Here’s how Ginny and Harry’s relationship blossomed from book to book. Because when it comes to true love, we’re very weird and like to nitpick every moment.

Chamber of Secrets

Ginny Weasley didn’t get the coolest introduction to Harry’s life. She was 11, she was awestruck and she had the biggest crush ever. There was a lot of running away, squealing, staring at Harry from behind doors and generally being mortified at existing in the same four-mile radius as him. It’s the classic world of a pre-teen.

Ginny was part of Harry’s life right from the start – from her first appearance on platform nine and three-quarters as a young, fiery girl who wanted desperately to go to Hogwarts. She became a regular feature and part of his growing bond with the Weasley family.

It wasn’t long before he became more aware of her and what she was doing. And there’s nothing like saving someone from the grip of the world’s Darkest wizard to cement a life-long bond.

‘Ginny!’ Harry muttered, sprinting to her and dropping to his knees. ‘Ginny! Don’t be dead! Please don’t be dead!’ He flung his wand aside, grabbed Ginny’s shoulders and turned her over.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Prisoner of Azkaban

After not the greatest first year at Hogwarts, Ginny came back for her second year far more relaxed. Although there were still bouts of turning scarlet (she was only 12, after all), there were also giggles, in-jokes and astute observations about people and life. Much like her cheeky older brothers, Ron, Fred and George, Ginny was starting to develop that same wicked sense of humour.

‘Ah, there’s Penelope!’ said Percy, smoothing his hair and going pink again. Ginny caught Harry’s eye and they both turned away to hide their laughter as Percy strode over to a girl with long, curly hair, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn’t miss his shiny badge.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Goblet of Fire

By the time Harry hit his fourth year, Ginny was like the honorary member of the Harry, Ron and Hermione circle of trust.

Thanks to a summer at the Quidditch World Cup, a more mature Ginny easily slid into the friendship group. She seemed thick as thieves with Hermione, who (heaven forbid) could do with a bit of female company after hanging out with two boys for so long.

Ginny was light-years away from just being known as ‘Ron’s little sister’ (boo!) – although she still looked ‘extremely miserable’ when Ron suggested she go to the Yule Ball with Harry, but had already said yes to Neville.

Order of the Phoenix

In Order of the Phoenix, Ginny and Harry spent nearly an entire summer together at Grimmauld Place, headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Not the most romantic of venues, of course, but the cramped atmosphere and the endless cleaning tasks brought them closer together.

Now 14, Ginny’s abilities were hard not to notice. She was fantastic at magic: her Bat-Bogey Hex was the stuff of legend; she loved Quidditch as much as Harry, if not more, and on top of all that she was smart, inventive and not afraid to stand up for herself. A great case in point being when Harry moped away after seeing Voldemort’s snake attack Mr Weasley.

‘Well, that was a bit stupid of you,’ said Ginny angrily, ‘seeing as you don’t know anyone but me who’s been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.’
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Half-Blood Prince

By book six, Ginny had a comfortable rapport with Harry – she was often catching his eye, and it wasn’t long before that began to look like something more than a cheeky inside joke Harry could have with any of the Weasleys. After another summer together, Harry got a little confused about his feelings for her.

They had lived, had they not, like brother and sister all summer, playing Quidditch, teasing Ron and having a laugh about Bill and Phlegm? He had known Ginny for years now … it was natural that he should feel protective … natural that he should want to look out for her … want to rip Dean limb from limb for kissing her … no … he would have to control that particular brotherly feeling …
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Up to this point, Harry had virtually been an honorary member of the Weasleys for six years and thought of Ginny as a sister. But he realised what Ginny had come to mean to him, and so began a fun year of frustration as he wrestled with his feelings and worried about what Ron might think if he acted on those feelings.

Deathly Hallows

Ripples of cold undulated over Harry’s skin. He wanted to shout out to the night, he wanted Ginny to know that he was there, he wanted her to know where he was going.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Despite being far away hunting Horcruxes, Ginny was never far from Harry’s mind as he began his travels. Although they reluctantly split up, their stolen moments together speak volumes. A particular passionate clinch that Ron walked in on seemed positively infuriating for them both. After all that time together in their youth, suddenly time was so precious.

19 years later, however, we all know what happens…

Harry kept smiling, and waving, even though it was like a little bereavement, watching his son glide away from him ...
The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry’s hand was still raised in farewell.
‘He’ll be all right,’ murmured Ginny.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows