The Matchmaker

After changing out of their practice robes and showering, Harry and Ron were getting dressed in their dormitory. Ron had decided not to pass up the opportunity and jumped right in with Hermione's advice, trying to be as tactful as possible.

"So...what do you think of Ginny?" asked Ron, taking a quick glance around the room to make sure they were alone.

Harry looked up from his trunk where he was grabbing a shirt and gave Ron a questioning look. "She's great," he answered. Realizing that Ron had not replied, Harry continued, "She's doing a really good job as chaser, probably the best we've got."

Ron listened only partially as Harry continued to discuss the Quidditch team. This was not going exactly the way he had planned. Ron had not considered that Harry would assume he was talking about his sister's skills with a quaffle. Thinking quickly, he tried to find a way to bring the topic back to the information he wanted.

"So did you manage to work everything out with Ginny?" Ron asked, still rummaging around in his trunk looking for a pair of socks.

"Yeah," said Harry, who had finished getting dressed and was sitting on his bed waiting for Ron. "Everything's fine."

"The two of you looked quite involved when you came back from the hospital wing," said Ron, giving Harry a sideways glance as he put on his shoes.

"What?"

"Hermione and I were in the common room when you and Ginny got back," Ron explained as the two of them left the room.

"Oh," Harry responded quietly as he quickened his pace towards the stairs. Ron knew that the conversation was over. They had seen Hermione waving at them from the common room below and were heading down to meet her. There was no way that Harry would continue talking about this with Hermione around.

The three of them headed silently down to lunch in the Great Hall, each lost in their own thoughts. When they entered the room, Hermione noticed Ginny sitting by herself and immediately walked over to sit down next to her. She was surprised to see Ron sit directly across from her, forcing Harry to sit in front of Ginny. Good strategy, Hermione thought as she gave Ron a small smile.

The four of them were soon tucking in and chatting about their various classes. Ginny complained loudly about the amount of homework the teachers were setting on the fifth years. Ron, Harry, and Hermione nodded understandingly. It had only been last year that they had been drowning in schoolwork and dealing with the abominable Umbridge to boot. Although classes had only started a short time ago, Harry was sure that studying for NEWT level classes would be even worse than their fifth year. Hermione had begun talking about a difficult charm she was researching for Professor Flitwick's class when Harry saw Dean and Seamus coming into the hall. He started to wave them over when he noticed Dean seemed to be making a decided effort not to look at them. Harry wondered why as Seamus smiled sheepishly when the two boys walked right past them and took seats much farther up the table.

Reading the question on Harry's face, Ginny told him dismissively, "We broke up."

Harry's stomach gave an excited flip, which thoroughly confused him. Hermione had stopped talking and turned to look at Ginny. "Did you?" she asked, giving Ginny a sympathetic look. "What happened?"

"What did he do?" growled Ron, becoming at once the protective older brother.

"It was stupid, really," Ginny explained. "We were in the common room a few nights ago and some of the girls were looking at Witch Weekly. There was a big article about Hugh Twinklesot, and they were going on and on about how gorgeous he is."

Harry had no idea who this was, but assumed it was some famous wizard that he had never heard of. Although Harry had been a part of the wizarding world for six years now, there were still times that he felt he didn't know a thing about what it meant to live life as a wizard.

"So Dean asked me if I thought he was cute," continued Ginny, now focusing her attention on Hermione. "And, of course, I said yes. And he got mad, and ..."

"Why would he get mad about that?" Harry interrupted.

"Exactly! It's not like Hugh and I are on a first name basis. I've never even met him, and the chances of it happening are so remote..." Ginny said angrily. "Anyway, I figured that if Dean was going to be a jealous prat over someone that I have never and will never meet, then who needs him?"

Ginny resumed munching on her bread looked around at the reactions of the group. Ron appeared slightly confused, while Hermione looked rather impressed. Harry's expression was completely unreadable which, Ginny noted, was very odd for him.

"So you broke it off with him then?" Ron asked hopefully.

"That's what she just said, Ron," said Hermione curtly.

"Well, thank Merlin for that," said Ron, "It'd be a shame if I had to hex a roommate senseless defending your honor."

"My honor is just fine, thank you," Ginny said, glaring at her brother. "And in case you hadn't noticed, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Oh, I know, Gin, I know," Ron said apologetically. "But it's my job to look out for you, you know. That's what brothers do. And now that Fred and George are gone..."

"The last thing I need is you and Harry interfering in my business," Ginny threatened. Harry, who had been trying to figure out his reaction to Ginny's pronouncement, started at the sound of his name. He frowned as he realized that Ginny had just referred to him as a brother for the second time that day.

"So, you might as well warn me now, Gin," Ron said with a sigh, changing the subject. "Who's it going to be next?"

Harry was suddenly very afraid to hear the answer. "Oh, I don't know, Ron," Ginny replied with a smile. "I was thinking I would just find out who would drive you the most crazy and make a go for him. I heard a rumor that Malfoy's available..."

Ron choked on his pumpkin juice. "I, are you...I'd kill you!" he raged.

Ginny laughed merrily. "Oh, relax. He's cute," Ron and Harry looked disgusted, "but he's a bit of a slimy git for my taste."

"So, Ron," Harry said, trying to push out of his mind the fact that Ginny thought Draco Malfoy was attractive, "what do you want to do this afternoon?"

"Oh, well...uh," he replied, looking at Hermione for help, "I decided that maybe I should do some studying. Hermione and I were going to head to the library."

"That's right!" Hermione exclaimed. "And you know, Ron, we should really get going. Why don't we go right now?" she asked, giving him a pointed look.

"Oh, yeah, we should go," Ron said as he and Hermione jumped up from the table. "We'll see you later!"

Harry watched as Ron and Hermione walked quickly through the Great Hall. Part of him wanted to get up and follow his friends. But telling himself that he didn't want to leave Ginny sitting by herself, Harry stayed at the table.

"Did they just ditch us?" Ginny asked in a shocked voice, looking at Harry curiously.

"You know, come to think of it, that's the second time today they've done that to me," he said. "You don't think...?"

"Oh, please!" Ginny laughed. "You're going to have to make them a giant sign with bright red flashing letters that say 'You like each other!' before they ever get it together!"

Harry laughed with her. "You're probably right," he said. Harry considered for a moment and then decided to take a risk. Trying to sound as casual as he possibly could, he asked, "Hey, what are you doing today, Gin?"

"Oh, Harry, I've got plans with my friends," Ginny answered softly, feeling sorry for him. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's ok," Harry said in a falsely bright voice, trying to cover his disappointment. "Don't worry about me. I'll find something to do."

They had finished eating, and Ginny stood up to leave. "Well, I'd better go find Luna," she said. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah," Harry said as he watched her head over to the Ravenclaw table. His eyes focused on the way the sunlight reflected off her hair, making it shimmer red and gold. Giving himself a mental shake, Harry stood up and walked out of the hall, deciding to go and find Ron and Hermione after all.

*****************************

Harry had gone up to Gryffindor tower to gather his books, but had never made it to the library. After entering the common room, he had been convinced by Colin and Neville to join in a rather energetic game of Exploding Snap. Hours later, the game ended with Colin being the ultimate victor. Harry was tired and had no desire to cart his books all the way down to the library just to listen to Ron and Hermione bicker for the rest of the day. He didn't really have any work that pressing anyway. Saying goodbye to Colin and Neville, Harry went up to his room. He was glad that the other boys were gone, and it was so quiet; he was much more knackered than he had realized. It had been a long time since Harry had been able to get a good night's sleep. He couldn't get to sleep because he was constantly worried about Voldemort invading his dreams, and then once he got to sleep the nightmares would wake him up. With Quidditch practice today on top of it, his mind and body were spent. Harry lay down to sleep, wondering whose image would visit him this time - Cedric, his parents, or Sirius.

******************************

It was late when Harry woke up from his exhausted sleep. His stomach gave a loud growl. He had been so drained that he had completely slept through dinner. Harry knew that he hadn't been eating well lately. He couldn't even count the number of meals that he had missed since returning to Hogwarts only a few months ago. He also knew that he needed to keep his strength up now that the Quidditch season had begun. Deciding that his hunger outweighed the risk, he put his glasses on, got out of bed, and began rummaging through his trunk.

"What are you doing?" Ron's voice whispered from the dark.

"Just going down to the kitchens to nick something to eat," Harry replied as he pulled out his invisibility cloak. Ron grunted a reply.

He must really be tired, Harry thought. He never passes up food.

Harry draped the cloak over himself, leaning down to keep his feet covered. He quietly slipped out of the door to the boy's dormitory and down the stairs to the common room. It was late, but there were still a few people up studying and talking. Harry inched his way toward the portrait hole, carefully not to get in anyone's way or make any noise when he walked. However Harry froze when he heard his name.

"What do you think about Harry?" He heard Hermione ask. He knew exactly who the question was aimed at; he had walked past the two girls on the couch only moments before. Harry knew that he shouldn't eavesdrop, but it was too tempting. They were talking about him after all.

"What do you mean what do I think?" The redhead replied curiously.

"You know," Hermione gave Ginny a meaningful look.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Hermione?" A smile played at the corner of Ginny's lips. "I shouldn't say anything but I know another friend of yours that might not be too happy if you're going where I think you're going with this."

Harry could see a blush creeping up Hermione's face. "That's not what I meant!" Ginny smiled at her, waiting for her to continue. "I mean, would you ever consider dating Harry?"

Across the room, two bespectacled green eyes hidden under a cloak that no one could see got much, much larger. 'What is she doing?' Harry thought wildly. Was Hermione trying to set him up? With Ginny? He gulped, afraid to hear what would come next.

"Are you kidding?" Ginny laughed, dropping her head forward and covering her face with shining strands of red hair. "You're not serious!"

"Well, there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up, and I just thought it would do Harry some good to get out with someone who wasn't Ron or I. You know he's just been pushing everyone away," Hermione said softly, "and at this point I don't think he would initiate any kind of a relationship with anyone. But I think he needs somebody who can understand, someone that he can talk to. It's so hard for him right now..."

"Look, I'm sorry for him," Ginny said earnestly, "I really am. You and I both know that almost every girl in school is either scared to death of Harry and thinks he's cursed or falling all over themselves because he's The Boy Who Lived. I myself am a former member of the last group, but thankfully have come to see sense."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Look, Hermione, I figured out a long time ago that Harry is just a guy, a nice guy," Ginny said sincerely. Harry grinned, motionless under the invisibility cloak. "But there are a lot of guys around here, in case you haven't noticed. Many of them much better looking and with less emotional baggage than Harry."

The invisible grin vanished, chased away by the anger that Harry could feel welling up inside him. The comment about his appearance wasn't really a surprise. In truth, Harry had never really been very confident in that department. But who the hell was she to discuss his "emotional baggage"? Clenching his fists to keep from tearing off the cloak and charging into the conversation, Harry looked back over at the girls. Hermione, it seemed, had been rendered speechless. Her mouth was hanging open with a look, Harry was glad to see, as if she wanted to slap Ginny in the face.

"I know Harry is you friend, Hermione," Ginny continued quickly, obviously trying to smooth things over. "But I'm not a lovesick little girl anymore. And I'm sorry to have to put it so bluntly, but that's just the way things are. I'm just not interested."

Harry had heard enough. In three silent strides he was at the portrait hole, and glancing back to make sure no one was paying attention, opened it and slid out. He walked quietly toward the entrance to the kitchens, no longer feeling quite so hungry. A jumble of emotions seemed to be working their way around inside of him. Harry wasn't really surprised that Ginny wasn't interested in him; he had found out last year that she had gotten over her crush on him. But he had never actually heard that news from her, and Harry was taken aback at how much hearing it had upset him. Why did he care? Sure, he had taken Ginny and her feelings for him for granted for years when she first started at Hogwarts. He had never been interested in her and still wasn't. But then why did hearing that she wanted nothing to do with him make him so upset? And what exactly did she mean when she said he had baggage?

Harry was so busy ruminating this last question that he didn't hear the faint footsteps approaching in the hallway. Turning a corner, Harry stopped dead and threw himself against the wall, willing himself to sink into it. Professor Snape walked past him as Harry held his breath, praying for a miracle. He was so close that the teacher's cloak faintly brushed his own invisible one. Just as Harry was about to let out his breath, Snape stopped just two steps past where Harry was standing. He turned around and glanced back into the empty hallway, as if sensing Harry's presence. Remembering that Professor Snape might be able to read minds, Harry quickly tried to empty his of any thought. He was fairly sure that Snape would need eye contact for that, but at this point Harry figured that he couldn't be too careful. Just when Harry was sure that he had been caught, Snape turned on his heel and swept away around the corner and out of sight.

Harry reached up to wipe away the thin line of sweat that had formed on his forehead. "That was way too close!" he muttered to himself. Deciding that he really wasn't hungry anymore and probably wouldn't be able to escape Snape a second time should he need to, Harry walked sullenly back to Gryffindor tower, still thinking about what Ginny had said.

*****

Harry hated to admit it, but Ginny's admission to Hermione the night before had done a number on his ego. What had his life come to when even Ron's little sister not only didn't idolize him, but wouldn't go near him with a ten-foot pole? He had tried to put it out of his mind, but it was hard to distract himself when sitting through a boring class such as History of Magic, and the conversation between the two girls kept sneaking back into his brain. Obviously he couldn't discuss this problem with Hermione, and Harry certainly didn't want to talk about it with Ron. But why was this bothering him so much? Unfortunately there was no one who could give him any clarity on the matter.

Later that day, Harry was leaving Defense Against the Dark Arts class with Ron and Hermione when he suddenly remembered that he had left his quill on his desk.

"You guys go ahead, I'll catch you up in Herbology," Harry said as he rushed back into the classroom. It took him a few moments to find his quill since it had fallen onto the floor. He quickly shoved it into his bag and hastily walked out the door and down the hallway. Harry was in such a hurry that he almost ran right into Ginny, who was coming out of another classroom.

"Oh! Hi, Harry!" Ginny greeted him warmly as she made to walk past him on her way to her next class.

For some reason, the sight of her long red hair caused Harry's temper to flare. He knew that he should keep his thoughts to himself, but he was too irritated to care.

"Oh, be careful Ginny, I wouldn't want you to accidentally trip over my baggage - shouldn't get too close to me!" Harry hissed. He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth but it was too late. He watched, horrified, as Ginny turned to look him square in the face, her eyes narrowed.

"What did you just say?" Her cheeks were now tinged with red, and Ginny gave him a suspicious look. "Why would you say that?"

"You're a smart girl, I'm sure you can figure it out. See you," Harry said, green eyes flashing. He turned his back to her and walked briskly down the hallway and out of sight.

Oh, that was bloody brilliant! Harry thought to himself. He knew that he had now gotten Hermione into trouble with Ginny. She would undoubtedly think that Hermione had run back to Harry with the information. And then it hit him.

Hermione was going to kill him. As soon as Ginny confronted Hermione about her conversation with him, Harry realized, Hermione would figure out right away how he had overheard. 'I'm dead, I'm completely dead,' Harry thought anxiously as he headed across the lawn to the greenhouses.