Harry walked slowly toward the library, barely noticing the chilly evening mountain air that had descended on the village. He never expected Lina to show up tonight and he was still berating himself for not mentioning her to Ginny before this. The pained look he had seen in Ginny's eyes haunted him. He wondered worriedly whether she was going to be willing to talk to him about it and give him the chance to explain everything.

He entered the library and crossed to the stairway. He saw that the girls' bedroom door was closed but a light was shining from his and Ron's room. He could only assume Ron was waiting up to have it out with him for hurting his sister further by staying behind with Lina.

Bracing himself for an argument, Harry mounted the stairs. He walked into the bedroom and stopped short in surprise. Ginny was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large bed playing herself in a game of Wizard chess. An opened letter was lying on the bed next to her. She looked up at him when he entered the room.

"Hi," Harry said lamely.

"Back so soon?" Ginny asked and looked back down at the chessboard.

Harry said, "Lina is Mohamier's granddaughter. I wanted to ask her to get a message to him about the Dark Mark and to ask him if he would be willing to talk to me about it."

"Is she going to do it?" Ginny asked, trying to sound nonchalant but not quite succeeding.

"She told me she would," Harry replied.

Pretending to concentrate on her next move, Ginny said, "Hermione told Ron and me that's what you were going to do but they weren't sure she would agree. You must have been very persuasive."

Ignoring her jibe, Harry asked, "So… er, Hermione and Ron are celebrating their anniversary, then?" He knew it was a lame question, but he was trying to buy some time to figure out the best way to begin.

Moving one of the chess pieces and still not looking back at him, Ginny said, "Uh-hum. I insisted. I figured someone ought to enjoy the rest of the evening."

"I'm sorry about what happened tonight." Harry said, taking a deep breath as he sat down next to her. "I should have told you about Lina before this."

"You think so?" Ginny said coolly and moved away from him.

Harry asked, "Did Ron and Hermione tell you anything about Lina and me?"

Ginny answered, "Only that you two went out for a while when you were here before. Hermione also said that I should hear you out before I hex you."

"Are you going to?" Harry asked quietly.

"Am I going to hex you?"

Harry answered, "I meant do you want me to tell you about it?"

Ginny replied, "We weren't going out any longer so you were free to do whatever you pleased. Although given what has been happening between us since we've been here I would have thought you'd tell me about her before now."

"I always planned to tell you and I honestly wasn't trying to keep anything from you. I could just never think of a way to bring it up."

"Where did you meet her?"

Harry said, "At the tavern. The three of us went there one night with Nadia and Ivan and they introduced us to Mohamier; Lina was with him."

Ginny asked, "How long did you go out with her?"

"Almost two months," Harry replied.

Ginny finally looked at him and asked, "Was Lina the reason you didn't want me to come to Romania?"

"No," Harry stated honestly. "Lina never entered my mind when I asked you not to come. At the time I thought you would be safer if you stayed away from me."

Ginny looked back down at the chessboard and moved another chess piece. Harry watched as a black knight smash a white rook. He got up off the bed and crossed to the other side of the room trying to form an explanation in his mind. He turned back around and sat on the windowsill.

He said, "Ron and Hermione had started going out and I felt like I was intruding on them at times. When Lina started hanging out with us, it sometimes felt more comfortable. At first we were just friends; I told her from the beginning we would only be here for a few months. I wasn't looking for a relationship beyond friendship with her but she had other ideas."

Ginny had turned to listen to him and asked, "So she convinced you to go out with her?"

Swallowing hard, Harry said, "I guess you could say she was… persistent. One night I walked her back to her place and she invited me in and before I could leave, she, er…I mean we…"

Ginny saw the color creep into his face and a sudden thought struck her. Before she could stop the words from coming out, Ginny asked, "Did you sleep with her?"

"Um…yeah."

"Oh," was all Ginny could bring herself to say and she looked away from him again.

She began to clean up the chess set but Harry wished she would say something even if she yelled at him. Instead, she went to place the chess set back on the bookshelf.

Afraid he might not get another chance to talk to her again soon, Harry said, "It wasn't easy seeing Ron and Hermione as a couple all the time. I think they are brilliant for each other, but it made me realize what I may never have because of who I am and what I have to do— because of some bloody prophecy that was made before I was even born. I just wanted something in my life to be… normal."

Ginny turned and she saw a raw sadness in his eyes before he looked away from her.

Looking down at the floor he said, "That night Lina was the one who, er… initiated things. She had tried several times before but this time I decided not to stop it. It never really felt right-- being with her, I mean. I couldn't talk to her about why we were here or what I have to do or how I felt about it. And being with her didn't make me envy Ron and Hermione any less. I finally figured out that it was because she wasn't—"

Harry stopped abruptly and Ginny asked, "She wasn't what?"

He looked back into her eyes and said, "You."

Confusion registering on her face, Ginny asked, "Me?"

Harry said, "I had no idea if I would survive hunting down the Horcruxes, let alone whether I would see you again. I thought spending time with Lina would help me to feel differently but she wasn't what I wanted."

He took a step toward Ginny. "I pushed who I really wanted out of my life because I was convinced she would be in too much danger if I allowed her to be close to me again."

The expression of confusion on Ginny's face changed to one of amazement but she still felt hurt that he had chosen not to tell her about Lina sooner.

At Ginny's continued silence, Harry said, "One night Lina asked me to consider staying in Romania. When I told her I would not change my mind about leaving, she seemed to take it okay. Later, I went to the bathroom or something and when I came back into the room I saw her putting something into my drink."

Ginny's eyes widened and she gasped, "She didn't!"

Harry nodded, "She planned to convince me to stay by using a persuasion potion. She swore she would not pull anything like that again but I was angry that she had attempted it in the first place. It gave me a good reason to end things with her, though. I didn't see her much after that except for the one time I went to see Mohamier a few days before we were to leave to go after the fourth Horcrux."

Ginny asked, "Why did you go to see him?"

Harry replied, "He once mentioned that he charmed a necklace for Lina to protect her against certain hexes and curses. Ron, Hermione and I had discussed spending Christmas at the Burrow so I had picked up the pendant I gave you even before we came to Romania. I didn't know what might eventually happen to me but I wanted to do whatever I could to keep you safe. I asked Mohamier if he would charm it for me and I ended up telling him about you."

"Since you had broken up with his granddaughter, wasn't he angry when you told him?" Ginny asked.

Harry said, "I thought he might be, but I wanted to be honest with him. Of course, I didn't tell him about Lina and the potion but even so he wasn't angry. He seemed almost amused."

"Amused?" Ginny said sounding surprised herself.

"Yeah," Harry replied. "He said something about finally understanding how I had resisted his granddaughter's charms. Then he asked me to give him a list of all of the hexes and curses I wanted to protect you against. It took him a few days to complete the charm and then he even taught me the charm to use to make sure you were the only one who could read the inscription."

Ginny sat back on the edge of the bed listening to him and Harry tried to read the expression on her face, but he couldn't.

Finally he said, "I never wanted to hurt you, nor did I mean to keep anything from you. I am so sorry that I didn't tell you all of this before we ran into her tonight. If I had, then you might have been a bit prepared."

Harry was still standing in the middle of the room and Ginny looked up at him with the start of a smile on her lips. "You bought the pendant for me before you came to Romania and you had it charmed to protect me after you broke up with Lina?"

Thinking he had already explained those particular points to her, Harry replied, "er… yes."

The smile that had started to form quickly disappeared and she asked, "Is there anything else you should tell me? Like, were there any others?"

Harry frowned, confused by her question, "Any other what?"

"Girls."

He stared at her in surprised then said, "Well… to be totally honest with you, I should tell you there was only one other…"

"There was?" Ginny asked, unable to mask her disappointment and her rising feeling of jealousy.

Harry answered, "And I actually fancied her quite a bit."

"I see."

"She's quite beautiful."

Ginny snorted and said, "I can't believe she'd be more beautiful than Lina."

Harry shrugged, "I think she is."

"Oh? And did you sleep with her, too?"

"No. Lina is the only one I have been with in that way."

Ginny asked, "So what happened with you and her?"

Harry replied, "I don't know yet."

Ginny frowned and asked, "How could you not know yet?"

Harry said, "Because it depends."

"On what?"

"On whether she forgives me," Harry said. "I did a very stupid thing by not telling her something I should have and I hurt her even though I never meant to. I hope I can get her to realize how sorry I really am. Do you think she will?"

Ginny felt the hurt and jealousy begin to ease and she replied, "Maybe if you give her a little time to sort things out."

Harry said, "I'll try."

They were both silent for a few moments then he sat down on the other side of the bed.

Indicating the letter next to her, said, "Anything interesting in there?"

"It's from Mum," Ginny replied. "She was just catching me up on Fleur and the baby, who are both doing fine. She also said that there is no need for me to hurry back. They postponed the beginning of the first term at Hogwarts for at least a month."

Harry asked surprised, "Why?"

Ginny said, "Since the attacks a few weeks ago, the Governors feel the school may not be safe. Mum said that Dad is skeptical as to whether Hogwarts will open at all. Mum also said that if it is not too much of an imposition on Nadia and Ivan, Dad wants us to extend our stay here a few more weeks."

"I don't think they'll mind having us stay longer. We can ask them in the morning," Harry replied. "Besides, I don't want to leave until I find out whether Mohamier will talk to me or not."

Seeing Ginny stifle a yawn, he said, "Why don't we try to get some sleep? Who knows how long it will be before Ron and Hermione are done celebrating."

Ginny looked at him for a moment and then reached over and placed her hand on top of his. "I'm glad you finally told me about Lina. Promise me you won't be afraid to tell me the truth about anything from here on out, okay?"

Harry smiled at her and said, "Okay, promise."

Ginny moved across the bed to give him a hug, which he gratefully returned until she pulled back suddenly with a disgusted look on her face.

"You smell awful."

"Excuse me?" Harry said feeling slightly offended.

Ginny wrinkled up her nose and said, "Lina's perfume is all over you and it's not a very good one."

"Oh, sorry about that," Harry replied sheepishly and asked half jokingly, "Want me to take a shower?"

"Yes," Ginny replied.

Seeing she was serious and since he still felt guilty about what had happened earlier, he said, "Okay. Be back in a bit."

He got up and went into the bathroom that the two bedrooms shared and took a quick shower. Donning a pair of shorts and draping the towel around his bare shoulders, he walked back into the bedroom.

He went to stand by Ginny's side of the bed and saw that she had fallen asleep. Her lips were parted slightly… invitingly… and he watched the gold and red highlights cast by the light of the lamp dance to the slow rhythm of her breathing in the soft waves of her long hair. He had never seen a more beautiful sight.

His mind flashed on scenes of Ginny doing a multitude of pleasurable things with him in the bed and the urge to lie down next to her so he could pull her into his embrace became almost irresistible. He swallowed hard and clenched his hands into tight fists in an attempt to gain control over the feelings those images awoke within him. The room suddenly felt like an oven and, with a great amount of effort, he turned away from the bed. He walked purposely toward the window and opened it wide, allowing the towel to drop to the floor. Bracing his hands on the windowsill, he slowly breathed in the chilly night air to cool his body and mind.

Harry stood at the window for quite a while, not daring to look back at the bed until a soft sound behind him caught his attention. Ginny had rolled over and curled herself up against the cold that had permeated the room. He walked back to the bed and covered her with a quilt that had been lying over one of the chairs.

Not feeling tired but wishing with all his might that Ron would come back, he searched for something to occupy his mind. His eyes landed on the book he had gotten for his birthday lying on the desk and he grabbed it. He lit the lamp on his side of the bed and lay down to begin reading.

Harry did not realize he had fallen asleep until he awoke to a warm, feminine body nestled snugly against him. He had not closed the window so the room had become very chilly and in her sleep, Ginny had sought out his warmth. She now lay on her side facing him with her head on his shoulder, a leg lying intimately across him and one arm resting on his bare chest.

Realizing that the cold in the room was not going to ease the reaction her nearness was causing him, Harry tried to nudge her awake, "Ginny? I think you ought to move back to your side of the bed. Gin?"

Ginny only mumbled incoherently and snuggled even closer to him which only heightened Harry's anxiety.

"Ginny, come on, move over," Harry said a bit more desperately and brought his arm over to nudge her again.

Ginny mumbled but this time he was able to make out, "…I'm cold…" but she did not move.

Hoping to wake and reason with her, Harry said, "Ron could come in at any time. I think he's already mad at me after what happened earlier. I don't feel like having a row with him tonight about what I may or may not have done to you."

Ginny mumbled, "…he's a hypocritical git."

Harry chuckled, "That may be true, but I really need for you to move over… if you don't I'll have to tickle you until you do."

He heard her mumble again, "…I'm moving…," but she did not stir from her current position.

Harry said with finality, "Okay, have it your way."

He placed his fingers just below her ribcage and made good on his threat.

This brought Ginny awake quickly and between giggles and laughing, she finally gasped, "Harry, no! Stop it!"

She grabbed his wrist in an attempt to hold his hand away from her but he was too strong for her. She was laughing to the point that tears came to her eyes and finally she relented, "Okay! I'll move over!"

Harry said with relief but he could not help flashing her a self-satisfied smile, "That's a good girl."

He started to move away from her and missed the glint of revenge that had come into her eyes.

"I seem to recall," she said sweetly and then sprang at him from behind, "that you are just as ticklish!"

It was Harry's turn to find himself under attack when she relentlessly went after his most sensitive spots.

"I was only trying to make sure I don't piss Ron off more than he already is," Harry exclaimed, now laughing hard and attempting to grab her hands to stop her. "Ginny! That's enough!"

"Oh, I don't think so!" Ginny laughed back at him.

Rolling toward her and taking advantage of his greater weight and strength, Harry caught her wrists in each hand. He shifted his position so that his body was laying half on top of hers and he easily stopped her ability to retaliate further. Continuing to hold her wrists, he brought them upward and held them over her head.

"You do find yourself in quite a predicament, huh, Miss Weasley?" Harry asked smiling at her with exaggerated satisfaction. "Prepared to give up now?"

Seeing no other option but not wanting to admit defeat, Ginny replied, "Maybe…"

Thoughts of tickling her further fled Harry's mind as he became lost in her soft brown eyes. Kissing her would be more to his liking and he wondered if she would allow it, given the earlier events of the evening.

He was concerned that he might hurt her by placing too much of his weight on her, but he knew Ginny had a stubborn streak; he was not about to release her completely yet. He grasped both of her wrists into one hand and moved his free hand beside her so he could hold most of his weight off her.

Looking into his eyes, Ginny saw Harry's expression change and her heart began to beat faster in anticipation that he might kiss her; but when his hand move toward her side she misinterpreted his intent. Disappointment descended over her like a dark cloud when she thought he had moved his hand down to tickle her again.

"Harry, no!" she said as she started to struggle against him. "Please don't—"

Harry was about to show her that tickling was not what he had in mind when he heard a snarl from behind him and felt himself being yanked backward; before he could register what was happening, an arm went around his throat and begin to squeeze.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Ron's voice bellow in his ear. "YOU SAID YOU WOULD NEVER FORCE HER!"

"What's the matter with you? I'm not—" Harry strangled out. "Let go!"

Harry fought to free himself but Ron had more weight and blind fury on his side. As he continued to pull Harry away from the bed, he and squeeze his throat harder.

Harry heard Ginny yell, "Ron, stop it! You're choking him!"

Oblivious to his sister's plea, Ron dragged Harry backward by the neck into the middle of the room and continued to yell, "Wasn't Lina enough for you tonight?!"

Harry was finding it more and more difficult to breathe and his mind barely registered that Ginny was in front of him, trying to pry Ron's arm from around his neck.

"Let go of him, you idiot!" Ginny yelled at her brother. "He wasn't doing anything to me!"

Hermione had heard the shouts and came running into the room.

"What's all the yelling—" She halted, taking in the scene before her and then rushed over to help Ginny try to pull Ron off of Harry.

Harry was becoming angrier by the, moment having had enough of Ron's accusations, and the continued pressure on his throat fueled his anger even more. It reminded him of the time his cousin and his bully friends snuck up behind him and grabbed him in a choke hold in much the same way.

Harry's anger reached its height just as Hermione began to pry at Ron's arm. Her hand touched his and when it did, Harry felt a sudden bolt of energy run up his arm and then quickly course throughout his body. Reason fled his mind and a blinding fury took over; it screamed and demanded that he halt the strangling assault. The force flowing into him intensified and it felt good; he instinctively knew he would be able to stop the threat that was choking him.

"GET OFF ME!" Harry shouted. "NOW!"

A force pushed both Hermione and Ginny backward and they stared in amazement as Ron abruptly let go of Harry. Ron was rising into the air with a surprised look etched on his face.

Free of Ron's grasp, Harry spun around with lightning speed and he raised his hand, which caused Ron to rise higher off the floor.

Ginny and Hermione moved around behind Ron to where they could see Harry's face. He was looking up at Ron with the same look of cold, steely anger in his eyes that Ginny had seen when he had awakened during the spell in the hospital.

Ron's rage left him and he nervously looked down at Harry. "H-Harry, w-what are you doing?"

"I've had enough!" Harry responded in a cold voice. "Don't ever lay a hand on me again!"

Hermione responded shakily, "Harry, take it easy. You have to let him down!"

Harry made no indication that he heard her. He continued to hold Ron suspended and glared up at him.

"You have to stop it, Harry!" Ginny said, trying to sound calm. "You don't really want to hurt Ron!"

Harry stared up at Ron a few moments longer but at the sound of Ginny's voice, the force within him to began to fade. But before it disappeared completely, Harry made a shoving motion with his hand and sent Ron flying backward into the wall on the other side of the room.

Hermione ran over to Ron and Ginny went to Harry who looked at her like he was just coming out of a trance.

Ginny asked in a strained voice, "What just happened?"

Harry's gaze went from Ginny to Ron, who was now sitting on the floor rubbing the back of his head where it had banged against the wall.

Feeling his anger subside, Harry replied, "I don't know. I just…"

Ginny reached to take his hand but Harry abruptly turned and strode out of the bedroom.