Chapter 65: Transitions
Something woke Ginny from a deep sleep. She wasn't sure what exactly, but she sat up immediately, listening intently. The residence felt...different, and she frowned as she tried to figure out why. Brogan grumbled sleepily next to her, his fingers tightening around her waist briefly. She smiled down at him and then slipped out of bed without disturbing him as best she could.
Grabbing her dressing gown, she threw it over her shoulders and paused to find her wand. Just as a precaution. Although she was fairly confident there wasn't anything amiss in the secluded library. Most Order members wouldn't visit them at...Ginny checked the clock on the wall, 4:30 in the morning. Not unless another attack had occurred. Hoping that wasn't the case, she made her way down the hallway, the lights coming up as she walked. She had to give it to Dumbledore; it was a pretty handy enchantment.
She paused and looked at the door to Harry's room, which was still slightly ajar from the night before. She glanced towards the kitchen, debating whether to check on Harry first or put the kettle on. Leading with her heart, as usual, she headed towards Harry's room. She would just stop to check on him for a moment and then start to get ready for her day. She felt rested, even though it was early, and smiled to herself. Perhaps she had just needed a little stress release to put herself to rights again, after all.
Ginny stopped as she pushed through the doorway, her mouth falling open in disbelief. Harry's bed was...empty. She blinked her eyes rapidly as though not quite comprehending what she was seeing. She heard noises in the room's bathroom and her head turned sharply towards the closed door, already half-way across the room as it suddenly opened.
Harry came out of the loo, yawning and scratching his stomach, the shirt of the pajamas they'd dressed him in riding up. Ginny felt her heart stop, wondering if she was about to wake from the dream she was currently having.
Harry turned his head and saw her, his eyes widening. His face broke into a huge grin.
"Ginny!"
"Harry!"
They moved towards each other, Ginny not really sure which of them was quicker. All she knew was that Harry was holding her and murmuring her name, and she felt as though it was Christmas and her birthday and the day she got her Hogwarts letter all in one. She clung to him, squeezing him, not wanting this to be a dream but needing him to really be awake and in her arms. She pulled back and threw herself upwards, launching her mouth at his, kissing him passionately.
He made a gurgled sort of sound at the onset of her attack but was soon responding in kind, and Ginny felt excitement all the way down to her toes. Harry. Harry was awake!
When they finally broke apart, Ginny smiled at him, and he gazed at her, touching her face. "Why do you look like you're surprised to see me up?"
Ginny shook her head. "You're kidding, right? You've been asleep for weeks, Harry. Weeks! Oh, Brogan! Let's go wake him up. He won't believe it!"
"What do you mean, I've been asleep for weeks?" Harry asked as she pulled him along with her, sounding confused.
Ginny hurried to the bedroom she had just left, calling Brogan's name. The other man sat up in the bed, looking half-asleep still. His expression turned to worry at the sound in her voice, but it soon changed when he saw Harry.
"Shite!" he blurted, looking gobsmacked.
"I know!" Ginny exclaimed. She turned to look at Harry, who watched them as though they were both mad as hatters.
"If you two are pulling a prank on me, I have to say this is in bad form and not very funny," Harry said, frowning.
Brogan grabbed his jeans from the floor and pulled them on, looking dazed. Ginny turned back to Harry, touching his forehead. He seemed all right, but something was... she turned to Brogan, who joined them in the middle of the room.
"Should I contact Avery? Or do you think it's too early?"
"I can run a few diagnostic spells later, let her sleep in a bit more." Brogan looked at Harry, his eyes wide. Ginny smirked and then stepped out of the way, letting the other man move closer.
Brogan touched Harry's face with the same look of wonder that she was sure matched the one on hers.
"Bloody hell, you had us worried, you handsome sod," Brogan said softly. He brought his mouth to Harry's forehead and kissed it gently. Harry's cheeks blushed crimson, but he still looked confused when he pulled back and gave them both a worried expression.
"Seriously, what is going on with you guys?"
Ginny felt like dancing or skipping or just...she held up her wand, and a few thousand pieces of confetti flew out of the tip, causing Brogan to laugh in appreciation. She felt her heart fill with absolute joy.
"I'd say this calls for coffee and tea," Brogan said, smiling. "Or, honestly, I could even go for something stronger. Maybe some Irish coffees all around?"
"Wait!" Harry insisted, shaking his head. "Tell me what is going on. Please?"
Ginny hugged him and then led him to the bed, where she threw herself into his lap. She kissed him again, running her hand through his hair, as though that would make it seem more real. Yes, he really was awake.
"You don't remember passing out, almost a month ago?" Brogan asked, sitting next to them.
Harry shook his head. "No, I don't. What happened?"
"It was awful, love," Ginny said, squeezing his hand. "We were in the library, talking, and you just...collapsed on the floor. Completely dead to us. We couldn't feel you at all, Harry. You were alive, but you weren't..."
"You weren't you," Brogan finished, taking Harry's other hand. "Neither of us could sense you. It was like you were just...gone. You know how we can always sense each other? Well, this was the opposite of that. It was awful! It was like your body was there, but you were someplace else. It was driving us round the twist."
Harry paled at his words, and the little space between his eyes creased in consternation. He gazed at Ginny, his expression bewildered.
"I don't have any memories of that at all...I just remember going to bed after we...er, well, you know. But now that you mention it, when I saw you just then in the other room, I felt as though I hadn't seen you in an age." Harry paused and cupped her face, his thumb wiping at what she realized was a tear that had escaped her eye like a traitor. Harry gave her a little smile and then continued, glancing at Brogan. "And then when I woke up a little while ago, I honestly couldn't figure out why you guys weren't there beside me."
"So you went to the loo instead of trying to find us," Ginny said, smirking. She nuzzled his neck, still feeling entirely too giddy...too everything. Ginny felt as though she was experiencing all of the emotions there were to be felt at one time and took a deep breath, breathing in the scent of him that somehow seemed more Harry now that he was back with them.
"Well, the need was rather er, pressing. Has it really almost been a month? What's been going on? How's Ron, Hermione...Remus? Your family, Gin, are they-"
"They're okay. Everyone you know is okay. There have been more attacks, but everyone you love is safe and sound," Ginny said, moving to hold him again.
"I..." Harry paused, frowning again. Alarm filled his expression suddenly. "The spell, Ginny, how did you...a month without... why are you not an absolute mess right now?"
Ginny shrugged, her eyes meeting Brogan's briefly. "I haven't felt the compulsion at all, Harry. It's quite...well, it had occurred to me more than once how strange it was that I hadn't really felt it. Too worried about you, I should say. Merlin, Harry, never scare me like that again."
"You really don't recall anything?" Brogan asked, running his hand up and down Harry's arm.
"No. Just...well, right before I woke up, I...seem to recall a long hallway and not having my wand. And then being afraid to go through this door I'd found. The next thing I knew, I was waking up, alone in bed. With a mad need to use the toilet." Harry half-laughed, sounding puzzled.
"We've been feeding you magically and stuffing a million potions down your mouth, I'm not surprised," Ginny explained.
Brogan snorted and rested his head on Harry's shoulder, eyes watching Harry as though he too thought it was still a dream.
"How do you feel, though?" Brogan finally asked. "Physically?"
Harry frowned and then looked at them. "I feel...good. I feel great, actually, isn't that weird? But something's different." His eyes met Ginny's, and she slowly nodded. She could feel it, too.
"What do you mean?" Brogan asked, looking between them.
"Touch me," Ginny said, holding out her hand to Brogan. He did so, and the three of them connected, as usual, the flare of power pushing through them. Harry sighed and closed his eyes briefly.
"No, it's not that," he finally said, slowly removing his hands from theirs.
He gazed at Ginny and then reached out to pull her mouth to his and gave her a deep kiss. She sighed happily and worked her arms around his neck. She smiled when they broke apart.
"I've missed you kissing me."
Harry gave her a tender smile. He glanced at Brogan.
"Do you know if there is a way to tell if a spell is no longer...active? That is, a spell that has been used on people?"
"Well, there's an advanced sort of Revelio Charm a person can cast. I am not sure it works on spells put on people, though. Much like the traditional charm, it works on objects."
"We could ask Dumbledore's portrait," Ginny offered, thinking she knew what Harry was after. "I've, um, taken to talking to it while you were both gone. Well, anyway, it knows a lot about spells. Dumbledore himself must have been a walking encyclopedia."
"Have you seen his library?" Brogan asked with a smirk.
"Why didn't you have anyone but a portrait to talk to?" Harry asked, looking at Ginny with concern. He turned his attention to Brogan. "Did you two have a falling out? About me?"
"No," Ginny said, shaking her head. "But remember we said there have been attacks? Brogan's dad got hurt in one, and he left to take care of him."
"He's okay, though?" Harry asked, turning instantly towards Brogan.
"Aye, the old blighter is fine. Now. But we'll tell you about that later. Why do you want to know if there is a detection spell for people?"
Harry glanced at Ginny, a strange look on his face. "It's just...I'm not sure, but I think...I think the Copulatus has...ended."
Ginny felt startled. "But, Harry, Dumbledore told us that the spell would only end if one of us died. And I even read that in the book we found on it. It's definite on that point."
Harry didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he looked at Brogan, and the two men seemed to communicate without any words. Ginny frowned at them.
"What? What is it?"
Harry took her hand and squeezed it. "I think that's just it, Gin. I think...I think maybe I was dead. My body was alive, but..."
"You think that's why you can't remember anything? Why we couldn't sense you?" Brogan asked.
Harry nodded, and Ginny felt her stomach drop and clutched at his hand. "But if you were dead...Harry that doesn't make any sense. You're clearly not dead now. Or this is the most intense dream I've ever had."
Harry snorted softly. "I don't know how, but...I feel different, Gin. Like...there's a pressure that's just...gone. When I kiss you, it just feels...normal. There's no intense rush to make it more. And you would think having been out of it for a month, that I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from throwing you on the ground and having my way with you."
Ginny thought about it - he was right. The moment she had seen him, she had just been happy he was awake - there was no compulsion to throw herself at him for anything else. And he was right about it feeling different; she could tell that now as well. She looked at him, suddenly worried about something.
But Harry was already anticipating her reaction and met her lips with his, kissing her steadily. She gasped for air when they broke apart, and he smiled at her.
"I still love you, you idiot. It hasn't changed that."
"The spell only brought out what is already there, remember?" Brogan reminded her softly, rubbing her back.
Ginny nodded, feeling silly. She knew that. What was wrong with her? She gave Harry a tender look. "Am I that easy to read still?"
Harry chuckled. "You will always be to me."
"We need coffee. Or whiskey. Now," Brogan said, standing up.
Harry glanced at Ginny. "I can see not a lot changes around here. He's still a slave to the dark bean. Does he still hog the covers?"
Ginny chuckled, kissing him again. "Oh, Merlin, I've missed you, Harry."
Brogan sighed a long-suffering sigh, but he was smiling too happily for either of them to believe he was put out at Harry's chiding words. Harry stood up and pulled on her hand so that she could join them. He took Brogan's hand into his other one and smiled.
"Can there be food with this coffee? Because I gotta say, just having potions for nourishment has apparently left me famished." As if to prove his point, Ginny heard Harry's stomach give a loud grumble.
"I think we can arrange something for you," Ginny giggled. "Just this once."
"Gee, thanks," Harry said, smirking. He stopped suddenly and looked at them.
"Can we...can we not tell anyone else I'm awake yet? Just for a few more hours? I know you want a healer to look at me, but...I feel like I need to spend some time with it just being the three of us. I reckon that sounds selfish, but it's what I feel like I need."
Ginny and Brogan shared a look, and he nodded his head and demurred to her. She wanted Avery to look Harry over right away, but she could also tell Harry needed time to come to terms with whatever had happened while he was sleeping. She nodded at him.
"Reckon you deserve some peace of mind, love. Come on, maybe you'll feel more up to facing people once you've had a bit of food in you."
Harry gave her a grateful look, and they headed towards the kitchen. Ginny couldn't help the big grin on her face as she watched him. Harry was awake. It was a good day, no matter what else happened.
o-o-o-o-o
"So," Harry said later, as the three of them rested on the bed. "How many times did you guys do it?"
Brogan snorted but didn't move his head from Harry's chest, and Ginny could only shake her head from the other side of them.
"Unbelievable," she murmured.
"What? It's a valid question. I need to know how my girlfriend and, um, boyfriend, kept themselves entertained during my month-long sleep. Judging by how eager you both were just a bit ago, I'd have to guess the number was rather small."
Brogan laughed and popped his head up. "You came back to life to be more of a git; I see it now."
Harry gave them a cheeky grin and then stretched his hands up above his head, utterly unabashed as he moved. Ginny marveled at him. He seemed the same and yet different, somehow. He was Harry, she had no doubt of that, and he still knew exactly which buttons to push on them (oh goodness, did he, she thought), but he was different. He acted more self-assured, for one thing. He also had no problem giving in to his more demanding side, if what had occurred between the three of them was any indication.
He glanced over at her, feeling her eyes on him, and smiled. He turned and faced her, moving his hands to her hips.
"Hi, Ginny."
"Hi, Harry."
"You're quite pretty, do you know that?"
"You've told me before, yes."
Harry turned and looked at Brogan, moving his head slightly. "Well, come on, ugly duckling, you get back in here, too."
Brogan chuckled and shifted behind Harry, wrapping his body around him. Harry sighed happily and gazed at Ginny again.
"Where was I?"
"You were telling me how pretty I am," she answered dryly as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her forward. She glanced down in between them, only mildly surprised.
"Again? So soon? Without any compulsion spell on you? My, my, Harry."
Harry merely smirked and shifted forward against her. He turned and pulled Brogan closer, kissing him briefly. "I've been asleep for a month, practically. I have to remind you two why you put up with me, after all."
Ginny shook her head and watched as Brogan started kissing his way across Harry's shoulder. She watched them and sighed, realizing she had missed this more than anything. Both men looked expectantly at her, and she bit her lip, feeling the smile threatening to break out across her face.
"We should contact Avery, now, Harry. People will be upset we kept you being awake away from them all day."
"Bah," Harry grumbled, starting to move his mouth around her neck. "Clearly, I'm fine. I've eaten, I've drunk my body weight worth of tea, and now I'm about to prove that my stamina is just brilliant, thank you very much."
Ginny looked at Brogan for help, but he was clearly in no state to argue. His eyes had fully dilated and turned a dark and stormy blue. He was also snaking his hand around to Harry's front. She could see it was a lost cause.
"Oh, all right, if we must."
Harry pulled his head up, his green eyes laughing at her. "Knew I could twist your arm."
"I know what I want to twist. Well, gently, of course," Brogan said, as his hand drifted further downwards. Harry bit his lip as he began to stroke him. His eyes turned darker as he looked at Ginny.
She smirked and started moving downwards, her mouth kissing a trail down Harry's stomach. Brogan was working him quite efficiently, and she added her mouth to his handiwork. Harry swore as he shifted, parting his legs to give them both more room. Brogan eventually sat up and then removed his hand, letting Ginny take over. He and Harry kissed for quite a while, and then she heard Harry whisper something. She paused and lifted her head, but Harry merely nodded at her to continue. Ginny shrugged and kept going, cupping him in her hands as she worked her mouth over him. She felt the bed shift and realized Brogan was now behind her, his mouth leaving hot, wet trails down her back.
When his hands reached her backside, her legs opened wider of their own accord. She felt the quick burst of magic over her skin as Harry performed the cleansing and lubrication spells. She moaned when Brogan's tongue found a particularly sensitive spot, and she gazed up at Harry, knowing he'd told the other man what to do.
"Nice and wet," Harry implored the other man, his eyes excited.
Ginny shook her head at him and continued sucking him, running her hands upward over his stomach and chest. She felt Brogan's hands on her back tug at her as though wanting more of her, so she obliged, pushing back. His grip tightened and she moaned as he continued to tongue her.
Harry eventually sat up, lifting her head away from his body to steal a kiss, and they all shifted forward. Brogan removed himself, and she turned back to him, her hand going to his body, finding him already slick with desire.
"Brogan, lay down," Harry murmured. "Gin, climb on top of him."
After they were situated, Harry moved in between Brogan's legs and pushed himself against Ginny's backside. His mouth was hot on her neck, and she moaned, feeling the full brunt of his desire as it hit them through their connection. She rocked back and forth on Brogan, tightening her body around his as he reached out and touched her breasts. Harry moved his hands around to cover Brogan's as they both massaged her.
"Look at me, both of you," Brogan pleaded, and they both turned and look down at him. "Oh, fuck," he shuddered as he said it and arched his head back as though the image was too much for him. He swore again and pushed upwards, causing Ginny to shake momentarily. Harry slowly lowered his hands to her hips, and Ginny felt the warming sensation of the lubrication spell a second time as he slipped inside of her. The three of them paused, relishing the feeling of being joined all together again, at last.
"Gods, I've missed this," Ginny breathed, and Harry grunted in apparent agreement behind her.
He whispered dirty words in her ear, and she flushed, feeling a naughty sense of desire rush through her. She reached out for Brogan's hand and clutched at it, their fingers interlocking. They began to move, slowly at first, but Ginny knew that wouldn't last. There was too much passion between them. She arched against Harry as Brogan pushed up, and she gave herself over to the sensation. She could feel both of them inside of her, knowing they could almost sense each other as they moved. She was crying out suddenly, almost against her will, her body reacting powerfully to their combined momentum. Ginny knew nothing but the feeling of one of them moving in as the other one moved out. She was brilliantly lost between them, feeling nothing but their love for her and for each other.
Harry must have sensed she was a bit done in because he gently removed himself, lifting her off of Brogan, and laying her down beside him. He kissed her, so soft and so sweet, Ginny almost wanted to cry. He brushed her hair back from her face and gave her a smile. He turned his head and looked at Brogan, capturing the other man's lips in a burning kiss. Ginny watched as they moved together, still both hard and ready. They battled for dominance until Harry won, pushing the other man down with a firm hand. Brogan looked utterly done in, and Ginny knew he wanted Harry to take him, and she could hardly blame him. Harry pushed Brogan's legs up gently and then grinned as he cast the spells again. He glanced at Ginny, smirking, and then slowly slid into Brogan's body. Brogan moaned and reached for Harry when he was in as far as he could go, and she watched as their hands joined.
As Harry began to move, Brogan reached out with his other hand for her, pulling her closer until he could kiss her. His breath felt warm against her skin, and she closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of Harry's loving. When she opened her eyes, Brogan was watching her. There was an earnestness in his eyes, as though he needed her to be a part of their coupling. She nodded in understanding and moved closer, kissing her way around his neck. She murmured his name as she approached his ear and told him what watching them was doing to her. And it was true – even though she knew her body needed rest, she could feel the heat between her legs growing.
Ginny turned her head, and they both looked up at Harry, who was watching them, his desire and love for them clear on his face. He shifted and pushed in deeper, causing Brogan to swear and arch up off the bed, meeting Harry's body half-way. Harry thrust harder, holding the other man by the hips until they were both moaning in pleasure. Ginny worked her arm down to take Brogan into her hand and stroked him in time to Harry's thrusts. Soon the hot stream of Brogan's release was coating her fingers, and then finally, she saw Harry start to lose control. His body was shaking erratically until he too was coming, a soft swear escaping his lips as he collapsed into Brogan, entirely spent.
The room was silent except for the panting sounds of their collected breathing, and Ginny swore as she squirmed, her body needing more release. They both looked at her and reached for her at the same time. Brogan's mouth immediately closed over one of her breasts, and Harry lowered his hand to her sex, fingering her. His thumb teased her, and she writhed against them, letting her head thrash about wildly. Brogan's tongue flicked against her nipple as he moved to the other breast, his teeth gently grazing her, teasing her. Not to be outdone, Harry claimed her with his mouth, his lips sweetly closing over her bud. Ginny felt as though every part of her body was turned on, the smallest touch sending her faster and faster towards pleasure.
Soon she felt the build-up she was craving and screamed, her voice half-hoarse as Harry's fingers and mouth made her come. He knew her body so well – knew precisely when she needed pressure and when she needed lightness. She pulled Brogan's head closer to her chest, her hands getting lost in his hair as Harry moved his mouth away but kept his fingers deep inside her. Ginny felt herself rise up slightly, rocking forward on Harry's hand as though she was riding him, and he curled one of his fingers, rubbing her favorite spot. When finally, the last echoes of her orgasm left her, Ginny slumped down, completely worn out. She curled around one of them, she wasn't sure who it was, and let herself slip away into unconsciousness. The after-effects of her pleasure coursed through all of them together.
o-o-o-o-o
"Well, I honestly have to say Mr Potter that you are the healthiest patient I've ever seen just wake up from a magical coma. Those potions did their job, and your caretaker here," Avery paused and looked proudly at Ginny. "Did a fine job indeed. You should thank her."
"Oh, he did, already," Ginny quipped, unable to help herself as she smirked at Harry. Brogan cleared his throat but shook his head at her, clearly amused.
"Hmm, I'm sure," Avery said, raising an eyebrow. A knock on the door startled them, and Harry slipped his shirt over his head since Avery had made him remove it for a muggle-style check-up. Remus entered the room, looking apologetic.
"Sorry, but there are two people here who just won't take no for an answer." The older man turned, and Ron and Hermione entered the room, looking happy and relieved to see their best mate up and awake.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, running to him and pulling him in for a tight hug.
"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry said, sounding muffled. She pulled back, and then Ron replaced her, surprising Ginny with his overt demonstration of affection.
"Bloody hell, mate, don't do that ever again. Ginny was mental. I was mental."
Harry met Ginny's eyes over Ron's shoulder. She nodded her head as she glanced at Brogan, who followed her out, leaving the trio of friends alone to talk to each other. They went back to their original bedroom and Ginny sighed, leaning against the wall as Brogan closed the door. He smirked at her.
"I still can't believe it," he said, his voice full of wonder. "I mean, I knew he was going to come back to us, I never doubted it, but…"
"Yeah," Ginny said softly. "I know what you mean. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up, and he's still going to be on that bed and dead to the world." She let her head hit the wall and closed her eyes, allowing a deep release of air through her lungs, suddenly feeling quite shaky.
"Hey, come here," Brogan murmured, and he pulled her into his arms. "Ginny, you're shaking; what's wrong? He's awake. He's just in the next room. Shh, take a deep breath. Just keep doing that, in and out."
Ginny heard herself gasp and tried to do as he suggested, but she couldn't help it. As before, she felt as though every emotion was hitting her head-on, and she felt herself crumple against Brogan. A moment later, she felt herself being lifted and carried to the bed. He lay down next to her and cupped her face, his fingers gentle. She met his eyes and then closed her own again, feeling too exposed for some reason. She heard herself make a noise that sounded like a mouse squeak, even to her ears. Brogan shushed her one more time and nuzzled her as he started humming his song to her again. He held her hand and squeezed it, and she eventually felt her anxiety begin to leave her as she focused on the sound of his voice.
She slowly opened her eyes and gave him a smile. "Thank you."
The door opened behind them, and Harry entered the room, looking concerned. "I felt as though someone was upset," he said, frowning. "Gin?"
Brogan moved to the other side of her, and Harry lay down next to her. "What's wrong, Ginny? I'm awake, I'm here, I'm okay."
"I know, I just…felt overwhelmed. Brogan set me to rights though, he's good at that."
Harry gave Brogan a thankful look and reached his hand out to the other man. He turned back to Ginny.
"If you need to cry, it's okay, Gin. We won't hold it against you, promise."
Ginny smirked at the little smile on Harry's face and shook her head. "I think I'm okay, now. I think I just need to absorb the fact that you're awake for real. It was horrible, Harry. I talked to you while you were sleeping, did you know that? I missed you so much."
Ginny pulled him to her, wrapping herself into his arms. "I think I knew," Harry said softly, his lips brushing across her hair.
"Really?"
Harry nodded and looked at Brogan. "I kept hearing two people laughing, and it made me want to come back, to be with them. I'm assuming it was you two. It felt like…it felt like I was coming home."
"I put my necklace on you. Maybe that helped," Ginny said, touching his face. They both looked down at his bare neck.
"I think it's in the other room," Harry said. "Avery had me take it off."
"I'll get it," Brogan offered, getting off the bed. "Besides, you two should just…be together for a bit."
"No, Brogan, don't-"
"It's okay. I need to stretch my legs anyway. I'll be back." He squeezed her hand one last time and then left them alone. Harry settled into the spot he'd left and pulled her against him.
"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked.
Ginny nodded. "Yeah. Brogan really helped."
"He's good like that," Harry whispered, kissing her neck. "Must be why we keep him around." Ginny sighed as Harry just held her and eventually felt her heart rate start to go back to normal.
"So be honest with me. You and Brogan, how many times?"
"Harry!" Ginny turned and made a face at him. He smirked at her.
"Just wanted to see if you had some fire in there still."
"You are unbelievable. It was only once if you must know. Well, twice, but one time doesn't count because you were with us."
Harry frowned at that news. "Um, do I even want to know? What did you guys do to my unconscious body?"
"Harry! It wasn't like that," Ginny huffed. "He…did that thing where he made me think of you, and then we both thought of you. It was as though you were really there with us. It…it was the first time I'd slept in days, afterward. I think it's what kept me sane."
"Shagging for sanity, what a concept," Harry said, chuckling. He sobered when he saw her face. "Sorry. I'm glad you two were here for each other. Although it sounds as though it was mostly you taking care of me. So thank you, by the way. Avery said I should thank you, and I am. You probably made my return less painful."
"I love you. How could I not take care of you?" Ginny asked, shaking her head at him. "You did the same for me when I was out of it, and I'm sure we'll get time and time again to keep doing it for each other. We don't lead boring lives, Harry."
Harry snorted. "No. Well, maybe sometimes." He smirked at her.
Ginny chuckled and touched his face, and they gazed at each other in silence for a couple of moments. Harry tilted his head into her touch as she reached up with her other hand to push his fringe out of the way, closing his eyes. His hair was getting so long now, and even messier, if that were possible. Ginny blinked at his forehead for a moment, not comprehending what she was seeing.
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? I mean, truly?"
Harry opened his eyes and frowned at her. "What do you mean?"
She touched his forehead again. "Your scar it's…it's different."
"What?" Harry's hand flew to his head. Ginny nodded at him.
"Go look."
Harry got off the bed and went into the loo, and she followed him. She stood behind him as he pushed his hair off his forehead. His fingers traced over what was now only a faint echo of his previous lightning-bolt shaped scar. It was still there, but it was no longer as red or as pronounced. Ginny supposed that was why none of them had really noticed it yet. Well, that plus the fact Harry really did need a haircut. He met her eyes in the mirror, his expression confused.
"What do you think this means?" he asked.
Ginny shrugged. "I'm not sure. Is Avery still here?"
"I think she left to go check on Brogan's dad before her shift at St Mungo's. But Remus is still here, I think. He'd know, right?"
Ginny suddenly had an idea and stopped him. "Let's ask Dumbledore's portrait. He'll know."
"Let's ask them both," Harry said. "Find Brogan too, would you?"
Ginny nodded, and they headed out towards the central area of the library. She noticed Harry had already smoothed his fringe back down again to hide his scar. Ginny realized she was used to him doing that when meeting new people or going out into public, but it was odd for her to see him do it now. She wondered where Brogan had wandered off to and tried to sense him. She found him a few moments later, on the library's upper level, pacing back and forth.
"So this is where you sneak off to sometimes. Do a lot of after-shag thinking up here?" she asked as she climbed the ornate set of stairs. Brogan paused mid-pace and gave her a sheepish smile.
"Reckon so. Hey, now what's wrong?"
"Harry. His scar…did you notice it?"
"That he has one? Yes." Brogan said, his tone indicating he thought she might be a bit barmy.
Ginny pursed her lips and sighed. "It's faded, Brogan. It's not the same as it was before he fell asleep."
Brogan looked startled. "Reckon I hadn't noticed because of his hair and just…well, when I look at Harry, I don't really see it anymore, you know?"
Ginny nodded because she did know. After being with Harry, she stopped noticing the scar because he was so much more than that. She knew Harry himself had a hate/love relationship with it. She knew he liked it and yet still sort of hated it because it was the one thing people always used to identify him with and stare at the minute they met him. But he had told her how as a child he had thought it made him look cool, and that without it, he considered his face sort of boring, and she had laughed and told him to shut it because to her, his face was anything but.
"He wanted me to come get you. We're going to ask the portrait about it."
They made their way out of the library and Brogan put the Waystone necklace into her hand. She felt the gentle warmth of the stone and slipped it into her pocket. When they reached the room, Ginny was unsurprised to see Hermione and Ron with the portrait and Lupin. Hermione was saying something about dark magic always leaving a scar in some form or another, and Ron was staring at Harry's forehead in a sort of stupor as though he couldn't quite believe it.
"Good, you're back," Harry said, interrupting Hermione. He turned towards the portrait, who Ginny was surprised to see was pretending to have a kip in his chair. He hadn't employed that trick with her in an age. Perhaps even a portrait could sense how lonely a person was.
"Dumbledore, sir?" Harry addressed the painting now as Ginny joined him, slipping her hand into his. Brogan stood behind them, close but not touching.
The portrait of Dumbledore stretched and made a big show of waking up, and Ginny resisted the urge to roll her eyes at it. Like the real person, she sometimes wondered what the painting thought he was playing at. He had clearly been listening, and he knew they knew he'd been listening. It was frustrating, really. But she decided to bite her tongue and was unsurprised when the portrait turned his bright blue eyes on to her first, a touch of mirth in them.
Git, Ginny thought, and squeezed Harry's hand, in case he needed the reassurance.
"Ah, Harry! You are up and about and looking no worse for wear, I see. I tried to tell Miss Weasley that I had every faith in your eventual recovery."
Ginny did roll her eyes at that and let the portrait see it. Dumbledore merely looked at her, bending his head slightly to gaze at her over his glasses, giving him a somewhat owlish look. An owl who's a smart aleck, Ginny thought and resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. This was not the time to engage.
The portrait sat back, a pleased smile on its countenance, and folded his hands in his lap. He gazed around the room.
"Ah, Remus, and Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, how pleasant it is to see you all. And Mr Caley, of course, you as well."
"Sir," Harry said, and Ginny could hear the strain in his voice. Brogan must have as well, because he moved to the other side of Harry, his arm brushing against him. Ginny felt a small relief of the tension as their connection opened, and she was glad Brogan always seemed to remain so calm.
Harry lifted his hand and held back his hair so that the portrait could see his scar, or in this case, the almost complete lack of one. The portrait's reaction was immediate, and it was almost as though a wind of intensity swept through the room.
"What has happened?" Dumbledore asked, promptly at attention.
"I woke up, and this happened," Harry said, sounding much calmer. "We didn't notice it at first, but…it's faded."
"Considerably, I'd say," Remus said from behind them. "Do you know why, Albus?"
"How do you feel, Harry? Truly. Inside," The portrait asked, looking quite intently at him, Ginny noticed.
Harry appeared startled at the question, but he answered quickly. "I feel…it's the strangest thing since I just woke up from being asleep for so long, but I feel strong. Stronger than I have ever felt before, Sir."
"And Miss Weasley?" Dumbledore surprised them all by turning to her.
Ginny blinked at the portrait in confusion. "I'm… I'm fine?"
She watched as Dumbledore's eyes traveled over them to rest on Brogan for a moment, but he didn't say anything. He turned his attention back to Ginny.
"Are you still protecting Harry?"
Ginny nodded. "Of course."
"I would like to ask you to stop." The portrait quickly held up its hand when she opened her mouth to argue. "Only until Harry asks you to begin again, of course, Miss Weasley."
Harry nodded at her, and she closed her eyes, pulling Aine's power back into her, slowly. When she felt as though she was done, she opened her eyes again, watching Harry. He had an almost awe-struck look on his face. But he was staring at the portrait.
"Harry?" Ginny asked. "What is it?"
"I don't feel him. At all. It's just…me."
Dumbledore's portrait smiled at Harry and sat back in his chair. His eyes flicked between Ginny and Harry as though appraising them.
"And as for…other magical occurrences, I would assume that has disappeared as well? Between you two?"
Ginny realized he was talking about the Copulatus Amororis and nodded, glancing at Ron and Hermione as she did so. Ron appeared puzzled, and Hermione looked deep in thought.
"What does it mean, Albus?" Remus asked.
"It means that Voldemort, in his greed and his hatred, has neglected to think his actions through, once again. He meant to kill you, Harry. Again. And he has failed. Again. But I don't think he realizes it."
"I was…" Harry stopped and looked around the room, his eyes finally landing on Ginny's, a strange expression on his face. He looked back at the portrait. "So I was then? Completely?"
The portrait shrugged. "You would know more than I would, of course, I am a mere collection of memories, magic, and various spells and colors. If my real-life counterpart were able to talk to you now, I am sure he would be able to answer that for you. But I don't think you need him to."
"Harry, no," Hermione said, looking at them. "You weren't. I mean, you were here, breathing and living. We all saw you."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked his girlfriend. But Ginny remembered their discussion about the Copulatus and thought she understood.
"Voldemort was…draining the part of him that was in Harry, wasn't he? That's why we couldn't sense him?" Ginny asked, looking at Dumbledore. The portrait nodded.
"I have long suspected there was a part of Voldemort's essence inside Harry. Just as there was in that diary that we dealt with in your first year, Miss Weasley."
Ginny felt her skin heat and looked down as Harry squeezed her hand. The portrait continued as though he hadn't noticed her embarrassment, but its eyes looked at her kindly.
"I think it is time we bring Aberforth into this discussion, Remus. He has some information that might come in handy to Harry."
Everyone in the room glanced at each other and then looked at the portrait, with various expressions of unease. The portrait gazed around the room.
"What is it? Has my brother gone into one of his funks again? Just tell him I want to see him, and he should, eventually, grumble his way here."
"Erm, Albus," Remus began and then stopped. "Aberforth is…well, he's dead. I thought you would know. Or…now, I realize I should have mentioned it, but I didn't think. I'm sorry, Albus. We lost him. Severus…" Lupin stopped as though not able to finish the sentence.
Instead of reacting, Ginny noticed a slight smile on the portrait's face, but it was gone before she could even say it was there. Perhaps she had been mistaken. The portrait nodded across the way from them.
"Don't be silly Remus, Aberforth isn't dead. His painting is still empty."
All seven heads turned to the picture across from Dumbledore's, and Ginny realized she'd never really given it much thought. It just looked like an idyllic scene from a farm. From the looks of it, it was a goat farm judging by the number of them wandering around in the frame. Brogan and Hermione moved forward to study it closer.
"There does look like there's a space here for someone to be sitting," Brogan said, pointing at it. Hermione nodded.
"I thought it was an indentation in the hay, or sort of a natural shadow. A trick of the light sort of thing, but you're right, I could see it being a place for someone to rest."
"Maybe Aberforth just didn't want to um, join you, Sir," Harry said.
The portrait looked amused. "While I agree that would be just like Aberforth, even in death, he still has no choice, Harry. That is his only portrait. And his portrait self will appear whether he wants it to or not. So, therefore, he is not dead."
"But why has he been hiding from us?" Lupin asked, sounding confused and more than a little put-out. Ginny watched as Harry patted the older man's arm. Harry caught Ginny's look and frowned up at the portrait.
"Honestly, I don't know how he's not dead. There was a lot of blood, Sir, I saw it with my own eyes."
Ginny noticed Ron was nodding his head in agreement. The portrait looked impressed at what Harry had said.
"Was there? Was there really? Hmm, but of course. Interesting. But…again, my brother probably had his reasons."
"But why?" Hermione asked as she turned away from the other painting. "He allowed Voldemort to take over the school. Something he told us that couldn't be done as long as there was a Dumbledore left alive."
"The why and the how may be answered at a later time, Miss Granger. What we really need to figure out now is where Aberforth has hidden away. I assume this means Severus has left us to join his old friends, am I right?"
A look of annoyance flashed across Harry's face, but he nodded at the portrait. "He betrayed us all. He killed your brother and then tried to help Voldemort get me when we went back to the castle to rescue some students."
"Do not worry yourself over Professor Snape, Harry. I am sure he had his reasons-"
"Had his reasons!"
The portrait continued on as though Harry hadn't just shouted. "Which may or may not come to light at the end of this war. But for now, let's concentrate on where Aberforth is hiding. If I may speak to Remus alone for a bit?"
It was probably a testament to how wholly frazzled they all felt that most everyone left without a word. Ginny turned to watch Harry as he stared at the portrait a moment longer, his eyes fierce and bright behind his frames. He finally turned and joined the rest of them, closing the door firmly behind him.
"Bloody hell," Ron muttered as they wandered into the kitchen.
Ginny noticed Brogan pulled Harry back down the hallway and knew he was trying to calm him down some more. She ran a hand through her hair, feeling mentally exhausted suddenly. Hermione took her arm.
"Come on, let's make some tea and find something to nosh on. I think we all need a break. Ron, see if you can find some biscuits or something sweet."
Ron nodded as though the idea suited him just fine, and Ginny went through the motions of putting a tea tray together with Hermione. But her mind was rushing forward to too many different places. Why was Aberforth not communicating with them? What was he waiting for? How had he faked his own death? Furthermore, why had he faked his own death? And what else was the portrait not telling them?
She noticed Brogan and Harry had joined them, Harry looking much calmer and his hair a bit messier as though someone had been running their hands through it. She smirked at them. Brogan lingered next to Harry, their arms brushing together every so often. They both looked at her then, and she tilted her head, asking them silently if they were okay. They both nodded, and she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She added an extra spoon of tea leaves into the pot – she had a feeling it was going to be a long evening.
o-o-o-o-o
Hermione and Ron left late, and Ginny felt tired, but still restless. She left Harry and Brogan to amuse themselves as she went to take a quick shower. She couldn't figure out why a part of her still felt ready for fight or flight. They were safe, Harry was awake, and the tension she'd been carrying around with her had dissipated the moment he'd opened his eyes. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that she no longer needed to protect him all the time.
When Aine's gift had first manifested, it had felt exactly like this – as though the extra power she'd been blessed with had been about to crawl out of her skin. She'd forgotten how much protecting Harry from Voldemort actually took out of her. And now it appeared she didn't need to do it. Strange, that.
She toweled herself off and used her wand to quickly dry her hair, not wanting to go to sleep with it wet. She sighed as she lay back on the bed. She'd chosen one of the smaller bedrooms to be by herself. It was funny to Ginny that while Harry had been asleep, she had been lonely at the library; now, she felt as though she just wanted to be by herself.
Well, almost by herself.
She smiled when she heard him come into the bedroom and lifted her head up as he sat down next to her. Ginny turned over and curled around him, breathing in his always reassuring scent.
"Are you all right, Gin?" Harry asked as he started petting her head, running his fingers through her hair.
She glanced up at him. "Yeah. Just a bit restless. How are you? Still feeling okay?"
Harry nodded and lowered his legs so she could rest her head in his lap. He kept his hands in her hair. "Never better, really. It's a bit weird how good I feel. You'd think I'd feel sore or something from not moving for so long."
"Or from just being dead."
Harry's hand stopped for a moment at her words and then slowly continued. He cleared his throat roughly.
"I'm sorry."
Ginny looked up at him. "For what? Dying on me? We haven't even had the second bonding yet, you know. I would have got over you eventually."
Harry gave her an amused look, his eyes crinkling behind his frames. "Liar."
Ginny shrugged and closed her eyes, but she smiled. Harry's hands eventually started moving lower and lower, and she opened her eyes, unsurprised to see how much his eyes had darkened.
"Hi, Harry," she murmured. "You're quite adorable, do you know that?"
He made a face at the word adorable but smirked at her. "So you lot keep telling me."
"Where's Brogan?" Ginny asked as she turned and pulled him down to her. Harry's lips lingered just over hers, his breath warm against her face.
"He told me to come in here and make sure you were all right. He seems to think we need some Harry and Ginny time."
Harry shifted and pulled her tightly against him, and she could tell he thought they needed Harry and Ginny time, too. She grinned at him.
"Kiss me," she whispered as his hand slipped under the dressing gown she'd thrown on, finding her breasts almost immediately. His eyes sparkled as his lips met hers, and it was a sweet, gentle sensation that nevertheless made Ginny's heart start to beat faster.
She watched him as he touched her, her nipples responding to his touch. She could feel him against her stomach and shifted slightly, causing him to draw in a sharp breath. She rubbed her forehead against his.
"If you ever die again, I will kill you, is that understood, Harry?"
Harry chuckled and kissed her again. "Yes, Ginny."
They started moving again without words because Ginny knew they understood each other. Soon they were both undressed, and Ginny drank in Harry's body. His eyes watched her as she regarded him, and she let her smile slowly build as she finally met his gaze. His skin turned a bit pink at the hunger she knew he could see on her face. She turned over so that they were both on their sides, and he immediately spooned in behind, his arm snaking over her and cupping her breast. She was ready for him, and he slipped inside her as she moved her legs apart.
Harry barely moved within her, and she contracted around him as his hand smoothed down her body. He touched her between her legs, and she widened them a bit more, linking them with his. Feeling him deep inside her while he touched her was the best thing in the world to Ginny. She was soon moaning and saying his name as his mouth left wet kisses against her neck. When she needed more, she pushed back against him, and he grunted, answering with a more forceful thrust of his own. Back and forth they shifted, with Harry's body rubbing against that spot within her that had her breaking wide open under his touch.
"I want to watch you," he eventually murmured, and she nodded as they stilled for a moment and then moved so that Harry could rest on top of her. He lifted himself off briefly and then pushed back into her, his eyes dark behind his glasses.
Ginny let him take her over completely, arching and spreading her legs out so he could fit better. Deeper and deeper, he moved until she wasn't sure where he ended and she began. There was pleasure coursing through her, but she knew this was about Harry claiming her body again. Their joining was fulfilling an ancient dance that had started long ago. It was beyond the two of them and yet nothing more than just their love, together.
Aine had always called Harry her Anam Cara. Her soulmate, her lover, her friend, and he was all of these to her as she was to him. No matter what came before them or after them or even what passed between them now, they were always going to be this – two hearts merging and trying to become one.
"Ginny," Harry whispered, lowering himself down to capture her lips. She worked her arms around his, bringing her legs up high on his back.
"Faster," she whispered back, letting her hands play in his hair. She flashed a teasing grin up at him. "Harder."
Harry moaned his reply and bowed his head as he moved, doing as she asked. He shifted his hips, and she felt her body flush as the beginning of her climax filled her. She tightened her body around his, and he swore, his thrusts finally speeding up to where she wanted them. Ginny lost all sense of thought and only knew that she needed him to keep going – to keep pushing into her, taking her, loving her, making her his.
"Look at me," Harry said, his voice demanding that she obey him. As if she wouldn't have done that anyway. She grinned as he shifted his hips, and he gave her a feral look of need. "Can you touch yourself?" he asked, and his voice was thick with longing. She nodded and lowered her hand, and he watched her, his breath hitching as she came apart underneath him. Ginny felt her release gather and then explode, throwing her head back with the pure joy of it. Harry followed her only a moment later, his voice full of love as he said her name, clutching at her as though she was the one keeping them afloat…
They stayed locked together for a long while – Ginny was unsure of the passage of time. She could hear only the beating of their hearts and the slowing of their shared breathing as they finally rested. Harry's head was on her chest, his back sweaty and his hair damp. Ginny smiled as she kissed the top of his head.
He lifted his head up and kissed her before straightening his glasses. He gave her a lazy smile.
"I love you, Gin, you know that, right?"
"I know," she said, smiling. "You came back to me like you promised."
They lay there for a bit longer, just staring at each other and touching. Experiencing all the little things that Ginny thought she had taken for granted. The silky feel of Harry's hair, the warmth of his skin, and the sweet-sweaty scent of him as she nuzzled her face against his arm. She took in a deep breath, sighing happily.
"I think Brogan's missing us," Harry said, laughing after a while. Ginny paused and then felt it too, chuckling.
"He must be. He's not acting subtle in calling us back to the right bed," Ginny said as she stretched. Harry handed her her discarded dressing gown.
Harry stopped her as they were about to leave and pulled her closer, kissing her again. "I will always come back to you," he said, his voice soft. Ginny touched his face.
"Just see that you do, Potter. Brogan and I are utterly useless without you."
Harry grinned. "I seem to recall saying something similar once myself."
The restlessness from earlier seemed to finally leave Ginny as they made their way back to their bedroom, and she was glad. Watching Harry walking ahead of her made her glad for so many things. She didn't know what it meant now that Voldemort had removed his essence from Harry, but she knew that whatever happened next, they would face it more capable and better than before.
o-o-o-o-o