Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Rejection: A Double-Edged Sword	By : brooklynvtc Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Harry/Ginny Views: 21247 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and I do not make any profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
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Harry lay awake in bed. Had been since the crack of dawn. He had a mere six hours of terrible sleep, tossing and turning in his bed. His mind busy and his body unable to get comfortable.
He didn't think that he has ever been this nervous for a Quidditch match since his very first in his first year. He literally felt sick from the nerves roiling around in his stomach. The tightening in his chest felt so constricting, that he almost felt claustrophobic.
One thought kept rolling around in his head over and over again… Got to get that snitch. Got to get that snitch. Got. To. Get. That. Snitch….
The mantra was going through his head even now, as he dressed himself in his scarlet red, Quidditch robes. The only thing that made it seem better to Harry was that the excitement Ron felt by the bet yesterday has seemed to wear off, and he looked just as nervous as Harry felt. Which meant that Harry wasn't alone in his nerves.
When the two were finally dressed, and had their brooms in tow, they immediately made their way to the Potions classroom. Harry was paranoid that Malfoy would try something as he and Ginny set the Wizarding Vow, and he wanted to be there to put a stop to any potential funny business. Ron had called him out on his paranoia, but immediately kept quiet after Harry nearly chewed his head off.
Once they made it to the Potions classroom, Harry and Ron entered, only to find all of the Slytherin team, as well as most of the Gryffindor team already waiting – both dwelling on the far opposite ends of the room, pointedly ignoring the other house's presence until they were forced to acknowledge.
Harry's eyes immediately set to search around the room, and he noticed a vitally important person missing.
"Where's Ginny?" Harry asked the group at large, still standing in the open doorway.
Draco, who was casually leaning against a desk chose to speak up with a smirk. "Perhaps she decided to forfeit, because she wanted to skip all of the drama and go out to Hogsmead with me, anyways."
Harry was almost grateful when his irritation for Draco overpowered his nerves. "Pretty pathetic that you have to rely on winning a bet, in order to get a date, Malfoy."
The Gryffindors all laughed and some cheered with a holler. And Harry watched with satisfaction as that irritating smirk was wiped clean off of the ferret's face.
"Ginny's just down in the kitchens getting some blueberry muffins from Dobby." Katie informed Harry, and he felt a warmth spread in his chest as he was reminded of blueberry muffins and how he had given Ginny some the night she broke up with Dean. Some irrational part of him wanted to think that she specifically chose that pastry because it reminded her of Harry... but he knew that wasn't the case. "She said something about how the Wizarding Vow could wait, but her stomach couldn't…"
This information almost caused Harry to smile. It was typical of Ginny that she would be more concerned about her stomach than making a vow where she could potentially lose her magic. And he actually did smile as the memory of Harry showing Ginny the kitchens for the first time came to mind. She had been so enthusiastic, that she wouldn't stop thanking him profusely for a whole three days. She also expressed how she wished that she had known about it years earlier.
"Quite the crowd, don't you think?" The voice of the very witch he had been thinking of, spoke up from behind him. Harry turned to see Ginny, looking quite relaxed as she chewed on a blueberry muffin. She also had a bag of muffins with her, and Harry wondered if she brought some for the whole team. "I mean, it's just a silly bet..."
Harry frowned at the mention of the bet. "It's not silly, Gin." Harry looked away from her with a shake of his head and crossed his arms. "I don't like it..."
His eyes peaked over at her once again, to see that she now had a frown of her own and a pucker on her brow. Ginny opened her mouth to reply, when the others in the room seemed to finally notice her presence.
"Ah, Weasley." Draco drawled in his snooty tone. "Decided to show up after all, did you? Thought you might've wanted to just skip the bet. Afraid that your team would lose?"
Ginny's eyes flashed as she looked over to Draco. "I'm not afraid in the least." Ginny reassured, exuding with overbearing confidence. "In fact, I was so unconcerned about it, that it didn't even occur to me to show up early."
Ginny then raised an eyebrow and said in a sickly-sweet tone, "Anxious, Malfoy? Because you should be."
Draco frowned then pushed off the desk he was leaning on. "Let's just get on with the vow, shall we?" Draco grumbled.
Ginny smirked winningly over at Harry for her small victory against Malfoy, a smile that he didn't return as he was still anxious over the entire situation Ginny had found herself in. Ginny's smile dropped when she saw Harry's somber mood, but moved forward towards Draco anyways.
Katie Bell, who had broken in to Slughorn's potions supply, came out of the room with the potion in hand. A Slytherin player followed her out with two goblets, as it seemed neither trusted the other to not tamper with the potion, so they both went and got the supply.
The goblets were filled with potion and both Draco and Ginny took one into their hands.
Draco had just been about to drink, but Ginny stopped him.
"I want to add another rule before we take the vow." Ginny said, her voice insistent, demanding no argument.
Ron shivered beside Harry, and Harry shot a questioning look over at his best mate. "Sometimes it's scary how much she reminds me of mum..." Ron clarified in a whisper. But Harry couldn't help but disagree. Mrs. Weasley was much more nurturing in her ferocity, while Ginny was just downright sexy. But Harry supposed that Ron wouldn't see it that way, and he was mighty glad for it.
"No cheating during the match." Ginny stated. "If any one of your team members deliberately sets out to cheat, you automatically lose the bet. Same thing goes for Gryffindor."
Draco frowned at this, while Harry looked at Ginny with genuine surprise. With that idea on the table, the constriction in his chest lightened measurably. She was bloody brilliant, she was! To add the banning of cheating as part of the bet, made Harry feel marginally better about the whole ordeal. They had a better chance at winning if the Slytherins couldn't be up to their dirty, old tricks.
Draco hadn't said anything and Ginny gave him a long, hard stare. "I'm not taking the vow if you don't agree... the winning team will just have to win by pure talent, alone."
Draco let out a frustrated sigh and let out a gruff, "Fine!"
Ginny nodded and together, they both drank the potion at the same time.
...
Ron, Katie and the rest of the team ran forward to the pitch, each of them chewing on their own blueberry muffins that Ginny had brought them. Harry had even mustered up enough of an appetite to eat one as well, knowing that he had to eat in order to be alert during the match.
Harry and Ginny lingered behind the others... walking leisurely down the pathway.
As they walked, Ginny bumped elbows with him. "Harry?"
Harry, who hadn't said a word since before the vow was taken, looked up in question.
Ginny fidgeted and nervously gnawed at her bottom lip with her teeth. "I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday. You-You actually had some valid points, but I guess my pride kept me from actually listening to them..." Ginny swallowed and licked her lips nervously. "I hope that you feel better about winning now that the Slytherins can't cheat."
Harry smiled slightly at her and bumped his elbow back against hers. "Yes, very much so. Thanks for that. And I know that you didn't mean to snap at me, so there is really nothing to forgive."
Ginny relaxed and grinned widely at him. "What do you say to a friendly bet between the two of us?"
His interest was definitely piqued with that inquiry. What could she possibly want from him to want to set up a bet? Hopefully not something terribly embarrassing like she bet with Malfoy... But as Harry thought about it, he wondered what he would want if he won a bet against Ginny? With a sudden start, Harry realized that he could ask for a kiss if he won! His heart started to pound in his ears, just at the thought. Did he have enough nerve to name a kiss as his term, though?
"Wh-what did you have in mind?" Harry stuttered, suddenly nervous.
Ginny's face turned thoughtful as she tapped her chin with her finger, before it lightened with an idea. "If you don't catch the snitch within the first thirty minutes of the game, then I win, but if you do catch the snitch before the thirty-minute mark, then you win."
"What are your terms, then?" Harry asked.
"Hmmm..." Ginny hummed out loud. "If I win, then you have to go to Hogsmead and try to acquire some Firewisky for the victory party tonight."
Harry almost had to laugh at her confidence in the fact that there actually would be a victory party tonight in Gryffindor. But as Harry thought of it, it would probably be simple enough for him to get the Firewisky. He would just have to ask his dad and Sirius how they did it back when they were students in Hogwarts.
"Alright," Harry said, then worried his bottom lip nervously as he thought about what he wanted his own terms to be. "Then if I win, you have to spend an entire Hogsmead trip with me. Just to get the horrible idea of spending it with Malfoy out of your head."
Ginny laughed, then stopped and turned to him, outstretching her hand to him in offering. "Deal!"
Harry smirked before taking her hand in his and shaking it, sealing the deal. "What? No Wizarding Vow for our own bet?" Harry jested, letting go of her hand as they continued walking. Even though he never wanted to let go...
Ginny snickered. "I trust your word..." Then a devious look overcame her features. "Besides, I have other ways of making you comply if you don't hold your end of the bargain."
Harry swallowed as he thought of the implications, before chuckling nervously. "I have no doubt that you do, Gin."
Knowing full well that if Ginny Weasley asked him for the moon, he would research any magical possibility in order to give it to her.
...
"And there goes all of the players, lifting off of the ground. Oh my, the way that Ron Weasley shot up in the air, reminds me of this time I saw a Jellykringle leap out of the water in the same manner. They are really fascinating creatures, and-"
"Miss Lovegood..." Professor McGonnagal interrupted with a warning tone.
Harry was trying his hardest not to laugh at Luna's commentary. It certainly made him feel better about the fact that he had just been forced to cordially shake Draco's hand before they could start the match. He could unashamedly admit that when they shook hands, he may have squeezed Malfoy's a little too hard…
Madame Hootch flew forward on her broom, the quaffel in hand, and came in between both of the teams.
"Now, I want this to be a fair game..." She said, warningly, and mostly to the Slytherins. Little did she know, that the Slytherins weren't able to cheat for this game... Then, with her wand to her throat, amplifying her voice, she stated, "Release the snitch!"
Harry watched as the snitch was released from its restraints before promptly flying off at a high speed and disappearing. After the snitch was released, Madam Hootch did the same for the bludgers and then threw the quaffel into the air, effectively starting the game.
Harry immediately set about his task of finding the snitch. There would be no distractions for him this time around. He was downright determined to find it as fast as he could. As he had not only one bet riding on it, but two...
And though it wouldn't be the end of the world if he lost his bet with Ginny, Harry desperately wanted that date to Hogsmead with her... even if she didn't know that it was a date... yet.
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Draco trailing a short distance behind him... obviously counting on Harry finding the snitch for him, while Draco would try to get to it before Harry once he did.
Harry almost snorted at the stupidity of Draco. That method has never worked for Malfoy in the past, and Harry couldn't understand why he kept doing it.
"...and that cloud sort of looks like a Flying Trappadore and - oh, Ginny Weasley scores for Gryffindor!" Luna commentated.
Harry grinned and cheered alongside the rest of the school, minus the Slytherins. It was clear that both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff wanted Gryffindor to win this match.
"One goal won't stop Slytherin from winning this match, Potter, nor will it stop Weasley from spending some quality time with me…" Draco drawled snidely from his short, hovering distance behind Harry.
"Quality time with Weasley, huh?" Harry shot back over his shoulder, his eyes still searching for the snitch. "Didn't know that you felt that way about Ron, Malfoy. I'm sure that he'll puke once I tell him…"
Was that a flick of gold he saw in the Hufflepuff stands? Harry narrowed his eyes to inspect further, but saw that if was only a Hufflepuff girl's golden hair clip… His eyes flitted away, still searching for any sign of gold.
"Think you're cleaver, don't you, Potter?" Draco spat. Harry couldn't believe how distracted Draco actually was. Or was Malfoy really only counting on Harry finding the snitch for him? "You won't be so cleaver when I steal Ginevra right out from under your nose."
"Ginny is not a possession that you can steal, Malfoy. And it shows you how well you actually know her… she hates being called Ginevra."
"My father says that any sort of nickname gives a person less respect than they actually deserve."
"Did your father give you that advice from Azkaban?" He was really getting tired of Malfoy following him and speaking at him. There was only one way to find out whether Draco was only following Harry around for the snitch…
Harry suddenly pretended that he saw something on the far end of the field, by making his head perk up. Suddenly, Harry dived out of the air. Many students started to cheer when they saw Harry dive, and Harry could distantly hear Malfoy curse as he gave chase behind Harry.
Harry wished that he was actually chasing the real snitch rather than a made-up one. He had such a head start on Draco, there would be no doubt that he would have gotten the snitch if it were a real chase.
When Harry got to a mere five feet above the ground, he suddenly pulled up on his broomstick, jerking it with all of his strength to keep from crashing into the ground.
Malfoy didn't anticipate this, however, and was just barely able to turn his broom sideways so he didn't hit the ground straight on. Draco's broom bounced on the ground a couple of times, before he toppled off and tumbled to the floor.
Harry spared a moment to check Draco's condition, and noted that Malfoy merely looked a bit scraped up. Shame.
"I guess you'll think better next time than to follow me, Malfoy." Harry taunted, before flying high up into the air again.
Draco didn't trail him after that...
Floating in the middle of the pitch, Harry's eyes now surveyed the surrounding area. Slytherin had scored five goals, and Gryffindor had seven goals altogether - four of them scored by Ginny. They were in the lead, for now, but it was too close a game for Harry's liking, and he was itching to find the snitch to just end it.
Suddenly, a flash of gold caught his eye over by the Gryffindor goal posts that Ron was guarding.
It was the snitch!
Harry didn't even bother to check and see if Draco or anyone else had seen it, yet. He shot forward in his Firebolt, leveling himself flat against his broomstick, and shot in the direction towards Ron - the snitch hovering above his red hair.
"I suppose that Butterfrunkles are superior in the fact that they can sing and Mortuffs can't, and - Oh, look, Harry's found the snitch. How nice…"
Harry was getting closer, he was almost there! He could almost see the fluttering wings of the snitch and-
Wham!
A bludger hit Harry right in his side, throwing him off course and steering him in a different direction.
Gasps filled the crowd at the direct hit the bludger had gotten on Harry's side.
'Sweet Fucking Merlin, that hurt!' Was all that Harry could think for a moment. It took a moment for him to find his bearings.
"You alright, mate?" Ron yelled over to him, a mere ten feet away from where Harry float.
Harry lifted his hand and rubbed it at his sore side. Before saying, "Yeah... I'm alright."
Harry did a quick sweep of his eyes in the surrounding area to find that the snitch had disappeared once again.
"Damn." Harry cursed. He had been so bloody close! He would've caught the snitch, with eleven minutes to spare before the thirty-minute mark! But he had been too focused on the snitch, that he didn't think of looking out for his surroundings
Harry flew up higher to his post in the middle of the pitch…
Slytherin had made a comeback in goals during the distraction of Harry getting hit by the bludger and they were now both tied. Harry's unease with the scoreboard caused him to search more frantically for the snitch than he ever had before.
The time board said that he only had three minutes left before the thirty-minute mark… WHERE was that BLOODY snitch?!
When, suddenly, he spotted it! It was right in front of the sign that Romilda Vane held up that said:
'You may fall from the sky,
You may fall from a tree,
But the best way to fall...
Is in love with me!
I love you, Harry Potter!'
Harry cringed at the words, but decided that perhaps he could use the sign as an advantage…
He pretended to suddenly be interested in the crowd, knowing that he had to be quick with this, as he only had two minutes left before he lost a date with Ginny…
Harry shot, what he supposed was, a winning smile, as he waved to the crowd of students in the Ravenclaw section - channeling his father's inner narcissism, all the while.
None of the other players seemed to be paying him any attention, while the Ravenclaws got a bit excited and started to cheer and wave back at him.
"Harry! Harry! Oh Merlin, Harry!" Romilda screamed out, trying to get his attention.
Harry 'perked up' at the sound of his name and started to fly closer to Romilda… he was almost there, and no one has yet noticed that he has seen the snitch…
"What in MERLIN'S NAME are you DOING, Potter?!" Katie yelled at him as she sped by, quaffel in hand.
Katie's scolding of him seemed to attract the attention of the Slytherin beaters. Their heads snapped over to where Harry was floating, and noticed that he was zeroing in on the snitch.
Harry cursed, and immediately sped forward towards Romilda's sign. A bludger was shot in the spot where he had just been.
But the sudden movement of Harry's broom caused the snitch to start to flee, with Harry hot on its heals.
One minute left!
The snitch suddenly took a sharp turn upward, and Harry noticed that Draco was now hot on his trail… Gripping his broomstick, Harry pulled and shot up to the air right behind the snitch, his arm already outstretched to grasp the snitch. He was just about to reach out and grab it, when it veered left and switched course again.
Harry followed it and realized that it was heading straight towards the teacher's stands, but in a zig-zag fashion. Deciding to take a chance, Harry kept his course straight-on, cutting out all of the twists and turns. And, sure enough, he was cutting in on the snitch when…
The alarm for the thirty-minute mark sounded, just a mere second before Harry clasped the snitch in his hand...
But Harry wouldn't let himself be deterred from this victory with the thought of not getting his date with Ginny… Harry held up the snitch in his hand, victorious!
They had won!
Harry had saved Ginny from having to spend an entire day with a Death Eater! The tight, anxious feeling in his chest loosened, at last, and a real genuine smile came to his lips as he landed on the ground – where he was promptly tackled to the floor by all of his teammates. Ginny being the last to add herself to the pile.
….
"Now remember, son, confidence is key." James lectured, as they walked together along the tunnel. "You've got to be cool… calm… collected… maybe even a bit flirtatious. But not too much! That's how you'll get what you want."
Harry nodded seriously as he listened to his father's advice. "Cool. Calm. Collected. Got it."
"That's exactly it, Prongslette." Sirius said from his other side, throwing a casual arm around Harry's shoulders. "It may even help if you mentioned me to her… she has always had quite the soft spot for me."
Harry snorted and rolled his eyes, before pushing his Godfather's arm off of him. "Please. I bet you say that about every woman, Sirius…"
James snorted loudly at that, and shook his head in negative. "Actually, Harry, Sirius is right about this woman, for once. Madame Rosmerta has always had a soft spot for Sirius… She always set aside a special supply of Firewisky specifically for Sirius…"
Sirius let out a dramatic sigh and put a hand to his chest. "The woman did always know her way to my heart…" And Harry wanted to laugh at the nostalgic gleam in his Godfather's eyes.
An indignant huff came from behind them, and Harry peaked back guiltily at his mother… who obviously didn't approve of what they were doing.
"I still don't like you two corrupting my son…" His mum grumbled, with a crossing of her arms.
Harry sighed. He had already gotten three mini-lectures about it from her, and he could sense this being the start of another one. "What will you have me do, mum? I can't back down from my bet with Ginny. She won fair and square. And besides, what will it say about me if I can't even follow through on a silly bet? I wouldn't seem very honest or trustworthy to her, now would I?"
He had been building this argument in his head for the last ten minutes. Deciding that if he made this entire thing out to his desire to follow through with Ginny, it might actually appease his mum.
"But why did it have to be Firewisky?" His mum complained. "Why not some Butterbeer?"
"We're getting Butterbeer, too." Harry pointed out. "And we will be drinking the Firewisky in a safe environment. It's not as though anyone is drinking and driving…"
"Don't you mean 'Drinking and Flying'?" His dad asked, with a smirk, and Harry and Sirius snickered at the joke. Then his dad stopped and turned back to his mum. "Come on, Lils. Harry is almost of age. He needs a little teenage rebellion in his life before he becomes a full-grown wizard!"
Harry could see his mum's resolve start to waver a bit at that, when a devious gleam came over James' face. "And besides, it's not as though you didn't partake in some Firewisky back in our sixth year…"
Harry's jaw dropped as he stared wide-eyed at his mum. He had never pictured her to be the one to break the rules… He had always seen his mum as having the same sort of personality as Hermione.
"Ah, yes…" Sirius said, serenely in remembrance. "The Big Rager of 1977… Now that was a good party!"
And to Harry's even further shock, his mum's eyes sparkled with a certain gleam as she remembered as well… until finally, her resolve cracked entirely. "Oh, alright…"
Harry, James and Sirius cheered.
James grabbed Lily around the waist and pulled her tight into his side. "Glad to have my partner-in-crime back on board…" James crooned into her ear.
"Hey!" Sirius yelled, offended. "I thought that I was your partner-in-crime!"
His dad rolled his eyes at Harry's Godfather and said, "You were demoted as soon as I said, 'I do'."
While Sirius sputtered, indignant, Harry spotted the smile that his mum shot up at his dad. And he was instantly in awe of the obvious love that could be seen in their one, shared look…
Then his mum caught him looking and sent her own, special smile towards Harry. "You know, Harry…" His mum began. "Besides the mentioning Sirius bit, what they said wasn't bad advice to use for other things…"
Harry's smile dropped into a questioning look.
His mum grinned and shook her head at his obvious cluelessness as to what she was referring to. "Other things, such as wooing Ginny…" Then his mum reached forward and clasped his hand. "I think that you should confess your feelings for her. Perhaps, tonight?"
Harry froze as he finally caught on to what his mum was implying… Tell Ginny that he fancied her?! TONIGHT?! Panic suddenly welled up in his throat. He couldn't! He couldn't possibly do it!
Seeing the obvious panic on Harry's face, his dad immediately stepped in with his own thoughts. "You don't have to force yourself to tell her tonight, Son. I think what your mum is trying to say, is that if the moment feels right, then you should go for it."
Sirius nodded beside him, and put his arm around Harry's shoulders once again, this time in reassurance. "Yeah, Pup. And it will help that you both will have a couple of drinks in yah. Firewisky really helps with the nerves. I mean, that's how I found my confidence when I was your age!"
Calming down the more that his family reassured him, Harry relaxed. He didn't have to force himself to form a plan… It's like his dad said, if the moment felt right, then he should go for it. He wouldn't force it out in an awkward situation.
Taking a deep, shuttering breath, Harry nodded. "Alright. I'll tell her soon."
….
Harry returned to Gryffindor tower with fifty, large bottles of Firewisky and called Dobby to ask him to supply the Butterbeer in the tower for him.
He couldn't believe that he had actually done it! He had been confident and a tad flirty just like his dad and Sirius had said, and Madame Rosmerta was putty in his hands! Gave the Firewisky right over when he had asked for it.
It had been entirely too easy, and Harry had to admit, that displaying that amount of confidence in himself had felt… pretty good. He wasn't at all used to the feeling. Always shying away from any spotlight or glory pointed his way… and though he still hated this spotlight, perhaps he could indulge in a bit of glory every once in a while…
He currently had the bottles of Firewisky – which Madame Rosmerta put in a box for him with a lightening charm – underneath the Invisibility cloak with himself.
He had offered to his parents and Sirius that he could hold onto the stone during the party, so they could enjoy it as well. But, while they thanked him for thinking of them, they declined – stating that Harry needed to enjoy a party with his friends without his parents looming around.
So, Harry put away the stone in his pocket as soon as he had gotten back to the castle.
Harry made it to the Fat Lady's portrait and uncovered his head from the invisibility cloak, startling the woman in the painting. Harry quickly apologized, before taking his invisibility cloak off entirely, and said the password.
The Fat Lady huffed in annoyance, before she indulged Harry by opening to door…
The Gryffindor common room was packed! It seemed that word had gotten out that Gryffindor was holding a party, as the Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and even a few Slytherins that Harry recognized from the D.A. had showed up. And all were currently conversing and partying together.
As soon as people started to notice Harry standing in the open, portrait door, they all cheered and welcomed him.
"Three cheers to the bloke who won Gryffindor the game!" Matthew, his fifth-year beater, called out as he stood on a study table in the middle of the common room. Everyone cheered, even the Slytherin students – though they did so, begrudgingly.
Seeing someone in the crowd below him, Matthew reached down and pulled them up onto the table with him. "And three cheers to Ginny Weasley! The witch, who not only scored four of the seven goals for Gryffindor today, but also managed to trick Draco Malfoy into a losing bet! I think that we are all looking forward to Malfoy in a dress for three more matches!"
There was a mixture of laughter and cheers at the proclamation, and Harry could even see that Ginny's face was colored a bit where she had been put on the spot on the table. Harry's breath hitched as he stared at her… Merlin, she was so beautiful…
Deciding he needed a distraction, lest he get caught staring at Ginny, Harry pinched his fingers together to his mouth and let out a great, loud whistle. Dozens of head whipped in his direction, and Harry held up the box that he was holding in his hands. "I've got Firewisky."
If possible, the cheers were even louder than the ones before, as many students rushed forward and swarmed him, trying to get a bottle of the forbidden – to them – drink.
It was Ron who saved him with his height, by grabbing the box from Harry and holding it high above his head as he walked the box over to the food table – where the Butterbeer already sat with a cooling charm set around it. But not before knicking a bottle and handing it over to Harry.
The majority of the students that had swarmed him had followed Ron over to the drink table, leaving Harry to relax as he clutched the neck of the Firewisky bottle in his fist. Harry shut the portrait door and started on trying to make his way to Ginny – who had disappeared in the crowd during the chaos.
Harry really wanted to spend this night with her. To celebrate their victory together.
As Harry tried to weave his way through the crowd, Harry got many greetings and congratulatory pats on the back. Harry was even surprised to see Cho who was holding hands with Michael Corner, and he had to resist the urge to laugh out loud. Who would have thought that his ex and Ginny's ex would wind up together?
Suddenly, someone shot right in front of him, blocking his way.
"Hi, Harry." Romilda giggled. "I saw you looking at me during the game… I really hope that you liked my sign."
Harry stared gobsmacked as he suddenly remembered his ploy during the game, where he had tried to act casual when he had spotted the snitch. And he couldn't believe how stupid he was! Of course, he would give Romilda the wrong idea! It was difficult enough to dissuade her before she thought that he fancied her, and now it was bound to be unbearable!
Flashes of Hermione's warnings about being careful around Romilda came to mind, and Harry found himself suddenly terrified that she would try to use a love potion on him, again.
So, without saying a word, Harry turned and ran away… as best as he could through a crowded common room.
…
Ginny was having a good time. She really was.
Except…
She had hoped that she was going to spend at least some bit of time with Harry tonight. But she hadn't seen any sign of him since he had arrived with the Firewisky… And it left her feeling… a bit forgotten.
But she wouldn't let herself dwell on it. Instead she immersed herself into every conversation, just for the distraction. Colin was the perfect person for this highly important task. Entertaining her with his goofy personality – which was, apparently, the result of all of the liquor that they have drank.
Ginny could accurately say, that she was well on her way to getting plastered.
"Ginny!" Someone called from over by the window. "Colin!"
Both Ginny and Colin looked up to see it was Meyetta, Ginny's dorm mate, who had called them, and she was excitedly waving them over. Ginny and Colin looked over at one another, before shrugging and silently deciding to go over and see what she wanted.
As soon as they were in close proximity, Meyetta eagerly exclaimed, "We are playing, 'Truth or Dare'! Do you guys want to join?"
Ginny looked around at the group of people gathered and saw that it was Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Seamus, and Josephine – her other dorm mate. 'Sober' Ginny might have immediately said no to playing 'Truth or Dare', and moved on with her night. But 'Sloshed' Ginny, saw this as a good opportunity for another distraction and eagerly agreed.
This would surely get her mind of where Harry was, for sure!
Ginny sat down, and Colin sat down next to her, anticipation palpable in his body language.
"Before we start the game," Seamus spoke up, a randy grin of his face, "How's about we make things more interesting. In honor of Ginny, who is apparently up for taking risks…" He said, referring to the bet she made with Draco.
"Ohh!" Lavender cooed, intently interested. "What do you have in mind?"
Seamus flashed a grin and reached into his pocket and produced a small vile. "This is called Integrity Potion. I got it from Fred and George's shop," He informed, looking at Ginny, before looking at the group at large again. "It's made for games like 'Truth or Dare'. One drop on your tongue and it makes you tell the truth if you pick truth. If you pick dare, it forces you to do the dare. You literally can't help it! You have to carry out the task given to you. Of course, they made it so you can't do anything dangerous or life-threatening. But it might make the game a bit crazier."
Ginny felt herself feeling a little wary… there were certain things that she didn't want revealed. Like her fancy for Harry, for one. Or the entirety of her first year… Or even the Prophecy of Harry being the 'Chosen One'. It was then that Ginny realized, that if she played this game, she could only pick dare… at least with certain people. She knew that Colin and Seamus wouldn't ask her any intrusive questions that she didn't want to answer, but she wasn't sure about the others…
But since her higher brain function, as well as her decision making, was flawed at the moment – due to her drinking – Ginny saw no problem in only taking dares. In fact, it would make her brave in a sense, wouldn't it?
Justified by her own reasoning, Ginny agreed with the others to try the potion her twin brothers had made.
Seamus uncorked the top of the bottle and produced a little eyedropper to pour a small drop on each of their tongues with. Seamus passed the bottle over to Colin after taking his own drop, both of their faces pruning as soon as the liquid landed on their tongues. Colin then passed it over to Ginny.
Ginny poured a drop of potion on her tongue and cringed at the horrible taste. It tasted like moldy cheese... and if Ginny knew anything about her brothers, she knew that they probably made the disgusting taste deliberate. Ginny quickly passed the potion bottle and the eye dropper along to the person next to her, wanting to get away from the nasty potion as soon as possible.
Colin looked over at her sympathetically. "I know, right nasty stuff..." Then he handed her the bottle of Firewisky he had been holding on to. "Might want to wash it down."
Ginny took the bottle gratefully and took a swig, much preferring the burning taste of Firewisky than the potion she just took.
"Right then," Meyetta began after the last person in the group took the Integrity Potion. "Everyone got a drop? Good."
Then she produced an empty Butterbeer bottle and placed it in the middle of the circle. "Lavender, why don't you spin first?"
Lavender squealed in excitement and Ginny had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. It was a wonder how her brother had managed to tolerate so much girly squealing for such a long time with Lavender... Ginny thought that he would be much better off with Hermione.
Lavender leaned forward and spun the bottle. The bottle whipped around in its circle and Ginny couldn't help it... she felt the anticipation of who the bottle was going to land on. Some part of her even hoped that it would land on herself.
But it didn't. It landed on Colin.
Lavender smiled sweetly at Colin, and asked him, "Colin, truth or dare?"
Colin thought for a moment before answering, "Truth."
Lavender smiled a 'Kneasle that caught the Fairy' sort of grin, and Ginny felt a nervousness grow inside of her for her friend...
"Why did you always take pictures of Harry back in your first year?"
Colin snorted loudly, with a relaxed grin, replied, "Trying to out me, Lav Lav?" Ginny stared wide-eyed at Colin, wondering how he could be so blasé about such an intrusive question. "I took pictures of Harry because I had a major crush on him. But, alas, the boy-wonder is straight, so I got over it a few years ago."
Of course, Ginny always had her suspicions of this, but to hear Colin talk about it so comfortably caused Ginny to wonder why she never outright asked Colin about his sexuality.
Ginny reached over and grabbed Colin's hand, squeezing it until he looked up at her, where she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Alright, Colin, you're next." Parvati said, and Ginny was glad to see that no one made a fuss of Colin not only being gay, but having once had a crush on Harry Potter. But Ginny supposed that no one could really blame Colin, seeing as everyone there- minus Seamus - all probably had a crush on Harry as well, at one point in time.
It wasn't Colin's fault that Harry was so lovable, and attractive, and sweet... and sexy...
Ginny felt her face color at her thoughts, and immediately pushed them away. It wouldn't do for her to think about her fancy for Harry in front of others, lest she gets distracted and someone asks her about it.
Colin spun the bottle and it landed on Seamus, who immediately answered dare.
Colin dared him to get up on the table and sing a love ballad for Hermione while slowly stripping his button-down shirt.
Ginny could see the shimmer flash across Seamus' eyes as the potion made him get up and start doing just that.
He stood up on the table and yelled out in a loud voice that the song he was about to sing was dedicated to Hermione. Hermione's attention snapped up from where she was talking to Susan Bones over by the dormitory stairs. Then Seamus started to sing a smooth, jazzy number that Ginny recognized as one of Celestina Warbeck's songs, all the while slowly stripping his shirt.
Ginny burst out laughing at the beet red that immediately colored Hermione's cheeks. Ginny had never seen her so embarrassed in all the time she had known Hermione.
There were many catcalls and leering remarks thrown at Seamus. And when he finished the song, instead of hiding in shame, Seamus owned up to it, and actually took a bow. Then he jumped down from the table and buttoned up his shirt again.
As Ginny fought to catch her breath from all of her laughter, she caught the sight of Ron out of the corner of her eye. He looked downright murderous as he glared at Seamus from his place on the couch, next to Katie Bell.
And Ginny smirked as she thought that maybe a little jealousy would light a fire under her brother's arse and he would finally ask Hermione out.
The game continued on, with some people mostly choosing truth after the embarrassing display that Seamus was forced to do.
Ginny found out that sometimes, Padma and Parvati switch places often, especially during exams, and that Lavender was the only one to ever notice.
Lavender revealed that her secret shame was that she often fantasized about numerous boys while in the shower, including some Slytherins.
And when Josephine was asked if she had to snog any Professor in the school that year, she replied with Professor Flitwick.
Ginny hadn't been chosen from the spinning bottle, yet. But she was still enjoying watching the game, surprisingly.
Until, finally, Meyetta spun the bottle and it landed on Ginny.
Meyetta grinned deviously as the bottle landed on her, and Ginny couldn't help but wonder what her roommate was up to...
"Ginny, truth or dare?"
Ginny knew Meyetta for five years now. They hadn't been all that good of friends after what had happened in Ginny's first year... where she hadn't been the most social person because of that stupid diary. But they were friendly enough with one another.
Yet, there was one thing that Ginny knew about Meyetta, and that was that the girl was always thirsting for new gossip. And one thing that Ginny noticed this year, was that Meyetta was extra curious about where Ginny's feelings lie... specifically about Harry.
It was for that reason, Ginny knew that she couldn't answer with 'truth' with Meyetta.
"Dare." Ginny said, confident. She could handle any dare Meyetta threw her way.
If possible, Meyetta's grin grew larger, and a feeling of dread fell in Ginny's stomach.
"I dare you to kiss Harry Potter on the lips first thing tomorrow in the Great Hall."
It took a moment for the dare to register in her thoughts. But when it did, the color in her cheeks instantly drained from Ginny's face...
.
.
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A/N: Thanks so much for all of the support! I love that you guys love this story, as it makes it more fun to write it!
Please remember to leave a review for me! And let me know what you loved best about this chapter! (:
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Rejection: A Double-Edged Sword