Hi all,
Thanks for the amazing reviews! I really appreciate them all. I hadn't planned on making this a long story, I think of it more as a short story of stolen moments, so there is only going to be one more chapter. But don't worry, I am already two chapters into my next story.
Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up, I have been rather busy, I hope to be much faster with the next.
Thank you all!
Enjoy,
Failte!
Harry stroked Ginny's back as she relaxed against him, his fingers gently brushing against the exposed skin of her back and shoulders above her dress. They spoke quietly about Quidditch, the twin's store, Ron and Hermione, anything but Voldemort. Ginny had unbuttoned Harry's shirt halfway down, her hand finding its way inside to stroke his chest. She could feel his heartbeat and stopped her hand to rest over it.
Nuzzling her throat, the Boy Who Lived sighed contentedly.
"When are you guys planning to leave?" Ginny asked quietly.
"As soon as possible," he murmured, fingering a lock of her hair.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Harry cupped her cheek and tilted her face up towards him, "Just stay safe. Stay close to your family and the Order."
"I wish there was more I could do for you."
"You do more than you know."
Ginny slid her hand around his neck and into his hair, pulling his head down so she could reach his mouth with her own.
"Ginny!"
"Ginny!"
"Ginerva!"
The two of the broke apart quickly. The voices of the twins and Mrs. Weasley carried up the slope to where they sat.
"I knew this was too good to last," Ginny mumbled.
Harry quickly buttoned his shirt up while Ginny stood and threw her robe around her shoulders. He pushed himself to his feet and gathered his robe in his hands, following Ginny as she headed toward the voices.
"Ginerva Weasley! Answer me now!" Molly called, standing with her hands on her hips by the clearing.
"I'm coming Mother!"
Mrs. Weasley placed a hand over her heart, "Really, Ginny! What were you thinking, disappearing like that? You could have been snatched away!"
"I'm fine, Mum."
"Where have you been?" George demanded as he, Fred, and Ron joined their mother.
"I went for a walk."
Harry came up behind her and all three of her brothers turned their attention to him. The twins looked from their sister's mussed hair and red cheeks to Harry and his untucked shirt and disheveled appearance.
Fred crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "I see you didn't take this walk alone."
Ginny stuck her chin out defiantly, "No I did not."
Ron looked all around him, trying to avoid his best mate's eyes. He had been dreading this moment, the possibility of interrupting Harry and Ginny at an inopportune time. He could accept the two of them dating, just as long as he didn't see them do any more than hold hands.
Molly chose to keep her mouth shut, pursing her lips. She turned and walked swiftly back toward the house.
Harry smiled sheepishly at the twins as he followed Ginny down the hill.
"I thought they were taking a break," George muttered.
"I might just have to break something," Fred replied.
Wordlessly, Ron started back toward the house, leaving his brothers to mutter and plan amongst themselves. He did not want any part of whatever they were planning.
"Have Bill and Fleur left yet?" Ginny asked.
Molly shook her head, "They're leaving shortly, Bill wanted to say goodbye to everyone first."
"How long are they going to be gone?" Harry asked.
"Just for the night dear, they'll be back tomorrow. We have a meeting with the Order."
"Oh? What about?" He asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant.
Mrs. Weasley glanced at him, "You know I can't tell you that, dear, until you're a member of the Order."
He scowled. It had always annoyed him the way Mrs. Weasley treated him like a child. Considering all he been through, there was nothing they could tell him that would upset him more. Sirius had understood that, he never tried to hide anything from Harry. At the thought of his godfather, Harry felt a pang of regret and pain. As of late, Sirius had been on his mind a lot, Dumbledore's death had brought back powerful memories of Sirus' passing and he felt a need to speak with him so intensely it was almost painful. Harry had thought about contacting Lupin, but he wasn't as comfortable talking to him as he been with Sirius.
"Harry?" Ginny had watched as his expression darkened and his eyes narrowed.
He whipped his head up, looking as though he had forgotten there were others around, "What?"
"Are you okay?"
He smiled unconvincingly, "Yeah."
She reached out and touched his arm, "You'll be able to join the Order the end of next month, I have to wait another year."
"Yeah, but I won't be here to join in."
"They're going to try and stop you."
"They won't succeed."
She nodded slowly, "Maybe you should tell the Order what you're planning to do."
He shook his head, "No. Moody and Lupin will try and stop us. We're just going to tell your parents and Hermione is going to owl her parents, just so everyone knows we're going together. But there is no stopping us. This has to be done and I have to do it."
Molly set about directing everyone what to do in order to put away what was left of the party. Bill and Fleur walked out of the house after having changed into their traveling robes, Bill carried two small overnight bags.
"Oh, Bill dear, do be careful," Molly cried, hugging him tightly.
Bill smiled patiently, "We will, Mum, don't worry."
Molly turned to her new daughter-in-law and took her hands, "Fleur, take good care of my boy."
"Oh, I will," Fleur vowed tearfully.
"Um, Molly, dear."
Everyone turned at the sound of Arthur's nervous voice. Molly clasped her hands over her mouth and the twins both groaned as Percy followed Mr. Weasley out of the Burrow's backdoor.
"Oh, Percy, dear," Molly hurried over. "I knew you would come! It's your brother's big day. How are you?"
Percy looked down his long nose at his mother, a look of disinterest crossed his narrow face. He gave her a barely perceptible nod before brushing past her and offering Bill his hand. "Congratulations on your marriage, Bill."
Bill's cheek twitched as he clenched his teeth. He hesitated a moment before crossing his arms over his chest, ignoring his brother's offered hand.
"Now, Bill," Molly chided nervously. "Your brother came all the way here to see you."
Harry glanced to his right as Ginny stepped closer to him. Even in the faint light of evening, he could see the anger and pain etched on her face. Without a word, he gently took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She looked up, flashing him a sad smile.
Fred, George, and Ron stood in a row, their arms crossed over their chests, all glaring at Percy.
"What a wonderful ending to a terrific day," Molly continued, her voice trembling, her hands twisting together anxiously. "You'll stay, won't you Percy? Have some cake?"
"No, I can't," he said stiffly. "I just wanted to stop by to offer my best wishes to Bill and Flora."
"Fleur," Bill hissed.
"Yes, well, I would have stopped by earlier, but we've been terribly busy at the Ministry," he glanced at Harry and then back at his mother. "I must be getting home, I have a long day tomorrow as well."
"Oh, please, Percy, there is plenty…"
"Bill, Flora, good luck, I wish all the happiness in the world," he said. "Good night."
Molly looked crestfallen as she watched her son leave without another word to her.
Highly insulted, Fleur began speaking in rapid French. No one could understand what she was saying, but her meaning was clear. Bill laid a hand on her arm and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
Harry looked around to see the twins and Ron gone. Ginny tugged at his hand and he allowed her to lead him around the side of the house.
"How can you treat Mum like that?" George asked angrily.
The three of them surrounded Percy, with Ron behind him, holding his arms so he couldn't apparate.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," Percy said haughtily.
"We know more than you think we do," Fred snarled.
"And what do you know? Is it the nonsense that Harry Potter is feeding you? You have all been lead astray by Potter and Dumbledore."
George punched Percy in the stomach, smirking as Percy groaned and would have doubled over if Ron wasn't holding him up.
"Dumbledore was a great man," Ron hissed at his brother.
"A million times the man you will ever be," Fred added. "What did Mum ever do to deserve your abuse?"
"I do not abuse her," Percy gasped. "I just refuse to associate with the people our parents choose to associate with. When all of this nonsense is over, you will see that they were wrong and the Ministry was right, but by then it will be too late. I cannot believe that our parents could lead you all astray like this. When you realize that, don't come crawling to me for help."
Feeling ill, Ron shoved Percy away from him. Percy stumbled and tried to right himself. Fred was the one who punched him in the stomach this time.
"Stop!" Ginny finally called out, dropping Harry's hand and stepping closer.
Percy doubled over, his arm wrapped around his stomach as he tried to catch his breath.
"He deserves it," Ron snapped kicking Percy's legs out from beneath him, sneering as his brother fell to the ground.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped, having just stepped out the front door of the Burrow.
"Ginny," Percy pushed himself to his feet and faced his sister. "If you need help, you can come to me."
"You're the one who needs help," Ginny snapped.
"You've allowed a silly school girl crush to muddle your thinking. You're smarter than that, Ginny."
Harry clenched his fists and made to step forward, but she was faster, whipping her wand out from beneath her robe.
"Ginny, you're not of age yet," Percy reminded her condescendingly. "You'll get in trouble."
"Ginny!" They all turned at the sharp tone of Arthur Weasley's voice. He stood beside Hermione, rubbing a hand over his tired face. "Just let him go."
Without another word, Percy apparated.
"No one mentions this to your mother," Arthur warned before turning and entering the glowing warmth of the Burrow, letting the door slam shut behind him.
"Prat," Ron muttered angrily.
"Prat isn't a strong enough word," Fred replied.
"Great big jackass?" George suggested.
"That'll work."
Hermoine hurried to Ron's side, taking his hand in both hers, "Are you okay? What happened?"
"He's had it coming for a long time," Ron told her.
Harry laid a gentle hand on Ginny's shoulder, "You okay?"
She nodded, and tucked her wand away in a pocket hidden within her robes. "It's his loss. He left us."
He squeezed gently, "You're right and someday he'll realize that."
Harry looked up from the chess board in front of him and glanced over to where Ginny and Hermione were sitting on the sofa. They had their heads tilted close together as they spoke quietly over a magazine they were reading.
The reception had officially ended over an hour earlier. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had already gone to bed, Molly had been quiet and melancholy since Percy had shown up, and the twins had gone home to their flat, annoyed and frustrated by their brother. It was still relatively early, so Ron had talked Harry into playing a few games of Wizard's chess. Hermione and Ginny had disappeared upstairs to change into more comfortable clothing before returning to the front parlor to join them.
As though she sensed him, Ginny raised her eyes to his and smiled softly. He looked quickly back at the board in front of him.
"I thought you guys broke up," Hermione whispered.
"We did, but, well, we talked. He told me what you guys are planning to do."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, surprised, "He did?"
"Yeah. I don't like it, but I understand he's doing what he needs to do. I'm just glad that he isn't going alone."
"You're going back to Hogwarts, aren't you?"
Ginny nodded, "Of course. I'm just hoping students will show up."
"So do I, but I'm afraid most parents won't feel safe about sending their kids there since Dumbledore won't be there. I wish we could tell people about the Order, I know more parents would feel better knowing there were Order members in the school."
"Snape was part of the Order."
Hermione sighed, "I just can't believe Professor Snape would do what he did. I mean, Dumbledore trusted him."
"Which only shows you how evil he really is," Harry said from across the room.
"I don't know," Hermione said slowly. "I mean, Dumbledore was a smart man, we don't know what all he had planned. What if…what if Snape was acting on his orders?"
"What?" Ron and Harry cried.
"Just listen to me, I've been thinking about this. From what you've told us, Harry, Dumbledore knew exactly what was going to happen and like he was preparing for what could happen to him. Maybe…maybe Dumbledore knew you had to continue this fight without him, maybe he wanted Snape to gain Voldemort's trust and the only way he could do that was to…"
"No!" Harry jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair and upsetting the chessboard. "He wouldn't do that! Dumbledore was too important to the cause!"
"But Harry, don't you see? You're the most important part of the cause."
"No, Dumbledore would not kill himself like that." Harry stormed from the room and they heard the backdoor slam shut.
"I didn't mean to upset him," Hermione said quietly.
Ginny gently squeezed Hermione's arm, "It's all right. I'll go talk to him."
Harry stared up at the star strewn sky feeling betrayed and confused. Part of him knew that some of what Hermione said made sense. But she hadn't been there, she hadn't seen the look on Snape's face, she hadn't heard Dumbledore pleading…
With a groan, Harry pressed his fists against his eyes, fighting to keep his composure, he would not cry. He would not lose it.
"Harry?"
A small wave of comfort washed over him at the sound of her voice.
A delicate hand rested on his shoulder, "She didn't mean to upset you."
"I…I don't think what she said upset me so much as the fact that she might be right," he said hoarsely.
"Dumbledore knew what he was doing."
"I hope so, it's all we have to go on right now."
The strain in his voice broke her heart a little. Ginny wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her cheek against his shoulder. She quietly offered him her support and devotion.
It was a strange feeling, Harry realized, to go for so many years with having no one to depend and then, suddenly, to have so many. Over the past six years he went from being alone to having friends and family and a wonderful girl. He had loved and lost. Fought and won. Now, he felt as though the emotions, the pressure, was too much. Wordlessly, he turned and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
Ginny gently stroked his back, "He was a great man and as long as we remember him, what he stood for and what he fought, we will win."
Harry buried his face in tousled hair, "Thanks, Gin, I needed that."
She tilted her head back and met his gaze with her own. Rising up on her toes, she brushed her lips over his in a quick reassuring kiss.
That small taste wasn't enough for Harry. He weaved his hands into her hair, tilting her head, and plundering her mouth with his own. A moan came from deep within her as she clutched the back of his shirt in her hands. Taking her reaction as a sign to go further, Harry, slid an arm down around her waist and gently lowered them to the ground, still joined at the lips. They rolled gently onto the soft ground, feeling the cool grass against exposed arms and brushing cheeks.
"Harry," she moaned his name as his hands slid under the jumper she wore, grazing her trembling flesh.
"Ginny," his breath warmed her skin as he moved his mouth down her throat. "I love you. Beautiful Ginny."
She melted in his hands as he whispered sweet endearments and his fingers raced over her.
He seemed to have lost all sense of time and place, concentrating solely on her, trying to get closer. His heart raced and he found confidence he never knew he possessed. Her quiet moans and seeking hands drove him further as his lips sought hers and his hands closed over her breasts. A sound somewhere between a groan and a growl rumbled deep in his throat as her hand brushed the erection that strained against the front of his trousers.
"We have to stop," Harry gasped.
"What?" Her voice sounded dreamy and far off.
"We have to stop, I…I can't do this, not here, not now."
Ginny leaned up on her elbows after he rolled off her, lying beside her on his back, his arm thrown over his eyes. "Harry?"
"Give me a second," he mumbled.
"What is it?"
"Quidditch."
"What?"
"I'm, uh, I'm in a little pain right now."
Ginny couldn't stop her eyes from traveling down to where he tried to hide the evidence of his arousal with his hand. "Oh, Harry…"
"Wronski Feint," he muttered. "Doppplebeater Defense, Double Eight Loop, Formation Looping."
"Hawkshead Attacking Formation," she added.
Harry chuckled and lowered his arm, embarrassed, "Sorry, Gin."
"Why?"
"This was neither the time nor the place. I just…I got carried away, I guess."
"You weren't doing it alone."
"Ginny, I'm leaving, probably as soon as the day after tomorrow. I can't…" He trailed off.
She lowered her head onto his shoulder, "Its okay, Harry."
Looking up at the clear sky, his fingers toyed with her hair, "It's your own fault, what with you being so pretty and all."
She snorted, "Sorry about that. I'll see what I can do about sprouting warts and horns."
"Thanks."
"When you get back, I'll have horns, warts, a hump back, and a giant mole on my chin with six long hairs growing out of it."
He laughed, "And I'll still want to shag you."
"Then…then I guess I really have something to look forward to when this is all over."
"We all have a lot to look forward to when this is all over, but knowing that I can come back to you makes it all worthwhile."