As it turned out, Hermione discovering Harry and Ginny's relationship was the best thing that could happen. She was able to help them find time to be alone together, without drawing too much attention. For the next few weeks, Harry and Ginny enjoyed the honeymoon stage of their relationship. They spent most of the time that Hermione gave them in the Room of Requirement, talking, cuddling, snogging. However, in the week leading up to Halloween, they barely had time for homework, much less each other. So when Ron decided it would be best if they took the night before Halloween off from Quidditch, Harry pleaded with Hermione to keep him occupied for the night. That night over dinner, Hermione tried to throw the plan into action.
"Ron have you finished your potions essay yet?" Hermione asked. "Harry and I did ours this afternoon."
"Without me?"
"Well, if you want I'll help you after dinner," Hermione suggested. Harry was trying his hardest to focus on the conversation, but it was difficult when Ginny started to rub his leg with her foot.
"Earth to Harry. I asked if you were going to come with us to the library," Ron said, getting annoyed with his best friend.
"You know, Ginny. That sounds like a good idea. I could really use your help on my Charms essay. You are the best in our class," Colin suggested, sending her puppy dog eyes.
"Well, actually, I'm um." Ginny's mind couldn't seem to function fast enough.
"She's got an extra lesson tonight with me and Lupin," Harry said, rejoining the world. "That's why I did my potions earlier with Hermione. We missed out last lesson because of Quidditch, so we're making it up tonight." Ginny and Hermione stared at Harry in awe; he had gone from la la land to creating a web of deceit in a matter of minutes. Of course, the fact that Ginny had been too distracted trying to cover her tracks to continue playing footsie under the table had freed his mind a little.
"Oh, well, whatever," Colin replied. "I guess I'll head to the library."
"Well, we don't want to be late for Lupin, do we Harry?" Ginny said coyly.
"No, I think we should go to the Room of Requirement right now," Harry said, gazing at her adoringly.
"Well then go on," Ron said, completely unaware that anything that was going on. "You two really should work hard. Don't spend any time goofing off, just go straight to it. What you're doing is very serious work. We'll see you guys back in the common room later." Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all tried their hardest to fight back laughter. Not sure how long they could last without losing it, Harry and Ginny excused themselves from the table and exited the Great Hall. As soon as no one was around, they both burst out laughing. Ginny fell against the wall next to a window, barely able to stand up.
"Harry, I think Ron just gave us his blessing," she said in between giggles.
"Well, he did order us to just go straight to it." Harry fell against the wall next to Ginny. "We've got to keep moving. We don't want anyone to think something funny is going on between us." Ginny burst into another fit of laughter. "You've got to shut up!"
"Did you just tell me to shut up?" Ginny tried her hardest to look shocked and upset.
"Yes!" Harry started laughing again. Just something about being with Ginny and seeing her happy was intoxicating to him. "Shhh! Someone's coming!" Harry pulled Ginny behind the curtain on the closest window. They stood face to face. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist, and she slipped hers around his neck. The thrill of not being caught was exhilarating for them. Harry was about to lean in and kiss her when they heard voices. Not just any voices though; the voices of Cho Chang and Michael Corner. Harry and Ginny both tensed at the sound of their exes walking towards them. Harry dropped him arms from Ginny's waist and moved his gaze from her eyes to the floor.
"Cho?" They heard Michael's voice say.
"Yes?" Ginny saw Harry cringe at the sound of Cho's voice.
"Will you be my date for the Halloween Ball tomorrow night?"
"Oh Michael of course. You're my boyfriend, who else would I go with?"
"Harry Potter?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You know there's nothing between me and Harry anymore. Besides, there never was much going on there anyway. I didn't really like him, I just used him for comfort after Cedric died. Plus, he really wasn't a good kisser." Ginny saw Harry's eye's flash in anger, and then in embarrassment. "What about you? Are you sure there isn't some hot little thing you'd want to take? I did see you talking to Ginny Weasley earlier today."
"We're just friends. Although, she was a brilliant kisser."
"Michael!" Harry and Ginny could only assume that one of them had leaned over and kissed the other.
"Of all the people in all of the halls, why did these two have to be on this one?" Ginny thought desperately. "And why won't they just keep moving?"
"Now, did that little red head do that?"
"Please, no," Ginny silently urged Michael.
"Well not like you. Although there were some other things."
"He said it," Ginny thought miserably, now joining Harry in looking at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to listen to the sound of Michael and Cho kissing.
After what felt like an eternity, Cho and Michael finally left the hall. Harry stepped out from behind the curtain, feeling like he had left his dignity behind. Not only had Cho been talking about how pathetic he was, he had the image of Ginny with Michael burned into his mind.
"Harry?" When Ginny saw the look on his face, she felt sure he was going to dump her, right then and there. "We really should go to the Room of Requirement before anyone else stumbles across us." When Harry only started to walk away, Ginny felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She didn't know how she made it to the room. She left it up to Harry to determine what they needed to be inside. When saw opened the door and saw two small, chairs she felt her heart break. He really was going to dump her. She walked over to one of the chairs and sat down, afraid to speak. Harry sat down opposite her, refusing to meet her gaze.
"Well that has to be one of the top ten worst moments in my life." Harry couldn't seem to bring himself to say anything else.
"We both have pasts, Harry. It's just unfortunate that we had to listen to them talk about us."
"Well I'd say the talk about you was a lot more flattering than the talk about me."
"Please, I don't care what Michael or Cho thinks. They're both daft."
"You didn't think Michael was daft when you dated him."
"Well I was being daft. And I can't say you were being much better when you dated Cho." Ginny was starting to feel like she was on trial. If Harry was going to dump her, she wasn't going to lie down and take his insults too.
"Well you heard Cho, I'm rubbish and she only used me for comfort."
"Harry, if you've got something to say, just say it. I can't stand to hear you like this!" Ginny was starting to get angry with Harry's self-pitying attitude.
"Fine! Did you shag him?" Ginny was shocked. First because she had never heard Harry yell at her before. Then it came because she had been expecting him to dump her, not interrogate her about her past relationship. However, when she realized what he had asked, her eyes flashed in anger.
"Is that what you think of me? That I'm the type of girl who sleeps around?"
"Well Michael sure made it sound that way."
"You're going to believe one part of a conversation you overheard instead of your own knowledge of me?"
"Well he seemed to make it clear what he was talking about."
"Harry Potter you infuriate me! Not that you deserve an answer, but no I didn't shag him. Yes, we did fool around a little. I mean, it's none of your business, but we did date for almost an entire year. But I never, never, felt anything for him like I do for you. And honestly I find the fact that you were so fast to jump to the wrong conclusions very insulting. So if you want to dump me, fine, but don't come crawling back when you realize what a twit you are."
"Ginny," Harry paused, his eyes filled with pain, "I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. And breaking up with you never even crossed my mind. I was just embarrassed by what Cho had said, and then I had this image of you and Michael in my mind... I'd never really thought about the fact that you had dated anyone before me. I know I'm an idiot, but I had forgotten that I wasn't the first one to notice what a beautiful woman you had become." And with that sentence, all was forgiven. Ginny walked over to Harry's chair and sat down on his lap. She leaned forward keeping his lips inches away from his.
"For the record, I think you're a brilliant kisser."
"Cho couldn't hold a candle to you." Ginny caught Harry's lips with her own. She felt passion erupt all through her body. She ran her tongue along his lips and he opened his mouth allowing her entrance. He felt out a small moan. Harry wrapped his arms tightly around her, and picked her up. He knelt down on the floor, laying her down in front of him. He trailed his kisses down her neck. "I hate these robes," he said quietly in between kisses.
"So do something about it," Ginny said with a smile, rubbing her hands through his hair. Harry looked surprised, but recovered and undid the fastens on her robe. He gently slipped the robe off over shoulders, revealing her school uniform. She pulled him back down to her and started kissing him again. They spent the next thirty minutes that way, using their hands to explore each other's body through their clothes. "We should go," Ginny whispered regretfully.
"I know," Harry whispered, not stopping kissing her neck.
"Seriously, Harry. Hermione can only keep Ron occupied for so long." "I know we have to stop. I just don't want to."
"Another day, Harry. Another day." Ginny gently pushed Harry off of her and stood up from the floor. He reluctantly followed her example and walked back with her to the common room.
"Lupin must have worked you hard tonight." Ron looked up from his chess game with Hermione.
"It was excruciating," Harry said, exchanging a look with Ginny.
"Harry finish my game, I'm really just not good at Wizarding Chess." Hermione walked over to where Ginny was sitting, letting Harry take her seat. "What was that about?" she asked Ginny quietly.
"Just know that it's been a really long night. But I think we're closer than ever." Hermione smiled at her friend, happy to see that everything was okay.
"Ron have you finished your potions essay yet?" Hermione asked. "Harry and I did ours this afternoon."
"Without me?"
"Well, if you want I'll help you after dinner," Hermione suggested. Harry was trying his hardest to focus on the conversation, but it was difficult when Ginny started to rub his leg with her foot.
"Earth to Harry. I asked if you were going to come with us to the library," Ron said, getting annoyed with his best friend.
"You know, Ginny. That sounds like a good idea. I could really use your help on my Charms essay. You are the best in our class," Colin suggested, sending her puppy dog eyes.
"Well, actually, I'm um." Ginny's mind couldn't seem to function fast enough.
"She's got an extra lesson tonight with me and Lupin," Harry said, rejoining the world. "That's why I did my potions earlier with Hermione. We missed out last lesson because of Quidditch, so we're making it up tonight." Ginny and Hermione stared at Harry in awe; he had gone from la la land to creating a web of deceit in a matter of minutes. Of course, the fact that Ginny had been too distracted trying to cover her tracks to continue playing footsie under the table had freed his mind a little.
"Oh, well, whatever," Colin replied. "I guess I'll head to the library."
"Well, we don't want to be late for Lupin, do we Harry?" Ginny said coyly.
"No, I think we should go to the Room of Requirement right now," Harry said, gazing at her adoringly.
"Well then go on," Ron said, completely unaware that anything that was going on. "You two really should work hard. Don't spend any time goofing off, just go straight to it. What you're doing is very serious work. We'll see you guys back in the common room later." Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all tried their hardest to fight back laughter. Not sure how long they could last without losing it, Harry and Ginny excused themselves from the table and exited the Great Hall. As soon as no one was around, they both burst out laughing. Ginny fell against the wall next to a window, barely able to stand up.
"Harry, I think Ron just gave us his blessing," she said in between giggles.
"Well, he did order us to just go straight to it." Harry fell against the wall next to Ginny. "We've got to keep moving. We don't want anyone to think something funny is going on between us." Ginny burst into another fit of laughter. "You've got to shut up!"
"Did you just tell me to shut up?" Ginny tried her hardest to look shocked and upset.
"Yes!" Harry started laughing again. Just something about being with Ginny and seeing her happy was intoxicating to him. "Shhh! Someone's coming!" Harry pulled Ginny behind the curtain on the closest window. They stood face to face. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist, and she slipped hers around his neck. The thrill of not being caught was exhilarating for them. Harry was about to lean in and kiss her when they heard voices. Not just any voices though; the voices of Cho Chang and Michael Corner. Harry and Ginny both tensed at the sound of their exes walking towards them. Harry dropped him arms from Ginny's waist and moved his gaze from her eyes to the floor.
"Cho?" They heard Michael's voice say.
"Yes?" Ginny saw Harry cringe at the sound of Cho's voice.
"Will you be my date for the Halloween Ball tomorrow night?"
"Oh Michael of course. You're my boyfriend, who else would I go with?"
"Harry Potter?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You know there's nothing between me and Harry anymore. Besides, there never was much going on there anyway. I didn't really like him, I just used him for comfort after Cedric died. Plus, he really wasn't a good kisser." Ginny saw Harry's eye's flash in anger, and then in embarrassment. "What about you? Are you sure there isn't some hot little thing you'd want to take? I did see you talking to Ginny Weasley earlier today."
"We're just friends. Although, she was a brilliant kisser."
"Michael!" Harry and Ginny could only assume that one of them had leaned over and kissed the other.
"Of all the people in all of the halls, why did these two have to be on this one?" Ginny thought desperately. "And why won't they just keep moving?"
"Now, did that little red head do that?"
"Please, no," Ginny silently urged Michael.
"Well not like you. Although there were some other things."
"He said it," Ginny thought miserably, now joining Harry in looking at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to listen to the sound of Michael and Cho kissing.
After what felt like an eternity, Cho and Michael finally left the hall. Harry stepped out from behind the curtain, feeling like he had left his dignity behind. Not only had Cho been talking about how pathetic he was, he had the image of Ginny with Michael burned into his mind.
"Harry?" When Ginny saw the look on his face, she felt sure he was going to dump her, right then and there. "We really should go to the Room of Requirement before anyone else stumbles across us." When Harry only started to walk away, Ginny felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She didn't know how she made it to the room. She left it up to Harry to determine what they needed to be inside. When saw opened the door and saw two small, chairs she felt her heart break. He really was going to dump her. She walked over to one of the chairs and sat down, afraid to speak. Harry sat down opposite her, refusing to meet her gaze.
"Well that has to be one of the top ten worst moments in my life." Harry couldn't seem to bring himself to say anything else.
"We both have pasts, Harry. It's just unfortunate that we had to listen to them talk about us."
"Well I'd say the talk about you was a lot more flattering than the talk about me."
"Please, I don't care what Michael or Cho thinks. They're both daft."
"You didn't think Michael was daft when you dated him."
"Well I was being daft. And I can't say you were being much better when you dated Cho." Ginny was starting to feel like she was on trial. If Harry was going to dump her, she wasn't going to lie down and take his insults too.
"Well you heard Cho, I'm rubbish and she only used me for comfort."
"Harry, if you've got something to say, just say it. I can't stand to hear you like this!" Ginny was starting to get angry with Harry's self-pitying attitude.
"Fine! Did you shag him?" Ginny was shocked. First because she had never heard Harry yell at her before. Then it came because she had been expecting him to dump her, not interrogate her about her past relationship. However, when she realized what he had asked, her eyes flashed in anger.
"Is that what you think of me? That I'm the type of girl who sleeps around?"
"Well Michael sure made it sound that way."
"You're going to believe one part of a conversation you overheard instead of your own knowledge of me?"
"Well he seemed to make it clear what he was talking about."
"Harry Potter you infuriate me! Not that you deserve an answer, but no I didn't shag him. Yes, we did fool around a little. I mean, it's none of your business, but we did date for almost an entire year. But I never, never, felt anything for him like I do for you. And honestly I find the fact that you were so fast to jump to the wrong conclusions very insulting. So if you want to dump me, fine, but don't come crawling back when you realize what a twit you are."
"Ginny," Harry paused, his eyes filled with pain, "I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. And breaking up with you never even crossed my mind. I was just embarrassed by what Cho had said, and then I had this image of you and Michael in my mind... I'd never really thought about the fact that you had dated anyone before me. I know I'm an idiot, but I had forgotten that I wasn't the first one to notice what a beautiful woman you had become." And with that sentence, all was forgiven. Ginny walked over to Harry's chair and sat down on his lap. She leaned forward keeping his lips inches away from his.
"For the record, I think you're a brilliant kisser."
"Cho couldn't hold a candle to you." Ginny caught Harry's lips with her own. She felt passion erupt all through her body. She ran her tongue along his lips and he opened his mouth allowing her entrance. He felt out a small moan. Harry wrapped his arms tightly around her, and picked her up. He knelt down on the floor, laying her down in front of him. He trailed his kisses down her neck. "I hate these robes," he said quietly in between kisses.
"So do something about it," Ginny said with a smile, rubbing her hands through his hair. Harry looked surprised, but recovered and undid the fastens on her robe. He gently slipped the robe off over shoulders, revealing her school uniform. She pulled him back down to her and started kissing him again. They spent the next thirty minutes that way, using their hands to explore each other's body through their clothes. "We should go," Ginny whispered regretfully.
"I know," Harry whispered, not stopping kissing her neck.
"Seriously, Harry. Hermione can only keep Ron occupied for so long." "I know we have to stop. I just don't want to."
"Another day, Harry. Another day." Ginny gently pushed Harry off of her and stood up from the floor. He reluctantly followed her example and walked back with her to the common room.
"Lupin must have worked you hard tonight." Ron looked up from his chess game with Hermione.
"It was excruciating," Harry said, exchanging a look with Ginny.
"Harry finish my game, I'm really just not good at Wizarding Chess." Hermione walked over to where Ginny was sitting, letting Harry take her seat. "What was that about?" she asked Ginny quietly.
"Just know that it's been a really long night. But I think we're closer than ever." Hermione smiled at her friend, happy to see that everything was okay.