Turn Around

TURN AROUND LOOK AT ME

There is someone walking behind you...

Turn around, look at me...

There is someone watching your footsteps

Turn around, look at me...

Such an appropriate matter, Ginny Weasley thought idly as she dressed for class. The Muggle radio that she had smuggled from her father's workshop was in perfect working order, and once she had figured out how it worked, was delighted with the music that filtered out of it. It was full of interesting matter: Hard Day's Nights, Hound Dogs, American Pie...and this song.

"...this is WKRP Liverpool, the best oldies, all the time. Due to popular request, we shall now play The Lettermen's 'Turn Around, Look at Me'."

Ginny smiled. She truly did love that song, it was so...real. It was like The Lettermen, whoever they were, knew what she was thinking.

She was of course, thinking about Harry Potter.

The Boy Who Lived.

The boy, who unfortunately, Ginny was in love with.

Her girlhood crush on the celebrity in her midst evolved over the years...as she got to know him better, she got over her crush...and fell in love. With Harry Potter the boy, not Harry Potter the star.

He was the most sought after guy in the school, tied only with Draco Malfoy (who, Ginny noticed, was hanging around with Hermione quite a lot, and not just because he was Head Boy and she was Head Girl). After years of being Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, he had built up quite an athlete's build. Then of course, the messy, adorable black hair, laughing green eyes, and the red mouth that was always curved in amusement. He was much more than that, though. He was also, the nicest, sweetest, and most considerate guy Ginny had ever met.

But he'll never see me, she thought sadly. To him, I'm just blushing Ginny Weasley, his best friend's little sister, who's also a year younger.

Smiling ruefully, Ginny grabbed her bookbag, shut off the radio, and trotted to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Ginny stepped into the Great Hall and was nearly knocked over by the chatter. Everyone was practically screaming with delight. She wearily picked her way to the Gryffindor table, too preoccupied with her dismal thoughts to really notice why everyone was celebrating so.

"Ginny! Over here!" Hermione was waving frantically at her. Ginny just walked on, completely oblivious.

"Bit spacey today, Ginny?" a warm voice tickled her ear. Ginny froze. She knew that voice. Every night she prayed that that voice would tell her 'I love you', and yet it never happened, and never would.

Ginny composed herself, and turned around, a half-smile on her face. Her brown eyes met emerald green eyes, eyes that made her knees grow weak. "Pardon?" she inquired, her lips quirking slightly.

Harry Potter grinned down at her. "Hermione has been calling you, but you walked by like you were in a fog."

She laughed self-consciously. "I'm just a little...preoccupied today...this morning."

"Come on." Harry turned and beckoned for her to follow. "Eat with us. You missed some great news.

I would follow you anywhere, Ginny thought. "Coming." As he led the way, Ginny followed his every move: the way he walked (on that slow, deliberate, and confident almost swagger), the way his hair moved, the way he smiled and greeted people.

And that will never be mine. Smiling half-heartedly, she plopped into the seat next to Ron. Harry crossed the table and sat by Hermione.

"Are you okay, Ginny?" Hermione Granger looked worried. "I called your name several times and you just walked by with that spacey look in your..." she trailed off when she saw Ginny's face. "Never mind." Hermione spooned porridge into her mouth, blushing slightly.

"Did you hear the great news, Gin?" Ron Weasley said, serving Ginny scrambled eggs and a muffin.

Ginny smiled affectionately at her brother. "No, Ron, I haven't," she said as she grabbed a goblet of orange juice. "But I'm sure you'll tell me."

"There's going to be a Winter Ball this year." Ron grinned as he crunched on some bacon. "Hermione and Draco are planning it."

Ginny shot a look at Hermione, who was blushing furiously now. "I see," she said carefully. "That's why everyone is so..." Ginny glanced around the Great Hall. "Happy"

A Winter Ball? This is my chance! Maybe Harry will ask me...Ginny thought. Then she deflated. No. Why would he ask me? Harry doesn't like me in that way. Ever since Cho graduated he hasn't gone out with anyone. I shouldn't get my hopes up.

"Absolutely," Hermione said. "And it's open to all years. And since it's a winter dance, everyone has to wear pastel-colored dress robes. The Great Hall will be enchanted to snow softly, the walls will be glittery white, the ceiling will be starry, the music soft and romantic..." Her eyes glazed over.

"All so that you and Draco can dance?" Harry said mischievously. Ginny smiled and ate her eggs.

Hermione flushed yet again. "No! That's not the point of the dance!" she sputtered.

"Sure," Ron joked. He nudged Ginny in the ribs. "It's just so that the school can enjoy winter." Ever since the previous year, when Draco saved Harry from being killed by his father, Lucius Malfoy, the group had accepted him. And Hermione had fallen in love with him.

Speaking of Hermione, she was so red she resembled a tomato. "Abso...lutely...not!" she squeaked. She stood up, grabbed her bag, and stormed out of the Great Hall.

Ron grinned. "'Scuse me," he said smoothly. "Gotta apologize."

Ginny laughed at her brother, than stopped abruptly when she realized that she was alone with Harry.

"Don't stop," he said softly. "You have a nice laugh."

Ginny blushed. "I...have to go."

"You're not done with your muffin yet," Harry pointed out with a smile. Ginny's heartbeat accelerated.

"Uh...yeah...I'll eat it on the way to class...Professor Snape will kill me if I'm late to Potions again..." With that, Ginny grabbed the muffin and sped out of the Great Hall, her face as red as her hair and a muffin crumbling in her hand.

"Stupid, stupid!" she hissed to herself as she ran down the hall. "You had a chance right in front of you! And you didn't take it! Stupid!"

There is someone, who really needs you...

Here's my heart, in my hand...

Turn around (turn around), Look at me (look at me)...

Understand, Understand...

Harry gazed after Ginny's retreating back. A thought flittered across his mind, and a strange emotion pounded in his chest. But as quickly as it came, it faded.

Shrugging, Harry exited the Great Hall and strode down the corridor to Transfiguration. Several people said hi to him along the way, and he nodded, acknowledging each and every one of them.

"Top o' the morning to you, Potter," Malfoy said, sidling up to Harry. He was grinning rather dumbly.

Harry looked amusedly at Draco. "Any particular reason why you're unusually cheerful and...Scottish today, Malfoy?"

He just grinned and motioned towards the bend in the hallway. "Just heard some...news. Good for me...and there's probably something good in there for you." Grinning broadly, he strode off. "Later, Potter."

Harry shook his head, and continued down the corridor. As he rounded the corner, he heard voices.

"I can't get this stupid song out of my head!" Odd, that sounded like Ginny. But what was she doing in the Transfiguration hall? Harry stopped, and listened.

"Ginny, you've been listening to that Muggle radio station again, haven't you?" Hermione sounded disapproving, yet sympathetic. "That song only makes you depressed."

"Oh, let's just indulge her, Hermione." Ron's voice joined in on the conversation. "It's a nice song..."

"But it's like she's drowning in that song, in her sorrows..."

"Hello? I'm right here!" Ginny sounded irritated. "Stop talking as if I'm not here!"

"'There is someone, walking beside you...'" Ron crooned.

"Augh! Stop!" Ginny cried. "You're making it worse!"

"Why?"

"Well...I don't know. It makes me sad, because it's true."

"Ginny, you ought to tell him that this is how you feel. Ooh, I have a plan." Hermione sounded really eager. "OK, we will play this song at the ball. Afterwards, you go up to him and tell him, 'This is how I feel about you.' It's the perfect opportunity!"

Harry frowned. Who on earth were they talking about? He knew for sure that the guy that Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were talking about wasn't him. He knew Ginny didn't fancy him anymore. She'd told him herself, at the beginning of the year, that she'd gotten over her crush.

For some reason, Harry felt the same emotion he'd felt in the Great Hall after his interlude with Ginny. He couldn't possibly...be a bit jealous?

Harry shook his head, trying to empty it of those thoughts.

That there's someone...

To stand beside you...

Turn around, look at me...

And there's someone to love and guide you,

Turn around, look at me...

Ginny stared with frustration at the two faces in front of her. Hermione had this earnest look on her face that was really annoying at the moment, while Ron was his abnormal jocund self. "Absolutely not!"

Hermione held out a pleading hand. "Why not?"

Ginny nearly screamed. "Why not? Why not? Hermione, I'd sincerely appreciate it if you kept out of my business! Besides, if you've even cared to notice, he's only got eyes for that Ravenclaw! And she's gone! What does that tell you???"

From behind the corner, Harry stopped. Ravenclaw? Ginny couldn't possibly mean Cho Chang? No...if she was talking about Cho Chang, then that would mean Ginny had a crush on him...which she didn't. Right?

Hermione and Ron gawked at Ginny with wide eyes and white faces. Ginny never blew her top at anyone!

She huffed angrily and tossed the muffin, which she still held in her hand at the wall behind them. "I do not want to hear more on the subject of the Winter Ball or Harry Potter!" With that, she whirled around and barreled around the corner...promptly running into a very surprised Harry Potter.

For one long moment, they stared at each other, horrified.

Ginny's face flamed. She knew he had heard her. Why, she had screamed so loud that they could probably hear her up in the Astronomy Tower! What could she do now? Harry's face was a study of shock. "Harry!" she said brightly. "Um...eh...Hermione and Ron were just talking to me about the Winter Ball, and they had this ridiculous notion that um, you and I should go together!" Brilliant thinking, Ginny, she scolded herself. She hurriedly brushed a flame-colored piece of hair out of her eyes. "I told them it was entirely silly, I mean, you were probably thinking of asking maybe Parvati or Pansy, or just going stag..." now she was babbling.

Harry was still riveted, looking down at her. His lovely green eyes were confused. Ginny tried to smile.

"Ginny?" Hermione and Ron peered out of the corner. Their eyes widened as they saw Harry. Hermione grabbed Ron's hand. "Come on Ron, let's head on to McGonagall's class or we're going to be late!" They disappeared.

Harry watched them go, then turned back to Ginny. She was chewing her thumb nervously. "Is it really a silly notion for us to go to the Ball together, Ginny?"

Ginny shivered at the sound of her name coming out of his mouth. She felt goosebumps appear on her arms, even though she was wearing her heavy robes. She forced her mouth to open. "Well, I kind of thought it was ridiculous."

"Do you have a date?" Harry asked thoughtfully. Ginny's eyes widened. He couldn't possibly...?

"N-n-n-no," she stammered. "I was p-planning on going stag." That was a lie. She was planning on not going at all.

"Why don't we go together? As friends?" Harry persisted.

The blood drained out of Ginny's face. Was this really happening? Were her dreams coming true? Then one word registered: friends. She deflated. But, this was his last year at Hogwarts. She had to see him as much as possible before he unknowingly walked out of her life. "S-sure," she stuttered.

Harry smiled tentatively, his eyes unreadable. "Good. Meet me in the common room at 6:50 on the day of the dance?"

Ginny couldn't talk. She merely nodded and then ran, as fast as she could.

Oh I've waited,

But I'll wait forever...

For you to come to me...

Look at someone, who really loves you...

Harry was again confronted with watching Ginny run away, for the second time that day. What on earth was going on? What on earth had possessed him to ask Ginny Weasley, his best friend's little sister, to the Winter Ball?

What were the three of them, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione talking about? A song was stuck in Ginny's head. It was a true and depressing song, they had said. She had a crush on someone. Was it him? No. Ginny told me, Harry said to himself. She told me this year that she didn't have a crush on me any longer.

Truth be told, Harry wasn't sure how he felt about that. When he was younger, it had embarrassed him a lot. He was pretty sure the only reason that she had that petty crush on him then was because she didn't know him that well. She only knew Harry Potter, the Boy Who lived.

Now that he'd been hanging out with Ginny more, he was pretty sure she was over the hero image. She saw him as himself, Harry Potter. Just plain old Harry Potter, with nothing really remotely remarkable about him. He wished more people would take the time to see past the celebrity and find the person. Few people had tried: Hermione, Ron, the Weasleys, Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, and recently, Draco Malfoy.

And what was with Malfoy? Something good for himself, and something good for Harry? Well, he knew Hermione and Draco were becoming an item. Good for them. But what was good for Harry? Then only thing he'd found out from Ginny, Ron, and Hermione's conversation was that Ginny had a crush.

It was back to Ginny. What was wrong with him? He'd begun to see Ginny in a different light, when she hadn't really changed at all. Why was her hair suddenly such a beautiful molten red? Why were her chocolate brown eyes suddenly so full of emotion? Why were the freckles across her nose suddenly endearing? And why did her mouth look so red, just waiting to be kissed?

Whoa! Where had that come from? Since when was Harry thinking about kissing Ginny Weasley? The world must be coming to an end, Harry decided. I have got to concentrate on something else. Not Ginny Weasley.

Harry entered Transfiguration with his thoughts churning about his head. He walked in a zombie-like state to the desk he shared with Ron and Hermione. He didn't even notice that they were both bright red, and were trying not to look at him.

Ron poked Hermione, then pointed at Harry, then pantomimed speaking. She shook her head vigorously. Some Slytherins, on the other side of the room, began to snicker. Just then, Draco Malfoy walked in, eating a piece of toast. He joined Crabbe and Goyle in the front of the classroom. Then he noticed Ron pointing at Hermione, who was shaking her head, and Potter, who looked like he was in another dimension.

Hermione saw Draco, and smiled warmly at him. He grinned back at her. He was so glad that they'd gotten over their differences and were together. Then he shot Ron a look. Ron pointed at Harry. Draco frowned. Hermione also motioned at Harry.

"You know," Harry said out of the blue. Ron jumped and Hermione stifled a shriek. "It would be a lot better if you actually tried talking to me, rather than point and mime. You think I can't see what you're doing? I'd prefer it if you remembered that I'm here."

"Uh..." Ron muttered. Then he poked Hermione.

"Ow! What was that for?" Hermione said indignantly.

"Weasley, I'd like it if you kept your hands to yourself," Professor McGonagall said from the teacher's desk.

Ron blushed. "Yes Professor."

"So, Potter," Draco said from across the room. "What's got you in a daze? I might as well ask, as Weasley and Granger," he smiled at her again, "are not."

"I'm not in a daze," Harry said, pulling his Transfiguration notes out of his bag. The three exchanged a glance over his head.

"Um, Harry?" Hermione said timidly.

"Yes?"

"How much of our conversation did you hear?"

"That's what I'd like to know!" Ron added. Hermione jabbed him in the ribs. "Ow!"

Harry paused. What should he tell them? "Not much," he said casually. "I really didn't get what you all were talking about."

Hermione frowned. "If you don't mind me asking, what did you and Ginny say to each other when Ron and I...left?"

Harry glanced at her. Hermione was blushing slightly. Ron was tugging his ears, which was a nervous habit. Draco looked confused.

"I missed something, didn't I?" The blond-haired Slytherin murmured, mostly to himself.

"Oh, we didn't talk much about anything. We talked about the Ball." Harry noticed that Hermione and Ron stiffened. What was that all about? Well, he'd drop the bomb and see what happened. "I asked her to go with me."

"What?" Hermione and Ron said together.

"Well done, Potter!" Draco said with approval.

"You asked Ginny to the Ball with you?" Hermione gasped once she recovered.

"What did she say?" Ron demanded.

Harry shrugged. "She said yes. We'll go to the Ball...as friends. And this conversation is closed." He pulled his quill and ink out and began writing what Professor McGonagall was putting on the board as she started class.

He didn't notice the three determined stares that crossed over his head, set on seeing Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, with Ginny Weasley, his best friend's little sister.

Turn around, look at me...

Turn around....

Look at me....