Everyone seemed to have something to say about Harry and Ginny's common room kiss and new relationship.

"Basorexia"

Ron Weasley

Ron stood with his mouth hanging open, his eyes so wide that they physically hurt. He watched as Harry and Ginny pulled away from one another and Ron had never wanted to scream finally more in his life than he did in that moment. He had been waiting since fourth year for his best mate and little sister to become an item.

They had the same exact sense of humor, they were both exceedingly kind, and both had the same exact hobby. Ron trusted Harry to treat Ginny right and Ginny's outgoing personality was just what Harry needed. They were made for each other. Ron was more than convinced.

Harry caught Ron's eye over Ginny's head. The bloody fool had the audacity to look nervous. Nervous! Ha! As though Ron would be upset! He had been conveniently leaving the spot open for Ginny to sit next to Harry ever since the past summer at the Burrow. He made sure they were partners when they'd play games. He and Demelza had even made sure the two of them always partnered up during Quidditch exercises, since they had not so sneakily suggested who should partner up at the beginning of every practice, and may have even threatened their teammates to leave them be.

Ron gave a tiny jerk of his head that he hoped conveyed you're a bloody fucking idiot of course go and date my sister! Harry got the hint because he looked down at Ginny and grinned. Ron couldn't recall a time his best mate looked so bloody happy! Harry gestured towards the portrait hole and Ron finally got his face muscles to work properly and grinned at the backs of their heads.

Ron drained the rest of the Butterbeer in his cup and couldn't get the smug smile to leave his bloody lips. Someone brushed against his shoulder and he looked down to see Demelza standing next to him looking just as happy as he felt. She knocked her hip against his.

"About bloody time," Demelza said as she took a sip of her own drink. "She was going to tell him, you know."

"Tell him what?" Ron asked.

"That she still liked him," Demelza supplied. "I mean, I've only been telling her all year that he was always staring at her."

"They're both bloody dumb idiots," Ron muttered. "He kept getting hit in the head by Bludgers since he couldn't keep his eyes off her."

Demelza laughed and flicked her plait behind her shoulder before draining the rest of her drink in one impressive gulp. "Get another with me?"

Ron grinned. "What's your poison, Robins?"

Demelza bit her bottom lip. "Blishen's Firewhisky."

"Oh, the fancy stuff?" Ron asked, his eyebrows raised as they made their way to the table of alcohol that had been smuggled in for the celebration. "Too good for Ogden's?"

"Blishen's has a higher alcohol content," Demelza replied as she grabbed the single bottle of Blishen's that was already half-empty. "And Ogden's tastes like piss."

"Drink a lot of piss, do you?" Ron asked before mentally kicking himself for saying something so stupid out loud.

Except Demelza laughed. "Yeah, every Tuesday, Weasley. You?"

Ron snapped his fingers. "Thursdays."

Demelza smiled up at him before taking another sip of her firewhisky. She didn't even flinch as the liquid burned down her throat and Ron was mildly impressed and slightly intimidated. He swirled the liquid in his cup and concentrated on keeping a straight face as he took a large gulp.

Fire roared down his throat and Ron was semi-concerned that the little dangling thing in the back of his throat must be charred to bits. He tried to keep a straight face with everything he had in him but his lips parted and a puff of smoke escaped.

"Struggling?" Demelza asked in a coy voice.

Ron stuck out his tongue, his eyes screwing shut. "Merlin, my mouth is on fire. I'm used to Butterbeer."

Demelza only laughed. "Seriously?"

"Is my dangling thing burnt to a crisp?" Ron asked as he opened his mouth wide and shoved his face into hers.

"Oh yeah, it's a goner," Demelza replied, a smile clear in her voice.

Ron opened his eyes and looked down at her. When she chuckled at him, he rolled his eyes and took another swig of his drink only to instantly regret it.

"Fuck!"

"You don't have to drink with me," Demelza pointed out with a smirk.

"Firewhisky is just literal fire soaring down your throat," Ron protested. "This shit is worse than Ogden's. I just need something else."

Demelza smiled over her cup. "Butterbeer?"

Ron shot her a look. "I can be more adventurous than that."

Ron looked at the various bottles of alcohol and cursed silently that he had never really drunk that much. With friends like Harry and Hermione, it just wasn't something they really did. Ron didn't even care that they didn't, except for times like this while Harry was off with his sister and Hermione was… somewhere.

Picking up a bottle of gin, he quickly scanned the common room for Hermione. She stood with Colin Creevey and Neville Longbottom as they looked at some picture that Colin had. He poured himself a glass and looked at the mixers.

"Here, try this," Demelza insisted as she grabbed a bottle and poured some into his gin.

Ron nodded at her. "So, do we take credit for pushing Harry and Ginny together?"

Demelza snorted. "I highly doubt us threatening our teammates to not partner with them helped much. We're just lucky we're intimidating enough that nobody told bloody Dean."

"It helped them see they were compatible," Ron replied, trying not to think of Dean. "I did it a lot the past year. Always pairing them up. Making them sit together."

"Well, aren't you just the perfect matchmaker?"

Ron shrugged, feeling pretty smug if he did say so himself. "What do you think they're doing right now?"

"Snogging the living daylights out of each other," Demelza replied.

Ron winced. He was thinking more along the lines of professing their love for one another and deciding to officially date forever. Ron liked the idea of Harry finally becoming his brother and Ginny finding someone who would love her in the way she deserved, but he didn't really want to hear about the snogging, shagging, or anything else physical between them.

"You don't really think they're just going to hold hands, do you?" Demelza pressed.

"Of course not, no, but that doesn't mean I have to witness or hear about them doing more," Ron insisted. "She's still my sister at the end of the day. I don't need the details."

"It's Harry," Demelza stressed. "Ginny's going to set the pace."

After hearing the details of Harry's slow burn and unsatisfying progression of his relationship with Cho, Ron thought Ginny taking the lead wouldn't be so bad. She wouldn't wait for Harry to set the pace of their relationship and was more than comfortable driving things forward if she wanted. Ron also knew Harry would appreciate that in the early days, until he became more comfortable.

"Oi, Weasley, you listening to me?" Demelza asked, snapping her fingers in front of his face.

Ron raised his eyebrows at her. "Hmm?"

"I said, do you want to be my partner in dragon cup?"

Ron's eyes glanced over to the table where Jimmy and Ritchie had set up the cups and alcohol. While he had never played the game, since Harry didn't participate in the drinking games, Ron had watched others play enough times to know the general rules. He gulped down the sweet drink that Demelza had made for him before he nodded his head and they made their way to the table to challenge Jimmy and Ritchie.

Ron and Demelza barely squeaked by a win game after game after game, until they became too drunk to even tell if they were winning or losing. There were only two things that Ron was actually aware of: Demelza liked to hang on his arm while she was pissed off her arse, and that Harry and Ginny had not arrived back yet.

When McGonagall entered the common room at some point in the night to chastise them for the noise and the alcohol, Ron did his best to appear sober and grinned at his professor. McGonagall only shook her head at him. It wasn't long after that when people started stumbling up the staircases to sleep off the alcohol, but Ron really wanted to wait up for Harry and Ginny to make sure they were indeed dating and his best mate wasn't a bloody idiot. So he grabbed Demelza's wrist and hid behind a sofa so that McGonagall wouldn't see they hadn't gone to bed.

Demelza rested her head against his shoulder and hummed. "I think the room is spinning."

"I think you're spinning," Ron commented. "I think I'm spinning. Merlin, how are we spinning? I don't think we're moving."

"We're not. It's the room," Demelza replied. "You're bony. I can feel your bones digging into my cheek."

Ron huffed. "I'm not a pillow!"

"Shh!" Demelza hissed as she lifted her head and shoved him hard. "You giant prat!"

Ron collapsed onto the floor and stared up at the ceiling. He grimaced when he heard the crunch of crisps against his head. He struggled to sit back up, the room spinning even more at the motion. He came face to face with Demelza, their noses nearly touching. Without thinking, without even hesitating, he pressed his lips against hers.

Their lips sloppily moved against one another. Her hands tangled in his hair to deepen the kiss, their bodies pressing together. His entire body tingled in a way that it had never done with Lavender. Demelza's kisses were desperate, like she was starving for him and only him. He never wanted it to end.

It could have been a few seconds or several minutes, but when Demelza pulled away, he was more than a little disappointed. Her breath tickled his lips, their chests both heaving. She pecked him on the corner of the mouth before she pulled away completely to stand up, stumbling as she did so.

Wiping a finger across her lips, she grinned down at him. "Night, Weasley."

Ron blinked at her. "Uh… night?"

He watched her stagger off up the stairs, her weight pressing heavily on the railing. He sat there for a few moments, his fingers touching his lips before he decided to head up to bed as well.

When he entered the dormitory, he noticed Harry's bed was empty and suddenly remembered that he had been waiting for Harry to return. Toeing his shoes off, he undressed until he was just in his boxers before he slid into Harry's bed and buried himself underneath the covers. He needed to tell Harry how happy he was and how he approved of the relationship. Merlin, he couldn't wait to tell Fred and George. They had a bet between them on who would admit their feelings first.

Ron didn't know exactly when Harry returned because he had fallen asleep waiting for him. But he woke with a jerk when he felt a body brush against his. His eyes snapped open when Harry let out a little shout and nearly fell out of the bed.

"Shh, it's just me!" Ron slurred.

"Ron?" Harry whispered. "What are you doing in my bed?"

"Why are you yelling?" Ron hissed as Harry shot him an exasperated look. "Why are you talking so loud?"

Harry shifted and Ron squinted at him to see him reach for his wand and cast a few charms around the bed. Ron thought that was a good idea so he sat up and closed the curtain around them to give them even more privacy. Harry shot him a wide-eyed look but Ron ignored him.

"What are you doing in my bed?" Harry asked as he looked Ron up and down. "Please, tell me you're not naked."

Ron snorted as he flung the covers off him. "Boxers, Harry! I wouldn't be starkers in your bed! Honestly! You're only in boxers too!"

Harry's jaw tightened. "It's my bed!"

"Yes, yes, it is! That's why I was waiting for you here," Ron replied as he looked at Harry's boxers to see an impressive tent. "Oh, hello big little Harry. Nice of you to join us!"

Harry covered himself up with some blankets. "Get out. Now. And can you not call it that?"

"What do you want me to call it then? Do you have a better name?" Ron asked.

"I'd prefer if you didn't call it anything. Now, get out of my bed."

Ron shook his head and plopped himself down onto the mattress to show he wasn't budging. "It needs a name if it's going to share a bed with us."

"We are not sharing a bed," Harry growled. "Get out."

"Noooooo," Ron whined. "I have to talk to you."

"Are you drunk?" Harry pressed.

"I won dragon cup like eighty-seven million bajillion times," Ron protested. "Of course, I'm not drunk if I won that many times. I'm a bloody champion, Harry. A CHAMPION!"

"Right," Harry replied in what Ron suspected was an annoyed tone but Harry never used that tone with him.

"I want you to know that I am happy you are dating my sister," Ron commented. "My sister and my best mate? Dreams do come true."

Harry's face softened. "Yeah? You're sure you're all right with it because if you're not-"

Ron pressed a finger to Harry's lips. "Shhh, don't even finish that sentence. I love it. I've only been rooting for the two of you to date since fourth year."

Harry's eyebrows raised and he said around Ron's finger, "Fourth year?"

Ron nodded and dropped his hand onto the mattress. "Yes, don't you remember I suggested you take her to the Yule Ball but, but fucking Neville had to ruin my plan."

"Fucking Neville," Harry agreed as he laid down next to Ron. "Except we really can't be too mad at him. He's, well, Neville."

"I will burn down his bed right now if you asked me to," Ron said in the most serious tone he could muster.

"I'm all right," Harry insisted. "I didn't even fancy Ginny back then."

Ron snuggled up against Harry's side. "I'm so happy for you two."

"Err, thanks," Harry replied. "Ron, your hand is a little too close for comfort."

Ron blinked and noticed his hand was pretty close to big little Harry so he adjusted it so that it was slung across his stomach. "Sorry, mate."

"I'm glad that you're happy and all for Ginny and I, but, uh, can we talk about it in the morning? I'm kind of knackered," Harry said.

"Sure. I just wanted you to know just how happy I was," Ron replied and gave Harry's midsection a squeeze. "Night, Harry."

Ron closed his eyes and smiled.

"Uh, Ron, this is my bed, remember?" Harry said.

"I know. I'm gonna sleep here tonight," Ron mumbled. "Night, Harry."

"Err, I'd rather you didn't."

"We're best mates. We share everything. We can share a bed," Ron insisted. "We're practically family now."

"Ron."

"Shh, I'm trying to sleep. We're both knackered," Ron said and snuggled even closer to Harry's side.

Harry let out a long-suffering sigh, his body shifting away from him. Ron wasn't having it though, so he scooted along the bed with Harry until there was nowhere left to go. When Harry groaned and accepted his fate, Ron grinned. He dreamed of Harry and Ginny's wedding, of him standing next to Harry with a broad smile on his face as the two of them officially became brothers.

Dean Thomas

Dean's chest heaved. He stared at Harry Potter kissing his ex-girlfriend and couldn't help the silent rage that had settled in his chest. He knew it. He had always known it. The way they looked at each other, the way they hugged one another, the way they always seemed to be together. He was a bloody fool.

He had dismissed it all year. Ginny assured him that she and Harry were just friends, he was family to her. It has caused more than one argument between them as he tried to calm the jealous monster that roared deep within him every time he saw them together. He had foolishly told himself that he was overreacting. Ginny was a nice, kind, trustworthy girl. She wouldn't be cheating behind his back.

Except Harry and Ginny were kissing. In front of the entire common room. They pulled apart and Harry's eyes roamed across the room. Dean wanted to punch him. Dean wanted to duel him. Dean wanted to take his frustration and anger out on him. Chosen One be damned. Dean was more than confident his rage could defeat Harry Bloody Potter in that moment.

Dean's heart leapt to his throat when they left the common room. To talk, to snog, to shag. He had no bloody idea but he wasn't a moron. He had seen the signs and turned a blind eye like an idiot.

"Dean," Seamus whispered and grabbed his arm. "You're bleeding."

Dean looked down at his hand to see his shattered glass and the blood on his hand. He didn't care. He honestly didn't fucking care. All he could wonder was if Ginny had cheated on him with Harry. It was the only thought coursing through his mind.

"He's a git. He's always kept his distance like some pompous arse. How many times have we tried to talk to him and get to know him better? How many times did he and Weasley blow us off?" Seamus whispered. "And she's obviously a slag. First Corner, then you, now Potter. She can certainly go through blokes."

"Don't," Dean interrupted. "Just don't, Seam."

Seamus blinked at him, his right hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's get you a new drink, yeah?"

A drink sounded fantastic. In fact, getting pissed off his arse seemed like the only logical way to end the night. That's exactly what he did. He lost count of the number of drinks he consumed until his mind was a pleasant buzz and he laughed a little easier.

As the party raged louder and the drinks started to run out, Dean and Seamus stumbled out of the portrait hole and tried not to laugh as they snuck around the castle. Dean just needed to get away from the noise. He didn't want to see Harry and Ginny return to the common room hand in hand. Instead, Seamus pulled him into a little alcove when they heard footsteps coming their way.

Seamus pressed his body against Dean's, a hand pressed over his mouth. Only their breathing could be heard as whoever had been walking down the corridor passed their alcove without finding them. When Seamus pulled his hand away from Dean's mouth, he collapsed against the opposite wall and grinned.

Dean didn't know if it was the alcohol or the fact that Seamus had always been there for him, but Dean wanted to see what it felt like to kiss his best mate. He staggered forward, his feet tripping over one another. Seamus grabbed him, steadying him. Dean licked his lips and then pressed them against Seamus' before he could second-guess himself. He pulled away quickly to gauge Seamus' reaction. Dean's heart hammered in his chest. He wanted more. A peck wasn't nearly satisfying enough.

"Dean…" Seamus trailed off. "Are you… what was that?"

"I… I don't know, but I kind of liked it. I like you."

Seamus nodded, an awkward beat passing between them. Then, out of nowhere, Seamus pushed Dean against the wall. Their lips met, bodies pressing together and fingers tangling in hair. Fire exploded in Dean's chest as he was fairly certain he was experiencing the best kiss of his life. Ginny Weasley was no longer a thought in his mind.

In fact, Ginny who?

Harry Potter

Harry grinned down at Ginny. She beamed up at him, her hands squeezing his. He tried to think of a time that he had been happier than he was in that moment but came up short. Ginny Weasley made him so ridiculously happy that he wanted to shout from the treetops just how great she made him feel.

Bending down, he captured her lips against his. Time stilled when they kissed, their lips gliding across each other with ease. There was no second guessing himself, no nervousness. It was as though his lips had a life of their own when pressed against Ginny's, like they were made to exclusively kiss her.

She pressed her body against him, and Harry moaned against her mouth. She felt so good, too good to be true, honestly. They were like two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together. She smelled like home and felt so warm pressed snugly against him.

Harry felt her stir against him, a moan escaping her lips.

Except… wait…

Harry pulled back just slightly and blinked down at her, his brows knitting down. The moan he heard didn't sound like Ginny at all. It was far too deep yet oddly familiar.

Something just felt off and he struggled to keep his eyes open. Pressure against his trousers caused a moan to escape Harry's lips once more as his eyes flew open and he realized that he had only been dreaming of Ginny. He was in his bed, his curtains closed, and Ginny snuggled up against him. His brow furrowed, trying to remember when Ginny had cut her hair so short. He loved her long hair.

Harry jerked back slightly, realizing that it was not Ginny in his bed, but Ron. He had been big spoon to Ron's little spoon. His heart hammered in his chest when he realized he had been pressing his very prominent morning wood against his best mate's bum.

The previous night floated in front of his eyelids. The common room kiss, their talk and subsequent snog session, and how he had found a very drunk Ron in his bed professing how happy he was that Harry and Ginny were officially an item.

Harry tried to scoot away from Ron, but Ron moaned and rubbed his hand along Harry's arm. When Ron's fingers intertwined with his, Harry groaned and didn't know how to get away without waking up his best mate since he was already close to the edge of the bed. Ron scooted back, his bum pressing against Harry's erection. A blush crept across his face as he realized that he would rather be fighting Death Eaters than be in this particular position with Ron.

Finding his Gryffindor courage, he tightened his jaw and hissed, "Ron! Ron let go of my hand!"

Ron groaned again, his body shifting against Harry's. In that moment, Harry thought if he was ever going to die of embarrassment than this was his opportunity. The past 12 hours had been great, a dream come true, he could happily die at the hands of Ron making him truly uncomfortable.

"Would you stop that?" Harry snapped, because the last thing he needed was to make a mess in his boxers because of Ron.

"Harry?" Ron croaked in a sleepy voice as his body froze.

"Yes, it's me," Harry replied. "Can you let go of my hand?"

"Harry," Ron asked as he let go of Harry's hand. "Why are you in my bed?"

Harry scoffed and sat up. "Your bed? You're in my bed!"

Ron rolled over and squinted up at him. "Can you not shout? I have such a bad headache."

Harry sucked in a breath. "I came back last night and you were in my bed waiting for me."

"Right," Ron replied. "Sure, I was. Are you drunk?"

Harry's eyes grew wide. "You are!"

"Harry, mate, I may have a headache but I assure you I am not drunk," Ron replied. "Now, please get out of my bed so I can go back to sleep."

Harry rolled his eyes as he climbed out of bed. He quickly drew the covers around the bed so that no one would notice Ron sleeping there. After a quick shower and a non-guilty wank where he thought about Ginny, he wrapped a towel around his waist and made his way to the vanity to brush his teeth. He had just started to brush when he noticed Dean walk into the bathroom and stand at the sink next to him. Harry tried not to look at him as he brushed his teeth harder than he should.

Harry spat into the sink before he rinsed out his mouth with water, his eyes glued on Dean's reflection. Placing his toothbrush back in the holder, he made his way towards the door to get ready for the day. He was supposed to meet Ginny for breakfast at nine.

"It was a really crappy thing you did, Harry," Dean said.

Harry turned around slowly and caught Dean's eye in the mirror. "You two were broken up. I didn't do anything."

Dean turned around, his jaw tight. "I'm not a moron, Harry. You gave her your hoodie!"

"It was a birthday gift! It was meant to tell her that I was going to pick her for the Quidditch team because we practiced all summer together and she's brilliant. Nothing more."

"You kept looking at her during practice!" Dean argued.

"What?" Harry asked, his face pinching. "It's a crime now to look at someone? Oh no, Dean, I'm looking at you right now. I must fancy you too!"

"Don't be a git, Harry!"

Harry sighed. "Look, I fancied her, all right? But she was dating you and I respected that. The worst thing I did was stare a bit and wish you two would break up. Nothing happened between Ginny and I until last night. We really were just good friends."

"I'm not sure I believe you," Dean replied.

"Then don't," Harry said with a shrug. "Believe me, don't believe me. I don't really care, Dean. It's not the first time I've been called a liar."

"Oi, everything all right in here?" Ron asked in a groggy voice as he stepped up next to Harry in only his boxers and pitching a tent.

Harry tried not to look down at his friend's boxers but he noticed Dean's eyes were zeroed in on them.

"Harry and I were just talking," Dean replied.

"It's fine, Ron," Harry added. "I need to go get dressed."

Harry made his way out of the bathroom and towards his trunk. He grabbed a pair of trousers and a green polo that Ginny had once said over the summer looked nice on him. He dressed quickly and put the Dean conversation behind him. Harry had done nothing wrong, that much he was sure of. He wasn't going to let anyone ruin his good mood at finally telling Ginny how he felt about her.

When he stepped into the common room, he spotted Ginny right away and couldn't keep the lovesick grin off his face as he closed the space between them so he could greet her with the first of many good morning kisses.

Demelza Robins

Demelza woke up to her head pounding and her mouth as dry as the desert. She squinted at the clock and groaned, happy that it was Sunday and she didn't have classes. Kicking off the covers, she looked down to see she was still dressed in half of her Quidditch uniform. Licking her dry lips, she tried to remember the previous night but it was a blur after Harry and Ginny's epic common room kiss and then hanging out with Ron.

Easing out of bed slowly, she tried to remain upright as the room spun around her. She wondered if any of the upper years had some hangover potion. Wincing, she made her way to the bathroom to relieve her bladder so she could go on the hunt for the damn potion. She was a bloody moron not to think to grab some before the Quidditch match, since she knew she would either be celebrating a great victory or drowning her sorrows with the rest of the team.

Stepping into the bathroom, Demelza spotted Ginny standing in front of the mirror and applying lip gloss. She was dressed in a sundress with her long hair brushed out. Their eyes met in the glass.

"I heard you had a fun night," Ginny greeted with a smile. "Sophie left you some hangover potion."

Demelza stumbled towards the vanity and snagged the bottle. She downed the contents quicker than she had her firewhisky the night before, which was saying something since she had drunk like a fish the previous night. Slamming the bottle down, her hands wrapped around the countertop as she waited for the potion to take effect.

She let out a sigh of relief when her headache eased and she felt like a human being again. Straightening up, she glanced over at Ginny briefly before she grabbed a cup and filled it with water. She chugged the entire cup while Ginny waited patiently for her to finish.

"So, are you and Harry dating?" Demelza asked, slightly out of breath.

Her smile grew impossibly wide. "Yes, I am officially Harry Potter's girlfriend!"

Demelza grinned back. "Thank fucking Merlin. I think I would have hexed him if he didn't make it official after that kiss. It was all anyone could talk about all night."

A slight blush crossed Ginny's face. "He told me he fancied me all year. Since last summer actually."

Demelza reached out and pushed her gently, causing Ginny to stumble. "I told you! I so told you! He couldn't keep his eyes off you!"

Ginny bopped her head from side to side. "I'm glad you were right. I just wish I knew because I would have dumped Dean way earlier."

"I don't even know why you dated him. You never seemed happy with him," Demelza pointed out as she turned to the mirror and grimaced when she saw her makeup smeared across her face. "He annoyed you more often than not."

"I thought I was being picky," Ginny replied, her face pinching. "I just compared every single guy that so much as flirted with me to Harry. It was such an unhealthy habit. I thought I was mad to be doing that."

"Well, when you meet your soul mate at ten years old and know it, no other bloke would ever measure up," Demelza replied as she turned on the tap to wash her face and hopefully feel a little more human.

"Harry didn't like me back for the longest time, though," Ginny argued. "When I first met him, I didn't like Harry because he was Harry. I liked the idea of the Boy Who Lived. It wasn't until I actually got to know him that my silly crush became real feelings. He didn't return them until very recently."

Demelza dried off her face before turning back to Ginny. "He saved you from a fucking big snake. If that's not love, then I don't know what is."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Harry would have saved his worst enemy from a Basilisk because he's that good of a person."

"Hmm, I don't know. Didn't Harry try to kill Draco Malfoy in Moaning Myrtle's loo?" Demelza asked, her eyebrow arching.

Ginny scowled. "He didn't mean to hurt him. Harry wouldn't hurt a fly."

Demelza grinned. "I'm just saying, the bloke nearly died for you when he was twelve. I don't know many twelve-year-olds who would do what he did."

"Harry is just… different," Ginny replied with a shrug. "I don't think there's anyone else quite like him."

Demelza nodded. She could agree with that statement. She had never met anyone quite like the famed Harry Potter before.

"You look nice," Demelza commented. "Did you dress all fancy for the Chosen One?"

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "He hates being called that. And yes. We were going to grab breakfast together and then go for a walk around the lake before I have to study a bit."

"Noted. I'll call him that more," Demelza replied with a smile.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Enough about me and Harry. I heard from Sophie that you were playing dragon cup all night with my brother."

Demelza cocked her head to the side, her eyes squinting. That sounded… accurate? Demelza tried to grasp the memory but it slipped through her fingers. She remembered grabbing some drinks with Ron and that was about it. Her bottom lip slid between her teeth as another memory popped in her mind. Except it couldn't be a memory. It had to have been a dream.

She could picture quite clearly running her fingers through Ron's hair which had been covered in crumbs. Their lips had met in a messy kiss. She blinked. Did she kiss Ron Weasley? No. There was no way, was there?

"Demelza? Are you all right?" Ginny asked.

She cleared her throat, shaking her head. "I, uh, I had a weird dream is all."

"Now I have to hear about it because you look slightly green."

"It's nothing," Demelza said quickly.

Ginny reached out and touched her arm. "We're best friends. I won't judge you for your dreams."

"Hmm, this one you just may."

"You're killing me!" Ginny exclaimed with wide eyes.

Demelza groaned. "All right, fine. I, uh, I had a dream that I kissed your brother."

Ginny jerked her head back, her eyebrows raising. "Are you sure it didn't really happen?"

"It was a dream," Demelza replied flatly, although she was only about fifty percent sure it was a dream.

"Do you fancy Ron?"

Demelza winced. "Ugh, no! His jokes are so corny. He never stops talking. Do you know how many times he's talked about his nice firm arse in the locker room after practice?"

Ginny squealed. "You fancy him!"

"Ginny."

"I approve! We could be sisters!" Ginny exclaimed.

"I'm going back to bed," Demelza announced as she made her way back to the dormitory. She didn't need to pee that had.

"IT'S SO FREEING TELLING THE BLOKE YOU LIKE THAT YOU LIKE HIM!" Ginny shouted.

Demelza shot her two fingers as she exited the bathroom. She heard Ginny laughing as she crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up over her head.

No, she didn't fancy Ron Weasley… did she?

Cho Chang

Cho pursed her lips as she poured herself some pumpkin juice. She couldn't believe that Ginny Weasley caught the Snitch against her. Little Ginny Weasley. Cho couldn't help but roll her eyes at the very thought of it. She didn't see what was so special about Ginny Weasley, honestly. All the boys seemed to drool over her for reasons Cho couldn't fully comprehend. Orange hair and freckles? What was attractive about that?

"Did you hear?" Marietta whispered as she took her normal spot next to Cho.

"No?" Cho replied, brow furrowing. "Hear what?"

Marietta let out a little squeak and her eyes widened. "Padma heard from Parvati that, well, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley are dating."

Cho froze, her glass midway to her mouth as her eyes snapped over to the Gryffindor table and looked for the pair but couldn't find them.

She knew it.

She knew it last year when Weasley would flirt with Harry during the DA meetings, despite having a boyfriend. The way Harry smiled at her, the way he grabbed her wrist, the way he pressed against her to show her how to do a spell. They probably cheated together last year when she was dating Harry.

"Good for him," Cho replied before taking a sip of her juice.

Marietta dropped her voice. "You always thought there was something going on between the two of them."

Cho kept a straight face. "Well, I hope she's ready to deal with someone who is emotionally unavailable and seriously inexperienced."

Marietta's eyebrow rose. "He's her problem now."

Tucking a strand of long hair behind her ear, Cho cleared her throat. "Worst kiss of my life. Completely dense. He's practically a, a statue because he never shows emotion. He has zero social skills. I count myself lucky that I don't have to deal with him any longer."

Marietta just nodded even though she knew. Of course, she knew. Cho wasn't over Harry Potter despite the fact that she thought he was a complete arse for the way things ended between them. He was a git for the way he flirted with Ginny Weasley last year during the DA meetings. Except he was the Chosen One. He was drop dead gorgeous with that thick hair, his long and dark eyelashes, those penetrating green eyes, his strong arms…

Except he had been clueless on so many levels that it didn't make up for just how good looking he was, did it? She could have taught him if he would have just given her just a smidge to work with.

Cho sucked in a breath when the room quieted down and hushed whispers erupted. She turned her gaze to the entrance of the Great Hall to see Harry and Ginny entering the room hand in hand. Cho's hand tightened around her pumpkin juice as her eyes bore into the pair. For the first time since she had known Harry Potter, he was smiling. Not one of his fake smiles or nervous smiles either. It was a genuine smile, one that showed all of his teeth and reached his eyes. He stared down at the top of Ginny's head as they walked, their arms swinging just slightly between them.

"Well, he looks happy," Marietta muttered. "Has he ever actually smiled before?"

Not with me, Cho thought bitterly.

Padma and Mandy sat across from them, huge smiles on their faces. Cho tried to keep the sour look off her face as she turned her attention to her breakfast.

"They are so adorable together," Padma commented. "Parvati said it was swoon-worthy the way she jumped into his arms and he kissed her."

"I heard from Sophie that they disappeared for the rest of the night and never returned to the common room," Mandy added.

"Are you talking about Harry and Ginny?" Sally-Anne asked as she took a spot next to Padma. "I heard from Morag who heard from Colin that it was a long time coming."

"I heard he took a Bludger to the head at least five times during Quidditch practice because he was too busy staring at her arse," Mandy added.

"Michael said she has a very nice arse," Stephen added. "The finest arse he's ever laid his hands on."

Cho tried to keep her anger from spiking. Michael thought that Weasley had a better arse than her? She was so glad she dumped his bloody arse. The only thing he seemed interested in was shagging her and nothing more.

"Michael is gross," Padma replied with a disgusted look crossing her features.

"Padma," Mandy hissed and gestured across the table.

Sally-Anne leaned forward. "Cho broke up with him because he's literally the grossest wizard alive, right?"

"He was too concerned with how many witches he could bed. I wasn't going to add to his body count," Cho lied straight through her teeth and hoped nobody would notice.

"Seems like Harry got Michael's sloppy seconds," Marietta added as she grabbed some toast.

"Are you all right, Cho?" Mandy asked. "I mean, you look a little upset."

"I don't care about Harry Potter or who he is shagging," Cho snapped.

The topic quickly died down as everyone around her shot her concerned looks. Cho stared down at her plate and concentrated on eating, refusing to look up towards the Gryffindor table.

I don't care about Harry Potter. I don't care about Harry Potter. I don't care about Harry Potter.

She repeated the mantra over and over again in her head, willing it to magically become true. The only thing she hoped was that it would become true sooner rather than later. When she snuck a peek in his direction, disappointment blossomed in her chest that she wasn't the one sitting next to him.

Draco Malfoy

Draco sat at the breakfast table with a lone piece of toast on his plate. His fingers tapped on the table as he tried to muster up an appetite. He hadn't been hungry for months now. Not since he was given his assignment from the Dark Lord. Draco closed his eyes, wishing for the first time in his life that he wasn't a Malfoy.

"In front of the entire common room," Pansy's voice flooded his ears.

His eyes snapped open to see Pansy and Daphne take a seat across from him. Blaise, who was on his right, looked up at the girls.

"What are you gossiping about now?" Blaise asked.

"Potter and Weasley are dating," Daphne supplied. "Snogged in front of the entire Gryffindor common room."

Draco suppressed a groan. The last thing he wanted to hear about at the moment was Potter getting his prick wet from Weasley. He knew it was only a matter of time before they were an item. He saw it way back in second year when he ran into them in Diagon Alley and then he supposedly saved her life that same year. They were a walking cliché.

"She certainly gets around," Pansy added. "But then again, she's a Weasley and has to marry in order to eat. Time's ticking for her."

"Who has to marry to eat?" Theo took a seat next to Daphne and leaned over the table to grab the pumpkin juice.

"Ginny Weasley," Daphne replied.

Theo nodded, a smile quirking on his lips. "I heard that they disappeared to the astronomy tower after the big kiss to talk… or do more. Nobody really knows."

"Of course, you have extra gossip, Theo," Pansy said, rolling her eyes.

"I actually talk to people outside of Slytherin," Theo replied. "You should try it sometime."

Pansy wrinkled her nose. "Lower my standards? No, thank you."

Blaise leaned forward. "You have to admit, you'd shag Potter if given the opportunity."

"I would not touch him!" Pansy hissed. "Someone should introduce him to a comb!"

"I'd shag Weasley," Blaise replied with a shrug. "She's quite good looking."

"You'd shag anyone with tits," Pansy shot back and Blaise only chuckled.

"Potter wouldn't be the worst person to shag," Daphne admitted. "He grew quite attractive the past couple of years."

Theo grinned. "He has, hasn't he?"

The dining hall grew quiet and whispers erupted. Draco looked over to see Potter and Weasley entering the hall hand in hand. There was a ridiculously happy look spread across Potter's thin face. Draco had to admit, he had never seen Potter look so happy before. Weasley had a bounce in her step next to him. Draco wanted to vomit just looking at the two of them.

"They do look good together," Theo said.

"They do," Daphne agreed. "I bet they did stuff before they became official. He was always staying with the Weasleys, wasn't he?"

Pansy rolled her eyes. "I wonder if he paid them to keep him. I heard his aunt and uncle beat him."

"Isn't that common knowledge?" Daphne asked as she loaded her plate with some fruit. "Don't you remember him in first year?"

"Skinny, malnourished, and a scared little mouse?" Theo added. "Oh yeah, he was definitely beat."

"That's kind of sad, actually," Daphne added. "Could you imagine?"

"You're oddly quiet, Draco," Blaise said in a lazy tone. "Normally you always have something to say about Potter and the Weasleys."

Draco glanced over at Blaise. He didn't always have something to say about Potter or the bloody Weasleys. He wanted to be anywhere other than at that breakfast table. He sighed, his eyes roaming across the room to see Weasley pouring her and Potter some pumpkin juice while Potter divvied up bacon on both their plates.

"Potter and Weasley belong together," Draco supplied. "Both are exceedingly annoying and infuriating."

Theo propped his elbows up on the table and leaned forward. "You like Weasley, don't you?"

"I'd rather cut my prick off than shag Weasley," Draco replied in a deadpan voice.

"There's nobody I wouldn't shag if my cock was on the line," Blaise replied. "I'd bugger Potter to keep myself intact."

"Same," Theo agreed. "I rather like my cock."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"You two are disgusting," Daphne commented, her nose wrinkled.

Pansy huffed. "Guess it's not just tits you need to have a good shag, is it?"

Blaise wiggled his eyebrows.

"I've had enough of this conversation," Draco announced as he stood up and grabbed his satchel.

"You didn't eat," Blaise observed.

"I've lost my appetite," Draco snapped as he stormed out of the Great Hall.

Except Draco couldn't escape the whispers and the gossip about Potter and Weasley. It seemed to be the only thing anyone wanted to talk about. He sneered and tried to block out the voices. Perhaps locking himself up with the Vanishing Cabinet was the best way to spend his day. He didn't know how much more he could take of talk about Potter and Weasley. He had a deadline anyway, unless he wanted to die at the age of sixteen.

Nymphadora Tonks

Tonks leaned against Sutton's desk with a wide grin on her face. She had just come back from lunch with Fleur Delacour who had heard from her old flame Roger Davies, who had heard from his little sister, that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were officially dating. The only thing she could think about was hopefully leaving at five sharp so she could head to the Burrow and tell Molly the good news.

"Why are you grinning?" Sutton asked.

"I just got some very good news," Tonks replied. "Amazing news."

"That bloke you like finally ask you out?" Axel Lowe asked, a large grin on his face.

Tonks' smile fell. She knew Axel meant well but Remus was still being annoyingly distant despite her best efforts of giving him time and space. Maybe Molly was wrong and she needed to just tell him that she didn't care about the dangers of dating a werewolf or what society thought about them as a couple. She just liked him and wanted to give the relationship a try. She had never met someone so kind, so smart, so surprisingly funny before. His cute little patches he wore in his suit jackets suited him in a way no other thirty-seven-year-old could get away with.

"No," Tonks replied as she fixed her facial features into the best smile she could muster. "Harry Potter has a girlfriend."

"Who gives a fuck about who Harry Potter is dating? He's just a kid," Sutton replied.

Tonks shrugged. "His godfather is… was my cousin. I have a special interest in his happiness."

"More like he's just putting that girl in danger," Montgomery Reed interrupted. "Who's the unlucky girl?"

Tonks sneered at Reed. "Don't you have somewhere to be? That's not here?"

"I have a shift at Hogwarts this weekend," Sutton continued as though Reed wasn't there. "Who is she?"

"Ginny Weasley. Arthur Weasley's daughter," Tonks supplied.

"Wait, that redheaded girl he's always watching during Quidditch practice?" Axel asked.

Tonks turned to look at him. "Oh, you're invested, aren't you?"

"Not like there's much to do while on Hogwarts duty," Sutton replied. "That's about the most interesting thing to do is watch the Quidditch practices."

"In that case, yes, the redhead he always watches on the Quidditch pitch," Tonks confirmed.

Axel grinned. "Good for him. I saw him take a Bludger to the face a month or so ago during a practice when he was staring at her."

Sutton chuckled. "Ahh, to be young and in love. I don't miss it."

"Aren't you all romantic?" Tonks mocked.

"There's a nice calmness to having a routine with the woman you love," Sutton replied. "That includes no Bludgers to the face because I can think with my head and not my cock."

"Since when?" Tonks pressed, her lips twitching.

Axel coughed. "Dawlish."

Tonks and Sutton grew quiet as they each grabbed a folder and flipped to a random page. Reed leaned in towards Axel and showed him a random bit of parchment. Dawlish stopped short of Sutton's desk, his hands on his hips as he surveyed the four of them.

"What are you working on?" Dawlish asked.

Sutton raised an eyebrow. "Lowe and I are working on the heist in Apricity Lane."

"Holmes and I are looking into the Ollivander disappearance some more," Reed replied.

"Tonks?" Dawlish asked, turning his attention to her.

She straightened up. "Oh, just Hogwarts duty, again, sir."

Sutton glanced over at her, his eyebrow raising in the air and he looked like he was fighting the shit-eating grin flittering across his face. Dawlish let out a huff, his head shaking.

"Pity. I don't get assigned Hogwarts duty," Dawlish replied. "How boring."

When Dawlish walked away, Tonks shot him a two-finger salute behind his back. Reed tossed the parchment on Sutton's desk and shook his head. Sutton tossed the file before he leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Wanking fucking arse," Tonks muttered. "Does he think he's our superior or something?"

"He fucking wishes," Sutton mumbled.

"He acts like he knows something that we don't," Axel observed.

"He's a smug fucker who thinks the tides will turn in his favor," Sutton added. "I can't stand him. Is it murder or self-defense if I Avada him to save my sanity?"

"Definitely self-defense," Tonks replied quickly.

Axel rolled his eyes. "Murder. No question."

"You're all mad. I have actual work to do. I don't have time to think about how to get away with murder," Reed announced as he walked from the group.

"He's a git too," Tonks added.

"He's smug like Dawlish but not a complete arse," Sutton replied. "But, yeah, not my favorite person."

"High praise coming from you," Axel said. "Not a complete arse."

"Like you like Reed," Sutton challenged.

Axel shrugged. "I don't know him that well. I mean, he knows your first name so you must have liked him at some point."

"No!" Tonks gasped. "Reed knows your super-secret classified name?"

Sutton rolled his eyes. "It's not super-secret nor classified."

"Then what is it? Why does Dawlish know but not me?" Tonks pressed. "If Dawlish knows and I don't, then we're not friends anymore."

"We were never friends," Sutton replied with a smirk.

"You know mine!" Tonks replied. "It's not fair. We can bond over our deep hatred for our first names!"

"My name is not nearly as bad as yours," Sutton argued.

Tonks shoved him hard, causing him to chuckle. "Is it murder or self-defense if we kill to maintain our sanity? What did we decide on because my hand his itching for my wand?"

Sutton grinned. "I'll tell you my name after You-Know-Who finally dies. It'll be something to look forward to."

"You're awful. Absolutely fucking awful, you know that, right?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, my wife tells me that all the time," Sutton replied evenly.

"I feel so sorry for you wife," Tonks said with a hand over her heart. "She must be a literal saint to put up with you."

"Get back to work, Nymphadora," Sutton said with a grin on his face.

"Fuck off!"

Tonks rolled her eyes and decided to go back to her desk to attempt to get some work done, even though her mind was on other things. She was so happy for Harry and Ginny. The two of them had been smitten since they all stayed at Grimmauld Place two years ago. Everyone saw it. Molly and Sirius conspired on how to push the two closer together and help them realize they were perfect for one another. Tonks couldn't help but frown at the thought of her late cousin. He wouldn't be able to see the two of them blissfully happy together.

Remus Lupin

Remus walked towards the Burrow feeling exhausted and not very social. The Weasleys had been insistent that he come to dinner more regularly and Molly complained at the last Order meeting that he was far too skinny. Remus had merely smiled at her because it was nice to have someone fret about him for once. It had been a while since someone had. Ever since he had cut Tonks out of his life, well, Remus swallowed and tried not to think about her.

He knocked on the back door as he heard indistinct voices through the wood. Shoving his hands into his trouser pockets, he glanced down at the welcome mat beneath his feet.

"Who is it?" Arthur's voice rang.

"Remus Lupin," he replied. "The password is crumpets."

The door opened and Arthur grinned broadly at him. "Remus! It's good to see you again!"

Remus couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips as Arthur clapped him on the back. Sirius' death had been a punch to the gut. Right when he had finally gotten a friend back, Sirius had been ripped away so cruelly. Arthur and Kingsley had been great friends to him. Remus couldn't even describe how thankful he had been that they had been there for him the past few months.

Kingsley sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. Molly stood with… Remus froze. Tonks huddled close to Molly as the two of them smiled and chatted. He should have guessed that Tonks would be invited. Molly had meddled all year, trying to push the two of them together.

Molly squealed loudly, a look of pure happiness fluttering across her face. Remus slid into a chair next to Kingsley and tried not to look at the gossiping pair. Molly had been nearly as bad of a meddler as Sirius had been. In fact, he knew that Molly and Sirius often conspired together on how to get him and Tonks together, just like they conspired on how to get Harry and Ginny together. For all of their disagreements, meddling was their common hobby.

"Arthur! Oh, Arthur!" Molly shrieked as her eyes landed on Remus. "Oh, Remus, dear, you came just in time! Do you know what Dora just told me?"

"Hmm?" Arthur asked as he sat next to Remus.

"You tell them," Molly insisted as she elbowed Tonks in the arm.

Remus' eyes snapped to Tonks' face to see her alight with happiness. Even as their eyes met, for the first time in a long time, her smile didn't falter. Her eyes sparkled and he thought he saw a tint of pink flash across her mousy brown locks.

"Harry and Ginny are dating!" Tonks announced in a happy voice. "They kissed in front of the entire common room after the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw match!"

"Merlin," Arthur breathed. "There is no one I would trust more with my little girl. He's a good man."

Remus couldn't help the small smirk that spread across his lips. He wished Sirius was here to hear the good news. Sirius would have been beyond elated as he always liked Ginny and he wanted nothing more than for Harry to just be happy.

"Isn't it marvelous?" Molly asked as she made her way to the stove. "Those two are perfect for one another. I was telling Arthur and Dora all year that those two were inseparable over the summer holiday. They were up every single night just chatting over tea or flying in the garden. He would carry her around on his back and they just laughed the entire summer. It was so nice to see the two of them laugh so much. Especially Harry after, well…"

Remus cleared his throat. "They always seemed very happy together."

Molly levitated a roast to the table and sat it down in the middle. "Is that how Harry's parents were, Remus? Did they stumble around each other before they finally got together or was it love at first sight?"

Remus froze at the question, a sharp pain in his heart spreading through his body. He could picture so clearly the way that James would mess up his hair and grin down at Lily. The way she would scowl up at him, yet her eyes twinkled. He remembered the years of the dance they played around each other, how they seemingly always had something to fight about or found a reason they just had to talk to one another.

"It took them longer than Harry and Ginny to get together," Remus settled on saying, his eyes burning a hole into the platter of bread on the table.

"It's a shame they're not here," Molly whispered as she took a seat across from Remus. "You're writing to him, aren't you?"

Remus looked up, his gaze catching with Molly's. "What?"

Molly frowned. "You're writing to Harry, aren't you, dear?"

"I, uh, every once in a while, to make sure he's all right," Remus said, though he didn't know if he had written to Harry more than once all school year.

"Arthur and I try with Harry. We love him as if he were our own, but… we didn't know Lily and James," Molly explained. "I think he had such a special relationship with Sirius partly because of that connection. You were such good friends with not only Harry's parents but Sirius as well. I think the two of you talking would do you both some good."

Remus accepted the bowl of cauliflower cheese from Kingsley. "I'll write to him."

Molly looked like she was about to say something else when Arthur touched her arm. They shared a look, a look Remus knew all too well. It was the sort of look that couples gave one another when they didn't need words to communicate. He had seen Lily and James do it plenty of times before. Remus wasn't sure he had ever had such a profound relationship with anyone to communicate by a singular look.

Remus tried to engage with conversation, he truly did, but his mind kept wondering to Harry. When Sirius died, Remus vowed he would do better by Harry. Except he hadn't, not really. He had been stressed and too busy trying to bury his own romantic feels towards Tonks. He had thrown himself into the Order and living underground with the werewolves. Surely that was better than dealing with the loss and grief he felt after losing Sirius, after withdrawing from Tonks, after withdrawing from Harry. It was what he was good at.

After dinner, he thanked Molly and Arthur for the hospitality before he shook Kingsley's hand and nodded in Tonks' direction. He made his way to the Apparition point and wrote a letter to Harry in his head. Remus needed to contact him again and stop distancing himself from him. Molly was right. It would do them both some good.

"Remus!" Tonks shouted.

Sucking in a breath, he turned around slowly to see Tonks rushing towards him. The last thing he wanted to do was to talk to her because all his heart wanted to do was apologize and kiss her and tell her he had been foolish. His head told him he was doing the right thing, that he shouldn't burden her with his disease and problems.

"Dora," he greeted with a tight smile.

She stopped in front of him, her chest heaving. "Is this how it's going to be from now on?"

"I don't know what you mean," Remus replied, though that was a complete and utter lie.

"You barely said more than two words to me," Tonks argued. "We used to talk late into the night. We used to go on Order missions together. We used to… we used to do a lot. Now it's like you can't even look at me."

"I am a poor werewolf who is twice your age," Remus replied.

Tonks huffed. "You are not twice my age."

"I may as well be!" Remus argued. "I'm a werewolf, Dora. My life expectancy is slashed in half because of what I am."

"Do you think any of that matters to me?" Tonks hissed.

"It matters to me! You deserve better!"

"Don't I get a say in what I want?" Tonks questioned. "You make all the decisions. I just have to sit here and accept it, is that it? I can't fight for what I want?"

"Dora."

Tonks shook her head. "I'm glad at least Harry has enough sense not to run away from the one person who makes him truly happy."

"Harry shouldn't be dating anyone!" Remus argued, his voice rising. "He's the Chosen One! Voldemort is after him and he won't stop until Harry is dead. I've seen this story before. I've watched it play out. Two young people in love and thinking they could outsmart one of the darkest wizards our world has ever seen. They died, Dora. James and Lily are dead. Their story didn't have a happy ending. Call me a pessimist, but I don't see how Harry comes out of this alive."

It had been the first thing he had thought when Sirius admitted the contents of the prophecy to him late one night while drunk at Grimmauld Place. Sirius' defeated tone, the way he hunched over the table, the way Remus could literally hear the pain in his friend's voice. Sirius knew just as Remus knew. Harry's chances of having a happy ending were next to none.

"So he shouldn't know happiness?" Tonks questioned. "He shouldn't try to find the light in this very dark world we live in?"

"Not if it means putting Ginny in danger. Not if it means placing a target on her head," Remus explained, though he didn't know if he would admit that to anyone except for Tonks.

"She already has a target on her head, Remus," Tonks replied. "She's a blood traitor. Most of her family is in the Order of the Phoenix. Harry being in her general orbit endangers her. Ginny's not a moron. She knows what it means to be Harry Potter's girlfriend and the risks that it entails."

"They're young, Dora," Remus whispered, his mind flickering to how naïve James and Lily had been all those years ago… how naïve Sirius had been and how naïve he himself had been. "They're just kids who can't possibly understand."

"I don't think you're giving them enough credit," Tonks argued, her arms crossing over her chest. "You're just a pessimist and afraid of taking chances."

Remus' jaw tightened. "Oh, so me not wanting to ruin your life is a bad thing?"

"I don't care what other people think of us," Tonks hissed. "I don't care about anyone else's opinion!"

"We could never have kids," Remus blurted out. "I would deprive you of that."

Tonks let out a bitter laugh. "I want you."

"You deserve to have a family, to have a husband who doesn't turn into a dangerous monster once a month, to be with someone who isn't dirt poor."

"I have more than enough money where I don't need a wizard to provide for me," Tonks replied coolly. "There's a little potion that makes you safe to be around. You have no idea the type of family I even want because you won't even listen to what I have to say."

"Dora…" Remus trailed off, not knowing how else to convince her that they weren't any good together.

"I've been researching how to become an Animagus," Tonks whispered. "Sirius was going to help me. I thought… I thought it'd make you more comfortable in case we couldn't get the potion."

Remus' bottom lip slid between his teeth as he stared at her, at a loss for words.

"I understand your worries for having a child," Tonks admitted as she grabbed his hand. "Except you don't know for sure that your lycanthropy could be passed down to a child. You're only guessing because you're scared. I'm all right with not having a child until we know for sure."

"Dora…" Remus sighed, his lips twitching.

"I don't care about what people say about us. I don't need any money. I make more than enough to provide for us financially. I've always had a thing for older guys," Tonks replied in a light tone. "We may die tomorrow in this war, so we should enjoy our lives now before it's too late."

Remus' heart pounded in his chest as he leaned forward, his mind screaming at him to stop but he just… couldn't. His lips brushed against hers, their bodies stepping closer together to deepen the kiss. It had been months since they had been together. It must have been just after Sirius' death the last time he had kissed her, the last time they had made love, the last time he had allowed himself to be happy.

When her fingers tangled in his hair, his brain caught up to his heart. He jerked back and stepped away from her warmth.

"I'm sorry, Dora, we can't. I can't. It's…" Remus blinked, his fingers touching his bottom lip. "Nothing has changed. It was just, just a moment of weakness."

Tonks' eyes glistened, her head shaking. "You're a git, Remus Lupin. You know that, don't you?"

Remus didn't say anything as Tonks brushed past him, their shoulders knocking harshly against one another, as she stormed off. He stared at the spot she had been, his heart aching. Deep down he knew it was the right decision, but he hated every single second of it.

Ginny Weasley

Ginny smiled when she spotted Harry sitting underneath a tree by the Black Lake with Ron by his side. They were chatting with one another as Ginny made her way over. When she cast a shadow over them, Harry snapped his attention towards her and his face broke out into a grin. Dropping her bag to the floor, Ginny took a seat on his lap so that they were face to face and she slung her arms over his shoulders. Ron groaned next to them as Harry's arms wrapped around her waist to keep her close, his hands dangerously close to her bum.

"Hey," she greeted as she leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips.

"Hey," he replied when they pulled apart.

"All right, this is my cue to go study or drown myself in a shower or scrub my eyes with soap," Ron said as he stood up and grabbed his bag.

Harry glanced up at Ron. "You said you approved of me dating your sister."

"I do but that doesn't mean I want to witness the two of you snogging or… or touching," Ron replied with a grimace. "I like the idea of it without seeing it."

Ginny rolled her eyes as her hands found Harry's face and forced him to look at her. A slightly worried look appeared on his face but she just smiled at him, her thumb brushing along his bottom lip.

"He's just jealous he's not Won Won to Lav Lav anymore," Ginny whispered.

"Oi, I heard you," Ron hissed. "You better watch it! I know things about you!"

Ginny shot him an annoyed look. "Two can play at that game so I suggest you keep your big fat mouth shut unless you want me to come after you twice as hard."

Ron shot her a rude gesture before he walked away. Ginny sighed as she turned back to Harry to see him looking even more nervous than before.

"He still approves," Ginny told him. "He'll get over it."

"Yeah…" Harry trailed off.

"Don't worry, Harry," Ginny told him as she leaned forward and their foreheads connected. "You worry too much."

"He's just my best mate," Harry whispered. "I can't lose him."

Ginny smiled at him. "Trust me, Demelza told me he was happy beyond belief the night we got together. Apparently, they told everyone on the Quidditch team they weren't allowed to run drills with either one of us so we were always partnered together. Ron more than approves. Trust me."

Relief washed over Harry's face. "I trust you."

"You better!" Ginny replied.

"How was studying?" Harry asked.

Ginny groaned. "No, no, no. Let's pick a nice topic of conversation and not a horrid one. I never want to study for these blasted exams ever again."

Harry smiled. "They're not that bad actually. I thought they would be way worse than they were."

"Hmm, maybe next time you can study with me," Ginny suggested with a grin. "A kiss for every right answer?"

"I could definitely help you in that way," Harry replied, his eyes sparkling.

"Brilliant," Ginny commented, her eyes glancing over at a group of seventh year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw girls who were giggling and pointing in their direction. "Everyone's been talking about us today. I overheard so many people whispering about us in the library and in the halls."

"I don't care," Harry replied.

She snapped her attention back to him with a small chuckle on her lips. He had been mortified as a second year with all the gossip about him being the heir of Slytherin floating around. When he was a fourth year, he had been embarrassed and upset when people thought he cheated the Goblet of Fire. Last year, he had just been angry that nobody would listen to him and livid when anyone dared to call him a liar.

"Oh?" she asked as she leaned forward and pecked him on the corner of his mouth.

Merlin, she loved touching him and kissing him and generally just being near him.

"For the first time in my life, people are gossiping about something that actually makes me happy," Harry explained with a shrug. "So, I don't really care."

Ginny cocked her head to the side, a wide smile spreading across her face. "You make me happy too."

She ran her fingers through his hair, feeling how soft and thick it was. She had dreamt about touching his hair for years and she wasn't disappointed. It was softer than she ever could have imagined.

"I'm glad or else I'd be a pretty dreadful boyfriend," Harry commented.

"Definitely not dreadful," Ginny confirmed. "Though if you wanted to kiss me some more, you'd be an excellent boyfriend."

His eyebrows raised. "Oh yeah? What kind of boyfriend am I if I don't kiss you some more?"

"Mediocre."

Harry burst out laugh. "I don't do anything mediocre."

"No, I suppose you don't," Ginny replied, her eyes sparkling.

Harry gulped. "I like kissing you but I… I don't have a lot of experience."

Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Well, kissing me a lot is the only way to fix that."

"I've thought about kissing you loads," Harry admitted. "You have no idea how many times I had the sudden urge just to kiss you."

Ginny's bottom lip slid between her teeth as she leaned forward. "Well, now when you have that urge, you can just do it."

"I'm going to kiss you right now," Harry announced. "Is that all right?"

Ginny grinned. "If you ever ask to kiss me again instead of just kissing me, I'm going to hex you."

Harry grinned back. "I thought we had a no hexing each other pact."

"Upset me enough and I'll just have to break it," she whispered as their faces drew closer until their noses nearly touched.

Ginny tilted her head and Harry captured her lips against his. Fireworks exploded in her chest and she swore she saw stars. She hoped that she felt like that every single time Harry kissed her from now until the end of time.

Hope you enjoyed the newest one-shot! Don't forget to drop a review and let me know what you think! Reviews motivate me to keep writing and give me unless inspiration.

Next Sunday, I'll start back up posting Legerdemain, so keep an eye out for it!

Special thanks to Bell for editing. Special thanks to Brie for insisting on a morning after Harry POV.