Disclaimer: Still no ownage!

A/N- I'm so exceedingly happy for all those reviews I've been given. Thanks a million bazillion and… SofaKing- I'm honored! As long as interest remains, I will keep updating for you all!

Chapter Seven- Much to be Desired

Ginny slept in the next morning, skipping all her classes before lunch. She wouldn't miss anything she didn't already know, so what should she care? When it was time for lunch, she decided she couldn't hide from Draco and Harry forever so she threw her school robe over her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and set off for the Great Hall to get some food.

When she entered she was immediately ambushed by Harry and Ron, Hermione hanging behind scowling.

"What happened to you?" Harry questioned, finally releasing her. Ron stepped back beside Hermione to let Harry talk with Ginny.

Ginny imitated confusion. "Huh?"

"During the fight? And all this morning?" He actually looked angry.

"There was a fight?" she asked innocently, furrowing her brows together.

"Yesterday at dinner, right as you were leaving. Draco left at the same time…" Harry trailed off purposefully, studying her face for any hint her expression might lend.

Ginny did not attempt to mask her emotions- she was pissed off. She didn't care if Harry was her knight in shining armor or her lonely friend in the night, he was getting bloody irritating! "Harry," she began, her voice dangerously quiet, "this is the last time I'm going to explain this to you so listen closely." She stood up really straight and looked him directly in the eye. "Malfoy is not bothering me anymore and even if he were, I can handle myself. I've had to fight off six older brothers my entire life and compared to them, Draco leaves much to be desired. So, I would really appreciate it if you would calm down about all this and leave me be." Her tone softened a bit, "You know you'd be the first to know if anything serious happens, alright?"

Harry was smiling now but it looked crooked and cruel. "You said Draco," he sneered. Ginny wanted to hit him until he stopped smiling. It seemed like Harry had only heard one word out of all she said.

"You are such an idiot Harry!" she shouted over her shoulder as she rushed out of the Hall. Her stomach growled angrily, as if it knew she was leaving her breakfast behind.

Harry was stunned. Ginny's behavior was becoming more and more outrageous and he needed to stop it. Now.

He strode over to the Slytherin table and the lot of them bristled defensively. "Malfoy," he said standing in front of their leader. "Whatever you're doing to Ginny, stop it now. Stop it or I will stop it myself."

Draco raised an eyebrow, but his expression remained blank, "How?"

"Any way I can."

"You're assuming I'm doing something. I, however, have not spoken with Ginevra since the day she ran into me. I have a bit more dignity than to chase after that skinny destitute weasel."

"No, Malfoy, you're dignity won't allow you to leave her alone."

Draco laughed and the Slytherins around him smirked, "You don't know anything about me Potter," he spat. "If I were you I'd stop worrying about my relationship with Ginevra and start worrying about your own."

Harry turned on his heel and stormed off, the Slytherins laughing at his back.

"What are you doing Neville?" Ginny asked, sitting down beside him in the Gryffindor common room. It was after dinner and she had already finished her tedious school assignments for the day.

He closed the notebook he was hunched over and stuffed it into his bag before looking up at her, "Oh hello Ginny. I was just writing in my journal." He looked uncomfortable.

Ginny's eyes widened, remembering something. She looked up at the clock on the wall- it was just turning eight. "What journal? Why?" She felt a surge of different emotions, confusion being dominant.

Neville looked flustered and stood up. "It's just something I like to do," he murmured before walking away.

What the bloody hell was going on? Ginny sprinted up to her room, took out her journal and quill, and sat down on her bed. She leaned back against her pillows with the journal in her lap and opened it carefully. There was writing on the first page.

It's eight o'clock, but I don't know why I'm writing.

Ginny felt giddy. To talk to me, of course, she wrote.

Please write back, please write back, please please please.

Words began to appear on the paper, slowly and purposefully written. What a brilliant idea. How are you?

Irritated, but living. And you?

To be honest? Lonely.

Don't you have any friends?

What's the definition of a friend?

Ginny paused, seriously pondering the question. Well, I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever had a real friend. Although, I guess it's someone who understands your inner thoughts and feelings and doesn't hate you for them.

Then no, I don't.

Have you ever?

Maybe as a child, when things were simpler.

Are they complex now?

I suppose.

Ginny wanted to ask a ton of questions, but she tried to lay off a bit. You'd think it would be easy to make friends in such a diverse school.

They're all the same to me.

All? Surely there are some strange students.

Like who?

Luna Lovegood is odd.

Oh you've got me.

Ginny giggled like a little girl. That wasn't hard.

Maybe I'm not thinking clearly right now.

Go for a fly?

There was a long pause and Ginny was afraid he'd left. He- who was he exactly? She wanted to just ask and get it over with.

I doubt they'd let me get away, he responded.

They? I thought you were lonely.

Yes lonely, but not alone.

I know what you mean.

Do people swarm you as well?

Sometimes I don't think I'll ever escape them.

That bad?

Well, they say they care.

Yet you don't believe them.

I'm distrustful and paranoid.

A confession?

Yes. If she couldn't open up to him, why write at all? She didn't need another empty friend.

I am too, but not without good reason.

Same. You could call me a nutcase if I didn't have a damn good excuse.

That being?

Ginny would not talk about Tom. Well, something really personal.

You'll tell me someday?

Yes. The way he said "someday" implied they would be friends for a long time.

I will be on the tallest tower at one.

You'll be able to get away?

I'll have to. I have a date after all…

A date?

Yes, with a very lovely woman.

I could be an ugly old hag for all you know.

I highly doubt that.

Well you may never find out.

Someday.

I'll see you tonight though.

Bye.

Bye.