First Kiss

"Ravenclaw!" The Sorting Hat finally shouted throughout the Great Hall. The Ravenclaw table erupted in applause as they welcomed their newest house member. Harry watched the new student walk to his seat and sit down, Robert seemed to immediately fit in.

"Welcome," Headmaster Dumbledore began as he stood up, "Welcome back to Hogwarts, and those of you who are new, welcome. Now before we begin our feast I have a few start of term notices. First, as usual the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden, to all students." He had a sly smile at saying this part, "Also Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you to check the list of items that are against the rules, he has assured me that he will punish those that are caught with any of the items. I do believe that most of the items in question can be found at Weasley Wizard Wheeze's. Also I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Patrick O'Bannon," Professor Dumbledore indicated a tall man who was neither fat nor skinny, he had thinning red hair and pale white skin with numerous freckles, he nodded at the students and then sat back down. "Professor O'Bannon, as you might have guessed is joining us from Ireland, he was an Auror for the Ministry a few years ago. As of late I believe I was told he has been spending his time hunting banshees." Seamus Finnegan's mouth dropped open as he stared at his new professor with awe. "So welcome Professor, now one last announcement, the Head Boy and Head Girl have informed me that they are planning a Start of Term Ball for fourth years and up, this Saturday. So I have scheduled a special Hogsmeade trip for this Saturday for fourth years and up. Don't worry third years you will all be allowed to go on all of the other trips. Now, tuck in." As Dumbledore said this the platters and pictures began filling up.

There was plates full of ham, turkey, chicken, and lamb chops for the main course. The table also had bowls of mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and fruit salad. For desserts, apple pie, pumpkin pie, pudding, fudge, and for drinks butterbeer, pumpkin juice or tea. Ron began piling food on his plate while the others began talking about the ball.

"Who are you wanting to go with, Ginny," Hermione asked.

"I have someone in mind," Ginny answered blushing, "I just hope he asks me."

"I'm sure he will," Hermione replied with a smile, "I just hope that I get asked."

"What are you worried about, Hermione," Ron said with a mouth full of potatoes, "you are beautiful, anyone would be lucky to go with you."

Harry raised his eyebrows hearing Ron talk this way in front of Hermione without blushing. Harry decided it was because there was food in front of him and Ron had been complaining that he was starving.

"Like who, Ron," Hermione asked her heart racing in anticipation, "who will ask me?"

"Me. Hermione, would you like to go to the dance with me," As soon as Ron heard the question come out of his mouth he froze and turned deep red.

"Yes, Ron," Finally he had asked her out, "I would love to go to the dance with you Ron."

"What about you, Harry," Ron quickly changed the subject from him, "who are you going to go with?"

"I don't know," Harry answered, "I only just found out about it."

The rest of the feast the group talked and laughed and learned what everyone had done for their summer. It turned out that not many people went anywhere for the summer holiday's, their parents were all too afraid of Voldemort. Finally when Headmaster Dumbledore noticed that everyone was talking again and no one was eating he stood back up. The hall fell silent as he began to address the students.

"Ok, everyone," He said looking out at all of his students, "the feast is over. Prefects if you will please lead the first years to your houses, class starts tomorrow."

The students in the hall all stood up and began for their respective houses, the call of Prefects saying first year follow me could be heard all over the castle.

Ron could also be heard, "Come on runts, follow me."

"Ronald Weasley," Hermione's voice was next, "honestly, sometimes you just, er!"

Harry and Ginny were climbing the stairs up to the seventh floor when the stairs to the fifth floor changed and made them go to a corridor they had never been to before. They looked down the corridor and decided that they didn't want to walk through it. It was a long dark hall that had only one door that they could see at the very end. Torches that hung off the wall every five feet lit the way and spider webs could be seen hanging in the corners. Harry saw that the webs seemed to be moving, then he felt it, a gentle breeze was coming out of the corridor.

"Let's go back and wait for the stairs to change," Harry spoke to Ginny as they turned around. They had just missed the stairs though as they floated back to the main staircase.

"Well now what," Ginny asked, "do you want to wait here?"

"Not really," Harry answered honestly, "if Filch finds us we are done for. I just wish I had my Marauder's Map so we could see where this leads to."

"Well if we aren't going to wait here, lets go," Ginny said hesitantly.

Harry nodded his head and led the way down the corridor, the further they got into the corridor the colder it got. Ginny unknowingly had gotten so close to Harry that he could feel her breath on the back of his neck, the warm air was a comfort to Harry as he approached the door. He reached for the handle of the door expecting it to be locked but when he pulled on it the door swung open. Harry and Ginny stepped into the pitch black room and began slowly walking forward. The door they just came through slammed shut behind them causing them to both jump and spin in the air as they pulled their wands out of their robes. Before either of them could say lumos a sliver of light appeared behind them, they slowly turned around and the sliver of light grew bigger and bigger. Finally the doors were open all the way and Harry again led the way into the next room. When his eyes adjusted to the light he immediately realized where he was.

"The Wizengamot Council lounge?" Harry asked to no one in particular. Harry turned around and saw that the door he just walked through looked just like the elevator he had used to get here from the Ministry at the beginning of the summer.

"That corridor must be Professor Dumbledore's private gateway her," Ginny spoke quietly, "but why would the stairs make us come here?"

"I don't know," Harry answered as he walked to the plaque in the center of the room that had Merlin etched into it. "Do you think that he is really buried here?"

"I'm not sure," Ginny answered while tracing the name with her finger, "everyone seems to think that he is."

Well, that would be because I am," a third voice came from behind them, "this is Avalon after all."

Harry and Ginny jumped as they heard the voice and turned to face the person it belonged to. Harry's mouth fell open and Ginny let out a gasp, standing in front of them was a ghost.

"Mer, Mer, Merlin?" Harry stuttered as he asked the question.

"Aye," the ghost spoke, "I am he. Who are the two of you? And why did you summon me here?"

"My name is Harry Potter, and this is Ginerva Weasley. I am sorry sir, we didn't realize we had summoned you here. We got sent down the wrong corridor at Hogwarts and it led us here. We are sorry to disturb you."

"Harry and Ginerva you say," Merlin asked inquisitively.

"I actually go by Ginny," Ginny spoke up, "Ginerva seems like an old ladies name."

"Ah yes," Merlin chuckled when Ginny finished her sentence, "I have heard much about you two, especially you Harry." Merlin's ghost floated over to the statue of him and examined the wand it was holding.

"Heard about us?" Harry asked him curiously, "From who?"

"From me, Harry, I come here often to chat with Merlin when I need someone more than portraits for advice."

For the third time since the stairs sent them into the dark corridor Harry felt his heart jump into his throat. This time he slowly turned around slowly and saw his Headmaster standing behind them smiling.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry and Ginny exclaimed together, then Harry continued, "The stairs, they changed on us, and we didn't want to just stand around waiting for Mr. Filch to catch us. So we went down the corridor and it brought us here. Then,"

"Harry," Dumbledore interrupted, "It is ok, you aren't in trouble. I saw what had happened from my office and came here to get you. I must say I am surprised to see Merlin though. No troubles I hope, Merlin?"

"None at all, Albus," Merlin spoke as though they were long time friends, "they are delightful."

"Very well," Dumbledore spoke, "Come along you two. Goodbye, Merlin.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Merlin," Ginny said before turning to follow Dumbledore.

"Yes," Harry spoke next, "I look forward to meeting you again, Merlin."

"Likewise," Merlin spoke with a smile, "to both of you. Good luck with your studies." As Harry turned to leave Merlin slowly faded from view.

The trio emerged back onto the Grand Staircase where the stairs were now waiting for them.

"You know your way back to the tower I trust," Dumbledore asked smiling.

"Yes sir," Harry and Ginny said in unison.

"Very well, goodnight then." With that Dumbledore proceeded towards his office.

"Goodnight sir," Harry said.

"Goodnight sir," Ginny repeated.

They began climbing the stairs when Harry stopped and grabbed Ginny by the arm.

"What is it, Harry," Ginny asked shooting him a worried look.

"Ginny, I wanted to ask you something," Harry spoke quickly, "but I didn't want to do it in front of Ron, I don't know how he would react."

"What is it, Harry?" Ginny almost laughed thinking about Harry not wanting to ask something in front of Ron.

"Well, I was wondering if you would like to go to the Start of Term Ball with me," The words came from Harry's mouth much easier than he expected.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ginny blushed at the reaction she displayed in front of Harry, "I mean yes, Harry, I would like to go to the dance with you."

Harry smiled as he blushed and continued back up to the stairs.

"Password?" The portrait of the Fat Lady asked.

"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," Harry said the password and the portrait swung open. Harry and Ginny had just stepped into the common room when they heard Ron's voice.

"And just where do you two think you have been?" Ron said in a raised voice, "Out past curfew, doing Merlin knows what! Were you two kissing out there? Merlin help me if you were!"

"Ron, mate," Harry said putting his hands up, "Calm down, we were heading for the common room when one of the staircases moved. We went down the corridor and it led to the Wizengamot Council lounge, Merlin's ghost was there and talked to us, then Dumbledore came and brought us back. That is it, honest."

The red began to fade from Ron's face, "Really? Merlin's ghost? Was Dumbledore mad?"

"No he was not," Ginny said as her face turned a very deep red, "and Ronald Bilius Weasley I am a big girl now and if I want to kiss anyone that is none of your concern. And furthermore if I was kissing Harry I thought that would make you happy for me!"

"Ginerva Molly Weasley do not take that tone with me! It is my concern if you are kissing boys I am your older…"

Before Ron could finish his sentence Ginny turned to Harry grabbed his face and planted a long deep kiss on his lips. After his initial shock Harry began returning the kiss.

"Holly cricket," Hermione whispered, "you two do know that there are still other people in the room, don't you?"

Ron's face drained of all color and his mouth fell open, he was speechless. Ginny and Harry finished their kiss, Ginny said goodnight to Harry and Hermione, walked right passed Ron and went to her dorm. Try as hard as he could Harry couldn't help but to smile. Hermione was stuck between wanting to stay and referee for the boys and wanting to go get the details from Ginny. Then Ron broke the silence, "You hurt her and I'll kill you."

Harry nodded his head and gave Ron a pat on the back, "Don't worry mate. I would never think of hurting her. Goodnight you two." Harry walked up to his dorm room with a large smile on his face..