Menace

Chapter Twelve

The next two days found Harry and Ginny spending all their spare time together, the only time they were apart was when she was working indoors, and Harry hated every minute of it. After he had complained about it one time too many, Charlie finally gave in.

"Fine! She can start getting the work done when you're gone, just shut up about it, for the love of Zeus!" he yelled at Harry when the taller man had been following him around the barn for ten minutes, pleading for Ginny's freedom. "If I have to listen to you for much longer I'll go mad! Go get her and go away!"

Harry gave him a big grin and clapped him on the back, almost knocking him over in his enthusiasm, before he bounded out of the big barn and made his way to the house.

Ginny silently cursed Rebecca and her damn herb garden. The woman was quite brilliant in her own way, and Ginny loved her to death, but using that as a cover for the magical creatures reserve had been the bane of Ginny's existence from the beginning. Not only was she required to do the submit paperwork to the Ministry pertaining to the reserve, but now she also had to look after the books for Rebecca's muggle operation. So, here she was sitting staring at the computer, unable to be happy about putting in figures on an accounting program, when all she wanted to do was be with Harry. He had been so sweet since the incident, and he hadn't even really told her off for messing with his truck. (Although he had given it a good inspection and pronounced it as good as new, much to her relief.) Apart from that he had been really thoughtful, buying her some chocolates only yesterday...although he ate most of them himself. She hadn't minded though, she thought, smiling distantly. She had been the one feeding them to him.

"I hope that dreamy smile is because of me?" Harry said, sneaking into the room and bending down over her seated form.

Ginny jumped and then giggled as he turned her chair around, leaning down to give her the softest kiss...she sighed when he pulled back, staring into his beautiful eyes. "I'm working."

"Not anymore, you're coming with me!" he said, grinning as he plucked her from the chair and lifted her up against his chest.

"Where are we going?" she asked, putting her arms around his shoulders and leaning her head happily on his chest.

"Ron's place," he told her, walking out of the house. "It'll be nice and quiet, where we can be all alone and I can peel your clothes off with my teeth."

"With your teeth? What about the button on my jeans, won't that be a little hard?" she asked him, laughing at his comical expression.

"By the time I get to your jeans, love, something will be a little hard, but it won't be the button!" he said, wiggling his eyebrows and looking impossibly naughty.

"You're crude!" she said, tapping his arm gently.

"I know! That's why you love me, and that's why you're going to let me undress you with my teeth!" he said, grinning as he neared Ron's house and carried her inside and up the stairs.

"I know! That's why you love me, and that's why you're going to let me undress you with my teeth!" he said, grinning as he neared Ron's house and carried her inside and up the stairs.

"Did Ron and Hermione get off okay? I only managed a quick good-bye..." she asked him, frowning as she noticed the incredible silence in the big house.

"They got off fine." Harry chuckled at the innuendo in that statement, smirking as Ginny rolled her eyes, and he coughed slightly as he continued. "I'm in charge until I leave to join them, so that makes me your boss. Since I'm your boss, I can tell you to do whatever I want, and you have to do it," he said, kicking his bedroom door open and taking her inside where he dropped her on the bed.

"Is that right?" she asked him, leaning up on her elbows to narrow her eyes at him. "What if I refuse to do as I'm told?"

He cocked his head to one side and pursed his lips. "You're not that daft. Anyway, I'd just make you do it, so you may as well just go along with me in the first place."

"I guess that depends on what you're going to tell me to do," she said, feeling a bit shy but covering it up.

"Aw Ginny, don't be worried," he said, coming down on the bed next to her and leaning his torso over hers.

"I'll only give you some lovin'. You do want some lovin', don't you?"

She managed to nod before his mouth came down on hers and he lowered his weight over her, pressing her into the mattress and feasting on the kiss like a starving man. He had limited himself to only kissing and light touching over the last couple of days, wanting to be absolutely sure she wasn't sore before he made love to her again, because he had no intention of hurting her. He released her mouth slowly and looked into her dazed eyes, smiling softly at her.

"Is everything okay now? Can we do this?"

She blushed but nodded. "Yes, I'm fine," she murmured, her eyes lowering to his lips and staring at them for a second. "You're really handsome," she said in a hushed tone, taking in his features.

"You like what you see?" he asked, grinning arrogantly.

"Yeah, I do, you big headed moron!"

"Oh, now that hurts," he said, frowning and then smiling again. "And guess what? I like what I see too. Bleeding Hell, do I love what I see," he said, making her heart leap into her throat as he bent and started bestowing little kisses over her face and down her neck, tugging impatiently at her clothes as he tried to go lower.

"I thought you said you were going to use your teeth?" she said when he started pulling her top out of her jeans.

"You want me to use my teeth? I don't have a problem with that!" he said and immediately bent and took the material between his teeth, tugging it up her body with ease, making her giggle as he tried to pull it over her head, snarling like an animal as he did so. He let go of the material and sighed. "Okay, this is harder than I thought it would be."

"It's okay," she said, her voice muffled through the shirt that was draped over her face. "You can use your hands, I don't mind."

"Eager, are we?" he asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

"Not at all, in fact...we don't have to do this at all," she said, reaching up to pull her top back down.

"Oh no you don't!" he told her, grabbing her hands and stopping her, pulling the top all the way off in one fluid motion. He grinned down at her flushed face. "We do have to do this!"

"We do?"

He nodded enthusiastically, finding the front catch of her bra and opening it. "Ah, a dream of a bra," he murmured, bending to kiss the skin exposed as the bra started to part. "Yes, we do have to do this, or else I'll explode. You wouldn't want me to explode now, would you?"

She thought about that for a second and then smiled. "I don't know about that, I guess it would depend on which part of you exploded...and where."

His eyes lifted to hers. "Well, well. Look who's getting bold," he said, bending again to scrape his beard over her cleavage and up to her neck. "Just how brave are you getting? You brave enough to tell me what you want me to do to you?"

"I'm not...oh...not sure," she said, gasping as he bit the curve of her breast tenderly, laving the tiny mark with his tongue immediately afterward. His nose nudged the material aside until she was completely exposed and then he latched onto her nipple, drawing it into his mouth and flicking his tongue over it. He drew back and looked at the rosy skin, blowing gently on it and smiling when he looked at her rapt expression. "Well? What would you like?"

"I don't know...that...what you just did," she murmured, watching with frank curiosity as he lowered his head and took the hard point between his lips again, his eyes never once leaving hers as his hand squeezed the flesh of her breast upwards towards him, starting up the suction again that made her almost bite through her lip to keep the noises she wanted to make inside.

He saw what she was doing. "Don't do that, let me hear you. I want to hear every single noise I draw out of you," he said, his eyes holding such a wealth of desire that she couldn't deny him anything, and she let her lip out from between her teeth. "That's better."

His head bent again and he continued with his teasing caresses, running his tongue over the small hard peak again, and smiling as she moaned. The noise made him redouble his efforts and soon he was switching from one breast to the other as he lavished attention on them, his hands measuring all the soft curves of her body and finding them all a perfect fit for his palm. Her jeans were smoothed down her legs easily and, before she knew it, she was naked, his big hands smoothing over her hips and buttocks and squeezing the pliant flesh.

"Merlin, I love the way you feel," he said huskily, moving further down her body and nibbling at one hip. " "All curvy and soft, a real woman...not skin and bones."

"I...I need to lose some weight," she managed to say, enjoying the way his hands were taking possession of every inch of her body.

"No, you don't, you need to put some on," he said, looking up at her. "Then I'd have even more curves to grab hold of." His hand slid underneath her to her backside and squeezed, a pleased smile tilting his lips. "I love every inch of this body, and I don't ever want to see it get any smaller you got that? You're tiny, and perfect."

"I'm not perfect," she murmured, her voice shaking as his big hands pulled her legs open.

"Oh yeah you are," he said, smoothing her thighs apart and stroking the soft skin, opening her to his avid gaze. "You are perfect to me. And here," he continued, moving in and placing a kiss on her most tender flesh, "is the most perfect bit of all." He knew he was teasing her as he refused to give her what her body needed, but he had never enjoyed doing this so much in his life. In fact, he thought briefly, he couldn't recall ever liking this, but he loved it with Ginny, he could feast on her all day, and he intended to keep it up for as long as he was able to stand not tasking her. He knew that couldn't be forever, but he would give it a damn good try. After a few more minutes of leisurely sweeps, he gave in and flicked the tip of his tongue over her, gratified by the startled moan she gave, the noise repeating when he did it again, and then again. He rubbed his fingertip over her as she got closer and closer to climax.

For a second he debated whether or not to stop and be inside her when she went over the edge, but he wanted to taste her as she reached that pinnacle, so he sucked harder and, ruthlessly pushing her until she froze, her hips arching up. Now was the time, he decided, and he moved away and ripping his clothes off with incredible speed before he came back down on her, grinning shakily as she welcomed him with open arms.

He probed slowly and he looked deeply into her eyes, letting himself sink inch by inch inside her, his teeth gritting as he felt her grip around him firmly. "Merlin, that feels so good," he murmured, closing his eyes briefly when he was fully sheathed. He flexed his hips and smiled at the small noise she made, his eyes opening to capture hers again.

She tried to speak and found her voice had deserted her, so she nodded her agreement instead, her hands linking around his neck and burying themselves in his hair, pulling it slightly. He groaned and retracted his hips, moving forward again forcefully when she pulled his hair again, unaware she was even doing it.

He could hear her crying, somewhere far off, and her chest was heaving underneath him, but he couldn't move. "Ginny, pumpkin...you okay?" he managed to gasp out, unable to even lift his head.

"Y-yes," she said, trying to calm down from the incredible high he had lifted her to. It had been different this time, so much more sensation that her overloaded brain didn't know how to cope with it all and so she cried.

After a couple of minutes he lifted his heavy head and gazed at her, one hand shakily pushing her hair back from her sweaty face. "Please tell me I didn't hurt you?"

She shook her head and then wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face from him as she tried to force her shattered emotions into some semblance of order. "It didn't hurt."

Harry frowned and rolled onto his back, his arms wrapping around her and his hands stroking her soft back as she trembled against him. "What's wrong sweetheart? Tell me why you're crying."

"I don't know... I can't help it..." she mumbled, finally feeling her tears stop. She lifted her head and looked down at him, sniffing. "Sorry."

He studied her for a second and then smiled, one hand cupping her face. "It's okay. You're probably feeling the same way I am right now," he said, his eyes shining with warmth.

"How... how are you feeling?"

"Like I've been ripped apart and then put back together again," he replied, his smile widening as he looked at her flushed features. "I guess I'll have to get used to feeling like I'm dying every time I'm inside you."

Ginny gazed into his eyes and wondered what he'd say if she told him she loved him. He'd more than likely tell her it was just because of how good sex was between them, but she knew it was more than that. Yet she couldn't bring herself to voice her feelings. Not yet anyway. She contented herself with touching his face and dropping a kiss on his lips, her thumbs brushing through his beard.

"Will it always feel like that?"

"I think it will, between us. It'll feel that good forever," he murmured, looking confused as he stared into her wet eyes. He didn't know how to analyse what he felt right at that moment, and he didn't know how comfortable he was with the feelings, but the young girl he held in his arms was becoming a part of him...and he didn't know if he could ever let her go. It scared the shit out of him.

Harry stood looking out of the window and heaved a deep sigh, hefting the weight of his bag in one hand as he looked across the land to where Ginny's house was. He really didn't want to leave, but he had to get back to work or lose his job. Right at that moment, that didn't sound like such a bad thing, he thought, frowning. The last few days with Ginny had been the best of his life, changing him, and he didn't want to be away from that. But underneath all of it, he was still running scared from the feelings she instilled in him; feelings he wasn't sure he was absolutely ready to face.

His lips curved in a slight smile as he heard noises coming from down the stairs, where Ginny was currently working on getting him a big breakfast so he wouldn't go hungry on his journey. He hadn't let her out of his sight since Ron had left, and he hadn't allowed her to go home, keeping her with him and dressing her in only a bathrobe for the entire last few days. He shook his head as he thought about some of the surfaces he had found it impossible to resist throwing her down on, and they had christened most of Ron's rooms now. Not that he'd ever tell him that, he thought.

With another sigh, he left the bedroom and carried his bag down the stairs so he could drop it by the front door, walking into the kitchen and leaning against the doorframe as he watched her flit around. She had hidden it well, but he could tell she was upset that he was leaving. There was an almost undetectable tightness around her mouth, and her eyes looked darker. Only someone who really knew her well would be able to see it, and he did know her well, better than he had ever imagined he would.

She turned and saw him standing there, a smile tilting her lips when he grinned. "Breakfast is nearly ready, why don't you come and sit down?" she asked him, putting a pot of coffee out for him.

"I'd rather just do this," he murmured, levering away from the doorframe and pulling her small body back against his, his arms wrapping tightly around her. "It's only a shame I had to let you finally get dressed."

Ginny smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying every second of being close to him, especially when she thought that it would all end soon. She hadn't been able to ask him if she would see him again, just in case he said he wasn't going to come back. She didn't think he would really say that, but she felt so insecure, and she wanted to see him again more than she had ever wanted anything in her life.

"The eggs will burn," she murmured reluctantly, looking at the pan.

"Let them burn," he said deeply, turning her around and bending down to kiss her, putting everything he was feeling into the kiss. He felt her shiver against him and then her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer and holding him as if he were the most wonderful thing in her life. He hoped he was, but he couldn't bring himself to ask her that yet.

He drew back finally and smoothed her hair away from her face, smiling at her. "Time to eat I guess," he murmured, releasing her slowly and watching her like a hawk as she put the food on the table and waited for him to sit down.

Unable to stand being away from her for even the time it would take to eat, he pulled her onto his lap and started feeding her small bites of food, his eyes fascinated as each morsel disappeared between her lips. "I could stay here forever," he said without even realising he was going to speak.

"I wish you would," she replied, her voice soft as she stared into his eyes.

"Me too, Gin, but I have to go back to work," he said, putting one hand under her chin and kissing the tip of her nose. He studied her for a second and then he grinned. "That doesn't mean that I won't be able to come back as soon as I have some time off."

Ginny smiled, her eyes shining. "You will?"

"Mmm-hmm. Although that won't be for a few months, I've got a pretty heavy schedule when I get back . But after that," he said, pulling her head onto his shoulder and hugging her, "I'll come back here, and I'll carry you off somewhere. That's a promise."

She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, thinking it was so unfair that now she had discovered she loved him, he had to go away. "I wish you didn't have to go."

Harry frowned and tried to push down his own emotions over leaving. He didn't want to be away from her, and he tried to think of some way he could ask her to just go with him, but that was too much, too soon. She'd probably run screaming if he asked her something like that. Then there was the fact that traipsing around headquarters with a bunch of frustrated wizards wasn't necessarily the best place to take a beautiful young woman, although Ron had managed okay with having Hermione around. He frowned again at his own thoughts and wondered how he had become so attached so quickly, when only a few short weeks ago he had thought he hated her. Well they said love and hate were different sides of the same coin. He guessed fate had flipped his coin for him. Now all he could think about was Ginny - her smell, her taste, the way she smiled, the way her hair felt as it flowed over his body... his eyes squeezed shut as his weak flesh leapt to life. He didn't have time for this, he thought, he had to get underway. On the other hand, he was driving himself, so there was no portkey to catch or anything... a short delay would be acceptable. He nudged her face away from him and gave her a sexy grin before taking her lips in a deep, arousing kiss. So, he couldn't spend the time on her that he wanted... but he could make her feel just as good as always.

Half an hour later Ginny stood next to his truck as he threw his bag in, her legs still feeling slightly rubbery from the things he had just done to her. She smiled when he turned back to her, trying to mask the misery she was currently feeling.

Harry looked down at her and saw how she was feeling as clearly as if she hadn't tried hiding it at all, and he reached out to pull her into his arms, his eyes closing in pain when he felt her start crying. "Don't cry, it won't be forever," he murmured, pressing her face against his shirt as he bent his head over her. "You know I'm going to miss you just as much, don't you?"

"Really?" she asked shakily, still pressed against him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist.

He smiled slightly. "Yeah, really. It's just...you know, blokes don't cry, so I guess most people wouldn't be able to tell, but you can, can't you?" he asked her, making her look up at him.

She looked into his eyes and frowned in concentration. Yes, she could see it, he felt just as bad as she did. Strangely, that cheered her up a little, and he rolled his eyes. "You're not supposed to be happy about how bad I feel," he told her, managing another smile. It felt alien on his face considering how bad his emotions were. "Come up here and give me a kiss."

His hands lifted her up on a level with him, and he waited patiently for her to put her arms around his neck and lean in to kiss him, letting her control the soft kiss for a few seconds before he took over and kissed her the way he really wanted to. He knew, at some level, that he was putting far too much emotion into the simple touch, but he couldn't help himself. When he finally drew back he tucked her head onto his shoulder and just stood holding her, his eyes closed and a frown drawing his eyebrows down fiercely.

The sound of footsteps made him open them again and he watched as Charlie walked slowly up to them, his face sombre when he saw the state his sister was in.

"You're off then?"

Harry nodded, slowly putting Ginny down but not letting go of her, his hand absently stroking the back of her head. "Yeah, it's time I got going," he said reluctantly, his eyes dropping to Ginny's bent head. "Ginny? Firefly, I'll call you when I get settled, okay?"

She nodded and lifted miserable eyes to his face, her lips tight where she was trying to stop them from trembling. Harry sighed and stroked his hand down her face, curling it under her chin and lifting her face for another brief kiss. "I'll call you whenever I can, as soon as I get a minute free, okay? And I'll come back the moment I get some time." He smiled softly. "I'm going to miss you so much, I don't know how I'll be able to concentrate on work."

"I don't want you to go," she whispered, biting her bottom lip now where it gave a betraying wobble.

"I know, and this is hard for me too. Don't make it any harder, pumpkin, please," he said softly, pulling her into another hug and looking over her head at her brother. "Take care of her for me, okay?"

Charlie nodded. "You know I will. Take care of yourself."

Harry nodded and frowned. "You'll call me if you need me, won't you? For anything?"

"Of course I will, don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"Okay," the taller man said, taking a deep breath and putting Ginny away from him slightly, his eyes warm on her face. "No more tears okay? It's not forever, and remember...I'll be back," he said, doing an awful impersonation of Arnie. He'd just shown Ginny the Terminator film a few nights ago, and she'd really enjoyed it. The impersonation had the desired result as a small smile tugged at her lips, lightening his mood a little. "Good girl. Give me another kiss and I'll get going."

She did as he asked and tried not to squeeze his neck too hard, but eventually she had to let go and she stood beside her brother, watching Harry get in his truck. He looked at her as he started the engine and then winked before driving away from the house. Ginny stood and watched until his truck turned onto the main road, and then she couldn't see him anymore.

"Come on, Gin, let's go home," Charlie said, putting an arm around her shoulder.

"In a little while. I have to make sure Ron's house is spotless, and then I said I'd lock up," she replied, trying to smile and failing. "I'll be back soon."

Charlie looked at her for a moment then nodded. "Okay. Don't take too long, though."

"I won't." She turned and went into Ron's house, closing the door behind her and closing her eyes as she absorbed the silence. It was probably just what she needed right now, just to be alone with her misery. She didn't want to infect anyone else with her haywire emotions right now, and she wanted to cry it all out in peace. She hadn't realised how much it was going to hurt to watch Harry drive away, and somewhere in the back of her mind she couldn't help feeling that he wouldn't ever come back.

Harry was having similar emotions as he drove along the road, his eyes not seeing the traffic in front of him. He thought that this was the closest he had ever been to crying since he'd lost Sirius, and he felt as if he had just ripped part of his chest away. So this was how it felt, he thought, giving a faint chuckle. Whoever it was that said love hurt, they sure knew what they were talking about.

Three weeks crawled by, and the only highlights for Ginny were the floo, and shell phone calls she received late every evening from Harry. He was always light-hearted and funny at first, but the more he spoke, the more serious he became, until she didn't want to end the call. A few times she had nearly told him she loved him, but she had caught herself in time. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him off by declaring undying love. It wasn't something he was ready to hear just yet, she thought, not when she considered the amount of women he had been associated with in the past. All of them had been beautiful...she sighed and looked down at herself. How on earth did she compare with even one of them?

Shaking off such morose thoughts, she finished the work she was doing and shut the computer down, rushing into the kitchen to start on dinner. It had become a routine of sorts, getting dinner, eating dinner then watching TV for about an hour before waiting for his call. She didn't know what she'd do if he didn't contact her. Luckily she didn't have to find out, because right on cue her shell phone rang when she was sitting down with Charlie and Rebecca, staring blankly at the screen and biting her nails. Ginny sprang out of her chair and rushed into the hallway, ignoring the laughter coming from behind her as she snatched the phone up.

"Hello?" she said breathlessly.

"Hey pumpkin," Harry said, his voice snaking through the floo network and wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

She gave a shiver and smiled. "Hey."

He chuckled at how dreamy her voice sounded. "Did you have a good day?"

"It was okay. You?"

"Not bad, all things considered. Hurt my leg some, but it isn't that painful," he said, laying back on his hotel bed and closing his eyes, picturing her.

Ginny frowned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's not too bad. One of the down sides of the job, but nothing I haven't gone through before," he said, smiling as he heard the concern in her voice. "If you were here, you could massage it for me, make me feel all better."

Ginny gave a small giggle at his deliberately sexy tone. "I wish I was there. I guess I'd just distract you too much though huh? You're easily led."

"Depends what you grab hold of to lead me somewhere, doesn't it?" he asked, chuckling again and then opening his eyes as a thought occurred to him. "I guess if I went and asked you to come on the road with me, you'd freak out?"

Ginny felt her breath stop and she put a hand to her throat. "I...I don't think I would," she said, feeling hope rise up in her chest. Then she squashed it down. He was only kidding about that, he wasn't serious. "You wouldn't ask me that though."

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked her, sitting back up, on his bed and frowning even more. She sounded upset.

"Because...well, it's just...it's probably easier for you if I'm not around. I mean..."

"Nothing is easier when you're not around, Firefly. In fact, everything is worse," he said, and he sounded deadly serious. "I want you with me."

"But..."

"No buts! I want you here with me, right now. I want to come back from my assignments and have you there to make me feel better," he said, warming to his theme now he had finally admitted to himself he didn't want to be without her. "And I want to make you feel better too. I want you to be happy, and I want to be happy...the only way I know of to make that happen is for you to come out here."

"But..."

"I said no buts," he said, smiling at how shocked her voice sounded. "Don't you want to be with me?"

Ginny smiled shakily. "You know I do, I...er...I miss you," she whispered, amending the confession she had almost blurted out.

"Merlin, I miss you too. So much! Tell me it wouldn't be impossible for you to join me on the road. I'd had this idea before. About you getting a position in the Agency when I saw what you'd done to Blackweed... I didn't act on it, but now I am," he said, aware that it sounded like an order and not giving a damn.

Ginny swallowed when she realised how serious he was. "It's not impossible, I guess, but I have work to do here...and..."

"And nothing," Harry cut in. "Get Charlie for me, I need to talk to him."

"But...Harry..."

"No buts, I said! It's about time you did as you were told, young lady!" he said, laughing when he heard her gasp at his arrogance. "Go get Charlie for me, right now!"

"Yes, sir!" she said, trying not to smile as she went off to get her brother. Charlie looked slightly confused when he first spoke into the phone, then his eyes narrowed and he looked at Ginny, smiling.

"And what am I supposed to do about all the paperwork while she's not here?" he asked.

"Do it your damn self, burn it...hire somebody else. I don't care," Harry said, sounding impatient. "But if you don't send her over here to me then I'll just come and get her!"

Charlie chuckled. "I guess I don't have much choice then, do I?"

"I guess you don't," Harry agreed, laughing along with him. "I'll take good care of her, and I'll bring her back when I get time off. Deal?"

"Deal," Charlie said, looking at Ginny who was biting her lip and staring up at him hopefully. "I think someone wants me to get off the phone, but she'll just have to wait. I want more details. How is she supposed to get there? And where the hell is 'there' anyway?"

"We arrived in Northumberland tonight, and we're here for a couple of days. Then we're moving on through London, something to do with Remus needing to get home for a while apparently. Eventually we'll make our way down to Liverpool, but it'll be a while because we're going through every town on the way there!"

"It sounds pretty exhausting," Charlie said, glancing at Ginny again. "How do I know this all won't be harmful?"

"I'll be fine," Harry said, and Charlie could swear he could hear him grinning.

"You know what I mean," he said.

"I know. It won't be exhausting for her, and I think she'll keep me sane."

"And the journey over there?"

"Already thought of that. I'll call Neville, he said he was coming out here. He can bring her with him, and make sure she's safe. Don't worry, Charlie, I won't let anything happen to her, not ever."

The sincerity in his voice made Charlie's mind up and he relaxed. "Alright then."

"Thank you, Zeus," Harry muttered. "Now sod off and let me speak to my ickle witch."

"Very polite," Charlie murmured, making Harry chuckle as he waited for Ginny to come back on the phone.

"What was all that about?" she asked as soon as she had hold of the receiver again.

"Just making arrangements, is all," Harry said, grinning as he stared up at the hotel room ceiling.

"Am I involved in these arrangements?" she asked, starting to get a fluttering of excitement in her stomach as she thought about going off to be with him. She hadn't imagined he'd ever want her there, but for him to have actually asked...it made her feel special.

"You certainly are, Gin," he murmured, looking at his watch. "Listen, I need to call Neville, then I'll call back and let you know what's happening, okay?"

"Okay."

"In the meantime, get upstairs and pack a bag," he told her, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and stretching.

"What, now? But..."

"There you go with that 'but' word again! Do as you're told!" he said, laughing as he pictured how her face must look at that moment.

"Oooh, you wait until I get hold of you Harry Potter, I'll..."

"You'll what? Go on, tell me what you'll do once you get hold of me, I dare you," he said, his voice deep and sexy.

Ginny smiled. "You really want to know? Okay then, I'll do nothing."

"Nothing?"

"That's right, nothing. That'll teach you for trying to order me about!"

"Oh I see, you think you can withhold your charms huh? You wait until you get here, I'll show you just how impossible it'll be to withhold anything from me," he threatened, making her giggle.

"You're very sure of yourself."

"Yes, I am," he replied, not bothering to elaborate. "Now, go pack a bag and I'll call you soon."

"Okay."

They said their goodbyes and Ginny rushed upstairs to do as he asked, too happy with the knowledge that she could soon be with him to question his orders.

Harry grinned as he flooed Neville, waiting impatiently until the other man eventually answered. "What took you so long?"

"Well, hello to you too, Potter," Neville drawled into the fireplace, chuckling. "To what do I owe this dubious honour?"

"I want you to bring Ginny out here to me," he said without preamble.

"I see. Now?"

"As soon as possible. Do you want me to floo the portkey office for you?" Harry asked, eager to get the whole thing underway.

"I'm quite sure I can manage, thanks," Neville said, shaking his head. "Missing her are you?"

His tone put Harry on the defensive. "No, I just thought that...she....hell, of course I'm missing her!"

Neville chuckled. "Good. Yes, I'll bring her, I was coming anyway, as you well know. I'll floo the portkey office and let you know when."

"Thanks mate, you're a good friend," Harry said, relieved.

"I know, I know," Neville returned, laughing as Harry's head disappeared from the fireplace.

Two hours later Ginny was still waiting for her shellphone to ring, and she was getting worried because she had been sure he would call her right back. What if he'd changed his mind? She didn't think he would, but it was a possibility, and one she didn't want to dwell on for too long.

The sound of the doorbell chiming made her jump and she walked down the hallway to open it, glancing at the phone and checking she'd closed it properly before she continued. She froze when she found Neville standing on the doorstep, a big grin on his face. "Hello sweetheart," he said.

"Neville? Harry said he was going to call you, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to get you and take you to Northumberland," he explained, his grin getting bigger.

"Now?" she asked him, shocked.

"Yep. The portkey office put a rush on the authorization and we can get the next one out. We should get there in the early hours. Odd time to go, I know, but I'm sure you won't mind that?"

Ginny smiled. "No, I won't mind. I'll just get my bag...and tell Charlie, and...oh, come in," she said, pulling him inside and then running off, leaving him to find Charlie for himself.

She rushed up to her room and grabbed her bag, her mind still in a whirl over the fact that Harry had asked her to travel with him. Surely that must mean he cared about her?

Minutes later she was hugging her brother and Rebecca goodbye and then being ushered outside by Neville so they could apparate to Vertic Alley. She couldn't remember being this excited in years, if ever. Neville chuckled. "It's only Northumberland."

"I know, but it's still exciting. And I've never been to Northumberland before, anyway," she said, unable to keep the smile off her face.

Neville gave her a sidelong glance and grinned. "I don't think you're going to be doing any sightseeing, somehow," he murmured.

Ginny thought about that and then nodded. "No, I guess I won't. I mean, they're only there for a couple of days and I suppose I'll be at the headquarters with Harry, won't I?"

"That's not what I meant," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "If I was the one who'd called you out there, I wouldn't be letting you out of my bedroom."

Ginny blushed. "Oh," she mumbled, knowing he was probably right. Not that she wanted to be anywhere else but with Harry. She smiled again, her happiness shining in her eyes.

"Yeah 'oh'," he said, chuckling again.

"Harry didn't floo me...and I didn't think to call him in all the excitement. Do you think I should call him now?"

"No need, he knows where you are and what time the portkey lands."

"Oh. Will he be there?"

Neville shook his head. "I doubt it, honey. He'll be fast asleep, and Merlin knows he'll probably need the rest after his latest assignments. He's been working hard."

"He has?"

"Yeah. He's had some time off and he wants to make up for it, plus the harder he works the more likely it is that Remus will grant him some more time to be with you," he said, arching an eyebrow at her.

"He's...he's working hard, for me?"

"Yeah, not that he'd admit that. I think he's got a case on you, honey."

Ginny shook her head. "I doubt it."

"Why?" Neville asked, glancing at her before wrapping his arms around her. "You love him, that's obvious. It's just as obvious to me how he feels about you." They disappeared with a small pop and re-appeared seconds later at the end of the Alley behind the Portkey office in Chudley.

"He doesn't love me though."

"Doesn't he?" Neville asked, raising one eyebrow. "Don't be so sure, sweetheart. Well, nearly there," he murmured, taking the sign posted and turned down the street toward the portkey office. "Still excited?"

Ginny smiled, glancing around at the muggles still milling about at the late hour. "Yeah, I am. I miss him," she admitted, shrugging.

Neville chuckled. "Well, of course you miss him, you love him."

Ginny stared at him as he took her hand and led her up the steps to the portkey office. "How is it you're always so sure about things?"

"You mean, how come I'm always right?" he asked, grinning as he opened the door. "I'm a seer, didn't you know?"

"You are not!"

"Well...no. Okay, let's just say I know stuff, and leave it at that," he said, smirking when she glared. "Come on, let's get this journey underway!"

Ginny had no arguments with that and she happily took his arm as he escorted her towards the waiting room.

Several hours later she was fidgeting nervously as the portkey was about to carry them off, and Neville put a hand over hers to keep her fingers still on top of the rubber duck they would be using for a portkey. "Will you stop that, you're driving me mad!"

"Sorry," she murmured, smiling tiredly. "Is anyone picking us up, or are we apparating?"

"Apparating, no-one but Harry knows we're coming anyway."

"Okay," she replied, frowning as Neville looked at his watch and began the countdown. She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that he wouldn't be there to meet her, but then she thought about the possibility of waking him up and a big smile lit up her face. Neville finally reached one, and Ginny felt the familiar tug behind her navel, as the room began to spin and she was lifted off to finally be with Harry.

Neville chuckled as he caught Ginny before she could fall when they landed a few moments later. The huge smile on her face giving away everything. "Even after all that tedious journey, you're still excited?"

"Yep. Oooh, we're here, come on!" she said, tapping his pockets and eager to find his wand in the bustle of the area where they'd landed so they could apparate to the hotel.

"Patience," he told her, grinning and moving incredibly slowly to get his wand out of his inside breast pocket.

"Ginny?"

She heard someone call her name and a shiver worked it's way down her spine as she instantly recognised Harry's voice, and she swung around to face him, her mouth falling open when she did. He looked so different that she didn't know what to say for a moment and so she just stood there looking dumb.

Harry felt his chest swell as he looked at her, his eyes softening as he took his fill after not having seen her for weeks. He didn't know how he had ever thought her plain or dull, she was beautiful. Closing the distance between them he reached one hand out and cupped her face, smiling down at her shocked eyes.

"Are you okay, pumpkin?"

At the sound of that deep voice calling her his pet name again she burst into tears and he immediately picked her up and cuddled her, resting his face on her shoulder as he closed his eyes. A chuckle made his chest rumble and she sniffed, trying to calm herself down.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"It's okay, love," he whispered, drawing back so he could see her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," she admitted, still not looking at him, and he frowned.

"What's wrong, Firefly?"

She finally raised her eyes to his and then they filled with tears again. "Where did all your hair go? And your beard?" she wailed, dropping her face back down on his shoulder as her own shoulders shook.

Harry was stunned for a second, then he started laughing and had a real problem stopping. "That's why you're crying?" he asked her, still chuckling. "I had to cut it sometime, you know. It doesn't look very professional to have it long like that."

"Oh, but it looked so sexy and I...I loved your hair," she mumbled into his shoulder and he smiled.

"Maybe I'll grow it back for you then, how's that?"

She drew her face out of hiding and really looked at him. "You'd do that for me?"

"Sure I would. Anything you wanted, you know that."

Ginny took a shaky breath and looked at his hair again, studying it curiously. It was cut very short, but it looked sort of nice, and it was still him. "It's not so bad," she said softly, reaching out and stroking her fingers over it. "Why so short though?"

"Easier to take care of," he explained again and then smiled, "and I got bored," he said, shrugging his muscular shoulders.

"I remember you talking about that," she murmured, frowning. "I liked it better when I had something to grab on to," she said, looking into his eyes. "But this is okay."

"So I don't have to grow it back for you now?" he asked her, cocking his head to one side as he looked at her flushed face.

She shook her head. "No."

"And you like it?"

"I guess," she said reluctantly, still unable to get used to how different he looked.

"Well, good. Now do I get a kiss, or what?" he asked her, grinning. "I haven't been able to touch you for ages, and I need a kiss."

"Okay," she said softly, smiling as she put her arms around his neck and leaned in to plant a tiny kiss on his firm lips.

He frowned. "Is that it?"

"You wanted more?"

"Bloody hell yeah, I want more," he growled, covering her mouth with his own and parting her lips for his exploration, revelling in the taste and texture of her again. The sound of Neville clearing his throat made him draw back reluctantly.

"Excuse me children, but we appear to be drawing a small crowd," Neville pointed out, making Harry look around and see a small group of people looking at them.

"I guess we'd better get to the hotel," he said, grinning at Ginny and lowering her to her feet before picking her bag up and then taking her hand. He rushed her out of the Northumberland portkey office and into the street hoping they could get back to his room quickly, because otherwise Neville was going to get a show right here in the open. His eyes closed with contentment as he folded his arms around her, Ginny pulled tightly against him before flicking his wand. Now he had her back with him, he felt complete, like the missing piece of the jigsaw had just been slotted into place. He wondered if he was going to be able to let her go again.