The next morning, Ginny woke up early to birds chirping lively outside the house. Harry was still fast asleep, his hair unruly and his mouth slightly ajar.

The Prophet should be here soon, Ginny thought to herself. With that thought, she crept out of the bed, and tiptoed into the kitchen, where the newspapers were delivered by owl. The Daily Prophet was already on the counter.

THE-BOY-WHO-LIVED DATING THE GIRL-WHO-DIED-FROM-A-BASILISK?

For the first time, Ginny Weasley spills all on her relationship with Harry Potter (it has ended, folks!), and her former beau's new love life

By Rita Skeeter

The article's relentless font and placement on the front page immediately caught Ginny's eye. She set down her wand and picked up the paper. She scanned through the article, noting that Skeeter had included most her information, but had added her own details and interpretation on things, making Harry's story seem even more ridiculous. Merlin's feet, this is bad, Ginny cringed. Maybe it's good that it's so bad though, since no one will believe this.

"Ginny?" Harry's voice from the bedroom shocked Ginny, and she almost dropped the newspaper.

"Yes?" Ginny asked tentatively, as soon as she got her voice back.

"Where are you?"

"In the kitchen. I'm making breakfast."

"Okay."

She heard Harry's feet land on the floor. They approached the door, then approached the kitchen, and suddenly she realized that she couldn't let him read the Daily Prophet. He's going to go crazy if he reads this, Ginny suddenly realized.

Without a second thought, Ginny darted into the guest bedroom and quickly locked the door. Where to hide it… Where can I-

Ginny's evaluation of the hiding spots in the room was cut off as she heard Harry speak again.

"Ginny, what are you doing?"

He had heard her go into the bedroom, wondering why in the world she would do that. Why didn't I just vanish it… damn it, Ginny, you left your wand in the kitchen, Ginny cursed under her breath.

"Nothing!" she answered.

Suddenly, Ginny's arm bumped into a decorative Sneakoscope, and knocked it down. The loud clanking sound reverberated around the room.

"Ginny!" Harry called, more urgently.

"I'm okay, I'm fine!" Ginny called back.

Harry strode to the bedroom door. "Ginny, what in Merlin's name are you doing in there?"

"Nothing! I'm fine!"

So stupid. Ginny, you're the dumbest witch there ever was! Ginny scolded herself.

"I don't know what you're doing, but you need to let me in!" Harry was getting more and more agitated about the situation. This sure as hell isn't normal… he told himself, worried and confused about Ginny.

"I'll come out in a minute," Ginny said, too anxious to even think straight. I don't have a Slytherin mind at all, I can't carry out deception in any form…

"I'm coming in, Ginny. This is bloody weird and you know it."

Ginny heard a hissed Alohamora and the lock unclicked. Harry stormed into the room, looking at Ginny and then comprehensively searching around for anything amiss. He spotted the Daily Prophet and registered the headline.

He grabbed it, only to have Ginny grab it back.

"Don't read it!" she cried, holding it behind her back.

"What were you doing, Ginny?" he suddenly asked her. "Were you hiding this?"

"Harry, I- "

Harry seized her hesitation and reached behind her to reclaim the newspaper. He turned around to read it, feeling himself get more and more angry with each word. When he finished reading the piece of rubbish, he spun back around, his eyes stormy.

"What the hell is this, Ginny?"

Ginny backed away from Harry, taking tentative note of the fury that he had rarely shown before.

"Did you say any of this?" Harry demanded.

Ginny was at a loss for words. "I- I- Well-"

"You went to them, didn't you?" Harry stared at Ginny, who looked acutely guilty. "You said all this to them."

Ginny didn't reply, cautiously distancing herself from Harry until she bumped awkwardly into a bedpost. He won't hurt me, he won't hurt me, he won't... Ginny repeated in her head. She knew that Harry would never mean harm to her, but she still was wary of his explosive temper in the heat of the moment.

"Ginny, tell me the truth," Harry said, anger still evident in his voice. He strode to her, grasping her upper arms firmly and scrutinizing her intensely.

"I- I didn't mean for this to happen," Ginny whispered, uncomfortable with his fierce gaze.

"What were you thinking?!" Harry shook Ginny. "Was this some sort of stupid joke?!"

"Not-"

"Well, it's not funny at all! Now I'm going to have the bloody press on my back every single place I go in the next month!" Harry's grip tightened on Ginny's arms.

"No, Harry, just let me explain," Ginny said, her mind finally working again. Harry regarded her with his eyes narrowed. "I did this so that the press would be discredited and no one would believe them anymore."

Harry's expression suddenly turned slightly surprised.

Ginny took her opportunity to release herself from his grasp, finally losing her balance and toppling backwards onto the bed.

"But people are still going to believe this, and the bloody press'll still stalk me day and night!" Harry said, frustrated. He deftly climbed on the bed, straddling Ginny at the waist. "Is that what you planned as well?"

"No, but it's worth it if everyone realizes that the Prophet is just full of shite," Ginny replied reasonably.

"But did you have to make up those ridiculous stories about Myrtle?" Harry complained, looking less angry but still irritated.

"Well, it was what first came to mind," Ginny's lips played into a small smile. "And you have to admit, it's funny."

Harry frowned down at her, and continued to regard her intently with a glare. Ginny squirmed under him, feeling awkward with his stony silence.

Finally, Harry sighed. "Ginny, what am I going to do with you?"

"Nothing, I'm perfectly fine," Ginny replied. She grinned cheekily. "You, on the other hand..."

Harry cracked an unwilling smile. "You're a devilish woman, Ginny.

"Yes, I try to be."

Harry leaned down to kiss Ginny. "But I still love you."

"Good," she said, before kissing him back. So maybe my Slytherin mind is not completely hopeless... Ginny smiled to herself.

Author's Note: Thanks for following this story! Feel free to favorite or drop a review if you liked it!