Harry Potter and the Loss of Innocence

Chapter Eighteen: The Power of Rumors

When you are with me

I'm free... I'm careless... I believe...

Above all others we'll fly.

~Creed: My Sacrifice

The next Saturday night, Harry nervously followed Ginny . She led him to the Room of Requirement, and Harry watched Ginny pace in front of it three times. After the third time, a door appeared. It was a wood door with curly cast iron decorations. She opened it and motioned for Harry to follow her into the room.

Harry stopped when he caught sight of it. It was ornately and elegantly decorated in reds and golds, blues and silvers. He saw a small table for two in the center of the small room, next to a fireplace that was burning cheerfully. On the other side of the room was a small couch, a love seat really. Harry gulped as the door shut behind him; he was no good at this sort of thing.

Dobby appeared with the appetizers, and Ginny led Harry to the table by his hand. He pulled out her seat and pushed it in. He sat across from her nervously.

"So, what do you think?" Ginny asked apprehensively.

"Romantic," Harry answered after he took a quick drink of water; his mouth had gone very dry.

"I love it," Ginny told him, enthusiastically. "On our way to Egypt we stopped at a French restaurant and it looked a lot like this."

Dobby appeared a few minutes later with the first course. It was some kind of vegetable soup and Harry enjoyed it. Ginny and Harry talked about school and Quidditch. They were at ease with one another, but Harry couldn't get over the decorations.

The main course was lamb with herbs and seasonings. Harry thought that it was delicious, and he was surprised to realize that the décor didn't bother him so much anymore.

When they were finished with that course, Harry watched Ginny as she talked. He didn't take in a word that she said, but he was mesmerized by the firelight reflecting off of her hair.

"Harry, are you even listening to me?" Ginny asked with indignation. He shook his head as if coming out of a trance. "What were you thinking about?"

"How beautiful you look tonight," Harry answered truthfully. Ginny stared at him, completely stunned. At that moment, Dobby appeared once again with dipping chocolate and cut fruit. He left with the dirty dishes and leftover food.

Ginny, coming out of her shock, smiled at him and dipped a piece of banana in the chocolate. Harry followed suit with a piece of pineapple.

"Do you mean that?" Ginny asked timidly.

"Of course I do, Gin. Why would I lie?" Harry asked perplexed.

"Maybe so you'll get some tonight," Ginny answered sheepishly.

"And have your six brothers, father, and mother after my hide," Harry answered with a laugh. "No, I don't think so. I can deal with a Dark Lord, but having seven angry Weasley men and Molly Weasley after me? Nope, can't handle that." He was happy when she laughed too. "Gin, I'm not ready for that yet," he added quietly when she had stopped laughing.

"Good, 'cause neither am I," Ginny replied softly. Harry dipped a strawberry and, while chewing it, he remembered Ron saying that it was her favorite fruit.

"You want one?" he asked pointing to a strawberry. She nodded and Harry dipped it. He reached over the table and carefully fed it to her. She closed her eyes and savored the taste. The look of pleasure and contentment on her face was absolute.

They ate the rest of the fruit in silence, feeding one another every so often. Harry was completely happy. He forgot about school. He forgot about his nightmares. He forgot about those he had lost. He even forgot about the Prophecy. All he could think about was this one beautiful girl who had captured his heart.

When the fruit was gone, Ginny stood and walked over to the fire. Harry followed her and stood next to her, looking down at her stunningly beautiful face. After a few minutes under his intense gaze, Ginny blushed a deep red.

"Stop that," Ginny finally said angrily. She turned her back to him.

"Stop what?" Harry asked not taking his eyes off of her.

"That," she replied sharply.

"What?"

"Looking at me like that," she explained crossly. "It freaks me out."

"How else should I look at you?" Harry asked confused.

"Just don't stare."

"Fine," he said turning from her and staring into the fire. Several minutes passed in uncomfortable silence. Harry felt bad for staring at Ginny. "Gin, I'm..."

"Harry, I'm..." They laughed and Ginny motioned for Harry to continue.

"I'm sorry for staring," he apologized. "But you look so wonderful and I can't understand why you like me." He held up his hand to stop her interruption. "I feel so lucky. I have this great, adopted family with your six brothers and your parents, Hermione and Thia, Tonks and Remus. And now, well..." He trailed off. His fingers ran through his already messy hair. "Gin, to be honest, I don't really know what love is. I know what loyalty and friendship are. But I've never had the chance to learn what love is." He stopped and silence fell. Just as Ginny opened her mouth to speak, he continued, "And I now have you. And," he said shyly, "I think you're teaching me how to love. But I really have no clue."

Ginny just stared at him with her mouth opened. "Oh, Harry. I'm sorry I snapped at you. The twins used to stare at me at meals and it's always bugged me." She stopped and hugged him. From where she stood, she continued, "I'm so sorry you can't recognize the love you have, give, and receive. Harry, you're one of the most loving people I've ever met. And you receive heaps of love from your friends, classmates, teachers, acquaintances, and adopted family." He looked down at her stunned, but she just smiled at him. "Harry, it's so obvious. How can everyone see it, but you can't?"

"See, Gin, I need you to show that to me. I need you to teach me to see that," Harry said earnestly. "I know it's there; I just have a hard time seeing it. Will you teach me how?" the plea in his voice broke her heart.

"Well, how about I show you how I feel?" She led the confused Harry to the loveseat. He sat down and she snuggled up to him. She leaned over and started to kiss the man she loved with her whole being.

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An hour later, a very happy and content Harry and Ginny met a very angry and disgruntled Ron. "Where have you been?" he nearly yelled, causing some of the students to turn and look.

"'Night, Harry," Ginny said, kissing him goodnight. Harry wrapped her in a tight embrace, not caring about the common room filled with students.

"'Night, Gin," Harry said breathlessly after the kiss. He watched her climb the stairs to the girl's dorm and disappear through the door.

"Where have you been and what have you been doing?" Ron asked almost frantically. His voice caused even more students to turn to watch.

Harry sank happily into his favorite chair. Ginny was the most amazing woman in the world. They had talked while they were making out. She got him to tell her things that he needed to say, but couldn't. He told her about most of his common nightmares and his fears about the future.

"Harry Potter, answer me!" Ron shouted. Harry for the first time looked at his best friend. He was livid and beet red. "Where have you been and what have you been doing with my sister!"

"Nothing, Ron. It was just a date," Harry said with a huge grin.

"Just a date? Why don't I believe that?" Ron asked incredulously. "You were gone for too long!"

"We talked about stuff, Ron," Harry answered him, getting a little peeved. "What's it to you?"

"She's my sister, Harry!" Ron yelled back, ignoring Hermione's urgent tugs on his sleeve. "She will always be my concern!"

"Why are you so worried?" Harry asked nearly shouting now.

"Because she's had a crush on you for years," Ron stated angrily and loudly. "Because I don't trust the two of you together!"

"What? Are you worried I'm going to shag her?" Harry asked yelling back. Hermione let out a loud sigh and muttered something that sounded a lot like, "Males."

"Yes, I am!" Ron shouted back.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley!" the sweet voice of Ginny shouted down at him from the entrance to the girl's dorm. "Leave Harry alone. If you're worried about us, talk to me. If you must yell, do not yell in a common room full of people eavesdropping. Do you have no faith in your best friend and younger sister?" She had walked down and was now standing next to Harry. "If you're not careful, you'll join Percy on my 'not family' list. You were pushing for this for months, if not years. Now that it has happened, LEAVE! US! ALONE!" She glared at him and then leaned over and gave Harry another kiss. "'Night, Harry."

"'Night, Gin," Harry said with a laugh. Only Ginny could get away with that. He watched her once again walk up the stairs and through the door. Harry looked at Ron and realized that he was still mad. "If you want to talk, I'll be in the dorm." Harry left the fuming Ron and went to their room.

He got out his homework, the little that he had left, and did it on his bed. He was disappointed that Ron didn't come up. He knew that he needed to work this out with him. He just couldn't believe that Ron would think that he would sleep with Ginny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breakfast the next morning was strained. Ron was still angry with Harry and Ginny and he refused to talk to either of them. Hermione was divided between her boyfriend and Harry and Ginny. She just thought that the whole argument was stupid, but she couldn't get Ron to see that. The worst part of this mess was that the whole school knew about it.

Harry thought that this argument now held the record of the fastest spread rumor at Hogwarts. People had stared at Ginny and Harry. Some of the guys gave Harry the thumbs up. Some the girls frowned at him. Harry found out at lunch that the story had changed from Ron being worried that Harry would sleep with Ginny to Ron was angry because Harry had slept with Ginny.

The next few days were horrible. Harry and Ginny had to explain over and over again that they hadn't slept together and weren't planning on it. Ron wouldn't talk to Harry, and classes became boring without Ron there to make fun of the teachers or the lessons. Hermione had decided to stick with Ron and try to make him see the truth. Ginny was pissed at Ron, and Harry had to keep her from knocking Ron's front teeth out. Quidditch practice on Wednesday was a strained event. Katie took over the practice because Harry didn't want to do anything to get Ron even angrier.

Friday came with no changes in the rift. Harry felt almost as bad as he did before the first task. If not for Ginny, this week would have been the worst week he had ever spent at Hogwarts. Harry was looking forward to the Defense class that afternoon. Up until this week, they had been practicing the basics. This week had been one-on-one duels in every class, for the whole period. Today would be a tournament of the top three duelers for this week. They would each duel twice and the two with the best record would duel again. Harry was number one in the class, Draco was second, and surprisingly Neville was third.

Harry's first duel was with Draco. Harry would have won hands down, had Draco not broken the rules. They weren't to use spells classified as dangerous or dark. Malfoy had used a spell classified as both. It surprised Harry just enough that he had to scramble to get a shield up in time to deflect it. Harry sent three stunners at Malfoy in quick succession: one at his heart, one to his right, and the other to his left. The one to his right hit Malfoy. When Harry woke him up, he was extremely disoriented and Harry volunteered for the next duel with Neville.

The duel with Neville was a quick thing too. Harry was too advanced for anyone in this class. He did pull his level down a bit, but he didn't want to play stupid.

It was the duel between Neville and Draco that raised eyebrows. It started out as was expected.

"Stupefy!" Draco shouted at the boy.

"Protego!" Neville shouted and the shield reflected the stunner right at Draco. Malfoy had to dive to the floor to avoid it. "Twicodio!" The hex hit Malfoy's back and Harry laughed as Draco's ears started to twitch.

"You scum," Malfoy muttered angrily at Neville. "Furniculus!"

Neville dodged the spell easily and said calmly, "Demuta Ferrus!" Harry thought that he would die from laughter. Sitting where Malfoy had just been was a white ferret with wiggling ears. "Stupefy!"

"Very good, Mr. Longbottom. Please change him back and wake him up," Thia said with the smallest of smiles on her face.

"Ennervate!" Neville said with a laugh. The ferret woke up and started chattering angrily at Neville. "I cannot seem to remember the counter-spell. That's just too bad."

"Mr. Longbottom, if you can't change him back, he automatically wins," Thia warned the boy.

"Fine. Demuta Humano!" Draco changed back into his normal angry self.

"I'm going to tell the Headmaster on you, Longbottom. You aren't suppose to use those kind of spells on people."

"Yes," Sephra said before Thia or Neville could respond. "And you're not supposed to use Dark Arts on another, but you did. I think we should tell the Headmaster about that." Malfoy's face paled, and he shut his mouth angrily. Harry decided to stop laughing at the boy and prepare for the next duel. However that was easier said than done, and he was still laughing when he walked up to start his duel with Neville.

They bowed and Harry held his hand up in forfeiture. "I can't stop laughing and I don't want to be turned into a ferret. Neville, you win," Harry said laughing even harder at Malfoy's pink cheeks. "You're a genius!" Neville bowed theatrically, and Harry laughed even harder.

"Okay, so I guess that Neville is this week's winner," Thia said with a smile on her face. "Something that I didn't tell you all, was that the winner would receive 15 points for their house, have their house color and animal fill the center of the room, and win a free butterbeer on me at the next Hogsmeade trip. Which, Mr. Longbottom, is tomorrow. Here you go." She handed him a slip of paper, and Harry and Neville sat down. They spent the rest of the class talking about the duels and the last ten minutes about the trip the next day.

Harry hoped that the events of that class would smooth things over with Ron, but they didn't. Harry had a feeling that Ginny asking Harry if he wanted to spend the next day with her hadn't helped. He just hoped that things would clear up with Ron soon.

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"See you, Hermione," Ginny called to her, ignoring Ron at Hermione's side. Hermione waved and Ron scowled.

"You know, Gin, you could try and be nice to him," Harry said patiently as they walked down the grounds. Harry could feel Thia's eyes on him and knew that the rest of his guard would appear as soon as he left the safety of Hogwarts grounds.

"I could, but I don't apologize for something when I'm not in the wrong," she replied in an angry tone. Harry just shook his head.

"I didn't say apologize, because he's the one that needs to, but don't make him angrier," Harry explained. "Classes are boring with him mad at me."

"What do you want to do?" Ginny asked changing the subject.

"Let's go visit your other brothers," Harry suggested. "I want to find out what they think about us."

Ginny nodded and they headed to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It was crowded and they pushed their way to the front. "Fred!" Ginny yelled over the noise.

"Oi, little sis, what are you doing here?" Fred yelled back. He caught sight of Harry and smiled. "Never mind, you're here on a date, I see. Well, follow me. George! Company!"

A few minutes later Fred, George, Ginny, and Harry were sitting in the office. "So, Harry, keeping the good luck streak by showing up here?" Fred asked jokingly.

"Yep, thought I'd want Ginny to run off at the Three Broomsticks crying again," Harry responded in like. "For old times sake, you know."

"I see," George said sagely. "Ron's been writing to us about you two. Says he's worried you'll do something you shouldn't."

"That git!" Ginny snapped angrily. Fred and George smiled and laughed. "And what do you think about us?"

"Harry sleeps with you and we skin him alive," George answered calmly. He tried to keep a straight face looking at Harry's embarrassed face.

"If you tempt him, Ginny dear," Fred continued just as straight faced, "we'll skin you alive. If he gives in, then we'll skin both of you alive." George couldn't help it anymore. He broke out laughing and Fred joined in.

"You guys are old enough to make your own choices," George finally said. "And I trust that you'll make the right one. If not, well, we'll skin you both."

"Ron's just making trouble where there isn't any," Fred said knowingly. "He's always been the closest to you, Ginny, so he'll be the most worried. Him and Bill, that is."

"Should be fun seeing how Bill reacts to Harry this Christmas," George thought out loud. "Especially if Ron's been writing to him too."

"Thanks," Harry said bitterly. "I really appreciate your concern."

"No problem," George replied brightly.

"Well, we need to go help with the shop," Fred said sadly. "Too bad we only talked about this. Oh, you guys hear about Tonks and Remus?"

"Yeah, Harry found out two weeks ago," Ginny replied with a smile.

"You guys want to help surprise them?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"You want to give them a wedding?" George asked jokingly.

"Yeah," Ginny said smiling. "Nice guess."

"That's great. The ultimate prank!" Fred said with a smile. "We'll help with the finances. Remus has been a real help with ideas and developing them into products. We're trying to find out if we can legally hire him as a product designer, or if the Ministry will send us to Azkaban for that."

"I hate Umbridge," George said venomously.

Harry was surprised at the hate in his voice. Usually the twins were neutral to all but their closest friends and family. People were just subjects to be pranked.

"It's her laws," Fred continued seeing their looks of confusion and surprise, "that are the problem."

"Oh, those," Harry thought angrily. "Yeah, she's a great person, isn't she?"

"Yeah," Fred said rolling his eyes. "So anyway, we'll owl you about the plans for Operation Wedding. What do you think about letting Mum, Dad, and Bill know?"

"As long as they don't spill the beans," Harry replied, "they can know. I want to find out what they want and the more people asking questions the less likely they will get suspicious. See you guys."

"Bye, you love birds, you," Fred said with a laugh.

"Don't forget to visit Madame Puddifoot's," George said waving.

"We won't," Ginny said with a laugh. Outside she turned to Harry and said calmly, "Let's not go to Puddifoot's and say we did, but instead go to the Shrieking Shack and shag each other. I really want to get skinned by the twins. I think this counts as tempting."

"Sounds good, but I don't want your mum after me," Harry said with a fake shudder. "Let's just not and say we did. That should get Ron angry at us for a reason." They were now heading to the Three Broomsticks. They spent the rest of the trip at the pub talking.

At about three they headed back to the castle and the warmth of the common room fire. Harry got out one of his advanced Defense books and started reading it on the couch near the fire. Ginny curled up next to him and read it with him. Of course that's how Ron found them an hour later. However, Harry's hand had found its way under her shirt and was lying on her stomach. Ginny had her hand covering it and was squirming when he tickled her.

"Potter, dorm, now!" Ron stuttered angrily. Harry gave Ginny an apologetic look and followed Ron up the stairs. He was just glad that the common room was nearly empty. "What were you doing?"

"Reading," Harry answered truthfully.

"Do you really have to lay next to her in public?" Ron asked almost pleadingly.

"Why?" Harry asked forcefully.

"Because of the rumors."

"The rumors are your fault, Ron," Harry said flatly. "You staying angry with us all week only made the rumors true in people's minds. Why are you so worried?"

"What does it matter why I'm worried?" Ron asked hotly.

"What have I done to deserve this distrust?" Harry asked hurt.

"I'm just worried about my little sister!" Ron shouted angrily.

"I trust you with Hermione," Harry said logically. "I meant it when I said that she's my sister. I'd beat you into a pulp if you hurt her or slept with her, but I don't follow you around or make you account for every minute you two spend alone. I trust you with her. Why can't you trust me with her?"

"I don't care about how you treat me and Hermione!" Ron shouted. "It's my little sister we're talking about!"

"She's not so little anymore, Ron!" Harry yelled back. "She can make up her own mind about who she dates!"

"But why do you guys have to encourage the rumors?" Ron asked angrily.

"We don't, Ron. You do with your anger and yelling!" Harry answered loudly. "Just give it a rest and let us be! Now, I'm going back down to the common room to continue reading with my girlfriend."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, Harry," Remus said seriously when Harry entered the Defense room the next afternoon. "What are these rumors I hear?"

Harry looked at Remus nervously. He couldn't know about the plans already could he? "What rumors?"

"About you sleeping with Ginny Weasley." Harry turned bright red and rolled his eyes. "I didn't think so, but I had to check. The twins told us all last night about your conversation with them yesterday."

"Those gits," Harry grumbled under his breath.

"Yes, that's what I thought, but, hey, it was good for a laugh."

"Where's Tonks?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"She's at the doctor's," Remus said with a smile. "If he gives her the go ahead, she goes back to work tomorrow."

"Oh, good."

"Yes," Remus said with a faint smile. "I'm going to miss her at headquarters though. When she's gone, it's just me."

"Poor, poor Remy," Thia said sarcastically.

"Shut up, Thia. Let's see how good you'd be living there," he said angrily.

"I wouldn't stay sane, that's why I won't live there."

"Um, I hate to break this up, but are we going to work?" Harry asked forcefully.

"Sure thing, Harry," Thia replied cheerfully. "You and me first."

"Avelgule!" Harry said calmly. Thia ducked it, but Harry was surprised at how close it got to hitting her.

"Stupefy!" she shouted, hoping to catch him off guard. Harry ducked left and then dove right as her second stunner flew by him.

"Furniculus!" he cast the boil spell, hoping to distract her. "Stupefy," he whispered. She ducked the boil spell, but was hit by the stunner.

Harry looked at Remus, stunned. Remus was just as surprised. "You whispered that spell right?" Harry nodded. "That shouldn't have knocked her out like that." He waked over to his little sister and said, "Ennervate!" She woke up dazed and confused. After a few minutes she was all right.

"I didn't even hear you cast that," Thia said surprised. "That was some stunner, Harry. How I didn't hear it, is beyond me."

"I whispered it, Thia," he said quietly. She looked at him surprised.

"Really? Well, then that's something encouraging," she said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked perplexed. Remus was looking at her oddly too.

"Well, that's simple," but she stopped when there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" The door opened and the person who had knocked walked in. It was Professor Dumbledore, and he looked happy to find Remus and Thia together.

"Harry, I must steal these wonderful people for a moment. Could I ask you to leave?" Harry nodded and went out into the hallway. The door shut behind him, but Harry found the old Extendable Ear the twins had given him and put it in his ear. The end wiggled under the door and Harry could hear the voices clearly.

"They have finally decided on a new Minister," Dumbledore told the two.

"It's about time," Remus said with more than a little anger in his voice. "The Ministry's been a mess without a Minister and it's only helped in Voldemort's power gathering."

"I am well aware of that," Dumbledore said with his normal calm. "But they wanted to be absolutely sure that I wouldn't take the job. After they realized that I didn't want the job this Monday, they talked about other candidates."

"So who'd they pick, sir?" Thia asked worriedly.

"Please take a guess," Dumbledore said. Harry could hear the twinkle in his eyes.

"Snape," Remus said bitterly. Harry was surprised. Remus normally got along with everyone, even Snape.

"Professor Snape, Remus," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "And no, not Severus. Thia, your guess."

"Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Voldemort?" Thia said with a sarcastic voice. "It wouldn't surprise me if the Ministry handed themselves over to him."

"No, thankfully they haven't done that yet. It is Emmeline Vance," Dumbledore informed them. Harry knew that she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix the first time around and was still a member.

"Really, well good for her," Remus said cheerfully.

"That will be good for the Order, won't it Professor," Thia said.

"Yes it will be. And why can't you call me Albus, Thia?" Dumbledore asked sounding slightly hurt. Harry thought he was teasing her.

"For the same reason I told you last time, sir," Thia answered. Harry thought he heard an undertone of anger on her voice.

"Very well, Thia. I am sorry. We are all allowed our mistakes."

"Yes, but few of us have lives at stake for them."

"Didn't Molly destroy all of those Extendable Ears?" Remus asked, interrupting Dumbledore and Thia's conversation.

"Alas, she did," Dumbledore said sadly. "They were a brilliant idea and deserved more respect and consideration than they received. Why do you ask?" There was a slight pause and Harry pulled the earpiece out of his ear and headed into the room across the hall.

"Harry James Potter, do you not know that eavesdropping is rude?" Thia asked mock-angrily.

"I think someone once told me that ," Harry responded. "Why?"

"I think we should just destroy this," Remus said picking up the Extendable Ear.

"No, please don't, sir," Harry pleaded. "It's the only way I have of finding out about all of the gossip at this school. No one tells me it, because normally it's about me."

Dumbledore laughed and put his hand out for the Extendable Ear. Remus handed it to him and Dumbledore handed it to Harry. "Next time, Harry, just ask. As long as it isn't a secret, I'll tell you about it. It's about time we started to tell you more. This war will be decided by you after all," he finished sadly.

"Yeah," Harry added, slightly bitter. "You guys mind if we call it quits for the day. I want to see if Ron will talk to me today."

"No, we don't mind. Go, Harry," Thia said kindly. "Good luck. Older brothers can be a pain at times."

"Thanks, Thia," Remus said, pretending to be hurt.

"No problem, Remy," Thia said brightly. Harry laughed at the look of disgust on Remus' face. He did hate that nickname.

"I'll be going then," Remus said, giving his sister a scornful look. "I want to find out how Tonks' appointment went."

"See you, Moony," Thia said. "Sorry about the Remy thing, but you're face looks so precious when I call you that."

"Goodbye, Remus," Dumbledore said, shaking the man's hand.

"Mind if I walk with you, Harry?" Remus asked when the other two were gone.

"No, I wanted to talk with you anyway," Harry said steering him into an empty classroom. It was Remus' old room and Remus started a fire in the fireplace.

"Tea?" he asked. "For old times sake?" Harry smiled thinking about all the times he had spent talking with Remus here.

"Sure," Harry said. "There's no other way but to ask you out right. What should I do about Ron's over-protective attitude towards Ginny? He's never acted quite like this before."

"Well, Harry as an older brother," Remus started, handing Harry a cup of tea, "I'd have to tell you that the worst thing to do is not take him seriously. Especially if that brother is close with the girl in question. I just about killed Sirius a few times, not counting mishaps on our moonlit walks."

"But I'd never do anything to hurt her, and I'm definitely not going to sleep with her any time soon," Harry said baffled.

"It doesn't matter, Harry," Remus said, taking a sip of tea. "To be honest, it's when we feel threatened that we get really concerned about our sisters. I was all right with all of Thia's boyfriends but Sirius. And that was because I knew it would work out. And guess what, they were married within six months."

"But why would Ron be worried about Ginny and I?" Harry asked confused. "We aren't planning on marrying any time soon."

"But you've taken a spot in her heart that used to be his," Remus explained. "If she was hurt or scared she used to go to Ron, but now she'll come to you."

"Oh, I never thought of that," Harry answered. Remus took a sip of tea, thinking.

"And then there's the fact that Ron's your best friend," Remus added.

"What difference does that make?" Harry wondered out loud.

"Well, are you telling things to Ginny that you wouldn't or didn't tell Ron or Hermione?" Harry nodded. "You should have seen the panic Sirius went into when your parents got engaged. Even before that really. He was worried that James would never talk to him again. He also was jealous of the time James was spending with Lily."

"Oh, I see," Harry said thinking about all this information. "What should I do?"

"Talk with him," Remus said after taking a drink of his tea.

"But every time we talk it turns into a shouting match."

"Well, find a way to talk to him calmly."

"Easier said than done," Harry mumbled under his breath. Remus just smiled at him knowingly. "Well, I really do need to go see Tonks. Nice chatting with you, Harry."

"Thanks, Remus," Harry said shaking the man's hand. "I'll see you both next week, then."

"Most definitely."