(A/N: As always anything I'm writing about is all JKR's I own nothing, just using it for my own twisted imagination.)
Chapter 4: Unexpected Run Ins
The next morning came quickly for Harry and he grudgingly sat up and found Ron still asleep in the bed despite the smell of breakfast. Getting up quietly, Harry snuck to the bathroom to relieve himself and went back to his room to get dressed. When he finally made it downstairs he found that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were the only ones awake this early.
"Why dear you're up early," Mrs. Weasley said and made Harry another plate piled high with food. He stifled a groan mixed with a yawn and heard Mr. Weasley give a small chuckle. Mrs. Weasley gave a puzzled look and Mr. Weasley patted his wife lovingly,
"Dear if you give him anymore meals like that the poor boy will barely be able to get out of the house from being too big." Mrs. Weasley huffed at this.
"Nonsense, Harry you just eat up. You need to regain your strength." Harry smiled despite himself, and looked at Mr. Weasley.
"Has there been any word on when I will be leaving?" He only got a silent no from Mr. Weasley and Harry sighed. Harry knew he was being antsy with wanting to leave but he didn't want to put the Weasley's in any more danger then they were by keeping him.
"Harry you need to remain here and learn as much as you can so you can be prepared for You – Know – Who," Mr. Weasley said as he continued to drink his coffee. Harry nodded begrudgingly and continued with his meal, only stopping to look up when KyLiegh entered the room. Harry nearly choked on his juice as he looked at her. She was wearing a tightly laced leather camisole, dark low raised jeans, and a pair of black leather boots to match that ended at her knees. Harry let his eyes trace over her newly exposed skin and saw black tribal tattooing run up her arm, cap her shoulder and cut across her shoulders finally, ending at a point between her collarbone. The intricate design of it all seemed to move on its own as she moved. Harry shook the thought from his head. He knew once the girls saw her dressed like that they were going to be gnashing teeth. Harry tried not to stare and was relieved when a strained cough came from Mrs. Weasley,
"So KyLiegh, would you like some breakfast?" Although the question was pleasant enough, it held a strangled tone.
"No thank you but I'll get some coffee," she smiled, seemingly not hearing the strain in Mrs. Weasley's voice.
"Oh its alright dear, I'll get it." Without further argument, she sat down and let it be brought to her. KyLiegh blew the steam from the top of the mug and tentatively took a sip; when a satisfied grin spread across her face, she nodded to Mrs. Weasley.
"This is very good, I can never get it just right," she fawned over Mrs. Weasley, obviously slowly winning her over,
"Well if you want to know how I did it just ask. I'll be happy to show you." With that, Mrs. Weasley turned to finish laying out breakfast. As the others slowly ambled into the kitchen rubbing their eyes and grumbling about having to be up, Mrs. Weasley chastised them quietly to just sit down and eat. Harry's stares at KyLiegh were cut off as Ginny walked down in a pair of shorts and a yellow cotton blouse. He momentarily forgot about the women sitting at the end of the table idly flipping through a stack of books. When Ginny sat down next to him and snatched apiece of toast from his plate Harry smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Giving him a small smile back Ginny tried to stifle a yawn.
"Well I guess its time for me to head off for work." As Mr. Weasley stood to leave, KyLiegh stood as well and accompanied him to the back door and waited for him to say good – bye to his wife and children. Harry heard quiet conversation from the backdoor, and when he looked at Ron and the twins they openly gawked at her apparel. He also noticed Hermione's anger crawl onto her face as a slight flush crept on to her cheeks. Turning away from his friends he once more looked at Ginny's face to see her lost in thought, not noticing everyone's fascination. Harry leaned to Ginny closely and whispered in her ear,
"So for lunch do you want to take a walk and have a little picnic?" Ginny smiled at him and he saw that impish twinkle in her eyes.
"You know Potter you can be quite the charmer sometimes. Good thing my family likes you so much." With the grin still on her face she nuzzled her face into Harry's shoulder, and he could smell the faint smell of lilac which she knew always drove him crazy. Their intimate moment was interrupted by a small cough as KyLiegh now stood with her books in her hands.
"Well Mr. Potter you seem to be done with your breakfast, if you would like to get started you can meet me in the back yard. The morning weather seems to be pleasant enough." With that she turned around and headed to the back door to sit outside without waiting for Harry walk to with her.
"Humph, she seems to be a rather interesting woman." There was a strange look on Hermione's face as she said that, the flush still on her cheeks,
"What is she thinking dressing like that? It's very inappropriate if you ask me."
"Well I think it's very, uh nice," Fred said, a little grin on face and, George waggled his eyebrow.
"Of course you two would say something like that, I mean she is just revealing way too much skin," Hermione kept on in her logical way of thinking.
"If you ask us its, a nice change to see someone that is very, uh open about her appearance," George said smoothly, "and she's bloody sharp too, helped us with some problems with our new product last night."
"And I wonder how far that tattoo goes down?" They high - fived each other and laughed; leaving Hermione to cross her arms in front of her staring irritably at the two and then started in on Ron for not saying anything to back her up. Shaking his head Harry stood up and leaned over to Ginny,
"Well I've got to go and start some research, I'll see you at lunch," he said and kissed her adoringly on the nose. With that, he headed out into the garden and scanned with his eyes for KyLiegh, finally spotting her sitting at a wooden table under an old shade tree. When Harry finally made his way over to her, she never looked up and only handed him an unmarked book that looked like it had been through a couple cycles in the wash.
"You should start with this one; you will be able to find some things in there that I think will pique your interest." They sat there for the next hour and half reading and reviewing the books. Sometimes he paused to ask questions, and although she would always smile and answer him, there was something cold and calculating in her eyes. When Harry's concentration began to wan KyLiegh seemed to take notice and stood, closing their books with a quick flick of her wand.
"Well would you like to take a break and grab something to drink?" Nodding vaguely, he couldn't take his eyes from her face and knowing that he shouldn't only made it harder for him not to. Smiling, she laid a hand on his shoulder and jerked her head towards the house. He shuddered at her touch slightly, hoping that KyLiegh hadn't noticed.
Inside they sat at the table KyLiegh conjured two bottles of butterbeer for them and as if she couldn't get enough of the books she had probably read a thousand times muttered almost absent - mindedly, "Acchio books," catching them effortlessly with her hands and opened them.
"How can you keep reading like that? My eyes feel like they're going to melt out of my head," harry knew he sounded a bit whiney, but couldn't stop himself. KyLiegh looked up at him and laughed a little. Her voice tinkled delightfully, sending yet another shiver up his spine.
"You know she's right Harry you need to keep a vigilant mind," Hermione said as she and Ginny walked in and took a seat
"Thank you Hermione," KyLiegh said pleasantly to her and held out her hand.
"I don't think we were properly introduced last night, I'm KyLiegh Grant." Hermione shook her hand friendly enough but still looked at her as if trying to break down what made KyLiegh up. As if reading her thoughts KyLiegh summoned two more butter - beers for the girls and continued to chat pleasantly. Harry couldn't help but wonder if KyLiegh knew Legilimency.
"I'm an Auror with the Ministry of Magic, and I have been sent to help Harry here learn more about the Horcruxes. I know Professor Dumbledore has told you some things about them has he not?" She directed her question at Harry and he sputtered slightly and felt his heart clench at the mention of Dumbledore's name.
"Yes we…well talked about it I've seen what they could possibly be." KyLiegh nodded and leaned towards him a little. He could feel Ginny stiffen slightly.
"Well, you should also know that they could be anything simple, but the Dark Lord is much more proud than that. He must feel like he has something like a trophy. So the objects which he put his souls into would have to be valuable to him," she rambled almost aimlessly, keeping her eyes intently on him.
"Well I know THAT already. The professor and I concluded that he must have wanted to have something from each of the heads that founded Hogwarts."
"Of course you do but did you ever stop to think that maybe he never got those things? Obviously Godric Gryffindor's sword is in Dumbledore's office and the Dark Lord was never able to get it." Her gazed wandered aimlessly from Harry's, and she leaned back in her seat, lost in thought.
"Well she's probably right, Harry, how are you ever going to find them all?" Ginny suddenly said making Harry look at her. His thoughts were jumbled with emotions as he looked in her eyes. Something stirred inside Harry and he wanted nothing more then for the whole world around him to just disappear and let him and Ginny have an eternity. Harry was gently brought back when he felt Ginny's touch on his leg.
"Oi, stop looking like a love sick puppy Harry," Ron chided him as he strolled into the kitchen. Ginny rolled her eyes, and Harry looked back to see KyLiegh standing and starting to gather the books in her arms.
"Well Mr. Potter we can continue this evening." With that she turned and nearly fell over Fred who effortlessly grabbed her waist and moved a little closer then needed. The girl's eyes bulged from the sockets at the display. KyLiegh gave a small cough and batted her long eyelashes at the tall Weasley.
"Oh pardon me Miss Grant, how could I be so clumsy?" He was still holding onto her waist as she turned away from him.
"Yes, how could you, Mr. Weasley?" she replied cheekily to him and gently brushed past George. Fred grabbed his chest weakly and leaned backwards letting his brother promptly catch him.
"Be still my beating heart," Fred cried out dramatically and Ron couldn't help but snigger at his brother. George let Fred drop after a moment and stepped over him.
"Ah women after me own heart." George sighed. Ginny and Hermione shook their head in unison.
"Men; they're impossible." Nodding they both got up to leave letting Harry and Ron follow after trying to grab their attention, but still they stalked off as if not wanting to hear a word of it. They turned only to hear the chimes of the Weasleys' magic clock and saw the hand that would be Charlie's head go through the motions of Away, Traveling, and Home. Seconds later there was a pop and there stood Charlie with a duffle thrown over his shoulder and tanned from the all the sun he took in from working out in the nomadic lifestyle. Ginny was the first to break from their stunned gawk and ran up to him.
"CHARLIE!" she shrieked and ran towards him flinging herself on him for a hug. The other Weasleys gave shouts of delight as they hugged him and patted his back.
"How are you all? Ah, Harry how are you, old man?" he delicately pulled himself from his little sister's grasp.
"I'm doing alright, how have you been?" he gave Charlie a big smile and they hugged each other in a one armed hug.
"Good, good. So where are Mum? I know Dad's got to be at work by now, but I thought I'd pop in for a while as a surprise." He beamed brightly.
"Well Mum's upstairs doing some cleaning. Should be down in a moment though." Ron informed him and stepped closer to Hermione absentmindedly wrapping an arm around her waist. As if on cue, Mrs. Weasley could be heard hurrying down the stairs.
"What in Merlin's beard is going on down here?" Her words could be heard before Mrs. Weasley actually rounded the corner. Her flushed face showed frustration, but she stopped squarely in her tracks when she saw Charlie.
"Hi Mum," he smiled, and made the first move to hug her warmly.
"Oh, Charlie! How are you - what are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be in Romania?" Mrs. Weasley fired off the questions and left Charlie laughing.
"Whoa Mum, its alright, I've just taken a few days for vacation, well more like a week, and I thought instead of sending an owl I would just surprise you." His smile faltered a little at her expression.
"What's wrong? Has something happened?" He took her by the shoulders and looked concerned.
"What? Oh, no, Charlie, it's just that we have a guest here and they're staying in you and Bill's old room." Relief seemed to wash over Charlie as he hugged her again.
"Oh Mum don't do that to me, I thought something happened. Well its alright I'll just stay in there…" his words faltered at the sniggering from the twins and pink that flushed on Mrs. Weasley's face.
"Well I don't think so, our guest is a she and I don't think it appropriate for you to stay in there with her." Charlie rolled his eyes at the statement, which sent his mother into a rant.
"Don't you roll your eyes young man, I won't have it. I don't care how you live out there with the dragons in Romania. I just won't have it here it's – it's not proper."She deflated after her short rant. Charlie smiled at her.
"No its not, I suppose I could just stay at a motel in town." Mrs. Weasley looked crossly at him.
"Or I could stay on the couch, it doesn't matter to me, it's not like I can kick a woman out of my old room. She obviously got there before me it wouldn't be very gentlemanly." He picked up his things and started towards the den.
"No Charlie, we'll think of something you don't have to stay at an inn, we'll find somewhere for you to sleep." She seemed distressed as she followed him in.
For the second time that day in less the half an hour KyLiegh collided with someone, fell to the floor on the stairs, and groaned slightly at the pain from her bottom.
"Oh I am so sorry! Are you okay?" There was a strong grip on her arm as she was being hauled up straight. When she looked into the face of the person she ran into, KyLiegh's retort died on her lips. As she looked in the dim light at the broad shouldered red head in front of her, she knew he was obviously a Weasley.
"Oh KyLiegh, this is my son, Charlie." Mrs. Weasley seemed to appear out of nowhere. Composing herself, she smiled faintly at Charlie. The only thought in her head at the time was an unmistakable, 'Oh boy' as she gave him a quick look up and down. Thoughts ran through her mind that she knew she should not be thinking at the moment, but there was something about him that just caught her interest. Maybe it was the broad shoulders; unlike the rest of the Weasley men, he seemed to be given. A cough interrupted her thoughts and she could plainly see Mrs. Weasley becoming cross.
"Well we're just trying to find a spot to put Charlie. He'll be staying for a week and I have no clue were to put him." KyLiegh smiled.
"He can just have his old room back. I probably won't be staying in much, I've got way too much researching to do." KyLiegh turned around to keep herself focused. When she finally walked back up to the room that she had been staying in KyLiegh gathered a few new reference books she had on Dark Arts. Not waiting to hear Mrs. Weasley's protest, she quickly left, knowing this would cause a rile in the Weasley household, or at least for Mrs. Weasley. Grinning to herself, she knew that it wasn't intentional for the tension to be raised from her presumptuous attitude, but it was an added bonus. When Mrs. Weasley huffed away and left Charlie to unpack his bags of a few things, KyLiegh returned to the shared room remembering she forgot her ink and quill.
"Oh I thought you had already gone down stairs Charlie," KyLiegh said innocently, blinking. She knew that he didn't believe her from the grin on his face.
"No I'm quite tired and that lot of mine can take a lot of energy. I think I'll just wait till lunch to go down." He turned away from her and continued to unpack.
"So I hear that you work in Romania?" KyLiegh sat down and made idle chat with him as she watched him move back and forth, much to her dismay. Shaking her head slightly, she turned to the desk and saw that it was still an hour until lunch and the room and house had become very oppressive to her in the last couple of minutes. Scribbling a few notes on fresh parchment, KyLiegh stopped concentrating when she realized that Charlie was now standing over her, looking at one of the books she had open.
"Hmm, Dark Arts. Now what kind of woman working for the Ministry needs to know that kind of stuff?" he asked in a low husky voice to close to her ear for comfort. She cursed herself silently for being shaken by him, composing herself quickly though she turned to face him, her face only inches from his.
"Well the kind that is an Auror," she replied back to him. Something in his eyes was hungry, and she knew that look all too well. Charlie backed up and laid on his bed, shutting his eyes.
"And to answer your question earlier, yes, I work in Romania, mostly with Horn - tailed Ridge - backs." Taking that as a moment to escape, she stood, and Charlie opened one eye that twinkled with that infamous Weasley mischievousness.
"Yes that's what I've heard; I've also heard they can be quite dangerous. Not the most reliable and sensible creatures; work purely on predatorial instincts if I'm not mistaken." KyLiegh pursed her lips in thought and rubbed her lower lip, not thinking about being sucked into more conversation. When she looked at the smiling Charlie, she perked up and arched her thin eyebrows at him.
"You're exactly right but I would think it would be even more dangerous being an Auror." It was a statement more, then a question and KyLiegh replied with a shake of her head.
"Ah, that's where you're wrong, at least I know what I'm dealing with when I go up against men. It's easier to know what darkness lurks in the hearts of men more than an irrational beast." She moved to once more sit at the desk and Charlie sat up straight in his bed. There were a couple moments of silence between the two as they stared at one another.
"Yes, well, are you sure that you are not going to want to sleep in here?" Charlie asked quietly as he stood and headed for the door,
"No I don't suppose I'll be staying in here much except to be getting some books and a change of clothes." She once again turned and started scribbling on her parchment.
"Hmm, well, I don't think I will be either for that matter." KyLiegh popped her head around quickly and stared at the slowly retreating Charlie. She shook her head and continued to write, the want to keep up her façade dying rapidly. Sighing, she stood and looked out the window and raised her eyebrow when she saw the youngest Weasley and Potter walk into the woods carrying a picnic basket.
Harry and Ginny were soon walking outside with a picnic basket that Mrs. Weasley conjured. Harry muttered a cooling spell as they walked, feeling the suppressing heat. Knowing that he could now do magic out side of school gave him an incredible feeling of freedom. He wanted nothing more than to keep walking with Ginny and not look back. Hearing a giggle from the small girl beside him, Harry turned his thoughts back to reality. He was taken a little by surprise as Ginny grabbed his hand and took off running towards a hidden trail off the main one and soon she stopped and pulled him down. There she lay on top of him and kissed him all over his face, every touch of her skin against his left him feeling breathless and wanting more.
"Oh Harry, this is perfect. We're surrounded by my brothers in that house, but we can finally just sit and talk and not be interrupted." Before he could reply to her words, she kissed him soundly on the lips. Although his body responded to hers, the image of the longhaired woman with piercing blue eyes stood above him looking into his eyes. He could feel the touch of her and he let out a moan and grabbed her waist roughly.
"Ouch! Harry!" Ginny pushed away from him and he stared, confused for a moment.
"What the bloody hell has been wrong with you lately? I don't feel like your totally with me here." She tucked her legs underneath her as she stared into his eyes a little indignantly.
"Ginny I don't know. I have so much on my mind, I feel like I'm being pulled too thin." He rested his head in his hands when he sat up. When Harry looked up, he could see Ginny pursing her lips.
"Well I'm so sorry if you think I'm being such a burden for wanting to spend time with my boyfriend." She stood the anger in face flashing across her pretty face. Harry reached out for her and gave a weak smile.
"Ginny, I don't mean you're taking too much effort to keep up with. I just need some time to take my mind off of everything for a while. My head feels like it's going to burst any minute." Harry cradled his head in his hand and shook it gently. Before Harry could say anything to her or take back his words, she stood,
"Harry, I know that you need time to sort your feelings out so when ever you're ready I'll be here for you. Just don't take too long, I don't know how long I can wait." With that, Ginny started towards the house. 'Well you handled that great Potty, what are you going to do next to try and make her feel oh so special?' Falling back into the leaves Harry did his best to ignore the snide remarks from inside his head.
Harry thought he had fallen asleep again as he felt a familiar hand run through his hair. Frowning, he opened his eyes to see he was still lying in grass underneath the tree; the only thing that had changed was that he saw KyLiegh kneeling beside him. The insufferable heat didn't seem bother her. As if he couldn't take it anymore he pulled her down and she ran a hand through his dark messy hair. She laid her slim body on top of his, leaned closed to his face and kissed his cheek gently. KyLiegh tilted her head to his ear and gave it a little nibble.
"I know that you have been having dreams Harry," she whispered deeply. The breath on his ear sent chills down his whole body. She slid her body on top of his, like in his recurring dream, and he let a moan leave his lips involuntarily. Smiling at him she slipped her soft hands under his shirt and began to tug it upwards, making him sit up with her in his lap. There, she roughly pushed him back down and let her dark hair fall around his face as she gently ran her hands through his hair once again. Eagerly, he grabbed her waist and guided her body against him, and he kissed her roughly. When she finally pulled away from him, she looked into his eyes, burning a path straight through him. His thoughts began to reform themselves as he took a few calming breaths. KyLiegh took a moment to look over her shoulder, then, getting up from her position on Harry, she tossed him his shirt.
"Maybe you should head back to the Burrow Harry." He gawked at her with an open mouth as she slowly began to transform into a black panther. Her hair seemed to grow the length of her body and covered her pale flawless skin. When KyLiegh finally rested on all fours, she stared at Harry with the same intense blue eyes. Her fur glistened in the harsh sunlight. Harry could hear a low growl from her, and then took off with power strides. Pulling his shirt back on hastily, he started to make his way towards the Weasley's abode. The scenes of what had happened were running through his mind, and Harry seeing KyLiegh turning into that panther. He couldn't believe that she was an Animagus and he wondered whether or not she was registered. Harry pushed past his thoughts and what had happened with her. His mind was determined to focus on Ginny only. He needed to see her and tell her he was sorry. 'Sorry for what, Potty boy, that you were snogging another woman? Oh yeah that's smooth, I knew you couldn't do anything right, you know that no one thinks you can anything right.' He had become accustomed to pushing the voice into the deepest corner of his mind so he could concentrate. It made him only want to see Ginny even more.
(A/N : From top to bottom as they say…I just love writing about Fred and George there sooooo fun. Then there is Charlie…The thought to write about him was to tempting I don't know about any of you girls out there but something about a mysterious man with broad shoulders…fan herself oh sorry…. and what's this? Could something possibly be happening between KyLiegh and Charlie? I know I know…I said that this is a dark angst fic…don't worry there will be lots, and lots more to come…probably more then you can handle oh and one more thing…50 house points to the first person to recognize the movie quote I have put into this chapter!)
