Harry Loves Ginny

Goblet of Fire: At the End of the Third Task

"I'll take Harry, Dumbledore, I'll take him –"

"No, I would prefer –"

"Dumbledore, Amos is running . . . he's coming over . . . don't you think you should tell him – before he sees – ?"

"Harry, stay here –"

Girls were screaming, sobbing hysterically . . . the scene flickered oddly before Harry's eyes . . .

"It's all right, son, I've got you . . . come on . . . hospital wing . . ."

"Dumbledore said stay," Harry said thickly, the pounding in his scar making him feel as though he was about to throw up; his vision blurring worse than ever.

"You need to lie down . . . come on, now . . ."

Someone larger and stronger than Harry was, was half pulling, half carrying him through the frightened crowd; Harry heard them gasping, screaming and shouting as the man supporting him pushed a path through them, taking him back to the castle.

Harry was dimly aware of his surroundings as he was taken across the lawn, past the Black Lake with Durmstrang's ship and up the steps, back into Hogwarts. It wasn't until when Harry realized that they weren't headed in the direction of the Hospital Wing that he became quite concerned.

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Ginny Weasley had positioned herself to be near Harry, hoping that she would be able to offer him some comfort and support. On top of that, she wanted to keep an eye on Mad Eye Moody, their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Something about him had been bothering her for sometime now and she didn't quite trust him.

She frowned and her concern grew as she watched as Moody started to lead Harry away despite Dumbledore's command to have him remain.

Ginny glanced around, hoping to see Ron, Hermione or some of their other friends, but she couldn't see any of them in the chaotic crowd that was nearby. Steeling her resolve, she started to follow at a discrete distance, hoping that as focused as Mad Eye was on Harry, she wouldn't be seen by that blasted magical eye.

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Harry's unease grew as they passed by where they should have turned to head to the Hospital Wing.

"Pro – Professor, shouldn't w-we have turned here?" Harry asked, as he slowed slightly as if he would pull away from the arm draped over his shoulders.

Harry felt the grip on him tighten, almost painfully so, as the man who had a hold of him forced him away from their supposed destination, pulling him in tightly to his side.

"In a bit, Potter. We need to discuss some things and that would be better if it were done away from others that don't need to know," Mad Eye replied gruffly.

Harry silently wished his wand was more accessible as it was currently in his right-hand pocket, trapped between his and the man who was pulling him along, bodies. Harry was now convinced that whomever this man was, he wasn't Mad Eye Moody.

In all to soon to Harry's liking, they arrived at Moody's quarters. He found himself ushered inside and somewhat forcefully pushed into a chair. Harry assessed his options as Mad Eye turned briefly to grab a vial of potion.

Unfortunately when he had been pushed down into the chair, his robes had bunched up and he knew that he wouldn't be able to quickly get his wand out. Cursing his luck, he kept his attention focused on the man across from him.

"Here Potter, drink this. It will help."

Harry hesitantly took the offered potion and gave it a sniff. As far as he could tell it was nothing but a dose of Pepper Up potion. A bit reluctantly he gulped it down swiftly, grimacing at its bitter taste. He instantly began to feel better and he hoped that it was nothing more than it seemed to be.

"Voldemort, the Dark Lord, he's back. Isn't that what you said?" Moody pressed, his one real eye gleaming manically.

Harry didn't like the feelings that he was getting from the man in front of him. The only thing he could think to do was stall in the hopes that Dumbledore or someone else would notice his absence.

He shifted uneasily in his seat, hoping to open his robes a bit so that his wand was more accessible. "I'd really rather wait till Professor Dumbledore and the others arrive," Harry said softly. "I only want to have to tell the story once."

"Come now, Potter. If you tell me, I'll have Pomfrey give you a Dreamless Sleep Potion and be the one to speak to Dumbledore and the others," Moody replied silkily.

"That's okay, Professor. I'm sure the Headmaster would rather hear it directly from me, though I appreciate your offer," Harry stated, hoping to forestall giving any information out.

Mad Eye rose swiftly, pacing back and forth in front of Harry. Both of his eyes were fixed tightly on him. Harry could hear him muttering to himself, but it was so soft that he couldn't make out what the man was saying.

Moody suddenly stopped dead and stared intently at Harry. "You give me no choice," he muttered softly as he drew his wand.

"One last chance, Potter," Mad Eye said harshly, both his eyes focused tightly on Harry.

Harry tensed, his eyes darting about, looking for some place to get out of direct view of the man in front of him.

Several events then took place in the span of a couple of seconds.

Mad Eye's face screwed up in a look of pure loathing and he shouted out "Crucio!"

Harry had anticipated a curse being cast so he dove to the side, ending up behind Moody's Seven Compartment trunk. As he rolled to his knees, his injured leg screaming in protest, he was able to draw his wand and point it at Mad Eye. The chair he had been sitting on exploded from the force of the curse cast at him.

A second later the door exploded inward, shattering and sending hundreds of splinters into the room. Quite a few struck the man standing in the middle of the room and Harry was glad that he was off to the side and partially hidden behind the trunk.

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Following at a distance, Ginny saw Mad Eye drag Harry away from the corridor to the Hospital Wing, further fuelling her feelings that something wasn't right about Professor Moody.

Glancing around the corner, she saw the man usher Harry into his quarters. Ginny hurried forward and discretely placed her ear against the door listening to the conversation taking place.

Hearing enough, she momentarily debated whether to knock on the door, to try to act innocently that she was looking for Harry or blast the door in and hope that she would be able to surprise those in the room.

Suddenly she heard "Crucio!" yelled out. Wasting no time she raised her wand and with anger fuelling her spell, she yelled "Confringo!", blasting the door inward.

Mad Eye was just turning his attention to Harry as he popped up behind his trunk when he was surprised by the door behind him being blasted inward. His attention was split between the boy and whoever had blasted the door. That moment of hesitation cost him dearly as he was struck by a number of splinters from the shattered door.

Simultaneously from either direction came two spells.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Stupefy!"

Caught hesitating, both spells found their mark and as his wand flew out of his hand towards Harry, the red light of the Stunning Spell hit him squarely and he slumped to the floor unconscious.

Harry let the flying wand sail past him as he stared at the door, expecting to see Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick or one of the other teachers. Instead his eyes fell on a very angry looking Ginny.

"G-Ginny!" he stammered incredulously.

Ginny hesitated momentarily, just long enough to make sure that Mad Eye was truly down and out, before she ran across the room and enveloped Harry in a bone-crushing hug.

"Are you all right?" she asked as she pulled back slightly to look him over.

Harry gave her one of his knee weakening lopsided grins. "I am now," he said, unable to hide his relief.

Ginny suddenly realized what she was doing and hastily dropped her arms from around Harry, blushing deeply. She chanced a glance at Harry who was staring at her with a smile on his face, which only caused her to blush more than she had been before.

"I guess we'd better make sure he can't cause any further damage," Harry said humorously. "Incarcerous," he said, causing ropes to shoot out of his wand, wrapping around the prostrate form before them.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"I overheard Dumbledore telling you to stay where you were and followed you and Moody after he began to lead you away," Ginny explained.

"I'm glad you did," Harry replied, grinning at the petite witch before him.

Just then several people came rushing into the room. Harry and Ginny spun and raised their wands, ready to defend themselves. Breathing a sigh of relief, they lowered their wands when the saw it was Dumbledore, McGonagall and several moments later, Flitwick.

Harry and Ginny were forced to stifle giggles as they took in the shocked look on the faces of the Professors standing inside of the shattered doorway.

Dumbledore took in the scene before him, glancing first at the man bound on the floor, before turning his attention to the two students standing before him.

"Are you all right, Harry? he asked, looking intently at him over his half-moon spectacles.

Harry gave a shrug. Now that things were under control, his leg and arm began to throb quite painfully. He took a step forward and stumbled against the trunk, causing him to groan out in pain.

It rocked and a loud moan could be heard coming from it. Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise.

At the same time the prisoner's body before them began to bubble and change, quickly morphing into someone else. In a matter of moments his visage solidified into another man.

"Barty Crouch Jr!" Professor McGonagall cried out in shock.

"That explains much," Dumbledore said evenly. "Filius, please check him for the keys to the trunk," he added.

He then looked back at Harry and took in his battered body. Blood seeped from the wound on his arm and his leg wasn't much better. "Miss Weasley, would you kindly escort Mr. Potter to the Hospital Wing. I'm sure that he will feel better after some much needed attention from Madam Pomfrey."

Ginny met the Headmaster's gaze and gave him a curt nod. She gently took Harry by his uninjured arm and gave a small tug. "Come on Harry. Let's get you taken care of," she said softly.

Harry ended up wrapping his arm around Ginny's shoulders as she wrapped her arm around his waist as he found it difficult to walk on his injured leg.

As the pair made their way slowly down towards the Hospital Wing, Ginny kept glancing at Harry, and she noticed him looking at her intently. Though he grimaced slightly every time he put a little weight on his injured leg, he had a wry grin on his face.

Unable to stop herself, she grinned back at him. "What?" she finally asked.

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As they left Moody's quarters, Harry couldn't help but think back on the past year. He found it surprising that thinking about it now, how prominently memories of Ginny stood out.

She had become a stalwart friend when Ron hadn't believe him that he hadn't entered his name in the Tournament. She had even done more than Hermione in the beginning as his bushy-haired friend had tried to smooth things over between him and Ron.

Even after the First Task when Ron had finally admitted that Harry was telling the truth, Ginny had remained close and helped train him for the last two tasks.

More than that, she had gone out of her way to help wherever she could, spending time with him at meals and while studying. Always offering a kind or supportive word when others had made negative and disparaging comments as the Tournament progressed.

It hit him like a Bludger, now looking back, that Ginny had always been there for him this past year. Plus, she was the only one who had noticed the fake Mad Eye spiriting him away and come to his rescue.

He found he couldn't tear his gaze from her and he let her guide him through the halls. He knew he had a silly grin on his face but he couldn't contain it. He realized he fancied Ginny Weasley.

Harry couldn't help but notice Ginny stealing glances at him, causing him to grin wider.

"What?" she finally asked.

Harry drew to a stop, earning him a questioning look from his petite companion. He tugged gently, pulling Ginny in front and facing him.

A million things to say filtered through his mind but none seemed adequate, so he simply grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her soundly.

Taken totally by surprise, a shocked Ginny just stood there for a moment before her brain kicked in and she returned Harry's kiss with equal intensity.

They slowly parted, staring into each other's eyes. Ginny found her heart racing hoping that Harry knew what he was doing. She saw Harry staring at her, a funny look in his eyes.

"Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"Just bloody brilliant," Harry replied, a goofy grin on his face.

Ginny noticed Harry was standing with all his weight on his good leg and he was swaying precipitously.

Shaking her head, Ginny said, "Come on, Harry. We need to get you to Madam Pomfrey."

"We need to talk," Harry protested.

"Let's get you healed first, then we can talk."

Harry looked like he was going to protest further, but his leg gave a painful throb and he decided maybe Ginny was right.

Ginny once more wrapped her arm around Harry and guided him to the Hospital Wing. As they burst through the doors, she yelled out "Madam Pomfrey!"

The matron came bustling out of her office and taking one look at Harry, she shook her head. "You should have come directly here," she scolded.

"Sorry," Harry replied with a chuckle. "A mad man kidnapped me so I was delayed a bit."

Madam Pomfrey looked at him sceptically. "You know where to go, Mr. Potter," she said, pointing at the bed he normally ended up in.

Ginny helped Harry over to the bed and got him to lay down.

"Please leave us, Miss Weasley," the matron said, as she pulled her wand.

Ginny sighed and gave a sad look at Harry and as she went to step away, Harry grabbed her hand, preventing her from going.

"Please let her stay," he said, looking at the healer.

Pomfrey gave them a disapproving look, but nodded and set to work. "The things you get yourself into," she grumbled.

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but then thought better of it. It wasn't like he went looking to get injured, he thought to himself.

Ginny gave a small giggle and Harry looked over at her. Her eyes were dancing with mirth, almost as if she had read his mind. They shared a glance and Harry couldn't help but smile at her.

Madam Pomfrey tore back his sleeve, exposing his injured arm. Clucking, she grabbed a bottle and poured several drops of a brown liquid. Greenish smoke rose from the wound, stinging quite a bit. When the smoke cleared, Harry saw new red skin where the wound had been, now looking like it was several days old.

"What is that?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Essence of Dittany," Pomfrey replied curtly. "Now lets get a look at that leg," she said to no one in particular.

Harry winced as Madam Pomfrey cut back his pant leg, exposing the wound. She stared at the dark fluid on the pant leg and frowned. "What caused this wound?" she asked pointedly.

"It was an Acromantula," Harry said with a grimace.

Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "What were they thinking," she muttered. She cast a spell, speaking so lowly that neither Harry nor Ginny could make out what she was saying.

Harry felt a burning pain from the wound and he hissed in discomfort. Ginny squeezed his hand, trying to offer him some comfort and support.

They watched as the matron took a jar of a thick white paste and applied a healthy dollop, slathering it on in a thick layer. She then loosely wrapped it with a gauze bandage.

"You're mighty lucky, Mr. Potter," she said with a frown. "If any more of that venom had gotten into your leg, well let's just say it wouldn't have been pretty. You could have ended up like Professor Moody. I got as much as it out that I could and the poultice should draw out any traces that remain."

She then looked closely at the bottom part of his leg and tisked at what she saw. Semi carefully she removed his shoe and sock, once again causing Harry to grimace at the pain.

Shaking her head she waved her wand over his ankle. "You've also managed to sprain your ankle and tear some ligaments in the process," she said reproachfully.

Ginny's eyes widened in shock as she looked at Harry's ankle. Now that his shoe and sock were off she could see how swollen and discoloured it was. She watched as the matron bound it tightly, causing Harry to groan out in pain.

"Sorry, Mr. Potter, but with your leg injury and the possibility of some residual Acromantula venom, we'll just have to let it heal naturally for now. Hopefully by tomorrow we'll be able to do something more as long as you have no problems tonight," Pomfrey explained succinctly.

Just then Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall came into the room, drawing the attention of everyone.

"How is he doing?" the Headmaster inquired.

"He'll live," the matron responded succinctly. Then with a glare she said, "Really, Albus, an Acromantula?"

He blanched under the matron's glare. "I'd like to talk to him," Dumbledore said hopefully.

The matron gave the man a disapproving look but finally said, "Five minutes, no more."

Harry and Ginny glanced at one another and it looked like Ginny was about to leave. "Stay, . . . please," Harry entreated softly just loud enough for Ginny to hear.

"Yes, Miss Weasley, I'd like to hear your part in all this," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling brightly.

Harry gave the Headmaster a brief but concise explanation of what had happened during the Third Task, Cedric's death and Voldemort's return. Then he and Ginny told about what had happened after his return to Hogwarts and his being taken by "Moody" into the castle.

Harry was beginning to feel more and more drained, plus his discomfort level was increasing as the adrenalin left his system. Ginny seemed to sense Harry's discomfort and was about to say something when Madam Pomfrey returned.

"Time's up," she said bluntly. Taking in Harry's condition, she hastily cast several cleaning charms and transfigured his clothes into pyjamas. "All right, time for everyone to leave for the night and let this poor boy get some sleep."

Looking at his leg and the way he grimaced when he moved slightly, she pulled her wand and cast a modified Petrificus on his limb to immobilize it. She then handed Harry a goblet filled with an all to familiar potion. "That's right, Mr. Potter. It's a dose of Dreamless Sleeping Potion."

Harry, for the first time he could remember, willingly reached for the goblet. Gulping down the bitter liquid, he lay back heavily. Quite exhausted by the ordeal he had under gone.

Ginny eyed the adults defiantly and bent over and gave Harry a quick kiss, not caring that she was under their scrutiny. "We'll talk tomorrow," she whispered to Harry.

Harry's eyes were drooping but he gave her a tired smile and whispered back, "I look forward to it." His eyes then fluttered shut as sleep overtook him.

"Come, Miss Weasley," her Head-of-House said softly. "I'll escort you back to your common room.

Ginny took one last glance at the sleeping Harry and left with McGonagall, smiling slightly at the kiss she and Harry had shared.

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Morning came all too soon for Harry's liking. Though he had slept straight through without any nightmares due to his having taken the Dreamless Sleep Potion, he knew that today was going to be a long and trying one. The one bright spot was his anticipated conversation with Ginny.

As long as he concentrated on that, the thoughts of Cedric and what had happened in the graveyard were kept at bay. Shaking his head to drive out the images of Cedric falling and Voldemort's rebirth, he thought of Ginny's warm soft lips on his.

He was startled out of his reminiscing by the arrival of Madam Pomfrey, carrying a tray loaded with his breakfast.

"Eat up, Mr. Potter. Once you're finished I'll check on you leg to see how its doing."

Harry tucked in, surprised at how hungry he was feeling. After all he had been through and the emotionally trying events of the previous night, he had thought that he'd not be so famished.

Harry was just finishing up when the doors to the Hospital Wing opened and Ginny walked in. He smiled widely as he looked at her, to him she looked exceptionally beautiful.

He was surprised when she slowed as she approached his bed, a hesitant look on her face. Shaking his head as he rolled his eyes, he opened his arms to her. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile as she hurried the last few feet and threw herself into his embrace.

As Ginny pulled back, he gave her a questioning look, causing Ginny to blush and give him an apologetic look.

Cringing slightly she said softly, "I wasn't sure how much you remembered of last night. You seemed pretty out of it by the time I left."

He gave her that grin of his that made her heart beat faster and left her weak in the knees. "Merlin," she thought to herself, "I wonder if he knows how much he affects me?"

"Trust me, Ginny. There is no way I'd ever forget that kiss we shared," Harry replied intently.

Before Ginny could respond, Madam Pomfrey showed up. She eyed Ginny, and Harry was sure he saw a smirk flash on her face, but then it was gone and she was her normal stern self.

"Let's see how your leg is doing," she said as she placed his tray aside and pulled back the blanket. Using her wand, she rolled up Harry's pant leg, exposing the gauze wrapping. There was a dark dot staining the wrapping, about the size of a Sickle.

"It's a good thing we put that poultice on you last night. There seems to have been a bit more venom left in you than I had thought," the matron stated with a frown.

"He'll be okay, won't he?" Ginny asked apprehensively.

"Oh yes, don't worry. We got it in plenty of time," Pomfrey replied, giving Ginny a warm smile that surprised her and Harry.

She peeled off the bandage and vanished it. She then inspected the wound closely. Nodding her head, she grabbed the bottle of Dittany and placed several drops onto the wound. As before, a thick greenish smoke arose and after it dissipated, his leg was once more whole.

"Now let's see to that ankle of yours," she said, vanishing the wrapping.

To Harry and Ginny, the ankle looked even worse than before. There were many colours from yellow to green and blue to almost black and it was still quite swollen.

With a wave of the matron's wand the swelling shrunk down till the ankle was almost back to its normal size. She grabbed a pot of a thick yellowish-green pasted and slathered it on. "That should take care of most of the bruising," she informed Harry. "I suspect by this evening you'll hardly tell it was there."

"Does that mean I can go?" Harry asked hopefully.

Pomfrey's eyes narrowed as she stared at him intently. "If you promise to take it easy and stay off of it, I'll release you," she said sternly.

"I promise," Harry replied earnestly.

Giving him her sternest glare, she nodded. "I'll hold you to that promise," she stated. "But if you end up back here because you didn't, I'll keep you here till the Express leaves," she threatened.

Ginny gave a chuckle at the look on Harry's face. "I'll make sure he follows your instructions," she said with a smile.

"All right, I'll leave him to you, Miss Weasley," the matron replied with a smug grin. She then turned and grabbed a bundle that Harry hadn't noticed before.

"I had one of the house elves bring you a change of clothes," she said, thrusting the bundle at Harry.

Ginny stepped back as the matron conjured several screens around Harry's bed and in short order he was dressed. Standing, he found his ankle was still a little tender and he tried his hardest not to let Madam Pomfrey know.

She eyed him critically as he joined Ginny, but she didn't say anything though Harry was pretty sure she noticed his slightly awkward gait.

Once free of the Pomfrey's tender ministrations, the pair started to head back towards Gryffindor Tower. As they came to the turn that would take them there, Harry looked at Ginny. "Ginny," Harry said softly. "Would you care to take a walk with me?"

Ginny eyed him critically. "You're supposed to be taking it easy," she said, her lips twisting in a slight frown.

Harry sighed. "I know, but I really want to have that talk with you," he said, his eyes flitting to her before he looked down at the ground. "And I'd rather it was, you know . . . private."

A small smile formed on Ginny's face. She had hoped that they'd get a chance to talk, but she hadn't expected it to be the first thing he'd want to do on being released from the Hospital Wing.

"All right, then," she said with a smirk, though she tried hard not to let it show.

Luckily for her, Harry was still staring at his trainers like they were the most interesting things in the world. Though she wondered why he was acting like he was because he certainly hadn't acted shy or nervous when she had accompanied him to the Hospital Wing and when he had kissed her.

Taking things slowly so as not to put any undue strain on Harry's sore ankle, they made their way up to the top of the Astronomy Tower. As they made their way out onto the top deck, Harry walked all the way up to the balustrade before he stopped.

Ginny watched as Harry closed his eyes and smiled as he took in a large breath of the fresh air. She was surprised to see him relax as the tension left his body; he looked so happy and carefree, something she had not noticed in him except when he was flying.

She saw him tilt his head back, letting the sun shine on his face, his smile growing a little bit wider. Slowly she made her way up beside him, smiling in turn at his reaction.

Without turning towards her, basking in the warmth of the sun, he said softly, "I love coming up here after getting out of the Hospital, the air in there seems so stale and sterile."

Staring at him in the bright sun, Ginny noticed for the first time how lined and worn Harry's face looked. It took her by surprise, a little, till she thought back on all he had been through. Not only the trials of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and what had happened at the end of the Third Task, but all he had suffered through his whole life.

She felt her heart squeeze tightly and the smile slid from her face. She silently vowed then and there that no matter what, she would be there for him, even if he just wanted to be friends.

She was startled out of her ruminations by the sound of Harry's voice.

"First off, I want to thank you for everything that you did last night," he said seriously. "You not only saved me from Barty Crouch Jr., but you stuck with me afterwards and that means more to me than I'll ever really be able to tell you."

Ginny was about to reply when she saw Harry grimace slightly. Rolling her eyes at him, she gently grabbed his arm and led him over to one of the stone benches that lined the back of the Tower.

"Harry James Potter," she growled, though the corners of her mouth curled up into a slight smile.

She gave him a slight push and had him sit on the bench. She had him turn a bit so she could lift his leg to elevate his injured ankle.

Harry kept his good leg on the floor, creating a space before him; with his elevated leg tucked at the back of the bench against the wall. Giving Ginny a small grin, he patted the bench in front of him inviting Ginny to sit.

Ginny was glad that the bench was rather wide, allowing plenty of room, even though Harry's leg was laying on it. She sat, half turned so that she was mostly facing in Harry's direction.

Since he had initiated everything she decided to let him take the lead, so she just looked at him and waited patiently.

She watched as he stared at her for several moments and though he was smiling, she noticed it had a touch of melancholy in it. There was a sadness in his eyes that she could plainly see. It made her heart clench and she worried that it meant he had reconsidered his actions of the previous night.

Harry reached out and took one of Ginny's hands in his.

Ginny noticed the smile widen slightly, though the sense of sadness remained.

"Ginny," he said softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. "I want you to know how much you've come to mean to me this year. You of all my friends have been the most stalwart this whole year."

Ginny's heart soared a little, the pressure she was feeling, lessening some. It was gratifying to hear that the effort she had put into helping and supporting him had been noticed and appreciated.

"And while Hermione and Ron, once he got his head out of his arse, helped me too, it was you who was there for me the most." Harry paused, staring into Ginny's eyes and he let out a deep sigh.

"Why do I feel a "but" is coming?" Ginny asked, apprehensively.

"Ginny, you heard, Voldemort's –"

"Riddle, or Tom," Ginny interrupted.

After a moment of surprise, a smile broke out across Harry's face. "Riddle, then," he said with a chuckle.

"You know that I'm the one he seems to be after though I really don't have any idea why he's so hell bent on pursuing me. I'd hate to have you drawn into that and make you a target too," he said with a sad sigh.

Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head lightly. "Harry, you noble prat," she said exasperatedly.

When Harry went to speak, Ginny reached up with her free hand and placed a finger on his lips.

"Now you listen to me Harry Potter," she said firmly. "You can't let Tom dictate how you live your life. If you do, he's already won." She took a deep breath and continued. "For one thing, we Weasleys are known Blood Traitors so we'll always be targets."

Harry looked like he was going to say something but she silenced him with a stern look.

"For another thing, I've confronted him too, as you well know. Yes, you had to save me in the end, but as you told me, I fought him off for almost the whole school year and in case you forget, I rescued you last night from one of his followers."

Harry grimaced.

"Plus," Ginny continued. "Stop being so selfish."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise.

"What I mean is you don't seem to be taking my feelings into this at all."

Harry's shoulders slumped at hearing that.

"Harry," she said tenderly. "I want this, more than anything. Please just think about that."

She then went to get up, but Harry refused to let go of her hand and pulled her back down and into him.

"Ginny," he whispered.

Their eyes locked and Ginny watched as Harry eyes seemed to search hers. Her heart clenched, hoping he'd find whatever he was looking for.

After several seconds, Harry slowly reached up and ran his hand tenderly down her cheek before it snaked behind her head and he drew her to him.

Ginny let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding and her eyes drifted shut as Harry tenderly kissed her. She gave herself over to the kiss, pouring all the love she felt for him into it.

After an indeterminate time the kiss ended and Harry rested his forehead against hers. She had yet to open her eyes, just relishing the warm feeling she was experiencing. She smiled as his hand slowly stroked down through her hair. A feeling of peace and contentment filled her and she snuggled into his chest.

Harry laid his head over hers, locking his chin on the back of her neck.

"Can you ever forgive me?" he whispered softly.

"Oh, Harry," she breathed out.

Harry had wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled into him, and he gave her a squeeze.

"I want this too," he said wistfully. "More than anything."

Ginny couldn't help but smile as she snuggled tighter into his embrace. "Good," she sighed.

Harry tenderly kissed the top of her head and burrowed his face into her hair, breathing in her tantalizing fragrance.

They stayed there, cuddled together, sharing occasional sweet soft kisses till the clock tower rung out it was time for dinner.

Hand in hand, the new couple slowly made there way down to the Great Hall, ready to face whatever may come their way, knowing that they'd do it together

XX HP + GW XX

A/N: This story is dedicated to hbmckidd who suggested it quite a while ago. I just recently ran across it again and decided to get my arse in gear and write it.

The bold text at the beginning is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, UK Edition.

As always, your reviews are greatly appreciated.