It was almost weekend and so far it had been a fairly uneventful week. On the way back from the last D.A meeting which had happened on Thursday, Ginny had been walking back with Dean when Malfoy and his two sidekicks appeared in front of them. He sneered at them with his signature smirk and asked, "Where are you off to at this time of night, Weaslette and Thomas?" Dean's face contorted angrily and he grumbled, "Why is it any of your business, Malfoy? And how sad and pathetic that you have to resort to calling Ginny Wesalette! Can't think of a better insult? Besides, her name is Ginny." Ginny grinned her thanks at Dean and Malfoy retorted, "Oh, she has a first name? I thought all Weasley's looked the same to me. Therefore, they don't need individual names." This caused Dean to clench his fists tightly and Ginny retorted with a scowl, "What do you want, Malfoy?" Malfoy grinned maniacally at them and said, "For your information, Thomas, I am a part of the Inquisitorial Squad. Therefore, I have a right to be walking around the castle at this hour. You on the other hand, do not. And, the two of you are standing far too close for my liking." Ginny rolled her eyes and retorted, "Oh please, Malfoy! Like you haven't been snogging Parkinson for the last year?"
For once in his life, Malfoy had no retort. Ginny smirked and nodded, "As I thought. I think I will report that to Umbridge in the morning. Come on, Dean." On purpose, she grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him up the stairs. Dean chuckled, "That was brilliant Ginny! I've never seen Malfoy so speechless before! Well done." He high fived her and Ginny chuckled, "Thanks! That felt so good! Now I know what to say in order for him to leave me alone!"
Dean frowned and Ginny realized she shouldn't have said anything. Dean asked, "What? Has he harassed you before?" Ginny sighed and nodded, "Loads of times. He just does it to get a rise out of Ron or Harry though. Please don't tell Ron, he'll flip his lid!" Dean grimaced and nodded, "Fine. But does Harry know?" Ginny said, "Yeah. I told him because he walked in on it happening once. So far, Malfoy hasn't been violent though so I really think it's all just to get a rise. He's just a sad git really." Dean murmured, "You could say that again."
He was silent the rest of the way back to common room. When they reached the portrait, Ginny said, "Hippogriff," and the lady let them in. When they arrived, Dean asked her suddenly, "Are we still on for Hogsmeade on Saturday?" Ginny nodded and grinned, "Of course! I need to get out of the castle!" He grinned back at her and said, "Should we meet in the quad at nine thirty?" Ginny nodded in agreement, "Sounds like a plan." Just then, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in and Dean leant down and kissed her cheek. She was completely taken by surprise as he lingered a second too long and then he beamed at her, "See you at nine thirty!" He hurried up the boys stairs.
Ginny felt herself blushing furiously as Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at her in surprise. That's when Ron asked loudly, "SINCE WHEN?" Ginny heard snickering noises and she turned to see Fred, George and Lee Jordan laughing at her from a few tables away. Harry had a dumbstruck look of surprise on his face, his jaw hanging open and Ginny's own expression probably matched it. Dean had just made his feelings about her very clear-in front of the entire common room none the less! She wasn't sure how she was going to react to him during Quidditch practice tomorrow!
With that thought in mind, she shrugged her shoulders and went upstairs to fetch her homework for the evening. When she came down again, she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione in deep discussion. They fell silent when she sat a few tables away from them. Ginny rolled her eyes and tried to ignore them as best she could for the remainder of the evening.
Quidditch practice that evening was a relief! She needed to get rid of the stress and flying always worked for her. Ginny noticed Harry and Hermione sitting below in the stands-they must be taking a study break. Beside them were Fred, George, Seamus, Neville and Dean. They were playing a three on three game: Angelina, Alicia and Jack versus Ron, Andrew and. Katie, with Ginny playing Seeker. They were pretending it was a real game so that Ginny could get some practice in searching for the Snitch. She had yet to spot it.
She was sitting high up on her broom and scouring the pitch when she saw the tiny golden ball on the far end. She zoomed as fast as she could to the end of the pitch and Katie joined in the chase. They had agreed that when the Snitch was spotted, Katie would fill the place of the opposing Seeker and switch her position. Ginny felt the pressure and she heightened her speed some more. She reached out her hand as the Snitch made a steep incline and she followed its path. Katie was seconds behind her as Ginny clasped her hand around the tiny flying golden ball.
It was her first time ever catching an actual Snitch and she felt euphoric as her team mates and friends in the stand below cheered her on. She felt a rush of blood in her ears as she swooped back down, holding the Snitch up high. Angelina touched down besides her, beaming from ear to ear as they high fived and she praised, "Go Ginny! That was some excellent flying! If you fly like that next week, we'll win for sure!" Ginny grinned and she suddenly felt the energy draining out of her.
Her team mates patted her back happily and Katie grinned, "Angelina, remember when she had to replace you in fourth year and you were so upset about it…" Katie was clearly teasing the captain and Angelina rolled her eyes as all the girls giggled, "Yeah yeah, haha, very funny!" Her friends were joining them on the pitch now, all with massive smiles on their faces. Fred looped an arm around Angelina's shoulders and grinned at her, "Now, now, Angie, don't be jealous of our little sis, or I will have to fire you from your duties as captain." Angelina smirked and rolled her eyes, "Please! Coming from the person who has a life ban on Quidditch! By the way, I still haven't forgiven you for that yet!" Ginny grinned and snapped her fingers, "Aha! I knew this was a thing!" Angelina laughed, "Yeah, it's been for a while now. We just haven't wanted to make it official." Ginny nodded and replied, "Congrats! Now I can tease Fred mercilessly!"
They all chatted happily as they walked back up to the castle and Ginny couldn't remember when she last felt this content with life.
The following day was the Hogsmeade trip with Dean. She met him in the quad at nine thirty. She was wearing casual jeans and a jersey as it was looking a bit chilly out. Mcgonagall was taking the register and Dean grinned at her when he saw her, "Hey Gin! Glad you're wearing something warm! It said it might snow today!" Ginny nodded, looking up at the cloudy grey sky, "I know! How are you?" He looked tired as he sighed, "Exhausted. Was up studying for O.W.L's most of the week." Ginny nodded and replied, "I know the feeling. I've also been working hard for my exams."
McGonagall read her name and Ginny shouted from the back of the crowd, "Here!" That's when she noticed Harry with Cho. He didn't seem too pleased about it. He seemed to be scanning the crowd. Ron and Hermione were further along. Once the register had been taken and they all began filing out of the gates, Dean asked, "Where do you want to go?" Ginny smiled, "The Three Broomsticks. I know everyone always goes there but I'm not a fan of Madame Puddifoot's or the Hogs Head." Dean chuckled, "What? Don't like all the couples kissing in Madame Puddifoot's?" Ginny shrugged her shoulders and grinned, "It's not my ideal way of spending a Saturday morning, no." Dean chuckled, "Agreed! I'd much rather spend it flying!" Ginny giggled, "Why are we in Hogsmeade then?" Dean looked stumped and he shrugged his shoulders before pointing out, "You said you needed to get out of the castle." She nodded, "That's true. Anyway it's nice for a change of scenery, but I'm afraid Madame Puddifoot's is a bit too much of a change. Last time I came here with a guy, he tried to get me to go there. It put me off completely." Dean grimaced, "Can I asked who it was?" he questioned as they walked down the path to Hogsmeade. Students were chatting happily around them.
Ginny shrugged, "Yeah, I suppose so. It was Michael Corner." Dean made a face and commented, "The one with thick black hair in Ravenclaw?" Ginny nodded, amused at his contorted facial expression, "Yes. I can see that you don't approve." Dean chuckled and shrugged, "I thought you were going to say Harry to be honest." Ginny bit her lip. This was a predicament. She'd never had to lie to people before they had kissed. Now they had, so what was she supposed to say? Ginny just said her usual and murmured, "There's nothing going on there. We're just friends." Dean raised an eyebrow at her adamant tone, but refrained from commenting otherwise.
They'd finally reached the Three Broomsticks and Ginny saw Ron and Hermione at a table together on the far left hand side. Ginny pulled Dean to the right and murmured, "Hurry! Before my brother and Hermione see us!" Dean frowned, "Are you scared of them or something?" Ginny shook her head as they sat down, "I'm not scared. I just don't want Ron causing a scene! He did when I came here with Michael. Although I suppose Ron causing a scene is a bit frightening." This caused Dean to laugh. They ordered drinks and they spoke happily about Quidditch and O.W.L's.
An hour had gone by when Ginny saw Hermione getting up from the table. She and Ron left together and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. When they were done with their drinks, they headed to Honey Dukes and each bought a packet of sweets. She saw Ron with the twins and she hid in a corner until they left. It was strange that Hermione had deserted Ron.
Ginny and Dean walked back up to the castle happily, eating their sweets and telling each other stories of their first ever Quidditch games.
Author's Note: Yes! Another one done! It's been such a productive day! Thank you to all my reviewers and readers! You guys are the bomb!