Chapter 7

Ginny looked over herself in the mirror. Her long red hair was in waves and fell past her shoulders. She had decided on a simple outfit. Jeans with a white form fitting shirt and a brown scarf. The brown boots she wore tied the outfit together. She smiled at herself and took a deep breath. Then she heard a knock at the door, she turned out the light in her bedroom and opened the door.

Harry stood there looking devastatingly handsome. His black hair was unruly as ever and looked as if he had been running his hands through it. He wore a pair of nice jeans and a red long sleeved shirt that was unbuttoned with a black shirt underneath. He smiled at her.

"Hey Gin, are you ready?" He asked. She looked amazing and Harry thought he'd never seen a more beautiful woman.

"Yeah, let's go."

They went to a quiet little burger place. The place was simple and Ginny was glad that Harry had taken her someplace like this. She hated when men took her to fancy restaurants on first dates, she felt those should be reserved for special occasions like anniversary's or celebrations. It was hard to really get to know someone in a place like that. In a place like this you could talk and joke loudly and no one would stare. You could wear clothes you were comfortable in and not some tight dress that made it hard to breathe. They sat down at a booth and a waitress soon came to take their order.

"So, how has Zoe been adjusting to the day care?"

"Really well, apparently she and Lilly have quite the circle of friends and the teachers are all so nice. I just feel like a basket case whenever I call to them to check in."

"Don't be, Lilly's been there for years now and I still check in." Harry laughed.

"It's good to know I'm not alone on this island. How have you been?"

"Pretty good. Work is going well I have a few students who think that being an aurror is like being a magical James Bond. Whenever I tell them that while they will be going on dangerous missions they will have more paperwork then dangerous missions and encounters with beautiful women I feel like I'm telling children that Santa isn't real."

"I can see how that would be a damper. Were you disappointed when you found out you wouldn't be blowing up buildings and having encounters with beautiful women?" Ginny laughed.

"Well the paperwork was a downer and I'm very happy to be having dinner with a beautiful woman now."

Ginny smiled she liked that Harry found her beautiful. "Well I'm glad I can help."

Harry liked that Ginny hadn't said she wasn't beautiful. He often encountered woman who would pretend to disagree only to have whoever gave the complement over and over again to stroke their own ego.

They fell into an easy banter and it dawned upon them both once again that it was so easy to be in each other's company. As the evening went on Ginny felt that she couldn't put off the inevitable any longer.

"Harry, this has been wonderful but I think we should talk about what this means; for the girls I mean."

Harry smiled at her, he admired her easy confidence and strength. He so admired how she loved Zoe. Harry would never be able to meet Ginny's sister and brother in law but he thought that when they decided to leave Zoe with Ginny they couldn't have made a better choice. The little girl was obviously the centre of Ginny's universe.

"Look, I'm not gonna lie to you Gin, I wanted to ask you out the moment I met you. I didn't because I shared your concern about what would happen with the girls if we were to get serious and broke up for whatever reason. But I was talking to my parents and they made me realize that there is nothing I wouldn't do for my daughter; no awkward situation that I wouldn't navigate through. If something were to happen between us and it became uncomfortable for the girls I wold figure out how to make it normal and to be friends with you. I love Lilly that much and I can see you love Zoe as much as I love Lilly. This in mind I don't really think there is anything to worry about. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out and the girls won't suffer."

Ginny thought about what he had said. She still had her concerns but Harry was right. She wouldn't jeopardize Zoe's happiness for anything. If anything happened between the two of them they'd figure it out.

"I think your right." She smiled at him. When he looked at her his breath caught he was certain that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He couldn't help himself, he leaned in and kissed her. She kissed him back. It had been a while but they both were certain that it was the best kiss either of them had ever experienced. When they pulled away they felt as if something very wonderful was happening.

The night continued to go amazingly well. They laughed and talked and the two of them felt like they were really connecting. Ginny thought that Harry was amazing. He was kind, brave, intelligent, strong and what Ginny liked best of all was how dedicated he was to his daughter. Lilly was everything to Harry and it was clear he considered her the best thing that had ever happened to him. She liked hearing him talk about how she liked to do this or that. She thought that it was amazing that he was so dedicated to his daughter. She once again wanted to ask about Lilly's mother but she didn't want to upset him and ruin their evening so she decided not ask the question now. When they'd finished Ginny looked at him smiling and said.

"Come on there is something I want to show you."

"Ok."

She took him to a large field she it was deserted at this hour so she conjured a few heating lamps to keep them warm and a blanket to sit on. She then walked to a thick wooden fence. Harry followed her and watched with interest as she began knocking on different wooden panels.

"Luna and I used to come here when we were teenagers." She explained as she found the spot she was looking for, she reached into a hidden hole and pulled out a bottle of champagne. "I must admit that I was the wild child of the two of us." She grinned. "Champagne doesn't go bad does it?"

"I think that it's fine as long as it hasn't been opened." He smiled back at her and they walked back to the blanket and sat down.

"When did you find this place?" he asked.

"Summer of our fifth year. We would come here when something good happened in order to celebrate." She opened the bottle and took a swig then passed it to Harry who in turn did the same.

"That's nice, my friends and I had a spot like this in school. I'll take you there sometime."

"Are all your friends back in the states now?"

"Most but I have a few here, I don't get to see them as much as I'd like though."

"I know what you mean, being a parent takes up a lot of time."

"Yeah, I wouldn't change it for anything though." He smiled happily.

She couldn't resist any longer, she was dying to know where Lilly's mother was. "Harry, if you don't mind me asking, and feel free to tell me it's none of my business but where is Lilly's mother at? I've never heard any of you mention her."

Harry's smile faltered a bit. He'd expected Ginny to ask and he was able to tell she'd been curious for a while now but he liked that she was so respectful of his privacy. Even so he didn't mind telling her about Jackie. He took a deep breath, "I met Jackie when I was about 21. She was fun and exciting but honestly I didn't really see a future with her which we were both fine with. Then she got pregnant and I wanted to stand by her and I could never abandon my child so I resigned my position as an aurror and began teaching at the academy. We got married about six months before Lilly was born. Then Lilly was born and Jackie started to change, she seemed to resent Lilly needing so much all the time. I tried to help but she secluded herself. I came home one day when Lilly was two months old. A babysitter who I'd never met was there and she said Jackie went out for a while. I paid her and she left. I checked on Lilly who was asleep and went to my room. On the bed I found divorce papers and signed documents of Jackie giving up her rights to Lilly. She'd left a note saying that she was sorry but she simply wasn't cut out to be a wife or mother. We haven't seen her since."

Ginny was baffled. "So she just left? She doesn't write or check on Lilly in any way?"

Harry shook his head. "She doesn't call or write, no cards on Christmas or her birthday. It's like Lilly doesn't even exist to her."

"That's horrible! I can't believe she'd do that to you and Lilly!"

"Neither could I. But I'm actually kind of glad she did. It's hard Lilly not having a mother and I know I can't avoid telling her forever but I'd hate it if Jackie had stayed and grown to resent Lilly even more. No child should feel like they ruined their mother's life."

"But she didn't have to see it that way. Whatever she wanted to do she still could have done with you and Lilly supporting her."

"I don't know I think she just wasn't strong enough to be a mother."

"Oh god, Harry I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be. It isn't your fault and besides Lilly has me and my parents. She'll be alright."

A silence fell between the two. "Gin, I'm going to ask you something personal now, and just like you told me I could tell you to butt out feel free to tell me the same." He smiled trying to lighten the mood that was already heavy and about to get heavier. "Do you mind if I ask, your sister and her husband how did they die?"

Ginny took another swig of champagne. "It was late January they were out on a date and were driving a car in a muggle town. There was black ice on the road and they didn't see it. The car spun out of control and they hit a tree. They died instantly, there was nothing anyone could do." She took another drink.

Harry looked at her for a long moment. It had always been clear that Ginny loved Zoe more than anything so he'd known she'd loved her sister too. But in that moment he understood exactly how much she loved Luna. It must have been devastating to loose someone that close to her.

"I'm sorry Ginny, I shouldn't have asked."

"Nonsense, I asked you something just as hard and what was it you said?" She smiled at him. "It's not your fault. So don't apologize."

The rest of the night was spent with less serious conversation. They talked about work, and the kids and life. They joked and teased each other and finished half the bottle before they kissed again. This time it was much more heated and with a loud POP! They were back at Ginny's house.

Harry's hands were everywhere leaving a trail of fire where they travelled. He pulled off her jacket and she pulled his off in turn. She kissed him again and led him upstairs to her bedroom. She pulled off his shirt and kissed down his neck and down his chest. His breath came faster. He pulled her up to kiss her again and started to pull off her shirt. He took a moment to look at her against the wall. God she was beautiful, full breasts and she was thin but still curvy, not a stick like some women were. He pushed her against the wall once again as he kissed her tenderly. Ginny pushed back off the wall and they stumbled onto the bed. They kicked off their shoes and as they kissed Harry rolled on top of her.

He kissed down her neck to the nook of her breasts. His hands found her jeans and he helped her out of them. He then kissed her stomach and rubbed her thighs. She moaned and flipped so she was once again straddling him. She unfastened his jeans and once they were off she felt the full force of his arousal. He smirked at her and pushed her onto her back. He wanted her so badly. She inspired feelings inside of him he'd never felt before. He unhooked her bra and kissed her breasts sucking and licking until he heard her moan and felt her shudder with pleasure.

She ripped off his boxers and felt the full force of his erection. She gripped him and heard him groan. He couldn't wait any longer. He ripped off her panties and plunged deep inside her. She screamed out his name, encouraging him to go faster and harder. She met every thrust and kissed him while she stroked his back and felt his muscles beneath her fingers.

They came together calling out each other's names and he collapsed on top of her with a kiss. He rolled next to her and pulled her into his arms. They smiled at each other and kissed again.

"God that was amazing." She grinned.

"I know what you mean. It's never been like that for me."

"Me either." She replied smiling. "But I have to admit it's been a while."

"Really, me too. How long?"

"Three years." She blushed. "You?"

"Two." He laughed.

"Ah! You win!" she giggled.

"You know what that means don't you?" He asked.

"And what's that?"

"We have to do it again. Immediately!" He chuckled rolling back on top of her. She squealed with delight and the night continued in a very favourable fashion.

AN: Well that's chapter 7 I hope you enjoy. I know where I want the story to go and I hope you'll like it. In the next few chapters we are going to find out more about Luna. Harry and Ginny become more serious and Ginny begins to wonder if the accident that killed Luna and Neville was truly an accident. There will be twists and turns but together they get the truth!