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Pleasant Interludes

Harry might have blurted out the words with as little forethought as the first time he kissed Ginny, but judging by her response, it hadn't been a mistake. She had responded in kind, following with an enthusiastic snogging session that left them both breathless.

Ginny finally pulled away, murmuring regrets about the no-magic restriction and their inability to magically lock the door. "Might as well go through some of these books Dobby brought," she said, dragging her fingers through her tangled hair, gathering it back into a ponytail.

Harry scooped up a book from the stack as well. He didn't even note the title before his mind wandered, thinking over the amount of time he'd known Ginny. He winced, thinking of her in the Chamber. That could've been prevented, he thought. He had been thoughtless then, not even noticing Ginny's descent into depression--and he'd been terribly reckless in his rescue attempt. Pure, dumb luck, he thought, and I can't depend on that.

Once, he'd privately felt that he had more to gain from death. He would be with his loved ones again: his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore. He cared deeply for his friends, of course, but they had their families. He wasn't overly concerned that they would miss him if he died. Now, however, Harry suddenly realized he wanted to survive; to live. It was an unnerving epiphany.

"I'll be right back," Harry said, setting the book aside distractedly. "I have to put in an appearance downstairs."

"What do you think they're doing over there?" Ron wondered, pacing, peering out windows as if trying to see number four, Privet Drive from Mrs. Figg's library.

"Probably staring out the windows, wondering what we're doing over here," Hermione said dryly, her gaze trailing over Ron's torso.

They'd decided keep their relationship a secret for awhile, for a multitude of reasons. Not the least of which was that Lavender was Hermione's roommate and Hermione didn't want any more hostility in the dorm. "And we're prefects," she'd explained to Ron. "We have to set an example for the others. It won't do to be caught snogging in empty classrooms. We just need to be discreet, that's all. Besides, you don't really want Fred and George to find out just yet, do you?"

Ron had grimaced and agreed.

The expression had been similar to the one he wore now, still looking out the window.

Hermione wandered over to the bookshelf, selecting a dictionary.

"Ron, come here, please," Hermione commanded.

He scowled, eyeing the heavy tome. "What's that for?"

"I want you to read to me," Hermione said, her expression innocent.

Ron's eyebrows rose in eloquent disbelief. "Uh, you realize that's a dictionary?" He gave her a hard look, as though watching for marbles dropping out of her ears. "And you seem to read fine on your own," he added suspiciously.

"Yes, of course!" Hermione smiled, fixing an adoringly appealing expression on her face. "I find dictionaries to be very stimulating reading." Ron looked confused, so she continued. "And I really enjoy being read to. It's so relaxing, don't you think? Like a long, warm, bubble bath." She stretched luxuriously, eyes closed, fingers running through her hair. Her arms stretched her snug t-shirt even more tightly across her chest.

Ron picked up the dictionary.

"Struthious," Ron read, choosing a word at random. "Of or relating to the ostriches and related birds.

"Strychnine: a bitter poisonous alkaloid that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants and is used as a poison for rodents and medicinally as a stimulant to the central nervous system…" He chanced a look up at Hermione and hastily turned back to the book, smirking.

"Oi, Harry's picture should be here for this one. Stubborn: unreasonably or perversely unyielding, mulish. Justifiably resolute. Performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate or persistent manner. Difficult to handle, manage or treat. Lasting.

"Hey, here's one for me: Stud…"

The book hit the floor with a thunk as Hermione pounced.

Harry entered the Dursleys' kitchen, ever-mindful of Ginny's presence in his upstairs bedroom. The house was far from soundproof, and he desperately hoped he could slip away without a scene.

"Aunt Petunia," he began. "I'm not feeling well, I'm just going to go to bed, if that's alright."

"Fine."

He ducked out of the kitchen and back up to his room, relieved beyond measure. Ginny was sitting on the far side of bed, her back to the door, fiddling with her communication watch.

"Let's give Ron something to think about," she said, turning to face him.

"Oh you are dead sexy when you're scheming," he grinned. "What have you got in mind?"

"Well, that comment would be sure to bring him over here at a gallop, if he overheard you," she said. "Let's set our watches on 'Do Not Disturb' and see what happens."

"I haven't even opened mine yet." Harry dug in his trunk until he triumphantly pulled the small package out. "Show me how it works?"

"Easy." Ginny motioned to the bed where they sat close together, examining their wrists. "See, here is the dial that has the Protean Charm. I can manually set mine to say 'Sleeping' and it will change my hand on each of the other watches. See, look at yours."

Sure enough, there was a tiny hand on Harry's watch with Ginny's name that swiveled to point to 'Sleeping'.

"Hermione made them like Mum's clock," Ginny said. "But the difference is how we can set them manually and use them to communicate." She pointed at the various dials. There was one for Home, Message, Sleeping, Do Not Disturb, HQ, Traveling, Injured, Battle Mode and Summon. "She can add more, as we need them," Ginny continued. "If one of us turns it to Summon and uses the incantation 'Antiportus' it can Portkey someone back to the summoner. In Battle Mode, it monitors life signs and will automatically Portkey the wearer to St. Mungo's in case of serious injury. Hermione is totally brilliant, she really outdid herself with these."

"Imagine if she became a consultant for the twins," Harry said, awed.

"Scary thought." Ginny grinned. "If you tap it with your wand, it works like a regular watch and tells time. It will glow blue if it has a message and is also a Dark Detector, glowing red if it detects Dark magic in the vicinity."

"How does the 'Message' thing work?"

"Oh that part is my favorite!" Ginny's dark eyes sparkled as she showed him how to send and receive messages on the device.

"Okay, so the 'Do Not Disturb' setting means no messages, no summons and no interruptions?" Harry questioned.

"Yes," Ginny smiled. "Although in case of an emergency, the watch will flash red."

Harry fiddled with his watch. "I think it's my turn to rub your back," he murmured, reaching for the massage oil.

Ginny grinned to herself as she turned her back to him. With one smooth motion, she pulled her shirt over her head before stretching out on the bed. Harry thought he might have swallowed his tongue. He'd had dreams of Ginny in a bikini that involved him applying sunscreen potion... Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, he poured a little oil on his hands and began, gently and hesitantly. He marveled at the silken texture of her skin as he stroked her shoulders and the back of her neck. He covertly tried to inspect the back of her bra strap, wondering how it opened. As if he dared. Hook and eye closure, he noticed. Can't really make it look like an accident if that came apart, he thought.

"Take it off, please?" Harry couldn't believe his ears and paused in his ministrations. "It's itchy, and it's in the way, just unhook it, please," Ginny repeated when he didn't obey immediately. Harry's fingers felt as if they'd all been Transfigured into thumbs when he finally moved to comply. Regaining control of his trembling fingers, he managed to outsmart the closure. He ran his hands up and down the full length of her back. Her skin glowed with the oil he'd rubbed in and his fingers tingled, as if he could feel her magic right through her skin. When he realized she'd dozed off, he slipped out of his room and into the loo. He quickly got ready for bed and darted back to his room when he thought he heard the stair creak.

He fiddled with his watch for awhile, sending notes to Hermione and Ron. He tried skimming through some of the books Dobby had brought, but he was too distracted by the topless beauty in his bed. He wondered if he should wake her, or just let her sleep. Deciding on the latter, he placed one of his new shirts on the nightstand next to her. He wasn't sure what she wore to sleep in, but didn't want to invade her privacy by rummaging through her knapsack. He hoped his shirt would do. He unrolled the sleeping bag on the floor, but hesitated, glancing back at the bed. What if she was frightened and disoriented when she woke? He made up his mind, flipping off the light switch before cautiously crawling on the bed next to Ginny. He lay on his left side, facing her, watching her sleep. He reached out, smoothing her soft hair away from her face. He drifted off to sleep, fingers still wound in the ends of her silky tresses.

Ginny awoke to a dark, silent house some time later. She sat up and noticed Harry's shirt folded neatly beside her on the nightstand. She pulled it over her head and flipped her hair out of the neck so it cascaded down her back. She stood up and slid out of her jeans, the shirt almost to her knees. She stretched and silently headed for the door, returning a few moments later. The moonlight from the window provided enough light for her to see Harry's face as he slept, facing her. She gently kissed the scar on his forehead and ran her fingers through his unruly hair. She slipped into bed next to him, turned her back to him, snuggling as close as she dared. His arms seemed to automatically reach for her, tucking himself around her.

In the morning when Harry awoke, he thought he was still dreaming. Ginny was sleeping, soft and warm in his arms. He hated to move, but if he didn't get up now, Uncle Vernon would come looking for him.

He frowned. He didn't want any of the Dursleys poking their nose in his room while he showered. While debating the wisest course of action, he noticed his watch glowing faintly blue. Harry sat up on the edge of the bed to check his messages, smirking at the note from Ron:

To: Harry
From: Ron
Re: Sleeping arrangements
Hope that sleeping bag was comfy.
Mrs. Figg's couch smells of cabbage.

Harry couldn't resist. He hit 'Reply.'

To: Ron
From: Harry
Re: (2) Sleeping arrangements
What sleeping bag?
Ginny smells way better than cabbage. And she looks damn good in my shirt.

Ron was going to kill him, he thought gleefully. He almost chuckled out loud, imagining the look on Ron's face.

He touched a reply from Hermione to a note he'd sent the night before.

To: Harry
From: Hermione
Re: Watches
Thanks Harry! I did put a lot of work into the watches, I'm rather proud of them, actually. I will talk to the twins about getting a patent. They do have security charms on them also, and can only be used by their owners. It would be a good idea for the Order members and certain trusted people to have them. Perhaps later we could pop over to HQ and see Prof L.
Don't let Ron harass you about sleeping arrangements. The only reason he knows the couch smells like cabbage is because he was looking for his wand in the cushions. ;)

Harry idly wondered if Hermione had found that pygmy puff tattoo Ginny claimed Ron had. He snickered, wondering just how macho a Hungarian horntail would look on his chest.

"What's so funny?" Ginny sat up on the bed, looking appealingly rumpled. Harry's imagination had been correct. His shirt did look good on her.

"Erm, I'm off to the shower then," he said, hoping his voice stayed even. "You might want to hold on to the Invisibility Cloak, in case any of the Dursleys decide to get nosy. Keep your wand out."

Ron was not having a good morning. Harry's message had him in a frenzy. "I'll kill him! Riddle will just have to take a number! Damn him! That bloody bastard!"

Hermione just rolled her eyes. "Ron, can't you tell when Harry is joking? He's messing with you." She grinned. "You know, Ron, I bet Harry has never had the talk. He probably doesn't even know the practical applications of the whole process. Perhaps you and he should have a little heart-to-heart."

Ron's expression was horrified. Hermione laughed until tears ran down her cheeks. She was still gasping for breath and breaking into spontaneous giggles when her watch glowed blue.

To: Hermione the Genius
From: Harry's well-rested girlfriend
Re: Thanks
You were spot on with the advice about backrubs and massage oil! Tell Ron I'm wearing Harry's shirt and nothing else, just to see what he says.
Harry went to take a shower. I think he was distracted though, he didn't take any clothes along to change into. Suppose I should be good and keep my eyes closed when he comes back in wearing nothing but a towel?
Shall we meet at HQ for breakfast? You can demonstrate the watches for T and R by summoning us.

"Oh never mind, Ron, Ginny says she'll take care of Harry's education," Hermione said cheerfully.

Ron made a gagging noise and headed for the loo.

To: Well-rested
From: Who needs sleep?
Re: (2) Thanks
Great plan. Send a note when you're ready and we'll summon you to HQ. Bring food, I'm sure Ron is starving. Unless he's still sick at the thought of you and Harry and why you're wearing Harry's shirt!

Hermione Side-Along Apparated Ron to the park near number twelve. After carefully checking around, they approached and rapped smartly on the door. Tonks let them in. "Where are Harry and Ginny?"

Hermione launched into the description of the watches she'd designed, demonstrating the various features and answering their questions. Finally, her watch glowed blue. "They're ready," she said. "Ron, you summon Ginny, I'll get Harry."

Within seconds, Ginny and Harry were before them, carrying knapsacks.

"I haven't had my shower yet," Ginny told Hermione. "I'll just dash up and finish getting ready. Harry has the breakfast stuff in his pack."

Harry's eyes gleamed with suppressed mirth when he saw Ron glowering at him. "Sorry mate, I couldn't resist tormenting you just a bit. You trust me, remember?"

Ron just shook his head. "Someday, I hope you have children just like yourselves," he said dryly. "But you better make sure that 'someday' is a long way off."

Harry looked startled before frowning. "Yeah, you too, mate."

The group worked together in the kitchen, eating breakfast and cleaning up. Ginny mentioned her ideas and Harry explained the Horcruxes to Tonks and Remus. Ginny asked if a dementor or the veil at the Ministry could be used to destroy the Horcruxes. Hermione enthusiastically took notes.

Harry asked Lupin if there was any way to make a soul detector. Dobby had got him thinking. If house elves and owls had a type of magic that allowed them to find their owners, perhaps they could design something that would seek out the bits of Voldemort's soul hidden in the remaining Horcruxes.

"Like a niffler hunts shiny things," Ron said thoughtfully. "Fred and George should be here. They have more experience inventing impossible things like that."

"Good call," Ginny said. She took a pinch of Floo powder and proceeded to contact the twins.

"We wanted to show them Hermione's watches anyway," Ron said.

Ginny seemed pleased that everyone was supportive of her idea to stay at Headquarters for the summer. Hermione in particular seemed relieved with the suggestion. Tonks patted Ginny's shoulder, saying Molly would be proud that she wanted to study all summer and take NEWTs a year early.

Harry planned to involve as few people as possible, but Lupin argued that part of his gift, the power Voldemort knew not, was not just his ability to love, but his ability to inspire love, loyalty and honor. He could lead an army into battle because people believed in him. Voldemort's terrorist tactics and cruelty inspired only fear. Hopelessness and despair were nothing to fight for, but they were forces worth fighting against. "Harry, you are not alone, regardless of what the prophesy said."

"No, this can't be public knowledge." He paced nervously. "Voldemort and Snape are too good at Legilimancy. Anyone who knows about this is in danger, and that puts the rest of us in more danger as well. I think the first thing we all need to do is learn Occlumency. It doesn't matter if you would die before betraying your friends. Those bastards can take stuff right out of your skull. We all need to learn to defend ourselves mentally, and so does anyone else we decide to inform."

"Fred and George will be alright with only knowing partial information for awhile," Ron said. "After they learn Occlumency, we can tell them the rest."

Harry stood at the table. "Right then. Let's call a meeting of the Order."