Men Love With Their Eyes

Fresh Pickled Toads

Harry left the common room as quietly as possible, resisting the urge to slam the door as he went. Despite his Occlumency lessons, he still got flashes of Voldemort's feelings. That evening, he had felt a surge of joy, accompanied by the usual blinding pain. Having informed Dumbledore, Harry had nothing to do but sit and wonder what the Death Eaters had done. This was bad enough without having to concentrate on ignoring Hermione's suggestions that he visit the infirmary.

Harry mooched his way through the corridors, determinedly not thinking of anything. Eventually, he slid down against the wall, resting his elbows on his knees and covering his eyes with his hands. He almost wished he could beat his thoughts out of his brain--but beating his head against the wall would hardly help his headache.

He didn't know how long he sat there but he eventually heard Ginny's voice say, "Harry?" He looked up with some surprise and said, "Oh, hi. What are you doing out?"

She held up emerald green hands and said, "Detention with Snape."

"What did you do?"

"Pickled toads."

Harry grimaced. "That sounds nasty."

Ginny hunkered down beside him. "It wasn't that bad. I used to help Mum prepare them for her potions. If you do it when the brine is still fresh it goes this lovely bright green colour. I actually liked doing it when I was small."

Harry grinned. "Do you like the colour?"

"Yeah--it's been my favourite since I was about three."

Harry raised an eyebrow at her and she burst out laughing.

"Shut up you arrogant git!"

"What? I said nothing."

"Yeah. You were just thinking it. You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Harry."

He flushed a little and said, "Sorry, Ginny."

Silence fell between them for a long moment and then Ginny put her hand on his. When he looked at her she snatched it back and looked down at her lap. "What's up Harry?" she said. "Why are you out tonight?"

"I got a flash of Voldemort earlier. He's happy, Ginny."

He heard her gasp but he was staring at the floor so he couldn't tell what she looked like when she said, "Have you heard anything yet?"

"No. Dumbledore said we'd hear when they knew something."

Ginny said nothing but Harry was glad she was sitting so close to him. After a couple of seconds, he stretched out to hold her hand and said, "It's just, Ginny, I don't know how I'm going to do it. He's so strong."

Ginny looked at him and then threw her arms around him suddenly. She held him very tight. Her hair tickled his neck, but he was glad--it was easier to talk when he couldn't see her face. It felt as though she was hanging on for dear life and he said, "Ginny... I'm scared."

She pulled him closer, if that was possible, and said, "I know, Harry, I know."

"I don't want to be a murderer."

She pulled away from him suddenly and said, "Harry, you won't be a murderer. You'll win... But you won't be a murderer."

She laid her hand on his cheek and said, "And, Harry, you will win. I... I remember what he was like...from before, you know, and..."

"Ginny, you don't have to."

She interrupted him, her eyes blazing. "And he doesn't stand a chance against you, Harry. You don't know...but I do. You're going to beat him, cause you're just, you're so much more..."

Ginny stopped, seeming to have run out of words. She sat back on her heels in front of him and he said, "Thanks, Ginny."

"Any time. And you know, if I was a betting woman, which I'm not, cause I learn from Fred and George's mistakes even if they don't; well I'd be betting on you no doubt."

Harry smiled at her. She jumped to her feet and reached a hand out to him. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting cold. Shall we go back to the common room?"

Harry nodded, took her hand and let her attempt to pull him up. After a few seconds she gave up in disgust and said, "Get up, you big git. You're twice my size."

Harry bounced up on the balls of his feet and grinned down at her. Ginny huffed in irritation and poked him sharply in the chest. He caught her green fingers and said, "Thanks, Ginny."

She was smiling softly and seeming to be searching the air for words, but pulled her hand out of his before turning slightly away, saying, "It's what I do, Harry."

"Well, I'm glad you do, Ginny."

"Course you are--it's me."

"I know, I know, I'm lucky to have you."

"You're learning. Now, I'd better go scour my hands, or find out if Hermione knows any really strong cleaning charms."

"Scourgify won't do it?"

"No. Still I'll get rid of it in the end."

For the first time, Ginny walked at the same speed as him, and didn't complain that he was going to quickly. She told him the very lengthy and involved story of how she had managed to get a detention--and indeed talked so determinedly that he had barely got a word in edgewise by the time they got back. He watched her go up the stairs to the girls' bathrooms and scratched his head in confusion.

Yet, half and hour later, when she came downstairs with clean hands, she seemed to be back to normal, and sat beside him quite comfortably.