Hope you all enjoy this chapter… and I hope you don't wanna kill me for the ending ;)
TheDistantDusk and Breanie have been amazing, helping me make this chapter great. Thanks guys! And I wanna thank everyone for leaving reviews, comments, and messages. You all are great to me! Thank you so much!
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Harry paced the small sitting room, his entire body buzzing with excitement.. Moody had left the bunker over ten minutes ago, and Ginny was still closed in the loo. He had anxiously been waiting for her to come out so they could talk. So he could make her realize that she couldn't be used as bait, that she needed to be safe.
How she had just calmly offered to follow Moody's ludicrous plan still made his gut clench. How could she think it was a good idea to be fucking bait? There was no way in hell Harry would allow Ginny to go off and... and who knew what! They didn't even know what Moody's plan was to tempt the Boss out! For all Harry knew, he planned to drop Ginny off on the street and see if one of The Boss' minions tried to take her again.
Harry could feel his hands start to shake. Those fuckers would never lay another finger on Ginny. He would die before he let that happen.
The sound of the folding door opening brought Harry to a halt. He turned to see Ginny standing in the bedroom, wet hair curling around her face. Her mouth was pressed into a thin line as she studied him. Harry's heart beat hard against his chest as they stared at each other.
"Listen, Ginny," Harry started, making sure to keep the heat out of his voice. "You can't become bait for this plan. Blokes like this, you have to understand, they don't play by any rules. They don't care who they hurt."
"Yeah, I've figured that out for myself, thanks," Ginny said cooly. "I've experienced it for myself, and I know I never want to go back to it. I never want my wrists to feel so raw ever again or hear some fucker talk about checking to see if the carpet matches the drapes! So if me going out there and being bait, as you nicely put it, is the only way, then I'll do it."
Harry couldn't speak for a moment. Her words sent waves of rage coursing through him. He could feel his body shaking as his fist clenched. When he finally was able to speak his voice was rougher than normal. "That's what Moody wants to make you. A fucking carrot dangling on a string for these guys!"
Ginny's eyes hardened. "I'm not some damsel in distress that can't do anything for fear of breaking a nail. The last time they surprised me, it will be our plan this time. This time I'll be ready for them."
"Just because you're ready to fight them doesn't mean you'll get to. They could sneak up on you and knock you unconscious."
"That's why you, Moody, and Tonks will all be there. You'll all be ready to fuck up anyone who comes close to me."
Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You don't know that! There is no telling what will happen if you go out there. You should stay here where we know you'll be safe. Moody and I can go out there, do some digging, find out more about this Boss."
Ginny's finger poked into his chest. Harry hadn't even realized they'd move closer to each other, but he couldn't help but notice they were practically standing toe to toe. "I will not be staying behind like some scared incompetent little girl. This is my battle, and I will be there to fight it."
"I'm not saying you're not incompetent, but you shouldn't be putting yourself into danger!" Harry was losing his patience. How was she not getting this? "I will not let you put yourself out there."
"Let me!" Ginny's back went ramrod straight. "You don't let me do anything, you understand that, Harry Potter!"
"I understand that you aren't thinking rationally and are putting yourself into a situation where you don't belong!"
Ginny's face turned as red as her hair as she glared at him. "What gives you the right to say something like that!?"
"Because I fan —" Harry pressed his lips together tightly. The words he'd been trying to deny since he'd met her nearly slipped out of his mouth. He'd known the truth days ago. After that first night in his bed, Harry had refused to put a label on it. He'd tried to convince himself that he just found her gorgeous. But that was just a lie. He fancied her. He fancied her so much he was losing his cool. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to release the tension in his shoulder. "Because I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I'm not going to get hurt," Ginny said, her expression softening at his words. "Not if we work together. Not if we plan this out and be a team. We're still a team, right?"
She looked so small standing there as the anger shifted to uncertainty. Harry hated that he'd caused that. Ginny was one of the strongest women he'd ever met, and he'd acted like... like some alpha male.
"We're the best team out there," Harry said, his arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her into his chest. "I'm sorry for acting so —" He didn't know what word to use, but Ginny didn't seem to need more.
"It's okay... just." She looked up into his eyes, and Harry swore he felt his heart skip a beat. That deep brown was something he could drown in. And that slight smirk, the one that held so much mischief, could make him lose his mind. "Just don't let it happen again."
Harry let out a soft chuckle, squeezing her tightly to him. "I can't promise that, but I certainly will try." He could feel Ginny's heart beating hard through her chest. It felt like it was in sync with his own.
He loved how her head rested just below his chin. It was just another thing to add to that mental list he'd been trying to ignore. He leaned down to press a kiss to the crown of her head. "We should get some sleep. We've got a big day ahead of us. Plotting, planning, and all of that."
Ginny pulled back, their eyes locking again. And just like last time, Harry's heart lost its cool, picking up speed.
"Alright, I'll take the sofa and"—Harry made to move towards the small sofa when Ginny's hand shot out, closing around his in a vice grip.
"Harry, wait! I..." She sucked in a deep breath before biting at her lower lip. Harry was so transfixed by the action that he nearly missed the rest of her sentence. "Can you stay with me tonight? Just lie with me, please? I find it easier to sleep when I'm with you."
The way she could make his heart stutter... Harry had never felt so drawn to someone like this. There was no denying he was falling for her. He easily fell into place beside her. "Anything for you, Gin."
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"Well," Moody prompted. "What do you think?"
Harry gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the voice in his head telling him to tell Moody to fuck off with his plan. His plan, that involved Ginny going out into public... out to where her kidnappers would be.
The way Moody explained the plan, it sounded so simple, but Harry didn't trust it for a second. Nothing ever was simple. Things tended to blow up in his face, and he wasn't willing to let that happen with Ginny's life on the line.
The first step was for Moody to use his old contacts in the MET to see if they could find the mole Ginny had learned about. See if they could get any dirt on him. No matter what came from that, Harry would call the MET saying he found a girl who reported being kidnapped and needed police from her local area to help with transport. The thought was that the mole would pick up the chatter and deal with the situation himself. Ginny would be in a set location, Harry by her side, when the fake officer would show up. Harry would jump him, and they would bring the fucker back to their hideout, where Moody assured them he could make the man give up the Boss' location.
"Well, Potter, what's your problem with it?" Moody asked, his fingers tapping a nondescript pattern on the wooden table.
"It's just, why does Ginny need to actually be at the pickup location?" Harry asked, keeping his gaze from drifting to Ginny, who sat in an armchair to his left. After their conversation last night... He didn't want to see her angry expression.
"It needs to look real for him to let his guard down," Moody shrugged. "And he knows what Weasley looks like, so there won't be fooling this bloke."
Harry knew Moody was right. There was no way any of these guys would forget the women who'd escaped them. So putting in a fake Ginny wouldn't work. Not for this guy to get close enough for Harry to take him out.
"Harry." Ginny's soft voice pulled his eyes to her. "This plan could work. And you'll be right there with me. We're the dynamic duo, remember?"
The way she looked at him... no human would be able to resist Ginny Weasley when she looked at them with that simple smile and bright eyes. Harry swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "Yeah, we're the best."
Ginny's smile widened, showing off her teeth. Every time he saw that small gap between her front teeth, he was sucked in. She was just too adorable. "Good!" She turned to Moody, and instantly Harry wanted her attention back on him. It was childish, but he liked her focus on him. "So what do we do first?"
Moody scratched at the remaining half of his ear. "First, I'll reach out to Kingsley. He will get me up to speed on the Boss file. See what we can get on that. Then we move onto the possible rat."
Harry nodded. "Do you think they have an inclination as to the mole?"
Shrugging, Moody leaned back in his chair. "Your guess is as good as mine. I found the bureaucrats of the office were as blind as a bat, but maybe Kingsley's noticed something. He was always a good detective."
"And how long will all this digging take?" Ginny asked.
Another unconcerned shrug. "Who knows. He'll have to keep this on the down-low in case this mole is higher up. We can't risk it reaching him. Did you get the man's name?"
Harry watched Ginny's brow scrunch up endearingly. How was it that everything she did was cute? "Um..." Her bottom lip came to sit between her teeth. "I think his name was Crouch? That's at least what the other guy called him."
"Crouch." Moody tested the name. "Crouch. I don't recognize it, but Kingsley will be on the lookout for it." He lifted slowly from his chair. "I'm going to go make some calls." And without so much as a goodbye, Moody was gone, his stuttering steps clambering up the stairs to the only exit.
"Well," Ginny drawled, "He knows how to make an exit."
Harry snorted. "I can only imagine how his stories with Teddy ended last night."
Ginny laughed. "Probably something like, alright then before he just left the room."
Laughing, Harry got up from the sofa to go and refill his coffee. "I bet Teddy followed him, begging for more."
"Teddy is just charismatic enough to convince the old bugger into giving another story."
Harry had his back to her as he poured the lukewarm drink into his mug. "He gets his looks from his dad but his charm from his godfather."
He felt her behind him before she even brushed against his back. The feather-light feel of her hand skimming his lower back as she moved around him in the small kitchen made goosebumps erupt across his skin, which only escalated at her soft, "I don't doubt it."
Fuck...
Harry forced himself to stay still and breathe as he watched her grab another muffin from the tin Moody had brought to them that morning. Just a light touch from her sent his nerve-ends into overload. How could such small things send him spiraling? He needed to get this all under control before he did something that would ruin everything. He refused to be that guy who made a move on her while she was in such a vulnerable place. Harry would hate for her to feel obligated into... into doing something with him just because he was helping her.
He took a deep breath, focusing on the feeling of his chest rising and falling. It was a grounding technique he'd learned from Remus. It helped center him and clear his mind.
"So, do you want to go for a walk today?" Ginny asked as she moved him back to her seat. A flowery scent filled his lungs as she scooted by him, making hairs rise along his arms. How could she affect him so just by walking by him?
"Um, I —" Harry forced himself to take a second to think. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good. I was thinking —"
"A dangerous pastime," Ginny mused with a twisted smile lighting her face.
Harry couldn't help but grin right back at her. "I know, but I just can't seem to help it. But I was thinking it would be a good idea if Tonks and I started showing you some hand-to-hand combat techniques. You know, just in case a moment arises where you need to beat off some bloke with the heel of your hand."
Ginny cocked her head to the side. "When did you come up with that idea?"
"I guess," Harry shrugged. "After our talk last night... and this talk with Moody... I just thought it would be a good idea." He had been thinking of all the ways he could help protect Ginny. Sure he would be there by her side, but some things could still get to her, and if she knew how to fight, she would be safer.
He couldn't entirely dissect the look Ginny was giving him. There was surprise and something more. There was an intensity and heat added to it that made his entire body feel on edge.
"I, um." Ginny's bottom lip came to sit between her teeth, and Harry was hypnotized by it. "Yeah, I would like that."
Harry smiled at her. "Great, how about we start after lunch?"
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Five days in a small bunker with a girl you fancy but can't admit to had to be one of the hardest things Harry had ever gone through. The way their hands brushed if they walked by each other, how when he went into the loo after her shower, he was assaulted with her intoxicating scent, and don't get him started on sharing a bed.
Every time her body shifted towards his warmth in her sleep, Harry had to forcefully remind himself that he could not touch her. That he was there as a guard and friend, not as someone to hold her close. But if she moved into his arms first... just like yesterday when she'd pulled him into a tight hug after her combat training. Or this morning when he'd woken up to her tucked into his body. The little content sigh she'd breathed onto his neck still sent goosebumps across his arms.
But none of that was the worst part for him. It was her training sessions. God, every time he watched her spar with Tonks... Harry nearly lost it. She was attractive in her tight workout trousers but then watched her intense focus while she worked on flipping Tonks over her shoulder...
Hard was the right word to describe, not only the situation but also Harry. He'd been stuck in a state of constant arousal, and he was sure he was about to explode from it all. Even the most innocent actions seem to affect him more than they should.
Like right now! They were just sitting on the sofa, watching the small telly Moody had brought down to them. They'd started off sitting side by side in companionable silence, watching the news for the first time in days. Then not even a half an hour in, Ginny was lying with her head on Harry's lap, calmly talking about some of her favorite past times growing up. It had been so natural for her to shift into a comfortable position. Hell, even his hand had innately moved to run through her hair before realization had dawned on him, and he'd pulled his hand away as if her fiery hair burned him.
He could not fall into these habits with her. Harry knew he should find a way to make their relationship strictly professional if only to get his own head on straight. But Harry couldn't. His body and mind refused.
"So then my mum started screaming at the twins, making sure they never tried to convince another soul that drinking Red Bull really gave you wings." Ginny laughed as she turned her head to look up at him. "I think my dad was amused by the whole thing, but my little cousin never trusted the twins ever again."
"They sound like a real laugh," Harry said, meeting her gaze. When that smile curled her lips, Harry lost track of the rest of the room.
"Oh, they are great! All my brothers really are, to be honest. Even Percy the Prat, that's what we've called him since he was a teen." Ginny chuckled. "He still gets annoyed when we call him that."
"I wonder why?" Harry said sarcastically, making Ginny laugh. Mixing that laugh with that grin... Jesus, Harry was lost in it.
"Now, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have been looking for their daughter for over a week."
Harry's head jerked up to look at the telly. A woman was standing with a microphone beside two older redheads. The man was taller with large glasses sliding down his nose, and the woman was... Harry instantly saw the resemblance. There was Ginny's nose, her lips, and of course, her eyes. But unlike the gorgeous, mischievous ones he'd just been losing himself in, the eyes on the screen radiated pain.
"Mr. Weasley, when was the last time you heard from your daughter?"
The man swallowed hard. "She texted last Saturday saying she couldn't wait to come to Sunday roast. When she didn't show up..." His jaw tightened as he took a moment to compose himself. "We, uh, we knew something was off."
The newscaster nodded. "What happened after you informed the police?"
"They, uh, they checked her flat and saw nothing out of the ordinary." Mr. Weasley's chest heaved up and down. "But we know in our gut something happened to our daughter. She wouldn't just... just not contact us. It's not like her."
Mrs. Weasley let out a choked sob as she covered her mouth with her hand. She seemed unable to speak, but she nodded emphatically at her husband's claim.
The reporter turned back to the camera. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are asking the public to please call them if they have any information about their daughter. They've offered a reward of three hundred pounds for any tip that leads to the location of Ms. Ginny Weasley."
"Please," Mrs. Weasley croaked, her face drawn, as a fresh wave of tears came gliding down her cheeks. "Please, we just want her home safe."
"A photo of Ginny Weasley can be found on our website or on the screen at this moment. Along with the number to contact the Weasley family."
The newscaster rattled off a telephone number before the broadcast went back to talking about the weather.
Harry looked down at Ginny. The horror and absolute distraught in her expression made a harsh fist clutch around Harry's heart. "Gin," He kept his voice soft. His hand came up to caress her cheek, finding it wet. "Ginny, I'm —"
Ginny jerked up suddenly, her hands flying into her hair. "Fuck! Fuck! Harry, they don't... Fuck!" She turned overly bright eyes onto him. "I need to call them, Harry. I need to let them know I'm alive and okay."
"I —" That fist tightened around his heart. "You know you can't."
"No!" Ginny jumped to her feet, her legs pacing in long strides in front of the sofa. "No, I don't know why I can't! Calling them won't —"
"We don't know if they're being watched. Actually, after that report, I'd bet they have someone watching your parents."
"But one call —"
Harry wished he could tell her yes. All he wanted was to hand her a phone. Fuck he'd like to dial the number for her too. "One call can be traced. Anyone can get the technology to do it. Hell, I could download an app in three minutes."
Ginny's breathing was labored as she pressed her lips together. Fresh tears formed in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. "This is bullshit, Harry."
Fuck professionalism. In less than a second, Harry was off the couch, tugging her into his arms. He held her close to her chest, feeling her body tremble with sobs.
"I just —" Her words were muffled and hard to understand. "I just wish this was over and I could — that I could be there with them."
"I know, love," Harry said gently, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I know. As soon as we can, we'll get word to them. I promise."
Ginny pulled back far enough from his chest to look into his eyes. Harry brought his hand up to wipe away a trail of tears. Her breath hitched as a finger ran down one cheek and over to the other.
"Harry, I —" Her watery words dug into his skin like a knife. He would do anything to make her feel better. At that moment, the last thing he expected to happen was her lips to press to his. Ginny had risen to her tiptoes and kissed him hard. Her hands had come round to grip at his hair pulling him closer.
If Harry had thought his entire body ignited at her touch... when she kissed him, he imploded. She tasted of the chocolate biscuits they'd had after supper and something else... was it strawberries? It didn't matter to him, really, because no matter what it was, Harry thought it was the most incredible thing in the world.
His hands came up to skim her hips and lift her cotton shirt to touch bare skin. Ginny pressed into him, encouraging him to back up until his legs hit the sofa. Her hands came to his shoulders, guiding him down onto the cushion. She instantly followed him, never breaking the kiss, and straddled his lap.
When Ginny's warm fingers ran along the hem of his shirt, everything came back to Harry. Where they were, what had happened. He grabbed her wandering hands, stopping them from moving up his chest.
"Ginny," His voice was rough, even to his own ears.
"Hm?" She questioned against his lips. The feel of her chest pressing closer to his nearly made Harry lose himself.
"We can't." The words caused him physical pain.
Ginny pulled back, her wide eyes full of heat. "Why?"
"I — I can't." Harry couldn't find the words. It was like his brain had short-circuited. He would not take advantage of her while she was hurting like this.
"You can't," Ginny said slowly. Her eyes shifted from one type of heat to another. "You can't."
Harry opened his mouth to try and explain himself, but before words could even form in his mind, Ginny was off him. She was glaring at him, her cold stare making his stomach drop.
"I think you should sleep out here tonight." Ginny's words were clipped and cold as she turned on her heel and walked into the bedroom.
"Ginny!" Harry stumbled off the sofa, trying to follow her, but the harsh sound of the folding loo door clicking into place made him stop just outside the bedroom. His hands came up to run violently through his hair. He'd fucked. He'd fucked royally.
