Lily's Charm: The Gift

1996

"He's really beginning to irritate me," Harry muttered as he circled above Ron's head. Ron was scowling just as much.

"He's almost seven years older than she is!" he said indignantly. August was spending a lot of time near Ginny, not paying much attention to the game. Not that his performance seemed to be suffering for it--he caught the Quaffle every time it was tossed his way, and he had already put it through the hoop more times than either Ron or Oliver, who were both playing on Harry's team.

While Harry continued to fly, Ron dove back into the thick of the game. August was Ginny's shadow, just as he had been for most of the game. He leaned over from where he was straddling his broom and said something to her. Harry scowled; he narrowed his eyes as he waited for Ginny to respond.

Ginny frowned. She glanced at Harry and said something to August--her eyebrows were scrunched together, indicating her irritation. Her frown intensified as August shrugged. Harry, feeling a sudden and all-consuming urge to smash his fist into August's face, found himself heading toward August and Ginny--just in case...

Again, Ginny's lips moved and Harry wished he could hear what she was saying. Especially when August's mouth fell open, and his head whipped around to stare, wide-eyed, at Harry. Ginny turned her broom sharply away from August, moving to intercept a nearby Bludger.

August was still staring at Harry as Harry moved within range; August looked comically horrified.

Ginny took that moment to send the raging Bludger at August's head. His eyes grew enormous as he turned back to where Ginny had just been, and found the red ball sailing toward him instead. He jerked his broom handle. He wasn't fast enough; the Bludger smacked him in the arm, and his captured Quaffle flew from his hand. Ron, who had been flying suspiciously close to his sister and August, seized the lost ball and lobbed it--right through the other teams' hoop.

Ron's whoop of triumph quickly turned into a groan as Ginny and Harry shared a quick congratulatory kiss. "Oi! Leave off, you two," he shouted as he swerved back toward them, but the couple had already parted lips before the words had even left Ron's mouth.

"What did you say to him?" Harry asked Ginny through his grin.

"I told him I was your girlfriend, and when that didn't seem to make a difference, I told him I'm fifteen," Ginny said with a laugh. Harry felt a wave of relief he hadn't realized he'd been wishing for, at Ginny's rejection of the blond Chaser.

And then Harry saw a glint of sunlight on metal out of the corner of his eye. He dove toward it, moving to the left as he careened downward. He felt the familiar rush of air as the Canons' Seeker, Elliott, matched his pace.

Harry told himself that this was no different than the times he'd raced Malfoy for the little ball. But everything was different about this race. His opponent this time, moved with a finely-honed finesse. With an ease that Malfoy could only dream of--and one which Harry envied, even though he knew he was better at least than Malfoy.

But even though Elliott's flying technique was better, Harry was the one guiding the chase. Elliott was moving with him, matching each of Harry's spurts and angles. And Harry finally stopped paying attention to what the professional Seeker was doing beside him and gave himself up to his instincts. Adrenaline guided him onward, faster and faster, until Harry's fingers closed around the little golden ball--almost before he was aware he was so close.

Harry felt, more than heard, the cheer that rose up above him. And then realizing the ground was awfully close, Harry pulled up abruptly and soared back toward the sky, the captured Snitch held high above his head. Hermione and Remus were cheering as he got close to where they were sitting. Harry grinned as he caught his father's eye. Severus was smiling, rather broadly for him.

Well done, the flames congratulated.

"Thanks!" Harry called, and Harry couldn't have mistaken the pride in his father's eyes if he'd tried.

--

"So...you didn't mind?" Ginny asked with a teasing smile as she pushed against Harry's chest with her palms until his back was barely brushing against the wall outside the changing rooms. His chest was heaving with exertion. He caught a stray bead of sweat with the pads of his fingers before it careened into his eye.

"Mind what?" The words came out huskier than he had meant, but only, he told himself, because he'd just out-flown a professional Quidditch player--no easy feat. Ginny grinned up at him.

"Auggie, you goon," she said as she rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

Harry made a face at the moniker. "Auggie," he repeated with a disgusted shake of his head. What a twit the blond Chaser was! He shrugged. "I couldn't very well say no."

"Of course you could have, Harry," Ginny chided him as she pressed her fingers a little more firmly into his chest. "I am your girlfriend, you know. You're allowed to mind if another man offers me his arm."

Harry scowled at that--off toward the pitch actually. "Man," he muttered, almost under his breath. Ginny's eyes sparkled as she laughed.

"Well, he is at least seven years older than me."

"I know," Harry said, still scowling into the distance. He trained his frown on Ginny then. "And why didn't you say something, then?" he demanded. "You weren't protesting, I noticed."

"He was just being a gentleman," she said, her brown eyes still dancing merrily.

"Oh, he was not," Harry retorted. "He was practically drooling all over you." He narrowed his eyes. "He was touching you!"

Ginny pressed her lips together and Harry had a suspicion she was trying very hard not to laugh at him. "He was helping me out of my cloak!" she finally protested.

"Yeah, well," Harry grumbled as he shoved his damp fringe impatiently out of his eyes. "No other bloke should be helping you with your cloak. That's my job."

Ginny's eyebrows peaked. "Is it?"

Harry shrugged, thinking maybe he should have been embarrassed by the possessiveness of the statement, but he wasn't. "Well, you know...unless you want to do it yourself." Just in case Ginny minded...

But Ginny smiled again. "I could do it myself," she said slowly, glancing down at her cloak-strewn arm. She hefted the material experimentally.

Harry's eyes strayed to Ginny's arm as well. Confused, Harry looked back down at her face, wondering why she didn't just put the cloak over her shoulders. She was watching him expectantly.

The invitation finally catching up with him, Harry smiled. He gently peeled the heavy cloak from her arm. He grinned as Ginny's smile grew. Had she been a girl like Cho, Harry felt sure she would have giggled. He was glad she didn't.

Ginny kept her gaze on Harry's face as he carefully shifted the black fabric over her shoulders, and then used the sides of his thumbs to smooth the fabric into place. Ginny's eyes were much more serious now.

Feeling suddenly very warm, Harry pulled the edges of the fabric together, and as he did, his fingers brushed against Ginny's collarbones. His thumbs came to rest in the mesmerizing hollow at the bottom of her throat. A flush stole across Ginny's cheeks, and without thinking about it, Harry leaned in and kissed her.

Her lips were fierce on his, though they felt just as soft and delicate as they always did. Harry brought his hands up to cradle her face so that he could tilt her lips at a better angle. Her tongue pressed forward as soon as Harry pulled her closer, and Harry obliged her request. Their tongues danced together, and Harry found his hands tangled in her hair as he tried to keep them occupied.

He almost gasped as her icy hands made contact with his stomach. A laugh bubbled out between their kiss. Harry pulled his head back. Ginny, flushed a beautiful apple-red, was grinning in delight.

"Think that's funny?" he asked, his voice low and deeper than usual--almost a growl. And not giving her a chance to answer, Harry slid his own frozen fingers under Ginny's jumper and grabbed her waist. She did gasp. Harry laughed and pulled her closer.

"C-cold..." she chattered accusingly, but she made no move to get away. Harry's heart began to beat faster as she leaned her body into his. Her breasts were pressed into his chest, just as they had been that night in the tower--

Ginny's hands ventured toward Harry's chest as she stretched up to take his lips again.

As he tried to concentrate on breathing, Harry's fingers tentatively spidered upward. It was odd, Harry marveled, that the terrain was so familiar, even though he'd only touched Ginny once before this way. Her skin was so soft...so smooth. Heat coursed through his body as his thumbs came to rest just underneath her bra. He knew her breasts were there, even though he wasn't touching them, not even brushing against them as he had before.

He wanted to touch her. He felt like he had to, or else he would explode.

But remembering his father's words in Grimmauld Place, and again only last night, Harry tore his mouth from Ginny's. This wasn't the place.

He stared down at her, his breaths sending out heavy puffs of white mist. Ginny's lips were slightly parted and even redder than her cheeks--almost crimson, and her little puffs of air were coming much faster than his.

She truly was beautiful.

He couldn't help himself. He bent his head to her again, and kissed her once more, his lips lingering until he needed air. And when he pulled back, Ginny was staring at him, looking a bit dazed.

"You're beautiful," he breathed, unable to help that either. Ginny smiled. She brought her hand up and traced Harry's chin again, and then she brushed her fingers slowly through his hair, before stroking down his cheek; Harry felt his pulse quicken again.

"You look...so different, Harry," she told him softly. "But the same as well. You look older," she decided. She used her lips to trace the path her fingers had just taken. Harry had to force himself not to let his hands move any higher. He kissed her once more. It was a slower kiss, but somehow much more satisfying.

"Come on," he said as he let his hands trail slowly down to her waist again. "We better get back before they come looking for us."

Harry was ridiculously pleased when Ginny's fingers left his skin just as slowly as his had. She seemed very reluctant to end their stolen moment, but she nodded. "You're a tease, you know," she complained as she fastened her cloak's clasp. She was smiling though and Harry had an irrational urge to cheer.

She wanted him to touch her! She hadn't wanted him to stop! But cheering that, while standing in a Quidditch Pitch full of both their family and friends, not to mention a bunch of strangers, didn't seem the best course.

"We have a date in Hogsmeade soon," he reminded her. She brightened at that. "I'm certain we can find something to do while we're there."

Her fingers stilled their combing motions through her hair. She wrinkled her nose at him, which made him smile. She had a very pretty nose. "That's all you want me for, Harry? A good snog?"

He kissed her very pretty nose.

"A very good snog," he corrected. Ginny gave his shoulder a playful shove as he leaned in to give her another kiss. "All right then," he conceded with what he hoped was a long-suffering sigh. "I suppose I'll take you to lunch as well. Maybe browse a shop or two."

"Oh, very nice, Harry," she said, failing spectacularly to make a face at him. "Will you require your snog before or after I dine with you?"

Harry pretended to think about it. "Ooof!" he grunted as Ginny elbowed him in the stomach. "All right, all right," he said, throwing his hands into the air. He smiled slowly. "After."

Ginny burst out laughing, the mirth dissolving the stern look she was trying to give him. She grabbed his hand, and their fingers tangled together effortlessly. Harry tugged her closer to his side and they walked without air between them, to where the others were waiting for them.

Ron had not even taken note of their absence; he was so intent on the Canons. Hermione was by his side, looking slightly bored. Remus was chatting with one of the Beaters, and Severus was watching the space where Harry and Ginny had just emerged from.

He was frowning.

Harry's gut swooped nervously as they moved closer, but their sudden reappearance lightened his father's façade.

"He was about to come look for us, wasn't he?" Ginny whispered.

"Probably," Harry murmured back. Remus smiled at him as they joined the group. Even August--the pretentious git--was smiling at them. And not specifically at Ginny, Harry noted with satisfaction.

"We're going to have a bit of a cool down," Oliver told them as they reached the group. "Rest up a bit before the match."

"We'll see you there?" the captain, a burly fellow named Styles, asked. Harry nodded.

"Wouldn't miss it," he said sincerely, and even though August would be a part of the team he'd be cheering for, Harry meant it. "Thanks for inviting me," he said, remembering it would be rude not to, though he made sure to address his gratitude to Oliver. "I'd forgotten how much I love playing." It had been too long, and he found he was quite looking forward to resuming practices with the Gryffindor team when they got back to Hogwarts.

"You're always welcome here, Harry," Styles said, reaching out a hand. Harry took it, and the captain shook it heartily. "And do think about playing for us," he added. "We could use someone with your talent."

Harry nodded again. "Thanks." Someone with your talent, he had said...as if anyone would have done. Well, nobody else would probably have been very flattered by that, but Harry was. He waved to Oliver as the team retreated to the changing rooms.

"Congratulations, Harry," Remus said. Harry smiled at his friend. "That was quite an impressive performance."

"Thanks." Harry tried not to let his guilt or nervousness show as he asked casually, "Did Sirius leave yet?"

Remus' eyes were shadowed as he answered with a nod.

"Did you not get to say goodbye?" Harry asked, wondering why Remus looked so sad.

"I took him to the Ministry," Remus answered, and the shadows receded a bit.

"Oh." Harry pulled Ginny closer to his side. "How--how was he?"

Remus shrugged, still looking more than a little unhappy--perhaps at the memory. "He wasn't in very good spirits," he answered honestly.

Harry nodded sharply. "Because of me."

"I think he was hoping to see you before he left, even though he knew he wouldn't."Remus sighed. "But no, not because of you. Sirius wanted to try to make things right with you before he left."

Harry couldn't pull Ginny close enough to make the pain go away; he wondered how much Sirius had told Remus about their last words. "I'm going to write to him. Maybe that-"

Remus was shaking his head. "He'll be in a secured location for weeks. A place which owls can't penetrate."

Harry was momentarily distracted from the disappointment of that news when he realized just how much his rift with Tonks must be affecting Remus--there was no other reason, that Harry could think of, for Remus to sound so depressed.

--

"They should have put Harry in the game," Ron groaned quietly to Hermione after the Canons, minus August and Oliver, had trudged dejectedly into their changing room, several hours later. The match against Puddlemere United had been exciting, even with the Canons' spectacular defeat.

"Wish we could have turned out a better performance for you, Harry," Oliver was saying; he apparently hadn't heard Ron's comment.

"We had a wonderful time, Oliver," Ginny assured him, her hand wrapped firmly in Harry's.

"We did," Harry agreed. Oliver shrugged and smiled a little.

"Well...I'm glad you did. You'll consider everything we talked about, I hope?" he asked. He gestured around the slowly emptying stadium. "It's really something, Harry. Doing this all the time."

"It's a long way off," Harry said noncommittally, though Harry could admit to himself that the idea did appeal to him. Oliver nodded, his disappointment clear.

"It's not so long," August spoke up. Harry found it hard not to glare at him. The fact seemed to register in August's eyes. He gave Harry a rueful smile. "You've got yourself a lovely girl, Harry."

Ginny stiffened beside Harry, and Harry could feel her drawing herself to her full diminutive height. "Harry doesn't have me, August," she said icily. "And," she added archly, her fingers winding even more tightly around Harry's, "it didn't seem to matter to you a few hours ago that Harry's my boyfriend."

August shrugged, his teeth flashing as he smiled at her. "It's Auggie," he reminded her, ignoring the rest of her retort. Ginny's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was calculating just how much the two adults would object if she were to turn her best Bat Bogey Hex on him; Harry was hard-pressed not to grin.

"You're a pig," Ginny told him instead, and Harry almost laughed. August grinned even more blindingly. And then he turned to Harry and stuck out a hand.

"No hard feelings, Harry?"

Both Ron and Ginny looked affronted at that, and even Remus' eyes showed his surprise. Before Harry could decide how immature it would be to refuse the conciliatory handshake, Severus said evenly, "I believe, Mr. August, that an apology might be more appropriate."

August glanced quickly over at his former Head of House. Spots of color appeared just below August's finely etched cheekbones. August's features transformed; his posture became more respectful somehow. "You're right, sir," he said immediately. He offered Severus an apologetic smile, to which Severus simply glanced pointedly at Harry. August turned to Harry, his arm still extended. "I do apologize, Harry." His gaze swept over to include Ginny. "To you as well. I can be a bit conceited, I suppose," he explained with a shrug.

Ron snorted. "You don't say," he said sarcastically. Ginny grinned at her brother; Harry couldn't resist a smile either. August shrugged, his smile more self-conscious this time. Harry took pity on him and clasped his hand.

"No hard feelings," he agreed. He wanted to add something along the lines of, 'As long as you never go near Ginny again," but decided Ginny wouldn't appreciate the sentiment--nor the machismo required to carry if off. August seemed to understand though.

He grinned, and clapped Harry on the shoulder. He leaned in a bit. "Understood, mate," he said quietly. Then he surprised Harry into silence when he murmured, "I owe Professor Snape a great deal; he's one of the bravest men I've ever met. You'll take care of him, won't you?" He held Harry's eyes for a protracted moment, during which Harry could only nod. August squeezed his hand as if to acknowledge a pact between them, before he let his hand drop.

"We'd better get into the changing room. Styles'll want to yell at us, I suppose," Oliver said, looking as if he was about to face one of Filch's marathon detentions. Ron seemed to find the statement hilarious, and had Harry not been so stupefied by August's quiet proclamation, he probably would have laughed as well.

"Right," August agreed. He turned back to Severus. "It was good to see you again, sir," he said.

Severus hesitated as he glanced at his son, and Harry smiled at his indecision in returning the statement. "I am gratified that you have continued on your chosen path," he said carefully.

"It was good to see you again, Harry...all of you," Oliver said, and then waved impatiently toward August. August waved cheerfully to all of them and then followed Oliver off the pitch.

"I can be a bit conceited," Ron mocked in a high, nasal voice once they were alone. Hermione shushed him as she smiled. Ginny grinned at him again.

"And a pig," Harry added, with a grin for Ginny. Ginny laughed.

"And he's so cheerful about it," she said as she made a face.

Remus cleared his throat. "I promised Professor McGonagall I'd have the three of you back before dinner."

Ron and Ginny groaned at that, but Hermione nodded. "He did," she told them prosaically. "And we all have homework to do." She gave Harry a hug before any more protests could be aired. "You're looking so much better, Harry," she said happily. Harry hugged her back, not minding her comment in the least. He was feeling so much better. Hermione thanked Severus for inviting them. Ginny and Ron, who somehow managed not to stammer, echoed the sentiment.

Remus took a chipped teacup from one of his pockets. Ron and Hermione each placed a forefinger on it. Ginny turned to Harry. Harry hugged her tightly to him. He kissed her quickly, keenly aware of the four pairs of eyes on them. Ginny squeezed his fingers once more before pulling away and touching the cup.

"Bye Harry," three voices chorused and then with a slight sucking sound, Harry's friends disappeared.

Harry adjusted his cloak around his body as the wind licked at him. Severus cast a Tempus Charm. "It will take a few minutes for Lupin to return, I should think," he said. Harry nodded.

"Thanks for inviting him to come to dinner with us."

"He seemed to be in need of company," Severus said simply.

"Did he say anything about Tonks?" Harry asked, shivering a little. The temperature was decreasing rapidly.

Severus cast a Warming Charm over both of them before answering, "We had very little time to talk. Ms. Granger was very interested in the particulars of the Veil's effects on you."

That made Harry smile.

"Lupin and I spent the remainder of the time, watching you in case you decided to answer Mr. August's challenge," Severus added, a slight frown on his face. Harry's smile disappeared. He couldn't stop the flush of embarrassment that spread across his face. Severus' lip quirked in amusement. "I could feel your discontent easily, even from that distance."

"I wouldn't have done anything," Harry told him indignantly. Severus' eyebrow rose, and Harry couldn't really argue with the doubt. He really wasn't so sure. If August had pushed enough... "August said he owed you a great debt," Harry said, as the Chaser's comments came rushing back to the forefront of his mind. "And he asked me to take care of you."

Severus looked startled. "Did he?"

Harry nodded. "He was in Slytherin, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was." Severus' face had paled a little bit.

"I'm sorry," Harry said quickly, "I shouldn't have-"

But Severus silenced him with a shake of his head. "It is not a secret. His family was attacked by Death Eaters--only days before Voldemort...left you with that scar." Severus' eyes closed briefly, but opened them again before he continued, "He and his grandfather were one of the few survivors. His parents and brother were tortured and killed."

"I was with the group of Death Eaters that raided the village. I was able leave and bring other members of the order back with me, but by then it was too late for most of the villagers."

Harry didn't think he'd be able to speak through the sick in his throat, so he didn't even try.

"Mr. August was a child at the time. I concealed him and his grandfather under a Disillusionment Charm. I tended him after Voldemort left--they had both been badly tortured. He didn't know I was one of the Death Eaters, but somehow he knew it was me that had saved him. He told Albus that he recognized my voice."

"I'm sorry," Harry said hoarsely.

"There is no reason to be sorry, Harry," Severus said gently. He put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "I do not regret it. There were others who were allowed to live, in the same way--in other raids. They would have died had I not been there."

Harry gazed at his father, August's words penetrating deep within his chest. "August was right when he said you're the bravest man he's ever known."

Severus almost smiled. "I wasn't brave. I was simply there."

But Harry shook his head. "You were there to protect Mum and me. You didn't have to protect anyone else."

"I wouldn't have been able to face either you or your mother if I had not."

Harry understood. He nodded. "I'm sure Mum was very proud of you." Harry smiled as he managed to surprise his father for the second time. And Harry thought it was a very good thing that Remus' Portkey deposited him just then. Harry didn't think his father would have been able to find a response.

Remus looked between them. "Am I interrupting?" he asked worriedly. Harry shook his head.

"We were just discussing August."

"Ah," Remus said with a smile. "Quite a self-confident young man." He looked to Severus. "He was in your House, wasn't he?"

"Yes," Severus answered; for all outward appearances, recovered from his conversation with Harry. "Are you both ready?" he asked, changing the subject.

Harry nodded eagerly. Severus withdrew a quill from his pocket. Remus and Harry extended their hands, and in the next moment they were whisked away to the final destination on Severus' holiday itinerary.