During dinner, Harry had confronted Ron and Hermione about the fight with Malfoy. He explained like he had explained to Ginny, except a little more cautiously. He had told Ginny that he was most nervous of Hermione's reaction and as it turned out, he had had a right to be nervous. Hermione had pounced on him like a hyena, not literally, but she had basically said, "I told you," repeatedly and then, "You better get rid of it." Ginny snapped that evening in the common room, having had enough, "Give it a rest, Hermione!" she said angrily. They were all sitting on armchairs on the far left hand side of the common room.

Harry had just informed the rest of the team that he could no longer play in the next match, and that Ginny would be taking his place. Ginny retorted to Hermione, "By the sounds of it, Malfoy was trying to curse Harry! You should be glad he had a way of defending himself!" Hermione looked shocked and she floundered around for something to say. Harry was grinning at her, for maybe the first time all day, and finally Hermione said in a shocked tone, "I'm happy Harry wasn't cursed! But that book has given Harry who knows how many detentions! And look what it's doing to your chances in the match!" Ginny laughed sarcastically, "Please-like you know all about Quidditch!"

Now Harry was currently beaming at her, like he couldn't be prouder, and Ron was hardly looking at anyone. He grabbed a book from the coffee table beside him and hastily hid his face behind it. Ginny murmured grumpily, "Harry, will you take a walk with me?" He nodded eagerly and followed her out of the common room before he chuckled, "That was brilliant Gin!" She blushed a little and shrugged, "Thanks Harry. I just think you having to tell the rest of the team you couldn't play because you have detention and attacked Malfoy was enough of a punishment. She didn't need to add to it by being unbearable." Harry grinned as he wrapped an arm around her waist, "I can't even tell you how proud I am of you right now. Standing up to Hermione takes guts!" Ginny laughed lightly, "I feel bad but really even I couldn't take that nonsense anymore. I will apologize tomorrow, when I feel like it." He smiled and shook his head, "You're amazing. Ron's face was too comical." Ginny grinned, "I know right! Wish I had captured it on camera." They were still standing outside the portrait hole when Harry said, holding the book, "So…what should we do with it?" She took the book in her hands and flipped through a few pages before saying, "Hide it. In the Room of Requirements." Harry didn't like the sound of this, Ginny could tell. His face contorted in a funny expression and Ginny sighed, "Harry…we need to hide it. If someone discovers you have it...it might be like the diary all over again." She shuddered at the mere mention and Harry sighed, "You're right. Ok, let's go and hide it then."
They headed in that direction in silence. When they got there, Harry closed his eyes. The doors appeared and they entered a room which had rows and rows of junk and lost items inside. She whispered, "Wow! Who knew there was so much junk in Hogwarts!" He smiled briefly before he walked down the aisles and placed it in a big cabinet in the middle of the room. He turned back to her and shook his head morbidly, "I'm going to miss getting full marks in Slughorn's class." Ginny giggled, "And beating Hermione!" He nodded seriously, "That too. Thank you for sticking up for me tonight. I really appreciate it."

She smiled and whispered, "Don't mention it. That's what girlfriends are for." He took hold of her hands and chuckled, "And for this…" He kissed her gently and she sighed in appreciation. His lips were soft and warm and made her stomach feel like it was doing back flips.
Then she pulled away and sighed, "I better get back though. My O.W.L's start in three days!" Harry nodded seriously, "Yes! I agree. Do you need any help studying?" Ginny nodded eagerly, "Actually yes now that you mention it! I need you to test me please on Mandrakes: growing, nurturing and the crying." Harry groaned, "I wish I hadn't offered! You should ask Neville!" before winking at her. Ginny laughed and smiled at him as they left the room, "You know what?" he shook his head in answer. She replied quickly, "You're a much less somber person than you used to be." He nodded and replied seriously, "And it's all because of you." This made Ginny blush as they made their way back to the common room.

Once there, Hermione seemed to be seriously focused on correcting Ron's essay. So focused in fact, that she couldn't take a moment to greet them. This made Ginny smirk and feel triumphant about their argument earlier.

The rest of the team pretty much ignored them, which was fine by her. She'd rather be ignored than have any attention. They sat in a little corner of the room and Harry began testing her on the most common reasons for mandrakes crying.

An hour or so later, she began yawning as he read about medical , uses for mandrakes. It was the most boring, tedious stuff. Ginny fell with her head forwards and Harry laughed, "You know…you can call it a night, right?" She shook her head, "No…I need to keep going." He sighed, "Gin, you're basically asleep on your feet."

Katie approached us then and sat down beside us, "Hey you guys. How are your O.W.L's going Ginny?" She groaned and mumbled, "Terrible. Doesn't help when your boyfriend is off stirring drama, does it?" She winked at Katie. She laughed and shrugged, "I guess when your boyfriend is Harry Potter, it's kind of inevitable." Harry sighed, "Guys…I don't ask for it." Katie smiled kindly, "I know Harry. I appreciate you going after Malfoy for me, although it really wasn't necessary. That's what I came over to say."

She sat down and Ginny could see Harry wanted more details. Katie sighed, "I feel like he's acting funny. Just the way he stared at me when he walked into the Great Hall…was like he had seen a ghost." I muttered seriously, "Maybe he had." Katie grimaced and sighed, "Whatever is issue was with me, he looked scared. I've never seen Malfoy scared before, have you?" Here, Harry snorted, "Yes! When we were in the forbidden forest in first year and Hagrid made us go and look for injured unicorns."

Katie chuckled a little at this and she grinned, "Would have loved to have seen that. Anyway, I'm really sorry I can't play on the team for you." Harry shrugged and replied, "It's alright Katie, you have a legitimate reason not to. I'm going have to hold tryouts though for replacements." She smiled regretfully, "I'm sure there are good people. Who's replacing you?" He glanced at me and I felt my cheeks blush. Katie nodded in approval, "Good choice. If anyone has motivation to win, it's Ginny." She laughed and Harry nodded in agreement, "I have every faith in her. Although she doesn't have faith in herself. Katie frowned and questioned her, "Really? Why's that?" She shrugged and sighed, "I just feel like people will always assume I'm on the team because I'm Harry's girlfriend."

This statement caused Katie to roll her eyes, "Ginny! That's nonsense! You've proved you can fly." Ginny shrugged and grumbled, "I've heard people saying it Katie." She laughed and smirked, "Who? Slytherin's?" Ginny bit her lip because it had actually been Pansy Parkinson one day. She had commented very loudly as Ginny walked passed how she had no real flying talent. Katie responded to Ginny's lack of an answer, "I guess it was. Just believe in yourself Ginny. I had to believe I would be able to move again in hospital. If I didn't, I would be stuck there still. If you believe in yourself, you can do it."

Ginny smiled at the elder girl gratefully. It was one thing for your boyfriend to believe in you-because he had to- but for someone you respected and looked up to, it made things so much better. Ginny whispered in embarrassment, "Thanks Katie! That really means a lot to me." She grinned and yawned, "No problem Ginny. You've got this. I'll be rooting for you from the sidelines." She got up and bid them goodnight.

Harry laughed at Ginny's expression, "Now do you believe m?" Ginny blushed in embarrassment and then grinned, "I believe in myself."

A/N: WOW! I CANNOT believe I managed this! Wow wow wow wow wow! Thank you guys so much for the constant support and requests for me to finish this story. It truly touches me and I can't thank you enough. I'm not saying updates are going to come frequently, because I am writing exams again (my last ones EVER!)…but I'm going to try really hard guys.

I have been thinking about this story a lot recently and feeling I must try and get it finished. It will feel like such an achievement when and if it gets done, and for that, I am working towards. This is also for you guys though so thank you so much for believing in me! It's the only reason this chapter got written in the first place. Much love to all!