Harry walked up the stairs and stopped outside Ginnys door. He knocked and waited for Hermione to answer. When she did, Harry immediately walked over to where the diary was resting. He moved to pick it up, but Hermione was quicker. She snatched it up and gave him a stern look.

"Harry, there are things in here I'm sure Ginny wouldn't want you to read, and as her friend it's my job to make sure some of the stuff remains private," Hermione said sternly. "So for Ginny's sake I've placed a spell on her diary that will hide anything that may cause her any embarrassment— and so you only read the pages I'm letting you read, I've copied this into another book. Also, this that way Ginny won't notice her diary disappearing."

"Thanks, Hermione. I really do owe you one," Harry mumbled weakly and left the room holding the copy of Ginny's diary that Hermione had given him.

Harry entered the kitchen rather late the next morning. He looked around to find Hermione was the only other person up. He was rather glad, as this meant he could talk about the diary.

"Hermione, thanks for the diary. I mean, you must have felt really bad about that," Harry whispered to his best friend, unaware of the fact that a certain sixteen-year-old girl was sitting on the stairs listening to every word.

"Yes. I mean, I totally betrayed the trust Ginny's bestowed upon me by reading her diary in the first place. If you weren't an Auror, I wouldn't have done it. I'm totally ashamed of myself and embarrassed," Hermione sobbed.

A red streak flashed across the room and stopped in front of Hermione.

"You read my diary? How could you? I thought you were my best friend!" Ginny shouted at Hermione, tears streaming down her face.

Before Hermione had time to respond, Ginny ran upstairs, avoiding Harry's gaze.

Harry was unsure what to do. He spent a few minutes trying his best to comfort Hermione, who was crying also. Ginny had called Hermione her best friend, and Hermione couldn't believe what she'd done and how badly she had messed up their friendship. Harry patted her awkwardly on the back, hoping it would help her. After Hermione had calmed down, he resolved to try and make Ginny see sense without telling her what his job meant and why it was vital for Hermione to be able to read the diary.

But as he reached the stairs, Ron pounded out of his room and stood in front of Harry, blocking his path to Ginny's door.

"Move, Ron, this is important," Harry scolded. "You're just annoyed because you don't know what's going on, that's all."

"No, I won't move, Harry, and I don't think it would matter if I did as I've placed a locking spell on Ginny's door. It can't be broken from the outside until an hour after placing it—people can get out, but not in. You should be disgusted with yourself; you made Ginny cry. Are you happy now?" Ron spat at Harry.

"No, I'm not happy with what I've done—which is why I have to talk to Ginny," Harry shouted. Harry pushed past Ron and began to shake Ginny's door handle, even trying to kick it in, ignoring Ron's shouts to leave his sister alone.

When Harry continued to ignore him, Ron grabbed the back of Harrys robes and pulled him away from the door. Harry turned, about to hurl abuse at Ron, when all of a sudden Ron's fist made contact with Harry's nose, producing a sickening crack.

The noise even pulled Ginny out of her room. She creaked the door open and stared at the unconsious Harry lying on the floor, blood spurting from his nose.

"Ronald Weasley! Why the heck did you do that?" Ginny shrieked. A few seconds later urgent footsteps thundered up the stairs and a red-faced Hermione appeared.

"Whats all the shouting?" she began, and then she saw Harry's still form spread out across the floor with a pool of scarlet gathering around the side of his face. Ginny was rocking him back and forth, glaring at Ron.

Hermione saw the hateful looks Ginny was giving Ron and quickly pulled him into his room. After a few seconds, Hermione's voice began to carry through the house as it rose higher and higher.

"Why the hell did you punch him? You are, despicable! Really, Ron, you know he's just doing his job. He doesn't want Ginny to be hurt. He wants her to be safe just as much as you want her to be safe! Why do you think he's been giving her extra protection through the Ministry these past few weeks?" Hermione bellowed.

Ginny continued to rock Harry. She pinched his nose to stop the bleeding and then, whilst no one was around, she cast a Levitation charm on Harry and moved him downstairs.

If only Harry knew I was doing underage magic, she thought with a grin