Author's Note: Because some of you asked for one, and because in reading
over my story again I realized I wasn't quite finished, here is the
EPILOGUE
Ginny gasped and collapsed onto Harry moments before he shuddered and gripped her tightly. Flashes of lightning illuminated their skin, the thin sheen of sweat that covered Ginny's bare back. They lay there for a long time, saying nothing, as the pounding of their hearts slowed, as their breathing returned to normal.
At last, she rolled slowly off him and onto her back on the bed; she let out a great sigh.
"Wow," she murmured, and she rolled onto her side and smiled. Her hair was still damp from the rain.
Harry, who was still breathing a bit hard, turned on his side and snuggled up to her.
"Is that your eloquent way," Harry said softly, kissing her fingertips, "of complimenting my immense sexual prowess?"
Ginny laughed. "Don't get cocky," she said, arching her eyebrows.
"Interesting choice of words, that," he said, with a wicked smile, kissing the tip of her nose.
Her smile softened and she lay her hand on his cheek. "I love you."
Harry felt a lump in his throat.
"I love you, too," he whispered. They kissed, a soft kiss, and he gathered her into his arms and his fingers found her damp, tangled hair. The rain spattered on the roof outside, the thunder rumbled low and distant. They held each other for a long time, not speaking. Harry felt more awake than he could remember feeling in a long time, and yet every part of him felt rested, at peace. Was it only twelve hours ago that he'd told Ginny for the first time that he loved her?
"Harry," she murmured against his chest.
"What?" His lips moved to her forehead and put a kiss there.
"There's something," she said, propping herself up on her elbow, "that I forgot to tell you."
"What's that?"
"Well, um, it's a little embarrassing," she said, blushing.
Harry turned slightly and put a hand against her cheek.
"What is it?"
"Well," said Ginny, not looking at him. "You remember your second year, at Hogwarts, when Lockhart hired all those dwarves to deliver singing Valentines?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"And you got one."
"Right," said Harry, remembering. "It was pretty humiliating, as I recall. Everyone was laughing at me and that stupid dwarf wouldn't shut up."
"Yeah, well," said Ginny, "I sent that." She looked into his eyes and looked very ashamed.
Harry stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"What?" said Ginny, sounding both embarrassed and a bit indignant.
"I KNEW that," said Harry, grinning. "Well, okay, I didn't KNOW but I had a strong suspicion."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Ginny asked, swatting him on the shoulder.
"Are you kidding?" said Harry. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for a twelve year old kid to get a Valentine from his best mate's younger sister?"
"Yeah, well, no more embarrassing for me to send it," said Ginny, smiling slowly. She giggled. "It was pretty awful, wasn't it?"
"Well, I can't say as I've ever had my eyes compared to a toad," said Harry. "Delivered in song by a grumpy dwarf, no less." Harry started singing.
"Oh, his eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad, "His hair is as dark as a blackboard, "He's so divine, I wish he were mine, "The hero who conquered the Dark Lord!"
"Ginny grabbed a pillow and swatted him with it.
"Ow!" said Harry, laughing. He grabbed her round the waist and rolled her over onto her back and leaned over her, and his laughing quieted.
"I can't believe you remember that bloody song," said Ginny, blushing to the roots of her hair.
"Yes, well, one often remembers one's most embarrassing moments," said Harry. "And anyway, it's--kind of sweet."
"Yeah, right," said Ginny, rolling her eyes. "You're a horrible singer, by the way. Completely tone-deaf."
"Well, that's a shame," said Harry. "But then, I suppose I have to be bad at SOMETHING."
"You are so full of yourself," she said, grinning. "I think I might talked you up a bit too much, might have given you a bit of a swollen head."
Harry arched his eyebrows and took her hand, pulling it under the covers, lower and lower. Ginny's eyes went wide.
"You've given me a swollen something, that's for certain," he said mischievously.
"You're a pig." She kissed him.
"You're beautiful." He kissed her back.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." She moved beneath him and started kissing his neck.
"As long as it gets me into your knickers." He closed his eyes and sighed as he felt her hands on him.
"I'm not wearing any knickers," she whispered into his ear. Already he was reaching for his nightstand to find another condom.
"My point exactly."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later the summer holiday ended, and Harry found himself in the horrible position of having to say goodbye to Ginny. She was going on the road again, with her Quidditch team. She had been made a first alternate Chaser for the English National Team, but for now, she was touring with Puddlemere.
They were saying their goodbyes at King's Cross station. Ginny, Harry and the rest of the team were dressed as Muggles, their brooms and equipment having been shipped ahead to their next game location, in Wales.
The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione had come to see her off; Ginny's parents and brothers said their goodbyes, followed by Hermione. They backed away, leaving Harry for last.
Harry pulled Ginny into a tight embrace. He was happy for her in his heart-- she was a great Quidditch player and she should pursue the career she loved. But saying farewell to her left a hollow ache in his chest.
She clung to him as he buried his face in her hair.
"I'll write to you," she said, "as soon as I get into Cardiff. And every day after that."
"Promise?" he asked.
"Hey," she whispered, pulling back from him. "Look at me." He did. Her eyes had filled with tears.
"I'll write to you every day," she said. "Even if it's just to say 'hi' and 'I love you.' But you have to write to me, too, okay? Promise me."
"I promise," he said, already missing her. "Every day. And I'll come to every match I can and make a complete fool of myself cheering for you."
"You do that," she said, smiling even as a tear fell from her eye. "Tell me everything you're doing with your Auror stuff, all right? And don't let Ron get you into trouble."
Harry smiled. "I won't." He felt his eyes burning and he blinked and look at her. A single tear fell down her cheek.
He wiped it away with his hand and hugged her, hating that he wouldn't get to hug her again for a whole month. She clung to him for a long moment.
"Hey, you two, break it up," said a gruff voice. Oliver Wood had called to them. He was standing on the train, holding Katie Bell's hand; she stood on the platform. Harry and Ginny laughed in spite of themselves.
"Hey, Oliver," Harry called. "Katie." Katie smiled and waved, then gave Wood one last kiss and stepped back from the train.
"ALL ABOARD!"
"That's me," said Ginny, and she climbed onto the train, still clinging to Harry's hand.
"Go on, get going," said Harry, his heart clenching, but he didn't let go of her hand.
"'Bye, Ginny!" Hermione yelled, waving.
"'Bye, little sis!" Ron shouted, which started off a cacophony of shouting from her other brothers and her parents.
"'Bye!" she yelled, but her eyes came quickly back to Harry. The train gave a lurch and started to move. Harry suddenly realized he'd forgotten something, and he leapt onto the train.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ginny cried in astonishment, but he answered her by pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply, wanting to sear onto his brain one last time the exact way her lips felt, the way her tongue tasted of peppermint.
He broke the kiss. "I love you," he said, grinning. "Knock 'em dead out there, Gin." He kissed her hand quickly and leapt lightly from the train even as it slowly began to pick up speed.
"I love you!" Ginny yelled, waving. She stayed there, holding onto the railing, waving at him, even as he jogged after the train, waving at her. He didn't stop running until he came to the end of the platform, and he didn't stop waving to her until the train turned the corner and her red hair and brilliant smile vanished from sight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later, Harry sat in the office he shared with Ron. Harry was tired, cranky and sore; he'd just gone through a brutal hand-to-hand combat training session with Ron, under Kingsley Shacklebolt's tutelage. As usual Ron had been the victor in their mock battle, leaving Harry with new bumps and bruises to contend with. Harry had showered and shaved and cleaned himself up, but he felt no better for it.
"I'm sorry, mate," said Ron, for the fifth time that afternoon, as he stuffed a huge roast beef sandwich in his mouth. His red hair was damp and he was freshly shaven as well.
"Yeah, yeah," said Harry, trying to focus on yet another take-home test paper assigned to him by Nymphadora Tonks. It was all about the many uses of Concealment Charms in undercover Auror work.
Ron finished his sandwich and turned to his own take-home test when there was a knock at the door. He and Harry both looked up, but there was no one there.
"What the--?"
"Hello!" said a high but gruff voice.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, then in the direction of the voice. Perhaps it was somebody playing a trick, wearing an Invisibility Cloak.
"Down here, you dolts," said the voice. Harry and Ron stood up and looked down.
It was a luridly dressed, very cranky looking dwarf.
"Which one of you is Harry Potter?" the dwarf said in a bored voice.
"He is," said Ron quickly, pointing at Harry and already stifling laughter.
"I have a message for you from a Miss Virginia Weasley," the dwarf said, unrolling a bit of parchment.
"You don't have to do this now," said Harry quickly, looking at Ron, who was now laughing behind his hands. The
The dwarf ignored Harry, cleared his throat and began to sing.
"Ooooooh, his eyes are as green as the fresh-cut grass.
"His shape is so manly, right down to his arse.
"His hair is untidy and black as new soot,
"His scar is like lightning, and he's handsome to boot!
"Oh, he's so divine, and now he is mine!
"My beloved Harry James Potter!!!!"
The dwarf gave a deep, sarcastic bow, rolled up the parchment, and left.
Ron gave up on trying to laugh silently and laughed out loud, so hard that tears fell down his cheeks. He pointed at Harry and kept guffawing even as he picked up his empty water glass and headed down the hall to refill
For a moment Harry stood frozen, his face beet-red and his neck hot. Then a huge grin broke out on his face. He laughed and sat back down at his desk, pulling the take-home quiz forward and picking up his quill.
"Ginny, you are in SUCH deep trouble when you get back."
THE END
_______________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: And THAT my friends, is how the story really ends.
Thanks for all the reviews--I had a blast writing this story. I will probably do a sequel down the road but for now, please consider checking out my latest, "Twelfth Nightmare: A Shakespearean Harry Potter Parody."
I know, I promised to do a Lupin/Tonks story next, but I really wanted to do something wholly silly, and I realized that the plot and characters of Twelfth Night translate perfectly to a Harry Potter fanfic. So, please read "Twelfth Nightmare" and (hopefully) enjoy and of course, review. Lupin/Tonks will be coming soon!
EPILOGUE
Ginny gasped and collapsed onto Harry moments before he shuddered and gripped her tightly. Flashes of lightning illuminated their skin, the thin sheen of sweat that covered Ginny's bare back. They lay there for a long time, saying nothing, as the pounding of their hearts slowed, as their breathing returned to normal.
At last, she rolled slowly off him and onto her back on the bed; she let out a great sigh.
"Wow," she murmured, and she rolled onto her side and smiled. Her hair was still damp from the rain.
Harry, who was still breathing a bit hard, turned on his side and snuggled up to her.
"Is that your eloquent way," Harry said softly, kissing her fingertips, "of complimenting my immense sexual prowess?"
Ginny laughed. "Don't get cocky," she said, arching her eyebrows.
"Interesting choice of words, that," he said, with a wicked smile, kissing the tip of her nose.
Her smile softened and she lay her hand on his cheek. "I love you."
Harry felt a lump in his throat.
"I love you, too," he whispered. They kissed, a soft kiss, and he gathered her into his arms and his fingers found her damp, tangled hair. The rain spattered on the roof outside, the thunder rumbled low and distant. They held each other for a long time, not speaking. Harry felt more awake than he could remember feeling in a long time, and yet every part of him felt rested, at peace. Was it only twelve hours ago that he'd told Ginny for the first time that he loved her?
"Harry," she murmured against his chest.
"What?" His lips moved to her forehead and put a kiss there.
"There's something," she said, propping herself up on her elbow, "that I forgot to tell you."
"What's that?"
"Well, um, it's a little embarrassing," she said, blushing.
Harry turned slightly and put a hand against her cheek.
"What is it?"
"Well," said Ginny, not looking at him. "You remember your second year, at Hogwarts, when Lockhart hired all those dwarves to deliver singing Valentines?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"And you got one."
"Right," said Harry, remembering. "It was pretty humiliating, as I recall. Everyone was laughing at me and that stupid dwarf wouldn't shut up."
"Yeah, well," said Ginny, "I sent that." She looked into his eyes and looked very ashamed.
Harry stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"What?" said Ginny, sounding both embarrassed and a bit indignant.
"I KNEW that," said Harry, grinning. "Well, okay, I didn't KNOW but I had a strong suspicion."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Ginny asked, swatting him on the shoulder.
"Are you kidding?" said Harry. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for a twelve year old kid to get a Valentine from his best mate's younger sister?"
"Yeah, well, no more embarrassing for me to send it," said Ginny, smiling slowly. She giggled. "It was pretty awful, wasn't it?"
"Well, I can't say as I've ever had my eyes compared to a toad," said Harry. "Delivered in song by a grumpy dwarf, no less." Harry started singing.
"Oh, his eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad, "His hair is as dark as a blackboard, "He's so divine, I wish he were mine, "The hero who conquered the Dark Lord!"
"Ginny grabbed a pillow and swatted him with it.
"Ow!" said Harry, laughing. He grabbed her round the waist and rolled her over onto her back and leaned over her, and his laughing quieted.
"I can't believe you remember that bloody song," said Ginny, blushing to the roots of her hair.
"Yes, well, one often remembers one's most embarrassing moments," said Harry. "And anyway, it's--kind of sweet."
"Yeah, right," said Ginny, rolling her eyes. "You're a horrible singer, by the way. Completely tone-deaf."
"Well, that's a shame," said Harry. "But then, I suppose I have to be bad at SOMETHING."
"You are so full of yourself," she said, grinning. "I think I might talked you up a bit too much, might have given you a bit of a swollen head."
Harry arched his eyebrows and took her hand, pulling it under the covers, lower and lower. Ginny's eyes went wide.
"You've given me a swollen something, that's for certain," he said mischievously.
"You're a pig." She kissed him.
"You're beautiful." He kissed her back.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." She moved beneath him and started kissing his neck.
"As long as it gets me into your knickers." He closed his eyes and sighed as he felt her hands on him.
"I'm not wearing any knickers," she whispered into his ear. Already he was reaching for his nightstand to find another condom.
"My point exactly."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later the summer holiday ended, and Harry found himself in the horrible position of having to say goodbye to Ginny. She was going on the road again, with her Quidditch team. She had been made a first alternate Chaser for the English National Team, but for now, she was touring with Puddlemere.
They were saying their goodbyes at King's Cross station. Ginny, Harry and the rest of the team were dressed as Muggles, their brooms and equipment having been shipped ahead to their next game location, in Wales.
The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione had come to see her off; Ginny's parents and brothers said their goodbyes, followed by Hermione. They backed away, leaving Harry for last.
Harry pulled Ginny into a tight embrace. He was happy for her in his heart-- she was a great Quidditch player and she should pursue the career she loved. But saying farewell to her left a hollow ache in his chest.
She clung to him as he buried his face in her hair.
"I'll write to you," she said, "as soon as I get into Cardiff. And every day after that."
"Promise?" he asked.
"Hey," she whispered, pulling back from him. "Look at me." He did. Her eyes had filled with tears.
"I'll write to you every day," she said. "Even if it's just to say 'hi' and 'I love you.' But you have to write to me, too, okay? Promise me."
"I promise," he said, already missing her. "Every day. And I'll come to every match I can and make a complete fool of myself cheering for you."
"You do that," she said, smiling even as a tear fell from her eye. "Tell me everything you're doing with your Auror stuff, all right? And don't let Ron get you into trouble."
Harry smiled. "I won't." He felt his eyes burning and he blinked and look at her. A single tear fell down her cheek.
He wiped it away with his hand and hugged her, hating that he wouldn't get to hug her again for a whole month. She clung to him for a long moment.
"Hey, you two, break it up," said a gruff voice. Oliver Wood had called to them. He was standing on the train, holding Katie Bell's hand; she stood on the platform. Harry and Ginny laughed in spite of themselves.
"Hey, Oliver," Harry called. "Katie." Katie smiled and waved, then gave Wood one last kiss and stepped back from the train.
"ALL ABOARD!"
"That's me," said Ginny, and she climbed onto the train, still clinging to Harry's hand.
"Go on, get going," said Harry, his heart clenching, but he didn't let go of her hand.
"'Bye, Ginny!" Hermione yelled, waving.
"'Bye, little sis!" Ron shouted, which started off a cacophony of shouting from her other brothers and her parents.
"'Bye!" she yelled, but her eyes came quickly back to Harry. The train gave a lurch and started to move. Harry suddenly realized he'd forgotten something, and he leapt onto the train.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ginny cried in astonishment, but he answered her by pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply, wanting to sear onto his brain one last time the exact way her lips felt, the way her tongue tasted of peppermint.
He broke the kiss. "I love you," he said, grinning. "Knock 'em dead out there, Gin." He kissed her hand quickly and leapt lightly from the train even as it slowly began to pick up speed.
"I love you!" Ginny yelled, waving. She stayed there, holding onto the railing, waving at him, even as he jogged after the train, waving at her. He didn't stop running until he came to the end of the platform, and he didn't stop waving to her until the train turned the corner and her red hair and brilliant smile vanished from sight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later, Harry sat in the office he shared with Ron. Harry was tired, cranky and sore; he'd just gone through a brutal hand-to-hand combat training session with Ron, under Kingsley Shacklebolt's tutelage. As usual Ron had been the victor in their mock battle, leaving Harry with new bumps and bruises to contend with. Harry had showered and shaved and cleaned himself up, but he felt no better for it.
"I'm sorry, mate," said Ron, for the fifth time that afternoon, as he stuffed a huge roast beef sandwich in his mouth. His red hair was damp and he was freshly shaven as well.
"Yeah, yeah," said Harry, trying to focus on yet another take-home test paper assigned to him by Nymphadora Tonks. It was all about the many uses of Concealment Charms in undercover Auror work.
Ron finished his sandwich and turned to his own take-home test when there was a knock at the door. He and Harry both looked up, but there was no one there.
"What the--?"
"Hello!" said a high but gruff voice.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, then in the direction of the voice. Perhaps it was somebody playing a trick, wearing an Invisibility Cloak.
"Down here, you dolts," said the voice. Harry and Ron stood up and looked down.
It was a luridly dressed, very cranky looking dwarf.
"Which one of you is Harry Potter?" the dwarf said in a bored voice.
"He is," said Ron quickly, pointing at Harry and already stifling laughter.
"I have a message for you from a Miss Virginia Weasley," the dwarf said, unrolling a bit of parchment.
"You don't have to do this now," said Harry quickly, looking at Ron, who was now laughing behind his hands. The
The dwarf ignored Harry, cleared his throat and began to sing.
"Ooooooh, his eyes are as green as the fresh-cut grass.
"His shape is so manly, right down to his arse.
"His hair is untidy and black as new soot,
"His scar is like lightning, and he's handsome to boot!
"Oh, he's so divine, and now he is mine!
"My beloved Harry James Potter!!!!"
The dwarf gave a deep, sarcastic bow, rolled up the parchment, and left.
Ron gave up on trying to laugh silently and laughed out loud, so hard that tears fell down his cheeks. He pointed at Harry and kept guffawing even as he picked up his empty water glass and headed down the hall to refill
For a moment Harry stood frozen, his face beet-red and his neck hot. Then a huge grin broke out on his face. He laughed and sat back down at his desk, pulling the take-home quiz forward and picking up his quill.
"Ginny, you are in SUCH deep trouble when you get back."
THE END
_______________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: And THAT my friends, is how the story really ends.
Thanks for all the reviews--I had a blast writing this story. I will probably do a sequel down the road but for now, please consider checking out my latest, "Twelfth Nightmare: A Shakespearean Harry Potter Parody."
I know, I promised to do a Lupin/Tonks story next, but I really wanted to do something wholly silly, and I realized that the plot and characters of Twelfth Night translate perfectly to a Harry Potter fanfic. So, please read "Twelfth Nightmare" and (hopefully) enjoy and of course, review. Lupin/Tonks will be coming soon!