A/N: Thank you all for all the reviews! We surpassed the goal! Yay! I'm really sorry it took me awhile to get started on this. There was homecoming and band competitions and just so much homework to do, plus my dad told me he was going to reconfigure our hard drive, so I didn't want to start something that would only be erased in the long run, but it hasn't happened yet so I'll try and get this done... but yeah.

For all who were wondering: Ron and Hermione's plan is that basically, they're just going to not act like a couple. Not really much of a plan, but like I said, that chapter was just a bonus and I didn't mean for it to interrupt the events I'd already had planned. Yeah, sorry bout that. So basically, they're not planning on having anyone find out about them, at least not anytime soon. I guess we'll leave it at that. Here's Chapter 8! Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Day 3: Sunrise Swims

It was four o'clock in the morning and the sun had not yet risen. The wind rippled the edge of the water, sending chills up anyone's spine. The moon was set very high in the sky, and was starting to descend the air with an atmosphere of celestial beauty. It was eclipsed slightly, being the only time of year when the moon fully passed into the shadow of the Earth and the sun, but the aura that surrounded the area could not have been more beautiful. (A/N: I know in May it probably wouldn't be, but I'm just trying to create an illusion here)

Inside the hotel, as always, Harry Potter lie awake in bed, more often that usual nowadays, and always troubling thoughts between him and a certain girl he, well you could say, he fancied. Her face appeared every time he shut his eyes and when he finally was asleep, she floated his every dream, and waked his every memory. He imagined them together, in different scenarios, saying her part in his mind and usually his aloud. He usually sighed as he did this, thinking it a crazy thought that she might ever like him. But guys can dream, too, can't they?

"Ginny, if only you knew how much I thought about you, then you'd finally see what kind of guy I can be for you." He said softly to himself, before rolling over in bed and facing the ceiling, his hands behind his head.

"This is crazy." He mumbled to himself as he got out of bed groggily, and left the room in nothing but his pajamas, heading somewhere. He didn't know where, but he really didn't care. Anywhere was better than having to trouble his mind with helpless fantasies that might never come true.

He walked out the door, into the elevator, and down to the main lobby level floor, carefully, of course, as to pass security, unnoticed. He found himself walking to the indoor pool, which was covered by glass walls and a clear, transparent glass roof. He walked through the door and just collapsed into a nearby pool chair, his head in his hands, and sighing loudly.

"Harry! When did you get here?!" said a voice coming from in the pool, as if finally surfacing from the depths of the water after a good minute or so.

"Hullo Ginny." Harry said, looking up from his hands to see Ginny at the edge of the pool, looking up at him with water droplets dripping down her face and back and through her hair.

"What's wrong?" She asked, cautiously, inching slightly over the edge of the pool to hear better.

"Nothing. It's nothing, really. I'm over it." He said, though the thought he'd had before was still on the back of his mind. He was smiling slightly, now. "So what are you doing up at four AM?" he asked her, his lips now turning up into a bigger smile, and he leaned forward in his chair.

"I should be asking you the same question." She said, winking slightly.

"I asked you first." He said as he got up off his chair and went over to the side of the pool to where she was standing, and sat down, his feet dangling in the water.

"I couldn't sleep. Besides, Luna was telling me last night about the eclipse that would lapse into this morning and I thought I might check it out for myself, it's gorgeous." (A/N: again, I know eclipses don't usually happen in the morning) They both turned their heads to look through the glass and up at the sky, where the moon was disappearing quickly and being overtaken with shades of orange and red.

It's not the only gorgeous thing around here. He thought, and smiled at her.

"So what bring you here at this hour?" She asked, still looking up at the sky, but stealing quick glances at him every now and then.

"Same as you, minus the eclipse part, though it is beautiful. I had trouble sleeping. Just have a lot on my mind, that's all." He said, turning his gaze to meet hers now.

She blushed slightly, because that was one of the moments she had chosen to glance at him and watch him, looking for any signs of unusual behavior on his part. Signs a good friend would be searching for. In her case, however, she was searching for something more.

She smiled mischievously at him, trying to direct his mind away from the fact that she had been staring at him, and bent low, arms stretched as if she was about to splash.

"I know that look, Miss Weasley, and I'll save you the time." He smiled and pulled his shirt off over his head, and covering one hand in front of her eyes, he pulled down his shorts so that he was only in his red, plaid boxers, and jumped in. She giggled at this gesture, then swan over to him.

He tried to swim away, but hit a dead end and dove under, grabbing her legs and pulling her to him, smiling the whole time. She surrendered and allowed herself to be pulled back by him.

"Miss Weasley, you're not going to put up a fight?" he asked, flirtatiously and coyly.

"Why, Mr. Potter, the fight has only just begun." And she splashed him right in the face, and he blinked at her, his hair soaking wet and clinging to every inch of his head.

"We sound like Ron and Hermione." She said, and backstroked out of his grasp.

"You've heard them do that, too?" he asked, certain they only flirted like that around him.

"Hasn't everyone?" and they laughed together. "Speaking of them, what was up with them yesterday after they got back from storming off?"

"I don't know. You think they had another row?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, curiously, trying to recall exactly what his friends had been like when they returned yesterday.

"You know what I think?" she said, getting excited and swimming closer to him.

"What's that?" he asked, looking into her eyes, trying to look for anything that might give the secret away.

"I bet you they got together." She said, and smiled, now even closer to him.

"Ron and Hermione? Highly possible. But they seemed pretty mad yesterday. It could be possible that it might take them a little bit longer to make up again." He pondered the idea for a few minutes.

"How much do you wanna bet i'm right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow of her own and gave him an I-know-everything look.

"Ten galleons?"

"You're on!" and they shook hands for effect.

Harry swam away from her, to the other end of the rectangular pool, splashing her as he kicked up water. "I know I'll be right!" he laughed as he swam away.

Ginny chased him and finally caught up with him, in the deep end of the pool, where he was able to stand but her short stature prevented her from doing so. She swam over to him and treaded water a little bit from where he stood. "Boys. You always think you know everything." She muttered flirtatiously.

"Sure do! Ask me anything!" he said, playfully being cocky. Harry wasn't ever a cocky guy, so it was in that way that she knew he was kidding.

"Okay. What are the four main ingredients in a Swelling Solution?" she asked, her smile growing as she asked it.

"Okay, you caught me. But I know more than you think I know." He said as she rolled her eyes at him. He could see that she was getting tired from treading water so he reached him arms underwater and pulled her up to him, holding her close.

"Erm- Gin? Can I ask you something now?" Harry asked, swallowing hard, gaining courage.

"Sure. What've ya got for me?" she asked playfully.

"Only this." And he shut his eyes and pressed his lips to hers before she could say anything. She was taken aback, but really excited. The reality of Harry kissing her finally hit her after a few seconds, to which she reacted to his gesture by kissing him back, softly and tenderly.

"So what's your question?" She asked flirtatiously after they pulled away.

"Oh, yeah, that. Um, Will you go out with me?" he asked hopefully, smiling down at her petite form.

"Hmm, I'm going to need to think about that." She said playfully, and pretended to think it over. "Yes, I'd love to."

"Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I did this?" he said, and kissed her once more, only this time, it was different. It wasn't small and innocent, it was full and passionate. His hands made their way down to the small of her back then up to her shoulders. She responded by kissing him back hard and wading her hands up to his messy, black hair, her fingers getting tangled in the strands.

He kissed her back deeper, gradually moving his mouth more passionately against hers, gently pushing her against the back edge of the pool, where they could both stand, not breaking away for a second. She kissed him a little harder and could feel all the anticipation, all the excitement that was going into this one kiss, which, actually, had progressed into many.

He continued to kiss her back, gradually sliding his tongue into her mouth. She could feel he was uncertain and very nervous about what he'd done, which is exactly why she let him know it was okay. She slid her own tongue into the likes of his mouth, exploring every inch.

It was then that she began to slide down against the wall, losing the grip she'd had, and starting to fall lower into the water. In a struggle to stay standing, she had to break away from Harry to catch herself before there was serious damage done. However, the only damage that was done was the moment was lost. They were together now, they could have more moments like that anytime they wanted. So, then, why did it feel like it might never be gotten back?

"Harry, I'm really sorry." She said, sympathetically.

"It's ok, it's not your fault you fell. I shouldn't have pressed you against the wall." He said, apology in his emerald green eyes.

"No, I mean, about the kiss. Do you think we took it a little too far?" she was nervous, not knowing how he might react. Surely, she had loved every minute of it, don't get her wrong, but for only getting together just a few minutes ago, maybe it should go slower.

He smiled sheepishly, "A little." He answered modestly.

"Would you mind if we took things a little bit slower? I mean, it's just that I don't know if I'm ready for anything like that this soon. Don't get me wrong, snogging you is beyond great, Harry, it's just- what are you laughing at?" she ended, seeing him laugh slightly.

"Ginny, you're rambling." He said, smiling wide with glee.

"Sorry about that." She said quietly.

"Listen, you don't need to apologize for everything. I've known you long enough to know how you act and to know when you say something you don't mean, or something like that. So don't worry about apologizing to me, unless of course, it's major." He ended half-serious, but more joking.

"Thanks." And she smiled up at him, as drops of water continued to fall, tearfully, from his hair, into the pool. "About the kiss though-"

"We can take things as fast or as slow as you'd like. As long as I'm with you, I'll be completely overjoyed." And he bent down to kiss her sweetly on the lips.

"Thanks again, Harry, for everything."

"Anything for you."

"That a promise?"

"Most definitely."

She shivered in the pool, the cool air in the air conditioned room now caressing her shoulders and face, sending a chill through her spine, and shivers up her back that she couldn't control.

Together they leaned back against the far edge of the pool, where they could both stand. Harry put his arm around her and she smiled up at him, as they watched the sun rise through the glass windows, over the hilltop, and ascend into the sky, already proving as a sign that would ignite the day and brighten their futures already.

A/N: I am so sorry it took this long to post. And I'm also really sorry that this chapter wasn't long enough. But next chapter is a brand new day, full of sun and surf. Beach maybe? Time will tell and more Ron/Hermione storylines. But yes thanks again to everyone who reviewed! It really did make me happy. So yes, please repeat the action again! Can we try to reach 50? Thanks again everybody, I hoped you liked this one!