'It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.'
~Jim Rohn

Sitting in potions, Harry gave his cauldron a half-hearted stir. It was supposed to be an acid green, instead it was navy and as thick as tar. At least he was doing better than Ron, his friend had managed to turn his pink, and currently Hermione was scolding him for adding Lacewing Flies instead of Essence of Lilydrought. His excuse was that they both began with an 'L' but even Hermione could see that that was weak. It was evident that they both liked each other, and he was doing this just to be close to her. Personally Harry couldn't stand it. It was almost nauseating the dopey-eyed looks he gave her. His mind snapped to Ginny. He would never treat her like that, like some simpering fool. Not only would she hate it, but that attitude was beneath him. He would never be the type of person to give her flowers. He imagined what she would look like if he gave her a bouquet of roses - red of course. She would probably be delighted to receive such a gift.

He froze.

He was not thinking about her like that. He knew what romance was, but the idea was repulsive. Not only did it hinder you, always making you think of someone else before yourself, but it made you vulnerable, and vulnerability could not be tolerated.

Harry thought back to his dream. He guessed that was why he was so distracted. Normally he couldn't remember them, treating sleep more as a time to shut down, not escape into some fantasy world of the mind's imaginings. However, a few nights ago he had dreamed about her. One dream was not enough to spawn ridiculous... he searched for the word... feelings. No, it was best not to act on it.

In his dream she had came to him. Told him that he never had to be alone. Enveloping him in her arms, she had whispered in his ear that she loved him. But he wasn't alone, he had his father, and love was weak.

Love could get you killed.

Still, it was interesting. Was this what had happened to Snape? Had he fallen in love with Lily, making him struggle between the Light and the Dark? Was he looking at his future? The sallow skinned man was bent over a cauldron, his nose sniffing the purplish fumes it was emanating. Neville truly was a walking disaster. Seeing the sneer on the older man's face, he decided that that would not be him. He wouldn't allow feelings to get in the way of his mission.

Glancing back at his potion. He threw in some crushed Manticore claw, hoping that would turn the treacly liquid into - he glanced at the board - green and watery. There was no way that was happening.

"Mr Potter," the name fell off his lips like it was something particularly nasty, "What is this?"

"It is a potion, sir," answered Harry, looking into the glittery black eyes of the Potions Master. He couldn't like the man, in fact it seemed he was going out of his way to antagonise him. If only Severus Snape knew who he was, then he would think twice before baiting him. Normally he wouldn't have risen to it, but normally he would have a somewhat okay potion. His teacher's eyes narrowed at this blatant insubordination.

"Mr Potter, it appears you have forgotten your manners," sneered Snape, looking at his potion in distain.

"Professor Snape, it appears you've forgotten your teaching skills. If you believe that merely writing instructions on a board is enough to make people pass, then you are in the wrong profession," replied Harry. Everyone in the class grew silent, all ears honing in on the confrontation. It was abnormal for Harry Potter to talk much, let alone mouth off. He wasn't sure where the words had came from, and he was just as shocked as the rest of them.

"Detention, Mr Potter. Report to my office tonight at seven," snapped Snape, spittle flying from his mouth. Harry tried not to cringe.

Now that it was over, the class returned to their work. Hermione shot him a worried whilst Ron grinned at him. Hmm, he wondered where that outburst had came from. It was… concerning to say the least. Now he had a detention because of it. Well the homework he had been assigned today wouldn't take long, it was only a mild inconvenience, but annoying nonetheless.

Cutting up his pork, he half listened to the chatter around him. They had been late getting back from Care of Magical Creatures. Really, he didn't understand how they could make Hagrid a teacher here. The big oaf had let the hippogriffs escape from the pen, and it had taken half an hour to round them up. Madam Hooch was still helping with the ones that had flown away, along with some members of the Quidditch teams. The disorganisation of this place was beyond him.

"Hey Harry, I heard Snape gave you detention," Ginny had somehow managed to sit next to him without him realising it.

"Yes, he somehow found fault with me questioning his teaching methods," replied Harry, smiling slightly.

"I really don't see why, in fact I think that was a compliment looking at his skills!" laughed Ginny. Her laughter was music to his ears. He felt something stir within him, and realised that he too felt... happiness at her remark.

"From what I've seen so far I have no idea why Dumbledore lets him teach here. However, I sympathise for you. It must be hard having him for five years, I've only had him for a few weeks and I detest him."

"I've heard that he owes Dumbledore, but apart from that I have no idea."

"Hmm, it must be something big. Maybe he's here because he ate a student and this is his penance," the joke was out before he could stop it.

"Why Mr Potter, was that a joke?" asked Ginny, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Indeed Miss Weasley it was," replied Harry, matching her speech patterns with perfect accuracy. Beyond all logic, he was having fun.

"Do you have a temperature? Do you want to go to Madam Pomfrey?" asked Ginny, mock concern colouring her tone.

"I think I'll survive telling one joke," scoffed Harry.

"Hmm you look a little pale," persisted Ginny.

"I forgot to tell you I'm part vampire," said Harry dryly.

"A vampire that likes green beans," she laughed.

"Pythagorean philosophers thought they contained a bit of the universal soul, and therefore they nourish us."

"Anyone who looked at a Defence textbook would know that was wrong!"

"Actually it depends on the type of vampire. My father researched and found out that different clans required different nutrients. This enabled them to live together in relative harmony. Some fed of blood, others soul, and some managed to adapt to animals instead of humans. In fact it is thought that some of the soul devouring vampires are related to Dementors."

"You're just was walking encyclopaedia, can I have you in my exams?"

Looking at her bright face, Harry realised just why he liked her. The others would constantly not know what to say to him. They were afraid in case they would encroach on 'painful' memories of his father. Ginny on the other hand never cared, not that she was insensitive, but it was nice to be treated like an equal, free to say and do as one liked unafraid of the repercussions of seemingly innocent phrases. Ginny took it in her stride, whereas if he had told the others, then an awkward silence would have descended as they searched for a 'safe' topic. Seeing her gaze turn questioning, he realised he hadn't responded yet.

"I'm afraid not, I promised I'd help Luna."

"Dammit," grumbled Ginny.

"Sorry, I'm too popular for my own good," he checked his watch, "Speaking of popularity, I need to go meet a certain bat."

"Good luck, he doesn't bite… I think."

The detention had been horrible. He had been up to his elbows scrubbing cauldrons, and as a result his robes had gotten a hole in them when it became apparent that not all the cauldrons contained 'friendly' potions. Snape hadn't even batted an eyelid at this, instead telling him to work faster. If it hadn't been for his conversation with Ginny earlier, then he thought he might have hexed the man. Instead he thought back, keeping his mind busy as he pondered his increased levity around her. It was indeed perplexing. Even if he did have romantic notions about her he should at least be able to control them. Instead it seemed to have a mind of it's own, turning him into a jokester when he was anything but. Hmm, on one hand he could ignore her, keep his distance, but even as he told himself that he knew it would arouse suspicion. A small part of him rejoiced at this excuse to keep her company. Only a small part, he lied to himself.

Entering the Common Room, he moved past the fireplace, the embers were dying, just further proof of how long he had been in the dungeons. Part of him was amused at how cold it was down there. Maybe there was a relation. The Slytherin's were kept in a dungeon, it was cold and they were deemed cold and calculating by the rest of the school. Gryffindor Tower was hot, and practically all the Lions he had met so far had been hot-headed morons. Well, only some, his mind corrected. Perhaps temperature indicated temperament. It was interesting at least.

Everyone in the dormitory was asleep. They had all had a busy day, and so this wasn't out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was the parchment lying on his pillow. Picking it up, he saw long, slanted handwriting.

Harry,

I have been made aware by Professor Snape that you were given a detention. Please come up to my office tomorrow at the start of fourth period, Professor McGonagall has already been informed that you will miss the start of her lesson.

See you then,

Albus Dumbledore

He had his chance.

A/N: Thank you for the feedback! Sorry for the late update, I had exams. Thankfully they are finished now :D As you can see we're at a turning point, Harry has figured out his feelings towards Ginny, now he just needs to act on them! I'm trying to make this transition slow, please tell me what you think :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes contained within this chapter.

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