A/N: THIS IS A LITTLE SERIOUS OR SOMETHING? Idk I tried to write this in a good way and I hope you like and that it makes sense? It's a little out of my comfort zone. (but cute and cuddly and no one is actually doing anything bad)
Ginny's pretty confident in herself, as a person, and equally as secure in her relationship with her husband of a decade (give or take), but even the most untouchable woman would be concerned when walking in on the tale end of a conversation that involves words like "the most beautiful thing I've ever seen" and "Don't tell Ginny."
Which - she's not really concerned, but Harry's been busy a lot and she's a tad insecure since making the switch from playing to writing. Plus post-pregnancy hormones are driving her up the wall.
So when Harry's out for the third night in a row, the only explanation a short, vague missive in his familiar scrawl, Ginny keeps her grin firmly in place as she putters about getting the boys washed, fed, re-washed, and then finally to bed.
She's in a fitful sleep, dreaming that she's ballooned up like that time Harry accidentally turned his aunt into a blimp, when a thud sounds from the doorway, followed by a few choice swears. Grunting, she tugs the covers closer over her shoulder and mutters against her pillow, "No lights."
Harry huffs a laugh from the doorway and continues padding through the room on soft feet, leaving his discarded (and rank smelling) clothes heaped in the corner. After disappearing into the en-suite for a handful of minutes, Harry sneaks back in, hair damp and breath fresh, and slips under the covers.
His chilly fingers reach for her middle and Ginny flinches away (whether it's the result of said chill or her overly suspicious mindset at the moment has yet to be determined). Either way, it's not gone unnoticed and Harry is almost instantly propped up in the bed. "Gin," he murmurs, leaning close, his hand braced on her shoulder.
She does her best harrumph and flicks his hand free, only to have it slip through her close cropped hair. "Gin."
With a low growl, Ginny flops onto her back and flicks the light on, brown eyes angrily locked on his confused face. "What?"
His eyes narrow, but a smirk tickles the corner of his lips, which is adorable and also ticks her off, bloody bastard. "I'm waiting."
"You're angry - is it because of the extra hours?" Harry asks, "I already put in for a four day weekend, you can have some time to yourself and I'll take the kids."
Ginny sits up so abruptly that she knocks her head into Harry's, wincing at the impact but not losing her righteous anger, which had been boiling up since about two that afternoon. "Just can't stand to be in the same house as me for more than a few hours to sleep, is that it?"
Mouth falling open, Harry sits back, still rubbing at the growing goose egg on his forehead. "You - Ginny."
"Don't Ginny me," Ginny growls lowly, still mindful of the sleeping Potters down the hall, "What the bloody hell is going on?"
He's apparently still lost, and a less overtired, more hormonally regular Ginny might cut him slack, but James is walking and Albus is an eternally hungry nightmare so she throws the covers back and twists to face him. "Who's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?"
"If we're talking things I'm attracted to - you - but I mean the boys were beautiful, are beautiful when they're not sicking up all over me."
And he's so earnest, so beautifully her boy, that Ginny's indignance fades and she's just confused. "So on the floo?"
There's a pause, and Ginny sees the tiredness around Harry's eyes that has her feeling a bit sorry for putting him through the third degree at one in the morning, but in for a penny, in for a pound, or so they say. "Sunday afternoon."
He looks disappointed, slumping in defeat, "Shite. Is it literally impossible to surprise you with a birthday gift?"
"Birthday?"
"Yes, it's not for another few weeks but the new Comet - "
"Is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen," Ginny finishes, face already flushing with embarrassment. "Harry I'm - wait. The late nights?"
"Thought saving the money would be more meaningful than hitting up the ol' Potter vault, yeah?" Harry murmurs, thumb brushing her cheek.
"I'm a cow," Ginny grumbles, "In all senses of the word."
Leaning forward, Harry kisses her, all heat and comfort so her head spins and she almost can't recall why exactly he's muttering 'you're not a cow' against her jawline. But once she catches back up, Ginny finds herself on the verge of melodramatic, weepy tears that have her pushing him away and moaning, "You were working yourself to the bone while I'm assuming you're a cheating arse - " he continues his ministrations and she shoves a bit harder, "Harry."
With a sigh, Harry guides her until they're lying nose to nose, blankets blush around their shoulders, and cards his fingers through her hair. "Ideally, you wouldn't have noticed my strange behavior, but I can admit it was indeed suspicious."
"But I know you," Ginny whispers, brushing her fingertips along the bridge of his nose.
"Which is why you angrily confronted me instead of packing up the kids and heading to who knows where," Harry sighs, chuckling a bit when he adds, "Also, you forewent calling your brothers, which my arse appreciates."
Ginny tucks her head under his chin and sniffs while Harry's hand runs soothing circles over her back. "I'll admit, you're a bit out of sorts - but I'm not home with the boys constantly and I've been going a bit batty myself," Harry murmurs, "Got more rest at the Ministry some nights - that chair you bought me is quite comfortable."
"Now I'm angry again," Ginny says with a watery laugh.
"Maybe I should just give you a nap for your birthday."
"Wouldn't say no," Ginny answers, quiet and almost asleep.
Just as she's drifting off, Harry nuzzles her hairline. "Don't think I missed the whole 'cow' bit. I will happily demonstrate how much I don't think you're a cow in any sense of the word," he pauses to press a kiss to the tip of her nose, "But I assume you'd prefer sleep at the mo'."
Ginny's hand slips just past the waistband of his pants and snuggles closer, "Rain-check?"