Chapter 10:

Hogsmeade

The weekend passed quickly after Harry's conversation with Dumbledore. Hermione had expressed concern that Harry might be expelled. Harry assured there was no chance of him being expelled as long as it didn't happen again. He informed them rather dismally that the one hundred point deduction would stand. Ginny was furious. She yelled at Harry for doing something so stupid. She broke down and cried and told him that she didn't want to see him hurt. Harry soothed her and told her not to worry. Ron, Ginny, and Harry went down to the Quidditch pitch on Saturday to practice. The weekend was a great deal of fun. No professors. No classes. Just a bit of rest and relaxation.

The next week seemed to fly by just as quickly as the weekend. They began studying more advanced Shield Charms in Defense Against the Dark Arts. They continued light Conjuration in Charms, and human transfiguration in McGonagall's class. The dueling club continued with Ron facing Hermione in an exhibition. Hermione defeated Ron rather handily. Ernie MacMillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley went head to head and Justin came out on top.

Before they knew it, it was Friday afternoon and time for the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts. Harry stepped onto the pitch and looked at the gathering of students. There were a few older students, but it was mostly younger students standing around with eager expressions on their faces.

Harry tapped his wand to his throat, "Sonorus." Then, he turned to the mass of hopefuls. "May I have your attention?" Everyone quieted and looked at Harry. "I want everyone to divide up depending on which position you will be trying out for. I want anyone that is trying out for reserve keeper to go with Ron. Anyone trying out for Chaser, go with Katie. Beater tryouts to me." He tapped his wand to his throat, again, "Quietus."

A couple of second year boys made their way over to Ron. The only tryouts for Beaters were Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, the replacements from the year before, and Dean and Seamus. By far the largest number of tryouts were for the Chaser position. Harry called out, "Oy! Katie. I'll be through with the Beaters quickly. Then, I'll come help with all the Chasers.

Harry put the four boys through their paces quickly. Then, he flew over to the Chasers and helped Katie work all of them out in alternating pairs.

After a couple of hours of Quidditch practice, Harry tapped his wand to his throat, "Sonorus. Alright, everyone to the ground." Harry remained on his broom, "That was excellent. I will post the team roster by tomorrow morning. If you are on the roster, then I expect you to be at practice on Tuesday afternoon at 5:00. We will be having a mock game between the starters and reserves. Depending on performance in this mock game and others that will follow it through the season, it is possible that their will be changes between the reserve and starting team. So, if you make the starting team, you better stay in shape if you want to keep your position. You are dismissed." He tapped his wand to his throat again, "Quietus."

Then, Harry landed and walked over to Katie and Ron. "Well, I'll meet you back in the common room. We have to discuss who we are going to put on the team." The other two nodded and Harry walked back over to Ginny. He smiled at her and said, "You were amazing."

She glowed with pride, "Thank you." The two walked hand in hand back up to the castle and headed into the Great Hall for dinner.

Later that evening Harry walked over to Ron and Katie in the common room and said, "Its time to discuss the team." They each got up and walked with Harry over to the corner where he normally sat with Ginny. Ginny got up from the chair that her and Harry had taken to sharing, and said, "I'll let you get on with it."

Harry stopped her with a hand on her arm, "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Ginny turned to look back at him, "I was going to let you all talk about who to add to the team."

Harry smirked, "Since you're already on the team, then you need to be here to help. Your opinion counts just as much as anyone else's."

Ginny smiled happily, "I'm not on the team, though."

"Yes, you are." returned Harry. "You're the reserve seeker."

The others nodded. So, Ginny sat back down with Harry. Harry turned to look at Ron and Katie. "Okay, let's get the beaters out of the way. Quite frankly, I wasn't very impressed with Kirke and Sloper's performance last year as replacements for the twins, and I wasn't really all that impressed with them today. Dean and Seamus weren't much better, but I think that they should go as the starters, and we'll keep Kirke and Sloper as the reserves. Is that alright with all of you?"

Ron spoke up, "Yeah, I was kind of paying attention out of the corner of my eye. It seemed like Dean and Seamus were doing a bit better of a job."

Harry nodded, "Alright, then. How about the reserve keeper, Ron?"

Ron shrugged, "I don't know, but I think that our best bet is to go with Euan."

Katie raised her eyes, "Euan?"

Ron nodded, "Yeah, he's a second year. I know he's kind of small, but he's quick, and he has a natural talent for goal. I think with a little practice, he could be a better keeper than Wood."

Katie smiled, "That's a heck of a compliment."

Harry nodded, "Okay, that's handled. Now, we need to figure out the chasers. Ginny seemed to work quite well with you, Katie."

Katie smiled at the insinuation, "Yes, actually she did."

Ginny blushed slightly at the compliment and then put in, "Well, if you want my opinion, I think that we need to go with Natalie McDonald as the third chaser."

Harry nodded, "Yes, I agree. I was watching her closely. She seemed to have a knack for the game."

Ginny slapped his arm playfully, "Oh, so you were watching her, huh."

Harry looked amused with himself as he realized what he had said, "Oh hush. I didn't mean it like that, and you know it."

The other three laughed at his obvious discomfiture. "Anyway, now that we have the starting team down. Let's discuss the reserve chasers."

Katie spoke up immediately, "Dennis and Colin Creevey for two of them."

Harry groaned, "I was afraid you were going to say that."

Ginny smiled, "Your three biggest fans all on the Quidditch team with you. Pitiful."

Harry snorted, "I can tolerate the president of my fan club, but the other two are a little overzealous."

Ginny looked at Harry and smiled, "Oh, so I'm the president of your fan club."

Harry shrugged, "That's what I figured. I was under the impression that you founded it after you stuck your elbow in the butter dish at the Burrow."

Ginny blushed at the reminder of her clumsiness around Harry the summer before her first year. Harry continued, "Now, for the final chaser. What do you think, Katie?"

"I think we should go with Emma Dobbs. She's not that great, but she's got potential." answered Katie.

Ginny nodded, "I agree. She showed some real spunk out on the pitch, today."

Harry clapped his hands together, "That does it, then. I'll post the team in the morning. For now I'm ready to relax for the rest of the weekend."

The others all agreed heartily.

The next morning Gryffindor Tower awoke to find the following message on the common room bulletin board.

Team members for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team

Starters

Position Player

Keeper Ron Weasley

Seeker Harry Potter

Chaser Katie Bell

Chaser Ginny Weasley

Chaser Natalie McDonald

Beater Seamus Finnigan

Beater Dean Thomas

Reserves

Position Player

Keeper Euan Abercrombie

Seeker Ginny Weasley

Chaser Colin Creevey

Chaser Dennis Creevey

Chaser Emma Dobbs

Beater Andrew Kirke

Beater Jack Sloper

There were squeals of delight from those that had made the team, and moans of disappointment from those that didn't. Harry grinned as he watched people's reactions from his customary corner of the common room.

The weekend seemed to slip by. Monday passed uneventfully, and suddenly it was time for another dueling club meeting. Harry walked out onto the platform and raised his voice, "May I have your attention?"

Everyone turned to Harry. "Tonight, we are going to be practicing dodging. I want everyone to pick a partner." The group of students began to pair off. "Now, I want one of you to begin throwing hexes at the other. I don't want to see any shielding spells. Just dodge. If you are hit, then it is time to switch places. Begin."

Suddenly the room was filled with the sound of people calling out curses. Tonks walked over to Harry, "I don't know if this was the greatest idea, Harry. We're going to have to be using a lot of counter-curses. No one seems to be doing a very good job of dodging."

Harry noticed a shielding spell flare out of the corner of his eye. "Stop." he bellowed. Everyone in the room froze in shock. "Mr. Malfoy, what were my instructions at the beginning of the lesson?"

Malfoy's eyes widened, "You said not to use a shielding charm."

"What did you just use?" Harry continued in a lethal voice.

Malfoy gulped visibly, "A shielding charm."

"Why?"

"Because its impossible to dodge curses for that long when you can't fight back." responded Malfoy defiantly.

Harry grinned, "That remains to be seen. Come here, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy walked up to the stage with a haughty expression on his face, but Harry could see the tinge of fear in his eyes.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy, since you seem to think that it is impossible to continuously dodge hexes, we will be putting your theory to the test." He turned to Tonks, "Professor, if you would kindly step off the stage." Tonks nodded and stepped down to the main floor where the rest of the dueling club were watching in anticipation to see what was about to happen. Harry returned his gaze to Malfoy. He motioned with his hand, "Whenever you wish to begin, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy stared at Harry in shock as he realized that Harry wanted him to throw hexes at him. Malfoy grinned as if Christmas had come early this year. He began shouting out hexes and jinxes and sent them flying at Harry. Harry easily sidestepped the first few. Then, he began ducking and rolling out of the way as Malfoy began hurling the curses faster and faster. When it was obvious that Draco was not going to be able to hit Harry, Harry decided to end the duel. He quickly dove under a jinx and then spun on the ground into a sweep that flipped Malfoy off his feet. Harry quickly leaped to his feet, and kicked Malfoy's wand out of his hand. Then, Harry drew his own wand and pointed it at Malfoy. "Do you yield?"

Malfoy nodded dumbly and croaked, "Yes."

Harry smiled, "Accio wand." He dropped Malfoy's wand onto his chest and then turned to the rest of the dueling club. "As you can see, it is not always the wizard with the strongest magic that comes out on top in a duel. There are many other ways to defeat an opponent than with a hex. We will continue practicing dodging next time. Dismissed."

After all the students had filed out except for Ginny, Tonks turned and smiled at Harry, "Wotcher, Harry, that was brilliant." All three of them turned as they heard clapping coming from the corner.

Dumbledore walked up to them, "Excellent, Mr. Potter. That was one of the finest displays of physical coordination that I have seen in many years."

Harry nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Professor. I've been working hard."

Dumbledore smiled as his eyes twinkled, "I can see that, Mr. Potter. I am impressed. I would say that you would be able to stand against most Aurors in a duel. Wouldn't you agree, Tonks?"

Tonks nodded emphatically, "I've seen some of the senior Aurors dueling in practice, and its amazing. Harry could keep up with them, though."

Harry snorted, "Unfortunately, however, I will be dueling Voldemort, not senior Aurors. Its going to be a slightly different story."

Dumbledore frowned as he became serious, "You will be ready when the time comes, Harry."

Harry nodded, but smiled grimly, "I hope you are right, sir. I really do."

The next day's classes passed just as quickly as the day before. Harry smiled in anticipation as he walked up to his dormitory to grab his Firebolt. This would be his first Quidditch practice as Captain. The excitement coursed through his veins. Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup the last two years that it had been held. He was determined to continue the winning tradition.

Harry got to the changing rooms ahead of the rest of the team. He changed, and then sat down in the captain's office. The others showed up and changed into their Quidditch robes. Ginny looked around, "Where's Harry?" The others turned around in circles to look for him.

Harry grinned as he walked out of the captain's office, "Alright team. Its time for our first team practice." Everyone jumped in surprise. Harry chuckled, "Starters, on the left, reserves on the right." The two teams lined up and headed out onto the pitch. Harry stepped up in front of them. "Okay, we're going to play a mock game. No seekers. I'm going to be the referee. We'll play to a hundred and fifty. So, chasers, the bulk of it is going to be on you. I want to go for a few new strategies. Beaters, I want you to concentrate on the opposition's Chasers. I want to control the game on goals. Don't worry about the seeker that much. If you see him or her after the snitch, belt a Bludger at them, but other than that I want you backing up our chasers and hammering the Bludgers at theirs. Take it to the air. I'll release the balls."

Harry watched the game in literal awe. Katie, Ginny, and Natalie were the perfect team. If anything they were a better functioning unit than Alicia, Angelina, and Katie had been. However, the real surprise came from the Creevey brothers and Emma Dobbs. They worked extremely well together. The two Creeveys in particular seemed to be able to anticipate each other's thoughts. It was a much closer game than it should have been. The major difference came in as Dean and Seamus began to hammer the Bludgers with better and better accuracy. The final score was 150-90.

Harry landed and leaped from his broom in excitement. "The Quidditch Cup is as good as ours. If we all play half that well throughout the season, its in the bag. That was amazing, guys. I'm impressed. Next Tuesday, same time. Be ready. Dismissed."

Katie raised her hand, "Harry, you do know that we're not in class."

Harry grinned at the jibe, "Yeah, I know but its habit forming when it comes to speaking in front of a group of people to adopt my teacher mode."

Ginny hugged him. Harry smiled down at her and they made their way back to the changing rooms to get their school robes.

The rest of the week flew by, and it was Saturday morning. Harry awoke with a smile on his face. He jumped up and ran over to Ron's bed and upended him from the covers onto the floor.

Ron jumped up in a rage, "What did you do that for?"

Harry headed for the door, but managed to throw back over his shoulder, "Hurry up. We're going into Hogsmeade."

Ron muttered under his breath as Harry walked out the door, "What is he so ruddy happy about? We go into Hogsmeade all the time."

The five of them met at the Gryffindor tower for breakfast. They all ate fairly quickly, and then got up to head out for Hogsmeade. Harry stopped, and asked, "Hey, shouldn't we see if Luna wants to come into Hogsmeade with us? She might want to hang out with us instead of the Ravenclaws."

Ginny beamed at him, "That's very sweet, Harry. I'll go ask her." Ginny wandered over to the Ravenclaw table and leaned over to Luna, "Hey, Luna, do you want to go into Hogsmeade with us?"

Luna looked up with her usual dreamy expression fixed on her face, "Yes, I would like that very much." She smiled dottily and got to her feet, and followed Ginny back over to Harry and the others. Ron, Hermione, and Harry greeted her warmly. Neville flushed slightly at the sight of Luna. Harry and Hermione exchanged knowing glances, and then Harry smiled evilly.

"Quick, let's get going." Harry said. He grabbed Ginny by the hand and pulled her along quickly. Hermione did the same. This left Neville to walk next to Luna. The two Weasleys squawked protests at being pulled along so quickly.

Harry smiled and whispered to Ginny, "Neville has got a crush on Luna. We're just making sure that they have to walk beside each other."

Ginny smiled and followed docilely. Harry glanced over and saw Hermione whispering t in Ron's ear. He figured she was saying much the same thing that he had just said to Ginny. Harry managed a quick look over his shoulder to see Neville and Luna side by side fighting to keep up with the other two couples. Harry grinned as the stepped out the main doors of the castle, and headed down the road to Hogsmeade.

"So, where do we want to head, first?" asked Harry as a tension breaker.

Ron's eyes lit up, "Zonko's?"

Hermione snorted, "What do you want to go in there for?"

Ron looked indignant, "Zonkos is always good for a laugh."

Harry chuckled, "I'll say. However, I think that we should head over to Honeydukes. We need to pick up some candy."

Ginny nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, I want some chocolate. How about you, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, "No, all the chocolate I need is stored right in those beautiful brown of eyes of yours."

Ginny blushed slightly, while Hermione and Luna smiled slightly. Neville appeared confused by the sappy statement, while Ron faked a gag. Hermione slapped him in the back of the head. "What did you do that for?" Ron asked.

Hermione put her hands on her hips and said heatedly, "You know, Ron, if you would pay just a little bit of attention to the way Harry treats Ginny, then you might learn something about how to treat a lady." Then, she turned around and stomped off towards Honeydukes.

Ron scratched behind his head, "What is she on about?"

Harry snorted, "Well, mate, I would say that she's a little upset by the fact that you make fun of me for being romantic. I think you might need to try saying some things that are a little bit sappy."

Ron looked at Harry, "So you mean I need to say really stupid stuff that sounds like poetry, and she won't be mad at me anymore."

Harry shook his head, "Ron, it doesn't work for you just to say stuff like that. You have to mean it, or they'll know you're just saying it."

Ron looked confused, "How will they know if you mean it or not?"

Harry shrugged, "Don't ask me how they know. Girls just have a way of knowing if a compliment is really sincere."

Ginny stepped up beside Harry, and laid her head against his shoulder. Then, she looked at Ron, "You can be really thick sometimes, Ron. Girls want to hear about how you feel about them."

"How do you tell them that?" asked Ron bewildered.

Harry shook his head, "It's a little bit different for each person. I just tell Ginny the first thing that comes into my mind. It usually covers how I feel pretty well."

Ginny smiled up at him, "It does. I love hearing what you have to say."

Ron shook his head, "I don't get it."

Harry laughed lightly, "You don't have to get it, Ron. Just talk to her." Then, he stopped, and looked around in bewilderment, "Where did Neville and Luna go?"

The three of them looked around the street, but they were nowhere to be seen. So, the three of them made their way into Honeydukes to find Hermione. Neville and Luna was there as well. Harry managed to maneuver close to Hermione for a moment and whispered, "Remember, you have to get Ginny into Gladrags without raising any suspicion."

Hermione smiled back at him, "Don't worry. I'll get her there before the day is out."

Harry smiled and nodded his thanks as Ginny pulled him over to the barrel of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. The six of them spent awhile in Honeydukes and then they walked outside. "Let's take a walk up to the Shrieking Shack. By the time we walk up there and back, it should be lunch time and then we can go to the Three Broomsticks." said Harry.

The others agreed and they strolled towards the outside of town. Once they reached the Shrieking Shack, they stopped and sat chatting for a little while. Then, the group headed back down to the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

Once they had finished their lunch, Hermione stood up and said, "We need to head into Gladrags."

Ginny asked, "What for?" as Ron groaned.

Hermione sniffed at Ron, "I want to browse for dress robes. I'll need them for the Ball."

Luna smiled, "I suppose that I could get some dress robes as well. Maybe someone will ask me." she said wistfully.

Ginny's face fell at the conversation. Harry smiled where she couldn't see him. He knew what she was thinking about. He also knew that he fully intended to rectify that situation. The six of them walked over to Gladrags. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Neville walked over to the boy's dress robes. Neville and Harry began trying on various robes. Ginny stopped Harry after the third set that he put on. "Those are perfect, Harry."

The robes in question were a bright emerald green, lined with stripes of purple at various places. Harry smiled at Ginny, "So, you really like them." Ginny nodded. Harry walked back into the dressing room, and changed back into his Hogwart's robes. "If they're what you like, then, that is what I will get."

Hermione and Luna came over and dragged Ginny over to the girl's robes to try different ones on, Harry and Ron helped Neville pick out his robes, and then Harry walked up to the counter. He waited until Ron and Neville were paying attention to the girls. He leaned over to the salesclerk and whispered, "Do you see the young red-head over there?"

The sales clerk nodded. Harry continued, "She's trying on robes, but she isn't planning on buying one. However, when she tries on the one she likes best, I'm going to signal you. Get the price for it and I'll pay for it, when I pay for mine. I'm going to leave them right here. Then, I'll want the robes delivered to Hogwarts later this evening. I'll pay for the delivery charges. I'd like to have them delivered to Harry Potter."

The woman's eyes widened as she realized to whom she was speaking. Harry smiled and walked over to the girls. Shortly after he walked over to the girls, Ginny came out of the dressing room wearing a set of robes that appeared to be made out of solid gold. The robes looked as if they had been made for Ginny. Harry smiled in disbelief as he looked at how beautiful Ginny was. He signaled the clerk, who nodded in reply. She waited until Ginny had changed into a different pair of robes, and then took the gold ones and marked them sold. Once Hermione and Luna had chosen their robes, the group filed up to pay. Amidst the confusion, Harry paid for his and Ginny's robes. The clerk winked at Harry as he passed.

Once outside, Ron stretched, "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired. I think I'm going to head back to the castle and take a nap before dinner."

Harry nodded, "I know what you mean, Ron. I think I'll join you. Ladies?"

The girls all smiled and nodded. The group walked back up to the castle and then headed for their respective common rooms. Harry pulled Hermione aside, "I'm having the robes delivered a little later. I'll distract Ginny before bed, and I want you to put them in her dormitory."

Hermione smiled, "Harry, I'm surprised at you."

"Why?"

"If someone had told me that you could be this hopelessly romantic two years ago, I would have laughed in their face. Now, though, it seems like you were born to the prospect." stated Hermione.

Harry grinned, "I just needed to find the right inspiration. It kind of fell in my lap."

The robes came later on in the afternoon, while Ginny was in her dorm room. Harry hid them behind his chair in the corner and then told Hermione before dinner where they were.

After dinner, Harry held Ginny back, and gave Hermione time to dash ahead and put the robes in Ginny's room. The five Gryffindors sat in front of the fire and chatted for a couple of hours. Harry kissed Ginny goodnight and allowed her to head up the stairs to get ready for bed. Harry smiled to himself when he thought about what was about to happen. Sure enough a moment later there was a scream of shock, and suddenly Ginny was running back down the stairs into the common room. "HARRY JAMES POTTER!!!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Harry stood up from the couch and said in a very light tone, "Yes, dear?"

"What is that on my bed?" she demanded vehemently.

Harry raised his eyebrows, "Didn't you open the box?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did you like them?" Harry asked smilingly.

"Yes, I liked them. That's not the point. You shouldn't have bought them." yelled Ginny.

"Why not?" Harry asked simply.

Ginny stopped at this simple question, and then seemed to regain her momentum, "They were too expensive."

Harry snorted, "Ginny, I wanted to buy the robes for you. In case you've forgotten I'm rich, and if I can't spend my money on the people that I love, then what good does it do me to have money?"

Ginny spluttered, "But, but.."

Harry smiled, "Don't give me any excuses. You can consider them a Christmas present if it makes you feel any better."

Ginny smiled this time, "Oh thank you, Harry. " She grabbed him in a hug, and then kissed him fully on the lips, hard.

As she backed away, Harry smiled and said, "Look at all the pretty fireworks."

Ginny smiled and headed back up to bed. Ron, who had been watching the exchange from the beginning asked, "So, are you really going to not buy Ginny anything come Christmas this year?"

Harry looked at Ron patronizingly, "Ron, you really do have a lot to learn when it comes to girls. Of course, I'm going to buy her something at Christmas."

Ron looked confused, "But you just told her to consider that her Christmas present."

Harry grinned, "Yes, I did. I just didn't say which Christmas."

Hermione grinned, "Harry, you can be positively devilish."

"I try."

A/N: Potter Reader: No, I am not a fan of the three strike rule. I like Snape's character, so I don't really like the idea of killing him off.

Jouve25: It will take awhile, but Snape has actually realized that he isn't dealing with an extension of James anymore, so things are going to get better.

Dragonstorm316: There is going to be some more fun with Malfoy.

Vampire Story Hunter: You haven't seen anything yet.

Met19: Thanks for the review.

Jaquelyne: I agree with you on Ginny being a lot stronger, but I think that Harry flirting with her would cause her to revert to her old ways.