"Damn it!" He exclaimed loudly he had stubbed his toe on the table leg, causing him to drop a glass bowl onto the floor, shattering it. He kicked the kitchen counter in frustration, causing even more pain in his foot.

His mother, sitting at the table, looked surprised at the sudden outburst. She took out her wand to fix it, "Calm down, Harry. It's just a bowl." He grumbled in response and limped out of the room and onto his front porch.

His day had not gotten any better since Ginny had told him he only wanted to go out with her because he wanted a good shag. This was totally absurd, of course. He may have done it a few times, well, more than just a few times, but that didn't mean he would treat Ginny like that. It just made his head, and heart, ache every time he thought about it, which had been every second since.

Hermione came out of the Burrow, and looked around. She saw him and waved, beginning to walk over to where he was standing.

"Everything okay, Harry?" Hermione asked cautiously as she got closer.

He grumbled again, sitting down on the porch steps, and she took this as an answer, "I guess so…" She said, coming to sit next to him. "What's bothering you?"

He shrugged his shoulders and she sighed. "Is it Ginny?" She guessed.

He turned his head towards hers, amazed, "How'd you know?"

"Don't be so impressed," Hermione said, "Ginny's been brooding all day too."

"Really?" Harry stretched out the word, showing interest.

She nodded her head, "What happened between you two?"

He didn't answer for a moment, but when he did his voice was full of confusion and bitterness, "We kissed," she looked surprised but he went on, "and I thought there was something between us but apparently I was wrong." He paused, and Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but he started talking again, "She said that if we went out that she'd just be another notch on my bedpost…"

Hermione laughed, but quit shortly after at the look Harry gave her. "Sorry," she mumbled. She attempted to hide her smile, "Well, why didn't you tell her how you feel about her?"

"I did!" There was a moment of silence before he said agitatedly, "Well, I tried... But she keeps bloody walking away from me!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, and didn't answer. She looked over at him, seeing him run a hand through his hair, and rub his eyes underneath his glasses, as if tired.

"Are you in love with her?" Hermione asked in a strange tone, as if she was surprised Harry could love a girl like that, but that somehow she knew he did.



He stopped his hands immediately and slowly dropped them from his eyes. "I- no!" He said exaggeratedly, looking around. She could tell he was lying, and a mocking smile came onto her face.

He looked uncomfortable and she said smiling, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Harry. Really, it's cute…" She shoved his shoulder lightly, "Which I know is the last thing you want to be…" Hermione said jokingly.

He groaned, and said exasperatedly, "It's just so complicated…"

"Yes, well, Harry, you will have to encounter girls that won't fancy you with one look at you." Hermione said sarcastically.

His shoulders seemed to slump a bit, and Hermione rolled her eyes lightheartedly.

They sat there for a few moments and Harry began, "It just feels like there's something in my stomach whenever I'm around her…" He paused, "…Fluttering…"

There was a moment of silence before Hermione asked amusedly, "Butterflies?"

He opened his mouth and took a breath to say something, then closed it.

Hermione stepped off the porch triumphantly, brushing herself off, "If you don't at least love her, Harry, you fancy her… A lot." She walked off smugly, as if having saved the world.

'Love Ginny? No! Stop! You're not even sixteen yet… but… Hermione seemed so sure- No, Harry!'

A battle raged between Harry's heart and mind for awhile until his mother told him to go over to the Weasley's to see if the twins were alright. "Molly told me that one of their experiments went wrong, and they nearly blew their brains out… Nothing a bit of magic won't undo, of course, but I'm sure Molly won't let them out of it that easily. Here," she shoved a bowl of food into his arms, "take this to them… Thanks, Harry," she said sweetly, and went back inside. He rolled his eyes and made his way to the Burrow's kitchen.

He could hear Mrs. Weasley scolding them as he walked into the room. "Hello, Harry, dear," She said, interrupting her rampage. Harry had witnessed her yelling enough times, and had actually been yelled at by her, that Mrs. Weasley went right back to yelling at Fred and George. They looked a bit singed, like they had rubbed charcoal on themselves, but they were in one piece, and he guessed that was all that mattered to Mrs. Weasley.

Harry, forgetting his troubles for the moment, leaned against counter and smirked at the twins being chastised at the table. Ginny came down the stairs looking tired and annoyed, he guessed it was from all the yelling. She slapped Fred on the back of his head in annoyance, and walked into the living room, not noticing Harry.

He pushed himself off the counter and followed her into the living room. It was already occupied by Ron and Hermione, the latter was sitting on her boyfriends' lap. Ginny was in the middle of saying a few choice words about all the yelling when they noticed Harry walking in.

Hermione looked at him funny as he sat down next to Ginny, and looked at his friend, his eyes telling her to be quiet.

Ginny was wearing a very form fitting shirt, and quite short shorts, and as she leaned against the armrest of the couch, and crossed her legs, he couldn't help but wonder… He shook his head and brought himself back to reality, "So, er, what'd they do?" He inquired about Fred and George.

Hermione answered, "They were making something to turn you a different color, and if they wanted to be turned black they succeeded." She rolled her eyes, and Ron laughed. She did the same, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Get a room," Harry and Ginny said simultaneously. They were used to Ron and Hermione showing their affection quite openly, and sometimes they got so wrapped in themselves they wouldn't notice anyone was there. It was better to get them alone before it was too late.

Ron shrugged his shoulders, and Hermione got up and laughed. They left the room holding hands.

There was silence in the room, yet the yelling was still going on, but Harry said bitterly, "So I haven't shagged anyone since you talked to me."

Ginny rolled her eyes, not wanting to pick a fight again, she said, "Harry…" She trailed off, searching for something to say. "Whatever," she said getting up from the couch, "I'm not getting into this…" Before she could walk past him he sprung up from the couch and stood in front of her.

"Just give me a chance," he pleaded.

She tried to move out of his way, but he just went in front of her once again. He noticed that she now took a lot of interest in a spot on the wall behind him, and he moved his head so it was in her view. He gently took her hand in his, and there was a hitch in her breath as he did so.

Her heart was screaming for her to just give in, let herself love him, and let everyone see it. But her brain was fighting it, fighting so hard.

He knew she was stubborn, and he wasn't going to storm off if he didn't get an answer, and he wasn't letting her walk away either.

She looked at him, and simply asked, "Why?"

He looked confused, "Why what?"

"Why?" She inquired again, getting her hand away from his grasp, "Why do you want me? Is it the chase? Is it the challenge?"

"No, I-" Harry said imploringly.

"Then why?!" Ginny asked loudly. Why was it that every time they were alone they always started fighting? Or rather, she always started yelling at him.

He didn't answer for a moment and she let a frustrated sigh, moving past him and toward the back door that led to the Weasley's backdoor. She had walked out before he turned around determinedly and stormed after her. She was a few meters away when he called, not meaning to sound harsh, though he did, "Because I lov-" He stopped, he couldn't say it now, he wasn't even sure if he felt that way, "I-I like you a lot!" He yelled. 'Nice save, Harry,' he thought sarcastically.

She turned around and crossed her arms, looking amused. "You like me? That's great, Harry," she said sarcastically, "But you still haven't answered my question." She tapped her foot, "Why?"

He paused and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly and said eventually, "You're amazing," he said raising his eyebrows, "Is that answer enough? Or do you want more? Because I've got plenty," she looked taken aback, and he went on, "You're beautiful. Every time I see you there's… well, apparently butterflies, according to Hermione," She looked confused but he continued, "You're not just pretty, you're beautiful. I've never met anyone like you."

She opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted her, "You're so strong. You won't break down if you break a nail, unlike some girls," he rolled his eyes, "You're never afraid to fight back, and disagree with everything I say. You speak your mind, and even though you can be bloody annoying at times, it's just… you're amazing. There. And I lo- like you for it." What was wrong with him? He almost said it again!

He ran a hand through his hair waiting for an answer.

She smiled and started, "I like-"

"No!" They heard Ron come through the door, Hermione coming soon after looking angry, "No, no, no, no, no," He repeated. Ginny's brother came toward them looking determined.

"Ron, wha-" Ginny began.

"Hermione told me what you said, Harry." Ron said, poking his best friend in the chest.

"What'd I say?" Harry asked confusion etched on his face, looking over at Hermione.

"You stay away from Ginny, okay?" Ron said angrily, "You can go shag any other girl you want, but Ginny is off limits!"

"Ron!" Ginny said crossly, "What did you tell her?" She asked Harry desperately.

He had no idea, "I don't- oh." Now he knew. Hermione had told Ron that he liked Ginny.

"That's right!" Ron said. "I'm not going to let you use Ginny like you have other girls."

Harry began to get irritated, "Ron, I won't-"

"Don't start with me. I know how you think, and I've heard the way you talk about girls. You're not going to do that with Ginny." He pushed Harry towards his house, "Now go home, and stay away from her."

"Ron!" Ginny repeated louder this time.

Harry stumbled back and was now fuming. "You can't tell me what to do, Weasley."

If they were in different circumstances, Ginny would have laughed. Ron and Harry always called each other by their last names whenever they were angry, and she found it quite funny.

"Guys, don't start this," Hermione said, annoyed.

"Yeah, well, Potter, when it comes to my family, I think I can," Ron said, ignoring his girlfriend and stepping closer to Harry.

"Yeah, well, Weasley, when it comes to the girl I love, I think I can," Harry said stepping closer as well, not realizing what he had just said.

Ginny stopped trying to intervene and looked at Harry inquisitively.

They were now about two inches away from each other, both seething with anger.

"Go home, Potter," Ron said through gritted teeth.

"Go to Hell, Weasley," Harry retorted in the same manner. That set off Ron who tackled him and they fell to the ground.

Hermione stifled a scream and Ginny came out of her reverie, trying to pull Ron off Harry. "Ron, get off him! You're acting like animals!" Ginny screamed. Ron tossed his arm out of her grasp, and Harry took the opportunity to flip him over, so he was on top of him, beating him up.

"Harry James Potter!" Lily said angrily, racing over to them. "I sent you over here to see if the twins were okay! Not for you to kill Ron!"

Harry stopped his actions immediately and Ron took the opportunity to push him off. Harry landed on the ground with a noise of pain, and started at his friend again.

Lily held him back.

Hermione went over to Ron and got him up. She glared at him, but he didn't notice, as he was doing the same to Harry.

"Ginny, hold Harry back, I'm going in to tell your Mum. And you two," she said, pointing to Harry and Ron, "You work this out by the time I get back."

Harry seemed to tense up as Ginny put her hands around his upper arm, and she looked into his face, which was already forming bruises. He avoided her eyes, because he was just beginning to realize what he had admitted.

"You can get any girl you want," Ron said, whining a bit, "You don't have to ruin Ginny's life just because-"

"Excuse me, Ron," Ginny said angrily, "But I'm not like Lavender, or Cho, or any of the other girls. I won't do anything, even shag," she said, emphasizing the last word, "to keep Harry as my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" The other three inquired.

She opened her mouth to speak, and Harry just looked at her, waiting expectantly with a hint of a smile on his face.

"No, no, no, no!" Ron started again, leaning his head back in frustration.

"Ron, shut up!" Hermione said exasperatedly.

They heard the front door open and Mrs. Weasley yell angrily, "You four! Come in here now!"

They all groaned and began walking. Hermione switched her hand to hold Ron's, but Ginny absentmindedly kept a strong hold on Harry's arm. They got into the kitchen and sat down. Harry looked at her amusedly, and she suddenly noticed where her hands were. She cleared her throat and dropped her hands.

"What is wrong with all of you?!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

"It was Harry!" Ron said.

"You're the one who-" Harry began harshly, but Mrs. Weasley interrupted him.

"Enough! Hermione, you take Ron into the living room. Ginny, get Harry home."

They reluctantly did as they were told and as Ginny and Harry were walking out of the Burrow, Harry said jokingly, "I think you might need to keep a hold on me…" He took her hand in his and they walked together across the lawn.

xxxxx

Ugh, sorry about the wait, but I've been really really busy. Every time I sit down at the computer I work on this, though.

Thanks so much for reading, and waiting. Please review! If you have any suggestions, that would be really great!

Mads