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Chapter 45:- Losing and WinningA/N: The normal, Malehorntaildragon, your work make me continue at this pace, thanks. GML, you know what you did thanks.

**

Harry pushed his plate slightly away from him as he leaned back and stared upwards. The enchanted ceiling displayed the almost perfect day outside. The blue sky shone down on him and the fluffy white clouds moved slowly across ... but would he be able to enjoy it? Harry just wanted to close his eyes and remember the day but knew that if he tried he would slip into his magic and then that would be all that he would be able to sense.

His stomach was settled but only just. For some reason he felt more nervous today than he normally did before a Quidditch match. He looked along the length of the table and picked out his other team mates. Ginny was sitting next to him looking nervous, trying to hold onto her cheery exterior but Harry just knew that it was a fake. Katie at the end of the table looked a picture of calm but Harry was sure that inside she was the same as him, nervous. Near the centre of the long table were Demelza and the two beaters, Peter Hollings and John Brightwater, he had been surprised at how good the two second year beaters were. They weren’t in the class of Fred or George but they were good, not powerful but very, very accurate as the rest of the team painfully discovered during their training sessions.

Finally he looked across the table at Ron. Harry smiled at him and raised his head towards the glorious sky, Ron smiled and nodded in reply but that was about as much as Harry had been able to get out of him all morning. Katie got up from the end and at once the team stopped what they were doing and looked at her. She indicated the doors and they all knew that it was time. Harry slowly got to his feet with Ginny, she slipped her hand into his almost at once and he could feel it shaking slightly. Gabrielle also raised herself as well.

“Good luck you two.” She said.

“Thanks.” Replied Harry.

Gabrielle suddenly grabbed Ginny into a tight hug. Harry felt a little self conscious as he was still holding Ginny’s hand but that was nothing compared to when Gabrielle released Ginny and she tugged on Harry’s arm. This causing him to bend slightly and then she placed a very light kiss on his cheek. Harry felt his blood suddenly race as he straightened back up looking at the girl; she was being more open with him and he with her, but nothing like this.

“I’ll be cheering for you both.” Said Gabrielle as she turned and almost ran from the hall; Harry wasn’t sure but he had thought she was crying or was it something else? She was literally shaking as she left.

Harry just stood there a little dazed as he thought of Gabrielle and the small kiss before he felt Ginny pull him slightly to move him.

“Come on Harry.”

“Oh...um, yea.” was all the reply he could manage.

As they left the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione in tow they saw the other two girls waiting for them. Luna was standing quite proud with her lion hat already on, roaring at any passing Slytherin’s and purring at any Gryffindor’s. Next to her was Susan; it looked like they had been talking but when Harry came into view they had stopped.

“Good luck Harry, Ginny.” Said Susan beaming at them.

“Thanks Susan.” They both replied almost in unison.

“Yes good luck you two.” Said Luna in her usual dreamy manner, but Harry noticed that she was intently staring at him and not just his face. Suddenly he was feeling very embarrassed at what Luna might be able to detect under his lose fitting clothes, Gabrielle’s Kiss and Ginny's proximity, were having an effect on a lower part of him. All he felt confident to do was smile before he turned and joined the team all walking out and down towards the changing rooms.

Luna and Susan watched them depart before they too started their trek to the stands. On the way Luna said to no-one in particular.

“He can be so silly.”

“Um…what?” asked Susan.

“Oh...it’s just Harry, he’s so silly. I must have a word with Ginny and then…yes that would be best.”

Susan looked at Luna and saw that she was looking off into the distance.

“Well Susan will you sit with me today?” asked Luna suddenly.

Susan quickly looked Luna over once more, that hat intrigued her, from a purely magical perspective, but could she sit with such a strange girl for the whole of the match? Suddenly understanding that she was being a silly as everyone else over Luna she smiled and replied.

“Of course, come on let’s get good seats, I’m sure it’s going to be a great game, do you think Harry knows about the Slytherin Seeker yet?”

“What about him? Is he a Vampire or something?”

Susan shook her head at the absurdity of Luna’s comment and then for no reason slipped her arm in Luna's like two girlfriends as they ambled off towards the stands laughing at each other as she explained to Luna who exactly the seeker was.

**

Harry had just finished adjusting his Quidditch robes and sat down when Katie’s head appeared around the doorframe and called out.

“Is everyone decent?”

Harry glanced round and saw that the rest of the boys were indeed decent but each looked as white as a sheet. For the two beaters it was their first match so their pallor was understandable but Ron should be looking better than he was. A small knot of worry formed over he best friend.

“Yes!” replied Harry guessing that he was the only one capable or wanting to say anything.

Harry watched as Katie led the rest in, his eyes automatically drawn to Ginny but he did look at the others. Ginny looked nervous and also a little disheartened as she walked into the changing room. She surveyed the room before she headed for him; Harry quickly looked at the other girls and saw that they all had similar expressions.

Everyone took seats and waited for Katie to say something.

“Well some of you will remember some Oliver’s great pre match speeches and will be pleased to know that I don’t intent to do the same.”

Katie had paused obviously waiting for a comment but nothing came forward so she pressed on.

“I’ve just had a look at the Slytherin team and spoken to the girls but....”

“What has Draco brought a troll to the game?” quipped Ron, suddenly finding his courage as Katie paused again obviously finding it hard to put her thoughts into words.

“No that’s just it, he’s not playing.”

“What!” exclaimed Harry.

“Yes they have been keeping their team a secret and I can now see why. Draco and his other two friends aren’t on the team.”

“Great!” Said Ron.

“Yes but they have now picked a team to win and not one that has been bought. I don't know how they are going to fare but it looks good on paper, really good.”

“What do you mean?” asked Harry.

“First off are the chasers, Johnson, Evans and Bridgenorth. I’ve seen Bridgenorth play a bit and if the other two a like him then we’ll be in for a rough time. They will be fast and accurate but they are a little on the large side. Demelza remember what we practised, quick hands and even quicker movement and we should do fine. Their Keeper is the same as last year so we know all about him.

The beaters they’ve gone for are Rigby and Jones, well obviously they’ve gone for size again. Peter, John, don't try and match them for strength, you have skill with the bat use that instead and you should run rings around them.”

“Gryffindor’s Time!” called Madam Hooch as she entered the room and looked at the team.

“What about their seeker?” Quickly asked Harry he saw Katie look away before she eventually faced him.

“They’ve chosen Wilkshear, Ethan Wilkshear he’s a third year and should have been playing last year probably even before that.”

“Why?”

“TIME!” shouted Madam Hooch not seeing the team move much from her last call.

“Just do you best Harry.” Was all the reply Harry got as Katie dashed to get her broom and lead the team out, he felt Ginny give his hand a quick squeeze before she too left to get her broom.

Harry felt suddenly very worried about the game. They had practiced for a much different team then what Katie had just described, but they were well drilled and determined it should be an interesting match. But the way the girls look and something about Ginny emotions told him that he was in for a big shock.

**

The Gryffindor team was announced and Harry mounted his broom, he was last out and felt the roar of the crowd as he entered the stadium. It was clear that there were only a few neutrals in the stands with Green being dominant at one end and Red and Gold the other. He started to circle lazily upwards approaching his starting position looking at the crowd and trying to calm his racing emotions.

The Slytherins were announced and they shot out of the tunnel. Harry saw that it was indeed a much different team to what was suspected, they almost looked normal compared to previous years. The two beaters looked huge on their brooms and Harry was momentarily worried for Peter and John. As the chasers moved forward he saw that they each moved with purpose. He knew that Katie, Demelza and Ginny were good, the way each seemed to move and read each other was joy to watch but the three now waiting opposite also looked confident. It should be an epic contest between them.

Harry watched his opponent as he circled up opposite him. He had seen him a few times around the school but this was the first time he had seen him on a broom. He seemed to fly a little sloppily and Harry almost thought he would fall off. As he Ethan came to a stop opposite Harry each looked each other over.

“Harry Potter it’s so nice to finally fly against you. I thought that I would never get the chance.”

“Oh...um....” mumbled Harry as he continued to look at Ethan. He saw that he was riding one of the school brooms. It looked in OK condition but nothing compared to his own Firebolt. Never could he remember a team player having to use a school broom before, a small alarm went off at this but he didn’t want to say anything just yet.

“Hopefully we can chat after the match. I’d love to get your view point on the game.” Said Ethan after he came to a halt and had a quick glance around.

“Oh...yes fine.”

“Well, looks like Madam Hooch is almost ready.”

Harry glanced down and saw that the teacher had indeed dropped the large chest in the ground and was bring the whistle to her lips. Harry gripped and re-gripped the broom in anticipation, hoping that he would get a glance at the snitch just as it left the box.

The whistle blew and the box was kicked open. Harry saw Ethan drop like a stone straight for the box. Panic swept into him and he tried to follow the mad drop wondering what Ethan was doing, had his broom suddenly failed?

“HARRY!” he heard as he flew straight through the centre of his chasers in desperate pursuit of Ethan. He had unintentionally broken up the first attack by the girls. As he neared Ethan he saw the boy pull back and level out. Harry too levelled out and looked around scanning for the snitch, his mind still trying to grasp what had happened, had it all been part of a plan?

Without warning Ethan took off towards the Slytherin end. Harry banked and followed easily catching the slower broom up and still not seeing the snitch. As he got closer Ethan once more pulled to a stop and started to slowly rise. Harry made a quick glance and saw the score was already 30 – 10 in Gryffindor’s favour so he followed him up trying to look for the elusive golden orb.

The pair of them circled high up each going slow but prepared to jump on anything they saw. Harry risked a glance at the game and saw that Katie had been right. The two beaters were hitting with all of their might causing Katie and the others some problems but John and Peter both had far better accuracy as they were actually hitting the Slytherin team causing them to drop the quaffle or dodge out of the way opening a free goal. Ron was doing his best and in fact looked to be doing well yet he was still leaking goals. The score had reached 150 – 90 still in Gryffindor’s favour but the scoring seemed to be slowing down as both teams found a rhythm.

As he glanced across the stands once more he caught the sight of the gold he had been looking for. In a blink he had turned his broom and shot towards it. He glanced over his shoulder but saw that Ethan wasn’t following he had taken a different course across the field. Harry focused on the golden glint and saw it jerk and move once more. He closed the gap between them but the snitch was still accelerating and curving around the ground. Harry concentrated on his flying matching each jink and turn. Slowly ever so slowly he was approaching it.

“LOOK OUT!” Called a voice from above. Harry just managed to swerve away as Ethan dived past him, the tail twigs brushing Harry’s broom handle. Harry felt his heart rate increases because of the near miss and then he saw that he had lost the snitch in the few seconds that he had used to avoid the collision. He glanced hard at the Slytherin Seeker as he started to drift upwards from the ground only to see a look of determination on the younger boy. ‘/Either that boy was incredibly good or lucky?’/ Thought Harry and he was beginning to suspect that it was the former.

This match was turning hard, not nasty but even he could see that both teams were playing far better than anything before. As the gong rang for another score he saw with only a little satisfaction that they were still in the lead but not by much. Trying not to look at the chasers play he once more surveyed the pitch to try and find that golden light for he knew that soon the Slytherin’s would catch them up and if that happened he wasn’t sure that they would win, it would probably all rest on the snitch and he felt that he, for once, was going to lose that race.

**

Draco pursed his lips in a tight smile as he heard the enormous cheer from the Quidditch stadium. Everything so far had worked out just right, the Creavey kid had come to him on Thursday with the information he wanted. A little something inside of him was upset at this as it didn’t allow him to use more extreme measures on the boy but he had come through he just hoped the information was correct. It sounded so extreme so un-likely that it might just work.

He had waited until this time before he tried it. He knew that today’s match would draw virtually everybody out of the castle and his presence would not be missed. He would have at least an hour or two if necessary and if what he had been told was wrong then he had all day to take his revenge.

He looked along the length of the corridor and steeled himself before he started off. Last year he had spent some time trying to find this room but now he knew how, he was eager to see if work. He had positioned Crabbe and Goyle at the only two entrances to the seventh floor that he knew of to ward off visitors or, at the very least, give him some warning.

One pass, then two and then the final third. He stopped and listened but heard nothing. Slowly he turned and saw it there, right where they should be, the large double wooden doors. It had worked! His mind shouted in elation as he walked up to the doors. He pushed them open and stepped inside; he stopped only one step inside and was amazed at what he saw. The room looked like a complete workshop to him, there was a large cauldron sitting in one corner ready for him as well as a few potion or other such ingredients. The walls were lined with various jars of something and many, many books but the thing that really took his eye was the workbench. It was easily twice the size as any of the benches in any classroom and would be perfect for the cabinet.

The tight smile slowly transformed into a wide grin as he realised that he had at last found what he was after. Backing out of the room he closed the door and waited pleased to see the door slowly dissolve back into a wall. Turning away he headed to Goyle’s position knowing that now would be the best time to move the cabinet as well. He just hoped that his two minions would keep their mouths shut because he didn't want news of this room or the cabinet to leak out.

**



“And that makes the score 350 – 310 to Gryffindor in what is one of the best every matches seen here.” Harry heard over the noise of the wind and crowd.

For the past hour he had doggedly tried to find the snitch but had been draw by one play after another by Ethan and was now losing his focus. The last dive from the Slytherin Seeker had made even him worried about pulling up that now he was becoming more and more self conscious about his own flying. He wasn’t sure what Ethan was doing but Harry thought he was a bit frustrated at the lack of scoring from his chasers.

He understood that Ethan was a much better player than him by what he was making him do. Why he was so good he didn't know, he just hoped someone would explain it to him after the match but if he caught the snitch they would still win and by a good margin. Deciding now not to look at Ethan he flew to the centre of the field and stopped. His eyes started to search for the snitch; he just had to find it first and fast, he was sure that sitting here ignoring Ethan would cause the Slytherin to stop with his tactics and just concentrate on the Snitch.

“400 – 310 To Gryffindor, those last two saves from Ron Weasley have allowed them to stretch into a lead once more but it is still anybody’s game.”

Harry relaxed his mind and let his magic flow. He didn’t understand why but he had to calm his racing emotions and this was the best way he knew. As felt his magic he sensed the second presence at once. A small smile crept across his face as he enjoyed the feeling of Gabrielle’s magic dancing over him. He opened his eyes and let his sight come. The swirling colours of the large dome over Hogwarts took his breath away but he glanced downwards. Each stadium seemed to glow with a bright light as his eyes swept over them and then he noticed the trails. Crisscrossing below him was numerous trails, the most predominant was red. It was like a smoke trail that disappeared after a while, he was fascinated as he watched one of them curve across the pitch and the suddenly turn back and cross once more.

His eye’s continued to look and he saw a faint golden trail, much thinner and weaker that the red ones he saw, it seemed to dance and flow. Never once did it move in violent and sharp movement it just flowed around up and down around this way and that with no purpose. As he watched understanding flooded into his mind, he was seeing the balls! His sight was lost as he realised this but he looked hard at where the golden trail had ended and saw the faint glitter of gold.

Like a shot he tipped the brooms nose down and dived, increasing speed as he went. His eyes focused on his target but they did spot something else as well. Dropping almost vertically down onto the snitch was a similar speeding object. Harry could see the fait traces of Green and knew it was Ethan. On and on he pushed his broom getting closer and closer but in his heart he knew the race was already over.

Harry was still ten meters away when he watched Ethan’s hand shoot out and grab the snitch as he raced passed it in a jaw dropping descent. Harry couldn’t believe the speed and accuracy of the grab. He slowed his descent and watched Ethan flip and roll his broom so that it came to rest just feet of the ground.

“Slytherin Win! Slytherin Win! What and amazing catch by Ethan Wilkshear to take them past a stunned Gryffindor team 460 – 430. This match will go down with some as the greatest ever seen here!”

Harry brought his broom to a stop and got off as the rest of the team landed around him. He tried to look everyone in the face but he could see the sorrow on all of them.

“Sorry.” He mumbled in an apology.

“Don't be Harry you did your best, I bet no one could last as long as you did.” Replied Katie. Harry thought she looked heartbroken but was trying to put on a brave face.

“We were so close.” Said Ron looking up at the scoreboard.

“We’ll just have to beat the others by a lot.” Consoled Ginny walking up to Harry and putting her hand on his arm. Harry glanced up and saw that Ethan had broken away from Slytherin team and was walking towards Harry and the rest of them. Harry broke away and met the boy halfway. Ethan had stretched his hand out Harry looked at it with suspicion and then shook it.

“Well played Harry. I thought I might lose there, surprised you didn't find the snitch sooner.”

“You knew where it was?”

“Yes I saw it about five minutes before but I wanted our chasers to get closer, that didn't happen. I still think it’s going to be close this year.”

“How can it be with you playing seeker!”

“You never know Harry; I just wished I could have used my own broom.”

“Um why didn’t you?”

“My Uncle said that I should use one of these so that I can improve my flying skill, he’s right of course, a fast broom does not make a good seeker. You should know that because you are a very good seeker. Anyway must dash, they’ll want to chat, been great flying against you. Wish my Uncle could see you play he could do wonders for your game.”

With a smile and a wave the boy turned and walked calmly off the pitch. The rest of the Gryffindor’s joined Harry.

“So what did he want?” Asked Ron in an abrupt tone.

“Just thanked me for a good game and wished his Uncle could see me?”

“Really?!?” said Katie with surprise evident in her voice.

“Yeah but he was....”

“Good.” Finished Katie with a smile now forming on her face.

“Why are you smiling?”

“You haven’t gassed?”

“Guessed what?”

“Who his Uncle is?”

“No.”

“Harry you probably have done the best anyone could. You didn't lose today, it was us chasers we couldn’t get the lead we needed. You kept Ethan busy and bought us time but we weren’t quite good enough.”

“I still don't understand.” Said Harry and looked around the group everyone except Demelza, Ginny and Katie had bemused looks.

“Ethan’s Uncle is the England national seeker. He’s been flying since the age of five and been practicing and training to be seeker since then. He’s not been flying on the team because of Malfoy that’s the only reason you haven’t seen him. There are rumours’ that he has already signed with a professional club and on that performance I can see why.”

“English National seeker?”

“Yes Harry you have just gone up against about the best out there our age, well except for Krum that is.”

“No wonder I feel like I do. He had me flying around doing...”

“Yes but we did give them a close match.” Replied Katie steering her team towards the changing rooms, with most of them muttering about the game.

**

Harry lingered in the shower far longer than anybody else. As the hot water washed over his body he tried to let his mind relax, not how he did it to access his magic but to truly relax. He just stood there and tried to sort everything in his mind, he had only lost one match at Quidditich before and he had been unconscious for that one, but this defeat seemed to him to symbolise everything that had been happening to him in the past few weeks.

He absently saw Ron give him a few worried glances but he shook him off. He closed his eyes and continued to let the water flow and with it his troubles. As he stood there he could feel it clearing slightly, it was like there was a dull pain or block or something that was causing everything but as he stood there it seemed to relax. He started to feel the cold entering his body and so left the shower, as he was walking into the changing room he saw that it was empty but for Ron.

“Don't worry about it Harry. We had to lose eventually but we did well never the less.”

“Yeah I know but it’s still hard.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Why don’t you go on, I’ll be up in a little while?”

“Hey you’re my mate I can wait!”

“No Ron go on, I bet Hermione is waiting for you.”

“She is, but....”

“No...She’s waiting go, I’ll be fine.”

“This isn’t one of those....”

Harry had to smile as he looked at Ron.

“No Ron it isn’t you just get going I’ll be up later.”

“If you say so but no moping around just because we lost.”

“I’m not moping.”

“Yeah right” Smiled Ron as he got up and walked to the door. He didn't want to leave Harry alone; it just didn’t feel right yet it was what Harry wanted. As he pulled the door he vowed to have a word with Hermione, she would know what to do.

When he walked out he saw that there was already a solution standing there, part of him wanted to turn her away but another understood that Harry needed something now and it wasn’t him. He was sure that Hermione would cheer him up from the defeat and may be Ginny could do the same for Harry and herself by the look of it.

“Is he still in there?” She asked.

“Yeah he’s a little down.”

“I know how he feels.”

“Try and cheer him up?”

Ginny looked at her brother very closely. It was the first time she could really remember that he had said anything about her relationship to Harry. He had sort of given his approval but this was different it was almost acknowledging what she and Harry had become. With a burst of sibling love she flung her arms around Ron.

“Thanks.”

“What?” asked Ron clearly startled.

“It’s alright, I’ll tell him later.” Called out Hermione who was standing in the exit watching the two talk. She had reservations about what Ron was proposing but noticing that Gabrielle wasn’t around, it might be for the best. If she could keep Harry separated from her just a little longer something might click and with Ginny being there it could only help. She strolled up to Ron gave him a brief kiss on his cheek.

“Come on, let her cheer him up.” She said to him and then led the still slightly confused Ron away.

Ginny watched them leave before she turned back to the door; she hadn’t been this alone with Harry for a long time. Inside she was still hurting for the loss that had just happened but the thought of Harry next door seemed to brighten her up.

Her morals had taken a beating over the past two months especially when she was around Gabrielle. Un-pure thoughts had run through her head and not just about Harry. She had to admit that being near and holding Gabrielle seemed to feel so good to her that she wanted to continue. She wanted to know how the younger girl handled the obvious sexual pressure she was under. For Ginny, all she could think about was her mother and her ranting about ‘Scarlet Women’. If only she knew the truth. She wasn’t a scarlet woman and never would be, but should she be having such thoughts about Harry and Gabrielle? And now she was about to walk into the boy’s changing room to be alone with Harry, the almost perfect definition of ‘Scarlet Woman’.

Slowly she pushed open the door and saw Harry sitting on one of the benches. He didn’t look upset but she could see that there was something bothering him. She started to cross towards him with various thoughts running through her mind as to what she could do to please him but they were instantly stopped when he seemed to move away from her.

Feeling a little hurt and very confused she sat on the end of one of the benches and waited for Harry but he said nothing he just continued to look at her. She could feel a response within her yet it was different than before somehow not so strong.

“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.

“Nothing, really! Ron asked me the same but I’m fine I’m… just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Everything that has happened over the past few weeks.”

Ginny started to scoot forwards towards Harry but stop as he held up his hand. The hurt feeling started to increase, was this how it was going to end sitting on a bench in a smelly changing room?

“You...you...don’t like me anymore?” She asked with a shaking voice.

“Yes...no...Yes...I don't know! That’s just it don't you see it?”

“See what?”

“How things have changed, I’ve always won...at everything, well not everything, but not now. I like a girl but that’s all going wrong, more and more girls want to get close to me, what should I do? Every time that I’m near you or Gabrielle or any of the others I feel different, my magic, even me, changes reacts, that’s not right. I look at Gabrielle, a twelve year old, and have...have thoughts about her. Luna starts to talk about sex and I think that it would be good, but I should be with you, just you. Susan tells me she wants to help, practically does my homework for me and I think it feels right. This is wrong, all of it this is not how it should be!”

“Harry...” she started to say and as she once more moved forward.

“Ginny don't you see it even now you want to get close you keep moving forward. It’s like I can feel it, feel you, I know you want to get near. I can feel my magic, it wants it, this isn’t right.”

“Gabrielle said...”

“She’s said a lot of things but is this of her doing? I...I...feel so frustrated and....and”

“Scared.” replied Ginny now standing up. She knew he hadn’t been shown a lot of love growing up, and in a few short weeks he suddenly had four girls wanting to love him. She also knew he had a vision of what should be normal, everybody did. He just needed to accept that this wasn’t wrong, different, but not wrong. Love between them would always differ to what others thought but that did not make it wrong.

Harry dropped his head in shame.

“Look at me Harry.” He raised his head slowly

“Everything you said is true but none of this is wrong. You are changing, I’m changing, the others I know are feeling it, but that doesn’t make it wrong. We all react differently to magic and this magic is just so different that our ideas of normal just don’t fit it anymore. This is your love, our love. We have to live it and not be constrained by what people think is right.”

“I should only be thinking about one girl, you, but I’m not. Four girls all want me and a part of me says YES!” Harry said with both confusion and excitement apparent on his face.

“Harry you do know that every girl wants you? But we are different; it’s these connections that make it so. You said that you are beginning to understand, isn’t this just another step along that route? I don't fully understand all of this, and I know I have changed as well but we shouldn’t agonise over it. I want to be near you, I feel the happiest when I’m with you, not like Hermione with Ron or Lavender and Shamus this is different I’m sure of it. Am I worried? Am I frightened? Yes, but not about us. We are developing each one of us; Gabrielle said to trust in the magic. She has absolute faith that the magic will see us through. You have so much to worry about that you shouldn’t be worrying over this or me.

I’m not saying that we’ll never fight, but I’ve known, even before you, that this wasn’t going to be like most relationships, and that’s ok with me. I’m not saying that I’m… well that I’ve completely come to terms with everything myself, but I know that I won’t just lose you. You’ve not really had a girlfriend, I can tell you that there’s nothing like this, and even now, even though I have to well, share, I know that there’s nobody else I’d rather be with than you.”

“Y...you.”

“I trust you Harry, I trust that our connection or magic will help make it alright. You will not lose me if you think of Gabrielle in that way. I said I won’t be jealous but I mean it, she may be young in everyone’s eyes but that’s not true to us. If you touch her or kiss her or anything I won’t be upset. Luna and Susan, they will find a place. Maybe they already have. But for them you wouldn’t be thinking about this. Please don't try and turn this into something that is wrong just because you think you are on a losing streak, or because it’s so different. If we didn't lose how would we know the joy of winning?”

Ginny was only inches away from him now and lifted him up. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. She could feel the heat from his body. It had been too long since she had done this. The calm and peace she felt flowed all around her, she was holding the one thing she wanted. She closed her eyes and felt her magic; she then knew why she had said what she did.

“How do you know all of...” started to say Harry, still sitting stiffly in Ginny’s arms.

“Just relax, and feel.”

The calm words soothed away his worries. The thought that something was affecting him flew to the wind as he settled into his magic. He felt it dance and then he sensed it, he knew her presence and then knew where some of this understanding came from.

“Gabrielle.” He breathed.

“Yes she binds us. It’s her magic that helps us, can’t you feel it? Feel me. I know what you are feeling it isn’t wrong Harry it is right, it’s actually how love is supposed to feel.”

Harry relaxed his body more into Ginny’s arms as he too started to feel some of Ginny’s emotions. He could feel her hurt and fear but also understood that her words had come from her not some magic effecting her it came from the heart. He dropped his head slightly and found the Ginny had moved hers upwards to meet his. Their lips came together slowly.

The feelings continued to rush through Harry as he sensed her lips on his, they softly undulated against his and the warm breath from her nose tickled his cheek. His mind forgot its problems and just concentrated upon Ginny. Trust in his magic and all would be right.

Harry pulled back briefly and looked in to her chocolate brown eyes. The slight pull from his magic and hers was making him a bit dizzy at this distance as it seemed to force its way through his barriers, but it was nice. As he looked at her he was nearly overwhelmed by the emotions coming from within him. He wanted so badly to tell her how he felt, but he was so confused.

Ginny simply continued to look in to his eyes, as if she knew what he was thinking paused knowing not to interrupt him. He leaned in again as she closed her eyes. This time when their lips met he tried to force his feelings for her through the kiss as if this was the only way he could express himself to this girl. He felt her catch her breath as her arms went around his neck.

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Ginny’s mind was spinning; she could swear she could feel what he was thinking. “Love?” she thought, “It has to be, doesn’t it?”

She felt his tongue, tentatively touch her lips, begging for entrance. She parted them slightly to allow him into her mouth. But as their tongues collided this time it was as if she had been hit by lightning. From the sharp intake of breath, she knew it was the same for him. And they briefly lost themselves to the moment, barely able to form coherent thought as they revelled in the feeling of being together.

Ginny knew she had a crush on The-Boy-Who-Lived growing up. But in her first year she met the real Harry when he saved her life. She woke up on the floor of the Chamber, and there was her hero, not The-Boy-Who-Lived but just Harry, dirty, bleeding and in pain yet her Hero never the less. He was so much better than the stories she grew up with. She knew now she had fallen in love with him then and that was when her ribbon had formed she was sure of it. He had rescued her from that boy and what he was doing to her. But for Harry she might not be as pure of magic as she was now.

While Ginny’s thoughts were racing around her head, Harry was both excited and scared at the same time. He could feel every curve of her body against his. He could feel her diamond hard nipples through the thin fabric of her bra and shirt. He could also feel that he was just as hard himself, and this close he knew she could feel it as well. His brain and his body were at war. His body was telling him to take her right there, his brain was screaming for him to STOP, or at the very least slow down. They had not really discussed sex; they had not even had a proper first date. As his brain was too busy thinking, his body was taking the initiative.

Ginny moaned into his mouth as his hands slipped down to her firm behind. Next thing she knew she was sitting straddled across his lap. She could feel his arousal through his trousers. As she was only wearing a skirt, this meant he was pressed firmly against her rapidly moistening sex with only a thin layer of cotton knickers between them.

Thoughts of how it would appear if anyone were to walk in at the moment short circuited anything her body was trying to tell her. She could hear her mum screaming in her head “Ginevra Molly Weasley! Just what do you think you are doing? Anyone could walk in here right now and see you. No daughter of MINE is going to be called a SCARLET WOMAN!!”

This time her moan was not one of pleasure, it was one of disappointment. She knew she was not ready to go any farther. And she knew she was going to have to tell Harry.

Harry heard her moan, his body was saying “YES!” but his brain was saying “NO!” Taking a quick breath to reengage his higher brain function, he examined the vague feelings coming across the bond. “Pleasure and disappointment” were the only words he could think of to describe it.

He pulled back and looked into her face and what he saw there did not bode well for the rest of this impromptu snogging session. He once again tried to tell her what he was feelings, but didn’t know the words to describe it. James and Lilly had loved him. But he had no memories of love to compare this too. But if love was supposed to be the greatest feeling in the world, this was it. He took a breath and tried to tell her...

“Ginny?” He asked breathlessly.

Her eyes snapped to his face as he pulled her away from her thoughts. “Yes Harry?”

“Ginny... I think... that is... I...Ginny I L...” He stumbled over the words, not knowing it could be this hard to confess something he was so sure of just a moment ago.

She put a finger to his lips to silence him, looking at his lips as she spoke. “Harry, I don’t want you to tell me something you will regret later. I know you can’t remember what love feels like...” She raised her eyes to meet his. “I was just thinking the same thing.” She whispered.

“Ginny being near you like this is the greatest feeling I can remember. When I'm with you and Gabrielle I feel...I don’t know...At home.” He gazed into her eyes, looking for any sign he should stop. He saw tears threatening to fall, making her eyes look like chocolate pools.

“Harry, I Love you, I have since you saved me in the Chamber. I am not in love with the Boy-Who-Lived that I grew up with. I am in love with Harry Potter, the real live super hero. My knight in shining armour.”

Harry was floored, it was one thing to hope for such words, it was quite another to hear it coming from the girl he had fallen in love with.

“Ginny, I, I do love you I think, I don’t know when it started, but I know you were never really just 'Ron’s Little Sister' to me.”

Now the tears did fall, she knew she was about to disappoint him and she was dreading what she had to say next.

“I...” She stuttered at first. “Harry I could feel everything, I’m sure you could of me...” She paused for a moment as her mind brought back the feeling of Harry’s hardness between her legs. She was sure he would have seen her hard nipples and felt the moisture within her knickers.” She looked to him for confirmation and he nodded for her to continue.

“I want to be with you, in every way, my body and my magic are screaming for me to be with you here in the locker room.” She stated matter of factly.

He leaned in to kiss her but she pulled away.

“But,” she continued, “I was raised by Molly Weasley, and so my brain won’t shut up and let me do what my body wants. And that might not be a bad thing because I want my first time to be special, not like this.” She looked at him for any sign of disappointment, but found none, had she done the right thing then by stopping?

“Harry, I want to be with you more than you can possibly know...what am I saying? You know exactly how badly I want to be with you.” She said with a bit of a playful growl. “The problem is, until I clear everything up, I am not going to be able to act on most of these feelings and this smelly locker room is not the best of places.”

“It’s alright Ginny. I don’t want to force you, and being with you is enough.” He kissed her quickly, not a chaste kiss, but not the soul searing kiss they had shared only moments before.

“I need to confess to something though...” He looked very pensive, and a little scared all of a sudden, he had closed himself off completely from the Bond subconsciously, he didn’t want anyone else to feel or sense what he was about to say. He was only really concerned for one, the only one that could read him but he had to protect her didn’t he? He had to protect her from himself.

“What you and I have is special, I...I think...” He started to stutter, and Ginny patiently waited for him to rearrange his thoughts. “I have been having, dreams Ginny, not just about you.”

“Gabrielle.” She stated, an amused smile coming to her face at his turmoil.

“Not just Gabrielle, Luna...and sometimes...Susan too.” He looked away, embarrassment clearly on his face at telling his girlfriend he fancied other girls as well, he was sure he was about to lose the very thing he had just attained.

“Harry?” She stated to get his attention back. He looked at her and she continued, “You already know how I feel about Gabrielle. We decided a long time ago that if we had to share you it would not be that bad. Actually you finally admitting you have feelings for her is kind of exciting for me.” She noticed the surprise that flickered across his features and flicked her eyebrow to show him that she agreed to his implied suggestion already.

“I am also telling you; Gabrielle and I already talked about Luna and Susan. I don’t feel about them the same way I do about Gabrielle. But somehow I think everything will be OK.” She looked away to let her brain catch up with what she just said, and realized it was true. Something was prodding her to tell him this, and she knew she really would be ok.

“If you... If you need to, that is, if you want to...” She blushed the famous Weasley red. “If you need one of the others to...help you relax I will be ok with it. I can’t do that for you right now, but I know you love me, I can feel it, and even if you are with someone else, I will know you still feel the same way about me.” She finished in a whisper.

To say Harry was surprised, would be like saying Voldemort wasn’t a nice man. “Ginny I don’t want to risk what you and I have because of what I feel for some other girl, or for what my teenage body is telling me to do. I want to be with you.”

The tone of finality in his voice reassured her more than he could possibly know. “That is exactly why it’s ok... I don’t think I want to know the details...unless it is Gabrielle” She said the last with a mischievous grin. “But as long as it is one of the other girls in the Bond I think it’ll be ok. I love you Harry, and nothing is going to change that.”

He pulled her to him again, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear “I love you Ginevra Molly Weasley.” And then he kissed her again, she wiggled a little on his lap and moaned into his mouth. His body took over again and he found his hands running up her sides to her breasts. He took them in both hands slowly, waiting for her to tell him to stop. As he cupped them, he decided she might be the perfect size. Not too much for a handful, not too small. He ran his thumbs over rock hard nipples, eliciting another moan of pleasure from her. She rocked a little on his erection and he realized that only 3 layers of clothing separated his rock hard erection from her moist cleft. These thoughts set off a chain reaction in his body, he tweaked her nipples again to get her moving, as she rubbed against him he could hear her breathing quicken, suddenly she was rocking harder, almost as if she had lost control. She moaned one more time into his mouth as she came on his lap.

Ginny had lost control a while ago, no matter what her mother was saying in her head, her body would not be denied. As she rocked she could feel the heat pooling behind her naval. Harry tweaked her nipples and suddenly her world exploded. That pool of heat shot through every fibre of her being and it was all she could do to stifle a scream of pure pleasure into his mouth. She could feel his erection pressing against her now soaked knickers, sliding back and forth against her moist folds. Then as she was coming down from her peak she heard him panting in her ear, “Oh God Ginny!” and he came in his trousers. His body rocked with convulsions, from a very long delayed orgasm. He held her against him as they both came down from that high. He looked into her eyes... and lost the ability to speak. “So...” was all he managed to get out.

“So...” she smiled back at him. “That was intense, amazing, and I don’t think I can let that happen again until I figure myself out. I don’t want to feel dirty for being with you Harry.”

“I don’t want that either Gin, thank you though. You have no idea how long I have been thinking about this...”

“Don’t be so sure.” She smirked at him as she slid off his lap. A little shaky at first, but soon she had regained the ability to stand. “We really should be getting back before my brother kills you.” She winked at him, and sauntered out of locker room. Swinging her hips a little more than usual.

The rest of the day’s worries began working back into his still fuzzy mind, but he felt better than he had in ages. The Seeker problem he could sort out later, right now he was thinking about the size of the Patronus he could cast with the memory of what had just occurred.

“What have I gotten myself into?” he asked himself as he followed her back to the school.



***

Thursday evening was going to be the time, she had thought it through completely and that would be the best time for her to approach Harry. Luna had learnt Harry’s evening movements and Thursday was going to be the best. He had a full day and was always stressed afterwards and so she would help him relive that stress and so give her what she was missing.

Throughout the whole of the summer she didn't have sex but she had other things to relax and please her, but here in school it just got worse and worse. After Harry’s ‘attack’ the boys of Ravenclaw or any other house refused to speak to her. She didn't mind because she had others now, Ginny and Gabrielle were always there to talk to but they seemed far more interested in Harry than her. But Susan was different. It was like she had met a kindred soul not one with her fascination of creatures but one who she could share her knowledge with. But that was all that she did, she had thought about asking Susan to help her with her need but suspected that the girl would refuse, Harry would be the best and the one she wanted.

It was now almost three weeks since she had any sexual relief from another person and it was now getting incredibly frustrating. For the past few days ever since the shock loss at Quidditch, she had observed Harry and seen his inner turmoil. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was about but she was sure she could help him relax. The only thing she thought she should do first was speak to Ginny, the two of them were more than a couple if people looked at them and she didn't want to cause any problems for them, in fact Ginny might later, appreciate what she was proposing to do.

She glanced up and saw the small group around Harry break up, he was off to his afternoon lesson with Susan, Ron was going to do what he normally did in his free period and Hermione was rushing off to her lesson. The other two girls had waited until Harry had started to leave and then they split up and moved off. Luna watched Susan almost shyly get up from her seat to follow Harry. She always did this, she never walked with him directly to the class but she did follow him.

Getting up she quickened her pace until she caught up Ginny, even from behind she could tell that she was happy.

“Good day so far?” asked Luna

“Yeah not to bad...Harry’s still....”

“Yes I could see. Is he taking you to Hogsmeade this weekend?”

“Oh yes it’s like our first real date. I don't think we are going to do anything like a real date but still it’s special.”

“Lucky you.” Replied Luna automatically before she could stop herself.

Ginny stop in her tracks and faced her friend. This was the first time that she had thought about the weekend visit to Hogsmeade. For the others it would be painful to see her walking with Harry, wouldn’t it? She suddenly tried to think how she would feel if she saw Harry with Susan or Luna or even Gabrielle. The final person was easy she had told Harry she wouldn’t be upset and inside of her she knew she would be happy for the girl if he ever took her out but the other two? She wanted to say that she would be upset, very upset but something in her magic told her that it was alright, everything would be fine he still loved her.

“You...you don't mind?” she ventured.

“Oh no, I would love to go to Hogsmeade with a boy but not this time, you should have him, but later....”

“Yes I know and understand I think.”

“Ginny I’m going to ask you something personal please don't get upset. ”

“I don't normally do so, what’s up?”

“Are you planning to have sex this weekend?”

Ginny felt her face redden at this question, it was the one thought that seemed to flow through her every night. After the locker room incident she was nightly raged by her inner conflict, she had felt so good and could only imagine how much better it would be but still felt she had to do the right thing and sex wasn’t it, was it?

“Um...no...I don't think he or I am ready to do that yet.”

“Would you get upset if I did?”

“What have sex?”

“Probably not that far, but something along those lines.”

“It’s up to you.” Replied Ginny not fully understanding the question.

The two started off once more towards their classroom before Ginny’s mind processed everything Luna had said.

“You mean with Harry don’t you?!” she finally blurted out as everything came together.

“Well of course, he’s my friend it’s what friends do.”

“But they don't we’ve told you before-.”

“No Ginny it’s not like that, I can help him. He looks so worked up, I can help with that and he can help me.”

“Help you?”

“I like it when people play with me, it feels so nice and I miss it. I’m sure it will help Harry relax more and isn’t that what Gabrielle keeps telling us to do, relax?”

“But...but....why are you asking me and not Harry?”

“First I think he will be harder and need a little more direct force and second I don't want to upset you. He is your boyfriend after all.”

Yet again Ginny wanted to scream at Luna to keep away but her magic or something about Luna stopped her, it was like a feeling telling her that it’ll be fine. She remembered telling Harry that she would be ok with something like this but she was now faced with the reality of what she had said. Initially she had thought of Gabrielle and a way for her to help the young girl but this was much more unexpected. Searching within herself she tried to find the answer. The relationship that they would all have with each other and Harry would be truly something different and amazing. This was just a part of it, wasn’t it?

“Well ok then but it’s up to Harry not me but if you do anything I don't think I want to hear about it.” Ginny managed to say slightly amazed that her stomach hadn’t knotted or she was simply too distraught over Luna being with Harry and not herself.

Luna smiled widely and pulled her into a deep hug before replying. “Thanks Ginny this means a lot me.”

Ginny then felt that she had done the right thing. No-one would, or could, understand if they knew about this, but to her she felt the sudden calmness of peace at doing the right thing, not only for her, but Harry and the rest.

**