A/N DUDES! Just in case none of y'all saw it before, I said I KNEW 9 isn't
a prime number. I'm doing advanced, independent study math so bugger off,
I'm not dumb. Nine happens to be my favorite number. Has been since I was
8. Sorry, I just got yet another review telling me that nine isn't prime.
Although, all who have said it are nice. That's not the point. I've gotten
like ten reviews about it. Just thought I'd clarify... wow, I sound dumb!
Whatever, a sane mind is boring!
Chapter Twenty-Two*~~
Ginny let her fingers run over the material of the three dresses in front of her. One was emerald, one was sapphire, and one was amethyst. She sighed. 'Harry said that they would probably not all accept us. I have to dress to impress.' A smile crept up her lips as she thought of Ron. It turned serious when she got back to contemplating. 'But I can't look snooty. I have be impressive, but not too elegant, less they feel I'm parading as an elf.'
Her hand went absently to her throat as she played with her necklace. Suddenly, an idea came to her. She opened a small trunk she had found under her bed. Ginny quickly searched it and retrieved her long, thin silver chain, a silver key dangling from it. She proceeded to pull out another trunk, this one more beaten. She set the key on the lock and pressed. Some thing inside clicked and she opened it carefully, pulling off the leather straps.
Her fingers rummaged through piles of parchment before finding a diary. The cover was faded red leather and in golden capital letters there was a name written on the bottom, LEE. Ginny took a deep breath and opened it. There were journal entries, yes, but along with the words were illustrations. Some were of boysâ ones that seemed oddly familiar to Ginny's eyesâ others were of clothes. There were a few of different places in Hogwarts.
But Ginny's shaking fingers reached the back, the last page being blank. Ginny had found the diary buried outside the castle, under a large tree where seventh year couples carved their initials. She had not read it yet, though she intended to.
"Alright, I can do this," she whispered. Taking out a quill and ink, she wrote three letters. ///Lee///
At this point, Ginny took a deep breath.
///I shouldn't do this, I don't know where you keep your brain.///
Ginny, I don't have a brain. I'm purely magical. I put a spell on my diary so that when someone found itâ I knew they would, I call it muggle intuitionâ I could ask them what had become of me. And if I ever died before watching my children grow... well, they'd have there mother in a way.
///I was possessed by a diary like you. Tom Riddle's it was. He preserved himself in pages too. If anyone found out I was writing in here... especially Harry...///
You read Voldemort's diary? How odd.
///How...?///
Look, the diary you speak of would have been quite different from this. I am a charm. To preserve ones self and be able to become real from that is something quite different. It takes not only a charm, but transfiguration, a potion, and extreme use of the dark arts.
///That's Tom all right.///
Ginny, what did you need?
///Well.../// Ginny proceeded to tell her of her predicament. Writing it all down so it made sense took fifteen minutes.
Easy! What color eyes does your Harry have?
///Emerald green.///
The green dress. Now, go along and get ready.
Ginny did so.
When she was finished getting ready, she opened the door joining her room to Harry's. Harry turned to look at her. He was presently in the bottom half of his clothes. Ginny giggled. He stared at her, jaw dropped.
Ginny's dress was a brilliant emerald green. It was a low cut, circular neck, bordered by a braid of silver material. Right beneath her breasts, another coil of braided material circled, dipping up slightly just beneath the valley between her bosoms, accentuating the petiteness of her whole body. From that point, the material flowed down in green waves. The sleeves clung tightly to her arm, all the way down to her wrists, where the front continued to wrap around her middle finger's knuckle. There was a slight train in the back, and the front just barely grazed the floor. Ginny's feet donned silver slippers with ties that wound up her leg like a ballerina.
Ginny's fiery curls were pinned up at the back of her head, some spilling out, despite her best attempts. One hung on the left side of her face, draped slightly in her view.
"Well?" asked Ginny, blushing under his stare. Harry responded by walking over to her and giving her a long kiss. Ginny smiled into it. Her cool hands ran down his warm back. Harry smiled as well.
"Come here," Harry said, his voice a bit lower than normal. "I wanted to give you this." He pulled out a box that could only hold a necklace. Ginny grinned like crazy when she opened it.
"Be romantic and put it on me," Ginny said after a moment. Harry laughed and took it out.
It was a silver chain. The pendant on it was stunning. It was silver weaved and twisted around air in no particular form. The center of it held a black stone with small diamonds around it.
He did so, noticing another silver chain around her neck. He didn't say anything, but let his fingers graze the cool metal.
"Now, where were we?" asked Harry. He quickly pulled Ginny back to him, but she wriggled free.
"You were getting dressed," Ginny said sweetly. He pouted at her and her smile grew wider. "And not messing up my hair." Harry laughed and resumed the process of putting on his clothes.
Ginny sat on his bed.
Harry's room was a larger circular space than Ginny's and had many more homely touches, including a pair of socks lying near the closet. His bed, though Ginny's didn't know it, was like Ron's, only made of Chikira and with a silky black comforter.
Ginny watched as Harry got ready. "What was it like kissing Cho?" asked Ginny suddenly. Harry stopped and turned to look at her, brow furrowed.
"What are you going on about?"
"When you kissed Cho. I know you did, I'm not daft," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Uncomfortable and rather grotesque," Harry said as he slowly returned to the task at hand. "This isn't even counting the fact she was crying over Cedric at the time. It was rather sad and depressing, not the ideal mood for a nice snog."
"Oh." Ginny sat silently for a few moments. "What about the elves here? Ricatone?" Harry sputtered and spun around again.
"How on earth did you know I went out with Ricatone?" he asked, pale. Ginny smiled.
"You just told me," Ginny said. Harry sighed.
"It was a lot better than kissing Cho. But I was terrified of Ricatone. And we were together during bitter times. We discovered quite quickly we weren't at all suited for each other," Harry said.
"And the others?"
"They were pretty good at kissing. But they never made my heart speed up so fast it simply seemed to stop," Harry said, gazing at her intently. Ginny blushed a bit.
"And sex?" Harry froze completely.
"What's the sudden interest?" he asked, voice revealing nothing. Ginny sighed.
"Harry, we only have a short while," Ginny said quietly. "And I'm not talking about before we have to leave for supper. I mean... you're going to have an arranged marriage. And soon."
Harry put his black cloak over his shoulders. He sat silently next to her.
"I lied to Ron and the rest of your brothers," Harry said steadily. "Well, in a way. Jen did, really. She said that when we were together we never had sex." Ginny looked at him, eyes unmoving. Harry sighed and rubbed his head. "That wasn't true. She was the first personâ well, elf ratherâ that I had sex with."
Ginny didn't say anything at first. Harry looked at her.
"I won't lie to you Ginny," Harry said. "I want what ever time we have to be truthful."
"It's all right, Harry," Ginny said quietly. "How many others?"
"Three," Harry said quietly. "Look, Gin-" He stopped as she put her fingers on his lips.
"Harry, I don't mind," Ginny said. "I just want you to know that I'm a virgin. Well, I mean, Michael and I did almost have sex once. I now shudder at the thought."
"Ginny?"
"Yes, Laohan?" He smiled at her use of his Elvish name.
"I just want you to know that if we ever do have sex, it will be better than anything, because I love you with every fiber of my being."
Ginny stared at him, eyes full of tangled emotions.
"Harry, I love you too," she said after a few moments. She leaned forward and kissed him again. He pulled away, smiling amiably.
"You wouldn't want to rumple my nice clothing, would you?" Ginny laughed. He looked quite handsome. He was wearing dark green breeches, soft leather boots, an off-white shirt with a beautifully hand-embroidered emerald tunic over it, and a sword in a fancy sheath.
Suddenly, they heard Ginny's door open. The two pulled away and went into her room. "It's beautiful," Hermione said.
"Yes, you are quite stunning," Harry agreed.
"Quit hitting on my girlfriend," Ron said. Harry grinned.
Hermione's dress was a pale, powdery blue, the color of Atonics's magic. It clung perfectly to her curvy frame until it hit her waist. There, a sharp V of midnight blue material let way to flowing material. The neck was a simple curve so to let more attention focus on the sleeves. The sleeves were long and seemed like a huge pouch with a slit from about an inch after her shoulder to the end. They tied together right above her wrists.
Hermione's hair was pulled into an elegant twist, the highlights in her hair gone. The necklace around her neck showed Harry that she had found the jewelry box he had left for her. It was silver chains that wrapped around her neck a few times with a pale blue droplet on the end. Her skin looked paler than usual.
"You look beautiful," Ginny said, hugging her friend tightly.
"So do you," Hermione said, impressed.
"Don't grow up anymore," growled Ron. Ginny blushed and laughed. Harry smiled unconsciously at her. Hermione noticed this and her brows furrowed for an instant. Harry quickly removed his smile and saw Hermione's curious and calculating gaze.
"Let's go get Luna and Nev," Harry said quickly. They agreed and knocked on the door to the suite the two remaining friends shared.
"Hello!" Neville cried, throwing open the door as if surprised to see them.
"You've been really strange lately," Ron said as Ginny ducked under his arm and plopped on the couch. Harry shoved Ron out of his way and sat next to her, careful to keep a friends-only distance between them. Ron sat on a blue chair and Hermione took to his lap.
"Where's Loony?" asked Ginny good-naturedly.
"Right here," said her voice. They turned to look as a very different Luna Lovegood stoop before them.
"Loony?" asked Ginny in awe. Luna blushed as she received a very approving look from Neville and the other boys carefully averted their eyes to the other two girls, so as not to be accused of anything.
"You clean up nice, Lovegood," Harry said, looking back at her. Luna smiled.
"I much prefer Loony to Lovegood, thanks," she said.
"Alright, Loony," Harry said, grinning. "You clean up nice." This was, indeed, true.
Luna's dress was a dark reddish-brown. It was the same as Hermione's, only that instead of a V, there was a curve to match the neck. Her sleeves were tight and swooped into a deep funnel at the elbows.
Her white-blonde hair was piled so lazily onto her head it looked elegant, wisps falling out to tickle her neck and frame her face. Her blue eyes were larger and bluer than ever before. Around her neck was a black velvet choker with red jewels sewn in. A golden chain also fell to right above the valley of her breasts, a ruby set in gold on the end.
Neville was wearing black breeches, like Ron. Their boots matched Harry's. Neville wore a black tunic as well, with embroidery along the collar. Ron's tunic was dark blue, to match Hermione, with light blue embroidery.
"Ready?" Harry asked, a bit nervous for his friends. They nodded, smiling, and all grabbed cloaks to match their clothes.
Harry silently led them through a maze of corridors that rivaled those of Hogwarts. The silence that held in the air was tense, the nerves of Harry's friends apparent. Soon enough the forms of Remus, Sirius, Dumbledore, Sandra, Melody, and May came into view. Atonics, Kilala, Ricatone, Sala, Kigali, Mitra, Kana, and the other elves were no where in site.
"Ready?" asked Harry. Dumbledore smiled. He looked quite different in Elvin robes, and yet somehow, very much the same.
"You all look quite lovely," Dumbledore said the girls. They blushed at the headmaster's compliment.
"Quite a catch," Sirius agreed.
"Watch it, flea boy," warned Melody. Sirius smiled at Remus.
"Moony," May said, her voice warning as well.
"I didn't do anything," he said, giving her a kiss. She smiled when he pulled away.
"Remember," Harry said. "Don't rise to their bait. A few of these elves will be ready with stabs at our realm. And whatever you do, defend muggles. They have to know that even though we dominate a great part of our world, muggles mean just as much. Okay? Sirius!"
"Alright!" Sirius cried, rubbing Harry's head with his knuckles. Harry sighed and snapped his fingers, his hair going back to what resembled neat. He paused for a moment and then snapped again. Immediately, his hair grew to his chin. Harry fished in his robes and pulled out a silver ring and placed it on his hair, shoving the offending pieces behind his ears. All in all, Harry looked like a prince.
He took a deep breath and opened the doors that towered over them.
It was another balcony, only this on had a ceiling. All you could see was trees, so it's purpose seemed to be for pleasant dinners. A large table of dark Elvin wood stretched diagonally across the balcony. A little over two dozen elves sat at the table already. Harry sighed. All of the elves had stood up when he entered. He carelessly signaled them down.
"Vitru," he said, an impatient tone in his voice. An older elf stood, eyes stern and set. He bowed respectfully. "Vitru, what happened to the other table?"
"Prince Laohan, it is not a proper table. Your Highnessâ" but he didn't say what he had intended to. Harry had snapped his fingers and suddenly, in the place of the long table was a circular one, looking much more comfortable ad pleasant. Sala and Ricatone exchanged nervous glances. Atonics and Kilala cast wary eyes towards a few elves.
Harry ignored them and the elves whose faces had shown plain disapproval.
"Council of the Elves, may I present to you my guests." A few elves' faces twisted in fury or dissatisfaction. "Sandra of Green Hills, best friend to Kigali and Mitra, children of Head Magician Lord Atonics, and member of my army."
Sandra moved forward nervously. A few younger elves smiled good naturedly, as did a few of the very old, but most looked at her with distain.
"Mayraline of Hogsmeade, dear friend to myself and my deceased mother," Harry said. May received the same response as Sandra.
"Melody of Kettleburn, my godmother and dear, dear friend." Melody unconsciously clicked her finger nails together.
"Luna of Bluemoss, one of my closest friend and a lead member of our army." A few elves curled their lip at the final part of Harry's announcement.
"Neville of Picketpost, another of my closest friends and also a lead member of our army."
"Remus of London, my uncle and mentor," Harry said proudly. Remus blushed, pleased to be called Harry's uncle.
"Sirius of London, my father," Harry said softly. Sirius did not move. He stared. ~Sirius!~
~FATHER?~
"Sirius of London," Harry repeated. "My father, my brother, and my mentor." Sirius moved forward. "Please be seated." Those standing quickly sat.
"Your Highness," said the oldest looking wizard there. He gestured to those remaining behind him.
"Albahino of Hogwarts and Aquadira, my grandfather and protector," Harry said calmly. Dumbledore smiled, eyes dancing, before sitting decidedly next to Luna.
"You'll have to forgive my rudeness," he said. "It's that of an old mortal man."
"Ronald of the Burrow, my best friend and my brother," Harry said, grinning. Ron smiled at Harry's praise and sat down.
"Hermione of Corio, my best friend and little sister," he said, still smiling like a mad elf.
"And Virginia of the Burrow," Harry announced. ~My love.~ Ginny blushed. "My best friend and savior." A scarlet Ginny said down between Dumbledore and the empty seat that had to be Harry's.
A moment later, Harry sat down. He spoke in Elvish for a few moments before telepathically telling all of his friends what to do. "Shikari agu jilpon regunat anitan." May all who eat do so in good health "Mertiku o Aashiti nac." Mertiku and Ashiti bless Everyone at the table then murmured in one voice, "Docunine." So it shall be
Serving elves filed inside and set silver platters down all along the table. Harry snapped once they were all set down. A mist formed around the bottom of their lids before the said lids floated high into the air, until they dissolved into the ceiling.
~Should we eat?~ asked Hermione timidly.
~I don't think Ronnie can wait any longer,~ Ginny said. Ron looked at her from sit seat and glared. She smiled impishly at him.
Harry smiled slightly and reached out to a platter, grabbing a small bit of meat and proceeded to eat it quickly. Immediately, the elves began serving themselves. The others followed the suit. Harry silently took food, watching a few elves with a careful eye.
"What exactly are your wands composed of?" asked a middle-aged female elf, eyes showing pure interest. Harry nodded to Hermione, who looked like she would go insane with her mouth shut.
"Well, witches and wizards where we come from use wands to generate our magic, as you know. This is because we feel like we have more control, and spells are more easily directed. However, we can do wandless magic. After we join a school we become accustomed to wand magic, as we gain more control. Almost all wizards and witches loose the ability of wandless magic.
"But when a witch or wizard feels an extreme emotion, like a great anger for example, they are able to perform magicâ inadvertently, of course. They can, in example, blow up their aunt or something of the sort."
At this point in Hermione's explanation Ron and Ginny snorted softly and Ginny giggled a bit. Harry cast a glare at Hermione and Ron before turning to Ginny, whose giggles ceased immediately.
"So, wands are composed of a core and a few other magic generating items enclosed in a wooden shell."
"What's yours made of?" asked the only red-haired elf at the table. He was quite young, and seemed not to be too interested in the humans, but not completely uninterested.
"My wand," Hermione said. "I ten inches, with a core of a fairy's wing, aided by Corminel root and soul water, enclosed in yew wood. It's an excellent wand for defense against the dark arts, as well as charms."
The elves' attention moved to Ron.
"My first wand was my brother's old one. It didn't suit me well. But I got a new one a few years ago. It's nine and a half inches, core of a piece of a unicorn horn, aided by soul water and crushed dragonsbane, encased in willow good for defense and, supposedly, transfiguration, though that doesn't seem to be the case."
Harry spoke before they could turn to Ginny and quickly described his own wand, running his fingers along the sleek wood in his pocket.
Ginny wet her lips and then began talking. "My wand has a core of a unicorn tear, aided by wild pixie dust and dragon's flame, encased in redwood from the Forbidden Forest. It's ten and one quarter inch long, good for defense and charms, though supposedly more charms."
"Now then, I would like to hear some more about this wandless magic," Inzuiri said, directly across the circle from Hermione. A few others nodded as well. Hermione looked at the older wizards who looked at her expectantly.
"Go on, Hermione," Harry prodded. Obviously Ron and Ginny were not up to talking quite yet. She hesitated a moment loner before she began.
"Like I said, when we are younger, we can perform wandless magic," she said carefully. "And there have been a few wizards and witches who can still do it as they reach older ages. For most, it's simply Wishing Magic.
"Wishing Magic can be used only for summoning and conjuring, mainly. However, it is possible to perform a charm by that type of magic. It's an unusual talent, Wishing Magic. One Ginny has, as a matter of fact."
At this point Ginny went red.
"Care to show us?" asked the first elf who had spoken. A few elves rolled their eyes and muttered under their breath. They received sharp looks from Harry and fell silent.
"Alright," Ginny said a while later. "What should I conjure for you?"
"Gamitar alicton yerlaki," said a young, black haired, dark eyed elf next to Inzuri. His voice oozed sarcasm and a few elves snorted around the table. Two laughed openly.
Harry stood up angrily and slammed a fist on the table. "Gaginan, miinto uril fabrib catanui fetar acoti!" he yelled. Then he spoke in clear, unwavering English. "Get out of my site, Gariyit. Don't you even dare to step foot inside this castle, let alone appear before my eyes or Ginny's until you are prepared to make an apology. I expect you gone before breakfast is served tomorrow. If you need any help with a place to live, Titri always has spare boarding. And you can hereby consider yourself removed from the Council of Elves."
Gariyit stared at him a second before Harry raised his hand at the elf. Quickly, he left the room. Harry focused his attention on the two elves who had laughed.
"I suggest you either stop being insufferable pricks or get the hell out." No one moved. Ginny even suspected the two elves had stopped breathing. Harry finally sat down.
"What did he say?" asked Remus quietly. Harry sighed.
"Let's just say he made me defend Ginny's honor," Harry said.
"So even elves stoop to the level of insulting a woman with jabs about sex?" asked Ginny, seemingly bemused. Harry looked at her oddly.
"You don't seem upset."
"Harry, darling," Ginny said dramatically. "Draco used to be an ass. What the hell did you think he and Parkinson said to me?"
"For an elf to make a sexual accusation," Atonics said lightly. "Is a horrible thing here."
"Yes, it's unheard of," an elf by the name of Kwasa said.
"Only to the Council of the Elves," Harry half-muttered. "You hear it all over the slums and even villages. It'd kind of like mudblood. You should have heard the things that got said about the human boy who hung out with street rats."
"That was only because they thought you were polluting the water," Kigali said, rolling her eyes. Mitra nodded in agreement.
"You two may have been naive enough to believe that then, but please don't tell me you still do," Harry said, looking at them like an exasperated brother.
They exchanged looks. "Okay, so weren't even naïve enough to believe it then," Mitra said. She shrugged. "It did make you feel better." Harry smiled at them.
"Now then," Atonics said. "I believe Ginny was going to show us Wishing Magic." Ginny nodded and silence descended.
She closed her eyes and thought of Harry. Then she let herself feel joy as she remembered kissing him. Ginny held up her left hand. When she opened her eyes, there was a lily in it.
"That's Wishing Magic," Ginny said.
"Right," Hermione said. "There's also Dreamwalking, which is a minor form of wandless magic. Some wizards can enter the dreams of someone they're touching while they sleep. There are even a few who have been recorded to be able to do so with someone they aren't touching.
"Harry has both Wishing Magic and Dreamwalking. Because he is part elf, most people would chalk that up as an Elvish trait, however, that's impossible. It has to be from his non-elf blood."
"You amaze me every day, Hermione," Harry said, smiling. "How did you know I could Dreamwalk?"
"Oh, I sensed you in my dream with Ron," she said, blushing. "I can Dreamwalk as well. Ron can too. I'm not sure about Ginny. She's never tried to enter my dreams, if she could."
"Yes, she can," Harry said distractedly, thinking.
"What are you on about?" asked Ginny, confused.
"Oh," Harry said, going red. "You remember what I told you about that picture?" She nodded. "Well, I kind of Dreamwalked then too, and I can tell you can."
"HARRY!" Ginny yelled at him. "You KNOW what I dreamed about that night," she cried, exasperated.
"Don't raise your voice at an elf," snapped one of the elves to had tried not to laugh at Gariyit, Yugli. The two who had laughed were glaring at her (Ijiru and Frali).
"I'll raise my voice at whomever I please, elf or not," Ginny snapped. It happened in an instant. Frali rose in a flash and drew his sword, pointing it at her throat. Beside him, Ijiru had drawn her bow. Kana had jumped up alongside Master Vidori (the dude who came to see Kana... chapter 20).
But Ginny had grabbed Harry's sword and pulled it free at the same time. "I can fight with a sword as well as a wand," Ginny said evenly. Harry slowly stood, knowing if Frali or Ijiru challenged Ginny, she had no chance of wining.
"Sit down, all of you." They all did so, save Ginny. She reached over and re-sheathed the sword then stared at the elves.
"The prince said to sit," said Dwin, the elf who had begun the conversation of wands.
"Yes, he did," Ginny said, smiling sweetly at him. "He is your prince, not mine. I respect Harry not because he is the Prince of the Elves but because he is a good man. And a great friend. But he is more my friend than a power figure to me. I will listen to him and do what he asks of me. But what all of you are going to hear only once and never forget is that Harry is not superior to me. We are equals. He is more powerful, /not/ superior."
She sat promptly and began eating again. Harry sat as well, smiling.
"What are your subjects at Hogwarts?" asked Chihiro. And so, talk about Hogwarts started.
~What happened to not rising to their bait?~ asked Harry.
~You know I had to,~ snapped Ginny. Harry sighed.
~She's right, mate,~ Ron said.
~I'm with Nightly and Amethyst on this,~ Hermione said.
~Look, be careful, okay? All of you. Ginny, if Frali of Ijiru had challenged you, they would have killed you.~ At the tone Harry said, they all knew it was true.
~Sorry,~ Ginny said meekly.
~Just be careful, you guys,~ Harry said. He physically smiled at them all and returned his focus to the conversation, which had moved to the giant squid in the lake.
After dinner was finished and they were all headed back to their rooms, Harry felt his whole body relax. He turned to look at five of the ten closest people to him.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"If someone had told me when I was ten that I'd have friends as good as you within six years, I wouldn't have believed them," Harry said. "But I'm glad that things have worked out. Really glad."
Hermione kissed him on the cheek and then pulled Ron into their room. Neville watched Luna hug their friend before they proceeded to their room.
Harry had just shut the door behind him and Ginny when she launched herself at him. He caught her easily and melted into her when she kissed him. She backed him to his bed and Harry felt his knees hit the bed and he dropped back, Ginny still kissing him fiercely.
Soon, Harry tasted salt water mixed with Ginny's lips. He pulled them apart, breathing heavily. "Ginny?" he asked gently.
"Harry," she sobbed. "God, I feel so silly."
"Ginny," Harry said, sounding scared. "Ginny, what is it?"
"Oh, I'm just so terrified of loosing you," she said, drawing a shuddering breath. "I don't know how I'll be able to be near you once you're betrothed. Knowing I'll never have you." Harry sighed and pulled her close, tears still falling from her eyes. "It's hard enough knowing you're not really mine."
"Mertiku, Gin," Harry said, he was surprised to feel a tear falling down his own cheek. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she whispered softly. "And Harry..." she took a deep breath. "I want to sleep with you." Harry froze.
"Ginny..."
"No, listen," she said. "I... I can't even think about losing my virginity to anyone else."
Harry didn't say anything for a long while. "Ginny, I don't want to rush you. I don't need sex to satisfy me. All I need is you."
"But Harry," Ginny cried. "We don't have long!"
"Look, I want to have sex with you too," Harry said softly. "Not tonight." Ginny nodded. She proceeded to kiss him. Then they sat together, each with a book.
But neither was reading it.
Ginny thought of the decision she had just made, wondering if she really was ready. 'Yes,' she said sternly to herself. 'I am. And I can't wait that long. He'll be someone else's soon.'
Harry thought long and hard about what Ginny said to him. He thought about it long after she had gone to bed. He thought about what she meant to him, and knew what he had to do.
Silently, Harry slipped into Ginny's room and climbed into her bed. After he wrapped an arm around her, she snuggled against him. 'Yes,' he thought. 'I know what I have to do.'
The next morning, Ginny awoke to find Harry's warm body against her back.
They walked to breakfast not long after that, comfortably talking with their friends. They ate a pleasant breakfast, staying seated even afterwards. Then, suddenly, the doors opened. Atonics and Kilala slowly led in a beautiful young elf. She was probably two years younger than Harry.
"May I present," Atonics said softly, though his voice rang through the din. "Princess Alina." Harry gaped. He saw Ginny's eyes begin to tear. She abruptly stood and left, Luna close behind with Hermione.
A/N Okay, so it was two pages shorter than I promised, I'm really sorry, but I've been sick. My parents are out. I'm so happy! The next update in at least two weeks.
Chapter Twenty-Two*~~
Ginny let her fingers run over the material of the three dresses in front of her. One was emerald, one was sapphire, and one was amethyst. She sighed. 'Harry said that they would probably not all accept us. I have to dress to impress.' A smile crept up her lips as she thought of Ron. It turned serious when she got back to contemplating. 'But I can't look snooty. I have be impressive, but not too elegant, less they feel I'm parading as an elf.'
Her hand went absently to her throat as she played with her necklace. Suddenly, an idea came to her. She opened a small trunk she had found under her bed. Ginny quickly searched it and retrieved her long, thin silver chain, a silver key dangling from it. She proceeded to pull out another trunk, this one more beaten. She set the key on the lock and pressed. Some thing inside clicked and she opened it carefully, pulling off the leather straps.
Her fingers rummaged through piles of parchment before finding a diary. The cover was faded red leather and in golden capital letters there was a name written on the bottom, LEE. Ginny took a deep breath and opened it. There were journal entries, yes, but along with the words were illustrations. Some were of boysâ ones that seemed oddly familiar to Ginny's eyesâ others were of clothes. There were a few of different places in Hogwarts.
But Ginny's shaking fingers reached the back, the last page being blank. Ginny had found the diary buried outside the castle, under a large tree where seventh year couples carved their initials. She had not read it yet, though she intended to.
"Alright, I can do this," she whispered. Taking out a quill and ink, she wrote three letters. ///Lee///
At this point, Ginny took a deep breath.
///I shouldn't do this, I don't know where you keep your brain.///
Ginny, I don't have a brain. I'm purely magical. I put a spell on my diary so that when someone found itâ I knew they would, I call it muggle intuitionâ I could ask them what had become of me. And if I ever died before watching my children grow... well, they'd have there mother in a way.
///I was possessed by a diary like you. Tom Riddle's it was. He preserved himself in pages too. If anyone found out I was writing in here... especially Harry...///
You read Voldemort's diary? How odd.
///How...?///
Look, the diary you speak of would have been quite different from this. I am a charm. To preserve ones self and be able to become real from that is something quite different. It takes not only a charm, but transfiguration, a potion, and extreme use of the dark arts.
///That's Tom all right.///
Ginny, what did you need?
///Well.../// Ginny proceeded to tell her of her predicament. Writing it all down so it made sense took fifteen minutes.
Easy! What color eyes does your Harry have?
///Emerald green.///
The green dress. Now, go along and get ready.
Ginny did so.
When she was finished getting ready, she opened the door joining her room to Harry's. Harry turned to look at her. He was presently in the bottom half of his clothes. Ginny giggled. He stared at her, jaw dropped.
Ginny's dress was a brilliant emerald green. It was a low cut, circular neck, bordered by a braid of silver material. Right beneath her breasts, another coil of braided material circled, dipping up slightly just beneath the valley between her bosoms, accentuating the petiteness of her whole body. From that point, the material flowed down in green waves. The sleeves clung tightly to her arm, all the way down to her wrists, where the front continued to wrap around her middle finger's knuckle. There was a slight train in the back, and the front just barely grazed the floor. Ginny's feet donned silver slippers with ties that wound up her leg like a ballerina.
Ginny's fiery curls were pinned up at the back of her head, some spilling out, despite her best attempts. One hung on the left side of her face, draped slightly in her view.
"Well?" asked Ginny, blushing under his stare. Harry responded by walking over to her and giving her a long kiss. Ginny smiled into it. Her cool hands ran down his warm back. Harry smiled as well.
"Come here," Harry said, his voice a bit lower than normal. "I wanted to give you this." He pulled out a box that could only hold a necklace. Ginny grinned like crazy when she opened it.
"Be romantic and put it on me," Ginny said after a moment. Harry laughed and took it out.
It was a silver chain. The pendant on it was stunning. It was silver weaved and twisted around air in no particular form. The center of it held a black stone with small diamonds around it.
He did so, noticing another silver chain around her neck. He didn't say anything, but let his fingers graze the cool metal.
"Now, where were we?" asked Harry. He quickly pulled Ginny back to him, but she wriggled free.
"You were getting dressed," Ginny said sweetly. He pouted at her and her smile grew wider. "And not messing up my hair." Harry laughed and resumed the process of putting on his clothes.
Ginny sat on his bed.
Harry's room was a larger circular space than Ginny's and had many more homely touches, including a pair of socks lying near the closet. His bed, though Ginny's didn't know it, was like Ron's, only made of Chikira and with a silky black comforter.
Ginny watched as Harry got ready. "What was it like kissing Cho?" asked Ginny suddenly. Harry stopped and turned to look at her, brow furrowed.
"What are you going on about?"
"When you kissed Cho. I know you did, I'm not daft," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Uncomfortable and rather grotesque," Harry said as he slowly returned to the task at hand. "This isn't even counting the fact she was crying over Cedric at the time. It was rather sad and depressing, not the ideal mood for a nice snog."
"Oh." Ginny sat silently for a few moments. "What about the elves here? Ricatone?" Harry sputtered and spun around again.
"How on earth did you know I went out with Ricatone?" he asked, pale. Ginny smiled.
"You just told me," Ginny said. Harry sighed.
"It was a lot better than kissing Cho. But I was terrified of Ricatone. And we were together during bitter times. We discovered quite quickly we weren't at all suited for each other," Harry said.
"And the others?"
"They were pretty good at kissing. But they never made my heart speed up so fast it simply seemed to stop," Harry said, gazing at her intently. Ginny blushed a bit.
"And sex?" Harry froze completely.
"What's the sudden interest?" he asked, voice revealing nothing. Ginny sighed.
"Harry, we only have a short while," Ginny said quietly. "And I'm not talking about before we have to leave for supper. I mean... you're going to have an arranged marriage. And soon."
Harry put his black cloak over his shoulders. He sat silently next to her.
"I lied to Ron and the rest of your brothers," Harry said steadily. "Well, in a way. Jen did, really. She said that when we were together we never had sex." Ginny looked at him, eyes unmoving. Harry sighed and rubbed his head. "That wasn't true. She was the first personâ well, elf ratherâ that I had sex with."
Ginny didn't say anything at first. Harry looked at her.
"I won't lie to you Ginny," Harry said. "I want what ever time we have to be truthful."
"It's all right, Harry," Ginny said quietly. "How many others?"
"Three," Harry said quietly. "Look, Gin-" He stopped as she put her fingers on his lips.
"Harry, I don't mind," Ginny said. "I just want you to know that I'm a virgin. Well, I mean, Michael and I did almost have sex once. I now shudder at the thought."
"Ginny?"
"Yes, Laohan?" He smiled at her use of his Elvish name.
"I just want you to know that if we ever do have sex, it will be better than anything, because I love you with every fiber of my being."
Ginny stared at him, eyes full of tangled emotions.
"Harry, I love you too," she said after a few moments. She leaned forward and kissed him again. He pulled away, smiling amiably.
"You wouldn't want to rumple my nice clothing, would you?" Ginny laughed. He looked quite handsome. He was wearing dark green breeches, soft leather boots, an off-white shirt with a beautifully hand-embroidered emerald tunic over it, and a sword in a fancy sheath.
Suddenly, they heard Ginny's door open. The two pulled away and went into her room. "It's beautiful," Hermione said.
"Yes, you are quite stunning," Harry agreed.
"Quit hitting on my girlfriend," Ron said. Harry grinned.
Hermione's dress was a pale, powdery blue, the color of Atonics's magic. It clung perfectly to her curvy frame until it hit her waist. There, a sharp V of midnight blue material let way to flowing material. The neck was a simple curve so to let more attention focus on the sleeves. The sleeves were long and seemed like a huge pouch with a slit from about an inch after her shoulder to the end. They tied together right above her wrists.
Hermione's hair was pulled into an elegant twist, the highlights in her hair gone. The necklace around her neck showed Harry that she had found the jewelry box he had left for her. It was silver chains that wrapped around her neck a few times with a pale blue droplet on the end. Her skin looked paler than usual.
"You look beautiful," Ginny said, hugging her friend tightly.
"So do you," Hermione said, impressed.
"Don't grow up anymore," growled Ron. Ginny blushed and laughed. Harry smiled unconsciously at her. Hermione noticed this and her brows furrowed for an instant. Harry quickly removed his smile and saw Hermione's curious and calculating gaze.
"Let's go get Luna and Nev," Harry said quickly. They agreed and knocked on the door to the suite the two remaining friends shared.
"Hello!" Neville cried, throwing open the door as if surprised to see them.
"You've been really strange lately," Ron said as Ginny ducked under his arm and plopped on the couch. Harry shoved Ron out of his way and sat next to her, careful to keep a friends-only distance between them. Ron sat on a blue chair and Hermione took to his lap.
"Where's Loony?" asked Ginny good-naturedly.
"Right here," said her voice. They turned to look as a very different Luna Lovegood stoop before them.
"Loony?" asked Ginny in awe. Luna blushed as she received a very approving look from Neville and the other boys carefully averted their eyes to the other two girls, so as not to be accused of anything.
"You clean up nice, Lovegood," Harry said, looking back at her. Luna smiled.
"I much prefer Loony to Lovegood, thanks," she said.
"Alright, Loony," Harry said, grinning. "You clean up nice." This was, indeed, true.
Luna's dress was a dark reddish-brown. It was the same as Hermione's, only that instead of a V, there was a curve to match the neck. Her sleeves were tight and swooped into a deep funnel at the elbows.
Her white-blonde hair was piled so lazily onto her head it looked elegant, wisps falling out to tickle her neck and frame her face. Her blue eyes were larger and bluer than ever before. Around her neck was a black velvet choker with red jewels sewn in. A golden chain also fell to right above the valley of her breasts, a ruby set in gold on the end.
Neville was wearing black breeches, like Ron. Their boots matched Harry's. Neville wore a black tunic as well, with embroidery along the collar. Ron's tunic was dark blue, to match Hermione, with light blue embroidery.
"Ready?" Harry asked, a bit nervous for his friends. They nodded, smiling, and all grabbed cloaks to match their clothes.
Harry silently led them through a maze of corridors that rivaled those of Hogwarts. The silence that held in the air was tense, the nerves of Harry's friends apparent. Soon enough the forms of Remus, Sirius, Dumbledore, Sandra, Melody, and May came into view. Atonics, Kilala, Ricatone, Sala, Kigali, Mitra, Kana, and the other elves were no where in site.
"Ready?" asked Harry. Dumbledore smiled. He looked quite different in Elvin robes, and yet somehow, very much the same.
"You all look quite lovely," Dumbledore said the girls. They blushed at the headmaster's compliment.
"Quite a catch," Sirius agreed.
"Watch it, flea boy," warned Melody. Sirius smiled at Remus.
"Moony," May said, her voice warning as well.
"I didn't do anything," he said, giving her a kiss. She smiled when he pulled away.
"Remember," Harry said. "Don't rise to their bait. A few of these elves will be ready with stabs at our realm. And whatever you do, defend muggles. They have to know that even though we dominate a great part of our world, muggles mean just as much. Okay? Sirius!"
"Alright!" Sirius cried, rubbing Harry's head with his knuckles. Harry sighed and snapped his fingers, his hair going back to what resembled neat. He paused for a moment and then snapped again. Immediately, his hair grew to his chin. Harry fished in his robes and pulled out a silver ring and placed it on his hair, shoving the offending pieces behind his ears. All in all, Harry looked like a prince.
He took a deep breath and opened the doors that towered over them.
It was another balcony, only this on had a ceiling. All you could see was trees, so it's purpose seemed to be for pleasant dinners. A large table of dark Elvin wood stretched diagonally across the balcony. A little over two dozen elves sat at the table already. Harry sighed. All of the elves had stood up when he entered. He carelessly signaled them down.
"Vitru," he said, an impatient tone in his voice. An older elf stood, eyes stern and set. He bowed respectfully. "Vitru, what happened to the other table?"
"Prince Laohan, it is not a proper table. Your Highnessâ" but he didn't say what he had intended to. Harry had snapped his fingers and suddenly, in the place of the long table was a circular one, looking much more comfortable ad pleasant. Sala and Ricatone exchanged nervous glances. Atonics and Kilala cast wary eyes towards a few elves.
Harry ignored them and the elves whose faces had shown plain disapproval.
"Council of the Elves, may I present to you my guests." A few elves' faces twisted in fury or dissatisfaction. "Sandra of Green Hills, best friend to Kigali and Mitra, children of Head Magician Lord Atonics, and member of my army."
Sandra moved forward nervously. A few younger elves smiled good naturedly, as did a few of the very old, but most looked at her with distain.
"Mayraline of Hogsmeade, dear friend to myself and my deceased mother," Harry said. May received the same response as Sandra.
"Melody of Kettleburn, my godmother and dear, dear friend." Melody unconsciously clicked her finger nails together.
"Luna of Bluemoss, one of my closest friend and a lead member of our army." A few elves curled their lip at the final part of Harry's announcement.
"Neville of Picketpost, another of my closest friends and also a lead member of our army."
"Remus of London, my uncle and mentor," Harry said proudly. Remus blushed, pleased to be called Harry's uncle.
"Sirius of London, my father," Harry said softly. Sirius did not move. He stared. ~Sirius!~
~FATHER?~
"Sirius of London," Harry repeated. "My father, my brother, and my mentor." Sirius moved forward. "Please be seated." Those standing quickly sat.
"Your Highness," said the oldest looking wizard there. He gestured to those remaining behind him.
"Albahino of Hogwarts and Aquadira, my grandfather and protector," Harry said calmly. Dumbledore smiled, eyes dancing, before sitting decidedly next to Luna.
"You'll have to forgive my rudeness," he said. "It's that of an old mortal man."
"Ronald of the Burrow, my best friend and my brother," Harry said, grinning. Ron smiled at Harry's praise and sat down.
"Hermione of Corio, my best friend and little sister," he said, still smiling like a mad elf.
"And Virginia of the Burrow," Harry announced. ~My love.~ Ginny blushed. "My best friend and savior." A scarlet Ginny said down between Dumbledore and the empty seat that had to be Harry's.
A moment later, Harry sat down. He spoke in Elvish for a few moments before telepathically telling all of his friends what to do. "Shikari agu jilpon regunat anitan." May all who eat do so in good health "Mertiku o Aashiti nac." Mertiku and Ashiti bless Everyone at the table then murmured in one voice, "Docunine." So it shall be
Serving elves filed inside and set silver platters down all along the table. Harry snapped once they were all set down. A mist formed around the bottom of their lids before the said lids floated high into the air, until they dissolved into the ceiling.
~Should we eat?~ asked Hermione timidly.
~I don't think Ronnie can wait any longer,~ Ginny said. Ron looked at her from sit seat and glared. She smiled impishly at him.
Harry smiled slightly and reached out to a platter, grabbing a small bit of meat and proceeded to eat it quickly. Immediately, the elves began serving themselves. The others followed the suit. Harry silently took food, watching a few elves with a careful eye.
"What exactly are your wands composed of?" asked a middle-aged female elf, eyes showing pure interest. Harry nodded to Hermione, who looked like she would go insane with her mouth shut.
"Well, witches and wizards where we come from use wands to generate our magic, as you know. This is because we feel like we have more control, and spells are more easily directed. However, we can do wandless magic. After we join a school we become accustomed to wand magic, as we gain more control. Almost all wizards and witches loose the ability of wandless magic.
"But when a witch or wizard feels an extreme emotion, like a great anger for example, they are able to perform magicâ inadvertently, of course. They can, in example, blow up their aunt or something of the sort."
At this point in Hermione's explanation Ron and Ginny snorted softly and Ginny giggled a bit. Harry cast a glare at Hermione and Ron before turning to Ginny, whose giggles ceased immediately.
"So, wands are composed of a core and a few other magic generating items enclosed in a wooden shell."
"What's yours made of?" asked the only red-haired elf at the table. He was quite young, and seemed not to be too interested in the humans, but not completely uninterested.
"My wand," Hermione said. "I ten inches, with a core of a fairy's wing, aided by Corminel root and soul water, enclosed in yew wood. It's an excellent wand for defense against the dark arts, as well as charms."
The elves' attention moved to Ron.
"My first wand was my brother's old one. It didn't suit me well. But I got a new one a few years ago. It's nine and a half inches, core of a piece of a unicorn horn, aided by soul water and crushed dragonsbane, encased in willow good for defense and, supposedly, transfiguration, though that doesn't seem to be the case."
Harry spoke before they could turn to Ginny and quickly described his own wand, running his fingers along the sleek wood in his pocket.
Ginny wet her lips and then began talking. "My wand has a core of a unicorn tear, aided by wild pixie dust and dragon's flame, encased in redwood from the Forbidden Forest. It's ten and one quarter inch long, good for defense and charms, though supposedly more charms."
"Now then, I would like to hear some more about this wandless magic," Inzuiri said, directly across the circle from Hermione. A few others nodded as well. Hermione looked at the older wizards who looked at her expectantly.
"Go on, Hermione," Harry prodded. Obviously Ron and Ginny were not up to talking quite yet. She hesitated a moment loner before she began.
"Like I said, when we are younger, we can perform wandless magic," she said carefully. "And there have been a few wizards and witches who can still do it as they reach older ages. For most, it's simply Wishing Magic.
"Wishing Magic can be used only for summoning and conjuring, mainly. However, it is possible to perform a charm by that type of magic. It's an unusual talent, Wishing Magic. One Ginny has, as a matter of fact."
At this point Ginny went red.
"Care to show us?" asked the first elf who had spoken. A few elves rolled their eyes and muttered under their breath. They received sharp looks from Harry and fell silent.
"Alright," Ginny said a while later. "What should I conjure for you?"
"Gamitar alicton yerlaki," said a young, black haired, dark eyed elf next to Inzuri. His voice oozed sarcasm and a few elves snorted around the table. Two laughed openly.
Harry stood up angrily and slammed a fist on the table. "Gaginan, miinto uril fabrib catanui fetar acoti!" he yelled. Then he spoke in clear, unwavering English. "Get out of my site, Gariyit. Don't you even dare to step foot inside this castle, let alone appear before my eyes or Ginny's until you are prepared to make an apology. I expect you gone before breakfast is served tomorrow. If you need any help with a place to live, Titri always has spare boarding. And you can hereby consider yourself removed from the Council of Elves."
Gariyit stared at him a second before Harry raised his hand at the elf. Quickly, he left the room. Harry focused his attention on the two elves who had laughed.
"I suggest you either stop being insufferable pricks or get the hell out." No one moved. Ginny even suspected the two elves had stopped breathing. Harry finally sat down.
"What did he say?" asked Remus quietly. Harry sighed.
"Let's just say he made me defend Ginny's honor," Harry said.
"So even elves stoop to the level of insulting a woman with jabs about sex?" asked Ginny, seemingly bemused. Harry looked at her oddly.
"You don't seem upset."
"Harry, darling," Ginny said dramatically. "Draco used to be an ass. What the hell did you think he and Parkinson said to me?"
"For an elf to make a sexual accusation," Atonics said lightly. "Is a horrible thing here."
"Yes, it's unheard of," an elf by the name of Kwasa said.
"Only to the Council of the Elves," Harry half-muttered. "You hear it all over the slums and even villages. It'd kind of like mudblood. You should have heard the things that got said about the human boy who hung out with street rats."
"That was only because they thought you were polluting the water," Kigali said, rolling her eyes. Mitra nodded in agreement.
"You two may have been naive enough to believe that then, but please don't tell me you still do," Harry said, looking at them like an exasperated brother.
They exchanged looks. "Okay, so weren't even naïve enough to believe it then," Mitra said. She shrugged. "It did make you feel better." Harry smiled at them.
"Now then," Atonics said. "I believe Ginny was going to show us Wishing Magic." Ginny nodded and silence descended.
She closed her eyes and thought of Harry. Then she let herself feel joy as she remembered kissing him. Ginny held up her left hand. When she opened her eyes, there was a lily in it.
"That's Wishing Magic," Ginny said.
"Right," Hermione said. "There's also Dreamwalking, which is a minor form of wandless magic. Some wizards can enter the dreams of someone they're touching while they sleep. There are even a few who have been recorded to be able to do so with someone they aren't touching.
"Harry has both Wishing Magic and Dreamwalking. Because he is part elf, most people would chalk that up as an Elvish trait, however, that's impossible. It has to be from his non-elf blood."
"You amaze me every day, Hermione," Harry said, smiling. "How did you know I could Dreamwalk?"
"Oh, I sensed you in my dream with Ron," she said, blushing. "I can Dreamwalk as well. Ron can too. I'm not sure about Ginny. She's never tried to enter my dreams, if she could."
"Yes, she can," Harry said distractedly, thinking.
"What are you on about?" asked Ginny, confused.
"Oh," Harry said, going red. "You remember what I told you about that picture?" She nodded. "Well, I kind of Dreamwalked then too, and I can tell you can."
"HARRY!" Ginny yelled at him. "You KNOW what I dreamed about that night," she cried, exasperated.
"Don't raise your voice at an elf," snapped one of the elves to had tried not to laugh at Gariyit, Yugli. The two who had laughed were glaring at her (Ijiru and Frali).
"I'll raise my voice at whomever I please, elf or not," Ginny snapped. It happened in an instant. Frali rose in a flash and drew his sword, pointing it at her throat. Beside him, Ijiru had drawn her bow. Kana had jumped up alongside Master Vidori (the dude who came to see Kana... chapter 20).
But Ginny had grabbed Harry's sword and pulled it free at the same time. "I can fight with a sword as well as a wand," Ginny said evenly. Harry slowly stood, knowing if Frali or Ijiru challenged Ginny, she had no chance of wining.
"Sit down, all of you." They all did so, save Ginny. She reached over and re-sheathed the sword then stared at the elves.
"The prince said to sit," said Dwin, the elf who had begun the conversation of wands.
"Yes, he did," Ginny said, smiling sweetly at him. "He is your prince, not mine. I respect Harry not because he is the Prince of the Elves but because he is a good man. And a great friend. But he is more my friend than a power figure to me. I will listen to him and do what he asks of me. But what all of you are going to hear only once and never forget is that Harry is not superior to me. We are equals. He is more powerful, /not/ superior."
She sat promptly and began eating again. Harry sat as well, smiling.
"What are your subjects at Hogwarts?" asked Chihiro. And so, talk about Hogwarts started.
~What happened to not rising to their bait?~ asked Harry.
~You know I had to,~ snapped Ginny. Harry sighed.
~She's right, mate,~ Ron said.
~I'm with Nightly and Amethyst on this,~ Hermione said.
~Look, be careful, okay? All of you. Ginny, if Frali of Ijiru had challenged you, they would have killed you.~ At the tone Harry said, they all knew it was true.
~Sorry,~ Ginny said meekly.
~Just be careful, you guys,~ Harry said. He physically smiled at them all and returned his focus to the conversation, which had moved to the giant squid in the lake.
After dinner was finished and they were all headed back to their rooms, Harry felt his whole body relax. He turned to look at five of the ten closest people to him.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"If someone had told me when I was ten that I'd have friends as good as you within six years, I wouldn't have believed them," Harry said. "But I'm glad that things have worked out. Really glad."
Hermione kissed him on the cheek and then pulled Ron into their room. Neville watched Luna hug their friend before they proceeded to their room.
Harry had just shut the door behind him and Ginny when she launched herself at him. He caught her easily and melted into her when she kissed him. She backed him to his bed and Harry felt his knees hit the bed and he dropped back, Ginny still kissing him fiercely.
Soon, Harry tasted salt water mixed with Ginny's lips. He pulled them apart, breathing heavily. "Ginny?" he asked gently.
"Harry," she sobbed. "God, I feel so silly."
"Ginny," Harry said, sounding scared. "Ginny, what is it?"
"Oh, I'm just so terrified of loosing you," she said, drawing a shuddering breath. "I don't know how I'll be able to be near you once you're betrothed. Knowing I'll never have you." Harry sighed and pulled her close, tears still falling from her eyes. "It's hard enough knowing you're not really mine."
"Mertiku, Gin," Harry said, he was surprised to feel a tear falling down his own cheek. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she whispered softly. "And Harry..." she took a deep breath. "I want to sleep with you." Harry froze.
"Ginny..."
"No, listen," she said. "I... I can't even think about losing my virginity to anyone else."
Harry didn't say anything for a long while. "Ginny, I don't want to rush you. I don't need sex to satisfy me. All I need is you."
"But Harry," Ginny cried. "We don't have long!"
"Look, I want to have sex with you too," Harry said softly. "Not tonight." Ginny nodded. She proceeded to kiss him. Then they sat together, each with a book.
But neither was reading it.
Ginny thought of the decision she had just made, wondering if she really was ready. 'Yes,' she said sternly to herself. 'I am. And I can't wait that long. He'll be someone else's soon.'
Harry thought long and hard about what Ginny said to him. He thought about it long after she had gone to bed. He thought about what she meant to him, and knew what he had to do.
Silently, Harry slipped into Ginny's room and climbed into her bed. After he wrapped an arm around her, she snuggled against him. 'Yes,' he thought. 'I know what I have to do.'
The next morning, Ginny awoke to find Harry's warm body against her back.
They walked to breakfast not long after that, comfortably talking with their friends. They ate a pleasant breakfast, staying seated even afterwards. Then, suddenly, the doors opened. Atonics and Kilala slowly led in a beautiful young elf. She was probably two years younger than Harry.
"May I present," Atonics said softly, though his voice rang through the din. "Princess Alina." Harry gaped. He saw Ginny's eyes begin to tear. She abruptly stood and left, Luna close behind with Hermione.
A/N Okay, so it was two pages shorter than I promised, I'm really sorry, but I've been sick. My parents are out. I'm so happy! The next update in at least two weeks.