Chapter 8:

Yes!

Ginny's patience was about to wear off. It was nearing Christmas break and they were going to spend it at Grimmauld place. But, ever since Halloween, when Kalya had came out to the school, boys and girls alike had lined up to ask her out. She went on many dates, but she never truly got with any of them.

Kalya herself, Ginny noticed, had become fed up with all the guys coming on to her. Somehow everyone knew her favorite color, animal, subject in school, teacher, and what her hobbies were. Kalya had explained that Rowland had wrote it all down and probably passed it around hoping it would help people get her to date them.

They were boarding the train, Kalya and she decided to go off on their own and not sit with the Golden Trio. They calmly sat together, enjoying the silence. It had been a long time since they were able to have time together without someone coming over and asking her out or interrupting their studying to see if they could join.

Ginny felt pressured. She wanted to ask Kalya out, but she was scared if she did something bad would happen. She was afraid she would say no, but as the days went by, she found less and less time to even ask. She didn't want to do it in a rush to make sure she beat everyone else, but she also didn't want to wait so long that she never got the chance.

The compartment door opened and Ginny snarled in frustration, thinking it was another person to ask Kalya out.

"Hey, can I join you," Zabini asked.

"Blaise," Kalya hugged him, before pulling him down on her bench, "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever!"

"I know I haven't been a good brother. But, I was busy and it looked like you were having so much fun with Weasley."

Ginny blushed at Zabini's gaze.

"You extended your hand in friendship to my sister, care to do the same for her horrible brother," Zabini asked, sticking out his hand.

"I don't see why it would hurt," Ginny shook his hand.

"You'll love him, Gin. He is such an amazing person. So kind and loving, he just hides it well," Kalya laughed, messing up his hair.

"Oi, you brat."

They laughed and talked. Ginny realized just how easy going Blaise was. He never said anything rude to her, but he joked in a sarcastic manor that made his comments seem rude if it wasn't for the smile on his face and laughter in his eyes. Ginny knew being his friend wouldn't be too bad.

The compartment opened and in it stood a tall blonde Slytherin. His normally sharp features seemed weak and put out. He had a frown on his face and sadness in his eyes as he moved into the room, sitting on the other side of Kalya who looked concerned.

"I'm sorry," Malfoy's voice was soft.

"I forgive you," Kalya hugged him to her.

Ginny watched in amazement as she hugged and shushed Malfoy. Her voice was kind and she never spoke a single word of anger at him. She forgave him, just like that after he hadn't talked to her in months. Ginny had seen her cry more than once when she realized Draco was angry with her.

She didn't know at what point she started considering Draco by his first name. She was already going to be friends with Blaise; it wouldn't hurt to be friends with Draco as well. She smiled softly at the three Slytherins that were talking and having her join in. They all seemed to want to make her a part of the group. To which she was very glad.

The train pulled all too soon into the station and they said their goodbyes. Ginny and Kalya walked over to Molly and left with her to Grimmauld place with the others. To be out of school for two weeks was like a dream come true and Ginny couldn't wait to start enjoying her break. Her main concern was if Kalya would like her gift or hate it.

Molly wasn't fooled by the act the children put on front of her. She could tell that Harry and Ron had an unspoken agreement with Kalya that in front of her they would talk to her as little as possible and not be rude. Hermione on the other hand was already gaining a quick friendship with the girl as they shared a passion for school.

Her dear Ginny, she could see was head over heels for Kalya who seemed to fancy Ginny just as much and they both seemed so blind to each other's attraction. She wanted to help, to push all these children together but she knew it wasn't her place.

It had been a slight shock when Ginny finally came out to her. Molly had been a bit disappointed, but she realized all along she knew her daughter wasn't in to boys. She had watched the relief on her daughter's face when she had listened to her and accepted her.

She just prayed her daughter was a little more straight forward then her brother Ron, seeing as he has been in love with Hermione for years and still hadn't figured it out for himself, but Molly could see it as plain as day on his face. She hoped the Ginny wouldn't have to suffer for years, scrambling after her friend with puppy-dog eyes wishing she would see her without saying something.

"Have you seen Kalya," Sirius asked the group in the living room.

"Wasn't she just here for lunch," Fred asked.

"Yeah, she cooked it, remember," Ginny stated.

"Well, she couldn't have gone far," Hermione pointed out.

"It's not safe for her to leave the house so she should be here," Molly added.

They began looking everywhere. Each room was opened and searched; every floor had at least one person looking around every corner. They all met up in the living room. It was dinner time. Hours had passed and she was nowhere to be found. A loud popping noise signaled someone using apparition.

Kalya stepped around the corner, the smile bright on her face falling at the look she was receiving.

"Something happen while I was gone," Kalya asked quietly.

"Yes, you went missing when you know it's dangerous to leave the house," Molly tut-ted in a stern voice.

"I told Sirius yesterday that I was going to my family grave today as today is the anniversary of my mother's death. I was there, whispering words I wished to say to her when my friends from America came, saying they knew I would be there. They invited me over and I lost track of time. I didn't mean to cause any problems," Kalya's redden eyes spoke of the tears she had shed.

"I'm sorry, I forgot," Sirius rushed forward and pulled her to him, "I was just so worried, you were gone."

Ginny looked at her mother's face. It was hard, telling her that she was upset for the girl but also concerned she had gone missing. Harry's eyes were glossy as he stared into the fire lighting the room.

Dinner was an amazing affair. Ginny helped Kalya and Molly cook. Hermione and Ron set the table and Harry placed the food. Sirius helped everywhere he could, wanting to be a part. The Twins were nowhere to be found at the moment.

As dinner was finished, Bill, Charlie, the twins, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Molly, Arthur, Sirius, Remus and Tonks were at the table. Ginny and Kalya shared a smile before sitting down with the loud family. They enjoyed each other's company. Everyone trying to talk over each other and the loudness brought in the fun.

Christmas morning was bright and welcoming to the children sleeping at Grimmauld place. They all excitingly ran downstairs the adults already up and waiting for them. Warping paper lay everywhere as they ripped into their presents, Kalya who had only received a present from Sirius, Remus, Molly and Ginny sat back watching.

Harry got to a green wrapped present and eyed it. There wasn't a tag on who it was from. Opening it he was shocked at what was in there. There was multiple books on Quidditch, a broom cleaning kit, and his very know snitch.

Ron also looked weary when he opened his green wrapped present. As the paper fell away there was a framed photo of the Chudley Cannons, each signature under the player itself, a new Quidditch outfit complete with new protection pads and a brand new firebolt 2000.

Hermione smiled when she noticed the Slytherin emblem on the backside of the green paper. What a sneaky friend of theirs. She opened hers and was surprised. There were plenty of books that she wanted for school and just to read, but there was also more girly like clothes and make-up. A small note in Kalya's writing said, Ron already notices you how you are, why not try to live it up and make him jealous enough to finally ask you out?

Ginny laughed when she caught sight of the small note, noticing there was only a very small green wrapped present for her. Opening it she wondered what it could be. It was a framed picture of Kalya and herself. Both smiling and laughing together by the lake, a picture she was sure Colin took. A note fell into her lap and she picked it up. Kalya's writing spelt out I have something more special to give you, but it will wait till later, you should also check your closet.

Hermione and Ginny shared a look before moving upstairs and looking in Ginny's closet. Their eyes went wide when they realized both Hermione and Ginny's wardrobe was completely changed. They looked through all the clothes and were excited. They loved all of it. Kalya was leaning against the door frame.

"I couldn't wrap them all actually. So I put a bit in your package, Hermione. I even changed out your knickers."

Both girls blushed and rushed over to their dressers. Hermione got lots of pretty bright colored or lacy bras and knickers. Ginny got her favorite style of dark colored bras with a few white and tan, her knickers were all booty shorts, and matched her bras.

"I know you don't like the light colored stuff, but I thought if you wore a light colored shirt you might want to wear a bra that won't stand out underneath it."

"You know I never thought about that," Ginny hugged Kalya.

Ginny pulled away reluctantly as Hermione took her turn hugging Kalya and thanking her. They had all gone to the store and showed her the kind of styles they liked in everything, but neither girl had the nerves to actually buy them. It was nice having new clothes.

Later that night Ginny found Kalya sitting quietly in her room. Walking in, she noticed her present that she had laid under the tree for Kalya lay unopened on the bed, wrapping paper in a small pile at her feet.

"Did you just now open your presents," Ginny asked.

"Yeah, your mom is so good at knitting. I love the sweater, it's green with a silver K."

The smile on her lips showed that she really loved her gift even if it was a lot cheaper then what she had given everyone else. She had given gifts to everyone who had attended dinner last night.

"Remus and Sirius bought me a charm bracelet, a moon charm and a puppy," She held up her wrist showing off the bracelet on her left wrist.

"They sure have a way with making gifts unique," Ginny laughed sitting next to her.

Picking up the unopened present in her lap, she opened the side table and pulled out another small green wrapped present and handed it to Ginny.

"There was so much going on, I wanted to make sure I saw your reaction to my gift."

"Open yours first?"

Smiling, she opened the small gift in her lap. Her eyes went wide and her jaw opened. The locket was beautiful. Opening it, the same picture she had placed in the frame was in the locket.

"Turn it over."

Turning it over she read the print on the back, Forever & Always, a smile brightened her lips as she clasped the locket around her neck.

"It has a protection spell on it. I'm not sure what actually happens, but I was assured it would keep you safe if you were at the final battle."

Ginny opened hers, pulling open the box that was wrapped, she was shocked. Lying innocently in the box was a ring. Picking it up Ginny stared at it in awe. On the left side was a dragon, it's eyes made from a emerald, she could make out the small legs, bent under the dragons large body, it's wings covered most it's back. The right side was a griffin, it's lion like head meeting up with the dragons. Its feet were also bent under it and its tail wrapped around the dragons. Holding it in her hand felt like a normal banded ring.

"It's a spell placed on it, so that the odd bumps from the details won't rub at your fingers. It's also a protection spell. It covers all spells but the unforgivables, it also aids in fighting off the imperious curse."

Ginny slipped it onto the ring finger of her right hand, admiring the dragon and griffin once more.

"I'm honestly glad you like it."

"I'm glad you like your locket."

At midnight tonight it would be a new year. Ginny hoped that with this New Year, she would have the courage to ask the girl of her dreams on a date. She hoped that even if Kalya said no, they would remain friends no matter what. Smiling to herself she sat in her room. Everyone was downstairs ready to do the countdown and shout out for the next year, but she couldn't bring herself to go downstairs.

Only ten minutes before midnight the door to her room opened. Kalya walked in and sat down beside her. Neither spoke, just soaking in the silence of the room. They were comfortable just sitting here.

Kalya broke the silence, "your mom is worried that you and I got in a fight."

"Why is that," Ginny asked.

"Because you have been kinda avoiding me since Christmas night."

A blush blossomed on her face. She hadn't meant to avoid her, she was merely trying to think out her own thoughts she wanted to make sure she was ready to ask.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to avoid you," Ginny sighed.

"Don't be upset, I thought maybe you needed some time," Kalya smiled.

The minutes passed and the countdown downstairs had begun. She could hear their voices shouting.

10

Her nerves took over and she took a deep breath.

9

Looking over at her friend, the girl of her dreams she noticed her eyes were greener today.

8

Kalya smiled gently at her.

7

She had to at least ask her out on a date.

6

Her lips wouldn't move.

5

Panic filled her body when she realized she wasn't going to make it.

4

Her hands began to sweat and her eyes looked around the room at everything but the girl sitting next to her.

3

Kalya placed on of her hands on Ginny's to keep her from fidgeting.

2

Ginny felt like a complete failure.

1

"Happy New Years," Kalya whispered as she leaned forward brushing her lips in a gentle kiss against Ginny's.

When they parted Ginny's eyes opened and her mouth was dry. Kalya had just kissed her. She had nearly died with nerves all because she was afraid that Kalya hadn't liked her, but she kissed her!

"They say," Kalya spoke softly into her ear, "that you should share a special kiss with someone you love on New Years. I wanted that person to be you."

Ginny blushed, her whole body warm with her embarrassment. Suddenly her body cooled and she smiled brightly. The happiness in her heart filled her and she couldn't believe her luck.

"Will you be my girlfriend," Ginny asked, softly, still slightly afraid of being rejected.

"I would love to. I honestly thought you would never ask," Kalya smiled.

They shared a few more soft sweet kisses before Molly came upstairs and told them to come down and join the family fun. Until bed, Ginny couldn't keep her eyes from wondering to Kalya who bounced around the room excitedly talking to everyone.