Ginny had had a busy morning. She'd woken and gone for a run. When she'd returned she had her breakfast and done some light chores. Then Bill had fire-called. Gabrielle was worse than they first thought, and it looked like he and Fleur could be there for a couple of weeks. As it was so close to Bastille Day, it seemed likely that they would stay for that. Ginny gave her reassurances that all was okay with her, but she wondered if she would be able to fool her parents for that long.
Molly fire-called about an hour later. Ginny told her that Bill was doing something for Gringotts, a half truth as he was checking in with their French branch while he was there. Ginny told Molly that Fleur had gone to the local market to get meat and vegetables for tea. Molly was pleased that Ginny was doing chores, and to see how much better she was looking. After sending her love, Ginny closed the floo.
She wandered down to the beach. She hated lying to her mother, but she also hated that she'd been put in the position of having to lie. She wondered if her mother would ever cut the apron strings that seemed like a noose around Ginny's neck.
"That was such a heartfelt sigh."
Ginny turned around. "Hi Sirius. Yeah, got a lot on my mind, is all. How are you?"
"I'm good, thank you. In fact, I'm great. I've actually come to tell you that I carried out your request," said Sirius.
"My request?" asked Ginny.
Sirius nodded. "Yes. You asked me to tell Harry when I saw him that you'd like to see him again. Well, I saw him and passed your message on, and he'd like to see you too."
Ginny beamed. "Oh, that's great. Just tell him whenever he's ready. I mean, I guess he's really busy. So, yeah, whenever he's ready."
"How about now?" asked Sirius, stepping aside.
Harry had been standing behind him. His face was flushed. "Er, hi."
Ginny stared at him for a second, then threw her arms around him. "Oh, Harry. It's so good to see you again."
Harry's surprised eyes met Sirius's over the back of Ginny's head. Sirius winked at Harry, who blushed deeper.
Ginny pulled back. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that! It's just, well, I've been wanting to see you for a long time."
Harry smiled. "It's fine, in fact, it's the nicest greeting I've ever gotten. It's good to see you too, Ginny."
They both stared at each other, then broke up laughing. "This feels really weird," said Ginny.
Harry nodded. "Shall we go for a walk?"
Ginny nodded. "Oh, yes, that would be nice."
"Well, I'll leave you kids to walk and talk and...whatever. Ginny, it was good seeing you again," said Sirius.
He was surprised when Ginny grabbed his hand. "Thank you Sirius." He nodded, and left them alone.
They walked quite a while, talking about everything and nothing. Neither seemed to want to bring up the real reason both had wanted to meet. They turned to walk back, and Ginny knew she might never get another chance to talk with Harry like this again.
"Harry. How were you, after the battle?" asked Ginny.
Harry's eyes drifted out to the sea. "I felt ill. I couldn't stomach much food. The nightmares came back, so I wasn't sleeping well. I sort of expected that. The strangest thing was that I-"
"felt lonely," finished Ginny.
Harry stared at her. "Yes. How did you know?"
Ginny looked up at him as they walked. "I felt the same. I felt as if I didn't belong at home anymore, that I was just waiting for, I don't know, something. I just have this sense that-"
"Something is about to happen," said Harry, nodding his head.
"Yes," said Ginny. "I didn't want to talk about returning to Hogwarts, or making career choices. I always felt like that wasn't an option for me. It drove my mother crazy, and she became even more protective of me. Smothered me, actually."
"I've had so many job opportunities presented to me. I've been offered Quidditch contracts, and they've never even seen me fly. I was offered the chance to join the Aurors as a full fledged Auror, without having to go through the training. Both of these things were careers I seriously considered before Voldemort took over my life. Now they're being handed to me on a platter, and I just have this feeling that it's the wrong path for me," said Harry.
"Have you talked to Sirius about how you feel?" asked Ginny.
"A bit. He just told me to take my time, that I'd know the right path for me when the time comes. Makes sense, don't you reckon? Have you told anyone?"
"Yeah, I told Bill a bit about how I was feeling. He and his wife invited me to stay here for awhile. It's been just what I needed, and now that I've been able to talk to you, even better."
"I'm staying with Sirius, up in the house on the hill. Maybe we can see each other again," said Harry.
"I'd like that," said Ginny. She stopped walking. "This is where I'm staying. We're practically neighbours, seeing as how there's only three or four houses along here."
Harry drew in a deep breath. "I plan to go for lots of walks on the beach, so I'm sure I'll be seeing you again."
Ginny smiled. "I'm so glad you're here, Harry. Things feel better already."
Harry smiled at her. "Yeah, they do. Bye, Ginny."
He watched her go inside, then headed for his house. Sirius looked up as he entered. "Well, how was it?"
Harry grinned. "Good, really good. She's so easy to talk to. We went for a long walk and didn't stop talking once."
Sirius smiled in relief. "That's good. I'm glad things went well. So, are you seeing her again."
"Oh yes," smiled Harry, dreamily.
Sirius chuckled. It was good to see Harry acting like a normal young man.
The next few days passed too quickly. Harry and Ginny met often. They'd run together on the beach, or go to the market together. Sirius invited Ginny for tea or lunch most days, and found himself liking her more and more every time.
Sirius could see Harry was smitten. His eyes followed her everywhere. Their little cottage seemed more homey when she was there, and when she left, Harry and Sirius noticed the difference.
Sirius kept a close eye on them, waiting for signs that the relationship had changed. He realised that as much as Harry watched Ginny, she did the same to him when he wasn't looking. It was both humorous and worrying to see. Harry hadn't had a serious relationship before, and he didn't think Ginny had either. He'd heard of Molly's over-protectiveness, and from his conversation with Arthur, knew she'd only gotten worse since the final battle.
Sirius's fears proved groundless, at first. Harry and Ginny seemed content with their friendship. Sirius didn't even think they realised that, at times, they finished each other's sentences. Watching them one day, he was surprised to find they moved in spent more and more of the day together, before Harry would escort Ginny home, and see her safely inside. Then he would return to their cottage, and talk to Sirius about Ginny.
Sirius knew it was going to change, he just didn't know when or how. It was all innocent, at first. The day started normally. Harry got up and went to meet Ginny to go for a run. They returned to their own homes to shower, before going to the market. Ginny joined them at their cottage for lunch, as they told Sirius about what they'd seen at the marketplace.
It was a warm day. July had come, and brought the heat with it. Ginny suggested a swim, which Harry agreed to. Sirius was feeling completely full from lunch and decided to take a nap before joining them. Ginny went home to get changed, and Harry said he'd be along soon.
Ginny only had one bathing suit, a faded boring one piece. She decided to go and see what Fleur had. She pulled out a pale blue bikini, and tried it on It was a bit loose up top, due to Ginny's weight loss. Still, she kept it on, and tied a wrap around her waist. She planted a big hat on her head and applied the sunblock charm. Gathering her towel, she headed down to the sea.
Harry soon joined her. He had on boardshorts and a rash vest. He grinned as he saw her. She looked amazing.
"Ready to swim?" she asked.
"Can't wait," said Harry.
"Let's go," said Ginny, grabbing his hand. It wasn't the first time she had taken his hand, and each time, Harry felt little sparks in his palm.
They playfully splashed each other, until they both finally dived into the cool water. They swam, enjoying the relief from the sun's hot rays.
They went a bit further out, and tried some body surfing. Ginny had done it before, and was pretty good at it. Harry quickly picked up the best waves to catch.
"Here's one!" cried Ginny. "A big one."
Harry grinned as he watched her. He was having the best summer. His smile faded as Ginny shrieked. He made his way quickly to her.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" he asked.
"Stay there! Don't come closer!" cried Ginny, crouching down in the water.
"What? Why not?" asked Harry, confused.
"My top came off in the last wave," said Ginny, blushing brightly. Her arms were crossed over her chest.
"Oh!" said Harry, dumbfounded. "Oh!" he said again, as he realised what that meant.
"Can you see it anywhere?" asked Ginny, standing up and looking around, her back to him.
Harry stared. She had freckles all over her back. Harry had never thought that a back could be sexy, but Ginny's was. Harry wanted to run his hands all over her back, and count every single freckle.
"What can I do?" cried Ginny.
"Here," said Harry, pulling off his rash vest. "Put this on so you can get out. We've been in here for ages, anyway."
"Oh, thank you, Harry," said Ginny. She kept one arm over her chest as she reached out to take it from him. She couldn't help but notice his nice manly chest.
She ducked in the water and pulled it on. Naturally it was too big on her, but Harry didn't notice. The thought that she was wearing something that he had just had on his body made him feel hot and sweaty.
Ginny could feel his body heat on the top. She could smell his smell on it too, despite the sea water. It somehow felt right, wearing Harry's clothes.
She stood up. She smiled shyly at him, then her gaze lowered to Harry's chest. Puzzled, she came closer.
The air between them sizzled. Ginny's hand came up and touched his chest. "What's this?"
Harry looked down. She had her hand on the locket scar, forever embedded on his chest. "Spoils of war."
Ginny looked up at him, compassion in her eyes. She took a step closer, and lay her lips softly on it. Harry closed his eyes at the contact.
"Your heart is pounding," said Ginny, softly.
Harry nodded.
There was no fumbling, no nerves, no doubts. They each knew this had to happen.
Harry lowered his head, and gently kissed her.
At first, their lips just met. Then one of them moved. They pulled apart, then came back together again, their lips seeking the others.
They changed angles, their kisses becoming longer every time. Harry's hands found her waist. Ginny's hands clung to his shoulders.
Sirius had just come out of the house, intending to go down and join them. Even from a distance, he could see their closeness, and could guess what was going on. He sighed. "And so it starts."
He changed into Padfoot, and ran down to where their towels lay. His barking drew them apart, and they stared at each other, with goofy smiles on their face.
"I guess he wants us to get out," smiled Ginny.
"Um, I think I may swim for a bit longer. Will you tell Sirius, he'll understand," said Harry, aware of an issue that had arisen in his boardshorts.
"You sure?" asked Ginny, sounding surprised.
"Yeah. I'll be out soon," said Harry, ducking into the water.
"Okay," said Ginny, making her way out of the water. Harry's rash vest clung to her, falling to her knees.
"Good swim?" asked Sirius. "What's Harry doing?" Harry was still crouched in the water.
"The water's lovely. Harry just wanted to swim a bit longer," said Ginny, her face glowing.
"Did you happen to lose something?" grinned Sirius, holding up her bikini top.
"Thank you! I can't believe I lost it. It's not even mine, it's my sister-in-law's," said Ginny, bending over to pick up her towel to dry off.
In the water, Harry groaned as Ginny bent over. Sirius was still holding on to the bikini top Ginny had lost. The thought of what had been in that top made Harry curse, and crouch back down again. He saw Sirius frown as he looked over to him, but he shook his head. Sirius seemed to catch on, for he winked at Harry and turned his back to him.
Harry decided to go for an actual swim to take his mind off Ginny. And the way she touched his chest. Then kissed it. Then kissed him. Merlin, that kiss was amazing! Not that he had anything to compare it to, but still...
Damn, he wasn't supposed to be thinking about her, about that! His problem hadn't gone down at all.
Sirius appeared in the water next to him. "She's gone to shower and change, so you have some time."
Harry groaned. The image of Ginny in the shower wasn't helping either.
Sirius splashed water in his face. Harry shook his head, and splashed him back. Sirius laughed and swam away. Harry chased after him, dunking him when he finally caught him.
The sound of Ginny's laugh brought them to the surface. She'd returned, wearing a pretty sundress.
"Okay now?" asked Sirius, smirking.
"Yeah," grinned Harry. "Thanks."
They came out of the water. It was now late afternoon. Ginny handed them each a towel, and she returned Harry's rash vest.
"I rinsed it out. Thanks for letting me borrow it," she said.
"Anytime," said Harry.
Their gaze never left the other, until Sirius coughed.
"Uh, Ginny, would you like to join us for tea?" he asked.
Ginny smiled sadly. "I would love to, but I'm going to the Burrow for tea. Thought I'd put in an appearance, save Mum flooing over here."
Sirius nodded. "Good call. All right, I guess we'll see you tomorrow."
Ginny only had eyes for Harry, but she nodded, and said "Sure."
Harry took her hands in his. "It's been the best day, Ginny. Thank you."
Ginny smiled. "For me too, Harry."
They leaned in and lightly kissed. It was a kiss of a promise, a kiss of hope. Hope that they would have tomorrow together.
Sirius and Harry made their way home. Harry appeared deep in thought.
"So what do you want for tea?" asked Sirius.
Harry shrugged. "Whatever. I, er, think I'm going to go and have a shower."
Sirius lowered his face to hide his smile. "Sure, take your time. I think I'll go and get take-away. Could take a while."
"Sure, whatever," repeated Harry.
He made his way to the bathroom, and Sirius could hear him cast a locking charm on the door.
"Our little boy is growing up, James," chuckled Sirius, glancing up to the heavens.