Hi folks! Itz da 3rd chapter!1 I hope u like it ! Thanx 2 all who reviewed on the last chapter, you al really encouraged me to keep writing. I'm am goin 2 go and read sum of ure stories now!

Pussin Boots – Thanx u have been v.supportive, plees keep reviewing!

Allison – Ure comments really helped me to trying harded to make ma story better grammatically, I hope! Thanx!

Honey P - Awww that's so nice thank u! Here's da nxt bit I hope u like it!

Evelynbee & vegetarians Rock – Thanx! Same to da both of u! Enjoy! Plees keep reviewing, everyone!

Chapter 3

Harry's PoV

What is up with Ron! What s wrong with him? Does he seriously think that I would not talk to him and his family for five years out of spite? I did it to protect everyone. Like I've said, Voldemort liked to kill his enemy's friends and loved ones, did Ron really think that I would put so many innocent lives on the line like that? Ok, I suppose I could have got in touch after I killed Voldemort, but I was very busy. First of all, I had to deal with all the annoying press reporters and photographers who wanted to find out about "How I won the war". Then, the Ministry decided to interrogate me about "The Present Situation" because there were Death Eaters, Dementors and other magical creatures running about all over the place and they wanted the Wizarding Community to feel safe. After that, due to my guilty conscience I felt that I had to help clear up the mess that I had caused, so I spent the next year and a half "Helping the Ministry restore natural order to the Magical World." Afterwards, once I had done all of that, I decided that I had to get back into the swing of things and restart a normal life. So, all in all, I've been rather busy!

Harry was pacing around the Weasley's garden when Hermione came rushing out through the door. She sat down beside Harry, but she didn't say anything. Roughly half a minute later, Ginny came shuffling along as well and sat down beside the silent pair. Harry stared blankly at them and sighed.

"Shouldn't you be inside with your fiancée?" Harry asked scathingly

"I don't agree with him about this and you know it" Hermione replied

"What about you? Do you think I'm an ungrateful jerk?" Harry asked Ginny casually.

"No, of course not. You were just trying to protect us. Like you said to me before you left Hogwarts." she replied shyly

Harry felt so relieved that Ginny understood. She couldn't hate him completely after saying that.

"Thank you! That is exactly the reason! But why is Ron acting like an idiot about all of this? Sorry Hermione." he added noticing Hermione's expression

"None taken." Hermione answered lightly "Well…."

Hermione then began to explain to Harry why Ron was reacting badly to his abrupt reappearance. She and Ginny told him about how Ron took it as a personal insult when Harry dropped out of school so suddenly, and didn't try to make any further communication. They also explained how Ron was furious for ages with Harry and how no-one could talk about Harry without Ron blowing a fuse.

"And how did you feel when I left school?" Harry asked

"Well, I was quite hurt when I found out that you weren't coming back and hadn't told us, but I figured that you would have a perfectly good explanation as to why." Hermione answered, sounding a lot more like her sixteen year-old self.

Both Harry and Hermione looked at Ginny expectantly.

"I was quite shocked too" she added

Harry felt slightly disappointed. He had hoped that Ginny might have felt more strongly about his departure than this. Although maybe she felt she couldn't express herself properly in front of Hermione. No, he was being stupid. How could a woman like Ginny ever like a boy like him? She was gorgeous, down-to-earth and intelligent, and he was superficial, gawky and had no private life.

There was a sharp noise, and as the trio turned around they saw a beetroot red Ron sidling up towards them.

Ron addressed Harry "I suppose I am the last person you want to talk to at the moment."

"Well, not entirely." Harry mumbled

"Excuse me?" Ron replied, rather shocked

"Well, actually the last person that I ever want to talk to again is Dudley, and then my aunt and uncle I suppose." Harry grinned

The foursome started to laugh uncontrollably. At that moment, it was obvious that they all considered the ice broken.

"I'm really sorry Harry. I know you must think I am a complete nutter after the way I acted inside." Ron confessed

"I was kind of shocked at first, but then I realised that what I did must have seemed really weird to all of you, so then I understood why you acted the way you did. Although I should be used to it by now!"

Ron laughed "Cool, but I was kind of stupid." he continued

"You're right, in fact that might even be an understatement!" Hermione retorted

"Hermione! You are supposed to be on my side!" Ron exclaimed

"Honey, I am not on anybody's side! I am sitting on the proverbial fence!"

"What?" Ron asked bemused

"Sorry, don't worry about it. It's an old muggle saying." She apologised

"Oh whatever!" Ron sighed

Hermione sat and stared at Ron.

"You know, you're so cute when you are confused." Hermione said cheekily

"Oh I am, am I? Not half as adorable as you look when you are studying dead hard for work. With your glasses on, and your hair scraped back in that bun of yours. Oooh you look so stunning" Ron said

"Ron!" Hermione giggled and blushed profusely looking furtively at Harry and Ginny

Promptly, Ron jumped on Hermione and started to tickle her ferociously. Hermione began to scream uncontrollably and started to squirm about. Suddenly, the pair changed from a friendly tickle fight to kissing passionately on the garden bench. Harry and Ginny began to feel extremely uncomfortable and turned their heads away. Unfortunately, or maybe not so, Harry and Ginny met each others gaze, and held eye contact for maybe 2 or 3 seconds longer than necessary. Hastily, Harry broke eye contact and began to turn red.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Harry asked cautiously

"I certainly would! I don't want to sit here and watch them suck each others faces!" Ginny answered, in a tone of voice meant to catch Ron's attention

The unwanted pair got up and walked away and sat on a bench at the other end of the garden and faced the opposite direction of the lovestruck couple.

"So, how have you been lately? What have you been doing?" Harry asked tentatively

"Well, I got a job in the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry. Professor McGonagall suggested that it would be a good career to pursue with the qualifications that I earned." Ginny answered blushing slightly

"Oh, of course! Exams! How did you do!" Harry exclaimed

"Well I passed all of my OWLs except Ancient Runes. I got an Outstanding in Charms and Transfiguration. I also passed all my NEWTs and I got Outstanding in Charms again and I got Exceeds Expectations in Transfiguration. I also passed Potions, Care of Magical Creature and Defence against Dark arts. Oh, and I also got made Quidditch Captain in 6th and 7th year because they thought that Ron wasn't good enough!" giggled Ginny

"I bet he wasn't happy about that!" chuckled Harry

"You're right, he wasn't. I let him play Keeper though." Ginny laughed

"That'll have kept him happy. Congratulations on your exam results, they were great! I never sat my NEWTs, so I am an unqualified idiot!!"

"Don't say that Harry! You are not an idiot!"

"Why thank you!" Harry replied

Harry and Ginny spent the next 20 minutes in fascinated conversation about Quidditch. The there was an uncomfortable silence.

"So how many more boyfriends have you had since I saw you last?" Harry asked cheekily

"The cheek! If you must know, recently I have gone off boys. I'm am focussing on my career and working hard to please my boss." Ginny answered.

"Ahhh, so none at the present?"

"Did you see anyone inside with me?" she asked sarcastically

"I'll take that as a no then"

Harry then began to feel distinctly uncomfortable. This was it. Time to find out what Ginny felt of him.

"Ginny" Harry said

"Yes" Ginny replied

"How did you really feel when I left Hogwarts. The truth." He asked

"The truth!... Well. The truth is that when you left, I was almost heartbroken. I moped about for the rest of the holidays. Nobody knew what was wrong with me apart from Hermione. She half guessed and made me tell her the rest." Ginny confessed sheepishly

Harry sat in half stunned, half relieved silence. He was so glad that Ginny had missed him, she possibly still loved him. But how would he find out how she felt? Might as well go for the obvious.

"And how do you feel about me now?" Harry asked hesitantly

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know that it has been five years but, this sounds stupid, do you still like me?"

"Harry, I don't know. That's quite a hard question. You've probably changed a lot. What with being in the public eye and everything. I'm really not sure. I would have to think about it." Ginny answered gingerly

"Would this help you make your mind up?" he asked

Then, without hesitation, Harry kissed Ginny. Although she was surprised, Ginny did not try to pull away. She was enjoying it. She had not been kissed in a long time and it seemed right to kiss Harry.

"HYPOCRITES!" came a shout in the distance

The pair pulled apart swiftly.

"That's shocking!" Ron screeched with glee. Clearly enjoying Harry and Ginny's uncomfortable situation.

"Talk about that pot calling the kettle black!" laughed Hermione

"What!"

"Just another muggle expression, sugar, nothing to worry about."

"I wish you would quit it with those things, you are seriously making me feel stupid here!"

"Good, I like to have the upper hand!"

"Would you two quit it with the flirting? You're making me feel sick!" interjected Ginny

"You can talk!" yelled Ron

"Ron, lets just leave Harry and Ginny alone now. Give them some privacy. We'll go back inside." Hermione ordered

"Thanks Hermione" mumbled Harry

Ron and Hermione headed back inside

"Sorry, about that." apologised Ginny "My brother often butts in at the most awkward moments."

"It's ok… So, have you changed your mind?" Harry asked cheekily

Ginny hit Harry playfully "I never made any decisions in the first place. And like I said, I need to think about it." Ginny grinned

"If that's how you want to play" Harry laughed

Harry launched himself upon Ginny and started tickling her.

"Harry!" Ginny screamed in between fits of laughter. "Stop it!"

"All right, if I must" he sighed

Harry stopped tickling Ginny, but still held her close. Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder and sighed.

"You know, once I left school I missed you too." Harry whispered

"That's nice to know" Ginny whispered back

The pair stood in each other's arms for a minute or two and then broke apart. They headed indoors still holding onto each other, Harry's arm was over Ginny's shoulder and Ginny's arm was around Harry's waist.

xXxXxXx

Just before the pair went through the door they let go of each other, Harry gave Ginny a last minute peck on the cheek and they stepped inside. Once they entered the kitchen, they were met with the raucous sound of the Weasley family and their friends singing along to the record that Mrs. Weasley had put on the gramophone, which her husband had insisted on buying. Although out of tune and out of time the group seemed to be having an excellent time. Harry and Ginny spotted Ron, Hermione, George and Angelina sitting in the corner chatting. They crossed the room, sat down and were immediately included in the conversation. Katie and Hermione were trying to explain the functions of a stereo the two Weasley brothers and why it was better than a gramophone. Of course a few flirtatious comments found their way in here and there. Harry sided with the girls and proceeded to tell the boys about how CDs produced a better quality of sound than records while Ginny sat in silence and thought to herself.

xXxXxXx

Ginny's PoV

This has been one of the best nights in many years. Harry wants me back, he really likes me! Although I am not sure that I am good enough for him. He is used to high maintenance women who "just love to be in the public eye dahling". Oh no. The media! I could never handle all of the paparazzi and reporters prying into my life. I really should tell Harry about that. I can't lead him on like this. I'm too tired just now. I'll discuss it with him in the morning. In the morning? Is he even staying!

xXxXxXx

By this time, people were beginning to leave the Burrow and return to their homes. Eventually the people who were remaining to stay overnight at the Weasley's went up to bed. The twins, Katie, Angelina, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny all made their way upstairs after they had been informed of the sleeping arrangements by a sleeping, but confident, Molly.

"Fred and Katie are sharing, so are Angelina and George. Hermione, you are staying with Ginny in her room and Harry, you will share with Ron."

"Awww Mum!" complained Ron

"No buts Ronald! You and Hermione aren't married yet!"

"But Fred and Katie.."

"Fred and Katie are already married so stop complaining! Now off to bed, all of you!" insisted Mrs. Weasley

On that note, the tired youths all trudged up to bed.

There u go chpt 3! Did u like it? I hope so. I hope da mushy stuff wasn't 2 much. I doubt it, coz I'm really not good at that kinda thing! Come peeps, review! I need ure comments 2 boost my confidence! Maybe u cood also give me ideas 4 what cood happen later on in the story! I'm kinda busy 2morro and I go back 2 skool nxt week, so I try and get da nxt chapter up by nxt weekend! Thank u sooooo much! As I say a million times plees keep reviewin! Bye!