The rest of the week passed uneventfully, unless one counts Seamus blowing up his second cauldron of the year.
Saturday was the first Hogsmeade visit of the year and the first time Harry would be alone with Ginny since one eventful afternoon in the summer. Harry took a little longer than usual getting ready that morning but his thoughts kept straying from Ginny to reflect on what Dumbledore had mentioned about a certain blonde Slytherin.
"Harry, you're putting your shirt on backwards." Seamus said, raising an eyebrow and grinning.
Harry put his shirt on the right way and lightly punched Seamus' shoulder on his way out of the dormitory. The common room was completely crowded with students from each house and much colorful than usual since some students were in Muggle clothes versus normal school robes. Harry pushed his way through the crowded room and into the empty hallway.
Harry entered the Great Hall just as Hermione emerged, dragging Ron with her who gazed longingly at all the food left on the tables.
"Harry! Meet us in the three broomsticks later!" Hermione called over her shoulder. Harry grinned and waved before walking over to the Gryffindor table to sit next to Ginny. Michael Corner, who had been sitting next to Ginny and laughing with her, got up and stalked back to the Ravenclaw table but not before glaring at Harry. That guy was just a bad loser.
"Hi Harry!" Ginny said cheerfully, she still had a big smile on her smiled back as he helped himself to some toast.
"Soon thereafter the two left the Great Hall, arm in arm, for Hogsmeade. It was almost as if the last fights and arguments hadn't occurred. But as they neared Hogsmeade, the familiar feeling of awkwardness settled over them both.
"Er- would you like to go to -er- Honeydukes?" Harry hoped to keep her away from Madam Puddifoot's haunt for love-struck couples. It was a little too cozy for him at the moment.
"Sure..." Ginny allowed herself to be dragged along by Harry but her eyes strayed to the fateful door.
Neville and Luna were in Honeydukes along with many other Hogwarts students so Harry could make excuses not to be alone with Ginny.
Ginny seemed in a hurry to leave, much to Harry's growing awkwardness towards her. Outside it was sunny and quite warm and Harry couldn't find a good enough excuse not to follow her to the edge of town. They neared the Shrieking Shack and Harry knew she had brought him here for some alone time. A few months ago Harry would have been overjoyed but now he just shoved his hands in his pockets and awkwardly stood in front of her. Ginny approached him slowly and leaned in to kiss him but Harry took a step back, stumbling on a rock.
"Ok, out with it, why are you acting so weird?"
"I'm not-" Harry started.
"Harry we're supposed to be in a relationship and I figured that we understand each other and care about the other's feelings. I don't know where we went wrong but obviously you don't care about my feelings after everything we've-"
"Ginny! I know! The war affected everything but I still care about you!"
"Then ACT like you care!" Ginny stormed away angrily.
Harry picked up a couple of stones and threw them into the nearest bush. Squeals emitted from the bush and out fell...Dean and Seamus; both with twigs in their hair and flustered cheeks. Harry gaped openly.
"Harry...it's not-" Dean started awkwardly.
Harry just shook his head and headed back to the castle.
AN: Thanks for reading and please review! :)