Chapter 5

Harry was almost certain that Ginny had just performed a very powerful Cheering Charm on him. He could not seem to get rid of the ridiculous grin plastered on his face or the strange yet wonderful feeling that the world was a perfect place full of beautiful creatures called gnomes. Just as he made a mental note what to get the adorable gnomes for Christmas this year (he figured socks perhaps?...like Dobby?) Ginny nudged him gently with her elbow.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly in his ear.
Harry turned to her and was just about to whisper back "What to get the gnomes for Christmas," when he realized how stupid that would sound and stopped himself. "Er-nothing," he lied.
"Oh…" said Ginny sounding slightly disappointed.
"Ok, no, not nothing…" Harry confessed as he sank back in his seat. Ginny shifted her body around so she can face him and curiously raised her eyebrows. He glanced up at her timidly and smiled before he spoke again.
"I was just thinking that de-gnoming is now officially my second favorite thing to do after Quidditch."

Harry was aware that he was no expert when it came to flirting with the opposite sex but even he had to admit that what he just said was pretty darn brilliant. To his luck, Ginny seemed to agree. Her entire face lit up with absolute delight then quickly softened to the prettiest smile he had yet seen. Suddenly he wanted to say more things to make her beam at him like that.
"Ginny-" he began as he sat up, though he hadn't the faintest idea what to say next when Neville's angry outburst interrupted him.

"No wonder you were staring at his pictures the longest before! You said you were just trying to figure out what animal his earring's fang came from!" Apparently it had been Luna's turn to share her fantasy and to Neville's dismay, it had involved a man who resembled Bill Weasley an awful lot. "I can't believe it," he continued. "I mean sure he's cool and good-looking, well all the Weasley brothers are…" Neville stated. Ron blushed at this and gave Neville a rather grateful look.
Luna crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "Yes Neville, and you should know better than anyone to fancy a Weasley, being that you were in love with Ginny for over three years," she reminded him coolly. Ginny blushed at this and gave Neville a rather frightened look.
"That-that was just a crush!" Neville cried angrily. "And I got over it ages ago! Now I fancy you-and only you!"
For a moment, Luna gaped at her boyfriend. Then-"Oh Neville, I fancy you too," she breathed and flung her arms around his neck. Neville embraced her firmly. Ron and Harry clapped their hands and whistled. Hermione and Ginny giggled and let out a dramatic "Awww." Luna, clearly missing the sarcasm, looked moved. Neville, clearly getting the sarcasm, looked embarrassed. He loosened his grip around Luna and kissed her quickly on the cheek before turning to the others. "Okay you guys, lets talk about something else now. Please."

The next hour or so of the train ride went by quite peaceful and uneventful. After Neville's suggestion, the seventh years grimly discussed their upcoming N.E.W.T.s while Ginny and Luna chatted away about their O.W.L marks. Next, the three Quidditch players planned out new strategies on the field while Luna explained to Hermione and Neville about her father's recent findings on the existence of the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. (Hermione seemed to be struggling with difficulty not to roll her eyes throughout the conversation.) Just as Harry was letting his teammates in on his version of the new and improved Wronski Feint, Hermione stood up and stretched her arms.

"Well," she began sounding tired, "that is all very fascinating (sarcasm) Luna and I would love to hear the rest of it, (more sarcasm) but unfortunately Ron and I have to go for our patrol."
Ron, who had been intently listening to Harry quickly dropped his head on Ginny's shoulder, (he had come over to sit with them for their Quidditch talk) closed his eyes and began faking loud snores. Harry and Ginny shot a glance at Hermione and giggled. Hermione placed her hands on her hips and tapped her feet impatiently on the ground. "Oh honestly Ron, open your eyes!" Ron, eyes still shut, shook his head violently. "RON!" she cried louder. Ron groaned and forced his eyes open.
" 'Mione, we just went!" he protested as he raised his head lazily.
"Ron, we didn't just go, it was hours ago and we need to be by the front of the train later to lead the first years out anyways. Now come on!" she slid the door open and shot one last deadly look at him. Ron scowled but followed without another word.

Then moments later, Luna got up as well. "I think I'll go say hello to Lisa Turpin," she said. "Neville, do you wanna come with? You haven't met any of my classmates yet and it'll be nice if you did…" Neville looked up at her bewildered. "Oh, well um, sure…" he replied hesitantly. (Meeting new people wasn't his thing.) Luna waved her hand and said "See you later, " to Harry and Ginny. Neville half-shrugged at them and also waved. Harry called out "See you" smiling at the thought of Luna making friends with these girls who he was certain had called her Loony in the past. Then he turned his head to Ginny.

"Gin, did you want to go say hi to your friends too?" he asked.
Ginny glanced at him then shook her head. "No, I like where I am," she answered shyly turning away from him.
Harry smiled and continued to watch her face. Her eyes were now focused on her… feet? He wasn't too sure. Wow, she has really long eyelashes, he told himself. He then worked his way down to her nose and his smile widened. Harry had always liked her nose. He thought the freckles were just adorable. Mental note: I'd have to count them next time…if she'll let me. Then he felt his stomach tighten. Her lips. Here he was once again, staring intently at her soft, tender, watermelon glossed, red, juicy…All right shh, brain, shh! the voice inside his head hissed as he rapidly turned away. Remember the last time you looked at her like that she almost threw juice in your face!
But then again, he thought, that had been a while ago and things certainly had changed between them during the course of the day. His heart raced. Then suddenly it dawned on him that it was just the two of them in the compartment. He took a deep breath. It was now or never. Slowly, he reached for her left hand then grasping it tightly, pulled. She steadily slid toward him with a small "Woah" until every inch of the sides of their body was touching. Ginny stared at him questioningly clearly startled. He let go of her hand which gently fell onto his lap as his right arm slipped behind her back. "I like you better here," he whispered.

Their faces were so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. She took in a short, quick breath as he gradually lowered his face until his mouth was pressed over hers very tenderly. She had waited for this moment for so long- pictured it in her head over and over and yet it was a hundred times more wonderful than she had imagined it to be. His lips were so soft and delicate, almost fluffy. It was like kissing a marshmallow. Suddenly she pictured a big white marshmallow atop Harry's body wearing glasses and this made her giggle against his lips. Harry backed away just enough to look down at her and he raised his eyebrows. He looked half amused and half…hurt? Ginny couldn't tell.
"Oh Harry I didn't mean-" she began, no longer laughing. She was already beginning to hate her self for ruining such a perfect moment. "It's just…you know," you make me nervous, she had meant to say but before she could manage the words out Harry was kissing her again.

This kiss was nothing like the first. It was harder and certainly more passionate than any other kiss she had previously experienced, which wasn't many. Harry's right hand had traveled up to her shoulder, which he gripped strongly, while his left hand came around and landed on a spot on her right leg just above her knee. Before she could fully take in what was happening, Harry had slightly parted his lips and began smoothly stroking her lower lip with his tongue. A shiver ran down her spine. Soon enough, her own tongue was caressing his and she managed to wrap both arms around his neck, running her fingers affectionately through his hair. She would never have guessed his ruffled hair would feel so- nice. Yes, this was all very nice indeed. The kiss seemed to last for hours until finally she broke away from him, though it pained her immensely to do so. Well, maybe the pain had more to do with the lack of oxygen in her lungs.
"Harry, you-" she gasped attempting to catch her breath.
She wanted to tell him just how wonderful the kiss had been, how wonderful he has always been, the way she felt about him, the way he made her feel about herself. There were so many words and emotions building inside her she felt she was going to explode. "You-" she breathed.
Harry lifted his left hand off her leg and with it gently stroked the side of her face. "-are an exceptional kisser?" Harry asked hopefully. Ginny stopped and blinked. "Um, no…" she said slowly. Then- "Oh, I mean yes!" she giggled. "Yes Harry you are, of course. I meant that wasn't what I was planning to say," she grinned.
Harry smiled back. "Yeah I know. Sorry. I guess I'm just really happy," he said. "Ever since we kissed in my dream, I guess I wanted to share a real one with you pretty bad." Ginny slowly nodded her head then froze. She stared at Harry who, not realizing what he had just confessed, continued to beam happily at her. "We kissed in your dream?" she asked dazedly.

Harry's smile slowly vanished and he felt his entire face flush. "Er… oh, well… hmph," he cleared his throat. "We sorta did, yeah. I mean I woke up before anything really happened," he stammered.
Ginny, who felt like Christmas had come early this year, did her very best to maintain her cool. "What was I wearing?" she asked curiously.
"Wearing? Oh… er hmm…Oh, right. You were wearing a green apron over a black top. Oh, and denim shorts," Harry tried to pretend he didn't remember the details too well.
"Oh, I see so I was dressed," Ginny said with a rather devilish smirk.
Harry felt his face turn redder, if that was even possible. "O-of course you were dressed!" he protested, though now he was laughing along with Ginny. "It wasn't that kind of dream. It was a nice dream. A really, really nice dream. No nudity. Oh well unless you count little James in nothing but his diapers…"

"Little who?" Ginny's eyes widened. "James, our son," Harry replied then hastily added, "you must think I'm a loon for having dreams about us being married with kids and stuff…" He stole a nervous glance at her then quickly looked away to study his fingernails. For a long while, Ginny didn't respond. Harry desperately wished she would, the silence was becoming insufferable.
After what felt like forever, Ginny finally spoke.
"Harry?" Harry's head shot up in the air toward her, greatly relieved to hear her voice. "Y-yeah, Ginny?" he asked. She was still smiling at him but it seemed different from before. This expression showed no hint of amusement only sincere adoration and pure fondness. It was truly angelic. "I-I hope it comes true…your dream," she said softly.

Harry looked back at the alluring redhead beside him and suddenly heard the voice of little James again calling him "Daddy!" as beautiful Ginny walked out of their cozy kitchen with their delicious, homemade dinner. An overwhelming sensation of warmth and happiness filled up his chest. He nodded slowly at his future wife and said determinedly "It will Ginny…I promise."

THE END

A/N: Or is it? Ok, so maybe I will continue from where this leaves off in a new story…or I may just start a whole new one. I haven't decided yet. P In the meantime all the readers who read my story (esp. the ones who left me kind reviews), I hope you enjoyed it and …thank you!