Chapter 4: SUCH GOOD FRIENDS
Hastily they got to their feet. Harry dropped down at the teachers chair and Ginny in the first row opening a folder with parchment and her quill.
"Your hair!" Harry mouthed silent.
Ginny reached up smoothing down her tousled hair. 'It was so unfair, his hair looked unruly gorgeous as ever.' Just then it knocked on the door and McGonagall stepped in. She hushed Colin and a three year Gryffindor back and closed the door behind her.
"There had been an uproar in Gryffindor common room caused by a group of first and second years, who wanted to find a certain Head girl. No doubt to sort out a quarrel."
Ginny was about to speak but McGonagall held up her hand. "Which should, because of it's silly content, not be of importance right now. However much more disturbing to me was, to get notice that my Head girl served detention."
Now both Harry and Ginny stood up to speak. The Head of Gryffindor House silenced them again. "It seems, I got to know all important details on this subject already. Professor Potter your intentions have been the best, I'm assured, but I must insist on not putting my Head girl in detention for doing her duties."
She turned to Ginny "And as to you Miss Weasley, I strongly advise you to provide in future more of an example of suitable behaviour towards your professor."
She smiled and continued much softer "I know it is a difficult situation for both of you. Being such close friends, but you have to keep up a formal appearance in front of the students. What you do in you free time is completely yours. Miss Weasley finish your work. I expect you back as soon as possible. Good night Harry"
Both nodded and she left.
Shaking both plopped down.
"That was a near thing" Ginny sighed.
"Even more if she suspected how GOOD friends we are by now" he snickered.
"Well I guess, if she did know, she wouldn't have said, that what we do in our free time is COMPLETELY ours!" Ginny grinned "But seriously Harry, you could loose your job."
"I know and you would get into a lot of troubles too. But Gin, I want this and we've never been quite famous to stick to school rules, have we?" he smiled. "And it's not like I'm going around snogging all seventh years!"
"Don't even think about it!" she answered smirking mischievously.
"Ginny, I'm in love with you and this for a while now. I've been a coward but in the end I couldn't be here now if we've been together earlier. Can we make this work?"
Ginny was contemplating for a while "I'm sure we can."
"Fine" he sighed in relief "besides I don't intend on keeping this job long."
"What do you mean? When are you leaving?" she sounded a little anxious.
He got up and took her in his arms "In about a year" he said smiling.
"Ah, that's it! Just making sure I don't have any fun this year!" she teased.
"Sort of. At least with no other than me" he grinned and kissed her fiercely.
When she walked back to the common room she could still feel their good night kiss on her lips. She smiled. This grown-up Harry pleased her a lot. 'Hey! he had told her that he loved her after their first kiss. That's something, isn't it?
In the end, all this years had made him confident. He was used to – as unwanted as it might be – to stand in a permanent spotlight, even a while after they had defeated Voldemorte. However the new security allowed him to let down his guards among the people he loved most and that was what he indulged in. And now she was about to be the center of this indulgence.'
Caught up in delighting thoughts she didn't realise that she was already standing in the common room, when Colin blocked her way. It was uncommonly silent. She glanced around.
"McGonagall sent us all to bed." Colin stated
"That's why you are still here."
"No, that would be because I want to know what happened." He sat down with an expectant smile on his face.
++++++
Colin stared directly at Harry sitting at the teachers table, completely ignoring his breakfast.
Ginny nudged him "Could you please stop staring" she hissed.
He turned away shaking his head "I still can't believe it" he whispered wondering.
"What now, weren't you the one pointing him out in the first place."
"Still"
"You're loony"
"Yourself"
"No, that would be me" the blond girl, that had just arrived at their table, stated.
Ginny ended this mature discussion by poking out her tongue at Colin.
"Don't do this if you don't intend on using your tongue on me!" he said mischievously.
They both looked at each other and started to laugh.
"I knew why I came here. Trust the Gryffindors to cheer you up with a little bit of daft chitchat."
"Why don't you sit down on your smart ass and start having breakfast, Luna!"
"My, my. What an invitation. I hardly can refuse such charm." she smiled at Ginny.
"So, why do you need to be cheered up?" Colin asked.
"Always the sweet sensitive Colin, isn't it" she said matter-of-factly and missed Colin blushing a deep crimson.
"Well, it's dead boring. Schoolwork isn't in the least challenging. Nothing is happening besides. No evil dark to fight. No twins to set up fireworks" she sighed.
"Don't tell me you miss everything that happened last year?" Ginny asked incredulously.
"I don't miss the death threat, the worries, the pain and such but besides."
"You are LOONY!" Ginny and Colin said in unison.
Luna just shrugged "Told you, and you don't tell me you're up for a little bit of adventure, too."
"Might have just got one on hand already" Ginny grumbled absent-mindedly, her gaze fixed on Harry.
"So you're finally together" Luna observed seemingly not a bit surprised. "That might add some spice to this year. A little bit of romance" she sighed dreamily.
"Did you have some legemency lessons or did Firenze tutor you in divination?" Ginny asked amazed.
"Hey, I'm your friend. I know Harry a little too, and I can add one and one together."
"Yeah, that comes with all the Ravenclaw cleverness." Colin mocked "Always good at Arithmancy!"
"As if you could tell" Luna replied dryly.
"Ouch, that stung. Tell me again! Which mark did you get on your last test?"
Ginny smiled at the old rivalry. It seemed unbelievable, but creative, picture taking Creevy had a gift concerning Arithmancy and liked to let Luna know, that at least in this subject he was succeeding her. She listened a while to the bantering of the two. They seemed to enjoy their little fights nearly as much as Hermione and Ron.
"Ah isn't it nice" she sighed "A peaceful Saturday morning. Are we going to Hogsmeade today? Most of the people have already left."
Both looked at Ginny surprised.
"Aren't you going to spend the day with Harry?"
"Bloody likely. Professor Potter and Ginny Weasley, seventh year, taking a walk hand in hand."
"That crossed my mind. Though I think it's not really wise." Harry plopped down beside her. "But I would come with you three none the less. That is, if you are ok with taking a Professor to Hogsmeade."
"Hm, I feel very wicked today. I think some sort of chaperone would be advisable." Luna mused.
"Now that you mention it." Colin grinned.
Ginny was still dumbstruck.
Harry took her hand and dragged her up. "That's three to one. Gin, your outnumbered. Let's go!"
++++++++
After some window- and actual shopping the foursome paid a visit to The Three Broomsticks. They sat in a booth at far side of the room and as soon as Madame Rosmerta had brought their butterbeer, Harry snatched Ginny's hand and cuddled her closer.
"Are you crazy!" she shrieked but made no real move to get away. Instead she inhaled deeply letting is scent wash trough her, leaving behind a content feeling.
"Crazy for you. Come on! Here in the back we are sheltered from any view, but Colin can see everyone approaching, don't you?"
Colin nodded eagerly.
"So, you're not upset that we know about you two." Luna asked.
"Well, I figured as much. I would have told Ron and Hermione as well, if they were here."
"The hell you would!" Ginny laughed.
"Of course, I would."
"Of course, and if Ron or one of the other five wouldn't have finished you off. I would do it personally." Ginny smiled sweetish.
"Well, if you put it that way, but all your boyfriends survived, and...."
"Just because I always have been very discreet. "
"Ha!" Colin blurted out.
"What?"
"What about getting caught by McGonagall?" Luna stated.
"Or the snog-session in front of Zonkos." Colin continued.
"Or the time at Hogsmeade station." Harry added silently.
Ginny smiled uncomfortably. "Ok, ok! I got it. I was lucky. Ron has been so distracted most of the time, but there you see the problem and the all the others didn't really know."
"I did." Harry said sounding sad.
Ginny was stricken. It had never really occurred to her, but he was right. Together with Hermione, Luna and Colin he was the one she confided in the most, with everything.
Harry had never seemed particularly happy with her relationships. She had blamed it on brother-like protectiveness. But he had never opposed one of them.
She had given up on Harry feeling silly for her crush. Though now it didn't feel so silly anymore. He had been telling the truth. He had loved her for a long time now. Ginny reacted in the only way she could think of and pulled him into passionate kiss.
When they broke apart Harry grinned sheepishly. "Wow! What was that for and where is all the caution gone?!"
"Who cares" Ginny breathed and crushed her lips on his again. They were so wrapped up that neither heard Colin clear his throat urgently. Harry was to much occupied to notice the kicking against his leg.......at first.
"What Colin?" he hissed annoyed.
Colin pointed his head upwards a forced smile on his face.
Slowly Harry raised his head to be met with two identical faces hovering above him.
Hastily they got to their feet. Harry dropped down at the teachers chair and Ginny in the first row opening a folder with parchment and her quill.
"Your hair!" Harry mouthed silent.
Ginny reached up smoothing down her tousled hair. 'It was so unfair, his hair looked unruly gorgeous as ever.' Just then it knocked on the door and McGonagall stepped in. She hushed Colin and a three year Gryffindor back and closed the door behind her.
"There had been an uproar in Gryffindor common room caused by a group of first and second years, who wanted to find a certain Head girl. No doubt to sort out a quarrel."
Ginny was about to speak but McGonagall held up her hand. "Which should, because of it's silly content, not be of importance right now. However much more disturbing to me was, to get notice that my Head girl served detention."
Now both Harry and Ginny stood up to speak. The Head of Gryffindor House silenced them again. "It seems, I got to know all important details on this subject already. Professor Potter your intentions have been the best, I'm assured, but I must insist on not putting my Head girl in detention for doing her duties."
She turned to Ginny "And as to you Miss Weasley, I strongly advise you to provide in future more of an example of suitable behaviour towards your professor."
She smiled and continued much softer "I know it is a difficult situation for both of you. Being such close friends, but you have to keep up a formal appearance in front of the students. What you do in you free time is completely yours. Miss Weasley finish your work. I expect you back as soon as possible. Good night Harry"
Both nodded and she left.
Shaking both plopped down.
"That was a near thing" Ginny sighed.
"Even more if she suspected how GOOD friends we are by now" he snickered.
"Well I guess, if she did know, she wouldn't have said, that what we do in our free time is COMPLETELY ours!" Ginny grinned "But seriously Harry, you could loose your job."
"I know and you would get into a lot of troubles too. But Gin, I want this and we've never been quite famous to stick to school rules, have we?" he smiled. "And it's not like I'm going around snogging all seventh years!"
"Don't even think about it!" she answered smirking mischievously.
"Ginny, I'm in love with you and this for a while now. I've been a coward but in the end I couldn't be here now if we've been together earlier. Can we make this work?"
Ginny was contemplating for a while "I'm sure we can."
"Fine" he sighed in relief "besides I don't intend on keeping this job long."
"What do you mean? When are you leaving?" she sounded a little anxious.
He got up and took her in his arms "In about a year" he said smiling.
"Ah, that's it! Just making sure I don't have any fun this year!" she teased.
"Sort of. At least with no other than me" he grinned and kissed her fiercely.
When she walked back to the common room she could still feel their good night kiss on her lips. She smiled. This grown-up Harry pleased her a lot. 'Hey! he had told her that he loved her after their first kiss. That's something, isn't it?
In the end, all this years had made him confident. He was used to – as unwanted as it might be – to stand in a permanent spotlight, even a while after they had defeated Voldemorte. However the new security allowed him to let down his guards among the people he loved most and that was what he indulged in. And now she was about to be the center of this indulgence.'
Caught up in delighting thoughts she didn't realise that she was already standing in the common room, when Colin blocked her way. It was uncommonly silent. She glanced around.
"McGonagall sent us all to bed." Colin stated
"That's why you are still here."
"No, that would be because I want to know what happened." He sat down with an expectant smile on his face.
++++++
Colin stared directly at Harry sitting at the teachers table, completely ignoring his breakfast.
Ginny nudged him "Could you please stop staring" she hissed.
He turned away shaking his head "I still can't believe it" he whispered wondering.
"What now, weren't you the one pointing him out in the first place."
"Still"
"You're loony"
"Yourself"
"No, that would be me" the blond girl, that had just arrived at their table, stated.
Ginny ended this mature discussion by poking out her tongue at Colin.
"Don't do this if you don't intend on using your tongue on me!" he said mischievously.
They both looked at each other and started to laugh.
"I knew why I came here. Trust the Gryffindors to cheer you up with a little bit of daft chitchat."
"Why don't you sit down on your smart ass and start having breakfast, Luna!"
"My, my. What an invitation. I hardly can refuse such charm." she smiled at Ginny.
"So, why do you need to be cheered up?" Colin asked.
"Always the sweet sensitive Colin, isn't it" she said matter-of-factly and missed Colin blushing a deep crimson.
"Well, it's dead boring. Schoolwork isn't in the least challenging. Nothing is happening besides. No evil dark to fight. No twins to set up fireworks" she sighed.
"Don't tell me you miss everything that happened last year?" Ginny asked incredulously.
"I don't miss the death threat, the worries, the pain and such but besides."
"You are LOONY!" Ginny and Colin said in unison.
Luna just shrugged "Told you, and you don't tell me you're up for a little bit of adventure, too."
"Might have just got one on hand already" Ginny grumbled absent-mindedly, her gaze fixed on Harry.
"So you're finally together" Luna observed seemingly not a bit surprised. "That might add some spice to this year. A little bit of romance" she sighed dreamily.
"Did you have some legemency lessons or did Firenze tutor you in divination?" Ginny asked amazed.
"Hey, I'm your friend. I know Harry a little too, and I can add one and one together."
"Yeah, that comes with all the Ravenclaw cleverness." Colin mocked "Always good at Arithmancy!"
"As if you could tell" Luna replied dryly.
"Ouch, that stung. Tell me again! Which mark did you get on your last test?"
Ginny smiled at the old rivalry. It seemed unbelievable, but creative, picture taking Creevy had a gift concerning Arithmancy and liked to let Luna know, that at least in this subject he was succeeding her. She listened a while to the bantering of the two. They seemed to enjoy their little fights nearly as much as Hermione and Ron.
"Ah isn't it nice" she sighed "A peaceful Saturday morning. Are we going to Hogsmeade today? Most of the people have already left."
Both looked at Ginny surprised.
"Aren't you going to spend the day with Harry?"
"Bloody likely. Professor Potter and Ginny Weasley, seventh year, taking a walk hand in hand."
"That crossed my mind. Though I think it's not really wise." Harry plopped down beside her. "But I would come with you three none the less. That is, if you are ok with taking a Professor to Hogsmeade."
"Hm, I feel very wicked today. I think some sort of chaperone would be advisable." Luna mused.
"Now that you mention it." Colin grinned.
Ginny was still dumbstruck.
Harry took her hand and dragged her up. "That's three to one. Gin, your outnumbered. Let's go!"
++++++++
After some window- and actual shopping the foursome paid a visit to The Three Broomsticks. They sat in a booth at far side of the room and as soon as Madame Rosmerta had brought their butterbeer, Harry snatched Ginny's hand and cuddled her closer.
"Are you crazy!" she shrieked but made no real move to get away. Instead she inhaled deeply letting is scent wash trough her, leaving behind a content feeling.
"Crazy for you. Come on! Here in the back we are sheltered from any view, but Colin can see everyone approaching, don't you?"
Colin nodded eagerly.
"So, you're not upset that we know about you two." Luna asked.
"Well, I figured as much. I would have told Ron and Hermione as well, if they were here."
"The hell you would!" Ginny laughed.
"Of course, I would."
"Of course, and if Ron or one of the other five wouldn't have finished you off. I would do it personally." Ginny smiled sweetish.
"Well, if you put it that way, but all your boyfriends survived, and...."
"Just because I always have been very discreet. "
"Ha!" Colin blurted out.
"What?"
"What about getting caught by McGonagall?" Luna stated.
"Or the snog-session in front of Zonkos." Colin continued.
"Or the time at Hogsmeade station." Harry added silently.
Ginny smiled uncomfortably. "Ok, ok! I got it. I was lucky. Ron has been so distracted most of the time, but there you see the problem and the all the others didn't really know."
"I did." Harry said sounding sad.
Ginny was stricken. It had never really occurred to her, but he was right. Together with Hermione, Luna and Colin he was the one she confided in the most, with everything.
Harry had never seemed particularly happy with her relationships. She had blamed it on brother-like protectiveness. But he had never opposed one of them.
She had given up on Harry feeling silly for her crush. Though now it didn't feel so silly anymore. He had been telling the truth. He had loved her for a long time now. Ginny reacted in the only way she could think of and pulled him into passionate kiss.
When they broke apart Harry grinned sheepishly. "Wow! What was that for and where is all the caution gone?!"
"Who cares" Ginny breathed and crushed her lips on his again. They were so wrapped up that neither heard Colin clear his throat urgently. Harry was to much occupied to notice the kicking against his leg.......at first.
"What Colin?" he hissed annoyed.
Colin pointed his head upwards a forced smile on his face.
Slowly Harry raised his head to be met with two identical faces hovering above him.