Title: The Last Surrender

Chapter 3

Author: CleverWitch

E-mail: incongruous_

Rating: R (for language and sexual situations)

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

that jazz.

The next morning Ginny slept late and woke to an empty bed. It took her a moment to realize why this startled her, and another to become horrified that she was already adjusting to having Harry in her bed. The delicious smell of bacon distracted her however, and she followed it curiously to her kitchen. Harry had a full breakfast on the go and stood, showered and dressed with a huge grin on his face.

"Sleep well then?" he laughed, "And might I say, that is the most magnificent bedhead I have ever seen!"

Ginny reached a sleepy hand to her tangled hair and realized it was in truly dazzling disarray.

"S'your fault," she slurred, still not quite awake, "You messed it up last night."

Harry looked very smug, "Suppose I did," They shared a very mutual smile before Harry turned to the task at hand, "Have a seat. Breakfast is served. I've already been to my flat and got my gear, and some for you in case you don't have any."

She sat down a little dazed. Her table was set and decorated with flowers, fruit and fresh juice. She didn't think anyone had ever done this for her before. She looked back to Harry rushing around, burning his fingers and fussing over the eggs and found it extremely cute. He was eager to please and that more than anything else, gave away how new he was at the relationship game. Ginny felt a rush of happiness that he should have this first experience with her where she could be kind to him, nurturing his confidence. Then next time, when he found the real thing....her thoughts trailed off suddenly. Sadness clenched inside her and she willed it away. Hadn't she always wanted to be close to Harry? Wasn't she now getting that chance? Wouldn't she be filling a place no one could ever take? Even if it wouldn't last....she had to be happy with that.

He set down breakfast looking extremely pleased with himself and poured them some juice, offering his glass in a toast. She clinked glasses with him and smiled, "Very nice Sir Potter."

"I aim to please good lady. Now eat up!"

Ginny found herself rather quiet through breakfast and it was Harry who finally broke the silence, "So, do you still have any gear? Have you played any Quidditch since Hogwarts?"

Ginny nodded through a mouthful of eggs, "Mmhmm. I have some gear, though I bet yours is better. I just picked up some second-hand stuff to play at a charity game for the hospital I used to work at a year or so ago."

He smiled, "Did your team win?"

She gave him a mock look of indignation, "Of course we did!" Her eyes narrowed playfully, "I may be older but I can still wipe the pitch with you Potter!"

He smiled back expectantly, "We'll see about that."

He waited patiently for her to shower and dress and when she came out he was draped comfortably across her sofa, engrossed in her favorite book. This cozy image of him, looking so at ease among her things, was one that would not dissipate ever after. He looked as though he belonged there, and she hated herself for romanticizing it like that.

This was going to be harder than she thought. And she found herself wholly unprepared for facing his friends so soon, his arm slung about her shoulders as though they'd been together for ages.

"Everyone this is Ginny. Ginny everyone. She's the best Chaser I've ever seen and I plan to clean up the pitch with her."

His friends welcomed her genially and seemed a nice lot. And though she was rusty, she still had the stamina and gusto to play heartily and to impress Harry quite a bit. She was embarrassed to catch him bragging about her to one of his teammates after the game. But his friend merely smiled and said he agreed with Harry, she was 'awesome'.

"And I'm not just saying that to get a shag!" he added with a wink and Ginny was flattered to see Harry turn a bit red.

After Harry walked away he turned to Ginny with an appreciative smile, "It's good to meet you. It's always good to meet a real friend of Harry's. He needs more of them."

Ginny smiled, "I'm happy to meet you for the same reason."

"You've known him a long time I hear?"

"Since Hogwarts. My brother is one of his best friends."

"Oooo," he said, "And does your brother know about this yet?"

Ginny looked horrified and he laughed, "That answers that. Good luck when he finds out!"

They all piled into a cheery pub after that and Ginny was privy to those few hours every two weeks or so that Harry spent relaxed, doing what he really enjoyed and free of the constraints of his identity. His Quidditch pals were rowdy and good hearted and their quick humour reminded her greatly of Fred and George.

When they finally parted Harry was sent off wit hopes of seeing, "This wicked redhead again next time!" and she watched a peculiar pride fill Harry's chest as he told them they should only be so lucky as to taste defeat by her again.

The promise of future happiness. It was new for him still. The protective urge to have that in her keeping always was almost painful. She found herself tracing patterns against his palm as they walked hand in hand back into town. She looked over at him and he had an expression of total contentment on his face.

He turned to her smiling, "Have a good time?"

She smiled in return but not before he caught the serious look on her face and momentary puzzlement crossed his eyes, "It was really fun and your friends are great."

"They remind me of your brothers, Fred and George I mean."

She nodded, "Me too."

He kept walking quietly and then said very seriously, "Ginny, you will tell me if I'm getting this wrong won't you? I don't want to mess it up."

She regarded him in surprise, "How could you mess this up?"

Now he looked surprised and laughed, "Surely you've known me long enough to imagine a few disasters!"

She slipped her arm about him, "I've known you long enough to understand better. You can't mess it up with me."

She felt him relax at hearing that and looked up to meet his smiling face. Had he ever looked this happy?

"What do you fancy doing tonight then?" he asked warmly, "Movies? Dinner? Walk by the lake?"

She shook her head, "I'd like to see your place actually, if you'll let me."

His smile faded, "My place?"

She watched embarrassment crowd his features, "It's…that is to say, it's not very…nice."

"You mean it's a filthy mess and you're ashamed for a girl to see it?"

He gave an uncomfortable laugh, "That's part of it…"

"Where is it exactly?"

He named the address and she smiled encouragingly, "That's very close to work for me! How about we stay there tonight and I'll bring my things to head straight to work tomorrow morning?"

He looked ready to say no and she watched him do battle with himself. He wanted to give her anything she wanted but feared her seeing his place.

"Can I have an hour to tidy up before you come?" he finally asked quietly.

She wrapped herself around him, "That's one less hour you'll have to enjoy…"

He slowly smiled again and her hands found there way into his hair, "You're better than any magic," he murmured.

She apparated to his address an hour later with her overnight bag, ready to banish whatever dark things he kept hidden there and create newer, nicer memories for him. He opened the door and looked like he'd been working hard.

"I'm not quite ready for you," he said sheepishly and she pushed her way in while he tried reluctantly to stop her.

He had definitely made an effort for her but the place was still dismal. It was dark and gloomy and around the floor were still clutters of devices from old auror days that sensed dark magic or protected against it. His door had more locks and charms on the back than she thought she'd ever seen and she saw that he had hidden his fear from everyone.

He didn't meet her eyes as she surveyed the place. On the table was a fresh vase of flowers, clearly meant for her and the kitchen housed warm smells of cooking which helped soften its appearance. But without the mantle cluttered with photos from Hogwarts days and the Griffindor crest hanging cheerily over it, the entire place was bare of any touches of personality or care.

In her mind she redecorated it in minutes and smiled at him as she finished, "Mind if I add a few things in here next time? You seem to be sorely lacking….er…cushions."

He gave a low laugh, "Yes, I am."

She walked over to the flowers, "For me?"

He nodded and she inhaled generously and made a show of appreciating them, then kissed him. He held back in this kiss and she realized what his place was to him. It was not a home.

He looked around and back at her then very quietly, "I don't bring anyone here Gin."

"I hope not," she replied in a saucy voice, "It's worse than Snape's office. You could bottle the gloom and sell it."

He gave an awkward laugh.

"You should have told me, or anyone, someone, that you felt this way after the old days," she chastised, "You should have let your friends help banish these old memories."

"I didn't think anyone could," he confessed and pulled her close.

She leaned up and kissed him very tenderly the first of his flat's new memories blossoming bright and happy.

"I wish I'd known you fancied me," he said when she pulled away, "I wish I'd known years ago."

It was probably the only kind of hint he'd ever given anyone to how lonely he really was. He followed her to the kitchen and played with her hair while she stirred the various pots he had going on the stove.

Dinner smelled lovely and she was surprised to find him something of a great cook. He shrugged it off to the forced life of a bachelor but looked a little flattered, especially when she had two helpings of dessert.

While he washed up she explored the rest of the rooms and he found her staring into his bedroom when he finished. It was barren, windowless, the bed neatly made but clothes strewn about in a manner not unlike Ron's teenage years.

"Didn't get to this one," Harry admitted.

She frowned, "Do you often sleep here?"

There was something unused about the room, save for dressing. Harry shook his head.

"I mostly stay at work during the week," he admitted, "I've never slept well…."

He didn't finish and she wondered how far back he could trace nights of bad sleep. Probably most of his life. She leaned against him sadly. But he pulled out his wand and with a wave tidied the room up and with another summoned softly lit candles to hang around it making it much prettier. She smiled and with her own wand fashioned him some colourful cushions. Later, she thought, I'll embroider them with things he loves.

For now she turned in his arms and laid their wands on a nearby table. Then she pulled him into his own room and changed it forever. This was not the lonely chamber he surrendered some exhaustion too punctuated by ghosts of the past. This room was warm and ready for him. This room was Ginny herself now, though she did not realize it. Instead she worked the magic of a friend with her comfort and the magic of a lover with her desire and Harry found himself in his own bed warm and dazed with his clothes on the floor. Wrapped around him was the only girl to call him friend for himself save for Hermione. But Ginny was different. There was a hesitant desire in her eyes that uncovered his will and bent it to be anything that would make her give over. He ran his hands up her body and into her hair and struggled to tell her things that would convince her. She was Ginny and so flattering compliments seemed unworthy of her. She was too honest to be swayed by words that often meant nothing. He said them anyway.

How she was beautiful and why. How soft she was how lovely she smelled though she retorted that she probably smelled of Quidditch pitch.

Finally he pulled back and said breathlessly, "It has never been lucky to be me, until now."

And those words drew back that curtain he felt always was there. She let go and came alive in his arms.. Her eyes pinched with sadness for him but he stroked it away with his fingers at her cheeks, "Don't…I've never been so happy. I want to make you happy too."

Her mouth turned up and she lightened the weight of this confession by sliding herself over him so that his eyes shut against the pleasure and saying, "I'm happy to hear that and I know just the thing…"

He gave a breathless laugh and with his strong hands guided them both through a rhythm of real pleasure.

But it was much later in the night that Ginny faced what Harry had not wanted her to see. He woke up violently from a nightmare and Ginny sat up as he lept from bed and various devices around the place lit up suspiciously. He looked around a little wildly and reached for his wand. Finding it was not tucked into his bedclothes filled his face with such terror that her heart clenched. She concentrated so the candles would relight one at a time and said very gently, "Harry…"

He looked back at the bed, his eyes met hers, "Gin…"

She watched him come back to himself, the tension leave his shoulders as he leaned hard against the end of the bed, taking deep breaths. Then she felt another tension take its place as he realized he had exposed himself to her in a way he never wanted to.

She slipped from the bed and came to his side to hear him say, "I hate sleeping…"

She tucked herself under his arms until he let go of the bed and held her instead. She was still wearing nothing, still warm from sleep.

"You slept well at my place," she teased, hiding her horror at how badly he'd woken up.

He relaxed a very little and said, "Well, you were there…" in a way that said he was blushing.

"I'm here now," she pointed out and pressed herself against him.

He touched his forehead to hers and let out a long breath, "You really are…are you sure you want into all my dark places? I'd rather keep them from you. You deserve better."

"You act like it costs me something to comfort you," she chided and gave a low laugh as she wrapped her legs around him, "In case you haven't noticed, it's not unenjoyable for me either…"

He smiled wide, "When you put it like that it seems a crime to turn away your generous offer…"

Back to bed he carried her and banished the worst of his nights with all the unexpected and heady pleasure he could find with her. It blotted out everything as nothing before it ever had. He longed to tell her he loved her but did not think she would believe him so soon. Could it be so soon? Was it really so soon at all?

He slept near the warmth of her in his bed all night after that and decided on waking that only love could have accomplished such a feat. Ginny was treated to a tender morning and knew she had given him something no one ever had before. She was very proud of herself and headed to work feeling she could bear the heartbreak of losing him by basking in memories like his face on waking to find her in that dark room he so dreaded.

Harry had let her go a little anxiously asking her what her plans were later but self-consciously amending that he knew she had a life besides his sudden invasion.

She had stepped up to him on tiptoe, gave him a kiss that erased all his doubts and said warmly, "My place tonight. Bring pizza."

He'd walked to work smiling rather stupidly to himself after that.

Ginny intended to spend every moment all at once before any complications like letting Ron and Hermione know arose. She wanted a clean break from her when he tired of her. She felt certain he would enjoy the healing effects of their attraction and be buoyed to a healthy place from which he would naturally disengage and move on.

She felt a little sick reviewing this to herself later at work but consoled herself that this was all worth it for Harry.

When he showed up mid-afternoon at the Hospital with her favorite chocolates and a blossoming song-rose she realized she had not gauged the situation as accurately as she thought she had. To her horror her boss discovered this scene in her office, recognized Harry and looked totally delighted.

"You sly thing!" she admonished Ginny, "You didn't tell me Harry Potter was your boyfriend!"

Ginny turned purple. Harry looked delighted and shook her hand with a huge grin.

"Of course, I understand why you keep it quiet," Headnurse Phillipa amended, "But can I just say, Harry, what a delight it is to meet you in person!"

"Lovely to meet you too," Harry returned genially.

"Do I ask too much," Headnurse Phillipa asked before Ginny had recovered enough to speak, "To see if you might visit the children's ward? They'd be so excited to meet you!"

Ginny's eyes widened further. Her boss banking on his fame! The horror! The disaster! The—"I'd be delighted!" Harry chimed happily and Ginny found herself following him numbly down the hall.

The children were of course delighted and Ginny was surprised to find Harry enjoyed it too. He related some of his school adventures with real relish and kept them enraptured for over an hour.

Ginny left for her rounds and returned to find him still there. He happily stayed on until her shift finished and reflected on the whole situation with real satisfaction as they left together. He chattered on about the children most of the walk back until finally noticing Ginny's silence.

He grew uncertain, "Did I overstep my bounds Gin? Did I come to your work too soon? I did, didn't I? I knew I'd bungle this up. I'm sorry I'm so over eager, I don't mean anything bad by it, I swear."

Ginny shook her head, "I'm surprised to see you find a place where your fame isn't a burden, that's all Harry."

He looked relieved, "I really did didn't I? It was….nice. I'd definitely do it again."

They picked up pizza's and headed back to her flat. Harry's satisfaction at the place came home to her more after seeing his. He put the pizza's in the oven to stay warm and then kept her distracted for over two hours before finally eating them.

And the chummy, late-night meal, half dressed and still humming with pleasure found together, was the nicest she'd ever had and her heart ached as she enjoyed it. Harry caught the slightly wistful look on her face as they finished and straightened, "What's this? Clearly I haven't done my job thoroughly enough. Back to bed!"

And he toted her laughing and struggling back to the bedroom as she protested, "I have to work tomorrow! We need to rest!"

But she didn't really mean it. And he knew it.

The week passed in a blur of such happiness and only on Friday night did reality crash back in.

After a long and satisfying shower Ginny headed towards the front door in her bathrobe to answer a very determined rapping at the door. She opened it to find Hermione looking worried on the other side.

"Finally! Why haven't you answered my owls?"

"Owls?"

Hermione sighed, "The life of a nurse I suppose! I haven't been able to find Harry all week! Did you end up finding him last Friday? Ron and I are really worried!"

At this moment Harry walked out of the bathroom in just a towel and called out cheerfully, "Who was it?"

He froze at the sight of Hermione who was gazing at him in open shock, "Harry?"

The sound of someone apparating nearby was the only noise in the sudden silence. Then Ron's voice, "Not at the pitch either….mmm do I smell pie?"

Harry tried in vain to hide but Ron caught him squarely in his towel and frowned, "Harry…what are you doing here? Is your shower broken?"

Then his eyes fell on Ginny her bathrobe, with wet hair. A slow thundercloud built up on his face.

"Wait a minute…what's going on here?"