Author's Note:
Reviews and Comments: To AQuickRead91: Agreed, Crouch is gross. Greg in lace undies WAS oddly hot, wasn't it? To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you! Harry and Remus do have that kind of relationship and Harry is the kind of person to hold everything in for a long time, but Remus trusts him to go to him when he needs to. He needed to talk to him. As to young Sirius being offended — I have this idea of Sirius basically taunting them nonstop about his escapades and whatnot and one day he makes a stupid joke about them forming a big cock club and without missing a beat or without even planning it, James and Remus are like, nah, you're not big enough. Then they just keep it up to annoy him like good friends do. I certainly hope no one expected Greg to be the one wearing the green lace LOL. We should definitely be nervous about Voldemort.
To briana_t: Thank you! I thought it would be funny to have Hermione catch them and nope, no Ron this time around. Ron is definitely the only reason Hermione gets enough sleep. Theo will not be getting a fruit basket though because Ron doesn't know Theo helped Hermione lol. To CorbanD17: He really is the most thoughtful man ever. Thank you. To Susanne_BK: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the Hinny bits and the conversation between Harry and Remus. To lovemelikeyoudo: Thank you for saying I'm one of the greatest fanfic writers out there! You are so kind! To shuweet: Thank you and you're welcome — this chapter has even more Hinny content. To AnaGPotter: Harry is always worried about making sure Ginny is well taken care of. Voldemort is definitely not as smart as he thinks he is. To TatiRena: The talk was important and it needed to be said. What a great example. It is a natural body response and one you can't necessarily control, it doesn't mean it's okay.
To Sam: Ginny definitely can never keep her hands (or her mouth) off of him. Demelza… you write her so amazing, Sam, I had to show a little of her history with the boys. Burning of the jumpers, I believe that was a suggestion you insisted I add… Greg is definitely a cutie and he will do anything for Pansy. To Fanfis01: Thank you. Happy to surprise you with my title. To Steel: He shouldn't have, but we all know how Harry just buries things until he can't anymore. Bellatrix definitely has a lot of people wishing her dead. To BleedRedandGold: Thank you! You're so sweet to be re-reading ASC from the beginning while waiting for each new chapter. To BadWolfKris: Maybe the babies and mums will be save, we'll have to see. To GodMisha: Thank you! I agree, I think Voldemort did feel god-like and believes himself to be above everyone else. Thank you!
To Bluerain22: Ha, Theo does strikes again, of course unlike Harry, Ron doesn't know lol. Ron is definitely a first breakfast kind of guy. Thank you. To Laura: Thank you. There is a lovely moment coming with Ginny, Fleur, Audrey, Angelina, and Hermione, but not until the Christmas holidays. I have no plans on Ginny cutting her hair or getting a tattoo. To Nightwing2013: Smut in your future is a definite yes, lol. This chapter is 90% smut. Umbitch is not sleeping with Voldemort, just talking. Greg's face would have been hilarious, I agree. Maybe that will happen lol. To Dianne: Harry does love giving Ginny pleasure and he is so cute. Ron, Hermione, and Crookshanks have become their own little family. Hope there are some surprises still to come your way.
To shivani: Of course Sirius would be salty and also because it would have been intentional just to make him salty. Happy to make you laugh with Greg being the one in the green lace. Voldemort is catching on and nothing good. Burning Harry's jumpers was cruel, I know. To Slaidback: Thank you and I agree, it did need to be reinforced. To tryagain4me: Thank you. Me too. There are more in this chapter. To A VoodooGyspy: I am writing, what are you doing? To the Mandalorian terminator: Voldemort's plans are coming together. Ron is so loving and Hermione needs him. To ITHersey: LMAO! A live action version of Remus and Harry talking about their cocks would be absolutely hilarious! Thank you! To notthatchhavi: Hermione was fibbing a little haha. Crouch definitely needs to die and yes, Greg is a model for Pansy. I agree, Harry wouldn't go over the top, he would just do something quiet to help her. To alix33: Thank you.
To scrappy8: Thank you. To Nuno Neves: Thank you. You can definitely see how much Ron cares for Hermione and I think her giving him a blow job here was as much from love as appreciation for how much he takes care of her. Voldemort will definitely not be happy to hear that Blaise and Draco are still alive. To Erinly: I've written in Voldemort's point of view a few times. Yes, the big cock club lol. To ANewRanger: I'm glad you thought the chapter was adorable. I am so thankful people aren't bored with this story yet because I just keep writing lol. Have I ever been to Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club? Listening to the album a million times yes, otherwise no lol.
To Ellieoryan7447: One hundred percent the chance of getting caught makes it hotter. Harry is definitely dying to touch her and yes, Harry is very much addicted to Ginny. I love writing them with their cheesy sass about Quidditch. Greg trying on lingerie was the most fun for me to write lol. Remus and Harry are so adorable and I'm so glad you loved that scene. It took me ages to perfect it, but I think I got it. Harry is definitely an adjective lol. It's okay to be a little jealous, we all want a Harry. To Derpdude32: Thank you. To WinkingSkeever: Thank you. To evans: Thank you! Yes, Harry and Ginny will have sex. Be patient. We will see more stuff from Witch Weekly, Daily Prophet, etc. We will see more about Ted and Andy helping the kids and the babies. We will see more of Crouch and Bellatrix. To pix25: Thank you!
To gemini614: Thank you. I don't think Voldemort scenes can be anything but awful and disturbing to be honest. To ellyann13: No, Bellatrix wasn't punished, interesting, isn't it? Harry's press is starting to get under Voldemort's skin. We'll have to see what happens next. To JamesTKent: Thank you! To Katelyn453: Wow, a second time! Thank you! As to discord, feel free to send me a message if you a like. As to the mate thing, I don't believe in that whole 'it has to be in a certain spot' aspect. It's fiction and fantasy so I get to do what I want LOL. I don't know too many soulmate fanfics but if you've joined the Ginny Lovers, ask around in fic-recs, I promise someone will take care of you! Thank you! To HPuni101: Thank you very much! To tim2604: Thanks for enjoying the smut and yes, whisky was a must after that conversation LOL. He will talk to Ginny as well. Sorry to break your heart and I know, the Isle of Skye is beautiful, I'm sorry haha. Thank you!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER THREE-HUNDRED AND TWO:
The One Where Luna Makes A Wise Observation
Neville spent every spare moment he could with Hannah, which wasn't nearly as much as he liked. With it being their NEWT year, it seemed like the homework was endless. Even for him when it came to working in the greenhouses, there was always something that needed to be done. On top of Defence Club (which was down to just the practical now, Harry having stopped the physical part once everyone was able to keep up on the obstacles), Hannah's prefect duties, and Neville's time in the Wizengamot, finding time together was sometimes more scarce than he wished. But he and Hannah spent as much time as they could together, talking and snogging (a lot of snogging) and Hannah spoke more about her dream to open a bakery.
It made Neville smile to hear it. She looked so happy when she talked about it and she had so many ideas from what she wanted it to look like to what kind of desserts she wanted to bake. The fact that she was making goals for her future made him incredibly happy. She deserved a chance to follow her dreams.
They had spent the day in Hogsmeade, walking around and stopping in and out of shops. Hannah enjoyed window shopping which was something Neville didn't quite understand, but watching the joy on her face made it seem worth it.
He held her hand in his as they walked back to the castle, the cold November air making them both anxious to get inside.
"Can we go up to your dorm and talk?" Hannah asked, moving closer to him when they got to the stairs.
Neville raised an eyebrow. They still had two hours until dinner would be served in the Great Hall. "Sure."
They headed up the stairs to Gryffindor tower and Neville led her through the common room wondering what it was that she wanted to talk to him about in his dorm. The common room was littered with a few younger students who hadn't gone to Hogsmeade, but was fairly deserted otherwise. They went up the stairs to the boys dorm marked seventh years and Neville pushed open the door very slowly. When Hannah gave him a pointed look, he grinned.
"You'll thank me in a minute."
The door creaked open just a little and sure enough the loud 'fucccckkk' made Neville blush.
"Silencing charm!" he exclaimed, pushing open the door.
A silencing charm wasn't the real problem as Neville quickly realized upon seeing that Dean had Seamus bent over the end of his bed and half on his trunk, both of them completely starkers as he shagged him.
"Merlin, guys! Can't you at least put a warning on the door or something?"
Dean glared at him, but he shoved Seamus over the end of the bed, closing the curtains around them. A moment later, Neville heard a silencing charm. He turned to look at Hannah and her eyes were wide in shock.
"Sorry, that's a recurring problem with those two randy buggers," Neville said, taking off his cloak and jacket.
Hannah took off her cloak as well, draping it over Neville's trunk before following him onto his bed and closing the curtains around them. Hannah waved her wand and small floating lights hovered under the canopy giving them soft lighting.
Neville took her cold hands in his, kissing them. "You okay? I know seeing Dean's naked flat arse scares me."
"Yes, I'm okay. It was just… shocking. I've never seen two people having sex before and I guess I never… it shouldn't have fit."
Neville chuckled. "And yet it does. I'd like to say that's the first time I've ever walked in on them, but sadly it's not."
Hannah nodded, biting her bottom lip. "Oh."
Neville stroked his thumbs over her knuckles. "Are you sure that you're okay?"
She nodded again, moving to sit on her knees. "Yes. I… is it okay that we're here?"
"Yeah. They won't bother us and we can't hear or see them in here, right?"
"And they can't see or hear us?" Hannah asked nervously.
Neville smiled. "No. We can talk privately here. I promise."
She nodded, twisting her hands in her lap. "Okay… because I wanted to talk to you about… something."
"Anything," he said.
Hannah smiled and it seemed to boost her courage. "I know that I told you that I don't want to have sex and I'm not ready yet. I think I do want to wait until marriage."
"I know," Neville said, leaning in to kiss her neck. "And that's okay. We don't have to have sex, Hannah."
Hannah's hands brushed down his jumper, playing with the hem. "I really like snogging you."
Neville's smile widened. "I really like snogging you, too."
Hannah's hands slid under his jumper and tee shirt, cold hands running up his bare back. "And since we've gotten back together, you've been so wonderful."
"It's easy when I love spending time with you."
Hannah blushed as his lips trailed down her throat. "I love spending time with you, too, but…"
Neville's brow furrowed, lifting his lips from her neck to look into her blue eyes. "But what?"
"But… I want to feel like a… I mean, before you… you made me feel like a melted marshmallow."
Neville's face broke out into a surprised smile. "Oh."
Hannah stared at him, nerves evident in her eyes.
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers softly. "You want me to touch you again?"
She nodded.
Neville moved his mouth along her jaw. "You want me to use my fingers on you until you scream."
She nodded again, trembling when his mouth pressed against her pulse.
Neville placed a silencing charm around his bed before he kissed her once more. "Hannah, I need you to say yes or no."
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I want that."
Neville gently turned her, pushing her back onto his bed and watching the way her hair fanned out on his pillow. She was so beautiful and she looked so sweet and unsure of herself. He wanted to make her understand how beautiful she was. He hovered his body over hers to kiss her for a long kiss that made her moan.
"I'm going to take these off."
Hannah nodded, her eyes on his as he unbuttoned her corduroy trousers and slowly slid them down her legs. He put them behind him on the bed, his callused hands moving up her legs. He pressed his lips against her stomach, inching her jumper up. Hannah trembled.
"I want to see you," he told her.
She nodded, letting him push the jumper over her head and revealing her simple blue cotton bra and white and blue striped cotton knickers. Hannah stared at him, her eyes wide and Neville gave her a reassuring smile before he pulled his own jumper and tee shirt off.
"Better?"
She nodded again, her hands gently stroking his chest and broad muscled arms. "Much."
Neville kissed her softly, slow kisses that moved down her neck. He kissed her breasts through her bra, his hand trailing down her stomach before he gently began to rub her through her knickers. It wasn't long before he could feel her responding and he slid his fingers under the cotton. Hannah let out a small gasp when his fingers touched her.
"Good?"
She nodded.
Neville chuckled, his lips under her ear. "I need words, Hannah."
"Good," she said, panting.
Neville stroked and teased her with his fingers, kissing her neck as he did and then he inched down the bed, pulling his hand out of her knickers. Hannah made a strangled cry of disappointment.
He kissed her thigh. "Do you trust me, Hannah?"
"Yes," she said. "Please don't stop touching me, Neville. Please."
Neville kept his eyes on hers as his thumbs pulled her knickers down. Hannah let out a small gasp and her hands immediately moved to cover herself. Neville took her knickers off before he moved his hands back up her thighs again, moving her hands away. She made to cover herself again and he smiled.
"Hannah, you're beautiful. All of you."
Her cheeks were flushed, but this time when he pushed her hands away, she let him. His fingers stroked over her again and her thighs fell open, giving him more room to explore. Then he bent his head and added his tongue and the sound she made was music to his ears.
"Neville!" she squealed.
His eyes met hers as he dragged his tongue over her clit and the look in her eyes was pure surprised pleasure. He kept his fingers working as he licked her and when she began to squirm and writhe beneath him, he kept up his rhythm.
"Oh! Oh! Oh, yes! Mmm…" she cried out, her hips arching towards him as she came.
When she finished, he gently kissed her stomach and then pressed his lips against hers.
Hannah's eyes were wide. "You… you put your tongue there."
"I did," Neville said. "And I think you liked it."
She blushed. "I…"
Neville kissed her cheek. "Well, you did."
"Did you?" she whispered.
Neville kissed her nose. "Did I like using my tongue? Yes."
"You did?"
"Yes," he told her. "In fact, I'm going to do it again right now."
"You are?" she squealed as he kissed his way back down her body.
Neville's gaze met hers as he lifted her hips to his face. "I am. Any objections?"
Hannah's fingers threaded through his hair as she shook her head and this time, he used his tongue much more thoroughly, and Hannah didn't object.
Not once.
~ ASC ~
Seamus and Dean spent the morning in Hogsmeade. They walked the village, holding hands, and met at the Three Broomsticks with Kellan Morgan. The sight of the tall man waiting for them made Seamus feel apprehensive. He could see the man was trying, but he still wasn't sure if he trusted him not to break Dean's heart.
"Thanks for meeting with me," Morgan said, giving them both a wide smile.
Dean nodded and took a seat, his hand holding Seamus' tightly. "Sure."
Morgan's eyes moved over to Seamus. "I know you love him. I can see that and I know you're worried that I've only come to hurt him, but I haven't. I've made mistakes and walking away from my son is my biggest regret. I'm trying to make up for that."
Seamus let out a slow breath. "I can respect that."
"Mr Morgan, I can speak for myself," Dean said.
"Please, call me Kellan," he said. "I don't want us to be so formal."
Dean nodded. "Kellan, I told you in my letters that I still don't know what I want from this. I have a family."
"I know," Kellan said. "You have Sunshine and she's an amazing witch who has raised an incredible man. The fact that I had no part in the amazing man I see sitting before me is difficult to swallow. But I made my choices and now I have regrets that I have to live with."
When Dean didn't say anything, Kellan cleared his throat.
"I know you don't need a father. You're eighteen. But I hope maybe you'll let me be your friend over time. There are dark times ahead and I think that we could all use some friends at a time like this."
"And the blood registry?" Dean asked.
Kellan frowned. "My mother was a Muggle, father was a Muggleborn. My sister and I were both magical."
Dean nodded. "Do you have to wear a badge?"
"No," Kellan said. "Though with the way things are moving, I might. I've been avoiding the Ministry as much as I can. Most of my work can be done outside of the Ministry."
"What do you do exactly?" Seamus asked.
"I'm an art dealer," Kellan said. "I discover art and sculpture all over the world. Some historical, some recent. I work with the International Magical Trading Standards Body in the art department. Fortunately, most of my work keeps me travelling and I very rarely have to check in to the Ministry. With how things are changing as of late, it's probably wiser."
Seamus frowned. "Is the blood registry getting that serious?"
"Anyone less than half-blood needs to be cautious," Kellan warned. "There are spies in the Ministry and until they've been weeded out, we all need to be careful." He turned his attention to Dean. "How's Sunshine doing with Meadow's death?"
Dean shook his head. "She's trying to be strong for my grandmother, but she's heartbroken. As much as they fought like cats and dogs, they were close. Auntie M was always the level headed one."
"I was sorry to hear that she had been killed in the explosion," Kellan said. "I liked Meadow."
Dean nodded.
Kellan kept the conversation going as much as he could. He talked about his job, his family. He told them that he always wished he had the ability to be an artist and how it was partly what attracted him to Sunshine Thomas all those years ago, her talent. Dean mentioned that he liked to draw and Kellan's eyes widened in surprise.
"You do?"
"He's a genius," Seamus interjected. "So talented! He can draw anything and it's so lifelike, it looks like a photograph."
"I'd love to see some of your work," Kellan said.
Dean shrugged. "It's just a hobby."
Seamus rolled his eyes. "Dean wants to pursue it after we finish school in June."
Dean shrugged again. "Maybe."
"Dean, stop being so bloody modest!"
Seamus reached around his boyfriend for the shoulder bag and pulled out Dean's sketchbook. He reached for the red one that he knew was filled with some of Dean's greatest sketches. He opened the book to the sketch Dean had done the other day of himself studying in the library.
"Here, he drew this yesterday."
"It's just rough," Dean said, nerves in his voice. "It's not finished."
Kellan's eyes took in the charcoal drawing, his gaze running over the smooth lines. "This is what you consider rough? Dean… that's incredible."
"Told you," Seamus said. "He's going to be a famous artist one day."
"With talent like this, I wouldn't put it past him," Kellan said. "Do you create your own art or do you just draw what you see?"
"I draw what I see," Dean said. "I mean, I don't really create anything new, I guess. I thought maybe I could do portraits or something one day."
"Or be an illustrator," Kellan said. "I know many people who are looking for artists with this kind of talent to illustrate books, paint murals, do official portraits, and of course, hang your art in any number of galleries. The possibilities are endless when you have this kind of creativity and unlimited talent at your fingertips."
Dean cleared his throat as Kellan flipped the page and looked over the landscape Dean had done of the Hogwarts grounds.
"Breathtaking."
"He also designed one of our friend's tattoos," Seamus said.
"You're incredibly talented," Kellan said. "You have a lot to be proud of and I can see Sunshine's influence here."
Dean nodded, closing the sketchbook. "Thank you."
Kellan spoke more about art and when they left the Three Broomsticks an hour later, Dean agreed to see his father over Christmas. They shook hands and watched Kellan head out as Seamus linked his arm through his boyfriend's.
"I think that went well."
"I think so, too," he admitted. "Do you think that he was telling the truth, about my art?"
Seamus stopped, taking Dean's hands in his and looking up into his boyfriend's dark eyes. "Absolutely. You are so talented, Dean. I know that you're an artist and anyone who sees your work can see how talented you are, how creative and inspired. Kellan saw that and as someone who works in art, trust me, he wouldn't lie about something that defines his career."
Dean nodded. "I'm starting to like him."
"Me too," Seamus admitted. "But I'll still hex him if he breaks your heart."
Dean smiled and took Seamus' arm as they began to head back to the castle. "I want to learn more about his family — my family. Even if they are all deceased, it's still nice to know about them."
"You will," Seamus assured him. "Baby steps, right?"
"Right," Dean agreed.
They talked a bit about the last Defence Club meeting, the homework they had to do, and plans for the rest of the weekend. By the time they made it back up to Gryffindor Tower it was only half-past one.
"So, what do you think? Want to walk around the grounds or should we play some Exploding Snap in the warmth of the common room?" Seamus asked, tossing his cloak and jacket onto his bed. "Or we could talk more about how today went?"
"No," Dean said, grabbing Seamus and hauling him up to his toes. "I don't want to do any of that."
Then he crushed his mouth down to his and Seamus could only hold on as he was kissed within an inch of his life. When Dean's hands started to undo his trousers, he started to make a saucy comment, but then his boyfriend spun him around and bent him over the edge of the bed, shoving his trousers down to his ankles. Seamus' breath hitched.
Dean's hand stroked him as he mumbled a lubrication charm. Two fingers slid into him as Dean tugged on the rest of his clothes, stripping Seamus completely starkers as he fingered him. He stopped only long enough to take his own clothes off before he used his fingers again, bending Seamus over the end of the bed, half on his trunk. Seamus was kneeling on the trunk, his hands on the bed in front of him as Dean's hands stroked him. He was about to say that they should get onto the bed fully when suddenly the fingers were gone and Seamus was being filled to the max. He cried out in surprise, but pleasure overtook him as Dean began to rock in and out of him, his fist pumping Seamus' cock as he did. Seamus could hear Dean panting behind him and when his hand began to work him faster, Seamus moaned.
The door of their dorm opened just as Dean rocked against him in just the right way and pleasure shot through him. He tried to hold himself in check, but Dean hit the right spot again and then again…
"Fucccckkk!" Seamus cried, coming all over Dean's hand.
"Silencing charm!" Neville exclaimed.
Seamus wanted to comment, but he was still gasping in pleasure as Dean stroked him.
"Merlin, guys! Can't you at least put a warning on the door or something?" Neville demanded.
Dean pulled out, making Seamus whimper at the loss of contact before his boyfriend shoved him onto the bed, spanking his arse. The curtains closed around them and Dean performed a silencing charm before he flipped Seamus onto his back and hiked his legs up.
"Look at me, Seam," Dean demanded.
Seamus' breath hitched when his eyes met Dean's dark ones, just as Dean pushed into him again. The feel of him so deep, his cock driving in and out of him was making him hard all over again. He watched the pleasure wash over Dean's face as he continued to shag him, driving him harder and faster.
Dean gripped Seamus' cock again, stroking and pumping him. He fondled his balls, squeezing and rubbing and it wasn't long at all before Seamus was coming a second time, clinging to his boyfriend desperately. The second orgasm finally sent Dean over the edge and when he came, he trembled, collapsing on top of Seamus as he finished with a roar.
Seamus kissed his forehead, wrapping his arms around Dean. "That was bloody fantastic."
Dean murmured an agreement.
"I think we gave Neville a show."
"And Hannah," Dean mumbled. "She saw us both starkers."
"Merlin, she's a lucky witch!"
Dean chuckled. "Doubt Neville thinks so."
"What does he know?" Seamus said. "We're two sexy buggers."
Dean smiled, snuggling into Seamus' embrace, and a minute later was snoring.
Seamus held his boyfriend close, thinking that he rather liked it when Dean took control. He reached for his wand, cleaning them both up before he shifted to hold Dean; then he drifted off to sleep next to him, completely satisfied.
~ ASC ~
The day of the Hogsmeade trip was the third Saturday in November and Theo was looking forward to it. The last month had been hectic. Between the intense Wizengamot sessions, the talk about the blood registry, the amount of NEWT work he had, and the constant trips he made to Pansy's shop in hopes of obtaining information — he was bone tired.
The Wizengamot sessions as of late seemed to be full of new bills and legislations as well as a mix of bringing old bills in to be reevaluated under new guidelines. A lot of it concerned money and taxes, emergency leadership decisions if something happened, and how to deal with stronger protection for those in danger. It gave Theo a headache to think about. Not to mention that after every session without fail, Sebastian Kane was outside of the chambers waiting to pounce on him.
Kane always had questions. Pointless questions. He wanted to know if Theo knew anything else about Pendleton Derrick, questions about old cases his father might have been involved in, questions about the explosion at the Ministry, and questions about Draco and Blaise. After learning that Kane was interested in Bellarosa Zabini just as much as Lucius Malfoy, Theo attempted to tell him what he could in terms of their Death Eater activity, but he didn't know much.
Kane insisted that he call him Bas and Sebastian called him Theo, making it seem less formal. Most Fridays he ended up taking Theo to lunch, convincing him that they could talk over a sandwich. Some Fridays, Sebastian showed up with a cappuccino topped with cinnamon powder (Theo's favourite) and urged him to walk with him to talk. But he never missed a Friday without fail and Theo found himself oddly looking forward to them. It was a moment where he could breath, talk about his friends, and for some reason, talking to Sebastian was so easy.
Yesterday Sebastian had insisted that they go up to Ministry Munchies and he'd bought him a sandwich while he asked for information on Blaise and Draco. But none of it was information that Theo could see as being important. He wanted to know when he met them, how long they'd been friends, things they liked and disliked, what they had in common. When Theo mentioned that Blaise loved Italian shoes and tended to always send him overpriced ones, Sebastian had laughed.
"I'm serious! For my birthday he once sent me two new pairs of Italian loafers," Theo said. "I bought a pair of shoes in Apricity Lane two years ago and he made me take them back. The man's a menace."
"He's posh."
"Too posh," Theo said. "So, what does Blaise liking Italian shoes have to do with your case, Bas?"
Sebastian cleared his throat. "Every detail matters. Thanks for the information."
But before he'd hurried off, he'd peppered a few more questions at him about the kinds of food Theo liked and when he left, Theo was left wondering just why Sebastian even wanted all of this information? Sometimes he honestly had no idea why the Auror kept coming to see him week after week. If he didn't know any better, he would think the man fancied him. But that was ridiculous. Not to mention that Theo was pretty positive the man was straight.
Now it was Saturday and Theo had done some rearranging and was all booked into the spa for a full day thanks to Harry's birthday present. He would be starting with a hydrating facial to exfoliate and moisturize before getting his eyebrows done. After that he was going to be treated to a full body treatment including a soak in aromatherapy oils before getting a salt scrub followed by a seaweed wrap. After a quick lunch provided by the spa, he was getting a pedicure and then a full body massage before heading back to Hogwarts fully relaxed.
He couldn't wait.
Theo checked his pockets to make sure that he had everything and had just found the rest of the students at the entrance when Stephen grabbed his arm. "Hi."
"Hey," Stephen said, pecking his cheek. "Where should we go first?"
Theo's face fell. "Oh, Stephen, I thought I told you! Harry bought me a spa day for my birthday and I'm going there now. My first appointment is in half an hour."
"Oh, right. I forgot that was today. You always have somewhere to go on Saturdays, it's hard to keep track," Stephen said.
"I only head to Apricity Lane for less than an hour," Theo said defensively. "We spend every Saturday together."
"Yeah and I wanted to spend this one with you, too."
He tugged on Theo's arm and a moment later, Theo found himself against the wall behind an alcove as Stephen's lips met his.
"Stephen," Theo said, in between kisses. "I really do have to go."
Stephen ignored him and began to plant kisses down his throat. Theo basked in it for a moment, but when his hands started to undo his trousers, he stopped him.
"Stephen, I'm sorry. I really want to go to this spa today. Can we have dinner together later?"
Stephen rolled his eyes and took a step back. "Can you tell me what's going on?"
"What do you mean? I told you, I have an appointment at the spa."
Stephen snorted. "You always have something else to do unless it's convenient for you."
Theo opened his mouth to object but nothing came out.
"I like you, Theo. But I can see that you're not as into this relationship as much as me. I'm just a cock to play with when you feel like it or a mouth to work yours."
"That's not fair!" Theo exclaimed. "You can't put it all on me! You don't take any time to get to know me either. We just snog."
"Yes, we just snog," Stephen said. "We also play with each other's pricks because you won't do anything else."
Theo's face flushed. "So, because I'm not ready to let you shag me, it's my fault?"
"No," Stephen said. "But it would be nice if you even noticed that I want more."
Theo stared at him. "I was in love with someone and he died. And I'm sorry if that means that I'm not one hundred percent ready to move on. But you don't know me, Stephen. You've made no effort to do so, not really. Nothing past the superficial and every time I try to talk to you about something important, you brush it off. So, if you really wanted more, you would make an effort there too."
Stephen let out an exasperated breath. "Whatever. I think we're done."
Theo nodded, relief coursing through him that he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I think we are."
"And for the record," Stephen added, his hand on the door handle. "I've been shagging Zacarias Smith for the last week."
When the door slammed behind him, Theo flinched. The last line had been unnecessarily cruel and yet Theo could see why Stephen felt the need to add it. They'd been hanging out less and less over the last month. Theo did like him. He was a nice man, but that wasn't enough to keep them together. It wasn't enough to build a relationship on. Suddenly, Theo was very grateful that he hadn't succumbed to sleeping with him.
He fixed his robes and headed back towards the front door feeling both relieved and elated to be free once more. Suddenly, this spa day was looking even more perfect than he'd originally thought.
When he returned to Hogwarts later on that afternoon just before dinner, he'd never felt more relaxed and pampered. He'd just stepped into the entrance hall when he heard Ginny's voice.
"I just can't believe that prat would snog Smith right there in the open like that! I'm going to bat-bogey him!"
"No," Harry said, grabbing her arm. "I want to have a word with him first and I know that you won't leave me any scraps."
She snorted. "Spoilsport."
"Who are you two planning to fight?" Theo asked as he approached them. "It sounds interesting. Can I watch?"
Harry put his hand on Theo's shoulder. "I'm sorry, mate. You deserve better."
"What?" Theo asked, looking between them in bewilderment. "What are you two talking about?"
Ginny pointed her wand over to where Stephen Cornfoot and Zacarias Smith were openly snogging by the wall. "We're working on our plans to murder him."
Theo laughed. "Aw, chick, you two are too sweet. But we broke up."
"When?" Ginny demanded.
"Technically this morning, but it was a long time coming."
"And he's already snogging Smith?" Ginny exclaimed. "I'm going to kill him!"
"Chick, he's not worth it."
"Who's not worth it?" Luna asked, skipping over to them.
"Cornfoot broke up with Theo and now he's over there snogging Smith," Ginny explained. "We need a girls night! Ice cream and chocolate and wine!"
"Chick, I'm all right. I oddly don't even care," Theo replied. "Don't cancel your plans with your hung boyfriend for me. I am honestly fine."
Harry flushed and kissed Ginny's cheek. "I'll leave you two to make your plans. See you in the Great Hall for dinner."
Ginny frowned, her gaze meeting Luna's. "Theo, you have to deal with the breakup."
"It's a rebound, Ginny," Luna supplied. "Rebounds don't need cheer up sessions."
"I know what a rebound is!" Ginny said, her eyes locking with Theo's. "Was Stephen a rebound?"
Theo hummed. "I guess he was. He was just sort of… there? Merlin, that sounds horrible, but when he broke up with me, I just felt relieved."
"What are we feeling relieved about?" Colin asked, standing between Ginny and Luna. "Hey, guys. How was your date, Luna?"
"It was lovely, thank you. Better than the first. Yours?"
"Same," he said. "So, why are we relieved?"
"Stephen broke up with Theo and he said that he's not even sad. I told him we can cheer him up."
"But he doesn't need cheering up because Stephen was just a rebound," Luna explained.
"And Ginny's not understanding it because she's known who her soulmate was since she was four," Theo said.
"Unless you count Michael as a rebound?" Colin said. "We all knew that wasn't going to last."
"He was my first boyfriend!" Ginny protested. "How could he have been a rebound?"
"No," Theo corrected. "Your first boyfriend was Harry. Didn't you kiss him when you were four?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "That didn't count!"
"See, soulmates," Theo said with a grin, putting his arm around her. "I'm fine, chick, honest. I had myself a spa day and I feel fantastic. I think I'm just going to enjoy the night to myself tonight, relax some more. Colin can go snog Freya and Luna can snog Channing and Ginny can spend time sucking Harry's big cock."
"Theo!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did you not plan on doing that? My bad."
She elbowed him in the gut and he grinned.
"I'm good. I promise."
Ginny kissed his cheek. "If you change your mind, you let me know."
"I will."
And when he headed into the Great Hall, he had a smile on his face, and thought he was going to be just fine.
~ ASC ~
Ginny looked over at Luna when she touched her shoulder as she was finishing up dinner. Since Ginny knew Theo planned to spend the evening by himself not dealing with his breakup with Stephen, she wondered if something had happened on Luna's date that she hadn't wanted to say before dinner. When Luna made a motion with her head, Ginny kissed Harry's cheek, and hurried off with her friend, linking her arm through hers.
"How was your date with Channing?"
"Lovely," Luna said. "Let's chat."
Ginny gave her friend a strange look but let Luna lead her out and up the stairs to Ravenclaw Tower. Once they were inside her dorm and situated on her bed, did Ginny raise an eyebrow at her friend.
"What's going on, Luna? Did something happen with Channing today?"
Luna tucked her long blonde hair behind her ears. "No. We had a nice date. You and Harry didn't celebrate your anniversary."
Ginny's lips curved. "And this is important to you because…?"
"Ginny, you've been together for over two years. I think you should celebrate that."
"It's not that I don't want to," Ginny told her. "It's just that with everything that's gone on and with the time we spent apart, I don't know if it still qualifies as two years together. We went to lunch at that Italian place in Hogsmeade today to sort of celebrate."
"It does," Luna told her. "The potion doesn't count. Harry was still there for you in every way, even if it was behind the scenes."
Ginny nodded. "Well, we're still taking things slowly. I just… I love him and I trust him and yet…"
"You still haven't let him touch you. I thought you said that the kiss wasn't bothering you anymore."
Ginny shook her head, lying down on her friend's bed and staring up at the canopy. "I don't know. It's not that… that was different… but he hints at touching me and I just… freeze…"
Luna looked thoughtful for a moment. "Have you touched yourself?"
"What?"
"Since this all happened, have you touched yourself?"
"Luna!" Ginny hissed. "Some things are private, you know."
Luna's lips curved. "So no, then. Interesting. Are you aroused when you're with him?"
"Yes," Ginny said, her face heating. "How could I not be? I touch him and it… I love pleasuring him, Luna. I love doing that for him and it turns me on to watch him come undone like that."
"I rather got the impression that Harry feels the same when it comes to pleasuring you," Luna told her.
Ginny bit her lip. She knew that her friend was right. Harry had told her as much, not to mention that she'd seen it with her own eyes when he pleasured her, how much he enjoyed it, how hard he got when he did it, how sometimes he even got off on it…
"I don't know, Luna."
"I think that you're overthinking it," Luna said simply. "You overthought it too much when it came to getting back with Harry and you didn't figure that out until you were seething with jealousy and snogged him. I think you won't figure out the rest until you get over your fears either."
"I'm not afraid," Ginny said, stubbornly.
"Well, it certainly sounds like you are." She gave her a pensive look. "It's not that I think you should just do it because I understand that you shouldn't do something if you're not ready for it. Harry would never pressure you into that, no, it's that I think you're holding back for reasons that even you don't fully understand. I've watched you with him, Ginny. Whenever he surprises you or catches you off guard, your whole body tenses. It's like you don't trust him… not like you did before."
Ginny twisted her hands together. "I do trust him, Luna. That kiss… I blamed him but… if it had been him under the potion, I would have done the same thing. I would have kissed him and tried to make that connection, to get him to see me… I would have made the same choice so how can I blame him for that?"
"So, why are you still blaming him for it?"
"I'm not," Ginny said carefully. "I don't blame him for it. I think it's just that this potion took away my own feelings and my own… everything and the idea of…"
"Giving Harry that control when you only just got it back scares you," Luna said, her blue eyes full of insight.
Hearing her friend say the words she'd been too afraid to admit aloud made her nod. "How did you get so wise, Luna? You always have this way about you that calms me and gets to the heart of the problem. How?"
Luna shrugged, a soft smile on her lips. "I just know you."
Ginny hugged Luna close. "I think you're right. I think I just need to take a deep breath and make a decision."
"You always figure out what to do," Luna told her.
"And you?"
Luna wiggled her toes. "I like him. He has nice eyes and a very long nose."
"A long nose?"
Luna nodded. "Yes, haven't you noticed? Snogging Channing is quite lovely, but he doesn't give me any tingles."
"Has anyone?"
Luna shook her head. "I thought with Neville it was because we were just friends and we were exploring. I liked it. I enjoyed myself and had wonderful orgasms, but it wasn't any different than touching myself. You said that you feel tingles when Harry touches you."
"Tingles. Fireworks. Explosions. Sometimes I think I've died and reached a new level of existence… When he touches me it just feels… right. I feel warm and safe and loved and happy."
Luna looked thoughtful. "And yet you're not desperately begging him to let you feel that again?"
Ginny let out a slow breath. The thing was that she desperately did want to feel that way again, but Luna had made an interesting point about her fear of losing control and she thought her friend understood her better than she understood herself.
"We were talking about Channing's kisses," Ginny said.
Luna shrugged. "They're lovely, but as I said, there's no tingles. Whenever a boy has kissed me, I've only ever felt nice. Maybe I don't like wizards."
Ginny chuckled. "Are you attracted to witches?"
"No," Luna said. "But maybe I could be?"
"I think you would have an idea if you were," Ginny told her.
"That sounds reasonable," Luna said, looking thoughtful. "Well, I promised Channing I'd meet him at seven for a good snog. I might let him touch my tits and we'll see."
Ginny smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks for dragging me up here to chat."
Luna smiled back at her. "Happy to help. Now, go let Harry give you an orgasm."
"Merlin, between you and Theo I'm starting to think all you lot think Harry and I do is give each other orgasms!"
"Don't you?" Luna asked, her big blue eyes blinking innocently.
Ginny hit her with a pillow and she laughed.
~ ASC ~
When Theo entered his dorm after dinner, he was looking forward to crawling into his bed and sleeping. He still felt so relaxed and thought a good night's sleep would help him continue that feeling. The last thing he expected was to see Ciara curled up in his bed, sobbing into his pillow.
"Ciara?"
The girl sat up, wiping tears from her eyes. "Uncle Theo!"
Theo moved to sit next to her and she threw herself into his arms, sobbing into his chest. Theo wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she cried. It was a few minutes before he managed to get her to calm down
"Little duck, what happened? Are you hurt?"
Ciara shook her head. "No."
"Tell me what happened."
Ciara sniffed, staying in his arms. "Julian told me and Mila that we can't be friends anymore. He-he-he said that he can't associate with-with freaks!"
"He what?"
She nodded. "Ever since his mum became deputy minister she sends him owls every day. She said that his friendship choices are disgusting!"
"Oh, little duck," Theo whispered, kissing the top of her head.
"Uncle Theo, he looked so sad when he said it! And all day he hasn't talked to anyone!"
"Where's Mila?"
"She said that she had to go for a walk."
Theo nodded and hugged her again. "It sounds like Julian is confused himself. Following the orders of one's parents is… hard to ignore. I'll talk to him, okay?"
She sniffed, keeping her face buried against his chest. "He's my best friend, Uncle Theo. I don't wanna lose him!"
"I know, little duck." He kissed her forehead. "Come on. Let's go dry your tears and wash your face. Then we'll go down to the kitchens and get some ice cream. Okay?"
Ciara nodded, giving him a half smile. "Okay."
Theo let out a slow breath as he followed Ciara up the stairs and wondered just what he was going to say to Julian Norton.
~ ASC ~
After her chat with Luna, Ginny asked Harry if he wanted to go for a late night fly. They grabbed their brooms and some warm clothes before heading down to the pitch. They both kicked off side by side and flew up into the air, big smiles on their faces. Harry thought the cool night air felt good after the warmth of the castle and the wind in his hair made him smile as he whipped around the sky.
His eyes sought Ginny who looked completely at peace, zipping around on her broom as if it was part of her. He watched her flip and do loop de loops like mad before flying in a circle around him. He loved watching her fly. Sometimes he would just catch himself watching her. She always looked so free, so happy, and so perfectly at peace when she was flying. It was an emotion that he understood well.
They raced around the pitch, laughing and weaving in and out of the goal posts, outflying each other left and right and when they finally landed on the pitch, he pulled her close and kissed her.
"I've missed my late night flies with you. Godric, I've just missed you."
Ginny smiled as he nuzzled her neck. "I missed you, too." She linked her arms around his neck. "You know, Luna mentioned earlier that it's been almost two months since we've gotten back together."
"Since we made up," Harry corrected.
Ginny's smile softened. "Made up then." Her fingers played with the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "I know the fact that our two year anniversary passed is bothering you."
"Not bothering," Harry said. "I just don't like that you said I couldn't give you a gift. I didn't get to give you a birthday gift either. I love giving you presents, Ginny. I hope you know that you will have many gifts at Christmas."
She chuckled. "I hope the gifts are all boxes of your jumpers."
He smiled at that, kissing her neck. "Only one or two."
"I know it's a little late as it was two weeks ago now."
"Almost three," Harry corrected again.
"Stop interrupting," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "You sound like Ron."
"Sorry," he said, grinning. "Carry on."
Ginny gave him an exasperated look. "You're lucky you're so bloody cute."
He smiled, his hands roaming up her back. "What were you saying?"
"I was saying," Ginny continued. "That Luna and I talked and she thinks that we should still celebrate two years because we were really only apart a little over a month as the potion didn't count."
"Luna is a very wise witch," Harry said, nipping at her mouth. "And I enjoyed our lunch today, but I agree with Luna."
"She is," Ginny agreed. "And I think she's right. We don't have to make it an official celebration, we just should acknowledge it."
"We can acknowledge it with a kiss and you can let me give you a gift."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I don't have a gift for you."
"So?"
Harry kissed her, his hands in her hair as he did. He held her close against his body, pulling her closer in the cold night air. Ginny's hands slid under his robes to sit on his lower back and her cold hands made him wince against her and she smiled.
"You're so warm."
"Yeah, well, happy to provide body heat."
Ginny smiled and nipped at his mouth.
"Come on. Let's go back inside and get warm. Hot cocoa?"
"Yes, please," she said linking her fingers with his.
They walked in companionable silence to the kitchens where house elves immediately scurried forth to get them hot chocolate and some left over dessert. Ginny told him that Luna and Channing had made plans to hang out that night and Harry frowned.
"Didn't he used to pick on her?"
"Luna said he's changed."
Harry still looked apprehensive. "As long as he's nice to her."
"He is," Ginny assured him. "And he kisses well. Luna said she's going to let him touch her tits."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "Why do you tell me these things?"
"To watch you squirm," she said.
They spent almost an hour in the kitchens talking about the newest Quidditch statistics and players, ideas for their next practice, and the idea of Quidditch scouts coming out again after the new year. They talked more about Theo and Stephen and how they both thought that Theo was right about their breakup. They didn't belong together and the two of them had been drifting apart for quite some time, even if Ginny still thought Cornfoot deserved a good hex for snogging someone else the same day he broke up with Theo.
By the time they returned to Gryffindor tower with their brooms, they were warm and feeling better. They both put their brooms away before Ginny met him in the common room and asked if he wanted to go for a walk as the common room was still fairly crowded. Harry agreed and grabbed his Invisibility Cloak from his room since it was already close to curfew. He held her close under the cloak as they walked cautiously to stay hidden until Ginny pulled him into the tower room.
Harry kissed her the moment the door closed behind them, letting the cloak fall to the floor. Ginny led him to the sofa and once he sat, she straddled him to kiss him further. He smiled against her lips as they snogged.
The feel of his warm, soft lips on hers was exactly what she wanted. It was what she needed, to feel him close like this. It was amazing how him just holding her close and kissing her gave her more than tingles. It was like fireworks, like powerful magic moving through her and she knew without a doubt that no one else would ever be able to make her feel quite like this. She shifted, moving closer to him and she could feel his erection pressing against her thigh.
She did that, she thought. He was hard because of her and it was such a lovely thought to think that. His hand was on her lower back and playing with the loose pieces of her hair at the bottom of her ponytail, the other on her hip. She loved how careful he was. He was so sweet and gentle and he always set the pace, to make sure that she had control of when and how he could touch her. He was so careful not to push and she both adored and hated him for it. Sometimes she wished that he would be a bit more aggressive, but she had told him that she wasn't ready and he was only doing what she asked.
Ginny kissed his lips once more before she moved her mouth down his jaw, over the rough almost-beard and down his throat. He let out a low groan when she sucked on his pulse, his stubble rough against her lips. Then she took the hand from her hip and placed it over her breast.
It was all the encouragement he needed as he kneaded her. She thought about Luna's words and when his hand shifted, she covered it with hers. Ginny stared into his green eyes and slowly pushed his hand down her stomach, and under the waistband of her tights.
His breath hitched. "Yeah?"
Ginny bit her bottom lip and nodded. Her heart was beating wildly and a flash of nerves fluttered through her. What if Luna was right and the potion had affected how she felt pleasure? She was so hot and wet. It seemed that she always was after kissing him, but she couldn't seem to get herself to do something about it. Not even with herself.
"Touch me, Harry."
Harry kept his eyes on hers as she let go of his hand. He slowly inched his hand lower, slipping beneath her cotton knickers to touch her. The feel of his long fingers moving through her slick folds made her breathing quicken. He didn't look away from her as he stroked her, his fingers teasing her in a slow steady way as if he was testing it out, to see how she felt about it. His thumb found her clit and she let out a small gasp.
"Okay?" he asked.
"Mmm, don't stop, Harry."
He didn't.
Harry kept his eyes on hers as he stroked her, three fingers pumping in and out of her rhythmically while he teased her clit with his thumb. He didn't know how long they sat like that with his hand in her knickers, but when he could feel her starting to clench around him, he knew that she was close. He shifted his thumb to where she liked it best, pumping his fingers faster and faster and Ginny's moans filled his ears as she fell towards him, her face buried in his shoulder.
He didn't stop. He kept touching her until she finally went over, crying out and holding him as she did. When she caught her breath, he slowly pulled his hand out from her knickers. He automatically licked his fingers and she kissed him.
"Thank you," she said.
Harry kissed her nose. "You okay?"
"More than okay. I just… I was afraid…"
"What?" he whispered, sounding startled. "Of me?"
"No," she said quickly. "Never of you, Harry."
He frowned, adjusting his glasses. "Then what were you afraid of?"
Ginny let out a slow breath. "I was… afraid that the potion had… taken away my ability to feel… I was afraid to let myself…"
"What? Let yourself come?"
She blushed. "Every time its like I'm there, I'm ready… but then the thought of you touching me makes me nervous like it… like it won't work."
Harry smiled, his hand slipping into her trousers again and into her knickers. "Ginny… touching you is one of the best things in the whole world. I'll spend hours doing it. Weeks. Years," he said as his fingers stroked her. "I am wiling to do whatever it takes to make sure you come over and over and over again. As many times as necessary for you to realize that the potion didn't affect that part of you."
Her breath hitched as his fingers began to move in just the right way. "I… I know that…"
"Do you want me to stop?"
She shook her head.
"Do you want me to do this?" he asked, adding a third finger as she squirmed. "Or this?"
His thumb began to rub her clit in a slow figure-eight pattern and she gasped, still a little sensitive from her recent orgasm. He teased her with his thumb before he leaned in and kissed her neck, pumping his fingers in and out of her, moving them around in ways that made her pant with need.
"Tell me what you want, Ginny," he said. "Tell me how to please you."
Instead of answering she kissed him as he worked her and when his thumb began to circle her the way she liked, she moaned into his mouth. His hardness was against her thigh, so close to the heat and when she ground against his hand, he groaned.
"Careful there," he teased.
Her brown eyes met his and then she ground herself against his hand again, causing the friction to rub against his erection.
He groaned. "Fuck, Ginny."
Her hands clutched his shoulders as she began to move her hips, riding his fingers and every time she did so, she pressed against his erection. He bit his lip, his fingers moving faster. She could feel how hard he was and wondered if she could make him finish, right here in his trousers. Feeling bolder, she shifted her hip and reached down to rub him through his jeans. His finger tickled the right side of her clit and she stroked him again. He was panting into her neck and when his fingers moved as his thumb did, she fell apart.
That seemed to be what Harry needed because she felt the wetness against her hand as he made a half cry half grunt. He kept his hand in her knickers, absently lying them against her and when he finally slowly pulled his hand out, she wanted to cry from the lack of warmth.
"Been a while since you've done that," she said, snuggling into his chest.
He snorted. "Been a while since you rubbed against me like that."
She watched him slowly suck each finger into his mouth absently and her stomach fluttered.
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"I came twice."
His slow smile made desire creep through her, despite her strong urge to snuggle up to Harry and sleep.
"You certainly did," he said. "How do you feel?"
"Sleepy," she admitted.
He kissed her brow. "Stay with me tonight."
She lifted her head, brown on green. "What? Here?"
"No," he said, kissing her softly. "In my bed."
Ginny started to say no, but the look in his eyes made her change her mind. She didn't want to go back to her own dorm and crawl into an empty bed. What she wanted was to curl up in Harry's arms and stay there forever. The thought of waking up snuggled next to him sounded perfect.
"Okay. I mean, it is Saturday night, right? We can sleep in tomorrow."
"Exactly," Harry said. "We can sleep in and stay warm in bed."
Ginny smiled as she stood up. Harry performed a quick cleansing charm on them both, then he took her hand and grabbed his invisibility cloak. Ginny stayed close against him as he covered them both in the cloak and they slowly walked back to Gryffindor Tower. The common room had a few stragglers, but no one looked twice at them when they headed up the stairs to the seventh year boys' dorm.
It was after one by now, his dorm mates were all sleeping. Seamus' bed was empty and Ginny wondered if that meant he was sleeping in Dean's bed. She carefully took a seat on the edge of Harry's bed and watched as he moved to his wardrobe, finding Ginny one of his tee shirts. She smiled at him before going into the bathroom to change. She stripped down to just her knickers and pulled the tee shirt over her head. It was long enough that it almost went to her knees. It smelt like Harry and made her smile at the feel of herself wearing it. She washed her face and cleaned her teeth with a quick charm before going back into the bedroom. Harry was wearing black and green plaid pyjama bottoms, his chest bare.
Harry looked up when he heard her come out of the bathroom and his lips curved. He didn't understand how it was possible for her to always look so beautiful. Her face was washed, her hair down, and those big brown eyes were wide in nerves. Harry urged her into the bed and then he crawled in next to her, snuggling her under the covers. He turned on his side, pulling her bum back against him in the small bed and kissed her shoulder before he reached over to put his glasses on the night table.
Ginny relaxed in his arms when he cuddled her again. "We'll get into trouble if someone catches us."
"Who's going to catch us? The blokes? They won't care."
"Or Remus," she whispered.
He grinned. "He'll let it slide for us."
"Teacher's pet," she teased.
Harry pinched her hip and she let out a low squeal. "Quiet over there."
Seamus let out a loud snore, but there was no other stirs.
"How do you sleep in here?" she whispered.
"It's rather peaceful since Ron left," he admitted. "He snored louder than anyone."
"That's a fact," Ginny said.
Harry lifted her hair and kissed her neck. "I love you, Ginny."
Ginny turned her head to kiss him. "I love you, too."
Then she snuggled more contently, her bum rubbing against him and he groaned lightly but held her more securely, wrapping them both up in the duvet. And when she fell asleep a few moments later, Harry lay there listening to her quiet breathing and thought of how happy and content he felt.
~ ASC ~
Harry woke in the morning with Ginny snuggled into him, her face pressed against his chest, her legs twined with his and the scent of her hair in his nose. He was almost hanging off the edge of the small bed, but having her there made it worth it. He inhaled without thinking about it and the sound of her chuckle made him look down into her eyes.
"Did you just smell my hair?"
"Can't help it. It was there," he said, making a point to sniff it again. "You always smell so good."
Ginny snuggled into his arms. "Let's stay here all day."
"All day, huh? Hermione might object to that. She mentioned something about a homework plan."
"Maybe," Ginny said. "But the thought of getting out of this warm bed and doing homework sounds awful."
"Agreed," he said, his hand sliding along her thigh. "We should definitely stay right here. I like waking up to you."
Ginny blushed, her brown eyes dark. "I like it, too. Your hair's all tousled and you look delectable."
"Yeah?" he asked, his hand sliding higher on her thigh. "So do you."
He bent to kiss her and she rolled to face him, her lips meeting his. They just lied there, half burrowed under the red and gold duvet as they kissed long and slow. His hands continued to roam over her thighs and hers slid along his back just as her stomach rumbled.
Ginny pouted. "My stomach is against my sleepy plans."
Harry kissed her forehead. "What if I told you that I could get us anything you wanted? Breakfast in bed?"
"I would say that's using your house elf on a whole other level."
Harry kissed her cheek then her mouth. "What do you want for breakfast, Gin?"
"I don't know," she said. "Don't make me decide. I just want food."
Harry chuckled. "Bacon?"
"Mmhmm."
"Toast and raspberry jam?"
"Mmhmm."
"Scrambled eggs with cheese, green peppers, and onions?"
"Mmhmm."
"Fried potatoes?"
"Harry, if you keep talking dirty like that we're going to be in trouble."
He laughed and kissed her nose before he called for Dobby.
The elf appeared in front of him and Dean muttered an "Oi!"
"Harry Potter, Sir!"
Harry pushed open his bed curtains, putting his glasses on as he looked at the elf. "Hi, Dobby."
"Dobby is so happy that Harry Potter called, Sir! What can Dobby do for Harry Potter Sir?"
"Would it be too much to ask for you to bring us some breakfast?"
Dobby's eyes met Ginny's where she was snuggled into Harry's side and his wide smile brightened. "Dobby would be honoured Sir! Dobby is so happy to help Harry Potter and his lady, Sir!"
Harry thanked him and told the elf what they would like before Dobby disappeared with a loud crack.
Dean dragged a hand across his face. "Can't share that food with the rest of us, Harry?"
Harry grinned. "Sorry mate, taking care of Ginny is my first and only priority this morning."
Ginny sat up and kissed Harry's bare shoulder before closing the curtain, much to Dean's amusement. Seamus and Dean teased them before they took off to get breakfast in the Great Hall just as Dobby reappeared. The elf had truly outdone himself. He not only brought them everything Harry asked for but brought it on a little tray and included a second tray full of extra food in case they wanted seconds.
"Dobby, this is amazing. Thank you."
"Anything for Harry Potter and his lady, Sir."
"You can call me Ginny, Dobby."
Dobby pulled on his ears, "I can't mistress! T'would be disrespectful. "
Harry grinned, opening his night table drawer and grabbing a box while Ginny tried to explain to Dobby how it wasn't disrespectful. He carefully placed it on the tray before reaching under his bed for a second box and hiding it under his pillow. "Thank you, Dobby."
The elf bowed and disappeared with a loud crack. Ginny looked over the breakfast provided with amazement.
"This is better than the Great Hall."
Harry kissed her shoulder. "Much better for a variety of reasons."
Ginny reached for a triangle of toast perfectly buttered with raspberry jam. "If I didn't already love you, this would push me over the edge."
He grinned. "Good to know."
Ginny took a sip of orange juice before she noticed the small gold box wrapped with a red ribbon. "What's this?"
"A very late birthday gift and sort of late anniversary gift."
"Harry, we said no gifts!"
"No, you said it," Harry said. "And I already had it from the summer."
At her look, he smiled.
"Please open it."
Ginny made a dramatic sigh and then stuck her tongue out of the corner or her mouth before carefully unwrapping the box. Harry rested his chin on her shoulder as she did.
"Is this something embarrassingly expensive?"
He grinned, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Open it."
Ginny let out a slow sigh and carefully lifted the lid. She moved the tissue around and looked down at the iron key with a compass on the end. It was the length of her thumb and attached to a long white gold chain. She carefully ran her thumb over the four directions on the end of the key.
"A necklace key?"
"It unlocks this." Harry reached around to grab the second gift he had shoved under his pillow.
Ginny gave him a confused look before she carefully unwrapped the second box. Inside was a wooden box about the size of a piece of parchment. It was a little taller than the length of her hand and she looked at the intricate lock on the front curiously. She used the compass necklace key to open it and the red velvet lining had her gasping in surprise. Inside was full of six new quills, each with it's own unique feather. There were four different coloured inks and the drawer underneath was full of fresh parchment.
"It's called a writer's box," Harry told her. "I found it this summer at Clevedon Court. I guess it used to belong to my grandmother. She kept it for writing letters. They lost the key so I had to get a new lock to put on it. I could design the key and I thought a compass because, well… do you like it?"
"Harry… this is the most thoughtful… I love it!"
His smile widened when she pecked his cheek. "I thought you could use it to write your column," he said. "I mean, I know I always get you Quidditch stuff and I know you love to write as well so I thought that this was something you could keep with you so you can write anywhere. Look, it even has a handle so you can carry it like a case."
"Harry, thank you! This is just so thoughtful and sweet."
"And I only had the chain and key made for you so it's not embarrassing expensive as you said."
Ginny ran her hands over the wood of the box. "It's lovely."
Harry leaned in to kiss her. "Happy Very Belated Birthday, Ginny."
She smiled at his words, putting the writing box and key on the end of the bed before kissing him once more. "Thank you."
Harry settled the breakfast tray back in front of her. "Now, let's eat."
Ginny turned back to her food happily. Once they'd eaten their fill, Harry called Dobby back to thank him. The elf took everything away with a wide grin and Disapparated once more. Harry leaned back against his headboard, closing the bed curtains once more and illuminating them in darkness. Ginny waved her wand so low lights fluttered around them before she snuggled next to him. Harry kissed the top of her head.
"Now I need a nap after all that food."
"Lucky for us, there's a bed right here," Harry said, pulling the blankets up.
Ginny made a sound of agreement. Harry shimmied down, cradling her against his chest. He tossed his glasses on the beside table and held his girlfriend close. They were both asleep in moments.
Harry woke an hour later to the feel of Ginny's lips on his shoulder. He opened one eye, giving her a half sleepy smile as her lips trailed down his chest.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
She pressed a kiss under his right nipple. "Lovely. You?"
"Lovely," he said, tugging her mouth up to his.
Ginny stretched out on top of him as they kissed, sighing as their bodies molded to each other. Harry's hands held her hips in place as they kissed softly and chastely over and over again. His hand inched under the tee shirt she wore, fiddling with the waistband of her cotton knickers as he did. She kissed his ear, sucking on the lobe.
Harry continued to let his hand linger, teasing the lines of her knickers that covered her bum, back up to the waistline as they kissed. His other hand slid under the shirt as well, dancing up to cup a naked breast, his thumb circling her nipple in glee. He kissed his way down her throat and lower until his mouth covered her breast through the cotton.
Ginny made a little sigh as he suckled her, enjoying the sensation of his mouth around her breast while his hand was underneath, stroking. When Harry turned her, pinning her beneath him on the bed, she only slid her hands down his back. Harry took advantage of this, inching her tee shirt up slowly as he continued to suckle her through the cotton. Ginny made a soft purring sound and when he flattened his tongue over her nipple, she moaned.
Harry pulled the shirt up higher, lifting it over her head, freezing her arms in place, a soft smile on his face. "Stay like that."
Ginny's eyes darkened. "Harry…"
"Mmm," he said, returning to her breasts. "Stay just like that."
Her stomach fluttered as a hand slid down her stomach to rub her through her knickers. His tongue laved at her breasts, kissing and sucking, two fingers teasing with light pulls and her hands fluttered against the shirt holding her arms in place. Harry kissed the side of her breast, slow hot kisses around the mound, licking between her breasts and licking around her areola. Ginny shivered. His fingers were still stroking her over the cotton of her knickers.
Harry's breath hovered over the taut peak. "Okay?"
Ginny nodded. "Mmm, lower."
His smile was slow as he kissed beneath her breasts, his mouth moving down her stomach. She squirmed against his hand and when his mouth reached her knickers, he kissed his way over the cotton.
"Oh, I've missed this," he whispered.
"Missed what?" she asked.
He dragged his tongue over her core through the cotton. "You know what."
She let out a strangled breath as he licked her again. "I…"
Harry let his fingers play with the waistband, teasing the thought of pulling them down. "Do you want me to stop?"
"Don't you dare," she hissed.
He licked his lips, pressing his mouth to her stomach as he carefully shimmied her knickers off, then he spread her legs, pushing her knees up and gave her a long sensuous lick. She trembled under him and he relished in the taste of her. Merlin, he'd missed this. He'd missed it more than he was willing to admit.
He licked her again, teasing licks, long strokes as he gloried in the wetness that formed there. He kissed her slowly and then he slid his tongue into her folds and she gasped beneath him.
"Oh, yes…"
He let his tongue explore her, slow voluptuous licks and strokes designed to drive her mad before he licked upward and over her clit. The moment he sucked the bud into his mouth, she made a whimpering sound. His fingers replaced his tongue as he sucked, his tongue circling her bud like she was a delightful candy he was savouring. Ginny groaned, her hips arching towards him, but he only kept licking and sucking her, enjoying himself.
His cock was growing harder the more he tasted her. He ground himself into his mattress, trying to ease the friction there as he suckled her leisurely, feeling her slowly lose control around him. Merlin, she tasted so good and he could feel her getting closer. Nothing was sexier than feeling her build up; feeling her grow close to that delicious release and knowing that he was the one who was going to get her there. His fingers moved faster and she began to pant, her arms still stuck in the tee shirt. Harry shifted his mouth to the spot that she liked best and the moment he sucked her, she started to fall apart.
Harry felt her clench around his fingers, felt her breath quicken and release, and he continued to work her with his mouth and fingers. She let out a long moan as she came, crying out for him as she did, her hips lifting towards his face. Harry kept his mouth in place, slow licks to draw out the rest of her pleasure and she groaned. When she finally stopped trembling and shaking, he kissed her, using his tongue to clean her up before he kissed her stomach and then her breast. His cock was hard against the bed and he gave himself a few strokes as he kissed his way up her chest.
Ginny made a soft mewling sound and when his erection pressed against her hip through his pyjamas, she moaned. "Mmm, hi there."
Harry kept his eyes on hers as he pulled the tee shirt over her head to free her arms and then he slowly began to grind himself against her hip and thigh. "Is this okay?"
Ginny gasped as she could feel the heat of him grinding against her thigh. "Yes."
He moved his hips a little faster, keeping his eyes on hers, and then his breathing quickened. He closed his eyes a moment before he came, hot and wet in his pjs against her thigh. He buried his face in her breasts as he grunted, his cock still rubbing against her thigh.
Ginny's fingers ran through his hair, sighing as he kissed her breasts. His breath was ragged against her chest for a moment before he shifted enough to reach for his wand. He cleaned them both up, before he rested his head against her breasts, his breath still uneven.
She continued to let her fingers drift through his hair as she thought about what they had just done. She was completely naked in his bed. She'd let him grind himself against her thigh and she'd liked that he needed to lose control like that. She liked that he was so hard from touching her he needed it. She waited for the flashback to come back, for something to send her off and over the edge, but nothing was there.
Harry made her feel safe.
Harry made her feel happy.
And she knew that no matter what, he would understand if she needed to stop.
For some reason, that simple thought made all of her fears disappear. His lips brushed the sides of her breasts as one hand rested on her stomach, the other was wrapped around her as he half lay, half cuddled her and Ginny thought that this was how they were supposed to be. Comfortable and safe with each other. Neither worried the other would go too far, just happy and content. It was only a moment later before she realized that he was asleep and she smiled.
For the first time in longer than she could remember, she knew that everything was going to be all right. She didn't know how she knew it and she knew it didn't apply to everything and everyone, but for her, everything was going to be all right as long as she had Harry. She bent her head to kiss the top of his head.
"I love you, Harry Potter."
He didn't stir, but his lips curved a little and she smiled. They were exactly where they were supposed to be.