A/N: And here is the new chapter! Yes, the one after this will take some time again. Sorry in advance! Doing my best to write whenever I can but I have too many WIPs. (Oops)
Most of you read all of them but if you want a Royalty!AU with a badass Ginny Knight, go read Knight of Mine
and everyone seems to like Love, I like a Challenge. A quidditch star!AU with fake dating and blurred lines...
I meant to update this chapter earlier today because I had some time between a wedding ceremony and their dinner party but I didn't get around to it so you're getting it now, I only just got back and I am thawing my toes, which is probably more information than you need. Anyway.
Chapter. Enjoy
Ginny had been lost in thought as she made her way to Harry's dorm. But then, the sight of her ex, David, coming her way, made her stall. She avoided him when she could but now, he had noticed her too and she knew she wouldn't make it past him without a confrontation.
"It's true then," he sneered as he came closer. "You got yourself knocked up?"
Ginny had not cared about any gossip until now, but she wished David hadn't found out. She hated that his words still affected her. Anger bubbled inside of her, he had no right to make any comments about her life. She bit her tongue and remained silent, hoping she would be able to cross him easily.
He scoffed. "Good riddance then, I'd say."
She moved past him without a word, refusing to let the words get to her. Harry's dorm was only two doors down and she could see the door was open.
His tongue clicked. "You never could manage anything, could you? You're pathetic, getting into a situation like this," he said with venom in his voice. "I pity your boyfriend. I hope he sees sense too and leaves you, you good for nothing—"
Ginny thought she caught a glimpse of Harry in his doorway but her focus turned fully to David. She saw red. Old anger and pain welled up at his words as she whipped around. She was barely aware of it as her arm swung back and she threw her whole weight in it as her fist made contact with his nose. The pain stung her hand immediately, but his nose cracked satisfyingly under her knuckles. He stumbled back from the sheer force she had hit him with, and he fell to the ground clutching his nose, blood spurting out. He looked at her in shock.
Someone took her hand softly but firmly and she knew it was Harry. She allowed him to pull her to his dorm.
As Harry closed the door, she inspected her hand. She wiggled her fingers. It was a little painful, but it was so worth it.
Harry grabbed hold of her and put her on top of the table. He quickly came back with an ice pack. He took her hand in his and held the ice against her knuckles. The coolness seeped in quickly and immediately eased the pain.
"How does that bastard even dare talk to you," Harry said through gritted teeth. He was one of the only people who knew exactly how awful David was. When she had finally had enough and broken up with him, Harry had sat with her on the couch for hours as the words continued to pour out. All the things David had done she had kept a secret so people wouldn't think poorly of him. Harry had held her as she cried.
Ginny watched as Harry swallowed his anger. "He really was the worst of your boyfriends," Harry said, lifting the ice pack to check before putting it back on.
"Who's the best? Ginny asked him. She saw Harry think it over.
"That Dutch student, what was his name?" Harry asked as he met her eyes.
Ginny raised an eyebrow; it definitely wasn't her favourite boyfriend. "Lars?"
"That one," Harry responded with a nod.
"Lars was nice. But he was boring, there was just no spark." She had broken up with him out of sheer boredom. She did not want a dull life for herself, and Lars was all about that. He had been nice, but they were not a match in the end.
"Sometimes I think we have a bit too much spark." Harry grinned.
"There's no such thing as too much spark," Ginny spoke. "Where do you think you stand?"
Harry shrugged. "Well, I'd like to think I make the top three. My track record after … what's it been, three months? … Isn't all that great."
Ginny had to resist rolling her eyes. Her fingers landed under his chin and lifted it, so he'd meet her gaze. "Sweetheart, you're firmly on number one," she told him, pulling him close to kiss him.
Harry took the ice pack off and his hands found her waist instead. He kissed her softly. Then he leaned away and moved to pick up the ice pack again but Ginny stopped him.
"It's alright I think," Ginny said, it was only a little red and the pain was gone for the most part.
"You threw a good punch, but make sure you fold your thumb like this," he said, folding in her fingers and tucking her thumb over it. "That way you avoid injury. Come in from the side and put your weight behind it."
Ginny couldn't help but be amused as she listened to the instructions. "You would think you should be discouraging me from punching people."
Harry smiled and cocked his head. "Would that stop you from doing it?"
"... No," she admitted after a pause.
"Then I'd rather you do it well and don't hurt yourself," he told her, kissing her forehead.
Neville walked in looking rather excited.
"Is it true? Ginny punched a guy?" he asked, looking between them.
"She punched David," Harry told him with a grin.
"Neat!"
Ginny hid her face in her hands. "Oh boy, you heard about that already?"
Neville nodded eagerly. "I asked about the blood and then they said you broke his nose!"
She grimaced. "Possibly." She looked at her knuckles. "I did feel it crack."
"Hey, Harry?" Ginny said, looking up from her phone.
"Hmm?" he said without looking up.
"Were you a big baby?" she asked.
Harry now looked up, unsure if he heard her right. "What?"
"I am just considering… because I am starting to show more than you'd expect. You are a very tall dude, and I am quite small." She signed at her body.
"Pint-sized," he said, smiling at her endearingly.
"Yes," she agreed dismissively. "I am just considering what I'll have to squeeze out. What if it doesn't fit?"
Harry considered her words, blinking blankly. He was somewhere between concerned and amused. "I think I was a normal-sized baby, if that's any comfort. I think it's supposed to fit, I guess?" His hand landed on her knee.
Ginny lay down on her back, looking at her phone. "Until it doesn't!"
Harry leaned towards her and took her phone and put it down. "Maybe stop reading horror stories about fifteen-pound babies, my love. That is very unlikely to happen." He lay down beside her on his stomach, his head propped up on his hand. His other hand came around her waist.
"Well, if the baby comes out unusually large, just know I am blaming you. Tall dudes are all nice and charming until you have to squeeze their babies through your vagina!" she let out dramatically.
Harry couldn't help but laugh loudly as he let his head drop on her shoulder.
"Harry! It is not funny!" she said, pushing against him. He peeked at her, but she was smiling too.
"If that is the case, I will make personal amends with your vagina," he said cheekily.
"Yeah, you would like that, wouldn't you?" Ginny said, picking her phone back up, shaking her head.
Harry took it out of her hand and Googled 'small babies' instead. He handed the phone back to her. "There."
Ginny glanced at him. "You have an incredible amount of faith in me and my small body, you know?"
"I know you. You will probably handle it like a champ. I will be there to hold your hand but unfortunately there isn't much I can do." He'd do all the work if he could.
"No, your part is already over, and it was considerably more fun than squeezing one out, I'm sure," she muttered as she continued to scroll through her phone.
"You carry the baby for 9 months and then I carry the baby for 9 months, yeah?" he suggested.
"Cute. But also no." She shook her head. "I will carry the baby and you carry all the junk the baby needs."
Harry's face appeared above hers. "If you don't let me carry our baby, I will fight you."
Ginny giggled. "I'm sure we can come to an agreement." She pulled him down by his neck and kissed him.
Ginny inspected her knuckles again, but they didn't bruise so she assumed the pain would be gone soon. Harry walked back into the room.
"David just got back from the ER," Harry said as he came to sit beside her on the couch.
Ginny hummed. "And?"
"Yeah, you broke his nose pretty badly," Harry said, looking a little too proud.
She nodded. "Is he going to report me? He could probably get me suspended," she asked now.
Harry settled between her legs and she wrapped her arms around him as his head leaned against her stomach.
"He was going to," Harry confirmed with a nod. "But I convinced him not to."
"Impressive," Ginny said as she began massaging his temples. "What did you say?"
"Told him we'd retaliate," Harry said, his eyes closed as her fingers massaged his face further. "When he said he knew you didn't keep any messages... I told him I had copied them, and I had them all saved."
"You don't," she mumbled. "Do you?"
He smiled. "I don't, but he doesn't know that, and he clearly didn't want to bet on it."
Her hands moved further, a finger running up and down his nose softly. "Thank you."
"Anytime," he replied. "Oh, I am going to fall asleep if you continue this."
"It's okay, I was about to take a nap," Ginny told him.
"Hang on," he said, he turned onto his stomach and turned his head sideways on her belly. "Feels rude to sleep away from her," he clarified, guiding her hand back to his nose. "Continue."
She continued to massage his nose as he relaxed against her, and she smiled softly. "Can we do this forever?" she asked.
Harry hummed softly. "Okay."
"Ginny, we are going to be late again and they're going to think we're having sex, hurry up!" Harry complained, glancing at his watch.
"This very well may be the very last time I go clubbing in a long time, I want to look my best!" she yelled back.
A moment later she stepped out of her room, wearing that tiny black dress she had worn a few months ago. She looked as gorgeous in it now as she did then.
"So?" Ginny said, turning around.
He nodded. "Very nice, that dress looks great on you but uhm..." He frowned. "I think you forgot the baby in your room, it sure isn't in here!" He pointed at her belly. "Your stomach isn't that flat."
Ginny shook her head. "It's shapewear!"
"You are squashing the baby for aesthetics?" he let out.
"Harry." She squeezed his chin between her fingers. "The baby is perfectly fine and nicely tucked in for the evening."
Harry bent down and eyed her from the side. He shook his head. "If she comes out with a flat head..."
She groaned. "Stop being so dramatic." She shot him an amused look.
"Alright, alright." He gave in. "Other than that, you look very sexy."
She smiled. "Thank you."
They met Cho and Luna at the end of the corridor.
"Ginny, are you sure you're hiding a baby in there?" Cho commented as she eyed her.
Harry snorted. "No no, she left it home for the evening, much safer."
"You are all testing my patience," Ginny said, walking past them and towards the stairs.
Luna looked at Harry. "You look about ready to fight anyone in the club who dares touch her."
"You bet!" he replied. "She always seems to attract trouble in the club, and I really don't need that..."
Luna patted his arm. "I am sure she'll be careful."
Harry nodded. "Sure... Doesn't mean I won't worry."
She laughed. "Well, that's unavoidable."
"And here's the beer you didn't ask for," Ginny said with a grin when she and Luna came back with the drinks.
"Thank you so much, darling. I don't know what I'd do without you," Harry said, taking it and putting it in front of him.
She handed out the rest of the drinks and came to stand beside him.
He lifted the drink towards her nose. "Go on, sniff it."
She took a deep breath in. "Nice."
He sipped from it and Ginny eyed him. He shook his head. "No."
Cho took off with Luna. Hermione and Ron were in a heated discussion.
"What is she trying to do?" Seamus asked warily.
Harry sighed. "Have me drink beer and then make out with me so she can taste it without drinking it."
Ginny grinned. "I just miss it."
Dean frowned at her. "Out of all drinks you miss beer?" He shook his head.
"You wouldn't understand," she said. She pulled on Harry's hand. "Let's dance."
He followed her onto the dancefloor and then pulled her close.
"Oh my, are you putting the moves on me, Potter?" she said into his ear as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Trying to convince you to go home with me later," he answered cheekily.
"Hey Harry," Ginny said about an hour later. "Let's go back to the dorm."
He looked at her in surprise. "It's still early. Are you tired?"
Ginny shook her head slowly as her hand cupped his butt.
He swallowed. "Ah. I see."
She pushed closer to him on the dancefloor. "Come on, Harry."
"Are you sure?" he asked. It's not like they'd have time for clubbing next year.
She nodded without hesitation. "Let's go."
Harry took her hand and led her out of the crowd. They stopped by their table.
"We're heading back," Harry said. "Ginny is... very tired."
Ginny nodded in confirmation. "So very tired."
Cho chuckled. "I see..."
"Do close your door," Neville commented. "In case you are snoring..."
"That was one time and we heard you come in, you heard or saw nothing," Harry defended them.
Ginny tugged on his hand, eager to leave. "Cho, don't do anything I wouldn't do." She paused. "Wait, no, that is terrible advice. Be smart!"
Harry pulled her along and laughed as Ginny waved goodbye to them.
They stumbled into Harry's room, lips already locked. Harry's hand slipped up her thigh under her short dress. Ginny's hands were pulling at his shirt.
"Hurry up," Ginny muttered.
He smiled against her lips. He pulled his shirt off and pulled her to the bed.
"At least the nugget can be released from her constraints," Harry commented as he pulled at the shapewear under Ginny's dress. He had expected her to retort but instead, she begged him to continue. He pulled her underwear down and lowered his face to her core but she stopped him.
"No, no," she said.
He appeared above her again. "What?"
She unbuckled his belt. "This is what I need," she said as she pushed his trousers down.
He breathed out. "Fuck, Ginny." His face came closer to her. "Tell me what you want."
Ginny pulled his hips closer. "Fuck me, Harry. And hurry the fuck up."
He laughed and kissed her. "Okay."
As Harry walked down the corridor, he came across Cho, dragging a guy towards her room.
She looked at him. "Where's Ginny?"
"Oh," Harry said, eyeing the guy for a moment. "She fell asleep."
Cho's face froze. "Oh, I am sorry, it's probably just the hormones, you know."
"Not during!" Harry spluttered. "She just dozed right off after and I am wide awake." He looked at the guy. "And who is this one?"
"Mark," he introduced himself. Harry shook his hand.
"Go on in, I'll be there in a minute," Cho told him, pushing the guy inside the dorm and then closing the door again.
Harry smiled. "Flavour of the night?"
"Oh, shut up. Not everyone has what you have," she said.
Harry gasped. He folded his arms. "Is that why you always make fun of us?"
"Most of us are a little jealous," Cho admitted. "And you can be a little insufferable together." She raised an eyebrow.
"That's your fault," Harry said. "You more than the others."
Cho gasped. "Why? What did I do?"
Harry lowered his voice. "When Ginny said you were interested in me; I suddenly realised I'd rather date her instead."
"Ouch." She looked at him coldly. "I'd be hurt if it wasn't my own fault. I do hope that earns me a spot on your wedding guest list."
Harry pretended to think about it. "If you do your babysitting hours."
"Dang it!" she said. "By the way, thanks for asking about him. I didn't quite catch his name at the club. Lots of noise."
Harry shook his head. "Cho..."
"Now I have to go, got to eat your food while it's hot." She winked and disappeared into her room.
Harry continued his way to Ginny's dorm and picked up her phone charger and a change of clothes for the morning. When he entered his dorm again, he plugged her phone in and put her clothes on the desk.
He changed out of his clothes and crawled over her before he got under the covers. Ginny tucked into him without really waking up. He kissed her forehead and rested his head against the pillow. He would choose this over clubbing any day.
Harry frowned at Ginny as they walked towards his dad's car.
Her lips left the straw of her smoothie for a moment. "What?"
"You're going to have to pee, drink slower," he commented.
"Hi James," Ginny greeted him. She turned to Harry again. "If anything, it's a good opportunity to test out their toilets."
James laughed. "If their water isn't shut off because it isn't occupied."
Ginny's eyes widened for a moment but then she shrugged. "It won't take that long anyway." She pouted at Harry.
Ginny reached the door of the front seat. Harry cleared his throat and she paused.
"What makes you think you can sit in the front?"
She cocked her head, smiling innocently. "Pregnant lady privileges."
"Did you know that seat is the most dangerous one in the whole car?" he tried.
His dad spoke loudly. "We are going to be late, you can both sit in the back."
Ginny shrugged and got onto the backseat with him.
"No bickering in front of those people either," James said, starting the car.
"We weren't bickering!" Harry defended but the firm look his dad gave him in the rear-view mirror made him drop it.
They arrived at the first apartment. It was the one that had been unusually cheap. When they walked into the hallway, they immediately figured out why the price had been so low. As soon as they walked in, Harry's nose was assaulted by a strong, sweet and earthy smell.
James' eyes widened. "Wow that smells like—"
"Weed," Ginny completed and then she bolted for the door. She stood in the doorway, wafting fresh air into her face.
Harry met eyes with his dad. "Should we still go look or...?"
"You can't put a baby in this, Harry!" Ginny said, walking back in but after another breath in, she escaped back outside. "Oh god, I am regretting that smoothie."
Harry sighed. "Right, I'll just call them and tell them we are no longer interested."
James led him out of the door again. "Sucks that it didn't work out, but I can't say I'm surprised."
Harry looked over at Ginny. "Are you going to be okay?"
"That stink is stuck in my nose."
Harry was glad he showered this morning. He offered his arm, hoping it still smelled plenty like lemon. Ginny inhaled and a happy sigh escaped her lips.
"Lemon wash," Harry told his dad. "Personified scent bomb."
James smiled. "You know a lot of women can't stand their partner's scent when they're pregnant. Something to do with the hormones."
Harry was appalled at the thought that she'd hate how he smelled. His dad laughed at his expression.
Harry called the first renter as they drove to the next one. It was a smaller one but the rent was good. He was hopeful for the last on their list now that the first one hadn't worked out.
The second one was cramped, but they could make do for a year. They spent a lot of time with the guy in the bathroom. The shower was indeed as fancy as promised, and it appeared to be the selling point. It looked like you needed an instruction manual just to turn it on.
His dad asked some questions, but he remained silent, looking for Ginny's reaction. As the guy rambled on about the shower, Ginny's eyes slid over to the small living room. Then she looked back at him and he didn't need her to speak to know what she was thinking. As in, we may have to settle for this, if need be, but it wasn't great. He reached out to her hand and squeezed it.
"Thank you for your time," James said, and shook the man's hand. "We must be going."
When they got back in the car, James looked at them. "You know you can talk for yourself, right?"
"I wasn't really wowed," Harry admitted. "But I think it can remain an option."
James nodded and looked over at Ginny. "Thoughts?"
"I know we don't have the luxury to look for the perfect apartment but I just... this is smaller than the dorms and we'd be paying more." She sighed. "I don't know."
"It would only be for a year or so," Harry told her. "We would manage."
"I don't—" She shook her head as she seemed to dismiss her thought. She looked out the window.
He put a hand on her knee and squeezed. "I know."
When they arrived at the last apartment they'd be viewing, they were greeted by an excited middle-aged woman. "Hi! So nice to meet you." She shook hands with all three of them. "My name is Thea. Come on in!"
Harry spotted the elevator at the end of the hallway but Thea turned right and opted for the stairs. They arrived on the landing of the first floor. There were two doors. The one closest to the elevator was the one they would be looking at.
Thea started looking for the right key as she spoke. "There are just four apartments in the whole building." She opened the door and walked in.
Harry let Ginny go first. To the left of them was the kitchen only separated from the living room by the kitchen island. The fact it was one room made the whole thing seem bigger. The line of windows across the outer wall brought a lot of light into the space.
Thea paused there. "I'm guessing it's the two young ones that are looking for an apartment?"
Harry smiled. "Yes, we're still at university, just one year to go."
"They got a baby on the way, so they need something better than a dorm."
Harry wanted to frown at his dad for telling Thea they were having a baby, he was worried she wouldn't want to rent to them anymore but then she gasped excitedly.
"Oh my! You don't look it at all. When's the baby due?" she asked Ginny.
"January," Ginny said with a smile. "A good few months to go."
Thea pointed to the ceiling. "There is an elderly couple above here. They tend to adopt whichever college students reside here." She leaned in. "And they're a little hard of hearing, so they probably wouldn't even hear a baby."
Harry watched Ginny's eyes lit up but the rest of her expression didn't shift.
"Would the other renters give any trouble?" Harry asked genuinely now that he felt more comfortable.
"The unit by the stairs is rented to my niece. She's doing her PhD. And the unit above that is a bit of a come-and-go. Usually, professors who only stay for a few weeks or a term." She signed. "Let me show you the rest."
She pointed out the restroom to their right. One door further was a decently large bedroom. They crossed the living room. There were three doors on the left. By the kitchen, a small pantry. Then the bathroom.
It had both a bath and a shower, which could be convenient. The dark tiling gave it a luxurious look.
Ginny looked around. "Oh wow, the photos did not lie."
Thea walked out of the bathroom and to the last room. "And an extra room. But I suppose you'll know what to do with that."
Ginny nodded with a smile. She walked back out to the living room. "When would it be available? The listing didn't say."
"We usually rent September to June and do some maintenance in between, but if you want to rent earlier, that is definitely possible..." Thea looked around. "I think we could do as early as August."
Harry bit back a smile, because they were aiming for August. He looked out through the window.
"As you can see, you just cross the street and then you're basically on campus. Easy to get to class." She stood beside Harry and pointed at the street crossing. "There is the odd nightly noise from the students."
Harry chuckled. "We're used to that at the dorms. I'm sure we can cope with that."
"So utilities are included in the rent, right?" James asked. He had been quiet for a moment.
Thea nodded. "Unless we notice you use any of it excessively or wastefully, then we may raise the rent but otherwise it's all included."
Harry watched as Ginny's fingers drummed a rhythm against her stomach as she looked around.
"Any more questions from you?" Thea asked.
James paused, looking between Harry and Ginny. "Could you give us a moment?"
Thea smiled. "Of course. I'll be down the hall." She excused herself and exited the apartment.
James faced them. "I see two happy faces, is this the one?"
Ginny smiled at Harry and gave the tiniest of nods.
"Yes, it is. But shouldn't we think longer?"
James shrugged. "An apartment like this for this price will be gone soon. It's not big but isn't run-down and also appears to be well-maintained. Most importantly, you both seem to like it. If you are happy with it, let's do it. You're renting, it's not the same commitment as buying so I would go ahead if I were you."
Ginny put an arm around Harry's waist and looked at him. "What do you think?"
"I like it for sure, if you like it too... what does the nugget say?"
Ginny released him and glanced at her stomach. "Mostly that it is time for food... I think she likes it here too."
Harry nodded at his dad, who stepped out to the hallway.
"Thea, they'll take it!"
She walked back in excitedly. "I am glad to hear!" She typed on her phone. "I can send you all the paperwork tonight so you can read it on your own time. From when did you want to start renting?"
"August," Ginny confirmed. "If possible."
"Sure. Then I would just like the paperwork finalised by the end of this week if you don't mind."
Harry nodded. "Shouldn't be a problem."
Harry caught his dad looking at Ginny after they exited the building. He raised an eyebrow towards his dad.
"Ginny looks like a kid on Christmas right now," he commented.
She smiled brightly at him. "That apartment was exactly what we were looking for."
Harry pulled her close again and kissed the top of her head. "Dad, are you joining us for lunch? We are getting whatever Ginny wants to eat."
He shook his head. "No, I'll leave you lovebirds to celebrate picking out your first apartment together." He looked a little emotional. "I need to head back to work in a bit anyway. We'll call later to go over the paperwork."
"Thank you for coming with us today," Harry told him.
"My pleasure. Do I need to drop you off back at the dorms?"
"No, we'll grab food first. We can walk," he said.
They walked James back to the car and then waved him off. Harry turned to Ginny, only for her to wrap her arms around his waist. She let out an excited squeal, her face buried against his shirt. His heart skipped a beat. He always wanted her this happy.
"There is a noodle place around the corner, we can go there?" Ginny suggested when she looked up at him.
"Sure," he said, taking her hand as they headed that way. "Hey Gin."
"Yeah?"
"Now that we have a place to live," he said, biting back his smile. "What do you think about having a kid together? I think we'd make a cute baby."
"Sure, why not," she replied without missing a beat. "Does in six months work for you?"
His smile broke through his face. "How strange, that's exactly what I was thinking."
Ginny let out a small snort and squeezed his hand, meeting his eyes. She smiled.
