CHAPTER 10

CONFESSIONS

The first day back at Hogwarts flew by, despite Ron's arguments that it would drag by because of the terrible lessons that they had. And although he wouldn't admit it, he had really enjoyed the lessons that he had had that day, even potions which was a bit more bearable than usual as Malfoy hadn't taken it and there were hardly any Slytherins in the class.

''Hey Ginny, How was your day?'' Hermione called to her best girl friend, as she entered the common room after their last lesson.

''Great thanks, how was yours?''

''Mine was great, the NEWT classes are really interesting.'' Hermione replied, while Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. ''Before we go down for food, could you come up to my room for a bit?'' she added hopefully.

''Um sure Herm, what for?'' Ginny asked as she got up out of the armchair she was laying across.

''Oh I ....uh.......want to show you something.'' Hermione replied, winking.

''Oh ok.'' Ginny said and with that they both rushed off to Hermione's room, leaving Harry and Ron standing there like lemons.

''Well mate, looks like it's dinner for two tonight.'' Harry said jokingly.

''Don't start that again, or everyone will think we're gay again.'' Ron said as they dropped their bags onto an empty armchair and walked back out of the portrait.

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''So what did you really want Herm?'' Ginny asked as she sat down on Hermione's bed while Hermione checked that her roommates were not in the room.

''Well, I was wondering that if you were still interested, we could finish off our plan to get Ron and Harry.'' Hermione whispered as though, someone was listening through the closed door.

''Of course I'm still interested. I like Harry more and more every day, and I know now that I don't just like him. I love him.'' Ginny said quietly.

''Oh my god, I realised that I was in love with Ron ages ago. And I was thinking, that we really should try to get them to like us before they start seeing other people.''

''Good idea Herm, but how?''

''I don't know yet, I just needed to know that you were still interested. Anyway you're not going to have much trouble with Harry, he's crazy about you.'' Hermione insisted.

''Yeah? Well Ron is mad about you too.''

''Yeah well, we'll see about that when we think of a plan.'' muttered Hermione doubtfully

''Don't worry I'm sure we'll think of one soon, then they'll be ours.'' Ginny said as she got off Hermiones bed. ''Now lets go for food, I'm absolutely starving''

''Exactly like your brother!!'' Hermione exclaimed as they both left the bedroom laughing.

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When Hermione and Ginny entered the Great Hall, they found Ron and Harry sitting together talking, well Harry was talking and Ron was eating. They walked over and joined them, Hermione sitting opposite Ron and Ginny opposite Harry.

''What are you talking about.'' Hermione said as she started filling her plate with food.

''Quidditch.'' said Ron, giving Harry a look that said 'Don't you dare tell her what we were really talking about.'' Hermione saw this look and she knew that they weren't really talking about Quidditch but she decided not to force them to tell her what they were actually talking about.

''Oh Quidditch is boring, lets talk about something else?'' said Hermione, she had just had a brilliant idea.

''Ok then what shall we talk about Herm?'' Harry said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes. ''And Quidditch is not boring.'' he added as an after thought.

''Firstly we'll talk about how it is rude to talk with your mouth full Harry Potter.'' Hermione said, making Harry roll his eyes. ''Then we'll talk about Cho.''

''What about her?'' asked Harry, seeming a bit uncomfortable.

''Well, you were sort of boyfriend and girlfriend last year, are you going to try and get her back this year.'' questionned Hermione, ignoring the looks of confusion on Ginny's face.

''No, I don't like her like that anymore, I mean she'd be ok as a friend I guess, but right now I have my eye on someone else.'' he said looking at Ginny and smiling, making her blush.

''May we ask who that is then, Mr Potter?'' Ginny asked cheekily.

''I think *you* already know that Gin.'' he answered, as he placed his hand on her knee, while turning a bright shade of pink. Ron and Hermione just looked at each other and smiled.

''Well I don't Harry, care to enlighten me?'' Hermione persisted, even though she knew he was mad about Ginny.

''No Herm, I won't tell you, unless you tell me who drives you wild with desire.'' Harry teased watching Hermione squirm, that would teach her, Harry thought as he waited for her reply.

''Well then I'd rather not know, because there is no way I'm telling you who I like.''

''So there is someone special then. Who'd have thought it Hermione Granger, I'm shocked.''

''Why's that then Harry, do you think of me as some prude, just because I study and enjoy school? Well if that is the case you are very much mistaken. And for your information there is someone special yes, he is very special and I'm not telling you who.''

''Ok, calm down I was only joking, I know who it is anyway.'' Harry said, enjoying the way he was making Hermione feel so uncomfortable, just had she had done to him earlier. ''I've known for ages.'' he said looking at Ron, who was looking down at his plate and didn't see Hermione's face when Harry looked over to Ron.

''Don't you dare say anything Potter.'' Hermione shouted as Harry was just about to tap Ron on the shoulder and tell him that he knew that who Hermione's special someone was. But just as the words had left Hermiones mouth, Harry felt someone kick him, under the table, he looked round and saw Ginny smiling sweetly at him.

''I wouldn't if I were you.'' she said threateningly, although she was still smiling.

''Why's that then?'' Harry said, forgetting about Ron and Hermione and concentrating solely on Ginny.

''Because that would be a very stupid thing to do.'' Ginny whispered, as she leaned over the table to get closer to Harry.

''Really?''

''Yes really, and besides you wouldn't like it if Hermione told this girl that you like, what you felt about her would you.'' teased Ginny, hoping to get a real confession out of Harry.

''No I suppose not, but then again, the girl I like already knows how I feel about her, I am in love with her.'' Harry whispered into Ginny's ear, as he stroked her leg.

''Well, she's a really lucky girl, and I bet that she loves you back.''

''I hope she does, because I am crazy about her.'' Harry said, feeling the silk of Ginny's robes as he moved his hand up and down her leg. Not noticing that Ron and Hermione were deep in conversation by the side of him, and in turn they hadn't noticed Harry or Ginny gazing into each others eyes intently.

''Who is she Harry?'' Ginny asked as she put her hand on top of Harry's and moved it further up her leg.

Harry's eyes were wide with shock and he managed to whisper, ''You.'' Ginny leaned further into Harry and whispered in his ear so that only he could hear her, ''I'm crazy about you too.'' and as soon as the words left her lips she felt herself being pulled to her feet by a group of her friends who were dragging her away to the Library to do her homework with them. Leaving Harry, staring after her until she had disappeared from his veiw.

''Hey guys.'' Harry said cheerfully, to Ron and Hermione, breaking their eye contact. ''What are you talking about?'' he added, he needed to talk to Ron desperately but not when Hermione was there.

''Quidditch.'' Ron said sarcastically, he had been asking Hermione, who it was that she liked, and he knew she was just about to tell him before Harry interrupted.

''I'd better go now.'' Hermione said sadly to Ron smiling at him, then she turned away giving Harry her worst look, she still hadn't forgiven him for almost telling Ron the way she felt about him.

''Bye Mione.'' Ron said miserably as he watched her walk out of the Great Hall, her hips swaying under the silky fabric of her robes. ''She's amazing.'' Ron breathed as she walked through the doors.

''Tell her then, it's no good telling me.'' said Harry encouragingly.

''Oh yeah, I'll tell her when you tell Ginny.''

''Well you better get a time turner, because I just told Ginny.'' Harry said smugly.

''Really, What did you say?'' Ron asked, suddenly very interested.

''I told her that I thought I was in love with this girl, and that she knew who the girl was. Then she said that the girl probably loved me too. Then I said I was crazy about this girl, and she asked who it was and I told her it was her.'' said Harry leaving out the rubbing her leg part, he didn't think Ron needed to know that.

''Wow, how did you get the guts to tell her that?'' asked Ron.

''Well Hermione started it, by asking me who I liked, so I thought that I may as well get it over with, and I just looked at Ginny and it just felt right to tell her, I looked into her eyes and forgot all about my doubts and fears and I just told her.''

''I'm never going to be able to tell Mione, I'm afraid she'll say laugh at me or something.''

''Weren't you listening to what we were talking about?'' Harry asked looking incredulously at his friend.

''Well, no not really. What were you saying?'' Ron looking hopeful.

''I asked Hermione if there was someone special that she liked and she said yes, but she would never tell me who he was. Then I said I already know and I started looking at you and I was about to tell you when Ginny kicked me.''

''Why were you going to tell me? Trying to rub it in that she likes someone else?'' asked Ron miserably.

''You can be incredibly dense sometimes Ron. I was going to tell you because it's you that she likes, when I was about to tell you, she got all scared and started shouting at me, and Ginny kicked me so I wouldn't tell you Herm's secret.'' explained Harry.

''Why doesn't she want me to know that she likes me then?'' Ron asked, not believing a word that Harry had just said.

''She probably thinks that you wouldn't like her in that way, or she's afraid you might turn her down. Just like your afraid of her turning you down.''

''Well whatever, I know your just saying it to cheer me up.'' Ron said dejectedly.

''Ok, yeah thats what I'm doing, don't you notice the way she looks at you, the way that lot's of girls look at you.'' Harry said rolling his eyes as Ron shook his head. ''Well I'm going to do my homework now, and I've got to start organising the DA again. Want to help?''

''Sure, haven't got anything better to do.'' muttered Ron unhappily.

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That night Hermione was laying in bed, looking up at the ceiling thinking, she couldn't sleep, she had been so close to telling Ron how she felt, then it would've been over with and she could finally find out how he felt about her. She had seen Ginny earlier and she had been told exactly what Harry had said to her and she thought it sounded so romantic. If only Ron would say something like that to her. Hermione didn't fall to sleep until much later that night. Ginny wasn't sleeping either, but that was for an entirely different reason.

Ginny was laying awake in her bed thinking of Harry, and what he had just said to her. He had made her the happiest she had been in a long time. When she heard a noise by the door of her bedroom, not bothering to open up her curtains around her bed and check she just assumed that it was just one of her roommates sneaking in late. She was wrong. As she lay there continuing to think of Harry, the curtains surrounding her bed were pulled back, she felt a presence on her bed as the curtains were drawn shut again and a silencing charm was muttered. A person suddenly appeared at the end of her bed causing her to gasp with shock, the person was looking at her and smiling wickedly.

''Harry?? What are you doing here, you'll get in so much trouble if anyone finds you?'' whispered Ginny, trying to be angry with Harry for scaring her, but secretly she was happy he was there.

''Don't worry I've put a silencing charm around the bed, so no-one will hear us, and I've got my invisibility cloak. I had to see you Gin.''

''I'm glad you came, I've been thinking about you all night.'' whispered Gin, as Harry crawled up to be closer to where she was sitting up, in her silk pyjama shorts and top.

''I know how you feel, I've been thinking about you too, I just had to come and give you something.'' Harry whispered into her ear.

''What's that then?'' Ginny asked shyly. Just as she stopped speaking Harry leaned towards her and kissed her sweetly on the lips, only for a short time. But it was enough to make Ginny breathless, this was what she'd been waiting for, waiting for almost five years for a single kiss from Harry Potter, and now that the dream had become a reality it was even better than Ginny had ever imagined, she felt as though she was in heaven.

''Is that all you've got for me?'' Ginny asked teasingly, hoping for a second kiss.

''Oh, I've got a lot more than that in store for you.'' Harry said, laughing as he leaned in to kiss her again, this time more passionately. He opened his mouth, and lightly licked her lips, she opened her mouth and Harry let his tongue explore her mouth and in turn she let her tongue slip out of her mouth and into Harry's their tongues pressing against each other's sometimes hard, sometimes soft. They let their hands wander over each others body. Ginny's hands were tangled up in Harry's dark, messy hair, and Harry was moving his hands down from her breasts that he had caressed passionately, towards the tops of her pyjama shorts.

''Harry, I think we should stop now, before we go too far.'' Ginny said as she felt Harry's hand start to pull at the top of her shorts, and even though she wanted Harry more than anything at that moment she knew she would rushing things with him..

''Ok baby, whatever you want, do you mind if I sleep here tonight? I just want to be next to you.'' Harry asked as he removed his hands from the top of her shorts, and wrapped them around her waist.

''I'd like that a lot.'' Ginny whispered as kissed Harry softly on the lips, then got under the covers, and snuggled down with him, he wrapped his arms around her, and she was amazed at how perfectly she fit into his body. They fell asleep like that and the next morning Harry had to sneak back up to his room and quickly get into his bed before anyone realised that he hadn't been there all night.

The next morning at breakfast Ron and Hermione, were sitting next to each other having another small, pointless argument. Harry and Ginny were sitting next to each other, Ginny was running her hand up and down the inside of Harry's leg slowly and seductively, and Harry, had a lot of trouble making sure that he didn't get too excited.

''Harry, what lessons have we got today?'' Ron asked as he started on his second bowl of cereal.

''I don't know, check your timetable.'' said Harry quickly, clenching his fists, Ginny was driving him crazy. He couldn't think about timetables, when she had her hands so close to his manhood.

''Ok I only asked there's no need to snap. We've got, Magical Maintenence, Care of Magical Creatures, Double Herbology and Double Defence Against the Dark Arts.'' said Ron as he checked his timetable.

''Well, we've got a very good day today then.'' Hermione concluded as she finished off her piece of toast. ''What's the matter Harry?'' she asked, noticing the unusual look on Harry's face.

''N....N....Nothing.'' Harry said, struggling to talk as Ginny moved her hand slowly further and further up his leg.

''Well we'd better get going Harry, we don't want to be late for our first Magical Maintenence class.'' Ron said getting up from his seat, before he leaned down and whispered something in Hermiones ear. He then walked quickly off to the exit of the Great Hall, closely followed by Harry who had reluctantly pulled himself away from Ginny.



''Why do you look so happy Herm?'' Ginny asked as she finished off her breakfast.

''I could ask you the same thing Miss Weasley.'' Hermione said smiling at her friend.

''Harry came to my room last night.'' Ginny said, as Hermione gasped. ''Nothing happened.... God Hermione you have a dirty mind. We just kissed and we fell asleep together. It was perfect.'' Ginny finished with a dreamy expression on her face.

''Aww Gin, I'm so pleased for you. That's so sweet. Are you a couple now?'' Hermione said, genuinely happy for her friend even though she was a bit jealous, that she hadn't spent the night in Ron's arms.

''I don't know, Harry hasn't said anything yet. But I hope we get together soon.'' she said hopefully. ''So what are you so happy about.''

''Oh it's nothing compared to what your happy about.'' Hermione said, the smile fading slightly from her face. ''It's just that when Ron was leaving he whispered something to me.''

''What?'' Ginny asked, with all of her attention focused on Hermione.

''He said, 'See you later gorgeous.''' Hermione mutterred, as she blushed a deep shade of pink.

''See Herm, I told you he liked you. Pretty soon you'll be with Ron and I'll be with Harry and the plan will be complete.'' Ginny reassured her friend as they both gathered up their bags and headed off to thier seperate lessons.

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Harry and Ron walked slowly to the second floor, where their Magical Maintenence classes were going to be held. Neither of them had any idea who the teacher was, or whether they were any good. They reached the classroom, and found a small group of about seven other students waiting outside the classroom. These pupils were to be their classmates for the entire year. Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom were part of the crowd. There were two Hufflepuffs, that Harry had never spoken to before and two Ravenclaws, who played for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. Harry and Ron nodded politely at the two Ravenclaws and went over to talk to their fellow Gryffindors. There were no girls in the small crowd outside the classroom.

''Is this all there is then?'' said a tall wizard, in a pair of plain black robes. He had blonde hair and a youthful appearance. His blue eyes sparkled from underneath his floppy fringe. ''Oh well, come in then and we'll get to know each other before we start the class.'' He walked into the classroom, followed closely by the nine students. Harry and Ron took seats close to the front of the class with Dean, Seamus and Neville. They looked up expectantly at the young wizard. ''Hello class I am Proffessor Gilbert, but you can all call me Nick. I am your Magical Maintenence teacher, and in this class you will be learning, how to maintain and repair magical items. Any questions so far?'' he looked around the class to check if anyone had raised their hand. ''No good, now between you and me this is a very easy class to pass, and there won't really be that much written work. Just practical.''

''Cool!'' said Ron.

''Exactly, Mr Weasley.'' Nick said smiling around at the class.

''How did you know my name?'' Ron asked suspiciously.

''I taught your brothers, Fred and George, and you look very similar to them, so I just assumed. Now those two, were alot of fun, I remember the time we all 'repaired' Filch's magical sweeping brush, so that it left a black trail wherever it swept.'' Nick replied laughing as he remembered the look on Filch's face.

''You did that with them, but your a teacher.......'' Seamus asked, with a look of admiration on his face.

''Well as I said we don't do much work in this class and sometimes we get a bit bored, so we conduct a few harmless pranks for fun.''

''I am going to love this class.'' Dean shouted, as everyone started clapping and cheering.

''Right then class settle down, for our first homework assignment we will need our broomsticks, if you haven't got one put up your hand.'' He looked around the class, no one had their hand up. ''Ok, all you need to do for your homework is bring your broomstick to next lesson. We can't do much else now, without the broomsticks so just chat quietly until the end of the lesson.'' Nick said as everyone around him started talking amongst themselves.

Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville all turned their chairs, to talk to each other about how cool Nick was and how this was already their favourite class. They were just getting onto the subject of the first Quidditch match of the Season, when Nick came over and sat with them. It turns out that he knew a lot about Quidditch and that he was on the Quidditch team when he was at Hogwarts. He played Keeper.

''What house were you in Nick?'' Harry asked curiously.

''Gryffindor, that's why I gave you those Quidditch moves, I want you to win this year.'' Nick explained.

''But I thought teachers weren't supposed to have a favourite house.'' Harry said accusingly.

''Well I'm not like other teachers.''

''We know that.'' Ron said happily. ''You're much better.''

''Why thank you Mr Weasley.'' Nick said smiling, ''I can tell we are all going to get along great.''

After the class had finished, Harry and Ron started to make their way over to Hagrids Hut for their Care of Magical Creatures lesson with Hagrid, who had already started to lead the class into the Forbidden Forest.

''Oh here we go.'' Ron sighed as he followed Hagrid into the darkness. Standing very close to Hermione, who had been waiting for them.

''At least it doesn't look like we are going to see his brother.'' Harry said glumly.

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The last lesson of the day came only too soon for Harry, Ron and Hermione. After an expedition into the forbidden forest, to see if they could find any Knertles, which were huge animals, that took on the resemblance of plants when they felt threatened. It took them most of the lesson to actually track one down, when they had actually found one, they had to try and get close to it. This objective was made difficult by the fact that it started firing sharp needles at them from its back. They were glad to get out of the forest and back upto the castle in one piece, with only one more lesson to go before they could go back up to the common room and relax. The last lesson of their day was Defence Against the Dark Arts, and it was one of the most popular classes so it was very full. Harry, Ron and Hermione were very excited to start this class, so that they could start the DA back up again. Ginny had also told them how good the teacher was, so they arrived early to be able to get seats right at the front of the class.

After waiting for about five minutes in the corridor the rest of the class showed up. The class consisted of all of the gryffindor sixth years, a few Hufflepuffs, one or two Ravenclaws and most of the Slytherins, including Draco and his constant companions Crabbe and Goyle. Proffessor Golding's head poked out of the classroom door and she called all of her class into her classroom and waited for them to take their seats, she smiled at Harry as he walked past her.

''Hello everyone, I am Proffessor Golding and I will be your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.'' she said smiling around at her class, her bright eyes scanning every pupils face. ''In this first lesson, I will go over what we will be learning in this course and also revising everything you should've done in the past five years, I see you have had some poor teachers, especially last year.'' she said reveiwing the list of what they had all covered in their previous years that was on her desk. ''I see you had Proffessor Lupin in the third year, excellent, well at least you've covered dangerous creatures. Yes.'' she said as Hermione's hand shot up through the air.

''Yes Proffessor, we have covered dangerous creatures, but last year we didn't do any practical work at all, we haven't learnt any jinxes.'' Hermione informed their new proffessor.

''Right then, well we have an awful lot of work to do. Thank you for your help......miss.....er.''

''Granger.'' Hermione said.

''Well thank you Miss Granger, in this course we will be covering curses, for defence and also attack. We will learn more about dangerous creatures and as part of the new criteria for Defence Against the Drak Arts, we will be learning how to fight the Unforgivable curses and also how to administer the Imperius and Crutacius curses.'' she said this in a small voice, but still managed to have the complete attention of the whole class. ''But for today we will start by learning the barrier spell, to block any nasty curses.''

For the rest of the lesson, Proffessor Golding taught them the correct pronunciation and wand movements for the spell and then they paired up and practised for the remainder of the lesson, by the end of the lesson Harry, Ron and Hermione had all mastered the barrier spell, even Neville managed to form a thin, wispy sheild around himself.

''That was the best lesson ever.'' Ron said as they walked down to the great hall for a well earned dinner.

''What, even better than Magical Maintenence with Nick?'' Hermione asked sarcastically, Ron had been bragging to her all day about how little work they were going to have over the next two years, and she was feeling slightly jealous.

''Yes, actually it was. I know you're just jealous Mione but I forgive you.'' Ron said cheerfully as he sat down next to his sister, leaving Harry to sit opposite Ginny and Hermione opposite Ron. ''You know what Harry?'' Ron said as he helped himself to the plates of food around him. ''I reckon if you told her about the DA she could give us some useful spells to learn.''

''You know what I think you're right Ron, she seems really nice.'' Harry said before he whispered something into Ginny's ear, that made her smile and nod.

''Wow, that's a first.'' Hermione said sarcastically.

''What?'' asked Ginny.

''Ron being right.'' Hermione said, laughing at the indignant look on Ron's face. She ate a few more bites of her dinner, then started to get up.

''Where are you going?'' Ron asked her. ''You eaten hardly anything.''

She leaned across the table and whispered something softly into his ear, so that only he could hear her.. ''I'm not hungry for food now, I'm going back to the common room, I'm exausted, see you up there handsome.'' and as soon as the words left her mouth she turned away and walked out of the great hall, so that no one would be able to see how red she had gone. Ron was left sitting there with Ginny and Harry who were giggling and smiling, but he didn't notice, had Hermione just said what he thought she said? Was she serious? Should he go after her? All these questions flashed through his mind and he stayed for so long trying to decide whether to follow after her that by the time it came for him to leave he had lost all the confidence her words had given him, and he decided to leave it.

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(A.N Thanks for all of your reveiws. I have over 100 now guys, thanx so much. The next few chapters are when the big stuff starts to happen and the get togethers????? possibly. reveiw please as always they would be very much appreciated.)