A/N: Thanks to those who have reviewed, tis appreciated :D. For now, onwards with the story...
I collected my things, ready to take them to Ginny's room with me. I felt sick. I was dreading this but I was anticipating it too.
So I closed the door of Ron's room behind me and made my way down to Ginny's room. The walk seemed to fly in to my dismay. I paused at her door, ready to knock-
"Oh! Hi. Why were you standing there?"
I blushed, embarrassed at getting caught by the red-haired witch. I tried to think up a credible excuse but…
"I-I…" I mumbled, nothing coming into my head. Luckily, Ginny put me out of my misery.
"Right, well, come in. I'm going for a shower so just make yourself at home… I'll be back soon." Ginny explained, smiling and brushing past me to get to the bathroom.
I quickly went into her room, leaned against the newly-closed door, and exhaled.
What an idiot…
Sighing, I tentatively sat myself on the edge of Ginny's bed, looking round at the room. Nothing had changed since the last time I had been here. Nothing.
I changed into my nightdress, and lay back on Ginny's soft bed, shutting my eyes.
----
Ginny had never been shy. She used to change in front of me all the time, whereas I would go out of my way to hide my body from her.
I had never known where to look when she was getting ready, the blood would rush to my face and I would always make up a barely passable excuse to get out of the room before I blew up.
At first, I had tried to distance myself from her as much as I could, but it was impossible when she wouldn't take no for an answer. I'd say I had to research something, she'd say she'd help. I'd say I had to get some fresh air, she'd say she'd come with me.
I'd say I wanted a swim, and she'd come with me.
This one day, she'd cornered me to ask if I'd wanted to go out for a walk. We were on work business, in a secluded area of the countryside in a Mediterranean area. I, 18, had not been able to think of a good enough excuse so, looking at the lake behind her, I'd said I wanted to go for a swim. Then I mentally slapped myself. I hated swimming.
Ginny had looked surprised and straight away said she'd join me. My heart had stopped at that. Me, playing about in the water with her?
She'd dragged me to the edge of the lake, taking off her t-shirt and trousers excitedly, all the while grinning at me to join.
I had gulped. Ginny had jumped straight in. I had mumbled something about second thoughts and danger, but she just rolled her eyes, telling me it was fine, and to come in.
I had reluctantly obliged, shielding myself with a nearby shrub whilst taking off my clothes. I had heard Ginny laughing at how reserved I was. I had stood, in my underwear, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and walked round to sit on the shore of the lake, with my legs dangling into the cold water.
"I dare you." She'd joked, gesturing to the water with one hand.
She'd kicked some water at me. I'd froze, narrowed my eyes, and dropped myself into the water to get her back. She laughed and started swimming out a bit more, stopping before the water got really deep.
I treaded the water uncertainly, my chin bobbing in and out. I must have looked scared, because she swam over to me and grabbed on to my shoulders, treading the water across from me.
I shivered partly from the cold, partly from the closeness of Ginny's semi-naked body to mine, partly from the way she looked ; her hair darkened from the wetness, her eyes standing out even more than usual, the drips making their way down her head to her cheeks to her lips…
I must have been staring, because a miniscule frown appeared on her forehead.
I had muttered something about being cold and wanting to go and get dried up. She had just nodded, leading me over to the shore, climbing out before me and pulling me out after her. I had quickly gathered my clothes, glancing behind me to see Ginny bending over to put her clothes back on.
I gulped.
----
"Oh. You're awake." Ginny noted, smirking at me as I lay on her bed.
I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus. Had I drifted off?
"I suppose you were tired then." She continued. She seemed to be drying her hair off with one towel, another wrapped around her body. "Go back to sleep if you want…"
"No, it's OK." I answered, clearing my throat. My face was threatening to go red again at the sight of Ginny standing there barely protecting her modesty.
I sat up.
"I'm just going to go to the bathroom." I garbled, heading straight for the door without even waiting for an answer. I closed it behind me and headed along to the bathroom, feeling the heat on my cheeks with the back of my hand.
After ten minutes in the bathroom, I felt I had to go back. I gulped and returned to Ginny's room, hoping that she was fully dressed, and hoping that she wasn't.