Chapter 9: TIDINGS

Ginny's mind was racing – turning events, feelings, thoughts over and over again in her head. Today had been a long day and strenuous too. First the shop opening and then the congress, so why wasn't she sleeping deeply and peacefully? With a sudden wave of anger at herself she jumped out of bed, slipped out of the room and went downstairs.

The living room was quiet and moonlit. She opened a window and inhaled the fresh night air. It didn't help, she wouldn't calm but started pacing back and forth.

"Ginny are you ok?

She shrieked up seeing Hermione standing ant the bottom of the stairs. "Fine" she answered tensely.

"Just fancied a walk, didn't you?"

"And IF?" Ginny snapped.

"Something's up." Hermione stated flatly "What is it?"

"Nothing,...everything."

"Harry?"

"Why do all of ya think I'm still labouring my crush on him, ever time I'm not my usual self? There's much more!"

"As?"

"Well, there's the constant threat called Voldemort, the Order, start of school, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." 'And that mindwrapping unbelievable kiss' but she wouldn't say this out loud.

"I've never talked about the crush, Gin. It's just obvious that you've become very close, so it's naturally you'd think about him or worry after such a day. However now that YOU mentioned it. Are you still crushing on him?"

"Definitely NOT!"

Hermione knew Ginny to well not to notice a lie even a half lie. Therefore she was rather taken by surprise of her earnestness. She had been sure to sense something between Ginny and Harry, but that answer made her think. It was to serious to allow any suspicions in the romantic direction. "Well, fine if you want to carry on I leave you by yourself, I'm devastated."

"Sounds familiar, I join you." Ginny replied following her.

The next morning brought a new excitements. The O.W.L results had been sent from Hogwarts. Hermione was the first to tear open her envelope. Her face went pale. "What is it my dear?" Molly inquired worried. Hermione didn't move and Ron fetched the parchment out of her hands.

He whistled after a quick look and said with a broad grin in mock boredom "Who would have thought? Outstanding and a lot of them not to say all, how excessively boring!" He carelessly dropped back the sheet into the owners Hands.

Hermione slowly gained her composure and while smacking Ron's shoulder asked curiously "And what about you two?"

The boys needed some time more and finally agreed on opening their letters on the count of three. Ron broke out in happy hysterics jumping around in the living room, shouting and singing "I GOT IT, I DID IT , I'M THE KING" It was difficult for Molly to get hold of him and the parchment.

"Oh, my dear!" she exclaimed handing the sheet over to Mr. Weasley "We are so proud of you!" they said in unison.

Harry was more silent but not less satisfied. He was on the best way to be an Auror. Hours of congratulations and cheering ended with a merry feast in honour of the three successful students – the last feast for this summer. The last days of the summer faded quickly. Before anyone really knew they sat on the train to Hogwarts.

Ginny and Harry never mentioned their kiss, not to each other and not to anyone else. The odd thing was that both wanted desperately to talk about it or share another one, but none dared to. On the other hand it didn't make a real difference between the two of them. It just felt right when they were together, naturally. I didn't seem necessary to comment on the kiss. Still Harry became to wonder why.

'Maybe it's not supposed to be like that. We are more family. Maybe that's why she doesn't say anything. She wants to be a friend.'

"Harry! HARRY!" Hermione cried. "Harry do you hear me, we are about to get off the train!" Together with Neville and Luna they hurried to the carriages, that brought them to the castle.

Ron and Hermione were heading upstairs to the great hall hand in hand, the other four short behind when Malfoy and his chaps blocked their way.

"Ah, isn't that sweet. Weasley and Mudblood. What a nice couple – so fitting. Malfoy eyed her up and down and added "Although I have to admit that I understand why. It seems she has grown quite nicely over the summer" resting his eyes on Hermione's most striking new bodily features. Hermione gathered her robe over her chest.

At the moment Ginny had come up between Luna and Neville. The effect was prodigious. Crabbe and Goyles eyes bulged and their mouths dropped open. Malfoy simply tripped over a stair. Ginny took the opportunity to step on his robe causing him to stumble even more.

"And it seems your still the same inapt old brat you used to be. Nice to know that we will easily beat you at Quidditch again this year." With that she went on Harry by her side grinning madly. "Nice start Gin!"

Ron was shaking is head in disbelieve. "What was that for? Why were these gits suddenly acting all weird. I know Crabbe and Goyle are the most stupid ever allowed to attend Hogwarts, but Malfoy?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Have you ever really looked at your sister?" Neville asked uneasy.

"What? Of course!"

"Well, it doesn't seem you did. She's rather good looking. Others would say gorgeous. More so over her growing up over the summer." Luna explained dreamily.

Now it was Ron's turn to look like a gaping fish.

"Luna sometimes you're a real loony!" Ginny smiled embarrassed.

Harry knew better and the attention Ginny caused passing the tables told the same story.

Ron shoot angry glares sideways while walking behind Ginny. However got distracted when he noticed that his sister wasn't the only one raising admiring glances and low whistles. He couldn't decide if he should be angry or flattered for his girlfriend.

Next morning at breakfast Harry resumed his usual seat for over a year now – opposite his coupled friends and beside Ginny. He smiled to himself at the realisation of such a dear habit. Pretending to be engrossed in his timetable he secretly checked out Ginny's as well, when the remaining members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team plopped down around them, all smiling widely.

"Congratulations Harry" Katie said shaking his hand.

"For what?"

"Well, we've voted you Gryffindor Team Captain" Alexander Kirke cheered.

Harry gaped.

"Congrats brother!" Ron slapped him on the back.

"But I, I" Harry began to stammer.

"Have already suggestions for new team mates, haven't you. We need a new beater as Jack wants to change to be Chaser and we thought about Ginny taking the third position!" Katie finished his stammering.

"NO" Ginny shrieked all of a sudden.

"But we thought you wanted to play chaser. Didn't you say you preferred it to Seeker and I've no doubt you will do perfectly." Katie said astonished.

"I'd love to be chaser but I don't want to get on the team because I'm the captains best friend little sister!"

All the surrounding people were talking in a flurry. What nonsense she was saying. Nobody would think this way – and so on, but Ginny wasn't to be convinced.

Harry called for quiet. "FIRST of all, missy, your not just Ron's little sister. Get over it for once and all!. SECOND" he turned to all the others "Are you sure about me being captain?" Everyone nodded eagerly. "Well then, THIRD: As Miss Weasley wants to have it the formal way, she will participate in the tryout. We need somebody for the beater anyway. FOURTH: The tryout will be this week and you're all supposed to be there. We start early this. I will inform you about the exact hour. FIFTH: Ron you're to come down with me tonight to the pitch to do some preparations."

Ron rolled his eyes "What have we done?! We created a monster!"

The others salutated laughing and headed to their classes.

Harry cried after them "And thank you, thank you very much!" They smiled and waved good bye.

Harry spent his day in a happy daze. Dumbledore had called him at breakfast to congratulate him. So did all the other professors, except Snape of course. He refrained to a slight bow. Of course all the Gryffindors knew within minutes and Harry had to shake a lot of Hands.

The evening was quiet in the Gryffindor common room. Most students had gone upstairs quite early. Ginny and Hermione sat alone by the fire as Ron and Harry still were at the Quidditch pitch.

Hermione watched her friend intently. Suddenly she jumped up shouting "I GOT IT!"