The massage worked out the tight kinks in Harry's neck and back, but it did nothing to ease his libido. He could still feel Ginny's hip, pressed up against his when they had all huddled, and he imagined he could even smell her distinct flowery scent that partly masked the sweat underneath. It was much more pleasant than the many odors that usually permeated the Arrows' training camp, and her body next to his had felt completely different from Sors Vincenti, who'd been crammed against Harry's other side. Harry's arm had been thrown companionably over Ginny's shoulder like the rest, and it took all his willpower not to drop his hand to her waist instead.

But he was glad he'd been able to control himself. Ginny hadn't given anything away about what she was thinking, and Harry refused to break down and ask. He'd already laid himself completely open, and now the only fair thing to do was to give Ginny the time and space to figure out how to respond, no matter how long it took.

Harry pushed aside the thought that the longer it took would probably mean . . . no. He wouldn't go there, at least, not yet. Right now, making sure that he and Ginny came out on the other side of his confession at least as friends was the most important thing.

But if he was going to be spending so much energy making sure that his friendship with Ginny stayed as normal as possible, he was swiftly coming to the realization that he'd not be able to keep up the charade in private too. Sitting alone in the quiet of his hotel room, Harry final gave up his internal struggle. He undid his belt roughly and worked swiftly on the opening of his trousers, trying not to think about what he was going to do.

Ever since he'd confessed his feelings to Ginny – and even a little bit before that - he'd struggled to keep the imagined women of his nighttime and shower fantasies away from Ginny's physical type. It hadn't bothered him before that - hence his teenaged "Ginny the mermaid" fantasies, and the more mature daydreams he'd concocted later. But the closer he and Ginny had become, the more difficult it was to put her into his thoughts without feeling that he was both invading her privacy and also imagining something that he could never have in real life.

Harry closed his eyes and let himself imagine the way Ginny had looked that morning when she'd shrugged off her Auror's robes to reveal a pair of fitted track pants and tank top underneath. She'd come to the Arrows' training center hoping to fly, Harry realized, and now, remembering her joy, he was doubly glad she'd gotten the chance.

The image that rose unbidden into his head was a new one – that of Ginny and he breaking away from the rest of the team on the pretense of checking the farthest wards, chasing each other through the air to the very edge of the Arrows' fields. Harry landed first, and when Ginny followed a moment later, she stumbled a bit, falling easily into his arms.

He was already hard, thinking about Ginny letting him pull her shirt over her head and then reach around to undo her bra. Even as he imagined leaning down to kiss her breast, she was pushing down Harry's uniform bottoms and then his pants, watching him for a moment with wide eyes before reaching out for a hesitant touch.

The realism of his fantasy was almost his undoing right there; it was exactly what Harry hoped might happen, if Ginny every reciprocated his feelings for her. He wouldn't expect – or want – either of them to be completely comfortable right away.

Now she ran her fingers down his length before grasping him, stepping closer and allowing Harry to take her face in his hands so he could capture her mouth in a soft kiss. He'd been watching her mouth a lot recently; the open delight in her grin when she'd mounted the Solar Flare that morning had filled him with warmth that had (almost) nothing to do with sex. He loved seeing her smile.

But now Harry was thinking about other things Ginny could do with her mouth. She could press open, wet kisses onto his neck and then slowly move lower, and the thought made Harry groan, his head falling back against the bed. He pumped into his hand, imagining Ginny's smaller one there instead, wrapped around his length with his hand on top, gently guiding her until she found his rhythm. He thought he knew exactly the way her eyes would look then, open wide, sparkling with excitement and desire, a tiny wrinkle between them on her forehead furrowed as she concentrated on bringing him pleasure. He could almost feel her soft breath on his skin as she slowly lowered herself to her knees in front of him. The headboard became one of the large trees that bordered the training camp and Harry didn't even realize he was pushing his back against it, imagining his hands tangling in Ginny's hair and then looking down as she took him into her mouth, licking and sucking, deeper and deeper.

Any intent Harry might have had to take his fantasy further - to think about bringing Ginny her own pleasure – exploded as completely as the orgasm that washed over him seconds later. He came hard, spurting over his hand and onto part of his shirt. For long minutes he sat on the bed, only belatedly realizing that his back ached from the way he'd shoved himself against the wooden headboard. His penis softened rapidly, for there were no soft kisses on his lips now, or fingers in his hair, or the sounds he imagined Ginny might make if he ever had the chance to use his own hands and mouth on her. Harry had never missed those things, when he wanked to the image of a stranger. But he couldn't really avoid them, when he thought of Ginny. It made sense; she was the only woman he'd ever really wanted to be with. He wasn't, though, and he was no closer to understanding if there was even a chance he could be. Sighing, he grabbed his wand to clean up the mess and stiffly rolled off the bed and into the loo. They had a big game tomorrow and he needed some rest.

HPHPHPHPHP

Ginny slept well that night; even Ron noticed it the next morning when she knocked on his door for coffee and was surprised to see him, fully dressed and ready to walk with her. The explanation for his promptness was apparent; Hermione followed too, ready for her day in the department of Magical Law enforcement.

She began peppering Ginny with questions as they walked to the lift; clearly Ron had been keeping her up to date on everything that had been going on.

"How did things go at the Arrows' stadium? Did you get to see Harry?" There was not a hint of suggestiveness in her tone and Ginny knew she was asking purely about work. She nodded.

"I got to fly with the Arrows, while I checked the wards," she said. "On a Solar Flare."

Hermione's expression didn't change at hearing the name of the broom and Ginny stifled a smile. Ron gave a low whistle. "Wow, they let you use one? I've heard the new ones fly even more smoothly than the Firebolt."

"Don't let Harry hear you say that," joked Ginny. "But yeah, it was completely amazing, changing direction was almost effortless." She didn't mention that it hadn't been her first time on one of the brooms.

"But you didn't really need to check the wards, did you?" Hermione pushed open the front door. She never had patience for Quidditch talk. "I mean, I know these first assignments aren't going to be terribly significant, but did you learn anything at all?"

I learned more than you could imagine.

Ginny hoped Ron and Hermione couldn't see her blush. She'd woken up feeling like the previous day had been something of a dream. Had she really masturbated to the thought of Harry? The almost immediate swoop in her stomach told her she hadn't imagined it. But that was something to be figured out later, when she wasn't walking with the two people who'd probably be nearly as interested as Harry himself at hearing the news. She forced herself to focus on Hermione's question.

"Not much," she admitted. "I could see the wards, since I know how to recognize Bill's work, but that was about it. Maybe that's important? I don't think they're visible to most people."

"They aren't," agreed Hermione. "And have you noticed the new ones here?" She gestured back at the door they'd just left, which Ginny was surprised to see was faintly shimmering. She frowned. "Did it always do that?"

Ron shook his head. "Bill was here with a couple of other curse breakers yesterday, adding new security to the building," he said. "I think he was training a couple of them, actually; they were here longer than Bill usually takes for something as basic as housing wards. I don't even know what all they did, but there's going to be a tenants-only meeting as soon as the Arrows get home to explain it all. The team isn't taking any more chances."

"Do you know when the meeting is?" she asked casually. Better to have some warning about the next time she was going to see Harry.

Ron shrugged. "This weekend maybe? I saw what's his name, the building manager – Clive is it? He was keeping an eye on the curse breakers. He mentioned it."

Ginny nodded and let it drop. She'd figure it out on her own – or possibly Harry would stop by and remind her; it was the kind of thing she could imagine him doing, to prove that he was trying to keep things normal between them. She blew on her coffee, thinking.

Hermione interrupted her thoughts with another question. "And what about Robards and those other Aurors – I know Shephard Kane, but I've not met the woman. What's her name again?"

"Camilla Stalk," said Ginny. She glanced at her brother. "You noticed?"

Ron nodded. "I don't think too many others did though," he said. "What did she say to you?"

Ginny looked around before answering. The sidewalk was still fairly deserted – it was earlier than usual – but she wasn't taking any chances and cast a quick Muffliato before answering. "Not much, but she wants to talk to me about something. I don't think she agreed with everything Robards and Kane were doing." Ginny grimaced. "I can't figure out their angle. It's not like they're doing anything wrong, really. Half the time I almost feel like they're just overly curious about what happened to me in the Chamber, and figure there's no harm in asking. I know they are really good Aurors." She hesitated, and then made a decision. "And I don't understand how it relates to Harry." She carefully did not make eye contact. "But I know it does."

"It does," Ron agreed. The street was getting more crowded as people began heading to work, and Ginny was glad for the charm around them. "Harry promised me that he didn't think it was anything that should prevent us from joining the Aurors, but . . ." he shook his head. "I don't know. I'm not sure if there was something else he didn't want to tell me, or that he just didn't know everything."

This was absolutely not a conversation to be had in the middle of a crowded street, on the way to work. Already they were only a few blocks from the Ministry. Ginny filed away most of what Ron had said and focused on one detail.

"He said it wouldn't prevent us? Just not you?"

Ron looked down at Ginny. "I'm sure," he said. "I don't think he predicted exactly how interested Robards and the others would be in you, though."

Ginny shrugged. "That doesn't matter," she said. "I can handle them."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked skeptically. "They haven't eased up at all, have they? I'd think it must be distracting to your regular training."

"What do you suggest I do then, Hermione?" Ginny didn't mean to take out the stress of the past few days on her friend, but at the moment, she couldn't keep her voice even. "I'm not going to confront them, and I'm not going to quit. You heard Ron - Harry thinks it's fine and he's the one who really knows."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth she grimaced. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get upset. I know you're just trying to help."

Hermione shrugged. "It's okay," she said. "And I know you can handle things." The Ministry loomed across the street and they all stopped on the corner. "But I remember how stressed Harry seemed, right before he quit. I just don't want you to get to that point."

"It's different for me," said Ginny. "I'm a formal trainee." She tried to lighten the mood. "As long as I have Ron's coffee, I'll be fine."

"I'm beginning to think you like my coffee more than me," said Ron with mock annoyance. He knocked her hip. "I know you've got this, Ginny." There was a break in traffic in front of them and they began to cross the street.

Ginny gave him a smile. "As do you," she said. "And for the record, I do like you more than your coffee."

"I do too," laughed Hermione. "Most of the time." She touched Ginny's arm. "And I know you're fine. Really. Maybe talk to Harry about all this again? I don't know if he'll tell you much more, but . . ."

"He will," Ginny interrupted quickly.

Hermione didn't seem to notice Ginny's quick blush. "Good," she nodded distractedly, dodging a delivery boy on a motorbike. "You ask him then."

Ginny was a bit relieved when Hermione left them in the Atrium to take the stairs down to her office. If anyone was going to figure out that Ginny had more on her mind than what Harry knew about the Aurors, it was her. Ginny just hoped that if that happened, Hermione would come to her first and not share any suspicions with Ron. In the meantime, maybe she needed to concoct a story, a lie, to deflect any behavior that might make it look like she . . .

Like you what, Ginny? You don't have anything to hide, nothing at all.

"I don't," she said out loud.

"You don't what?" asked Ron. He was still looking a bit dazed from Hermione's kiss goodbye.

"I don't know who Kane is talking to, but she looks kind of familiar, don't you think?" For just in front of the lifts, the Auror was talking to a woman Ginny could have sworn she'd seen somewhere before. Robes fitted a little more snugly than those commonly worn by Ministry workers, makeup applied a little too carefully. She reminded Ginny a bit of Rita Skeeter.

Ron peered in the direction of the pair. "I dunno, maybe," he said. "We're going that way, why don't you see if he introduces us?"

Ginny nodded. "Good idea," she said.

She caught a bit of the conversation as she and Ron approached. ". . . thing permanent of course," Kane was saying. The woman nodded seriously. "Of course not, I am very experienced . . ." her eyes flicked to Ginny, who was certain she saw a spark of recognition in them. A second later it was gone. "Hello, are you waiting for the lift too?" she asked in a completely different voice.

It didn't matter, Ginny had already heard enough of the accent to know that here was either Katerina or Nadia or Zoya Bellows, disguised somehow.

Kane turned. "Ahh, hello Ginny, Ron. Earlier than usual for training, are we, Mr. Weasley?" He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise and Ginny just barely held back a snort that Ron's propensity for being nearly late hadn't been missed by their boss.

To his credit, Ron didn't blush. "Haven't been late yet, sir. And don't intend to be."

"Good, good," said Kane. He made no attempt to introduce them to his companion. The lift arrived and Ginny exchanged a quick glance with Ron as the others got on first. Up close, Ginny had to admit that she was impressed by the woman's disguise. It was likely transfiguration and not Polyjuice; there was definitely a resemblance to the Bellows, but it was not strong enough that Ginny could tell which sister was under the disguise. The Russian accent she'd heard was a dead giveaway though.

"We start our unit on potions today, don't we?" asked Ginny. She glanced at the woman again. Had she subtly turned to listen?

Kane nodded. "Detecting, using, antidotes, neutralization. There's a lot to learn," he said distractedly, his attention now captured by a small memo that had flown into his hand as they entered the lift.

"That will be quite useful," Ginny agreed. "Too bad we didn't start our lessons a couple of weeks earlier though. They would have come in handy, given recent events."

Ginny didn't imagine it this time, the woman flinched slightly and opened her mouth as if to say something. But then she shut it again, and her expression morphed into something vaguely bored. Ginny nodded to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she tried to remember small details of the woman's altered appearance, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes that made her look older than she probably was, neat but blunt fingernails colored in a pale color that was neither pink nor beige but somewhere in the middle, heeled shoes that were surprisingly scuffed at the toe. It was these details that tended to repeat themselves even when the bigger parts of a transfiguration job changed, and Ginny was determined to make sure she'd recognize this woman again.

The woman did not get off at the second floor. Ginny saw Kane look at her in surprise, but he didn't say anything, merely ushering Ron and Ginny ahead of him.

Ginny was interested to see that Camilla Stalk was standing – waiting? – in front of the lift as they got off. Her eyes flicked to its remaining sole occupant before she turned away and smiled at Ginny. Behind her, Kane walked off down the hall with Ron, and Ginny wondered if she was being set up.

"How was the Solar Flare?" she asked casually.

Ginny couldn't hide her surprise. "How'd you know?" It seemed like an odd detail for the woman to ask about.

But now Camilla grinned, making her look suddenly younger than she was. "Ravenclaw Seeker, four years," she said proudly. "Won the Cup my Seventh Year." Her voice lowered. "While it wasn't my idea to send you to the Arrows, I knew you'd enjoy yourself, even if the Auror work left something to be desired."

Ginny decided to take the risk. "Why did they send me to the Arrows then?" she asked, equally quietly. Without even realizing it, she had followed Camilla into a small alcove office Ginny knew was used for interviews; it actually had its own door. Camilla didn't close it, though she kept her eye trained on the opening as she answered. "Robards and Kane . . . they're convinced they can find something. Or figure out something. Between you and Harry."

"I'd worked out that much," said Ginny. It was surprisingly easy to talk to the Auror. "But what? I'd assumed it was something with the Chamber, but I'm not sure."

Camilla nodded. "There's that," she agreed. "I just don't know . . . are you and Harry very close?" she asked abruptly.

"Uhh, yeah, we are," said Ginny. "We've been friends for a long time." She didn't bother explaining the exact details of that friendship and how it had changed over the years. "But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Don't let anything you come between you two," said Camilla. She looked carefully at Ginny. "I'm not privy to the exact reasons Harry left, but I know it was a big loss for all of us. He's one of a kind. And your relationship with him is . . . well, it's interesting."

Ginny wasn't sure if she was being warned or not, but somehow, she was more comfortable talking about it with Camilla than when Robards or Kane had said nearly the same thing.

"It is interesting," she said. "I just wish I knew exactly why." She thought about asking Camilla if she knew the woman who'd ridden with them in the lift.

"Me too," said Camilla, before Ginny could say anything else. "Robards is brilliant. I'm just not always sure he . . ." her tone changed suddenly. "That's so exciting, that you got to ride such a fast broom! Were the Arrows nice to you?" Camilla spoke the last sentences loudly, with an enthusiasm that was so fake Ginny couldn't believe anyone would buy it.

She nodded back. "Oh, it was like a dream come true," she said in an equally loud voice. She followed Camilla out of the office to find Robards standing in the corridor. Anything else Ginny wanted to ask would have to wait, but she resolved to keep up with Camilla. It was clear the woman knew more than she was letting on, and also that she didn't completely agree with what Robards and Kane were doing. Making a mental note to ask Harry what he thought, Ginny made her way into the training class to learn about potions.

HPHPHPHP

Ginny was oddly disappointed that Harry didn't contact her for the remainder of the Arrows' road trip. It embarrassed her a bit to think that way, but she couldn't deny that she missed Harry's friendship. Normally, they'd send each other the occasional message by owl or even Floo; he'd once popped his head in just in time to snag the final piece of treacle tart from a pan her mum had sent over; Ginny suspected Harry might have been tipped off that time. Now, she alternated between being annoyed at herself for caring and worried that this was how things were always going to be between her and Harry from now on: stilted and uncomfortable. A week ago, she'd just have owled him herself, probably to either congratulate him about their win against Wimbourne or tease him about their poor showing in Holyhead.

But now she was trying not to constantly overthink everything, and then trying not to be annoyed with herself for overthinking. She'd thought of Harry twice more in bed; that was the one place she didn't mind Harry intruding. When she let herself admit it, she knew that wanking to images of Harry was a lot more satisfying than anything she'd ever done by herself before.

Finally, the Friday morning of the day the Arrows were due back, just when Ginny was mentally berating herself for not having the fucking guts to have just sent Harry a casual note, there was a tapping at her window.

The letter was messy; obviously he'd scrawled it hastily.

Going to a pub after the building meeting tonight. Grab some of the Auror trainees and join us? Dam asked about Parvati . . .

-Harry

It wasn't much, but Ginny couldn't help but smile at its normalcy. She shouldn't have been so nervous about contacting Harry first. They could certainly remain friends, no matter what. And she could ask him about Robards, like Hermione suggested.

At work, Parvati and a few others were more than pleased at the thought of a night out with the Arrows. Angelina told her that she and George were already planning to come, although Fred and his girlfriend were not. She rolled her eyes.

"They spend more time rowing than anything else, they're worse that Ron and Hermione used to be," she said with a grimace. "How Harry put up with that I'll never know. George spends half his time at my place these days. Not that I'm complaining." She smiled. "A night without arguments will be fun."

"Let's hope everyone else behaves themselves then," said Ginny. "We have a tenants meeting at 6, but should be along soon after that."

HPHPHPHP

Harry watched his owl fly away and resisted the urge to call her back. All week he'd wrestled with the question of whether or not he should contact Ginny before the end of the road trip. It was a question he'd never have given a thought to before. Finally, even though he'd be seeing her in a few hours, he couldn't wait. The pub night was a perfect excuse to be friendly; he hoped she only saw it as such.

Sighing to himself, he pulled on his training clothes for one last fly at the away stadium. Normally, they would have come home after the game last night, but it had gone late, and Dam wanted to take advantage of being in an unfamiliar space to practice. He looked out the window. His owl was just a tiny fleck in the sky now, and he wished he could be there to see Ginny's expression when she opened the note. He'd left it casual enough so that she could refuse to come if she wanted; there were any number of excuses she might make that wouldn't make it seem like she was trying to avoid him. He'd see her at the tenants meeting, at least.

Two hours later, Harry returned to his hotel room to grab his things before Apparating back home. A note was waiting for him by his bed.

Harry –

No surprise, but Parvati was 'absolutely delighted' to join us at the pub tonight. Maybe you should warn Dam. A few others are coming too – sounds like Angelina and George need a night away from the flat. I'll fill you in. See you at the meeting.

-Ginny

Harry smiled to himself. It was all good.

A/N: My apologies to anyone who saw Ch. 10 again when they tried to read this. I have no idea why the mistake happened.