When Ginny awoke she was aware that she wasn't on the couch as she last remembered. Turning her head slowly she looked around seeing her familiar window but realised it was dark outside. Hadn't it been light only moments a go, now the room was filled with bright white moonlight. She groaned as she tried to move and decided maybe it was best she stay still for the moment instead.
As she laid there her mind slowly clearing of the last of the fog she realised she could hear breathing in the room. Heavy breathing really and it didn't sound quiet right. As she frowned trying to figure out what it was, she became aware of a heat pressed against her legs. Her body grew still as she realised the weight against her was what was breathing. Carefully she moved so she could see down and was greeted with a flash of black fur in the moonlight filtering through the window.
Her heart began to pound as she realised exactly who it was, chased by a trill of excitement that skittered through her blood stream. Being careful not to bang into him she manoeuvred herself until her fingertips could reach his fur. With a sigh she sank her fingers deep into his thick pelt letting the heat sooth her. Closing her eyes she smiled as she ran her fingers through his pelt over and over again.
She remembered now what had happened, the feel of the charm slicing through tissue and bone. Her breath had been stolen by the pain rippling through her body but she had been unable to do anything about it. She'd been sure she would die on the ground there, and her heart had ached about the hole she was about to leave behind in her family. She had also mourned the loss of whatever was developing between Harry and her. Next was the darkness that had enveloped her. She had been sure she wouldn't be coming back from that darkness, that she would never wake up again.
But he'd been there, a heat spreading though her body like nothing she had ever felt before. He had wrapped her mind in his power, wrapped her in his cat, and it had protected her. She could still feel the echo of his mind in hers and she wanted to reach out to his, but she knew he was sleeping peacefully so she settled for rubbing her hands through his fur.
Suddenly she heard a noise that drew a smile to her lips, it was light and barely there but she heard it. Under her hand he was purring, feeling encouraged she moved a little more so she could run her fingers deeper. His purring intensified until he lifted his head from where it rested on his paws to look at her.
She was greeted with his golden green eyes shining at her in the moonlight, an amazing sight really. He yawned and she had a flash of bright white teeth, sharp and deadly. She watched as his pink tongue darted out as he licked hi muzzle, and she followed every movement with rapt eyes. He purred again, stretching his head out to but at her hand. With a laugh she ran her fingers over his hand and tickled just behind his ear. His body moved then, sliding along hers until his head rested on her chest. She could feel the purring vibrate through her body and it was soothing.
He liked the back of her other hand where it rested on her stomach, while her hand stroked through the fur on his head. He purred again but began settling and she knew he was falling asleep once more. His purring soothed her worries and she knew in the morning there would be plenty of questions to be asked and answered but for the moment Harry was tucked besides her his warmth soothing. She drifted back off to sleep with the feel of his fur under her fingertips.
Harry walked around the kitchen trying to find something to eat. The house was quiet, everyone finally going to sleep a few hours ago. He knew there were a few still on watch outside, but they were metres away and would disturb his thoughts. He paused in front of the pantry thinking that would be his best bet. Pulling the door open he surveyed the food he could see, unsure of what to grab.
"Couldn't sleep," someone said behind him and he spun to see a young woman crossing the room, an empty tea cup in her hand.
It was a testament to how tired he actually was that Hermione could sneak up on him, and he watched as she moved to the kettle to pout hot water into her cup. She then reached above the sink to pull down a tin of tea bags and fished one out. Turning she set her drink too steep for a while; she liked her tea strong, and looked at the man in front of her.
He was wearing a pair of track pants she knew belonged to Charlie, and nothing else. His skin was creamy white in the dim light of the moon and few scattered lamps. His cold eyes were accessing her as she tiptoed around the room.
"Want me to fix you something," she said and after a moment he nodded.
She smiled as he took a seat and realised he was probably feeling a little lost. She knew how he felt it had taken her some time to get used to the Weasley's home enough to help herself to things, even though Molly would insist they were welcome.
Going to the pantry he had left open she pulled out some of the bread she'd helped Molly make earlier. Placing the loaf down on a chopping board she snagged a knife from a draw and handed it to Harry. He looked at her for a moment before taking the knife and bread. He began chopping thick wedges of bread while Hermione gathered together some cheese and cold cuts. It wasn't much, but it was enough to satisfy his hunger for the moment.
Once everything was gathered she handed him a glass of orange juice and sat to sip her own tea that was now perfect. She sat back in her chair for a while just watching him as he assembled a sandwich and then set about demolishing it within a second. Hermione had to bite back the laugh that tried to bubble up in her throat. Well if everything she had seen today didn't confirm he was a shifter, his apatite sure did. He didn't take his eyes from her as he ate, and she knew if she was to make a sudden movement he would react without a second thought.
"How's Ginny?" she asked as she took another sip, her own eyes now boring into him.
She didn't fail to see his slight frown and smiled, "oh don't give me that I saw a flash of black fur escaping from her room a few moments ago," she said eyeing him over her cup.
He chewed for a moment assessing what to say before he opened his mouth, "she's sleeping peacefully," he said and Hermione couldn't help but shiver at the sound of his voice.
It was low, a bare whisper, but it flashed with power, and she didn't fail to hear the base in it. His voice was barely over that of a cat's deep rumble. She nodded and he went back to eating his sandwich.
Hermione watched him as he moved and could see exactly why Ginny was so taken with him. She knew it was more than just the fact that he was another shifter, he was definitely good looking. More than that though, he was powerful, everything about him screamed of his power and it was rather intoxicating.
When he finished his fourth sandwich he sat back in his chair and folded his hands over his chest just watching Hermione as she sipped her tea. They stayed that way for a while, until Hermione smiled.
"So what's going on between you and Ginny," she said her voice carrying in the night air.
For all that he fought it he found himself smiling at her bluntness. Everyone else would have tipped toed around the question making small talk before they even though of broaching the subject, but not this woman. She watched him with calm clear eyes as she waited for his answer and he found himself unable to lie to her.
"I'm not really sure, my cat recognises her like no other," he paused thinking of how to put it, "I've met other shifters, met other cats to. Some of them have been interested in me, but he's never been interested in them."
He frowned knowing that didn't quiet cover it but unsure how to explain it to someone who didn't have a cat inside their mind. How could he explain that just the scent of Ginny set his blood on fire? That whenever he touched her body he burned and needed more. Even now when he knew she needed to sleep he wanted to crawl into bed with her.
"You talk as if your cat is separate from you," she said and he couldn't help but smile at those words.
"Well he is kind of, he has a will of his own, he has his own needs and sometimes he can try and take over. But yeah I know he's me, but it can feel like having another living entity in my mind."
Hermione was interested by that, she had never heard Ginny say that before. She'd never really talked about the way she felt about her Leopard, or what it was like having it in her mind and body. She filled that piece of information away for later when she could discuss it with Ginny.
"How many people know?" he said and she blinked at him for a moment before she realised what he had said.
"I'm not sure, I know Molly does. She saw your eyes and there's no hiding that. I saw your mother talking to her before so I think she convinced her to keep it to herself. Arthur knows, he mentioned something about only another shifter being able to heal a wound like that. I'm pretty sure Ron hasn't figured it out, his eyes were all for his sister, other than that I can't say I'm sorry," she got to her feet then taking her tea cup to the sink.
Harry watched her move again trying to think of what to say now.
"Don't worry I won't say anything to anyone. I've kept Ginny's secret and if I was to reveal you it would reveal her," she said suddenly her back still to him so he could see her face.
She turned then and smiled to him softly, "night Harry, sleep well," with that she padded out of the room and he could hear her heading up the stairs.
Smiling to himself he realised he was going to like Hermione; she was smart but very shrewd about what she knew and figured out. He would have to take the time to talk to her some more.
Clearing away the mess he had made he cleaned down the dishes in the sink before he too headed back upstairs. No one had thought to give him a room since every time someone tried to come close to him he would disappear, but then even if they had he wouldn't have headed here. He ducked his head into the room his mother was sleeping in to check on her, and once he was assured she was fine he moved on down to Ginny's room.
Cracking the door open slightly he looked to the bed to make sure she was still asleep. He smiled when he heard her snoring softly, and he slipped into the room closing and locking the door behind him. He knew in the morning people would come to check on her, but he didn't exactly want to be caught unawares.
Padding across the room on bare feet he slipped down onto the bed next to her. She didn't move as he settled himself onto the bed and he couldn't resist what he did next. Careful not to jangle her to much he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her small body against his. He heard her sigh happily and she snuggled into his chest. With a grin he settled back against the pillows with her head resting lightly on his bare chest. One of her smaller hands crept up his body until it rested over his heart and she instantly settled. He could have sworn he heard her purr softly but soon enough the day got the better of him and he succumbed to sleep, content with the little red head wrapped in his arms.
A/N hope you enjoyed can't wait for your reviews!
