Chapter 5: Stepping to the Edge

November 15, 2000

Ginny scowled at her best friend. Damn that woman. She's far too amused at this.

Hermione was laughing loudly, drawing attention from some of the other patrons at the small café. She'd met her at the Leaky Cauldron for drinks after practice, but they'd been swamped by wizards and witches alike within minutes of their arrival. Hannah Abbott, who'd recently taken over as landlady of the pub, had apologized profusely to them as she fought the crowd to try and help her classmates. Ginny had waved her acknowledgment, and she and Hermione had escaped through to muggle London. From there, Hermione led her to this café, which she said she used as a meeting place whenever her parents visited Diagon Alley.

"Oh Ginny," Hermione said, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. "You're acting like it's the end of the world."

"It could be the end of the world, Hermione," Ginny hissed. She leaned across the table and continued in a whisper. "I mean, we only have 5 more days to have sex before the contract expires, and Harry is acting oddly. Oddly for him, even!"

"You said that you'd fixed his little problem, right?"

"No thanks to you!"

"Well, honestly! Who knew he'd go insane like that? Although, it is rather amusing to see him try and hide whenever he sees me at the Ministry. Yesterday, he ran straight into the women's loo when I was about to pass him in the hall," Hermione said with a chuckle.

"Merlin knows I love the man, but seriously Hermione, I've got to do something." Ginny leaned over the table again and waved her friend closer. Hermione complied with an eager grin.

"Last night, we were kissing on his couch, both of our shirts were missing, and I had just gotten his trousers unzipped." Ginny sighed as she remembered. She had slid her hand inside his boxers, grazing the head of his penis with her fingertips. Harry's hips had jerked against her, and he'd groaned into her neck as his hands stroked her back and bum. The smooth, hot skin of his erection had felt wonderful against her palm as she grasped him, moving her hand up and down and matching the roll of his pelvis.

Harry had been pressing somewhat sloppy kisses into her shoulder, grunting each time she squeezed him a little tighter. Just as Ginny had wondered whether he'd notice if she took him out of his pants so she could see him, Harry had reached down and held her hand still, pumping his hips quickly as he orgasmed. Thinking about it now made her stomach swoop and she clenched her thighs together tightly. She remembered the sticky, hot feeling of his semen on her hand, and the powerful thumping of her heart as she realized what she was able to do to him. Ginny idly wondered if Harry was home yet, thinking that she could go over and this time –

"Ginny!" Hermione said sharply, snapping her fingers twice.

Ginny blushed as her gaze turned back to her friend, and she smiled wryly.

"Sorry. I was, er…" Ginny fumbled for what she was saying. Hermione's sly grin made her huff and wave her hands. "Never mind. After he, you know… finished… I tried to get him back to the bedroom. But Harry said he didn't want to yet. What the bloody hell he's waiting for is beyond me."

"Did you ask him?"

"Of course! At least, I tried to but he, um… distracted me," Ginny admitted.

"Distracted you?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ginny's elbows thumped on the tabletop as she hid her face in her hands. Merlin, why do I tell her these things!

"What am I going to do?" Ginny moaned into her hands. She raised her head up as her hands flew about her wildly. "I mean… damn, Hermione! He has me completely flustered. I'm constantly thinking about him and you don't even know the amount of time I've spent… well, let's just say I'm going to have to toss all of my knickers out and buy new ones, because they're completely ruined every night!"

Hermione threw her head back in laughter, and Ginny scowled at her again.

"Oh sure, laugh at me. You're not the one running around randy and half mad all day. Do you know what it's like to ride a broom like that? At least you're getting shagged, even if it is by my gigantic lump of a brother," Ginny said morosely.

"Okay," Hermione said through her giggles. "Okay, you have a few more days. But if he doesn't come around by Saturday, well…"

Ginny leaned forward, eager for any advice.

"Well, then you'll just have to tie him to the bed, magic his clothes off, and show him how the Harpies ride a broom!"

"Hermione Weasley!" Ginny's gasp turned into hysterical laughter, and her friend joined her as they plotted the seduction of one oddly-reluctant Harry Potter.

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Harry sat on his bed, his head in one hand and a small, black velvet box in the other. He stared at it, flipping it open only to shut it again seconds later. I'm certifiably mad, Harry thought.

He'd spent most of the afternoon rambling through shops in muggle London, looking for the perfect one. Harry knew better than to make this particular purchase at a wizarding store. It'd be front page news in the Daily Prophet by tomorrow if he had.

Running his thumb over the soft case, he flipped it open again and gazed at the diamond ring. The platinum band sparkled in the low light of his room, and he wondered if Ginny would like it. Harry wished again that he'd been able to take Hermione with him for advice, but he still couldn't look at her without shivering in horror. Just the day before he'd almost run into her in the hallway at the Ministry, but he'd ducked into the nearest room at the last second.

Of course, the fact that the room had been a women's loo had been a new kind of awful.

Though, what was up with that, anyway? Why do they get to have an extra entry room in their loo with couches, and mirrors, and little tables full of flowery-smelling, lotiony things?

"Stupid women's loo," Harry mumbled in a grumpy voice, as he stood up and began to pace next to his bed.

As he walked back and forth, he passed the open box from hand to hand, worrying it in his fingers as he contemplated how to ask Ginny. Sweet Ginny. Lovely Ginny. Beautiful, gorgeous, drop-dead sexy Ginny with hair like wildfire, and those tiny hands that –

"Oh, sweet Merlin," Harry exclaimed. He could feel his penis get painfully hard inside his trousers, and he reached down to adjust himself. Not that it did much good, because images from last night spun through his head like a film reel, and he remembered her hand slipping inside his boxers and caressing him.

Harry's mind replayed the wonderful softness of her strokes, the satin feel of her back against his callused hands as she brought him to the edge much faster than he'd wanted. He wished he could have held out longer, but having her touch him like that set off explosions in his mind, and he'd finished far too quickly.

That thought reminded him of what he held in his hand, and he looked down at the ring again. Harry knew Ginny was getting exasperated with him. She had looked rather put out last night when he'd sidetracked her not-so-subtle hints about moving their activities to the bedroom. But Harry felt he had to do things a certain way, and before they had sex he wanted to make sure she knew how he felt.

"I'm in love with her and I want to marry her," he whispered. "I want to ask her the right way." But just how to ask her was eluding him.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Harry sighed. Damn, you're a soppy git, Potter. The annoying voice in his head was right, however, and Harry flopped backwards, laying the ring box on his stomach. He folded his arms behind his head, and stared at the ceiling.

It wasn't that he didn't want to have sex. He pretty much wanted to have sex with Ginny every hour of every day. Harry thought his hands were getting cramps from wanking so much lately. Although, maybe I won't have to as often if Ginny's going to do it so brilliantly like last night, Harry thought and grinned. But it faltered a little as he contemplated what was holding him back. I want to make it perfect for her…

Sitting up quickly, he grabbed the little box and snapped it shut, then opened his bedside table drawer. Shoving some stray parchment and quills to the side, he tucked it far to the back, covering it with an old sock that he'd lost the mate to some time ago. Harry shut the drawer then leaned down and reached under the bed, pulling out a heavy book that was littered with scraps of parchment used as bookmarks. Checking his watch to make sure he had time, he turned to one of the chapters in the middle, the pages looking ragged and worn with use.

Reading through the instructions again, his mind wandered back to the previous night and his attempt at distracting Ginny. Of course, it wasn't all just about distracting her. Harry had wanted desperately to touch her, and to make her feel as good as he'd felt. As Ginny had begun to get a little peeved at him, Harry's eyes had roamed her face. It was so expressive, her emotions coming across clearly as she started to raise her voice. He couldn't help but kiss her.

One kiss had led to several, and Harry had flipped her around until she lay wedged up against the back of the couch, one hand curled into her tousled hair. His other hand had a mind of its own and was happily exploring the warm skin of her stomach. He'd kissed his way down her chest, rather pleased when he found her bra had a front clasp. Freeing her breasts, Harry had hummed in pleasure as he took her nipple in his mouth, hearing Ginny groan against the crown of his head.

Harry had been able to smell her arousal, and he remembered his mouth watering at the thought of what he really wanted to do. But he'd been nervous about moving so quickly, so instead Harry had popped the button at her waist and slid the zipper down. Ginny had swiftly moved to help him shuck her jeans off and his fingers hesitated for only a moment before slipping beneath her knickers and feeling the coarse hair between her legs. Fumbling a bit, he'd finally stumbled across something small and warm that made Ginny gasp and shudder against him. Harry's fingers had been clumsy, but the silken feeling of her wetness against them had caused him to get hard again, and hearing her moan his name had bolstered his courage.

Harry had watched her face as his fingers stroked her clit harder and faster, a flush spreading down her chest to the tops of her breasts. He'd been simply amazed at her beauty when she'd suddenly grabbed his shoulder, her head thrown back into the cushions, and her thighs clamped like a vice around his hand. Ginny's whole body had gone still for a second before her hips bucked, and the scream she'd let out nearly had him making a mess in his pants again.

Shaking his head roughly, Harry returned to the present and glanced down at the book that still lay in his lap. Just as he flipped the page to continue reading, he heard the crack of apparition from the living room. His head snapped up, and his eyes widened as he saw the open door to his bedroom. Oh bloody, buggering hell…

Cursing under his breath, Harry could hear footsteps growing closer as he scrambled off of the bed and hastily shoved the book back underneath. He'd just managed to straighten back up and turn towards the door when Ginny walked in.

"Hi there," she said with a smile. Leaning down to give her a quick kiss, Harry put his hand on the small of her back, and was able to direct her out of his room. Babbling inanely about dinner and her practice, he risked a quick glance over his shoulder. Some of the tension left him as he saw the book was safely hidden from view.

Oh thank Merlin.

Harry wrapped his arm securely around her waist, as he promised himself that he'd ask her. Soon.

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November 16, 2000

It was late and Harry was annoyed. Kingsley had kept him after work discussing a case until almost 11:00, and he'd not even had time for supper. His stomach was grumbling, his head hurt, but most of all, he hadn't seen Ginny in almost 24 hours and he desperately needed to talk to her. Harry had been working up to his proposal all day, but this delay had shot his whole prepared speech to hell.

Sighing heavily, Harry apparated into his apartment and tossed his robes on the couch. Dragging his tired body into the kitchen, he snatched a butterbeer and some crisps, and collapsed at the table. Munching tiredly, Harry noticed an envelope leaning up against some dirty glasses he'd not had time to wash. He recognized Ginny's handwriting, and he eagerly grabbed the letter, forgetting all about his snack.

Slitting the top open he caught a faint whiff of her flowery scent. Harry read through the short note quickly, smiling when he saw that she wanted him to floo over if he got home before midnight. Checking the time, Harry saw it was barely 11:30, so he hurried over to his fireplace.

Stumbling out into Ginny's apartment, Harry barely caught himself against an armchair. He could hear muffled laughter coming from his left, and he turned his head to see Ginny standing there, wearing the most deliciously tight tank top and a pair of his flannel boxers that she must have nicked from him at some point.

"Hi," Harry said with a crooked grin.

"Hi," Ginny responded. She was smiling at him, biting her bottom lip and looking absolutely adorable. Harry's chest hurt from wanting her so much. I fall in love with her all over again every time I see her.

Pushing off from his awkward position slumped over the back of the armchair, Harry walked swiftly over to Ginny, wrapping his arms around her as she cuddled into his chest. He could hear her sigh against him as he kissed the top of her head.

"I missed you today," Harry whispered into her hair and he felt her clutch his back a little tighter in response. Harry found himself swaying back and forth a little, gently rocking them in place. For some reason, it felt really good to hold her like this, and he never wanted to let go.

Ginny pulled back from him a little, tucking her hands into his back pockets. She grinned up at him, rocking up on her toes to place a gentle kiss on his chin.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come over earlier. Kingsley kept me after quite late, and I just got home a bit ago and saw your letter," Harry said.

"That's alright. I stopped by earlier and figured you'd got caught up in something. I just…" Ginny shrugged. "I just wanted to see you."

Harry grinned and leaned down to kiss her. Sliding his hands down, he cupped her bum and pulled her tight against him, hearing her groan into his mouth. Ginny's hands slid up and burrowed under his shirt, her fingers kneading the muscles of his back. Harry slanted his mouth, sucking on her tongue lightly and rocking his hips against her. Merlin, I want her.

Harry felt Ginny remove one of her hands from under his shirt, gliding it around his side and then down, until she cupped his erection through his jeans. He could feel the heat of her hand through his trousers, and he pushed against the pressure as she stroked up and down. Harry brought his hand around and managed to work her shirt up a little, exposing her stomach. He was just about to reach up further when he heard a quiet giggle and whispering behind him.

Groaning impatiently, he pulled back from Ginny's lips and rested his forehead against hers, taking deep breaths to try and calm down. Harry opened his eyes and looked down to see Ginny grinning sheepishly at him, and he rolled his eyes at her. He pulled her shirt back down a little, growling as he had to cover up every luscious inch of her bare stomach.

"Don't stop on account of us, you two."

"Yeah, we like to watch."

Harry glanced over his shoulder to see a curly brunette and a blond with a long ponytail sitting on the couch. They were staring avidly at the couple, eating what looked like an entire box of chocolate frogs. The blond waved at them with the decapitated body of one of the half-eaten candies.

"Go on, please continue! We were enjoying the view."

"Bloody hell," Harry moaned, and he heard Ginny chuckle against him.

"Harry, you know Grace and Rilla. My voyeuristic teammates," Ginny said.

"Yes, lovely to see you again," Harry said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. He flipped Ginny around so she had her back to his front, and turned them towards the couch, curling his arms around her waist. There was no way he was facing these two with a big erection bulging out from the front of his trousers. Harry felt Ginny wiggle her bum back against his pelvis and his arms tightened around her as he leaned down to her ear.

"Stop that. Unless you want me to drag you back to your bedroom right in front of your friends," Harry grumbled quietly.

Ginny laughed low in her throat, and tilted her head a little to look at him over her shoulder. "Promise Harry?"

Harry sighed and looked back at the women sitting on the couch. Their wide grins told him he hadn't been as quiet as he thought. Harry felt his whole face blush, and he wondered if it would be wrong to stun and bind the two interlopers long enough to get away.

"If you're going to shag, d'you mind if we sit outside the door? Rilla here hasn't gotten a leg over in awhile and needs the vicarious thrill," the blond said eagerly. The curly-haired Rilla tossed her head back and laughed loudly, and Harry could see Ginny's ears turning red.

"Oh bloody hell, c'mon Gin," Harry groaned, as he grabbed Ginny's hand and stalked off towards the kitchen. He could hear both women laughing behind him, and tried to ignore the whispers about the size of something as he slammed the door shut and threw up locking and silencing charms.

"You really need to get some new flat mates, Ginny," Harry said as he turned around to see the redhead grinning madly even through her blush.

Ginny laughed at his statement, and wound her arms around his neck. He grabbed her hips and pulled her up against him, sighing as he felt his still-hard erection brushing up against her stomach. Harry really wanted to just pick her up and grind them both into an orgasm, but he'd come over here for a reason. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything other than her soft body rocking into his, and the gentle scratch of her fingernails against his scalp.

"Problems, Harry?" Ginny said, her voice low as she nuzzled into his chest. She's really not helping he thought, as he cleared his throat and stepped back, putting a little space between them. Her hands came down to stroke his chest and he finally looked at her, seeing amusement and arousal in her bright brown eyes.

"You're making it hard for me to think," Harry managed to rasp out.

One of Ginny's small hands slipped down to cup his penis through his jeans and Harry pushed against it almost without thought. He could feel her humming appreciatively and it made his head spin as he tried to remember why they couldn't do this right this bloody second.

"You need to stop thinking so much, Harry," Ginny said, as she reached for the button on his jeans. Harry quickly brought his hand down to stop her.

"Er… I don't think that's a good idea right now," Harry said regretfully, and he heard her sigh and move her hands away. Damn, damn, damn. I am the biggest prat ever.

"Well, if you're not going to do something about the fact that my knickers are soaked right now, then what are you doing over here," Ginny asked, her words trailing shivers down his back.

"Merlin, Gin," Harry groaned again and stepped back further, running his hands through his hair as he leaned against the kitchen counter. He looked up to see Ginny standing across from him, her arms crossed, and a slight scowl on her face.

"I'm sorry, Ginny, it's just… I don't want to do anything with your friends sitting right outside the room." Harry stuck his hand in his pocket, fumbling with the small box that he'd been carrying around all day. Not yet… not like this.

"I know, Harry, but–"

"Come over tomorrow night," Harry blurted out. He wanted to be alone with her when he asked, and the idea that Ginny's teammates could pop in at any moment was not the atmosphere he'd had in mind.

"Harry," Ginny sighed in aggravation. "It's the 16th already. We don't–"

Harry took two quick steps forward and grasped her biceps, looking at her, pleading with her to understand. Disappointment and affection swirled in her eyes, and he nearly blurted it out right then.

"Please, Gin. Come over to my flat tomorrow for dinner. Neither of us has anywhere to be this weekend. Just… please," Harry asked softly.

Ginny bit her lip as she looked at him for a long moment before she finally nodded. He grinned down at her and kissed her lightly, drawing her close as she uncrossed her arms and wrapped them around his waist.

"I have to go. But I'll see you tomorrow after work, yeah," Harry asked as he drew back.

"Of course, Harry. I'll come over after practice," Ginny responded quietly. Harry reached down for her hand and pulled her towards the door, lifting the charms on it before heading through it towards the floo. Merlin I hope those two have left.

Thankfully they had, and Harry pulled her close once more in front of the fireplace. Stepping away, he grabbed a handful of floo powder from the pot on the mantle and threw it into the fire.

Harry stepped in and felt the green flames tickling against his legs. He looked up at Ginny, seeing her smiling at him, a tinge of hope peeking out from her brown eyes.

"And Ginny?"

"Yeah?"

"Pack a bag with enough to get you through the weekend. I don't plan to let you out of my sight until Sunday," Harry said with a rakish grin. As he called out his flat's destination, he saw a flare of excitement come across Ginny's face, and she smiled widely. Then with a spinning rush and a roar of emerald fire, he was gone.

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November 17, 2000

Gwenog called an end to practice just after 6 o'clock, and with a quiet gasp of "Finally!", Ginny sped down to the locker rooms and began tearing her gear off with reckless abandon. Rilla and Grace, who had been practicing with the other reserves against the starting team members, followed her in shortly after. Her friends grinned at each other and took flanking positions on either side of Ginny's locker, watching as she stripped out of her robes and threw her gloves and leg guards to the floor.

"In a hurry, Miss Weasley?" Grace said from her right.

"She looks like she might be a bit… flustered, doesn't she Grace? I think she's off to see a certain someone to get an itch scratched," Rilla answered from her left.

Ginny rolled her eyes as she sat down on the bench to remove her boots. Rilla shook her curly hair and plopped on the bench next to her, smiling widely.

"You two are idiots," Ginny said, as she tossed one boot off and began working on the laces of the other.

Grace laughed, and sat on Ginny's other side. As she finally slid the remaining boot off she chanced a look at the blonde and saw an annoying gleam of mischief in her eyes. Merlin, they're as bad as the twins ever were, she thought. Remembering Fred and George as they once were together only caused a slight wistful pull in her chest, and she smiled as she slid into her regular robes and shoes.

"So Ginny, tell us. What's Harry like in bed," Grace asked eagerly. Rilla laughed from her other side as Ginny blushed. The sight of her flushing neck made the two giggle madly, and Ginny reached down to scoop up her gear and tossed it all in a pile on the bottom of her locker. She slammed the door shut quickly before any of it could fall out. Bugger the mess, I'll fix it next week. Standing up, she turned around and saw her flat mates staring up at her.

Ginny bit her lip to hold back a grin. Looking between the two, Ginny couldn't help but think that she'd surely know the answer soon. Grabbing her wand from her robes, she smiled slyly.

"I'm not sure what he's like in a bed yet, actually. Ask me again on Monday," Ginny said, and without waiting for another comment, she raced out of the locker room, hearing their loud laughter and yells of "Good luck" and "Have fun".

Swiftly reaching the apparition point, Ginny gripped her wand and turned in place, arriving at her flat with a soft pop. She hurried to her loo and shucked her clothes off, ripping her hair band out and with a flick of her wand, she started the shower. Ginny was immensely pleased that she had packed her bag and laid out what she wanted to wear today after Harry had left last night. Damn Gwenog for keeping us so long!

As she poured shampoo into her hair and began to scrub the day's sweat off of her, Ginny thought back to the previous evening. She'd been aggravated with Harry after he rebuffed her yet again, but the look in his eyes urged her to trust him. And his parting comments… Merlin, but that man is sexy. Ginny shivered in the damp heat of the shower. She'd been a randy mess of rampant hormones and enticing thoughts all day, and the idea that they might finally – finally! – be having sex that night made her work even faster to finish and get over there.

Stepping out of the shower, Ginny toweled herself off as she moved naked to her bedroom. She looked down at her bed and the clothes she had chosen. Ginny chuckled as she imagined what Harry's face would look like when he saw her. Quickly charming her hair dry, she left it loose as she got dressed. Grabbing her overnight bag, she ran for the living room.

Standing there for a moment to catch her breath, she felt a flutter roll through her stomach. Ginny wasn't sure if it was nerves or anticipation. She shook herself and squared her shoulders, then with a wild grin she apparated straight to Harry's flat.

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Harry checked his pocket again as he paced in a circle around his kitchen table. He'd been home since just after 5 pm, and after a quick shower, he made sure their dinner was still warm, then went about the flat straightening things up in an attempt to curb his nervousness. At 6 pm he started worrying, and by 6:30 he began to make laps in his kitchen. It was now almost 7 pm and Harry wondered if he'd soon have a groove cut in his floor.

A soft pop from the living room made him stop in his tracks, and his hands instantly started to get clammy. Harry knew he should go greet her, but suddenly he couldn't move. Idle thoughts pushed their way into his fuzzy brain, crowding around until he thought he'd go mad. What if she says no? What if she doesn't like the ring? What if I screw up the proposal? What if she doesn't want to have sex? Oh Merlin, what if she thinks my penis is ugly?!

Quickly banishing all these thoughts from his mind, he shook his head, and checked the kitchen one last time for any dirty dishes or random clothing strewn about. Then he headed towards the living room.

"Harry?"

Harry reached the kitchen doorway just as Ginny called out and saw her standing next to the couch, facing away from him. His breath left him in a whoosh as he took in her outfit – and what was in the outfit. Buh…

Ginny's trim figure was poured into a pair of black, low-rise trousers, that somehow made her already fantastic arse look even better. He had no idea what they were made of, but they looked silky and smooth, and Harry had to fight the urge to run his hands all over her legs. A random thought flitted across his mind at that point. I wonder if she'd let me take a picture of her bum so I could carry it around in my wallet.

As Ginny turned around, he finally noticed her shirt. Or rather, his shirt. Harry recognized the deep blue dress shirt as being one of his that had gone missing. He'd thought it had gotten lost in his mess of a closet but apparently it was another item of his clothing that she'd nicked without his knowing.

However, he really couldn't care too much at this point, because the shirt looked a lot better on her than it did on him. Harry idly noticed that she must have shrunk it a bit to fit her better since she wasn't swimming in fabric, but the detail he zoomed in on immediately was the buttons. Especially those three at the top that remained undone, revealing vast tracts of…

Dear God, she's trying to kill me.

Staring at Ginny's chest as he was, Harry failed to notice her smug smile, nor the careful readjustment she did that somehow revealed even more cleavage than before. Harry let out a soft groan as she started walking towards him, and his eyes finally met hers. He swallowed against the large lump in his throat, hoping he could salvage some shred of dignity.

"Hi Ginny," he croaked. Smooth, Potter.

Ginny drew close enough to raise up on her toes and give him a soft kiss. Harry used the opportunity to settle his hands on her hips, feeling the soft material of her pants against his fingertips. They itched to roam freely, but he reined in his wandering thoughts and chastised his penis for automatically jumping to attention as soon as she got close. Unfortunately, it wasn't listening to him, and as Ginny settled her body against his and embraced him tightly, he could feel himself getting harder.

"Sorry I'm late Harry. Gwenog kept us up in the air for quite awhile today," Ginny said as she pulled back from him. Harry looked down at her and his heart rate spiked when he was able to see straight down her shirt. A finger to his chin raised his head a few inches and he caught Ginny smirking at him, a wicked mix of glee and arousal evident in her brown eyes.

"Erm…"

"C'mon Harry, let's have dinner. I'm starving and you're going to need to eat to keep up your stamina for tonight," Ginny said with a grin. She gave him a quick kiss, and then edged around him, heading for the kitchen.

"Tonight?" Great comeback, Potter. Really witty tonight, aren't we?

"Yeah, tonight. For when I tie you to the bed and ravish your body, Mr. Potter," she said over her shoulder with a laugh, disappearing into the other room.

"Oh," Harry said weakly. Well, I guess that's one worry answered.

Harry suddenly smiled widely, and loped off after her. He found Ginny with her head in the refrigerator, pulling out several bottles of butterbeer.

"So, what did you make for dinner?"

"Well, it wasn't so much 'made', as it was 'picked up'," Harry said with a laugh. He pulled the covers off of several plates on the table. "I found a muggle pub with the best shepherd's pie, so I stopped there on my way home tonight."

Ginny sat down in front of a steaming plate and closed her eyes as she took a heavy breath. Humming happily, she smiled at Harry as he sat down next to her, then took a quick bite.

"Oh, this is divine, Harry. We'll have to go to this pub sometime for dinner."

Harry grinned, and dug into his own meal. Between bites, Ginny told him about practice, ranting over Gwenog and her medieval methods of torture disguised as training. Harry listened with only half an ear, as most of his attention was drawn to the small box still resting in his pocket and what he wanted to say. He was debating between several different approaches when he felt a sharp dig in his side, and he snapped his head up to see Ginny glaring at him.

"You haven't heard a word that I've said, have you Harry," Ginny asked. Looking down, Harry saw both their plates were gone, having been banished to the sink by Ginny. Harry didn't even remember finishing his meal, but he felt full so he supposed he had. He turned in his chair to face the scowling redhead, and took her hand in his.

"I'm sorry, Gin. I've had something on my mind all day, and…" Taking a deep breath, Harry tried to relax. He held her left hand in both of his and he caressed her fingers lightly as he gathered all of his Gryffindor courage. Now. Do it now before you go mad, you idiot! You've got the speech all prepared, now use it!

"Ginny… Ginny, I…" Harry fumbled with one hand in his pocket, pulling out the box and clenching it tightly in his fist. He glanced up at her and saw she looked confused but was waiting for him to say what he needed. Harry stared into her eyes as he opened his mouth.

"Ginny, I love you. Madly. I'm – I'm crazy in love with you and… and I don't care about the contract. Well, I do, but that's not why – I mean… I want to marry you, but not just because of what we did that night, and not just because we bollixed up the pact and fell into this whole mad situation. I want to marry you because I love you and I want to be with you, and I can't imagine my life without you in it." Harry watched Ginny's eyes grow wide, and felt her hand shake a little in his, but in his mind he was screaming at himself. That was NOT the speech, you bleeding moron! Now look at her – she thinks you're a crazy person!

"I… Ginny–" Harry unclenched his hand and, using his fingers clumsily, managed to flip open the lid of the ring box. He held it up and Ginny's eyes seemed to track slowly over to it. Her mouth dropped open slightly, and her hand clamped down on his.

"Ginny, I love you. Marry me," Harry whispered. Pleasepleasepleaseplease…

Her eyes hadn't left the ring, and Harry watched anxiously as Ginny raised her right hand slightly, hovering near but not quite touching it. Harry's heart nearly beat out of his chest as the silent seconds turned into agonizing years as he waited for her answer.

Ginny's eyes snapped to his suddenly, and Harry could see her astonishment and shock hovering just behind the tears that she refused to let fall. He saw her lift the hand that had moved towards the ring, and felt her lay it against his cheek. It felt hot against his panic-induced clamminess, and he welcomed the feel of it. Just as Harry thought she'd never answer, he saw her head start to nod.

"Yes," Ginny sobbed out, as she slid her hand to his neck and drew him into a hard kiss. Harry's mind was reeling, and he drew back quickly.

"Yes!?"

"Yes!" Ginny laughed as a tear escaped down her cheek. Harry let go of her hand finally and his shaking fingers took the ring out of the box. Ginny held her left hand up and he slid the ring on her finger, amazed that he was able to do it in his state.

"Oh Merlin, Harry, it's beautiful," Ginny gasped. Harry's throat was thick with happiness, and he felt as if he would never stop smiling. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his lap, straddling his thighs. Harry clutched her tightly to his chest and buried his face in her neck, breathing in her scent as he mumbled his thanks.

Ginny pulled back from him and framed his face with her hands. Harry could feel her trembling slightly in his arms as she caressed his cheeks, and Ginny leaned her head forward until her fiery hair surrounded them. Harry stared into her eyes, and he knew he'd never been happier in his life.

He was wrong.

"I love you, Harry. So much."

Harry's heart was beating out of his chest, and he had to swallow several times to clear his throat. He reached up and trailed a finger down her cheek, tracing her features lovingly. He couldn't believe that he could feel so much for one person, and knowing no other way to show it, he leaned in and kissed her.

Ginny moaned against his mouth as she threaded her fingers through his hair. Harry let his hands finally wander down to where they had wanted to be since he first saw her that evening, gripping her bum and pulling her flush against him. He could feel himself getting harder than before, and Ginny rocked her hips against him as her tongue slid inside his mouth.

Ginny pulled back, panting, and placed soft kisses on his jaw, traveling up to his ear. He heard her whisper her love for him again, and he moaned as she sucked the skin of his neck lightly. Harry thrust up against her, his penis throbbing against the constraints of his trousers. A rumbling groan worked its way out of his chest as he felt Ginny clenching her thighs around him.

She came back to his mouth, and he kissed her, sucking on her bottom lip, her soft moans of pleasure humming against his tongue. Ginny pulled back with a gasp, gulping in breaths of air and Harry took this moment to start unbuttoning her shirt. His hands trembled as he released the last one, and he watched in awe as Ginny yanked the tails out of her trousers, and tossed the shirt behind her.

"Oh God, Ginny… love you so much," Harry mumbled as he leaned forward to press his open mouth against her collarbone. He was working his way down to the curve of her breast when she grabbed his head and pulled it back up.

"Harry," Ginny said, and her low voice sent shivers down Harry's back. "Make love to me."

Harry wrapped his arms securely around her back and stood up, feeling her legs come around to grip his waist. He made it to the doorway into the living room before he had to kiss her again, pressing her against the wall as he felt the heat of her center on his stomach. Harry felt her brace her back as she reached down and grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up, and he awkwardly shifted each arm before finally getting it over his head. Ginny immediately pulled him towards her again, and they both moaned as their skin touched.

Harry lurched back and stumbled down the hallway a few steps as Ginny's hands roamed ceaselessly over the muscles of his back. He felt her bite his neck and he hissed at the pain and pleasure of it. His mind was lost to the sensations of her skin and mouth and teeth, and before he even realized it they managed to make it to his bedroom, where Ginny finally unwrapped her legs and slithered down his front. Harry leaned down to kiss her again, his hands pulling her tight against him.

Stepping backwards, Ginny led him slowly towards the bed, her hands on his chest searing his skin. She pulled away and sat down on the edge, and Harry dropped to his knees in front of her. He couldn't believe this was happening, and his chest heaved as he watched her reach behind her to unhook her bra.

Harry saw her drop the silk garment over the side of the bed out of the corner of his eye, but his attention was drawn to her breasts, and he leaned down to take her nipple in his mouth. He closed his eyes, humming as he sucked on it, and he felt her hands pulling him against her.

"Yes," Ginny hissed out as she arched her back.

Harry trailed kisses and licks over to her other breast, sliding his hands up her back and into her long hair. He felt her chest rising into him with every fast breath she took, and he fought to slow down. Harry didn't want this to be over too quickly, and he knew he was only a few quick thrusts against the mattress away from coming in his trousers.

He slowed his assault on her breast and raised his eyes, seeing Ginny open-mouthed, her head tossed back and her fingernails biting into his shoulders.

"Ginny," Harry said, his voice raspy and low in his throat.

Ginny's eyes opened slowly, and he saw the pupils were almost completely dilated. Harry leaned up and kissed her softly, trying to calm his racing heart. He reached behind him and pulled his wand from his pocket, and was just about to cast the locking spells on his flat when a shimmering silver-white lynx dropped out of the air in front of him.

Harry's eyes met Ginny's, and he saw the shock and confusion slowly shift to disappointment and a hint of anger as Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep voice echoed through the room.

A/N: Yes, I know you all want to lynch me for the way this ends. But don't kill me too much - Chapter 6 is already started and there will be hotness aplenty in it. And yeah, Kingsley is on Ginny's "List".