A Matchless Match

By: Lady Lithe

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Naru-chan: Thank you for the reviews! I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

EDITED 6/14/07 - Not too much plot change, just grammar and flow! Hope you enjoy the improvement! (:

Chapter Two: It's Raining Men

Human girls make human boys act sorta weird. - Veemon

"Look at that! Harry is doing homework. You should follow his example, Ron!" Hermione exclaimed as she walked over to Harry from the portrait hole, her arms laden with books. The tall redheaded boy trailed behind her and grumbled irritably, but did not answer and fiddled with her chestnut curls instead.

Harry swiftly shoved his scattered parchments out of sight and pretended to be casually reading his Potions book.

"Hey guys."

"Hi, Harry. Did you finish your essay?" a pleased Hermione smiled, though she turned to swat at Ron's hands. "Really, Ron!"

"Yeah, just about," Harry said offhandedly. He was extremely grateful that Ron was distracting her long enough for him to stow away his notes. He stretched and faked a yawn. "All this studying has made me tired. I think I'm going to go for a walk."

"All right, Har—Ron!" she hissed as the redhead leaned in to kiss her. She shoved her hand against his face. "Not in front of Harry!"

Harry quickly grabbed his things, keeping his Sugar Quill and parchment out, and escaped out the portrait hole while Hermione was still distracted. He idly sucked on his quill as he strolled down the halls. A group of second years giggled as he passed them. So far he had written a list of all the blokes he could think of. For the most part, he had tried to remain unbiased, which had been especially hard when it came to the Slytherins. Still, he had discovered that Ginny's scope might be larger than he thought, as she was a fifth year, and he was not familiar with many fifth year boys.

Colin Creevy, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Cormac McLaggen… Harry scanned over the names of Gryffindors, after deciding to begin his search in their own House. He sighed in frustration. He didn't even know what type of guy Ginny was interested in. Still, none of them seemed to click with the redhead perfectly.

Colin was…a nice boy. He was a friend of Ginny's. However, friend or no friend, Colin was absolutely infuriating! Was it just Harry, or did the boy ever stop smiling? Or carrying that outrageous camera of his around? Harry frowned. He supposed he was being a bit biased there, considering the little mousy-haired boy used to blind him with his searing camera's flashes. But Colin just wouldn't do, Harry reasoned. He was too short. Granted, he had grown a bit taller over the summer, but Harry just couldn't shake off the feeling that Ginny needed a guy that was just the right height for that perfect kiss, and Colin was simply not up to par. Besides, he would probably be more interested in taking pictures than being a good boyfriend.

Seamus was an all right enough bloke. His "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" pickup line was always amusing. Many a night in the boy's dorm, Ron, Harry, and Dean would all laugh at the ridiculous tactics that Seamus employed to get girls. He was funny—not very smart, but funny. Ginny could not go with someone without a sense of humor. He was a bit of a player though. Sure, Harry highly doubted that anyone would want or have a sane reason to cheat on Ginny, but he just didn't want to see her get hurt.

Dean… Harry tapped his quill against this name. Dean was nice. He was an artist, Harry scrawled next to his name. Girls like artists. They were the sensitive type. He might go well with Ginny, because she was more aggressive (watching her as a Chaser on the team said enough). On the other hand, what if he was too sensitive? Too emotional was never good—something Harry had learned the hard way with Cho. But Dean was also on the Quidditch team, as a Chaser with Ginny, proving that he was competitive. Only…he didn't have the same zeal or skill that she did. She should unquestionably have a guy that could match her in Quidditch.

Just as he was about to contemplate Neville as an option, he felt a hand slap against his back that nearly sent him flying into a nearby stonewall.

"Hey there, Harry!" grinned a tall Irish boy with sandy hair. He winked as a girl passed him.

"Hi, Seamus," grumbled Harry, rubbing his sore back. He quickly stuffed his parchment into his pockets. He couldn't very well have everyone figuring out what he was doing.

"Off to the Great Hall?" Without waiting for Harry's reply, Seamus grabbed him by the arm and began dragging him away. "I'm starving!"

"No, I—" Harry stumbled before he paused. He hadn't eaten yet, but he hadn't been very hungry, either. Still, he couldn't just pass up this opportunity. This might be a good chance to gather more information, since Seamus usually sat with the guys. "Erm, actually, alright."

"Great," Seamus said, continuing to strut toward the Great Hall. Harry registered in his mind this manner of walking. Strutting meant confidence. And it meant arrogance. Ginny didn't like boys who couldn't hold their own, but too much pride was…just too much. She might end up hexing him. Harry chuckled to himself at this thought.

"Something funny?" the Irish boy raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Oh no, nothing," Harry quickly shook his head, trying to match Seamus's pace. Perhaps this was a good chance to see what blokes thought of Ginny. He tried to say casually, "By the way, do you know Ginny?"

"Who?" Seamus blurted out as he watched a female walk by. Harry felt his blood boil.

"What do you mean who?" said Harry, surprised at how irritated he sounded and felt.

Seamus blinked, raking his brain to remember what Harry had said. "You mean Ron's little sister, Ginny?"

"She's not just Ron's little sister," Harry protested heatedly. She was so much more than Ron's sister. For one thing, she was fantastic at Quidditch, something he couldn't say about girls like Romilda Vane or boys like Seamus.

"Heh, of course I know her," Seamus smirked. "And of course she's not just Ron's little sister. She's become so fine over the summer!"

"She's not a piece of meat, for your information," Harry snarled. In his mind, he was crossing off Seamus's name from the list. Again and again. Viciously.

"No," he answered dreamily, licking his lips, "but if she were, she'd be one prime steak! Don't you just want to gobble her whole?" He winked suggestively at Harry.

"You know, suddenly I'm not so hungry anymore," Harry snapped, turning away, his stomach twisting and turning. He could barely refrain from smashing his fist into Seamus's conceited face.

"Oh, hey!" Seamus grabbed Harry's arm, snapped back from his reverie once he registered Harry's angry tone. "Blimey, sorry mate! I forgot who I was talking to."

"To say the least," Harry scowled, wrenching his arm from Seamus.

"I kind of lose myself when I think about Ginny. You're right, she's not a piece of meat," Seamus amended carefully. "She's just so gorgeous and all that I…" he immediately stopped his train of thought at the look on Harry's face. "But she's also so witty and entertaining. She's a great gal to be around. So…don't leave on account of what I said."

Harry shifted his weight from foot to foot, mulling over what Seamus had just said. Then he sighed, giving in. "Okay, I'll come."

"Good," Seamus sighed in relief. As they continued to walk, he continued to talk. "Once again, I'm sorry mate. Of course you don't think about her that way. I mean, you're like her brother."

"Yeah, well…" Harry's stomach clenched. He frowned. Did he have a stomachache?

"Not that she needs anymore brothers," Seamus continued, wincing. "Ron's got that covered as it is. But hey, at least I'm on your good side, right?"

"Why does my good side matter?" a baffled Harry asked.

"You're Ron's best friend and a good friend of Ginny's," Seamus explained as if it was the most evident thing in the world. "If anyone can, you can convince Ron to relax. Also, she probably wouldn't go out with anyone that you don't like or doesn't like you. She'd probably rip the guy's head off for insulting you. But hey, once again, that's a given because you're like her brother!"

Harry didn't know what to say or think about the title, but he didn't really get a chance to respond because they had reached the Great Hall, and now Seamus seated himself beside Dean Thomas. Harry sat down on Dean's other side and smiled at Neville, who was seated directly across from him. Harry covertly scanned both boys.

"Is there something on my face?" Dean spoke, frowning at Harry now.

"Oh no!" Harry quickly adverted his gaze, embarrassed at being caught. "Nothing at all."

His emerald eyes then turned to Neville. Neville might have a chance with her, Harry mused, because she had gone with him to the Yule Ball. On the other hand, Neville had kept stepping on her shoes, causing her to wince in pain. She probably had a horrible time. No, Neville was certainly not the best dancer or perhaps date. Then again, Harry thought, recalling his horribly embarrassing dancing with Parvati and his failure of a date with Cho with a cringe, who was Harry to speak?

More importantly, Neville did not possess the sharpest memory. For example, his losing Trevor on the train during their first year (and the countless times in the years after), his constantly red Remembrall, his forgotten homework… What if he forgot her birthday or their anniversary?

"Hey Harry, have you finished your Herbology essay yet?" Neville asked.

"Oh, haven't started," replied Harry, taking a bite of fried chicken. The other boys launched immediately into a conversation about how unfair the essay was, while Harry was left alone to his thoughts.

That was right; Neville was extremely gifted at Herbology. And he had a solid heart of gold. He had remained Harry's friend throughout last year when all the rumors were flying about how Harry was just a deranged attention-seeker. Neville had been a true friend when Harry needed him the most. That sense of loyalty was hard to find.

Then again…he wasn't exactly the bravest of the brave. The poor boy had the self-esteem about the size of a peanut. Nor was he the strongest of the strong. While Harry knew Ginny could hold her own, having a guy protecting her wouldn't hurt. Neville probably would crumple at the prospect of facing any of the Weasley brothers, let alone all of them together.

"…fight between Ginny Weasley and Michael Corner."

Harry's interest was piqued instantly. He choked on his chicken, and Dean patted him on the back sympathetically.

"You alright there, Harry?" he asked.

"Never been better," Harry croaked. He mentally noted to add under Dean's pros that he knew his news.

"Hurry up and continue, Dean, I'm dying here," Seamus urged Dean, his face now flushed. Harry noted to add "impatient" under Seamus's cons. And "uncaring brute."

"Alright, well, apparently it was just after her Transfigurations class. He had been waiting for her and stopped her."

"He was waiting for her?" Seamus demanded. Neville was fervently watching Dean.

"Apparently." Then Dean stopped and looked about him, making sure it was safe to speak. Then he lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "According to the Colin Creevey, who was there at the scene, Corner wanted to talk to her, but she didn't want to talk to him. There was quite a heated argument. I heard he wanted to get back together with her—"

There was a furious growl. Harry was startled when all the other boys turned to look at him, and he quickly smiled uneasily. When they turned back to Dean, Harry frowned to himself. Where had that come from?

"Right…anyway, she was so furious that she hexed him. Her famous Bat-Bogey Hex. My sources tell me that she was screaming something about not needing him anymore."

"She deserves much better," Neville spoke up so firmly that it surprised Harry.

"You're interested in Ginny?" Harry inquired, causing the other boy to blush deeply and stiffen in fear.

"Of course he is," Seamus snorted. "About every walking, talking bloke is. Except you and Ron. That would just be wrong."

"Hold on," a voice came from the Hufflepuff table behind them. Ernie Macmillan was leaning over to speak with them. "Are you guys talking about…" He stopped and glanced around, looking sure the coast was clear. "Ginny Weasley?"

They nodded in response. Harry barely refrained from choking again. Ernie Macmillan from his year?

"Any news, Dean?"

"Well, I heard that Corner wanted to date her again," Dean whispered back.

"That son of a—!" Zacharias Smith hissed with enmity.

Harry's jaw dropped. Smith too?

"Shh!" Ernie hushed him before turning back to Dean. "Well? What did she say?"

"It was a definite no-go," Dean answered with a triumphant smile.

"Whew! I'll spread the news," Ernie said before he turned back to his table.

Harry stared blankly at his friends, his jaw still hanging. This was shocking. Beyond shocking!

Just how many boys liked Ginny?

"You all have a network?" Harry asked in a strangled voice. "And…and you all fancy her? But you never told me, Neville…or Seamus…don't tell me…" Harry stared at Dean, who quickly looked away. Harry's throat was suddenly as dry as a desert.

"Blimey, Harry! I thought you were smarter than this. No one tells you anything because you're…his best friend," Seamus hissed, his green eyes darting to the opposite end of the table, where his two best friends sat, blissfully unaware of the conversation taking place at Harry's end of the table.

"Please don't tell Ron!" Neville begged Harry, bowing his head. "He'd kill me! I mean, I don't even stand a chance with her, so it's not like I'm a threat, and I don't want to be killed just for liking her!"

"I wouldn't do that," Harry assured Neville steadfastly. "But I really don't have that much power."

"Not only are you Ron's best mate, but you're Ginny's close friend too," Dean tacked on. "And it would be horrible if either of them found out – not that we don't trust you, Harry. It's just…very risky overall if you catch my drift."

Harry nodded reluctantly. He understood, but for some reason, discovering all this was putting him on edge. He knew he should feel overjoyed for Ginny. It certainly made his job as matchmaker easier. However, he was currently feeling the exact opposite of joy.

"But Ron's not that scary, is he?"

"Are you kidding me? Haven't you heard about…" Seamus stopped and leaned toward Harry and said in a low voice, "Marcus Belby?"

Harry shook his head.

"I think you were at detention when this all happened last year. See, Belby used to be a Ravenclaw."

"Used to?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

Seamus looked at Harry gravely. "Used to. Rumor has it that little Belby thought it would be a great idea to try to cop a feel on Ginny."

"What?" Harry hissed, feeling a lick of anger flash through him.

"Exactly, the blasted fool. Well, before the bloke could even do anything of the sort, Ron found out his plan. And…well, he's been at St. Mungos ever since. Let's just say that it doesn't seem that he'll be touching anything anytime soon."

"Apparently the twins and the brother that deals with dragons were involved as well," Dean added. "Belby still jumps whenever he hears sudden noises."

"Wow…" was all Harry could muster.

"Ever since, there's been a sort of…well, club you could call it. Don't worry, not the whole school is in on it. Just mostly fifth and sixth years. We've got a few others from other years, but yeah. We just like to admire her from afar. That is, until it's safe. We're not really…supportive of each other exactly, but we understand each other's pain."

There was a pause, as Harry tried to digest this new bit of information.

"So…what is it, exactly, that you fancy about her?" he asked hesitantly. He nearly cringed when all of their eyes clouded over.

"What is there not to fancy?" asked Dean, dropping his chin onto his hands.

"The sound of her laughter…" Neville blushed furiously. If he became any redder, Harry would have insisted that he go to the Hospital Wing.

"Her luscious, rosy lips…" sighed Dean.

"Then there's that factor that you just can't seem to have her…like forbidden fruit. I guess that might be a main reason for those Slytherins to like her. But…the way her crimson hair falls in waves…" Seamus smiled vaguely.

"Wait, Seamus, what happened to Lavender?" Harry asked, trying to hold back the panic that bubbled inside him.

"Psh! Lavender's got nothing on Ginny. Like when she ties up her hair, exposing her pale and slender neck," Seamus groaned with desire. "That soft neck which I just want to – "

"Okay!" Harry interrupted sharply, bolting up from his seat. His appetite had completely disappeared. In fact, he now felt nauseous and flushed. "Too much information!"

"Seamus! Not in front of Harry! He's like her brother!" Dean scolded his friend.

"Oops, sorry mate," Seamus grinned sheepishly. "Me and my memory."

Harry threw up his arms to ward off any other unwanted and unthinkable confessions and grabbed his things before striding out of the Great Hall. He was so caught up in simply escaping that he didn't see the redhead coming his way when he reached the corridors.

"Harry!" Her voice called out to him, causing his head to snap up and a shiver down his spine. She smiled brilliantly at him as she hurried over. Her dark scarlet hair was tied back, her bangs framing her pale but damp and flushed face. He swallowed hard. Was it just him he wondered, or did she look…better than she usually did?

"Hi, Ginny," he said nervously. He pulled at his Gryffindor striped tie.

Her happy laugh sent shivers down his spine once again as she shook her head, causing stray drops of water to fly about. "Sorry! It started to rain outside and…well, a little water never hurt anyone." She winked at him, and Harry found his throat quite dry.

"You better get dry, so you don't get sick, though," he struggled to say. She waved off his concern easily.

"Have you eaten yet?" she asked. Harry found himself refraining from mentally kicking himself for already having done so.

"Yeah, actually."

"Oh, okay then. You must be busy so I'll let you go," she smiled. She turned to enter the Great Hall when he reached out and grabbed her arm. He hadn't been thinking when he did it. It just happened.

"Wait!" He couldn't just let her enter there! That would be like throwing a sheep to a pack of wolves.

Her brown eyes watched him curiously, flickering from his hand to his face. He quickly dropped her arm, as if he had been burned. He felt the heat crawl up his neck under her gaze and he nervously pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

"Erm – that is…" The thought of Seamus suddenly flashed in his mind. He abruptly reached up and untied her hair, and watched as it gracefully cascaded over her shoulders. It was sprinkled with beads of water, but he found that it only made her look like a pixie. She looked at him inquisitively, and he found that he had to clear his throat once again. "I…I like your hair down."

"Oh, all right," she laughed. He felt his stomach contract again, and he frowned, pressing a hand against his abdomen. Maybe he should stop by the Hospital Wing to see if he could get a potion to relieve his troubled stomach. "I suppose I'll just have to wear it down more often then. See you, Harry."

Then she turned and walked away, her heels reverberating against the floor. He bleakly watched as her fiery locks danced behind her until she disappeared from his sight.

Well, at least one thing was certain. It wasn't going to be hard finding a willing boy. Not hard at all.