The days continued to pass quickly when she was with Harry, which had been most of the time during each day. They went out a few times, each being more wonderful. He had continued to take her to all his favourite places in the evenings; their dates always in the Muggle world. It was better for them not to be seen. Gwenog would not look kindly on this.
Harry had yet to talk to her about anything more. His past hung over him like a dark ominous thunderstorm. Thankfully he had not arrived at practise with anymore injuries, at least none visible. She wanted to push for answers, especially about the one evening, but how could she as she had yet to talk about the Chamber and the diary?
The tension hung in the air between them. She could feel it each time either one of them mentioned anything about the past. They needed to talk about it, but neither seemed willing to share so much of themselves yet.
Before Ginny blinked, the last day's training with Harry had come and it was almost done. She still had not managed to beat Harry to a single Snitch, but she'd gotten a bit too close for comfort on a number of occasions.
High above the ground, Ginny flew her search pattern, the same she'd been flying for years. It was about the only thing Harry had not changed over the month. Well, he only added a small little trick to it.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of gold in her peripheral vision. Harry, oblivious, continued to fly slowly away from it. Casually she broke away from her pattern and sailed around in a lazy arc. Harry suspected nothing, or at least he suspected, but he could not know that she'd seen the Snitch. She liked this change he'd brought to her routine. A search pattern was all good and well, but for precisely this reason he'd taught her to change position lethargically at random intervals.
She was almost there when he too glimpsed the little golden ball. The race was on. Her body flattened against the broom. Her ponytail flapped against her back as the air buffeted her body.
"I've got this one, Harry." Her teeth were clenched so the words came out as a single growl.
But then he emerged out of nowhere, flying beneath the broom, and snatched the Snitch from right in front of her disbelieving eyes.
A minute later Harry landed, golden ball in hand, in the middle of the pitch looking much too smug for her liking.
"Where the hell did you come from?" Ginny demanded as soon as her feet touched the ground. "There's no way you should've been able to get to that Snitch before me."
Harry continued to smile insufferably. "I can tell you, but then you'll have to marry me."
Her mouth opened and then snapped shut. Her eyes narrowed. "I might just take you up on that, Mr Potter."
He gulped, but the grin did not fade. In fact his eyes sparkled. She wanted nothing more than to run her hands through his hair and snog the night away, but a soft pop to the side stopped them both from stepping closer.
"Is my new Seeker ready, Harry?" Gwenog asked startling both of them.
"As ready as I could make her in four weeks," Harry replied.
The woman held his gaze for a moment. They were softer than Ginny had ever seen.
Gwenog talked with them for a few minutes. Eventually telling Ginny to head to the changing room. Harry tried to tell her something, but Gwenog had already begun leading him away.
"What do you make of her?" Gwenog asked Harry when Ginny was well out of earshot. "Do you think she's got what it takes to make it at this level? I've got another, more experienced, Seeker ready to be signed."
"What are you getting at?" Harry growled in frustration. "She has a way to go, yes, but I think she's got more than enough to take on the competition." He felt his voice rise with passion. "Sure, she did not have my training growing up, but she makes up for it by being a damned better player than me!"
Gwenog considered his words for a moment. "She did let you get that last Snitch." Harry's face contorted in anger. Then she shook her head and laughed. "Relax Harry, her position is secure." He let the breath he'd been holding rush out through clenched teeth. "I still don't know how you fly so darn fast."
"Potter secret," Harry said as the anger he felt began to ebb away. "You really are something else, Miss Jones!"
"I am exactly what I need to be." She threw her arms into the air dramatically. "You are after all the master of being what you want."
He clamped his mouth shut and continued to glare at her.
"And?" she said. "How's the dating going with you two?"
"What!" Harry choked out in disbelief. "How do you... So that's what this has all been about."
"Did you honestly think that Mary would not call me?" Gwenog chuckled. "The woman wanted all the details about my little step godson's love life."
"You're not angry?" Harry said in wonder, all the things he'd wanted to say forgotten. "I was sure you'd kill me."
"As long as you don't ruin the poor girl, then what reason could I possibly have for you not dating her?"
"Yes, but you are usually so strict about the girls and who they see."
"I've never told them they aren't allowed, Harry. I just drive the fear of Voldemort into them about dating rubbish and letting it affect their flying."
He rubbed his face, the day's growth sounded harsh against his calloused hand. "So I'm not classified as rubbish then?"
She ruffled his hair playfully. "Almost, but you just manage to be respectable. I'll not hold the Chudley Cannons against you."
"You're the one who forced them to sign me," he cried out in mock outrage.
"Only because you're not cute enough to pass for a girl," she said sweetly. Harry chuckled at the long standing joke. "And that is why I won't say anything about her dating you." Her voice became tender and she brought him into a tight hug, something she rarely did. "I'd lose every season if it would make you happy."
Harry bit back a laugh. It came out as a snort. "No, you'll lose one and then kick me up the backside."
"Two seasons," she countered before pulling away from him with a grin. "Go wait for her. She'll be needing you before the other girls arrive next week."
"Thanks." Harry turned to the grandstand, feeling unsure. "This means a lot to me... To us."
He took a few strides further then stopped to face her again. "What was the point of all that nonsense earlier?"
"I had to know what you felt for her." She did not look apologetic in the least. "I have to look after my girls, Harry."
He nodded in understanding. "I'm not messing with her. I think there really might be something special."
"I know," she said softly. "Now go, Harry. Or would you rather spend the evening with me."
"I'm going,"
When Ginny emerged from the changing room, she found Harry leaning against the wall with a dazzling smile. He looked different, more relaxed. "Waiting for me, Potter?" she asked feeling her heart quicken. Her face flushed as warmth spread out through her body.
He pushed himself away from the wall and crushed his lips against hers. When they broke the kiss, Ginny was panting and trying hard to regain some semblance of self-control. "What was… again," she muttered, feeling foolish for her girlishness. But when Harry kissed her like that what else could she say.
"Ginny," he whispered into her ear after trailing kisses along her jaw.
She whimpered something. It could've been his name or that of a broom, but it didn't matter. Her knees had gone weak minutes ago. His hand slipped beneath her jersey. The cool touch burned against her hot stomach. It roamed about sending jolts of ecstasy up her spine. "Flat," she whimpered again. "Someone might…" She never finished the sentence as she felt herself being compressed. Still kissing, they stumbled and fell. The fall was not hard, instead their tangled limbs collapsed onto a soft mattress. When she registered where they were all rational thought evaporated.
Ginny woke. It took a few moments to remember that she was not in her own bed. The mattress was softer than her own and the duvet much fluffier. Hers definitely did not contain the warmth of Harry lying peacefully next to her. Her eyes snapped open to a dark room. She gripped the blanket close towards her chest.
The movement of the sheets caused Harry to stir beside her. A warm hand moved up her leg before coming round her waist to pull her close. Her face turned towards his. Even in the dark she could make out a pair of wide green eyes staring at her. "We…that was…"
"Amazing," Ginny sighed as she wormed her body closer to his. Images of clothes vanishing and tender touches in places she'd never been touched before filled her mind. Nothing had been as awkward as she'd imagined her first time being. "Perfect."
He blinked in surprise. "Was it? I... I was fumbling about and..." She cut off his words with a simple kiss.
"I'm no expert, but I don't think I'll be forgetting this any time soon." Even as she spoke the words became slurred. She yawned against his bare chest, which made a comfortable cushion. The rhythmic beating of his heart and the warmth of his body had her asleep in moments.
She woke later that morning, this time the sun shone through partly drawn curtains. Harry was sitting upright, his hand busy running through her hair. "Morning," she said sleepily.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
She yawned and stretched beneath the sheets. "I think it could pass as a good night's sleep. You?"
"Never better," he replied. His fingers continued to stroke her long red hair. To her nothing had ever felt more right.
The moment could, however, not last. A cold dread filled Ginny. "What am I going to tell my mum?" she shouted as she sat upright. "I haven't even told her we're dating and now I've spent the night." She prattled on to herself.
Harry touched her bare back with the palm of his hand. "I don't like lying, but you could say that you spent the night at Gwenog's."
She glanced up at his worried face. "But she'd never cover for me like that."
She turned fully towards him, duvet clutched to her chest, hoping that he had an answer. For a moment he appeared unsure of what to say. Then his expression grew confident. "She'll do it for me."
"But you're just a hired coach," Ginny retorted quickly. "Why would she help you? Especially for a new Harpy who..."
Harry's hand left her back and her words refused to form. It felt oddly cold and lonely without his touch. She was about to argue when a framed photo was pushed onto her lap.
"This was taken on my eleventh birthday." He sounded extremely vulnerable. She understood. This was the first time he'd actually shared a piece of his past with her. She tore her eyes away from the frame long enough to kiss his cheek.
She twisted her face in mock agony. "You need a shave, Potter." He laughed richly, but she could feel the tension in his body.
Her attention shifted back to photo. An eleven year old Harry was flying on a broom being chased by, "Gwenog!" Ginny half shouted half cried. "You've known her since you were eleven?"
"Eight actually," Harry replied as his finger traced the path he and Gwenog flew on the photo. "My parents were killed when I was a year old. I went to live with my aunt and uncle, but they…" he choked slightly. "Let's just say it didn't go well." Her arm wrapped around his waist and she kissed his exposed shoulder. It felt good to be so close to someone. "My father's best friend, my godfather Sirius Black, took me from them and raised me as his own son." He laughed slightly. "Brace yourself. This is information Witch Weekly would raise Voldemort for…"
Ginny squeaked at the name. "You said his name," she said in awe.
"It's only a name and he's dead, Ginny."
"He came back once," she countered.
His eyes grew dark and distant for a moment. "That's beside the point. What I wanted to say was Sirius Black was married to none other than Gwenog Jones."
Ginny's head jerked up towards him. "You're having me on," she laughed. "I..."
"No joke," Harry said as he slipped out from under the duvet. She felt her cheeks burn while watching him pull on a pair of shorts. "Sirius was reclusive and Gwenog had a reputation to up hold." He froze just before pulling his shirt over his head. There was more, but Ginny would not push him to speak. "So they lived in a house just down the road in secret and raised me as their son."
"Bloody hell," Ginny murmured. "You're telling me I slept with my bosses' son."
"Adopted step godson type thing, yeah." Harry shrugged.
"Harry!" she cried out. "She's going to sack me for sure. You must know how she is about her players dating."
Harry laughed. "I thought the same. That's why I kept that part of my life secret until now and why I never tried to go further than a kiss."
"But why say now?" Ginny said angrily. "Why tell me after we've slept together?"
"She already knew about us, Ginny. And she wants us to be happy. Besides she only has issues with her players dating the wrong sort of guy."
"And you would be Mr Perfect," she said scornfully.
Harry sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'm not perfect, Ginny. Gwenog knows my flaws better than most, but she told me that I just passed muster."
Ginny couldn't help but laugh. "Gwenog, a motherly witch. You know you've ruined the image of her in my mind."
Harry nodded. "And that's why no one knows about us."
"No wonder you're so secretive," Ginny mumbled. She climbed out of bed and hurriedly dressed. "No looking!" she glared at him.
"Just returning the compliment," Harry smiled as his eyes travelled up and down her body. "You're beautiful. I hope you know it."
She blushed all over and was rewarded with a brilliant smile. Harry, deciding to spare her, left the room. From the kitchen she heard pots banging and things moving about. She emerged from the bedroom still pulling her jersey over her head.
Harry had a pan on the stove and the smell of frying bacon filled the room. "I thought you had a house elf?" Ginny asked.
He nodded. "You don't know how long it took to get the elf to stop making me breakfast."
She shuffled around the counter, thinking about Hermione and her fight for House Elf rights with her SPEW regulations, to stand next to him. Without asking she took a knife and began to cut a few slices of bread. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.
"I think I might get used to this." He smiled from ear to ear.
She hugged him back before setting her sights on some tomatoes that needed slicing. Within minutes they had a warm breakfast laid out on the table. A few bites into the meal Harry summoned a quill and some parchment.
"Already putting business before me, Potter," Ginny pouted.
"Only the business of your well-being, Ginny," Harry replied. He held up the letter.
She swallowed her bacon with difficulty. "You really did grow up with her."
He nodded before calling Kreacher to deliver the letter.
"I better get home before my mother has a fit," Ginny said after drinking the last of her tea.
"I wish you could stay." He whispered from across the table. "Will I be able to see you this weekend?"
"Maybe, but I think my parents and brothers would like to see me before my actual Harpies training begins."
"Our training has been serious, Ginny," Harry said as he looked over the top of his cup at her. "I tried to teach you as much as I could."
"I know," she winked. "I hurt in places I never knew I had." It was not a lie. The night before had her stiff and sore in the most unusual places. Harry coughed into his cup and his face burned bright red. "But I know what you mean, Harry. And thank you."
He walked with her to spot where she always Apparated from. They held each other for a few minutes, neither wanting the other to leave. Eventually they did let go.
"You've got it in you, Ginny," Harry whispered. "All you need is some faith in your own abilities."
She nodded, but the world felt wrong and cold now that she had pulled away from his hold. "I'll owl if I have some time free to get away from the Burrow." If her parents had not been waiting then she would be in his arms and under the covers of his bed within a heartbeat.
Harry must have sensed her mood as he closed the gap between them. They kissed until it really became time for Ginny to leave. "I must go, Harry." She hoped she conveyed her desire to stay.
"I know," Harry whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers.
She took a step away and removed her wand. "Wait," he said suddenly and rushed over to the far corner only to come back with one of his Quidditch Jerseys. "Take this…" he muttered. "I've been wanting to give it to you for a while. For Ron, I think he'd appreciate it more than me."
She smiled and took the jersey gratefully. Rising up on her toes she gave him another quick kiss and then Apparated away.
"Ginny! Where have you been?" her mother shouted from the kitchen door the moment Ginny arrived.
"I was at Gwenog's house last night…" The lie came easier than she expected. It was definitely not the proudest moment in the life of Ginny Weasley.
"You should've owled to tell us! We were worried sick all night…"
A moment later another pop came from the Apparation point. Her mother froze and then smiled broadly. "Miss Jones, what a pleasant surprise."
Ginny's blood went cold as it drained from her face. She turned slowly, hoping that Gwenog had received the message. Then again that meant her coach knew what Ginny had been up to last night.
"I'm sorry to follow you home like this, Ginny," Gwenog spoke. "I just forgot to remind you that practice starts at eight on Monday morning and that all the girls are very eager to meet you."
"Oh, thank you," Ginny replied even though she already knew as much. Her mother nudged her gently. "Oh, sorry. This is my mum, Molly Weasley," Ginny introduced.
"A pleasure to meet the mother behind such an extraordinary young witch," her coach praised. "But if you don't mind, Mrs Weasley. I'd just like another quick word with Ginny."
"Of course, Miss Jones. Take your time." Mrs Weasley was too over the moon at being introduced to the legendary Gwenog Jones to take any offense.
Ginny followed her coach with trepidation. "I'm sorry about last night. I… we…"
"No need to apologise, Ginny," Gwenog said once they were settled on one of the garden benches. "I wanted to talk to you a bit about Harry." Ginny did not speak, in fact she could not. "He's had a hard life. Quidditch has been the only break he's ever had."
"I gathered as much," Ginny nodded agreement. "I can see it in his eyes and at the mention of certain things. He never talks about it, but I get the feeling he fought in the war and that he'd been tortured or something."
Gwenog nodded slowly. "Astute."
"Harry's a good teacher," she replied with a blush.
"I had to rub off somehow," Gwenog joked and Ginny found herself laughing along. "I just don't want to see him hurt, Ginny. He's lost enough in his life."
Ginny sobered up quickly. "If you are wondering if I am fooling with him just because he's a famous Quidditch player, then you're mistaken. I am attracted to him for reasons I cannot fathom yet. I've seen the dark and distant looks he gets at times. I understand those. I used to be the same."
Gwenog studied Ginny curiously for a moment. "Then I hope you all the best." The woman stood slowly. "I also want you to know that your relationship has nothing to do with your contract with the Harpies. For your part I don't care if you break up. Just don't come crying on my shoulder if you do. And do not expect to be treated any differently. If anything I expect more from the girls in relationships."
"I understand," Ginny replied while getting to her own feet.
The woman glanced down at the orange jersey in Ginny's hand. "He must like you a lot. That was his favourite game."
With that, Gwenog strode away and Disapparated.
Ginny glanced down at what she held for the first time. Her eyes widened. She had thought he'd given her some practise jersey. Her fingers traced the embroidered date. It was the jersey he'd worn in the final against the Harpies. He'd won his first title wearing this.
Ginny had gone to watch the game with Ron and her father. It had been her first Quidditch game. Ginny and Ron had really bonded during the game. Him with his garish orange and she in her respectable Harpies shirt. Wiping away a tear she walked back to the house. Harry could be very sweet when he wanted to be.
"What did your coach need to talk to you about?" Mrs Weasley asked.
Ginny opened her mouth to reply, but a shout cut off her words. "Is that a Chudley's jersey?" Ron shouted from the living room. Ginny growled. It was practically impossible to hide something so orange.
"Who else makes something this vile?" Ginny yelled back. "Come in here, Ron."
He hurried into the kitchen. "Did the Cannons sign you?" Ron asked eagerly. He looked so hopeful. "Just think. My sister taking the place of Harry Potter." His eyes were practically shimmering with excitement.
"No, you prat," Ginny laughed. "But I did get this to give to you."
She handed the jersey over to him. Unlike her, he actually looked at it before speaking. Well, she did have an excuse. Harry could be very distracting. "This is an actual jersey from the final!" His voice rose. "The game we watched together." Ron continued to stare at it in open wonder as his fingers ran across the stitching that read, 'Cup Final — Chudley Cannons versus Holyhead Harpies.'
"Unfold it," Ginny said. She couldn't wait to see her brother's face.
The jersey opened and her mother gasped. Ron turned it over. His mouth opened and closed like a gold fish for at least a minute. "This is…" he barely managed. "This is…"
"The actual shirt worn by Harry Potter when he caught the Snitch that won the Cannons their first title in a billion years." She decided he required some help completing the sentence.
He placed the shirt down carefully and her mother turned back to her responsibilities around the house. Apparently all was forgiven or the conversation had just been moved to a later date. Ginny did not know which was worse. She also had this feeling that her mother did not accept Ginny's lie.
"I… thank you, Ginny."
"Perks of being in my position." Her whole body burned. Ron didn't notice her blush as he pulled her into a hug. "It just makes the day more special." She spoke while thinking about the morning spent with Harry.
A/N
OK, how many of you guessed the Gwenog thing? The previous chapters are littered with a few hints