Compaq Normal Preferred Customer 2 2 2003-07-18T20:50:00Z 2003-07-18T20:50:00Z 4 1661 9472 Puget Sound Refrigeration 78 18 11632 9.3821
I just wanted to let you guys know that this story IS completed; I am just editing and fixing it, and posting the chapters as I complete each one on this site. I wrote it about a year ago and think my skills have improved, so this is the new and improved version.
~*~
Ginny sat in the Gryffindor common room next to the fire, playing a muggle game called Solitaire on her new laptop computer. It was nearly nighttime. She had been saving up her money for the passed year, and had finally gotten enough to purchase her very own computer. It had been something she really wanted; the endless limits of the Internet fascinated her. There was access to so many spells, much more than were in the Library at Hogwarts. She also enjoyed the chat feature; it allowed her to talk to people without getting shy like she normally did.
Most of her friends had gone home for the Christmas holidays, but she and her brother Ron always stayed with Harry here at Hogwarts. Same with Hermione. They didn't want their friend spending Christmas alone at the castle. She had received her gifts this morning, a sweater from her mum like usual, and some chocolate fudge, her favorite. She also received various other things from her friends, including a new journal, a completely safe an un-possessed one, and some pretty new quills. But the computer was the only thing on her mind today; she couldn't seem to get enough of it since she'd gotten it.
Ron and Hermione were off taking a Christmas walk outside, and Harry was up in his bedroom writing a letter to Sirius. He was still in hiding, they weren't sure if they could ever get his name cleared.
Ginny was chatting online with a 5th year girl she was friends with, one who'd gone home for Christmas, but found her mind drifting to someone else.
Suddenly the computer chimed and a window popped up. "IceyGaze has just signed in."
Grinning, Ginny clicked on his screen name. "How ironic…" she murmured. He was exactly who she'd been thinking about. The small window popped up and she began typing earnestly.
Firefly: I missed you.
IceyGaze: It's only been about 10 hours.
Firefly: Wow, it's been longer than I thought.
IceyGaze: [laughs]
Firefly: Why are you laughing?
IceyGaze: You like me, don't you?
Firefly: What kind of question is that?
IceyGaze: Well what kind of answer was that?
Firefly: So what if I do like you. Why is it funny?
IceyGaze: 1) You just met me. 2) You don't know me.
Firefly: Well, if you'd let me GET to know you…
IceyGaze: Why are you so interested in me?
Firefly: [smiles] Because you're interesting.
IceyGaze: I really don't know what to say.
Firefly: Hmmm…then don't say anything. I don't mind.
IceyGaze: So what does your screen name mean, anyway?
Firefly: It's my nickname.
IceyGaze: Any significant reason?
Firefly: Well, if I told you, then I'd have to kill you.
IceyGaze: [raises eyebrows] And why is that?
Firefly: I'm just kidding. But if I did tell you, it would give away my identity.
This much was true. Ever since she was little, her friends and family had called her that, because her hair was so fiery red.
IceyGaze: Why, are you really a firefly?
Firefly: Not literally… [winks]
Ginny was feeling rather playful. She didn't know what it was about this guy, this wonderful mysterious 7th year at Hogwarts, but she had a thing for him. Something about their conversations just made her feel excited and like a different person. His strange, closed-up ways of talking just made her want to try and find out even more about him. She wondered often why he was so closed off. Why he changed the subject every time she asked something personal. Why he was so touchy about his name.
Firefly: So what does your screen name mean?
Ginny waited about four minutes and he still hadn't replied. What was going on?
Firefly: Hello? Are you there?
IceyGaze: Sorry. My computer froze up.
She highly doubted it. Enchanted computers didn't just freeze up for no reason. But rather than push the subject, she decided to let the question drop. She could try asking him about his screen name later on, maybe after he'd warmed up to her a little.
Firefly: That's ok. Happens all the time.
IceyGaze: Tell me about yourself.
It was funny how seemed so curious about her, yet avoided every question about himself at all cost.
Firefly: Like what?
IceyGaze: Anything.
Firefly: Ok…I have quite a few siblings, I love school and learning spells, I like writing, and I've only recently gotten over my childhood crush that lasted nearly 6 years. I'm sorry but my life isn't that interesting.
IceyGaze: It's more interesting than mine. I want to hear more. Tell me about your crush.
Thinking of Harry, Ginny tried to explain him without giving away who he was. Everyone knew famous Harry Potter; she'd have to be careful.
Firefly: Well, I was kind of like a lovesick little kid. I set my hopes way too high, and was miserable for years. Then in my 5th year, he finally noticed me. We tried going out, but it just didn't work out. Now we're just really good friends.
IceyGaze: That's interesting. Why didn't it work out?
She'd actually been trying to figure that out all year. Even thought most people thought Harry had broken it off between the two of them, it had actually been Ginny. Being with Harry just never felt as good as she had always dreamed it would. They were much better off friends.
Firefly: I'm not quite sure. But if we hadn't broken it off, I probably wouldn't have met you. [smiles]
IceyGaze: You just don't give up, do you?
Firefly: What's that supposed to mean?
IceyGaze: I've been rude, short tempered, and not very open with you. Why haven't you given up? I'm sure there are plenty of guys who would throw themselves at you.
His response made her think for a moment. He had a point, why hadn't she given up? Everything he'd just said was true, except the last part.
Firefly: I like a challenge.
Again, he took his time replying. Ginny grew impatient; she wasn't going to wait around all day.
Firefly: Ice, can I ask you something?
IceyGaze: It depends on what it is.
Firefly: You don't HAVE to reply, you know.
IceyGaze: Well then sure, you can ask me something.
Firefly: Am I wasting my time?
IceyGaze: What do you mean?
Firefly: I mean do you have no interest whatsoever in me?
For the third time that night he took his time with his reply. Ginny hit the keys in frustration.
Firefly: COME ON, ICE, ANSWER ALREADY!
IceyGaze: You don't have to yell.
Firefly: If that's what it takes…
IceyGaze: no
Firefly: No?
IceyGaze: No, you're not wasting your time.
Ginny's head suddenly sprung up from the screen. Someone was coming down the stairs.
Firefly: Wait just a minute, I'll be right back.
She minimized the chat window and pulled up Solitaire again. At the same moment Harry descended from the stairs.
"Hey Gin, what's up?" he asked casually, setting himself on the couch across from her. Hedwig was next to him, almost ready to fly off with Sirius' letter.
"Nothing much, just, uh, playing games on my new computer." She couldn't believe the traces of guilt she could hear in her own voice. What did she have to be guilty about? What was wrong with meeting people online? Meeting people and flirting shamelessly, she reminded herself.
"You want to add anything to my letter to Sirius? I'm about to send it off so he at least gets something on Christmas besides the cookies I sent him. Which I think were a little on the crispy side, don't you agree?"
Ginny smiled weakly and quickly wrote, "Merry Christmas Sirius, we all miss you, Sincerely, Ginny Weasley," on the bottom of the letter.
Harry tied the letter to Hedwig's foot and opened the window. The snowy owl made it's way out into the dark night.
After closing the window, Harry came back to Ginny, only this time sitting next to her rather than across from her. He looked at her game on the computer. "Oh, my cousin Dudley used to play this on his computer. Only he would get frustrated and then sit on it and break it." He meant it as a joke, but Ginny's mind was preoccupied.
"Hey Ginny?" Harry started out awkwardly, placing his hand on her own, which was situated on the computer mouse. She turned her head toward his, realizing what was going on. He's hitting on me, Ginny thought to herself. After everything we've been through, Harry Potter is still hitting on me. He leaned forward a little, and whispered, "Let's go find Ron and Hermione. It's such a beautiful night tonight, let's go for a walk."
She stared at him with confusion in her eyes. "Harry, we're just friends. Remember?"
His green eyes showed signs of hurt in them. Then he masked it with an emotionless face. "I know that Ginny. Of course we are. I was just concerned about the others. It could start to snow again tonight."
Sighing, Ginny turned away. "I think I'm going to stay here tonight. Sorry Harry."
He picked himself up and walked toward the exit of the common room. "Not a problem Ginny, not a problem. We can hang out tomorrow. I understand." With that, he was gone.
She felt a little bad. He was still one of her best friends and hated to hurt him. But she didn't have feelings for him anymore. And he'd just have to deal with it. She brought up the chat window again. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he was still online.
Firefly: Thanks for waiting for me.
IceyGaze: I don't have anything better to do.
Firefly: Do you not enjoy talking with me?
IceyGaze: Why must you point out my weaknesses?
This confused her. What was his weakness? That he was talking online? Or that he was enjoying it? She decided to not ask questions. He seemed to not like questions much, and wanted to avoid the tough ones at all costs.
Firefly: So when do I get to meet you?
IceyGaze: Define "meet".
Firefly: I mean see you in person, silly.
IceyGaze: Silly? I don't respond well to name-calling.
Firefly: Well you deserved it.
IceyGaze: Well well, someone's getting a little feisty.
Deciding to go out on a whim, Ginny typed something that made her blush just thinking about it. However, she was shy in real life. She needn't be shy online too. He couldn't see her blush through the computer.
Firefly: Does that turn you on?
IceyGaze: Excuse me?
Firefly: Did I stutter? You heard me.
IceyGaze: As a matter of fact…it does.
Her eyes widened. She wasn't expecting that kind of answer. She didn't know what to say in reply. A few minutes passed.
IceyGaze: [laughs] Today's lesson is, don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to.
Ginny couldn't believe it. "Oh my goodness, he's already got me all figured out!" she whispered to herself. Well, she had to prove him wrong.
Firefly: How do you know what I want and don't want? I just didn't want to push the matter because even if I DID turn you on, you're not here right now and there's nothing I can do. Because I'm at Hogwarts and you're not.
IceyGaze: Nothing you can do? What would you do if I WERE at Hogwarts right now eh?
She blushed like mad. He was too smart for her. She couldn't win.
Firefly: What would you WANT me to do?
IceyGaze: Remember what you learned before? About asking question you don't want to here the answer to?
Firefly: Yeah?
IceyGaze: Well this is one of those times. [grins]
Firefly: [rolls eyes] Well I'm going to sleep. Talk to you tomorrow?
IceyGaze: Perhaps. Sleep well.
Firefly: Good Night!
~*~
A/N well that's the end of chapter 2, I hope you all liked it…