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“I can't believe we're doing this,” Harry whispered tugging his dressing gown more securely around him.
“Come on, Harry. You can't tell me you haven't been longing for some us time. I swear Hermione would have me living like a nun until exams are over,” Ginny replied just as quietly.
Harry could almost hear her eyes roll as they made their way through the deserted corridor. He had to stifle his laughter. He was unwilling to allow them to be caught wandering the halls so late. Their time together was severely limited already with his weekly detentions on top of everything else.
“You're right. I feel like we've barely seen each other all week,” Harry sighed. “Are you sure you're comfortable with this? We could still go to the Room of Requirement and do something else.”
“Of course, I am. I suggested it, didn't I?” Ginny groaned. “Besides, it's not like we haven't seen each other in our swimming costumes before.”
“I know. I had to check,” Harry said reassuringly. “A bath together is a bit different than swimming in the pond with Ron and Hermione. Even in our swimming costumes.”
Ginny flushed prettily and fingered the belt of her dressing gown. “It is. But I think it'll be nice just the two of us. We could use a break, don't you think? Ron barely leaves us alone for a minute.”
Harry nodded, “We really could. Someone's approaching. We can talk some more in the bath.”
Ginny winked at him and made sure the invisibility cloak was secure around them as he stowed the Marauder's map. The couple made their way through the corridors stealthily. Minutes after their whispered conversation, they ghosted past Professor McGonagall, who was deep in conversation with Nearly Headless Nick. From the brief snatch of conversation they heard, they were discussing the muggle writer Geoffrey Chaucer, who Nick claimed to have known in life.
Within minutes Harry and Ginny were whispering the password to the prefect's bathroom. It was thankfully deserted. The couple slipped out from underneath the invisibility cloak and pulled their wands. Working quickly, they set up several spells and wards to ensure their privacy and give themselves plenty of warning if someone was coming. Ginny shrewdly produced a spell to keep Moaning Myrtle from spying on them. With their spell work completed, they approached the large bath.
“Each of the faucets has its own scent,” Harry explained. “The only other time I was here I used them all at once.”
Ginny laughed, “No wonder Mrs. Norris smelled you. All of them mixed sounds like a bit of a headache. How about we try some and pick one we both like?”
Harry smiled at her mirth and agreed readily. Over the next several minutes, they turned each of the faucets on and compared notes on the smell. They were delighted to find that their tastes matched quite well. And as a result, they quickly chose a tap that reminded them of the wildflowers that grew near the Burrow.
As the bath began to fill, Harry and Ginny retreated. While Harry placed towels by the edge of the bath, Ginny produced a bottle of shampoo. Realizing they had nothing left to prepare, they began shyly playing with the belts of their dressing gowns while shooting each other furtive and obviously nervous looks.
“Oh sod this,” Ginny muttered – frustration overcoming her shyness. She met Harry with a blazing look reminiscent of their first kiss and asked, “Do you trust me?”
“Of course,” Harry said immediately. He truly trusted her without hesitation regardless of the occasion.
Ginny smiled mischievously as she approached Harry, who felt himself shiver at the intensity of her expression. She whispered, “Follow my lead.”
Before Harry could think, let alone respond, Ginny kissed him. The kiss was just as all-encompassing as their first. The room around them seemed to disappear. His troubles and worries vanished as his world shrank to the young woman in front of him for whom he had fallen so hard.
Harry felt Ginny undo his dressing gown and moved to do the same with hers – understanding dawning slowly despite his distraction. And indeed, the distraction was the whole point as they slid the dressing gowns off of each other's shoulders leaving them in their swimming costumes with not so much as a hesitation or blush.
The awkward feeling hanging over them had shattered. They stepped apart and smiled comfortingly at each other. Harry felt flush as he felt Ginny's eyes roving over him. While he was wearing the same green board shorts as he had the previous summer, Ginny's expression was almost hungry – as if she were finally allowing herself to look and embrace her attraction to Harry after suppressing it for years.
Harry felt his heart skip a beat as he admired Ginny. He loved the way her fiery red hair fell on and below her freckled shoulders. And that one-piece... was certainly not the rather plain costume she had worn over the summer. Light blue with thin royal purple stripes, the costume was cut high on Ginny's pale well-muscled legs and bared the delicate curve of her hips. The top of the piece was carefully tied at the back of Ginny's neck leaving her back and much of her sternum exposed.
Ginny winked at him. She twisted in a playful in both directions to show off the costume. As she did, she raised her clasped hands over her head as if stretching before letting them drop to her side – better to show off her lithe form. She gave him a suggestive look throughout the display.
The whole visage caused Harry's mouth to go deathly dry. She asked, “What do you think, Harry? I did some shopping with Tonks during the summer and wanted to save this for a special occasion. She said the style was all the rage in America right now because of some moving picture show about a bay or something like that.”
“You look incredible, Gin. I'm glad you think I'm special enough of an occasion,” Harry said earnestly while desperately fighting to keep calm.
Ginny flushed down to her freckled chest but held his gaze, “Of course, you are, Harry. I wanted to make our first bath together special too.”
Harry felt himself melt a little, “It's already special because it's with you. But I certainly won't complain if you want to show off just how gorgeous you are.”
“Flatter. You know talking like that will get you everywhere with me,” Ginny said with a wink. She took his hand and led him towards the bath, “Let's get in. The stone floor is far too cold to just stand around.”
After the growing chill, the warmth of the bath set them at ease. Now that they were in the water old habits from the summer seemed to kick in with new variations due to their romantic coupling. They chased each other through the water trading swift kisses and touches. They laughed and splashed. Flirted and floated. Told stories and dived.
As they began to tire, they curled up together on a submerged bench seat and let the water and bubbles wash over them. The heat of the water and the comfortable embrace drained the stress from them leaving them unburdened for the first time in a long time. Neither felt the need to talk as they sat and enjoyed each other's presence.
After about a quarter of an hour, Ginny shifted and pressed a kiss to Harry's shoulder. Harry smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead. This caused Ginny to giggle at the sweetness of the kiss. Harry was slightly surprised when she reached behind them and picked up her shampoo.
“Harry, do you want to wash my hair?” Ginny asked tentatively.
“I'll take any excuse to play with your hair, Gin. You know that.” Harry gave her a reassuring smile. “Er... is it any different than how I'd wash mine?”
Ginny stuck her tongue out at him, “It's polite to ask, you know. Just focus on the top half, okay?”
“Got it,” Harry replied.
Ginny briefly dipped under the water to re-wet her hair. When she emerged, she had Harry hold out his hand and she deposited a moderate amount of the flowery scented shampoo that Harry recognized as one of the things he smelled in amortentia. She then collected her hair and placed it down her back. Ginny hesitant.
“Umm...is it okay if I sit on your lap? I think it would be easiest if I rest my head on your shoulder,” Ginny asked with a slight quiver in her usually confident voice.
Harry flushed but opened his arms, “Come on then. Just forgive any reaction I might have. I don't want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I have six brothers, Harry. I'm quite aware of how the male body works. You'll be fine,” Ginny tried to sound glib but her relief was evident.
Ginny closed the distance between them. She carefully straddled him. The contact was both exciting and comfortable. Despite their initial attempt to maintain some distance, they both melted fully into the embrace almost immediately.
Harry began massaging the shampoo into Ginny's hair. The first contact sent shivers through them both. Ginny's hair was soft, thick, and felt like silk. Harry had long admired her long wavy flaming hair from afar and was thrilled to have every opportunity to play with it he could get. Luckily, Ginny found the experience comforting and relaxing, so they had made it a regular thing when they were together. Especially with Ginny’s exams approaching. This, however, was on a whole other level.
As he worked his way down from her scalp, he felt her go partially limp in his arms. Concerned, he asked, “Is this okay? I'm not hurting you, right?”
“Hmmm...” Ginny moaned into Harry's shoulder. Her breathe on his skin sent goose flesh down his arms and back. “Don't you dare stop, Potter. This is blissful.”
“I wouldn't dare. It's pretty great for me too, you know. Your hair is so soft and this shampoo smells bloody brilliant.”
Harry continued his ministrations causing Ginny to sigh contentedly. Her voice was flushed with pleasure as she asked, “Think we'll be able to do this again?”
“That good, huh?” Harry teased.
“Better. Maybe I could wash yours next time, hmm?” Ginny purred.
Harry smiled and gestured for Ginny to rinse out the shampoo. Ginny leaned back and slipped from Harry's lap into the depths of the bath. Harry couldn't help but chuckle as the shampoo streamed out of her hair as she swam away from him. That chuckle turned into a sharp intake of breath when she emerged from the water flipping her hair behind her. Harry ruefully thought Ginny would make an incredible mermaid if they had been anything like they were in muggle tales. She truly was alluring beyond words to Harry. He couldn’t figure out how he had gotten so lucky as to be with her but he wasn’t about to tempt fate by questioning his worth.
Ginny smirked at him and swam back over. She looked as if she was considering tucking herself back into his side but decided there was a more comfortable option. Ginny sat sideways in Harry's lap stretching her freckled legs along the bench and lightly nuzzling Harry's shoulder. Her bare hip settled comfortably against Harry’s stomach. Harry wrapped his arms around her middle to support her. He began idly playing with the ends of her long hair. It smelled more incredible than ever and looked adorable plastered down by the bath.
Harry smiled fondly at her and pick up where they left off, “I think I'd like that. Think we'll do this often?”
Ginny ran her hand through Harry's hair excitedly. She was clearly thrilled at the future possibility. “I certainly hope so. I could get used to this,” Ginny replied. She hesitated slightly before asking, “Harry... Do you ever think about the future?”
Harry was quiet for longer than Ginny expected. He looked away hiding his sorrow. His voice was barely a whisper when he replied, “I want to but it's hard to see past him.”
Harry felt Ginny's hand rest on his cheek and met his gaze with overwhelming compassion. Ginny caressed his cheek and asked, “Would it be easier if we thought about it together?”
Harry nodded. He flushed but forced himself to say despite the risk if the enemy ever learned of this conversation, “The only clear part of the future after him is you, Gin. I know we haven't been together long, but you've been important to me for ages now. Not that I was fully aware of it until recently.”
Ginny replied with a kiss, “I feel the same way, Harry. Whatever future I have, I want you in it.”
Harry smiled shyly at her, “What else do you see, Gin? Maybe hearing about you see will help me be able to visualize it myself.”
“Oh well...If you insist,” Ginny felt herself turn red from the top of her head down to her collarbone. Somehow discussing the specifics felt far more intimate than admitting to the general idea of a life shared together.
Ginny gathered her courage and continued, “When I dream about our future, I see us having a cozy home in some peaceful village. Not too rural but not too urban either. You're doing something where you can help people and I'm playing Quidditch professionally – preferably with the Harpies. I think we're planning to get married soon. A small ceremony with just friends and family no matter what anyone says, even my mother. We're probably thinking about kids when I'm ready to retire from playing...”
As Ginny trailed off, Harry looked at her in awe, “That sounds perfect to me. I could...no, we can be a family. A real family. There's nothing I want more. Did I ever tell you that was what I saw in the Mirror of Erised?”
“That was the mirror that showed your heart's deepest desire, right?” Ginny wracked her brain for the details. He had told her about the mirror and the stone over the previous summer, but the details had grown a bit fuzzy in the subsequent months.
Harry nodded, “That's the one. I think I'd see our future family now in addition to my own. Though I don't know if they'd all fit with all your brothers, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and your parents.”
Ginny laughed, “Mum would have kittens hearing you say that. You've been a Weasley for years, Harry. You know that. Though in this future, I'd be a Potter too!”
Harry gently kissed Ginny on the forehead, “Ginny Potter. Mhmm... That sounds like music to my ears.”
“Mine too. It has for ages really.” Ginny replied, absent-mindedly playing with the hair on the back of his head. “How many kids do see in that vision of yours?”
Harry thought, allowing the comfort of Ginny's presence and belief in a future together to help him press through the fog the prophecy and Voldemort had set over his future. He allowed his words to flow without censor, “Definitely more than one. That would be too lonely I think, especially with us both working. Two doesn't feel right for some reason either. Three is a good number. What do you think about three?”
Ginny audibly sighed with relief, “Three sounds doable. I'll admit pregnancy scares me half to death. There are so many things that can go wrong even with magic. I don't know how Mum could go through it six times…”
Harry stroked Ginny's hair comfortingly, recognizing the worry underlying how she trailed off. “We don't have to think about it now. We'll prepare once you have your incredible Quidditch career. And when we...er...make love, we'll take precautions every time. And when we're ready to try, I'll be with you for every step. You're precious to me, Gin.”
Harry was certain his entire body turned red as he added that last comment. Harry had almost said those three words that would have confessed his love, but something held him back. He could not tell if it was nerves – he had never said those words to anyone before – or if it was fear that stayed his tongue. The unbidden thought that everyone he loved tended to die was not so easily shaken off.
Additionally, while they had admitted to both fantasizing about it, they had never discussed the act. They had agreed earlier that they didn't want to rush their relationship. Both had waited too long to be hasty and risk missing the chance at a life together.
“You're pretty precious to me too, Harry. Having you by my side will make all the difference,” Ginny's voice had regained the quiet strength it tended to gain in moments of disquiet.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence. Harry and Ginny sat holding each other lost in thoughts of the future. A future that now felt more tangible for their discussion but still equally vulnerable to the dangers of the coming war.
After a few minutes, they rinsed off and drained the tub. Using a combination of their towels and magic, they dried themselves and slipped back into their dressing gowns. The pair quickly dismantled their spells and prepared to return to the common room. The halls were quiet and still at this late hour. It was long past midnight now. Thankfully the Fat Lady only grumbled a bit before letting them in.
At the stairs to the dorms, they shared a long hug. Harry whispered into Ginny’s hair, “Thank you for a great night, Gin. I’m glad you suggested it.”
“Let’s do it again sometime,” Ginny replied. “I will want to make this a regular thing when we’re able, okay?”
Harry could only grin, “You’ll hear no objections from me. And if you do, I give you permission to bat bogey hex me until I come to my senses.”
Ginny giggled quietly, but her response was tinged with seduction, “Good. Because one of these days, we’re going to skip the swimming costumes and I would be very disappointed to be left all by my lonesome. Goodnight, Harry.”
With that, she kissed Harry on the cheek and began to climb the stairs to her bed. Harry could barely gasp out a goodnight in response before she was out of earshot. He made his way to bed feeling like he was floating from Ginny’s affection and even more grateful than ever before that Ron could not use legillimency.
A resolve had formed in Harry and Ginny's hearts that night A resolve to survive and prevail. To build and live this future together no matter how perilous the journey. For whom was Voldemort to stand in the way of the love growing between them. Voldemort had dominated their childhoods, but he would not dictate their future any longer.
That night stood as a beacon of hope during the dark year to come. A night of bubbles and dreams of the future served to bind their wills. On cold nights of searching for Horcruxes and on nights when the Carrows dominated Hogwarts, Harry and Ginny found solace and revitalization in their shared dream. Love may have been the power that Voldemort knew not, but the determination born of their love served to ensure their path forward towards their future.