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“Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her.”

After months of pining after his best friend’s little sister, Harry finally succumbs to his urges and kisses Ginny Weasley at the very end of Chapter 24. Even though Harry has spent weeks worrying about what Ron’s reaction might be, he ultimately finds his attraction to Ginny too strong to fight off. This kiss is one of a handful of times in the series that Harry puts his own wants and desires over his friends’ needs. Throughout Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, readers are reminded that Ron, Hermione, and Harry are growing up and beginning to entertain thoughts about members of the opposite sex. Although Harry’s relationship to Ginny seems charmed at first, and they enjoy their time together immensely, Harry cannot revel in her company for very long. Because of Harry’s unique position as the “Chosen One,” he knows that Voldemort will only use those close to him for Voldemort’s own gain or to blackmail Harry into submission. Harry is forced to end his relationship with Ginny prematurely because of the threat of retribution by Voldemort. In Voldemort’s eyes, having a girlfriend is a significant weakness for Harry and something Voldemort can easily exploit. Once again, Harry’s destiny interferes with his heartfelt desire to just be a normal Hogwarts student, whose priorities are Quidditch, classes, and girls. Instead, Harry must constantly be worrying about the fate of the entire world and must sacrifice the one good thing that’s happened to him this year.

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