Chapter 2

Banter and Blushes

'Jenna, time to get up.'

I turned over in my bed, pulling the duvet up over my head.

'Jenna! It's getting late!'

I groaned and called, 'It's the holiday. Five more minutes.'

I remained where I was as Mum's voice called me a third time. It was too warm in my bed to get up and my pillows were too comfortable. Footsteps came up the stairs and there was a knock on my door. I groaned again.

'Jenna, get up!' said Sirius. I lifted the edge of the duvet so I could peer at the door. 'Mum says it's your last warning or she's coming up and soaking you until you do so.'

'All right, all right!' I moaned. I threw the duvet off me and sat on the edge of my bed. I groaned and pushed back my hair. 'I'm up! I'm up!'

Dad's footsteps walked away from my door and down the stairs. Gathering up my hair I tied it into a ponytail and got up. I really didn't want to get up regardless of what time it was. It was a Saturday for Merlin's sake. I walked downstairs and headed for the kitchen. I went straight for the cupboard to get some cereal and a bowl then sat down. I was just about to take a mouthful when –

'Nice pyjamas, Jen.'

I looked up, spoon an inch away from my open mouth, to see Harry, Lily and Mum sitting across the table from me and Dad and James standing behind them. I flushed; my eyes darted to the clock to see it was eleven o'clock. I hadn't realised I'd slept in this late. And it was the Saturday we were going to The Burrow! I'd completely forgotten Harry and his parents were coming over so we could leave together! I let out a short scream of surprise and fell backwards off my chair. Quickly I thought of a Thestral's invisibility and vanished. I could hear my parents and Harry's laughing. Talk about embarrassing.

I sprang to my feet, invisible of course (I didn't want Harry to see me in my pyjamas), and hissed, 'Dad, you could have warn me that Harry and his parents were here!' Across from me Harry was smiling roughly in the direction of where I was. My cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red. I was just glad he couldn't see me. Talk about embarrassing.

'And miss the look on your face when you realised,' chuckled Sirius. 'Serves you right for getting up late. I just wish I'd had a camera with me.'

'Mum!'

'Take your breakfast and go get dressed, Jenna,' said Tala. 'And make sure you've got everything packed. Remus told me what you're like, always forgetting something. Gadget's already in her cage. And don't stick your tongue out at me.'

She was too good. Glaring at Mum's back, I picked up my soggy cereal and stalked off upstairs leaving the others to talk. Once on the landing I returned visible and hurried into my bedroom. Muttering about the unfairness of Dad's prank, I pulled some clothes out while eating my breakfast.

'Could have warn me –' I pulled on some trousers and got a top from my chest of drawers, '– but no, Dad thinks it funny for me to walk around –' I searched my room for a clean bra, finding one hanging on my wardrobe handle, '– in my pyjamas with Harry –' I tried to pull it off, '– watch— Ouch!'

It snapped back on my hand. I rubbed my hand as it stung. I snatched the bra off the handle and put it on under my pyjama top, then proceeding to change it and pull a t-shirt over my head. With that on I began hunting round for some socks. I found some then spent about five minutes hopping about on one foot to try and pull each of them on; it resulted in me tripping over something lying on my floor and falling on to my back. I groaned. This was not my day!

'Having fun?'

I opened my eyes to find myself looking directly up at Harry. He was standing over me with a grin on his face.

'Fun is not really the word I'd use to describe it,' I said, 'but that's not the point. What are you doing in my room?'

'Came to see if you needed any help,' said Harry. 'If you're anything like me, you're useless at packing.'

I let out a short laugh and sat up.

'I'm nothing like you when it comes to packing,' I said indignantly, getting to my feet. I then glanced at my trunk. It lay open on my floor and still only had my books in it. 'Though doing it last minute isn't always the best method.'

Harry laughed. I glared at him but couldn't stop the smile appearing on my face. Loathed as I was to say it, Harry knew me too well. Sighing, I picked up my wand off my chest of drawers and pointed it at various things around my room. My robes zoomed into my trunk followed by my home clothes and the last bits and bobs that I needed to take with me back to Hogwarts. With that done I turned to Harry, arms folded and a smug smile on my face.

'See? Told you. Now,' I said briskly, 'what are you doing in my room? I know you better than anyone, Harry. You're useless at packing. You have an ulterior motive other than helping me.'

'You didn't expect me to pass up the opportunity of seeing you in those pyjamas a little longer, did you?' shrugged Harry. 'You looked cute in them.'

'Cute?' I repeated. Those pyjamas weren't cute; a simple pair of lilac and white checked flannel pyjamas and Harry thinks they're cute?

'Well I could have said beautiful,' said Harry casually, 'but you don't like those sort of compliments.'

I stared at Harry incredulously. Talk about twisting my own words. I was also blushing though. Since May after the war had ended, Harry so far hadn't said something like that to me. It sort of caught me off guard. I lowered my eyes and bit my lower lip; it was a nervous habit of mine now that I couldn't stop doing whenever I was embarrassed. In other words, whenever I was with Harry.

'I … didn't mean it quite like that,' I mumbled. I could feel my face growing hotter. I turned away in order to hide it, covering it by picking up my brush and undoing my hair. 'I do like your compliments, just … not the ones that make me feel like I'm nothing more than something to be drooled over.'

I pulled my brush through my hair, pulling it over my shoulder. I ran my fingers through it before glancing back at Harry. He was watching me.

'Surely by now you know I think of you as something more than that.' Harry stepped up behind me and put his arms round my waist. He rested his chin on my shoulder as he held me; I felt him gently kiss my neck. 'Or have these last two months between us been wasted?'

I smiled, 'No, they haven't been wasted.' I turned round in Harry's arms and looked up at him. I laughed quietly. 'I'm just still getting used to the idea of "us".'

'Then perhaps I should give you a little reassurance,' said Harry.

Next moment our lips were touching as Harry leant down to me and pressed his on to mine. It was only short but it always made my heart race. He certainly was a good kisser. The kiss stopped.

'You know, Dad would kill you if he knew you were in here,' I said casually. My fingers were playing along the zip of Harry's jacket. 'It's one thing going into your bedroom, a completely different thing going into mine. Very protective of his little girl, he is. His fair phantom.'

'Fair phantom?' questioned Harry. He looked at me strangely.

'Don't ask, Dad just calls me that for some reason,' I told him. 'Point is, Dad wouldn't be too happy. D'you know what he said to me when I told him you were Head Boy?'

'No, what did he say?'

'He said that you should keep it in your pants if you know what's good for you.'

'Sirius said that?' laughed Harry. I nodded. 'He's one to talk.'

'Yeah, but it's "don't do as I do, do as I tell you",' I said, quoting Remus, 'regardless of the fact we're of age. Then again, they're only making up for lost time.'

That was certainly the case as not a few moments later Dad opened my bedroom door and walked in. I'd never seen Harry move so fast, not even during a Quidditch match. When we heard the door open behind us, Harry jumped back from me as if he'd been Stunned, arms firmly by his sides. I had to stop myself bursting into laughter. I guess he took Dad's words seriously (no pun intended) not that I did.

'Hi, Dad,' I said brightly. He looked at us suspiciously.

'Why does Harry look guilty?' asked Sirius slowly. I glanced at him. 'What's going on?'

'Nothing's going on, Dad,' I insisted. 'Harry was just helping me pack, weren't you?' I looked at Harry pointedly; I nodded discreetly to make him speak.

'Yeah, just helping her pack,' rushed Harry. What on earth –?

'Well hurry up,' said Sirius. 'We're leaving in fifteen minutes with or without the two of you.'

Dad left the room. Harry relaxed beside me. I stared at him.

'Are you scared of Dad because of what I said just now?' I asked. 'You know he wouldn't really do anything. He just wanted to make sure I wasn't pressured into anything I didn't want to do when he said that. It was only a joke.'

'No, it's not that,' said Harry.

'So what's with the jumpiness around Dad?'

Harry sighed, 'It's just a bit weird now, that's all. I know he's OK with us going out and all that but he's not just my godfather and your dad anymore. He's my girlfriend's dad, the one who'll always be watching me.'

'Girlfr—?' I began but I was cut off by Mum and Lily calling up to us.

'Harry, come and get your stuff!'

'Jenna, come on!'

Harry shrugged and walked out of my room. I stared after him. It felt like there was a lump in my throat; my body felt oddly frozen. Harry had said that we were going out, that I was his … girlfriend …

'Jenna!'

I snapped out of my reverie. I grabbed my trunk and left my room.

I joined Harry and our parents in the living room. Mum had the pot of Floo powder in her hands and Dad was lighting a fire with his wand for us to use. Gadget was sitting in her cage next to her sister's one on Harry's trunk. I pulled my trunk into the room and put it with the rest of our things. Dad and James were going to bring them to The Burrow once Harry and I had Flooed there. With the all clear from Dad, Harry and I took a handful of the glittering powder. Harry went first; he said the destination and was swallowed up into the emerald flames. Then it was my turn. I hated travelling by Floo powder but I hadn't got the hang of Apparating with large things yet so it was the only way. I threw the powder into the fireplace and stepped into it.

'The Burrow.'

Everything started spinning. I hated the feeling of it. I kept my eyes firmly shut as the flames took me. I only opened them so that I knew when to get off. I could feel myself sliding through the Floo network. Fireplace after fireplace past me, various things flashing in and out of my sight. Finally the Weasley fireplace came into view at the end of the tunnel. As per usual, I stumbled on my re-entrance. I let out a small scream and fell forwards on to the rug, landing hard on the floor. I was so glad it was over.

'I hate Floo-ing,' I groaned.

Next moment I was enveloped in the usual bone-crushing hug from Mrs Weasley. She, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all gathered in front of the Weasley fireplace having heard mine and Harry's arrival. When I was released Mrs Weasley proceeded to hug Harry before looking up and down the pair of us.

'Oh, Harry dear, lovely to see you again,' she said, releasing him from his hug. 'And you, Jenna dear. How are things over at Godric's Hollow? Are you all moved in now?'

'Yeah, almost, just a few boxes left,' said Harry. 'My uncle was glad to hear I wasn't going back to Privet Drive anymore. Otherwise, things are great. Oh, and Mum and Dad should be along in a minute with my stuff.'

'Same here,' I added.

Sure enough, four more people along with two trunks and two owls came spinning into the grate. Mrs Weasley moved us out of the way in time as Dad and James stepped out with our trunks.

'Thanks for taking Harry and Jenna, Molly,' said Sirius, dusting himself down. 'Bit of a tradition, isn't it?'

'Indeed,' nodded Molly. 'It's a pleasure having them to stay. The house seems so empty now with the others all moved out. And of course their birthdays are within the next couple of weeks and we're more than happy to host the party if you're still a bit cluttered at home.'

'That'll be great and we'll definitely be here for their birthdays,' said James. 'Lily says a Muggle's eighteenth birthday is equally as important as a wizard's seventeenth so she's determined to celebrate it. Merlin knows why though.'

'Because it is,' said Lily, getting out of the fireplace with Mum. 'I'm not having my son missing out on his eighteenth, wizard or not.'

Our parents went off to talk in the kitchen leaving Harry and me with Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Over the last two months each of them had changed in noticeable ways. Ron had finally got his hair cut after it grew so much while we were on the run (probably under his mum's orders) and finally looked like he'd grown into his clothes, getting rid of his gangly appearance. Hermione also looked different. Her hair was no longer frizzy and was styled in neat curls reaching just past her shoulders. She'd also taken to wearing makeup a bit more from what I'd heard from her. Because she and Ron were an item now, Hermione had been spending much more time at The Burrow and I guess she and Ginny had been having many plotting sessions together. The change in Ginny was also evident. She still retained her blazing look but had cut her hair. It was now short and layered, flaring out at the ends, and a few strands crossing over her eyes. She too wore a hint of makeup. I found it hard to believe she was going to be seventeen a week after me.

'About time you guys got here,' said Ron, slapping Harry on the back while Hermione and Ginny hugged me. 'Mum's been going frantic as usual. Worried something had happened because you arrived two minutes late.'

'You what?' I asked. I moved so I could look at Ron, Hermione's arms still round me, and gave him a quizzical look. 'Why was she worrying this time? Harry's not been getting into any trouble recently.'

Ginny sniggered. Ron didn't notice and answered my question. I wasn't listening though. Ginny had just given me a very pointed look.

'Oh, you know Mum,' shrugged Ron. 'She'd fuss over the ghoul if it wasn't making a racket with the pipes in the attic.'

'Well, as nice as that is to know,' interrupted Ginny, 'why don't we get your things upstairs?'

Grabbing our trunks, the five of us went upstairs. From what I saw, The Burrow had also changed. The charm of it not having a straight edge in the place was still there but it was a lot neater, making it seem much roomier both upstairs and down. Then again virtually all the Weasley children apart from Ron and Ginny had moved out now. The biggest change though was the Weasley's clock. It still stood pride of place by the stairs with the arrows no longer pointing to danger for everyone; a few more hands had also been added including one for Fleur Delacour (who married Bill the previous year), a girl named Audrey Quigley that Percy was dating (and was serious about, ooh-err) and, to his surprise, one of Harry. Well he was practically family to the Weasleys.

While Harry and Ron went into his room, Hermione, Ginny and I went into Ginny's. We told the boys we'd join them later. According to Hermione and Ginny, we had a lot to catch up on whatever that meant. Two camp beds had been set up in it, one for each of us, and Hermione's trunk was already sitting in the corner. Beside it was Crookshanks' wicker basket which meant the large ginger tom was stalking around somewhere. Probably playing with the gnomes in the garden again. I dumped my trunk and bag next to Hermione's.

'So, give us the gossip,' Hermione said. She and Ginny were looking at me eagerly, sitting on Ginny's bed. I gave them a strange look.

'What?'

'Oh, come on, Jenna,' said Ginny. 'You've got it written all over your face. What's going on between you and Harry?'

I stared between the two of them. I'd only been here five minutes and already I was being quizzed.

'What's got into you two?' I said, ignoring the question. I busied myself by searching in my bag for something. I could feel my cheeks already starting to heat up. 'Nothing's going on between me and Harry.'

'Yeah, and Hagrid owns a dragon,' said Ginny. She was smirking like mad. 'Didn't he say anything important to you before we got taken to St Mungo's after the war?'

'Like his feelings or desires?' continued Hermione. 'What he wanted to do now that Voldemort was gone?'

I stared between the two of them. Did they know something? Both were so eager to find out if anything had happened between Harry and me. I swallowed nervously. It felt like I was being interrogated by the Ministry or something. Whatever they already knew though, they wanted more information and it didn't look like they were going to drop the subject without a fight. But what was there to tell? There wasn't really anything different between us. Only that Harry said I was his girlfriend and –

'Come on, Jenna, you've got to tell us if something's happened between the two of you,' said Hermione. I jumped, having faded out slightly while they were speaking. 'You know about me and Ron.'

'Yeah, because it was obvious you two were going to get together,' I said. I sat down beside her on the bed. 'Seamus and Dean even had a bet on it during sixth year.'

Hermione let out a disgruntled huff, then said, 'But still, you know about us. I've told you everything that's happened since the start of the summer. We want to know about you guys. Something must have happened between you after Harry defeated Voldemort.'

On a side note, Hermione saying Voldemort's name was now a common thing. In fact, now that he was gone and the taboo on his name had been removed, quite a few people in the wizarding community were comfortable saying his name although the majority still refused to say it.

'Didn't you see the way he was looking at you when Kingsley was speaking to us in the Headmaster's office? He couldn't keep his eyes off you. He even put his arm round you on the way down to the Hogwarts Express. If that's not showing he feels something towards you, I don't know what does.'

Hermione's memory was way too good I decided. The last two months had gone so fast I couldn't even remember every small detail of what happened back then.

'Yeah,' persisted Ginny. 'And on the way to St Mungo's and in the hospital itself, you two were practically in each other's pockets. You can't deny that there's nothing between you now.'

Unfortunately, Ginny did have a point there. On the Hogwarts Express back to London I'd spent most of the trip with Harry's arm discreetly round my waist as I leaned against him looking out the window. I'd eventually fallen asleep with my head on his shoulder, waking up when we got back to London. Then in St Mungo's the two of us had spent quite a lot of time talking about various things including continuing the conversation we'd had on the Astronomy Tower while we waited for our parents to be checked over and given the all clear. I couldn't believe how blind I'd been to Harry's feelings during sixth year

'And you've been having feelings for him since our sixth year,' added Hermione. I looked at her, startled. Ginny didn't know that! Or at least, I thought she didn't; her look told me otherwise. 'Maybe his feelings for you didn't change after what happened that year.'

'Whoa, let's back up a spell,' I said, holding up my hands to stem their questions. 'Just because Harry and I might have had feelings for each other in the past doesn't mean anything … grew from it,' I said, thinking quickly. I know that wasn't true but I really wasn't ready to admit to them, especially to Ginny, that Harry and I were on a more than friends level now. I didn't want to jinx it. 'A lot happened last year when we were on the run. We all changed.'

'Exactly,' said Hermione. 'You guys changed. Jenna, you must have seen the change in him after you escaped Bellatrix during the summer. And during the fight itself!'

'Seen what?' I asked. I was completely baffled.

'How much Harry cares about you.' What? I knew Harry cared about me. But the way Hermione said it made me think it was not quite what I was thinking. Hermione smiled gently at me. 'Jenna, when Voldemort took you, Harry was willing to jeopardise everything to get you back. He didn't care about Snape's memories or getting to Nagini. All he cared about was getting you away from Voldemort. It was like something inside him had just … clicked.'

I stared at Hermione. He did? Harry had never told me that. I mean, I'd heard Harry's shouts when I was in the Forbidden Forest but I didn't know about that bit. My heart fluttered slightly. A small smile turned up the corners of my mouth. I didn't notice the grins appearing on Hermione and Ginny's faces.

'Something did happen!' gasped Hermione.

'I knew it,' said Ginny smugly. 'You two are an item, aren't you?'

'What – no –' I stuttered. 'Harry and I – we're not –'

Luckily I was saved saying anything else on the subject when Mrs Weasley called up to me and Harry to say goodbye to our parents. I hastily left Ginny's room and went downstairs to say goodbye to Mum and Dad, knowing full well next time they had me on my own those two were going to try and get every little detail out of me. I just wondered if Ron had said anything to Harry about this.

-o-

Grabbing their trunks, the five of them went upstairs. While Harry and Ron went into Ron's room, Hermione, Ginny and Jenna went into Ginny's saying they had a lot of catching up to do. Harry and Ron shared a look and laughed. They knew what that meant. The girls disappeared up the corridor and into Ginny's room. With them gone, Harry and Ron went into his bedroom, Ron helping Harry get his trunk inside. It was good to be back at The Burrow. Harry always enjoyed his time here. Ron's room hadn't changed. It was still covered in Chudley Cannons posters although they were still bottom of the Quidditch league.

'So how's your summer been so far?' asked Harry, putting his trunk in the corner next to Pig's cage. 'You said Hermione had been staying over quite a bit. How's that going?'

Ron grinned.

'Oh, you know,' he said. 'Remember that book I got you for your birthday last year?' Harry nodded. The pair sat down on the beds. 'Works like a charm. I swear, without it I'd still be on the receiving end of Herm's conjured birds like in sixth year.'

Harry laughed.

'Better not let Hermione know you've been getting advice from a book,' he joked. 'For one thing she might make you start reading more. Or attack you with more birds for using a book to charm her.'

Ron murmured in agreement, 'Yeah, probably.'

'You know, just being yourself helps as well,' Harry continued. It had certainly worked with Jenna. 'They don't need impressing all the time. Hermione certainly not.'

'I know but a helpful nudge once in a while doesn't hurt. Hey, that book might even help you restart your relationship with Ginny.'

Harry looked at Ron curiously. He and Ginny weren't getting back together. She was with Neville now and he was with Jenna. Surely Ron knew that by now?

'What d'you mean?' he asked.

'You know,' said Ron. 'I know I told you not to mess her around during the war but that's over now. Voldemort's gone and all. You can get back together, can't you? Nothing's stopping you. I was surprised to hear from Ginny you hadn't spoken to her about it yet.'

Harry hesitated. The creature in his stomach twisted awkwardly. From what it sounded like, Ron didn't know that he and Ginny weren't going to be getting back together. Both of them had found someone else. Ginny had Neville; Harry had Jenna. And by the sounds of it, Ginny hadn't told Ron that little detail. Harry didn't really blame her. His previous reactions to who Ginny was dating hadn't been good; he had a deep loathing for Michael Corner when she dated him in her fourth year and when she was dating Dean Thomas, a fellow Gryffindor with them, the two of them had gotten into more than one scuffle throughout the year. At the start of their relationship, Ron had said Ginny was lucky he'd given his permission for them to be together (not that Ginny thought she needed it). But now what would Ron think when he learnt that Harry was with Jenna now when it had appeared he was the only person Ron thought was worthy to date his sister? Even more so when he hears that the two of them had had several encounters throughout the last two years.

'So how come you haven't made a move yet?' asked Ron curiously. 'I'm pretty sure Ginny wants to get back together with you.'

'Er, Ron, Ginny didn't say anything about why we hadn't got back together yet, did she?' asked Harry. 'When you asked her?'

'Only that you had other things to sort out first,' said Ron. 'She didn't say what though.'

Harry let out an awkward laugh. He knew what those "other things" Ginny had meant were, his relationship with Jenna. And he wasn't surprised that Ginny hadn't said anything to Ron about Neville yet.

'Ron, Ginny and I –' Harry started when a shout came from downstairs.

'Harry! Jenna!' It was Mrs Weasley. 'Your parents are leaving. Come and say goodbye to them.'

Harry looked at the door. He heard Jenna shout a reply from up the corridor and footsteps go past the door.

'I'd better go,' Harry mumbled. Ron nodded and the two of them headed downstairs after the girls, Harry all the while thinking how he was going to break the news to Ron.

-o-

I went downstairs with Hermione and Ginny, glad to avoid answering Ginny's question about me and Harry. In truth a part of me wanted to tell them that Harry and I had spoken and everything when another part, a stronger voice, was saying don't jinx it. Mine and Harry's relationship had been troubled enough as it was. I was just glad to get off the subject.

Mum, Dad, James and Lily were waiting for us by the fire place to Floo home. They'd had a chat with Mrs Weasley and they told us they were coming back on both mine and Harry's birthdays to join in the celebrations. Both Mum and Lily wanted to celebrate our eighteenth birthdays, Lily because eighteen was an important age in Muggle traditions and Mum because I didn't have a seventeenth seeing as my seventeenth birthday I spent locked up at the Malfoy Manor. I gave Mum and Dad a hug each and they Flooed home.

'Right,' said Mrs Weasley briskly when they'd gone. 'Who wants some lunch?'

Ron's ears immediately perked up at the mention of food. Harry laughed while Hermione and I shook our heads. Some things never change.

Lunch wasn't the usual crammed affair it had been in past years. The only people there were us five and Mrs Weasley and she was usually bustling about the kitchen while we ate. Mr Weasley and Percy were both working today; Bill and Fleur were living in Shell Cottage, obviously seeing as we visited it last year while we were on the run; Charlie had returned to Romania to continue his work with dragons having postponed it during the war; and Fred and George were both living in Diagon Alley and working constantly on new products for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in time for the new school year although Fred was still recovering from his injuries from the battle. It seemed so strange them not all being here like previous years.

After being on the run for a year, I really appreciated Mrs Weasley's cooking now. Being so used to cooking for so many people there was plenty of food for all us though too much for just us five so there were lots of leftover vegetables. Once we'd finished Hermione, Ginny and I helped clean up for Mrs Weasley before joining Harry and Ron in the sitting room with some bottles of Butterbeer. Unsurprisingly Hermione went and sat next to Ron on the sofa; Harry sat on the one opposite them while Ginny sat in one of the large patchwork chairs the Weasleys owned. I made to sit in the partner of Ginny's chair when she spoke up.

'Why don't you sit next to Harry?' she asked me. I looked at her suspiciously. 'There's plenty of room on the sofa. He doesn't bite, you know.'

I raised an eyebrow at her. Ginny just smiled innocently at me. Yeah, she was anything but innocent. Either way I went and sat next to Harry.

'Did you ever go see Kingsley about getting into the Auror program?' Ron asked Harry. 'You were planning to go into it, weren't you?'

'Yeah, I owled him once the Ministry of Magic had been sorted out,' replied Harry.

'What did he say? Did you get in?'

'He said that I was more than capable to get into the program but I needed to get my NEWTs first. Because it's a Ministry office, I have to have the grades to get in and the proof I'd done them.'

'Well that's fair enough,' said Hermione. 'The Ministry requires the most reliable and skilled wizards and witches, especially in the Auror office as they have to be on hand at the shortest of notice. Not those corrupt fools who were running it before.'

'Least Kingsley's in charge of it now,' I said. 'He's made a lot of changes to the Ministry of Magic since Voldemort's defeat. Getting rid of those Muggle-born legislations for a start.'

Hermione nodded.

There had indeed been many changes in the wizarding world since Kingsley had been confirmed as the new Minister for Magic. For a start he'd gotten that horrible black statue of the wizard and witch on a throne on top of Muggles removed and restored the Statue of Magical Brethren. There had been many changes in the offices too. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement had a new head and was much stricter now while other smaller offices, like Mr Weasley's in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, had been redesigned so that they weren't as much of a joke like they were before. Another thing Kingsley did was remove the Dementors from guarding Azkaban, something all of us agreed with having experienced them many times. And like I said, all the laws against Muggle-borns had been abolished which I was particularly pleased about; it had been those laws which had sentenced my ex-boyfriend to death.

Speaking of him, it had been nearly a year since he'd died. Noah had been killed while I was prisoner in the Malfoy Manner. I'd read about his death in the Daily Prophet. That was one of the things I sorted out as soon as I could. I Apparated to his home and met with his family. Noah apparently had told them a lot about me. Mrs Oakley told me she was thankful that I'd ended my relationship with him before the war though it didn't make a difference in the end. I also heard that his younger sister, Daniela, was to start at Hogwarts. Only his older sister Josie hadn't gone. I'd made a personal promise to Noah to look out for her for him.

'So you're going back to Hogwarts?' asked Ron. Harry nodded. Ron shrugged. 'Ah, rather you than me, mate. I'm not going back.'

'Oh, Ron, come on,' said Hermione. Hermione had told me in a letter that she and Ron had had many discussions about this. 'You said yourself you wanted to be an Auror and Harry has to finish his NEWTs. Why won't you go back?'

'School's not for me, Herm, you know that,' said Ron. He put his arm around her shoulders. 'Besides, I said I'd help Fred and George with the shop. Fred's wand arm is still healing and it won't be right for a couple more months.'

'So you're just going to throw away your chances to sell a few jokes?' asked Hermione sharply. For a brief moment she reminded me of Mrs Weasley. 'What about your future?'

'Herm, leave it,' advised Ginny. 'You know he's stubborn as a mule.'

Harry, Hermione, Ginny and I all laughed. Ron let out a huff and folded his arms, sulking.

'Well that's a shame,' shrugged Harry, forcing a straight face. 'You're not going to see me as Head Boy.'

Ron stared at Harry, his mouth open. Hermione beamed.

'No way,' said Ginny. 'I've got to take orders from you?' Harry nodded. 'That is not fair. Least Hermione's Head Girl, right?'

I smiled to myself. Ginny looked expectantly at Hermione but she shook her head.

'No, I didn't get it,' huffed Hermione. 'I was really hoping I would seeing as Professor McGonagall said it would be given to someone in our year. Someone else must have got it.'

'Aw, don't worry, Herm,' I said. 'Least you're still a prefect. That's better than nothing.'

'And I'm Gryffindor House Captain,' said Ginny. 'We can still patrol together.'

'Yeah, I guess,' said Hermione. She must have really wanted that badge. I felt slightly guilty for getting it. 'So long as someone like Pansy Parkinson doesn't get it then I'm happy.'

'I don't somehow think Pansy will be returning this year, not after what she said back in May,' I said. 'I don't expect many of the Slytherins in our year will be coming back.'

'What about you, Jen?' Hermione asked next. 'You're coming back to Hogwarts with me, aren't you?'

'Yeah, of course I'm coming back,' I told her cheerfully. 'You wouldn't think I'd pass up finishing my NEWTs? I didn't work my wand off for the last seven years for no reason, including the … interesting year's tutoring we had last year.' I paused, then added, 'And I've got some things to do back at Hogwarts anyway.'

'Like what?' asked Harry.

'Never you mind,' I teased. 'That's for me to know and you to find out.'

Harry raised his eyebrow. He wasn't going to get anymore information than that out of me. Across from us, Hermione and Ginny shared a glance.

'So, Harry,' Hermione started, 'now Voldemort's gone, I s'pose you and Ginny can get back together seeing as you're both single.'

Harry and I both looked at her. My ears had perked up at what she said. Ginny? Single? Hermione knew perfectly Ginny and Neville were together. What was she playing at?

'I s'pose,' said Harry slowly.

'Well, why not?' continued Hermione quickly. 'I mean, you and Ginny were the talk of the school when you were going out. Romilda Vane was certainly jealous of you, wasn't she, Gin?'

'I still remember her asking about Harry's tattoo,' Ginny laughed.

'Which we all know isn't there,' I muttered. Three pairs of eyes turned on me.

'How would you know, Jen?' asked Ginny. 'Ron and Hermione know because they turned into him when the Order got him from Privet Drive last year and I know because I went out with him. How do you know?'

'I've … known him for ten years,' I said, thinking quickly. 'Harry and I don't have any secrets from each other.'

Hermione and Ginny looked obviously disgruntled I'd caught them out. Me: one, them: zero. I smiled at them.

'Anyway,' persisted Hermione, 'when are you going to get back together?'

'Yeah, mate,' said Ron. 'Now's the perfect opportunity.' Ron took a sip of his drink; his eyes flicked between them. 'Go on, ask her.'

I watched Harry nervously. My hand gripped my bottle of Butterbeer. What was he going to do? Say he wasn't going to get back together with Ginny because he was with me or ask her out to keep Ron happy? I was scared at both the ideas. Ron would flip if he knew Harry and I had been … flirting while he was still Ginny's.

'Well, I was trying to tell you this earlier, Ron,' said Harry. My heart skipped a beat. Ron looked strangely at Harry; Hermione and Ginny were looking excited. 'See the thing is, after the fight, Ginny and I talked and we decided not to get back together. I'd found someone else.'

A knot formed in my stomach. He was going to tell them!

'Who?' asked Ron curiously. 'You spent the year on the run. Who else did you find?'

'Ron,' said Harry seriously, 'I'm going out with – Jenna!'

'Sorry!' I gasped.

Harry jumped out of his seat when cold Butterbeer spilled down his front. I'd sort of tensed when he began to say "I'm going out with Jenna" and my Butterbeer had slipped out of my hand and spilled down Harry's trousers. I jumped up too in surprise. I knew I was blushing like mad. Ron was watching us with a bemused look on his face while Hermione and Ginny were cracking up with laughter.

'Harry, I'm so sorry,' I gasped. I picked up the bottle and put it on the side. 'I didn't mean to. I'm sorry.'

'Jen, it's fine,' said Harry, wiping his shirt with his hand. 'It's just a little –'

'Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry,' I repeated. 'Come into the kitchen, I'll clean it up.'

I didn't hear Harry's answer. I just took his hand and pulled him into the kitchen. I could still hear Hermione and Ginny laughing. Ron was asking what was so funny but they didn't seem to be able to answer. I was pretty glad about that. The last thing I wanted was Ron finding out about Harry and me. I took a towel from the stove and started wiping Harry's shirt to get rid any of the excess Butterbeer before I could dry it with my wand. I was still apologising profusely to Harry.

'Harry, I'm so sorry,' I said for the third time. 'I don't know what came over me.'

'Jen, it's all right,' said Harry. I wasn't listening though. 'It's just a little Butterbeer. It'll come out.'

'Oh Merlin, I really didn't meant to.'

'Jenna –'

'I can't believe I did that.'

'Jenna –' said Harry again but I was still dabbing up the liquid.

'The bottle just slipped and –'

'Jenna!' Harry took my hold of my wrists and held them up; I jumped and looked up at Harry. 'It was an accident, all right? No harm done.'

I stared at Harry. I didn't even realise I was panting a little. It took me a moment more to calm down.

'I – I'm still sorry,' I said. 'I really didn't mean to do that, it's just …'

I stopped. A sigh escaped my throat and I turned away. I ran my hand over my face, pushing back my bangs from my eyes.

'Just what?' asked Harry. I glanced over my shoulder at him. I then turned back round and leaned against the sideboard, my arms folded.

'It's just …' I started, my cheeks getting hotter. I didn't look at him. 'I don't think I'm ready for the others to know about us yet.'

Harry didn't respond straight away. I kept my eyes lowered. Next moment I felt something touch my cheek. I looked up. Harry was gazing down on me, his finger running over my cheek.

'Why don't you want them to know about us?' he asked gently.

Harry had this voice I discovered. I'd first heard it before I left Shell Cottage, when Harry first found out about my feelings for him, then again on the Astronomy Tower platform after the battle had ended. It was sort of soft and slightly husky; it was lower and quieter than his normal tone but still as powerful. It always made shivers go down my back, just like it did just now, and I could not ignore it even if I tried.

'Are you … ashamed of it or something?'

I gave Harry a shocked look.

'Never,' I said. 'Why would you say that? Why would I ever be ashamed of us?'

'I didn't mean it like that,' said Harry.

'I know you didn't,' I replied. I rubbed my arm. 'I guess I don't want the others knowing because I don't want to jinx it. We had a hard enough relationship as it was before we even knew we had feelings for each other.'

I purposely didn't say before we were together. Part of the reason I didn't want Ron, Hermione and Ginny to know was because I still wanted to speak to Harry and ask him if we were officially together. To me, you have to be asked out before you were a couple and Harry hadn't done that but I wanted him to. I wanted him to make it official before we told the others, not have it taken as something that just happened (which in truth it was). It was that complicated logic of mine that was making me do this. The other part was because I didn't want our relationship made into something it's not: something to gossip about which it would inevitably become the moment anyone at Hogwarts found out.

'If you and Ginny made Hogwarts gossip, imagine what it would be like now that it's you and me who've been friends for years. Rita Skeeter would have a field day if she found out: the famous Harry Potter going out with long-term half-breed friend, ooh, big story to twist like she did before. Remember what she wrote back in fourth year?'

Silence. Harry let out a short laugh. I stared at him but I couldn't help but do so too, the corner of my lip twitching into the starts of a smile. Harry moved closer and put his arms round me.

'Sort of ironic, isn't it?' he said. I gave Harry a curious look. 'She was right about us. I did give you my heart like she said I would.'

'You won mine first though,' I corrected him. I placed my hand on Harry's collarbone; from underneath his t-shirt I pulled out a thin silver chain with a small key on it. Harry still wore it. I smiled when I saw it but couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped my throat. 'I don't want to lie to the others but the idea of telling them, especially Ron. He'd already suspected there was something between us when we were on the run.'

'I'll deal with Ron,' Harry assured me. 'And we don't have to tell them, not yet at least. Keeping it quiet at Hogwarts though will be difficult. A secret at Hogwarts means the whole school knows. We'd have to tell them eventually or they'd find out sooner or later through gossip.'

'I know,' I sighed. 'I just wish it wasn't so difficult.' I honestly did. I silently damned my logic for making it complicated.

'I know. But once it's out, it'll be fine.'

'I hope so.'

I moved closer and wrapped my arms round Harry. I rested my head on his shoulder as he held me. As we stood there I could feel the slow rhythm of Harry's heart as he breathed. His warm breath tickled my neck. It always felt so nice to be in his arms. After a few moments I pulled back. I looked silently up at Harry, my head tilted to one side. His eyes looked back into mine; I loved his eyes, they were so deep. Next I moved closer and leaned up to him. I closed my eyes and gently touched my lips against his. They were so soft. It always felt like I strayed into a dream. I raised my hand and ran my fingers lightly over Harry's cheek. His own pulled me closer.

The kiss lasted slightly longer than I intended. It was only when I heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen from round the corner that we broke apart. We both looked to see who was coming. It was Ron! Instantly I thought of a Thestral and vanished.

'Harry, what are you doing?' asked Ron, walking over to him.

Harry turned to look at me, then jumped when he realised I'd vanished, his arms falling to his sides. He knew I was still there though. I watched nervously as he spoke to Ron.

'Nothing. Just drying my shirt.'

'Where's Jenna?'

'She went upstairs,' Harry replied. 'She got some Butterbeer on her top and went to get her wand to dry it.'

I let out a silent breath. Harry tensed slightly when he felt it. Ron gave him a strange look.

'You sure you're OK?'

Harry nodded. Luckily Ron accepted it.

'I don't know what's gotten into Hermione and Ginny,' he continued.

Ron came and stood next to Harry, leaning against the counter. Quickly I slid out from where I stood behind Harry to not get cornered in by Ron. I had to be careful not to touch him.

'I asked them what was so funny but they were laughing so much they couldn't answer. It was like someone had put a Tickling Jinx on them. I've never seen either of them laugh so much.'

'Yeah,' agreed Harry.

'So come on, mate,' Ron then said. 'Whose this girl who you think is better than my sister?'

Oh Merlin, I could hear the annoyance in Ron's voice. He was going to flip when he found out it was me. Beside him, Harry discretely reached a hand behind him. Feeling I wasn't there, he leant back against the counter, arms folded, next to Ron.

'That's a bit unfair, isn't it?' he said.

'So is you finding someone else when you said you'd be loyal to Ginny,' said Ron. He raised his eyebrows and looked at him pointedly. 'And how you could have found someone when we spent the last year on the run is even more intriguing.'

'It's not something that just happened, Ron,' said Harry. 'It had been brewing for a long time.'

'Oh?' Harry nodded.

'I'd been having feelings for her for a long time. Longer than I even thought I'd been having these feelings. I just never saw it.'

I looked at Harry curiously when he said this. How long had he been having feelings for me?

'Go on,' said Ron slowly. He was as curious as I was.

'Where do I start?' countered Harry. He leant his head back and let out a long sigh. 'I was having feelings for her long before I could recognise them as those sort of feelings. I remember seeing her with this guy once during fourth year and thinking, "Who the hell is that with his arm round her?". Then in fifth year, both on the way up to Hogwarts and before a Divination lesson, I found myself staring into her eyes, not being able to look away. Like a force other than magic was pulling me closer to her.'

'Seriously?'

'Yeah, seriously.' Harry gave Ron a decisive nod.

'Man, you had it bad.'

'Yeah, and I didn't realise.' Harry paused for a moment, then continued. 'I guess fifth year was when it started. When I first realised. It was after Sirius died and we had our first kiss on the Astronomy Tower platform. Seeing her in tears, I just wanted to protect her and tell her everything would be all right but I ended up kissing her. But it felt so right, you know? Holding her in my arms and stuff.'

I stared at Harry, speechless. He'd been having feelings for me since fifth year? How could I have missed that?

'Don't you ever get that feeling with Hermione?' Harry asked. 'That simply having her beside you is enough to reassure you? That when you kiss it feels like you're dreaming and you don't want it to end?'

Ron remained silent. Then a grin slowly appeared on his face.

'Yeah, I do,' he said. 'I still remember the moment she first kissed me. I felt like I'd been hit on the head by a Bludger or something. Even though it was in the middle of the war and everything, nothing seemed to matter as long as that kiss continued.'

'Yeah, well that's what it felt like for me,' said Harry. 'Those feelings had been growing throughout sixth year until I saw her with someone else and it felt like I was too late. It was just right place, wrong time with Ginny. My feelings for Ginny were genuine and all, and I really care about her but she's not the one for me.'

'And what does Ginny think about all this?' asked Ron. 'Have you told her any of this?'

'We've spoken,' said Harry, 'and she thought it was best we moved on. We both knew there was a possibility things would change while I was on the run and Ginny accepted it. She had found someone else as well. She even encouraged me to go speak to her. I did and we decided to give it a shot.'

Ron remained silent after Harry had finished. He seemed to be contemplating what Harry had said. Had he worked out it was me? The fact it had been someone he'd seen in tears after Sirius's death. It was blatantly obvious. I watched nervously. My pulse was racing.

'So …' he began after a few minutes thought, 'Ginny's OK with this.' Harry nodded. 'Well so long as she's happy. If you'd hurt her, it wouldn't just be me after you. She's got five other brothers as well.'

'Believe me, I wouldn't have got anywhere if I hadn't of spoken to Ginny first,' said Harry.

'Good.' Next, Ron grinned. 'So you're really serious about this then?' Harry nodded a second time. 'She must be really something if she's got you wand over broom for her.'

Harry smiled and said, 'Yeah, she is.'

'So who is she?'

I swallowed.

'Let's just say you'll know her when you see her.'

Ron was a bit annoyed that Harry was being so secretive about who his new girlfriend was but shrugged it off, going back to see if Hermione and Ginny had finally stopped laughing. He disappeared under the wooden arch which separated the kitchen from the living room. When I was sure he was gone I reappeared in the kitchen. Harry had been waiting for me to do that. I stared at him unsure what to say about what I'd just heard.

'How long were you there?' he asked, breaking the silence. 'You just vanished without warning.'

'I heard all of it,' I said quietly. I bit my lip in hesitation, then asked. 'You had feelings for me since our first kiss?'

Harry nodded. Cue the butterflies in my stomach.

'I just didn't realise what they were. Now I do.'

I smiled nervously, feeling the blush in my cheeks. That had been my very first kiss. I could still remember it. We were both soaked from standing in the rain; I don't know who initiated the kiss but I remember feeling like I'd strayed into a dream. My eyes flicked away from Harry as I tried to get a hold of myself. I couldn't believe how long Harry had been having feelings for me. They flicked back. I stepped up to Harry.

'Thanks for not telling,' I said, smiling. 'For a moment there I was really worried that Ron had worked it out.'

'No worries,' Harry replied.

With a kiss on the cheek Harry and I rejoined the others. Hermione and Ginny gave us suspicious looks but I ignored them, sitting down next to Harry. They seemed a bit disgruntled when they realised they hadn't managed to expose the two of us. I smiled to myself. They were going to keep trying throughout the remainder of the holiday, I could bet. And with our parents coming over next week for our birthdays, Harry and I were going to have be really careful. Still, even though it was bound to be tricky to keep our relationship under wraps, especially at Hogwarts, I was sure that when it eventually came to telling Ron, Hermione and Ginny they'd be happy for us. Ultimately I decided to worry about that later as there were more pressing matters on Ron's mind of whom Ginny was now dating.

AN: here's the second chapter. hope you enjoyed and leave me a review. thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. BlAcKdAuGhTeR