Love's Battle Revisited

Chapter 7 - Harry and Ginny Reunite

The song herein is "You're the One" sung by the Carpenters.

When they saw each other again, Ginny wasn't pleased with Harry's actions of the previous day shortly after she'd seated herself facing him and made certain that he knew it. "Harry, you mustn't kiss me in public again. Some of my students saw us and teased me all through class. Couldn't teach them anything. They kept asking if we were dating. One even asked, 'Are you going to marry Professor Potter, Miss Weasley?' "

"Then may I kiss you privately?" Harry teased with a cheeky smile.

"Watch it, Potter," Ginny warned. "You're still skating on mighty thin ice."

"All right, all right, I'll be serious. But I still want to keep seeing you," Harry murmured in a stage-whisper.

"You are seeing me," Ginny pointed out.

Not the way I'd like, Harry thought lasciviously. Such as naked in my arms, in my bed, your arms and legs wrapped around me, then your lips and tongue devouring me ... But outwardly he simply smiled enigmatically and said, "So I am. Don't worry, my lady. I'll be a good boy from now on, I promise."

Ginny didn't trust him for a minute, especially not with that look in his eyes, but said, "All right. You're off the hook ... this time. Just don't push your luck." At least not any more than you already have, she thought with a cheeky smile of her own.

* * * * *

What pleased Harry the most, however, was what Ginny told him a few days later. "Draco knows we're seeing each other again--and as you might expect, he's not pleased."

"I suspected that," Harry remarked after taking a few swallows of butterbeer. "You did tell him that I'm free now, didn't you?"

"Yes, but he still doesn't trust you."

"No surprise. He never has," Harry returned before taking a few bites of mince pie, then chewing and swallowing.

"But he especially doesn't now--and I can't blame him, even though I assured him I could handle the situation."

"What did he say to that?"

"Simply frowned and said, 'Just be careful. Potter's tricky.' "

"I said, 'Don't worry. I can deal with him.' Then Draco said, 'That's what I'm afraid of. Oh well, it's your funeral.' Then he threw up his hands and walked off."

Harry couldn't help chuckling as he imagined the look that must have been on Draco's face and it pleased him all the more. "Gin?"

"Yes?"

"Would you go flying with me?"

"Sounds nice, Harry, but I've got student lesson parchments to correct."

"So do I, but it'll only be for an hour. Come on, we haven't done it for a long time." She still looked skeptical. "I assure you, nothing will happen that you don't want to have happen."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Gin, if you don't want to go, just say so. I'm not trying to force you into anything." Never needed to, he finished in his mind, but right now what mattered was convincing her to accompany him.

"No, it's all right, Harry. I'll go."

"Do you have your mum look after Lily and the boys while you're here?"

"Usually--but as of tomorrow the boys are supposed to be spending a week with Draco for their birthday. So I'll just have Lily to worry about for that week."

"I can ask Luna to look after her if you like. She already looks after my other girls."

Part of Ginny wanted to meet Harry's other daughters, but overall she didn't feel brave or secure enough to do so just yet. There was time enough to meet them if matters got serious between her and Harry again ... and the way things were going--albeit a bit more rapidly than she would have preferred--it was definitely heading in that direction.

"Thanks, but Lily's pretty self-sufficient for her age. Takes after you on that score."

Harry shrugged. "Fine. Just thought I'd offer."

"Offer received and appreciated. Just not needed right now." Ginny smiled provocatively. "Now I believe you said you wanted to go flying?"

"Oh, yeah. Right. Let's go." As they headed to where his broom was stashed, Harry thought, Minx! She knows how her smile always affects me! But at the same time, he loved it because he knew that Ginny was slowly but surely being worn down--and once that came to pass, it was only a matter of time until they would be able to pick up where they'd left off. What's more, they would be able make up for ten years of lost time with a vengeance. For now, though, he would simply enjoy whatever alone time with Ginny he could manage to get.

* * * * *

For a long time, Harry simply savoured the feel of Ginny's arms around him again after months of dreaming about them. It was roughly half an hour before he decided to land on a high ridge overlooking the school.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Ginny commented as she stood there admiring the view.

"It certainly is," Harry returned absently, although the beauty he was admiring was standing right in front of him. He dismounted his broom and came up behind her, gently sliding his arms around her from behind and pressing against her, relishing the warmth and fragrance of her hair and neck, not to mention the feel of her sweet body. Dear God, how could he ever have given this up for evena moment, much less ten years?

"Harry ..." Ginny whispered, heart beginning to pound wildly. She softly moaned as his lips found her throat. His body moved sensuously against her own, letting her know how aroused he was even as his hands moved to gently cradle her breasts.

"I've missed you, Gin. I can't tell you how much I've missed you. Please don't deny me. This is all I've dreamed about ever since seeing you again."

She knew she shouldn't have allowed Harry to get her alone with him, but she wanted him so much that she could no longer say no to him. All that mattered was being with him again. "I know you have more classes," he continued, "but once we're through for the day, will you come back to my flat with me? Spend the night?"

"What about your girls? I don't think you should allow them to catch us."

"I can see if Luna can keep them longer--or maybe I should ask Molly, now that we're on better terms. Whatever you think best."

"The latter might be best, if only to minimise the risk to Ron should he see them."

"I can always disguise them, you know," he reminded her. "What matters is that we get some time alone."

With that, he reluctantly released her, only to turn her around and draw her close to find her lips in a passionate kiss, gently prying her lips open to find the sweetness of her tongue. This time his hands found her sweetly rounded bum and again he pressed her close to feel his arousal. "I love you, Gin. I love you ... I need you ... I want you ..."

Ginny was overwhelmed by Harry's nearness, the sweetness of his lips, the feel of his body close to hers again, moaning softly with pleasure and entwining her arms around him as he kissed her. "Don't ever leave me again, Harry. Please don't ever leave me again. I couldn't stand it ..."

"Never. I have no desire to leave you ever again," he crooned, moving his lips to nibble her ear, then gently bite and suck on the junction between her neck and left shoulder, giving her a hickey for the first time in ten years. This time he shivered and moaned as her hands ran through his hair, then stroked his neck and ran one finger down his back. "But we'd better go back soon, or else I'll lay you down and take you right here."

It took sheer strength of will to break free from their embrace; the knowledge that they would be together later tonight was all that sustained them. Harry forced himself to only kiss her hand as he left her outside her next class, knowing he had to get to his own right away, but he was sure it was going to be all but impossible to concentrate on anything class-related for the rest of the day. In fact now that he had finally had Ginny in his arms again, had finally kissed her as he had been longing to do for a seeming eternity, she was all he could think about. She had even agreed to spend the night with him. God, his luck was running so well. Almost too well, especially considering the circumstances ... but he wasn't about to question it. What mattered was that he was finally going to have her again--and what's more, would be unlikely ever to get enough of her, now or at any time in the future.

* * * * *

After the girls had been taken care of and deposited at the Burrow, Harry took a shower and laid out his nicest casual clothes to wear--at least for as long as it took to get Ginny into the bedroom, anyway. He had told her to come at seven p.m., which would give them a full night together since he had asked the girls if they'd like to spend the night at the Burrow. The girls literally jumped at the chance, which was all the better for his evening plans.

He put on some romantic music and made sure the fanciest dinner he knew how to make would be ready by the time she arrived. He had bustled around his flat, whistling his favourite love song under his breath--by a strange coincidence, the song that he and Ginny had chosen as "their" song. It was one of the later ones by the brother/sister group the Carpenters, You're the One. The lyrics could apply to either one of them, so that was the main reason they'd chosen it. Wasn't an easy choice, but they managed--and it applied to

them just as much now as when they'd first chosen it ten years ago. In fact, that was the first song he'd put on, and intended to ask her to dance after they'd had dinner ... then play that song as he held her. Or more accurately, as they held each other.

Once everything else was ready, Harry used a few Housecleaning Charms to make the apartment look nice, albeit lived in. Couldn't expect a showplace when you had two young children, after all. As seven o'clock approached, Harry became progressively more nervous, feeling sure that Ginny would have second thoughts and decide not to come. Almost up to the time she actually arrived, Harry was expecting her owl to show up with a note to say she'd changed her mind about coming, and that she believed it was too soon for them to spend the night together. After all, they'd only been dating a little over two weeks since his divorce from Hermione. But he had been dreaming about Ginny for a hell of a lot longer than two weeks, and Harry wasn't about to wait any longer than he absolutely had to.

When the doorbell finally rang, he almost literally shot straight up. She was here! That was the only thought in his mind once he came back down to earth. He felt breathless and his heart seemed to be literally skipping beats. He hadn't felt like this since he was sixteen. It was truly incredible that he could feel like this at his age, but what mattered was that he did. And as long as Ginny was around, he was sure he always would.

Once he finally made it to the door and opened it, he was stunned speechless. She was dressed simply but elegantly in a dress the same emerald colour of his eyes. It hugged her petite but well-built body enough to show that she was a woman, but loosely enough to show that she was a lady, the sleeves also hugging her slender arms and a scoop neck just low enough to show cleavage. He knew she didn't like high heels, and since he wasn't that tall himself (5'8" or thereabouts), her height of 5'3" suited him just fine.

"Gin. You look lovely." His eyes looked her over appreciatively.

"Thanks, Harry. You're not too hard on the eyes yourself." It was hard to say which one blushed the most deeply, but neither really cared, each just tried to point it out at the same time and ended up laughing about it.

"Uh ... would you like some dinner? I've had it heating for the last half hour."

"Yeah, that sounds great," Ginny said. He ushered her inside, closing the front door, then brought her into the next room--the dining room--which adjoined the kitchen. She hadn't really had a chance to look around much; maybe she could ask Harry to show her around. But she had noticed pictures of children who must be his daughters, particularly taking note of the one who resembled Harry. He had mentioned that the one named Lily looked a lot like him.

The other, she couldn't help but notice, looked like Hermione. This must be the one he had said was named Helen, for her maternal grandmother, Hermione's mother. Since she had also named the daughter she had had with him Lily, Ginny made a mental note to start calling the girl by her middle name, which was Rose, in order to tell them apart.

They sat down at the table, already set. Once the timer went off, Harry smiled and said, "Dinner's ready. Just give me a chance to levitate it over to the table, then we can tuck in."

Within moments they were eating, and in between bites (not to mention courses) they were again laughing and reminiscing about all the times they had snuck down to the kitchens at Hogwarts for late-night snacks, which Dobby and the other house-elves had been only too happy to provide them. Technically they could have done that this time, but Harry was too eager to be alone with Ginny. If it meant having sufficient privacy, he would gladly fix the meal himself.

It was close to eight when they declared themselves full and Harry held out a hand to her. "Would you like to dance, my lady?" he asked, pointing a wandless, nonverbal spell at his entertainment center in order to start the music he had chosen earlier. In a moment she heard the song they had chosen as their own ten years earlier, and looked up at him in stunned yet happy surprise as they moved to begin dancing.

"You remembered, Harry," she noted with a smile and misty eyes.

"How could I forget?" he crooned, cradling her cheek in one large, calloused but gentle hand for a moment before moving to draw her close and hold her. They moved together as though they had been born to do so--and who's to say that they hadn't been? She knew she was in Heaven being held in the gentle strength of Harry's arms and hearing his sweet voice sing along with the tender lyrics.

Every night, every day,

you're the one I always dream of.

Every line of your face is sketched so plain inside my heart.

You've grown so deep inside of me.

You're everything I feel and see,

and you're the one, you're the one I love.

All my life, all my love,

I can feel when you're beside me.

all that's right, all that's wrong

suddenly becomes so clear.

My heart has overtaken me

with feelings you awake in me,

and you're the one,

you're the one I love.

Only you could move me enough to believe

in love one more time.

All I need to know for tomorrow

is that you're mine,

mine for a lifetime.

If our friends all around

find it hard to understand us,

you and I understand

the other one so very well.

And that's what I've been looking for,

so I keep coming back for more,

'cause you're the one,

you're the one I love.

You're the one,

you're the one I love.

By the time he finished, he could see that her eyes were glowing with a love for him that Harry didn't think he would ever see again after what he'd done to her. "That was beautiful, Harry. I didn't think you could sing like that."

"It sounded good because I was singing from my heart ... singing to you, the only girl I've ever truly loved and the only girl I will ever love." Just looking into his lovely green eyes, Ginny knew every word Harry said was true and that whatever had happened in the past would remain there. Harry would belong to her, and only her, for now and from this moment on, for the rest of their lives. "I love you, Ginny."

"I love you, Harry," she whispered. Then he lifted her face to his and their lips met. The kiss was sweet and chaste at first, but rapidly became hot and open-mouthed; within an unbelievably short time, he had her dress off and his own shirt was on the floor. By this time, each was moaning softly in pleasure at the other's every touch, unable to speak for a time, only able to feel. By the time they reached the end of the music he'd put on, he had scooped her up into his arms and began heading for his bedroom.

Upon laying her down on his bed and joining her there, Harry decided he'd better speak while he still could. "Are you sure you want this, Gin? I don't want you to feel that I'm forcing the issue."

"Harry, luv, I assure you, I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be. I just felt it necessary to hold you off until I could be sure of how you felt about me." She locked her arms around his neck and licked his lips to get him to open his mouth. It was the most incredible thing Harry had ever felt, but he wasn't finished talking yet.

He lifted a finger to stop her ... a finger she promptly kissed. "Not yet. There's something else I wanted to say."

"Time for talk later, luv. We've got a long time to make up for." With that, she silenced him with her lips--not to mention her hands wandering down to her favourite spots on his body, thrilling and pleasuring him beyond words. Whatever Harry had intended to say left his head ... indeed, all thought did, save the nearness of the wonderful creature in his arms. All that mattered was possessing her once again, both feeling himself moving inside Ginny and her deliciously hot, wet tightness all around him.

He had never felt so randy in his life, not even when he had actually been sixteen and he and Ginny had had their first time together. Her body felt even more delicious, more voluptuous, than he had ever known it to be, and he could only surmise that it was because she had borne children--but most importantly, she had borne his child. Truly, that night the lovers made up for lost time with a vengeance, but even as many times as they made love that night, it would hopefully prove to be only a drop in the bucket. It would take longer than overnight to make up for ten years of separation.

* * * * *

The sun shone through the window over Harry's bed the following morning, but it seemed especially warm and happy today because he had the one he loved in his arms ... the one he had not only loved all night, but would be willing to love for the rest of his life whenever she said the word. Maybe then he would finally be reinstated as godson to his two godfathers, but that wasn't the only reason he was doing this--not by a long shot.

Harry looked down and smiled upon seeing Ginny still asleep, hair half-covering her face and smiling in her sleep. His body was pleasantly sore in the obvious places, and he was just as sure that hers was as well. The best kind of soreness in the world, soreness which showed that they had totally and thoroughly loved each other. The ten years seemed like far more, thinking back on it, and Harry knew that he would never allow so much time to pass again. No more than a day, or even a few hours, if he could help it after this.

Once she finally awakened, he smiled and leaned down to kiss her good morning. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Sleep well?"

"I always sleep well when I'm with you," she replied dreamily. "That is, if we sleep." She smiled when he was unable to help blushing. "Whoever thought you of all people would still blush after all this time?" She moved to kiss him sweetly, but deeply, almost making Harry forget what he'd intended to say upon awakening. "What time is it?"

"Nine. Not that I particularly care, since it's Saturday and we can sleep however long we like. I gave the girls the option of staying the weekend at the Burrow if they liked upon leaving Luna, and warned Molly to use the long-lasting Disguising Charm to be on the safe side, especially if there was any chance of Ron dropping by and bringing his own children."

"I also told Mum to feel free to pick up Lily so I won't have to worry about her while I'm here," Ginny told him. "The boys should be with Draco by now and they'll be gone a week, so maybe we can stay at my flat tomorrow if you like."

"Sounds great," Harry opined, unwilling to leave Ginny's side any sooner than absolutely necessary.

"Can you imagine how it's going to be once we finally get back to work, though? The kids will probably never leave us alone once they learn we're really together, seriously dating."

"I can think of worse things," Ginny returned. "But right now, all that matters is that we're together again."

"Yes ... and what's more, we're never going to be apart again ... or at least no longer than a day, if I can help it."

"You said it, Mister," Ginny agreed. "And now, since we finally have time enough to be together, what do you say we have a rematch ... first here, then in the shower, like we used to? That is, if you're game."

A telltale fire appeared and grew in Harry's green eyes. "You need to ask, you gorgeous wench? I'm not only 'game,' as you put it, I fully intend to shag you until you beg for mercy!"

"In that case, let's get on with it." Ginny's smile was wicked as she pulled on Harry's nearest arm so that he was on top of her once again ... and intended to see that he stayed there just as long as they both wanted.

* * * * *

The lovers woke to each other's sleepy eyes and beautifully mussed hair. Harry was unable to help smiling at Ginny's heavy-lidded yet still soft brown eyes--soft with love for him. "Good morning, luv."

"Good morning." They shared a sweetly lingering kiss, then Ginny cradled her head on her lover's shoulder.

"I don't think I've ever been so happy, not even when we first realised we were in love," Harry crooned, tightening his arms around his partner's warm, bare body.

"I know I haven't," Ginny returned. "I just wish it hadn't taken ten years for us to experience it again."

"What matters is that we are and we have," Harry pointed out, resting his cheek on top of her head. "Which reminds me ... when did you want to shower?"

Ginny frowned. "I suppose we should, but ..."

"But what?"

"I don't want to move. I'm too comfortable, too content."

Harry smiled and kissed her hair. "I know what you mean, but we've got to do it. Look at it this way ... we can have a rematch in the shower, then come back to bed."

Ginny gave him a mock scolding look. "I declare, my love, you're insatiable!"

"No more than you, wench. Besides, we've got a lot of time to make up for," he reminded her with a sly grin and accompanying wink. "Now what do you say?"

Her smile was her answer.

Harry got out of bed, then lifted Ginny into his arms and carried her into the bathroom, her arms locked around his neck. A short time later, he lowered her to her feet, drew her close and kissed her deeply, then the door closed behind them and their next interlude began.

* * * * *

It was when they came out that they heard unexpected noises ... the girls were back! But how could that be? They were supposed to stay at the Burrow for the weekend! Harry and Ginny exchanged panicked, questioning glances and he directed her to stay in the bedroom while he dressed quickly in sweatpants and T-shirt, then padded out barefoot to investigate. He found Luna and Molly with the girls in their bedroom, packing up more clothing. It was Luna who spotted him, fortunately, discreetly excusing herself.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Harry, but the girls needed more clothes and Molly was too tired to do any more Cleaning Charms. We shouldn't be much longer, then you'll have the flat to yourself again. Had a pleasant night?"

Harry was hard-pressed not to blush as he nodded; Luna could tell that he'd just gotten out of the shower and assumed that Ginny was likely waiting in his bedroom. "Glad to hear it. Ron's doing better; he's even starting to get friendly with the girls. As far as I can tell, he hasn't recognised them yet, but I'm still keeping an eye out. Don't worry, I also know that Disguising Charm so I can renew it if necessary. Better go now so Molly and I can take the girls back to the Burrow. Just the same, I'll be bringing them back Sunday night, so you'd better have your escapade finished by then," Luna gently warned with a knowing smile. "Oh yes, before I forget ... give my best to Ginny." Harry made sure to stay out of sight as Luna rejoined the others, who finished packing, then all Portkeyed out after they took hold of what seemed to be an old jumper.

After they had gone, Harry returned to the bedroom and explained the situation. "That's good," Ginny opined. "I was sure they were going to catch us."

"That reminds me ... we'd better go to your place, just to be on the safe side. Luna said she was bringing the girls back tomorrow night, so I've got to be here to greet them by then." Because of this, Ginny reluctantly decided to dress; all Harry did was slip some shoes on and grab a fresh set of clothes and undergarments. Not that he had worn any when alone with Ginny, either now or in the past, but with his girls in the picture, he had to be as circumspect and proper as possible, if only to set a good example for them.

The lovers also Portkeyed out after Ginny turned an old book, luckily one that Harry never read anymore, into a Portkey which would take them to her flat, since one could not Apparate nor Disapparate within Hogwarts or anywhere on the grounds. They found themselves in her living room and Harry made sure to look around and take in all he could. His eyes landed and particularly lingered upon a recent picture of his and Ginny's daughter Lily Rose, which she had told him she intended to start calling Rose so as to tell his Lily and their Lily apart.

"Where's our Lily?" he asked after she'd told him they were alone here as well.

"At a friend's house. Mum dropped her off. She's also due back tomorrow night. But until then, we have the place to ourselves."

"Oh, I was meaning to ask you ... I'd like a picture of our Lily ... or should I say Rose?"

Since they were together now, Ginny didn't see that it would hurt. All the same, it wasn't quite time to introduce Harry to Lily or Ginny to his girls just yet. They ended up agreeing that they wouldn't do that unless they decided to get married. For the time being, they would simply enjoy each other, revel in each other and their love. It was as if they were teenagers again.

"Sure. Take this one," Ginny said, handing him the photo. "I can get another one made."

"Are you sure? I don't want to take your only copy."

"Don't worry, I have the negative. Take it."

"All right, if you say so. Thanks." His returning smile and the softness in his lovely green eyes inspired such love in Ginny's heart that she wasn't sure if she would be able to contain it all.

"Not at all. Now don't you think it's time we got back to what we were doing earlier?" She smiled wickedly and stroked his lips.

Harry returned her wicked smile and scooped her into his arms again. "Thought you'd never ask."