An Equal Exchange

By the time Harry arrived in the Gryffindor common room, it was nearly deserted. Those who remained had long rolls of parchment lying in front of them, trying to finish last minute homework. A fire was burning quietly in the fireplace, its flames dancing. Next to it, curled up in an armchair, was Ginny Weasley. The young witch was fast asleep, and had obviously been halfway through some sort of an essay for class; her hand was still holding a quill. Her head was resting in the palm of her other hand, and she was also breathing softly. Harry was mesmerized by the sight in front of him.
He looked around for anyone who might disturb them: Hermione, Ron…he sighed with relief. They must have turned in for the night. He gently prodded Ginny awake.
She woke with a start, her quill hand slipping a little, and saw Harry’s smiling face.
The young witch’s anger flared at the sight of him, “Harry, where have you been?”
Harry shrugged and said, “No, something important came up.”
Ginny looked still unconvinced, “I was starting to think you had gotten yourself caught after hours,”
Trying to take the conversation in another direction, Harry asked nonchalantly, “How’s the homework coming?” He plopped down beside her, stretching.
For some reason, Ginny blushed as she said, “Oh, fine…” Harry stared at her.
“What’s going on?”
Ginny hastily tried to smooth her expression, “It’s going great! Nothing that exciting about Charms homework, you know,”
“Come on, Ginny,” Harry persisted. “I know you’re hiding something!”
Embarrassed, the young witch was blushing furiously.
“Well, if must know…well…alright, I was actually writing you… a letter,” “Happy now?
As if Harry was trying catch a snitch he made a grab for the letter, which was lying unguarded in Ginny’s lap. Ginny knew Harry was fast due to his Quidditch practice but it literally took her couple of seconds to realize the letter was already gone from her lap. Failing to retrieve it, she wailed in embarrassment as Harry started read it.
“That was supposed to be a surprise!”
Harry leaned in and gave her a peck on her cheek. “Oh well, it wouldn’t matter anyways. You always manage to surprise me. Every day, I get to learn something new about you.”
“So, is there any particular reason for you writing this letter? It’s not like I am with the Dursley’s and you need to owl me to keep contact. We see each other every day,” Harry said after reading the half-written letter.
“We do. But I have realized some emotions… are simply better expressed with words.”
Harry looked at Ginny’s beautiful brown eyes, wondering what he did to get such a wonderful girlfriend. He kissed her again, this time on her lips.
“Now it’s your turn,” she demanded as they broke apart.
“For what?”
“What were you doing out so late?” Ginny demanded.
“Nothing,” Harry answered cautiously.
“That’s unfair. I told you mine, now it’s your turn!” She sat with her arms folded, with a very Mrs. Weasly-ish look on her face. Harry shrank a little. Feeling resigned, he reached in his bag and pulled out a small parcel.
“Open it.”
She did so, carefully undoing the red bow. In the parcel lay a small necklace.
“Oh, Harry!” Ginny held it up to the light; she seemed to be lost for words. She simply sat there staring at it, basking in its beauty. Harry said softly, ‘It was my mum’s. Some of the pearls were damaged, when I showed it to Hagrid, he said he knows someone who can fix this up and he did.”
Ginny was still looking at the necklace with awe as she whispered, “Harry, I can’t take it. It was your..mum’s.”
“That’s why I want you have it.” Ginny looked at him and understood what he was trying to convey. Ginny was as important to him as his mum was to him.
“Here, do me the honor Harry,” the young witch said softly.
She lifted up her long red hair; Harry undid the clasp, fingering the necklace lightly. He slipped it around her neck. Ginny asked, “How do I look?”
“Perfect,” Harry said with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Harry. You have no idea how much this means to me.” Then she laid down slowly into his lap. She closed her eyes as Harry stroked her hair. After few minutes, Harry could feel Ginny’s breathing had started to slow down.
“Ginny, are you falling asleep? We should head for our beds, if someone sees us-”
“Hmmm…” Ginny shifted slightly. “I could not think of a more comfortable place for a good night’s sleep.”
Harry chuckled softly and said, “All right, as you wish. Good night, love.”