CHAPTER 13
THAT WINE
Harry stood outside the front door of Ginny's home, it was exactly seven o'clock, and he had been ready since six. He looked down at himself; his jeans hung loosely around his hips, held up by a black leather belt and his t-shirt fit perfectly, he fumbled with the bottle of wine that he held in his hands, he wasn't sure what he should bring. Was this a sort of date? He didn't know. He tried in vain to smooth his hair down and in the end gave up. He adjusted his glasses and reached up to knock on the door, praying that he didn't look stupid.
Ginny smoothed her hair down into place she had magically washed and dried it and had just cast a straightening charm on it so it hung loosely around her face. Her flared jeans swished around her ankles as she walked over to her wardrobe and put on a pale green t-shirt. She swiped on a little make-up and applied a slick of mascara. Looking at herself the mirror, she felt butterflies that she hadn't felt for a long time, she had tidied the whole of the downstairs quickly only half an hour ago, somehow she felt as though everything had to be perfect, even though it was only Harry, but Ginny knew it wasn't only Harry. It was Harry. The man she had dreamt of since she was little, the man that she had gladly given her heart to. The man who was knocking on the door at that very moment. Her heart leapt into her throat he was here. He was here at her house knocking on her door. Her heart was racing. She dumbly made her way down the stairs cursing herself for getting into this situation. She opened the door with a smile and her heart melted, he looked so cute standing awkwardly in her doorstep, not knowing what to do or say, he looked like a little boy. Suddenly her confidence came back to her.
"Hiya Harry.'' She said cheerfully, perhaps a little too cheerfully.
"Hey Gin, I brought this with me.'' He said holding out the bottle of wine in his hand.
"Thank you, I'll pour us a glass each now." Ginny said taking the bottle from him, walking into the house. "Come in, make yourself at home.'' She said as she walked out into the kitchen, leaving Harry come in and sit down on the sofa. She stepped out into the kitchen and gripped the counter; she was doing all right so far, now if she could keep it up all night she'd be fine.
Harry sat down on the small sofa and looked around, he'd never seen Ginny's house before but it seemed so familiar to him, the pictures of her family all around the room, the paintings on the walls, he felt as though he'd seen them before. He felt as though he had been here before, it was a strange feeling but one he liked.
"There you go.'' Ginny said walking back into the room, handing Harry a glass full of white wine.
"Thanks.'' Harry said taking the glass. "You have a really nice place here."
"Thanks.'' Ginny said sitting down at the opposite end of the sofa. "To be honest it wasn't this tidy half an hour ago, it was a bit of a rush job.'' Ginny said laughing uncomfortably, why did she just say that? She couldn't control what was coming out of her mouth.
"I bet it was no where near as bad as my place. I say my place as Ron has practically moved out now anyway. He's never home.'' Harry said with a small smile.
"Lucky you, I've lived with him, it's not nice.'' Ginny said laughing feeling more relaxed with him, or maybe it was just the wine going to her head, she had never been able to handle wine.
"True, oh well I can't complain, it's quite nice living alone.'' Harry said.
"Yeah it's great to just come home and have no one tell you that your place is a mess.''
"I still get that. Hermione feels like its her duty to come and lecture me at least twice a week.''
"I can imagine. 'I can't believe how messy this place is Harry.'" Ginny said mimicking Hermione. "She's only doing it because she cares though.'' Ginny said seriously.
"I know and I wouldn't be without her. She's great.''
"So have you thought of any ideas for the party?" Ginny said, topping Harry's glass up he seemed to have demolished his pretty quickly, she looked at her own glass and saw that it was empty, it must've been nerves.
"Um I don't know, I'm not really much good at this stuff, what about fancy dress?'' Harry said taking another large drop of wine, it seemed to be going to his head too, his cheeks were flushed and his eyes looked a bit unfocused.
"I thought you didn't like fancy dress.'' Ginny said, wishing almost immediately that she hadn't, this was going to bring up Hogwarts and she didn't want Harry to get all uncomfortable and to close up.
"Who said I didn't?''
"Oh come on remember the fuss you and Ron made about going to the masquerade at school." Ginny said her eyes bright; this was definitely some very strong wine, she felt her head sway a little.
"Well maybe I had such a good time that I was converted.'' Harry said leaning slightly closer.
"Oh really?''
"Yeah, that was a great night. You looked amazing." Harry said, his blush deepening.
"Remember Dean and Seamus.'' Ginny said laughing. "I can't believe they went as women, that was hilarious."
"Yeah that was a very good night.'' Harry said smiling. "We had some good times in school, despite everything.
"I know, we did didn't we, it wasn't all bad. Remember when we started the DA?''
"That was good.'' Harry said, finishing his second glass of wine, he was definitely getting tipsy now; he almost tipped the glass when he poured both himself and Ginny a third glass. Ginny looked at the wine bottle expecting it to be almost empty and was surprised to see it was full again. "It's refillable.'' Harry said, noticing the confused look on her face. "You look nice tonight.'' Harry said, staring at Ginny.
"As apposed to when?'' Ginny said pretending to be angry, it was amazing what a bottle of wine could do to your confidence.
"All the other times I've seen you when you look amazing.'' Harry said, embarrassment forgotten, he was openly flirting with her, and she liked it. It felt so right with Harry, not at all uncomfortable like when Andrew flirted with her. It felt natural.
"Yeah, why don't I look amazing tonight then?''
"Because you're sitting all the way over there I can't see you properly."
"What if I came closer?'' Ginny said smiling, her heart was beating faster every second.
"That would be nice.'' Harry said, his breathing getting heavier, was this really happening. Ginny moved up closer to him, their bodies' only inches away from each other.
"Now I see that you look fabulous.'' Harry said ruggedly, his head tilted towards hers. "You've always been gorgeous to me Gin.''
"Really?'' Ginny asked, she could almost feel his breath on her lips and it scared her, what would happen? She couldn't let anything happen now, not when nothing had been said. Nothing at all about what had happened at school. She moved her head back from his, increasing the distance between them.
"Really.'' Harry said, slightly put out that she'd pulled away when he was aching for her.
"Remember the summer we spent at Hermione's house?'' Ginny said fondly, it had been a great summer, the summer that she had finally decided that Harry would be hers.
"That was amazing." Harry said thinking back. "She transformed the whole house. Remember the party we had in her room?''
"Yeah. Ron was such an idiot then, that was the first time he had openly admitted to liking Hermione then the next day he forgot." Ginny said laughing.
"He didn't forget.'' Harry said, not caring that they swore never to tell Hermione or Ginny. "He just thought that Hermione would hate him for it so he pretended it never happened.''
"What a fool, it was obvious to everyone that she adored him.''
"Well what can I say we were young and naïve.'' Harry said with a grin.
"And what are you now, dashing young studs.'' Ginny said laughing.
"Are you saying that I'm not dashing?'' Harry questioned indignantly.
"You are very dashing Mr Potter.'' Ginny said, her head was swaying but it felt nice.
"Why thank you Miss Weasley.'' Harry said grinning. "You're all right.'' Ginny swung a cushion at him laughing.
"I was beautiful a minute ago. What changed?''
"Well that wasn't in comparison to me. No one can compete with my rugged charms.''
"You wish Potter.'' Ginny said laughing; the pillow she had swung at Harry had knocked his hair down into his eyes. She reached up before she could think what she was doing and pushed it out of his eyes. "You know you have the most amazing eyes.''
"Thank you.'' Harry said heavily. The touch of her hand against his skin had been electrifying, a sensation he hadn't experienced in over four years. He longed for her touch. He needed her close to him, yet here she was sitting only inches away from him and he couldn't bring himself to talk about what he had done, it would ruin the mood. He knew that was why she was holding back, unless it was because she didn't want him, but she was giving off signs that she did, but that could just be the drink. Thoughts buzzed around Harry's brain like a million tiny golden snitches.
Ginny pulled her hand away from Harry's hair quickly, she had forgotten how it felt to run her fingers through his hair, forgotten how it felt to be that close to him. "Harry...'' she started. She didn't know what she wanted to say, she just wanted to hear his name roll of her tongue.
"What?'' He whispered back softly, he had reached his hand up and had started stroking her hair away from her face. It felt like silk to his touch.
"I don't know.'' Ginny said honestly. She didn't know what to do. On one hand here he was, looking deep into her eyes, sitting inches away from her, his messy dark hair in his eyes, his warm skin so close, his piercing deep green eyes, his soft lips his hot breath. But she couldn't stop thinking about all the things he had said at Hogwarts, all the horrible things that had fallen from his gorgeous lips. She could hear them all now. She pulled away from his touch.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. She didn't know whether he was sorry for hurting her or sorry for getting too close. He was so hard to read.
"What are you thinking?" Ginny asked cautiously, she didn't want him to close up to her, but on the other hand she wanted to know.
"I'm thinking how much I really want to kiss your soft lips right now.'' Harry replied, his voice hoarse in his throat.
"And why would you want to do something like that.'' Ginny asked still keeping her distance, knowing that she couldn't trust herself not to do anything, knowing that if she kissed him now she'd regret it. She needed to know why he hadn't spoken to her, why he hadn't tried to explain first. She couldn't just carry on without knowing.
"I want to kiss you because you're amazing. You're gorgeous, kind, funny, and you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, with the prettiest eyes and the softest skin. You're amazing Ginny.''
"I don't think this is such a good idea Harry.'' Ginny said, he was looking at her in a way that made her hot and cold all over, but she wouldn't give in. All he had to do was say sorry and explain to her why he'd ignored her for a month. It wasn't hard why couldn't he just say it so she could kiss him, like she desperately wanted to.
"Whatever you say Ginny.'' Harry said backing away, disappointment etched all over his face, he knew what he had to say to her, he just couldn't bring himself to say it, not now, not when he was tipsy, he wanted to tell her and have her know that he really meant it and that he regretted it everyday. She needed to know how much he meant it, if he told her now she'd think he was only saying it to get her to kiss him.
The look on his face was perfectly clear in the darkening room, Ginny flicked her wand and several candles lit, and a fire roared to life in the fireplace, casting flickering shadows across his face.
"It reminds me of the Gryffindor common room, sitting here with you, in front of the fireplace." Harry said, staring wistfully into the fireplace, watching the dancing flames. The firelight enhancing the red of Ginny's hair as it fell into her eyes, she reached up and pushed it back.
"Do you ever miss Hogwarts?'' Ginny asked quietly, she too staring into the flames.
"I miss something's about Hogwarts. I miss it a lot. I miss going to see Hagrid, playing in Quidditch matches, and the feasts. I miss the late nights with the boys in our dorm. I miss all the crazy adventures we had with Ron and Hermione.'' Harry said, thinking back with a small smile on his face, not once averting his gaze from the fireplace. "You know its strange, I even miss potions lessons and Snape." Harry said laughing.
"That is strange." Ginny said smiling; she looked over and saw the profile of his face, his dark eyes, his pale skin, and his soft lips. He was gorgeous and yet he didn't know it, that's what made him more gorgeous in her eyes.
"Tell me about it." Harry said, finally looking away from the fireplace and into her eyes. "What do you miss the most?''
"Being able to be with you, Ron and Hermione everyday. I miss what we all had.''
"So do I. We had a great friendship. We still do, it'd just be nice if we could see each other more often." Harry said sadly, Ginny could tell that it bothered him that he didn't have Ron around as much as he used to; she made a mental note to tell Ron. "We should arrange a day out, just the four of us.'' Harry said suddenly.
"We're meant to be arranging a party and look how far we've got.'' Ginny said laughing.
"Oh yeah.'' Harry said as though he had forgotten. "Hermione's the best for arranging things.''
"We can't exactly ask her to arrange her own surprise party though can we.'' Ginny said laughing.
"True.'' Harry said looking down at his watch in surprise. "Shit is that the time! I totally lost track, I've got an early shift tomorrow, I'd better be going Gin.'' Harry said apologetically.
"You'd better had.'' Ginny said sadly, she didn't want him to leave; it was nice to finally be with him again.
"I suppose so.'' Harry said sadly, leaving was the last thing he wanted to do.
"What shall we do about the party then?'' Ginny asked.
"How about you come over mine tomorrow evening, I'll cook us some food and we'll definitely plan something this time.'' Harry said with a smile.
"You cook?'' Ginny said sounding surprised.
"I happen to be a very good cook.'' Harry said indignantly.
"I'll be the judge of that tomorrow.''
"So that's a yes then?''
"Yes.'' Ginny said smiling happily.
"Great I'll see you at seven?''
"You shall.'' Ginny said smiling as Harry pulled his wand to apparate, brightened by the fact that she would be seeing him again tomorrow.
"Are you all right to apparate?'' Ginny asked concernedly.
"Yeah I only had a few, I'll be all right.'' Harry said.
"Ok then if you're sure. I'll see you tomorrow then.''
"I'll look forward to it.'' Harry said before he apparated out.
"So will I Harry.'' Ginny said quietly, she reached her hand up to her neck and clasped the small golden locket. "So will I.''
Hermione had spent the whole day preparing for her interview, which wasn't until the next day, the head of the department of mysteries would interview her, and then have a tour of the entire department and an explanation of everything that they were working to achieve. The only drawback to working there was that she wouldn't be able to tell Ron anything that she had done during the day, anything she was working on, or any theories that she had come up with.
She looked around her modest home for something to occupy herself she was so restless. It was immaculate, nothing needed tidying, she had done all that the day before, Ron was at Quidditch practice, his team had a huge match that weekend, one that would decide whether they got through to the finals or not. Ginny was out with Colin, she had said something about needing a special dress for something that was about to happen that night. She thought to herself for a minute, Harry wasn't working at the moment, she pulled her wand from her pocket and apparated over to Harry's apartment, she had to do something she was climbing the walls, looking for something to do.
"Harry what are you doing?'' Hermione asked in shock as she popped into Harry's kitchen, to find him standing over the sink washing dishes.
"Just thought I'd tidy up a bit.'' Harry shrugged.
Hermione looked around the whole apartment it was tidier than hers. Harry had done more that 'tidy up a bit.' "Why, you don't usually bother.''
"I just felt like that's all.'' Harry said blushing.
"I think you're lying to me Harry.'' Hermione said with a mischievous grin. "Have you got a date or something, are you trying to impress someone?''
"Maybe.'' Harry said his blush deepening.
"Oh who is she Harry? I can't believe it.''
"You don't know her.'' Harry said quietly, he couldn't exactly tell her Ginny was coming over, she'd ask questions, and they couldn't let her find out about the party, it'd be better off if she didn't know anything.
"Oh. What about Ginny?''
"Well that's not going to happen, I may as well move on.'' Harry lied.
"Oh right.'' Hermione said sounding confused; Harry had always sworn that he would do anything to get her back one-day. He was lying. She knew not to press him on the matter though by the tone of his voice. "Do you need a hand with anything?'' Hermione said, looking around and seeing that in fact there was nothing left to be done.
"No thanks I'm almost done. Do you want a cup of tea?'' Harry asked smiling. Hermione brightened at this and set about making them both a large cup of tea, and conjuring a plate of biscuits.
They both sat down on the sofa and took a small sip of their steaming hot tea. "So what did you get up to last night?'' Hermione asked, looking over at Harry.
"Oh nothing much, the usual you know.'' Harry said, trying to sound normal, in truth he'd had the best night that he had had in a long time. Spending so much time with Ginny had been amazing; being able to see her, talk to her, laugh with her, touch her.
"I spent ages, going over any possible questions they could ask in the interview and coming up with answers." Hermione said, not realising that Harry was smiling. "What?'' She said when she looked and saw him grinning at her.
"You haven't changed a bit.''
"Is that a bad thing?'' Hermione challenged.
"Of course not, I loved you then and I love you more now.'' Harry said fondly. "You know you've done so well, I am so proud of you.''
"Really?''
"Yeah, all you need to do now is liberate the house elves.'' Harry said jokingly.
"Well since you mentioned it, I have been thinking about starting S.P.E.W back up again.'' Hermione said seriously. "Perhaps I'll wait until I start at the Ministry then I'll be able to get a lot more support than I did at school.'' Hermione said looking pointedly at Harry.
"You're not serious are you?''
"Of course I am.'' Hermione said and he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was.
"Oh great Ron's going to kill me for this.'' Harry moaned.
(A.n thanks for your great reviews for the last chapter, hopefully you liked this one a lot too. Hope so anyway. Please leave a review and let me know. For all you R/Hr fans, there'll be a lot more in the next chappie, and as for all you H/G fans, more of the same lol.)