A/N: Hello. Sorry that it took me a while to update this chapter. I had writer's block for a little while. Well, anywho, as a warning, this chapter is like the turning point as maturity of themes go. No graphic descriptions, however, will be presented. You'll see. I promise, I'm keeping this story rated T. Nothing dirty or any of those good things. Right, well, this chapter is dedicated to Utada Hikaru and my chica Shakira (lol), because their music have inspired me for this chapter, also, I dedicate this to my friends Dawn and Valarie (Kiona). Thank you!

Chapter Seven: The Visitor

On my way to dinner, I met up with Lily just as she was heading to the Great Hall with Erin. She looked at me worriedly and slowed to a stop. Erin mumbled something to her about meeting her at the table and left quickly, giving me a smile.

"How did things go with my mum?" she asked me in an undertone which was unnecessary since no one was around; we were both late to dinner. I gave a sigh and thought about what to tell her.

"Well, your Uncle Ron isn't too happy about me showing up after… after so long. Gin—your mother, I mean, is not happy with me right now, but we did make up. Things were fine until Ron and I got into a fight and she told me to leave, so I'm worried a bit about that."

Lily looked at me with worry. Her forehead was creased with lines and her eyebrows were knitted together. It took her an effort to get her thoughts out of her mouth. "Look, professor… er, dad"— she smiled a bit when she said this, and so did I— "I really want you two to get back together, and I know my mum does as well. It would make things perfect. Don't you think so?"

"Yes, Lily, I do. I just want things to be different."

She nodded and started walking again, while I walked beside her, toward the Great Hall. We were very late for dinner though I'm sure no one really noticed our absence. We had a silent agreement that right now was not the place to discuss our broken family, or what could have been, so we settled for school.

"How are you liking it here, Lily?"

"I love it here! It's so… magical!" We both laughed at that. "I mean, it's everything and so much more than I could have dreamed of, Professor! Like, a real dream that's come true. I feel at home here."

"That's exactly how I felt. I never knew that I was a wizard before all of this, and when I arrived, it suddenly became real to me. Hogwarts is more of a home to me than the Dursley house was and ever will be. Everything good and bad has happened here, Lily. To me, I mean. I met my best friends on the train coming here… And your mother and I grew here…"

Lily looked down at her feet, debating something in her mind. She smiled to herself and then lifted her head back up. "What was my mum like when she was here?"

The question didn't really catch me off guard; I was expecting it with one of our talks. I nodded as I thought it over. "She was… afraid at first; got into a spot of trouble in her first year. But as the years went on her personality developed. She always used to be nervous around me, in her first few years, but I guess she got over me eventually, and started dating other people. Your uncle wasn't too happy about that, I remember." I chuckled at the memory of Ron, and how over protective he was about Ginny. "All her brothers were so over protective and uptight about her, but she could definitely take care of herself. Ginny was certainly a character, I'll tell you that. Having six brothers toughened her up, and she was bold and fiery and brave, yet so tender and loving…"

I could tell that my voice was filled with desire, because I felt that in my heart as I thought about Ginny. But it was pained, because pain was also in my heart. Pain from deserting Ginny and hurting her. I felt her pain. I regretted her pain.

Lily saw the sadness and longing and regret written on my face and in my voice and she blubbered on about how much homework she had to do that night. She cleared her throat, looking down again. "I have to get to dinner, Professor, and eat quickly if I want to get an early start…" I nodded and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

When we reached the Great Hall, my stomach churned and I felt that if I ate, I'd just throw it all up. So I stopped right at the doors and Lily looked at me confused. "I don't have an appetite," I explained.

"Neither do I. I'm too worried about my mum," she told me.

"Go on, you need to eat more than I do. I just have to think and sift through things." Lily gave a look of stubborn determination, but I nudged her on, insistent and more uncomfortable. She gets stubbornness from me. "Go on, Lily. We'll have more time to talk another day." She went on a little. Resistant, and I waited until she had reached the seat beside Erin, which didn't take long because she rushed, and then I left to go to my living quarters.

When I got to my provided bedroom, I slumped onto the bed, closing my eyes and letting my mind drift. I thought about mostly Ginny. I worried about Ron. I worried about not seeing Ginny again for a while. I considered going back to the Burrow and talking things over with Ginny. The idea was so inviting that I almost got up from my bed to go to the fireplace in the office. My stomach growled when I sat up to do it, which made me want to do it even more. If I knew that Ginny wasn't angry with me, if I could see that she wasn't, I would be able to stomach some nourishment. Mrs. Weasley's cooking was a much better idea than Hogwarts food.

Something stopped me, however. Doubt. I was actually in my office, but since doubt had stopped me from even getting near the Floo powder, I sat at my desk instead. I settled for grading homework, but my mind wasn't in the right frame to concentrate on what the students had to say about what defensive charms and such. Fatigue and doubt and worry made me slump forward, exhausted mentally and physically. I slipped into and uneasy unconsciousness, which lasted for only a few minutes, because I was awoken by the roar of a fire, the sound of something falling to the floor, and the breath being knocked out of someone with a "hmph!"

I jolted awake, still very tired and exhausted, and looked at who my visitor was.

I knew before she even stood up to smile at me because of her flaming hair, and even the shape of her form slumped on the floor. Ginny. I could hardly believe it, but all doubt was erased from my mind. I raced to help brush of the soot as she stood up. When I got a good look at her face, she grinned hugely and I beamed right back at her. She threw her arms around me, and her wonderfully-scented hair was in my face. I took a big whiff and my heart beat so fast. I wrapped my strong arms around her waist and pressed her against me. Never in my life was I so happy to see her.

"I thought you were mad at me, Ginny!"

Ginny gave me a look that told me I was being ridiculous. She squeezed my arms and leaned up to kiss me. Our lips met in an impatient, uninhibited, and rough kiss. It was full of want and desire and the urge to give in. She pulled away from me and took my hand, pulling me to the bedroom. Without thought, I lifted her body into my arms and she wrapped her legs around my waist while I carried us to the room. I closed the door with a slam, dropped her onto the bed, and needless to say, we both gave in.

Making love with Ginny for the first time in more than eleven years was something truly amazing and so much more than just sex. Our heartbeats were as one and our breaths were as one, and the atmosphere was so exciting and tangible. When we lay together after finishing, my heart swelled to what felt like a million more times its normal size. I gathered her freckled body in my arms, our surfaces glistening with sweat. Our breaths were husky and separating to their own rhythms once again, and so did our heart beats. A great feeling of calm washed over me in the form of a shiver.

Ginny kissed all over me before settling down beside me, wrapping a creamy, freckled arm over my bare chest. When the intense heat left us, I covered our naked bodies with my comforter. We didn't even talk, though I had questions, or discuss the amazing thing that just happened between us. I didn't want her to regret what we did, and I didn't want her to leave. Unspoken though it was, she decided to stay. I didn't know how long she planned on staying, but I was glad that she did for the time-being. Eventually, I fell asleep to the soothing of her constant kissing.

I had a peaceful, dreamless sleep. In the morning, I woke up and was very pleased to see Ginny's wonderful face smiling at me, her brown eyes softly studying the features of my face. "Good morning," we both said at the same time, and then laughed a little. I leaned over and kissed her neck, rubbing her shoulders and arms. "When are you going back to the Burrow?"

"When I leave, it's to get all of my things and bring them right back here."

"Here?"

"Yes," she said and kissed me back. "I've decided to live here with you and Lily. It's where I belong after all." I was surprised by this. Of course I wanted her to stay with me, but wouldn't that have been selfish of me?

"What about your mum and dad?"

"Oh, they've been pestering me to move out for a while, but Lily liked it there, and I couldn't leave. I'm a grown woman after all. They'll be happy for me. I'll be moving on, Harry." I had to agree, and to admit that I really wanted her to be here with me.

"After last night, Ginny, I don't think I can ever let you out of my sight again."

"It's Friday, Harry. You have to let me out of your sight again to teach."

"Oh," I said, and nodded. Then I realized how late it might be. "Oh! Ginny what time is it?" I asked, frantic.

She giggled and pulled my face down for a kiss. "Don't worry," she said playfully. "Breakfast just started. We've got plenty of time to linger in bed." I kissed her back as a sly smile played across her beautiful face.

"Behave Ginny. Besides, I have to eat anyway. And teach. So I'm going to breakfast before I pass out." I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, but before I could stand, Ginny grabbed my wrist. I looked over to her, and saw that her face looked panicked. That scared me.

"Harry." Her voice was broken. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me right now. I won't be able to see you if you go!"

"I'll see you between classes, Ginny. I promise, okay? Okay?"

"Harry, please. I love you. Just don't go." She looked at me with wide and frightened eyes. I groaned because I knew that this was all my fault. Then I sighed.

"Ginny, I'm going to sneak some breakfast back here and we can both enjoy it before I have to go teach, okay? And the last class is before lunch, so we can spend the whole day after that together, okay?" I held one side of her face and snaked my fingers through her wonderfully silky hair, which was a little tangled from the night before. I pulled her face to mine for a long kiss. My stomach growled pointedly and I had to break away to go eat. "I'll be right back, Ginny, I promise."

"You swear? Swear to me, Harry Potter."

I pulled her in for another very deep kiss. "I swear."

A/N: Did you like this chapter? I really like this one, and it gave me a very good idea for chapter eight. Hopefully I can post that in a few days from today… Hopefully. So please review and tell me if this sucked, and please, if you catch any, tell me that my grammar needs a little bit of help because I didn't read this chapter over. Thank you! –janepotter22