Chapter 12: Meeting in Secret

Harry was getting used to the non-stop homework and tests the teachers sprung on them so it became routine to find himself working with Ron in the common room the entire afternoon and evening. Hermione would sit with them and receive hugs and compliments from Ron but she'd also disappear to the library or upstairs occasionally. It was 2 weeks later when Harry was bent over his Potions essay when Ron suddenly said "Harry are you ok? You're acting a bit off lately."

Panic rose in his chest but Harry replied keeping his voice calm, "Like what?"

"Ah you're just sort of edgey like you want to say something but you keep changing your mind."

"Oh. No  - I'm just really busy. Not getting much sleep either but I'm ok," Harry said convincingly.

"How come you're not sleeping?"

Harry shrugged. "Must just be a phase. Can't sleep much – nothing particular though."

"Are you having nightmares?"

Harry shook his head. Gee, what was this, a quiz-show or something? "Not many."

Ron rolled up his parchment, "Mate, I know you're hiding something. Spill."

Panic bubbled again but Harry told himself there was no way Ron could suspect anything about him and Ginny – they'd been very careful. "I swear there's nothing to spill," Harry grinned.

Ron frowned at him, "Why are you being like this?"

"Like what?"

Ron shoved the parchment into the middle of the table, "You're not telling me what the matter is. You always tell me stuff."

"There's nothing to tell!" Harry exclaimed.

Ron was about to open his mouth and argue back, but changed his mind. "Ok sorry," he muttered. "Didn't mean to offend you."

Harry sighed, "You didn't. Thanks for noticing but there's nothing wrong."

Ron shrugged and unrolled his parchment again.

"I promise," Harry added. But as soon as he said it, he realised that was the first time he promised to Ron about a lie. He felt a bit sick. What was he getting himself into? First he makes-out with his little sister behind his back – and then lies to him? Harry forced it out of his mind and checked his watch. He'd arranged to meet Ginny in half an hour.

He told Ron he thought he'd left something in the Great Hall and was going to check. Ron nodded and Harry left the common room. He found Ginny outside an empty classroom as they'd agreed and he went inside. They sat and talked, Harry loving holding Ginny in his arms and Ginny loving being there just as much. They had a lot of these heart-to-heart talks and every time Harry was stunned at how enthralling Ginny was. There was some sort of charm drenching her words and he loved admiring her deep brown eyes. He couldn't believe he'd managed to stay away from her for this long. Every time he'd seen her he had willed himself to stay away – but look at what he was missing. Her smile was so beautiful it moved something deep inside him. It really meant something. He couldn't see what such an amazing girl would want in him, but she definitely seemed to enjoy his company.

She touched her hand delicately on top of his. "Harry," she whispered.

He wasn't sure why but he replied in the same hushed voice, "Yes?"

"How long do I have to keep lying to my brother?"

Harry felt something stab at him from inside his stomach. He hadn't thought this was hurting Ginny too. He'd made her lie to her own brother, what next? Guilt poked at him and he thought about how to reply. "Ginny, I'm not asking you to lie to him. You can tell him the truth if you want. But – But I don't think he'd be happy about us. Can't we just stay like this?"

Ginny nodded and smiled at Harry before burying her head in his shoulder. "Sorry," he whispered.

Their relationship wasn't perfect, but Harry didn't want to sacrifice it. Their secret meetings gave him something to look forward to and he still yearned for the tingles that kissing her sent up his spine.

The end of November brought colder winds and a little snow. Over the week frost began to collect on the windows and the roof of Hagrid's hut was beginning to turn a hazy white.

Practically the whole of Gryffindor and every 5th year knew about Ron and Hermione. They held hands and hugged in public and neither was too shy to openly flirt at the dinner table. Ron found some of her attention a little surprising but soon adjusted to it and was quick to reward her for her compliments.

The only things keeping the last month of term from ending was Divination, Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Snape alone seemed to be able to convince the clock into slowing down whenever he was in a foul mood. But as all things do, it eventually came to a close and the last few days were spent making arrangements for Hermione and Harry to stay at the Burrow during Christmas. Harry's spirits lightened considerably on the 1st of December, since in 5 days time he would be back in his favourite home in the world. That, and the prospect of Christmas with Ginny, was able to cheer Harry up so much he could forget about his nightmares and his heavy burdens for hours at time. It was bouts like these where the old jokes and laughs would sneak in, reminding Harry of the better times he'd spent with his friends. Everyone seemed a lot more cheerful in the days leading to the end of term. Even the tiny crickets in the long snowed-under grass, the pond-skaters on the frozen lake and the birds in the forest seemed to have caught the contagious happiness swelling from the students. It was a pleasure to walk outside and feel your feet crunch in the snow and or see the rays of pale sunlight forming kaleidoscopes on the ice.

The very last day of term Harry, Ron and Hermione were visiting Hagrid.

"E're – I got ya some hot tea. So cold ou'side thought you'd like it!" he beamed as he poured boiling water into each of their mugs. "And I baked some cakes too, got a recipe book now so I don' think they'll be as bad as they normally is," he chuckled.

Hermione was the first to reach for the cake, which Harry thought was rather brave considering there were odd looking grey bits sunk in them.

"So yer all goin' to Ron's for Christmas, eh?" he said as he sat down in his large chair facing them.

Ron nodded.

"Yes, I've written to my Mum and everything. She says it's great. I had to make it clear we'd be in different rooms though," Hermione answered, smiling slightly at the last statement.

"Never expected you to lie to your parents Mione," Harry smirked.

Hermione's jaw fell open and Hagrid looked very shocked.

"Harry!" Hermione giggled, reaching over and hitting his hand.

"Sorry," he grinned as the three of them laughed.

Ron took a gulp of the tea and felt warmth pouring into his stomach.

"Had a good term?" Hagrid asked them.

Hermione nodded aggressively, "This year is so much better than last year! The OWLs made it pretty hard before, but this year's back to normal again."

As normal as things can be with Voldemort on his way up, Harry thought.

Ron nodded, "Yea it's pretty cool. Way too much homework though," he added frowning slightly, although Harry wasn't sure whether this was for effect or because he'd just swallowed some of the grey cake Hermione had persuaded him to eat.

"Yea – well on'y a year to go now," Hagrid said smiling at them despite the flicker of sadness in his eyes. "You'll be off in the world in less 'an two years!"

"I'm really excited," said Hermione, "But it's pretty sad too. I'm really going to miss Hogwarts."

"Oh yea. Yea," Hagrid said gruffly. "I'll be missin' you three. Lovely little buggers you are," he said affectionately.

Hermione smiled gratefully at him, "We'll write to you, Hagrid. And besides, Ginny will still be here."

Hagrid nodded and his beard trembled a little bit as he offered more tea to them.

The snow started falling again. Light whisps of white flecks were passing the windows occasionally and gradually gathering on the ground until the lawns looked like a green and white tie-die effect. Hagrid chucked more log on the fire every half an hour or so.

They left as the sun started to set, treading faint footprints in the sleet. The wind was billowing so cold that by the time they reached the castle their noses and cheeks were pink. The usual magnificent Christmas trees were decorated and set up in the great hall. A few fairies had abandoned their branches and were flitting around the marble staircase, singing carols in their petite voices.

The common room was full and extremely noisy. Seamus wave over to them as they entered and beckoned them to join a game of Gobbestones. Despite the unavoidable Christmas Cheer filling the room all three declined and went upstairs to their dormitory. The noise was cut off as soon as they were inside their dorm. Both Ron and Harry were grateful for the hot-water-bottles the House Elves had prepared for them. Ron fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but Harry had to coax himself into slumber.

The next morning Harry woke up feeling ill and dreary but cheered up when he heard Ron's gleeful voice saying "Harry? You awake now? We're leaving in 2 hours."