“ Harry…..” Ginny’s brows frowned, and she gulped. How to tell him that she wasn’t ready yet? How to tell him without hurting him?

“ I…I don’t know..Harry. I mean….I’m only 17 and you’re 18….”
Harry’s smile disappeared.

“ Aren’t you happy that I’m back?”

“ Of course I’m happy! I couldn’t be happier….”

“So what’s the problem?” Harry looked bewildered.

“ Harry…now that everything’s over..aren’t there things you want to do? Things you couldn’t do before?”

“ Yeah! I want to spend more time with you.”

They had stopped dancing, and Harry’s voice was rising attention.

“ No…no…Harry…” Ginny shook her head. “ Aren’t there things you want to do for yourself?”

Harry was silent for a moment, then nodded. Ginny sighed.

“ I know you’re in a hurry. And I don’t blame you. After all, what we’d been through made us cherish what we have. But I’m not ready. And I don’t think you are , either. There’s so many things I want to do.”

“ So….you’re saying that commitments will only block your dreams?” Harry said coolly.
Ginny was startled. This wasn’t right. Harry had misunderstood…

“ No…I didn’t….” Ginny waved her hands frantically, trying to explain.

“ But that’s what you said, wasn’t it? …..There’s so many things you want to do….” Harry looked away and said.

“ Harry….”

“ Well then, I guess I can’t stop you from getting what you want.” And then, Harry turned around and left.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moon reflected upon the lake, and everything was silent in a peaceful way. As the wind slightly brushed through the forest and his face, Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Why couldn’t Ginny understand? He thought she could.

He was furious. After all what they’d been through, Ginny ought to be more considerate. He just wanted more time with her. Take part in her life. Why didn’t she say yes?

“ Harry?” A girl’s voice came from behind him.

He turned around, wishing that it was Ginny. But as soon as his eyes were able to see through the darkness, he recognized that it was Hermione instead.

Hermione slowly walked up to him and sat down.

“ That didn’t go very well, did it?” Hermione smiled a bit, trying to lighten the mood.

“ Not at all.” Harry shook his head. “ Where’s Ron? Shouldn’t you be with him?”

“ He can survive without me for an hour or so. It’s you who needed me now.” She squeezed his hand and held it tight. Harry looked at her gratefully, and said,

I don’t want to talk about it now. But we could talk about other things…like…you and Ron.” Harry winked, which made Hermione blush.

“ What about me and Ron? We’re not together…yet.”

“ I don’t know, you tell me.” Harry laughed softly.

“ Harry, you know what?”

“ Hmm?” Harry turned around and found that Hermione was only inches away. He could feel her breathing and see her features clearly.

And for a moment there, he couldn’t believe that he hadn’t notice how beautiful Hermione was before.

“ I liked you before. When we were in 3rd grade.” Hermione said lightly, clearly not noticing the distance between them.

“ Really?” Harry’s eyes widened. He was taken abacked.

“ Yeah. But that was only for about a year, and you never noticed..so…”

Harry suddenly had a strong affection towards Hermione. For so many years, she was the only one who was always there for him.
He leaned towards Hermione, and their lips touched.



待續....