Parallel

CHAPTER 8: PREPARATIONS/DREAM

The week before their departure was a busy one, what with making preparations for same, making sure they had all the necessary supplies that they could lay their hands on as well as having gone with Ron and Hermione to help pick out their rings. They had naturally been thrilled to hear about his proposal and there had been hugs and backslapping all around; Harry had naturally agreed to be Ron's best man and Ginny would attend Hermione, either as a bridesmaid or matron of honour.

She couldn't have said which at the moment, because she had no idea when she and Harry would be able to get married. So much depended on the circumstances and conditions being just right! There was also another secret she was concealing from Harry at the moment: the night before they had gone out with Ron and Hermione to help pick out their wedding rings, she and Harry had once again shared a tenderly passionate night together.

In fact, it seemed even twice as tender and passionate as usual. What's more, Ginny had again "forgotten" to put the Contraceptive Charm on herself. Harry had not asked whether or not she was doing it, and she was glad of this, for she could never have lied to him, but he would surely be livid if he found out she wasn't doing it.

If they made love without the protection of the Contraceptive Charm even once more, there was a 99% chance that she would end up pregnant by the end of it, so she would have to do her best to see that she seduced Harry into making love to her at least one more time before they left on their quest. Of course, if she did end up pregnant, it would be a question of how long she could conceal it.

Even if Harry and Ron didn't know the signs to look for, though, Ginny was willing to bet that Hermione did and would be the one most likely to confront her on the subject at some point, if not owl her mother about it. She and Ron were likely using the Contraceptive Charm themselves and no doubt intended to continue to do so throughout their quest. But no amount of lectures as to how foolish her actions were--particularly considering the kind of danger they were likely to find themselves in--would change Ginny's mind; to her it was only logical to ensure that she became pregnant at least once, particularly if something happened to Harry. In that event, at least she would have his child to live for ... provided she survived their "adventures" herself.

On a brighter note, Ginny recalled when Harry had described to her his experiences in the Prefects' bathroom in his fourth year. How she wished she could have been there, somehow been able to conceal herself--perhaps with an Invisibility Cloak--to observe him as he bathed. She had always wondered what he looked like without clothes. His body seemed so beautiful and perfect when he was clothed, but how she wished she could have known then what she knew now! Even after only their first night together, she knew she had been right. Harry's unclothed body was every bit as beautiful as his clothed one. She always blushed crimson at the thoughts this prompted, particularly when she recalled a dream she had had based on these same recollections ...

Oh Merlin, what a beautiful dream it had been ... yet no more beautiful than what was her reality now. She would have to tell Harry about the dream at the first opportunity. Meanwhile, she had a job to do. Washing clothes, packing ... fortunately, she had magic to help her do everything, so it could be done in a fraction of the time. There were only three days to go now until they left. She supposed they would either Apparate or use their brooms, she wasn't sure. She'd have to ask Harry; he had the last word on such things.

Ginny noted that he wasn't in bed with her, then heard the sound of the shower going in the bathroom ... then he came out, a towel tied around his slender middle, his hair as unruly as ever--but at least it was clean. She moved to kiss him, then nuzzled his neck. "Mmm. You smell wonderful."

"No more than you," Harry countered with a smile and wink, nuzzling her in return--then they released each other and resumed their previous business. "When are Ron and Hermione supposed to come Friday?"

"Around seven, I think ... so we'd better make sure to be ready and not forget anything because we won't be able to come back for it."

"By the way, how are we going to get ... where we're going? Apparate, use our brooms or what?"

"I was thinking, a combination of the two, so we'd better get our brooms ready while we're at it."

"Are we going to take our owls with us?" she wondered. She had recently gotten one of her own, a male greatly resembling Harry's own Hedwig ... but this one had different colour eyes. Blue to Hedwig's golden brown. Maybe they could even breed the owls at some point if things worked out and everyone returned alive.

"Probably better take at least one, just in case of an emergency. How about your Armand, since he's youngest and fittest?" Harry suggested.

"What'll you do with Hedwig and the others?" Ginny wondered.

"Keep them at your mum's for the time being," was the reply. "Best place for them until we can get back." If we get back, Harry finished in his mind, but said nothing more out loud ... at least not in Ginny's hearing. Yet he had to be careful nonetheless; she seemed to be able to pick up his thoughts from thin air, even without Legilimency.

* * * * *

The three days seemed to pass like sand through an hourglass--and true to form, Ginny was indeed able to seduce Harry into making love to her one last time before they left. The only question now, how long would it take before her likely pregnancy started to make itself known--and not only to her?

* * * * *

They spent the last day making arrangements for the care of their homes ... that is, the one Harry shared with Ginny and the one Hermione and Ron shared. One could only hope, however, that they would actually return to them. After this night, only Merlin knew where they would be, the places they would have to sleep. That is, when they got the chance--or dared to do so.

Perhaps they could take turns, two of them keeping watch over the others who slept ... then vice versa. Of course, there was always the possibility that one or the other couple would want to be alone for a little romantic interlude. At a time like that, the last thing they would want was to be overheard or observed ... maybe a Silencing Charm and an opaque forcefield which would only work for the people casting it.

Would they even have a chance to keep themselves properly clean, clothed and fed? They were witches and wizards, after all; it was certainly possible, but what if they were in a danger zone or something and didn't dare use magic for fear it would give their presence away? It was as likely to be simply a matter of taking advantage of one's opportunities as they came along, if nothing else.