Parallel
(Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley 'shipper story)
By JM Lane

DISCLAIMER: All Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling. The only thing that belongs to me is this story.

A/N: This is a WIP, meaning that it is currently unfinished--so expect periodic updates and additions.

Harry James Potter was in love. And what's more, he had been in love for a long time--but his nobility had forced him to give her up in an attempt to spare her the fate of his parents and beloved godfather, Sirius Black. On the other hand, no amount of fighting his feelings was doing him an ounce of good now. He was deeply and irrevocably in love and nothing he could do, nothing he told himself, changed that fact one bit. The problem was, did she still feel the same for him or had she gone on to someone else?

The mere thought of that possibility sent a sharp pain through his heart, as if a dragon's claws had slashed it in two…but he couldn't blame her if she had. He hoped she knew that he hadn't wanted to do it, that it was the hardest thing he had ever done in his now 21 years of life, four years post-Hogwarts.

In that time he had made a name for himself as an Auror, second only to the renowned "Mad-Eye" Moody. But not only his bachelor flat was terribly empty and lonely without his beloved beside him…his life was, period! He recalled what his friend Hermione had said shortly after he and Ginny had parted: "Harry, I can understand why you felt you had to break up with Ginny, but you mustn't be afraid to love. Your parents were not afraid, remember, despite the danger from You-Know-Who. You mustn't be, either.

"They were not afraid to love, not afraid to marry and have you. Can't you see that no matter what you do now, You-Know-Who or no You-Know-Who, that Ginny is your destiny, just as your mother was to your father? I remember Sirius mentioning once that risk is what made a given course of action exciting for him. True love is worth any risk, Harry. Don't deny yourself that happiness. If anyone deserves it, you do."

Harry could not argue with anything she said, and the pain inside him, the emptiness in his life, heart and home without Ginny argued even more strongly for her side…but he could not simply arrogantly assume that Ginny had refused all offers and remained loyal to him. Naturally his heart hoped that very thing, but his head told him it was unrealistic, even foolish, to take it for granted.

He had tried his best to keep in touch with his friends, but his Auror duties had consumed the majority of his waking hours for the better part of the past four years since he had left school. When he did think of them, it was usually very late at night when he was feeling especially lonely—and his pain had increased tenfold at the mention of Sirius. They had had a tragically short but very happy relationship and Sirius had become a mixture of surrogate father and big brother to Harry, helping and advising him whenever he could, even while he had to remain in hiding after his escape from Azkaban. Only after his death had he finally been exonerated of all charges against him.

Harry wished more than anything that he could have talked to Sirius about his feelings for Ginny, yet at the same time, knew he would have hesitated to do so because his godfather had died a childless bachelor…and whatever the danger from Lord Voldemort, Harry knew that was the one thing he didn't want. Eventually he wanted to be the father of at least one child—and when he was, he knew he wanted Ginny to be the mother of that child.

They would teach their child to be a member of the wizarding world as they were, even send him or her to Hogwarts eventually—although Harry would never forget his Muggle heritage. But first he had to track her down and find out what her life situation was like. Second, it was necessary for him to find out if she still loved him.

He could only hope that her and Ron's parents, Arthur and Molly Weasley, still lived in the Burrow and could help him, even a little. He had not taken a real vacation (at least not more than a weekend here and there, anyway) since he had become an Auror, so it was long past time for him to do so…and while he was at it, update himself on what had been happening with both his closest friends and the girl he still loved.

The next morning, shortly after he had awakened, bathed, dressed and breakfasted, Harry had reluctantly decided to Apparate to the Burrow. It was sufficiently late in the year that it was far too cold to fly on his broomstick, a considerably more advanced version of the Firebolt Sirius had given him while he was in school after his old broomstick had been destroyed. In fact, the Firebolt Ten Thousand could go faster, fly higher and do more complicated maneuvers than he had ever dreamed of…but he was too impatient to pack on cold-weather gear.

Apparition wasn't the most comfortable way to travel, but it was quick…and Harry had no idea where the nearest Portkey to his present home was, since he had moved several times in the four years following his leaving Hogwarts, finally signing the home Sirius had left him at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London, over to the Order of the Phoenix for their permanent headquarters.

His Auror duties had usually necessitated his being able to travel great distances rapidly and at a moment's notice—so often that Harry had eventually decided to simply maintain his Apparition License on a regular basis. He reserved the use of his Firebolt Ten Thousand for warmer weather, like late spring or summer. Maybe even into early fall. But right now his main concern was finding
out what had happened to his friends—and Ginny. If anyone would know, it was Molly Weasley.

Once he had recovered from the decidedly unpleasant sensation of having the breath literally squeezed out of him, if only momentarily, Harry found himself standing in the driveway of the Burrow. It looked just the same; it was as if time had passed it by. But surely the people inside
could not have stayed the same. As the old saying went, time waited for no man—not even a
wizard.

Oh well, he had best get himself in gear. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and straightened his clothing, then marched smartly up to the door and knocked. The kitchen curtain
was pulled back slightly and Harry had a brief glimpse of startled brown eyes and untidy red hair with streaks of grey in it before Molly Weasley opened the door and enfolded her surrogate son
in a hug that once again took Harry's breath away, if momentarily. Just the same, this latter sensation was infinitely more pleasant than the former.

"Harry, dear! So wonderful to see you! It's been so long! Come on in and have some breakfast!"

"Good to see you too," the young Auror managed once he had caught his breath again. "How are things with you?"

"Oh, just the same as always," Molly dismissed, automatically pointing her wand to the necessary dishes and utensils (including pots and pans filled with his favorite breakfast foods: biscuits, porridge, toasted brown bread with jam, bacon, eggs…and milk, automatically setting them at what had always been his regular place at the table). He would have preferred pumpkin juice or even butterbeer, but when Molly was in her lovingly dictatorial mood, nothing he said would budge her from her conviction that milk was the healthiest possible breakfast drink…so he didn't try.

Harry simply took his place at the table and sat down, picked up his knife and fork and began to eat. He found that he was hungry enough for three helpings, despite his earlier meal, and once he was full, found time to look around and ask where everyone else was. It had been at least two hours since
he had arrived, yet only he and Molly—Mrs. Weasley—were in the room. He suspected that Mr. Weasley was probably at work, but what about Ron? And most importantly, what about Ginny?

He was well aware that the other Weasley siblings were long since grown and gone, possibly even with businesses, if not families, of their own. If Harry remembered correctly, Ron's older brother Bill had married Fleur Delacour, one of his fellow champions in the Triwizard Tournament seven years ago…but that was all he knew for sure. What had happened in the meantime?

"Mrs. Weasley…" he began.

"Molly," she corrected. "You're a man now, Harry; you can call me by my Christian name."

"All right…Molly. I have a few questions for you."

"What would you like to know, dear?" Molly had bewitched her cup of tea so that it would automatically refill and add cream and sugar to the tea in the amounts she liked best when she said the word. In fact, she didn't even have to hold it, just keep it suspended in midair close to her. All she needed to do when she wanted a swallow was to move the cup so she could drink, then return
it to the original position.

"I'm afraid I'm frightfully behind on what's happened with Ron, Hermione and your family. Could you please update me?"

"Of course, dear. Fred and George have expanded their business and have now twice as much space as they originally did and are making Galleons hand over fist; I think they're too busy with their business to date much. Charlie still lives in Romania and has found a lovely wife there, both a very talented witch and Animagus—I think she can turn into a white Persian cat with crystal-blue eyes or something—although they don't have any children yet.

"But if I know this lot, it's only a matter of time, since Bill and Fleur now have a son two years old and another baby on the way, so I'm a Grandma now." Molly smiled at the thought but didn't elaborate. "As for Percy, we're finally reconciled; it's taken this long for him to finally accept that you were right about You-Know-Who. He never liked to admit he was wrong about anything."

Harry smiled and nodded, noting the glow of happiness in Mrs. Weasley's eyes that her third son was back in the family fold. He was now due to be promoted to Assistant Minister of Magic, in
fact, under Rufus Scrimgeour, Cornelius Fudge's successor. "Just the same, I'm sure you're most concerned about what happened to Ron and Hermione."

"It has crossed my mind, yes," Harry returned dryly, taking a sip of his large glass of milk flavored with his favorite Honeydukes chocolate.

Molly sighed and began after taking another swallow of her tea. "Ron now works as his father's assistant at the Ministry of Magic and Hermione has decided to become a teacher."

"A teacher! Well, she's certainly brainy enough—but just what has she decided to teach?"

"I don't think she really knows yet. All I know is that she's working toward her teaching degree…and if I know Hermione, she'll not only earn it, but get Merlin knows how many honors on top of that!"

"Is there anything you could tell me as to their…personal relationship? I never let on to Ron that I knew, but suspected that he was slowly but surely falling in love with Hermione. Jealousy such as
he displayed at the Yule Ball in our fourth year upon seeing her with the Durmstrang champion, Krum, convinced me of that. He kept telling himself no one had asked her to the Ball and kept denying it right up until the time we went there…but I've never known her to lie, particularly about something like that.

"Just the same, I can't say that I didn't find her most attractive myself in her evening dress and fancy hair. You know at the time that I fancied Cho Chang, but even as beautiful as she was, Hermione gave her stiff competition. I wouldn't have been normal if I hadn't been attracted to her. However…"

Harry's voice trailed off, wanting more than anything to ask about Ginny but afraid to because if the news wasn't good, he would be devastated. Just the same, he had to know, whatever the risk.

"However?" Molly prompted, leaning over to take a bite of cheese Danish, one of which was hovering next to her teacup, then leaning back in her chair.

"It's Ginny that I'm most curious about." Harry's tone was almost too quiet for Mrs. Weasley to hear, but even at that, she heard the hope mixed with fear in his young voice. "What's happened to her in the last few years?"

"Well, for one thing, she graduated from Hogwarts the year after you, Ron and Hermione. She now lives in London, in a small flat not too far from St. Mungo's. She decided to become a Healer."

"I'm…glad she's doing well financially. What about…emotionally?" he forced out.

"You mean, does she still…care for you?" Molly spoke for him. "Of course, Harry. She always has; I believe she always will. Just the same, she knows it's best to go on with life as best she can. Even at that, your leaving caused her almost unbearable heartache. I lost count of how many nights she cried herself to sleep in my arms. It was over a year before she could bring herself to begin her Healer studies."

"I'm very sorry to have hurt her…Molly," he apologized, pain again slashing through his heart at what his extraordinarily difficult and painful (but nonetheless necessary) actions had done to his beloved. "I didn't want to do it. But you must know and understand why I had to."

"I do, my dear," Molly crooned, reaching a hand to touch Harry's. He looked up into her kind brown eyes and knew she must read the love and pain in his own green ones. "But that didn't make it any easier for her to endure being without you. None of her other male friends have meant half as much to her as you do. I now firmly believe that you were—are—the love of her life. You always have been, from the moment the two of you first met…and always will be."

Just as she is mine, Harry thought to himself, but unable to voice that sentiment at the moment. He didn't dare until and unless he could be certain of Ginny's continued love for him. "Do you have her address? I'd like to go see her."

Molly Weasley seemed to hesitate for a moment but that hesitation was erased when she looked again into Harry's sea-green eyes, reciting it to him. He prepared himself to once again Apparate
to Ginny's home…or would it be better if he went to her workplace instead?

"Oh, yes, could you tell me what hours she works?"

Molly gave them to him; because of this, Harry rearranged his plans slightly. It was just about time for her to get off work, so he would go there and ask her to dinner, since she would surely be too tired to cook a meal. "I'd better go soon…Molly. Give my best to everyone and let Ron know I'll try to keep in closer touch with him and Hermione after this. By the way, you never did say how things were between them."

"As I said, you know how stubborn this lot are; up until about a year or so ago Ron was still denying his feelings for Hermione. It wasn't until she confronted him once and for all about it that he finally admitted it and they began seriously dating. In fact, I believe they're even…sharing a flat now." With that, Molly gave Harry the address, which was fortunately not too far from Ginny's own flat, so he would be able to walk there instead of having to Apparate again.

"Have you any idea whether or not they've thought about—getting married?" Harry made himself say as he got to his feet after finishing his milk and wiping his lips with a napkin.

"Not that I know of. You know how hard it is for Ron to deal with women on a romantic basis. I know he loves her, but I'll have to ask Hermione what she intends to do about it if he doesn't get up the nerve to propose to her soon."

"Maybe I'll make up some Felix Felicis or something and give him a bottle of it," Harry suggested. "All he needs is a little confidence."

"That's an idea," Molly agreed just before once again enveloping Harry in a tight hug. "Come to think of it, you could probably use some yourself, dear." She put a motherly hand on his cheek; Harry smiled even as his eyes misted with tears and he patted her hand before she withdrew it. "Best of luck with Ginny. Let me know how things turn out. I've always thought of you as part of the family and I would dearly love for you to truly be my son, if only by marriage."

"That's up to Ginny, I'm afraid," Harry returned quietly. "I'd better go now, before I lose what little nerve I've still got." They hugged tightly again and he left, once again Apparating before Molly's eyes. She was used to the noise one made while Apparating, but still found it most unpleasant. Just the same, her heart went out to the young man who had just visited her.

He was obviously deeply in love with her daughter, but at the same time very unsure of himself as to whether or not she still loved him and forgave him for what he had had to do four years ago. She wished she could have been certain of what would transpire, but all she could do was hope and pray things worked out for them…because if anyone deserved happiness, it was Harry—particularly after all he had been through in his life.

More than most grown wizards experienced in a lifetime! Harry needed someone to love him and take care of him…and Ginny was the ideal person to do that. But it would only happen if she was willing—and Molly prayed for both their sakes that she was even as she turned back to her teacup and Danish to finish them off, then cleaned up the kitchen with a few verbal orders and waves of her wand before going upstairs to dress.

It was only a short time later that Harry stepped through the window of the boarded-up department store that served as the entrance to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. After stating his business to the dummy, he stepped through the window and into the lobby. At the front desk, he asked where he would find Ginny; he was told that she worked on the 4th floor, which covered witch and wizarding patients with Spell Damage. She had always been good at that sort
of thing, so it didn't surprise him that she would choose that as her specialty. He soon located a lift going that way and within moments had stepped onto the 4th Floor.

There was also a desk there occupied by a kindly-looking grey-haired witch in green robes, most likely the Chief Healer on this floor. Harry approached the desk and asked for Ginny.

"Trainee Healer Weasley? What is your business with her, young sir?"

"I'm an…old friend of hers and wish to—surprise her," Harry replied, knowing how inane his excuse was but knowing it was the best he could come up with on short notice.

After a short silence, the grey-haired witch said, "She is presently in the break room. It is down the hall and to your right, the sixth door."

"Thank you," Harry returned with a smile before taking his leave, his heart beginning to pound so fast that he was hard-pressed to control himself and make his legs move—but by a supreme act of will, he managed. It was both the longest and shortest trek he had ever made. He wanted to believe he would get a warm reception, but as before, could not be sure of anything. He had to take matters one step at a time.

Finally he found himself at the door of the break room and slowly, cautiously looked in the door. After a moment's search he located the painfully familiar red-gold locks; she was sitting with her back to him, sipping pumpkin juice from a glass she had bewitched so it was sitting in mid-air; beside it was a small plate with a sandwich on it. Harry was unsure just what kind of sandwich, but judging by the smell, he was sure it was her favorite, mince, seasoned with onions. Beside it was yet another small plate with two fairy cakes on it with pink icing.

She seemed to be alone in the room, a fortuitous occurrence for their hopefully happy reunion. His feet felt like lead weights had been attached to them, but he finally managed to reach the small table where she was sitting. He didn't want to frighten her by touching her, so he simply spoke quietly but in his old crooning manner which he only employed when they were alone.

"Ginny? It's Harry. May I speak to you?"

For a moment he was sure she wasn't going to answer him, then she looked up and their eyes met. She did not speak, but it was not necessary; her eyes said all that needed to be said. A moment later she was in his arms and they kissed passionately. The ecstatic sensation of having her in his arms, feeling her body close to his once again after so long was almost unendurable; he just couldn't seem to get enough of her lips, her sweet warmth…

Neither of the reunited lovers had any idea how long they stood together, kissing hungrily, but it didn't matter. All that was important was that they were together again. When they finally managed to regain a semblance of control over their emotions, Ginny smiled and gestured to the other chair at the table. "Harry…Harry…it's so wonderful to see you again. I've missed you so!"

"Not half as much as I've missed you," he crooned back to her, their hands now locked across the table; her food was forgotten in the joy of their reunion. "I'm told that you just got off work. Would you like to have dinner somewhere?"

"Thank you, no, Harry. I'm not hungry…not now." Not for anything but you, she finished in her mind even as she once again smiled, brought his hands to her lips and kissed them—then held one
to her cheek. "I just want to be alone with you to catch up on the last few years," Ginny returned tenderly.

It was incredible that Harry could feel so much just being near her, but it was undeniable. He now wondered how he had ever survived the last four years without her. It was like he had been deprived of something vital to his survival and had gotten it back just barely in time.

"I'm sorry for ever leaving you. It was the biggest mistake I ever made."

"It doesn't matter now, beloved. What matters is that we're together again." With one sweep of her wand, the food she had been eating disappeared and she gathered up her cloak from the back of her chair. Harry helped her put it back on and they left the break room to head back down the hall to the lift. When they passed the grey-haired witch at the desk, her eyes widened at the young couple seemingly glued together, they were walking so close, arms wrapped around each other—and the young man's green eyes scarcely left the brown eyes of the young woman. They could not simply be friends, not acting like that, the Chief Healer told herself, but it was not her place to comment on it. They were of age and could do as they wished.

A moment later the couple stepped into the lift and made their way back to the lobby. Harry had vowed not to touch her again until they were certain of no prying eyes upon them, but it turned out
to be the most difficult vow he had ever made. His lips positively hungered for hers and his hands positively itched to feel her body, preferably her bare body, beneath them. However, he would have to content himself with feeling his arms around her until they could reach her flat and get out of public view.

The trip seemed endless, but at last they arrived and she pointed her wand at the door and it opened to admit them; after they stepped through, she did it again and the door was effectively locked. Nothing short of an atomic bomb could have opened it after a Locking Charm had been placed on it.

The couple began to once again kiss passionately upon returning to each other's arms, and their hands hungrily caressed the other as they stood in her living room. "Oh God, Ginny, Ginny…"

"Harry…" she sighed blissfully, the fingers of her left hand stroking the back of his neck, the other ruffling his already unruly hair as they continued to kiss. Surely Heaven had come to earth for them, and the last thing they wanted was to leave it. In fact, Harry had no intention of doing so until absolutely necessary, and began backing her toward the couch. Upon reaching it, he began to lower her to the pillow at the left end.

Once she was lying beneath him, his hands began exploring and soon had her robes parted; her small but perfect breasts were soon bared, the baby-pink nipples hard and erect. However, he decided he wanted to kiss her bare skin first, intending to save the best for last. "Ginny, I've wanted this for so long…"

A moment later his lips found and began to gently caress, then suck one breast and then the other. She held his head close to her, arching her back as she moaned at the feel of his hands, lips and tongue loving her so sweetly, so beautifully.

"Yes, my love. Yes," she insisted, her own hands beginning to explore and soon finding the hardness of his arousal. His trousers began to feel like a prison, and Harry knew he would have to divest himself of them before too much longer. It seemed as if Ginny had read his mind; even as he began moving sensuously against her, his lips hungrily exploring the silky, scented warmth of her throat before moving to kiss between her breasts, her hands were reaching for the waistband of his jeans and attempting to open them.

But even in the midst of his fast-rising passion, Harry knew there was something important he should do before he could allow himself to join with Ginny. "No, Ginny, we can't," he protested against her lips evenas he returned to kiss her again. "Not until you've placed a Contraceptive Charm on yourself."

"I don't want to," she crooned back, unwilling to release his lips even long enough to talk. "I want to have your baby, Harry. Many babies. Maybe even as many as Mum and Dad."

"Not right now," he gently insisted. "If you don't do it, I will. It's your choice. You've got to make up your mind while I still have some control left."

"If you say so," she sighed, reaching for her forgotten wand and pointing to herself. "Contra," she called out. "Okay, I'm safe to touch now. Let's get on with it."

This time he allowed her to remove his jeans and pants, then his T-shirt and jeans jacket. It took only a few minutes longer for him to divest her of her remaining clothing, then he put the other pillow on the sofa under her hips to prepare her for his entry—and once there, he intended to remain there as long as he wished. There was a lot of lost time to make up for and he intended to make the most of it. Just the same, there was something he had to ask, had to be sure of before he could proceed.

Again, Ginny seemed to read his mind; one would think she was an accomplished Legilimens or something. "I am a virgin, Harry. I may have had many boyfriends, but the physical bits never went beyond kissing. I would not allow it. You are the only one with the right to possess my body, just as you have possessed my heart."

Harry could not have verbally expressed his happiness at hearing this. "I…am also a—virgin, as you put it, Ginny. My times with Cho also…never went beyond—kissing. Somehow, it never seemed…right. Until now. Until you."

Ginny took his face into her hands and kissed him hard. "I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that, Harry. Now let us lose our virginity together…" With that, he parted her unresisting legs sufficiently to accommodate him; he then moved his hips sharply forward. Ginny cried out softly for
a moment, then Harry's hardness seemed to sink into her without any further resistance—and they were joined.

The next thing he knew her arms and legs were wrapped around him; he smelled honeysuckle in her silky red-gold hair as he buried his face in it, feeling more at home inside her warm, welcome body, in her arms, than he had ever felt anywhere except Hogwarts.

"Harry, if you only knew how sweet and warm your lips feel and taste to me, how strong, yet gentle, your hands as they touch me…how natural it feels for your body to join with mine—then your arms around me… When I am in your arms, beloved, I am home…and I never want to leave that home."

"Nor do I," he crooned back to her, tightening his arms around her as much as he dared. "My life has been so…empty without you, Ginny. As if a part of myself was missing all these years."

"You are the missing piece of my puzzle, Harry, that is for certain," Ginny insisted, this time burying her face in the warmth of his throat, feeling his pounding heart under her lips. "Would you like to…share my flat as well?" she blurted out while she still had the nerve. It was something she wanted very much but after four years of loneliness, could not be certain what his answer would be, even after they had shared such tenderly passionate love and lost their virginity together.

"There's nothing I would like better," he smiled, stroking her lips with a finger. "But we need to have a long talk before we make any long-term plans."

Ginny sighed as she maneuvered herself so that her head was on Harry's bare chest and one ear over his still rapidly beating heart, her arms locked around his waist. He rested his cheek on the top of her head and gently tightened his own embrace. "I suppose you're right, my love," she reluctantly conceded. "Just the same, after having been without you for so long, I have no intention of ever letting you go again."

"I have no intention of ever leaving you again," he assured her. "If I do leave, we will leave together."

"With Ron and Hermione?" she wondered. "Or will it be just us?"

"I think we're going to need all the help we can get to track down and vanquish Voldemort, so yes, Ron and Hermione will be with us too. By the way, have you seen them lately? Your mother said they were now…sharing a flat."

"Not since I started working," she told him. "But yes, she's right about their sharing a flat."

"Do you know if they plan on getting married? I asked your mum, but she couldn't tell me anything."

"Oh, I think both Ron and Hermione would like nothing better, but you know how he is around women. We may need to help him out…that is, if Hermione doesn't take matters into her own hands," Ginny laughed. "And I wouldn't put it past her."

"Neither would I," Harry laughed, feeling happier than he had in years. How could he ever left Ginny behind for a moment, much less four years? Well, one thing was for sure—he would never make that mistake again. From now on, if he needed to travel anywhere, she would travel with him, taking a leave of absence from the hospital if necessary. Her healing skills would also come in handy should anyone become injured.

They were quiet for a moment, then Harry said, knowing he had to do it while he still had the nerve. "Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"I've got to ask you this while I still have the nerve, even though it may seem sudden to you, since we've just found each other again."

"What is it?"

"When and if we can manage it, will you…marry me?" Harry couldn't believe he was actually saying it—actually proposing marriage! But at the same time, he knew it was the right thing to do, the only way to ensure that Ginny would belong to him forever.

For a long time, there was silence, then Ginny lifted her lover's head and found his lips with hers in a lingering, soulful kiss which held every ounce of her love and passion for him. Only after reluctantly ending it did she speak the words he longed to hear. "Yes, my love. I would be honored."

"You have made me happier than I could ever express," Harry returned, his voice laced with love and gratitude as he returned the kiss, every bit as lingering and soulful and filled with his love and passion for her. "But now, I find myself…hungry to be one with you again." With that, he turned her beneath him and with tender passion, once again possessed not only her body, but her mind and heart. Once they finished and their passions were at least momentarily sated, the lovers were totally enervated, so they decided to simply go to sleep now and talk in the morning.

And they did talk…but only after another long and lovely lovemaking session. Once the talk began, however, one recollection led to another, until finally they reached the fourth year and what had happened at the Yule Ball. "I know I went with Neville Longbottom that year, but I naturally noticed you in your dress robes. You looked so handsome, Harry; so much so that you nearly took my breath away. I wished more than anything that we had had a chance to dance together. You have no idea how much I envied Parvati!"

Harry recalled that time just as vividly and was ashamed that he had been too blind at the time to recognize Ginny for the treasure she was; he had, in fact, been too wrapped up in his infatuation with Cho Chang and had scarcely noticed Ginny. But thankfully time had matured him; matured both of them, really—and in his sixth year (and her fifth), Harry had finally started seriously dating Ginny. He couldn't help laughing as he recalled the look on Ron's face when he had seen Harry kissing Ginny, not only in front of him but about fifty or so other people.

But at the time, Harry had not cared. What mattered was that Ginny was in his arms and that she wanted him. What mattered, however, was that Ron had eventually come around and gave them his blessing. For most of the time Harry had known Ginny, however, she had seemed little more than
a child to him, simply Ron's baby sister, but over time, she had become an extraordinarily lovely woman—and she belonged to him. And if he had any say in the matter, she always would.

They were sitting up in bed, the covers up to their waists, although they had not dressed yet. Ginny's head was on his shoulder and her arms locked around him, as were his around her. But at this thought, Harry's remorse was so great at having kept her at arm's length for so long that he was sure it would take him the rest of his life to make it up to her…but all that was possible to do was take it one day at a time. For now, however, he did the only thing he could do at this point: lifted her head and bent his own down to kiss her with a lingering, tender passion.

"Wow! What was that for?" Ginny asked when he finally, reluctantly, released her, her lips still throbbing pleasurably from his kiss.

"I just felt like it," he said by way of explanation. "After all, we've got a lot of time to make up for."

You can say that again! she thought, still scarcely able to believe that this moment was really happening, that Harry was really here with her, in her arms, in her bed…and that they had just spent a long, lovely night together. What if Ron and Hermione dropped by and found them like this? How would she ever explain it? Just the same, neither had a right to judge them, considering what they themselves were doing. She and Harry had nothing to be ashamed of.

And as if this thought had literally conjured them up, the next thing they knew, a knock came on the front door of the flat. The couple looked at each other with a mixture of love and apprehension. "Who could that be? Are you expecting anybody, Ginny?"

"No," she returned. "Do you think it could actually be Ron and Hermione?"

"If not, maybe just one of them," Harry suggested. "Just the same, I think we better get up and get dressed—especially if it is them."

"And if that's the case, I want to tell them that you proposed to me and get their reaction."

Harry frowned at her. "Don't you think we should tell your parents first? Besides, I have no idea when we'll be able to do it, under the present circumstances."

"The point is, that if you could manage to propose, that might just prompt Ron to do the same with Hermione," Ginny pointed out, deftly (albeit unwillingly) extricating herself from Harry's arms and reaching for her wand to summon her nightgown, slippers and dressing-gown. "Just the same, I'd better go out first, to be on the safe side. You can get dressed while you're waiting if you like."

Harry sighed and didn't argue further; Ginny gave him one last kiss before departing the room and after donning her clothes. While waiting, he showered and dressed, then carefully made his way to the door and listened. He couldn't hear anything and was unable to help wishing for a pair of Fred and George's Extendable Ears. What was happening in the living room? If Ginny didn't come back soon, he would have to take a chance and go to find out.

It was as they had surmised; Ron and Hermione were standing at the door expectantly. Ginny's smile was somewhat forced as she beckoned them inside; she had hoped to be able to spend the entire day alone with Harry.

"Are you all right, Gin? You look like you just got out of bed," Ron commented after kissing his sister on the forehead and closing the door behind them.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Just wasn't expecting you lot, that's all."

"If you say so," he returned skeptically. "Hermione and I were going out for a bite and thought you might like to come along, so we dropped by."

"I wouldn't mind, except for one thing," she remarked cryptically.

"And what's that one thing?" Hermione put in.

"Me," a new voice interjected. All whirled to find Harry standing a short distance away, having gotten tired of waiting for Ginny to return and deciding to find out what was going on.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "When did you get back? I thought you were still working as an Auror."

"I am…but I decided to take a vacation. Haven't had one in ages," he explained.

"So you decided to look us up…among other things?" Hermione looked from Harry to Ginny and back again, giving them a knowing smile.

"Among other things," Harry returned ambiguously, neither confirming or denying their suspicions.

"How long have you been here?" Ron asked.

"Got in yesterday morning," Harry supplied. "Visited your mum. She told me what all had been happening with everyone."

"Why didn't you come to see us first?" Ron wondered. "Surely Mum told you where we live."

"I intended to, I assure you," Harry replied. "It's just that Ginny and I had a lot to talk about, a lot
to catch up on first. After all, I haven't seen her for four years."

"I can imagine." Hermione's knowing smile widened. "Did you and Ginny spend the night together?" she asked point-blank.

"Hermione, that's none of our business," Ron admonished her.

"Keep out of this, Ron," she shot back. "Besides, I'm surprised you're not the one asking this. I would think you'd want to know, being that Harry is your best friend and Ginny is your sister." There was a long silence from both young men, so Hermione spoke again. "I'm waiting for an answer, Harry."

"What if I said we had?" he finally returned, an almost defiant note in his voice.

"For Heaven's sake, Harry, we're not judging you. We know how you feel about Ginny. We were just wondering if you'd finally decided to do something about it."

"Do something about it? I already did something about it, back in sixth year, for your information."

"But you also broke up with her a few weeks later, after Dumbledore was killed.Did you finally realize that you can't be afraid to love her, that true love is worth any risk, just as I told you then?"

"When youput it that way, I suppose I have," he confessed quietly, walking over to Ginny and putting a possessive arm around her before kissing her. "In fact, I even—"

"You what?" Hermoione interrupted.

"I…proposed to her," Harry made himself say.

For a long time, no one moved or spoke…and hardly dared breathe.

Finally Ron broke the silence. "Mate, did you say—what I thought you said?"

"Yes. I asked Ginny to marry me…and she accepted." Harry's arm tightened around Ginny; she moved closer and looked up at her intended with loving eyes. "But don't worry, Ron. You'll not
be losing a best friend; instead, you'll be gaining a brother-in-law. However, I can't say just when we'll be able to do it. I just wanted to make sure that Ginny knew how much I loved her and that
I wanted to spend my life with her, whatever the risks."

"That's more like it," Hermione commented approvingly. Now, if I can just get Ron to propose to me, we'll be doing something, she finished in her mind. "Now, do you want to join us for a bite or not?"

"I suppose so. I just need to get dressed," Ginny reluctantly agreed. "Give me a few minutes." With that, she extricated herself from Harry's arm and left the room.

Harry was left alone with his two friends, who had suddenly become his inquisitors, whether they meant to or not. Fortunately Hermione finally apologized for being nosy.

"We're sorry to be so nosy, Harry—but we had to know," she returned apologetically.

"It's all right," he assured them. "As long as you don't make a habit of it."

After fifteen minutes more of small talk, Ginny rejoined them and the two couples left the flat after Ginny reinstated the Locking Charm on her door, unsure of where they were going but at the same time, not really caring as long as they were with their two closest friends. Now if they could only get Ron to propose to Hermione, everything would be fine…and there might even be a double wedding!

Even as much in love as they themselves were, Hermione and Ron found themselves acutely embarrassed at the open, unashamed way Harry and Ginny were looking at and touching each other. They felt almost like voyeurs, as if they were watching intimacies they weren't meant to see. It was obvious that their respective friend and sister would much rather have been alone, but since they had been pressured, albeit gently, to join them in a public place, they had to make the best of it.

Just as the waitress was bringing their food, the other two noticed that Harry had brought Ginny's hand to his lips and kissed it passionately; she then reached both her hands up to cradle his face
and pulled him down into a lingering kiss. There had been no time to warn the other couple of the waitress's approach; consequently she gave Ron and Hermione a funny look upon noting the other couple's compromising position.

The best they could say was "Bear with them. They just got engaged."

The waitress gave them another funny look, then smiled indulgently, as though humoring them. "They probably shouldn't be out in public, then." Privately she couldn't help thinking that the couple in question should be hosed down or something to cool them off, but said nothing out loud.

"Well, we kind of…twisted their arms. They didn't have much choice," Hermione attempted to explain.

"If it'll help, I suggest that you change your order to take-out, then you could take it home and eat it…whenever." It seemed that the waitress was fast becoming just as embarrassed and was trying
to make the best of an awkward situation.

"That might be a good idea," Hermione agreed; one look at Ron told her that he wholeheartedly concurred. "If you would do that, please, then bring us the bill."

"Yes, mum," the waitress assented, then left the food on the table to go get some take-out containers. A quick look out of the corner of her eye told Hermione that her friend and his intended were still at it; in fact they hadn't missed a beat. She was unsure how she and Ron were going to get them out of the restaurant, but both intended to give it their best shot.

A short time later the waitress came back with the necessary containers; it took Ron and Hermione several minutes to get the food all ready, close on to twenty, in fact, since they not only had to do their own but the ones for Harry and Ginny as well because the pair was—shall we say—otherwise engaged and unlikely to stop any time soon.

Hermione had Ron take the food to their car, then return to help her get the other two out of public view. By this time, it was uncertain that they would be able to accomplish their objective, even together; Ginny was now on Harry's lap and had her arms around his neck; his arms were locked around her waist. It didn't seem as if they had even once come up for air once they had begun snogging…and snogging, big-time!

They finally agreed to have one of them pull while the other pushed in order to get the other, totally oblivious couple out of sight. It took another twenty minutes, but they finally managed to get them on their feet and with Ron pulling on one side and Hermione the other, out the door and headed for the car. It was fortunate they hadn't Apparated here, because at this point neither Harry nor Ginny was in any condition to do so, at least not on their own.

"Well, it serves us right for making them come along," Ron muttered as they stuffed the other couple into the back seat of the car. "Blimey! I swear I've never seen anyone so… bloody…hot for each other!" Not even ourselves, he thought, fighting off a blush at the thought of the many times he and Hermione had gone at it just as hot and heavy. But at least they had had the presence of mind to seek privacy before doing so! And one thing was for sure: it would be a long time before they returned to this restaurant again.

As if Hermione had been a Legilimens herself, she finished what he had stated. "As we told the waitress, Ron, bear with them. They have four years to make up for, and it's going to take longer than overnight for them to do it."

"In which case, let's just get them back to Ginny's flat, get them situated…say, on the living room sofa or in her bedroom...then put the food in the fridge and leave them a note."

"I don't think it would make any difference where we put them. They're so engrossed in each other that nothing short of Voldemort himself and his entire squad of Death Eaters could distract them!"

"At this point I don't think even they could," Ron couldn't help sniggering even as he pulled the car into the parking lot near Ginny's flat. "Hermione, do you think you can get her door open?"

"I'll give it a try," she promised—and although it took another good twenty minutes, Hermione's expertise with spells and charms to both do and undo a given thing served her in good stead. It
was easiest for them to place the still-heavily-snogging couple on the couch and place the food in
the fridge, then Hermione got out her everyday wand and scribbled a quick note on the nearest piece of parchment. Their work done, they took their leave and headed for their own nearby flat to have their meal in peace…then maybe have a little snogging session of their own!

It was well into the next hour before the aforementioned couple finally came back to earth. After very reluctantly releasing each other, they looked around, surprised to find themselves back in Ginny's flat. "How the bloody hell did we get back here?" Harry wondered. "The last I remember, we were still in the restaurant, waiting for our food to come."

"I have an idea," Ginny remarked ambiguously. "In the meantime, let me check something in the kitchen." She got up and headed for the kitchen; Harry got up and followed her, as if she was metal and he a magnet.

"Um-hm, I was right. The food's in the fridge and here's a note from Hermione," Ginny remarked even as she grabbed said note off the table and attempted to read it. However, it wasn't easy for
her to do so, for Harry had snaked his arms around her and was pressing passionately against her, hungry lips having found their way to the pounding pulse in her throat. "Harry, please. That makes me crazy! Besides, I'm trying to read this note."

"You make me crazy," he crooned in a voice heavy with barely-concealed passion. "And you can read the note later."

However, this was one time when Ginny's stomach, her physical hunger for food, would soon win out over her sexual hunger. "Stop it, Harry! I want you as much as you want me, but right now we need to have something to eat."

His lips found her nearest ear and whispered sexy suggestions for her dinner menu that had everything to do with a certain male appendage of his which needed her immediate attention before he could concentrate on food for any length of time. Oh God, why am I so godawful weak where Harry is concerned? she lamented. "All right, we'll do it," she finally gave in. "But after that, we eat!" Her tone was so commanding that Harry didn't even think of arguing with her. With that, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

Once they managed to get to the food, one pointing of her wand at the food and the brief order, "Food, re-heat," provided them with basically the same bill of fare as they would have gotten had they been in any condition to stay in the restaurant. She managed to conjure up some cold butterbeer, with which the couple used to wash their somewhat delayed meal down.

"I hate to think how we must have embarrassed Ron and Hermione," Ginny commented, at the
same time unable to help giggling at the thought as she looked across the table at Harry.

"We've got to make it up to them at some point," Harry stated just before taking another bite of his individual mince pie, seasoned similarly to meatloaf. "We have got to learn to control ourselves better, that's all."

"I'm fine, as long as I'm not around you," she threw back. "Otherwise my resolve goes totally out the window!"

"In which case, we may have to go with them separately. The only problem with that is that we won't be together."

"We can stand an hour or so apart, can't we?" But even as Ginny said this, she knew that that would be the longest time she could stay away from Harry now that he was back in her life…barring her time at work, that is—and even at that, that was pushing it.

"I suppose so," Harry reluctantly agreed before taking a swallow of butterbeer. "But not on a regular basis. At least not for the foreseeable future…and not outside of our work."

"Have you been able to track down any more Horcruxes?" she asked conversationally.

"I have a pretty fair idea of where another one is, but haven't had the opportunity to check out my theory yet," he informed her.

"How many are there left, including the one that Voldemort has with him?"

"Four, I think," Harry mused thoughtfully. "But there's no set limit on this…and even if there were, as I said earlier, I won't be separated from you—or my friends—again, whatever the risks. I learned how wrong I was to do that, but the hard way!"

"When you do decide to go after it, I'm sure you'll let us all know," she returned softly, reaching a hand to cover his after he had momentarily set down his fork.

"Count on it," he assured her. "Meanwhile, let's finish eating…then we can get back to more important things." He looked up at her, giving her a sly wink, a suggestive twinkle in his sea-green eyes.

"Of course, my love." She returned the sly wink with an answering twinkle in her eyes, then resumed eating in order to satisfy her hunger for food before satisfying her hunger for Harry—at least temporarily. That was a hunger she doubted would ever be satisfied…

It was three days later before Ginny had the opportunity to get together with Hermione and thank her for what she and Ron had done. "I'm sorry we got so…preoccupied, but you know how I am whenever Harry's near me. I just can't say no."

"No apology necessary, Gin. You two are in love; it's understandable. Not to mention the fact that you both have four years of separation to make up for."

"Just the same, I hate to think how we must have embarrassed you and Ron," Ginny continued. "So we're going to do our best to control ourselves from now on."

Hermione laughed. "I wouldn't even attempt that for a while, Gin. When one is newly in love, or love has been rekindled, it's going to happen and will burn hot and heavy for a long time. We'll just have to learn not to take you two anywhere in public again for the foreseeable future."

"How are things with you and that clueless prat brother of mine?" Ginny asked. "Has he managed to shore up his courage enough to propose to you?"

"We're fine for the moment," Hermione dismissed. "Besides, what matters most to me is that Ron and I are together."

"But you'd still like to marry him eventually," Ginny countered.

"Of course, but I can be patient—for a while, anyway. If he takes much longer, though…" Hermione's voice trailed off ominously.

"If you need help, just let us know," Ginny offered. "Harry's even suggested spiking one of Ron's drinks with Felix Felicis in order to give him the needed confidence."

"That's an idea," Hermione found herself agreeing. "But I'd feel better if he could manage to do it on his own." She had begun knitting again and the needles, attached to considerable lengths of brightly-colored yarn contained in a medium sized basket (red and gold for their old House colors), hovered in midair slightly to her right and rapidly turned out something Ginny couldn't immediately identify.

"What are you knitting?" Ginny wondered.

"A scarf for Ron," Hermione replied. "I've already done one for myself. Once I'm finished with this, we'll have a matching set." The older young woman sighed and took a drink of pumpkin juice, the glass containing it also hovering nearby, then resumed speaking. "By the way, have you asked Harry to move in with you yet?"

"What makes you think I've done any such thing?" Ginny tried to bluff even as she fought off a blush at the thought of what she and Harry had been doing when she asked him.

"You forget how well I know both of you," Hermione countered. "You've asked him already. May I know what he said?"

"He said he was…willing…but that we had to have a long talk before making any concrete long-term plans."

"Have you discussed what to do should he need to leave again?"

"Yes. He says he's not about to be separated from us again, whatever the risks…that he had learned his lesson but the hard way, trying to track down Dark wizards and witches by himself
these last few years."

"I assume that means that you'll be accompanying us," Hermione remarked.

"Damn bloody right," Ginny stated firmly. "After four years apart, I'm not about to let Harry out of my sight again for any longer than necessary—and I think you can understand why. I'm willing to take any risk in order to ensure that I remain by his side."

Hermione simply nodded and smiled in response, taking another swallow of pumpkin juice before checking the progress of the scarf she was making and pronouncing it sufficient for one day's knitting. "Just where are our men, anyway?" she wondered as she noted the time and commented, "It's been two hours since Ron dropped me off here."

"Oh, probably chewing the fat with Harry in a pub somewhere," Ginny speculated. "Although I'm sure they'll be back soon. We've got to be pretty hot stuff, though, for our men not to want to be separated from us any longer than necessary, you know?"

Hermione didn't reply, but looked up and the two young women exchanged sly, knowing smiles. It may have been a naughty thought, but that was part of the fun of romance—part of what gave it its unique "spice". Just the same, she couldn't help wishing that she and Ginny could have been flies on the wall and able to listen in on the conversation between Harry and Ron, wherever they were.

In actuality, the two young men had decided to Apparate to their favorite Pub in Hogsmeade, the Three Broomsticks, and were enjoying a butterbeer and two large individual mince pies, seasoned
to their taste. Almost the moment they had set foot there, Harry felt duty-bound to apologize to his friend for his and Ginny's actions of three days previously.

"Don't worry about it, mate. I understand," Ron generously dismissed. "You and Gin have a lot of time to make up for."

"But we didn't mean to do it," Harry protested as they were led to a vacant table, were seated and gave their orders to the attractive young witch in short pink robes and matching hat with a jeweled brim who served as the current waitress. In spite of himself, Ron couldn't help checking her out as she had walked away from their table to fill their orders. But he hadn't noticed whether or not Harry had done so and had been unable to bring himself to ask.

"I know. As I said, don't worry about it. I'd half-expected it, really, since you hadn't seen her for four years."

"Just the same, she and I have already agreed to at least try to control ourselves better after this. Either that or go out with you and Hermione separately."

In spite of himself, Ron was glad to hear that; anything to spare himself and Hermione another scene like the one in the other restaurant. "But if you can't, mate, we'll certainly understand. Just try to give us a little warning after this, okay?"

"Fair enough," Harry agreed before eating some more of the mince pie and washing it down with butterbeer. "How are matters going with you and Hermione? Proposed to her yet?"

"Fine," Ron insisted, but Harry knew him well enough to detect disquiet and even nervousness in his friend's mannerisms and tone of voice. "As for proposing…" his voice trailed off and he couldn't make himself complete the sentence.

"Come on, mate, you know you want to marry her," Harry gently insisted. "Just as I know she wants to marry you. If I can bring myself to propose, so can you."

"Easier said than done, Harry," Ron returned, stark fear written all over his freckled face.

"All you need's a little confidence, mate," came the reassuring reply. "She loves you; I hardly think she'd turn you down." He had, in fact, brought along his bottle of Felix Felicis and was waiting for the right opportunity to spike Ron's drink with it in order to give him sufficient confidence—but so far that moment hadn't arrived.

With luck, he wouldn't need more than a few hours' worth…but there was still the matter of actually getting it into the drink without his friend's noticing. Or maybe he could even put some in the mince pie. It was, in fact, closer to him on the small table between them than the mug of butterbeer anyway. That might be the more practical approach. But just when he was ready to give up, Ron stood up and said he had to visit the men's loo.

"I'll be just a few minutes, Harry," he promised. Even at that, Harry was hard-pressed to wait until Ron was out of sight before he got out the small bottle of the golden-colored (and fortunately tasteless) potion and shook a few drops into the remaining butterbeer. He then recorked the bottle and hid it in an inner pocket of his jeans jacket, innocently returning to his meal even as he saw Ron returning.

Hopefully within the next few days he would be hearing from one of the girls that a date had finally been set for the marriage. At the very least, he would be able to tell Ginny what he had done to help his friend and future brother-in-law end his bachelorhood as Harry knew he wanted to; he simply needed a gentle push in the right direction.

"Don't you think it's time we got back to the girls, Harry?" Ron suggested upon re-seating himself—and to Harry's scarcely-concealed delight, he took a long swig of the butterbeer to wash down the last of his mince pie.

"Definitely," Harry agreed. "Just let me finish my own pie." A few minutes later they called for the bill, each chipping in some Sickles for the cost of the bill and 15 gratuity. Upon leaving the pub, the two young wizards Apparated back to Ginny's flat in order that Ron pick up Hermione and return
to their own flat.

"Bloody hell! I don't think I'll ever get used to that squeezing sensation, Harry. I swear, it feels like I'm being pushed through a narrow tube or something!" Ron exclaimed after being released from Apparition; the two young men had re-appeared on the sidewalk which bordered the parking lot in front of Ginny's flat.

"I know," his companion agreed. "I'm not fond of it, either, but it is the quickest way to travel outside of broomsticks—and I think you'll have to agree it's too cold for flying at the moment."

A short time later, they were greeting their ladies and Hermione was ready to go, already having packed her bag and finished the chicken sandwich and pumpkin juice Ginny had served. "Ready to go, love?" Ron asked Hermione as he approached her. She got up and smiled at him before they shared a brief kiss.

"If you are," she returned. "See you both later, Ginny, Harry. We've got to get back home."

"Take care," Harry said just before his two friends Apparated; Ginny echoed his sentiments.

"Did you have a good time, beloved?" she asked once they were alone again.

"Can't complain," Harry assured her. "Oh yes, I managed to put some Felix Felicis in Ron's drink. With any luck, he should feel confident enough to propose to Hermione in the not-too-distant future."

"I hope so," Ginny returned. "I'm just thankful that you didn't need any." She moved to meet him and they almost literally melted into each other's arms, their lips meeting in a long, delicious kiss. It soon turned passionate, and Harry wasted no time in scooping his lover into his arms and carrying her into the living room for a most enjoyable hour of snogging—and eventual lovemaking.

Ginny had not placed a Contraceptive Charm on herself this time, although it was obvious that Harry had assumed that she had and acted accordingly. She half-hoped she could "forget" often enough in order to become pregnant. She positively hungered to feel Harry's child growing and developing inside her; just the same, it probably wasn't a good idea atthe moment.

It was risky, attempting lovemaking without said charm, but it was the spontaneous interludes that often proved the most fertile, so she was willing to take the risk. After all, she was the one who would carry the child. In essence, Harry would have the fun and she would do the work…but she loved him enough that it was scarcely any trouble at all. She just hoped that he would be too happy upon hearing of her eventual pregnancy to lecture her on the subject of contraception any time soon. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end…or at the very least, have bad pennies turn up just when you least expect them, especially for Harry and his lady love.

The day started out all right, but that was one of the few good things about it. Harry had decided to move in with Ginny, and together, they went to his former home to get his belongings. But just as they arrived back at her flat and began taking his things inside, and the loving couple thought they were alone, Harry pulled Ginny out of sight (or so he thought) for a moment to kiss her passionately, allowing his hands to wander deliciously, provoking soft moans of pleasure against his lips even as he moved sensuously against her.

But they were brought down to earth the hard way by a sneering but all-too-familiar voice.

"Hey, Potter! Is that you snogging Ginny Weasley?"

"So what if it is, Malfoy?" Harry shot back, abruptly releasing her. "What business is it of yours?"

"I live here, Potter. What are you doing here?" The white-blond former Slytherin and Harry's perpetual nemesis was standing by his car, flanked by his usual stooges Crabbe and Goyle, both of whom were carrying what looked like groceries to Harry. Not that he was surprised. Malfoy was so full of himself that he would never stoop to doing such menial labor. He relegated things like that to either house-elves or stooges.

"I live here, too," Harry threw back defiantly. "And for your information, Ginny is my fiancée."

"You've got to be kidding! What did she ever see in you?"

"If you don't know, it wouldn't do any good for me to tell you…because to understand would require intelligence—and that lets you three out right there!"

"Harry, don't start anything," Ginny warned. "We have better things to do."

"In a minute, love. I've got to teach a certain smart-mouth git some manners."

It was fortunate that Ginny was there, though, otherwise there would have been a very nasty confrontation. Instead of Harry drawing his wand and preparing to hex Malfoy and his stooges,
it was her.

"It would be very much appreciated if you…gentlemen would simply go about your business and refrain from harassing me and my fiancé," Ginny stated, pleasantly but with an ominous tone to her ordinarily sweet, musical voice.

"Oh, really? And just what will you do if we don't, little lady?" Malfoy sneered, directing Crabbe and Goyle to set down the groceries and prepare for a fight.

"Hex you into the middle of the next century," Ginny threatened, her soft brown eyes having turned hard and black as obsidian and her wand pointed at them in a threatening manner. "And I assure you, I can do it!"

At this point even Harry knew that she meant business and tried to intervene. "Gin, honey, we've got to get the car unloaded. We don't have time for this."

"There's always time to make an example of three lowlifes," she retorted, preparing to shoot her favorite hex at them—and Harry knew how nasty it was, so he tried to warn them what was coming despite his dislike of them. Of course, they never had listened to him before, so they deserved whatever they got.

"I suggest you back off, Malfoy, because if Ginny throws at you what I think she's going to, you and your trained gorillas are going to end up in St. Mungo's for a month."

"Yeah, Potter? You just try it and we'll see who ends up in St. Mungo's!" Malfoy reached for his own wand and brandished it in Ginny and Harry's faces.

"Okay, Malfoy, I tried to warn you," Harry sighed. "Go for it, Gin!"

But just as Ginny was preparing to throw her hex at them, the couple heard the sounds of Apparating, and their three tormentors were gone—at least temporarily.

"They're gone," she observed. "Luckily for them. Now let's get the car unloaded. Remember, we've still got another load to pick up back at your old place. Just the same, I think I'll stay out
here and stand guard while you get your stuff inside, just in case they decide to come back."

"They've always been cowards, Gin; it's not surprising that they'd Apparate out of here to keep you from hexing them. Stupid gits like that never want to fight unless they have a gang to back them up—either that or trained gorillas like Crabbe and Goyle."

"Don't worry, love. Even if they do come back, I can handle them," Ginny assured him, but Harry would have none of it.

"Don't try to take them on alone, Gin; I know what they're capable of and I assure you—"

She stepped up to him and cut him off with a kiss. "They don't know what I'm capable of," she countered. "But if they continue to harass us, they're going to find out! Now get going, my love,
or we'll not finish before dark!"

At this point Harry knew it would do no good to argue with her, simply do as told—and within half an hour everything had been unloaded from the car. Of course, using magic can be a great time-saver; he hardly had to lift a finger, simply made the belongings float inside and set themselves on the living room floor…or any other available space in the area.

Once he got everything inside and he and Ginny had safely locked her door behind them, having already decided to pick up the rest of his things the following day, Harry began to point his wand
at the places he wanted them to go and they went, and if something else was in the way, he deftly moved it aside.

By dark, all that was necessary to do was put what few articles of clothing he had away, and that was done with one swift wave of his wand in the direction of the bedroom closet, whose doors opened seemingly of their own accord and the robes and dress shoes hung themselves on hangers, as did dress shirts, ties and trousers. Casual clothes went in the nearby six-drawer dresser (Ginny had cleared out some space for Harry's use)…which didn't look large enough to accommodate everything, but it did. One drawer for sweaters and socks, another drawer for jeans and other casual trousers, and finally one for T-shirts and other casual shirts.

After completing the first step of his moving-in, Harry suggested they eat something, since they were going to be needing all the energy they could get in the not-too-distant future, he told Ginny with a sly wink in her direction. A short time later they were doing just that, since Ginny had found out how the plates at the Hogwarts school automatically filled up with whatever the person before it wanted, food-wise, and she had learned the spell which made that possible. Saved a lot of time and trouble cooking, that was for sure!

Over the meal, he decided to reminisce some more about their days at Hogwarts, particularly one of the times shortly after they had begun dating in his sixth year and her fifth. Of course, it hadn't always been easy to find places for a rendezvous or assignations; there had even been times when he had had to employ the Invisibility Cloak in order to afford himself and Ginny some necessary privacy. There was one incident in particular that he would never forget.

Mainly because the part with Ginny had been so pleasant…at least up to the time someone (Malfoy, as it turned out) stepped on the cloak and pulled it off them. Up to this point Harry had done his best to make sure that Malfoy and his stooges didn't learn of his romance with Ginny; they'd never let him live it down—particularly if they happened to catch them snogging each other.

To their acute embarrassment, there were laughs, catcalls and wolf whistles once their assignation spot became apparent…most of them from Malfoy and company. "Well, isn't this sweet? Potter snogging Weasley's sister! How long has this been going on, Potter? Does Weasley know what you're doing to sweet, innocent Ginny?"

In spite of himself Harry felt his cheeks flame crimson; however, his anger more than canceled out
his embarrassment. "Bugger off, Malfoy. This is none of your bloody business!"

Malfoy tsk'ed a few times and waved a admonishing finger back and forth. "Language, Potter. You don't want me reporting you to Dumbledore, do you?"

"I don't give a damn what you do, Malfoy. Even if you did report me, it wouldn't do you an ounce of good because there's no law against dating here…snogging, either. Much less occasional swearing."

"Maybe not, but I do believe there is a law against indecent exposure…and your lady love is showing far more of her legs and chest than she should. You're not exactly respectable, either.
I suggest both of you get decent before you get arrested."

This reminded Harry that his shirt wasn't buttoned and that he must have lipstick all over his mouth
…not to mention a hickey or two. He suppressed a shiver at the thought ofsmall, even teeth gently biting and sucking—fortunately in spots where Malfoy was unlikely to see them. One at the junction of his neck and right shoulder, the other on the opposite junction. But they would only be missed if he got his shirt buttoned up tout suite…which he did, as rapidly as he dared. He'd even discovered that his trousers were partly unzipped, but fortunately his shirt-tails were sufficient to cover it.

"It's still none of your business, Malfoy…and it would be very much appreciated if you would allow Ginny some privacy instead of ogling her. Remember, she's my girlfriend, not yours." He was thankful there were some bushes nearby; he motioned Ginny to go behind them and fix herself in private.

"Oh? What makes you think I couldn't win her over if I wanted to?"

"Mainly because she loves me…and in the second place, she'd sooner kiss a Blast-Ended Skrewt than you! She told me that herself."

"Well, I must say I don't think much of her taste in men if she enjoys snogging with you, Potter. I would also suggest you find a better spot to do it; save you both a lot of grief."

"For your information, you thickheaded twit, we couldn't find a suitable spot…until we got here. It was going fine until you stepped on my Invisibility Cloak and found us." At this point Harry dug into his trousers pocket and found some tissues, carefully wiping his mouth free of lipstick. In spite of himself his groin tightened upon recalling the taste of it—butterscotch, one of his favorite flavors.

Of course, Ginny didn't really need to wear lipstick; he found her lips delicious, regardless of what type of lipstick she wore...if she wore any at all. Usually she just wore lip gloss so that if they were in danger of being late because they'd lost track of time while snogging, which was dangerously easy to do, at least he wouldn't have to worry about having to wipe lipstick off his mouth.

But Malfoy didn't need to know that. He knew too much as it was. And he would certainly never let Harry live it down if he realized how aroused Harry still was. If they hadn't been interrupted, Harry had been seriously thinking of hauling Ginny behind the bushes in a private spot he knew where they would definitely not be disturbed. At least not if he had anything to say about it. Even if he had to hex the spot to keep away intruders!

"Besides, I never see you snogging Pansy Parkinson anymore, Malfoy. What's the matter with her? She's usually all over you like a rash. Or did she wise up and look for greener pastures? Which reminds me—I'll give you a rash…right where it hurts most, too…if you say a single word to anyone about how you found Ginny and me!"

"So help me, Potter, if you say one more word about Pansy…" Malfoy's face had become just as red with embarrassment as Harry's had been.

Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw Ginny waiting for him under one of the big trees in the school courtyard near the Black Lake, another favorite assignation spot of theirs, so he took a step and turned in that direction. "One last thing—if I hear from Ginny that anyone's harassing her about this, especially anyone from Slytherin, I swear I'll make you sorry you ever met me! I still know that Sectumsempra thing, remember…and if you push me too far, I just may decide to use it again. And I'll have either Ron or Hermione make sure that Snape isn't around to bail you out."

With that, he stalked off in Ginny's direction without waiting for a reply from his adversary; upon reaching her, he slid an arm around her and brushed her ear with his lips, whispering to her that they would head for the common room. Since most students were in class about now (as a sixth year, he had several free periods per day, and this was one of them—and fortunately, Ginny did too…at least at this point in time), it was unlikely that they would be disturbed there—unless someone came unexpectedly.

If nothing else, they would go to the Room of Requirement and spend the free period there…or in
a pinch, the empty dormitory—and pull the curtains around his bed for privacy. He was becoming
all het up again and had to get cooled down before he could face anyone without blushing. Did all young men feel this randy upon getting serious with a girl? Too bad he couldn't ask Sirius about it…he would surely know.

But his godfather was dead, killed by his evil cousin Bellatrix Lestrange, a Death Eater, in the Department of Mysteries, which Harry still blamed himself for. Dead, just like his unfortunate parents. He had had a vision of Sirius being tortured there and was convinced it was really happening, so he had rallied everyone he could, including Ginny, to help him rescue Sirius.

It turned out that he had been lied to by the evil house-elf Kreacher that Sirius had left the house when in reality he had been upstairs with Buckbeak the hippogriff. Sirius had hightailed it to the Department of Mysteries once he'd heard that Harry and company were there—and was killed for his trouble. Bellatrix' potent spell had propelled him through a magical veil from which it was said that no one ever returned…and he didn't.

To this day it was still a sensitive subject for Harry…and he believed it always would be. There would also always be an empty spot in Harry's heart that Sirius had once filled—because no one else could replace him; not now, not ever. Only Ginny's love and support were even beginning to help ease that pain, even a little. He didn't know what he would do without her—or Ron and Hermione, for that matter.

There had even been times he had broken down and cried, tears of grief and guilt for his beloved godfather, first unjustly accused of betraying his closest friends, Harry's parents, not to mention over a dozen murders he didn't commit and spending years in prison, then having to remain in hiding, constantly on the run, even after escaping…and now this!

At one point, Ron was holding Harry and doing all he could to comfort him, but knew it wasn't working, so he sent Hermione to fetch Ginny and bring her up to the boys' dormitory. Technically Hermione didn't belong there either, but this was an emergency. Harry needed his friends with him
at a time like this, and at this point, propriety be damned!

But for a long time, though, not even Ginny could ease his pain; there was a point where he had thrown himself face-down, burying his face in her lap; his sobsbitter and heart-rending. "Oh, love, please don't cry. Sirius wouldn't want you to," she crooned. It only made Harry cry harder.

After a while all were convinced that Harry wasn't just crying for Sirius, but for all the love and good times he had been denied because of his parents' murders, having lost them at so young an age…and for the incredible burden of being who and what he was. Far too heavy a burden for one so young—but there was still more to come. Mercifully, Harry didn't know this at the moment, something for which Ginny and his friends were immensely thankful.

After a while, however, Harry seemed to have cried himself out—so Ginny suggested that Ron and Hermione leave so she could be alone with Harry. She sensed that right now what he needed most was sleep, so she got out some strong sleeping potion she had obtained from Madam Pomfrey, the head of the Medical Wing, and gave it to him. Nothing untoward would happen, because he would be deeply asleep; she would simply hold him in her arms while he slept and keep the curtains drawn for privacy.

She also warned them not to disturb them unless it was an emergency, and even then, she would allow only Ron or Hermione to do so. (Of course, later on, things would change, but at the moment she was simply showing her feelings for him in as constructive a manner as possible so as not to embarrass him—at least not too much.)

But despite his best efforts, Harry found tears in his eyes at the painful memories—and enough of them so that Ginny noticed. She said nothing, however, simply led him to the tree and they sat down beneath it. She leaned against it and told Harry he could lie with his head in her lap if he wanted to. For a time he did just that, and she spent the time either stroking his silky, if unruly, hair and occasionally brought one of his hands to her lips and kissed it. This usually provoked a tender smile from him and a caress of her cheek by that same hand.

"Thank you for loving me, Ginny. I don't think I could have survived this without you. Ron and Hermione are great friends, but not even they could replace you."

"It was my pleasure," she smiled. "Besides, you deserve it."

"But I don't deserve you," he lamented. "The way I've treated you…"

She put a finger on his lips to stop him. "No more of that, love. The past is past. This is today, here and now…and in the here and now, we love each other. Let this be simply a happy, peaceful time for us to be alone together and share that love."

"Too bad Sirius never had that chance," Harry murmured even as he settled his head back into Ginny's lap and she resumed stroking his hair.

"We don't know that for sure," she pointed out.

"Well, if he did, he never mentioned it," Harry countered.

"I think that was because there was far too much else to concern yourselves with…if you get my drift." Her voice had taken on a no-nonsense tone and Harry knew that this meant she would allow no more of him feeling sorry for himself. He had more important things to think about: their love, for instance. "I also suspect that he might have considered you too young to discuss it with at the time."

"Too young!" Harry exclaimed, sitting bolt upright, green eyes blazing. "I'm bloody sixteen years old!"

"Now, yes," Ginny returned calmly, putting a tender hand on her beloved's cheek; Harry smiled despite his ire and covered her hand with his. "Not when you first met him, though. At that point you still thought he'd betrayed your parents and gotten them killed...and because of this, you were ready to kill first and ask questions later. Fortunately Sirius had a chance to explain himself and you had a change of heart about him upon realizing he was innocent, that he would rather have died than betray his friends. I believe it was shortly after that that you learned he was your godfather."

"He'd even wanted me to come live with him once his name was cleared," Harry recalled sadly. "But I never got the chance. They didn't exonerate him until after his death." The young wizard closed his eyes in sorrow. "It's not fair, Gin. Just not fair. He missed out on so much, lost so much…including his life."

"I know, my love. I miss him too; he was always very nice to me—and I could tell that he loved you dearly. The only thing left of his beloved friends."

"He was the closest thing I ever had to a father figure, other than Dumbledore," Harry remarked. "I miss him so much, Gin. I think I always will." Not long afterward, Harry maneuvered himself so that his head was resting on Ginny's breast; she simply held him gently, alternately stroking his hair or his back.

Harry had never rested on a warmer, more comfortable (or sweetly scented) pillow, and it was immensely soothing to feel the gentle rise and fall of Ginny's chest under his cheek. Her soft breathing was slowly but surely lulling him to sleep—and with Ginny near, he doubted he would
have any nightmares. And if he did, she would be here to chase them away.

Not much later, Ginny felt her beloved's head become heavier and realized that he had fallen asleep. She realized that his face had softened, long thick lashes covering his beautiful sea-green eyes, and his glasses were slipping down his nose. She gently maneuvered them off and placed them in her left shirt pocket for safekeeping. He looked like a little boy, about five years old…the child she hoped they could have one day. Hopefully only the first of many for them. Meanwhile, she would take life one day at a time.

What mattered was that Harry was here to share it with her, give his love to her—the love for which she had hungered for so very long. She sent up a silent prayer of thankfulness that she had at last been granted the love of the one she loved so much, the chance to spend time with him, share his life, the good times and bad… May this happiness we share never end. May we always be together and in love, whatever else happens in our lives. With that happy thought, she tightened her arms around him and allowed herself to fall asleep as well.

TBC