Story: The Titans of Secrets
Chapter Five: The Argument

At dawn, the sun's rays streamed through the dormitory window, warming Ginny's face. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up on the edge of the bed. The wooden floor beneath her feet was cold. Yawning, she stretched her sore legs and looked around. The umbrella sat there, it's dark green hue proving a contrast to the sun's bright rays. Moments from the previous day flashed through her mind and she felt her cheeks warm up involuntarily.

"Morning, Ginny. Are you okay?" Hermione asked, sitting up on her bed and yawning lightly. Soft snores of the other girls filled the silence as Ginny fumbled with her blanket before throwing it away and getting up.

"Good morning, Hermione. Yeah, I'm good," she said, walking to the washroom. Unfortunately for her, she hit the wall and jumped back, muttering a choice curse word.

"I can see you aren't," Hermione pointed out. Ginny waved her off and immediately took to the washroom, eager for the warm water to sooth her body and mind. Hermione was left behind with a contemplative expression.

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Breakfast was a relaxing affair for the petite witch. Chatting with Gilligan and Luna seemed to be much more refreshing to her mind than an hot shower.

"Can you please pass me the bagels?" Gilligan asked from across her. She smiled before passing the bowl containing fresh bagels. "These two really hit it off yesterday, didn't they?" He jabbed a finger at Ron and Hermione's direction. Hermione was giggling at some joke which her brother had presumably made. Ron's expression however, was blissful. Ginny nodded slightly, adoring her brother and her best friend's happiness.

"Good morning!" a cheerful voice came as someone slipped into the empty seat beside Ginny. Startled for a second, she shrieked, catching everyone's eye.

"Harry!" Neville greeted him as everyone turned away to their own businesses. Harry smiled at the boy.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," he apologized with a guilty smile to Ginny who was looking at him with widened eyes.

"No – no problem. I'm okay. Yeah, okay. . ." she reassured, more to herself. Harry looked convinced so he let her nervousness pass. Her eyes met Gilligan's for a mere second and she saw a new emotion in his green ones. Something which she could not figure out.

"What's the first class for you, Gil?" Harry asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Defense," Gilligan mumbled, almost inaudibly.

"I'm sure you will enjoy it," Harry assured after observing his brother for a while. Gilligan made no move to reply back and awkward tension rose among the brothers. Ginny, being in the middle, felt rather hot.

"I need some air," Gilligan said finally, standing up before leaving with an hurried goodbye to the Gryffindors. Ginny turned to look at Harry who was wearing a apprehensive look. He got up as well.

"I need to finish the potions homework. I'll catch up with you guys soon," he excused himself and followed Gilligan on his way out. It was Ginny's turn to contemplate. She definitely did not want to third wheel on Neville and Luna and Ron and Hermione so she did the best possible thing – she left for the 'library'.

Following the brothers from a little distance, she came to a halt when Harry grabbed his brother's arm and forced him to stop. She crept towards the siblings stealthily and hid behind a pillar.

"Why did mum and dad come over yesterday?" Harry asked.

"It's none of your business."

"It is! I'm your brother and their son too!"

"Hell, you are their son! Daddy's boy, mummy's sweetheart and the Wizarding world's superstar!" Ginny was shocked to hear Gilligan speak rudely. Never had his voice indicated any sense of rudeness before.

"Gilligan!"

"I'm fed up of you, Harry!" the younger Potter spat venomously. He harrumphed and left without a glance at his gobsmacked brother. Ginny watched with widened eyes as Harry swayed on the spot before rushing away and up to the Gryffindor tower. She checked her watch and noticed that there was barely five minutes to the start of their first class – potions.

The nabbing doubt as to whom she should comfort came into her mind with the speed of light. Gilligan or Harry? Her new best friend or the hurt brother? She made her decision in a split second after the question she had asked herself. With that, she left to find the person she wanted to help feel better.

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"Harry?" her voice sounded extremely timid, even to herself. "May I come in?"

"Yes." His voice sounded distant as if it was a recording spell which spoke. She cautiously entered the boys' dormitory to see Harry leaning on the windowsill, his back turned to her.

"I am sorry," she mumbled sheepishly, mentally facepalming for sounding so insensitive.

"For what?" Harry asked, his back still turned to her.

"You know. . . Gilligan. He shouldn't have shouted like that. . ."

Harry let out a deep sigh. "He's right. I am a hopeless brother. Heck, I am a pathetic friend too, ain't I? No wonder you hate me."

"What?" Ginny asked in disbelief. "I don't hate you! Merlin, I can't hate you." Her voice softened. "He's being insensitive. . . I suppose. I think I can confront him. Words kill deeper than actions. . . It's time he learned that."

Harry turned around to face her with a sad smile. His eyes were tinged lightly with red but there was no indication that he had wept.

Ginny felt a hard lump form in her throat as he thanked her. "You really are brilliant, Ginny but if someone is to blame, it is me. I see the way Ron and Neville fuss over you; it is how brothers usually are. I, on the other hand, am mostly lost in my own world of sorrows and whatnot? I don't deserve much. . . Gilligan's right."

"Harry! Don't underestimate yourself. I'm sure you are a good brother with the way you want to interact with Gilligan. Don't reduce yourself for anyone. Everyone is superior in their own ways and you are too," Ginny consoled. He smiled gratefully at her.

"Thank you, Ginny. I am fortunate to be your friend," he said, taking her hand in his for thanking her. Feeling her cheeks warm up with colour, she brushed his gratitude away.

"D-don't mention it!"

He smiled at her again before pulling away and looking at the watch he was wearing. It seemed a bit battered but he did not seem to care much about its status. "Oops! We are running late for potions!"

"Oh darn it. Snape is gonna have my head!" Ginny facepalmed.

"I'm sorry," Harry replied mournfully, smiling apologetically at her. Ginny avoided his twinkling green eyes.

"Let's just – get to the dunegons." That was all she managed to get out before Harry grabbed her hand and threw something over them.

"We are invisible now," he said, putting his free finger on his lips to indicate her to not talk. She nodded, blushing furiously but he did not seem to notice as he pulled her out of the Gryffindor tower and along the now deserted corridors of Hogwarts to the gloomy dungeons.

Passing by unidentified by the Hogwarts ghosts, especially the poltergeist, Peeves and Professor McGonagall was a huge feat. By the time they reached the dungeons, the class had already begun. They took off the cloak and slowly opened the door.

"Too early, are we, Miss Weasley and Mr Potter?"

They then knew that it was the doom of innocence.

I think the main plot kick started after four chapters lol.

Just a reminder that I won't update this book during weekends as I'll be writing Hiraeth.

Your thoughts on this chapter? Comment!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x