Menace

Chapter Five

The insistent ringing of the telephone jerked Harry out of his deep sleep the next morning, and he threw his arm onto the bedside table, finding the receiver with sheer luck. "'lo?" he murmured, his voice husky.

"Harry? It's Charlie, did I wake you up?"

"Nope, wide 'wake," he said, yawning and not bothering to open his eyes.

"Listen, I tried to call Ginny and there's no answer. Can you go check up on her, make sure she's okay? I'm really worried," Charlie said, his voice sounding slightly panicky.

Harry's eyes snapped open as he remembered exactly where Ginny was, and he looked over at her, finding the telephone hadn't woken her up. She was sprawled on her stomach, her hair fanned out all over the place in a horrendous mess that he thought she would have problems with when she woke up. He smiled at the picture she made and sighed. "It's okay, Charlie, she stayed here last night. I didn't like the idea of her being on her own."

"Oh thank God, I had visions of all sorts of things happening to her! Is she okay?"

"She's fine now, but you ought to know that Edwin Blackweed attacked her last night. She tried to call you and when you didn't answer she called me, and I went and got her. She's fine," he repeated quickly when he heard the other man's shocked gasp. "He didn't rape her, but she thinks he was going to."

He pulled the phone away from his ear as Charlie started ranting and calling Edwin Blackweed every name ever invented and then some. "Where's the son of a bitch now?"

Harry frowned. "I have no idea, I didn't go looking for him last night I was too worried about Ginny. I shouldn't think he'd bother showing up at work today though, not unless he's crazy."

"Oh, he's crazy alright. Just make sure Ginny's okay, will you? If you see him, call the Aurors. In fact, call them anyway, have her file charges against him or something!"

"I'll keep an eye out for him, but I doubt she'll want to go to the Aurors, I think she just wants to forget about it. Listen, don't worry about any of it, I'll take care of everything. How's Rebecca?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly.

"She's doing well, she's not getting any worse. But they won't let her out of here for some time, if at all before the baby's born. I'll keep you informed. Will you bring Ginny up to see us today? We need some things from home," Charlie said, sounding slightly calmer as he reeled off a list of things he wanted Harry to bring.

"Sure thing, mate. We'll come up before lunch. I would bring her sooner, but she's laying here fast asleep, and I think she needs it, you know?" Harry said, his eyes moving back to Ginny.

"Laying there...? She's...you're...she's in your room?" Charlie sputtered, his voice changing.

"Er...yeah. It's not like it sounds," Harry said, looking up at the ceiling and then closing his eyes.

"Really? Harry, I've known you for a long time, and I know what you're like where women are concerned," Charlie said quietly, sounding worried now.

"This is Ginny we're talking about," Harry said, trying to think up something to say to make Charlie think he hadn't touched her.

"Yeah, it is, and I thought you two hated each other. Except I've seen you trying to eat each others faces over the last few days, remember?"

"Oh, come on Charlie, this is ridiculous!"

"Is it? Swear to me you didn't touch her!" Charlie said, his voice getting louder now.

"Dammit, I can't! But that doesn't mean that I took advantage of her, because I didn't!" Harry said.

"Yet you're laying in bed with her, right now? Put her on the bleeding phone!" Charlie shouted now, making Harry get angry.

"I am not waking her up just because you've decided you can't trust me!" Harry hissed, glancing at Ginny again and trying not to make too much noise. "She needed someone last night, she had a nightmare...she bloody well asked if I'd stay with her. What was I supposed to do?"

Charlie went silent for a minute and Harry could hear him sigh. "I guess you couldn't really refuse," the other man admitted grudgingly. "Just...look, promise me you didn't actually...you know...do it."

Harry gave a reluctant chuckle. "No, we didn't, but I'll be honest, I wanted to."

"You're not going to, though, unless you want to get married damn quick," Charlie said sharply.

"Is that right? Are you telling me that you and Rebecca abstained until the wedding night?"

"Well, no...but Ginny's different, she my baby sister," Charlie said softly, giving a small laugh.

"Don't worry, Charlie. I value our friendship, I wouldn't do anything to compromise it," Harry said, sighing as he ran his eyes down Ginny's small body. "No matter how hard it is."

"Okay. Look, I'm sorry if I sounded a bit severe, but it's difficult sometimes," Charlie said. "I don't want her to get hurt."

"It's okay, mate, I understand. I'll come and see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks. See you."

Harry listened to the click and then put the phone down, turning back to look at Ginny. She was only just waking up and she rolled onto her back, yawning hugely as she did so. The moment her eyelids lifted, she looked over at him and blushed, remembering in vivid detail what had happened between them the night before.

"Good morning," Harry said, smiling softly at her and brushing his knuckles over her face.

"Morning," she said in return, staring at him in amazement. "We don't hate each other anymore do we?"

He shook his head. "No, I'd say we definitely don't hate each other. I'm sort of wondering if we ever did."

"This is kind of confusing," she said, biting her lip.

"Yeah, I know," he murmured. He leaned back to study her face closely, his lips tightening as his eyes traced the bruise she had on her cheekbone, darker now. "Does it hurt?" he asked, touching it gently and immediately making his fingers tingle from the contact.

She winced. "Only a little bit, it's okay."

"It isn't okay. Maybe I should kiss it better?" he asked her, dropping tiny little kisses on her that felt like feathers tickling her skin, and she smiled at the gesture. "How's that?"

"It's good," she murmured, giggling as he moved further down her face and neck, his beard brushing her skin.

He drew back slightly and looked at her, his eyes narrowed. "Women don't usually laugh at me when I'm doing my best smooching," he said, pursing his lips.

"Sorry, but it tickled," she said, her smile fading slightly as she studied his face, taking in the small lines at the corners of his eyes and the way his hair, which he'd allowed to grow long again over the past few months, was sticking out all over the place. Her heart flipped over in her chest and she had to breathe deeply when she thought of the little endearments he had been using on her and the way he had held her in the night. She wasn't sure if she should be pleased by it all or not, it was such a sudden switch to their normal feelings, and she'd never been in this position before - literally and figuratively. When she met his eyes again she found him staring at her with open curiosity. "How did this happen?" she asked, still confused by the rapid change from animosity to desire and affection.

Harry shook his head and rubbed her back. "I have no idea, and I'm not going to question it, not now. This is far better than fighting all the time." He leaned in and kissed her softly, his eyes open the whole time so he could study her expression. When he leaned back again he gave her a slow smile, brushing her hair away with a slightly unsteady finger. "It's going to take some getting used to, not wanting to drown you."

Ginny gave a small laugh and then bit her lip, thinking that this probably wouldn't go anywhere, and she was certain she would inadvertently make him feel that way again sometime. She started to feel acutely aware of her current situation and she tried to think of something to say, remembering what had woken her up.

"Did I hear you talking to someone?"

"Yeah, Charlie phoned. He wants me to take you over to see them today."

"Oh, right. Well, I'd better get dressed and...er...we can go. I have things to do at home too, and I bet they need some things, so maybe I should just run back there. You don't have to get up yet, I can get back on my own," she babbled, going red as she tried to think of a way out of the bed without him seeing her half naked again.

Harry studied her, a frown drawing his eyebrows down as she fidgeted about. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, too quickly, her face glowing.

He reached out and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him. "Yeah, there is. Spill it."

"There's nothing wrong," she said again, raising her eyes to his reluctantly. The lack of animosity in his gaze floored her because it was so alien for him to look at her in that way. Even after the previous night, she still felt uncomfortable around him, now even more so.

"Liar," he said softly, tilting his head to one side. "If I had to guess, I'd say you didn't know how to act around me after last night."

"I don't," she confessed, looking away again.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know you," Ginny said quietly, biting her lip. "I thought I did, but now...everything's different."

Harry frowned again. "Would you rather we were fighting again?"

"No. Well, I don't know. It was easier that way," she said, her eyes darting to his again.

For some reason, her words disappointed him and he abruptly let go of her chin. He hadn't ever had a female not want his advances, but it seemed that was what Ginny was saying, and he didn't like it.

"If that's how you want it," he said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up.

"I didn't mean..." Ginny started saying, but Harry turned around and stared down at her, his hands planted on his hips.

"What? You didn't mean you preferred it when we were trying to kill each other as opposed to me kissing you?" he asked sharply. "Like I said, if that's how you want it, then it's no problem!" He turned and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

"I liked you kissing me," she said quietly as she stared at the closed door, wondering what had just happened. If she didn't know any better she would have said he seemed almost...insecure. But Harry Potter wasn't insecure about anything, so that couldn't be the case. Maybe he had just realized how he had acted and with whom, and her heart plummeted in her chest at the thought. He was probably regretting every word and every action, but she couldn't say the same. She had felt protected and cared for, and she had liked it. She shook her head as she got out of the big bed, a sigh escaping her as she pulled her clothes on. Maybe it was better if things got back to the way they had been, but she was going to find it incredibly difficult to forget how it felt to be held by him.

She turned when the bathroom door opened again, watching Harry walk back into the room. He had obviously had a lightning quick wash, shaved, and had put some kind of product in his hair, but he wasn't looking in her direction at all. Just when she thought he wasn't going to speak to her he took a deep breath and glanced briefly at her.

"Are you ready?"

"I have to go home...to get a change of clothes," she said, feeling awkward as she met his cool gaze. He didn't look like he wanted her there and all of a sudden she wanted to be somewhere else too. "I'll do that now." She turned and opened the bedroom door, rushing out and intending to just leave the house before she could feel any worse, but he grabbed her arm before she got very far and spun her around, frowning down at her.

"You shouldn't go back there on your own," he said, reluctant to let her leave despite how he was feeling at the moment.

"I'll be fine," she said, trying to tug her arm away from him so she could go home and shut herself inside. When she realized she couldn't get free, she looked up at him with big eyes, her shoulders slumping. "Please let me go home."

Harry looked down at her sad face and instantly softened, sighing and grabbing her other arm so he could pull her closer to him. "I can't do that. What if that Edwin went back there? I'm not going to let you get hurt, not again."

"Like you said, he's probably miles away from here anyway," Ginny said, still pulling back from his hold, something he couldn't fail to notice.

"Stop squirming," he said mildly, pulling her right up against him and wrapping his arms around her. "You're not going anywhere, not alone. Don't worry," he said with a twist of his lips, "I'm well aware you're not too keen on my kisses, so I'll make sure I don't do that anymore."

"I didn't say...I didn't..." she stammered, frowning up at him and then looking quickly away from his piercing gaze, her face red.

"What?" She shook her head in answer and he moved one arm so he could tilt her face up, his eyes narrowing. "Come on, tell me what you were going to say."

"It's nothing...I just...I didn't say I didn't like your kisses," she mumbled, still not looking in his eyes.

He blinked slowly at her words and then couldn't help smiling.

"I thought you preferred it when we were fighting?"

"I didn't mean it that way, though. I just meant that it seemed easier then, and now it's weird," she said, shrugging and glancing briefly up at him. "I'm not used to this."

"Sweet Merlin, I know that, otherwise you wouldn't still be a virgin!" he said, shaking his head in exasperation. "So you're telling me you don't have anything against me kissing you again?"

Ginny found herself trapped in his emerald stare, and she shook her head slowly. "I liked it," she whispered, as if it was something bad.

"You did?" he asked her, raising his eyebrows and grinning, a feeling of intense relief sweeping through him.

She shrugged. "It was okay."

"Okay? Just okay? Oh, I think you can do better than that, don't you?" he said, picking her up so she was level with him and taking her mouth in a deep, masterful kiss that made her head spin. By the time he was finished she was clutching onto his shoulders so tightly she had nearly torn through his shirt. "There...now try again," he said, his voice husky.

"Try what?" she asked dazedly, blinking at him.

"Tell me how good my kisses are, go ahead," he invited, smiling smugly.

"I like them," she said, licking her lips and swallowing as her brain started functioning again.

"Uh huh. How much?"

"Quite a lot," she admitted.

"No more than that? Hmm, maybe another little reminder...." he broke off and kissed her again, opening her mouth quickly and exploring every crevice inside, only pulling back when he thought he was about to lose control and just throw her on the floor so he could be inside her. "How much?" he prompted her again, breathing heavily.

"I love the way you kiss," she whispered, her eyelids lifting slowly so she could stare at him in amazement.

She groaned and let her head fall forward onto his shoulder, feeling him move as he laughed. "It isn't funny."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, chuckling again. "Merlin, if the blokes could see me now, I'd never live it down."

"Live what down?" she asked, lifting her head to look at him.

"The fact that I had a willing witch in my bed and she left it without being compromised in any way. They'd probably think I'd lost my touch," he said, grinning and raising his eyebrows.

A spark of mischief lit up Ginny's eyes. "And have you?"

Harry looked slightly amazed, his mouth hanging open. "You're really asking for it, you know that, don't you?" He shook his head when she giggled and shot her a disgusted look. "Unfortunately, I don't have time to give it to you at the moment. We have to get some things packed and take them over to Charlie and Rebecca."

Ginny shrugged. "Okay. Well, I guess you really have lost it then," she said, turning away from him and walking off down the hallway while he stood there gaping at her.

"Lost...! Why you little...hey! Come back here!" he roared as he took off after her, laughing with sheer enjoyment as she ran from him, her giggles echoing back up the stairs as she ran down them. He had a feeling life was going to change drastically now they were no longer fighting.

When Harry and Ginny reached the hospital later that morning, it was to find Charlie pacing about in the corridor and looking frantic. Ginny dropped the bag she had packed for Rebecca and rushed over to him, getting worried herself when she saw his eyes up close.

"Charlie? What's happened? Is Rebecca okay?" she asked, aware of Harry moving up beside her.

Charlie shook his head. "I don't know...they made me leave the room. One minute she was fine and then...I think she had a fit, and I called for the nurse...the next second I was out here and all sorts of people were running in there. Merlin!" he said, running his hands through his hair. "No-one has come out to tell me anything yet!"

Ginny wasn't sure what to say, so she hugged him instead. "Someone will come out soon," she said softly, not wanting to say all the usual things about Rebecca eventually being okay, because what if she wasn't? She tugged Charlie over to a chair and sat down next to him, holding his hand as they waited for someone to emerge from behind the door.

Harry sat in another chair and fidgeted, feeling uncomfortable in hospitals anyway and now feeling bad for his friend. His eyes moved to Ginny and he studied her silently, trying to figure out how things had changed between them so suddenly. She was beautiful, and he suddenly realized she was far prettier than he had ever thought, not really having noticed her before. He wondered why he hadn't. Fair enough, she had usually managed to rouse his formidable temper almost the moment he set eyes on her as of late, but surely that shouldn't have blinded him to her looks? He shook his head and dropped his eyes to her soft mouth. It wasn't really just her looks though, he decided. It was her personality. She actually had one, and that was something that had been sadly lacking in most of his female 'friends'.

Ginny turned her big, soft brown eyes on him at that moment and he felt his stomach flip over, a feeling he couldn't recall having since his first date with Cho back in his fifth year at Hogwarts. He tried to think of her as just Charlie and Ron's baby sister again, but it was impossible, especially now he had seen her virtually naked. He wasn't sure if he liked the way he was feeling, but glancing at Charlie he shrugged off his discomfort. There were far more important things to worry about at the moment. He gave Ginny what he hoped was a reassuring smile and stood up, offering to get everyone tea so he could be alone and straighten his thoughts out a little. Regardless of how he was suddenly feeling, he didn't know if he wanted such a complication in his life right then. His face was unintentionally grim as he walked away.

Ginny watched as Harry's tall form disappeared down the corridor and she chewed her bottom lip nervously. Things had been okay on the drive to the hospital, or at least she thought they had. He had even kissed her when he helped her out of his truck, something that still made her blush because there had been other people in the parking lot. But the way he had just looked at her...she couldn't quite place what she had seen in his eyes, but if she had to put a name to it then it looked a lot like regret. She wondered if reality had just intruded on him and he wished he had never touched her, and she suddenly felt the need to talk to another woman for the first time since she was a teenager. She had never really chatted with Rebecca about such things, but she wished she could now. Or Hermione. Now Rebecca was ill and Hermione was away on her honeymoon. Still, she would be back in another couple of weeks and then maybe she could go over and have a talk with her, if she still needed to. A frown drew her eyebrows down as she thought of how selfish her thoughts were. All she was doing was thinking of herself when Rebecca was laying behind the plain hospital door, perhaps dying. She squeezed her brother's hand again and prayed for everything to be okay with both her sister-in-law and the unborn baby.

A few minutes passed by and then the door opened and a doctor emerged, standing in front of Charlie and looking grim. "Mr. Weasley?"

Charlie stood up, letting go of Ginny's hand and wiping his suddenly sweaty palms on his jeans. "Yes, that's me. How's my wife?"

"She very ill right now, I'm sorry to say. She has a condition called Pre-Eclampsia, and it's caused her blood pressure to rise, which is why she had a fit."

"Is there...what about the baby? I mean...is she better now? Have you given her something to make it better?" Charlie asked, his face white.

The doctor shook his head. "I'm afraid there is nothing that can make this better at this stage except to deliver the baby. Once her body is free of the child then she will start to get better, but not before. Which brings me to this form," he said, holding out a clipboard with a release form on it. "I need you to sign this to say we can perform a C-section."

Charlie stared at the paper and then looked back at the doctor. "Tell me honestly, will both her and the baby pull through this?"

The first smile graced the doctor's face as he nodded. "If we do the procedure now, then yes. Your wife's pregnancy has only another couple of weeks to run anyway, and the child appears to be healthy. It's your wife we're more concerned about at the moment, and if you want me to be honest, then I must tell you that it isn't unusual for the unborn child to die if the birth isn't brought forward. Hence the C-section."

Charlie nodded and immediately signed his name at the bottom of the page, handing it back to the doctor. "Do whatever you have to do, but make her better, please."

The older man patted him on the shoulder and smiled again. "We'll do that, and don't worry so much now, everything will be fine. The operation is minor and won't take too long." He walked back into the room and after a few more minutes Rebecca was wheeled out on the bed, her face flushed but peaceful as she was unconscious. Charlie stood and watched them wheel her away, his eyes holding a wealth of pain and worry. "Gods, Ginny, what if she dies? How the hell do I go on if she dies?"

Ginny felt tears fill her eyes and she stood up, wrapping one arm around his waist and hugging him. "You heard the doctor, she'll be just fine...and so will the baby, you'll see. In just a little while you'll be a Daddy," she said, trying to sound confident, but secretly she wondered about how everything would turn out.

"Merlin, I hope you're right," he murmured, watching as a nurse approached them with a smile.

"Mr Weasley? Would you like to come down to the operating theatre? We have a small family room there where you can wait. I'm afraid only you will be able to come down though," the nurse said, sending a regretful glance to Ginny.

"That's okay," Ginny said, giving a shaky smile. "I'll wait in the waiting room up here, you go and make sure she's okay." She gave Charlie a push towards the nurse and then bit her lip as she watched him walk off. She didn't notice Harry walk up behind her and she jumped when she heard him speak.

"What's going on?" he asked, handing her a cup of tea and then putting another one down that he had bought for Charlie.

"Rebecca's gone to have a C-section...she has Pre-Eclampsia," Ginny said, staring up at him with watery eyes. "She's really ill."

Harry frowned and put up one hand, cupping her cheek with it and stroking his thumb over her chin. "Will she be okay?"

Ginny sniffed and nodded. "The doctor said it would all be fine once she's had the baby, but Charlie's so worried."

Harry frowned. He wondered how he would feel if anything happened to someone he loved, and he imagined he would go out of his mind with worry. If something happened to Ginny...he shook his head and dropped his hand suddenly, trying to mask the horror in his eyes. He didn't love Ginny...Merlin, he hadn't been able to stand the sight of her until just recently so where the hell were his errant thoughts taking him? But the big brown eyes that were looking up at him seeking reassurance instantly softened him and he touched her face again, helplessly pulling her against him and giving her a cuddle, a deep sigh puffing out of him as he let himself enjoy the feel of her snuggling up to him. He knew that fate was pulling him in a direction he wasn't altogether sure he wanted to go, and he wondered what to do about it. One thing was for certain... he would not allow himself to fall in love with Ginny, and if he had to stay away from her to make sure it didn't happen then that was what he would have to do. No matter how oddly panicked that made him feel. He felt more and more sure that perhaps a return to how they used to be was called for...but for now she was upset, and she needed someone. Since there was no one else around, then that someone was him.

Time passed slowly as they waited for news, and Harry found himself sitting next to Ginny in the waiting room and holding her hand, his thumb stroking over the soft skin of her knuckles. His head was still spinning with thoughts about what to do...but his body knew exactly where it wanted to be, and it was currently settled very comfortably right next to her. This didn't exactly help him as he was trying to formulate a plan that would make her suddenly hate him again. He figured that if she hated him, then she wouldn't get anywhere near him to tempt him, and he would be able to keep his distance with ease. He knew that if she liked him, she would forever be around and he suddenly realised he didn't have any will power to resist her.

He almost laughed at that. Him, the big man, the lady-killer...unable to resist a tiny scrap of a thing with enormous soulful brown eyes and plump kissable lips and enticing curves. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop himself from picturing her naked again, but it was virtually impossible.

"Are you okay?" she asked him softly, making his eyes snap open as he looked at her.

"I...I'm...er...fine," he mumbled, tearing his eyes away with some difficulty and trying to think of other things. He had to make her hate him, and he had to do it fast, or he'd end up carrying her off to his own home and locking her in with him forever.

Ginny frowned as she looked at him, wondering if he was as worried about Rebecca as she was. She decided he must be, because he looked really odd. Her attention was snapped away from him as the waiting room door opened and Charlie walked in.

"How is everything?" Ginny asked instantly, leaping up and grabbing his hands.

"It's...fine, everything's okay. Rebecca woke up and she's going to be fine after a few days in here. And I'm a father," he said, sounding shell-shocked, but grinning from ear to ear.

"You are? You are! Is it a boy or a girl? Can I see it? Can I see Rebecca?" Ginny asked, almost bouncing up and down in her relief and happiness for him.

Charlie laughed, and behind her Harry did too, unable to stop himself at her enthusiasm. "It's a little boy, and yes you can see him. But, you can't see Rebecca until tomorrow. She's going to get some medication to take care of her blood pressure and a good night's sleep."

"A boy? Oh, that's so sweet. What are you going to call him? Rebecca couldn't think of any boy's names could she? I know she had lots for a girl...." Ginny's voice trailed off down the hall as Charlie took her to see his new baby, and Harry slowly followed them, his eyes dropping to the soft globes of Ginny's backside in her jeans as she walked along. It was almost a shame that he couldn't let their relationship...or whatever it was...continue any further, because she was starting to look sexier and sexier to him every time he looked at her. He briefly wondered if he was losing his mind, or if she was an empathic witch, before he picked up her voice again and couldn't help but smile as she fired off hundreds of questions to her brother.

Before long they were standing in front of the glass window of the nursery, and Charlie was pointing out the tiny bundle that he had fathered. A nurse obligingly picked up the infant and showed them his face, smiling broadly as she watched the reactions of the three people behind the glass. Charlie grinned proudly, looking slightly stunned, and as the nurse removed the hat keeping his little head warm, Ginny gasped at the shock of bright red hair gracing his little skull. Harry's mouth dropped open a bit as he stared down at the tiny baby boy, feeling a tug in his gut as he wondered if he'd ever have one of those. Ginny smiled, laughed...and then burst into tears as she stared at her new nephew. Charlie laughed and would have put his arm around her, but she turned instantly towards Harry instead, making her brother raise his eyebrows.

Harry gathered her up in his arms and rubbed her back as she cried, his head bowing down over hers as he murmured soothing nothings to her. He hadn't even thought about pushing her away, or that he didn't really want her near him anymore - or so he told himself. He didn't think about anything like that, he just did what came naturally and comforted her even though he didn't know why she was crying. When he realised what he was doing he frowned, but he didn't let her go. He knew he was going to be damned for eternity if he didn't push her away from him...and soon...but Merlin help him she made him feel complete. His eyes lifted to Charlie's above Ginny's head and the other man studied him seriously for a few seconds before nodding.

To Charlie it looked like Harry had fallen head over heels for Ginny, and he suddenly decided it was up to her what happened from now on. He wasn't going to interfere unless Harry did something to hurt her. But by the way Harry was holding her, he didn't think that would happen. He had never seen him act this way with another witch before...in fact, he almost looked terrified, and Charlie promised himself he would have a talk with him later, find out what was going on behind that usually impassive visage.

Harry rested his head back against the wall and yawned hugely, stretching as much as he could in the cramped hospital chair and with Ginny curled up next to him asleep. He looked down at her and tried to stop the wave of emotions from swelling his chest, but he couldn't. She was damn cute. A smile touched his mouth as he thought back to the events of the last few hours.

After her suddenly crying her eyes out when she first set eyes on her nephew, he had held her for ages, pretty reluctant to let her go. Even when she had calmed down he hadn't released her. He'd asked her why she'd cried that way, and she couldn't give him a good reason...just that the sight of the baby made her feel odd.

He frowned. Maybe she was broody...although he thought she was a little young to feel that way. But it was understandable because the baby was beautiful. Hell, even he had felt the need to start making one of his own, and he hadn't ever wanted any ties like that before. His eyes went back to Ginny's sleeping form. She would make a good mother. She was a very emotional and loving person. Another of the little things he had deliberately blinded himself to over these recent years. He raised his eyes when Charlie walked into the room, a smile on his face. "How's Becky?"

Charlie gave a relieved sigh and grinned. "She's so much better, it's hard to believe that only this morning I thought she was going to die."

"I'm glad she's okay," Harry said, smiling tiredly.

Charlie looked at his sister and frowned. "She's tired, you both are. You should take her home, I'll be staying here with Becky and the baby until she's back to normal now anyway."

Harry nodded and looked at the clock, seeing it was after midnight. He was surprised no one had come and kicked them out hours ago. "You're right, I'll see her safely home."

Charlie watched as Harry gently moved Ginny so he could stand up, stretching his cramped muscles and almost touching the ceiling of the small room as he did so. "Harry, I think you and I need to have a talk sometime."

Harry looked at him and frowned. "What about?"

"Don't act daft, what do you think?" Charlie said, rolling his eyes and then nodding to Ginny.

"Oh. Look, Charlie, there's really no need, it's not like anything has happened between us...really...and it's not going to," Harry said, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking decidedly uncomfortable.

"Is that right?" Charlie asked, cocking his head to one side and raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, that's right."

"Hmm. That's not what I think. I think things have already happened between you...oh, I know you haven't actually 'compromised' her yet, but things have happened. And I think you feel a hell of a lot more for her than you're willing to admit."

Harry stared at him for a second and then shook his head. "No, I don't," he denied, his eyes suddenly cold.

"Yeah, right, of course you don't. I saw your face when you held her earlier, mate, I know that look," Charlie said, shaking his head.

"You don't know anything about how I feel, Charlie, and I'm telling you I don't feel anything for her," Harry said quietly, trying to convince both himself and the other man.

Charlie studied him in silence and then his eyes darted behind Harry's tall body to Ginny. "Oh dear, Ginny, what's wrong?" he said and watched with amusement as Harry spun around, a look of panic on his face.

When he saw that Ginny was still fast asleep he turned back to Charlie, frowning. "What did you do that for?"

"Just making a point. Why panic when you feel nothing for her, hmm?" Charlie asked, raising one eyebrow and giving Harry a grin.

Harry's mouth fell open at Charlie's deviousness and then he frowned. "Dammit, that's not fair!"

"Not fair? Where are we, in the play park? All's fair in love and war, as they say. And you, my friend, are falling in love with my sister."

"Damn you, Charlie, I am not!" Harry snarled, glancing behind him to make sure he wasn't waking Ginny up. Then he looked back abruptly, cursing himself for worrying about her comfort. Not worrying, he told himself, he didn't worry about her. He brushed a shaky hand through his hair. "I do not like your sister that way," he said, his voice slightly calmer.

"Mmm-hmm. Well, whatever it is you do feel for her, just keep in mind that I'll be watching you. You're bigger than me, obviously, but if you hurt her I'll come down on you like a ton of bricks. And so will Ron, the twins, Neville, and so will Draco."

Harry stared at him and sighed in frustration. "What the hell is it you think I'm going to do to her?"

Charlie shrugged and shook his head. "Who knows? I just don't want her hurt is all, and I'd do just about anything to make sure she isn't."

"I wouldn't hurt her, for crying out loud!"

"No?"

"No! I wouldn't hurt a hair on her head, you know that!" Harry said, feeling slightly hurt himself that his friend didn't trust him.

"A few days ago you were trying to kill her, let's not forget that shall we?"

"That was different...she was being a brat. But you think I'd hurt her in an entirely different way, and I just wouldn't do that. Besides, we're not having a relationship or anything like that, she's too young for me and..."

"No, she isn't, you just think she is. And what you're having looks a hell of a lot like a relationship to me, but then who am I to say anything? I'm not trying to interfere Harry, really. I just want what's best for my sister. If that's you, then I'm glad."

Harry stared at Charlie, struck dumb for a second. "I'm not...we're not having a relationship," he protested stubbornly.

"Yeah, whatever. You keep telling yourself that and maybe it will become the truth, aye? You're really doing your best to be a big-headed prat aren't you?" Charlie grinned and shook his head. "I have to get back, but can I trust you to get her home safely?"

"Of course you can trust me."

"Good. Hmm, maybe it would be a good idea if you stayed at our house with her, just in case Edwin turns up at anytime. Would that be okay? Just until I come home?" Charlie asked him, the wheels in his mind spinning as he thought of ways to keep them constantly in one another's company.

Harry nodded. "I guess so...unless I take her back to Ron's again, there's more room there and she was comfortable," he said thoughtfully.

Charlie nodded happily. "Whatever you think is best, just take care of her for me, okay?"

"Sure."

Harry watched Charlie leave the room and then he sat back down, his frown deepening. That had to be the most surreal conversation he had ever had, and he didn't want to analyse the intense panic that swamped him when he thought Ginny wasn't okay. What was wrong with him? He shied away from the obvious answer and turned to Ginny with a deep sigh, deciding it was time to wake her up and get her home, before his head exploded with all the strange thoughts running around in it.

A short while later he found himself carrying her indoors, having been unable to bring himself to disturb her sleep at the hospital. Again, he shied away from why he was being so nice to her all of a sudden, and he just got on with it. After depositing her on the bed, he started carefully peeling her clothes from her limp body, intending to leave her in her underwear so she could sleep more comfortably. But the sight of her in her bra and knickers made him freeze, and his eyes raked over her body, a groan shuddering through his big chest. The sound finally woke Ginny up and she stared blearily up at him, frowning in confusion until she followed his gaze.

Her face suffused with colour and she quickly went to pull the sheet over her body, embarrassed that he was just staring at her in that way, but Harry moved his hand and stopped her from covering herself, sinking down onto the bed next to her and taking a deep breath. He gently reached out and traced a line down her torso with one fingertip, mesmerized by the enticing curves.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, raising his eyes to hers suddenly.

Ginny gasped at the intensity of his gaze and her eyes dropped to his mouth, wanting it more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. She had been feeling odd around him in the hospital, because he had seemed so distant, but now he was going back to how he had been the night before, and she wanted him to hold her again.

Harry didn't wait for an invitation. He leaned down across her and took her mouth, his hands moving underneath her to her shoulder blades and pulling her up against his chest, crushing her to him with something akin to desperation. He frowned fiercely as he pried her lips open and thrust his tongue past her teeth, drinking in the sweetness that she exuded and hearing her moan under the onslaught. His brain started to shut down as he fell under the subtle spell she wove over him, and he had just enough sanity left to wonder if he'd be able to stop. He didn't think he could.

Ginny struggled underneath him, but not to get away. She couldn't get herself close enough to his heat and strength, and he seemed to sense it because suddenly he ripped his shirt out of the way and lay squarely on top of her, managing to do it without once removing his lips from hers. She froze when he pulled her legs open and settled himself against her, letting her feel graphically how turned on he was. A gasp left her mouth as he broke off from the kiss, and he leaned down to nuzzle her neck before moving on to the swell of her breasts above her bra. "Beautiful," he murmured.

Buried deep in his brain was the knowledge that what he was doing was wrong, but his hands weren't listening as they divested them both of their remaining clothes, no protests coming from Ginny as he rolled back on top of her and took her mouth again.

The hair that lightly covered his chest rubbed against her and she gave a high pitched moan, moving helplessly under his weight as feelings started shooting through her untried body that she had never felt before. Even with what he had already done the night before, this was different. She moved her hands between them and stroked them over his chest, pleased when he pulled back enough so she had more freedom to explore, and she took full advantage. Her nimble fingers ran over the broad expanse and tugged at the hair, scratching at his skin lightly as she became carried away with the tactile experience. Not that he seemed to mind, not if the stain of colour on his face and the noises he made were anything to go by.

Harry took her mouth again and coaxed a response out of her, making her briefly forget her own name. When he pulled back he found it hard not to just sink into her, his brain going haywire.

"Tell me what you want, Ginny," he whispered to her, bending to kiss her again as he continued his sensual assault.

"I don't...I can't..." she gasped, squirming beneath him. "Oh my..." she moaned, feeling her body go tight and swollen as he tortured her. "Oh my..." she said again breathlessly when she felt something else settle against her. The entire situation scared her, but he was still moving that maddening fingertip on her flesh and she wanted him, her hips naturally shifting upwards in unconscious invitation.

Harry clenched his jaw hard, groaning harshly at the feel of her body that was starting to take him in. Loud voices were at work in the back of his mind, telling him he was doing something bad, something wrong...but damned if his body wasn't listening to them. His eyes drifted closed as he savoured the feeling and he drew his hips back...and that was the moment his conscience hammered at the inside of his skull and made his eyes snap open, his senses coming back in a blast of reality that almost robbed him of breath. "No, Greek Gods...no!" he growled, pulling away from her and moving as far back as he could. He ran an unsteady hand through his hair and looked her over, seeing her eyes open and stare back at him in confusion.

"I can't do this...dammit, not with you!" he said, frowning in horror at what he had already done. Thank Merlin he hadn't actually taken her innocence, he thought, unable to believe he had lost control like that. "I must be mad," he murmured, leaping off the bed and finding his jeans, stepping quickly into them before rushing out of the room as if the hounds of hell were at his heels.

Ginny lay there dazed and stared at the closed door, wondering what had happened. As her brain started functioning again she found herself shivering and she pulled the covers around her naked body, covering her eyes with her hands. Oh Gods, he found me disgusting, she thought. Just like before... there was no other explanation for it. She had just virtually offered herself to him on a platter for the second time and he hadn't wanted her. Shame and humiliation swept through her and she buried her face in the pillow, crying quietly into the softness.

Gathering her wits together with some difficulty, Ginny sat up on the bed and rubbed a hand over her wet face. Her eyes darted around the room and her throat closed up. She couldn't stay here, not now. What if he came back, how on earth would she be able to look him in the eyes and see that awful disgust she had seen before? She had no idea that he was only disgusted with his own loss of control, not with her, it wasn't as if he had stuck around long enough to actually speak to her. Finding her clothes she quickly slipped them on, biting her lip as she felt tender places on her body where he had been touching her and her face went red all over again. She didn't think she'd ever be able to be in the same room as him again.

Feeling her heart pound as she crept down the stairs, she wondered where he was and if he would try and stop her from leaving. She very much doubted it, why would he care? A sigh of relief passed her lips as she finally made her way outside and leaned back against the door, her eyes looking up at the stars thankfully. Now all she had to do was walk up that pitch-black road to her own home and she could curl up and lick her wounds in peace. Luckily she got there without any mishaps, making sure she locked the doors behind her before she went upstairs and shut herself into the peaceful cocoon of her bedroom.

Meanwhile, Harry sat in Ron's study, leaning forward on the couch and clutching his head in his hands. A groan worked its way out of his tight throat as he thought of what had just happened. He couldn't believe he had completely lost it like that, or that it had been with Ginny, of all people. Charlie's confident statement earlier that day, that he thought Harry was falling in love with her, came back to haunt him and he growled. Ginny was a child compared to him, he had to remember that. Yeah, like you remembered it just now, he told himself, the image of her splayed underneath him as he started to sink into her, burning itself into his brain. He cursed his lack of control, and the fact that his body was still affected. He wanted her, right now, but she was someone he could never have. Not ever. She was Ron's little sister... the youngest Weasley... the only girl for generations... she deserved better... he told himself, trying to think up as many different excuses as he possibly could. Charlie trusted him with Ginny's safety, and he repaid that trust by taking her into his bed. Thank Merlin he had pulled back at the last, because he didn't know if he would be able to stand the guilt if he had continued on. It was bad enough as it was, and he tried to imagine how Ginny would be feeling now, suddenly getting a whole new perspective on his behaviour.

He ran a shaky hand through his tangled hair and gave a heartfelt sigh. What a mess, and he was the one to blame. He stood up abruptly. One thing was for sure... he couldn't go back to his room while she was there, she'd probably become hysterical or something. No, he would sleep in another room for tonight...and for every other night she was here, he decided, blissfully unaware that she had already left.