Chapter 2 - Everyone Gone

Ron and Hermione had said goodbye that morning as they left with most of the other people in the school. Harry had thought that there would only be a few Gryffindors staying for Christmas, but there were none.

Harry and Ginny spent the first few days of break playing exploding snap, chess, and gin, a muggle game that Harry learned form Mrs. Figg over the years. With the exploding snap cards the game was more interesting. Ginny like it because it was called her nickname.

"How do you always beat me? I only taught you the game yesterday!" Harry exclaimed after Ginny had beaten him 4 times in a row.

Ginny smiled pretending to be shy, and then slipped her wand from out of her sleeve.

Harry shook his head with mock shock as he pulled his wand out of his pocket and gave her a pigs nose.

With everyone gone, Ginny slept in Ron's bed, so neither of them had to be alone and they could stay up all night talking to each other.

The days grew shorter and nights longer as Christmas Day approached.

Both Harry and Ginny woke up at the same time on Christmas morning due to Hedwig's loud hooting. She had started doing it in the morning for Harry to get up in time for classes.

Harry rubbed his eyes and looked at the decent sized pile of presents at the foot of his bed. He looked over to Ginny, smiling and saw a look of terrible sadness in her face. Her mouth was thin and her eyes were filling with tears that were just about to explode from her face. He looked from her face to the foot of her bed and there was only on gift there, the one he had placed there last night after she had fallen asleep.

Right when he was getting up to go over there she let out a bark laugh and giggled heavily into her hands. Right as Harry approached the bed she ran out of the room, without a single word. Now Harry felt like he wanted to cry, but she came back a moment later with a load full of packages in her hands twice the size of Harry's.

"HA!" She barked again. "Well at least Mum doesn't know that I'm sleeping in here!"

Harry cracked a smile. "Happy Christmas then."

The sat and opened presents for a half an hour, going slowly only one at a time to make Christmas last. When they were done they went into the Great Hall for breakfast. Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers were there as well. Whereas there were no other Gryffindors in the castle for winter break, there were a good 30 other students in the great hall.

Dumbledore stood up right as they were about to leave. "Please everyone. First I want to wish all here a Happy Christmas. Now I would like to see you all happy today, even with the war outside of these walls. Without happiness, there use in fighting evil. Have an excellent day and vacation.

After the large morning meal, Harry and Ginny made their way to the grounds by the Quidditch Pitch. After walking around a few laps talking about their classes and other unimportant things.

When the reached goal posts 5 times they sat in from of the center hoop. Harry found tow rocks and a stick and he transformed the rocks into two blankets and the stick onto a picnic basket full of sweets and butterbeers.

"This is really nice," Ginny said as the sat on one of the blankets and cuddled up in the other one. "Winter is definitely my favorite season. It's not just Christmas and the New Year either, I love the snow. I love the way the sky is gray, but bright from the sun."

"I love the way you look right now."

Ginny shot her gaze form the sky and to his crimson face.

He was thinking that but he never meant for it to com out.

She stared at him with her eyes wide. Two and a half months ago when she broke up with her last boyfriend she asked him, as always, if he wanted to be more than friends. She realized though, after he had slept with Susan Bones, that she meant it more that time. Since then, she had said not to all advances that came her way.

Ginny suddenly started to giggle. Harry started laughing too, but Ginny had only started to see what his reaction would be. She forced herself to continue.

After that, conversation got back to normal. Harry didn't know what Ginny was thinking, but he couldn't get forget the first awkward moment between them in over two years.

The snow around their charmed blanket was starting to melt so after two and a half hours outside they made their way back up to the castle.

Peeves was floating above the main entrance

Potty wotty Potter With his wittle Weasley Smoochy lipsy Or full of berries you'll be!

At this last comment, Peeves started to throw small berries at the two of them hitting their faces and robes. When Harry opened his eyes he saw mistletoe hanging from Peeves' feet.

"I think I know what he wants," said Ginny, looking at Harry.

Harry had a bad experience with mistletoe. Ginny saw that look in his face.

"Don't cry ok?" Harry leaned forward and turned his head to the side. Right as he was about tot peck Ginny's cheek, she purposefully turned her head and touched her lips to his mouth.

Absolutely shocked, Harry took a sharp intake of breath. He could feel Ginny smiling and she gently pressed herself into him.

Ginny figured that she would see how he really felt. As soon as he relaxed, he started to open his mouth slightly. Ginny knew what was coming next, so she withdrew her head, turned on her heels, and walked away from him straight to the common room.

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A/N: I know, more cliché, but I just cant help myself when it comes to these two.