A/N: My fellow readers, here is the second story that I have been working on. It may take a while for me to post the chapters because I am currently working as well on my other story "A New Beginning", which is my first fanfic. Feel free to read it if you wish. This is another alternate story as to what happens to Harry and Ginny after they leave plan again is about filling in the 19 years that were missing in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II". This story begins during Harry's 6th year and Ginny's 5th year at Hogwarts. It will gradually work its way into the so called "19 years", which is my ultimate goal. I must warn my readers once more ahead of time that this story is rated M because it will contain considerable amounts of sexual content, especially in the later chapters. So readers beware! This story is not suitable for children or teenagers. Earlier chapters give the ILLUSION that Harry and Ginny will never get back together again. The earlier chapters are also angtsy as well so please bare with me as the story progresses. Taking into consideration that this is a fanfic, there may also be "tweaks" in the story as it progresses. Thank you again and I hope like like the story. Now on to the first chapter of my second fanfic...

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters. The credit goes to the talented J.K. Rowling! :-)

Chapter 1: Hogwarts 6th Year (P1)

Despite being late for supper, Harry's heart skipped a beat to realize that there was a seat available next to Ginny. The pain from his fixed broken nose was still throbbing and he was having a bit of trouble breathing. Harry suddenly found himself gazing into Ginny's eyes. They were the most beautiful pair of brown eyes that he had ever seen. He then looked at Ron and Hermione. Ron was happily eating his dessert while Hermione looked at Harry with anticipation, wanting to know why it had taken him a long time to arrive to the Great Hall.

As always, Hermione's furrowed face showed that she had been worried the whole time and she was already asking questions before he could even sit down.

"Where have you been? Look at your face?" as she waited for his response eagerly.

Harry continued to dab his nose to keep blood from trickling onto his robes. After dabbing his nose one more time Harry said, "Later, what have I missed?"

Hermione sighed in frustration, "Just dinner."

A few minutes later, the unexpected happened. Harry's heart started to skip one thousand beats a minute as Ginny took his handkerchief and started to help him dab his nose gently. He closed his eyes as he felt Ginny's delicate hand dab him. Harry opened his eyes for a moment and peered into Ginny's. They momentarily exchanged a look as she continued to dab his nose. Her beautiful brown eyes gazed back at him and he began to feel butterflies in his stomach. He looked at Ginny's face and noticed how she had become even more beautiful. Her gorgeous red hair shimmered with the light from the candles that floated above their heads. How he ached to reach out and caress her hair. He could already imagine the soft texture of her smooth coppery tresses in his fingers. The moment was suddenly cut short when Albus Dumbledore stood at his podium with the owl which had spread its wings widely.

Harry flinched one last time in pain and then decided to keep it simple by just saying to Ginny, "Thanks." Harry had no idea what it was about Ginny but, the blood that was trickling from his nose gradually began to dissipate. By the time that Dumbledore had announced that Slughorn was going to be potions master, the bleeding was almost gone.

A few days went by and it was time for the quidditch tryouts. Harry walked out onto the quidditch pitch. He surely was hoping that he would be able to get a strong team for his sixth year. He started to go over the drills in his mind while the other students walked out onto the pitch. It was then that he saw Ginny walk out in her quidditch uniform. Her quidditch robes fluttered as the wind blew through them. They stood there looking at each other and then she shied away from his gaze by looking down at the ground. She walked past him and he saw how the wind blew through her beautiful coppery red hair. He could smell her wildflower scented hair as she walked past him.

Harry then turned around and used the opportunity to speak with her, "So, erm... you ready for the tryouts Ginny?"

Ginny smiled and gave him a small nod, "Yes, I suppose. Let's just find out how many of these students will actually make it into the quidditch team" and she giggled.

Harry felt butterflies in his stomach again. He smiled back at her and the sound of her giggling was enough to make his day.

"Well, yeah, it's interesting how some of them even make it at all. Now I see what a difficult task this was for Oliver Wood when he was captain. I understand why he was always thinking and talking quidditch when he wasn't studying or in class."

Ginny looked back at him and gave him a confident smile, "Don't worry Harry. I'm sure you will do just fine and you will find the players that you will need for the Gryffindor quidditch team."

Harry even loved the sound of her voice. It was in an interesting sort of way, soothing to him. He then turned towards the small group of chaotic students behind Ron. Unlike the others, Ron was ready and at full attention for Harry.

Harry then thought that if he just spoke, that he would be able to get their attention, "Erm, okay so, this morning I'm going to be putting you through a few drills to assess your strengths." Harry then soon grew frustrated that no one except for Ron was paying attention. Harry then said, "Quiet, please."

Suddenly Harry heard Ginny shout in her loudest Weasley tone, "SHUT IT!"

Harry sighed, turned around and said to Ginny, "Thanks"

Harry couldn't believe what just had happened. What would Ginny think? Maybe she would have thought that he was incapable of managing a quidditch team. After he told the team the instructions, they all kicked off the ground on their brooms and started the drills.

Harry flew to the side and began to observe the players, one by one tried out for the quidditch team. Then came the time where Ginny had to officially try out. Harry not only liked Ginny for her beauty but she was so strong and agile in the air when it came to the quaffle and her being a chaser. She knew how to effectively steal it and keep it until she tried to throw the quaffle through one of the hoops.

In fact, Ginny was such an efficient chaser that Harry decided to use her to try out the keepers for the Gryffindor quidditch team. On several occasions, Harry got to see Ginny fly by him. Harry loved to see the way Ginny moved throughout the quidditch pitch, her beautiful hair and robes trailing behind her.

Later that evening in the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry was mystified by the spell in the potions book "Sectumsempra." So much that he had hoped that Hermione would know but to his dismay she didn't.

However, the book had captured Hermione's interest and she wanted to know who the old tattered book had once belonged to. Hermione got up from where she was sitting.

Hermione then reached over and said, "I'd like to know whose book that was. Let's have a look shall we?"

A part of Harry was a bit afraid of losing the book that was actually helping him get through potions and he needed to get really high marks in potions in order to become an auror some day. Harry suddenly pulled away from Hermione and said a simple, "No."

Harry had hoped that Hermione would forget about it if he told her that the binding was fragile but Hermione kept insisting. That is until Ginny suddenly snatched it from behind him and looked up the name of the owner in the book. Harry was surprised that Ginny was not only beautiful but she was also smart and cheeky.

She then read that it was property of the Half-Blood Prince. She then confronted Harry with the question of who was the Half-Blood Prince was. Harry was taken aback and he went speechless. He didn't know what to say. When Ginny gave him back the book, he took it and walked away to go take a look at the spell again.

A few months later, he walked into the "Three Broomsticks" with Ron and Hermione. He looked around and there he saw Ginny in a corner booth with Dean Thomas. They where giggling and for sure whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. The green monster of jealousy bubbled up within him at the sight of them together.
Harry could feel that his attraction for Ginny had continued to grow. So much that when he and Ron went to bed that night, Harry almost let the fact that he found Ginny more than attractive almost slip out of his mouth. Harry then told Ron that he was going to go to sleep. The truth of it was that he turned his back towards Ron and stood there in bed thinking about Ginny. In reality, he did find her funny, smart, and attractive but, her skin. Oh her skin was so beautiful. It looked so delicate and he longed to feel it again. The last time that he had felt her skin was when he rescued her from the Chamber of Secrets. He missed feeling the smoothness of her skin. Only moments ago, Harry had been looking at the Maurauder's Map to see where Ginny was and he found that she was in her dorm room. Afterwards, he found Malfoy walking around. He completely forgot about Malfoy as his thoughts went back to Ginny before he fell asleep.

A few more weeks passed and Harry was back at the Burrow with the Weasleys for his Christmas holiday. Harry preferred going back to the Burrow many more times than going back with the Dursleys. As Arthur, Ron, Harry, and Ginny arrived, Molly walked to the door to give Harry a bone-crunching hug.

"Harry dear. How was Hogwarts? It's always so good to have you here with us." Molly then looked up and noticed that Hermione wasn't with them. She spoke up and said, "It looks like Hermione has gone to her parents' home for Christmas. You must all be tired and hungry. Come into the kitchen. I have some warm beef stew and some butterbeers for the lot of you."

Arthur sat down and drank some tea as Harry, Ron, and Ginny ate their stew and drank their butterbeer. Harry occasionally glanced and looked at Ginny discreetly as Ron continued to talk with Arthur about school and the success they have had with quidditch. Harry's piercing green eyes met Ginny's and they smiled at each other before Ginny shied away and went back to looking down at the beef stew in front of her.

Later that night, the house was silent and everyone was asleep. Arthur and Molly had given Harry Charlie's old room. Harry put on his pajamas and brushed his teeth. When he walked out of the bathroom, he ran into Ginny.

"Ginny" was all Harry could muster to say as he stood there frozen looking into Ginny's eyes.

Ginny gasped in surprise and tugged on tightly to her towel, "Hey Harry, I was just going to- to the bathroom to brush my teeth," she said a bit nervously.

Her voice was the voice of an angel to him. Harry became nervous too but tried not to show Ginny how he truly felt. He then came back to reality and moved out of the way for Ginny, "Erm yeah, sorry Ginny."

Ginny only gave him a shy smile before looking down at the floor before going into the bathroom. Harry stood there and turned around to look at the now closed door. Harry had felt his heart flutter with anxiety, just the way when he was trying to catch a snitch in a quidditch game.

Harry got into his bed and pulled up his covers. He soon discovered that no matter how hard he tried to go to sleep, he just couldn't. He kept tossing and turning in bed. He found out that he couldn't sleep because all he could do was think of Ginny. Harry eventually gave up and got out of bed. He walked down the stairs as quietly as he could and walked into the kitchen. Perhaps what he needed was a warm cup of tea to help him get to sleep. He would have liked to ask Mrs. Weasley for a sleeping potion but he didn't want to wake her up. Harry took the kettle, put some water in it and then put it on the stove. He waved his wand and the flames came on. Harry stood there looking at the kettle on the stove. Thoughts of Ginny began to engulf his mind again. He just couldn't stop thinking about her. He found himself wondering these days what it was like to kiss Ginny's rosy lips. He began to remember all those times at Hogwarts where they would sit together in the Great Hall during their meals. He thanked Merlin for that. Ginny made him nervous and anxious whenever she was nearby, even during their meals but he liked it.

Ginny didn't know but he would discreetly take in her wildflower scent whenever she sat next to him. He also remembered when Ginny had arrived late to the dinner that Professor Slughorn had arranged for his club. Harry remembered how lovely Ginny looked. Hermione had been right, her eyes were red from crying after she had had a row with Dean Thomas. Harry's heart broke when he saw her walk in. When he stood up, how he wished he could have gone to her side, take her in his arms and comfort her. Harry saw that Ginny was strong but deep down he noticed that she had a sensitive heart when it came to love. He was going to do whatever possible to never hurt her the way Dean had. A trail of thoughts of Ginny continued to capture him until he heard someone shuffle in the dark. Harry quickly spun around with his wand in hand. He quickly adjusted his glasses to better see who was there.

When the unknown person walked into the light of the kitchen, Harry lowered his wand immediately. It was Ginny who had startled him at the moment.

"Ginny, you scared me. What are you doing up so late?" asked Harry out of concern for Ginny. He also noticed that Ginny didn't look as sleepy as he thought she would be. Just like Ron, she was a very deep sleeper.

Ginny kept her usual serious look and calmly answered Harry, " Sorry, I couldn't sleep. How about you Harry? You couldn't sleep either?"

Harry just shook his head as he began to peer into Ginny's alluring brown eyes. Ginny grew shy again and turned her head to the side, pretending to look at the cupboard. Harry looked at the big white and crystalline flakes of snow fall on the window outside past Ginny's shoulders. Ginny just looked so beautiful, even when she turned away. Harry walked to where Ginny was and put his finger under her chin and gently turned Ginny's face towards him. Even when he did this, she kept looking down at the floor. She then gathered her courage and finally looked up at Harry.

There they stood, looking into each other's eyes. This time Harry saw something different in her eyes. They weren't the eyes of a little girl but the eyes of a woman who desired something. Harry was not sure what that desire was that Ginny had but, he had the desire to kiss her sweet lips. Harry leaned down closer until his lips were just inches from her lips. He could smell her scent of wildflowers. Her eyes looked down for a moment again but then they looked back up at his. The desire that Harry had within him suddenly grew into a deep and aching desire to kiss her. All nervousness and anxiety were suddenly gone from within him. Harry moved his lips even closer to hers until they were barely touching her lips. Just as Harry closed his eyes and was about to kiss Ginny's lips, the kettle blew and the two of them gasped as they jumped back in surprise.

Harry was speechless again but he finally managed to say, "Ginny, would you like a bit of tea?" as he put out the flame on the stove.

Ginny kept her eyes still fixated on him and nodded her head, "Yes, that would be nice, thanks."

Harry took another cup and saucer out of the cupboard and poured some tea for himself and Ginny. She then levitated their tea to the living room and put them on the coffee table.

The two of them walked into the sitting room and they sat on the couch. They each took their own tea and drank it in silence. Soon thereafter Harry finally spoke. He needed to get out the heavy feeling that was within his chest. The ache within him grew gradually had grown stronger ever since he began his 6th year at Hogwarts. He gathered all the energy and will that he had and took Ginny's hand in his own. Ginny looked down a bit surprised as Harry took her hand in his and then she turned to face Harry.

Harry took a deep breath and said, "Look Ginny, there is something I need to tell you." He then drew silent as he carefully pondered his words.

Ginny then with a look of curiosity on her face asked, "What is it Harry?"

Harry took another deep breath and said, "Ginny, I- I have wanted to say this for some time but the timing wasn't right. Erm... Ginny not only do you have a good sense of humor but you also have a kind heart, you are beautiful and smart."

Ginny smiled, "That's very sweet of you to say, thanks Harry."

Harry sighed this time and continued, "Ginny, I wanted to tell you that... Erm... I like you very much and I was wondering if you... if you wouldn't mind giving us a try."

Ginny gasped in surprise as she covered her mouth with her free hand. She never expected this to come from Harry in a million years. She had liked Harry from the day that she met him at Kings Cross but nothing ever seemed to happen. She thought that by going out and doing other things with Dean Thomas and Michael Corner, that things would have changed. Especially her feelings with which she had been struggling since her first year at Hogwarts. Ginny assumed that if she was involved in other relationships that the feelings she still had for Harry would dissipate.

In fact, that is why she had an awful row with Dean Thomas when they broke up. He had wanted to take things further with Ginny but she said she wasn't ready. Dean confronted her and asked her if she truly loved him. When the time came to answer that question, she didn't know what to say and that blew all things out of proportion and they wound up breaking up. Ever since her break up with Dean Thomas, Ginny felt different around Harry. They weren't the superficial feelings that she felt when she kissed her ex-boyfriends.

Ginny discovered that whenever she was around Harry, she felt something deeper and she wasn't quite sure what it was. Could it be that she also liked Harry? Could it be that it had turned into love? Was she really falling in love with Harry Potter? The Boy Who Lived? The Chosen One? They had been at Hogwarts for her entire five years at Hogwarts but nothing had happened. Suddenly, here was Harry, telling her that he liked her. He wanted to see if the two of them could have a chance. Ginny became confused for a moment as she felt a rush of different feelings go through her.

Harry then repeated, "Ginny, do you think that there might be a chance for us?" asked Harry, now taking both her hands in his.

As Ginny pondered deeply into the emotions that were rushing through her, she felt one that was the strongest and that was that she also liked him. She had wanted to be with him all the time. Ginny liked how Harry was always thinking about others. He was kind, funny, and very brave at that. She always felt her heart flutter with excitement when she and Harry shared a look. She always wound up turning away because it made her feel a bit embarrassed to feel that way about someone like Harry.

Ginny finally looked down at her hands and then looked at Harry's crystalline green eyes before her and said, "Sure Harry, why don't we give ourselves a chance?"

Harry smiled, "Is that a yes Ginny?"

Ginny nodded her head and confirmed her answer to Harry, "Yes Harry."

Harry then leaned in closer to her to where his lips were inches from her lips again and he looked deeply into her eyes and finally said, "Ginny, I like you very much."

Ginny gave small silent giggle and responded, "I like you too Harry."
Harry suddenly felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders and heart. Gone was the ache and pain of longing. He had managed to capture Ginny somehow. His goal now was to make Ginny become his and his only. Harry leaned in some more and gave Ginny a soft lingering kiss. The electricity began to travel through his body from the moment that his lips touched hers. After what seemed like a never-ending kiss, Harry and Ginny reluctantly pulled away and looked into each other's eyes again.

Harry wanted to tell her that he actually loved her but, he didn't want to take any risks after going through the difficult challenge of asking Ginny to give them a chance. Harry then took Ginny into his arms and hugged her. He felt the same electrical excitement go through his body as he felt her body next to his. Harry conjured a blanket and put it over them before a deep sleep finally overtook them.

The following morning Hermione got up early in the morning. She walked into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She noticed that the tea kettle was already on the stove. Mrs. Weasley may have had many children but she never left things lying around. Hermione then looked around and saw that there was someone on the couch. Hermione took her wand out and cautiously made her way over to the sitting room. For a minute she thought that perhaps Charlie or Bill had come over to the Burrow. As Hermione got closer to the sitting room, she saw that there were two teacups. She leaned in and noticed that there were indeed two people sleeping on the couch. She couldn't see very well because the blanket was covering them. She moved around to the other side of the couch and saw a bit of red hair peak over the blanket. Hermione walked and leaned in again and gasped. It was Harry and Ginny on the couch! She wondered why she hadn't seen them the night before when she arrived at the Burrow. Hermione knew that Harry liked Ginny but she never thought that they would go this far. Hermione stood back and did some quick thinking. She knew that she had to wake them up before Arthur and Molly came down. Especially before Ron came down because she knew that meant trouble.

Hermione stretched out her hand and tried to shake Harry by the shoulder. Harry didn't respond so Hermione tried to shake him again. When Harry's eyes flew open, he saw Hermione and quickly sat up on the couch, waking a sleepy Ginny in the process. To Hermione's relief, the two of them were still wearing their pajamas.

"Her- Hermione! When did you arrive?" asked Harry nervously as Ginny quickly took hold of his hand.

Hermione answered, "I arrived late last night. I asked my parents and I'm going to stay here until Christmas. You two best get up before the others come down and see you here on the couch."

Ginny yawned and said, "Actually, would you like some tea Hermione? I could use some myself."
Hermione gave a small smile and said, "That would be nice, thanks Ginny."

Ginny then turned to Harry as she got up and smiled at him, "How about you Harry?"

Harry gave her a big smile and said, "I'd love one too, thanks Ginny."

Being the girl that Hermione was, she noticed Harry's big smile and the way Harry looked at Ginny as she walked to the kitchen. She then turned to Harry, "Look Harry, I know you like Ginny but, What was that Harry? How did you end up on the couch with Ginny?"

Harry blushed a deep crimson red, "Well, erm,... I-..."

Hermione rolled her eyes in desperation as she tried to make an effort to have patience with her best friend, "Out with it Harry."

Harry took a deep breath and decided to come out with the truth, "Last night, I couldn't sleep so I came down for a cup of tea. A few minutes later I thought there was an intruder but, it was Ginny. She couldn't sleep either so we wound up drinking some tea together. Hermione, I finally found the courage to-, the courage to ask her if we had a chance together."

At this Hermione smiled happily and asked, "Did you ask her if she wanted to be your girlfriend?"

Harry smiled this time, "Actually I asked her if we could give us a chance."

Hermione was now sitting straight, "Well, what did she say Harry?"

Harry looked down at his hands and for a minute remembered the moment when he asked Ginny before looking back at Hermione, "Well, erm, she said yes. It turns out that we have become rather fond of each other."

Hermione threw her arms around Harry and said, "Oh Harry! I'm so happy for you and Ginny." She then pulled back and then her face went serious, "I was hoping you two would come together. I saw the way you were looking at her since we began the school year. You really like her, don't you Harry?"

"Yes I do, she's so nice, funny, and smart. You could say that I have become rather fond of her."

Ginny then levitated the cups with hot fresh tea to the table in the dining room and then called out to Harry and Hermione, "Tea is ready."

Harry and Hermione shared another friendly hug and then they stood up to go join Ginny in the dining room. Harry pulled out a chair for Ginny and then he sat down next to her.
Hermione then smiled at Ginny after taking a small sip of her tea, "Ginny, Harry told me. He told me that the two of you are together now. I'm so happy for the two of you."

Ginny took Harry's hand underneath the table as she smiled at him before looking back at Hermione, "Yeah, we're together now. Turns out that we like each other."

At that moment Arthur and Molly walked into the kitchen, "Morning you three." Molly then noticed that Hermione was there and went to go give Hermione her bone-crunching hug.
"Hermione dear! I'm so happy that you can join us! Until when will you be staying with us?"

Hermione looked up at Molly after they pulled apart, "I asked my parents and I will be staying until Christmas."

Molly gave her a warm smile, "Oh, that is just wonderful dear." She then turned to the others and said, "I'm going to start a nice breakfast for you lot. Why are you three up so early?" asked Molly casually as she took some eggs and milk out of the refrigerator.

Hermione was quick to respond on their behalf, "Oh we are just so used to getting up early at Hogwarts, is all."

Ginny then giggled and said, "That doesn't seem to be the matter with Ron, it looks like he's still sleeping up there."

Arthur then looked up from the Daily Prophet, "Yes, that's Ron, he can never sleep enough, that boy" and he went back to reading the newspaper.

Christmas came and went and before they knew it, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were back on the Hogwarts Express on their way back to school. Harry and Ron were sitting on one side while Hermione and Ginny sat across from them. Occasionally and with caution, Harry and Ginny would glance at each other. Up to the last day of their winter vacation, Harry and Ginny discussed how to tell Ron their new-found relationship. They knew how overprotective Ron was of Ginny the entire time that they were at Hogwarts.

Harry gave Ginny a quick look and said, "I'll be back, I'm going to go see Neville."

Ginny then said, "And I'm going to go see Luna."

Ron was oblivious to the situation as he and Hermione began to discuss about things back at Hogwarts and the horcruxes.

Harry and Ginny met a few compartments down the corridor and they took each other's hand. They walked down the car until they found an empty compartment. Harry and Ginny entered it and Harry closed the door behind them and locked it.

"Oh Harry, I so wanted to be alone with you but Ron is there and there is no telling how he will react to our relationship. I mean, soon we are going to have to tell my parents as well," exclaimed Ginny as she put her hand through his arm and lay her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe with Hermione's help, we can tell Ron about us. We will have to tell him soon before someone finds out and tells him."

"As soon as we arrive at Hogwarts, I can tell mum and dad about us but you are right. Ron is an entirely different matter. We will need Hermione's help to tell him about us," admitted Ginny.

Harry then turned Ginny's face up to him and then with the utmost sincerity he said, "Ginny, the truth is that I don't just like you."

Ginny then looked up at Harry in confusion and asked, "Oh, then what is it Harry?"

Harry smiled at Ginny and took her hand in his and said, "Ginny, the truth is that I love you. I actually fell in love with you a long time ago. I had wanted to tell you a long time ago but by then you had gotten involved with Michael and then with Dean. Well, and then there was the matter with Ron and I as his mate having interest in his baby sister."

Silent tears were sliding down Ginny's cheeks and Harry gently wiped them, "Harry, I- I don't know what to say."

Harry thought finally that he should let it all out. He wanted to tell Ginny how he truly felt. He only hoped that Ginny would feel the same way about him. He kept looking at Ginny as he waited to see what she would say.

Ginny looked out the window and looked at the passing fields and animals outside. She then turned back around and looked into Harry's eyes, "Harry, I love you too. It's just that- I- I had also liked you for some time but you didn't seem to notice and in the last couple of years or so, you appeared to be interested in Cho."

Harry was happy that he and Ginny were suddenly been honest about their feelings and he thought that now was a good time to also tell her everything, "Ginny, the reason I had shown interest in Cho and had gone out with her was because I thought you weren't interested in me. The truth is, I actually began to like you ever since I rescued you from the Chamber of Secrets."

Ginny giggled silently and then responded, "Harry, I didn't know that you liked me since the Chamber of Secrets. I actually liked you since you came to the Burrow that year before we went to Hogwarts."
Harry chuckled this time, "Funny how life is. We actually liked each other since then and only found each other until now" Harry's face then went serious, "Ginny?"

"Yes Harry?"

"I love you"

"I love you too Harry."

Harry then leaned in and gave Ginny a lingering kiss. This time, they both deepened their kiss as they gradually began to snog. Harry pulled her closer to him and he could feel her warm and delicate frame against his. It was incredible how she was capable of being strong enough to play chaser in quidditch. Harry tasted her rosy lips, they were sweeter than honey to him. He took in the tempting scent of her wildflower-scented hair. Harry liked it so much that his hands moved up from the small of her back and let them get tangled in her tresses. Her soft silky hair began to make his head spin with desire for her. He had never imagined that her hair would feel so soft. Ginny then moved her hands from his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry still couldn't believe it that the love of his life was in his arms, that she had her arms around his neck. Before long, her delicate small fingers began to move about his already messy hair. After what seemed like a long time, the two of them reluctantly pulled away from their now passionate kiss.

Harry smiled down at Ginny as he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and said, "Ginny, we better go back before Ron suspects anything."

Ginny giggled, "Yeah, we better or there's not telling what will happen" and the two of them laughed before leaving the empty compartment.

The two of them walked into the compartment and Ron eyed them with suspicion, "You two were gone some time. Harry, why are you with Ginny?"

Harry let Ginny into the compartment before answering, "Oh we just happen to run into each other by sheer coincidence in the corridor."

"Oh I see" said Ron and then he went back to talking with Hermione.

The four of them finally arrived at Hogwarts and they made their way to their dorm rooms. Ron and Hermione were waiting in the Common Room for Harry and Ginny so the four of them could go down to dinner.

"Hermione, could you please go tell Ginny to hurry? I'm starving and what's taking Harry so long? I'm going to go look for him." said Ron in frustration.

A few minutes later Ron and Hermione met again in the Common Room. Ron said, "He said he's looking for a piece of parchment in his trunk and that he'll meet us in the Great Hall. What did Ginny say?"

"Ginny said she needed to go to the loo. Knowing you, I think we better head down to the Great Hall" said Hermione as she rolled her eyes.

Moments later, the Gryffindor Common Room was completely empty. Harry's eyes met Ginny's as he just came down from the boys' dorm rooms and she from the girls'.

Harry and Ginny looked around. They were completely alone. Harry walked over to Ginny and put his arms around her small waist. It still surprised him that underneath her small and fragile looking body, was an extremely strong chaser.

Harry then looked more deeply into Ginny's eyes and said, "I thought we would never have some time alone."

Ginny chuckled as she shook her head, "Harry, we already had some time alone on the train, remember?"

"Yes, but that was so long ago. I wanted to be able to hold you in my arms again... Gin."

Ginny blushed, "I- I didn't think you would ever call me that."

Harry's face suddenly showed worry, "You don't mind much if I call you Gin do you? If you don't like it then I'll call you Ginny."

Ginny put her hand on his cheek and shook her head, "You can call me Gin whenever we are together Harry." Ginny then leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. A kiss which he soon deepened. The passion and ache of wanting her suddenly ran through Harry's body. His hands began to gently caress the small of her back and she shuddered. Harry pulled back and looked at Ginny with concern, "Are you alright Gin?"

Ginny nodded her head, "Yeah, I'm alright Harry. It's just that- I like being with you."

Ginny wasn't sure what had really hit through her body. She knew for sure that she had shuddered when Harry's hands began to gently caress the small of her back. She had just never felt that kind of electricity travel through her body before. Of course, she had been in love with Michael Corner and Dean Thomas but, it was nothing as deep as this. She never in her life had ever felt such a deep love before. His lips were somehow comforting and helped to release the ache that she had been feeling of wanting him since they left the train. Now they were here in the Gryffindor Common Room alone. Every day since that one night, all she had wanted was to spend time alone with Harry and to feel his warm and comforting arms around her. She and Harry still had no ideas on how to tell Ron that she and Harry were together. She then remembered that they had to head to the Great Hall before Ron suspected anything.

Ginny gave Harry one quick peck on the lips before saying, "We better go Harry before Ron goes mental on us."

Harry chuckled at the thought at how Ron sometimes became upset at things. "Alright, let's go Gin." Harry then chuckled, "There's no telling what he'll say or do" and Ginny giggled at his comment which definitely described Ron very well.

Harry and Ginny walked through the corridors close together so no one could tell that they were holding hands. When they arrived near the Great Hall, Harry and Ginny gave each other one last loving look and then reluctantly pulled apart before walking in the Great Hall. Apparently, they hadn't missed much because students were sill eating their supper.

Harry and Ginny made there way to where Ron and Hermione were seated. Harry sat next to Ron and Ginny next to Hermione. Ron did not wait a moment to soon to make all sorts of questions, especially when it involved his sister.

Ron turned to look from Ginny to Harry, "What took you two so long?"

Ginny tried to deviate the question, "Did we miss anything Ron?"

Hermione this time said something to help her best friends, "No not really, supper began just a few minutes ago."

Harry smiled, "Good, I'm happy that I didn't miss supper like at the beginning of the school year. I was a bit hungry that night" and Harry began to happily eat some chicken.

Hermione didn't want to disturb their pleasant dinner but she knew she needed to bring up the topic. She had given it thought throughout winter holiday on how to approach some strategies to find the horcruxes.

Hermione took a deep breath, "So you two" and then she leaned over the table so she could be closer to Harry and Ron, "Did you get any ideas over winter holiday on how to get the rest of the horcruxes? For one we still have to get Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem, Gaunt's ring, and Nagini."

Harry then said with a lower voice, "I overheard once Professor Dumbledore tell Professor McGonagall as I was going up to his office that he had finally been able to get Gaunt's ring. It was the night that he showed me the memory when he went to talk to Tom Riddle for the first time about Hogwarts at the orphanage he was at."

Hermione then gave her usual pensive look and said, "Well, if he already has Tom Riddle's diary and Gaunt's ring, then that leaves the diadem, the cup, the locket, and Nagini."

Harry continued, "I also heard him tell her that he suspects that I am a horcrux because the night that Voldemort tried to kill me when I was a baby, he accidently put a part of him in me. That explains why I am able to speak parseltongue."

Hermione gasped in surprise, "You a horcrux Harry? But that's impossible. The horcruxes have to be destroyed so that would mean that-" Hermione couldn't go on. She just stood there looking at him silently.

Ron who was eating as usual stopped chewing his food and Ginny had her food suspended on her fork.

Harry looked around himself for a minute, then looked up at the staff table and then back at his three friends before saying, "I suppose that would mean that I would have to die."

Ginny's hand started to slightly shake and Harry looked at her. She quickly put down her fork and took hold of the cloth napkin on her lap. Ginny put all her effort into calming her nerves by taking a big gulp of pumpkin juice. She couldn't believe it. How could she finally has found the one that she truly loved, only to find out that there was a possibility that he was going to have to die. She wondered why she fell for boys who mysteriously for some reason or other seemed to walk out of her life. Ginny loved Harry very much and she just couldn't bare the thought of losing the one person who had just become so special in her life. She was going to have to talk to him. She had to convince him however she could to find a different way of destroying He-who-must-not-be-named without killing himself. Tonight she had every intention in talking with him. If she had to, she would put her life to save Harry. That was how much she had come to love him. She loved him so much that she was willing to give up her life for him.

When the four of them got back to the Gryffindor Common Room, Ginny and Harry stayed behind, sitting on the couch in front of the fire. The Gryffindor Common Room was empty and only silence could be heard.

"Harry, is it true that you are going to confront He-who-must-not-be-named? What is ever to become of us then? What if you die? How is it that I finally have a relationship with the boy that I love only to find out that I might lose him again? Harry I- I just couldn't bare a loss like that." and Ginny sighed into her hands.

Harry gently took her hands away from her face, "Look Gin, that is a task and risk I must take. He-who-must-not-be-named must be destroyed so that we could all live in a safer world. So that you could also live a safer life. I am doing this because I also love you Gin. Then, it isn't for certain if I'm a horcrux or not. Only time will tell."

Ginny's voice broke as she persisted, "But at what price Harry? You might have to face one of the strongest wizards of our time and that would mean that you would have to die. What am I supposed to do without you Harry?"

Harry took Ginny's face in his hands, "Gin, the only thing I can say at this point is that we will just have to make the best of the time we have together. Which means we are going to have to tell Ron about us real soon. That way we can be more free to be together."

Ginny frowned and nodded. She then dropped her head and said, "When do you want to tell Ron?"

Harry looked deeply into Ginny's eyes, "The sooner the better Gin. I say we tell him first thing tomorrow morning."

Ginny nodded her head in acceptance, "Very well, we'll tell him tomorrow."

Harry then leaned over and gave Ginny a soft and gentle kiss. This time it wasn't a kiss of longing but a kiss of wanting to give comfort to each other. A kiss where they wish they could take each other's troubles away.

Harry stood up and offered Ginny his hand and helped her get up. He then took her into his arms and said, "Don't worry Gin. Everything will be alright. Perhaps if you wish hard enough, then I'll come back to you after I find all the horcruxes." With that they gave each other another kiss and went to their perspective dorm rooms.