Only In My Dreams

Harry standing by his large fireplace, watching as Ron and Hermione went up in flames, disappearing as they made their way home. They had spent the day together on this their weekend outing. Even though it had been five years since the trio had graduated from Hogwarts, they had made a pact to never lose touch.

But at this moment, Harry was somehow nervous as it was only himself and Ginny left standing in his living room. Alone – nearing midnight. He had no desire to be in bad standings with his best mate, but there was something about Ginny. Over the past few weeks, he had been noticing the little things that made her so… attractive? The freckles scattered across her nose, the way her smile lit up the room, the way the fires reflection danced on her own fiery hair, the way her laughter touched the depths of his soul. He was suddenly seeing Ginny in a different light, and he was sure Ron wouldn't be too pleased.

Maybe he was finally seeing that she wasn't just Ron's little sister anymore. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a beautiful, confident young woman. She was a hard working and compassionate person, who had the smile of an angel and the heart of a Gryffindor lion. Why was it now, when she was beyond him, why was it now that he was finally seeing what an amazing young woman she was and always had been?

"Harry?"

Ginny was waving her hand in front of his face, shaking him from his thoughts. He smiled down at her smug little face and couldn't help the emotion that surged through his body as he resisted the temptation to kiss that smirk off her face.

"All right there? You looked kind of out of it for a moment." She said.

"I'm good." He replied quickly as he leaned on the wall by the fireplace. "So how are you doing, Ginny? How've you been? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

"Harry, we all had lunch together yesterday and spent all day together today. How can you say that?" she teased.

"I mean... before today." He said solemnly, taking a step forward and gently holding her hand in his. "It's like I haven't seen you in years. I'm not sure I ever saw you."

"What are you going on about?" Ginny said slowly, the nervousness apparent on her face. She was a Weasley like her brother, and had inherited the infamous Weasley blush, which Harry found quite endearing at the moment.

"What happened to you?" he said, staring at her in amazement. He was holding her hands affectionately and she was looking up at him in fear. When did you become this amazing woman? When did you become the girl of my dreams "Did you just grow up right before my eyes?"

Ginny smiled gently. "We all grow up sometime, Harry."

"I know, but how did I miss it?"

She looked up at him quizzically before speaking. "Harry, I don't think you're feeling well. It must be late, you're acting very odd."

Harry shook his head and looked down at the floor. She must think him some sort of nutter, to be babbling on the way he was. But she had changed, and she had changed him.

"Yeah, it must be late." He said, releasing her hand as she stepped into the fireplace.

"I'll see you next weekend." Ginny said with a smile.

Harry watched her grab a handful of Floo Powder, but he couldn't take another sleepless night – he needed to know. "Ginny?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Can I ask you a question?" he said, taking a step closer to her.

She shrugged. "Sure."

"Do you remember back during your first few years of Hogwarts and you... well, you kinda fancied me?" Harry asked apprehensively.

Again Ginny smirked. "So that's what you were doing, all dazed out. Taking a walk down memory lane." But she couldn't hide the blush rising to her cheeks.

Harry only smiled. "Do you remember?"

Ginny looked to the floor, trying to hide her own smile. "Of course, I remember, Harry."

"Why did you stop?"

Ginny looked up at him in surprise, and then looked away in deep thought. After a moment she sighed. "I don't know, Harry. I just grew out of it, I guess. After five or six years of rejection, of chasing something unattainable, a girl can only take so much heartache." She looked up at Harry with pain of the past, and guilt flooded his entire being.

He gently cupped her face, and with the utmost sincerity, he said, "I'm so sorry, Ginny."

"Don't feel bad, Harry." She smiled. "It's in the past now. We're good friends now, and for that I'm grateful."

"Can I ask you another question, then?" he said almost timidly, and Ginny didn't recognize him for a moment. She nodded. "Is there any way I could get another chance?"

Ginny froze in that moment. She could feel her heart stop beating, he lungs stopped taking in air, all she knew was that Harry Potter, the one love of her life was standing before her, asking for another chance.

She wanted to laugh, cry and scream all at the same time, but most importantly she wanted to say "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

She wanted to laugh in his face for waiting so long, and tell him that he'd never have a chance in hell with her – but she wanted to be an honest person. She wanted to cry and run away from him, for all the years of rejection and heartbreak she had been put through in her teen years – but that would accomplish nothing. She wanted to scream at him, to get out all the seething anger and bitter jealousy she had held back and thought she had let go of – but obviously not. She wanted to tell him of course he had a chance with her. She wanted to hold him, kiss him, marry him, to tell him over and over again how much she loved him – but she also wanted to keep her dignity.

So she didn't say anything.

"Ginny?" he asked. "Was that out of line?"

"I... I don't know, Harry." She said. There was no blush on her face now – she was white and pale as a ghost. "I'd have to think about it."

"Perhaps I can help you make your decision?" he offered with a small smile, and Ginny then looked up at him in confusion.

He then took her into his arms and held her close. Ginny closed her eyes and relished the closeness she shared with the Boy-Who-Lived, the Boy-Who-Defeated-Voldemort, the Boy-Who-Owned-Her-Heart. Ginny, wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed her fingers to get lost in the hair on the nape of his neck.

"Ginny," he said quietly, his breath on her ear sending shivers down her back and all over her body. He pulled back and smiled down at her gently before speaking again. She looked up at him with emotion-glazed eyes, and watched his mouth form the words. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to believe he'd said it.

"Can I kiss you?" It was barely audible, even less than a whisper. But his eyes were intent on her and she knew it was his serious request.

Ginny had never been asked for a kiss. It was always some lusting wizard out for a good time; always taking, never giving, never asking. But this man, this amazing marvelous man, who was ever the gentleman, always caring and thoughtful, knew that she must be fearful of heartbreak, and cautious towards matters of the heart – cautious of him! He knew how fragile she must be in his arms, how anxious he made her feel. And he being the most perfect man on the planet – he had asked her for one kiss.

Ginny could never deny him anything. Her heart, her life, mind, body and soul – she was his. And if he wanted a kiss, he would have it.

Ginny covered his lips with her own, timidly and tenderly. Harry gently held her face and returned the kiss, slowly and gently he kissed her.

She really was an amzing witch. An enchantress, weaving all sorts of dangerous spells on him. The sweetness of her mouth was intoxicating, her soft hands on his skin set him ablaze, and he didn't want to simply kiss her anymore. He wanted her, body and soul.

Which is why he pulled away after only moments.

Ginny let out a deep breath as Harry chuckled. "So do what are my odds, Ginny? I can't let you leave until I know if I even have a chance..." he paused, taking her hands in his, "A chance at all with a woman like you."

She looked up into his eyes and had to smile. "I'd say your chances are pretty good as of right now, Mr. Potter."

He let out a sigh of relief and gently kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Ginny." He pulled her close and simply held her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

After a moment, she took a step back. "While I would love stay, if I don't get home, you won't have any chances. My father, my brothers... you know." she giggled as she stepped into the fireplace again.

"Can I see you tomorrow, Ginny?" he asked, almost desperate.

"You'll be seeing me tomorrow anyway. It's dinner at my house, mum's been talking about it for days." Ginny reminded him.

"What about the day after that?"

"Well, I don't know. I'll have to check my..."

"What about the day after that, and the day after that?" He said, stepping into the fireplace with her. She giggled as he pushed her against the soot-covered wall of the fireplace. "What about every day after that?"

"One day at a time, Harry." she smiled, and placed a quick, chaste kiss on his lips.

"If I have to..." Harry reluctantly let her go and stepped out of the fireplace. She smiled at him before she floo'd home.

With a grin on his face, he turned towards his room. For the first time in weeks, he would sleep well. Possibly with good dreams.

FIN

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this fic, it was written long before the release of HBP though never posted, so that explains why it's outdated. Hugs and kisses for everyone who reviews!

In other news, I know there are many of you who are wondering about my other two fics, "Forgiveness" and "Before Tragedy Strikes." I have not abandonded them, I have just been overwhelmed with school. I am almost finished writing updates for both fics, and they will be up soon. I apologize for the delay, and I hope I still have a few readers left!