JaimeBell: Thank you! Your stories are great! I'm glad you like mind. Thank you for the specific passage, I'm glad you showed me that. And thanks for the idea about the feelings. That's exactly what I think is wrong. I'm going to have to go back and edit it.

Liebling: Thank you for all your reviews. I only ask for suggestions out of desperation…I'll be careful. :-D

Everyone who reviewed: Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

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They hadn't gotten far when they turned around a corner, nearly slamming into Malfoy's cronies Crabbe and Goyle. Harry heard Malfoy chuckle behind the pair.

"Hiding behind your baboons again, Malfoy?" Harry called, peering between their shoulders. Malfoy pushed through.

"Oh, Potter, like I'd ever be afraid of you." Harry felt Ginny squeeze his hand reassuringly. He felt a wave of joy and adrenaline.

"We all know the truth here, Malfoy. No need to pretend you've got anything other than a rich dad who's in prison, thanks to me." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Harry knew there would be consequences. Ginny sucked in her breath and gripped her wand at her side. This can't turn out well, she thought worriedly. Malfoy's eyes narrowed and Harry saw him reach for his wand.

"Expeliamus!" Harry shouted, before Malfoy could do anything but finger his wand. It flew away from him and down the hall. Harry stood with his wand pointed at Malfoy's chest. Ginny stood beside him, her wand pointed at Crabbe and Goyle.

"Leave your wands where they are," she said authoritatively. Neither Crabbe nor Goyle had even thought to pull out their wands.

"We're going to leave, and if you try anything, or try to follow us, you'll get the worst cursing you've ever experienced."

"Come on, Potter," Malfoy spat his name as if it tasted foul. "You—"

"Shut up, Malfoy," Ginny's voice surprised Malfoy.

"Need your girlfriend to protect you, now that your mother's gone?" Harry's hand tightened on his wand. It was taking every ounce of strength he had not to curse Malfoy, but he needn't have worried. Malfoy had already sunk to the floor, unconscious. Crabbe and Goyle stirred, not knowing what to do.

"Stay," Harry said, as if they were dogs. They obeyed. Harry took Ginny's hand again and they walked off towards the kitchen. They didn't speak even when they reached the painting of the fruit bowl. Harry was very aware of her hand in his, and he couldn't help but love what she'd done for him. He thought about the quiet girl he'd known until his 5th year. She'd finally opened up and shown him what a great girl she was.

"Harry Potter!" Harry was startled from his thoughts. "It's so good to see Harry Potter, Dobby has missed him." Harry smiled embarrassedly down at the house elf.

"It's good to see you too, Dobby."

"What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?" He asked, bouncing from one foot to the other excitedly.

"I'd like a butter beer, if that's okay, and Ginny?" He looked to her.

"I'd like some lemonade, if you please Dobby."

"Of course!" Dobby rushed off, and a few house elves raced over to him.

"Is there anything else we can get for you or your friend, Mr. Potter?" One of them asked. Harry looked to Ginny, who shook her head.

"No, thank you very much." Harry was glad he was still holding Ginny's hand, but was trying to think of something to say to her. His mind raced and he couldn't think of anything to say that seemed adequate. Dobby soon brought the drinks to them. Both had been thirsty and drank quickly. Dobby stood by, waiting to take their empty cups.

"Does Harry Potter want more?" He asked, eagerly.

"No, thank you, Ginny?" She shook her head again. "We'd better get going Dobby. It was good to see you," he waved with his empty hand and they left. Out in the empty hall, Harry paused.

"Ginny?" She stopped and looked up into his green eyes. Her knees felt week and she let go of his hand. She stood with her face turned up to his, less than a foot away.

"Yes, Harry?" She groaned inwardly at the breathlessness of her voice. He took a deep breath and forced himself not to run away.

"Thank you," he said finally. "Thank you for standing up to Malfoy, thank you for being such a great friend, thank you for always helping me when I needed it. Thank you for not wrenching your hand away from me when I took it." He looked down at her and inched closer. He couldn't stop talking now. "Thank you for knowing I didn't want to be with Ron and Hermione. Thank you for distracting me." He placed his hand on her waist as he closed the distance between them. Her heart pounded in her chest. "Thank you for not treating me weird." He pressed his body against hers, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "Thank you for this."

His head bent down and their lips met. Her arms snaked around his neck and his stayed wrapped around her waist. After a moment they separated. Ginny's heart hadn't stopped pounding. She couldn't focus on one thought. Harry Potter had just kissed her. Harry looked into her chocolate eyes, hoping she would break the silence.

"You're welcome."

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That would be it! I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think!

I'll probably be editing it soon, hopefully making it better.

Thanks again to all those who reviewed, and by beta reader, Geneva! :D