Categories > Books > Harry Potter > The Ritual
Chapter Six
Harry and Ginny are spending the summer going through a power boosting ritual Hermione found that requires two.
?Blocked
The Ritual
Disclaimer: I don't own the Potterverse!
Chapter Six
The next morning he was awakened by a scowling Ginny, “Are you incapable of taking care of your own health? I didn’t see you at lunch and the sylph told me you didn’t eat any dinner. It also revealed that you were so tired after you stumbled straight to bed and fell asleep. That was twelve hours ago. I’ve reached an agreement with the elementals for your benefit and protection. If you do not join me today you will only get four hours of Saili then a sylph will lead you to me for lunch. If you don’t go with it then I’ll come get you myself and make you stop for an hour and eat.”
Harry started to protest and she put her fingers on his lips, “You don’t get to argue after exhausting yourself yesterday. The elementals have agreed with me. After lunch you get four more hours then they’ll bring you to me for dinner and then you’ll have to take it easy the rest of the day.”
He sighed, “Yes Ginny.”
“This wouldn’t be necessary if you just joined me outside you know,” she said.
He blushed, “Do you really want that?”
“I’ve already answered that Harry,” she said. Then she grinned, “Want me to prove it? Then join me today after breakfast. Now get out of bed and get ready.”
Harry blushed again, “Are you just going to stand there and watch?”
She grinned again, “Maybe I should but instead I’ll leave and wait for you at our breakfast spot.”
Soon Harry was ready and a sylph led him to the table, “Fruit? The bangers and mash are enough and why do we have juice and milk but no tea or coffee?”
“It’s healthier this way,” she said. “Especially if your body is doing a lot of repair work. I want to make sure you get all the nutrients you need to be in great health.”
Harry grumbled but ate some pineapple along with his poached egg and sausage. “What kind of juice is this?” he asked after taking a sip.
“It’s a special blend,” she replied. “My mother passed it on to me from her mother.”
“It’s not bad,” he said, drinking some more.”What’s it called?”
She waited until he was drinking then said, “Honeymoon blend.” She laughed at his reaction, “Do you want to know why?”
He shook his head as he regained control of his breathing, “No thanks.”
Once they were finished Ginny asked for a small fire elemental to guide them, “I’ve been using fire elementals because they are much easier to see so you can follow them without needing to hear it speak.” The fire elemental looked like a candle flame without a candle and was hovering at eye height as it led them through the mansion.
“I didn’t even know we had them here,” Harry replied.
“Well, once I saw the chandelier light itself I figured they must be here so I called one and it came,” she replied. “I asked after that and all four elements are represented here.”
Harry nodded, “Good to know.”
They stopped in front of a door and Ginny said, “Well I’m going through here. You can either join me or go find privacy again but remember what we talked about this morning. No skipping meals and no overdoing it.”
He nodded blushing, “I, uh, I’ll just go off to where I was yesterday again but I’ll see you for lunch.”
She gave him a grin that seemed brighter than normal, “Yes you certainly will.”
He saw her start untying the silk robe that was the only thing she’d been wearing since she arrived and found it hanging in the bath that first morning and suddenly her words made more sense. Blushing even brighter red he turned away and left at only a little less then a run.
At lunchtime a fire sprite came to get him and he dressed quickly and followed it inside. Once at the table he gaped. “Uh, Ginny?”
“Yes Harry?” she said with an innocent look on her face. “Sit down, the food’s here.”
“Uh, your robe,” he stammered out frozen.
“What about it Harry?” she asked as she made a sandwich and placed it on the plate nearest to him.
“It’s uh, you know, not tied shut,” Harry managed to get out.
She looked down in simulated surprise, “You’re right! Maybe I should take off then?”
“No!” he stammered in a loud voice and closed his eyes.
“Well then you should sit and eat,” she said. “Nothing is really showing now, but if you don’t sit and eat I might decide to I need to feed you.”
“Feed me?” he replied weakly. He was still standing just inside the room with his eyes shut.
“Yes,” she replied. “From your lap, without the robe on at all.”
Harry made a squeaking sound and blushed harder.
She walked up to him and said, “So unless you’d like that come sit and eat your sandwich.”
He sighed and did as he was told, “I thought you were waiting for me to make the first move?”
“Oh I am,” she said. “This isn’t a move. This is just helping you be a little less shy and eat better too.”
He didn’t agree but said nothing. After he bit into his sandwich he smiled, “This is really good Ginny!”
She smiled, “Thanks!” She poured him more juice from a pitcher, “Here wash it down with this.”
They ate in silence for a time while Harry looked for something to talk about. He finally said, “Have you lost scars too?”
She nodded, “Yeah, I had some from running through the forest behind the house and climbing trees and stuff. Most of that is gone now and the rest should be soon.” She frowned briefly, “On the other hand though I’ve gotten a lot more freckles and they are everywhere now.”
Harry gulped, “Really?”
She grinned, “I can prove it if you like?”
He shook his head, “No thanks.”
She pouted cutely, “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it then.”
After lunch they went back outside to their different spots and continued to practice their Saili. Harry's scars continued to disappear except for the one on his forehead and his frame filled out a little. He thought he might even be a little taller.
At dinner that night Ginny agreed that he was a bit taller and had him drink a full glass of milk with dinner, “You’ll need it if your bones are going to start growing that fast.” She also made sure he ate second helpings of food that night.
“Aren’t you ever going to tie that robe again?” Harry asked.
“Nope,” she replied cheerfully. “I’ve read the next part of what we’ll have to do and I’m trying to ease you into being comfortable enough to do it without freaking out.”
Harry gulped, “Oh.”
“Don’t worry Harry,” she said. “We’ll get through it together. I’ll hold your hand when you need it and I’ll never tell anyone what went on. Whatever story you want to give people I’ll back you up.”
Harry smiled, “Thank you!” Then he frowned, “But you were right yesterday when you said that people would assume the worst anyway. I’m sorry helping me is going to get you talked about.”
She shrugged, “It’s not your fault. And I’m certainly not going to stop helping you save people's lives because of it.” Then she looked at him directly, “It would be nicer if you could enjoy the fun parts of this though. I’m sure there will be more than enough pain and stress in both our futures. You should learn to enjoy the more pleasant bits or you’ll be a basket case before your twenty.”
Harry sighed again, “I know you believe that and I can’t even argue against it but I can’t just let go of my shyness and jump in with both feet like you have.”
“I understand that Harry, but will you try?” she put a hand on his. “For me please try a little each day. I’ll go slow but I need you to stop resisting quite so hard. Will you?”
Harry sighed and nodded, “I’ll try.”
“Good,” she replied. “Now for the rest of the night we’ll talk about something other than the war back home and our roles in it or the ritual we are doing. Okay?”
“Sounds good,” he said smiling.
The next morning when he came out of the shower Harry couldn’t find any clothes. All he had were towels and a terrycloth robe. When Ginny showed up he asked, “Did you convince the elementals to get rid of my clothes?”
She giggled, “They didn’t get rid of them Harry. They washed them and will store them until we are ready to leave. Until then you have your robe. I made sure it was a nice thick one though.”
He was about to start complaining but remembered his promise and sighed instead, “Thank you.”
“That’s the spirit!” she enthused. “Now come eat breakfast. You’ll need the energy.”
After two weeks of this routine both of them were looking like they had spent months with a personal trainer and days at a spa. They were both toned and firm and graceful even when doing everyday things. Ginny had gotten an inch taller and both her skin and hair had a healthy glow. She had no scars, aches, or pains anywhere and was full of energy. Harry had changed even more. He was four inches taller, no longer needed glasses, his frame had filled in and he had an aura of solidity now instead of the slightly fragile impression he’d often made before. He still had his famous scar but all the others had disappeared. His skin had the same glowing health as hers and his hair was still unruly but looked glossy and healthy.
As they met for breakfast the next morning anyone seeing them would say they were both at the peak of health. “I think we are ready for the main ritual,” he said and gulped a bit.
She nodded, “I agree. I had thought I was in good shape before we started this but my health and stamina are now far above what I’d had.” She looked at him speculatively in his tightly tied terrycloth robe, “Are you ready for the next step?”
He looked up from the carpet to her eyes, taking in all of her as he went. She was still in her thin silk robe but she’d gotten completely careless of what showed in the last four or five days. As his eyes rose he noted that she’d let the polish wear off her toes and not replaced it. Her calves were pale and intensely freckled but shapely and led up to a well muscled thigh. No part of her was too muscular or out of proportion but any part you looked at was firm, toned, and practically glowing with good health. He was glad the robe pooled a bit in her lap hiding her there but it opened up afterward to show washboard abs. He rushed passed one firm bare breast, noticed how graceful and swan-like her neck was as it rose from shoulders made slighter broader with muscle to a firm jaw, smiling sensuous pink lips, a narrow patrician nose with high sharp cheekbones, and bright blue eyes under fiery red eyebrows. It was a beautiful face crowned with hair like a bonfire.
“Well, what’s the verdict? Still like what you see or am I too muscular now?” she asked. “I know I never had much on top but now I’ve got only fried eggs and I’m freckled from top to bottom. You probably couldn’t tell me from Ron if we were dressed alike.”
Harry snorted, “No way will anyone mistake you for one of your brothers Ginny. You are in better shape now but you’re still very feminine and you still take my breath away every time I look at you.”
She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek, “Thank you Harry. I’ve been a little worried. Well if you’re finished eating I’ll tell you what we have do next.”
Disclaimer: I don't own the Potterverse!
Chapter Six
The next morning he was awakened by a scowling Ginny, “Are you incapable of taking care of your own health? I didn’t see you at lunch and the sylph told me you didn’t eat any dinner. It also revealed that you were so tired after you stumbled straight to bed and fell asleep. That was twelve hours ago. I’ve reached an agreement with the elementals for your benefit and protection. If you do not join me today you will only get four hours of Saili then a sylph will lead you to me for lunch. If you don’t go with it then I’ll come get you myself and make you stop for an hour and eat.”
Harry started to protest and she put her fingers on his lips, “You don’t get to argue after exhausting yourself yesterday. The elementals have agreed with me. After lunch you get four more hours then they’ll bring you to me for dinner and then you’ll have to take it easy the rest of the day.”
He sighed, “Yes Ginny.”
“This wouldn’t be necessary if you just joined me outside you know,” she said.
He blushed, “Do you really want that?”
“I’ve already answered that Harry,” she said. Then she grinned, “Want me to prove it? Then join me today after breakfast. Now get out of bed and get ready.”
Harry blushed again, “Are you just going to stand there and watch?”
She grinned again, “Maybe I should but instead I’ll leave and wait for you at our breakfast spot.”
Soon Harry was ready and a sylph led him to the table, “Fruit? The bangers and mash are enough and why do we have juice and milk but no tea or coffee?”
“It’s healthier this way,” she said. “Especially if your body is doing a lot of repair work. I want to make sure you get all the nutrients you need to be in great health.”
Harry grumbled but ate some pineapple along with his poached egg and sausage. “What kind of juice is this?” he asked after taking a sip.
“It’s a special blend,” she replied. “My mother passed it on to me from her mother.”
“It’s not bad,” he said, drinking some more.”What’s it called?”
She waited until he was drinking then said, “Honeymoon blend.” She laughed at his reaction, “Do you want to know why?”
He shook his head as he regained control of his breathing, “No thanks.”
Once they were finished Ginny asked for a small fire elemental to guide them, “I’ve been using fire elementals because they are much easier to see so you can follow them without needing to hear it speak.” The fire elemental looked like a candle flame without a candle and was hovering at eye height as it led them through the mansion.
“I didn’t even know we had them here,” Harry replied.
“Well, once I saw the chandelier light itself I figured they must be here so I called one and it came,” she replied. “I asked after that and all four elements are represented here.”
Harry nodded, “Good to know.”
They stopped in front of a door and Ginny said, “Well I’m going through here. You can either join me or go find privacy again but remember what we talked about this morning. No skipping meals and no overdoing it.”
He nodded blushing, “I, uh, I’ll just go off to where I was yesterday again but I’ll see you for lunch.”
She gave him a grin that seemed brighter than normal, “Yes you certainly will.”
He saw her start untying the silk robe that was the only thing she’d been wearing since she arrived and found it hanging in the bath that first morning and suddenly her words made more sense. Blushing even brighter red he turned away and left at only a little less then a run.
At lunchtime a fire sprite came to get him and he dressed quickly and followed it inside. Once at the table he gaped. “Uh, Ginny?”
“Yes Harry?” she said with an innocent look on her face. “Sit down, the food’s here.”
“Uh, your robe,” he stammered out frozen.
“What about it Harry?” she asked as she made a sandwich and placed it on the plate nearest to him.
“It’s uh, you know, not tied shut,” Harry managed to get out.
She looked down in simulated surprise, “You’re right! Maybe I should take off then?”
“No!” he stammered in a loud voice and closed his eyes.
“Well then you should sit and eat,” she said. “Nothing is really showing now, but if you don’t sit and eat I might decide to I need to feed you.”
“Feed me?” he replied weakly. He was still standing just inside the room with his eyes shut.
“Yes,” she replied. “From your lap, without the robe on at all.”
Harry made a squeaking sound and blushed harder.
She walked up to him and said, “So unless you’d like that come sit and eat your sandwich.”
He sighed and did as he was told, “I thought you were waiting for me to make the first move?”
“Oh I am,” she said. “This isn’t a move. This is just helping you be a little less shy and eat better too.”
He didn’t agree but said nothing. After he bit into his sandwich he smiled, “This is really good Ginny!”
She smiled, “Thanks!” She poured him more juice from a pitcher, “Here wash it down with this.”
They ate in silence for a time while Harry looked for something to talk about. He finally said, “Have you lost scars too?”
She nodded, “Yeah, I had some from running through the forest behind the house and climbing trees and stuff. Most of that is gone now and the rest should be soon.” She frowned briefly, “On the other hand though I’ve gotten a lot more freckles and they are everywhere now.”
Harry gulped, “Really?”
She grinned, “I can prove it if you like?”
He shook his head, “No thanks.”
She pouted cutely, “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it then.”
After lunch they went back outside to their different spots and continued to practice their Saili. Harry's scars continued to disappear except for the one on his forehead and his frame filled out a little. He thought he might even be a little taller.
At dinner that night Ginny agreed that he was a bit taller and had him drink a full glass of milk with dinner, “You’ll need it if your bones are going to start growing that fast.” She also made sure he ate second helpings of food that night.
“Aren’t you ever going to tie that robe again?” Harry asked.
“Nope,” she replied cheerfully. “I’ve read the next part of what we’ll have to do and I’m trying to ease you into being comfortable enough to do it without freaking out.”
Harry gulped, “Oh.”
“Don’t worry Harry,” she said. “We’ll get through it together. I’ll hold your hand when you need it and I’ll never tell anyone what went on. Whatever story you want to give people I’ll back you up.”
Harry smiled, “Thank you!” Then he frowned, “But you were right yesterday when you said that people would assume the worst anyway. I’m sorry helping me is going to get you talked about.”
She shrugged, “It’s not your fault. And I’m certainly not going to stop helping you save people's lives because of it.” Then she looked at him directly, “It would be nicer if you could enjoy the fun parts of this though. I’m sure there will be more than enough pain and stress in both our futures. You should learn to enjoy the more pleasant bits or you’ll be a basket case before your twenty.”
Harry sighed again, “I know you believe that and I can’t even argue against it but I can’t just let go of my shyness and jump in with both feet like you have.”
“I understand that Harry, but will you try?” she put a hand on his. “For me please try a little each day. I’ll go slow but I need you to stop resisting quite so hard. Will you?”
Harry sighed and nodded, “I’ll try.”
“Good,” she replied. “Now for the rest of the night we’ll talk about something other than the war back home and our roles in it or the ritual we are doing. Okay?”
“Sounds good,” he said smiling.
The next morning when he came out of the shower Harry couldn’t find any clothes. All he had were towels and a terrycloth robe. When Ginny showed up he asked, “Did you convince the elementals to get rid of my clothes?”
She giggled, “They didn’t get rid of them Harry. They washed them and will store them until we are ready to leave. Until then you have your robe. I made sure it was a nice thick one though.”
He was about to start complaining but remembered his promise and sighed instead, “Thank you.”
“That’s the spirit!” she enthused. “Now come eat breakfast. You’ll need the energy.”
After two weeks of this routine both of them were looking like they had spent months with a personal trainer and days at a spa. They were both toned and firm and graceful even when doing everyday things. Ginny had gotten an inch taller and both her skin and hair had a healthy glow. She had no scars, aches, or pains anywhere and was full of energy. Harry had changed even more. He was four inches taller, no longer needed glasses, his frame had filled in and he had an aura of solidity now instead of the slightly fragile impression he’d often made before. He still had his famous scar but all the others had disappeared. His skin had the same glowing health as hers and his hair was still unruly but looked glossy and healthy.
As they met for breakfast the next morning anyone seeing them would say they were both at the peak of health. “I think we are ready for the main ritual,” he said and gulped a bit.
She nodded, “I agree. I had thought I was in good shape before we started this but my health and stamina are now far above what I’d had.” She looked at him speculatively in his tightly tied terrycloth robe, “Are you ready for the next step?”
He looked up from the carpet to her eyes, taking in all of her as he went. She was still in her thin silk robe but she’d gotten completely careless of what showed in the last four or five days. As his eyes rose he noted that she’d let the polish wear off her toes and not replaced it. Her calves were pale and intensely freckled but shapely and led up to a well muscled thigh. No part of her was too muscular or out of proportion but any part you looked at was firm, toned, and practically glowing with good health. He was glad the robe pooled a bit in her lap hiding her there but it opened up afterward to show washboard abs. He rushed passed one firm bare breast, noticed how graceful and swan-like her neck was as it rose from shoulders made slighter broader with muscle to a firm jaw, smiling sensuous pink lips, a narrow patrician nose with high sharp cheekbones, and bright blue eyes under fiery red eyebrows. It was a beautiful face crowned with hair like a bonfire.
“Well, what’s the verdict? Still like what you see or am I too muscular now?” she asked. “I know I never had much on top but now I’ve got only fried eggs and I’m freckled from top to bottom. You probably couldn’t tell me from Ron if we were dressed alike.”
Harry snorted, “No way will anyone mistake you for one of your brothers Ginny. You are in better shape now but you’re still very feminine and you still take my breath away every time I look at you.”
She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek, “Thank you Harry. I’ve been a little worried. Well if you’re finished eating I’ll tell you what we have do next.”
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