Chapter Three: Under the Trees
On the way to herbology, Harry pulled Ginney aside. "Meet me outside after classes?" he whispered. She nodded quickly, and they both scurried off to their first period classes.
***
That afternoon Harry and Ginney met outside in the courtyard. Harry looked around to see if anyone was watching, then led her over to a little group of trees where they had at least some hope of getting a little privacy. They sat down next to each other on the grass under a large oak tree. They were silent for a few minutes, neither really knowing what to say.
Finally Harry sighed. "Ginney, last night…"
She looked up at him and saw the look of wonder in his eyes. "Harry, you--you can't understand how long I've waited… I, I mean, it's been years…"
He nodded. "I'm so sorry," he said earnestly. "I, I didn't know…! I, I didn't mean to make you wait so long…" he trailed off. She smiled, and shook her head. "It's gone now, Harry, it's all right. Look, I've survived," she said gently. He smiled gratefully and kissed her sweetly.
They settled into each other's arms, leaning against the tree contentedly. "Ron looked pretty suspicious this morning," said Harry, sounding a bit amused. "Well, we were being a little weird," said Ginney, "I mean, what was he supposed to think with us smiling and blushing every five seconds?" Harry laughed. "I guess you're right," he said, "So we should probably tell him what's been going on…"
Ginney paused for a moment, thinking. "But Harry… what exactly is going on?" she asked carefully. Harry thought for a moment, caught off guard by her question. "…I don't know…" he answered, "I'm rather new to all this…"
She nodded. "But, I guess… well…" he continued, "well if you wanted… maybe… you could be… my girlfriend?" The words came hard for him, though he wasn't sure why. It was a strange feeling for him, he had never really considered the idea of having a girlfriend at all and now here he was asking a girl who until yesterday had been nothing more than Ron's little sister to be his. He swallowed. She squealed happily and threw her arms around his neck. "Of course!" she exclaimed, accentuated with a sweet little kiss on his cheek. He smiled, relieved, and sighed contently.
After another few moments of silence, a thought occurred to Harry. "Um, I still think we should tell Ron," he said, "but do you think maybe we could try to keep all this from your other brothers?"
Her eyes grew wide at the thought of Fred and George finding out and she nodded urgently. "Oh definitely! Fred and George would drive me crazy with teasing!" Harry smiled a little, the twins were certainly their own brand of villain.