An Unexpected Juncture

Epilogue

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione asked in a frenzy. She had been one of the people in the common room when Ginny and Harry had entered. She had been quite surprised to see them walk in holding hands. She quelled her urge to ask them questions though until Harry went up to bed. He kissed Ginny on the cheek before heading up to the dormitory, where Ron was. Thankfully he hadn't seen it yet.

As soon as Harry was up the stairs, Hermione practically pounced on Ginny. She wanted to know everything.

Ginny shrugged at the question. "It just sort of...happened. I was talking trying to get him to tell me who he liked and I wouldn't shut up. So he kissed me." She shrugged again as if it wasn't a big deal.

"But...but," Hermione stammered. "Argh. Tell me details!" she exclaimed in frustration.

Ginny smiled, still looking at the copy of Teen Witch she was reading. Ginny told her what had happened, where she finally found Harry, and then what happened in the Room of Requirement.

"But hadn't he given you any clues that he liked you? At all?" Hermione asked when she had finished.

"Nope," she shook her head. "Not at all. But I'm actually really happy now."

"I'm so happy for you!" Hermione said giving her a hug around the neck. She pulled away and looked at the red head seriously. "What about Ron?"

"What about him?"

"Aren't you worried about what he's going to say? I mean, you're dating his best friend."

"Actually, I'm not worried at all. He didn't do much but threaten the other guys I've dated. And to tell you the truth, I think he's secretly wanted me and Harry to get together."

"Really?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"Yeah," she laughed and rolled her eyes. "He's been dropping hints all summer, and all school year. Leaving me when Harry came in the room, leaving Harry when I came into a room. And I think I heard him once talk to Harry about me being a nice girl." She laughed. "He's not too subtle." Hermione laughed at that too.

"I really am happy for you, Gin. Harry's a much better person than Stephen. Night, sweet dreams," she said getting up.

"Thanks," replied Ginny with a smile. "And I know."

Hermione gave her one more smile before going up the stairs. Ginny finished the article she was reading and left it on the table where she found it. She went up stairs and put on her pyjamas. She crawled into bed and under the covers feeling truly happy for the first time since before she asked Stephen Joyce to the ball. He would never have made Ginny feel the way she did now. With Stephen, she knew now, she would have only been happy for a short time. With Harry, it would last much, much longer.

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"So, Ginny," Harry said to her as they walked down to dinner together the next day. "How do you think your dear brother will react to us being together now?"

"Which one?" she replied absently. Harry stopped dead in his tracks, causing Ginny to do so as well, since she was holding his hand. She looked up at him. His face was white and he was staring at her with a look in his eyes something akin to fear.

"Oh, Harry," she laughed. "You have nothing to worry about! My family likes you. Mum will be thrilled!" He still didn't say anything. "Honestly, Harry. You've known my family for at least five years now. Bill will probably have small talk with you, but he's harmless. Charlie's not even in this country. Percy is too pompous for anyone to really take anything he says seriously. The only brothers of mine you may have problem with are Fred and George. They'll probably tease you a bit for a few weeks, but then it'll get old and you'll only get a remark every once in a great while."

"You're sure?" he said apprehensively.

Ginny gave a short laugh and pulled on his hand. "Yes, now come on I'm starving." She pulled him next to her and they walked down to the great hall together. Ron was already stuffing his face with food and didn't notice them until they had sat down in front of him. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Hi, Ron, Hermione," Ginny greeted. Ron glanced up from his plate.

"Oh, hi guys."

"Didn't mum tell you not to talk with your mouth full?" Ginny asked him as she put food on her plate.

"Yeah, but she's not here is she?" It was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes. Harry smirked.

About half way through dinner their conversation was interrupted by Stephen coming over to ask if he could speak with Ginny. The two walked out to the entrance hall where they could be alone.

"Listen, Gin. I'm sorry if I hurt you at all. I honestly didn't mean to, but-"

"Sh," she interrupted him waving her hands. "It's okay, don't worry about it. I'm not upset."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. It's not a big deal. I'm fine with it."

"Okay," he nodded, seeming relieved.

"Still friends?"

"Of course," he said. "How else can I tease you about going with Harry Potter," he badgered her.

She rolled her eyes at him and turned back into the great hall. "It's not a big deal, Stephen. He's been a friend for a long time."

"If you say so, Gin," he smirked. "You know you're going to be the talk of the school by lunchtime tomorrow. See you." He waved and walked away.

She shook her head and joined her friends back at the Gryffindor table.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked.

"He just wanted to apologize for everything. We're friends still."

"That's good, though," Hermione said.

"Yeah, there are better guys out there for you, Gin," Ron said.

"I know," Ginny said perkily glancing at Harry. "I've already found one."

"What? Who?" Ron demanded.

"Oh, you'll find out eventually. It'll be the talk of the town, trust me." She smiled at him. "Anyway, Harry, you said you'd help me with that hex I read about. Care to now?" she asked smiling at him.

"Sure," he said as he rose from the table. "See you guys back in the common room." He smiled at them, noticing Hermione trying to hide one as well, and followed Ginny out into the entrance hall. As soon as they were out of sight, Harry pulled her into a small nook behind a suit of armor and brought his mouth to hers. Ginny giggled and pushed him away.

"What was that all about?" she asked looking up at him.

"Couldn't help it," he shrugged. "Got to get some in now before Ron flays me within an inch of my life."

Ginny laughed again snaking her arms around Harry's neck. "Oh come on. You know he wouldn't. You're his best friend. He'd trust you with his life; I'm sure he'll trust you with his baby sister."

He grinned. "Whatever you say, Ginevra," he said, and kissed her again before she could say anything else.

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Harry and Ginny walked into Gryffindor Tower twenty minutes later and received much the same reaction as the previous night. Whispers were heard, smiles were seen, as well as a few jealous glares from some girls, but there was one reaction that was new.

"What the bloody hell is going on?!" Ron all but shouted when the two approached him and Hermione by the fire.

"Oh, Ron stop it," Ginny scolded. "I'm not going to answer that because it's obvious. And don't even pretend to be angry because I know you've been wanting this to happen since some time last year."

Ron gaped open mouthed at her before he huffed and crossed his arms to glare at Ginny instead of yelling at Harry. He seemed more angry at the fact that he wasn't even allowed to show anger at the fact that his sister and best friend were dating, however unreal that anger would be. Hermione sniggered and gave Ron's hand a squeeze before she kissed him on the cheek. That seemed to calm him some, but he was still glaring at Ginny.

"So where have you two been then?" Hermione asked.

"Practicing a hex Ginny read about," Harry replied.

"Oh really?" Hermione's face lit up. "Which one?"

"Er-"

"Gotta run," Ginny blurted pulling Harry with her off the couch. Unfortunately, Harry didn't realize the seriousness of the situation right away, and looked confused as Ginny tugged him toward the portrait hole.

"Hey-" Ron started but a look of apprehension dawned on his face before quickly turning to something of a mixture of anger and disgust. "You!" But Harry knew now was the time to run. He was quickly ahead of Ginny and pulled her out of the portrait hole. They were a few corridors away where the finally stopped and collapsed against the wall laughing hysterically.

"Did you see the look on his face?" Ginny gasped, clutching her stomach and leaning against the wall for support.

"Yeah, bloody brilliant," Harry laughed back. "I don't think it's safe for me to go back to the common room until he's asleep and snoring."

Ginny caught her breath and smiled up at him. "I don't mind. We can always sneak off somewhere..."

"Ginny, we already did sneak off somewhere."

She laughed. "Yes, but this time we can do it with the knowledge that my brother has an idea of what we're doing."

Harry looked at her skeptically. "That's not an altogether reassuring thought. I've seen what your brother can do with a wand when he's angry..."

She smirked at him. "But you can't deny it puts a little fun into it, can you?" And she once again snaked her arms around Harry's neck and pulled him into a kiss that would undoubtedly delay their return to the common room.

~fin~