An Unexpected Juncture

"Hi, Gin."

She looked up to see Stephen smiling at her. She ignored him and went around him.

"Ginny? Come on, talk to me." She turned around.

"I don't want to talk to you right now, Stephen. You really hurt me, you know that?" she all but yelled at him. "I thought you liked me. Everyone did." She took a deep breath. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get to class."

"We're still going to the ball together, though, right?" he called after her.

"Yes," she shot back and left it at that.

Ginny breathed out a sigh of relief when she got back to the common room after classes. She let out a huff as she plopped herself down on one of the couches.

"Long day?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at her.

"You have no idea," Ginny replied massaging her temples. "Stephen tried to talk to me every time we passed in the hall, but I kept ignoring him. It was so hard. But I think he thinks I'm mad at him now."

"Aren't you?"

"No, actually. I've been thinking about it. I think he's confused. He likes both of us, I think, and doesn't know who to choose. Cho's just around him more, so he made the easy choice. I don't mind being just his friend. He's a great person. Don't get me wrong, if he still wants to date me, I'm all for it. But he can date whoever he wants." She stretched out her legs on the couch.

"But it still hurts, doesn't it." It wasn't a question. Hermione knew.

Ginny nodded. "Hurts like hell." She gave a grim smile. "It doesn't feel like I'll ever get over him."

"You will," Hermione assured her. "He's a prat not to choose you."

Ginny looked up at Hermione with a small smile and a raised eyebrow. "You think that about Harry too?"

"Sometimes. Mostly I just think he's an idiot." They both laughed.

"Where are Harry and Ron anyway?"

"I think Harry's up in his dorm. Ron went to go get some food from the kitchens. He didn't eat lunch today."

"Why not?" Ginny asked curiosly.

"Oh, um," Hermione said a bit flustered. "I'm not sure actually." She cleared her throat nervously.

Ginny laughed. "You're a horrible liar, you know that 'Mione?" Ginny got up off the couch.

"Where are you going?"

"To talk to Harry, I still haven't apologized about that whole prefect thing from a few weeks ago." She leaned over the back of the chair Hermione was sitting on to whisper. "Besides, I think you're going to be a bit preoccupied," she said nodding toward the portrait hole. Ron had just walked in carrying what had to be a bag full of food and he was now walking toward Hermione with a triumphant smile on his face. Ginny smiled again and walked up the boys' stairs to go talk to Harry.

"Harry?" she called as she knocked on the sixth year boys' door.

"Come in," he answered. "Oh, hi Ginny," he smiled.

"Hey. What are you up here for?"

He shrugged. "It's quiet. What did you want?" He put down the book he was reading and sat up straighter on his bed. Ginny walked over and sat on the edge.

"I wanted to apologize for that whole prefect thing from a few weeks ago. I still feel bad about it."

"Don't, it's no big deal. I've still got a shot at Head Boy, right?" he joked and was rewarded with a smile. "So you're still going with Stephen?"

"Yeah, I'd rather be there where I have friends in case it goes bad, than sitting here all night crying." Harry gave her a weak smile.

"He doesn't deserve you, Gin. You're to good for someone like that."

"That's what Hermione's saying too. I just keep thinking there's a chance I can win him back."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you can't win back something you never really had."

"I know," she said over a lump in her throat. The tears were coming again. "But I liked him so much." Her face was screwed up with the effort of keeping the tears at bay, but it didn't work they fell anyway. She shook with sobs and she brought her face to her hands. Suddenly she felt arms surround her.

"It'll be okay, Ginny. He's not worth it."

"But to me he is, Harry. If he walked up to me right now and asked to forgive him, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I could forget this thing ever happened if he wanted me to."

"I know."

"I thought he liked me, Harry. I really did. A lot of people did. I just don't understand it."

"I know,"he soothed again pulling her tighter. "Just let it all out. It'll be okay." Ginny cried into his chest until all her tears were exhausted.

"Look at me," she said wiping her eyes and sniffling. "I'm a mess. Sorry, I got your shirt wet."

"Don't worry about it. Feel better now?"

She nodded. "Yeah, a little. Thanks."

"No problem. It's what friends are for."

"I suppose I better apologize to Stephen tonight at dinner. I think he thinks I'm mad at him."

"Why?"

"I ignored him today whenever he tried to talk to me. I feel kind of bad about it now."

"Oh."

"Thanks again, Harry," she said giving him a hug. "You're a good person to talk to."

"Any time."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ginny went down to dinner early that night and waited outside the doors for Stephen. "Stephen,"she called when she saw him, thankfully without Cho attached to his arm. "Can I talk to you a moment?"

"Sure. You guys go on in, I'll be right there," he said to the people he was walking with. "What's up?" he asked when they were gone.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I acted today. I was in a bad mood. I mean, I like you, and finding out you're dating Cho kind of upset me. I could have been nicer." She gave him a small smile.

"It's okay, Gin," he said wrapping her in a hug that made her heart flutter. "Still friends?"

"Yeah," she said pulling away and giving him a smile. "See you." And she went in to dinner a considerably happier person.

"Well, how do I look?" Ginny asked nervously as she spun around for Hermione to look at her.

"Beautiful. You're going to knock him off his feet," Hermione said assuring her.

"You don't think I over-did it?" Ginny asked smoothing her sweaty palms over the robes.

"No, Ginny. You look great."

"Good," she said letting out a breath. "I keep thinking this is my last chance to get him to like me, but I know it's unlikely." She still looked nervous. It felt like there were a million flobberworms in her belly and her heart was thumping wildly in her chest.

"Take a deep breath, Gin," Hermione said soothingly putting her hands on the younger girls shoulders and looking her in the eye. "Even if he doesn't like you, it's not the end of the world. You've still got us. If he chooses Cho over you, he's not worth it." She said Cho's name as if it was a bitter taste in her mouth. "You remember what Cho did to Harry. Do you really want to date a guy that wants her?"

"A little," she said sheepishly. She groaned. "I just like him so much, Hermione. Its confusing. I still can't see what happened. I thought he liked me."

"I know, but you've got to put it behind you. Don't dwell on it. Don't be bitter."

"I know, and I won't be bitter about it. I've already sort of accepted it. It's just going to take me a while to get over him, that's all." The redhead looked down at her hands.

"I agree. But that's enough of this. You ready to go down?"

Ginny looked up and took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."

They left the girls' dorm room and went down the stairs. " 'Mione, you look great. Ron's going to flip when he sees you. And Harry will, too, come to think of it," Ginny giggled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Gin, but I'm not looking to impress anyone."

"Except my brother," Ginny stated matter-of-factly.

"No," Hermione started defensively. "I- "

"Oh, come on, Hermione," Ginny said exasperated. "I know you don't dress like that for just anyone. Just admit you're dressed like that for Ron already."

"Fine," Hermione grumbled.

"Thank you," Ginny smiled. "Now cheer up and put on a happy face. We're there."

"Oh, God," Hermione said nervously.

"Relax," Ginny said out of the corner of her mouth. "Look at him, you've got nothing to worry about.

Ron had been standing talking to Harry, Neville and Dean. When he saw Hermione, however, Ron's jaw dropped and he extricated himself from the group without finishing what he was saying to walk over to Hermione. The other boys looked around to see what had distracted him and saw Ginny and Hermione.

"Wow," Harry breathed. Dean and Neville were both looking them up and down appreciatively with their mouths open. Ginny looked stunning in her dark robes, and Hermione looked absolutely ravishing in the pale green she was wearing.

"H-hi, Hermione," Ron stuttered when he reached her. Ginny heard him swallow and had to stifle a giggle.

"Hi," Hermione breathed back.

"Are you ready to go?" Ron asked not taking his eyes off her face.

"Um, yeah." The two left the common room not even bothering to wait for everyone else like they had planned.

"Well, looks like we're on our own, huh, Gin?" Harry said from her left. She hadn't even noticed him walk up so intent she was at watching Ron and Hermione.

"Yeah, I guess so," she smiled at him.

"Shall I escort you to the Entrance Hall?" he said offering his arm.

"I'd be delighted if you did, Harry," she giggled as she took his arm, and together they walked down with Neville and Dean.

"You look great Gin," Dean said. Neville nodded his head in agreement.

"Thanks," she said smiling.

"If Stephen doesn't like you after he sees you like that, he's nuts," Harry said. Ginny laughed.

"Thanks, Harry, but I have a feeling it won't do much good. He seems pretty stuck on Cho now, but there's always hope that she'll be kid-napped by a swarm of angry Death Eaters."

"Not funny, Gin," Harry said solemnly.

"Oh, sorry," she said softly. "Change that to a herd of rampaging centaurs," she tried to correct her mistake. She was rewarded with a tug at the right side of Harry's mouth as he looked straight ahead. Harry and Ginny left Dean and Neville and went off together in search of Luna and Stephen. Ginny spotted Stephen first, him being taller than most everybody there. But when she and Harry got closer, she suddenly made to turn and go back. Cho was with Stephen, and, though Ginny didn't notice it, John looked quite sulky as well.

Harry tried to stop her.

"Harry, let go," she said around the lump lodged in her throat. "I can't do this."

"Yes, you can Ginny. You've done things more difficult than this." He pulled on her arms and forced her to face him. "You're a brave girl, Gin. And I know you. If you don't do this, you'll regret it. Now get over there and have fun with you're date."

"Harry, don't make me do this. Please," she pleaded with him desperately.

"This was you're idea in the first place, Ginny. You wanted to go with him and now you are. You could have dropped him when he started going with Cho, but you didn't. Now march you're butt over there to your dream date," he said forcefully giving her a little push.

She resisted and said, "My dream date does not have a girlfriend, Harry. Now please, just let me go back to the common room."

"No, Ginny. You're here now. Just go. If it turns out to be worse than Defense class with Snape, then come find me or Ron or Hermione, right? Good," he said not waiting for an answer. He walked away to go get Luna leaving Ginny really no choice but to go by Stephen, who thankfully was detached from Cho. She took a deep breath to calm herself and marched up to him straight-backed and looking proud, but hoping on the inside this wasn't going to turn out to be one of her worst nightmares.

"Wow, Ginny," Stephen breathed when turned after feeling her tap on his shoulder. "You-you look beautiful." He stared at her with wide eyes, looking her up and down. It made her stomach do somersaults. She blushed a little and gave him a bright smile.

"Thanks. Shall we?" He smiled and offered his arm. She took it, still surprised at the tingles it sent up her arm, and together they walked into the Great Hall.

It was decorated beautifully. Streamers and balloons were put up along the walls. Bright fairies were fluttering around the ceiling. Candles were on the tables for light and there was beautiful music being played by a band set up behind the staff table. Ginny, Stephen, and the rest of the group, which of course had to include Cho, took seats at two tables. Ginny's only consolation was that Cho did not sit at her table. She smiled inwardly. One up on her.

Dinner was pleasant enough. Ginny almost forgot Cho was there, until she called over to Stephen to tell a joke. Ginny tried not to curse her, but she was close to it. He's here with you, not her, she thought to herself. And who are you to say he can't talk to his girlfriend? Ginny sighed and resigned herself to sharing her date for the evening.

The tables were pushed to the side while the band got ready to play some dancing tunes. Ginny shared a few wonderful dances with Stephen. She stored the feeling in the back of her mind to think of at a later time. He was a good date, actually. He paid attention to her, brought her drinks, talked to her. It made it difficult to hate him. But Ginny caught the glances shot at Cho every once in a while. After what must have been the tenth one that night she pulled Stephen away from the others to talk to him.

"Stephen, I think I'm going to go find Harry and my brother. I know you want to dance with Cho. Go ahead. I can't keep you away from you're girlfriend on a night like this."

"Are you sure, Gin? I really-"

"I'm sure," she said holding up a hand to stop him. "I'll see you around, okay?" He nodded. She leaned in on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek before setting down her drink and going to find Harry.

She found him sitting at a table with Luna talking.

"Hi guys," she said taking the other seat next to Harry.

"Hi. Why aren't you with your date?" Harry asked.

Ginny shrugged. "I can't keep someone away from their girlfriend. It's cruel. So I left them and came over here."

Harry smiled. "You're a good person, Gin."

"I know," she said daintily. "So how's your night going?"

"It's okay considering my two best friends abandoned me in favor of a nice romantic walk outside in the moonlight."

Ginny laughed. "Please don't, Harry. I don't want to think about my brother doing what he's probably doing right now."

"Eurgh! Ginny! I wasn't thinking like that. I try not to, it's weird." He shuddered. Luna and Ginny both laughed.

"Are you having fun, Luna?" Ginny asked the blonde.

"Yes, but I'm getting a bit tired. I think I'll head up to bed a little early. You don't mind, do you Harry?"

"Not at all. Go on and get some rest."

"Thank you. I'll see you both tomorrow," she said rising from her chair. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Luna," they both said as she walked away.

"Well I guess it's just me and you then, huh?" Harry said looking over to her.

"Guess so."

"Care to dance?" Harry asked.

Ginny drew her eyebrows together. "You hate dancing."

"Perhaps, but I'm getting tired of sitting," he said getting up and pulling her to her feet. "My bum is getting sore. Come on." Ginny let herself be dragged onto the dance floor by Harry. A waltz had just started and they began turning to it.

"Wow, Harry. Where'd you learn to waltz?"

"Eh, oh. Hermione got bored one night and taught both Ron and me. That's what we get for not keeping her stocked with books."

Ginny laughed. "I can't imagine Ron was too keen on that."

"Not when she forced us to dance with each other, no. Don't think he cared so much when he danced with her though," he said with a grin. Ginny burst out laughing.

"Harry, I'm glad I came to find you. I never would have laughed with that group," she said when she caught her breath.

"I'm glad you came, too. Luna was starting to get strange." Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Okay, stranger than normal. She was starting to talk about made-up creatures again. I don't know what to say to that, other than just to smile and nod."

"I know what you mean, don't worry. You can't be close friends with that girl unless you're prepared for it." The music slowed a little to a more modern tune. Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes. "This is nice, Harry. Thank you," she said quietly.

"No problem, Gin," he whispered back and tightened his arm around her.

"That's what I like about you, Harry. You always put others before yourself" she said into his shoulder.

He gave a sarcastic snort. "Yeah, and look where it's got me."

"Don't be ridiculous. You wouldn't be you unless you put others before yourself. It's just who you are. We wouldn't have you any other way. You're a good person, Harry. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Thanks, Ginny."

"Any time." She yawned.

"Are you getting tired?" he asked looking at her.

"A little, yeah."

"Do you want to go back to the common room?"

"Sure, why not. It's not like we can't talk there anyway."

Harry gave a short laugh. "I wouldn't be so sure about that. All the first through third years are probably up waiting to bombard us with questions about the ball."

"You really think so?" she asked as they walked toward the exit.

"Positive. They were all staring at us as we left earlier."

"They could have just been staring at you," she joked. "Famous Harry Potter going unescorted to the ball."

Harry snorted as they reached the marble staircase in the entrance hall. "Doubt it. If you remember, I walked down with you."

"Ah, that's right."

"You know, two years ago that statement would have made you're face go as red as a tomato," he laughed.

She blushed a little and laughed along. "I think I've grown up a little since then."

"You can say that again," he said quietly. Ginny looked over at him inquisitively, but he wasn't looking at her. Just straight ahead with a smile on his face. They lapsed into a comfortable silence as they reached the seventh floor corridor. Harry said the password when they reached the fat lady and they entered the common room. There were a few people scattered about the common room, but most were either in bed or still down at the ball.

Ginny yawned when she reached her staircase. "Night, Harry," she said tiredly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She smiled at him and walked up the staircase. When she got to her room she changed into her pyjamas and climbed lazily into bed. She yawned once more and fell asleep with a contented smile on her face.