Ginny had been awaiting the delivery of her very own Vivacus broom at the Burrow. Her mother and father looked on from the side as she unwrapped it. She let her hand slip down the handle.
"I think I'll have to make room in the bed for that one," Harry joked, provoking a laugh from her mother.
Ginny ignored it. She mounted the broom and then pushed off and it was as great as last time. She was amazed at the agility she had on it as she flew through the orchard. This was going to make a significant difference for her. Her sharp turns and quick manoeuvres were her trademark, and this was going to improve on it even more.
When she had sufficiently tested out the broom, she flew back to the ground. She stepped off it.
"Look at that happy face," Harry commented.
She couldn't wipe the grin off her face if she tried. "I suppose I can have you let a turn."
"Thank you," he said with a smile. "Very kind of you."
She stepped back as he took off.
"I am proud of you," her mum said. "And that you can afford things like this for yourself."
She smiled at her parents. "Thank you for making it possible."
Her mum ran a hand through Ginny's hair. "We just want your happiness."
Before Harry could make it back to the ground, several of her brothers just so happened to show up.
"So… is that the Vivacus I'm seeing there?" Ron asked casually.
She rolled her eyes. "You can have a go, after George," she told him. "I do want to warn you if there is a twig out of place, you are buying me a new broom."
That made all her brothers very motivated to bring back the broom in good condition.
Ginny arrived early at the training centre with Harry in tow. It looked so pristine and fancy. She was really excited to start training for the World Cup games.
Every player had their own changing room, which had plenty of training outfits, their official gear and their broom. They walked past the hospital wing of the centre and the break room. Ginny paused in front of her changing room, with her name on it.
She turned around when she saw a flash go off. When she turned around, Harry lowered his camera.
"I felt like we should capture this moment," Harry said.
She held her hand out. "Let me take a picture of you as well."
He shook his head and tucked the camera away. "This is your childhood dream, not mine. I am just happy to be here for it."
She smiled at him, planning on stealing the camera from him later. She put her hand on the door handle. "I'll see you on the other side?"
Harry nodded. "Yes."
She walked into the changing room, took a deep breath to contain her excitement and then started changing into one of the training outfits. She tied her hair up in a ponytail and then picked up her broom. When she escaped through the door at the other side, Harry was already there chatting with Michael.
This room overlooked the training field and there was a large blackboard to one side to note down strategies. She greeted Michael and then walked to the table to already pour herself a glass of water before they started.
"My two early birds," Michael said.
"I couldn't wait any longer." Ginny sat down on one of the chairs facing Michael. "I feel like I've worked towards this moment my whole life."
"You have worked very hard, and proven yourself time and time again," Michael told her. "You are going to be our star Chaser."
"I know that should stress me out, but I just want to take this on," she said.
He smiled at her. "That's the spirit." He looked up at Harry. "And what about you?"
"This feels like the cherry on top after an amazing season," Harry said. "I don't think I'll ever have a better season."
Michael shook his head. "Now don't say that. There is plenty ahead."
"Agreed," Ginny said.
One of the doors opened and Livvy stepped out. Ginny stood up to greet her and Livvy hugged her.
"I knew you'd be here before me," Livvy said. "How are you?"
"Great," she said. "You?"
"Good. Ready to play."
When all the players arrived in the room, Michael stood up. "Welcome all! I am excited to be here and I hope you are too! We are going to get right into it today, because we want to be as ready as we can be for the Cup. We have one month before the first game. I just heard the first game will be against Spain."
A few mumbles of commentary went through the group.
"They are not the easiest to start with, but I am hopeful about it. I hope you kept up with your cardio on your break."
Ginny met eyes with Harry and bit back her smile.
"It is warm-ups and then drills for the rest of the morning. In the afternoon we will work on some group formations so we can get used to each other's flying styles. Get some water, a snack if you need and I'll see you outside in five."
They stood up, some people poured themselves some water.
"I am going to need to get used to Michael's gentle training style," Livvy told Isabelle.
The latter chuckled. "Get used to? I am going to enjoy it."
While Livvy went to get water, Isabelle walked to Ginny. They picked up their brooms and walked outside together.
"Are you going to apply for Captain?" Isabelle asked when they were out of earshot of the rest.
"I am planning to," Ginny said. She looked at Isabelle. "You're not?"
"I don't have that kind of ambition. I prefer to focus on my own flying," Isabelle said. "You'd do well though. Not tough as Gwenog, but not gentle either."
"You don't know that," Ginny replied. "I may surprise you."
Isabelle smiled. "I know you're not a Gwenog, and that could be a good thing. You're good at leading."
Ginny wasn't sure what to do with that compliment. "Thanks, I guess."
By the time lunch came around they were quite hungry. They were all chatting, those from different teams getting to know each other.
"While we are all here, I want to go over the rules for the Cup," Michael started.
Robert frowned. "I think we know how to play Quidditch."
Michael shook his head. "No no." He looked down at his paper. "This is about everything surrounding the Cup. What questions you're allowed to answer, you need to conduct yourself properly, sabotaging other players and so on and so forth. There are Cup rules and then there are additional rules to follow that are set by the League." He looked around at the players and then continued. "During any time that we are on location for a game, partners are not allowed to join you. This means they are not allowed to stay in your room."
"What?" Ginny said through a mouthful of rice. She swallowed. "Does that apply to us?"
"This is a Cup rule, so yes," Michael replied.
She shook her head. "That's stupid. We are literally both there, you could save some money by having us share a room."
"Couples within teams are not all that common and you are definitely not allowed to 'fraternise with the enemy' as it were," Michael told her. "You can't be caught spending the night together."
Harry leaned into her and whispered. "I can work with 'can't be caught'."
"Good," Ginny said.
"You can't give interviews without prior authorisation," Michael continued. "If a reporter asks you a question on the street; just use your common sense. We don't talk about any strategies. Feel free to politely decline and refer to the League." He read on. "You know you can't be on any performance-enhancing potions or similar."
"What about performance-enhancing spells?" Livvy whispered.
Ginny had to bite back her laughter and she noticed Harry, who had heard it too, freeze beside her. Thankfully, Michael was busy reading the next one.
"The remainder of the rules speak for themselves. You can't attack other players, you can't play for other countries, you can't mess with material…" Michael looked at each of them in turn. "I am sure you understand that we need to be on our best behaviour and play fair." He nodded. "You have ten minutes and then you should be back on the field."
Ginny let herself drop onto the couch, faceplanting into the cushions and sighed. "I underestimated Michael."
"What? Did you think just because he's not mean we were just slacking off?" Harry teased. "That's not how you win the National Cup."
She just let out an annoyed groan.
"Is your excitement for the Cup gone?" he asked.
"No!" she told him. She looked to the side to meet his eyes. "My excitement to use my arms is."
"Mine too, to be fair," he said. "Make space, Weasley."
She sat up and he slumped beside her. She looked at him for a long moment.
"We are going to need to be ready if we want to take on Spain," he told her.
She nodded. "I know. They're pretty good."
"Good thing we have a Chaser with records to her name on our team." He squeezed her thigh.
She chuckled softly. "We're up against big names though." She breathed in. "It doesn't matter, I am glad I get to participate at all."
"That's the spirit!" Harry told her. "And if we lose quickly, we will have so much time off before the season restarts. I could come up with plans." His eyes twinkled.
"I bet you can," she told him. She kissed his cheek. "I'll cook, but don't expect anything else from me today."
Ginny entered the training centre with renewed energy after a good night's sleep. As soon as she was ready, she walked up to Michael, who was sipping his coffee.
"So I had an idea to train flying in group," she started. "Since we have less time than a usual team to do that, and it could be a weak point."
He put his coffee on the table. "What's the idea?"
Ginny was excited to share it, Gwenog usually didn't allow this kind of input. "Holding hands."
"Come again?" he said.
"It will help people visually tell when someone is going to turn, because you'd feel it with their hands too," she clarified. "All of us are skilled enough to fly hands-free for a few turns I think. You can switch positions a few times."
Michael nodded. "We can have them switch in pairs or more as well. Good. Thanks, Weasley."
She smiled at him and then stood up. She turned to see Harry fiddling with a snitch, frowning hard.
"What's he doing?" Michael asked.
Ginny shook her head. "I have no idea." She walked up to him.
His fingers folded around the snitch and he looked up at her. "Hm?"
"What are you doing?" she asked him.
He looked down at his hand. "Oh. I was considering what the mechanical part was about the wings and how they're attached would affect their flight patterns. I'm trying to gain more insight on that, so I can anticipate more."
She nodded. "And?"
He opened his hand again and held the snitch between his fingers. "They are attached at a really small point, and since it's round the wings really get free range of movement."
"Yeah, so a Snitch is agile, what else is new?" she asked lightly.
He shot her an indignant look. "Yes, but what are its limitations?"
She stared at the Snitch for a while and then shook her head. "That I don't know."
"Precisely." He tucked it in his pocket. "The only thing I could think of is that since it's so lightweight, it would have a maximum falling speed and need as much effort flying up as it does down. A Snitch is hence more likely to avoid you on a horizontal plane than a vertical, especially downwards."
She tilted her head. "That could affect how you approach the Snitch on a dive."
"Now you got it," he told her.
When she turned back around, Michael frowned at them and she smiled. Peter, the Beater from the Cannons, walked in and greeted them before going up to Michael to ask something.
"You are joining us on Saturday, right? It's my parents' anniversary. I already got a gift," she told Harry.
He seemed to almost shake his head but then paused. "You told me they only invited family."
"Harry." She raised her eyebrows. "The reason they didn't specify, is because you joining is a given to them. You're with me, that makes you part of the family." She softly squeezed his hand.
"If you say so," he replied. "I suppose it's nice to have sort-of in-laws."
She bit back her smile. "You know what to do to make them actual in-laws." She winked teasingly at him.
"Yes," Harry replied without missing a beat. "I have to marry Ron."
Her smile broke through. "Harry."
His expression matched hers. "Would you?" he asked hesitantly.
Her eyebrow rose. "Marry Ron? No, for a variety of reasons."
"Right." He laughed and released her hand.
Though they kept their PDA to a minimum during training, she now kissed him softly. She caressed his cheek and offered him a look that could not be misunderstood. Then she smiled and turned around, greeting Robert and Livvy who had just filed into the room.
"If it isn't my secret lover," Ginny greeted Robert.
He shook his head. "Stop saying that! Someone could hear you!"
"The League could hear you," Michael added with a smile.
"Or they could just read the Daily Prophet and read it from the source themselves," she commented.
Livvy frowned at her. "The source being Rita Skeeter?"
"Yeah," Harry confirmed. "We were invited to do an exclusive interview the other day; I'm sure she can't imagine why we've declined."
"Don't interview with Rita Skeeter, please," Michael said. "She will spout anything. At least if you didn't speak to her directly, they can't claim you have said what she wrote."
Cole chuckled. "I don't think any of us have a strong desire to talk to her."
They mumbled in agreement. Michael stood up as the last teammate entered.
"Time for warm-ups!" he announced, excitedly clasping his hands together. "And then we are doing a position switch."
"No!" Livvy let out.
"No Seeker for you, Weasley," Michael said.
Ginny sighed. "Dang it. Do I get a bat then? If I imagine Skeeter is the Bludger, I am sure I'll do splendid."
"Laps first, then I'll explain."
The team walked outside together and looked up to see how the weather was before they all took off running.
The month of training flew by in the blink of an eye. They had to pack their suitcase, Arnold was put into the care of Fred and George for the time being since Harry and Ginny would be travelling from country to country as long as they were participating for the Cup. The first few games were taking place in Spain, then a few in Australia or Brazil and the World Cup itself would be played in Canada.
"Be a good boy," Ginny cooed at Arnold.
George smiled at her. "We've got him. He's going to be the shop's mascot until you return, aren't you, Arnie?" He tickled him. "He is famous in his own right."
She turned to her parents and hugged both of them. Harry stood further away, somehow not expecting goodbyes for him too. Molly walked up to him and hugged him.
Ginny said goodbye a final time and then she walked out of the garden, holding Harry's hand. They picked up their suitcases again and apparated to the training centre. All the players were chatting with much excitement. There were five days until they were up against Spain.
They left their suitcases in one spot; they'd be transferred separately with the rest of their gear. Then they all gathered around the same Portkey.
"Two minutes!" Michael called. "Spain is far, this may be unusually unpleasant."
The players all gathered and started holding on to the Portkey, a battered-looking steering wheel. Ginny took her place beside Harry.
As soon as she felt the familiar tug behind her navel, she clutched the Portkey tighter. It seemed to take an eternity before they touched ground again. Both Cole and Isabelle looked a bit green as they released the Portkey.
They were immediately greeted by a Welcome Committee, who welcomed them to Spain and offered them refreshments. They all received a key to their rooms and were shown around.
The whole team had a room in the same corridor, which would be convenient. Ginny wasn't sure if Michael was wrongfully trusting them not to share a room, or if he was deliberately turning a blind eye. At least they could keep up appearances somewhat, but they knew they weren't fooling anyone on the team.
As soon as they went up to their rooms in the evening, Harry snuck into hers with the help of his invisibility cloak. They cuddled close in bed.
"I'm optimistic about our game," Harry told her.
She turned her head towards him. "You know you're a better Seeker, we just need to get past their Keeper."
"Somewhat," he admitted. "You can do it."
"I hope so."
He kissed her neck. "I am sure of it. I've seen enough of your practice now to know."
"I think you're just sweet-talking," she replied, ticking his arm with her fingers. "It's going to be fun to play a game on the same team. You're so talented, and I am always rooting for you."
He pulled her closer. "Now you're sweet-talking," he murmured.
"Just telling the truth."
He hummed against her skin. "Should we finish our cardio?"
"Our joint secret cardio?" she teased as she turned into him. "I think we should." She kissed him softly as she dragged her hand down his side. "Remember when you told me we would only have sex once?"
Harry snorted. "I would tell you I wasn't in my right mind then, that I was wrong." His hand cupped her ass. "But I knew exactly what effect you were going to have on me. I was just scared to take the leap."
She paused for a moment. "You were scared I was going to break your heart."
"You'd be very capable of breaking it," he told her.
Her lips shifted from his cheek to his temple, placing kisses. "I want to make it whole, not half," she murmured. Her eyes closed for a moment. "It belongs to me, I'll take care of it."
Harry rolled both of them over so he was on top of her. He kissed her tenderly. "Then I'll take care of yours."
"You are." Her hands dove down and crept under his shirt while her mouth searched his. Her legs wrap around him. "Take it slow, will you?"
He lifted his head to look at her, a grin spreading across his face. "Only because you asked so nicely." He moved down her body and then he was kissing her stomach, making his way back up.
A/N: It is really dawning on me we don't have too many chapters to go.
Did anyone find Harry's blabbing about the horizontal plane of the Snitch suspicious? No, just me? Okay...
Next chapter is of course the World Cup! It is a longer chapter for obvious reasons.