[HP] Complex Touch

They are apologizing to her.Ginny didn't know how to react to the information being forced into her head.She knew she was right; that's why James was so shy and Sirius so quiet.They weren't used to apologizing, Ginny guessed.

"Look..." Ginny said slowly, but Sirius waved her impatiently.

"The prongs—"

"We're sorry," James said, interrupting Sirius. "We were a little silly yesterday."

Although Ginny knew what they were going to say, the words still shocked her a little.Both James and Sirius looked at her expectantly, and Ginny took her hands off her hips and rubbed her arms unconsciously.She hoped they wouldn't see the bruises on her skin.

"No...it's okay," Ginny told them softly.

There was an awkward silence, and none of the three of them knew what to say.

"We're very protective of each other," James told her. "You know, if other students find out about Remus' little trouble, it can be devastating."

James' words made Ginny smile, and he seemed relieved that she wasn't mad at them.Sirius said nothing, and James shot him a glare.The dark-haired boy sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It's all too rash," Sirius continued. "We thought you were going to yell and tell the first person you met ... but, obviously, you didn't and we're grateful for that."

James nodded in agreement, and Sirius slowly revealed a charming smile.She nodded, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I won't tell anyone," Ginny promised again. "As I said in the hallway, no one will ever know. You can trust me."

All three understood what the other meant.James reached out and patted Ginny's bruised arm gratefully.Sirius laughed even wider, and Ginny felt any anger, any bitterness in her go away.Hope all is well for now.

"I think the Gryffindors are starting to arrive," Ginny warned James, who glanced back quickly.

He cursed when he found she was right.

"I have two slots to fill," James told her. "But you don't know I'm worried—you're the enemy!"

James winked at her, and Ginny laughed.

"Then let's go!" James took her hand.His lips brushed against her knuckles, and Ginny felt like she was going to die.

Ginny's heart was on the verge of melting with this intimacy coming from someone who looked so much like Harry.Ginny looked up at Sirius, as James clearly wanted his friend to leave with him.Sirius gave her a casual smile and bowed.

"It's good to see you again," Sirius said.

The two Gryffindors turned around and started walking towards the Gryffindors waiting for the tryouts.But Sirius stopped suddenly and reached out to grab James' arm.Ginny watched in bewilderment as Sirius looked back at her, his eyes searching.

"Prongs, come here," Sirius muttered.

James followed Sirius to Ginny, looking as confused as Ginny.Ginny frowned, wondering if she had done something wrong.

"Did I hurt your arm badly?" Sirius asked.

Ginny covered her bruise with her hands, but James had seen Sirius when he spoke.Ginny was blushing so badly, she didn't know why she didn't want them to know they hurt her.

"No..." James said, his eyes widening at Ginny. "The bruise is from yesterday."

"I'm fine." She immediately lied. "It's because of the training injury."

Before Ginny could even move, Sirius quickly grabbed her hand and pulled it away from her arm.The boys' gaze seemed to make the bruise look worse.James frowned deeply, and the expression on Sirius' face was indescribable.

"I know you're lying," Sirius told her. "Because you don't bother to hide a Quidditch injury. Every Quidditch player will proudly show off their scars."

Sirius let go of her hand, and it fell to her side.James looked ashamed.

"We'll make it up to you, James and me," Sirius promised.

"You don't deserve that kind of treatment," James said.

Ginny shook her head, trying to stop the thought of them trying to make up for her.

"It's okay, I don't care," Ginny said.

"If you didn't care, you wouldn't be hiding it," James replied, glancing at her arm again, before exhaling sharply. "Okay, we have to go to the trials now."

Ginny nodded, desperately wanting them to leave.James backed away, casting a remorseful glance at her.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm really sorry."

"I trust you," Ginny said softly.

"We'll make it up to you, Ginny Styles!" Sirius yelled, and James nodded approvingly.

She watched him.

"Just nod and say 'My God, what a wicked debt to James Potter and Sirius Black is for the naive me!'"

It took Ginny a moment to understand what had just happened as Sirius and James disappeared among the other Gryffindors.They're... apologizing.That alone was enough to take Ginny's breath away.Also, they saw the damage they had done: the bruises on her arms.Both boys promise to make it up to her.Ginny knew that was not a good thing.

It seemed unlikely that this would be the last meeting with the boys.Ginny remembered Sirius as being very stubborn, and she felt James was the same.Ginny remembered Sirius' ridiculous idea that it would be nice if they didn't do something to make it up to Ginny, but that seemed impossible.It's not good, not at all.

Ginny sighed and folded her arms around her chest.Megan came over with their brooms and smiled curiously.It's clear that she wants to know what's going on between the three, but Ginny doesn't want to explain, especially since she barely knows Meghan.Ginny gave the young girl a weary smile and shrugged.

"They want to occupy the venue," Meghan said.

Two girls walk off the Quidditch pitch.Ginny was still thinking; she wanted to believe that this hadn't happened.Ginny looked over to Megan and saw that the girl was trying not to mention the boys to Ginny.It took them 15 minutes to get back to the Hufflepuff common room.Ginny wants... she wants...

"Goodbye, Meghan," Ginny murmured, before walking up the stairs to the dormitory.

She wanted to get home before things got tougher.