A/n: Sorry it took so long! My Computer wouldn't start and, well, yeah.
Harry awoke the next morning, head lying on his desk. He had a slight headache in his temples and his jaw hurt from lying on the desk. "Thank the friggin God it's Saturday." he thought standing up.
Deciding he wanted to take a long shower, Harry wrapped his cloak around him and started down the corridor to his quarters. Luckily there were no students in the hallways at 6:00 am or they would have seen their Professor in dirty clothes, dark circles under his eyes, and a stubble forming on his chin.
About an hour and a half later, Harry was feeling much better in clean clothes and freshly showered. He spent two minutes looking at himself in his mirror. Now why had Ginny gone and kissed Colin? Was it his appearance?
Harry's hair was now long and shaggy. It was not quite like Sirius's casual look nor Bill's cool look. It just weighed his hair down so it didn't stick up as much. It even covered his scar as an added bonus.
His body was lean and muscular, from both Quidditch and War training. Dumbledore had said that he had to have physical strength as well as magical. He wasn't as tall as he wanted to be, but not short ether. No, his physical appearance didn't suck.
"Shouldn't I feel worse about losing my girlfriend? I mean, I loved her . . . or did I? We kind of rushed into things. And there I was about to promise her I would marry her. Maybe this whole affair was for the better good."
Harry pushed himself into an overstuffed chair, thinking hard.
"What am I to do now? Okay, here are the circumstances. I am the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. My secret girlfriend was kissing Colin in a classroom. And I have to teach both of them on Monday. How can things get any worse? Well, Voldemort could come back to life and try to kill me in his misguided attempt for revenge, but that's never going to happen. Hopefully."
Someone knocking on Harry's door pulled him out of his thoughts. Getting up, he slumped over and opened it. Hermione bustled in and lightly whacked him on the side of the head. "Uh Hermione . . . What's the occasion?"
"Oh Harry, how could you be so blind? So . . . so like Ron."
Harry was confused. It was written all over his face. Hermione shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Harry, why did you break up with Ginny?"
Harry slumped back into his chair. It was clear now that Ginny had gone to Hermione."What kind of B.S. did Ginny feed you? She was the one kissing Colin, not me!"
Hermione sighed. "Harry, you're thicker then I thought. Colin was drop dead drunk."
Harry looked up, completely down founded. "What? Then why was Ginny kissing him?"
"Colin attacked her, cornering her into a wall and forcing her to snog him. She was just coming to her senses when you showed up. Didn't you wonder why she kicked him?" Hermione was almost smiling at Harry's stupidity.
Harry's mouth was open, eyes wide. "I thought she was just putting up a good show. So wait . . . Ginny doesn't like Colin?"
"Well of coarse not!"
"She still likes me?"
Hermione shrugged. "To be honest Harry, I'm not sure. Not after the way you treated her."
"Hermione, what do you propose that I do? Apologize to Ginny and get a new job? There were no job offers- well, there was that one to play on the Chudley Cannons."
"Harry, do you really think that's the best way to solve things? To run away from your problems? If you did this with Voldemort, we'd probably all be dead. Just think about what you want to say and do before you do it. I don't want two Rons running around, I have enough trouble with one."
With that, she left Harry to his thoughts once again.
Harry was sprinting down the halls, going anywhere his mind could think of so that he could find Ginny. He had to talk to her. They both had to work this knot out.
Slowing down so he could casually search the library, he caught sight of a flash of red hair. Ginny was sitting at a table near the back of the room, deeply submerged in homework.
Taking a deep breath, Harry sat down in the seat opposite Ginny. If Ginny knew Harry was there, she didn't show it. She sat there staring at her book, though Harry noticed her eyes weren't moving across the page.
"Ginny, you can't ignore me forever."
Ginny continued to stare at her book, causing Harry to sigh. "Alright, you don't have to look at me, just listen. Okay, so, I'm sorry . . . I over reacted completely, refusing to see what was under my nose the entire time. I should've known that you would never do that to me. "
A student walked by, looking at them curiously. "Ginny's just having a little trouble with her ah- homework. I'm helping her."
The corners Ginny's lips twitched as if she were about to smile. The student nodded then walked away frowning slightly. Making sure no one was listening in on their conversation, Harry turned back to Ginny, rubbing his forehead.
"I understand if you never want to see me again, but if you do want to still be friends, tell me because I'll have nothing here to stay for."
When Ginny didn't say anything, Harry stood up. "Okay then. See you around." He was just walking out of the library when a hand appeared on his shoulder. Turning around, Harry saw Ginny.
"Harry, you don't have to leave Hogwarts. We can still be friends if that's what you want, but there's no way I'm going to date you anymore after what you did to me . . . deal?"
Harry gave her a lopsided smile. "Deal. Uh, see you Monday in class."
"Yeah, in class." She said in return, walking back to her table in the library. "What are the consequences of what I have just done? I mean, Harry was standing there with open arms and I turned him down."
Ginny sighed, leaning her head in her hand. "It's for the best. How do I know Harry will trust me in anything otherwise?"
The next day Harry was sitting in the great hall eating a Chicken leg when Pigwidgeon came soaring over to him, flying into the side of his head. While a few teachers were laughing, Harry untied the letter and read.
Harry,
How have you been? We would be delighted if you would join us for Christmas break. The entire family will be there, including Ron who got out of Auror training for a week. Much love,
Mrs. Weasley
Harry grinned. "I haven't seen Ron in ages. Or the whole Weasley family to be exact. Yeah, I'll go." Scribbling a yes on the back of the letter, he snatched Pig who had been flying around the teacher's table and sent him off.
Glancing at Ginny, he took a sip of Pumpkin juice. A whole week with Ginny? No! He shouldn't think of her like that. She definitely doesn't think like that about him at least. Harry looked at Ginny again. She was talking to Luna. Whoever the guy was that got to keep Ginny for good was one lucky guy.
Hogsmead weekend came before anyone knew it, and soon there were laughing couples heading out for Christmas shopping. Harry was in his office enjoying a large mug of Coffee when he heard Ginny walking outside his door.
Setting down his cup, he crept over and pressed his ear against the wood. In muffled tonesw, Harry heard Ginny talking to someone. A boy perhaps?
"Oh, hi Jack. How are you doing?"
Harry pressed his ear harder against the door. Did she mean Jack Slopper?
"Hi Ginny. Look, I was wondering . . . Would you like to go to Hogsmead with me?"
"Oh, sure. I was going to do some Christmas shopping. I'm a bit behind schedule"
"Me too. We'd better hurry, they're heading down."
"Okay, lets go."
Both were oblivious to the pair of Green eyes following them down from behind a door. Sao it was Slopper. Well, Ginny isn't exactly ugly, someone was bound to want to date her. He just didn't think it would be so soon.
Going back inside, Harry drained the last of his Coffee in one gulp, then kneeled under bed. He pulled out a box. It was the box of Christmas presents he'd gotten for his friends.
For Hagrid he bought a large and colorful book with detailed lesson tactics. Hermione's gift had taken a while, seeing as she was his friend, but not girlfriend. Harry settled upon a pair of silver hoop earrings.
Ron's gift was one of the easiest to achieve. Since he was next in line for the Chudley Cannons seeker, Harry got a Quaffle signed by the whole team. For Bill Harry found a leather necklace with a dragon fang attached to match his earring.
Charlie's gift had been difficult. Harry came across a rare cloak that would protect one from fire. It was perfect for Charlie's job which was handling dragons. Percy just required a fancy set of Quills from Flourish and Blotts.
For Fred and George, Harry had filled a small bag with muggle toys and candy that he knew they would make into pranks.
Mr. And Mrs. Weasley's gift was more of a thank-you gift then a Christmas one. Harry had found out about House Elf couple that was having a baby and needed a place to work. They went to Dumbledore first, but there was no more room in the Kitchens.
Harry had said that the Weasleys would gladly take them in, and that they could even wear real clothes. He arranged for them to arrive Christmas morning at the Burrow. In the mean time, he had a certificate of belonging to show the elves were to work at the Burrow.
Ginny's gift had been the hardest by far. He didn't have a clue what to get for her because they had just broken up. Harry had finally decided on an expensive, red leather diary encrusted with jewels in the corners.
The Promise ring he had bought two weeks before was in the back of his desk, collecting dust. He had to remind himself that someday he would meet another women whom he wanted to marry.
Piling everything back into the box, harry pulled out his wand. One wave ensured that all the gifts were wrapped in colorful paper, each with a small Christmas card. Sighing heavily, he kicked the box back under his bed.
Harry had to apparate to the Weasleys' house on Christmas eve which was tomorrow. He couldn't wait to take a break from his classes and work. Smiling, he closed his eyes, falling asleep until dinner.
At six o'clock in the evening the next day, Harry was dressed in bottle green robes and had his box of presents and trunk in hand. Making sure he had everything ready, he closed his eyes, apparatting to the Burrow.
When he opened his eyes once more, he was standing on the front porch, looking inside the window. Knocking on the door, he felt himself almost drop the gifts when he was hugged tightly by Mrs. Weasley.
"Glad you could come, Harry dear. Come on inside, it's freezing," she said, ushering him forward.
"Harry, mate! Great to see ya!" Fred and George came sailing by, taking his box and replacing it with a glass of Wizard Wine.
"You too," Harry barely had time to say, before a hand clapped onto his back. Ron was grinning next to Harry, hand still on his shoulder.
"How you doing Harry? Hogwarts hasn't changed has it?"
"Nope. Only change is that I don't have to take any of Snape's crap." He followed a laughing Ron into the Family room where Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Hermione, and Ginny where laying about on the couches. Harry spotted his gifts, now arranged under a brightly decorated Christmas tree.
"Hey everybody, how's everything?" Harry asked flopping down among the Weasleys.
"Just fine Harry, how have you been? DADA teacher at Hogwarts huh? That must have it's privileges," Bill said, taking a sip of Wine.
"Sort of. The problem is that I'm only a year older then the seventh years, so I can't date a cute one that I like."
"Who would want to date you Harry," Fred challenged through a mouthful of peanuts.
"Well, as Ginny said around four months ago, I've had six, no, seven girlfriends in the past two years. Don't believe me? Would you like to see in my pensive the ah- delicate moments I've had with each?"
Ron made retching sounds while Fred and George threw nuts at Harry. The rest joined Harry in laughing.
When Harry recovered, he asked, "Where's Percy? I thought he was here."
Hermione answered him. "He's probably upstairs working on something. Even I don't work on Christmas."
"Yeah, well Percy would work through his Wedding ceremony if he had the choice." Ginny said, leaning against the pillows.
Harry suddenly became aware of how pretty she looked even in jeans and a jumper. Her red hair fanned out along the pillows and-
"Dinner!"came Mrs. Weasley's voice.
The clan of young adults piled into the magically enlarged kitchen to meet the heavenly scent of Mrs. Weasley's cooking.
There was all of Harry's favorites, including turkey, potatoes, salad, peas, and bread. He simply loaded his plate with as much food as he could and dug into the delicious feast.
Everyone was busy talking and eating except Harry and Ginny. Somehow they had both ended together at the far end of the table. To embarrassed to talk much, they both ate in silence, listening in on the other's conversations.
Every once in a while Harry's hand would accidentally bump Ginny's causing both to blush. He was relieved when Mrs. Weasley finally brought in the Treacle Tart for dessert. After two huge pieces each, everyone was full and Happy.
It was Charlie's idea that everyone should go outside and have a snowball fight before bed. All but Percy and agreed, claiming that it was getting too late to play.
"Aw, come on Perce, you never play." Ron stated longingly.
"No thanks Ronald. I have an Essay to do for-."
Ron slammed the door in his face, heading to the crown of people shivering in the snow. They started to decide the rules, figuring that you could hit anywhere of the body. Ginny and Hermione grinned evilly.
"Except there," Charlie said, exasperated.
Ginny smiled innocently. "Well, if it happens to be an accident . . ."
"Okay, every man for themselves. On the count of three, we play. One, two, three!"
The crowd scattered, each person wanting to find a good hideout. Harry skidded behind a large rock, making three large snowballs. Peeking behind his boulder, he lobbed one over to a likely looking area, behind a bush.
Sure enough, a loud grunt from Ron came, causing the others to throw snowballs towards the sound. Snickering softly, Harry was just grabbing another snowball when one collided with the side of his face.
Spinning around, Harry saw Ginny running behind a tree. Shaking his head free of snow, he ignored the scream coming from Hermione and ran after Ginny. She shrieked in laughter, running through the thicket of trees, Harry in tow.
"You know I have you Weasley!" He shouted as he jumped over a snow covered rock. When Harry turned the corner, Ginny was gone once again. Suddenly, a snowball rammed into his back. Laughing, Harry chased after Ginny, finally gaining on her.
Taking a wild leap, Harry tackled her, sending them both tumbling down a small slope. Harry landed on top of her, grinning wickedly. Scooping up a handful of snow, he dumped it onto her face. "Payback," he whispered.
Ginny frowned playfully, making Harry fell like his knees were Jello. "Think again, Potter," she said, kicking the tree beside them. A cascade of snow buried them both. Harry emerged first, soaking wet, to watch Ginny come up too.
"Ginny," Harry asked quietly. "Do you really like Jack Slopper?"
Ginny's smile fell slightly. "How did you know about that?"
"I heard you two outside my office talking."
"Oh." She looked down at her feet.
"Ginny?"
"Yes?"
"Why won't you give me another chance?"
When she looked back at Harry, she had tears in her eyes. "I can't Harry."
"Why not?"
"You broke my heart. How can I be sure you won't break it again?"
Harry stared at her for a few moments. "Look Ginny. I am in love with you. All you have to do is walk away from me right here and now, and I will leave you alone."
To Be Continued . . .