12 September 1998

Hi love!

I know it's barely even been a week since you started school, but I wanted to make sure you knew that I miss you. I haven't written a letter in a long time, so bear with me. I hope you're enjoying your classes this year and taking all kinds of fun electives. What are you taking? How's everyone else? How's the school? Are there a lot of kids that came back? I know you weren't sure how many there were supposed to be this year.

Anyway, Diana misses you too. Not as much as me, though. I hope your Walkman's working all right! I should have another tape for you soon once I work out how to actually make them. Thought I knew what I was doing but turns out I actually have no idea. But I'm still trying!

Hope you're doing well anyway and eating plenty for me. Claire says hi, too!

Yours,

Lia

14 September 1998

You would have loved the start of term feast - they really went all out this year. I guess it was supposed to be a thank you to everyone who actually came back since they feel bad. There's are definitely fewer people, though. The tables are emptier, and things are quieter, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I can tell McGonagall's worried, though. All the professors are, really. No one's got any idea about what this year will be like. Understandably. They've already got us talking about NEWTS, but I think they're being a little lenient since we didn't really learn anything last year. Which is good because I wasn't looking forward to them then, and I'm not looking forward to them now.

You'll be happy to know I've decided to take COMC as one of my electives, just for you. You've probably heard it all already, but I know you love them and figured you'd be excited that I get to spend some time with them. I'm taking Muggle Studies, too. Otherwise it's the usual DADA, Charms, Herbology, Astronomy. Thank Merlin I at least managed to get out of having to take Potions.

Also, just wanted to let you know that they're delaying Hogsmeade weekends for a bit to make sure everything's safe so we can go back, but I promise I'll let you know as soon as we have the first one scheduled. Make sure you're off work because I already can't wait to see you. Quidditch starts back up in October, too, so come November, I better see you at all our games.

Thanks for trying with the tapes! If you don't figure it out, though, it's okay! I love the ones I already have. I've been listening to the Spice Girls one a lot, and I've even gotten some of the younger girls into them, too. Send Diana (and Claire, I guess) my love.

Yours,

Ginny

22 September 1998

You're taking COMC! Oh my God, Gin! I absolutely love that! You've got to tell me EVERYTHING. I mean it. With pictures! Now that you've got a camera! I need to see them ALL.

I'm sorry they're already making you think about NEWTS before you've barely even started, though! Doesn't seem fair at all! AND delaying Hogsmeade weekends on top of it?

Should be illegal, really. At least you've got Quidditch still. Hopefully everything stays safe for you. And if not, just think about all that Apparating practice we did and come straight here. Another one of the perks of living in Muggle London. But I don't want to think about that right now, okay? Only positive thoughts around those parts or we'll both get sad, and I don't want to be sad when I'm thinking about you. I want to be happy. Or excited. Or… excited. If you know what I mean.

Was that too much? It felt kind of weird to write. I know I could've just vanished it but I didn't really want to.

God I miss you so much. Hope I get to see you soon, either in person or when you're on a broom.

Lia

28 September 1998

Hogsmeade weekend's October 17th! Just found out!

Also, here's the best picture I could get of the dugbog we took care of last week. I admit, he was actually kind of cute. At least when he wasn't trying to trample us or anything. Or lick us to death. No one warned us about the tongues on those things!

I really can't wait to see you. Really. Fuck, I miss you so much. I'm going crazy. But we've started Quidditch practice at least, so that's always a good outlet when I can't stand it anymore. It's a good distraction.

Also, before I left, you mentioned a letter detailing exactly the things you'd like to do to me when we see each other again. If you could include that in your reply, I'd very much like to read it.

Please.

Ginny

1 October 1998

First, you're right. That dugbog is adorable. And definitely watch the tongues. They're longer than they look. I got my fair share of run-ins with them and it's not a good time. Levitating them by the tongue's kind of fun, though. Doesn't hurt them at all! Just makes them look silly!

Second, I finally figured out how to do the tapes, so there's one in here for you. Unfortunately, there's nothing inappropriate on it for you to listen to. It was hard enough just putting a song on!

That being said, I've got a room for us at Three Broomsticks for Hogsmeade. George said he'll cover for you with McGonagall and tell her you're staying with him for the night.

I'd rather just show you all the things I'd love to do than tell you, but I really do want to just hug you again. Wrap my arms around you. And kiss you. I really miss kissing you. I miss the way your hair feels around my fingers. And right now, I'd love nothing more than to kiss every single freckle, all the way down your arms, over your stomach, down your legs.

Between them. I've wanted to do that for a long time.

But again, I'd much rather show you. And I plan to in sixteen days.

Oh, track three on this tape is one of my absolute favourite songs. I just discovered it not too long ago, but it's perfect to listen to on a rainy day with a cup of tea. But what song isn't?

Love,

Lia

Ginny's jaw dropped, her mouth going dry at her girlfriend's words. Having no idea what Lia would respond with, she'd waited to read Lia's letter at bedtime, curtains pulled shut tightly around her bed to stop any prying eyes from looking over her shoulder. And she was glad she did. Lia's tongue had been on her neck plenty, over her collarbones and shoulders, flicking over her earlobes. She knew what it could do on her skin, and she could only imagine what it would feel like on her thighs and… Merlin, these were going to be the longest sixteen days of her life. She reached under her pillow for the album of pictures she'd taken, mostly of her and Lia, and flipped to her favorite one, taken right after the World Cup match, where their painted cheeks were pressed together and Lia had the biggest grin on her face. They didn't move like Wizarding pictures, but she loved them equally as much. Ginny ran her thumb over the image of Lia's lips slowly, letting out a deep breath.

She could work with this. Putting the album back and readjusting her pillow, she settled down under the covers and closed her eyes. She imagined her fingers were Lia's as she trailed them down her body and under the waistband of her sweatpants, imagining Lia's curls tickling the inside of her thighs.

Ginny wasn't even sure how to respond to Lia's letter, mostly because anything she could say back probably would have come out desperate and though Lia wouldn't mind her sounding desperate, she couldn't get herself to press the quill to parchment and even be able to articulate the thoughts she had. The very inappropriate thoughts she had. Even though she'd only been in school for a month, she couldn't wait to graduate. She knew she needed to start thinking about how to start her career, but currently, all she wanted to do next summer was spend every night with her body pressed against Lia's, using her warmth to fuel the fire raging in her heart.

Should she write that down?

As many times as she read Lia's letter, though, besides the whole kissing between her legs thing, she also couldn't stop reading over the fact that she signed it Love, Lia. It felt different somehow. More than Lia calling her love, as she'd done countless times. This felt close to the feelings Ginny was planning on telling her about next time they saw each other. She wouldn't admit it if anyone asked, but if she was being honest with herself… she loved Lia. She was in love with her. At least, whatever she thought being in love was supposed to feel like, that's what she felt. The way her heart raced whenever they hugged or the way she wanted to see her every day. The first person she wanted to open her eyes to in the morning and the last one she wanted to see before she fell asleep. Lia consumed her thoughts. It was maddening. She couldn't imagine not being with her. Even the thought of them not being together at some point ever made her sick to her stomach. She missed her all the time. She was the first person Ginny wanted to talk to about anything she was excited about or scared of or when she was upset or angry. Good grades, bad grades, good food. All of it. She wasn't sure when her feelings had shifted, and she'd deny it to anyone who said "I told you so" (her mother, for one), but Ginny was sure. She saw people in love all around her. Why couldn't she be one of them? Why shouldn't she be one of them when she was dating someone who she was pretty confident would be willing to accept it. And she'd been touching herself nearly every night just to the thought of her and how she knew Lia could make her feel. It was never as good as the real thing, but it at least tied her over. And Lia deserved to know.

One week before Hogsmeade weekend and Ginny couldn't concentrate. Her professors had to call on her multiple times before she realized. Friends were asking her if she was okay. Practices were going all right, but she needed more. She needed to wear herself out. She also hadn't listened to track three on Lia's tape. She wanted to save it, but miraculously, it hadn't rained in the past week. She was running out of time, though, if she wanted to listen to the whole thing before she saw Lia again, so even though it was perfectly sunny, as soon as she was done with classes, she ran to her dorm and pulled the Walkman from her trunk. Ginny always popped the tape out to make sure no one had taken it or tampered with it, but she hadn't read over the songs in a while, so she pulled it up. There, in Lia's bubbly handwriting, read Sunday Kind of Love - Etta James with a little heart drawn next to it. She'd never heard of Etta James, and she didn't think they'd ever listened to her before. This had become one of Lia's favorite songs, though, which meant it really meant something to her.

There were only a few people in the common room when she settled herself down on the couch, pulling the headphones over her ears and her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes so she could pay closer attention to the lyrics, to whatever message Lia was trying to convey. By the time it ended, she'd nearly forgotten she was in the common room, so wrapped up in the song and the lyrics. Lia wouldn't send her a song like that if she didn't feel the same way, would she?

Merlin, she loved that girl.

She ended up rewinding it and playing it back four times before she started on that night's homework.

Amidst the insane complaining, the practice she'd called the night before Hogsmeade actually did help her sleep. She was exhausted by the time it was over, though she always took a gamble whether the pressure of having a broom between her legs helped or made things worse. Luckily, that night helped, and she was able to fall asleep at a somewhat decent time. That, and the promise of what would be happening the next day. The earlier she fell asleep, the closer she was to tomorrow.

Harry nearly had to force her to eat breakfast. For some reason, she'd woken up nervous, like all the letters they'd sent back and forth and all the time she'd spent listening to the songs on the Walkman didn't mean a thing. Like Lia would take one look at her after all this time and decide that dating someone she couldn't see every day wouldn't be worth it.

"That girl is head over heels for you, Gin. A month isn't going to change her mind," Harry assured her. If Harry could see it, maybe he had a point.

She ran a hand through her hair to fix it and sighed. She already had on her favorite perfume and worn her cutest jumper, left her hair down like Lia liked it, mostly so she could play with it. She wondered if Lia would have her hair up or leave it down for Ginny to grab onto when Lia's face was buried between her legs. She promptly looked down at her food, not wanting to make eye contact with Harry anymore. She'd gotten so comfortable around her in the past four months, this was like the first date all over again. She'd hated the butterflies she thought she'd left behind.

Ginny just needed to say it. I love you. How hard could it be? She found herself mouthing the words over and over again on the carriage ride to the village, her heart beating so rapidly, she thought she might have felt it fluttering. She tried to distract herself by talking to her friends once she got there, since Lia said she'd meet her at the entrance. Students were excitedly flooding the shops, but she hung back, waiting for the masses to clear so she'd be able to pick her girlfriend out, but it was Harry who nudged her and tilted his head.

Lia was running towards her like Ginny was the only person in the world, and all of her doubts instantly vanished at the grin on her face. She met Lia's speed, colliding with her halfway with an oomph. Then, Ginny's feet left the ground as Lia lifted her in the air and spun her around before setting her back down. Ginny buried her face in Lia's neck, expecting to smell the usual green apple, but instead, she smelled like baked apples and cinnamon. Warmth. Comfort. Like home.

"God, I missed you so much, love," she whispered, pulling away to run her hand over Ginny's face. "Oh, you look incredible. Did you get the last tape I sent you? And did you see the note that came with it about track three?" She only stopped talking to cup Ginny's cheeks and kiss her like she couldn't wait anymore. It was what she'd been waiting for for nearly two months now. Lia's lips and nose were already cold, but Ginny found herself melting, the kiss going all the way to her toes, which curled in her boots. Ginny couldn't help but think about what else Lia would be kissing, and pulled away, worried that the moan about to leave her lips would be heard by everyone around them. She was already panting, looking into Lia's beautiful eyes, and pushed a curl behind Lia's ear.

"Hi," she breathed. "I missed you too. And… yes, I got your note about the song. It's… an incredible song. I've listened to it about ten times already. It's…" No, now wasn't the time. Not in public on a whim. "I love it."

"Good. So, eh, where do you want to go first? Are you hungry? Want to go visit George? Honeydukes?"

"Did you… get your room at the Three Broomsticks?" Ginny asked in a rush without trying to sound too desperate.

Lia laughed, looking Ginny up and down briefly. "I did. And George said McGonagall approved him returning you in the morning, so-"

"There, then. I want to go there."

"You're sure?" Lia smirked, and Ginny nodded frantically.

"Yes. Please."

"Well, since you asked so nicely." She threaded their fingers together and started pulling her down the street, keeping Ginny as close as possible.

She could tell Ginny was nervous. She'd been nervous herself when she hadn't received a response to her letter, but the way Ginny was acting, it wasn't for lack of excitement. Lia hadn't exactly planned on getting up to anything quite this early, but if that's what Ginny wanted, she wasn't about to tell her no. It had been a torture of her own to even write it in a letter and not be able to follow through for sixteen days. But now, Ginny was here next to her again, and she had a feeling once they got into that bed, they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

The song she'd sent had butterflies in her stomach, too. She had spent weeks finding the perfect one that wouldn't be too obvious if she didn't reciprocate, so Lia wouldn't embarrass herself by being too forward. Funny - telling Ginny she wanted to bury her head between her legs was no problem, but saying that she loved her was the thing she was worried about being too forward. It was a few minutes before they got to the Three Broomsticks, and Lia offered to buy drinks to warm them up, but Ginny shook her head and squeezed her hand tighter.

"I just… I want to…"

Lia grinned. "Okay, sweetheart," she muttered, making sure Ginny didn't think she was trying to stall. This was a delicate dance, and she had to pull it off. "That's fine." She pressed a kiss to the side of Ginny's head before picking up her key from the front desk. "Sorry it's not the best room here," Lia prefaced as they ascended the stairs. "They're… well, they're more than I thought they'd be and-"

"Stop. It's perfect. You could have rented us broom cupboard at the Shrieking Shack and I would have appreciated it just as much."

"Well, fuck, I should have just done that, then." Lia laughed. "Though the lack of heat might be a bit unappealing in this weather."

"I can think of a few ways to fix that."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Think I'd rather show you, if you don't mind." Probably the boldest thing Ginny was going to say all day.

Lia raised her eyebrows in a smirk, squeezing her hand. "There's an idea I can get behind."

When they swung the door open to the room, Lia wasn't even sure what to expect. She'd rented a room at the Leaky a couple times in an emergency, but she hadn't stayed here. She would much prefer taking Ginny back to her flat, but she didn't want to run the risk of Apparating her out of Hogsmeade. Plus, the Three Broomsticks was cozy. The room was nice - there was already a fire going in the fireplace, a plush four-poster bed, and several rugs to fight the chill of the floor. There was also a small desk with a chair. It was small, but what else did they need for the night? They'd only be using the bed anyway, wouldn't they?

Ginny walked in first, sitting her bag down on the bed before taking a seat herself, untying her boots, and sliding them off. "It's perfect, Lia. Stop worrying."

Lia closed the door behind her and took a deep breath. "I'm not," she half-lied. "I just… I wasn't sure what size it would be, that's all."

"Come sit. Come kiss me," Ginny said softly, reaching her hand out and pulling Lia down onto the bed with her. Lia set her bag down behind her, taking off her shoes too, and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her girlfriend's lips. Instantly, she felt better. Calmer. More grounded. More present.

They were together again. They had a room to themselves. They could be together all night, sleeping in the same bed all night. No interruptions. No parents. No roommates. No rules.

As soon as Lia's tongue dared its way into Ginny's mouth as her hand snaked around her waist, Ginny pulled away slowly and whispered, "Wait… wait, hang on."

"What's wrong, love?"

"Nothing, I just… before we get… started, I… I just wanted to, uh… well… can I just… say something stupid?" She shifted her position, taking both of Lia's hands in her own, then a deep breath.

"I'm sure it's not stupid, love, but go ahead, yeah."

Ginny cleared her throat. "Well, it… feels stupid. But I'm pretty sure it's… I mean, I can't imagine what else this would feel like and you don't have to say anything if you don't want to or believe me, but I figured that this might change your mind on today-"

"Change my mind? That makes me a little nervous…"

"No! Nothing bad, just… I felt like I should tell you because I don't know if I can keep from saying it much longer anyway, but-"

"You're rambling, sweetheart."

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, I just-" Ginny's heart was in her throat. Lia's eyes were almost too distracting, too expectant, too beautiful.

"Just tell me." She squeezed Ginny's hands, running her thumbs over the sides.

She'd rehearsed it so many times. It was an easy sentence - only three words. Three easy words, even. Three words she knew very well. All she had to do was open her mouth and say it. What was the worst that could happen, after all? Surely Lia wouldn't break up with her over it, would she? Ginny swallowed.

"I love you," she rushed out, met with a few seconds of silence. But Lia's lips curled up.

"You love me?"

Ginny nodded, unsure if she'd be able to say it again until she had an answer from Lia. She had one in the searing kiss that Lia planted on her lips, pushing her prone onto the bed with an exasperated laugh. "I love you too. I have. For a while. I just… I was waiting for you to say it first because I didn't want to scare you off-"

"How long?" Though Ginny couldn't fight the smile growing on her face, she needed to know. She needed to know how long Lia had been keeping it a secret, and how she possibly could have when Ginny had been having such a difficult time?

"Since… well, since that night at Hampstead Heath."

"So all it took was seeing me naked?" Ginny teased, but with Lia currently hovering over her, what position was she in to make such a joke?

"I mean, it just confirmed it, if anything," Lia assured her, reaching to stroke a finger over Ginny's cheek. "But I think I fell in love with you the second you walked through the door at Eeylops."

"No you didn't!"

"I did!"

Ginny bit her lip softly, a wave of relief washing over her now that the hard part of the conversation was done. "Can… can you say it again? Just to make sure, you know."

"I love you," Lia repeated, then once more in a whisper. "I love you. And I'm going to show you exactly how much I love you."

One of Lia's hands had already snaked under her jumper, and the gentle touch at her side made her squirm, letting out a giggle.

"You know I'm ticklish!"

"Where would you rather me put my hand, then?"

Ginny's breath caught at Lia's smirk with a whispered, "Oh." Suddenly, the room felt very hot as the gravity of the situation really settled in. No more would she have to dream about what Lia's tongue felt like. She'd be feeling it. It was a familiar set of nerves - no matter how ready she was for anything with Lia, anything new, anything more, brought on a moment of hesitance. This time, though, she pushed it aside. Lia loved her. Actually loved her. That thought alone made her clench her thighs together, a movement Lia apparently felt, because she purposefully slid her own between them instead, pressing right against Ginny's core, exactly where she needed it.

A loud moan she'd been holding onto for weeks sounded around them in the small room, and Ginny's hand flung to her mouth to keep anyone from hearing.

"Don't worry, love," Lia assured her, gently pulling her wrist down. "All the rooms are surrounded by silencing charms. I asked."

"You asked?!"

"Yeah. I want to hear you."

Ginny was always shocked at how effortless it seemed for Lia to say words that turned her brain straight to mush; maybe she'd learn to reciprocate eventually. "Well, now they know what we're getting up… Merlin, that feels so good." Lia had efficiently shut her up by pressing her thigh more firmly, resulting in Ginny adjusting herself so she could spread her legs a little wider.

"I think you're wearing a few too many pieces of clothing, wouldn't you say?" Ginny nodded quickly and released her grip on the comforter to let Lia lift her jumper over her head and toss it onto the floor. Ginny shivered at the temperature difference, but Lia just stared. "I missed looking at you." She dragged her finger across a constellation of freckles over Ginny's ribs, and the shiver that followed had nothing to do with the air.

Lia leaned forward to press a kiss where her finger had been, and Ginny arched her back slightly, reaching for Lia's jumper to pull it off as well. Once they were both in bras, Lia's lips found Ginny's again as her practiced hands disappeared between them to undo the button and zipper of Ginny's jeans.

In a moment of desperation and need, Ginny hooked her ankle over Lia's leg so that she could flip them. As much as she loved her girlfriend on top of her, Ginny loved seeing those gorgeous eyes looking up at her, and she knew Lia loved when she was on top, too. In fact, she had a feeling Lia preferred it most of the time, but given that one of them was much more experienced in these sorts of things, it made sense for Lia to take charge. Getting them naked, however, Ginny could do. She reached around to unhook Lia's bra from her back and pull it off her shoulders so it could join the rest of their clothes, then kissed the smile off her girlfriend's face as her own bra went into the pile thanks to Lia's lithe and talented fingers.

Lia groaned, gripping each side of Ginny's ribcage and pulling her further up on the bed in order to take a nipple into her mouth. Ginny dropped her chin to her chest as she moaned again, having nearly forgotten how amazing all this felt. All she could do was close her eyes and let herself get lost in the warmth and movement of Lia's tongue, flicking and swirling, sucking and teasing. Her hips canted forward involuntarily, and Lia's name fell out of her mouth in a combination of a moan and a whisper.

In response, Lia's fingernails gently raked over Ginny's back, which felt like heaven on her dry skin (she really needed to start using lotion), her hands slid under the waistband of her trousers and shoved them down beneath the curve of her ass, gripping it and pulling Ginny's pelvis flush with her own.

"I need you naked right now," Lia breathed against her already sensitive skin. Ginny could feel herself getting wetter with every word, every movement, every second, and she couldn't think of a truer sentiment herself. The fact that this started out with an I love you almost made her laugh.

Almost.

Because Lia's lips over her ribs were quickly distracting her from doing anything except just enjoying it, but she seemed to be kissing every single freckle, just like she'd promised. Ginny let out a sharp exhale. She could feel her own trousers and knickers sliding down her thighs, and she propped herself up on one arm to help Lia get them down the rest of the way, but unfortunately, she had to pull away to get them over her feet, sitting back on the bed to get them and her socks off in a position that had Lia staring.

"Well, I can't be naked while you've still got that much on," she managed to squeak out, nodding down to Lia's own bottom half, which was still very much covered.

"Oh. Yeah. Right. Sorry." She chuckled, taking the opportunity while Ginny was undressing to scoot off the bed and sliding the rest of her clothes off hurriedly.

"Everyone always makes this seem so much more… graceful, but I'm pretty sure my trousers have a mind of their own when I want to get them off."

Lia laughed, climbing back onto the bed sitting up on her knees. "Well, worst case scenario, I could always vanish everything all at once, but I know you like that jumper," she teased.

"You don't?"

"Oh, I do. But I like it better on the floor."

No matter how many times they'd been naked in front of each other, which was four now, (but who was counting?) they always took a moment to just look. It never lasted long, but Ginny loved the way Lia's eyes took a slow course over her body, darkening as they went. It made her nervous in the best way possible. She knew she'd been looking even better now with regular Quidditch practice and games, too. She felt stronger.

Lia crooked a finger at her and she was done for. Ginny moved forward, biting her lip. "Why do you look at me like that?"

"Because I love you," she said instantly, cupping Ginny's jaw for a kiss, one between each declaration. "I love your heart. I love your fire. I love your mind. I love your body. And I love the look on your face when…"

The eye contact was overwhelming when a featherlight fingertip brushed over her clit. Ginny's forehead fell onto Lia's shoulder as she shuddered in pleasure. "Fuck."

"Missed me?"

"Yes." Lia's finger moved again, pressing harder, rubbing properly, and Ginny's thighs couldn't handle it, she fell back to sit, and Lia took the opportunity to push her down by her shoulder with her other hand. She only let Ginny reposition her legs and untuck them from underneath her before Lia was over her again, kissing her like she couldn't help it, straddling Ginny's hips while her fingers worked their magic. And Ginny just took it, hands in Lia's hair. Anything Lia asked of her, she'd do right now. Without a second thought. She was malleable, like Lia's touches took away every ounce of free will for the promise of pleasure. But who better to trust than the girl she loved?

"I love you," she panted. "Fuck, I love you." Ginny was already getting close; Lia could tell by the way her hips were rocking against Lia's hand as Ginny tugged on her hair, trying to get as close to her as possible. She thought about making her wait, pulling her hand away and kissing down Ginny's body instead, but as desperate as her girlfriend was, she was worried about her own safety if she stopped. She'd gotten two consecutive orgasms out of Ginny before; she'd just have to do it again. A win-win in her eyes.

Lia explored down a little more to make sure Ginny was wet enough, and when she definitely was, Lia slid two fingers into her, toppling her over the edge. Ginny's cry of pleasure against her lips was music to her ears. The most beautiful symphony of breaths and moans with her own name hidden between them. And even more shocking, something she hadn't experienced yet, Ginny's teeth sinking into her shoulder, which only drove her fingers deeper, palm pressed against her clit.

And Lia didn't stop. She knew her shoulder was going to hurt, but this was worth it. Seeing Ginny come completely undone was worth it. Hearing her moans was worth it. Plus, Lia never had a problem with a little pain during sex. After a few more seconds, she slowed her movements once Ginny started breathing so heavily and quickly she was afraid she wouldn't be able to catch it.

"Breathe, love," Lia almost chuckled, kissing her forehead, then her cheek, then her nose.

Coming back to her senses, Ginny took a few deep breaths, her eyes opening to meet Lia's. "Oh my God." She couldn't recall ever hearing Ginny say that before, but it made Lia chuckle. "Shit. You're gonna have to give me a minute… can you…" Lia felt Ginny clench around her fingers, trying to pull her back in, "…pull out?"

Frustratingly slowly, the blonde pulled her fingers out and sat back on her heels, keeping her other hand on her girlfriend's thigh as she calmed down. Ginny was always a sight to see: hair a mess, lips swollen, chest flushed and heaving, hips shifting every couple of seconds, eyes closed in the pleasure of the aftershocks. It definitely never got old. Lia looked down at her hand and before she could change her mind, since she'd be down there soon enough anyway, she brought her fingers to her mouth and licked them clean. Ginny's eyes widened at the sight once they opened, watching her carefully. She gulped.

"Is it… does it… uh… how is it?"

"Delicious."

Ginny felt her mouth go dry, but Lia was coming towards her again, pulling her in for another kiss, and she may have just been imagining things, but she could have sworn she could taste herself. The thought alone had her painfully aroused again, letting out a soft moan into Lia's mouth. Then Lia was kissing down her jaw, nipping at her neck, and Ginny couldn't help but lie back once more. Her chest rose and fell harshly with heavy breaths as Lia's lips made their way down her body, making a brief stop at each of her nipples, clearly fighting between the urge to hurry up and get to her destination and the urge to take her time. Every once in a while, her kisses would get softer and her eyes would flick up to meet Ginny's.

Ginny's abdomen twitched under Lia's tongue, and her head tilted back as soon as she felt lips on her hipbones. Her hips rocked slowly while her hands ventured down into her girlfriend's hair again, knowing they would end up there before long.

But she passed it entirely, favoring kisses to her thighs, and Ginny whined, widening the gap between her legs so Lia could settle in properly. "Are you okay, love? Want me to keep going?"

Once Ginny remembered to breathe, she nodded and whispered, "Yes. Please. Please keep going." Whatever reservations she had, she couldn't even think of them. Nothing mattered except Lia getting her mouth on her. She couldn't describe the feeling of Lia's lips on the skin on her inner thighs, but it was incredible. Everything was so soft: her lips, her breath, her hair, the way she brushed the tip of her nose inches from her core. Her grip tightened, pulling her closer, every second becoming increasingly desperate.

She didn't hate this teasing, only because she knew what the end result was going to be. She was also still amazed at the things Lia could make her feel. How she could read her body like they'd been together for years. She supposed that came with experience, but it was a dichotomy from her own still-hesitant touches. Ginny was afraid of inadequacy, and especially after the orgasm she just had, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever be able to make Lia feel that good, too.

For the moment, though, her brain short-circuited as Lia finally stopped her teasing and licked one firm stripe though her folds. "Oh, fuck," she whispered, using the hand not in Lia's hair to grip the pillow next to her head so hard she knew her knuckles were white. Her back arched off the bed, but Lia kept going, swirling her tongue around her clit, flicking it with the tip, sucking it into her mouth, then flattening her tongue and licking her again, moaning against her the whole time. Ginny had never felt anything so good in her life. Her ability to form coherent words had ended about fifteen seconds in; currently, the only thing she wanted to do was grab Lia's hair and hold her down, to never let her stop, to make her keep going as long as she possibly could, because she never wanted it to end. She could feel another orgasm quickly approaching, but tried to hold off even though her breathing was coming out in rattles, afraid that it would be over. It was the same magic Lia used every time she kissed her, except somewhere much more sensitive.

"Lia…" she panted, impressed that she even managed that. It was barely a breath, barely a word, but as soon as it left her lips, Lia changed tactics. Instead of focusing on her clit, she began lapping at her entrance, drinking her in and only pausing long enough to breathe, which came in heavy pants between her own moans. Ginny bucked her hips and Lia stilled her movements, just letting her girlfriend rock against her tongue. This was better than anything she could have imagined, and when Lia wrapped an arm around her leg to hold her closer, digging her nails into the sensitive skin of her thigh Ginny was falling over the edge again, nearly riding her face through it and letting out a sob. A couple tears fell down her cheeks from the intensity of it all, but her smile nearly reached both her ears.

It felt like it took her forever to recover, but once she caught her breath, she dared looking down to find Lia with a Cheshire smile, licking her lips and giggling. It was the most beautiful thing Ginny had ever seen.

"I lied," Ginny sighed, leaning her head back against the pillow. "I fucking hate you."

Lia crawled up to lie on her side next to her, leaning in to press a kiss to Ginny's neck. "What?" she laughed. "After all that?"

"Because of all that. And the fact that I won't be able to experience it every night." Lia laughed again, burying her face into where Ginny's neck met her shoulder. "You're next, I promise."

"I don't think you can move right now, sweetheart."

Ginny attempted to prove her wrong, but when she commanded her arm to move from its position still next to her head, her body flat out told her no. Her limbs felt heavy. Everything felt heavy. "Okay, well… maybe you're right. But I don't want you to… to think I don't want to…"

"Don't worry, love. I, eh, took care of that while I was down there," she admitted, leaning in, then stopping before she reached Ginny's lips. "Can I kiss you?"

"Always," Ginny answered, leaning in and smiling into it as she definitely tasted herself on Lia's tongue this time. "Yeah, not too bad."

"Told you," Lia whispered once she moved away to tug the blanket up over them and wrap her arm around Ginny's waist, nuzzling in again, and Ginny managed to turn over towards her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Oh good. Glad we're back to that."

Ginny chuckled, closing her eyes. "We are."

"Hey. Before you fall asleep-"

"Loo, I know," Ginny groaned. "Why do you always remind me after we get comfortable?"

Lia whispered a soft "sorry" as Ginny wrenched herself out of the bed and make her way to the toilet. She stretched under the blanket, watching her until the door closed. Ginny loved her. Loved her. The feeling never got old. It felt different this time, too. More real. More… right. And she knew that wasn't just the hormones talking. She didn't want to get ahead of herself, but how much more could she feel? Ginny was flushed as she came back to the bed, laughing as she crawled back under the blanket.

"You left me in a right state, didn't you?" she grinned, running her hand through her hair.

"The only way I like to leave you." Lia smirked. "Anything you want to do for the rest of the day?"

"Maybe lunch? I guess I do need to go see George at some point, too," she chuckled. "Hate for him to change his mind and McGonagall Disapparates me out of here or something during an inopportune moment because I never showed back up at the school."

"Yeah, we definitely need to go see him, then. Eventually. Lunch isn't for another hour or so."

"You haven't worked up an appetite?" Ginny teased.

"Nah, I just had a perfectly good snack."

"Merlin." Ginny rolled her eyes playfully, burying her face in the pillow. "I see the awful jokes haven't subsided over the past month."

"Never."

After Ginny had finally managed to regain just enough energy to return the favor, glad she was able to make Lia moan her name as well, they ended up going downstairs for lunch, sitting as close as possible in a corner booth, before heading to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It wasn't a far walk, but Ginny frowned as they approached the front door to find a sign hanging on it.

"Closed for lunch?" Ginny read. "Since when?"

Lia shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe they weren't too busy today."

"It's a Hogsmeade weekend. Busiest times of the year. Or… should be, anyway." She let go off Lia's hand to pull out her wand, unlocking the door and pushing it open. "Hello? George?" The door swung shut behind them, but there was still no answer.

"George?" Lia echoed, heading towards the back to the Floo Lounge. They'd set it up to go between stores, but it didn't look like it had been used recently. "Not in the Floo," she called as she walked back.

"Well, where the hell is he, then? He's not in the store, not in the Floo… maybe downstairs? I know it's hard to hear stuff down there."

"Yeah, worth a shot. If not, maybe Ron'll know where he went. I'm sure they saw him this morning."

Clutching hands again so Ginny could try to hide her nerves, they made their way down the stairs to the cellar. Ginny knew everything would be fine; it had to be. There were plenty of reasons why they'd be closed for lunch, and most of them didn't include any emergency of something having happened to George. He could have Apparated somewhere, or gone to lunch himself. Or maybe he needed to go out for some supplies. She took a few deep breaths. Everything was fine.

They hit the bottom of the stairs and heard George's voice, and Ginny relaxed immediately.

"Claire, we're not turning those into a bloody futon; it's inventory."

"You can change it back! Look, all I'm saying is it might be a bit more comfortable if I didn't have to bend over boxes!"

"Well, it's not like I planned on shagging you down here when I bought the place, did I?"

Ginny and Lia looked at each other with wide eyes, Lia trying to suppress a smile and Ginny cringing at the thought of what had just occurred.

"I think he might be in the cellar!" Lia called suddenly, taking a couple dramatic stomps down the stairs in order to at least give them a heads up so they wouldn't walk into anything.

When they finally peeked around the corner, Claire was standing against one wall in her bra and knickers, while George rushed to put his pants back on. "What are you doing?! Aren't you getting dressed!"

Claire just shrugged, completely unbothered. "Nothing everyone here hasn't seen before."

Lia gave Claire a lingering once over (good to know she'd been wearing her belly button piercing again), cleared her throat softly, then turned to George. "Right. We were just stopping by to say hello and to thank you for letting Ginny stay with me tonight."

"Do you, uh… 'close for lunch' every day now or…?" Ginny asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"No," George said as he slid his shirt over his head. "This is not a regular occurrence, nor will it be if she keeps trying to convert my products into furniture."

"We've got magic, George! Not like it's hard."

"But you're welcome," he continued. "Anything to keep my little sister happy."

Ginny raised and eyebrow. "Well, that sounds like you want something."

George raised his hands in surrender. "I don't! I promise! Honestly. Just like seeing you with something to look forward to, that's all. I know we haven't exactly gotten a lot of that lately."

Lia leaned to press a kiss to Ginny's cheek, who was smiling softly. "Oh," Ginny whispered. "Well… thank you. It means a lot. To break the rules for me."

"Ah. Far from the first time I've done it. Far from the last, I'm sure."

"Well… we'll leave you two to uh… whatever it is you're doing." Ginny cleared her throat, giving George a one-armed hug. "Bye, George. Bye, Claire." She started to move to give Claire a hug, then changed her mind. "Sorry. You can keep my brother's germs to yourself."

"Fair enough. Lia?" She held out her arms.

"Ehm… no thanks. Too much… boy on you," she laughed, shaking her head.

"Spoilsports."

"Come on, Gin. We'll leave these two lovebirds alone. There are actually a couple things I want to pick up from Honeydukes, so… we should go. But have fun. See you back home, Claire."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"I've done a lot of things you wouldn't do," she called with a grin as she took Ginny's hand and led her back out onto the street.

"Do you have to keep reminding me?" they heard George call after them in exasperation.

20 October 1998

Just wanted to let you know that last weekend was the best weekend of my life. Okay, maybe second to your birthday party for me. But a very close second, if not the same level. I haven't been able to stop thinking how everything felt. It made me miss you more, though. I forgot how much I missed sleeping next to you, too. You just make me feel so loved and safe and warm. And I know I told you all of this already, but I can't wait until I graduate. I'm counting down the days. (It's 243, by the way.) And I'm really excited about Christmas, so long as Mum says it's okay. I'm not sure how she'll feel about me spending the first Christmas without Fred in an entirely different country, but I'll ask once it gets closer. I'm honored you asked me to spend it with you, though. Really.

Classes are getting better. We're doing more in DADA so I can actually feel accomplished, and I feel like the dugbog from the beginning of the year is really coming around. He even let me pet him the other day, and I've been the only one in class able to, so maybe I was channeling you there. I just wish I didn't have so much homework. I'm hoping it'll let up as the year goes on, but at least I've got all of your music to help me get though it.

We've got a game against Hufflepuff next Thursday. I'd love if you can make it. And yes, that's halfway just me wanting to see you again, even from a distance. I promise I won't get distracted. As long as you're cheering on Gryffindor, of course. I can't allow the house favouritism.

Love and miss you,

Gin

24 October 1998

239 now. You're welcome. It'll go by in a blink, don't worry. I can't wait, either, because then I can see you as much as I want and we don't have to worry about a stupid little thing like school getting in the way. I'm glad you're enjoying your classes, though! DADA sounds great for you! Hope you're showing everyone up, because both of us know you're a better witch than anyone in that class. And don't roll your eyes at that, because I know you are. I've seen what you can do, Gin. You're an incredibly talented witch. Talented at lots of things.

Speaking of which, last weekend was amazing for me, too. Always happy to teach you some new skills. Hope you still don't hate me for it, though. Because for what it's worth, I can't stop thinking about it either. And I'm going to shut up about it now so I don't get myself, or you, all worked up any more than I already am.

Kill the mood, I'm talking about that dugbog. I'm glad you got him to come around! I'm proud of you for putting yourself out there! Especially considering how finicky those things can be.

Don't stress about coming for Christmas if you can't. It'll be a hard holiday for your family, so I don't blame you if you want to be with them for it. We'll have plenty more holidays to spend together. You don't have to decide anything right now, though. There's still time to figure things out.

Also you bet I'll be at that game next week. And sitting on the lions' side for you, of course. House pride isn't nearly as strong as girlfriend pride.

Love and miss you more,

Lia

31 October 1998

232! I like this game. Hope we can keep it up.

It seems faster when we're counting down, I think. First order of business - next Hogsmeade visit is the 14th. Hope I can see you again, but I doubt you'll be able to steal me overnight. That's fine, though, I guess. I'm trying to find a good time to ask Mum about Christmas, but I'd rather do it in person and I'm not sure when I'll get to see her, which is kind of making things hard here. I really do want to spend it with you. I hope it'll be… happier with you and your parents than with my family. Not that I don't want to be there for them, but maybe I'm planning on a little bit of avoidance, because right now, that sounds easier.

Sorry, I didn't mean to bring the mood down. I just miss you a lot and it's kind of putting a damper on things. But the castle's all decorated and I wish you could see it.

I've been spending a lot of time with Hermione and Luna lately. They've been a great distraction and helping me a lot. For some reason, these last couple of weeks since we got back from Hogsmeade have been really hard. I don't want you to think it's because of you. I'm enjoying classes, but I feel the happiest when I'm either playing Quidditch or with you, which just makes being at school harder.

Halloween was Fred's favourite holiday.

Love,

Ginny

4 November 1998

I know it's hard, love. I'm glad you're surrounding yourself with people who care a lot about you, and I'm really sorry I can't be there and with you when you need it. It's good you've got those two. Everyone there, really. And I'm proud of you for letting them help. I know you like to prove yourself, but this isn't always something you can work through alone. Just keep focusing on the things you love, and the good things you're getting to do. There's just a month and a half left until Christmas break. Like I said, don't feel any pressure to come home with me. As long as I get to see you at some point, I'll be happy.

We did spend some time with George on Halloween. Claire made all his favourite foods and he came over to watch all of Fred's favourite Halloween movies with us. Wish you could have been there.

You're allowed to be upset, you know. About Fred. About me. About school. About all of it. It's all right. You can talk about it, too. I mean, you know I don't mind. You're not going to be happy all the time, even when you're with me. I know it's easier to talk about things in person, but if you've got to get something off your chest, don't be afraid to write it and send it. Or write it and don't send it, if you don't want. Write it and throw it in the fire or something. I've done that before.

I hate giving you ways to get through things without me, when I can't be there to touch you or hug you, but just pretend I am, all right? I'd sit on the couch and let you lay your head in my lap while I play with your hair. Then you'd close your eyes and fall asleep. Eventually I'd have to get up and go back to my own common room or we'd have to part ways from wherever we were.

Okay, maybe that's a bad idea after all. It's just making me miss you more! LOL. That means laughing out loud. Not that any of this is particularly funny. Maybe chuckling out loud.

Now I'm the one ruining the mood.

Of course I'll be at Hogsmeade. We don't need a room. As much as I love getting my hands on you, I love just hanging out, too. As long as I get to kiss you almost as much as I want to, I'll be all right. Surely there's a perfect side street. Or under a bridge. I'm not picky.

See you sooner than you think.

I love you so, so much.

Lia

17 November 1998

So glad I got to see you over the weekend! And I'm glad you're feeling better, too. Hope this will help.

Love you!

Attached to Lia's letter, the thump that had landed before the owl did on the table had everyone around her looking in her direction. It was an oddly shaped package, which, coming from Lia, could be just about anything. She hesitated to open it under such expectant eyes, but surely Lia wouldn't have sent her something inappropriate through the school mail, right?

She decided to take a chance, peeling open a corner of the wrapping to take a peek. Why did everyone have to be so nosy?

Oh. She tore it open more to… yes. Pumpkin pasties from Lia's mum. She'd had them a couple times, and Ginny was absolutely addicted to them. Also in there were cookies, tea bags, and a pair of burgundy wrist warmers.

It almost brought Ginny to tears. She'd sent a care package full of Ginny's favorite things. She even brought one of the tea bags to her nose - peppermint.

"Are those from Lia's mum?" Harry asked across the table.

"Yes. And no, you can't have one."

He sighed in defeat. "I'll do your homework for you."

Next to him, Hermione snorted but quickly covered it with an incredibly forced cough.

"She's my girlfriend," Ginny continued. "Tell her you want some for Christmas, then. My girlfriend. My pasties. My cookies."

Harry grumbled into his plate, stabbing his dinner while Hermione just rolled her eyes playfully. "I think it's very sweet that she sent those to you, Ginny."

"It is. And these will come in handy soon!" She carefully untied the ribbon from around the gloves and slid them on. They fit perfectly, like they were knitted directly around her hands. The thought that Lia had been able to describe their exact size made Ginny laugh.

"You got the okay from your mum?" Neville chimed in, suddenly excited. It had been a strange couple of months for him as he figured out what he wanted to do, so he'd begun using anything interesting in anyone else's lives to make up for the sudden lack of excitement in his own, especially without Lavender there to keep him on his toes.

"Yes. Well… she wasn't thrilled, but she understood. I mean, she understands. I know it'll be weird for all of us, but… maybe if it's not only one of us that's not there, it'll be a little easier? I dunno." Ginny shrugged, dragging her fingertips over the yarn. "And I want to meet Lia's parents anyway and apparently they're dying to meet me, so this is a good chance to get everything out of the way at once."

"So we're all meeting the parents over Christmas, then, huh?" Harry laughed, though a little nervously.

"You said you wanted to go, Harry-"

"I do! I do! Doesn't mean I can't be nervous."

"Mum and Dad will love you. Don't worry. I've talked you up so much that I don't think they believe there's a bad bone in your body."

"So you didn't mention that I actually killed someone?"

"No, of course not!"

"Well, as long as that doesn't slip out, I'm sure we'll be just peachy, then."

"I'll be coming to the Burrow," Katie decided. "I… well, I mean I could go home but… you lot are more fun most of the time anyway." She laughed, resting her head on Ron's shoulder. "I like your parents more than mine. I like your house more than mine. So just throw a ginger wig on me and I'll just pretend to be Ginny. Problem solved."

"Please don't do that," Ron said pointedly.

Katie just grinned, leaning up to press a kiss to Ron's cheek. "Don't worry, Ronniekins. I know you want me nowhere close to being your sister."

"Disgusting," Ginny agreed, pulling one of the cookies out of the pack and biting into it.

"Now you know how we feel!" Ron argued.

"But Katie's here. The mental images when you two are both in front of me are much worse than when I don't have to watch it."

Katie grinned playfully. "Get used to it, Gin. Sorry."

"Good thing I'm not going home for Christmas, then."

"Good thing we're not going, either." Harry laughed.

"Oh, yeah, we all know how much you care about our sex life, Harry," Ron snickered, and Katie couldn't help but laugh too while Harry's face fell.

"It was an accident, okay!?"

"Sure, mate. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Ginny couldn't let her worry for her mum get in the way of spending her Christmas with Lia, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she watched everyone bicker, knowing the holidays would be quiet. The Burrow would be emptier than usual with her, Harry, Hermione, and Fred not being present. It wasn't avoidant, though. Eventually, she knew she'd have to get into the habit of maybe not spending every holiday with her family, like Bill and Fleur and Charlie did, and after not seeing Lia all term, she wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Maybe next year, they could all have Christmas together again: the Weasleys, the Grangers, and the Mahers. What a wonderful mess that would be.