Title: The Last Surrender

Chapter 2

Author: CleverWitch

E-mail:

Rating: R (for language and sexual situations)

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and co belong to J.K. and all

that jazz.

Ginny woke up sharply the next morning, her pajamas clinging to her sweaty body. She looked around feeling disoriented and wondering what she could have been dreaming of that would leave her feeling so hot and uncomfortable. And then she remembered...

She felt herself flush and hurried to her door to look in her living room–disbelieving it was real. But there was Harry, just where she'd left him. She stood there a long time, letting sleep ebb away and her feelings return. She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest as he slept and thought, with a sharp clench, that she would never see that again.

She grabbed her housecoat and headed for the bathroom, desperate for the monotony of routine to wash away her heartache. But after she had brushed her teeth and flushed the toilet, she found she couldn't bring herself to have a shower. She could still feel Harry on her skin, in her hair and she didn't want to wash that away yet...

Instead she made her way to the kitchen to make some coffee and toast. Harry was snoring blissfully and she couldn't suppress a laugh. Who knew he had it in him? He sounded like a freight train! He was lying on his stomach now, one arm hanging off the edge, his hand on the floor. His hair was all over the place and he looked absolutely adorable. Looking at him now, she saw only the endearing, rumpled, vulnerable man she had seen in his eyes so drunkenly the night before. Her resolve returned. She let him sleep.

It was the weekend and she had no place to be. She pulled up the book she'd been reading and sat at her kitchen table with her breakfast. And if she stared at the same page the entire time she never acknowledged it to herself. She was determined to face Harry ready when he woke up. The night was over. She put her heartache aside and pushed the memory of the night away. She couldn't believe she had actually done it...

It was several hours later that Harry awoke. And he did not wake up well. She heard a loud thump and turned to find him standing up, looking dizzy but stiff with terror. He didn't know where he was. She realized all the years of fighting and spying, the danger involved in it, had taken their toll.

"G'morning Harry," she said warmly, hoping her voice would stop his panic. He turned around so quickly, even hungover and drowsy, that she took a step back. His reflexes were uncanny.

"Ginny?" he said with confusion–but the fear was gone. She realized he hadn't found his glasses and made her way over to give them to him.

"Thanks," he said as he slipped them on and looked around.

"Am I at your place?" he asked.

She nodded and he finally relaxed, sitting down on the couch with effort. He still looked confused though.

"You were at the pub last night?"

She smiled. He didn't remember anything. Thank God.

"I was."

He looked about the flat.

"You live in London now?"

She chuckled, "Yes, I do."

He groaned, "I must look like an idiot. I can't remember a thing."

"Come out and have a coffee." she said comfortably, pouring him a mug as she said it.

He smiled gratefully and she realized how glad he was to wake up to someone he knew. Her heart grabbed, how many times had he woken to a stranger?

He followed her to the kitchen, stumbling and seemingly unaware that he was still in just his boxers. He took the coffee and leaned against the counter as he took a drink.

"Mmm....thanks," he looked around the kitchen and through the rest of the flat, "Your place is really nice. When did you move back?"

"Just a little while ago." she said guiltily, not wanting him to know she had avoided seeing him, "I was offered a job I couldn't pass up at the Infirmary downtown."

He smiled, "Excellent."

She recalled how differently this conversation had gone the previous night and hid her smile by taking another drink of her own coffee.

He was watching her though, trying to piece it together, "So....what were you doing at the pub?"

She smiled, "Certain persons let me know you might be there."

He shook his head, "Ah....You were sent to collect me then?"

"It was left entirely up to me what action I took."

He chuckled, "Hope I didn't say anything too terrible," he frowned then and her stomach clenched. It looked as though he were remembering something, "I seem to recall talking with you a bit...on the way home. Did I mention my weekend Quidditch games?"

"You did," she smiled in relief, "You invited me along as I recall."

"Did I?" he said humorously, "And rightly so. We could use a decent Chaser."

He seemed to really look at her then, his expression warm as he said, "You look wonderful Gin. Really good."

She blushed despite herself, and tried to cover it up by joking, "Not so bad yourself there Harry. Nice nickers."

He looked down and laughed, "And where are my pants might I ask? Did you have your evil way with me last night?"

She hoped her start didn't show and chuckled uncomfortably.

"Didn't try to make a move on you did I?" Harry half-joked. His eyes searched her face.

But she was back in control now, "Oh, you tried."

His head hung but he was laughing with her, "I'm a terrible terrible man." he looked up at her sincerely, "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

She shook her head, "You were actually a lot of fun."

"Besides the randy bugger part."

"Oh, that was fun too. A girl can be flattered by a little randy mauling."

His eyes turned horrified, "I didn't..."

She winked at him and he laughed at her joke, "Did I babble on like an idiot?" He asked, "I've been told I do."

"Don't think I've ever heard so much conversation from you actually."

"Hope I didn't bore you to tears."

"No, you were very interesting."

He was shaking his head again, then seemed to regret it. His eyes fluttered shut in pain, "Oh, my head. I must have been absolutely sloshed..."

Her Healer instincts came like a second skin. She could sense the nausea and dizziness and walked over without a second thought.

"Here. Harry..." she lifted her hands to his face and dispelled the nausea with her touch. He shut his eyes at the relief of it and made an appreciative sound.

"Didn't know Healers could cure hangovers. Thanks..." he opened his eyes and smiled at her but something about the proximity...her hands at his face...she watched his eyes change...horrified recognition flooded him as she wrenched her hands away, but it was too late.

"Ginny...."

She took a step back in fear. He couldn't....he didn't...But he did. She watched it all come back to him.

He was leaning heavily on the counter now, as memory after memory washed over him.

"I....we...." he trailed off, his eyes wide and staring at the floor, replaying various scenes to him.

He looked back at her suddenly, "You were sober. You didn't have a drink did you?...you didn't...Ginny...."

His eyes had locked wildly onto her own. Her Healer magic had done more than just steady his hangover, it had cleared his mind and now let him recall everything with startling accuracy.

"Bloody hell..." he whispered. And it felt as though a very beautiful light had just burst into the darkness of his life. He was over to her in two quick strides, his arms on either side of her, "Ginny, do you still fancy me?"

She was trying desperately to think of a way out but nothing would come. She felt frozen in place. She couldn't answer. But she didn't have to because he kept talking, and his next words changed her life forever. "Because I would make a go of it with you in a heartbeat."

She wasn't sure what to think of those words. They hit her so hard her breath left her.

His mouth was a breath away now. He was looking at her in earnest, "Ginny, why did you let me?" His face turned oddly vulnerable, "Did you want me?"

The colour flamed in her cheeks. Did he think he'd forced her somehow? Was he daft?

"Of course I did," she heard her voice say. Her heart was on the floor. There was nothing she could do. She read the emotions on his face and tried to figure him out. And as he leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers she concluded that she was the first person to see him as he really was. The first girl to want him truly. And he needed that. But that was all. She could only be a stepping stone in his life. And though she should protect herself and pull away she didn't want to. She wanted to take whatever he was offering. She felt weak and pitiful at that moment. But Harry was different. He made her dizzy with happiness–even when she felt her heartbreaking.

His fingers tangled in her hair and he was murmuring something against her mouth. She wrapped herself around him and gave in. She wasn't sure if it was new or prompted by what had happened the night before, but the heat flamed up swiftly between them. Her hands were in his hair and they were kissing madly as he pushed her against the counter. Her legs wrapped around his hips and he pressed into her. He pulled back as she tugged off his glasses again and tossed them on the counter. He was breathing heavy and looked dazed but very pleased, "You can kiss." He breathed and when she laughed he smiled wryly, "Said that last night didn't I?"

She nodded.

"Well, it's the truth!" he laughed and then he gave her a look she had never seen before. There was smile in it somewhere but it was hidden. Instead there was something almost dark in his gaze. He leaned back in and she felt the same excited pricklings in her nerves that she had just hours ago...How much did he remember?

He stumbled around the apartment holding her, trying to get to her bedroom and knocking into things as he went. She was wrapped around him still and he held her up, backing into walls to kiss her more.

"Sorry..." he muttered as he knocked over a tiny wooden table–with a lamp on it. She merely kissed him again, making his eyes shut and his body still.

They finally reached the bedroom and went at each other's clothes in a great hurry. It had never been like this with anyone else. Never. And it was more exciting now that he was sober and knew what he was doing...

He laid her back on the bed and took an appreciative look, "It's a blur how good you looked naked," he smiled, "Much nicer in focus..."

He leaned down and kissed her and let his hands wander between her legs. When she let out a low groan he pulled back as though burnt, his face worried as it met hers, "Are you sore? I didn't hurt you last night did I?"

She felt her face turn very tender, "Wasn't a groan of pain Harry...c'mere," she pulled him back down and smiled as she kissed him, "You would never hurt me..."

His face changed then, a very small smile creeping at the corners of his mouth. He came to some kind of conclusion in his mind then...though she was never sure what. And she didn't want to ask. Didn't want to find out anything or think about anything....it was too dangerous. It was the only protection she had...

He was kissing her neck, his hands in her hair, "You changed your hair Gin...and still those same earrings..." she smiled. He only remembered bits and pieces it seemed. Suddenly he pulled back with shock and looked at her in surprise, "Twice! We did it twice!" When she laughed he looked sheepish, "Sorry, just remembered the second time..." his eyes turned very appreciative and he kept on kissing her.

She pulled him down between her legs and wrapped her own about his hips and he pulled back to smile, his nose touching hers, and said, "I'm going to remember every last bit of this..."

Then he slid slowly in and they both forgot about remembering anything.

And this time, awake and aware, it was still her name he murmured. There was still that sense of release. All the uneven things between them. All the things unsaid. They melted away. They were completely together and it was all that mattered.

Afterwards, as they caught their breaths, Harry held her with a very silly grin on his face, "You, are brilliant."

She smiled despite herself.

"So," he said, that same sheepish look on his face as before, "Wanna maybe go out tonight?"

She laughed as he added, "I don't want to rush you..."

"We should have a shower first."

His expression shot from sheepish to interested with humorous speed, "We?"

She chuckled and pulled him into the bathroom. Whatever was going to happen between them, she intended to enjoy it....and Harry in her shower was too good to pass up. Tangled up under the soothing spray they both let out very contented sighs. Harry turned serious unexpectedly, "Ginny, I mean it, I don't want to rush you....we can take things much slower...."

But she knew, for many reasons, it was much too late for that, "Mmm..." she murmured, pressing herself against him and enjoying the sensation, "I like the pace we're going actually."

He smiled and wrapped his arms about her more tightly, his chin in her hair. She wondered what he was thinking but did not ask. Her heart was bursting with joy and wrenching with agony all at once. It was like a beautiful terrible dream. She looked up into his eyes and touched his face.

I made this. She thought, I've done this with my own hands. It was my choice.

Harry caught her hand and kissed it, "How's lunch out sound?"

"Ok." she heard her voice turn soft and vulnerable and cringed. Harry didn't seem to notice though. In fact, he leaned back and seemed to take an uncanny pleasure in watching her wash. She scrubbed her hair, coated it with conditioner, pinned it up, shaved her legs, washed her face and went about it all in her usual, no-nonsense way. Harry grinned at her without stopping though which made her laugh and wash his hair for him.

And afterwards (once he had managed to shave himself with her "girly" razor) she left him in only a towel while she washed his clothes for him. He sat very comfortably on her couch, with one of her books, while she finished getting ready.

And when all was done they headed out, looking for all the world like a happy, handsome couple...

Ginny did not find Harry chatted nearly as much over lunch as he had sloshed the night before. But he talked, more than she remembered him talking a few years ago. He didn't say much about Auror training or his work and seemed instead, keenly interested in every last detail of her schooling and what she did at the Infirmary.

"Can't believe you cured my hangover with wandless magic," he said smiling over his food.

"There's a lot of magic in just a touch. A lot of healing properties in it too–even without the magic. Combined, and focused properly, they work together and–" she stopped, eyeing him in disbelief, "I must be boring you."

But he shook his head, "Not at all. Nice change from same old same old at Headquarters!"

She smiled and said dryly, "Can't imagine your job being boring..."

He gave her a saucy wink, "Oh, but it is. You have no idea Gin, how I suffer," he took her hand for effect and she chuckled at his antics. "You're a nice change of pace," he said, giving her that terribly effective smile that always charmed the pants off her (and anyone else, even angry Hermione). He kissed her hand and returned it to her so they could split desert.

They walked around the city after that, taking in some sights and just everyday talking. Music, books, travel, life philosophies....and Ginny didn't think she'd ever spent a nicer day with anybody. She never tired of talking with Harry. She remembered how much she had treasured their first conversations when they had finally become friends at school. And looking at him now he seemed to be enjoying this as much as she had then.

They stayed into the night, took in a funny muggle film and sat on a bench in a local park staring at the stars as dusk turned to night.

"Reminds me of the Astronomy tower," she said thoughtfully, watching all the stars and remembering nights she had crept up to have a look. Another memory followed though–one of looking out that same window as Death Eaters had flooded the grounds, flanked by hundreds of Dementors...she shivered.

Harry watched her reaction and nodded, "Memories are a double edged sword," he said quietly.

She took his hand. It was warm and strong, his grip firm. He was there, alive and healthy, that moment. She almost couldn't believe it sometimes. She squeezed his fingers, "I'm so absolutely glad it's over," she said firmly and he regarded her thoughtfully. He looked at their joined hands and a funny smile crossed his face. Ginny didn't realize, but it was probably the first time it occurred to him that life after his grand purpose was achieved was better than before.

"Me too," he said quietly. Then he leaned in and spent a rather long time kissing her. When they finally pulled away from each other Ginny found her hands tangled in his hair–though she couldn't recall putting them there. His glasses were askew and she laughed as she straightened them. For a moment she pretended it was real. That the look he was giving her meant what she wanted it to. He smiled and she could read real happiness in his eyes. Who wouldn't feel happiness after so much misery? Harry's life had been so barren of moments like this. It was new and exciting and healthy for him. But that gave her no ownership in that happiness. It did not name her the cause. She didn't feel her face turn serious as she looked away. Harry quickly caught her chin, "Hey....tomorrow is still the weekend. Wanna play Quidditch?"

She coached her face to light hearted and smiled, "I believe my calendar is free...."

He pulled her up, "It's a date then," he tucked an arm about her, "A date," he said aloud and sounded like he didn't really believe it, "Fancy that...."

They apparated to her door to say goodnight, "I'm not coming in," he laughed, "I will take this slow and do it right if it kills me...."

Ginny found she was up to the challenge. She made a very innocent face, "Do I get a kiss then?"

He smiled and leaned down to give her a very chaste kiss but she was ready. And she pounced. Her hands caught his shirt and pulled him flush against her and he groaned into her mouth. She felt him tense and then slowly give way until his arms were around her and one hand was fumbling for her doorknob. He finally wrenched open the door and they stumbled inside, "I'm staying..." he muttered and it was the last thing either of them said for many hours.