"Luna!" Ginny called, spotting her blonde haired friend who had just walked into the cafe and smiling as she noticed her. Ginny had already ordered her a coffee and a sandwich; the fact that they had been friends for so long meant that Ginny had a good idea of what she would want. They were incredibly close and she smiled warmly as Luna sat down opposite her. "How are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Neville was going to come too but he got called in for a lunchtime meeting." Luna told her and Ginny nodded; Neville worked at a local primary school where he taught biology, something he had been passionate about most of his life. "How are you?"
For a fraction of a second, Ginny hesitated but Luna picked up on it straight away. "Great!" Ginny beamed but Luna smirked towards her.
"You know I can tell when you're lying, Ginny. What's going on?" Their conversation was interrupted momentarily as the waitress brought over their drinks and sandwiches. Both girls thanked her and Ginny waited for her to walk away before she answered Luna.
"I'm not lying, nothing is going on."
"Have you seen that boy from the ball again?" Luna could see right through her and Ginny felt a blush creep across her cheeks.
"Maybe. And why do you call him a boy? You sound like we're still in school." She answered, attempting to draw the attention away from talk about Harry but it was no use.
"When did you see him?" Luna asked, a twinkle in her eye as she sipped her coffee and Ginny did the same to put off answering the question. She couldn't tell Luna that Harry had stayed the last few days at her place – there was no way she could explain it without telling Luna about The Flame and she wasn't about to do that – so instead Ginny grinned at her friend and shrugged her shoulders.
"We just had lunch the other day and he's coming over for dinner tonight." She said and Luna beamed at her.
"You really like him." It was a statement, not a question and not for the first time Ginny cursed at how well Luna knew her. "How's work?"
Ginny bit back a laugh at the sudden change and cut her sandwich in half before answering. "It's work. Anything exciting happening with you?" Ginny took a bite of her sandwich the second the sandwich was out of her mouth – she only had half an hour for lunch before she had to get back to the office to see if Derek liked what she had written and she knew if she could get Luna talking, then she could eat quickly.
"Oh, yes! Neville and I are really lucky – I'm pregnant." It wasn't the shock of hearing those two words come from Luna's mouth, more the matter of fact way she said it and Ginny almost choked on her sandwich. "Be careful." Luna said seriously and Ginny shook her head.
"Congratulations!" She managed to gasp out after she had finished coughing and she stood up, coming around the side of the table to hug her friend tightly. As she sat back down, Luna had a look as if she wasn't quite sure what was going on and Ginny shook her head again. "Luna, you're having a baby. Aren't you excited?"
"Of course!" She almost squeaked back and a smile lit up her face. "It will be really exciting. I'm just not entirely sure why you're so excited."
"Because my best friend is having a baby. I'll be like its aunt that's not related – hey, you could name it Ginny!" She joked, laughing at her own joke but Luna merely smiled.
"I'll see what Neville thinks but we haven't really spoken about names yet." Luna said, her face serious and Ginny snorted so loudly the couple at the table next to them looked around in alarm. The pair were silent for a moment as Ginny finished her sandwich and Luna did the same. When Ginny finished first, she sent Luna a warm smile.
"I really am happy for you, Luna. I want to do something for you – how about dinner tomorrow night? You can come over to mine. I'll ask Ron and Hermione to come along too." Ginny left out that Harry would most likely be there – if he wanted to come, that was. She couldn't imagine being the odd one out if he couldn't come. "Will you and Neville come?"
"I'm sure we can." Luna replied and Ginny grinned at her again. They finished the rest of their coffees and Luna said goodbye, Ginny dashing back up to her office with her fingers crossed that Derek had liked her column.
The moment Ginny arrived home later that evening – after Derek had asked her to add another paragraph or two to her column – she had a smile on her face. The entire apartment smelt delicious and it made her stomach growl with hunger. The lights had been dimmed slightly – to create an air of romance, perhaps? – and Ginny was surprised to see wine and flowers in the middle of the table. She hadn't pegged Harry as a romantic type of person but she wasn't complaining; being single for as long as she had meant any kind of affection towards her was welcome. She dumped her bag on the couch and looked around, Harry not in sight.
"Hello?" She called, helping herself to a drink of water when Harry came out from the bedroom. "Nice." She said, gesturing to the table and Harry grinned.
"Weren't expecting it, were you?" He quipped and she nodded, setting her glass on the bench. He shrugged his shoulders and pulled two plates out of the oven. "I kept them in there to keep them warm." He explained and they sat down at the table.
"Why the flowers?" She asked and she studied his face, certain she had seen a hint of a blush on his cheeks.
"I just wanted to make you feel...special." He mumbled before gesturing for her to start eating which she did. "And I guess it's another sort of thank you for letting me stay here."
"Yes, because it's such a hassle having you here, bringing me pizza and cooking me dinner." Ginny replied and Harry laughed before they started eating. The plate in front of her had pasta, chorizo sausage and peppers and smelt like heaven on a plate. She ate quickly, the sandwich she had earlier with Luna now feeling as if she had had it days ago. Harry grinned at her.
"Is it good?"
"Of course it is. You're a good cook."
"You sound surprised." He replied and she laughed in between mouthfuls. "I told you I could cook."
"Hey, I had to see it to believe it." She said and took a sip of her wine that Harry had poured for her. "I can cook too, you know."
"Hey, I have to see it to believe it." Ginny sent her foot into his shin and he laughed loudly. "Kidding! I'm sure you can cook."
"Well, actually – " Ginny started, suddenly nervous and she took a large gulp of her drink. " – I found out today my friend Luna, who came with me to the ball, is pregnant. She's coming over tomorrow night for dinner – I'm going to ask my brother and his partner to come, too."
"Oh." Harry said and Ginny looked down. Surely he knew where she was going with this?
"So – you know – er – " She stopped talking, taking another gulp of her wine and she started to feel it affecting her, making her just that little bit more confident but before she could talk again, Harry spoke first.
"I'll put you out of your misery. Yes, you can have the pleasure of my company tomorrow night." Harry said and Ginny hated herself for turning into a lovesick idiot around him. She shot him a look.
"That's not what I was going to ask. I was going to say could you make sure that you're not here when they come over?" She said, her voice like steel and Harry stared at her, his mouth gaping open in shock and a smile twitched at the corners of Ginny's mouth.
"Oh, you're not funny!" He cried and Ginny laughed loudly. They ate their meal happily, the bottle of wine disappearing and when Harry pulled out another one, Ginny didn't protest. They moved from the table to the couch and sat next to each other comfortably, the fact that they had slept in the same bed the last few nights meaning they were comfortable with each other and Ginny had a happy smile on her face as they talked.
"What's your brother like?" Harry asked later that evening as they half sat, half lay on the couch. Ginny was very aware that they were sitting incredibly close together and their hands were almost touching. If it was anyone else, they would be snogging already but there was something about Harry that made her hold off. She didn't want him to think she was easy but at the same time, she wanted nothing more than to grab his hand and take it in hers. Harry nudged her side and she glanced up, gazing at him through the haze of the second bottle of wine that they had finished. "I said what's your brother like?"
"An idiot." Ginny said with a giggle. "He's fine. He'll be a bit wary of you though."
"Why?"
"He's always a bit funny when I get a bo – " Ginny shut her mouth before the rest of the word came out and felt her face grow red. Harry wasn't her boyfriend, was he? It seemed childish to ask him and there was no way she was going to. But there was something between them, neither of them could deny that. She didn't speak, the silence turning awkward. Ginny stared down, avoiding Harry's eyes which she could feel on him when something else caught her eye. His hand slowly moved towards hers and their fingers intertwined, his impossibly soft skin warm against hers.
"When you get a boyfriend?" He asked, finishing her sentence and she glanced up at him. It was as if the air had gone still around them as his face slowly lowered down to meet hers and as their lips connected, Ginny forgot that he had kissed her the day of their picnic, their first date. She forgot that they had only known each other for a few weeks, she forgot that she was a sensible person. His lips worked hers in a way that no one had ever done before and she felt herself melting into him. He broke away sooner than she wanted him to but he sat up, taking her glass out of her hand and setting both hers and his down on the table. Harry stood up then, holding his hand out and Ginny took it, a small smile on her face as she followed him to the bedroom. Her feelings were trying to force themselves to the surface, desperate to make themselves known but Ginny pushed them aside; she didn't want to think about what how quickly she seemed to be falling for him, she only wanted to enjoy the night.
Harry led her to the bed and pulled her down on to it with him, both of them falling on to their backs and connecting themselves immediately. Their lips moved together in a now familiar dance and as they did, Harry's hands roaming across the landscape of her back and causing her to feel a jolt of longing. Her own hands moved up his back into his hair, becoming instantly tangled in the jet black mess on top of his head. There was no protest as he pulled her top over her head and she did the same to his, enjoying the feel of his skin touching hers. Her fingers travelled across his chest lightly, making him shiver slightly and she grinned to herself. He removed her bra next and she was embarrassed for only a second before Harry moved down her body and took one of her breasts in his mouth. A gasp filled the room and Ginny closed her eyes. The cool air around them mixed with the heat between their bodies and seemed to cause sparks.
In a sudden burst of passion, she found his mouth and kissed him passionately, overcome with the need to have him inside her and he recognised it in her as he removed her skirt and briefs. The wine they had both consumed took away any embarrassment and Harry stood up, taking off the rest of his clothes so they both were naked, laid bare in front of each other. He crawled back on to the bed, a strange smile on his face and Ginny trembled slightly.
His lips found hers again and as they kissed, his hand traced shapes down her stomach, his fingers only touching her lightly and causing goosebumps to form across her skin. There was a moment right before he entered her that his eyes locked on to hers and for that second, there was no one else. It felt strange to Ginny to feel so strongly towards someone – it was not love, she knew that but it was something – and to feel it so suddenly but it felt right.
She had been single for so long she had forgotten how amazing it felt to feel pleasure like she was feeling but as their bodies moved together and small moans escaped her lips, she let herself be taken away and enjoy what Harry was doing to her. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing and as his hips moved, his lips kissed her skin and slowly, Ginny's moans got louder. When she felt on the verge of coming, Harry's lips covered hers and she cried out into his mouth as they both came together. The kiss turned slow, soft and somehow they found themselves lying together, fingers wound together, breathing heavy and exhausted from what they had just been through.
"Ginny, wake up." Harry's voice sounded far away and slowly, Ginny became aware of her surroundings. The pillow was on her head for one, possibly contributing to his voice sounding funny, and there was a pressure across her back which panicked her for a whole second before she realised it was Harry's arm and in a rush, everything from the previous night came back. Ginny felt her cheeks flame hot and didn't move, attempting to pretend she was still awake. A quick self assessment told her she had some form of clothes on which meant she had gotten up in the night and put something on. Harry's hand found her side and he pinched her lightly. "Wake up, Ginny. There's someone knocking at your door."
Reluctantly, she pulled the pillow off of her head and climbed out of bed, the sudden cold hitting her after being in the bed with Harry. She found her dressing gown on the floor and threw it over herself, avoiding Harry's eye and walking out of the room and to the front door. Just as she reached it, the person on the other side knocked again and Ginny pulled the door open.
"You're only just up now? Blimey, Ginny. I've been up for nearly two hours." Ron said as he bustled past her and into her kitchen, making himself a coffee as Ginny shut the door behind him and glared at her brother.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded, her hands on her hips and Ron grinned.
"You look like mum. Don't you remember? You're coming for breakfast with me and Hermione to help with the seating plan." Ron said and she could hear the delight in his voice that she had forgotten. Ginny shook her head and pushed him out of the way, pulling two mugs down to make both herself and Harry a coffee. "Oh – Ginny, I've got one." Ron said, holding up his now full mug.
"I know." Ginny said, ignoring his look of curiosity and she heard him gasp theatrically from behind her.
"Have you got someone in your room?" He hissed into her ear and Ginny snorted.
"You sound like a teenage girl, Ron. Yes, I do. I can't do breakfast today – I'm sorry that I forgot – but why don't you and Hermione come over for dinner tonight? Neville and Luna are going to be here, too." Ginny told him and she watched his eyes flick back and forth between her face and her bedroom door. It was usually quite comical when he played the over protective big brother act. "Ron?"
"Yeah, we'll be here." He said gruffly and sat his coffee on the counter. "I'll take off then seeing as you're...busy."
"Thanks!" Ginny said brightly, smiling happily as he made his way to the door. He turned in the doorway, giving Ginny a stern look and she knew what was coming.
"Be careful."
"Shut up." She replied and gave him a light push out the door, laughing to herself as she shut the door and turned back to the counter to finish making their drinks. A noise from behind her caused her to glance around and with a shy smile, she saw Harry come out of her bedroom – fully dressed – and sat at the kitchen table. Ginny joined him, sliding over his drink. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Yeah, good thanks. Was that your brother?" He asked, taking a sip of his drink and watching Ginny carefully.
"It was. Tonight should be interesting." She said, her voice full of humour; she was genuinely looking forward to the dinner tonight and planned to take the afternoon off to start cooking for it. Harry smirked.
"Last night was interesting, too." He said wickedly and Ginny knew she had walked right into that comment. Harry laughed at her red face and she shook her head, angry at herself.
"I don't hear you complaining." She said with more confidence than she felt and busied herself with her drink, avoiding his eyes.
"Complain? Why would I complain?" He teased and still she ignored him. "Turns out you're quiet talented in that – "
"Shut up." She snapped and Harry grinned at her. Ginny stood up and dumped her coffee cup in the sink next to Ron's. "I'm going to get ready for work."
Ginny had always prided herself on being confident, independent. Her brothers had taught her to stand up for herself and do what she wanted, not worrying about others. Especially since becoming The Flame, she had been secure in herself and who she was but Harry seemed to be unravelling her, bit by bit. When he was around, she was aware of everything; the way a lock of his hair fell in front of his face when he looked down, the way his eyes shined when he talked. Now even more intimate things were known to her and she almost shivered at the thought of their bare skin touching, the electricity she had felt the night before making her blush. She was brought back again to the intense feelings he had made her feel and although she knew it wasn't love she was feeling, she knew it was something amazing and she was in no rush for Harry to go home again. Her morning passed over quickly at work and she found herself unable to focus on much, her thoughts returning to the memory of the night before and she hurried home after lunch, desperate for the day to be over so that night would come and with it, similar events to the night before.
So, another filler chapter, I guess. This is pretty long for my standards, nearly 3,500 words when I usually write close to 2,500. The next chapter should have more of the Bobby Joe storyline in it; I just wanted to lighten things up a tad. And the story finally earned its M rating! I've never really written Harry/Ginny smut before, only other ships so this was interesting for me to write. I wanted to get it across that they are comfortable with each other and like each other a lot but like one reviewer said, not love at first sight. I just love the whole relationship of Harry and Ginny and I wanted to get it through into this story that they are meant to be. That sounds corny but hey, I love this pairing. A bit of rambling, I just wanted to explain my thoughts. I really hope you like this chapter, please review if you do! Will do my best to have another one up soon :)