Ginny sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed in front of the fireplace. She was thinking about Addison. Was Fred right; was there really nothing but physical attraction between them? She hated the thought. Ginny recalled him a few days ago telling her, "I like you, Gin. I really do." And Ginny had believed him, and returned the words to him without a thought. Did he really mean it? Was he just using her for her body? I have to get the truth, she thought desperately, or I'm apt to have a nervous breakdown.

On a sudden impulse she stood up, checked behind all the curtains around the beds to make sure none of the other girls were there, and approached the door, drawing her wand from her robes. Pointing it at the lock she whispered, "Audesolius!" and heard the lock click into place, along with a satisfying whoosh to assure that it had indeed been magically sealed and soundproofed.

Now that she was not going to be disturbed, she returned to her bed. She kneeled onto the floor at its side and reached under the heavy mattress, pulling out the stolen jar of Foceau powder. She opened the small jar, which contained miniscule amounts of the shimmering silver powder, took a pinch between her thumb and forefinger, and tossed it carefully into the flickering flames of the fireplace. She said clearly, "Ravenclaw fourth year boys' dormitory, please." The flames shone bright white for a moment then cleared away, revealing a sort of window into Addison's dormitory.

She could see from her position that it was a deal messier than her own dormitory, but having six older brothers she'd expected the disarray. Realizing that there was someone sitting on one of the boys' four poster beds (which had beautiful, sapphire blue sheets to match the lighter carpet), their back to her, she gasped— this spell was against Hogwarts rules; if anyone but she and Addison found out about it...

She stopped thinking when she realized the person she saw was Addison. She decided to make an entrance; gingerly, Ginny placed a foot in the fireplace-turned-tunnel. Finding it didn't hurt save the tingling sensation in her foot, she stepped forward.

Four silent steps and several tense seconds later she had entered the dormitory through its own fireplace. Her eyes were locked on Addison's back. She approached him— what was he doing just sitting there?— She was two steps away... One... She reached out—

"Did you hear about the talent contest? What d'you think we should do for it?"

Ginny unfroze (she'd stopped moving the moment she'd heard his voice) and stood straight. Addison turned around, hopped off the bed and swept her gracefully into a warm, chocolate-and-mint smelling hug, his robes swishing around her. Ginny savored the moment, enjoying it immensely, her hands stroking his soft, short dark hair. She loved his hair: its smell, its color, and the way it subtly bounced when he moved. They exchanged greetings; then she sighed as she remembered why she was there.

"Addison, remember a few days ago when you told me you like me a lot?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he said slowly, watching her face. "Why? Do you want me to tell you again?" he grinned.

"No, I wanted to ask you... why? Do you like me for who I am, my personality, or..." she trailed off, looking hopefully into his pale blue eyes. His eyebrows furrowed and he held her at arm's length.

"Ginny Weasley, I'm surprised at you... you're so sweet, and generous, and smart; you've got a heart of gold, not to mention—" here he brought her in close to him for a warm, gentle kiss that made her bones melt, "you're a great kisser."

Ginny smiled happily and put her head on his chest, absently running her fingers up and down his arm. "Okay. Fred's onto us about— you know, yesterday, and he made me tell Mum. He seemed to think it was a one-time thing, that I'd never see you again, or else that you'd forced me into it. He only believed me when... well, he still doesn't exactly believe me."

"Well, do you want me to talk to him?" asked Addison good-naturedly. He really did like Ginny, no one else, and her appearance only added to his affection for her. He promised himself that he would make Ginny proud of being his girlfriend.

Ginny didn't answer his question. "What are you thinking?" she inquired gently. "Whatever it is, it must be pretty deep. Your eyes are all glazed over."

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you," he said truthfully, "and how I'm going to make you proud of me," he winced, "Whoa, that sounded really cheesy—" (Ginny giggled) "but I meant it."

It had been long past an hour's visit when Ginny finally re-opened the tunnel (she'd closed it after arriving in Addison's room) and stepped dreamily back into her own dormitory. Looking up, her eyes met those of her dormitory partners, all standing directly in front of her, all wearing identical furious looks.

"So. Care to tell us why you locked us out of our own dormitory and soundproofed it— for an hour, Ginny?"