Too Late (8/14 Valentine fics, updating A Different View) (H/D, PG-13)

[sesheta66]

Title: Too Late (8/14 Valentine fics, updating A Different View)
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 546
Pairing/Characters: Ginny, Dean, Harry/Draco
Challenges: For awdt's two weeks of Valentine quickies, prompt #8 - "Don't fall in love."
Summary: Ginny sees something she wasn't meant to.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

To see all Valentine/08 entries for A Different View, click here.

To see all parts of A Different View, including the Christmas/07 ficlets, click here.


At lunch the next day, Ginny went for a walk, needing a break from the company of her fellow Gryffindors. At least she had managed to obtain an apology from Seamus, but she still couldn't believe Dean. He actually thought Malfoy deserved an apology?

Worse than Dean was Harry, though. How could he let himself be manipulated by the Slytherin? Stupid Death Eater.

She thought back to what Dean had said, what everyone had said actually, and realized that they were right. Draco was no Death Eater. It was just another calling that he had failed at. But it didn't make him a good person, someone worthy of Harry's love.

Don't fall in love with him, Harry. It can only end badly for you.

She headed back towards the castle, knowing it was nearly time to get back to work. Along the way, she heard voices by the greenhouses. Detouring slightly to investigate, Ginny made her way over as the voices became louder, but words remained indiscernible.

As she peered round the greenhouse, she saw Harry and Malfoy lounging on a blanket, obviously with a warming charm surrounding them. She recognized the effects of Muffliato and knew she wouldn't be able to hear what they were saying. But it didn't stop her watching.

They looked so relaxed together. They were both smiling - she had never seen Malfoy look so at ease - and speaking animatedly. Harry started to laugh at something Malfoy said, then pushed him gently. Malfoy's wand came out, and Ginny reached for hers automatically. But he waved his, and the remains of his and Harry's lunch were repacked in the basket.

She knew she should leave; she shouldn't be standing there, watching this. She knew that her heart was about to break. No, that wasn't right. Her heart was already broken. It was about to be shattered into a million pieces. But still she remained, transfixed by the sight before her.

Harry reached his hand up to cup Draco's face. Draco leaned into his touch and closed his eyes. Harry moved closer and placed his free hand on the other side of his boyfriend's face. Draco opened his eyes and gazed into Harry's with such warmth, such reverence that Ginny would never have imagined him capable. Oh, God.

The two men came together slowly, kissing so tenderly that Ginny wasn't sure if the tears running down her face were of pain or joy. When they pulled apart, she saw the same look that Draco had given him reflected on Harry's face.

As realization hit, Ginny's stomach clenched in protest. She turned around to run back to the castle, only to be caught in the arms of Dean. He looked at her tear-streaked face, then over her shoulder at the scene she had just witnessed, and pulled her against his chest. "It's okay, Ginny. It'll be okay."

She relaxed in his embrace and choked back a sob. "Don't fall in love, Dean."

"What are you talking about?"

"It hurts too much," she explained.

He held her close to him for a little while, giving her time to regain her composure, then led her back inside. Not intending for anyone to hear, he whispered under his breath, "Too late."


Art for 'Too Late' - by house_illrepute

Part 9 - Good Together

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Comments

[softly-sweetly.livejournal.com]

Not intending for anyone to hear, he whispered under his breath, "Too late."

Oh please let her have heard... woah, am I wishing for a happy ending for Ginny? Go you on making her likeable!

The description of the relationship from her POV was beautiful, if heartbreaking. A lovely update *squishes*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. ♥

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

Damn you woman. I was content hating Ginny and now I'm so sad for her. A broken heart is hard ... that's just so sad.

And those last lines! Poor Dean.

I do like Drarry happy together.

Thanks for the update!

(http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/svgurl410/?action=view&current=8.jpg)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Heh. I sneak up on you and pounce with the Ginny-empathy. Ha!

Love can be really hard to take when it's not reciprocated, and being a witness to that look ... that love in someone else's eyes, directed not at you but at another, is so very painful. Even if we haven't all experienced such pain, we can imagine it.

Love also makes us act irrationally, so even if Ginny wasn't fair, and wasn't nice, there was a lot in the background pushing her to be that way. So I'm glad you feel for her - even if just a little bit.

Thanks for reading & commenting ... and providing delicious pics as well. I love the look on Tom's face in this one. Mmmm.

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!!
Now we just have to make Dean woo Ginny and all will be well. He's so much better for her than Harry anyway. Dean or Blaise...

Loved this heaps.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I'm loving yours too. :)

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

Aw, now you've got me feeling sorry for Ginny! I hope she lets Dean help her move on with her life. I don't think anything short of what she witnessed would have made her understand about Harry and Draco.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

It was really hard for her to witness - it did indeed rip her heart out - but it was necessary. Tough love, so to speak. She needs to move on, but can't if she just doesn't accept that they're over. She did, after all, spend years of her life obsessed over Harry, and finally did win him, only to have it end before it ever really began.

Glad you feel for her - even if only a little. :)

[thrnbrooke.livejournal.com]

I'm glad she saw that! Not that she got hurt but that she now sees how happy Harry is and that Draco would never willingly hurt him! I hope she gets a happily ever after. Maybe she heard Dean and will give him a chance.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

She needs to know and accept that she and Harry are over. And witnessing H&D's love for each other should do it.

We'll see what happens next. Thanks for reading. :)

[kaykayen.livejournal.com]

I don't think anything short of witnessing that would convince Ginny of Draco's feelings. Now she can move on and perhaps see what's under her nose!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

As painful as it was, she needed to see how much Harry does really love Draco, and accept how much Draco loves him in return. Thanks :)

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Oh... *loves Dean*

Poor Ginny, I know it must be difficult for her, and I think it's wonderful that you showed her her view, especially her pain and longing. *sniffles*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

*hands tissue*

I'm glad you liked this, and can empathise with Ginny. She may have acted badly, but how many of us have acted irrationally because of love, or other strong emotions?

Dean is truly awesome. *hugs him*

[winter-june.livejournal.com]

The one thing good for Ginny of this is that now the blindfold has fallen and she really can see what's before her. The bad, everything else: the hurt, the disappointment, the lost dreams. But for star moving on, first she has to close this door. I hope she can find happiness again with someone who already loves her.

I really like Ginny in the books *ducks with practice*, even if fanfiction usually pictures her as a bitch. I'm truly hoping for the best here

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

I liked the Ginny from the books too, until she faded into the background in the last one. I don't wish unhappiness for her, so maybe she'll find what she needs in Dean.

Thanks. ♥

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

WOW!
What a fantastic chapter!
Hugs!:D

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. ♥

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

Ginny can stop being shrew now?

*still has Taj, waiting to pounce on said shrew*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

We'll see how Ginny acts/reacts now.

Heh ... love the icon!

[house-illrepute.livejournal.com]

This wonderful chappy thus inspired me...


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

*flails*

This is FABULOUS!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

*big smooches*

Gabe, this is so perfect. Yay!

*runs off to spam flist with teh gorgeous art*

Muah!

[byaghro.livejournal.com]

What a touching scene for Draco and Harry! And look at you, you've got me feeling sorry for Ginny and rooting for Dean! *is impressed*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

*squishes the boys* - they are very sweet together.

Heh. I've had a few people soften a bit towards Ginny with this series. But there are definitely the die-hards who are still up for a good kicking. *snickers*

Glad you're enjoying it. Just posted #12 last night.

[andrea--88.livejournal.com]

Love Dean
I am glad Ginny saw that, saw how much they care for each other
Still sucks to be her, having her wee heart broken
But Dean can fix that ;o)

excellent