Chapter 1

Harry Potter, boy wizard, was very, very tired. His eyelids were heavy and the rest of his body felt like stone. Now, he thought, if only he could go back to his dorm, grab some clothes, go take a long, relieving shower, finish off his homework so he wouldn't have to slave over it on Sunday, and… Oh, hell, it'd be a miracle if he could make it up the stairs.

"Harry," someone called from behind him.

Recognizing her voice, yet unable to turn around, he called back," Ginny, some help here?"

He heard the patter of her footsteps on grow closer, her bedtime slippers slapping against the hard rock, and was much relieved when she took hold of one of his arms and slung it over her shoulder.

They started making their way up the winding staircase.

She took one look at him and raised an eyebrow. "You really shouldn't work yourself that hard, you know," she said, disappprovingly.

He looked at her solemnly, taking her silky red hair, concerned large brown eyes, and furry pink pajamas into perspective. Damn, she was hot. He realized he could've meant more to her than just a friend, but had missed his chance when he had failed to return her childhood admiration. Shit. Now she was over him, and all over that bloody Dean Thomas. Damnit.

He silently cursed his stupidity and said with mock-anger," Well, it's your bloody fault. What am I, the captain of our house team, supposed to do when my star chaser calls in sick for two weeks, JUST BEFORE THE FIRST GAME OF THE YEAR? Practice harder, that's what, and pray that the snitch comes into view before those damned Slytherins score a single point." He glanced reproachfully at her.

Ginny sighed. "Look, Harry, it's not my fault that I'm sick. "

He glared at her."Oh yes it is, who told you to run around with Dean Thomas at MIDNIGHT in the forbidden forest. I mean – you could've just chosen a broom closet to snog in."

"Hey, he was going to show me a pack of unicorns, and who knew Aragog was going to show up with his stupid spider relatives and bite me?" she retorted, ignoring his broom closet comment.

Harry rolled his eyes and muttered," Well, you better stop wandering around in restricted sections because I won't always be there to save you and your boyfriend. I have more important things to do now than – " he paused.

Ginny grinned. " Than what?" She gave him a slight nudge in the stomach, making him wheeze in exhaustion.

"Stalking me?" she finished to Harry's horror.

"WHAT?" he exclaimed, nearly losing his balance and falling off the stairs. "I AM NOT A STALKER! I NEVER WAS AND I NEVER WILL BE!"

"Right, whatever you say, Harry," Ginny said sarcastically.

"I – I – " he tried to argue. But the fatigue was so intense, he couldn't even think.

They had reached the portrait of the fat lady.

Ginny slid out from beneath his arm and smiled at him. "Give it a rest, Harry, and get some sleep, that'll do you some good." She winked at him and nodded towards the common room. "You'll be able to make it in, then Ron and 'Mione will take over from there, I s'pose?"

Harry nodded clumsily.

"Great," she said, straightening her pajamas. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Harry watched her take a few timid steps down the stairs, just in case it started twisting into some slide that led to Snape's dungeon.

"Wait a second, where're you going? It's nearly eleven!" he yelled at her, knowing the answer perfectly well.

She turned her head and flashed him a quick grin. "I'm off to meet Dean, if you don't mind."

"In your pajamas?" he inquired, mystified.

She cocked her head to one side and answered slyly. "It turns him on."

Harry was dumbfounded.

She blew him a kiss. "Goodnight, my sweet little stalker."

Then she turned back and ran down the rest of the stairs, disappearing out of view.