Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not a thing! It all belongs to J.K.Rowling. I think I will take credit for Kerensa and Seraphine but that's it. I don't even own the plot (to a certain extent)! That belongs to the makers of Hum tum, Kunal Kohli and Siddharth Anand and Yash Raj, I believe.

A/n: Uuuumm, not much to say. Here's the next chapter, have fun!

The Spark

'We've talked about this and we've discovered that our feelings were mutual and so we're…going out now' Hermione declared and then winced as if she expected shouts and revolts. Ron looked sheepish.

Harry and Ginny exchanged glances with each other and the looked back at their two friends. Their faces broke into smiles.

'Finally!' Ginny cried and then laughed 'Hermione, you can open your eyes, we won't hurt you' Hermione opened her eyes and beamed. She hugged Ginny.

Harry smiled and wasn't quite so expressive but happy all the same. He clapped Ron on the shoulder and said 'good for you Ron' he said.

Ron coughed, nodded and said 'thanks mate' they looked at the girls who were talking excitedly.

Ron shook his head and whispered 'mental' having heard him, Harry laughed and inwardly agreed.

Long after Ron and Hermione had gone off to bed, Harry and Ginny remained in the Common Room. They talked about their friends' announcement.

Ginny was awaiting some sort of reaction and for the life of him Harry couldn't understand what.

'So, how do you feel about it?' Ginny asked quietly

'Bound to happen really. Been expecting it since after the Yule ball in fourth year so actually they've taken a while but here we are' he replied nonchalantly.

She nodded 'Well I'm happy for them' she commented.

Harry stared at her confusedly 'Uh, suppose I am too, best thing for them, isn't it?' he replied, still unsure of what Ginny wanted him to say.

'I agree' she said

'Okay then'

They stayed quiet for a while Ginny wallowed in her restless thoughts.

Finally she came out and said it 'you realise things will change now?' she said.

'How do you mean?' Harry asked, making her roll her eyes.

'Well they'll be spending a lot more time with each other…' she trailed off, leaving Harry with something to think about.

He thought about what she'd just said and realised that she was right.

Ron and Hermione would now want to spend more time together, leaving him, Harry, to be the third wheel. He had sort of known this all along but it had been buried among other thoughts for a while.

He looked back at Ginny and nodded 'Yeah, I suppose things will be different now'

'Are you okay with that?' she asked.

Harry frowned 'Uh yeah, I am. I mean I suppose I knew it was going to happen really. Long as I know, I'll always have their support, I don't have to hang around with them all the time to know that' he answered.

'Yeah you're right. That's what's important' Ginny reinforced.

'Yep'

'Well, I'm happy for them, personally' she repeated casually.

'Yeah so am I- Ginny, what are you getting at?'

She shook her head 'I'm not trying to get at anything, I was just checking'

Harry frowned further. 'I'm not a child; you don't need to check up on me'

The girl sighed 'I know you're not a child but forgive me for caring about you' Ginny said waspishly.

His expression softened and he looked guilty 'sorry, I just hate it when people baby me' he explained.

Ginny smiled knowingly. 'Know how it feels. I didn't mean to make it sound as if was babying you, I suppose that's just how it came out'

Harry nodded and they fell into a comfortable silence.

'You know, I reckon I'll be alright' he said after a minute.

'Oh?' she said looking mildly intrigued.

'Yeah still got you, haven't I?'

Ginny grinned 'that you do Harry. 'Course I don't compare to Ron and Hermione'

They laughed and fell silent again.

A few minutes later, Harry spoke again. 'We'll be alright, won't we? You and me?'

She looked at her raven haired friend thoughtfully for a moment before replying.

She smiled because she knew that there had never been a time when Harry had been without Ron or Hermione. Even when there were fights, he had always had a place with one or the other.

Slowly, she began to nod reassuringly 'Yeah. We'll be fine. You'll be alright Harry' she soothed.

Harry smiled back and after another moment's thought he said 'And Ginny?' she looked up.

'Thanks for caring and checking. Sometimes I don't really know when I do need it and when I don't'

Ginny nodded again and rose, she held out a hand to Harry. He took it and got up.

'G'night Harry' she said

'Night'


Over the following weeks, Ron and Hermione grew closer, as was expected. They still bickered but it wasn't quite as serious as they fought in a rather fond way.

When they did fight, it got quite serious but they managed to work it out between themselves, without too much interference.

The two spent a fair amount of time with Ginny and Harry but as had been predicted, not as much as before.

This had resulted in Harry and Ginny becoming closer. That late night talk that had taken place a few weeks back had become something of a ritual.

Every night they would meet in the common room after everybody else had gone up. They would talk about everything. If they were in good moods, they'd talk about Quidditch, rant about the Slytherins or laugh at teachers.

On more serious days they discussed Harry's childhood, an aspect of his life Harry had never really talked about. Ginny expressed her feelings on the experience she'd gone through in her first year and Harry would tell her how he felt after hearing about the prophecy and the impact of Voldemort on his life.

In each other, Harry and Ginny found a sort of confidant that they'd never really had before. Harry found that Ginny could understand him like no one else.

In some areas she could relate to his problems with Voldemort, in other aspects, he had to provide an explanation but what he found comforting was her general wish to understand.

She always listened with the utmost attention and because of this she began to see things through his eyes. There were times when Harry wondered how he'd managed without her.

It had only been seven months since the war had ended; Harry still hadn't come to terms with everything that had happened. They had lost so many people.

Dumbledore for one, it had seemed at one point that Hogwarts would close but they had managed to pull through. Many students had given their lives as well.

Slowly, with Ginny's help, Harry was starting to look at life differently. He was no longer required to serve one purpose and one purpose only. He didn't have to devote his days devising a plan for Voldemort's demise.

He was allowed to live now. He no longer had to think that there was no time for girlfriends, that there was better things to do. Because now, there was time for girlfriends and there wasn't better things to do, well not really.

He didn't have to worry about his scar all the time, it was just a scar now, everyone had them. His was an odd shape and in a less than discreet place, so what?

It was still hard for him to go into public places without being mobbed but nothing's ever perfect.

Ginny was finding girls for Harry left and right but just because he looked at life differently didn't mean he had changed as a person.

Mostly, he rejected the girls she found for him. But occasionally one or two sparked his interest but it hardly ever amounted to anything.

'Catherine Priestly? Very nice, she's-'

'No'

'Felicity Emerson? Really pretty-'

'No, Ginny'

'Noelle Freeman She's-'

'No, want me to spell it out? ' Ginny sighed at her lack of success 'what about Mirabelle Woodhouse?'

Harry didn't have the heart to say no again. He looked at his red haired friend and rolled his eyes. 'House?'

'Ravenclaw' Ginny answered and bit her lip while her eyes sparkled in anticipation. Harry almost laughed; Ginny took this as her cue.

'She's a Quidditch fan but she doesn't play it. Wavy dark brown hair, big hazel eyes, rosy cheeks, perfect skin, perfect figure'

Harry raised his eyebrows, he was slightly intrigued.

Ginny continued 'We started talking once when I overheard her fiercely defending Hagrid while all her friends were taking the mick'

Harry looked at Ginny and thought for a moment and gave in.

'We'll meet. Once' Harry said and rose to leave.

'Okay I'll tell you the time' she called to him.

She knew he was laughing at her and shaking his head but Ginny smiled even more.

It was good to see Harry laugh again. She could only recall a few times prior to this year when she'd actually seen him do that.


Ginny ran into her dormitory and disregarded her friends' concerned glances when she began screaming into her pillow.

'Ginny?' one of them asked, she didn't seem to hear.

'Ginny, Hermione's here' this caught the red head's attention.

She looked up to find Hermione standing in the doorway, looking worried. 'What's up Hermione?' she asked

'Ginny, have you seen Harry around. I can't seem to find him anywhere' Hermione said, Ginny stared at her friend and thought of Harry.

'He'll be around somewhere, he'll turn up when he feels like it' she answered. Hermione nodded, waved and left.

Ginny sat up and thought some more. Finally she got up, took out her scarf and coat and left. On her way out she said 'be back later, just going out'

Ginny bounded down the stairs and ran out of the common room. Her feet were carrying her to her destination; her mind couldn't spare a thought towards it.

Her head ached with trying to hold all the thoughts that flew around in it. She reached the entrance hall, crossed it and threw the doors open. The cold, November wind rushed to meet her.

She stepped outside, hardly noticing the conditions which surrounded her; she began to trudge across the grounds.

Her red hair flew into her vision, but she ignored it and kept her head bent and gaze downwards. Her cheeks were starting succumb to the weather and began to pink to its command but she didn't care.

Finally she reached it. She took a seat in the stands next to Harry. He didn't look at her or acknowledge the fact that he knew of her presence in any way.

But he knew. 'Hermione's looking for you' she said simply, he nodded. No other words were exchanged.

They looked out upon the pitch. He knew why she was there and she knew why he was. It was a silent understanding; it didn't need to be spoken. They needed to get away from it all.

Every so often, it got too much. The trivial problems of students, the classes, the work, the pressures. They both needed a place where they could escape, in a sense. Where all the stresses trailed away to reveal their true significance, or lack thereof.

Eventually Harry spoke. 'How did you know I was here?' he asked.

Ginny turned and considered him for a moment 'I don't know I just did' she answered shortly.

He nodded as if he knew and turned away once again.

A few more minutes passed away in silence. Neither moved. Then, for no visible reason, Ginny let her head fall onto his shoulders. He didn't look surprised or show any emotion. As if responding to her action he put an arm around her shoulders.

For the next half hour, they offered each other silent company.

No words were spoken and yet it was the complete opposite of solitude. To a passer by, it looked like a perfect moment between two friends. A picture so perfect, it seemed almost untouchable. Nothing could spoil it nor penetrate it, not even time.


There was two weeks remaining until the Christmas holidays began and the students of Hogwarts were allowed a trip to Hogsmeade to go Christmas shopping.

The small, traditional village always looked best at that time of year.

The temperatures almost reached to the point of being unbearable but this was slightly buried by the beauty of Hogmeade. The thatched roofs bedecked with snow, the magical yellow lighting which illuminated the snow covered paths running through the village.

For Ron and Hermione, this was their first opportunity at having a proper date.

Harry and Ginny didn't mind that the two wished to wander Hogsmeade on their own. If anything, it made Christmas shopping easier.

'Okay Hermione….book, done' Harry said, Ginny stared at him 'what?' he asked

'You're getting her a book? Come on, Harry' Ginny said

'She loves books!' he protested

'Well yes but you didn't exactly put much thought into it, did you?'

Harry smiled 'see, that's something I've always liked about Hermione. She just wants books all the time'

Ginny raised her eyebrows 'does she really, have you asked her?'

'Well no but its Hermione'

'So it's okay to get her a thoughtless gift, is it?' he opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again.

'What are you getting her' he asked finally.

'Book' she answered.

Harry's mouth fell open 'how can you say that-' he started

'Ah, but I asked her and plus I've spent ages finding the perfect book to get her' she countered.

'Note to self: don't bring Ginny shopping next year; she makes you think about gifts' Harry said.

Ginny huffed with mock indignation. 'Oi!' she shoved him playfully.

A few of the older witches who passed, smiled at them reminiscently.

Harry grinned at her, she shook her head fondly. Passing students gave them odd looks but Ginny and Harry didn't notice as they started throwing small handfuls of snow at each other.

'Harry!' Ginny shouted after ten minutes. 'We have to get this shopping done!' she grabbed his hand and started to drag him down the street.

'Alright, alright' he conceded.

She let go and they continued to stroll onwards.

Every so often Ginny would excitedly point at something in a shop window. Harry would just laugh and shake his head but got used to it after a while.

'So do you think getting Hermione a book on exam techniques is thoughtful?' he asked.

The girl's head popped round the side of the nearest bookcase. 'Like she needs it and no. Come on Harry, you can do better than that'

Harry rolled his eyes and muttered 'if I hadn't gone with her, I'd be done by now' Ginny pretended she didn't hear him.

'Aha!' came Ginny's voice from the distant. Not a moment later the red head appeared beside Harry.

'Found what you need?' he asked absentmindedly, reading the back of a book, he thought Hermione might like.

'Yep' Ginny said proudly.

She held out a leather bound book with gold embossed letters that read "Mind of a Muse: Memoirs of an Inspiration"

Harry looked at her resignedly. He really would have to think now. This was the kind of book, if he knew anything about her, that Hermione would love.

'D'you mind helping me then, you seem to be good at this' Harry asked casually, Ginny grinned 'thought you'd never ask' she grabbed his hand and dragged him over to another shelf.

In the end, it was Harry who finally picked out something he knew Hermione would like.

With the right guidance, he found a book titled "How to Form a Rebellion" which he thought she might find useful in her SPEW campaign or at least find amusing.

'Right, where to now?' Harry asked as they stepped outside after paying for their purchases.

Ginny shrugged and squinted at Harry through the flurry of snow 'Three Broomsticks, or do you want to get the presents out of the way?' he proposed.

'Presents out of the way, then we can take our time in the Three Broomsticks' Ginny decided, Harry nodded and they set off to find Ron's gift.

Two hours later Harry and Ginny rushed into the Three Broomsticks. They sighed when the door had closed and they were met with the warmth of the pub.

They found a table in the corner and Harry got them a couple of butterbeers. The two sipped in silence, when Ginny spotted something, or someone.

'Harry!' she said, Harry shook himself out of a daze and looked at her enquiringly. She nodded her head towards table in the distance.

Harry turned and saw what she was signalling at. His eyes went wide and he turned right back round within a second.

A picture of his best friends kissing was one that didn't appeal too much to him.

'Thanks Ginny, it's great that they're together but I could really have done without seeing that' he said. The girl rolled her eyes.

'It's kinda weird that it's Ron but apart from that, it's rather adorable, don't you think?' she asked, Harry didn't look convinced, Ginny gave up.
They continued to talk and joke around, occasionally glancing at Ron and Hermione.

'Can't wait to be home for Christmas' Ginny said and her eyes glazed over as she thought of Christmas at the Burrow.

Harry smiled. 'I know what you mean. I could do with a good dose of your mother's cooking' and he blissfully thought of the food that waited for him in that bizarre house.

'Let's not forget the ever present Weasley clan' Ginny reminded him, thinking fondly of her brothers. Harry looked at Ginny and voiced a thought.

'Whatever happened to Percy, get any word from him after the war?' he asked tentatively

'Don't know, don't care' Ginny lied

'Didn't he contact any of you after the war?'

'No, not really'

'You have no idea where he is right now, or what he's doing or anything?'

'Nope, could be dead for all we know, wouldn't be surprised if he told them to not tell us about his death in the will' Ginny said, she took another small sip and did not alter her carefully arranged, insouciant expression.

'Ginny'

'Okay so we would know if he was dead. But he could be married and we wouldn't know' she stated truthfully.

Harry nodded and thought back to the last time he'd spoken to the third oldest Weasley, fourth year.

He remembered in his third year when Mrs. Weasley almost bursted with pride when she told him of Percy's achievements. Of course, he'd still been clever enough to suck up to Dumbledore then.

All of the Weasleys were so close, it seemed odd that there was another, alone and estranged.

Harry didn't pursue the subject any further, he could tell Ginny didn't really want to say much on the matter, or maybe she didn't have much to say on the matter.

After overcoming an awkward silence, Ginny was reminded of something.

'So, how did it go with Mirabelle?' she asked, Harry looked confused.

'Who?' he asked.

The girl rolled here eyes and said 'Woodhouse?'

'Oh! Her. Sorry you set me up with so many, I lose track of their first names. She was nice, quite fit, clever, funny, good to talk to' he trailed off.

She raised her eyebrows. 'And?'

'Well I dunno, something wasn't there. She makes a good enough mate, but' he trailed off.

'No chemistry?' Ginny filled in.

'Um, if that's what you call it, then yeah'

'Note to self: Type Woodhouse, no chemistry' the sixth year said as if she were writing it down.

Harry groaned. 'No Ginny, no more, please. Let me find a girl. I don't just want a girlfriend, I want someone special, you know?'

'You want to tie yourself down, already?' she asked, when her friend nodded, she sighed.

'Harry, Harry, Harry. Look, you've had how many girlfriends? One, Chang, right? Apart from that, you weren't granted any time, you were too busy fighting off you know who. You never did what other boys had the chance to do, play the field a little'

Harry opened his mouth, but Ginny held up a hand.

'I'm not saying, you should play six girls off at once or get a new one every week or something, because if you did that, I'd kill you. Just have some fun, live a little' she advised wisely

Harry thought about this. Truth be told, she was right. He never had had a chance to be like other guys when it came to girls. He'd gone out with Cho Chang, which was nothing short of a disaster.

He needed to get out a little more and Ginny was handing him the ticket. He looked up at his red headed companion. 'I think you're right'

'But of course' Ginny said with a smug smile, Harry snorted but she ignored him.

'Okay next target: Adella Sparks. There's sure to be chemistry there, she's kind, bright, pretty and full of life'

Harry thought and nodded. 'Yeah, okay go on then. I'd be happy to meet this Adella Sparks'

Ginny smiled widely and an excited spark came into her chocolate brown eyes. 'Brilliant, you'll love her! I know you will'

They talked for a little longer before they were joined by Ron and Hermione, who had only then spotted their friends.

'Hey you two! When did you come in here?' Hermione asked, she was positively beaming.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other and shrugged, the former answered 'we've been in here a while, haven't we?'

Ginny nodded in agreement, Hermione looked surprised at their reply.

'Really? I didn't see you come in' Harry and Ginny exchanged amused glances.

'Yeah you wouldn't have done, you looked a little…busy when we came in' Ginny said with a grin.

Ron started to redden and Hermione's cheeks donned an embarrassed blush.

Ron cleared his throat and took a seat at their table 'so, you two have fun?' he asked, Harry grunted.

Ginny smiled 'yeah it was great, right Harry?' at this Harry looked at her disbelievingly.

'It was bloody torture!' he cried, Ginny gave a huff of indignation. 'You took ages. You spent like half an hour on each gift!' he ranted

'Shopping's fun!'

'As if'

'Forgive me for wanting to make sure everybody got the perfect gift' Ginny retorted

'Yeah, yeah. You and your thoughtfulness' Harry grumbled but it didn't quite achieve its effect as he had started smiling at their arguing.

Ginny's face broke out in a smile too 'yeah me and my thoughtfulness and you and your carelessness'

'Dangerous combination' Harry finished and the two laughed.

Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and looked at Harry and Ginny strangely as the other two continued to laugh and make jokes.

That night, after her nightly conversation with Harry, Ginny entered her dormitory and was surprised at who she saw there.

Her two dorm mates were asleep and Hermione sat on her bed, reading a book, Ginny recalled as belonging to one of the other girls.

'Hermione?' she called out.

The brown haired girl looked up. 'Oh hey! You took a while' she commented, Ginny was still confused.

'Hermione, what are you doing here?' she asked.

'Just came to talk to you about…well about Harry'

Ginny sat down on her bed and waited for her friend to begin.

'You guys are okay aren't you? I mean now me and Ron don't-' she trailed off.

'We're fine Hermione, he gets it, and he's not angry or anything' Ginny told her friend exactly what she wanted to know.

Hermione nodded. 'Are you still trying to set him up with people?'

'Yep, I'm getting him to play the field a little' Ginny said brightly.

Hermione shook her head 'I don't think Harry's the type to play the field, he's more of a settle down kind of guy' she said.

'That's what he said. But come on, he's seventeen, he doesn't need to start finding the perfect girl' Ginny reasoned. Hermione smiled.

'He's got the perfect girl though' she said quietly, now Ginny was really confused.

'He has? Who?' she asked purely out of curiosity.

Hermione stared at the girl before her. She then narrowed her eyes when something clicked 'Oh my god, you're so stupid, both of you' she whispered.

'Hey!' Ginny protested.

'And blind' the other girl continued.

'Huh! Charming' the redhead said sarcastically.

Hermione laughed, not at what Ginny had said but at how clueless she was. 'Come on, even Ron noticed it' she said.

'Noticed what?' Ginny demanded. Hermione thought for another moment before reaching to a conclusion. 'Well I guess if you're meant to find out, you'll find out eventually' with that she walked off. Ginny called after her 'Fine! You know what? If you don't want to tell me then fine'


The weeks had flown by and soon the students of Hogwarts had been faced with the Christmas Holidays. The majority of the students boarded the train on the 18th of December while a select few chose to remain behind. Harry was no longer one of them.

Ron and Hermione had found a compartment to themselves and had left Ginny and Harry to find one of their own.

'Great aren't they, best friends?' he grumbled as he and Ginny finally found an empty compartment.

Ginny was just as nettled 'tell me about it. I can't believe them! That's so unfair!' she cried.

Harry shrugged 'I suppose that's what we get for being so soft on the whole "ditching us every once in a while" situation' they sat down and folded their arms.

'We should've stayed in the first year's compartment' Ginny said darkly 'that way we could've pretended we didn't find somewhere to sit and make them feel bad'

Harry laughed. 'Then we'd have had to spend three hours with first years'

Ginny shrugged 'they're not that annoying, I guess' the boy looked sceptical.

'Hey Ginny' Harry said after a minute of comfortable silence, the girl looked up 'yeah?'

'How serious d'you think they're going to get?' he asked solemnly.

'How do you mean?'

'Well I'm not the best at interpreting and everything but they've gotten quite attached, quite fast. I mean it's not like a normal "going out" deal, is it?'

'I know what you mean. But think about it, this way. They've been best friends since first year. They don't need any of that "getting to know you" time, do they? So they've just skipped a step, really' Ginny concluded.

Harry thought about Ginny's idea. It made sense. And yet, he wasn't entirely convinced. He knew there was something else between his best friends, there just had to be. They were different.

He kept his ideas to himself and dropped the subject. Looking around their compartment, he was suddenly reminded of two friends.

'Where are Neville and Luna these days?'

'Around' Ginny said simply 'it's great they've both finally found a friend in someone. Different as the two of them are' she trailed off.

Harry nodded 'yeah they are a weird pair, they going out?' he asked casually.

Ginny responded in the negative 'no, they're just friends'

'Won't be long though, will they?' Harry said, she looked intrigued.

They were interrupted by the food trolley lady. 'Anything off the trolley dears?' she asked jovially as she did every year.

Harry jumped and stared at the woman before him.

She had curly grey hair and a face he'd never cared to really see before. Her face was a wrinkled one, though it was buried by the happiness she indubitably felt. Her blue eyes shone with joy, at what, he did not know.

His face broke into a grin and he fished out some money from his pocket. 'A few of everything please' he asked, the trolley lady complied with his wishes.

Ginny then stepped forward with her money. 'Can I have a drink please?' she asked.

'Of course you can love' the lady replied, Ginny smiled back at her.

'I'd like a coffee, three teaspoons of brown sugar, 6 teaspoons of cream, 2 teaspoons of milk, four stirs to the right and two swirls of whipped cream on top' she recited as the trolley lady followed the careful instructions.

Harry stared in a bewildered fashion at the redheaded girl.

Once Ginny had gotten her desired drink.

Harry said 'bloody hell! Picky much?'

'What? I like my coffee a certain way'

'You don't say' Harry muttered.

She rolled her eyes and sipped her coffee. 'So anyway, you were going to tell me why Neville and Luna won't be long in going out' she said conversationally, Harry nodded.

'Never mind, you'd probably slap me' he said, Ginny rolled her eyes and then smiled.

'Speaking of going out, how'd it go with Adella?'

Harry grinned back. 'I really like her! She's excellent, she loves Quidditch, she's fit, she's smart, she's funny, she's not nosy and not obsessed with gossip and she's confident. Adella's perfect'

Ginny got an evil glint in her eye.

'Harry and Adella sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G' she joked.

Harry didn't look impressed. 'Ginny how old are you?'

'Oh lighten up!' she replied and then smirked. 'So big wedding or small wedding?'

'Shut up Gin'

'Will you ask her if I can be a bridesmaid?'

'Would you give over?' Harry retorted.

'I hear the houses in Hogsmeade are excellent' Ginny teased.

'I'm serious Ginny, shut up'

'Aw he's getting all embarrassed'

'I swear if you don't…' he trailed off threateningly

'What are you going to name your kids? Since I got you guys together, the first child should be named Ginevra, regardless of sex'

'I can't hear you' Harry said.

'I hope that bad hearing doesn't get passed on to the little ones'

'Ginny, shut up!'

'I'm thinking Egypt for the honeymoon, what do you think Harry?'

Harry looked determined 'okay that's it' he grabbed Ginny's face and kissed her.

Time seemed to stop and though Ginny didn't give in, she hadn't stopped him either.

It took her a second, to make her brain function again. Once it did, she pushed the raven haired boy away with force and slapped him. A distinct red handprint took shape on his cheek.

He swore loudly and looked back at his friend who looked as if she'd been frozen 'what the hell Ginny?' he shouted.

'Why d'you do that?' she asked angrily.

'To shut you up! It's not like it meant anything!'

At this statement, Ginny's stomach plunged and she felt sick. Inside of her she felt that sinking feeling you have when you experience great disappointment, but she didn't know why she was feeling it.

She continued to stare at Harry. She was furious, her eyes start to flash and her cheeks began to redden. Yet, why she was angry, she didn't know.

Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the compartment with a bang of the door.

Harry sat back down in confusion. He didn't understand why Ginny had become so upset. On more thought, though he still hadn't figured out why Ginny might be upset, he knew he never should've brought up Neville and Luna.


Mr. Weasley picked up Ron, Harry and Ginny from Platform 9 ¾ since Ginny had to wait until August to take her apparition test. The whole ride home, Ron and Harry talked about various things. They ranted about teachers, complained about the workload and discussed Quidditch.

Ginny and Harry were a different story, neither said a word nor spared a glance to each other.

Ron was too wrapped in their conversations to notice that his best friend and sister who had been on the best of terms not a few hours ago were now, not bothering to meet each other's eye.

They soon reached the front door of the Burrow. Mr. Weasley knocked on the door before him and was soon faced with his wife, who cheerily greeted him and pecked him on the cheek.

Her eyes teemed with joy at seeing her children.

'Oh come in dears. I have dinner all ready for you, I'm sure you'll love it' she said and ushered them in.

Ron grinned, Ginny hugged her mother and Harry managed a small smile.

That night, the Weasleys and Harry sat down to eat. The atmosphere was alive with laughter, discussion and general happiness. Only two people weren't joining in.

Harry and Ginny still hadn't spoken to each other and were rather deliberately avoiding each other's eyes, but exactly why they did so, neither could figure out.


As the days inched by, the members of the Weasley household began to take note of Harry and Ginny's relationship or lack thereof. The Weasleys expected them to sort it out among themselves, and deliberately stayed out of it.

When Hermione arrived, Ron told his girlfriend about the change in their friends' behaviour. Hermione, of course, was not willing to stay out of it.

The matter intrigued her greatly and she wanted to do everything in her power, to fix it.

After all it was Harry and Ginny. Harry and Ginny couldn't fight. They just couldn't. They were Harry and Ginny for Merlin's sake!

Hermione thought she should try to start with Ginny. She knocked on the door and heard a faint 'come in' from within.

She poked her head round and found that her red haired friend was currently immersed in a book with a title Hermione couldn't quite make out.

Casually she said 'hey Ginny, uh Harry said he wants to talk to you downstairs about something'

Ginny looked sceptical 'he did?'

Hermione nodded. 'Yeah'

The other girl put her book down now. 'Somehow, I find that hard to believe'

'Isn't he allowed to talk to you?'

'Hermione, what kind of fool do you take me for?'

'No I didn't think you were falling for it either' she replied resignedly. Hermione walked in and sat down on her friend's bed.

Ginny picked up her book and began reading it again.

'Can I ask you a question; I know it's a sensitive topic around you these days' Hermione said tentatively

'Why aren't Harry and I on speaking terms?' Ginny said monotonously, without looking up. Hermione frowned and snatched away the book.

'Yes' she answered.

Now it was Ginny's turn to sigh. 'He kissed me' she said simply and waited for the effect of the statement to take place.

Hermione's face went from blank to stunned in the blink of an eye.

'Are you serious?' she asked.

Ginny shrugged and nodded.

Hermione didn't say anything for a minute, which Ginny was thankful for because she needed a minute or two to collect her own thoughts on the matter.

'So why are you angry? Is he that disgusting?' Hermione asked, looking truly confused.

The redhead laughed at her friend's face and the foreign expression that it held. 'No, it's not that' she said amusedly.

'Why did he kiss you?'

'We were having an argument. He wanted to shut me up and so he kissed me, afterwards when I slapped him, he said it didn't mean anything' Ginny explained.

Hermione looked even more confused. 'So why are you angry?' she asked.

'I don't know' Ginny sighed; she got up and went to look out of her window.

A large willow tree, obscured most of her view but she heard voices from beyond it. It sounded like Bill and Fleur were taking a walk. She blocked out their voices and admired the beauty in her vision.

'I don't understand, how can you not know?' Hermione persisted.

'Quite easily. Hermione, there is no point whatsoever in asking me, because until I know the answer myself, I can't go around making everyone else privy to it' Ginny retorted, annoyed with herself for not being able to suss out her own feelings.

'I understand' her friend said quietly.

'No you don't' Ginny whispered, but Hermione didn't hear her.

From behind her, Ginny heard the door shut and click; she looked away from her window and picked up her book again only to toss it away a minute later, and resolving to take a walk out in the garden.


The days ambled by, each more terse than the last. Ginny and Harry's friendship deteriorated further until even the ruins could not be found.

Every member of the Weasley household had had to accept defeat and declare their attempts in vain.

Nothing, it seemed, could reconcile them and at the same time, their silence made it seem as if it was nothing which had essentially killed their friendship.

The Weasleys moved on. If Ginny and Harry wanted to fight, so be it. Awkward silences were no longer welcome at dinners. No one cast swift glances between the two. They were regarded as normal and left pretty much alone.

Sans Hermione.

Hermione was determined to make Ginny and Harry work out their differences. But, she wanted to do it without talking to either party and that's where problems arose.

'Hermione, you have to talk to them, if you're going to help them' Ron persisted

'No, I don't. I'm sure I'll manage' Hermione said primly

'But you won't. I know you won't. I know Ginny and I know Harry' Ron tried

'And I pride myself on knowing them too' his girlfriend said waspishly and with that she walked away leaving Ron with a feeling of dread.

Hermione tried and failed and tried again and failed again. Each time, she failed worse. Still, she refused to accept defeat, but she did allow herself a break to rethink her tactics.


Christmas morning had arrived. A quick look out of every window showed the occupants of The Burrow that they had not been rewarded with a white Christmas and instead had woken up to a grey and dismal morning.

But, it was Christmas and so grey mornings were thrown aside and thundering footsteps rung through the house.

Eleven people gathered around the gargantuan tree and began to sieve through the mounds of presents placed around it. The rustlings of wrappings could soon be heard accompanied with sighs and exclamations of delight.

Harry picked up a soft package wrapped in silver paper. The tag read:

"Already finished this before we fought. Thought I might as well give it to you
-Ginny"

He chanced a glance at the girl and saw that she was engrossed in her own presents. With slight trepidation, he slowly tore apart the wrapping.

A scarf. A green scarf. There was another note secreted within the folds, which Harry guessed must've been written before the fight.

"Merry Christmas! I made it myself, I hope you like it. It's not brilliant but I did what I could and I don't think it's too bad"

Harry figured she must've forgotten she'd put that that in there. He examined the scarf and smiled. Not exactly of Mrs. Weasley's league but it was still pretty good.

Ginny meanwhile, had found a small package of her own. The tag, very clearly, told her who it was from.

"I know we're fighting but there's no point wasting a present so here you are
-Harry"

She was hesitant in opening it but did it nevertheless. Ginny gasped as she opened the velvet box that was inside. It held a fine silver chain.

The locket was of a little cage which had small panes of glass in between the bars. Inside the cage was a tiny red-orange flame of fire.

As she held it, she noticed her hand became warm but didn't become any hotter. It was quite nice.

Ginny was shaken out of her thought s by a comment from Hermione.

'Thanks for the book Ginny, it looks excellent, can't wait to read it!' she cried excitedly, Hermione turned to see her friend holding her necklace.

'Wow.' she whispered as she took it from Ginny's hand. 'That's amazing, who gave it you?'

'It's from Harry' Ginny answered nonchalantly.

'Really? Well that's brilliant. So are you going to be friends again?' Hermione asked happily.

'No' Ginny said abruptly, her friend looked surprised.

'What? Why not? Look he's been so nice and given you such a wonderful necklace! It's the least you can do' her friend reasoned.

'No it's not. I mean it's not as if he's the only one who gave a present. The tag says he only gave it because not giving it would've been a waste and I did the same' Ginny finished.

Hermione looked at her red headed friend for a moment in silence. Suddenly her eyes took a sad expression, a combination of pity and remorse.

'You're going to regret not using this as a chance to be friends with him again' she said simply, Ginny opened her mouth to respond but Hermione cut her off.

'It might not be now or tomorrow or next year and you might even forget about this. But one day you're going to come to me and say that you're sorry for not making up with him and I'll remind you of this day' she said, shaking her head.

Ron watched from afar and was rather surprised when Hermione came up to him and said abruptly 'I give up Ron, that girl is your sister through and through' and walked away again.

Harry watched the exchange and though he didn't hear the two girls, he could make an accurate guess at what had been said. Ron sat down next to him and looked in thought.

And for the second time in five minutes he was spoken to abruptly 'd'you think we'll ever be friends again?' Harry asked while avoiding his best friend's gaze.

Ron waited a moment before replying.

'Not up to me, is it' he said simply, leaving Harry feeling ashamed.

A/n: And that's the end of the first chapter. Longer than the prologue and I'm quite pleased with it, I must say.