Chapter Two:

It's Only Love

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, apart from the plot of this fic.
Harry Potter and all the trimmings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Song lyrics featured include, "It's Only Love" by Heather Nova.

Author's Note: I wasn't sure if I wanted this fic to play out like this, but I'll see how it goes. It may be edited later on.

Shannon looked up from her book as someone sat opposite her. She glared. It was Malfoy.

"What do you want?" she asked acidly.

Malfoy smirked as usual, "Nothing. Nothing whatsoever. I just want to annoy you, and the fact that my mere presence can do that… Well, the less effort, the better in my opinion."

Shannon cast her gaze back to her book, trying to ignore him with all her strength.

"You think you can ignore me?" Malfoy's smirk turned into a sneer, "You couldn't ignore me if your Potty boyfriend's life depended on it!"

Shannon glanced up and flashed Malfoy a smile. Malfoy made a noise of disgust and flounced out of the library. Shannon smiled again, this time with satisfaction; she had a three foot essay for History of Magic on giant wars, and she was determined to finish it that night.

Meanwhile, the boys were partaking in yet another long late-night Quidditch practice with the rest of the team.

A bludger shot past George's outstretched bat and hit Alicia square in the face. She spun backwards on her broom and flew through the air. George rushed over to her and guided her to the ground.

"Ah, Alicia, I'm really sorry." George apologised, as she held onto her bleeding mouth, "It's hard to see anything in the dark!" He raised his voice at the last part, so Angelina would hear him.

"Alright, maybe we should call it a night." said Angelina to the rest of the team, "Good practice everyone." She led her troops back to the changing rooms wearily.

After changing, Harry went back out onto the pitch to bring in the balls crate and was surprised to find Ginny sitting on it.

"Alright, Gin?" he said as he walked over to her.

She smiled up at him, "Not really."

Harry sat down next to her, "What's wrong?"

Ginny shrugged, "Nothing. Everything."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Ginny grinned, and pulled out a bottle of Firewhiskey, "If you've got the time."

Harry stared at the alcohol in Ginny's hands and frowned a little, "Where did you get that?"

"I got Dobby to swipe it from the teachers' cupboard in the kitchens." she replied, unscrewing the cap. "He was more than happy to help." she insisted as Harry fixed her with a look.

"I don't know, Ginny…" Harry told her, unsure, "We could…"

"Get into trouble?" Ginny laughed, "And most of the things you do could never lead to that!" She took a long swig from the bottle and screwed up her face at the taste, "Well, it's not Butterbeer, but it does the job…"

Harry's frown deepened, "Ginny, has something happened…?"

"No." she replied, the anger hinting in her voice, "Nothing has happened! Nothing ever happens. Not to me…" Ginny passed Harry the bottle, "Go on. You get used to it after a while."

Harry took an involuntary sip. It tasted like acid and left him with a burning sensation in his stomach. He took another sip. Ginny was right; you did start to get used to it… He passed the bottle back to her.

"So how are things with you and Shannon going?" Ginny asked him somewhat ten minutes later. By now, the bottle was half empty.

Harry shrugged as he took another draught of the whiskey, "Normal."

Ginny frowned, "Normal? That's not the way I'd describe it if I were in a perfect relationship."

"It's not perfect…" he insisted, taking one more sip before passing the bottle.

"Oh really?" Ginny raised her eyebrows, "And what's so imperfect about it then?"

Harry, who was now sitting on the grass, laid backwards, "Nothing. Everything."

Ginny sighed, taking another sip, gazing at Harry as he lay down and closed his eyes. She smiled to herself slightly, as she watched him.

I used to think that I knew what we needed
I just assumed we would always be fine
Now I don't think that we lost the feeling
But we, let everything build up inside

It's only love
But love, should make us strong
It's only love
But love, has been hurting so long

Ginny lay down next to Harry on the grass, "Harry?"

He opened his eyes, "What?"

"I'm…" she hesitated, but the alcohol bubbling in her stomach urged her to carry on, "I'm in love with you."

What a challenge, honesty
What a struggle to learn to speak
Who would've thought that pretending was easier

It's only love
But love, should make us strong
It's only love
But love, has been hurting so long

Harry sat up on his arms, looking at Ginny through blurred vision, "I thought… Hermione said you were 'over me'."

Ginny grinned, "How can I be over you, if I was never under you?"

"Ginny, no!" Harry tried to get up but his legs wobbled and he fell back to the ground, "You… you shouldn't be…"

"What, Harry?" Ginny moved over to him, "Shouldn't be out here with you? In an isolated area, where nobody would see what we were doing? Shouldn't be drinking alcohol, which would lead to bad choices?"

Harry's head was swimming. She had planned this! It was obvious now. And he'd fallen for it. And now it was him, and her, and he was… well, let's face it, he was completely slaughtered.

And it's all, a part of me
It tears at my heart
Only love
And it's all an eternity
Hoping to learn
Only love

Ginny placed a hand on Harry's, "I love you."

Harry looked into her eyes, and saw the desperation, the longing, the desire… Nope, wait a minute; he could see himself! He smiled, and his reflection smiled back at him. So did Ginny. She moved closer and caught Harry's lips in a delicate kiss.

There's a part of you I'm trying to reach
Still a part I don't know
Tell me, is devotion a gift or a thief?
Do you wish I'd let go?

Harry was shocked, but he responded, deepening the kiss and lying down with Ginny. She ran her hands through his hair, and rolled across so that Harry was lying on top of her. Ginny moaned softly as she felt the weight of him on her, and reached for his trouser belt…

It's only love
But love, should make us strong
It's only love
But love, has been hurting so long

And it's all, a part of me
It tears at my heart
Only love
And it's all, eternity
Hoping to learn
Only love