(A/N) Well, not much to say, except that I'm starting this right after uploading Ch. 2. I would've had Ch. 2 up faster but.all those dumb reports and then ff.net started rebuilding. Oh well. I'm getting a jump-start on this one by starting it now.

Disclaimer: You should all know that I'm not J.K. "The Goddess" Rowling! You all know what I own and what I don't, so.on with the story!!!

Ginny had never seen such a big turn out at breakfast before. She knew it was because everyone wanted to see who the new teacher was.

"I've never seen so many people at breakfast at one time!" exclaimed Jessica.

"I know!" agreed Beth and Brittany.

"You do realize that it's because everyone wants to see the new teacher, don't you?" said Amy.

"Really Amy?" said Stephen sarcastically.

"Yes," said Amy, who didn't catch the note of sarcasm in Stephen's voice.

"You are so smart, Amy!" said Alex, also sarcastically.

"Yes, I am, aren't I?" Amy, who once again didn't catch the sarcastic note, flipped her long, sleek black hair over her shoulder.

"You guys!" Ginny hissed so that Amy wouldn't hear, " You know perfectly well she doesn't get that!"

"We know that!" snickered Stephen. "That's why we do it. She's so easy to tease!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "You two will never grow up, will you?"

"No. Now let's find some seats," said Alex. "Oh, and Ginny, I would like to talk to you real quick. Just for a minute."

Ginny sighed. "Okay," and she let herself be pulled into a corner.

"Ginny, I need an answer. Do you love Colin?" asked Alex.

"Alex, I.it's none of your business! Why do you care anyway?"

"I just want you to be happy. If you're not happy with Colin, then you're hurting yourself as well as him."

"Uhh.but." Ginny was at a loss for words. She looked carefully into Alex's eyes. What she saw there scared her. For the first time, she realized that Alex cared about her. He wasn't worried about Colin. He was worried about her. He loved her.

"Oh Alex!" she flung her arms around him, and sobbed, "I don't love Colin! I don't know what I want! Do I want Harry? Or Colin? No, I don't want Colin. I have to break up with him! But I just can't! I don't want to hurt him like Harry hurt me! I know how bad that feels. To love someone and then they just dump you because it's 'the best thing.' "

"Ginny, shh," Alex patted her back. "It's okay. I'll help you get through this. You can always talk to me."

"Oh Alex!" Ginny continued to sob.

Alex's hand was still on her back. It moved upwards and stroked her hair soothingly. Ginny didn't feel anything. Perhaps she would've if she hadn't seen Harry just then at the teacher's table.

"Alex! Alex! It's Harry! Look! He really has come back!" Ginny couldn't help herself. The minute she saw Harry, so many memories came flooding back to her that she collapsed against Alex's chest, loosing the feeling in her legs. Alex helped her up and they broke away. Ginny, finally got the feeling in her legs back. As soon as she realized that, she ran up as fast as she could to the teacher's table.

Harry was just sitting down when he saw a blur with red hair come hurdling up to the table. It flung itself hard against him. It wasn't until the thing started sobbing that he realized who it was.

"Ginny! Oh my God! Ginny!" he said.

Ginny had buried her face in his chest, breathing in deep the familiar smell of him. She still fit as perfectly as she did two years ago.

"Ginny, are you okay?" asked Harry.

"Yes!" she cried, though it was muffled, as she had still not pulled away. "I'm fine! I-I just missed you!"

"Obviously. Come on. Let me see your face," said Harry. He pushed Ginny away and held her at an arms length. "Wow, you sure have grown!"

This made Ginny angry. He was treating her like a little kid! How dare he? She was seventeen years old! Had he forgotten what they had?

"Harry! Don't talk to me like that! I'm not little! You, of all people, should know that!" and she stormed off. "Ron, what was that all about? I just said she grew!" Harry asked Ron.

"Well, Harry, she thought you were talking to her like she was 'Ron's little sister' again," said Ron.

"Oh no! I didn't mean that! Maybe I should tell her I'm sorry!"

"Harry, no. It's better to not do that. She'll think.well.we can't have you two behaving like you used to do. I mean, you're a teacher. She's a student. It's not going to be like it used to be like. I hope you still don't have feelings for her?" Hermoine said this last statement like a question.

"No, o-of course not," said Harry. But he could tell that they knew he was lying.

Back at the Gryffindor table, Ginny was fuming. The others hadn't seen her go up to Harry, with the exception of Alex of coarse.

"What's wrong Ginny?" asked Amy.

"Nothing."

"Have a good sleep, love?" This was Colin, who had come up behind Ginny and hugged her.

"Good enough."

"That's nice," Colin said. He took Ginny's hand and pulled her up out of her seat. "I want a good morning kiss, sweetheart," he told her.

"Not here. Not with Har-I mean everyone watching," Ginny told Colin. That was close thought Ginny to herself. I almost said Harry.

"What's wrong? That never bothered you before. I remember that time-"

"Colin, don't. Fine, do it if you want."

So, Colin kissed her for a long time. She wished he wouldn't do it. Not in front of Harry. She opened her eyes and saw Harry watching her, and pulled away from him.

"Colin, I-I have to go get ready. You know, for class," said Ginny.

"Fine," sighed Colin, and then he realized that she hadn't even got her schedule yet.

Ginny walked away. She heard Colin follow her. When they reached a private corridor, he said,

"Ginny, if-"

"Colin, leave me alone! I just need to think awhile, okay?" said Ginny.

"No, it's not okay. What is wrong with you? You've been so distant lately. Last night, you didn't even kiss back. Or this morning, come to think about it. You've been brief with me. I love you, Ginny," he said.

Please not the "L" word again! Ginny thought. Aloud, she said, "Colin, nothing is wrong, I just-"

"It's Harry isn't it? You still have feelings for him. They're still so strong that they're blocking out any feelings for me! Why can't you get over him? I'm just as good, only better because I don't go dumping girls just because it's 'the best thing', now do I? I can make those feelings for me come back, just you watch!"

Colin grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. He bent her head to hers and kissed her long and hard.

Ginny pulled away as soon as she could. "Colin! Stop it! Don't you get it? I don't feel anything! I never have! I'm sorry." she trailed off, seeing the look on his face.

"I've lost you haven't I?" he asked her.

Ginny nodded, afraid that if she spoke that her voice would break. There were already tears streaming down her face. Finally, she managed, "I'm so sorry, Colin."

"Me too. We could've had something Ginny, if only-"

"I know, but it didn't work that way. I just can't-"

"Shh. I don't need an explanation, sweetie, just a goodbye kiss. Even if you never felt anything, I have, and I'm so sorry you never did," Colin said.

So they kissed for the last time, and this time, Ginny did feel something. Sorrow. She was so sorry that she had to do this, but she just couldn't be with Colin while Harry was around. It was too hard. They kissed long and deep. Finally, they broke away.

"I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you," she said.

"Me too."

"Goodbye, Colin," whispered Ginny, and she walked down the corridor back to breakfast.

"Goodbye," whispered Colin. But Ginny was out of earshot, and she didn't hear him. Back at the Gryffindor table, Ginny sat down with her friends to eat.

"Ginny, what's wrong?" Beth gasped, seeing her red eyes.

"I-I broke up w-with Colin!" she said.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" said Jessica.

Ginny looked up and met Alex's eyes. She knew he'd want to talk about it later. This time, she had no objections.

"Me too," said Stephen.

Back at the teacher's table, Harry saw Ginny crying. He wanted to go to her. To comfort her and hold her, like he would've done in the old days. But he knew he couldn't. He was a teacher, and she a student. There were barriers that couldn't be crossed now. In the old days, he could've done anything with her, and it wouldn't matter.but that was all gone now, all because he had been so stupid. He remembered the day that they had first kissed, and that was the day he knew that he was in love with her.

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They left Hogsmeade earlier than usual. It was their second date, and Harry had been in Heaven the whole time. He and Ginny were going back to Hogwarts to sit under a willow tree (not the Whomping Willow) next to the lake. When they got there, they sat down.

"It's beautiful here, isn't it, Harry?" Ginny had asked.

"Yes, it sure is." But Harry had been looking at Ginny when he said that. He buried his face in her curls and breathed deep the smell of her. Ginny giggled and grabbed his hand.

Harry leaned back against the tree, pulling Ginny into his lap and up against his chest. She fit perfectly.

They lay like that and talked for a long time. After awhile, Ginny had fallen asleep. Harry watched her sleep, thinking how beautiful and peaceful she looked. He fell asleep thinking this.

When he had woken, Ginny was still sleeping, but her face was glowing. He was amazed and wondered how she could do that. Then he looked up and saw that the sun was setting. It was the most beautiful sunset he had ever seen. He awoke Ginny.

"Oh, that sunset is so beautiful!" Ginny had exclaimed.

"Not as beautiful as some things," Harry said, looking at her.

"Oh, Harry!" she said.

Harry took her hand and stood her up. They walked to the edge of the lake and looked at the reflection of the sunset in the water. That was where he had first kissed her. He had pulled her to him and held her tightly against him. He entwined his arms around her waist and kissed her long and deep. He could feel her hands in his hair and he shuddered. This had to be Heaven, he had thought. When Harry and Ginny broke away, they stood there side by side looking out at the lake. He wrapped his arm around her. That was when he realized that he was in love with her. They started back up to the castle hand in hand, and Harry knew he wanted to be with her the rest of his life.but that had not happened.

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"Harry! Harry!" yelled Ron.

"Huh? What?" Harry was snapped out of his thoughts.

"Breakfast is over, Harry. Hermoine wanted me to stay behind to snap you out of whatever it was you were in. What were you doing anyway? You sh- should've seen your f-face!" said Ron, trying not to laugh. "It was the funniest expression I've ever seen on someone! You had a distant look in your eyes, your tongue was hanging out, and you looked so happy, and your eyes! They were so big! They looked bigger than Dobby's!" Ron burst out laughing.

"I don't know what came over me, I was just day dreaming, I guess," said Harry.

"About what exactly? Some sort of super model? You were just about drooling! I don't know why you were like that and I don't care either! That face was priceless!"

"Well, I'd better get to class. I wonder who I have first?" said Harry, attempting to make Ron forget.

"Uhh.go find out," said Ron.

Harry collected his books and papers and walked out of the Great Hall.

"See ya at break, then!" he called to Ron.

"Yeah, see ya!" Ron called back, still laughing.

Ginny looked at her schedule. The Gryffindor's all had Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Hufflepuff's first. She groaned inwardly. She wasn't ready to see Harry yet! She arrived early and sat down in the front. Why she didn't choose the back, she didn't know. A few seconds later, Harry walked in.

"Oh, um, I just wanted to be here early," Ginny quickly said.

"That's okay," said Harry. "I don't mind."

"Oh, then, okay."

It was an awkward moment, just the two of them in a classroom. In the old days, they both would've seized the opportunity eagerly. But now, Harry was a teacher and Ginny.wasn't. Plus Ginny thought we have broken up, and he doesn't think of me that way anymore.

"Uhh, Ginny," said Harry.

"What?" she asked.

"I just wanted to tell you that-"

But at that moment, the bell rang, and the students all flooded into the classroom. Alex took a seat next to Ginny before anyone else could. He passed her a note. It said:

Ginny,

Did you really break up with Colin? I'm sorry. Anyway, did you want to talk about it? You can talk to me if you want. Don't forget it. I want to help you, okay? I'll see you later,

Your friend, Alex

Ginny smiled. She quickly scribbled a note:

Alex,

Thank you. I would like to talk about it. How about during lunch? Meet me at the lake.

Your friend, Ginny

She gave the note to Alex. He smiled and nodded his head.

"Okay, class. I'm your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. You can all call me Professor Potter. Now, I would all like you to turn to page."

Professor Potter??? I never thought of calling him that! Ginny thought to herself. How weird. "Ginny? Ginny? Would you like to join us? We're on page 791," said Harry.

"Okay," said Ginny. She quickly turned to the page, her face turning a deep scarlet from embarrassment.

"Now, as I was saying, we will be learning about."

Ginny listened to his voice. It was such a wonderful one. It always calmed and soothed her. The lesson flew by extremely fast. Before you knew it, the bell had rung and the Gryffindor's headed to their next lesson.

Soon it was lunch break. They all sat down and ate lunch. Since it was a nice fall day, the staff had set up picnic blankets outside, one for each House. Some of the students, however, took their food somewhere else. Ginny, Alex, Stephen, Jessica, Beth, Brittany, and Amy were a few of these people. They found a nice place by the lake to eat their food.

"This is real cool. We never get to do this. At least not a lot," said Ginny.

"Yeah, it's-" but Amy was interrupted by a voice.

"Mind if we sit here?" asked Ron. Ginny looked at the group that was with Ron. There was Hermione, Louis, Daniel, Lanett (I've decided to change Taylor's name to Lanett-pronounced: La Net-don't ask why I put how you pronounced it because I don't know), Ron, and.Harry.

"Uhh.sure!" said Amy. "Of coarse you can sit here!"

"Thanks," said Hermione. The six all took seats. Harry sat next to Ginny.

"Hoo-boy, Ginny. Just act normal. Act like you're over him. Don't forget to breathe," thought Ginny to herself.

Soon all were eating and talking happily. Except Ginny, who was lost in her thoughts (when Ginny is thinking, I will put { } since the italics get changed when I post the chapters).

{Why is he sitting so close to me! I can't think! Is he doing this on purpose? I hope not because if he's acting like this to purposely drive me nuts, I'll-}

"Ginny!" said Hermione.

"Huh? What?"

"I said how did you like my lesson? Was it okay? Did I seem to strict?" Hermione asked anxiously. "I, uhh, thought it was, uhh, great!" said Ginny.

"Was I really that bad?"

"No! I mean, no, you were wonderful," said Ginny.

That seemed to satisfy Hermione because she beamed. Ginny looked casually out over the lake only to see a forlorn Colin sitting all by himself under a tree. Ginny grew more depressed. Beth must have seen Colin too, because she said all of a sudden,

"I'll be right back you guys."

Ginny watched her walk away and eventually get to Colin, sit next to him, and put her arm over his shoulder.

"I doubt she'll be back," said Stephen.

"Why?" asked Amy.

"Well, for one thing, she took her food with her and look over there," Stephen said. They all looked where Stephen had pointed.

"Oh. Well.that was.uhh.unexpected!" said Amy, a little bit huffily.

{What's her problem? Does she like Colin?} No one else seemed to hear the huffy tone in Amy's voice though.

They finished lunch and went back up to the castle. Ginny noticed that Beth and Colin walked up hand in hand. {What is going on here?} She asked herself. {Everything is changing}.

(A/N) Well, I'm going to stop this chapter here. I just read a review that said: "I think the author is dead everybody.this fanfic has not been updated in weeks!" It made me laugh. A matter has been brought to my short attention span that Hermione couldn't have a one-month old baby and be almost ready to have another one. Oh, well. That's something I over looked. Let's just say that Hermione is pregnant (as in she just got pregnant) but doesn't know it yet, okay? There, that's settled. Thank you so much for all the reviews. Keep reviewing! Please understand that it takes me awhile to write chapters. Not because I get writer's block, but because I have a busy life and don't get much of a chance to work on my story much. It's okay. I love all of the reviews I get. Even if you flame me, because that means you read the story at least! I love all who review! Keep it up and please don't give up on me!

Love to ya all, WolfEyes