"A long walk in the grounds seemed indicated, during which- if they had time – they might discuss the match." –Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. J.K. Rowling.

Harry walked down the marble staircase feeling happier than he had thought was possible. Who cared what Voldemort might be planning when he was walking hand in hand with this beautiful, funny, just generally amazing girl Ginny Weasley? He glanced down to see her smiling up at him from underneath her fiery hair, her brown eyes glittering. All he could do was smile back, too focused on the feel of her hand in his, on the memory of kissing her mere moments earlier to even try to form comprehensible speech. It was only after they had finally left the castle and were halfway to the lake when Ginny broke the companionable silence.

"So, you've finally come round. It only took you about five years."

"I guess so." Harry replied with a grin, cursing himself silently for waiting so long, before getting distracted by the way the sunlight made Ginny's hair shine.

"And instead of being a gentleman and asking me out, you decided to kiss me in front of the entire house?"

Harry panicked for a second. It had all happened so suddenly! She couldn't be mad at him already, right? He looked at Ginny's face to see her giggling at his worried expression.

"Calm down, I was just kidding! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to do what you just did?" She said laughingly, watching his frown melt into a sheepish expression.

"I didn't mean to kiss you in front of everyone, it just sort of, err, happened."

Ginny reached up and kissed him quickly on the cheek, then looked up into his emerald eyes.

"I forgive you." They continued to walk in the general direction of the lake in silence, still holding hands. "You know Harry," she said suddenly, "I really do like you. I don't care about all that being famous stuff like those other girls; I want you to know that I like you for you."

Harry turned red and grinned stupidly. Ginny caring about him being The Chosen one had never even crossed his mind, because she was, well, because she was Ginny, but it was still nice to hear. Ginny waited a moment, but when it became clear that Harry wasn't going to reply her expression became teasing.

"Your turn."

"What?"

"Your turn to say how you feel about me!" Harry's eyes widened in horror. It was one thing to kiss her, but putting his feelings into words was a different matter entirely. Ginny's eyes twinkled,

"You can duel You-Know-Who and live, but you're not brave enough to tell a girl how you feel?" Harry blushed and looked down.

"I'm waiting!" Ginny sang, as she came to a halt and faced Harry directly. He took a deep breath and searched for his Gryffindor bravery.

"Err, I, well, uhh, I really like you Ginny." He looked at her hopefully, but she continued to stare innocently up at him, waiting for more.

"Because, uhh, because you're beautiful and smart and funny and I love to be around you." He said in a rush, but meaning every word of it. Ginny's face broke into a huge grin.

"Aww, thanks Harry!" She said as she steered them under the beech tree near the lake. "It only took you five years." Harry grinned at her, pleased with her reaction to his words.

"So will you go out with me Ginny?" He asked.

"Hmm I'll have to think about it." Harry's stomach dropped momentarily, but then he saw the laughter in her brown eyes.

"I'm just teasing you! Of course I'll go out with you Harry." He smiled as she hugged him tightly, and then bent down to finally kiss her again.