Fic: By The Lake
Title: By The Lake
Pairings: Harry/Ginny with Ron/Hermione on the side
Rating: PG for kissing
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Notes: Written for reallycorking on the event of her birthday with much love. Thank you to aome for the beta.
It was a beautiful summer day. The wind was light and warm, and the sun was shining brightly on the four people who basked in its rays. Ron and Hermione were in the lake that sat on the abandoned property adjacent to the Burrow; the same lake that all seven Weasley children had spent almost every summer of their lives in while growing up. Ron was taking every opportunity he could to dunk his fiancée - so overjoyed was he that Hermione had agreed to marry him when the war had finally ended that he’d rarely referred to her as anything else since she’d said yes - and Hermione was retaliating by splashing him as often as she could manage.
Ginny smiled as she watched them frolic in the inviting water, smoothing down the bottom of her light cotton dress. It was pale blue, a colour Ginny thought suited her nicely, with her red hair and brown eyes. She’d taken the time to pull her long hair into plaits on either side of her head, and she’d tucked a daisy plucked from the garden into the end of each one. Harry, who’d been the last to join the table for a breakfast Molly had made large enough for at least twice as many people to feast on, had given Ginny more than a cursory glance and commented on her appearance, which meant that Ginny had been positively glowing all day.
If only Harry would get over his stupid complex about not being good enough for her.
Ginny knew it stemmed from the permanent injuries he’d sustained during the war, not to mention the emotional ones that all three of them had come back with. Harry had yet to talk about the final battle with Tom Riddle (Ginny refused to call him Voldemort) and when she’d tried to coax something, anything out of Ron or Hermione, they both would only give her only a vague answer and promptly change the subject. It was frustrating as hell for Ginny, because she loved Harry - she didn’t just love him, she loved him. She didn’t care that he had to use a cane to walk and that he now had more than one scar. She didn’t care that sometimes his magic was a bit wonky (she had thought the cushion he’d transfigured out of a decent-sized rock quite charming, but Harry had gotten angry with himself because he’d been trying to transfigure her a bunch of flowers). All she wanted was for him to open up to her, to share the pain she knew he carried. But Ginny also knew that Harry was a man now, and no longer the boy who’d enchanted her as a ten-year-old; he couldn’t be pushed. He would talk to her when he was ready to do so, and not before. So all Ginny could do was let him know she would be there, no matter how long it took.
She shifted against the ancient oak tree, making herself a bit more comfortable, when she heard the now-familiar sound of Harry’s cane thumping along the well-worth path that led from the Burrow to the lake. She waited until he came into view, and then gave him her sunniest grin as he eased himself down next to her, dumping the cane on the ground next to him.
“Hello, handsome,” she greeted him, reaching out for his hand.
Harry twined his fingers through hers and lifted them up to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back of her hand. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Isn’t it a gorgeous day?”
“It sure is.” His gaze wandered over to the lake, where his best friends had given up on dunking and splashing each other, and were instead indulging in exchanging kisses that were as hot as the day itself. Ron’s hand had dipped below the waterline, which came up to their waists, and Harry chuckled. “To think there was a time when Ron would rather have eaten a pailful of slugs than admit he wanted to kiss Hermione.”
Ginny matched his grin. “He’s been smitten with her for so long now that I can’t remember what he was like before he loved her.”
Harry’s eyes lingered for a few more moments on Ron and Hermione, and then his smile faded as he put a hand up to shade his eyes from the glare. There was a comfortable silence between the two of them, only broken several minutes later when Harry finally spoke.
“I do love you, Gin, you know that.”
Even though she did know it, it still melted her heart to hear Harry say the words, to hear them in his voice.
“I know you do, Harry. And you know I love you right back. I just wish...” she trailed off, not wanting to ruin the moment by risking another argument.
“You just wish?” Harry prompted softly.
Ginny let go of his hand and turned her body so she was facing him, giving him her complete attention. “I just wish you wouldn’t shut me out, that’s all. We can get through this, together, if only you’d let me be there for you.”
Harry was silent for so long that Ginny began to wonder if he was ever going to speak again. “You’re right. I do shut you out, and I’m sorry. It’s just - it’s not good, you know? I don’t want to burden you.”
“You’re not a burden, Harry Potter!” Ginny said, exasperated at having the same conversation yet again. “You could never be a burden. How many times must I say that before you actually believe me?”
Harry stared into her eyes properly for the first time since he’d gotten there, and he saw the love and frustration she felt. “I do believe you.”
Ginny impulsively plucked one of the daisies out of a plait and handed it to him. “So will you talk to me?”
Harry took the daisy and hesitated just a moment, before nodding. “Yes.”
Ginny’s breath caught in her throat. “Now?” she squeaked.
“Not now, later. Tonight, when we can be alone. Okay?”
She nodded fervently. “Okay.” And with that, Ginny flung herself (carefully, of course, because she didn’t want to hurt him) onto Harry’s lap and smothered his face with kisses. He laughed at the touch of her warm lips on his skin, and the sound of that laughter, so rarely heard over the last few years, filled her with so much joy that she was sure it was positively radiating out of her.
“I love you,” she said, tilting his chin so she could kiss him properly. His response was lost in their kiss, and he soon became content to just hold her in his arms while her tongue curled around his.
It was only the shock of something icy cold that made them jump apart, Ginny shrieking as she got to her feet. Ron and Hermione laughed loudly as Ginny shook herself. Harry held up his hands, unable to get up without assistance, and his best friends grabbed one each and helped him to his feet.
“That was mean,” Harry said in a tone that would have been accompanied by a pout, had he been fifteen years younger.
“You looked a bit hot,” Ron quipped, “so we decided to help you cool down a little.”
“Like you weren’t snogging in the lake!”
“Yes, but we’re engaged, you know.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “No, really? Because it’s not like you don’t mention it at least five times a day.”
“Boys, boys,” Hermione said in a no-nonsense tone. “Why don’t we all go for a swim?”
Ginny wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t got my swimmers on.”
Harry’s face fell. “Me either. I didn’t think to bring any.” He looked thoroughly disappointed with himself.
“Hello! Remember magic?” Hermione tutted. “I have my wand, I’ll transfigure you both some.” She picked up Harry’s cane and placed it in his right hand, then grabbed his left one and attempted to tug him towards the lake. “Come along, then. The water is lovely!”
Harry glanced back at Ginny and raised his eyebrows, then just shrugged and grinned. “Yes, Mother,” he said, dutifully allowing Hermione to lead him over.
“Bossy, she is,” Ron said with a grin.
“You love it,” Ginny commented wryly as they began to follow Harry and Hermione.
“I love her. Madly.” He slung an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “Everything okay with you and Harry?”
“They will be.” For the very first time in a long time, Ginny felt whole again. Complete. She got up on tiptoe and kissed her brother’s cheek. “Race you.” She took off without warning, her long, red plaits flying behind her, and ran towards her future.
You can read the companion fic to this one, called "The Future Mrs. Weasley", here.
Pairings: Harry/Ginny with Ron/Hermione on the side
Rating: PG for kissing
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Notes: Written for reallycorking on the event of her birthday with much love. Thank you to aome for the beta.
It was a beautiful summer day. The wind was light and warm, and the sun was shining brightly on the four people who basked in its rays. Ron and Hermione were in the lake that sat on the abandoned property adjacent to the Burrow; the same lake that all seven Weasley children had spent almost every summer of their lives in while growing up. Ron was taking every opportunity he could to dunk his fiancée - so overjoyed was he that Hermione had agreed to marry him when the war had finally ended that he’d rarely referred to her as anything else since she’d said yes - and Hermione was retaliating by splashing him as often as she could manage.
Ginny smiled as she watched them frolic in the inviting water, smoothing down the bottom of her light cotton dress. It was pale blue, a colour Ginny thought suited her nicely, with her red hair and brown eyes. She’d taken the time to pull her long hair into plaits on either side of her head, and she’d tucked a daisy plucked from the garden into the end of each one. Harry, who’d been the last to join the table for a breakfast Molly had made large enough for at least twice as many people to feast on, had given Ginny more than a cursory glance and commented on her appearance, which meant that Ginny had been positively glowing all day.
If only Harry would get over his stupid complex about not being good enough for her.
Ginny knew it stemmed from the permanent injuries he’d sustained during the war, not to mention the emotional ones that all three of them had come back with. Harry had yet to talk about the final battle with Tom Riddle (Ginny refused to call him Voldemort) and when she’d tried to coax something, anything out of Ron or Hermione, they both would only give her only a vague answer and promptly change the subject. It was frustrating as hell for Ginny, because she loved Harry - she didn’t just love him, she loved him. She didn’t care that he had to use a cane to walk and that he now had more than one scar. She didn’t care that sometimes his magic was a bit wonky (she had thought the cushion he’d transfigured out of a decent-sized rock quite charming, but Harry had gotten angry with himself because he’d been trying to transfigure her a bunch of flowers). All she wanted was for him to open up to her, to share the pain she knew he carried. But Ginny also knew that Harry was a man now, and no longer the boy who’d enchanted her as a ten-year-old; he couldn’t be pushed. He would talk to her when he was ready to do so, and not before. So all Ginny could do was let him know she would be there, no matter how long it took.
She shifted against the ancient oak tree, making herself a bit more comfortable, when she heard the now-familiar sound of Harry’s cane thumping along the well-worth path that led from the Burrow to the lake. She waited until he came into view, and then gave him her sunniest grin as he eased himself down next to her, dumping the cane on the ground next to him.
“Hello, handsome,” she greeted him, reaching out for his hand.
Harry twined his fingers through hers and lifted them up to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back of her hand. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Isn’t it a gorgeous day?”
“It sure is.” His gaze wandered over to the lake, where his best friends had given up on dunking and splashing each other, and were instead indulging in exchanging kisses that were as hot as the day itself. Ron’s hand had dipped below the waterline, which came up to their waists, and Harry chuckled. “To think there was a time when Ron would rather have eaten a pailful of slugs than admit he wanted to kiss Hermione.”
Ginny matched his grin. “He’s been smitten with her for so long now that I can’t remember what he was like before he loved her.”
Harry’s eyes lingered for a few more moments on Ron and Hermione, and then his smile faded as he put a hand up to shade his eyes from the glare. There was a comfortable silence between the two of them, only broken several minutes later when Harry finally spoke.
“I do love you, Gin, you know that.”
Even though she did know it, it still melted her heart to hear Harry say the words, to hear them in his voice.
“I know you do, Harry. And you know I love you right back. I just wish...” she trailed off, not wanting to ruin the moment by risking another argument.
“You just wish?” Harry prompted softly.
Ginny let go of his hand and turned her body so she was facing him, giving him her complete attention. “I just wish you wouldn’t shut me out, that’s all. We can get through this, together, if only you’d let me be there for you.”
Harry was silent for so long that Ginny began to wonder if he was ever going to speak again. “You’re right. I do shut you out, and I’m sorry. It’s just - it’s not good, you know? I don’t want to burden you.”
“You’re not a burden, Harry Potter!” Ginny said, exasperated at having the same conversation yet again. “You could never be a burden. How many times must I say that before you actually believe me?”
Harry stared into her eyes properly for the first time since he’d gotten there, and he saw the love and frustration she felt. “I do believe you.”
Ginny impulsively plucked one of the daisies out of a plait and handed it to him. “So will you talk to me?”
Harry took the daisy and hesitated just a moment, before nodding. “Yes.”
Ginny’s breath caught in her throat. “Now?” she squeaked.
“Not now, later. Tonight, when we can be alone. Okay?”
She nodded fervently. “Okay.” And with that, Ginny flung herself (carefully, of course, because she didn’t want to hurt him) onto Harry’s lap and smothered his face with kisses. He laughed at the touch of her warm lips on his skin, and the sound of that laughter, so rarely heard over the last few years, filled her with so much joy that she was sure it was positively radiating out of her.
“I love you,” she said, tilting his chin so she could kiss him properly. His response was lost in their kiss, and he soon became content to just hold her in his arms while her tongue curled around his.
It was only the shock of something icy cold that made them jump apart, Ginny shrieking as she got to her feet. Ron and Hermione laughed loudly as Ginny shook herself. Harry held up his hands, unable to get up without assistance, and his best friends grabbed one each and helped him to his feet.
“That was mean,” Harry said in a tone that would have been accompanied by a pout, had he been fifteen years younger.
“You looked a bit hot,” Ron quipped, “so we decided to help you cool down a little.”
“Like you weren’t snogging in the lake!”
“Yes, but we’re engaged, you know.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “No, really? Because it’s not like you don’t mention it at least five times a day.”
“Boys, boys,” Hermione said in a no-nonsense tone. “Why don’t we all go for a swim?”
Ginny wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t got my swimmers on.”
Harry’s face fell. “Me either. I didn’t think to bring any.” He looked thoroughly disappointed with himself.
“Hello! Remember magic?” Hermione tutted. “I have my wand, I’ll transfigure you both some.” She picked up Harry’s cane and placed it in his right hand, then grabbed his left one and attempted to tug him towards the lake. “Come along, then. The water is lovely!”
Harry glanced back at Ginny and raised his eyebrows, then just shrugged and grinned. “Yes, Mother,” he said, dutifully allowing Hermione to lead him over.
“Bossy, she is,” Ron said with a grin.
“You love it,” Ginny commented wryly as they began to follow Harry and Hermione.
“I love her. Madly.” He slung an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “Everything okay with you and Harry?”
“They will be.” For the very first time in a long time, Ginny felt whole again. Complete. She got up on tiptoe and kissed her brother’s cheek. “Race you.” She took off without warning, her long, red plaits flying behind her, and ran towards her future.
You can read the companion fic to this one, called "The Future Mrs. Weasley", here.