Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Five: Sneaking Around

Chapter 5: Sneaking Around

Finally, just after midnight, Harry was listening to Ron's steady snores. Wearing only a Weird Sister's t-shirt and boxers, Harry crept out of his cot. Every step over the wooden floor caused a loud creaking noise that he swore echoed throughout the quiet house.

He decided not to knock. If she was asleep, he'd just go back up to Ron's room.

"Hey, I thought you might have fallen asleep," Ginny whispered.

"No, Ron was going on and on about the Chudley Cannons. I thought he'd never fall asleep." Ginny laughed quietly as Harry slipped into her bed. It was hot under her covers. There was enough moonlight coming in through her window that he could see her outline, but not much else. Reaching forward, he felt that she was wearing something slippery, like silk.

She took his glasses off and, leaning over him, set them on her bedside stand.

"You're going to get sick of me," he worried aloud.

"Yep," she said simply, "Get out."

"We should really tell your parents that we're dating," Harry said. They each were lying with their heads resting on her single pillow, facing each other.

"And tell them what?" Ginny asked. She didn't seem opposed to the idea, only curious as to what Harry would say.

"I don't know. I don't like sneaking around," he said, "It feels like lying."

"Mum knows, and there's no point telling Dad," Ginny said, shrugging.

"She does?"

"Of course she does. She is the one that left a book open on my desk to the page that explains the Contraceptive Charm. You didn't think I figured that out all on my own, did you?"

"I didn't really think about it..."

"Yeah." Harry ran his hand down Ginny's hair. It was smooth, like the silk of her nightgown. He watched as her eyes flutter closed. "What would we tell them, anyway? 'By the way—Mum, Dad, Harry and I are shagging every time we're alone together. But only for the last couple of days.'"

"No," Harry said immediately. "I don't know."

"Well, I'd rather wait until I'm sure you're not going to go running around the countryside for a year without me again." She opened her eyes and looked intently into Harry's.

"The way you put that, it sounds like I was on holiday."

"You know what I mean."

"I didn't want to leave you behind, but I couldn't put you in harm's way either."

"You risked putting Hermione and Ron in harm's way." She hoisted herself up onto her elbow so she was above Harry. Harry did the same so they were face to face once more.

"They knew what they were signing up for."

"I would have too... look, it's a moot point. I still had the trace on me. It's over now. I don't want to argue with you."

"But don't you understand? I didn't... you..." Harry slid back out of bed and stood at her bedside.

"Let's just say it was because I still had the trace, alright? I don't want to fight with you about it."

Harry realized that they had never once fought. This would be the first time. It made him nervous, but he couldn't help it.

"It was because I had to keep you safe. You were—you are..."

Ginny sat up. "Harry—" she said in a warning tone.

"You're everything that I wanted. You were what I was living for, if I lived. I just... I couldn't..."