Harry and Sirius entered the Ministry's ball room. Both wore their best dress robes as they waited to be announced. Harry fidgeted nervously.
"Will you relax?" whispered Sirius.
"What if she changed her mind and didn't come to this, too," said Harry.
Harry had gone to the Leaky Cauldron to celebrate with the Curse-breaker group. He'd been told that Ginny was 'probably' coming but she didn't show up. Harry had stayed with them for an hour before making his way home, despondent. Then he'd heard the evaluations had been held up and not been delivered until Friday. So he'd decided to make his move at the Ball. It had been a very long week!
"Well, when I dropped Teddy to Shell Cottage earlier, Bill assured me that Ginny was going tonight. In fact, his wife Fleur was over at the Burrow, helping all her sisters-in-law get ready," said Sirius.
"Are you sure you don't mind leaving early to pick up Teddy?" asked Harry. "If Ginny's not here, or it doesn't go well, come find me and I'll leave with you," he said. "It is Christmas Eve, after all."
"It's going to go fine, Harry. Just do everything Teddy told you to do," smirked Sirius.
Harry shot him a look. "Ha, ha, very bloody funny," he said glumly.
Sirius shrugged. "Out of the three of us, who's spending the night in front of a fire with his girlfriend?" he asked wryly.
"Point," acknowledged Harry, walking down the stairs as their names were announced. He scanned the room. "Can you see her?"
Sirius looked around. "Merlin, every witch and her mother is here," he said, slightly alarmed at the predatorial looks they were getting. Both of them!
"Yeah, and they're all fluttering their eyelashes. What's up with that, anyway? Wait, there's Ron Weasley! I'll start with him," said Harry, determinedly. He patted Sirius on the back and headed off, thankful that Ron was so tall.
He moved quickly, not letting anyone stop him, although many tried. "Mr Potter, it's-" they'd start to say, but Harry would be gone "-an honour," they'd finish, talking to thin air.
"Ron, hi, it's me, Harry. How are you?" asked Harry, holding out his hand.
"Hey Harry, hi. You said you've met my wife, Hermione. Hermione look, it's Harry," said Ron, proudly introducing his wife after shaking Harry's hand.
Harry was surprised at how different Hermione looked from when she was at work. "Hi, great to see you again," he said. "You look lovely.
"Thank you, and it's good to see you, too," said Hermione. "Quite a crowd tonight. Are you here alone?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, but I'm hoping to see someone here, actually. Ron, how's your Dad?"
"Good. He came home from the hospital yesterday. Charlie's with him and Mum now," said Ron.
"Charlie's your brother from Romania, right? He's home for Christmas?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, he usually comes home, but he got in last Saturday, because of Dad. Ginny asked him to come home as soon as he could, and he has a hard time saying no to Ginny. Hey, we all do," said Ron, good-naturedly. "Little sisters," he shrugged.
"Last Saturday? So that's why Ginny didn't go to the party with her group?" asked Harry.
"We told her to, but she said she'd rather visit Arthur, then be home with the family. We spent the night playing cards, and just talking, you know. She didn't miss anything important, did she?" asked Hermione.
"No, no, it's fine, er, is she here? I'd like to say hello," said Harry.
"She was with a group of friends from Hogwarts. They were near the bar," said Ron.
"Can I bring you guys back a drink?" asked Harry.
"Champagne for my beautiful wife," said Ron, his arm around Hermione. She smiled at him and nodded to Harry. "Thank you."
Harry nodded and moved away. He waved to George and a woman he guessed was his wife, Angelina. He wondered who was looking after their baby tonight. He'd met George again when he'd taken Teddy to WWW, and was impressed with the man's kindness to Teddy, a trait that must run in the family.
Harry had ordered Ron and Hermione's drinks and had turned around while the drinks were being prepared. And that's when he saw her. He watched, stunned.
She was dancing alone, but had a group of friends around her. They all danced to the fast paced music, laughing and singing along. It was the same crowd she'd been with at the pub after the Quidditch match. Hogwarts friends, Ron had said. He also saw Finnegan amongst them, but turned his attention back to Ginny.
His eyes ran hungrily over the white sparkly dress she barely wore. It had tiny straps which clearly showed she wasn't wearing a bra. When she turned around, he saw he had guessed right, for there was no back to it. It hugged her body like a glove, 'a very small glove', thought Harry, as it barely covered her ass. An ass that was shaking and moving in ways he'd dreamed about every night.
Ginny turned and saw him, saw the hunger in his eyes. She smiled, a come hither smile if ever Harry saw one. She crooked her finger to him, inviting him on to the dance floor.
Never in his life had Harry wanted to be able to dance more than he did right now. His fingers curled as some guy came up behind her and danced suggestively. Ginny matched his movements but her eyes were on his. His heart beat faster as her body swayed and moved. She was dancing for him.
"Your drinks, Sir," said the barman.
Harry tore his eyes away from Ginny reluctantly. "What? Oh, say, can you take them over to that couple there. The tall one with the red hair and-"
"I'm sorry Sir, I cannot leave the bar," said the snooty barman. He wandered down to serve someone else.
Harry looked helplessly back at Ginny. She was dancing with that Neville guy now, but her eyes were still on him. Her hands were on Neville's shoulders, but his hands, his large, dirty hands were on Ginny's hips as they moved in time to the music. Harry wanted to hex him so bad.
'Dance with me," she mouthed, pleading sexily with her eyes.
He was torn. "I don't dance," he yelled. Some of the older members of the Ministry looked at him strangely, unaware of who he was talking to.
Ginny pouted and let Neville whisk her away.
"Damnit," said Harry. "Bloody Buggering Hell," he said, as he collected his drinks and took them quickly over to Ron and Hermione. "Here, enjoy," he said, needing to get back and keep an eye on Ginny.
"Hey, what's the rush, stay and talk," said Ron.
"Can't...dance floor...sorry. My life depends on it," said Harry, rushing back to the dance floor. He looked around desperately, but there was no sign of Ginny. Or that Neville guy. Shit!
He saw the group of friends she'd been with. They were now at a table, and a waiter brought them jugs of Butterbeer. Harry looked around. Everyone was having a good time, and he was about to explode!
He saw Sirius talking to Kingsley, and thought he might go over and ask them if they'd seen Ginny. He headed back past the bar and was about to cross in front of some tables when an arm shot out and pulled him into an alcove.
"Hey,what are you-?"
She kissed him. He was stunned at first, but then he sank into it. Finally, finally she was in his arms. And the kiss, woah! He pulled his lips away, only to move his head to the other side and come back for more. Oh, how he needed more. They plundered each others mouths before Ginny pulled away.
"So, you don't dance...Sir?" she asked huskily.
"Right now I have never wanted anything more in my life than to be able to take you out on that dance floor and dance with you. Especially in that dress," said Harry, also huskily.
"This old thing?" asked Ginny, coquettishly. She spun around slowly, the lights twinkling on all the sequins.
"Aren't you cold? There's not much of it," said Harry.
"Cold? No, actually..." She leaned up and whispered in his ear. "I'm hot." And she licked his ear, making him shiver. "I'm not your student any more, Harry."
"Believe me, I am very well aware of that fact. Can we get out of here?" asked Harry desperately. "I don't want anyone looking at you in that dress but me."
Ginny's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I was wondering if you fancied a game of Quidditch, actually."
Harry felt someone tap on his shoulder. He ignored it. "Huh?" he asked her. The person tapped again.
"Quidditch. I'm the Snitch and you're the Seeker. If you can catch me, you can keep me," she said, sassily, throwing down the challenge.
Someone tapped on his shoulder again. "What, damnit?" he asked, spinning around. "Oh, Ms Bones, how are you?" He smiled weakly at his boss when inside his stomach was squirming with anticipation.
"Good, good I just wanted to say how pleased Gringott's was with your evaluations and your recommendation that we continue incorporating their trainee Curse-breakers in with our trainee Aurors,"she said.
"That's great news," said Harry, pleased.
"I'll let you get on with your evening, then," said Amelia Bones. "Kingsley and I are most pleased, Harry. You're doing great with the trainees." She patted his arm and walked away.
Harry spun back to Ginny, but it was too late. She was gone.
"Got your hands full with that one, I'd wager," said an old wizard sitting nearby and watching it all with amusement. "Ah, redheads! Feisty. I like that in a witch! Life will never be dull."
"Did you see which way she went?" asked Harry. He really wanted to get his hands full of Ginny as soon as he could.
"Ah, to be young and in love.," said the old wizard wistfully. "When you catch her, you hold her tight. She went that way. Good luck to you, my boy."
"Thank you," said Harry, running off.
He ran all over the ball room. He asked her family and her friends, but they all said they hadn't seen her. Sometimes he swore he heard her giggle. He even asked Hermione to go and check the ladies loos, but she returned with an amused look. "No, sorry, she's not there."
Twenty minutes later, he stood on the edge of the dance floor, thoroughly frustrated. "Grrr. ACCIO GINNY!"
He heard a squeal and turned to see Ginny flying straight into his arms. "Gotcha!" he cried, triumphantly. He held her, his front to her back.
"You cheated," said Ginny. He put his arm around her waist and his hand over her mouth. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You won't bite me this time, will you?" he whispered, before he licked her ear in retaliation. He thrilled to feel her shiver.
"I think you just want me to scream again," said Ginny, spinning around to face him. Her eyes were all ablaze with mischief and more. So much more.
"Oh, I want you to scream all right," said Harry, huskily. The electricity between them threatened to spark out of control, and more and more people around them were becoming aware of it.
"Well, first I want to dance. With you," she said firmly. She took his hand and dragged him out on the dance floor.
"I told you, I can't dance," protested Harry.
"You said don't, not can't," she said cheekily.
The music pounded and the young witches and wizards got up to dance. Ginny wound her arms around his neck and he put his hands on her waist. She swayed slowly and Harry did too.
"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked.
"Well, I can do this. It's that, that I can't do," said Harry, pointing to a wizard getting down and dirty to the music.
"Not even a little bit?" asked Ginny, shaking her hips and ass a bit more. She ran her hands down his side and settled on his hips, encouraging them to move a bit faster. Everywhere she touched him set his body on fire.
"Maybe you could give me private lessons. I'd like to dance with you like that," grinned Harry, looking at a couple nearby who were practically humping each other in time to the music.
"I don't think that's dancing," laughed Ginny.
Harry couldn't help it, he had to kiss her. Kiss her and never stop. And that's what they did. While the music pulsed and pounded and the dancers around them bopped and grooved, Harry and Ginny swayed to their own music, with their lips locked.
"Way to go, Mr Pot-ter," said Marcus, one of his Aurors. He turned to the others triumphantly. "Told you!" Harry's students were all out on the floor dancing.
"I don't remember covering that in our class this year," grinned Claire. "But I'm sure Ginny got an E for it."
"Merci, 'ave they come up for air yet?" asked Juliette, pretending to wipe the sweat off her brow.
"Ssssss, they're on fire!" teased Braxton.
"Way to go, Ginny," yelled Seamus. "About time, too!"
Ginny and Harry broke apart as the group descended on them, offering them congratulations. Harry put his arm around Ginny as they grinned and took their friends teasing well. Harry was relieved that they all seemed genuinely happy for the two of them.
Watching from the sidelines, Sirius was pleased to see Harry enjoying the company of people his own age. He had never seen Harry look so happy, and prayed that Ginny wouldn't break his heart. Still, he had a good feeling about her. With a wry grin, he watched as Harry and Ginny soon tried to discreetly leave but they were unaware most people were watching them. Luckily their focus was only on each other, as Sirius knew Harry wouldn't want to be the centre of attention about his personal life. Sirius even felt a bit envious of Harry for getting the girl he wanted.
"Come on Ron, we need to leave now,"said Hermione, also watching Ginny and Harry leave.
"But 'Mione, they just brought out the food," said Ron, pointing to the buffet tables piled high.
"Fine, but I need to go and send an owl to Fleur," said Hermione.
"Now? What for?" asked Ron.
Hermione smiled a secret smile. "She needs to know the dress was a success!"
Next Morning
Ginny crept down the stairs of Grimmauld Place, shoes in hand, not wanting to wake Teddy, or face Sirius. She waited with bated breath as the third to last step creaked, then let out the breath and took the last two steps. She sighed in relief.
"Mor-ning," drawled Sirius, leaning against the door frame, a steaming cup in his hand. Ginny jumped in alarm. "Coffee?"he asked, amused.
"Oh! Er, good morning. Thanks, but no, er, I really need to go, my Mum will need my help getting things ready for the Christmas lunch," mumbled Ginny, her face red as she hurried to the door.
"Ginny, wait," cried Harry, running down the stairs, hastily pulling on his boxers, not caring that they were back to front. He went past Sirius and headed to Ginny. He pulled her close. "Do you have to go already?"
Ginny buried her head against his chest, dropping her shoes. "I don't want to go, but I should, before Teddy wakes up. She raised her head to look at him. " Harry, I just want you to know I-er, I don't usually do this kind of thing. You know, sleep over, then creep out the next morning. I, er, I'm not even the type of girl who usually sleeps over." She shot Sirius an embarassed look over Harry's shoulder.
Harry raised his hand to run it over her hair, even tucking it behind her ear."I know, Ginny," he said softly, with emotion. "I just wish we could spend the whole day together, you know." He kissed her
"I know," said Ginny, putting her arms around his waist. "Me too, but I'll see you at lunch time, won't I? You're all still coming over for Christmas lunch?"
"You couldn't stop us if you tried. Teddy has to give Tori her Christmas present, remember," chuckled Harry, leaning down to kiss her again. Maybe if he kissed her enough, she'd stay!
"Ginny! Is that you?"
Ginny and Harry quickly broke apart and turned to see a still sleepy Teddy half way down the stairs. Sirius still leaned against the door frame, watching on.
"What are you doing here? Did Santa leave your presents here last night?" asked Teddy, coming further down the steps, now fully awake. "Or did you bring me a present?"he asked hopefully.
"Teddy!" exclaimed Sirius and Harry. Ginny chuckled.
"No sweetie, I just came to remind Harry and Sirius about Christmas lunch, that's all," said Ginny. "I really should go."
"Okay. Say, aren't you cold in just that little dress?" asked Teddy, not really expecting an answer.
He tried to peek into the loungeroom, but Sirius steered him away. "Breakfast first, young man."
"Aw Siri, I'm really not hungry. Please, just a peek?"begged Teddy. Sirius followed him to the kitchen, giving Harry and Ginny an apologetic smile.
Harry turned back to Ginny. "Last night was...amazing! You're amazing," he said, kissing her again. He pulled his jacket off the hook and wrapped her in it before kissing her again.
Ginny thrilled to his touch and his kiss. She looked up at him when he let her go. "For me, too, Harry. It was the best night of my life," she said. "So I guess you won our little Quidditch match. I definitely want a re-match," she said, winking.
Harry growled and dragged her back to him. "Did I mention I particularly love your Bludgers!" As he was softly caressing her breasts, Ginny giggled until he stopped her. He kissed her passionately for the next few minutes. Sirius kept poking his head out to see if they'd stopped.
Harry finally stopped kissing her, before he dragged her back upstairs. "So, I caught my Snitch and I definitely intend to keep you. When can you move in?"he asked, only half joking.
Ginny laughed, her hands running up and down his side and making him crazy with want. "I wish! Seriously, I have to go right now. I need to check on the treacle tart I made."
"Mmm, my favourite," said Harry, licking his lips.
"I know," grinned Ginny. "So, you'll be over at twelve?"
"Earlier, probably. Teddy and I will be in a hurry to see our witches," he said huskily.
Ginny's eyes blazed. "Come over anytime. Tori and I will be waiting for our wizards." With a wink, she slipped her shoes on, kissed him quickly and hurried out the door.
Harry leaned against the wall, with the sappiest smile on his face. He turned and nearly jumped out of his skin. Sirius and Teddy were right there, watching him.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Teddy curiously.
"He's in love, Teddy," sighed Sirius, melodramatically.
"Do I look like that when I talk about Tori?" asked Teddy, worried.
"No. This is what grown-ups look like when they're in love," grinned Sirius.
Teddy looked relieved. "Then I'm glad I found Tori now. Hey c'mon, it's Christmas. Happy Christmas, Siri. Happy Christmas Harry," he cried, hugging them both around their middle.
"Happy Christmas Teddy. You know what, I don't think Harry feels like eating either," said Sirius. He opened the doors to the loungeroom. "So let's do presents!" The boy rushed in excitedly.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," said Sirius.
"It's the best Christmas ever, Sirius," grinned Harry, hugging him.
"She's a great girl," said Sirius softly as they hugged. "I'm happy it all worked out, Cub."
Harry pulled back, his face he frowned. "Oh, hey, I just want to say sorry for this morning. We didn't plan on, er, having a sleepover. With Teddy in the house, I don't want to-"
"Harry, it's fine. This is your home too. We'll make it work, okay," said Sirius. He nudged Harry. "You dog!"
Harry flushed and nudged Sirius back. Teddy's shouts of joy brought them back to the present.
"Come on," said Sirius, patting Harry on the back. "Presents!"
Laughing, they went in to join Teddy.