For some reason the Gryffindors and the snakes were having the same potions class. Ok so that fact was well known and not that big of a surprise. No, what the surprise was surprised everyone including a certain potions master. Somehow the class for potions had dwindled extremely low and instead of making the sixth and seventh years share a class from each house they decided to pair up not only the Gryffindors and the Slytherins but the fifth years with the sixth years.

This year's potions class was going to be interesting indeed. Ginny and Harry would be in the same class. Ginny wasn't too bad with potions but Harry was. Ginny however was klutzy when Harry was around and knew she would make terrible mistakes in her potions all year if she didn't get over her crush.

"This year should be fun." Harry said to her. She nodded and then looked away to hide her blush. He looked at her and smiled. "You know I was never really good at potions I hope I don't look like an idiot in front of your year."

"I doubt that Harry." Ginny said playing it cool and looking at him. "After all you did fight You-Know-Who last year and fought a dragon the year before. And you killed a basilisk. Just because you might not be good at one thing does mean you aren't good at everything else when it comes down to when you need it."

"Hey you're talking." Harry said grinning. "And here I thought a cat got your tongue I was going to go hunt that mangy cat down for you and win it back." She looked at him in shock for a moment before she realized he was joking around with her. She almost fainted when she realized they were walking alone back up to the tower. She thought he might be slowing his paced down for her since she had been deep in thought about the upcoming potions class the next afternoon and was walking slowly.

"Yeah I guess I got it back." She joked back. Harry nodded.

"Is something bothering you?" He asked. "You seem kind of….I donno pensive."

"I'm fine." Ginny said. "I'm just wondering what potions is going to be like. I've never had potions with the Slytherins before and I know Snape hates you."

"Yeah, it's going to be interesting….." Harry said. They stopped in front of the portrait of the fat lady. "Look Ginny…..I um….I was wondering…." He looked nervous. "The reason I wanted to talk to you was to ask….if you….might want to…..play a game of chess with me." He finished lamely. It was obvious even to Ginny that he wanted something else but wasn't sure how to ask.

"Sure." Ginny said. They sat down to play a game in which Ginny suspected that Harry let her win.

"It's late I should probably be going to bed now." Ginny said.

"Um yeah……..well good night then." Harry said. He stood up and walked back over to his friends, who had been observing the two quietly. Ginny looked disappointed for a moment but then went up to the dorm rooms.

**

The next afternoon everyone was down in the dungeons waiting to be allowed into the classroom not that anyone besides the Slytherins were looking forward to being locked in a room with Snape.

"Get in, quickly." Snape sneered. Harry wondered if he ever just spoke. "Get into pairs."

They separated then sat together. Malfoy sat with Balise, Hermione with Ron, Harry with Ginny, Crabbe with Goyle, and so on. Snape launched into a long lecture and then ordered them to brew a simple de-aging potion. Harry managed to brew his flawlessly but Ginny was a bit distracted to say the least so hers had a few flaws but nothing serious…..until something exploded and made her potion fly all over her. Neville's caldron, (How in the world did he even make it into Newt potions?) had exploded once more coving Ginny in an unfinished potion along with half the other objects in the room.

Snape sneered and made the potion disappear with a flick of his wand. However by that time Ginny's skin had absorbed the potion…..apparently not enough to change anything but Harry made sure to stay behind and hold Ginny there too. He wasn't taking any chances.

"Professor." Harry said raising his hand. He didn't want to anger Snape just yet. "Some of the potion got on Ginny…." He said.

"Is this true Miss Weasley?" Snape drawled. Ginny nodded. He cast various spells. "Stay behind after class." Again she nodded. "Class dismissed. Twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Longbottom, for your inability to brew a simple potion without exploding it." Everyone filed out and finally it was just Harry, Ginny, and Snape. "You were dismissed Potter or can't you even follow those instructions."

"I want to make sure Ginny's ok." Harry said.

"Fine Potter." Snape snapped. "Follow me." They headed up to the headmaster's office and waited nervously when Dumbledore answered and Snape began filling the headmaster in.

"Are you alright Miss Weasley?" Dumbledore asked looking at her.

"I feel alright." Ginny answered. Dumbledore looked at Harry.

"And what happened to you?" Dumbledore asked.

"Um….nothing sir…..I just wanted to make sure Ginny was alright….She got hit with a lot of the potion and I don't think all of it was banished away…..I mean I think her skin might have absorbed some of the potion."

"So you were concerned for her well being?" Dumbledore asked. "The potion didn't hit you as well in any way?"

"No sir, most of us no pretty well to expect Neville to explode his cauldron. Ginny was distracted by her potion at the moment so she didn't see it coming." Harry admitted.

"And you didn't feel inclined to help her at all?" Snape sneered trying to point a finger at him.

"But I did sir…..I got distracted by making sure her potion didn't explode on her when some of Neville's potion fell into hers." Harry said. "I forgot about Neville's potion so instead of being hit with her own potion she was hit with Neville's. Sorry Ginny." Harry said. "I tried to warn you but I guess I didn't react fast enough."

"That's alright Harry. It isn't your job to protect me from silly things like exploding potions." Ginny said. Harry didn't look happy at that.

"It would be if you let me ask you to be my girlfriend." Harry muttered. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Severus, will there be any effects from the potion?" Dumbledore asked.

"I don't know Headmaster. I need to examine the potion." Snape answered.

"Until you get the answer I suggest Miss Weasley should stay in the Hospital wing just in case." Dumbledore said. Ginny didn't look thrilled at that idea.

"I could watch her." Harry volunteered. "We're in the same house anyway so I spend most of the time with her in the common room with everyone. If anything happens I could just bring her to the Hospital wing."

Dumbledore seemed to consider it and his eyes twinkled. "Very well….but when Miss Weasley is not with you she has to tell you anything that might be wrong, even the slightest bit. Can you agree to that Miss Weasley?" Ginny nodded grateful to get out of going to the hospital wing. "Very well Harry, I will leave the decision of if she needs to go to the infirmary up to you and ask that you use the most careful of judgment. Severus if you would please start analyzing the potion." Recognizing the dismissal everyone left.