What if Sirius Black didn't die?

Chapter 21: Figuring it out

GINNY- Nicholas Hooper

HARRY POV:

Padfoot,

We won our first quidditch match by 250 points to nothing because of Ron! I knew he was going to do great. I don't remember if I said this already, but I was invited to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party. Ball? Dinner? I don't know. Whatever it is. Our chaser was replaced because of the little mishap that happened- which I hope you got, if not, oops. I can't wait to see everyone again for the Christmas holidays! We have more free time in the 6th year, but there's lots of homework and essays to be done, which you probably had to go through as well. I originally wasn't supposed to do potions because Professor Snape didn't accept Exceed Expectations students, but Slughorn does now, so McGonagall made me and Ron go. Potions is pretty easy, and I could say Professor Slughorn likes to have me in his class. Anyways, I'm stalling, so I should get back and try to finish some Transfiguration homework. I hope you're well and send everyone else my love. I can't wait to see you again.

Harry.

I sealed my letter and tied it to Hedwig's leg. I had written it quickly in the owlery so I wouldn't waste extra time. After all, the Transfiguration homework wasn't a joke. God- honestly I've gotten as boring as Hermione. At least I don't study in the library yet. Oh please- don't think too soon. Hedwig gave me a look and flew through the window, flying to Sirius, where I wish I could be, but I had school. Uhh.

I walked through the hallways of the school and eventually made my way back to the common rooms. I walked in to find way too many students all dancing around and still celebrating the quidditch win. There was food, sweets, and oh no- drinks. So that's why they were still going. I could easily stay and watch everyone, but I didn't want to get dragged into the party by some drunk student, and I didn't feel like it right now. I was honestly tired from the match, the thrill, and the nerves I had before.

I grabbed my things, avoiding students on the way, and went up to my dormitory for some peace. I climbed the stairs to find only one person in there. Ron.

"Hey," I started, closing the door after me.

"HaRrY," he started.

"You wouldn't believe what happened!" He exclaimed.

"I would if you would tell me," I said, sitting on my bed across from him as he faced me.

"So after that thing with Hermione happened, you all were embarrassing gits, so we ran off, and we talked, but it was mostly her, and anyway, we decided we weren't going to start anything because of everything that's happening, and yeah..." Ron trailed off awkwardly and uncertainly.

"I knew I couldn't be the one to end up with Hermione!" I exclaimed as I got out my notes.

Ron threw a pillow at me.

"Ow! Sorry!" I exclaimed.

"It's not like we're going to end up together!" He exclaimed, blushing furiously.

I gave him a stern look.

"It's not like I wouldn't- you know, it's- I just don't- Look," He started, taking a breath.

"All I'm saying is that we're not together at the moment, and we both agreed that the kiss was in the heat of the moment! Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, okay," I smirked and dropped on my bed.

"Don't use that with me!" Ron grumbled as he turned to look for something.

I continued to smirk and think about what he said. It all seemed very Hermione-ish, but Hermione didn't do things in the heat of the moment, so she must've been thinking as she did that, but I can't help but think that Ron was thinking too. I hoped that he did, and didn't just do it for fun. I mean, you could see his pink cheeks, so maybe he did think about it. If he didn't know what was going on or was completely comfortable with it, he wouldn't have done it, so he thought about it.

"What do you suppose Dean sees in her? Ginny." Ron said suddenly.

"What does she see in him?" I replied, straightening up on my bed and watching Ron.

"Dean? He's brilliant." Ron let out.

"You called him a slick git a few days ago."

"Yeah, well, he was running his hands all over my sister, wasn't he? Something snaps. You've gotta hate him. You know, on principle." Ron said stupidly.

"I suppose," I responded, uncertainly.

"So what is it he sees in her?" Ron asked again.

"I don't know," I responded.

Ron gave me a look and I sighed and went on.

"I don't know, she's smart. Funny. Attractive-" I started, but was interrupted by Ron.

"Attractive?" Ron asked, glaring at me curiously.

"You know. She's- got nice skin." I said, trying to cover my slip up.

"Skin? You're saying Dean's dating my sister because of her skin?" Ron asked, bewildered.

"Well, no. I'm just saying it could be a contributing factor." I said, resting my head back on my pillow.

Ron watched me for a second before he copied my movements and laid down on his bed, and staring at the ceiling. He looked like he was deep in thought, but also confused.

"Hermione's got nice skin." He suddenly blurted out.

"Yeah I think I'll be going to sleep now," I said, uncomfortably, turning away from Ron.

Maybe I should talk about it with Ron. But then again, maybe I shouldn't. I wonder if Hermione would ask Ron to Slughorn's party. Maybe she wouldn't. To avoid- I don't know what. Who was I going to ask to come with me to the party? I knew who I actually might want to ask, but she wasn't in our year. Who am I kidding? You could bring students from a different year, but she was already taken, and I couldn't do anything about it, even if she did look at me the same way I looked at her. Besides, it's not like Ron would be happy.

Maybe I could take Hermione, as friends of course. But what if she wanted to go with Ron? I should ask someone else, but who? Should it be someone from Gryffindor? Someone good at potions. Who would I ask? It had to be someone smart, charming, and cool, especially if I wanted to get closer to Slughorn like Dumbledore asked me to. Suddenly, I got an idea. She was someone cool. I would ask her soon, but for now, sleep started to overcome me, so I tucked myself under the sheets and slowly closed my eyes, thinking of the quidditch match, the party, Sirius, but I couldn't stop my thoughts from going to one person.

Ginny.

Because of this, that night, I dreamt that Ron was chasing me with a bat. It was honestly very scary, and I didn't realize why he was chasing me until the dream suddenly turned into Ginny. That's why Ron was chasing me with a stick. Dang it.