Chapter One

Ginny was curled up on her bed when her mother yanked the covers off of her.

"I said get up, Ginny Weasley!" Her mother stormed from the room angrily. Ginny rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stood up. She'd been dreading this day for so long that she felt as though she had lead in her stomach. She trudged slowly to her dressing table and sat down. She examined herself in the mirror.

Her long red hair fell straight down to the middle of her back, and her brown eyes stared tiredly back at her. She leaned closer to the mirror and peered at her face, scrutinizing it closely. Did I get new freckles overnight? She wondered gloomily. She brushed her hair and sighed. This is it. This is as good as it gets. She stood up and slipped into her clothes for the day - a navy blue jumper and matching skirt. She sighed again.

"Ginny! Get up - oh, sorry dear, I thought you were still in bed." Her mother smiled at her. She shook her head.

"Nope," she said. "I'm up." Her mother smiled at her again and left quickly, calling behind her as she disappeared.

"Come and have a spot of breakfast before it's time to go." Knowing that her mother couldn't see her doing it, she rolled her eyes. She slid her feet into her shoes and trudged down the stairs. The breakfast table was deserted, except for Ron, who looked up when she approached. She slumped down in a chair and took a bite of toast, even though she didn't feel like eating.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, through a mouthful of eggs. Ginny shot him a nasty look and stuck her tongue out.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" She asked. "Shouldn't you be at work?" He gulped down his entire glass of juice before answering her.

"I'm running late," he took another bite. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Well, that's obvious, isn't it?" He stared at her.

"What's your problem?"

"Nothing," she said, with a dismissive wave of her hand. He shrugged and went back to his food. She finished her toast and rose from the table.

"I'm ready, Mum." She said, looking at her mother. Molly Weasley turned around and wiped her hands on a small dishtowel.

"Yes, dear." She pulled her cloak o and turned to Ron. "Ronald, make sure you finish your breakfast." She turned back to Ginny, who was grabbing a handful of floo power.

"Diagon Alley!" She said. The next thing she knew, she was standing in the fireplace inside the Leaky Cauldron. She stepped out and brushed herself off, and turned when she heard the pop that signaled her mother's appearance.

"Ready?" Her mother asked. She nodded, and they headed out of the Leaky Cauldron, into Diagon Alley. Ginny opened the door of Flourish and Blotts and, after taking a deep breath, went inside.

**

Ginny looked around and sighed heavily. Her mother was entering the store behind her, and pushed her farther inside.

"Come, dear," she said. "Let's look for your books." Ginny smiled to herself. At least this is my last year. And I finally get new books! Her mother picked up a cauldron and began dropping books into it. Ginny followed along behind her, not paying attention to a word her mother was saying. She didn't realize her mother had turned a corner and gone down another aisle until she bumped into someone.

"Ginny!" A deep voice said pleasantly. "How have you been?" Ginny's knees went weak. Harry was looking at her with those electric eyes.

"F-fine, and you, Harry?" She stuttered. He grinned.

"Decent. Well," he admitted, "Excellent, now that I've moved out of the Dursleys'." She managed a weak smile.

"So, uhm . . .what are you doing in here?" Harry grinned again.

"'Fraid I can't tell you that." Ginny blinked.

"Why not?"

"You'll see soon enough," he grinned at her and put a warm hand on her shoulder. It made Ginny's entire arm tingle. "I have to run, but I'll see you around." He walked away, and she watched as he left the shop. Her mother came up behind her.

"Was that Harry?" She asked, craning her neck to get a good look. Ginny nodded wistfully.

"Yeah," she said. Her mother smiled.

"Well, let's go pay for these, and then I've got a surprise for you!" Ginny followed her mother to the counter and watched as she paid for the books. When they left the shop, her mother led her to a small boutique.

"Mum?" Ginny asked uncertainly.

"Ginny, dear, I'm going to buy you some new robes," Ginny's eyes lit up and she opened the door eagerly. "You are our last one in Hogwarts, after all." Her mother sniffled sadly, and Ginny hugged her tightly.

"It's alright, Mum."

"You're our baby and you're going to get married before any of your brothers!" Ginny blushed and looked down at the floor.

"Oh, Mum, I don't-"

"You will," she sobbed. "I just know it!" Ginny tried to change the subject by picking up a set of robes that were rose colored.

"These are pretty," she said. Her mother shook her head.

"Oh, you know those won't look good with your hair," she said. Ginny put the robes down on the table and picked up some lavender robes.

"These are pretty, too." Her mother smiled.

"Excellent," she said. "We'll take them, then!"

**

Ginny stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express. Finally, she thought. Finally, my last year has arrived. But how empty it's going to be . . . without Harry, Hermione, and Ron! She sighed, and the door to the compartment she was sitting in slid open.

"Hi, Ginny!" Colin Creevey sat down across from her. She smiled vaguely and continued to stare out the window.

When they reached Hogwarts, Ginny seated herself at the Gryffindor table and started talking to a second year whose name she didn't know. After the sorting, Dumbledore stood up.

"I have an announcement," he said, his eyes twinkling. "We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Everyone, please welcome Professor Potter." Ginny gasped and dropped her fork as Harry stood up and bowed slightly. The Great Hall erupted in applause - the famous Harry Potter, their teacher!

Ginny sat glued to her seat in surprise as the rest of the Gryffindors stood, cheering and clapping. When the noise had finally died down and people started to take their seats again, Ginny glanced up at the staff table. Harry was talking animatedly to Hagrid, who was drinking deeply from his goblet. When Harry turned and looked towards the Gryffindor table and saw Ginny watching, he grinned and waved. She blushed and looked away quickly.

"Was he waving at someone over here?" A seventh year that Ginny recognized as a transfer student squealed eagerly.

"He was probably waving to Ginny," Colin Creevey piped up. Ginny could have killed him. Great, she thought, now everyone is going to think there's something going on!

"Really?" The girl named Rowena looked at Ginny interestedly. "Why would he be waving to you?"

"Her brother is his best friend!" Colin said before Ginny could even open her mouth. She stifled a scream.

"Is that true?" The girl stared. Ginny nodded, and rose to leave.

"It is," she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She pushed the doors to the Great Hall open and leaned against the wall in the hallway. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. It's only Harry, she thought to herself; didn't you get over him three years ago? Her mind said yes, but her heart knew better.

"Are you alright?" She screamed, not expecting anyone to be in the hallway with her. When she opened her eyes, Harry was in front of her. She felt her heart begin to race.

"I'm f-fine," she stuttered. "Just not hungry, that's all." He eyed her curiously, then grinned.

"I've never seen you not hungry." She blushed and looked down at her feet. "Sorry I couldn't tell you when I saw you in the bookshop - Dumbledore wanted to surprise everyone."

"It's great that you're a teacher," she lied. She didn't feel it was great at all; she would have rather had him a million miles away, rather than having him stand in front of her and have this effect on her.

"Well, don't worry, I reckon I won't be too hard on you," He winked at her as he went back into the Great Hall. She slumped to the floor.

"What am I going to do?" She said out loud. "In love with a Professor!" She hugged her knees and tried to prepare herself mentally for the year ahead of her.

**

Back in the common room, Ginny was writing a letter home to her parents when she heard the portrait hole open. There were quite a few giggling voices, and she recognized one of them as Rowena's.

"And he waved to her," she sniggered. "I heard everyone in her family has that red hair!" The girls with her started to giggle again, when one of them saw Ginny and pointed.

"SSSSSSSSSSSH!" She hissed. She elbowed Rowena, who turned to look at Ginny. Ginny stood, smoothed her skirt, and grabbed her parchment and quill. She approached the group of girls slowly.

"And too bad for you," she said coolly, eyeing Rowena's black tresses, "That he just happens to fancy red hair." She flipped her hair in Rowena's face and went upstairs. She flopped down on her bed and drew the curtains around it closed.

What have I just done? She thought angrily. And how am I going to explain myself to Harry?

**

Ginny awoke the next morning with an aching head. She stumbled out of bed and covered her face when the bright sunlight stung her eyes. She looked around groggily, and it looked like she was going to be the last one out of the room, since all of the other girls were gone. She groaned and pulled her brush through her hair quickly. She changed into her clothes and slipped into her robe, then slid into her shoes. On the very last stair, she froze. She heard her name.

"And she said he fancied redheads," a voice fumed. Ginny rolled her eyes impatiently. How long was Rowena going to drag this out?

"Did she ever date him when he was here?" Ginny recognized Gemma's voice. Gemma was a seventh year as well, but had never so much as spoken to Ginny in the entire time they’d been at Hogwarts together.

"I don't know," a third voice said uncertainly.

"Well," Rowena snapped, "Why don't we just ask him?" There was a murmur of assent, and she heard the voices trail off as the portrait hole clanged shut. She stepped into the common room and stared after them. They were going to ask Harry if he had dated her? She felt her heart drop through her stomach. She had to get to him before they did, to explain what was going on!

She bounded out of the common room and began running down the corridor. She had gotten to the third floor when she realized that she didn't know where his classroom was. She hadn't brought her knapsack with her schedule inside, so she would have to trek back up and get it. She was reaching under her bed when she noticed a pair of shoes walking into the room.

"Ginny?" A familiar voice called uncertainly. Ginny tried to stand up, but hit her head on the side of the bed.

"Ouch!" She stood up and rubbed her head. She turned and looked to see who was sniggering at her.

"I'm glad to see you, too," Hermione laughed. Ginny squealed with delight and ran to hug her friend.

"What are you doing here?" She asked breathlessly.

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to come back and help out a bit," she explained. "I'll be helping Hagrid with his Care of Magical Creatures class, and when I'm needed, I'll help Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing." Ginny clapped her hands.

"Oooooooh, I'm so glad you're here!"

"I know, it's so good to be here!" Hermione smiled. "Did you know Harry is here, too?" Ginny suddenly remembered why she had come back to her room, and her face fell.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked. The words just tumbled out of Ginny as she told Hermione everything. Hermione's eyes widened.

"So now I have to get to him first," she said. "So he doesn't think I told everyone that we've dated."

"I can help," Hermione offered excitedly. "He's free this first hour, and I am too, so I'll go and tell him!" Ginny looked relieved.

"Thanks loads, Hermione!"

"Well, how is the rest of your family?" Hermione asked casually. Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"Do you mean, how is Ron?" Hermione blushed a deep crimson color.

"I meant everyone."

"You meant Ron." Ginny giggled. "He's fine. He's working with Dad at the Ministry of Magic's Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office."

"That's nice," she said, trying not to look too interested. Ginny covered her mouth with her hand so she wouldn't giggle again.

"I've got to dash," Ginny said, grabbing her knapsack. "Are you going to eat at the staff table?" She asked. Hermione nodded.

"Of course, I'll probably be sitting between Harry and Hagrid. Why?"

"I was wondering if you could eat with me," Ginny explained, feeling foolish. "But it's no big deal, I'll just talk to you later. Thanks for talking to Harry for me!" She called behind her as she left.

**

Hermione wandered through the hallway, headed towards Harry's classroom. When she reached the door, she grabbed the handle to open it, but froze when she heard voices inside. She put her ear to the door so she could hear better.

"We're sorry to bother you, Professor Potter," a girl's voice said sweetly. "But we wanted to ask you something."

"Go on," She heard Harry's cheerful voice. The girl cleared her throat.

"It's just that - well, we share a room with Ginny Weasley, and she's been saying some pretty strange things," she said. Hermione felt her face turning red. They were lying on Ginny already!

"Like what?" Harry asked interestedly.

"Like, that she and you dated, and you fancy redheads," a second girl blurted quickly. Hermione sucked in a deep breath and waited for Harry's response.

"Well, she's partly right," he said. Hermione blinked in surprise. "We almost dated once, but I was a blundering idiot and threw my chance away. And yes, I do fancy redheads. But only one in particular. So, girls, if you don't mind, I have a lesson to prepare." Hermione covered her mouth with her hands so she wouldn't laugh. She moved quickly when she heard footsteps approaching the door, and watched as the three girls stormed angrily from the classroom.

"Harry, that was brilliant!" She gushed. He looked up in surprise and grinned when he saw her.

"Were you eavesdropping?" He teased. She blushed and told him why she'd come. He grinned again.

"So I've got some troublemakers on my hands, then? Wow, and it's only the first day!" She smiled at him.

"I'm sure Ginny will really appreciate you doing that for her," she said. Harry's grin waned a bit, and he stood up.

"Can I talk to you in my office, Hermione?" She nodded and followed him up the stairs into his office. It was a mess, but it looked like an organized mess. There were stacks of papers and books thrown haphazardly across the room, and quills were scattered across his desk. She sat down in the chair that faced his desk.

"Am I in trouble?" She joked. He sat down and looked at her, and his expression was serious.

"When was the last time you spoke to Ron?" He asked. She blushed and looked down.

"I don't expect he'll be wanting to hear from me," she said softly. Harry leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"He misses you."

"He does?" Her head snapped up. "How do you know that?"

"He told me." He looked back at her.

"But the last time we spoke, he . . . well, he called me all sorts of names and said he never wanted to hear from me again!"

"That's before he realized that he was in love with you." Hermione blinked.

"He w-what?"

"You heard me," he leaned forward in his chair. "Why don't you try writing to him?" Hermione thought for a moment.

"I might, then," she stood, still blushing. She turned back to him when she reached the door of his office. "I think you might want to keep an eye on your fan club, Harry. They don't seem to like Ginny very much."

"Then I'll have problems with them, because I happen to like her quite a bit, myself." Harry grinned and Hermione laughed as she left the room.