Lusty, Young and Cheerly Drawing Breath

But lusty, young and cheerly drawing breath...

Richard II, Act I, Scene III

Harry and Ginny apparated in the vestibule of his flat. Somehow they managed to snog, walk and take off their clothes, all at the same time. It was a marvel of coordination. The shoes had been easy, so had been Harry's tweed blazer. Ginny's dress came off with one easy upward movement, after she raised both arms. Ginny started to get nervous after that, and her hands fumbled with Harry's shirt buttons. He raised both his arms and she helped him take it off with the buttons on, pulling it over his head. She then, nervously, undid his belt and pants button, at the same time he lowered the zipper. Gravity did the rest, and he stepped out of them as they continued to move towards the living room, turning the light switch on as he walked by. Harry took care of his socks on the go, quickly pulling them off, leaving him with only gray boxer briefs on. Harry could feel Ginny getting really tense. He stopped kissing her face and gathered his resolve.

"You can still say 'No', Ginny," Harry said with trepidation.

She was down to a lacy black satin bra and the black silk tights. Ginny looked up to him gratefully and took a step back. Harry almost had a heart attack, but breathed with relief, when with a pull from her hand and a shake of the head, Ginny let her silky hair fall freely down to her back. She then quickly took off the wand holster and bent down bringing the tights down with her. She stepped out of them, revealing a tiny G-sting.

Holy mother of Merlin. If ever there was a body designed to wear a G-string, it was Ginny's. Harry was sure that the love he felt for her clouded his perception and made everything about her appear more beautiful than it really was; that his eyes missed the imperfections; that surely, something so perfect couldn't be reality. Even the smattering of freckles on her shoulders and chest looked like enhancements rather than blemishes. He looked at Ginny from head to toe with open admiration. He stopped at her eyes, then marvelled again at her impossibly straight nose, the sexy philtrum, the full breasts... next came into view a new wonder; a vertically elongated belly button, framed by the curves of her waist and hips; he continued down to the promise held behind a swat of fabric, and finally to her slim, toned legs, all the way down to her dainty feet.

"You are so beautiful!" Harry said devotion.

"So are you," she said embracing him tightly. After a moment of just enjoying the closeness and warmth of their bodies, she looked up at him and rose to her tiptoes. "This is my first time, Harry," she confessed with a whisper to his ear.

Harry was caught by surprise by the revelation. For a woman as sexy and vibrant as Ginny, to remain a virgin almost to her twentieth birthday was incomprehensible for him. He pulled back to see into her eyes and racked his brains for something reassuring to say but couldn't come up with anything. Instead, he gave her a soft, loving kiss, hoping it would convey his feelings. After picking up their wands, he took her hand, and he led her to his bedroom. As they went in, Harry turned the light of the lamp on the dresser, leaving the room bathed in a soft light. They stopped next to the large bed still holding hands and faced each other. Harry embraced her and placed his hands on the clasp of her bra, leaving it there for a moment. Ginny's head didn't move from his chest as he unhooked it, and gently pulled it off of her to let it fall to the floor...

...His hands went down to her waist and pulled on one string of her knickers. "Do you want to take them off, or should I do it?" Harry asked her.

"Would you like to do it?" she asked him a little hesitantly.

Harry gave her a big sly smile and a nod. "I would love to do it."

She laughed, and some of her tension was liberated by the laughter. "Do it, then."

Harry went down to one knee and pulled her towards him by the hips until his face was sideways against her lower abdomen. His hands caressed her bare bum, and he felt the goosebumps rise all over it as Ginny cradled his head with her hands. He pulled back and grabbed the two strings running along her hips. He pulled down slowly until it was free of her crotch, letting it fall to the floor. A musky scent of vanilla filled his senses and he let out a low groan of delight. He then saw a neatly trimmed patch of red hair. Heaven. Sometimes reality can be better than dreams...

-0-0-0-

No words were said, and none were needed. Ginny looked at him with a pained smile and grabbed his left forearm with her hand, then she slowly closed her eyes again. Only then Harry fully grasped what this meant. Ginny had given him a gift she could give only once, and once he took that gift from her, he could never give it back. A wave of tenderness filled him as he watched Ginny's beautiful face. He wasn't sure that he deserved such a gift, but she had chosen him. He would accept it and cherish it forever...

-0-0-0-

..."I'll need to use the bathroom, Harry," she said a moment later.

"Of course, go ahead. Could you throw me a hand towel when you go in?"

Ginny got up and blew a kiss to him. "Sure, Love."

She started walking away and Harry was admiring her sweet bum, when another thing caught his attention. "Dimples of Venus!" he called out. "You got dimples of Venus."

Ginny stopped at the bathroom door and turned to face him with a questioning look. Harry motioned with his hand and finger for her to turn around. She complied and looked back at him. Harry pointed incisively twice, just above her bum.

"Ohhh! Is that what they are called?"

Harry nodded.

"And you like them?" she asked.

"I do now," he replied with a wide smile.

Ginny laughed and threw him the white hand towel that was on the rack by the door. After Harry heard the water of the bidet running, he started to clean himself. He noticed with concern some small streaks of blood on the towel as he finished. He guiltily laid on his back and waited for Ginny to return. She came back after a couple of minutes and stood next to the bed wearing nothing but a smile that made him forget his concerns.

"Isn't it odd? I'm standing here completely starkers," she spread her arms to emphasize the point, "looking at your bits," she added gesticulating towards his crotch, "and it feels like it's the most natural thing in the world."

"Yes. It does feel odd," Harry replied.

Ginny got into bed and laid face down with her head resting on her arms looking at him. "You obviously have been naked with other women before, why would it feel odd for you?"

Harry watched Ginny's face carefully, but there wasn't any accusation or anger in her expression. "Yes, I've been with other women before, but I've never been this comfortable when I was naked around them. At this point I would normally have a towel on." He pulled closer to her and lied sideways facing her. He started rubbing her shoulders with his hand, kneading her muscles. It amounted to a one hand massage.

"You can always come to work as a masseuse with the Harpies if the Auror thing doesn't work out," Ginny said purring with delight.

Harry continued working her taut skin until he was at her lower back. He kissed the back or her neck and started leaving a trail of kisses down her spine until he was at the level of her dimples. He moved to kiss them as his hand caressed her bum.

"That tickles!" Ginny giggled, raising her head.

"Your bum?" Harry asked with feigned surprise.

"No, silly... the dimples," she said laughing. "My bum feels heavenly."

"Yes. It looks heavenly too," he replied.

Ginny felt him getting aroused against her leg and looked down at him. "I thought this was the part where you turned on your back, fell asleep and started snoring."

"No. This is the part where we make love, all over again."

She turned on her back and held out her hand inviting him to move up to her. Harry complied. "One reason why I love you, Harry, is because you always give the best answers." Ginny proceeded to snog him senseless.

-0-0-0-

They both fell to the bed, totally spent. She was so knackered she was not going to manage the energy to go to the bathroom to clean herself up. Ginny reached for the hand towel that was on the night table, and noticed Harry on his back, still breathing hard. She carefully cleaned him first. "I love you, Harry," she said kissing the side of his face. He turned around and took the towel from her hand. After finding a clean spot on the towel, he lovingly cleaned her. Ginny was amazed at how easy and natural that felt. It was a level of intimacy she wouldn't have thought possible this morning. There was magic between them. She could feel it. "I love you, Ginny," he said as he pecked her lips. Ginny put her head on his chest and quickly fell into blissful sleep.

-0-0-0-

Tonks apparated in the vestibule of Harry's flat, took a step, and stumbled on a pair of shoes haphazardly laying on the floor. She noticed a pair of expensive looking high heeled shoes a little further down. She followed the trail of clothes to the living room and was relieved when she recognized the sexy wand holster Ginny had shown her once. At least she was there. Gaby had been frantic when she called her. Mrs Weasley had floo-called for Ginny and when she went to get her, noticed her bed was unused. Gaby suspected she was with Harry, but she didn't know if she should tell Mrs Weasley, so she had lied, and told her she was in the shower and would have her call back. Gaby didn't know how to get a hold of Harry, so she called Tonks.

The flat was completely silent. Tonks made her way down the corridor to the master bedroom and noticed the door halfway open. She stuck her head in and noticed a faint musky scent... She chanced a peek at the bed. "Shite!" They were both sleeping completely starkers. Ginny was lying face down with her head on his chest, and one arm across his abdomen. Harry was on his back and had an alarming morning condition pointing straight up to the ceiling. Tonks felt herself blush. That hadn't happened to her in a long time. Even though their age differences were not dramatic, after she had moved in with Remus, Tonks had started to have motherly feelings towards Harry. To see him naked at his age, in that condition, was just plain wrong. She turned her back to them and was about to walk out of the room and knock as if she had seen nothing, then she reconsidered. That wasn't her style. She smiled evilly.

She stood in front of the bed. She would make them pay for embarrassing her. They did make a lovely couple, though. "HARRY, GINNY!"

Harry pushed Ginny and rolled out of bed grabbing his wand on the go. He was up and alert, facing Tonks with his wand in his hand. Ginny was now on her back completely exposed to Tonks. The older girl liked the redhead but thought it should be illegal for anyone to have a body like that. Ginny and Harry realized they were starkers and started scrambling for a way to cover themselves. They both made a grab for the same bed sheet and started pulling on it frantically, until Harry, always the gentleman, let go of it and ran for the bathroom.

Tonks had a smug smile and spoke before Ginny could start the invective she could see was coming. "Your mum is looking for you. Gaby can only cover for so long." Harry was coming with a towel around his waist and heard everything.

"Shite!" Ginny screamed. "I was supposed to go with her to Diagon Alley at eleven. What time is it?"

"Eleven."

"Shite!" Ginny got up covering herself with the bed sheet and took a step to pick up her knickers.

"Owww!"

There were muscles in her crotch and legs that had never been used before, and now she was paying for the night's exertions.

Tonks looked at Ginny open mouthed. She couldn't be. Could she? Then she saw the white towel with a streak of blood on the floor. "Harry, do you have any analgesic potion?"

"Yes," he answered surprised by the question.

"Give some to Ginny." She let Harry run to the bathroom before she continued. "Sit down. Did he hurt you?" she asked, a little concerned.

Ginny shook her head negatively and smiled softly, "No. Not maliciously. He was gentle, but you saw him just now. It hurt. It hurt so good..."

Tonks blushed again and interrupted her. "That's all I need to know. I'll get your things." She handed her the bra and knickers off the floor before leaving to gather the rest of her things from all over the flat. When she returned, she found Ginny and Harry sitting on the edge of the bed. He was giving her the analgesic potion with an arm over her shoulder in the most tender way. Ginny seemed to be glowing and looked at him with sparkling eyes. Tonks felt proud of her 'son' at that moment. "Harry, take a shower and get ready to escort Ginny and Mrs Weasley to Diagon Alley. I'll take Ginny to her flat."

"Can you Apparate?" she asked Ginny after she was dressed. The redhead got up and nodded. Both women immediately apparated away.

-0-0-0-

Mrs Weasley was surprised her daughter had chosen to Floo to the Burrow. She hated soot. She was ready to give her a piece of her mind for being late. Those Harpies were known to be party animals and she probably had been out late, maybe even drank more than she should have. As soon as she saw Ginny, Mrs Weasley knew something was different. Her walk was a little off and her skin seemed to glow. She had a gut feeling. She then remembered the soreness after her first night with Arthur, and how uncomfortable it had been to walk the next day. Reason enough avoid a walk from the wards.

Her little girl had been deflowered.

"That brute! Did he hurt you?" she asked furiously before Ginny knew what hit her.

"What are you talking about, Mum?" Ginny answered nervously. She suspected that all the efforts of Gaby and Tonks to cover for her had been wasted.

"Did he at least promise to marry you?" Mrs Weasley inquired, making a face that promised consequences if he hadn't.

"WHAT?"

"I made your dad promise he would marry me before I gave myself to him," Mrs. Weasley said with a hint of pride.

Ginny felt a little annoyed. "I didn't make him promise me anything, Mum." She thought a moment about what her mum had just said. "You and dad married when you turned eighteen. When exactly did he promise to marry you?" Ginny asked curiously.

Mrs Weasley turned red with embarrassment. "That's none of your business, young lady!"

Ginny took a more conciliatory tone. "Mum. I'm almost twenty years old. I'm an adult. There may be some questions I won't answer."

Mrs Weasley looked at Ginny. She was indeed an adult, made lots of money and had her own place, but she still only saw her little girl. She hugged her daughter tightly. "Come to the kitchen. I'll give you something for the soreness. Just wait. When I see that brute, he'll have a piece of my mind!"

"Mum! He was not a brute. He was sweet and gentle," Ginny said with a dreamy smile. Her mum didn't need to know things had gotten more forceful later... or that she hadn't minded it at all.

"Don't be disappointed, dear. The first time men are too eager and... well... they shoot their load too fast. It will get better..."

"MUM! I don't want to hear this," Ginny said covering her ears and blushing. "It was wonderful, Mum. I can't possibly imagine it getting better."

"You don't have to be embarrassed for him," Mrs Weasley insisted with a wink, "You may have to show him how to... touch you."

Ginny's eyes went wide with horror "PLEASE MUM! I'm too old for a 'talk'. I beg you. Stop! It wasn't Harry's first time. He was quite proficient," she added hoping to allay her mother's concerns.

"That libertine. That Casanova! I knew it. He just wanted another notch for his bedpost!" Mrs Weasley said indignantly, flailing her arms.

"Mum. If you keep this up, I'll leave," Ginny said seriously.

"Dear, I just don't want anyone taking advantage of you."

"I assure you he most certainly didn't take advantage of me," she said forcefully. She remembered the night before, and felt a wave of admiration at how considerate he had been. "He gave me every opportunity to walk away."

Mrs Weasley looked carefully at her daughter trying to determine if she was telling the truth. She couldn't detect any deceit, but she knew her daughter could be an accomplished actress when she wanted. They reached the kitchen and Mrs Weasley looked through the potion cabinet.

"I've already had some analgesic potion, Mum."

"That's okay. I'm giving you something for your pelvic floor muscles. That's what's making you sore, dear," Mrs Weasley said giving her the potion. She looked at Ginny and let out a sob.

Ginny was touched by her mother's affection and hugged her.

"I was planning to give you this potion for the day after your wedding," Mrs Weasley said between sobs. There were thick tears running down her face.

"Don't cry, Mum. Be happy. It was wonderful and beautiful. Harry was gentle and we love each other," Ginny paused and started thinking about Harry and her. Even though she had not thought about marriage, last night with Harry had felt like a consummation. She couldn't imagine being with another man. "Are we still going to Diagon Alley?"

"It wasn't important," Mrs Weasley said drying the tears with her apron. "The reason I called you is because Luna is in town and wanted to meet with you. She said she just came back from Hyperborea, wherever that is. She wanted to have lunch with you and Hermione at the Leaky Cauldron at one o'clock.

"That's great! I haven't seen Luna in a long time." She laughed. "I love hearing about her travels, especially if Hermione is there. Luna drives her barmy," she looked at the clock on the wall. "Wow! It's already a quarter past twelve. I better let Harry know."

Ginny got out of the kitchen for some privacy and tapped on the two-way mirror. "Hi, Love," she said when Harry's face appeared. "Change of plans. We're having lunch with a friend I want you to meet, Luna Lovegood, and Hermione. Ron will probably be there also. Pick me up at the Burrow in thirty minutes." After an exchange of affectionate words, and blown kisses, they cut the connection.

-0-0-0-

When Harry arrived in the Burrow he immediately noticed Mrs Weasley's chilly attitude. She was looking daggers at him. It seemed that only Ginny's reproachful looks had stopped her from tearing into him.

The potion her mother gave her had worked fantastically. Ginny felt well enough to walk comfortably, and they made their way to the apparition point holding hands.

"Did you tell her?" Harry asked with curiosity.

"No. She just knew."

"Does she hate me?"

"No, Harry," Ginny said smiling at him. "She just needs to get used to the idea that I'm a woman."

They apparated behind the Leaky Cauldron and walked in. Luna, Hermione and Ron were already there. Harry noticed that, probably Ron, had chosen a good table, next to the wall and with a view of both entrances. He was also properly seated on the aisle seat. Ginny and Luna hugged enthusiastically as he greeted Hermione and Ron.

"Luna, this is my boyfriend, Harry Potter," Ginny said proudly.

Harry extended his hand, but Luna completely ignored it. She launched herself at him to hug him tightly and kissed him on the cheek, then she did the same with Ginny. She dreamily looked at both of them and sighed. Harry was flabbergasted. Hermione and Ron were laughing in the background.

"You never know what to expect when you meet Luna," Ron said laughing. Harry noticed Ginny and Luna exchanging whispers in each other's ears.

"Yes, she's always spontaneous," Hermione added.

They sat down and ordered a round of Butterbeers. "Mum tells me you just got back from Hyperborea," Ginny said to Luna.

Hermione scoffed. "There is no such place as Hyperborea. It's a myth," she said hotly. "You shouldn't encourage these fantasies, Ginny."

Harry cleared his throat loudly. "Actually... I've never been to Hyperborea myself, but I did meet with a delegation of Hyperborean representatives before the Battle of Hogwarts. I'm sure Hyperborea, is real," he said addressing Hermione. He then turned to Luna. "What were you doing there? They rarely allow outsiders within their boundaries."

Hermione was listening to the conversation with her mouth hanging wide open. "The two of them are nutters," she said to Ron.

Luna just ignored her. "I'm a naturalist and I've been looking for a very rare species, the Crumpled Horned Snorkack, for many years..."

"Not the Crumpled Horned Snorkack, again!" Hermione interrupted slapping one hand to her face and rolling her eyes.

Luna continued as if she had heard nothing. Ginny, meanwhile, was holding her sides trying to contain her laughter. "I was trying to get safe passage to Ultima Thule. I believe that's the last refuge of the Snorkack"

"And did you get it?" Harry asked.

"Yes..." Luna's demeanour towards Harry was changing. She was looking intently at him, "I have passage for next month."

"That's amazing," Harry said sincerely. "Less than a dozen wizards have been to Ultima Thule ever. I hope you find what you are looking for."

"There is NO Ultima Thule," Hermione said exasperated. "It's a fantasy!"

"Do you think Hogwarts exists?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Of course!"

"And yet, Muggles can't see it." Hermione opened her mouth to argue the point but left it open. Harry continued. "There are places in this world that are hidden from both Muggles and Wizards, Hermione. Hyperborea and Ultima Thule are just two of them. Luna is very privileged; she seems to have a unique gift.

Hermione was left sputtering, trying to think of something to say. Harry noticed Luna's silver-gray eyes looking intently into his green ones. He was sure she was trying to use Legilimency on him. He immediately put up all his Occlumency shields, fully expecting to find Luna probing his mind, but whatever she was doing, it wasn't Legilimency. The other three people at the table noticed that something was going on. Harry and Luna were locked in a staring battle.

"What's going on, Harry?" Ginny asked with concern.

"You should tell her," Luna said to Harry in a dreamy voice. Her eyes seemed to be jumping out of their sockets. "She's my friend. If you don't, I will. She deserves to know."

Harry was too surprised to say anything. His mouth was hanging open, just as Hermione's had been earlier.

"Tell me what, Harry?" Ginny asked with dread in her voice.

The power of speech had completely abandoned Harry. His mind was trying to figure out how Luna knew.

"He's the boy in the Chamber," Luna said turning to Ginny.

As soon as Luna said those words, a clear image jumped to Ginny's mind, an image that had always eluded her, an image that always had been fuzzy before. It was a boy with round eyeglasses and intensely green eyes... Harry's eyes... He was covered with mud and blood. The boy was dying... it was her fault.

Ginny got up from her seat, her eyes and mouth wide open with surprise. She felt intense confusion. There were other things she needed to remember. Those memories were struggling to reach the surface, they assaulted her mind.

"I got to go," Ginny announced holding her head with both hands, looking bewildered. "I need to think about this. Take me home, Ron."

"Ginny," Harry pleaded rising from his seat, "when we met, I was advised not to tell you, but I tried to tell you yesterday at Trismegistus, you said it wasn't the time. I was twelve years old, Ginny. I didn't make you forget. It wasn't my decision," his voice was thick. "I wanted to tell you," he said full of despair.

Ginny approached Harry, held his face with both hands, and kissed his lips hard. "I love you, Harry. Nothing can change that now... but I need to think about this."

Luna got up and faced them. "Don't be mad at him, Ginny. You're not the only one that was memory charmed that day."

Harry's mind started spinning.

-0-0-0-