Soft

Harry's visit to the Burrow was the highlight of his summer. Everyday, he wore a smile, and he was cheerful when he replied to anyone's questions. Harry was very good at keeping up this façade, yet inside he was slowly withering away. His moments alone became more frequent and lengthy, yet the Weasleys didn't seem to notice. They were just glad that he was alright (so it seemed) and didn't bother him. His thoughts dwelt on Sirius, Cho, and Voldemort. Soon, he stopped sleeping for more then a few hours a night, being swallowed up by his dark thoughts. He noticed faint rings under his eyes, however, and resolved to sleep more, lest any of the Weasleys find out.

In the second week of August, Hermione came to stay with the Weasleys as well. She gave Harry a hug and a quick peck on the cheek before going off to greet Ron in the same fashion. Harry was glad in a way that she had come, since she was his best friend, but deeper down, he resentful that one more person could potentially nose around in his business. But then, he figured, Hermione and Ron might keep themselves busy; Harry had noticed a change in their relationship, a more flirtatious one, so to speak. He knew what would come out of it, and was glad that it might work a change and cease their endless arguing.

Early one morning, during the last week of August, Mrs. Weasley poked her head into the room that Harry was sharing with Ron. Harry had only gotten to sleep at sunrise, and was still half asleep when she started to talk.

"Harry dear, we're going to Diagon Alley today, would you like to come along?"

Harry grunted his refusal.

"Alright then, just leave me your booklist and I'll get you what you need."

He waved towards the desk by the wall, indicating that his booklist and money bag were there on it.

"Okay then, you have a nice lie-in. We'll see you later."

Harry grunted again.

He woke again three hours later, feeling hungry. Harry rubbed his stomach and reached for his glasses. Peering around the room, he saw that it was 10 o'clock. He went downstairs, in search of some food, and started when he saw Ginny sitting at the kitchen table.

"Oh, Ginny. I didn't know anyone was here.

"Yeah. I mean, I've already been to Diagon Alley this summer with my friend Amy, so there wasn't much point in me going again. Mom's getting my books for me and- well, that's pretty much all I've got to get for next year."

"I see."

"Anyway, Harry, to be frank, you look like hell."

Harry's stomach fell.

"Er...you think so?"

Ginny looked skeptical.

"C'mon Harry, we both know that you haven't been getting any sleep lately."

"How did you know that? And how come no one else noticed it?"

"Well, because you've got dark rings under your eyes. I'm the only person who's noticed because boys are ignorant, and besides that, I'm a girl and we have an instinct for these types of things. Why do you think we use make up at all?"

"Er...I've got no clue...well, what about your mom? Or Hermione?"

"My mom's too busy feeding you and making sure you're well physically...and Hermione...well, she's Hermione, Harry, she probably looks like that half the time from studying late."

Ginny's featured softened. She moved to the living room and sat down on the sofa, her feet curled under her.

"So, Harry, what's up?"

Harry looked down at his feet. "Not much...it's just, I've been thinking a lot lately about that stuff...you know, the stuff that I wrote to you about?"

Ginny nodded.

"Well yeah...it's just...I dunno, Ginny, it's hard to explain."

"I've got nothing but time, Harry."

He launched into a detailed explanation of how he still had feelings for Cho, how he thought that she hated him now, and that nothing could possibly work out now.

"Well, Harry, if you feel so strongly about it...I think you'll have to talk to Cho and tell her how you really feel about her."

If Harry hadn't been so busy looking down at his feet, he would have noticed a look of pain flash across Ginny's face as she said this.

Slowly, Harry nodded and pulled Ginny into an embrace.

"Thank you, Ginny."

Ginny stiffened as she felt Harry's arms wrap around her, but relaxed slightly, and mentally chided herself. Harry was just a friend; well that's what she was to him, besides being Ron's little sister. He'd never see her as anything other then that, not after what had happened down in the Chamber of Secrets. She sighed slightly, trying not to let Harry feel her pronounced breath.

She had convinced everyone, all her brothers, her mother, even the all-knowing Hermione Granger that she had finally gotten rid of her childhood crush on Harry Potter. Truth be told, she HAD gotten rid of her crush on Harry Potter, the boy who lived, but had become quite smitten (and possibly more so) with Harry, Gryffindor Seeker Harry, Green-eyed, messy haired, emotionally unstable Harry.

All of a sudden, it became too much for Ginny. A sort of jolt had suddenly gone through her, and she broke away. Her skin was still tingling from where Harry had touched her.

"Harry..."

He looked up.

"Um...I'll talk to you later, okay?" She was flushing slightly, and wanted to hide her red cheeks. Harry nodded, and whispered, "thanks again, Ginny." Ginny turned tail and left for her room.

Ginny leaned on the door as she closed it behind her, blowing a breath through her teeth. She had half convinced herself that she was over him as well, which was why she had gone out with Michael Corner in the first place. Why was she feeling this now, all of a sudden? She crossed the room to her desk, and pulled out an ordinary, muggle diary with a lock on it. Her father had brought it home for her the summer after her first year, and telling her to write in it, rather than risking another misadventure like her experience with Tom Riddle's diary.

Dear Diary:

Today something happened that I've only dreamed about for years: Harry Potter hugged me. It felt tingly, and not all bad. Why are these feelings coming back now? I know he's just a friend, and that's all he'll ever be.

She stopped, sighed, and then put her diary away. Then she lounged around her room, waiting for her family and Hermione to come home, but secretly wishing she could have an encore of what had just transpired in the living room.

Harry watched as Ginny walked away, with a slight pang. The crushing despair he had been feeling all summer had been lifting ever since he had gotten to The Burrow, and even more so when he had talked to Ginny. Gloom seemed to be settling in about him once more, and he trudged back up to his room, sulking.