Harry tried not to think about it. Not to think about the way Ginny was sitting next to him on the sofa. Her damp hair falling over her shoulder and tickling his arm. Her shoulder bumping against his. Her slightly too small Weasley jumper clinging to her slim frame. The atmosphere in the room was happy. It was Christmas break, late on the 23rd of December. Everyone was talking and joking good naturedly and despite everything that was going on Harry felt he could forget what was going on and let himself enjoy Christmas with the Weasleys and Hermione. Laughter floated about the room and Harry was happy, for the first time in two years since Voldemort had returned he felt safe. A hysterical laugh from Ginny turned Harry's attention back to the conversersation in the room. Ginny was talking about the time in Harry fourth year when Ron had had a crush on Fleur. Ron, who was sitting with Hermione, went bright red. He looked at Bill who was sitting opposite him.
"I didn't Bill!"
Bill didn't hear, he was laughing along the rest of them as Ginny retold the time he had shouted at Fleur across the courtyard asking her to go the Yule Ball. Ron went and even deeper red and turned to Ginny, a furious grin on his face.
"How about that crush you used of have on Harry when you sent him singing Valentines card."
Ginny turned red this time. She sprang away from the sofa, casting a stricken look at Harry before running from the room. Harry heard her footsteps pounding on the uneven steps up to her room, a door slammed and there was an uncomfortable silence. Hermione cast a disapproving look at Ron and got up.
"I'll go and talk to her." She said as she left the room.
Slowly conversation started up in the room again, but Harry wasn't listening. What had Ron meant by used to? Harry knew she had done, and he had done his best, for his friendship with Ron and Ginny, to ignore it. but truth be told, he had had a crush on Ginny too. He had done for years and, for his friendship with Ron and Ginny, had tried his best to ignore it, but as much as he tried he just couldn't.
One by one the others in the room drifted off to bed until Harry and Ron was left alone in the room. Ron cleared his throat.
"Sorry about that, before. I know I shouldn't have done that, but…"
"It's okay, besides its her you should be apologising to."
"It's just, I hate when she brings that up, especially in front of Hermione because, well, I.."
Harry laughed at Ron squirming in front of him. Having spent that last 6 years with them he knew exactly why Ron didn't want Ginny bringing that up.
"It's fine, I get it."
Ron nodded and turned to go.
"She does like you you know and I know you try and ignore it, but you like her too."
Harry went to protest, but Ron stopped him.
"It's fine, really. You are the best person I know. I won't stand between you."
He turned and left the room and Harry was left alone with the fire. He knew he should go too but he couldn't. She liked him, and Ron was okay with it. Harry resisted the urge to whoop then elation turned to panic as he realised he was going to have to talk to Ginny about this. Heart slamming against his ribs he decided to go and find Hermione and ask her what he should say. He went to the door to pull it open, but someone pushed it from the outside. The heavy wooden door slammed against his chest driving him backward. Stars danced infront of his eyes and he staggered a few steps.
He turned to see who had opened the door and saw Ginny standing stricken staring at him with wide brown eyes peeking through bright red hair that was falling over her face. His heart skipped and he found himself grinning up at her.
It was time to talk.