Hey there you guys! I'm so so so so sorry that it's been three days, but let me explain: my computer decided to stop working a few days ago, so after hours and hours of trying to fix it, my dad decided it was time for him to take it in to get fixed by a professional. But right now, they're really busy, so I probably won't get it back for another two weeks or so. ARGH! So the only way I can upload is here at school. So I'm doing it right now, and then I'll go home and handwrite the next chapter, and if I get a chance tomorrow I'll load it then. I can do one on Wednesday, and I'll do my best to upload as often as I can after that, since finals start on Thursday. Don't worry, I'll do one AT LEAST every other day., alright? So hang in there1 Oi! Computers are dumb! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, and I'm glad you guys all loved the last one, so here we go! Thanks for hanging in there you guys1

Lauren

Disclaimer: I'm just as busy as J.K. right now, but that does not mean I own Harry Potter! Man, I can't think of a better one today, sorry guys…

Chapter four

Ginny looked up at Harry. He—he cares? But I thought that—

"Ginny, what is it? What's wrong?"

boy, he sure is making this hard…

All she wanted to do right then was cuddle up in his arms and take back everything she said that night and make everything better again. And Harry wasn't helping the situation either. He kept rubbing her hand, trying to coax her into revealing whatever it was she was hiding.

What is he doing? It almost seems like…no, what am I thinking? Of course he doesn't…

Harry didn't know why he was stroking her hand, but all he knew was that he wanted to take her into his arms and make her feel better, and appease whatever troubles were on her mind. What am I doing? Ah, we broke up, remember?? She probably still thinks you love her…wait, do I still love her?

Giny tried hard to look away from his green eyes, but they seemed to have her locked in a tight grip. She gulped, not knowing what else to do. Yes, I love her… he thought, pulling his hand away.

"Wait--" she said, without thinking.

"What?"

"Um, I just remembered, I'm going to be late for Arithmancy!" she yelped, taking off like a bullet. Harry sighed and turned back to the window. Ah, I knew it…it's hopeless, I don't know what I was thinking…

Ron and Hermione watched in pain. They had been so close…but at least they knew how Harry and Ginny really felt for each other. Now they were sure they could do something about it.

"Come on Harry, we've got Care of Magical creatures next, you know you don't want to be late for that!!" he said with a hint of cheery sarcasm. Harry smiled weakly as he stood up, banging his elbow against the table as he turned.

Harry was in utter disbelief at the quality of his day. He stared at the ground all the way to Hagrid's hut, clutching his elbow tightly as it burned under his hand. As soon as they reached the hut, Hagrid noticed the frustration on Harry's face.

"Blimey Harry, you look like you've just been-"

But Ron gave him a look that could only mean don't even start…

Ron and Hermione spent the rest of the class whispering to each other about their plan. Not like Harry would care, he was too busy sulking. How did I let this happen? I love her! Why did I just- just give up? I don't know what to do, I blew it…she wouldn't take me back, what a joke…

Harry didn't even notice when Ron and Hermione ran off after class without even saying goodbye. He just moped his way back to the common room, thinking he could just sit in a chair and fall asleep. Really, that was the only thing he could think of enjoying at that moment. But as soon as he got there, Ginny was already sitting there, looking into the fire. Harry thought about talking to her, but he wasn't quite sure he liked the direction his thoughts were leading him in. so he headed upstairs silently. Ginny heard a creak from behind her and turned around, and as she saw Harry's foot take it's last step before entering the dorm, she nearly called out his name. But the invisible hand of logic clasped over her mouth, and she turned back around, sadly. What was I thinking, he's probably already moved on or something…

Meanwhile…

Ron, are you sure we can do this without the cloak?? We have nothing to protect us! We're sneaking around in broad daylight, and anyone could see us! Why does this seem like a bad idea…" she said sarcastically, but Ron calmed her and led her down a hallway she had never seen before.

"Hermione, I've done this before, without Harry's cloak! Why, just the other night I did it, before I saw Harry, and I made it to the Quidditch pitch just fine! I promise, it's perfectly safe…"

Hermione drew her eyes up to Ron's, and he could feel her icy glare stinging him. Oh god, what did I just say that for??

"You did what?? When was this? You know you're not supposed to be sneaking out at night! And without a cloak?? And what do you mean 'before you saw Harry'?? You got Harry into this too??"

Ron was silent. Three, two, one…

"Is that how Harry hurt himself?!?!? Ronald Weasley, I swear…how could you be so irresponsible? It's going to take him two months to recover from that! Even if Pomfrey healed the break, she can't get rid of the pain! Oh, Ron, how do I-"

But she didn't get to finish. Ron clapped his hand over her mouth and pulled her backwards as a voice approached. Hermione gave a bit of a yelp, but heeded his strength and calmed down.

As soon as Snape headed around the corner, Ron and Hermione cautiously made their way down the steps to the dungeons. Thank god Snape's going the other way…

Ron pushed the door open slowly and let Hermione slide in before him. As he shut the door, he heard Hermione open the cabinet door, and a memory came back to him. Hermione was waiting for him to catch up with her, but he just stood there, looking at the wall.

"Ron, what is it?" she asked, a bit impatiently.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking…"

"Come here and help me find this stuff…it should be somewhere in the back, as I assume he doesn't use it very often…Ron, what are you doing?"

Well, Ron was just thinking about the last time they were in that room together, gathering ingredients for the potion to use against Malfoy…yes, that was a good day indeed. But he was brought back to the present by their current need for veritaserum.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Anyway, shall I look on the bottom shelf then?" he asked, slightly put out by the interruption.

"Sure, why don't you do that?" she said, rolling her eyes.

A few minutes later, Ron had found the small vial on the third shelf. After boasting, much to Hermione's embarrassment, he gave her a small kiss, as to make up for the fact that for maybe the first time ever, he succeeded, and she didn't. She accepted the apologetic offering, and suddenly she remembered the last time they had been in that room together…when he had kissed her. Good thing she didn't have a jar in her hand this time, because she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

"Hermione, not in here…remember? Unless you like Mrs. Norris watching us…" he said with a grin.

She took his hand and led him through the dungeon door and safely around the corner.

It took 20 minutes of begging and convincing (and buying time for Hermione) to get Harry downstairs for dinner. But then again, Ron was good at that sort of thing. Well, both Ron and Hermione were, but Ron only had to use his natural charm to get his way, when Hermione only knew to use logic and harsh punishment. So Ron took control of this one. According to Ron, Hermione had headed off without them so she could eat early and head off to the library. And Ginny? Well, of course Ron had to mention something about Ginny asking about him downstairs. Now, she really didn't, but Harry didn't have to know about that. He willingly followed, trying in vain not to get his hopes up. They made it downstairs and found that Hermione hadn't left yet, much to Ron's 'surprise'.  He sat next to her, and the only space open was…next to Ginny. She shifted uncomfortably as he sat down next to her, and already he could feel the tension between them. But Ron and Hermione were all smiles, which sort of freaked Ginny out, to be perfectly honest. But she didn't mention this, just ate silently, trying to pass the time.

Hermione could barely control herself as Ginny reached for her orange juice, and it was all Ron could do to stop her by stepping on her foot and holding her hand. Thankfully, she contained her gleeful squeal as Ginny took a long sip. Ron was almost laughing now as he leaned in to casually converse with Ginny.

"So, I noticed that you're sitting next to Harry…nervous?" he asked as Harry turned at the mention of his name.

"Nervous? Are you kidding me? That's like asking me if you're in love with Hermione, which is, needless to say, completely obvious! I mean, you talk about marrying her all the time! Mind you, you don't say it directly to me, I usually just happen to overhear…Anyway, look at me, I can barely eat without feeling self-conscious, and that's saying something, being a Weasley and all. And between you and me, I think Harry hates me. Honestly, I really do!"

Ron blushed as Hermione stared at him. Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin…this isn't right at all! Is she looking at me? She's looking at me. I can't look, I can't look. What if she freaks out? I can't believe she said that! She was listening? She heard that? That's not supposed to happen! Oi, oi, oi…

Harry looked at Ginny in surprise. He pushed his goblet away and stood up, looking at the three of them in shock. What was going on? All he knew was that he was completely embarrassed by all of this, even if he hadn't said anything revealing. He looked back and forth between the red Ron, the groundless Ginny, and the harbored Hermione, and then gave one look at the goblet. Without thinking twice, scooped it up in his hands and drained it. He was ready. If he wanted Ginny back, he would have to take a risk, right?

"Um, Harry, we didn't put any in yours…it wouldn't have made much sense now, would it? I mean, if both of you were under the spell, you wouldn't have heard each other…" Ron said in response to Harry's supposed bravery. He sat back down, more embarrassed than before, and looked at Ginny.

"Uh, Ginny, I was um…" he couldn't ask her! What kind of person asks someone if they still love him? Even if she was forced to tell the truth, it would still be weird. Besides, he wasn't quite sure he wanted to hear the answer. What if it was no? What if she was just nervous because she couldn't stand him? He stood up again and waved goodbye, then headed out of the great hall.

"Ginny, do you still love Harry?" Ron asked hurriedly.