Chapter Ten

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all things related belong to J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Sorry for the wait and THANKYOU All for the reviews!!! I've been rather addicted to hearing what you guys think and I really appreciate all the feedback.

**Also just to clarify in response to a review Rabastan Lestrange attempted to rape Emma, he didn't succeed. And he was killed by Harry when he stunned him against the wall. Hopefully that made sense in the last chapter**

ONWARD AND FORWARD

Harry and Ginny made their way back toward the house a long while later. He was glad that she had taken the whole Emma situation well and he knew that it might be a bit trying over the next few days but that they would get through it.

He hoisted her up on his back while they were still some distance away and was rewarded not only with getting to hold her silky legs and smell her strawberry scented hair, but also with light sweeping kisses along his neck. She giggled adorably when he groaned in pleasure.

"You women don't know what you do to a bloke." He muttered playfully.

"Oh yes we do, we just know how to work your reactions to our advantage." She responded teasing.

Harry scowled at her from over his shoulder and then pretended to drop her a few times just to get her going. They were still laughing as they entered the house.

Harry was surprised and more than a little pleased to see Emma seated on the sofa. She was its sole occupant but not he noted the only occupant of the room.

Bill, Fleur, Mr. Weasley, Ron and Hermione and Charlie were all in attendance as well, though they stayed some feet away. Emma was still wearing the baggy sweats and t-shirt Harry had conjured the night before but her hair and body were cleaner and she looked like she was getting much of her color back.

Harry smiled at her from across the room. Her big brown eyes widened at the sight of him and she placed a hand to her chest unknowingly.

"Harry," she breathed in relief. "You're still here... that is to say you didn't leave."

Harry thought over her odd reaction and felt a strange sensation in his stomach. It was something akin to guilt. She looked so damned happy to see him that he didn't really know how to react at first.

"No I was just out spending some time with Ginny." He replied releasing one hand from under his girlfriend's leg to point at her. "Ginny I'd like you to meet Emma Brown. Emma this is my Gin."

He smiled proudly and moved forward still carrying Ginny to come stand next to Emma.

"Hello," Emma replied looking flushed. "It's… um.. very nice to meet you."

"You as well." Ginny replied kindly, keeping her grip around Harry's neck tight. "Harry tells me you might be staying with us for awhile."

Emma nodded looking even more embarrassed.

"Yes if it's not too much trouble."

"It's not." Charlie replied emphatically from his position on the opposite couch.

"No of course not." Ginny continued giving her brother a searching look before turning her attention back to Emma. "But I was wondering if you would like to change into some other clothes. My shirts might fit you but I'm a bit short for any of my bottoms to work. We have some of Hermione's stuff on hand in my room though and I'm sure you are quite close to her in size."

"Ginny didn't grow properly." Ron remarked playfully. "She decided to stop at eleven years old instead of keeping on like the rest of us."

Ginny stuck her tongue out at her brother but Harry shook his head.

"She stopped because she knew I'd like her at just this height." He said firmly giving Ginny a good pat on her thigh.

Ron made a gagging sound.

"Must you always be so mushy?" He whined.

"Anyway.." Ginny went on firmly ignoring Ron's complaints, "if you would like we could go up and see if there's anything for you to wear."

Emma looked hesitant.

"If you like Harry could come along too." Ginny offered helpfully, trying not to tense any further.

Emma blushed crimson.

"No..it's alright. Yes I would like to go up and maybe see if something fits." She answered finally. She stood gingerly still feeling worn out and waited while Harry put Ginny down onto the floor. She noticed that the Weasley girl was rather short. She barely reached the center of Harry's chest. She also noted though that while not so tall as Ron or Bill that Harry was at least a good inch over six feet.

"If you need anything just yell for me. I'll be right down here." He told Emma wanting to reassure her that he wasn't going anywhere.

Ginny moved forward and held out her hand to the woman while Hermione led the way up the stairs shouting,

"Ginny do you think I might have left that blue button up shirt? That would look good.."

"She can wear my shirts! Mine are more comfortable!" Ginny shouted back. "Just see if there are any jeans or pants or shorts or something!!"

Emma grinned and placed her hand into Ginny's allowing the smaller woman to pull her forward.

"You reminded me of my own family just now." She said softly as they disappeared up the stairs.

Once they were out of sight Harry sighed in relief.

"She's getting better then?" He asked dropping into her vacated seat on the sofa.

"She about had a panic attack at first when you weren't here. She had just finished her shower and came down the stairs and saw everyone but you. I talked to her carefully like you did." Ron informed him. "She calmed down a bit after that. But she got even better when Charlie told her she could sit down on that couch and that we would all sit or stand over here." He gestured to the side of the room he was occupying.

Harry nodded.

"I'm glad she is adjusting. I wonder how long she is going to want to stay here.."

"Well she is welcome for as long as she needs to recuperate." Mr. Weasley said decidedly rising and excusing himself to go check on Molly in the kitchen.

Fleur followed him waltzing out of the room with a dramatic sigh of,

"I really 'ope she iz not making zat 'orrible chicken soup again."

Bill chuckled fondly shaking his head at his wife and turned back to Harry.

"I think Emma had a bit of a shock seeing you with Ginny."

"I noticed." He remarked dryly running his hands through his already messy hair. "I wonder if she somehow got it into her head that she likes me or something."

"I think she has mate." Ron answered rubbing his chin. "But Gin handled that better than I thought she would. I mean… she is very protective of you. Sometimes I think that maybe she is worried you're going to up and leave again suddenly."

There was a thick silence before Ron went on carefully.

"I guess we are all still adjusting to the idea that it is really over. I mean it's so strange to think that now all that's left to do is.. just cleaning up the mess Voldemort left behind."

*****

That night the Weasley's had a typical family dinner to celebrate Ginny's seventeenth birthday.

Mrs. Weasley was emotional throughout the whole thing and while she blubbered and sniffled about how she didn't know what she was going to do when there was no one left in the house Harry made mention to Mr. Weasley of his plans to move to Grimauld Place once Ginny had started school.

"Well Harry you know you are always welcome here. Molly and I love having you." Arthur replied."

"I know sir and I appreciate everything that you've done for me but I think that it's time I moved along and got a decent place of my own. I know Sirius' house is going to take some fixing up but I know that given time I can do it."

"I understand Harry and I realize that you need a little independence and some space now that things are settled. But it is going to be rather lonely in that large house all by yourself don't you think?"

Harry grinned and looked to Ron.

"Well actually I was hoping Ron might want to move in with me for at least the next year or so. I figured helping me clean the place up is more than enough to cover his rent there. And I know that it isn't the most appealing idea but well.. we will be working together…" Harry trailed off waiting for Ron to think it over.

He didn't have to wait long.

"Of course I'll move in with you mate!" He said loudly from across the table. "And I don't mind helping you fix the place up at all."

"What?" Mrs. Weasley remarked through her sniffling. "But Ronald… you've only just gotten home from being gone so long. Are you sure this is necessary?"

Ron immediately began consoling his mother while Harry, Mr. Weasley and Bill discussed the renovations Harry planned to make on the house.

Halfway through the meal Harry noticed that Charlie was uncharacteristically silent. He nudged Ginny to get her attention, interrupting her conversation with Hermione and Fleur about the latest dragon hide boots.

"Hey what do you make of Charlie tonight?" Harry asked her in a whisper so as not to be overheard.

"I think he's mooning over Emma." Ginny replied with a grin.

Harry pulled back startled.

"Really? You think he's starting to like her or something?" He asked in amazement.

Ginny shrugged and replied mysteriously,

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Harry wondered at the scenario Ginny had planted in his head and couldn't help but smile. Charlie needed someone kind and caring and Emma needed a man who would love and protect her. The idea did have appeal.

Once Ginny had blown out the candles and they had all eaten a slice of ice-cream cake, as Ginny was addicted to anything involving ice-cream, they moved to the living room and watched while she opened her presents.

She received new shirts and a jean skirt from Hermione as well as a pair of thick leather thongs that she deemed were absolutely perfect.

"They had better be. Do you know how hard it is trying to find sandals that fit your tiny little feet without shopping in the children's section?" Hermione grumbled playfully.

Ginny thanked her again profusely and moved on to the next gift which was from all of her brothers and Harry.

"Oh sweet Merlin!" She remaked upon opening the box. "You didn't!"

"You deserved it Gin." Bill stated firmly.

"But… A firebolt? I can't accept this it's too much.."

"Don't worry about the cost Ginny. George and Harry did most of that and the rest of us just put in what we could." Percy informed her happily. "Besides now you can show off your real flying skills without your broom holding you back."

Ginny didn't know what to say. She had never owned anything like it in her entire life. She sat in shock for a few minutes before she rounded on Harry.

"You already got me a gift Potter what's the big idea?!" She screeched.

"The other present was just as much for me as it was for you and I would have bought it anyway. This one is because I really want my girlfriend to crush the Slytherins this year." He said with a smile his green eyes twinkling at her.

Damn she hated it when they did that. It made it hard for her to concentrate on anything but how beautiful they were when they sparkled.

"But Harry..?"

"Hush Ginny." He said tucking her hair behind her ear and cupping her jaw. "It's my money and I'll do what I want with it. And if that means spoiling my girlfriend then so be it."

Ginny finally sighed and nodded giving in without much of a fight. To be honest she didn't think she could give up the broom now that she had it.

She continued on through her gifts and while none were as great as the Firebolt they were all really thoughtful and wonderful just the same. She was surprised to find at the bottom of the pile a small card with a funny plastic flower attached to it. She eyed George curiously but he adamantly refused to take responsibility for it. She opened it carefully to reveal a note from none other than Kreacher.

It read in a sloppy untidy scrawl,

To Master's Lady,

Kreacher sends his regards on your day of celebration and hopes that you has had a nice birthday. Kreacher would like for you to call on him if you ever needs anything and as Master's Lady Kreacher must say that he is glad you has lived another year.

It was signed simply Kreacher.

"Well who would have thought..." Ron remarked in wonder.

Ginny looked to Harry who looked rather confused but pleased that the house elf was making an effort.

They were all taking turns admiring Ginny's new Firebolt when Emma came down the stairs. She had slept the remainder of the afternoon after searching Ginny's wardrobe for clothes that would fit her. She waited nervously in the corner her arms folded over her chest until Charlie called out to her.

"Come on Emma you should join us."

She blushed profusely when all the Weasley's plus Harry and Hermione turned to look at her. But at their encouragement she came forward and took up a seat on one end of the large sofa.

"How are you feeling," Harry asked from his position on the floor leaning against Ginny's legs where she sat on the opposite couch from Emma.

"I'm feeling a bit better." She replied softly.

"That's good to hear." Mrs. Weasley remarked kindly. "Though we don't want you tiring yourself out before you are completely back to normal, so try not to overdo dear."

Emma nodded in agreement and allowed Mrs. Weasley to fuss over her and move off to collect some leftovers for her to eat.

"So are we on for a game of quidditch tomorrow then?" George asked everyone in excitement. "I mean we've all got to try out Ginny's new broom."

"Most definitely. I'm itching to try it now." Ginny responded her eyes sparkling happily.

"Well let's go. We could put some lights out and have a night game." Ron decided firmly. "Mione can be our cheering section, as she's awful with heights, and mum and dad can watch with her and help cheer us on."

Minutes later they were on the pitch. The teams were Charlie, Bill, Fleur and Ginny against Ron, Harry, George and Percy, with, Hermione, Emma, Molly and Arthur watching from below.

Harry had to laugh at Ginny's confidant look of triumph. She had already decided they would win. He looked over at Percy. He certainly wasn't his first choice for a co-chaser but he didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable on a broom either. He could make it work, especially with Ron playing keeper.

"Alright team." He encouraged as they talked strategy. "They think they have it in the bag but we've got something they don't… and that is the element of surprise."

They exchanged conspiratorial looks and with a few quick decisions made a game plan. Harry couldn't help but grin as he faced off against Ginny.

"You'd better wipe that smile off your face Potter." Ginny teased competitively. "Or I might have to do it for you."

Merlin he loved it when she got all devilish on him.
"You know Ginny it really isn't fair at all." He responded calmly, hiding his desire.

"What's not fair?" She answered taking the bait he'd dangled in front of her.

"That I'm going to have to beat you on your birthday." He smirked.

Ginny's eyes narrowed and Harry watched her jaw clench in irritation.

"I'll tell you what Potter. We'll make a bet." She prompted saucily.

Harry brought his broom right up next to hers forcing their thighs to rub together.

"If I win you do what I want." He told her firmly.

"And when I win you'll do what I want." She purred reaching out and gripping his thigh pretending to be righting herself on her broom.

"Deal." He breathed huskily. There was no way in hell he was going to lose.

Over two hours later they were still battling it out. Ginny refused to give an inch and Harry refused to let her have the win. His team was dealing with the disadvantage of Percy quite well using him as both a distraction and a surprise element to aid them in scoring but Ginny was relentless. Her flying was definitely better than anyone had ever given her credit for and it was interesting to see how good she was without her having to use a sub-standard broom. In the end their teams were pretty evenly matched.

Harry would be lying if he said that her every move didn't turn him on. Hell, just looking at her when she had that determined expression was enough to get him all hot and bothered.

It came down to a tie, of course, and it was decided by Hermione, who was ready to head inside, that the next goal would win.

Harry smirked at Ginny from across the pitch and he watched her eyes widen with shock and desire as he pulled his t-shirt over his head and threw it to the ground. Hermione and Fleur gave appreciative cat-calls and whistles from their respective positions on the ground and in the air. Their reaction only flustered Ginny all the more.

Two minutes later Percy scored the winning goal. Ginny no longer cared she flew right at Harry and slammed into him.

"What's the big idea Potter?" She seethed. "That was a low move."

Harry just smiled in a cocky manner and dove toward the ground refusing to answer her.

Ginny followed.

He walked to the edge of the clearing and reclaimed his shirt and without speaking strode, still bare-chested, right back toward Ginny who was now surrounded by her family, Hermione and Emma. Harry received his congratulations from everyone but Ginny who merely glared.

"So.." He trailed off happily.

"So what?" She snapped huffily.

She wished he didn't look so damned handsome. His hair was as untidy as ever and his green eyes were sparkling with mischief and Merlin his chest looked amazing. He was so tall and bloody hell was he built...She had to clench her fists at her sides to keep from launching herself at him.

"I believe we won the game. I guess that means I won the bet." He drawled.

Ron looked back and forth between Harry and his sister with confusion.

"What bet?" He questioned.

"Me and Ginny bet on who would win the game." Harry replied never taking his eyes off of his girlfriend.

"So what do you get for winning?" Ron continued bluntly.

"Stay out of it Ron." Ginny snapped angrily her brown eyes flashing dangerously at Harry.

He only chuckled more and moved toward her slowly.

"Nobody likes a sore loser Gin." He teased coming around to stand behind her.

"Nobody likes arrogant arseholes either but you don't seem to be changing you tune."

Harry laughed again turning her around to face him wrapping his arms about her waist and pulling her up against him.

"Wait I want to know what you win Harry.." Ron complained receiving a smack from Bill across the top of his head.

"It's probably private you idiot." He scolded.

"Well they better just un-private it." Ron rebounded harshly. "Harry shouldn't be thinking of.."

"I'll tell you if you really want to know mate." Harry cut in not letting his friend start in ranting. "If I win Ginny has to do whatever I want."

"So what are you going to make her do?" Ron asked receiving incredulous looks from the rest of his family and another smack upside his head from Bill.

Harry didn't reply he was looking at Ginny, who was adamantly staring at the ground.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm not going to make her pay up now."

Ginny turned her head up to glare at him. She wasn't going to let him play the game his way. He had basically cheated in her opinion. It wasn't like she could go around flying all over the place with her shirt off!

"You have two weeks to make a decision Potter after that the bet is null and void." She spoke with finality.

Harry nodded in agreement and strode toward the house with the rest of the Weasley's Emma and Hermione, towing his highly irritated girlfriend along by her wrist and smirking happily over his success. He already had an idea for her payment in mind.

****

Ginny sighed sleepily. She was dreaming the strangest things about butterflies. They were all over her stomach, their wings fluttering madly against her skin. And they were kissing her, sending shivers all down her body.

Wait. That couldn't be right could it? Butterflies didn't kiss, did they?

She blinked a few times into the darkness. She was in her bed and it was after midnight. But she wasn't alone.

She smiled at the source of the kisses. Harry was positioned with his chest lying between her legs while he occupied himself planting kisses all along her abdomen. His messy black hair tickled across her skin lightly, the obvious source of the butterfly wings. One hand gripped her side at her ribs, just beneath her breast. His other arm was underneath her curling around her back and pulling her stomach up to his lips.

She reached down and put her hand on his head running her fingers through his soft jet black hair. She felt him smile against her skin; he knew she was awake now.

"Mmmm." She breathed. "I like waking up this way."
"I thought you might." He replied cheekily tilting his head to look up at her.

They were silent for a moment both staring at each other in the semi-dark and drinking in the moment. Harry took the time to crawl up her body and plant his forearms on either side of her head, bracing himself so that his weight didn't crush her.

He held a finger to his lips telling her to be quiet. At her nod of consent he brought his mouth down to hers and pulled her bottom lip between his own seductively.

It was all she could do not to moan out loud at the contact and the urge only grew stronger when he used his tongue to trace the shape of her lip before letting it go and moving toward her upper one. He kissed it softly, so lightly she barely felt it. Then he moved to the apple of her cheek repeating the feather light kiss again before moving to her other cheek. This was followed by her jaw, her neck, her shoulders, and finally her nose and eyelids. All the while his kiss stayed light and soft, like butterfly wings she thought absently as she gasped at the sensation.

Then he was kissing her lips again. So sweetly and adoringly it was almost reverent. She was reeling. It was like he was making love to her without all the physicality. His lips were capturing her completely and she couldn't do anything to fight it. She moaned deeply and her arms wrapped themselves around his neck while her legs moved up and curled around him of their own accord. He pulled back.

His green eyes were bright and blazing.

"Gin." He panted. "I'm going to call in that bet now."

She looked at him irritated. What could he possibly want her to do right now? It wasn't the right time..she was enjoying herself damnit. He shouldn't even be contemplating the stupid bet. He should be kissing her, and running his hands up her stomach like she liked him to do. Why did he have to bring the dumb thing up right then?

"You agreed you would do anything I wanted right?" He asked seriously, his breath coming out unevenly.

She nodded her agreement still frowning.

"Then I want you to do something for me." He continued. "I'm going to keep kissing you, for a very very long time and in a lot of damned sexy places." His hand moved in a long stroke up her thigh as he said this. "What I want you to do is not make a sound. You can't make any of those incredibly delicious noises that you like to. You are just going to have to lie there and take it all in."

"But Harry…" She started protesting. "I don't think I can do that."

"A bet's a bet Ginny. You have to do what I say and I say be silent. It's time to pay up." He informed her moving to start kissing her neck.

"But I.."

"Be quiet baby." He scolded. "I'm enjoying myself and you'll wake up your brothers."

She was silent then. And she did her best to stay quiet her breathing coming out harsh and ragged as he kissed his way down her body from her neck to her ankles and all the way back up again. She was almost shaking with the feelings he was causing inside her.

****

Harry had no idea what had come over him in the middle of the night. It had just seemed appropriate to come to her room and to do exactly what he was doing. He had originally planned to take her back to the same tree that she had fainted at and force her to not make a sound as he did what he liked but the urge to be with her when he woke up was too much. A part of him screamed that he was making sure she knew she was his but that was silly. A larger part said that he was letting her know that he was hers.

That made more sense. He wanted to give her everything and that meant all of himself too. He knew that his actions were probably due somewhat to Emma's reaction to him earlier that day but he couldn't stop them. He wanted Ginny to know that he belonged to her. That he would worship every inch of her. That he wanted only her and no one else.

He kissed his way along her body varying the pressure of his mouth and the stroke of his tongue experimenting with what she might like. He was pleasantly rewarded when she would take a sharp quick breath or when she began to almost pant in response to his teasing. He was learning about her and about what she liked and Merlin did that make him happy…and hard.

He had yet to venture underneath her clothing but as he kissed his way back up to her lips he gave her a questioning look and slid his hand up under her top. She nodded her eyes half closed in pleasure, his signal to continue. He was thankful that she had worn a sports bra underneath her silky tank-top because he might not have been able to keep himself quiet or on the bed if he'd encountered only her. Not that the thin fabric did much to hide her attributes. He had known her breasts were full but as he placed his hand over one while kissing her mouth roughly he was surprised to find just how much of it there was.

He fought his reaction to knowing that her nipples were hard and lying just underneath one layer of cotton, and that he only had to slip his hand underneath to know what she really felt like. It took all of his control to just keep touching her without pushing it further.

He kissed her with increased intensity to counter balance the will power he was being forced to exert.

A moment later she pulled back.

"Harry.." She whispered her voice pleading.

He removed his hand from her chest and brought it up to parallel his other along her jaw.

"What baby?"

"I want you to." She breathed huskily.

He shook his head knowing that although she was giving him permission to really touch her that he was on thin ice with himself as it was.

"Not tonight." He answered kissing her softly.

"Why not?" She begged, her hands coming up to frame his face gently. "Why not tonight? I want you to."

"I want to too." He replied placing his forehead against hers with a quiet sigh. "But I don't want to rush all this."

"It's not rushing if we are both ready." She pleaded stroking his face lovingly with her fingertips.

Harry pushed himself up on his arms and looked down at her seriously.

"Would you believe me if I said I wasn't ready?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Yes." She finally answered. "But could I ask why you aren't ready?"

Harry rolled onto his side and pulled her over so that she was facing him.

"It's important to me that you feel comfortable with everything that we do. You know that." He began feeling too tightly wound. "But it's also important that I don't get carried away and forget all that. Everything about you affects me so much that I worry I'll lose my handle on things."

"But what if that's okay?" She asked. "What if I'm alright with you losing control of the situation?"

"I'm not." He stated firmly. "I want to do all of this the right way Ginny. Look.. not that I don't think Ron and Hermione are perfectly capable of making their own choices, but the way they did things isn't the way I want to do things. I want it to be the right time, not just some random time. And I don't want to feel guilty about it afterward because I went back on my word to your dad."

"I understand that. But I don't think that a little groping is going to necessarily lead to you doing that." She teased.

Harry quirked an eyebrow at her before whispering back,

"Alright lets pretend we are back to where we were a few minutes ago. And let's say that when you told me that you wanted me to touch you I did. And then let's say I lose my grip on my control and we start getting carried away. Would you tell me to stop? Would you remind me that it's important for us to wait?"

Ginny sighed and answered honestly.

"No I wouldn't."

"And I understand your reasons for that." Harry informed her carefully reaching out and pulling her to him until their bodies were flush up against one another.

He placed his chin on the top of her head and continued,

"But I need you to understand my reasons too. I don't want you to think that I don't want you as much as you want me because I do. I want all of you, everyday for the rest of forever but… I have choices now. I can choose to do things the right way. With everything that happened before… it was my choices that made everything turn out the way it did, but at the same time I also felt like I didn't have a choice a lot of the time. It was either face him and hope for the best or run away scared and let more people die because I was a coward. I chose not to run away. It was a choice but not much of one."

Harry stopped frustrated, realizing that he wasn't getting his point across the way he had wanted to.

"What I'm trying to say is that this choice, choosing to do things the right way with you, it feels right. It feels good."

Ginny sighed knowing she had to give in to his wants. He had done so much for her already that waiting until he was ready to truly be with her seemed small in comparison.

"I understand Harry."

He nodded his chin hitting the top of her head repeatedly.

"I can love you any way I want now Ginny." He told her. "I don't have to do it from far away or pretend that it isn't there."

"I'm glad." She smiled against his chest. "I was getting a little tired of waiting for you to come around."

Harry chuckled.

"Sorry about that. Next time an evil dark wizard decides I'm his arch nemesis I'll just off him sooner alright."

Ginny nodded,

"Good idea."

They both fell into quiet laughter before a comfortable silence descended.

She rubbed Harry's back while he stroked her side and she thought about all that he had been through to get to the point that he was already at with her. He was so different already from the quiet brooding person that he had been before that she wondered if maybe he wasn't right to wait until he had truly come into himself to take their relationship further. Everyday he got a little happier. More relaxed. Eventually it would probably really hit him that he was never going to have to go back to the way things were before.

Things were moving forward and eventually so would they.

Authors Note:

Once again I'm sorry it took so long to get this out! I really hope you all enjoy it. The next few chapters are in the works and are going to be moving the story along more. Let me know if you want more romance or action or if any of you have any suggestions. I really love hearing from you guys!!