You Left Me a Mixed Up Girl

Another Door Opens

Ginny watched as her first year students practiced levitating feathers. It was her last class of the day and Ginny liked this class the best. They were a funny group of students who made Ginny laugh. A boy, Cyrus Oyster, was levitating his neighbor's hat. The other boy, Johnson Jenkins was determinedly trying to levitate his feather. Ginny suppressed a laugh as she watched him stick his tongue to the corner of his mouth and continue to concentrate. Finally the class-ending bell rang and the students filed out of the room, quickly.

Harry, who had been waiting for Ginny's class to be over, casually walked past her room. He wanted to walk with her to the staff meeting. He noticed that Ginny had her head down and was stuffing a great deal of parchment into her school bag. The bun she had twisted her hair into was much looser now and a few stray locks had escaped. They brushed against her face and Ginny impatiently tucked them behind her ear. Harry recognized it as an endearing gesture and missed the days when he would do it for her. Ginny must have sensed a presence in her classroom because she looked over at the door. Harry stood there, leaning against the door, waiting for her to notice him. Harry had worn his favorite blue button up shirt and dark gray trousers. The sleeves were rolled up and his shirt was now untucked. Harry's cloak was casually thrown over one arm and he was looking at Ginny expectantly.

"I came to see if you wanted to walk to the meeting together." It was an offer Ginny could hardly refuse. For one thing, Harry looked very handsome today and Ginny was still very attracted to him. For another thing, it would seem very rude to refuse his offer. Ginny nodded in reply and grabbed her things. Ginny pointed her wand at the chandelier that hung over the room and whispered "Nox" to put the lights out.

They walked together in companionable silence. Ginny did not know what to talk to Harry about that did not revolve around Cho or Draco. Harry did not know what to say to Ginny that did not involve his desire to be with her again.

"So, how was your day?" Ginny looked at Harry as they continued to walk.

"Not bad. The kids seem to like the classes. Some of them are pretty funny." Harry shrugged and placed his cloak back on so he could walk with his hands in his pockets.

"Hermione told me that she and Ron are trying to have a baby. It'll be interesting to see how that endeavor turns out." Ginny was at a loss for what to say to Harry. She had decided to discuss a safe topic such as their mutual friends.

Harry was not interested in talking to Ginny about Ron and Hermione. He wanted to get Ginny to agree to go on a date with him. "Yeah, they'd be good parents. Say, remember in your seventh year when we went to Hogsmeade? You feel in the pond when we were walking across it. You almost froze. I had to lend you some of my clothes to keep you warm. You kissed me under the trees that night." Harry crossed in front of Ginny, stopping her from continuing to walk.

"Harry, stop this nonsense. We cannot go out again. You broke my heart once; I won't let you do that to me again. We can be friends, let that just be enough." Ginny stared at Harry, willing him to understand how she felt. "When you cheated on me, I felt like my life was over. I had to rebuild my life again without you in it. I can't do that again. It was too painful once."

"I was just reminiscing. I wasn't trying to get you to go out with me again. I respect what you said earlier. We can just be friends, that's fine with me." Harry smiled at Ginny and knew he would never be satisfied with just being her friend. He wanted more and always would. He figured eventually Ginny would come to her senses and he'd be waiting.

Ginny looked at Harry and hoped he was telling her the truth. She decided to take him at face value and smiled at him. "Thanks Harry. I appreciate the fact that you respect my wishes." Ginny was silent again for a minute before remembering something she wanted to ask. "What do you think Dumbledore wants to talk to us about?"

"Dunno. I reckon it's something important though. He usually likes to keep information to himself." Harry's thoughts wandered to dinner that night. He was getting hungry. Suddenly, his stomach growled.

Ginny laughed. "Hungry, Mr. Potter?"

"Starving! I had to work through lunch today. I'd kill for something to eat!"

Harry looked at him stomach and rubbed it. "Sorry, guy. I've got nothing for you." Harry's stomach growled again, as if protesting Harry's earlier words.

Ginny stopped walking and began to dig through her school bag. Harry wondered what she was up to and hoped she was looking for something for him to eat. Ginny removed her hands from the bag and held a packet of crisps out to Harry. "Here. I forgot I had these. I bought them on my last trip to Hogsmeade, but I didn't eat them."

Harry looked at Ginny incredulously. She was really going to offer him something to eat? After all the trouble they'd been going through? Ginny thought Harry's look meant he was worried about the crisps. "They're still good. It's only been a week since I bought them, honest."

Harry's face softened and he was reminded again of why he loved Ginny. She was still a giving and caring person, despite all that she had been through.

"Thanks," he said softly taking that packet from her hands. Harry's hands grazed hers and Ginny felt a small zing go through her. No matter what, they still had that chemistry. Harry's eyes held hers for a minute and Ginny was forced to finally look away from him.

"Well, we'd better get a move on. I don't want to be late. I hate it when Snape gives me that look." Ginny stared at the hallway ahead of her, trying to forget the moment she had shared with Harry.

"What look?" asked Harry through a mouthful of potato chips.

"The patented Severus Snape 'I'm better than you, missy' look. He always gives me that look, no matter what!" Ginny noticed that they were just outside the doorway to the staff room. "Hurry up, finish those off. You can't crunch through Dumbledore's announcement."

"I'm eating as fast as I can. It's not easy, y'know. I'm thirsty. Those were some salty crisps." Harry wiped his greasy fingers on his cloak and hastily shoved the empty crisp packet into his pocket. "All right, let's go in."

Ginny laughed. "You are still such a little boy, Potter!" She entered the staff room and took a seat by the door.

Dumbledore was waiting for them to arrive and when Harry finally found a seat, he cleared his throat. "Now that we have all arrived, we can finally start our meeting." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Harry and Ginny. Ginny blushed furiously and Harry inspected a bit of lint he had on his trousers. "I have an announcement. This year, Hogwarts will be pleased to offer its students a yearbook."

The staff members looked around at each other, some asking what a yearbook was.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and the staff immediately snapped to attention. "I realize some of you may not know what this yearbook is, so that's why I have asked the young man who volunteered to help us create one to tell you all about it." Dumbledore turned to his left and motioned to a handsome young man to stand up. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like for you to greet Colin Creevey. He has generously agreed to donate his time to helping us create our very first Hogwarts yearbook."

Ginny looked over Colin. He had grown into a handsome man. It seemed his face had finally stopped looking so odd. Last Ginny had heard from her family, Colin was running to be a member of the ministry. Ginny wondered why Colin had agreed to do this on top of his election responsibiltites. Colin looked over at her and smiled before he began speaking. "Hello, I'm sure you remember me. I went to school here a few years back. I presented the idea of a yearbook to Headmaster Dumbledore several months ago at a ministry function. As I explained to him, a yearbook is a book full of pictures of each student who attended Hogwarts this year. You can also include photos of different events that occurred on the campus. I thought the students would enjoy a book of memories from their years here. At the end of the year, the students can sign each other's yearbooks wishing each other goodbye for the summer and reminiscing about the past year."

Colin looked around at the staff, trying to gauge their reactions. Most seemed excited about the idea, although a few, like Snape seemed to think it was a bad idea. "Are there any questions I can answer for you?"

Hands from various staff members shot up in the air. Ginny watched as Colin answered them, one by one, explaining in great detail his plans for the yearbook. Finally, everyone's questions were answered and the staff filed out, Harry included. He knew Colin and Ginny were old friends. He decided they should get a chance to catch up without his presence.

Ginny walked over to Colin and hugged him. "Colin! I can't believe I'm seeing you again. It seems like ages since we were here."

"It has been ages, Gin. I didn't know you were teaching here. Look at you, Miss Know-It-All!" Colin smiled down at her.

Ginny laughed. "Not quite. I teach the charms classes. You know Professor Flitwick went to teach at Beauxbatons and I took his place. But what about you? I thought you were running for some ministry position?"

"I am. I'm volunteering my time here as a way of getting some good publicity . .." Ginny opened her mouth to say something, but Colin cut her off. "And because we need a yearbook here. In the end, we both come out winners."

Ginny smiled and shook her head at Colin. "I never imagined you for the publicity seeking type, Colin."

Colin sighed and said, "Things change, Gin. I heard about you and Potter. What's going on with him? You broke up and now I see you two walking in here like you haven't lost a step."

"Harry? We're working on being 'friends' right now. It's something he needs, I guess. Nothing's going on."

"Good. There's a Ministry fundraiser on Friday night. I'd love for you to accompany me. What do you say?" Colin looked at Ginny, hoping she'd say yes.

Ginny thought about it for a minute. She liked Colin and she was attracted to him, but should she go on a date with him? Ginny decided it had been a long time since a man had taken her out and actually wined and dined her. 'Why not?' she thought. 'I deserve it as much as any other girl.' Ginny decided to accept Colin's invitation. "That sounds like fun. I'd like that Colin."

"Great. I'll meet you at six in Hogsmeade. The party is at seven, so we'll have plenty of time to get some drinks and chat beforehand. Sound good to you?"

"Sounds great. I'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks at six."

Colin kissed her on the cheek and walked to the nearby fireplace. He took a small bag from his pocket and took out some floo powder. He tossed it in the flames, which flared a vivid green. Then he turned to Ginny and said, "Goodnight, Gin. I look forward to our date." Colin turned back to the fire and stepped in. "Ministry of Magic," he yelled and disappeared in a flash of emerald flame.