So You Do Like Her

Chapter One

    “So you do like her, then?” Ron asked, shoveling his lunch into his mouth.    Harry nodded. He had just told Ron that he had a crush on his little sister. He was surprized that Ron didn't pummel him into the earth; he was surprized but pleased.

    Ron then turned to Harry, stopping his eating process. “Then why don’t you ask her out?" he suggested, as if Harry were an idiot, and it was the easiest thing in the world to do.

    Harry froze, then turned to look at his red-headed friend. **What** he thought. **It justisn't that easy. You can't just go up to someone and tell them you adore them. What idiot would put himself on the line like that?

    "Well, c'mon, you’re the only person I’d willingly hand her over to,” Ron said, as if it were the most obvious thing ever.

    “What if she doesn’t like me? What if Fred and George try to kill me? Is it worth it?” Harry asked with worry. Ginny had been so easy to talk to about Sirius’s death. She really seemed to understand. He loved that about her. He loved everything about her. She not only listened, but, reacted and replied. She was a wonderful person, let alone gorgeous. She was so beautiful. Her red hair shone in the sunlight and firelight. Her eyes reflected flickers of light. He was just so happy when she was around. She was so funny and such a great person. He knew it was worth it, but he needed to hear it from someone else.    

    “This is my little sister we’re talking about. Of course she’s worth it. You could really be a part of our family. And, you really like her,” Ron said patting Harry’s back. This brought Harry out of his Ginny reverie. Harry choked on the piece of toast he happened to be swallowing when Ron patted him. Harry gulped down his pumpkin juice to keep him from choking. Ron and Harry laughed.

    Hermione sat by, pretending not to listen behind her Daily Prophet. It was hard not to laugh. Harry had choked on something every morning for the past week. **Toast is a new one,** Hermione thought. **He choked on egg, pancake, and sausage, but toast was new.** Hermione hoped it wasn’t a new trend. It was definitely something that would get old.

    Harry stopped choking, and resumed his conversation with Ron. Hermione listened to the conversation about Harry and Ginny and her mind was back on track. **Finally,** she thought. **It’s about time he realized his feelings. I have to tell Ginny.** Hermione waited until the conversation was over. She couldn’t just leave; she might miss something. People were always leaving before the conversation was over in books and it just led to some big misunderstanding and drama. She didn’t want to get herself into that. So, she continued to act like she was reading The Daily Prophet, as she listened to the rest of the conversation.

    “I’d definitely go out with her if she asked me out,” Harry said, cowardly. At this, Hermione left.

    “I have to go study for my Arithmancy test, today. See you later,” Hermione said slowly, thinking of a reason to leave. Hermione quickly walked out of the Great Hall, smiling mischievously, clutching her Daily Prophet.

    “I didn’t even know she was here,” Ron said, watching Hermione leave the room.

    “Me neither,” Harry said, eying Hermione suspiciously.