Harry didn't know what had come over him. He had been flirting with Ginny, Ginny! If Ron knew, Harry wouldn't live to see the first Quidditch match against Hufflepuff. He got up from the Great Hall and started to walk towards the Transfiguration classroom. He was determined to get Ginny out of his head. He was so focused he almost walked right into someone.

"Harry!"

"Oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying any attention, Moony! What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were avoiding me."

"Sorry. I know we need to start working, but I've been really behind in my classes since I missed the first week." Harry was refusing to make eye contact with Lupin, ashamed of the fact that he was lying to him.

"Well I trust that you've caught up by now. If it's okay with you we'll start tonight." Harry knew by the look in Lupin's face that it not being okay wasn't an option. "Meet me at 8 in the Room of Requirement." Lupin walked away as quickly as he had come. As soon as he was out of site, Harry let out a groan. It wasn't the lessons he minded. He was actually looking forward to those. It was the talk that was sure to come with the lessons. Even though Harry was trying his hardest to live his life like his mother had asked, he still found it hard to bring himself to talk about it. He hadn't told anyone about the letters. It was just too personal.

"Harry, come on, you're going to be late!" Hermione stuck her head out of the Transfiguration classroom and pulled him out of his thoughts and in with her.

That night at dinner, Harry was unusually quiet. Ron and Hermione, however, were too busy arguing to notice. Harry's mind was racing. "Where's Ginny? Why isn't she here?" he thought to himself, "I really wanted to see her again before I have to go meet Lupin. What am I saying? This is Ginny."

"Hey Harry."

"Ginny! I mean, hey." Ginny and Colin had walked over to the table while Harry was lost in his thoughts. "Did you see that the first Hogsmeade trip is this weekend?"

"Yeah, we were talking about it between classes. You should come with us, I can use help with the refereeing." Ron and Hermione stopped fighting long enough to look embarrassed. Harry was so absorbed in looking at Ginny, he didn't even notice the dirty look Colin shot him.

"Sounds like a plan," Ginny responded blushing under Harry's gaze.

Ron and Hermione seemed to have found a temporary truce, so Ron figured it was the best time to ask for homework help. "Hermione will you help me and Harry with our Charms essays?"

"Oh come on," Hermione responded rolling her eyes,

"Actually I have to go meet with Lupin tonight," Harry said quietly. "He's giving me extra Defense against the Dark Arts lessons."

"Oh, well, have fun," Hermione said unsure of how she should react. She and Ron left the table and headed towards the library.

When they were gone, Ginny leaned over to Harry and whispered in his ear. "Can I talk to you in private?"

"Sure," Harry responded, certain his face was bright red.

"Bye Colin, we'll see you later," Ginny called back to her best friend. Ginny took Harry by the hand and led him to the Gryffindor common room. She took him to two deserted chairs in one of the corners of the room. "Harry, I know you don't like to talk about V-Voldemort, and Merlin knows neither do I, but it's a common bond we share. I want to be prepared for the next time I have to face him. I want to learn extra lessons with you," she stopped, trying to read his face.

"Ginny, there's something you don't know. Last year, the prophecy, I have to kill him, or be killed by him. That's what it all comes down to. Me or him," Harry felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt Ginny reach out and take his hand. He looked into her eyes and saw they were filled with tears. "I haven't told anyone. But, I wanted you to know because, well, I really like you, and I would really like to get to know you better. But before I can ask you anything you need to be completely aware of my situation."

"Harry," Ginny began slowly, no longer fighting to hold back her tears when she saw Harry crying, "I've always liked you. All admit, at first it was because you were the boy-who-lived, but then it became because you were the boy who saved lives, the boy who was loyal to his friends, the boy who would risk his life for others. So, I would love to get to know you better. I don't care what you have to face, I only care about you."

Harry's face broke into a smile through his tears. "Well then I don't see any reason why you can't take lessons with me. You just have to promise me one thing; you won't tell anyone about, um, getting to know me better. It'll only paint a target on your back and I can't have that. We can tell our close friends, you know Hermione and Ron, when we're ready, but don't fight me on this. It's for the best."

"I'll promise not to tell if you promise me that you'll never push me away for my own good."

"I promise. But we've got to leave now or else we're going to be late for Moony." They stood up, Ginny still holding Harry's hand. She pulled him to her and threw her arms around his next. Surprised, Harry slowly slipped her arms around her waist and they stood embraced together letting time pass around them, sharing in each other's pain.

"Oh!" Ginny exclaimed, "Er- hi Colin! Harry and I were just heading out." Ginny quickly wiped her eyes and followed Harry out of the room.

"Harry!" Lupin said, obviously happy Harry had not stood him up. "And Ginny?"

"Harry told me what he was doing and I forced him to let me come. I want to be ready if he ever decides to come after me again."

"Well, alright..." Lupin said, his voice trailing off as he looked at Harry questioningly. For the next hour the three of them worked on spells that could be used in battle. Harry and Ginny left excited about everything that had transpired that evening.

"Harry, before we get back to everyone, I just wanted to tell you that I'll keep your secrets... All of them. So if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here." Not waiting for him to respond, Ginny leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. She blushed and quickly began walking again. Harry's face turned red and he followed her to the common room.

That night, Harry slept with a smile on his face.
In between the first night with Lupin and the Hogsmeade trip, Harry was happier than he had ever been before. He and Ginny spent every moment they could spare, which wasn't much between Quidditch, classes, and homework, together trying not to look to obvious. Normally Ron, Hermione, or Colin were hanging around much to Harry's annoyance. But Harry and Ginny managed to find a few precious moments to spend together alone, talking about their lives, their hopes, their dreams. They had planned a secret meeting while in Hogsmeade. They figured it should be easy enough to break apart from the group and have something resembling a real date.

When the day finally arrived Ginny sat nervously in front of her mirror brushing her hair back from her face. She looked herself over and gave herself a final seal of approval. She still couldn't believe that Harry liked her. She had always liked him, she knew from the first day she laid eyes on him that he was the one for her. She just couldn't believe that Harry had finally picked up on it too. It was finally happening. Every time his hand would "accidentally" brush against her she could feel every hair on her body stand on end. She walked into the common room, and saw her best friend, not Harry, sitting on the couch.

"Hey Col. You going into town today?"

"Yeah, I think so," he replied sulkily.

"Well, I've got to go meet Harry... and Ron and Hermione," she added quickly. "Have fun today." Ginny walked into the Great Hall, not noticing Colin's bad mood. "Hello!" she said cheerfully when she reached the trio waiting for her. She sat down beside Harry and felt sure her face had completely flushed when Harry placed his hand on her knee. She quickly regained her composure and placed her hand on top of his.

a/n Thanks for the positive feedback. The feedback only makes me want to post faster!