"Weasley!"
Her head whipped around, tossing the Quaffle to the Keeper and looked down at her captain. "Yes?"
Gwenog did not look happy. "There is an urgent letter for you!" She waved the purple envelope.
Ginny immediately turned her broom around and flew down, skidding to a stop in front of Gwenog. She took the letter and quickly read over it. She let out a sigh.
"It's Harry," she started. "He got injured during practice and can't walk. They likely assumed I was his emergency contact."
Gwenog's eyebrows raised but she remained silent.
"He doesn't have any living family," she explained. "I better go check on him. I will log it as family emergency time. Sorry."
"Don't worry about Weasley, I'll take it up with management. It's their fault." She dismissed Ginny with a nod of her head. "Go on."
"Thank you!" Ginny told her. "I'll come in early tomorrow!" She walked inside briskly and changed into her clothes without showering. She put her broom away, grabbed her bag and immediately apparated to the Phenton stadium.
She walked up to the first security guard she could find and asked to be brought to the first aid. The security guard nodded without objection, and she followed him inside. When the guard had left her at the door, she knocked.
A healer opened and smiled at her. "Miss Weasley, come on in!"
Harry looked incredibly annoyed. He smiled apologetically when he spotted her. "I told them they didn't need to bother you, but apparently it's protocol."
"I'll leave you two for a minute," the healer announced, as if Ginny was about to launch herself into Harry's arms.
Ginny nodded and watched the healer leave. She looked back around to Harry. "I suppose there was no one else to come get you."
He bit his lip. "No."
"What happened?" she asked him.
"Broken femur." He grimaced. "They had to set it again. They're giving me a heavy dose of Skelegro and some other foul potion."
Ginny shuddered at the thought of Skelegro. "They can't afford you to be out for long I guess."
He shook his head. "No. And there are the tryouts as well. Michael is worried you'll steal the Seeker spot instead."
She laughed. "How did the broken femur happen?"
"Collision. The Quaffle kept soaring up to where I was." He shook his head warily. "I think Michael is barely done shouting at the rest. I just had the bad luck of being in between the whole thing. Ethan's broom got wedged somewhere. Louis was stuck. It was either break my leg or have all four of us plummet to the earth. It was a split-second decision, and I made it." He sighed, a hand running through his hair. "Robert and Michael caught me thankfully. I hadn't really anticipated exactly how much it would hurt."
She nodded quietly as she listened. "Do you think the Quaffle was tampered with?"
"Michael thinks so," Harry said. "I don't know. If it was, I likely wasn't the target."
"That's a comforting thought," she said with sarcasm. "How is the pain?"
"Manageable. Been better. I am mostly nauseous from the Skelegro." He glanced at the bottle. "And I have to have another dose soon."
She grimaced. "Poor you. I suppose you can't walk on it?"
He shook his head. "Not until tomorrow morning." He eyed her. "You can just drop me at home and I'll manage—" He paused, breathing out slowly. "Saying it out loud, I am realising you are very likely not letting me do that."
"You are damn right! You are injured!" She shifted closer to him. "You can choose. Either we go back to your place, and I'll get us takeout, or we go back to my parents' and you will likely get the full worried mum treatment, and me to entertain you."
He frowned as he thought. "Arnold is there, right?"
She nodded in confirmation.
"Then let's go there."
As soon as she looked back up, the healer reappeared and walked up to them. She handed Ginny two potions. "He will need to take these. I wrote the instructions on the bottle."
Ginny lifted the bottle to check the instructions.
"He cannot put any weight on it for the coming three hours and after that he should still be on bed rest until morning. After that, he should be fine for normal activity, and we'll clear him for training in the morning." She glanced at him. "Or not, if you don't follow the instructions."
"Got it. Thanks, Laura."
"Thank you," Ginny said. She tucked the two potions away in her bag.
The healer came back with a pair of crutches. "Use them, please."
Harry nodded. He scooted to the side of the bed. The door opened and Michael walked in, looking worried.
"Hi," Ginny greeted him.
The captain nodded at her in greeting. He turned to Harry, concerned. "How are you doing?" He set Harry's bag down on the bed.
"Fine," Harry reassured him. "I'll be back on my broom tomorrow. You shouldn't have bothered Ginny."
"It is not a problem," Ginny told Michael.
"We will have a team meeting tomorrow first. Either one of you thought charming the Quaffle would be a funny joke, or we are being sabotaged." He shook his head. "I will have to report it to the League."
"Do you think that will hurt my chances for the tryouts?" Harry asked.
Michael looked him over. "I don't see why if you are fit to fly." He eyes Ginny. "Unless you plan to out-fly him."
"We'll see," she said with a smile.
"Take your potions, and rest," Michael told Harry firmly.
"You don't have to worry; I will be supervised," he said, pointing at Ginny.
Michael nodded. "Okay, take care." He pointed at Harry's bag. "Robert packed it, it may or may not contain your items. I do not know."
Harry smiled. "Thanks."
Michael took his leave. Ginny handed Harry the crutches. After a few steps, he was walking steadily with them. Ginny grabbed his bag and followed him out of the room.
"Hang on," Harry said when they made it out to the hallway. "I really have to pee."
Thankfully there was a restroom on the way out. Ginny held a door open and Harry hopped into a stall.
"I am not trying this standing up." He closed the door behind him.
She chuckled. "Good call, darling." She watched the closed door. "Don't you know me enough to pee in front of me by now?"
There was a lot of noise, the crutches shifting and a thud and it ended, presumably, with Harry sitting down.
"I really don't think it's a necessary thing, to pee in front of each other."
She shrugged and turned around to check herself in the mirror. She heard more noise and the toilet flushed. "Need help?"
"No, all good."
Ginny apparated as carefully as she could, holding Harry tight in case he would lose his balance. It was unnecessary—Harry landed quite gently and put his crutches down as soon as they arrived. They had made it only halfway through the garden when Molly walked outside.
"Oh, dear! What happened?" she asked, walking up to them. She immediately took one of the bags off Ginny's shoulder.
"Broken femur," Ginny spoke. "He'll be okay, he just needs to rest. I'll put him up in my room and I'll take Bill or Percy's room." She said all of this before her mother had a chance to ask.
Getting him up the stairs was a bit of a hassle–the stairs were too narrow to walk beside him to support him but he made it up onto the landing with some difficulty. He landed on Ginny's bed, grunting slightly.
Ginny went into her bag, took the potions out and put them on her nightstand. Her mother watched for a moment.
"I am sorry I didn't give a head's up, but it was better to come here," Ginny said, eyeing her mum.
"Of course. I am glad," she said. "Better if we can watch him here."
Ginny grinned at Harry; her expression hidden from her mum. She turned back around. "Thank you, I did think it was the better option. This fool thought I'd just drop him off home and leave."
Molly shook her head warily. "Just because you are used to taking care of yourself, doesn't mean that is always the best option." She exited the room and walked back downstairs.
"She seemed genuinely offended I didn't want to bother her," Harry commented.
Ginny nodded. "Oh, but she is." She began rearranging the pillows so Harry could sit comfortably, making sure his leg was elevated and there was no unnecessary pressure on it. "That's alright?"
"Yes, my dear fudge."
Her eyes shot up. "You are just using that one because it is the worst one."
Harry grinned innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'll go talk to my mum, don't go anywhere." She walked to the door.
Harry snorted. "I think your great sense of humour is my favourite thing about you."
She turned around. "I know it, darling." She winked and made her way downstairs.
"How is the pain?" Ginny asked.
The smell of food was slowly making its way up the stairs, it was almost dinner time.
Harry shrugged. "Not terrible."
She scooted closer and lifted his shorts up a bit. At least his leg looked fine and the bruising was minimal. She massaged it softly, trying to ease the muscles. Harry winced and she stopped.
"Does it hurt?"
He shook his head, his lips pressed together. She continued but then his body stiffened, and she looked at him.
"If it hurts, you have to say," she told him gently.
He cleared his throat. "It's not that."
Ginny glanced down and smiled. "Oopsie."
"Oopsie," he repeated in annoyance. "You always do that thing with your fingers on my thighs when you are horny and now I've been conditioned to—"
"It's okay, I'll fix it," she told him cheerily.
He looked rather alarmed. "What do you mean fix it?"
She locked eyes with him. "Thigh massage with happy ending?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Harry's head dropped against the pillow. "Your mother–"
"–is downstairs cooking." She teased the skin on his stomach. "I promise you'll feel better."
Harry gave the smallest nod and she put one of her hands down his shorts and into his underwear.
"What if she brings my food?" Harry asked, slightly worried.
She shrugged. "I think we have enough time. And if I sit like this, she wouldn't immediately see."
"Good, because I don't think she would appreciate me taking advantage of her hospitality by finding you with your hand on my dick."
"Stop thinking about my mother." She lifted her other hand off his thigh and used it to lead his hand under her shirt.
"That'll do it," he muttered.
Ginny did a cleaning spell and tucked her wand away. "Feel better?"
"As a nurse you're pretty good," he said.
She laughed. "Don't think all nurses are that fun."
"And I am incredibly glad your mum didn't show up." He glanced at the door as if she would come bursting through there right now.
She bit her lip. "She told me she would call me down to get your food when it was ready," she admitted. "She wasn't likely to come up."
His jaw dropped. "Why wouldn't you tell me that?"
"Isn't it exciting to be a bit more mischievous?" she teased.
He shook his head in disbelief. "I am trying to stay in their good graces, and you are not making it easy for me." He smiled. "You are a super bad influence on me."
"They raised me, so that's their fault." She stayed quiet for a moment. "I think my dad just got home. I'll be back."
She walked back upstairs several minutes later, carrying a tray. She opened the door and folded the legs of the tray out, putting it down over Harry's legs. "I'll go down and get my food in a minute."
He shook his head. "You should eat with your family."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
He nodded adamantly.
"Fine. Eat your food. It'll help with the nausea." She got up and walked back downstairs.
She entered the kitchen. "I'll eat with you guys," she spoke.
Her mum looked up in surprise. "Don't make him eat alone! The poor guy is injured, he can use the company."
She groaned. "Harry told me to eat here. He said he was fine."
Her mum loaded a plate with food, took cutlery and pushed all of this into Ginny's hands. "Go."
Knowing better than to argue with her mother, she trod back off upstairs, shaking her head. She pushed open the door to her room and walked in.
"Ginny, what did I just tell you?"
She stepped over him on the bed and sat down, keeping her plate level so her food didn't slip off. "My mother insisted. You can take it up with her."
"I am starting to think she is trying to set us up," Harry said. "Now that she knows..."
Ginny stabbed a piece of broccoli on her fork. "Still trying to get us married by dessert." She chuckled. She chewed on the piece of broccoli and swallowed. "We can't sleep together so I don't know what the difference is there."
"I do get that," Harry said. "Suppose she has to set the line somewhere."
When everyone had gone off to bed, Ginny slipped out of Bill's bed. She pulled Harry's invisibility cloak from under her pillow and threw it over herself. She snuck down the stairs, her knowledge of the house helping her walk through it without so much as a floorboard creaking.
She pushed open the door to her room, and Harry looked up in surprise. She closed the door and pulled the cloak off.
"Can't believe you stole my invisibility cloak," he commented. He scooted to the wall to make space for her.
"Borrowed," she said. She stepped into bed. "Good evening, handsome."
Harry pulled the sheet over her too and smiled. "Good evening, gorgeous."
She settled into his arms, wary to keep away from his leg. "Took your Skelegro yet?"
"Yes." His nose pressed against her hair. "As instructed."
It was silent for a moment. Ginny closed her eyes, getting comfortable.
"Thank you."
She opened her eyes again and moved her head so she was able to look at him.
"I am not used to being taken care of. And you do it, you and your family, like it is no hassle," he continued.
"The worry I get from not checking on you would be more trouble than simply taking care of you," she told him.
He nodded. "I hadn't thought about it that way."
She rested her head back down.
"Please stay away from my leg," he said. "Or you can explain to Michael."
"No no, I wouldn't want to risk a lasting injury for you. That would suck." She closed her eyes. "I am determined to get on the National Team with you, not instead of you."
"How nice of you."
Ginny woke up early, went back upstairs to Bill's room to make it look like she slept there. Then she got back into her own room and got dressed, all before Harry woke up.
She pushed his shoulder. "It is Skelegro time."
"No," he moaned.
She poured it out and put the cup in front of him. "Hopefully last time."
"I hope so." He sat up and took up the cup. He held it up by his mouth for a moment, readying himself for the taste. He gulped it down and his stomach made a noise. "I am pretty sure this is what morning sickness feels like."
"If it's any comfort, apparently getting up on a broom and flying does really help," she told him. "How is the leg?"
"It feels okay." He carefully pushed off the bed and took a few steps. "Feels normal."
"Good."
She had just sat down at the table in the kitchen when the Daily Prophet arrived.
"This again," she complained.
"What?" Harry asked, sitting down beside her.
She slid the paper to him. "Saw me rushing in."
"You could have looked more worried," Harry said, greeting her mother with a smile.
She scoffed. "I knew it wasn't life-threatening!" She shook her head. "And then they saw us come out before we apparated. There are assumptions you'll be out for weeks."
Harry grunted. "At least this may mean they'll underestimate me for the coming game and tryouts."
"I am sorry I can't come watch your quarter finale," Ginny said. "I will be too busy preparing for mine."
"I am sure some of us can come and watch," Molly said. "Is your leg healed?"
Harry smiled at her. "Yes, I think it's all good. I have to go by the healer later to check but I think it is totally fine." He sipped his tea. "You don't have to come watch, it's not a problem. I do have the free family seats I hardly ever use, so if anyone wants to come, I'll be happy to provide the tickets."
"I don't think Ronald is shy for a ticket," Molly muttered. "I'll see who wants to come. Thanks, dear."
Ginny pouted at him.
"What?" Harry asked.
She whispered. "Stop being so charming to her. You know exactly what you're doing."
"I do have the free tickets, I don't...?" Harry answered warily.
"My future boyfriend is going to have to live up to way too high expectations," she told him.
Molly handed him a plate. Harry smiled at her and took it.
He turned to her. "Don't settle for less, Weasley. You deserve better than that."
"Do you think men like that are just flying around?" she complained.
He leaned his chin on his hand. "Flying? Yes. Hang on, let me ask your mum."
"No—"
"Mrs Weasley," Harry started.
Her mum turned around. "I told you, it is Molly."
"Yes. Do you think you have high expectations for Ginny's future boyfriends?"
She glared at him and didn't hold back. "Clearly she didn't. Considering she approved of you."
"Ouch," Harry let out.
"Ginny!" her mother warned. "Behaviour like that is how you keep chasing men away. You scare them."
"Dad said I get that from you," she continued with a smile. "And if they can't handle a little fire, I don't want them."
"More like an inferno with you sometimes," Molly said.
"Ah, that's it. I'll gift your future boyfriend some dragon-hide gloves," Harry joined in.
Her mother laughed at his comment.
Harry patted her head to comfort her, giving her a daring look.
"You should hope your femur is healed, because you better run," she threatened playfully.
He chuckled, popping a piece of bacon into his mouth. "You don't scare me, Weasley."
A/N: We are so close to Ginny realising... I will ask for just a little more
I was contemplating the other day if I should have tagged it slow-burn, but I don't think it's quite that slow to be fair.
Next chapter isn't written yet and I am very tired these days so the next update may be a while. I'll do my best!
Can't wait to read your thoughts on this chapter!
