I normally write to Canon, so this is a big change for me. This will probably be my only Alternative Universe fiction. Apologies for all of those who are waiting on updates to my other stories. I’m currently working on six different H/G Fan fictions, all at once, and jumping between them all, so they will all get there. Thanks for your patience. In the meantime, here’s something new from me, which I hope you enjoy!
I'd also like to throw out another big thank you to AmelÃe and Eric for their stellar work Betaing! :)
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Kissing Lessons | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP, Alternate Universe Characters:Harry/Ginny, Hermione Granger, Other, Ron Weasley Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fluff, Humor, Romance Warnings: Mild Language, Mild Sexual Situations Rating: PG-13 Reviews: 32 Summary: What if Harry had never walked in on Ginny and Dean snogging in the corridor, and never actually realised he had feelings for her? What if Cho split up with Michael Corner during his sixth year, and asked Harry out again? What if a harmless talk in the library between Harry and Ginny changed EVERYTHING! An Alternative Universe Fiction - True love always finds a way. Hitcount: Story Total: 12192; Chapter Total: 3908 Author's Notes: |
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Ginny Weasley walked into the library with a pile of books under one arm, a small school bag under the other. She needed space, peace to study, a break from everyone and everything else. It had been a week since her break-up with Dean, and she just wished everyone would quit pestering her about it. She breathed a sigh of relief when she got there; the place was practically deserted! She sat down at what she thought was a vacant table, and started her laying out her books and papers in some sort of semblance of order. She picked a quill out her bag, and, taking a blank sheet of parchment, began to write. “Ahem,” came a voice from over her shoulder. She turned to see her brother’s best friend, Harry Potter, holding a large stack of library books in his arms. “Like stealing other people’s tables, do you, Weasley?” he asked in a quiet yet teasing voice. “Eh??” she replied, “I’m sorry, Harry, but this table was empty when I got here. And anyways,” she continued, frustrated at the interruption, “I never realised that ALL the tables in the library were the property of Harry Potter!? I guess I must have missed the memo?!” Harry just shook his head. “It’s okay, Ginny, you can sit there if you like. I’ll…find somewhere else.” He turned, walked a few tables away, and placed his books down. She smirked. The cheek of him! she thought to herself, Expecting me to move, when there were loads of other perfectly good tables here lying empty! She put her head down, and started writing again, but she had only written a couple more sentences when she noticed Harry was back at her side. “Look…what do you want now, Harry?!” she said irritably. She wouldn’t normally be so grouchy, especially to Harry Potter of all people, but didn’t he realise she had come down here especially to get away from it all? So she could concentrate on her studies? Mostly however, so she didn’t have to answer any more questions about Dean, and their break-up “I was just…uhm…getting my stuff. Sorry, Ginny. I won’t disturb you again!” With that, Harry picked up a few books from the edge of her table, reached down by her side, and untangled his bag which had been hanging over the chair where she was now sitting, and threw it over his shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said nervously, and then he turned to walk away. “Oh God!” she gasped, putting her hand over her eyes, “I’m really sorry, Harry! I never actually realised you were sitting here! I just thought…oh, I don’t know. Look, I’ll move. God, I feel like such a Burundian kowtowing toady!” Harry shook his head, and laughed. “Don’t worry about it, Gin. Really…I’m fine! Besides, there are plenty of other tables around here for me to sit and sulk at. Sorry if I came across as cheeky. I’ll leave you to it. It must be really important.” Ginny started at him blankly, “What?” “Your test…or whatever it is that’s got you so wound-up. Just… give me a shout if you need a hand with anything, okay?” He gave her a weak smile, and then he returned to his table, and buried his head back in his books. About ten minutes had passed since she had stolen his table, and so far Ginny had only managed to write a few more sentences; the exchange with Harry still preying on her mind. Though he had said he wasn’t bothered about moving, she still felt guilty about the way she had spoken to him. She glanced across at him every now and then, trying to see what he was working on, but he seemed to be lost in another world. She could see quite clearly that he hadn’t even opened any of the books from the small pile in front of him. He was just sitting there, his head in his hands, staring down at them. What was that look on his face? Was it one of…worry? Possibly? He certainly seemed troubled over something. Not being one to sit in the sidelines when her friends were in need, especially if it would take her mind off her own worries, she decided to go over and see if she could help... “Look, Harry…” she began, as she sat herself down on the chair facing him, “I’m really sorry about earlier…” He looked up. “Eh? Ohhhh…no, it’s fine. I said it was fine at the time.” He gave her a weak smile. “Is everything all right, Harry?” she asked concerned. “Only, you seem a bit…distracted.” “Oh…” was all he could say. “Look,” she hesitated, “I know I’m not Ron or Hermione, but you know you can still talk to me if anything’s bothering you, right? I mean, we are still friends.” “Thanks, Ginny,” he said, “that means a lot! Really! It’s just…I don’t really want to talk to anyone right now about it. This is just something I have to figure out by myself” Ginny studied his face, trying to see if she could tell anything from his expression. Something was clearly bothering him. “You know you don’t have to do everything by yourself, Harry. You do have friends, you know; ones that are always willing to lend an ear, if you just need someone to just listen.” She had started to get up to walk away, but then she stopped herself. No, if Harry needed help or was in trouble, she was going to help him. He deserved that much, at least! Hadn’t he done so much for her, for her family? Half of them already owed him their lives. He had saved her father’s life only last year in the Department of Mysteries. He had saved Ron just a few weeks ago after he had accidentally drank from a poisoned bottle of mead, and what terrible fate would she have suffered in the Chamber of Secrets, had he not intervened? No, she was not moving until he told her what was troubling him. Not until she found some way to help. “Is it…is it about…You-Know-Who, Harry? Is that what this is about? Is that why you’re shutting yourself down here, brooding in an empty library, away from all your friends?” Harry laughed. “No, Ginny, it’s nothing like that!” he said. “Really! Look, it doesn’t matter! I’m fine…honestly!” Ginny stared at him seriously. “Well, whatever it is, it looks like it matters to you! And you don’t look fine. I’m sorry, Harry, but you don’t! You’re really starting to worry me here!” “It’s nothing like that. Seriously, Ginny, it’s nothing to be worried about. Honestly!” he said, trying to reassure her. “Well then, what is it? What’s going on that’s got you so upset? And don’t even try to deny it! You should know by now that I wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Not even Ron or Hermione, if you don’t want them knowing whatever this is? You know you can trust me, right?” She gave him pleading look. “It’s just…” Harry began, but then he hesitated. “No, forget it! Look Ginny, I’m just being really daft here, worrying over nothing.” “Come on, Potter… spill!” said Ginny frustrated. “I can’t help, if you don’t tell me what’s wrong!” “Well…okay, please don’t say anything to Ron or Hermione about this.” Harry began, “but…Cho Chang…kind of…asked me out.” Suddenly, Ginny Weasley’s face split into a huge grin. “Wow, Harry...that’s great,” said Ginny beaming. “I’m really happy for you!” Harry just shrugged weakly. “It IS really great, right?” she asked, trying to read his expression. “Yeah, I guess so…” he shrugged again. “You guess? YOU GUESS?! Harry, what’s to guess?!” she asked confused. “You’ve had a thing about her for ages, and now she wants to see you! What’s to be so down about? I mean... you’re not the one who just got dumped!” Now Harry looked confused. “Eh?? I thought YOU dumped HIM?” Ginny bristled angrily, “Oi! Watch it, Potter! I thought we were talking about YOUR love life, NOT mine? I really don’t want to talk about Dean right now.” “Sorry…uhm…I won’t bring it up again,” he said sheepishly. “Oh, you better not!” she said warningly. “So, anyways, how did it happen?” “Ehhh?” “I mean, how did she ask you out? What did she say? Was it romantic? I want all the juicy details, mind!” she grinned. Harry shrugged. “Well... she…just sort of came up to me in the corridor after class today…asked if we could have a private chat. Then we went into the room of requirement…” “Oh, I bet you did!” smirked Ginny. “I didn’t realise you had it in you, Harry!” she said, winking at him. “No, it was nothing like that!” Harry said defensively, his cheeks blushing scarlet. “She just…well…she asked me if I’d like to go to Hogsmeade with her. As…kinda…errmm...friends.” Ginny looked confused. “What do you mean by kinda friends?” “Well…” he began, “she said she wasn’t sure if she had made the right decision breaking up with me, but…well…she was so confused after Cedric…and sort of on the rebound…and she still felt bad the way things had ended with us.” “Go on,” prompted Ginny “Well, then she said she’d like to spend time with me, just as friends at first, and see how we felt. You know, figure out if we both wanted to try again, instead of jumping in feet first. I guess she has just broken up with Michael, and doesn’t want to rush into anything.” “But that’s still a good thing, right?” said Ginny reassuringly. “I mean, once she’s spent some time with you, she’ll realise what a great guy you are again, and things will work out?” “Yeah, I guess. I don’t know,” he said, looking defeated. “Well, so what’s the problem?” Ginny looked confused. She could tell there was something Harry wasn’t telling her; something that was troubling him. “It’s nothing Ginny…really…I’m just being really stupid! Honestly!” “No, something’s bothering you!” she said firmly. “And I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s got you this worried!” Harry shook his head and sighed, “You...wouldn’t understand.” “So try me,” she said “Gin…” Harry began “Just try me!” she said. “Look Harry, I’m a good listener, and I promise I won’t judge. But I can’t understand if you don’t explain it to me? Please?” “It’s just that…well… Okay, so you know Cho’s a year older than me,” he said, looking nervous. “And…what does that matter?” “Well...” he began, “I mean...she went out with Cedric for months, you know, and I think they were really close. And then, well, when I think about it, I’m not even sure if we were properly together, Cho and I. I mean, when we finally went out she was still really cut up over Cedric. She was the first person I ever kissed…the only person, if I’m being honest. And even at that, it was only really a peck on the lips. I’m not sure if you’d even call it a proper kiss, not when you look at what Ron and Lavender were like! What I mean to say is, well, we never really snogged properly or anything like that. And then…well…right after we fell apart, she went out with Michael…and she was with him for almost a year, and they WERE really serious, at least, from what I saw…and...I haven’t been with anyone else since her,” Harry finished, looking almost defeated. “That’s only because you’ve been too busy out saving the Wizarding World, Harry!” smiled Ginny. “Yeah...” grumbled Harry, “well, maybe that’s the problem. Facing Voldemort, fighting against Death Eaters, battling mountain trolls and dragons and basilisks and giant spiders; that’s all stuff I can do. Just don’t ask me how to be in a proper relationship. It’s not easy, you know,” he sighed thoughtfully “I guess I’ll always be too busy with my destiny and all that rubbish to ever have a normal life...” It hurt Ginny to see Harry like this. Sometimes she forgot how much he was missing out on. Captain of the Quidditch team, Tri-Wizard Champion, school hero, yet he’d never really had a proper girlfriend. Not because he wasn’t popular, or handsome, or a really great guy, because he was in all those counts. He just had too much weight on his shoulders for someone his age. When he should have been thinking of girls, and letting his hair down and enjoying his teenage years, he was instead forced to take on an adult’s responsibilities; to bear the deaths and suffering of everyone he ever loved, his parents, Sirius, and miss out on all that should be a part if growing up. He was so brave and popular and courageous, and yet at the same time so nervous and broken and insecure, she could see that clearly. In that moment, she felt a tiny part of her heart break for him. “But that’s not even it,” Harry continued, “I mean, I know I don’t have as much experience as she has, not that there’s anything bad about that. I mean, she is a year older…and really pretty. It’s just that…I don’t want her to think that I’m…” Harry paused. Was he making any sense? Did she understand what he was getting at, or was he just being insecure and worrying too much over nothing? “This is because you feel like you won’t live up to her expectations, or something stupid like that? Isn’t it? You think just because she’s been in two serious relationships, and you’ve barely even kissed a girl, that she’ll think you’re a let-down or something? That when she finally snogs you, she’ll compare you to her exes, and think you’re rubbish? That you won’t measure up to them because you aren’t as experienced as them with girls? Is that it?” she asked, raising one eyebrow. “Do you…do you really think that?” Harry looked really hurt. “No, of course not, Harry,” gasped Ginny. “Honestly! Girls don’t work like that! Besides, there’s much more to a relationship than just the snogging! I doubt Cho will even bother about that stuff! So what if you haven’t really snogged anyone properly yet? That will come with time. We all have to learn at some point or other. Besides, she must have really liked you a lot to kiss you in the first place, especially when she was still dealing with her feelings for Cedric, and how he died. You’ll be fine, and I’m sure she’ll probably be a really good teacher!” she smirked. Harry looked annoyed. “But that’s just it! I don’t want her to teach me! I want…” Harry paused again. “Harry...I understand, really I do! You want your first proper kiss with her to be perfect. You probably want it to be the best snog she’s ever had, but you’re afraid you’ll be awful because you’ve never had any proper practice? That’s what all this sulking’s about, isn’t it? You want to be everything she expects, and more. You’ve probably dreamt about kissing her for years, about being the best boyfriend ever, but now you’ve got your chance to finally patch things up between you, you’re worried you’ll do something wrong and blow it. Does that about sum it up?” asked Ginny observantly. God, thought Harry, how did she know what I was thinking? She understood him so well. Sometimes it was hard to comprehend how she even could be related to Ron, who, as Hermione pointed out, had the emotional range of a teaspoon. “Yeah, something like that,” he said ruefully. “You think Hogwarts would do a class on it? Kissing lessons? Be a lot more helpful than bloody Divination!” Ginny laughed. “You’re really funny, Harry, you know that? I’m sure that’ll be a huge plus for Cho.” “Yeah, well, don’t see that particular class ever happening in our lifetime!” he sniggered. “But maybe that’s the solution to the problems, then? Kissing lessons?!” she laughed again. “What? You think I should maybe ask Snape for some pointers?” Harry was laughing now. “I doubt he’s ever snogged anyone in his entire life, greasy-haired git! Still, maybe I should ask Hagrid if he could teach a class on Advanced Snogging Techniques. Although I don’t much fancy French-kissing a flobberworm.” Ginny grinned. “No, Harry, don’t be silly! I mean... it doesn’t have to be Snape, or any other teacher for that matter. I’m sure if you asked, a friend might be able to help you out? You know... to give you the lessons.” Harry laughed, shaking his head. “I was joking, Ginny! Seriously! I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Ginny raised one eyebrow. “Well, if you thought you were going to be fine, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, would we? And you wouldn’t be sitting in the library, hiding yourself away from your friends, staring at a pile of old books and feeling sorry for yourself!” “So what do you suggest, then?” asked Harry, confused as to where this conversation was heading. “Well, just what you said: You just need to find someone to practice with, before you go out with Cho. I mean…then you won’t be so stressed about everything.” “What do you mean? Practice?” asked Harry, now getting slightly worried with the way this conversation was heading. What was she suggesting? Surely she knew he was joking when he suggested ‘lessons’. “I mean, we find someone to practice your technique on,” smirked Ginny. “Eh?” “Your KISSING technique, dummy!” she said. Harry laughed, “Are you suggesting I practice on Ron?” “No, don’t be silly!” Ginny giggled. “You DO have female friends, you know! I know it’s a big favour to ask, but people care about you, Harry. I’m sure you could find someone to help. I mean, it’s not like it’s a big deal or anything!” “Eh?? Umm...I don’t want to appear as mental or anything, but wouldn’t that be cheating?” “Well…” began Ginny. “You said it yourself. You aren’t really going out with Cho until this weekend, and it’s not even technically a date. She just wants to go out as friends, and see how you both feel. So, really, until this weekend you’re still a free agent, and maybe after that if she decides still just wants to be friends. You’re not really an item, so it wouldn’t technically be cheating.” Harry now looked horrified! “Ginny! Seriously! I was joking when I said I needed ‘lessons’. Really! I don’t know where you get your ideas from, but I couldn’t just go around snogging other girls! It just wouldn’t be right!” Ginny laughed. “Harry, I don’t mean go around Hogwarts and snog a whole bunch of silly little floozies. That sort of thing will get you a reputation, and probably get back to Cho.” “Yeah,” Harry huffed, “it most probably would!” “I mean,” continued Ginny, “find a friend who doesn’t mind...helping you out. You know, give you pointers and such. That’s all! So that when you first kiss Cho properly, it’ll be perfect!” “What? Like who?” “Well…what about Hermione?” she asked tentatively. Harry laughed. “I don’t think that’d go down too well with Ron, do you?” “Well...” Ginny hesitated for a moment, “what about... me?” Harry laughed again. “Are you serious?!” “Harry,” continued Ginny, “we’ve been friends for years. I mean, I know I’m only your best friends little sister, but surely you could pretend I’m a girl?” “Wait a minute...you ARE serious!” he chuckled, staring disbelieving at Ginny. “Of course I am, Harry! You’ve always been there for me. Why shouldn’t I want to help you out?” “What about Dean?” he asked, raising his eyebrow. He couldn’t believe she was even suggesting this. “What about him?” Ginny shifted irritably. “Look,” said Harry, “we are good friends, you know? I would never do anything to hurt him!” “Well, Dean and I aren’t together anymore, we haven’t been in over a week now! So, I’m a free agent, I can snog whoever I like, and he can snog whoever he likes! That’s what happens when couples break up! Honestly, Harry, do you want help or not?” “I don’t know…” “Honestly, Harry, it wouldn’t be a problem! Dean and I are over. Besides, I don’t imagine it’ll get back to Dean, seeing as it’s just a favour between friends?” “What about Ron and Hermione? Oh God! Ron’s your brother! What are you thinking? I’d be dead! We’d both be dead! Why are we even discussing this?” Harry groaned. “Well, I don’t expect it to get back to Ron or Hermione either!” she replied calmly. “Honestly! You’re worrying too much! As I said, Harry, if we do this it will just be a one-off, to help you out. I wouldn’t suggest it if you didn’t look so cut up over this date. And afterwards we can pretend it never happened, right? It’ll just be our little secret.” Harry didn’t look too convinced. “I’m not really sure if this is such a good idea.” “Look, Harry, I’m just giving you the option, okay? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. I mean, we’re practically family! My mum’s always saying it! Just think of it as a friend helping a friend out. God knows you deserve it! Look at everything you’ve done for our family! I mean, look at what you did for me in the Chamber of Secrets! You could have died down there. We both could have died! But you still came down and risked your life to save me. Now, seeing you worried like this, well, it’s the least I could do for you! It’s really not a big deal!” “I don’t know, Ginny. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer and all. It’s just…well…I mean…it does seem like a big deal to me…and…well…you know…” “Oh, for God’s sake, Harry!” said Ginny, rolling her eyes. “It’s only a kiss! It’s not as though we’re going to be snogging our faces off! Seriously, if it makes you more comfortable, it can just be ninety percent theory, and ten percent practice. And if that still makes you feel uncomfortable, you can just close your eyes during the practical stuff, and imagine I’m Cho? Then I’ll be able to tell you what you’re doing wrong.” Harry just shook his head at her. He had to chuckle. He still couldn’t believe she was suggesting this, but at the same time, it did make a lot of sense. “You can just think of it as a lesson,” continued Ginny, “and then it won’t get awkward or weird for either of us. Besides, who did I go out with before Dean? If you want to be a better kisser than her last boyfriend, who better to teach you than his ex? And we both know it’s not leading anywhere. It doesn’t have to complicate things between us, and it doesn’t have to be a big deal or anything if we treat it right. It’s just one friend helping another friend out, right?” “Yeah, I guess,” said Harry. “I don’t know. You DID go out with Michael before her…so you would know if I was rubbish or not compared to him.” “Yeah, exactly; so who better to teach you how to kiss better than her ex, eh?” she gave him a weak smile. “Okay, I guess you’re right. It would be better to be prepared,” said Harry thoughtfully. “Exactly, just think of it as just one of your options. If you’re really tearing yourself up over this date as much as you look, then what harm could it do? You’re just going out with Cho as friends just now, so it wouldn’t really be cheating. It would just be me being your friend and giving you pointers and tips. It’s not like it’ll change anything between us. And, as I said, Harry, it really isn’t a big deal.” There was a short silence between them before Ginny spoke again, while Harry thought about her offer. He had to hand it to Ginny, she was a genius! Crazy, cracked, nuts, loopy and completely insane, but all the same, bloody brilliant! Yes, maybe it was better to be prepared. I mean, what harm could it do? Plus Cho had said she only wanted to be friends to begin with; she had made that point perfectly clear. So Ginny was right; it wouldn’t really be cheating. It would be good to know how to act in a proper relationship, and not mess things up with Cho before they even got started. He had to admit that. “Anyways,” she continued, “I better go back to my studying. Double Defence in the morning with the Slytherins, and Snape’s given us a ton of homework! I can’t stand that man!” With that, she got up to walk back to her table. “Thanks,” called Harry after her. “Anytime, Harry.” She grinned. “What are friends for, after all? Just think about it, okay?” “I will,” he said smiling. “Thanks again, Ginny. It means a lot!” Ginny grinned. She had been stressed about things all day, but after her conversation with Harry she was feeling in much better spirits. It would be good to do something for Harry for a change, to help him with his relationship. He did so much for everyone else; he deserved to have someone do something for him. It would also feel good for her to help fix someone else’s love life, when hers was in such a mess. To help Harry fix things so he could finally get together with Cho, the girl he had always wanted. It would feel good to be part of that. There were doubts, however. Niggling little doubts at the back of her mind, but she chose to ignore them. No, her silly little childish crush with Harry Potter was well over now. She knew there would never be anything between them. He had never seen her as anything more than Ron’s little sister, and she had gotten over those feelings for him a long time ago. No, they were friends, and as such she would put their friendship first, and try to help him. She would treat this as just one friend helping another friend out. After all, it’s not like this would change anything between them. No, she thought. Their friendship was much stronger than that. It wouldn’t change anything at all… |
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