Chapter 20- A Change of Heart
A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers for the last chapter! And once again, thanks to my sister for grinding through this chapter.
As for where we are in the story, we're not yet at the halfway point- from what I've been writing, the story looks like it will be over 200 000 words.
"Er, Natalie?"
Natalie immediately stopped walking. She had no difficulty in recognizing the hesitant, yet determined tone that constantly caused her stomach to churn uncomfortably. However, after four and a half weeks of fighting, she had come to severely doubt the sincerity of the tone.
Still, she slowly turned around to face him. "Listen, Natalie, I need to talk you," said Harry, his voice faltering.
"About what?" asked Natalie scathingly.
Harry breathed. "I'm very sorry about what I've done to you. It wasn't right at all."
"Well you should be," she said harshly, causing Harry to stumble backwards anxiously. Natalie sighed and added in a calmer tone, "Come on, let's go to that empty classroom. I don't want Parvati or Lavender sneaking around one of the corners."
Harry nodded. She led him into a classroom further along the corridor. She locked the door and cast a silencing charm on the walls. Seeing the dark patches under his eyes and the excessively disheveled state of his robes, even for Harry, Natalie could not help but feel a pang of stinging guilt.
"Well, please explain," commanded Natalie, a bit too abruptly.
Harry rocked nervously on his feet. He managed to straighten his slumped shoulders and gazed squarely into her eyes. "Er, Natalie, I'm sorry about all those cruel things I said about you. I know you're not at all like your mother and I never truly held you accountable for what she has done."
Natalie suppressed a seemingly overwhelming wave of relief. She would not let him come into her favour so easily. "And is that all you have to say?"
Harry twisted his lips into a weak smile. "Of course not. Thank you for trusting me to tell me about Bellatrix. I really do appreciate the honesty even though I was angry you hid your identity for so long."
"What did you expect me to do, Harry?" said Natalie sharply. "It's not something I tell a person I've just met. After those first few months, you became the closest friend I've had besides Kalissa and I thought I could trust you with that secret."
Harry raised his hands, his expression frantic. "I was an absolute idiot for feeling that you'd somehow lied to me. You had every reason not to share your identity with anyone – if I were in that position, I probably would have kept the secret for longer. At the time, I was just so stubborn – that's the best word I suppose."
Natalie nodded, still not completely satisfied. "Stubborn's a bit of an understatement, isn't it? Do you remember what I said about your 'stubbornness'?"
Harry's face darkened. Natalie instantly feared that her demanding attitude had triggered a bout of anger within him. "Natalie, you were right in a way – everytime I think of Bellatrix, I remember that horrible leering face after Sirius died. Other than Voldemort, she is the one person I hate the most. I know you have nothing in common with her, but when you told me she was your mother –"
"All that anger spilled out," stated Natalie, the scowl on her face becoming smaller.
"Yes," replied Harry, looking relieved. "That image of Bellatrix in the Department of Mysteries, I don't know to how say it, but it filled my head. Then all my hatred and anger at her came with the image. And also, I was furious that you had not told me about her for so long and my temper exploded right there."
"I'm sorry for all she's done," said Natalie softly. "But Harry, I'm not her."
"I know, Natalie – you're the farthest thing from that monster," said Harry earnestly, stepping towards her and placing his hands on her shoulders.
Natalie nodded, a surge of trepidation overcoming her. She could not stand to be with Harry if he could only associate her with Bellatrix. "Those feelings you have for her are completely justified, but Harry, you can't think about the person who killed Sirius and tortured Neville's parents everytime you see me."
"I don't," said Harry, smiling. "I've been trying to figure things out and –"
"Yes?" interrupted Natalie, her chest bursting in relief.
Harry chuckled. "Will you let me finish? When we weren't talking for the past few weeks, well, I don't want to sound dramatic, but I really missed you."
"As did I," replied Natalie, her throat becoming very dry. Feeling embarrassed, she attempted to avert her eyes from Harry, but he gently lifted her chin so that those enrapturing green orbs bore straight into her eyes.
"There's no need to be ashamed," whispered Harry, his warm breath washing over her face. "I knew you were completely different from your mother, but I couldn't get rid of that image of her. But then, I realized how much I hated not being able to speak to you every day and it just hit me – I still feel the same way about you regardless of who your mother is."
"It took you long enough," muttered Natalie, unable to repress the smile that crept onto her features.
"I am a bit thick, aren't I?" asked Harry, his lips curling upwards into an amused smile.
Natalie punched him playfully in the chest. "Yes you are, Harry James Potter." She could not contain her pure joy at Harry's revelation. With his declaration of his feelings, the suffocating despair and sense of futility that swallowed her over the past few weeks disintegrated. As she buried her face in his chest, she could almost physically feel all of the burdensome tension that had shrouded her face lift.
"We are alright, aren't we?" asked Harry nervously, pushing Natalie from his chest to stare at her.
Natalie sighed at him in exasperation. "You really are thick, aren't you? Harry, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that you still feel the same way about me after hearing who my mother is."
"You were scared that I wouldn't get over it," said Harry quietly. By the solemn, grim tone in his voice, Natalie could tell that it was a statement, not a question.
"Yes I was," breathed Natalie. "You were the first person I told and you also just happened to be one of the people she hurt the most."
"I wouldn't leave you just because you're her daughter," said Harry fiercely.
Natalie laughed at the ferocious determination in Harry's eyes. "It's my own stupid fears, unfortunately. Now I know that you won't leave me, but Harry, you were really my first friend – all those people at Durmstrang were more of acquaintances and classmates than anything else. I won't pretend that deciding to tell you was probably the scariest decision I've made."
Harry squeezed her shoulders. "Thanks again. And I'm a complete moron for treating you like that."
"It's in the past, Harry," said Natalie, lifting a hand to his face. "We've talked about it and it's time to move on."
"I'm just glad we can have a decent conversation without snapping at each other," said Harry, his eyes sparkling. "I'm not the best with words, but being with you is refreshing. You seem to understand me – different than Ron and Hermione do. I don't know how you do it, but you seem to get what I'm thinking and what my mood is."
Natalie's eyes widened. For Harry, who was very reserved about his own emotions, this confession was extremely rare. Another electrifying pulse of pleasure surged through her body.
She finally noticed how close they were. For the first time in a month, she could revel in Harry's complete, intimate presence; the fresh, intoxicating depths of those green eyes, the salty, full bodied earthly scent of grass and dirt, the way his hair scattered itself in complete disarray across his forehead and the familiar shy, kindness spread across his face, the one feature drawing Natalie to him. Seeing his eyes meet her gaze with a hungry desire, she licked her lips, eying Harry's slightly open mouth. She slowly leaned towards him, her lips meeting his. Harry quickly pulled her against him, kissing her urgently. She opened her mouth to let in his roving tongue, reveling in the soothing, gentle way his tongue caressed her mouth.
Natalie found herself once again immersed in that pure, unending bliss. It was only the two of them, their eyes closed in enjoyment. They let their mouths hungrily satisfy one other, their hands desperately exploring each other's bodies. The rest of the world seemed so far away and unimportant. Nothing could break their kiss; not her mother's cruel, contemptuous sneer nor the brutal finality of Harry's prophecy and not even the looming, menacing specter of Lord Voldemort.
Natalie did not know for how long they remained in that pose, attempting to somehow compensate for the brooding sadness of the past few weeks. When they finally pulled apart, Harry's t-shirt and jeans looked extremely ruffled along with his hair which seemed to more resemble a very shaggy dog than a 16 year old boy. Looking at herself, Natalie noticed that her jumper somehow had fallen to the floor, revealing the sleeveless top below from which the straps were drooping.
Harry smiled at her as he straightened out his clothing. "That was definitely interesting."
Natalie shook her head, smiling as she picked up the straps of her top. She summoned her jumper to her, pulling it over her. With a tingle of pleasure, she noticed the disappointment on Harry's face when she covered herself.
"We did get a bit carried away," said Natalie sheepishly.
"I certainly did not mind," said Harry impishly.
"Neither did I," acknowledged Natalie, her cheeks very flushed.
"Well, it just proves my earlier point about you understanding me," said Harry, a smirk appearing on his face. "I did want you to kiss me very much."
Natalie raised her eyebrows at him. "I hope that wasn't the way you intended your statement to be interpreted, but I do suppose it would make sense that I could understand all your moods and insecurities."
"How so?" asked Harry, confusedly.
Natalie winked at him. "It takes a person with a troubled past to understand another with just as bad a past."
Harry laughed hysterically. "That's a good way of summarizing us."
A solemn expression appeared on Harry's face as he examined her with concerned eyes.
"Harry, everything fine?" asked Natalie, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Oh, no, I'm fine," replied Harry, startled out of his gaze. "Actually, I was thinking about your father – I'm very sorry about him."
Natalie nodded, surprised that Harry's thoughts had strayed to him. "He didn't deserve to die that way," said Natalie, thinking about the bright, innocent face in all those pictures Kalissa showed her. "For his death, I probably have the same type of feelings towards my mother as you do about Sirius."
"She will pay one day for everyone she's hurt," said Harry determinedly.
"I do hope so," agreed Natalie. Despite the assertiveness in her tone, the memory of her mother confronting her at Christmas continued to send ripples of fear and shock through her.
"Do you have any pictures of your father?" asked Harry, running a hand through his hair. "Like the photo albums I have with my parents."
Natalie smiled at him. "Kalissa managed to collect as many photos and stories as she could about him. From what I've heard and seen, he seemed like a very nice person."
"No family then?" said Harry curiously.
Natalie sighed. "Apparently, he did not have much family before he met my mother. But obviously, after their affair, she made it her goal to wipe out the rest of the family."
"Oh," exclaimed Harry, an appalled expression on his face.
"I really do hate her for what she did to my father," said Natalie quietly. She realized that she was not telling the full truth, but did not want to broach the subject of her feelings regarding her mother. Yet, Harry apologized to her. He asked about her father, felt genuine compassion for her. Did Harry not at least deserve some openness? "However, I would be lying if I told you I completely hate her. She is –"
"Your mother after all," noted Harry with a sad smile. "A part of you enjoys that connection I imagine."
His comment startled Natalie. She had not expected him to appreciate her desire for Bellatrix's affection, but then she realized with a sharp sense of clarity that Harry knew better than anyone else about the yearning for a lost parent.
"Did I say anything wrong?" Harry asked, looking anxiously at her surprised expression.
"Oh, no of course not," said Natalie, regaining her composure. "You're absolutely correct."
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Remember I too know about wanting to get to know parents."
Natalie nodded. His words triggered a surge of freedom within her. She never considered Harry's ability to understand her better than anyone else because as she said, he also had a troubled past. Confessions were weaving themselves in her mind, ready to flow ceaselessly out of her mouth.
"Yes, even though I know she is a horrible person who has scarred me permanently, I still want her to treat me as her daughter. It's wrong, but she willingly gave birth to me when she easily could have suspected who my father was so I guess that's the reason I hope there's a shred of humanity in her. When I saw her that Christmas night, she, er, wanted me to see her mind, feel her emotions and because I wanted her to know me, to strengthen that mother – daughter connection, I allowed for our minds to be linked through legilimency."
Natalie paused, composing herself so she could describe exactly what happened that night. Harry had taken a seat on one of the desks. He nodded to her, a warm, gentle smile on his face.
"Thank you Harry. What I saw was quite appalling. The Dark Magic has obviously affected her – there's a noticeable contortion and distortion to her thoughts and memories. You can see and feel a definite darkness, a terrible, corrupt evil within her." Natalie swallowed, readying herself for the more emotional traumatizing part. "But everything in her mind, every single strand emotion, thought or memory is immersed in a singular, unbreakable devotion to Voldemort. All she felt or thought funnels into his image – it's a very sick and distorted type of love, as you could call it."
Harry nodded. "I noticed her loyalty to him last year – there's no doubt she would sacrifice herself for him in a heartbeat." He frowned at her. "What did she think of you?" asked Harry tentatively, though Natalie sensed he already knew the answer.
"I was a compilation of thoughts, memories and emotions that also funneled into Voldemort. The way she spoke to me afterwards makes me think that she wants to present me as proof to Voldemort, to affirm her love and devotion to him. I imagine my birth along with her affair with my father may have cast a noticeable shadow of doubt on her loyalty."
"That's terrible," said Harry softly. "It must have hurt you quite badly to realize how she actually sees you."
The familiar combination of shame and anger arose within Natalie, yet Harry's acceptance warded off the dread and loneliness. In his presence, her self deprecating fury was not as scorching, her shame not the same stinging, full bodied devastation.
"What I saw did and still does hurt me," Natalie acknowledged. "I know I should realize that the slightest hint of warmth I expect from her will never come, but a part of me still cherishes that connection. I don't like myself for it, but it's there."
Harry looked at her with a contemplative expression. "I see where you're coming from. I want to see my parents again, let them hold me and take care of me. It's probably the same with you, except possibly stronger because you know what parental love feels like from Kalissa."
"But Natalie," Harry continued as he walked over to her. He held her hands in his. "You can't let your memory of that Christmas night tear you apart. She does not deserve you as her daughter. Kalissa does and that's what you need to remember. She may have felt something for you long ago, but it's lost now. All the anger, shame you feel is because of her actions, not because of anything you've done."
"I know, Harry," Natalie whispered, squeezing his hands. "I need some time – I have all the proof in front of me that we are only mother and daughter in one way, yet I have yet to fully grasp that idea. I am trying as hard as I can."
"We're all here for you," said Harry fiercely. "She's not going to get to you."
Natalie smiled at him. "I wouldn't expect anything less of you. You're more of a help than I could ever say."
"A part of me really does hate her," added Natalie quietly. "She terrifies me, but I hope next time I see her I'll be able to stare her in the eye and tell her I want to be the one who steps on her dead body."
Harry pulled her into a tight hug. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "There's no doubt in my mind that you will."
"Did I tell you how much I missed you?" whispered Natalie, her voice muffled by Harry's chest.
Harry chuckled. "I think our recent snogging session was enough for me to realize."
They pulled apart with glowing expressions on their face and walked out of the classroom to supper.
"I think we might be very late," commented Harry with a frown on his face.
"What? You want us to make the grand entrance, announcing to the entire school that we've stopped fighting."
"I'm sure Parvati and Lavender will be more than a competent source," responded Harry with a smile.
Natalie suddenly noticed Hermione headed in their direction with a very curious expression on his face. "Oh here's the person I think we should talk to first. I hope that she isn't thinking that we had some major fight."
Harry grinned. Hermione rushed towards them. When she saw the smile on Harry's face, Hermione narrowed her eyes at both of them.
"What?" asked Harry mischievously.
Hermione glared at him. "I suppose you two have stopped the stupid quibbling. Good. It should have happened a lot earlier."
"How did you come to that conclusion so quickly?" asked Natalie curiously.
Hermione grinned at both of them. "Both of you are practically beaming and not to mention that your hands are much closer than is 'normal' for two people banging heads at one another."
Both Harry and Natalie exchanged knowing smiles. "We resolved our little 'quibble' as you put it. Harry, well, he accepts who I am and what happened is in the past."
Hermione nodded her head, a look of pleasure and relief beginning to unfold on her face. "Good. Thank goodness, some common sense was injected into the two of you."
"Thanks for the support Hermione," said Harry sarcastically. "But I am starving. Have you eaten, Hermione?"
"No, I was looking for you two. But let's go for supper."
The three of them ate supper, then deciding to head to the library to do Snape's extremely annoying and vigorous essay. For the first time in months, Natalie felt wonderfully satisfied and relieved; supper and even writing Snape's essay had been very boisterous and enthusiastic affairs. After about an hour of writing, Hermione left them to go to sleep in the Common room, earning puzzled glances from both Natalie and Harry. Though Natalie suspected that Hermione merely wanted to let her and Harry enjoy their reunion alone.
Natalie noticed gratefully that only a few students still lingered in the library; all of them casting the two of them very inquistive glances. She perceived that the radiant smiles on both of their faces had come as a great shock.
"How's Hermione coping with Ron?" asked Harry, scratching out a phrase on his essay.
Natalie pushed her parchment away and placed her quill upon the table. She ran her hand through her hair. "She's trying to appear indifferent. But you can tell when she sees them kissing – I find it absolutely disgusting. He's hurting her badly. What do you think?"
Harry nodded as he set his quill upon the table and turned towards Natalie. "When I've talked to her, she was trying to hide how much Ron and Lavender have bothered her, but I could tell that she's going through a lot. But I just hope that maybe our, er, coming together will –"
"Rejuvenate her," completed Natalie.
Harry smiled. "Yeah. I don't know if that's too optimistic."
"It's not at all a case of inflated hope. I mean, our fight was pretty serious and if we can come through it, then there's no doubt that she and Ron can finally admit their feelings to one another. So, hopefully it does inspire her. But then there's Ron who sometimes, I just wanted to hex into oblivion."
"He's not that bad," said Harry defensively.
Natalie shook her head. "Oh, wait a minute, I forgot he was your best friend." She paused. "Ok, maybe I was a bit overdramatic. He's not cruel, but what he's doing to Hermione is just so selfish and thick-headed."
Harry grinned at her. "I bet you said the same things about me."
Natalie locked her eyes with him. "You came through though so I was definitely wrong."
Harry intertwined his hands with Natalie under their table, his thumb rubbing her hand. Natalie relished the powerful jolt of electricity along her spine his touch triggered.
"I like that," whispered Natalie, her eyes glazed.
Harry shifted his chair closer to her so that their faces were much closer. He looked around, realizing that the library had now emptied. To Natalie's delight, both of them were out of the view of Madam Pince. "Not the most romantic place, we chose, right?"
Natalie laughed softly. "What? Did you want us to be holding hands the Astronomy Tower, watching a 'beautiful night sky'?"
"I just think it's a bit unusual that we find a room full of books to be intimate."
"Harry, it's the most private place in the castle. Who studies at 10'o clock on a Saturday evening?"
"I think we both know the answer," replied Harry cheekily.
Natalie sighed. "Well, anyway, this is the one room where we would not be interrupted. That's why Hermione chose to go to 'sleep' so early."
"Smart girl, Hermione is."
"Oh, trust me, she is a very romantic girl. Much more than Lavender."
Harry nudged her playfully. "You just had to give Lavender a knock. Well at least we have more discretion than she and Ron when it comes to physical contact."
"Physical contact? For heaven's sake, just say snogging. But, no offense to Ron, he still looks like he's trying to eat her face."
"Well, you can't blame him – he gets the all you can eat buffet with her."
Natalie glared at him. "And that somehow makes her much better than Hermione."
Harry quickly shook his head, looking very apologetic. "Of course not. I don't find, er, Lavender's showy nature at all appealing – in fact, it rather revolts me."
"It better. Because I absolutely hate it when girls try to show off big boobs or a large bosom."
"I agree. Anyway, you don't need to show off."
Natalie blushed, instantly reprimanding herself for being so easily flustered. "Harry, be realistic. In comparison to Lavender, I'm just one meal."
Harry leaned in towards Natalie, causing Natalie's stomach to churn furiously. "Trust, you're far more than that," said Harry in a husky, low tone that Natalie found undeniably endearing.
Their lips met. Natalie wrapped her hands around Harry's waist as he stroked her hair. Their mouths tentatively moved against one another as their bodies found the most comfortable position; both sensed that they would be in this stance for quite a while. After a few moments of this awkward moving, Harry's tongue licked Natalie's lips. She immediately allowed entry, deepening the kiss. They both became more passionate and urgent. Natalie fiercely pushed Harry onto the desk, pressing herself onto him. In response, he turned them over so that he was on top of her, still maintaining contact with her lips.
His lips then started to trace their way down his neck, causing Natalie to moan in maddening joy.
"Thanks," gasped Natalie.
She could feel Harry smile against her neck. As he began to unbutton her robes, she quickly unbuttoned his shirt, pressing her body straight against her chest. They continued to explore one another with increasing vigor and passion until Harry pulled back with a sheepish look on his face.
"Er, Natalie. Don't think we should get so carried away, especially in the, er, library," muttered Harry, his eyes fixated on the floor and his face becoming blaring red.
Natalie almost laughed, but she recognized the serious note to his voice and sharply scolded herself for becoming so wild. "Yeah, you're right Harry. Sorry, I should have controlled myself."
Harry laughed. "I don't think you were the one biting your neck."
Natalie blushed. "Well I enjoyed it."
Harry shrugged his shoulders playfully. "I do try to please."
Natalie laughed. "Harry, we should really get back to the Common room. It's pretty late and I'm surprised Madam Pince didn't, er, interrupt us."
They both quickly dressed, straightening their clothes and darted out of the library, earning a very suspicious and disapproving glare from Madame Pince.
As they headed to the Common Room, Harry said gleefully, "I don't think Madame Pince knew anyone was in the library. For the first time, she had closed eyes."
"Good thing, too. Can you imagine the look on her face if she saw us?"
Harry nodded, his grin becoming wider. "Mighty shock for her. We were playing it very risky though, weren't we?"
Natalie returned the cheeky smile. "Daredevils, we are. You didn't know that?"
"Of course not," said Harry.
"Oh my, the Fat Lady is also suspicious," remarked Natalie as they approached the portrait.
Harry frowned. "Even she knew about our fight. My goodness, this school is a real gossip center, isn't it?"
"Well, let's just hope there isn't a crowd inside waiting for us."
As they said the password and entered the Common Room, ignoring the intent glances of the Fat Lady, the two did not encounter a crowd but rather, Ginny and Dean intertwined in a very tight embrace. A familiar and unpleasant sensation flooded Natalie; she was gloomily reminded of a previous argument with Ginny in the library when she had come across Dean and her in a similar position.
They quickly pulled apart, upon hearing the portrait door open.
"Hey, Harry. Natalie. Good night?" said Dean, hastily rushing a hand through his hair.
"I see you two were having a pretty good night," commented Harry dryly.
Ginny narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "Where were you two out of the Common Room so late on a Saturday night?"
"Didn't know you were becoming like Hermione," said Harry with a slight smirk on his face. Natalie did not share Harry's comical mood; she realized with a sullen pang that Ginny's temper would not quelled with a few quips.
Ginny crossed her arms. "I'm serious, Harry. What were you two doing?"
Dean sighed at Ginny. "Come on, Ginny. Let them be. There's no need to get aggressive."
"Don't tell me what to do, Dean," snapped Ginny. The blazing fury on her face caused Dean to retreat slightly for which Natalie did not at all blame him.
Harry sighed. "We were just studying in the library. Snape assigned us a huge essay."
Dean nodded. "Bloody pain if you ask me." Harry grinned at him.
Ginny shook her head. "You were writing an essay at 10'o clock on a Saturday night? Anyway, what were you doing with her?"
Natalie recognized the loathsome contempt in her voice. "My name's Natalie in case you haven't noticed for the past five months."
"Oh trust me, I know what your name is," said Ginny menacingly.
Harry raised his hands. "Ginny, stop this nonsense. Natalie and I were talking about our, er, fight over the past few weeks. We wanted to get some things cleared."
Natalie looked triumphantly at Ginny. Ginny's cold, malicious expression transformed into one of bewildered surprise. "So you two have stopped fighting?" said Ginny, her expression quickly returning to its blazing glare.
"Er, yeah," said Harry, smiling at Natalie.
Ginny blinked her eyes. Natalie could feel all of Ginny's anger being channeled towards her. "Why?" demanded Ginny.
Dean, noticing her intense interest in her and Harry's relationship, crossed his arms. "Ginny, why are you so eager to know what's going on with them?"
Ginny turned to face Dean, slightly taken aback. "Of course, for Harry's well being. You're a Muggleborn, Dean, so you don't know the reputation of this girl's family."
Natalie's rage flared. "How many times have I told you? My mother has never worked for Voldemort's side. Can't you get it into your thick head?"
Ginny's eyes returned to Natalie. "Oh really? What about the others? Why haven't we heard about the rest of your family?"
"We don't talk to them," snapped Natalie. Kalissa had long ago been expurgated from her family though Kalissa had informed her that, sadly, the general impression in England was that she still remained in contact with them.
"'Don't talk to them'. From what I've heard, that would be very difficult. They're like the typical Slytherins – a bunch of overprotective, aggressive, Muggle-hating and You know –"
"Ginny, that's enough. You cannot say all those bad things about Natalie. I trust her and her mother and moreover, Dumbledore and Order have trusted them for a long time."
Natalie smiled in gratitude at Harry. Ginny clenched her fists. "Harry, you don't know what you're saying –"
"Ginny, don't say things like that. Come on, let's go," interjected Dean irritably.
Ginny cast him an annoyed glance. "Dean, you can go on but I have to make sure Harry knows who his girlfriend is."
Natalie stepped forward in utter outrage. "How can you say that? I really care for Harry as he does for me, like I've said repeatedly before. Don't make blind, stupid accusations just because Harry never returned your schoolgirl crush."
Ginny's face contorted viciously. She reached into her robes. Harry stepped in front of her, holding her back. "Stop it Ginny and Natalie, you stop it too. This is disgusting, both of you. I don't care if you two hate each other, but you're on the same side so come to sort of agreement."
Natalie tried to calm herself. Harry was undoubtedly correct. She should have never inflamed Ginny's nerves with that comment; moreover, a surprised and hurt expression had crept onto Dean's features. Too many times had she let Ginny's jealousy, manifested in her fiery rage and forthright accusations spark Natalie's own temper.
Natalie breathed heavily, barely able to contain her anger at Ginny. "Harry you're right. Ginny, I'm sorry for what I said. But you have to apologize to me."
Ginny, still shaking, managed to pull herself from Harry's grip, take a few breaths and reduce her vibrating body to a mere tremble. "Yes, Harry. Sorry."
She then quickly turned on her foot, heading for the girl's dormitories. Dean reached out to her. "Ginny, we need to talk."
She paused momentarily before continuing to walk to the staircase and then up the stairs to her dormitory. Dean shook his head in frustration. "Good night, both of you," mumbled Dean, his head down as he left to go to his dormitory. Natalie sensed that her explicit reference to Ginny's infatuation with Harry had struck a poignant note with Dean, changing his perception of his girlfriend. A powerful wave of guilt flooded into Natalie.
She turned to Harry. "Listen, Harry, I knew about Ginny's crush. I'm sorry I said it and I'll try to keep things civil between the two of us. But now, I just want to go to sleep. It's been an eventful day."
Harry nodded at her. "It wasn't a smart thing to say, but yeah it has been a tiring day."
"In more than one way," jested Natalie.
Harry grinned at her. After a quick peck on his cheek, Natalie followed Ginny to the girl's dormitories. A mixture of elation, exhilaration and wearisome worry accompanied Natalie to her sleep.
A/N: Hopefully, Ginny was not too over the top in this chapter, but I have to say, writing the Natalie-Ginny fights is pretty enjoyable.