When Doves Cry
Chapter 7: Magic Moments
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter in any way shape or form.
A/N: happyish chapter I think…..
Hope squealed in delight as Fred took her into his arms. Harry was surprised as he noticed how much his daughter looked like her Uncle. He'd always thought she looked just like Ginny.
"She looks a lot like you," Harry told Fred.
"Nah," Fred shook his head, smiling at the baby, "This one looks like her mum. Gin's the one who looks like me. Mum can barely tell Gin's baby photos from photos of George and me."
"Really?" Harry said. Why hadn't he known that? He sighed inwardly. Just another reminder of how distant he'd felt from Ginny lately. It was if they hardly knew each other, and it was all his own doing.
But that was why he was at Fred and Hermione's and that was what tonight was all about.
When Ginny had laid down for a nap Harry had taken the opportunity to sneak James and Hope off to their Aunt and Uncle's house.
"So what do you have up your sleeve for my baby sister tonight Potter?" Fred inquired.
"Just some catching up. We see so little of each other these days…."
"Yeah, Hermione was telling me that."
"She was?" Harry questioned, slightly surprised.
"She is Gin's best friend you know."
Harry frowned. So Ginny had noticed the rift in their relationship too? 'Of course she had,' he mentally kicked himself.
Well, all their problems were going to be fixed, and if Harry had it his way they were going to be fixed that night.
Ginny awoke to a silent house. No screaming Hope. No James bouncing on her bed. Silence.
Ginny smiled as she stretched out her body. That had to have been the greatest nap of her entire life. With still no sign of other life, Ginny decided that she would get in the shower before anyone else had a chance to realize that she was awake.
When she was done her shower Ginny wrapped herself in a fluffy white towel and made her way toward her dresser to pull out some clothes. She stopped mid-step when she saw a crisp white sundress hanging out it.
A little sign attached to it read, "Put me on."
'Put me on?' Ginny thought to herself, 'It's freezing out.'
She laughed as the words quickly transformed to read, "I know its cold. Trust me." Sighing Ginny gave in and put on the dress. In the back of her closet she found a pair of sandals to wear with it.
When she went downstairs she found the person she was looking for at the bottom of the steps waiting for her.
Harry was there with a large picnic basket in his arms.
"Where are James and Hope?" Ginny asked him.
"Visiting Uncle Fred and Aunt Herminny."
"What? When did you? But…."
Harry smiled at his her. "Mum and Dad needed some time alone," he said, placing his arm around Ginny's waist and guiding her towards the kitchen. "Now hurry or we'll miss sunset."
"Sun set? We're going outside? Harry I'll freeze dressed like this!" Ginny suddenly felt alarmed.
"I told you to trust me," Harry grinned.
Before opening the back door Harry handed Ginny a crocheted shawl to wrap around her bare shoulders.
"Oh thanks," Ginny said sarcastically.
She stepped outside and instantly felt goose bumps rise up on her skin as the cold air hit her. She felt Harry wrap a strong arm around her shoulder and pull her closer as he walked her toward the blanket he had set up in the middle of their yard. Candles decorated the dark red quilt and there were two place settings already arranged.
As the continued to walk toward the blanket Ginny felt her toes begin to go numb and the wind stung as it whipped across her face.
Ginny sighed. "Harry I hate to disappoint you or seem ungrateful, but I think that it's just too cold to…"
Ginny stopped speaking as she stepped onto the blanket and felt the warmth of a hot summer evening surround her.
"I told you to trust me," Harry smirked at her, putting down the basket.
"You, Harry Potter, are amazing," Ginny smiled, putting her arms around her husband's neck. "May inquire about the occasion though?"
"No occasion. I just had a spark of inspiration, and followed through on it."
Ginny didn't reply.
'Was guilt your spark of inspiration?' she thought to herself.
Not wanting to think about that night Ginny quickly pushed the thoughts out of her head and smiled at her husband.
"What are we having?"
"Why don't you find out…"
Ginny dug through the basked and started to laugh its contents. Then it all came together. She looked down at her own outfit, and then at Harry's, and then at the blanket they were sitting on. The memories were rushing back to her.
"You have the best memory of anyone I've even met," she commented.
Harry had remembered nearly ever detail of a memory she had nearly forgotten, but suddenly she could recall it as if it had been yesterday.
Ginny rolled her eyes as she clasped the stand of pearls Hermione had lent her around her neck.
"I can't believe I'm putting so much effort into this," Ginny complained. "This is all your fault Mione," she said as she smoothed out the cotton lavender sundress that she was wearing.
"Sorry if I just presumed that you'd want to look nice for you first date."
"First date," Ginny snorted, clipping the front strands of her long hair back.
"That's what this is."
"That's just a technicality. Besides, Harry doesn't care what I look like. We may only have been official for a week but we're far beyond trying to impress one another with our appearance. We've known each other too long to play those games."
"You're right Gin, Harry doesn't care what you look like, but that doesn't mean he won't appreciate it."
"I suppose you're right," Ginny conceded. She grabbed her purse and a light shawl and headed for the door.
"Wait," she stopped. "Mione? How ew…How do I look?" She blushed as she asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Gorgeous as always Gin. Now go! I'm sure Harry's nervously awaiting you."
When Ginny got to the common room she found Harry sitting on one of the couches with Seamus. She walked over to the sitting area and stood in front of the boys.
"Are you ready to go Harry?"
She must have startled him because Harry was standing on his feet so quickly Ginny was pretty sure that he had literally jumped out of his seat.
"Hey Gin! I…Yeah…I'm ready…you uh, you look real nice."
Ginny smiled at Harry's uncharacteristically nervous behavior. Still on the sofa, Seamus was rolling with laughter.
"Thanks Harry," Ginny said ignoring her amused classmate, "You do too."
Harry blushed and shot a dirty look at his dorm mate.
"Harry man, that's no way to win over a lady."
" Oh really Seamus? And you think you know how?" Ginny raised a challenging eyebrow at him.
"Well yes, yes I do."
"Really?" Harry grinned, now a little more like his normal self. "Alright then, if you think you're so charming, bet you can't make our girl blush," Harry nodded his head toward Ginny who laughed.
Seamus rose from his seat shaking his head. "Fraid I'm going to have to pass you up on that on mate. Beautiful girls like Gin have heard all the compliments before; they already know they're lovely. Gorgeous gals like yours don't blush Potter." Seamus explained as he walked away.
Ginny tried to hide her face as she felt the burning sensation rising in her cheeks. It was too late though. She heard Seamus' booming laughter from a few feet away.
"See Potter? Don't mess with the master. I am 'lord of the ladies.'
Ginny laughed at Seamus and shook her head. Harry seemed to be torn between being amused and being pissed off that Seamus actually had made her flush.
"Come on Potter," Ginny said grabbing Harry's tie. "Let's go on this date of yours, and maybe later you can make me blush…"
Harry grinned at her.
"Alright. Lets go."
When they finally reached their destination down by the lake, Ginny found that Harry had set up an entire picnic for them.
"Harry! You didn't need to do all this," she told him, grabbing his arm.
She noticed a hint of pink appear on his cheeks as he mumbled, "It was nothing really."
She smiled and looked him in the eye. "No. It's definitely something." She stepped on to large blanket and laughed. The dark red comforter was defiantly from Harry's bed; she had the exact same on hers as did everyone else in Gryffindor.
Harry shrugged. "It was the only one I could find that was big enough."
Ginny laughed again and sat down, motioning for Harry to sit next to her.
"So what do we have to eat?" she questioned, pointing at the picnic basket.
Harry blushed again. "I'm not really sure actually." Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "Well I sort of had Dobby collect some things from the kitchen for me."
"Well lets see what he gave us," Ginny said, opening the large basket. "Pumpkin juice…not a bad start. And chicken. Ooo, it's the good chicken Harry!"
"What's the "good chicken?"
"You know! The chicken with that kind of orangey sauce…." Harry made a face and Ginny jutted her head forward. "You don't like the good chicken?"
"I thought Ron was the only one who liked that chicken," Harry laughed. Ginny shrugged.
"Oh well more for me then. What else do we have? What's this? Is it Jell-O?" When Harry gave her a blank stare Ginny simply placed the unidentifiable dish off the side and dug back into the basket. "Sauerkraut? Ugh. I hate sauerkraut."
"What? How can you hate sauerkraut?"
"How can you hate the good chicken?"
"Just keep looking."
Ginny laughed as she pulled out the next plate. "Pancakes?"
"Keep going," Harry shook his head.
"Egg salad…strawberries….and….What is this?" Ginny said, handing the dish to Harry.
"Chili," he stated as he took a whiff of the food.
"Well that's it," Ginny told him.
"No desert?"
Ginny reached into the basket one more time and pulled out a smaller container. She frowned as she opened the lid to it.
"I think it was ice cream cake," she said. "But now its sort of…melted ice cream with cake floating in it."
"Well, that's the last time I ask Dobby to gather some food for me," Harry frowned. "Sorry Gin. I wanted everything to be perfect."
Ginny smiled at Harry and gently placed her hand on Harry's. "It is," she assured him and then broadened her grin. "How can it not be when he have the good chicken?" This made Harry laugh and Ginny grabbed the plate with the chicken. "Come on. I'll make you like it."
Harry and Ginny got back to the common room that night and found the common room empty except for two Gryffindors sitting on the couch.
"Its about bloody time. I thought I told you to have her in by a decent hour Potter," the red headed boy sitting on the couch called. "Ow!" Ginny heard him yell as the brunette sitting next to him elbowed him in the side.
As Harry walked Ginny toward the steps leading toward the girls' dorm she grabbed his hand.
"Thanks for tonight Harry. It was nice."
Harry smiled, "Goodnight Gin."
"Goodnight Harry."
He kissed her goodnight, despite Ron's protests, and then headed up to his own room.
Ginny eyed the picnic basket once again and grinned.
"Good chicken?"
Harry chuckled and nodded, "Good chicken."
"Oh my god! Harry you're the best," she exclaimed digging back into the basket in search of her treasure. "It's been years since I've had it. How did you get it?"
"Lets just stay I still have some loyal friends back at Hogwarts. Dobby's still quite willing to help me out any way he can."
Ginny would have responded but she was already digging into the chicken. When she discovered Harry staring at her she shrugged. "What?" she asked with her mouth full. "You don't like it anyway."
When they were done eating Ginny leaned back against her husband's strong chest as he wrapped his arms around.
"This has been the best night Harry…. We really needed this. I just can't believe you remembered all this," she told him.
"Why? I remember all of the time we spend together."
"Oh really? Okay. Top three memories of me. Go," Ginny commanded. Harry laughed. Maybe if it had been anyone but Harry Ginny would have been embarrassed to request such a thing, but it I was Harry and she wanted to know.
"Top three? Well let me see…"
"And you can't count the night you came home or your first day back. Those are givens," Ginny amended her question.
"Alright then. Well I'm not if these are the ultimate top thee, but they're three of the best."
"I suppose that will do," she sighed dramatically, smiling.
"Well one is the day that Hope was born…"
"Ohh, I should have disqualified that one too. Life changing events like that are always obvious choices," she complained.
"Too late now," Harry laughed.
"And another one…"
"This better not be a major life moment," Ginny warned.
"Do you consider the end of term seventh year ball a major life moment?"
"That night?" Ginny exclaimed. "I was a mess that night!" Ginny cringed as she recalled the night. Ginny and Harry had gone to Hogsmeade for dinner before the beginning of the ball, as was tradition. Hermione and Ron, who had attended the ball together, had gone with them, as had Draco, Blaise, and their dates. The rest of the Gryffindor seventh years had originally planned to go with the group, but with the announcement that the Slytherins would be joining them they had decided smaller groups might be better after all.
After dinner, as they waited for the carriage to arrive to take them back to the school for the ball, Draco had pulled her away from the group and charmingly convinced Ginny to share his bottle of fire-whiskey with him. She had declined at first, but when Draco compared her to his date (a cute blond Slytherin that Ginny had decided she was not fond of), who had refused because she was to afraid of getting in trouble, Ginny had grabbed the bottle from his hand without a thought. I few moments later when he began laughing Ginny realized that he had tricked her into doing exactly what he wanted. She quickly thrust the bottle back at him, but the damage had already been done.
"I hate you," Ginny spat at her friend.
"No you don't," he replied. "You love me, and you know it."
"It's a fine line between the two Malfoy."
Ginny scowled and then sighed as she relaxed her face. "Why did you have to drag me into this?"
"I told you, Marissa was too scared of getting expelled to join me."
"So? You couldn't have gotten drunk by yourself?"
"I may not be an evil Malfoy Ginny but I am a Malfoy, and Malfoy's don't drink alone."
"But the do get other men's girlfriends drunk in alleyways," a new voice entered the conversation.
Ginny laughed as Draco rolled his eyes.
"Sod off Potter. You're little weaselette can take care of herself. She's a big girl."
Ginny couldn't tell if Harry was angry with her or not. She sensed that he was when he turned around calling over his shoulder, "The carriage is here."
"Great Draco. Now he's mad at me. Thanks."
Draco chuckled. "Sure you don't want some more?" he asked, holding the bottle out to her.
Ginny took the bottle from his hands and turned away as she took a few more swigs. She then quickly handed the bottle back before getting up , smoothing out her dress robes, and hurrying after Harry.
As the approached the school Ginny could feel the alcohol really beginning to take affect. As she hopped out of the carriage, she was grateful for Harry steadying hand as she found her balance.
"You alright Gin," he asked, Ginny noticing a hint of amusement in his voice. Maybe he wasn't mad…
"Yeah. These shoes are just a little higher than I'm used to," she said only to be silently questioned with skeptical green eyes before she was escorted into the ball, and firm, protective hand around her waist.
"Harry," Ginny pouted. "I want to dance."
"Go ahead Gin! You know that I don't dance, so don't pretend to be surprised or offended," Harry replied.
Ginny pouted at her boyfriend, who laughed at her.
"Was a weasel looking for someone to dance with?" Ginny suddenly found a hand in front of her. Ginny smiled and quickly took Draco's hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.
"You couldn't have just danced with her," she heard Ron complaining to Harry as she walked away.
Ginny spent most of the rest of the night dancing with Draco, who's date was getting better acquainted with Blaise, whose date was…well Ginny didn't know where she was. A couple of times to Ginny's delight Harry would find his way onto the dance floor and cut in. Eventually, a little tired, she went back to the table where Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and several other students were seated.
She ignored the dirty looks Ron was still giving her and rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
"Are you having a good time Harry?"
" As good a time as someone who isn't so fond of dancing could I guess…" he replied, smiling.
"He might be having a better time if his girlfriend hadn't been all over another guy all night."
"Oh yeah Ron. Harry's terribly jealous of Draco," Ginny rolled her eyes.
"You two looked awfully cozy to me. If I didn't know better I'd think something was going on between you two."
Ginny felt the sudden urge to punch her brother but stopped herself when she felt Harry's hand gently stroke her hair.
Ginny sat in silence a moment before she felt her mouth breaking into a grin and laughter escaping from it.
"Uhh…something funny Gin?" Ron looked at his sister.
"Draco! And me!" she laughed. "The heavens would cave in on earth before there was ever anything between a Weasley and a Malfoy," she chuckled.
The rest of the table seemed to share her amusement as they laughed a long.
"Well I was going to see if you all wanted to get out of here, but its seems like you're having a jolly good time," Ginny heard a voice behind her. She turned in her chair to see Draco standing behind her.
"Draco!" she smiled. "We were just talking about you!"
"That's great, little bit," he said, uninterested, and then turned to speak to Harry. "Some of us are going back to my quarters now, you two coming?"
Harry turned to Ginny who nodded before saying, "Sure, we'll come."
"Granger? Weasley?" Draco looked at the pair.
"Draco don't you think it's a little irresponsible for the head boy and girl to leave the seventh year ball prematurely?"
"Right you are Granger. You should stay here." With that Draco turned away from the table and headed out of the Great Hall.
Ginny and Harry hadn't been in Draco's room long before Hermione and Ron showed up too, having given up on the ball.
"Screw it," Hermione had said, taking the drink from Ginny's hand and taking a sip herself, cringing a bit as the liquid hit her tongue, "N.E.W.T.S. are over. School's done. What are they going do to me for leaving early?" Hermione handed Ginny back the glass but Ginny pushed it back toward her friend.
"Keep it! I'll get another!"
Getting up, Ginny approached her brother. "How did you convince Hermione to leave?" she exclaimed.
"Me? Convince her? She practically dragged me here!"
"So she finally came to her senses and loosened up. Took her long enough!"
"I think Fred's influencing her."
"Fred?" Ginny asked, surprised.
"Oh, there's defiantly something going on there. Started over Christmas Holiday. She's been visiting him every Hogsmeade weekend."
"Why didn't she invite him to the ball? Hermione!" Ginny called. "Why didn't you.." She was cut off when Ron's hand clamped over her mouth.
"They're still pretending like nothing going on," he hissed. "So lets not announce it to the world, okay Gin?"
Ginny shrugged.
"I'm going to get another drink. Do you want anything?"
Ron shook his head and Ginny headed toward the small bar that Draco had made out of his desk. He was there pouring himself a drink.
"So what'll be little bit?"
"Whatever your having," Ginny shrugged.
Draco laughed. "I don't think so Gin. You couldn't…" he stopped when Ginny scowled at him. "Fine. Don't listen to me. But you're gonna regret…" he stopped again when Ginny scowled further. "Fine. Fine. Here," he said handing her the glass. "Enjoy."
"You smell nice," Ginny said to Draco, who she found herelf sitting next to on the sofa. She wasn't sure where Harry was or Ron or Hermione for that matter.
"I'm going to find Harry," she told Draco befoe standing up. However, as quickly as she stood up, she sat back down again. She closed her eyes but opened them again as she felt the room spinning around her.
"Draco, everything's spinning," Ginny whined, but got no response.
Ginny tried to push the sensation away but only found it getting worse.
"Draco I don't' feel so well," she told the blond, who still didn't respond.
The queasy feeling in her stomach increased and Ginny was beginning to panic.
"Draco? Draco?" she tried to get his attention. "Draco I think I'm going to be sick."
This got the Slytherin's attention. He quickly stood up and whisked her away to the bathroom.
Had they arrived there two seconds later it would have been too late. Ginny covered her mouth before she bent over the toilet and emptied her stomach into it.
"Gin?" she heard Harry's voice enter the bathroom.
"Ginny?" Ron's voice called.
"Oh Ginny. You had too much to drink!" Hermione's voice joined into the conversation. Ginny wanted to suggest that maybe Hermione had had a little to much herself, but didn't have the energy to bother.
Ginny felt another round coming on and braced herself. She was grateful when she felt two large, familiar hands pull her red locks away from her face and hold them back. She heaved before putting her head back into the bowl.
"Malfoy what did you do to my sister?"
"I told her not to drink it. I told you Ginny. But no, to stubborn to listen to someone WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT. Stupid little bit…doesn't know her limits," Draco ended, mumbling the last bit.
"Don't you talk to my sister like that!"
"Ron don't get upset. I think you've had too much too," Hermione said.
"Hermione I have not! You're drunker than I am."
"I AM NOT drunk," Hermione exclaimed, aghast.
Ginny heard Draco begin to laugh at this. She quickly whipped around and scowled at everyone. "Everybody GET OUT. Just get out of here!"
The whole group quieted down quickly and obeyed Ginny's command.
Ginny reached out a hand as Harry stood up and grabbed his hand as she spoke. "Harry?"
He looked down at her.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked softly.
"Of course Gin. Of course. Do you need anything?"
"No. Just you."
They sat in silence for a few moments, hand in hand. The spinning had stopped, but Ginny was getting tired.
"Harry?"
"Yeah Gin."
"I love you. I love you so much."
"I know Gin."
"You're not going to tell me how much you love me?"
Harry laughed. "Do I really need to?"
Ginny smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "No, but its always nice to hear."
"Ok then. Gin, I love you so much that I love you even when your drunk, we're sitting on Malfoy's bathroom floor next to the toilet after you spent most of the night with another guy, and your breathe smells like alcohol and vomit."
"Oh. I don't know if I love you that much, but thanks Harry," Ginny teased.
Harry ruffled her hair before putting her in a headlock and pulling her closer to his chest. He kissed the top of her head and laughed as he said, "God only know what I'd be without you Gin."
"Why that night?" Ginny groaned.
"Three reasons," Harry stated. "First, not to sound conceited or like I took you for granted, because I didn't, but it was the first night that I was ever truly scared that there was a possibility that I could lose you to another guy."
"What?" Ginny exclaimed. "Who did you…? Draco?"
"They way you two were together, the way you two still are together, that terrified me. You guys have this relationship that I don't understand at all. I try to compare it to my friendship with Hermione, but it's not the same at all. And while I've learned over time that there's nothing to be jealous of; that was the first time that I ever really noticed the special bond you two have, and it terrified me. That fear took my appreciation of you to a whole new level."
"I never knew that you were jealous of my relationship with Draco."
"Well now you do," Harry seemed a little embarrassed about the confession.
"Well what the second reason?"
"The second reason is that it was the night that I realized that you were the one. That I was going to be head over heels in love with you for the rest of my life.
A night like that lets you know its true love."
"That's great. The first night you knew you really loved me I had my head in a toilet," Ginny groaned.
"And I still thought you were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."
Ginny looked up at Harry. "Ew."
"Exactly. That's how I knew I was done. I was yours completely."
"To think I was still worried about things like shaving my legs after that…" Ginny and Harry laughed.
"And the third reason I love that memory is that our whole relationship up until them, you were always the one taking care of me. You comforted me when I was sad, or stress, you took care of me when I was sick, and you helped get me out of trouble on more than one occasion. But that night…that night it was my turn to take care of you, and I liked that. I liked worrying about how much you had had to drink. I liked fretting over you getting into to much trouble due to Draco's mysterious ability to have a bad influence on you. I liked holding your hair back so that you didn't throw up on it, and I liked sitting on the cold bathroom floor with you. Knowing that I could take care of you was the best feeling in the world."
Ginny turned around and looked up at Harry. How could she have ever thought that he would cheat on her? Harry! The boy she's known and loved for ten years. He could never do something like that to anyone, let alone her.
Overwhelmed with emotion Ginny leaned up and smashed her lips onto Harry's and pushed him back onto the blanket. Harry returned the kiss and laughed as she came up for air.
"Don't you want to know my third favorite memory?" he questioned.
Ginny shook her head. "Not really Harry…" she said before leaning in again, un-tucking his shirt as she did so.
A/N: Well, there you have it. Hope you liked it. Review if you have a chance! They're always much appreciated. I'm nearly positive that I'll have the next chapter out by next weekend. BUT….if you want up to date infor of UPDATES…. I started a live journal that I'll update hopefully almost everyday to let you guys know what's going on with my story and how I'm doing with the next chapter. It's a great place besides the review sections for you to ask me any questions you might have. You can find the link to it in my author profile.
I guess that's all for now.
Love,
Bella