Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not even Yuna Caraway. You'll know who she is when you read this chapter.

A/N: The premise of this story is that Voldemort or Tom Riddle never existed. As this is a Harry/Ginny fic, the story will only focus on the development of their relationship. I am assuming that since Harry was never the "Boy Who Lived", Ginny never hero worshipped him. Many aspects of this story are distinctly non-canon, and that's because this story is distinctly AU. I apologize in advance to anyone who feels that I have ruined the story or the characters. I will try my best to explain why I have changed some things.

That's all I guess. I hope I haven't bored you with my introduction, but I feel like I had to say that. Please read and review. I would really love to know what people think about this, especially since it's non-canon. And I think I could also use some help regarding the technical aspects of the story, so if anyone thinks there's something wrong with the grammar, punctuation, etc please don't hesitate to point it out.

Also, I promise not to add more chapters if people don't like it. Okay, I will definitely stop talking now. Read please. And review.

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A Friendship Starts

It was Wednesday evening and Harry sat by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room, reading the sports section of yesterday's Daily Prophet. Ron and Hermione had one of their rows earlier and both had gone to bed early.

Harry was supposed to be finishing his Divination homework, but he'd run out of ideas of horrible ways to die. He couldn't help but think that if it weren't for the Triwizard Tournament, he'd have something better to do than make his homework or read the same news article three times. But the Triwizard Tournament was being held in Hogwarts that year and the staff had decided to forego Quidditch in favor of the tournament. If it had been an ordinary year, the Gryffindor team would have been out practicing in the pitch at that very moment.

The Triwizard Tournament isn't going to stop him from flying though. In fact, he'd just taken his Firebolt out for a ride around the pitch before he came to the common room that evening. He was just debating whether to take another ride on his Firebolt or finish his Divination homework when the door to the common room opened and Ron's little sister went in through the circular opening. Harry gave her a friendly wave and was about to go back to the article he was reading when he saw her coming towards him.

"Hi," greeted Ginny Weasley. "Have you seen Hermione?"

"She's upstairs," replied Harry, motioning to the girls' dormitories.

"Thanks," she said, then started to head towards the stairs.

"Er, I don't think it's a good idea to talk to her right now," called Harry.

Ginny walked back towards him. "Did she and Ron have another fight?" she asked with a bit of a frown.

"Yeah," said Harry.

Ginny shook her head.

"I know," said Harry, rolling his eyes. "It's tiring…."

Ginny sat on the sofa and crossed her arms. She gave Harry's newspaper a dark look. Harry was starting to feel uncomfortable. Sure, he and Ginny had hung out a few times, but it was always with other people. They'd never actually had a proper conversation. Hermione was the one who really hit it off with Ginny.

"Er, why are you looking for Hermione, anyway?" asked Harry, hoping that it was something that Hermione can be bothered with so that Ginny can go to her. It wasn't that Harry didn't like Ginny. She's okay—he just didn't know what to say to her. It also seemed like she wasn't in the best of moods and he knew that she can be pretty scary.

"Homework thing," replied Ginny, "about my Defense essay."

"Oh, you probably shouldn't bother her with that right now," said Harry.

"Yeah, you're right," said Ginny in a resigned tone.

Harry looked at her. It really isn't a bad idea to get more acquainted with her—she is a Weasley after all. And tonight was as good a time as any. Besides, it was better than trying to make up his own gruesome deaths.

"Hey, maybe I can help you," he offered.

Ginny raised a doubtful eyebrow at him.

"I'm serious," said Harry, a little offended by the eyebrow. "I got really good grades in Defense last year!"

"I know," said Ginny. "Ron said you got the highest in your year. But are you sure you want to help me? With homework?" she added disbelievingly.

"Yeah, why not?" said Harry. "Come on, I don't have anything better to do."

"Okay," said Ginny. "Do you have a comprehensive summary on Hinkypunks, coming from different sources? Or do you at least have some notes of the different books or references where I could get information on Hinkypunks?"

"Er, no," said Harry. He suddenly remembered that he topped Defense Against the Dark Arts last year because of his really high marks in the practical exams. When it came to the written ones, Hermione still got higher grades than he did. He'd probably remember stuff when asked, but no, he did not have comprehensive notes on Hinkypunks coming from different sources.

"What'd you need them for?" he asked Ginny.

"I told you, it's for my Defense essay," said Ginny.

"You know we have a library here, right?" Harry asked her jokingly.

"Yeah, but why go through the torture of looking for dusty books when I can just get Hermione's comprehensive notes?" reasoned Ginny. "And they're taken from different sources, with references. Her notes are like essays already, I can just copy them word for word and Professor Lupin would be quite happy with it."

Harry snorted. "Ahhh… so that's why you need Hermione's notes."

"Yep," said Ginny brightly.

"You're lazy," accused Harry. "Is Percy the only Weasley who actually studies?"

"Hey, I'm not lazy!" said Ginny. "It's not like you don't use Hermione's notes yourself."

"Well, that's true," said Harry. "Her 'comprehensive' notes," he added with a chuckle. "I like that, that's a very accurate description."

"Well, I have a way with words," said Ginny jokingly. "And I'm not really lazy," she said again. "Not like Ron or the twins, at least. I put in a lot more effort than they do."

"Okay, okay," said Harry, holding his hands up. "You're not lazy. I was just joking."

"Good," said Ginny, smirking. "So long as we have that cleared."

"Why are you the only one who's doing this, by the way?" asked Harry. "I don't see any of your classmates bothering with this. Does this mean you're actually the most responsible in your year?"

"No," said Ginny. "Lupin gave this just to me. I'm special that way."

"Did you get a detention," Harry asked through a smirk. "What in the world did you do to earn a detention from Lupin?"

"No, it's not a detention," said Ginny defensively. "The root word of detention is 'detain', I'm not being detained, am I?"

"Wow, you do have a way with words," said Harry sarcastically.

"Oh, shut up."

"So, why do you have the 'special' homework?" asked Harry.

"Well, you know that Daily Prophet article about the Harpies and the Tornadoes swapping Chasers? That really got to me," said Ginny. Harry could sense her temper flaring. "It was the stupidest thing any manager has ever done in the history of Quidditch! I mean, why? Why in Merlin's name? How could that idiot give up Yuna Caraway for Emily Warbeck? I mean, honestly! It's like them giving up Quidditch for the Triwizard Tournament, you know!"

"I gather you're a Harpies fan," said Harry, trying as best as he could to sound annoyingly calm about the swap.

"No," Ginny said sarcastically. She shook her head and gave the Daily prophet another dark look.

"You—you got this homework because of that?" asked Harry, taking care not to worsen her temper.

"I know it's crazy," said Ginny. "Colin already told me I'm being stupid about it. I was really mad about that article yesterday—I forgot my homework on Grindylows. And then I didn't listen to a word Lupin said in class about Hinkypunks, so I got this homework now. But I really just can't help it though. I mean, who's going to lead the Harpy Chasers now? Argh! Caraway is a huge loss. Stupid manager," she added vindictively.

Harry looked at her with an amused expression on his face. He didn't know she was this passionate about Quidditch. He definitely agrees with her on the Triwizard Tournament replacing Quidditch being a stupid decision on the staff's part, but he has a different opinion on the Chasers.

"I don't know," said Harry. "I personally think that Warbeck's better than Caraway."

Ginny looked at him in disbelief. "Oh you don't know anything!"

"I think I know a good deal about Quidditch, thank you," said Harry, sounding a little annoyed. "When you look at their stats, Warbeck's got a higher shooting percentage than Caraway." Ginny started to open her mouth, but Harry went on. "And I know, I know, shooting rate isn't everything. But Warbeck's much faster than Caraway too. She takes a lot more risks. If you really look at the stats, you'll see that Warbeck's a better Chaser."

"That's just it," said Ginny. "People think that Warbeck's better 'cause her individual stats are better than Caraway's. It's just like Quidditch and the Triwizard. People think that the Triwizard Tournament's bigger 'cause it's got better prizes. You know what I mean?"

Harry shook his head and gave Ginny a blank stare.

"I mean," continued Ginny, "okay, Warbeck's faster, a better shooter and all that. But if you really want stats, why don't you look at the number of games each Chaser has helped win. Caraway's winning percentage is 10 points higher than Warbeck's. Caraway's just… good! I mean, you've seen her play. She's like playing a very fast-paced game of chess!" Ginny's voice started to fill with admiration. "The techniques she thinks of, the formations! One on one, Warbeck may be better, but Quidditch isn't one on one. Besides, Caraway is what, 2 points behind Warbeck in shooting rate? And that's only because she makes sure that whoever's making the goal is sure about their goal. If you look at the team stats, whichever team Caraway's in always has a higher shooting rate. The difference between Caraway and Chasers with 'higher' stats than she does is that she thinks. She's like a captain among the Chasers. And a good team is gonna need that. Because the actual captain won't always be a Chaser, they won't be the experts of the position. It's the Chasers who really know of the cohesion between them. And cohesion among the Chasers is really important in a team, you know that."

Harry stared speechless at Ginny. He had just lost a Quidditch argument to Ron's little sister. Ginny looked back at him, as if daring him to argue.

"Okay, you win," said Harry, raising his hands up. "Caraway is better than Warbeck," he added with a good-natured smile. He never thought he'd actually lose a Quidditch argument and not mind it.

"Ah, you've finally seen the light," said Ginny jokingly. "Just ask Katie, or Angelina, or Alicia. Ask them who they'd rather have on their team. They'll answer Caraway in a heartbeat," she added.

"Oh, I will," said Harry. He shook his head and started to chuckle.

"What?" asked Ginny.

"I never thought you're a Quidditch fan," said Harry.

"Well, people can surprise you sometimes," said Ginny matter-of-factly.

"And I know what you mean about Quidditch being replaced by the Triwizard Tournament," said Harry.

"I know," said Ginny. "They could just have both together."

"That'd be much more fun."

"No offense to Professor Dumbledore and every else but—"

"It's a stupid decision," they said in unison.

"Yeah," said Ginny unnecessarily.

"Hey, do you fly?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Do I fly?" said Ginny. "Heck yeah! I used to sneak in our broomshed and try my brothers' brooms one by one. Mum never let me have one. I think she was hoping I'd grow up into a proper lady," she added, rolling her eyes. "Kind of impossible."

Harry chuckled. "So, wanna come with me?" asked Harry. "You know, flying."

"What, now?" asked Ginny.

"No," said Harry. "Well, now's okay, but anytime really. You can try out my Firebolt," he offered.

"No," said Ginny in disbelief. "You'd let me ride the Firebolt? Seriously?"

"Yeah!" said Harry. "Why not? So… how about it?"

"Sure!" said Ginny excitedly. "I've always wanted to ride a Firebolt!"

"Oh it's amazing. The handling's really good and the acceleration—well, you'll see for yourself, I won't ruin it for you. So, how about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Er, I'm kind of busy tomorrow. I have to finish this Defense essay, then there's Snape and Binns. How about Friday? No—wait, Saturday! So we can fly all afternoon," she added happily. "If that's okay with you, of course."

"Saturday's good," said Harry, laughing. Ginny's excitement was infectious.

"Perfect!" said Ginny. "Oh, I can't wait to ride a Firebolt."

"We can go now," said Harry.

"I have to start with my Defense essay," said Ginny.

"Oh, yeah," said Harry. "I have my Divination homework too."

"Really?" asked Ginny, sounding excited. "Hermione told me you and Ron always make up horrible deaths."

"Yeah," said Harry, "she's really annoyed about it."

"Oh, she wasn't annoyed when she told me," said Ginny. "She was quite amused, actually."

"Hermione?" asked Harry disbelievingly. "Really?"

"Well, she was trying to be annoyed," said Ginny. "But I can tell that she was amused."

Harry chuckled. "That is just like Hermione," he said.

"Yeah," said Ginny. "So, what do you think of this: You somehow got entered into the Triwizard Tournament and ended up getting killed in a task involving dragons."

Harry stared at Ginny. "That's a bit of a stretch, isn't it," he said doubtfully.

"Well, at least it's a lot more exciting than—," she grabbed Harry's Divination homework, "getting killed by paper cut…" Ginny sniggered. "Honestly Harry, this is how you die? How undignified…."

"I've run out of creative juice," said Harry flatly.

"Okay, you need something that can actually happen," said Ginny. "How about, you fall off your broom?"

"Which will happen this Saturday 'cause you'll push me off my Firebolt in an attempt to steal it," said Harry, writing it down.

"Oh, ha ha," said Ginny sarcastically.

"Oh, I got a good one for Ron," said Harry. "He got strangled to death by Hermione."

"Because she saw his Divination homework about her strangling him to death and got mad about it," added Ginny laughing.

Harry sniggered.

"Yeah, it's not funny," said Ginny.

"I know," said Harry, who couldn't stop laughing.

"I've got a good one for Mark Anderson," said Ginny. "He got caught in a stampede of angry Harpies fans!"

"You won't get over that, won't you," said Harry, smirking. Mark Anderson was the manager for the Holyhead Harpies.

"Not in the next few months," said Ginny through a yawn. She started to relax in her seat.

"Don't you have a Defense essay to do?" Harry reminded her.

"Oh, I'll do that tomorrow," said Ginny, "when I have Hermione's notes. I," she stood up, "will go to sleep now."

"Well, good night," said Harry.

"Good night, Harry," said Ginny. "Have fun with your homework," she added with a grin.

"Yeah," said Harry. "See you tomorrow."