Later that night, Colin Creevey had a very bad dream.
First, he dreamed that he was walking down a corridor and a giant basilisk was coming after him. Colin them saw himself carved in stone.
A few nanoseconds later, the dream changed.
In this next dream, Colin was older, a seventh year. An older Ginny had approached Colin and told him bluntly how they could have had a great seven years together as BFFs at Hogwarts if only he would have accepted her friendship.
Then the dream changed again.
In this final dream, Colin was approached by an even larger snake. Before he could see what species it was, it had bit him on the stomach, and he was bleeding profusely.
Colin let out a scream and woke with a start. He was drenched in sweat and he looked down at his stomach to see he was perfectly fine.
It had only been a dream.
Or had it?'
Colin thought about the second dream where the older Ginny had told an older him how he had a squandered a chance at a great friendship.
Then he realized how symbolic the third dream was.
It started to sink in on Colin that he was being his own snake. He was biting himself with his attitude towards Ginny. What had happened last year had not been Ginny's fault and yet he was letting himself lose his best friend over it.
Sure, Colin had struggled to come to terms with what had happened last year, but he shouldn't have let that ruin his friendship with Ginny.
Still sweating and realizing he wouldn't not be able to get back to sleep that night, Colin went down to the common and sat in one of the armchairs by the fire.
By now, Colin had tears in his eyes as he was overcome with regret.
To his surprise, Colin heard a female voice say, "Colin are you okay?"
Colin looked and saw that it was Ginny. Feeling the need to at least voice something, Colin said, "Bad dream."
"I understand, "said Ginny softly, coming over and giving Colin a pat on the back, "Was this bad dream in any way related to the Chamber of Secrets things."
"Yes," said Colin shakily.
Ginny pulled Colin into a tight hug and said, "I totally get it. I've had those bad dreams too. Harry told me earlier he had as well. I suggested to Harry, and I'll now suggest to you as well, that we meet up and discuss this sometime. I think we could all help each other by talking this over."
"I agree, "said Colin.
"I heard a scream from the second year boys dorm and recognized your voice, "explained Ginny, "I came down from my dorm to provide help for you if you needed it."
"Thanks, Ginny, "said Colin gratefully.
"Feeling any better now?" Ginny asked Colin kindly.
"Ginny, look, I know I haven't treated you very well this year- " began Colin but Ginny forestalled him.
"Colin, I totally sympathize with your plight, " said Ginny sadly, "You haven't fully accepted what happened to you last year yet and it's been a very emotional thing for you."
"I shouldn't have used you as a scapegoat though, "admitted Colin, "I shouldn't have allowed us to become estranged over something that wasn't you fault."
"People don't behave rationally when they're emotional, "said Ginny in understanding, "Colin, you aren't a bad person. You're a very good person who bad things have happened to."
"Part of my dream, "said Colin, "Showed an older you telling an older me how I had squandered a potentially great friendship with my attitude."
Ginny realized that this was only part of Colin's dream but did not press him. Instead, Ginny said, "Fate works in funny ways. Maybe it was meant for you to have that dream to receive a message."
Mustering up his courage, Colin asked Ginny, "Can you forgive me for how I've acted towards you this year?"
"I already have, "piped up Ginny with a genuine smile.
"Then can we be BFFs again?" Colin asked Ginny.
Ginny let go of Colin and burst a wide smile with her face glowing.
"I had hoped this day would come, " beamed Ginny, "We are besties again, effective immediately, now let's have a treat."
Ginny dug into her school bag and pulled out a pack of two Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Opening the package, Ginny handed one Reese's Peanut Butter Cup to Colin while keeping one for herself.
As Colin and Ginny ate the candy, both felt their hearts warming. Fate may work in funny ways, but in this nanosecond, they were just glad to be friends again.