I'm EXTREMELY SORRY about the late update... I've been out of it for a while.

This chapter is going to be focusing on Harry and Ginny, although there is some Ron/Hermione fluff. DO NOT SKIP THIS CHAPTER. It has some valuable information that is necessary to understand the story.

More importantly, this chapter is going to talk about Ginny's and Harry's relationship. While, they have an extremely deep relationship, I must warn you against believing that Ron and Hermione have a superficial one.

In my story, RON is the real hero and I shall display that in later chapters. Such deep-rooted love as that which is shared between Harry and Ginny shall also be shared by Ron and Hermione in the next couple of chapters. Right now, both Ron and Hermione are defiant and thus, their relationship will advance slowly, surely and definitely much more fluffily :-D

So yes! :-D have fun

Harry and Ginny burst through the doors of the Great Hall, and ran into the crisp cold air that invited them. Laughing hysterically and flushed due to leftover embarrassment and the biting cold, they raced down the stairs and flopped beneath a tree.

Holding on to his side that was aching with laughter, Harry glanced at Ginny who sat a few feet away from him. He drew in a sharp breath as his emerald eyes lingered on her face.

Ginny Weasley was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her flaming red hair fell in tousled waves around her shoulders that silently shook with stifled laughter. Her ocean blue eyes crinkled and shone brightly, contrasting her ivory skin splattered with red freckles.

"Harry James Potter! Are you even listening to me?" Ginny asked.

Harry let out his breath quickly, not realizing that he had been holding it. He blushed slightly at being caught staring at Ginny, but smirked mischievously.

"Sorry Ginny" he said sheepishly.

Ginny sighed in mock frustration and repeated her question. "Why did we just run out of the great hall?"

Harry's forest green eyes crinkled with amusement. "So Ron and Hermione can come looking for us" he replied.

Ginny raised her eyebrow questioningly and Harry continued to speak.

"Ron and Hermione can come looking for us. In the meantime, they can spend some 'quality time' together alone" he said, his eyes twinkling.

Ginny still looked skeptical and unconvinced. In mock surrender Harry threw his hands up and retorted

"Fine fine. I confess. I want to see them together. It's so obvious to everyone but them that they are in love with each other. Spending some time alone will do them good. Besides..." he trailed off.

"Besides?" Ginny asked

"Besides I wantedtospendsometimewithyoualonetoo" he said in a rush.

"Harry... I'm afraid I don't understand parseltongue. English please?" Ginny asked.

"That was English" Harry said incredulously.

"Well I couldn't understand it... so repeat it"

Harry took in deep breath and said a little more slowly, "I said... I wanted to spend some time with you alone too."

Ginny blushed and chose to ignore the comment. She focused instead on Harry's comment about Ron and Hermione. Keeping Hermione's secret was weighing her down heavily and Harry's attempts to get them together was annoying Hermione. It was futile and Harry needed to understand it.

She didn't completely agree with Hermione. Hermione's love for Ron was mirrored by Ginny's love for Harry. Yes, Ginny Weasley was in love with Harry Potter.

True, it had started off as a meager crush, much like worshipping a famed celebrity. Now that she knew him, really and truly knew him, she had realized how different Harry really was from the famous image that was portrayed of him. Far from growing out of her crush, she had fallen in love with him.

Stupid thing to do really. Falling in love with my brother's best mate.

Ridding herself of such thoughts, she glanced at Harry, frowning slightly, fumbling for a way to start a conversation.

"Harry..." She said.

"Hm?" Harry replied, his voice dazed and dreamy.

"Let's go visit Hagrid," she said, pulling herself up and dusting her robes as Harry did the same. Harry nodded and they set off to the wooden cabin at the edge of the dark forest, walking in comfortable silence.

Hagrid greeted them with a beaming smile and hot cups of tea. Fang promptly licked Harry's face and settled down beside him, his head on Harry's lap.

"Yer last year at 'Ogwarts eh Harry?" he said, sipping his tea out of a large bucket sized teacup.

Harry nodded smiling "Last year... It feels like yesterday that we got here, really."

"Blimey Harry. 'Ogwarts won't be same without you. Do yer know what you want to do outside of 'Ogwarts?"

"Err...not really. Auror Training would be wicked cool though. I do have the grades for it so maybe I'll pursue that." he said after a few minutes

They sipped their tea slowly before Ginny asked timidly

"Hagrid... has their been any news of You-know-who lately?"

Hagrid frowned and looked at her with his beady black eyes before replying. "What goes on outside of 'Ogwarts – you shouldn't be bothered with. You just pay attention to yer-"

But an enraged Harry interrupted Hagrid. "Hagrid! Even Dumbledore tells us about the Order now. We're old enough. Besides, if you don't tell us, we'll find out in worse ways" he said, knowing the effect that this statement would have on Hagrid.

Hagrid glanced nervously at Harry and then turned his black eyes onto Ginny. "Err... She isn't old enough 'arry" he said, a frown still in place. Just as Ginny started to protest, Harry snapped back stubbornly.

"I'll tell her anything and everything that you tell me anyway. She is my best friend. You might as well just tell her too."

A warm glow encased Ginny and her heart thudded wildly at Harry's words. She had gotten closer to Harry over the last couple of years, but had always held a doubt that he regarded her as a close friend.

Ginny blushed harder as Harry smiled down at her, his untamed black hair flopping on his forehead. Harry knew that his remark had caught her off guard. But he meant every word of it. It had been Ginny who had liberated him from his stifling loneliness after the death of Sirius. He had trusted her with the prophecy first and he knew that the Weasley loyalty that ran in her blood only made him feel more affectionate towards her.

Harry snapped out of his trance as Hagrid sighed and gave in. He tossed them a copy of the Special Daily prophet that talked about all of Voldemort's dealings. Since Fudge had reluctantly but surely agreed that Voldemort was back, the daily prophet had been releasing a special edition every month to keep the wizarding world warned of the dark lord's return.

Harry flipped through the pages in interest until certain headlines popped out at him.

LATEST MINISTRY DEATH IN LONDON

Harry skimmed over the article quickly and realized that Madam Atkins, a member of the Order had been recently murdered in London. A picture of her funeral marked with howling family members tugged painfully at Harry's heart.

Ginny had moved closer to him and was now reading the article with him. Suddenly, a phrase from the article caught his eye.

It is rumored that the dark lord's next target could very well be far far away from London. Striking at random and at unexpected locations has always been one of You-know-who's trademarks.

Harry blinked and looked up at Hagrid questioningly.

"So Voldemort's of no real threat to us immediately?" he asked

"Wish that wer the case 'arry. Order members have deduced through spies that Voldemort's next attack could very well be somewhere close." He said his eyebrows furrowed in thought.

A feeling of dread settled in Harry's stomach and he growled softly. "So he could attack Hogwarts then?"

"It's possible I s'pose" Hagrid said looking worried. "What's with him tracking 'ermione and all"

The instant Hagrid had said that, he knew he had spoken too much. Harry shot up in his seat, his fists clenched. Ginny cringed in hers knowing that Hermione's secret would no longer be a secret.

"TRACKING HERMIONE?" he asked incredulously. "Why is he tracking Hermione?"

"err Not just her... I meant, the three of you – Ron and you and 'ermione" he fumbled trying to cover his slip up.

"Hagrid! Don't lie to me! Why is he after her? TELL ME!" he roared.

Ginny placed a comforting arm on his shoulder and spoke in her soft gentle voice. "I'll tell him Hagrid... we'll just leave now."

Harry stared at her speechless, his fists clenched tighter. "Y-YOU KNEW?" he asked, his voice now hurt and disappointed.

Ginny didn't respond. Instead, she firmly unclenched Harry's fist and held it, leading him towards the door. She looked back at Hagrid, who looked forlorn and dejected.

Ginny didn't speak a word until they walked up the marble stairs to the astronomy tower. Knowing that they wouldn't be disturbed, she sat on a bench and motioned for Harry to do so beside her.

Harry, his face still masked in disbelief, turned to Ginny. Ginny stared wordlessly at their entwined hands and sighed slowly.

"Hermione made me promise I wouldn't tell anyone. Only the Order, Dumbledore, me and Hermione know about this."

Harry still stared at her; incapable of understanding why something so grave and serious had been kept from him.

Ginny let go of his hand slowly, and walked towards the balcony, her back turned to Harry. She took a deep breath and slowly retold to him the story of the fateful night.

"Three weeks before term started, Hermione was attacked by Y-You-know-who."

A disbelieving cry emerged from Harry who had gotten to his feet again and strode over to where Ginny was standing; now intently listening to her.

"Dumbledore came to her rescue just in time, only to find Hermione shaking and shivering. The dark lord left but not without threatening Hermione. Dumbledore thought he was planning to kill Hermione. However, he was wrong. You-know-who knew that the best way to get to y-you Harry would be to destroy your friends. He threatened to kill Ron, which would definitely destroy Hermione, thus killing two birds with one stone." She continued, pausing slowly for breath.

She then told him about Hermione's fears, her dreams and visions and her decision to retain a purely platonic friendship with Ron. When she finished, silence greeted her. Warm sunlight illuminated her face and she knew that midday was approaching.

She turned to look at Harry and saw his fixed stare into the distance. She knew what he was thinking.

"It's all my fault. It's me who should be distanced from them." He whispered slowly.

"No Harry, it isn't. You CAN'T blame yourself..." Ginny protested weakly.

She followed his gaze down towards the clearing beside the lake and spotted two solitary figures asleep in an embrace. She chuckled softly as she realized that one of them sported flaming red hair that glinted in the sun.

"I robbed them of their innocence. They didn't know a normal childhood. Always, they have faced danger with me. Unknowingly, I have put their lives at risk. Hermione's mother is dead and it's my fault. Hermione's life is in danger and it is my fault. Ron and Hermione's unspoken love cannot be expressed and it is all MY BLOODY fault," he yelled into the warm afternoon air, his voice cracking with frustration

Soundlessly, Ginny placed her palm on Harry's cheek and turned his face so his eyes looked at her. His emerald orbs shone with tears. Ginny's heart broke ever so slowly.

She willed herself to speak. He needs to know that he can't blame himself. I can't stand to see him in such agony.

"None of it is your fault Harry. You were born into fame that you didn't want. You battled danger that was much too powerful for a wizard your age. It's NOT your fault. It's his. It's you-know-who's fault," she said, her blue eyes brimming with tears too.

Harry's face contorted with pain and he closed his eyes, leaning against her warm hand. Tears spilled over his closed eyelids and made their way down his cheek as small stifled sobs escaped his lips. Waves of pain and guilt washed over him and he lost control of his emotions.

Ginny's heart broke a little more and she stroked his cheek tenderly, moving closer to him.

"Listen Harry, I know you can do it. YOU have the ability to defeat him Harry. I believe you can." She said gently, her fingers tracing slow circles on his cheek.

His eyes opened and Ginny winced at the torment that clouded his forest green eyes. His hands shook slightly with anger as he placed his hand over hers, gently removing her hand from its tantalizingly comforting position on his cheek.

"How can you say that Ginny? Just because I'm 'the boy-who-lived' or the famous HARRY POTTER does NOT mean I can defeat him. I'm famous not because of my deeds Ginny. You AND the wizarding world need to understand that." He sputtered, the resentment and bitterness in his voice temporarily shocking Ginny.

Ginny looked furious and she grabbed Harry by the collar and pulled her to him, his face hovering inches above hers. Her blue eyes were ablaze with fury and Harry, shocked beyond belief, stared blankly at her.

After a heated moment, Ginny spoke, her voice trembling with anger. "You WILL not wallow in self pity Mr. Potter. NOT if I can help it"

She released her grip on Harry's collar and her eyes softened noticeably. "TO me, you are just Harry. Not the boy-who-lived, not the famous wizard to have caused the fall of the Dark Lord."

Ginny's tears were now flowing freely and she bared her soul, her innermost beliefs in Harry.

"You hold love, affection, loyalty, bravery, trust and individuality in the highest of ranks. Hidden behind the stubborn mask, is a 17-year-old wizard who has gone through much more than any his age. Captured beneath his 17 year old self is a selfless man with plenty of courage and determination to let good prevail over evil. This Harry, with tears in his eyes, and torment wracking his soul, is the Harry who is capable of defeating the dark lord." She finished, her eyes fiery with determination.

Harry's tears continued to trace silvery paths down his cheeks as he looked at Ginny in amazement. Her maturity and wisdom surprised him. Her belief in him, however, warmed him to the core, just like it had in those dark days after Sirius' death.

She leaned over and gently kissed his tear-stained cheek and whispered to him, her voice barely audible. "TO me, you are just Harry"

Harry's heart swelled with gratitude and affection. He had craved for so long to be "just-Harry". Not the famous Harry potter. Not the savior of the wizarding world. He longed to be JUST Harry. And here, this fabulous red haired witch in front of him accepted him for being him. The REAL him.

Ginny was now looking at her feet, her face flushed, and her hands nervously playing with stray wisps of red hair. He covered her hand with his and laced his fingers through hers. Though oddly disproportionate in their sizes, Harry liked how their hands looked intertwined.

After a moment's hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, gathering her in a warm hug. Words failed him and he stammered to try and explain the depth of what she meant to him. Gratitude. Anxiety. Relief. Love.

He pulled back slightly, still holding her, and gave her a searching look. Suddenly it dawned to him, the absurdity of the whole situation.

I'm in love with my best mate's younger sister. I'm in love with the girl fancied me when she was 10 years old. She's given up on me now. It's too late.

His heart sank as quickly as it had risen. He needed her too much to let her go now. Dizzying impressions of joy and sorrow rocketed through him and he whispered to her, fondling her cheek tenderly.

"Thank you. I might be considered the savior of the wizarding world, but you, Ginny Weasley, are MY savior".

His voice echoed with conviction and Ginny's hopes rose high, tears of joy glittering in her ocean blue eyes. He leaned forward, his forehead touching hers and captured her lips in a sweet first kiss.

Ginny inhaled in his refreshing scent and tried in vain to calm her pounding heart. She felt giddy, lightheaded in his embrace and the feel of his lips on hers seemed too wonderful to be real. Lightening bolts of tingling pleasure shot through her and she kissed him back fervently, pulling him closer as they lost themselves to the beckoning of love.

Hermione opened her eyes, her mind fogged with exhaustion, yet acutely aware of the strong arms that completely enveloped her. She leaned back into a muscular chest, feeling safe and secure in a warm cocoon. She rubbed her eyes, attempting to clear her blurry vision and looked up, stretching. A shock of red hair and a freckled face greeted her and she smiled sleepily. The sleeping figure had his head rested against the tree bark, his long scarlet eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Merlin...He looks so adorable when he is sleeping. Ron.. RON!!!!!!! Oh my gosh! WHAT AM I DOING IN RON WEASLEY'S ARMS!?!

Suddenly realizing that she was supposed to be keeping her distance from him, a scream erupted from her throat. Not wanting to wake Ron up, she stifled the scream. Ron however, stirred and his eyelids opened, revealing his immeasurably deep blue eyes marked with disoriented confusion.

Mirroring her reaction, he smiled slowly before realizing the not-so-platonic embrace that they were in. He blushed in embarrassment as they scrambled apart hastily. Standing a few feet apart, blushing furiously, Hermione and Ron looked at each other awkwardly.

"We should be getting back for...uhm..." Ron muttered looking at his watch

"Lunch?" Hermione exclaimed, glancing at her watch too. She grinned, realizing that food was probably the first thing on Ron's mind anyways. Ron smiled back, the tension in the air turned down a notch as he nodded.

They walked silently back into the castle, their eyes to the ground, consciously staying a few feet apart from each other. Blushing furiously still, they reached the doors of the great hall and Ron walked through the open doors quickly, struggling to fight down the heat on his face. Hermione looked just as embarrassed and sat across him at the Gryffindor table, refusing to meet his gaze.

Harry and Ginny were blushing and stealing glances at each other, failing to notice the air of embarrassment between Ron and Hermione. Each couple engrossed in their own fantasies of love.

Harry broke the silence finally and turned to Ron slowly. "Ron..." he said uncertainly. Ron turned and looked at him distractedly, pushing his mound of baked potatoes around in his plate.

"Since the return of Voldemort, I have been thinking of recreating the DA. I think it would be appropriate for us to do so now that we are head boys – and girl of the school. What do you say mate?"

SOOOO? Hehehe that was a longer chapter than the ones I usually write. But it also was heavily laden with fluff/angst/plot

Hope u liked it!

Do leave me reviews

Let's see if we can cross 75 reviews this time!