Ron stood in the doorway looking at Harry and Ginny wide eyed. Hermione was right behind him, standing with her hand over her mouth. Harry knew how bad it must have looked, and he had no earthly idea what to say. It seemed that Ron's yells had drawn quite a crowd, now it looked like half the Hogwarts train was standing behind him watching the scene, and Ginny could hear the whispers starting.
"Well?" Ron's voice was louder this time Harry moved slightly away from Ginny, but he was afraid to make any sudden moves. Ron was looking back and forth at the two of them, Harry wasn't sure if he was in shock or denial.
"Here you go Ginny," Ginny's head snapped to the door. Draco was elbowing his way through the crowd towards her. He snapped at a first year and knelt down beside her. She looked at him in utter confusion. Draco thrust a glass of water into her trembling hand.
"Sorry it took so long, I had to fight a bit," Ginny still didn't know what was going on, Draco cocked his head ever so slightly towards her, "Are you okay, do you still feel sick?" he raised his eyebrows and Ginny understood.
"OH! Oh…yes, yes!" she looked at Harry who literally looked green in the face. Ron was still standing in the door way in silent shock.
"What is going on?" he demanded again, though slightly softer.
"Ginny came up to the prefect car, looking for help, something about a stuck door?" Draco turned to Ginny for a moment and shrugged, "Anyway we were waiting for the service men when she said she felt a bit ill, Potter said he was taking her to lie down and sent me to fetch some water," Malfoy turned his eyes to Harry. He held his gaze for a second before coming to his senses.
"Oh yes, um…right," he still felt like the room was spinning.
Ron scoffed at them, "Well why didn't you just say that?" he dropped his arms and stopped standing quite so rigidly.
"Well you bloody scared us!" Ginny spat at him, "Coming in here yelling like that, almost gave us a heart attack!" Harry could tell her temper was flaring.
"Ginny you better lay back down, motion sickness hits you very quickly," this came from Hermione as she stepped past Ron into the room, "Here take this seat," Harry marveled at her. Hermione was a wonder, she knew exactly what had been going on, and he had to remember to thank her later. It seemed everyone's curiosity had been dissuaded, they all meandered back down the hallway.
"She's so thoughtful," Ron smiled briefly at Hermione before gasping softly at himself, Harry suppressed a laugh.
"Did you fix the door?" Draco asked Hermione casually.
"Oh yes, I blasted it open, the lock……jammed," she glanced quickly at Ron before giving Ginny a gut wrenching glare. She shied away from the look immediately.
"She's so smart…" Ron again looked disgusted with himself, but Hermione blushed a brilliant shade of maroon.
"Well, Ron, let's go get our things and bring them in here……at least this one has lights," she glared at Ginny again. The moment they left the compartment everyone let out a collective sigh. Ginny jumped up and flung her arms around Malfoy.
"Thank you! Thank you!" she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. Malfoy hugged her back but shrugged her off quickly.
"Yeah well, don't make it a habit," he smirked and hit her chin softly. Harry felt he should say something as well.
"Thanks…" he mumbled quickly as he straightened his robes.
"Well don't get all mushy on me Potter," he rolled his eyes and waved to Ginny, "I'm off, don't do anything I wouldn't do," he winked at Harry and disappeared from the compartment. Ginny sat back down where Hermione had left her.
"This is bad!" she exclaimed rubbing her temples lightly, "Hermione knows!"
Harry sat down across from her, "Uh….Ginny…." he didn't even know where to begin, Should he say it was a mistake, should he apologize?
"I know Harry," he looked at her in surprise, "I'll tell Hermione it was all my idea and I made you do it."
Harry felt his heart fall into his stomach. He had been thinking about the almost kiss, well…wait, had it been an almost kiss? Ginny was acting like she hadn't even noticed anything had happened, did anything happen? Was he making something out of nothing? If Ginny didn't think it was an almost kiss it had to be an almost-almost kiss, did that even exist? Harry felt his head start to hurt; it did this a lot around Ginny. He didn't have much time to think about it as Ron and Hermione came back in.
"Let me carry that Hermione," Ron followed her in carrying a small carload of luggage.
"I'm fine Ron," she said a bit sharply, as she put down her single travel pack. Harry shook his head. He knew he would have hell to pay later, but for now this would be fun enough to watch.
Ginny sat unsteadily on the train seat. She didn't know where to look. If she looked at Hermione she got a merciless glare, she couldn't look at Ron, he was still staring at Hermione like a love sick puppy, and she could never look at Harry again. Ginny stared out the window silently. Why did she always act like a ditsy girl around him? She had wanted so badly to kiss him before, staring up into his eyes it seemed like the absolute perfect time, except of course for the fact that he didn't like her! She groaned inwardly, it was time to move on. He was never interested in you to begin with, she thought. It is well past time to be over it, but what about what he had been saying before, about her being the most wonderful girl at Hogwarts? SISTER! Her head screamed at her, he thinks of you like a sister. Ginny sighed, thank Merlin for Draco! She didn't want to think about how embarrassed she would have been if he hadn't of been there to play it off. She could just imagine Ron asking if they were snogging and Harry laughing his head off at the suggestion, her stomach knotted. She glanced briefly at him, his head rested against the back of the seat, he looked so peaceful. This is it, she said in her mind, no more! No more dreams about him, no more thoughts, you are over it, you… are… over…it!
"Ginny?"
"What?" she jumped at the sound of her name.
"I said you'd better get your robes on we're nearly there," Ron looked at her oddly before shrugging off her behavior. "Do you need help Hermione?"
She was brushing her bushy hair lightly and putting it into a long braid, "With my hair?" she asked him with raised eyebrows.
"Uh...no…with your…bag," he finished lamely; Ginny couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Apparently Ron's true feelings for Hermione made him a bumbling idiot. Like you with Harry, something inside her said.
"Shut up head," she whispered as she pulled her robes down.
"Hurry Ron we have to go direct the first years," Hermione fastened her gleaming prefect badge onto the front of her robe. Ron had long ago broken the clasp on his so he tied it to his collar with twine, Hermione gave him a disapproving look, but her gaze lingered longer than it normally did, Ginny bit her lip so she wouldn't laugh.
"Alright, see you Gin, see you mate, save us a carriage," Ron bounded out the door Hermione on his heels, she stopped suddenly whipping around to face the two of them.
"Don't think I don't know what you two pulled," she shook her finger at Harry who swallowed loudly, "and don't think I don't know what was slipped into my tea this morning!" she glared at Ginny with a stare that could turn milk sour before slamming the door.
Ginny looked at Harry, she tried to muster a smile, "Well, at least she's still speaking to us."
Ginny and Harry jumped from the Hogwarts express with new enthusiasm. She took a deep breath of the damp night air that surrounded the lake. Everything was so familiar to her now, she'd never forget her first year, she had been so afraid of everything, now it seemed like a second home to her. She snapped back suddenly.
"Firs' years, firs' years this way," the same greeting met her ears. She smiled widely, this too was a sign of Hogwarts, Ginny knew as sure as the sun would rise Hagrid would be there with his booming voice and lumbering walk. There had been a time last year, during the reign of Umbridge, that Hagrid had run from the school, but now with Dumbledore back he was here and ready to return to business.
"Hagrid!" Harry was making his way through the dense crowd.
"Good ter see ya Harry, and looka at the lil'est Weasley, good ter see ya, good ter see ya," he wrapped Harry and Ginny in a mighty hug, she paled a bit at the strength of the embrace, it was a fact that Hagrid could crush them both with little effort.
"Harry!" another voice broke the crowd, Neville Longbottom ran at them from the East platform. He tripped slightly over a blonde third year but gathered his composure quickly and was by their side. "Hey Harry, Ginny, have a good summer?" Harry nodded and Ginny hugged Neville tightly, she had missed him. Neville was the sweetest boy she had ever met, true he was a bit of a klutz, but he had a good heart, and Ginny loved him for it. Luna Lovegood was the next person to find them. She was walking along the lake's edge dragging a long red rope; Harry raised his eyebrow at her. "Hi, nice to see you all again. This is my pet, Kael," she said gesturing to the limp rope, Harry shrugged, it wasn't worth it. Harry, Ginny, Luna, and Neville worked their way through the bustling crowd of first years to the waiting carriages. Harry felt entirely happy, he was back where he belonged and his friends were around him, odd though they were, at least they were there. The four of them rounded the train and saw Hermione pointing to Hagrid and yelling, though she was drowned out by the hundreds of voices. Ron stood to the side leaning on a lamp post. He waved as they approached and pulled Hermione with him. Harry and the group were nearing the carriages when he felt a hand on his arm. Hermione had stopped him and was looking confusedly behind her. Ron and Ginny had stopped, seemingly frozen to the spot, their eyes stared straight ahead in horror. Harry looked at the now familiar sight of a thestral harnessed to the carriage. It dawned on him roughly why they were so frightened; they had never seen it before. Harry shook his head sadly, that was his fault as well. He whispered to Hermione and she nodded. Harry told Neville and Luna to go ahead, they had seen it before. Harry took Ginny's hand tenderly and put his other arm around her waist.
"Come on love," he pulled her rigid frame towards the carriage. Hermione pulled Ron inside and Harry closed the doors.
"That's what they look like then?" Ginny cried softly. Harry nodded and rubbed her arm, he remembered how startled he was the first time he saw them, it was hard to believe that it had only been a year.
"No fluffy kittens are they?" Ron frowned slightly his hand clasped around Hermione's.
"Who…." Harry asked suddenly, he didn't remember Ginny or Ron being in the room when Sirius….Harry stopped thinking, he felt his throat close, not now, he pleaded with himself.
"Those brains," Ginny was the one who answered, "When we…cut them off of Ron, we heard them scream…, they must have been alive," Ginny shuddered at the memory. He couldn't believe how horrible he felt, he was the reason Ginny had to go through that. She could have died, he thought, and it had never been so astounding to him before how stupid he had been. His Ginny, the girl he loved, could have died, because of him. She might have ended up like Sirius, he stopped his thought again.
"Well, looks like I'm the only one not in the club," Hermione grinned sheepishly, "I was blacked out," Harry knew she was trying to lighten the mood, for a moment he forgot that Hermione was going to kill him. The four rode in silence to the castle, Harry looked at the startlingly bright lights in the towers, it was going to be a better year, it had to be….
When the carriage stopped Hermione jumped out quickly, "We have to get in there first," she explained to Ginny and Harry as she tugged Ron behind her. Harry helped Ginny out of the carriage, he noticed she was breathing normally again, though her face was still pale and her legs were still shaky.
"Thanks," she muttered as she pulled her cloak around her.
"No worries," Harry felt his heart flutter as they walked, Ginny had refused to let go of his hand, and even though her grip was slightly stronger than he would have liked, he was determined to make her feel better.
The two entered the great hall and took their familiar places at the Gryffindor table. Ron and Hermione joined them a few minutes later pointing excitedly to the head table. Dumbledore sat stiffly as always, accompanied by all their teachers and a new man. He was tall and lanky like Professor Snape, but he had short white hair that stuck out at odd angles and a much kinder face. Ginny smiled softly, that messy hair reminded her of someone else, a someone who she was still holding hands with under the table. A few seconds later the doors burst open and Professor McGonagall paraded down the aisle followed by the usual gawking first years. Harry smiled at them fondly, had he looked so young when he was that age?
"Get shorter every year," Ron whispered sarcastically across the table at Ginny and Harry.
"Just because you're almost Hagrid's height," Harry whispered back.
The hall fell silent as Professor McGonagall placed a ratty looking wizard hat on a stool in front of the line of first years, Harry smiled at this as well. It never ceased to amaze him how serious she looked. He watched in anticipation with the rest of the school as the rip opened and a familiar voice rand out;
Some might say I'm much too old to look around and jeer. But I know things
Some of which might turn your young hair white. With timeless wit and ready
Knowledge I keep up with my plight. The founders old of these hallowed halls with
Me did leave the chore. Of placing you in a house, which choices there are four.
Ravenclaw, with wit and sense did leave a noble line. Huffelpuff with heart and
Soul her students they are kind. Slytherin though through hard ways did make his
Life success, and Gryffindor noble and true, his ideals were the best. Now here I
Sit for one more term, to place you were you need to be. Do not doubt, and do not
Fear, your future lies with me. I put you where your best will serve, the secrets in
Your heart. You can not hide so do not try, and I will do my part. The times ahead
Will test us all, for dark has come again. Yet in the end, with all my wit, I know not
What will win. I fear for you young students, your time may come too fast,
I hope you all will make the best of what you are given, though do not forget your
Past. So now I cease my song for now, thought through the year it will ring true.
Time must pass my dears, like life, thought maybe not for you.
Cautious applause broke out in the hall. Harry let go of Ginny's hand grudgingly, this song had been even more disturbing than the year before.
"Time must pass, but maybe not for you?" Ron made a sick face, "bloody uplifting isn't it?"
Harry snorted as the Professor McGonagall unrolled her parchment and began to call the names. Harry clapped politely when a Gryffindor was named, though his mind was elsewhere. The news of Voldermort must really be out, he thought, if even a hat knows about. When the last of the first years had been seated Dumbledore stood solemnly, a hush settled over the students again, even the most rambunctious student was quiet in his presence.
"Welcome, it is good to be among you all once again," he paused for loud cheers and silenced them with a raised hand, "and yet all is not well. I think we have all had enough bad spirits for the evening," he glanced merrily at the sorting hat, "so I shall leave it for another time. For now….let us eat," he flourished a hand and food filled the golden plates. Ron attacked his ravenously as usual, and even Hermione only grumbled slightly about the house elves as she dug into her cheese tart. Harry was on his second kidney pie before he noticed Ginny. She was sitting quietly pushing an asparagus shoot around her plate.
"Are you alright?" he asked with concern, usually Ginny could out eat him, which was a feat taken into account the size of her.
"Yeah," she smiled at him softly, "just a bit tired," Harry wasn't convinced, but he decided to let her alone. She would come to him if she needed to. In the meantime it seemed Malfoy's potion was beginning to wear off. Ron and Hermione were bickering like usual about his eating habits.
"It's not necessary to speak to me every time you take a bite Ronald!" Hermione spat his first name at him. Ron turned a deep shade of red.
"Well, fine! I just won't talk to you at all!"
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"Fine!" this came from Seamus, he was wandering past the group on his way to the Ravenclaw table and a pretty fifth year girl. Harry laughed at him and even Ginny couldn't resist a giggle.
After dessert was served and the plates had been cleared Dumbledore stood again. " Now, it is my honor to introduce to you your new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Gebbin Silverstalk," the small white haired man stood and bowed shallowly to Dumbledore before returning to his seat. At least this man didn't need to make a speech, he though bitterly about former professor Umbridge. "Professor Silverstalk is a former Auror with the Ministry of Magic, and I'm sure even our advanced students will find him highly up to par," Dumbledore's eyes flashed momentarily towards Harry, "On a further note, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all the forbidden forest is in fact still…forbidden…and that the banned list of materials has now been stretched to include any new prototypes from the Weasley twin's joke shop, Quiddich tryouts….."
Harry felt his head falling as Dumbledore continued, he was dreadfully tired and it his full stomach pulled at his eyes.
"Hello Ginny," Harry eyes snapped open as a silky voice filled his ears. Dean Thomas stood beside him, his lips fixed in a cool smile.
"Oh…hi Dean," Ginny smiled faintly, she seemed rather surprised to see him, though not at all unhappy. Harry saw Ron's eyes narrow.
"How was your summer?" he asked casually nodding as a group of sixth years waved to him.
"Good, good….yours?"
"Not bad, I was wondering if you'd fancy having breakfast with me tomorrow, you know to talk," he smiled again running his fingers through his short hair.
"Oh, alright….I suppose," Ginny looked a bit uncomfortably a Ron who looked as though he was about to jump the table.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow," Dean winked at her and turned, Harry felt his blood boil. How dare he! He was acting as if Ginny was just, just….some common girl! Harry shook his head with rage. Suddenly a wail erupted from behind him. Harry turned to see Dean's face covered with large red boils. He dropped his mouth in surprise, that had been the exact curse he was thinking about.
"Ah!" he yelled as the boils popped up on his hands.
"Dean! Oh no, we have to get you to Madame Promfrey!" Ginny jumped from the table and grabbed the sleeve of his robe, "See you later," she waved to the three of them and disappeared from the hall. Ron died in laughter as she went.
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione spat at him, "Why on Earth did you do that?"
"I didn't," Ron protested in honest confusion, "No, Hermione I mean it, I really didn't do it!" he looked at Harry, "Did you mate?"
Harry shook his head, indeed his hand hadn't gone anywhere near his wand, but he had been wishing very hard.
"Well, whoever did that should be ashamed of themselves," Hermione huffed as she stood from the table, still looking suspiciously at the two of them.
"Hermione, you were sitting right by us, did you see someone mutter a curse?"
Hermione sighed but shook her head. "It was bloody funny though," Ron burst into laughter.
Later that night Harry sat in the common room with Ron and Hermione. She had insisted they prepare their books for the next day before they went to sleep. Ron had grumbled but was doing it anyway; Harry suspected that Hermione's O.W.L. scores had something to do with his obedience. As they sat Harry heard the portrait hole swing open.
"Hey," Ginny called as she sat down heavily beside Ron.
"Hi, how's boil boy," Ron snickered until Ginny elbowed him in the ribs.
"I'll have you know that was a nasty curse! He'll be in the ward all night. How would you like to be there your first night back?" she glared at Ron furiously.
"Hey, sorry, I didn't do it, don't get mad at me!" he exclaimed.
"Well, than who was it?"
Ron shrugged and Harry did the same when Ginny looked at him. He really didn't know…
Hermione shut her book quickly, "Well, I'm exhausted, I say we get to bed," she began to pack up her quills and ink bottles.
"What do we have scheduled tomorrow Hermione?" Ron asked sleepily as he too shut his book.
"Transfiguration first thing, then care of magical creatures, Defense against the dark arts, and you two are off to divination while I go to ancient runes," Hermione looked absolutely thrilled at the schedule while Ron and Harry groaned. Ginny laughed at them.
"Hey I'm the one you should feel sorry for, I have double potions!"
They all said goodnight and went to started for their separate stairwells. Hermione turned at the last minute.
"Oh, Harry, sleep tight!" there was a tone in her voice Harry didn't like one bit. He reminded himself to check under his covers before he crawled in.
Ginny changed into her nightgown, she was absolutely exhausted. After the incident with Dean she wanted nothing more than to climb into bed for a few days. She frowned at the thought of him. He wanted to have breakfast with her, why? He was the one who had called it off, though Ginny knew she had been ignoring him all summer. When Harry came it seemed she had forgotten all about him. That was the trouble, Harry. Ginny shook her head at her own stupidity. She had ignored a perfectly nice boy for him, and why? It was so difficult being around him, he was so hot and cold. One minute he was full of life and fun, the next it seemed her would shut himself off from everyone. There was no harm in breakfast was there? And so what if there was, who would care. Ginny climbed under the covers, thinking about the traumatic ride to Hogwarts. She had been terrified, and once again Harry Potter had come to her rescue. She smiled at the memory, strolling into the great hall holding his hand, it had been like a dream, her dream. Ginny's face dropped instantly, it was a dream, a silly school girl dream. She felt herself dropping off when a loud bang came from the door. Ginny jumped up.
"Ginny! Come quick!" it was Hermione, she was in her night dress and her eyes were open wide with shock.
"Hermione? What? What's happened?"
Hermione pulled her from her bed and out the door.
"There's been an accident, something about a spell backfire, it's Harry!" Hermione was racing down the common room stairs.
Ginny's sight went white with panic. A spell backfire? Oh no, the first night? Couldn't Harry keep himself out of trouble the first night. Ginny lost her senses for a moment as Hermione dragged her up the hallway. Ginny felt the cool night air as they burst out the door to the astronomy tower. Hermione stopped suddenly making Ginny almost trip over her.
"Hermione? What….where is he?"
Hermione smiled at her evilly, Ginny turned to see Harry standing, clad only in pajama pants behind her.
"This Ginny Weasley is for today, so I hope the two of you have a good night!" Hermione slammed the door shut as she sped out of sight. Ginny's head was spinning out of control. She turned to look at Harry.
"What in bloody hell is going on?"
He smiled at her sheepishly, "I think this is our punishment."
Ginny gasped and ran to the door. She rattled the knob and even kicked at the solid old wood.
"Please tell me you have your wand?" she mumbled at Harry without turning around.
"Ah, no….Ron kind of….grabbed it from me," he ran his fingers through his hair, Ginny was suddenly painfully aware that he had no shirt and she was in her night clothes.
"Oh Merlin, what are we going to do?" Ginny sat down on the stone floor in defeat. It looked like Hermione had gotten the upper hand once again.
"What can we do?" Harry shrugged and sat down next to her.
"How did she get you up here?" Ginny asked.
"Actually it was Ron, he told me that Hedwig was hurt and we were going to the hospital wing, obviously we weren't," Harry laughed softly.
"You think this is funny?" Ginny was amazed.
"Well…a little, yeah, you don't?"
"No! Have you considered for a moment how many house points we will loose if discovered? Detentions? Not to mention we'll be laughing stocks for the entire school," Ginny groaned pulled her knees into her chest, resting her head on them.
"Oh, hadn't thought of that," Harry frowned grimly. Not to mention the twins would kill me in cold blood if they knew I spent the night alone with Ginny, Harry thought.
Ginny sat in her curled up position looking at the dark night sky. It was summer, but high on the astronomy tower the wind was giving an awful chill. Harry noticed her shivering.
"I would offer you my cloak but…" Ginny shook her head at him but smiled. Merlin he loved to see her smile.
"That's alright, I'm fine."
Harry suddenly felt a surge of hatred, "Yeah, I don't suspect Dean would like that too much anyway," he threw a rock across the tower floor, refusing to look at Ginny who was now staring a hole into his head.
"What does he have to do with anything?" she said a bit angrily.
"Nothing," he shrugged casually, "Just thought the two of you were finished that's all. Unless you were lying or something," Harry knew he was asking for an argument but he didn't care. He wanted to hear her say it. He wanted her to say they were over, that she didn't care about him, that she never did.
"Excuse me? Did I not speak to you about this big brother thing? Was I unclear?" Ginny was standing with her hands on her hip glaring at him in the way only Ginny could manage.
"I can't look out for you?" Harry felt a bit of annoyance towards her, this wasn't what he was expecting.
"You can't tell me how to live my own life! It's my bloody decisions not yours, or Ron's, or the twins, or anyone else! I will do what I please!"
"Fine! Do whatever the hell you want, means nothing to me!" Harry was seething, though not with anger. There, she had done it. She had put him in a category with her brothers. She hadn't denied liking Dean, all the closeness Harry had felt during the summer began to fade away in the blink of an eye. Ginny was walking away from him now, and he didn't move to stop her.
Across the tower Ginny was grinding her teeth to keep herself from screaming. She knew it, she had known it all along. Harry didn't care, he had said it, she had finally heard the truth. He didn't care and he never did. He didn't want her to be with Dean for the same reasons Ron didn't want her with Dean, and now she was sure. To make matters worse they were stuck together, until Hermione decided to let them out, or the next full moon class. Ginny sat at the edge of the tower dangling her feet through the stone engravings. She was determined not to speak to him.
Harry watched her silently, he knew it was his fault. He had started it, but damn it, it wasn't fair. She should know what I think of her, his mind told him. I gave her the perfect chance to tell me she didn't like Dean. Harry felt his better judgment eating at his thoughts. Rubbish, it said, you know good and well that this is your doing. Harry sighed, if Ginny was one thing it was stubborn, and if he didn't make the first move he doubted she would ever talk to him again, and that was the last thing he wanted. If he couldn't be with her he at least wanted to be near her.
"Ginny," he walked over to her and sat down. She promptly turned her head the other way. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Ginny, could you look at me please?" he was more insistent now. The longer she brooded the worse it would be.
"What?" she stared at him with hateful eyes, and he felt a smile creep across his face.
"Your eyes are about as red as your hair," he mused in an attempt to lighten the mood, but Ginny wasn't having it this time.
"Always a joke," she muttered turning from him again. He didn't know what to do know, so he sat silently.
"It's true though you know," he glanced at her measuring the anger level in her expression, "you did say the two of you were over."
"I never said we were started again," she practically hissed at him, "You're the one who came to that brilliant conclusion."
"Sorry," he muttered, watching a green leaf blow across the sky. "Just….I just, think you could do better," he mumbled again.
"What do you have against Dean?" she asked, though her tone was much softer. Harry though for a moment. Truthfully he didn't have anything against him, it was the simple fact that he had Ginny and Harry didn't, he shrugged and Ginny scoffed at him.
"Just….jealous I guess," he almost whispered as he watched the low hanging moon, it was late now, well past one in the morning.
"Why in bloody hell would you be jealous?" she was looking at him now.
"Dunno, Dean's, he's a nice guy and all, he just….has things I never will, and I hate that I guess."
"Like a family?" Ginny looked sad again.
"Partly," and Harry was relieved to be telling the truth.
"Oh Harry, I can't understand what you must feel….about that, but trust me, we Weasley's love you as much as any family could," she smiled and patted his hand.
"Thanks, I love you too," Harry stiffened and started to stammer, "all, I mean I love you all as well," he felt like killing himself right there on the tower floor. Great way to break the ice Harry, he thought to himself.
"We still have the little problem of getting out of here," Ginny seemed to disregard the comment completely.
"Well, let's think, how can we get in touch with someone inside?"
Ginny frowned with thought, "Do you think Hedwig will come if you call?"
Harry shook his head, "Fat chance, she ignores me sometimes if I'm standing in front of her."
Ginny looked over the edge of the tower wearily, "Well then looks like we're stuck," she sighed with frustration. Harry had to agree with her, the situation looked pretty hopeless from his point of view. Worst of all the tower wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep, it was cold and the floor was hard rock. A large beetle scuttled over his foot and Harry knew Ron would die if he saw all the spiders who had taken a home in the rafters. He sat quietly with Ginny talking idly about the first day.
"What was it like the first time you saw them Harry?" Ginny was referring to the thestrals.
"Well, I didn't know what they meant. It was a shock, but I'm sure it was worse for you and Ron," he stared at her white skin, the moonlight brought out her eyes more than ever.
"You know I don't blame you right?" Ginny turned her eyes to him, "I mean, about the Ministry and all."
Harry nodded because he didn't want to go into it. He didn't ever want to think about it again. If he did he had to think about it all. The prophecy, the death eaters, the veil…
"Harry look!" Ginny was pointing excitedly to the slightly brightening sky. A large brown owl was flying gracefully to the castle. It circled the greenhouse twice and then made a beeline for the astronomy tower. Ginny gaped as the owl flew to them and dropped a large piece of parchment in front of them. Both their names were written on the front, and a bright blue seal was stamped on the back.
A/N- Hey guys. I know this one was a little less exciting, but I had to get them back to Hogwarts and I didn't want anyone dieing on the first day (we'll save that for later). I know some of you are getting impatient for a kiss, BUT I promise if you stay with me VERY soon, it will be worth your while. Anyway, next chapter- the letter, how do Harry and Ginny get off the roof? Harry is forced to spend time with Malfoy, and Ron makes a bold move!