A/N Some people said they wanted another chapter, so I decided to try. I'm not sure it's very good, because it was a lot harder to think of more things to say. But here you go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, sad I know. J.K. Rowling does...
Ginny Weasley was not oblivious. In denial, yes. But not oblivious.
She had noticed Harry was acting differently toward her ever since the summer. But up until now she denied the true reason. Every time Hermione Granger brought the subject up, Ginny always said that Harry is not like every other guy, so there was no possible way that he felt that way about her.
The truth is, Ginny did not want to believe Harry had feelings for her just to find out it was not true. Over the course of the end of her fourth and beginning of fifth year her feelings for Harry had deepened and Ginny was afraid to open herself up. So she buried her feelings and dated Dean.
But after today, she finally admit it to herself; she had fallen for Harry James Potter and if she was right, Harry liked her too.
What happened earlier, her cheeks burned bright red just thinking about it. (It's a good thing she's in the Common Room late at night; less people, dimmer light). Ginny all but admitted her feelings for Harry and even kissed him on the cheek. She never kissed blokes on the cheek, lest they get the wrong idea.
Her best friend in her year was Kendall Clifford and her advice on the subject was just like her personality; blunt, confrontational, and a little showy. Now, sitting in the Common Room at 11:30 at night was no different. "I'm telling you Red, just snog the bloke and be done with it," Kendall was saying as they attempted to finish their History of Magic essay on the Wizarding Industrial Revolution. "I don't see why not. It is effective and definitely gets the point across. In Harry Potter's head there will be no room for analysis or speculation; he'll know exactly how you feel."
"I can't just do that," Ginny replied, sighing. "I have to make sure he feels the same way before jumping him."
"Why not jump head first? Sometimes I feel like Hermione Granger has rubbed off on you too much; you're becoming logical."
"Oh! I completely forgot! Hermione, i have to go meet her. Sorry Kendall, we'll finish Sunday!" Ginny said, frantically throwing her stuff into her bag. " It's alright, it's not like we were accomplishing any work anyway. I'll see you in the dormitory later." "Bye!" Ginny called before running to her four-poster bed and throwing her bag on it. Quickly changing into her pajamas and a dressing gown, Ginny then jogged to the door marked Sixth Year girls.
"Hermione?" Ginny said quietly as she opened the door and stepped in. She was met with an interesting sight: Hermione was glaring and smirking in a satisfied way at Lavender while Lavender glared coldly back. Parvati just looked uncomfortable.
"Oh, Ginny. Right you wanted to talk. Let's go to the Common Room," Hermione said, breaking the awkward silence.
As soon as the pair sat in armchairs by the roaring fire, Ginny turned to Hermione, asking, "What happened?"
"She called me a home-wrecker."
"That stupid bint! What did you say back?" Ginny asked thinking Hermione would have said some smart retort that confused all that were there and-
"I called her a bitch."
Needless to say, Ginny was shocked but also immensely proud. "For all these comments I get about acting more like you, I'm rubbing off on you as well."
"It's not my fault! Lavender infuriates me so much and normally I keep calm, but I guess I just lost my temper."
"In any case, I'm proud as hell to have you as my best friend."
"Thanks," Hermione smiled before getting down to business. "What happened with Harry?"
Ginny blushed lightly. "I was nothing. Really. He just helped me get rid of an unwanted admirer." "Alex Radley?" Ginny nodded. "Good, he's an annoying git. How did you do it?"
"Erm...well Harry and I fake flirted to get Alex to leave me alone," Ginny answered quietly.
"Are you sure it was fake? Because you two flirt constantly anyway," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"He was just playing along to help me out! And we do NOT flirt all the time. It was nothing. Although...I kinda..." Ginny stopped, blushing darker. "What?" "I basically admitted I fancy him, or at least I gave enough hints. And I kissed him on the cheek."
"Well that explains why he had a dazed dreamy look on his face when I saw him a moment later," Hermione said, laughing.
"What?" "Yeah, he was completely unfocused and dazed. Actually," Hermione paused looking around to assure they were alone. "Harry fancies you. I'm not just guessing or telling you my opinion, he really does. I have proof, but I can't tell you."
Ginny made a face at Hermione but didn't press her for the secret. Instead she just muttered, "I believe you."
"Really?" Hermione asked, surprised. "I thought you were going to be much harder to convince. I had several arguments lined up, with examples and everything! I'm actually quite disappointed I won't get to use them. You're usually so stubborn."
"Am not!" Ginny replied defiantly before grinning. "Well okay I am. Anyways, I do believe you. His recent behaviour points to no other conclusion. But what do I do about it? Wait for him to pluck up the courage t ask me out? He'll never do that." "Actually, he might. Harry is not as thick as Ron," Hermione said.
"I'll just have to confront him. Or do what Kendall said and just snog him. Tomorrow."
Hermione's eyes widened. "I know its really soon," Ginny said, shifting in her chair. "But I'm sick of waiting. I've felt this way for ages and he finally feels the same."
"You're right. Tomorrow it is."
"What if we're both wrong?" Ginny asked suddenly after a moment of silence. "What if Harry has no feelings for me whatsoever?"
"He fancies you, I promise. Besides, when have I ever been wrong?"
"...I can't think of any moment you were ever wrong. In all the years I've known you. That's not normal."
"It's normal for me," Hermione smirked before getting into serious business mode again. "Tomorrow morning Parvati will get you ready for watching the match tomorrow. She owes me a favor, I introduced her to her possible new boyfriend, Grant Barlow, in Ravenclaw. You will be stunning, in a completely Quidditch ready way." Ginny grimaced but nodded. The two bid each other goodnight and went their separate ways.
The next morning Ginny woke up with a start. Her friend Kendall had just finished her shower but everybody else was still sound asleep. Wondering why she felt so nervous, Ginny got out of bed and stretched before gathering her shower things.
Kendall came out of the shower and murmured a quiet good morning to Ginny before going over to her four-poster bed.
Suddenly Hermione burst through the door with Parvati right behind holding a bag full of hair supplies and makeup. As all of her dormmates groaned at being woken up Ginny said, "Hermione?" in a tone that implied that she had no idea why the older girl was in her dorm.
Hermione ignored her. "Okay Parvati, set up over there," she said in a serious tone. Parvati nodded and the two went further into the room past all of the unhappy fifth year girls that had been woken up.
"Not to quote my lovely elder brother, well one of them, but what the bloody hell?" Hermione finally seemed to notice Ginny at this outburst. "Remember? We're going to make you over!" Ginny made a face.
"No whining. We're going to make you completely gorgeous-well more so than usual. Harry will not be able to keep his hands off of you," Parvati said happily, organizing her many bottles and hair things.
"How're you two so chipper? It's bloody early!"
Both girls ignored her.
"Take a shower and dry your hair like normal. We'll go from there. Make sure you use your usual shampoo, Harry loves the smell," Hermione said confidently. "How do you-" Then Ginny was shoved with her stuff into the bathroom without another word. Well, except for Ginny's cursing and grumbling about stupid bookworm friends and the bloody other best friend that doesn't help her in her time of need. Kendall just stood there laughing her head off as she had been every since Hermione had said the words 'make over'.
One hour and many of Ginny's famous glares later, Ginny was deemed suitable for breakfast (and later the Quidditch match). Her fiery hair was left down and wavy (as Hermione claimed Harry liked it best). Ginny had on cute jeans, borrowed from Parvati and tightened until they "properly accented" her Ginny's legs and arse (or so Parvati said, Ginny had no clue how Parvati knew all of this stuff). Hermione insisted on a brown Weasley jumper but underneath was a dark green V-neck shirt Parvati picked out, showing ample cleavage. Parvati was hoping for a warm day so that Ginny would need to take the sweater off. Ginny was not.
"Thanks Parvati," Hermione said as they finished Ginny's light makeup. "Anytime," Parvati waved it off, gathering all of the supplies used. "That boy needs a distraction from everything going on, and Ginny, you are perfect for the job." Parvati finished packing up and left for breakfast.
"I'm going down to meet the boys for breakfast about now. You, wait a few minutes and follow me. Alright?" "Alright," Ginny answered nervously. Hermione smiled reassuringly at Ginny before walking down to the Common Room.
"Finally!" Ron said exasperatedly from their usual cluster of couches. "I'm hungry!" Harry rolled his eyes saying, "Ron woke up unnaturally early, so now he's twice as hungry. Its been annoying. Like, Lavender annoying. Um...is Ginny coming down with us?" Hermione smiled at him knowingly; now that she had proof of his feelings it was ten times easier picking up on his hints. "No," she said watching Harry's face fall. "but she'll be down soon and told me to tell you to save her a seat at breakfast." Harry grinned and nodded, and the Trio left.
They were in the middle of piling breakfast onto their plates when Ginny walked in. More eyes than usual followed her as she made her way to the Trio at the end of the table. Harry had not seen her until she was about to sit down on the bench next to him. "G'morning Ronnikins, Harry, best friend that feels the need to annoy the hell out of me," Ron laughed, Hermione glared, and Harry's head snapped up and his eyes grew wide as he stared at her.
"erm...mornin' Gin," he stammered, eyes caught on her long legs. "Do ya think its going to be a good match?" Ron asked, oblivious to Harry who was still staring at Ginny as she sat down. "I think Hufflepuff will keep up for a while, their chasers are alright. But their Keeper is dreadful so Slytherin will probably win."
As Ginny and Ron started to argue over both team's keeping skills it seems Harry was having an internal struggle. He didn't want to make Ron mad, but he liked Ginny so much. And Hermione was right(well duh); somebody else was going to snatch Ginny away soon if he didn't make a move. Somehow the argument had shifted and Hermione and Ron were arguing over something most likely incredibly stupid and pointless.
Harry was still zoned out as Ginny said "Harry? Alright there?" He snapped back to attention and turned to her. "Yeah, I'm brilliant. Um...listen Ginny. Will you sit with me at the match?" "Of course, Harry, where else would I sit?" Ginny figured it was not a date, but it was a start. "I dunno, one of your many suitors that are exceedingly jealous of me at this moment? Look around Gin, you are very much wanted," Harry said teasingly. Ginny looked around skeptically and Harry was right; quite a few blokes were looking in her direction, though many looked away when they had been caught. "Oh, they're all smarmy gits.
"I'd rather sit with you! Anyway, I'm not the only popular one with the opposite sex around here." Harry rolled his eyes. "Are ya sure you do not want to find that bloke you fancy?" "I don't need to," Ginny said, blushing. Harry grinned. "Great. I have to grab something from my dormitory. I'll meet you outside the Portrait hole in fifteen minutes?" "Sounds good."
Harry walked out of the Great Hall, dragging an annoyed Hermione as he went.
"Ron, you coming to watch the match?" Ginny asked, eyeing her unusually quiet brother. "No, I have detention. I hate Professor Slughorn. All I did was accidentally hit Pansy Parkinson with Bulbadox Powder. She'll recover," Ron said, extremely annoyed. "But I want a full recap of the match later." Ginny nodded, smiling at her brother.
Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were on their way to Gryffindor Tower. "I asked her to sit with me at the match, but what do we talk about? Merlin she looks amazing today!" "Harry, Harry, calm down!" Hermione said as they switched staircases. "Talk to her like usual, you will be at a Quidditch game so talk about Quidditch. I'll go to the match if you need me, but I really wanted to get some reading in." "No, no, I can do this. I want to ask her to be my girlfriend today. I don't know how I am going to do it, or when, but I am going to do it."
"That's great Harry! Don't keep her waiting any longer for you to act on your feelings."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked as they stepped into the Common Room.
"You're so thick. Nevermind, go get whatever you needed and meet Ginny. Have fun today-maybe go flying with her after and ask her then. Be creative, but just get it done. You two have been dancing around each other all year."
"Hypocrite," Harry muttered so that Hermione couldn't hear him and nodded nervously before running up to his dormitory and grabbing the Cloak and Marauders' Map.
He opened the Portrait Hole to see several students coming back from breakfast and getting ready to head down to the Quidditch pitch. Ginny had yet to show up, so Harry stepped out and leaned against the wall to wait.
Suddenly Romilda Vane appeared in front of him with two of her groupies. "Hullo, Harry," she said in a deep voice that was supposed to be seductive. "Um, hi," Harry said uncomfortably, still looking around hoping Ginny was near.
"Won't you come to the match with us?" Now she was batting her eyelashes repeatedly and Harry was feeling more weirded out by the second. "No, thank you. I'm going with-" "I know Ron Weasley and Granger aren't going with you. So why don't we go together?" Romilda was edging closer, now only a foot away. "Well I don't really want..and erm i'm already going with-Ginny!" He yelled, relieved to see Ginny walking up right then, an amused look on her face.
"Excuse me ladies, I need to steal Harry now, he's my date to the match. Sorry!" Ginny said in a sickly sweet voice, cutting through the girls to Harry. "Ready?"
"Yes," Harry replied happily, ecstatic she had just called him her 'date'. "Goodbye girls, Vane," Ginny said sweetly, smirking at Romilda's fury-filled glare. Ginny looped her arm through Harry's and pulled him away, leaving a very enraged Romilda Vane behind, with her extremely upset cronies.
They had reached the staircase by the time Harry organized his thoughts enough to phrase a question. "How did you do that?" he finally asked, looking amazed.
"Do what? Annoy Romilda Vane? I do that on an hourly basis. Unfortunately, her Ancient Runes class was too small last year, and they got lumped with mine. Fun, I know." "But...but how did you get her to leave me alone long enough to get away?" Harry spluttered as they changed staircases.
"Oh, that's simple. You just need the right attitude. Then you can render her speechless long enough to get away. Or just prank her, that's my personal favourite."
"Wait, were you the person that made her like a clown? Like an actual muggle horror movie, red nosed, fuzzy haired but partially bald, rainbow outfitted clown?" Ginny laughed loudly and Harry's heart sang along with all other cliched sayings. "Yes, but don't tell any Professors, I have not been caught for that one yet," she whispered grinning.
Harry laughed with her this time as they made it to the front doors. Harry stopped Ginny before they went outside with the rest of the students.
"Did you mean it when you called me your date before?" he asked nervously. "That was more to annoy the hell out of Vane, but yes," Ginny answered, smiling at him. "So this is a date?" Harry asked to make sure. "This is whatever we want it to be, so a date it is." Harry's face split into a full-blown, make you weak at the knees, heart turns to mush, lopsided grin.
"Wait," he said seriously as Ginny was about to pull him outside. "What about my stupid fan club? I don't want you to get hexed, even though I know you can take all of them blindfolded. Or this guy you fancy, what about him?" Ignoring the last question, Ginny replied, "Screw your fan club! And mine too! Let's go!"
And she held out her hand for him. He laughed and grabbed it, though both almost let go at the sudden sparks zipping through both of their bodies at the contact. The two walked out the front doors into the rare sunshine, oblivious to the numerous stares they were receiving, both thinking about how amazing the day was going to be.