Ginny groaned as the sun slanted in through her window. The rays of light hit her directly in the face. "Stupid window," she grumbled as she stumbled out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.
She had had little sleep the night before. The only thing that kept replaying in her mind was Harry defending her. Then it would move on to images of them almost kissing. By now Ginny was completely frustrated. She wanted her kiss! His lips were just too tempting to pass up.
As she turned on the water she grabbed a towel to set out for when she was done. She still couldn't grasp why he was helping her, why it meant anything to him. It brought a warmth to her heart that she had never thought possible when he said that to her.
Everything just seemed to feel so…so right when we are together, she thought to herself. To think it's only been one day at school and I've already got someone in a duel in my defense.
Ginny sighed heavily as she stepped into her shower. I wonder what Ron's problem was yesterday. He didn't seem happy at all and I just can't seem to figure out why. It's not like he has any reason to hate Harry or anything. Though I wish he hadn't come when he did.
Now that I think about it Danielle didn't even say anything.
Ginny was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even hear the bathroom door open. Harry, who had not slept that well, was not paying attention to his surroundings. His mind was set on a certain red head that just happened to be taking a shower as he walked into the bathroom.
It took both of them a few minutes to realize what was going on. Ginny screamed, Harry turned to run, and one of them ended up on the floor.
Ginny quickly turned off the water and wrapped her towel around herself as she rushed over to where Harry now lay unconscious. "I'm so blaming Neville for this," she mumbled as she bent next to him.
"Harry, Harry," she called softly as she shook him. Realizing it was a useless attempt she looked around for her wand. Then it hit her that it was probably in her room. Getting to her feet she hurried to her room to grab her wand.
She knelt beside him as she cast a quick spell. Harry groaned as he tried to sit up.
"Lay down," she told him. "You hit your head pretty hard."
"Oh," he said weakly as he kept his eyes shut. After a moment he realized that was a bad thing considering that when he closed his eyes he could only see Ginny. Harry decided it would probably be a good idea to keep his eyes open for a while. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Ginny couldn't help but grin down at him. "Don't worry about it. We'll just have to make a schedule so this doesn't happen again." Not that I mind in the least. She thought to herself. It was hard for her eyes not to linger on his well-muscled chest.
"That might be a good idea. My head is killing me," he groaned.
"Well you're in luck."
"Oh?" he asked, his eyes locking on to hers.
"Yes. You just happen to be in the presence of the best healer in the castle next to Madam Pomfrey. But between you and me I'm a bit better."
"Really?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes," Ginny said. "Just relax and this will all go easier."
Ginny moved to sit at the top of his head. He leaned his head back so he could look up at her. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to get rid of your headache. You'd be amazed at how much your body can do on it's own. Just close your eyes and relax," she said in a soothing voice as she began to massage his temple.
Harry gazed up at her for a moment before his eyes slid shut. He quickly opened them again as he saw images of Ginny in the shower.
"Relax," she said calmly.
"That's not that easy to do," he said in a low voice.
"Oh really? Why is that?"
"Because every time I close my eyes I see you in the shower."
Ginny couldn't help the blush or the grin that spread across her face. "Well, we will just have to make the situation even soon."
Harry's eyes met hers and he grinned slyly. "We might just have to do that."
She shook her head. She had never flirted this much in the whole time she had been at school here. Now, she couldn't help herself. "I'll be looking forward to it."
His grin grew wider as he gazed up at her. Ginny's hands were easing his headache, but he wasn't about to tell her that. The feel of her hands was sending tingles all through him.
It took him a moment to realize that her eyes would stray to his chest. He knew that she noticed how his gaze lingered below her shoulders but she didn't say anything.
"Let's get you up," she said in a soft voice.
Harry nodded his head as she helped him sit up. He groaned as his head began aching. Ginny moved behind him, her hands on his back so that he wouldn't fall. Chills ran up and down his spine as her hands touched his back.
"Careful now Harry, you'll be dizzy if you keep moving so fast," she told him. A smug smile crossed her faced as she watched him visibly shiver when her breath touched the back of his neck.
"Right," he said. A grin spread across his face as he got an idea. He tried to stand and 'accidentally' slipped. Ginny was startled and didn't have time to catch him. Harry fell back into Ginny, who barely managed to hold them up.
Ginny quirked an eyebrow as she looked down at Harry. He sat between her legs, his head resting back against her chest. There was a devilish glint in his eyes as he gazed up at her.
"Oops, I think the floor is wet," he said lightly.
"It must be," she agreed with a smile. "Comfortable?"
"Very much so actually."
"You do realize how inappropriate this is?"
"How so?" He asked as he let his hands rest on her ankles.
"Well for one, I am in nothing but a towel. You are in just a pair of boxers, which are really cute by the way. And not only that, but you are lying between my legs using my chest as a pillow."
"It's a very nice pillow too."
Ginny laughed. "I'm not sure if I should be thrilled or not. Most girls don't like being told they work as good pillows."
"True, but I didn't mean all of you."
"So just my chest?"
"Yes."
She shook her head and Harry just grinned at her. "If you want, I can leave you alone and let you finish your shower," he suggested.
Ginny was sorely tempted to say something but changed her mind. "You can leave if you want," she said with a shrug.
Harry grinned up at her, hoping that would be her answer. "I think I'll stay here. You are much more comfortable then my bed anyway."
"Again I don't know if I should be insulted or pleased by that."
"Good point," Harry said. He turned around so that he was fully facing her. Ginny's breath caught in her throat as she found herself face-to-face with him. His dazzling green eyes bore into hers, making her weak. His hands were placed on either side of her, his fingers brushing hers.
"You know in a week I'll be dueling Professor Snape in your honor," he said quietly.
"I know and I still owe you," she said just as softly as he did. She was having a hard time concentrating with him so close. His breath was warm against her neck.
"You don't owe me anything Ginny."
"I do and I intend to pay you back Harry."
He gazed at her and leaned towards her. Ginny didn't wait this time, she didn't want to lose yet another chance to feel his lips against hers. Her hand moved to the back of his head pulling his head down towards her. Their lips met and Ginny could swear she saw fireworks.
Just as Harry was pulling her closer a loud knock on the door made them break apart.
"What!" They both snapped loudly.
"I wonder if this is how they treat all of their friends?" A very distinct female voice said. Ginny cringed as she realized it was Lily.
"Honestly, no wonder no one comes to visit," James said as well.
"Maybe they want some space?" Danielle suggested.
"They?" Lily and James said together.
The two exchanged glances. Ginny broke out of his grip and pushed him towards his room. He stumbled into his room as the bathroom door closed and he heard the shower start up again. With a shake of his head he pulled a shirt and a pair of shorts on and headed down the stairs. He opened the door to see his parents and Danielle waiting for him.
Danielle took one look at him and was grinning happily. About time! She thought to herself. Lily caught Danielle's smile and raised a questioning eyebrow at her. Danielle only shook her head indicating she would tell her mother later.
"Aren't you ready yet?" James asked his son.
"For?"
"Our morning exercises. Come on Harry you can't be slacking that badly."
"Sorry Dad. I'll go get changed."
"Meet me on the pitch in ten minutes."
"Will do," Harry said as he sprinted towards his room. He quickly changed into his exercise outfit and was about to go into the bathroom when he realized the water was still running. With a small smile he headed back down to the common room. His mother and sister were already gone and he knew his dad was out on the pitch.
"They already gone?" Ginny questioned as she headed down her stairs. She wore a black shirt and a pair of blue jean shorts that went to the middle of her thigh. She had a towel in her hand as she worked on drying her hair.
"Yes, they just stopped by."
"Where are you running off to?"
"Practice with my dad."
"That explains a lot," Ginny said with a grin.
He smiled at her. "So what do you do?"
Ginny smiled at him. "You'll have to figure that out on your own."
"I think I'm up to it."
"You'd have to be. Have fun."
"I will."
"Now care to explain to me what all of that was about?" Lily asked her daughter.
"They've managed to get enough time to kiss," Danielle said with a smug grin.
"And that means what exactly?"
"That their magic has already begun to weave together. Now the only thing we need to do is make sure that they get a bit more time together. The longer they are together the quicker they will become 'complete'."
"I thought we weren't allowed to influence their relationship?"
"We aren't, we are just giving them more time to spend together."
"I see," Lily said. "She's the perfect girl for him."
"She is," Danielle agreed with a smile.
News of the upcoming duel spread through the school like wild fire. There were many variations to what was true and what was not. Draco and his cronies were gone from the Slytherin house and it seemed as if a giant weight had been lifted.
The girls in the house were a lot more open and flirted amongst the various houses. Even the boys had a visible change in their attitudes. Professor Potter, James that is, was placed as head of the Slytherin house. He made sure to keep a good eye out on the students.
Ginny was quite pleased with the change in her fellow housemates and the entire school in general. The only problem she had was the amount of flirting and attention that the girls were showering Harry with. Since their kiss in the bathroom they just couldn't seem to manage any time together.
The most contact she had managed was the looks they shared during each meal. They always just seemed to miss each other and she couldn't stand it. Ever since that kiss her body and mind had been yearning for him. It was a startling discovery but one she would deal with. She wanted to be with him, never realizing that he was suffering just like she was.
Neither of them knew of what her friends had planned for their time together.
Lily shook her head as she watched the two in her class. Ginny sat on the other side of the room between Pansy and Daphne. The three girls were very talented so they sat and talked through most of the class, mainly Pansy and Daphne. Harry sat beside a different girl every day. She could tell her son didn't care much for the attention he was getting. No matter who the girl was or how beautiful she was, his eyes would always stray towards Ginny.
Danielle had said it would cause problems if they remained further apart. It was then that James had come up with his brilliant scheme. While it wasn't intended to target Harry and Ginny, it would allow them some time together. Instead it was targeted at Hermione Granger. She had approached James with the idea of having a school wide dueling session. It would allow the students from different houses to interact more.
James had readily jumped at the chance and so that began the new gossip flowing through the school. Partners were drawn at random by Professor McGonagall and the students were told at dinner.
Danielle was laughing her head off when she heard about the idea, already knowing something Lily didn't know. After the announcement of who the partners were Lily understood. Somehow Ginny and Harry managed to be teamed together for the contest.
Ginny woke on the morning of the duel feeling queasy. She had had trouble sleeping that night and she felt nervous. Yesterday they had announced the partners of who would be competing in the school wide tournament. With a heavy sigh she tossed the blankets aside. She had given up on the idea of sleeping tonight.
Glancing at her clock she saw that it read four in the morning. Shaking her head she made her way into the common room. She was a bit surprised to see Harry sitting on the couch gazing into the fire.
"Hey," she said softly as she sat down beside him. "Couldn't sleep?"
"No," he said quietly as he turned to look at her. "Couldn't sleep either?"
"No."
The two sat in relative silence, both of them gazing into the fire.
"You'll be safe right?" Ginny asked suddenly.
"I'll do my best," he said quietly making Ginny turn to look at him. His gaze was locked on the fire.
She bit her lip before leaning forward to kiss him on the lips. It was short and over before Harry realized what had happened. "Be safe for me," she whispered in his ear.
He could hear the worry in her voice and when he gazed into her eyes he could see the fear. Harry pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I promise," he whispered in her ear.
Ginny curled up against him, wrapping one of her arms around him. She inhaled deeply and smiled as she cuddled closer to him. Harry smiled as well as he held her closer. The two sat like that until they drifted off into sleep.
Danielle opened the door to the common room and smiled slightly as she saw them. They were lying down on the couch. Ginny laid half on top of Harry, her head resting on his chest. Harry had an arm wrapped around her the other held her hand in his. She could see their magic building around them as they finally began to spend the time they needed together.
She quietly approached the two, not really wanting to wake them but knowing she had to. "Ginny, Harry, you need to get up," she said as she shook them gently.
Ginny's eyes slowly opened. "Hi Danielle," she said sleepily.
"Morning. You two need to get up."
Ginny nodded her head as she slowly brought herself up. She smiled down at Harry, who was still fast asleep. Danielle slipped out of the room unnoticed.
"Harry, it's time to get up," she whispered to him.
"I don't want to," he said.
"You need to," she told him as she bent down to kiss the corner of his mouth. His eyes opened and he smiled as he saw Ginny leaning over him.
"Alright I'm up," he said. "So what do I get?"
"To take a shower," she said with a smile. "You have a duel to win my prince."
Harry smiled. "Going to join me?" He asked with a wicked grin on his face.
"Keep dreaming wonder boy. I'll meet you in the Great Hall for breakfast."
Ginny moved off of him and up to her room.
A/N: I know, doesn't the title just say it all? Alright next chap is the duel and I have a bit of bad news. I know I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Ne how my best friend has put a er...deadline on this story she wants me to write, I have two months but the best part is, I write it at school, unless by some odd mood I do it at home, which is rare, but alas I may not have much time to keep writing. Although, Deadly Curse I just completed a chapter and now I believe I have a bit more for this to go. I'm not sure how far this is going to span. Thus far it has 13 chapters although thirteen is about a page or so off from completion. So I have some time to get this all sorted out.
I will, however, go ahead and update tuesday as I fear I'm about to get into some serious trouble, but I'll live. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I liked it, of course I wrote it...ne wyz drop a review if you have the time until the next update, bye!
Seritha
p.s. thanks for the review story-angel it was hilarious, I loved it. lol and in honor of that review this chapter is dedicated to you!