those things to you." She shook her head softly, "There's no need. He's right. I'm only fourteen. I don't know what's best for you. I don't even know what's best for me. I shouldn't have to know, and I shouldn't be arguing with your Godfather about it."
Harry sighed and replied, "Alright…fine…but then what?" She smiled and said hopefully, "Just friends?" He nodded and shook her hand, rather begrudgingly, "Just friends." Ginny giggled at his face and said half-heartedly, "Besides which, you could go back and to school and have the date with Cho that you promised her." Harry rolled his eyes and murmured, "Not too sure if I want to." She nodded and shrugged, "It's your choice now. I'm going to have breakfast before they suspect…just wait a bit before you come back so nothing looks suspicious."
Even though Ginny had said all of that with as much confidence as she could muster, she still felt awful inside. But distancing herself from Harry was probably a good thing. She was too dependent over him and too controlling. She didn't want to be like that-not with him. He didn't need that either. He had too much of it from the adults in his life.
When she returned to the table, she felt morbid, but she still felt like it was the right decision.
Author's note: Another chapter up! I'm sorry I know I said Tuesday, but I'm getting closer to exams and I've been sick so life has been pretty hectic. Hope you guys enjoy it.