Harry and Ginny were sitting alone in the common room, a very rare occurrence indeed. Once he realized his good fortune, Harry slid closer to Ginny on the couch they were sharing, and gently kissed her temple. She gently pushed him away.

"Harry, you know I can't be distracted right now. I have to finish studying these notes…"

"Come on Gin, you've been studying for hours. Give yourself a break. Besides," he gestured to the room at large, "We're finally alone, with no one to give me disgusted looks when I kiss you."

"You know I think you should ignore Ron's reactions and just kiss me whenever you like anyway."

"I know Gin, but he's my best mate. Have to give him a little bit of a break from time to time. Besides, if you think I should kiss you whenever I like, I'd merely be following orders by kissing you right now…"

As he spoke to her, he gentle brushed her hair off her shoulder and placed it behind her ear. He kissed her newly exposed neck on a spot he knew was particularly sensitive, hoping with all his heart that she'd change her mind and take a study break with him.

"Harry…"

She was losing her resolves, and Harry knew it. He continued to kiss her neck gently until she finally turned to face him and captured his lips with her own. Harry ran one hand thru her long red hair, and gentle held her waste with the other. Ginny placed one hand on the back of his neck, the other gently rested on his lean chest. The kiss was gentle, and perfect. There was no urgency or need in the kiss, just content happiness radiating from both parties.

Ginny pulled away abruptly in order to yawn. Harry felt disappointed at the initial loss of contact, but once he saw the reason behind it, the feeling faded as soon as it came. Ginny clearly needed rest, and he could not, in good conscious, keep her up any longer. Despite how much wanted to stay there with her for hours.

"Gin, you should go up to bed. You must be exhausted."

"No, no, I'm fine. Besides, I need to keep studying."

"Gin, its three in the morning. You need your rest. Come on," he said rising from the couch and offering her his hand, "I'll walk you to your staircase."

"Will you kiss me good night?" she asked playfully.

"Absolutely."

"Well, alright then, you've convinced me."

She took his hand willing and rose from the couch. As they walked toward the entrance to the girls' dormitory Ginny suppressed another yawn. They stood there looking into each other's eyes and holding each other's hands for a moment or two before Harry finally broke the silence.

"Goodnight Ginny. Sleep well…"

"Goodnight Harry."

She stood slightly on her toes and kissed him gently on lips. Harry returned the kiss and held her close, trying to stave off the inevitable separation.

Eventually Ginny pulled away and turned towards the stairs reluctantly. Harry watched her go with a sigh. He turned towards his own staircase and headed to bed, letting thoughts of Ginny consume him for the rest of the night.