DISCLAIMER: I own nothing – it all belongs to JK Rowling.

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After leaving Dumbledore's office, they rounded on Ginny.

"Why didn't you tell us?" demanded Ron furiously. "I'm your brother, Ginny! You should have said something!"

"Well, it only happened recently and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on," said Ginny calmly. "Apparently it only kicks in a few years after puberty, and then you need a bit of training to get it down pat. I spoke to Professor McGonagall as soon as I got back and she agreed that I probably was an Animagus. I only really transformed properly last week, and then we needed all the tests and everything …"

"Weird," muttered Ron, shaking his head. "So it's only the women in our family?"

"Yeah – go, girl power!" said Ginny mischievously. "Dad says he seems to remember a great-great aunt of his that could turn into a scaly anteater."

"Well, at least you got a decent animal!" said Harry, laughing. "Hang on – isn't your Patronus also a lioness?"

"That's right – it is! I remember from DA meetings!" said Hermione excitedly. Then her face fell. "Good thing I'm not an Animagus then – my Patronus is an otter. Fat lot of good that would be."

***

The next few weeks became a dizzying round of classes, Prefect duties, Quidditch practices, and DA meetings. Ernie Macmillan had quickly spread the word about the reformation of the DA, and they settled on Saturday evenings for meetings as it was the only time that they were all free.

True to her word, Tonks took up her position as DA supervisor with enthusiasm. As an Auror, she had a vast store of knowledge that she was more than happy to pass on to her willing students.

At their first meeting, she taught them a variety of hexes that would cause the victim to become blind, deaf or dumb for a few minutes.

"If you can use the whole lot at once, it's really handy," she said. "However, you need to be very careful. Don't forget, it's a form of torture to suffer sensory deprivation for extended periods, so you can't leave your victim like that for too long or they'll start going insane."

"I like the idea of striking someone dumb for a while," Ron whispered to Harry, while glaring across the room at Hermione. "I can think of a certain person who could use it occasionally."

Harry laughed. "Why, what's up with you two now?"

Ron looked a little uncomfortable. "Well, I've agreed to go into Hogsmeade with Susan and Hannah Abbott next weekend," he mumbled. "For some reason, Hermione is really upset about it. She keeps saying that I'm abandoning her old friends, and why don't I just transfer to Hufflepuff… blah, blah, blah. As if!"

Trying to keep a grin off his face, Harry looked over at Hermione. She was pointedly not looking at Ron, but was shooting venomous looks at Susan Bones at every opportunity she got.

"Well, I must say, I'm quite impressed," said Harry. "Hogsmeade with two girls? Well done, Ronniekins - I guess you're a bit pressed for choice!"

"It's not like that!" blustered Ron, ears going red.

"Well, do let me know what it is like once you know," said Harry serenely.

Apart from the DA meetings, Quidditch practice was also a big demand on Harry's time. While the team had loads of talent and plenty of potential, the one thing they didn't have was experience. He spent hours researching different formations and techniques, and then getting the team to try it out at the next practice.

Luna and Ginny were proving to be absolutely fearless as Chasers, and Harry was delighted with their progress. In addition, apart from a bit of over-enthusiasm, the Creeveys were turning out to be an excellent pair of Beaters. The regular practices had also improved Ron's capabilities as Keeper immensely, as Ginny spared him no mercy when charging at the goals by hurling the Quaffle at him as hard as she could.

Despite himself, Harry found himself covertly watching Ginny whenever they were together. He was sitting in the common-room writing another tedious Potions essay, getting progressively more moody, when he heard her laugh and perked up immediately. Peeking at her out of the corner of his eye while she played a raucous game of Exploding Snap with Seamus, he was caught by Hermione.

"I can read you like a book, Potter," she hissed, digging him in the ribs. He jumped about a foot out of his chair.

"What are you babbling about now, Hermione?" he snapped guiltily.

"Time for us to go for a walk around the lake – you need to clear your head," she said, standing up.

"I've got to finish this essay!" Harry objected.

"Later," she ordered. "Let's go."

Harry allowed himself to be dragged from the common-room, grabbing his cloak on the way out. It was the end of September, and starting to get a little chilly in the late afternoons.

"So, what's going on with you and Ginny?" said Hermione as soon as they got out of earshot of the castle.

"Nothing – you're one of her best friends, I thought you'd know that!" said Harry, annoyed. "Why pester me about it?"

"I've just noticed that you watch her all the time when you think she's not looking," said Hermione, striding energetically towards the lake. "Finally noticed her, have you?"

"Well … I can't help it!" said Harry, nettled. "I am a normal sixteen year old boy, you know. She's really pretty, and funny, and good fun…"

"And you fancy her," said Hermione with finality.

"I never said that!"

"You didn't have to," she said. "It's written all over your face."

Harry stopped walking, aghast. "Am I that obvious?" he muttered, his face glowing red.

"Just to me – don't forget, I've known you forever," Hermione said, stopping.

"I'm wasting my time, anyway," said Harry glumly. "I know it's hopeless – she got over her feelings for me ages ago and now I'm just her 'mate'."

"Don't be so sure of that," said Hermione shrewdly. "She might have gotten over her little crush, but she was just a little girl when she felt like that. I think Ginny's starting to feel something a bit more – how should I put this … grown up for you now."

Harry looked at her optimistically. "D'you really think so?"

Hermione nodded. "Just take it slowly, Harry – you might scare the daylights out of her if you jump on her."

"I had no intentions of 'jumping' on anyone," said Harry with dignity. Then he started grinning wickedly. "Your turn now. What about you and Ron?"

Hermione looked shocked. "There is no 'me and Ron'! You might as well pair me off … well, with Draco Malfoy!"

"Come on, Herm-own-ninny, don't think I haven't noticed how jealous you are about his budding friendship with Susan!" wheedled Harry. "Maybe now you know how he's always felt about you and Viktor Krum."

Hermione turned a stricken face away from him, and was staring fixedly at the lake. "Oh, Hermione … I'm sorry," he stammered, feeling really bad. "I was only teasing."

There was a pause. "Well, it's my own fault if he finds someone else," she said in a strangled voice. "All I've ever done is fight with him. But I can't help the way I feel about him, Harry, and it hurts to see him with someone else!"

Harry wrapped his arm around her. "He's not with Susan – he says they're just friends," he said fairly. She shot him a sceptical look. "No, seriously, I don't think they're going out. And Ron really cares about you, you know?"

"As a good friend, maybe," she whispered. "And I've felt differently about him since the day he sacrificed himself for us on that giant chess board in first year. These damn Weasleys," she sniffed. "They've really got us in a muddle, haven't they?"

"Don't write Ron off yet," said Harry thoughtfully. "Ginny reckons he likes you too, but he's in denial."

Hermione looked up sharply. "You've discussed us with Ginny? Harry, how could you?"

"Don't worry, she's not going to say anything to him," Harry said. "She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Come on; let's go back – its getting cold."

Going back back along the corridor to the common-room, they found a cluster of Gryffindors reading a new notice on the board. Going up on tip-toe to read it over their heads, Harry groaned.

"What is it?" said Hermione, bouncing up and down to get a look.

"Damn it," said Harry with feeling. "There's another bloody ball! 'To commemorate the opening of Quidditch season this year, a ball will be held on October 31st. All students in fourth year and above are welcome to attend. Dress will be formal.'"

He was shocked to see Hermione's eyes fill with tears. "Ron's bound to ask Susan," she whispered brokenly. She took off at a run down the corridor, shouting "Bunkum!" at the Fat Lady as she went. Startled ("There's no need to yell, young lady!") the portrait swung outwards and Hermione disappeared through the entrance to Gryffindor tower.

By the time Harry made it into the common-room, there was no sign of Hermione and Harry figured she'd vanished up into her dorm. He wasn't prepared to go after her – the last time he and Ron had tried to gain access to the girls' dormitory, the staircase had turned into a slippery stone slide and klaxons had gone off. There was no sign of Ginny or Ron either. Grumbling to himself, Harry settled down to do his Potions essay again.

It suddenly occurred to him that he would also have to find a partner to the ball. Immediately, he thought of Ginny, and his insides turned to ice. Oh, no, I HATE having to go through all this! he thought frantically. What if she doesn't want to go with me? Then who will I go with? What …

"Hello, Harry," purred Parvati Patil, sliding into the seat next to him and fixing him with an unblinking stare. "How's the essay going?"

"Oh, hi, Parvati," Harry said, unnerved. "Um – fine, thanks."

"I was just going to ask you if you needed any help with it," she murmured huskily his ear. Harry froze as he saw Ginny come down the stairs. "So, have you seen the noticeboard recently?"

"Nope," lied Harry. Ginny looked a little surprised to see Parvati curled up so close to him, but looked away quickly and headed for the sofa. Just before she got there, Dean accosted her.

"So, Ginny – there's a ball coming up," he started.

"Just what I was going to discuss with you, Harry," said Parvati.

Harry caught Ginny's eye. If he asks you, don't say yes, DON'T SAY YES! he thought frantically.

"I was wondering …" said Dean.

"I thought if you weren't busy that night …" said Parvati,

"… if you'd like to go to the ball with me," they said together.

Ginny looked panicked for a moment, and then regained her composure. "Thank you, Dean," she began, and Harry's heart plummeted. "But I'm already going with someone else."

"Who?" Dean demanded. Yes, who? Harry thought, devastated that she'd gotten a partner so quickly.

"Harry," she said calmly. "But thanks for asking me – that was really sweet of you."

Harry's mouth went totally dry and his heart was hammering in his chest. "You're going with Ginny Weasley?" said Parvati disbelievingly. "You move really quickly – the notice only went up a few minutes ago."

"Uh, yeah," said Harry distractedly. "Thanks for asking me anyway, Parvati."

She glared at him, and moved off to a corner where she went into a huddle with Lavender Brown. Dean stomped off up to the boys' dormitory. For a few seconds, Harry and Ginny stared at each other.

He got up and went over to sit next to her on the couch.

"I hope you don't mind," she whispered shyly, going red. "I really didn't want to go with him, but I didn't want to say no outright and hurt his feelings. If you don't want to go with me, it's fine …"

"Mind? I was going to ask you anyway," said Harry honestly, feeling like doing cartwheels around the common room.

"You were?" said Ginny, amazed.

"Can't think of anyone I'd rather go with," Harry mumbled.

"Oh!" She grinned up at him. "Well, that worked out rather well, didn't it?"

"Brilliantly," he said. "Now we just have to do something about Hermione and Ron."

*****

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