A/n: It's so good to be home! I hate rode trips, even though this one wasn't exactly long. You'd hate them too if someone in your family threw up almost every single one. Little Brother, ahem. Anyway, hope you like it! Please R & R

Disclaimer: JK owns it all sob

Chapter eight:

"S-Sorry?" Harry asked, wondering if he was hallucinating.

"Honestly Harry, take the cotton out of your ears, this is important!"

Now Harry was wide awake, knowing at once who the shadow was. He watched as Hermione moved into the light with a concerned look on her face.

"How did you know?" Harry asked intently.

Hermione's face turned into a half smile, half drifting off look. "Because I recognized the way you looked at Ginny when the Weasleys were here. It was the same way Ron looks at me these days."

Then, biting her lip, she lifted her hand out of a fistful of robes to show Harry a sparkling ring. Not to big, just a simple golden band with a sapphire placed elegantly in the middle.

Hermione's eyes were shining as Harry took in the shocking sight. "Ron propo-"

Hermione cut him off. "No, it's more like a promise ring. Ron and I felt that eighteen, though of age, is a little young to be married. He gave me the ring before he went back to Auror training last night. . . It's my memory of him for another year." She smiled sadly. Harry was starting to feel sorry for her when he remembered the current predicament.

"You realize that me having a relationship with Ginny is totally against the rules right? I mean, if this was to get out in any way at all, I would be so totally fired." He leaned back in his chair, gazing at Ginny fondly.

"I mean, I've thought through why they have these rules, but don't you think that I should be an exception?"

Hermione nodded, agreeing. "You know Harry, I think I've just thought of that exception."

"What? How is it that I spend hours on end trying to find some sort of solution, and then you find one in a record of two minutes?"

"Harry, this is no time to make jokes," Hermione answered, though she looked pleased all the same.

"I'm serious, this may actually work. I just have to verify it in Hogwarts a History. Besides that, it's really all your choice. Really if you and Ginny want to go another mile into your relationship."

Harry turned back around to look at Ginny. She was still out cold, and yet, she still looked beautiful to him. If that didn't mean that he loved her, what did? Finally, he slowly turned back around to face Hermione. "Meet me at Hogsmead. Tomorrow."

Ginny opened her eyes to see herself lying in the Hospital Wing. The only things she was aware of, was the pounding headache and a slight pressure on her feet.

She lifted her head painfully to see someone's arm laying across the foot of the bed. It took her a few seconds to register that arm belonged to Harry.

He was sitting in a chair, head leaning against his shoulder as if he had fallen asleep staying up with her. The chair wasn't a comfortable armchair either. It was one of those chairs that would unfold when needed and that had the metal seat.

Her last thought before closing her eyes again was how sorry she felt for Harry sleeping so uncomfortably. At least she definitely knew he loved her.

Ginny awoke once again, three hours later, to see light pouring through the Hospital Wing's windows. Harry was still in the same position. She also noticed now, that his knee was in a splint. What had happened yesterday?

While she was trying to remember, Madame Pomfrey bustled into the room, a vial of potion in hand. "Oh good, you're awake. You took quite a fall there Miss Weasley."

"I-I did?" Ginny asked confused. Then she remembered. A roar in her ears, the pain on her neck, and falling off her broom.

"Did I hurt myself badly?"

"No, no, you'll be fine. Here, drink this, it should help with that headache." Madame Pomfrey handed Ginny a vial of blue fizzing Potion. It tasted like chalk, but it cleared her headache up right away.

"Thanks." Ginny said as Madame Pomfrey left the room. She looked over at Harry. He had a small smile on his face. "I hope you're having sweet dreams Harry," she whispered softly.

Harry was having a good dream. In it, Ginny had woken up and was talking to him as he slept. Wait a minute . . . Harry opened his eyes. Ginny was smiling at him from her bed.

"Ginny," Harry gasped. "Thank God you're awake. Yesterday- I- we-" Ginny cut him off with a soft kiss.

Pulling away, she giggled at the look on Harry's face. "I'm fine Harry. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."

"You aren't the only one," Harry groaned, stretching his own neck. "Must have slept on it funny."

Ginny ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry Harry. That's sort of my fault."

"No it isn't. I chose to sleep like that." He smiled. "Bet I look horrible too."

"Not any better then I look!"

"That bad, huh."

Ginny punched him. "That's how you treat your girlfriend?"

Harry recoiled playfully."Not necessarily." Then, on a grumpy tone, said, "Look Gin. I hate to do this, but I have to some, ah, unfinished business to attend to. Your family will probably stay with you though."

She sat up quickly. "My family's here? Where are they staying?"

Harry stood up and straightened his dirt-filled robes. "Uh, the room of Requirement, I think." He watched as Ginny got up and walked to talk to Madame Pomfrey about leaving the Hospital Wing.

"I'll leave her with her family. They're more important then anything. I mean, she didn't perk up when she saw me here like she did when she heard about them. Hang on . . . I'm using this as an excuse aren't I? Darn it! This idea of Hermione has got me totally messed up!"

With that said, or more like thought, Harry stood up and silently walked out of the Hospital Wing and up to his quarters.

Ginny reappeared in the doorway to find Harry gone. "Wow . . . I never thought he'd leave without saying goodbye to me. Something must be up . . ."

Harry sat on his bed, looking in his mirror. That night had been a blur. Harry closed his eyes as he remembered what had happened . . .

Flashback:

Harry pulled on a cloak before heading down the marble staircase. In his opinion, at first, it was just an ordinary cloak, black with gold fastenings. His opinion however, changed rather quikley. Almost every single girl that he passed whipped their heads around and sighed heavily. It was rather embarrassing too, because Snape strode by while this was happening and sneered.

Walking faster to get away from the mobs, Harry pushed open the door and walked out of Hogwarts. The early December breeze blew across his face, promising snow as he made his way down to Hogsmead.

Strolling through the lanes of shops and markets, he paused at a door. "Am I ready for this? Yes." Harry entered The Three Broomsticks and looked around for Hermione. Spotting her at a table near the back, he made his way toward her.

"Hello Harry, how's Ginny?"

"Fine, fine. Look, are you sure this is going to work?"

Hermione didn't respond, as the waitress had just walked up to their table. "What can I get for you my dears?"

Harry looked at Hermione and shrugged. "Um, I'll just have some ice water."

Hermione turned to Harry with a questioning look. "Harry. It's freezing outside. Don't you want something hot?"

Rolling his eyes, Harry changed his order to a hot chocolate. Girls. Smiling sweetly, Hermione ordered a butter beer.

"Okay. Now that that's taken care of, I am now positive this will work. She pushed an open book to Harry and pointed at a paragraph.

Dating Policy of Hogwarts

All students are able to date other students to their own liking. There shall be no public or even private displays of affection such as kissing or other sexual activities. Serious consequences will be placed on any student who is caught.

Harry looked up at Hermione, eyebrows raised. "Hermione, how does this help me?"

Hermione waved a hand. "Keep reading."

Another matter is the student teacher dating. A teacher is forbidden to date a student due to legal policies. However, if the student is already married or will be married, the rule hall be lifted for that purpose only.

Harry was in shock. So this was Hermione's brilliant plan. He was to give Ginny a promise ring.

To Be Continued . . .

A/n: Okay, you may all be thinking that Harry and Ginny don't know each other well enough for this kind of thing to happen. Don't worry, it all turns out alright. Just have patience. Oh, and the flash back isn't over yet, it ends in the next chapter.