A/N: To any of you who know this pen name, this is the other writer--not the one who writes all the wonderful PotC fics. This is my first posted fic, so I hope you like it. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, J.K. Rowling does.

Chapter One

Hermione wandered out of the library alone with her thoughts, her feet making their way to the common room on autopilot. She sighed as the portrait hole opened before even uttering the password.

Ron emerged smiling, "Hey Hermione! I'll be right back okay? Just need to send this letter off." He kissed her and ran off to the owlery leaving a somewhat surprised Hermione behind. She knew he had just returned to the common room moments before, and so she assumed by his consequent departure that Harry was probably off doing something and that nothing was going on in the common room. She climbed through the portrait hole, however, to find the third member of the trio sitting in front of the fireplace reading. She watched as his bright green eyes moved along the page. There he was, Hermione's best friend. Sure, she was going out with Ron, but sometimes she felt like Ron really didn't understand her the way Harry did. On the other hand, Harry loved Ginny, and she did love Ron, though somehow in a different way. It was something she had never noticed before, that there were such different kinds of love.

As Hermione walked over and plopped herself down in one of the big comfy chairs, Harry looked up and smiled at her. "Hermione! Where've you been?" he asked teasingly.

"Library—where else?" she responded playfully.

He leaned in toward her and waggled his finger in front of her face before placing it gently on her nose. "You," he said accusingly, "Spend entirely too long in the library. I think I know what you're really doing. It might explain why Ron is often gone at least part of that time as well, right?"

"Harry, you know we aren't…" She blushed and squirmed uncomfortably. She would never do that with Ron. She knew she didn't feel that way about him.

Harry laughed as he teased his best friend. That was, at least, what he considered her. Ron was his best mate, but Hermione was his best friend. He knew perfectly well that she wouldn't do that…though when it came down to it, he wasn't so sure that Ron wouldn't. Ginny walked into the common room and sat down next to Harry.

"Hi Harry," she said pecking him on the cheek. Hermione looked away slightly, and Harry felt somewhat embarrassed, though Ginny was oblivious. Ginny was cute, and loving, but he wasn't sure that he felt more than an older brother would feel toward his favorite sister.

"Hey Ginny," he replied somewhat dully. Unfortunately however, both Ginny and Hermione seemed to notice. Hermione got up quickly, sensing the tension.

"I'll see you two around later then," she said swiftly as she walked up to her room rather briskly and leaving them their privacy. Harry turned towards Ginny to see a somewhat annoyed face.

"We need to talk," she said sternly.

"Okay," he replied meekly as Ginny grabbed his arm, pulled him out of the common room and dragged him into a deserted classroom. "What's the matter Ginny?" he asked, unsure of what the problem actually was.

"Well Harry," Ginny replied with a sigh, "I feel like our relationship is at a stalemate." She sighed and continued, taking a step closer to Harry, "Now that we're together, I feel like we're not moving forward at all." She stepped even closer to Harry who was leaning against the desk. He had to admit she looked sweet and appealing standing there in front of him twirling a piece of vibrant red hair around a small, quidditch callused finger. Harry, who was much taller, stood up fully, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Well then Ginny," he started gently, "what do you want to do about it?" He was hoping this might be a way for them to sort of leave each other peaceably and on friendly terms.

Ginny, however, seemed to have totally different ideas as she looked up into Harry's eyes with longing. Harry noticed the fervent expression in her eyes just too late, as Ginny crushed her mouth to his. Damn she is a good kisser, he thought as she slipped her tongue between his startled lips. When she pulled away for air, however, Harry put a finger to her lips. "Ginny," he began, "I'm not sure that this is the best thing for us."

"What do you mean Harry?" she asked bewildered, a hurt look in her eyes now.

This, Harry knew, was going to be difficult. "Well, I'm not sure that the two of us are really suited for each other Ginny." He rushed on before she could interrupt. "Like you said, the relationship has sort of reached a stalemate, and I don't think that just being more, well, physical," he said for lack of a better word, "will really fill the gap." He looked down at her, hesitantly, unsure of her reaction.

"Oh," Ginny replied softly.

"I'm sorry Ginny," he stated simply, "You'll always be like a sister to me though."

Ginny looked up at him, a tear running down her cheek, which he wiped off with his thumb. "You're right Harry. I'm just trying to make something work because I like the idea. It's just so hard to admit."

"I know Ginny. I know. Now how about we each go and try to find what might actually work for each of us?" he suggested gently. She merely nodded, flicking the last tear off her freckled face. Sticking her chin up a bit she walked towards the door which Harry opened for her. Now he was free to pursue a new love interest.

Thank you for reading! Please R&R!!!