Chapter 17
After a while, Harry and Ginny reluctantly stopped kissing and started talking.
"Well, what should we tell Ron and Hermione? I mean, they're bound to notice something if we're kissing," Ginny asked. "Unless you don't want to do that with me anymore I mean." She added, looking slightly fearful.
"Of course I do Ginny! Well, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to be, you know, my girlfriend," He said, blushing deeply and looking hopeful.
"Harry! Of course I will!" Ginny gasped, giving him a quick kiss.
Harry smiled stupidly and they continued talking until Ron and Hermione came back to the compartment.
"Hey Harry, Ginny, we just heard a, uh, rumor, from someone, about you two." Hermione said, choosing her words carefully.
"Lemme guess, Malfoy told you Ginny and I kissed?" Harry said quickly.
"Yeah! How'd you know? Wait, did you?" Ron asked, his eyes widening.
"Yes big brother, I kissed your best mate, now what do you think of that?" Ginny said, smiling broadly and taking Harry's hand in hers once again."Oh bloody hell," seemed to be the only thing Ron could muster up at the moment, but Hermione just beamed at the pair and opened her Ancient Runes textbook.
After Ron quieted down Harry noticed Ron interlace his fingers with Hermione's and give her hand a squeeze. Ron pulled Hermione closer to him as she shut her book and he lowered his head, muttering something into her ear that was causing her to smile brightly. Harry took the opportunity to whisper to Ginny.
"Do you know how gorgeous you are? And intelligent? And absolutely funny and witty you are?" he whispered gently into her ear.
She felt his hot breath go in her ear and down her neck and it made her shiver. She turned to him and started said quietly, "Do you know how wonderful you are? You're so kind, and caring, and you are the funniest person I know."
Harry pulled back, looking shocked.
"You forgot to mention how stunningly handsome I am, remember?"
Ginny laughed and Harry smiled. Ginny pulled his ear back to her mouth and started to speak again.
"I love your eyes, and I love the way your hair never lies flat," she said, ruffling the hair at the base of his neck and she heard a tiny growl from him. "You also have lips that I could kiss forever." He pulled back and smiled at her, and she smiled back very mischievously. She pulled him close yet again, but this time it was to kiss him.
"You can't do that in front of me! It's weird seeing my best mate and my little sister kiss!" Ron groaned.
Harry and Ginny pulled apart and poked fun at Ron's distress. They all chatted happily, and Neville and Luna joined them later. The excitement in the compartment mounted as the train began to slow. As they stopped, Harry thought to himself, 'I'm home'
They all climbed out of the train and made their way to the carriages. Harry looked at the horses, which he could see more clear then ever. He felt a twinge of guilt as he though of having all this fun and being so happy, but Ginny took his hand, and the warm feeling he got when he touched Ginny washed all feelings of guilt away immediately. They climbed into their carriages and soon entered the Great Hall. Soon, Dumbledore stood up and all talking stopped immediately. Dumbledore smiled around the room.
"It is wonderful to see all your bright and shining faces, ready to refill your heads from the emptying of this past summer. Now, a few notices before the Sorting. No student is allowed in The Forbidden Forest, under any circumstances," Dumbledore grinned and glanced at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They all grinned sheepishly and Dumbledore continued. "Hogsmeade trips will still commence, and to put your minds at ease, chaperones will be readily available if help is needed. The list of forbidden things in hallways is pinned to Mr. Filch's doorway, and there is to be no magic used outside of the classroom. I'm sure everyone will adhere to these rules. One last notice, I would like everyone to welcome our new teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ms. Nymphandora Tonks.
The whole Hall was silent for a moment, and then everyone burst into great cheers, minus the Slytherin table, which was only applauding slightly, and that was only a few of them. Harry looked up at the table and couldn't believe he missed Tonks. Tonks was currently a blonde with curly, wavy hair, and looking very pretty. 'Not as pretty as Ginny' he thought to himself, and then blushed for thinking it. After the cheering and applause died down, Dumbledore once again began talking.
"Let the Sorting begin."