will you do another HBP missing moment? Didn't think I stopped smiling while reading the last one! <3
Harry couldn’t stop laughing, his face starting to ache from all the smiling. He clutched his broom to steady him despite the sheen of tears that momentarily blinded him.
Ginny zipped past, her fiery hair whipping after her like a dazzling ribbon. She flashed him a grin that set his insides alight.
Without Dean, Ginny seemed to shine brighter, in full swing of her hilarious imitations, all while executing plays with Katie and Demelza flawlessly. Without Dean, Harry didn’t feel guilt that he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. And without Dean, Harry kept getting hit by Blunders.
His heart felt free, a released Snitch fluttering its wings against his ribs. Laughing with the team, bantering with her, flying with her. Every moment was exhilarating, allowing him to bask in her presence without any worries. It felt like the summer at the Burrow, except better — better now that he knew the source of the sunshine pulsing in his veins.
“Ginny!” Coote cheered when she scored once more. He held out a hand to her, which she readily high-fived. “Nice one!”
“Thanks!” She shot him a smile before speeding off to regroup with the other Chasers.
The monster in Harry’s chest snarled as he watched Coote gaze after her, a dreamy look on his face. Apparently Harry was not the only one who had noticed how brightly Ginny was shining.
Though, admittedly, perhaps he had taken longer than most.
“Hey!” Harry yelled. Coote turned, clearly guilty. “Eyes on the — oomph!” Sharp stinging pain shot up his left side. “Bludger…”
“Sorry Harry,” Coote said sheepishly as he flew after the offending Bludger.
“Something distracting you, Captain?” Ginny asked. Harry grinned over at her, already feeling the pain pale in comparison to the swell of cheer at her voice. “Or are you finally doing you job?”
“If Coote had been paying attention, I wouldn’t have gotten hit,” he said, trying to be serious despite the way his lips automatically quirked upward.
She screwed up face, self-conceited and furious, pretending to wave a bat. “You’re not setting a great example!”
Laughter spilled out of his lips before he could stop it.
Oh God, she was being McLaggen!
“Oi!” Ron shouted from across the pitch. “Practice going on, people!”
It wasn’t until later, when Harry was in a besotted daze under the stream of steady hot water, trying to think of ways to catch Ginny alone, when he felt a twinge pain in his lower back. He had quickly toweled down and pulled a shirt over his head when he caught the enticing scent of flowers.
“Hey Harry, you really got whooped by that Bludger earlier today. Are you all right?”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s fine,” he said, feeling buoyed by the fact that she remembered. “Certainly not worse than a bat to the head.”
Ginny laughed, much to his delight. “Want me to take a look?”
He glanced across the changing room, where Ron was busy chatting with Katie. Finally, a moment alone!
“Oh, er — yeah, okay,” Harry said, heat rushing to his face. He pulled up the edge of his shirt so she could see the bruise on his back. He held his breath as she stood behind him, tantalizingly close.
Her fingers brushing against his skin sent shivers up his spine.
“Sorry, did that hurt?” She drew back her fingers. “It must be worse than it looks.”
“No — I mean. A bit, it’s nothing.” Harry tried to shrug in what he hoped was a casual way.
“I have the twins’ bruise removal paste if you like,” she said, her breath tickling his neck. At the sound of her moving away, he glanced over his shoulder to see her rummaging in her locker, letting his eyes linger on how her darkened, damp hair contrasted with her skin.
“Thanks,” Harry said, quickly looking away as his pulse started to pick up. Longing surged in him. “Actually — it’s a little hard to reach. Do you, do you think you could…?”
His heart thundered in his ears, his face beginning to flush he waited on bated breath for her reply.
“Give it here, Ginny. I’ve got it, Harry.” Ron said, suddenly appeared by his side with the small jar of bruise paste.
“Hope it helps,” Ginny said brightly before turning away.
Harry gritted his teeth in a forced smile at his best mate. “Thanks, Ron.”
“Anytime,” Ron said cheerfully, starting to slather the paste on Harry’s bruise. “All good?”
“Yep,” Harry said, catching Coote striking up a conversation with Ginny in the corner of his eye. He resisted the urge to slam his locker. “Never better.”
For the umpteenth time, Harry wondered if he really needed Felix’s help with Voldemort.