Term began in the usual fashion in the Great Hall ; the Sorting followed by Dumbledore's welcome back speech then the actual feast. Discussions were lively all around.
Gossip ran rampant through the tables like any other school and it wasn't any different .
Harry Potter was now being called the Chosen One.
Was he taller this term? Defiantly a bit more handsome , too.
Ron Weasley fought beside him, you know. Look how rugged he is this year!
The Patil sisters spent their holiday vacationing in Switzerland.
Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan spent the holiday in Ireland hanging out on the Quidditch pitch practicing for the try outs this year.
Gossip hadn't changed one bit .Some things never changed , it would seem.
The part about Harry gave Gin a moment of pause as she stared down the table to look at him. He waved at her and resumed talking back with Ron.
He must not be paying any attention to the talk going on around him.
That would be just like Harry though she wondered how he would take to being adored by a gaggle of giggly girls this term. Probably avoid them , if she knew Harry.
Cho chang hadn't been giggly but she'd been enough to make Ginny want to hex her last term during D.A. practice , all but being helpless female so Harry would have to help her.
She couldn't help but be thankful that Harry and Cho had broken up.
Harry needed someone that was strong and who wouldn't accuse him of something as asinine as being involved with his best friend.
Merlin, everyone knew that Hermione was Harry's best friend .
" Ginny," dean tugged affectionately on her hair,' what is so fascinating ?"
She tore her gaze away from Harry , feeling guilty for her own thoughts about him.
" Sorry I was thinking about what Dumbledore said ," lied Ginny," did I miss something ?"
" I just wanted to know if you have any objections if I scout out broom closets for us to be alone in?" asked dean, innocently . They had began with a kiss after all.
Ginny leaned in and dropped an easy kiss on his mouth." No," answered ginny, her candy colored eyes dancing merrily at him," just as we're far away from Malfoy and Parkinson's snogging spot. I also think you need not to be telling that to anyone in your dorm about us as the twins have taken it upon themselves to assign Ron the job of looking after me "
She made a disgruntled face " idiot can barely take care of himself but he will pry into my business..I don't want our love life blabbed to my brother "
Or Harry , she thought but didn't voice out loud.
" That 's fine ," agreed dean," besides I don't want Ron to kill me in my sleep"
" What an awful thing to say, dean," volunteered Luna as she settled in beside Neville," I am sure Ron would never want to hurt you , let alone kill you "
" Oh hey, Loony ," greeted dean, unsure of how to take the dippy girl," hi"
Ginny shot him a disapproving glare that stated that Luna was her friend so be nice.
" I've just heard all sorts of things already about what has happened with us at the Ministry last term," brought up Luna ," you would think that would be old news by now.A 7th year boy from my own House spoke to me this morning -I don't think he was just being nice since he asked how good of friends I am with Harry Potter. "
She shook her blonde waves , sending her ever present radish earring swinging as she moved," Popularity is a funny thing "
" Folks have all gone stupid is what I think " offered Ginny, easily.
" They have your favorite , Luna ," said Neville, placing a plate of chocolate cream tart in front of her . He knew that she would eat three puddings before a drumstick or lamb chop.
" Oh thank you, Neville," Luna placed a hand on his wrist and sent him a special smile of appreciation," your very sweet to remember that "
Ginny met Neville's gaze across the table , tilting her head to include Luna in the silent question. Her friends had danced around her prying after a gentle moment between Luna and Neville at the ministry hospital but Ginny knew better.
His mouth turned into the slightest of half smiles . So it was Neville and Luna this term.
She couldn't wait to corner Luna later and beg for all the juicy details.
Ginny hoped there were details. After al, her friends had feelings like anyone else.
Ginny could hear her boyfriend and Seamus discussing Quidditch so she couldn't resist a quick glance down the table where Harry sat with Ron and Hermione.
Luna noticed her friends gaze and was ever observant ." Hermione's aura is simply lovely . It is all pretty shades of pink , I see. Does Ron know how she feels about him?"
" My brother ," scoffed Ginny," you've got to be kidding . She's been flirting with him all bloody summer . The idiot must be as blind as a bat not to see her, Luna "
" I am sure Ron will ," commented Luna ," he looks at her that way too"
" looks like we got the same schedule this year ," said Harry to his best mate ," and three free periods . Advanced Divination ought to be easy this year ..after last "
" Three free periods," sighed Ron," that will be the best part plus we're 6th years . The little First years have to look up to us now " Harry chuckled his agreement .
" Those study halls will be useful with our workload this year " says Hermione , reaching across the table to pick up a piece of soda bread just as Ron did . He placed his hand over hers and she lifted her eyes in surprise as she fell deep into the clear blue of his.
Oh my !
" Relax, Mione ," replied Ron, not removing his hand ," I mean, you do want to have some fun this year besides all that work you love " She gnawed on her lip and he couldn't resist brushing a finger across her knuckles . Her skin was soft.
This was interesting and she wasn't yelling at him, either .
Only staring at him with a look he hadn't seen before - could that be hope -in those chocolate brown eyes of hers ?
" of course I do , Ron " stammered Hermione, under her breath.
" I'd be happy to just survive the year, myself " commented Harry, breaking the spell .
" Oh, I am sure you will," spoke up a raven haired beauty that was a Fourth year ," Hi Harry , I am romilda vane . I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello"
He turned and sent her an easy smile" Uh, right . Nice to meet you, Romilda "
She gave him a little wave and walked back over to join her gaggle of friends.
ROMILDA VANE! TART!
Ginny jabbed a pork chop with more ferocity than was necessary . Cho chang was an entirely different matter because she and Harry had went out but Romilda Vane wasn't even on the same page.
Ginny counted to five and damn, she had no rights on Harry. This was a fact. She couldn't go around wanting to hex every female that found Harry attractive -she would just have to put more effort into ridding her heart of all these pangs that she had regarding was Crazy about Dean.
This was the truth because if it wasn't she couldn't have been with him.
" Ginny," Dean stared quizzically at her ," it's not exactly a Death Eater or are you picturing your brothers head on a platter ?"
" Something like that ," lied Ginny, chagrined. She plastered a cheery smile on her face and turned all of her attention back where it belonged .
GT
" I believe that you must be the prettiest girl at all of Hogwarts," Dean nuzzled against Ginny's neck. They were situated behind one of the large statues on the 4th floor," and defiantly all of Gryffindor " he kissed the shell of her ear and considered himself lucky that she had even taken notice of him. He had heard talk last term of her crush on Harry.
Since he was mates with Harry , he figured it had to be pretty much just gossip.
Ginny touched his face; Dean had such classic good looks, strong nose, sharp dark eyes, and a kind way about him. Quick to share a joke or help a friend .
She liked all of that about him and found him very attractive.
" You're pretty yourself, Dean " Ginny kissed him once, twice then took it deeper.
" Guys aren't pretty, Gin" corrected Dean, his tone full of fun.
She slid her arms around his neck and grinned teasingly at him." Humor me "
Dean slid a hand into the heavy fall of her copper hair , noticing the shimmer of gold within the red. It was like fire, which fit her personality to a perfect tee.
" Ron isn't happy that I'm dating you" brought up dean of his dorm mate.
" Dean, you have roomed with my brother since your first year ," sighed Ginny, who had been afraid that her overprotective brothers reaction that she was now old enough to date ," please don't ruin it for me by telling me your afraid of Ron"
" Don't be daft ," defended Dean, posturing a bit in defense of his manhood," I just don't want to get on his bad side. He lit into Seamus good last year just defending Harry .."
" Our business, Dean," Ginny took his face into her hands, kissing him," now shut up"
" I don't see anyone," says Hermione as she and Ron strolled down the corridor," I think its much too early for anyone to consider being out of bed " She barely missed seeing Ginny pull her boyfriend flat against the wall to hide ," after all, its only a bit after 9. ..even we snuck out later than that "
" I..I made up my mind about Harry's Quidditch trials ," said Ron, nervously ," I've been practicing a fair bit . I'm going to try out for Keeper, Hermione "
He paused , expectantly , looking at her " I think I have a decent shot. Don't you?"
Harry had been chosen as the Gryffindor Team Captain for Quidditch this year and he was planning on holding try-outs soon. Hermione had helped him make and post fliers all over the school just last week.
" Of course you do," Hermione took a step closer to him and reached out to touch his arm. She didn't know what had happened to her but she couldn't seem to stop finding reasons to touch him. " I believe in you, Ron. I just know you'll be wonderful"
' You do?" inquired Ron, a hint of insecurity creeping into his voice. He reached out, wiggled his fingers, nervously, and brushed his hand against hers.
Did he dare hold her hand ? Would Hermione mind ?
He had held her at the hospital when she had been scared but that had been different. She had been hurt . She had needed him and it had just seemed natural.
Could she want them to be more ? More than best friends ?
"Yes," answered Hermione , softly . Kiss me, Ron. Don't think, just kiss me.
Ron opened his mouth to speak when a bubbly blonde dressed in a short purple dress sashayed between them. Her name was Lavender brown and she was in their year.
" Ron" called Hermione, softly as he was distracted easily by the girl.
" Ron, Ron," gushed lavender , leaning against him, coyly," I didn't see you in study hall. Earlier . I never got the chance to tell you how brave and dashing I think you are -I would so -ooo love to hear your side of the story about what happened last term "
Hermione dropped Ron's arm and shot the girl a filthy look. Lavender was making a play for Ron and right in front of her ! There were words for girls like her .
" Uh, sure , lavender ," stammered a baffled Ron," Hermione and I have to patrol first "
Lavender batted her eyelashes at him." Anytime would be fine, Ron"
Hermione brought her heel down on Ron's foot, angrily. " You are out of your dorm, lavender ," pointed out Hermione, icily," you should get back there . I would hate for Ron and I to have to give you detention so soon in the term"
" I just bet that you would , Hermione " said Lavender , snidely .
"It's hardly past curfew, Hermione ," brought up Ron, confused by her tone .
' We have responsibilities as prefects , Ron" snapped Hermione , evenly.
" I know but im sure lavender is heading back now,' told Ron," let's not ruin the night by giving her a detention. I'm sure she wont do it again.."
" Oh your so sweet, Ron " beamed Lavender , hugging him," thank you so much "
" Very well then .." remarked Hermione , angrily .
Behind the statue, Ginny held tightly to Dean's shoulder , pressing her face into his shirt to prevent from laughing . It would seem that Hermione had a bit of competition for Ron's affections . She had never seen her friend look so furious !
Lavender left in a huff, and Hermione strode angrily down the hall while a bewildered Ron running to catch up with her . He would never understand why she was mad.
" Whew , that was close ," Dean nipped at her nose ," least now I've got ammo. Granger is into Ron. I don't know how I never noticed it before -its really obvious "
" Leave the ammo to me ," declared Ginny," and Dean, I think that our relationship is the least of my brothers worries right now . Now where were we ..oh yes "
She resumed her snogging with an eager Dean . Ron and Hermione forgotten.