noisy lil brat- That's what I was hoping for Harry and Ginny, too. We'll see if Harry finds out what he's missing.

roxygurl25-Yup, smoking is very disgusting. Ick. Ack. (I could start a whole song… JK) I'll be in college that year, too. Can't wait. Freedom at last! Those forgetfulness things strike me too A LOT… believe me. Go ahead and change the name—I wanna read soon!

DemonFireGirlHotaru- You're my new reviewer! Yay! throws party in your honor Hehe… yes, Ron would traditionally get mad at any boyfriend of Ginny's, but remember: Harry and Ginny aren't going out; he's just taking her to the wedding since he needs a date, and remember in Book 5 on the train back what Ron says…? If you don't, look it up.

phoenixrising5- You're back! I thought you'd left me for good! Thanks for loving it—I love you, too!

CaliDuchess- Hey you! Thank you for realizing Ron's point of view there… you were the only one! I'm waiting to hear about more ideas for the plot… love ya (as a friend)!

uNoeWho-Thank you and thanks for reviewing!

tessbomb65-Oh no, Ginny doesn't get drunk often. Sure, she can be wild and have fun (no! not the perverted way) but she isn't addicted to drinking like Harry is. That's a good questions; I'm not sure if I've mentioned it but no, I would never expect or make Dumbledore read Harry's letters. I consider it a direct invasion of privacy and my original plan was for Harry himself to figure out his problems on his own, like you suggested. And I'm glad you can see the change—that was my entire hope. Thank you so much!

potts- Well, we'll see if they start dating. I don't want to give anything away. Hmm… not sure about the writing becoming a habit thing. I don't know if he'll need to, since if he gets over Sirius, he won't have to keep writing. You'll see… I think I've just decided.

Cecilia Orechio- Yes, progress is slow, but it's progress. Your criticism did not go by unnoticed—I'm guessing Hermione's parents are very proud to have a witch in the family (think Mr. and Mrs. Evans). They could have told them. After all, Mr. and Mrs. Granger could keep a secret—I'm sure they trust the family.

A/N: I love all your questions, people! They keep me thinking!

Chapter 5

January 17

Sirius,

I just passed Ron in the hall. He gave me a look and said he needed to talk to me. Fuck. He's going to kill me for asking Ginny out. Did I even ask her out, anyway? It's not like we're actually dating or anything. Merlin, I'm going to get it.

Shit, here he comes now. I need a cigarette.

Later

Wow. Merlin… I'm in a huge state of shock. Ron just came in to talk to me. About Ginny. But he wasn't the slightest bit angry! He… said congratulations. He told me to take care of her, but he was really happy and smiled the whole time. I don't understand that guy. He seemed really pleased.

But again, it's not like I fancy Ginny or anything. She's my best friend's little sister! I'm only going to Hermione's cousin's wedding with her; I don't know why Ron made such a big deal out of it.

I was partnered with Ginny today for a Care of Magical Creatures project. This year the sixth and seventh years ofevery House have one class together, and Gryffindor has Care of Magical Creatures. We have to raise a niffler over a period of three weeks. I have to keep it this weekend, and the bloody thing is nipping at my feet. I should probably go feed it. And the next time I go into Hogsmeade, I'm buying it a cage. A good sturdy one.

January 20

Sirius,

Today in Transfiguration McGonagall announced that the seventh years are having a dance in May in honor of graduation in June. I say screw it. Dances are for ninnies. I have better things to do than go to some lame dance and stand around like a loser. Give me a break. I'm sure you would agree.

Ginny asked me what she should wear to the wedding and I told her I didn't care. She hasn't said anything to me after that. I hope I didn't offend her or anything. Merlin, that would be the worst—hurting Ginny. Ron would think it was serious.

I still haven't decided what I'm going to do once I graduate. Dumbledore and McGonagall—and everyone else—reckon I'll be a great asset to Aurors, and they're probably right, but… I don't want to end up like Moody: paranoid with a broken face. I want to play Quidditch, but I don't suppose that's any safer.

I can't believe I forgot to tell you this, Sirius… I suppose I'm just used to it or something, but they let Remus come back and teach this year! I still can't believe it, but finally the Ministry has let up a bit and begun to trust Dumbledore. They didn't at all last year. Remus has really evened things up now, since he makes up all the points that Snape takes away. Speaking of Snape, he's been really foul this year. I think his Dark Mark's been burning a lot lately, and there's nothing he can really do about it. I sort of trust him now… I mean, I'll always hate him, and him me, because as Dumbledore said in fifth year, 'some wounds run too deep for healing', but I don't think he's a Death Eater anymore. However, I don't think I'd trust him with my life just yet.

I don't think Ron trusts him yet. After all this time, I think he still thinks Snape is a Death Eater. I don't really know… we haven't talked much for a long time. Hermione either… we've all pretty much been alienated from each other. Well, from me, anyway. I've been pretty much anti-world lately, haven't I? Oh, Merlin. Oh… damn. No wonder they've been together most of the time. I've probably been a downright pain in the arse to be around. I probably didn't leave them any choice. Maybe I should—

Hang on. Ginny just came into the dorm.

Alright, she's left. She came because she wanted an answer about her choice of clothing. I wasn't so brusque this time… at least, I hope I didn't seem that way. I told her I wasn't a fashion expert, so she should either wear what she thought was appropriate or ask Lavender or Parvati. She had a bed head… I wonder if she was cutting class at this hour. And she was clutching a butterbeer bottle. I hope she isn't making a habit out of drinking. She's only sixteen, after all.

Harry

A/N: I'm so incredibly, unbeatably sorry that this was so short. I want to ask you guys something—I want to see how much you guys notice that… okay, how much can you guys see that Harry is… urgh, how do I put this? I had it in my head a while ago…

Alright, you see all the things Harry says about Ginny, right? How much of this is he himself doing? Ok, really blunt… just irony. There's one subtle one that I want to see who catches.

I'm sorry; I don't make sense today. Thanks for all your votes!

Leave me a wonderful review!

OutofAzkaban