A/N: Ah, yes, the shortly awaited, yet eagerly anticipated sequel to "Shine my Light on You." I'm hoping this lives up to my own standards - I think so, but everybody needs a second or third opinion sometime. Enjoy!

---

Kiss me Fool


“Well - that was a wonderful party,” sighed Molly Weasley as she gathered dirty dishes from the table.

“Mum - we should do this next year as well,” said Ginny Weasley, who was gathering plates with her.

“Oh we will, dear,” said Molly, glancing over at Harry, who was bidding goodbye to the party guests. “It’s nice to have some sort of happiness in a time like this,” she added in a whisper to her daughter.

Ginny hummed in agreement.

“Sixteen - they grow up so fast!” said George from the other side of the room, Fred pretending to sob into his shoulder.

“Sod off,” said Harry, though he was grinning.

The twins laughed and clapped him on the shoulder before leaving through the kitchen door.

Ginny smiled at her mother, who returned it with a tired smile of her own.

“Mum - why don’t you go to bed,” she said, taking the plates out of her mother’s hands, setting them on the table.

Mum made to protest -

“No,” said Ginny, “you’ve done a lot already. Go to bed - I can handle this.”

Mum gave Ginny a tight hug.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!” gasped Ginny from the pressure. “Mum -you’re going to kill me!”

“Oops - sorry,” said Mum, releasing her daughter.

“Go on,” said Ginny, rubbing her side.

“All right, all right!” said Mum. “Goodnight, dear.”

“’Night, Mum.”

She watched her mother give Harry yet another birthday hug before disappearing up the kitchen stairs behind the twins.

And Ginny began to notice that there were no more guests left to say goodbye to. With a click of the door, they were alone.

This is what Ginny had been expecting. She had a suspicion he had hovered behind to see her alone, and she kept blushing at the very thought. What am I - eleven?

“Harry - you should go to bed!” she said, exasperated, as he began to collect dishes with her.

“I want to help,” Harry grinned over at her.

Ginny blushed again, absently touching that spot on her ear.

For several minutes there was just the quiet, interrupted by the chinking of dishes.

“Oh,” sighed Ginny as they finally set the last in the sink. They immediately began to clean themselves with a wave of her wand, thanks to that handy spell of her mother’s.

“Would you like something to drink?” she asked. Wow - I’m even starting to sound like her.

“Sure,” said Harry.

“Would you like tea or coffee?” asked Ginny, going to the pantry. “I don’t know about you, but I’m having some coffee - tea everyday can get tiring.”

“You’re right,” said Harry. “Coffee, please.”

A few minutes later, both clutched steaming mugs of wonderful black coffee in hand, sitting at the table.

“Mmm,” said Ginny, inhaling. “Don’t you love the smell of coffee.”

Harry snorted into his cup.

Ginny chuckled. “Sorry.”

But she felt a different kind of heat begin to creep up her neck as he looked at her.

Oh stop being so swoony. . .

“Oh - creamer.”

Harry got up, leaving Ginny to let out a sigh of relief and frustration.

Merlin - what does he -

“Cream?”

A scrape of a chair and she felt him sit beside her. She inhaled at oh-so-familiar scent of his. It was on her own clothes, actually. And it was driving her crazy.

“N-yes,” Ginny stammered. Pull it together!

He murmured assent, pouring creamer into her mug. She kept her eyes on the blackness swirling to light brown. She absently added sugar, using her other hand to touch the top of her ear -

“Oops -”

One of the clips that had been holding her hair back sprang apart, falling to the tabletop.

“Oh -”

Ginny made to grab for it only to find that Harry had done so at the same time, and both of their hands landed on top of one another.

This shouldn’t be any different! She’s held his hand plenty of times - it shouldn’t be any different than the other times.

Different my arse, said a voice. You still like him, don’t you Ginevra?

Her fingers curled over the clip and his fingers curled around her hand.

Ginny was afraid to look at him as her hand slipped from his, opening the clip in her palm.

“Can I try?” asked Harry.

“Er - sure.”

He took the clip from her hand, gently easing her hair away from her ear, and opened it to set it back in it’s proper place.

“How - how does it work?” he asked.

Ginny laughed out loud.

“Got it!”

She laughed again. She could feel it was sideways, and couldn’t help but grin at the slightly flustered look on his face.

He grinned back.

“Sorry,” he sad as she made to set the clip right.

“No, it’s all right,” said Ginny.

He smiled into his coffee.

“So - I expect you’ve had a good birthday, then?” said Ginny.

He nodded.

“Well - expect another bash like that next year,” she said. “But next time - you’ll be of age, so it’ll be a little more fun.”

Harry looked over at her, astounded.

“Ginny!”

She laughed.

“Honestly, Harry! Things have be a little more exciting - trust me, you’ll have fun.”

He gave a startled laugh, setting down his cup.

“Well - I’ll just be happy if you’re there,” he said in a low voice grasping her free hand.

Ginny smiled, turning her palm upward to press against his.

“Ginny - I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me these past few days,” said Harry, still in the same low voice.

“Harry, I wanted to help, doi!” said Ginny, grinning.

“I’m - I’m really -”

She nearly fainted. . . Wamr breath against her face, softness against her lips. . .

Harry’s . . . Harry’s kissing me!

His lips brushed ever so softly against hers at first, but she responded hungrily and he seemed to get a little more confidence.

Oh Merlin, oh, Merlin, oh . . .

Ginny pressed herself closer to him, weaving her other hand around his neck, gently grasping at his hair.

“Harry - Ginny, are you in here? I -”

At the sound of a door opening, Ginny and Harry broke apart, quickly scooting away from each other with a loud scraping of chairs.

“Oh,” Hermione smirked. “I’ll just be waiting in our room, Ginny.”

Ginny silently cursed her best friend as she hurried up the staircase.

“Erm - I should be going to bed as well,” said Harry, standing up. “We’re - we’re going to Diagon Alley in the morning, aren’t we?”

“Y-yeah,” said Ginny, fighting the strong urge to pull him back to her.

“Well - g-goodnight, Gin,” said Harry.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “’Night, Harry.”

She watched his back retreat, up the staircase and into the darkness of the hallway, leaving a shocked, excited, and yet . . . relieved silence behind.

---

Yes, I know the British would prefer tea, but I was just going along with what happened in the 5th book - when Harry went on his date with Cho. She ordered coffee, didn't she? I thought it'd be all right for just once, you know?

Anyway, I'm very much enjoying writing this sequel. It's obviously more towards fun romance, and teenage awkwardness and all that good stuff. I love going into the mind of Ginny the most, as we're both fifteen (well, nearly in this fic), and I can relate with her the most - because we've both liked a boy for a very long time - even when we try to deny it *haha*. I've got about two more chapter's to put up, so please, please review so I can post 'em!

The Conspirings of Ron and Hermione


Hermione couldn’t help but grin to herself as she climbed the steps, happily humming by the time she reached the landing and entered the hallway.

“Hey ’Mione,” came a familiar voice.

Hermione felt herself blush a little, but nevertheless smiled at Ron, who returned it with a sheepish grin of his own.

“Hi,” she said, taking his hand.

The tops of his ears brightened, but he laced those long fingers with hers nonetheless, his grin widening.

“So - what has you so happy?” he asked. “Besides the obvious, of course.”

She laughed a little.

“Oh - it’s just something rather interesting.”

“What?”

“Oh - nothing,” said Hermione with an airy laugh. “I’m not so sure you’d want to hear about it, anyway.”

“Hermione - I actually found the courage to ask you something I never thought I’d ask you before,” said Ron, his eyes suddenly overbright. “I think I’m ready for anything.”

Hermione smiled, squeezing his hand, using the other to run up and down his arm tenderly. Am I glad he did.

“Well . . .” she began.

She didn’t know how to put it, really. How would Ron take it?

“Yes?” prompted Ron.

“Erm . . . well -”

“Come on, Hermione, it can’t be that bad,” Ron rolled his eyes with a chuckle. “It’s not like you saw Harry and Ginny snogging or something . . .”

Hermione’s lips tightened. Ron’s eyes widened.

“Oh Merlin,” he said faintly. “I-I . . . you did . . . I don’t believe it.”

“Now, Ron, don’t be rash,” said Hermione. “I thought you wanted this!”

“I did - I mean, I do!” said Ron, rubbing a hand along the back of his neck. “I just didn’t think it’d happen - so soon . . . and Harry - Harry he’s . . .”

“I know,” said Hermione. “But Harry’s seemed to find just a little happiness - so let him have it.”

“Of course,” said Ron. “I mean - why wouldn’t I?” he then grinned and laughed. “This is great - I’m happy for him!”

“Don’t you tease him, Ron!” Hermione said warningly.

“I wouldn’t do that!” said Ron in mock outrage. “Me, Hermione?”

Hermione pushed at his chest playfully, and they laughed.

Thunk, thunk, thunk!

“Oh - that must be Harry!” whispered Hermione. “I’d better go.”

She stood on tip-toe to briefly kiss him on the cheek and hurried to her shared bedroom with Ginny, waving at him before she closed the door. She was pleased to see him wave back while touching that spot on his cheek with the other hand.

Hermione sighed when the door finally closed, going to lay on her bed. She couldn’t help but grin as she buried her face in her pillow. Ron Weasley wasn’t so bad, now was he?

She chucked at the incredulity. Ron Weasley is wonderful.

The door suddenly groaned open and Ginny came in, her face flushed, eyes over bright, yet an unsure look about her. It wasn’t like her nowadays. What happened to her self-assured Ginevra.

“’Ello, Gin!” Hermione said brightly, sitting up.

Ginny jumped.

“Hermione,” he said, reverting to her old self, “it’s utterly evil to be cheerful at this time of night.”

Hermione simply smirked.

“I expect Harry went to bed then?”

Ginny glared at her.

“Don’t -”

“Don’t what?”

“You know what, Hermione Granger!” said Ginny, sinking into her bed.

Hermione was suddenly confused.

“What’s so bad about it, Ginny?” she asked.

“Did you see the way he ran from the room?” asked Ginny.

“But -”

“It was a mistake, Hermione,” Ginny said, turning to face the wall, away from her best friend. “It’s probably not going to happen again.”

Oh no, thought Hermione. This certainly wasn’t going to be taken as a mistake. Ron did the impossible tonight didn’t he?

Then maybe he would be up to helping Hermione do some matchmaking business, then.

*~*~*~*

“Hey, mate,” grinned Ron as Harry entered the shared room across the hall.

“Oh - er - hi,” said Harry awkwardly. He’d been hoping his best friend would be asleep, giving Harry much needed solace to clear his head.

What am I gonna do? he thought desperately. What will Ron say? Will he be mad at me?

“What’s wrong?” asked Ron.

“N-nothing - it’s - it’s nothing,” muttered Harry, bending over in his trunk to hide his red face.

“Don’t give me that,” said Ron. “You were fine five minutes ago.”

“Odd how things can happen in a span of five minutes,” Harry muttered, gathering his pajamas.

“What was that?”

Taking a deep breath, Harry stood up straight to face his best friend.

“Ron - if I tell you something you have to stay calm,” he said. “You promise not to hex me o-or punch me?”

“Why would I do that?” Ron furrowed his brow.

“Because . . . ” began Harry hesitantly, “because I kissed Ginny.”

He expected Ron to roar and start beating the hell out of him, or hex him; he expected Ron to angry and begin to make threats, or something. To curse under his breath - anything.

He did not expect his best friend to grin.

“Good for you, mate,” he said.

“W-wait,” said Harry, clearly confused. “You're - you're not mad?”

Ron sighed.

“Did you not hear what I said on the train home this summer?” he said, exasperated though grinning. “I knew she was going to pick somebody better - who not better than you?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you - are you that thick?” said Ron.

“B-but -”

“Harry - you don’t worry about me,” said Ron, sitting on his bed. “I’m happy for you, mate, I really am. So stop being a prat.”

Harry sat on the foot of his own bed.

Even if Ron’s words were relieving, Harry was not settled. He’d probably confused Ginny when he practically bolted from the kitchen.

He didn’t know what to do - he’d never been this confused. Not even with Cho Chang. Come to think of it, in comparison to what had happened downstairs was what he and Cho shared even a kiss?

“You know what I say?” said Ron, interrupting Harry’s thoughts. “I say you and Gin have your own time at Diagon Alley, hmm? Then me and ’Mione -”

Harry smirked mischeviously at his friend as comprehension dawned him. “’Mione? You never call her ‘’Mione,’ Ron.”

It was Ron’s turn to go red.

“I - well,” he stammered, “I - erm -”

“Well,” said Harry, plopping back first into his be, “I’m glad Ginny’s become quite the matchmaker.”

---

I very much liked the moment shared between Ron and Hermione - put's a warmness in yuor heart, doesn't it?

More soon to come. Please review in the meantime!

Blame It On My Youth


The night had turned out to be a fitful rest for Harry.

He had fallen into a routine of drifting somewhere between sleep and consciousness, and nightmares would come double.

The worst dreams, however, had been the ones involving Sirius. His godfather’s face swam in and out of focus, ever silent, his once over bright eyes deadened and cold - like when he first escaped Azkaban.

He’s gone -

Harry awoke with a gasp, his bed sheets twisted around his legs, a sheen layer of sweat on his forehead. He felt himself tremble terribly and that same sense of emptiness filled him - that emptiness that had once been Sirius. But a new one had taken company as well.

Harry lay back down, his hand shaking as he wiped his sweaty brow, and had a sudden fleeting vision of a long mane of red hair.

Ginny.

Wow, Potter, haven’t you let yourself slip, he thought wryly. Then again . . .

Sighing, Harry pulled the sheets off of his legs and climbed out of bed, pulling on some socks he’d left on top of his trunk to keep his feet warm.

Careful not to wake Ron, Harry crept silently out of the bedroom.

He stared at the girl's bedroom door, his brow furrowed.

He wondered if she was awake. Was she thinking about him? Above all, was she cross with him?

She has every right to be, he thought. I have become the world’s biggest prat, after all.

To some degree he knew it was true, but at the same time he was . . . unnerved.

But he knew he would still try to speak with her soon. He couldn’t avoid her forever, after all. And she had six older brother’s that would probably beat him to a pulp if he ever hurt her. . .

*~*~*~*

Ginny lay awake in her bed, willing herself not to cry.

Don’t you cry, she told herself firmly. The kiss probably doesn’t mean anything to him, anyway.

She swiped at the tears of frustration and confusion.

For years she was noting but “Ron’s Little Sister” or “My Best Friend’s Sister” to him, and then all of a sudden he’d kissing her. How could he?

Why, oh why did I have to kiss him back? she thought miserably.

Because it’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it? reasoned a voice. Because it’s what you’ve hoped for these past four years.

Now that was just . . . crazy. . .

Ginny gave an angry huff.

She had half a mind to slap him around for being such a smarmy git! Such a fool. . .

Suddenly, she heard the door groan open and she gave a startled movement, quickly pretending to be asleep. No doubt that was her mother. Knowing Molly Weasley and her motherly senses, she would check and see if Ginny was all right. And Ginny really didn’t want to be bothered. Besides - it was two in the morning!

She opened an eye slightly, not to see a familiar mane of flaming red hair, but a rather dark, unruly head.

And he was looking right at her!

Ginny prayed he would not spot her wet cheeks, cursing herself for not putting out that everlasting candle on her bedside table.

“Ginny?”


~If I expected love~

~When first we kissed~

~Blame it on my youth~


Should she answer him?

But he’s the Prat Of The Century today, said a voice. The smarmiest boy in the whole universe.

Ginny?” came his whispered voice again. “Are you awake?”


~If only just for you~

~I did exist~

~Blame it on my youth~


Her heart was pounding madly in her throat. She swallowed hard.

“Ginny, I know you’re awake,” Harry whispered.

Ginny nearly winced as her breath constricted. He had seen her tear-stained face. . .

No.

It he wanted to speak with her, then he’d have to do so at a normal hour of the day. And when she had enough time to get a clear head, because right now she felt very angry with him.


~If I cried a little bit~

~When first I learned the truth~


Ginny opened her eyes to see he’d finally gone, and lay back into her pillow with a miserable huff.

*~*~*~*

Harry sighed, his hand still resting on the doorknob.

What had he been thinking? She was surely cross with him - and worse, it looked like she had been crying.


~Don’t blame it on my heart~

~Blame it on~

~My youth~


*~*~*~*

When Harry awoke the next morning, it was to find Tonks shaking him.

“Geroff - I didn’t do it!” he heard Ron say.

“Come on, mate!” said Tonks cheerfully, ruffling his already sleep-trousled hair. “It’s already ten - you boy’s should have been up an hour ago!”

Harry groaned, reaching under her for his glasses.

Once he could see clearly, he noticed that Bill was poking his youngest brother in an effort to awaken him.

“Bill - Geroff already - I’m up!” Ron said crossly, trying to edge away from assault.

But as soon as Bill seemed to give out, looking satisfied, Ron crawled back under his blankets.

“That’s it -”

Bill ripped the blankets off of Ron, making the boy curl up at the sudden loss.

Harry grinned as he was reminded of Ginny when she had done that. He recalled on her words.

“Shut up and listen!”

Well. One could certainly say she’d knocked some much-needed sense into him.

As soon as it had come, Harry felt the grin slide off of his face as he remembered the night before, and how cross she was with him now.

“Ronald Weasley - do I need to come over there and wake up myself?” Tonks said in a mock-deadly voice.

But Ron seemed to have taken the comment seriously, for the next moment he was rolling out of bed, grumbling. After all, Tonks was notorious for these kinds of things.

Harry followed his suit, gathering a shirt and jeans from his trunk.

“Don’t take too long!” Tonks called as he exited the room.

After a shower, Harry felt more awake, soon trudging into the dining room for breakfast.

It seemed nearly every member that was at the party last night had slept over. All over were sleepy, pale faces, trying to wake up over steaming cups of tea.

Harry’s heart began to beat wildly as he saw her beside Hermione, looking pretty as ever as she spoke across the table with George.

But as he continued to watch her, she met his gaze, and her eyes flashed.

That look was very forbidding, and told him one thing: “Don’t you dare.”

Great, thought Harry.

And just to add to his luck, the only empty seat was the one beside her.

“Harry, dear, are you all right?”

Harry jolted himself back into reality, Mrs. Weasley standing before him, a plate of breakfast in hands.

“Ah - yes - good morning, Mrs. Weasley,” responded the sixteen-year-old.

“Well - hurry up, we should have left an hour and a half ago!” said Mrs. Weasley, pushing the plate into his hands.

Dread building by the second, Harry sat down beside Ginny, careful not to bump elbows or brush her side, putting as much space between them as possible.

“Er - morning, Gin.”

She just went about ignoring him.

Oh, this was worse than ever. . . He had to talk to her now.

“Ginny,” he murmured. “I’m sorry.”

Her jaw clenched.

“I guess I shouldn’t have kissed you then,” Harry said. “I feel like a stupid prat.”

She suddenly looked over at him, her eyes over bright.

“Yes, you are a prat, but not for kissing me,” she said. “You should know full well why you’re a prat, Harry James.”

Harry was confused. Then what - and why?

Ginny turned away from him.

“I’m gonna go finish getting ready, Hermione,” he heard her murmur before she stood up and thanked her mother for breakfast, swiftly exiting.

---

I can't believe it - I finally used a song that wasn't done by Fefe Dobson or Yellowcard. Completely differen't now - one that inspired a bit for this was the great new band Keene - but I give nearly all the credit to Jamie Cullum (one could say I love British invasion music). He has a song on his awesome album called, "Blame it on my Youth," which explains the text beginning and ending with ~

I suggest that if you are a lover of jazz - you should definitely buy the album - it's fantastic!

But in the meantime, while you wait for the next chappie - please, please, please review!

Diagon Alley


“Wassamatter, ’Arry?” Ron asked through a mouthful of food.

Harry, Ron, Tonks, Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were standing in the hallway, waiting for the girls to come back downstairs, Ron still munching on a breakfast muffin.

“She’s mad at me,” Harry said a low voice so none of the other’s would overhear.

“What? Why?”

Harry grimaced, swallowing hard.

“Ron - I never -”

“Ah - there you are, girls,” said Mrs. Weasley briskly as Hermione and Ginny descended the stairs. “Hurry up - let’s get going, then! We’ll have to be put in pairs so - come on, then!”

Perfect, thought Harry.

Remus and Tonks were paired up, then Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, followed by Hermione and Ron, and -

“Are you going to just stand there, Harry?”

Ginny was standing beside him, her arms crossed over her chest. But she would not look directly at him.

“Y-you first,” said Harry, trying to smile at her.

She did not see it, therefore she did not return it.

Harry’s shoulders sank as he followed her.

This didn’t look like it was going to go well.

*~*~*~*

“All right - don’t get separated,” Mrs. Weasley said as they stood outside Gringotts. “If one of you is lost - come and find one of the adults, all right? Just remember to stay together.”

Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Harry nodded.

“We’ll be in Flourish and Blotts,” Tonks said as she led Remus away.

“And we’ll be visiting your brothers,” Mrs. Weasley said, walking in the opposite direction.

“So where d’you want to go first?” Hermione asked the group at large.

“Florean Fortestcues?” suggested Ron.

“Ron - we just ate breakfast,” said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

“I say Quality Quidditch Supplies, then,” said Ron. “You girls can go somewhere else if you’d like.”

“Fine,” Ginny said, grabbing Hermione’s hand.

They soon disappeared into the crowds of the large alley way, away from Gringotts but most importantly away from Harry.

Anybody could lose themselves here for hours. Diagon Alley was simply bursting with life, from those little groups of witches down for a days shopping to those recently graduated
students. Even those diplomatic wizards arguing about -- well, who knows what. It was the most sensible place for Ginny to think, actually. The house was too quiet -- she felt like everybody could read her thoughts. Here things were too loud -- too cauotic. It was wonderful.

Ginny went on for a full five minutes before Hermione interrupted her fast pace.

“Ginny! Slow down!”

The redhead obliged immediately, crossing her arms over her chest. “Sorry.”

“I don’t understand why you won’t talk with him,” said Hermione, wiping her hair away from her eyes.

Ginny shook her head, but did not offer an answer.

“Boys are just oblivious,” said Hermione fairly. “No offense, but look at your brother.”

“None taken,” said Ginny with a small grin. “Still, Harry can trick a dozen Death Eaters yet he can’t talk to a girl.”

“Yes, our complicated hero,” murmured Hermione.

Ginny chuckled. “He still has to figure it out on his own. He’ll -- he’ll do it . . .” but she faltered. She wasn’t so sure after all.

“You never explained what he did wrong in the first place,” said Hermione helpfully, indicating towards a nearby quill shop.

“Hermione - you’re supposed to be the clever one. Don’t you see? After years and years of . . . of me being ignored, he suddenly comes around and . . . he just kisses me -- like that!”

“Oh.” Hermione bit her lip as the shop bells sounded above them.

For the most part they were silent as they browsed for quills. The shop itself was a quiet one, but it gave Ginny space to think.

As if it really helped, though. All she could think about was the kiss. . . How he kissed her and how it felt.

How could a boy cloud her mind so badly?

And how long has he liked her? What made him like her? What was so different about her this year than last year?

Boys were just stupid. The smartest thing to do was to ignore them at all costs -- no matter what. He drove her so mad.

Then again, he might just be confused. . . Maybe she should talk to him? Not right now, though. She wouldn’t be able to keep her temper in check.

“Mmm -- d’you think he’s thinking about me?”

Ginny jolted from her musings. “Who? Harry?”

“No - Ron,” said Hermione with an exasperated smile.

“Oh. Yeah. . . He does a lot, I think.”

Her best friends mouth dropped open. “Really? Wow . . . I can’t believe . . . wow.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Are you so sure Ron’s the oblivious one, Hermione?”

“Shut up!” said Hermione with a laugh, playing punching her friend on the arm.

Ginny grinned with amusement as she watched the older girl shop for quills, a small smile playing about her lips.

She had sworn last year that if her brother and Hermione didn’t get together this year, she would turn to desperate measures.

Every so often she would glance out the window. One she saw Neville Longbottom wave to her, his ancient grandmother by his side. Then a roommate of hers, Scarlett Worely. . . Even
Colin and Dennis Creevey. Then it was . . . Harry.

She stared as he talked with Ron. It looked like they were laughing about something. Harry showed Ron what was inside his bag before glancing into the shop. She nearly gasped as he looked up again, and froze as his eyes met hers for the first time since they kissed.

What was going through his mind? What would he do next? Would he make a move -- or would she have to? What would happen?

Ron followed Harry’s gaze and smiled at her.

She watched him say something to Harry, indicating toward the girls.

Oh Merlin. No -- she couldn’t deal with this right now. It wouldn’t be right -- everything would go wrong - and it all be because of her temper -- she knew it.

“Er -- Hermione, let’s go,” said Ginny, blocking her friend from seeing the boys.

“Oh -- all right,” said Hermione. “Just let me pay for this.”

She pulled a Galleon from her purse, going to the clerk standing at the counter.

“Come on, come on, come on,” muttered Ginny under her breath as she heard the jingling of the doorbells.

The clerk looked rather bored, reading a wizard magazine.

“Keep the change,” Ginny said quickly, throwing the Galleon onto the smooth surface before grabbing Hermione’s hand and dragging her out of the shop.

“What’s the hurry?”

“Er -- I just remembered -- they have a new broom model at Quality Quidditch Supplies -- I told Charlie I’d check it out.”

“Oh.” Hermione didn’t sound interested at all.

Ginny dragged the girl out into the alley way of the store, looking this way and that for a familiar head of black.

“Oh look -- is that Ron?” asked Hermione.

Ginny gasped. That meant Harry was somewhere near.

“I’ve gotta go to the restroom, ’Mione,” she said. “I’ll meet you in front of the shop.”

“Okay -- I’ll meet up with the boys,” she answered.

Ginny hurried up the alleyway, out of sight. She’d just run around a bit to lose him -- she’d come back in fifteen minutes when her head was right again.

“Ginny?”

She hid behind a tall man as she saw him pass by. “Just go away!” she hissed.

“Hm?”

The man looked around, then down at her. He raised an eyebrow at her small form. “Oh -- not you.”

Harry disappeared again, giving her the chance to get away once more. She’d run to Flourish and Blotts or something -- find out what her parents were doing --

“Ginny.”

There was a touch on her shoulder, and she jumped. Horrified, she turned about, her hand over her mouth. “Harry.”

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “I was just looking for the ladies room.”

“They have one inside the shop, Ginny.” His brow furrowed. “Are you all right.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

She pushed past him, back up the alleyway.

“Ginny -- can I talk to you?”

“Why?” she asked, not looking at him.

“About what?” Ginny asked casually.

Harry reached out a hand to grasp her wrist. Ginny went still at the contact.

“Us.”

She turned about to look at him. “You obviously don’t want to be with me, Harry -- what is there to talk about?” The words rushed out before she could stop them.

“No -- I do.”

Ginny’s mouth dropped open. “W-what?”

“Gin, I think we need to talk,” he said.

---

*sigh* To tell you the truth, I'm not wholly satisfied with this chapter simply because it was so very rushed -- and that's only because of another site. They have a deadline and my three weeks was up, so -- yeah.

But anyway, won't you please tell me what you think of it anyway?