2

Let My Love Open the Door

Chapter 2

As soon as she stepped in Ron turned to her. "Where have you been?" he said hotly.

Ginny almost said she'd been at Harry's but then caught herself. "That's none of your business," she cried back, a scowl on her face.

"Why are you even here? You're supposed to be off on your honeymoon," she said irritably.

"Well, we could hardly leave with you being missing," Ron shot back, his eyes blazing.

Hermione looked worriedly back and forth between Ron and Ginny. "Why doesn't everyone just calm down," she said pleaded softly.

Molly chose that moment to make her presence known as she tried to get things to calm down. Yes, she'd been concerned the previous evening when Ginny couldn't be found but she couldn't understand Ron's attitude. Everyone had urged him and Hermione to head off on their trip, that everything would be okay, but he had refused, becoming rather enraged that she was missing. She had thought he had gotten over his over-protectiveness but obviously not.

"Ginny, would you care for something to eat?" she asked, hoping to change the subject, at least for the moment. She couldn't say that she wasn't as equally curious as to where her daughter had spent the night. Though she would have preferred to speak to Ginny privately and in a much calmer setting.

"No thanks, Mum. I've already eaten breakfast this morning," Ginny replied. Glancing around she was sure she wasn't going to be able to go up to her room, at least for the moment.

"Though a cup of tea would be welcome," she added with a small smile at her mother.

Ginny hung her dress robes up near the door and dropped her shoes before sitting down at the table. She glanced around once more, taking in everyone's faces.

Bill, her eldest brother was looking at her with a small smile on his face. It seemed he wasn't that concerned about her being absent, though she could tell he was a bit curious.

Next to him his wife, Fleur was muttering away in French. Ginny knew just enough to understand the the part Veela didn't understand what all the fuss was about. Ginny was of age and really didn't need to answer to anyone about what she had been doing and where she had gone.

Just past her sat George. He had his head resting on his crossed arms on top of the table and appeared to have fallen asleep. While he had looked at her earlier, he had obviously succumbed to his lack of sleep, more how she had envisioned everyone else to be the morning following the wedding.

At the other end of the table sat her father. He appeared rather rumpled and Ginny wondered if he had imbibed a fair quantity of alcohol last night. Something totally uncharacteristic but not out of the realm of possibility due to his youngest son getting married. On the whole, he appeared as if he wished he was still in bed, though he did look slightly concerned, probably about her being missing.

Sitting at the other corner next to her father was Percy. Now that things were calming down, he had his head resting in the palm of one hand, propping it up and she could see him fighting to keep his eyes open. He also looked like that maybe he'd had quite a bit to drink at the wedding reception.

Next to Percy was Charlie. Of all the occupants of the Burrow he looked the most normal. Though Ginny knew without a doubt he had consumed a fair quantity of Firewhisky, he was a big burly man and Dragon Handlers were known for being able to hold their liquor.

She noticed him sharing glances with Bill but she couldn't figure out what he was thinking. Of all he brothers he was the most stoic of the bunch, his face rarely giving anything away.

Sitting on the near side of Charlie was Hermione. Ginny almost laughed as she watch her new sister-in-law. Her face was ever changing as different emotions kept flashing across it. From annoyance to worry to frustration, it was all there for anyone to see.

Ron was pacing behind her, obviously still too agitated to sit down. Every time he came back towards her, he would scowl in her direction. Something that irritated Ginny to no end.

Molly arrived and sat down between Hermione and Ginny, pouring the tea which was passed around.

Ginny smiled when Fleur lightly elbowed George to see if he wanted any but he just grunted and went back to snoring softly.

Once everyone had their tea and taken a sip, Molly looked at Ginny. "Care to tell us where you were last might?" she asked a bit hesitantly.

"I stayed a with a friend," she said simply.

"Where?" Ron snapped, scowling deeply.

"At my friend's place," Ginny retorted with a frown.

When it looked like Ron was going to say something, thankfully her father intervened. "Quit badgering you sister," he snapped unhappily.

Ron frowned at him but kept quiet. Obviously displeased but knowing that he couldn't go against his father's wishes.

Ginny had been watching Ron and her father but turned her head when Bill spoke to her.

"You have to admit it was out of character for you to just take off without saying anything," he said without any rancour, a smile on his lips.

Ginny just shrugged. "I was tired and with all the commotion I knew I'd never get to sleep here so I left," she explained calmly.

"Did Harry make it home okay? Hermione asked worriedly.

"I made sure he got home," Ginny reassured the bushy-haired girl.

Hermione sighed in relief but you could tell she was still worried. "Was he okay? How did he seem? I mean I barely got to talk with him," she rattled on.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Harry was fine when I saw him last," she replied. Leaving out the fact it was just before she reappeared at the Burrow.

"I sat with him after we danced and we chatted till he wanted to leave," she added.

"He danced with you?" Hermione asked wide-eyed in shock.

"Yes," Ginny replied. "Rather divinely," she added in a whisper to herself, a smile growing as she remembered it.

"I feel so bad that I didn't spend more time with him," Hermione whinged.

"Hermione, it was your wedding. Harry understood that so please don't feel bad," Ginny replied sympathetically.

Hermione gave her a wan smile in thanks.

Percy's head fell out of his hand and he jerked upright. "Are we about done here?" he asked. "If so I'd like to go get some more sleep."

Everyone looked at Molly. "Yes, we're done," she stated with a sigh. She then looked at Ron and Hermione. "You two should get going. You've found out your sister is home and safe so there is no need to hang around any longer."

Hermione stood, smiling uneasily as she grabbed Ron by the arm. "Let's get going," she said pleadingly.

Ron nodded but glared at his sister, his eyes saying "We're going to have a talk when I get back."

Ginny rolled her eyes in disgust, knowing that she'd have to confront him when he returned. Not that she was worried or anything. She was a much better duellist than he was and she wasn't adverse to showing him just how much.

After Ron and Hermione left Ginny rose and went to retrieve her robes before heading up to her room, contemplating if it wasn't time to find a place of her own.

As she turned to head up the stairs she was intercepted by her brother Bill. He smiled at her and took her into hug. "I'm just glad that you're safe," he said lowly into her ear.

Ginny sighed as she hugged him back. "Merlin Bill, what did everyone think happened to me? It's not like there's still any Death Eaters running around."

"I know that Firefly," Bill said with a grin.

"Godric Bill! You haven't called me that since I was what? Seven?" Ginny protested.

Bill's grin grew a little. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself," he said mischievously.

Ginny's shoulders slump. "But don't you see? That's part of the problem. Godric, Mum still treats me like I'm still that little girl. Most of the time I feel so smothered here," she said exasperatedly.

Bill gave her a sympathetic look. "I know as well as anyone. Why do you think I took the job in Egypt?" he said lowly, glancing to see where their mother was. Luckily she was over by the stove and seemed oblivious to their conversation.

"And you think I don't know that? Or that Charlie took the job at the Dragon Preserve for the same reason?" Ginny said, her eyes flashing.

Bill gave a shrug. "I wasn't sure, I mean I'd hoped you'd figured it out. You were always the smartest one out of all of us."

Ginny gave her brother a wry grin. "Don't think you can get off the hook by buttering me up," she said with a chuckle.

Bill gave her a smile. "Hey, I figured it couldn't hurt to try."

He then took a breath and blew it out, looking more serious. "Like I said, it was out of character for you and yes, I know that there aren't any Death Eaters running around any more but that doesn't mean that there aren't any bad people out there either. Just accept the fact that we were worried about you. Okay?"

Ginny nodded, acknowledging that he was right about that. She then smiled coyly. "So how's Toire doing? Any chance she'll have a brother or sister soon?" she asked with an impish grin.

Bill blanched and looked around quickly. "Shhh," he cautioned. "How did you know? I mean we're not even sure yet. We have an appointment with the Medi-Witch tomorrow," he said quietly but fervently.

Ginny smirked at him. "I didn't know for sure but she has that look about her. I'm really surprised Mum hasn't said something."

Bill gave a little shrug. "Yeah, well she's been pretty occupied working with Mrs Granger on the wedding and we haven't been around her all that much lately," he replied, looking rather guilty.

Ginny smiled at him. "Don't worry. I won't say a thing," she said mischievously.

"See that you don't," he admonished, though he was smiling too.

"All right, spoilsport," she teased. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go take a shower."

Bill eyed her speculatively. "Why didn't you take one this morning? I mean it wasn't like you were with some bloke," he said seriously.

Ginny couldn't help herself. It was times like this that she hated her fair complexion as she blushed lightly.

Bill's eyes widened in shock as he got a good look at what she was wearing. "You were with a bloke," he sputtered.

"Shhh," Ginny shushed him, glancing at her parents. "It wasn't like that. I mean we didn't . . . He's just a friend," she said in a near panic.

Bill eyed her dubiously.

Ginny stared back at him angrily. "Don't worry, your little sister's virtue is still intact," she spat. "Kind of pathetic really. I'm the only twenty year old virgin I know of."

Bill looked at her with obvious relief. "Don't be in an all fired hurry to give that gift away," he said lowly.

Ginny looked at him in disgust. "Says the bloke who lost his at fifteen with that girl from the village," she said disparagingly.

Bill looked at her in surprise. "How do you know that?" he asked in disbelief, not that she wasn't correct. He just hadn't known that she knew.

Ginny shot him a look. "Blokes shouldn't brag to their brothers where then can be overheard," she sneered.

"What's going on over here," Charlie said coming over to them.

"Nothing," Ginny replied as she turned and headed up the stairs.

Bill and Charlie watched her go. Bill glanced around, noticing everyone who was still there. Fortunately George was still asleep at the table but their mother and father were still nearby, eyeing them with questioning looks on their faces.

"I'll tell you later," he whispered to his younger brother.

Harry and Ginny

Kreacher came into the parlour and took a good look at Harry. He was sitting in his favourite chair in front of the fireplace with the Daily Prophet opened but resting unread in his lap. He had a contemplative look on his face accompanied by a small frown.

"Would Master like Kreacher to get him anything?" he asked Harry.

Harry's head jerked up and he stared at the elf. "What's that?" he asked bewilderedly.

The ancient elf gave him a small smile. "Kreacher asked if Master required anything," he repeated.

"No, I'm fine," Harry replied softly, a small frown on his face.

As Kreacher turned to leave Harry asked him "Am I doing the right thing?"

Kreacher turn back to Harry. He was fairly certain what he was asking about but decided to make him say it. "Master does many things right. Perhaps if Master told Kreacher exactly what he is talking about Kreacher can give him a better answer," he replied.

Harry sighed and stared down at his paper. "Never mind. It's not important," he said lowly, his voice laden with sadness.

"As Master wishes," Kreacher replied with a bow. He then sighed and headed back into the kitchen, wishing he could help his Master more than he was. He hoped that his plan would work and his Master wouldn't be so sad and lonely any more.

Harry sighed as he watched Kreacher leave. Almost wishing that the old elf had pressed the issue. He stared into the fire for several moments, his thoughts filled with the enigmatic witch that had left not that long ago. He found he couldn't get her out of his mind.

Rising suddenly, he marched over to the coat-rack by the door and grabbed his jacket. "Kreacher!" he called out.

The old elf appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. "Master called?" he asked.

"I'm going to take a walk," Harry announced as he put his jacket on.

"A walk will do Master good," Kreacher replied stoically.

Harry just nodded absent-mindedly as he opened the door and walked outside.

He stood on the stoop for several moments, staring up into the bright blue sky and wondered why it seemed so gloomy. Stuffing his hands into his pockets he began to walk around his property.

He walked a circuit he had been over hundreds of times but today it didn't give him the solace it normally did. He trudged along, automatically following the well worn path that ran around the border of the Potter property.

His thoughts, as they had been all morning were on one Ginny Weasley, trying to figure out how someone he had just met and spent such a relatively short period of time with could have him in such a state.

Unknowingly a small smile crept onto his face as he remembered the time he had spent with her. From dancing with her at Hermione's wedding and then sitting and talking to her.

Then there was the fact that she had brought him home and spent the night. A night he had slept straight through. Something that just didn't happen, at least not since the end of the war.

He stopped at the small stream that ran through the back edge of the property and closed his eyes. Usually the peaceful murmur of the running water brought him a sense of peace, but not today.

With his eyes closed all he saw was Ginny's face before him and he studied it closely. She had a cute nose that was dusted with a smattering of freckles that ran down onto each cheek. Then there were her eyes. A warm brown, flaked with bronze and gold, with fine, delicate coppery eyelashes that seemed to make her eyes all that more mesmerizing.

Eyes that held his gaze, eyes that seemed to be able to reach right down in and read his soul. Eyes that he found he wanted to stare in again,

Then there was her mouth. Just perfectly sized for her slim face. A mouth that drew his gaze, almost begging to be kissed.

Harry groaned softly. "What is it about her that has me so captivated?" he asked himself out loud softly.

Deep inside he knew the answer but he ignored it. He had decided long ago to forego matters of the heart. It had just caused him too much pain. Nobody saw him as just Harry. He was forever branded with stupid monikers like The-Boy-Who-Lived and The Chosen One or his 'favourite, 'The Saviour of the Wizarding World', he thought sarcastically.

The few witches he had dated were all enamoured with his fame and his supposedly vast fortune. If they only knew the truth about that. Sure he lived comfortably on the proceeds from his small investments but that was because he lived a rather frugal lifestyle.

The house and property had been paid off generations ago by his ancestors so his living expenses were just what he needed for food and whatever minor things he purchased during the year. Not that they were much, mainly books that he read to keep himself occupied.

The reward he had been given with his Order of Merlin he had donated to charity. To him it wasn't really his. It was blood money that couldn't give him what he really wanted – his parents and his godfather back. He'd give anything to have that. Their deaths had left such a huge hole in his heart that he didn't think could ever be filled.

Then the image of Ginny once more filled his mind. Standing there in the parlour, wearing his old jeans and a tee, looking more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen.

He smiled at the memory of her but it quickly morphed into a frown. He couldn't stand it. He was constantly thinking of her and it was driving him round the twist.

He groaned loudly once again. Bending over he picked up a small flat rock and threw it side-arm, sending it spinning till it came in contact the the water of the stream. He watched it carefully, counting to himself the number of times it skipped across the surface. Twelve times the rock caused little circular rings of ripples to spread out across the surface.

"Not bad," he said to himself. After all it was a small stream and he had to throw the rock at a rather precise angle to keep it between the banks.

He sighed, giving a rueful chuckle. "I'm going barmy," he said out loud.

Stuffing his hands back into his pockets he continued on his circuit around his property.

Almost immediately the image of Ginny reappeared in his mind. "She can't be that perfect," he muttered lowly.

"She has to have some kind of flaw. Something that I'll find abhorrent," he said a few moments later. "Then I'll be able to stop obsessing on her and go back to my quiet simple life. Yeah that's it. I'll invite her over for tea and learn as much as I can about her and then things will go back to the way they were," he said in satisfaction.

"Yeah, you go ahead and think that," the little voice in the back of his mind said.

Harry frowned but kept on walking.

"Sure, go ahead and ignore me but that doesn't change the fact that the woman interests you like nothing else has," the voice insisted.

"The book I was reading the other day was quite interesting, at least as much as her, maybe more," Harry protested.

The voice laughed at him. "Oh really? What was its title?"

"It's . . ." Harry said hesitantly and then he frowned. He couldn't remember the title to the book. It boggled his mind. He'd never had trouble remembering something like that in the past.

"It's that book by that American Wizard, Vince Lombardi or something like that," he finally said lowly, trying to picture the book in his mind.

Instead the image of Ginny casually tucking a strand of hair behind her one ear flashed into his mind, Once again a small smile came unbidden to his lips. A simple act that had captivated his attention. The way the morning sun had come streaming through the nearby window, causing a dazzling array of highlights to dance in its caressing beam.

The voice chuckled at him. "Sure, everything is just fine," the voiced whispered as it faded away.

Harry finished his walk in quiet contemplation, most of the time the image of Ginny floating in the forefront of his mind. He was so distracted he almost walked right past the door back inside.

He was several steps past it when he looked up in confusion, glancing around like he was lost. Shaking his head he turned and went back to the door, pausing on the stoop once more.

Though the sky hadn't changed, he noticed it didn't seem as gloomy as when he had left. With a sigh he went back inside.

After hanging up his jacket he went straight to his study to write the note to Ginny.

Right after he sat down Kreacher appeared with a tray bearing a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits.

"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry said idly as he pulled out a scrap of parchment.

"Did Master Harry have a nice walk?" the old elf asked.

"What?" Harry asked distractedly before he processed what Kreacher had said. "Oh, yeah. It was fine," he said with a small frown before he went back to working on his note.

Kreacher gave him a knowing smile, sure about what his Master had been thinking about. If nothing else his visitor had certainly shaken up his Master's world and that was a good thing as far as he was concerned.

Harry wasn't even aware of Kreacher leaving as he sat and contemplated what he wanted to write. He certainly didn't want to give her any idea of how much he had been thinking about her.

Giving a small huff, he grabbed a quill, dipped it into the ink pot and began to write. He kept it short and to the point. When he was done he called for Kreacher.

The ancient elf appeared almost immediately. "Master Harry called for Kreacher."

"Yes. Please deliver this to Miss Weasley," he said handing the small scroll. "And please . . ."

"Kreacher knows to deliver Master Harry's note where no one else can see," Kreacher said hiding his smirk.

"Yes, well . . . off you go then," Harry replied feeling a bit embarrassed.

Harry and Ginny

Ginny made her way down to the pond at the back edge of the Burrow's property. It had become a place of refuge for her. Whenever things got to much for her in the Burrow or she just wanted some calm alone time, it was where she ended up going.

In the past when she had been much younger, it was a place that all the kids congregated. During the summers it was where they swam to escape the heat and during the winters where they spent countless hours ice skating.

Now days it was rare that anyone else found their way down to its tranquil setting. Ginny knew she could count on one hand the times she had seen anyone else there.

That suited her just fine. She had a special refuge virtually all to herself. Somewhere she could think uninterrupted or just sit and enjoy the quiet, something that was a rarity in the chaos of the Burrow.

After taking her shower she had gone back down to the kitchen to help her mum prepare lunch and spend some time with her brother Charlie. He would only be staying a couple of more days and she rarely got to see him any more.

It had actually been a pleasant time. She, her mum, her dad and George sat around the table listening to Charlie tell stories of his time in Romania. There had been many laughs as he regaled them with the antics that took place at the Preserve.

Though Charlie had given her a strange look when they had first sat down, that had quickly passed.

She smiled at the memory of laughing so hard that her sides had hurt and she was glad that the topic of where she had spent the night never came up.

Of course George couldn't let Charlie be the only one telling stories and he had added many of the most humorous tales of the various goings on at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

It had seemed that they were competing to see who could tell the most outrageous story.

Her smile softened as she thought about meeting Harry and all that had taken place. She was just contemplating on how she wanted to see him again when she was startled by a popping sound as Kreacher appeared before her.

"Hello, Kreacher," she said warmly. "It's nice to see you again."

"Kreacher is pleased to see Miss as well," he replied with a bow.

Ginny was just about to ask what he was doing there when Kreacher pulled out a small scroll and handed it to her.

Though slightly surprised, she took no time in popping open the seal.

Dear Miss Weasley,

I was hoping that you'd consent to having tea with me tomorrow evening.

Hoping you'll accept,

Harry Potter

She smiled as the problem on how to see Harry again had been neatly solved.

"Please inform Harry that I'd be happy to come to tea tomorrow," she said happily.

"Kreacher will be happy to convey your answer to Master Harry," the elf replied with a smile.

"How is he doing?" Ginny asked, slightly concerned.

"Master Harry has been quite distracted all day," Kreacher replied with a smile.

"And that's a good thing?" Ginny asked in surprise.

"Oh yes," Kreacher replied gleefully. "It means that Master Harry has been thinking about Miss."

Ginny smiled, for some reason she found that information pleased her greatly.

"What should I wear?" Ginny asked worriedly. Her mind quickly going through her meagre wardrobe of dresses.

"What Miss wore this morning will be perfect," Kreacher replied with a smile.

"Really?" Ginny asked in surprise.

"Oh yes, Miss. Master could barely keep his eyes off of Miss," Kreacher said knowingly.

"If you say so," Ginny replied with a smile. She shuddered to think what her mother would say if she knew her daughter was going to go to tea wearing old jeans and a tee shirt.

"How should I arrive?" she asked after a moments thought.

"Miss should use the floo. That way Master Harry won't realize he hasn't cancelled the opening in the wards he created for Miss," the elf replied.

Ginny nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow for tea," she said happily.

After Kreacher left, Ginny sat contemplating just what she expected from getting closer to the reclusive Harry Potter. Sure she knew that he needed someone in his life. Just the short time she had spent with him had let her see him silently screaming out for companionship.

But what was in it ultimately for her? She had no illusions about them falling madly in love and living 'Happily Ever After'. Things like that just didn't happen in the real world.

Yes it would be nice to have another friend, she had so few really close ones. In some ways she knew she was almost as lonely as Harry was. Oh sure, she wasn't the recluse he was and she did have a loving family but there were times she wished for something more. Someone who would accept her for the person she was and not what they expected her to be. Even surrounded by people she knew that one could feel very alone.

Sighing she drove those thoughts from her mind. She knew she wouldn't figure it out at the moment and after all, she was just going to tea. It wasn't like they had any sort of real relationship. She'd just go with an open mind and see what developed and take things from there.

But it was at his invitation and that had to mean something. As the light began to fade, she made her way back up to the Burrow, hoping that the next day went well.

Harry and Ginny

Harry paced nervously as he watched the clock tick down till it was time for Ginny to arrive.

Several times during the day he had almost wrote a note cancelling his invitation but he had ultimately talked himself out of doing so. Though as the time came nearer for her to arrive he began to second guess himself on that.

He was just about to call Kreacher to bring him a Calming Draught when the floo flared and Ginny stepped gracefully out.

He abruptly stopped pacing and he stared at her. Even though she was just dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a tee shirt he thought she looked exceedingly beautiful. Even more so than he had seen her dressed in his similar clothing.

For one thing, both the jeans and tee fit so much better than his had. The jeans were a woman's cut and fitted her body much tighter, not that they were particularly tight, they were just cut more for her shape than his men's jeans had been.

Then there was the tee shirt. It definitely fit her much, much better than his had. It was tight enough to show off her womanly attributes splendidly. So much so that he didn't notice her self-satisfying smirk.

"Thanks for inviting me," Ginny said, breaking the silence.

Harry snapped back to reality and looked at her face. "Oh . . . um, it was nothing, really," he stammered nervously.

"Well, it was still nice of you," Ginny replied with a smile.

Harry just stood there gaping at her for several moments before he suddenly moved towards her, stopping several feet short.

"Why don't you come and sit for a little bit. Winky almost has tea ready and will call us when it is," he said hesitantly.

Ginny nodded and went and sat down on the couch, curious to see where Harry would choose to sit.

She wasn't really surprised but a bit disappointed when he chose to sit in the chair across from her. She had to fight to keep from laughing when she saw how he sat. He was practically on the edge of the chair, so rigid and tense.

"Is everything all right?" she asked.

Harry stared at her, his eyes widening slightly. "Everything is fine," he replied a bit defensively.

"Sorry," she said demurely. "It's just that you seem, I don't know, out of sorts or something."

Harry sighed deeply and did relax a little back into his chair. "No, I'm sorry," he said with a shrug. "It's just been a long time since I've had anyone to tea."

Ginny couldn't keep a soft smile from creeping onto her face. It was hard to reconcile the shy bundle of nerves that she saw before her with the stories that she had heard about the 'Great Harry Potter'. There was even a small faction that were convinced that he was going to turn out to be the next Dark Lord. If only they could see him like he was at that moment.

While Harry stared down into his lap Ginny took the time to study him closely. Something she really hadn't done before.

He was dressed very similarly as she was, though he was wearing a button down shirt of deep blue. His jeans were well worn but not particularly faded and from what she saw before he sat down, fit him well.

Following his legs down she could see he was wearing boots that were inside his pants legs. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed they were made out of Dragon hide.

Her eyes then travelled back up to his face and head. His hair was a bit unruly but not as much as she remembered from the pictures she had seen of him in the Prophet shortly after he had defeated Tom.

She realized it was now a bit longer than it had been back then and she thought it suited him better. Just peaking out of his fringe she could make out his famous or should she say infamous scar.

She, like virtually everyone else in the Wizarding world, had learned of its meaning when the whole story of his life had been published after the war. Of the Prophecy and how Tom had 'marked him as his equal'.

It actually made her a little sad that while so young he had such a burden placed on him. She knew from her own experiences with Tom how tough that could be.

As Harry's head came up, she jerked minutely in surprise. Though it wasn't small enough for Harry not to notice.

"What?" he asked with a confused look.

"I'm sorry," Ginny said with a small blush. "I just noticed you're not wearing your glasses."

Harry actually gave her a small smile and blushed slightly in return. "I'm wearing muggle contacts," he said softly.

Before he could explain, Ginny interrupted him. "I've heard of those though I've never met someone who wore them." She then gave a little laugh. "Though I guess unless you knew they were you wouldn't be able to tell, now could you."

"No, I guess you wouldn't," he replied.

He then sighed and looked back at Ginny. "I'm sorry, I'm being a poor host," he said with a thin smile.

"Why do you think that?" she asked lightly, trying to keep the mood upbeat.

Harry looked back at her with a worried frown. "Here I invite you to tea and I'm sitting here like a bore. You're a delightful young woman and deserve better treatment."

He then sighed heavily, once more staring at the floor. "This was a bad idea. I should never have invited you here," he said lowly, his face screwed up almost as if he was in pain.

"Do you want me to leave?" Ginny asked with concern, not knowing quite what to feel. On one hand she felt a bit hurt but on the other she could see the turmoil that Harry was in and thought she might be able to help him.

Before Harry could say anything, Winky came into the room and said, "Master Harry, tea is being served."

Harry and Ginny

A/N: Ginny basically told her family to "stuff it" and she wasn't going to tell them anything. Bill unfortunately is way too observant for her own good.

Harry is basically at once captivated by Ginny and terrified of her in his own way. What will happen next? Will she stay or will she go? (God I hate that commercial. For all you American readers you probably know what I'm talking about)

Please leave a review, if you're so inclined. It will make my day.