A/N: Alright people, lets try to do better with our reviews this chapter. I was so sad when I put the last one up, and I only got about five. But anyway, this chapter was so much fun to write, and I'm really sorry it took me so long to get it up. I've just been so busy because school started two weeks ago and I haven't had a single moment to spare since then. Between that, homework, waterpolo practice five days a week, and my job on Friday's and Saturday's I really have no time. But I will be doing my best to get the next chapter up as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, I could quit school, and begin my extensive romance novel collection. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen

Chapter 7:

The next morning my so-called friends didn't feel the need to wake me up, meaning I ended up in the Great Hall with two minutes to get to class. I crammed food as quickly as I could into both mouth and pockets, and sprinted out of the Great Hall. Just as I was running towards the front doors, shoving pieces of toast into my mouth as I went, I turned around a corner, and went flying backwards.

I was momentarily winded, while I heard a guy's voice say, "Je regrette, mademoiselle! I did not see you. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said, sitting up, "It's my fault, I wasn't... watch..."I stopped talking as I found myself looking into the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. They were a deep, sapphire blue, and as my eyes roamed over his face, I saw that he had brown hair, so dark it was almost black. I stopped breathing for the second time in two minutes as we stared at each other. Just before I began hyperventilating, I heard a voice coming from behind the guy.

"Ms. Weasley! What on earth are you doing on the floor?" Professor McGonagall stepped out of a doorway and frowned down at me.

"Oh, er, well, I was running to get to class, but then I ran into... Sorry, what's your name?" I asked, turning to Mr. Blue Eyes.

Instead, McGonagall answered, "This is Marc Dupont, Ms. Weasley. Mr. Dupont, Ms. Weasley." As she made the introductions, I wondered if Professor McGonagall realized that her students didn't go around calling each other Ms. and Mr. "Mr. Dupont is a sixth-year exchange student from France. As long as there aren't any problems, he will be staying here for about three months. Actually, I've just had an idea. Although Mr. Dupont was put in Slytherin, would you mind taking him with you to your classes today, and introducing him to the other teachers and students? I'm sure it would be much more helpful than if he simply followed me all day."

"Of—of course, Professor," I stuttered, "I'd be happy to." I was the first to meet him, and I had a reason to talk to him all day. I would do anything Professor McGonagall asked.

"Thank you Miss Weasley, it's very kind of you. Twenty points to Gryffindor. Oh, and I'll excuse you for being late to Care of Magical Creatures. That is where you were heading isn't it?"

"Yes, Professor, thank you." I answered.

"Very well, I'll see the two of you in Transfiguration. And Mr. Dupont, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask Miss Weasley. I'm sure she'll be able to answer them better than most." And with that, she turned around and walked off, leaving me with this god-like being.

We stood there in awkward silence for a moment, while I frantically wracked my brain for something intelligent to say. Just as I was about to settle for a smile, Marc said, "Are you sure you are alright?" Okay, not exactly the profession of love I was looking for, and a painfully embarrassing reminder of how we had met, but at least we had the makings of a conversation.

"I'm fine."

"Good."

Or not.

"So... Marc, why are you here?" Hmm... no idea where that question came from, but it works.

"Because I was just speaking to Professor McGonagall in her office." Then again, maybe it doesn't.

"Er, no, I meant, why are you in England. I've never heard of an exchange program before. Other than during the Triwizard Tournament, but that was a bit different."

"Ah, I see. Well, I was having problems at home, and my headmaster suggested this option, so here I am." I could tell that he didn't really want to talk about said problems, so I attempted to change the subject.

"Um, ok, well, we should probably get to class. Come on." I turned towards the front door, but just as I took a step, I was suddenly drenched with water. "PEEVES!!!" I shouted, looking towards the ceiling, where the stupid poltergeist was floating, a smug grin on his face. "That is it! Get your sorry arse down here, NOW!"

Peeves stuck out his tongue and disappeared before I could pull out my wand and hex him into the afterlife. Muttering under my breath and shooting menacing glares at the now Peeves-free ceiling, I forgot that I wasn't alone. At least I forgot I wasn't alone until I turned and ran straight into Marc. Luckily, though, I didn't fall over this time.

"Oh, ok, let's get to class." I mumbled, embarrassed that Marc had to be seeing me at what was probably my absolute worst. We walked silently to the Front Doors, and then down to Hagrid's hut.

As soon as we reached the rest of the class, whispers broke out amongst the students. By their high pitched sounds I could tell that it was mostly the girls talking. I can't say I blame them. I waved to my friends, who were all staring, open-mouthed at Marc, and walked over to Hagrid.

"Hello Hagrid," I greeted, "Sorry I'm late, but Professor McGonagall stopped me and asked if I would show Marc here around school. He's a sixth year, but he's in Slytherin. He's here from France in an exchange program."

"'Lo there, Marc. Don't worry; I won't hold it against you." Said Hagrid. Marc looked confused, so I mouthed Slytherin. "Come 'ere everone, introduce yerselves." Immediately we were surrounded.

Leaving Marc to the tender mercies of the Ravenclaw girls (It was a double period); I struggled out of the mass of people and walked over to my friends.

"Thanks for not waking me up." I said brightly. They looked confused so I clarified. "If I hadn't been late, I wouldn't have run into Mr. Hottie over there."

"You're welcome." Said Roxi. "But um, Ginny, why are you all wet?"

"Peeves." I said by way of explanation. I took off my robes and began to wring out the water, when I felt a hand on my sleeve. Looking up, I found Roxi staring down at my clothes.

"Gin," She said, "You may want to go change."

"Why?" I asked, looking down.

"That's why." She said, as I gasped. The water had soaked through my cloak and my shirt was entirely see-through! Gazing down even further, I noticed that my skirt looked like it had been painted on, it was clinging so tightly. Groaning, I dropped my head back onto my neck.

"Why me?" I asked to the sky.

"Because it's not fair you got to meet His Royal Hotness over there first. Go ask Hagrid if you can change." Roxi pushed me towards him. I had to practically push people over, to make my way inside the circle surrounding Hagrid and Marc.

Finally making my way in, I walked up to Hagrid. "Hagrid? Can I go back to Gryffindor Tower and change?"

"Why would ye need to do that?" Asked Hagrid. I gestured to my outfit. Comprehension dawned. "Ah, righ'. Get on up there." Smiling gratefully, I turned ready to push my way back out. It was then I noticed many pairs of male eyes focused on me. Ignoring the obvious stares trained on my bra and butt, I walked through, head high.

"Watch Marc till I get back. And when I say watch, I mean only watch." I said sternly as I passed Roxi. She nodded vaguely, lost in staring at him dreamily. I shook my head and continued past her.

As luck would have it, just as I was passing Greenhouse Two a class of third year Slytherins walked out. Hearing whistles coming from their direction, I turned to scowl at them. Noticing that many of the boys were leering at me, I flipped them off and continued walking. "Oooo, feisty! Just the way I like them!" Shouted one of the boys behind me.

"Gross, dirty-minded thirteen-year-olds." I muttered as I pushed open the front doors and walked into the Great Hall. I was still fuming as I snapped the password to the Fat Lady and walked into the Gryffindor Common Room. As I was passing through the sea of couches towards the dormitory stairs, I continued muttering to myself. Just as I was passing my favorite couch, something reached out and grabbed my wrist. I shrieked and jumped about a mile into the air, before I realized it was a hysterically laughing Harry.

"Harry!" I gasped, trying to calm my racing heart. "Don't do that!"

"Sorry, Gin, I couldn't help it." He said, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Yeah sure." I said, "As if my morning hasn't been traumatic enough, you have to give me a heart attack."

"Oh poor baby," Said Harry, sitting up, "You just come sit right here, and tell Uncle Harry all about it."

"Shut up, Uncle Harry." I said, sitting down next to him. He put his arm round my shoulder and put on a sympathetic face. I couldn't help myself, and burst out laughing. "Uncle Harry shouldn't make that face," I gasped out, "It might scare the little kiddies away."

"Ha ha, very funny." Said Harry, as he pulled his arm away. "Um, Gin? Why is my arm wet?"

I quickly told him all about my traumatic morning, "And then some gross little Slytherin third years starting whistling at me! So that's why I'm here. But wait. Why are you here? Don't you have...? Er, what do you have?"

"Potions." Said Harry, frowning. "And Snape made us do a potion the very first day, to see if we remembered anything. And although for once I was partnered with Ron, he kept getting distracted by Hermione and blew up the entire cauldron. I had to rush him to the Hospital Wing because he started growing purple feathers and barking like a dog. And then I decided to skive off the rest of class, and have a nap. Wonderful way to start the year."

"Not fair." I said, "I actually have to get back to class. Although considering the view, that's really not too depressing a thought."

"View? What view?" Asked Harry, looking thoroughly confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Come here," I told him, leading the way to the nearest window. Looking out onto the grounds I could see my class listening to something Hagrid was saying. The tiny person I decided had to be Marc was surrounded by females, many of whom were not even trying to disguise the fact that they were more interested in staring at him than in listening to Hagrid's lecture. Giggling I pointed out the window. "See the tiny person with short hair surrounded by tiny people with long hair?" He nodded, "That's Marc. He a French sixth year exchange student. He's in Slytherin, but McGonagall asked me to show him around today. And I must say, he has got to be one of the hottest guys I have ever seen."

"Oh goody," Said Harry dryly. "Just what I've always wanted. A hot French exchange student." I giggled at him. "So what's he like?"

"I don't really know. I was introduced to him and then Peeves dropped the water on me. I didn't really get a chance to talk to him between then and now." I told him, "But since I get to show him around for the rest of the day, I'm hoping to be able to talk to him."

"Ok, you go talk to him, and I'll stay right here and finish the nap that was so rudely interrupted." Said Harry, as he went back over to the couch and lay down, shutting his eyes.

"Excuse me." I said, sitting down on his stomach, "But I believe you interrupted that nap yourself, I had nothing to do with it." When he didn't answer I leaned my head in really close to his face. "Oh come on Harry, there's no way you fell asleep that fast." When he still didn't answer I leaned in even closer. "Stop fooling around Harry, I know you're not asleep." My nose was almost touching his when he suddenly opened his eyes and jumped about a foot off the couch.

"Merlin, Ginny!" He said as I giggled uncontrollably, "Give me a heart attack, why don't you."

"With pleasure." I answered, grinning. "And that was to get you back for the traumatic experience earlier."

"Fine, fine, now get off." He grumbled. I stood up and he looked down at his shirt. "Gin! You got my shirt wet!"

"Oh whoops!" I said innocently, "I forgot my skirt was wet too."

"Oh yay," he said, rolling his eyes, "Now I have to go change too." And with that he pulled his shirt off.

The instant my eyes glimpsed his bare skin, they were stuck. I couldn't move them away from his chest no matter how hard I tried. Merlin, I thought, why does my best friend have to be so hot? Why can't he be ugly? Or at least normal looking? WHY?

"Gin? You ok?" asked Harry, "You're spacing out."

"Wha—I...Yeah... I...I'm ok, just, you know, got distracted for a moment." I managed to say.

Harry looked around him, "What was so distracting?" He asked, "Everything looks normal to me."

"This is so not normal." I gasped. Harry turned to look behind him, and as he did so, the muscles in his stomach and back bunched up in a way I found terrible for my rational thought.

Harry turned to face me again, looking confused. Although his muscles were no longer flexing alarmingly, I now had a magnificent view of Harry's wonderfully hard, flat stomach. "Um Harry?" I squeaked.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"I think I'm going to go change now." I shut my eyes for a moment, hoping that when I opened them, the sight in front of me would be miraculously wearing a dry shirt.

"Me too." Said Harry, holding up his damp shirt, "I can't wear this one any more."

I opened my eyes to find Harry still shirtless and moving towards me. As he came to stand right in front of me, I gulped. "Hey Gin? Think you could move?" Realizing I was standing between him and the stairs, I shrank back against the couch.

As he tried to pass by me, he was forced to come a lot closer than I felt was really good for my sanity.

This is Harry! My brain screamed at me, He's your best friend! You got over him years ago!

Maybe you're over him, but that doesn't mean you can't admire his muscles. Said a different voice in my head.

Yes it does! Being over him means he joins the ranks of my brothers! The only things I'm supposed to feel towards him are platonic.

Change is good.

No it's not!

Yes it is.

No!

Yes.

NO!

Am I really arguing with myself?

I shook my head to clear away the disturbing thoughts. I was then, though, that I realized Harry was standing just a few inches away from me.

"Are you sure you're alright Ginny? You've been acting very strangely."

He looked so concerned I just wanted to shout PUT YOUR BLOODY SHIRT ON AND I'LL BE FINE! Instead, though, I simply said, "Fine," in a strangled voice. He nodded reluctantly and continued past me. The instant he was out of the room, I collapsed onto the couch. I buried my head in my hands, trying to block out the thoughts I had just been having. Unfortunately it wasn't working as I kept seeing images of a half-naked Harry run through my brain.

"This is so not good."

A/N: Yay, that was so much fun! Oh by the way, I just watched Ned Kelly about an hour ago. Has anyone else seen it? And if you have, what did you think? I loved it, but the end was so incredibly sad that I started crying.

P.S. Last night there was a fire near my house, I could see it, but I wasn't in any danger. Anyway, this morning our entire house was covered in smoke and ash. It's so weird, I can see blue sky a few miles away, but the air around our house is all gray, and it looks like the sun is coming through a filter. We can't go outside because there is so much stuff in the air that it's bad to breath. This is going to be one very weird day.