Declaimer: I still don't own anything

Chapter 2: A brother's advice

"Well, what I'm trying to say" he started again, desperately trying to ignore the butterfly sensation he felt in his stomach. He began fiddling with his hands nervously. He continued with difficulty, "is that I-"

"HARRY!" bellowed a voice from behind them, causing them both to jump. As they both turned they saw Ron striding towards them with an unreadable expression on his face, that caused Harry to stiffen. When he reached them, he looked at both of them in wonder and suspicion.

"Sorry if I'm err- interrupting something" he paused to give them another searching look, before turning to Harry and continuing, "but Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall want to see all seventh years for a graduation rehearsal and briefing"

Harry looked at Ginny torn between wanting to stay and having to go. He wanted to stay to tell her how he felt about her or even give her the letter, but he couldn't bring himself to do it

"Sorry Gin" and he really looked sorry, as he paused and looked at her in the eyes "We'll continue later. It's important. Ok?" and without waiting for an answer he turned to Ron "lead the way, mate"

They span around and sprinted towards the castle, leaving Ginny in her thoughts

"Oh, bugger. Ron you prat!" she said aloud in frustration "he was just about to tell me something important" she added aggravated at her brother, flinging her ands in the air and stomping her feet forcefully to the ground.

~~~^^^~~~

As Harry and Ron reached the big oak doors of the Great Hall, they stopped to catch their breath and Ron turned to face Harry

"Harry, mate, can you forgive me?" he said seriously

"What for, Ron? Harry asked in between sucking large amounts of air. He the looked up at his friend. "Forgive you for what? He repeated, suspicion rising within him

"Well.." he hesitated, gulping "I kindda lied about the meeting" he added in an undertone cautious of the fact that Harry might kill him. And just as he suspected, Harry looked murderous, so he rushed to explain himself "Not entirely. The meeting is still going to take place, just not now. It's in about an hour." He said quickly

"RON!" Harry shouted, "I wanted to tell Ginny something very important" through his eyes Ron could see desperation and anger

"I know" he said softly "that's why I needed to cut in"

"You know?" he asked curiously? "How do you-" he began but he stopped abruptly as realization dawned on him "Hermione" he said simply, running a hand through his hair

"Yep.. Sorry mate" he said with a small smile "But I still don't get why you went to her and neglected to tell me about your situation"

"Well, the fact that you are her brother had something to do with it, along with the fact that Hermione is a girl, and a smart one at that, and I thought that she might find a way to help me" he answered exasperatedly

"True. I have to agree that I don't want to know the details of my sister's personal life, especially when it involves my best friend," he said with a cringe, that made Harry smile," And I most definitely agree that you did the right choice by going to Hermione, as she is the smartest witch alive" he smiled at him

"Thanks, mate, but I still don't understand why you cut in, in my conversation with her" he looked at him quizzically

Ron suddenly went serious

"The thing is, that I don't approve of you doing it as I don't want to see my baby sister hurt" he said in a low tone. Harry looked hurt. He would never do anything to harm Ginny, and Ron knew that. Yet there he was telling him that, that is what he was doing

"Ron I would never-" he began, but was cut off by Ron

"I know you might not want to intentionally but it will happen if you go through with this. Harry, I know that you are planning to face Lord You- Know-Who and lets face it, not even you know what I going to happen. If you don't come back then Ginny will mourn and hurt but she'll get over it, but if you make her love you even more, then she'll be heartbroken and it would kill her. So, please" he looked at his dumbfound friend, in a pleading gaze "please don't do anything until after you come back. Safe and sound, so you can both lead a normal life"

Harry just stared at Ron with a mix of emotions. He wanted to kick him, hug him, or even just walk away. All these emotions were caught in his throat, all at once. He thought of what Ron had just said

"You're right" he said after a few moments of silence. Not even he knew where he found the voice to speak, but as soon as it came out he knew it was true, and so lowered his gaze to stare at his feet. "It would kill her" he whispered more to himself than anyone else.

Ron looked at his friend sadly. He knew that Harry loved his sister but he couldn't have Ginny get hurt.

Then he remembered something else that made him grin

Hermione

"Harry, mate. There is something else that I have to admit" there was something in the tone of his voice that made Harry look up, where he found his best friend with a goofy grin on his face and a glint in his eye

"What mate?" ha asked curious

"I told you to come here for another reason as well" he felt the tips of his ears go red, but he continued "I've been thinking a lot about this and well-" he looked at Harry in hesitation

"Ron, spill" Harry encouraged, feeling his lips curl into a smile

"Imgonnaaskhermionetomarryme" he blurted, feeling his ears turn into the colour of his hair

"WHAT?" he shouted bewildered, "When? How? Well it's about time. You've been going out for two years now and you deserve each other, mate" he added quickly, overjoyed for his friend

"Wow, wow, slow down, mate. I agree, it is about time and that she is perfect for me" he grinned madly and continued "I'm going to ask her tonight, at the Astronomy Tower where we shared our first kiss." Embarrassed he looked at Harry, who was still smiling broadly "do you think I'm crazy?"

"Of course you are, that's why you're my best friend" he joked, but at the lost look on Ron's face he hastily added "just kidding mate. All I can say is yes, you are crazy. Crazy enough in love with her to do it and make it work" he smiled at him. " And if you need any help, I'm here for both of you" he added as an afterthought. He then grabbed him in a brotherly embrace, whispering "Congratulations"

At that moment Hermione appeared at the top of the stairs

"What's going on?" she asked as she edged closer

"Oh nothing. Just practesing for graduation" Harry said through chuckles. Soon both he and Ron were in histerics

"Oh, forget it. I wont even bother" Hermione said raising her hands in silent surrender. A few seconds later she grew impatient "Come on, both of you, we're late", she said to them, grabbing Ron's arm and yeanked it towards the Great Hall.

Ron managed to mouth 'thank you' to Harry before he was dragged away

Harry walked in the Great Hall with a new resolution; not to get too close to Ginny until Voldemort was out of the picture. He would explain everything to her in a letter, after graduation

A/N please tell me what you think of this. R&R