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Author: Zelthian Story: The Lover's Bond Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 11 Words: 29,415
Ginny didn’t bother Apparating back to her room at the twins’ flat the next day. It was an open secret that she was spending her nights at Harry’s, as was Ron’s nightly visits to Hermione’s. Harry wondered if Ron was having as much luck with his willpower as he was, though he reckoned since Ron was a Weasley that it was Hermione’s willpower that was keeping Ron in check. As Harry thought about it, Ginny wasn’t pressing Harry at all. They had talked about it after her birthday, and that had been that. Ginny, however, seemed quite fond of caressing his chest at night. They stayed in bed until mid-morning, taking the opportunity to just lie together, cuddling and snogging. Ginny took her time unbuttoning Harry’s shirt, apparently enjoying every minute of it. She caressed Harry’s chest slowly, apparently taking great pleasure in running her hand over his very developed muscles. Harry had been right; Voldemort may have no power over him, but Harry was powerless against the wiles of this Weasley. He closed his eyes and felt every single hair on his body tingle. As if this wasn’t enough, Ginny stopped, leaned down and blew air softly over his chest. Harry could not believe that such a simple thing could feel so good. After one good long breath, she laid back down and snuggled into him. “You’re a tease, you know that?” Harry asked playfully. “As if you didn’t enjoy it,” Ginny flirted. “When’s the wedding again?” Harry asked. “We never got that far, did we?” Ginny remembered. “Oh, yeah. Well, the sooner the better.” They laughed. Ginny squeezed Harry and got out of bed. “I need a shower. Fancy some lunch afterwards?” “Sure, though I think I’ll just lie here and let my chest hair recover a bit,” Harry joked Ginny giggled. She went to the bathroom and closed the door. Two minutes later she came out with a towel wrapped around her. She skipped over to the bed, gave Harry a kiss on the nose, and skipped back to the bathroom. She stood just inside the door where Harry could see her. She turned her back towards him, pulled her towel away, gave him a wink and closed the door. Harry didn’t know if his willpower could withstand the constant barrage of temptation that Ginny was inflicting on him. She may not be pressing Harry back into a physical relationship, but that didn’t keep her from flirting strongly. He’d have to speak with Mrs. Weasley about the wedding date soon. Harry took his shower in the guest lavatory. By the time he came out, Ginny was dressed and touring the pictures in the main room. He dressed quickly, and the two of them went to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. “When are Ron and Hermione expected back?” Harry asked. “Sometime this afternoon,” a voice said over Harry’s shoulder. He turned to see Ron and Hermione walking towards them. They sat down and ordered themselves lunch. “How did it go?” Ginny asked. “I tell ya, Harry, I think I’d rather be questioned by Mum than Mr. Granger,” Ron said, sounding tired. “I didn’t think the interrogation was ever going to end.” Hermione rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t that bad, Ron.” “Speak for yourself,” Ron shot back. “You weren’t the one getting questioned. In fact, I don’t think he asked you a single one!” Hermione smiled slyly. “It’s not my fault my parents think I’m completely innocent.” Ron looked defeated. “It’s hopeless. It’s like they don’t know how much you’ve changed since you came to Hogwarts.” Hermione grabbed Ron’s arm and leaned into him. “You mean, since I’ve been hanging around with you lot?” She kissed him on the cheek. Ron couldn’t hold back his smile. “So what finally came of it?” Ginny asked anxiously. “Well, once that was over, dad relaxed, and we had a great time,” Hermione explained. “Ron even slept out on the sofa to show that he could be trusted.” “Can’t complain, that sofa was right comfortable. But truth be told, it wasn’t me that…” Ron trailed off as he got a sudden elbow in the side from Hermione. Harry recognized that signal and didn’t press, though his smile was equally hard to hold back. A few moments passed as they ate quietly. “Ron and I are going shopping,” Hermione announced. “We want to get some new clothes for working at the ministry. You two want to join us?” Ginny gasped. “That reminds me, I have some things I need to buy for my internship. I need to get some outfits, too.” “Well, that settles it then,” Harry said. They finished up and headed for Madam Malkin’s. Ginny and Hermione headed off together, as usual, and Harry followed Ron. “Do you have any idea what we should be looking for?” Harry asked. “Not a clue,” Ron said. “I’ve only had to buy school robes and dress robes before. Professional-wear isn’t my specialty.” Harry surrendered to the obvious truth of it all and motioned to one of the tailors. Soon Ron was trying on a smart outfit that looked like a cross between a business suit and a Quidditch outfit. Quirky as it seemed in concept, the execution was brilliant, and Ron looked very handsome in it. “That outfit suits you, Ron,” Harry admired. “You have to get it.” Ron turned this way and that in front of one of the nearby mirrors. “I think I will. Dad gave me an allowance as a graduation present. I have to say I like these a lot.” “Very well, Mr. Weasley,” the tailor said happily. “And how about you, Mr. Potter?” “Me?” Harry hadn’t considered buying clothes for himself, but now that he thought about it, all he had to wear were his school robes, which had the Gryffindor emblem emblazoned on them. He really didn’t have anything proper to wear at the Ministry. “Yes, well, come to think of it, I do need some work clothes.” “Excellent. What kind of work will you be doing?” the tailor asked. “Actually, I’ll be starting my training at the Ministry. As an Auror,” Harry explained. The tailor stared at him for a moment. “Well of course. How silly of me. Now let me see, ah yes… dark hair, fair complexion… green eyes, yes, I think I might just have something for you…” The tailor led Harry over to a rack a few meters from where Ron had been. He flipped through some very elegant looking robes before announcing, “Ah, here we are!” The tailor retrieved the outfit and motioned Harry to a mirror. There he helped Harry put the outfit on over his Muggle clothes. Harry took a good look at himself. The robes were made of a black, medium-heavy material that was textured with raised symbols that Harry didn’t recognize. The collar was lined with a sliver-grey material the flowed down the chest to the end of the robe and continued around the hem. The cuffs were made from the same material. As Harry turned left and right, he noticed shimmering green threads that glistened throughout the material. “Wow, Harry, those look great on you!” Ron admired. “Yes, and I daresay it will take you several hours to find all the pockets sewn into that robe,” the tailor explained. “I had it made for a certain Auror, but he didn’t like the material, so I had to recreate it. This one has been here ever since.” “I’ll take it,” Harry said enthusiastically. “Very good, Mr. Potter,” the tailor replied. “Well, I better get out of these so I can pay for them. See you at the counter, Harry,” Ron said as he headed back to the changing room. Harry kept turning his robes, watching the glistening and twinkling of the green threads. He really did look good, he thought. He was just about to start taking off the robes when he realized that he was wearing a robe done up in Slytherin colors. “What on earth am I doing?” he thought to himself. “Wait, I’m not at Hogwarts anymore. And it’s not like this robe has a Slytherin symbol on it. Besides, it goes great with my eyes. So what if they’re Slytherin colors? It really doesn’t matter now, does it?” Harry took off the robes and carefully put it back on the hanger. He took them up to the counter and, as an afterthought, purchased some new boots. He learned the robes also had a matching hat, which the tailor adjusted to fit Harry. “All ready then, Ron?” Harry said as Ron finished paying for his clothes. “Yeah. Shall we grab a Butterbeer while we wait for the ladies?” Ron asked, motioning towards the door. “Sure,” Harry agreed. They left their bags behind the counter and headed down to the Leaky Cauldron. They came out with their Butterbeers and were about to sit down when they heard a loud scream. “That was Ginny!” Harry cried. Harry and Ron dropped their glasses and sprinted towards the clothing store, drawing their wands as they ran. What they saw when they entered the store made Harry’s blood run cold. Crabbe and Goyle were holding Ginny against the wall, one hand over her mouth so she couldn’t scream. Malfoy had Hermione at wandpoint. Neither of the two girls had their wands. “Ah, Potty, Weasel, so good of you to join us,” Malfoy mused much too gleefully. “Now put your wands down or your mudblood love here will get a good taste of what I’ve learned in the past few days.” Harry stood frozen for a few moments. His tolerance for Malfoy had just run out. He had crossed the line, and there was no telling how far he’d go. Harry had to do something fast. Thinking it through, he lowered his wand, and motioned for Ron to do the same. “Drop them. Now,” Malfoy commanded. Harry nodded to Ron, dropping his wand. Ron followed suit. “There,” Malfoy continued. “Now, the mudblood and I are going on a little trip. I daresay you won’t be seeing much of her after today, so if you have anything to say to her, you’d best do it now.” A fury was building up in Harry, and he knew the same was happening to Ron. Now was not the time for rash action. He had a plan, but for it to succeed, Ron had to keep his cool. Harry leaned over and whispered to Ron, “Get ready to grab your wand and hit Crabbe and Goyle. Wait for my signal. You’ll know it when you see it.” Ron nodded very slowly. Harry started walking very slowly towards Malfoy. “I wouldn’t get any closer if I were you, Potter,” Malfoy warned. “Yeah? What’cha gonna do, Malfoy?” Harry taunted. “Then again, I supposed I shouldn’t put it past you to refrain from attacking an unarmed wizard. Seems to be the low-life kind of thing you’d pull.” “You’d be right at that, Potter,” Malfoy agreed. “So what’s the deal, Malfoy?” Harry asked, continuing towards him. “Hermione finally get under that thick skin of yours?” Malfoy looked furious. “Everyone knows the mudblood is the brains of your operation, Potter. My father’s in prison, and he has you lot to thank for it. It’s time some justice was had, and I can think of nothing more fitting than to take out the brains and the mudblood all at the same time.” Harry was getting closer. “This is kinda brave for you, though, isn’t it, Malfoy? I thought sneaking around and stabbing people in the back was more your style. It takes nerve to threaten a witch in broad daylight. Not bravery, though, seeing as she doesn’t even have her wand on her.” “Oh shut up, Potter,” Malfoy said angrily. “I don’t care what the situation is, I’ll have my vengeance. Now step away.” Harry was almost to Malfoy now. “What’s the matter, Malfoy? Afraid of a powerless little wizard like myself?” Malfoy smirked. “You wish, Potter. It’s not like you can hurt me. You don’t have a wand, remember?” Harry stopped, having reached the spot he wanted to be. “I don’t need a wand to take care of a slimy little punk like you, Draco.” Harry quickly reached back and threw a furious punch at Malfoy’s face, which connected with a sickening CRUNCH. Right on cue, Ron had his wand. “Stupify!” Crabbe was on the floor. Goyle loosened his grip in shock. Ginny went for his privates with her knee, connecting squarely. Goyle let go, and Ginny was gone with a CRACK. “Stupify!” and Goyle was on the ground. Hermione ran to Ron as Harry picked up Malfoy’s wand, which he had dropped in his haste to hold his aching jaw. A slow trickle of blood seeped out the corner of his mouth. Malfoy started to get up, but stopped as he realized he was staring down the end of his own wand. Harry looked at Malfoy like he was trying to burn a hole in his head. “Give me a reason, Malfoy. Just one little reason.” Just then, the door to the shop opened. Moody rushed in, followed by a half-dozen other witches and wizards. He stopped when he realized the scene before him. “Care to explain what’s going on, Mr. Potter?” Moody asked casually. Harry took a few steps back and handed Malfoy’s wand to Moody. “Crabbe and Goyle assaulted Ginny. Malfoy had Hermione at wandpoint. He said something about taking her on a trip, and that we wouldn’t be seeing much of her after today. I got the drop on him with a little punch I learned from my cousin, and Ron took care of Crabbe, then Goyle after an assist from Ginny.” Moody took Malfoy’s wand from Harry and walked over to Malfoy with an angry look on his face. His eye was moving up and down the length of Malfoy’s body. It stopped about half-way down his chest. Moody reached in to Malfoy’s robe and pulled out a galleon. Harry recognized it. Malfoy had used one like it to leave the twins’ shop after he taunted them about the Order. That, of course, was before he had his memory altered. “Where did you get this Portkey, Mr. Malfoy?” Moody asked. Malfoy looked at Harry with pure hatred. “I want to speak with my legal council.” “Very well,” Moody said calmly. “Take Malfoy into custody and get these other two to St. Mungo’s. I’ll get statements from everyone here.” Moody’s companions arrested Malfoy and placed Crabbe and Goyle onto stretchers. Ginny ran back in from the street. Harry took her into his arms and held her tight for a long time. “Are you all right, Ginny? Did they hurt you?” Harry asked. Ginny shook her head. “They were after Hermione. They just wanted to keep me out of the way. I’m all right; just a bit sore in the arms is all.” Hermione was crying angrily into Ron’s chest. They had sat on a bench close to where Ron had been standing. Harry saw a tear run down Ron’s cheek. “I can’t believe I set my wand down,” Hermione said between sobs. “I know better than that. I should have kept it on me. He never would have gotten the drop on me…” “It’s okay, Hermione,” Ron said. “None of us can keep their wands on us all the time. Nobody saw this coming. Not even Moody.” Hermione looked up and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. “Oh, Ron, you were brilliant! You took Crabbe and Goyle with one shot each! I only wish I had a camera to catch it. I just couldn’t get to my wand, I couldn’t…” Ron rubbed Hermione’s back as he hugged her. “It’s okay, Hermione. It’s okay…” “Drop this, Harry?” Moody had Harry’s wand, which he offered up to Harry. “Thanks,” Harry said, taking his wand. “We didn’t think Malfoy had anything like this in him, or we would have been watching him more closely,” Moody admitted. “From the testimony we have here, I figure Malfoy will be out of your hair for quite some time.” He paused a moment to study Harry. “You’ve impressed me, Potter. Took a lot of guts and gall to work your way up to Malfoy just so you could get a punch off.” Harry shrugged. Ginny gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Poetic though, in a way,” Moody continued. “The Muggle-hater defeated by a Muggle attack. Serves him right.” With that, Moody left the shop. The twins ran in just as Moody got out the door. “Ginny! Hermione! You two okay????” they asked in unison. Ginny nodded. “I’m fine, but Hermione’s a bit shaken. Give her a moment.” Fred and George both gave Ginny a relieved hug. They walked up behind Hermione and group-hugged her gently. Hermione managed a smile. “What happened?” Fred asked. “You two should have seen it!” Ginny started, excitedly. “It was brilliant. Harry talked his way up to Malfoy without his wand, and BAM! Harry slugged him right in the jaw. Right as he did it, Ron grabbed his wand and took Crabbe out cold. I whacked Goyle where it counts and Apparated out, but I heard Ron take him down, too. When I looked back in, Harry had Malfoy with his own wand, and then Moody showed up.” “Awe, man, I wish I could have punched Malfoy,” George commented. “You know, George, the pain works two ways,” Harry stated, cradling his right hand in his left. “Harry! Your knuckles are swollen!” Ginny exclaimed. “Yeah, that happens after a good punch,” Harry explained. “Let’s get you to the twins’ flat; we’ll need to put some ice on it,” Ginny suggested. Fred and George took care of Ginny and Hermione’s purchase, then grabbed everyone’s new clothes and led the group to their flat. Once inside, Hermione laid in Ron’s lap on the couch and Ginny grabbed some ice to put on Harry’s hand. Fred and George handed out Butterbeers to everyone. Just then, the Floo fire started spewing people into the main room. First came Mrs. Weasley, followed by Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, and then Mr. Weasley. “Hermione! You’re okay! Oh thank heavens…” Mrs. Granger exclaimed on her way to Hermione. Hermione sat up and hugged her mom. “I’m fine, thanks to Ron and Harry,” Hermione said. Mr. Granger walked over to Ron and shook his hand. “We figured you for a gentleman, Ron, and Hermione’s told us about your adventures at Hogwarts, but this really is something. Thank you for helping protect my daughter.” Ron blushed a little. “I could never let anything happen to her, sir. Not while I still live and breathe.” Hermione let go of her mum long enough to hug her dad, then turned and hugged Ron a lot. Mrs. Weasley, of course, went right to fussing over Ginny. “Please, mum, I’m FINE…” Ginny said, trying to keep her mum from fussing over her. Mrs. Weasley would not be denied, however. “Now Ginny, let me have a look at you, those brutes better not have cause a single hair to be out of place…” Harry figured the whole incident had been so quick that there wasn’t really any time for Crabbe and Goyle to do any real harm to Ginny. Her arms were a little sore, but there were no bruises. “Don’t worry, Mum,” Ginny said, smiling. “Harry gave Malfoy something he won’t soon forget.” Mr. Weasley beamed at Harry. “Right in the kisser I hear, Harry? I bet THAT got Draco’s attention.” Harry nodded. “I was lucky it was enough to make him drop his wand. He was much more cooperative without it, especially with his bodyguards knocked out.” “Are you sure you’re all right, Hermione?” Mrs. Granger asked. Hermione nodded. “Yes, Mum, I’m fine. It’d take more than Malfoy to put me off.” “Right then, we’ll be off back home,” Mr. Granger said. “Tomorrow’s a surgery day, and we need to rest. Take care of yourselves and good luck at your first day of work!” Hermione gave her parents good-bye hugs and kisses, and Mr. Weasley escorted them out by Floo fire, returning moments later. “The nerve of that boy attacking Hermione in the open like that. What was he thinking?” Mr. Weasley pondered out loud. “It’s pretty obvious he wasn’t thinking, Dad,” Ron offered. “Even when it’s slow, there are enough witches and wizards roaming Diagon Alley that someone is going to see it happen. There was no way he was going to get away with it.” The Floo fire spewed someone into the room again. This time it was Moody. “My apologies for the intrusion, Fred, George,” Moody said as he came into the main room. “What’s the word, Alastor?” Harry asked. Moody sat down and looked at Harry. “It’s worse than we thought. Our sources tell us this was just a test. The order to attack Hermione apparently came from the Death Eaters themselves, though Draco wasn’t aware of it.” Mr. Weasley went red. Molly sat down in shock. Hermione was now looking a bit scared, a fact which didn’t escape Ron, who held her close. Ginny stared at Harry, who looked back at her for a moment, then back to Moody. Moody continued. “Of all the new recruits this year, the only one the Death Eaters fear more than Harry is Hermione. The fact that she is Muggle-born only adds to their dislike of you, Miss Granger. They wanted to see if their fears were well-founded. They sent orders down the chain to Malfoy to deal with her, which he apparently was more than happy to do. Thankfully, Voldemort does not seem quite ready to return to direct action with the Death Eaters. The four of you were more than enough to handle Malfoy and his cronies.” Everyone was looking at Hermione, who seemed to be doing her best to look defiant. “So what do we do now, Alastor?” Harry asked. Moody stood up. “We step up our vigilance, Harry. The four of you will begin your new assignments tomorrow. It’s the best way we know how to keep you safe, and if I may say so, sane. Not only will you be better protected, but I daresay you’ll be able to help with the Order’s work as well.” This news made everyone feel better. Harry was very glad he was finally going to have something to do, and hugged Ginny in delight. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must be off. I’ll meet the four of you here tomorrow morning promptly at seven-thirty. Until then…” Moody bowed, walked to the fireplace and Flooed away. Mrs. Weasley turned to her husband. “Do you think we should stay here with them tonight?” Harry found himself hoping Mr. Weasley would say no. He wasn’t sure how Mrs. Weasley would react if she ever discovered Ginny was spending her nights with him, and the last thing he wanted right now was to be on the bad side of his future mother-in-law. Mr. Weasley shook his head. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of anything for a while. Everyone is on alert now. They’ll be fine. Besides, we have work to do.” Whew! Mrs. Weasley gave Ginny and Hermione hugs before they left. Ginny and Harry bid the twins goodbye, and then left with Ron and Hermione. The four split up outside to retire to their respective flats. Once in bed, Harry held Ginny close to him. “You handled your anger pretty well today, Harry,” Ginny said proudly. “It took every bit of willpower I had,” Harry admitted. “I let it flow into my fist, and I let it all out at once. I’ve waited seven years to do that.” Ginny nodded. “Yeah, he had it coming. I’m glad he got it from you, though. I don’t think Ron or Hermione would have been able to stop.” “Malfoy is such a toad,” Harry said, lost in thought. ”He thinks he’s so important, when he doesn’t even rate above a pawn for the Death Eaters. I almost pity him. Almost.” “Well, we should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow for both of us,” Ginny suggested. “Are you as excited as I am?” Harry asked. Ginny gave him a goodnight kiss on the lips. “No doubt, Harry.” She laid her hand on his chest and they fell off to sleep together.
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