A Single Moment

Harry shut the door behind Luna and sat down across from her. “Luna…first of all, I never thanked you properly for what you did for Neville. It’s amazing, and there’s no one in the world who deserves it more. You’re a really great friend to have done that for him. Thanks.”

Luna smiled in surprise. “You’re welcome,” she replied happily.

Harry smiled weakly back. “So…now that Ron’s awake, and Neville’s parents too, it’s time to get back to why we went after the book Sawol Immortalis in the first place; the Horcruxes. I need you to decipher anything you can from the book about them, any clue at all to help us understand them. I want you to work on it any time you get the chance; in fact, I’m not putting you on the schedule to guard Neville – I want you working on the book instead.”

Luna nodded. “Of course. Am I still going to be able to work in here? You seem to be using the room a great deal.”

“Yeah,” Harry agreed, running a hand nervously through his hair. “You’re going to have to wait a bit to get started again; not tonight or tomorrow morning. I figured that one of these rooms isn’t going to be enough, with all the secret stuff we’ve got going on, so after lunch tomorrow I’m going to create a room next to this one, and put all the same protections on it; while I’m working on that you can use this room, and when I’m done that will be your space to work on it. But I want the book and all your notes brought back in here when you’re not using it. I trust Dumbledore’s Protection Charms on the chest more than my Charms. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Harry stood up, but when he moved to the door he noticed that Luna hadn’t moved. “Er- did you need something else?”

“I was just wondering if you and Ginny needed any other help from me,” Luna said. When Harry still looked confused she added “Like what you asked for at the wedding.”

Harry flushed bright red, remembering the look on Luna’s face as Ginny had ridden Harry on the floor of her old room at the Burrow; he’d never really considered enjoying voyeurism until then. “But Luna- I mean, that was….thanks for doing it, but aren’t you worried about George?” he asked, stumbling over the words.

Luna looked shocked. “Do you think he would object?”

“I think he might…” Harry said, but his voice was tinged with uncertainty.

“Well, he hasn’t said anything about wanting to be exclusive, so I don’t think so,” Luna replied lightly. “I know that that’s what’s normal, but George is very much a free spirit – I don’t know if you noticed.”

Harry snorted, not sure if Luna was being sarcastic or not. “He may be a free spirit but he’s still got feelings, and none of us would want to hurt them. And I’d never do anything that Ginny didn’t agree to.”

“Oh!” Luna said, looking mildly hurt. “You don’t think Ginny would want to?”

“No! No, that’s not what I meant!” Harry said hastily. “Look, you kind of sprung that on me and I’m not sure how to react, okay? I appreciate the offer, Luna – and, um, don’t think I’m not, well, interested – but I’m not going to risk hurting Ginny or George.”

“Oh, all right then,” Luna agreed, standing up and looking much more cheerful. “I know you need the room right now, so I’ll get out of your way.”

Harry was startled by the abrupt change in Luna’s mood, but opened the door and stood aside as she walked out. He stuck his head out after her (trying not to look at her arse, which he was suddenly preternaturally aware of) and nodded to Parvati, who was waiting nervously across the hall.

Harry stood aside for Parvati, and was surprised when Ginny slipped in behind her. “I finished briefing Susan and Hannah on guarding Neville,” she informed him. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Of course not,” he answered with a smile. “You’ll hear all of it later anyway when I fill you, Hermione and Ron in after we meet with Ernie.”

Harry closed the door and the three of them seated themselves. “So Parvati-” Harry began.

“Look,” Parvati interrupted, “I’m- I’m sorry about…about Lavender, all right? I didn’t want her to leave, not really!”

“I know, I’m not blaming you,” Harry said in surprise. “But that loud shouting match you had with her when she left was overheard by a lot of people near Fred and George’s shop.” Parvati looked miserable, and practically in tears. “So most everyone thinks you’re the reason she left-”

“I am the reason she left,” Parvati mumbled wretchedly.

“No you’re not,” Harry countered. “She left because I told her to.” He nodded at Parvati’s look of shock. “Lavender had already told her mum she was returning home; it would have looked suspicious if she had suddenly changed her mind. Lavender pointed that out to me and Ginny herself, by the way,” he added as Ginny nodded in confirmation. “So she left, and actually your public fight makes for a decent way of bringing her back; that’s what I want to talk to you about.”

“Oh,” Parvati whispered. “You- you want me to go make up with her?”

“Exactly. Very publicly, if you can, or at least make sure people know you’re talking to her, even if they don’t see the conversation.”

“O-okay, I can do that,” Parvati agreed hesitantly.

“Parvati, this needs to be done for Lavender’s good as much as anything,” Ginny said suddenly. “It’s not exactly a secret that she was at school with all of us, and even in the same year and house as Harry. Who knows if Voldemort won’t decide to go after everyone connected with Harry, even vaguely, just on the chance they have information?”

Parvati looked up, her stricken face registering the shock of that idea. “Oh, no! You mean that he might-”

“It’s possible,” Harry agreed. “So we need Lavender close for her own safety as well as ours.”

“I’ll do it,” Parvati said with a lot more certainty. “I’ll go first thing tomorrow.”

“Good,” Harry said with a smile. “But you’re going to have to make sure that who you talk to is really Lavender – hmm, actually you’ll have to get her alone, now that I think of it. I’ll give you a bit of Veritaserum to take. You’ll have to slip it to her, or something.”

“No problem,” Parvati said with confidence. “If I know Lavender’s mum, she’ll invite me in to have tea with her and Lavender, and then excuse herself. That’ll be perfect.”

“That sounds like it’ll work,” Harry agreed. “Find me tomorrow before you leave, and I’ll give you the Veritaserum and an emergency Portkey. I’ll make the Portkey bring you back to Fred and George’s back room, and if you use it it’ll set off a signal and we’ll come running.”

Parvati nodded and stood up suddenly. “I’d better get some sleep; I want to leave early tomorrow morning.”

“Right,” Harry said, and got up to open the door for Parvati. When Parvati left he stuck his head out, but there was no one around. “What time is it?” he asked Ginny.

Ginny looked at her watch. “Only eight twenty,” she said. “Fred and George won’t be her for another forty minutes.”

Harry shut the door softly, but remained standing with his hand on the doorknob; his breathing sounded labored. “Harry?” Ginny said, alarmed. She got to her feet and walked around the table to put her hand lightly on his shoulder. “Harry-?”

Harry spun around, grabbed Ginny by the shoulders and kissed her hard, shoving his tongue into her open mouth. His arm went around her and pulled her close, while the other reached down and yanked her shirt out of her jeans. Ginny almost fought against it instinctively, but when Harry finally pulled back long enough to star tearing at the zipper of her jeans, the fear in his eyes stopped her. Instead, tears pooling in her own eyes and her own fear mounting, she divested Harry of his own jeans. The second they were both exposed Harry grabbed Ginny again and shoved her back onto the table.

Ginny wasn’t completely ready and it was slightly painful when Harry entered her, but she ignored it and clutched at his head to bring him close for another searing kiss. She wrapped her legs around him, hooking her ankles around his arse to encourage him to do what he needed. Harry’s hips pistoned down onto hers and the discomfort faded almost instantly, replaced by a desperation unlike any she’d ever felt. Her hands roamed everywhere on Harry’s body she could reach, his back, his shoulders, his hair and finally his face. He peered down at her as he continued to drive himself inside her; his glasses smudged with tears, the fear still there in his eyes.

Thrusting her hips up to meet his, trying not to whimper from the need, Ginny pulled him down so his head was beside hers. “It’s okay, Harry,” she whispered. “You’re alive, I’m alive. Hermione and Neville are alive, even if they aren’t- whole. They didn’t get us; we’re here, we’re alive.”

Now Harry’s shoulders shook with sobs; his body quivered as his thrusting grew more frenetic, and Ginny felt her own orgasm building. “Alive, Harry-” she gasped out, digging her nails into his back and moaning, “and we’re- going to stay that way-!”

Ginny came with a shudder that racked her entire body. Harry thrust once more and shot inside her, biting her neck and groaning out her name.

They lay on the table panting, clinging tightly to each other. Finally Harry tried to move, but Ginny refused to let him go. “Don’t,” she begged.

Harry lifted himself to look at her. Both of them looked much the worse for wear, but Ginny was relieved to see the fear in Harry’s eyes had faded, at least a little. “Ginny, I’m sorry I didn’t- didn’t give you more warning, or ask-”

Ginny shut Harry up with another kiss, gentler this time, but no less needy. “I thought my heart had stopped when I heard how close you came this time,” she choked out once she’d released him.

“Me too,” Harry said softly. “When I saw Hermione lying there…” He swallowed. “I’m sorry about forcing this, but I- I really needed-”

“You needed to feel your heart beating,” Ginny finished for him. “I understand, Harry…I think I needed it too, I feel – lighter now. Not better, but…lighter. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah,” Harry said with a weak smile. “I think I feel that too.” He kissed her again, just because he could.

“Harry?” Ginny whispered once they’d separated again.

“Yeah?”

“My back is killing me.”

“Oh.” Harry stood up, finally withdrawing from Ginny and causing them both to shudder a bit. He grasped the edge of the table to support his shaky legs as Ginny sat up. She stood up and cast a Cleaning Charm on herself, and that’s when it hit Harry. “Ginny!” he exclaimed.

“What?”

“We- we didn’t use the anti-pregnancy Charm!”

Ginny was quiet for a minute as she adjusted her clothes. “I know, she said eventually.

“You- what?”

“It’s not the first time, Harry,” Ginny said quietly, looking up at him. “We forgot it in that room at St. Mungo’s yesterday.”

Harry gaped at Ginny. “I’m so sorry-” he stammered.

“Don’t be,” Ginny said with a soft smile. “Harry, I really doubt I’m pregnant, but even if I am, we’ll figure it out. It’s okay.”

Harry shook his head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Ginny grabbed Harry’s t-shirt and dragged him down until they were face to face. “Because you have more important things to worry about!” she growled. “And no, I don’t want to be a mother yet,” she added, releasing him. “Frankly, the idea terrifies me. Someday, sure, but years from now when we’re ready! But being pregnant doesn’t even hold a candle to the other things we have to be terrified of.” She took Harry’s hand and held it over her heart. “Like I said, Harry, I really doubt I’m pregnant, but if I am I won’t regret it no matter what. There’re better things to be upset about than a child made out of love.” She smirked a little. “This is almost exactly how Ron was conceived, you know.”

“Wh-what?” Harry gasped as his thoughts were completely derailed. “What do you mean?”

“Eighteen years ago dad was doing raids. One of them went wrong, and…he barely made it out alive. I overheard mum describe it once; dad got home late at night, and I’m willing to bet that what she saw in his eyes was what I just saw in yours.” She raised her free hand and traced Harry’s jaw with her fingertips. “Ron was conceived that night – on the kitchen table, from what mum said.” She smiled a bit teasingly. “I can’t say I’d be sorry if our first child was conceived just because you’re so bloody happy to be alive.”

Harry closed his eyes and sighed. “No, me either.” He cracked one eye open and peered at Ginny. “First child? How many do you intend to have?”

“For now? None,” Ginny said fervently. “Eventually? Who knows? Whatever feels right. Mum and dad said they just knew seven was right. Five years from now, or ten, or whenever we decide we’re ready…maybe we’ll know.”

Harry pulled Ginny close. “You, uh…you’re pretty sure you’re not-?”

“Fairly sure. I’ll do a test in a day or two and we’ll know.” Ginny pressed her face to Harry’s chest. “Worried?”

Harry shook his head. “No. I’ll save my worry for Voldemort.”

“Good.” Ginny looked up with a stern expression as Harry yawned hugely. “Harry, you’re exhausted; you haven’t slept in over a day!”

“Can’t sleep,” he muttered ruefully. “Fred and George. Then Ernie, then talking with you lot.”

Ginny grit her teeth. “Fine, but the second we’re done I’m tossing you into the bed. And Stupefying you,” she added with a smirk as Harry waggled his eyebrows lasciviously.