Long Moments

A/N: This chapter occurs after Katie's injury and Harry is forced to put Dean on the quidditch team.

P.s. This was a very difficult chapter to write... but it felt so good to write it. I hope you all enjoy it

P.p.s. Just a disclaimer... I don't own any of these characters or the setting.

P.p.p.s. Thanks so much for all the reviews. It just makes my day when I read them.

CHAPTER 4: Just Kiss Him

As autumn begins to depart in a swirling flow of amber leaves, winter waits with practiced patience, knowing that there will be no escaping her icy, icy caress. But neither cold nor twilight truly bothers the children of Britain, for just as inescapable and inevitable is the sense of anticipation, hope, and desire that comes hand in hand with winter; just as inescapable is Christmas.

Christmas makes its presence known early in Hogwarts School. It doesn't show in silver glitter and festive green; it doesn't show in balls of red and Christmas pudding; and it doesn't show in carol songs that echo in the halls (for the tail end of autumn is much too early for such things). Instead, Christmas casts its magic through the smiles that shine on people's faces, just a tad quicker than normal; it shows in panicked planning of perfect presents, more important to be early than to be late; and it shows in the shy glances that accompany invitations to Yule Balls and Hogsmeade trips.

Christmas is a time of love. It is a time of giving and receiving; of joy and merriment; of laughter and passion. And those who fall into its sweet embrace can forget for a moment whatever Dark Wizard haunts them or whatever unrequited feelings that one feels. They can simply remember that love is a power that will persist; that after every winter comes a reborn spring; that the cold will fade, but the light never will...

And Ginny Weasley, she of the fiery hair and even more fiery manner, will forever remember that Christmas is the time for sprigs of mistletoe...

And sprigs of mistletoe are for kissing under.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ginny Weasley groaned as she unceremoniously dumped herself on the hard wooden bench of the changing room. This was a tough quidditch practice. She tried to get comfortable as she lay down for a while, but the sharp pain in her ribs kept reminding her that comfort, for now, was not to be found.

She sighed and sat up, wincing. Madam Pomfrey had made it quite clear that she could expect this pain for a while. The door to the changing room pulled back slowly, and Demelza Robins stalked in. Just beyond her, Ginny could see Harry Potter and her brother Ron duck into the boy's changing room. Ginny gave Harry a quick wave before Demelza closed the door and walked over to the small fire in the corner, an inscrutable expression on her face. She stood there and contemplated the flickering orange light, her long blond hair falling limply down her back.

"Demelza," Ginny said. "You alright?"

Demelza shrugged. "Is it wrong for me to say I hate your brother, Gin?" Her voice was carefully steady.

Ginny pursed her lips as she remembered the image of Ron punching Demelza in the nose. "It's okay... a lot of us hate him right now."

Demelza spun around and stalked over to where Ginny sat. "Really? What is his problem anyway? Just because he's having a bad day..."

"You're right, Dem," Ginny said soothingly. She reached over and squeezed Demelza's hand. "He shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Demelza sat. Her shoulders slouched forward and she gingerly touched a finger to the tip of her nose. "I can't believe he punched me."

Ginny started prying her gloves off. "Yeah, well..."

"At least Harry fixed it," she said. Suddenly, her expression brightened immensely. "I mean, wow! There I was lying on my back thinking the pain would never go away... and there he was! Leaning over me and... and..."

She giggled.

"I never thought quidditch could lead to this! What a hero!"

Ginny's stomach turned. She remembered falling a terribly long distance and wishing, hoping, that she could see Harry's face one last time. She remembered the jarring impact of his arms as they brought her close, saving her from death... again. She remembered that night in the hospital... his hand pressed against her face...

She smiled crookedly. "Yeah... he's like that..."

Demelza turned to her, a sparkle in her deep blue eyes. "Do you think he'll... you know... notice me now?"

There was so much hope in her face that Ginny felt like throwing up. "Er... yeah, maybe? I dunno..."

"He's so dreamy," she gushed. "And that scar is so... so... manly! And he's so handsome! Do you reckon he'll want to be thanked?"

Her expression left no doubt as to how she wanted to thank him. Ginny scowled at her and wished that she didn't like Demelza so much. If she didn't, it would be so easy to bat-bogey hex her into the next century...

"I don't know," she muttered. She felt that tell-tale rush of warmth run up her neck. Dean, she told herself, think of Dean...

"Do you think I'm his type? I mean..." She quickly jumped up and looked at herself in the mirror. "Of course I'm in these stupid quidditch robes... but I have a beautiful little dress with a slit up the..."

Ginny scowled even more. No, of course Demelza wasn't his type. She wasn't nearly tall enough, or asian enough, or silly enough, or Cho Chang-ish enough, or... and her hair was much too red...

Ginny blushed furiously. Blond. She meant blond.

"If you like him so much," she said peevishly. "Just ask him out."

Demelza turned around, a hurt expression on her face. "I was just..." And then she smiled. "Oh... I get it. I'm sorry Gin..."

She walked over to Ginny and patted her head. "Here I am going on and on about Harry Potter, when you..."

"Stop it..." Ginny blushed. How in heavens name did Demelza know about...

"Of course Dean is much, much hotter! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult him!"

"What?" Ginny gaped at her. She blinked. "Oh... yeah... uh... see that you don't forget that then."

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. "Ginny? Are you ready?" Dean's voice called.

Demelza giggled.

"Not yet," Ginny said, a little too loudly. "Just... just wait."

"Okay..."

She heard him shuffle away, obviously just a little disappointed. Or perhaps impatient. Ginny unsnapped her arm braces and tried to focus on the image of her boyfriend... his curly dark hair, his gentle brown eyes, his big soft hands, his lightning shaped scar...

"Oh, stop it Weasley!" She growled suddenly.

Demelza jerked in surprise, then peered at her. "Are you okay, Gin?"

"Stop calling me Gin," she said crossly. Her stupid brace wouldn't come off... "My name is Ginny! G-I-N-N-Y. Ginny. Clear?"

Demelza stared at her.

"Or do I have to write it down?"

Demelza smiled.

"It's okay, you know. It's not that bad."

Ginny's finger caught in one of the snaps of the brace. "Ow," she muttered. "What's not that bad?"

"Kissing."

Ginny stuck the tip of her finger into her mouth, turned, and stared at Demelza. At that point, a raucous laugh drifted in from outside, and she could have sworn she heard Harry's voice. Demelza's eyes sparkled in the firelight.

"What are you talking about?"

Demelza rolled her eyes.

"You know, kissing!" She shifted closer to Ginny so she could lean in. Alarmed, Ginny pulled back a bit. "I overheard him in the common room earlier with that McLaggen guy. And they were talking about you."

Ginny's eyes widened. Harry and McLaggen? Ginny felt a rush of warmth flood into her, and she smiled slightly. Imagine that... Harry Potter defending her honor and all...

"Did he punch him?" She asked greedily.

Now Demelza looked puzzled. "Why would Dean punch him?"

Dean? But... oh yeah. Apparently they were best mates now. "Oh," she muttered, waving her hand absently. "Never mind."

Demelza cocked her head for a moment. "Well, anyway, I heard them talking about you, right?"

Ginny bent down to unlace her boots. "Uh huh... what about?"

"Kissing you," Demelza said simply.

Ginny stopped and sat up slowly. "What would Cormac know about kissing me?"

"Not Cormac, silly, Dean!"

"Oh..."

"Yeah, anyway, Dean said that tonight was the night or something. I think that means he's finally going to try to kiss you! And Cormac was giving him tips..."

The air suddenly seemed much thicker. Of course he was going to try. He had been trying to get her to kiss him for months... and tonight, so happy at getting on the team...

Of course he would try.

Ginny slumped forward and put her face in her hands. She felt that sharp pain in her ribs again. Of course she wanted to kiss him, she was his girlfriend after all. But how could she... when every time he bent down to her... every time he leaned in... all she could think of was Harry.

And then she thought of Harry and Cho in the room of requirement. They were all alone... just the two of them. And according to Ron, snogging like mad. Unbidden, the image of Harry Potter locked in a savage embrace with Cho Chang leapt into her mind. His hands were in her raven black hair. His eyes were closed dreamily. His strong arms were squeezing her close. His soft lips were pressed against hers...

She angrily wiped at the corners of her eyes. Stop it, she told herself. No crying. You are over him...

Demelza leaned in and drew Ginny in close. "Aww, Ginny," she simpered. "It's okay to be scared! But really, it's not that bad! And Dean is quite the hottie..."

Cho and her long sinewy limbs, wrapped around him like a snake. Her beady eyes closed in absolute pleasure that should have been Ginny's. Her low voice murmuring sweet droplets of smelly nothings...

Ginny, quite to her horror, whimpered.

"Aww Ginny," Demelza said sweetly. "Look at you all nervous! You're making me remember my first kiss too! Oh no... you're making me cry!"

Ginny scowled through her tears as she thought, darkly, of other ways to make her cry.

"Do you know what you should do when the time comes, Gin?"

Ginny squeezed her eyes shut. Harry had kissed Cho. Did that mean he loved her? If he loved her... will he never love another? How much power does one kiss contain? If Ginny had kissed him...

But why did Harry kiss Cho if he didn't love her? How could he enjoy it so much if he didn't know that she was the one for him? It didn't last... but was that Harry's fault? Cho's?

Demelza pulled back and cupped Ginny's face in her hands. She stared at her, waiting for her to open her eyes. Reluctantly, she did.

"Just kiss him."

Just kiss him.

"Just kiss him... and everything will be alright."

Just kiss him... and know.

She stared at Demelza, her tears fading. She sniffed once to clear her head. Perhaps Harry knew... because he kissed Cho. Perhaps...

Dean. Did she love Dean? Every moment she spent with Dean was... okay. Not too happy, not too bad. Just... okay. Was that how it was supposed to be? Was that how it was for Harry and Cho? Is that all that love is? Maybe you're supposed to be happier with your friends than with your boyfriend. Maybe...

Demelza's eyes twinkled.

"Just kiss him," she whispered.

Ginny sat still for a long moment. She thought of Harry and Cho, lost in their passion. She thought of Harry slowly pushing Cho down on a big red couch. She thought of Cho looking up with languid dark eyes. She thought of Harry's smile... so brave and kind. She thought of Harry dipping his head... slowly... slowly...

She thought of Dean.

"Just kiss him."

"Okay," Ginny said softly. "Okay."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later...

In the darkness of the corridor, illuminated only by one flickering torch, Dean Thomas towered over Ginny Weasley.

A tight knot appeared in her stomach as she stared up at him. Beyond his lean shoulder, the orange light drowned in deep pools of darkness, threatening to lose itself forever in their grasp. His face was caught in the battle of shadows and light, masking most of his features save his eyes. And his eyes, brighter and clearer than they normally were, glittered with a hungry, wanton expression.

Was this how Harry had looked before kissing Cho?

Ginny swallowed nervously. She ran her tiny fingers through her too straight hair and shifted edgily.

Dean licked his lips.

"So," he said with a soothing voice. "Are you happy for me?"

"What?"

"I made the team... isn't that what we always wanted?"

"Sure..."

He stepped closer and leaned in. In the darkness, his lips parted. She could smell the mint on his breath. His eyes closed and he began to breathe harder.

She pulled away sharply. "No... wait..."

He clicked his tongue and pulled up, annoyed. "Aren't you going to congratulate me? Don't you understand? I made the team! Like I always should have!" He tried to lean in again.

Ginny brought her hands up and laid them flat on his chest, shoving him slightly. She glared up at him as a sharp pain ran through her ribs, shunting her nervousness aside.

"Sure," she said, her voice carefully steady. "Congratulations. Been to see Katie yet? I heard she's in quite a bit of pain."

Dean frowned. "Look," he said irritably. "I didn't want it that way! Katie's my friend too... not just yours."

Ginny grimaced. "Right... right... sorry..."

"But I'm not going to let that affect my happiness. Potter should have chosen me in the first place anyway! He only picked Demelza because she's pretty and he wants to..."

"You stop right there, Dean Thomas," she said hotly. Images of Demelza simpering about Harry flashed in her mind. "She's good, you know," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Better than me?" Anger and hurt flashed in his eyes.

Ginny sighed. Always. It always turns this way. "No, Dean," she said, trying to force gentleness in her tone. "No one is better than you."

"Then why did he choose her?"

Ginny sighed. "And I suppose you think he only chose me because I'm pretty too, huh?"

All of a sudden he looked panicked. Typical. "No! Uh... that is to say... uh... I mean... you're pretty... but..."

"But not as good as you, Dean?"

"No! I mean... uh... that is to say..."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this night to turn out like this." He buried his face in one hand for a moment, collecting his thoughts.

Ginny looked away and bit her lip. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at the flickering torch. She never imagined it would be this way either...

"Look, no, I'm sorry Dean..."

But then he looked up and placed one finger on her lips. "No," he said firmly. "I apologize. I was being a git."

"Yes you were..."

"Shh," he said. He stepped closer. "What I meant to say was yes, I'm sorry Katie is in the hospital. I was worried sick. I still am. But..."

He shrugged, still keeping his finger pressed against her lips. The intensity in his eyes burned into her. And, despite herself, she could feel a stirring in her stomach.

"But no amount of worrying will help her. She wouldn't want us all to be so depressed anyway. So..."

He stepped closer. She tried to step back, but couldn't get her feet to move. His eyes, deep and dark as midnight, drew her in. What was wrong with her?

"So I wanted to celebrate, that's all. With you. You." He gulped softly. "You inspired me to be good enough to make the team. With Katie gone... well, I had to take the chance, you see?"

And Ginny tried to remember that Dean had just insulted Demelza and herself; she tried to remember that Dean now hung out with Cormac; she tried to remember that Dean was partly to blame for landing her in the hospital.

But all she could remember was that Harry kissed Cho. Not her... Cho.

All she could think about was that nobody ever looked at her the way Dean was now. Nobody longer for her the way Dean did now. Not Michael Corner...

Not Harry Potter.

"Do you see?" He whispered. "That is why, in my moment of triumph, I wanted to share that with you... my inspiration... my Ginny..."

And when would she be anybody else's inspiration? When would she be anybody else's Ginny?

He leaned in slowly, his eyes wide open this time. He gently took his finger from her lips. She still felt the imprint of him. When would anybody touch her like this?

"Ginny..."

When would anybody want to lean into her like this? When would anybody want to love her... to have her... to... to...

She felt tears begin to sting her eyes.

"Yes, Ginny..."

He was getting closer. Suddenly his entire face filled her world. He was there... so solid. So real. Nothing like Harry ever was in her dreams. Dean was real. Harry, the Harry who loved her and longed for her, was not... and would never be.

She longed to know how it felt to be loved. She longed to know how it felt to be needed. She longed to know how it felt to be inspiring.

Demelza's words whispered softly in her ear.

"Just kiss him..."

Just kiss him... and know.

In this secret corridor hidden from the world, Ginny Weasley knew that she had come to a point in her life when she would have to make a choice. Beyond the walls, she heard the laughter of carefree people ring out and insult her for her fear and her dreams. The darkness she found herself plunged into, created by the hulking shadow of Dean Thomas, seemed to tease her in its false blanket. The emptiness that gripped her heart hurt more than any bludger could.

She looked up at Dean.

She had nothing. She was just forever going to be the empty shell of a girl taken into a chamber of secrets. She was just forever going to be the youngest child of a family of accomplishments. She was just forever going to be the sister of the best friend of the man she... she loved.

She wanted to know.

Just kiss him... and know.

Slowly, tentatively, she raised her hand and cupped Dean's cheek. He smiled hungrily. She stepped close.

"Okay..."

Just kiss him.

She leaned in close and squeezed her eyes shut.... But closing her eyes could not hide the image of Harry that came to her: Harry soaring through the heavens on a shiny red broomstick... Harry holding aloft a golden snitch, triumph etched in every line of his beautiful face... Harry drawing Cho Chang close...

Just kiss him.

And before she could change her mind, she pulled Dean Thomas to her and pressed her lips against his. Her lips were stiff and his lips were stiff... but she could feel the longing in him...

She thought of Harry skipping a stone across the lake... Harry holding her close as he and Fawkes brought her out of the Chamber... Harry laughing at some stupid, stupid thing that she did...

She grabbed Dean harder and pushed against him furiously. He was breathing so hard... so much longing... he needed her so much...

'Just this once,' Ginny thought desperately. 'Please...'

She moaned softly. She thought of Harry drawing her close under the invisibility cloak, laughing with her... saving her...

Stop it. Stop it.

Dean tried to part her lips with his tongue. Not yet... not yet...

She felt the tears that she was blocking so desperately begin to flow. Dean pushed her against the wall, her ribs protesting sharply at the impact. He began to pant as he kissed her... ferociously... savagely...

"Oh Ginny," he whispered in between kisses.

No... wait... no...

And then the door opened.

In that instant, Ginny knew who was there. She could feel him... she could always feel him. No... not like this... don't let him see this... stop... stop...

But she couldn't stop. Not in time. And Dean pushed at her even more...

"Oi!"

Oh God... Ron was there too. She shoved Dean back. Please Ron...

"What?" she said. And there they were... Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter staring at her. Judging her. Hating her.

"I don't want to find my own sister snogging people in public!"

Public? Ron gazed at her with absolute anger. And Harry... why did he have to come here? Why now? Why didn't he say anything?

"This was a deserted corridor until you came butting in!" She screamed. Fine. If Ron wanted to do this... fine. At least she wouldn't have to look at Harry.

"Er... c'mon Ginny. Let's go to the common room..." Dean's voice was light. Hah, of course it was light. This was his moment of triumph after all. Suddenly, she couldn't stand to be near him.

"You go!" she said. "I want a word with my dear brother!" Please leave... please leave...

And Dean left. Harry, she couldn't help but notice, stared after him with a strange look on his face. She wanted to scream at him. Why didn't he say anything? Why did he just have to stand there... judging her...

"Right," she turned back to Ron and tossed her long red hair out of her face. "Let's get this straight once and for all. It is none of your business who I go out with or what I do with them, Ron..."

"Yeah it is!" said Ron, angrily. "D'you think I want people saying my sister's a..."

"A what?" Why would he call her that? Why would he call her that in front of Harry? "A what, exactly?" She drew her wand angrily and felt the rage bubble dangerously close to the surface. Why did Harry have to come... why?

"He didn't mean anything, Ginny..."

Now he was talking to her? Huh? Now? Now that Ron was calling her a... a... Did that mean he agreed with him?

"Oh yes he does!" she screamed at Harry. "Just because he's never snogged anyone in his life, just because the best kiss he's ever had is from our Aunt Muriel..."

And she felt it slipping... her control, her foundations, her defenses... all crumbling away like a fading dream.

"Shut your mouth!" Ron was screaming at her now. Good. Better him than Harry. But who was he to judge...

"No I will not!" she yelled. "I've seen you with Phlegm, hoping she'll kiss you on the cheek every time you see her, it's pathetic! If you went out and got a bit of snogging done yourself, you wouldn't mind so much that everyone else does it!"

And now he pulled out his wand too. Good.... A fight. Pathetic loser...at least Dean had wanted her. Who wanted Ron?

Then Harry stepped between them. For a moment, her heart caught in her throat. There was something in his eyes as they looked at her. Pain? Was he angry with her? But... why would he be unless...

"You don't know what you're talking about," yelled Ron, shattering the moment. "Just because I don't do it in public..."

Ginny let out a shriek of laughter. "Been kissing Pigwidgeon, have you? Or have you got a picture of Auntie Muriel stashed under your pillow?"

And Ron threw a spell at her. There, right under Harry's arm. Harry shoved Ron up against the wall. Ginny's throat was on fire.

"Don't be stupid," Harry muttered. For a moment, her heart rose. Harry was defending her. And then reality struck. Of course Harry would defend her. He had snogged too, hadn't he? Snogged that... that...

"Harry's snogged Cho Chang!" she screamed. And there they came... those tears that she never wanted Harry to see. "And Hermione snogged Viktor Krum! It's only you who acts like it's something disgusting, Ron, and that's because you got as much experience as a twelve year old!"

The tears were coming. No... she had to get away... away from Ron...

Away from Harry.

Away from the dream that could never be.

She sobbed and stormed down the hall.

She had to get away...

And so she did. She ran down the long corridors of Hogwarts. On the way, she briefly heard Dean calling her.

Dean was so sure in his victory; so sure in his conquest.

She ignored. She ran through the darkness, she ran through the despair, and she ran through the pain. Her feet echoed in the halls as she plodded through, roughly shoving people out of the way. Her tears flowed. Her soul ached.

And she ran. She ran from time. She ran from hope.

There... at the end of the hall... at the end of the darkness... there was light. She reached for it, aching and fearing, and she almost had it. But it was not to be. Her foot caught on a loose stone in the floor. Her momentum carried her forward and downward, and as her chin smashed into the floor, she knew that this would be a painful, painful end... and a lesson to be learned for the foolish of heart.

Never rush... for in rushing lies damnation.

And she fell. She felt like she was falling forever, but in truth it must have been half a second. Her chin slammed into the ground, jarring what little thoughts remained. Her hand slapped the stone cold floor, and she felt a sharp twinge sear her wrist. Her vision whitened quickly, and an odd buzzing sound echoed in her ears.

She tasted blood.

Then the world came crashing down on her. A wall of sound slammed into her; the voices of the people mocking her, the footsteps of the people judging her, and the deafening roar of a dream's death.

And there she stayed, with tears in her eyes and blood in her mouth. She had made her choice... and she felt she was bound by it. She could not see anyway around it. He had seen her with him... and he had judged her. How could she face him now? How could she dream of him now? How could she hope?

All she could do now is live with what she chose.

And hope that what she chose was the right thing after all.

Feeling her emptiness rear its ugly head, she closed her eyes and tried to cry.

But there were no more tears left.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But time, as they say, passes. And although it does not heal all wounds, it heals most.

Ginny Weasley was not weak, she never has been and she never will be. For she is a fighter, brave and strong, and fight through her despair she did. And as Hogwarts finally gave in to Winter's embrace, Ginny slowly put herself back together, achingly, painfully, until she was almost whole again.

Almost.

For no matter how much she tried, no matter how much she wanted to accept her decision and live with it, there would forever be, she believed, a small part of her that would never be filled... never be whole again.

But despite this, she pushed on and attempted as wholeheartedly as she could to be as happy as she once was. And she almost.... almost... managed to convince herself. But for those who truly knew her, and for those who truly loved her, Ginny's happiness seemed forced and her time with Dean not quite as joyful as love should be.

But Ginny Weasley is a fighter. She had made her choice, and she would stick with it, however forced her happiness was.

And so it came to pass that Christmas, that time of the year of presents and eggnog, strolled merrily into Hogwarts' hallowed halls. This Christmas was particularly special, for as the Dark Lord gathered his forces beyond the school walls, it became very apparent that happiness, when found, had to be treasured. And so, the usual parties were planned, decorations were set up, and everyone tried extra hard to be more cheerful.

And, indeed, this Christmas would have something new, something that everybody from Colin Creevey to Romilda Vane craved to partake of; for in an unusually large teacher's office, an unusually large man with an unusually large moustache announced that he would be holding a party. And Professor Slughorn would only invite the best of the best of Hogwarts school.

And of course Ginny was invited, for she is truly something special.

And of course, Harry was too.

And so let us now rejoin our heroes and heroines as they turn their attention to the social event of the year, dancing their dance of attraction and rejection, learning and yearning for that which so eludes them...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wake up!"

Ginny tried to ignore her. She grabbed the lumpy pillow beneath her head and shoved it onto her face.

"Go away," she tried to say, but it likely sounded something like "Goryyay".

She could hear Hermione humph. Go away, Ginny pleaded silently. But suddenly a blinding white light struck her face as Hermione savagely pulled the pillow away.

"Hey," Ginny said sharply. "What are you..."

Hermione sat on her bed, her face set in an unmistakable pout. She glared at Ginny, but she somehow gathered that she wasn't really the target of this anger. "Ginny. Is it wrong for me to say that I hate your brother."

Ginny sat up and sighed. It seemed that they were having this conversation all too often lately.

"What did he do now?" she asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. It had been a good nap... but of course it was too good to last.

Rather than answer, Hermione stood up and strode over to the full-length mirror that stood at the end of the room. Arnold, from his cage beside it, purred at her.

"He's such an idiot! He started mocking me in class, all to impress that stupid, blond haired little tramp!"

Of course he did.

Hermione placed her hands on her hips and stared at herself in the mirror.

"Do I really look like a wild haired harpy when I want to recite in class?"

Ginny stifled a laugh. She stood up and walked over to Hermione and stood beside her, sharing the mirror.

"He really said that?" she asked at Hermione's reflection.

"Well... he mimed it really."

"Ignore him. He's nothing but a bloody git. Especially for going after Lavender like that."

Then she scowled. In the past few weeks since the incident in the corridor, she and Ron had shared a somewhat civilized peace. But she couldn't help but feel an intense surge of anger for him whenever she saw Hermione in pain.

And there was a lot of that recently.

She sighed and guided Hermione back to the bed. She sat her down and contemplated her. Hermione looked up, an unsure expression set on her face.

"Um... what?"

Ginny cocked her head, an idea forming slowly.

"Ask someone else to the party."

"What?" Hermione looked surprised.

"Look," Ginny said simply. "I know you like my brother. I've always known."

Hermione gasped and placed a hand on her mouth. Her face turned scarlet.

"But... but..."

Ginny laughed. "I'm young... but I'm not stupid you know."

"But how did you..."

"It wasn't that hard." Her smile faltered a bit. "All I had to do was check if you were acting the way I did around Harry."

"But I never... you know... ran away from him or..."

Now Ginny turned scarlet herself. "I don't mean the stupid running away! I mean the... the sidelong glances you throw at him, that silly smile on your face when he touches your shoulder, the quickness of your breath when you see him..."

Hermione stood up and hid her face quickly.

"Ginny!"

"What? I know you Hermione! Besides... I notice everything!" She said the last bit with an air of triumph.

Hermione peered at her. "You do, do you?"

"Yup! There's no getting past my keen insight!"

"Really?" And there was an edge in Hermione's voice that gave Ginny pause. "Do you now?"

And now Ginny squinted at her. "Why... what do you mean?"

Hermione's face turned back to a more normal complexion. "Well," she said, just a tad haughtily. "If you really noticed everything..."

"Yes?"

"Well... you do know that Harry is going to the party with Luna Lovegood, right?"

Ginny's eye twitched. "Er... so?"

"Oh nothing," Hermione said idly. "I just thought you'd like to know."

"And why would I?" Ginny said, a little hotly. "What do I care?"

But she did care. She couldn't help it. Harry and Luna...

"So what?"

Hermione looked at her pointedly. "Nothing."

A long moment passed between them.

"Do you think... do you think he likes her?"

"Why?" asked Hermione, a twinkle in her eyes. "What do you care?"

"Nothing," Ginny quickly averted her gaze. "I don't..." She straightened her shoulders. She knew what Hermione was doing. "So what? I really don't care. I'm going with Dean anyway."

"Sure, sure."

"And I'm happy with that!"

"Sure, sure."

"Oh shut up Hermione."

Hermione grinned for a moment. "No, I'm sorry Ginny. I'm just teasing." But then she sagged slightly. "I don't know what to do Ginny. You're right... I think I... I think I like him."

"Who, Harry?"

"Absolutely not! Ron!"

"Glad to hear you finally admit it." Ginny grinned.

"Yeah, yeah... but... what do I do?"

Ginny leered at her wickedly. "I'm telling you. Ask someone else! Make him jealous... like you did with Viktor."

Hermione's eyes widened. "He got jealous?"

"Bloody hell, Hermione!" Ginny rolled her eyes. "He was insane with jealousy!"

Hermione giggled.

"Well... I suppose..."

"I could set you up, you know. I know a few guys..."

Hermione bent her head for a moment and stared at her fingers. She was quiet for quite awhile before she lifted her head again.

"No... no."

Ginny was alarmed at the sudden sadness that settled in Hermione's eyes.

"Hermione..."

"No. I know who."

"Who?"

"You'll see..."

"Who?"

You'll see." Hermione said firmly. "And so will Ron."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night of the party...

"I can't believe she's going to go with Cormac!" Dean laughed loudly, his arm draped carelessly over Ginny's shoulders. "What a match, huh? Who would've thought..."

Ginny shrugged his arm off, carefully smoothing her dress. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Cormac's such a big man on campus. And Hermione..."

He turned to her and gave a grin. "Well, she's just so... plain, right?"

Ginny wheeled on him angrily, stopping in the middle of the corridor. They had been on the way to Slughorn's office, resplendent in their dress attire. As such, a multitude of students stood watching them, most of them rather enviously. Ginny jabbed a finger into Dean's chest.

"Listen here, Dean!" She said angrily.

The watching crowd gasped. Trouble in paradise?

"Uh... Ginny..." Dean mumbled looking around anxiously. "What are you...?"

She cut him off with a hiss. "Hermione is someone special. And McLaggen is nothing but a chauvinistic..."

But now Dean cut her off.

"Hey! Don't badmouth him! He may just be the most popular..."

"Who cares?" Ginny found her voice reaching a Hermione-like shrill. "You should have done everything you could to talk him out of going with her. If he hurts her..."

As the crownd grew bigger, Dean stepped close and grabbed her hand.

"Okay," his voice gentler. But his eyes still blazed. "I'm sorry, ok? I'll... I'll keep an eye out for her. Just..."

He leaned in and whispered. "Just stop making a scene!"

Ginny pulled back, her own eyes blazing. "A scene? A scene?" She scowled. "You don't seem to mind making a scene when you're making me..."

She blushed furiously.

"When you're making me kiss you in public!"

And then his eyes took on the character of a rabbit who had just seen a dragon.

"But you like it! I ask you... and you say you like it!" His voice was higher now.

She clenched her fist. She was losing it... all that she had worked for... the stability, the control... she was losing it.

She sighed.

"Yeah," she said softly. "I do. Okay. You keep an eye out on him then."

"Okay," he calmed down. "Let's just... let's just go, okay? And smile! People are watching."

She forced a smile. Was it really worth it?

"Okay."

The party was in full swing by the time they arrived. As Dean left her to, ostensibly, check on McLaggen, Ginny walked over to the nearest eggnog bowl and poured herself a cup. She drank it gratefully, feeling the warm, thick liquid coat her throat. She poured herself another, and walked slowly around the crowded room.

She found herself greeting people she knew here and there; professors, other students, and coworkers of her father at the ministry. But each time she met them, she just wished to be left alone. She wondered what she was doing here, dragged to a party she didn't want to go to with someone who she didn't want to go with...

No. Dangerous territory.

She sighed and drank some more eggnog. A sharp laugh caught her ear. It was a sweet laugh, low and deep, and full of equal measures of power and kindness. Only one person she knew had that laugh.

She turned towards the sound and frowned. Harry Potter stood with Professor Slughorn, another short portly man, and a tall gaunt... vampire? She shrugged... and then caught sight of Luna Lovegood standing just to Harry's right.

Luna wore a shimmering silver dress that caught the light as it rippled on her skin. She looked beautiful.

Ginny scowled down at her outfit, a plain blue affair that did nothing at all for her hair or her complexion. No wonder Harry wanted to go with Luna. He deserved someone who was as beautiful as he was.

She turned quickly away and ran right smack into Hermione. Hermione also looked beautiful tonight, no doubt hoping that Ron would catch sight of her with the, admittedly, handsome Cormac McLaggen. Ginny sighed softly. Why was everyone prettier than her?

"Ginny! Have you seen him?" Hermione asked urgently.

Ginny looked bewildered. "Harry? He's right..."

"Not Harry! What's wrong with you?" She lowered her voice. "Cormac!"

"Cormac? No... why?"

Hermione glanced quickly over her shoulder. "I've got to get away from him. He keeps..."

She blushed.

"He keeps wanting me to...."

She blushed even more. She leaned in to Ginny and whispered what exactly it was that Cormac kept wanting to do.

Ginny leapt back, startled. "That's horrible!"

"I know! And he keeps trying to catch me under the mistletoe..."

"Where's Dean?" Ginny asked quickly, ugly thoughts invading her mind.

"Dean? I don't know. I saw him over there somewhere." She waved absently toward the back. "I think I saw him talking to someone..."

And then her eyes widened. "I've got to go. He's coming this way...."

Ginny patted her wand, hidden strapped to her leg. "Do you want me to..."

"No, no... Bye! See you later!"

And with a swish of one not so bushy ponytail, Hermione dashed off in the other direction.

Ginny scowled. So, Dean was going to watch out for Hermione, eh? Some job he was doing.

She slammed the empty cup of eggnog down on the floor and stormed towards the direction Hermione waved at. She was seething. He had better be talking to someone extremely important or...

She must have not been looking where she was going, for all of a sudden she slammed into someone quite sharply.

"Oof!"

"Oh," a high female voice returned.

Ginny looked up and stared at Luna Lovegood's perpetually bemused face. "

"Oh, hi Ginevra!" Luna said brightly. "Are you having fun?"

Ginny scowled and tried to push around her. "Not now, Luna," she said through gritted teeth.

Luna looked slightly offended. "Now, now Ginevra. There's no need to snap. I'm not snogging him, you know."

"What?" And now she paused to look up at Luna's iridescent blue eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Luna smiled. "Why, Harry Potter, of course. I'm not snogging him. He only asked me out as a friend."

Ginny blushed.

"Why would... what do I care? You can snog him all you want!"

Luna twittered. "Ginevra, I know you are in love with him! It is just so plain to see!"

"I'm not! I'm with Dean!"

Luna looked surprised. "Oh really? Good heavens! I must be mistaken then... I'm sorry!"

And then her eyes widened. "Oh dear," she said as she looked up.

Ginny, mumbling something about having to go somewhere, couldn't help herself. "What?"

Luna pointed above Ginny's head. She was standing under a bright green sprig of mistletoe. "You must be careful Ginevra dear," she said urgently. "Didn't you know that mistletoe is part of a top secret plot by the garden gnomes to take over the world?"

Ginny gaped at her. Huh?

"What?"

"It's true," Luna said, matter of fact. "My father said so. The gnomes use the mistletoe to enchant young lovers to kiss under it. And then, when they do, they use a complicated spell involving pygmy puff hair and bat drool to turn the lovers into gnomes! They're just like vampires! In fact, it is a little known fact that vampires are actually garden gnomes all grown up."

Ginny squirmed. "Uh..."

"Wait," Luna said concernedly as she peered at her. "You have pygmy puff, don't you?"

"Uh... yeah but..."

Luna smiled. "Don't let him out of your sight! Just be careful, okay? Oh look... here comes Harry." She smiled over Ginny's shoulder and waved.

Ginny glanced back. Harry was walking towards them, a strange expression on his face. Ginny puzzled over it... ever since he had caught her and Dean in the corridor, it seemed that every time he looked at her... it was with that same strange expression.

She squirmed again.

It made her feel equal parts terrified and excited.

Harry pulled up. "Hi Luna," he said brightly. "Uh... hi Ginny."

"Hi," she said softly. Somehow, she couldn't quite meet Harry's eyes.

"Where have you been, Harry?" Luna said airily. "I have just been educating Ginny on the secret plot of the garden gnomes."

Harry grinned. " I was... elsewhere..." he said distractedly.

Luna looked over his shoulder. "Oh, there's Professor McGonagall. Please excuse me, you two, I simply must tell her to do something about all this mistletoe."

"What mistletoe?" Harry asked.

Luna looked pointedly over Ginny's head.

Harry looked up and almost dropped the crystal goblet he was carrying. He blushed. "Oh... that mistletoe..."

He grinned sheepishly at Ginny, and then began to idly scan the crowd.

And as Luna left, she turned to peer intently at Ginny. "Be careful," she whispered. "The gnomes have great power... I can see them beginning to affect Harry now..."

And with that, she left.

Harry and Ginny stood rooted on that spot, each shifting uncomfortably as they tried to look anywhere but at each other. The sounds of the party seemed to fade away; the tinkling of the glasses, the chattering of the guests, the rustling of the clothes... all evaporated. All that was left was the icy cold sound of the mistletoe rustling gently overhead.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said.

And he smiled. "Are you enjoying the party, Ginny?"

She shrugged. "So-so. You?"

"So-so."

Harry scratched nervously at his neck. Through the open collar, Ginny saw that his neck had turned a charming shade of scarlet. Heat crawled up her back.

"Ummm..." she said nervously. Why was she nervous?

Think of Dean... Think of Dean...

"So..." he said.

"So Luna looks lovely tonight." Ginny said quickly. Yeah, that's it... remind him that he has a date...

Harry cocked his head. "Really?"

"Yeah. What a beautiful dress..."

Harry pursed his lips. "I dunno... I kinda like yours better..."

He coughed as she felt a thrill rush through her. "I mean..." and then he looked at her, his eyes twinkling. "You look beautiful tonight, Ginny. I hope you know that."

And then, out of the blue, Ginny realized that he had never said that to her before. Before she could do anything about it, she trembled softly. "Thanks..." she whispered. And, fleetingly, she wondered if Dean had complimented her that night.

He cleared his throat. "So," he said. "Uh, what was that all about the gnomes?"

Ginny laughed. "Oh, Luna said that mistletoe was all a part of a gnome conspiracy. Apparently, uh, the gnomes want people to kiss..."

She turned away self-consciously.

"Uh... so... there."

Harry stared at her. "Well, that would explain the tradition then..." His voice trailed off.

Ginny looked up at him, feeling a tremor in her stomach. "Yeah..."

And suddenly, Ginny felt the rest of the world fade from view. It was just her and Harry now... there, standing under the bright green sprig of mistletoe.

Unbidden, the words of Demelza Robins returned to her mind.

Just kiss him.

No.

Just kiss him.

No.

A bead of sweat slid gently down her cheek.

Just kiss him.

Harry reached over and wiped it off, smiling slightly.

Just kiss him...

Just...

"Oh... Harry..." she said.

Harry jolted as if electrocuted. He leaned towards her slowly, ever so slowly. Ginny tingled from the tips of her clenched toes to the very center of her soul. She leaned in slowly...

Ever so slowly.

The world tilted as she closed her eyes... and as she leaned forward, she felt the ground begin to drop away leaving her floating on a cloud of something that was not quite stable.

And then Harry coughed and pulled back. She opened her eyes and saw him gazing back at her, a sad expression in his eyes. He glanced up quickly at the sprig of mistletoe. He looked back down at her and stepped carefully back.

Her world came flooding back; her world of shame and sorrow, her world of Mrs. Weasley and Ron, her world of Tom Riddle and Dean Thomas. The lightness in her belly faded, and her heart beat so loud she thought her head would burst.

"I think Dean is looking for you," he said softly.

Ginny felt her breath hitch in her throat. Dean. Right.

And she backed away as well.

"Um... yeah. Okay Harry. Okay."

He smiled. He leaned closer and, for just a moment, filled up Ginny's entire world. Gently, ever so gently, he kissed her cheek. His lips were warm. Soft. Tender.

Ginny closed her eyes, savoring it.

And then Harry was gone, dashing off for somewhere where Ginny could not follow. And Ginny stood there, swaying slightly.

Alone.

"Goodbye, Harry."

And everything came crashing back; the tinkling and the chattering and the roaring and the mocking. She glanced up bitterly at the sprig of mistletoe and dashed off, tears stinging and threatening to flow freely once again.

But then she caught sight of Harry Potter... there, just by the door. He stared at her for a long moment, surely savoring the sight of her just as much as she was the sight of him.

He smiled.

She smiled, her heart lifting once again.

"See you at the Burrow," he whispered... and somehow, from across the room, she heard every word.

And as she joined Dean Thomas, as she felt him grab her hand limply, she felt a lightness in her being that surely belonged to someone else. But she didn't care. She savored it, closed her eyes, and mouthed over and over the words that she shouldn't care about so much:

"You look beautiful tonight, Ginny."

And somehow she knew that he hadn't just meant her fiery red hair swept up in a French twist; nor did he just mean the shimmering blue dress that hugged her tightly in all the right places or the dainty makeup Hermione had leant her.

"You look beautiful tonight, Ginny."

And, for the first time in a long while, she believed it.