Ginny waited in the corridor leading to the pitch with her team. The crowd was loud, extremely loud. This game was for the National Cup, and there was much excitement on top about Harry and Ginny going up against each other, everyone had been hopeful for this for months.

The morning had been weird too. They said goodbye like they wouldn't see each other for weeks. There had been more reporters than ever outside of Harry's apartment and there had been an extra edition of the Prophet to give everyone an extra update about them, and speculated about Quidditch tactics, both legal and illegal.

Gwenog stood in front of her team for a few last words. "We are a strong team, and we will show these men what we're made of." She looked at each of them. "You worked hard, and it will pay off." She looked at the Keeper. "I need you focused and quick." She looked at Isabelle. "I need you as consistent as ever, be defensive and don't hold back." Her eyes moved to Carrie. "Support the other two Chasers. You are an essential part of the system."

Gwenog's eyes landed on her and Ginny waited.

"You play offensive, take chances and go for it." She moved on to Livvy. "We know what to do. Aim bludgers at the other team. Protect our own." She ended with Cayla. "I'm counting on you."

Cayla nodded. "I got it."

Gwenog picked up her broom and mounted it, heading the team. They mounted their brooms too, soaring a bit off the ground, ready to fly out onto the pitch.

The announcer started speaking and she could feel her heart thundering. She wondered if Harry was feeling as nervous as she did. As they were announced they all flew out in formation at top speed and zoomed around the pitch as their names were called. The crowd was a flurry of green and blue, and she couldn't read the banners but there were many.

They flew towards the ground and remained hovering as the Phenton Phoenixes flew overhead. When all their names were called, they soared down too.

Gwenog and Michael both got off their brooms and walked to each other.

"Our Captains meet in the middle. They are not only playing for their team they have trained so hard to win, only one of them can become coach of the National Team. We have five players today who will be on the team."

When Ginny looked at Harry, he was already looking at her. He gave the tiniest of nods, and she returned it.

Gwenog and Michael appeared to be trying to squeeze each other's hands to bits before the game as they gazed—glared at each other. Maybe Harry was onto something after all.

The Captains walked back to their brooms and got on. Ginny took a deep breath. Gwenog worked on stamina, they could draw out this game and wrack up points. That was the plan.

As soon as the whistle indicated the start of the game, it became clear that the Phoenixes wanted this game over and quickly. They played quickly and aggressively and within minutes Ginny already felt battered. Every time she got hold of the quaffle, she was surrounded by two Chasers and two Beaters, circling overhead and swooping in when she made a move.

It took Ginny a moment to recover but she caught Livvy's eye and she started to preemptively pelt Bludgers at the men as soon as one of the Quaffles came near one of their own Chasers. This tactic also meant the Phoenixes were leaving bigger spots open further on the field, and Ginny was prepared to take full advantage of it.

Michael was expected to go hard on the defence to cover this up, but she knew he could only stop so many Quaffles. She started passing Quaffles quicker to ensure they wouldn't get surrounded and flew faster to get ahead so they'd be able to pass the Quaffle sooner.

Her first goal she swooped in from the side while Isabelle was closer to the hoops. Michael reacted a moment too late and she pelted the Quaffle through the hoop as she swept over him and circled back around.

She caught Harry's conflicted expression for a moment but she continued swiftly. She couldn't afford him being a distraction.

Isabelle scored next but the Phoenixes were managing to keep the score fairly even. Ginny's next goal was a well-timed toss after Gwenog aimed a Bludger Michael's way as soon as Ginny made it into the scoring area.

The first hour of the game went by with the score remaining pretty even, and neither Seeker seemed to have spotted the Snitch yet.

The second hour is when they started having a rhythm going. Carrie would steal the quaffle, aided by Gwenog and then toss is to Isabelle who was the best at pelting through the other players leaving Carrie to cover Ginny together with Livvy and she'd use her speed and agility to score. Michael stopped a good few, but she was scoring as well.

Just as Carrie scored another goal, they were 50 points ahead and Phoenixes kept coming in more aggressively.

"We are checking some numbers here and it appears as if Ginny Weasley scores one more goal, she will have the most goals scored throughout a season of any Chaser in British Quidditch history—but looks like it may all fall through as the Seekers are onto the Snitch!"

The crowd cheered and booed at the same time but Ginny looked towards Gwenog and saw the determination in her eyes. Their whole team swarmed together to get Ginny that goal and she knew that she couldn't miss it.

"Potter is in the lead, inching closer to the Snitch—A sudden twist and Cayla Marrenta is in the lead!"

Ginny dodged a Bludger from Louis, she heard it whistle past her ear and nearly take out Livvy, but she swung at it and Robert had to break formation. Carrie took his spot and Isabelle tossed her the Quaffle.

Ginny flew forward with speed and for a moment it was just her and Carrie flying towards the goalposts. Then Louis and Sam swooped in and aimed for Carrie. She quickly tossed Ginny the Quaffle.

She sped up and ignored the sound of crunching behind her. She heard the announcer yell excitedly that Harry was about to grab the Snitch. Michael was waiting for her.

Gwenog swooped past with Livvy coming in the other direction crossing over here an obscuring Ginny from view for a moment, and that was all the time she needed to aim. Michael had to guess where she was throwing and she hoped he guessed wrong.

Ginny watched the Quaffle soar and she listened to the announcer in case the Snitch was caught before she made her goal. All she could tell was that they were on each other's heels.

"Potter is in the lead! He is so close, will he catch it!?"

Michael switched direction and she watched as the Quaffle only barely made it past his stretched-out hand and then went through the hoop with a little curve.

"Weasley scores! And—!"

Everyone looked up at the two Seekers, both of them reaching out to the Snitch. The Snitch was at Harry's fingertips.

"POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH!"

Ginny groaned, the excitement of her possible record diminishing quickly as she realised they had lost the National Cup.

The Phenton Phoenixes collided in mid-air in a festive hug. Gwenog flew down with contained anger and they all followed suit. Carrie was clutching her shoulder and was escorted off the field by two Healers.

She looked at her teammates. Isabelle had a bruised cheek. Ginny's knee hurt from colliding with Robert at some point. Out of breath she let herself drop onto the grass and stared up at the sky.

"What a game, folks! Both teams are exquisite and showed incredible amounts of skill and resilience. We have our winner. The Phenton Phoenixes take home the Cup this year!"

Cheers erupted from the stands. Livvy walked up to her and held out a hand. Ginny allowed her teammate to pull her up. They watched the other team together.

"Please fly over here to collect the Cup!"

She watched as the team landed on the podium by the announcer. Michael got handed the Cup. He held it up as the crowd cheered and then handed it over to the team.

"Captain Michael Seatorch is now officially the Coach for the World Cup! Congratulations!"

Livvy let out a sigh. "We got the World Cup. Let's remember that."

"Not that it isn't insanely cool but we stand no chance of winning that one," Ginny muttered.

"Weasley!" she complained. "Those are not words I want to hear from the best Chaser in the history of the League."

"They probably miscounted," she said.

A guy came by with water and they both gratefully took a cup off the tray. She downed it quickly, quenching a thirst she hadn't noticed yet. The Phoenixes tossed the Cup back to Michael and they all hopped on their brooms again.

"We just got confirmation! Weasley has scored more goals than any Chaser ever in the history of our League! Congratulations!"

Livvy clapped her back excitedly. "That's amazing!"

She nodded and watched as Harry jumped off his broom and walked to her.

The announcer's voice came back on. "Is that a reunion, putting the battling wand down or is this the end of the romance of the season?"

"Congratulations on your win," she told him.

He looked a little guilty. "Thanks. Congrats on the record."

"It's not a Cup, but I'll take what I can get."

He chuckled at her. "Sorry."

"You didn't wait for the Snitch to give me that, did you?" she asked.

"No. The wind was in my ears, I needed all focus on the Snitch. Was it a close call?" he asked her.

"Seconds," she confirmed. She pulled him closer and kissed him. "I hate you a little tonight."

"I know," he said.

Sam and Louis ran up.

"How was Carrie, we kind of—" Sam started.

Livvy looked at them. "Squashed her like a bug?" She nodded towards the hospital wing. "She took most of it to her shoulder. They're fixing her up."

The two Beaters nodded to each other and then walked off to go check up on her. They followed too, walking towards the changing rooms. Michael caught up with them.

"Congratulations," Ginny told him.

"Thank you." He looked between them. "You two flew really well too."

Ginny sighed. "Thanks."

"I look forward to having you as our Coach," Livvy told him.

"I'll come find you when I'm changed?" Ginny asked Harry.

He nodded. "Sure."

They split, both going into their respective changing rooms. Gwenog stopped her as she walked in.

"Congratulations on the record," she said. "It's an impressive feat, both for you personally and the team. Show women can do it too, and better." She crossed her arms and nodded approvingly. "I'm proud of you."

Ginny was puzzled about the direct praise. "Thank you, Gwenog."

"It's all my fault!" Cayla complained. She was slumped over on the bench. "We were ahead and I ruined it. Should've quit when I found out I was pregnant."

"We would have never found a replacement Seeker as good as you," Gwenog said. "I appreciate that you stayed on and I think we're all glad about it."

"Yes, we are," Isabelle chimed in.

Ginny nodded. "You flew really well."

"You did." Tara sat down beside Cayla and wrapped an arm around her. "Now you go home and have a lovely future Quidditch star and then you come right back, okay?" She squeezed Cayla closer. "Please come back."

Tara smiled weakly. Carrie walked in, patched up by a Healer and carrying two potions she'd have to take later.

Gwenog called for their attention. "We may not have won the Cup but we had an amazing season regardless. Getting to the finale is still an impressive feat. Those who have the World Cup, I am sure you will do amazing with Mr Seatorch as your coach."

Ginny sat down on the bench.

"Some of you have likely already heard rumours and they are true. I will be retiring."

Sighs and mutters went through the team.

"It's been my honour and joy to lead this team."

"Joy? That's a new one," Livvy mumbled.

Ginny bit back her smile.

"And I'd like to stop now when I know I'm still delivering good results. I want to be able to quit with my head held high. I have the longest career of any active player right now, and I'm proud of that." She looked at the players. "Thank you for being my team. Applications for the Captain spot will be open after the World Cup. For now, my retirement is a secret. We will announce it together with the assignment of the new Captain. Go Harpies!"

"Go Harpies!" they replied.

Livvy stood up. "Can we hug you now?"

"If you must," Gwenog responded.

The whole team piled on to her and squeezed her.

"Thank you for being our Captain."

"We're going to miss you."

"Does that mean you're joining girls' night?" Livvy tried.

"That's still a no, Liv."

When Ginny exited the changing room, she found her family waiting for her. She smiled a little defeated and she was wrapped in several hugs.

"You flew amazing," Ron said. "Your best game yet."

"Thanks, guys."

Her mother patted her cheek. "Still party tomorrow? You've broken a record."

She nodded. "I'd like that." She looked down the corridor. "And I want Harry to be able to celebrate too."

"You both did great," her father said. "Will you congratulate him on our behalf?"

"Of course."

"Be careful when you go out," her mother said.

Ginny smiled at her. "I will, no worries."

She said her goodbyes and took off with a final wave. She walked down the corridor and went to look for Harry.

When Harry stepped out of the changing room, she took his hand and pulled him along until she found a supply closet. She pulled him inside and closed the door.

Harry hardly objected as she wrapped her arms around him and snogged him. His hands came to her waist as his head dipped down. She was pissed off the Harpies hadn't won, but she knew Harry caught the Snitch fair and square.

She pulled away from him. "That is my congratulatory kiss for the evening."

"Thank you." His gaze danced over his face. "You have girls' night?"

"Yes, we're going to Livvy's to get changed and then we'll hit a pub up," she said.

"The guys are planning a pub tour, I may bump into you," he said. "Which I wouldn't mind at all…"

She shook her head. "I'll see you after midnight."

"Can I interest you in a consoling kiss?" he asked, already closing the space between them.

She nodded and kissed him. His hands shifted up her back and she held him closer, using her tongue to tease him. She clutched his face between her hands and he pressed his body into hers. Her breath picked up and she changed the angle. He hummed against her lips.

With a bang, the door opened. Her head snapped up to see a glaring Livvy standing there. Harry took in a sharp breath.

"What did I just tell you about not letting Quidditch players between our legs tonight?" she asked.

Ginny looked down at herself and back up. "He isn't between my legs currently, in my defence."

"I could be," he murmured.

Her hand moved down and squeezed his arm. "Not helping."

"Girls' night. Girls," Livvy said. "Now let's go."

"I'll be right there," Ginny assured her. "I promise!"

Livvy trod off.

"We could take a few more minutes," Harry teased.

"No…" She shook her head. "She will come back and give me a scolding. We can continue this tonight."

Harry kissed her again. "Alright. Be safe."

"You too." She squeezed his hand and walked out.

When she arrived they all apparated to Livvy's flat. Isabelle, Tara and Carrie were joining them tonight. When they got changed into their dresses, make-up was passed and applied. They may not have won, but they were still going to have a fun night out.

Livvy whistled at Ginny. "It's a good thing Potter didn't see you in that outfit, he wouldn't have let you go."

"I need to not see him for a few hours," Ginny said. "I need a drink."

"That's the spirit!" Isabelle said. "It's your treat, right? Record-breaking Chaser…"

Ginny groaned and shoved Isabelle away from the mirror so she could check herself. "I'll buy the first round, after that we'll see."

The first Firewhiskey washed away some of the disappointment of losing. The second one had them dancing around together. They moved the music, and turned down the advances of men, less and more drunk than them.

Carrie was already on her third drink when they returned to the table. Ginny ordered a beer and drank it quicker than she could the Firewhiskey.

Livvy leapt up at another song of the Weird Sisters and pulled along Tara and Isabelle, giving Ginny some reprieve.

Carrie settled back in the booth and looked at the dancing group. "You're all great."

"I'd like to think so." She turned to Carrie. "What happened this season with you? Suddenly you're not trying out for the World Cup, you hung around less…" She glanced at the remnants of her beer. "I know I haven't paid as close attention as I'd like, I've been so busy with the whole dating ordeal I felt like I've lost sight of you."

Carrie shook her head. "It isn't your fault. I fucked up. This was my last game."

"What?" Ginny hissed in surprise. "You can't mean that!"

Carrie smiled bitterly. "It was part of my agreement. Finish the season, leave quietly."

Ginny set her beer down and turned to Carrie. "What happened?" she asked carefully.

"You know we're paid less than most male players, right?" Carrie started. She swirled her glass of wine around and took another sip.

"Somewhat, but I've never…" she started. It was so much money to her, she had never really thought of wanting even more.

"It's significant," Carrie told her. "And I wanted to fix that. For us, our team." She sighed as she looked at Ginny. "And that's not all so you can stop looking so indignant on my behalf."

"The management—" Ginny started.

"I went straight to the League," Carrie said. "And I was told by someone they wouldn't simply listen so I tried to bribe a member of the board by…" She shut her eyes as she said it. "Trying to have sex with them."

Ginny had to make a lot of effort to keep her jaw from physically dropping. "Why?"

"I was misled by some journalist that that would be the only way," Carrie said. "And I dumbly fell for it. I can't believe I even tried—I felt so disgusted!" She grabbed the bottle of wine and poured herself another glass. "I just wanted it for all of us… not that makes it any better. Lucky for me everyone was too busy writing about you and it never made the papers."

"No wonder they wanted to keep that up for so long…" Ginny muttered. "Fuck, Carrie. I don't know what to say. That whole situation is so messed up."

"It's fine. Gwenog was understandably furious… It's worse when it's us women, isn't it?" Carrie asked her.

"We're allowed less," Ginny agreed.

"I understand why Gwenog is so protective of us, we're all under bigger scrutiny than men will ever be," Carrie continued, drinking another big swig of wine.

"I've noticed it even between Harry and me, it's the things they write… we are in the same situation and they judge me harsher… it even pisses off Harry." Ginny down the rest of her beer.

"It sucks." Carrie's gaze dropped down. "It's alright. I've made my peace with it. I just wanted to have one last night out with you girls."

"I'm sorry," Ginny said.

Carrie smiled bitterly. "I appreciate if you don't tell the others—at least not until later."

"Sure," Ginny agreed.

"Gwenog said I should've come to her, but she's not very approachable for those things."

"Ginny! This is your song, come on you hot stuff!" Livvy yelled.

"She's a bit scary," Ginny added. She looked at Livvy. "I think I'll need…"

"Yes, go on ahead. Livvy is unstoppable, have fun. I'll join in a bit," Carrie said, pushing her towards the rest.

Livvy pulled her along to dance. She was really getting in the groove when she suddenly felt a man putting her hands on his hips and she froze and whipped around, while drawing her wand.

The curse died on her lips when she met the familiar green of Harry's eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she gasped. "Oh, it's you."

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?" he asked her, pulling her closer now.

She nodded and kissed his cheek. "You're not the first man to make advances on us tonight."

He quirked an eyebrow. "On you too? Don't they know you're with me?"

"Those men don't care, sweetheart." She looked around to check if Livvy was going to drag her off but found her talking to Ethan in the corner.

"She's a bit of a hypocrite," Harry noted.

Ginny snorted. "You could say that. How did you end up here?"

"We're going towards Leaky's." Harry kissed below her ear. "We saw you in here, so we thought we'd stop by."

"Rub your win in, you mean?" She raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"No—" He shook his head at her. "They were teasing me about missing you. You happy now?"

She grinned at his admission. "Very. You proved them right."

"They weren't going to stop anyway," Harry replied. He looked up as Michael waved. "Got to go."

She kissed him and he slipped out of her arms, following Michael out of the pub. Livvy walked back up to her.

"Ethan?" Ginny asked again.

Livvy grinned at her. "We made plans. After midnight it's all fair."

Ginny shook her head and pulled her friend along. "Why don't you two make it official?"

"Ew! We're not like that!" Livvy objected as they returned to the table.

Ginny sat down. She waved the waitress over. "I used to think it was only sex too!"

"We're not you." Livvy turned to Carrie. "We're not the same as them, right?"

Carrie took a deep breath. "If you're exclusively shagging it doesn't mean you have to be in love, but you have to admit there is something."

Ginny ordered a round of sodas for everyone.

Livvy looked unconvinced. "You're all wrong."

Harry had somehow made it home before her and was already in bed when she entered the room.

She put her hands on her hips. "We were going to have sex."

"I'm sorry, I was tired," Harry responded.

She shook her head and pulled her dress off, leaving her panties on and put the grey shirt on. She crawled into bed and rested her back against his chest. "The least you can do is give me consolation se—Oh!"

Harry's hand had ducked between her legs as he pushed his hips forward, grinding against her butt. "I didn't say I wasn't going to do it." His hand rubbed over her panties.

She leaned into him, enjoying the sensation as his hard cock started pressing into her. His free hand tugged on her shirt shortly and she nodded, taking it off. His lips pressed against the back of her neck.

"You looked so sexy in that dress," he muttered.

"You," she started, "unfortunately looked very sexy winning the National Cup."

He smiled against her skin. "I'm sorry, we always knew only one of us could win."

"I know."

His hands tracked over her skin and heat pooled between her legs. She pushed her butt into him.

Harry's hand pulled on her underwear and pulled it down just enough to give him access. Then he pulled his down too enough to free his cock. She arched her back and he slipped into her from behind. His nose pressed against her back as he moaned softly.

They moved lazily. Harry's arm wrapped tighter around her. Her eyes closed, all she wanted to feel was him pushing into her. He pulled her underwear off completely and guided her leg to rest over his, changing the angle.

She changed the angle of her hips. He palmed one of her breasts and kissed her neck. Her hand covered his and he turned his wrist, slipping his fingers between hers and clutching them tight against her.

Harry sped up a little and she picked up her rhythm too.

"Close," he moaned, his thrusts deepening.

He came, his forehead pressing against her and he stilled inside with a final thrust. He inhaled deeply and then he let go of her hand, instead dipping down to her core.

He began rubbing her clit and his hips moved back.

She stopped him. "It feels better with you inside."

After a second, his hips pushed back forward into her and his hand continued playing with her clit. As she felt the pleasure building, she started rocking back and forward softly on his cock.

Ginny moaned. "I'm close."

His hand continued and she could feel the intensity increase. She buried her face in the sheets, moaning softly and pushed her hips into Harry's as her orgasm rolled over her. As she took a deep breath and Harry's hand stilled, she felt the tiniest jerk of his hips against her own.

"Did you just cum again?" she asked incredulously. She turned her head just enough to look at him.

"No," he told her. He pulled out.

"Liar," she told him. She knew he had. "You already won the Cup, now you cum twice?"

"You told me to stay inside." He raised an eyebrow. "What did you think would happen? I'll make it up to you in the morning."

Satisfied with the response, she turned around and settled in his embrace. He pressed a kiss against her forehead.

"You're my favourite thing I've gained from this season." He kissed her temple.

She leaned back a bit to look at him. "You can say the Cup, I'd understand…" she told him. "I may have said the Cup had I won."

He smiled and locked eyes with her as he shook his head. "No, it's definitely you."

"Even with everything that happened?" Her hand came to his cheek and her thumb traced the line of his bottom lip.

"Especially because of that. If I had caught someone else." He frowned at the thought. "I wouldn't have had this."

"You don't know that, you could've," she whispered.

"You don't get it, do you?" He kissed her and his hand tightened on her. "There is no one like you, and I couldn't have fallen for anyone like I have for you."

She ran her hand through his hair. "And I gave you such a hard time at the start."

"You throwing yourself at me at every opportunity is fondly remembered," he responded with a teasing smile.

She scoffed. "You say that like it's in the past. I know a sexy man when I see one."

He hummed. "I just know that you've improved every aspect of my life, and that's bigger than winning a Cup. I admire you, first as a Quidditch player and now as a person. I don't want to live without you anymore." He paused as if he had surprised himself by saying that.

She kissed him, holding his face close to hers. "I love you so much."

"You'd still pick the Cup over me, wouldn't you?"

She sighed and kissed him again. "It's a tough call."

He wrapped his arms around her more tightly while their legs entangled. He buried his face against her neck. "That's very telling, I know how much you love Quidditch."