Disclaimer: Oh come on now, do I really have to keep repeating this? ::recites in monotone:: I do not own the Harry Potter books or any of the characters therein entailed.

Author's Note: Ahh! It's exciting; this chapter is going to start bringing us into the heart of the plot… yay! And just so you're all aware now, I'm going to be out of town for two weeks, so it's unlikely that I'll be able to update during that time. But I'll be back after that, I promise! BUT to compensate, I think this chapter's going to be a bit longer. Ok, I think that's it. Bye all; read and review! 3

Review Responses:

Raiining – Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter! Once I got the idea for it (which seemed like it took FOREVER) I had so much fun writing it – let's just say that Ginny and I are very similar in our shopping styles… And I'm glad you like the gift for Harry – half the reason Ginny had so much trouble shopping for him is that I had a hard time coming up with something meaningful yet not super important that she could give him!! Thanks for all your reviews, I'm glad you like this story!! Keep reading and reviewing!

Obsessed87 – Thank you, I'm glad you like it! keep reading and reviewing; here's chapter 9!!

Zeldagrl1436 – Thanks! Haha, it took me a while to figure out what she should get him, but I'm glad you agree that that'd be a good one for him!

Hp-girl4eva – Yay, glad you liked it! Haha and you're welcome for being mentioned (and here you are again). I'm glad you like this story!! Keep reading and reviewing!

Nessie8 – Oh I know and I said there would be too, didn't I? ::hides:: But I can honestly say that there most definitely will be some soon. Thanks for reviewing, here's chapter 9!

Rigal – Here you go!

Self-doubt about my shopping decision didn't set in until mid-afternoon the next day. More specifically, during a game of Wizards' Chess. How was I possibly going to pass this off? It was an expensive (I am beyond broke now), thoughtful gift that was perfect for him, if I do say so myself. Therein, of course, lies the problem – how in the world am I going to get anybody to believe that I didn't get him this gift because I'm deeply and passionately in love with him, the mere idea of which is mad. But, just because I am fully aware of the madness of this idea, doesn't mean my family (and Hermione) will be.

I was brought back to earth as one of my chess pieces screamed when Ron's knight knocked its head off.

"Gin, you suck at chess, dear sister," remarked Charlie, passing by. I shot him a look as Ron laughed hysterically. Fortunately, before I could continue my display of pitiful chess skills Hermione called for my attention.

"Duty calls," I said to Ron, and very quickly excused myself from the game. It didn't really matter, as I would've lost anyway.

"So what's on your mind?" I asked, after we'd retreated up the stairs to my room.

"Well… it really depends on whether or not you're willing to hear this," she said hesitantly.

"Ron troubles?"

"Ron troubles."

"Go ahead."

"So he asked me out when we went to that club, right? But ever since then, it's like nothing's different. And I keep wanting to talk to him, but I lose my nerve," she confessed. I thought this over for a minute and realized that I'd noticed this – their behavior was exactly the same now that they were a couple as it was when they were friends who clearly wanted to be a couple but couldn't because they were both scared. Suddenly a lightbulb went off in my brain.

"Well, maybe you could say it with a gesture?"

"Like what?"

"That's where I don't know what to tell you," I replied, fiddling absent-mindedly with a stray thread on my comforter. But Hermione looked inspired, so I figured I'd leave it to her.

We went back downstairs, and I went back to Ron only to find out that he and Harry had finished my chess game and Ron, consequently, was snoring in an armchair by the table. It was only about 4 pm, which left several hours until the annual Weasley family tradition of opening one gift Christmas Eve and nothing to do until then. Thus, I joined Hermione in the living room and read an issue of "Teen Witch Weekly" lazily, vaguely searching my brain for something else to do. About twenty minutes passed before an option was given to me.

"Harry, you fancy a little pick up Quidditch game?" Asked Fred, who, broomstick in hand, was on his way out with Charlie and George.

"Yeah, I'll have a go at it. Gin, you want to join us?" An option much more appealing than reading, I quickly accepted and ran upstairs to get a coat, scarf, gloves, hat (I hate winter), and my broom and joined the boys outdoors.

Let me just say, as the give of us know all too well, wind isn't the best weather condition for Quidditch and so our game was abandoned after about forty-five minutes. The twins and Charlie headed back inside, but I wasn't really in the mood to sit around. Me personally, I adore Christmas, and consequently am very bad at sitting around while I'm busy being excited. I kept flying around, just low enough to be hidden from plain view by the trees, singing Christmas carols. I'm not a great singer, but I'm not a half-bad one either, so this simplistic entertainment kept me amused for a good ten minutes before I realized, with mounting humiliation, that Harry was watching me, an expression of somebody trying very hard not to laugh on his face. I felt myself flush the color of my hair before coming back to the ground.

"I figured you had gone inside," I explained sheepishly.

"I did, for a bit, I just… being outside suits me better at the moment," he replied neutrally. He didn't look at me as he said this, but instead stared rather blankly out at the blue-gray December sky.

'It's a bit different a Christmas this year, isn't it? Family and friends, sure, but not quite so many people I don't think," he said, and in this I could tell he was working a bit harder to keep his voice neutral. Suddenly I felt my stomach drop – I had been so wrapped up in my own problems that I hadn't even stopped to think that of course Harry would be thinking of last year. He was right, it was different, but in vastly different ways for the two of us. And his difference – that Sirius was still alive – was a much, much greater than mine of a mere change of location.

"Oh my… Harry I… Merlin, I'm sorry Harry," I said, jumbling over my words as my brain worked furiously to come up with something, anything appropriate to say.

"You know what, forget about it, I don't know why I've brought it up," he said quickly and with a touch of hardness in his voice.

"Stop!" I said crossly and seeing him stiffen I instantly regretted it. "I mean, it's just that… you don't need to be angry with me. You can't just shut everybody out." We both softened as I spoke, and he finally turned to face me.

"I know, I'm sorry Gin. I really don't know why I've brought it up." But I could guess that he knew exactly why he'd said it, because it seemed to be taking him more and more effort to get the words out.

"Talk to me," I said quietly, walking to the table in our yard and sitting down.

"There's nothing really to talk about, just… it's hard."

"I know." Realizing what I'd said, and how it could be construed as insensitive, I backtracked quickly.

"I mean I know how hard this must be for you, not that I understand." He didn't say anything, so I kept talking to fill the silence.

"You don't have to say anything now, but know we're all here for you," I gave the warmest smile I could muster while berating myself for using such a clichéd line. This, I guess, showed in my face, because Harry laughed a little.

"Thanks, Gin,"

"You can always talk to me, Harry, don't ever forget that," I said, smiling for real now and pulling him into a hug. Once I did this I got a chill that I was quite sure had nothing to do with the wind or the weather, but I did my best to ignore it.

After our talk, we went back inside and watched as Hermione played Fred at Gobstones. She was losing rather badly, this largely because she consistently kept watching Ron out of the corner of her eye. From her gesture, I guessed it had to do with her mystery plan. A short while later, Mum finally called for dinner. This announcement was music to my ears, as it brought us that much closer to presents. Some might see this as shallow; I prefer to think of it as retaining a good sense of childlike excitement over major holidays.

Once the fourteen of us (the family plus Hermione and Harry, as well as Percy, Charlie, and Bill's respective girlfriends) had worked our way through Mum's typical mountain of food meal, we were just heading over to the tree to open presents when Fred and George announced they had a surprise for us – one that involved going outside. After the collective groan, we all scattered to get coats, gloves, hats, and other articles of warm clothing. All, that is, except for Hermione. She was lagging back, very carefully eyeing Ron. Very curious as to what exactly she had in mind, I pretended to have a vested interest in something in the kitchen. Once Ron, being the last person, started to go up the stairs, Hermione took a deep breath and called over to him. As he started talking over to her, I suddenly noticed a very small, but definite sprig of mistletoe stationed right about her head. I was conflicted – as much as I wanted to see their relationship work out, seeing them snogging was not in my immediate agenda. Oh well… I'll live.

"What's up, Mione?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head and looking at the floor. She smiled slightly.

"Look up, and then look at me," she commanded, tipping his chin upward. Ron's widened before he came back to meet Hermione's gaze. They looked at each other for a split second before Hermione leaned in and kissed him. Clearly it took Ron a second to realize what exactly was happening, but he then kissed her back. An adorable moment, and to avoid further intrusion I retreated up to my room to get my coat.

Bundled up in our frigid weather gear, we all retreated outside, awaiting this surprise Fred and George had planned. We shivered and waited for about two minutes before spectacular fireworks exploded grandly into the velvety black sky. Christmas trees, bells, candles, and all sorts of Yuletide decorations danced elaborately together as we watched. I let out a low whistle.

"Pretty spectacular, aren't they?" I remarked to no one in particular. To my surprise, Harry, who was sitting on my right, responded.

"Yeah. Listen, Gin… I er, wanted to give you this now." He pulled a small, wrapped box from his pocket, placing it in my gloved hand. Somewhat clumsily, I peeled away the festive wrapping paper to reveal a small, plain, black box. When I opened it, however, it was an entirely different story. A glistening silver heart-shaped hoop was hung on a thin, seemingly glittering silver chain. In the simplest of terms, the necklace was stunning. My breath caught – I'd never been given a piece of jewelry like this before. Suddenly my heart started racing as I felt particularly tongue-tied trying to come up with an adequate response.

"It's perfect," I finally whispered, smiling shyly.

"It's… well it's nothing, really. All girls deserve beautiful jewelry… at least I've been told," replied Harry, looking down embarrassed.

"I love it," I said, even more quietly.

Maybe it was the jewelry. Maybe it's that it was Christmas Eve. Maybe I felt extra daring after seeing Hermione. Maybe it was the fireworks. Maybe it was the stars, the moonlight, the cold, whatever. But the next thing I knew, I had put the box in the pocket of my coat, and I was kissing Harry Potter as the twins' fireworks sparkled into their grand finale.