A/N: This chapter need an explanation for all Non-Brits. Guys Fawkes is some guy who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, using barrels of gunpowder, some hundred or so years ago. There's a lot more to the story (check out Google.com) but those who don't know what Guy Fawkes Night / Bonfire Night / Firework Night / 5th of November is (many names hehe) will need to know it's a celebration to remember this Guy Fawkes story. There's fireworks and they burn Guy Fawkes dolls (like scarecrows) on bonfires. Ok that's all ... just had to tell you that in case some Non UK people were confused in this chapter. Hehe. Read on (and whilst I'm here (can't resist) thanks for all the reviews keep 'em coming)....

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Chapter 9: A Couple of Fireworks

"Did you tell him about your scar?" Hermione asked as soon as he sat down.

Harry screwed his face up and hit his forehead with his wrist. "I forgot," he said truthfully.

Hermione however, wasn't believing him. She rolled her eyes and started cutting her roast pumpkin open. "You have to tell him! He needs all the information about Voldemort he can get and your scar's a major link!"

Ron murmured something.

"What?" asked Hermione.

"Nothing. I – I just said don't say his name," he said concentrating on his plate of food.

Harry expected her to snap at him but she said gently, "Ron, you have to learn to say it. We all do."

He shrugged.

Hermione's attention returned to Harry, "Well, when are you going to tell him then?"

Harry ignored her and helped himself to the food piled up on the silver dishes in from of him.

"You agree, with me don't you, Ron?" she said turning to face him, in a tone that said clearly what she wanted him to reply with.

Ron looked aghast at being asked to choose between Harry and Hermione. "I – er – I," his eyes flicked around his brow furrowed desperately. "I don't want to take sides," he muttered.

Hermione grunted and finished cutting her food viciously.

Harry leaned across Ginny to help himself to more Pumpkin Juice, brushing his fingers across her arm as he did so. Ginny looked quite surprised for a second. Harry filled up his glass and drank, seemingly not noticing he'd touched Ginny.

The feast lasted until gone 9:30 and when Harry and Ron returned to the common room their spirits plunged downhill as they spotted their unfinished homework still sitting on the table. Hermione gave Ron another kiss on the cheek before going upstairs.

It was 11 o' clock before Harry was crawling under his bedsheets, dreading what he would have to watch and hear tonight.

*

The first week of November dragged by slowly, as though the year was trying to hold onto October for as long as possible. Harry and Ron were surprised to find Professor Koley still teaching them. Hermione pointed out though, that she seemed very annoyed about something and that she was dropping hints like, "No, of course I won't give you detention Seamus. I have no proof you cheated on your homework and the worst thing one can do is accuse someone of something they didn't do," which Hermione said, meant that obviously she and Dumbledore had had a chat.

As gloomy as the week was going, Harry reminded himself that due to the fact that this Friday was the 5th of November – Guy Fawkes' Day – there would be a firework festival at Hogsmeade to look forward to. Hermione and Ron had planned to go together which left Harry to tag along with Neville and Seamus again. Thursday night the common room was mayhem: students were swapping their plans for the next night, showing each other sparklers and other Bonfire Night' accessories; and planning how they could set off some bangs in Prof. Binn's class. The Gryffindor fire place was crackling and shooting out coloured sparks occasionally since Andy had put a charm on it.

The next day went just as slowly as the rest of the week had, and Harry had plenty of time to notice how much Ron and Hermione were flirting. About an hour before sun-down, students were getting ready to leave for Hogsmeade. Hermione had strips of tinsel stuck up in her hair tie and glitter had been scattered on her knot of hair.

By the time the students were arriving at Hogsmeade, a cold breeze was blowing and stars were starting to appear. Neville and Seamus were talking together and Harry's eyes wandered around the crowd of people. His eyes fell of the back of Ginny's head. She was walking with Luna and her red hair was swaying silkily on her shoulders. Harry snapped his eyes away, forcing his gaze in another direction and scolding himself for imaging him running his fingers through her hair.

He didn't see Ginny again until the firework display was half way through. He was sitting on the damp grass looking up at the explosions with awe when she came and sat next to him.

"Hey, Harry," she said.

Harry turned to her, recognising who it was even in the dark. "Oh hi, Ginny," he said.

She hugged her knees, "It's cold," she said.

Harry nodded.

"They're so pretty aren't they?" she smiled.

"Yea," Harry agreed. He was wondering what she was doing here, why she came and sat down and why she suddenly struck up a conversation. "They're pretty cool. So's the fire."

Ginny nodded, "Enjoying yourself?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Yea I guess. But I'm a bit lonely. I lost Neville and Seamus and I have no idea where Hermione and your brother are."

"Oh ok. Well Luna's gone off to some shops, says she sees the display every year. I reckon she's gone off to look for Ron though."

"What do you mean?"

Ginny giggled, "She likes him!"

"Oh." Harry made a mental note to tell Ron this.

"Yea so anyway - I'm on my own too."

Harry laughed a bit, "Cool. Well we can hang around together then."

"That was my idea too," Ginny smiled.

A firework exploded in the air and the multicoloured sprinkles started raining down again. Another bright blue one followed.

Ginny looked away from Harry and up at the sky. Harry saw her shiver and pull her knees closer to herself.

"Here," he said tugging off his jacket, "Wear this."

Ginny looked shocked, "But ... then you'll be cold."

Harry shrugged, "No, I'll be fine," he started draping it around her shoulders.

"Are you sure?"

"Postive."

Ginny smiled as more fireworks lit up the sky with resounding rumbles. She cuddled into the jacket and Harry found himself helping her arms into the sleeves, leaning closer to her as he did. Their faces drew awkwardly close as he fiddled with the drawstring around her neck. Ginny looked at Harry uncertainly. His hands slipped and he fumbled to grab the strings again as he tried to tie the knot a second time. Ginny held her breath while looking at Harry and feeling his fingers tremble as she shifted a tiny bit closer.

"Hands are cold," Harry mumbled pulling gently at the drawstring when he finished.

Ginny nodded and giggled nervously.

Harry sat back and looked up to see Catherine Wheels twirling and hissing in the darkness. He noticed how cold it was now he wasn't as close to Ginny's body. He shivered and prayed to get a grip on himself. He was acting so stupid! Just calm down. Breathe. Don't think of her like that.

"Harry?"

"Mmmm?"

Ginny paused for a moment then said "Um, Nothing."

"What?" Harry asked.

Ginny shook her head, "Er – thanks for the jacket, it's really cold out here."

Harry looked at her for a second. It was obvious that wasn't what she had intended to say but he let it blow over.

"So um, which are your favourites?" he asked indicating to the dancing lights spreading across the sky.

"Oh I like the fairy ones. You know, the ones that look like girls dancing..." she leant across Harry pointing at a far corner of the sky. His heart raced as she got closer. He squeezed his eyes shut, don't  - do -  it!

But Ginny didn't return to her position, she stayed leaning on him, staring at the fireworks she had pointed out. Heart-beating crazily and his mind in a whirl of confusion Harry clenched his fists and willed himself not to hold her.

But his self control shattered when she looked up at him - the colours above reflected in her eyes  - and leant directly towards his face. He felt her soft lips touch his own and he closed his eyes, wrapped her in his arms and started to kiss her.

He was over the moon, in the clouds, up with the fireworks and dancing fairies. He could barely think as Ginny started slipping her tongue out of her mouth.  He had longed for this for months. He'd forbidden himself to touch her ... but now, here he was – kissing her.