It was ten at night on New Year's Eve, and only four students sat in the Gryffindor common room. Everyone else was spending their vacation time at home, but not Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
"I never make it to midnight," Ron complained. "I always fall asleep before. And it's the best part of New Year's Eve, too!"
"Harry always seems to make it," Hermione commented.
"Out of everyone here, I can probably stay up the latest," said Harry.
He was feeling light and giddy after all the festivities of the day and had boasted impulsively. He didn't count on Ginny's reply.
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Wanna bet?"
Harry thought for a second before extending his hand. "Sure."
"Loser buys us all a round of butterbeer?"
"Agreed."
They shook on it.
"I like this bet," said Ron.
Hermione laughed. "Either way, the two of us get free butterbeer."
"I s'pose it's all in the Christmas spirit," said Ginny.
And so, the bet began.
It was around eleven when Ron fell asleep, and though Hermione put up a good fight to stay awake, she was out not long after.
"Shame that they both fell asleep before midnight," said Ginny. "We didn't even talk about our New Year's resolutions."
"Well? What's yours?"
"I want to get my grade up in Potions. You?"
"I want to not die."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Setting the bar a little low, don't you think?"
"Well, you can't say it's not practical."
She giggled, and Harry felt a surge of pride at making her laugh. At the moment, though, he didn't think anything of it.
11:55 pm
Harry and Ginny started making their way to the Great Hall, where the fireworks would be displayed on the roof. No other students were there—only the teachers, assembled into a small group.
"Look." Ginny pointed to the ceiling.
The fireworks had just started, albeit soundlessly, since they were inside, rings of blue and red spreading through the sky.
Ginny climbed atop one of the dining tables and laid flat on her back to get a better view of the fireworks. Harry joined her, their hands barely grazing each other. At that moment, he started to feel a pinprick of emotion, a warm and welcoming sensation linking him to Ginny.
1:00 am
After the fireworks show, Harry and Ginny spent a long time talking in the common room again. As the minutes ticked by, though, Harry's eyes started to feel quite heavy. He blinked, struggling to stay awake. Ginny yawned for the third time in the last two minutes.
"Are you as tired as I am?"
She nodded.
"I think this calls for coffee."
"Coffee? But where can we get—"
Harry had already risen, motioning for her to follow. He led her to the kitchens. As they moved through the darkened corridors, it felt like they owned the whole school. For the night, it was all theirs to roam. The kitchens, too, were dark, as the elves had all gone to bed by now. Harry cast "Lumos" to light the room and fumbled around for a coffee pot.
"Is this a habit of yours?" asked Ginny.
"No, but I've pulled a few all-nighters to study. And for that, this is the place to come."
"Good to know."
Having gotten the ingredients in order, Harry started brewing. "Do you want milk or sugar?"
"Both, please."
Once they had their respective coffees, they walked back up to the common room. The room was warm and quiet, Ron and Hermione still sleeping peacefully.
It became apparent to Harry that he had to work a whole lot harder to stay awake in this cozy atmosphere.
2:30 am
The coffee evidently hadn't been strong enough, as it was already starting to wear off. Ginny quickly noticed Harry's state.
"Getting tired again, Potter?" she teased.
"Starting to." He got up and started pacing. "There has to be something else we can do…isn't it a tradition to jump seven waves on New Year's Day?"
"In this cold?"
"That's the idea. It'll wake us up."
She contemplated for a few seconds before springing to her feet. "Why not?"
Harry realized how idiotic the plan was the second they stepped outside. The had changed into shorts for the occasion, and despite the protection of their robes, the cold was merciless. They had scarcely stepped out when the wind began buffeting them.
Ginny suddenly stopped short. "Harry."
"Hm?"
"It's winter."
"I noticed."
"So the lake is frozen."
Harry blinked. "Well, so much for jumping waves."
"Why did we think this was a good idea?"
Because they were tired, thought Harry. That was why.
Back in the common room, they sat in front of the fireplace to make up for the beating they'd taken from the weather. Harry immediately felt his muscles give way to the warmth of the room and the heaviness of sleep. He knew he was beyond the point of no return, but he was determined to put up a fight anyway.
"Well, this was fun," he said, yawning widely.
"Am I losing you, Harry?" Ginny gave him an amused look, but it was clear she was also struggling. The bet was all a question of who could hold out the longest now.
Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder, which seemed like a win until she started talking again. Harry finally realized he was powerless to fight the sleep that kept slowly creeping over him. He felt his head sink onto Ginny's, and that was when he lost the bet.
1 pm
"Good morning, sunshine."
Harry blinked in the bright light of day, disoriented. Then he saw Ginny stirring next to him, and Ron, barely suppressing his laughter.
"So, who owes us all a butterbeer?" asked Hermione.
Harry raised a hand limply. "It was a close race."
"But there was only one winner." Ginny sprang up, looking very pleased with herself. "How late did we sleep, anyway?"
"Past lunchtime."
Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance.
"Butterbeer brunch?" Harry suggested.
"It wouldn't be the strangest thing we've done today," said Ginny.
"Exactly what did you two get up to?" asked Ron.
"Why don't we talk it over in Hogsmeade?" Harry got up and stretched. "I think it's time we showed Ginny the secret passageway."
"Passageway?" Ginny's eyes were alight with excitement.
Harry felt his heart warm. Their New Year's adventure had sparked new emotions in him towards Ginny, and his New Year's resolution suddenly emerged: to see where this bond led.