Here is the Thirteenth chapter. Let me know your thoughts, feedback, and any suggestions for improvement. Your support means a lot!

There have been lots of questions about pairings, especially regarding Ginny. Rest assured, nothing is final, and this isn't a romance-focused story—at least not yet. However, Harry is still a teenager and curious, so there will be some flirtation and other typical teen moments.

Posted: November 14 2024

Chapter 13: Tensions and Date

As dawn broke over Hogwarts, Harry moved quietly through the empty corridors, his footsteps soft on the stone floors. His mind was clouded by recent events, the threads of tension woven tightly through the castle. Umbridge's growing paranoia was only half the trouble—she was like a spider spinning her web, waiting to catch her next prey. Then there were the simmering tensions with the Gryffindors, particularly with Longbottom and Weasley, who now seemed to regard him with open hostility. He could almost feel a storm brewing, as if something bigger was about to unfold. Hogwarts felt more like a chessboard than a school these days, with each house divided, each student wary.

But even in the midst of this storm, he couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at his lips. His subtle manipulation of Umbridge had worked better than he'd hoped. Her obsession with finding Longbottom's "artifact" had her completely distracted, her mind spinning with theories and suspicions. Were it not for McGonagall's presence in the Gryffindor Tower, Harry was sure Umbridge would have stormed in by now, tearing the place apart looking for "spy device." The thought of her brewing resentment, barely held back by McGonagall's authority, was a small victory in itself. Harry felt a strange satisfaction knowing that it wouldn't be long before Longbottom provided her with just the excuse she needed to finally raid their tower.

It had been two weeks since his meeting with Umbridge, and already the rumors of her inspection of Gryffindor Tower were spreading like wildfire. He'd overheard whispers in the hallways, anxious murmurings about her intentions and what she might uncover. Harry knew it was only a matter of time before the rumors reached Longbottom, Weasley, and Granger, setting them further on edge. In some small way, he felt guilty for setting them up like this. Yet, with the way Longbottom and Weasley had turned on him, already viewing him as an enemy, he found it hard to feel truly regretful. They'd made their choice, and he was simply staying a step ahead.

After lunch, he was making his way to the library when he spotted Granger rushing through the corridors, her face pale and drawn with worry. Her usual confident stride was interrupted by nervous glances over her shoulder. When she spotted Harry, she hesitated, her face contorting as a mixture of emotions flickered through her eyes—relief, anger, and a strange, almost vulnerable look. Finally, she took a steadying breath and walked over to him.

"Har—Potter," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, glancing around as if ensuring no one could eavesdrop. "Can we talk? It's about... everything that's been going on. With Umbridge and the DA." Her words were careful, almost strained.

He regarded her silently for a moment, sensing the unusual gravity of the situation. Hermione wasn't here for a simple confrontation or an argument. The look in her eyes told him this conversation was going to be different. For a brief moment, he thought about teasing her, as he so often did, but something about her tense expression made him reconsider. "Alright," he replied, giving a small nod for her to lead the way. They moved through the library's grand, towering shelves until they found a quiet corner, secluded and far from curious ears.

Hermione took a deep, steadying breath, pressing a hand to her chest as if bracing herself. When she finally looked him in the eye, there was a steely determination there, tempered by an uncharacteristic vulnerability. "I know we haven't exactly been on good terms lately," she began, her voice faltering slightly. "And I'm not saying I agree with your... involvement with the Inquisitorial Squad. But... I need to understand why. The DA means a lot to all of us, and I know you must have seen how much everyone cares about it." Her words were almost pleading, as though she needed to make sense of his choices.

Harry's gaze softened, and he debated for a moment just how much to reveal. There was a sincerity in her eyes that he couldn't ignore, a willingness to hear him out, even if she was clearly hurt and uncertain. "Granger, it's not as simple as just choosing sides," he said quietly, his voice lacking its usual edge. "I didn't join Umbridge because I wanted to. She's made it almost impossible for anyone to refuse without consequences. And if I'm in the Squad, at least I know what's going on with her. It gives me a way to... keep some control over the situation."

Hermione's posture softened, the hard lines of her face easing as she absorbed his words. She looked at him as if seeing him in a new light. "So... you're saying you're doing it to keep an eye on her?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"In a way," he replied, choosing his words carefully. "Look, you know as well as I do that Hogwarts isn't the same this year. Everyone's on edge, and people are choosing sides, whether they want to or not. I'm just... trying to stay ahead of things. I don't want to involve myself in any of it, but it's not like I have much of a choice."

Hermione's brow furrowed, the frown on her face deepening as she mulled over his explanation. There was still a trace of suspicion in her eyes, but beneath it, Harry could see a glimmer of understanding. "I just wish you'd told us, Harry. Neville and Ron—they're not... they don't trust you." She paused, biting her lip, her eyes flicking away as though she regretted saying it out loud.

Harry's expression hardened, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Your friends already think I'm a traitor," he said, his tone resigned. "They've made that pretty clear. I get it, somewhat. But I'm not just going to sit back and let them attack me in the halls without doing anything about it."

Hermione's shoulders slumped, and she gave a slow nod. There was an unmistakable sadness in her expression, as though she felt caught between loyalties. "They don't trust you, and with the rumor about Umbridge's inspection of Gryffindor Tower... they're bound to think it's all your doing. It's only a matter of time before they confront you again."

Harry looked away, the weight of her words settling heavily on him. He could feel the frustration rising, but he forced himself to keep calm. "Then they'll just have to deal with it, Granger. I didn't put them in this situation. I'm not their enemy. They need to start looking at things right in front of them instead of looking for someone to blame."

She seemed torn, her fingers toying with the edge of her book, the expression on her face shifting between guilt and frustration. Finally, she looked back up at him, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Just... be careful, Harry," she said softly, her tone almost pleading. "People are starting to talk, and not everyone's willing to look at things from your perspective. It's easy to make enemies when people don't understand your motives."

He gave her a small nod, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Granger. I appreciate it," he replied, his tone softer than before.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Harry noticed the shift in Hermione's expression as she hesitated before finally speaking. "So, about Ginny... you two are going to Hogsmeade this weekend, right?" she asked, her tone carefully neutral but unable to fully disguise her concern.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk starting to play at the corners of his mouth. "Granger, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were jealous," he teased, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Hermione's face instantly reddened, and she quickly crossed her arms, attempting to keep her composure. "Jealous? Hardly," she replied, her voice unsteady but indignant. "I'm just... looking out for her. Ginny's my friend."

"Oh, of course," Harry replied smoothly, his smirk widening as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "But if you're so worried about it, I'd be happy to make it up to you. How about you and I go together on the first Hogsmeade weekend after the holidays?"

Hermione's eyes widened, her face a brilliant shade of pink. "What? You—Harry, I don't—" She stammered, clearly flustered by the invitation, her cheeks burning as she struggled for words. "You're impossible!"

Harry laughed softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. "What's impossible about it, Granger? It's just one friendly outing. Besides, think of it as, what was it... a chance for you to 'keep an eye' on me," he added, barely keeping his tone innocent.

Hermione's mouth opened and closed, utterly speechless as she processed his words. She finally managed to huff, "You're insufferable, Potter," and spun on her heel, walking away with a hurried pace that only made her more endearing.

Harry watched her retreat, the faintest trace of a blush still on her cheeks, and couldn't resist one last call. "Don't be late, Granger! Wouldn't want you to miss out on our 'friendly outing!'"

Her only response was a raised hand in exasperation as she disappeared around the corner, but Harry couldn't miss the slight smile tugging at her lips. He chuckled to himself, thoroughly amused. 'Best way to deal with girls like her' he mused

As Harry made his way down the quiet corridor on friday evening before his Hogsmeade 'date' with Ginny, he was intercepted by the Weasley twins, each wearing matching expressions of disapproval. He could tell right away that something had happened, judging by the way they crossed their arms and squared their shoulders.

One of them chuckled, Harry still couldn't decipher who's who correctly, shaking his head. "We come in peace Harkins, Let me tell you a little gossip from yesterday so, apparently, Ron-kinns decided to have a nice little 'chat' with Ginny about her choice of date," he began, smirking. "Let's just say it didn't go as planned."

"Yeah," George added, leaning in conspiratorially. "Our dear brother thought he could talk her out of the Hogsmeade trip with you." He snickered. "Ginny did not take kindly to the suggestion."

Harry tried to suppress a grin. "Really? What happened?"

"Oh, it was both funny... and terrifying, to be honest," Fred replied, feigning a shiver. "They went at it in the common room. Ginny lost her temper—raised her wand and everything."

"Blimey, the whole common room went silent!" George added, eyes wide. "And then, WHAM!" He mimicked a wand flick with his hand. "She hit Ron with a curse right to the nose. Turned it purple and all swollen up!"

"Serves him right, too," Fred said, grinning. "We thought we'd be next if we laughed too loud... terrifying stuff, mate. Terrifying."

Harry let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Ginny has a mind of her own. Maybe your brother ought to remember that."

The twins shared a look, then turned back to Harry with mock seriousness.

"Speaking of minding our own business," Fred began, his tone light but with a serious undertone. "It looks like you decided not to take our deal, huh?"

"After all, ignoring a simple warning," George continued, "is quite the bold move, Harr-kins."

Harry met their gazes evenly, unfazed. "It's hard to stay away when your sister's the one doing the inviting," he replied, shrugging. "Besides, Ginny's more than capable of making her own decisions. Don't you think?"

The twins exchanged a look, then Fred spoke, his tone light but laced with a hint of warning. "Listen, Potter, we're not going to do anything... for now."

"But if she ends up crying because of you," George added, his eyes narrowing slightly, "or if anything happens to her…"

Fred leaned in, his gaze darkening as he finished the sentence. "...you'll regret not taking our deal."

Harry held his ground, his voice steady as he responded. "What do you take me for? You think I'm going to hit her, or curse her?" He shook his head, looking each twin in the eye. "It's a Date, maybe not even that ."

The twins exchanged a look, but George smirked, adding, "Well, if anything goes wrong, mate… let's just say, Ron's nose won't be the only one in trouble."

Fred nodded, a smirk playing on his lips, though his eyes still held that hint of protectiveness. "So here's the deal: you give her a good time tomorrow, no funny business, and if she comes back happy, we'll consider the matter closed."

"But," George interjected, leaning closer, "if we hear one word that says otherwise…"

"We'll be watching," Fred added with a mischievous glint.

Harry just raised an eyebrow, a hint of defiance in his tone. "Look, I respect you two looking out for her, but this is between Ginny and me. Just don't go interfering in things that aren't yours to meddle in."

The twins regarded him for a long moment before they backed off, identical smirks slowly forming.

"Alright then, Harr-kins," Fred said with a slight nod, as if granting him a reluctant pass.

George winked, his tone turning playful again. "We'll be holding you to your word, mate."

With that, they turned and strode down the corridor, leaving Harry alone. He shook his head, a faint smile on his face.

It was a crisp, snowy December morning, and the air was filled with a pleasant chill. Hogwarts grounds were blanketed in a thick layer of white, the entire landscape transformed into a winter wonderland. As Harry approached the castle gates, he spotted Ginny waiting for him, her red hair bright against the snow-covered backdrop. She was dressed in a skirt paired with warm leggings and a cozy coat, her cheeks pink from the cold. Her hair flowed freely around her shoulders, and Harry thought he noticed a touch of makeup enhancing her features.

Dressed simply in jeans, a white shirt, and a leather coat that Sirius had gifted him, Harry felt surprisingly calm. However, as he drew closer and saw the hint of nerves in Ginny's eyes, he felt a surge of excitement he hadn't expected. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Granger, Longbottom, and Ron lingering nearby, with Ron's face already twisted in a deep scowl.

Shaking his head, Harry walked up to Ginny, determined to ignore the spectators. "Ready?" he asked, offering her a warm smile. "You look lovely, by the way."

Ginny's cheeks deepened in color, and she looked down with a shy smile. "Thank you, Harry," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

As they began walking toward the carriages, Ginny glanced back at Ron and sighed. "Sorry about my brother," she said, rolling her eyes. "He can be... git sometimes."

Harry shrugged, giving her a reassuring smile. "No need to apologize. I'm used to it by now."

Ginny huffed in mild exasperation. "I swear, he thinks he can tell me what to do just because he's my older brother. And he's not that older than me mind you. But he'll get over it... eventually." She glanced back one last time, and Harry followed her gaze. Ron was still glaring daggers at him, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "If he's planning to follow us all day, he's going to have to work for it."

They climbed into a carriage, and Harry took a moment to observe the Thestrals pulling it. Their skeletal forms shimmered slightly in the morning light, and Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for the creatures. Ginny, seemingly unaware of the Thestrals, continued muttering about Ron's behavior as they settled into their seats.

Finally, as the carriage began its journey toward Hogsmeade, Harry turned his attention back to Ginny, letting her complaints about Ron wash over him. She glanced at him apologetically. "Sorry, I'm probably boring you with all this," she admitted with a small laugh.

"Not at all," Harry replied with a grin. "I'd say it's part of the full experience. Besides, he makes things interesting."

Ginny rolled her eyes but laughed, her shoulders relaxing as the carriage carried them into the heart of Hogsmeade. When they arrived, the small village was bustling with students, their breath visible in the cold air as they hurried into various shops and cafés to escape the chill. Snowflakes drifted down softly, adding to the enchanting scene.

"Where to first?" Ginny asked, smiling as she took in the festive atmosphere.

"Actually," Harry replied, "I made a little arrangement for lunch. I figured we'd start there and plan the rest of the day as we go."

Ginny's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You planned this out?"

Harry chuckled, feeling a bit of pride at her reaction. "Sirius always said a little planning goes a long way. Let's head to The Three Broomsticks—I might've reserved us a spot."

When they arrived, Madame Rosmerta greeted them with a friendly nod, guiding them to a cozy, private booth tucked away in a quiet corner of the pub, Harry having sent a notice to the beautiful bartender last week. The table was warmly lit, and a small, enchanted candle flickered cheerfully between them. As they settled in, Rosmerta brought over two mugs of butterbeer.

Ginny took a sip, sighing with contentment. "This is amazing, Harry. Thank you."

Harry smiled, watching her over the rim of his own mug. "Glad you like it. I thought we could use some quiet time, you know, away from all the... distractions."

They exchanged a laugh, each knowing that "distractions" included a certain overprotective older brother.

Ginny leaned in, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, tell me, Mr. Potter, is this your first real date?"

Harry grinned, leaning back slightly as he feigned a casual expression. "Who, me? A veteran at this." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Actually... yeah, it is. Hard to believe, right?"

Ginny laughed, raising her mug in a mock toast. "To first dates, then."

They clinked their mugs together, both laughing as they drank. The conversation flowed easily, with Harry and Ginny sharing stories about their families, friends, and the various mischief they'd both encountered over the years. Harry found himself relaxing more than he'd expected, enjoying the ease of Ginny's company.

At one point, Ginny glanced around, making sure no one was listening, and leaned in closer. "You know, the twins told me something interesting the other day. Apparently, they thought you'd be too scared to take me out." Her eyes sparkled with challenge.

"Oh, really?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I guess I'll have to prove them wrong, won't I?"

Ginny laughed, swatting his arm playfully. "I think you already have."

As they finished their lunch, Harry looked up and noticed Parkinson standing by the bar with Greengrass. Pansy's expression was one of pure disdain as she eyed him, but Daphne's look was more curious, her head slightly tilted as though studying him. Harry ignored them,for now. But before he could look away, he caught sight of Malfoy and his usual gang nearby, whispering and pointing in their direction.

Ginny noticed, rolling her eyes as she took his hand. "Come on," she said with a grin. "Let's not give them anything to gossip about."

Harry was grateful for the distraction, and they quickly left The Three Broomsticks. They strolled down the snowy streets, passing shop windows filled with holiday decorations. The light snowfall continued, giving everything a magical, almost dreamlike quality. As they walked, Ginny pointed out various shops and attractions, sharing stories about past visits with her brothers.

After a bit of wandering, they found themselves near Zonko's Joke Shop. The idea of mischief reminded Harry of Sirius and the Marauders, and he thought Ginny would enjoy it too. They stepped inside, exploring the aisles filled with various prank items and magical toys. Ginny laughed as she pointed out a particularly obnoxious-looking nose-biting teacup.

"Fred and George want to open their own joke shop," she commented, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Yeah, I can imagine," Harry replied, sharing her amusement. Then, as he glanced around the shop, he noticed something: Ron, Longbottom, and Grangerwere lurking nearby, though Hermione's face bore a distinctly exasperated expression as she trailed behind her friends.

"Seems like we have some followers," Harry muttered to Ginny with a sly smile.

Ginny looked over her shoulder and shook her head. "Oh, you mean them?" She was about to walk towards them when Harry took her hand catching her by surprise.

Harry chuckled, an idea forming in his mind. "How about we give them a little show? You up for a bit of fun?"

Ginny's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Absolutely. Lead the way."

They left Zonko's and made their way toward the Shrieking Shack, their "audience" trailing a safe distance behind. As they approached the rundown old house, Harry felt a rush of nostalgia. Sirius had told him stories about the Shack, where his father and his friends had come during their school years. He had come here in prior years of course alone.

Meanwhile, back with the Gryffindor trio, Ron was watching their movements closely on the Marauder's Map, his face twisted in suspicion. "See? He's taking her somewhere secluded," he whispered, his voice laced with disapproval. "Why would he take her to the Shrieking Shack?"

Neville frowned, sharing Ron's concern. "That place gives me the creeps. What's he planning?" he muttered, remembering how the Rat, Peter Pettigrew, the Azkaban escapee, had almost kidnapped him.

Hermione rolled her eyes, her patience clearly wearing thin. "This is ridiculous! They're just going to see the Shrieking Shack. You're being paranoid."

Ron crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm not paranoid. He's up to something, Hermione. I'm sure of it. He's probably trying to impress her, but I'm not buying it." He spoke with conviction, his own thoughts echoing Neville's. He remembered how that Rat used to live with them as Percy's pet before he was unmasked and sent to Azkaban. And in third year, Pettigrew had almost taken him and Neville. If not for Professor Lupin, who knows where they would have ended up.

Hermione let out a frustrated sigh. "Honestly, I think everyone in Hogsmeade knows you're following them. And you should be prepared for what's coming when Ginny gets back."

Ron's face paled slightly, remembering Ginny's wand incident earlier. "You... you don't think she'd hex me again, do you?"

Hermione smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh, I wouldn't put it past her."

Meanwhile, at the Shrieking Shack, Harry led Ginny to a spot where they could get a clear view of the old building. The snow covered the dilapidated structure, giving it a strange, haunting beauty. Harry turned to her, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.

"So, this place has some history," he began. "It's not really haunted, you know. My godfather Sirius and his friends used to come here when they were students. My dad and Professor Lupin, too."

Ginny's eyes widened, intrigued. "Wait, Professor Lupin? He used to come here?"

Harry nodded, explaining how Lupin, who was a werewolf which was of course now public knowledge given the end of his term here, would hide here during the full moon, and how his friends had secretly become Animagi to keep him company and help him manage his transformations. Ginny listened intently, a mix of fascination and sympathy on her face.

"I never knew he was friends with Sirius," she said softly. "That makes so much sense, though. He was at Black townhouse and He was always so kind and understanding..."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Lupin and Sirius are like family to me, in a way. They both had this... loyalty to my dad that I don't think I'll ever understand fully. But it's nice to have these stories, you know?"

Ginny smiled, reaching out to take his hand. "Thanks for sharing that with me, Harry. I feel like I know you a bit better now."

Feeling a surge of courage, Harry grinned. "You want to know something else?" He glanced around to make sure they were alone, then nodded toward a hidden path. "There's a way back to Hogwarts from here. Through the Whomping Willow."

Ginny's eyes sparkled with excitement having heard of a path in Whomping willow. "Really? Can we..."

He nodded, leading her to the hidden passageway. They made their way through the tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow, eventually emerging near the castle grounds. The snow had started to fall a bit heavier now, blanketing everything in a fresh layer of white. Harry whispered a spell to keep the Willow from trying to turn them into paste, a trick he had learned from Remus.

As they neared the entrance, Harry felt Ginny's hand linger in his, and when they stopped, she turned to him, glancing around to make sure they were alone. Taking a small step closer, she leaned up, planting a soft kiss on his lips. Harry's eyes widened, surprised, but he quickly relaxed, leaning into the kiss.

After a moment, they pulled away, Ginny's face flushed and her eyes bright. "I had a wonderful time, Harry. Thank you. I'd love to do this again."

Harry smiled. "Me too, Ginny. Anytime."

So, this was for the Thirteenth chapter. I know some might think this drama, just hold on I'll quicken the pace .

Also, should I focus more on intricate details in the kiss or any future physical moments, if there are any? Of course, if I go further, I might have to post it on AO3, as fanfiction here might not allow that. Let me know your thoughts.

I appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism you can offer. Thank you for taking the time to read my story!