They were sitting on a couch in a corner of the common room. The room was half full, since most of its usual occupants had decided on spending the day out on the grounds. Hermione had dragged Ron outside with a wink at Ginny. And so, for the past half-hour or so, Ginny had been trying to convince Harry that spending the remainder of the day outside would calm him. She placed a hand on his knee. His jaw muscles twitched.

"Harry, come on. Let's walk outside, ok? Until curfew?"

"No." He turned away from her, feigning interest in his Potions essay. Ever since the Malfoy incident he'd been answering everyone's questions in a surly, monotonous voice.

Ginny squeezed his knee, "Please? You'll feel better. I promise."

"I feel fine."

"No, you don't." She reached a hand up to his hair, brushing it away from his eyes. He caught her hand, firmly lowering it back onto his knee; Ginny didn't resist.

"I think I know how I feel, Ginny." His voice was dark.

"I don't think you do."

"I do."

"No, you don't."

His jaw clenched, and he looked a vision of fury, sitting there with his hands balled up into fists. Ginny was almost afraid. Almost.

"Harry, please? Just one quick wa –"

"Leave me alone!" Harry turned to face Ginny fully for the first time in hours. He looked hurt, and confused, and livid. Extremely livid. Which only served to make Ginny angry. He had no right to talk to her like that! Everyone was staring at them now, Ginny could feel her friends' eyes boring holes into her back, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Romilda Vane smirking. This heightened Ginny's anger.

"Fine!" she spat at him. She marched to the portrait-hole, flung it open, and stormed through, slamming the door violently on her way out. Breathing hard, she leaned against the wall. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

As soon as Ginny left, Romilda Vane sauntered up to Harry and sat down next to him. He spared a glance at her before looking away. "What do you want?"

She blinked her eyelashes at him and put a hand on his arm, "It must be so hard."

Harry stared at her hand on his. She retracted it hastily. "I just meant," she started in a simpering voice, "It must be so hard to have the weight of the world on your shoulder. If only she understood, huh? I think you two aren't really meant for each other."

Harry stood up abruptly, "I think I'll go find her."

"What?!" She shrieked.

Harry didn't even look back as he left the common room.

Ginny stood against the wall next to the common room door. This was going horribly wrong. Their first day as a couple had barely started and here they were, biting each other's heads off. The portrait-hole opened. Ginny didn't bother turning her head to look. She knew who it was. And that person had some serious grovelling to do.

"Ginny, I – I –"

"Don't stand there and stutter at me, Potter."

Harry sighed audibly, "I know I was a jerk before –"

"Since you haven't apologised yet, you're still a jerk."

Harry let out a frustrated huff of breath. Ginny turned her head to look at him, he was hunched over, hands shoved down his pockets, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Ginny," he started again, "I'm sorry, ok? Really. I – I just... I was so mad. Not at you." He said hastily, "At Malfoy. What he said – about you and... I was just." He gave another frustrated sigh and ran his hand through his hair, "I want you to know that I would never, what he said, about sending you over after – I mean, I wouldn't! I –"

The rest of his oh-so-fluent speech was cut off when Ginny hugged him around the neck.

"Wait. So, you're not mad?" he asked, confusedly.

She shook her head. "I never was mad. Not about what Malfoy said. I mean, he's a ... a... twit... words can't comprehend what he is. I got mad because of the whole 'leave me alone' stunt you pulled back there."

Harry hung his head in humility. "I'm sorry, sometimes –"

"– you can be a jerk." Ginny finished for him. Harry nodded vigorously until their lips met.

They whiled away the rest of the day lying back on a couch together, laughing over nothing and everything all at once. They paid no attention to the people around them, although the people certainly paid attention to them. There had been several good-natured catcalls already.

Harry was lying back on the couch, using the hand rest as support for his back. His broad frame took up most of the couch, so Ginny had to be content with a small place next to him for her derriere. Harry's legs were tangled with Ginny's and his arms were protectively around her. She was scribbling furiously into a piece of parchment on her lap, occasionally checking the textbook for reference. It was strange how at ease he felt with Ginny. Often that day Harry marvelled at how quickly they'd grown comfortable with each other.

Harry sighed, happily inhaling the smell of Ginny's hair. "You smell nice."

"Mhm."

Harry watched as she irately crossed out another sentence in her essay.

"What are you working on?"

"Transfiguration," she said, biting her quill.

"Need help?"

She giggled, "From you? No."

Harry scowled, "I might know things you don't."

She arched an eyebrow, "I highly doubt that."

"Are you suggesting –" Harry stopped mid-sentence. "You're teasing!"

Ginny laughed, "Nice catch."

Ginny nuzzled her nose into the base of his neck. His breath caught and he gasped, as he felt her lips running along his collarbone. Ginny smiled against his skin. "I found your weak spot," she whispered. Harry could feel her lips moving against the tender skin of his neck.

"My weak spot?" he whispered back.

"Mmm," she continued nuzzling his neck, "The one spot in your body that makes you tick."

"To be honest, I think that spot is a bit more south of my head."

Ginny looked up from his neck and stared at him for a second, then laughed. "You are way too bold to have only been dating me for a day and a half."

"I could be bolder." Harry smirked.

Ginny grinned, this was going exactly how she wanted it to.

Third chapter! the only reason I'm putting so much effort into this story is that I have NO idea how to continue the Ever After story (thanks for the 300 reviews, btw!). I mean, i know what i want to happen next, i just cant seem to find the inspiration to write something remotely legible for you guys. If anyone is willing to beta/brainstorm with me on this one, I'll be rlly happy! And please dont have crazy plot twists! I want to stay as canon as possible. Any suggestions, ideas, helpful hints for curing writer's block, dont be afraid to speak up! PM me or leave a note in the review.

Read, Enjoy, and most importantly, REVIEW. (different from what i usually say, huh?)

Love,

Qtip.