Author's Note: Thanks so much to my reviewers! I appreciate your support. I also appreciate the emails telling me that so many of y'all favorited my story or favorited me as an author. Thanks again to my awesome beta reader, StephanieO. This chapter has a LOT of dialogue. Be patient with me, we will resume the sexy scenes in the next couple of chapters, I promise!
Disclaimer: All creative rights belong to their original creator(s) and in no way are connected to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, or Warner Brothers. The author of the following fanfiction does not in any way profit from the story and is written solely for entertainment purposes only. Rights to characters and their setting is neither claimed nor implied.
Chapter 2
I awoke with a mild hangover and a slight headache. I stretched my stiff limbs and discovered that my companion from last night decided to sleep over. I smoothed my morning hair and rolled over to face him, contemplating another round of mindblowing sex until I saw Harry Fucking Potter in my bed!
A scream tore from my throat, my heart sped up to a ridiculous speed, and my hands began to tremble. I scrambled back on the mattress and started fumbling for my dressing gown.
Harry began to stir as I hopped out of bed, rummaging through our pile of clothes from the evening before. "Harry Fucking Potter! Of all of the glamoured blokes to run into!"
I may have said a few more choice words, but you get the idea.
Harry squinted at me. "Ginny? Is that you?"
"Of course it's me you idiot!"
"I can't really see. I think I lost a contact."
Then he began to rummage about my bed as if THAT were the pressing issue! I tied my dressing gown around my naked body and began hurling his clothes at his face.
"Nevermind that! Put some clothes on. This was a huge mistake."
Harry seemed to find what he was looking for and applied a small circle to his right eye and then grimaced. "Yeah I just fucked my best friend's sister." He stood and began to dress himself.
"What!? Is that all that I am to you after all we have been through!? Get out!"
Harry glared at me as he fastened his trousers. "All right, calm down, I'm leaving! Let me put my clothes on and we can pretend this whole thing never happened."
I spun around and walked out of my bedroom. I couldn't handle this. Harry Potter - the man I had on a pedestal for my entire childhood, the man that saved my life, the man that I gave my virginity to and then broke my heart had stumbled into my life again. My chest ached as the emotions started to spring forth. I went into the loo and locked the door. I turned on the shower and sat down on the toilet for a good cry. Not two minutes later I heard the floo activate as he left. I'm not sure how long after that I stayed in the bathroom. At some point I drank a few glasses of water and showered, even though the water was only lukewarm at best.
I took extra care with my appearance that morning. My hair was curled into soft waves. My makeup was expertly applied to hide the evidence of my tears. I put on a tight black jumper and a dark green skirt. I would get no reprieve from last night's tryst because today was Christmas Eve which of course meant that I would go to the Burrow with the rest of the Weasley clan. I would sit and smile and have to treat Harry with the cool indifference I had been faking for the last year. I had to tell someone though or my heart would explode.
I stepped over to the fireplace and threw a pinch of floo powder in as I stuck my head into the green flames, "Hermione? Are you there?"
My brother's face appeared instead, "Hey Gin. She popped over to the Burrow to help Mum set up. I'm wrapping presents. While I have you, do you know if Hermione likes the abridged or unabridged version of books? I always get them confused."
I sighed at my brother's cluelessness, "Unabridged. It means there's more material."
A grin broke out across his face, "Good, I guessed right then. See you in a few hours at the Burrow then?"
"Yeah, see you then." I ended the connection and realized that I still had to get Mum and Dad a present since "Jack Henry" bought the last owl. Stupid git. Stupid me for insisting he take it. I grabbed my coat and handbag and apparated to an alley off of Carnaby Street in the muggle portion of London. I had had enough of running into people in Diagon Alley, thank you very much.
I walked down the street, grateful for a task to get my mind off of my current dilemma and popped into the first arts and crafts store I saw. I walked straight to the knitting section and picked out a book of knitting patterns at random for Mum. I threw in new yarn as well in her favorite colours. For Dad I stopped at an Electronics Store and bought him what looked like a kid's science kit. It had the parts to make your own circuit. It had directions and when you assembled the bits correctly, the light bulb would light up. It would definitely keep him intrigued - anything with electricity always did.
I apparated back to my flat, wrapped my gifts, and flooed into my mother's kitchen. I was greeted by the usual loud chorus of my family and friends and levitated my pile of gifts to the the mountain of presents dwarfing the Christmas tree in the parlour.
My mother folded me into a hug and then promptly put me to work on the pastries. My sister-in-law was working on the turkey and my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Hermione, was peeling potatoes and chopping vegetables with her wand. I kissed Fleur on the cheek and rubbed her growing belly in greeting. I whispered, "I need to talk to you," into Hermione's ear before kissing her cheek as well. She nodded in understanding as I started helping mum flour the dough, insert the fillings, and folding the pastries before they went into the oven.
I heard Harry floo into the house behind me a few minutes later. I lost concentration and managed to get flour on my black jumper. I went to the sink to try to wash it off, while Mum ordered me to grab one of her spare aprons.
"I will, just give me a moment, Mum." I called while peeling my jumper away from my body, scrubbing at it with a wet flannel.
"Here, allow me," Harry's voice boomed from behind me. I gave a little jump as an apron was pulled over my head. I felt the warmth from his strong arms as he tied the stays around my waist. My knickers traitorously began to feel damp at his close proximity.
"Thanks," I mumbled. I felt his lips brush my cheek in greeting and heard a soft, "Sorry," in my ear before he was hugging Hermione in greeting. I realized I was blushing and hoped no one would notice as I finished the pastries. Hermione had finished with the vegetables and was cleaning up the dishes as I put the last pan in the magically expanded oven.
My eyes met hers and I meaningfully looked at the stairs and back at her. She took off her apron and promptly followed me to my old bedroom. She locked and warded it behind me before plopping down on my bed next to me. "Spill. What is with you and Harry?"
I groaned and cradled my head in my hands, "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes, you jumped when he touched you and started blushing bright red!"
"Maybe I'll spend Christmas right here. I'll say I'm sick." I stretched out and put my head in Hermione's lap.
"You realize that would only draw more attention to yourself? Especially with Molly?"
"I suppose. Alright so yesterday I was shopping in Diagon Alley. I knew it would be crowded so I glamoured myself so I wouldn't be recognized. I was going to buy an owl for my parents but there was only one barn owl left. This handsome man and I reached for it at the same time. He insisted I take it but I refused and made him buy it. Then he bought me dinner and drinks and had mind-blowing sex at my flat."
Hermione looked confused, "What's that got to do with Harry?"
"I'm getting there. So during dinner we admitted that we were both under glamours because we both did not want to be recognized."
Hermione let out a groan of commiseration and started stroking my hair in a comforting gesture.
"So we gave each other fake names and were going to have some anonymous sex. The problem was this morning when we awoke both of our glamours were gone. I freaked out and threw him out of my flat."
"Well…..shit."
I let out a giggle, "Yeah, I think I said that too at some point."
She seemed to be deep in thought, "Wait, Harry stayed the night?"
"Yes, why are you focused on that right now?"
"Ok look, I'm not supposed to be telling you this. Swear on quidditch you won't tell a soul what I'm about to tell you?"
"You're scaring me, Hermione. I swear."
"So Harry has been a bit messed up since the war."
I scoffed, "Haven't we all?"
"Yes but it was pretty bad for him, Ginny."
I lowered my eyes to stare at my faded quilt, "I know," I said softly.
"Anyway, I think he has been battling depression and social isolationism."
"What does that mean?" I asked while picking at a loose thread on the quilt.
"I think he is stuck in this cycle. He gets lonely, has casual sex, pushes away any attempt at a relationship, and then repeats. I imagine he is pushing everyone away because he doesn't want anyone else to get hurt."
"Yes, that's why he broke up with me. I still got hurt plenty though."
"I know but Harry doesn't see it that way. It's difficult for me to explain. I'm not sure if he thinks he is not emotionally able to handle a relationship or if he thinks something bad will happen to someone he lets himself be close to. I mean if you look at the casualty list of people who died for him, you can see how he could think that, you know?"
I nodded my head in agreement.
"The part that surprises me is that he spent the night. He has this set of rules for his sexual encounters."
"What kind of rules," I asked incredulously.
"He never spends the night, he never goes out with them on their invitation, he never sees them again if they get emotionally attached, he never has them over to Grimmauld Place. Oh and the best part is he makes them sign a magical contract."
"HE WHAT?" I jolted into a sitting position.
Hermione laughed, "He has them sign a magical contract, basically a nondisclosure agreement forbidding them to talk to the press about him. Otherwise he would have a bunch of witches blabbing about his bedroom habits."
"Wow," I said lamely, trying to process all of this information.
"I take it you didn't sign anything last night?"
"No, I guess he thought he didn't need to since I didn't know who he really was."
"Still he did break a rule and spent the night with you," Hermione said hopefully.
"He fell asleep, it's not like he professed his love to me or anything." I grumbled.
"That's interesting as well. It's hard for him to sleep these days."
"I can understand that as well." I had my own struggles with sleep. I only slept well if I exhausted myself working out with the Harpies. On my days off I had to either take a potion or work out by myself.
"Me too." Hermione sighed. "This is is an interesting puzzle. What are you planning to do?"
I scrubbed my face with my hand in frustration, "Ugh, I don't know. I want to pretend it never happened. But part of me...I guess wants to make a go of it? Hermione, it was mind-blowing sex."
"Ok, spare me the details, you and Harry are practically family!"
"The only problem is that I'm terrified of him rejecting me again."
"Yes, that is a reasonable fear. You know we can't stay up here forever. Dinner will be ready soon. What are you going to do about Harry tonight?"
"I can't deal with him right now. I don't know where my own head is really. I guess I will just try to not be alone with him. I know we need to have it out eventually."
Hermione and I went downstairs and ate a lovely Christmas dinner with my family. I wedged myself between my mother and Percy to discourage any attempts of communication. The turkey was perfect, the vegetables crispy and flavourful, the bread flaky and buttery. Too bad it felt like it turned to stone as soon as I swallowed.
Harry tried to talk to me when we helped clear the table. I grabbed the tea service and darted into the parlour, my nerves taking over my manners. My hands trembled as I poured tea but luckily no one seemed to notice.
Harry joined us a minute later, shooting an annoyed glance in my direction. I pretended not to notice.
Harry started his annual chess match with Ron and lost quickly. I cursed his timing - as soon as the game finished Dad got up to go to bed, leaving a vacant spot next to myself on the couch. Harry took up Dad's spot by me.
"I need to talk to you," He leaned in and spoke softly into my ear.
I reached for a pastry in front of me and handed one to Harry. I leaned in to him, "I hardly think now is the time." I mentally berated myself as I inadvertently noticed how good he smelled.
I then came to Hermione's rescue. She was trying to politely get my mother to stop planning her wedding at the Burrow but mum wasn't listening very well.
"Mum, they haven't set a date yet. And isn't the bride supposed to plan with her own mother?"
She pulled back her shoulders and rounded on me, "Well it's not like I can plan your wedding anytime soon, dear."
On a normal day I could have handled that thinly veiled barb with grace. On one of the worst days of my year, it was just too much. I bit my lip to keep from getting in a row on Christmas Eve with my mother and got up quickly. "Right, excuse me, I'm feeling a bit tired. See everyone in the morning."
Without waiting for a reply I raced upstairs and retreated to the bathroom. I knew bathroom time tomorrow morning would be scarce so I decided to shower then while everyone else socialized down stairs.
I peeled off my clothes and stepped under the hot spray of the water. I was rinsing out my hair when the bathroom door burst open. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Why couldn't I have been born into a family of sisters? "Get out," I called through the curtain. I heard the door close and assumed the intruder had left. I jumped in alarm when Harry's voice came from the other side of the shower curtain.
"Look, I think we need to talk about some things. I know you've been avoiding me."
"Shit, Harry! I'm naked, get out!"
"24 hours ago we were both naked, that's what we need to talk about."
Just then we heard footsteps stomping up the stairs. Before I knew it, a fully clothed Harry Potter was climbing into the shower and closing the curtain.
"Seriously!?"
He held a finger up to his lips, gesturing for silence.
Ron barged in. "Ginny? Is that you in there?"
I let out a growl of frustration. "Yes, go away!"
"Calm down, I can't see anything. I just need to clean my teeth and then I'll be gone."
I rolled my eyes and looked over at Harry. His denims were completely soaked. He looked ridiculous, crouching at the opposite end of the tub. His glasses were completely fogged over now.
"Ave yer keen Harry?"
"What!?"
I heard Ron spit and rinse. "I asked if you had seen Harry. He's been acting sort of odd. Won't look at me. I just worry about him, you know?"
I made a noncommittal grunt. Just then I heard a different sound - water hitting water. "Ronald, are you seriously taking a piss right now? You are so vile!"
"Calm down, I'm almost done!"
"Whatever, just don't flush -"
He flushed. "Prick!" I dodged the scalding spray of water, grinning to myself as it hit Harry straight on.
"Love you," he called out mockingly.
As soon as the door closed Harry stood from his crouched position and waved his wand at the door, locking it. "That's why I wanted to talk. We need to figure out how we're going to play this. We are both acting odd."
"I'm not the one fully clothed in the shower," I shot back.
"I can change that." He teased, his hands drifting to his belt.
I promptly smacked his hand away. "No, I'm getting out and putting some clothes on."
Harry shrugged. "Suit yourself, I still can't see." He gestured to his foggy glasses.
I stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel, quickly drying myself. I transfigured the towel into a fluffy bathrobe and grabbed another towel for my hair. I sent a silencing spell on the door and turned off the water. I handed a third towel to a soggy Harry.
He cast a drying charm on himself and used the towel to dry his glasses. "Right. I'm not sure why you seem to be so upset. I guess I'm confused. You're the one who threw me out this morning."
I snorted inelegantly and tried to reign in my temper. "I'm upset because I wasn't planning on having sex with my ex! I am upset because when you found out who I was, you labeled me as just Ron's sister! I'm upset that you said we should pretend it never happened!"
"What was I supposed to do? You said it was a mistake!"
"Obviously it was a mistake. We never would have done it if we were sober and not disguised!"
A worried look passed over Harry's face, "Were you drunk last night?"
I waved off that concern, "Barely, I knew what I was doing. Or at least I thought I did."
"Then why are you upset that I said it was a mistake?"
I threw my hands in the air in exasperation, "No one likes having amazing sex and being called a mistake!"
Harry's eyes darkened considerably. "Good, it was amazing for you too then?"
"That's not the point!"
Harry looked disappointed, "Right. I meant what I said last night. I think I'm too screwed up for a relationship right now."
"You're not the only one who fought in the war, you know. I'm pretty messed up too." I reminded him gently.
"I know you did. But it's still not fair to ask you to deal with my shit. Can we be friends?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Friends with benefits or just friends?" I wanted there to be no more grey area in our relationship. I admit I wasn't completely sure what I wanted his answer to be.
"That is a decision that I will leave entirely up to you. If we decide to go with the benefits route, I will obviously need to count on your discretion. I know you of all people understand my position with the press."
I sighed, "Yeah, I know. They write about me too. This is a big decision. I'll need a few days to think about it."
Harry looked crestfallen, "Ok, I understand."
