A/N: This is just another short vignette that I came up with one day when I got tired of working on "One Look." Hope you find something in it that you enjoy or makes you smile...if not...well...then I apologize in advance...hehe...Happy Reading. **edited and expanded 5/2009**
DOING THIS
Harry Potter had a problem.
He had a beautiful red headed problem, who at the moment was sitting next to him, completely oblivious to his inner turmoil.
Despite his best efforts to resist, he had, at some point over the last year, fallen hard for his best mate’s little sister. He didn’t know how that could’ve happened and he definitely didn’t know what to do about it.
All he knew was that she was perfect for him and he felt like a complete git for not having noticed sooner. They liked the same things, they could talk for hours and in Harry’s opinion they seemed to balance each other in just about everything.
The fact that she was bloody gorgeous was also definitely a plus.
The fact that he couldn’t stop thinking about her, was definitely a problem.
To most people it might not seem like that big of a deal, but to Harry it was huge. The consequences of him acting on his feelings could be far reaching and potentially disastrous if things didn’t go well.
What happens to my friendship with Ron if things don’t work out? My friendship with her? And what about the Weasleys?
He was half in love with her already and he knew it wouldn’t take much…
What if I fall completely in love with her and someone uses it against me? What if they use her to get to me?
The thought of putting her in danger made his stomach hurt and his chest tighten.
Not to mention the tiny detail that, at the moment, she was dating one of his roommates.
Bloody wanker.
Even though she was with Dean, Harry couldn’t shake the sense that Ginny returned his feelings. Their relationship appeared more than strained lately, and had never seemed that serious, at least not on her side. In fact, Harry was pretty sure if he added it up, she’d have spent more time with him in the last month than she had with her boyfriend.
They’d been hanging out more and more over the last year and especially over the last month. Usually, Ginny joined him and Ron in whatever they were doing, but sometimes they were on their own - like today.
At the moment they were sitting on the sofa, watching a Quidditch match. Ron was off with Hermione but Harry had come to the Burrow anyway. He knew Ginny was there and he claimed he didn’t want to watch the game alone. At least that’s what he’d said. In reality he was here because she was here; it hadn’t really mattered what they would be doing, as long as he got to do it with her – alone.
They’d been talking about the teams but had fallen into a comfortable silence a few minutes before, allowing Harry to sink into the inner argument he’d been having with himself over the past several months…
Ron or Ginny?
That’s the choice he felt like he’d be making if he ever decided to act on his feelings. He couldn’t deny that it was getting harder and harder not to do just that.
“I broke up with Dean,” Ginny mentioned suddenly, breaking the silence and jerking Harry out of his thoughts.
His heart stumbled and he looked over at her but she kept her eyes on the screen.
“When?” he asked, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Three days ago,” she said before taking a drink of butterbeer, finishing off her bottle.
Harry watched her for a second, trying to ignore the way his heart had started to race in his chest.
She’s single! his mind cried.
The brief internal celebration was followed quickly by an irrational need to flee the Burrow before he did something stupid – like shove her down onto the cushions and snog her senseless.
“Um…why?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual and shoving his thoughts to the side.
Ginny looked over at him and gave a small shrug.
“I just…I wanted to. It wasn’t going anywhere and it seemed like a waste of my time…and his.”
“Oh,” Harry said holding her gaze for a second longer before turning back to the screen.
“Yeaahh,” she said slowly, looking down at her bottle before standing up suddenly. “Plus, I fancy someone else,” she threw out as she walked past him.
Harry’s head snapped up, his eyes following her as she disappeared into the kitchen. He sat there for a second before he shot up and headed after her.
~..~..~..~..~..~
Ginny knew he was coming so she opened the fridge and pulled out a butterbeer. She took a calming breath, trying to slow down her heart. It had started to race as soon as she’d decided to tell him about the breakup. He’d come over to hang out with her, knowing full well that Ron wasn’t there and wouldn’t be back for hours.
Why would he do that if he didn’t…
She felt jittery.
What if I’m wrong? What if I just made up the signals in my mind because it’s what I want?
Twisting the cap off her bottle, her thoughts moved to the other day, when they’d been at a café in Diagon Alley eating lunch. Harry had reached across the table and brushed her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. Her skin had tingled when he seemed to let his fingers linger on her skin before pulling his hand away.
The unexpected gesture had startled her because he never touched her. At least not like that. If Harry touched her it was usually in a casual, brushing up against her sort of way. He certainly never touched her in such an obvious and endearing way while sitting next to her brother.
Ginny pulled herself up on the counter as Harry appeared in the doorway.
“Who do you fancy?” he blurted out as soon as he was in the kitchen.
Ginny’s lip twitched and Harry shook himself. If he’d been alone he would have slapped his forehead. He hadn’t meant to ask that. He was going to build up to it, slip it into the conversation somehow.
“I don’t think I want to tell you,” Ginny said as she gazed at him.
Raising his eyebrow he moved toward her.
“Why not?”
With a shrug of her shoulder, Ginny took a drink as her gaze slid away from him. Her heart was pounding and her body seemed to be humming slightly.
Should I just tell him? What if it doesn’t go well? God, how will I face him if he says he’s not interested?
But he was interested. She was sure that he wanted her. Even Hermione thought so and Hermione was never wrong. Just the other day Hermione had been trying to convince her that Harry had been completely mad for her for months.
Ginny, you’re completely daft if you haven’t noticed, she’d said with an exasperated shake of her head.
“Come on, Ginny,” Harry said, breaking into her thoughts as he braced his hands on the counter next to her. “Why won’t you tell me who it is?”
Looking over at him, Ginny froze. He was very close to her and her eyes dropped straight to his lips. Wide and full, they were perfect lips actually, if you really looked at them…something she seemed unable to stop doing lately.
Dragging her gaze back up to his eyes, she found him looking down at her mouth. For a moment he swayed even closer before he seemed to shake himself a little and looked away, staring down at the counter.
“It’s someone I probably shouldn’t,” Ginny admitted and he looked back up at her quickly.
Harry’s stomach was suddenly hovering somewhere around his knees.
Oh please, God let her mean me, he thought for a second, before all of the reasons why he didn’t want her to like him marched into his brain to do battle once again.
“Please, don’t tell me you like Malfoy,” he joked lamely, trying to ease the tension that seemed to be slowly building between them.
“No,” Ginny laughed, shaking her head. “I definitely don’t go for ferrets…and I almost think I should be insulted that you would even suggest that…”
“You’re right,” he chuckled, “it was very wrong of me,” he apologized, bumping his shoulder playfully against hers.
“Hmm…I forgive you,” she grinned, bumping him back. “So, how about you? Who do you fancy?”
“What?” Harry asked, looking up in surprise.
“Well,” she said, considering. “Ron said you were completely in love with someone but wouldn’t tell him who…”
Harry gaped at her. Am I that transparent?
“He did?” was all he could manage in a weak voice.
“Yep,” she nodded. “So, if you want me to answer, I think you have to tell me first,” she said, glancing over at him. She saw his jaw tensing and he had started to rock back and forth on his hands, although she doubted he realized he was doing it. “Well?” she prompted.
Holding her breath, she watched as he looked back down at the counter, a slight blush beginning to stain his cheeks. As the silence stretched between them, Ginny’s heart began to sink with disappointment. Silently cursing herself for pushing, she opened her mouth to change the subject.
“Someone I probably shouldn’t,” he admitted softly, keeping his eyes down.
Harry looked up at her as his rocking slowed to a stop.
“Well…they’re kind of,” his eyes flicked to her lips and back up. “They’re kind of out of bounds.”
“Oh,” Ginny breathed, her heart seeming to stop in her chest.
Say it..
“But…but we’re off subject,” Harry stammered as he straightened and took a step back. “We were talking about who you fancy…”
“Oh yeah,” Ginny replied, her eyes dropping before meeting his again. “You have to tell me first remember?” she reminded him with a smile.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he shook his head.
“Why not?” she pressed.
“I just…” Harry hesitated, his eyes drifting briefly back to her mouth. “I just don’t.”
“So, you’re not going to tell me?”
“No.”
“Well,” she said, sliding off the counter. The top of her head reached his chin, forcing her to look up at him. “I guess we’re at a standstill then.”
Patting his forearm, she let her fingers trail along his skin as she moved past him.
Harry stared down at his arm. Her hand wasn’t there anymore but it still burned where she’d touched him; his hair standing on end and his entire body alert and begging for more contact.
Turning, he watched as she walked back toward the den, leaving the kitchen…leaving him.
“It’s you,” he called loudly.
Ginny stopped at his admission. Almost afraid she’d misheard him, she turned slowly around.
Across from her, Harry had an odd look on his face. It was sort of a combination of surprise and horror; as though he hadn’t meant to say that out loud…which of course he hadn’t.
“What?”
Mortified, Harry ran a hand through his hair.
Way to go, Harry, he thought. Just yell it at her like the git you are.
Part of him was a little relieved that he’d finally admitted it to someone…but most of him recognized that it probably would have been a bit better if it hadn’t been her.
Taking it back wasn’t an option, so after a second he decided he might as well run with it. Taking a step toward her, and then another…he began to slowly cross the kitchen to where she was standing.
“It…it’s you,” he admitted when he stopped in front of her. “I want you…I’ve wanted you for months.”
Ginny’s eyes widened for a second and she let out a soft “oh.”
“Who do you fancy?” he asked softly.
For a second she stared at him before she cocked her head to the side.
“You,” she admitted a little sheepishly, “of course, you.”
Oh God, Harry thought. Part of him began to dance in celebration while the other part felt a little sick. Now what?
He didn’t have a clue what to do. He still wasn’t even sure that it was acceptable for him to like her at all. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that starting anything with her would be like, choosing between them.
Ron or Ginny…Ron…or Ginny.
“So… so what does this mean?” she asked, bringing him back to the present.
“I don’t know,” he admitted with a shake of his head. “I mean…I’m, well...I’m not sure it’s a good idea…”
“Why?” she asked softly, taking a small step toward him.
Harry swallowed as she gazed up at him…his body beginning to hum with anticipation. Anticipation of what exactly, he wasn’t willing to contemplate as he tried to answer her question.
“You’re Ron’s sister,” he breathed, his eyes locked on her lips. Full and red, they seemed to be suddenly calling him as she took the bottom one in her teeth. All at once the blood seemed to rush out of his brain and down his body.
“That’s true,” Ginny replied and Harry jerked his gaze up to hers.
Wait, what was true? What did I say? Oh yeah…Ron’s sister.
Blinking quickly, he tried to pull himself together.
“So, what are we going to do?” she asked, watching his face.
Do?
“Um…I…I don’t know,” Harry croaked, taking a small step back. Running a hand distractedly through his hair, he took a in a gulp of air. “I’m not…I’m not sure we should do anything, Ginny. I mean…I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” he managed before dropping his hand and looking away.
“Why?” she asked, confused.
“You’re Ron’s sister,” he began, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s just… it’s complicated, Gin.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s just a big deal you know?” he continued, his words coming faster as his worries spilled out. “I mean, you’re important…really important. And your family is important…I don’t want to screw that up.”
“I know.”
“People could get hurt…my friendship with Ron…if it…if it ends…”
“They could,” she agreed, but he barely seemed to notice she was replying as he continued on.
“Or you could get hurt,” he said, his face clouding at the thought, “if…if it got too serious. Someone could hurt you to get to me…”
“That’s true,” she replied, watching as he trailed off, his gaze moving over her face as his head tilted to the side.
“So…what do you want to do?” she asked. Biting her lip, she froze when she saw his eyes drop to her mouth before he let out a shuddering breath.
“What do you think?” he asked finally, bringing his eyes back to hers.
Considering, she paused, taking in his nerves and indecision. She realized being together would be complicated, that it would affect more than just the two of them but before now she hadn’t really thought about how much of a problem it could be for him. How many things could be ruined for him if it ended badly? She would just lose him, but he would lose everyone - Ron, her family…basically his family.
Maybe he’s right, she thought. Maybe it’s too much to risk.
As soon as she thought it, it seemed wrong. Somehow she just seemed to know that it wouldn’t end. This wasn’t a school-girl crush for her and she didn’t think it was casual for him either. It was sort of like Ron and Hermione – you just knew that was going to work.
“I think,” she said slowly, looking down at her hands before looking back at him. “I think that…that I want you,” she admitted, ignoring the instant blush that burned her cheeks. “I think that, maybe we should try it…if you think it’s worth it,” she said. For a second her gaze flicked away before she took a breath and looked back up at him. “I think it’s worth it,” she said softly.
And then she waited.
Harry’s mind was racing as she filled his vision and his senses. Dropping his head back, he let out a sigh as he shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked on his heels…debating. Of course it would have been much easier to do that if his brain hadn’t been stuck on the fact that she’s said she wanted him…that if he kissed her right now she would kiss him back…
He looked down at the ground for another second before bringing his eyes back up to hers.
“Ok,” he said softly.
Ginny’s eyes widened and her lips parted slightly as she let out the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.
“Ok,” she repeated.
They stayed where they were, suddenly nervous and unsure what to do next.
“So,” she breathed as her eyes dropped instinctively to his mouth.
“So,” he replied, watching her.
What now?
“Well, should we…I don’t know…should we kiss,” she suggested awkwardly, “or something?”
Hell yes, Harry’s mind responded automatically before he began to feel sick again. She wants me to kiss her…I want to kiss her, but…kissing kind of makes it real doesn’t it? There’s no going back after that…
Suddenly, Ron’s face, angry and yelling flashed through Harry’s head and he wasn’t sure he could do it. But then Ron’s image vanished, replaced by Ginny’s and an echo of her words from before. If you think it’s worth it…
“Ok,” Harry said suddenly, taking her hand and leading her from the room.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he pulled her along.
“Somewhere else,” he muttered.
He needed to get somewhere else…somewhere…somewhere he could focus…so that it would just be them. It was too much pressure to do something standing in the kitchen of the Burrow where he ate every morning with Ron…with her parents.
Reaching the study at the end of the hall, he took her inside and then shut the door behind him. The lamps were unlit, the shadows of the room covering them in semi-darkness. The only light came from the window.
Slipping past him, Ginny walked to the center before turning around…waiting for him while he shut the door.
Harry stayed near the exit with his head down and his hand shoved in his pockets. For a second she thought he might actually turn and leave but then he brought his head up. Meeting her gaze, he walked slowly toward her, anticipation and nerves building between them with every step until he was right in front of her.
“Hi,” she murmured, her lips curving into a small grin.
“Hi,” he managed as his hands flexed at his sides.
Reaching up, he rested his hands on her shoulders. She was warm under his palms and his fingers curled into her shirt as he drew her closer. Her familiar flowery scent drifted up as she swayed slightly toward him, her small hands coming to rest against his stomach.
Taking a deep breath, he finally leaned down to kiss her. His heart was hammering in his chest as he watched her eyes fall shut. He made it close enough to feel her breath catch before he jerked back at the last second. Spinning around, his hands tangled into his hair as he took a few steps away.
I can’t do this, he thought wildly, his pulse pounding through his body. It’s too fast. I’m not ready for this.
He hadn’t expected this to happen today. He hadn’t really expected this to happen ever…except maybe his dreams.
“Harry?”
“No, just…just…” He took a breath and lowered his head. “Shit, just give me a second,” he muttered, running his hands over his face.
Ginny or Ron…Ginny or Ron seemed to be on repeat in his brain at the moment and he couldn’t focus.
“Harry…” Ginny began but he shook his head and she fell silent as he took a breath.
After another moment he turned back and took a step closer, keeping his head down.
“We don’t have to do this,” she breathed but he just shut his eyes and reached his hands out to her.
When she laced her fingers though his, he pulled her gently to him closing the distance between them.
Ginny watched his face as they stood close together and she could feel his tension matching hers. She knew he wanted this, she could sense it, she just wasn’t sure if he wanted it enough to risk it. She felt him rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs and her eyes fluttered shut.
“Do you…do you ever feel like we’re already together?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes,” she admitted after a second, her tone matching his.
“I mean…we’re always together…it’s just the…the other stuff that isn’t there. I kind of feel like I’ve been seeing you for months…”
“Wouldn’t Dean be upset knowing that,” Ginny chuckled softly.
“Oh God,” he breathed. “Dean’s going to kill me.”
“Do you care?”
Pausing, he pulled her a little closer before he whispered, “No.”
She could feel his breath as they hovered together, their eyes closed and their faces centimeters apart. Their noses just barely brushed as they shifted, his grip tightening on her fingers.
Harry swallowed, trying to think, but she was so close he couldn’t do anything except feel her. Releasing one of her hands, he brought his hand to her face, running it down her hair and cupping her neck as they hovered together.
I can’t do this, he thought, his heart sinking in his chest. But I really want to do this…everything changes if we do this…God, she smells so good…I…
He gave in.
Ginny’s lips parted slightly in surprise when he kissed her, just barely touching her. She didn’t think he was going to do it and it was electric. She almost whimpered when he pulled away, only to gasp when he suddenly came back, his lips firmer. For a few seconds it was all heat, shivers rushing through her as their mouths opened and their tongues touched. His hand curled into her hair, pulling her closer as she grabbed his shoulder and pressed against him.
The intensity grew quickly, bringing with it Ginny’s groan and Harry’s panic.
Releasing her suddenly, he backed quickly away, his hands going to his hair as he watched her stumble forward a step. Blinking with surprise, her eyes were dark and confused as she met his gaze. Her lips were slightly parted - silently begging him back as he took an unsteady breath.
Shit.
Across from him, Ginny was reeling.
I Kissed Harry…Harry kissed me…God, it was… Straightening, she cocked her head to the side as she looked at him. He looks a little…green…
…Ron or Ginny…
Realizing what was happening, she took a breath before letting it out in a steadying rush. Disappointment clawed at her heart but she shook it off, knowing suddenly that he wasn’t going to be able to do it.
“It’s ok, Harry,” she said, forcing a smile. “We won’t do this.”
…Ron or…or…
“You don’t want to,” she shrugged. “So…we won’t.”
Ginny.
“We’ll just be…friends.”
The last word hurt, but Ginny willed her smile to stay in place. Harry stared at her blankly, frozen for a second before he seemed to nod sharply to himself. Running a hand over his mouth, something seemed to harden in his eyes, a determination settling into place that she didn’t recognize.
“Not friends,” he said decisively as he closed the distance between them. “I don’t want to be friends,” he said as he pulled her against him and kissed her again.
“Are you sure,” she managed against his lips, her words fading into a moan as he took advantage of her open mouth to slip his tongue inside. A muffled “uh-huh” was all he managed.
“’K,” she smiled eventually, her mouth brushing his. Her hand fisted into his shirt before she dragged him across the room. Harry followed blindly, his hands on her hips as he kept his humming body close to hers. When she reached the wall, she spun to face him, leaning back as she drew him up against her. Their bodies molded easily together, Ginny’s hands in his hair as he moved to kiss her neck.
“I’ve wanted this…” he managed as she tilted her head back for him. “I feel like I’ve wanted you forever…”
“Me too,” she breathed and he came back up, finding her mouth again. It was perfect. It was more than perfect and they fit together, just like Harry knew that they would. He felt like he was drowning in her and he didn’t care.
They stayed against the wall, lost in each other. Harry’s experience was limited, but it didn’t seem to matter with her. Everything was easy, and natural and she drew him under her spell with her passionate response. Going on instinct, he did what felt right, kissing her over and over as his hands roamed and his body reacted to hers. He didn’t know how long they’d been there but eventually Ron’s voice brought them to a crashing halt.
“Guys? Are you here?”
They stilled instantly and Harry pulled back a little, both of them looking over at the door.
Bugger, why’s he back so soon? he thought before looking back at her.
His body reacted instantly, his mind struggling for a split second to grasp that he was responsible for how she looked.
Gorgeous.
She appeared thoroughly ravished, her hair messy and her lips swollen. Her eyes were dark and wide as they looked at the door, her breathing still ragged and he just couldn’t help it. He sank back into her, his mouth sliding back over her neck.
He groaned softly, bringing his finger to her mouth when she whimpered. His hips jerked forward a second later when she flicked his finger with her tongue. He let out a shuddering groan when she took it into her mouth, tracing it with her tongue.
“God,” he breathed shakily.
Pulling away from her neck he kissed her again, replacing his finger with his tongue until they heard Ron call again, closer now. With a frustrated groan, he pushed off of her and turned away to tuck his shirt back in.
He didn’t remember it getting pulled out; he just remembered her hands on his skin…and his hands on hers. He looked over at her and she was trying to fix herself with shaking fingers…trying to redo the buttons he had at some point opened.
She looked up at him when he moved back over to her.
“I’ll go first ok?” he offered, his hand sliding around her back as he gave her a quick kiss.
“Are we going to tell him?”
“Yeah, just…” He ran his hands through his hair before kissing her again. “Just let me work up to it ok?”
“Like you worked up to this?” she smirked.
“Hey,” he asked, his mouth turning down into a playful pout. “It worked out though didn’t it?”
Smiling, she threw her arms around his neck, giggling when he took a staggering step back before lifting her up.
“Mhm,” she answered belatedly, her lips sliding easily over his.
For a second he kissed her before setting her down and drawing reluctantly away. Sighing, he ran his hand lightly down her hair before he turned and walked to the door. He began to pull it open before he paused. Turning back he quickly retraced his steps and caught her up in his arms, kissing her deeply for a few seconds before resting his forehead against hers.
“Ok, I’m going now,” he announced breathlessly, even though he hadn’t moved.
“I can see that,” she smiled.
Chuckling, he kissed her again, cupping her neck with his hand.
“I swear, I’m going…it’s just…you’re just…so kissable,” he said between kisses. “I can’t stop…”
“I’ll have to work on that,” she grinned.
“Yes,” he kissed her again. “Please do…or I’ll never…get anything…done.”
For a minute they kissed playfully, before it deepened. Breathing through his nose, Harry rolled his tongue with hers, reveling in how natural and amazing it felt to touch her.
“So,” she murmured finally, looking up at him, “I guess we’re doing this.”
Harry’s gaze roamed her face as he ran his thumb back and forth under the side of her jaw.
“We’re definitely doing this,” he replied, breaking into a grin before kissing her again.
Groaning, she shoved him away, shaking her head with a smile as he finally left to find Ron.
~..~..~..~..~..~
Ron sat in the den, waiting for Harry and Ginny to show up. He knew Gin had broken up with Dean so he’d left them alone today, hoping they’d finally stop mucking around and just get together. He was sick of watching them moon over each other when they thought he wasn’t paying attention.
The long delay and the stupid grin Harry couldn’t keep off his face when he arrived was a pretty good sign that they had.
Now, if only he could stop mucking around with Hermione…but that was a problem for another day he decided.
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