"No, you're not doing rounds tonight. You're sick and I already told Neville and Anastasia," Ron firmly said to Hermione.
Hermione had spent a night in the Hospital Wing for coming down with a fever and flu, which plague about a dozen more students after the last Hogsmeade visit. The gang visited her during breaks and filled her in with the things they did in class and some homework, which she started to do straight away.
"But don't you have Quidditch practice tonight? I'm sure Madame Pomfrey would discharge me. I don't feel unwell anymore."
"It's okay. Neville and Anastasia are splitting tonight so Neville can cover our shift. And you look tired as ever, however, fine you feel. Rest, okay?" Ron started to piling Hermione's books and half made essays at the corner of her bed. "Homework can wait, at least for tonight. Rest, okay?"
"Okay."
Ron kissed her temple goodbye and she gave him one of her brightest smiles.
"How's Hermione doing?" Harry asked when Ron arrived at the pitch.
"She's okay. Madame Pomfrey says she's free to go tomorrow."
"That's great!" Ginny said happily. "Now can we start? I want to end early today. It's getting colder every night."
Harry blew his whistle and assembled the team. The first game of the season as always was Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Having seen a quite disappointing line up for the Slytherin team, Harry was quite pleased but he didn't want to take any chances.
Harry practiced with Peakes and Coote who both needed a lot of refreshing and reflexing of their Beater potentials. The Chasers and Ron were practicing together as well. As the hour passed each members' difficulties were fleshed out. The Beaters have definitely improved from the last time Harry worked with them. Megan was fast and light but still had to work on her blocking and offense methods while Pauliana needed to work on her aim and speed. Ron was much more confident and his Keeping skills were at his peak. But Harry was most proud of Ginny. Everyone knew she was one of the best fliers a Hogwarts team ever had. She can manage her Comet and Harry's Firebolt with ease and her moves were quick and fluid. She was the most improved player in the team and everyone seems to agree.
"That was wicked amazing, Ginny! Where did you learn how to do that?" Megan praised once Ginny landed gracefully from a perfect dive that both made Ron and Harry pale.
"Oh, that was just nothing. Just trying something new," Ginny said blushing.
"You have to teach us that!" Pauliana exclaimed.
Once practice was over, Harry was confident that they would win the game against Slytherin. They headed back to the locker rooms quite tired but happy.
"Too tired for a walk?" Harry asked Ginny once she emerged from the girls' locker rooms.
"Nope. C'mon, where to?"
They ended up lying by the lake looking up at the black blanket of the sky that was dotted with a million tiny lights. This was one of Ginny's favorite things to do every time they go out for a walk. Sometimes she'd climb a tree just to get a closer look. Harry joked about her being half centaur for her offbeat habit.
"It reminds me of home," Ginny would say which was true because every night at the Burrow the stars can be clearly seen. "The reason I sneak up to fly was also for this, you know."
"You're not dozing off, are you?" Ginny started to say after some minutes of silence.
"No, I'm here." Harry replied.
"So, Christmas break is coming up, will you be coming over?"
"Definitely. But I don't think I should stay. There's Mrs. Tonks and Teddy. God, I miss Teddy so much. I hope he still remembers me when we get back."
"Don't worry about it. He adores you as much as you do him. Remember what Mrs. Tonks said in her letters? That he misses you and asks for you and was constantly having tantrums the first few days when you're away."
"Yeah," Harry said smiling. He simply can't wait to play with his adorable baby godson again. But there was something he should do first before completely immersing himself with Christmas spirit.
"What are you thinking?" Ginny asked, feeling the tension creeping up Harry's body.
"I'm going away for a few days before I settle for Christmas break. Alone," Harry said as coherently and quickly as he can.
"Harry – "
"It's nothing like that. I'm planning to visit my dad's place. I've actually thought about it for a while and contacted the caretaker there," Harry quickly added when he saw Ginny's grave reaction.
"Are you sure about this? Did you tell anyone about this yet? We know the war is over but there are still some dark wizards out there who want you hurt, Harry. And there are many more who want you safe," Ginny said softly.
"I know. I already checked with Kingsley about it. You don't have to worry. If there's anything I'm sure about, it's this. And you're the first person I told this to. I'd break it to your parents once break begins and I'll tell Ron and Hermione as soon as I find the time."
"And, Mrs. Tonks?"
"I'd have to tell her beforehand. We do live in the same roof."
"Are you really sure about this? Do you want me to come along?"
"Yes, I'm sure. And thanks but I think this is something I should do on my own."
"You don't always have to do it by yourself, you know. We're all here for you."
"I know."
"Okay. But if you change your mind you know where to find me."
"Yes, ma'am." He drew her closer and kissed the tops of her hair.
"Harry?" Ginny slightly pulled herself up, lying on her stomach with her elbows on his front.
"Yes?" In the dark Harry could see the familiar blazing look she gave him and for some reason he felt his heart beating faster.
Ginny opened her mouth but no words came out. In the dark Harry can feel her hesitating. "Is there something you wanted to say?" He asked softly.
"Just that… don't be gone too long, alright?"
"Alright." He pulled her in for a kiss.
"I still don't think you should go there alone. It's much too dangerous, Harry!" Hermione said indignantly. Harry just broke to them the news of visiting his father's place. Harry wasn't surprise with Hermione's reaction at all. He actually expected it. "Ron, say something!"
"I'm not a hundred percent about this, mate, but if it means this much to you then go for it," Ron said avoiding Hermione's glaring stare.
"Ron!"
"Hermione, just leave it alone, okay? Harry can do whatever he wants," Ginny said.
"I'm surprised you're fine with this after everything that has happened!" Hermione retorted.
"What do you mean?" Ginny snapped back.
"Don't act like you don't know, Ginny. You're better than that. You know what I mean!"
Harry laid a hand over Ginny's shoulder to keep her from fueling the argument. She didn't say anything but gave the other girl a look filled with much dislike.
"Okay, just calm down," Harry started to say. "I'll be fine. I promise. Kingsley helped me arranged the visit. There's no need to fuss about it."
"Oh, Harry, please!" Hermione stormed out of the common room.
"I'll sort her out. That's just how she is, you know," Ron said wearily.
"I know." Harry replied. Ron gave him a pat on the back and started to look for Hermione.
"I think I'm going to head back to bed now. I'm tired." Ginny started dumping things in her bag unceremoniously.
"Gin…"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. Something's been bothering you and you're not telling me about it. What's up?"
She gave him a sad helpless look. "Maybe next time. I can't do this right now." She kissed his cheek and headed to the girl's dormitory.
Hermione and Ginny did not talk for the rest of the week. Ron and Harry tried their best to find a common ground for both girls but decided it was best to leave them in their own pace. Luna and Anastasia tried to help too but all they could offer was to switch partners for DADA to avoid accidents.
Their last practice before the match didn't go as smoothly as Harry wanted. Ginny was in a foul mood and was missing all her shots. Megan and Pauliana were too scared to point these things out to her and Ron's patience was wearing off.
"It's because you're blocking the wrong hoop, you idiot!" Ginny berated Ron.
"I'm suppose to block where you're going to shoot, stupid!" Ron shouted back.
Ginny drew her wand but Ron stayed firm in his broom.
"Hey! Cut it out both of you," Harry said flying in between the siblings. "Put away your wand, Gin."
She didn't.
"Now!"
She gave a resigned sigh and tucked back her wand in her robes.
"Grounds," Harry said softly this time.
Once he and Ginny landed, Harry figured it was better to be straightforward with her. "What's going on, Gin? You're performing badly and we can't have this tonight or in tomorrow's game. Look, if this is about you and Hermione, I suggest you keep some of that girl pride of yours and apologize."
"Girl pride? Apologize?" She was angry but Harry wasn't backing down. "If you recalled, I was the one on your side and then you come here and tell me I'm proud? That I'm the one who's suppose to apologize?!"
"Hey, someone needs to make the first move sometime. You can't keep this up. You've been friends far too long to let one single argument end everything," Harry said as reasonably and as calmly as he can.
"If you haven't noticed, what she said was a low blow for me! Why are you on her side anyway?" She was almost yelling now and her eyes were starting to look shiny.
"I didn't understand what you were talking about, okay? And I'm not on anyone's side," Harry replied gently.
"You know you can be really dense sometimes." Harry felt his temper bubbling from her cold words.
"Then make me understand." She didn't say anything. "I'm going to ask Demelza tonight to be your reserve tomorrow. If you're still going to act like this in the game, I'm kicking you off."
Harry flew back to the pitch without a second glance.
Harry and Ginny didn't talk the next day. Breakfast was an awkward limbo with Harry waking up early in a foul disposition to avoid Ginny. When she arrived with puffy eyes Harry didn't even look at her and turned to leave. Everything broke lose at the alarmed expressions of Ron and Hermione.
As if they never fought, Hermione was at the red headed girl's side in an instant just sitting there silently, ready to show support. Ron stalked after his best friend.
"Man, what did you do? I thought you just told her off not made her cry! Ginny never cries!" Ron said indignantly.
"She cried? I didn't mean to – I thought… Dammit." Harry could feel guilt and panic closing up his throat and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Look, mate, I don't want to go big brother on you just get it fixed soon," Ron said his tone relaxing.
"Yeah, I will. If you need me, I'll be in the locker rooms…"
Harry wanted to talk to Ginny before the match but everything was happening so fast and the tension and adrenaline building up in the Gryffindor team was almost tangible. After the traditional pep talk with the team Harry decided their talk could wait. Besides Ginny was busy giving last minute reminders and reassurances to the new Chasers.
The game between Gryffindor and Slytherin went well but Harry thought they could have done better. It ended with a two hundred margin in favor of Gryffindor with an injured Paulina who took a Bludger on her side. Ginny scored most of the goals and Ron saved most from Slytherin's. The team detoured to the Hospital Wing to check on Paulina before heading to the common room for the celebration.
Harry fell behind the crowd waiting for Ginny who was lagging by the rowdy Gryffindors. When he caught sight of her flaming red hair, he didn't waver in his approach. He stopped right in front of her. Wordlessly, they both made their way on Hogwarts' grounds on their usual spot near the lake.
Ginny' arms were folded and she was looking down on her shoes.
"I'm sorry, Gin." Harry said helplessly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's not your fault. I'm the one who is supposed to be sorry. I lost my temper and I said stupid things I didn't mean," Ginny said gruffly, still looking at her shoes.
"Still. I can't stand us fighting. I can't stand seeing you hurt because of me." Harry hugged her close and relaxed when he felt her arms around him. The stinging guilt he'd been feeling the whole day fading away and replaced with relief and something else. "You did great today, by the way. Slytherin didn't have the chance."
"Thanks, Captain."
AN: A friend of mine suggested to put some Hinny and Romione moments and she said she enjoyed this one and wanted me to do more pieces of it. What do you guys think? Of course the story won't completely turn into a teenage love thing... just part of it :) I guess, it is inevitable to write such events. Relationships and love most especially is the highlight of the series. Reviews are always welcomed. Thanks! ~ E