A/N: There is no smut in this chapter? Who would've thought.

Now for a slight announcement:

I will be very busy in the coming two months! I am helping my sister move houses, I am directing a play (don't even ask, I am not sure who left me in charge) AND my job needs me to go back into the office some days a week. Evidently, all of that is cutting into my writing time so on the whole my updates will likely slow down a bit. I am trying to write ahead a little more and I am trying to write faster (with mixed results) so we will see. Just so you know.

You want them to realise already they are in love. I know. I am torturing you. It is all in the works and your patience will be rewarded!
Yes, there is denial, they are drowning in it and Ginny is really digging her heels in. She is a bit stubborn you see...

Ginny stepped into Harry's arms in front of the Phenton stadium. "So nice of you to come welcome me here. Was that a spontaneous idea?" She grinned as she kissed him. This was definitely not all planned out to be in view of the reporters.

"Of course, my love," he replied with a smile. He took her hand. "Come on."

Harry walked her to a meeting room and stepped in. It looked like they had finished going over the strategy for the game.

"Ginny!" Michael greeted her. "Right on time."

She pointed at her dark blue shirt. "Dressed for the occasion. Gwenog said I was a traitor." She winked at Harry. "Told her to take it up with management."

"Yes, yes," Michael said. He grabbed a bag, took out a cap and threw it at her. "You will have to wear this during the game. We've been training Harry but..." He shook his head while biting back a smile. "We have to take our precautions."

Michael was clearly just doing this to take the mickey out of Harry. All his teammates were smiling, looking on to see what was going to happen.

Ginny picked up the cap and tried to tuck most of her hair under there. "Sugarplum," she said innocently. "What do you think?"

An embarrassed blush ghosted his cheeks. "Shut up, it's not that bad."

"Of course, then we weren't dating yet, he has a better tolerance now," she joked.

Michael beamed. "Think it suits you."

She took the cap off and threw it back at Michael. He caught it. "Unfortunately for you, I have to be recognisable during the game for the reporters. You should be happy I am wearing the merch."

"Looks good on you, Weasley," Ethan commented. "Have you considered switching teams?"

She turned to him. "Why? Are you retiring?"

Robert snorted and patted Ethan on the back.

"I thought you were coming for my position for a minute," Harry let out.

Louis raised his eyebrows. "You want to be a Seeker?"

"She qualified for try-outs for the World Cup so someone must have vouched for her," Michael commented. He looked at her. "Was surprised to see your name in that list. I didn't even know you could apply for two positions."

She shrugged. "What can I say, I've got big ambitions. I want to be on the National Team no matter what. If I had known Harry was applying, I wouldn't have bothered; I know he is a better Seeker than I am. But I know I can outfly a ton of the Seekers currently in the League."

Michael nodded as he listened. "I admire your confidence. I know the Harpies Seeker isn't trying out, so I guess there was no rivalry there."

She shook her head. "Nope. She actually convinced me to go for it."

"Why isn't she trying out?" Robert asked Michael.

"How am I supposed to know what another team's player's motivations are?" Michael shot back. "Maybe she had already planned a nice summer vacation she didn't want to cancel."

"Do you prefer to be a Seeker or Chaser?" Sam asked.

"Chaser for the most part," she said. "You're in the game more. The Snitch is so small too, I prefer to handle bigger things," she said innocently.

Harry cleared his throat. "Let's go find your seat."

"Alright, team," Michael said, turning back to the rest. "You have forty-five minutes before warm-ups. The weather is nice, it is looking good!"

Ginny walked out, guided by Harry's hand on the small of her back. "He is so friendly. Gwenog could take a leaf out of his book. I was trembling with fear those first few trainings."

"You? Trembling?" Harry asked.

She grinned at him. "I know, difficult to believe."

He nodded and smiled. They walked down the hallway. "Did you have to make the innuendo?"

"It just slipped out," she admitted unapologetically.

He shot her an unimpressed look. "It is not like we haven't all seen each other's..."

Her eyebrows raised, looking at him.

"You know what I meant," he said, blushing again.

She patted him. "You can say penis, Harry."

"Thanks, dear," he let out.

"Where do you rank then? With the Phoenixes?" she asked casually.

He stalled and turned to her. "Why? Looking for bigger?"

She grinned and stepped closer to him. "I am just joking."

"Regardless, I couldn't tell you. The differences aren't big enough to tell without exact measurements," he told her as neutrally as he could. "Not like anyone is walking around with a disproportionately big–Why am I telling you this?"

She snorted and walked on. "Don't they keep statistics of that? For broom purposes?"

"No!?"

She glanced back at him as he caught up with her. "Hey, I don't know. I fly for an all-female team."

"I do think with your comment I may have moved up the ranking, if you will. A woman's opinion is all that matters, really, in that regard," Harry said, leading her up the stairs.

It was silent for a moment, and she blinked as the sun landed in her eyes. "I'd fly against the sun most of the time if you can."

He nodded. "Good idea."

"Ethan can move up the ranking too," she commented as she now followed Harry to her seat.

"Here we are," Harry said. "Best seat in the stadium. Perfectly between the goalposts and high up enough to watch me." They both say down.

She shook her head smiling. "Splendid."

"What about Ethan?" Harry asked now with curiosity. "Worked out this time?"

"You could say that," Ginny told him, happy to indulge in the gossip. "Evening and morning." She glanced down. "Now I do have more details about Ethan than I'd like. Livvy will tell you anything."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, I don't need to hear that. I still need to be able to look him in the eyes. Merlin forbid I am distracted by Ethan this game. The papers will not know what to write."

Ginny's laughter echoed over the empty field. "The secret Phoenix love story. I'd read that."

Harry met her eyes. "Ginny, it's very serious. At least your parents know now, or else I'd have to convince them I did not cheat on you with my team's Chaser."

She leaned back in her seat, letting her feet rest on the back of the seat in front of her. "Oh no, you wouldn't have to explain." She locked eyes with him. "You'd be dead."

Harry gulped. "Great."

She looked over the field. She nudged Harry. "There are reporters already setting up." She leaned closer to him. "We should give them something while they wait."

"Like what?" he asked, grinning.

She grabbed his face and kissed him without warning. "Entertainment," she said, kissing him again.

"I need to get changed soon," Harry said against her lips.

She shook her head at him. "Then put some effort into it, Potter."

He moved, grabbed hold of her and pulled her down on the seats and kissed her. He snogged her rather hard, his hand running through her hair. He righted himself and pulled her back up too.

She took a breath and cleared her throat. "Merlin, Harry."

"Too bad you're not staying over tonight," he teased, his hand landing on her thigh.

Her nose wrinkled in annoyance. She turned to him. "You tease."

He licked his lips, his eyes dancing over her face. He smirked. "I can of course think of you tonight and... but that's not really the same."

"There are hotter women to think of then," Ginny commented. "Don't feel obliged to think of me, darling." She patted his knee.

He nodded. "True but I haven't had the fortune to see them naked. You're much easier to recall." His hand squeezed her leg.

"Very charming, Potter," she commented. "I suggest you keep your hands above the sheets, and we can continue tomorrow."

He shrugged. "I'll probably be too tired anyway tonight. All that Snitch-catching..."

"Haven't seen that slow you down before." She grinned at him.

He scratched his chin absent-mindedly. "My fear of you is bigger than the aches in my hands." He wore an innocent look.

She leaned in closer to him. "Sweetheart, I've never seen fear in your eyes."

He smiled. "I have to go get changed. Believe it or not, I will get scolded if I am late."

"Have a good game," she wished him. "This decides if you are in the quarter finale."

Harry sighed. "Don't remind me, the pressure is on." He leaned in and kissed her and then stood up.

"Good luck!" She waved him off and then settled back in her seat.

She looked around for a while. At her games the majority of her family usually showed up and she would regularly have friends come to watch. Harry never had an audience, or only once in a while from what he had told her. She wondered if she had a friend that she could introduce to Harry just so he'd have someone to celebrate with after the games who wasn't his future ex-fake-girlfriend.

She considered Luna for a moment. She wasn't quite sure if Harry was ready to hear how nargles affected the game. He definitely wasn't ready to tuck butterbeer caps into his trousers. Neville could be a good candidate, but he was not that dedicated to the sport, he was simply a dedicated friend. She made a mental note to go visit him soon, they hadn't talked in ages.

Ginny watched for the Snitch the whole game. Not that it would help Harry any, but to anticipate his moves. When the Phoenixes were a considerable amount ahead, Ginny spotted the Snitch again, soaring above the ground near the opposite team's hoops. Both Seekers dove for it. The Phoenixes were ahead but with the Snitch the other team could still win. Harry flew right to the ground with great determination, clutching his broom. Ginny shot off her seat, as did most of the stadium as they followed the pursuit. The other Seeker was on his heels but as the ground came closer and the Snitch didn't move, the other Seeker pulled away, trying a less direct approach. Harry didn't flinch. Ginny's heart pounded in her chest. There was no way he could end this dive safely, even if he caught the Snitch.

The ground came closer, Harry's hand reached out. Ginny stood on her tiptoes to make sure she could look over the crowd and she didn't miss a second. Harry's fingers wrapped around the Snitch. He pulled up so quickly that she almost missed him do it. His toes nearly touching the ground, he levelled out and soared along the field, holding up the Snitch. His team flew down to him.

"Potter's exceptional reflexes save a life yet again. Not his girlfriend's, but his own this time!" the commentator let out excitedly. "This may be the most impressive dive of the season, what a feat!"

Ginny caught her breath, cheering for the Phoenixes.

"Miss Weasley looked worried for a moment, but she is recovering. Don't worry, he is completely unscathed!"

She shook her head at the comment but ignored it otherwise. She could not be photographed flipping off the commentator. It would put a damper on the victorious mood.

Louis stepped out of the changing room first. "Nearly gave all of us a heart attack, huh?"

Ginny observed him for a moment, contemplating Louis's mood. "That was insane."

"I can understand what you see in him, he's becoming our star player at this point," Louis commented.

"Sure," she agreed. "But Seekers always have the benefit of scoring the last points. It's set up that way. You flew well."

He nodded. "Thanks." He looked down the corridor. "Have to go find my little brother before he needs to go to bed. See you."

She smiled. "See you." She watched him walk down the corridor. She wondered if he was just getting on Harry's nerves on purpose the last few times they had met.

"Hey."

She looked up to see Harry stepping out. "Good game, you insane man!"

He grinned. "Been training like hell for that, paid off too."

"You could say that," Ginny commented as they started walking. "Most people don't even have the reflexes to react that fast."

He smiled. "You know all about my reflexes. I wouldn't have been able to catch you otherwise." He put an arm around her shoulder. "And there are a few other times..."

She shoved him. "I was just trying to congratulate you on the game and your skill. Just take it."

He took his arm back and held his hands up defensively. "You're right. I am sorry."

"My parents followed along via the wireless, said if you had nothing going on, you could drop by and have a drink." She looked at him. "Not sure if you were planning to go celebrate with the team or not...?"

He bit his lip. "Gin, if this is some kind of ploy to make sure I am not alone because you pity—"

She took out the letter her parents had sent after the game, just a few minutes before he came out. She handed it to him. "No, they asked. I wasn't sure yet if they were ready for that." She pointed at the piece of parchment. "But clearly they are."

"I can drop by," he agreed. "They're going to a pub on Diagon's and I am not in the mood to deal with fans all evening."

She took his hand. "Cool, you're hanging out with the Weasley folks then. Wouldn't want to disappoint my mum."

"Congratulations!" Molly said, leading Harry into the room, barely sparing Ginny a second glance.

She looked at her dad. "Am I being replaced by Harry?"

Arthur chuckled. "Possibly."

Ginny shook her head and walked after them into the living room.

"Thinking of switching your alliance yet?" Harry asked Ron.

Ron scoffed. "How dare you. I will support my team through thick and thin." He grinned. "Good game though. Did you give my sister a heart attack?"

Ginny came to stand beside Harry. "It was an incredible dive! Everyone was as worried as I was, unfortunately they were more interested in my reaction than everyone else's. You'll see it in the newspaper tomorrow."

"What?" Fred asked, leaning on her. "The dive or your reaction?"

She glared at him, and he wisely took a step back. "The dive. Who knows maybe they won't even print my reaction."

Harry grimaced. "I think that's a bit optimistic."

Arthur handed out shots of Firewhiskey. Harry took one in surprise.

"To Harry and the Phoenixes!" Ron said, lifting his glass.

Ginny lifted her glass too and then drank it in one go. "The Phoenixes are growing on you," she teased Ron.

Harry glanced at the clock and frowned. "You know I was going to check the time but..."

Ginny glanced at it too. "Yeah, shows where we are. We used to be all on there, all nine of us." She shook her head smiling. "To give my parents peace of mind with seven kids, I guess."

"Right."

"Bill and Percy got married, so they got their own clock with their wives added," she told him. "My mum and dad make them together but they refuse to tell us how they do it. They said they'll reveal it when one of their grandkids gets married." She shook her head in amusement.

"That's an adorable tradition," Harry admitted. "I hadn't noticed before."

"It is eleven, by the way," she said.

He nodded. "I'll head home."

She stood up. "I'll walk you out."

Harry stood up. "Thank you so much for the drinks and the celebration, I really appreciate it. I am very tired so I will head home."

"No problem at all," Molly said, coming up to hug him. "Good night."

The rest of the room waved in greeting. Ginny followed him out.

"Told you they liked you for you, not just because they thought you were my boyfriend," Ginny told him. "I hope they weren't too much this time."

He shook his head. "It was really nice, I enjoyed it." He stopped near the apparition point. "Were you really that worried about me?"

She shrugged, folding her arms. "It's really scary when you think someone is about to crash into the earth."

"Yeah." He smiled. "I know."

"I'll see you tomorrow for our date. Hands off until then," she said with a wink.

He stepped a little closer. "I mean you could come with me now." He looked at her eagerly.

She glanced back at the house, seeing Fred, Ron and George look out the window at them without shame. She looked back at Harry.

He nodded. "Yeah, guess not."

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Good night."

"Good night, hot fudge."

"Harry! That's the worst one of them, you—" She stopped when he disappeared with a small pop. She shook her head and walked back inside.

"Ginny, when's Harry's birthday?" Molly asked as she stared at the calendar.

She wondered if her mother was planning on getting Harry a gift. "I have no clue, actually."

"31st of July," Ron replied.

Ginny looked at him in surprise. He held up a magazine.

"Oh yeah, I don't read that," she said.

Ron looked at the magazine. "Yeah, that's probably for the best. Says you lost your virginity to Dean." He grinned at her because he knew it wasn't true.

"Merlin," she let out. "I am going to have to write an apology letter to Dean, aren't I?"

Her brother shook his head. "No, it's fine. He said he was garnering attention for being your ex. He doesn't mind."

Ginny snorted. "I guess that's only fair." She looked back at her mum. "If that magazine is wrong about that, they may just have gotten his birthday wrong too. I'll ask him."

Fred walked past her, getting ready to leave. "You kiss him on his cheek? How adorable," he said soft enough so their parents couldn't hear.

She sighed. "I don't have time for your silly games. You know we are just friends, leave me alone."

"Mum saw too," Fred told her. "Just so you know."

She shrugged and let Fred walk outside. She groaned and followed him. "Is that why she wants to know his birthday?"

Fred looked at her blankly. George and Ron stepped out too.

"How am I supposed to know what goes on in mum's head? I said what I saw."

"You are cute together even when you're not trying," George said. "No wonder it sells so well."

"They make it really believable," Ron agreed.

She knew precisely what they were trying to do, and she was not going to take the bait. "Goodnight, my dear brothers." She walked back inside without waiting for a reply.

Her mum had gone upstairs already, her dad was in the kitchen taking care of the dishes.

"Your mother convinced he's got a thing for you," her dad said casually.

She paused by the table. "I had a feeling it was something like that."

He enchanted the glasses to return themselves to the shelves. "I told her I thought it was the other way around." He tucked his wand away and turned to face her.

She rolled her eyes. "Dad..."

Her dad was in the habit of looking away when he was talking about slightly embarrassing topics. "You're a lot like your, mum. You know that, right?"

"Unfortunately." She crossed her arms and leaned against the table. It was better to let him talk than to have to revisit this conversation at a later time.

Her dad shook his head with a smile. "Your mum and I were friends too at first... and admitting our feelings was hard but once she realised." He smiled so fondly as he recalled. Ginny couldn't believe they were still so in love after so many years and so many children. "She fell hard and she went right for it." He chuckled with a look at Ginny. "Things happened quickly after that."

"Things's name is Bill," she deadpanned.

Her dad looked indignant. "We had him after school."

"I admire the relationship you two have after so many years, but I don't think it's for everyone," she admitted.

He nodded. "I wish you find someone like that." His hands folded together, and he looked down at them. "I just want to say, if you love him, you should go ahead." He glanced at her. "Don't let the chance slip away."

"I'm not," she replied. She pursed her lips. "I expect this amount of meddling from mum, but you..."

"No meddling," he defended himself. "Just advice from your wise old man. You and your mum... you are a bit..."

"Stubborn, steadfast, strong-willed?" she supplied.

He nodded. "Not everyone knows how to handle that, but Harry does."

"He told me... you can't work against a force of nature, but you can work with it," she told.

Her dad laughed. "I think he understands you quite well then."

"Doesn't mean we have to have our happily after," she tried.

He nodded slowly and adjusted his glasses. "I guess that's right. Just know you can achieve anything you set your mind to, and you tend to know what you want."

She smiled. "I try. That's why I am a professional Quidditch player and not something much more boring like everyone tried to coax me into," she answered rather strongly. "... This is what you meant, right?"

"Yes." He patted her shoulder. "I find it endearing if anything. Nothing cuter than a determined toddler that is bent on setting the world to her hand."

She smiled. "I'm not a toddler anymore."

"You're not." He sighed. "I just hope to guide you into good choices. I am allowed to do that, right?"

She hugged her dad. "Yes, of course you can. And I may listen once in a while."