Girl

I. Maverick    

    Harry Potter was already coiled up in one of the chairs by the fire when Ginny Weasley plopped down on the couch across from him. He glanced up at her.

    “You’re awfully wet,” he remarked, stretching.

    She smirked at him. “Good observation,” Ginny said, sharp.

    He shook his head, a smile twisting his lips. “What were you doing?”

    “I was swimming,” she said, laughing.

    Harry eyed her, one brow arched. “Swimming?”

    “Yes,” she said, almost reproachful save for her smile. “In the lake.”

    The boy before her burst out laughing, his eyes alight. The fire glowed behind him, gilding his hair. “Yeah?”

    She looked at him, trying to keep a straight face. “Yeah. Why not?”

    He shook his head at her. “Only you, Ginny, only you.”

    “Most likely.” She yawned widely and stood. “G’night, Harry.”

    He smiled after her retreating back; she noticed when she turned to glance over her shoulder. He did not say goodnight.

                        ~|~

    The next morning the pair met up before breakfast. Ginny grinned when she saw him, her hair pulled up into a tightly twisted copper bun.

    “No early morning swims?” he asked, a smirk teasing his features.

    She shrugged, heading off for the Great Hall. “Slept late,” Ginny yawned.

    “Ah.”

    She sat down opposite Harry at breakfast and watched him shovel a load of eggs and bacon onto his plate.

    Shaking her head, she took a sip of her own orange juice and bit into a muffin.

    “So Ginny,” began Harry, oddly pink. She glanced at him

    “Yes?”

    He stared at her for a long moment, with a look on his face normally reserved for Professor Umbridge. He gulped; he looked like he was trying to swallow cotton.

    “Yes?”

    “Er- What class do you have first?”

    She stared at him. “Transfiguration. Why?”

    “Can I- Can I borrow your Potions text?”

    Her lower lip dropped. Harry flushed deeper. “Harry, I’m not in your year.”

    For a moment, he looked bewildered. She raised an eyebrow.

    “Of course you are,” he said, turning splotchy. “I- I just forgot.”

    Ginny, finding nothing to say, gazed at him blankly. “Oh.”

    “Yes. Just forgot, that’s all,” he said, standing. He bumped the table with his knee. “Sorry.”

    “It’s alright,” she murmured, but he was already gone.

    He hadn’t touched his breakfast.

                        ~|~

    “What was up with you this morning?” she asked that evening. Harry was stretched out all along the couch, the barest embers of the fire smoldering beside him.

    “What?” he returned, looking mildly bewildered.

    “You thought I was in your year or something,” she said, straddling the arm of the sofa. “Something about borrowing my Potions text.”

    He blinked. “I just-”

    “Just what, Harry?” asked Ginny, more forceful than usual. “Tell me the truth, I know you didn’t forget.”

    He wrinkled his nose. The same cherry stain from breakfast was creeping up his cheeks. He made an odd stammering noise.

    “Yes?” she asked, more austere than usual.

    “I was wondering if you’d take me swimming,” he said quickly, the words jumbling into a great muddle.

                        ~|~

    “Close your eyes,” Ginny told him.

    “Why?” His face seemed isolated, white against the deepening darkness.

    She smirked at him. “You don’t really think I swim with my clothes on, do you?”

    He flushed; she could see it through the heavy cloak of night. “Just close them.”

    “Right,” he said, sounding uncomfortable.

    Ginny Weasley stripped down then, her skin as white as rime. A gentle breeze licked her flesh. Smiling slightly to herself, she folded her robes and underclothes in a small pile by the bank.

    Her toes sank down into the mud on the embankment. Sighing pleasantly, she dove into the lake. The coolness of the water was welcome.

    “C’mon, Harry,” she said.

    The black-haired boy opened his eyes tentatively. Ginny stifled a laugh as he reverted his eyes from her fair form submerged in the water. With a small giggle, she sank lower into the lake.

    “Don’t look,” he said, almost coy.

    “I won’t,” Ginny replied, closing her eyes. But she opened them anyway, just a bit.

    “Hurry up,” she called to him, her eyes barely open.

    “Is it cold?” he asked, apprehensive.

    “A little,” Ginny replied. “Just jump in!” She saw him hesitate. “Merlin’s beard, Harry,” she said, a small hint of exasperation creeping into her voice.

    “Fine,” he said, trying - and failing - to sound irritated. He leapt.

    Ginny laughed as a small tidal wave hit her. “Belly flop?” she asked, opening her eyes.

    He moaned slightly, kicking furiously.

    “C’mon,” she said, seizing one of his hands and swimming off.

    In the center of the lake, Harry calmed down, his kicks relaxing. “This is fun.”

    She didn’t say anything, proceeding to splash him in the face.

    “Hey!”

    “Yeah, I guess it’s pretty fun,” Ginny replied, grinning. “Except for the giant squid.”

    “The giant squid?” cried Harry, eyes widening. He made for the shoreline, so far distant.

    “Yes,” she said, oppressing a laugh. “He likes to lick at your toes sometimes.”

    Harry kicked frantically. “Are you serious?”

    “No,” she snickered.

    He made some gurgling noise and splashed her. She screamed, then laughed.

    A second swell of water hit her in the face. “Harry!” she shrieked, splashing him back.

    “Truce!” she cried, laughing as a handful of water spattered on her flesh. “Truce!”

    “No truces,” Harry replied, suddenly closer to her than ever before. They both pushed water at the opposing; his hand made contact with her skin.

    “Sorry.”

    “Don’t be,” she said, drawing closer. The water between them disappeared as Ginny pressed against him.

    “I-”

    “Shh,” she murmured, placing her finger on her lips. She could feel his body tensing, the muscles under his flesh tightening. He was treading water.

    “Gin, I-”

    “Listen, Harry,” she said, unsure of her next words.

    Luckily for her, she didn’t have to say anything.

    It was a satisfying kiss, his lips on hers and her tongue slipping between his lips. The water lapping against her skin was cool and refreshing, though it hardly seemed to matter. When she opened her eyes, Harry was watching her, eyes dazzlingly intense.

    She blinked.

    “Gin-”

    “Shh,” she repeated, leaning in for another kiss.