In Essence: Undivided

by Velvethopefics

The sequel to 17, Clumsy & Shy. Harry begins his final year as he and Ginny embark on a new relationship filled with danger, mystery and plenty of Voldemort shenanigans to keep them hopping. New friends and new bonds are made, and some old friends are lost. Started pre-HBP and now, finally, after many years, it will indeed be finished.

24. A Fight About Nothing

24: A Fight About Nothing

The Halloween feast came and went, and soon Harry found himself trying to settle his nerves Friday night before the first Quidditch match of the season with Slytherin. Ron was a lost cause; to stop him from yelling at every player for doing something that didn't look like prep for the game, Hermione had taken him off somewhere. Harry didn't think Dempsey could take Ron questioning him anymore about what to do if Crabbe and Goyle decided to go after him and knock him off his broom like they'd tried to do to Ginny in one of her first games. The fourth year was already nervous as hell, although Harry tried to assure him that he'd really come a long way since joining the team, and any accidents that occurred were probably going to be the fault of the Slytherins playing dirty. For some reason, Harry's choice of words had not settled the other boy's nerves.

Harry stared into the fire instead of doing his homework - he was so far behind he wondered if it mattered anymore. Supposedly being a seventh year meant the professors all thought he had loads of free time to fill with essays, reading, and revising. It didn't help matters any that Hermione had already started doing 'NEWT' sessions in the common room at night. To her credit, she didn't bother Harry as much as she usually would have; Harry supposed that Ron telling her about Percy and their talk in the changing rooms had something to do with it. Or maybe Hermione had finally figured out that as far as his classes went, Harry was a wasted effort and had given up. He could always hope.

He knew the real issue was that he wasn't doing a thing on the weekends he visited Ginny. His slow acclimation to being at school once he did come back was just as bad. He knew he would have to stop his lack of revising while in her presence. He just didn't want to; that was the problem. Harry knew he had no one to blame but himself - he'd sent her away, yes, but how was he to know being without her would make him go topsy-turvy? Simple. He was an idiot.

Sighing, he turned back to his Charms essay; at least it was something relatively easy. But his mind turned back to what was really bothering him - his emotional break down on Sunday had him worried. He hadn't really told Ginny what was bothering him because he felt like a prat for one, and two, he was just as mystified as to what had happened. It wasn't like him to linger on something as pointless as his past with his Aunt and Uncle. Too many things had happened since he was a ten-year-old living in a cupboard. Harry could admit to himself that when he was younger, yes, he would cry himself to sleep sometimes. But he'd soon learned to toughen up and just deal with it - it was the only way to survive. So he didn't understand why now - when he had so many other things to deal with that he was worried about. Feeling unlovable was the least of his problems, certainly. And a bit distracting as well, since Ginny obviously did find him attractive and she did, in fact, love him. He didn't know why he was questioning it. He supposed it was more indication of his utter idiocy. Either that or he was an emotional cripple. Looking at it, Harry didn't like either option and suspected that if Ginny knew what he was thinking, she'd tell him off for even considering either one.

Feeling as though he might as well get some rest, Harry gave up on reading. He passed on playing a game of Gobstones with Seamus and Dean and made his way to the dorm room. He collapsed onto his bed and decided to write Ginny a letter. True, it had only been five days since he last saw her, but to Harry, it felt like a lifetime. He wondered if he'd still miss her as much when he was old and grey, and they had lived a lifetime together. Probably. Of course, Harry thought he would just like to survive being seventeen and worry about the other things later. Things like where he was going to live after he finished with school - judging by his severe lack of revision, he wasn't going to get the NEWTs to do much - and he mused to himself about his lack of motivation regarding becoming an Auror. Harry wondered why it just didn't seem as important to him now. He wanted a life filled with happiness, not chasing down dark wizards and seeing things that most people would have nightmares about. He wondered if that was selfish of him; he was sure most people would expect him to carry on fighting the good fight. He wondered what they'd say if they knew the famous Harry Potter only wanted to shag his girlfriend and hang out with his friends. They'd probably all be very dismayed.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, Harry began to write.

o-o-o-o-o

Ginny tucked her hair behind her ear as a breeze made her shiver. She pulled her jumper closer to her and tried to focus on reading. Since it was Saturday, and some of the abbey students were enjoying the outdoors, she was sitting in the memorable clearing she and Harry had enjoyed, away from their laughter. She had thought a change of scenery would do her some good, but so far, she hadn't done much in the way of actual revision. Her mind kept returning to Hogwarts. She wondered how the Quidditch match had gone or if it were even over yet.

She decided it was getting too cold to study properly and packed up her belongings, arguing that it wouldn't do to come down sick. She wasn't precisely sure the abbey even had a hospital wing. She made her way back indoors and paused halfway between returning to her room and going to the library. Hoping Garrett might have some hot chocolate to drink, she chose the library, knowing most of the students wouldn't be about. She'd seen very little of those she'd met during the summer, although Angus the potions expert had chatted with her a few times.

She found Garrett in the back of the library after Kieran had grunted his whereabouts to her; the other librarian had apparently given up all forms of real speech, as far as Ginny could tell.

"All right there, Garret?" she asked as she spied him sitting at one of the big oak tables, head bent over a book. He didn't seem startled to see her.

"The hot chocolate was getting cold," he said simply and turned to produce a cup for her. She shook her head at him.

"You knew I was coming in, didn't you?"

He nodded. "Something like that."

Ginny took a sip of her drink and briefly smiled to herself. The hot chocolate at Hogwarts was delicious, but it had nothing on the chocolate at the abbey. As Garrett continued reading, she remembered that she had meant to ask him about time-portals.

"They're rubbish," Garrett said, startling her, and she frowned at him. He glanced up at her, and his cheeks turned red. "Er, I just er...reckoned that you're into your research about Aine enough for them to have come up quite a bit. Especially from the O'Hagan book, right?"

Ginny nodded. "O'Hagan seems to believe the stone circle at Lough Gur is a time-traveling device. Why do you say they're rubbish?"

He shrugged. "Well, I'm not an expert, but Brogan seemed to think they were. And he's read everything on the subject. And the few books we have on them aren't very conclusive. Or convincing. Most of the speculation has been Muggle, to be truthful."

"But Peabody Grange alluded to something being different about the stones. He seemed to think there was some correlation between the stones in the circle and the gate at the abbey and...a stone dais they have at the Ministry."

Garrett didn't say anything for a while and then focused on her, frowning. "This means a lot to you."

Ginny blinked at him. "Er, yeah, of course."

He seemed on the verge of saying something else, but she saw him shake his head. "I can give you what we have on them, but I think you'll come to the same conclusion as Brogan. Or you can talk to him about it when he comes back with Harry next weekend."

Ginny shook her head. "I think Brogan will have enough on his mind, don't you?"

Garrett shrugged again. "I don't know." He paused, and his face took on a faraway expression. He blinked at Ginny. "He's nervous about it, yes, but...he's still Brogan, he still has free will, no matter what the prophecy says. He needs to remember that."

Ginny frowned, feeling unnerved by the conversation suddenly. Garrett got up to find the books she wanted, and she sat by herself for a moment, finishing her hot chocolate.

"Here you go, there's a few. There's one that uses Grange's research," Garret said, sliding the books across the table to her.

She smiled, and they chatted for a few more minutes; well, mostly Ginny chatted, Garrett nodded. She usually enjoyed the other man's company, but sometimes, as a conversationalist, he could give Crabbe and Goyle a run for their galleon. She headed back to her room to read, secretly hoping that Harry would at least send a message along, telling her who had won the game.

o-o-o-o-o

"That was brilliant, Harry!"

"That catch was one of your best yet!"

"Merlin's beard, I've never seen anyone play Quidditch like you do, Harry!"

This last one was from Gary, and Harry nodded politely as people congratulated him again for catching the Snitch. He wished they would just let him eat his Sunday breakfast in peace and then felt terrible for feeling disagreeable. Of course, Ron enjoyed the limelight just as much; one of his saves had been instrumental in keeping Slytherin from outscoring the Gryffindors.

"This is brilliant; I told McGonagall she had nothing to worry about. See, there she is, accepting the pay off from old Snape," Ron was saying now to anyone that would listen.

Harry glanced up at the main staff table and watched as Snape and McGonagall spoke to each other. He saw a handshake and then saw Snape give McGonagall something in a small bag. He wondered if the two professors had really had a monetary bet going on, not quite being able to picture Professor McGonagall agreeing to such a thing. Hermione tutted at Ron and told him to sit down.

Harry smirked at her as she rolled her eyes at Ron as he got up a moment later to talk to Seamus and Dean about the match again.

"I'm glad he's doing well, but honestly. There are more important things," Hermione said, shaking her head at him.

Harry watched Ron for a moment. "Oh, let him enjoy it, Hermione. We've had so little to be happy about lately."

Hermione studied him and then leaned across the table. "How are you doing, Harry? I mean, really?"

Harry shrugged. "Okay, I reckon. Do I look like I'm having problems?"

Hermione bit her lip. "Well, no, not really, but...you're awfully quiet lately and...it doesn't seem as though your concentration is very good. It's not like you to make an error in Charms or to completely foul up your Transfiguration practical, but you did both this last week. Is it still being away from Ginny? Or is it Voldemort and the thing with Percy?"

For a moment, Harry forgot that Hermione and Ron didn't know the full story about Percy. He shook his head. "It's a mixture of things, I guess. I just..." Harry stopped, not sure if he wanted to really go into it.

Hermione noticed his hesitation and ate a piece of toast, cleverly not pushing him, for once. Harry wondered when Hermione had stopped nagging and thought if it was because she now had Ron to badger exclusively. When he still didn't say anything, she sighed and patted his hand.

"Well, if you would like to talk, let me know. I know you don't think I'll listen but -"

Harry interrupted her. "That's not true -"

Hermione snorted and looked at him. "Harry, I know you think I'm a horrible nag."

Harry felt his face heat, and his friend smiled knowingly at him. "You're not er...insulted?" he finally asked, watching her.

Hermione's cheeks turned pink, and she glanced over at Ron, who was now telling the Gryffindor second years how one day 'they too could be a Keeper like him.' She glanced back at Harry, a bit sheepish.

"I know in the past I've...well, let's face it, Harry. I try really hard to be understanding, but sometimes I miss the broom, don't I? Ron's sort of shown me that sometimes I don't need to worry so much about being right. Or at least, he's shown me that I shouldn't worry about other people being right. I can't control everything."

Harry just stared at Hermione, and she blushed again. "I can tell by your reaction you're amazed. But...I've honestly been trying to...well, to just let you be, Harry. I know you miss Ginny something terrible, and I reckon that as a friend, the best thing I can do is to not make your life miserable by getting after you to revise when you really don't want to."

Harry didn't know what to say as Hermione went back to eating her breakfast. He felt bad suddenly for all the times he'd become cheesed off at his friend for being bossy.

"Well, I appreciate it," he said softly, and she looked at him, smiling. "I mean, I noticed you hadn't been...well, getting after me. But er, I don't really think you're a bad nag. I mean, I suppose me and Ron would never have passed our OWLs without you, Hermione. You know that. And if I'm alive when we take them, I'll probably owe any NEWTs I get to you."

"Don't say that, Harry," Hermione said, her voice firm. "You're going to be alive. I know a certain red-haired witch that won't accept any other state of being. And I don't think that Ron and I would let anything happen to you either, as well as the rest of the DA. You don't know how much everyone is rooting for you, and not just rooting for you, but more than that. Almost the whole school will fight for you; you realize that, don't you?"

Harry really didn't know what to say to that, and so he just shrugged, looking away. He saw Brogan walking towards them. He smiled at them as he reached their section of the table and sat down next to Hermione.

"Hi, you two. Great save yesterday, Harry. You can really fly."

"Er, thanks."

"Say, Dumbledore suggested a few more spells for the DA to use, and some are a bit tricky. I suspect they'll be easy for you, but I thought we could go over them before the meeting later this evening?"

"Sure," Harry said, shrugging. "I just have an essay to write today," Harry smirked as Hermione bit her lip to keep from reprimanding him.

He and Brogan discussed a time for them to practice, and by the time they were finished, Ron had come back over, cheeks bright red from replaying his save for what had to be the twelfth time. Harry shook his head and finished eating, telling Hermione and Ron he'd be in the library, working.

He had a letter to finish first, though, and he found an empty classroom on the first floor, knowing he should get it to Dumbledore so he could forward it on to the abbey for him. He read over what he'd already written and smiled. He added a few more paragraphs and then sealed it, sighing. He wished he didn't have another week to make it through; Thursday felt very far away.

o-o-o-o-o

"Ready then, Harry? I was just about to come looking for you," Brogan said as Harry entered Dumbledore's office on Thursday afternoon.

Harry sighed. He'd had a rough morning. He'd awoken late, and Snape had made him do his Memory Retrieving Draught twice. Professor McGonagall had just cornered him on the way to the office, reminding him he needed to do some extra credit to make up for his abysmal practical last week. Plus, he was carrying an extra rucksack with him - one for his clothes and one, unfortunately, for his books.

"Sorry, Professor McGonagall er...wanted a word with me," Harry said, explaining. He looked around the office. "Where's Dumbledore?"

Brogan shrugged. "He said he had some business to attend to. He's joining us at the abbey tomorrow evening for the big event."

"Still nervous?" Harry asked.

Brogan gave him a sheepish grin. "A bit, but I can't...well, I can't run from it, can I? You and Ginny are welcome to hear it with me." Brogan looked at his watch and picked up a small, blue wooden shoe, nodding towards Harry to take one end.

"Really?" Harry asked, making sure he had both bags securely around his arms. He touched the heel of the shoe as they waited. "I'd think you'd want to hear it in private."

Brogan met his eyes. "I reckon it's like you said before, whatever it is, it's going to affect all of us. Might as well have all of us hear it."

Harry nodded, and then as the clock in Dumbledore's office struck the hour, he felt the familiar tug at his navel, and he and Brogan were traveling towards the abbey, time and space rushing past them.

o-o-o-o-o

Harry set his bags down in the sitting room and looked around for Ginny. He smirked as he checked the study first, finding it empty. He paused as he stood in the doorway to the bedroom, shaking his head. He walked over to the bed and looked down at her - she was fast asleep, the letter he'd sent her earlier in the week was in her hand. He gently pried it from her fingers, setting it on the night table and then removed his shoes and glasses. He climbed onto the bed, being careful not to wake her. He had just settled in behind her, his hands around her waist when she stirred.

"Harry?" she asked sleepily, turning in his arms.

He smiled at her. "Hey, sleepy-head. Should I be worried you're napping in the middle of the afternoon?"

Ginny smiled and kissed him, wrapping her arms around him. She pulled away and shook her head. "No, I just didn't sleep very well last night, and I guess the bed felt too comfortable. Actually, I haven't been sleeping much at all. I'm sorry I didn't have a sexier way of greeting you this time."

"Shh. Even sleeping, you're sexy."

Ginny chuckled, and they kissed again. Harry felt the roughness of the last ten days fade away from him. He let his hands slip under her jumper and leaned into her more. She made a 'hmm' noise at the back of her throat as they shifted, and Harry allowed his hands to have more freedom, pushing her jumper up as he moved. She raised her arms for him, and he lifted it off of her, licking his lips as he looked at her.

"I have bad news and good news," he finally said, pulling his eyes away from her body. She smirked up at him, her skin already a bit flushed.

"And what would that be?" she asked as he propped himself above her. He felt her hands at the base of his neck, her fingers gently playing with his hair, which caused him to shiver.

"Well," Harry said, lowering his head to nip at her ear. "Brogan and Mr Cosgrove expect us for an early dinner in a little while." Ginny made a non-committal noise as he licked his way down the line of her cheekbone. He paused and smirked at her. "That was the bad news, by the way."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "That's not so terrible, Harry. What's the good news?"

He smiled and sat back from her, lifting his shirt over his head. He looked at her and settled on top of her again, rubbing against her. "The good news is I'm extremely randy, and I think we can have a go at least twice before we leave this room."

Ginny giggled and shook her head at him. "What if we just make it one time, but do it really slow?"

Harry, who had been undoing the top button on her jeans, paused, frowning up at her. "How slow could we possibly do it?"

Ginny laughed and pulled away from him, sitting up. "Well, you're the one who's been practicing his control." She smirked at him, and Harry saw the teasing in her gaze and chuckled.

"Is that a challenge then?"

She nodded her head and got off the bed, watching him. She undid her bra and flung it at him, and he laughed as he pulled it off his head.

"Cute, Gin."

She slipped out of her jeans and gave him a knowing look. Harry pushed himself off the bed and stood in front of her, lowering his hands to her hips. He kissed her slowly, and she fit herself against his knee. The soft feel of her breasts rubbed against his chest. He gently pushed her until she was against the wall, and he pulled his mouth away from hers. Ginny gazed up at him, her eyes full of unspoken things, and he felt her hands move down his chest, lingering on the top of his jeans for a moment. They watched each other as she undid the top button and then unzipped the jeans very slowly. He smirked as her eyes widened, and she looked down at him.

"Harry, you're not wearing any -"

He kissed her and leaned into her, her hand snaking around him even as they kissed. He pulled back and whispered in her ear. "You're not the only one who can be surprising. I reckoned that since I'm always asking you to go knicker-less, I should at least see what it feels like."

Ginny laughed softly and pulled back to look at him. "Wasn't it uncomfortable?"

Harry closed his eyes as her hand gently teased him. "You have no idea how happy I was that I have a robe to hide behind. But I figured it was for a good cause."

"Oh? What cause is that?"

"The cause of showing you a good time, silly," he said, laughing, and pulled out of her grasp for a moment while he stepped out his jeans. He reached down and removed his socks, tossing them over his shoulder. They both looked down at each other, the thin white fabric of Ginny's knickers the only thing between them. Harry brought his hand forward and smoothed his way down the front of her body. He dipped his fingers underneath the front of her knickers over the soft swell of her stomach, teasing her. He glanced at her and then kissed her before moving his head down, suddenly remembering there was a proper way to say 'hello.' He felt her hands in his hair as he moved downwards, bringing his hand back to rest on her hip as he licked his way around her breasts.

"Hmm, Harry, I missed you," she breathed out as he kissed his way across her stomach. He was pleased to see little goose pimples break out across her skin as he moved and then smiled when her legs parted for him. He lowered himself to his knees and glanced up at her as she smiled down at him. Her hair fell over her shoulder in a bright wave of red, matching the stone of the necklace he had given her as it hung from her neck. He brought his hands around the back of her, kneading the fullness of her backside, letting his fingers slip under the band of her knickers. He kissed the smattering of freckles she had around her bellybutton, and then moved past her sex to her thighs, licking upwards. He felt her lean back against the wall, a sigh escaping from her lips. He let his fingers tease her arse again as he breathed in her scent and brought his mouth to the start of her mound, sucking at her through the fabric. She sighed again, turning it into a moan, and her hands returned to his head, moving through his hair.

Harry moved his mouth downwards, still kissing her through the fabric. He pulled his hands away from her backside and wrapped one arm around her waist, as one hand moved upwards to caress her breast as he continued kissing her body. He brought his hand back down and then pushed her knickers aside, slipping a finger into her wetness. Her eyes were dark as they watched each other. He added another finger, and she shuddered, closing her eyes.

"Harry, for pity's sake, take off the damn knickers already," she said in a gruff voice. Her expression looked pained, but her breathing was hitched, and her body was flushed pink with excitement. Harry removed his fingers and pulled back, looking up at her.

"I will if you turn around," he said quietly, and she opened her eyes, a question on her face. He just gave her a small smile, and she shook her head, turning so that she faced the wall. Harry sat back and admired her for a moment, before reaching out and lowering her underwear over the fullness of her arse and then quickly moving them down her legs. She pulled one of her legs out of them for him and turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. He leaned forward and kissed the small of her back, his hands cupping her. He looked up at her and licked his lips.

"Hands flat, Gin, and turn your head back around," he said softly. He flattened his own hands against her arse, gripping it a bit roughly as he brought his mouth to the inside of her leg. He licked upwards and then finally put his mouth on her, swirling his tongue towards her center. She grunted, and he heard her hand make a soft slap on the wall as he continued, switching speeds and moving his mouth against her quickly. He pulled back and ran one of his hands downward, slipping a finger back into her, as he kissed the soft flesh of her backside, causing her to sway gently. Her head was bowed, resting against the wall, and he could hear her breathing as it filled the room. Harry kept teasing her with his fingers as he moved his mouth lower and lower before nipping at the swell of flesh right above her leg, his teeth grazing her. She shuddered and moved his other hand to his own body, stroking himself, making sure he was firm enough. He reluctantly pulled his hand away from her and stood up. He moved behind her so she could feel him and pushed her hair over her shoulder and kissed the back of her neck.

"How do you feel?" he whispered as he moved into position, widening her legs with his own.

"Like one of those bloody towels you leave on the floor after you've showered, completely sopping wet," she whispered back, her voice shaky. Harry chuckled and moved his hands to cup the front of her, massaging her breasts as she slightly turned her head. He planted small kisses along her shoulder then captured her mouth with his. When they broke apart, Harry moved forward, bringing one hand quickly back down to his own body. Her eyes fluttered closed as he slid into place, the warmth, and wetness of her body gliding over his. He paused a moment and rested his head on her shoulder, controlling his breathing. He moved his hands around to her back and then upwards, traveling over her arms to put his over hers, so that he was mimicking her position. Their breathing soon matched, and they both sighed against the wall, joined completely.

"Harry, please," Ginny whispered, finally breaking the silence.

"Please what?" he whispered back, feeling playful.

Ginny gripped his hand tightly and swore, and he felt her push back against him, to make him begin to move.

"Shag me, you git," she said, and he chuckled.

"I thought you wanted slow?" he said as he moved one of his hands unhurriedly down to her hips.

"There's slow, and then there's...oh, my..." Ginny moved slightly as he suddenly pushed forward and then pulled back quickly. He did it again and felt her shudder, her hand clutching his as he moved. He gripped her hip tightly and waited, buried deep within her. He shifted his hips and was rewarded by a string of dirty words coming out of her mouth. He grinned and kissed her neck.

"Ginny, you're a scarlet woman with that mouth," he whispered slyly. She shook her head and moaned in reply. "What do you want?" he asked, feeling her tighten around him.

Ginny shook her head, apparently unable to speak. He shifted and pushed into her again, this time making it very slow and concentrated. He continued to move with particular patience, amazed he was able to maintain such an unhurried rhythm. He closed his eyes and loved the feel of their bodies joining, the warm and soft sensation of her body around his. He felt her legs buckle slightly, making her lean closer to the wall.

"Oh, Harry, please, the bed, I can't...keep...standing..." She shuddered as he pulled out of her and leaned back into his arms. He moved his hands down the front of her, burying his head in her hair. They turned, and he led her to the bed. Ginny lay down on it, still on her stomach, and he smiled as he propped himself above her. She opened her legs and he moved into place again, resuming his action from before. She stretched out her arms, moaning as his body rubbed against hers. He lowered himself against her, stopping his movement, fitting himself to her body. She moaned softly as he moved his hands along the side of her and then reached up to grip her hands into his. She turned her head and looked at him, smiling.

"Better?" he asked, leaning forward slightly to kiss her.

He felt her legs move behind him, opening herself up more to him. She pulled her mouth away from his and nodded. "I'll say."

He smirked and moved slightly, barely pushing forward, enjoying the sensation of the position, feeling very close to her. He lifted her hair out of the way and kissed her back and neck as he moved.

"Hmm, Harry, more," she said softly as he felt her shift under him, and he lifted himself off of her slightly, propping himself up on one of his hands as he let the other hand travel down to caress her backside. He teased her with his fingers and felt her tighten around him. He made a few shallow thrusts, enjoying the sensation and the soft noises she was making. Deciding he wanted to taste her again, he pulled out of her and then slowly made his way down her body. He forgot himself as his mouth hungrily moved over her, wanting to kiss every part of her.

"My love," Ginny called as she looked back at him, and Harry pulled his mouth away, wondering what was wrong. She smirked at him. "Sit back a minute." He moved, and she sat up, keeping her back to him. She looked back again, tossing her hair over her shoulders and winked at him. "Get over here, Harry."

He smiled and moved forward, fitting behind her. He moved his hands to the front of her, and she sighed as he caressed her breasts. She pushed back slightly, making the bottom part of their bodies meet. Harry kissed her shoulder as she reached back to touch him. He groaned as she stroked him, and she turned her head, an amused expression on her face.

"As much as I love your mouth, my darling, I think we should just get on with it, don't you?" she asked.

"As always," Harry said as she released him, and he parted his knees a bit more behind her. "You have the most brilliant ideas."

She laughed as he entered her again, and this time they both moved, Harry pushing forward as Ginny pushed back, and he closed his eyes, the sensation making his head spin. He cupped her breasts and then moved his hand down the length of her, finally resting in between her legs. She moaned as he worked his fingers around her center as he was pushing into her. He felt his control begin to slip as her body grew warm with desire.

The sound of their loving was loud in the quiet of the room, and Ginny bowed her head as he sped up his fingers.

"Oh, that's...hmm...oh, just right, oh, that's brilliant, Harry," she said, sounding breathless. He pulled out and then pushed back in, their bodies fitting tightly together as he moved his hips. He felt her shudder as she climaxed, crying out. She cursed and fell forward, and he moved with her, suddenly quite glad to be able to fully thrust inside of her. He now used his hands to grip her hips and pull her sharply against him. She bent her head, and he felt her give in to it, murmuring his name and urging him on.

It was more difficult for Harry to maintain his calm from this position, and he soon found himself feeling the familiar strains of his body. He closed his eyes and gave in to the sensation, burying himself deep within her. Harry felt her tighten around him as she pushed back and then shake as he gripped her, a moan escaping her lips. He thrust into her again, suddenly needing nothing but his own release. His arms shook as he let go, and then he felt himself falling over her, covering her. She took his weight and whispered his name as he kissed her back, the sound of rushing air thundering through his head. He worked his arm around her waist, holding her, not wanting her to move yet, still feeling himself pulse within her.

"Stay like this," he said quietly, and their breathing was uneven but together. He used his other hand to caress her breasts, and she whimpered as he eased them both down onto the bed. Harry curled himself around her body, holding her. He let his face get lost in her hair and closed his eyes, feeling as though he had run a very long race.

Ginny made a soft noise, and he finally moved, resting his head on her shoulder. He gazed at her. She smiled and touched his face with his hand.

"Hi there," she said sweetly.

He bent his head and licked the side of her hand, planting a small kiss on her palm. He smiled at her. "Missed me, did you?"

Ginny laughed and nodded. "You know, I hate it, this separation, but goodness I love the getting back together."

"Hmm," Harry said as he kissed her arm, moving his hand up to tease her. She sighed, and he looked back at her. "What?"

"Aren't you ever tired of playing with me?"

Harry chuckled. "No."

They shifted, and Ginny sighed as they lay more comfortably, looking down at the bed. "Where's your wand, Harry? I don't fancy lying in this wet spot."

Harry sniggered and then looked around for his jeans on the floor, leaning over her. He felt her hand on his backside and turned back to look at her. "And you say I can't stop playing with you? Every time my back is turned, there you are."

Ginny giggled and smacked his arse, and he grimaced at her as he was able to just reach the edge of his jeans. He was straining, almost reaching it when she slapped him a bit harder this time, and he turned back to her.

"Bloody hell, Gin, I've almost got it."

"Use your wandless magic, you git."

Harry looked at her and then frowned. "You think?"

Ginny nodded. She shifted out of the way, and he eyed the offending spot. He thought 'Scourgify' to himself and moved his hand. A moment later, it was dry. He gave her a satisfied smile as she nodded at him.

"You're pretty handy, Harry."

"I know; it's why you love me," he said, turning back over before her hands became too friendly.

"No, actually, I love you because you have a very talented tongue and you have an adorable arse; if only you'd let me play -"

Harry made another small movement with his hand, and Ginny's face turned red as she realized what he'd done. He sniggered and then released the spell. He climbed back up the length of her, trapping her underneath him.

"You're worse than Fred and George today, Miss Weasley," he said teasingly. "I had to teach you a lesson." She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him.

"If you ever cast a Silencing Spell on me again, I am going to hex you, you prat."

Harry saw the disgruntled look in her eyes and relented, rolling off her. "Okay, okay. Grumpy."

Ginny made a muffled sort of noise and turned her back to him. Harry glanced at her and then sighed. He moved behind her, running his hand up her back.

"I'm sorry, really," he said softly. She flicked her hair back around her shoulder, giving him a mouthful. He sputtered and spit it out. "Gin, honestly."

"Gin, honestly, what?" She turned to look at him, her eyebrow arched. Harry shrugged.

"Honestly, I'm sorry? Why are we fighting, exactly?"

"Because you're a git."

"Ah." Harry waited a moment. "But you still love me, right?"

She pursed her lips and looked at him. "Maybe."

"Well, that's better than no." He waited a moment, and when she still didn't say anything or look as though her bad humor had passed, he tried again. "Think we should shower now for dinner?" he asked hopefully.

Ginny shrugged. "Be my guest, Harry."

He smiled and sat up, moving off the bed. He paused when she didn't join him. "Er, aren't you taking one with me?"

"Are you certain I just won't do something wrong, and you'll need to silence me again?" she asked tartly, making a face at him.

"Ginny!" Harry said exasperated. "I was just kidding. Honest. It was just a little joke."

"Very little."

He frowned at her and walked around to her side of the bed. She folded her arms against herself and looked up at him, and he could see she was truly cross. He kneeled down beside the bed.

"I'm sorry you took it the wrong way. Really."

Ginny sighed and then bit her lip. He took hold of her hand, smiling.

"You know, if we hadn't just shagged, I think I'd ask if you were experiencing your honor of womanhood or something. That's the only time you ever get surly and irrational."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were wrong. Ginny's eyes went wide, and then she narrowed them at him, her ears turning a bit pink. She let go of his hand and sat up on the bed.

"Take your own bloody shower, Harry, in the other bathroom. I don't want to bother you with my...surliness and irrational behavior until dinner."

She rolled away from him and got off the bed, slamming the door to the loo shut behind her.

Harry slapped his head with his hand and then ran his hand down her face. Brilliant, just bloody brilliant. Fine, if she wants to be cross, she can be cross. It was just a stupid trick.

He picked up his clothes and allowed the bedroom door slam loudly behind him, to let her know he was gone and that he wasn't pleased.

o-o-o-o-o

Ginny got ready for dinner with the calm, yet cold fury only an extremely annoyed woman can accomplish. She combed her hair out, especially careful of the way she styled it. She held part of it up, attaching one of her clasps to it and then used her wand to create slight curls in the rest of it. She dressed in one of her skirts, not bothering with the length, thinking the shorter, the better. Of course, no daughter of Molly Weasley would ever be caught dead being improper in public, so it was still a decent length, just shorter rather than longer. She wore the green blouse she'd borrowed from Hermione again (somehow she hadn't quite managed to give it back to the other girl for good), and she wore the one pair of heels she owned, using her wand to cover up the tell-tale second-hand scuff marks.

She stared at herself in the mirror, satisfied, and then went into the bedroom, pretending not to notice the duvet's crumpled look. She told herself not to look at the wall and picked up her wet towels and other clothes. She finally sat down on the bed and fumed, her mind coming up with different ways to separate Harry's mouth from the rest of his body.

She didn't know why she was so upset, but she was, and that was that. The fact that Harry could possibly be right - she couldbe getting her period, actually, if she did the maths, only made her angrier. It gave him no right to say it, and it definitely didn't give him the right to silence her with a flick of his hand. Just a joke, indeed!

A short knock on the door startled her, and she stood up, smoothing her skirt. Harry opened the door and stuck his head in, whatever words he'd been about to say seemingly lost to his opened mouth as he looked at her.

"I'm ready if you are," Ginny said stiffly, moving forward towards the door. Harry's eyes swept over her, and she almost smiled when she saw the look in his eyes. He stayed where he was, just staring at her, and she felt herself get annoyed again.

"I can't leave the room unless you move out of the way, Harry," she said, hating the cross sound of her voice. But it did the trick, making him blink at her. He gave her a mean look.

"Sorry, I know walking past me probably hadn't occurred to you."

Ginny narrowed her eyes as he stepped out the way. She moved through the doorway and felt herself glare at him. "Of course, it occurred to me, I just didn't want to brush up against you."

She immediately felt horrid after she said it, but it was too late. Harry's eyes blazed at her, and his expression was very calm as he looked at her. "Fine, if that's the way you want to be."

He turned and headed towards the main door, not bothering to wait for her. She sighed and bit her lip as he opened the door and walked out, not closing it and not giving her a backwards glance. Brilliant, you idiot, just brilliant,she thought to herself. Before it was his blunder, now it's you being a disgruntled shrew.

o-o-o-o-o

Harry had stopped before they got to the dining room Mr Cosgrove had told them to go to, so they could enter together, but after that he moved away from her, sitting across from her instead of next to her. Ginny frowned and didn't say anything, knowing it was her own damn fault. A moment later, they could hear voices coming down the hall, and Mr Cosgrove and Brogan entered the room, looking very relaxed and happy.

Ginny felt her face heat as Brogan looked at them, and she knew that he knew something was wrong, even though both she and Harry had plastered smiles on their faces.

"Ginny! Nice to see you; you look lovely this evening," Brogan said as he said down next to her.

Ginny murmured her thanks and looked down at her plate, suddenly feeling absolutely foolish. She glanced at Harry and saw him giving her a detached look and then felt angry again. She turned to Brogan to talk to him, not caring one bit what the boy she loved thought, thinking he could look as bored as he wanted to.

Dinner was a pleasant affair, as long as one didn't notice the frosty air that seemed to be floating in between her and Harry. She knew Mr Cosgrove and Brogan had noticed it, especially since Harry gave one-word answers to every question. She felt like reaching across the table and throttling him, making him say something more than 'Yeah' and 'Oh.'

Brogan walked with them towards the Nuala Wing, surprisingly.

"You're not staying in your old room, then?" Ginny asked him as Harry walked behind them.

"No, Dylan said since I was no longer a student, but an actual working wizard, I deserved a nicer room. I think he did it as a birthday present. That bathtub alone is enough to be happy about."

Harry made a grunting noise behind them, and Ginny ignored him. She looked at Brogan.

"Are you doing anything special tomorrow for your birthday? Well, I mean, something other than hearing Aine's prophecy?"

"I don't know. I'm to hear the prophecy tomorrow evening. I think Dylan said something about letting me borrow one of the cars. Would you two like to join me?" Brogan stopped and looked back at Harry, who walked into Ginny, obviously not paying attention. She scowled at him but didn't say anything. She'd let him answer this one.

Harry looked at her and then at Brogan, shrugging. "I reckon. What time?"

"Er, well, early, so we get back in time. Is that okay? You two won't be having a lie-in?" Brogan asked, glancing at Ginny.

Harry shook his head. "No, early is fine. In fact, there's nothing Ginny likes more than waking up early."

Ginny narrowed her eyes at him and didn't say anything. She shook her head so hard that some of her hair fell around her shoulders. She forced herself to smile at Brogan. "Early is fine, Brogan, just like Harry said."

"Er, all right. Well, have a good night, you two. I'll see you around eight or so?" He smiled at them and used his key to enter his room. Ginny stared at the closed door and then whirled around to face Harry.

"Git," she said meanly. "'Oh, 'early is fine, there's nothing Ginny likes more than waking up early,'" she mimicked, snarling at him. Harry raised his eyebrow at her and didn't say anything, but took hold of her elbow, leading her to their room. She pulled free, the anger and frustration from the evening getting to her.

"Don't manhandle me, Harry. I'm not a dog to be lead around."

Harry sighed and looked at her. "I merely wanted us not to have a row right in front of Brogan's door, but if you'd like to go ahead and yell at me out here in an empty hallway where your ever so lovely voice will echo, go right ahead."

Ginny sensed the tears a moment before she felt herself explode into crying. A second later, and she felt Harry's arms around her. He didn't say anything for a long time, and all she could hear was her muffled sobs. He tightened his arms around her.

"Shh, Gin, it's okay. We don't have to row in the room, you can yell at me here just as well."

Ginny tried to speak, but her tears were now flowing down her face, and she couldn't breathe. She pushed away from Harry and ran down the hallway, wanting to be safely in their room. She left the door open behind her and went into the bedroom, throwing herself on the bed. She heard the door close and then felt Harry's weight as he climbed onto the bed. A moment passed, and then she felt his hand on her back.

"Gin, what's wrong?" he finally asked, sounding as lost as she felt.

She turned and looked at him, wiping her face with her hand, feeling like an idiot. "I don't know," she admitted, looking at him. Harry lay down next to her, brushing her hair away from her face.

"Why are we having a row then?" he asked.

Ginny shook her head again, and Harry pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her emotions down. Ginny hated crying, and she hated how she felt after crying even more. She waited until she felt strong enough to speak and pulled away from Harry, feeling her cheeks heat as she looked at him.

"You made me so annoyed, Harry, and then I just got more upset the rest of the evening. I don't know what's wrong with me. But I hated it that you thought the only way I could be upset with you was when I had a hormone imbalance or something."

Harry bit his lip and touched her cheek. "I'm sorry then. I didn't understand."

"And you're wrong, too," Ginny said, continuing, hearing the lie come out of her mouth before she could stop it. "It's not...that time...I just had it last week. So there."

Harry bit his lip again and nodded, but she saw the humor in his eyes and scowled at him. He shook his head, moving his hand down to hers. "I'm sorry, Gin, it's just...I'm sorry, okay? Really."

"For which part?" Ginny asked stubbornly.

Harry frowned. "For all of it, for suggesting what I suggested and for...for teasing you, and using a dirty trick to silence you. For being a prat at dinner."

Ginny sniffed. "You had every right to be a prat; I was an emotional twit."

"Shh, stop talking bad about someone I love," Harry said softly, and she finally smiled. She leaned down and kissed him.

"I'm sorry, too, Harry. We made love, and it was wonderful, and I completely ruined it by being tetchy."

He reached up and cupped her face with his hand. "Well, the way I at look at it is this - last time I was the one acting like an emotional loony, and now this week it's your turn. I think this separation is getting to both of us. It's like everything we feel is more intense or something."

Ginny nodded, and he moved so she could rest beside him. She sniffed again and then rolled her eyes at herself, turning over so she could face him.

"Harry?"

"You were expecting someone else?" he asked softly, arching an eyebrow at her. She shook her head.

"I lied."

"What?"

"Just now. When I said it wasn't that time...I...could very well be hormonal, I don't know. I just didn't want you to think you were right."

He bit his lip as he looked at her and then erupted into laughter. Ginny pursed her lips and waited for him to finish. He smirked at her.

"I'm sorry, Gin, it's just...why did you bother to tell me? Was the thought of me being right so horrible to you?"

"It wasn't horrible to me, it was just...look, you're not a girl -"

"Thank heavens for that or the sex would be...actually, that's an interesting fantasy isn't it -"

Ginny slapped her hand on his chest, and he closed his mouth, eyes laughing at her. "You're not a girl," she continued as though he hadn't spoken, "and so, therefore, you don't know how absolutely annoying it is to hear some bloke dismiss you for being one. I've grown up the youngest girl in a house full of boys, Harry. The first time I ever experienced my honor of womanhood, Fred and George found out, and they teased me forever. They kept telling me I was minutes away from getting pregnant, and I believed them before Mum set me straight. If I wasn't being made fun of for being a girl, then I was being discounted because of it. It's maddening. And I don't want you to think you can just dismiss me and my feelings because...well, you know. I won't stand for it."

Harry stopped looking amused and gave her a tender smile. "I am truly sorry. And I'm sorry Fred and George teased you. I think I understand a little bit more about your relationship with them."

Ginny gave him a sheepish grin. "Oh, I got them back. I did something to George's sheets that Mum practically had a heart attack over, don't worry. The gits. Still, they've taught me practically all I know about...tickling!"

She pounced on Harry, attacking him. Soon they were both laughing, and Ginny felt better. They both decided to go to bed, since thanks to Harry, they now had to meet Brogan in the early morning. And even though she knew that as far as scorekeeping went between them that Harry was now up to two on her, she knew she'd eventually even the score.

o-o-o-o-o

They spent the day with Brogan, who was in good spirits, although Ginny felt a bit sad that she didn't have anything to give him for his birthday. He was very excited to have access to a car and spent a significant part of their day trying to teach Harry how to drive. Harry, who insisted he knew what to do after years of watching his Uncle drive, proved to be a rather slow student. After he had almost driven them off the road for the second time, Ginny put her foot down and told them in no uncertain terms that she was not going to die in a car crash and demanded they stop for lunch.

They found a smart, picturesque sort of village called Edenberry and managed to find a beautiful place to eat under a shade tree in a park that was having a carnival of some sort. Ginny listened to Brogan and Harry talking easily, and wondered when the two had suddenly become best mates. She shook her head at them, and Harry noticed, throwing a bit of his bread at her.

"And just why are you shaking your head?" he asked, settling down next to her.

"I'm laughing at the two of you, actually. Boys are ridiculous creatures, after all."

Harry smirked and looked at Brogan, who shrugged. "I'll let you deal with that one, Harry. I'm getting something more to drink; anyone want anything?"

Ginny asked him for lemonade, and he headed off. She looked back down at Harry, who was watching her.

"We decided to be friends," he said, seeing her look. She picked up the piece of bread he'd tossed and threw it back at him.

"So, I noticed. What else has occurred that I don't know about? Been writing Cho Chang or anything?" she asked teasingly.

Harry, who had started running his hand up the side of her leg, rolled his eyes. "No. But actually, since you've been gone, Crabbe and Goyle have admitted they're desperately in love with each other, and Malfoy's decided being a ferret really is the best way to go..."

"Liar."

He smirked at her. "Takes one to know one."

Ginny sighed but stuck her tongue out at him. She looked to see where Brogan was and saw him standing in the queue at the booth they'd purchased their food from. She glanced back at Harry, who had followed her gaze.

"Garrett says he's nervous about hearing this thing tonight," she said quietly.

Harry turned back to her and nodded. "He admitted as much to me. How do you feel about it?"

Ginny shrugged. "I haven't thought of it, to be honest."

"It might affect us," Harry said, sitting up and looking at her, pushing his hair off his face. "I mean, it could say anything if you think about it. It could even..." He paused, frowning.

"What is it?"

"What if the prophecy says you have to...you have to be with Brogan?" Harry blurted out suddenly, surprising her.

She blinked at him. "It's not going to say that."

"How do you know? Brogan's the expert, and even he used to think that. He told me so."

Ginny frowned. "It doesn't matter what he used to believe. I just..." She paused as she thought about it, searching her feelings. She took Harry's hand into hers. "I'm not supposed to be with Brogan; I'm supposed to be with you. Aine knows this. I can't explain how or even why I know that, but I do."

Harry nodded and then leaned in to kiss her quickly. Brogan returned, and they finished up their lunch and headed back towards the car. She realized now that Harry mentioned it, she was a bit anxious as to what the rest of the prophecy was about. As Brogan drove them back to the abbey, she wondered if this evening was going to go well or just horribly wrong.

o-o-o-o-o