Chapter 5 – Exploding Emotions

The next few weeks went by uneventful, unless you count Harry and Ron's cauldron blowing up in potions as a major event. That was just a more exciting version of what usually happened in Potions class. That was Harry and Ron's definition of good fun.

"And then it just exploded, and, oh, guys, it was great to see Snape jump in the air about five feet." Dean Thomas, along with all the other Gryffindor boys, loved recounting what happened and how funny it was to see Snape's reaction.

"Yeah, it was almost worth the four detentions we got just for that mere second of joy." Ron added sarcastically.

Nothing much had happened with Ginny either. Other than the occasional conversation, they didn't really see each other that often. Harry thought this was probably just what it was going to be like until their first date. He did, however, take the opportunity to talk to her alone when Ron and Hermione were patrolling corridors as part of their prefect duties one night.

"So, Gin, anything new in the life of a fifth year student?" Pretty lame wait to start a conversation, Harry thought.

"No," Ginny replied, sounding disappointed. She perked up, "but Flitwick did take notice of my excellent Protean charm the other day!"

"That's great!" Harry decided not to stall and to get to the point as quickly as possible. "Listen, Gin. Do you think anything's been going on between Ron and Hermione lately? You know, anything different about their acting around me?"

Ginny turned back to him, an irreplaceable smirk of knowing planted on her face.

Anything more than usual, you mean?" she asked.

Harry recognized that look. It was the look Hermione gave people when she knew something they didn't, which was most of the time. Being around Hermione all the time, he should definitely know what that smirk meant.

"Oh no, Ginny, what did you do? No, no, oh Gin!" He was on his feet now. "You spiked Ron's juice didn't you? You gave Hermione a lucky potion, some Felix Felices? Maybe not, but you probably gave her something of the sort and they probably hooked up in the Prefects' bathroom or something and, and…." Harry was rambling now. He was pacing about the room listing the things Ginny could have done.

Sure he wanted his friends together. They were perfect for each other, he knew that. But the thought of them…ugh! Ginny was going to have to explain this one.

"Ginevra Weasley! Explain yourself!" He had said it before he had thought about it.

Ginny was now laughing hysterically, holding her stomach, "You might as well have summoned my mum here!" She said between breathes.

"Calm down, Harry. I'm going to explain. Here goes, well, I talked to Ron the other day, and unlike all the other times I've brought up the topic of him and Hermione, as an item that is, he listened to me."

"He did what?" Harry sat down, staring straight at Ginny, somehow looking for signs of proof.

"Yup, and I think he actually used some of my advice too!" She seemed very happy with herself.

"There's more, isn't there?" He asked her, "There's always more to the situation with you girls. Always!"

Ginny continued, "Well, I helped Hermione too, in a way. I gave her something to help her with the situation, because she has never been in a situation like this one before. I can tell you that much! Believe me, she hasn't. Well, the thing I gave her made her feel more laid back and relaxed."

Harry didn't like this one bit and before he knew it, he was on his feet again, "Laid back and relaxed my arse, Ginny. What was this, some sort of illegal potion drug! You drugged Hermione!" He was holding an accusing finger straight in her direction.

"I did not!" She hissed very slowly, as to get it through his thick head. She was now on her feet too. She pushed Harry's hand down. "Would you relax! You're acting like a hippogriff with its head cut off!"

"Okay," Harry said, "just explain."

"I gave her a potion that would build up her courage to talk to Ron and let her true feelings show."

"So it was still Hermione?" Harry asked questioningly. After all, it couldn't be that simple with girls. "It wasn't a replacement charm or something? A polyjuice potion?"

"No." Ginny said. "It was just something I slipped into her juice at dinner before we went back to the common room, and, well, when I asked you out. The potion let Hermione see the advantages of the situation, so she grabbed Ron at an open opportunity and…the rest is up for them to tell you." Ginny finished. Harry frowned. He found it unlikely that they were going to tell him anytime soon, if they were planning on it at all.

"I don't plan to tell her about this, you know?" Ginny added firmly. Harry nodded. She softened a bit, "She was on the right track, she just needed a little push. As did Ron, and I thought you'd be able to handle that, but…" She frowned at him sarcastically, as if begging him to retort.

"What?" He asked. "I'm not good at all that mushy gushy stuff! You know that!"

Ginny laughed and Harry joined in. He put his hand in hers and they both felt a sudden electricity neither had felt before. He looked to her and she to him. There was a moment where they both just stared, soaking in each other's gaze. The tenseness that existed before seemed to have been released. The invisible barrier that separated friend from friend became unblocked and they leaned forward until their lips touched for the first time. As the embrace deepened, neither of them was scared because they both knew that this was the start of something big. This was something bigger than a schoolgirl crush.

Ginny spoke first. "No, I know you're not good with all the mushy gushy stuff, Harry. But I love you just the same."

A/N: Hello all! Fifth chapter, yeah! OK, so if you all don't review, well it's just not cool! I might not have mentioned but it's my first fic so, please be nice, but review all the same…you are the greatest! Thanx a million! – CherryTomato26