Harry had just fallen asleep when he felt someone shaking him.  Opening one eye, he saw Ron silhouetted against the light coming in from the window.  "Wake up, Harry," he said.  "You'll be late for breakfast."

"I'm not hungry," said Harry.  I'm tired.  I want to sleep."

"How can you be tired?  You've been asleep for over nine hours."

But, Harry just mumbled, "Go away.  Let me be," and turned over so he faced the wall away from both Ron and the light, falling asleep again as soon as he closed his eyes.  He awoke briefly when Ron shook him again, but instead of answering this time, just moaned and pulled away from Ron's touch.

Sometime later he felt some one shake him again, then heard a voice, but it wasn't Ron's this time.  Instead he heard Professor McGonagall say, "Potter -- Potter.  Wake up."

Harry rolled over and opened his eyes, shielding them with one hand from the glare of the light.  "Wha -- What is it?" he said.

"What's wrong with you, Potter?  Weasley here thought maybe you'd been cursed, when he couldn't wake you up this morning, especially since they couldn't wake Ginny Weasley either."

"Nothing's wrong with me, Professor.  I'm just tired.  I didn't want any breakfast so I thought I'd sleep in a bit."  He saw a look of comprehension come over Professor McGonagall's face.  "That's what Miss Weasley said, too.  Anything going on that I should know about, Potter?"

"Oh, no, Professor.  I couldn't sleep the other night with all that's happened.  I just needed to catch up on my sleep."

"All right, Potter.  I don't see any sign of a spell on either of you...Potter --"

"Yes, Professor?"

"Be careful."  With that, she turned and strode from the room.  Ron remained standing beside Harry's bed with his mouth open.  When McGonagall had gone, he said, "Are you grinding my sister, Harry?"

Awake now, Harry sat up on his bed.  "That's none of your business, Ron."

"What you mean, it's none of my business?  She's my sister.  His face was almost as red as his hair."

"And she's --"  Harry hesitated, looking for the right word.  "She's the girl I love.  I'm going to marry her someday, so whatever happens between her and me is none of your business, even if she's your sister."

"How are you going to marry her?  Are you forgetting You-Know-Who?  I thought you were going to break up with Ginny so he wouldn't come after her.  If you're boffing her -- if he finds out you love her -- don't you think he'll come after her?  Did you forget all about that?"

It's not that Harry had forgotten it.   It's just that he couldn't have done anything else.  What boy, wizard or not, could have turned down a girl like Ginny?  He wished he wasn't Harry Potter -- The Chosen One.  Why couldn't he be just an ordinary wizard?  If he could have Ginny, he'd almost settle for being a muggle.

"Don't be mad, Ron.  I love her."

"So, you did boff her?"

"I'm not telling you one way or the other," Harry said, his voice loud and angry,  "Whatever we do. Whenever we do it, is between Ginny and me.  It's none of your business.  It's not even your parent's business.  You boffed Lavender, didn't you?"  A look like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar came over Ron's face.  "And, you never told me."

"She's not your sister."

"All the more reason for me not to tell you what Ginny and I are doing.  She is your sister.  Look how mad you are, and you don't even know for sure we're doing it.  I'm damn sure not going to tell you, if you're going to act this way.  Now, go away.  I want to go back to sleep."

Ron left, stamping out of the room; but Harry was a long time going to sleep.  If he had to choose between Ginny and Ron, he would choose Ginny, but would hate to have to make that choice.  He and Ron had been more than friends, they'd been like brothers.

Harry thought about all the times he had strived to patch up a rift between Hermione and Ron.  Now, a chasm -- a veritable canyon -- had opened up between him and Ron.  He didn't see any way of closing it.  Apparently, he'd been right to worry about dating Ron's sister, but it was too late now.   While Ron's friendship was important to him, Ginny's love was vital.  After the previous night, life without her would have no meaning.

And, it wasn't sex alone which had made the difference.  Harry was certain that he and Ginny were meant for each other -- just as his mother and father had been.  With her, he felt complete for the first time in his life.  With her, he finally belonged to someone.  That he was an orphan, no longer defined his life.  For the first time, someone loved him, and loved him above all others, for he had no doubt that Ginny did love him that much.

She hadn't said it.  She hadn't said, "Harry I love you more than anyone.  She hadn't needed to.  Although Harry loved hearing her say, "I love you," -- if she never said it again -- it wouldn't matter.  He knew she loved him.  In the core of his soul, he knew she loved him; and, that's what made his life complete.  Compared to that --only compared to that -- Ron's friendship was unimportant.

Finally, he slept; but only because he was exhausted from the previous night.

When Harry awoke, no one was around.  By that time, only the four of them were staying in Griffindore Tower.  All the other students had gone home.  He walked to the library, hoping to find Hermione, but she wasn't there.  Although he desperately wanted to see Ginny, he didn't want to face Ron -- or her parents.  In passing, he wondered if Ron had reported his suspicions, to his parents, but didn't think he would have.  Still, he wasn't ready to face either them or Ron.

Since it was still daylight -- even though he wasn't sure it was allowed -- he decided to go see Hagrid.  To play it safe, he wore his invisibility cloak.

After Hagrid opened the door, responding to his knock, he looked around, a puzzled look on his face for a moment, then said, "Is tha yeh, Harry?"

"Yes, said Harry, "Let me in?"

Hagrid stepped back into his cabin.  He had filled the doorway, leaving no room for Harry to enter.  Harry walked in, shutting the door behind him, then pulled off the cloak.

"Jus yeh, Harry?  Where's Ron an Hemione?  Yeh shouldn' be here, Harry.  Summat mighta happen to yeh out by yerself. Leastwise yeh oughta have Ron an Hermione wid yeh."

"I -- I haven't seen them today."  He was stretching the truth some, since he had seen Ron that morning, but he didn't want to tell Hagrid about the argument they'd had.  He especially didn't want to explain what it had been about. 

"Yeh ain' seen 'em?"

"No, I slept late this morning; and I haven't gone looking for them yet."

"Are yeh all righ, Harry.  Yeh ain' sick or summat, are yeh?"

"No, Hagrid.  I've just been having trouble sleeping, thinking about Dumbledore and all."  That was at least a partial truth.  He had spent a night wandering the halls thinking about Dumbledore.

"Yeah," said Hagrid, a tear forming in each eye.  "I ain' ben sleepin neither."  Then he started bawling.  "I miss him, Harry."

Harry patted his arm.  Having grown the last year, he could reach higher than Hagrid's elbow now.  "I know, Hagrid.  I miss him, too.  You're staying here at Hogwarts I understand."

"Someone's gotta look after the place.  Someone's gotta take care'a the animals."

"We're leaving soon, Hagrid -- and I don't think we're ever coming back.  I -- I'll miss you, Hagrid."  Tears running down Harry's face, he put his arms around Hagrid, who clutched him, tightly enough to drive the breath from his lungs. Though Hagrid had never been a father figure to Harry as Dumbledore had been, he had been a friend; and Harry had had few of those in his life.  He hated to lose this one; for he didn't know when he'd see him again.

Life was so short!  It wasn't something a boy his age would normally think about, but he'd already seen so much death -- death of those closest to him.  Ginny was the only person left that he truly loved.  And he could be dead tomorrow -- or she could be.  He didn't know what to do.  He didn't want to waste a single moment of the time he had left with her, but his being with her, endangered her.

He wanted to tell Hagrid how he felt, but he didn't think he would understand.  Hagrid knew about sex.  Caring for all the animals he did, he had to; but did he know anything about love?  He'd never heard Hagrid talk about being in love.

After having tea with Hagrid and talking for awhile, Harry left, with Hagrid's assurance that he'd see him before he left Hogwarts.  It was dinner time by then, so he went to the dining hall.  He'd have to face Ron and the Weasleys sooner or later, anyway.

"There he is," said Mrs Weasley, when Harry walked in. 

Ginny jumped up, ran to him, and kissed him.  She'd been sitting next to her parents, on the opposite side of the table from Ron and Herimone.  "Harry.  Are you all right?  I was worried about you.  Where have you been?  I looked in the dorm for you."

"I'll tell you later, all right?" he whispered.  He didn't want to admit to the Weasleys that he'd gone outside of the castle by himself; then out loud, he said, "I was just walking around -- taking a last look at the place, I guess."

Supper was strange that night.  Mr. Weasley discussed -- somewhat derisively -- the new measures being put in place by the Ministry of Magic.  They had arrested more people, but few -- outside of the Ministry -- were convinced that those arrested were actually Death Eaters.  "Just more scapegoats, I'm afraid," said Mr. Weasley. 

Ginny held Harry's hand throughout dinner, awkwardly eating with the other, causing Harry to do the same.  Mrs. Weasley beamed at her daughter, and Mr. Weasley, obviously a little upset by the open display of affection, said nothing.  They liked Harry.  That had long been obvious.

Ginny and Hermione chatted with each other and with Harry and Ginny's parents.  Harry answered questions put to him, but kept glancing at Ron, who, with his head down, looking only at his food, said nothing throughout the meal -- other than a monosyllabic reply or grunt when questioned.   He refused to look at Harry or his sister.

When they'd finished eating, Ron, mumbling something about having to go to the bathroom, left ahead of the others.  Harry, Hermione, and Ginny walked back to Griffindore Tower by themselves.  "How's Bill," Harry asked.

"He's better," said Ginny.  Madam Pomfrey said he'd probably be well enough to go home tomorrow.  I guess we'll be leaving then."

"Am I -- Am I still invited to come along."  He dreaded the idea of spending the next month at the Dursley's rather than at the Weasley's.

"Of course you are," said Ginny.  "Why wouldn't you be?"

"Well, Ron --"

"Bugger Ron!' said Ginny, loud enough to startle Harry.  "He didn't invite you, my parents did -- and I want you to come, so it doesn't matter what Ron wants."

Harry was concerned about talking in front of Hermione.  He wondered if Ron had discussed his suspicions with her; and -- as prim and proper as she was -- how would she feel about it, if she knew he was boffing Ginny? Oh, she snogged Ron pretty good; and he suspected they'd done more; but Ginny had said she hadn't gone all the way with Ron.  Harry suspected she was still a virgin; but -- until last night -- he and Ginny had been, too.

Ron wasn't in Griffindor Tower when they arrived.  Saying, "I'm going to do some reading, Hermione went into her dorm room, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the common room.  After several long kisses, the two so tightly embraced that it was difficult to tell where one left off and the other began, Ginny pulled away.  "Where were you?" she asked.  "You told me you'd tell me later."

"I went to see Hagrid."

"Oh, Harry.  You know we're not supposed to go out of the castle."

"It was all right.  I took my invisibility cloak.  No one saw me."

"You still shouldn't have gone.  It's too dangerous.  I'd die if something happened to you, Harry.  I'm not just saying that.  I'd really die.  I know I would."

"Harry kissed the tears that were running down her cheeks.  "I was all right, really.  I -- I had to get away for awhile.  Ron knows.  Ron knows what we did last night.  I didn't tell him, but he knows."

"So what?" said Ginny.

"So what?  That's all?  Just so what?  You don't care if he knows?"

"I'd rather he didn't, but only because he's the way he is.  He was bound to find out sooner or later.  I'm glad he knows."

"But he's my friend -- or at least he was my friend.  Now, he's mad at me.  I don't think we'll ever be friends again."

"He'll get over it."

"I don't think so," said Harry.

"Look, Harry.  You might think you know Ron, but I've lived with him all my life.  I think I know him better than you do.  Trust me.  He'll get over it.  This isn't the first time I've seen him like this."

"Do you think Hermione knows?" asked Harry.

"Sure she does.  I told her."

"You told her?  But I wouldn't have told Ron or anyone.  When he confronted me, I refused to tell him whether we'd done it or not.  It's not honorable to tell another guy that you're boffing a girl.":

"Bollocks!  Girls tell each other everything; at least we tell our best friends everything."

"What did she say?" asked Harry.

"She's never done it, so she asked me about it.  She wanted to know all about it -- whether it hurt -- how it felt."

"Did it hurt?

"A little at first, but only for a minute."

"I'm sorry.  I wouldn't want to hurt you for anything," said Harry, feeling guilty that what had been only pleasure to him, had caused Ginny pain."

"Don't be silly.  It didn't hurt much -- and not for long.  It was worth it.  It would have been worth ten times as much pain."  Then Ginny laughed.  "She wanted to know how big your dobber was."

Feeling his ears burn, Harry knew his face must be red.  "What did you tell her?"

"I told her I hadn't seen that many -- at least not when they were hard.  You can't grow up in a house with five brothers without seeing one naked from time to time; but I never saw one when he had a hard-on."

"Mine was the first one you ever saw hard?"  Harry knew Ginny had been a virgin, but she had gone with Dean for a long time, and their snogging had been hot and heavy at times.

"No, I saw Dean's.  He kept showing it to me, hoping he'd convince me to let him do me."

"Did you ever touch it?"

"This is making me a little uncomfortable, Harry.  You know I love you -- and you're the first boy I ever did it with.  What does it matter what I did with Dean?"

"It doesn't.  I was just curious, I guess."

"All right.  I touched it.  I jacked him off several times.  It was the only way I could get him to leave me alone -- to get him to quit trying to boff me.  But, I thought you were boffing Romilda Vane.  She kept sayhing you were."

"I never even really went out with Romilda.  We snogged a little when she cornered me when we were alone.  I can't believe she actually said I was boffing her."

"A lot of girls would like to have it known that you were boffing them, Harry.  You were the biggest prize at Hogwarts.  Other than some of the Slytherin girls, just about all of them wanted you.  Except for Hermione, who wanted Ron.  The poor, addle-brained girl."

"But, let's don't talk about other people," Ginny said.  "Let's don't talk at all."  Reaching down, she placed her hand on the dobber of recent discussion.  It throbbed beneath her touch."

"We can't do it here.  Ron might come back at any minute," said Harry.

"We can leave," said Ginny.  My dad didn't put a spell on the door tonight.  We'll just have to be back before midnight when the password changes."

They went looking for a room they could use.  They didn't see Ron duck out of sight around a corner as they walked by, then follow them after they had passed.

They went into a classroom, past the desks over next to the windows.  The moon, about half-full, was up and light from it was streaming through the windows.  The recent mist had dissipated.  They kissed for a while, then Ron saw Ginny pull Harry's t-shirt over his head. Harry, unbuttoning her shirt, removed it, revealing her breasts.  Ron could see his sister's nipples in the moonlight. Although the moonlight washed out much of the color, he could see Harry and Ginny clearly.

Next, Ginny undid Harry's belt and unbuttoned his pants, dropping them down around his ankles.  Ron could see his erection pressing against his underwear, but not for long.  When Ginny pulled them down, he saw Harry's willie in all its glory.  It stuck out from him, pointing at Ginny.  Placing her hand on it, Ginny tiptoed up to kiss Harry, then bent over, placing his penis in her mouth.  Harry's penis in his sister's mouth!  It was too much for Ron.  Remembering a spell he and Harry had laughed about in the Half Blood Prince's -- Snape's -- potion book, he threw open the door, directed his wand at Harry's offending member, and said, "Infantiliamus."

A streak of red light shot from his wand to Harry's groin, striking his genitals, knocking him against the wall.  Ginny hadn't gone unscathed either.  She was knocked back onto her arse.  Harry felt -- first a pain -- then a shrinking sensation in his groin.  His penis was no longer hard.  It was no longer big.  Both it and his testicles had shrunk to the size of an infant's, his pecker no more than an inch long, his nadgers -- if he still had any -- hidden beneath a small fold of skin which hung from his tiny pecker.

Ron stared, with some satisfaction, at his handiwork, then turned and walked from the room.