Chapter 4, Bathroom Conversations

Harry blinked awake to a feeling of comfort. Something warm and soft was in his arms. He looked down and realized Ginny had become entangled with him during the night, her body curved against his. Her face was smooth and she looked lovely. He didn't want to change that. He lightly slid his arms from around her waist and attempted to get out of bed without disturbing her. He failed. Ginny stirred and turned over to face him.

"Leaving me in bed, were you?" She said.

"No, I just didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful." He said, retreating back underneath the covers. Ginny sat herself up a little and kissed him. Harry couldn't help but smile.

"So what are we doing today?" She inquired. "Now that this place is clean we must enjoy ourselves. We go back to Hogwarts in less than a week!"

"Well, I was thinking we could do some shopping. You need a bed and I know Hermione's dying for some nice book cases. And we still haven't gotten our things for school." The amount of tasks that needed to be done suddenly weighed down on Harry like a ton of bricks.

"I don't need a bed Harry, I can sleep with you." Ginny said. Harry laughed then climbed out of bed.

"Breakfast?" He asked her with a smile. She nodded and walked over to her trunk. She rummaged around before picking out some shorts and slid them on. Then she threw some pants at Harry before following him out the door. Knowing Ron would still be asleep he knocked on Hermione's door to tell her to come down for breakfast. Assuming she would be awake, he walked in before waiting for a response to his knock. He instantly wished he had waited. Hermione was lying against Ron's bare chest sporting an equally bare chest, although Ron's arm around her covered her up pretty well. Harry was thankful for that, at least. Both Hermione's and Ron's undergarments were strewn across the floor and the bed sheets were in tangles around them. Hermione woke up at the noise of Harry's footsteps and she went instantly red and gasped. Harry's feet were frozen although he was yelling at his mind to turn around and make a hasty exit. Hermione yanked the sheet up to her neck causing Ron to wake up and look around.

"What...oh. Uh, good morning Harry." He said. Harry nodded at him. This movement seemed to finally help his legs kick into gear, because he turned and promptly walked out into the hall, closing Hermione's door behind him. Ginny looked at him questioningly.

"Uh. R-Ron uh, s-spent the night it seems." He stuttered. Ginny's mouth formed a letter o, and she looked from Harry to Hermione's door several times. Then she cleared her throat awkwardly and headed down the stairs, turning her head to make sure Harry was following her. Once down in the kitchen Harry tried to forget what had happened and became focused on the task at hand: breakfast. Harry could make a decent bowl of macaroni, but he was no culinary genius. He started to suggest to Ginny that they call Kreacher down, but she had already begun rummaging around in the cupboards. After a minute or so she emerged holding a pan, some large bowls, and flour.

"Biscuits alright?" She said, while raising her wand and saying accio milk! Harry nodded eagerly and began getting out plates and silverware. He then watched in interest as Ginny exhibited cooking skills clearly gained from being the daughter of Molly Wesley. She measured, whisked, and rolled, and within twenty minutes produced a large plate of fluffy, golden biscuits. Harry reached for one and buttered it while Ginny did the same. They were the most delicious biscuits he had ever had, and for that he leaned over and kissed Ginny. She laughed.

"Like my cooking do you?" She said. But before Harry could respond, Hermione and Ron entered the kitchen and took a seat without raising an eye to either of them. They each reached for the plate and their hands brushed causing them to flinch away. After a second or so, Ron's hunger seemed to get the better of him and he took three biscuits. Hermione then tentatively took one and they buttered in silence. After being fully immersed in the awkward quiet for what seemed like hours, Hermione finally spoke.

"These are lovely Ginny."

"Thanks! It's the best I could do with what we have. We really need to go to the store. Would you come with me this afternoon?" Harry appreciated the way Ginny seemed to effortlessly take the atmosphere from cumbersome to normal in a matter of seconds.

"Of course." Hermione said, notably less withdrawn than before.

"After that, we should head out to Diagon Ally. We need to get our books and I need to run by Gringotts." Harry said. Everyone mumbled an agreement and finished eating. Harry stood up and reached for his plate, but Ginny slapped his hand away.

"Go shower, I'll take care of this." She said with a smile. She was so perfect.

"Thanks." Harry said at her. He hesitated for a moment, but then leaned down and kissed her quickly. Ron and Hermione had no right to complain. No right whatsoever. He turned to head upstairs and heard the screech of a chair. He glanced back to see Ron excusing himself as well.

"OI! Wash your plate you git!" Ginny said. Ron turned prepared to argue, but Hermione simply flicked her wand and his dish soared to the sink. Ron turned pink and muttered a thank you. Once Harry reached the second floor he rounded on Ron who stopped suddenly and almost fell backward down the stairs.

"Ron! What were you THINKING!?!?" He whisper-screamed, so as not to be heard downstairs. When Ron didn't say anything, he continued on.

"I don't care if you and Hermione have sex every night, but right across the hall from Ginny!?!" He demanded. Ron finally seemed able to speak.

"We didn't have sex!" He said, turing red. Harry let out a scoff.

"Oh yeah, I just happened to find you two naked in bed together this morning with your underwear thrown on the floor!"

"We didn't! Honest mate!" These words seemed to relax Harry a bit. Truth be told, Harry found the idea of Ron and Hermione having sex extremely odd. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but something about it bothered him severely. He settled for the fact they were Ron and Hermione and that he had know them since first year.

"Still Ron, I mean the way I found you this morning you might as well have. Just, look, try and keep your love life a little more discrete. Okay?" Ron nodded in agreement then disappeared into his room.

Harry took a long, hot shower and thought over how he reacted to Ron. Was he simply mad because of what it might of done to Ginny? Sure she was only a year younger, but with these things, it felt to Harry as though she were a first year. He didn't want Ginny exposed to that. He didn't want her precious mind tainted. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that that wasn't it. Was he mad...was he made because Ron might have beat him in something? That Ron might have done something before him, especially something so personal and with Hermione? He pounded his fist against the wall and watched drops of water fall from his fingers onto the floor. Why was he getting jealous like this? These things weren't a competition! These things were private and special. He didn't understand himself. He loved Ginny. Ron was his best mate. The last thing he should be doing is considering sex a...a tournament. Besides, even if Ron did do it first, so what! Why should Harry be jealous? Why couldn't he let Ron have just one thing to himself. He got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He felt like he was at war with himself. He slid down onto the cool tile floor, unaware of the steam fogging his glasses. He remained like that until there was a knock on the door. He stood and opened it to find Ginny peering in at him.

"Can I come in?" She asked quietly. Harry nodded and stepped aside, closing the door to the cold air in the hallway as soon as she was in. Before he knew it, Ginny was kissing him. He slid one hand around her waist while the other supported the towel clad to his hips. Ginny broke free and took off her shirt and shorts then reached behind her and locked the door. She was kissing Harry again, on his lips, on his neck. Harry pulled her closer to him and fumbled with the clasp on her bra. Soon it was off and he placed his hands on her breasts. He trailed his fingers on her nipples then bent down and kissed all around them. Ginny wrapped her hands around his head and lifted his lips up to hers. She worked her tongue into his mouth and he followed her lead, dancing his around hers. Ginny pushed him down so that he was sitting on top of the toilet lid. Then, very slowly she slid off her underwear. Harry felt himself go hard immediately. He longed to have her. He wanted to touch her there. He wanted to make her back arch, make her call out his name. She walked toward him and pulled away the towel he had been so desperately holding onto the entire time. Harry knew what she was about to do. He was at war with himself again. She was wrapping one leg around him. He didn't know what to do. In a matter of seconds he could be inside her. That possibility sounded so good, he wanted her so bad. She was wrapping her other leg around him. He yearned to plunge into her. She was lowering her self onto him.

"Ginny. Ginny stop." He said lamely. She stopped inches from him.

"Yes Harry, what is it? Can it not wait?" She breathed, obviously highly aroused.

"Ginny it can wait. We need to wait." He said quickly. Ginny got up from him and sat on the floor, not bothering for a towel.

"I don't understand what I did wrong. Why won't you have me Harry? Ron and Hermione have done it. I know it's made them happier. I saw them in her room when I walked by. Talking and holding hands, looking at each other like they're- like they're in love." She glanced down at the floor. Harry didn't bother explaining to Ginny that Ron and Hermione hadn't had sex. He crawled down to sit by her and took her hand, pulling her close.

"I love you Ginny Weasley, and it's a shame you didn't know that. And it's even more of a shame that you thought you had to have sex with me to get me to love you." Ginny didn't say anything for a minute. But then she looked up abruptly and squeezed Harry's hand.

"Do you really?" She said softly.

"Of course." He growled. "How could you even wonder?"

"I love you too Harry." She said, pulling him into a kiss.

"Now," he said in a teasing voice. "come here and let me have you." He pulled Ginny on top of him, kissing her deeply and sliding his hand down her back. Then he lay her down and spread her legs, centering himself in between them. He bent forward and whispered in her ear.

"This isn't sex, but I think you'll like it." He kissed down her neck and chest while massaging her lovely, warm flesh. He was tempted to drive a finger in while he was down there, but she was moaning so loud from where he was rubbing already that he didn't want to stop. His kisses reached her naval and he felt the heat coming off of Ginny's skin. He ran his lips down her inner things, causing her to gasp and run her hands through his hair. His mouth drew closer and closer to the warmth that was Ginny. His tongue finally came into contact with that wonderful warmth. Ginny gasped. She tasted delicious. He eagerly slid his tongue along her, concentrating on the small bump he had massaged earlier. Ginny was sucking on her lip and moaning. Harry rolled his tongue along her opening and slid it in quickly, causing Ginny to whimper and he saw her eyes pop.

"Harry- Harry please keep doing that. Please." She begged him. He obeyed and soon Ginny was arching her back, climaxing at his hands.

"Oh Harry." She said, before letting her back fall to the floor again. He pulled her into his arms.

"Yes, love?" He said while tracing patterns on her back.

"That was the best I've ever felt Harry. How did you do that to me?" She sighed and slid further into his arms. Harry stroked her hair and kissed her softly.

"Well, I had some help. You see, there's this girl I know." He felt Ginny tense in his arms.

"And she certainly knows how to turn me on. She has brilliant red hair..." he whispered while his fingers slid closer and closer toward the wonderful area between her thighs. "...everywhere." he finished, pulling his hand back to her naval.

"And she's honestly the sexiest girl I've ever met. She inspires me, you see. Makes me want to do all kinds of things to her." Harry felt Ginny relax in his arms again and laugh.

"Harry Harry. You're really something. Did you know that?" She said with a twinkle in her eye.

"No, I didn't. But you are, that I know well." He kissed her forehead and stood up. Ginny made a face.

"I have to go. And so do you. Didn't you ask Hermione to go to the store with you? It's nearly one o'clock. We still have Diagon Ally to conquer!" Harry felt the weight of all his tasks once again. Ginny seemed to share his feelings because she shooed him out and he swiftly heard the water running. He headed to his room and began unpacking his trunk to look for his school list. After digging for about fifteen minutes, he finally uncovered the wrinkled mass of parchment and attempted to smooth it out. Ginny came through the door gripping a towel to her pale skin. She closed the door and dashed over to her trunk where she stood, sifting through its mass of contents, for several minutes before finally turning around holding dark wash jeans and a gray t-shirt that was artfully splattered with navy and cerulean paint.

"Going to the muggle market?" He said while noting her choice of muggle clothing had drastically improved. Hermione must have seen to that.

"Yes, Hermione suggested it. Said it would be easier seeing as we haven't gone to Gringotts yet and she didn't want to go asking to borrow some galleons. She said all she had was muggle money." She shrugged as if it made no difference and dressed right in front of him, causing his eyes to linger on her ivory skin. Harry watched as she pulled her damp hair into a bun and slid on some tennis shoes. She kissed him deeply before heading out the door, calling Hermione's name. Harry wondered if she had forgotten that Hermione and Ron were alone together, and laughed to himself, imagining the look on her face when she found them snogging yet again.