During the long months that followed the only thing that cheered Ginny up were the occasional letters from Seth. That new boy attempted to start a conversation with her numerous times but she didn't respond to him.

Every morning when the mail came Ginny was anxious to see if the middle-sized black owl which belonged to Seth flew in among the others. Once it landed she'd take the letter, rip it open and while feeding Seth's owl she read the news her dearest friend sent. Near December the following letter arrived:

Ginny,

Uncle Eric finally calmed down, thank god! He admitted that Potter sort of deserved it, but also said I should have used a spell of which I know the affect it has on people. I know that he's right.

Christmas is arriving. It'll be horrible not to be able to be near you Ginny, but somehow I'll survive. With a bit of luck we might actually get to see each other, eh? It'd be nice, wouldn't it?

Hope you are well.

With all my love,

Your Seth

Ginny smiled. If only we could really meet, she thought.

Although the days dragged on like before Christmas holidays started too soon for Ginny's memory. She didn't remember half the things which had happened in the last few months since Seth's leave.

Like the summer holidays she, Hermione, Ron and Harry went to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. It felt weird being near her parents and the other order members. They all seemed to fuss over her more than usual. Most of the time Ginny was in the library studying when she wasn't ordered to do housework.

The only time Dumbledore came to Grimmauld Place was when they had meetings and also on the night of the 24th for dinner to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. During the whole meal Ginny did nothing but push her food around her plate and ignore anyone talking to her. While Mrs. Weasly served dessert the front door bell rang. Sirius stood up. Albus stopped him with a hand movement.

"I think Ms. Weasly should open the door," he explained with twinkling eyes. Confused Ginny stood up and walked out. Moments later everyone heard her screeching, "OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!" They all went to look.

"McFarane," Harry snarled furiously as soon as he saw the boy with Ginny hanging around his neck. Although all the wounds had healed he still had scars left over. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I thought Ms. Weasly could use some joy," Dumbledore smiled. "After all this is Christmas we are talking about."

"Who is this boy?" Mrs. Weasly questioned. "Should we know him?"

"He is that fucking moron who used sectumsempra on me," Harry shouted.

"You did what?!" Kingsley exploded looking shocked at Seth.

Mr. Weasly paled. "Ginny, get away from him!"

Dumbledore calmed them down. "I am sure Mr. Potter understands it was partially his own fault. Furthermore I believe that if Mr. McFarane brings some joy into Ms. Weasley's life, why shouldn't he be here at this time of year? Everyone deserves some happiness at Christmas."

"He can stay," Remus said sounding final. "Albus is right."

"Since when do you make the decisions here?" Sirius barked.

Lupin glared at him. "Do you want to hang around a depressed teenager when Christmas is tomorrow?"

Sirius gave him an evil look. "But don't you dare come near Harry," he said to Seth.

Seth shrugged. "As long as he stays away from Ginny."

"Well, I'd better get going," Albus said. "You should all find presents under the christmas tree tomorrow morning."

Following the headmaster's departure Ms. Weasly went to sort out a room for Seth. Shortly after anyone else who didn't stay went home and the rest went to bed.

"Good night," Ginny said to Seth. They stood in front of the room she and Hermione shared. Seth would have to go up another flight of stairs to get to his room.

"Good night," Seth repeated. Reluctantly Ginny leaned forward and placed a careful kiss on his lips. The wall clock chimed twelve times.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered giving quickly touching her lips with his before he went upstairs, taking three steps at a time.

The butterflies in Ginny's stomach had reawoken.

Due to Seth's late appearence the only present he received was one from Dumbledore. To his great surprise it was a guitar. Ginny grinned when she saw it.

"Now you can play for me," she muttered. Luckily no one had heard her becaus they were all occupied with opening their presents.

"Meet me in the laundry room this evening," Seth whispered into her ear carefully strumming the strings to see if it was in tune or not.

Ginny gave him a perplexed look. "How do you know there's a laundry room?"

"Dumbledore told me," he smiled. "I think the old man noticed how we behave to one another."

Ginny laughed. "Count on me being there, Seth."

The whole day she was excited to see what the evening would bring.

"Oh my," she said gobsmacked as she went down into the laundry room, seeing everything cleaned up and pillows stacked up in a comfortable bed-like pile. Seth sat on it, his guitar next to him.

"There you are," he said clearing his throat. He blushed. As soon as she sat next to him he dimmed the lights with his wand. "I want to play a song for you. I don't really know how to explain my feelings but I hope this will do it for me."

Ginny smiled warmly as he slowly started playing, a moment later erupting in song.

"Yeah
I can read your mind
And I know your story
I can see what you're going through
Yeah
It's an uphill climb
And I'm feeling sorry
But I know it will come to you
Yeah
Don't surrender
'Cause you can win
In this thing called love.

"When you want it the most there's no easy way out
When you're ready to go and your heart's left in doubt
Don't give up in your faith
Love comes to those who believe it
And that's the way it is..."

She took a long while to respond once he finished.

"I knew it," she finally whispered. "If you are ready I am ready, Seth."

He smiled in relieve. Ginny leant forward to kiss him. Although he knew it was wrong he didn't fight the part of him that was against all this. Instead he let it roam free like a bird let out of its cage. He wanted to enjoy the time he had.

"And?" Hermione asked excited sitting up. She'd been waiting for Ginny who had just come back to their room in her bed. "What did he say?"

Ginny shrugged starting to undress. "Nothing special, really. Just wished me Merry Christmas."

"And that's why he told you to go to the laundry room alone," Hermione said watching her. "Come on Ginny, I wasn't born yesterday."

"Fine," Ginevra gave him. She sat down next to Hermione on her bed. "I'll tell you, but you need to promise me not to tell anyone, okay?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die," Granger said immediately having trouble hiding her excitement.

Ginny leant close. "You really wanna know what we did?"

"Yes, tell me!"

"Are you sure?"

"Just fucking tell me," Hermione said getting annoyed.

Ginny grinned. "We kissed."

"And that's all?" Hermione sounded disappointed.

"And we did some other stuff."

"What stuff?" Her excitement had come up again.

Ginny shook her head. "Not telling. It's between me and Seth."

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad you two are getting along so well. You make a better couple than you and Harry."

Weasly crinkled her nose. "Harry only used me, Mione. You should have realized." She stood up again and put on her night gown. "I'm going to the kitchen to get something to drink."

Outside it was quiet. Everyone had already gone to bed, and Ginny made sure to skip the creaking steps to make sure she didn't draw anyone's attention to her as she crept downstairs. In the portraits on the walls the people were fast asleep too. Wake one of them and the whole house would be up within seconds.

Seeing a stream of light come from under the door to the kitchen irritated Ginny. Who could it be? Slowly she opened it, expecting it to be Remus or Sirius not able to sleep. It was Harry.

"Hello beautiful," he gurgled. It was obvious from his breath that he was drunk. He stumbled towards her.

"Get off," Ginny hissed as he grabbed for her arm but missed miserably. "You're drunk."

"An' you're beautiful," Harry stammered, trying to keep his balance. "Come here, gimme a smooch!"

"I told you to get off," she repeated, louder. He made another grab for her arm. This time he succeeded, pulling her towards him.

His eyes wandered over her body. "How 'bout we make up and go back to the ole times?"

"For fuck's sake," Ginny said furiously trying to get away. "There's no way I will ever go back to you."

"Aw, come on!" Harry forced a kiss on her. "Hmmm! Just like I remember..."

Ginny pushed him off. "Pervert," she hissed walking off. Harry however had other plans and grabbed her shoulder.

"Where d'ya think you're going?" he asked nearly falling into the kitchen table. His grip tightened and Ginny started to become scared. He forced another kiss on her, pressing her body against his.

"What the hell?" she asked weakly. Her only hope would be anyone coming by for whatever reason she had. Otherwise it was most likely that Harry would rape her.

Sometimes your wished are granted. Harry's hands moved up her night gown the moment Remus entered the kitchen. Without realizing what he was doing he stupefied Potter and put him under a body bind.

"Th-thanks," Ginny muttered meekly looking with wide eyes first at Harry's motionless body on the floor beside him and then up at Remus who still stood in the doorway.

"Good thing I decided to get a midnight snack," he simply said. Then he left again. Ginny didn't even get to thank him.