In the Common Room

I stood in front of the mirror who was teasing me about my hair. I glared back at angrily. Stupid mirror, what right did it have to comment on my hair. Some people like red... but then again, some don't. I was again worrying what my brown-eyed beauty thought of me, and it needed to stop. Now. I pulled on a Weasley sweater, flattening my mussed hair, and stomped down the stairs.

To immediately freeze on the last stair. There was the girl, hair spilling over her book as she read in concentration. One of her friends reached over to get her attention. I watched as she looked up, laughing at whatever he had said. She looked so beautiful in the firelight. Damn her, people shouldn't be allowed to look so good. I wished so badly that I could sit with them, but I felt I didn't have enough self control to be near her. I should just stay out of her way.

I walked to the other side of the room, sitting down next to Sarah Gallips, a girl I barely knew. She was a year younger than me, but usually hung around my year mates instead of her own. She was always friendly towards me, and, as usual, acted glad to see me. If I hadn't known better, I might have thought she had a crush on me.

"Hey, how's everything?" she asked me with a big smile. It was obvious she was doing her homework; a quill was in her hands and a long parchment spilled at her feet. The table next to her was piled high with Transfiguration books. She was the type who studied hard, had a million friends, was in several clubs, and still had the time to look perfect. She annoyed me.

"Fine, perfectly fine," I mumbled. Why did I dislike this girl who was nothing but nice to me? Because she's too perfect. I reminded myself. And your dream girl isn't? I sighed aloud as I pulled open my potions book, my chair facing away from the fire in an attempt not to see 'my' girl. I was determined to finish this essay. Today. But unfortunately Sarah wasn't through with me.

"What's the matter?" her question was bright; way too much cheer for my dreary mood. She leaned in to look right at me. "You look so down in the dumps! Mooning after someone?" Grrrr, how did she know?

"As a matter of fact, yes," I snapped, "but right now I need to work on my essay." I pulled out the rest of my materials, but her curiosity was not yet sated.

"Who is it? Harry?" Didn't everyone know I was over him by now?

"No! And will you please leave me alone!" I almost yelled it, my face was now a bright red. I hate being a Weasley sometimes! And why couldn't she just leave me alone? Couldn't she tell I was upset enough?

"Sorry, Ginny, I didn't know that would upset you so much." She peered at me through her make-up infested eye-lids, trying to look innocent; as if pleading for forgiveness. Suddenly I knew I could stand this anymore. I had to take action. I was going to stop being a coward!

"I'm going to ask H-Hermione for help on my essay. See you around!" I grabbed my stuff I walked across the room. I bumped into Colin, returning from the library, and shoved him rudely out my way. I had to do this now; before I lost my nerve. I had to face her, tell her exactly how I felt. And I was going to do it now. I just hoped neither of us would die from the shock.