A Matter of Circumstance

Chapter 10 - Adjustments

His sleep had been restless and filled with disturbing images. He felt as if he had been beaten, inside and out. Giving up, Harry finally rose shortly after dawn. He made his way to the kitchen and began making some breakfast. The sounds of his preparations seemed to jar the peaceful atmosphere of the house and he hoped they would not disturb Ginny. When he finally sat down to eat, his meal was interrupted by a brown owl bringing him the Daily Prophet. After paying the owl, he returned to his breakfast and began scanning the paper.

While in the middle of an article about a recent decision from the Wizengamot, Harry heard Ginny come down the stairs. His pulse quickened and a queasy feeling developed in his stomach as he worried what her response to him this morning would be. She appeared to hesitate just outside the kitchen and he thought for a moment that she would retreat. When she finally entered, her gaze soon found his and she gave him a brave smile. "Good morning, Harry."

"Good morning." He thought that the look on his face must have broadcast his fear as a flicker of distress crossed her features. She took the seat opposite him and Summoned some tea. "Please don't look at me that way," she sighed, staring at the teacup in front of her. "I'm fine."

"I'm sorry-"

"Sorry for what?" she interrupted, her eyes flashing up to his. There was a vague air of alarm in her tone.

"I heard you crying last night," he admitted. "I only wanted to help you. I didn't mean to cause you more pain."

"Oh, Harry..." she whispered, settling her hand on his forearm. Smiling warmly at him, she assured, "Last night was... well, it was wonderful. I'm just... just a bit overwhelmed with all of this. I told you, I'm fine... really."

Harry watched her intently as she buttered a scone and wished that he could believe her. Taking a sip of his tea, he decided he had no choice but to accept her at her word. A strange warmth spread over him as he recalled her saying that last night was wonderful. Despite the circumstances, he couldn't help smiling to himself as he returned to his reading and their meal continued in silence.

After a while, Harry became aware of the lack of sound or movement coming from across the table. Looking up from the paper, he found Ginny watching him. As his eyes met hers, she gave him a sheepish grin. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming up for air," she said teasingly. Harry looked at her in confusion and she quickly added, "I didn't want to disturb your reading, but I wanted to know if you were planning on coming to my match this afternoon?"

"Appleby Arrows... Ellis Moor... four o'clock? I wouldn't miss it," he replied with a broad smile.

"Great!" She rose from the table and started gathering up her place setting. "Are you through?" she asked while reaching for his plate.

Harry realized that he had just been staring at her. Nodding affirmative, he picked up his plate and started to rise. Ginny took the plate from his hand and shaking her head. "My turn," she said. "You cooked this time. I'll clean up."

"But don't you have an early practice to get to?"

"I have plenty of time yet. I won't be dropping by to see Madam Pomfrey until after practice," she answered as she placed all their breakfast dishes in the sink. With several quick waves of her wand, she set things in motion to clean up the kitchen mess. Turning back around and tucking her wand away, she gave Harry an impish grin. "See... I'm not a witch for nothing," she quipped.

"Remind me to let you do all the cleaning from now on," Harry teased. He felt strange as the words from now on echoed through his mind. "Will you be home for lunch?" he added, quickly changing the subject.

"I... I promised Mark last night that I'd meet him for lunch," she replied, her voice sounding a bit strained.

"Oh." He tried to keep the disappointment out of his tone. Last night he had come to the conclusion that he really didn't like Mark, nor the way he treated Ginny. But he was determined that he would keep his opinion to himself; Ginny had enough to be getting on with. She didn't need to deal with a jealous lover who had no business being jealous.

Is that what I am... her lover? He wasn't sure how he felt about that, but he did know it felt incomplete.

Breaking the uncomfortable silence, Ginny moved past Harry to the doorway and said, "I guess I'd better get ready now." She stopped and turned around to face him. "Since you have the day off, why don't you come watch our practice?"

"I'd love to, but I need to meet with Dumbledore this morning, to see how they're doing in finding a way to break this spell." He rolled up the Daily Prophet in his hands and with a thought, banished it. "See you after lunch?"

Ginny nodded with a smile and left the room. Rubbing his face with his hands and sighing, Harry set about getting ready for his day.

*****

His meeting with Dumbledore had been a waste of time. Although Harry couldn't think of a more talented group of wizards to have working on his problem, he was frustrated at the lack of progress they were making. Expressing his thanks and bidding his former headmaster good-bye, he returned to Hogsmeade. Increasing his frustration was the fact that no one could give him a single clue as to who had done this to him and Ginny. And even if he had known, what could he do about it? He couldn't risk running off on some wild goose chase that would cause him to miss joining with Ginny. That would mean both their deaths.

He spent the rest of the morning and the first part of the afternoon running household errands. While in the village, he came across a lovely barrette that he couldn't resist buying for Ginny. The deep purple enamel with gold edges would match with her Portree robes and, as she always wore her hair in a long braid while playing, he thought the gift would be a practical one as well. He laughed to himself as he recalled her threatening to leave the Prides because purple clashed so horribly with her hair.

When he returned home shortly after noon, he wasn't surprised to find Ginny still gone. Figuring she was just now having lunch with Mark, Harry fought the wave of jealousy that engulfed him. She belongs to him, she belongs to him became his mantra as he fixed himself a light meal.

As the afternoon wore on, he found himself becoming more and more concerned as Ginny still had not come home. Feeling silly for clucking like a mother hen, he reminded himself that Ginny was a grown woman and more than capable of taking care of herself. He reluctantly admitted he was also pouting because he had been unable to give her the gift he had bought. He had been anxious to see her reaction and had hoped she would wear it for today's match. Duly chastised, he spent the remainder of the time until the match trying to keep his thoughts "Ginny-free".

Apparating to the designated area at Ellis Moor, Harry found Ron and Hermione waiting for him outside the stands. After quick greetings, they made their way inside.

"We've nearly got an entire section to ourselves," Ron told Harry.

"Considering just about everyone from the family is here, that's not really surprising, Ron," Hermione said while rolling her eyes.

"Oh hush, you!" Ron responded to Hermione with a smile. "We'd better hurry up; the match will be starting soon."

As they entered the stands occupied by the Weasley clan, Harry had to fight to keep from wincing. Ginny had a point; Portree-purple and Weasley-red was not a good combination. And it looked as if nearly everyone in the family had made a point of wearing purple for the occasion. Making their way through the crowd to their seats in the front, he was suddenly struck with a sickening feeling as he realized where he would be sitting. Among all the redheads there was one figure, with deep brown hair and a look of undisguised disdain directed right at him. Harry mustered all his courage and forced a genial smile onto his face. With a cursory nod, he took the seat next to Mark.

Harry felt a flash of inexplicable pride when Ginny and her teammates were announced. Despite the poor choice of color for her, she looked radiant. With a shrill whistle, the match began. The flying was at breakneck speeds and he was as absorbed as any other spectator in keeping up with the game. His Omnioculars pressed to his glasses, he watched as Portree put the Quaffle through their hoop time and again.

With a stab of annoyance, Harry realized that he had been unconsciously watching only the Chasers, and specifically Ginny. Normally when watching a game, he couldn't help but scan for the Snitch. He purposefully scanned the Pitch for the Pride's Seeker. He had only just located the Seeker flying high above the match when the sound of thousands of spectators all groaning caused him to flinch. Tearing the Omnioculars from his eyes, it didn't take but a second to see what had caused the dismay in the stands. One of the Arrows' Chasers was lying on the ground, his limbs in an odd angle.

"Bludger?" asked Harry as he turned to Ron.

"Yeah... got him right in the knee," Ron winced in sympathy. "From the looks of it he'll be spending the night with a bottle of Skele-Gro." His face paled as he looked at Harry. "You know, it's a bit dangerous for Ginny to be playing..."

"At this point, just about anything can be dangerous for Ginny," Harry responded with a sigh. "Anything that might delay her getting home- I caught myself getting worked into a panic today when she didn't come home after practice-"

"You shouldn't worry yourself so much about someone who's not your concern."

Harry bristled as Mark's voice ran like ice water down his back. He slowly turned to face Mark and took a moment to resist the urge to hex him.

"Ginny is a concern of mine... whether you like it or not," Harry responded coolly. He watched as Mark's face grew crimson.

"Look, Potter... your... responsibility for Ginny is severely limited. For your information, Ginny spent the afternoon with me. She is my fiancée, after all," Mark sneered.

Harry's heart rate had doubled and he couldn't seem to take a breath. Unbidden... images came to his mind of Ginny with Mark... their sweating bodies entwined, her calling out "Oh God... Mark..." as she had with him last night. Harry thought he was going to be sick. The anguish twisted inside of him until he felt he would black out.

"That's enough, Mark," Ron warned as he leaned around Harry to address Ginny's fiancé.

The tense moment was interrupted by the crowd once more, as witches and wizards all over the stadium stood and gasped. The three men quickly stood and scanned the pitch. Harry's breath left him as he spied Ginny at the far edge of the pitch... half-dangling off her broom and being helped by her fellow chasers.

"I can't stand this," groaned Ron before he turned to speak with Hermione.

"And I'm not going to put up with it," Mark spat, drawing Harry's attention away from the match once again. "No wife of mine is going to risk herself like that all the time. I have plans for our life and they do not include Quidditch injuries. No, she won't be playing much longer if I have anything to say about it."

Harry's antipathy toward Mark was compounded as he was now indignant on behalf of Ginny. He shook his head and looked incredulously at Mark. "I'll be truly surprised if you can still stand after having your say."

"I wouldn't expect you to understand, Potter," retorted Mark. "Not having a decent male role model to grow up around... but where I come from, wizards wield the wands in the family."

Harry was fighting a losing battle with his anger and took a step closer to Mark. "I've known Ginny a hell of a lot longer than you," he shot back with satisfaction. "That kind of attitude isn't going to fly with her." Lowering his voice, he ground out, "I'm not so sure you are the right man for Ginny."

Mark stepped up close to Harry and pulled himself to his full height to look Harry in the eye. "And you think you are?" he scoffed.

"I said, that's enough!" Ron's hand came up to rest firmly on Harry's shoulder.

If Harry hadn't known that Ron was talking to Mark, he might have punched his best friend right then and there. Taking a deep breath, he returned his attention to the game as Ron patted him on the back. "Just ignored him Harry," Ron whispered. "I don't know what has got into him. I've never seen Mark act like this. Stress, I suppose."

Harry was never so glad to see a match end early than when the Portree's Seeker caught the Snitch a few moments later. He was in a towering rage and couldn't wait to distance himself from the wizard that would be Ginny's husband. Excusing himself from the Weasleys as politely as he could, considering his mood, Harry stormed from the stadium and Apparated home.

It didn't take long for Harry's anger to dissipate in the quiet of his house. Soon he was feeling thoroughly ashamed that he hadn't stayed long enough to congratulate Ginny for her team's win. Thinking he would make it up to her, he prepared a savory meal and did his best to set a nice table. He Summoned the gift for Ginny that he'd bought earlier in the day and wrapped it in soft tissue paper with a shiny ribbon. As a finishing touch, he placed the gift along with a note -Congratulations Ginny - in the center of her plate. Taking one last look at his preparations, and being pleased with the results, he settled in the lounge and waited for Ginny to come home.

By eight, he had lost his appetite. By ten thirty, he had already retired to his room and was lying under the covers on his bed, hands behind his head, trying to convince himself not to worry. He was so lost in his thoughts that he did not hear the faint knock on his door. He was startled for a moment when he realized Ginny was standing next to him. As she shyly looked down to untie the sash of her dressing gown, he saw a faint smile at the edge of her lips.

"You're on my side of the bed, you know," she teased gently.

Harry smiled and shifted to the other side of the bed, holding the covers back for her to get in. As she slipped between the sheets, he was once more moved by her beauty. Laying on his side, he propped his head on one hand and watched her. "I don't give up my side of the bed to just anyone," he responded playfully.

Ginny gave a soft laugh. After a moment, she whispered, "I found the gift, Harry. The barrette is so lovely. And you made dinner... I just don't know what to say but, thank you... and I'm so sorry I wasn't here to enjoy it with you."

The moistness brimming in her eyes tore away any remaining resentment from his heart and he reached out and smoothed a lock of hair over her shoulder. "You're very welcome..." he said softly. Moving his lips just inches from hers, he whispered, "And you've nothing to be sorry about." With that, he closed the distance between them and brought his lips down on hers.

As their kiss deepened, Harry's hands roamed of their own free will. He seemed completely cut off from his conscious mind now that he had her in his arms again. He caressed her soft skin anywhere he could reach without his mouth leaving hers. The soft sound she made, as his hand cupped her bottom and pulled her tight against him, spurred him on and his ministrations became almost frantic. He wanted to devour her.

He was shocked when she pushed him away and he rolled onto his back. Thinking he had somehow hurt her, he opened his mouth to apologize. He was more than pleasantly surprised when her mouth descended upon his instead. Her hair created a curtain that tickled his shoulder as their tongues tangled passionately. Breaking their kiss, Ginny pulled back and smiled wickedly at him. "My turn, Mr. Potter," she said, in a sultry voice.

Harry felt he had died and gone to heaven as her delicate hands caressed his flesh. Mimicking his moves from last night, she began kissing his neck. As her hand traveled over his shoulder and to his biceps, she let out a small moan near his ear. He wanted to laugh with pleasure at her lustful behavior.

With a growl low in his throat, he rolled them over so that he was on top of her and his mouth crashed down to hers. She gasped into his mouth at his entrance and her arms slid around his chest to cling to him. When she wrapped her legs around him, he buried himself in her and followed the beat of his heart.

He lay with Ginny wrapped in his arms, playing his fingers through her hair and trying to catch his breath. As their heartbeats returned to normal, he wondered if she would stay with him tonight. They felt so natural together and he was beginning to feel like a part of him was missing when she wasn't there.

"Did you see Dumbledore today?" she asked softly.

Harry's fantasies came tumbling down as he was reminded of the only reason why she was in his arms at all. "Yes. They're still working on it, but so far haven't made any real progress."

"But they've made some?" she prompted.

"They're not sure it would work, but they think by using some Muggle medicine they might be able to trick your body into thinking you are pregnant."

Ginny turned to look at him with wide eyes. "That sounds like quite a bit of progress, to me."

"They aren't sure the magic can be fooled. And there's no safe way to test it," Harry replied with a shake of his head.

"Oh," she frowned. Her eyes seemed troubled and bit on her lower lip. "Harry..." she asked tentatively, "why did you leave the game today?"

At the thought of Mark, Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes. Finally deciding the truth was the best way to answer, he responded, "I was angry with Mark. I thought it best if I left before I ended up doing something I would regret."

Ginny sat up next to him, fluffing the pillows behind her back. "Well... that explains a lot of things," she mused.

"How's that?" Harry was a little confused by her comment.

"He wasn't in a very good mood after the game. I had thought he was still brooding from our talk earlier in the day." She heaved a sigh and continued, "I told him that I was living here, with you. He didn't take it very well."

"I'm not surprised," he replied thoughtfully. "I'm not sure how I would take it if I were in his shoes."

"So, what made you angry with him... at the game?"

"Just some comments that belong in the Dark-Ages." Harry shifted uncomfortably as he admitted, "I don't know, Ginny... there's just something about him that I don't like."

"Well, he can be a bit old-fashioned in his thinking...but to be fair, Harry, you've really not spent time with him outside of this... situation," she defended. "It really has been hard on him."

"I suppose..." he trailed off. They sat in silence for a while. Harry's thoughts kept returning to the intimations that Mark had made at the game. Getting up his nerve, Harry finally asked, "Ginny, can I ask you something... something kind of personal?"

"More personal than this?" she asked, geturing at their location with a smirk.

"Er... yes, I think," he replied with a withering look.

"Okay..." she replied as her smile dissolved into a look of hesitation.

"Because of our first night, I know that you and Mark hadn't... been intimate before..." He watched her eyebrow rise with suspicion. "But you haven't... I mean, have you... been with him... since?"

Ginny's mouth dropped open slightly as she gaped at him. "Harry Potter! I can't believe you asked me that," she exclaimed in a whisper. She closed her eyes and sighed in resignation. "There is a very good reason that Mark and I had not been intimate before. I wasn't ready to take that step in our relationship. I'm still not."

"But," Harry protested, "you've agreed to marry him."

"I agreed to be engaged to him. We weren't planning on getting married for quite a while yet. I won't agree to set any kind of date until I reach the point where I am ready to be intimate with him."

Harry's anger returned as he realized that Mark had made several false insinuations with regard to Ginny. Before she had come home tonight, Harry had come to the realization that he loved Ginny. That knowledge had both shocked and elated him. He didn't dare confess that love to her... he had no right. But thinking of her with another man was killing him inside. He was now more certain than ever that Ginny was making a mistake being with Mark. Hell, she herself said she wasn't ready to be with the man. Certainly she would listen to her own instincts. "Ginny, are you sure you want to marry Mark? He just doesn't seem right for you."

A second later, Ginny stared at him in disbelief. The color in her cheeks bore witness to the fact that she was now angry. "I can't believe you tonight! Just where do you get off telling me who is right for me and who isn't?"

Harry cringed when he realized that he had made a huge mistake.

"I spend years loving you when you wouldn't look twice at me. When I finally find someone who does want me, suddenly you take an interest in my life and say he's not right?" she ranted. Tears welled in her eyes and she swiftly left the bed. Grabbing her dressing gown and forcing her arms into it as she stormed toward the door. "I get this enough from the boys, Harry," she added, "I don't need another brother!"

With that, she left his room, slamming the door behind her.

Harry was out of the bed and half-way to the door before he stopped. He stood in the middle of his room, clenching his fists at his sides and trying desperately to control his temper. Anger at himself for pushing her to this, anger at her for not giving him a chance to apologize and anger at Mark for occupying his place in Ginny's heart swelled within him.

With a roar of frustration, Harry whirled around and stretched out his arm. Magic flying from his fingertips shattered his mirror and he sank to his knees.

*****

Over the next week, their relationship was strained. Harry went through the motions of his life, jealousy piercing him every time Ginny was with Mark. He and Ginny had established an accord about living together. They were both friendly and polite if not a bit reserved. As they had no choice but to fulfill the terms of the spell, they made an effort to preserve the previously established level of their sexual encounters. But the intimacy they had shared was missing and Ginny always left immediately. Harry several times heard her crying in her room afterward, each instance breaking his heart into bits and pieces.

On the Saturday before the monthly Weasley dinner, Harry returned home to find Ginny on the settee in the lounge sobbing into her arms. He was concerned that this whole situation was becoming too much for either of them to bear. Doing his best to not be intrusive, he sat down next to her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Ginny, what is it? Why are you crying?"

He was taken aback when she flung herself into his chest and began crying harder. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. When her sobs had reduced to hiccups and she pulled away from him a bit, he softly coaxed her. "Ginny?"

"Mark was just here," she began, wiping the tear stains from her cheeks. "Just a bit of a disagreement... that's all."

Harry gently tilted her chin up with his fingers so that she was looking him in the eye. "What did he say?" he asked firmly.

Ginny lifted her head from his hand and looked away. "He's just a bit impatient..." she answered in a whisper. "He just wants... a little more than I can give him right now."

Harry felt the ball of rage within him grow. Keeping that anger from his voice was difficult when he asked, "He's pressuring you... to get married?" His stomach lurched as she shook her head no. Dreading her answer, he asked in a whisper, "For... for sex?"

She didn't answer him but the look on her face as she closed her eyes told him everything he needed to know.

"Ginny, why don't you go visit with your mum for a while... get out of this house... away from all the pressure," he said, his voice eerily quiet.

Ginny seemed to give it serious thought before she nodded. "I think I'd like that. It would give me a chance to talk to her without all the family around causing distractions."

"Please agree to go by Floo... I don't think you should be Apparating right now."

She agreed and within ten minutes he was watching her step into the bright emerald flames of the lounge fireplace and disappearing.

The temper that Harry had been keeping in check flared to life as he pulled out his wand and prepared to make a search for one Mr. Mark Englewood.