Chapter Six: The Awaited Reunion
Harry sat at the tiny kitchen table as he watched Ron set the table for dinner. This would be Ron's last chore, his last. Even though he had not finished them all by noon, Harry gave him credit for actually doing some of it. After the boggart, Harry and Ginny had sneaked back up to the kitchen for Lunch. By then, the gnomes were almost done with their chores, well, rather Ron's chores. The one that had mysteriously managed to get into Ginny's secret place was kept as a pet down there for Ginny to use later on when she needed it. The only reason that she had actually agreed to keep the gnome was because it was a baby, and could be trained, and plus, she didn't need the gnome telling all the other gnomes about what it had discovered. She intended to keep her secret place a secret.
Ginny had half-ran to her room to look as if she was cleaning it like she was supposed to be doing when her parents came back. The gnomes were all making their way back to the garden when the Weasley parents came home, and Bill had broken the charm quickly, and had let the gnomes go about their garden business, and had erased their memory of what they had just done and why.
After lunch, Harry had managed to get away from everyone and go up to Ron's room by himself. He had slept a few hours, without dreaming. Then, he was woken up by Ginny, telling him to come outside for a game of Quidditch in the front yard. He had gotten up, changed into old clothes that could get muddy, and then went outside. Harry, Fred, George, Ron, Bill, Charlie, and even Ginny had enjoyed a smaller version of quidditch, even though the game lasted almost three hours. Mrs. Weasley had made dinner, and Mr. Weasley had refereed the game. Now, the game was over, and everyone but Harry had gone upstairs to change and wash up.
Harry sat there at the table, covered in mud, for he had been the seeker, and had rammed into the mud many times to distract Ginny, who was the other seeker. The storm the other night had made a great deal of mud and puddles of water everywhere, especially at the Burrow; inside and out were puddles of water or mud, and even both.
Mrs. Weasley, who was dishing up potatoes that mashed themselves into the plates, shot Harry a disapproving look, and said in a small but audible voice, "Harry, dear, would you mind if you went upstairs and tidied up a bit?" Her eyes raked over his spattered glasses, his muddy face and clothes, and his cut just below his left eye that brought out the green in his eyes even more. Harry sighed, and shook his head as he got up to go change. "Thank you, Harry." Mrs. Weasley said, beaming at him. Ron looked up from the refrigerator door, and smiled at him.
Harry turned and walked slowly up the stairs. Passing Ginny's room, he heard her humming the tune of the song that they had sung together earlier. He had loved that whole time with Ginny, every single moment, and every single word that she spoke. Every single movement that she made entranced him. Ron was right, Harry thought, Ginny and me do have something more than friendship, I think.
Harry contemplated on what he really saw in Ginny, past all of her beauty, as he changed into dry and clean clothes. When he was done, he strutted over to the door, swung it open, and scuttled out onto the stairs, trying to block the sound of the very load creak of the door as it opened and shut behind him.
Yawning, Harry headed downstairs. As he reached Ginny's room, he stopped at the door. He could hear her beautiful and mystical voice raising with the words of the lullaby. "Even when the skies are gray, I know you will always stay. Stay with me 'till the end. Around every corner, around every bend." She sang with grace. Then she went into her own version of the chorus. "Oh yea, even when those skies are gray, I know that you will always, always stay. Stay with me, forever, and ever, 'till the end. Around every single corner, and around every single bend." Harry hadn't noticed that he had begun to sing along with her, and her voice came to a halt.
The door in front of Harry opened quickly, and Ginny appeared in the doorway. She gave him an appraised look, and grinned. "Time for dinner, Harry?" she stepped out of her room, and closed the door behind her; all the while her eyes were locked with his. Harry nodded, and escorted her down the stairs.
Harry had definitely found a change in Ginny. She was so much more open with him, and she wasn't afraid to look at him, especially in the eyes. Plus, she hardly ever blushed when she looked at him now. And all of this had happened in only two or three days. But Harry had also noticed a change in himself, and Ginny sensed it too. He wasn't as tense, and alert, but he still held his wand every day in his pocket, and he was always ready to defend himself. But, he had also become just a tad bit more affectionate towards Ginny, and had been a little more open with her than usual. This startled Harry when he found it to be true. But there was still something about Ginny that made him uneasy, and, unfortunately, he couldn't figure out what it was at the moment.
The two of them went down to the already-full dinner table, and they had oddly been placed to sit beside each other. "Ron, he set the table." Harry whispered under his breath to Ginny over his shoulder as they both took a seat. Ron looked over at them, and flashed a mischievous grin. Harry shook his head slightly, and smiled back, the way that he did when he had just received one of Ron's practical jokes, and he was giving the sign to watch out, because Harry was going to get him back. Ginny glanced over at Ron and flamed a smile that was telling Ron that she would get him back also; this was bad for Ron for Harry and Ginny would most likely team up together, and plot revenge on him. The words of last year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor flashed through Ron's head. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Ron's expression darkened from across the table, and he forced a smile that read, now, go easy on me! I had to do something; I had no fun at all today, well, besides the quidditch game, but that was only three hours!
Harry smiled a real smile this time, and began to fill his mouth with the mashed potatoes. Ginny did the same beside him, and Harry glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Ginny did the same, and Harry glimpsed a twitch of a smile spread onto Ginny's face.
The dinner went on like this, until Harry couldn't bear it anymore. "So, uh, Ginny, you, uh, like your potatoes?" Okay, Harry thought, that was so lame! Ginny didn't seem to mind, and she nodded, "My compliments to the chef." Mrs. Weasley beamed at Ginny, and went on eating her chicken breast.
Ginny pushed her plate forward, and pronounced that she was done, but she did not ask to be excused. Harry smiled, and heard himself chuckle inside. Ginny is waiting for me! Harry thought, giving Ginny a joyful look. She saw him, and returned the favor. She mouthed the words meet me upstairs; my room, then she asked to be excused. Her mother nodded, and smiled as Ginny jumped up from her seat, took her plate to the sink, and skipped out of the kitchen. Ron shook his head, and laughed to himself quietly. Harry really hoped that no one had seen Ginny mouth those words to him that meant so much.
Harry looked over at Ron, and beckoned with his head slightly to meet him outside. "May I be excused, Mrs. Weasley?" "Oh course, dear, and yes, Ron you are excused too." Mrs. Weasley said, as she saw Ron begin to stand up without asking. Both boys rushed their plates to the sink, and hurried out of the kitchen. Ron opened the front door, and walked outside, followed closely by Harry.
The moon was slowly rising, and the illumination from the moon was bouncing off of the grass, and making it look like it was glowing in the quickly deepening darkness. Harry led Ron over to a side of the house, the one with the least windows.
"Alright, Ron. You win. I do think that me and Ginny have something more than friendship, but, I dunno' something is just a little odd about her." Harry said, pursing his lips together, and looking at Ron with concern.
"Hello, Harry? Are you in there? Ginny is a Weasley, in case you haven't noticed. We're all a little off, don't you think?" Ron held back a laugh, and smiled.
Harry shook his head, "No, Ron! It's not that. I am used to the Weasleys, duh, you should know that! But Ginny, I dunno', there is really something different about her. And no, it is not because she is a girl, or because she is extremely pretty, either. I mean something to do with magic, like she is involved in, uh, Dark Magic." Harry watched Ron's eyes widen.
"You-you're sure? I mean-should I tell? What do we do?" Ron stuttered. He took a few steps back, and leaned against the house.
" No, I am not sure, but let's just say that I have a knack for sensing Dark Magic, and it effects me like you wouldn't imagine. I mean, heck! Would you take a look at what Dark Magic did to my forehead? Not to mention my family?" Harry was sounding exasperated now, and Ron was spacing off, most likely in deep thought.
Ron shook his head slightly, and said, "No, Ginny wouldn't-couldn't- be involved with Dark Magic, it's just not her. And you would think that I would know my own sister."
"Sure Ron, I guess. But, I wish that I knew who her boyfriend was." Harry said, catching Ron's attention again. Ron shot a funny glance at Harry.
"It's you, isn't it?" Ron stifled a laugh, and subsided at the grim look on Harry's face. "It's not you, Harry? Wow! Who then, hum, Draco Malfoy, maybe?" Harry's head shot up at that comment.
"No, she would never, ever, do something like that. Not with Malfoy, no. You are wrong, it could have been someone else, under that invisibility cloak, you know. And plus, you just contradicted yourself. You said that Ginny would never be involved with Dark Magic, and we all know that Malfoy is composed of Dark Magic, itself." Harry crossed his arms, and smiled at Ron, who was now frowning.
"Yea, I guess, Harry. What ever you say. But, I guess that I do agree with you, I mean, yea. But, still, who do you think that it could be, Harry? Who the heck is Ginny's boyfriend?" Ron asked, sighing, and giving Harry a semi-irritated look.
Harry smiled. "I will tell you when I find out. Oh, and plus, we can badger her in the train, on the way to Hogwarts. Hermione is saving us a seat in the train, one for you, one for me, and one for Ginny."
Ron chuckled, and said, "Oh! So you can sit by Ginny, and I can sit by Hermione! Perfect! Now, we will fight even more!"
Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron, "Okay, then you can sit by Ginny, or me, if you'd like." Harry knew which one Ron was going to pick.
"You, duh, Harry." Ron said, slightly punching Harry's arm in that way that all buys do to show that they are tough, and communicate through wrestling. Harry smiled, and said, "Let's go back inside."
Ron nodded, and caught up with Harry. "I have some serious Wizard TV to catch up on!" Wizard TV is what Ron called his dad's Muggle TV that had been bewitched to channel with the other wizards' TV's. Ron hurried ahead of Harry, and rushed inside, stealing the remote from George, and clicking through the channels, his eyes glued to the screen.
Harry had no problem sneaking up to Ginny's room, since everyone was fighting over which channel to watch. Again, he didn't knock, but told her to come open the door. She did, and she opened it wider for Harry to slick through.
"So, what is it?" Harry asked, wanting to make the conversation as long as possible. Ginny closed the door silently, and then hurried over to her desk, shut something quickly, most likely her diary, and shoved it into her open trunk that was now at the foot of her bed, fully packed.
Ginny turned on her heel, and looked at Harry in the eyes. He loved that. But what had just hit him was how he knew that she had a boyfriend. He hadn't gotten a flash, or even a message from Ginny of any kind. He just, well, knew.
Before Ginny could speak he asked her, "Do you have a boyfriend, Ginny? I am not gonna' be hurt." Harry watched Ginny's smile fall to a sorry look. She nodded.
"Yes, Harry. I do, well, I did." Harry gave her a puzzled look, and asked, "Well, who is it, Ginny?" That was when she blushed. "Neville." She squeaked the word out like it was embarrassing, which it shouldn't be, since she was seeing him.
Harry raised his eyebrows, and smiled at her, then realized what she had said. I do, well, I did. "Now what do you mean, did?" Harry quietly whispered, as he looked her over. "I just broke up with him by owl today. I haven't seen him in the chamber for a long time." Harry gave her another questioned look.
"The chamber?" "My secret place, you remember?" Harry nodded, and smiled broadly. "So, you two found that you liked each other last year at the Yule Ball, Ginny?" Harry asked, still smiling broadly.
Ginny nodded silently. Neville had asked Ginny to the Yule Ball last year, because he was turned down gently by Hermione.
Harry was so overjoyed with happiness, that he wanted to jump up and down and shout Hurrah! He had often had this feeling after he had just won a quidditch game for Gryffindor at Hogwarts. Harry had always been a natural at playing quidditch and riding on a broom, just like his father. He was also the youngest player on the Gryffindor quidditch team, not to mention the seeker for the Gryffindor team. The only bad thing was that Draco Malfoy was the seeker for Slytherin, even though Harry had hardly lost to him. But there was also Cho Chang, she was another seeker, and extremely pretty, but to Harry, not near as pretty as Ginny had gotten.
"Harry, are you okay?" Ginny asked, avoiding his eyes, for the first time in a couple days. Harry gave her a funny look, and took a couple steps toward her. He was now almost nose to nose with her, if she would just lift her face up to look at him.
"Ginny," Harry started, and she raised her head slightly, barely looking into his eyes. "Ginny." Harry repeated, and this time she raised her head fully to examine Harry's face.
Harry looked her in the eyes, and smiled gently, watching her smile lightly; her lips still slightly pursed together with concentration. Now, Ginny was not just looking in Harry's eyes, she was searching them. Searching them for anything, anything at all. And eventually she did find something; she found a slight glimmer in his eye that normally wasn't there. But she couldn't read that glint, it was foreign to her, she had never seen Harry look at anyone like that, but then again, she had avoided his eyes for most of her life that she knew him.
"Harry," Ginny began to say, but Harry brought his finger to her lips, and shushed her entirely, she knew that she could have stayed like that forever, silent, like Harry wanted. Harry looked further into her eyes, and let his hand fall down from her lips, giving Ginny the chills; not chills of fright, chills of happiness.
Harry silently leaned forward and kissed her. His lips touched hers, and Ginny now knew what that special glint in his eye meant. She leaned into the kiss, and took Harry's hand lightly. Harry felt completely happy, unlike any other time in his life, and Ginny felt the same. They both wished to stay like that forever, kissing each other gently, and holding hands. Everything in the world seemed right and perfect to Harry. Then what seemed like all too soon, Ginny pulled away, and looked at Harry again. Harry smiled, and squeezed her hand lightly.
"I've never, ever felt better, Ginny." Harry whispered to her. Ginny threw her arms around him, and gave him a tight hug. Harry, putting his arms around her, and returning the embrace, was still trying to gather up what had just happened. Was it good, Harry thought, or bad to kiss her? Harry threw the thought aside, and lightly pushed Ginny away. Once again, he examined her face; her high cheekbones, and her lofty red curls falling over her ears.
"Are you alright, Ginny?" Harry asked, still looking at her in that peculiar way. Harry still held her hand in one of his; Ginny was now staring at her hand engulfed in his, just like she had when the spell linked the two of them together mentally. That storm, that wonderful storm, Harry would never forget, because it led up to all of this. The grateful conversations with Ginny, being able to communicate with her anywhere he was, figuring out who her boyfriend used to be, experiencing her secret chamber under the Burrow, and even hearing her sing, and singing with her, all were because of the storm. Even the kiss, Harry owed it all to that one storm, and he was so extremely happy at what had happened, that he wanted to kiss Ginny again. But he didn't have to this time, for Ginny had already leaned in close.
Ginny kissed Harry back to signify her answer to Harry's question. I've never, ever felt better, Harry.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, and listening to the wind howl and creak around the corners of the Burrow. The wind had picked up since Ginny and Harry had kissed. After they had emerged from Ginny's room, they both walked down the stairs together, and plopped down to watch TV with the rest of the family. Harry had sat down beside Ron, and Ginny beside Harry. Every time Ginny looked at Harry, or when Harry looked at her, they would both blush slightly, and then pretend to be extremely interested in things across the room from each other, and study that object for a while until the TV caught both of their attention again.
Now, everyone was in bed, each one nervous for his or her own reasons. For Harry, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny, it was the fact that tomorrow they would begin a new year at Hogwarts. This would be the twins' last year, Ginny's fourth year, and Harry and Ron's fifth year. There are a total of seven years at Hogwarts, and then you are set into the wizarding world to find a job, and your future, which it what Fred and George were most worried about. But, Harry had an idea that they would make good money out of their prank shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Harry, on the other hand, had absolutely no idea of what he would do with his life. Will I get married? Will I ever find a perfect job? Will I ever really truly defeat Lord Voldemort for good? These questions were swimming around in Harry's head, driving him to the end of his plank. But along with all of these jeering thoughts, Harry had thoughts of Ginny, and the kiss he had given earlier that night.
Harry's top goal at the moment was to get through this year alive, no matter if Lord Voldemort appears again to try to defeat him, or if all of his friends turn against him and go with Lord Voldemort, he was determined to make it through. Even though he would probably die of grief if all of his friends turned from him to Lord Voldemort, he was pretty sure that wouldn't happen.
With all of these deliberations, Harry fell asleep and found himself in another dream. He was at Hogwarts, sitting at the Gryffindor table. Ginny sat on the other side of Hermione, who was sitting by Harry. Ron was on the other side of Harry, munching on toast. It was breakfast.
Harry turned to his plate, and saw eggs, toast, and grits; none of the food had been touched. Hermione looked over at Harry, and gave him a perplexed glance. "Harry! Eat! You're not worried that you won't fit into your Yule Ball gowns, are you?"
Ron snorted, and gave Hermione a fierce glance. "Guys don't worry about things like that, Hermione. Only girls do." Harry nodded, and looked back over at her. She smiled, and shrugged. "Sure, I knew that. It's just that Harry is not eating. Is it because of the Yule Ball, Harry?"
"Nah, I already know who I am gonna' take." Harry said smoothly, not sounding like himself. Ron's eyes widened as he stuffed a bite of eggs into his mouth. "'Ho, 'Arry?" Ron asked through a full mouth.
Hermione shot Ron a look of disapproval. "Don't talk with your mouth full, Ron. It's not polite." "Neither are 'ou, 'Ermione." Ron said, still talking with his mouth full, "'Elling other people what 'o do isn't 'olite, either." Harry smiled, and stopped the little fight before it could go any farther.
"Hermione," Harry looked over her shoulder at Ginny, who was acting pathetic, and was hiding behind Hermione, "would you tell her that I am sorry?"
"Who? And for what, Harry?" Hermione replied, looking concerned. "Ginny, tell her I'm sorry. She'll know what you're talking about." Harry said, glancing nervously at Ron, who returned the glance. Ron knew what was wrong.
"Sure, but why don't you…" Hermione began. Harry shook his head fiercely, and said urgently, "No! You have to do it. I can't." Ron nodded silently behind Harry's back at Hermione, who sighed, and turned around.
Harry took her arm, and turned her around. "Not now, Hermione." She rolled her eyes at him, "Oh, alright." Hermione turned to her plate and began picking delicately at her orange. Ron shook his head at her, and whispered, "Girls, what a pain!" into Harry's ear. Harry chuckled to himself, and felt someone tapping him on the shoulder.
Harry swapped at whoever it was, and opened his eyes to see Ron's window, showing the rising sun in the corner of it's frame. "Sorry." Harry mumbled, turning over and waiting for his eyes to adjust. It was George, still in his black in gold boxers, the same ones that he had been wearing the other time Harry had a dream.
"S'ok, Harry. Time to get ready to leave for the train. Mom's rushing us to breakfast." George said. He still had dark circles under his eyes from a lack of sleep.
"You tired?" Harry asked, sitting up in bed, and rubbing his eyes for a second. George nodded, and replied, "Me and Fred stayed up all night, coming up with our newest invention, the one that turns your skin the color of the fruit. We tried it on a mouse that we found running under the floorboards, and it turned purple, like a plum!"
Harry smiled, and rolled out of bed, following George down the stairs to eat breakfast. Ginny sat at the table, her head in her hands, and Harry could tell that she was trying to sleep some more. Her hair was combed, and she still had on her pajamas, the ones with blue and purple stars, and the ones with shorts and a tank top that showed her midriff. Across from her Ron was chowing lazily on some bagels. His hair was askew, and standing up in different places. Charlie and Bill had already left, and each one said to say good-bye to everyone as they went. Mr. Weasley held a copy of the Daily Prophet, and Harry couldn't see any other part of him but his hands. And Fred was most likely still in bed, for he was absent from the table.
Harry plopped down beside Ron, and was instantly offered a bagel by Mrs. Weasley. He took it, and munched on it happily. He looked like he was the only one that was actually awake, and ready to get to school, besides Mrs. Weasley, who had most likely gotten up three hours ago.
Ron glanced over at Harry, and smiled wearily. "How was your night, Harry? Sleep well, did you?" Harry nodded, and took another bite from his bagel that was smothered in butter. "I got my sleep, alright. But I think that I am the only one that did." Harry replied, and finished the bagel off. Ginny looked up at him, and smiled. Harry spotted a hint of color flush into her face as she did. Harry grinned back, and wiped his mouth on his right sleeve.
He was still in his pajamas, too. They were black, and had broomsticks and quidditch balls all over them. Harry figured that his hair wasn't too pretty, either, but he didn't care. Messy hair was normal for him, and there was no point in trying to tame his wild hair that he had inherited from his father.
"Enough of the chitter-chatter, go get ready, we leave in ten minutes the muggle way. Go, go!" Harry sighed, and rushed upstairs with everyone else. Ron squeaked, "The muggle way? Why can't we just go by floo-powder?"
Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a hard look. "Because we can't really just pop up in some muggle's fireplace, now can we?" Ron pursed his lips, and forced a smile along with the words, "No, mother, we can't." Mrs. Weasley smiled, and pointed up to Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny heading upstairs to get ready. Ron hung his head, and turned to slowly proceed up the stairs.
In five minutes, all of the boys were ready to go, dressed and all. But Ginny, on the other hand, was in the process of putting on her make-up when all the boys were done. Everyone sat in the family room, watching the TV, and waiting for Ginny to come down with her trunk. All of the others' trunks were packed away in the Weasleys' car, or rather the cars that the Ministry of Magic had loaned to Mr. Weasley to use. Fred and George had suggested using the flying car, but Mrs. Weasley had voiced her opinion very clearly; she wasn't going to have them being seen in a flying car, and being caught by the Ministry. Fred and George had received scornful looks from their mother when they had tried to talk her into letting them fly the car.
Ron turned to Harry, and smiled. "So, Harry?" Fred and George looked over in interest, Fred on the floor, and George on the sofa. The Weasley parents were outside dealing with the cars. Each one held the same expression on their face; an expression of deepest interest, and a mischievous glint in their eye. They wanted to know something, but Harry didn't know what they did want to know.
"So what, Ron?" Harry asked, turning his gaze from George to Ron. Fred gave a loud snigger, and looked at Ron with amusement. "What happened in Ginny's room last night?" Fred asked. Harry felt himself turn red.
"We saw her mouth those words, meet me upstairs; my room." Fred said, still chuckling a little bit. George was the one that snickered now. "You should just be glad that we didn't tell Mom, Dad, or anyone else." He said, "And you better be extremely glad that we all didn't go up there and barge in on you two. So, what happened?"
"Oh, and by the way, I have this pocket sneakoscope right here," Ron said, pulling one out of his jacket pocket, "so no lying." Harry flushed even more red.
Harry pondered on what he would say without giving away that he had kissed Ginny. He knew that if he still told the truth, he could get away with it. "We talked." He said, hoping that it would satisfy them; it didn't.
"Whole truth, Harry." George said, stretching his legs out on the sofa, and looking quite humble.
Harry sighed, and knew that he couldn't lie to the Weasley's. He mumbled to himself for a while, and finally decided to make a deal with them. "I'll make a deal with you. I'll tell you all that happened only if you swear not to laugh, and swear not to pick on me or Ginny, and swear not to tell a soul." Harry said, checking to see if the Weasley parents weren't near, which they weren't.
George said, "I solemnly swear not to tell a soul, pick on Ginny or you, and I swear that I will not laugh." The pocket sneakoscope didn't budge. Harry believed George, and listened as Fred and Ron repeated what George had said. Each time, the sneakoscope didn't transit. Now everyone was completely silent and waiting for what Harry was going to say.
Harry felt relieved that they had all vowed to those things, and felt more secure in telling them what had happened. "Alright. We talked a little, and then I figured out who her boyfriend used to be. Neville Longbottom. She said that she had broken up with him by owl yesterday, as in yesterday, to us. Then she asked if I was okay." Harry stopped there and let them all snicker at Neville for being Ginny's boyfriend over the summer. Harry was sure to keep out the part about the spell that had mentally connected them, and Ginny's secret chamber under the Burrow.
"So, Harry, are you her boyfriend now?" Ron asked, a twinkle in his eye. Harry hadn't really thought of that. He shrugged, and said, "Go ask Ginny."
"Yea, yea, whatever. Go on, go on." Fred said, swishing the thought away. Harry took a series of deep breaths, and then finally gathered up enough strength to say what happened next.
"Then I walked up to her," Harry took a deep breath, "and I kissed her." The room was silent as small smiles stole onto each of their faces.
"Go Harry!" Fred yelled, punching the air in front of him. "George, that's one galleon from you to me!" George gaped at him, and crossed his arms. "Com'on! Cough it up!" Fred pushed. George sighed, and pulled a galleon out of his pocket, and handed it reluctantly over to Fred.
"You guys made a bet on if I kissed Ginny?" Harry asked, a hint of irritation in his voice. Fred and George nodded, and smiled warmly at Harry. "Just some Weasley fun, that's all." George said, watching Harry smile.
So far Ron hadn't said anything, and it was worrying Harry. "Ron, you alright with this?" Ron looked at him, and smiled.
"Told you so!" Ron said in a jeering voice. Then he laughed happily, and punched Harry in the shoulder. "I can't be mad at you! We're bros., remember?" Harry flashed a grin that reached his eyes; he was so glad that Ron wasn't mad, that would have ruined his first day at Hogwarts.
"Now, don't tell Ginny that I told you, okay?" Harry whispered urgently. "Tell me what, Harry?" a voice behind Harry said. It was Ginny. She had finally finished with her make-up, and had come downstairs with her trunk.
"Oh, nothing, Ginny. Just about something, nothing of importance, really." Ron said, backing Harry up. Harry sighed silently, and turned around to examine Ginny. She had never worn her make-up around the house, and it was the first time that Harry had seen her with make-up on. She had on green eye shadow, which brought out her eyes. She also had green mascara on, which made the green color look darker, further more bringing out her eyes. Then she had on the usual foundation, powder, and blush, along with glossy purple lipstick. The make-up had a huge positive effect on Ginny, even though Harry would think that she was beautiful with, or without, it.
Ron shot Harry a look, and rammed his elbow into Harry's ribs. Harry looked scornfully over at Ron, and then understood. Harry raised and walked up to Ginny. He took her trunk, and headed out the door with it in his arms. Ginny watched him walk out; her eyes were full of adoration. Ron smiled goofily, and watched her as she ran out to him.
"They're just so perfect, don't you think, you guys?" Ron asked, receiving nods from Fred and George.
As Ginny caught up with Harry, she was going over what she would say in her head; she had never had to do that before. "Harry, thanks." She spat out, knowing that that wasn't what she wanted to say. Harry handed over her trunk to Mr. Weasley. "Thanks, son." Mr. Weasley said, as he turned to shove it into the trunk. Harry nodded, and then turned to go back inside.
Now or never, Ginny told herself. She took a deep breath, and seized Harry's left hand. She led him over to the side of the Burrow; the same side that Harry and Ron had talked at the other night. Harry smiled to himself as he was dragged along by Ginny.
When they reached their destination, Ginny turned around to look Harry in the eye. "Harry, did you mean it last night?" Harry was startled. She really thought that I had just kissed her for nothing, Harry thought, as he gave her a confused look.
"Mean what, Ginny?" "When- when you kissed me last night. Did you mean it emotionally? Or did you just kiss me because you thought that I was too pretty not to?" Harry was taken aback.
"Ginny! I would never-ever-do that." Harry began to say, then felt himself blushing, "I kissed you because I thought that it would be the perfect time to; and because I- I really like you, Ginny." She smiled, and Harry saw that her smile was sincere and happy.
"Really, Harry?" Ginny squeaked, feeling herself flush deeply. "Yes, Ginny, really." Harry took her hands, and looked deep into her eyes. "Really, truly, I do." He said.
"I do too, Harry." She cheeped, returning Harry's gaze. "Let's go, it looks like they are all gathering into the car." Harry barely heard her say; he was too lost in her eyes. Harry nodded, and smiled warmly.
They both walked to the car, hand in hand, arm in arm. Ron had made sure that there was no other place for Ginny and Harry to sit but alongside each other, and this time neither of them flashed Ron warnings, but smiles of happiness.
The car ride to King's Cross Station was interrupted by many arguments about who had just won a match of Exploding Snap, and much murmuring, whispering, and yelling. Most of the yelling came from Ron and the twins, because Harry and Ginny were busy whispering about odd subjects such as who would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
But, nonetheless, they all made it to the train station alive. Mr. Weasley pulled into the parking lot, let everyone get out, and retrieve his or her baggage from the trunk. Mrs. Weasley handed out sandwiches to eat on the way to Hogwarts, as she did every year, and then they were all escorted to platform nine and three-quarters by Mrs. Weasley.
"You all know what to do! Ron and Harry, you go first, followed by Fred and George, and Ginny and me will proceed you. Go! Hurry! The train leaves in five minutes!" Mrs. Weasley said, as she pushed Ron and Harry forward.
Pushing their trunks in front of them, Harry and Ron both hurried towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. They gained on the barrier and in a split second they were amongst many other wizards and witches bidding farewell to their children whom would be attending Hogwarts that year. Short, tall, skinny, and wide, the people rushed around Harry and Ron who were now accompanied by Fred and George, and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny.
Harry remembered what Hermione's letter had said, meet me in the third train car from the back. "Third car from the back should be open, you guys." Harry announced, pushing into the crowd towards the end of the train.
"How do you know, Harry?" Ron said from behind him. "Hermione is saving it for us." Harry replied, dodging a cat in his path, making Hedwig call out.
Ginny, Ron, Harry, Mrs. Weasley, and the twins all made their way to the third train car from the back, each one dodging obstacles, and doing their best to keep up with each other. Harry almost turned over his trunk when he halted to let a gang of first-year girls pass; they had passed extremely slow because each one had to look at Harry, and his lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. This was usual for him, but he never liked the fact that almost everyone he met raked his hairline in search of the scar.
Before long, Harry reached the car he was looking for. Without glancing in, he chucked his trunk in, and placed Hedwig beside it. "Ron! Ginny! Over here!" he yelled behind him. Then a voice caught Harry's attention.
"Aren't you going to say hello, Harry?" Harry whirled around to see a girl, standing up in the train car with her hands on her hips. "And don't tell me that you don't know who I am." It was Hermione, but Harry couldn't see her very clearly because of the darkness of the train car.
"Of course I know it's you, Hermione." Harry said, chuckling, and still not being able to see her. Harry heard her sigh, and then sit back down. "Oi! Harry! Hermione!" Ron yelled, pushing up his trunk, and throwing it beside Harry's. Ron climbed up into the car, and helped pull Ginny's trunk in, which was a great deal heavier than Harry and Ron's put together.
Harry offered Ginny a hand in, which she took, and climbed into the car. Harry clambered in after her. Fred and George appeared outside of the car, and pointed to the one behind them. Harry nodded, and watched as Mrs. Weasley rushed them into the car, and waved good-bye to them all, heading out and away from the train. The whistle blew, and Ginny plopped down beside Hermione; Harry sat beside Ron.
The light from the windows flooded in once they started move, clearing up everything. Harry had been watching the trees pass out the window, and had noticed that everyone was extremely quiet, too quiet. Harry turned from the window to Ron, who was staring over at Hermione. Harry traced Ron's gaze to take a good look at Hermione, too. Harry's mouth dropped, and he felt as if he never had met the girl sitting beside Ginny.
Hermione had changed, no she had really, really changed. The girl sitting in front of them was almost as beautiful as Ginny. She had straight hair that reached the middle of her back. Her bright brown eyes were enhanced with dark purple eye shadow, navy blue eyeliner, and black mascara. She also had on dark purple sparkly lipstick. But what she was dressed in was what astonished Harry the most. She wore a dark purple mini skirt, and a tight navy blue tank top. Highly unlike Hermione, she also had on five- inch heels that were like the ones that were in style for teenage girls. On top of all of that, she had many rings on her fingers, and blue crystals that hung from her earrings, and one on her necklace that hugged her neck.
"Wow, Hermione. Wow." Ron said, as he looked her over once more. Even though both of the boys looked at Hermione in a whole new light, neither of them believed that Hermione had changed her personality. Hermione crossed her arms, and sighed, glancing at Ginny.
"Look. I went and spent the summer over at my aunt's place. Victor lived just down the street or so from me the whole summer and I met some new friends. Yea, I have changed, but I still am the same Hermione that you knew at the end of last year. So, don't treat me any differently. I am not some sort of goddess, although Victor seemed to think me as one." She giggled to herself, as she fingered one of her rings.
"Still the same old Hermione, huh?" Ron mumbled to Harry through the side of his lips. Harry broke his gaze at Hermione to look at Ron with wide eyes. Ron nodded, and smiled. How can he just brush this off like it isn't a big deal? Harry thought to himself. It would take him a while to get over this huge change in Hermione, and her knew, just knew, that Ron was thinking the same thing.
"Ron! It is still Hermione, you know. She still is really smart, and she probably still read Hogwarts: A History again this summer, too. Right, Hermione?" Ginny said, coming to Hermione's defense. Ron shot her a look, and Ginny cast a fierce glance right back at him. "Just because you two think that she is so much more pretty now, doesn't mean that she had changed." Ginny said in a small voice, and glancing over at Harry, giving him a steady grin.
"Yes, that's right, Ginny. Take you, for example. Ron, has Ginny changed her personality?" Harry knew what was coming as Hermione said this.
"Yes, actually she has. She and Harry…" Ron trailed off at the extremely fierce looks from both Harry and Ginny. "She got over her fear of Harry." He finished, receiving deep sighs from the two of them.
"Really, good for you Ginny. That was bound to happen sooner or later. And that's not really a personality change. Got anymore, Ron?" Hermione asked, as she thrust sharp confused glance over at Ginny. Ginny looked away quickly, and smiled to herself.
"No." Ron said quietly, looking at Harry.
Everyone sighed at once. "Then we have reached an agreement. I have not changed, right?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Everyone nodded in unison, and then another conversation broke out between Hermione and Ron. Ginny looked over from the window, and glanced at Harry, to Ron and Hermione, and then she raised her eyebrows. "I think that they have somethin', Harry." Ginny whispered so that no one but Harry could hear. Harry nodded, and smiled, but he sincerely doubted that anything too strong had sprung between Ron and Hermione, if anything at all.
Harry tapped Ron on the shoulder, and said, "Why don't you and Ginny switch places so you and Hermione can talk closer together, so maybe, we won't hear every word that you say." Harry said, trying to look as innocent as a young puppy. Ron gave Harry an 'I know what you're up to look', and nodded, smiling as he and Ginny traded places.
Once everyone was seated again, the talking became quite louder, and filler with giggles and laughs. Most of it coming from Ron and Hermione, for Ginny and Harry had not engaged each other in an all-out conversation yet.
Right when Harry had begun to say something, Ron turned around and asked both of them a question. "Um, can I tell her, or do you want to? She is burning to know!" He asked, an anxious expression flooding his face. Harry and Ginny exchanged uneasy looks, and then both of them decided to let her know since she was going to find out soon enough, and they both shrugged.
Ginny took a deep breath, and decided to tell Hermione herself. "I'll tell, alright, Harry?" She looked over at Harry for a response; he shrugged, and smiled at her. "Okay. Last night, we were talking in my room. Well, I guess it was a really short conversation because he had asked a question that had made me feel somewhat sad, and I had answered with as few words as possible. I had asked him if he was bothered by what I had told him." She began, then Harry broke in.
"Then I walked up to her. She was kinda' embarrassed, and she wouldn't look me in the eye. I eventually got her to look at me, and she began to say something. I hushed her by bringing me finger to her lips. We held each other's gazes for a while."
"And- and –and then," Ginny began to say, she looked over at Harry, and smiled at him, "then he kissed me." At this, both Harry and Ginny blushed furiously, and Hermione smiled sweetly and whispered, "How romantic."
"Wait, there's more." Ron said urgently. How does he know? Harry and Ginny asked themselves.
"And then, Ron, I said that I had never felt better, and then I asked if Ginny was okay. That was when she kissed me." Harry said smoothly, sounding a bit agitated of how Ron had known that there was more. Hermione looked from Harry to Ginny, and back to Harry again.
"Told you, Ron! They're perfect! See! I told you at the end of last year." Hermione announced, sounding triumphant. Harry and Ginny were shocked.
"So there are more than three people that were betting on me and Ginny getting together?" Harry asked, smiling. Ron gave Hermione an annoyed look.
"I guess so, Harry." Ron said, as Hermione hung her head with embarrassment. Ginny was blushing even more fiercely, and she was staring at the floor like Hermione was. Now it was only the boys that weren't blushing with embarrassment.
"So, uh, I guess this makes you two a full-fledged couple now, for sure." Ron said, smiling impishly, and glancing at Ginny, who looked up and smiled at Harry. "Absolutely, positively, perfectly fine with me, Ron." Harry said in a small tone. Ginny smiled even more warmly, and giggled.
"Yes!" Ron yelled, punching Harry's arm. Everyone in the train car smiled happily, and laughed out loud. "I knew it was going to happen this summer." Ron added slyly. Harry nodded in disbelief.
"Sure, Ron. Of course you did." Harry and Ginny chimed together. Then, the door creaked open, and standing in the entranceway was Neville.
