A/N: Alright, that's chapter two done. And it's really long. Like, seriously. Oh, and it earns its M rating. Just a warning. Thanks If you reviewed, or even if you just read the last chapter. I'll try to keep 'em coming fast. Anyhow, here it is...
(Oh, and for both chapters- DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling owns the characters and settings, and she can have the plot if she wants it.)
~~~Flowers from Ashes~~~
Chapter 2
Harry reappeared outside the door to Grimmauld Place, his head swimming. Ginny still loved him, and the Weasley brothers had left him alive long enough to slip away in one piece. He couldn't wipe the stupid grin off his face as he entered the house. "Kreacher!" he called.
"Yes Master Harry, sir?"
Harry grabbed the house elf and pulled him into a tight hug. Kreacher's eyes bugged out he squirmed out of Harry's arms.
"She loves me! Ginny loves me!" He danced up the steps and collapsed spread-eagle on his bed with a dreamy smile.
When he awoke, Harry had been stripped to his boxers and tucked under the covers. He glanced at the clock on his wall. He was supposed to pick Teddy up at ten, which gave him an hour and a half to get dressed, eat, and do a bit of cleaning before Teddy arrived. He sat down across from Kreacher, who was, as per Harry's request, already eating and grabbed a plate of eggs and a stack of mail from the pile. These were the job offers, as he had effectively given up on the fan mail. He started on the stack, flipping through them glancing over the descriptions and sorting them into 'possibly' and 'no' piles. When he was done, the letters that remained were from six different Ministry departments, including several letters from the Aurors, multiple elite Quidditch teams, and one which he had yet to open, but was emblazoned with the familiar Hogwarts crest. Harry reached for the letter and began to read.
Dearest Mr. Potter,
In the unfortunate events surrounding the final battle with and the defeat of Lord Voldemort, we once again find ourselves out another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I do not know if you can return to Hogwarts after what occurred here in the past months, but if you can, I can think of no better man or woman to fill the positions of Defense Against the Dark Arts and of Head of Gryffindor House. I will expect a response by the end of the summer.
Best Regards,
Headmistress McGonagall
Harry knew in his heart that he would undoubtedly return to the first home he had ever known, and that no other offer, however tempting, could ever match it. He smiled and decided to go pick up Teddy a little early.
Ginny didn't know what state Harry had left in last night, and she certainly wasn't going to go over and find out. She knew that Harry had a temper that could match a Weasley's, and since he hadn't cursed anyone last night, he would probably unleash it on the next red-head he saw, and she didn't plan on it being her. So instead she lay in bed and remembered their kisses. Two little kisses, and yet they still made her heart race when she thought about it. He still loved her, and she still loved him, and that, she thought, was a beautiful thing.
Harry stepped into the Tonks' kitchen and shook his long black hair like a dog, greatly amusing his godson, who was sitting on the counter, his hair a bright blue. Harry laughed with his godson and picked him up and swung him around.
"Hello there, Harry," he smiled at Teddy's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway.
"Oh, hello, and hi there to you too Teddy," Harry cooed at his godson.
"Harry, I have a proposal to make."
"Yeah?"
"I think it's about time you took full responsibility for Teddy, it's what Dora wanted."
Harry blinked. He didn't know whether to be excited or nervous. He loved his godson, but he was seventeen, he was hardly ready for a kid to take care of, especially when he would be living at Hogwarts most of the year. But then he remembered Tonks and Lupin smiling at him, and he knew he couldn't let them down. "Of course, that sounds like a great plan!" And he couldn't stop from grinning. He picked up Teddy and covered him in his rain jacket.
"I'll just banish his things to your house, Harry."
"Ok, that would be great."
Ginny was eating a late breakfast when a loud rap came at the door, and she leaped up to get it, gesturing at her parents to stay seated. She grabbed the door handle, silently praying that it was someone interesting, and yanked it open. "Harry!" she yelped in happy surprise. She wanted to throw her arms around him, but he had Teddy in his arms and her parents were watching from the table, so instead she just grinned, and he gave her a smile that warmed her from head to toes.
"Hey, Teddy just wanted to say hi, so we swung by," He was grinning, and there was obviously more than he was letting on.
"And?" Ginny asked expectantly as she guided him to the table and sat him down
"Well, Andromeda gave me Teddy permanently," He tried to look nonchalant, but the happiness was radiating from his face.
"Really! That's great!" Ginny knew how much Harry enjoyed raising Teddy.
"But are you sure you're ready Harry? I mean, raising a child is hard work, and I would know," Mrs. Weasley looked concerned for Harry, but deep down, she knew it would be just what Harry needed.
"I'm sure I'll be fine Mrs. Weasley, and if something happens, I know just who to turn to" Harry smiled and sat back to watch Teddy play with Ginny's hair, trying to make his the exact same shade of red. They all laughed at his frustration when he couldn't do it.
"That's Weasley red, Teddy," Ginny cooed "You have to be one of us to have it."
Teddy just glared at her.
"So Harry, have you found a job yet?" Arthur asked him. Harry knew that Arthur wanted Harry to work in the Ministry, and was probably personally responsible for several of the job offers Harry had received.
"No, I think I'm going to take a year off to get Teddy settled in and the house cleaned up, and then I'll find something," Harry had already decided to keep his job a surprise for his friends.
"You know, Ron and Hermione are going to finish their seventh year," Mrs. Weasley wanted Harry to return to Hogwarts for a final year to finish out his education, but Harry had already made his decision.
"But that's Hermione, and Ron's only going because she is," Harry countered. Mrs. Weasley huffed and began to clear away the breakfast dishes. Ginny saw a golden opportunity.
"Hey, mum?"
"Yes dear?"
"Could you hold Teddy? I want to show Harry something."
"Oh, of course," Mrs. Weasley smiled and took the baby and began cooing at him. Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up stairs to her room. The door was barely shut before her hands were in his hair and her lips were against his. He wrapped his arms around her with one against the small of her back and the other at the nape of her neck. Her tongue forced his lips apart and he moaned into her mouth. Ginny's eyes rolled back in her head. She had missed this: the feel of his hands, the taste of his tongue, his musky scent. She had missed him. She began to play with the buttons on Harry's shirt when, once again, the door burst open and the moment slipped away between her increasingly frustrated fingers.
"Ginny! Did you forget we were going dress shopping today?" Hermione was smiling, but Ginny could feel the nervous energy swirling when she had entered the room. "Oh, hello Harry, how are you?"
"Uh…" Harry gulped like a fish, his cheeks the color of beets.
But before he could reply, Hermione was back to talking to- or rather at- Ginny. "We've got so much to do, there are decorations, a cake…" Harry tuned out the girl-talk and began to find ways to convince Ron to not murder him. Ginny flopped down beside him as Hermione left her to 'get ready' and harrumphed. She looked angry.
"Ugh, all I want is some alone time, is that too much to ask for?" She grumbled.
"Hey, listen," Harry had an idea ", Hermione is so stressed that once you get your dress, she won't notice if you step out early, and your parents expect you to be out all day with her, so…" He grinned and she kissed him. It was quick, but it still made his heart (and certain other parts of his body) warm and tingly. Ginny was almost to her door when she turned around.
"I forgot something," she was grinning evilly ", you're coming too." She grabbed Harry by his ear and dragged him towards the door.
Harry stepped out the door of his house, where the trio had stopped to leave "Master Teddy" in the care of Kreacher. He and Ginny were both still giggling at the sight of a tiny elf calling an even smaller toddler "master, sir" and giving him his every desire.
"Let's just hope he doesn't wish for a pony," Ginny barely held back laughter when Harry's eyes grew wide at the thought.
"Come on, there's so much to do, the wedding is so soon!" Hermione was almost hyperventilating now, and her friends' good humor was not helping. With an eye-roll Ginny dragged Harry down the steps and into the street, where the three turned on their heels and vanished into the night air. From the shadows, a man in a dark hooded cloak watched them leave.
Harry sighed as his companions dragged him into another dress shop. The two had been squealing and giggling for the past two hours in a language he was sure wasn't English. He wondered what Teddy was doing. It was probably more exciting than this. He glanced at his watch again. He had her all alone if he could just wait. All alone… He shook his head. He shouldn't be having these thoughts about Ron's sister. She was practically his sister. But then, there was so much more. She was beautiful with her red hair in a flaming halo around her stunning face, her body fit perfectly in his arms and her lips were sweet against his. He wanted her more than he wanted anything else, and now that Voldemort was dead and gone, his Death Eaters scattered, Harry could have her. He could have a family, be the father Vernon never was and his Dad never had a chance to be. He, for once, had a future that was not riddled with Voldemort and green lights.
"Hey Harry, you ok?" Ginny sat down next to him.
"Better," He smiled
"Good, now let's go before Hermione finds something else for me to try on," She grabbed his hand and they slipped out into the night.
When they opened the door, they were both braced for the worst. They both gasped. Kreacher was washing the table with a pristine white rag while Teddy snored in the crib that Harry had hastily conjured that morning. Harry grinned ", Kreacher, I'm impressed."
"Thank you Master Harry, sir."
"Was Teddy good?" Ginny was stroking Teddy's bright blue hair.
"Yes, of course Master Teddy was good Miss Wheezy, ma'am."
"You want something to drink?" Harry gestured towards the muggle fridge.
"Uhhh, sure, what do you have?" At this, Kreacher leapt into action, grabbing a serving tray and to glasses. He snapped his fingers and a drinks list appeared on the table. "Hmm… I'll have a butterbeer I believe."
"Yeah, me too," Another snap, and two frothing glasses sat in front of them. They both giggled as Kreacher shuffled away, chest stuck out and tray held high. "So, how've you been?"
Ginny resisted the urge to go off on him for leaving them- her- in the dark. "Bored out of my effing mind, mostly."
Harry suddenly seemed to see something interesting at the bottom of his glass "Hm, sorry."
Ginny hadn't meant for that to come out so pointed. "So, you're not going back to Hogwarts?"
"For the last time, no."
"Sorry, mum made me ask."
"I figured."
"So, we aren't going to just sit here all night, are we?" She smiled seductively. Harry grinned and they moved closer across the table, and Ginny felt that there was some kind of gravitational attraction between their lips. Then came a knock at the door. "Damnit!" Ginny was enraged "I'm gonna go and give whoever's at the door a piece of my mind!" Harry caught her hand and pulled her into an embrace.
"Settle down." And he kissed the top of her head before turning to the door. "Good day, Minister." Ginny was suddenly very glad Harry had stopped her.
"Harry, just call me Kingsley, we've known each other long enough." The big man filled the doorframe.
"Sorry Kingsley. But you're hardly here for a visit are you?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"Well come in and sit down, and then we can talk." He ushered Kingsley and his Auror bodyguards through the door.
"Miss Weasley, how nice to see you again." The minister seemed to take nothing by her presence. "Harry, you're getting soft, you forgot to ask me."
"Actually, Hermione and I improved the wards on this place so that any disguise is banished as soon as you cross onto the property."
"Impressive."
"Yeah, but let's cut to the chase. I've already told you that I won't work for the Ministry. I don't need that kind of press right now, no matter how much you do."
"Of course, I've learned from Scrimgeours' mistakes, and I won't try to make you be our poster child. All I need from you now is help reestablishing the Order."
"That, Minister, I can do, but it'll take a while."
"Great, but we need new members, a new meeting place, a new leader, new signals, the whole shebang."
"I think the old DA is good place to start, but most of the younger ones are going back to Hogwarts, along with Ron and Hermione, Neville and Luna are honeymooning somewhere, the older Weasleys all have demanding careers, and I have a godson."
"I trust you'll get them all together."
"As for a meeting place, I'm not opposed to continuing to use this place, I'll just add it to the list of renovations I have to make at some point."
"Wonderful. Now as a leader…"
"I was thinking…"
"I want you to do it Harry. Merlin knows, you're the best we've got."
Harry hesitated. He'd known this was coming, he'd prepared his refusal, but now, "I'll do it, Minister."
"That was easier than I had expected. Well here's a list of things that you need to do, and I'll get back to you later." And with that, the Minister of Magic left.
Harry looked at Ginny, bracing to be bombarded with questions.
"Neville and Luna got married!"
"Yeah, they were trying to keep it quiet."
"Where'd they go?"
"South America."
"Wow…"
"Yeah… Shite, look at this list, where do I start?"
"Can I help?"
"Please."
And so the evening passed, with the pair pouring over books, reciting enchantments, and, finally, sitting back to admire their work. They were in the basement, in a horseshoe shaped room, sitting on a large dark blue couch looking at the roaring main fireplace. There were three fireplaces, partially because the basement was cold, and partially to allow easy Floo access. In the center of the room was a large circular table, which had a large stylized phoenix in a circle carved into it. The table was surrounded by several large couches, and, at the head, a large chair for Harry. He had tried to refuse, but Ginny had insisted. All the furniture was upholstered in the same deep blue. It was like the color of a night sky. The stone walls had large banners in the same deep blue and the phoenix insignia emblazoned on them in silver. Portraits of fallen Order members graced the flat back wall. Harry pulled Ginny close to him. "Thanks for the help."
"Of course."
"May I have the pleasure of making you the first official member of the reformed Order of the Pheonix?"
"Yes, thank you." She smiled. Harry was positively glowing. It was nice to see someone who had led such a troubled life be truly happy for once. And then, Harry kissed her. It was the moment that she had been waiting for all day, and it was still better than she had expected. Her lips parted and his tongue entered her mouth, dancing with hers. Her hands locked into his dark hair, trying to pull him closer. His hands roamed her back, tracing her spine from her neck down. She moaned into his mouth, and began trying to pull his shirt off of his chest and over his head. She had always assumed Harry was skinny, but she was surprised when she saw how the lean, tough muscles rippled beneath his skin when he moved. She didn't have time to admire for too long. Harry was crushing his lips against hers, his hands toying with the hem of her shirt. As he lifted it off, she shivered; even the three roaring flames couldn't make up for the heat Harry's lips provided. Harry pulled her back against him, his hands toying with her bra clasp. He was about to figure out how it worked when a small voice cleared its throat from the doorway. Ginny groaned as they broke apart.
"Yes Kreacher?" Harry looked seriously annoyed.
"Missus Wheezy is at the door Harry Potter, sir."
Harry's expression turned to one of abject horror, perfectly reflecting what Ginny felt.
"Did you tell her Ginny is here?" Harry was genuinely afraid for his life now. If Mrs. Weasley didn't tear him apart when she found out that he had her only daughter half naked in his basement, Ginny's brothers would.
"Oh no, Harry Potter, sir. I said no such thing."
"Thank Merlin. Okay, Ginny, you stay here, I'll see what I can do." Harry walked up stairs, closing the concealed entrance to the Order meeting room as he left. The rest of the basement was a mess of boards and drywall. He had been renovating the muggle way before Kingsley had showed up, and now, they would validate his story. "Hey Mrs. Weasley, sorry about the appearance, " He gestured to his shirtless chest, which was gleaming with sweat, "I was just doing some renovations, decided to do them the muggle way, clears my head. You know if you wanted to send Arthur over some time, I bet he would get a kick out of-"
"Where's my daughter."
"She isn't out with Hermione?" He tried to sound incredulous.
"No. Hermione said you two ditched her."
"She wasn't eating, so we grabbed lunch without her, and then I left because I didn't want to leave Teddy alone for too long. I just assumed that she rejoined Hermione."
Mrs. Weasley frowned, peering past Harry into the house. "Very well," she harrumphed and left. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, and returned to the meeting room. Ginny had her shirt back on and was standing at the fireplace.
"Go, quickly."
"What do I tell Mum?"
"Tell her you went to see Luna, but she wasn't home. Now go!" He kissed her goodbye and shoved her into the fireplace. She spiraled away, and he sat back, remembering the feel of her skin, the touch of her hands. He was never going to be able to keep his hands off of her at Hogwarts.
Ginny tumbled out of the fireplace and dusted herself off with only moments to spare. When her mother entered the kitchen, she was leaning on the counter, drinking a glass of water.
"Where have you been, young woman!" Her mother roared
"I was shopping with Hermione, and then I stopped by to see Luna, but she wasn't home, so I came back here."
Her mother scanned her face, searching for any signs of mistruth on her face, but, finding none, she gave Ginny one last glare before busying herself with dishes. Ginny sighed in relief, and then slipped away to her room.
Harry was sitting at his desk; next to him was a stack of all the books prevalent to his new post at Hogwarts. He figured that he had to know it to teach it. Surprisingly, he had actually been quite interested in all of the new material. He had finally written up a book list and sent it off to Headmistress McGonagall to be distributed to his students. He had a hard time thinking of Ron and Hermione as his students. He glanced over the new spell in the book, and then shot it at the dummy he had set up in his study. Its head burst into blue flames. He smiled. He had to be careful though, as many of the books contained dark magic that chilled him to the bone even to think about.
"Ginny! Ginny! Our booklists finally arrived!" Hermione was rushing down the Burrow steps from her room. She and Ron had been staying with them while their house was being renovated; something Hermione insisted was better done by professionals.
"Only you would be excited about that," Ginny grumbled as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.
"It doesn't say who our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is."
"Did you expect it to?"
"Well, no, but sometimes you can tell. Hmmm… I haven't read any of the books he's assigned."
"Really?"
"Wait, Hermione hasn't read them!" Ron had been preoccupied with breakfast, but at the prospect of books Hermione hadn't read, he had become very attentive.
"Yes, shockingly. To be honest, I haven't even heard of most of them."
"What!" Ginny was surprised now too. It was one thing if Hermione had them lying on a shelf someplace, but had never picked them up, but it was entirely another when she hadn't even heard of them.
"Yeah, What is right," Ron agreed, "By the way, when does everyone else get here?"
"Now," Bill responded as he entered the kitchen followed by Charlie, Percy, and George. The family was gathering, as it always did, to celebrate Harry's birthday. However, the guest of honor had yet to arrive.
"Harry's not here yet," Ginny told her brothers as she half-heartedly hugged them all. She missed her brothers, but their attitude towards Harry's and hers relationship had damaged theirs. As if on cue, Harry pushed the door open, cradling a screaming Teddy in his free arm.
"Sorry I'm late, this little bugger decided not to eat this morning, so I had to practically force feed him." Harry allowed Mrs. Weasley to take Teddy from him and set him in a highchair. As soon as his arms were free, Ginny was in them. He buried his face in Ginny's hair, breathing in her scent.
"Hey, Ginny, stop monopolizing the birthday boy," George was laughing, but his face was taut. Harry released her and hugged the rest of the only family he had ever had. Soon, they were all seated around the large table, drawn by Mrs. Weasley's legendary cooking. The conversation had now turned to Hogwarts, and Harry tried to keep the wicked grin off his face.
"Hey Harry, have you heard of any of these books?" Ron was shoving a list that looked oddly familiar under his nose.
"Uhhhhh… Yeah, I've read a couple of them," He tried to stop from giggling hysterically. When he spoke, a hush fell across the table. "What?"
"Harry, you've read a book Hermione has never even heard of," Ron was looking at him in awe. Hermione looked flustered. The rest of the table, led by George, was applauding. Harry grinned, he knew he'd chosen the books well.
"Time for presents!" Mrs. Weasley had detected that Hermione was uncomfortable, and was disarming the situation.
Harry was bombarded by presents. He grabbed one off the pile. It was George and Percy's, so he carefully opened it pointing away from his face. It didn't explode. He dumped out the contents, which was basically the best of the new WWW products. "Not the best when I'm raising a small child, but thanks." Harry smiled.
"You forget, he's a Marauder's son, just like you."
The next gift, Hermione's, was a book, actually several books. Actually, it was all the books on the Hogwarts reading list. "Uhhh… Thanks Hermione."
"I'm hoping you'll rethink your choice to attend Hogwarts."
"And the way to do that is totally to bombard him with books," Ron rolled his eyes at his fiancée.
After that was Ginny, who had teamed up with Bill and Charlie, both of whom didn't have time to buy Harry something. The package was long and thin. It could only be one thing. He tore it open to reveal a new Firebolt II. He smiled so wide that it about cracked his face. "Thanks so much, this really means a lot to me."
Ron whispered to Hermione, "That's how you convince someone to go back to Hogwarts."
Ron then slipped him a package with a warning. "Don't open it at the table."
Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a death glare, and then handed Harry his next present. It was a large pocket watch with three hands on it: one for him, one for Teddy, and one for Kreacher. It mimicked the large Weasley clock that hung on the wall. Harry smiled at Mrs. Weasley, incapable of describing how happy it made him. It was like final validation that he had created a family.
With the last of the presents gone, Harry retired to the living room with the others. Eventually, he decided to bring up the subject of the reformed Order. The Weasley's all quickly agreed, and upon taking the oath, they each received a silver medallion about the size of a man's palm. It was a hollow circle spanned by a stylized phoenix. Harry had prided himself on the enchantments he had placed on it. Hermione had wasted no time trying to dissect the enchantments on it. Once she was satisfied with hers, she reached for Ron's, leaping backwards when the metal glowed red hot in her hand. "Oh yeah, they have a flesh memory too, so don't try to touch one that isn't yours," Harry was grinning as Hermione cradled her hand.
After the Weasleys had had their fun with their new toys, they dispersed into groups to do their different things. The older Weasley brothers had to leave early to return to their careers out of the country, but the other Weasleys went to start a Quidditch match in the orchard.
"Harry, you coming?" Ginny had a pleading look in her eyes, like she couldn't stand to be without him, but Hermione was giving him her famous 'we need to talk' look.
"I'll be right there," He turned to Hermione "What's up?"
"Oh, I just wanted to talk."
"About what?"
"Your relationship with Ginny."
"Bloody hell Hermione."
"I just want to make sure you aren't taking things too fast."
"I don't think that's for you to decide."
"I just want what's best for you two."
"What are you? My mum?"
"Harry,"
"Just stop," Harry grabbed his new broom and made a bee line for the orchard. Ginny waved to him as he entered the makeshift pitch.
"Harry, you're with us." She zipped low and launched a quaffle past Ron to lengthen their lead. Harry mounted the broom and shot up, searching for the Snitch. He circled the pitch, keeping an eye out for the small golden ball while watching other players, called upon by the various Weasleys, filter onto the pitch. He recognized many ex-Hogwarts players, with stand-outs like Oliver Wood and Cho Chang. He glanced about him, and, out of his peripheral vision, he saw a glint of gold. He raced downwards, not bothering to be subtle, as Percy would never be able to outmatch him. He had ridden brooms for years, but he had never felt a broom move like this one. It shot forward like a hound from hell, and he glanced back to make sure it wasn't spurting dragonfire from its tail. In no time flat, he had the Snitch in between his fingers. He held it high, and shot through the middle of the pitch, his vision blurred by the speed. He reveled in the cheers of his teammates as he landed and released the Snitch again.
They played several more games, with several players taking up the Seeker position against Harry, and each one taking their beating in turn. Eventually the teams dispersed, leaving the Weasleys and Harry to make their way back to the Burrow. As Harry neared the door, Arthur grabbed his arm, leading him to the shed. "Harry, I finished the motorcycle."
Harry responded with a blank look so Mr. Weasley continued.
"And I know you lost Sirius' motorcycle during the war."
Harry nodded, unsure of where this was going.
"So I want you to have it."
"Uh, thank you." Harry was impressed that Mr. Weasley was offering him one of his coveted Muggle 'toys', "I don't know what to say. This is great." He stroked the bike seat.
Ginny flopped down on the couch with a loud "Oomph". Hermione pushed her feet aside and sat down next to her with a stack of books under her arm.
"Here Ginny, start reading."
"Why? It's summer," Ginny whined.
"School starts sooner than you think. We're going to head into Diagon Alley tomorrow."
"Don't remind me."
"I wonder who our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is."
"Hermione, just because you keep asking doesn't mean I'm going to know the answer."
Hermione sighed. Ginny knew that not knowing something was murdering Hermione's self-esteem. "I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, but until then you need to just chill out."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Harry pushed the bike, willing it to go faster as it hurtled across the English countryside. The bike may have been a Muggle piece of engineering, but that didn't make it any less fast. And the roar of the bike sent a surge of adrenaline and testosterone through his spine. He was still, however, deep in thought. He was still worrying about Hermione's advice. He loved Ginny, and the physical side of the relationship, but he also enjoyed just spending time with her. She understood him like no one else did. He knew that Hermione was right, she always was. He just needed to strive for a little more balance. He smiled, thinking back to the days they had dated at Hogwarts. Everything seemed so simple then. Go to school, survive potions, hang out at Hogsmeade, fend off horrible instances of Dark Magic, repeat. Maybe that was why he longed to go back. He looked in the rearview mirror, blue lights blinked and sirens blared. Muggle police. With a quick incantation, the bike snapped forward and landed in front of his home. He turned it off, parked it, and slipped into his house. He flopped down on his couch and pulled out Ron's still-wrapped parcel. He didn't really want to open it, but he felt obliged. He peeled back a corner to reveal book bindings. That was strange, Ron wasn't really into reading. He stripped off the rest to reveal the cover of a Wizarding porn archive. "Oh Ron, why? What possessed you to buy me this?" Harry was quite embarrassed, both for himself and his friend. He picked it up to toss it into the fire when a note drifted out.
Here, thought this might help you keep your hands off our sister. Seriously.
It was signed by each of the brothers. Harry sighed, all the more reason for a little balance. He took the book and stowed it away behind a dictionary and then wandered up to his bed. Teddy was passed out in his crib, and Kreacher was watching over him. Harry now had a difficult time separating the two, who had become fast friends. He smiled and walked to his own room, laid down, and fell asleep.
Harry was rudely awakened by a weight slamming down at the foot of the bed. He snapped up, wand pointing at the intruder's chest.
"Merlin, Harry, calm down," Ginny looked angry, so he kept the wand in his hand.
"Ginny, what are you doing in my house?"
"I got in a fight with Mum, and ran out."
"And then you came here?"
"Yup."
"What were you two fighting about?"
"Well, it's a long story."
"I've got time."
"You got a job, right?"
"Don't try to change the subject."
"I'm not, did you?"
"Yeah, what does this have to do with you fighting with your mum?"
"Ok, so I don't want to go back to Hogwarts, I want to come with you. I'm tired of always being left out of your adventures."
"Oh. Ginny, my job isn't exciting or adventurous or anything. It's actually pretty much a desk job."
Ginny's face fell, "Oh, well I'd better go apologize to Mum, Merlin knows you always take her side. You all do. I have to fight all my battles on my own."
"Ginny, wait," He grabbed her arm and pulled her into a tight hug. "Stay a while. You can't have had breakfast."
She smiled up at him. "No, how's Teddy?"
"He and Kreacher are best friends."
"Ha, that makes life easier for you I bet."
"Yeah, and he's enrolled in daycare for socialization."
"Probably smart."
Harry was going to ask her what she wanted for breakfast, but his lips were suddenly very busy. Remembering what Hermione had told him, he pulled back.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, just hungry."
"Oh," She looked disappointed.
"What do you want?"
"You."
"No, for breakfast."
"I don't care."
"Alright," Harry called Kreacher, "Kreacher, will you make your mystery platter for us for breakfast?"
"Of course Master Harry, sir," Kreacher scampered away.
"His mystery platter?"
"Yeah, it's really good."
Ginny followed him down the steps into the kitchen where three plates waited. They sat down across from each other, and Kreacher sat down at the third plate. Ginny shot him an odd glance.
"Kreacher's a part of the family too."
"Oh, okay."
They both quickly finished their food and Harry stood up. "Come on, let's go do something."
"Go? There's plenty to do right here."
"Ginny, that's not what I meant."
"Really, because two days ago that's exactly what you meant."
"Yes, but I think our relationship can't be entirely based on taking off each other's clothes."
"I wouldn't mind that."
"You remember what it was like back at Hogwarts?"
"Before you broke my heart, or after?"
"Ginny, please."
"Harry…"
"Ginny…"
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"So what do you want to do?"
"Truthfully?" Harry could feel his plans slipping away with his self-control.
"Yeah,"
"You,"
"That can be arranged."
"Good," Harry stepped in, his lips finding hers. He lifted her up and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. He set her down and his hands began to roam her back, one eventually tucking into the waistband of her pants, the other settling at the base of her neck. His mouth found hers and their tongues danced. His hand started working its way up her back and she shivered, her skin tingling under his rough fingers. He locked on her bra clasp, snapping it apart and, in one smooth motion; he slipped her shirt up and off her body. Ginny instinctively cupped her hands over her chest, but Harry reached out and brushed them away. "Damn," Harry was gazing admiringly at the finer points of her chest. She blushed. Harry slid his hands up either side of her body, over her rib cage before resting on her breasts. He gave them a gently squeeze and Ginny gasped. He pressed her down onto the bed, his lips working down her jaw and neck before journeying onto her collarbone. She was pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it aside. His lips closed around one of her nipples, and her back arched. He traced it with his tongue, toying with the hard point. Ginny purred as he moved to her other breast, and then travelled down her abdomen. Harry pulled her pants off to make room for his advancing lips. They moved over her hip and down to her thigh. Her breath was coming quick and shallow. Harry lifted his head and looked at Ginny. Her hair was in disarray and she was breathing heavily. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He pulled himself up and pressed his lips back to hers while she busied herself with his belt. She giggled in triumph as she pulled it away and set to work on his jeans. Once they were off, and their undergarments had been dealt with, Harry steadied himself over her. She gave him a look of longing, and he entered her. Their bodies found a rhythm and brought each other to peak. Then they collapsed next to each other and slept.
Upon awaking, Harry blinked. Why was he naked? What was the warmth that was resting against him? Then it all came back, and he smiled. He kissed her head, and she smiled sleepily. "Hey love," He brushed flaming red hair from her face.
"Hey,"
"It's time for lunch, let's go someplace,"
"Ok,"
And they dressed themselves and carried on like nothing had happened.
A/N: Okay, so that was brutally long, but I went an extended period of time without internet access, so I crammed two chapters into one. Tell me, do you like longer chapters, or would you rather have them out quicker but be shorter? Also, some plot feedback would be nice. Heck, any review would be nice. Well, 'til next time.