Authors Note: It's been a long while since i've updated, but I have not given up on this story and plan to continue updating. Warning this part is a little more mature than the ones previous.
Part X- Work and Play
Her eyes trailed his every movement as he followed the crowd of officials down the Ministry's hallway. He was deep in conversation, probably not even aware of his surroundings or the people who stopped mid-sentence to gape at The Chosen One. He responded to Mockridge's question with passion as his hands gestured to emphasize whatever he was trying to get them to understand this time.
"He looks so much better," Hermione said so that only Ginny could hear. The motherly tenor of her voice made Ginny turn slightly to smile at her.
"I know," Ginny responded smirking without a trace of matronly tone. "How'd it go with the International Travel Office?"
"Fine. Now if we could just find the time to go . . . Look at them all jostling for Harry's attention." Harry was now surrounded by Ministry personnel. Each wanted his time, his input or simply his official approval. They had all come to the Ministry to deal with several matters. Their trip to Australia to find Hermione's parents not the least of them. The Ministry was aggressively working through war crime trials and it seemed that every trial had subpoenaed Harry, Hermione or one of the Weasleys.
"This is getting a little ridiculous," remarked Ginny though she seemed to find humor in the situation. "This demand on you guys is more than any adult witch or wizard should be expected to do. How come last year we were fighting to convince everyone we were all old enough to make our own decisions and join the fight and now we're working much harder to convince them all we need adolescent playtime?"
Hermione just laughed. "That's right; you and Ron did get some playtime last night," Ginny teased. Ginny laughed at Hermione's half-outraged face and dodged her slap.
"You heard us?" Hermione groaned.
"Shh. I heard enough of that last night." She dodged Hermione's wayward hand again.
"Well . . ." Hermione sputtered. "What did you expect? We have how many years of . . .tension building up?" Ginny burst out laughing this time.
"Look at us laughing like schoolgirls," Hermione admonished.
"We are schoolgirls," Ginny interrupted. "I've got the pleated skirt to prove it."
"And then there's Harry."
"And Ron," Ginny added as both looked across the room at the two young men surrounded by Ministry officials. Ron seemed to be holding his ground on some issue and kept shaking his head. Harry's head whipped from one person to another as they addressed him in turn.
"Yeah, when did they grow up?" Hermione asked wistfully.
"A little after we did, I suppose," Ginny replied with a smirk. Her eyes continued to rake over Harry. The dark jeans fit him in all the right places. He was wearing the black, short-sleeved, button-up shirt tucked into the belt of his low riding jeans effectively accenting his broad shoulders. A boy he was no longer. Ginny's eyes stayed locked on him as he suddenly turned and caught her gaze.
He gave her a slow once over, his eyes locking on the way her teeth had trapped her lower lip. Ginny's eyes fell on the masculine angles of the cords of his neck and imagined running her lips over them, and over what lay hidden beneath his shirt. There was a cackle of energy, or perhaps magic in the air. Hermione looked between the pair and watched as the fire-like embers traveled from Harry's jaw line past the V of his shirt. She quickly turned to look at Ginny in time to see the same color display travel from Ginny's cheekbone, over her lips and then down under her chin.
Ginny held her lip deftly between her teeth to arrest the moan tempting to escape. She could swear that she felt Harry's mouth working its own special magic. The air felt cool as the trail of heat that felt identical to Harry's mouth moved down her neck. All logic flew out of her mind as she felt the phantom mouth descend over the small valley of her sternum to reach the swell of her breast. The rise of desire in her only made her want to follow this same path herself on Harry. He looked so broad and toned, she imagined her mouth grazing over the sensitive skin of his collarbone as she continued down . . .
"Uh, Ginny?" Hermione asked with slight alarm as she watched Harry jump. Ginny shook her head and turned to Hermione trying to focus. Harry had to ask whoever was talking to him to repeat what he had just said. Ginny drew in a deep calming breath.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"Weren't you just telling me all about sexual tension?" Ginny tried to laugh it off, though obviously a bit shaken. "That's it. They can't fix all of the Wizarding world's problems today; time for a break." Ginny walked purposely forward standing right amongst the throng of ministry people next to Harry. She waited politely for a moment.
"Yes, I could come over to see Gringotts rearrangement in person. Though it may have to wait until after we get back." Several people jostled to respond to this, but Ginny beat them to it. She leaned in on the back of his shoulder, running one hand down his arm to find his hand and resting her chin just to the side of where then embers had been.
"Sorry, but even The-Chosen-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Become-The-Man-Who-Saved-Us-All has to eat lunch." Her face offered a fake sweet smile before turning to Harry. His face was right there and their foreheads met as their noses grazed together Ginny pulled away playfully trying to escape the soon to be very public kiss afraid of where it might it may lead, regardless of their audience.
"We need to talk," she whispered. "Please tell me you just felt what I felt?"
Harry blinked rapidly and then nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah. . . time for me to go." And with that he left the encroaching group.
"We'll catch up with you later," Ginny yelled at Hermione as Harry now was tugging her along with sudden haste. Ginny had to jog a few steps to keep up with him, and their rush made people turn to stare. Ginny giggled. Harry turned at the sound and grinned impishly. They entered the main lobby finally free to Apparate.
"Harry? Where are we going?" Ginny laughed.
"The Burrow. It's empty." His answer was deep, husky, and Ginny simply grabbed him tightly to indicate her readiness.
He was kissing her even before the Burrow's familiar walls had focused. Ginny staggered at the intensity before she responded in kind. They both stumbled through the house and to the stairs. Ginny continued up the stairs backwards barely loosing rhythm.
"So," Harry expelled breathlessly between kisses. "What I felt that was . . .what?" He gasped as Ginny gave up on his mouth … if he insisted on talking . . . and worked her way down his neck. "I felt you . . ." They reached the landing.
Ginny kissed her way up to his ear. "I think you felt what I was fantasizing about doing to you . . ." Ginny's mouth continued to work on his ear, which slowed the time in which it took Harry to process this theory.
"Oh. Merlin. You were. . .fantasizing . . ." Faster than Ginny could laugh at his response, Harry was walking her backward as he used both arms running up her back to meld her to him. He continued until the small of her back hit the railing of the staircase landing. He dipped her back until she was arched over the railing, his mouth feasting over the newly exposed skin of her neck. After a moment, Ginny slowly curled back up creating as much friction as possible in their upper bodies, until their eyes were level. They both froze, eyes locked, breathing coming out in fast huffs. The moment lasted only a second and then they crashed back together. Harry lifted her at the waist and Ginny automatically lifted her legs around his hips. Harry walked backwards until he reached her bedroom door. He paused outside, suddenly hesitant. Ginny slid her legs to the ground, and her hand around his hip to the doorknob. She turned the knob and pushed him backwards to her bed. She settled slowly onto his lap, gasping at the new friction. Harry moaned as Ginny abruptly changed the pace. She moved slowly now. Her mouth reached his only after the longest moment of delightful anticipation. Her kiss was slow, passionate, their tongues met deftly as she slowly shifted some her weight to her knees and then at a snail's pace lowered her weight more firmly on Harry's lap.
"Ginny." The name slid out of Harry's mouth with reverence. He felt Ginny's responding smile against his face and he knew it was time to flip the tables. His hands, currently restrained in the loops of Ginny's pants, deftly found their way to the creamy skin under her shirt. Ginny's stomach muscles twitched as he grazed the ridiculously smooth skin there. His hands continued around following the small of her back as his fingers trailed down her spine. His fingers slid a fraction of an inch below the waist of her jeans before he could stop himself. Ginny's legs tensed in response and Harry let her ease him back until he was flat on the bed. Ginny's hand's flitted over the top buttons of his shirt to make more room for her mouth as she planted kissed down over his chest.
His hands, now free to roam, delighted in the involuntary twitch response of her skin as his hands explored over her ribcage. Ginny moved restlessly and Harry groaned in response.
"Please," she said quietly as his hand shied away from the bottom edge of her bra. He froze. Ginny flipped her long hair back to one side to see him better. She shifted slightly down so Harry's hand found more satin fabric. Harry kept his eyes on her as he let his hand go where it had been dying to go for ages. His hand moved tentatively over the malleable area watching her reaction, his confidence was bolstered by the look of pleasure on her face, and his hand began to move more assuredly. Ginny bent and captured his mouth in a searing kiss. She felt his hips quiver a bit as he fought to control them. The kiss began to ease in intensity until it became just pecks. They rested their foreheads together and released a shuddered breath.
Harry closed his eyes, "time to slow," he took a forcefully slow breath.
"Down," Ginny finished and they laughed lightly. Ginny slid off Harry and tucked herself against his side still resting half on his chest. Harry's hand rose to run through her hair. The breathing slowed and the room was filled with contentment. The minutes slipped by without any trace of urgency or tension.
"How did everything go with the Ministry?" Ginny asked quietly propping up on her elbow to see his face.
"Good. Apparently Wizarding international travel is really complicated right now. After everything Hermione's done . . .I don't want her to have to wait any longer to see her parents." He sighed, and a crease of worry appeared between his eyes.
"It seems everyone with any sort of power is terrified of making the wrong choices. They all want reassurances that what they are doing is the right course of action."
"Makes sense, I guess. No one wants to be remembered as the one who made all the wrong choices after the war. Nobody wants to be remembered like the Crouches. Getting your approval is like insurance."
"It's just so strange. After years of trying to get their attention, begging them to listen to me, suddenly my opinion matters."
Ginny smiled lightly, "Does it feel that way to you? Maybe it's harder for you to see, but everyone has taken your opinion pretty seriously for a while, well, the Order at least. They've been following your lead, which is pretty crazy considering you aren't even a full-fledged member. I'll bet we won't need extendable ears to listen into meetings anymore."
Harry laughed and Ginny studied his face. "Do you like it? Working with the Ministry I mean."
"Do I like it?" Harry sounded taken aback; like he hadn't thought about it.
"Yes. Do you enjoy the time you spend straightening problems at the ministry?"
"It seems kind of necessary. They need me; at least they think they do."
Ginny smiled, "I know why you help. It's in your nature. It's the noble thing to do." Her fingers traced the smooth skin exposed from his partially unbuttoned shirt. "It's part of the reason I love you so much. But . . . Is it something you enjoy? Do you want to keep doing it? It just seems that you've always had jobs thrust upon you. But at some point," Ginny's eyes bore deep into his. "You should be able to choose your future."
"I guess I've never thought of it like that, as a job I could choose. I suppose I can see it . . . working to protect people . . . I guess a part of me still pictures myself becoming an Auror. After everything . . . Does that seem crazy? Right now all I know I want is . . ." Harry dropped his eyes, reddening at his cheesy admission, "you."
Ginny automatically leaned up to kiss him. They broke off abruptly as Harry's stomach gave an untimely grumble. Ginny laughed and pulled a reluctant Harry to his feet.
***
At the corner of the Weasley's oversized dining room table, leaning over a single plate of food, was the picture of a normal couple. Smiling surreptitiously at one another, playing footsie under the table, no one would ever guess the topic of their conversation.
"So, you're thinking we should try to get to Australia, before the trials start, but first, maybe explore this uh. . .thing we share." Ginny resisted the urge to laugh. She didn't fall for him because of his way with words.
"Yeah, I think we need to sort of try to use it. Like earlier today, what was that? What if we hold the key to protecting ourselves or each other and we don't figure out how. . ." Ginny's face betrayed the underlying problem.
"Ginny." Harry started, as worry crinkled in the corner of his eyes. "You're still scared for me aren't you?"
"Well of course I am. I've been worrying non-stop for years. Every year the threats on your life increase. Maybe if you could go a couple consecutive months without a threat on your life, I'd feel better." Ginny started out defensive, but her deep-seated fears shone through more with every word. Harry grabbed her hand and placed a light kiss on it. It's not like he could deny the validity of her statement.
"I admit I like the idea that there's something between us that could help you. It ... it makes me feel like … there's something I can do. That I can make a difference."
"Gin, of course you make a difference . . . you've always made the difference."
"Now, I know how you felt all those years when Dumbledore told you your power was loooovvvee."
Harry laughed and nodded, "Yeah, it was ridiculously frustrating, he said it like it would solve all my problems . . . But maybe . . . we need to remember that in the end, he was right."
POP. The distinctive sound of Apparition preceded Hermione and Ron's entrance.
"See! I told you that they'd be here. I know things, I'm not as oblivious as you think." Hermione rolled her eyes behind his back and mouthed a saucy, "your welcome," to Ginny. Ginny nodded, acknowledging her gratitude for Hermione's attempt to stall Ron.
"So what are we talking about?" Ron asked, plopping down at the table and helping himself to Harry and Ginny's plate.
"Actually, we were just thinking about dabbling in some exploratory magic." Ron's reaction didn't disappoint, his face, as always, formed a rather comical contortion.
"We're just thinking about seeing what this magical amplification thing can do. But we figured we'd better call in the big guns before messing around." Harry responded.
"The big guns?" Hermione inquired.
"By that he means you," Ginny responded. Hermione just rolled her eyes as the others laughed.
****
"This is strange, I feel like a major creeper," Ron complained, tossing his head back in exasperation from his place lounging on the grass near the burrow's garden. They had just spent the last hour watching Harry and Ginny stare at each other to no avail.
"Maybe we're going about this the wrong way . . .What has triggered the interaction or your magic before?" Hermione asked.
"Well, life and death seems to do it," Harry stated with his particular brand of dark humor. "But if you think I'm going to let . . ."
"Relax. That's not quite all. I think what really triggers it, is heightened emotion. Think about it. Sure, the first time with that cage-like shield, it was life and death, but you two didn't have much trouble when Tiberius first told you about what was happening your magic just . . . reacted. But at the time, both of your emotions must have been ricocheting, dealing with the Ministry, retelling the Hallows story, and Ginny after hearing Neville talk about how horrible Hogwarts had been . . . "
"So you're saying we need to reach some sort of emotional hysteria in order to master this thing?" Harry asked.
"I'm saying I think that the way to learning to control it, will involve some sort of increased emotional context." Harry continued to give her the same exasperatedly confused look.
"So what should we do? Start thinking about things that really annoy us like, Navier, or Rita Skeeter?" Harry asked.
"I don't think that would really do it; you to need to be well connected in some way . . .both physically and emotionally probably . . ."
"If you think we should snog, why don't you just come out and say it?" Ginny asked Hermione and then turned to give Harry coy look.
"Well… yes, I think that may work . . . at least to get us somewhere."
"Hermione," moaned Ron, "You aren't seriously helping Harry get somewhere with my sister, are you?"
"From what I can tell, he doesn't need the help," Hermione replied just to get a rise out of him. Harry turned red and scuffed his feet on the ground. Ron had mostly been accepting of him and Ginny. Especially lately, when he had needed her more and more. He didn't want to push his luck.
"Okay, try it. Focus on each other. Try to lead your magic to the other. I think you'll need to reach a state where your magic is reacting together before trying to harness that power with a spell . . ." All three of them turned to Harry expectantly. He turned to Ginny clearing his throat unnecessarily. He reached one hand to smooth her wind brushed hair out of her face. Ron sighed loudly and Harry hesitated.
"I can't . . I'm sor-" Ginny ignored him and kissed his open mouth, turning him so his back was to Hermione and Ron. She threaded her fingers through the loops of his jeans pulling him closer and effectively flooding all thoughts of their audience from his mind. His hand went back to her hair caressing it in a way that made her feel adored. He could feel her fingers crawling up his sides, like she couldn't get him close enough, and he realized that was how Ginny made him feel, not just needed, but wanted. Right then he realized he didn't often feel that way. They pulled apart slowly, maintaining eye contact. Harry's hand, still at her face, left a trail of warm colored sparks.
Ginny felt surrounded in all that was Harry. His scent surrounded her and brought a sense of comfort.
"Try a protecting spell," she coaxed.
"Protego," Harry said and a wall of interweaving fireworks webbed in front of him, from his wand tip outward, but it did not cage over them, it merely blocked in front of him.
"Let's try it together," Ginny suggested.
Again, "Protego," they both exclaimed, and webs sprang from two wands, meeting and interweaving to form a dome around them.
"Wow," Ron said standing up.
"We should test it," Hermione stated. "I'll try some harmless jinxes." Hermione proceeded to whip silent spells at the web, and nothing seemed to pass through.
"Try sending some spells out at us." A second later, Ron collapsed in a fit of girlish giggles.
"Guess that works . . . "Ginny said smirking.
They continued to test and practice, learning that Harry and Ginny could incorporate both Hermione and Ron into the protective dome, but only if they were touching them when they first said the spell. They were testing the speed at which they could resurrect the shield when Harry noticed something. Hermione was sending rapid nonverbal spells, and, suddenly, instead of casting a shield charm, Harry fired back the exact counter curse.
"Woah, what was that? How did you . . .?" Hermione asked frozen in surprise.
"I don't know. I just knew what you were . . ."
"You could read my mind!" Hermione sounded half scandalized and half curious.
"No. . .no. . .It's not like we could hear your voice," Ginny chimed in.
"Okay, let's pull the emergency brakes on this race-broom. What are you all talking about?"
"Harry sent the exact counter-curse for my nonverbal spell."
"Wicked! You read her mind. Hey, Harry, could you see if -?
"Ron!" Hermione placed a hand on her hip that jutted out to the side as she tilted her head up to look at Ron. He lived for that reaction.
"Okay, I'm kidding."
"I didn't read her mind. I could just sense what spell was coming at me."
"Yeah," agreed Ginny. "The answer just appeared there, I didn't even know the question at first."
"Okay, so far, this magical link has improved your defensive abilities. I'm wondering what kind of offensive tricks there are, if any. . ." She paused in thought a second and then, unexpectedly, grabbed Ron's wrist. "It's time to go," Hermione stated looking determinedly at Harry. "The International Travel Office secretary said my needs weren't dire and to come back later for an appointment."
"Okay what time is your appointment?" Harry asked.
"Four weeks. . ."
"Then why. . ."
"Well I overheard the department head and a couple workers talking about taking a long lunch. And they. . .well Harry they seemed eager to try to "accidentally" run into you." She looked to Harry eagerly. She hadn't looked at him like that since she had begged him to join S.P.E.W.
"What?" Harry asked clueless as always.
"Well I was hoping you could come with me and, you know . . ."
"Yeah, actually I was thinking we should all go with you to get your parents. We still have no leads to capturing the people who attacked us at the memorial. Safety in numbers?"
"You say safety, I say vacation," Ron responded with mock-gravity.
****
Hermione was downright giddy. As she bounced around the Burrow's kitchen helping clean-up. She seemed to find Harry's new hero status rather amusing. She continued to regale the Weasleys with her story about their meeting at International Travel Office.
"I walk in first and the secretary starts telling me how her boss is unavailable . . .I need an appointment . . . blah-blah-blah. Then she looks up as sees Harry leaning oh-so-casually against the desk. She starts practically drooling all over him." Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione's exaggeration. "And immediately her boss is suddenly available. And this woman turns to me and says, 'see, we have important people and important business to deal with. You'll need an appointment.' She turns to Harry and says in this sickly sweet voice, 'right this way sir,'" The whole kitchen was in stitches. Hermione was telling stories and doing horrible impersonations. It was just too much. "So I follow Harry. And he just turned to her and said," Hermione deepened her voice in what had to be the worst rendition of Harry ever done, "'She's with me.' After that, it was all smooth sailing." She turned to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, "Special circumstances were granted and they said we can Portkey. Though they suggest taking one Portkey halfway, and another the rest of the way, so we don't get motion sickness. I'm just so excited. I miss my parents. I'm still really worried, but right now excitement is winning."
"So the plan is to leave tomorrow?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Yeah," Ron replied. "We need to get back before the trials start rolling."
"And trying to stop Hermione from getting what she wants . . .never a successful plan," Ginny added cheekily.
"You know I've got to say it . . ." Mrs. Weasley started in her best I'm-your-mother so-you-better-listen voice. "Please be careful.
"And try to do at least a little relaxing." Mr. Weasley added.
***
They all double-checked that their bags were tightly restrained as the four surrounded an old tin can.
"Okay, now remember, wait at least ten minutes before grabbing the second Portkey. Your crossover Portkey will drop you in the Chinese Ministry terminal. There will be a stand with the next Portkey with your names over it. It will have a locking mechanism so that it will only work when all four of you touch it. Alright?"
"Okay," they responded.
"Then, whenever you're ready."
***
The landing was disorienting enough. Traveling that far via Portkey was not the most pleasant sensation. But things were never simple for them. They were immediately greeted by a crowd of cheering people surrounding the Portkey stand that was labeled with their names. Girls were pointing and crying, like they were the Weird Sisters at the height of their popularity. One wizard pushed through the crowd and was shaking Harry's hand vigorously.
"Tis such an honor. Ever since you defeated the Dark One, his followers here have vanished. Poof! Like magic!"
A young witch came forward to Hermione. "We talked about you in my world issues class. You are so smart. I want to be just like you." The four were very taken aback. What they were saying was so touching, but it was so disorienting and claustrophobic.
Don't take the Portkey. Come with me instead. The words echoed in Hermione's head. And she accepted them easily and all thoughts of Australia flew out of her head. The same phrase reverberated in Harry's head too. He felt an immediate urge to comply. But then, who was he to follow? What about Hermione's parents? No, Harry thought, Something's not right. And then it dawned on him, someone was trying to place the imperious curse on them.