It's Complicated

Chapter 3: Realisations and Busy Stores

Emerging from the fireplace, covered in soot, Ginny began to pat herself down. As she finished patting down her front she felt a pair of hands on her back. Turning round she was met by Hermione who was patting the soot from her back.

"Uh, thanks," Ginny smiled.

"No problem," Hermione replied warmly. A sudden roar of flames startled the girls, they moved away from the fireplace as Molly and Arthur emerged.

"Hello girls, where have the boys disappeared to?" Arthur asked.

"They've gone to find us a table," Hermione stated.

"Right, well, you girls go find them and Arthur and I will join you once we get some drinks." With that Molly and Arthur walked over to the bar to wait to be served.

Ginny and Hermione stood awkwardly for a moment before Hermione spoke.

"I think the boys went over this way," she said, pointing towards the far side of the Leaky Cauldron. They began walking in the general direction the boys went when Ginny spotted then.

"They're over here Hermione." Hermione turned to see Ginny making her way over to one of the corner booths, which was occupied by Ron and Harry.

"Hey guys," Hermione greeted.

"Hey 'Mione," Ron smiled, moving over slightly to allow Hermione to sit down. Seeing that Ron had only allowed enough room for Hermione, Ginny frowned. Her attention was caught by Harry patting the seat beside him, smiling gently at her. Sighing, she decided it was best not to caught a fuss and sat down beside Harry.

"So Gin," Harry began. "You looking forward to playing quidditch again?"

"Uh, yeah, I suppose so," Ginny shrugged. Harry observed Ginny for a moment. She was avoiding all eye contact with him, she had her head ducked and she had a sour look on her face. She had been exactly the same all summer. Deciding to take his chances, he braved himself for the answer to the following question.

"Did I do something wrong Ginny?"

"What are you talking about Harry?"

"You've been off with me all summer, no...all year ever since my birthday, ever since we ki-"

"I know what happened Harry! You don't have to remind me!" Ginny snapped. Sensing a few pairs of eyes on them, Harry lowered his voice.

"Look Gin, if I did something wrong just tell me. We were really good friends before it happened and I don't want to lose that," Harry pleaded.

"Harry," Ginny sighed. "What happened, it won't be happening again." This took Harry by surprise.

"Can I ask, why?"

"I just, I," Ginny stuttered. Sighing, she continued. "I realised that it wasn't real."

"What wasn't real?" Harry asked.

"The way I felt about you Harry, I think I was in love with the idea of you instead of actually in love with you," Ginny confessed.

"Oh." Harry said, looking down at his lap.

"I'm sorry Harry, really I am. I'm sorry it took kissing you to realise how I felt about you," Ginny apologised, placing a comforting hand over Harry's. He looked up from his lap and gave a sad smile to Ginny.

"It's okay Gin, I understand."

"Friends?" Ginny asked.

"Friends," Harry smiled.

"Here we are children!" Mrs. Weasley grinned as she was walking over to the booth, Arthur not far behind her, a tray of drinks levitating in front of him.

"Drink up! This will be you're only chance to have something before we collect your needed items," Molly stated.

"Why? We're gonna be here all day aren't we?" Ron puzzled.

"That may be so Ronald but we have a lot to do! It's going to be a very busy day and we don't have time to waste!" Molly fretted. Rolling his eyes, Ron smartly decided it wold be best if he went back to his drink and conversation with Hermione.

"So boys, you have your lists?" They nodded, "okay then, we will meet you back here in 3 hours, no dawdling! You have a lot to get!" Molly lectured. With a last goodbye to Arthur and the boys, she whisked Ginny and Hermione off to Madam Malkin's to get their robes refitted.

"So Gin, what optional N.E.W.T's classes are you taking?" Hermione enquired.

"Advanced Potions, Magical Creatures and I'm stuck between Charms and D.A.D.A."

"Well, in my opinion, you excel at D.A.D.A so that's probably your best bet. I know you like Charms but there are some areas that you don't do as well in, so it's probably best to stick to a basic exam for it instead of the advanced one," Hermione reasoned.

"Yeah, you're right, thanks 'Mione," Ginny smiled. The pair continued to follow Molly in a relaxed silence. They soon arrived at the door of Madam Malkin's shop. Molly held the door open for them as they entered. She hurried off to the desk and handed the girls' robes over to the receptionist. After conversing for a moment she made her way back over to the pair.

"Right girls, take a seat, Madam Malkin will come and take your measurements shortly," Molly informed. They did as they were told and waiting until they were called through. After ten minutes they were guided to the small curtained room at the back of the store. Madam Malkin followed a short while after, ordering the girls to turn this way and that, to move their arms here and there, poking and prodding them with her bony fingers. After what seemed like an eternity, the girls were sent on their way.

"Your robes will be ready for collecting in a few hours," the young assistant smiled.

"Thanks," Ginny smiled back, a small blush coating her cheeks. Hermione frowned when she saw this, deciding not to say anything she turned and followed Molly out of the store.

Making their way to the next shop Hermione turned to Ginny.

"What's going on with you and Harry?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" Ginny questioned, head ducked.

"I mean what were you two arguing about at the Cauldron?"

"Nothing," Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Fine! I realised that I don't like Harry anymore okay?!" Ginny snapped.

"And how did you realise that?" Hermione frowned.

"We, I-" Ginny sighed, "he kissed me."

"What?! When?" Hermione gasped. Looking down at the floor, Ginny replied.

"It doesn't matter, all that matters is that it made me realise that I do love him but as a friend, I'm not IN love with him," she explained.

"Oh right, do you like someone else?" Hermione questioned.

"No, of course not, I just, I'm just not in love with Harry," Ginny stated sounding slightly panicked. Before Hermione had a chance to ask more questions, Mrs. Weasley was ushering them into another shop.

An hour and several shops later, the girls were at the entrance to 'Flourish and Blotts'.

"Right girls, stay close, it's extremely busy in here!" Molly ordered. Making their way through the crowded store they began to grab their required books. After Molly fighting off some rabid mothers, they made their way to the till. Getting into the store was the easy part, they would have to push and shove to get out, so they did. They managed to escape but not without injury from elbows being shoved into their ribs, stomachs and backs.

"Right," Molly composed herself, " you girls go and pick up your robes and I'll go and find the boys." With that she went on her way through the busy street. Ginny and Hermione began to make their way through the crowds towards Madam Malkin's. Upon entering, they were greeted by the assistant.

"Pick up for Weasley and Granger was it?" She asked politely.

"Yeah, that's it," Ginny smiled.

"Okay, it will be ready in a few minutes," the assistant replied, smiling back at Ginny. Hermione gasped quietly, realising what had been right under her nose the whole time. This girl was flirting with Ginny.

"But Ginny couldn't possibly be flirting back right? She couldn't possibly know this girl was flirting with her, right? No, of course not Granger, get a hold of yourself, se's just being friendly," Hermione thought.

"Here we go," the girl said as she handed over their robes.

"Thank you so much...umm," Ginny paused.

"Lucy," the girl finished.

"Right, well thanks Lucy," Ginny blushed.

"No problem, glad I could help," Lucy smiled.

"Well come on Ginny, you're mother will be wondering where we are," with that Hermione made her way over to the door.

"Just one thing Ginny," Lucy began.

"Yeah?" Ginny looked down noticing a piece of paper in the girls hand.

"If you ever wanted to hang out sometime, maybe get a butterbeer or something, here's my address, owl me?" Lucy asked, a hopeful look on her face. Gazing at the paper for a moment, she reached out, took it and shoved it into her pocket.

"I'd like that." She gave the girl one last smile and followed Hermione out of the store.

"What was that about?" Hermione enquired.

"Oh she was just, uh, she was saying if there was any problems with our robes to let her know and she would get it sorted straight away," Ginny lied.

"Oh right, okay," Hermione frowned, knowing her friend had just lied to her.

"There you are girls! Did you manage to get everything you needed?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Yes Dad, we're all sorted," Ginny answered.

"Well then, lets get you lot home so you can get your cases sorted," Molly said, ushering the children towards the floo network point.

"Some order as before children," Mr. Weasley said. Just before it was Ginny's turn she put her hand into her pocket and smiled when she touched the sheet of paper. Taking a handful of powder, she stepped into the fireplace and uttered the words 'THE BURROW'.

Well, that's it for this chapter. As usual, reviews are greatly appreciated! Thanks! Moizi164 :)