Silver Birch

Disclaimer: Not mine, obviously!

Author's note: sorry it took so long to post! In the hope that it isn't filled with to many errors, I give you:

Chapter Eight – A Little Piece of Heaven.

"It's bloody freezing," stated Harry, bundled up in cloak and scarf.

"Don't swear," chastened Ginny automatically.

Everywhere around them, snow tumbled from the sky. Ginny and Harry stood, the only two tiny specs of colour, at the bottom of the stairs leading into Hogwarts. Ginny felt very relaxed and happy, more than she had done in years. She felt that nothing could break the bubble of happiness that surrounded her.

Harry turned to regard her, his face red from the harsh wind, and gave her a grin. Regardless of the conditions, Ginny felt very warm and decided that she would stand in the middle of Antarctica to be beside Harry. As it was, they were awaiting the arrival of their last guest, Percy Weasley, Head of International Relations at the ministry. And Ginny suspected that Harry had volunteered to get away from the crowds of people wanting to shake his hand and look at his scar. He was a beacon of light in the war, after all if a baby could defeat the Dark Lord, what was stopping him doing it as an adult?

"You can go on in if you want Gin," he said and she hoped that it was reluctance she heard in his voice.

"Hmm? Oh, A little cold never killed anyone," she said pulling her cloak tighter, her stomach fluttering as his smile grew wider.

Harry laughed, and tugged her scarf playfully.

"Well we shall have to work at keeping you warm…," he said, eyes watching her intently behind his glasses. Ginny felt her skin tingle at his words; did he know how much his voice affected her? He was looking at her intently; Ginny's heart was going at a thousand beats a minute, as his gaze wondered down to her lips.

A carriage rattled up beside them, suddenly appearing through a curtain of snow.

"This snow is most inconvenient," said a familiar voice, clambering down the icy steps.

"Hey Perc," said Ginny, glad to see her brother.

"Hey," said Harry, looking put out.

"Ginny!" Percy said noticing her stood there. He took her hand and bent to down to look her in the eye, "How are you?"

"Good," she said smiling happily. He looked at her closely and then a smile appeared on his lips.

"You're the last to arrive and I think dinner is about to start," said Harry politely.

"Harry, thank you for saving my sisters life," said Percy, taking Harry's hand and shaking it fiercely.

"Erm yes, anytime."

"Now, how about dinner?" he said leading the way.

They entered in to the warm entrance hall, shaking melting snow from their cloaks. Harry helped Ginny remove her own and his eyes widened when he noticed her dress robes. Ginny had met Harry outside while he waited for the guests to arrive, so he hadn't had a chance to see the tight fitting, robes she had chosen to wear. They left very little to the imagination, very modest at the front, while the back dipped dangerously low. At the base of her spine, the tattoo of a green dragon lay silently sleeping, its chest moving up and down, every now and then snorting a small jet of fire.

"Are you coming Harry?" she asked nervously, starting to walk towards the doors of the hall. She heard Percy mutter something like 'Never take that woman for granted Harry,' before going ahead of her in to the great hall.

Harry fumbled with the clasp on his cloak before handing it to a waiting house elf, and then he stumbled towards her, offering his arm.

Hundreds of round tables were squeezed in to the Great Hall, all filled with wizards of different colours and nationalities. Harry negotiated his through to their table at the front of the hall, and Ginny was stunned to find she was sitting at the main table, between Harry and a handsome looking dark haired man.

She smiled at him kindly and he returned the smile, although she couldn't help wonder why his eyes held such a haunted look to them.

The table chatted politely, making small talk and sticking to neutral topics. Ginny felt vaguely out of place, no one addressed her often and most carried on the conversation as if she wasn't there. Dumbledore made a quick speech about them enjoying themselves and getting plenty of rest for the meeting they were going to hold the next day.

While Harry was busy talking to a German wizard beside him, Ginny excused herself to go to the bathroom. She stood taking beep breaths in front of the window for a full ten minutes, sure that no body was missing her presence. Leaving the bathroom, she turned back towards the Great Hall.

She jumped in surprise when a hand snapped over her mouth and she was pulled in to an empty classroom. Her wand was snatched from its decorative holster on her hip, and she was spun around to face Draco Malfoy.

"Where is she?" he asked, his grey eyes stormy and wild, while the rest of his body betrayed a deadly calm.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," lied Ginny coolly.

"Where is she?" he asked, grabbing her wrist. His face remained icy, but there was something about the set of his jaw, and the thumping muscle in his chin, that betrayed a dangerous rage.

"If you don't let go right now," she said under her breath, trying not to wince in pain from the tightness of his grip.

"I demand you tell me this instant, she can't just waltz away from me!" he snarled, looming over her imposingly. Despite her outward calm, Ginny couldn't help feel a small slither of fear in her belly, after all, Malfoy was acting very much like a desperate man.

"Look Malfoy, I don't…," she tried in a calming voice.

"You'll all be sorry!" he threatened, his grip tightening.

"What do you mean all?" she asked fear turning into a protective anger.

"Just tell me where she is, then you can all go back to playing Muggle Champions. You and the rest of that pathetic family of yours, wouldn't know a galleon if it hit you in the face!" he drawled, pushing Ginny's self-control over the edge.

She brought her fist up and smacked him straight in the nose. He reared back, surprised, blood pouring down his face. Ginny picked up her forgotten wand, marched towards the door, her jaw tight. Heart pounding, she paused on the door handle for a second, losing an internal struggle with her conscious.

"Apply pressure to the top of the nose and tilt your head back, but not to far or you'll choke on your own blood," she said, handing him a tissue, silently hoping he would lean back too far. Satisfied, she left the room and rushed down the corridor away from the Great Hall. She felt flushed with anger, not to mention the pain in her wrist.

"Ginny!" someone called and she whirled to see the handsome man with the haunted eyes, rushing towards her in long strides.

"What?" she asked, chest heaving.

"What's happened? Are you alright?" he asked, standing in front of her.

"I'm fine," she snapped.

He regarded her skeptically, and she tried to get herself under control. With dismay, she looked down on her robes to find that Malfoy's blood was scattered down the front and her wrist was an ugly swollen colour.

"I'm fine," she said sighing. She tapped her robes and the blood disappeared. She examined her wrist expertly, no bones where broken but she was going to have a very colourful bruise.

"That's a hand mark, who made it?" he asked in a tone that brooked no argument about the answer.

"It doesn't matter, I can sort it out," she answered, covering up the wound with a small illusion, courtesy of Blaise.

"Ginny-"

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Uh…" he said looking reluctant.

Before he could say anymore she tore off down the corridor, in the direction of the Great Hall. He followed her, and met with her at the doors.

"No one would think any less of you, if you asked for help," he muttered, looking at her meaningfully.

Harry greeted them at the table, and unmindful of her recent encounter, asked her to dance. Tables had been moved aside to make a small dance floor, so Ginny gratefully accepted, thankful to get away from the handsome man's knowing gaze. As she waltzed with Harry, she realised just how much his words had shaken her.

"Ginny, is something wrong?" questioned Harry, "is the evening that boring?"

"What?" she asked startled, "I'm having a good time."

"Are you sure?" he asked looking worried.

"Just dance with me Harry," she said resting her head on his shoulder. He looked pleased with the action, and held her tighter.

Regardless of the stares and whispers, they danced together the whole evening, both afraid to let the other go.

Later on, Harry walked Ginny up to her room. Both walked in friendly silence, pausing when they reached Ginny's room. She unlocked the door, and pushed it open, eyes skimming the cold, lonely darkness. She turned around to Harry who stood nervously waiting at her side.

Ginny couldn't see much in the dark corridor, but she knew that his eyes where on her. She could she the green of them shining, looking down at her, and Ginny thought she felt the earth move. She was falling into his eyes, and if it hadn't of been for the cold wood of the door way, she was almost sure that her legs would have given up.

He reached for her cautiously and Ginny was suddenly very aware of a hand on her waist, of his breath on her cheek and felt a reckless need spread through her.

And then they were kissing.

Ginny wasn't sure who had initiated it, but right at that moment she didn't care. The kiss was full of need and was overpowering, all she knew was that she wanted Harry with every fibre of her being.

And she also knew that she wanted to feel safe and un-alone, even if it was only for a little while.

* * *

Ginny woke up to the cold air playing on her bare skin and someone's body covering her own, arm draped over her and off the bed. As if sensing she had woken up, she felt them stir. A few moments later, a gentle hand moved to her hip and lips kissed the tattoo on her back sending small shivers up her spine. Now that she was able to move she turned her body to look up at him and he replaced his body over hers, leaning to kiss her.

"Mornin'," Harry mumbled, against her lips. She smiled sleepily, feeling very content and met his lips. His lips were soft, and she didn't even mind the stubble that grazed her smooth skin. He pressed his forehead against her own and stared down at her, making her feel vaguely uncomfortable, as if he where pulling out all her secrets and baring them to the world.

"What happened to your wrist?" he asked, trailing a finger down the inside of her arm.

"Nothing…" she said unsteadily.

"It looks like a hand mark, who hurt you?" His eyes bored down in to her own, demanding and yet unforceful.

"It was…"

A loud banging at the door caused them both to startle.

"Ginny!" called Cassie crashing open the bedroom door, and then freezing in her tracks, "Ginny." she said in an entirely different tone.

"Morning Cassie," said Ginny, blushing at the shocked look on her friends face. Ginny pulled on a robe, as Cassie visibly shook herself.

"Ginny? Cassie?" called a voice from the living room. Harry was just doing up his robes as Blaise and another Wizard walked in.

"What's going on? Why are Nicholas and Blaise here?" asked Ginny, her voice etched with worry.

Nicholas, his dark brown hair falling in his eyes looked steadily at Ginny, "its Amy," he said.

To be continued…