A Tree called Life

Characters: Ginny, Neville & Seamus.

Word Count: 942

Summary: Neville makes Ginny an offer she can't resist.

Author's Note: I tried and tried to make this revolve around Katie, Fred, George, Alicia, Angelina, Lee and Oliver like I promised, but they really weren't inspiring me, so I had to change to various characters instead. It still follows the same principle that it's just moments in time, but it involves more and different characters instead. Sorry if I disappointed anyone, I hope you like this chapter.

"Please don't tell anyone."

Ginny runs a thumb over the smooth cover of the book and then brings it to her face, inhaling the smell that still lingers on it. She breathes in deeply, a small smile lighting her face for just a moment, and then lowers it into her lap. She is sat, cross-legged, at the foot of Harry's bed in the Seventh Year Gryffindor boys' dormitory. Of course, he doesn't sleep here anymore, but that doesn't stop Ginny visiting when she can- whenever she knows that Seamus and Neville aren't in here.

Today, she has stayed for far too long. She knows that Seamus and Neville will come up soon, but she can't help but want to stay longer even so. She's been more adventurous today, delving under Harry's bed to find anything he'd left behind- and aside from an odd sock and an old tissue, there was only this book. It is just a library book, one that he'd probably forgotten to return, but his scent clings to it and for that Ginny wouldn't have even minded sniffing his socks. Harry's smell is something that she's always loved, even before they'd starting going out.

She hugs the book to her chest and leans her head back against Harry's bed, wishing for him. She's only been here a month without him, but because of the lack of news, it's getting increasingly hard to bear. All she thinks of, when she isn't resisting the Carrows or distracted by helping friends, is Harry. She's worried about Ron and Hermione too, obviously, but the love she feels for them is different. She knows many would thinking her foolish for throwing herself so whole-heartedly into her relationship with the Chosen One, but she doesn't care. She knows that she will never feel for anyone else what she feels for Harry. She loves him.

Suddenly, she hears footsteps coming up the stairs, and she looks around desperately for somewhere to hide, but before she can, someone opens the door and comes in. Neville looks surprised to see her and for a moment they both stay stock still, until Ginny gathers her wits and jumps up, dropping the book on Harry's bed. "Please don't tell anyone," she whispers.

"Of course I won't," Neville says immediately, and takes a tentative step towards her. She steps backwards into the bed and throws a hand out to steady herself.

"I don't need comfort," she says quickly. "I'm fine on my own."

Neville frowns. "Okay," he says, and nods, and then turns away to go to his own bed. He sits down and opens one of the drawers in the bedside cabinet, taking out some Honeydukes chocolate. "Want some?"

Ginny pauses and when Neville smiles at her, she tentatively nods. "Please." She walks towards him and sits beside him on his bed, and he gives her three squares of the thick milk chocolate which she eats appreciatively. "Thanks, Neville."

"Ever since Lupin left I always keep some with me." He carefully wraps the rest of the bar back up and puts it back neatly in place in the drawer. "I think Seamus knows where it is though, because large chunks keep disappearing and I know there's no mice in here."

Ginny laughs even though it's not that funny, because she's grateful to Neville for even trying. Not many other people are- she misses Fred and George more than ever.

"You know, Ginny," Neville says thoughtfully, "it often gets pretty lonely up here, just me and Seamus. We were talking about it with Lavender and Parvati the other day- wondering what we could do, and Lavender had the idea that they could come and sleep in here instead. Lavender and Parvati are moving in tonight."

Ginny doesn't know why Neville's telling her this, but she hopes Parvati doesn't take Harry's bed. "Oh, right. Cool."

"The thing is though, Ginny, if Lavender and Parvati come there'll still be one bed spare. Do you think you might be interested? It's Harry's, by the way, because Lavender called Ron's and Parvati wanted Dean's. Now, I know that sleeping in Harry's bed is kind of off-putting, because he was absolutely the worst out of all of us for personal hygiene, but-"

Ginny flings her arms around his neck before he continue, hugging him fiercely. Neville, slightly taken aback, gives her a small squeeze and then releases her. "Is that a yes then? Because if not, it's going to Romilda Vane..."

Ginny slaps his shoulder but smiles thankfully at him. "It's definitely a yes, Neville. Thank you so much," she says and Neville grins at her goofily, putting a hand on her shoulder so that he can stand up.

"I knew that'd cheer you up. You can go and fetch your trunk and I'll bring it up now, if you like." He gestures to the doorway and she stands and follows him, and together they descend the stairs into the common room, where Seamus is waiting.

"You comin'?" Seamus asks eagerly.

"Do you even have to ask?" Ginny says and flashes him a grin, almost back to her normal self now. "I'll just go and get my trunk," she says and disappears up the girls' staircase.

"Right good idea o' yours that was, Neville," Seamus says, slapping Neville on the back.

Neville shrugs. "I'm just doing the best I can."