Torn

Ginny made her way to the greenhouses outside, lugging her heavy knapsack behind her. She had gotten halfway there when she heard a loud ripping noise. She stopped in her tracks and squeezed her eyes shut, praying that the noise hadn't been what she suspected. She opened her eyes and turned to look behind her. Sure enough, her bag had split at the seams, and books were spilling out everywhere. She bent to retrieve them, wondering desperately what she was going to do about carrying her books around now.

"That's what you get for being a Weasley, and having second hand bookbags," a cold voice laughed. She shot up and glared at him.

"Malfoy, what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you get to class before the sunlight hits you and turns you into a pile of ash?" She bent back over and began to scoop her things up. He sputtered at her.

"I-I've got business out here," he snapped, pointing towards Hagrid's hut. "I have Care of Magical Creatures out here!"

"Bully for you," she mumbled distractedly. "You'd best be getting over there, hadn't you, then?" She sighed in disgust as she eyed a broken quill. She threw it down angrily, much to his amusement.

"What's this whole incident worth to you, Weasley?" he asked, ticking things off on his fingers. "One broken quill - hmm, your mother will probably have to sell all of your furniture to replace it. Oh, and a new bookbag? You'll put your family into the poorhouse, you will - oh, wait," he said, his face positively gleeful. "You're already there, aren't you?" Ginny became so angry that she dropped her armful of books and glared at him. Her hands balled into fists at her side, and she began breathing heavily. Draco's expression only showed a flicker of response, with a momentary change - what was that look about? - in his eyes.

"I swear to Merlin," she snarled quietly. "If you ever utter so much as another word about my family's financial status, I will rip your lungs out!" He blinked at her in mild surprise, and watched her clenching and unclenching her fists several times.

"You wouldn't lay a finger on me," he drawled coldly.

"I wouldn't touch you," she said, disgusted. "But then, I have a wand, so I wouldn't have to, now would I?" He appraised her coolly before turning and striding wordlessly in the opposite direction. Chest heaving, she gathered her things and went into the greenhouse, even though she was in no mood to sit in a classroom.

As the trio of friends left Hagrid's latest lesson, Harry spotted a red head moving outside the greenhouse. He squinted his eyes and peered closer. Ginny was struggling with the load of books in her arms. He took off at a sprint across the grounds, leaving Hermione and Ron to stare after him and wonder what was going on. He reached Ginny just in time to watch her books tumble to the ground. She stomped her foot as angry tears formed in her eyes, and buried her face in her hands. Harry bent over and began gathering her books.

"I hate being poor!" she fumed, hot tears sliding down her cheeks. "I hate it!" Harry looked up at her in surprise. As often as he'd heard Ron and the twins complaining about not having money, he'd never heard it come from the youngest Weasley. He picked up her Herbology book and handed it to her, not knowing quite what to say.

"Erm. . ." He wanted to offer to buy her a new bookbag, but he knew she'd refuse. The lot of them were like that - too proud to take any help. She swiped at her moist cheeks with her arm, and took the book that Harry offered.

"Sorry, Harry," she said, another hot tear making its way down to her chin, "I suppose I'm just a bit frazzled, with all the Malfoy sightings that have been going on in the past few days." Harry frowned and picked up another book.

"Malfoy sightings?" he echoed. "Has he been following you, or something?" She shook her head.

"I don't think so," she sighed, picking up rolls of parchment and the bottle of ink that had, thankfully, stayed in tact. "I just get tired of running into him all the time. He really wears on your nerves after a while."

"I understand," Harry said, nodding. He suddenly felt a connection with Ginny. She smiled warmly and made to grab her books away from Harry, but he turned sideways so she couldn't get them. "Let me carry them inside for you. It's the least I can do."

"Harry," she laughed. "You're so sweet. Thank you." He grinned, and they made their way towards the castle. A few yards away, Hermione sighed.

"Isn't that so sweet?" she said happily, rocking on the balls of her feet. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes, it's sweet," he said, feeling as though he might gag. She turned her disapproving gaze on him as they walked back to the castle.

"Ron," she said reproachfully. "You know how long Ginny's liked Harry, and now he seems as though he might like her back. We should encourage that, and give them as much time alone together as we can."

"I know, I know," he muttered, his ears turning red at the thought of his sister alone with anyone.

**

Ginny sighed. She was tired of studying already, and she'd only been in the library for fifteen minutes. For the seventh time - she'd been counting - she let her eyes wander to the giant clock that hung on the library wall, and vaguely wondered why Madam Pince had allowed it in there. It made a dreadful ticking sound that would almost deafen one in the silence of the library, and Madam Pince hated any noise above a whisper.

She put her elbows on the table and cradled her chin in her hands. She eyed the Potions book that she'd been studying, but all the words kept blurring together, and it wasn't doing any good. She rubbed her eyes, trying to force them to focus, but to no avail. She blinked, then closed the book and slumped back in her chair.

"So I see that, in addition to having no money, the Weasleys have no posture, either," an amused voice drawled softly. Immediately she stiffened, and watched with disbelief as Draco Malfoy sat down across the table from her. He folded his hands together above the table and smirked arrogantly at her, and she fought the blush of fury that she knew he wanted to see.

"And I can see that, in addition to having no personality, the Malfoys have no manners, either," she shot back, her voice surprisingly calm. Fury blazed in Draco's slate eyes, but only for a moment. He moved his hands from the table and crossed his arms over his chest. "Was there something you wanted, Malfoy? Or did you just sit down to annoy me?" she asked sweetly.

"You'd do well to remember your station in life, Weasley," he said, his eyes flashing silver. "And learn to hold your tongue, as it might get you into trouble." A cold chill ran down her spine, and she felt as though someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head.

"Are you threatening her, Malfoy?" a low, dangerous voice inquired. Ginny turned, surprised, to find Harry standing behind her, flanked on either side by Ron and Hermione. Harry's hand was on his wand, ready for action, if the need arose. Draco rose from the table slowly, wearing his signature smirk.

"And if I am, Potter?" he asked, his eyes glittering. His voice hung thick in the air with his unspoken challenge. "Exactly what do you and the other musketeers intend to do about it?"

"Plenty," Harry said, his voice clipped and angry. Ginny noticed that the knuckles on his wand hand were white, he was gripping his wand so hard. Draco's lips curved into an arrogant smile.

"Well, go ahead, Potty. Do your worst." Harry started to raise his wand, but Hermione grabbed his wrist and pulled down on it. Draco laughed. "The Mudblood won't let you, is that it? Honestly, Potter. How do you manage to get along, with your sidekicks riding on your coattails like that?"

"You mean the way Crabbe and Goyle do to you?" Ginny asked pointedly, standing between Draco and her friends. She glanced behind him, and then feigned surprise. "Malfoy, did you realize that you've challenged Harry without your bodyguards to protect you? Why, whatever will you do? Because everyone knows you don't stand a chance against Harry without them." Draco's face paled slightly, but his stance did not waver.

"I can beat Potter at anything by myself, Weasel, unlike you, who needs three other people for protection," he said, sniffing at her in disdain. Ron's ears turned red, and he tried to advance on Draco. Before he could take a step, however, Hermione reached out and grabbed his arm, giving him a reproachful look. Draco grinned, delighted. "What's the matter, Weasley? Your girlfriend won't let you fight?" Ron's entire body began to shake with anger, and his face turned redder than his hair.

"I'm not his girlfriend," Hermione said hotly, her face turning pink with embarrassment. "And the only reason I'm stopping them from mangling you right here is that Madam Pince happens to be watching."

"And?" Draco asked softly, his eyes still on Ginny. Something about the way he was looking at her made her very uncomfortable, but what bothered her more than that was that she couldn't figure out why it bothered her. Perhaps it was because his gaze wasn't full of the loathing that she was so used to seeing - something else was present in his eyes, and that something else was making her stomach quiver strangely. She wished he would stop looking at her, and was intensely relieved when Hermione began to speak again, drawing his eyes to her instead.

"And," Hermione continued, putting her hands on her hips. "If they did anything to you right now, it would look like they attacked you unprovoked, and you'd walk away spotless while they got into loads of trouble! But I'm sure you already knew that, didn't you?"

"And what if I did?" He smirked. Ginny's hand itched to smack that self-satisfied smirk off of his face, but she managed to restrain herself by clenching her fist. The action was not lost on Draco, who laughed softly. "The trio gains a fourth idiot! Loyal to the boy wonder, are we? Be careful about who you pledge your loyalties to, Weasley," he hissed at Ginny. She blinked in surprise. "There are penalties for choosing the wrong side, and even Potter won't be able to protect you then." With that cryptic warning, he turned and strode away.

"Ginny, what did you do to him?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide.

"What do you mean, me?" Ginny asked in disbelief. "I haven't done anything! I was just sitting here, reading, when he sat down and started talking to me!"

"Whatever you've done - or didn't do," Hermione added as Ginny flashed her a nasty look. "You've sure got his attention all of a sudden."

"Why would he just threaten you like that, out of the blue?" Harry asked quietly, his hand still gripping his wand. Ginny shook her head, at a loss for words.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But I'm glad you showed up." She realized as she said the words that she was glad - she was utterly relieved. What would have happened if they hadn't shown up? She didn't want to think about it. The anger faded from Harry's face and a soft rose color took its place.

"Why did he call you my girlfriend? He knows you're not!" Ron said, looking at Hermione. Ginny and Harry both noticed that the tops of his ears were turning red with embarrassment, but Hermione completely missed it. She rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, Ron! He only did that because he knew it would get a reaction out of you! And it worked, didn't it?" Ron's face fell slightly, and Ginny cleared her throat so Hermione wouldn't see his disappointment. She doubted if Ron even knew why he felt that way.

"What did he mean, be careful who I pledge my loyalties to?" Ginny asked, her heart racing at the memory of the look he'd given her. Harry eyed her thoughtfully for a moment before answering.

"I think he meant me," he said. "At least, that's what it sounded like."

"Why would he say that?" Ron puzzled, frowning. "He knows you and I are friends, and it just follows that Ginny is going to take our side, doesn't it?"

"Who knows how that blighter's brain works!" Hermione fumed. Harry, Ron, and Ginny all turned to her, their mouths agape. She stopped fidgeting with her tie and stared back at them, her hands on her hips. "What?"

"You just said-" Ron blinked in amazement, raising his finger to point at her.

"Stop pointing, it's rude," she huffed. "And close your mouth!" Ron obeyed, and Harry had to fake a cough to keep himself from laughing at the obvious look of adoration in Ron's eyes. Ginny elbowed Harry in the ribs and flashed a brilliant smile at Hermione.

"So, what were you all doing down here, anyway?" Ron shook his head as if to clear it.

"We came down here to find you, and see if you were going into Hogsmeade with us today," Harry said, rubbing his side where her elbow had made contact.

"What were you doing in the library on a Saturday morning, anyway?" Ron asked, raising his eyebrows at her. "That's something Hermione'd do." Hermione glared at him, and he pretended not to notice.

"I have this horrible potions essay to do," she moaned, throwing her hands up in the air. When Harry continued to rub his side, she rolled her eyes and moved to do it for him. He tried to push her hands away in protest, but she would have none of it. She started rubbing gently, and his face turned bright red as Ron sniggered. Hermione bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling, and Ginny continued talking as though nothing was wrong. "I mean, what is Snape on about, assigning a three-parchment long essay about the draft of peace? We covered that in fifth year, and it was even on the O.W.L.S.! Why should we have to go over it again?"

"Probably because Professor Sprout will have you working with hellebore this term. Didn't you read ahead on your class syllabus?" She tut-tutted as Ginny shook her head. "The teachers probably try to coincide their lessons as much as possible. Besides, I think it's a good idea to work on it again. It's a good memory refreshing exercise." Ron stuck a finger in his mouth and pretended to gag, and Harry sniggered softly.

"I saw that, Ronald Weasley," she said, shooting him a nasty glare. "Just because my back was turned doesn't mean I don't know that you're doing things behind me." Ron tried to look innocent, and Ginny finally stopped rubbing Harry's side.

"How does it feel now?" she asked him, not looking the least bit affected by the prolonged contact with him. He blinked at her.

"Actually, it feels pretty good," he admitted, the heat rising in his cheeks. Ron grinned and Hermione elbowed him in the side.

"Are you going to massage Ron now?" Harry asked Hermione, laughing. She turned scarlet.

"Absolutely not!" she protested, crossing her arms over her chest. "He deserved it!"

"How did I deserve that?" Ron boggled at her, rubbing just below his ribcage. "I didn't even say anything!"

"No, but you were about to," she said, wagging her finger in his face.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you act like you're married?" Ginny asked, her voice heavy with amusement. Harry bellowed with laughter, which elicited a stern "Ssh!" from Madam Pince. Hermione's jaw dropped, and Ron turned a nasty shade of purple.

"Ginny Weasley, you've been spending too much time around Harry!" Hermione said, moving to wag her finger at Ginny, instead of Ron. Harry blushed, and was relieved to see that Ginny turned pink, too.

"Or maybe not enough time," Ron said, laughing. Harry kicked at him, and he dodged just in time. "Why is everyone trying to hit me today?"

"Maybe if you kept your mouth shut, no one would pay any attention to you, Ron!" Ginny said, putting her hands on her hips. Ron turned widened eyes to Harry.

"Blimey, Harry! Didn't she just sound and look exactly like Hermione? One Hermione is enough!" Hermione and Ginny shot identical glares at him, and he took a step backwards. "Why don't we get going?" he suggested, squirming under their stares.

"That's a brilliant idea," Harry said, turning to Ginny. "Are you coming with us?" She blinked in mild surprise, trying to fight down the heat that she could feel beginning to rise in her face.

"You want me to go with you? But you guys are seventh years! Why would you want me to tag along?"

"You are my sister," Ron said, rolling his eyes. He gave Harry a shrewd look, and Hermione elbowed him again. "Ow!"

"You're our friend, Ginny," Hermione said, smiling. "We'd love it if you came along with us." Ginny looked between the three, sensing that something wasn't being said, and wondered what was going on.

"We're not going to do anything terribly exciting," Harry started, rubbing the back of his neck nervously with his hand. "Just visit the Three Broomsticks, and Zonko's. I think you should come, though."

"You do?" she asked softly, suddenly aware that she'd been fussing over him earlier. Her cheeks burned with the thought that she'd touched Harry and hadn't even realized what she was doing! And he'd allowed it!

"It might be a good idea if you did. I don't like the thought of you being here in the castle when Malfoy's got it in for you." Her heart was ready to burst. Harry was worried about her! The only other time he'd been worried was when Tom Riddle had... she shook her head, not wanting to think about it, and Harry blinked hard. "If you don't want to, though..."

"No! I mean, I wasn't shaking my head at that," she said, waving her hand. "I'll go, if you want me to." Her voice became soft, and it was doing funny things to Harry. Suddenly he felt very light-headed.

"Excellent!" Hermione's voice broke their gaze, and Harry turned back to Ron.

"I don't think we should leave Ginny alone anymore," he said decisively. Hermione nodded in agreement.

"You're absolutely right, Harry. One of us should stay with her at all times, just in case Malfoy decides to make another appearance." Ron nodded too.

"That's a good idea. Hermione's right, Harry. You should stay with Ginny at all times." Harry and Ginny turned surprised eyes towards him.

"What?" they asked in unison. Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Ron, he can't stay with her all the time. What's he going to do when she goes to bed, or to the loo, or her classes? That doesn't make any sense at all. No, we'll take her in shifts. Harry can start today, and then me, and then you."

"I'm not following my sister into the loo!" Ron protested, his face turning crimson. He looked horrified.

"I didn't mean that, Ron!" she said, tapping her foot impatiently. "No one expects you to follow her into the loo, or to bed. I'll be there for that." Ron looked intensely relieved, and nodded.

"Do you really think Malfoy would follow me into the loo?" Ginny asked, highly amused. Harry's face was serious as he turned his attention back to her.

"If he wanted to get at you bad enough, yes. I believe he's capable of just about anything." Ginny's smile faded at the tone of his voice, and she shivered almost imperceptibly.

"But Harry can't be your only protector," Hermione said reasonably. "As much as he might want to, he's not going to be able to be by your side twenty four hours a day." She gave him a pointed look as she spoke, and he flushed.

"Can we talk about this over a butterbeer?" Ron whined, looking at the old clock on the wall. "I haven't had breakfast yet, and I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff!" Harry and Hermione both shot him looks, and he blanched. "Sorry. But you know what I meant!"

"Well, for once I agree with Ron," Hermione said, ignoring the broad smile that painted itself across his face. "Let's go ahead and go, and we can discuss our plans in Hogsmeade."

"Wait," Ginny said quickly. They turned to look at her. "Let me take my things back up to my room." Hermione nodded.

"Ron, you go with her." He blinked in surprise, and his mouth dropped open in protest.

"Why me? You're the one who shares a room with her!"

"Because I want to talk to Harry about something!" she said, giving him a little push. He sighed and rolled his eyes, knowing that it was useless to argue with her right now.

"Fine, I'm going!" He helped Ginny gather her books, and the four of them walked out of the library together, much to the relief of Madam Pince.

"We'll meet you in front of the Great Hall," Hermione said, tugging at Harry's arm. He followed her, and she immediately began whispering to him as they walked. Ron watched them for a bit, then turned to his sister.

"She's enough to drive anyone insane," he complained as he fell into step beside his sister. She laughed.

"Then why do you spend so much time with her, big brother?" Ron blushed furiously at this.

"She's my friend, that's why," he said defensively.

"Is that all she is?" Ginny teased, climbing up a flight of stairs. "Are you jealous that she went off alone with Harry, and not you?"

"No!" he shot back, the crimson in his face deepening. "I'm not jealous of Harry. Besides, shouldn't you be the jealous one?"

"Why would I have any reason to be jealous of Harry and Hermione? I know who she likes, and it's not him." They reached the portrait hole and Ron muttered the password quickly.

"Hermione likes someone?" he asked, his eyes widening. "Who?"

"I'm not supposed to say," she said, enjoying his discomfort. "Wait here and let me take my books upstairs." She trudged up the stairs and dropped her books in a heap on her bed. When she got back down to the common room, Ron was chewing on his thumbnail. "I thought you stopped biting your nails a long time ago," she commented. He dropped his thumb.

"I did," he said defensively. They climbed out through the portrait hole and made their way down the stairs. "Why won't you tell me who Hermione likes, Ginny?"

"Why are you so hot to know?" she asked, smiling broadly.

"I'm just curious, is all," he said, shrugging. "Is it Vicky?" Ginny blinked.

"Who?"

"Vicky," he said, his lip curling slightly. "You know, Krum."

"Oh!" Ginny said, understanding. "No, it's not Viktor."

"Is it someone here at Hogwarts?"

"Maybe. Now leave me alone, because I'm not going to tell you, no matter how much you ask."

"Are they in Gryffindor?"

"Well, they're certainly not in Slytherin, I can tell you that. If you keep pestering me, I'll have to tell her how interested you were in her love life." He blanched.

"Fine! Brat!" He tugged on her hair, and she turned to slap him playfully. He laughed and took off running, with her not far behind him. She watched as he rounded a corner, and moments later she rounded the same corner. She screeched to a halt - he was nowhere in sight. Where had he gone? She walked slowly, peering into open classroom doors as she walked by.

"Ron?" she called. Her voice echoed through the empty corridor. "This isn't funny. Harry and Hermione are waiting for us!"

"If I didn't know better," a soft voice came from behind her, making her freeze where she stood. "I'd say you fancied Potter." She forced herself to take a deep breath as she turned to see Draco leaning against the wall. How had he gotten behind her? She wondered. She cursed at Ron under her breath; he was never going to hear the end of this when she got a hold of him. Draco was staring at her with that odd look again, and it made her feel as though the bottom of her stomach had fallen out.

"I don't see where that's any of your concern," she snapped, sounding braver than she felt. He remained motionless, with his back against the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and one leg was lifted up so that his foot was on the wall behind him.

"Interested in him for his money?" his eyes were gleaming oddly. Her mouth fell open in surprise; she'd never considered Harry's money at all! "Can't say as I blame you, what with your family's lack of it. After all, he is the richest person in the wizarding world - besides me, of course." He gave a soft laugh, and she put her hands on her hips.

"For your information, and not that it's any of your business, I like Harry for who he is, not for what he can give me. I don't operate the way you do, Malfoy," her voice was steely. He pushed off of the wall with his foot and closed the distance between them, stopping in front of her. Their noses were inches apart - he was so close, she could smell his cologne.

"Don't presume to know how I operate," he hissed coldly. She stood her ground. "I've been watching you, Weasley. You'd be a lot better off staying away from Saint Potter."

"Since when do you know what's good for me and what's not?" she asked, her eyes blazing. "And since when do you deign yourself low enough to speak to a Weasley, other than to hurl insults?"

"It's bad for your health to be around Potter so much," he said, his eyes moving down from hers. "He can't protect you as well as you think he can. Why, look at you now. He's left you totally defenseless." He laughed softly, and she pulled her wand out and pointed it at his face.

"Not totally," she said, her voice low. He sniffed at her, and then pushed her wand violently out of his face. It clattered to the floor, and the noise echoed down the hall. He grabbed her wrist, and she cried out in pain.

"Hear this now," he said, whispering. His eyes looked like liquid silver, the way they had in the library. "If you side with Potter, you will lose. And don't ever think that you're safe with one of the three musketeers, because they can't protect you from anything, least of all me." She blinked. How had he known that they'd made that arrangement? Had he been listening in the library?

"What do you care if I lose anything or not?" she asked, wrenching her arm free of his grasp. She began to massage her already purpling wrist.

"I don't," he said, shrugging. "But remember, you've been warned. And let today serve as a reminder to you that I can get at you anytime I want to." She blinked in surprise and watched him stroll down the hallway. Why would he want to get at her? She turned when she heard footsteps approaching.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you follow me?" Ron asked, panting for breath. Harry and Hermione were right behind him. She began flailing at him, raining furious slaps on his arm. "Ow! What is that for?"

"You idiot! When you disappeared, Malfoy showed up!" Harry darted down the hallway and looked around. When he saw nothing, he approached Ginny.

"What did he say?" he asked. She sighed and shook her head, and Harry's eyes dropped to her hands. She was holding her left wrist in her right hand, and he could see the purple bruises beneath it. His eyes burned viridian as he looked back up at her. "Did he do that?" he asked softly. She nodded.

"He told me that I'd better be careful which side I chose, and that it was dangerous for me to be around you! He made a big deal about asking me if I fancied you, as if it was any of his business!" she huffed angrily.

"He asked if you were interested in Harry?" Hermione asked, shooting a sideways glance at him. Ginny nodded. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him that it was none of his bloody business who I fancied," she said, still holding her wrist.

"And what did he say to that?" Hermione asked, her eyes still on Harry. He was standing frighteningly still.

"He said he could see why I fancied Harry - because he had money, and I didn't," she said, her face turning the color of her hair. She refused to meet Harry's eyes, even though she could feel them boring into her.

"He didn't!" Hermione gasped, raising a hand to her lips.

"That smarmy git!" Ron fumed, his fists clenching in anger. "The next time I see him, he's dead!" Hermione put a gentle hand on his arm to calm him, and he looked down at it in surprise.

"I told him that that wasn't why I -" she stopped herself, the heat rising in her face. She'd almost admitted out loud that she fancied Harry, and with him standing right in front of her! She wished fervently that she could sink into the floor.

"You admitted to him that you fancy Harry?" Ron asked, his eyes wide. Hermione smacked his arm lightly.

"Ron!" she hissed. He turned his eyes to Harry, who was still staring at Ginny. His face was beet red, but his eyes stayed steady on her. "Ron, why don't we go down and wait for Harry and Ginny in front of the Great Hall?"

"But what about my shift?" Ron asked, not quite getting the point.

"I'll take care of it, Ron," Harry said quietly. Ginny could tell from his tone that he was aggravated. Apparently Hermione understood it too, and despite his protests, she dragged Ron down the hallway and out of sight. Ginny stared down at her bruised wrist, not quite sure what to say. She was startled when he put his hand gently on hers and moved it away from her wrist so he could get a better look at it. He swore softly and turned so that his back was to her.

"It's not as bad as it looks," she said softly. "Really, Harry, it isn't." He sighed, and then turned to look at her.

"Is that all he said to you? Just the thing about wanting my money?" he asked, his eyes pointed towards the ceiling. She examined the grotesque discoloration on her wrist - and was chilled to the core when she realized she could make out Draco's fingers. It was as though he was still holding her, even though he was nowhere to be seen.

"He said that he didn't think that any of you could protect me against anything, especially not him, because he'd be able to get to me anytime he wanted to." Harry turned his face to her, his eyes blazing.

"He actually had the bollocks to say that to you?"

"Yes," she said softly. "I asked him why he was showing so much interest in me, but he never really answered the question."

"Ginny," he said quietly, his face turning pink. "Malfoy likes to try and mess up everything good in my life." When she realized what he'd said, her face turned the same shade of embarrassed pink as his. She raised her eyes to his face.

"But Malfoy isn't going to change my mind, or my feelings, Harry, no matter what he says or does. He can't bully me into deserting my friends or family. I'm too stubborn for that." She smiled, and he grinned at her despite the blush that deepened on his cheeks.

"You might get hurt because of your feelings for-" he swallowed hard. "Me." She reached her hand out and touched his arm gently. His eyes jerked up in surprise to meet hers.

"Harry, Malfoy would find a way to strike out at me and my family even if I didn't fancy you. He hates us. We're filthy, remember?" She saw that he was staring at the hand she'd placed on his arm, and she began to withdraw it. Harry shot his hand out and stopped her by grabbing her hand in his own.

"You don't have to do that," he said softly, gripping her hand loosely. She blinked in surprise, and then gave him a wry smile.

"You don't have to pretend that you like me like that just to save my feelings. I'm a big girl; I can deal with rejection. If you don't like me, it's okay," she explained. He blushed harder, but didn't release her hand.

"I'm not pretending," he whispered, staring down at his feet. Her heart skipped several beats, then she laced her smooth fingers through his, feeling their sweaty palms mingling.

"Harry," she started. He looked up and locked her gaze with his. She fought to catch her breath as he leaned closer to her. His eyes closed, and his lips were inches from her own - he was so close that she could feel his warm breath on her face. She inhaled deeply; he smelled of mint and biscuits and his lips were so close...

"What's taking you two so bloody lo-" Ron's voice died as he appeared at the end of the hallway and saw his sister and Harry about to kiss. They jumped apart and stood awkwardly, looking anywhere except at each other. Hermione appeared and quickly appraising the situation, grabbed Ron by the ear and started whispering furiously to him. Harry shot Ginny a shy grin, and she smiled back.

"We might as well get going," she said, gesturing towards the end of the hall, where Ron was still being scolded like a naughty child. Harry was flooded with disappointment, but nodded anyway. When they reached their friends, Ron's face was crimson and Hermione was huffing angrily.

"Sorry, mate," Ron said, giving Harry a sheepish look. The girls had locked arms together and were walking a bit ahead of them, much to Harry's relief. He watched as they talked and laughed, and a funny feeling washed over him. Had he really been about to kiss Ginny? And had she really been about to let him?

"S'ok," Harry shrugged.

"Do you like her now?" Ron blurted. Harry winced at his directness, then felt the warmth in his cheeks as he watched Ginny in front of him, tossing her flaming hair over her shoulder.

"I... I don't know," Harry stuttered. "I think so."

"Were you really going to kiss my sister?" Ron's nose wrinkled in disgust, and Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"I think so," he nodded.

"That's disgusting," he said, shaking his head. Then, "But I'd rather you kiss her than any of the other guys in Gryffindor." Harry blushed again.

"Thanks, I think."

"Do you know what Ginny told me?" Ron asked abruptly, changing topics. Harry blinked. "Hermione likes someone! And someone at Hogwarts, Harry, not Vicky!"

"Of course she does," Harry said, peering into a store window. The display contained shiny new Quidditch equipment.

"You mean you know who she likes, and you haven't told me yet?" Ron asked, his mouth agape.

"Of course I know, Ron," Harry said, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "She's liked the same bloke for ages."

"Why hasn't anyone told me?" Ron asked, his ears turning pink. Harry shook his head and laughed.

"I suppose that's because we all thought you should either know by now, or if you didn't, she'd tell you when she was ready." Ron's eyes widened.

"We all?" he repeated dumbly. "Who's we all?"

"The entire house."

"You mean that everyone in Gryffindor knows, except me?" Ron screeched. Harry laughed.

"Yes, and even some people outside of Gryffindor know."

"What!" Ron exclaimed. The girls turned in the middle of the sidewalk to look at him. Harry's stomach did a somersault when Ginny's chocolate eyes locked with his. She quickly turned back around, and Hermione began whispering to her. "I can't believe no one has told me yet! Well? What are you waiting for? Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Not," Harry said, feeling sorry for Ron. He wanted to tell him, but he feared Hermione's reaction if he did. Ron's face turned a nasty shade of green.

"You're not going to tell me?" Harry shook his head. "Why not?"

"Hermione made me promise."

"What's the big secret, if the entire house knows about it?"

"The entire house doesn't know, Ron - you don't know."

"Well, tell me, and then the entire house will know," Ron said, casting a curious glance at the girls.

"No, because Hermione will know I'm the one who told you!" Harry protested. "Why don't we get something to drink?" he suggested, hoping to turn Ron's mind to something else. He opened the door to the Three Broomsticks for Ron, who gave him a wary look.

"Alright," he nodded, going in. "But I'm not going to forget this, Harry. You're going to tell me eventually." Harry highly doubted it, but gave Ron a smile as he followed him inside.