A/N: This story is now titled 'Love, I Like a Challenge'. Why? Because it abbreviates to Lilac. The sentence is updated in chapter one to match the title. That's all folks!
Ginny stepped down the stairs. Her mum and Harry looked up. She was wearing a short dress to get drinks with Harry's team. He had said that whatever she wore on a night out was fine.
"She looks pretty, doesn't she?" Mrs Weasley asked Harry.
Harry didn't take his eyes off Ginny to reply. "Yeah." His eyes quickly darted up and down her body before meeting her eyes again.
Ginny grinned at him. She couldn't tell if he was playing it up in front of her mother or if he actually thought so.
"Goodnight, mum."
"Alright, dear. Have fun!" Molly said.
They walked through the garden towards the apparition point.
Harry leaned closer to her, his voice low. "Please tell me I can take that off you later tonight."
She smirked, making sure to lean into him. She could feel his hand hover by her lower back but never actually touched it. "You'll have to earn it." She picked up her pace, so she was out of his personal space.
"Wait, what does that even mean?" Harry asked.
She whipped her head around. "Didn't you say you liked a challenge?" She paused when she reached the apparition point.
He quickly caught up with her. "You want to play games?"
She cocked her head playfully. "Yes. Don't worry, you'll figure it out." She held out her hand for him to take.
As soon as his hand slipped into hers, he apparated to the alleyway right around the corner from the pub. They didn't let go of each other's hand as they started walking. They didn't need to coordinate much when they were in public. It was easy, pretend to be a couple.
Photographers were lingering in the street. They quietly walked past them, they'd get their photos in when they wanted to. Harry opened the door to the pub and led her in. It appeared they must have a usual spot on in the pub as Harry immediately turned right. Several guys waved from a booth.
Harry's hand slipped from hers and landed on her back instead.
"Harry!" One of them greeted them as they came up to the table. They shifted and Ginny slipped into the booth, Harry settling beside her.
"I suppose I don't need to introduce myself," she said with a smile.
Harry nodded. "Only to Rick, he doesn't read the news anymore," he joked. He pointed at his teammates. "That's Michael, our captain. Sam is the blonde guy. Louis is there on the left and that's Ethan. The rest will show up soon."
"Nice to meet you all," she said.
"You know you are buying us drinks for costing us the game, right?" Louis told her.
Michael shook his head. "Louis!"
She folded her arms. "It is not my fault your Seeker didn't have his eyes on the target."
"I had my eyes on a target," Harry mumbled and the guys chuckled. "I think it's impolite to make the newcomer pay."
"It is," Michael agreed with a glare at Louis.
"Just give the receipt to management and ask to be reimbursed. Harry-Ginny journalism expense," she suggested brightly.
Harry snorted beside her. "Is that going to work?"
"They are about to finance a new wardrobe for me, so I hope so. Must have proper clothes to represent the team if I am going to be front page every other day."
Ethan looked at her. "She is on to something."
Another guy came up to the table. He pulled a chair to the table and sat down.
"That is Robert," Harry said.
"Everyone calls me Bobby," Robert said.
Harry shook his head. "Everyone calls him Rob." He frowned. "You are all behaving really well, making a great first impression."
"Some of them I've met before, briefly," she said. She looked at Ethan. "Right?"
Ethan squinted his eyed. "Vaguely remember something, yeah. May have been drunk."
She smiled. "I think you were."
Michael stood up, taking everyone's drink order before making his way to the bar.
A girl entered the pub and looked around. Harry cursed under his breath as he spotted her and then tried to look away so she wouldn't spot him. Ginny raised her eyes curiously for anyone to explain.
"That's Romilda Vane," Robert explained. "Harry was the first of many Quidditch stars she went after."
"Oh. She's a broom hopper," she commented.
Robert looked at her amused. "A broom hopper?"
"Yes, it is what we call the girls who seek out the Quidditch players one after the other. We don't call the guys who are after us that, the broom part you see..."
"We got it." Harry patted her hand.
"So, you dated?" she asked him.
Harry looked hesitant but then nodded. "Not very long... turns out once she had gotten me into bed she was no longer interested."
Ethan shook his head. "She's vermin. And she never deserved you."
"Even the papers have caught on to it. She's infamous," Louis added.
Ginny looked over at her, giggling at the bar as she ordered her drink. "I'll go talk to her."
Harry's eyebrows raised. "What are you going to say?"
"Just some girl-to-girl talk, I won't cause a scene." She looked at him more closely. "Do you trust me?" She waited for his approval before she moved. After his little nod, she got out of the booth.
She walked over to the bar as well, slipping on the stool beside her and then turning to Romilda with her brightest smile.
"You must be Romilda Vane," she said. "Your reputation precedes you." She could feel Romilda's judging eyes on her.
"You must be Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter's newest girlfriend," Romilda said.
"I am usually more known for being a Harpies Chaser, but I guess it depends on what one focuses on." She continued to smile brightly but they both knew this was not a casual conversation. "I suppose you got to Harry first, huh?"
Romilda looked at the group over Ginny's shoulder. She threw a quick glance over her shoulder too. The guys were barely hiding they were looking at them. Ginny looked at Romilda again.
"Yes," Romilda admitted, looking a little smug. "I hope you are not intimidated by my presence."
Ginny shook her head without missing a beat. "Don't worry, not at all."
Romilda's smile faltered the tiniest bit, but she recovered quickly. "Good. How is he?"
"He is great." She threw another swooning glance Harry's way as if she could not help looking at him. "Of course, we haven't been together officially for very long but..." She faked a happy sigh. "He is so romantic and attentive; it has been amazing."
The girl's face showed the slightest sign of jealousy, or perhaps regret, and Ginny sunk her teeth in.
"The way he takes his time to adore you and when," —She abruptly closed her mouth. "Well, I don't have to tell you, you know... The thing he does..." She raised her eyebrows knowingly, never looking away from Romilda, watching every expression on her face flit by.
Romilda looked over at Harry almost longingly and Ginny knew she had managed to make Romilda regret letting go of Harry so quickly. But she wasn't just done just yet.
"Forgive my manners. Are you seeing anyone right now?" she asked.
Romilda shook her head. "No, I am in between guys."
Ginny bit back her smirk at Romilda's words. "I am sure a new guy is just around the corner."
"Yeah... Perhaps," Romilda said.
"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself. I am sure you have plenty to bring to the table," Ginny told her. She smiled. "I must get back to my table. Wouldn't want Harry to worry. It was nice meeting you."
"Yeah. Likewise," Romilda said, surprised by her sudden exit. "Give him my regards… and from the puffskeins."
Ginny was about to ask about the puffskeins but the way she had wiggled her shoulders to move her bosom, she had a good idea what she actually meant. She was happy to relay the message. "Of course."
Ginny walked back to the table and crawled over Harry's lap to sit back in the booth. "You have the regards from her and her puffskeins."
Harry almost choked on his drink at the words. His face turned red. He set his glass down carefully.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Ginny asked.
Harry cleared his throat. "Yeah."
"Well, we all know about Romilda's puffskeins," Sam commented.
Harry stared down his drink. "She wasn't bringing much personality to the table, had to make up for it somewhere."
Some of the guys chuckled.
"What did you talk about?" Harry asked now.
Ginny pulled her drink towards her. "Just made her regret ever breaking up with you. Made it hurt a little." She shrugged happily. "The fun part is I didn't even have to lie."
Harry grinned. Then he paused, looking at her more persistently. "For real?" he asked in a manner that told her he wanted to know if she meant it outside of their ruse.
She locked eyes with him. "Yes."
They settled back into the conversation after that, sharing Quidditch stories, favourite strategies and talking about their favourite players.
"No, I truly think Harry is the best Seeker the league has right now," she said when they were on their fourth round of drinks.
Harry nudged her. "I think they know you are biased."
Her hand landed on his thigh and squeezed it lightly. "I may be biased, but not for Quidditch. I am much too competitive for that."
Harry's posture stiffened at the touch. He eyed her carefully. "Sure, sure..."
Ginny looked along the table. Her gaze landed on Michael. "Is he always this humble?"
Michael grinned and nodded. "Painfully so. He is the best, that's why we hired him. He has only one weakness."
Ginny leaned in, eager to find out what it was. "Ooh, what's his weakness?"
Harry shook his head abruptly, looking slightly embarrassed.
"What?" she asked curiously.
Harry sighed. "What made us lose the last game?"
"Ah." She looked at Michael to see if that was what he had meant. "You should be okay most of the season, then?"
Michael nodded. "Thankfully. We shall train him by the time the Phoenixes have to go up against the Harpies again."
Harry's eyes widened. "What?"
"We'll just put photos of her everywhere," Michael said with a nod towards Ginny.
She grinned at him. Harry blushed a deep red. Despite the whole fake relationship, that part was real.
Michael looked at Robert. "Do you know a place where we could find photos of Ginny?"
She rolled her eyes.
"I am sure we can accumulate enough Daily Prophets by then," Robert replied.
Ethan perked up. "What about that calendar they did two years ago? That will get his attention..."
Ginny groaned. "Please, don't remind me." She covered her face with her hands. "I had to explain kindly to my mum that she may not want to invest in such a calendar..."
Harry looked very intrigued. "That bad, huh?"
"No..." She shook her head warily. "It wasn't that scandalous... but maybe not something she'd wish to hang in the kitchen."
Harry laughed. "No, I can picture it." He grinned at her. "I must see this calendar."
"Don't worry, we will get it on hand," Ethan said. "For training purposes of course."
"I have the originals somewhere," she muttered. "More than was in the calendar."
He looked at her playfully. "Now you must show me."
She bit her lip. "I guess you could convince me," she said with such a look it made Louis clear his throat.
"I don't know how you managed it, Ginny," Sam said. "But Romilda keeps looking over here longingly."
She grinned. "I know. I've noticed it too." She threw a quick glance her way. "Oh. She is getting ready to leave. Without a guy." She met eyes with Harry. "This is your chance."
His brows furrowed. "For what exactly?"
"Just look a little angry with me and go after her. She'll ask you out and you get the pleasure of turning her down."
Harry hesitated for a moment. "I am not going to lie, that sounds like a dream. But you can't possibly know—"
"Trust me," she insisted. "What is the worst that could happen?"
"Photographers for one," Harry answered.
Ginny smiled. "Don't worry, they can get their photos in with us later."
"Come on, Harry," Louis said, and the rest of the group agreed. "You can do it."
Romilda seemed to take her sweet time getting up and walking towards the door, and Ginny was convinced she had judged her right. Romilda opened the door to the pub and stepped outside.
Harry pushed himself up and walked after her.
"Aren't you worried about sending your boyfriend after his ex?" Robert asked.
She shrugged. "I don't think I have much to worry about. I'll go save him in a minute in case he freezes." When a little time had passed, she got up too. She paused just before the door came into view and listened in to their conversation.
"I don't care how you've changed. I don't need you back in my life," Harry's voice came.
Romilda sounded smug. "Then why did you come after me?" Ginny imagined her batting her eyelashes at Harry.
"I did not enjoy the message you sent; through my girlfriend may I add?" he hissed.
"I was just playing."
Harry's footstep indicated he took a step back. "Do not touch me."
"Don't you miss all this?" she asked. Ginny resisted rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, I can't decide what I miss more, your sparkling personality or your sexual prowess."
Ginny turned and silently opened the door. Harry's gaze was hard as he stared down Romilda.
"Unfortunately for you, I have raised my standards since."
Ginny found that her cue to step into the light of the lamp in the doorway. "Is everything okay here?" she asked innocently.
Harry's gaze softened considerably when it landed on her. He smiled brightly. "Ginny. We ought to get home soon. We got plans."
"Do we?" she said with a smug smile.
He took a step towards her and nodded, matching her expression. She pulled him down and kissed him. Harry's hands grabbed onto her hips eagerly and pulled her flush against his body. She didn't let him go until a good moment had passed.
She looked past him to see that Romilda had taken her leave. She smiled back up at Harry. "How was that?"
"Cathartic," he replied.
Her hand came to his face to keep him there for a little longer. "You're alright?" she asked to make sure.
"Yes. Splendid." He dipped back down and kissed her again.
She smiled against his lips, glad that he had gotten some satisfaction out of turning down Romilda. She met his eyes. "Let's go back inside before they come to find us."
He nodded and she took his hand and led him back inside. His whole team looked as they slipped back into the booth. Ginny waited for the questions to come.
"Did you do it?" Ethan asked.
Harry nodded. "Yes, and Ginny had impeccable timing too..."
"That wasn't a coincidence," she told him.
Harry looked at her impressed when Robert suddenly gasped. Ginny looked at him.
"Shit, is that the time? My landlady is going to kill me if I wake her up at this hour," he said, his eyes quickly landing on Harry.
"You can crash in the guest room. Don't sweat it," Harry suggested.
Robert looked at Ginny. "If she doesn't mind."
Harry turned to her, his eyebrows raising in question.
"As long as you are not in our bed; it's fine," she replied.
Robert nodded with a smile. "I have boundaries."
"No need to wait for us if you want to go, you know the way," Harry said.
Robert got up. "Great, thanks! See you there."
"Do I dare ask about the landlady?" Ginny asked when Robert had left.
Michael chuckled. "Nothing gets past you, does it?"
She smiled. "Not really. So, what's up with that?"
Louis set down his beer. "We think he still lives with his mother but was too embarrassed to say and now he has to keep up the lie."
"None of us have ever been to his house," Sam said with a shrug. "It just seems suspicious."
"Let's see if I can use my investigation skills in the morning," she said.
Ginny walked into Harry's bedroom. He locked the door and immediately closed the space between them. He cast a Muffliato charm on the door and then put his wand aside. His arms wrapped around her, his hands landed on her back and eagerly slid up.
His lips came to her ear. "Did I earn it?"
"Yes, but..." She met his eyes. "We need to talk about Romilda."
Harry's hands slipped off her immediately and he stepped back, turning his head away. "We really don't."
"No, I wanted to apologise."
He looked back at her, his brows furrowing as his arms folded over themselves. "What?"
"If I had known what she pulled on you, I would have never suggested being fuck buddies so bluntly." She sighed. "It makes sense that you were a little apprehensive."
"You were very honest about what you wanted, though." He shrugged. "I don't have an issue with that."
"But you were hesitant and I didn't know..." She trailed off.
"True. And then we had sex and I realised that it would be fine. And you are not her. It's about managing expectations and we were both clear about it."
She nodded. "I suppose that is true."
"If I weren't up for it, I would've said no. I am a big boy." He shifted his weight. "Thank you again for tonight. Seeing you with me was probably already cause for envy. Getting to turn her down was really the cherry on top."
"I can't really compete with her in the looks department," Ginny said. "But I made sure she remembered what she was missing."
Harry cocked his head. "I am confused."
"What about?" she replied.
"You are dressed to the nines with that cocky 'don't fuck with me' look you wear so well and those soft brown eyes and you think you can't compete with her?" Harry stepped to her. "And then you came out just as I said I raised my standards. That was perfect because you proved my point."
Ginny tried to judge if he was being serious. "You had sex with her so I will assume you have seen her body and... I am nowhere near as curvy and" —Harry pulled her to him again and she fell silent, he looked to be amused but about what she wasn't sure.
"I think you have just enough curve to fit into my hands," he said, proving his point by palming her butt with his hand. "Like it belongs there."
Ginny let her head drop against his chest because his point was kind of stupid and also stupidly charming.
"And there are the freckles, of course," he continued.
She looked back up. "You really got a thing for those, don't you?"
His hand slid down her arm. "Not until you came around."
"Don't let my brothers hear that, they will tease you with their freckly thighs," she told him, biting her lip to hide her smile.
"Hey, you never know. Who is your sexiest brother?" he asked, looking equally amused.
She snorted. She considered it. "My oldest brother, Bill, is married to someone who is part Veela, so at least he has got game."
Harry sighed dramatically. "Who am I kidding, your thighs are..." He stopped talking and Ginny watched his eyes darken at the thought.
"Something to have wrapped around you?" she finished his sentence.
He hummed in confirmation. "Can I please take off your dress now?"
"Yes, but..." she started.
Harry groaned. "This better be a good but... butt."
"It is," she said as she led his hands up to the zipper on the back. "After that, I am taking charge. I think you have earned some compensation for what Romilda did to you."
"That's not your fault," Harry told her.
"Oh. Are you objecting?" she said as her hand travelled up his side.
He shook his head. "Wouldn't dream of it."
He leaned in and captured her lips as his grip on her tightened. His hands moved to the zipper and pulled it down slowly, not wanting to put her in charge just yet. His fingers ducked into her dress, roaming her skin without disconnecting from their kiss. He pressed that sensitive spot again and she held him tighter.
"Harry, don't play with fire," she whispered.
"Aw, come on," he complained. His hands moved again and started pulling at her dress.
She let him pull it off her, patiently waiting for her turn. Once she was left in her bra and panties, she got her hands on him. She kissed him as her hands went under his shirt, sliding up his chest. Her hands slipped to his sides and down slowly. She got hold of the hem of his shirt and pulled it up slowly. Their lips disconnected so she could pull it over his head.
She moved her hands to his belt next; she unbuckled it and then pulled it out of his trousers entirely. Harry's eyes followed the actions of her fingers carefully. They started by his belly button and dragged down to undo the button of his trousers. She pulled the zipper straight with her one hand and pulled it down with her other, her fingers grazing his skin accidentally a few times.
"Take your trousers off and lie on your stomach," she ordered him gleefully. She went back to her dress to take her wand out. She pointed it at her hand and charmed it and then switched sides and charmed her other hand too.
When she was done, she looked up to see Harry settle on the bed on his stomach. She placed her wand on the side table and got onto the bed too.
"What's the charm for?" he asked.
"You'll see," she said. "You'll thank me." She swung her leg over him and sat down on his butt.
"Why sit on my butt when you can sit on my face?"
She let out a laugh. "A tempting offer, maybe some other time." She smiled to herself. "You just want your head between my thighs, don't you?"
"Guilty." He tried to glance at her. "What is the idea here?"
"I'll start with a massage, the charm is meant to help with that," she replied.
"Is this a 'happy ending' kind of deal?" he asked.
"It is better than that," she replied. She prepared to put her hands on him.
As soon as her hands slid upwards, Harry jolted in surprise. "Ginny, what—?!"
Ginny had to hold on to him, so she didn't fall off. "Calm down, tiger."
Harry relaxed against the mattress again, his face burrowed into the pillow. She gave him a few seconds.
"A little warning would have been nice," he commented as he turned his head to the side.
"That's why I started with your back," she explained. "Getting straight to the front could... set you off immediately."
Harry chuckled. "Very thoughtful."
"Shall I continue?" she asked.
"Hang on," he said, wiggling as he reached down for a moment. "Okay." He tensed a little as he anticipated her touch again.
She carefully put her hands on his lower back. She started massaging at the knots there. Harry had his eyes closed, breathing in deeply. She moved to his shoulders after a minute and massaged there, softly squeezing at the muscles and digging into knots until they resolved.
"Fuck," Harry moaned.
"How is your compensation going?" she asked softly.
"Pretty" —He gasped— "Pretty good."
She worked her way down his spine patiently. As she got lower on his spine, he reacted more strongly. He was biting his lips trying to keep from making too much sound.
"Are you ready to turn around?" she asked, caressing his hips.
"At this rate, I am not going to last much longer," he commented.
Ginny sat up on her knees so he could turn around under her, careful to keep her hands to herself. Despite him still being in his underwear, she could easily see how aroused he was. She sat down on his stomach. She placed her hands on the mattress beside him and leaned down to kiss him. His hand disappeared into her hair, keeping her close. She moved her hands to his skin again. Her fingers slid across his chest slowly. Then they softly caressed his sides in an even rhythm without their lips ever disconnecting. His hands travelled to her back and undid her bra. He pulled it off her.
Ginny could tell Harry wasn't going to last much longer if she continued like this. She sat up and met eyes with him.
"I'd take your boxers off but with these hands..." She grinned.
"Yeah, not a good idea," he agreed.
She let herself drop beside him as they both slipped their underwear off. She came back to sit on top of him, but even the hand on his chest to stabilise herself made him bite his lip at the sensation. He offered her a worried look.
"I don't see this lasting very long with those hands," Harry commented.
"It will be better when we hold hands," she said, fitting one of their hands together, fingers interlinking. "Since hands are used as a gateway to our magic, this way it's more balanced and part of it is reflected back to me. It interacts with your magic, you see. Doing this to squib wouldn't do anything. The more powerful you are, the better the results."
"I have never been this aroused during a charms lesson," Harry commented. He quirked an eyebrow.
She ignored his comment and took his other hand.
Ginny held her wand to both her palms in turn and took the charm off as Harry took a little longer to recover beside her.
"You have some nerve doing that with Robert here," Harry let out, half-laughing.
She looked up. "I actually forgot he was here." She reached over Harry to put her wand back on the nightstand. "You could do with another nightstand, you know."
Harry shrugged. "Didn't have a need for it until now."
"Maybe not worth the investment, this setup may not last long," Ginny commented.
"This was supposed to be more of a one-night stand ordeal anyway." He grinned at her.
She burst out laughing. "Smartass... Have feelings for me yet?" She blinked. "Or is that insensitive after Romilda?"
"It's fine," he said. He frowned. "At least you ask, can't say Romilda was so considerate."
She patted her left boob. "Come here and talk about it. You'll feel less sad that way."
Harry snorted but still moved. As he rested his head, his arm came around her. She ran her fingers through his hair.
"What was the timeline with her?" she asked softly.
"It was just three weeks but... she was very intense, many dates." His thumb caressed her side. "And then after three weeks we had sex, and it was all fine but... I woke up the next morning and she was gone."
Ginny sighed. "Fuck, that sucks."
"And of course, I assumed I was that bad but then as she started dating all these Quidditch players and ditching them quickly, I began to understand it probably wasn't me," Harry continued softly. "It is not like I was in love with her but if a girl pretends to be that into you..."
"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "She didn't have to lead you on, she could have just said..."
Harry shrugged. "It's in the past... And now I got closure."
"If any woman ever treats you like that again, you come to me and I'll give them some piece of mind," she said firmly. The vibration of his chuckle ran through her body.
"I will." He got a little more comfortable. "It's nice to have you in my corner."
"Of course."
It was silent for a few minutes as she continued to pet his hair softly. His breathing got deeper, and she shifted but he did not move. "Harry?" she asked in a whisper, but no reply came. Harry was fast asleep. She smiled softly. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll still be here in the morning."
"Robert, it was nice to meet you," Ginny said as he prepared to leave after breakfast.
"Likewise, and I am sorry for having to crash here," he told her.
She shook her head. "You've probably been coming over here longer than I have, so it's only fair."
"She's right," Harry agreed from the sink.
"Bye Harry, Ginny."
Ginny waved him goodbye and turned to Harry with a smile.
"Did he tell you?" Harry asked. "About the landlady?"
She nodded as she walked back to the table. "I hate to disappoint, it's not his mother. It's his sister. She's ten years older. He does pay rent."
Harry smiled. "Finally we have that mystery solved."
Ginny picked up the rest of the plates and placed them by the sink. Harry waved his wand and set them to wash themselves. He dried his hands and turned to her.
"You broke it, I think," Harry said, glancing down.
"What?" she asked in mild amusement.
"My dick. You broke it. I woke up this morning and ... nothing."
She grinned. "Harry..."
His eyes widened. "You with your magicking in the bedroom like it's no one's business!"
She stepped closer. "Why would I break something I still plan to play with?" she teased. She looked down. "Have you checked?"
"I haven't exactly had the time," he replied, leaning against the counter.
She brought her hand up to the hem of his trousers. "May I?"
"You broke it, you fix it," he said with a nod.
She shook her head, trying not to look too amused. Her hand ducked into his trousers and into his underwear. Her hand wrapped around his dick. After a few strokes, she looked up triumphantly. "Still works!"
Harry breathed out. "Thank fuck for that."
She took her hand back out and he almost pouted. His eyes trained on her.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"You're not going to finish this?" he asked.
"Actually, I was going to shower." She turned around and walked out of the kitchen. She counted the seconds before he would figure out it was an invitation. She was starting to think he didn't get it but then she could hear him hurry after her. The next moment he scooped her off the floor and hauled her over his shoulder. "Don't drop me!" she warned.
"Why would I break something I still plan to play with?" Harry quipped.
A/N: I want to apologise to Romilda Vane for continuing to put her in this role but it's just too easy and Cho doesn't fit the bill.
Credit to Curse-04 for coming up with the puffskeins...