Chapter 3

The next morning after everyone had left for class, Harry and Ginny went down to the kitchens to visit Dobby. Tickling the pear, they entered the quiet kitchen.

"Harry Potter sir! How good of you to come here!" Called a squeaky voice belonging to a house elf named Dobby. "And Princess Ginny, I will tell Winky you are here."

"Princess Ginny?!"

Ginny shrugged, "It happened when I was looking after Winky, I don't mind if it makes her happy."

Dobby came back with a now clean and neat Winky in tow.

"Princess Ginny, how glad I am to see you, you is made my day."

Ginny smiled a genuine sweet smile that made Harry's heart leap. "I am glad Winky."

Winky looked up at Ginny with rapture, eyes watering.

"Ah Dobby, I was wondering if you had anything we could take for a picnic brunch?" enquired Harry.

Dobby jumped in delight, "Of course, of course, we will get it right away Harry Potter sir."

Winky who was talking quietly to Ginny leapt back and went to help Dobby and the other elves out. They came back almost as soon as they went away, working with amazing speed. Six house elves walked over towards the waiting Gryffindors with a basket atop their heads.

"Wow, that is amazing, but it might be a little too much..."

The house elves ears started to fall in sadness.

"For one person, but," continued Ginny," enough for two people. Thank you very much."

Harry grabbed the heavy basket with both hands and hauled it towards the door. Ginny waved goodbye for both of them, and followed Harry out. It was a warm summer-autumn day, the trees leaves a deep, rich red. They found a tree near the lake with a grassy bank underneath it. Spreading out the picnic rug that the house elves provided, Harry opened the basket eyes wide. Inside was an arrangement of foods; chicken, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, cake, pumpkin pasties, cauldron cakes and, "butter beer!" exclaimed Harry pulling out the two full bottles.

Ginny and Harry had a wonderful brunch, telling stories and jokes and laughing at the silliest things. Harry thought to himself as they lay under the tree together," It's just like before, when nothing mattered except fun and school, and nothing to worry about, no war, no responsibilities and..."

"No Ginny feelings"

"Yeah no Ginny feel...HEY!"

"What! It's so obvious that you like her, the way you can't stop thinking about her, the way you can't stand to be not with her, the way you stare at her breas..."

"Oi!"

"Hey it's true, you are, and they're a nice pair I like 'em"

"Yeah I think so too."

"There you go, we agree on something."

"Wait, I can't, she's my friend!"

"Agh! You disgust me Harry, just wake up to yourself. And you might want to tune in, Gin is talking to you."

"So, what do you think Harry?"

"Huh? Sorry Gin, I missed what you said."

Ginny laughed, "There you go again Potter, you with your head in the clouds."

"No, but his eyes were on your brea..."

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

* * * * * * * *

When they got back to the Gryffindor tower, there was a crowd around the notice board. Harry grabbed Ginny by the hand and they weaved through the crowd. There was a new notice tacked to the board.

Quidditch players and fans alike.
Would you like to learn some new tricks?
Or would you like to brush up on your flying skills?
Whatever the reason, come down to the Quidditch pitch
tonight after classes for some flying fun!
Broom optional.
Stephanie Matthews,
Thundularra Thunderers seeker.

"That will be fun," remarked Ginny.

"Yeah, do you want to go?" asked Harry.

"Of course!" replied Ginny.

Ron wandered over Harry and Ginny. "So, are you going to go?"

Harry looked over Ron coolly. "I don't know, it depends."

"Depends on what?" asked Ron

"It depends on whether your going or not."

"Of course I am Harry!"

"Well then, I'm not." And Harry walked out through the portrait.

Ron looked shocked. "What was that all about?"

Ginny clenched her fists. "Ooh Ron you can be so insensitive sometimes."

"What did I do?" asked Ron.

"It's something you didn't do, like tell you best friend and your sister about a certain promise ring."

Ron looked at Ginny in disbelief. "How did you know?"

"It doesn't matter how, but now you know you have to fix it don't you." And Ginny followed Harry out the portrait.

* * * * * * * *

"Harry, wait," called Ginny, who was leaping down the stairs in twos. Then she got her foot stuck in the trick stair. "Ahh!" Then a thud.

Harry turned around and burst out laughing. Ginny had somehow got both feet and a hand stuck in the trick stair.

"It's not funny Harry!" said Ginny, trying, unsuccessfully to pull herself out.

"Yes it is!" he replied, doubled up with laughter.

Ginny pouted at Harry.

"I'm sorry Gin, here let me give you a hand, or a foot!" he said, trying to control his laughter. He pulled her hand out then pulled out her left leg. The right was firmly stuck.

"Okay Ginny, on the count of three, you push, and I'll pull."

Harry steadied himself on the last step. "Are you ready? One, two, three push!"

Pulling Ginny by the hands, she came free, but Harry overbalanced and he fell to the floor, Ginny going with him.

"Well your free," said Harry, looking up at Ginny, who was on top of him.

They looked into each other's eyes, Harry suddenly felt light headed. Ginny got off him and stood there, blushing bright red.

"Ah, sorry Harry," she said.

"That's okay, my fault, I shouldn't have pulled so hard."

They stood there in awkward silence for a while before Ginny spoke. "Look you know Ron, he can be so insensitive at times, I think he'll get the picture soon enough and apologise."

"Everyone is changing, it's like I can't keep up," said Harry sadly.

"Harry, you're already grown up, you've shown courage beyond anyone I know, and people do change, usually for the better. Don't think you have to change to please others though Harry."

She hesitated before lightly kissing him on the cheek, "I like you just the way you are."

Ginny stepped back and gave him a small smile and went back upstairs.

Harry felt a warmness flow through his body as he watched Ginny figure go back up the stairs.

"And I like you Ginny Weasley."