Reality Bites by Trinka



Summary: Ginny is persuaded to be on a Bachelor-type reality show against her better judgement. Who is the hunk all the women are fighting over? We know him. We love him. But in my story, Ginny's never met him. NOTE: If you think you'll hate this story, read it anyway! I hate reality shows too, you know! lol Trust me, you'll love it...I proclaim in as non-arrogant a way as possible... *sweat drop*
Rating: PG-13 starstarstarstarstar
Categories: Alternate Universe
Characters: None
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Published: 2004.08.24
Updated: 2005.07.15


Reality Bites by Trinka
Chapter 7: Rollercoasters
Author's Notes:

Episode Seven
Rollercoasters



Ginny tried very hard to look interested as Elizabeth divulged her entire life’s story on the trip around the Ferris Wheel. Being large enough, the five of them all sat in one covered bucket. From the faces of the other girls when they first got on, they obviously had thought that it would only be big enough to hold two people and that they personally would be the one to ride with Harry.


It really wasn’t that bad, the ride. She was able to look around her and judge which rides she’d like to go on. There were several interesting roller coasters but some of the other rides look good too. She thought she saw a ride that looked very much like a “Twister” that she was used to, and a “U.F.O.” type ride. The Twister was kind of a Tilt-a-Whirl ride that spun each bucket individually as well as in sets of four. In other words, it frequently looked like you were about to hit someone while riding, but it actually wasn’t possible to do so. The U.F.O. was a gravity ride where you stood inside these small cages and the ride spun you around until the whole circle of cages was practically perpendicular to the ground. The thrill of this ride was the fact that you didn’t have to hold on; the centrifugal motion pulled you back enough that you could feel secure without any other support. Of course, for safety’s sake, there were still bars all over the place.


Ginny sighed quietly wishing that Elizabeth would just shut up and give someone else the chance to speak. You know, like Harry. I’m sorry Elizabeth, but I couldn’t care less about your academic or social life, I just want to hear Harry talk about his life. So, shut up!


“Speaking of social lives,” Christina piped up from her coveted spot next to Harry making Elizabeth’s eyebrow’s draw down in a scowl that did nothing to detract from her natural beauty. Uh oh, you spoke. That’s apparently not allowed. “Have you ever had a serious relationship with someone?” Ginny almost groaned. She could only imagine what Harry was thinking at that moment.


Harry blushed slightly. “Not really. I mean, I’ve dated a few girls before but they’ve never turned out very well. It was more like hero worship than an actual relationship.” Harry laughed nervously, which made the other girls giggle, as though his laugh had been their cue. Ginny just looked at Harry. He didn’t really seem to think it was funny.


As the laughter died down, they were left with an awkward silence, dangling at the top of the Ferris Wheel. The other girls finally saw the look on Harry’s face and were desperately trying to find something to say to make things better, despite the fact that they really didn’t know what the problem was. The ride was being slowly de-peopled so they were all saved the trouble of having to think of something to say when the ride came to a halt and they were directed to get off.


“Okay,” Ginny offered. “That was a significantly tame and somewhat boring ride, so…let’s find a rollercoaster!” Harry grinned.


“There was one over in this direction that I really wanted to go on.” And he led the way followed by a jubilant Ginny and three sullen girls.


“Harry,” Lila spoke up for one of the first times. “May I ride next to you on the rollercoaster?” Ginny knuckled her upper lip to hide her grin as she saw the murderous looks that Elizabeth and Christina were sending her way.


“I think that’s only fair,” Ginny began, smiling benignly at the others. “Christina and Elizabeth sat next to you on the Ferris Wheel.”


“But she sat next to him on the ride here, as did Elizabeth. I have just as much right to sit next to him as she does,” Christina spluttered.


I can’t take it! “If you think about it, Christina, I have more right than the lot of you to sit next to Harry on this ride, since I didn’t sit next to him on the way here or on the Ferris Wheel, but do you hear me fighting about it like a child?” She heard movement behind her and looked up to see a very distressed Harry. Oh cripes, what have I done?


Without looking at any of them, Harry swept past them in the direction of the nearest rollercoaster. The other girls glared at her, but that wasn’t what almost made Ginny want to cry. I’m being just like them! Why? Why did he have to hear me say that? That must have been so embarrassing for him.


Ginny followed a few steps behind and seriously debated going up and apologizing until she saw the stiff way Elizabeth, Christina and Lila were holding themselves. They would, of course, see her apology as a thinly veiled attempt at getting her way. But I need to apologize! Determined, Ginny decided that she would apologize whenever she was alone with Harry. And if that never happened… Oh cripes! Ginny almost wailed.


They all finally arrived at the ‘Mind Eraser’ and were waiting not-so-patiently in line when Ginny noticed the cameras again. Were they there before? When she’d made a fool of herself? She couldn’t remember, but she desperately hoped not. Already four of the remaining twelve girls hated her she didn’t need half of the wizarding community doing so as well.


The cameramen didn’t progress through the line with them, but instead filmed them from afar. When the girls started arguing again, Ginny wished the cameras were closer. See, I can be mature! I swear I can!


Lila sat next to Harry, Christina and Elizabeth sat together, and Ginny sat by herself. Though she was glad that she didn’t have to endure one of the other girls, she lamented having to sit by herself. A guy behind them in line with a beautiful (yet arrogant) face looked as though he was going to slip through and strap in next to Ginny…until he saw her face. No guy wants to flirt with a girl who looks at him like that, however confident he is.


When they got off the ride Harry had the spring back in his step, much to Ginny’s relief. Lila, trying to put a good face on things, looked like she’d swallowed a lemon…whole. She also looked as though she would like to rid herself of it as fast as she could. The other two were little better. Ginny got a bit of her good humor back when she saw the look on their faces when Harry announced the next ride, another rollercoaster, and headed in that direction. That was enough to put her in a better mood, if only slightly better.


On the ‘Viper’ there were three carts that fit three people each, one to a seat. Of course, Christina and Elizabeth sat in front and behind Harry and Lila sat, grumbling in the car directly ahead of Ginny. The seat behind her stayed empty once more, thanks to two glares. Ginny wondered if Lila realized they had both contributed to the stuttering of the helpless looking no-longer-confident boy they left at the front of the line.


Not quite as good as the ‘Mind Eraser,’ the Viper had the same effect on the other three girls. This time their faces looked like lemons…or perhaps more like limes. Green apples? Oh well, they looked quite ill. When Harry suggested another rollercoaster, they begged him off.


“Lets go on the Ferris Wheel again. We can let our stomachs settle.” Lila and Christina both nodded vigorously at Elizabeth’s suggestion then looked as though they regretted doing so when their heads started spinning. Ginny saw Harry glance quickly at the ride before sighing. Ginny finally decided to pipe up. If they’re going to hate me, might as well give them a reason too. She wasn’t too confident about that thought.


“I’ll go on the rollercoaster with you. I’ve been eyeing the ‘Superman’ all day…” her voice trailed off as the proverbial steam emitted from three pairs of ears.


“Sure that’ll work. I don’t really fancy going on the Ferris Wheel again anyway.”


Ginny followed Harry as he headed nonchalantly toward the ride, oblivious to the fire protruding from the gaping mouths of the girls behind them. The cameramen split into two groups just like they had — two of them running to catch up with Harry and Ginny, while the remaining three seemed to be interviewing the girls. Ginny felt sick to her stomach imagining what they were saying about her. As Ginny turned her back on them she felt an itch between her shoulder blades as though someone was about to jinx her. Don’t be stupid. They wouldn’t do that in front of a bunch of muggles. Despite that, she quickened her step and was only able to breath easier when they were lost from sight.


“Er, Harry?” Ginny spoke quietly while in line, trying to keep the cameramen from catching her words. All he did was look at her questionably, so she decided to go on. “I’m really sorry about earlier. I should have thought about how you would feel being in the middle of that. I would like to give the excuse that I couldn’t handle their manipulations any longer, but no excuse could make up for what I did. I guess I just want to say that I’m really sorry about the whole thing.” Ginny held her breath, waiting for a response.


Harry turned to her and smiled, saying nothing. His eyes told her she was forgiven and Ginny thought she would pass out from the relief.


“So,” Harry changed the topic. “Rollercoaster’s don’t make you sick, huh?”


Ginny answered eagerly. “Well, I play Quidditch and after flying through the air without any support, a rollercoaster is no problem!” Harry laughed, a sound that made the hairs on the back of Ginny’s neck stand up.


“That’s just how it is for me too. What position do you play?” Harry seemed to be in his element, his eyes shining, waiting for her response. His eyes had the same effect on her as they’d had earlier. Her heart was racing, she was having problems getting a full breath, and she was only too aware of the heat rising in her cheeks.


“I’m a Chaser. I tried being a Seeker for a while, but I like being more involved in the action.” Harry nodded as though he understood.


“I’m a Seeker.” He smiled proudly.


“You any good?” Ginny joked.


It was Harry’s turn to blush; “I’ve only ever lost one game all through school, and it wasn’t my fault.”


Ginny stared. “Only one game? That’s incredible! Why aren’t you playing professionally?”


“Well, about that…” he began, but wasn’t able to finish, as they had reached the head of the line.


What the —? That went by way too fast! They were sifted into a lot of little lines and the conversations around them made it a little hard to talk much other than “where do you want to sit?” and “I think I heard it’s better if you sit in the back.” And with that, they joined one of the many smaller lines and waited for those in front to get on.


Not too long after, they were situated in their car awaiting departure. “So, before the ride starts, would you mind telling me why you aren’t playing professionally? I mean, I’d think that any team would gladly have you, and you seem to love doing it.”


Harry grinned slightly but it seemed forced. Ginny felt instantly regretful. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell me.”


“What do you mean?” Harry asked confused. Ginny just shrugged.


“You looked like it was a sensitive topic.”


“A bit, but not that sensitive.” The ride started moving, but they had a while until they reached the first drop. “I’m the Boy Who Lived right?” he said bitterly, Ginny just nodded, encouraging him to keep going. “Well, I just want to be placed on a team because I’m a good Seeker, not because I have a scar on my head.”


They were both quiet for a while, giving Ginny time to digest that. “That makes perfect sense. I’m sorry. I’d love to play Quidditch with you sometime.” He smiled at her. “And not because you’re the Boy Who Lived, but because it would be an honor to play with such a great Seeker.” His smiled broadened. “Though, you would have to be on my team, because I don’t so much fancy being severely beaten.” They were both laughing as they made the first drop amid delighted squeals from the other occupants of the car.

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