This chapter is quite long (I think) considering it was meant to be three separate chapters.

Quote – "Today is the first day of the rest of your life – live it."

Quote 2 – (found on Life as we know it) "They say the average teenage boy thinks about sex every seven seconds… I'm definitely above average."

Joke – Err why did the chicken cross the road? Because the 'comic' was running low on jokes.

Dedication- DanielleGrint14 (returning the favour)

Err right on with the chapter its chapter… 7? No 9, chapter 9! Here you go!

"What I don't get Harry, is why you drag me from a room all the way to the room of requirements. When I should be wiping the stupid look of Hermione's face!"

"Because if you hadn't noticed Ginny is that Ron doesn't want us interfering in his life!" Ginny shook her head at him disbelievingly.

"Why should I but out of his life when he so enjoys screwing up mine!"

"Because Ginny this isn't a silly squabble between him and Dean it's something much bigger and there's nothing we can do about it," his eyes softened "unfortunately."

Ginny began to pace her expression set. "I don't care" she finally bit out "I'm telling her." She turned on her heel to leave but Harry grabbed her. She looked directly into his eyes and she knew she knew that he was feeling the exact same emotions as her. The injustice the anger towards Hermione the fury at Ron's new found self-control, everything. They stayed like that for a long time looking into each other's eyes the invisible unspoken barrier that had separated them seemed to collapse. Ginny finally broke the eye contact and moved to the sofa. Harry continued to stare at her. She looked around the room something stirred in her mind "So what where the requirements?" It took Harry a while to cotton on

"Oh I needed a room that could sustain a Weasley temper. Which would be why there are no loose objects for you to throw or sharp ones for which you can stab." He chuckled while Ginny feigned indignation. Ginny asked Harry to Explain to her what was going inside Ron's mind.

"WHAT! There's stuff going on in Ron's mind! Never!" Ginny sat rigidly while Harry rolled around on the floor laughing.

"Don't laugh at your own jokes. It's Vulgar." Harry stopped laughing. (A/N – that line isn't out of the blue I'll explain later)

"Okay I'll tell you but I don't think you'll understand. Your not sensitive enough." Ginny sniffed at his comment.

"Well I think this is all mainly to do with his pride but I'm not sure do you remember the year when Hermione went out with Krum well Ron tried (and failed) to disguise his jealousy by accusing Hermione of treachery. Well I think Ron's mind has evolved or something because he's suddenly realised that to get Hermione he has to do a lot more. Like be the bigger man, which is why I guess he hasn't ratted out Franklin and his goons. And the rest must be something to do with faith I'm not sure but I think Ron's faith has changed like he's lost it like when he lost Hermione he lost all hope."

Ginny gaped at Harry for a while before "That is ridiculous! My brother couldn't feel all that. You've got it all wrong he's just feeling sulky!"

"Listen just because everyone reckons Ron's… got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean he has. I don't understand it but I do know how is my best friend and I'm standing by him no matter what." Ginny smiled at the loyalty Harry was showing for her brother and nodded. There was yet another awkward silence within which Ginny stared at Harry while he looked at the walls of the room. "Harry I want to know something." It was a statement of hers that let him know, secret or not, she would make him tell her.

Ginny paused her mind was set on one question all she needed know was the courage to ask… to find out… to know. Why did you kiss me? It was so simple, so easy. Five words, just one question. But try as she might she couldn't get it out. "Harry… why… erm… did you…" she was usually so assertive why couldn't she do this. Because you're afraid of the answer. She mentally scolded herself on her lack of nerve. "Harry… are we… I mean to say" OH MY GOD! "Are we okay?"

Harry breathed a sigh of relief; he had expected a much harder question "Yes we are. I guess." He added to himself because he knew they would never be okay due to the fact he was harbouring unconditional love for her. (A/n I hate that line) She smiled at him and he knew his interrogation was over.

She could see he was lying and her smile faltered ever so slightly. It had been so much better she had finally been acknowledged by Harry Potter maybe not how she would have liked. But he still saw her as an equal as a friend. But that had been ruined by that kiss. When they had become so close over the summer when he had shared his thoughts and fears with her and she'd offered him support and help. She just wanted that back. She knew she was being childish and she knew that things never stayed the same but it wasn't any consolation. "I just want everything back the way it was!" did I just say that? Please don't let me of said that! He wasn't supposed to hear that. She slowly opened her eyes to see staring at her open mouthed her friend Harry Potter.

That was weird. Why did she say that out load? I've ruined everything. I always ruin everything. I'm sorry. Thousands of thoughts flitted across his mind. But he was brought back down by the soft laughter coming from Ginny's mouth "You… look… so stupid!"

It was an escape mode she had built in when you do something stupid laugh. (I do that!) "I'm sorry Harry I didn't mean… o its true I hate how everything's changed. I hate how the everyone's split of in separate directions. I hate not being able to talk to you. And I hate myself for making you feel guilty.

"What! You don't make me feel guilty!"

"O please come of it Potter I bet the first thought across your mind was guilty. You blame yourself for everything!"

"Actually your wrong!"

"Oh yeah." She said sceptically

"Yeah it was the third thought!" he said triumphantly.

They both laughed together. They sat there for a long time revelling in each other's company. Catching up on each other's lives. It was almost like they had never been apart. But something had stirred in Ginny's mind.

"Harry?" he looked up at her still chuckling at a previous joke. "Why do you have this saving people thing? Now don't get angry. I've heard people say it before and you do. So why? Why do you see it as your duty to protect everyone." She braced herself for Harry's outburst but it didn't come.

It took him a while because he had to think of his words carefully she still didn't know about the prophecy she'd help him overcome it sure but she didn't know everything. "Well… I guess due to my track record… it just makes sense." He offered her a smile.

"Don't feed me crap Harry I know when you're lying."

"Okay honestly I don't really know… maybe its just… destiny." She raised an eyebrow.

"You have to have realised by now that saving people's… kind of my job." She stared at him for a while before laughing. Harry watched her for a while she looked up into his eyes. Searching his soul.
"You can't be serious." He smiled at her sadly.

"If only you knew…"

"Harry I told you stop being cryptic if there's one thing I hate its when people are cryptic."

Two boys moved slowly across the grounds of Hogwarts. They where deep in conversation. Their brows furrowed and there expressions set. Now one might think that this was strange why would they be so pensive on this dewy sunny morning? The answer was not an easy one.

"So what happened between you and Hermione when we left?"

"Nothing she believes Smith and there's nothing else to it."

"When you say she believes Smith did you actually tell her the other side of the story?"

"Well… no but it wasn't like she presented me with the opportunity. She had no doubt whatsoever that I'd punched Smith and tried to do myself in!"

"Mate listen this is getting out of control you have to say something explain or something to Dumbledore he would get it."

"Harry Smiths head boy he's got way more credibility!"

"I guess but still Ron…"

"He's stopped beating me up isn't that enough?" he said pleading with his friend.

"Okay but you'll ha… Watch out!" Ron had tripped straight over a tree root and fallen flat on his face. Harry offered Ron a hand before saying.

"You've been really out of it these last few days are you sure your up to practice today?"

"For the last time yes"

"Okay…"

Ginny walked straight past Hermione her expression set. Hermione allowed her gaze to follow Ginny out of the changing room doors before a tear left her eye. She should have known of course Ginny, Ron's sister, would side with Ron. But it still made her sad Ginny was her only true girlfriend. She left the changing rooms into the awesome sunlight. This was her first training session since their game against Ravenclaw. She took a space in between the Creevy brothers and sighed she looked to Harry he was still her friend at least.

"Well to begin can I just say well done to all of you in are game against Ravenclaw. We all played to the best of our abilities and I'm personally proud of each and every one of you." He beamed at them all "So I think we'll take it easy today just do a quick game okay? Collin, Dennis you just try and unseat who ever you can. Ginny, Hermione, and Katie you try and score against Ron. I'll watch see if any of your tactics could do with improving." He blew his whistle and everyone shot upwards.

It became clear to Harry that tension had risen amongst Hermione and Ginny. They were no longer passing to each other in swift movements. Instead they were passing the quaffle with such force that they were both nearly unseated each time. Ron was doing no better his mind just wasn't in the game today. The rest of the team had picked up on this and had taken to watching this mini drama instead of doing their normal jobs.
He blew his whistle in three short punctuated blows. Everyone returned to the ground, nobody seemed surprised.

"What is going on? No don't answer me Collin it was a rhetorical question. I know what's going on. Everyone has forgotten that were a team. Whether we like it or not that's how it is! Now get back into the air!" Practice had only been going for a few minuets when Ginny quick passed to Hermione after realising she was best placed to attack as Ron was hovering nonchalantly under the hoops. Hermione shot the quaffle but instead of going through the neglected hoops it hit Ron straight in the face. There was a long pause with in which the quaffle after rebounding of Ron's shocked face fell to the ground. Collin was the only one who made any move to get it but Harry's arm shot out stopping him.

Ginny's eyes where wide. Had Hermione… she wouldn't…purposefully aim the ball at Ron.

Ron raised one arm to touch his left cheek, which had felt the majority of the blow. It was swollen and sore. He looked directly into Hermione's eyes.

Hermione looked back defiantly her eyes never wavering from Ron's. Ron was taking his time finding his voice but when he did it was of a forced calm.

"Why would you do that Hermione?" Hermione squared her shoulders.

"You should have been paying attention to what was going on in the game!" She shouted ignoring his composure.

"That isn't true and you know it!" intersected Ginny. Harry sent her a warning glance and she sighed. The rest of the team was watching open mouthed.

"I just want the truth." He almost whispered.

"YOU! YOU want the truth? Well here's the truth I hit you because you would have done the same thing!"

"I'd never do that to you!" Ron's attempt at composure was now long forgotten.

"No never." She replied darkly "not to me you'd never hurt me. But then I have to ask you what's the difference between Franklin and I because when you hurt my boyfriend guess who your hurting? Me! Ron ME!"

"You know what Hermione?" Ron practically bellowed.

"What?" she said derisively

"I Give Up!"

Hermione gaped at him. He yanked his broom upwards and zoomed in the direction of the forest. Hermione swivelled her broom around to face everyone expecting to have to argue with Ginny. But before she had even opened her mouth,

"I can't believe you Hermione!" Harry half shouted. She blinked at him.

"Sorry?" she said quietly

"I'm disgusted with you! Not just as your Captain but as your friend. Why- how couldyou do that?"

Hermione gawped at him. Not believing her ears. Then she let out a small frustrated scream before zooming of on her broom in the opposite direction from Ron.

Harry watched her go and with out turning his broom towards them spoke to the rest of the team. "Practice is over." He heard the sound of three brooms zooming of. He new she was there but he waited a while in silence before acknowledging her.

"It's all over." He said sadly turning to her.

"Yeah wasn't it so much simpler when there was only Voldermort to deal with - " she found her breath caught in her throat and tears began to stream down her cheeks. She shot down to the ground and disregarded her broom. She faced the forest.

Harry put his arm on her shoulder and felt her stiffen under his grip. She took a deep breath and wiped at her cheeks fiercely.

"I haven't been completely honest with you Harry." She turned to face him and another tear fell down her cheek. His hand immediately rose to wipe it away. "Dean and I we – we broke up." Harry's hand froze on her face.

"Sorry?"

"After the thing that happened between us. I guess I must have been strange around you or something. Well he picked up on it and he accused me of still – still having feelings for you."

"Huh"

"Well you know what I'm like," she pressed on. "I – well got mad. And… I threw a bag at his head."

"What?"

Harry's hand was still touching her face and his face was a mixture of shock and bewilderment. He lowered his hand to his side. Ginny followed it with her eyes. Harry looked like he was doing a lot of thinking, when really what he was about to say required very little thought.

"Is it true?" Ginny's eyes shot back to his face.

"Is what true?"

"Do you have feelings for me?"

"Harry of course I do."

"What." He hadn't thought he would get a straight answer from her.

"Your one of my best friends of course I have feelings for you." He ignored her dodge.

"Ginny I want. No. I need an answer."

"Harry I – "

O a cliffy! Didn't think I was that evil did you well guess again! Muhahahaha!

Lol I don't even believe it. Honestly I wanted your opinion - considering this has become quite a long fic (4 my first story) and is supposedly a Ron and Hermione do you want the Ginny/Harry thing in. I want straight answers! Nothing cryptic! The next chapter will most likely be the last sob

I quoted my English teacher in this, the "Don't laugh at your own jokes its vulgar" line, incidentally he has never said that to me. Impish grin lol

XxX

Perkey Terkey!