Feel

The meeting ended at midnight when the Bloody Baron arrived and dragged frightened Peeves to the Slytherin dungeons. Ginny was satisfied that justice had been done and walked back to her bedroom with Harry and Draco.

"How did you know he was watching you, Gin?" asked Harry as he pushed up his glasses to look at her.

"I dunno. I reckon I just felt odd, like someone was watching me. I turned around and he was there. I had no idea he did that sort of thing." Ginny frowned and shook her head.

"What do you suppose the Bloody Baron will do to him?" asked Draco. "He's a nasty one. I don't envy Peeves."

"Who cares?" replied Ginny. "I don't as long as he stays out of my bathroom." Ginny reached her bedroom door and paused. "Night lads. Thanks for being so helpful." Ginny smiled at them both and went into her bedroom. As she turned and closed her door, Harry craned his neck to see into her room. Harry got a glimpse of Ginny's clothes laid across a chair and some photos she'd already put up. All too quickly, the door slammed in his face. Turning his head back, Harry found Draco staring at him. He knew Draco had caught him gazing into Ginny's room. He felt himself go red and quickly averted his eyes from Draco's piercing stare.

"You like her? Admit it. You have a little crush on her." Draco whispered this as they stopped at their doors, which were across from each other in the hallway.

Harry looked around to see if anyone had caught that last bit of conversation. "Draco, shut up! No more of this love business. I wanted to see how she had decorated her room is all. Besides, I heard she's dating Colin Creevey."

Draco nodded as if he understood. "All right, Harry. But if you want, I'll pass her a note that says, 'Do you like Harry? Check yes or check no.'". Harry grimaced at the thought of Draco actually carrying out his threat and quickly slammed his door in Draco's laughing face.

Morning came all to quickly for Ginny. All too soon her alarm had gone off and she found herself getting dressed for the day ahead of her. Ginny knew she shouldn't be excited over her breakfast with Harry, but she found herself taking extra care while getting ready. She styled her hair in a couple of different ways before deciding on a bun again and spraying on her favorite perfume. Ginny quickly laced up her boots and raced down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Hey, Gin. Ready for your first day as librarian?" asked Harry as she sat down.

"I'm so nervous. I doubt I'll be able to even eat breakfast. Feel my hand, it's like ice." She held her hand out for Harry to feel, which he readily took. Ginny immediately regretted it as some students began to hoot. Ginny quickly withdrew her hand and smiled at Harry.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm used to be stared at. Anyway, don't be nervous. You'll be fine. I'm nervous too. I'm so worried a student will hurt themselves in my beginning flying class." Harry ran his fingers through his hair. Ginny noticed how his hair was still so messy after all this time. Ginny noticed that Harry had given up trying to comb it neatly and now simply gelled it in all directions. Ginny had noticed that a lot of Muggle stars were doing that and liked the look on him. Ginny was about to comment on that when owls began to swoop into the Great Hall and drop off packages. Several envelopes came for Ginny. Ginny sifted through the lot of them until she came to the letter she was hoping for.

"At last!" she sighed and ripped open the envelope. Harry noticed Ginny's reaction to the letter and looked at it, trying to figure out whom she was so eager to hear from by the handwriting. Harry recognized Hermione's neat script and wondered what she was so keen to write to Ginny about. He was about to ask, when Ginny let out a whoop and stood up with glee from the table.

"He's asked her! Can you believe it?" Ginny looked at Harry, her eyes full of excitement.

"Asked her what? What did he ask Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Ron asked Hermione to marry him at last! He proposed to her in her apothecary's shop. She's asked me to be her maid of honor." Ginny thrust the letter out to Harry for him to read for himself.

"About bloody time he did it," Harry said as he skimmed over the letter's contents. "He's been gathering his courage for ages to do it. I was about to give up hope. His mother sent him a howler about it last week. The Department for Magical Games has had a bet going on this for two years."

Ron worked at the Department for Magical Games within the Ministry of Magic. Hermione had gone on to Toadstool University and studied to become an apothecary. Only last year had Hermione opened her own apothecary shop, modeling it after a drugstore in the Muggle word. She stocked everyday remedies, healing potions, ice cream, you name it, and Hermione had it. Apparently Ron had gathered up the courage to not only ask Hermione to marry him, but he had done it in front of strangers.

"This is the best news I've had in ages! Now I will finally have a sister. Excuse me Harry, I've got to go write her back." Ginny threw her arms around Harry for a quick hug and rushed out of the Great Hall. Harry rather enjoyed the last part, where Ginny had hugged him. He had been able to smell her perfume and feel her soft form pressed against him. Trying not to smile too much, Harry looked down at his breakfast and noticed that a letter had arrived from Ron. Harry eagerly ripped it open.

'Dear Harry,

I suppose you've heard by now that I finally asked Hermione to marry me. It's true mate! I couldn't believe it myself until I did it. I thought I was suddenly feeling all brave, right? Turns out Fred and George gave me a love potion with my glass of pumpkin juice that morning. Those two are making tons of Galleons at their joke shop and they're wasting their time plotting against me? I dunno whether to hate them or thank them for finally giving me the courage to ask Hermione to marry me. I reckon I should thank them. At least she said yes.

What I'm writing to you about is to ask you to be my best man at the ceremony. Hermione's already asked Ginny to be her maid of honor. I know she'll probably go all goo-goo eyed over standing near you at a marriage ceremony, but I'll make sure she doesn't act too strange, all right? Do me this favor?

Write back soon, Ron

P.S. How's Ginny doing anyway? Is she making too much of an embarrassment over you at Hogwarts?

Harry laughed at Ron's last comments and folded the letter up into his pocket. He'd write Ron back tonight and ask him about Colin. Although he didn't want to admit it to himself, he wanted to know if Ginny was available.