Author's Note - Exactly one year ago today (2/23/20) I started re-publishing this story. A year later, and look where we are. It's amazing to me. To think, I went decades without working on it and then boom, some couple hundred thousand words later, lol, and here we are. And the end is quite near us. Or at least, our final battle is. Harry's ready, I think. It's just his co-partner in crime (that would be me, not Ginny, lol) isn't quite there herself. This chapter is a bit of a lull before the storm sort of chapter that I love to write so much, lol, but more plotty stuff is on the horizon, have no fear.
Chapter 66: Trust
Brogan sighed and shifted onto his back as he woke. He smirked to himself as his eyes fell on the two bodies next to him. Ginny was wrapped around Harry, as though afraid to let him go. Her arm was thrown protectively across his chest as she slept. Harry's head was buried in her hair, its bright red locks practically covering his face. Brogan vaguely wondered how the other man could breathe under it. Harry's hand was on him, and it tightened briefly as Brogan tried to move off the bed. Slowly but surely, he managed to slip away without the other two waking. It was still early, and he didn't want them to wake up yet. They had all had an extremely long yesterday and an even longer evening, talking with Ron and Hermione. Brogan knew they had all needed rest.
The last twenty-four hours had been crazy, Brogan thought as he headed towards the bathroom. The lights flickered into life, and he stared at himself in the mirror, reaching for his toothbrush. First there'd been reuniting with Ginny and then Harry waking up! And then, of course, the shagging. He felt himself smile at the memory – yes, that had been the best part of the day, no argument there. Of course, then the discussion with the portrait, Harry's scar, Aberforth being alive… Brogan's mind was still spinning from it all. They were headed back to the London flat later in the day. Harry had decided they had learned all they could from the library for the moment. Brogan got the feeling the other man was anxious to see the Weasleys and make sure with his own eyes that everyone he cared about was okay.
Brogan decided to shower and make everyone breakfast as a parting goodbye to their stay at the library. He turned on the hot and cold taps, not wanting it scalding nor too chilly. When it was just the way he preferred it, Brogan sighed as the water hit his back. He was half-way done with washing his hair when the shower door opened, and he turned around, expecting Ginny, but was surprised to see Harry instead.
"Morning," Harry said, slowly joining him under the spray of the water. He reacted much as Brogan had when the warmth of the water hit his skin. Harry gave him an affectionate smile. "You always manage to get the water to an absolutely perfect temperature. How do you do that?"
"Years of study. Read loads of books on the subject at the Abbey," Brogan said dryly, smirking at the other man. He rinsed the shampoo out of his hair and then stepped aside so Harry could stand more fully under the spray.
Harry sighed again as the water hit the back part of his shoulders and rolled his head from side to side. Brogan still couldn't believe the other man was awake and was apparently no worse for wear. In fact, he'd argue that Harry was, even more, himself than he'd ever been before. It was just…an empathetic knowledge inside of him. Not that Harry had felt odd before, to Brogan. But there had always been a darkness to him or, at least, around him. He supposed it had been the underlying influence of Voldemort at work there. Now Harry just felt…like Harry. Which was bloody brilliant, to Brogan. He eventually couldn't help himself and allowed his eyes to wander down and then back up, admiring the view. Harry was grinning knowingly at him when he met his eyes.
"See something you like?"
"Always," Brogan said, moving forward. He was overcome with the need to please the other man, to show him how much he had missed him. He captured Harry's lips in a gentle kiss, the water falling over both their heads. Harry was soon gripping him harder and pulling him closer in response.
"Hmm," Harry murmured as they broke apart. He moved his mouth to Brogan's neck, and Brogan closed his eyes, feeling his breath hitch. He had missed Harry. But right now, he knew he had really missed Harry. His heart felt as though it were slowly coming back to life with each and every kiss the other man gave him.
Soon Harry had pushed him against the side of the shower wall, and they were snogging their brains out, and Brogan felt totally oblivious to anything but the man in his arms. He did, however, become aware of Harry's up sort of mood as the other man pushed his hips against him. They finally broke apart, and Harry looked down in between their bodies, laughing.
"Well, hello there," Harry teased, reaching forward. He brought his gaze up to Brogan's face as he took him in hand. "I think you may have actually missed me."
"I did. Merlin, I did," Brogan murmured, hearing the rough need in his voice. He reached out and took hold of Harry, and they both stroked each other. The heat from the shower made everything just feel more intense. And, as Ginny had mentioned before, the water made their skin feel like silk. Harry bit his lip as Brogan sped up his hand movements and leaned forward to move his mouth along Brogan's neck again. Brogan brought his other hand up to Harry's hair and pulled his head back so that it was angled better, and kissed him hard. Harry half-growled, half-groaned as Brogan shifted his hips forward into his hand.
"Ugngh," Harry murmured. He widened his stance and quickened the movement of his hand. His green eyes were bright and full as he looked at Brogan. There was a hunger in his eyes. "Brogan, do you…oh, that feels, oh, um, do you think…your mouth? Possibly?"
Brogan nodded, unable to say no. Harry could have just asked him to fly to the moon and back, and damned if he wouldn't have tried with everything he had to make it so. He slid downwards, taking Harry into his mouth without much preamble – Harry made a hissing noise as his hips pushed forward. The other man placed both hands on the wall, and Brogan took in the view above him, feeling his own excitement grow. He closed his eyes and hollowed out his mouth, trying to take as much of the other man in as he could. He knew Harry liked it when he or Ginny went extra deep. Again, the desire to please the other man seemed to burn through him.
Soon, Harry's hands had slid down the wall to fist tightly in Brogan's hair, his breath coming out in rough gasps. The noises Harry was making, so wanton and undone…they had Brogan's heart beating faster. He began to stroke himself in time with what he was doing with his mouth, and they were both soon at that point of no return.
"Oh, yes, oh…fuck…Brogan, yes," Harry moaned, swearing again as Brogan used his other hand to cup him. He could feel the fullness and knew the other man was close. Harry pushed forward, and it was almost too much to take, but Brogan forced past the instinct to pull away, wanting Harry to feel all of the pleasure he could. Harry had both hands on his head now, groaning loudly, and then he called out as his body came, the warm feel of his release coating Brogan's mouth and throat.
Brogan pumped his own body, once, then twice more, and then he too was exploding all over himself, even as his mouth licked around the head of Harry's body. Harry moaned and then almost collapsed over him, but still trying to kiss every spot on him he could find, apparently. Brogan laughed, allowing the water to clean off his hand, and then kissed Harry, cupping his cheek tenderly.
"Good morning," Brogan finally said, smiling at him as he sat back against the shower wall. Harry blinked at him with an amazed expression and joined him. They sat side by side, and Harry took Brogan's hand into his and squeezed it.
"Bloody brilliant."
"Thanks, I try."
Harry snorted and rested his head on Brogan's shoulder. "You're very successful at it."
They sat there for a few minutes until their breathing and their hearts settled, and Brogan got up to turn off the water. He held out his hand to Harry to help him up. Harry grinned.
"Could you tell I still feel wobbly?"
"Aye, and I take it as the highest compliment," Brogan said, kissing him.
Harry smirked when they broke apart. "I know I tell Ginny how gorgeous she is, and she is, always, but I have to say that you, in the shower, just after pleasuring me, is one of my favorite sights. Your cheeks are a delicious pink color, your eyes are bright and so incredibly blue, and you just look so damn proud of yourself."
Brogan smirked as he handed him a towel. "Stop, or you'll turn my pretty little head, Harry Potter."
Harry snorted, and they dried off in companionable silence. He kissed Brogan again before he opened the door. "Thank you," he murmured after a moment.
"For the nosh off?"
"No, but also, yes," Harry said, a quick grin on his face. "But I meant for taking care of Ginny…for helping her when she needed you. I…don't know what might have happened if she had been entirely alone through this. She's strong, don't get me wrong, and I know she can do and face anything, but…still, it does my heart good to know that you were here. And that she was here for you."
"Of course," Brogan said. "Above everything else, I think of Ginny, and well, you too, actually, like…family. More than family, really, because I like the two of you a lot better than the family I actually have left."
Harry smiled gently at him and shook his head. "I think you're starting to care about your father now, too, you know."
Brogan rolled his eyes, but his heart wasn't really in it, and he knew Harry could feel that. "Yes, yes. Don't remind me."
They slowly opened the door and looked out, and realized Ginny was no longer asleep. She smiled lazily at them from the bed and held out her hand. They both went to her, one on each side, and she smiled as they settled around her.
"Having fun in the bath without me, as usual," she said, kissing Harry as he slipped his glasses on.
"Actually, I'm fairly sure that's my line." Harry smirked at her. "I'm constantly walking in on you two having a shag in the tub, it seems."
Ginny swatted his arm, laughing, and then turned towards Brogan. Her eyes sparkled at him as she pressed her lips gently against his.
"We were really just getting warmed up to service you," Brogan heard himself say in a rather bold voice and felt surprised at himself. Ginny giggled at what he was sure was his embarrassed expression. Harry only grinned at him as he moved his hand up and down Ginny's side.
Ginny shifted and rolled closer to Brogan, pulling his head down to hers. They snogged for a while, and then she turned to Harry, doing the same with him. Brogan started moving his mouth down the hollow corridor of her neck and shoulder, kissing the freckles he found. He raised his head and caught Harry's eye, his passion from earlier returning. The other man nodded in understanding and then nudged Ginny.
"Lay down, love, let us both show you what you missed."
"Oh, goodie," Ginny chuckled as she lay back. Harry and Brogan both started working in tandem, kissing her everywhere and all over each side they had claimed. Her skin was soon turning colors, flushing red from their attention. She had one hand in Harry's hair, and one in his, and Brogan licked his way slowly around her breast.
"Oh, Merlin," Ginny murmured. "I've definitely missed you two together."
Harry grinned at her and then lowered his head down towards her nipple, claiming it. Brogan did the same, and she arched upwards, her fingers pulling at their hair. Harry moved his hand down the flat scope of her stomach, moving towards her sex with practiced patience. Brogan continued to tongue her breast and then lowered his mouth to the underside, blowing little puffs of air on her. Her legs rose, bent at the knee of their own accord. Brogan watched as her skin broke out into goose pimples. He let his fingers travel down around her hip, and she made a soft noise as he inadvertently triggered her ticklish spot.
"Sorry," he murmured, smiling, and then started moving his mouth down her body. He noticed Harry had already reached her sex and was intimately touching her. Both men worked up and down Ginny's body, which soon had her shifting between them.
"Harry, damn it," Ginny eventually hissed and raised her head to glare at her boyfriend. Brogan stopped what he was doing and grinned at Harry as the other man adopted an innocent look on his face.
"What, Gin?" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"You know what. If you're going to torture me with just the slightest of touches, I suggest you re-think your strategy."
Harry raised his eyebrow at her and then glanced at Brogan. "She's a bit wound up, isn't she?"
"You two have both had proper releases. May I remind you? I'm starting to get anxious here," Ginny said, sounding put out. Brogan winked at Harry.
"Then allow me, Ginny," he said and then moved his head down to her, taking a deep breath. Her scent was fantastic. It was like the most fragrant honey he had never known and yet knew intimately at the same time. Harry removed his hand, and Brogan shifted so that he was in a better position. He reached forward and spread the already aroused lips of her sex and licked her slowly, up and down. Ginny shivered in reaction and her legs relaxed as she realized they weren't going to tease her anymore. Brogan glanced upwards as he let his mouth close around the bud of her sex and met Harry's eyes. Harry nodded and then turned his attention to Ginny's breasts, and she was soon panting. One of her hands was wound tightly into Harry's hair as she arched off the bed.
Brogan slowly used his fingers, keeping one thumb over her clit and two inside of her, continuing to move his mouth over her. He then kissed the inside of her thighs, nuzzling against her soft skin, moving downwards. Harry was there, with a flash of his hand, casting the cleansing spell for him. Brogan nodded appreciatively and lowered his mouth to her backside. Ginny widened her legs as he heard her moan in approval to what he was doing. He felt a burst of magic across his skin and looked up to see that Harry had used his wandless magic to lift Ginny off the bed slightly so that she was floating. Harry leaned over her, his mouth now heading downwards as well, and he paused, smirking at Brogan. Brogan smiled back and used the new position to get underneath her so that he could really put his mouth to good use.
Ginny was murmuring their names as Brogan let Harry take care of the top part, removing his fingers. He lowered his tongue to her backside, deftly weaving it in and out, teasing her. He was rewarded by a loud swear that made him happy. After getting her as wet as possible, he finally decided to use his finger, teasing her gently until he thought she was ready for more. He could tell Harry was enjoying himself too, as the other man moaned, his face full of Ginny's body as he slowly ate her out. The two of them worked together, and she was shuddering between them. She came once and then quickly again as Brogan increased one finger to two, and her body jerked in response. Finally pulling himself away from her gorgeous arse, Brogan sat up and watched as Harry did the same, his face wet with Ginny's desire.
Harry released her from the floating spell, and she lay panting between them as they both settled down next to her. She looked at Harry and then at him, a ridiculously pleased smile on her face. Brogan kissed her shoulder.
"Better?" he asked her as Harry joined hands with him.
Ginny nodded. "Mughshff."
Harry raised his eyebrow and chuckled. "I think that means yes, Brogan."
"Aye. Was it too much, though? I admit I'm feeling more than ready for the next part."
Harry let his eyes drop down to Brogan's middle and then back up, his green eyes bright. He'd lost his glasses somewhere along the line again. "What did you have in mind?"
Ginny put a hand on him but turned to look at Harry. "No, I have a say this time."
"Oh, well, by all means, love," Harry said, laughing. "Far be it from me to stop you when you have an idea."
Ginny tilted her head as though thinking about it and then smiled at Brogan. "Lay back," she ordered.
He did as he was told, and he lay in between them, curious as to what she'd decided. Ginny leaned over him and then kissed Harry deeply, even as her hand strayed down Brogan's body until she took him in hand. When they broke apart, they both looked down at him, and he was suddenly reminded of the first time they had ever done that – together – all of them and felt a shudder pass through him at the memory. Ginny grinned and then whispered something into Harry's ear. The other man nodded and looked at Brogan with a smile on his face that was half-pleased, half-feral. Brogan suddenly couldn't wait to see what they had planned for him.
Harry lowered his mouth down and started kissing his way down Brogan's chest, while Ginny moved upwards, her mouth finding his neck and leaving a hot trail with her mouth. Brogan felt utterly loved by both of them and sighed happily. He wrapped his hand into Ginny's hair as her mouth moved around his ear, feeling her warm breath against his skin. When Harry started to stroke him a moment later, he sighed again, and Ginny smirked knowingly at him.
"You love it when we love you, don't you?"
Brogan nodded, watching her and allowing his feelings to speak better than his words ever could. She blushed in response but still gave him a cheeky grin.
"And do you trust us?" Ginny asked playfully.
"Of course."
"Enough for this?" Harry asked, sitting up suddenly. He used his magic to create a small set of ties and a blindfold out of one pillow. Brogan sucked in a deep breath and then felt it hitch in response. They couldn't want…oh, yes, they could. He felt the thrill of excitement rush through him and knew he was blushing in response.
"I'd say that's a yes," Ginny said, smirking. She took the ties from Harry and nodded at Brogan. "Lift your arms up, yeah, like that. Let me know if they're too tight."
She tied his wrists together above his head and made them snug but still flexible. He nodded his head at her.
"Comfortable?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
"And allow me," Harry said, reaching up and slipping the blindfold over Brogan's head. He fitted it gently against him. "Can you see anything?"
Brogan shook his head, not trusting his voice. There wasn't even a hint of light getting through. Hands, were they Harry's? touched him and pushed his legs apart. He then felt feathery light touches down his side and felt his body react. A voice tsked in his ear, and he was sure it was Ginny, but then someone was kissing him, and he was sure it was Harry. Brogan felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest. He didn't know which one of them was doing what, and it excited him – it excited him more than he really wanted to admit because he was at their mercy and a huge part of him enjoyed it thoroughly.
When the hot, wet mouth closed around the head of his cock, he twitched, not expecting it. It was unreal to him -the sensations felt ten times more than what he'd experienced before. The mouth that was around him was tight and so slow…it had to be Ginny. He felt hands moving up his legs and shivered. Brogan almost gasped as he heard Ginny's voice in his ear, telling him how wet she was. He thrust upwards into what was apparently Harry's mouth. They both pulled away, and someone kissed him. He tried to stretch upwards, to keep kissing them, but a firm hand only pushed him back down. There was movement and then nothing for a moment. Brogan bucked in surprise as he felt the smooth, wet confines of Ginny's body slide over him.
She rode him slowly, almost deliciously so – barely shifting, making him want to scream in frustration. Brogan couldn't help it - he grunted and heard Harry laugh, his voice close to his left side.
"You're missing quite the show, Brogan. She looks fantastic riding you. Hmm, now I'm kinda jealous."
As though in response to Harry's words, Ginny moved faster, moaning as she did so, her body contracting around his. Brogan thrust upwards as she straddled him, her hands falling to his chest for leverage. God, he absolutely adored the way her body felt around his. Ginny moaned again, and Brogan had the feeling Harry was doing something to help her as her movements turned more frantic, and she gripped his chest as her body clenched around his. But instead of riding him to completion, he frowned as she removed herself, a sigh escaping her lips.
For a moment, there was nothing, and then there was movement, and he was being turned over onto his stomach. Brogan felt the burst of magic on his skin, and then someone – he couldn't tell whose mouth was whose anymore, was teasing him, making him spread his legs wider, and then he felt the head of Harry's body at his opening, and he sighed, quite ready to just thrust himself back onto the other man.
"Get him up a bit," Ginny said from his right side, and Brogan was suddenly pulled back. Someone released his hands from the ties, and he was pushed onto his hands and knees. He felt Harry behind him again, full and thick with need, his hands gripping his hips. A moment later, and Ginny was underneath Brogan, her mouth licking up the long length of his body. She paused and made a noise, and then she took the head of his body into her mouth as Harry entered him. Brogan grunted in pleasure. The two of them worked together, Harry pushing in as Ginny sucked him slow and deep, and Brogan knew nothing but the pure sensation of their love for him. Harry's hand pulled his hips hard against him, thrusting almost too deeply, but he didn't care. His body was already shuddering as his own body moved in and out of Ginny's perfect, perfect, mouth.
Harry was practically laying on top of him, no space between them, just their bodies joined as deep as could be as the first orgasm hit Brogan, causing him to shake. Ginny had been almost too good at her work, and he went off, emptying himself into her mouth. He hoped to Merlin he hadn't accidentally made her gag.
Apparently, he hadn't, as he soon felt her mouth on his, kissing him deeply. He tasted himself on her lips and shuddered again as Harry kept hitting that spot inside him that caused his legs to shake. Brogan heard himself cry out again as another orgasm hit him, this time from deep inside him. It was small but powerful, and he shuddered. Harry grunted and then pulsed deep inside him, grounding out his name as his own release took him over the edge. As soon as Brogan was sure the other man was done, he let himself relax his arms and fell down onto the bed, his body connecting with Ginny's, who was still underneath him. She shushed him before he could even say anything and took his weight, her arms wrapping around them.
"Oh, fuck me," Brogan finally murmured, causing Harry to chuckle next to him.
"Think we just did."
Ginny made a humming noise, and Brogan shifted off of her even as her hand was removing the blindfold. She smiled and kissed him. "You were brilliant."
"Me? I was just there getting completely done in by the two of you. I'd say you were the two that were brilliant."
"But you let us," Ginny insisted, cupping his face with her hand. She looked over his shoulder at Harry. "You let us just do what we wanted. That was an amazing gift, Brogan. And we know not to take it lightly. The way you trust us…it's such a turn on."
Harry leaned over him and kissed her deeply, resting his head against hers in some form of communication that Brogan didn't think he'd ever understand. They looked at him and smiled, both of them touching him, the feelings almost too tender. They settled into the bed, and Brogan sighed as he put his arms around them.
"Well, I was going to make us breakfast, but now I think I'll just sleep some more."
"Food is for wimps," Harry mumbled against him, his voice already sounding sleepy.
"And Weasleys," Ginny said smartly, causing both men to smile. They settled in to sleep, the three of them together, and Brogan knew nothing but contentment.
o-o-o-o-o-o
"Ginny!"
She heard rather than saw her Mum and prepared herself for a bone-crushing hug as her mother pulled her into her arms. She caught Harry's look over her Mum's shoulder as he moved around them into the flat's main room, and he smiled. Ginny extracted herself from her mother's rather tight embrace.
"Mum, it hasn't been that long since you've seen me, honestly."
"Oh, I know, I just…" Molly sniffed and touched Ginny's hair. "I just missed you. I always miss all of my children when they're gone, you know that. And Harry!" Molly turned her attention to him next, and Ginny chuckled as Harry's cheeks turned pink.
"Oh, Harry, it's so good to see you up and about. We were so worried about you. But I knew I could tell from the way she took care of you that you'd be back with us. Come, come into the kitchen everyone, there's plenty of food to eat. And some treacle tart just for you, Harry, dear."
"Gee, thanks, Mum," Ron murmured sarcastically as their mother started pulling Harry by the hand into the kitchen.
"Oh, hush, Ron, there's plenty of sponge for you, too."
"Oh, with the raspberry jam filling?" Ron suddenly seemed a lot more interested in following them into the kitchen. Ginny smirked at him and made to follow but stopped when she realized Brogan wasn't moving. She turned and gave him a questioning look.
"I'm going to check on my dad," he said, shrugging a little sheepishly. "Make sure he's still in one piece."
"Okay. Would you like some company?"
Brogan appeared startled at her offer and then gave her a flash of a smile. "Actually, that'd be…that'd be nice. Think Harry will mind?"
"He'll be stuffing my mum's treacle in his face for at least the next ten minutes, trust me."
Brogan chuckled and led the way upstairs. He turned to Ginny, explaining. "I kept him on the first floor. I reckoned it would be easier for Avery to pop in and out to check on him this way. His real bedroom is on the other side of the flat, which I am sure he's more than ready to move back into."
Brogan paused at the first doorway and knocked on it with his knuckle. Ginny heard Solace's voice say, 'Come in.'
The older man's face brightened when he saw Brogan, but his eyes looked guarded when he noticed Ginny behind him. She suddenly wondered what had made her volunteer herself for this. She was pretty sure she wasn't one of Solace's favorite people. But one look at Brogan as he gazed at his father made her realize that he was happy she was with him, and she pushed any uneasiness away. The elder Caley looked a bit worse for wear, but she could tell he'd been healing. It seemed strange to see him out of one of his muggle suits, and it made him appear far older than he usually looked.
"Ah, back from the library, Ginny? And Harry, as well? You would have thought it was Christmas here when you notified us he was finally awake. It was all Avery, Remus, Molly, well, everyone really, could talk about."
"Well, it was sort of a minor miracle," Brogan said dryly, conjuring up a second chair for her to sit next to him.
Solace nodded his head thoughtfully and gazed at Ginny again. "And how are you feeling?"
Ginny gave him a small smile. "I think we should be asking you that. You're the one who survived a death eater attack!"
Solace waved his hand as if he did things like that all the time. "I merely did what any wizard or witch would have done when faced with villainous foes."
Brogan snorted, but he looked proud of his father. "Right, Da. Most people would have fired a hex off and then ran the other way. You brought a whole tree down practically on yourself and them. I know Remus, for one, is very happy you came to Tonks's aide."
"He is pretty grateful," Solace said, smirking a little as he looked fondly at his son.
Ginny was struck again by how much the two men resembled each other. If she hadn't been as intimate as she had been with Brogan, she might not have considered it more than a just passing likeness, but there was something to their shared actions that practically screamed father and son when you saw them together. Ginny wondered if it were like that in her family too, and she reckoned it was. She didn't like to see her mother in her own mannerisms, but she knew she was definitely Molly Weasley's daughter in many ways.
"So with the lot of you back in town, I assume we are moving forward with whatever Harry has planned for us?" Solace asked after a moment, looking between them, eyes calculating.
Brogan shared a glance with Ginny. "Harry hasn't said he has a plan, really, but I'm sure he's eager to get started with ending this for good."
"First, we need to find Aberforth," Ginny murmured. Solace looked surprised at that news.
"But I thought Aberforth died at the school?"
"Apparently not," Brogan explained. "Dumbledore's portrait is convinced he's in hiding out there."
"The old coot," Solace chuckled. "He always was a sly bugger."
"I'm assuming you don't know where he's at then," Ginny teased lightly.
Solace shook his head. "I was never close to him. But something tells me he'll make his presence known when he needs to and not before."
Solace gazed at them for a moment, settling back on the bed. For some reason, Ginny felt she was being judged for something she wasn't aware she'd done. But she stayed still and tried not to fidget under the older man's stare.
"And how are you two?" Solace finally asked. "And please, I don't need to hear the word "fine" from either of you. How are you both, really? Happy for Harry's return, no doubt, to your, ah, little arrangement."
Ginny frowned as she felt Brogan bristle next to her, but before either of them could speak, a knock on the door had them all turning towards it. She was unsurprised to see Harry coming into the room. He'd probably sensed where they were awhile ago.
"Ah, Harry! Speak of the devil! And back from the edge of obscurity! Brogan and Ginny were just filling me in."
"Mr Ward," Harry said carefully, glancing at Brogan and her, appearing to pick up on the feelings in the room.
"Call me Solace, please, Harry. And it does my heart good to see the three of you looking so…bright-eyed and healthy. And together. Of course. The three of you."
Brogan pursed his lips at his father as Harry conjured a chair to sit next to Ginny. Harry took her hand and squeezed it as though sensing her unease.
"Father," Brogan started, his voice taking on a warning tone.
"Nonsense, we're all adults here, aren't we? Or do you want me to just pretend I know nothing about anything?"
"It's fine, Brogan," Harry said, his eyes not leaving Solace's face. "He's right."
Brogan sighed. "I didn't stop in to see how you were doing to start anything. Honestly, can't you just act like a normal father? Without all the machinations of a small tyrant?"
Solace snorted at his son and raised his eyebrow. "Thanks for saying a small tyrant. But, you'd never want me to be something I'm not, Brogan. Besides, there is that old adage to consider. If you can't talk about it, perhaps you shouldn't be doing it?"
Ginny shook her head. "None of us are embarrassed about anything. But we're also not stupid enough to think that means we should be blatant about things, either."
Solace nodded his head as though to concede her point. "And far be it from me to suggest otherwise. I'm only interested in how my son will fair in this arrangement the three of you have after everything is said and done. At the end of the war, what happens to Brogan when the two of you take the next bond? What if one of you is hurt, or worse, killed? Call it a father's prerogative, but I don't like to think of anyone taking advantage of him."
Brogan laughed, but it was harsh and filled with a trace of bitterness. Ginny kept her eyes on Solace as she took Brogan's hand into hers, the three of them connecting. It was Harry's sense of calm that flared through them then, and they both sighed in relief. Brogan glanced gratefully at them. He turned back to his father.
"I could point out a myriad of reasons of why you don't have the right to worry about any of that, Solace. You wanted you and me to be closer, and I am trying, but if you keep attempting to butt your nose into-"
"I am only looking out for you, Brogan! Merlin's beard, you are just like your mother! You give your entire heart and soul away. You put everything into your emotions to help other people. You've given too much of yourself. I can see it in your eyes. As an empath, you take other people's anxieties and fears and pull them into yourself, and that's a fine gift to have, son, but who will be there when you need someone? Okay, the three of you are together; I don't care about that. What I do care about is what will happen when she decides she only wants one of you? Or he decides he only wants her? Have you even considered that? Have you even tried to protect your heart? This can't go on this way forever. Someone will get jealous eventually, which will break you. And let me tell you, after watching them together, I know that these two are never going to choose you. Not when it comes down to it."
"We love your son, Mr Ward," Harry interrupted quietly but firmly. "Is it as much as we love each other? I don't really know because I don't measure love like that. I just can't. I just know what I feel. And thanks to what you call Brogan's gift, I have an intimate knowledge of what Ginny and Brogan feel too, and it's real. There is no guarantee in any relationship, regardless if it's two people, or three, or friends or lovers or family…" Harry paused and reached around Ginny to rest a hand on Brogan's shoulder. "But the three of us do love one another. And you're wrong about us not choosing him."
Ginny nodded and squeezed Brogan's hand. "We did choose him. And we chose this. He is as much a part of us as we are with each other. And trust me when I say I never imagined that my heart could feel so much for two separate people, but it does, every single day, it does. It grows and fills with love for Brogan every time he touches one of us or takes care of us. I'd like to think we all take care of each other pretty well now. And no one can say what will happen after the war. But if we are all still alive and breathing, then and only then will we start worrying about the future and what it might entail. We are not going to throw Brogan away after we've used him and his ability, as you seem to think we will."
Brogan's father did not look as though he believed them, and Ginny felt sadness at that. He was either unable to believe or too broken by his own past experiences to comprehend what they were telling him. Brogan sighed next to her and squeezed her hand back, meeting their eyes before facing his father. Ginny saw the steely resolve in his gaze.
"Let it go, Solace. You are never going to understand it. If you can't, then I respect that. But I can't…I can't continue to build a relationship with you if you won't even trust me to know what real love is. Because I do love the both of them, and for some insane reason, they love me back. I am fully aware of what can happen in a situation like ours. I'm not an idiot, and neither are either of them. But this comes down to trust. Trust between them and me, and also between you and me. Do you trust me enough as your son to allow me to live my life the way I see fit? Can you ever trust me that much?"
Brogan held up his hand when his father opened his mouth. "No, let's just end this here. Think about what we have all told you. Like I said, I can respect your difference of opinion and can even appreciate that you probably think you're a good father by worrying about my welfare. But if you choose this path, we won't really be…father and son. Not like you claim to want us to be. I need a father that trusts me. And right now, you don't."
Brogan stood up and nodded at Harry and Ginny that he was done. He started to leave the room, and Harry put his hand on his back in comfort. Ginny watched Solace as he gazed after his son, a sad expression on his face. She approached the bed and impulsively touched his hand.
"The three of us care about each other a great deal, Mr Ward. And you're right; your son has an amazing ability and capacity for love. But so do Harry and me. We will both fight to protect him, and he would do the same for us."
Solace looked at her, his eyes searching hers, as though he could find the answer there. Ginny blinked calmly back at him, allowing him to see the truth of her words.
"I just worry about what will happen on the day you really do have to choose, Ginny. Or worse, on the day that he has to choose. Will the both of you be able to live with his decision if he chooses the wrong person?"
"Ginny," Brogan called from the doorway, his voice sharp. She removed her hand from Solace's and didn't say anything. Solace Ward looked away first, his expression sad and more than a little lost. She left him then and noticed that Brogan did not look back as he closed the door, his mind clearly already made up.
The three of them looked at each other, and Harry tilted his head to indicate they should go to their room. She followed them up to the third floor, but her mind was still on Solace Ward's question.
o-o-o-o-o
"I'm sorry for that," Brogan said as he flopped himself down on one of the beds. Harry noticed their bags had been brought up and left. All three together. It must have been Hermione's work, or at least, that is what he hoped had been the case. He realized suddenly at this point that more people knew about them than didn't. Harry felt as though he was ultimately okay with that; he hated having to hide his feelings. He glanced at Ginny, who had a thoughtful look on her face as she sat on the bed across from Brogan, who only looked miserable. Harry sat next to Brogan and rubbed his back gently. The other man's anger and disappointment seemed to be coming off of him in waves like it always did when his father had upset him.
"You don't have to apologize," Harry said now, and he meant it. In the end, Brogan's father was just looking out for his son, whether the other man wanted to believe it or not. Brogan shot him a thankful look but shook his head.
"Just when I think the two of us are getting closer, he goes and opens up his mouth, and something wholly insane comes out. You should have seen us when he was just hurt – we didn't fight at all. It was probably because he just lacked the energy."
"It's wasn't insane, what he said," Ginny replied, looking at them. "The three of us know better, but he brings up a valid point, Brogan. I think part of you doesn't want to admit that because he's your father, and your natural inclination is think 'sod what he says' and do the complete opposite."
Brogan frowned at her but didn't say anything. Harry met Ginny's eyes and got up off the bed, going to her. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly. Ginny met his eyes, suddenly looking quite tired to Harry. He brushed the hair off her face.
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Later," she murmured.
"You mean when I'm not around, is that it?" Brogan asked sarcastically, sounding put out and unlike his usual genial self. His gaze even held a bit of anger. Harry realized the other man's mood was turning dark. Unfortunately, Ginny bristled in response underneath Harry's arm. He could feel her temper starting to rise and scrambled to think of a way to diffuse the situation before they started saying things they would regret later.
"No, that is not what I meant," Ginny said, her voice fierce. "Stop letting him into your bloody head, Brogan. What you said down there about trusting us…was that just for show, or did you honestly mean it?"
Brogan suddenly looked defeated, his temper leaving him as quickly as it had flared. He frowned as he ran his hand through his hair. "No, I meant it. I'm sorry. I don't know why I let him do that to me. Just one conversation with him, and I start to doubt everything."
Seeing his opportunity, Harry held his hand out to the other man, thinking they should remind each other that they were not the problem and that Solace Ward didn't have the right to try and mess them up.
"Get over here, you git," Harry said. Eventually, Brogan got up, looking chastised. Harry scooted back so that Ginny could lay her head in his lap, and Brogan joined them on the other side. He looped his fingers into Brogan's and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Harry looked down at Ginny and nodded at her. She raised her hand, palm upwards. Brogan slowly took hold of it, and they all sighed as their connection opened between them.
"I'm sorry, Brogan. But you have to believe in us. You can't just say you believe in us," Ginny said, her brown eyes watching the other man warily.
"I know, I know. I don't know why I continue to let Solace get to me. He was fine while I was taking care of him. I honestly thought we might actually get to be a regular father and son. That maybe he had just been following my Mum's wishes, but…he constantly gets his dander up about you two, and nothing I say ever makes him happy." Brogan shook himself as though the act itself would shake off the things his father had said by the simple act of it. He smiled at Ginny half-heartedly. "You're right. And I do. Believe in us that is. I believe in you and Harry both, and I know you're not going to cast me aside."
"Well, if you keep up this broodiness, we might," Ginny said cheekily, and Harry put a hand over her mouth for a moment until she looked more agreeable.
Harry bent his head and kissed her forehead. He turned to Brogan and kissed him as well. "It's pretty sad when I'm the diplomatic one in this situation. What am I going to do with the two of you?"
"Well, I could make an exhaustive list, but you've already done half of them," Brogan said, a smile twitching on his face. Ginny snorted at him, and the tension seemed to leave the room with a whoosh of relief. Harry released a breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding. Having a row break out between the two people he loved the most had not been on his agenda today. He could spend time with Ron and Hermione if he needed that. He smirked to himself, and Ginny noticed.
"What? Why are you smirking at us?"
Harry shook his head. "Nothing. I'm just glad we avoided a row."
"Hmm," Ginny replied, giving him a suspicious look but letting the matter drop.
"Gin, can you move forward a little bit, so your laying across both of us?" Brogan asked, his voice plaintive as though he half-expected her to say no.
She shrugged and moved so that she was lying closer to him. Brogan started running his hands through her hair, and after a few moments of massaging her scalp, she sighed contentedly and closed her eyes. Harry shared a look with Brogan and leaned forward to snog him. He rested his hand on Brogan's leg and let his head rest on the other man's shoulder. Ginny finally released a long breath, and Harry saw her body finally start to relax.
"You know, as much as I love the sex, I think I love the times when we're just comforting each other the best," Harry said softly. "I like just being able to sit here and touch you two and not feel pressured to do anything. To feel completely comfortable like that with one person is amazing. To have it with the two of you? Bloody fucking fantastic."
Ginny opened her eyes and reached up for him, pulling his head towards hers. She kissed him gently, and he felt her fingers playing with the back of his hair. He shivered despite himself and was unsurprised when Brogan did as well, picking up on the sensation. Apparently, their connection was fully open now, and he felt a hodgepodge of tenderness and love flowing through him, as well as their baser needs. He sat back up shook his head at them.
"You two do love to make a liar out of me, don't you?"
"Don't know what you're talking about," Brogan whispered, moving his hand to Harry's neck, clutching tenderly at him. Brogan kissed him, and it was warm and full of everything that promised more. Ginny shifted until she was straddling Harry, moving closer to them. She kissed Brogan first and then him, and both men reached for her.
"Intimacy is dead sexy," Brogan chuckled. "Ginny and I are only so strong, Harry. When you start talking like that, we both sort of lose our heads."
Harry turned to Ginny, and she nodded, a smile playing on her face. "We're just so happy you're back, love."
She shifted forward with her hips, and Harry was indeed made aware of how happy he apparently was to be back as well. He let his head hit the wall as they both started kissing him, Ginny's hand snaking under his shirt and Brogan's hand stroking the inside of his leg.
"Well, all right, if you must turn this tender moment of feelings into a sexcapade, who am I to stop you? I can already see the two of you have your minds made up."
He watched as Ginny and Brogan shared a look, and both nodded at each other. Harry didn't fight it when they pushed him down on the bed and started to undress him and then themselves. And he especially didn't fight it as they loved him.
o-o-o-o-o
"Harry?"
Harry paused before he went into the kitchen, noticing Lupin standing in the hall as though he'd been waiting for him.
"All right, Remus?"
His friend seemed agitated, but he nodded and indicated they should go to the study. Harry followed him, sending a little sense of patience back to Brogan and Ginny, who were waiting for him to return with drinks and something to eat. They'd worked up quite the appetite earlier.
He sat down on the sofa and watched Remus pace back and forth. Something was troubling his old mentor, and he couldn't think of what it could be. Remus caught his look and then laughed suddenly, looking apologetic.
"Sorry, Harry, I don't mean to be mysterious. I have a question to ask you, well, for both you and Ginny. As you know, Dora and I want to be joined and rather soon. Just the first bonding, for now. We're both so happy that you've come back to us here in the land of the conscious," Remus paused and gave Harry a small grin. "But it made us realize that we'd been waiting for you. Now, since you're here with us again...well, apparently Dora doesn't want to put it off any longer." Remus stopped and gave him an entirely too solemn look for Harry's tastes. But he thought he knew what was coming.
Remus cleared his throat awkwardly. "As you may or may not know, my parents are both dead, and Sirius and James are-"
"Of course, I'll stand up as your family," Harry said automatically. A pleased look crossed Remus's face as though he had been half-expecting Harry to say no. The other man released a low breath in relief.
"Thank you, Harry. I appreciate it. I would love to have both you and Ginny stand up for me. I'm assuming neither of you has any issues with Dora?"
Harry shook his head emphatically. "Of course not! We love Tonks!"
"She cares a great deal for you two, as well," Remus said, his eyes filling with happiness. "We'd like to have the ceremony tonight if you two aren't busy?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I think we can spare a moment for this."
"Good, good," Remus chuckled. But he still looked anxious to Harry as he started to pace again.
"Is that all?" Harry asked after a moment of watching him. "Anything else you need me to do?"
Remus stopped moving, looking apologetic again. "No, that was it. Oh, hell, I'm just nervous, that's all. Pre-joining nerves, I think they call it."
"I don't remember those," Harry admitted. "I was more nervous asking her than actually doing the bonding. Of course, I didn't know what that actually was at the time."
"We'd like to do the second bonding soon, but we'll give it a few weeks. Make sure it takes and that she still wants me. Also make sure that her family still accepts me." Remus's voice sounded self-deprecating, but Harry wondered if his old professor really was worried that Tonks would change her mind. Or that her family would decide he wasn't good enough. Almost on cue, the older man started pacing again.
"Remus. You love her, right?"
Remus stopped pacing and looked at him. "Yes, of course, Harry."
"Then that's all that matters. Don't start second-guessing yourself and letting those doubts creep in."
Remus shook his head. "There's a bit more to it than that-"
"It's all that matters," Harry insisted. He stood up and put his hand on Remus's shoulder. "My dad and Sirius would both say to hell with your worries. 'Marry the bloody woman, Moony,' I think is what Sirius would say, especially. They can't be here to reassure you, and I know I'm a poor substitute, but I will be right beside you. You are worthy enough, Remus."
His friend blinked at him, looking emotional for a moment. "Thank you…thank you, Harry. I know you're right, but I think I just needed to hear that outside my own head."
"Good. I'll go tell Ginny we're expected to be grown-ups for a while. Where are we doing it?"
Remus, still looking overcome, gazed at him. "Oh, well, I thought here, in the study. Just you and Ginny with Dora and her Mum."
Harry realized he'd never thought about Tonk's parents, having never heard her mention them. In fact, all he knew was that Andromeda had dared to marry a Muggleborn and had been banished off the Black family tapestry in a blaze of glory.
"What about Tonks's father?"
Remus looked a bit sad suddenly. "He won't be able to make it, I'm afraid. He's in America at the moment. He's Muggleborn, you know. Andromeda sent him away, actually. She didn't want her family to go after him… apparently, they've threatened his life repeatedly. You know how they are. Although she's made Dora and me promise not to do the final bonding until he's back in England."
"But he's safe?"
Remus nodded. "As far as we know. Andromeda's a formidable woman, and according to Dora, she was pretty determined he be kept safe during all of this. Nothing less than that could have made him leave at a time like this, Harry. He's a good man, Ted Tonks. My only worry is that he approves of me when he gets back."
"You don't have anything to worry about then."
Harry turned to leave his mentor to his private thoughts, but Remus called out to him as he opened the door.
"Oh, and you are wrong, Harry."
Thinking Remus needed to have some sense knocked into him, Harry opened up his mouth to argue, but his friend gave him a gentle smile.
"I meant about you saying you were a poor substitute for James and Sirius. Wherever they are right now, they're probably well chuffed. You did your part of talking me down quite well, I'd say. Now, and at other times. Thank you for your friendship, Harry."
Harry felt his skin heat, but he only nodded his head in reply and slipped out of the study, feeling touched. He hoped his father and Sirius were proud of him and that they knew, somehow, how much he wished they could be here with him.
o-o-o-o-o