Empty Spaces

Chapter 7

Hermione took off for Arithmancy (Harry noticed Malfoy also leaving in the same direction), leaving Harry and Ron to walk awkwardly towards the greenhouses together. Hermione had been devastated that summer to discover both subjects overlapped, but ultimately decided that her career in magical law was more to likely involve numbers more than it would plants, so she begrudgingly dropped herbology, but only under the condition that Harry share his notes with her. What on earth she would do with them, Harry had no idea, especially since they hardly ever took notes in the greenhouses, but he agreed in the end just to make her stop worrying.

They were saved a few minutes into their walk by a rather windswept and happy-looking Ginny appearing seemingly from nowhere.

"Hey Ron, hi Harry!"

"Hi," Harry said, trying and failing not to sound awkward. "Er– how are things?"

"Really excellent, thanks," Ginny smiled, "How was Potions? Heard there's a new teacher... a foreigner!? Did they really bring someone in from abroad this year??"

"Germany," Harry replied to Ginny's raised eyebrow.

"Oh really," she replied, "How was he? Heard his accent is divine..."

Harry choked on nothing and felt himself turning red while Ginny thumped him on the back and Ron rolled his eyes.

"That nice, huh?" Ginny laughed. "Damn. Maybe I should have taken Potions this year after all."

"What are you doing instead?" Harry asked, grateful to change the subject away from Holmberg's voice (which was in fact, quite nice).

"Quidditch practice," Ginny said, smiling again, "No, not the whole team, I haven't even held tryouts yet. It's just me and a few others. Convinced Mum that I want to go for the pro leagues after school... She's definitely come a long way, Mum, she never would have even considered anything like this before, but ever since..." Ginny stopped suddenly, her face falling and her eyes seeing ghosts... Harry knew what she had been about to say. Ever since Fred died. It had been one of Mrs. Weasley's great regrets– that she'd spent a lifetime trying to convince the twins out of following their dream, and now, only George would be able to see it through. Of course she would let Ginny pursue her own dream of playing professional Quidditch now.

"Hey," Harry said, putting his hand on her shoulder, in what he hoped would be received as a neutral touch. "I'm happy for you. Really. It's awesome that you're going for it."

"Thanks," Ginny said, taking Harry's hand, and he was grateful that she seemed to understand, "That means a lot coming from you, it really does. Oh, stop it, Ron, don't make that face."

"Don't toy with my sister," Ron said, irritated.

"I can take care of myself, so shove it," Ginny replied. "And I need to have a chat with Harry. Go away."

"Be my guest," Ron rolled his eyes and marched off. "Don't come crying back to me when he dumps you again."

"Just go somewhere else," Ginny pulled Harry aside, leaving an annoyed looking Ron behind them. "Anyway, Harry, I just wanted to say... I'm sorry. I had a nice talk with Luna yesterday, and she helped me... put some stuff into perspective. I asked things of you that really weren't fair to ask, given everything that was going on..."

"Yea, well, I did the same. But to you," Harry admitted, "And I'm sorry, too."

"I know," Ginny said, her voice quieting down and becoming serious, "You've said it before."

"So did you," Harry pointed out. They'd both had their awkward apologies and attempts at reconciliation– how often can one person say sorry to another before it actually accomplishes something...?