La courbe de tes yeux

Chapter Four: Hearts Mended.

"Ginny? ...Gin-ny..."

Ginny opened her eyes, wondering what she was doing lying on her bed, then she remembered. Mm, must have fallen asleep...what time is it? She looked up, aiming for her bedside clock, but met Harry's sweater instead. She jerked away, by reflex.

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I know, this is a girls' dormitory, but...I was worried about you."

His eyes were bright with friendly concern and Ginny remembered why she had been so enamoured with him all these years.

"Wh...why?" she asked, sitting up, feeling nauseous as she recalled the smile on Ron's face.

"Well you jumped up from your seat and went away like you had seen You-Know-Who, then never came back."

"Oh...well, I fell asleep..." she said, knowing she wasn't pulling that one very well, and furious about it.

"Yeah, I saw that." Harry smiled at her, a kind and gentle smile, then bit his lip and held out something for Ginny to take. "You even forgot that downstairs..."

Ginny's heart missed a beat or two as she realized what it was Harry was giving back to her, and she felt her cheeks getting burning hot. Oh my god...oh my god, how could I be so damn STUPID?!?!

"'took it before Ron could see..." Harry suddenly added.

Ginny looked at him, mouth gaping, hesitating between burning herself up or throwing herself at Harry's neck. She looked down again, and sure, there it was, Hermione's name written in all possible kind of writings, and in all colours Ginny could think of, plus a small French poem from a book Hermione had offered to her the previous Christmas, bewitched so it wandered happily along the margins.

"I...huh...y'see, I..."

"You don't have to explain anything, Gin'. It's not my business."

Ginny cocked her eyebrow, a tiny smile curling up the right side of her mouth.

"Well of course if you want to say something, then..." Harry added, blushing slightly.

But Ginny wasn't feeling like talking about Hermione, especially not now. Harry must have seen the look in her eyes, because suddenly his warm hand was covering hers and he softly said:

"Ron and Hermione just cleared things up and decided to stop acting silly, y'know. That's all there was to it."

"Yeah, sure," Ginny spat out, with a bitterness even herself hadn't expected. "That's why Ron looked like Christmas had come in again already. Because they're just friends."

"Well...yeah."

Ginny pouted, but Harry looked the embodiment of sincerity. "...really?!"

"Yeah." Harry said again, smiling brightly.

"Oh."

"And really, it's a relief for me too. I couldn't stand those two ignoring each other anymore!" Harry exclaimed, rolling his eyes up. But there was something...something in his smile, or maybe the very slight flushing on his cheeks...he looked as relieved about the news as Ginny was, and that couldn't be out of pure friendly concern, could it? I guess maybe our little inquiry isn't over, in the end...

"Wanna go downstairs now? It's almost dinner time."

"Already?? Oh gosh, I haven't finished my essay for tomorrow's Muggle Study's class!!" Ginny exclaimed, feeling almost as panicked as she had a mere hour before.

"Oh, don't worry..." Harry said, getting up to open the door. "I'm sure Hermione will be most pleased to help you out with that."

Was it just a trick of her eyes, or did Harry actually blink at her?

*~*~*

And surely enough, Hermione did offer to help Ginny with her essay. It was a complicate dissertation about why Muggle governments were so inefficient, the other question implied being how magic could easily remedy that, and the two girls were still working on it long after all the other students had gone to sleep.

At long last, a little after one in the morning, Ginny put down her quill, looking up at Hermione for her approval. Hermione nodded softly, then leaned back in her chair and smiled:

"Phew!...In the end, I'm pretty glad I dropped that subject!" she said, her voice still light and singing, despite her obvious fatigue.

"Thanks, Herm'. I wouldn't have made it without you..." Ginny said, rolling up her three rolls of parchment then stretching her arms across the wooden table. She froze when her outstretched fingers came bumping against Hermione's entwined hands. Soft and cold, like marble. Strong and fragile, or so they seemed. The touch only lasted one second, maybe two. To Ginny it lasted an eternity and she was dead scared she might have taken too long to withdraw her hands. But Hermione's voice made her look up again.

"Of course you'd have made it...maybe it'd have taken you a bit longer, that's all..." Her eyes were always so kind and tender...but it was never an "I'm older than you" kindness. True, Ginny was only one year younger than Hermione, but she knew that sometimes one year could feel as big as a decade - it surely felt so with Harry and Ron - and she was glad Hermione didn't see things that way.

"So..." Ginny started, after a few minutes of sleepy silence. She had avoided the subject all evening, but the fact that Hermione herself hadn't said a word about it made Ginny curious. "You and Ron are friends again?"

Hermione turned her eyes on Ginny, looking surprised. She had been at the library when Ron went to talk to her. She had been taken aback, to say the least; knowing Ron, she had thought she would eventually have to make the first move. But then, maybe he was only coming to make her feel bad again. If that were true, then she wasn't sure she understood his happy little smile when she told him he could sit down...

"Hum..." Cough cough, please-look-up-from-that-book. Oh, Ron. Great. "Huh...hi, Hermione..." He doesn't even dare looking straight into my eyes, like always when something's bothering him. "Can I...can I sit down for a while?" Let's ignore Madame Pince's stare as she walks by. Whoa, didn't think a simple nod of the head could make somebody look so happy. "So...how are you?" I'm fine, why? "Huh...I wanted...I wanted..." Ron, calm down, your cheeks are going to burn themselves up at this rate. "Well, I wanted to apologize...huh...y'know...for storming out and ignoring you and all..." Well, objectively speaking, you kinda had every right to do all that, y'know. But I'm not going to tell him, he's too cute right now, and god knows Ron apologizing is something rare. Let's just smile at him. "..." Yes? "...I missed you, Herm'." Oh. Oh god I'm blushing now. Don't blush, he'll think maybe you--"I've been silly, really...so I was wondering if...we could go back to being friends?" He's adorable. He's actually so adorable that I can't really understand why I didn't want him. Still don't want him. I should, shouldn't I? It's not like I had somebody else I cared for...Maybe he's too adorable, maybe that's the key. He'd make a sappy boyfriend. Oh, I forgot to answer. Yes, of course I want that too, you silly git! "Great!" Huge sigh of relief. I can see Madame Pince staring at us between two rows of books. Oh c'mon, I didn't hear anybody complaining! "So...we're friends again?" Yes, Ron. You can start breathing again now. He seems so at ease with all of that. Not hopeful for more or anything. I've missed you too, y'know. And Harry, too. He's blushing. What did I say? "Yeah, I'm sorry, I've been keeping him for myself a bit, lately..." What...what did you just say? You didn't sound like yourself. You sounded like a love-struck teenage girl. I must have been working here too long. My eyes and ears aren't working well anymore. I can't help it. I can feel my lips twitching into a teasing smile. Ron, is there something you'd like to talk about, maybe? Oh god he's really blushing now. "No, why? Nothing. It's almost dinner time, isn't it? Maybe I should go..." And poof! He's gone. Weird. I'll have to talk to Ginny about that. Speaking of Ginny...Damn, it is already 18.45. Stupid schoolwork.

"Yes, it seems we are," she replied with a little smile. "Although, he still didn't really talk to me all dinner...well I guess it's easier said than done..." Maybe I shouldn't have looked at him with that damn smile all dinner long, too...

"I'm happy for you," Ginny said, offering a smile, but it sounded hollow.

"You don't sound so," Hermione remarked, her voice devoid of judgement. There was only quiet wonderment in it.

"Really?" This time Ginny managed to sound genuinely surprised. "I am though...I'm just tired."

Hermione's gaze remained on Ginny's face for a few more seconds; then she seemed to decide to believe it for now, and smiled. "Yes, I guess it must be quite late...dear Lord, it's already half past one!"

Soon, the rolls, quills and books were packed up again, and the two girls were quietly making their way up to their dormitories.

"Thanks again for helping me," Ginny murmured once they were in front of her floor's door.

"You're welcome," Hermione replied, in a murmur too, smiling softly at the younger girl.

Ginny didn't know if something had changed in the air or if it was only her imagination. Did Hermione feel it too? After all, she didn't move, either. At any rate, time stopped and Ginny remained rooted to the floor, gazing up at her friend, overwhelmed with such an urge to lean up and kiss her that she very nearly gave in to it. You're so beautiful, and you like me, I know you do...Will nothing ever happen between us?! Will it remain only me feeling that way? Why can't you bend down and put your hand on my cheek and kiss me... Her inner voice chocked up at that, and only then did she realize that Hermione was still there, silent and waiting.

"Ginny?" she said very softly; her voice was honey-like and so...so intimate. She had made it sound like her lover's name.

Ginny opened and closed her mouth several times, feeling panic rising inside of her. She felt nauseous.

"Ginny?"

Ginny swung around and her hand was already on the doorknob when her left wrist got suddenly enclosed in soft, cold fingers. Strong and fragile. Don't make me turn around, please don't... She felt Hermione's caressing breath against her cheek, and turned around. So close, they were so close. Ginny could easily steal a kiss from her friend right then; Hermione would never have time to step back. And then you'll lose her; great plan. Anyway, Ginny didn't want to steal anything. She wanted to receive it.

Ginny felt herself drowning in Hermione's honey-brown eyes, in her pink plump doll-lips. Please let me go...kiss me, or let me go...

Hermione stared and stared, and didn't say anything. Ginny knew she'd start crying soon; she could feel the tears in her eyes. At last, Hermione slowly let go of Ginny's wrist, stumbled backward and mumbled an awkward "Good night," before turning and slowly climbing the stairs to her own dormitory.

Ginny closed her eyes and remained still for a while, pretending Hermione was still there, kissing her tenderly.

*~*~*

When she woke up the following morning, Ginny stared at her pillow for a while, wondering what to do. One glance at her watch told her it was only 8 am. Students didn't go down to the Great Hall before 8.30. Maybe she could go there now, so she would be sure not to run into Hermione... She didn't know for sure what exactly had happened the previous night, but she felt very uncomfortable with it.

After ten minutes, she finally decided to go wait for Hermione in the common room, like they did everyday; that way, Hermione would have to come talk to her, not the opposite, but she wouldn't think Ginny was avoiding her, either.

When she saw Parvati come down the stairs, Ginny's hands turned sweaty. But Hermione wasn't in tow. If Ginny hadn't been so nervous, she would probably have reflected that Hermione had always come down before the other fifth years, being the only one that didn't embarrass herself with makeup.

Harry and Ron were already chatting with Ginny when Hermione joined them, looking perfectly normal, although maybe a little tired. She smiled brightly at them, and they made their way out of the common room.

"'didn't forget to take your essay, I hope?" she whispered teasingly to Ginny, along the way.

Ginny almost came to a halt, Hermione's soft voice so close to her ear bringing back flashes of what she had so desperately wanted to happen a mere eight hours before. She nodded, afraid to turn her face to Hermione, and forced herself to smile.

"So you two managed to get it done?" Harry chipped in, casting a questioning look at Ginny, a look that was clearly talking about something else altogether.

"Oh yeah," Hermione replied. "It wasn't easy, but we made it!" She beamed at Ginny, obviously very proud of her. Ginny offered a weak smile in return. "You look tired Gin'," Hermione said, more softly. "Are you feeling better? You looked weird last night..."

Weird? Weird?! Ginny felt her body go rigid with anger, startling her. And you?! Didn't you act weirdly?! You were the one that stared back at me! You were the one that gripped me by the wrist and made me turn around so that we were almost nose to nose! I'm not the only one that's weird!!

Ginny was almost trembling. Suddenly scared of herself, she mumbled something about having her periods - eliciting a disgusted "Ginny!!" from Ron - and turned her back on them, hurrying away from the Great Hall, under the mildly curious stare of fellow hungry students. Hermione made to follow her, but Harry stopped her.

"What?" she asked him, obviously distraught by Ginny's behaviour.

"Don't go. I think she needs to be alone a bit..."

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and pulled on her bossy face. "Harry...do you know something?"

Harry smiled sweetly and shrugged. "She just looked tired yesterday. Just let it pass."

Hermione frowned at him, unconvinced, but finally shrugged and started walking again, catching up with a slightly annoyed Ron. Harry followed, swallowed his breakfast in less than ten minutes, then ran away saying he had forgotten to take one of his handbooks.

He came across Ginny on his way to the Tower...not that he had really forgotten his book, but he figured she'd have gone back there. She was cuddled up in a small corridor, her knees drawn to her chest, her arms clasped around them.

"You're right, the Gryffindor sofas are way overrated, if you want my opinion..." Harry said, sitting down beside her on the cold hard floor.

Ginny turned her head to him, obviously not expecting anyone to go look for her. "What're you doing here?" she mumbled, trying to discreetly wipe her swollen eyes.

"I don't know," he answered in all honesty, chuckling. Cheeks flushing slightly, little white teeth flashing through thin pink lips, and his ever-so wonderful emerald eyes.

If you had wanted me before, maybe I wouldn't feel so miserable and stupid today...Ginny thought, gazing at Harry's adorable features. Adorable...yup, that's the word.

"What's wrong?"

Ginny started and hid a smile. "Huh, nothing...I just...huh...I was wondering if your scar hadn't gotten thinner..." Ginny hid her head in her hands, grinning at her own stupidity. She heard Harry's bright laugh as he nudged her.

"I was speaking about you running away again just right now. Not you staring at me...although I must say it had been a while since it last happened..."

Ginny peaked at him through her fingers: "Nothing's wrong with me then."

"Are you afraid I'll tell her?"

Sighing, Ginny let her hands fall down and glared at Harry. "There's nothing to tell her! ...why do you even care anyway?" she asked defiantly.

"Coz I care about you," Harry replied, shrugging.

Always the golden boy, aren't you Harry? Ginny's look softened; "Thanks. But there's really nothing you can do." Ginny struggled to stand up, beat the back of her robes, and walked away. Harry quickly stood up and trotted after her.

"Y'know, you look awfully composed for a fourteen year-old girl..." he said, venturing a smile.

Ginny's lips twitched up, but she didn't reply anything. She headed straight to her Muggle Study classroom, not even noticing when she passed a worried and slightly upset Hermione in one of the hallways.

*~*~*

"Okay, tell me what's wrong." Hermione commanded as she slumped down in the seat next to Ginny, in front of the Gryffindor fire, that same night after dinner.

Ginny looked up from her book, shrugging. "Nothing's wrong," she whispered, looking back down.

"Yeah, sure. ...Gin', did I do something wrong?"

Ginny's heart missed a beat. Oh, don't use that voice...how can I stay angry and distant if you use that voice? "No you didn't," she said, more coldly than she intended, still pretending to read her book.

When two minutes had passed in complete silence - apart from the chatting of the few students around - Ginny glanced up. Hermione was curled up in her large comfy armchair, looking at Ginny with hurt eyes.

"Look, you didn't do anything wrong! I'm just tired, that's all," Ginny said, trying to get a hold on herself, but not succeeding very well; Hermione looked as if Ginny had just said the complete opposite.

Hermione frowned slightly. "First you look as if the fact that Ron and I are friends again were bad news, then you act all weird before we go to bed, and today you completely avoided me." She put a strand of her long honey hair back behind her ear, and sighed, turning to look at the fire. "I don't wanna sound possessive or anything, or like a little girl, but...Oh well if you'd like me to leave you alone for a bit, you should just tell me."

"Don't."

Ginny's heartfelt answer startled them both. She felt her cheeks going red and Hermione turned to look at her again, a smile growing steady on her lips. Ginny smiled sheepishly back, inwardly furious at herself. Now what? She looked back down at her book, trying to pay attention to the written words.

"What are you reading?" Hermione asked after a while, her voice back to friendly and unworried. She trusted Ginny enough to know the younger girl hadn't lied. But she was still determined to find out what the problem was, even if it wasn't something related to her.

"Hm? Oh, Hogwarts: A History," Ginny replied, blushing a bit. "You talk about it all the time, so I thought I'd give it a try..."

Hermione laughed softly; "You don't have to read it, y'know. Anyway, like you said, I always talk about it, so I'm pretty sure you all know as much about it as I do by now!"

Hermione's eyes were glittering with laughter and self-mockery, and Ginny felt her lips curling up, unable to resist such a charming view. With reluctance, she looked back down, but then she felt her armchair moving. She looked up again and saw that Hermione had pulled Ginny's armchair closer to hers, so that the seats were now arm to arm. Carrying so many books all the time had made her arms stronger, Ginny thought with some amusement.

"D'ya mind if I read over your shoulder for a bit?" Hermione asked, and when she leaned down her hair tickled Ginny's cheek.

"Be my guest," Ginny whispered, hoping Hermione didn't notice how much her hands were trembling...hoping the book itself wasn't trembling too much.

"So we're okay, right?" Hermione softly asked after a minute or two. She gently leaned her head on Ginny's shoulder, sighing contentedly.

"Yeah we're okay. I promise."

"Good..."

That evening, enclosed in their little world in the middle of the common room, Ginny pretending to read and Hermione slowly drowsing off on her shoulder, things couldn't have been more okay indeed.