A/N: Heeeelllllloooooooo guys!!!!!! I'm back after a thousand years of absence (I mean a week's absence)!!!! I'm really really sorry about not updating lately. I'm too busy with my studies. Here's the next chapter… If you like me to write faster PLEEEZZEEE review!!!! I really love to know what you think.

Hey Lil! How's my fanfic doing? Wish you'll review soon. I also love the sunrise thingy. It's one of my favorite. Thanks for your reviews I'm really happy you liked my fanfic. Animalcrackers… thanks for the compliment I really appreciate it too. It must be your lucky day today because I uploaded a new chapter. To Danielle, hey I like your name and thanks for the review. D.G. Revlis, well I'm trying my best to write the next chapter fast and you can help me if you send me some reviews (",) Don't worry I'll make Harry and Ginny closer next chapter…Harry'll get jealous about something…. That's the next chapter! Soon to be posted. I also like Hermione and Ron—and my friend, Lil has done a great one which is Not On Foundation Day! It's Humor/Romance, Hermione and Ron by Lil. Please see it if you have the time too… (Hey Lil, I got you some readers!!)

Chapter 9

An Act of True Friendship

Three weeks had passed by quickly and most of the days, the rain poured continuously. The month of October came full of promising activities for Hogwarts students. The most awaited first visit of the year at Hogsmeade on the middle of October always thrilled the students (especially the third years) and the upcoming Quidditch season on the end of October. Harry, as the Gryffindor team captain, had been busy arranging the Quidditch practices (for the Quidditch season) after their classes. Ron, as the new Gryffindor Keeper, was also busy training with Harry and the rest of the team every other night after dinner (that was, every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).

Although Harry and Ron were always busy with their practices, the two didn't find it as an excuse to miss any chance of seeing Hermione, Maya and Ginny. Every night, the five would always stay up late in the common room just to chat and do their assignments together.

"I still can't believe I'm already the Gryffindor Keeper!" Ron said in a tone more likely to be gloating than surprised. "I mean—I thought I wasn't that good but here I am!" He continued a smile on his face while waving his Divination book in the air.

Harry and the others were all laughing at Ron's statement all except Hermione who was telling Ron to shut up ("Ron shut up or you might wake the whole Gryffindor!" She hissed in a low tone.)

It was always that way for the five of them. They just stayed there on those soft, comfy armchairs reading their books.

"So are you finished with your Potions essay Ron?" Hermione asked, trying to change the topic to stop Ron from talking in his loud voice. "Let me check it." She demanded.

"I still can't figure out the third ingredient of this potion…" Ron grumbled, flipping his book abruptly.

"You won't find it if you'll keep on flipping it that way, Ron." Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"Honestly, Hermione, you should stop telling me what to do, you know." Ron grinned, sticking his tongue out.

Harry smiled at the two. Even though the two were already a couple, they still had their normal routine of fighting. Harry wished that if he were to have a girlfriend, he and the girl would just be like the two—living a normal life as a couple. Harry sighed then returned to the parchment he was reading.

"Any problem, Harry?" Maya asked, looking at Harry.

Harry looked up and met Maya's eyes, her beautiful brown eyes. Funny, Harry thought. If I were in this same situation and I were looking into Cho's eyes I feel myself blushing. But I'm not feeling anything right now…

"Nothing." Harry said after a long silence.

Maya smiled and returned into her own parchment.

"Have you heard that the first visit to Hogsmeade will be coming this next weekend?!" Ginny said suddenly.

All of them looked at her excitedly.

She smiled. "Just nine days more and were going to Hogsmeade!!!" She said.

"Yes!!!!" Everyone cheered.

"Shhhhh!!!!!" Everyone said together suddenly, noticing the noise they were making.

Everyone fell silent then stared at each other…. then a burst of laughter. The whole common room was filled with the five's joyous laughs.

"I can't wait to drink a big cup of butterbeer!" Harry said after the laughter died out.

"Yeah, and the candy shop. We got to visit that again! I liked those candy quills!" Ron said, yawning.

"And the bookstore! I want to buy the book Professor Vector recommended!" Hermione said, her eyes sparkling.

"Can I go with you, Hermione? I'm going to buy another Muggle book—it's a collection of stories made by what Muggles call 'Walt Niney'…" Ginny said.

"What 'Walt Niney' are you talking about, Gin?" Hermione asked curiously.

Harry laughed. "Ginny's talking about 'The Walt Disney Collection'." He said.

"Yeah, that's it, Walt Disney!" She said happily. "I thought Muggles call it Niney…" She said absentmindedly. (A/N: Can't blame Ginny… She's not a Muggle but I'm sure you know Walt Disney, right?)

"Oh no! It looks like we got two book worms in the group already!" Ron said, his face terror stricken.

"Shut up, Ronnie boy!" Ginny sulked, throwing a crumpled parchment straight at Ron's face.

"Yeah, shut up, Ronnie boy!" Hermione agreed, elbowing Ron.

"Hey, stop calling me Ronnie boy! I'm not a boy anymore okay?" Ron grumbled.

"But it suits you just right…Ronnie boy!!" Maya said, giggling.

"Maya!!!" Ron groaned. "Come on, Harry you know me better. Tell these girls to stop calling me that. Go on Harry." Ron said, pleading to Harry.

Harry grinned. "Okay I'll tell them to stop… Ron—nie boy!" He said, grinning wider.

"Gee, thanks Harry. I appreciate your help," said Ron, pouting.

"Rise and shine, Harry!" Ron said, throwing a pillow at Harry's face.

"Ouch!!" Harry cried. "Ron!! What are you doing?" He said, sitting up.

"Getting my revenge, twerp!" Ron said with a grin. "You should stop calling me Ronnie boy, you know."

"Okay, okay, Ron." Harry said, opening his trunk. "You wait for me downstairs while I get ready for breakfast." He said with a towel on his shoulder.

"I get a feeling I'm going to have a tough day today… I hope Snape won't mind if I sleep in his class…. I'm still sleepy." Harry said, yawning.

"I think he won't mind Harry," said Ron, "he'll just get a big chunk of points from Gryffindor if you do that. He will not mind taking points because of you, I'm sure he won't." Ron said as he headed for the door.

"Yeah, I think you're right… Ronnie boy." Harry said a little louder so Ron could hear him.

"I said stop calling me Ronnie boy!!!!" Ron's voice echoed from the staircase.

"Hi, Harry!" Ginny greeted as Harry sulkily sat in front of her for breakfast.

"Hello." Harry said blankly.

"You okay?" Maya asked, looking worried.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Harry replied, still in the same manner. "I'm just a little dizzy. That's all."

"You should eat then," said Ginny, handing Harry some toast and pouring some milk into his goblet.

"Thanks, Gin." Harry said, flashing a grateful smile.

Slightly blushing, Ginny smiled back. "That's all right." She said.

"Ginny, we better leave or Professor McGonagall will turn us into clocks or something!!" Maya suddenly said, looking at her watch.

Panicking, Ginny hurriedly ate her toast and snatched her bag. "Okay." She said.

"Come on, Gin. Hurry!" Maya called out. She was already walking hurriedly to the doors.

"Bye guys! See you later!" Ginny said and ran to her friend. Her vermilion hair bouncing merrily as she ran.

Harry felt his lips curling into a soft smile as he looked at Ginny run away. She's really funny…, Harry thought as Ginny disappeared through the soaring crowd.

"What's with the dreamy smile, Harry?" Ron said suddenly, looking at the direction Harry was looking at. Fortunately, Ginny was already gone so Ron didn't see anything.

"Huh?" Harry asked. "Umm… nothing." He said.

"Let's go then," said Hermione, placing her bag over her shoulder and getting some of her books from the table.

"I'll carry your books, Hermione." Ron offered, getting them immediately.

"Thanks, Ronnie boy." Hermione smiled.

"I'll appreciate it very much if you'd stop calling me Ronnie boy, please…" Ron said through gritted teeth.

Hermione giggled. "But I like to call you that…. It's really cute!!" She giggled again.

Ron sighed helplessly. "Girls…. They always get it their way." He mumbled to himself.

Harry smiled, watching the two as they headed to the dark dungeons of Hogwarts.

"I'll just give this to Professor McGonagall, okay? You go straight to the Great Hall. I'll meet you there." Harry said to Ron and Hermione as he ran through the corridors.

I hope I've done this report right, thought Harry. Professor McGonagall likes to know how the team is doing and I think we're doing fine. I'm really nervous about the upcoming Quidditch season already… He thought, walking faster and faster through the corridors.

"So, how's Potter's girlfriend doing?" Harry suddenly heard a cold voice from the nearby aisle.

"Shut up!" A girl's voice replied.

It was Ginny and she was talking to—no other than—Malfoy!

"So, Potter dumped you, eh?" Malfoy continued to tease.

Ginny didn't answer for a while. "Leave me alone, Malfoy!" She shouted, her voice quaked a little.

Harry knew that from Ginny's voice she was already going to cry. "Damn, Malfoy! Stop pestering Ginny," Harry muttered under his breath. He was already going to go for Malfoy but Malfoy talked again and Harry stopped in his place.

"For a Weasley, you know…you're cute." Malfoy said with a dead serious tone. (A/N: Oh my gosh! Draco likes Ginny!!! Harry do something!!!!) "You're not suited for Potter, he stinks!" Malfoy said, full of hatred as he pronounced Harry's name.

"Yeah right, Malfoy." Ginny said, laughing coldly. She knew Malfoy was only fooling around. Just thinking that this was true gave Ginny the shivers. So she played along with his game. "And who do you think suits me?" She asked, looking uninterested with the topic.

Malfoy smirked. "Why… I thought you already know the answer to that, Ginny."

"Oh, yeah." Ginny said, raising her eyebrow. "Well, it so happens that I don't know the answer, Malfoy!"

"A guy like me," said Malfoy coolly. "A guy that's better than Harry Potter or any body else out there. We'll make a remarkable pair."

"Yeah right." Ginny said, trying hard not to laugh.

"Think it's funny?" Malfoy asked. "Well, I think what's funny is that you're hoping that Harry will like you!! I think I know why Harry doesn't like you, you're just a simple girl that's why. You're not as attractive as Cho or as brilliant as your brother's Mudblood girlfriend." Malfoy said, pointing his wand at Ginny's face.

Ginny looked really hurt and Harry could see that so he came to her aid.

"Stop it, Malfoy!" Harry shouted, standing beside Ginny. Ginny jumped in surprise to hear Harry's voice.

"Ooohh." Malfoy said, trying to sound scared. "Your boyfriend came to save you, Weasley." He smirked at Harry, who was now pointing his wand at Malfoy. Ginny looked from Malfoy to Harry; Harry's eyes were glaring straight at Malfoy.

"So how come you're protecting Weasley now, Potter? I thought you already dumped her?" Malfoy said, smirking wider and looking at Ginny.

"Just leave her alone, Malfoy!" Harry said, still not changing the mood in his eyes.

"I'll leave her alone when I want to, Potter." Malfoy replied.

"I said leave her alone NOW!" Harry shouted, his wand was already giving out red sparks at its end.

Ginny never saw Harry that mad about something even with Malfoy, usually Harry would take Malfoy lightly. She was already afraid for what might happen next. She slowly reached for Harry's robes and tugged it softly. "Never mind, Harry. Let's just leave." She said in a low whisper.

Harry's eyes slowly turned its shade from the furious green into its normal warm emerald as he looked at Ginny. He lowered his wand and sighed. "Are you all right?" He asked Ginny.

"I'm all right." Ginny answered, flashing a smile to reassure Harry.

Harry smiled back and turned back at Malfoy. "Just do this again Malfoy and I'll cut your throat into pieces." Harry said in a threatening manner.

Malfoy's smirk wasn't that wide anymore but just a thin line, his face paler than ever. "As if, Potter." He said.

Harry ignored what Malfoy had said. All he wanted was to get Ginny away from Malfoy—a hundred miles away from Malfoy. "Come on Gin," he said as he took Ginny's hand.

"You know Potter, you and Weasley are fit for each other… you look pathetic!" Malfoy shouted.

Harry just continued walking still holding Ginny's hand. After they turned the corner, Harry stopped walking and looked back at Ginny.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked with a trace of deep concern in his voice.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Ginny said softly.

"Why aren't you with Maya?" Harry asked.

"Well, she went off to feed Pouncer." Ginny replied. "Then when I was on my way, Malfoy blocked me and started bothering me." She explained.

"Are you sure you're okay now?" Harry asked, trying to make sure everything was all right. He still held Ginny's hand in his.

Ginny smiled. "I'm all right, Harry." She said. She squeezed Harry's hand and said, "Thanks for the help." She really liked it when Harry held her hand. It was like her body was full of warmth and she knew she was completely safe whenever Harry was around.

Harry smiled back. "That's all right." Then he took his hand away from Ginny's hand softly. "Where are you going now?" He asked, looking at the book on Ginny's hand.

"To the library. I'm going to return this book Hermione lent me." Ginny answered.

"Another Muggle book?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded. "You love reading them, don't you?"

"Well, I really like the stories and I keep looking for more." Ginny said with her happy tone. She turned her back and started walking again. "I'll just see you around, Harry. Thanks for the help again." She said, walking away.

Harry just stayed there for a moment watching Ginny leave, her bag over her shoulder and her lovely scorching red hair dancing as she walked.

"Ginny! Wait up!" Harry suddenly said.

Ginny stopped walking and saw Harry running towards her.

"What's the matter, Harry?" She asked, looking puzzled.

"I'll go with you." Harry said, gasping a bit. "Malfoy might try to follow you again or something." He said.

"Okay."

The two walked slowly through the corridors, Harry and Ginny walking closely to each other. Ginny noticed that almost everyone that was passing by was staring at them.

What's the matter with these people? Ginny thought. Then she heard a group of girls nearby blabbering and looking at them.

"Oh, Harry's so cute!!!" One of the girls said.

"That's the youngest Weasley right? What's her name..er.. Vinny?"

"That's Ginny."

"What does she got to do with Harry?" Another girl said.

"Is she his girlfriend or something???" Another one said.

Ginny was already blushing and she started walking faster.

"Ginny's so lucky he's got Harry…"

"I wish I was Ginny!!!"

"She's not Harry's girlfriend!" Ginny heard one of the girls remark. "I mean—she can't be!" The girl continued.

"You're just jealous, Hailey." Her friend said to the girl.

"Ginny's not Harry's girlfriend and I'll prove that." Hailey said.

And the rest of the conversation, Ginny did not hear anymore; she was already too far to hear any of their conversations.

Part of her was happy to be with Harry right now but the other part was doubtful—wasn't she really fit for Harry?

A/N: Please review (",) and tell me if this fanfic's useless or something. Please give me a review… I really need them to keep going!!!! Thanks to all of those who reviewed last time. Please review again.