You Left Me a Mixed Up Girl

Date with Destiny?

The days flew by for Ginny. Suddenly Friday had arrived and she was standing in front of her mirror, combing her hair. She was trying to figure out a style that would go with her dress. Ginny had decided to wear a green velvet dress and her black cloak to the ministry fundraiser. She had seen her mother and father go before and knew the dress was semi- formal. She had cast several spells on her hair, but none seemed to look right with her outfit. Finally, Ginny decided on a hairstyle similar to Veronica Lake's, who was a muggle film star that Ginny had recently seen in a magazine. Ginny had just finished putting on her jewelry when she heard a knock on her door. She walked over to answer it. "Hello, Harry." She purposefully kept the door closed so he couldn't see her clothing.

"Hi Gin. I was wondering if you had some time to help me figure out a lesson I'm planning. Can I come in?" Harry stood at the entrance to her room, hands in his pockets. He was wearing a gray v-neck sweater with a white T-shirt underneath it. He had on dark blue jeans and black shoes. Ginny thought he looked very handsome and had to steel herself against agreeing to helping him and forgetting about her date with Colin. Harry looked at Ginny curiously. Her hair was in a different style than this morning and she was wearing more make-up. He couldn't see her body, but he guessed she was dressed for going out. Harry tried to see around the door. "Am I disturbing anything?"

"No." Ginny answered a little too quickly. "I'm just getting ready to leave, is all." Ginny was trying to shoo Harry away without seeming like she was desperate for him to leave.

"Where are you going?" Harry was deliberately trying to keep his voice light. He didn't want to imagine her going on a date with anyone.

"Uh, I'm going to Hogsmeade." Ginny tried to keep the details of her date to herself. She didn't need another fit out of Harry right now.

"You look like you're going on a date. Are you going on a date?"

Ginny sighed. Harry was going to find out someday. Why not just get it over with now? "Yes. I'm going to a fundraiser at the Ministry tonight. Colin Creevey asked me when he was here." She opened the door so Harry could see her whole outfit.

Harry took a deep breath. Ginny looked beautiful. The dress went well with her coloring. It perfectly complimented her curvy figure. "Gin, you look beautiful."

Ginny spun around and let Harry have a better look. "You think so? I am so nervous everyone will be dressed nicer than me. This is left over from the Yule Ball last year. I didn't have anything new to wear, so I just dug this out of my trunk. Do you really think I look alright?"

"Gin, you look great. I'm sure Colin will be a very happy man to escort you to the fundraiser tonight." Harry turned and walked back to the door. "I guess I'll ask someone else to help me tonight. Night Ginny." Harry left the room and softly closed the door. Ginny was left staring at the door with a queer feeling in her heart. She hadn't really wanted a fight with Harry about going out with Colin tonight. Somehow, she wished he had been more upset though. Instead Harry had reacted calmly and left the room. Ginny decided not to think too much into Harry actions. She placed the cloak over her dress and left the room.

Hours later, Ginny and Colin were at the fundraiser. They had a good time at the Three Broomsticks, drinking and remembering old times. Ginny felt quite tipsy by the time they arrived at the Ministry of Magic, but Colin had found something for her to eat. In time, Ginny felt less light headed and stopped giggling. Ginny watched as several women milled around the room, trying to see who was dressed the best.

Colin walked up to Ginny. "Gin, the Daily Prophet wants a picture of me with my date for tonight. Do you mind?"

Ginny smiled at Colin. "Not at all. Where are they?" Ginny craned her head around to find the man with the camera.

"Over here." Colin guided her by the elbow to an area near a rather large floral arrangement. The photographer arranged Colin and Ginny so Colin had his arm around Ginny. Just as the photographer was taking a picture of them, Colin whispered, "You look beautiful tonight." Ginny smiled up at Colin and the photographer took a second picture.

Ginny and Colin danced the night away. By the end of the evening, Ginny had almost forgotten about Harry. Colin was a nice man and incredibly handsome, but sometimes she couldn't help wishing she was dancing in Harry's arm. She wanted people to see a picture of Harry and she in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. She knew she could have all of that, if she wanted. But did she want all of that with Harry again? Could she ever really trust him again? Looking up at Colin, Ginny decided that no man would ever be equal to Harry. Maybe Ginny could be happy with someone who was less than Harry.

That night Colin and Ginny apparated outside Hogwarts gates. Ginny stood in front of them and wished Colin goodnight. However, Colin refused to let her walk to the front door of Hogwarts by herself.

"C'mon Gin. Something could happen to you. I'll walk you to the door and then I'll leave. It's the gentlemanly thing to do." Colin smiled winningly at Ginny and she found his manners hard to refuse.

"Alright Colin. I appreciate your concern. It's really very chivalrous of you." Ginny took Colin's offered arm and walked with him through the gates of Hogwarts, up to the front steps. "I had a good time tonight, Colin." 'Hint, hint. Ask me out again.'

"I did too. I had forgotten how fun you are to be around. You are also quite attractive. What say you and I go out again, on a much less formal occasion?"

"I'd like that," Ginny said shyly. "When will you be free again?"

"Wednesday. Let's meet at the Three Broomsticks for some dinner?"

"That would be great. Meet you there around eight?"

"Perfect." Ginny and Colin were at the front door to the school. "See you Wednesday." Colin leaned down and softly kissed Ginny on her lips. Then he waved and walked back down the hill to the front gates, where he could apparate home. Ginny watched him leave, feeling a little dizzy and light headed. She took this as a good sign. It must mean she liked him, she thought. Ginny carefully let herself back into the school and wandered through the corridors back to the teacher's wing. As Ginny walked back to her room, she realized she was still a little drunk. She paused in the hallway to take off her cloak (the alcohol had made her feel warm) and get her bearings again. Ginny promised herself not to drink on an empty stomach again; she just couldn't take it. As Ginny started walking back to her room, Peeves caught up with her.

"Ooh, it's the wee Weasley! Drunk if I'm not mistaken?" Peeves floated in the air in front of Ginny as she continued walking back to her room.

Ginny laughed and answered, "Yes, Peeves. I'm a little drunk. What are you doing out right now? You better not let the Bloody Baron catch you wreaking havoc in the halls."

"Out for a stroll, you might say." Having answered Ginny's question, Peeves began singing a dirty song concerning red heads. In any other state, Ginny would have ignored Peeves or even tried to shush him, but now that she was drunk Ginny sang along with him. It was an old song her brothers Fred and George had taught her years ago and Ginny began singing it with gusto that Fred and George would have admired. Finally, Ginny and Peeves reached the portrait that guarded the teacher's rooms. Ginny waved goodbye to Peeves, who zoomed away, and said the password.

Ginny quietly walked back to her room, humming the tune she had been singing earlier with Peeves. Ginny opened her suite's door and staggered into her bedroom. Ginny felt quite tired and decided she would have a bit of a lie down before she took off her dress and got ready for bed. She fell on her bed in a drunken heap and didn't wake up until morning.

Meanwhile, Harry had been watching the gates to see when Ginny was coming home. He had seen Colin walk Ginny back to the door and kiss her. He told himself it didn't matter what Colin did; Ginny would eventually end up with him. Somehow, that was of little solace. Harry decided that two could play Ginny's little game and made up his mind to start playing tomorrow.