One of A Kind

Chapter 8: Forgiven

 

            Things grew worse as the day progressed. Ginny ignored him at lunch, sitting at the other end of the table. Double Potions was even worse than usual. Hermione was still shaken up, and added in too many beetle eyes. When they reacted with the rest of the ingredients, it caused a small explosion. Fifty points were taken from Gryffindor. Hermione had fought back tears, as Malfoy and his cronies snickered. When Harry arrived at dinner, he felt like screaming. Ginny was nowhere to be found, probably still mad at him. He stayed at the table for all of ten minutes, quickly discovering he had lost his appetite. He left Ron and Hermione, who were deep in conversation and didn’t notice.

            He collapsed into a chair in the common room, sighing deeply. A few minutes later, he heard someone coming down the stairs and looked up. It was Ginny. She caught his eye and her face hardened. She turned to go back up, but he was already on his feet. He placed himself in front of her, grabbing her arm. She didn’t pull away, but glared at him, making it perfectly clear she didn’t want to be touched.

“Let go of me,” she said. Her voice was low and calm, which got to him immediately.

“Gin, what did I do?”

She said nothing, only stared at him.

“Look, anything I did to you, I’m sorry for it. I would never want to hurt you.”

Her expression softened for an instant. “Then why couldn’t you tell me what was going on this morning?”

“Oh, Gin. We were all really shaken up this morning. I didn’t want to get you worried.” He knew he was lying. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t told Ginny. He thought it had something to do with fear.

“You could have told me. Harry, I want to know when something is going on with you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” He pulled her close, and she let him. She was still tense, but at least she would let him hug her. I hurt her. Why does she put up with me? I screw everything up. She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed softly. I’m sorry, Gin. I am so sorry.

~*~ 

“Can you believe it?”Ron asked, taking his seat next to Harry in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He sounded miserable.

“What? Did the Chudley Cannons lose again?” Harry asked.

“That was only one time this season, and that was a foul,” Ron stated. “But this has nothing to do with Quidditch.”

“What is it then, Ron?” Hermione chimed in, leaning toward him.

“They’ve cancelled all trips to Hogsmeade.”

Harry felt his jaw drop. “I thought they were just delaying them . . .”

“You two do realize that a village like that would be a perfect target for Voldemort, don’t you?” Hermione asked.

“But, ‘Mione, can’t they station Aurors?”Ron’s voice sounded desperate.

“They could, but who is to say it would do any good? Hogsmeade is crawling with people. They can’t watch everyone at all times.”

“She’s right, Ron,” Harry admitted. Ron sighed and settled into his seat as class began.

                                                                        *

            Harry jerked upright in his bed. His scar was burning, his heart racing. His first thought was of Ginny. His dream was coming back to him in fragments. Voldemort talking about a girl, his plans for her. ‘She has no idea.’ Who?! Who does he want? He jumped out of his bed and rummaged through his trunk. His hand grasped a thin, silver cloak. He threw it over his head, watching his body disappear, and made his way to Ginny’s dorm. The door was unlocked. He gently pushed it open and tiptoed to her bedside. She was sleeping, her auburn hair fanned out on her pillow. Seeing her put his mind at ease. He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead before going back to his own bed.