Next morning, Ginny woke to the feel of soft lips against hers, and a gentle hand stroking her cheek. She murmured and rolled over, burying her face in the pillow that smelled like Harry. Before she knew it she was asleep again.

She woke properly an hour later, immediately reaching out to the other side of the bed, but it was bare. She glanced over, checking the time. Merlin, it was after ten! Luckily she didn't have to be at the ground till lunchtime, for the afternoon match.

She stretched and smiled, as her aching body protested any more excessive movement. She and Harry had loved every way possible last night, and it had been amazing. He made her feel bold and sensual, unafraid to ask him for what she wanted from him. He had been as eager for her touch as she was, and together, they'd shared a night she had never imagined would ever happen to her.

She rose and showered, wincing as the muscles of her inner thighs protested. She remembered how she'd wrapped them around Harry most of the night, of how she'd cried out at the sensations running through her body. She hadn't been able to get enough of him, and in the end, they'd practically collapsed into each others arms and fallen asleep.

She stepped out of the shower, dried off and put her robe on. She wandered out to the kitchen to find Harry had left a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of bacon, eggs and toast under a warming charm for her. He even had the paper opened and ready to read. She smiled at how thoughtful he was.

As she went to dress, she tried to mentally focus on the game, but all she could think of was Harry. She looked at her smitten reflection, and with a start, remembered that all she had wanted was a simple hook up. Meeting the family hadn't been in the plan, as nice as they had been, nor had sleepovers and sweet gestures.

The match was over in forty five minutes, a terrible loss for the Harpies. Gwenog kept them in the change rooms for longer than that, as they went over every mistake the Harpies made. Each player came under scrutiny, and Ginny knew it hadn't been her best match and she fully deserved her coach's wrath.

Despite not hearing from Harry for the next couple of days, he was on Ginny's mind constantly, and more than once, Gwenog pulled her up for being distracted. Although she had a decent game the next time they played, the Harpies lost, and suddenly their chances of making the finals were now only fifty-fifty.

The team holed up together, determined to break this drought. When the captain, Leanne, declared she was not having sex again until they won another game, several other teammates yelled out their agreement. And that was when Ginny decided she had to break free from Harry. They'd had their fun, had some great ( okay, amazing) sex, but she wanted to focus on the rest of the season. They had a three week break coming up soon, and two games before that. The team was determined to win their next two matches, and go into the break as winners.

Suddenly, training was sharper, passes found their marks and new plays were tried and found successful. There was a hum in the air, that the Harpies were ready for what came next.

They just happened to play Chudley Cannons next match, and absolutely slaughtered them. Ginny and her fellow Chasers were on fire, passing the Quaffle back and forth so each got a chance to add to their personal goal tally. It was not quite a record breaking score, but close to it. At the end of the match, most of the fans left were only wearing green and gold, as the Cannon's fans had left ages ago.

At their next training session, Leanne and the others who had agreed on the no-sex ban, were grinning like mad. "We're never doing that again," they said, having relieved a lot of sexual tension after the match.

Not Ginny, though. She managed to restrain herself when Harry firecalled her, and ignored his owl, a gorgeous Snowy, when she brought a letter. No, she was determined to stay focused, and Harry was a major distraction she didn't need right now.

Still, he was pretty hard to ignore when she returned to her flat on Valentine's day to find it filled with red, white and pink balloons and flowers. Or ignore the sexy naked man waiting on her bed, with only a rose between his teeth.

"Harry," she sighed, exasperated, "How did you...never mind. I-I need to shower."

He got up and knelt on the bed, his erect member drawing her attention because of the red ribbon tied around it.

"Excellent," he said, with a leer in his eyes. He jumped off the bed, grabbed her hand and led her into the shower.

"I'm feeling a bit dirty myself," he grinned, and proceeded to introduce her to the joys of shower sex.

A week later, and it was the day before their next match, Ginny and some of the team were in Diagon Alley, doing a promotional meet and greet at Quality Quiddtch Supplies. They had been introduced to the huge crowd, and then signed photos and talked with the fans. It had been lots of fun, and a part of the publicity that Ginny actually liked doing.

They were there for nearly an hour. Ginny was surprised when Teddy Lupin was one of the first at her table, and greeted her with a hug. Tonks smiled and took a photo of the two of them together, before Teddy shyly asked for an autograph.

"He's been talking about you non stop since the other week at Lily's birthday," said Tonks, grinning. "Told everyone in the line he knew you. Quidditch crazy, this one," she said, ruffling Teddy's hair.

"Aw, Mum," said Teddy, brushing her off but grinning all the same.

"Nothing wrong with being Quidditch crazy," winked Ginny, handing him a signed photo.

"Can we go for another fly sometime, Ginny. You, me and Harry?" asked the eager boy.

"Oh, erm, I'm not sure, sweetie, I'll be busy with Quidditch for a bit," she said, awkwardly.

"Harpies are heading for the finals, love," admonished Tonks. She looked at Ginny. "But you're welcome at ours anytime." She waved and walked away with Teddy.

Ginny sighed, and her thoughts strayed to Harry. She shook her head. No, she wasn't going there, not now.

The team had an hour for themselves before re-grouping to go and visit sick children in St Mungo's. Ginny had picked up a chicken salad wrap, and popped into see her brothers, Fred and George at their shop. She'd eaten in their back room, talking with Fred while George manned their store, Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. With only fifteen minutes left of her break, Ginny decided to stretch her legs and walk down the Alley, before heading to St Mungo's.

She'd only taken a couple of steps when Harry jumped out in front of her. "Hi," he announced.

Ginny was startled, and squeaked. "Oh! Er, hi. What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you. I brought you a drink," he said, handing her over a cup.

"Why?" asked Ginny.

"For drinking," said Harry, grinning.

Ginny tilted her head in thanks and took a sip. Immediately she spat it back in the cup.

"Oh yeah, there's Firewhiskey in there," teased Harry. "Great spit back, by the way."

"Yeah, I can't drink any alcohol, I'm sort of working here," said Ginny, handing it back to him. "How did you know I was here?"

"Teddy stopped in to visit. I came down to get an autograph but you had just left. I saw you come in here, and have been waiting ever since," he said.

Ginny's heart leaped, but she tampened it down. She had to ignore his cute and charming ways, and his sexy butt.

"I-I really need to go," she said, gesturing to the Alley.

"I'll walk with you," he offered, taking her hand. "We have to discuss our plans for my dad's birthday in a few weeks," he said.

"Our plans?" she asked, pulling her hand out of his and looked at him. "No, no, no. Look, in a few weeks from now, the novelty of this thing between us," she gestured back and forth between them, "will have worn off. The reality is that I need to focus one hundred per cent on Quidditch right now, we're heading for the finals, and I'd probably have to cancel any plans we made, and even if I did turn up, I'd probably just fall asleep on you. Then, you'd get sick of waiting for me, and you'd probably meet some other girl, and you should, maybe another Auror or someone who works out in the gym because, well, look at you," he said, pointing at his body.

Harry had his arms across his chest and an amused look on his face, which only roused Ginny further.

"And I don't even know why we're talking about it. This whole thing isn't even real. You, me, what we had was great, thank you for helping me out… with that,"- she flushed - " that was fun," - Harry nodded eagerly in agreement – but you, you'll find someone great to take to your family birthdays, and office parties, but that's not what's happening between you and me. It can't, okay? I really need to get back to work now," said Ginny, determinedly, turning away. She cringed as she walked away, her back to him. She'd never had to be so blunt and hurtful before, and she hated it.

"So you'll let me know...about dad's birthday?" called Harry, quite amused by her big speech.

She shook her head as she walked away, not daring to look back.

A week later, the Harpies walked off the pitch, having lost to the Appleby Arrows. Ginny knew she hadn't played to her best, but she was coming down with the flu or something, she felt so lethargic.

She barely heard the coach's summary, just longing to go home and go to bed. They had three weeks off, and right now, all she could imagine doing was sleeping.

Two and a half weeks later -

For the fifth day in a row, Ginny woke and ran to the bathroom, throwing up. She sat on the floor, already knowing it was best to wait for the second wave to pass. Then she could slowly get up, make some dry toast and return to bed, where she'd lay the rest of the day. Stupid flu, she'd spent all her break in bed sick. She hated to think how her fitness level must have dropped in this time, and the thought of returning to training and all the non stop drills they did, made her want to weep. So she did. And she hated crying, so she cried because she was crying.

By lunchtime she was determined to do something, get out of her flat. So she showered, enjoying the pounding water over her body, and trying hard not to think about the last time she was in there with Harry.

She dried herself off, wincing at the tenderness of her breasts. 'Must be close to my time of the month', she thought. She pulled on one of her comfortable, more worn bras, and some knickers. As she did, she couldn't help but feel a swelling of her belly. Not much, but it was there.

She knew she hadn't over eaten, so she guessed she was a little bloated from the impending period. She supposed that might explain the crying jag too. She pulled on some old sweats and headed for the Burrow, needing a good dose of parental smothering. She returned home later that night feeling much better. Arthur had pampered her, and they'd shared a simple meal after de-frosting some of Molly's home made soup and crumpets, before playing some Exploding Snap. It was just what she had needed.

She spent the last couple of days trying to beat the lethargy that enveloped her whole body, before she returned to training.

All too soon, she was back at Holyhead, in her training sweats, for the required physical. When the team healer queried her weight loss and paleness, she told her she'd had the flu the entire break. All she'd done was rested and slept.

"I see," said the healer, doubtfully. She released the tape measure to check her chest, waist and hips. Ginny winced as it rested against her breasts. They felt heavier this morning.

"I'm due," she told the healer.

"Uh-huh," sighed the healer, knowingly. "How's the morning sickness?"

"It's not as bad in the morning if I eat some dry crackers before I move around too much" said Ginny.

The healer ran a hand over her abdomen. "About seven or eight weeks, I'd say." She wrote some details down on her chart.

"Pardon?" asked Ginny.

The healer simply handed her a document and called out, "Next." When Ginny went to step into the next room to continue with weight training, the healer called out to her, and when Ginny looked back questioningly, she shook her head and pointed to the other door.

Ginny had never been through the other door before, so she curiously opened it. She was surprised to discover it was a connection to Gwenog's office at Holyhead.

Ginny stifled a yawn as she sat in a chair opposite the desk. She ignored the photos of past players calling out to her, and rested her head on her hand, closing her eyes.

"WEASLEY!"

Ginny jumped in alarm, waking suddenly. "Yes, coach," she called, sitting up straight.

Gwenog walked around to sit opposite her. "I can't believe it," she said, shaking her head. "I just can't believe it."

"What, coach?" asked Ginny.

Gwenog looked at her hard. "That you, of all people would find yourself in this, this...state!"

Ginny was puzzled. What on earth was Gwenog talking about? Was it because her fitness had dropped. "Sorry, coach," she said.

"Sorry? SORRY? You're SORRY?" yelled Gwenog.

"I couldn't help it, I was in bed the whole time," sputtered Ginny.

"I don't care where the hell it happened, Weasley," snapped Gwenog.

To her horror, her eyes filled with tears. This wasn't the first time she'd been chewed out by Gwenog, but the first time she'd cried. "I'll get better," she vowed.

"Yeah, in seven months or so," sighed Gwenog. She shook her head. "I know these things happen, I just never thought it would happen to you."

"I couldn't help it, I don't even know where I picked it up?" stated Ginny. None of her family had had a bug, but she had wondered if she had picked it up on their promotional day at St Mungo's. After all, there were sick people there, right?

"You don't even know?" gasped Gwenog, looking at Ginny strangely. "This just isn't like you, Weasley." She had never thought Ginny was a stereotypical Quidditch player who picked up random guys for a night of fun. Still, to not know the father of the baby...

"So, can I go back to training now?" asked Ginny. "I promise I'll work harder and stay longer than anybody else. Whatever it takes, coach. I'll get back in shape," she said, standing determinedly.

"Sit down, Weasley...sit down," sighed Gwenog. "You're not going anywhere."

Ginny sank back onto her chair. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Gwenog took out Ginny's contract from her drawer. "You'll be paid till the end of your contract, which expires at the end of this season anyway, so you'll be fine for money for a bit. Here, take this contract, run it past your people. It's a holding contract," said Gwenog, handing it over.

"What's that?" asked Ginny, taking it from her.

"If you sign, we'll pay you a small fee to keep you under contract with us while you're out for next season. You won't be able to talk with any other teams, or sign with anyone, but we can trade you," explained Gwenog. " In a nutshell, it gives us first option on you, after...that," she said, gesturing to her stomach.

"Out...for next season? Trade me? I-I don't understand?" sputtered Ginny. She pinched herself. Was she dreaming? Having a nightmare?

"After you've had the baby," explained Gwenog gently, peering at Ginny. The girl seemed totally clueless.

"What baby?" asked Ginny, stupidly.

"That baby," said Gwenog, pointing to her stomach. "And it had better be a girl," she growled.

Ginny lay her hand over her stomach, ignoring the slight swell. "There's no baby, girl or otherwise," she protested.

Gwenog simply arched an eyebrow at her, and Ginny realised she was rubbing her belly protectively.

"Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no," said Ginny, shaking her head. "I've had the flu...I'm due for my period...I can't be pregnant, I'm a Harpy," she said.

"Not anymore, you're not," said Gwenog calmly.

Ginny stood, trying to ignore the dizziness. "But...but...why are you spinning?" she asked curiously, before the blackness overtook her.

"Weasley!" was the last thing she heard her coach say, before she passed out.

~00~

She had been in a state of denial the first week, even despite seeing a midwitch, who confirmed her pregnancy and put the conception date at the end of January. Ginny had nodded, too stunned for words. It must have happened when they returned from Lily's birthday lunch.

She then returned to her flat, sure that at any moment, someone was going to jump out at her and yell, "Surprise, just kidding!" That person was going to get the biggest Bat Bogey Hex she could muster!

Only- no-one did jump out and tell her it was a joke, and as days passed and she didn't get her period, she started to realise – it was true! She squinted at the picture she been given by the mid-witch. Was that bean shaped thing really a baby? What would she do with a baby? Obviously she couldn't, and wasn't, playing Quidditch. The team had released a statement, saying she was injured and out for the season. Cards and gifts came pouring in from the fans, making her feel guilty, and she hadn't even known how she was going to tell Harry, not after her last little speech to him.

She'd sent an owl to her family, going along with the Harpies statement and saying she needed some time to recover and think about her future. She'd received an owl from Harry, saying he was going away for a month for an assignment. He'd included a photo of him and his parents, celebrating James' birthday. There was also a drawing from Serah and Daisy, which she hung on the refrigerator. She was grateful for his absence in some ways for it gave her time to get her head on straight, make some plans before she told him, knowing that, whatever happened, they were now forever linked.

Two weeks later, she left the safety of her flat and ventured to the markets. Deciding to give Diagon Alley a miss, she headed for the Muggle marketplace in Surrey. She loaded up on fruit and vegetables, suddenly feeling like a huge slice of pineapple.

The grocer, seeing the small curve of her belly, and her practically salivating, generously cut another one open and gave her a big slice.

"Oh thank you," she gasped, eagerly accepting the sweet yellow fruit. She was about to take a bite when -

"Ginny?"

Ginny turned, aghast to see both Mia and Violet standing behind her. She shoved her large shopping bag over her stomach. "Hi," she called weakly. "What are you both doing here?" she asked.

"We have an aunt who lives in Surrey, and we came with mum for a visit. We just popped out to the shops to get something for lunch. What about you?" asked Daisy.

"Oh, you know, needed a change from Diagon Alley," shrugged Ginny. "Nothing in the cupboards."

"We heard you had a serious injury," exclaimed Mia, worriedly. "Are you all right. We missed you at dad's birthday."

Tears welled in Ginny's eyes. 'Don't cry, don't cry' "Oh that's so nice of you to say," smiled Ginny, weakly.

"Come, sit with us, have a coffee," offered Violet, gesturing to some free tables nearby. A waiter hovered and she ordered some scones.

"Don't you need to get back to your aunts?" asked Ginny.

"No, she needs a bit of alone time with mum to complain about her husband. He's a bit of an ass. Coffee or tea?" asked Mia.

"I'm not drinking coffee at the moment," said Ginny. She'd read in some of the printed literature that her mid-witch had given her that it wasn't good for her.

"Is it too early for wine?" asked Violet, teasing. "Oh, not for you, Mia, you're pregnant, but Ginny and I can indulge, right?" she winked. She added a pot of tea for three to the order.

"Afraid not...it interferes with my medication," lied Ginny, shrugging. "So, is there a magical part of Surrey?" she asked.

Mia shook her head. "Our mum is Muggleborn, but her sister is a Muggle. We don't see her often, but we always come with mum when she visits."

"Oh," said Ginny. There was an awkward silence. "How are the girls?" she asked.

"Great! They asked about you at dad's birthday. So did Teddy," said Violet.

"That's so sweet. Harry," - her throat thickened - "Harry sent me a picture they drew. It's on my fridge," she said.

"Ginny, are you all right?" asked Violet in concern. She then sat back. "It's Harry, isn't it?"

"Did he scare you with it? He can come across pretty full on with it, judging by the way he was looking at you at mum's party," said Mia, knowingly.

"He's been waiting for it ever since he was little, waiting for you," said Violet, and Mia nodded.

"With what? What are you talking about?" asked Ginny, looking between the two.

"The Potter Legend," said Violet.

Ginny stared at her, a blank look on her face.

They were interrupted by a waiter placing a plate of scones, jam and cream, and a pot of tea on the table.

Ginny placed her pineapple on a plate, and started spreading a generous amount of jam and cream on it. "What's the Potter Legend?" she asked, taking a bite and closing her eyes as a burst of sweetness exploded in her mouth. Mia and Violet watched her, exchanging wide eyed looks.

"Erm, just that a Potter will know the love of their life the minute they See them. They only love once in their lifetime, but it's a love like no other. Erm, more jam and cream, please waiter," called Violet, waving her hand in the air.

"Vatsoundsnuts," said Ginny, devouring another mouthful of pineapple, jam and cream.

"Pardon?" asked Mia and Violet together.

Ginny swallowed. "That sounds nuts," she said, before burping. "Scuse me," she said, blushing. Great, now she had heartburn.

"No, it's true. I knew the minute I saw Nev, and I was only eighteen months old. Harry told us he knew you were the one the minute he saw you at the Ministry party. Mia, well, Mia only really saw Draco after a good snog, but then, well, the rest is history," said Violet, smiling smugly at her sister.

Unfortunately, Mia wasn't looking back at her, but staring at Ginny. Ginny smiled uncomfortably.

"Wow, that's...amazing but I don't really know if that's what's going on with Harry and I. So Mia, how is your pregnancy going?" she asked, attempting to change the topic.

"Great," smiled Mia, rubbing her rounded belly. "We found out it's another girl, and everything's going great. Draco's so excited."

Ginny smiled faintly. "Your dad wanted a boy," she said, remembering.

"Well, that's up to Violet, now...or Harry." She looked at Ginny suspiciously.

"Well, we're having fun trying," giggled Violet, "but we're not in a rush. Besides, dad's a pushover for girls."

"I think Uncle Sirius is worse," grinned Mia. "He never could say no to us, could he, Vi!"

They both laughed and pointed to their ears. "Ear pierced!" they cried in unison.

Ginny had to ask for the story. "We both really wanted to get our ears pierced, but both mum and dad had said we weren't old enough. We were only seven and five at the time. So, next time Uncle Sirius baby sat us, he asked us what we wanted to do. Well, after we told him, he wasn't sure what to do, so we turned on the waterworks, which always works with him, and next thing you know, we've got our ears pierced. Mum and dad were so mad with him," giggled Violet.

"I think it was more where he took us to get them done. There we were, on a Saturday night, in our pyjamas, in Knockturn Alley at some tattoo and piercing parlour," cried Mia, laughing so hard.

Ginny laughed along with them, picturing it perfectly.

Ginny and Mia giggled again. "Damn, now I have to pee," moaned Mia.

"Me, too," said Ginny, grabbing her bags to hide her belly. Harry deserved to know about the baby before anyone else, she had decided. It had been hard to hide it from her family and Hermione, but she wanted to tell him first.

"I'll watch your bags for you, Ginny," offered Violet.

"Erm, thanks, but there's something in them I need," said Ginny, thinking quickly.

"Ahh," nodded Violet, smiling in understanding. "I don't miss that when I'm pregnant," she said.

Ginny smiled weakly, and followed Mia to the Ladies room. As they were washing their hands, Mia smiled at her softly.

"We really like you, Ginny. Harry is a wonderful little brother, and we can all see how much he cares for you. He talks about you all the time. We all hope things work out," she said.

Ginny felt terrible. Still, she and Harry had never really had a decent sort of conversation, barely knew what each other liked or disliked, outside the bedroom. That was certainly no basis for happily ever after, even if she wasn't pregnant.

"What about the Potter Legend? Has it ever failed?" she asked.

Mia shrugged. "Not that I know of. I guess if you didn't feel the same way as Harry, he'd be doomed to spend the rest of his life alone, always in love with you."

"Oh." Ginny didn't want that for Harry, he was such a nice guy and deserved to be with someone special.

"Please give Harry a chance. He's had girlfriends, but he's never been in love. Please, don't hurt him," pleaded Mia.

Tears came to Ginny's eyes. Stupid hormones.

"We're here for you, too, if you ever need a girlfriend," said Mia, gently. "Or a sister."

She left Ginny alone.

Ginny wiped her eyes, patting them with some toilet paper she'd dampened. 'What I really need is my mum.'

Which only brought on more tears.