Walking On Broken Glass

"She'd do anything to sparkle in his eye,

She would suffer, she would fight and compromise.

She's been wishing on the stars that shine so bright

For answers to questions that will haunt her tonight."

--Vanessa Carlton; "Rinse"

~~~

Chapter Two

~~~

The rest of her day had passed with the swiftness that all time off of school tended to. And Ginny had spent most of it finishing late homework assignments and trying to forget the strange encounter she'd had with Draco Malfoy.

Harry and Ron, after having thoroughly investigated why Dumbledore had canceled class, reported that something had, indeed, escaped from it's cage down at Hagrid's hut and the teachers had spent all day scouring the grounds for it. As for what the mystery creature was, they could only shrug.

At around midnight Ginny finally closed her last textbook and began making her way to the girls' dormitories. As she started up the staircase she felt someone tug on the sleeve of her sweatshirt, and turned to see Harry standing a few steps below her.

"Have a minute?" he asked quietly.

Ginny had to restrain herself from telling him she had all plenty of minutes, and instead nodded and let him lead her back into the common room.

He sat in one of the large arm chairs and, still holding onto her sleeve, pulled her into his lap. She instinctively rested her head on his chest and let his hand wander aimlessly through her hair.

At one time this simple act had done wonders for Ginny. Everything in the world righted itself and whatever aching she'd felt healed itself at his touch. But now it only caused a phantom tear to stream down her cheek at the magic she'd lost. She couldn't even cry real tears for him anymore.

"Ginny," he began, the vibrations of his voice echoing inside her head. "I--"

After a few moments of silence she was tempted to look up at him. She knew that she would be able to see everything he wanted to tell her written in his eyes. But instead, she kept her face buried in the worn cotton of his shirt, almost frightened at what news those familiar green orbs would convey.

"I just--" he tried again.

And this time Ginny chanced a look at him. Only to find exactly what she'd feared she would. He was about to tell her something horrible. But just as he'd felt her eyes on him, his face went blank and he said, "I just wanted to tell you that the first match is scheduled for next Monday."

Ginny's heart plummeted from her throat back into her chest. She was very much relieved but still felt the bitter taste of disappointment in her mouth. If he'd just broken up with her then she wouldn't have to worry over this anymore. They'd be able to part as friends, instead of the lack-luster lovers they were now. She just couldn't bare to do it herself. She was going through hell with him at the moment, but she still couldn't bare to see it all end.

Ginny had never met anyone who accepted her as fully and unconditionally has Harry did. With the exception of her family, of course. And she wasn't sure she would ever find that again. The thought of losing what may very well have been the only man who could ever love her, frightened her out of her wits. And she was certainly willing to put up with a few more weeks of abandonment, if it meant their relationship had a chance at being fixed.

"I know," she told him, leaning back to look at him fully. "I'll be there, like I always am."

Harry grinned, almost nostalgically. "Third row--"

"Second seat from the end," they said together.

Ginny smiled. There had to be hope for them. She couldn't see how two people could be so completely engrossed in one another and then it all just dissolve into nothing.

He leaned down and kissed her lips softly before resting his forehead against hers. "I feel like I don't ever see you anymore," he said, his breath mingling with hers and tasting very much of hot chocolate.

"Well, you don't," Ginny told him, trying her best to be gentle.

Harry's eyes lowered. "I know." His tone was apologetic. "I've just been so busy lately. And you know how Hermione is with this studying."

Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. Why, oh why, must he bring her into this? She knew that it wasn't completely her fault, but Ginny really resented Hermione for all this time she was making him devote to studying. And she knew that when he made top marks on his N.E.W.T.s they would only have her to thank. But that thought didn't do one bit of good for her bitterness.

"I don't understand why you can't just tell her you need to slow down on the studying," she said, huffily. "I mean, she's going to study the two of you right into your graves."

"She means well," he said, defensively.

"Yeah, I know," Ginny admitted. "But you can't very well blame me for being upset that my brother and boyfriend are both being stolen from me by a neurotic brunette with great skills at writing up study schedules."

"I don't blame you, sweetheart," Harry assured her. "I know how you feel. I'm walking around in a stupor half the time I'm so sleep deprived. And it hurts me to know that I'm hurting you."

Ginny's expression wilted. "I'm being selfish," she said, hopelessly upset. "You're going a mile a minute so you can get good marks and all I'm doing is making you feel guilty."

"That's not what I meant." Harry tilted her chin up. "I just want you to know that I do think of you. And that I wish there were more hours in a day so I could spend some of those with you."

"If there were, Hermione'd be sure and give you extra time studying History of Magic," Ginny muttered before she could stop herself.

"Please don't be mad at her," he said, his words laced with exhaustion. "She doesn't deserve it." The light from the fire outlined the contours of his face and made him look a good ten years older.

Ginny nodded. She hated seeing him under so much stress. "Don't worry," she told him, plastering on a smile. "It'll all be fine."

Harry smiled and kissed her again.

It has to be.

***

The next morning Ginny awoke to a piercing light in her eyes. Someone had opened the heavy drapes around her bed and was currently poking her with what felt like a pointy stick.

Opening a heavy eyelid, Ginny glanced up. Hermione was standing over the bed, nudging her arm with her wand.

"Is there something I can do for you?" Ginny asked, her tone nastier than she'd intended.

"Yes, you can get up out of bed," Hermione replied, putting her wand back in her pocket. "You have an hour to get dressed and get down to breakfast."

With that, the older girl exited her dormitory in her usual, to the point fashion.

Ginny groaned and rolled onto her stomach. Ron had probably sent her in. He was probably getting tired of having to devote twenty minutes every morning to waking her up. It wasn't her fault she was sunlight challenged.

Ginny reluctantly sat up and set her feet gingerly on the freezing stone floor. She winced at the contact before standing and making her way to the bathroom. This late in the morning it was empty save a few discarded towels, and Ginny relished in the one perk tardiness brought her: all the hot water she wanted.

After her shower she dressed simply in a soft gray sweater, two sizes too big, and worn blue jeans, before pulling her Hogwarts robes overtop. She'd never understood why other girls insisted on dressing in the highest fashions, when during school hours everyone looked the same from the neck down.

Standing before the mirror Ginny frowned at her reflection. Her bright red hair was drying in the same loopy curls it always did, and her face was still dusted with one too many cocoa colored freckles. She longed for exotic looks like Cho Chang or that icy beauty Fleur Delacour (who was currently serving as their DADA professor) had always possessed. Even Hermione, with her bookish charm and soft features, had the appearance Ginny envied.

She'd often wondered what Harry saw in her. And over time she'd even developed a theory.

They'd both always been a little detached from everything going on around them. Ginny because it was in her nature, and Harry because if he bothered with the worries of everyday life he may very well go mad. So one day, in the painfully slow style he'd made his own, he had looked at her and seen, not the little girl who turned red at the brush of his hand against hers while reaching for a dinner roll. But a kindred spirit, capable of adult emotion and romantic love.

After that he had taken even longer getting 'round to asking her for a date. But it was worth the wait. At least, it had seemed so at the time.

Ginny quickly shook that thought from her head. "I musn't think things like that," she told herself. "There's hope, remember?"

"Sure there is, dear," the mirror said in a placating tone.

Shooting a scornful glance at the mirror, Ginny grabbed her black canvas bag and slung it across her shoulder. A bouquet of yellow orchids caught her eye, and she picked off one of the blossoms to pin in her hair.

Once she'd gathered all of her books, Ginny headed down the stairs and into the common room. Her eyes scanned the notice board, as they did every morning, only this time they landed on a large piece of red parchment that said:

All first through fourth year students are to be lead to and from classes by a teacher and are not to leave the tower after returning from dinner. Curfew for fifth years and above has been moved from 9o'clock to 7. All students are encouraged to travel in groups of three or more. Keep your wands with you at all times.

Sincerely,

Professor McGonnagal

Ginny's nose scrunched up at this. This must have something to do with Dumbledore's announcement yesterday but there was no mention of what was going on. She hated when the teachers were all cryptic like this. It made her nervous.

Tugging at a lock of her hair, Ginny turned around and marched decidedly down to the Great Hall, determined not to give Hermoine a reason to frown at her. She made respectable time, sliding into her seat with fifteen minutes to spare, and grabbed a piece of toast to nibble on.

"I love it when you put flowers in your hair," Harry said, setting his notes to the side.

"I know," Ginny told him, greeting him with a kiss. Ginny also knew that that was the reason he bought her a fresh bouquet every week. The flowers ranged from roses to violets to sunflowers. And whenever she had extra time, she would sweep her hair up, scattering in it baby's breath and whatever blossoms were currently in the vase by her bed. It was one of the few things that still managed to tear his attention away from whatever he way doing.

Harry opened his mouth to continue, but Ron called his attention to some Quidditch scores in the Daily Prophet.

Almost had him, she thought, before a pair of hands clasped over her eyes.

"Guess who?" said a male voice next to her ear.

"Hmm," Ginny pondered, mockingly. "Well it can't be Harry or Ron because they're both wrapped up in Quidditch. Last I checked, Hermione didn't have that deep of a voice and Lavender's still putting on her makeup." She put a finger to her chin. "Well, I don't think there is anyone else."

With a grunt of annoyance she received a rough kiss on the cheek from Griffin Taylor.

Griffin was a sixth year as well and had been Ginny's best friend for well on four years now. Under normal circumstances he would've been the one she came to with her Harry troubles. But at the moment, Griffin was involved with a seventh year Ravenclaw (Sandy or something like that) that demanded all of his time and energies.

He was something of a playboy and Ginny was glad he'd finally found a girl who could knew how to keep him in check. Griffin and Draco Malfoy were the school's resident 'bad boys'. But whereas Draco really was bad, Griffin only played the part. He had careless brown hair, streaked with whatever color struck his fancy (currently fire engine red), and a devilish grin that melted the hearts of women around the world. Accompany that with some well placed black nail polish, an amazing talent on guitar, and the homage to punk bands everywhere on his ever-present jean jacket, and you get one of the most desired guys in school. Backseat only to Harry and Draco

Being as she was dating Harry Potter and was best friends with Griffin, Ginny was very much envied. Ron had often feared that if she ever were to realize how beautiful she was, she might become scared to roam the halls alone. And this was one of the reasons that Ginny didn't have any girlfriends (with the small exceptions of Hermione and Lavender, who was dating Ron).

"What've you been up to, wench?" Griffin asked, beginning to pile his plate with food.

"Oh, not much." She wasn't in the mood to drudge up the details of her life when she knew they had class in a few minutes. "Did you see that notice in the common room?"

"Yeah," he said, his face turning serious. "It'd better be something big though. Cause a seven o'clock curfew just doesn't sit well with me."

"So you don't know what's going on either."

Griffin shoved some sausage in his mouth. "Nope. I only know what I've been told." For a moment she looked hopeful. "And that's nothing."

Ginny sighed. "So, How's Sandy?"

Griffin narrowed his eyes at her. "Her name is Samara," he reminded her with a frown. "And I think the least you could do is learn her name. I mean, you claim to be my best friend."

"What kind of name is Samara?" Ginny muttered.

"Hebrew," she heard him say through mouthfuls.

"You know," Ginny said, glaring half heartedly at him. "All that food rolling around in your mouth really isn't attractive."

Griffin opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue.

"Aeurgh!" She put her hands over her eyes and kicked his leg under the table. "You're disgusting!"

He swallowed and gave her one of his legendary grins. "Thanks."

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A/N: Thanks to all of those who reviewed (Cynic387, TrixiP, Rea Yume, Secret Keeper, Chuletamia, Woodsgurl, Kori Lewis, Im_Ginny_Weasley, Daphne). You guys were wonderful! If your name isn't here it's only because you posted after I wrote this, but I still loved and turned to mush over your review! Scouts honor.

My estimated number of chapters has gotten larger as I've planned this all out. I'm looking at around 8 instead of 5. Only because otherwise the chapters would be really, really long.

As for why classes were canceled, that info will take awhile to surface. Sorry to keep you wondering but it's necessary for plot reasons.

Oh, and about the whole Lucius in Azkaban thing. That was totally random. I must be channeling JK or something.

Well, a girl can dream can't she?

The next chapter is already started and will be almost entirely D/G. So keep an eye out for it. Now scurry off and review!