Harry wasn't supposed to tell anyone about what he had learned that night, not even Hermione or Ron. This wasn't hard, considering Ron wasn't even speaking to him.

He still couldn't figure out why Ron was mad at him and Hermione. Harry had figured out something was up though. Whenever Ron was nearby, Hermione would hold Harry's hand or laugh at nothing. Harry couldn't figure out what was so funny.

Word spread throughout the school that the Care of Magical Creature teacher, Hagrid, was back. Harry acted just as surprised as Hermione when Parvati came and told them. Hermione insisted on skipping lunch so they could go and visit him instead. Harry agreed it would be fun. They ran down to his cabin and knocked on the door. When Hagrid opened it, he smiled broadly and grabbed Hermione in a hug.

"Great ter see yeh, Hermione," he bellowed, "And Harry, long time no see, eh?" He winked before he grabbed Harry in a hug. Hagrid invited them in and put out a plate of rock cakes; Hermione looked at Harry and sighed silently.

"Hagrid, will you tell us what the mission was that Dumbledore sent you on?" Hermione asked before she tried to bite into a rock cake; Harry was already pounding his on the table in an attempt to crack it into smaller pieces.

"Er..." Hagrid was interrupted by the sound of Fang's howls as he bounded in and knocked a surprised Hermione to the floor.

"Fang, stop that," Hagrid berated. The large boarhound cowered into a corner as Hagrid poured out cups of tea, "I can' tell yeh, Hermione. Dumbledore's orders."

Hermione looked at Hagrid in a state of mixed shock and disappointment. Harry did his best to match the look on her face. Harry quickly changed the subject and went on to tell Hagrid all that had gone on while he had been gone, Hermione chiming in.

"--And Katie Bell was made captain, and Ron was made keeper! We were so psyched--"

"Where is Ron anyway?" Hagrid asked and looked back at the two. It hit Harry. Of course, it would be odd to see Hermione and himself without Ron. Hagrid was probably very curious; it was then that there was a knock at the door. Hagrid went to go answer it and Harry heard muffled excitement. Hermione scowled when she saw the knocker, Ron. "It's great ter see yeh, Ron! C'mon in. I have other guests," Hagrid bellowed.

Ron walked in and sneered at the sight before him. Harry stared at Ron in anxiety; this was going to be bad, Harry thought. Hermione put her nose in the air and grabbed Harry's arm rather hard, "Come on, Harry. I think it is time for us to be leaving." Harry decided maybe it was better that they left and so didn't resist when Hermione began dragging him out of the hut, "Thanks for tea, Hagrid," Hermione hissed, "It was wonderful."

"Okay, uh..." Hagrid said in surprise, "I'll be seein' yeh."

Harry grew tired of being with Hermione as the week wore on. All the added affection was starting to get to him. By the time the weekend came, Harry had had enough. He could not spend the whole weekend with Hermione and there was no way Ron would hang out with him. He decided to go to Hogsmeade through the secret passageway and spend the morning there alone.

When Saturday morning came, Harry got his Invisibility Cloak and headed for the statue of the humpbacked witch, bright and early. When he was half way there, he realized he had forgotten the Marauder's Map, but he didn't want to take his chances and go back. He only had a couple hours before Hermione would suspect. Just to be sure, though, Harry kept a wary eye out as he walked down the halls. Soon, the witch came into view. He sneaked closer and closer. Then he heard something coming from the nearby, dark classroom. Someone was crying. Harry wondered if maybe someone needed help. Of course, it could just be Moaning Myrtle, but he was still curious. Harry peeked into the room and saw Ginny's back facing him, sitting in the corner and sobbing.

"Ginny! Are you ok?" Harry asked. Ginny turned around abruptly, her eyes red and wet.

"Who's there?" Ginny cried. Harry suddenly realized his invisibility cloak was still on. He stepped into the dark room and walked over to Ginny, then he took off the invisibility cloak. Ginny breathed in, but before she could scream, Harry covered her mouth, her mahogany eyes staring at him in shock.

"Sorry I scared you." Harry chuckled. He removed his hand from her mouth and stared longingly at her lips as they curled into a smile. In an effort to make himself resist, he spoke to her, "Is something wrong, Ginny?"

"Harry! What are you doing here at this hour? And what's that?" Ginny cried, pointing at the invisibility cloak.

"Oh, um, it's an invisibility cloak. I, erm, was thinking of going to Hogsmeade," Harry said, smirking. Ginny giggled, amused by Harry's mischief. She wiped tears off her silky cheeks.

"Why were you crying, Ginny," Harry asked, as he sat down next to her.

"Oh, you would laugh, Harry. You don't need to know--"

"I won't laugh. Tell me,"

"Um, well," Ginny blushed scarlet, "Last night, my friends and I were talking, and I told them who I like and they laughed at me," she said this very fast and turned crimson.

"Why would they laugh?" Harry interrogated.

"Um, well," Ginny stood up, and shuffled her feet, "They don't think he is erm, cute. But I think he is!" She looked into Harry's eyes for the first time.

By this time, Harry was as scarlet as Ginny was. Why was Ginny telling him all of this? He stood up, moving closer to her, and decided he should just pretend he didn't know who this boy was and be brave, "Well, that shouldn't upset you so much, if you fancy this boy, is there something else?" Harry suddenly realized how close they were standing. Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes and a tear fell down her cheek,

"They said that he would never ask me out, because I'm not pretty enough," She sobbed into her hands.

"They said he wouldn't think you are pretty!?" Harry bellowed, "Well this boy is obviously blind, because, well," Harry blushed, "You're so beautiful and all..." Ginny looked up in surprise. She blushed brightly and smiled. Harry looked back into her eyes, despite his embarrassment at his bravery. He felt them grow closer and closer. Harry saw her lips were so close and so inviting. His thoughts were in a jumble, when he heard a noise out in the hall.

"Quick! Under here," Harry scrambled under a table and put the invisibility cloak over both of them.

"I could have sworn I heard something Mrs. Norris, and at 6 in the morning." Mr. Filch's voice said, "Honestly! Those Weasley twins never give up, do they? I found one of them in a closet two nights ago, kissing that Gryffindor girl, Angelina. Of course, I couldn't tell which Weasley it was, never can you know. I seriously vomited after I gave the two lovebirds detention. Can you imagine, Mrs. Norris?" Mr. Filch's voice faded away, still rambling about Fred and Angelina being found. When the coast was clear, Harry and Ginny got out from under the table and snickered as softly as they could. Fred and Angelina had been caught kissing, Harry thought as he snickered along with Ginny. As soon as the laughter subsided, Harry came up with an idea.

"Hey Ginny,"

"Yes?"

"Well, I was wondering," Harry shuffled his feet, "do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me? It'll only be for a couple hours, just to get away from your friends, you know. It will be loads of fun."

Ginny smiled happily, "Of course, I'd love to, Harry."

"Ok, then, follow me," Harry smiled and pulled Ginny close to him, putting the invisibility cloak over both of them. They sneaked into the halls and over to the one-eyed witch. Harry whispered the password ("Dissendium") and the two crept into the tunnel that would lead to Honeydukes. After entering the tunnel, Harry took the invisibility cloak off and began to tell a bewildered Ginny all about his adventures using the Marauder's Map. He decided he shouldn't tell her, about who exactly the Marauder's were, not just yet, so he pretended he had no idea.

Honeydukes had just opened when the two reached it. By luck, they were able to trick the shopkeeper into thinking they had entered through the front door. They each got a bag full of chocolate frogs and licorice wands and then headed for The Three Broomsticks. Harry bought Ginny and himself a butterbeer each, and the two sat in a corner, giggling over a group of bickering goblins. After they finished their butterbeers and the goblins finished their bickering, they went to all the near by stores, goggling over strange merchandise. Two hours passed before they went on a walk to look at the Shrieking Shack. Harry hesitated at the foot of the hill that led up to the Shrieking Shack. Sirius and Remus were in there. What if they saw him? He was sure to get in trouble. Ginny turned around when she saw him hesitating.

"What are you waiting for, Harry," She smiled and giggled at the look on Harry's face, "Come on." Ginny reached to grab Harry's hand as Harry stared at her. For a split second, he saw something surprising. In a flash, the red-haired girl in the gossamer dress, silhouetted by the rising sun, was reaching for his hand.

The girl of his dreams.

He took her hand, but when he looked up, it was only Ginny, in her shabby robes, her smiling face and mahogany eyes shining in the glare of the sun. Harry laughed at the oddity of it and walked up the hill with Ginny, forgetting about Sirius and Remus. When they reached the top, he saw no lights in the windows, no sign that anyone lived in there. Maybe it was for the best, he thought.

"Ginny? Is that you?" A familiar voice called behind them. Harry and Ginny turned around to find Fred and Angelina standing hand in hand at the bottom of the hill. Harry and Ginny couldn't help but giggle.

"What are you laughing at?" Fred chuckled as he and Angelina climbed up the hill. When they reached the top, Fred gave Harry a look of surprise, "Harry! What are you doing here? With my--" A look of understanding came on his face. Harry flushed slightly and quickly changed the subject,

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked.

"We were just going for a walk," Angelina said brightly.

"All the way to Hogsmeade?" Ginny whooped.

"Well, you're here too!" Fred barked. They all laughed.

"Actually, we should be getting back, Ginny," Harry said.

"You're right! People will begin to look for us. Care to join us?" Ginny said to Fred and Angelina.

"Gladly," Angelina said, despite a look of disappointment on Fred's face. They all headed for Honeydukes where again luck was on their side as they all managed to make it to the secret tunnel without being caught. It was a good walk back, with much laughter at Fred's jokes, until Angelina and Ginny went into conversation near the end of the tunnel and Fred lagged behind with Harry. Harry knew the questions weren't going to be easily answered.

"So, did you have fun with my sister?" Fred began.

"Yes, it was loads of fun!" Harry remarked truthfully.

"You didn't, you know, do anything, right?" Fred said slowly.

"Of course not!" Harry said loudly, as he felt himself flush. He couldn't help but think how close he had gotten to "doing something" though. By now, they had reached the one eyed witch. They all climbed through the entrance and blended into a crowd of Ravenclaws heading for breakfast so they wouldn't look suspicious. Fred kept close to Harry, to Harry's dismay. Harry got an idea.

"Hey Fred, you promise not to tell anyone about me and Ginny going to Hogsmeade, right? And tell Angelina not to, too. Please?"

"Ok," Fred reluctantly promised as they went into the common room that Angelina had opened, "Why?"

"I dunno," Harry lied.

"Hey Harry, do you fancy my sister?" Fred asked. Harry's heart froze. It was then that he realized the truth, despite the fact that he wasn't very comfortable with it yet.

"No," Harry barked loudly. Fred stared at Harry in disbelief for a minute. Suddenly Harry and Fred heard loud footsteps. Harry turned around just in time to see Ginny's tear stricken face slamming the dorm door. She had heard, and he had hurt her.

Harry had a dream for the first time in a long time that night. He was in Hogsmeade and there was a full moon again. Dazed from the suddenness of his arrival in Hogsmeade, Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around, noticing that he was at the foot of the hill that led to the Shrieking Shack. His eyes rested on the moon, shining brightly at the horizon of the hilltop.

Then, he focused at the top of the hill. The red-haired beauty stood there, her silken robes gently blowing in the wind. But, she was not smiling this time, her face sullen and tear-stained. Harry ran to her, but when he was near her, he ran into a barrier, a glass wall between them. He put his face against the wall and lined his hand with the girl's hands. She spoke, but Harry couldn't hear her.

Harry woke as a tear fell down her cheek; her image fading from his mind as the top of his bed canopy came into blurry focus. He dressed and put on his glasses, thinking only of his dream and it's connection to the day before.

They both had red hair. They both had the same smile. Harry couldn't believe it. Was he truly falling for Ginny? His former best friend's little sister? Harry nearly tripped over a toad as he walked down the steps to the common room.

"Catch him, Harry!" Neville shrieked as he, Dean, and Seamus came running in his direction, inevitably after Trevor the toad. Harry casually bent over and picked up the toad, gave it to Neville, and moved on, without saying a word. Neville muttered thanks and looked at Harry with a look of concern. Harry didn't stop to notice after he picked up his books, still on the table, and headed for breakfast.

When he reached the Great Hall, Hermione ran up to him and started babbling immediately, "Harry, I hope you finished that Transfiguration report last night after I left you. You looked odd last night, is something up?"

"I am doing great Hermione, and you?" Harry replied, rather absent-mindedly.

"Harry, you're not yourself!" Hermione gasped as she looked into Harry's face.

"I told you I am fine!" Harry yelled. Hermione cowered and took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table farthest from Ron. Harry noticed immediately and breathed a sigh of relief since Ron was sitting next to Ginny. When Harry finally decided to turn his mind away from Ginny and his confusing dreams, he keyed in on Hermione and Lavender, who were already talking.

"Isn't it great though? No more Professor Right!" Hermione twitted.

"What are you talking about, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Hagrid's first lesson back is today, Harry! Don't you remember?" Hermione said.

"Oh yeah, that's right. I hope he bring nifflers again." Harry grinned. Harry was surprised when he saw what the creature Hagrid had for them was. It was a cat. Harry grimaced at the cat in confusion. Why would they need to learn about cats?

"A cat? Why do we need to learn about cats?" Hermione questioned. Obviously, she was thinking the same thing Harry was thinking. Harry sighed heavily as Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle strutted up to the cat and laughed.

"I should have known!" Draco snickered to those who would listen, "The old oaf's first day back and his first lesson is on cats! He's a joke!" All the Slytherins began to laugh loudly, and to Harry's surprise, a couple of Gryffindors joined in. Hermione scowled and looked as if she was about to begin something ugly, when Hagrid came around the corner, looking as jolly as usual. Harry peered over in the other corner spotting Ron near Neville. Ron had been staring at Harry, but immediately looked away when he saw Harry had seen him. Harry sighed deeply and turned his attention to Hagrid.

"Hey, Professor," Malfoy said this as if he was telling a joke, "Were you gone that whole time, just looking for a CAT for us to poke at?" The Slytherin's roared as Hagrid flushed slightly. Hagrid coughed and picked up the cat, which looked rather perturbed.

"This ain't a cat. It's a kneazle," Hagrid replied calmly, "See the tail?" Hagrid held up it's tail, which Harry just noticed was missing all of it's hair, except for a tuft of hair at the end, "Kneazles are very unique. They can be domesticated, but only if they grow a bond between someone. They are kept usually by detectives 'cause they can sniff out criminals. They usually are light colored, like this yella' one." The students looked at the kneazle in fascination.

Parvati spoke up, "Where did you get that one, Hagrid?"

Hagrid beamed, "This one was livin' in my pumpkin patch all year. She's pregnant." The girls all cooed in excitement.

"Will we get to see its babies?" Pansy cooed, obviously caught up in the excitement. Draco scowled at her.

"O' Course. Pumpkin's due in abou' 2 weeks," Hagrid beamed, "Kneazles can be interbred with cats, but in the wild will only breed with pure-bred kneazles or those that have kneazle blood in them, half-breeds. That means there must be a male around here; I have been lookin' for him. Unless they are pure-bred, like this one, they will not have the bald tail."

"Wow, she is so cute!" Lavender cried, "Isn't she Hermione?" But, apparently Hermione wasn't listening. She looked like she was thinking hard. Lavender didn't seem to mind, though. Harry looked at Hermione in concern, but took her off his mind as Hagrid let the students come up one at a time to pet the kneazle. When it was Harry's turn, Hagrid began to talk softly.

"Is somethin' up between you an' Ron, Harry?" Hagrid asked.

"He got mad at me, but I don't know why," Harry said as he pet the soft kneazle.

"Ah, well, you'll figger it out righ'?" Hagrid said assuredly.

"Yeah, I guess so," Harry sighed as he glanced at Ron who was busy talking to Neville. Harry didn't tell Hagrid that it had been almost 2 months since they had talked.

When the lesson ended, Harry walked off quickly, not wanting more questions from Hagrid. But, Hermione ran up ahead of Harry.

"Where are you going, Hermione?" Harry asked in concern.

"I need to go to the library, alone. See you!" She called over her shoulder. Harry sighed and walked to the common room, also alone.




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Disclaimer- The characters, setting, etc. belong to the most talented writer in the world (JK Rowling), yet the plot was developed, with inspiration from the greatest writer in the world, by yours truly ;o)