This is a sort of filler chapter that includes Ginny kind of transitioning into Hogwarts :) I know things are going a bit easy for Harry and Ginny, but this isn't a world of Voldemort trying to come back and Harry's life falling apart all the time haha. Its focus is the romance between our lovely couple, and they will have a few trials coming up, I promise!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

By Ginny's afternoon break, word of Harry and Ron's treatment of Malfoy had spread, along with the explanation that it was all to defend Ginny's honor. When she walked around the castle and couldn't find her boyfriend, Ginny knew the one place he would be.

When she arrived on the quidditch pitch, she'd removed her outer robes and only wore her shirt, sweater vest, and shoes. The still dampness of the grass wet the feet of her stockings, but she ignored it and looked up to the figure flying in the sky.

Harry immediately flew down to her, taking two seconds to whisk her on the broom in front of him. She gasped and clutched tightly, remembering all that she'd learned in those few moments at her own home. They didn't speak at they flew around for a little bit.

By the time Harry brought his Firebolt to a halt in midair, Ginny could feel some of the tension leave his body. "I thought you didn't like unnecessary violence, darling."

"I didn't think it was unnecessary," he replied sharply. "I...he said foul things about you, things I won't listen to."

"And you regret your actions?"

"I don't regret defending you."

"You turned a human into a ferret, Harry," Ginny sighed. "Do you know what pain that is?"

"Yes, because he did the same to me in fourth year," Harry rushed out. Ginny couldn't see him, but she knew his shoulders were sagged and turned her head to glance back at him. "I don't want to hurt people, Ginny, I want to protect them. But I will not let him talk about you. I snapped. After seven years of his torment and taunting about my friends and family, I snapped."

"But why was I your breaking point?"

"Don't you know, silly woman?"

Ginny smiled slightly. She loved how Harry never called her a 'girl' or belittled her, but still protected her. She heard the fierceness in his voice and part of her knew that yes, she was highly aware of the reason Harry had defended her so vehemently. It was the same reason she had ventured onto the quidditch pitch to check on him, and why she hadn't taken Lily Potter's necklace off the two weeks she'd had it.

"I do know," she whispered back. "But you mustn't allow yourself to be bullied into bullying."

"Part of me is offended you're telling me that," Harry chuckled. "The other part of me knows you're right."

"Listen to the part that's rather fond of me."

Harry pressed a kiss to Ginny's shoulder and buried his face in her neck. "I want to stay up here.

Always."

"Then let's play a small game," Ginny suggested. "One on one quidditch. The first to one hundred wins."

"You've played quidditch one time," Harry laughed.

Ginny shocked him by turning on the broom so that they faced each other. Ginny drew him close and pressed their lips together as Harry slowly descended to the ground. When they touched down, Ginny giggled and pushed him off. "Go get a broom for yourself."

"What'dya do that for?" Harry pouted. Ginny took control of the broomstick once more. "And why are you making me go find another broomstick?"

"Because I know everything Malfoy said about me."

"And?"

"And I want to ensure you that yours is the only broomstick I'll ever ride."

And she went off into the sky.

)-(

"Ginny beat you?"

"By one goal."

"By ten points, actually."

"Sweetheart, you're supposed to be on my side."

"But I beat you."

"I still can't believe Ginny won!"

"Alright," Harry exclaimed, slamming his book shut. "If you feel like not emasculating me anymore, it would be greatly appreciated."

The common room was buzzing with chatter, and the windows were open to let in sunshine and fresh air. Harry had revealed to their friends how excellent of a flyer Ginny was naturally, just like Harry had been when he first started playing. Unfortunately, she'd chipped in and reminded him how she had been the one to win their little match.

"She beat the legendary Harry Potter," Lavender giggled. "I doubt that will go away quickly."

"She's right, mate," Seamus smirked. "Everyone will know."

"Not appreciated, Seamus."

"I'm only saying..."

"Hush," Ginny interjected. "Even if everyone else makes fun, we won't. Right boys?"

"Erm..." Ron and Dean said in unison. "Sure?"

"Don't be like that, boys," Pavarti rolled her eyes. She gave Dean a look that quickly made him quiet. Neville approached them all then, a note in hand. "Ginny, this is from Hermione and Luna."

"Luna, hmm?" Ginny teased. "Been spending time with her this afternoon?"

Ginny had taken an immediate liking to Neville in the past two days. He was sweet, strong hearted, and had a good moral compass. She thought he was the best of all Ron and Harry's friends, and quickly made sure to let him know she favored him. He seemed to think her approval was worth something, and that gave them a newfound friendship.

Now, Neville's ears turned pink. "We were just doing a bit of Herbology when Hermione showed up. I think she's having trouble in Ancient Runes already."

"Hermione's having trouble with something?" Ron frowned. "Doubt it. She's a bit of a know-it-all."

"Ron!" Ginny groaned.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way!" Ron immediately jumped to defense, realizing his mistake. "I just...blimey, am I going to muck up everything I say about her?" he paused. "I only meant that she's really smart and she's to always know what she's talking about. She's brilliant, actually."

"Even the most brilliant can struggle," Ginny pointed out. "I'm intelligent, but Potions is not my strong point. Nor is Arithmancy. Other languages, however, is and I can help her with that. She can help me with Arithmancy and Transfiguration."

"You aren't too bad at it," Harry defended her.

"Yeah, you transfigured the cat earlier," Lavender suggested. "I didn't manage it."

"But I didn't manage it as quickly as she did, is my point," Ginny sighed. She turned and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go help, I'll see you at dinner."

"See you then," he smiled back earnestly.

As she walked off, Harry felt himself grinning. Could it really have only been a week that they'd been together? It felt like ages since they'd kissed in her vault and yet he realized he cared so deeply for her. She was so smart and gentle and kind-hearted that it surprised Harry when she was able to be feisty and protective. He loved the way she felt that anger and those heightened emotions, but she had impressive control over them.

"She's pretty great, mate," Neville smiled. "You've got yourself a great catch."

"I do," Harry grinned. "I'm the luckiest man alive, actually."

"Calm down, Potter, I don't think you're quite a man yet," Seamus cut in.

Which of course led to them chasing each other around the common room. Maybe Seamus was right—he wasn't quite a man yet.

Outside the common room, Ginny met Luna and Hermione to work on their homework. They decided to go to the beach tree out by the lake, suggested by Hermione. "I've always thought it was a lovely place to study, but every time I went out it was taken by Harry and Ron an all their friends."

"Why don't you hang around that lot?" Ginny asked. "The boys all seem to like you, I know Harry thinks highly of you."

"I'm not like those girls," Hermione admitted. "I don't fit in."

"You've got to learn not to care, Hermione," Luna said in her endearingly dreamy voice. "It gives you a sort of inner peace."

Hermione didn't reply. She kept walking with the other two in silence, worrying Ginny. "Hermione, did something happen with Lavender and Pavarti?"

"What do you mean?"

Ginny raised a challenging eyebrow. Hermione sighed and looked down at her feet while she walked. "Well...you know I fancy Ronald."

"Yes..." Ginny smiled. "Go on."

"I suppose you heard about your brother's accident last year, when he fell off his broom? Well, I went to see him in the hospital wing because I just wanted to check that he was alright. He was alone when I went in, and fast asleep. He was even snoring slightly." Hermione blushed and went on. "I brought him some class work and told him how I felt, fancying him from afar and wishing I could know him better. It made me feel a little more…free, I suppose, and before I left, I kissed his cheek."

Luna kept skipping along as if she'd already heard the story, her eyes a little sadder than normal.

The group stepped out onto the grounds, relishing in the crisp feeling of the air. Hermione cleared her throat and continued. "As I was leaving the hospital wing, Lavender and Pavarti were in there. Lavender went mad on me and called me many things, all un—ahem, all unworthy of Ron's affection. She scared me away."

"Hermione..." Ginny frowned. "That's dreadful. I'm so sorry."

"It's perfectly fine," Hermione took a deep breath. "Ron broke up with Lavender and he's pursuing me, so I suppose I've got the last laugh, hmm?"

"That's not very nice," Luna noted. "But then again, Lavender's not exactly a nice girl, is she?"

Ginny laughed. "No, she is not."

As Ginny sat down with Luna and Hermione, she felt a strange sense of comfort. It was the kind of feeling that had come when she and Gabrielle had become friends. Hermione and Luna were people she trusted, even without knowing them for very long.

Between her brother, Harry, and these newfound friends, Ginny decided her last year of school was going to be the best yet.