AN: Here's the 7th chapter! I know it's been awhile, but school has taken over. I swear it's them! Well that and I've been celebrating the announcement of the release date! Yeah, June 21st! Anyways, thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter!
Chapter 7: More Late Night Escapades
Harry chuckled to himself as he walked quickly back to Gryffindor tower. He had left Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall, bickering and was eager to find the person whose companionship had become mandatory in the last few weeks. When he entered the Gryffindor common room, Harry scanned the area for Ginny, wondering if she was up to doing something. He saw her in a corner of the common room, packing up her Transfiguration books and notes. He walked over to her. "Hey," he said softly.
Ginny looked up at him and grinned. "Hey Harry? What's up?" She looked at him curiously and Harry realized that he probably looked rather stupid, standing there and smiling like a prat.
Hurriedly, he thought of something to say. "Er…Hermione and Ron were arguing in the Great Hall…so I just came back here." There was an awkward pause while Ginny waited for him to continue. "I was just…er…wondering if you wanted to do something."
Ginny laughed. "Ever since I saw that invisibility cloak, my mind has been thinking of so many things to do with it! I wish we knew some passages into Hogsmeade! It would be so great to go there at night, whenever it's not so crowded."
Harry smiled slyly. "Now that, we can do." Ginny's face lit up at his words. "I learned some things from Fred and George. We can get to Hogsmeade."
Ginny chuckled. "I should have known those two would have a bad influence on you. Do you want to go now?"
"Sure," Harry said, realizing that he would go almost anywhere with Ginny. He always had so much fun with her, whatever they were doing. Ginny ran up to her room and grabbed her cloak before they headed out the portrait hole. Harry draped the cloak over the two of them and found the closeness with Ginny Weasley rather comforting.
"What about Ron and Hermione?" Ginny said.
"They can find their own fun together," Harry muttered. Ginny made a face. "That's not what I meant!" He said loudly, but his words were not enough to subdue Ginny's snickers and soon Harry found himself laughing along with her. When they reached the one-eyed witch on the third-floor, Harry tapped it with his wand and muttered, "Dissendium."
Ginny's jaw dropped when the statue's hump opened. "So this is how Fred and George have always done it!" Harry smiled and squeezed through the small gap. Ginny followed him. "Where exactly does this lead?" she whispered excitedly.
"The cellar of Honeydukes." Harry breathed. He left the invisibility cloak there and they continued down the passage until they reached the trapdoor. "I'll go first." He pushed the trapdoor open and examined the familiar storage room around him. A man came down and began rummaging through the crates of candy, muttering about sloppy packing. Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and they quickly snuck up the stairs and out of Honeydukes.
Ginny laughed when they reached the outside. "This is so great Harry! We can go into Hogsmeade whenever we want! Have you done this a lot?"
Harry smiled at her excitement. "Not really. A couple times in third year, but that was only when I wasn't allowed to go in the first place." Ginny nodded and they remained silent for a few minutes as they both examined their surroundings. The village looked even more magnificent as it was blanketed in snow. The small shops looked like something out of a Christmas card with their snow-topped roofs and candle-lit tables.
Harry grabbed Ginny's hand once more, feeling slightly braver since he had already done so in Honeydukes, and led her to The Three Broomsticks. Ginny went and sat at a table while Harry went up to the counter to order their Butterbeer. "Two tankards of Butterbeer please," he said to the witch he recognized as Madam Rosmerta.
She smiled at him. "Ah…entertaining a lady are we?" She asked glancing at Ginny.
Harry could feel himself blushing. "Er…kind of."
Madam Rosmerta laughed heartily. "Kind of? Well she sure is pretty! I'm sure you'll do just fine, lad." She handed him the two foaming tankards and Harry made his way back to the table feeling quite embarrassed.
"Thanks Harry." Ginny said as he set down her tankard. Harry nodded at her and took a sip of his drink. "So what were you and Madam Rosmerta talking about?"
Harry choked on his Butterbeer and began coughing. When he had finally settled down he answered her squeakily, "N-Nothing!" She looked at him funny, but said nothing more on the subject and Harry was very grateful.
Ginny finished her Butterbeer and stood up with her eyes shining eagerly. "Do you want to head over to Dervish and Banges? They have an awesome Quidditch department."
Harry nodded in agreement and joined Ginny in walking to the Wizarding equipment shop. He was very surprised when she reached for his hand. He grinned at her and she smiled back at him. They reached Dervish and Banges in a few moments and Harry found himself gawking at the many Quidditch accessories the store had to offer. He was particularly interested in a strategy book with famous plays and trick plays. He had not brought enough money, however, and was forced to leave the book on the shelf.
The rest of the night was so wonderful that Harry felt he was dreaming. He and Ginny explored the entire village of Hogsmeade at their own leisure and Harry felt completely at ease with everything going on. It was after eleven when they snuck back into the cellar of Honeydukes and ran through the passage back to Hogwarts. They draped the invisibility cloak around themselves and walked back to Gryffindor Tower immersed in whispered conversation.
"That was so much fun!" Ginny said. "This cloak is going to be used for a lot more things, Harry. Just you wait. I'll come up with some more adventures for us." Her eyes twinkled excitedly and Harry felt that he could not look away. They entered the portrait hole and continued talking in the common room.
"I had a great time too." Harry said. "And tell me when you think of something else. I'm looking forward to it." A silence ensued, but it was not one of awkwardness. It was comforting. Harry stared at Ginny, finding himself unable to look away. Ginny's eyes were transfixed on him and Harry knew it was now or never. He leaned down slowly and his lips met with hers. It was the perfect moment for a perfect kiss. Fireworks exploded in Harry's head and for the first time in his life, Harry Potter found his mind was focused on one thing and one thing only. Ginny Weasley was in his mind, Ginny Weasley was in his arms, and Ginny Weasley was in his heart. Finally, they parted and Ginny smiled shyly at him.
"Goodnight." She whispered. With that she raced up to her dorm and Harry stared at the steps. He put a finger to his lips. If he closed his eyes he could still feel the sensation of her lips on his. He trudged slowly up the steps and collapsed in his bed without changing into his pajamas. Things were finally happening. Even the thought of having to tell Ron and Hermione in the morning could not quell Harry's happiness. He rolled over in his four-poster and fell into a deep sleep. His dreams had become reality.
AN: Well Whaddya think? Was it good? Did it suck? Please review! Next chapter: R/H