𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine: To Be Scared

Nothing changed over the next few weeks. Malfoy was still trapped in his nightmares. Hermione, Ron and Harry were busy trying to figure out what happened to the locket. The professors were working hard on getting Hogwarts sorted out for the return of the students (which was just around the corner). The trio was studying with Remus and a few Aurors when they weren't tracking down lost Horcruxes. Remus was trying to inconspicuously keep tabs on Snape. Tonks' morning (rather, morning, midday, night and everything in between) sickness was the easiest way of broadcasting her pregnancy, it seemed. Harry and Malfoy were getting closer. Ginny was slipping further, despite her attempts to gain Harry's attention (though the other's thought she was going after his testosterone's attention with how she was suddenly acting). Bill and Fleur had decided on finally going through with the wedding and that was only a few hours away. And they were getting nowhere with a cure for Malfoy.

Harry was making his way to the library after returning from a lesson with Shacklebolt, which conveniently ended with him getting his permit to Apparate, when Ginny ambushed him with another plot to get back together.

"I didn't see you at dinner," Ginny said smoothly, sidling up beside Harry without a greeting.

"I wasn't there," Harry replied calmly.

Ginny was in a pair of Muggle jeans that Harry had once complimented before. And he was right to do so. They clung in all the right places, showing off her curves and she knew exactly how to work them. She also wore a full v-neck sweater with a spaghetti-strap tee to stop it from being scandalous. Her hair flowed freely, just the way Harry liked it.

So it took only one glance at her for Harry to realise what was going on and he very nearly groaned in frustration.

"Where were you? Or is it something I'm not allowed to know about?"

Harry had never known that such an innocent question could have such a flirty intention. It came out with her voice and the smile she wore.

"I was with Shacklebolt, getting my Apparating licence."

Her bright smile got wider. "Congratulations!" Harry held back the flinch he knew was deep inside him when her hand landed on his inner arm. She left it there while they kept walking. "Anyway, I was thinking…"

"The last time you 'thought', we ended up having a fight, Ginny."

A single step in her stride faltered. "I'm-I'm just saying, Harry, that everyone around us is finding love. Why are we so different?"

The sigh couldn't be suppressed. "We've talked about this so many times," Harry argued. "It's not safe for either of us to be together and I've got so much at the moment that it's not fair on you…"

"And I've told you that I don't care about that. I want to be with you and I know that you still love me." She stopped and forced Harry to stop with her. When his feet were still, she turned him to face her. "We're perfect for each other. This is how it's meant to be."

Harry shook his head. "Ginny, the more you push this, the more I hate it. It's not going to happen any time soon, certainly not before Voldemort's gone for good. Maybe if the spark's still there after everything's done, we can work on something. For now, it's just not possible."

Ginny's face fell completely and she reached out with one hand to trail down Harry's chest. She stepped right up into his personal space-his personal bubble that he's always been so protective of-and pressed herself as close to him as possible.

"I know you're doing this so others will be safe and happy, but being with you right now would make me happier," she breathed, speaking lowly. She moved a hand up Harry's side and the other down his front, straight to his belt, which she tugged on. "I can provide you with love and comfort and even relieve you from the stress you must be feeling…"