Thin Line Between Teenage Crush and True Love
Ginny Weasley woke up with a big smile on her face. She had just the most amazing dream. The dream that she wished would come true. It consisted of her being in the arms of the one boy she had been pining for since she was ten years old. Everyone had just thought that what she was really feeling towards this boy was nothing but just a crush. A crush for the boy-who- lived.
For a while, she believed that it was just that. However, if it was just a crush, why couldn't she take him off her mind? It had been five years. That same boy had stayed with her family every summer since he was twelve years old. She had started Hogwarts the year after he did, along with her brother, Ron. There were a lot of other good looking guys in the school, but none of them seemed to take her interest.
She had gone out with a boy, Michael Corner, but that relationship did not last long. In fact, after they had broken up, he had found a new girlfriend. She believed that the only reason that she probably went out with him in the first place was to see if she'd gotten over her crush for Harry Potter. But she was wrong. She never did. Her feelings seemed to have been growing stronger. And it pains her to know that this boy, would never look at her any other way but as his best friend's little sister.
Ginny sighed when she got out of bed. She tried to keep the vision of the dream she just had in her head. It helps her get through the day. And this day, Harry's 16th birthday would be the day to hold on to that dream. He was coming down and stay with them for the remainder of the summer. Another month to find out if he'll ever see her as the girl who wanted his affection and attention.
~*~*~
Harry Potter was busy toiling the soil in the garden planting some more geraniums for his Aunt Petunia. He was upset of course, as today was his birthday. And as usual, they, the Dursleys, did not acknowledged it. He was used to it though. One bright light of this was that the Weasleys were coming to pick him up and have him stay with them for the remainder of the holidays.
As hot and tired as he was, a smile crept on his parched lips. Not just the thought of going to a place where he actually was treated as a human being, but the thought of seeing a certain redheaded girl made his heart skipped a beat. He did not realize just how much this girl had grown up to a mature young woman who seemed to have captivated his heart like no one could possibly have done. But he never told her his true feelings for her. He knew that she'd had a crush on him and had always shrugged it off. Mainly because she was his best friend's little sister and their family had treated him as one of their own. How could he feel something for this girl that was more than just brotherly love?
He had never paid much attention to her before. But last year, he actually thought that he felt a twinge of jealousy when he found out that she got herself a boyfriend. He thought that that was really stupid of him, to feel jealous. Ginny was Ron's baby sister. Ron was his best friend. He cannot possibly be falling for her! But he knew that he was only kidding himself if kept denying his true feelings. He just hoped that Ginny still had some kind of emotions left for him. Although, he would not blame her if she did not. He completely ignored the fact that she was infatuated with him, and pretty much just brushed her off, hardly speaking a word to her. But now, he regretted it. He made up his mind that he would make it up to her this year. Maybe, she would still have a little bit of that crush to show him. And he can hopefully turn that crush into something deeper.
He had been dreaming about her since the end of the term. Her maturity showed when she helped him at the Department of Mysteries to fight off Death Eaters and Voldemort. She showed true courage and strength that Harry did not fail to notice. But events that had happened during that battle, the loss of his godfather, Sirius Black, had prevented him to say anything to her. He was too wrapped up in his own grief that he didn't notice that this girl grieved with him.
"I will have to make it up to her," he thought to himself.
She had been owling him asking him how he was doing and had told him that if he ever wanted someone to talk to, that she would be there for him. That really touched his heart. It made him realize that he did indeed had grown to like her, as someone he would love to share his life with.
~*~*~
Ginny was going about frantically straightening up the Burrow. Since she was still under aged, she was not allowed to use magic, so she had to do it the traditional way. She was grumbling about how her brothers were a bunch of lazy swines who could not clean up after themselves.
Ron, who was helping his mother peel some potatoes, looked at her and shook his head. He knew why Ginny was driving herself mad and it hurt him to see her that way. He knew that she had never gotten over her crush for Harry no matter how many times that she had insisted that she did. He only wished that he could help her. Harry never mentioned anything to him about having any attraction to Ginny. But then again, if he did, surely Harry thought that it would be stupid of him to let the girl's brother know about it. Ron let out a sigh and continued to finish the potatoes. He secretly hoped that the rest of the summer would be more bearable than the last one they had.
Harry finished all his chores and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. He had not told the Dursleys that he was leaving but he knew that they would probably be so relieved that he was. But he also knew that they were not too keen of having any of his people at their house.
Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks will be accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Weasley when they come to pick him up to take him to the Burrow. He frowned at the thought of having to wait longer on seeing Ginny again. He was still confused about his feelings towards her but he knew that they were true and he intended to let her know before it was too late.
"Uh, Uncle Vernon? Aunt Petunia?" he called out hesitantly. They did not look at him at all but he knew that they had heard him. "Well, Lupin, Tonks, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are going to be coming for me in a couple of hours."
That did it.
"What!?" Uncle Vernon bellowed, the veins on his neck looking like they were going to burst at any given moment. "You mean those freaky people are coming here again?!"
"They are not freaky people," Harry said through gritted teeth. "They are my friends. And yes they are coming. To pick me up."
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked at each other with wide eyes. They could do without seeing those people ever again. They both looked at Harry with utmost contempt.
"Fine," Aunt Petunia hissed. "Just as long as they will not have to step foot in this house."
"Fine," Harry said and left the kitchen and headed upstairs to finish packing his trunk and get Hedwig ready.
Harry was sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for Lupin, Tonks and the Weasleys to arrive. He had hurriedly finished packing and getting Hedwig and her cage ready. Packing his stuff was a small feat for he did not have much stuff to pack to begin with. Just his hand-me-down clothes from Dudley, that was like ten sizes too big, some books, and his Firebolt.
He was about to complain about how time was going by so slow when the doorbell rang. Harry suddenly got up and took the stairs three steps at a time barely keeping himself from falling on his face when he reached the landing. He pulled open the door and smiled broadly when he saw Lupin on the side.
"Hi!" he exclaimed. Then he looked over Lupin's shoulder and saw Tonks, Mr., and Mrs. Weasley. He smiled at them as well and waved.
"Are you all set to go Harry?" Lupin asked smiling at the young man's enthusiastic welcome. His hair had turned grayer over the last few weeks, and his face seemed to have thinned too. His eyes, though happy, seemed sorrowful.
"Yes!" Harry nearly shouted. He clamped a hand on his mouth and stifled a laugh. The four adults all looked at each other wide eyed and chuckling.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Tonks prodded her hair purple again, with yellow tips and she was wearing thick black liner on her eyes, and was wearing tight pants with the legs tucked in a pair of white boots with a silver tip. She was also wearing a white top that hung over on one shoulder. Her hair was spiked up and she was wearing different earrings and a bunch of bracelets on her arms. Harry just shook his head.
"That's Tonks for yah," he thought to himself. He nodded to the visitors and told them to wait for him right there. When they gave him weird questioning looks, he let out a sigh and turned his head towards the living room of the house. The adults all nodded their heads understanding. Mrs. Weasley had a scowl on her face. Mr. Weasley patted her shoulder and shook his head on her as telling her to cool it.
Harry sprinted back upstairs into his room. He went to the table where Hedwig was waiting in her cage first.
"We're outta here, Hedwig," he told his snowy white owl cheerily. She hooted at him softly letting him know that she understood. Then Harry hurried to his bed, grabbed the handle of his Firebolt, and tucked it under the same arm that was holding Hedwig's cage. At last, with his free hand, he grabbed one end of his trunk and dragged it out of the room.
The trunk made a loud thudding noise as Harry descended the stairs making the Dursleys look towards the stairway with sour faces. Harry did not care. He was leaving and that all that mattered. Lupin, Tonks, and the Weasleys were all chuckling when Harry reached them again. Lupin grabbed his trunk, while Tonks grabbed Hedwig's cage.
"Well, I'm off!" Harry called to his family as he stepped out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him.
~*~*~
When Harry and his entourage arrived at the Burrow, Ron and Hermione met him at the door. She had arrived just moments before by floo powder and will be staying for the remainder of the holidays also. Harry smiled as he saw his two best friends come up to meet him with happy, welcoming smiles. Besides Hogwarts, the Burrow was the only place where he actually felt that he belonged.
"Hi yah mate! How are yah?" Ron greeted him extending his hand for a shake. Harry took it and smiled.
"Better now thanks!" he said actually feeling it.
"Harry! How are you?" Hermione asked him, giving him a quick hug. He blushed a little, but returned the hug, throwing a sideways glance at Ron, who just shook his head and smiled.
"I'm great Hermione," Harry assured her. Ron and Hermione helped take Harry's stuff into the house, followed by Lupin, Tonks and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley had insisted that Lupin and Tonks stay over for dinner, and they gladly accepted.
When they entered the house, Harry thought his heart was going to stop beating when he saw Ginny standing by the squashy armchair by the fireplace. She had been standing there waiting for them to come in. She felt her stomach gave a lurch when she saw Harry enter. She had held onto the back of the chair to steady herself, for her knees started to buckle.
"Hi Ginny," Harry said as steady and calm as he could not taking his eyes off her. He wanted so much to go up to her and hug her, but refrained himself as to not embarrass her.
"Hello, Harry," she greeted back, trying hard not to choke on the mere words. For a moment, they just looked at each other, not saying anything, very oblivious to the stares that everyone was giving them.
Mrs. Weasley had put a hand on her chest and her eyes were wet with tears. She had always known that Ginny had a crush on Harry, and secretly hoped that he would return the affection. And from witnessing the looks the two were giving each other, it seemed that maybe he finally was.
Ron looked at Hermione and grinned broadly. Hermione smiled back and had to put a hand on her mouth to keep from squealing. They were both happy for what they were seeing. Now, it was just the matter of Harry and Ginny telling each other how they felt about each other.
Lupin and Tonks also looked at each other and smiled. Teenage love was such an adorable feeling. And seeing these two young people who had shared and endured so much together falling in love was nothing short of a blessing. But they also knew that Harry would have to be the one to make the first move. And they hoped that telling Ginny about his true feelings for her would be an easy task for him. After all, he had faced far worse events in the last five years of his life. Facing an enemy was one thing though. Telling someone you love them with your whole being was something more.
Everyone was taken out of their reveries when Hedwig let out a hoot from her cage. She wanted to be let out. Both Ginny and Harry blushed as they finally realized that they were being watched.
"Uh...I'm going to take Hedwig out," Harry said meekly, not looking at anyone. And before anybody could say anything, he walked back outside, carrying Hedwig and her cage.
"You reckon he's ever going to tell her?" Ron whispered to Hermione nodding towards Ginny who had sat down in the chair looking out the window, watching Harry as he walked to the middle of the garden with Hedwig perched on his arm.
"He better! He'll be stupid if he didn't!" Hermione whispered back also looking at Ginny watching Harry.
~*~*~
During dinner, whether it was intentional or not, Harry and Ginny ended up sitting next to each other. Ginny was shaking all over was having a hard time keeping her hands steady as she ate. The same went for Harry. Ron and Hermione were trying their best not to laugh and pretend that they did not notice. But in fact, everyone around the table noticed, but all knew better to say anything. Even Fred and George, who both have a remark for anything. Well, they also knew that if they tried to embarrass their sister, she would get back at them ten fold. So they thought better of it.
Everyone tried to make some kind of conversation during dinner, to try to avert the awkward silence between Harry and Ginny.
"So Ginny? Are you going to try out for the team this year?" Ron asked thickly, for his mouth was full. Ginny looked at him disgustedly and shook her head.
"Uh...maybe," she said looking at her plate again. She tried to put a piece of meat in her mouth, but her hand was shaking so bad that she dropped her fork on the plate. "Oy."
Harry turned to look at her quickly and smiled. He wanted so much to talk to her but afraid of how lame he was going to sound like, being that he was so nervous as it is just sitting next to her. But he loved that. He could smell her hair. It smelled of strawberries and cream. Then suddenly he realized something. Her hair had always smelled like that. He mentally kicked himself for not paying closer attention. He could also smell a hint of vanilla coming from her.
"Must be her perfume!" he thought to himself, smiling a little.
"What are you smiling about, Harry?" Fred asked teasingly. Harry blushed a bright shade of red that caused a chorus of snickers from everyone at the table, except for Ginny. She looked at him shyly, but turned away quickly.
"Uh, nothing," Harry said as he stuffed some more food in his mouth. Fred and George looked at each other and raised they raised their eyebrows.
"We're going to have to do something about him," Fred whispered to George who chuckled.
"Yeah, for Ginny's sake," he whispered back. The twins were also aware of their sister's infatuation with Harry and were glad that it was for someone that they knew would do her right.
And true to their word, as soon as dinner was over, and the table was cleared out, the twins asked if anybody wanted to play a quick game of Quidditch. Of course, having been isolated from the wizarding world for a month, Harry enthusiastically said yes. Everyone else followed suit, except for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. But everyone was more surprised that Hermione had said that she would play also.
"Are you sure about this Hermione?" Ron asked her worriedly. "You have never been too fond of flying."
"I'm positive, Ron," Hermione told him giving him a smile. Ron thought that his knees were going to gave way and make him fall down. But he managed to steady himself. He smiled back at her, trying hard to refrain from grabbing her into his arms.
"Well, Tonks and I can be the Keepers," Lupin said, trying to keep himself from laughing. Love was in the air and he could not be happier for the young wizards and witches. But he wished that they would all soon just come out and tell each other how they felt. Everyone else around them knew about their feelings, but all had made silent decisions to let the young ones deal with them on their own.
"Okay then," Fred said grabbing his bat and broom. "George and I will be Beaters, naturally, for opposing sides. Harry and Ginny could play against each other as Chasers along with Hermione and Ron. But when the time comes, you and Ginny can also be the Seekers for your teams."
He said that last bit with a wink to Harry that made him blush. He knew that Ginny was a pretty good player. But the thought of flying next to her in a friendly competition was just too much. He would not know how to control himself.
"Oh stop being ridiculous!" he scolded himself. "It's just Ginny!"
But he knew that he was only fooling himself. He looked over to where she was at and noticed that she was looking at him as well. But when she saw him look at her, she turned away quickly and started talking to Ron, as they were going to team up together. Hermione was teaming up with Harry.
"Everyone ready?" George called out. When everyone had nodded their heads and walked over to the middle of their makeshift pitch, he turned to his father.
"Dad! Could you please let the balls out?"
"Sure thing!" Mr. Weasley said, jogging towards the chest of balls.
Everyone kicked off the ground and assumed their positions. Harry found himself facing Ginny. They looked at each other in the eyes.
"Well, I'm going to have to prove to this guy that I'm not just Ron's little sister!" Ginny thought to herself. "Quidditch seems like the only way to get to his heart."
"Now Dad!" George called out. Everyone looked down and waited for the Quaffle to be let out. Harry and Ginny looked at each other again and nodded. How was this game going to play out?
Mr. Weasley let the Bludgers go up first. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron all had to jerk their heads backwards for the balls shot up straight at them, before separating and 'disappearing.' Then the Golden Snitch was released, flying in front of Harry and Ginny and circling their heads once before disappearing itself. Then, Mr. Weasley tossed the Quaffle up as hard as he could. Once it passed in between Harry and Ginny, they both raced up to catch it.
They were neck and neck but Ginny managed to grab hold of it first. Then with a quick pull to the right, she headed out towards the goal posts where Tonks was waiting. Harry was right behind her, and so was Hermione. Ron flew towards her side.
"Ginny! I'm open!" he called out to her. She looked to her right, and nodded at her brother. She threw the ball towards him but it was intercepted by Hermione, who suddenly pulled the handle of her broomstick upwards. Then she quickly headed towards the opposite direction to try to score a goal. Harry quickly turned his broom to follow her, with Ginny and Ron hot on their tails.
"Hermione! Over here!" he called out to her. Hermione passed him the ball and he zoomed towards the posts. Lupin was waiting and was hovering in front of the goal, ready to shift positions if need be.
Harry was sure that he could make a score. When he was close enough, he hoisted the ball above his head. When he was about to throw it, it was knocked out of his hand. He looked backwards and saw Ginny speeding away with the Quaffle tucked under her arm. He shook his head and smiled, but turned his broomstick hurriedly to catch up to her.
Then, Ginny did something very unexpected. When she was about a couple of yards away from Tonks, she tossed the ball above her head, then zoomed upwards after it and kicked it towards the post...scoring a goal as the Quaffle shot past Tonks' outstretched hands.
George, Ron and Lupin all let out some cheers for Ginny, who was beaming proudly. Harry was stunned but was very proud of her too. He couldn't believe that she had done that to score!
When everyone had flew up to Ginny to congratulate her, Harry hung back. He wanted to go up to her to hug her, hold her in his arms and tell her how great she was, but he couldn't find the courage. He didn't want to alienate her by doing so. But he finally flew up to her and praised her.
"Hey Ginny! Great move!" he called out to her from behind Ron. Ginny looked up and smiled at him, but blushed. She couldn't believe how much those eyes on her get her heart to do flip-flops.
Harry was looking at her lovingly, but hoped that no one else noticed it. But, they did. Everyone could tell the strong feelings coming from him and Ginny, and were all anxious for them to let each other know about them.
"Well, okay then," Fred said clearing his throat loudly. "That's 10-0, Ginny's team. Harry, I can't believe that you let her get away with that!"
Harry blushed a shade of red and turned his broom around to fly towards the middle of the field again. Ginny threw Fred a piercing glare that made him shut up. Everyone else stifled their laughs, as they all followed Harry towards.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, were both down on the ground watching and smiling.
"She really does care for him you know?" she said to her husband, sniffing and wiping a tear from her eye.
"I know she does, Molly," Mr. Weasley replied. "And I think he does too. Just gotta let him be the one to make the first move."
Mrs. Weasley nodded her head and hoped that it would be soon.
Once again, Mr. Weasley tossed the Quaffle hard up to the air. This time though, Harry caught it first then zoomed towards the goal posts. Since his broom was faster than everyone else's, he used that to his advantage and was up ahead of everyone. He turned to look back to see if Hermione was close to him. She had flown towards his left side near the lower goal hoop. Harry nudged his broom down a bit and flew in towards her, tossing her the ball.
Hermione caught it and circled the hoops once before throwing the ball through the right lower hoop, shocking everyone including herself. Harry let out a whoop and flew to her and gave her a hug. Hermione in all her excitement hugged back laughing and squealing for scoring.
"That was great Hermione!" Ron called out as he flew towards them. Harry let Hermione go and flew a bit out of the way to give Ron some room.
He smiled when they exchanged hugs and stared in each other's eyes for a moment when they pulled away before everyone else came flying in to congratulate Hermione.
Ginny was the last one to approach her and she gave Harry a small smile that made his heart do a flip in his chest.
"Why am I suddenly so smitten by her?!" he asked himself. Though as confused as he was about his feelings, he was certain of one thing. He liked those feelings. The feelings of wanting to be with Ginny and holding her in his arms and kissing her full lips.
He thought he felt like that when he was with Cho Chang. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that what he felt for her was not as strong or true as what he was feeling for Ginny.
He watched as Ginny gave Hermione a congratulatory hug and the girls talking excitedly about their feats. A smile crept to his face as he looked at Ginny's face that seemed to be shining from happiness. He was so focused on watching her that he jumped when he heard someone talking next to him.
"Looks like we got our work cut out for us this year for the tryouts, don't we?" It was Ron. He was looking at him with a mischievous smile on his face. Harry blushed. Although he tried his best to keep himself collected, he knew that Ron caught him staring at his sister.
"Er, yeah. I suppose we do," he said. He couldn't keep himself from looking. He wanted to turn away, but hearing Ginny's laughter was just a beautiful noise that he couldn't get enough of.
"So, you think that Ginny's got a pretty good chance of getting into the team?" Ron asked slyly. He knew that Harry was looking at her, but tried not to let Harry on that he knew. When Harry didn't answer him, he was convinced that his best friend has a crush on his sister. He smiled happily to himself.
"Ginny would be so happy to know this!" Ron thought to himself. "Now to get Harry to open up would be the tricky part!"
Everyone gathered back up to the middle to start another round. This time however, it was Ron that caught the Quaffle and headed towards Tonks, with Hermione hot on his tail. He looked around for Ginny but couldn't find her. When he looked down, he gasped. He brought his broom to a halt and watched what was transpiring right below everyone.
Everyone else had stopped and watched, all with their mouths dropped down, eyes wide and all anxious for the turn out.
Harry and Ginny were both neck and neck as they raced side by side after a small glittering object...the Golden Snitch.
Harry was the first to see the little golden ball with wings and set off after it right away. Ginny had seen his sudden movement from the corner of her eyes and followed suit. Why else would he go the other direction from Ron?
Ginny's old broom was no match for Harry's Firebolt, but she managed to keep up with him. They both had determined looks on their faces as both want to catch the Snitch.
The Snitch was flying in all sorts of directions making the two Seekers fly harder, stronger and faster than they would have to.
Ginny managed to match all of Harry's maneuvers and although he was competing against her, he was really impressed with her.
The Snitch suddenly shot upwards and Ginny and Harry both pulled their brooms up and followed it. They were both within arms' reach of the Snitch and looked at each other with narrowed eyes as if telling each other that the other was going to catch it first.
Then unexpectedly, the Snitch dove straight down. Harry immediately followed it, Ginny hot on his tail. He was a head ahead of her but she pushed her broom to fly faster to catch up. Harry turned to look back at her when his eyes became wide and his face paled.
Ginny Weasley woke up with a big smile on her face. She had just the most amazing dream. The dream that she wished would come true. It consisted of her being in the arms of the one boy she had been pining for since she was ten years old. Everyone had just thought that what she was really feeling towards this boy was nothing but just a crush. A crush for the boy-who- lived.
For a while, she believed that it was just that. However, if it was just a crush, why couldn't she take him off her mind? It had been five years. That same boy had stayed with her family every summer since he was twelve years old. She had started Hogwarts the year after he did, along with her brother, Ron. There were a lot of other good looking guys in the school, but none of them seemed to take her interest.
She had gone out with a boy, Michael Corner, but that relationship did not last long. In fact, after they had broken up, he had found a new girlfriend. She believed that the only reason that she probably went out with him in the first place was to see if she'd gotten over her crush for Harry Potter. But she was wrong. She never did. Her feelings seemed to have been growing stronger. And it pains her to know that this boy, would never look at her any other way but as his best friend's little sister.
Ginny sighed when she got out of bed. She tried to keep the vision of the dream she just had in her head. It helps her get through the day. And this day, Harry's 16th birthday would be the day to hold on to that dream. He was coming down and stay with them for the remainder of the summer. Another month to find out if he'll ever see her as the girl who wanted his affection and attention.
~*~*~
Harry Potter was busy toiling the soil in the garden planting some more geraniums for his Aunt Petunia. He was upset of course, as today was his birthday. And as usual, they, the Dursleys, did not acknowledged it. He was used to it though. One bright light of this was that the Weasleys were coming to pick him up and have him stay with them for the remainder of the holidays.
As hot and tired as he was, a smile crept on his parched lips. Not just the thought of going to a place where he actually was treated as a human being, but the thought of seeing a certain redheaded girl made his heart skipped a beat. He did not realize just how much this girl had grown up to a mature young woman who seemed to have captivated his heart like no one could possibly have done. But he never told her his true feelings for her. He knew that she'd had a crush on him and had always shrugged it off. Mainly because she was his best friend's little sister and their family had treated him as one of their own. How could he feel something for this girl that was more than just brotherly love?
He had never paid much attention to her before. But last year, he actually thought that he felt a twinge of jealousy when he found out that she got herself a boyfriend. He thought that that was really stupid of him, to feel jealous. Ginny was Ron's baby sister. Ron was his best friend. He cannot possibly be falling for her! But he knew that he was only kidding himself if kept denying his true feelings. He just hoped that Ginny still had some kind of emotions left for him. Although, he would not blame her if she did not. He completely ignored the fact that she was infatuated with him, and pretty much just brushed her off, hardly speaking a word to her. But now, he regretted it. He made up his mind that he would make it up to her this year. Maybe, she would still have a little bit of that crush to show him. And he can hopefully turn that crush into something deeper.
He had been dreaming about her since the end of the term. Her maturity showed when she helped him at the Department of Mysteries to fight off Death Eaters and Voldemort. She showed true courage and strength that Harry did not fail to notice. But events that had happened during that battle, the loss of his godfather, Sirius Black, had prevented him to say anything to her. He was too wrapped up in his own grief that he didn't notice that this girl grieved with him.
"I will have to make it up to her," he thought to himself.
She had been owling him asking him how he was doing and had told him that if he ever wanted someone to talk to, that she would be there for him. That really touched his heart. It made him realize that he did indeed had grown to like her, as someone he would love to share his life with.
~*~*~
Ginny was going about frantically straightening up the Burrow. Since she was still under aged, she was not allowed to use magic, so she had to do it the traditional way. She was grumbling about how her brothers were a bunch of lazy swines who could not clean up after themselves.
Ron, who was helping his mother peel some potatoes, looked at her and shook his head. He knew why Ginny was driving herself mad and it hurt him to see her that way. He knew that she had never gotten over her crush for Harry no matter how many times that she had insisted that she did. He only wished that he could help her. Harry never mentioned anything to him about having any attraction to Ginny. But then again, if he did, surely Harry thought that it would be stupid of him to let the girl's brother know about it. Ron let out a sigh and continued to finish the potatoes. He secretly hoped that the rest of the summer would be more bearable than the last one they had.
Harry finished all his chores and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. He had not told the Dursleys that he was leaving but he knew that they would probably be so relieved that he was. But he also knew that they were not too keen of having any of his people at their house.
Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks will be accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Weasley when they come to pick him up to take him to the Burrow. He frowned at the thought of having to wait longer on seeing Ginny again. He was still confused about his feelings towards her but he knew that they were true and he intended to let her know before it was too late.
"Uh, Uncle Vernon? Aunt Petunia?" he called out hesitantly. They did not look at him at all but he knew that they had heard him. "Well, Lupin, Tonks, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are going to be coming for me in a couple of hours."
That did it.
"What!?" Uncle Vernon bellowed, the veins on his neck looking like they were going to burst at any given moment. "You mean those freaky people are coming here again?!"
"They are not freaky people," Harry said through gritted teeth. "They are my friends. And yes they are coming. To pick me up."
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked at each other with wide eyes. They could do without seeing those people ever again. They both looked at Harry with utmost contempt.
"Fine," Aunt Petunia hissed. "Just as long as they will not have to step foot in this house."
"Fine," Harry said and left the kitchen and headed upstairs to finish packing his trunk and get Hedwig ready.
Harry was sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for Lupin, Tonks and the Weasleys to arrive. He had hurriedly finished packing and getting Hedwig and her cage ready. Packing his stuff was a small feat for he did not have much stuff to pack to begin with. Just his hand-me-down clothes from Dudley, that was like ten sizes too big, some books, and his Firebolt.
He was about to complain about how time was going by so slow when the doorbell rang. Harry suddenly got up and took the stairs three steps at a time barely keeping himself from falling on his face when he reached the landing. He pulled open the door and smiled broadly when he saw Lupin on the side.
"Hi!" he exclaimed. Then he looked over Lupin's shoulder and saw Tonks, Mr., and Mrs. Weasley. He smiled at them as well and waved.
"Are you all set to go Harry?" Lupin asked smiling at the young man's enthusiastic welcome. His hair had turned grayer over the last few weeks, and his face seemed to have thinned too. His eyes, though happy, seemed sorrowful.
"Yes!" Harry nearly shouted. He clamped a hand on his mouth and stifled a laugh. The four adults all looked at each other wide eyed and chuckling.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Tonks prodded her hair purple again, with yellow tips and she was wearing thick black liner on her eyes, and was wearing tight pants with the legs tucked in a pair of white boots with a silver tip. She was also wearing a white top that hung over on one shoulder. Her hair was spiked up and she was wearing different earrings and a bunch of bracelets on her arms. Harry just shook his head.
"That's Tonks for yah," he thought to himself. He nodded to the visitors and told them to wait for him right there. When they gave him weird questioning looks, he let out a sigh and turned his head towards the living room of the house. The adults all nodded their heads understanding. Mrs. Weasley had a scowl on her face. Mr. Weasley patted her shoulder and shook his head on her as telling her to cool it.
Harry sprinted back upstairs into his room. He went to the table where Hedwig was waiting in her cage first.
"We're outta here, Hedwig," he told his snowy white owl cheerily. She hooted at him softly letting him know that she understood. Then Harry hurried to his bed, grabbed the handle of his Firebolt, and tucked it under the same arm that was holding Hedwig's cage. At last, with his free hand, he grabbed one end of his trunk and dragged it out of the room.
The trunk made a loud thudding noise as Harry descended the stairs making the Dursleys look towards the stairway with sour faces. Harry did not care. He was leaving and that all that mattered. Lupin, Tonks, and the Weasleys were all chuckling when Harry reached them again. Lupin grabbed his trunk, while Tonks grabbed Hedwig's cage.
"Well, I'm off!" Harry called to his family as he stepped out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him.
~*~*~
When Harry and his entourage arrived at the Burrow, Ron and Hermione met him at the door. She had arrived just moments before by floo powder and will be staying for the remainder of the holidays also. Harry smiled as he saw his two best friends come up to meet him with happy, welcoming smiles. Besides Hogwarts, the Burrow was the only place where he actually felt that he belonged.
"Hi yah mate! How are yah?" Ron greeted him extending his hand for a shake. Harry took it and smiled.
"Better now thanks!" he said actually feeling it.
"Harry! How are you?" Hermione asked him, giving him a quick hug. He blushed a little, but returned the hug, throwing a sideways glance at Ron, who just shook his head and smiled.
"I'm great Hermione," Harry assured her. Ron and Hermione helped take Harry's stuff into the house, followed by Lupin, Tonks and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley had insisted that Lupin and Tonks stay over for dinner, and they gladly accepted.
When they entered the house, Harry thought his heart was going to stop beating when he saw Ginny standing by the squashy armchair by the fireplace. She had been standing there waiting for them to come in. She felt her stomach gave a lurch when she saw Harry enter. She had held onto the back of the chair to steady herself, for her knees started to buckle.
"Hi Ginny," Harry said as steady and calm as he could not taking his eyes off her. He wanted so much to go up to her and hug her, but refrained himself as to not embarrass her.
"Hello, Harry," she greeted back, trying hard not to choke on the mere words. For a moment, they just looked at each other, not saying anything, very oblivious to the stares that everyone was giving them.
Mrs. Weasley had put a hand on her chest and her eyes were wet with tears. She had always known that Ginny had a crush on Harry, and secretly hoped that he would return the affection. And from witnessing the looks the two were giving each other, it seemed that maybe he finally was.
Ron looked at Hermione and grinned broadly. Hermione smiled back and had to put a hand on her mouth to keep from squealing. They were both happy for what they were seeing. Now, it was just the matter of Harry and Ginny telling each other how they felt about each other.
Lupin and Tonks also looked at each other and smiled. Teenage love was such an adorable feeling. And seeing these two young people who had shared and endured so much together falling in love was nothing short of a blessing. But they also knew that Harry would have to be the one to make the first move. And they hoped that telling Ginny about his true feelings for her would be an easy task for him. After all, he had faced far worse events in the last five years of his life. Facing an enemy was one thing though. Telling someone you love them with your whole being was something more.
Everyone was taken out of their reveries when Hedwig let out a hoot from her cage. She wanted to be let out. Both Ginny and Harry blushed as they finally realized that they were being watched.
"Uh...I'm going to take Hedwig out," Harry said meekly, not looking at anyone. And before anybody could say anything, he walked back outside, carrying Hedwig and her cage.
"You reckon he's ever going to tell her?" Ron whispered to Hermione nodding towards Ginny who had sat down in the chair looking out the window, watching Harry as he walked to the middle of the garden with Hedwig perched on his arm.
"He better! He'll be stupid if he didn't!" Hermione whispered back also looking at Ginny watching Harry.
~*~*~
During dinner, whether it was intentional or not, Harry and Ginny ended up sitting next to each other. Ginny was shaking all over was having a hard time keeping her hands steady as she ate. The same went for Harry. Ron and Hermione were trying their best not to laugh and pretend that they did not notice. But in fact, everyone around the table noticed, but all knew better to say anything. Even Fred and George, who both have a remark for anything. Well, they also knew that if they tried to embarrass their sister, she would get back at them ten fold. So they thought better of it.
Everyone tried to make some kind of conversation during dinner, to try to avert the awkward silence between Harry and Ginny.
"So Ginny? Are you going to try out for the team this year?" Ron asked thickly, for his mouth was full. Ginny looked at him disgustedly and shook her head.
"Uh...maybe," she said looking at her plate again. She tried to put a piece of meat in her mouth, but her hand was shaking so bad that she dropped her fork on the plate. "Oy."
Harry turned to look at her quickly and smiled. He wanted so much to talk to her but afraid of how lame he was going to sound like, being that he was so nervous as it is just sitting next to her. But he loved that. He could smell her hair. It smelled of strawberries and cream. Then suddenly he realized something. Her hair had always smelled like that. He mentally kicked himself for not paying closer attention. He could also smell a hint of vanilla coming from her.
"Must be her perfume!" he thought to himself, smiling a little.
"What are you smiling about, Harry?" Fred asked teasingly. Harry blushed a bright shade of red that caused a chorus of snickers from everyone at the table, except for Ginny. She looked at him shyly, but turned away quickly.
"Uh, nothing," Harry said as he stuffed some more food in his mouth. Fred and George looked at each other and raised they raised their eyebrows.
"We're going to have to do something about him," Fred whispered to George who chuckled.
"Yeah, for Ginny's sake," he whispered back. The twins were also aware of their sister's infatuation with Harry and were glad that it was for someone that they knew would do her right.
And true to their word, as soon as dinner was over, and the table was cleared out, the twins asked if anybody wanted to play a quick game of Quidditch. Of course, having been isolated from the wizarding world for a month, Harry enthusiastically said yes. Everyone else followed suit, except for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. But everyone was more surprised that Hermione had said that she would play also.
"Are you sure about this Hermione?" Ron asked her worriedly. "You have never been too fond of flying."
"I'm positive, Ron," Hermione told him giving him a smile. Ron thought that his knees were going to gave way and make him fall down. But he managed to steady himself. He smiled back at her, trying hard to refrain from grabbing her into his arms.
"Well, Tonks and I can be the Keepers," Lupin said, trying to keep himself from laughing. Love was in the air and he could not be happier for the young wizards and witches. But he wished that they would all soon just come out and tell each other how they felt. Everyone else around them knew about their feelings, but all had made silent decisions to let the young ones deal with them on their own.
"Okay then," Fred said grabbing his bat and broom. "George and I will be Beaters, naturally, for opposing sides. Harry and Ginny could play against each other as Chasers along with Hermione and Ron. But when the time comes, you and Ginny can also be the Seekers for your teams."
He said that last bit with a wink to Harry that made him blush. He knew that Ginny was a pretty good player. But the thought of flying next to her in a friendly competition was just too much. He would not know how to control himself.
"Oh stop being ridiculous!" he scolded himself. "It's just Ginny!"
But he knew that he was only fooling himself. He looked over to where she was at and noticed that she was looking at him as well. But when she saw him look at her, she turned away quickly and started talking to Ron, as they were going to team up together. Hermione was teaming up with Harry.
"Everyone ready?" George called out. When everyone had nodded their heads and walked over to the middle of their makeshift pitch, he turned to his father.
"Dad! Could you please let the balls out?"
"Sure thing!" Mr. Weasley said, jogging towards the chest of balls.
Everyone kicked off the ground and assumed their positions. Harry found himself facing Ginny. They looked at each other in the eyes.
"Well, I'm going to have to prove to this guy that I'm not just Ron's little sister!" Ginny thought to herself. "Quidditch seems like the only way to get to his heart."
"Now Dad!" George called out. Everyone looked down and waited for the Quaffle to be let out. Harry and Ginny looked at each other again and nodded. How was this game going to play out?
Mr. Weasley let the Bludgers go up first. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron all had to jerk their heads backwards for the balls shot up straight at them, before separating and 'disappearing.' Then the Golden Snitch was released, flying in front of Harry and Ginny and circling their heads once before disappearing itself. Then, Mr. Weasley tossed the Quaffle up as hard as he could. Once it passed in between Harry and Ginny, they both raced up to catch it.
They were neck and neck but Ginny managed to grab hold of it first. Then with a quick pull to the right, she headed out towards the goal posts where Tonks was waiting. Harry was right behind her, and so was Hermione. Ron flew towards her side.
"Ginny! I'm open!" he called out to her. She looked to her right, and nodded at her brother. She threw the ball towards him but it was intercepted by Hermione, who suddenly pulled the handle of her broomstick upwards. Then she quickly headed towards the opposite direction to try to score a goal. Harry quickly turned his broom to follow her, with Ginny and Ron hot on their tails.
"Hermione! Over here!" he called out to her. Hermione passed him the ball and he zoomed towards the posts. Lupin was waiting and was hovering in front of the goal, ready to shift positions if need be.
Harry was sure that he could make a score. When he was close enough, he hoisted the ball above his head. When he was about to throw it, it was knocked out of his hand. He looked backwards and saw Ginny speeding away with the Quaffle tucked under her arm. He shook his head and smiled, but turned his broomstick hurriedly to catch up to her.
Then, Ginny did something very unexpected. When she was about a couple of yards away from Tonks, she tossed the ball above her head, then zoomed upwards after it and kicked it towards the post...scoring a goal as the Quaffle shot past Tonks' outstretched hands.
George, Ron and Lupin all let out some cheers for Ginny, who was beaming proudly. Harry was stunned but was very proud of her too. He couldn't believe that she had done that to score!
When everyone had flew up to Ginny to congratulate her, Harry hung back. He wanted to go up to her to hug her, hold her in his arms and tell her how great she was, but he couldn't find the courage. He didn't want to alienate her by doing so. But he finally flew up to her and praised her.
"Hey Ginny! Great move!" he called out to her from behind Ron. Ginny looked up and smiled at him, but blushed. She couldn't believe how much those eyes on her get her heart to do flip-flops.
Harry was looking at her lovingly, but hoped that no one else noticed it. But, they did. Everyone could tell the strong feelings coming from him and Ginny, and were all anxious for them to let each other know about them.
"Well, okay then," Fred said clearing his throat loudly. "That's 10-0, Ginny's team. Harry, I can't believe that you let her get away with that!"
Harry blushed a shade of red and turned his broom around to fly towards the middle of the field again. Ginny threw Fred a piercing glare that made him shut up. Everyone else stifled their laughs, as they all followed Harry towards.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, were both down on the ground watching and smiling.
"She really does care for him you know?" she said to her husband, sniffing and wiping a tear from her eye.
"I know she does, Molly," Mr. Weasley replied. "And I think he does too. Just gotta let him be the one to make the first move."
Mrs. Weasley nodded her head and hoped that it would be soon.
Once again, Mr. Weasley tossed the Quaffle hard up to the air. This time though, Harry caught it first then zoomed towards the goal posts. Since his broom was faster than everyone else's, he used that to his advantage and was up ahead of everyone. He turned to look back to see if Hermione was close to him. She had flown towards his left side near the lower goal hoop. Harry nudged his broom down a bit and flew in towards her, tossing her the ball.
Hermione caught it and circled the hoops once before throwing the ball through the right lower hoop, shocking everyone including herself. Harry let out a whoop and flew to her and gave her a hug. Hermione in all her excitement hugged back laughing and squealing for scoring.
"That was great Hermione!" Ron called out as he flew towards them. Harry let Hermione go and flew a bit out of the way to give Ron some room.
He smiled when they exchanged hugs and stared in each other's eyes for a moment when they pulled away before everyone else came flying in to congratulate Hermione.
Ginny was the last one to approach her and she gave Harry a small smile that made his heart do a flip in his chest.
"Why am I suddenly so smitten by her?!" he asked himself. Though as confused as he was about his feelings, he was certain of one thing. He liked those feelings. The feelings of wanting to be with Ginny and holding her in his arms and kissing her full lips.
He thought he felt like that when he was with Cho Chang. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that what he felt for her was not as strong or true as what he was feeling for Ginny.
He watched as Ginny gave Hermione a congratulatory hug and the girls talking excitedly about their feats. A smile crept to his face as he looked at Ginny's face that seemed to be shining from happiness. He was so focused on watching her that he jumped when he heard someone talking next to him.
"Looks like we got our work cut out for us this year for the tryouts, don't we?" It was Ron. He was looking at him with a mischievous smile on his face. Harry blushed. Although he tried his best to keep himself collected, he knew that Ron caught him staring at his sister.
"Er, yeah. I suppose we do," he said. He couldn't keep himself from looking. He wanted to turn away, but hearing Ginny's laughter was just a beautiful noise that he couldn't get enough of.
"So, you think that Ginny's got a pretty good chance of getting into the team?" Ron asked slyly. He knew that Harry was looking at her, but tried not to let Harry on that he knew. When Harry didn't answer him, he was convinced that his best friend has a crush on his sister. He smiled happily to himself.
"Ginny would be so happy to know this!" Ron thought to himself. "Now to get Harry to open up would be the tricky part!"
Everyone gathered back up to the middle to start another round. This time however, it was Ron that caught the Quaffle and headed towards Tonks, with Hermione hot on his tail. He looked around for Ginny but couldn't find her. When he looked down, he gasped. He brought his broom to a halt and watched what was transpiring right below everyone.
Everyone else had stopped and watched, all with their mouths dropped down, eyes wide and all anxious for the turn out.
Harry and Ginny were both neck and neck as they raced side by side after a small glittering object...the Golden Snitch.
Harry was the first to see the little golden ball with wings and set off after it right away. Ginny had seen his sudden movement from the corner of her eyes and followed suit. Why else would he go the other direction from Ron?
Ginny's old broom was no match for Harry's Firebolt, but she managed to keep up with him. They both had determined looks on their faces as both want to catch the Snitch.
The Snitch was flying in all sorts of directions making the two Seekers fly harder, stronger and faster than they would have to.
Ginny managed to match all of Harry's maneuvers and although he was competing against her, he was really impressed with her.
The Snitch suddenly shot upwards and Ginny and Harry both pulled their brooms up and followed it. They were both within arms' reach of the Snitch and looked at each other with narrowed eyes as if telling each other that the other was going to catch it first.
Then unexpectedly, the Snitch dove straight down. Harry immediately followed it, Ginny hot on his tail. He was a head ahead of her but she pushed her broom to fly faster to catch up. Harry turned to look back at her when his eyes became wide and his face paled.