Sadly, I do not own anything. All the characters, places, etc are JK Rowling's.sigh

Stepping Sideways

Chapter One: Hello, Ginny!

Harry was standing in the Dursley's front lawn, staring apprehensively at the empty soda can sitting in front of him. If anyone had walked by, they would have said that the boy seemed afraid of the can. But what they didn't know, was that soda can wasn't just a soda can. It happened to be a portkey.

Harry hadn't used a portkey since that night Cedric died, and had no desire to use one now. But if he wanted to get to the Weasley's, so he could stay for the summer, it was the only way. None of the Weasley's even knew Harry was coming, except for Mr. Weasley. He wanted it to be a surprise.

Harry checked his watch. 30 seconds.. 20. Harry grabbed the can in one hand, his trunk with all his things in the other. 10. 5. 2. Suddenly Harry felt the all too familiar tug around his navel and the sensation of having his feet lifted off the ground. He kept his eyes closed until he felt his feet hit solid ground. When he opened them, he was greeted with the lovely sight of the Weasley's front door. Trying to smooth out his stubbornly untidy hair, he knocked sharply.

The door swung open to reveal a girl, slightly younger than Harry, with the usual bright red hair of the Weasley family.

"Hello, Ginny!"

Ginny just gaped, but soon recovered herself. "Harry! What are you doing here? What a surprise!" She gave him a small smile, which he returned. He looked over her shoulder at the unusually quiet house. "Where is everyone?" Ginny gave a laugh, which Harry realized, he had never really heard before. "Quiet, isn't it? Fred, George, and Ron are out playing quidditch with Bill and Charlie, who are home for the summer. Percy and Dad are at work. Mum went out shopping, she should be back any minute. Well, come in then!" She stepped back to let him come in. Harry stood a second, feeling slightly windswept, before composing himself and stepping inside. Ginny had never said that much in one go before, at least not to him.

Harry set down his trunk, and grabbed his broomstick which was tied to it. " I think I'll go surprise Ron and the others. Don't tell your mum yet, if she gets home. Thanks Gin!" Harry stepped out the back door and mounted his broom. Ginny waved goodbye as he took off, only relieving a soft sigh when he was out of earshot.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Virginia Weasley sat in a well-worn armchair in front of the fire. She pulled out her diary that she had hid under the cushion when she got up to answer the door. Picking up her quill, she began to write.

'Dear Diary,
Guess who that was at the door? Harry! I couldn't believe it. I've only been thinking about him for the past four years! I was actually just thinking of when Ron was going to invite him over when he appeared!. I have the feeling that Ron has no idea he is even here though. Dad does, I guess. I have the WHOLE summer with Harry Potter here! Well, except for the first three days. He was at the Dursley's then. I wonder why he came so soon? Anyway, I'm happy, yet nervous. He never seems to notice me. I always seem like I'm on the sidelines. I'll just be his best friend's little sister to him. Oh! Mum's back! Ttfn! ~ Ginny

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry zoomed over the woods, his feet barely brushing the treetops. Just ahead, he could make out a few people playing a makeshift game of quidditch. Harry grinned as he got a idea. Picking up speed, he started circling the game, widely enough that nobody noticed at first. But soon, Bill noticed a moving blur to the right of the game.

"What was that?!"

Charlie looked to where Bill was looking, and sure enough, a few seconds later, the blur went by again. By that time, Fred, George, and Ron had gathered by them. The blur went by two more times before disappearing.

"What was that?!"

"Holy cow!"

"Will it come back?"

"Dunno."

"Ok, let's keep playing guys!" Charlie finally called. They all did gladly. A few minutes later, Bill and Charlie took steep dives, aiming towards the ever-glittering snitch. But before they could reach it, something flew by and caught it. Startled, they barely stopped before hitting the ground.

"Now now, boys. You are just going to be a little faster. Loosing your edge, Charlie dear?"

Everybody looked to the owner of the voice, who was now safely standing on the ground, snitch in hand.

"HARRY!!!!" The all yelled at once. Fred, George, and Ron all zoomed down beside him, catching him in a rough group hug. "Oomph! You're suffocating me!" He said, after a long moment. They released him, all smiling brightly.

"Watcha doin' here Harry?!"

"How's it goin', old chap?"

"Hiya, Harry!"

Bill and Charlie just grinned. "Did I surprise you?" Harry asked, grinning even more." Surprise us?" Charlie said, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" He laughed. "So, how DID you get here?"

"A portkey. Your dad helped me arrange it." Harry answered. "Ah, Good ol' dad." Ron said with yet another smile. "Does mum know you're here?" "Not yet, So far only you guys, oh yeah, and Ginny."

Fred and George exchanged mischievous grins.

"So tell me Harry, How many time did she kiss you when she saw you on our doorstep?"

"Yeah, I wonder is she is done kissing the floor you walked on yet."

Harry blushed, but sighed at the same timed. "You guys are insufferable"

The twins just grinned and bowed.

"Thank you!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE review! I hope you all like it, even if you don't, tell me! Thanks! ~ BabeyRachey

Preview of the Next Chapter:

Harry, not bothering to wake Ron, crept down the stair to see if a midnight snack would help him get back to sleep. Creeping into the semi-dark kitchen, he was surprised to see someone already sitting there.