There's Something About Harry
Chapter One
A Harry Potter Fanfic by Aira
Disclaimer: All of the characters/settings used in this story belong to J.K. Rowling, and are used without permission, and the title is shamelessly lifted from 'There's Something About Mary.'
***
"I.Thank you," he stammered somewhat clumsily, though he raised his head to look her in the eye.
It was difficult to think of an eloquent response to that, especially when those startlingly green eyes held such.longing? Muted desire? No, of course not. It was simply gratitude. And yet.and yet.she couldn't help but hope that.no. She was fifteen, and far too old for silly fantasies. That sort of thing only happened in fairytales. And now he held an expression of waiting, and it suddenly occurred to her that she should at least give him the courtesy of responding. "Oh.you're welcome. No less than you would have done for-for anyone else, I'm sure."
He just nodded, embarrassed. Oh, that's wonderful, now you've gone and embarrassed him. "I'll.see you, then."
"Right," she replied, offering what she hoped came across as a comforting smile.
Just as he seemed about to leave for the boys' dormitories, he spun around and faced her, cheeks scarlet. "I'm sorry I just acted like such an ungrateful prat. I just.you were fantastic. I'll-never be able to repay you. Thank you so much.Ginny."
Hearing such unexpected honesty from him sent a rush of heat throughout her body. Just as she opened her mouth to say something-though what she didn't know-Harry Potter gave a ghost of a grin, mumbled his good night, and bolted up the stairs.
*
In the months that followed, it seemed almost as if that night had never happened at all. Oh, sure, Ginny exchanged casual conversation with Harry when she saw him, as she had done since the middle of her fourth year. Sure there were smiles and looks that made her heart stop. But yet the solemnity and the candor they'd almost had that night had never come close to being replicated.
We're just friends now, Ginny reminded herself. And goodness knows he needs them. So don't even think about-"Hey, Ginny," Ron greeted, interrupting her thoughts as he slid into a nearby empty seat at the Gryffindor table.
Hermione, too, offered greetings as she chose the seat in between Ron and Ginny. "Harry's sleeping in," she explained, though Ginny hadn't asked.
"Yeah, hate to disappoint you," Ron ribbed with a wink and a cheeky grin.
Years of practice had long since taught Ginny how to keep a calm expression in the face of teasing brothers, and she was very glad of this. "Oh, yes," she said sarcastically. "My heart bleeds with disappointment. How ever shall I live through this tragedy?"
Hermione gave Ginny a knowing look at that, one that said that she wasn't fooled in the least. She let the matter drop, however, and rested her head on Ron's shoulder without another word.
The arrival of the Daily Prophet wiped the dreamy smile off Hermione's face, however. "Oh, dear. There've been two more attacks."
Ginny sighed. It felt like Lord Voldemort was getting stronger every day, and Cornelius Fudge still refused to do anything about it; rumors abounded that the Minister himself was a tool of the Dark Lord. Dumbledore had set up the Order of Phoenix the previous year, but he, himself, had been murdered. Professor McGonagall was now Hogwarts Headmistress and did what she could to continue the anti-Voldemort fight that Dumbledore had started. Which, unfortunately, didn't seem to be much.
There was a tangible silence between the three, before Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, no use dwelling on that, I guess."
"Dwelling on what?" came a voice from behind.
It was Harry, who had arrived at the table with dark circles under his eyes. "That," Ron answered grimly, handing over the newspaper.
Ginny watched Harry read it with the same blank, almost helpless, expression that she had both gotten used to and despised. Admitting this was difficult, but Ginny wanted so much to be able to comfort him. But would he let her?
*
"Ginny, can I talk to you about something rather.personal?"
Ginny looked up in surprise at Hermione, who had just settled herself into the chair across from Ginny in the Gryffindor common room. Sensing an involved conversation, Ginny set down her Divination homework. "What?" Ginny asked, trying not to sigh the words. She knew what was coming.
"Well, I'm not going to ask you about Harry because I know how much you hate that.but.just listen, please: It all feels so uncomfortable and nerve- wracking at first, but it's worth it. Really."
Those words came out rather in a nervous rush, and were concluded with a comforting sort of smile.
Ginny smiled back.
*
That night, Ginny stayed up late finishing homework. Teachers, with the O.W.L.s only six months away, had really been pilling on the assignments. "Finally done," Ginny murmured sleepily, slamming shut her Transfiguration textbook.
Just as she was packing up her supplies, a figure descended from the staircase leading up to the boys' dormitories. Even with only the soft candlelight Ginny knew who was there. She would have known him anywhere.
"Hello, Harry," she started.
He seemed to flinch in surprise, before returning a weary "Hey, Ginny."
"Trouble sleeping?" she asked, hoping for though not expecting him to open up.
To her surprise, he sank down in the chair Hermione had sat in earlier, and sighed a "Yes."
"Hard to sleep with him out there, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It's like-" Harry paused mid-sentence.
"Go on," Ginny prompted in what she could only hope was a soothing manner.
"I feel like it's all my fault," he blurted, then looked as though he regretted the words.
"How so?" she asked, her heart pounding.
"It's just that-you know-it was my blood he used to come back. Mine. My fault."
Ginny's heart broke for him, while at the same time she exulted that he was willing to share such feelings with her. "It isn't," she responded. "It isn't your fault, I mean. If he hadn't used you, he'd have found someone else. And you've done so much to help fight him, which is more that can be said by most."
"I know-thanks, Ginny. G'night."
And they both headed up to their dorms without another word.
*
Harry walked up the stairs in a daze. What had made him say that? Why had he talked to her that way? Not even Ron or Hermione had heard him say the words of guilt he'd just spoken to Ginny. What was it about her that made him feel so.right? Quickly, Harry pushed those thoughts aside. A marked man such as himself was in no position to-to be with someone in that way. Ginny deserved better.
He'd told himself that a thousand times over and had begun to believe it. Still, the tense heat that rose whenever she was near would not be silenced. Usually he was able to keep such emotions in check, speaking to her only of Quidditch matches and classes. But tonight.it had felt as though she had unlocked a key to a secret chamber in which he tried to hide.
And now, with his feelings of guilt spoken aloud, Harry felt as though a great weight had been lifted off his chest. She was really something, Ginny.
And while sleep eventually returned to him, nightmares did not.
*
"Please don't get yourself knocked off your broom by Bludgers this time," Hermione said worriedly to Ron over breakfast.
"Whatever it takes to stop the goal, 'Mione."
Though Hermione fumed at the nickname, she proceeded to plant what looked like a very passionate kiss indeed on Ron's lips.
After a minute or so of this display, Ron pulled back with what looked like reluctance. "I really ought to go check out the field-see you, ladies."
"Good luck," Ginny said to both her brother and Harry, wishing she could find more articulate words.
Ron nodded distractedly while Harry flashed Ginny a heart-melting smile. Good grief, girl! He didn't mean it that way.
"Shall we go get seats, then?" Hermione questioned, bringing Ginny's thoughts back to more earthly matters. Today was the much-anticipated Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, and Gryffindor's first match. (Due to Death Eater Activity, it had been postponed.)
Minutes later, Ginny found herself sitting in the stands, scarlet rosette pinned to her robe. This would be Ron's first match as the Gryffindor Captain, as well as the first match in which new Chasers Anna Corella, John Fisher, and Beth Thompson, and new Beaters Colin and Dennis Creevy would be playing in. Ron had been talking of little else for weeks, and Ginny knew her brother would be devastated if they lost the first match he captained.
"And here are the Gryffindors!" boomed Dean Thomas, who had taken over Lee Jordan's old job.
"And the Slytherins. Now Captains Weasley and Malfoy are shaking hands; whoa, boys, don't break any bones before the game even starts!"
Ginny had to laugh at Ron and Malfoy, who were shooting each other death glares. "And the players are in the air! Slytherin Chaser Zabini in possession and heads for goal-save it Ron! YES-and an excellent save by Keeper Weasley!"
The Gryffindor section erupted in cheers. "He nearly killed himself!" Hermione gasped, though she looked very proud indeed.
"Okay, now, Chaser Corella in possession, makes a pass to Fisher and-YES! Ten points for Gryffindor!"
The game continued for several hours, until the score was 80 to 30, with Gryffindor leading. "And it looks like both of the Seekers are going for a dive! Is this the real thing? Come on, Harry-"
At this point Dean was cut off by a tremendous roar. Harry, only inches off the ground, held up the golden Snitch to a screaming crowd. Grinning, Ginny rushed to join him.
*
"You were fantastic!" Ginny blurted.
"Thanks," Harry said shortly.
Ginny tried very hard to conceal her disappointment and only watched Harry walk towards the castle in stony silence as her own hopes were dashed.
*
"Ron, we have to do something about them!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you try to play matchmaker," Ron teased. "Are you sure this isn't just something you got out of a book?"
Hermione continued on without being drawn into their usual game. "Watching them dance circles around each other is maddening."
"Agreed. What can we do about it, though?"
Hermione drew a deep breath. "Well-I have a plan."
***
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed that, and thanks to Anne for the beta.
Chapter One
A Harry Potter Fanfic by Aira
Disclaimer: All of the characters/settings used in this story belong to J.K. Rowling, and are used without permission, and the title is shamelessly lifted from 'There's Something About Mary.'
***
"I.Thank you," he stammered somewhat clumsily, though he raised his head to look her in the eye.
It was difficult to think of an eloquent response to that, especially when those startlingly green eyes held such.longing? Muted desire? No, of course not. It was simply gratitude. And yet.and yet.she couldn't help but hope that.no. She was fifteen, and far too old for silly fantasies. That sort of thing only happened in fairytales. And now he held an expression of waiting, and it suddenly occurred to her that she should at least give him the courtesy of responding. "Oh.you're welcome. No less than you would have done for-for anyone else, I'm sure."
He just nodded, embarrassed. Oh, that's wonderful, now you've gone and embarrassed him. "I'll.see you, then."
"Right," she replied, offering what she hoped came across as a comforting smile.
Just as he seemed about to leave for the boys' dormitories, he spun around and faced her, cheeks scarlet. "I'm sorry I just acted like such an ungrateful prat. I just.you were fantastic. I'll-never be able to repay you. Thank you so much.Ginny."
Hearing such unexpected honesty from him sent a rush of heat throughout her body. Just as she opened her mouth to say something-though what she didn't know-Harry Potter gave a ghost of a grin, mumbled his good night, and bolted up the stairs.
*
In the months that followed, it seemed almost as if that night had never happened at all. Oh, sure, Ginny exchanged casual conversation with Harry when she saw him, as she had done since the middle of her fourth year. Sure there were smiles and looks that made her heart stop. But yet the solemnity and the candor they'd almost had that night had never come close to being replicated.
We're just friends now, Ginny reminded herself. And goodness knows he needs them. So don't even think about-"Hey, Ginny," Ron greeted, interrupting her thoughts as he slid into a nearby empty seat at the Gryffindor table.
Hermione, too, offered greetings as she chose the seat in between Ron and Ginny. "Harry's sleeping in," she explained, though Ginny hadn't asked.
"Yeah, hate to disappoint you," Ron ribbed with a wink and a cheeky grin.
Years of practice had long since taught Ginny how to keep a calm expression in the face of teasing brothers, and she was very glad of this. "Oh, yes," she said sarcastically. "My heart bleeds with disappointment. How ever shall I live through this tragedy?"
Hermione gave Ginny a knowing look at that, one that said that she wasn't fooled in the least. She let the matter drop, however, and rested her head on Ron's shoulder without another word.
The arrival of the Daily Prophet wiped the dreamy smile off Hermione's face, however. "Oh, dear. There've been two more attacks."
Ginny sighed. It felt like Lord Voldemort was getting stronger every day, and Cornelius Fudge still refused to do anything about it; rumors abounded that the Minister himself was a tool of the Dark Lord. Dumbledore had set up the Order of Phoenix the previous year, but he, himself, had been murdered. Professor McGonagall was now Hogwarts Headmistress and did what she could to continue the anti-Voldemort fight that Dumbledore had started. Which, unfortunately, didn't seem to be much.
There was a tangible silence between the three, before Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, no use dwelling on that, I guess."
"Dwelling on what?" came a voice from behind.
It was Harry, who had arrived at the table with dark circles under his eyes. "That," Ron answered grimly, handing over the newspaper.
Ginny watched Harry read it with the same blank, almost helpless, expression that she had both gotten used to and despised. Admitting this was difficult, but Ginny wanted so much to be able to comfort him. But would he let her?
*
"Ginny, can I talk to you about something rather.personal?"
Ginny looked up in surprise at Hermione, who had just settled herself into the chair across from Ginny in the Gryffindor common room. Sensing an involved conversation, Ginny set down her Divination homework. "What?" Ginny asked, trying not to sigh the words. She knew what was coming.
"Well, I'm not going to ask you about Harry because I know how much you hate that.but.just listen, please: It all feels so uncomfortable and nerve- wracking at first, but it's worth it. Really."
Those words came out rather in a nervous rush, and were concluded with a comforting sort of smile.
Ginny smiled back.
*
That night, Ginny stayed up late finishing homework. Teachers, with the O.W.L.s only six months away, had really been pilling on the assignments. "Finally done," Ginny murmured sleepily, slamming shut her Transfiguration textbook.
Just as she was packing up her supplies, a figure descended from the staircase leading up to the boys' dormitories. Even with only the soft candlelight Ginny knew who was there. She would have known him anywhere.
"Hello, Harry," she started.
He seemed to flinch in surprise, before returning a weary "Hey, Ginny."
"Trouble sleeping?" she asked, hoping for though not expecting him to open up.
To her surprise, he sank down in the chair Hermione had sat in earlier, and sighed a "Yes."
"Hard to sleep with him out there, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It's like-" Harry paused mid-sentence.
"Go on," Ginny prompted in what she could only hope was a soothing manner.
"I feel like it's all my fault," he blurted, then looked as though he regretted the words.
"How so?" she asked, her heart pounding.
"It's just that-you know-it was my blood he used to come back. Mine. My fault."
Ginny's heart broke for him, while at the same time she exulted that he was willing to share such feelings with her. "It isn't," she responded. "It isn't your fault, I mean. If he hadn't used you, he'd have found someone else. And you've done so much to help fight him, which is more that can be said by most."
"I know-thanks, Ginny. G'night."
And they both headed up to their dorms without another word.
*
Harry walked up the stairs in a daze. What had made him say that? Why had he talked to her that way? Not even Ron or Hermione had heard him say the words of guilt he'd just spoken to Ginny. What was it about her that made him feel so.right? Quickly, Harry pushed those thoughts aside. A marked man such as himself was in no position to-to be with someone in that way. Ginny deserved better.
He'd told himself that a thousand times over and had begun to believe it. Still, the tense heat that rose whenever she was near would not be silenced. Usually he was able to keep such emotions in check, speaking to her only of Quidditch matches and classes. But tonight.it had felt as though she had unlocked a key to a secret chamber in which he tried to hide.
And now, with his feelings of guilt spoken aloud, Harry felt as though a great weight had been lifted off his chest. She was really something, Ginny.
And while sleep eventually returned to him, nightmares did not.
*
"Please don't get yourself knocked off your broom by Bludgers this time," Hermione said worriedly to Ron over breakfast.
"Whatever it takes to stop the goal, 'Mione."
Though Hermione fumed at the nickname, she proceeded to plant what looked like a very passionate kiss indeed on Ron's lips.
After a minute or so of this display, Ron pulled back with what looked like reluctance. "I really ought to go check out the field-see you, ladies."
"Good luck," Ginny said to both her brother and Harry, wishing she could find more articulate words.
Ron nodded distractedly while Harry flashed Ginny a heart-melting smile. Good grief, girl! He didn't mean it that way.
"Shall we go get seats, then?" Hermione questioned, bringing Ginny's thoughts back to more earthly matters. Today was the much-anticipated Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, and Gryffindor's first match. (Due to Death Eater Activity, it had been postponed.)
Minutes later, Ginny found herself sitting in the stands, scarlet rosette pinned to her robe. This would be Ron's first match as the Gryffindor Captain, as well as the first match in which new Chasers Anna Corella, John Fisher, and Beth Thompson, and new Beaters Colin and Dennis Creevy would be playing in. Ron had been talking of little else for weeks, and Ginny knew her brother would be devastated if they lost the first match he captained.
"And here are the Gryffindors!" boomed Dean Thomas, who had taken over Lee Jordan's old job.
"And the Slytherins. Now Captains Weasley and Malfoy are shaking hands; whoa, boys, don't break any bones before the game even starts!"
Ginny had to laugh at Ron and Malfoy, who were shooting each other death glares. "And the players are in the air! Slytherin Chaser Zabini in possession and heads for goal-save it Ron! YES-and an excellent save by Keeper Weasley!"
The Gryffindor section erupted in cheers. "He nearly killed himself!" Hermione gasped, though she looked very proud indeed.
"Okay, now, Chaser Corella in possession, makes a pass to Fisher and-YES! Ten points for Gryffindor!"
The game continued for several hours, until the score was 80 to 30, with Gryffindor leading. "And it looks like both of the Seekers are going for a dive! Is this the real thing? Come on, Harry-"
At this point Dean was cut off by a tremendous roar. Harry, only inches off the ground, held up the golden Snitch to a screaming crowd. Grinning, Ginny rushed to join him.
*
"You were fantastic!" Ginny blurted.
"Thanks," Harry said shortly.
Ginny tried very hard to conceal her disappointment and only watched Harry walk towards the castle in stony silence as her own hopes were dashed.
*
"Ron, we have to do something about them!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you try to play matchmaker," Ron teased. "Are you sure this isn't just something you got out of a book?"
Hermione continued on without being drawn into their usual game. "Watching them dance circles around each other is maddening."
"Agreed. What can we do about it, though?"
Hermione drew a deep breath. "Well-I have a plan."
***
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed that, and thanks to Anne for the beta.