Strawberry Wine

Strawberry Wine

"I'll be fine, Mum!! Stop worrying."

"Oh, I know, Ginny, I just hate that I won't get to see you again for a year. Are you sure you want to spend the summer at Grandma and Grandpa's?"

"Mom..."

"All right, all right. Stay out of trouble and don't talk to any strange men on the train."

"I know! I'm not dumb."

Ginny and Mrs. Weasley walked back over to where the boys were standing near the ticket counter at the train station. Ginny smiled weakly at them and opened her arms.

"Well, come on then, group hug before I have to get on."

Her three brothers. Father, and Mother all came together and gave a big hug.

"I'll miss you all, remember that. I just need some time to myself." the final warning for the train sounded, "I have to go!!!! Goodbye!!!"

She turned and sprinted to her car and hopped on, waving to them from the windows as the train pulled away.

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Ginny had just completed her Sixth Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her entire year had been devoted to one boy, who she had assumed loved her and would be there for her from then on. She had been completely enamored with him, and had given every spare moment of her free time to be with him. She had given him her heart, and had been prepared to give him her body, too. But Dean Thomas had gone and dumped her two days before the summer holidays. His reason was that he 'needed his space' but Ginny knew better. A girl Dean had liked for a long time had phoned his parents a few weeks before, and they had Owled him. She apparently wanted to get together and do something that summer. Ginny had okayed it, but Dean seemed to be thinking of different somethings than Ginny had. Now, Ginny was ready to hate any boy who came near her. That's why she was staying with her grandparents that summer. Little did she know that a very nice surprise was awaiting her there.

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Ginny hopped off the train. She waited patiently while a man lifted down her trunks for her, then tipped his hat and walked off. She called a thank-you after him and then tried to move the trunks. This proved to be nearly impossible, and Ginny quickly gave up. She was sitting on them when a young man walked up to her. He glanced at her fiery hair and smiled broadly.

"You must be Ginny Weasley." she nodded suspiciously, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Mark Pennington. I'm going to be working for your grandfather on his farm this summer, and he asked me to pick you up as my first job."

Ginny sighed in relief, "Oh! Why didn't you say so in the first place? Pleased to meet you, too."

"I believe you need some assistance with those two trunks?" he ventured.

"Yes, I do. Thanks. If you could just take the big one, I think I can handle my purse and the small one myself."

He did as she asked, and they set off towards the old, beat up pickup truck that Ginny recognized as her Grandpa's. She got in and Mark put her bags in the trunk. They drove through the small, one-movie-theater town, then continued on the old, badly paved road out into the middle of nowhere. Mark pulled up at the big farmhouse, and Grandpa and Grandpa came bustling out the front door to greet their favorite grandchild. They ran up to Ginny and gave her a big hug.

"It's so nice to see you, dear. Sorry Mark had to come pick you up, we just weren't up to making the trip. I hope you didn't mind," her grandmother said, then, dropping her voice to a whisper, "He's 19, you know. Perfect age for you!"

Ginny smiled and shook her head, "Grandma!! Shhhh! Of course I didn't mind. It was lovely to meet him."

"Oh, good. Well, come in then. Mark, can you bring in the trunks? Thank you."

Ginny passed over the threshold and looked around her childhood playground. It was unchanged since the last time she had visited, over six years before. She left her grandparents and went up to her bedroom. It was still decorated in faded pinks and purples, just like she remembered.

Behind her, in the doorway, Ginny heard steady thumping. She turned and saw Mark struggling to get her trunks up the stairs all by himself. She giggled and rushed over to help him. They fought with them for a moment, then managed to drag them up over the top of the steps before letting go and collapsing over the top of them. Ginny continued laughing and then Mark joined her. After a moment, Ginny realized she was practically on top of him, and she stood up quickly, cutting off her laughter abruptly and clearing her throat.

"Thanks, Ginny. I was about ready to give up on that thing and let it fall!"

"You're welcome. Come on, lets put them in my room."

Ginny took the small trunk once again, and they pushed them into her room. When they were done, Mark stood there uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes and scuffing his toe on the floor. Ginny straightened up and grinned.

"Nice teamwork," she said uncomfortably. There was an awkward silence for a minute or two.

"Umm...I think I'll go see if your Grandfather has anything else for me to do."

He practically ran out of the room, and Ginny sat down on her bed, her breath catching in her throat. She found herself extremely attracted to this boy, Mark. It confused her. She was supposed to still have a broken heart because of Dean, but already she was crushing on another guy. She shook her head and opened her trunk to unpack.

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A couple weeks later, she and Mark were both situated, and their feelings for each other were beginning to manifest. They flirted constantly, right beneath the noses of her grandparents. After lunch one day, she was reading in the living room when Mark came over to her and sat next to her on the couch.

"Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

"I...I just wanted to know......"

She put down her book, looking at him hopefully. He didn't continue.

"Yes, Mark?"

"Well...I'm feeling...things between us. Is it just my imagination, or are you feeling them too?"

Her heart skipped a beat, as it did so often when he talked to her.

"I, uh, I feel them, too."

He let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, then do you want to go for a drive? I have the afternoon off. I want to take you to my favorite place."

"Um, YES, I would love to go somewhere with you."

He beamed and they snuck out to the car. He drove away from the house and she rolled down her window, putting her head on the ledge. They drove for ten minutes before he pulled off the road and shut off the car. In the distance, over the fields out to her right, she could see a strip of bright green trees. He jumped the fence and helped her climb over, then grabbed her hand and began running towards the trees. She ran alongside him and her hair whipped in the wind. He looked over at her, laughter in his eyes. When they reached the tall trees, they slowed to a walk. They went through the little grove and they came to a clearing. She gasped when she saw the beautiful waterfall and still pool of water below it.

They stood there at the top for a few long seconds, then he pulled her after him as he climbed down the rocks to the little pool. He sat down on a big rock next to the water and she sat next to him, their legs touching and dangling over the edge. He looked at her and intertwined their hands. She swallowed and smiled at him. They sat there in happy silence for a while, just watching the waterfall cascade into the pool, then Mark smirked mischievously.

"Come on, lets get in!" he exclaimed, removing his shirt and shoes and jumping in. Her eyes widened in surprise. His head resurfaced and he shook it like a dog.

"I can't!!"

"Of course you can!"

"I don't have anything to swim in!!"

"Do you need something to swim in?"

She blushed scarlet.

"Yes, I do. And I don't have anything."

"Aw, come on!! Chicken!!!"

"HA! Oh, yea? I'll show you!"

She kicked off her shoes and dove in, practically landing right on him. The water was deeper, and much warmer, than it looked. She grabbed him and dunked him, yelling in triumph. She let him up and he sputtered before grabbing her and pulling her to his chest. She stopped breathing for a second, their faces inches apart. He leaned in and kissed her chastely on the lips. She looked at him, unsure of what to do, then he kissed her again, this time not quite so chastely. They pulled apart and moved into a part of the water where they could stand up and continue their demanding embrace. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wove her hands into his hair. Their bodies were flush against one another and their wet clothes clung to them tightly. They pulled apart, gasping for air.

"Wow," Ginny breathed to herself.

They went and sat down in the sand at the edge of the water. Mark pulled her into his lap and she reclined against his broad chest.

"Mark, why are you working on my grandpa's farm?"

"Well, I'm paying for my own college and I needed some money. I saw his classified ad in the paper and applied for the summer job, and so here I am. My parents paid for last year, my freshman year, but they don't have much, and your grandpa pays well."

"Oh."

"What?"

"Oh, no, nothing. Shut up and kiss me, you silly goose!"

He did, turning her in his lap so she faced him, straddling his thighs. She pushed him back and followed him down until she was laying on him. She pecked his cheek and swiveled her hips, turning him on. He reacted by flipping them over so she was beneath him and they were touching everywhere. She ran her hands over his body, learning every inch of his chest and back. He stopped kissing her, breathing hard, and touched his lips to her neck. He caressed her collarbone with his mouth and unbuttoned her pink top, loving her through her thin cotton bra with his calloused, rough hands. She lay her head back and moaned breathily. That seemed to bring him back to reality, because he stopped what he was doing and brought his face back to hers. He pecked her lips and rebuttoned her top, a serious look upon his face.

"What is it?" she asked fretfully, "Why did you stop?"

"Lets take it slow, okay? We only just met a couple weeks ago. We have all summer. Lets not rush and ruin it for both of us."

She looked disappointed, but nodded all the same. They sat up, all sandy from rolling around.

"Race you to the waterfall!" she exclaimed, jumping up and wading into the water. He followed her, chuckling. He overtook her quickly and reached the waterfall barely ahead of her.

"I win!!!!!" he hollered, grabbing her in a bear hug in the deep water, forcing them both under. He found her mouth and enveloped it with his.

After a few more hours at the waterfall, they headed home. When they got there, her Grandmother was sitting on the porch swing. The two teenagers climbed out of the car, giggling at a joke Mark had made. The older woman chortled to herself. She had known they would fall for each other. She quickly stood and went inside, not wanting to disturb their fun.

Ginny went and sat on the swing attached to the old tree in the front yard. He pushed her on it for a few minutes, then went into the flowerbed and picked her a bouquet of daisies. She smelled them and hugged him happily.

She got up and had him sit down, then sat on him. They stayed like that until Grandma yelled to them that diner was ready.

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Dear Mom,

I miss you and Dad and the boys so much. I'm having lots of fun here, and I've made some new friends in town. I hope everything is going well there. I'm sorry I haven't written yet, but I've been really busy, believe it or not. I help grandma and grandpa with the farm chores as much as I can. Oh, and there's this boy, Mark, working here, too. He's really nice. I think you'd like him! Oh, it's about time for dinner! I'd better go. I promise to write more often!

I love you,

Ginny

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On one late afternoon in mid-July, Ginny and Mark were at the waterfall. They were resting in the sand, her head on his tummy. He sat up, making Ginny's head slip, and so she sat up, too. He scooted so they were facing each other, and captured her mouth with his. Their tongues tangled as he pulled her into his lap. She pulled away so she could breathe and his lips tenderly burned a scorching line down her neck and chest. He pulled away the fabric of her dress, revealing the same cotton bra as the last time. He kissed her through it and then pulled it off with his teeth. Her dress was next, then his pants. Clad only in their underwear, they stared at each other. He broke the gaze and fell upon her, pressing their burning bodies together. One thing led to another, and soon they were lying next to each other under the hot July moon, spent by their lovemaking. She snuggled up to him, no longer a virgin and glad. They fell asleep there, and reawakened in the wee hours of the morning. He lazily stroked her hair, then checked his watch, which was in his pants pocket next to him. He shot up.

"Shit! Ginny, we have to go!!"

He shook her awake and told her the time. She leaped up as well and hastily dressed. They ran out of the woods together and flew across the pink-flowered field and into his car. He rushed home, going way over the speed limit. When they arrived home, everyone seemed to be asleep, so they kissed goodnight on the porch, then went to their own separate rooms.

The next morning, she woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. She sat up and saw Mark sitting next to her on the bed. He kissed her forehead affectionately.

"Hey. They sent me up to wake you, but I chickened out because you looked so beautiful asleep."

She bit her lip happily, and kissed his cheek.

"OK, let me get dressed and I'll be down in a minute."

"Can't I stay?"

"I suppose...just don't do anything too rash," she joked.

She got out of bed, still dressed in her sheer nightgown, and shut the door. She sprinted to Mark and they fell onto the bed together. They undressed together and repeated what they had done the day before at the waterfall. Afterwards, Ginny went to her closet and got dressed. He put his clothes back on, and they went downstairs.

"Finally, you got her awake! Took you long enough," her grandpa said.

"Sorry, sir. She just looked so peaceful, I couldn't bear to wake her up."

"Eh, It's okay, son. Ginny, go help your grandmother finish up breakfast. Mark has chores to do, but I know he'll hurry so he can get some of our home-made bacon."

"Yes, sir, you know I will! I'll be right back!"

Ginny went into the kitchen and took over the bacon from her grandma. She was oblivious to the old woman's smirk until she said something.

"You love him, don't you, Ginny?"

She blushed and looked away.

"Come on, dear. I won't tell your mother. I did kind of set this up, you know!!"

Ginny looked at her grandmother, amused and amazed.

"You did?"

"Well, of course! As soon as I saw him, I knew he was perfect for you!!"

"You didn't. OH, Grandma!!!"

They laughed.

"Yes, I'm in love with him. But he doesn't know it yet. I haven't told him."

"Oh, baby. I hope you won't get your heart broken."

"Yea, me too."

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After their fifth time making love, Ginny told him.

"I love you so much," she whispered as she lay next to him beneath the stars.

"I love you too," he replied, "I really do."

It was nearing the end of August, and soon it would be September and they would both be gone. She was dreading leaving and returning to Hogwarts. She hadn't done any magic that summer, and her mother's parents had decided not to use it anymore long ago. Plus, she didn't want to deal with seeing all her friends who knew she had been dumped by Dean. She didn't want the lazy summer to ever end. She would miss Mark more than anything, and she knew it would hurt to say goodbye. Yet they only had a week left, and Ginny had begun to pack. Ginny pushed those thoughts out of her mind and kissed his cheek before nuzzling up to him and falling asleep.

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Tears slid down Ginny's cheeks as she held tightly to Mark at the train station. She was boarding the train to London in five minutes, but she didn't want to.

"Don't make me go, Mark," she begged, "Please? I love you and I don't want to leave you. Ever."

He took a deep breath and held her away from him, "Look, Ginny. I love you, too, but we both knew this was coming. Don't make it any harder on either of us. I won't forget you, I promise."

She grabbed him again and kissed him deeply when the last call sounded. She went to the train, but looked back before boarding. Ginny blew a kiss to him then got on the train sadly. It chugged out of the station, leaving Mark close to sobbing on the empty platform.

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Dear Ginny,

I miss you so much. I hope your parents didn't mind me calling a few nights ago. I just wanted to hear your voice, but I kinda forgot that you go to boarding school. Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to do without your voice. I'm going crazy without you by my side. College is fine, but I need you too much to enjoy it. I hope everything is going well for you, too. I think I'll be able to go back to your Grandparents' house next summer, but it depends. Anyways, just wanted to give you and update. Love you, baby.

Love forever,

Mark

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After a few months, the amount of letters written and received dwindled, and they grew apart. Ginny would often think about Mark, though, and hadn't so much as flirted with another boy since coming back to Hogwarts.

Mark thought of her just as much as she thought of him, and he tried to replace her over and over again, but no one could. He was frustrated beyond measure and threw himself into his studies. He decided to double major in English and Biology, and maybe become a teacher.

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Three summers after that, Mark wrote to Ginny again. Neither of them had had a serious relationship since their summer together, and he still yearned for her. He said she had to come out to see him now that they were both out of school. He told her that he was caring for her grandparents again that summer, but wasn't staying there. So Ginny boarded the same old train and he was there to pick her up at the train station. He grabbed her in a huge hug as soon as she got off the train. She kissed his cheek and beamed up at him. She felt as though she had never left, and knew he felt the same. They were older, wiser, but still in love.

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They spent that summer together at his house, and in September, instead of letting Ginny leave, Mark proposed to her. She happily said yes. Ginny finally told him about her magic, and he said he didn't care WHAT she was, so long as she was his. They were married five months later.

After the ceremony, her grandmother smiled at her and said, "I told you so, Ginny!"

Ginny just smiled and replied, "Yea, you did."

Now, sixteen years later, they have four children who are all attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They always look back at that restless summer when the had found love in each other's arms. Their children all beg to be told the story their great-grandmother and great-grandfather had shared with them before they had died. Mark is an elementary school teacher and Ginny is a loving, doting housewife. Their love is just as strong now as it was when they were teenagers, getting their first tastes of love. They remember that summer, when thirty was old, and how they thought they had lost each other in the years following their first summer together. And now I've passed my mother's story of love on to you. I hope you take it and learn as much from it as I did, and never underestimate the power of love again.

Strawberry Wine

, sung by Deana Carter from her CD Did I Shave My Legs For This?

He was working' through college

On my Grandpa's farm.

I was thirstin' for knowledge

And he had a car

Yea I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child

One restless summer we found love growin' wild.

On the banks of the river

On a well beaten path

Its funny how those memories they last.

Like strawberry wine

Seventeen

The hot July moon

Saw everything.

My first taste of love

Whoa, bittersweet.

Like green on the vine.

Like strawberry wine

Well I still remember

When thirty was old.

My biggest fear was September

When he had to go.

A few card and letters and one long distance call

We drifted away like the leaves in the fall.

But year after year I come back to this place

Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine

Seventeen

The hot July moon

Saw everything.

My first taste of love

Whoa, bittersweet.

Like green on the vine.

Like strawberry wine...

The fields have grown over now.

Years since they've seen the plow.

There's nothing' time hasn't touched.

Is it really him or the loss of my innocence

I've been missin' so much?

Yea

Like strawberry wine

Seventeen

The hot July moon

Saw everything.

My first taste of love

Whoa, bittersweet.

Like green on the vine.

Like strawberry wine

Seventeen

The hot July moon

Saw everything.

My first taste of love

Whoa, bittersweet.

Like green on the vine.

Like strawberry wine...

Strawberry wine....

Ohhhhhhhh.......

Strawberry wine...........

(fade out)