The men apparated just outside the garden gate. Harry noticed Mr. Weasley nodding at Bill before turning for the gate. Harry started to follow,but Bill took his arm and stopped him.
"Harry, we need....," before he finished a Auror hurried up to the group.
Looking intently at Harry the Auror asked, "Is everything alright?"
Mr. Weasley stepped up to the Auror. "We're all fine, for the moment." He looked over at the Burrow. "We managed to find the two girls and capture some of the Dark Wizards."
The Auror turned to Mr. Weasley, "Did you really? Maybe someone could tell us before you all go off like that? We are trained to do those kind of things."
Now Mr. Weasley was looking hard at Harry,waiting for him to respond.
"I..I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have done that. Again. I hope you aren't in trouble." Harry really was sorry about the guards. Twice now he had gone off that way.
The Auror shook his head. "Not too bad. At least something good came of it. Were the girls alright?" He looked at Mr. Weasley.
"Better than the other one. They're both at St, Mungo's."
The Auror nodded before turning and walking back into the trees.
Ron, Charlie, and Mr. Weasley went through the gate and into the house. Bill turned to Harry again.
"Harry, we need to talk for a minute before we go in."
Harry watched Bill's face, looking for a clue about what he was going to say.
Bill's eyes were boring into Harry's. "We've all considered you a member of this family for years.Since you gave Ginny that ring, even more so. I hope you feel the same way?"
Harry nodded.
" In our family you don't do things like this Harry. You tell someone before you go off on some damn fool guess of an idea."
Harry started to interrupt, but Bill talked right over him.
"You saw how we all came, no questions asked, when you finally called for help?"
Harry nodded again.
"Then what made you think we wouldn't help from the start?"
"I thought.." once again Bill cut him off. This time with a raised hand.
"Harry I'm not sure you 'thought' much at all."
Then Bill looked over at the Burrow. Something seemed to bother him.He turned back to Harry. "There's no time for that now. One more thing, as a member of the family you have not yet been on the receiving end of one of Mum's tirades. I'm sure that's about to change. Don't argue and don't run. She loves you and when she gets it all out, she'll be fine. You're just going to have to take it along with the rest of us. With Ginny, you're on your own."
Bill looked back at the house again and muttered something that sounded like, "Too damn quiet," before setting off across the garden.
Harry followed. Just as they reached the door, Bill turned back to him.
"Harry, you and I are going to talk privately about what happened last night. You went after them with no plan. That's neither good or acceptable. We'll talk again about this later."
They entered the Burrow and stepped into the kitchen. The other three men were standing just inside the room, all looking down at the floor or up at the ceiling. No one was talking. Harry looked into the kitchen and saw all of the women seated at the table. Breakfast dishes were scattered about, but no one seemed to be eating. Rather, they all were staring at the new arrivals. Not one welcoming smile was in evidence. In fact, Harry was sure that there was a chill in the room.
* * *
The women had all pitched in and fixed breakfast. As they ate, they tried to make casual conversation, delaying talking about the men for a while longer.
Ginny and Hermione quized Mhari about her and Charlie.
Mhari was in fact a year older than Fleur. She knew Charlie from school, but they had just gotten together this spring. Mhari was a Potions Master with a specialty in those made with dragon's blood. She had moved to Romania after Christmas last year having studied three years in Ireland. She added quietly, so Mum wouldn't hear, that she thought things were pretty serious between her and Charlie. Ginny was thrilled. She had already warmed to Mhari's bright personality and the way she was with Charlie. She was obviously very caring,but didn't hesitate to call him down. When she did, he just took it. That was not like Charlie.In the past,any female doing that would have been gone in days; never to be seen or mentioned again.
As they finished eating, her Mum turned to the rest of the witches. "When our great heroes (several rude sounds were made) return, please let me say a few words first. Then if you would like, you can each say something to the whole group or speak privately with your partner." She looked around the table.
The women talked among themselves for a minute and decided Mum could handle the men as a group and they would each have some one on one with their men. They then agreed on a spot for each to have some privacy. Ginny took the rear garden, Hermione the boy's room, Fleur the sitting room, Mum her's and Dad's room, Mhari would stay in the kitchen, and Luna would join one or more of the ladies in their chosen location.
Ginny watched as Ron, Charlie and her Dad came into the room. They knew they were in for it. She became a little concerned when Harry and Bill didn't come in. Her Dad settled that.
"Uhh, Harry and Bill will be here in a minute. They needed to talk first."
Ginny wondered what that was all about.
Two or three minutes later Harry and Bill came in.There was blood on Harry's clothes. She worried that he might be hurt for a minute, then got her mind back to the matter at hand. Ginny felt her blood start to heat up. Mr. Potter was in for it.
* * *
Somehow, thanks to some nudges and shoves from the others, when they got into the kitchen Harry ended up at the front of the group, directly in front of Mrs. Weasley.
She sat there for a minute studying him.
Finally, she spoke, "Harry, are you alright?"
Harry mumbled, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"That's good dear. Did you rescue the girls?"
Harry thought, 'This may not be too bad.' "Yes. The older one was hurt pretty bad, but the younger one was alright. Well, considering."
Mrs. Weasley nodded as she studied him for another minute."That's good,Harry, that's good."
She stood up and moved closer, never taking her eyes off of his.She seemed to swell in size, getting larger. Then she raised her right hand and pointed her finger at his nose.
"So now Mister.... Harry... Potter..., tell us WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!? WAIT, I KNOW, YOU WEREN'T, OR MAYBE YOU THOUGHT IF YOU LEFT A NOTE THIS TIME YOU COULD JUST TAKE OFF ON YOUR OWN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED."
Harry started to reply, then remembered what Bill had just said.He tried to back up some, but felt several hands pushing him forward.
"WELL YOU WERE WRONG! WE'RE YOURFAMILY,AT LEAST WE THOUGHT SO UP 'TIL NOW. ALTHOUGH THAT MIGHT CHANGE BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER." She looked over at Ginny.
Ginny's eyes were burning at Harry and showed no reaction to Mrs. Weasley's threat.
"BUT, THAT MAY NOT BE SO BAD. WE DON'T NEED ANY IDIOT BLOOD IN OUR FAMILY."
Then she looked at Mr. Weasley and each of the brothers in turn. They all cringed.
"BUT IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT HAPPENING, GIVEN THIS LOT."
She looked back at the witches around the table before continuing.
"NOW I KNOW YOU THINK YOU HAVE PROTECT US POOR LITTLE WITCHES.."
There was grumbling from the others at the table.Harry was afraid to look that way.
"BUT I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN OURSELVES ABLE TO FIGHT IF WE HAVE TO OR ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE.NOW, LET'S BE PERFECTLY CLEAR ON SOME THINGS MISTER HARRY POTTER...."
She held up her other hand and counted off....
"ONE - YOU NEVER GO OFF LIKE THIS AGAIN. EVER.
TWO - YOU NEVER TREAT US LIKE WEAK, LITTLE CHILDREN
THREE - YOU SHOW ALL OF US THE RESPECT WE HAVE EARNED. AND I MEAN
ALL OF US. WOMEN AND MEN.
ARE WE CLEAR ON THAT?"Harry nodded
Then she looked at the other men," AND YOU LOT, SNEAKING OFF INTO THE NIGHT,LEAVING US HERE TO WORRY, YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE END OF THIS,YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT!"Mrs. Weasley lowered her voice a little, "Well. Now I think the others want to speak with each of you alone. YOU BETTER LISTEN!" She looked at each of the men. They all nodded.
She turned back to Ron and started poking him in the chest, " AND YOU! LYING TO MY FACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT . I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN AND I WON'T."She started out the door, "Come with me Arthur. 'Going for a walk' my aunt's knickers. Come on!"
Mr. Weasley followed her meekly through the door.
The other women got up and each took one of the brothers in hand except for Mhari. She just stood by her chair staring at Charlie, waiting for the room to clear out.
Ginny walked past Harry toward the door without looking at him, "Follow me," was all she said as she passed.
Harry followed Ginny out into the garden. His ears were still ringing.
As they neared Fred's grave, Ginny turned to face him. She held up her left hand and gripped her ring with her right. "You better be able to convince me not to give this back. I will not be treated like this Harry. This ring means we are partners, equal partners, in this relationship. If you can't act and treat me that way, then it will never work." Her voice was low and cold.
Harry felt his knees start to give way. Of all the things Ginny might say, this was the last he expected and the worst she could have chosen.
"Ginny please..." he paused as he sensed someone else walking up. He turned and found Luna standing there. Her eyes lacked that far away look they usually held. Instead they looked steely and angry. Her face held no emotion.
"Go on Harry. I want to hear this, too." Luna moved to stand next to Ginny.
Harry faced the two angry witches. He looked intently at Ginny," You know that feeling I got about the Dark Wizards, how my skin tingled?"
Ginny didn't move or speak.
"Well, after those two girls were taken I just felt so helpless and angry. It was like one of my nightmares except it wasn't you that was taken. I saw what it did to you when your dad told us," he looked back and forth between both Ginny and Luna, " and I just had to try something."
"I was laying in bed that night and I thought if I flew over the place where Kingsley thought they were I might find them. I also thought it was probably a pretty stupid plan, so I was embarrassed to tell Ron or anyone."
He tried to find some sign they understood, but saw only stoney faces.
"Anyway, I went to the farm and found some maps. I planned out," he remembered Bill's comments," where to search and took off."
He described his search for the girls and how he had found them.
"When I sent Horn for help, I told him not to let you know." He saw Ginny's face getting red and hurried on to try to explain, " I did that because they had already tried for you twice. I couldn't stand the thought that if something went wrong, I would be delivering you...you, Luna, and Hermione right to them."
He hoped they understood, "It wasn't because I didn't think you could fight or needed protection. I just didn't want to make it easy for them to get you if something went wrong. Do you see what I'm saying?"
Ginny finally spoke, "Harry, I reached out to you for two days, but you always had your barriers up. You could have told me you were alright or let me know something, but you closed me out"
Harry saw the confusion on Luna's face. She was looking back and forth between Ginny and him.
When Ginny noticed, she put her hand on Luna's arm,"I'll explain later, but you'll have to promise to keep it secret."
Luna still looked confused, but nodded to Ginny.
Ginny turned back to Harry. He saw she was waiting for an answer.
Harry didn't have a good one, "I know. Stupid and wrong.I'm sorry.I should have thought ...I'm sorry."
Ginny looked at him for a minute, then said, "Why don't you go over there," pointing to the side garden, " while Luna and I talk for a while?"
Harry nodded and went over and leaned against the wall, watching the two girls talk.
As he stood there he became aware of the sound of raised voices coming from the house. If he listened closely, he found he could pick out Fleur, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley.
He looked back at Ginny. She had not raised her voice at all. Was that good or bad?
* * *
Ginny listened with a great deal of skepticism. she was sure Harry couldn't justify what he had done. In the end though, what he said about them being taken hit a nerve.
When he had moved away she turned to Luna," Had you thought about being captured if we had gone?"
Lune looked down for a moment," Yes....I wasn't,.. I'm still not sure what I would have done if I had been asked.... What they did to Wenda...I don't want to die, but I'm not afraid to fight....I keep thinking what she went through....how long before her mind broke...I don't know. I think I would have gone..., but I'm sort of glad I didn't have to decide."
Ginny looked away. She had had the same thoughts...fears.
She was still staring off into space when she saw Bill and Fleur, then Charlie and Mhari come out of the Burrow and disapparate. "I wonder what they're thinking?" she asked herself.
Ginny hooked her arm through Luna's,They walked away from Harry a little further, "I feel the same as you. I want to be furious with Harry for leaving us out, but I'm glad I didn't have to make that choice....I want to believe that I would have gone anyway, I think I would have, but...Still, he could have told us what he was doing or let us know he was alright....I think I'll keep the ring and just make him pay for a while."
Luna looked back up at her. There had been a profound change in Luna in the past few days. That disconnected look was gone. 'I wonder if it will come back?' Ginny thought.
"We should let Harry suffer for a while, don't you think?" Luna asked.
Ginny turned so Harry cound not see her face. She smiled broadly, "Absolutely."
They stood with their backs to Harry as Ginny explained Dico Silentium to Luna.
"So you can talk to each other anytime you want?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, unless one of us has their barriers up," she frowned as she looked back at Harry."Let's go back to my room."
They turned and started for the house. As they passed Harry, Ginny gave him a cold look, "We're going back in. We're finished with you for now."
The two friends went up to Ginny's room to wait for Hermione.
* * *
Harry waited for them to go in the house before following. He felt some better. Ginny still had the ring. Maybe she would let him make it up to her somehow. He tried to think of something she would appreciate. He was still thinking when he entered the Burrow.
The kitchen was empty, but the table was still covered with dirty dishes. Harry set about cleaning up the mess. He had plenty of experience from the Dursley's, but now he could use magic.
No one had come into the kitchen while he was working, so when he finished, he went into the sitting room to wait for Ron to come down.
He had waited a while when he fell asleep on the sofa. The next thing he knew Ron was waking him up.
"Oi, Harry. Did you and Ginny get things worked out.?"
Harry rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then put his glases back on. Ron seemed to be in a really good mood considering what had happened.
"Well she didn't give back the ring, so I guess it could be worse. How about you and Hermione?"
Ron started blushing, "Yeah, we got things worked out." Then he looked a little frightened, "I still have to face Mum, though."
"Maybe she will cool down some."
Ron looked doubtful,"Maybe."
Just then they heard Mrs. Weasley walking into the kitchen. In a few minutes she was in the sitting room looking at the two boys,"Who cleaned up the kithen?"
Harry gave her a small smile, "Err, I did."
She looked at Harry for a minute then left the room. As she went through the door she called back, "Lunch in thirty minutes."
When everyone gathered around the table, Harry noticed that Hermione and Ron seemed to have worked out their problem. In fact, they acted strangely touchy. Ginny and Luna were polite to Harry, but not real friendly at all. Harry noticed both of them watching Ron and Hermione with knowing little smiles on their faces.
Mrs. Weasley's mood had definitely improved as well. She said that Mr. Weasley had gone back to the office for a while, but that everyone was coming for dinner.
After lunch, Mrs. Weasley took Harry up to the loo to look at his injuries. As Harry pulled off his shirt, he saw for the first time the wound starting at the top of his shoulder and running down his ribs. Charlie had done a good job fixing him up. All Mrs. Weasley had to do was clean the wound a little and apply a salve to stop infection.
"Harry, I'm through shouting. You can't do this to your family, and especially Ginny, again. You know how she's still afraid she will lose you. It will be a long time before she can forget how she felt when she saw Hagrid carrying your dead body to the castle. I hope I never hear a scream like that again. Don't make it harder for her."
"Mrs. Weasley, you know I love her...."
"I do, Harry, and so does Ginny....but she's still frightened. When you three disappeared.....If I had known about you two, maybe I could have helped her. Just remember now that when you do something you need to think about her and how she will feel."
"I did, just not the right way, I guess."
Mrs. Weasley just nodded and started to put away the salve and cotton waste.
When they finished, Harry went to get another shirt then went back downstairs.
Harry and Ron spent the afternoon on their brooms. The girls stayed inside.
* * *
To Harry, dinner was an odd affair. The other four couples all seemed to be in very good spirits. There was no sign of an argument between any of them.
Ginny, on the other hand, was still distant, but maybe not real angry anymore.
After dinner, the men went into the sitting room as the women gathered at one end of the table to talk.
Harry took Bill aside as they walked into the room."How come you and Fleur are in such a good mood? Ginny is still barely talking to me."
Bill looked at Harry and grinned," 'Make up' sex, Harry."
He must have seen Harry's confusion.
"One of the best things about an argument between a man and a woman...'make up' sex. After you and Ginny are married, you'll find out." There was no smile on his face as he said that last part.
Harry was almost speechless, "Then Ron and Hermione...?"
"Even Ron gets lucky sometimes, I guess," Bill laughed.
* * *
Things did get better. Ginny's mood improved after the women's talk at dinner Friday night. Harry wondered if she knew about 'make up' sex. He wasn't going to ask right now. She did let Harry walk her up to her room, and kissed him on the cheek before going in to bed.
Saturday Ginny eased back to a comfortable mood around Harry. There was no more talk about giving back the ring. He tried to apologize a few more times, but she cut him off.
The Daily Prophet had an article about the girls' rescue,but didn't mention Harry or the Weasleys. Harry thought he probably owed Kingsley for that.
In the sitting room Saturday night, Ginny tried an idea out on the group - A D.A. get together next Saturday night. Everyone thought it was a great idea, even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Sunday morning, Pig and Harry's owl, now named Remus, were put to use delivering invitations. By that night, they had heard back from eleven members. All were coming.
They were curious, though, Neville's and Hannah Abbott's replies had come back together.
On Tuesday everyone went to Diagon Alley for school supplies. After an hour of being stared at or pointed at, stopped for congratulations or thanks, and asked for autographs, the five friends went to George's store to hide and to wait while Mrs. Weasley finished their shopping.
George promised fireworks for entertainment at the party.
They Flooed back to the Burrow.
Much of the rest of the week was spent planning the party and laying in food and supplies.All together about twenty-five members plus guests (dates) of the D.A. would be there Saturday.
Ginny and Harry went to their last training sessions with the Sullivans on Wednesday and Thursday. As they trained, Harry found no hint that Ginny as still angry.
The Sullivans would be moving from the farm to Hogwarts this weekend.
* * *
Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day.
Hermione spent much of the day charming lanterns and candles into the trees and along the garden wall. Luna and Ginny charmed decorations all around the garden and across the side of the house.
Just at sunset the D.A.'s started arriving. Soon the garden was full of friends catching up and sharing stories.
Mrs. Weasley had covered a table with all kinds of good food. Nearby was a metal tub full of bottles of butterbeer and pumpkin juice charmed to stay cold.
Although there were several couples there, three were notable - Hannah and Neville, Cho Chang and Michael Corner (old news, but a bit of a surprise they were still together) and best of all George and Angelina Johnson.
Hannah had gone to the loo when Ginny and Harry cornered Neville.
"So Neville, you and Hannah. How did that happen?" Harry asked.
Neville blushed slightly before answering," Well, it turns out my Gran and Hannah's mum's parents are old friends. They started talking about the battle and figured out that we both were in the D. A. So, Gran took me along to dinner one night and Hannah was there. We got to talking and you know... We found out we got along.. and then..."
Hannah walked up and slipped her hand into Neville's, "And then we started getting together without the grandparents. That was much better." She laughed at Neville's embarrassment, then she turned serious. "I went to the Longbottoms to hide out when the Ministry sent out the warning. I've stayed ever since."
No one said anything for a couple of minutes.
"Harry, everyone knows you are the reason the warnings went out. Every girl here owes you." Hannah said softly.
Harry looked away, "It wasn't good enough."
Neville changed the subject, "Harry, I heard you and Hermione are going to teach first years,too."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I'm wondering if that was such a good idea."
Neville came right back," You'll do great. It will be just like you were in D. A. 's. Where are you staying at school?"
Harry was confused, "In Gryffindor I assume. Why?"
Neville looked at him oddly," Are you going back as a real student?"
"Well, yeah. Are you not?"
Neville grinned, "No I'm just a teacher and a helper for Professor Sprout. James Orland, he's going to teach first year Transfiguration, and I are going to share an unused teacher's apartment."
That got Harry thinking.
At about eleven George called everyone over to the paddock. There he and Lee set off a bunch of great fireworks. Glowing Hippogriffs and Thestrals flew while circled by golden Unicorns. Bats in all colors flew and firey fairies flitted around on tiny brooms.Dragons roared as they blew sparkling fire into the night. The highlight at the end of the show was a group of sparkling, silver birds flying over then exploding into "DUMBLEDORES ARMY" across the sky.
After the show Seamus Finnegan asked for a quiet word with Harry and Ginny. When they were out of earshot of the others, Seamus got to what he wanted.
"Listen you two. I've been visiting Dean all summer. The healers have done some good work. He's been back home for a few weeks and, well, he would like to send you each an Owl."
Ginny looked doubtful, "You know that didn't work out too good last year."
Seamus nodded, "I know, but he just wants to apologize to the both of you. Harry he didn't want you dead, you know that don't you?"
Harry thought for a minute, "Yeah, I really do hope that's true. Tell him to go ahead and send one to me. Then we'll see."
Seamus shook his hand,"Thanks Harry. This means a lot to him."
Over the course of the evening, several girls had made a point of thanking Harry for the warning. He tried to brush it off, but Susan Bones was having none of it.
"Harry you've been taking care of all of us for years in one way or the other. I wasn't at all surprised when I heard you were behind the warning. Maybe we can return the favor one day." She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. " Now let's all have a quiet, fun seventh year."
Harry hoped for that,too.
Of the classmates there, Susan, Hannah, Seamus, Ernie MacMillan, Michael Corner, and the Patil twins were all coming back for their seventh.
The party began to wind down around midnight as friends disapparated back home, or in some cases, places they could be alone.
The remainig couples cleaned up for a while then they all retired to the sitting room. George and Angelina took over one the chairs and developed their friendship, so to speak. Whatever it was going on between them, George had been smiling all night.
Everybody slept in Sunday. They spent the rest of the day organizing their things for school.
* * *
After lunch Monday, Ginny told Harry to pack a bag for two days.
Harry asked, "Where am I going?"
"We are going to the farm for two days,alone. Be sure to pack your nice pants and your blazer with a nice shirt."
Harry did as he was told and met Ginny back in the sitting room.
"Ginny, what are your Mum and Dad going to say about this?"
"I've already asked for their permission even though we don't need it." Ginny had a cocky grin on her face, "So are you ready?"
Harry nodded. They went into the kitchen and said good-bye to Mrs. Weasley. She gave them both a hug and told them to get some rest and "Have a good time."
It was just after two when they apparated at the farm. They took their bags up to their room. Ginny pulled something out of hers and said she would be right back.
Harry hung up his jacket and pants while he waited. He turned as he heard Ginny come back into the room. Harry was completely dumbstruck. Ginny was leaning against the door frame dressed in a very tiny green bikini and wearing a very sexy smile.
"I thought I would lay out in the back garden for a while. Would you like to join me?"
Harry continued to stare. He thought of the muggle posters in Sirius' room. They didn't compare to what was standing before him. "Yeah, sure, I'll find something to wear."
"Just wear your boxers Harry. It's only you and me."
Then she turned to walk away. There was much less bikini in the back and it looked good.
Harry stripped down to his boxers and gave chase. Ginny had spread an old blanket on the grass and was stretched out on her back with her eyes closed.When Harry joined her,Ginny showed him how to do a sunblock charm to keep him from burning. They stayed there for a couple of hours, talking and occasionally touching each other lightly. When a cool breeze chilled them despite the sun, they went in to clean up for dinner.
Ginny insisted that she needed Harry to wash her back in the shower, so Harry agreed to help. They both ended up washing quite a bit of each other, some spots several times. They finally got out after they ran out of warm water, clean and breathing hard.
Ginny put on an dressing gown and began to get ready for dinner. She told Harry to get dressed and go on down to the sitting room. Some time later Ginny came down wearing a blue dress that fit her curves well but not too tightly. The hem stopped a few inches above her knees.Showing off, what Harry thought were beautiful legs. He noticed she was wearing high heels for the occasion as well. He told her she looked beautiful, and he meant it.
Meeny called them to the dining room. They had a great meal -steamed mussels, a field green salad, chicken breasts stuffed with wild mushrooms and crispy steamed vegetables. Dessert was a raspberry souffle topped with heavy cream.
"When did you plan this?" Harry asked as they were finishing dessert.
"When we were here for our last session with the Sullivans."
"So you knew then....?"
Ginny smiled at him and nodded.
After dinner, Ginny led Harry over to the sofa in the parlour where they enjoyed some mild snogging. As they each got a little more passionate, Ginny broke things off and stood up, offering Harry her hand. Harry stood and followed as she led him upstairs.
When they got to their bedroom Harry reached for her again. Ginny pushed away his hands and then took off his jacket. She crossed the room slowly to hang it up before returning to start removing his shirt. When it was off Ginny hung the shirt over the jacket.
Once again Harry reached for her and again she pushed his hands away.She smiled very sexily, "Wait your turn Harry."
Ginny unfastened Harry's belt then had him step out of his pants, shoes and socks. After she took these to the dressing table she returned to Harry. She turned her back to him and lifted her hair from her neck. "Now it's your turn."
Harry reached for the zipper and slowly pulled it down. That's when he discovered that Ginny was wearing absolutely nothing underneath. He had seen her starkers before, just this afternoon, but this was sexy, very sexy.
When her dress puddled on the floor, she turned and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, "Love, I'm ready. Will you make love to me?"
"Oh, Merlin Ginny. I thought you would never ask."
They moved to the bed. As Ginny crawled up to lay down, Harry got rid of his boxers. When he looked up, Ginny was softly casting a spell at her tummy.
Harry lay beside her and they kissed and touched for a few more minutes. Now that they were about to take this final step, they became a little tentative with each other.Both were nervous. Then Ginny pulled Harry gently on top of her. They moved somewhat hesitantly, both unsure,until they were ready.
Ginny reached up and cupped his face in her hands, "Let me watch your eyes, Harry."
As Harry turned his eyes to hers, he became lost in those wonderful chocolate pools as he had so many times before. For a moment he forgot where they were and what they were about to do.
Harry thought he saw pain in her eyes for a moment, but before he could react to it, it was gone as other sensations and emotions took over. Soon they were both lost in a totally new place in their relationship.
For the next thirty six hours they only left the bed to use the loo or to take one a very long bath together.After the initial passion, much of the time was spent as it had been at the Burrow...gentle kisses and caresses.Except now, when they felt themselves losing control, they happliy gave in to it.
They dressed for the first time when they went down to lunch on Wednesday. They were smiling at each other like they had just discovered a great secret the rest of the world knew nothing aboout.
Meeny, bless her, had conjured meals to them in the room without disturbing them at all. Some of the meals turned into very fun times in the bed.
While they were having such an intimate, fun time Harry had used his best persuasion to get Ginny to tell him about the letter from his mum. He thought the circumstances might never be better. As she had since he gave it to her, she refused. "Maybe after the wedding" was all she would say.
They apparated back to the Burrow. Both were convinced that anyone seing their faces would know exactly what they had been up to. Frankly, they didn't care.
* * *
Well, Harry felt that way for a few minutes.
When they entered the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley was at the sink and Luna was sitting at the table reading a copy of Witch's Weekly.
She lowered the magazine as they walked in. The look they had known as 'Luna' was back in her eyes.
"Hello, have you enjoyed having sex for two days?"
Mrs. Weasley had started to turn to greet them. She suddenly turned back to the sink. Harry thought he heard her snort. Surely not.
He felt his face begin to burn. He looked down at Ginny, she had a odd little smile on her face as she looked at Luna.
"Ginny, she's your good friend. You answer."
Ginny looked up at him and the smile became pure evil. "Why, yes Luna we did. In fact , Harry hasn't let me wear a stitch since we left Monday.He barely let me out of bed to use the loo." She held her bag up to Luna, "This was a total waste of effort to pack."
Harry wondered if you blushed hard enough if you skin would bleed? He raised his hand to his cheek, but when he looked there wasn't blood on his fingers.
Luna looked over at Harry, "Shame on you Harry." Then she went back to her reading.
Mrs. Weasley's shoulders were shaking. After a moment she turned around and hugged Ginny. "Welcome home dear." Her face was bright red. She had an odd smile, too.
She moved to Harry and hugged him, "Did you have a nice time Harry? You look tired."
At that point she snorted again, then burst out laughing, Ginny joined in.
Harry turned and fled. He could hear Luna's laughter joining the others.
* * *
Ginny watched Harry disappear through the door. When it closed,she dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around her Mum.
When they both finally stopped laughing, she pulled back and smiled.
"Thanks, Mum. It was wonderful."
Her Mum looked at her closely, "You did use the contraceptive charms didn't you?"
Ginny nodded, "Every time I promise. Although once or twice it was a near thing if you know what I mean." Ginny laughed again.
Her Mum smiled at her and nodded, "I think I can remember. Now, have you really not eaten?"
Ginny chuckled."Meeny saw to it the we were fed and not disturbed. I just wanted to watch Harry's face."
They both laughed again.
"Ginny do you think he'll ever come down for meals before you go back to school?"
"I'll just tell him that I'll tell my brothers what he was up to if he doesn't. That should do it."
Her mother grinned up at her, then asked softly, "Are you sore?"
"Yeah, the book you gave me had a charm, but I forgot it. "
"Here," Her mother handed her a small bottle, "put about half of this in a warm bath. You will feel much better. Go on now." She gently pushed Ginny toward the door."You may have to.."
"I already figured that out Mum."
Ginny went up to her room and put her bag on the bed.She pulled out her dressing gown and put it on after she got undressed. She dug out some clean underwear and stuck it and the small bottle in one of the pockets. As she crossed to the loo Harry came down the steps.
"Need some help washing your back?"
Ginny gave him a mock angry look, "You're the reason I need to go to the bath."
When he looked confused, she leaned close to him and whispered, " I'm sore down there and it's your doing."
Ginny,I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...."
Ginny put her fingers over his mouth, " Harry, don't worry. I expected it. It's part of what happens. Mum gave me this for my bath. I'll be fine."
"Your Mum?" Harry looked like he was going to bolt again.
"Harry, she's fine with this. Don't be embarrassed. She knows you love me and she knew exactly what was going to happen.Well maybe not exactly, but close enough."
Harry's shoulders seemed to relax a little.
Ginny looked down and recognized a small book in Harry's hand," Where are you?" she asked pointing to the book.
"Christmas holiday in her fifth year. Before you ask, Dad's still a prat."
Harry had gone back to Godric's Hollow and brought home all of his mum's diaries. He had been reading them, a little bit at a time, all summer. He promised her that they would read them together after he had finished them all.
"I'll see you in a bit," she pecked him on the cheek and went to her bath.
* * *
Luna's dad came for her on Thursday. Before she left, she promised to sit with them on the train Tuesday.
Ron came back on Thursday, at his mother's insistance, so he could get ready for school.
That night, as Harry kissed Ginny outside her door, she whispered,"Come back later."
Later, in the early morning hours, Ginny raised up and looked at Harry with a serious expression," What are we going to do next week?"
Harry frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I mean what are we going to do about this? I'm not waiting for Christmas holiday to sleep with you again."
Harry had wondered the same thing,"Well, we can go into Hogsmeade every weekend now. We can get a room at the Three Broomsticks maybe."
"Good, so you are thinking about it?"
Harry nodded, "Quite a lot actually." He grinned.
"Well you should be rewarded for your effort."
They didn't speak for a while.
* * *
As was always the case, Monday, the day before they left, was frantic.
Hermione was staying with her parents and would meet them at the station.
Mrs. Weasley had a hundred questions about their readiness.
For all of them it was hard to believe this would be the last time.
Printer Friendly Version
