Harry covered his eyes and stumbled backwards out of the room. Blinded by the horror he had just witnessed, he ran down the stairs into the empty hallway. All thoughts of pain in his forehead were pushed away by the thought of Hermione and Dumbledore together. He could hear their voices behind him on the staircase, trying to explain. Harry didn't want to hear it and ran to the only place he could be alone and try to figure things out, the owlery.

He found Hedwig and coaxed her down from her lofty perch. "I just need someone to talk to right now," he mumbled, stroking her soft, white feather. He slumped down against the tower wall and put his head in his hands. "How could they do this? This makes everything so much more complicated." He stared at the owl. "It's just so wrong."

Hedwig blinked at Harry, and he was gripped with a sudden revelation. "Maybe this isn't such a bad thing," he mused, "I can always work around it." With a newly formed plan in his mind, Harry rose and strode purposefully out of the owlery. As he made his way down the stairs, he was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he ran straight into the youngest redheaded Weasley.

"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, "Where were you at lunch?"

"Lunch?" Harry answered, puzzled. "I just left potions. I guess I lost track of time up here."

"Ron told me your scar was hurting, is everything alright?" She looked closer at Harry and could tell that something big was bothering him, something more than just his scar. "Do you need to talk?"

Weighing the situation, Harry decided he did need someone to talk to. "Can we go somewhere more private?" he asked, glancing at some Ravenclaws looking in their direction.

Ginny blushed and smiled to herself. "Of course!"

They walked into an empty corridor and Harry checked for listeners before speaking. "I was sitting in Potions when my scar started to burn. It was one of the worst episodes so far, but it has been happening a lot lately. Dumbledore," he paused and shook his head, "says that as Voldemort grows stronger, the pain will become more frequent."

"Hermione was really worried about you at lunch. She was asking everyone where you were and seemed very upset." Ginny lowered her voice and lightly touched his arm, "Is there anything else?"

Harry gazed blankly at Ginny, and opened his mouth to speak. Ginny stared at him hopefully, her eyes locked into his, a faint pink colour rising to her cheeks. "I saw…." Harry spoke slowly.

"Yes?" Ginny prodded, her excitement clear. "You can me anything Harry."

On the verge of exposing Hermione's dark secret, Harry suddenly stopped. "I saw the notice for Hogsmead. I guess I had so much on my mind before that I didn't think to ask, but would you like to go with me?"

Harry flinched and pulled his hand away as Ginny let out a loud screech of joy. "OH HARRY I'D LOVE TOO!"

"Oh, well that's good then," Harry mumbled, taken aback by Ginny's piercing enthusiasm. "I guess I'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks Saturday.

"PERFECT! I CAN'T WAIT!" Harry was already hastily retreating as she screamed the last words.

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The Gryffindor common room was packed that evening with rambunctious students making plans for the first Hogsmead weekend of the term. Ginny, at the centre of room with a group of giggling friends, was by far the loudest of them all. "…going to meet at the Three Broomsticks….. He pulled me aside!……held my hand…."

Harry could hear these comments even over the loud crowd of witches and wizards and hastily looked away as Ginny sent loving glances his way. He was sitting in a corner with Ron, who had recently begun speaking to Harry again.

"Ahhhhh. Without Hermione helping me there's no way I'll get all of my homework done. I guess this means no Hogsmead," Ron groaned.

"Well by now I think everyone knows that I'm going," replied Harry, not sounding very excited. Ron looked sympathetic and clapped his friend on the shoulder.

"You'll survive mate. I wish I could say the same for myself and this Charms essay." Harry laughed and turned towards the portrait hole just as Hermione stepped through, looking around agitatedly.

"Harry. I've been looking all over for you. We need to talk."