Men Love With Their Eyes

Gild Refined Gold

Harry's neck ached from the angle his head was twisted at. He lay stretched out on a sofa in the sitting room of Grimmauld Place. He had grown so much that he was now too big for the sofa and had to twist his head if he wanted to lie down. He, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had camped out in the sitting room to celebrate the New Year, though Harry suspected he wasn't very good company.

He didn't want to be there. Everything reminded him of Sirius, and though the Weasleys were trying their hardest to keep him distracted, the loss would hit him at the strangest of times like a sudden punch to the stomach. Sometimes they could tell -- Mrs. Weasley would ruffle his hair on occasion, or Bill would distract him with talk of curse breaking, or the twins would discuss their latest ideas with him -- but it was never enough to banish the dreadful ache that seemed lodged in his chest.

He almost wished that he had remained at Hogwarts, but the thought of Christmas without Ron or Hermione was equally dark. He didn't really know what he wanted-- he hated where he was, but he couldn't think of another place that he'd rather be at.

Now, he lay on the sofa, warm and almost comfortable, listening to the sound of the fire and feminine giggles. Ginny and Hermione were speaking in low voices, though they often interrupted each other with gales of giggles. Harry would have let them know he was actually awake, but he was too content where he was to move - and he couldn't deny that he was curious about what girls talked about on their own.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Hermione," Ginny said.

"Oh, hush up. You're enjoying it!"

"I was enjoying my New Year's Eve but then those two decided to be boring."

"Would you really want to miss the chance to try out Muggle make-up, Ginny?"

"You still haven't told me what those things do!"

"They're eyelash curlers."

"You use eyelash curlers?"

"No, but I saw them the other day and I wanted to try them out."

"So I'm your test subject?"

"Yes. Oh, stop squirming, Ginny, I'm not going to take your eye out."

"I'm sorry but it's not exactly comfortable. I have no idea what you're doing to my face."

"Don't worry, I won't make you look orange."

"Orange?"

"Never mind. Anyway it's fun. I'll let you do me afterwards."

"Really? I've only used a little Muggle make-up. Are you sure, Hermione?"

"Well..."

"Please tell me this isn't some misguided attempt to impress my brother... It is, isn't it! Hermione, why?"

"It's not. I just don't want you to make me look like... Millicent Bullstrode."

"Could I go that far wrong with make-up?"

"No, not really."

"You scared me for a second there. How did you get together with Ron anyway -- you never told me."

"I did. I must have."

"No you didn't. Every time I ask you that great prat interrupts, and won't let you say anything. You can tell me you know. I won't tell Fred and George."

"You won't tell Fred and George?"

"Okay, I will, but you should still tell me."

"All right. You remember the last Hogsmeade weekend this term?"

Ginny must have nodded; at least Harry didn't hear her say anything but Hermione continued on anyway.

"Well he was really strange all day--he kept starting his sentences and not finishing them and staring off into space, and I swear, Ginny, I thought there was something wrong with him."

"More so than usual, you mean?"

"Yes. Anyway, I was so frustrated with him that I went to the library in the evening to avoid him. Well, I had to read up on Beautifying Potions anyway for Snape -- they're really interesting. Do you know a hag called Malodora Grymm used one to ensnare a King, and she had a magic mirror, and when there was another beautiful girl she..."

"Poisoned her with an apple, I know. Everyone knows that. Anyway?"

"Right. Well, he came up to me in the library and he was standing really close to me, Ginny... you know that way when they stand just too close, and you're just all."

"Yeah. And?"

"Well, he was just staring at me for ages and ages, and I was starting to think I had dirt on my face or something. But then he came even closer, and he said in this really low voice..."

"He does that when he's nervous."

"He asked me if I liked him..."

"And?"

"And I nodded... I think. And then he kissed me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Of course after a second he looked at me like I'd practically killed him and ran out of the library."

Ginny groaned dramatically and said, "He didn't!"

"He did. I had to run after him, and get him to calm down."

"How long did that take?"

"Well..."

Harry didn't know what Hermione did, but he heard Ginny's disgusted exclamation. "Hermione! I didn't want to know that -- that's my brother."

"It was just kissing, Ginny!"

"Still."

"Anyway, after that he finally asked me out."

"My brother, the charmer. Well, let me see."

"Okay, here's the mirror."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"I look about ten years older... Not that that's a bad thing."

"Ten years from now you won't say that."

"You try being called the Little Weasley for three years, we'll see how you like it."

"But not any more, right?"

"Not lately."

"Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think Harry's okay with Ron and me? Has he said anything to you?"

Harry stiffened where he lay but said nothing. He was surprised to hear Ginny laugh out loud but didn't dare open his eyes in case Hermione was looking his way.

"Honestly, Hermione, why would he say anything to me?"

"Well, it's just... He's been off lately. I'm worried about him."

"Who isn't worried about him? He does have a lord of unspeakable evil to fight."

"Ginny!"

"Sorry. No, he hasn't said anything. And he seemed fine when he told me you two had got together."

"He told you?"

"Yeah -- he knew Ron was working up his nerve."

"When was this?"

"That same night. He didn't want me to dye my hair either."

"He didn't?"

"No. That was the only reason he was talking to me -- he wanted to make sure I left it alone."

"Really?"

Harry didn't have to look at Ginny to know that she was tensing at Hermione's tone, but she continued speaking.

"Yeah. He said that it's pretty."

"Wait... Harry complimented your hair? Harry?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Do you how many times he's complimented me?"

"No."

"Never. Even after the Yule Ball, he only wanted to know how I got my hair 'all shiny'. Harry doesn't compliment."

"Don't look at me like that."

"I'm not looking at you like anything."

"Oh, yes, you are -- I know that you're-meant-to-be-together look. And just... Don't, okay?"

"Ginny, I'm not... It's just."

"It's Harry, Hermione. So don't start, okay?"

"All right. Still... He thinks you have pretty hair."

"Shut up!"

"Okay, okay. Here, bring all this stuff upstairs, I'll wake these two up."

Harry heard Ginny leave the room and after a moment Hermione said, "You can open your eyes now, Harry."

He stretched and pretended to yawn, but Hermione just glared at him and said, "You think I didn't know you were awake? You were sitting there trying not to laugh in your sleep."

"Sorry, Hermione." Harry sat up and stretched his neck, trying not to grin. "So, I never compliment people, is that right?"

"Not as far as I can remember -- though you seem to have made an exception for Ginny. How much do you like her hair, Harry?"

To his disgust, Harry felt himself blushing and Hermione smiled at him in triumph. "It's not like that," he said. "She does have pretty hair...and...just...she didn't seem to know it. I thought she should... You do know I don't fancy Ginny, right?"

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "Yes, Harry, I know. We all know -- don't worry, I'm not trying to marry you off or anything."

Harry gaped at her, but she just went to wake up Ron. He didn't understand why the girls had made such a fuss over New Year's Eve but he had learned long ago not to ask Hermione about such things. She would just shake her head witheringly at his complete ignorance.

Ron had slid his arm around Hermione's waist when Ginny walked into the room with a bounce in her step. Her hair was gathered up into a ponytail that swung when she moved her head, but it wasn't her hair that Harry noticed. Hermione must have done something to her eyes -- they seemed absolutely huge in her face. Ron stared at her and seemed about to say something when Hermione slapped his knee. He looked at her, aggrieved, but said nothing as Ginny sat down beside Harry.

They watched as the grandfather clock in the corner counted down the last minute to midnight and chorused "Happy New Year" as the chimes began.

As soon as the clock had ceased making noise, Hermione stood up, dragging Ron with her. She said, "Well, I'll get us some butterbeer then." And the pair of them left the room.

Though the light was low, Harry could clearly see Ginny roll her eyes. Her mouth quirked in a smile as she said, "Subtle, aren't they?"

He laughed then and said, "I'm sure they try."

"It's just, well, neither of them is exactly discreet."

They sat quietly for several minutes, watching the fire burn down. The room was very quiet and Harry found himself wanting to say something, though he was not uncomfortable. Ginny, however, seemed perfectly happy to sit in peace.

It was only when a soft sigh escaped her lips that Harry was able to break the silence. He looked at her quizzically and said, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"No, really."

"You'll think it's silly."

"Well, yeah, but what is it?"

"Oh something Hermione said."

"What?"

For a second Harry was worried that she was going to bring up Hermione's you're-meant-to-be-together> look, but instead she said, "Muggles think the way you spend New Years Eve says something about the rest of the year."

"So?"

"Well, no offence, Harry -- but a quiet room with only a fire, not my idea of a wonderful year."

"I can think of worse fortunes."

Ginny stared at him for a moment. "Of course, you can. You used them all in your Divination homework. I told you it was silly." She seemed a little annoyed, though Harry couldn't quite figure out why.

They lapsed into silence again and Harry stole a look at her. She was chewing on her lower lip and seemed a lot younger suddenly. She reached up a hand and tugged at her ponytail. Her hair fell around her face and she seemed to relax; it looked quite odd, as it sprang up a little from her head. She shook it out and then smoothed it off her face.

Ginny caught him looking at her and grinned at him. "It always looks a little funny after having been up all day," she said.

"I'll remember that."

"You say the nicest things, Potter."

"You don't scare me, woman!"

Ginny lifted an eyebrow at him but only said, "So, game of chess?"

He nodded and waited while she got the old chess set. As they set up the board he realised that he'd never played against Ginny before.