A/N: We are going to pretend for the purpose of this fic that they take place as a British team and not an English team like they do in the books. Narratively it just didn't make sense and I didn't want to break my head over the logistics.

I was running out of innuendos for the titles but then I remembered that 'snitch' is right there.

We are getting so so close to Ginny realising her feelings and there may be some hints of Harry's growing feelings, maybe? I'll let you discover it yourself but thanks so much for the continued support!

Ginny walked into the stadium with Gwenog in tow, ready to try out for the Seeker position for the British team that would be participating in the World Cup. Captains were not allowed to try out themselves; they were meant to coach the players of their team to succeed.

"Give Harry a run for his money," Gwenog said. "You stand a chance."

She nodded. "I do wonder if I do too well here, I lose my shot at Chaser."

Gwenog turned to her. "You do as well as you can, and it is up to them to choose." She shot Ginny a firm look. "There are more Chasers spots than Seeker. I am quite confident. And you are the first female Quidditch player to try out for multiple positions, I want you to do well."

Ginny ran a hand through her hair. "I know."

"Go and get changed, I'll go up." She patted Ginny's arm. "You've got this."

When she exited the changing room again, she heard Michael speaking to Harry. "Don't let her win just because… This is your career."

"I know," Harry replied.

She paused, curious to hear what else he was going to say.

"And for the love of all that is good, don't get distracted," Michael told him.

Harry groaned. "That was once! I'm fine."

"Okay. She is a wild card, no one has seen her play as Seeker. I won't have you losing to someone who doesn't even actively play the position."

"Got it." Harry sounded annoyed.

Ginny started walking again, choosing to turn left so she wouldn't walk into them. Harry joined her on the field a few minutes later.

"Ready?" she asked.

He nodded, taking the bottle of water they were handing out. "Yes."

While they stood together, all the other Seekers were standing apart from each other, awaiting instructions. Ginny looked up at the stands. Gwenog and Michael were standing together, leaning on the railing as they overlooked the field.

"Do you think they're fucking?" Ginny asked Harry, pointing at their Captains.

Harry took a sip as he looked up. He promptly spit out his water. "What's wrong with you?"

She patted his back. "Am I wrong?" She looked back up. The two Captains were the only ones standing close, the other Captains sat alone, waiting for the tryouts to start. Gwenog and Michael instead seemed to be discussing something in depth.

"Just because they're friendly, doesn't mean they're fucking," Harry told her with a frown.

"This is Gwenog we are talking about," she insisted.

Harry took another, more careful, sip from his water. "True."

"Then again she is not fond of letting the enemy in our pants," she thought out loud.

"I thought so too," Harry muttered. "Heck, maybe they're in love."

She snorted at the suggestion. "I'm not sure if Michael would manage to melt her icy heart."

Their attention was called to the front. Last World Cup's Coach Tursh stood in front of them and welcomed them. He instructed them on the warm-ups—You needed to run a minimum amount to qualify—and then wished them good luck.

Ginny had not expected to be able to keep up with Harry, but she kept his pace.

"I'm sure you can run faster than this," she commented, focusing on her breathing.

He shrugged. "We need to do a minimum; I am not going to have a better chance by running so much more. I want to save my energy."

"Regardless, I don't know if we should be running together," Ginny said, looking at the other Seekers.

"It's a team sport," Harry offered.

"True." She took a deep breath in. "As much as I want you to get this, know that I am still trying to win from you."

He smiled. "Oh, I know. I am ready to fight for my spot. I'd rather earn it."

The ten Seekers were spread out over the field. All of them were soaring in the air separately. They had been instructed to catch the Snitch only at certain times, just as they would in normal games.

She had to take care to focus on the ringing of the bell. Only after that one specific bell rang, was she meant to go after it. She had to admit it seemed that Harry was tracking it with ease, he never moved when he shouldn't, slowly soaring around, keeping an eye on the Snitch.

Chudley Cannon's Seeker made the first attempt, at the wrong time. He was so embarrassed he soared to the ground and left, though he could've continued.

Harry caught the Snitch the first time, which didn't surprise anyone. Ginny was determined to catch the next one.

It quickly became apparent that only the Montrose Magpie candidate would be a good opponent. His reflexes were quick, and he was focused. The three of them often nearly reached the Snitch together.

Ginny knew it wasn't only about catching the Snitch. It wasn't guaranteed that the person who caught the most would be selected. Technique was important too. Ginny hoped that what she lacked in Seeker practice, she would make up in general flying skills. She was used to manoeuvring and reacting quickly the whole game long. She didn't tire out as fast as most Seekers did. A Seeker tended to be more of a sprinter.

That's why near the end, she caught three Snitches in a row. She was just getting energised, while the rest seemed to start to slack off. Harry had caught the most total snitches, but he looked at her almost frustrated after she caught that third one in a row.

He seemed to nod to himself and put distance between them. The last snitch they caught at the same time. Ginny was so surprised she let go of the snitch and looked at him. Harry looked down in question.

The coach looked up. "We'll check the flesh memory on that one. Bring it on down. You can all fly down and get changed! You'll receive our owl in a few weeks!"

Ginny walked into the Burrow with Harry close behind her. The smell of burgers hit her nose.

"How did it go?" her dad asked. He was putting vegetables in a bowl as her mum prepared the burgers.

"Good!" she announced. "I think we both stand a good chance."

"She flew very impressively," Harry told them. "I think she'll get on the team regardless."

"That's great news!" Molly said.

Ginny shook her head dismissively. "He's been gracious."

"You know I'm not," he told her parents.

She looked at the food. "Are you making me burgers?" she asked eagerly. She turned to Harry. "They made those when I started trying out for teams. I always had a craving after."

"That's adorable," he said.

Her dad set the table, putting different bowls down with ingredients. "You can assemble your own."

Ginny piped up. "If you let me, I can make you the best burger your taste buds will ever meet."

"I am sold, go ahead," Harry said as they sat down at the table together.

Her mum put the pans with burgers and bacon strips on the table too.

She took a bun and opened it. "The secret is the layering of the sauce," she said, putting some of it on the bottom bun.

"The sauce?" he asked.

She looked up. "It's a secret sauce. It's delicious. You'll see." She layered a burger on top, adding two slices of cheese and then some bacon.

"Looking good so far," he commented.

She smiled. "I know." She put cabbage, some tomatoes and crispy onions. Then she drizzled sauce on top as well as on the inside of the top bun. She closed it and slid it to him. She looked expectantly at him to take a bite.

Her dad shook her head warily, starting to make his own burger.

Harry took a bite, chewing slowly. "That's indeed pretty good."

"Pretty good." She shoved the burger towards his face. "Try more. Get a good bite." She started assembling her own burger, identical to Harry's.

"You know, you've convinced me. It's the best burger I've ever had," he told her.

Ginny wasn't sure if he was serious.

"Really," he insisted with a smile.

She nodded. "I'll choose to believe you." She bit into hers. If he wasn't convinced, he was simply wrong.

"Are you ready for Chaser tryouts tomorrow?" her mum asked.

"I think so. Can't be more difficult than today, right?" She shrugged, taking up her burger again. "It's a little annoying they're on consecutive days."

"Most players don't have the skill to apply for two spots," Harry said. "So it makes sense they don't take that into account. I'm sure you'll manage just fine." He smiled reassuringly at her.

The Chaser tryouts started out much the same. Gwenog walked her in together with one other Chaser of their team and then watched the tryouts.

"How did seeker tryouts go yesterday?" Isabelle asked.

Ginny looked at her. "I think pretty well. It's not easy to go up against Harry. He is a good seeker."

"He is." Isabelle smiled. "But you're good too."

"I still prefer being a Chaser," she said. "But it's a fun challenge for once."

"I don't understand why Carrie didn't join," Isabelle wondered out loud.

Ginny pressed her lips together and shot her a look.

"What? Do you know?" she asked.

Ginny sighed. "She didn't make the shortlist. I don't know why and she wouldn't say."

"She told you?" Isabelle asked curiously.

Ginny wondered if she should tell Isabelle, but it had irked her for a while. "I found her crying by herself when they announced the list. She didn't want anyone to know she tried to apply. It would make a bad impression."

"Merlin," Isabelle said. "I know she's still new to the League but I think she deserved a shot."

"She was hopeful to get in next time, so at least there is that," Ginny offered.

Coach Tursh appeared again. He did the briefing on the warmup and which exercises they'd be doing. When he was done, he called Ginny up to him.

"Since you already qualified for your warm-ups yesterday, you don't have to qualify again, feel free to run slower." He checked his overview.

"Thanks." She smiled. "I think I'll still do it; I need to warm up regardless."

He nodded. "Be my guest."

Ginny walked out of the stadium, freshly showered and straight into Harry's arms. He snogged her properly before letting go.

"How did it go?" he asked.

She nodded. "Good. I wasn't keeping count but apparently, I scored the most goals out of everyone. I was too focused to keep track."

"That's why you're so good," he said with a smile. "You must make the team then."

She shrugged. "They have to like my overall technique as well. We'll see."

"Ready for our date?" he asked. "This river walk is going to be so romantic."

She chuckled, fitting her hand into his. "Certainly."

He apparated closer to the river and they began their walk as the sun lowered towards the horizon.

"You're quiet," Ginny noted after more than a minute of silence.

He met her gaze with a smile. "I just never expected to still be with you by the tryouts. I was thinking about that."

She nodded in agreement.

"You're not so bad to go on dates with," he added.

"Thanks?" She frowned at him.

He chuckled. "That came out mean, and I apologise. I am glad about it, I suppose. A chance to get to know you better."

She halted and looked at him. "Aw."

"Don't look at me like I'm a sad puppy," he responded. He blushed slightly. "I am just glad to have you in my life, is that bad?"

"No." She shook her head and wrapped her arms around him. "You're pretty great to be around."

Harry hugged her back and they remained like that for a moment.

He rereleased her and took her hand back in his. "And that's about your personality, for the record."

"I know." She fell back into step with him. "I forced you into the sex."

He hummed. "Precisely." He checked his watch. "I made dinner reservations."

"What? Why?" she asked.

"I thought we deserved a little treat after tryouts and we would be out anyway."

"Is it by the river?" Now she was excited.

He nodded and pointed to a cosy restaurant further down the river. "Right there."

She clapped her hands excitedly. "Tell me it's soon?"

"Five minutes. We'll be right on time. It's probably not as good as a Weasley burger, but it seems decent enough."

She laughed. "I think it'll do perfectly fine."

They were seated on the terrace overlooking the river. It had cosy lighting and there weren't many other people so it felt pretty private. They started with a glass of champagne.

"To the tryouts, may we both be on the team," Ginny said, raising her glass.

Harry raised his glass too. "Cheers on the great tryouts. I am confident we did the best we could and I am very honoured to be able to fly against you."

They toasted together and then sipped their champagne.

"Celebrating something?" the waiter asked.

Harry looked at Ginny, who nodded. "Yeah, sort of."

"May I recommend the chef's dessert then?" the waiter suggested.

"Sure," Ginny said. "Why not?"

The dessert ended up being a special type of cake, served to them with sparkles on top. By then they both had enough champagne that they found it quite amusing.

"Congrats," Harry told her, digging into the dessert.

"Congrats to you," Ginny replied smiling. She took another sip of champagne and took up her fork. "We are celebrating in bed later, aren't we?"

The waiter smiled to himself as he refilled their champagne.

Harry laughed. "If I remember what we're celebrating, then yes."

"You don't remember?" the waiter asked.

Ginny eyed the waiter. "Guess."

The waiter looked somewhat hesitant and then nodded. "An anniversary?"

"No, can't be it," Harry muttered.

"Engagement?" he tried then.

Ginny gasped. "Was that it?" She looked over at Harry.

He nodded. "Think so."

The waiter laughed. "Congratulations then. Don't drive."

"It's fine," Ginny said. "I don't know how to drive."

"That's a relief." The waiter smiled and walked away.

"Shouldn't we kiss?" Ginny said in a carrying whisper.

Harry looked at her. "Yes, of course."

She bent over the table to kiss him, almost knocking over her glass. She sat back down and beamed at him. "You're handsome."

He snorted. "I think I'll have a handsome headache tomorrow."

"Oh yeah, I think so."

They were still laughing, walking into Harry's house after somehow apparating successfully.

"That was a fun dinner," Ginny said. "Why have we never drunk together? You're a fun drunk."

Harry turned to look at her, frowning. "I think we have a few secrets to keep, dear."

"We didn't spill any tonight," she argued. She offered him a teasing look. "Lips sealed." She eyed his lips. "Your lips should be sealed to mine."

Harry walked to her. "Sh." His finger silenced her, landing against her lips. "This is a ruse; we shouldn't be having… sex."

She pulled him in closer. "I won't tell if you don't."

"Okay." He captured her lips.

Harry pulled her upstairs and into the bedroom. She pulled his shirt off and he tugged at her clothes. She pulled her own shirt off and walked backwards to the bed. Harry followed her, entranced.

He guided her to sit on his lap and his lips traced a path down her neck. His fingers hooked behind the band of her bra and undid it easily. He pulled her bra off and paused to look. "Oh my."

"Harry, you've seen those before," she commented with a chuckle.

His hand scooted up her ribs tentatively. She kissed along his jawline. His hand palmed her breast before his thumb teased her nipple until it turned hard. Satisfied with his work, he did the same thing to her other breast.

His hands travelled down then. He paused when he reached her trousers. "Off, take it all off."

"Myself?" she asked curiously.

He nodded. "Please."

She stepped off the bed and unbuttoned her trousers, pushing them down her hips. Harry looked on eagerly.

"More?" she asked.

He nodded. "Naked."

She obliged with a smile. She pulled her underwear down. She crawled back to him. He lay down, guiding her up close.

"Sit," he ordered her she was above his face.

"Harry, I may smother you," she offered.

He shot her a look. "I want a taste, give it to me."

As soon as she was within reach, he began sucking and licking her eagerly.

She moaned. "Fuck, Harry."

His tongue moved as his life depended on it. She held onto the headboard, biting her lip. His hands caressed her thighs.

"Harry, don't you want to fuck me?" she asked, though she had half a mind to let him continue just like that.

"Yes," he said, pausing to reply.

She shifted down his body. She bent down, her face close to his. "Let me take care of you."

He nodded, kissing her passionately. Her fingers shifted down, undoing his trousers.

"You're so hard for me," she said, looking back up at him.

"You could stop being so goddamn sexy," he offered. His hand slid from her bum to her thigh, lifting up her leg.

She grinned. "Why on earth would I do that?"

Ginny walked back into the bedroom and looked at Harry. He was still passed out in the bed, naked. They had just a smidge too much to drink last night, and they had to suffer the consequences. At least she found a hangover potion in Harry's cabinet, and she left some for Harry. She knew he was going to need it.

She stepped onto the bed. "We're engaged."

Harry groaned, not opening his eyes. He rubbed his face. "I don't remember being that drunk."

She dropped the Witch Weekly Special Edition onto his chest. He opened his eyes and took up the magazine. "They gave us a special edition."

"They did," Ginny said.

Harry paused, looking down at himself. "I am still naked, aren't I?"

"Yep." She let out a small chuckle. "Suppose we had a big night regardless."

Harry sat up a little, grabbing his glasses so he could start reading.

"I am glad my parents know this isn't real, or this would have been a complete disaster," she said.

He nodded in agreement, opening the Witch Weekly to the next page. "Oh, Merlin. My teammates will think it's real. I might have to speak to Michael today."

"It's fine, just say the journalists got it wrong." She shook her head. "I don't understand where they got that idea. We haven't been together that long."

"I think we said something to the waiter perhaps." Harry frowned. "I don't recall, and my head is pounding."

"I'll get the rest of that potion; you don't mind I took it right?" she asked. "I just didn't want to wake you up to ask."

"It's fine," he said, his eyes trained on the photo of them kissing on the terrace.

She pushed off and went downstairs, grabbing the rest of the potion. When she arrived back in his room, he hadn't moved. She offered him the potion.

He put the magazine down and took the potion. He gulped it down in one go. His stomach made a loud rumble and he suddenly looked rather pale. Harry made a beeline for the bathroom, still completely naked.

She listened for a moment, but she couldn't hear him throwing up so she assumed he was fine. He came back two minutes later, wearing a bathrobe.

"All okay?" she asked.

He nodded, settling back on the bed. "By the time I reached the bathroom, the feeling had gone."

"Good." She patted his knee. "You were running too fast for me to ogle your cute butt."

He blushed. "I am sorry?"

"And I was planning to show my tits in return," she teased. "You really thought they were stellar last night."

"Merlin, we were drunk," he let out in embarrassment.

She nodded. "We were. I did enjoy this other side of you."

"I am sure you did." He grinned. "Your tits are stellar, for what it's worth."

She pretended to sigh and sat on top of him. She lifted her shirt. "Go on then, get a good sober look in."

He kept his gaze on her face. "Gin."

She turned her eyes down. "I know you want to."

He rolled his eyes and pulled her closer, his gaze shifting down. He took a nipple into his mouth, his tongue teasing the sensitive skin.

"Looking is with your eyes," she argued but made no move whatsoever to remove his mouth.

Harry ignored her, sucking a little harder. His teeth grazed softly against her nipple. He pulled away and lowered her shirt. "Your cheeks are red." He smiled, tucking a strand behind her ear. "Oh, you thought you could tease me without retaliation? Poor Ginny."

She pouted, lifting her shirt back up. "You should continue," she tried.

"No, I need to go see who thinks I am actually engaged to you," he told her. "And clarify some things."

She let her shirt drop again. "Fine. We are continuing this later."

"Are we?" he asked, teasing the skin by her hip with his finger.

"I am pretty sure we are, yeah." She moved to sit next to him so he could get up. "You're going to talk to Michael?"

"He doesn't know this isn't real, and I don't want him to make assumptions. We'll see from there," he said, pushing off the bed again.

Ginny paused her game with Arnold when she heard the door open and close. Harry walked into the kitchen holding a piece of parchment.

"And?" she asked.

Harry scratched Arnold's back in greeting, leaning against the counter. "I told Michael this isn't real. He was confused for a moment." He bit back a smile. "We have been laying it on rather thick for the team."

She nodded, eyeing him carefully. "Is he going to tell the team?"

"No." He shook his head and folded open the piece of parchment. "He offered to put out a statement on our behalf. He just drafted this." He read out loud. "On behalf of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, I would like to confirm they are not currently engaged. They want to thank the public for their continued support in both their professional and personal lives and wish to refrain from further comments. Captain Michael Seatorch of the Phenton Phoenixes."

"That should do it," she commented, looking at the piece of paper. "I hope Gwenog is okay with this."

Harry folded up the parchment yet. "He was going to run it by Gwenog and both our managements, should make the Evening Prophet."

"I suppose by then Witch Weekly has sold enough editions to make it worth it to withdraw their statement later." She shook her head.

"Michael suggested we lay low for the day." He looked at the calendar by the fridge. "And you have your boot camp in two days."

She nodded in confirmation. "Should go home tonight and then I can start packing. I should just check first; I think some of my items are here."

"Just some," he commented. "I think you're taking up half my closet."

She shoved him. "Liar."

"Fine." He grinned at her. "One-third."

She didn't respond and walked to the couch, settling down. Harry followed her, pausing by the end of the couch and folded his arms.

"What?" she asked. "You said we had to lay low, didn't you?"

"You tease me before I leave. I needed to help Michael but all I could think about is sucking on your—"

"Oh, poor you."

He closed his mouth, frowning. "I wasn't planning on spending the day on the couch. I can say that much."

She chuckled. She stood back up and walked to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "How about we charm my tongue today?"

He looked at her eagerly. "I won't say no to that."