Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 11: After the task
Harry and Ginny sat down together at the Gryffindore table, they were so close their knees touched, but they didn't seem to care. Rigel and Teddy sat across from them, down at the end of the table sat, Cody, the Lupins, Jesse, and Sirius, they were all chatting as they ate.
"What am I suppose to do with this?" Harry asked, sitting the egg on the table.
"I heard Bagman tell Diggory, something about there being a clue in the egg, about the next task." Teddy said, he picked the egg up, and then opened the lid, and everyone in the Great Hall threw their hands over their ears as a loud screeching sound flew from it.
"Close that, idiot."Rigel snapped, then slammed it shot. "Damn." He rubbed his ears. "What the hell was that?"
"Sassy singing in the shower." Teddy snickered, Ginny glared at him.
"Leave her alone, Morph." Harry said. Ginny smiled at him, and Harry smiled back. Rigel sat the egg back down on the table and looked between Harry and Ginny, questioningly. Neither noticed as they ate. Ever once in a while they would glance over at each other and smile. Lately Harry was having weird feelings he didn't understand about Ginny, how though he never liked Seamus, but had an unusual amount of dislike for him, when he was going out with Ginny, and how he really didn't care about Hannah breaking things off, if he had, it wouldn't have been so easy to turn her down, when she had wanted to get back together.
Harry looked back over at Ginny, she didn't look at him this time, but Harry sat and watched her a minute. He couldn't help but think about how pretty she was, he loved everything about her, from her fiery red hair to her sapphire blue eyes, she had a nice figure too, he noted. And she was the prettiest girl in all of Hogwarts. And he just loved her attitude, her smart mouth, she could really take care of herself. There wasn't a thing about her he didn't love.
Harry suddenly froze, realizing what he had just thought, and then he realized what he had felt toward Ginny, he was in love with his best friend.
"Bloody hell." Harry whispered out loud, dropping his fork. His friends looked his way.
"What is it?" Rigel asked. Harry shook his head.
"It's not your scar again is it?" Ginny asked, worry in her voice.
"I got this...I got to go. I forgot there was something I needed to do." He suddenly jumped up and his friends gave him weird looks.
"Harry, where are you going?" Ginny demanded.
"I just remembered I umm..got to be somewhere?" He said, lamely, then turned and headed out of the Great Hall.
"Where could he have to go?" Teddy demanded. "He's already done the task."
"Harry," Ginny called after him, but he didn't stop he just kept going, into he got out into the entrance hall and walked half-way up the marble stairs, then sat down on the middle step.
"What am I going to do?" Harry demanded, putting his face in his hands. How could he be in love with someone he was only fourteen, and he already felt Ginny was the only girl he could ever wand, and she probably; there was no way she felt the same for him. Why would she they were friends. How could he fall in love with his best friend.
"You alright, Little bro?" Cody asked, Harry raised his hand and looked up at him.
"I'm fine." Harry said. Cody snorted as he made his way up the stairs to set next to him.
"You really look fine." Cody said. "It's not your scar is it?" Harry shook his head. "Then what?"
"Cody, you were right." Harry said.
"I know, I'm always right." Cody gave Harry his cocky grin. He rolled his eyes. "But what was I right about this time?"
"Cody, I'm in love with my best friend." Harry said.
"Oh, that." Cody said. He bumped Harry's shoulder. "I'd go for it."
"But..but..what if it doesn't work out?" Harry asked. "We could ruin our good friendship. You and Hermione started out friends."
"So did Mum and dad." Cody said. "And look how they turned out. I have never seen two people more in love then they were."
"I know, but is it really worth the risk?" Harry asked.
"Lighting-Bolt, what was it mum use to say." Cody asked.
"That love is always worth the risk." Harry said.
"Yep." Cody said, he than leaned in and whispered. "Here is you chance take the risk."
Harry didn't understand what he meant. in till Cody stood, and when Harry looked down at the bottom of the stairs he saw Ginny standing there, holding his egg in one arm, and had a shocked wide-eyed look on her face. Cody walked passed Ginny and winked at her as he walked by, when he made it back into the Great Hall, Ginny made her way up the steps slowly and took the spot where Cody had just been sitting.
"You forgot your egg." Ginny handed it to him, Harry blushed as their hands touched, when he took if from her."
"Thanks." Harry mumbled.
"So," Ginny said after a while. "You're in love with me." Harry's face went red.
"No, I..we." Harry swallowed, scared to tell Ginny his true feelings. "Umm...we were talking about someone else."
"Oh," Ginny said, Harry could have sworn she smirked. "I just assumed, that it was me, since you told Cody you were in love with your best friend." Harry shook his head, scared Ginny was about to turn him down. "So, who is it then, Rigel or Teddy?"
"Ginevra!" Harry stumbled. "I don't..what?"
"You have three best friends, so if its' not me, it would have to be either.."
"No!" Harry cut Ginny off, she snickered.
"So, it is me then." Ginny asked. She couldn't stop the smile from appearing on her face.
"I just don't want to be hurt." Harry said. "I don't think I could handle it if you turned me down."
"Harry, how would you know if I was going to turn you down, if you don't ask me?" Ginny said. "You're not going to know how I feel if you don't ask."
"I know, but I was scared you wouldn't feel the same way." Harry said.
"Harry, I love you." Ginny said, but Harry didn't seem to hear, for he went on mumbling.
"Then things would be awkward between us." Harry went on and Ginny rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Harry, didn't you hear me?" Ginny demanded, Harry stopped his mumbling and looked at her.
"No, sorry, what was it?" He asked. Ginny laughed a little moved over so she was sitting closer to him, and put her arm through his, then entwined their fingers.
"I said, I love you too." Ginny smiled.
"Really?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded brining her face closer to his.
"Really," She whispered touching her lips to his, Harry didn't even hesitate before he started kissing her back. Harry had only kissed two other girls his whole life, Hannah Abbot, and Lavender Brown, and Ginny was a way better kisser then both of them. Harry put his hand on her side as they sat there a kissed, when they pulled apart he laid his forehead on hers and grinned real big, Ginny grinned back.
"You're mine." Harry said. Ginny just grinned and hugged him, he hugged her back, holding on to her as Ginny laid her head on his shoulder, she couldn't stop smiling, she finally got the one guy she's wanted since Second year. They didn't have to worry about ruining a good friendship, because like Harry's parents, their love was going to last forever. Ginny raised her head back up and Harry kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and Harry wrapped his around Ginny's waist.
"On my god." Someone said, Harry and Ginny, pulled apart, then looked toward the bottom of the stairs to see Rigel and Teddy standing there. Rigel like always had an unreadable expression on his face and had Harry's broom in his hand. But Teddy's eyes were big and his mouth was wide open. They looked from Teddy back to Rigel.
"You forgot your broom." Was all he said. Ginny and Harry started laughing.
"You and her." Teddy said. "You and him. You two are?"
"Together." Harry said, as Ginny berried her head in his shoulder. They both were laughing at Teddy's look.
"When did this happen." Teddy demanded. "And why didn't you tell me?" Rigel smacked Teddy in the back of the head.
"Because it clearly just happened." Rigel said, rolling his eyes. He nodded to Harry. "About time, it was so obvious you two liked each other."
"You guys don't mind?" Harry asked.
"Why should we?" Teddy said. "You guys make a cute couple."
"Hey, we're all still friends." Rigel shrugged. "But you might want to make out somewhere other than the marble staircase. You are blocking the way you know."
Harry and Ginny laughed. As they got to their feet, Harry picked up his egg and the four friends, headed toward the Gryffindore common room. To hang out into curfew. Harry and Ginny holding hands the whole way there. They sat cuddle up in one of the big armchairs by the fire. And when they went back to their common room, they stood at the bottom of the girls' dorm kissing for about ten minutes before they could bring themselves to pull apart and go their separate ways up to their dorms.
Harry found it easy to get up the next morning, he just couldn't wait to see Ginny again. He showered and dressed as quickly as he could and headed down the stairs. Ginny was already down there waiting on him.
"What took you so long?" She demanded, walking over and hugging him, Harry smiled as he hugged her back.
"I did have to get dressed and shower." Harry said. They kissed, before pulling apart. Harry took her hand and led her out of the common room.
"Why didn't they have the first task on a friday or a Saturday?" Harry demanded. "I have gone through a hard task, then had to get up and tend school the very next day."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're just lazy." The moment they walked into the Great Hall, people started pointing and whispering. He figured because him and Ginny were holding hands, but when he sat down at the Gryffindore table with her, he found out it was for a whole other reason. Katie Bell, when of Cody's Quidditch friends came walking over to him with a copy of Witch Weekly.
"Have you seen this?" She demanded, holding it out for Harry to see. On the cover was a picture of a Witch pulling a pie out of an oven, the top read. How to Bake like a muggle.
"Umm, Katie." Harry said. "I don't know what kind of lies, my brother has said, but I don't read Witch Weekly, isn't that a girl's magazine?" Katie rolled her eyes.
"I talking about this one story in it." Katie flipped through the magazine, in till she got the story she was talking about. "Look."
Harry saw a big picture of him taken up one page, under his face was the words: Harry Potter Heartbreaker. By Rita Skeeter.
"Not her again." Harry said, slamming the magazine down. "Can't see pick on someone else." Ginny reached over and squeezed his hand.
"It's okay, babe." She said, before picking up the magazine and reading the story out loud.
"I have recently found out that our young hero, is a heartbreaker." Ginny read. "He goes through girls like a child does toys, no regards to their feelings, he gets a girl to fall for him, then breaks her heart when someone better comes along, my sources say, even though he is only fourteen, he's been through half the girls at Hogwarts. Even older girls, I have found out he has even stolen his own brothers girl. A very pretty Muggle-Born girl by the name of Hermione Granger. A girl very much older than him, he and said brother Cody are now at odds, he has since broke her heart of course. For a less pretty Pure-Blood, girl by the name of Ginevra Weasley. A girl his age, but has been known to have her fair share of boyfriends. Mostly older boys. Is this bouncing through girls just a sign on how unstable Mr. Potter is or does he just not care for others feelings." Ginny slammed the magazine closed.
"One boy." She said. "I have had only one other boyfriend, besides Harry."
"I thought there was more than six girls that goes to Hogwarts." Harry said. "I've only dated three girls in my life, so if I've been through have the girls at Hogwarts, then only six girls would go here." Ginny snorted.
"You know I did wonder why, Hermione and Cody broke up." Ginny said. Harry glared at her.
"There is and never had been or never will be anything between, Hermione and myself." Harry said. "And I wish I would have let myself know Cody and I have been fighting."
"What I want to know is how did she find out about us so fast." Ginny said. "We've only been going out since last night." Harry frowned then shrugged.
"Maybe, she was jut making something bigger, out of us being friends." Harry said. "Everyone here knows we've been best friends since first year. I didn't have a girlfriend at the time, so she used you. As far as she knew I didn't have a girlfriend. I doubt she even knows about us, she was just guessing."
"Maybe." Ginny said, sounding doubtful. "I'll find out anyway, I'll make her pay for telling lies."
"Don't worry too much about it." Katie said, picking her magazine up. "If anyone believes this trash or anything Rita can come up with, they are idiots anyway. All Rite Skeeter dose is lie and twist truth around to make a better her story." She turned and walked away, just as Teddy and Rigel came stumbling in the Great Hall and sat across from Harry and Ginny.
"There's our little Heartbreaker." Teddy grinned. Harry groaned.
"Dose everyone know about that?" He demanded.
"Alicia showed us the magazine." Rigel said. Alicia Spinnet was Rigel's newest girlfriend, she was a chaser on the Gryffindore Quidditch team, and was two years older than Rigel.
"Taken your brother's girl." Teddy said, shaken his head. "Even I wouldn't go that low. Though it would be hard, since I don't have a brother. But anyways, you know what I really think, I think Rita got you and Trouble confused with each other, he's the one that's been through half the girls at Hogwarts." Rigel smacked Teddy on the back of the head. He yelped.
"Stop that." He said. "One of these days I'm going to hit you back." Rigel rolled his eyes. Ginny suddenly stood and grabbed her bag.
"Where you going?" Harry asked, frowning, Ginny smiled.
"Class," She said. "I got Arithmancy." She bent down and gave Harry a peck on the lips. "See you in charms." Harry frowned as he watched Ginny leave the Great Hall wishing for the first time he had taken Arithmancy too.
"Speaking of class." Jesse went walking by and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Shouldn't you be going to Divination." Harry rolled his eyes and stood picking up his bag. Teddy and Rigel followed him.
"If is wasn't for Jesse I would just skip today." Harry said, sitting down on one of the bean bag chairs.
"I would be skipping right along with you." Teddy said.
Rigel said nothing he just slid down low in his seat, got comfortable and started to go to sleep. Harry snorted at his friend as Trelawney passed out crystal balls.
"Didn't we do crystal balls last year." Teddy demanded. Harry nodded.
"I know we have already covered crystal balls, but I have foreseen us covering it again." Trelawney said.
"She foreseen us." Teddy whispered. Harry had to hold in his laugh. Teddy bent down to look into the ball. "What is this I see something." He said dramatically, "it's Harry, and wait what's this, he's kissing a girl." Harry rolled his eyes. "A blonde, no a brunette. Harry Potter is kissing a girl who isn't Ginny, the heartbreaker is at it again."
Harry reached over to smack Teddy, but he moved out of his way and he smacked Rigel in the chest instead, Rigel fall of his bean bag chair, and woke with a start.
"What the..? He demanded. He rubbed his chest. "Who did that?" Harry and Teddy burst out laughing.
"His fault." They said at the same time pointing at each other, still laughing.
"How's it my fault?" Teddy demanded. "You're the one that hit him."
"You're the one that moved, when I was trying to hit you." Harry said. Between laughs, by then the whole had turned to watch them.
"It's both your faults." Rigel said. He then hit Teddy on the back of the head.
"Stop doing that." Teddy demanded. Harry laughed in till Rigel turned around and hit him on the back of the head. Harry glared rubbing the back of his head.
"Boys," Trelawney called. "If you can not take this class seriously, then I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
They looked at each other trying to hold in their laughter as they stood grabbed their bags and headed to the trap door, once the last person's feet hit the ground (Teddy) all three of them burst into laughter.
"I think that's the fist time anyone has gotten kicked out of her class." Harry said. "What are we suppose to do? We have an hour before class ends.
"Lets go to the Gryffindore common room." Teddy said. They agreed and headed that way. They got down one staircase and then down one hallway when their way was cut off by one Severus Snape.
"What do we have here?" He asked. "Skipping class."
"No," Teddy said. "We got kicked out." Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me, Lupin, why does that not surprise me?" Snape said. He glanced at Rigel who glared at him, then sneered at Teddy, then his eyes fall on Harry where they stayed. "Black, Lupin." He spat so suddenly and loud he made Harry and Teddy jump. "Instead of walking the halls and acting like fools,disturbing the students who take learning seriously, I suggest you go and stay in your common room into time for you next class. While I have a little talk with Potter."
Rigel looked as though he was about to argue but looked behind him, and something seemed to change his mind and he grabbed Teddy's arm, and they headed past Snape.
"Oh and Black, Lupin." Snape called. "That will be twenty points each, ten each for getting kicked out of class, and ten each for walking the halls acting like idiots." They both glared at Snape, before turning and counting their way down the hall. Snape turned back to Harry.
"Shouldn't you be teaching potions?" Harry asked. Snape sneered.
"What I do, Potter, is none of your business." Snape said. "Now, Potter, I must ask you what are you and your friends up to this time?"
"We're not doing anything." Harry said. "Trelawney kicked us out of class."
"I'm not talking about that, Potter." Snape sneered. "I'm talking about potion ingredients disappearing out of my store rooms; the ingredients needed for Polly Juice potion. And I know you and your little tag-a-longs have something to do with it. Just like two ears ago when the same potion ingredients went missing."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, because as you know we love potions so much." Snape took a step toward Harry, so close he had to take a step back.
"Do not get smart with me, Potter." Snape said. He reached in his pocket and for one wild moment Harry thought Snape was pulling out his wand, and his hand went to the pocket his wand was in, but Snape only pulled out a small vial of potion.
"Do you know what this is?" Snape asked. Harry knew it was Veritaserum, a very powerful truth potion. But he shook his head, no need to let Snape know, he actually knows something about potions. Harry's mum did teach him potions, and Harry use to love it, he would spend hours with his mum making all kinds of potions, but after Lily Potter died, Harry just didn't care about it anymore. That were something he enjoyed doing with him mum, now that she was gone, he had no use for them.
"It's Veritaserum," Snape sneered. "A very power truth potion, the most powerful you can make." He took another step closer. "I know you are up to something, Potter, my office and store one is not getting broke into for no reason."
"Hey, you can't blame us for that." Harry said. "We didn't go anywhere near your stupid rooms."
"I will find out the truth, Potter, if I have to use this." Snape held up the little vial. "Just one drop and you will be telling me your deepest darkest secrets."
"You do know that's illegal." Someone asked, from behind Snape, he twirled around as Harry looked over Snape, to see Jesse standing there, his arms crossed and looking ticked.
"Snape, you are aware that it is illegal to give an underage kid truth serum ." Jesse demanded. "That is something the ministry doesn't even do. And besides that, teachers aren't allowed to give students it, rather they are of age or not." Jesse walked right up to Snape. "And I do not like you threaten my little brother, I could have you hurled off to Azkaban so fast you couldn't even blink."
"Potter and his friends are up to something," Snape sneered. "They've broken into my office and store rooms."
"Do you have proof of that." Jesse demanded. "I would guess that answer is no, since you are threatening Harry. If you think him or any of his friends broke into anything, you tell the headmaster or one of the Aurors walking around the castle."
"Oh, yes, the Aurors." Snape sneered. "Potter's own bother, Sirius Black, and the werewolf lover."
"Hey," Harry cried. Jesse held up his hand silencing him.
"Harry, get on to your next class, while I have a little talk with Snape." Harry knew better than to argue, and he walked passed Snape not looking him in the eyes and headed down the hall, he could hear Jesse shouting as he turned the corner and headed toward the charms class room.
When he turned another corner and the charm room came into view, he saw Ginny looking up and down the hall with a worried looked on her face, she looked back the way Harry was, and smiled, her sapphire eyes lighting up, she rushed forward and met Harry in the middle of the hall.
"Thank Merlin." Ginny said. "I just saw Teddy and Rigel, and they told me they had left you with Snape." She put her arm around Harry's waist. He put his around her shoulder. "I asked them how they could do such a thing?"
"Don't worry, Gin," Harry said. "Jesse came along and witness Snape threaten me with Veritascrum, he's yelling at him right now."
"Good, maybe he'll start believing you now." Ginny said.
In charms they learned about summoning charms, and Flitwick asked Harry to show off his skills, since he had used such a good one in the task, without them even covering them in class yet, and before class was dismissed, Flitwick announced that they would be a ball on Christmas, "It is apart of the Tournament," he explained, "it's called the Yule Ball, and I expect every Ravenclaw to be on your best behavior during it." Just then the ball rang.
"Mr. Potter, may I talk to you?" Flitwick asked. Ginny went to wait out side as Harry walked up to the teacher's desk.
"Sir," Harry asked.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, I was told to tell you that as a school champion, you are going to be starting the dance." Flitwick said.
"Umm..like do you mean, I will have to get up in front of everyone and dance first?" Harry asked. Not liking that idea at all.
"Yes, you and the other three champions."Fltwick said. "So I suggest to find a partner that can dance. And please try not to make a fool of your self." Harry half smiled and that, before he turned and walked from the room.
"What was that about?" Ginny asked, taking his hand.
"The school champions start the dance." Harry said. "So, I hope you don't mind dancing while everyone else watches."
"Who said I was going to the ball with you?" Ginny asked.
"Well, I assumed you would be my date." Harry said. "Your my girlfriend."
"Yes, but, you haven't asked." Ginny said, smiling slightly. "It is manners to ask." Harry smiled, now realizing she was just teasing him.
"Then, will you Ginevra Elizabeth Weasley, please accompany me, Harry Sirius Potter, to the Yule Ball?" Harry asked. He stopped walking and turned Ginny to face him. Ginny smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'll think about it." She said, and kissed him. When they pulled away, Harry begin to tickle her.
"What do you mean you'll think about it?" He demanded, tickling her. "You better go with me." Ginny laughed, she was very ticklish.
"Stop." She cried, Harry just kept tickling her sides. "Stop, okay...okay.. I'll go." By than Harry had his arms wrapped around her shoulders and had her back up against his chest.
"That's what I thought." Harry said, bending his head to kiss her neck.
"Get a room." Someone said. Harry and Ginny pulled apart and turned to see Cody and Lee Jardon walking past. Cody stopped next to Harry. "I see you took the risk." He glanced over at Ginny and winked. "Smart move, Little Bro, Ginevra there, is one hot chick." Ginny blushed as red as her hair.
"Hey," Harry cried, aiming a kick at him. "That's my girl you're talking about." Cody and Lee started walking on down the hall and stopped to turn around.
"Hey, you stole my girl, Lighting-Bolt." Cody said. "I can at least comment about yours."
"You heard about that story?" Harry asked.
"Everyone has heard about that story, my friend." Lee said.
"Where's Fred and George?" Ginny asked them. It was weird to see Cody without them. Even if he was with Lee.
"Detention." Cody yelled dramatically.
"For some reason, McGonagall didn't find it funny when they transfigured, their goblet into a niffler instead of a rat." Lee said. "And she got even madder when it jumped on her and took her glasses right off her face."
"I thought she was being unfair." Cody said. "It's Fred and George's fault nifflers like shiny things, and that she keeps her glasses are so shiny."
"You should have told her that." Harry said.
"He did." Lee said.
"What did she say?" Harry asked.
"She ..well. "Cody smirked. "Just go take a look at the Gryffindore Hour glass. You'll get the idea." He and Lee turned and walked away. Harry shook his head, took Ginny's hand and headed down to lunch.
After lunch was potions, Harry wasn't looking forward to it at all, not after Jesse's fight with Snape, but Ginny wouldn't let him skip and when they got there Snape came walking in the class looking madder than Harry has ever seen him, and after writing the assignment on the board and turning around the class gasped, but Harry couldn't help but smirk, when he saw the big black eye Snape now wore. Maybe Jesse did care for him after all.
A.N. I know Ginny's middle name is Molly, but I like the Ginevra Elizabeth sounds, and I decided to let Harry and Ginny go a head and get together. Next chapter may or may not be the Yule Ball, I don't know yet.