Harry Loves Ginny

Half-Blood Prince: After Dumbledore's First Lesson

The sky outside was inky black and the lamps in Dumbledore's office seemed to glow more brightly than before.

"I think that will do for tonight, Harry," said Dumbledore after a moment or two.

"Yes, sir," said Harry.

He got to his feet, but did not leave.

"Sir . . . is it important to know all this about Voldemort's past?"

"Very important, I think," said Dumbledore.

"And it . . . it's got something to do with the prophecy?"

"It has everything to do with the prophecy."

"Right," said Harry, a little confused, but reassured all the same.

He turned to go, then another question occurred to him, and he turned back again. "Sir, am I allowed to tell Ron and Hermione everything you've told me?"

Dumbledore considered him for a moment, then said, "Yes, I think Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have proved themselves trustworthy."

He then looked at Harry a bit more intently, his eyes taking on their characteristic twinkle, "There's one more I think that you should also confide in, Harry."

Harry looked at the Headmaster questioningly, "Who would that be?" he asked.

Dumbledore just chuckled, "I think you'll figure that out for yourself, Harry."

Harry was now even more confused and was just turning to leave again.

"But Harry, I'm going to ask you to ask them not to repeat any of this to anybody else. It would not be a good idea if word got around how much I know, or suspect, about Lord Voldemort's secrets."

"No, sir, I'll make sure it's just Ron and Hermione, plus this other person if I figure it out.

"I have great faith in you, Harry. Just think about it and I'm sure it will come to you," said Dumbledore, smiling once again.

Harry turned away again, and was almost to the door when he saw it. Sitting on one of the little spindle-legged tables that supported so many frail-looking silver instruments, was an ugly stone ring set with a large, cracked, black stone.

"Sir," said Harry, staring at it, "That ring. . . ."

"Yes?" said Dumbledore.

"You were wearing it when we visited Professor Slughorn that night."

"So I was," Dumbledore agreed.

"But isn't it . . . sir, isn't it the same ring Marvollo Gaunt showed Ogden?"

Dumbledore bowed his head, "The very same."

"But how come . . . ? Have you always had it?"

"No, I acquired it recently," said Dumbledore. "A few days before I came to fetch you from your aunt and uncle's, in fact."

"That would be around the time you injured your hand, then, sir?"

"Around that time, yes Harry."

Harry hesitated. Dumbledore was smiling.

"Sir, how exactly . . .?"

"Too late, Harry! You shall hear the story another time. Good night."

"Good night, sir."

Harry turned and departed, his head filled with questions, ranging from the ring and how Dumbledore acquired it, to who the mysterious third person was that Dumbledore wanted him to confide in.

He was so engrossed in thought he didn't see the person enter the hallway from the corridor to the library and he ran right into them, knocking them down, with him landing on top of them.

It took a moment for the two of them to disentangle themselves, with Harry apologizing prolifically the whole time.

He stopped mid sentence when the person giggled at him. His eyes locking on the other person's, causing him to freeze.

"Really, Harry, if you wanted to talk to me, all you had to do was ask," Ginny Weasley said, smiling at him.

Her smile slid slowly from her face as she noticed Harry's intense stare. She blushed, and broke eye contact, suddenly feeling very embarrassed.

As Harry looked deep into her eyes and as he heard her voice, an image of her laying in the Chamber of Secrets came unbidden to his mind. He suddenly knew who Dumbledore had been referring to, it was none other than the person he found himself laying on.

"I'm sorry, Ginny," Harry said one more time, as he rolled off of her and extended his hand down to help her up.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, seeing the look on his face.

Harry quickly looked in both directions, up and down the hall. "Listen Ginny, do you have a few minutes, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."

Ginny was taken by surprise, sure Harry had been more friendly lately, but this was the first time he had ever asked to speak to her alone. She was hesitant at first, unsure of what to do because she didn't know what Harry wanted and she was nervous about being alone with him.

Coming to a decision, pushing down her unease, it was just Harry after all, and she had finally come to terms with her crush on him and figured he never see her in the way she so desperately wanted.

"S-sure, Harry," she said, a bit nervously.

If Harry heard her nervousness, he didn't show any outward sign. He just grabbed her hand and pulled her away through one of the secret passages.

Ginny's nervousness disappeared in a flash as the shock of Harry's sudden change in behaviour hit her. She was barely able to keep up at first, so she gave a small tug on Harry's hand.

Harry slowed and looked back at Ginny, she was slightly flushed from having to keep up with him, but she had an amused grin on her face, thinking this new excited and mysterious Harry was something she liked.

"Could we just slow down a little?" she asked, smiling at him.

Harry blushed and said sheepishly, "Ah, sure Ginny. I'm sorry."

He then began walking again, not noticing that he still had a hold of her hand. His mind was in turmoil, so many thoughts racing through it. In the brief moment they had stopped, Harry had noticed how amazing Ginny looked and it surprised him.

Ron had always referred to her as his baby or more recently, his little sister and Harry realized that subconsciously that had bothered him. His thoughts had changed over time and he realized that from the moment he had emerged from the Chamber with her, things were different. Harry felt like hexing himself for not realizing it till now. Ginny was just . . . Ginny. A petite, fiery, independent, spirited person in her own right and he had been a fool to let Ron dictate his relationship with her.

He glanced at her and when his eyes met hers looking at him, he blushed.

Ginny noticed a change come over Harry, the way he was walking, shifted slightly and she saw him glance at her shyly. She was totally taken by surprise when he blushed as they made eye contact.

Before she could say anything, they arrived at their destination, a small storage room that contained extra desks, chairs and other odds and ends. Harry opened the door and held it for Ginny to proceed him into the room. He followed closely behind, shutting the door.

Ginny had already taken out her wand and lit a couple of the sconces, providing plenty of light in the small room. She then turned toward Harry and was surprised to see him staring at her, his face an unreadable mask, and she wondered what was up.

"So what did you want to talk to me about," she asked, breaking the silence.

Harry actually jumped slightly at the sound of her voice, but then smiled softly at her, indicating for her to take a seat. He sat down near her, but he didn't crowd her, as if he was afraid to sit too close.

Ginny sat, and waited for him to continue.

Harry took a deep breath, "Well there are actually two things I want to talk to you about. The first has to do with my private lessons with Dumbledore."

Ginny waited for a moment, but when Harry didn't immediately continue, she asked, "And the second?"

Harry blushed a little and found he couldn't hold Ginny's gaze. He looked at the floor and said softly, "I'll get to that, but first I need to talk to you about the lessons."

"Okay, Harry," Ginny replied, her curiosity rising.

When Harry hesitated again, Ginny said "Harry?"

Harry smiled ruefully at her. "Sorry, it's just hard to know where to begin. Just give me a moment."

"Okay, Harry, take your time."

Harry glanced at her again, seeing her looking at him expectantly. He took a deep breath and said, "Dumbledore is teaching me about Voldemort."

When he saw Ginny frown, he got concerned. "What is it, Ginny?"

Ginny sighed, "The thing is I have a hard time calling him that, and it isn't because no one wants to say the bloody name."

Harry smiled at her language, something that Ginny caught and she smiled back at him. "Ever since the events of my first year and you rescuing me, I've always thought of him as nothing but Tom Riddle."

Harry looked at her in surprise, and she noticed, "What? That's who he really is," she said vigorously.

Harry nodded, "I like it. You're a genius Ginny."

When Ginny looked at him sceptically, he said, "No, really Ginny. He's built himself up as something he isn't. Creating the name that everyone is afraid to speak and you've cut through all that shite. Making him human again and diminishing his power, over you and everyone else. Don't you see that?"

Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment, "I guess you're right, Harry. I never looked at it like that, but I see that you are right about the way I view him."

Harry smiled at her, liking this calm, articulate Ginny. She was definitely not just Ron's little sister.

"Okay, go on," she said.

Harry then explained all about his first lesson with Dumbledore and told her about his confusion about what Dumbledore was getting at. He was once again impressed by the questions Ginny asked and the insights she offered into probable motivations on why what the Headmaster was teaching him might be so important.

It was while having the conversation, that Harry realized just why Dumbledore had wanted him to include Ginny. If anything, her questions were more to the point and observant than Hermione's would be.

They had talked about an hour, going over everything a couple of times, when they hit a lull. Harry became aware that they were both looking at each other with smiles on their faces. It was as if they had forged a friendship in the time they had just spent. Well that and the common experiences of battling Riddle, because that was how he now thought of him, due to Ginny's thoughts on the subject. They both had experienced something that no one else had and it made them closer.

Ginny watched Harry thinking for a few moments, and since they seemed to have finished discussing his lessons, she was curious about the second thing he had said he wanted to talk to her about.

"So, Harry," she said, still smiling at him. "What's this other thing you wanted to talk to me about?"

She noticed his look change, but once again she had a hard time figuring out what he was feeling.

Harry was surprised, not because Ginny asked, but because he didn't feel embarrassed any more, just nervous.

"Well, I wanted to talk about us," he said softly, and a bit unsurely.

Ginny was taken totally by surprise, "Us?" she said, her voice rising several octaves.

"Yeah, us," Harry repeated. He then looked Ginny in the eyes. "I've let your brother keep me from being a good friend of yours," he said lowly. "It's not something I'm very proud of. In fact I'm kind of ashamed about it now that I think about it."

A million questions were flying through Ginny's brain but she found she couldn't concentrate on a single one.

When Ginny didn't speak, Harry dropped his eyes to the floor between them, "Ever since the Chamber, I've thought of you differently, but never had the courage to say anything."

Harry paused once again, his mind was filled with a thousand things he wanted to say, but he wasn't sure Ginny wanted to hear any of them. Her silence was deafening, and Harry thought that maybe he had lost the opportunity to get to know Ginny better.

Just when he was about to give up, a hand came to rest on his arm. Harry looked up in surprise, Ginny had risen and come over to him without him noticing. She had an odd look on her face, halfway between questioning and wonder.

"Harry, you can't begin to know how much hearing you say that means to me."

Harry smiled weakly at her, "I'd like to find out," he said softly.

Ginny sat down next to Harry, keeping her hand where it was. Harry found he liked her touch, it was soft, but with enough pressure to let him feel it. He sat up a little straighter and put his other hand on top of hers, earning him a smile from Ginny.

Harry decided he had nothing to lose, so he looked into her eyes, keeping his hand on hers and said, "Hermione tells me that you're over me."

Ginny gave a small chuckle, "For as smart as she is, she doesn't have a clue when it comes to emotions."

Harry looked at her quizzically, causing Ginny to laugh.

"Harry, it's one thing to get over a little girl's crush and something all together different to get over someone completely."

"You mean . . .?" Harry said, in disbelief.

Ginny turned her hand so that she took Harry's in hers, letting their fingers intertwine, "Harry since the day you rescued me, I left the crush behind. It was based on the stories I was read while growing up. It was a kids dream about meeting someone who had done something extraordinary, but it was also based on the story, not the person."

Harry was watching Ginny's face intently. He could see her emotions flickering across it as she spoke. "After you rescued me, you weren't the boy in the stories anymore. You were Harry, the one who risked his life to save me from a horrible fate, the one who saved me."

Ginny smiled at him, "It was you, not the Boy- Who-Lived, but Harry, the skinny, messy haired, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, boy who came to my rescue."

"So yes, I got over my crush, but I found the real boy so much better than the storybook hero. You were my hero, not the wizarding world's. Mine, and the more I saw you, the more I realized just how special you really are."

"How's that?" Harry asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Ginny giggled, "Oh, Harry! You just can't see it, I know you can't. You don't go looking to make a name for yourself, you don't boast about what you accomplish. In fact you run from all the attention, you hate it when people try to build you up, to acknowledge what you have done."

She lifted her other hand and gently touched Harry's cheek. "You are the most amazing person I have ever met," she said softly.

They remained there for a moment, eyes locked, Ginny's hand on his cheek, the other holding his tightly. Slowly they leaned towards one another, eyes fixed, each looking deep beneath the surface, both a little unsure, but both yearning for something more.

Then their lips came into contact, at first it was quite gentle, just a warm meeting of their flesh. Then Ginny moaned slightly, leaning into Harry harder, with Harry responding to her, his free hand coming up and entwining in her long, luscious, silky hair, pulling her even closer as they gave themselves over to the kiss.

Ginny's eyes had drifted shut and she just revelled in the sensations that were filling her. All her dreams of kissing Harry paled in comparison to the real thing. The few kisses she had had with others were a dim echo of what she was feeling with Harry.

Harry couldn't believe what was happening, if it wasn't so pleasurable, he would have though it was one of his dreams, but his dreams were never like this. Ginny felt so alive in his grasp, so warm and real. His kiss with Cho had been a mockery of what he felt with Ginny.

It was more than the physical sensations that they were both feeling, there was more that lay underneath, deep inside, their emotions were crystallizing and forming into something that both filled them with wonder and cemented them together.

Slowly they parted, but their foreheads came together, resting lightly on one another.

"Godric, Harry. You sure know how to take a girls breath away," Ginny said huskily.

Harry could only nod, for a moment it seemed the power of speech had left him, so intense were the emotions he was experiencing.

"Ginny," he finally whispered, "I can't believe how bloody brilliant that was." He then began to stroke Ginny's hair with the hand that had found its way there.

Ginny moved so that her head slide beside Harry's, cheek to cheek, letting the sensual feelings of his skin against hers wash over her. "That is what a kiss should be," she said to herself.

Ginny leaned back slightly, looking at Harry with hooded eyes, her face alive with what she was feeling for Harry. They came together again, their lips fastening themselves together without the hesitation of the first.

Ginny's hand that had been on his cheek, now mirrored his, finding its way into his hair, where she let it run free, enjoying the feel of it between her fingers just as much as Harry enjoyed his fingers in hers.

Once again, after what seemed like an eternity, they parted, both breathing heavily.

"We need to stop," Harry whispered.

"I know," Ginny replied.

They both took deep calming breaths, desperately trying to calm their racing hearts. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny, taking her into a tight embrace. He let her warmth fill him, and he cried out softly.

Ginny whispered fervently, "What is it?"

Harry could only shake his head as images of his aunt and uncle flashed through his head. "You're a freak, how could anybody ever love you? You're worthless, you're despicable. You'll never find anyone who will want to be with you." he heard, and more.

Ginny was growing concerned, tears were beginning to run down Harry's face. She tightened her embrace on him and wondered what to do.

Then with a sharp cry, Harry gripped her even tighter. In his mind, it was as if his relatives were on a pane of glass or mirror and it shattered into a million pieces, releasing him from their torment.

"Oh, Ginny, Oh Ginny," he kept repeating, clinging to her like a man who had been lost but had been rescued.

Ginny tucked his head into her shoulder and rested her head against his, holding him tightly, whispering into his ear, "Shh, it will be all right, I'm right here Harry."

Slowly Harry recovered and hugged Ginny tightly one last time before relaxing his grip. Sheepishly he wiped his face, and he smiled wanly at Ginny. "Sorry," he said, huskily.

"For what?" she asked him.

Harry found it almost impossible to answer, so many things were crowding into his mind. How did you thank someone for giving you the most precious thing in the world. How did you thank someone for loving you?

Ginny looked into Harry's eyes and it was as if she could read what he was trying to say. She smiled at him, gently caressing his face. "It's okay, Harry. I know."

Harry could only nod, a smile breaking out on his face as he looked deep into Ginny's amazing deep chocolate eyes. Eyes that spoke of her love for him, eyes that said everything was going to be okay, eyes that accepted him as he was.

Harry hugged Ginny again, sighing contently, finally getting what he had always dreamed of, someone to love him, in spite of his frailties.

He felt the emotion bubbling out of him, filling him as it rose until it burst forth and he whispered to Ginny, "I love you."

Ginny thought her heart would burst with the joy that she felt. He loved her, and she knew it was for herself, not her family, not because of anything other than she was Ginny. "I love you too," she whispered back.

"I know," he said with a small laugh. "I know. Isn't it wonderful?" he said, his voice filled with awe.

"Yes it is," Ginny agreed.

It was getting late and both were feeling quite tired from all the emotional energy they had released.

"We need to get back, I promised Ron and Hermione I'd tell them all about my lesson with Dumbledore." Harry then smiled at Ginny, "I guess I'll have something else to tell them too."

Ginny couldn't help but smile back, "OH, and what will that be?" she asked playfully.

Harry burst out laughing, "I don't know, I'll think of something."

They stood up, still smiling at one another. Ginny reached for her school bag, but Harry took it from her. "Let me carry it," he said tenderly, as he slung it over his shoulder.

Ginny couldn't deny him, so even though she usually bristled at anyone doing something for her that she felt she could do herself, she let Harry carry it for her.

Once they had left the room, Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny's shoulders as she tucked into his side, letting her arm encircle his waist. Both feeling the wonderful warmth of the other, feeling more at peace than they had, possibly ever.

They walked slowly back to Gryffindor tower, not once taking note of their surroundings or of how late it was. Curfew had passed quite some time ago.

Minerva McGonagall spotted the pair as they walked alone and was about to call out to them and chastise them for being out after curfew, but she jumped when a voice spoke right behind her.

"Leave them be for tonight, Minerva."

Minerva spun around and looked into the smiling face of Albus Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling like she had never seen before. She glanced back at the couple as they reached the last turn before they would get to the portrait hole.

It was then she realized who they were, and though she was a bit surprised, she smiled and looked back at Dumbledore. "As you wish, Headmaster," she said softly.

Dumbledore smiled at her, "Would you care to join me for a nightcap?"

"I think I will," she answered, taking one last glance at the new couple as they disappeared from sight, "Yes, I think I will."

XX HP + GW XX

A/N: Hello faithful readers, I hope you enjoyed this latest addition to this storyline. I know it's a little shorter than usual, but I felt it was the best place to leave off. I had contemplated adding more about what happened when they got back to the common room but decided that it wouldn't add anything to the story, based on the premise of them getting together.

It's funny, as I wrote this it ended up going off on its own. I had originally planned for the get together to take longer over the next few weeks, but, well it didn't want to go there. If you mind, so be it.

As always, I welcome your reviews.