History Repeating Its Self

Summary: History is about to repeat itself when Harry starts dating Ginny. "It's like James and Lily all over again."

AN: This is the requested story of Harry and Ginny getting together. Set at the beginning of Order of the Phoenix, around the first Hogsmeade weekend. I'm one of those people who wished Harry and Ginny got together a lot sooner. Enjoy!

Harry didn't know when he for sure fell in love with Ginny. He had known Ron and Ginny since he was a kid. But he became quick friends with Ron, so before Hogwarts, they saw each other at birthday parties, Christmas, or the occasional play date.

Harry and Ron become best friends quickly. By the time they went to Hogwarts, they were inseparable.

Growing up, Ginny was just Ron's little sister. It wasn't until Harry saved her from the Chamber of Secrets that their friendship changed.

Harry discovered as he got older, the more he started to notice Ginny.

After his name came out of the Goblet of Fire, Ginny believed him when he said he didn't put his name in.

She was his date for the Yule Ball. When he returned from the graveyard during the third task, she was among his friends who waited outside the hospital wing, not wanting to return to Gryffindor tower unless they knew he was okay and saw that for themselves.

Ginny was the first of his friends to visit him the next day. They talked about their summer plans. They talked about anything Ginny could think of to get Harry's mind off the last twenty-four hours.

One night during the summer, Harry admitted to his father that he had slowly but surely fallen in love with the Weasley girl. James smiled and told Harry the story about he asked his mother to be his girlfriend. Harry knew it took multiple attempts for Lily to agree to go out with James. He was afraid that part of history would repeat itself.

School had been in session for a month. The first Hogsmeade weekend was coming up that weekend.

Harry had heard of Ginny's breakup with Michael Corner when he went to the Burrow to help Ron with Keeper drills. Ginny was going to help, but then the letter came. She ended up holed up in her room for the rest of the day.

When the now ex-boyfriend showed up at school with purple hair, black eyes, and a busted lip, Lily looked over at Harry, Ron, Fred, and George. They shrugged and didn't know how that happened.

She never found out that they were the ones who did it.

"Are you going to Hogsmeade, Ginny?"

Harry smashed himself up against the wall when he heard the voice of Ginny's friend Carrie. They were just ahead of him.

"I don't know."

The sound of Ginny's voice made Harry's heartbreak. She sounded unhappy. He swallowed thickly, trying to think of a way to ask Ginny to Hogsmeade before someone else did.

When he asked James for his advice, James advised him to be himself. Be the Harry that Ginny knows. The kind, friendly, cheeky, fearless, but clumsy Harry, and he really did become clumsy around her.

The two fourth-year girls walked down the corridor, away from Harry's location.

"Just do it, Harry. Or you will regret it," Harry growled to himself.

Coming out from the shadows, he ran in the direction where Ginny and Carrie had gone. His heart was pounding. His stomach fluttered with butterflies. He just hoped she would say yes.

He realized they were going to Gryffindor tower and followed them a few steps behind. When he reached the Fat Lady's portrait, he slipped in behind Katie and Angelina, discussing Quidditch practice.

Angelina turned, realizing Harry was behind her. "Harry, are you busy…"

The raven-headed seeker cut her off. "One second, Angelina."

Scanning the common room, Harry found Ginny with her friends in the corner. They were sitting in the chairs, talking.

Harry, unfortunately, had taken Fred's approach of asking a girl out and repeated what the redhead did with Angelina last year.

"Oi, Ginny!" He called.

"What?" Ginny called back.

"Would you go to Hogsmeade with me?"

Ginny squeaked in surprise. She felt the eyes of everyone in the room on her. Smiling, she nodded.

"Yes, I would love to."

"Great."

Now able to breathe, Harry took off up the stairs to the boys' dorm.

Ginny sat there, staring at where Harry was standing a moment before. She turned to her friends, who were all smiling at her.

"Somebody pinch me. I must be dreaming."

Conversation quickly turned to what Ginny was going to wear on her date. The four girls moved upstairs to their dorm to sort through Ginny's clothes for something that would work for her date on Saturday.

How little did Ginny know that her dream was about to come true?

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"I heard you got a date with Ginny."

Harry jerked up from his bed, only to fall on the floor in between his and Ron's bed.

"Who told you?" Harry demanded after picking himself off the floor.

"Hermione. Ginny told her."

Harry swallowed thickly, figuring now would be a good time as any.

"Ron," Harry began. "Do you have a problem with me dating Ginny?"

Ron's silence sent panic waves through Harry. What if Ron had a problem with Harry dating Ginny?

"If I could pick someone for my sister." Ron paused for a second for dramatics. Then he turned to Harry, smiling. "I would pick you."

Harry's knees gave out. He slumped back on his bed, relief filling him to the brim.

"Thanks, Ron."

Ron got up to head to the bathroom. He patted Harry's shoulder on his way. "No problem."

Harry let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He had just gotten Ron's blessing to ask Ginny to be his girlfriend. If the date went well, that is.

Ron returned to the dorm a few minutes later, heading towards his bed. He and Harry often talked some before they went to sleep.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you realize that if you hurt Ginny, best friend or not, I will kill you, right?"

"Yeah," Harry replied, his voice sounding shaky.

Noticing the nervousness in his best friend's voice, Ron decided to lighten the mood.

"So, what are your plans?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Harry's biggest challenge was keeping his date with Ginny a secret from Sirius, who would, in turn, tell James.

However, keeping the date a secret was harder to keep from his mother than from his godfather.

Lily didn't mention it until Harry was in her quarters Friday evening.

"So, I hear you have a date with Ginny?"

Harry spewed Butterbeer on his shoes. "How did you know?!" He exclaimed

"I heard Ginny telling Luna about it. Don't worry. Sirius doesn't know."

"I hope he doesn't find out," Harry deadpanned. "I heard how he made your and Dad's first date interesting."

"He tagged along. But Sirius is going to London in the morning," Lily reminded him. "Your Dad and Sirius are going to do some work at the Ministry, taking over for the Aurors who would be here."

"Good," Harry sighed, relieved that James would be nowhere near Hogsmeade as well as Sirius.

"Mum."

"Yes?"

"I'm thinking about asking Ginny to be my girlfriend after the date tomorrow."

She sat down on the couch, sitting beside her son. He laid his head on her shoulder.

"Are you nervous?"

"Very. Don't be alarmed if I don't eat much for breakfast. I have this fear that I'm going to throw up on her." Harry shuddered at the thought.

Lily pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Mum."

Harry returned to Gryffindor tower before curfew. He found Ginny sitting in one of the armchairs. She looked up at him and smiled.

He smiled back. He just wanted everything to go smoothly tomorrow.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Butterflies were fluttering in Harry's stomach the next morning. As he and Ron approached the Great Hall, the fluttering increased.

"Nervous?" Ron asked, taking the egg platter from Neville

"Very. I don't think I can eat anything," Harry replied.

"You need to eat something," Neville said.

"I know. Ron, were you nervous when you asked Hermione to be your girlfriend?"

Ron and Hermione had finally gotten together over the summer. They told Harry when they got together in the middle of the summer for their yearly adventure into Muggle London. This year, they went without adults. They had a great time catching up with each other.

Harry was happy for Ron and Hermione. But when he returned home, he started wondering if he would have a turn at having a girlfriend. Would girls be afraid of him? But when Ginny came to mind, those thoughts vanished.

"Sure, I was afraid she would say no."

Harry sighed. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Ron turned to the doors, his jaw slacked.

"What is it, Ron?" Harry asked before following his line of vision. When he looked towards the doors, his jaw too slacked.

Hermione and Ginny had walked into the Great Hall, but Harry's eyes were only on Ginny.

She wore her hair down with the sides pulled back by clips. Her hair was curled lightly and shinier than usual. She was wearing a dark purple sweater with three-quarter-length sleeves. The neck was a deep V, and she wore a blue camisole underneath. She wore a pair of dark denim jeans. The hems were tucked into brown boots.

"Good morning, boys," the girls greeted. They sat down at the table across from the boys.

Ginny started to fix herself breakfast. Hermione began talking about the plans she and Ron had for the day. As she talked, Harry munched on a piece of toast.

He jumped when a vial appeared in front of him. He picked up the vial and read the note.

Drink this. You haven't eaten much. It would make me feel better. Stop being so nervous. It will go well. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Love,

Mum

Harry uncorked the vial, swallowing the contents. He banished the vial back to his mother.

"There must have been a bit of calming draught in that," Harry whispered. He looked up at the head table, catching Lily looking at him.

"Thanks, Mum," He mouthed. She smiled.

After breakfast was finished, everyone who was going to Hogsmeade headed to the courtyard.

"Where do you want to go first?" Harry asked.

"Let's go to the Owl shop. I need some treats for Pig," Ginny decided.

"Great, I need some treats for Hedwig. Hagrid said they have a salve or something for her wing."

Hedwig had returned from London on Wednesday. Ron noticed when he came to bring a letter to Pig that her right wing was bleeding. He called Harry on the communication mirror Harry gave him for his birthday. Harry rushed to the Owlery, collected Hedwig, and rushed her to Hagrid's. Hagrid treated her, recommending Harry to call James to get in touch with an animal healer.

After consulting with the animal healer at Eeylops, they determined Hedwig's wing was badly scratched. Luckily, her wing wasn't broken. James paid for the services, giving Harry enough money for the salve. Hagrid had used what he had. Harry volunteered to get him more.

"Will she be okay?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah," Harry answered, holding the door open for Ginny when they reached the shop. "Hagrid said she'll be back to flying next week. She's resting this week. She's lucky she didn't break her wing."

Ginny headed to the owl treats, selecting the big box while Harry went to get the salve. Luckily, they had it.

Harry picked up a box of treats, adding to the basket with the salve.

"I need to go to the Witch's Closet for some tights," Ginny said as they left the shop.

"Okay," Harry said. "Is there anywhere else you want to go?"

"Gladrags, Mum's birthday is coming up. I was going to get her something there."

As they walked to The Witch's Closet, Harry wasn't positive, but he was sure one of the Aurors nodded to him, smiling as if he was saying, "Way to go." He was stationed in between Zonko's and the bookshop.

He shook it off, following Ginny into the Witch's Closet. Ginny headed for the tights while Harry stood with a few boys. One of them was a seventh-year Ravenclaw.

"Come on, Claire, how long can picking clothes take?"

The look the boy got back in return made Harry think, "If looks could kill."

In no time, Ginny joined him with a bag in her hand. Harry held the door open for her as they left the shop, heading to Gladrags. Once again, Harry opened the door for her.

"Thank you."

Upon entering the shop, Ginny walked over to a selection of cloaks. Harry browsed through a bin of socks. He figured he could get something for Dobby for a bribe. They might need to use the house elf if they ever need to hide from Hermione. With OWLs this year, that might be a possibility.

Harry held up a pair he thought Dobby would like.

"I think he'll like them," Ginny commented, coming up beside Harry. She had a cloak in her hand with a coupon from the morning paper.

"I might use them if needed or keep them and give them to him at Christmas."

After finishing at Gladrags, Harry and Ginny explored the village, wanting to save Honeydukes after lunch.

"There's a book I want to look for. Do you mind going to the bookstore?" Ginny asked.

"No, lead the way."

Ginny led Harry to the bookshop. Harry opened and held the door for Ginny before stepping inside. Ginny headed to the romance section, finding the book she wanted.

She felt a tap on her shoulder.

"I thought you were on a date with Harry?" Carrie asked.

"I am. We decided to come in here before we went to lunch," Ginny explained.

Carrie leaned over, whispering, "I hope you hook him soon."

Ginny snorted, heading off to find Harry.

"Since when did you read Romance books?" Harry asked when she came up beside him.

"I've always liked romance books. I borrowed one of Hermione's over the summer," Ginny explained. "I was hooked. There is nothing too steamy. It's not about sex if that's what you want to know."

Harry blushed, deep red. Ginny noticed sometimes it extended down to his neck. It did right now.

"I'm ready, so I'll go and check out."

Harry nodded and followed Ginny to the door. As they left the bookstore, Ginny stuck her new book into her bag, along with her other purchases.

"Ready for lunch?" Ginny asked.

Harry's stomach answered for him by growling loudly. Ginny giggled. Harry led her to the Three Broomsticks.

Ginny looked around for her brother and best friend. They found them snogging at the table in front of the fire. She looked at Harry, who shook his head. Ginny looked around and found a table in the far corner.

"There's a table in the corner."

"Okay," Harry murmured. They headed to the table, ordering Cottage Pie with carrot curls and Butterbeer.

As they waited for their food, they swapped stories.

"How mad was your Mum when she found out?" Ginny asked after Harry told her about when James taught him about Quidditch.

"Pretty mad. But since I was flying on a broom before I could walk, Mum had to let it go."

"Mum didn't want me to learn how to fly. I sneaked out of the house at night. I would break into the broom shed and steal one of my brother's brooms. Mum never knew. Now, I can fly just as good as my brothers. Or better."

"Broom sheds are easy to break into, aren't they?" Harry intoned.

Ginny looked at Harry, shock written all over her face. "Harry Potter, are you telling me you broke into your Dad's broom shed?"

"Maybe once or twice. I climbed on the trellis that's beside my bedroom window."

"Your parents don't know that, do they?" Ginny asked.

Harry shook his head. "No."

The waitress brought them their lunch, and they continued swapping stories. After they finished eating, Harry paid the bill. They made a stop at the loo before heading to Honeydukes.

Entering the candy shop, Ginny headed straight for the chocolate bars. She selected four dark chocolate bars. She picked up some candy to share with her friends. After she was done, she went in search of Harry.

Harry picked up some truffles for Lily and chocolate frogs to split between him, Ron, and Neville. He also picked up a few of the dark chocolate bars Ginny had.

"I didn't know you liked dark chocolate," Ginny stated.

"Mum got me hooked on it last year. She likes it. It's something that I use to get out of trouble if I need to."

Ginny laughed. "Does that work for you?"

"No."

Harry found that he enjoyed Ginny's company. His plan was they were going to go on a walk along the grounds. They would stop at the tree that became James and Lily's special spot.

It would be there Harry would ask Ginny to be his girlfriend. A part of him wondered if he was rushing things. But the bigger part of him didn't want to lose his chance. He didn't want to see Ginny with some other boy.

Ginny was clueless about Harry's plan. She hoped he would ask her to be his girlfriend. If not today, soon. She noticed she loved seeing Harry being a normal fifteen-year-old. She loved seeing him smile and laugh. Harry sometimes felt the weight of the world on his shoulder. Ginny wanted to be the one who helped him forget about it all.

"Where to now?" Harry asked.

Ginny knew of one other place she needed to go.

"I need to go to the apothecary," Ginny said quietly. She pointed to the shop.

"Okay," Harry murmured.

Harry didn't know why she was blushing. They walked into the apothecary, and Ginny walked down an aisle. Harry realized why she was blushing as she entered the feminine care aisle.

He patiently waited for Ginny to make her purchases. While he waited, he looked at the sports injury treatment supplies. He picked up a bag of Epson salts, a new hot water bottle, and a heating pad. He wanted something to help with the aches and pains he sometimes got after Quidditch practice.

Lily brewed some balm for him that helped ease sore muscles. He wanted something he could use and wouldn't need to tell his mother.

After making their purchases, Harry and Ginny left the shop.

"Do you have everything you need?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I do," Ginny replied.

"Is there anywhere else you would like to go?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, do you?"

"No. Why don't we drop these off at the dorm and go for a walk?"

"Sounds good."

They walked up to the castle, heading to Gryffindor tower. After dropping their stuff off in their dorm, Harry and Ginny met in the common room. They left, heading outside to enjoy the beautiful October afternoon.

As they walked the grounds, Harry reached for Ginny's hand. Ginny clasped her hand in his. She noticed that Harry's nervousness from this morning had returned.

"I had a great time today," Ginny said, hoping to break the nervousness.

"I did too." Harry stopped when they reached the shade of the old oak tree. This was the spot where his parents spent most of their time together. He didn't want to think about what they got up to in this spot.

Harry turned to face Ginny, taking a deep breath as he did so.

"Ginny, I have a confession to make."

Ginny motioned for him to go on. Harry took another deep breath.

"Ginny, there is no better way to say this than just saying it." Harry took a breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment. Then he opened them slowly.

"I'm in love with you."

Ginny felt that she could fly without a broom. She had dreamed of this moment for a long time. She kept holding on to the hope Harry would return the same feelings she had. She had an inkling that he loved her when he asked her to the Yule Ball last year. She knew that their relationship had changed then.

Then Ginny said something that made Harry's heart jump.

"I'm in love with you, too."

Ginny leaned into Harry as he leaned into her. Soon their lips touched, and they kissed. It was sweet, everything Ginny ever hoped it would be. Harry had to ask just one question.

When they broke apart, panting for breath, Harry looked into the brown eyes he could so easily get lost in. Taking a deep breath, he asked Ginny the question she had been waiting for him to ask for four years.

"Ginny, would you be my girlfriend?" Harry looked up at her, hoping she would say yes.

Then Harry heard her answer. "Yes. I would love to."

Harry smiled at her. She smiled back.

He found himself engulfed in a hug by Ginny. He returned the hug. For a moment, he was afraid of letting her go.

"I guess we're a couple now," Harry whispered.

"Yeah, now we have to tell everyone."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Lily entered her quarters to find a note on the table. She picked it up, reading it. She smiled brightly, reading it again.

She said yes.

Now that it was official, she needed James to have a talk with their son. She might even have a little chat with him as well.

The floo flared. James tumbled out, managing to remain standing.

"James, guess what happened," Lily squealed excitedly.

"Did Harry finally ask Ginny out?"

Lily deflated. "How did you know?"

"He asked me about it over the summer," James explained. "And I'll be up on Thursday to talk to him."

"Thank you," Lily sighed.

Sirius tumbled out of the floo, nearly knocking into James.

"Sorry about that, Prongs," Sirius said.

"It's alright, Padfoot. Lily, should I tell him, or should you?" James asked.

"Go on," Lily said, waving him on.

"What's going on?" Sirius inquired.

"Harry and Ginny are dating," James replied.

"He asked her to Hogsmeade," Lily added. "He asked her to be his girlfriend when they got back."

"Prongslet's dating. Where did the time go?"

"It flew by," Lily commented.

Sirius left to head back to his quarters. He couldn't believe that the little boy who used to chase him around when he was in his dog form has a girlfriend.

How was that possible?

He knew if Harry came to him for dating advice, he would try his best to give him advice. He would need to be careful with his advice. The last thing he wanted was Lily to hex him.

"It's like James and Lily all over again," Sirius chuckled. He already imagined the hand-holding, the flirting, everything he saw James and Lily do when they started dating. He didn't know how he would feel if he came up on them snogging.

He groaned when he realized he had lost the bet with Remus and owed him six galleons.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Ginny woke up the next morning with a smile on her face. She headed into the bathroom to get ready for the day. As she got dressed, she smiled, remembering the events from the day before.

Harry asked her to be his girlfriend. Her dream had come true.

But did it?

She stopped brushing her hair. Was it a dream? Was it real? Did Harry really ask her to be his girlfriend?

She needed to know.

Running out of the fourth-year girls' dorm, Ginny rushed down the stairs. She crossed over to the stairs leading up to the boys' dorm. Throwing the door open, she charged into the fifth-year boys' dorm. Approaching Harry's bed, she jumped onto it, thus waking up the still-sleeping boy.

"Harry, wake up. Was yesterday a dream? Did you really ask me to be your girlfriend?" She exclaimed loudly.

Harry pushed himself up. Now sitting up, he rubbed his eyes with one hand. He reached for his glasses with the other. Slowly, Ginny came into view.

He smiled. "First, good morning. Second, it wasn't a dream. I really did ask you to be my girlfriend. Any other questions?"

"No."

"Okay then. Can you wake me up every morning?"

Ginny leaned in, kissing him on the lips. "We'll talk at breakfast. Get up. I'll leave you to get dressed."

She got off the bed and walked to the door. She only took two steps before turning around to peek in. She watched as Harry got out of bed. She felt herself blush. Harry had slept without a shirt on the night before. Her eyes ogled at Harry's toned torso.

"Quidditch has been good to you," Ginny thought as she trekked downstairs. She walked into the common room and sat down on the couch. It wasn't long before Harry came downstairs. He scanned the common room until he found her. When he did, he smiled, walking towards her.

"Ready to go?" He asked. She nodded.

Taking his offered hand, she stood up and let him lead her to the portrait hole.

Many people noticed their hand-holding as they walked down to the Great Hall.

They found Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. They met up the night before when Harry and Ginny returned to the common room. The hand holding was the tell they were now together. Hermione squealed. Ron hugged both Harry and his sister.

Several of Ginny's friends told her how happy they were for her. Ginny had told her friends in the dorm about the date the night before.

"I want the details before we start working," Luna said when she came over to confirm where they were meeting.

"I have a Charms study group today. What do you guys have going on today?" Ginny asked.

"Study group," Harry replied, cutting the sausage on his plate.

"What are we working on?" Ron asked.

"Transfiguration," Hermione said. "Going over what we've covered in class. We got an exam coming up."

"A week from tomorrow," Harry added.

After they finished breakfast, Harry walked Ginny to one of the study rooms off the library. Harry, Neville, Ron, and Hermione were in the one next door.

Standing outside the door, Ginny wrapped her around Harry's waist. She looked up at him, smiling.

"I'll see you later," She murmured. She turned to walk into the study room but turned around and grabbed Harry right before he was going to walk into the other study room. She grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him around. She reached up and pulled him down by the neck of his shirt. Without a word, she pressed her lips to his.

He caught on quickly, returning the kiss.

When they broke apart, she smirked at the slap-happy look on Harry's face.

"I'll see you at lunch, babe," She murmured.

Turning around, she walked towards the study room. Opening the door, she waved at Harry. He waved back.

"Babe?" Harry said, smiling. "I can get used to this."

AN: There's a fic in progress about The Talk that James will be having with Harry. Have any suggestions or recommendations, let me know in the reviews or PM.