A/N: Well, I hope I didn't make you wait long enough for this chapter... I was struggling to put in words what I had in my mind and as you can see this is the biggest chapter I've ever written. Not to mention that I was completely distracted by reading Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard, a Canadian fanfiction author of this site by the username SebastienRobichaud. I highly recommend his works if you're a twilight fan. And guess what did I notice the other day? On chapter 1, Eric tells Ginny that the Emersons are waiting for her. On Gabriel's Inferno the main character's name is Gabriel Emerson! Trust me I hadn't even read the book when I put that name on my work! So, enough with my rambling. Here is the second chapter of my story. Enjoy!
Birkiguy you rock!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chp. 2… I am falling deeper in love with you
I woke up to sunlight filtering through the curtains of my bedroom window. I blindly searched for my watch. 10:30. I groaned. Today I was going to stay at the Burrow for a couple of weeks, since I had some time off from work. And from today, I had to force control on myself, since I would be in close proximity to Ginny Weasley. As much I hated the fact that I would be in inner turmoil for the coming weeks, all courtesy of Ginny, I also enjoyed that the prick, *ahem* Eric Bouvillard I meant, wouldn't be staying at the Burrow, too. You see, the high society status the Bouvillard family belongs, does not permit an engaged couple stay under the same roof until their wedding. Convenient for me, of course. I was quickly filled with the images that bombarded my brain since I saw Ginny at her engagement party; us kissing hungrily, tearing the clothes of each other's bodies… Stop! I shouted to my brain. This wasn't doing any good to said control practice. I glanced down to see that my body had reacted to my dirty thoughts and I groaned again. I was in a dire need of a cold shower.
I arrived at the Burrow an hour later and put my things at Bill's room, where I would sleep for the rest of my stay. Did I forget to mention that Bill's room was across Ginny's and that the two of us would be the only occupants of the first floor? Sweet…
The first days passed without an incident, unless you count the times that I crossed Ginny in the hallway with a tiny towel wrapped around her body, having just taken a shower. It was all I could to stop myself from attacking her then and there, but that didn't stop my eyes from roaming on her slender form. Today was Thursday, meaning that I have only been five days away from work, but here I am, sitting at the kitchen table clutching a ministry letter in my hands. Gawain Robards, my boss and Head-Auror, had just informed me that my leave was coming to an end since I had to show up in the ministry on Monday and get information on an upcoming mission. Bugger! I was rightly pissed off from cutting my time with Ginny close. Speaking of the devil…
"Harry, what are you doing here? It's so hot! Come outside with me!" she said, and danced her way out of the door. I stuffed the letter in my back pocket and followed her to the garden.
"Here, have a seat," she motioned to a chaise longue and offered me a glass of cold lemonade.
"Thank you" I said and took a sip. The cool liquid ran down my throat, immediately taking away my scorching thirst.
"So, bad news?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"The letter you received."
"Oh, that. No, not really. Nothing important," I shrugged my shoulders.
"Okay" she said slowly. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"
"I don't know. I'll probably go out with Ron for some drinks, after he returns from work. What about you?"
"Oh, I am meeting Eric for dinner. Nothing special," she answered.
"Sounds good," I commented. The prick hadn't shown his face at the Burrow since the party, on Saturday. Didn't he miss Ginny at all? "You never told me; how did you two meet?" Yes, I'm aware that I'm a masochist.
"I'm best friends with his sister Alice. We went together to Beauxbantons. The summer before my final year at school, she invited me to spend a few weeks with her family at their summer house at Nice. I met Eric there. We had been writing back and forth during school and once I graduated we started dating."
"Hermione told me that he's Head of Magical Sports," she nodded. "How old is he?"
"Twenty five."
I raised my eyebrows. "Twenty five? Isn't he a bit old for you? I mean you're only eighteen, scratch that, almost nineteen."
"Really Harry?" she laughed. "I didn't count you for the type of guy that cares for an age difference in a couple."
"What?"
"Bill is five years older than Fleur, or you didn't know?"
"I guess you're right," I admitted in defeat and tried to steer the conversation in a safer topic.
"How did you decide that you wanted to play quidditch professionally?"
"Hm…" she pouted her lips in such a delicious way, while thinking, making me want to kiss them… repeatedly.
"Well, obviously I love flying. But you could say that this is not a reason good enough to pursue quidditch as a career," she cocked her head at the side and then smiled. Damn! How can she affect me that easily?
"I was never interested in working for the ministry and I'm not that bright to become a healer either. So, it was either that, or become a sales witch", she wrinkled her nose at that. "So you see what was a better choice for me, and anyways, who would throw away tens of offers from various quidditch teams that had sent scouts out for possible talents?"
I nodded.
"And now you're famous," I winked at her and she laughed.
"Yup! I can't wait for the next month though…"
"Why? What's going to happen?"
"They'll be announcing the players that will be playing to the World Cup. I am among the candidates and I really want to play for England!"
"Oh Ginny! Good luck, girl! Not that you need it, but I hope you're selected. England needs your talent," she blushed at my praise.
"Thank you Harry", she said shyly.
"Any time", I grinned.
"So, tell me; are you as good at quidditch as I remember you being?" she teased.
"Hey!" I tried to sound offended but failing miserably. "I'll have you know, that I was quidditch captain for my sixth year at school!"
"Oh yeah, I heard about that!" she laughed.
"But I got banned from the team on my fifth year".
"What? Really? What happened? I can't imagine McGonagall banning you from the team!"
"It was not McGonagall. It was the DADA teacher we had that year. A ministry employee, Dolores Umbridge."
"She was working for the ministry and teaching at school?" she asked incredulously.
"Yeah, Dumbledore had difficulty finding a teacher for the DADA position that year and the ministry suggested her. She literally ran the school. Putting teachers on probation, suspending clubs, forming inquisitorial squads… Dumbledore couldn't do anything. They had put her there to keep a close eye on him. It was just after Voldemort's rebirth and no one believed me or Dumbledore. They were very difficult and dark days".
"I'm sorry Harry. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories for you", she said regretfully.
"It's okay. It's in the past now, right? So, you are a chaser, Ron tells me. Have you ever played a different position?"
"I played seeker for a couple of games on my fourth year, because our seeker had an accident, but I prefer chasing".
"Seeker, huh? Care to find out who's faster catching the snitch?" I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively.
She roared with laughter. "Harry, you old dog! I'm a professional quidditch player! You'll eat my dust!"
"Is that a challenge Miss Weasley?"
"Sure it is. I can beat you any time".
"On Saturday then, when your brothers are here, so we can form two teams and have fun".
"It's a deal Potter. I can't wait to beat you" she smirked.
"Whatever you say, Weasley. Just don't cry much when you realize that I haven't lost my touch. Because it will be me beating you. Mark my words".
She stuck out her tongue at me. I just laughed.
On Saturday morning, true to our words, Ginny and I formed the teams. Her brothers were excited to play quidditch again, and so was I. In my team I had Fred as beater, Ron who was the keeper and Bill had taken the chasing part. On the other side, Charlie was keeping the posts, George was the beater and Percy the chaser. Ginny and I shook hands and soon we were in the air. I didn't keep track of the game, instead I remained focused on Ginny and the way she moved. She was flawless, pulling some excellent moves that had me on my toes. There were a few times that I caught myself staring at her, getting distracted and barely missing the bludger that came zooming at my head. Ginny noticed my distraction and used it to her advantage. Finally, I spotted the snitch and dove for it. Ginny was hot on my tail and soon we were neck by neck. We both had our arms stretched, fighting to grasp the snitch on our fingers, when I decided to cheat… a little.
"Damn Ginny, you look so hot, while you're flying" I said. It had the effect I wanted. She looked at me sharply and exclaimed a strangled "What?". I closed my fingers around the snitch, but Ginny crashed into me at the last moment and we went barreling to the ground. I landed on my back as the air was knocked out of me, with Ginny straddling my lap.
"You cheated!" she accused me and I just smiled. She tried to reach for the tiny golden ball, but I held it securely over my head and away from her prying hands. She stretched her body to catch my hands and suddenly we were very close. If I leaned an inch or two, I would touch her lips with my own…
"How dare you distract me that way? I was so close to catching the snitch!" she said in a low voice.
"I only said the truth," I answered before realizing what I had just uttered. At that moment Ginny realized the position we were and felt the truth of my words in a certain part of my anatomy that was pressed against her soft body. Her eyes widened, but she didn't get off me. I had closed my eyes in mortification, when I felt her move; gently thrusting her hips against mine. I groaned at the intense feeling. She did it again and again. I was about to grab her hips and guide her, when the voice of her brothers popped our little bubble.
"Hey, you two all right?" asked Ron.
Ginny quickly regained her composure. "Yeah Ron, Harry got dizzy for a moment" she lied easily. She got up and offered me a hand. I took it and she hoisted me up.
"Are you okay mate?"
"Yes Ron, I think I will live" I replied with a smile. I turned to Ginny.
"What were you saying about me eating your dust?"
She just stomped her foot and walked away. We both had come very close to acting inappropriately. I groaned, feeling my control slipping away after the moment we shared.
On Sunday morning I woke to the delicious smell of cooked breakfast drifting to my nose. Without second thought, I went to the kitchen only to walk back after I saw who was there. I must have probably made some kind of noise because the git looked straight at me.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have some clothes to put on?" he asked eyeing me angrily and suspiciously. I looked down at myself. I was wearing a white 'wife beater' and grey shorts. In all honesty, I didn't bother to get dressed, after my stomach had growled hungrily.
"Eric, don't be rude" Ginny admonished.
"Why?" he asked. "What is he doing here anyway? Doesn't he have a home?"
He was getting on my nerves. I bit back a nasty retort, for Ginny's shake.
"Harry is family! He can stay with us whenever he likes!" she said, her eyes gleaming. "Harry, come on. I've made some breakfast," she practically pushed me on a chair and offered me a toast and coffee.
"Don't touch him!" the git bellowed at her.
"Don't talk to her like that" I said in a low dangerous voice.
"She's going to be my wife. I will talk to her however I like!" he retorted. I growled.
"For the love of God, will you just stop?" Ginny demanded. "Eric, I don't tolerate such behavior. I repeat; Harry is family and you'd better treat him with respect".
"Ginny, I don't want to cause you problems, so I'm going out". I stood up, took my toast and coffee and walked out to the garden. I sighed trying to suppress my anger towards the git. I sat down at the patio table and sipped my coffee slowly. From the open window I could hear the heated conversation between Ginny and Eric and groaned. Why everyone had chosen not to be at home this morning? I needed someone to distract me before I pummeled my fist into his pretty face.
"He's a stranger Ginny. You're not allowed to interact with him like this!"
"Like what?"
"He was half-naked and you touched him!"
"Have you lost your mind? He's like a brother to me! I treat him the same way I treat my brothers! Don't be so jealous!"
"Jealous? Of him? Oh, please!"
A strange feeling hit me when Ginny said that I am like a brother to her. Disappointment? Yeah, most probably.
"… Ginny you can't continue playing Quidditch!"
"Why not?" she was furious.
"Because we're getting married! You should help my mother plan the wedding and besides, no Bouvillard wife worked after she got married!"
"Eric, be reasonable! I can't retire now. I only played for a year! In a few weeks they are going to select the World Cup team! You know perfectly well that I want to be a part of this team!"
"Ginny, there's still the possibility that they won't choose you, so why bother?"
"You are supposed to support me in this!" she said in a harsh voice.
"I support you. But think of it logically; you've played only for a year. They don't take newbies for the national teams."
"Quidditch is my dream! Everything that I ever wanted! Why are you being like this?"
"You had your fun with Quidditch. Now it's time for you to be a wife and mother. You belong with me. Not the pitch."
I didn't just want to kill him. I was so furious that I couldn't think rationally. I took a few deep breaths to calm down. This isn't my business, I tried to remind myself. A few minutes later the kitchen door opened and Eric walked out. He gazed at me with anger.
"Stay away from my fiancée", he warned me.
I just raised my eyebrows. Seeing, that I was not bothering answering him, he huffed and stormed off. After he dissapparated, I went to the kitchen to find Ginny crying on the table. Damn him to the deepest pits of Hell! I crouched beside her chair.
"Ginny?" she looked up at me with such a hurtful expression. I reached my hand and dried her tears with my thumb. The moment I touched her skin, it was like an electric current went through me. I stared at my hand with amazement. What was that?
"I'm so sorry Harry," she cried. "I don't know what's gotten to him. He isn't like that."
"Hey, hey shush. Calm down. No harm done, okay?" I tried to soothe her.
"No, he was mean to you. I don't know why… He, he isn't like that at all. He is kind and respectful. Even if he doesn't like a person, he never shows his emotions. Why does he hate you so much?" she was sobbing and I could do nothing to calm her down.
"Ginny, honey, stop torturing yourself. He doesn't like me. I don't like him either. So, you see the feeling is mutual."
"Yes, but you didn't attack him verbally. You behaved like a true gentleman, but he…" she left the words hanging.
"We aren't ourselves when it comes to the woman we love," I whispered softly.
"He doesn't love me." Her words struck me like lightning.
"What do you mean?" I asked uncertainly.
"He doesn't love me. Not in the way that a man is supposed to love a woman. I'm just… convenient for him. I'm easy on the eyes, smart and…"
"And what? Ginny?" she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"And I'm a virgin, too" she answered looking at her feet.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused. "Why does it matter that you are a virgin?"
"It matters to them, the Bouvillards I mean. When you come from a rich family, like Eric does, you have to find the perfect bride to marry. And the perfect bride has to be a virgin until her wedding night," she explained.
I didn't know how to respond to such a revelation. Instead I asked the question that had burned my mind for days.
"Why are you with him?"
"I was flattered when he showed interest in me. I liked him. He was nice, a proper gentleman. My parents approved of him."
"Do you love him?"
"I like him but love him? No, perhaps I need time."
"Ginny… this isn't enough to marry. You won't be happy. Perhaps in a few years you'll grow to resent the decision you made now. If you don't love him, leave him. You deserve more, much more."
She didn't answer. After a few minutes, she broke the silence.
"Have you ever been in love Harry?"
"No, I haven't. I really hope though, that I'll find the right woman to spend the rest of my life with," I was looking at her intently, willing her to look up at me. Wanting to convey to her that she was the woman I would choose as my wife. But she never looked up.
"How many girlfriends did you have?" she kept questioning me.
"Only one," at that she finally looked at me with surprise. "I was fifteen, it was a disaster and I never really looked to find someone else later."
"Is it satisfying, to just sleep with random girls until you find a girlfriend?" Was she fishing for information? I answered her honestly nonetheless.
"As a matter of fact I don't sleep with random girls. I haven't had sex with anyone Ginny," she raised her eyebrows at that. "Sex, making love is sacred for me. I will only sleep with the woman that will capture my heart. There's no satisfaction if you don't share it with someone you really care about," I explained.
"That's an interesting theory," she said. "But aren't men looking to satisfy their needs?"
"Perhaps they do. I don't." My eyes never left hers during my admission. I sighed and looked down. Her fingers raised my chin so I could look at her.
"Don't be embarrassed," she said softly. "I find it sweet really," she smiled that beautiful smile of hers and my heart fluttered. Our eyes were locked in a heated embrace, that Ginny was the first to break. She wiped the tears from her face and stood up.
"Thank you Harry," she said. "You are a wonderful friend." She squeezed my arm and leaned down to press a kiss on my cheek. Fire spread through my body. She smiled one last time and left from the kitchen. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. I had to keep my distance from Ginny and the only way to do that was leaving from the Burrow, as soon as possible. The only problem was how to break the news to the Weasleys.
That evening I was debating whether I should announce my impendent leave during dinner or later, when all the Weasleys would retire at the sitting room with a glass of wine. My musings were interrupted by Molly Weasley, who asked for my help in the kitchen. After everyone had sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed their roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, it was time for dessert; a chocolate cake that I had prepared knowing Ginny's love for chocolate. I was seated directly across from Ginny so I had a clear view of her enjoying the sweet. She had her eyes closed and moaned softly when the rich chocolate hit her taste buds. I cursed for the umpteenth time my bodily reactions to the sounds she was making. I closed my eyes gripping my fork a little too tight, until Ron noticed and asked me if I was okay. My eyes snapped open and I nodded somewhat distractedly.
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Ron asked completely oblivious to the internal battle I was experiencing. I furrowed my brows. It was time to drop the bomb.
"Well actually I have to go to the Ministry. Robards called me."
"What for? Aren't you on leave?"
"Technically yes, but there's an upcoming mission and I have to get prepared," I replied in a low voice and realized that I had the attention of the entire table. I sneaked a glance at Ginny who was biting her lower lip anxiously.
"When you say mission…?" Molly prompted me to finish.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone. Probably a week at the most. I'm leaving tonight to gather myself."
"But Harry, you just came back from a mission, you are on leave… Why did they choose you?" Molly asked frustrated. I ran a hand through my hair.
"I don't know Mum, but hopefully it'll be over soon," I smiled at her trying to soothe her.
"So you are leaving tonight?" she asked sadly.
"Yes Mum, I have to. I'm sorry. I'll be back though when I'm finished."
"Be careful, son, all right? I don't want to hear that you ended up at St. Mungo's again, okay?"
My sweet Mum… I stood up to hug her tightly.
"Of course I'll be careful, don't worry," I whispered . Her eyes were watery. I kissed her cheek and straightened up.
"Well, I have to go. I haven't packed yet and… well you understand," I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.
"It's all right son. We understand. Go and be careful," Arthur replied. The rest of the Weasleys murmured their agreement and I dashed upstairs to my bedroom.
"You're leaving because of me…"
I looked up from folding my clothes. Ginny was leaning against the doorframe.
"It has nothing to do with you," I replied.
"No? Didn't Eric warn you away from me?" I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.
"He has no power over me. He cannot control me. I'm leaving because of the mission and that's it."
"Harry…" she started walking towards me.
"Ginny please…"
"Please what Harry? You're running away, aren't you? You cannot face what's happening, so you leave!" I closed my truck forcefully and looked at her.
"What's happening Ginny? Can you tell me? Because for the life of me I don't understand!"
"This!" she said, indicating the space between us. "Us! Something's happening between us and you're running away from it!"
"There's nothing between us," I exclaimed in frustration. "There's no us! You are engaged and you're going to be married to that prick that will confine you in four walls and destroy your life!" She took a step back. My tone grew softer.
"There's no us Ginny, until you leave him. Whatever your decision may be, I want you to know that I will always be here for you. Whenever you need someone to talk, to ask for help, you can always turn to me. I promise that." It was the least I could do. I couldn't lose her from my life. She stepped closer until we were inches apart. I was frozen in my spot not even daring to breathe.
"Harry…" she whispered so softly and reached a hand to cup my cheek. I closed my eyes in appreciation of her touch. I felt her even closer, her breath tickling my face. I whimpered. She was killing me. And then her lips were on mine and I groaned. I kissed her back just for a moment, until reality came crashing on me. I pulled back suddenly, cursing my weakness.
"We can't," I said shaking my head and taking a few steps back.
"Harry," she protested.
"No, this is wrong," I turned, picked up my trunk and literally ran from the room.
What have I done?
P.S.: Leave me some love, ok?
