Dean held her hand as they walked, Ginny felt like a real girl...A girl that could be someone's girlfriend, when she was with him. He smiled at her like he could never look at anyone else.
"You look beautiful today." He smiled and caught a strand of her long hair that was blowing in the wind. "Your hair is perfect too." He grinned.
"Thanks." She blushed squeezing his hand and looking away." You're looking pretty good yourself." She laughed.
There was silence for a moment. Dean glanced at the broom he was borrowing from her. "I haven't flown since school finished." He pouted. "It kind of makes me homesick."
"Homesick?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah...for Hogwarts...for the wizarding world," He shrugged looking at the ground. "I miss it when I'm home. I mean I'm glad to see my mum and sisters, but part of me seems gone when I can't use my wand or fly my broom." He pouted.
"Well it's like that for all of underage wizards and witches." Ginny reminded him.
Dean shrugged. "Yeah, I guess, but at least your parents and older brothers can do magic... You don't have to miss it. You see it every day."
Ginny thought about this for a moment then shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to it."

They used an old football and practiced passes, having to fly quite low to avoid flying higher than the tree tops of the meadow but Ginny could see how pleased Dean looked to be flying again. She smiled and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I'm gonna fly down and take a break." She threw him the makeshift Quaffle. He caught it and grinned.
"Ok me too." They landed and Ginny flopped onto the grass, laying on her back smiling up at him. He grinned and sat beside her, he kicked off his trainers.
"Nice socks." Ginny commented, laughing and sitting up. She shuffled closer to him. Dean glanced down at his green and purple spotted socks, he blushed.
"Mum brought me them for Christmas!" He laughed and wiggled his toes.
He looked at her, Ginny smiled, he reached up and brushed her long hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. He leaned towards her. "Hey Gin." He said, a small smile playing on his lips. "You really do look amazing." He smiled and leaned towards her, a hand on her cheek. He kissed her lips softly; as he pulled away Ginny could feel he was smiling. She smiled and pressed her lips to his again.
She was just about to tell him how great the day had been so far, when a loud, extremely familiar voice cut through their peace.
"What are you doing?" Only millimetres apart, lips almost touching, Ginny and Dean jumped apart, shocked by the sound of Ron's voice. Ginny turned round.
"What does it look like we're doing?!" She said definitely, standing up and glaring at her brother. Harry and Hermione were with him too. Hermione was slightly behind them, breathing heavily from the climb up here. She gave Ginny an apologetic smile and said "See, Ronald I told you they wanted some privacy...We really shouldn't have come..."
Ron looked annoyed."You told Mum you were playing Quidditch!" He accused her.
"We were!" Ginny said. "Now bugger off." She glanced at Harry; he was standing beside Ron looking slightly embarrassed but also annoyed. She frowned.
"Come on!" Hermione touched Ron's shoulder "You guys can play Quidditch later." She tried to coax him back down the hill towards The Burrow, but he shrugged her off.
"You stay the hell away from my sister!" He growled at Dean who was standing behind Ginny looking bashful.
Hermione rolled her eyes and her and Harry dragged Ron away. Hermione shot Ginny one last apologetic smile as they disappeared back down the hill.

Ginny turned to Dean. "Sorry." She said simply not knowing what else to say.
He shrugged. "It was bound to happen. Harry didn't look best pleased either. Schools gonna be fun." He tried to laugh it off.
"Hermione likes you." Ginny said to try and make it better.
Dean laughed and took her hands pulling her close. "But I don't share a dorm with Hermione." He laughed.
Ginny giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close. "Where were we?" She asked.

So, yes ok, she still had feelings for Harry, but she was very happy with Dean and nothing- not even the cute half smiles Harry threw her at dinner, or the way he ran his fingers through his messy hair in the mornings- could change that. Dean was sweet and kind and wrote to her all the time and as soon as they were back at Hogwarts they'd get to spend so much more time together.

"So it was bad huh?" Tonks grimaced as they laid the table for dinner one evening.
"You should have seen Ron's face!" Ginny frowned as she put down the last place mat. "We were like this close!" She held her palm up to her face only a few centimetres away, re-enacting the proximity of her and Dean.
"Were you now?" Tonks winked and nudged her playfully.
"Shut up you!" Ginny laughed. "You're the one that felt the need to tell me that Remus is good in bed-!"
At that moment, Arthur Weasley walked in, he looked embarrassed. He coughed and glanced from his daughter to Tonks. He then laughed nervously and said into the awkward silence "That's good to know." And turned, walking out the way he'd just came.
The girls roared with laughter and clutched each other for support.

When Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in they were still giggling as they laid down the cutlery.
"What's funny?" Ron asked, dragging a chair from the table and sitting down.
Ginny giggled and rushed over to Hermione, and quickly whispered the story to her. Hermione laughed and smiled at Tonks. "Oh my!" She giggled into her hands.
"What?" Ron said, now glaring at Ginny. "Why don't me and Harry get to know?!" He said annoyed.
Ginny had no answer, but Tonks did. "Well if you want to know about my sex life Ron-!" The girls roared with laughter again, even Harry was laughing, Ron had turned radish red. Their laughter only subdued this time when Molly came to dish up the food.

Going back to Hogwarts was a welcome distraction from her continued worries over her feelings for Harry, and it meant she got to see Dean more; plus she wouldn't be living in the same crowded house as Harry, sharing the same kitchen, the same bathroom- she'd get some space from him so that she could forget him and focus on Dean.

The only negative to going back to school was that it meant no Tonks, and that in itself was terrible. "I'm going to miss you soo much." Ginny exclaimed squeezing Tonks close as they hugged on the platform.
Tonks looked at her and smiled. "I'll miss you too Kiddo, I meet you in Hogsmede one weekend ok?"
Ginny nodded and was about to say a final goodbye when a hand tapped her arm and she turned to see Dean's handsome face smiling at her.
"Dean," She said happily surprised. She hadn't expected to see him until they were on the train, the usual crowds at the platform made it hard to search individuals out. "Hey."
"Hello," Dean hugged her close and as they broke apart Ginny kissed him on the lips lightly, then she turned taking his hand and beamed at a slightly crafty looking Tonks. "Tonks, this is my boyfriend Dean. Dean this is my best friend Dora Tonks."
"Hi," Tonks said. "It's just Tonks." She confirmed shaking his hand. Ginny knew that 'Dora' was saved for those closest to her- including herself- but still introduced her as such.
Dean nodded. "It's just Dean, nice to meet you." His eyes flickered to Ginny. "Gin's mentioned you a lot."
"Yeah, well, can you blame her?" Tonks grinned; she wrinkled her nose and checked her watch. "It's about time now," She nodded towards the train. "And I got to go to work. Write soon." She told Ginny and then politely to Dean "Nice finally to meet you."

Her final farewell was the same as every year "Wotcher Kiddo." She said as she kissed Ginny on the cheek but this time she whispered low in her best friend's ear: "Nice taste, I see you were right." And with one last cheeky grin and a wink in the young couple's direction, she left.

*
Ginny fell back into her usual Hogwarts routine as soon as term started, except now she had Dean. Back at Hogwarts, studying for her OWL's, on the Quidditch team, having to attend 'The slug Club' meetings and dating Dean; Ginny found herself thinking less and less of Harry, especially as her and Dean became more and more inseparable.
"I'll see you after class." Dean promised pressing a quick kiss to her lips and disappearing up the corridor for his lesson. Ginny sighed and watched him leave and turned towards the door of her Transfiguration classroom and walked in, tugging her bag off of her shoulder.
"Hey Luna," She said wearily taking her seat beside the blonde Ravenclaw.
"Oh Hello Ginny," Luna said her usual dreamy voice. Ginny pulled her books out of her bag and slumped against her chair. Luna looked at her puzzled. "Is something wrong?" she asked quietly.
Ginny shook her head and sighed. "No, just tired." She lied. She didn't know how to explain her feelings and to be honest was not sure if Luna would understand anyway. Leafing through a collection of scrap parchment, Ginny found a blank page and grabbed a quill, hastily addressing the letter, wrote:

"Dora-
I'm freaking out here. Me and Dean are becoming inseparable. But not in a sweet way, like he drops me off at all my lessons and meets me after… I mean I like him but I don't know - it feels like a bit too much y'know?

And…well I can't deny I still thinking about him a bit…not a lot but a bit. I see him at training and feel like my heart is going to burst out my chest and then I feel really guilty about feeling like that when I'm going out with Dean.
I'm so confused and I miss you!
Lots of love,
Ginny x"

It was short and sweet, but Ginny was sure Tonks would get the point, she'd understand. Once transfiguration was over Ginny went to the Owlery to send her letter. She climbed the stone steps slowly, thinking how strange it felt to be walking around the castle without Dean and usually Seamus who seemed unable to leave his best friend alone for even a minute. When she reached the main room of the Owlery, she picked a friendly looking owl, and quickly tied the letter to the owl's well trained outstretched leg.
"Safe flight." Ginny muttered stroking the owl's soft feathers before it spread its wings and took flight out of the window.
Ginny stood for a moment, watching the owls flight as it soared further and further out into the grounds and beyond; she was caught up in her own thoughts for a while until a voice brought her back to the present.
"Who are you writing to?" He asked and Ginny turned to see Harry standing in the door way.
"Oh," She half smiled, looking away from his captivating green eyes. "Erm- Tonks." She said biting her lip.
"Yeah? Oh good." Harry said and Ginny got the impression that he was nervous and unsure, she frowned wondering why.
"So erm," Ginny hesitated. "Are you sending a letter too? Where's Hedwig?" Ginny glanced around looking for his snowy white owl; but she was nowhere to be seen amongst the brown and grey Hogwarts owls.
Harry shrugged and looked at his feet and then around the Owlery. "Dunno, probably out flying or something," He shrugged again. "I haven't got anyone to write to anymore." He muttered his eyes once again downcast.
"Oh Harry," Ginny whispered walking towards him and hesitating before taking his hand and squeezing it.
"He was the only person I had to write to." Harry said sadly.
"What about Lupin?"
Harry shrugged. "He hasn't written to me and I don't want to bother him."
"Harry I'm sure he wouldn't mind-!"
"Yeah," Harry cut in, giving a lifeless laugh "But what am I supposed to write to him Ginny? 'Hi Lupin, sorry to bother you, I was just lonely?' No I can't." He grimaced and Ginny was sure he was holding back tears.
"Harry," She murmured unsure what else to say and wanting to hug him but unsure. "Y'know, Charlie likes you, you could always write to him." Ginny said.
"Maybe," He said softly. "I don't know."
Ginny half smiled and said "Well- if you need anyone to talk to...y'know…"
"Yeah I do, thanks Gin." He glanced up at her, dragging his eyes from the ground, and suddenly Ginny was aware of their close proximity and the fact that she was still holding his hand. Her heart raced.
"Erm," She coughed and dropped his hand, taking a step back distancing herself from him, she checked her watch, it was almost four. "I'm sorry Harry but I have to go." She half smiled again and sighed. "Got to meet Dean before dinner."

As Ginny headed back down the Owlery steps a moment later, Ginny wondered if Harry had been able to hear the resentment in her voice as she mentioned Dean. 'It wasn't good.' She reasoned with herself. She was with Dean and Harry was just her friend. But even as she determinedly thought this she couldn't help but let her mind wander to the moment Harry had looked up at her and her heart had hammered against her ribcage…

*
Tonks's reply came a week later.
"Hey Kiddo,
I don't really know how to help you with this one. You obviously still like Harry – as we both already knew- but if you still want to be with Dean and are unhappy with how he's acting, then tell him. Don't be too mean about it but discuss it maturely, tell him you like him but need space too.
He sounds clingy.
Erm so I hope that's helped…but okay, I have to tell you something Gin-
Remus and I have broken up. He's gone to do undercover work with people…like him… and well he doesn't think he's good enough for me. The same old thing as before. I should have known it wouldn't last.
It really hurts this time Ginny, because now I really know what I'm missing. I miss him so much! I don't know what to do…he thinks because of his illness that we can't be together, but I don't care! I want him! Why can't he understand that?!
Works boring, I'm back at Mum's and feeling gloomy. Let me know when you're first Hogsmede weekend is, maybe we can meet up?
Love you kid,
Dora"

As she read the words the toast she'd been eating fell from her hand in shock. Here she was whinny to Tonks about her stupid, petty teenage angst while Tonks had been dumped by the man she truly loved. Ginny stared at the letter, not breathing, just rereading the words again, skipping the part about herself and focusing only on the very short section in which she had explained the break up. Remus had gone to do work for the Order, she guessed, involving Werewolves. Right so why did they have to break up? Ginny wondered.

A hand touched her shoulder "Hey," Dean smiled as she looked over her shoulder at him, then he noticed her upset expression. "What's wrong?" He asked anxiously, taking a seat beside her and grabbing a piece of toast for himself.
"Erm," Ginny gulped and held the parchment up, but not so that he could read it. "Dora, she, her, erm, she just wrote and told me her boyfriend broke up with her…"
"Oh," Dean looked as though he had no idea what to say, which he obviously didn't. "Erm-?"
"It's ok," Ginny said lightly, touching his free hand affectionately ; her heart-warming as she saw him desperately trying to think of what to say to make things better for her and suddenly she realised how much she did care for him and smiled brightly. "It's okay sweetie really, I just should go write to her y'know? She'll need a friend." Ginny sighed and stood up.
"Ok," Dean smiled and touched her arm lightly as she went to turn away. For once he didn't offer to come with her, relief seethed through her, maybe he was going to stop being so clingy after all?

*
On the first Hogsmede weekend of the year- and what was going to be the last- it turned out that Tonks was working so they couldn't meet up. Instead, Ginny and Dean donned travelling cloaks, scarfs and hats and made their way through the bitter weather to Hogsmede.

Being out of the castle, gave Ginny a chance to breathe, and as they walked through the Village, Ginny glanced at Dean and felt how she'd felt this summer: light and carefree. They went to Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, and spent a lovely hour enjoying each other's company and when they got back to the castle later, Dean had an essay to write so went to the Library with Seamus, leaving Ginny time to herself. Finally, it felt, they were finding a balance…

*

One evening, Ginny and Dean walked quietly back through the castle after a particularly unenjoyable training session; she was seething with anger at Ron's behaviour during training and she knew Dean could tell.
"Hey stop here." Dean said squeezing her hand and indicating to a tapestry. He pushed it open, to reveal one of the many shortcuts to the Gryffindor Tower. They stepped into the small corridor and Dean let the tapestry fall back into place hiding them from view.
"I know you're angry at Ron," Dean said quietly taking a step towards her and putting his arms around her. "But please, relax." He whispered. "We'll do fine, we're a strong team." He murmured and Ginny nodded slowly and looked up at him, her arms coming around him. She felt him pull her closer and then he kissed her and all other thoughts vanished as they kissed fiercely, locked together in a close embrace.

Interrupted a few moments later; by a furious Ron, accompanied by Harry, Ginny was not inclined to go with Dean back to the Common Room, instead she rounded on Ron letting out all her anger for him; both to do with the team and with his immaturity about her relationships.

Later, still fuming from her argument with Ron, Ginny sat crossed legged on her four-poster bed and reread the letter she'd received from Tonks that morning. Tonks was trying to be cheery, but failing, even in ink she seemed depressed and disheartened like she had in the summer. Ginny sighed and grabbed a quill to write back:

"Dora,
Don't do this to yourself, I know he means A LOT to you, but don't let this take up your whole life. Don't get how you were this summer. Please? For me?
I have a little story, which I hope will make you laugh, even though it makes me mad …
Basically, me and Dean were full on snogging in this deserted corridor and BAM! Ron and…Harry open a tapestry and find us! Dean was so embarrassed, Ron started being all macho and 'big brotherly' which was annoying, saying things about me and my reputation – I'm sure you can think of what my 'dear brother' might have been thinking…!

Merlin! I was already so annoyed at him – about Quidditch- so I rounded on him and started yelling about how he's only embarrassed about people snogging cos he hasn't done any himself! I can't believe I said it! But…y'know it's true! When I mentioned that Hermione kissed Krum- god he looked mad, I hope he doesn't take it out on Hermione, I mean it was years ago and he was being an arse to her back then anyway.
Well that's the end to my story, though I would like to add, that the look on Harry's face did look somewhat like jealousy- not that I care, Dean and I are on track now- Erm- sorry to talk about my relationship…

Soo, erm anyway, how's work? Still the thrill?! I know you're usually guarding Hogwarts or around Hogsmede, which drives me insane- knowing you're so close but you can't come in! Can't you find some excuse to come in and then we can have a sneaky chat? I just want to hug you and tell you everything will be okay- because he will come round Dora, maybe because of the job he's off doing for the Order at the moment, is dangerous he thought it be best to break it off: To keep you safe?
I know you're hurting now, but it's temporary, I promise.
Love you,
Love Ginny xxx"

Sending the letter early next morning, Ginny didn't feel so sure of her words of comfort to Tonks, but she sent the letter anyway. Her mind was on other things: Harry's jealous look, Slughorn's upcoming party and the Quidditch match on Saturday.

Although the first game of the season went well, Ginny was still angry at Ron and to add to it angry at Zacharias Smith, so much so that she purposely collided with the commentator's podium at the end of the match. However, when Dean announced the post-match party her mood lightened; that was until she saw Ron snogging Lavender Brown, she snorted and shouted "Filthy Hypocrite," Before grabbing a butterbeer and turning away from the disturbing sight of her brother with a girl.

The party was fun, Dean was exuberant, Seamus's arm was slung around his shoulders and he kept boasting loudly about how brilliant his best friend was at Quidditch. Ginny spared Dean a few minutes before becoming bored of Seamus, gave Dean a long, heartened kiss knowing that their kiss would look a lot more practiced compared to the fumbling attempts at snogging her brother was taking part in across the room, she then headed up to the girls dormitory in search of some quiet.

Lying back on her bed, listening to the distance sounds of the fellow Gryffindor's partying downstairs, Ginny's mind became fussy and soon she fell asleep, her dreams mixing reality and imagination.