Before Things Change, Harry Potter Year 6

24. Sectumsempra

Lilly's POV
Harry told us what happened in Charms. Hermione and Ron were really pleased how Harry got the memory out of Slughorn. Ron kept flapping his wand and eventually made it snow. Hermione grabbed his arm and Lavender noticed which in turn caused her to burst into tears. Ron told Harry how Lavender spotted Ron and Hermione going out of the portrait because she didn't see Harry, so she broke up with him. Ginny and Dean split up as well because she felt Dean helping her through the portrait when she can do it herslef, but they've been rocky for ages.
I joked, "Not for me, Neville asked me to marry him." Ron dropped his wand, Neville froze, Hermione was speechless, and Harry's eyes widened. I laughed so hard saying, "I'm kidding, geez, a girl tries to lighten the mood!"
They laughed nervously, especially Neville. Professor Flitwick came around and told the boys to practice. Hermione commented how it will be rocky with Quidditch and Harry, for once, didn't care about Quidditch.
As we went to our free period, Harry was having a battle in his brain. He liked Ginny, a lot. I smirked at him and he looked at me curiously, I tapped my head, and his eyes widened. I winked and sat down by the fire with Neville.
Harry discovered Katie was back and he was happy to have his original Quidditch team back. He was wondering who Imperiated Katie though. Hermione said it would have to be a woman because it was in a ladies bathroom. Harry thought someone used Polyjuice Potion and wanted to use Liquid Luck to see what Malfoy was doing but Hermione advised against it because he was in the right circumstances with Slughorn, but he won't find a good circumstance with Draco.
Practices were going fantasitic! We played better than before, except Harry kept staring at Ginny neglecting the Snitch and ended with a lot of Bludger bruises after practice.
It was the day before the final Quidditch match and Harry kept having a war in his brain and Neville went to the bathroom and I had a chance to talk to Harry at dinner since Ron went to throw up in a toilet and Hermione went to talk to Professor Vector. I teleported my school bag, my cloak, and my sweater to my room.
I said, "Harry, you've been giving me a headache this past week, come on, you want to talk about it."
He said, "No, you're going to make it a big deal out of it."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Yeah, it's already a big deal because it's the only thing on your mind. Look, I can give you advice..."
He shook his head saying, "I don't want to talk about it."
I smiled and swung one leg over the bench looking him in the eyes saying, "Fine, you don't have to talk, just listen. The Harry Potter I know would follow his heart and not care what others think. My advice is simple: follow your heart, Harry."
He scoffed, "Yeah, when has that proved me good?"
I smiled saying, "You believed that Voldemort was back last year and despite a lot of people not believing you, you stuck to what you knew."
"That's completely different!" He protested.
I sat up straighter asking, "How so?"
"I knew Voldemort was back, I saw it with my own eyes. I don't know if Ginny even likes me and I don't think Ron would appprove!" He put his hands up on in defense.
"Since when do you care what people approve of. Last year you didn't care!" I smirked knowing I was right.
"That's beside the point, that eventually came out with your help, knowing someone else believed me was help I needed!" He protested.
"What do you think I'm doing right now, Harry?" I pointed out.
He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Harry, trust me. I know how it feels to not know and contemplate on what to do. I followed my heart and it worked out for me..." I put my hand on his shoulder rubbing it soothingly and smiled.
"What situation worked out for you, Lilly?" He asked curiously.
I looked down the isle and saw Neville return from the bathroom. I smiled as he came up to me. Neville offered his hand asking, "May I take you for a stroll on the grounds before curfew, Lilly?" I giggled and moved the hand from Harry's shoulder to Neville hand. He helped me out of my seat. I smiled back at Harry and said, "This situation..." I winked and walked off.
"What did you mean by, 'this situation'?" Neville asked. Our hands intertwined and I put my other hand on his arn laying my head on his shoulder saying, "Harry needed advice with Ginny and I told him to follow his heart like he did last year, but he still didn't believe me. I told him I doubted something would happen, but it turned into something perfect."
He asked as we walked out into the courtyard, "Oh yeah, what turned out to be perfect?"
I stopped at our usual tree leaning against the trunk. He stood in front of me, taking my hand, and I took his hands saying, "This situation..."
He smiled and leaned forward and kissed me. He pulled away asking, "You doubted we would work?"
I giggled saying, "No..." He sighed in relief. I added, "I doubted you would ask me to the ball. I followed my heart and that's why I rejected all of the invitations to the ball. I knew, well more like hoped, you would as me and you did. If I went with someone else, I wouldn't know what I would be now, but I know everything would be different. This situation is perfect..."
He touched my cheek and I leaned into his touch putting one hand against his chest while still holding his hand. He said, "You're amazing, you know that?"
I said, "Compared to you, I'm a close second." He chuckled and kissed me. I smiled into the kiss...