Thanks also to all my lovely reviewers. I can't begin to tell you all how much I appreciate and adore all your comments. That said, please review!
Black Soul, White Heart
Chapter 8 - "New Beginnings, Strange Days" ***
Harry wasn't sure what had possessed him to kiss her then, in front of all those people. Afterwards he'd pulled away, shocked with himself for his brashness. Ginny had stood there, staring at him wide-eyed, cup still in her hand. He'd apologized quickly, his face turning redder than a tomato, and whirled around. Running to the change rooms, he'd passed the Weasley's and Hermione, who were smiling at him. Well, all except Ron, who had just stood there with his mouth hanging open, gaping like a fish.
Later, Mrs. Weasley, smiling kindly, had gently steered him away from the others before he had the chance to speak to them, and took him to St. Mungo's to have his shoulder mended. He was more grateful to her at that moment than he had ever been. The whole thing had seemed so surreal... but he couldn't forget Ginny's eyes, just staring at him, waiting...
Back at Grimmauld Place, he'd told himself the whole thing had been due to the concussion. The little voice at the back of his mind that reminded him that he really had wanted to kiss her was quickly told to be quiet and to leave him alone. He'd skipped out on dinner and the celebrations that evening, too embarrassed to join the others, choosing instead to hide in his room. Fortunately his friends seemed to discern his solitary mood and hadn't come upstairs to make him join in the festivities, even Ginny, which had surprised him. Though, he thought, she was probably too angry with him now to even be in the same room with him. God, what if she hated him? What if she never talked to him again?
Well, it's your own damn fault now, isn't it?the voice declared, and was promptly told to shut up again.
Harry had spent the rest of the night replaying The Kiss in his mind; but instead of wondering on why he had done it, he contemplated just how soft and smooth her lips had been beneath his own.
The next morning Harry awoke early to pack his trunk. His belongings were scattered about the large room, lying around the bed and the seating area. Very carefully he packed some of Sirius' things to take with him to Hogwarts, including the cloak he had slept with every night since his arrival at Grimmauld Place.
Before heading down to the kitchen for breakfast, he gathered his courage, mentally preparing himself for the onslaught of questions and curses. When he arrived in the cold, stony room, however, he found Mrs. Weasley to be the only other occupant. She smiled in greeting and set down a plate of eggs and toast and a glass of pumpkin juice in front of him. Harry ate in silence, wondering when the others would be down to join him. He finished, still alone, and set his dishes in the kitchen sink.
"Harry dear, go and get Ron and Hermione for breakfast please," Mrs. Weasley asked, her eyes glittering kindly, just as Harry was about to head back upstairs. "Don't worry, they won't bite."
Harry nervously walked up the stairs to the second floor, passing the now battered picture of Mrs. Black on the way. He peered through the half-open door to Ron's room, expecting to see Ron packing his things, or perhaps even still asleep. What he did see was his two best friends kissing.
They were sitting next to each other on the bed, eyes closed. Hermione was pressed into Ron, her hand on his chest, her lips against his in a full kiss. Ron was caressing her cheek with his palm, and his left arm was around her, holding her close to him. Harry quietly slipped back down the hallways, not wanting to spoil their moment together.
He walked back downstairs, a quirky smile on his face. He was happy for his friends, for them finally finding each other. Faintly he wondered if someone had dropped a Kissing Potion on the house. Of course, Hermione's and Ron's kiss didn't seem to be quite so disastrous, or unexpected.
In the kitchen, Harry was greeted by Mrs. Weasley.
"They coming, dear?" she asked. "They'll be down in a few minutes," he answered, shaking his head and sitting down to wait for the others.
Harry sat with his forehead pressed against the cool glass window as the Hogwarts Express whipped by grassy hills, country towns and tall, green forests. His hooded eyes only partially focused on the passing scenery, his brain too distracted to pay much attention to them.
The rest of the morning had gone smoothly enough. For once the group had made it to the station with time to spare, probably due to Mrs. Weasley's urgency to get out of the depressing house. Harry had managed to avoid talking to Ginny the entire morning, but had noticed her looking at him more than once. On the train, with their luggage and pets settled in, Harry's three friends had had to leave him to join the other prefects in a separate car of the train. He was somewhat relieved to see them go, but not at all relieved to find himself with only a cat and three birds to keep him company.
Alone in the compartment, his thoughts meandered from winning the league cup to Ginny, and, inevitably, to Sirius. Harry closed his eyes and pictured his godfather's handsome face smiling proudly at him. An ache that was far too familiar filled his gut. He continued to envision Sirius, trying to permanently etch out his features in his mind: his dark hair, his chiseled bones, his bottomless eyes containing both happiness and a deep hollowness reminiscent of his Azkaban days. When the ache became too much, he let the apparition fade into the blackness of his eyelids.
Harry opened his eyes and looked solemnly around the compartment. It was exactly as it had been for the last five years – the same worn, comfortable seats, the same wood paneling, and the same luggage racks looming overhead. A pile of cauldron cakes - one half-eaten - and candy sat beside him awaiting his friends return. It would be hours before Ron, Hermione and Ginny were able to join him again. Harry considered eating more of his cake or a chocolate frog, but decided against it. Before having to devise another way to distract himself, the compartment door slid open and Harry looked over to see Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood standing just outside it.
"Hey Harry, mind if we join you? The other compartments are really full." Neville greeted him, his large blue eyes not quite meeting Harry's.
"Oh - sure. Hey Neville, Luna." He nodded and gestured for them to sit across from him. Neville scurried across the room and sat opposite Harry, Luna gliding smoothly behind and sitting next to the blonde-haired boy.
"So, how was your summer?" Neville asked.
"It was all right." Harry smiled half-heartedly, the throbbing in his stomach not yet subsided.
"I hear you and Ginny won the cup in the Youth Quidditch League. Congratulations." Neville smiled, settling into his seat. "I really wanted to try out but Gran wouldn't let me - said I was likely to fall off my broom again"
"That's too bad." Harry said. He really did not feel like getting into his performance at the League Cup, either during or afterwards, so he decided to change the topic. He looked over at Luna, who was staring dreamily into space. "Er - how was your summer, Luna?" She blinked and slowly turned to look at him.
"Wonderful. We had ten Swigbee sightings - made for a very big story." She replied. "I wish I could have seen one myself." Luna sighed and began gazing into space again, her grey eyes wide and unfocused.
"Right." Harry blinked, slightly puzzled. "What's a Swigbee?"
"Hrm? Oh!" Luna started. "It's a giant bug that is notorious for stealing socks. Some say they don't exist but that's nonsense if you ask me - I mean, where else would all those socks go?" Harry covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and noticed Neville seemed to be coughing awfully hard all of a sudden.
The threesome continued to chat until they could see the sun dipping below the tree-lined horizon, with Harry deftly steering the conversation away from the League Cup each time it was mentioned. As they were discussing Neville's Mimbulus mimbletonia's newest developments - three large, striking blue flowers - Harry heard footsteps coming down the hall. Moments later a thin, blond-haired boy peered into their compartment, followed closely behind by his dull-witted cronies - Draco Malfoy.
"What do you want?" Harry growled at the boy.
"Manners Potter." Malfoy smirked back at him coolly. "So, I hear you were on the Obliviating Opaleyes this summer? Not a very original name, don't you think? It should have been Orphaned Opaleyes, if you ask me." He gave a short, derisive laugh. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled stupidly behind him.
"Been thinking that one up all summer, Malfoy?" Hermione said curtly as she, Ron and Ginny came striding up the hall behind them. Ginny stepped out in front of her two friends, glaring loathingly at Draco.
"At least Harry's parents were good people, at least people respect them! Unlike yourfamily," she spat.
"My family is far better than yours! At least we can feed ourselves," Malfoy countered, his grey eyes narrowing into slits. Crabbe and Goyle loomed behind him, looking ready to pounce if the smaller boy commanded it. Ron too seemed to be holding himself back, his hands balled into fists. Neville appeared to be trying to make himself disappear into his seat.
"Oh really? And how is the food in Azkaban?" Ginny retorted, crossing her arms in front of her chest and raising her eyebrows at him. Draco glowered at her. He stepped forward until his face was only inches away from Ginny's.
"Just you wait. You'll see how wrong you are soon enough," he growled. "Come on." And with that he strode off, his cronies plodding along behind him.
"Great one Ginny!" Ron exclaimed after the Slytherin trio had gone. Ginny grinned proudly, and then took a seat next to Harry. He swallowed as his heart began to beat faster in his chest. She had defended him in front of Malfoy, and was now sitting next to him. Did that mean she didn't hate him? Harry hoped so.
"Anyone want a cake?" he said, gesturing the pile beside him.
"Oh yeah, I'm starving!" Ron bellowed, scooping a large one off the seat and sitting next to Ginny. The others all helped themselves to a cake each and before long they were munching contentedly in silence.
The rest of the trip passed quickly amidst talking and eating and showing off Ginny's new pet, who she had lovingly named Adeline. Harry spent much of it in silence, too nervous of saying anything stupid that might make Ginny change her mind about hating him. No one dared speak of their experience at the Department of Mysteries at the end of last year, or indeed anything remotely related to it or Voldemort. Despite a good summer holiday for all, their wounds, it seemed, would take longer to heal.
As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Harry peered out the window again, but found he couldn't see much. The students quickly departed the train. Harry was bumped and jostled in the throng of cloaked bodies, but didn't much care: he was wondering if Hagrid would be waiting for the first years, or if he would off on another mission like in his fifth year. To his delight, the kindly half-giant was waiting by the path to the lake, calling the first years to him.
"Hagrid!" Harry said with a smile, pushing through a crowd of students to reach his friend.
"'Allo Harry!" Hagrid greeted him, and quickly pulled him into a hug. Harry hugged back with all his strength, relief flooding through him. Hagrid let him go and looked down on him, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "Glad ter see ye Harry. Yer lookin' well."
"So are you." Harry replied, noticing the cuts and bruises that had covered Hagrid's face the year before were now totally healed, invisible except for a small scar across his left brow.
"Well, ye best be joinin' yer friends. See ye later," said the half-giant. Harry wished Hagrid goodbye, and walked back towards the carriages that would take him up to the school.
"Come on, Harry! We've got one!" Hermione called from the door of one of the carriages. Harry peered at the Thestrals grimly, wondering if the rest of his friends could see them now. One of the skinny, winged beasts turned its head and stared back at him with its opaque white eye; it seemed to recognize him, and bowed its head slightly. Memories of flying through a blackened sky towards the Ministry on the back of the strange creatures filled Harry's head at once. He shivered and quickly got into the carriage, wiping the thoughts from his mind before they could go any further.
Squeezing into the seat between Ron and Neville, Harry and his friends made their way to the castle. The sky was dark and grey in the night, thick clouds concealing the stars and moon. The carriage bumped and rolled along, its passengers silent. Looking at the sky, Harry felt a slight sense of uneasiness, wondering what lay ahead of him this year.
At the castle, the group piled out of the carriage and made their way up the steps and through the large entrance doors. The mass of students pushed their way into the Great Hall and took their seats, smiling and chatting merrily among each other. As Harry walked in through the large doors, his sense of foreboding vanished against the warmth of the Hall. This was his home, and he was glad to be back.
Harry took his seat with the other Gryffindors, and began to look around the room. Dumbledore was sitting at his usual spot at the Head table, smiling over the crowded tables. Harry looked along the row of teachers to see if there were any new faces. There was Snape, scowling at the students as they entered, and Professor Sprout and Madame Hooch chatting to each other. At the end, conversing with Professor Sinistra, was a short, thin woman with golden hair, a tall witch's hat and bright blue robes who Harry didn't recognize. He nudged Ron and pointed her out, who agreed that it must be their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Once all the students were seated beneath the dark grey sky, Professor McGonagall strode into the Great Hall carrying the Sorting Hat and a three-legged stool, a group of nervous first years trailing behind her. She placed the stool at the front of the room, and set the frayed old hat on top of it. The first years were looking around the room, some with expressions of great worry on their faces. The attention of the hall was now on the Sorting Hat. The rip in the hat tore open at once, and it began to sing:
Back when Hogwarts was begun
I was made to tell the rest,
Which of the great houses four
That you will fit in best.
For I am the Sorting Hat
Every year I sing a song,
So put me on top of your head
And I'll say where you belong.
The daring and courageous
Will go in Gryffindor,
And the smartest of the lot of you
I will sort in Ravenclaw.
Those with cunning and ambition
Belong in Slytherin.
In Hufflepuff the loyal
And the fair will be put in.
Although you may be separated
Here, I must remind
That we must stand together
To save all wizardkind.
For darkness looms around us
And will try its very best
To make friends into enemies
To complete its ugly quest.
So united we must stand against
The foe that sits in wait,
So heed my words, dear Hogwarts
And we will rule our fate.
It finished to cheers from the school. Harry was slightly unnerved by the message of dark times ahead again this year, but concluded the hat was right; there was no denying the danger that surrounded them now after the attacks over the summer and the previous year. Voldemort was back, and would continue to spread darkness and misery unless Harry did something about it. Harry turned to his friends as the ancient hat began to sort the first years, deciding to focus on less serious things for the time being.
"Who do you suppose our new Dark Arts professor is?" he asked.
"I don't know. I don't recognize her," Ron said, "I hope she's good."
"Anyone will be better than Umbridge," Hermione stated. Harry shuddered at the name. She had certainly been the worst professor he had ever had - she even surpassed Professor Snape on his most hated person list, which was a very hard thing to do, indeed.
After the last first year had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up and waved his hands to silence the hall.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I would like to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. Also, would you please all welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Wigram. I hope you will all give her a warm welcome to our school." There were polite applause from the staff and students.
"In regards to Quidditch, all players barred last year will be reinstated, and tryouts will begin in two weeks time." His blue eyes sparkled in Harry's direction as he spoke the words. "For those who may still be unsure, any decrees passed last year have been removed. I won't keep you from your food any longer. Let the feast begin!" With Dumbledore finished, all the plates instantly filled with mountains of food. Harry began spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate.
"That's great, Harry, you're seeker again!" Ron hollered enthusiastically from across the table. Harry nodded.
"And we'll be able to have the DA publicly now! Imagine all the members we'll get!" Hermione said, carefully putting carrots onto her plate. Harry looked at her, eyebrows raised.
"You think we should continue the DA?" he questioned. "I mean, Umbridge is gone, there's really not much point anymore."
"Of course there is!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice stern. "We learned a lot of things that we'll never learn in classes, and..." her voice lowered to almost a whisper, "we might be dead without it. If there's any more attacks I, for one, want to be prepared."
"I agree," Ginny piped in.
"Yeah, Harry, you have to!" Neville said unusually loud. "I never would have learned all that stuff otherwise."
"So it's settled then," Hermione said matter-of-factly, looking quite pleased with herself. Harry stared around at his friends, bewildered. He wasn't entirely sure about starting up the DA again, but it seemed he didn't have a choice in the matter.
"Well... maybe we should ask Dumbledore just in case," he said as a last resort, but his friends were already busy eating and didn't answer.
After they had filled their stomachs satisfactorily, Harry and Neville exited the Great Hall and made their way to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione, Ron and Ginny stayed behind to help the first years.
"Sugar sweet," Harry told the Fat Lady, and the large picture swung open to let them through. "I'm going to wait here for the others," he told Neville as they entered the common room.
"All right. Night, Harry."
"Goodnight Neville," Harry replied, and watched as Neville disappeared up the staircase to the boys' dormitories. Harry took a seat in one of the large armchairs by the fire, which was crackling merrily. He stared into the bright flames, letting them hypnotize him.
Moments later Hermione, Ron, and Ginny came in with about 30 first years. Harry turned slowly and smiled at them as they came in. A few of the first years whispered to those beside them as they saw Harry - or his scar, more likely. Ginny smiled back and told the female first years to follow her, while the other fifth year prefect led the boys up to the tower on the other side. Hermione and Ron came and sat next to Harry.
"Few dodgy ones this year, don't you think?" Ron said casually, brushing Hermione's fingers, then quickly jerking his hand away. Harry hid his smile with his hand; they didn't know he knew about their kiss, and he wasn't about to tell them he'd seen them either.
"Oh, Ron, there's nothing wrong with them. They're just nervous," Hermione chided him. Ron laughed.
"We nearly lost three of them in that faulty step! And that was afterwe told them about it, too. And I thought lastyear's were bad." Ron rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Well, we've all done that plenty of times. It doesn't make them dodgy," Hermione huffed. Harry smiled at his friends and folded his hands behind his head, waiting for the argument to escalate. When nothing happened, however, he turned to look at Ron. He was staring at Hermione, a strange look on his face.
"No, I suppose not," he sighed. Hermione smiled at him approvingly.
"Well, I'm off to bed then," she said, standing up, and made her way towards the girls' dormitory. Harry was shocked. Ron actually backed down from an argument with Hermione? Things really werechanging.
"Oi! Are you coming to bed or not?" Ron smacked Harry's head playfully.
"Hrm? Oh yeah. I'm coming." Rising from his seat, Harry suddenly realized how tired he was. Together he and Ron made their way up to their dormitory, and, to Harry's delight, sleep.
"First practice is next Saturday. Tryouts for the new chasers are on Thursday evening. I expect you both to be there," she said, getting right to the point. Harry looked at Ginny, who was looking up at Katie expectantly. She frowned and went back to her food, scowling at it intently, when Katie did not address her. It surprised Harry to find himself feeling slightly annoyed at Katie for this. Ginny was an excellent chaser, and she had been on the team last year; there should be no question of her place on the team.
"Er, Katie, can I have a word with you for a minute?" he asked, despite his better judgment, as he continued to stare at Ginny's down turned face.
"Sure." Together they exited the hall, stopping by the marble staircase so they could talk. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Ginny Weasley."
"She was our seeker last year, I remember. I was going to put her on reserve."
"No. She played chaser all summer in the youth league. She's really good. She's the only reason we beat your team. We'd be stupid not to put her on the team."
"I remember now. That was some pretty impressive flying she did. But I still think she should try out. It wouldn't be fair to everyone else to just let her on the team." Harry scowled at the girl in front of him. She knew how good Ginny was and she still wouldn't let her on the team without trying out? It was absurd.
"Fine." He said crossly. "Then she'll try out and you'll realize I was right. See you on Thursday." And with that, he spun on his heels and marched back into the Great Hall.
How dare she! Ginny was more than qualified to be on the team. Try out - it was an insult. He used to think Katie Bell was nice, but he was having the distinct impression that he wasn't going to like her this year. He slammed down into his seat, startling those around him.
"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine," he muttered, as he stabbed a fried egg and cut it into a hundred tiny pieces, all the while picturing it was Katie's head. Murdering his eggs made him feel slightly better, and he felt his shoulders relax. "What do we have next?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Transfiguration," Hermione said, still looking slightly taken aback by Harry's behavior. Excellent, Harry thought, I can practice transfiguring Katie into a donkey.
Harry told Ron and Hermione the conversation he'd had with Katie once they were in Transfiguration, taking turns trying to turn a pin into a chest of drawers.
"She was only trying to be fair!" Hermione said as she transfigured a perfect chest of drawers, complete with detailed woodwork.
"But Ginny was on the team last year, and she proved what a good chaser she was in summer," Harry explained.
"Yeah she beat our team pretty good!" Ron added ruefully, clearly torn between sticking up for his sister, and being upset that his team lost.
"But she was seeker last year," Hermione said as calmly as possible.
"Oh what do you know!" Ron shouted, as his pin suddenly sprouted a tiny set of drawers.
"Nothing, apparently! Don't worry I won't share my opinion with you again!" Hermione yelled back, her eyes filling with tears.
"What's going on here?" Professor McGonagall approached the group, her voice stern. "Why are you shouting?"
"Sorry, Professor. Er - I was just getting frustrated with the exercise and shouted at Ron," Hermione explained, her voice shaky. Professor McGonagall clearly didn't believe her, as she'd seen her do a perfect transformation only minutes before, but said nothing.
"Two points from Gryffindor for your disruption, Miss Granger. Now keep it down or I will be forced to give you all detention," she said, and walked back across the classroom.
"Thanks Hermione," Ron said apologetically. Hermione made a displeased sound in her throat and transfigured Ron's mutation back into a pin.
After class she strode out ahead of the boys, not even saying goodbye. When they reached the corridor, she had disappeared.
"Now I've done it," Ron said glumly.
"Don't worry, she'll forget about it in a little while," Harry said, trying to reassure his friend. Ron gave him a look as if to say Harry had no idea. After seeing them kiss, Harry was pretty sure he knew exactly what was going on.
Evidently Harry didn't know exactly what was going on, because at dinner Hermione was still ignoring them. Instead she was chatting listlessly to Pavarti and Lavender about hair care, something Harry knew she would normally never submit herself too without protest. She wouldn't even talk to Ginny. Clearly, relation made her just as guilty as he and Ron. He looked at Ron, who was poking at his food, looking positively depressed. Harry frowned - this wasn't good at all.
After dinner, Ginny pulled Harry aside as he made his way out of the Great Hall.
"What's going on? Why are Ron and Hermione so upset?" She asked, concern in her eyes. "Hermione wouldn't talk to me at all today."
"Oh - well." Harry swallowed and tried to think of a way to cut the conversation short. When he couldn't come up with any plausible excuses, and realized that Ginny did deserve to know what was going on, he decided he better tell her. Harry looked around at the milling students. He didn't think Hermione and Ron would want their relationship announced to random people if they wouldn't even tell their best friend. "Let's find somewhere private and I'll tell you." Ginny nodded and they made their way up the marble staircase, along a few corridors, and finally into an unused classroom. Ginny sat down at one of the empty desks and put her rucksack on the floor. Harry paced the front of the room for a moment, lost in thought, before Ginny finally ordered him to sit down.
"So, what's going on?" she asked.
"They had a fight in Transfiguration today," Harry replied. He looked into her eyes and felt his heart begin to beat more quickly. They were in a classroom, alone... Harry quickly halted that train of thought and concentrated on the task at hand: explaining to Ginny what was going on between Ron and Hermione.
"Well, that's not unusual. They're always fighting. But I've never seen Hermione go so far as to talk to Parvati and Lavender about girlystuff before. And Ron wouldn't even speak."
"I know. But see, that's not all." Harry sat up straight and gathered himself. "The last morning we were at Grimmauld Place, I sort of saw them..." He paused, hoping that would be enough for Ginny to catch on, but she peered at him curiously, obviously expecting him to explain more clearly than that. "I saw them kissing."
"What?" Ginny shrieked, sitting up so quickly her chair toppled over. In her haste she tripped backwards over it, landed on her bottom on the floor, and began laughing hysterically.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked quickly, standing to help her up.
"Yes I'm fine," she said, still giggling. She brushed herself off, righted her chair and sat down again. "Sorry. Anyway, that's a good thing, isn't it? I mean, they've liked each other for so long."
"Yeah it's great. Well, I guess I didn't explain properly. See, they don't know I saw them kissing. They've been keeping the whole thing a secret."
"Oh," Ginny said, catching on. "So... I suppose it's putting a lot of extra pressure on them, and that's why they're extra touchy with each other... and there might be some other disagreement we don't know about."
"That's my theory, anyway," Harry said, thinking the conversation was over. Ginny looked thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"That must be awful, being with someone you like that much and then having to hide it from everyone. I imagine they don't get much time to themselves," she said, looking at Harry suddenly. Harry felt his insides drain and all coherent thought fly out of his ears.
"Er-"
"Plus it's the first few weeks. Usually you want to spend as much time as possible together then."
"Er-"
"I would never do that, would you?" she asked.
"Er-" Harry swallowed, trying to gather his thoughts back into his brain. "Er - no," he said finally. "I mean, if I was... together with someone, I don't see any reason to hide it." There, that was better. Harry relaxed, glad that he could speak normally again.
"Well, I'm sure they have a reason," Ginny sighed. "Anyway, what were you talking to Katie Bell about earlier?" Harry's heart stopped dead. Why'd she have to go and ask that?
"Nothing really," he answered.
"Oh, come on, you don't go outside into private and talk to people about nothing."
"I'd rather not talk about it," Harry said, looking at his knees.
"She didn't ask you out, did she? Youdidn't ask herout, did you?" Ginny questioned, her eyes narrowing slightly. Date Katie Bell? She had to be joking. Harry began to laugh. "I'll take that as a no," Ginny said, smiling again. Harry shook his head.
"A big no," he confirmed.
"Good." Ginny leaned back in her chair. Good? She was glad he wasn't dating Katie Bell? Harry stored that thought away for future ponderings. Regardless, it seemed to have satisfied Ginny enough that she left the topic alone, which Harry was very relieved about. He knew he shouldn't be so secretive about it, but he just didn't want Ginny to know what he'd said to Katie, orwhat Katie had said about her.
Ginny began rummaging through her bag, and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill.
"Would you mind helping me with my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework?" she asked. "I've got to do an essay three feet long by Thursday on the importance of the Impediment Jinx. I've got two feet finished, but I'm having trouble with the last part."
"Sure," Harry said, pulling his chair closer to hers.
He helped Ginny with her essay until it was completed. Together they even managed to put an extra half foot on it. When Ginny had safely tucked it away into her bag, they had begun talking. Harry found it was easy to talk to Ginny when his stomach wasn't doing back flips and he wasn't preoccupied with her hating him. He didn't even realize how much time had passed, until he noticed how quiet and dark the classroom was. The only light was that of the moon pouring in through the window. Harry looked at his watch.
"Bugger-it!" he shouted, standing from his chair quickly.
"What?" Ginny said, sounding worried.
"It's eleven!" he screeched.
"Eleven? You've got to be joking! Let me see!" She grabbed his wrist, pulled up his sleeve and looked at his watch.
"Oh Merlin!" Together they frantically got their things together and slipped silently out the classroom door.
"Be quiet," Harry whispered as they crept along the dark corridor towards Gryffindor Tower.
"I am," She whispered back to him. They made their way down another hallway when they heard a noise. "It's Mrs. Norris!" Ginny breathed. "Quickly in here!" She grabbed Harry by the elbow and pulled him through a door.
"Ow! You're on my foot!" she hissed.
"Sorry!" Harry stepped backwards into something solid and felt it fall. There was a large crash of objects around them.
"Oh Gods, shut up!" Ginny exclaimed under her breath.
They'd wound up in a broom closet, a very small, very dark broom closet.
They were both breathing heavily now, pumping with adrenaline. Harry dared not move. He strained his ears to see if he could hear anyone outside. He thought he heard something, but he couldn't tell if it was a person, a cat, or just his heart pounding loudly in his ears.
Time seemed to pass impossibly slow inside the closet. Harry's back and legs began to hurt from standing in such an awkward position. He shifted slightly to try and ease the cramping in his calves. Unfortunately this seemed to bring him closer to Ginny; he was now pressed against her, his hands supporting him against the wall on either side of her head.
"Next time pick a bigger room," he murmured.
"You're not the one being crushed here," she whispered back, but Harry could hear no venom in her tone. In fact, he almost detected a smile. Harry balked. Was she enjoying this? No, he thought, no you are not going to think like that.
Suddenly his senses seemed to turn on. Harry could smell her; tendrils of her fruity vanilla scent drifted to his nostrils, intoxicating him. He could feel her chest moving in and out beneath him with her breathing. It sent odd tingling sensations through his chest. They were actually quite pleasurable. This was bad. Or was it good? He was trapped in a closet with a beautiful girl he had a crush on - good, he ticked off in his mind - who obviously did not return his feelings. Damn. Which was it?
Ginny put a hand on Harry's chest, and he felt something stirring in his jeans. Don't you dare!He gritted his teeth, his heart flapping like a bird with no sense of balance. Ginny squirmed beneath him.
"Sorry," she whispered. Oh, don't be sorry, Harry thought sarcastically, you're just causing my pants to become incredibly tight. Harry stopped. Oh God. What if she can feel it? OH GOD. Harry needed out, right now. He scrambled to the door, frantically searching for the handle. When he found it, he whipped it open as fast as he could, and spilled out into the hallway. He fell forward, a mountain of brooms and buckets crashing to the floor behind him, and scrambled to his feet.
"Who's there?" They heard Mr. Filch shout in the distance.
"Run for it!" Harry grabbed Ginny's wrist and pulled her down the hallway. They sprinted as fast as they could for Gryffindor Tower, which was fortunately close by. When they finally got there, panting, Harry whispered hoarsely to the Fat Lady, "sugar sweet."
"You two are out late," The Fat Lady said, a knowing twinkle in her eyes.
"Just let us in," Harry hissed.
"All right, all right." She frowned and the portrait swung forward. Harry and Ginny crawled as fast as they could through the portrait hole and into the common room. What they saw when they entered was even more unexpected than the happenings in the broom closet.
Ron was leaning over Hermione, who was backed against the wall by the fireplace. Ron had his hands on her sides was muttering something into her neck. Hermione giggled, her eyes hooded in pleasure. When she spotted them, however, they shot open. Ron was pushed backwards onto the floor, where he landed with a loud thump.
"Ow. What'd you do that for?" Ron complained, rubbing his elbow.
"Harry! Ginny! Wh-what are you doing here?" Hermione shrieked, straitening her robe. Ron whipped around to face them.
"We were - uh - just - uh..." he stammered. Harry and Ginny exchanged a look, and then burst out laughing.
"It's okay, we already know," Harry calmed them.
"We thought everyone was asleep," Hermione whispered.
"Wait a minute, you already knew?" Ron said incredulously. Harry nodded, and Ron's expression turned to worry. "Are we that obvious?"
"No. No one else knows, don't worry." Harry smiled at them. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight Ginny," he said, and walked across the room towards the stairs.
"Goodnight Harry," he heard behind him. He ascended the steps and pushed open the door to his room. Dean, Seamus and Neville were fast asleep, their deep, rhythmic breathing filling the room. Harry undressed and slipped into his bed, closing the curtains around him. He lay back on his pillow, smiling as he thought over the happenings of his day.
Things were getting awfully mixed up, but he couldn't exactly call them bad. He was extremely pleased that Ginny didn't hate him, and seemed to be content to forget The Kiss ever happened. But then there was the way she spoke to him in the closet, and the touching, and her eyes... Harry decided it was best not to think about it. Knowing his superb ability to royally screw up when it came to girls, making decisions about Ginny on his own was not a good idea. He'd have to ask Hermione about it some other time; she truly was an invaluable resource when it came to girls - or just about anything, really - not that that was the only reason he was friends with her. No, it was much more than that.
Hermione and Ron. He was extremely happy that his friends had finally gotten over their nerves and begun dating. He hoped it wouldn't change their group dynamic in any uncomfortable or unpleasant ways, but he was fairly certain it wouldn't. It hadn't so far, and even if there were some rough moments, Harry had other friends - like Ginny - he could turn to. While the Department of Mysteries had been a horrifying experience, it had allowed him to become much closer to Ginny, Neville and Luna, and he was glad for their friendships.
Harry yawned and shifted under the covers. Perhaps different wasn't so bad. His thoughts settled, he closed his eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Anyhoo, please review and let me know what you think!