Ginny had never thought that part of her plan could fail so utterly. She had been certain that her broken heart would have give Harry the chance to tell her how he felt. But he had been the perfect gentleman, which Ginny would have noted as cute under any other circumstances. Now it annoyed her. And she didn't have much time to talk to Harry over the next few days, as she was constantly talking her brother's out of punching Colin's lights out.
Harry was proud of himself. He'd had every possibility to take advantage of Ginny's vulnerability, but he had pushed those ideas aside the minute they presented themselves. Still, now more than ever he wanted to talk to her, tell her how he felt, but sadly she had no time for him. Fred and George were just as furious with Colin as Ron was, and poor Ginny had quite the job making sure they didn't put nasty curses on him when he wasn't looking. Harry wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do to Colin. Part of him wanted to chuck the little prick off the Astronomy Tower, but another part of him felt like hugging him. Since neither seemed a very good idea, Harry just did what he always had; he ignored him.
That Friday night Harry sat alone in the common room. Hermione, no surprise, was at the library and she had dragged Ron with her. Harry was supposed to be working on a planet chart for Divination, but he couldn't be bothered. There was always the rest of the weekend.
He leaned back in the comfortable chair, staring at the fireplace. Only two weeks left and Christmas would come. He looked forward to it. Ron was staying so Harry guessed Ginny would to, and that made him long for it even more.
As he was sitting there, the portrait hole opened and Ginny came in. Harry was about to greet her with a smile when he saw who she was with. Colin. Harry's heart sank a little, thinking that the two were back together, but a second later his worries were over. "Forget it, Colin!" Ginny shouted. "You've blown it now. Get out of my sight." Colin did look remorseful, but Ginny didn't budge. "Go!" she said again, and this time Colin did. He went back out the door, dragging his feet slightly.
Ginny dumped herself into the chair next to Harry. "What was that about?" Harry asked, hoping the anxiety he felt wasn't rubbing off on his voice. Ginny just shook her head. "Boys," she sighed. "They're all the same. Think if they look at you with those puppy-dog eyes, you'll just forgive and forget." Harry had to smile. "Surly there are exceptions to every rule," he said, and she smiled. "No, not this one. And you're lousy at taking hints too." She pierced him with a look that made Harry shiver slightly.
"Er, Ginny," he started. "There's something I need to tell you." He'd worked out the speech a million times in his head, in case he'd ever need it. But now that it came to it, and Ginny's curious brown eyes looked expectantly at him, he couldn't remember a word. "Well… I…" Relax Harry, breathe.
"Finally" Ginny thought.
Harry took a deep breath. He looked at her, and her eyes looked even more puzzled now. Harry coughed, trying to buy himself some time. 'This is no use,' he thought, and gathering up what little courage he felt he had left, he spoke: "There's something I've been wanting to say all year, Gin… I… you." Courage was gone again. "Harry, what is it?" Ginny asked, hoping she sounded helpful. Encouraging. Harry shook his head. "Can't find the words," he mumbled, just loud enough for her to hear. "Maybe you could show me," Ginny suggested. 'How?' Harry thought. Then it hit him. "Close your eyes," he said. "What?" Ginny looked confused. "Just close them." She did, but not before giving him a very suspicious glance.
Now that her eyes weren't searching his face anymore, Harry relaxed slightly. 'Right, here goes,' he thought, taking another deep breath. He didn't even know if he was going to get it right, it occurred to him as he leaned closer to Ginny's face. It couldn't be that hard, could it? But what if he… There was no more time to think, as Harry's lips gently touched Ginny's. The touch startled her a little, but it didn't take long for her to get over that. Harry carefully put his hand on her cheek, caressing it. Ginny ran her fingers through his hair. Neither of them wanted it to end, but eventually Harry pulled away. He didn't quite now what to say, having expected Ginny to push him off, asking him what the hell he thought he was doing. But she just smiled at him. "About time you came around," she said, and Harry stared at her. "Don't think I haven't figured you out." "Figured me out? What…?" Harry was completely lost. Ginny just kept smiling. "Guess it's time I fess up; Me and Colin were never together." Harry's jaw dropped, but Ginny didn't notice. "I was trying to make you jealous, and it didn't take long for it to work." He was blushing heavily, and he knew it. "I've been trying to tell you all term," he said apologetically. "Then we have something in common," Ginny pointed out. "I've been trying to get you to tell me all term."
Harry stood up for no other reason than the fact that he couldn't sit still. How could she know? He had been so carefull. No, now that he thought about it, he really hadn't. "I've really been that obvious?" he asked Ginny, and she giggled. "You have no idea," she smiled. Harry just shook his head. "Then how come Ron hasn't…?" Ginny smiled. "My brother has things to worry about himself, in case you haven't noticed."
She got up and walked over to Harry. "I believe you were trying to tell me something, Harry," she said softly, and Harry snapped out of the trance-like state he had been in. "Ginny, I love you," he whispered, and kissed her. "OH NO YOU DON'T!" a voice bellowed.