The Harry Games

by lilyevansJan30

Against his better judgment, Harry agrees to woo his girlfriend for charity. Unfortunately, his better judgment was right.

9. Chapter Six: Buy Her a Pretty

A/N: And Phew, done with the arc that separates the first half of the story from the second. As anyone who's following along in the Ginny Lover's discord, this chapter is a lot longer than I generally like to write, but I just couldn't get this done with fewer words and I really wanted to keep my format of one chapter here per chapter in Harry's book. I can almost promise the rest will be shorter. I think. Please read and review if you would like - I always appreciate it.

Robards' plan was immediately complicated by the fact that he was unable to remove Harry's book from Grimmauld Place. Bill and Tulip offered to try to bypass the protective charm on it, but ultimately everyone decided to let Harry keep the book with him to read that night with Ginny, as long as he put it into a warded container afterwards.

"After all, Harry is an experienced Auror," said Robards dryly. "I think he can manage to keep himself and Miss Weasley safe overnight."

"Considering he's done just fine with that up to now," added Ginny, equally dryly. "Nothing's changed with the book except that we know more now."

"But if anything happens that's new or worrisome, anything at all, get the hell out of there immediately," said Bill. He looked as though he wanted to insist that Ginny at least leave with him to spend the night somewhere Bill considered safer.

"You're welcome to sleep here on the sofa, Bill," said Harry lightly. "I'm sure Fleur and Victoire won't mind if you don't come home tonight." He raised his eyebrows at his brother-in-law.

Bill gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry," he said. "I know you've got this."

Harry nodded. "I do," he said. In truth, he wasn't feeling as confident as he was trying to project, but no one else needed to know that except Ginny, and he'd share his concerns with her when they were alone. He just wished they could be alone soon.

The last people he and Ginny spoke to as everyone was gathering up to leave were Ron and Hermione. Despite the fact that Robards and Kingsley and the curse breakers had the most knowledge and experience, Harry felt the most comforted by the presence of his oldest friends. They were neither overreacting like Bill nor naively thinking everything was fine, like Fawn. They were properly wary, and knew without asking what Harry needed.

"I'll copy down chapter six in Ron's book as soon as we get home," Hermione promised. "And we'll send it to you to compare to yours."

"And then we can go shopping for their gifts together," said Ron. "You know, since there is no way I want to go into a lingerie shop alone anyway."

Harry grinned, the first real reason to smile he'd felt all night. "Do you really want me along while I pick out a sexy nightgown for your sister to wear for me?" he asked. "More importantly, do you really think either Ginny or Hermione really want lingerie as a gift?"

"I sleep naked," said Ginny solemnly. Harry was more than glad to hear the normalcy back in her voice.

Ron groaned. "I'd say to forget I asked, but you know the offer stands," he said. "But maybe not a lingerie shop, okay?

"Thank you," said Hermione fervently. They all laughed and it was with a little less dread in his belly that Harry picked up his copy of Twelve Failsafe Ways to Charm Witches - Third Edition - and followed Ginny up to his bedroom.

"Bill would want you to levitate it in front of you," she said. "And not touch it again."

"And Bill would also want you sleep in bed alone at the Burrow and not with your boyfriend who intends to give you a thorough shagging," retorted Harry. "So are we going to satisfy Bill, or each other?"

In response, Ginny turned right around on the stairs and pushed Harry up against the wall, kissing him so intensely that he had to grab onto the railing behind him to keep from tumbling down to the landing. When she finally stepped back, Harry grabbed her hips and pulled them against his again. "I can think of one thing that is starting to levitate," he joked. "Or at least it will when I get it out of my pants." He put a hand on Ginny's cheek. "Is that okay?" he asked. "That we have sex before we start dealing with this mess again?"

"Yes please," said Ginny. Unsaid was the fact that neither of them might be in the mood later, after they read whatever the book had to say. While Harry was still holding out a bit of hope that it would just turn out to be something else embarrassing or personal, the complexity of the charm suggested that wasn't going to be the case. Still, Harry could pretend, at least until after he'd brought Ginny to orgasm.

HPHPHPHP

For once, Harry didn't struggle to stay awake after he and Ginny made love. Although his body was sated with exhaustion his mind was alert and focused as he picked up Twelve Ways from the bedside table. He'd never noticed it before but now the electric blue "Third Edition" was all he could see across the bottom of the front cover and he grimaced at himself for missing it.

"Hiding in plain sight," he muttered.

Ginny snuggled close to him. "You're allowed to be angry at yourself for two more minutes," she said. "And then you need to let it go. Beating yourself up is not going to do either of us any good and it's not going to help figure out who's behind the book swap." She spoke gently but with the bluntness Harry knew he needed. He took a deep breath and nodded.

"I don't need two minutes," he said. "You're right. I'm not going to stop working on the case, but I promise to approach it objectively and stop blaming myself."

Ginny nodded. "I'll have to have the same talk with Bill, I suspect. He was as upset as you."

"I get that," said Harry. "No matter how many times Tulip and the others tell him that there was nothing to discover in the contract he reviewed, Bill isn't going to believe it." He gave a small snort. "Until Fleur talks some sense into him like you're doing to me."

"George would be able to accept that the contract worked the way it was designed and it wasn't his fault." After three years, most of them didn't automatically say "Fred and George", although Harry heard it in Ginny's comment.

"And Percy would insist that there was a policy failure at the heart of the issue and spend hours pouring over books of regulations looking for something that needs amending," laughed Harry. "Charlie would mutter about 'this is why he likes dragons more.'"

Ginny laughed too. "Ron's trying to think strategically," she said. She leaned back into the pillows. "Hermione too. I think they will be a help."

Harry pulled the blankets up over both of them and balanced Twelve Ways on his knees. "They are definitely going to be a help; more than I think I realized at first." He looked at the book in his lap, not really wanting to open it. "It's actually dead-useful that the two people I trust more in the world - other than you of course - are in the contest too. They can act as a baseline of sorts - I can compare what Ron's doing to what the third edition says. And maybe if it wants me to do something embarrassing, Ron will be less likely to tease me about it if he's trying to keep an eye out."

"I don't think Ron is likely to take the mickey anymore," Ginny agreed. She smirked. "And did you see the look on Robards' face when he admitted how competitive he's been about the contest? And in front of Kingsley?"

Harry loved the fact that despite the fact he was certain Ginny was still unnerved by the seeming sentient properties of the book in his lap, she wasn't curling up and hiding away over the news. "Kingsley threw in a couple of Galleons last time he came down," Harry laughed. "So he probably wasn't about to take the mickey from Robards."

Ginny giggled at that and then took a deep breath. "I'm just stalling, you know. I'd rather just lie here talking and not open the book, even though we must."

Harry loved this about Ginny too. He kissed her. "I'd rather lie here talking to you too," he said. "And we will, after we read through whatever Chapter Six says about buying you a gift." He gave a dramatic sigh. "I just hope it doesn't require me to buy you a big gold necklace that says My Sweetheart."

"Oh, I hope that's what it suggests for Ron," said Ginny with a giggle. Then she grew quiet. "That's probably not embarrassing enough for the third edition though."

Harry sighed. It was time. He opened the book.

On the contents page, Chapter Six was titled Buy Her a Pretty, and Harry remembered having a discussion with Ron about it after Ron gave him the book for Harry's 17th birthday, wondering exactly what pretty thing they were supposed to buy. Even though he and Ginny had technically been broken up then, Harry had only been able to think about Quidditch gear, wondering exactly what Ginny would consider 'pretty'. It wasn't like she'd want one of those ridiculous broom decorating kits that were popular with witches who didn't want to fly as much as artfully display the thing in their home. Trying to play Quidditch on a broom covered in roses or dripping with beaded garlands was definitely not something Ginny would enjoy. The image of a ring, nestled in black velvet, flashed through his mind. Harry had seen a particularly nice one on his last pass by the shop in Diagon Alley, but the news stand right outside the door had a long line of people waiting to buy a copy of Magical Monthly to read all about The Harry Games, and he'd not dared try to enter. He turned to the proper chapter in the book.

The witch and wizard didn't look nearly as gushing or sappy as they had in previous chapters. The wizard was hiding something behind his back and the look on his face as he showed it to the witch was nearly . . . lascivious. Ginny peered closer. "What's he giving her, can you tell?" Ginny rubbed her eyes. "She seems pretty happy about it, don't you think?"

Harry thought Ginny was right. Over and over he watched the leering wizard hand the witch some unidentifiable thing - and the witch's smile get bigger and more suggestive as she took it. Only then did Harry notice the full title of the chapter: Buy Her A Pretty . . . Arousing Gift! He groaned. "Ron was right, it's lingerie after all," he said. "Sexy lingerie." He shuddered, images of diamonds and platinum being replaced with scraps of lace and silk Harry wasn't sure he wanted to imagine. Truth be told, Harry far preferred Ginny to come to bed in one of his old t-shirts, if she wore anything at all. The thought of buying her something that looked like it belonged in Madam Puddifoot's boudoir - or of being seen walking into such a shop - was about as least arousing an idea as Harry could imagine. Somehow, he didn't think the book would be satisfied by the purchase of a flannel nightgown. He sighed. "Let's see what it says."

It was unsettling to look at the chapter knowing now that whatever it said was going to try to control his behavior over the week. Not for the first time Harry considered asking Ginny if she didn't think they should just quit the contest now, before starting Chapter Six. If it had only been himself involved, he would stay in, no question, and treat the rest of the competition as an Auror investigation. But the fact that whatever Harry was being compelled to do also affected Ginny (and Fawn and Archer, for that matter), changed things completely. Feeling jumpy, he closed the cover.

As if reading his mind, Ginny reached over and flipped it back open. "You probably won't be able to take the book into the Auror lab until you've read it," she observed. "So we might as well get started."

Ginny seemed calmer than she had earlier when she'd first understood what the book was doing, but Harry wasn't fooled. She was urging him on in spite of her fear, not in the absence of it. Even though he knew what Ginny's answer would be, Harry said it anyway. "You don't have to stay here and read with me," he said. "Buying you a gift is probably something I'm going to have to do alone anyway." That realization was reassuring. Harry might be required to buy Ginny an embarrassing gift, but she didn't have to go with him to the store, at least.

Ginny shook her head. "I'm staying," she said pointedly. "You can keep the gift a secret if you need to, but until then, we're in this together."

"Of course we are," agreed Harry. He bent over the page, tilting the book so they could both read at the same time.

The first page was vaguely familiar, talking about how much witches liked to receive gifts and that surprises were even better. Harry read it out loud, grinning a little when the text slipped into rhyme:

By now you should know your witch well enough to select something that shows you've been paying attention to her. What does she like? What does she hate? Where did you take her on your date? Maybe something to wear, can you match it to her eyes? Most importantly, can you keep it a surprise?

Ginny giggled. "My Quiddtch gear is already a muddy brown," she said.

"Golden chocolate," Harry corrected. It was a conversation they'd had before and she wisely didn't bother disagreeing with him. "But maybe I can buy you something else to wear that won't involve me having to speak my order into the mouth of a charmed cupid statue, or whatever else they have at those stores." He shuddered, thinking of the windows of some of the shops he'd seen on one of his passes by the block of Diagon Alley that specialized in fancy jewelry. It probably wasn't an accident the two types of shops were close together, and Harry suspected that other wizards were a lot more comfortable entering someplace called Silk and Frills and Sexy Thrills than they would be thinking about going next door for a much more permanent purchase. He wasn't one of those wizards though.

Ginny made a face. "That sounds wretched," she agreed.

Harry kept reading out loud. Something for a hobby's nice, a game to play more than once or twice. Even better is something for bed - a nightie in silk or maybe satin instead.

"Lingerie for sure," Harry muttered.

"You just ruined the surprise," Ginny said with a laugh. "Better not tell me any more of your plans."

"I don't have any more plans," Harry admitted. "Hopefully I'll get some ideas when I'm out shopping." He turned the page and frowned. The next two pages of Chapter Six were blank. Some of the knot of worry that had eased as he and Ginny joked about lingerie and rhyming dropped back into the pit of Harry's stomach. "This is where Ron's book always has a list of suggestions," he said.

"Maybe it's a printing error," Ginny said, and Harry could hear the hope in her voice. "Maybe the list is on the next page."

Harry tried to read beyond, but wasn't completely surprised when he couldn't turn the pages of the book past the empty spread. He shook his head. "Something's supposed to be here," he said.

"Well for Merlin's sake, don't try writing in it," said Ginny sharply.

Harry quickly closed the book and conjured a warded container to put it in. He rather wanted to send it out of the room but decided instead that it was safer to keep it in plain sight. He wrapped his arms around Ginny "I promise I won't be writing in it," he said. "I don't think it intends that anyway; it's not a diary," he added firmly.

"I know," sighed Ginny. "But still, seeing that blank space . . ." her voice trailed off.

I suspect it's waiting to see how well I do shopping tomorrow before it gives me more advice, that's all." Harry hoped he sounded certain. "I'll take it with me; maybe I'll even be able to drop it by the lab after I buy something." Robards hadn't explicitly said anything, but Harry knew that for now, he was off his other cases and his work as an Auror involved continuing with the contest.

"So I guess we have to sleep with it in here with us then?" Ginny asked, lips pursed. "I mean, I know we do; it's safer than leaving it somewhere else in the house where we can't see it, and since it won't let us send it to the lab . . . " she gave a small shrug. "I know it has to stay here; I just don't like it."

"I don't love having it here either," said Harry. As much as he didn't want Ginny upset, he knew she'd hate it even more to find out he was keeping anything from her. "I think its magic is evolving." He pointed at the book, which looked disruptively innocuous, floating in its charmed container. "Each week it's gotten a little harder for Fawn to write her article, and now with those blank pages . . . I think it's waiting to tell me more."

Ginny shuddered. "Do you think that's why it didn't work when you sent changes to the magazine?"

Harry huffed out a breath. He'd forgotten to discuss that detail when everyone had been at Grimmauld Place. "I don't know," he said slowly. "It seems like it should be connected, doesn't it? But also feels different, somehow." He shook his head. "I'm missing something." He rubbed at his eyes, trying to remember everything he'd learned about charmed and cursed objects. Part of him wanted to jump out of bed and find that stack of books on Dark Magic they'd put away during the cleaning spree at the start of the contest. Harry could feel the familiar urge he got at the beginning of any case, to work and work and work without stopping until he felt familiar enough with the facts to make a plan about what to do next. Right now there were too many open questions and Harry wanted them answered now. But next to him, Ginny shifted on the bed.

"Hopefully it will become clearer after you take the book to the lab tomorrow, and have another chance to talk to the Aurors," she said. There was an air of finality in her tone and Harry knew Ginny was at her limit for the night. He shot a spell at the caged book and it began to glow more softly, as if lit by candles. The urge to run to the library faded.

"Tomorrow," he agreed. "I'm sure we'll get more answers then." He snuggled down under the blankets and opened his arms to accept Ginny into them. She put her head on his chest and they lay quietly in the mostly-dark as Ginny's breath evened and slowed. It was very late before Harry's thoughts calmed enough to fall asleep.

HPHPHP

Things felt less dire the next morning. The sun was shining and the book did not appear to have moved an inch in its cage. Harry wanted to handle it as little as possible but he did open it to look at the table of contents and performed a quick spell to copy the image. It was the best he could do without being able to read past Chapter Six. At least this day he could keep track of whether anything changed in the front. Ginny was subdued but calm as she prepared to leave for the Harpies' training facility. Harry suspected that the normalcy of it would be comforting. Indeed, she was more concerned about him.

"You'll let me know what Robards and the others say, right?" she asked, gathering her things together and heading towards the fireplace in the kitchen "And how things go shopping too."

Harry kissed Ginny rather more thoroughly than usual before handing her the Floo power. "I'll tell you everything," he promised. "Except maybe what gift I end up buying. I'm not sure if that needs to be a surprise until later in the week."

Ginny nodded. "Good then," she said. "And I'd tell you to be careful but I know you. You'll be careful as long as it doesn't compromise your investigation." She gave him a knowing look.

"I'm glad you know me so well," he said. "Even when you're right."

"Especially when I'm right," Ginny corrected. "I'll see you tonight." She threw the powder into the flames and whirled away.

Harry sighed and gathered his things and stepped after Ginny into the Floo.

Harry arrived at the Ministry intending to head straight to the lab so that the Aurors who worked there could start analyzing the book immediately. What he hadn't counted on - indeed, what he'd completely forgotten - was that there were very few people who knew that Harry's third edition was misbehaving but many who grabbed that week's edition of Magical Monthly on their way to work every Monday. As soon as he stepped out of the Floo it felt like dozens and dozens of eyes were on him, and those eyes hovered just above hands that were clutching open copies of the magazine that demonstrated, quite convincingly, that Harry Potter was a completely jealous and petty prat about his girlfriend's success at Quidditch. He grimaced before he could stop himself and then quickly schooled his features. As uncomfortable as he felt to have a fake version of his relationship with Ginny splashed across the pages of Magical Monthly, he was determined not to let it show, nor to give anyone anything more to gossip about than they already had.

A moment of silence, and then the whispering started, and somehow, that helped. Harry straightened his back; he'd been here before. It was his second year and he was suspected of being the Heir of Slytherin, or his fourth, and he'd just cheated his way into the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Sixth Year he was an unstable ally of Dumbledore's and of course after that, Undesirable Number One. Having to endure being accused of things that weren't his doing or his fault was practically engrained into his personality at this point. Only now, Harry was not a child, and he was not alone. His friends, co-workers, of course his girlfriend were firmly in his corner and unlike when he'd been fourteen, that was more than enough. Not to mention that his status as defeater of Voldemort would also cut down on the gossip; at least to his face. For a moment, Harry remembered the flashing buttons half the school had worn during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He bit back a grin, thinking about what they might say now, Blazing Blaiseon one side and Potter the Prat on the other? Here's to Hagrid? Lovely Luna and Vivacious Verity?Thinking about what he'd do if the entire Ministry suddenly took sides in the contest got Harry all the way to the lifts without noticing what everyone else might be saying about him. The two witches who'd been whispering together in the back were certainly surprised to see him and didn't quite know what to do with his friendly hello besides hastily close the magazine they'd been reading together and look quickly away. Harry turned to press the button that would take him to the lab, hoping that would be the worst of the gawking.

Harry was not surprised to find Gawain and Kingsley waiting for him in the lab. It confirmed his suspicion that despite the fact that the book hadn't done anything particularly dangerous, his boss and the Minister were thinking the same thing Harry was: that the book hadn't done anything particularly dangerous yet. He nodded at the the forensics Aurors and quickly explained about the blank pages he and Ginny had discovered the previous night.

"That's the first time you've seen blank pages?" Robards asked sharply. Clearly his mind had gone the same way as Harry's. "Were they still blank this morning?"

Harry was chagrined to admit that he hadn't checked again but Robards waved him off. "Well look now," he said.

The pages were still blank, and Harry was still unable to turn past them to see any further into the book. He handed it over to one of the Aurors with a feeling close to relief to have his out of his hands for a while. The Auror placed it carefully inside a glowing circle on one of the work tables, still open. "We'll test it for everything," she said reassuringly. "Curses, charms, hexes, anything Dark. We've already got a few ideas."

Harry wasn't sure if he was supposed to ask what those ideas were or even if he wanted to know the possibilities. He wanted answers he could act on but he knew he had to be patient of the process. Fortunately, Robards was looking at his watch and telling Harry that he needed to get back to the office to meet Fawn and Archer. "I told them to be here by 9," his boss said. "So you can get started shopping for whatever it is you're supposed to buy for Ginny." He looked seriously at Harry. "I assume you've thought about what you need to buy?"

This time Harry knew Robards wasn't asking about his plan as a way to protect his investment; he was asking Harry's thoughts on the case. He nodded at his boss. "I know where to go," he said, hoping he wasn't going to have to reveal exactly what he needed to buy. But Robards was focused on a different issue.

"The reporter and photographer are coming with you the entire time? Do you want backup?"

Harry was startled. "Backup? For what? Fawn and Archer aren't dangerous."

"No, but the moment you start shopping, you will likely fall under the charm in the book," said Robards briskly. "I need not remind you that despite your personal connection to this case, you are still responsible for the safety of the innocents first." He gave Harry a serious look. "Will that be a problem?"

Harry knew Robards was asking if Harry understood that his first duty would be towards protecting Fawn and Archer, not only to his own detriment (which went without saying), but also that he'd be expected to put them before Ginny. She'd had more of a choice, if not to be put in danger, at least to understand what proximity to Harry meant. She was also better at taking care of herself. Harry nodded. "I understand; I don't need assistance right now, but I'll let you know if the situation changes."

"Sooner rather than later if it does," said Robards. "If you need help, ask for it immediately."

Harry nodded again. A year or two earlier he might have been somewhat offended at the innuendo that he tended play the hero, but he knew better now. Holding secrets and plans close got people killed. "I will," he promised again.

They arrived at the Auror office and the first thing Harry noticed was that the enormous scoreboard had disappeared from the wall. Robards looked uncharacteristically sheepish.

"I thought it best if we kept track of the case in a less public manner," he said. "The data is in my office and we've removed the . . . unnecessary commentary."

"Thank you," said Harry. He had to stop himself from apologizing for ruining everyone's fun. "I think it's important to keep track of the contestants though. There may be suspects among them." Only one suspect really, but Harry knew he didn't have to say anything about Blaise. He'd told Robards and Kingsley all his suspicions the night before and in any event, the entire pool of contestants were being investigated. Even Ron and Hermione, which Ron had fortunately thought to be wildly amusing. That reminded Harry of something.

"We should tell the lab to get Ron's copy of Twelve Ways" he said. "Or any second edition, I suppose. So they can compare the language with mine."

"Already on it," said Robards. He gestured towards one of the meeting rooms. I believe your reporter and photographer are waiting for you in there; please report back after you finish shopping."

"I will," said Harry. "I need to come back to pick up the book from the lab anyway."

Harry walked into the meeting room where Fawn and Archer were sitting and speaking quietly to each other. Although they seemed more relaxed than the previous night, the carefree humor they'd had the first few weeks was conspicuously absent. Neither of them looked surprised when Harry told them where he planned to go; indeed, Fawn appeared relieved. "That's what I'd hoped," she admitted. "It's not someplace you're comfortable, is it?"

Harry assured her their destination was most definitely not somewhere he frequented. Although he'd heard coworkers (and more than one of Ginny's brothers) make comments about visiting one, Harry himself had never set foot in any of the somewhat more respectable "adult activity" shops that huddled at the end of Diagon Alley in a little courtyard known as Carnal Corner. These shops sold items like chocolate knickers and and filmy blindfolds and the silly models of male genitalia that witches bought for "WNO", which Harry had learned from Ginny stood for "witch's night out." Angelina had gotten one of the models for each witch attending her hen party and they'd had a contest to see whose stroking could get the magical item to grow the fastest. Not surprisingly, Fleur had won; Ginny had been laughing so much as she described the way Fleur merely looked at her model and it began to grow that she'd barely been able to finishing telling Harry the story. Ginny had made Harry strip out of his trousers and boxers right there in the kitchen to see if she could accomplish the same thing. It had only taken her three minutes to get Harry completely hard merely by staring at him.

But that had been when the two of them had been alone, and when there was no chance of anyone else ever hearing (or worse, seeing photos) of their activity. Harry understood Fawn's look of relief; he'd need to buy something for Ginny that he'd rather not have the entire wizarding world have a front page view to seeing. There were any number of shops in Carnal Corner that fit that description quite nicely.

"Let's get this over with," he said with a sigh. "In case the first store isn't quite embarrassing enough and we have to visit a second."

Fawn seemed in a much better mood. "Oh, cheer up, Harry. From what I know about you and how private you are, it's not going to take much to have you blushing." She poked him lightly in the arm. "I mean you're practically turning red just talking about it!"

Archer snapped a couple of photos. "The color on these is brilliant," he said with satisfaction. "I'll hopefully be able to capture the changes in skin tone as we go through the day."

Harry sighed to himself. It was a good thing overall that Fawn and Archer seemed to have acclimated themselves to the idea that their creative output was now being controlled by a book. He supposed it wasn't so different for them than having to answer to an editor or editorial board. They likely didn't fully understand the implications of what was happening and Harry didn't think this was the right time to enlighten them. He forced a bracing smile onto his face.

"I promise to consider as many embarrassing nighties as possible," he said.

"Not just nighties," said Fawn brightly. "I know which store has the largest selection of edible knickers in all of London. Same manufacturer that makes Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans."

Harry groaned. "That sounds properly horrible," he said, gesturing out the door. "Please, lead the way."

HPHPHPHP

Harry was initially relieved to arrive at Carnal Corner and find that no less than four other contestants had the same idea as he did. Neville and Newt were talking animatedly outside a store that seemed to have been dipped in some sort of pink frosted paint, while inside, Luna and Verity (who apparently had decided to each try to woo the other) were teasing each other with special quills that were made for writing animated messages on one's body. Harry had to stop himself from joining them; he rather liked the idea of being able to scrawl sexy notes across Ginny's back and watching them move to more intimate locations. But Harry had a feeling the book wanted him to buy something for Ginny to wear, so he waved a quick hello to the couple before walking over to a number of clothing racks set into one wall.

When he began looking through the lingerie, Harry rather wished he'd been able to bring Ginny with him to the shop. The short nighties and barely-there pajama sets were so ridiculously frilly, itchy-looking and impractical that more than once Harry found himself starting to make a joke about wearing them only to remember that Ginny wasn't there to laugh and agree. Chapter Six had instructed him to buy an "arousing gift" and there was not a single item Harry could imagine her wanting to wear, but he sorted diligently through the entire selection anyway until he finally came to a section of Quidditch-themed sleepwear that looked more promising.

Ginny had a rather extensive collection of old oversized Quidditch t-shirts and practice jerseys she'd collected and usually slept in one of those; one of Harry's Gryffindor tops was her favorite. But Harry was intrigued by the modified version of a Harpies uniform - it seemed to have more straps and less fabric than the real one, and the cut-out double H logo appeared to be the only thing that covered the wearer's breasts. Harry felt himself flush as an image of Ginny wearing the thing flashed through his mind. Before he could look for Fawn and Archer to get their thoughts, a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder.

"Oho, don't tell me that you haven't already bought that one for Ginny, Potter! A sexy Arrows outfit is one of the first gifts I ever gave Dynasty." Dam grinned at Harry and gestured at the Harpies pajamas Harry held. "May I?"

"Uhh sure," said Harry. He handed over the outfit and Dam looked at it critically. "I like the way this one's made - see the top here? The two H's show off plenty of skin." Dam reached over and pulled a jumble of blue lace off a nearby hanger. "The Arrow's set has a snitch on each side on top; covers quite a bit more. Hmm." The Arrows captain looked at the Harpies uniform. "Fucking sexy, this one is; wonder if my fans would mind seeing Dynasty in it." He nudged Harry. "That might be a lark, wouldn't it? Both of our girlfriends wearing the same thing? I bet the public would love that; it might help me make up some ground after your surge this morning. Rather brilliant move - I never thought of you as the jealous type. It worked though, didn't it?" He grinned amiably at Harry. "Is that something Ginny likes?

Harry wasn't exactly sure what Dam was talking about. He accepted back the Harpies nightgown. "What do you mean by a surge?" he asked.

Dam barked a laugh. "In the poll, of course. Didn't you see it? Last week I'd gotten close - that gala was spectacular, wasn't it?" He pulled a copy of the new Magical Monthly out of his robes. "But look here, your jealous tantrum was apparently very popular with the readers; you're well in the lead again." He opened to one of the front pages and showed Harry the scoreboard. Harry's name was at the top as it had always been, but this week the gap between his score and that of Dam just below him was considerable. Blaise's name was next and for the first time, he'd had less money donated to his charity than Harry had. Harry frowned.

"That's umm, wow," he said weakly. "I had no idea." Truthfully, Harry hadn't paid that much attention to the scoreboard in the past few weeks; he just knew the race had become closer and had been generally pleased with the amount of money being donated to NewMagic. But now . . . He peered more closely at the page.

"This is updated in real time?" he asked. According to the numbers before him, he'd received a rather substantial number of votes just that day. Dam nodded cheerfully.

"It is," he confirmed. "Like I said, the readers seem to really love the idea of 'Jealous Harry.' They've collected more votes for you just since the edition came out than you earned all last week!" Dam sounded positively delighted by the news. "I'm already thinking about what I can do to create a similar buzz. Dynasty thinks that I shouldn't be seen as quite the prat as you; won't go over as well. She's in public relations, you know." Dam grabbed a his own Holyhead nightie off the rack. "I'll just get this then. I bet the public will love seeing our girlfriends compete too, don't you think?"

Without waiting for an answer, Dam cuffed Harry on the arm again and headed to the counter at the front of the store.

Harry shook his head to himself, thoughts of a gift for Ginny forgotten for a moment. He looked around for a private place he might to send a Patronus and instead caught sight of Fawn and Archer. He'd nearly forgotten they were there in the store, they'd been so quiet while Harry had talked to Dam. They were both leaning against one of the decorative columns that separated the different sections of the shop and watching him so seriously that Harry got the impression he'd interrupted them talking about him. He started towards the pair and then stopped, the need to contact Robards pulling at him. "I umm, I need to send a private message to my boss," he said. He held up the Harpies pajamas. "And then I'm going to buy this." His blush was real and he expected Fawn would be pleased. Instead, a pained look crossed her face.

"I don't think that's it," she said. She made a conclusive movement with one of her hands and for the first time Harry noticed that the parchment notepad she was holding was completely blank. Her magic quill hovered nearby but Fawn gave no indication that she planned to use it even though normally Harry knew she would have filled three pages with "scene setting notes" by now. He looked at Archer, whose camera was nowhere in sight.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked sharply. He looked around the shop but nothing else seemed amiss. Neville and Newt had entered and were continuing their discussion in front of a shelf filled with lotions and bath products. Luna had drawn a large, topless mermaid on Verity's stomach and the two of them were watching avidly as it wiggled around before diving lower into Verity's trousers. Belatedly, Harry realized that Blaise was in the shop too, standing near the back in front of a display of items Harry didn't recognize. He didn't seem to be shopping, but instead watched Harry with an unreadable expression. One of the store clerks came up and handed Blaise something wrapped in flashing pink paper and he scowled and spoke to the young woman, who blushed and raised her wand. In a moment, the package was transformed to an ordinary brown. Blaise took it without so much as a thank you and strode towards the entrance of the store. He brushed imperiously by Harry and then stopped on the pretense of storing his purchase in his robes.

"That the best you can come up with, Potter?" he muttered under his breath. "I'd hardly call that little outfit arousing, especially on yourgirlfriend. You'll have to try harder if you want to stay in the game." Blaise straightened his collar and kept walking as if he'd never noticed Harry at all.

Once again, Harry wished he could find a place to send a private message to Robards. But Fawn and Archer hadn't moved from their spot and they were Harry's first priority. Putting Blaise out of his mind for a moment, Harry walked over to them. "What's going on?" he asked. "Why aren't you writing?" He held up the lingerie again. "Is there something wrong with this?"

"I'm not sure," Fawn said. "But something iswrong. I can't write a single word since we got in here. My quill won't follow my directions."

"And I can't enlarge my camera and equipment," said Archer. He held out his hand to show Harry the miniatures in his hand. "I've done the spell hundreds of times; I don't know why it's not working now."

Harry thought it was more evidence that the book's power was evolving, but he kept that knowledge to himself for the moment and tried to think of an explanation that wouldn't cause Fawn and Archer to panic.

"I don't think this is the right shop," said Fawn. Her voice sounded oddly subdued. "What did your book tell you to do, Harry?"

"I have to buy Ginny a pretty arousing gift," he said simply. He thought quickly, watching Fawn and Archer for signs their malaise was getting worse. "It's too crowded here; let's go somewhere else."

The trio visited every shop in Carnal Corner and Harry got more and more concerned. Even in the ones that were empty of other competitors, Fawn's quill refused to write and Archer just shook his head, looking in confusion at the tiny camera that he finally stowed away in his pocket. More worrisome was that instead of becoming more upset, Fawn and Archer seemed to be fading into quiet complacency about their situation. Harry tried everything he could think of to draw them out - selecting the most embarrassing products he could find in the hopes that something would spark Fawn's ability to write and allow Archer to use his camera. In desperation, Harry even picked up one of the magical penises.

"This is the 'Harry Potter' model," he said, feeling himself grow red. He'd been rather horrified when Ginny had come home from Angelina's hen party with the news that there was an entire set of 'Famous Wizard' magical genitalia for sale and that the "Potter Penis" was outselling all the rest. "Ginny thinks it's funny," he continued determinedly, looking for a sign of interest in either of his companions. He didn't mention that part of Ginny's amusement was from her comparing the model to the real thing; that was a personal detail the public didn't need to know.

Fawn smiled for a moment, but when she made no move to start writing, that was the last straw. Harry ushered Fawn and Archer quickly out of the shop. It was the last one in Carnal Corner and Harry knew it was time to contact the Aurors. He was thinking about exactly what to say in his message when Fawn suddenly spoke up, sounding so much more alert than she had just moments before that Harry spun around, his wand out.

"We should go there." Fawn was pointing to a dark space between two buildings. It hadn't been there moments before but Harry knew what it was and where it led.

Harry had been to Indecent Alley several times, having helped conduct several raids with the Aurors. Although the establishments weren't, strictly speaking, illegal, there had been a problem several years earlier with some selling potions imbued with the Imperius Curse. Marketed to "enhance sexual prowess," they in fact caused the drinker to be completely compliant with whatever their partner demanded. Harry had tried not to look at any of the products hanging from the walls and racks of the stores they raided, many of which looked as if they belonged in a forgotten dungeon somewhere rather than a bedroom. Not surprisingly, the street blended into Knockturn Alley at one end.

Archer was now looking into the entrance of the alley too. It was growing wider and before Harry could say anything, the photographer walked further into the gloom, Fawn right on his heels. Gripping his wand, Harry had no choice but to follow them.

It was worse than Harry remembered, and gave him the same uncomfortable thrum of disgust and anger that such a place was allowed to exist. Fawn was peering through the grimy window of the closest shop, where Harry could see a display of spiky-tipped whips and chains. He grimaced. He wasn't a complete prude, and understood that for some people, sex meant a mingling of both pleasure and pain. But his experiences in Indecent Alley centered around the ways that some wizards used magic and sex and pain to control and dominate others. Harry didn't think there was anything arousing about that.

"Harry, can you stand a little closer to that sign?" Archer had his camera out and was trying to frame a shot. Sadists and Spellswas the name of the shop and the offerings that Harry could see through the window were even more disturbing than the whips. Fawn was writing frantically in her notepad and Harry made an immediate decision.

"We don't have time right now," he said tersely. He reached out and grabbed Archer by one elbow and Fawn by the other before turning on the spot and Apparating all of them away.

They arrived at the secure Apparation point inside the Auror offices; a place accessible only to fully trained Aurors. Harry knew his appearance would inform the right people and indeed, Gawain Robards and two of Harry's peers arrived moments later, their wands out.

Harry ignored them for a moment, first examining Fawn and Archer for the reappearance of any sign that their abilities were waning. But neither seemed distressed. Indeed, Fawn gave Harry a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, Harry. I should have known you wouldn't like being there. In Indecent Alley, I mean. But it just seemed to be where we needed to go."

Swiftly, Harry explained what had happened to Robards and Lee Jordan and Lisa Turpin, who'd been assigned to the case. They did not look surprised to hear Harry's story.

"I've gotten a preliminary report from the lab," said Lisa. "They've confirmed that the third edition of the book has a charm on it compelling the reader to follow its suggestions. It was unclear what would happen if the reader - that's you of course, Harry - failed to comply, but now I think we have an idea."

"If I don't comply with what the book says, Fawn and Archer start to lose their creative ability," said Harry. He exchanged a glance with Robards, who very subtly shook his head. There was more going on than just that, but this wasn't the place to talk about it. "Did the lab find anything else?"

Lisa shook her head. "Not yet," she said. "They've been unable to . . ." she looked at Fawn and Archer. "Unable to find anything else," she finished. Harry was pretty sure she'd been about to say that the lab hadn't succeeded in figuring out what was written on the two blank pages and he appreciated her discretion. "They're still running tests," she continued. "Several that won't have results for a day or two."

Harry knew a couple of days could be a lifetime when it came to Auror investigations. Being patient when he wanted immediate action had been a lesson he'd had to learn in his first year of training; at Hogwarts and during the Horcrux hunt he'd pretty much done what he wanted and thought was best in the moment. But he understood better now.

"I think the best course would be for me to wait to continue my contest activities until we know more," he said. He looked at Fawn and Archer. "You'll still have plenty of time to put your article together if I start back on Wednesday," he said. He purposely did not make it a question and the pair nodded in agreement.

"We only need one good afternoon of shopping," said Fawn. "And I'll be able to knock out an article in no time. In the meantime I'll work on some of the background to my piece, based on what we saw today." She appeared to have completely recovered from her lethargy in Carnal Corner, and this more than anything solidified Harry's resolve.

He knew that a shopping trip - to Indecent Alley or anywhere else - was not going to be happening, but he kept that information quiet as he bid the reporter and photographer goodbye, trusting them to find their way out of the Ministry so that he could talk to Robards straight away.

"I know I could have called for back up and let things play out longer in Indecent Alley," Harry said as soon as Robards placed wards in the room. "No one was in danger, and maybe we could have gotten additional information about who's behind the all this." He ran through the expanding list of possible suspects in his mind. Lidia, Marietta and Blaise were currently at the top but there could be any number of others. "Who owns the publishing house for Twelve Failsafe Ways to Charm Witches?"

Robards smiled. "A man named Cabot Warwick and he's already being investigated," he said. "Along with Lidia Niles-Falk, her assistant Marietta Edgecomb, and all of the competitors and their chosen charities." Robards' smile faded. "It may seem like a lot of activity for something that still well may end up being publicity stunt, but I daresay you understand that things are taken more seriously when you're involved, Potter. And you did the right thing, bringing the innocents here immediately. The lack of injury so far is matched by our lack of understanding, and I know from experience that that can be the most dangerous scenario of all." He gestured to Lisa and Lee. "Turpin and Jordan will be overseeing the collection of information; they may be contacting you over the next few days."

Harry nodded, relieved. Both Lisa and Lee were excellent Aurors and complimented each other's strengths. "Let me know if you need anything," he told them. Lisa nodded.

"And I'll send you any information I can about what the lab finds out," she said. "Although it probably won't be until Wednesday."

Wednesday was fine, as far as Harry was concerned. Two days would give him time to figure things out with Ginny. No matter what else happened, he wasn't making a decision without her.

Harry told her as much that evening at Grimmauld Place. Normally, Monday evenings were when Gwenog called team meetings and Harry worked late, so even before they contest they didn't see much of each other. But the Harpies had begun their two weeks of true time off before training picked up in earnest in advance of the start of the season, and Robards had told Harry to go home. Now he and Ginny were sitting in the library, the remains of their dinner banished to the kitchen. Ginny twirled a glass of wine in her hand. She'd been mostly quiet, listening to Harry as he explained and suggested and backtracked and worried as he tried to give weight to his suspicions. Only when he finally stopped to get up and make a drink of his own did she speak.

"I think you're right. There really is no other way to handle it."

Harry turned around from pouring. "Do you really think that? No, don't answer that. I know you wouldn't placate me."

Ginny grinned. "Too right I wouldn't; that's for the rest of the wizarding world. From your girlfriend you will always get unblushing honesty."

Harry joined her on the sofa. It had taken remarkably little time for Ginny to understand what was at stake here. And while Harry was fully prepared to admit that he might be overreacting, Ginny didn't seem to think so. "What's the worse that happens?" she asked. "You've already made the magazine a ton of money and I bet Lidia will be able to parlay this newest development into at least two more stories."

"But what about Fawn and Archer?" Harry asked, not for the first time. "I daresay they won't be happy."

"They're innocents," said Ginny firmly. "Better to err on the side of caution even if they don't understand. What you described today sounded a lot more concerning that merely having trouble writing an acceptable article."

"It was," Harry agreed. The adrenaline from the day was finally waning and he wanted nothing more than to take care of matters here and then take Ginny upstairs to take care of more important matters in bed. "And that's why I think I don't have a choice."

"Are you going to send an owl? Or a Product Portkey?" The doubt in Ginny's voice was obvious. Harry thought for a moment, and then shook his head. "I'm going to Floo Lidia," he said. "It's only fair that she hear it in person."

Harry could tell that Lidia had already been contacted by the Aurors and had some sense of what was going on. She accepted Harry's decision to quit the competition stoically, and without trying to talk him out of staying in.

"I'll need a day or two to figure out how to play this with the magazine," she said thoughtfully. "There should be a way to put together a 'special edition' of some sort." She gave Harry a piercing look. "Not that's I'm happy about losing my most lucrative competitor, mind you. But given that you're trying to protect two of my employees, I suppose I can't be too hard on you about it." She reached through the Floo and shook Harry's hand. "I want to know more about how that other edition of the book got sent to you," she said. "I haven't mentioned anything to Marietta - the Aurors asked me not to, although I told them I can't imagine she has a hand in all this. They will be interviewing her in the next day or two."

Harry privately disagreed with Lidia's assessment of Marietta, but he kept quiet. "I hope we'll have more answers by then," he said instead.

"I do too; I don't like the idea that someone has been tampering with my most brilliant business idea," said Lidia bluntly. Harry believed her.

"I'm really sorry about this; I thought I was finally beyond it all," said Harry.

Lidia patted his hand before withdrawing back into the flames. "For your sake, I hope it turns out to be nothing," she said. "Please don't say anything, other than as necessary at work, until I make a few decisions about how we're going to go with the magazine; I promised not to publish anything until the Aurors look it over. I'll be in touch." The flames died down and Harry let out a breath.

"Well, I guess that's it," he said to Ginny. "And it sounds like we might have a day or two of calm before Lidia figures out how to spin this and all hell breaks loose." Despite the fact that he certainly wasn't looking forward to having to explain himself in public, Harry felt calm about his decision.

Ginny leaned over and kissed him. "Then I suggest we take advantage of the quiet," she said. "Even without any sexy lingerie, I can think of any number of things I can put on - and then take off - that you'll find arousing."

Harry jumped up off the sofa. "Please," he said simply.

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The next day, Harry awoke with a feeling of unfulfilled expectation. It was definitely not sexual expectation; he and Ginny had made sure to fulfill that particular need several times the night before. But there was an oddness in knowing that he was soon going to be the subject of much public scrutiny; usually he didn't get any warning.

"Maybe we should run off somewhere until everything dies down," he joked to Ginny in the kitchen. He tapped the kettle to start the water boiling and sat down to take the muffin she offered.

"Sounds good to me," she said. "Where should we go?"

"Somewhere they don't have magazines, I think," Harry said with a laugh. He took a bite of the muffin and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "Or lingerie shops or reporters or anyone else at all." He got up to make Ginny's tea.

"A deserted island somewhere then," she said dreamily. "Where we could lie on the beach and eat all our meals from coconuts. Or do you think you could catch fish? Harry?"

Harry shook his head to clear it. "Did you see me light the kettle?" he asked stiffly. He could hear the oddness in his voice.

"Uh huh, same as you do every morning," Ginny said. She got up to join him at the cooker. "Why?"

Harry pointed. "It didn't heat up," he said.

Ginny still seemed unperturbed. "So try again," she said. "Maybe you rushed it."

Harry shook his head, feeling rather sick. "I didn't," he said. "I didn't rush it." He looked at her. "Do me a favor please, will you?" he asked.

Ginny stared at him a moment. "Of course," she said.

Harry looked around the kitchen. "Summon the butter from the ice box," he said. "To put on the muffins."

Ginny didn't ask Harry to explain more, just raised her wand. "Accio butter dish," she said firmly. It was exactly the right spell and wand movement, and nothing at all happened. They both stared longer than necessary at the door to the ice box, which remained firmly closed.

"What does it mean?" Ginny whispered.

Harry didn't answer her. He conjured his Patronus and was relieved to see the stag burst out of his wand. Fawn and Archer's problems started small too.

Swiftly, Harry spoke his message, Ginny's eyes growing wide when she heard what he had to say. "Do you really think that's it?" she asked. Harry nodded tersely.

"I need to go to the Ministry," he said. Ginny put her hand on his arm.

"We need to go, you mean," she said.

Harry didn't dare try to Apparate, and even the Floo felt dangerous, but traveling the Muggle way would have taken too long. Robards and Kingsley were waiting for them in the lobby along with Lisa and Lee and, Harry wasn't entirely surprised to see, the head Auror from the forensics lab. She was holding Harry's copy of Twelve Ways and looking tense.

He knew it was quite a sight, Harry Potter and the Minister for Magic walking through the lobby surrounded by Aurors and a professional Quiddich player, but Harry was barely aware of the stares. No one spoke until they were sealed behind wards in a conference room and then he couldn't hold back. "What do you know?" he asked the witch from the lab.

In response, she held up the book. "It's a magical contract," she said bluntly. "It superseded the one you signed when you agreed to join the competition."

"We know that," said Harry impatiently. "It gives me suggestions about how to woo Ginny and when I don't follow them, Fawn and Archer began losing their magic. And now it's affecting me and Ginny too." He shook his head. "That's why we quit the contest last night."

Lee Jordan leaned forward. "You remember what happened with the Tri-Wizard Tournament?" he asked. "Someone else entered your name, but that didn't matter. You created a magical contract anyway. One you couldn't break."

Harry knew what Lee was saying, had known it on some level since the moment he'd been unable to heat water for Ginny's tea. Still, he didn't want to be the one to say it. "And that means?" he asked.

"It means you can't quit the competition," said Robards. "You need to follow the directions of each chapter - to the satisfaction of that chapter - or risk losing your magic, and Ginny's."

"And Fawn and Archer's," said Harry automatically. "They've been affected by this for weeks." He was angry at himself for not seeing it sooner, but this was not the time for self-critical analysis. "So what's next?"

"We're going to continue to work on ways to break the contract without affecting anyone's magic; Bill Weasley and Tulip Karasu are on their way over right now." Robards gestured at the forensics Auror. "And for now, you're going to need to follow the directions in the book."

The witch handed it over. "We've still not been able to get the blank pages to reveal themselves," she said apologetically.

"I bet I can do it now," said Harry grimly. He picked up his wand and tapped the book. "Revelio," he said firmly, and was unsurprised to see his magic worked perfectly. The words scrawled across the page. Harry began to read.

So here's the trick, can you earn the treat? Do you know the goals you have to meet?

You've made it this far, my rules are clear - I hope you see there is plenty to fear.

From four different place around the room, spells shot out to contain the book in a magical ward. Harry shook his head at his colleagues. "It's not going to matter," he said. "I need to be able to read what it says so I can follow its requirements. That's where the danger is."

"Harry's right," agreed Robards. He took down his wards and the others followed.

Harry kept reading out loud.

Do what I say, or pay the price, for this week you must indulge a vice. Something erotic, something hot, from Carnal Corner it's definitely NOT

Arouse her, excite her, make her scream - find secrets she's kept until now in a dream

"Ginny doesn't have any secrets from me," said Harry automatically, just as Ginny said, "I don't keep secrets from Harry." Harry didn't bother to add that he'd done the other things to her before plenty of times - aroused her, excited her, and he loved to make her scream. For a brief moment he wondered if that was enough.

As if reading his mind, Lisa Turpin spoke gently. "I think the book means something else," she said carefully. "There's more written there?"

Harry looked at the page and nodded.

Get in her head, you know you will, awaken new tastes, hold her still

"Absolutely not," said Harry. Next to him, Ginny squeezed his hand.

"Shh," cautioned Robards. "Don't let it know."

Harry tried to clear his mind.

What you buy will matter now, do you know what I allow?

Don't delay and don't be cheap, the cost of winning must be steep

A bondage is built between you and your witch -

It's up to you to save the bitch.

Harry slapped his hand on the table as he finished reading. "Fuck," he said.

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Even with extra Aurors and curse-breakers pulled into the case, plans wouldn't be settled enough for Harry to attempt shopping again until the following day. He'd Floo'ed Lidia from the Auror office to officially request reentry into the contest - a request she immediately granted, reading from a prepared script that she hadn't yet taken steps to remove Harry from the competition anyway.

No one knew if it would work, and so after several tense discussions - and at Harry's insistence - he and Ginny had taken the book and left the Ministry to travel back to Grimmauld Place in a Muggle taxi. He'd refused offers from the Aurors and from Bill to stay overnight and called Ron and Hermione instead. They arrived almost immediately.

"I don't know if my magic is going to work tonight, or Ginny's," Harry said bluntly after he'd filled them in. "I revoked my decision to quit the competition, but I don't know if that's enough for the book." Ron had brought his second edition copy of Twelve Ways and they'd already confirmed that his chapter six contained a long list of gifts a witch might like. Conspicuously absent form the suggestions were anything resembling a whip, chain, or nipple-screw.

"Did you try using magic again?" asked Ron practically.

Harry shook his head, admitting to his best friends what he'd never say to anyone else. "I didn't want to take the chance it wouldn't work," he said, shaking his head. "This morning, realizing that it was gone, that my magic wasn't working . . . It was horrible," he said. "It was worse than when my wand broke. I felt so exposed."

Neither Ron nor Hermione asked him to explain more. Hermione heated up a basket of food that Mrs. Weasley had sent over and the four of them sat together in the library talking until it was quite late. The two of them would stay with Ginny while Harry traveled back to Indecent Alley with Fawn and Archer, this time with several Aurors along for back up.

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It was mid-afternoon when Harry finally returned via taxi, laden with packages he hadn't tried to shrink. He piled them in the entryway of Grimmauld Place and went immediately up to his room to shower. Ginny joined him a few minutes later and he took her into his arms and pulled them both under the warm spray.

"I was able to make tea," she said quietly, taking the soap and and cloth and running it across Harry's chest. "And summon the butter from the ice box too."

Harry nodded. "I turned the shower on with magic," he said. "Turn around and I'll wash your hair." He picked up the shampoo and worked it into a lather. "I read the book again on the way back here; I think you'll need to unwrap everything before the end of the week." He began working the shampoo into Ginny's hair, stopping occasionally to move his hands around to her front so that he could cup her breasts or brush his fingers down her sides. Ginny leaned back against him.

"It looks like you bought a lot."

Harry shrugged. "I didn't want to take a chance I'd pick the wrong thing," he said. "Although Fawn and Archer were pretty certain that any of it would work; they had no trouble writing about the shopping trip." Harry didn't say more, didn't want to have to relive to Ginny what it had felt like to go into those shops to buy things that made love feel dirty to him. He'd been worried that his own disgust would prevent him from buying something "arousing" to Ginny. But it hadn't seemed to matter, and when Harry had looked more closely at the book, he'd realized something.

"I'm only required to buy things for you; it doesn't say we have to use them." Harry let his hand drift lower on Ginny's body. "Once I saw that, it was much easier for me to buy all manner of things; I think one of them might make a good mousetrap, actually."

Ginny giggled and turned to face him. "I'll be sure to act properly aroused when I open everything," she said solemnly.

Harry directed Ginny to sit on the bench at the back of the shower and dropped to his knees in front of her. Nothing had changed; they were still quite trapped by the book, but for this moment, they were safe and they were alone. "Later," he said, carefully prizing her legs apart and lowering his head. "Right now the only thing I want to see opened is you."

A/N 2: Anyone see what I've done here? Curious about your thoughts.