Ginny woke up in the middle of the night, her mind replaying the conversation she'd had with Ron just before bed. She glanced over at the other bed, where Ron was snoring quietly, oblivious to her turmoil. She had changed in the bathroom and deliberately delayed getting into bed, waiting until Ron was already under the covers to avoid witnessing his bedtime routine.
"I already thought you weren't going to bed, mate," said Ron, sitting up in bed as she finally entered the room.
"And I thought you were already asleep," replied Ginny, slipping under the covers and hoping to avoid further conversation.
But Ron had other ideas. "What's going on with you and Ginny?" he had asked bluntly. "Even Hermione noticed something and confronted her about it."
Ginny had felt her breath catch in her throat. Harry hadn't mentioned anything about this. "What do you mean?" she'd asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"You two are always whispering, and the way Ginny broke up with Dean today..." Ron had continued, his tone almost accusatory. "I may be thick, but I don't need Hermione to tell me something's up. I'm your best mate, Harry. Talk to me."
Frustration had bubbled up inside Ginny. As if this situation wasn't complicated enough, now she had to deal with Ron's interrogations, too. Biting her lower lip, she had admitted, "I can't tell you, Ron, because... well, because I don't know either."
Ron had given her a serious look. "If you want to go out with her, you have my blessing, mate. Now's your chance. I know she always had a boyfriend, and..."
"Dean would have been the second boyfriend she ever had, Ron," Ginny had snapped, her irritation getting the better of her. "It's not like she's permanently changing boyfriends."
"Keep your pants on, mate. I'm just saying," Ron had replied calmly. "I know you'd never start anything while she's with someone else. But if you don't make a move, she'll be taken again. Who knows with whom she'll end up with next?" He'd paused for a moment, his gaze softening. "You've got my blessing, but if you mess around with her or hurt her, I'll still punch you in the face."
"Harr... I would never do that, Ron!" Ginny was sure of that.
"I'm just saying, she's always had a crush on you. And I'd be surprised if she still hasn't, even if Hermione says otherwise."
Ginny's heart had pounded in her chest. She'd never seen this side of Ron before. It was like Hermione's influence was rubbing off on him. Maybe it was because he thought he was talking to Harry. Anyway, he had certainly given her a lot to think about. "Things are more complicated than you think, Ron," she'd finally said, trying to dismiss the conversation. "Let's just sleep on it. I'm dead tired. Night, Ron."
"Goodnight, Harry," Ron had replied, adding as an afterthought, "And sort yourself out quickly."
Now, sitting up in bed, Ginny knew she needed to talk to Harry about all this. But she preferred to wait until they were back in their own bodies. Everything would be easier then. But now that she was awake, she might as well see if Harry was waiting for her in the living room. She put on Harry's glasses and quietly left Ron's room.
On her way downstairs, Ginny made a quick stop at the bathroom, doing her business without even thinking about it. It was only when she stepped back into the hallway that she realized what she had just done. Had she really gotten used to this in just a few days?
Slightly disappointed, Ginny noticed that Harry wasn't sitting in his usual spot on the sofa. She'd already considered returning to bed when a faint noise made her look up, and smiled with relief when she saw him standing by the window, turning towards her when he heard her footsteps.
"Hi," she said softly. "Have you been down here long?"
"It's been a while. I woke up when Hermione came back from the toilet and couldn't get back to sleep," Harry said apologetically, tucking a strand of her long red hair behind her ear. The movement felt odd, yet strangely familiar. "I also figured out what Amortentia is, and why Fred and George's potion smelled like your shampoo," he added casually.
Ginny's cheeks warmed, even though it was actually Harry's cheeks under her skin. "How?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
He sighed with a wry smile. "That's the advantage of sharing a room with Hermione. I asked her, and she explained it to me. Of course, she wanted to know why I was asking."
"And?" asked Ginny, hoping that Harry hadn't given anything away.
"I told her the twins wanted to talk us into a potion, but we said no," Harry replied, looking a little sheepish. "Sorry if she pesters you about it later."
Ginny clenched her jaw, frustration bubbling up again at the situation. "Serves Fred and George right that they are switched too. Though, they probably don't care whose bottom they're wiping. For them, it's the same thing."
Harry groaned dramatically. "Ginny, please stop putting images like that in my head."
"Technically, it's my head that's got those images right now," Ginny teased, her grin widening.
"But my mind," Harry quipped with a chuckle.
Ginny sighed, the playful banter fading as the reality of their situation settled over them again. "I wish this was over."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, giving her a wry grin. "I'd love to hold you sometime, but as long as you look like me... it's just weird."
For a moment, they both stood there, looking into each other's eyes. The world around them seemed to stand still as they focused solely on each other. Then, Harry slowly closed his eyes, and within a blink, Ginny followed suit. Feeling the warmth of trust between them, she opened her arms and took a step toward him, closing the distance.
Breakfast the next morning went almost without a hitch. Almost.
Ginny had gotten used to eating things they both liked, and Harry stuck to that plan too. No one commented on Ginny suddenly drinking her tea with sugar instead of milk (and Harry the other way around), and since Hermione was leading the discussion at the table, they only occasionally had to voice their opinions. Thankfully, her mother's presence seemed to keep Ron from asking any more questions about what's going on with 'Harry' and her.
It was after breakfast, Harry was helping her mother with the dishes - since it was usually Ginny's job - when her mother cleared her throat. "We have to degnome the garden before you go back to Hogwarts. It would be nice if you could take care of that after breakfast."
Ron groaned, but Hermione immediately chimed in, "Of course, Mr Weasley. With the four of us, it's done quickly."
"Sorry, Hermione. There are only three of you," Ginny's mother corrected, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Ginny, dear, you need to help me with the laundry. We have to wash all your clothes so you can pack your trunks."
Harry's eyes widened in panic, but Ginny just bit her lower lip, earning her a frown from Hermione. Harry never bit his lower lip. Ginny just shrugged briefly; it wouldn't do any good if she volunteered, as long as she was in Harry's body, her mother would hardly accept her help with the laundry...
Ginny gave Harry a regretful look as she followed Ron and Hermione out to the garden. It quickly became clear, however, that she was actually the one who should be pitied. They had barely thrown the first half dozen gnomes over the garden fence when Hermione began her interrogation.
"So, Harry," Hermione started, her tone deceptively casual. "What's really going on with you and Ginny?"
Ginny acted clueless. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, come on, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes. "The whispering, the secrecy… something's up, and you're not telling us," she accused her.
"It's been like that all weekend," Ron chimed in, giving Ginny a reproachful look. "I've noticed it at breakfast on Sunday. You two are up to something"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny groaned inwardly, wishing she was with her mother doing laundry for the next few days.
"Admit it, Harry. You two are together, aren't you?" Hermione said, her voice a mix of triumph and curiosity.
"If that was true, I'd know," Ginny muttered, avoiding Hermione's gaze. That wasn't exactly a lie, though she had the vague feeling that things might change soon.
"You're just as stubborn as Ginny," Ron muttered, looking annoyed. "What did you mean last night when you said it was complicated?"
"Ginny said that too," Hermione added, her suspicious gaze intensifying.
Ginny sighed, exasperated. "It's not that simple, okay? And believe me, if we were together, you'd be the first to know. Can we please just drop it?"
"If we must," Ron grumbled, and Hermione gave her a look that clearly said she wasn't done with her questions, but she finally bent down, grabbed a gnome, and hurled it over the garden fence.
When they went to lunch together, the topic wasn't completely forgotten, but at least it was put to rest for now.
After they washed their hands and entered the kitchen, Ginny's alarm bells went off. Something had happened - she could tell from the way Harry was looking at her, or better, avoided looking at her. She raised her eyebrows, giving him a questioning look, hoping for an answer. But Harry just shook his head slightly and turned away to help her mother set the table, his discomfort evident.
Finally, after lunch, Ginny managed to pull Harry aside. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with concern. "Did something happen?"
"Not now," Harry replied, his tone unusually hesitant. He paused, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "But... I need to give you something."
Ginny's confusion deepened. "What do you mean? What do you want to give me?"
"Not here," Harry insisted, his cheeks (which were actually hers) tinging pink. "Let's meet after lunch. Somewhere private."
Worry gnawed at Ginny, but she couldn't shake the feeling it was something embarrassing he wanted to give her, judging by how flustered he seemed.
Unfortunately, it wasn't until after dinner that they finally got a moment alone. Poor Harry had been stuck helping her mother with the laundry, while Ron and Hermione had practically dragged Ginny to the pond, mistaking her for Harry.
As they settled under the huge willow tree by the pond, Ginny was already afraid of being questioned about Harry again when Hermione turned to her and asked, "Any news about the prophecy, Harry? Has Dumbledore contacted you again?"
Ginny blinked, taken aback. "Prophecy?" she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady. Harry hadn't mentioned a prophecy. She shook her head quickly to cover her reaction. "No… I haven't heard anything. And I haven't seen Dumbledore since...well, since I got here."
Hermione frowned. "I thought he would've checked in with you, especially after dropping that bombshell on you.
Ginny's mind raced. What bombshell? What were they talking about?
"I really hope Dumbledore trains you properly this year," Hermione went on, interrupting Ginny's thoughts.
"He'd better," Ron added. "How else are you supposed to take down You-Know-Who?"
'Take down You-Know-Who? Tom?' Ginny's thoughts raced, a wave of shock washing over her. 'What hasn't he been through already?' She turned her gaze to the pond, trying to process the revelation. Thankfully, Ron and Hermione seemed to mistake her silence as her not wanting to talk about the subject - in typical Harry fashion.
When they returned to the Burrow, Ginny could hardly wait to speak to Harry alone, her mind a whirl of curiosity and confusion. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she found Harry alone in the kitchen, just as he was about to head upstairs.
"What is it you wanted to give me?" Ginny asked, cornering him near the pantry.
Harry hesitated, looking incredibly uncomfortable. "Um, well... it's no big deal, but... let's head up to your room for a moment."
Ginny felt a flicker of worry. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Harry assured her, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "Hermione's outside with Ron. We won't be long."
Curiosity piqued, Ginny followed Harry to her room where he walked over to the dresser, hesitating before opening it. He pulled out a small bag that Ginny instantly recognized, her eyes widening.
"Mum - er, I mean, your mum - gave me these", Harry stammered. "She thought I was you and that, well, you might need them. If you need more, you could send her an owl, she said."
Ginny took the bag from him, her curiosity turning to mild horror as she peeked inside. Sure enough, it was filled with sanitary products. Her - well, Harry's - face flushed crimson. "Sanitary products? And tampons? Really, Harry?"
"Well, she thought you would need them soon." Harry looked utterly mortified. "I didn't know how to... er, bring it up."
Ginny stared at him for a moment, struggling to wrap her mind around the situation. Then a horrifying thought struck her. "Erm, Harry? Did you have a strange feeling in your stomach lately?"
Harry frowned, clearly puzzled. "What kind of strange feeling, Ginny?"
"It feels like cramps," Ginny explained, her tone serious now. She watched as Harry's confusion deepened, and she breathed a sigh of relief when he shook his head.
"No…What kind of cramps are these?" he asked, concern creeping in his voice. "Do you get them often?"
Ginny couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, Harry. Every month at this time."
Harry's eyes widened in alarm, his hand instinctively moving to his lower abdomen. "You're kidding, right? This can't be happening."
"When the time comes, call me. I'll help you, I promise," Ginny said, trying to sound reassuring, even though the thought unsettled her as well. But as the absurdity of the situation dawned on her, her expression turned dark. "I swear, I'm going to kill the twins."
Harry groaned. "This charade needs to end soon. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually miss being me."
Ginny could feel with him.
