A/N: I want to say thank you to all of my reviewers for being so supportive! I am really glad that everyone is enjoying my story so much! Thank you especially to Kumi-kun for being my first reviewer ever and for always saying such encouraging things. Also, thanks to StArFiRe-RuLz for the St. Patty's Day greeting and all your wonderful compliments. Please keep reviewing, they mean so much to me!

Chapter 4: Playing Games

Harry was vaguely aware of a head of red hair leaning over him, though sleep was still clinging to him like cobwebs of extra strong fiber. He smiled and reached out to take the apparition's hand, kissing it gently and murmuring a pleasant 'good morning' into the pale flesh. Only, the hand was rather too large to be that belonging to the person he so hoped it was. His suspicions were deepened as it was yanked from his grasp with a little yelp.

Harry forced his eyes to focus, though he quickly wished he hadn't. Ron's face was slightly pale and frozen in a strange expression of surprise mingled with pure horror.

The raven-haired boy sat up so suddenly that Ron had to jump aside to avoid a collision of skulls.

"Er, mate, I'm not…" Ron began, but was immediately cut off by a very red Harry.

"Look, Ron, I wasn't expecting you-"

"Oh? And who were you expecting?" Ron shot back with a quizzical eyebrow quirked.

"Er, well, no one. Nobody. I was still dreaming and I, er, thought you were someone else…" Harry finished lamely, leaving the sentence dangling as though he had meant it as a question rather than as an explanation.

Thankfully Ron was none too observant and, after all, it was rather early on a summer morning. He merely shrugged and said: "Must have been some dream, ay mate?" Then he grinned and turned to leave, remembering just in time that there had been a reason for his entering Harry's room in the first place. "Right, and mum wanted me to wake you up so you would have time to shower before we head off to Diagon Alley. Might want to make it a cold one. If you're so desperate as to come onto me, you're going to need to release some of that, er, sexual tension." He winked and disappeared into the hall.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed deeply, trying to calm his frantic heart and stop the scarlet blush creeping up his neck. He slowly undressed and wrapped a white towel around his waist. He decided a nice, long shower would be perfect after that little…misunderstanding. He couldn't bear the thought of facing Ron so soon after mistaking him for Ginny.

Pulling open his door, he came face to face with the girl that had been haunting his thoughts for the last week. She was standing with her fist raised, poised to knock, and with a slightly surprised look on her face.

"Ginny, you'll never guess what I just did." He pulled her into his room and shut the door, not wanting Ron, or anybody else for that matter, to overhear their conversation. "I thought that Ron was you this morning and I…well, let's just say that I greeted him a little more warmly than he expected."

Ginny's face had turned a shade of scarlet Harry had never before witnessed and he thought for a moment that his words were the reason behind it. He didn't see why she should be embarrassed. It was, after all, he who had kissed her brother's hand.

But Ginny didn't appear to have heard his little story as she made no attempt at a response. Instead, her entire attention seemed to have been caught and held by his muscled chest, or, to be more specific, his scant attire.

"Er, Harry…you're not really, um, dressed yet. Should I come back later?" Her voice was oddly shaky and a little choked, something not overlooked by Harry.

He chuckled, realizing what had caused the blush. He was surprised to discover that he was completely at ease standing in front of Ginny with only a towel on. Thisdid not seemlogical; he should be even redder than her! But for some reason he couldn't bring himself to feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

Ginny turned to leave, obviously in a daze, when she felt Harry's hand on her arm. She spun around and looked up at him for the first time that morning, having finally been able to divert her attention from his half-naked body. Now she found herself gazing into his piercing green eyes and shealmost forgot(almost being the key word here) about his lack of clothing. There was a softness there that she had very seldom seen. But there was also a hunger, a desire, that made her knees go weak, even as she knew the same look was discernable in her own eyes.

He gathered her close to him so that her heaving chest was pressed against his and she could feel his breath on her face. His arms were looped tightly around her, one on her lower back and the other just below her shoulder blades. She instinctively moved her hands up to his neck and leaned into him, loving the feel of his body so close to hers. He looked at her for another long moment, making her breath catch in her throat. She wondered vaguely why he had such an effect over her, but on the whole her mind was so abuzz with electricity that she couldn't think coherently. And then he kissed her. It felt far more real and meaningful than the heated exchange of the night before, which had been passionate but more about lust and suppressed longing than about true emotional attachment. Not that she hadn't thoroughly enjoyed it. But this was beautiful. It was gentle at first, soft and almost chaste had their bodies not been locked together so. She opened her mouth to him as his tongue sought entrance, moaning slightly at the intimacy between them.

Harry had meant to take the moment only so far, but the pleasure and the feeling that it was just…so right kept him from breaking away. He found himself pushing Ginny up against the wall of his bedroom, forcing their bodies even closer together. He could feel the blood pounding in his veins and the excitement coursing through him. It was then that he knew he had to stop or risk losing control of rational thought. He stepped back from her quickly, gasping for breath. He admired her as she slumped slightly against the wall and appeared to shake slightly. Her eyes were a little glazed, as though she had not yet returned to the present. Harry gave her a lopsided grin, kissed her on her check and made his way up two flights of stairs to the bathroom.

He allowed the water, which was slightly cooler than he usually preferred due to a certain…feeling he couldn't quite shake, run over his naked body. He hadn't enjoyed a shower quite like this in a very long time and he supposed it had something to do with the fact that, no matter where he was or what he was doing, he was always preoccupied with thoughts of Voldemort. But now, after only a few moments with Ginny, he felt like an entirely different person. A person who could actually taste the sweetness of life rather then be thwarted off by a potential bitter aftertaste. In short, he was relaxed enough to be the carefree boy he would have been under any other circumstances.

Harry was just rinsing conditioner out of his hair when he heard a rather disgruntled pounding on the bathroom door. Sighing resignedly, he switched off the water and stepped out of the shower, pulling the towel securely around his waist.

The air was thick with moisture, on top of which Harry had forgotten to put his contacts in before entering the bathroom, making navigation far more difficult than the situation warranted.

Finally, using the knocking sound as guidance, Harry's hand met the cool metal of the doorknob. He pulled the door open as he lazily rubbed his eye with his free hand. His vision impaired thrice over, it took him a moment to comprehend that someone had entered the bathroom and had shut the door while he still remained inside.

"What in the bloody—" But Harry never got to finish.

A small, very feminine body had wrapped itself into his arms and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. His confusion was immediately remedied as his hands found their way of their own accord to the tangle of red hair that crowned his attacker. He skillfully flipped her over so that she was now the one with her back to the wall and he with the advantage of free movement. A moan escaped his lips but was swallowed by her mouth. As his hands roamed ever downwards, Harry happened upon the discovery that Ginny was wearing the same attire as himself. That being a small white towel. The thin material was tied just above her breasts and hung only to about mid-thigh. This, indeed, was a pleasant find.

Harry groaned in displeasure as Ginny broke away from the kiss, but became instantaneously interested in the taste of her neck.

"Harry," she murmured, a bit breathlessly, "why have you turned the water off? It would have been so much easierwith the showeralready running."

Harry jerked his hungry lips away from her soft, pale skin long enough to catch the burning look in her eyes. It was unmistakable what she was insinuating.

He stood, completely stunned, as he watched her walk—no, scratch that—saunter over to the shower. She turned so that she was benefiting him with a full view of her face (not to mention certain other anatomical features) as she raised her eyebrow seductively and switched the water on. Harry needed no more prompting. He had covered the distance between them in two long strides and was leaning down to capture her mouth. Only, something seemed to be in the way of his doing this. Opening his eyes, he realized that Ginny's index finger was placed firmly on his lips and that her expression had turned from that of a seductress to that of a tease.

"Just what do you think you're doing, Potter?" Her arched brow was now mocking him rather than sending shivers down his spine.

He stared at her, mouth agape, unable to comprehend what had just taken place. Had she or had she not just as much as invited him to shower with her? It had seemed pretty clear at the time, but now she was changing her signals on him.

Ginny slid her finger from his lips to under his chin sensuously, not removing her gaze from his. She closed his mouth by lifting up her finger and grinned wickedly.

Harry became aware that he had been tricked at his own game. She was merely toying with him, getting him back for the way he had left her dazed and confused after their meeting in his bedroom. And she was damned good at pay back!

"Close the door on your way out, would you? I wouldn't want anyone walking in on me in a…compromising situation." She was playing with him again, using his obvious desire against him.

He decided to make a hasty exit and save what was left of his pride. Rejection was harsh, even in relation to this odd game they seemed to be playing with one another.

In an attempt to regain some of his dignity, Harry gave a wolfish grin, gracefully swept Ginny back so that he was the only thing holding her up, and kissed her firmly. He disappeared immediately after they broke apart, making Ginny suspect that he had apparated, though she had not heard the tell-tale cracking sound. Maybe she had just been so caught off guard by his actions that she was unaware of her surroundings for just long enough for him to slip out. But she wouldn't admit to being out-done by Harry, so she swiftly put that possibility out of mind and climbed into the shower. She would make him sorry for ruining her pay-back. And she knew just the way to do it.

Harry could hear the floor-boards squeak as someone, Ginny, he supposed, walked past his room on their way to breakfast. As if to taunt him, his stomach made an almighty growl that sounded slightly reminiscent of the protests it had made the summer Dudley was on his diet and therefore preventing the rest of the family from eating edible food. He knew he would have to face Ron at some point, but inevitability was nocushion for his embarrassment. He reasoned that his friend probably wouldn't make matters worse by bringing up what had transpired that morning, but that did not make the fact that it had happened any less traumatic. To the both of them.

Well, Harry sighed, I might as well get this over with. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think. It could, you know, be like a joke, or something... Fat chance of that. I'll have to supply endless butterbeer to get Ron that smashed! I'll just ignore the fact that it ever happened.

Slightly emboldened by these thoughts, Harry exited his room and swiftly made his way into the kitchen, afraid that if he prolonged the journey he would make a hasty retreat in the opposite direction. Like, say, to Bolivia. That might be far enough away.

But his ever-faithful feet had taken him in the direction of noisy clattering and laughter. Seated around the breakfast table were Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Mr. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley was occupied with a number of frying pans sizzling on the stove-top and a loudly shrieking teapot.

"Oi, Harry, the man of the hour!" With Ron's greeting the table erupted into peals of laughter. It would appear that the freckled boy couldn't keep his silence, especially when concerning issues of high sensitivity.

Gritting his teeth, Harry made his way into the room and started putting random items of food from the counter onto his plate.

"Ron! I kind of thought that what happened this morning would be a…er…secret." The words came out as a dark mumble, but the room's occupants became silent nonetheless.

"Whatever are you talking about, Harry? What happened this morning," Hermione inquired, his comment having piqued her interest.

Harry's eyebrows snapped together in confusion. "Er, nothing. Nothing at all. Um, what was so funny?"

"Oh, Ron was just telling us about that time with you and that girl from Slitherin. You know, the one who came onto you in the boy's Quidditch locker room. Never did find out how she got in there, but I might have to investigate that. In order to inform a teacher, of course," Ginny assured her mother as the older red-head opened her mouth to undoubtedly relay some very intense disapproval.

"Oh, er, right." Harry gave a nervous laugh and swallowed, hoping nobody would press him as to what he had been referring to earlier.

Ginny suddenly stood up and placed her dish in the sink.

"Well, I'm going to go take inventory of all the potions materials I have. Harry, love, would you pass me that list of school supplies over on the counter?" Her face betrayed nothing as she turned her gazeon the dark-haired boy standing a few feet from her.

"Love?" Ron leveled Harry with a gaze of pure surprise and uncertainty. His eyes slipped over to his sister. His little sister. "Is that what you said? Love?"

"Oh, yes, didn't Harry tell you this morning. I thought that's what he meant when he said he wanted what happened earlier to be a secret."

"No, no, I believe Harry failed to mention anything of interest. Care to fill us all in?"

Ginny suddenly seized Harry's face and planted a hard kiss on his lips before heading toward the stairs. "How 'bout you tell everyone, Harry? I need to go see what I will need at the apothecary."

With that she was gone, leaving behind a very red Harry with the unwanted attention of everybody in the room.

"Er, yes, well…I should think it were obvious after that." Harry searched the room for a compassionate face and was surprised to find that almost everyone was grinning. To be more specific, the entire female occupancy seemed to be thrilled. The men…not so much.

"Oh, Harry! I'm just so glad that you two got together! You don't know how happy this makes me." A teary-eyed Mrs. Weasley had launched herself across the room and was now apparently quite content to hug him fiercely.

"That's wonderful, Harry. I'm glad you've both found each other. You make a magnificent couple. Don't they, Ron?" A pause. "Don't they, Ron?" Hermione's voice had darkened, forcing Ron to quickly get over her feelings of shock and reserve.

"Yes, er, that's great. Really, er, great." To be fair, Ron truly did look as though he enjoyed the idea of his best mate and little sister getting together. After all, Harry was the best candidate in his opinion, so he should be happy. Yes, he would be happy. He allowed a slow smile to break over his face. "Well done, then. Mum, give him some air! The poor boy can't breath!"

Harry shot him a grateful smile and was relieved to find it returned. He then turned his attention to the only person present who had not voiced an opinion.

Mr. Weasley looked deep in contemplation for a moment, but when he finally did meet Harry's eyes he was grinning. "I can't think of a better man for my Ginny. Treat her well, Harry." He then stood up and shook Harry's hand, allowing a twinkle to slip into his eye.

Harry was relieved, to say the least,at the positive reactions of his friends. He quickly settled down with them at the table to discuss transportation to Diagon Alley and their intended destinations once they all arrived.

It was half past eleven when Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Harry lined up before the fireplace. It had been insisted that those who could apparate not do so, thus illuminating any possible confusion. With handfuls of floo powder, a few sneezes, and a wild ride, the five of them arrived in The Three Broomsticks moments later.

Please, please, please review! I need to know that the story is still interesting or what I need to add to it. No worries, more Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione coming up. Something pretty big will happen in the next two or three chapters, but no hints!