Beginnings

Beginnings

Questions and Kippers.

Harry was one of the first people to breakfast Friday morning, but when Ron and Hermione arrived, Harry was still nibbling on a piece of toast. They slid into seats and Hermione smiled at Harry. "Good morning, Harry, how are you?"

Harry answered her as he continued to watch the doors. "Good morning. Fine, and you?"

Ron stuffed a bit of bread in his mouth as soon as he sat down, and started to fill his plate. "Morning Harry," he said, or at least that's what Harry chose to hear each morning. In truth, Ron could have been saying "Moron," "Mugharumph," or almost anything beginning with an M sound.

Harry began putting things on his plate while keeping an eye on the door. He was looking for a certain red-haired figure that had been invading his thoughts for the last two weeks; ever since the night she had stunned him twice. He knew her habits, and one of the things Ginny hated was eating alone. She would enter the Hall, and look for someone to sit next to. This morning Harry was waiting for her to enter the Hall. When she finally made it, Harry caught her eye and motioned her over.

"Good morning Harry," Ginny said as she sat down next to him. "How are you this morning?"

"Good." Harry took a bite of whatever was on his plate as he thought about what he was going to do. He was surprised his heart hadn't popped out of his chest yet, it was beating so hard, and not even being face-to-face with Voldemort had made him sweat as much as one simple question. He was trying to decide how to ask his little question, and missed the strange look Ginny gave him as he ate.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, and was not surprised to see they had started the first argument of the day. He listened to Ron muttering about schedules for using the bathroom as Hermione snorted. He pulled his attention away from the bickering friends and took a deep breath. "Ginny, would you go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?"

Ginny blinked, even as her heart started beating faster. She finished chewing the food in her mouth, and looked at Harry. "Why?"

It was Harry's turn to blink as he thought about her question. He'd been prepared to hear yes, no or maybe, but why made him think. He took another bite of his food as he thought about it. "I've known you for six years now, and yet I know more about Luna than I do you. You've always been a description, never a person. 'Ron's little sister', a member of the DA, a schoolmate. I want to know who you are." Harry smiled faintly. "I've been thinking about it ever since that night, and I owe you an apology. Treating you like a description was wrong of me, and I am sorry."

Ginny fought the wide grin that threatened to swallow her face. "I will, on one condition, Harry."

Harry looked at her, not understanding, but too deep to stop now. "What condition would that be?"

Ginny pointed at his plate. "Could you skip the pickled kippers tomorrow?"