Drifting

Chapter 3: Ginny Weasley

Said I'm gonna get thru this. I'm gonna get thru this. I gotta take my, gotta take my mind off a'you~Daniel Bedingfield, Gotta Get Thru This.

Ginny, Ginny, Ginny, Ginny, Ginny: another person who had been haunting his dreams. They were good dreams though. She was kissing him in those dreams. He wanted those dreams. He wanted her.

The dreams went a little something like this:

It was dark. Pitch black. Harry could barely see a thing. There was a grayish mist that was floating around that prevented him from seeing more than five feet around him. It was cold and damp; it made Harry feel clammy. The same kind of feeling he got when Dementors were near. Then, on the horizon, a burst of red light flooded his vision. She appeared.

Instantly, the darkness and the dampness disappeared. Harry was filled with new emotions, joy, happiness, and desire. She filled him with these feelings. Her presence drew him out of the mist and he could see her fully.

All time seemed to stop when she was in his sight. Harry didn't dare take a breath, thinking it would send her away. It seemed to take her an eternity just to get to his side. Though, Harry knew it was well worth the wait.

"I'm back for more. You know I can't resist," the girl's soft voice said.

She closed the gap between them, pressing herself against his body. Even though the rest of the world was freezing, she was warm.

It was the same every time. She'd always start off in a ghostlike on the horizon. By the time she reached Harry, she was a full, human dream-form of Ginny Weasley.

"You know that I wait for you to come back every night," Harry said.

"I only come back here for you," Ginny whispered.

Harry smiled. He really liked these dreams. The only thing missing was the real Ginny curled up beside him.

"Dance with me?"

"Okay," Harry whispered.

"Remember, Harry. The sooner you get tired, the sooner we start," Ginny said.

"Then I think I'm tired already."

Ginny laughed.

"Come on then."

It was like this every night.

She would run off and Harry had to follow her. He ran through a different place each night. Tonight it was around the mountains that surrounded Hogwarts. He chased her for what seemed like hours. Finally she stopped and pushed him up against the wall of a house.

"Are you ready for the best night of your life?" she asked.

"Yes!" Harry said in a low, dangerous tone.

Barely more than a second later, her lips came swiftly over his. He kissed her back...

Oh did he love these dreams.

In the background, he could hear a car honking at a pedestrian. The dream was ending.

"I'll be back tomorrow," Ginny whispered, breaking away from him.

"Please don't go!" Harry said pleadingly.

"I have to Harry!"

He grasped her arm, trying to stop her from leaving. She laughed softly as his hand fell right through her arm.

"When the voices call, I become only a memory in a dream," she reminded him.

"Will you promise to come back?" Harry said, sounding much like a child leaving his favorite Grandma's house but not wanting to go.

"I already promised."

She turned around and walked off, fading into the black.

Harry turned over under his covers. He wished it was real.

I wish she wasn't going out with Dean. Then I could have asked her out. And then, she'd turn me down 'cause 'Mione said she was over me. Then Ron would probably kill me for trying to date his sister just like he wanted to kill Michael and now Dean. Is my love life destined to be doomed?

Harry rolled back over and opened his eyes. He figured he must not have been asleep too long because the sun hadn't set yet. Stretching, he got out of bed and walked over to his desk. Dabbing a quill into his inkwell and grabbing a sheet of parchment, he began to write.

Dear Ginny,

Look, I know it sounds weird that I'm writing to you of all people but I have a feeling you're the only one who'll understand.

I've been having really weird dreams lately. Not dreams about Voldemort, dreams about a girl. I'm not going to tell you who but I'll just say you know her. They're really weird dreams too - could I trust you not to say anything to anyone if I tell you about them? Could you maybe tell me what they mean? Please?

Write back soon.

Your friend,

Harry

That was close, he thought, I can't let it slip that the dreams are about her.

Harry got up and walked over to Hedwig's cage. He opened the door and petted her head softly.

"Hey Hedwig. I have a job for you," Harry said, bringing his owl out of her sleep.

"Take this to Ginny, Ron's sister. Make sure she writes back. Okay?"

Hedwig nipped his ear and took the letter in her beak. Harry opened the window and she flew out. He didn't care if people saw her. Hedwig was pretty good at hiding herself in clouds.

He sank back into the chair and his mind filled with thoughts of the smallest Weasley again. She led such a carefree, wonderful life. Well, as carefree as it could get with Voldemort able to strike at any given moment. She had a mother who loved her, a father who loved her, a whole family of brothers who loved her. Harry was constantly told he was part of the family but somehow; it just didn't fit the Weasleys' lifestyle. They were so relaxed and Harry was always a little restless and jumpy.

"Boy! Dinner!" Vernon yelled.

"Coming," Harry yelled back.

He heaved himself out of the chair and went downstairs.

~*~

Potter's got some pretty mean relatives. No wonder he's always so beat-up looking after summer break, Draco thought, as he ate his dinner. He'd heard Harry and Vernon's argument that afternoon when he had followed Harry to his house. It didn't look like Vernon was a very caring bloke towards his nephew. He seemed all right to that whale-of-a-son of his. Danny or something like that... Poor Potter. Whoa! Did I just say that?

Draco's mind seemed to be playing a game with him. Slowly, he pushed his plate away and left the table, walking up to his room.

Stop thinking about Potter! Draco commanded his mind. I have more important things to think about, like which girl I'm going to date this year...

Draco's train of thought broke off as he reached for a piece of parchment and a quill. He quickly wrote down the name of every girl that he would even consider dating.

His hand paused. Bloody Gryffindor. I'd never be allowed to date one but I can still hope. He checked himself. Me, dating a Gryffindor! All this Potter business is getting to my head. Yes, blame it all on Potter... Those Gryffindor girls are damn hot though!

He continued to write. When he was done, the list read:

Blaise Zabini

Cho Chang

Mandy Brocklehurst

Padma Patil

Sally-Anne Perks

Lisa Turpin

Katie Bell

Lavender Brown

Marietta Edgecombe

"Oh this is just wrong!" Draco muttered to himself as he began crossing names off the list. He looked up a minute later, holding the new list before his eyes.

Blaise Zabini

Cho Chang

Mandy Brocklehurst

Padma Patil

Sally-Anne Perks

Lisa Turpin

Katie Bell

Lavender Brown

Marietta Edgecombe

"Pity Potter had his paws all over Cho last year. She would have made a great date," Draco said, clearly not knowing that Cho was going out with Michael Corner.

Then he thought of the vivacious redhead Ginny Weasley. He, contrary to beliefs of the whole of Hogwarts, did not hate the youngest Weasley. He wasn't head over heels in love with her either but she did fall into the category of the Very Hot Gryffindor Girls.

The girl's got spunk. Not that I'm going to date her or anything, I'd rather not be killed by 10,000 Weasleys; but still... I'll put her on the list.

With that he added Ginny's name to the list. He drew another sheet of parchment out from the desk drawer and rewrote the list.

Blaise Zabini~Slytherin, VERY VERY hot, smart, fighter

Ginny Weasley~Gryffindor, VERY hot, smart, rebel

Mandy Broklehurst~Ravenclaw, pretty, too smart

Lisa Turpin~Ravenclaw, hot, smart, quiet

You know, Draco thought, there's got to be something else to do in this house. I wonder what's in the attic?

Walking into the hall he passed his mother who was walking back upstairs from her dinner.

"Mum," he said. "What's in the attic?"

"Your father's old journals and stuff. Nothing to be concerned about," Narcissa answered in a huff.

"Okay, thanks."

Narcissa walked off into her room and Draco pulled on the string that hung from the ceiling and opened the door to the attic. A staircase came down at him. He climbed it and found himself in a very large, dusty, smelly room. There wasn't much in it and Draco soon found what he was looking for. He opened the box and blew the dust off the first journal. He read the title aloud.

"How and why I became a Death Eater," Draco whispered. "This might turn out to be an interesting read."

~*~

The next day, Hedwig floated back through Harry's open window. Harry noted that there were two letters instead of one. They were both from the Weasleys though. One was from Ron and one from Ginny. He decided to open Ron's first.

Hey mate,

Sorry for the messy writing but it's really dark and I'm supposed to be asleep. I'm writing this on my lap using a flashylight that Dad brought home from work. (Did I write it right?) Anyway, can you believe Ginny was lying on the train! She doesn't like Dean! She doesn't even like anyone! She took me aside and told me today that it was all a joke to see how I would react. All those times she locked herself in her room writing letters they were just to Hermione and Luna.

Speaking of Hermione. I think I really like her. Actually, I think I'm in love with her. Should I tell her?

Please, please, help me!

Otherwise, nothing much is going on here. Oh and Dumbledore enchanted the mail we send so no one can read it if it's intercepted so you can write anything you want.

No news about You-Know-Who.

Hoping to see you soon,

Ron

Harry smiled to himself. He couldn't believe his selfish little wish came true. There was still a chance for him to get Ginny. Then came the other reason that he smiled. Finally, Ron and Hermione would get together. They were like a disease plaguing all the Gryffindors with their constant bickering. Everyone knew that all their rows covered up for the fact that they loved each other. Now, Harry might have a peaceful year when it came to his two best friends.

He moved on to Ginny's letter.

Dear Harry,

I'm not really sure why you would choose me of all people. Surely Hermione would be better at this then me? You trust her more. I hope this has nothing to do with my one-time schoolgirl crush on you, because I don't have romantic feelings for you anymore.

I'll try to help you with your love problems, but first I need to know why you're asking me.

Hope you're doing well,

Ginny

Harry sighed. Why couldn't Ginny just say yes? He could never tell her the real reason. If she knew that their positions had been reversed and now he loved her...Harry didn't even want to think about that. Quickly, he picked up his quill and began to write.

Dear Ginny,

Let me assure you that this has nothing to do with your first year or your "crush" on me. Honestly, it doesn't.

Hermione would just tell me to pay more attention in Divination. Ron-well-I'd never ask him. He'd call me crazy.

I need an outsiders view. Someone not in the "trio." Someone that doesn't only think of Voldemort every time I mention a dream.

Speaking of that, can you tell Ron and Hermione to leave me alone for a while and get on to their snogging? They really care about me too much.

I'm betting that you really want the answer now and that you're pretty mad at me for delaying it. Well, lets just say, hypothetically, that I was in love with this girl who used to like me and now she doesn't...

WHAT DO I DO?

Harry

P.S. Do try to write back quickly so I can send another letter and Ron's letter along. If I don't, he'll kill me.

Ginny re-read the letter. Surely there must be something more to it than what he had told. Someone that used to love him...well Ginny herself was a member of that category. It couldn't mean her though. Harry still thought she was just Ron's little sister.

But the letter hinted otherwise. He trusted her. He wanted to confide in her. Maybe he was beginning to see her in a new light?

Ginny hoped that the latter was true. There was just one problem with that...

If Harry liked her, which was absurd, and if he asked her out, which was highly unlikely, what would she say? Poor Ginny didn't like the Famous Harry Potter anymore. He just happened to save her sorry arse from danger a lot of times.

Then again, he was really kind of cute with his glasses on and his bangs trying, and failing to, cover his scar. He looked like he was helpless when he was really anything but that. He was so cute and he didn't even know it. At least half the population of Hogwarts knew he was.

Ginny sighed. Another problem arose. Should she tell her brother what Harry was telling her? After all, Ron was Harry's best mate. But that one line kept jumping out of the letter at her. Ron-well-I'd never ask him. He'd call me crazy.

Sadly, Ginny knew it was true. Ron wouldn't just think Harry was a nutter, he'd think Ginny herself had gone down the road to insanity with Harry.

Ginny hated to be trapped like this. She was a rebel. She fought. She hated to be pushed around. That's how she was being treated. Harry was trying to force her into helping him, whether he knew it or not, which he probably didn't. Ginny wasn't just going to say okay.

She thought about having him talk to Hermione but the letter nixed that idea as well. That left only the Order. She knew Harry wouldn't want to talk to them about his "dreams."

So in that sense, she wasn't trapped. She was the one he chose out of all the others. She was the special one. She was first pick. Something that didn't normally happen to her...

It was like that at school too. During flying class, she'd always get picked last for teams and then she'd knock the socks off of everyone. Yet, by next lesson they had all forgotten about that and picked her last again.

When it came to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, she was always pushed to the side. They were the trio. They didn't let anybody butt into their business unless it wasn't that important. Like how Harry didn't want them all to go to the Department of Mysteries with them...

Where Sirius fell through the veil...

And speaking of Sirius...when he was going to tell Harry some of what had been going on, Ginny was the only one who had to leave. Now that wasn't fair. It was always how it was though. Ginny was always pushed to the outside. She wasn't going to take it anymore. Here was the opportunity to break out of her shell and step into the limelight. She wasn't just about to let the chance slip away.

She picked up her quill and began to scratch away on the parchment.

~*~

Ron walked past his sister's room. Two seconds later, he was knocking on her door.

"Come in," Ginny said.

Ron opened the door, stepping inside. Ginny's room was pale yellow, it always had been. She had a small desk, a vanity table, a bookshelf, and her bed. Ron had always thought her room was cozy, much unlike his own.

"Did Harry write back yet?"

"Actually, yes he did," Ginny said, still scribbling on the parchment.

"Anything for me?"

This time Ginny did look up. She snatched a piece of paper off her desk and read it to herself. Then she nodded. Ron reached over to grab it from her but she held it back.

"If it's for me, let me see it," Ron said.

"It's NOT for you! He wrote it to me and he just told me to tell you something for him," Ginny snapped.

Ron looked highly offended. He was about to open his mouth to retort but Ginny silenced him with a glare.

"So what does it say?" he asked.

"For you it says; tell Ron and Hermione to leave me alone and get on with their snogging. They really care about me too much," Ginny said.

"Does it say if he's going to write back to me?"

"If you would stop interrupting me, I'd get to it!"

"Temper, temper," Ron said slyly. "Go on."

"It says in the P.S., hurry up and respond so I can send another letter and Ron's letter along. If I don't, he'll kill me."

"Sounds about right," Ron muttered.

"Hmm. So will you leave me to write back to him so you can get your letter?"

Of course, 'night Gin."

"Goodnight Ron."

~*~

"I, Lucius Octavian Malfoy, have decided to take the plunge and become a Death Eater. I agree with my master, all Muggles and Muggle-borns are scum. Half-bloods included in this. Pure-blooded wizards, as my master says, are the only kind of wizards there should be. I have no doubts in my decision or my master's reasoning. I only hope to become one of his most trusted associates..."

~*~

Ginny sent Harry's owl off and fell asleep blissfully unaware that one more boy was added to the list of boys who were now pining after Ginny Marie Weasley.

~~**~~