Harry sat alone in the Orchard one sunny afternoon. He skimmed stones across the lake as he pondered what to do with himself. He had been a constant third wheel to Ron and Hermione ever since she had returned and he wanted to give them some space. Ginny had gone into Hogsmeade that morning to pick up a few things and he was suddenly finding himself lost without her. He didn't talk about his feelings or his thoughts with her, but that was the beauty of their relationship; he didn't need to. And he really didn't. Just being with her was enough to heal him somehow. A few times he thought maybe he should say something. Talk through his emotions like any other person would, but he honestly didn't see the point. He wasn't hurting when he was with Ginny. And maybe, that was the problem. Harry jumped as he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. He spun around on the grass to see Ginny's bright smile beaming down at him.
"Have you been down here all morning?", she asked.
"Guess I have", he laughed nervously as he stood to his feet. Ginny gave him a small peck on the cheek as she smiled warmly at him.
"I was thinking; do you fancy a small game of Quidditch later?", she asked. Harry's eyes lit up at her suggestion. He couldn't even remember the last time he had played Quidditch. He nodded eagerly as he took her hands within his own.
"Sounds great", he smiled.
"I just need to go and see George first, mum made him some lunch. Do you want to come with me?", she asked. Harry agreed and the pair made their way back to the Burrow, hand in hand, to retrieve George's lunch before disapparating to Diagon Alley. Ginny lead the way, approaching a small door just behind the joke shop. The door to George's flat. Ginny knocked but there was no answer. So, she knocked a few more times, more aggressively each time her knuckles met the hard wood. "George? George, are you in there?", she called whilst still knocking. But there was still no answer. Shrugging her shoulders, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small piece of parchment and a quill. "I'll just leave a note for him. He must have gone out or something", she said as she scribbled on the parchment before putting it on top of the tub of food and placing it carefully outside the door.
"Are you sure he'll find that alright?", Harry asked.
"Have you met any of my brothers? One whiff of food and they'll come running", she chuckled. Harry chuckled with her before the pair joined hands and disapparated back to the Burrow. Dinner with the Weasleys was an awkward affair. Something that had become quite regular within the household. Arthur played with the food on his plate, never uttering a word as Molly whittled on about every minute of her day. Ron and Hermione glanced bashfully at each other across the table as Ginny nodded along to every word that left her mother's lips.
"I do hope George eats his sandwiches. I hate to think that he's going hungry", Molly said as she finished her meal.
"He's a big boy, I'm sure he can feed himself", Ginny reassured her.
"Yes, well – things are different now", Molly replied as she cleared her throat awkwardly, charming her plate to hover carefully to the kitchen sink. No one had even noticed that Arthur had finished his meal too as he silently got up from his chair and wandered outside. Probably to the garage, Harry thought. He couldn't help but notice the sad lingering look on Molly's face as she watched her husband leave. As everyone finished their food, Molly began charming all the dirty plates and cutlery to fly into the kitchen as she wiped the table.
"Would you like any help in the kitchen, Mrs Weasley?", Hermione offered politely. Molly smiled warmly as she nodded.
"Thank you, dear", she said as she and Hermione made their way into the kitchen.
"Ron, Harry and I are going to play Quidditch, fancy it?", Ginny asked.
"Nah, m'alright. Tired", Ron declined as he got up from his chair and wandered upstairs, leaving Harry and Ginny alone at the dinner table.
"Shall we?", Ginny smiled. Harry nodded as the pair got up and made their way outside to the garden shed where all the brooms were kept. Harry felt so at peace as he mounted his broom and took off into the air. The cool wind blowing in his face sent shivers down his spine as he whizzed around for a moment, enjoying the feeling of flight. "Oi! Potter!", Ginny called, pulling him from his thoughts. "Beaters or chasers?", she smirked, bouncing a Quaffle in the palm of her hand.
"Beaters", Harry smirked back. Ginny pulled two small wooden bats from the back of her jeans and threw one towards Harry. "Game on!", Harry called as he whizzed past her, snatching the Quaffle from her clutches and batting it across the Orchard. They would usually use a Bludger, but Molly had banned the use of them in the Orchard ever since George had managed to hit one so hard that it flew through the roof of the garden shed and had made a large hole for Arthur to fix, as well as destroying Molly's flowers that were growing inside at the time. The game never really had an objective when it was just the two of them. Harry just enjoyed batting the Quaffle back and forth, especially with someone as skilful as Ginny. He had always thought very highly of himself when it came to Quidditch, and he once thought that Viktor Krum may have been the best Quidditch player he had ever seen! But, that had all changed the first time he watched Ginny play. He remembered the warm, mesmerising feeling he felt as he watched her in astonishment, scoring point after point as she quite literally soared through her trial. The Quaffle quickly flew past him, passing his right ear by mere inches as he was pulled from his thoughts, leaving Ginny to whizz past him to retrieve it.
"That's 30 points to me!", she called.
"Who said we were keeping score?", Harry smirked as he called back. Ginny whizzed back up into the air, Quaffle in hand as she came to a sudden stop as she reached Harry, her nose but a few inches away from his as she smirked.
"I always keep score", she spoke softly. Harry slowly pressed his lips against hers, allowing one hand to wander through her long red hair as the other held on to his broom. Ginny allowed the Quaffle to fall to the ground below as she returned the kiss, wrapping her arms firmly around Harry's shoulders so she could feel his body against hers, as well as keeping her up in the air. The kiss was slow and soft, but somehow felt passionate and fiery. Ginny slowly parted their lips, smiling softly at him as she straightened his glasses. "Let's go and sit by the lake for a while", she suggested, her tone still soft, sending his heart racing with every syllable. Harry nodded as the pair flew down together. As they reached the edge of the lake, Harry laid his jacket on the floor, laying on top of it as he invited Ginny to join him. Harry looked up at the stars for what seemed like forever. Ginny curled up at his side with her arm wrapped firmly around his waist as if she were meant to be there. As if that part of his body was specifically made for her and only her. She sighed contently as she tightened her grip, Harry ducked his head down, placing a soft kiss on her crown.
"I wish we could stay like this forever", he said, in almost a whisper.
"Me too", she replied delicately, her hand now on his chest as she drew lazy circles with her finger. "It's so easy to just forget about everything for a little while out here", she sighed. Harry took her chin in his hand as he gently lifted her head up to face him, softly pressing his lips against hers as she reached up, her fingertips on the back of his neck felt like hot coals touching his bare skin. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him as he deepened the kiss. Her very smell flooded every sense he thought he knew well. His hand was lost in her smoother-than-silk hair once more, it's favourite place to be as she cupped his jaw in the palm of her hand. It was quite a windy evening, and yet, Harry was sweating. Every inch of him shuddered under her touch as she entwined her leg with his, her thigh mere inches away from his manhood. Harry hoped that she daren't move her thigh any closer, he thought he might explode! They parted lips gently as Ginny looked deep into his eyes, like she was staring right into his soul. "I love you, Harry", she suddenly said, her voice soft and shaky, wavering from exhilaration. And that's when it hit him, like a Bludger to the chest. He loved her too. Of course he did. But, this was not going to be their first time. Harry couldn't have it happen like this. He wanted her. Merlin's beard, he wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted in his entire life! But his first time with Ginny was not going to be out in the windy Orchard, a few feet away from her family home whilst she was still grieving. He knew that Ginny wouldn't want it this way either. He knew her well enough to know that she was trying to distract herself. Harry took her hand that was placed on his chest within his own as he lifted it up to his lips, kissing it tenderly.
"I love you too", he said. Ginny's smile beamed at him as she attempted to return to their passionate state, but Harry was quick to stop her as he placed the palm of his hand against her cheek, gently caressing it with his thumb. "You deserve the world, Ginny Weasley. And you deserve a hell of a lot more than a quick fumble in a dirty field", he told her honestly.
"Quick, ay?", she teased, raising her eyebrow. Harry rolled his eyes as he chuckled.
"You know what I mean", he told her. Ginny sighed in defeat as she nodded her head, sitting up to her knees as she rubbed her shoulders. Harry was quick to take the jacket they had been laying on and wrapped it around her, making sure she wasn't cold as she smiled warmly at him.
"How did I get so lucky?", she suddenly asked. Harry smiled at her, carefully pushing her hair behind her ear as he admired her freckles.
"I keep asking myself the same thing", he sighed contently. The pair shared a quick kiss before Harry stood up, offering his hand out to Ginny to help her up before they walked hand in hand back to the Burrow.
"Where have you two been?", Hermione asked as they entered the warmth of the Weasley home.
"Just playing a little bit of Quidditch", Ginny smiled. "I'm going to get ready for bed", she continued as she kissed Harry on the cheek before disappearing up the stairs.
"Harry", Hermione suddenly said in a hushed tone. "Can I speak with you?". Harry nodded as he allowed a worried Hermione to lead him into the living room.
"Is everything alright?", he asked as he took a seat on the old patch-work sofa.
"I'm not sure", she answered nervously as she took a seat herself. Harry looked at her, utterly puzzled, as he waited for her to explain. "I was helping Molly tidy up after dinner and shortly after I could hear her yelling outside", she explained.
"Yelling?", Harry echoed her words. Hermione nodded.
"She was yelling at Arthur. They were yelling at each other", she continued.
"I wouldn't get too worried, Hermione. Parents argue sometimes", Harry said nonchalantly.
"Not like this. She was hysterical, Harry. And – and I think Arthur may have left", she told him.
"What do you mean?", Harry asked, sitting forward in his seat.
"Well, Molly returned and went straight upstairs. Arthur didn't. And he's not in the garage either", she explained.
"Maybe he went for a walk or something?", Harry suggested. Hermione sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"I don't know, Harry. I'm just glad Ron didn't hear it. The last thing he and Ginny needs is to be worrying about their parents' relationship", she said, as she bit her lip.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Hermione", he smiled at her. Hermione managed to force a smile back as she continued to chew her lip nervously. "Why don't we swap rooms? Just for tonight", he suddenly suggested. Hermione raised her eyebrow at him accusingly. "I'll stay with Ginny, and you can stay with Ron", he explained further.
"I'm sure Molly wouldn't be too fond of the idea. I couldn't possibly -", she failed to finish her sentence as she pondered the idea.
"It's just for one night. I really want to make sure Ginny's alright. I know Ron would prefer your company", he told her. Hermione still looked unconvinced as she pondered the idea further. "If we both wake up at 5am, we can swap back before Molly even notices", he suggested. Hermione sighed as she nodded slowly.
"It would put my mind at rest to keep an eye on him. You know – make sure he's sleeping", she told him. Harry nodded as he smiled warmly at her. "Alright", she gave in.
"Thanks, Hermione", Harry smiled as he got up and gave her a hug. As he made his way towards the stairs, he stopped for a moment, turning to face Hermione once more. "Hermione?", he said. Hermione gave him a slight nod. "Are you sleeping alright?", he asked.
"Me? I'm fine", she smiled sweetly. Harry smiled back at her, giving a slight nod himself before saying goodnight and heading upstairs. He opened the door to Ginny's room carefully. The room was pitch black and he could just about make out Ginny's silhouette under her duvet. He gently lifted the side of her duvet as he carefully got in the bed behind her. Her back perfectly curving against his stomach as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"What are you doing in here?", she whispered sleepily.
"I made a deal with Hermione", he whispered back as he kissed her cheek softly.
"Good", she sighed contently as she placed her hand softly on top of his. "Goodnight, Harry", she whispered delicately.
"Goodnight, Ginny", he replied.
