Dawn crept over London, spreading light and a smattering of warmth over the city. Slowly, traffic began to pick up as muggles began the work day. Coffee shops were opening, serving the daily worker's ambrosia known as coffee. The smell of it permeated the air around building, and with so many together, wafted into the park where a lone individual sat on a bench.

Morning joggers went running on the path past the bench, only glancing briefly at the man sitting there, checking to make sure he was not going to jump up and try to grab them. Everybody heard about the disappearances from not quite two years ago. No one wanted to be the next one. A man sitting by himself at this hour of the morning, staring out into space as if no one else existed, made people nervous. The man seemed to have noticed this and changed his position, trying to look more relaxed and less threatening. The problem was that Harry Potter was anything but relaxed.

Harry had arrived at the park shortly after midnight that night. He had reached the park after walking around muggle London for a couple of hours, no destination in mind. He had chosen the park after his legs had gotten heavy, his mind tired, and his thoughts less organized. Taking a seat at the bench, he had taken the time to mull over his thoughts anew. They all traced back to the same spot, Ginny.

In their time together, the duo had rarely fought. Like any other couple, they had had their disagreements. These, though, always stemmed from their time apart. Ginny had finished her seventh year at Hogwarts and Harry had started his training program with the Auror department at the Ministry. Their time together had only come during the holidays. The time in between was relegated to owls and the occasional Hogsmeade visits for Hogwarts students. This time was special to both of them, but strained as they both knew it would end all too soon. The stress of exams on Ginny coupled with the assignments and training that Harry had to take on caused them to disagree and openly argue about some of the stupidest things. But they always worked them out. The end of the visit or holiday always involved heavy snogging, an apology from both, and the promise to continue writing.

The fight last night, however, had been different. Harry could not help but dwell on it.

Harry had come home early from the ministry. He had great news to share with Ginny. They had made plans to get together that night. With her training schedule with the Harpies, they cherished these nights together. Harry knew that with the season starting soon, and this being Ginny's rookie season, he was going to have to make the best of these moments. And his news was going help.

Reaching his room, Harry got changed for their date tonight. He was taking Ginny to a muggle restaurant that Ginny and he had discovered during the winter holiday. They served a combination of American and Mexican foods. Ginny had grown fond of their enchiladas while Harry practically drooled over his filet mignon. It had become their regular place for date night.

Five minutes later than she promised, Ginny stepped out of the fireplace in the kitchen. Harry was there, smiling at her. "Harry!" she'd exclaimed before jumping forward to give Harry a hug, followed by a deep, passionate kiss. Harry never minded that she was late. According to Ron, Hermoine was never on time either. Based on his experience during school, it was either a Weasley trait, which Hermoine picked up on, or a woman trait, which Harry would never question.

"You need to get ready," Harry said, extracting himself from Ginny's arms. "Our reservation is in less than an hour. I know how much time you like to take when you get here."

Harry was teasing of course, but that didn't stop Ginny from throwing him a sour look.

"I wouldn't have to spend so much time if every woman we passed didn't look at you like you were 'Desirable Number One'. Even the muggle women are starting to look at you."

Harry gave her the smile that Ginny hated. It was the smile that had gotten him out of trouble so many times over the holidays. She was sure he used it at work, too. There were enough women in the Ministry. While Ginny was not normally a jealous person, she knew that Harry's status as "The Boy Who Defeated Voldemort" made him desired by every witch in London. The fact that he had chosen someone as 'plain' as Ginny, as the Prophet had reported, rubbed most of those women the wrong way. While Harry never elaborated, she was sure they tried to woo Harry away. That smile, though, would get him out of any problem, with any woman. And Ginny hated it so much.

"Oh knock it off, Potter," she said, taking her bag and heading upstairs. "You've already won me over. Save it for the harpies at the ministry." She paused briefly at the choice of names. "You know what I mean!"

Harry chuckled as Ginny went upstairs. He took the time that she was getting ready to review a couple of reports he had brought home with him. They were nothing important, but still needed to be looked at. He made notes where he thought information needed to be added. Quickly, he had lost track of the time. It was not until he heard the squeak of the bottom stair, signaling Ginny's descent, that he looked up from the papers.

"Wow," he said, giving a low whistle.

"So you like?" Ginny asked, giving a slow turn.

Harry only nodded. Ginny was wearing a knee length, dark blue dress that followed every curve of her body. Her hair, normally left long and free, was curled and pulled up into a loose bun. Her face seemed to glow. Harry could not help but stare.

"We're going to be late," Ginny said, giggling.

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Let's go, Potter," she answered, taking his hand.

The pair took a taxi to the restaurant. While it was only a short distance from Harry's house, Ginny had taken long enough that walking would have made them late for the reservation. They enjoyed the ride, leaning into each other and giggling, exchanging quick kisses. Harry was sure the taxi driver had looked in his mirror several times and smiled.

The dinner was fantastic. Ginny opted for a grilled chicken dinner, not wanting to run the risk of getting sauce on her dress. As it was, Harry had to clear some mashed potatoes off her cheek. She laughed as they remembered Ron trying the same thing with Hermoine and some toothpaste.

After dinner, the couple walked back to Harry's house. The night was cool, but not cold. Harry had already handed his jacket over to Ginny. As they walked, they held each other close, enjoying the warmth and presence of the other. The talked quietly about Ginny's training with the Harpies. She was doing well beyond what the captain had originally thought. It was most likely that she would be able to start in their first game of the season.

"That's great, Ginny!" Harry said enthusiastically. "I knew you had it in you. I've got some good news as well."

They stopped outside the stairs to Harry's house. He took Ginny's hands. Ginny's heart fluttered. Was he doing it now? He couldn't be. They had discussed this. They both needed time for their careers.

"I've gotten my promotion," Harry said. Ginny's heart fell slightly. "It was faster than anyone expected. While I still have some training scenarios to go through, I've been given the rank of Auror, second class."

Ginny smiled again. "That's great, Harry. You're going to get to make those changes that you've been talking about. You're going to make a difference."

"I know," Harry answered. "I have a seminar in the United States next weekend to go to and then…"

"Next weekend?" Ginny interrupted.

"Yeah, in Washington D.C. Why?"

"Next Saturday is Opening Day," Ginny said. "My first match during the regular season. You said you'd be there."

Harry's eyes grew wide for a moment.

"Next Saturday?" he asked. "I thought it was the weekend after."

"No it's not," Ginny answered. "I sent you the owl yesterday with tickets. You were going to get to sit in the Friends and Family box. You don't remember?"

"Ginny, I'm sorry. I haven't had a chance to read the post for a couple of days."

"You promised, Harry. You swore that you'd be there for that match." Tears had started to form in Ginny's eyes.

"Ginny. I want to be there, but…"

"But your career is more important than me. Your girlfriend. The one you said that you'd do anything to be with."

"Yes, Ginny. But I can't reschedule this. All second grades have to go. This is the only one for the next six months."

Harry glanced around and could see that people were looking. They were making a scene.

"Ginny, can we take this inside? People are starting to stare."

"No! This is the only time I'll be flying in my first professional Quidditch match. You can at least go later. I can only play in my first match once. And you can all sod off!" This last was directed to a couple that had glanced in their direction.

"Ginny, please, let's not fight about this."

"We're not fighting, Harry. We're 'disagreeing'. What we're disagreeing about is whether or not you think your career is more important than mine, which it obviously is. And I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Tears streaming from her eyes, Ginny shrugged out of Harry's grasp, walked up the steps, and opened the door to Harry's house. Stepping inside, she turned, letting Harry seeing the smudges of her makeup and the redness of her eyes. Sniffing, she slammed the door shut, leaving Harry standing where he was.

Harry sat staring over the park. He never went back inside. He knew Ginny was mad at him. He also knew that deep down he was mad at her. He did not choose the assignments. He went where he was told. But he had never wanted to do it at the expense of the woman he loved.

Deciding that going into the house to try to talk to her right then would have been a mistake, her being a Weasley woman after all, Harry decided to take a walk. Several hours and no answered questions later found Harry sitting on the park bench. The more he thought, the more he realized that he had been pushing Ginny away. Before last night and their almost perfect date, Harry had been so preoccupied with training reports, procedural manuals, and pure exhaustion that he had not been giving Ginny the attention she deserved. She might still be around now, but how much more would she be willing to take?

Harry knew he needed to talk to Ginny. Apologize to her. But what could he really say. He had broken his promise, even if it was through no fault of his own. He had sworn never to do that. So what could he really say? He started talking to himself.

"Ginny, I am sorry. No. Not sincere. Ginny, can I try to explain something? You were right. I did make it seem like I was putting my career in front of yours. I've been getting so wrapped up in case files, assignments, the restructure Kingsley has talked about, that I forgot what really was supposed to be important. I haven't been listening to what you've been saying. Not really. I've been so caught up in my own thoughts that I heard what you said without hearing. You're right. I can reschedule. I'll talk to Robard and tell him I'm just not ready. Ask him to push back the promotion and the training. I said I would be there for you, and I will. We're more important than anything that the Ministry could give me."

Harry nodded. It was the truth. Harry had pushed Ginny so hard to get on the Harpies squad that he had to be there the first time she played. Not being there would mean he did not have faith in her.

"What about a future for our family?" a voice asked behind him.

Harry stood and spun around. Ginny was standing there, two cups of coffee in her hands. She looked a little worse for wear. Harry could tell that she had not slept well that night. Her eyes were bloodshot, which Harry knew meant she'd barely slept.

"What?" Harry asked rather stupidly.

"You said 'We're more important than anything that the Ministry could give me.' Does that include a future for our family? Income? The ability to take care of a pregnant wife at some point?"

Harry stammered, trying to come up with a response. But everything that came out was gibberish. He finally just shut his mouth and shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't know what to say. Ginny took the cue and moved next to him, handing him a cup of coffee. He glanced at it before a serious look came on his face.

"How did you know I was here?" he asked. "I didn't know where here even was until I got tired of walking last night."

Ginny sat down and patted the seat next to her. Harry took it, but kept his space. Ginny frowned at this.

"When I got up this morning, you hadn't come to bed," Ginny said. "Not a surprise, really. I figured you'd slept on the sofa but when I came downstairs, you weren't there, either. Kreacher said you hadn't come home yet. I was worried and asked him to find you."

"Oh," Harry said. He took a drink of his coffee. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"I know. And I know you, Harry. Did you fret on this all night?"

"Yes. Your dad told me, back when you were still at school, to never go to bed mad. And I was mad. So I decided to walk it off. But after a while, I knew that I wasn't mad at you. I was mad at myself. I realized that I hadn't really been giving you the attention you deserve lately. I mean, how many guys can say they're dating a professional Quidditch player? I should be doting on you, not ignoring you." Harry sighed, dropping his gaze to his coffee cup. "You deserve someone better than me. You deserve someone who could treat you better than an overworked Auror that can't get away from the Ministry for a Quidditch match."

Harry felt Ginny's hand under his chin. Gently, she lifted his eyes until his eyes met hers. As always, he was lost in the depth of those brown eyes. He could not help himself.

"Harry," Ginny said lightly, gently rubbing his cheek. "Who in the world could make me feel the way you do? Don't you dare." Harry had been about to give an answer that did not include his name. "I fell for you the first time I saw you. The only person I ever wanted to be with was you. Michael, Dean? They were fillers. I only wanted you. You cannot believe how happy I was when you came to your senses. Of course, the surprise snogging was nice, too." Harry smiled. Ginny returned it. "And that smile. It used to make me melt. Still does, really. That's why I got mad at you last night. I still feel so giddy when I'm with you. I was afraid that I was going to just cave in and forgive you before you'd realized what you'd done. So I went with anger."

"You're good at it," Harry quipped.

"Watch it, prat," Ginny said, glowering at him softly. "I wanted you to see that there were two sides to this relationship. And based on the fact that you're still sitting out here and what I overheard, I think you have."

"I have, Ginny," Harry said. "And I am sorry. Your career is just as important to me as mine is to you. I'd like to think that it's even more so. You're happy when you're on that broom. I can see that. And I want you to be happy."

"I am happy, Harry," Ginny replied, scooting closer to Harry. "I'm happy when we're together, even when we're physically apart. I know you were never happy about me having to live in the team dorm. Believe it or not, it bothered me, too. But I knew I'd still have time to see you. If Voldemort himself couldn't keep us apart, what in this world could? Nothing. But back to the match."

Harry's face fell again. Ginny leaned in a kissed him, something she hadn't done since before dinner the night before. It was several moments before she released him. When Harry opened up his eyes, Ginny was smiling at him again.

"See, together we're better," she said. "Go to your training. You can't pass up this opportunity. If you skip this promotion, you'll miss out on a chance to make the changes you and Kingsley talked about."

"But what about the match?" Harry asked.

"They will be others," Ginny answered. "Besides, I think some of the girls would be even more jealous when my famous boyfriend shows up with a spiffy new Auror badge. You know, they are jealous of me. You have a fan club at the dorm."

Harry blushed. He never liked that limelight. And having a 'fan club' did not help.

"I think I scared Martha when I saw one of your news clippings hung above her bed. I know I have a temper, but I'm pretty sure she wasn't happy with me when she was picking the pieces of the clipping off the floor."

"Gin," Harry warned. "Don't get yourself kicked off the team."

"Oh, I won't. You should have seen how much she wanted to be my friend when she found out that I was actually dating you. She wants your autograph."

"Not bloody likely," Harry said, scowling.

"I know, but I'll hint that you might, after you get your Second Class badge."

Ginny was smiling. Harry leaned in, kissing her again. This time, he held the kiss. For several minutes the two were connected. When Harry finally pulled away, he was smiling again.

"Two things, Ginny." Ginny raised her eyebrows. "If you're mad, don't walk away. Let's work it out. Staying up all night does not really suit me anymore."

"And the second?"

"I'm going to make it up to you, somehow. I promise."

"I know you will."

The following Saturday brought bright skies and a slight breeze to the town of Holyhead. Perfect weather for Quidditch. Ginny Weasley, newest chaser for the Holyhead Harpies flew around the pitch, warming up and getting a feel for the air patterns. She looked out into the crowds, much larger than she was used to seeing while at Hogwarts. While the other girls had warned her that it would be different, she was not ready for the immensity of everything.

On her second lap around the pitch, Ginny was sure she saw the glint of a pair of glasses sitting in the Family and Friends box. It took a third lap before she recognized Harry sitting there. She pulled up short and turned to the box.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Bad business in the states," Harry said, a wide smile on his face. "Somehow a box of Puking Pastilles got send to the seminar coordinator. He hasn't stopped getting sick for two days."

"You didn't!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. It's a shame. George said it looks like it was shipped to the wrong address."

Ginny laughed. She could see Gwenog approaching her from the other side of the pitch.

"Go!" Harry shouted. "I'll see you after."

Ginny waved and spun around to finish her warm-up laps. Every trip past the box gave her a great smile and feeling of being able to do anything.

I do love that man!