Chapter Text
"It's clear, Mr Potter," Ginny said as she made her way back into the hall of his building. She had methodically checked every room in the small two-bedroom flat before deeming it safe for her client to enter. She did this every time she and Potter entered a new place. It was her protocol as a personal bodyguard. A gig that she had only been doing for a few weeks.
She'd only taken the job because her brother, Ron, had talked her up to Judge Potter. Ron had been Harry Potter's guard for the last eight months, ever since Lily Potter had started presiding over a high-level criminal case and threats had been made against her family (including her only son). So when Ron had requested leave to care for his extremely pregnant wife, the Potters had asked for a recommendation and Ron had promoted her.
Ginny had accepted the offer without hesitation. After a car accident had ruined her professional football career, Ginny had decided to join her brothers Bill and Ron in the family business. Bill had started The Weasley Guard in his late twenties after getting married and needing to find a more practical and permanent job than treasure hunting.
Potter grinned at her, a lopsided one that he probably thought drove the ladies mad. "How many times have I told you, Mr. Potter is my father and you should call me Harry so I don't feel like I've aged 20 years."
Ginny had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Potter was a flirt, she'd noticed that from her first day. Between flirtatious smiles, over-the-top winks, and playful comments, Ginny had been ready to punch the man. Then when he'd done the same to Ron when he'd come to check in on her, Ginny realized it was all in jest. Potter hadn't been trying to make her uncomfortable or angry, but rather make her laugh, or at least be amused by his antics.
Of course, now that she knew it was all in fun; she was amused, but she refused to play his game. It was just as amusing for her to watch his nose twitch when she didn't acknowledge his teasing. She tried to remain stony with him, keeping the professional aura expected from someone in her position, but Ginny being Ginny she never could resist responding with a bit of cheek. "As I’ve told you many times, at least once more, sir."
Potter let out a soft snort through his nose. Ginny moved to the side, a silent gesture for him to enter the flat. As he passed her, he stopped his eyes focusing on hers, his mouth still curled in that amused grin. "I'll get you to come around, Weasley. I got your brother to become my mate and I'll get you to at least blush at one of my endearing comments."
"What you call endearing I call pitiful, so good luck with that."
His lips curled at her deadpan. His smile was so contagious it nearly cracked her resolve. Potter winked at her as he continued into his flat. “Just you wait, Weasley. Just you wait.”
Ginny followed behind him, shutting the door behind her. She moved over to her sentry in the corner of the room. “I’ll be here waiting with bated breath.”
Harry’s laugh echoed around the room as he moved into the attached kitchen. “Well, while you wait, do you want anything to drink or eat?”
This was another thing she’d discovered about him, he always wanted to take care of her. Always offering to cook for her, get her drinks, hell he’d offered to go out and buy a camp bed and place it in his spare room (that was currently used as a study), so she could rest while on night guard. Of course, the offer of a camp bed had come after she’d rejected sharing his bed.
“No thank you, sir.” Ginny kept her posture straight. “I’m all set.”
Harry shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He opened the fridge, pulling out a beer. With ease, he knocked the cap off with the side of the counter before moving back into the sitting area. Within seconds he had his feet up on the coffee table and the Arsenal match on the telly.
And like that, it was like she wasn’t there, which was how it was supposed to be. The ideal personal guard should blend in with the wall until needed. Ginny knew that’s what her brother Bill wanted from them, but neither Ron nor Ginny ever seemed to manage that kind of decorum. Ron because he enjoyed becoming mates with a lot of the guys, and Ginny because… well because she couldn’t ever hold back a cheeky comeback.
Harry was the hardest client for both of them. He was chill and funny (which appealed to Ron), all the while having a sarcastic and witty mind that was Ginny’s favorite personality to banter with. Ron had failed at keeping himself distance from Potter (it had only taken a week for Harry to crack Ron’s resolve). Ginny in turn was doing much better, having made it three weeks.
Ginny’s eyes roamed around the room, looking over the family photos, knick-knacks, and different books strewn across the surfaces. When she’d first arrived, she’d focused on studying the private life of the man she was protecting. She’d discovered his love for mystery novels (that always seemed to have a romance element to them based on the synopsis on the back), he cared deeply for his parents (based on the numerous photos hanging on the walls), and Harry had a fondness for football (especially Arsenal, which happened to be her premier team).
Harry gave a loud cry, making Ginny’s focus turn to him. He was shaking his head at the television, his impressive vocabulary being shouted at the “blind” ref. Ginny had to hold back her laughter as Harry combined a few creative adjectives. He looked over his shoulder at her. “Did you see that bullshite? I swear they’ve had it out for Pépé this season.”
She held her tongue, though every part of her wanted to rage about the poor treatment of the forward. Ginny had literally just been saying the same thing to her brothers a few days ago. But it wasn't professional of her to discuss her football opinions. Though she doubted Ron had avoided discussing Blackpool's standings for more than five minutes while guarding Potter. But Ginny wouldn't be like her brother, she wanted to be better than him and if that meant holding back how piss-poor the refs had been over the last few weeks, she'd do it.
Potter wasn't fazed by her apparent indifference, pretending her silence was her way of agreeing with him. "I mean it's gotta be a payoff or something, right? It's been different refs making the shit calls so it's gotta be coming from a high power… Maybe the Hotspurs owner?"
That was the same theory she'd suggested to her brothers while four beers in. She couldn’t stop her grin from spreading. Harry was still ranting about the Hotspur’s and their blatant cheating when he stopped suddenly, his green eyes wide behind the lenses of his glasses.
His once irritated form shifting to excited surprise. That crooked grin curling his lips “Wait! Did I make you laugh?”
Ginny made her smile turn back into the expressionless mold she normally held. “I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about, sir.”
Harry waggled a finger at her, his tongue clicking in a disapproving way. “Don’t try to pretend, Weasley. You find me amusing, charming, and adorable.”
“If that’s what you care to think, sir.”
He rose up onto his knees, turning his body so he was backward on the sofa. “Tell me, Weasley, what do you enjoy most about this job?” His ridiculously teasing smirk should have grated at her but as before all it did was amuse her. “Is it getting to admire my amazing wit throughout the day? Or is it getting to admire my fit body when I come out of the loo only wrapped in a towel?” The over the top wink he sent her way sealed the ribbing.
She choked back a laugh. His playful teasing had become more daring over the past few days and Ginny had to refrain herself from showing her amusement. After taking five deep breaths, Ginny managed to keep her tone sound indifferent as she said, “I’d have to say my favorite part of the day is when you go off to bed and I get a moment of peace.”
Potter’s mouth fell wide in a surprised, but delighted gape. He slapped a hand over his heart. “My heart’s breaking over here, Weasley. Have you always been this ruthless?”
“I grew up with six older brothers, what do you think?”
He tilted his head back and laughed. The sound reverberated around the room. His laugh truly was infectious and Ginny couldn’t help but smile. After a moment he calmed down enough to look at her, his mouth curled into a wide and happy smile. “I imagine anyone that crosses you comes back with a good lashing.”
Unable to resist, Ginny winked at him. “And don’t you forget it, sir.”
When Harry laughed, truly laughed, his whole body got involved. She'd witnessed his fake laugh, while he was at work dealing with an overbearing colleague. But when he really laughed, like now, she could see the corner of his eyes crinkle and his shoulders shake.
When his chuckles subsided, he was beaming at her, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “Don’t worry, Miss Weasley, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget you.” Though his smile was cheeky and sarcastic, Ginny could tell he meant his oath.
A kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttered around her stomach at his tone. This wasn’t the first time something Harry said or did sent a rush of… for a lack of a better term… attraction through her body. It was a fact that annoyed the fuck out of her every time it happened (and it happened way too often for Ginny’s comfort). Sometimes a simple smile from him would cause goosebumps to appear on her arm.
Every time her body betrayed her with one of these aggravating reactions, Ginny berated herself. She would not, could not, feel anything for this man. It didn’t matter if he was impeccably charming, made her laugh constantly, and had a body that would make any straight woman swoon. Harry Potter was off-limits because he was her ward.
Despite her inner chiding, Ginny could feel a slow heat creep up her cheeks. Internally cursing her fair complexion, she forced her words to come out in a nonchalant tone, “For the best, I’d say, you should always remember you have a bodyguard.”
Harry’s lips curled into one of those lopsided grins that was supposed to charm her (and of course it did not that she’d admit it). “You won’t always be my guard, yet I promise you’ll still have a place in my mind and my heart.” Then like he hadn’t just dropped a corny and all too perfect line, Harry turned his attention back onto the telly, leaving her to deal with the new unwanted rush of butterflies in her gut.
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Harry couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was gorgeous. From the freckles that seemed to cover every exposed bit of skin, to her long red hair that was only ever out of a ponytail when she came out of the shower. Not that he was spying on her when she’d come out of his shower the other night! He had just been passing through the small hall when she’d come out of the loo on her way to her temporary room and he’d nearly been struck dumb with how simply beautiful she looked.
Of course, that hadn’t been the first time Harry had felt attraction towards his new guard. Fuck, the first time he’d saw her had made butterflies fill his gut. And when Ron had told him this was his baby sister , Harry had felt the heat spread across the back of his neck. Ron had told him about his sister who had once been on the rise with a promising football career until a car accident. When Ron described Ginny he had made her sound like a brash, thrill-seeking, child who liked to wind people up. But from his first moments with Ginny, Harry had known that there was so much more to her.
She was sweet, caring, witty, and smart. Not to mention incredibly beautiful. Like so attractive that if she wasn't his guard and forced to talk to him, Harry doubted she would even give him the time of day. Sure he wasn't the skinny, dorky teenager he once was, but he wasn't anything impressive at twenty-five. He managed to work out on a regular basis which kept his body in good shape and he'd gotten Lasik surgery to rid himself of pesky glasses, but he was still that dorky guy who had taken his love of historical facts and made it a profession. Not until his second year of uni had Harry believed he would become a secondary school teacher, yet here he was working with a bunch of young teens.
And he especially never thought he'd have such an attractive teacher's aid . Because that is what Ginny had become, so as not to draw attention to the fact she was always with him. Her cover of being his junior had seemed the perfect disguise at the start of her assignment, but weeks later Harry was observing the flaw… the flaw that Ginny Weasley was too distracting for him to focus on his lessons or really anything but her. He couldn't keep his eyes or mind off her as she quietly helped students or graded tests at her back corner desk. It was everything about her. The way a few loose tendrils of hair would fall into her eyes as she worked on assignments. The way her quiet and sexy voice seemed to fill the room as she talked. And of course the most distracting of all was when she took a moment to straight in back after sitting in her chair for too long and she presented him with an incredibly enticing view of her perfect chest. The number of nights he'd dreamed of seeing her stretch without a shirt on…. The way her eyes would be on his as she slowly moved her hand down towards the button of her jeans…
Stop it! Harry chided himself. He needed to knock off these… these randy fantasies of her, especially while they were alone in his very public classroom She was supposed to be his guard and nothing else. Of course, that premise had clearly been decided without his permission because if Harry had it his way —
“Mr Potter?”
Harry started like a guilty child as he turned to look at Henry Samson, one of his students. Henry was a small boy for his age, barely even five foot two, but with enough attitude that his personality made him well over six feet.
"Henry, I didn't hear you come in." Harry cleared his throat, trying to pull himself together. "What can I help you with?"
"Well, sir, I have a free period now and I was hoping that you and maybe Miss Weasley could help me edit this paper I've written for my A levels. I'm working on a thesis about the Ming dynasty and I want to make sure it sounds…" Henry made a face as he tried to think of the right word, but after a few seconds he shrugged and settled on, "good."
Harry smiled at the boy. "I think we can do that, but Miss Weasley might be too busy grading tests to have time —"
Ginny, who could easily hear every word, spoke up from her desk in the back. "I just finished actually, so I'd love to help." Her genuine smile took Harry's breath away. "Unless you need me to do something else, sir?"
God, she truly was beautiful, Harry couldn't help but think as she made her way over to the front of the room. How she moved with such ease and grace. The way her hips swayed and chest seemed to —
Forcing himself to focus, Harry turned his eyes back on Henry, who much to Harry's annoyance, was watching Ginny walk with an excited gleam in his eye. It was clear Henry fancied Miss Weasley. A sudden hot flash of anger bubbled up in Harry’s chest and his tone came out sharper than he wanted. "Well, Henry, do you have a draft we can read?"
Henry’s head whipped back towards Harry. His guilty plain on his face as he stuttered slightly, "Y—yes, sir.” He hurried to reach into his rucksack, shuffling various papers and books.
Harry instantly regretted his coarse words. Clearing his throat, Harry forced a smile on his face as the boy popped his head out of his bag. “So, Henry, why don’t you tell us about your thesis?”
Ginny had reached his desk now as Henry started to explain his thoughts. Harry couldn’t help but glance up at her out of the corner of his eye. She was sitting on the corner of his desk, her attention on Henry, but Harry noticed a furrow in her brow as if she were confused by something. How was something as simple as a scrunched-up eyebrow so cute?
“What do you think, Mr. Potter?” Henry asked excitedly and again guilt coursed through Harry. He needed to stop getting so distracted by her!
With great effort, Harry turned away from Ginny and her adorable brow and smiled at his student. “I think we should read through that paper and see what we come up with.”
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Ginny hadn’t laughed this hard in a long time. The Potter family knew how to make someone feel welcome. If Ginny had been uncomfortable joining the Potters in a Sunday roast at first, watching the ribbing between James Potter and Sirius Black changed that (it was like being at home with her brothers). And of course the welcoming presence of Honour Judge Potter (or as Ginny had been told to call her, Lily). Lily had opened the door to the large house before Harry and Ginny had even made it up the walkway. First, she’d hugged her son, nearly cracking a rib, then Lily had pulled Ginny into an equally powerful hug.
“It’s so lovely to meet you,” Lily had gushed as she’d dragged Ginny into the house. “Between Harry and Ron, I feel like I already know you, but I want the inside scoop.”
Ginny had looked back over her shoulder at Harry in alarm, but her ward hadn’t looked surprised. It had seemed to be that this was a normal Lily greeting (even for her son’s bodyguard).
That had been four hours ago and since then, Ginny had told Lily all about growing up in Devon with her six brothers, listened to James and Sirius needle each other, and best of all, witnessed some of Harry’s childhood photos.
That’s what they were doing now, all gathered in the large kitchen. James and Sirius chatting by the sink with beers in hand while Lily, Ginny, and Harry sat at the island. Lily had excitedly pulled out an old photo album and placed it in front of Ginny’s, flipping the pages.
“And this is Harry in his brand new forward uniform.” Lily beamed down at the photo. Ginny couldn’t help but smile too, Harry had been a rather adorable kid with glasses and a missing front tooth. “He wouldn’t let me wash it for a week because he refused to change out of it.”
“Mum.” Harry groaned, his cheeks turning red. “We don’t need to relive my childhood, do we?”
Lily waved a dismissive hand at her son as her free hand reached for her wine glass. “Of course we do, you were too cute not to share.”
Harry’s groan made both women laugh. Lily reached for the book again, flipping to reveal maybe five-year-old Harry in his twin-sized bed, snuggled beside a great black dog. “That was Sirius’ dog Snuffles. Harry adored the creature. He used to try and climb on the back of the dog and ride him like a horse. The number of times he fell on his little bum —”
If it was possible Harry’s cheeks darkened. “Mum, bum talk has to be out of balance!”
“Keep blushing like that and I'll have to make you an honorary Weasley” Ginny couldn’t resist ribbing him. It was all too fun and honestly (though she wouldn’t admit it) he was cute when embarrassed. “This much red is typically reserved for us.”
Harry turned his flushed face to her, his chagrined expression shifting to a charming bashful smile, and Ginny’s heart thudded hard against her rib cage. Why did she find him so fucking adorable? Fuck! She needed to get control of these… hormones and fast! But God, there was just something — many things — about him that she was just… too into! From that wild hair to his lean, strong legs...
As if just by looking at her face, he knew where her mind had gone, his hesitant smile shifted to a coquettish grin. “What if I want it to be more than honorary, Weasley? I could propose right here, right now.”
His over-the-top wink matched his joking tone and sarcastic smile, but it was his eyes that made Ginny's pulse pick up. The way he was looking at her… she could have sworn he meant his cheeky comeback. There was a heat in his gaze that made her breath hitch and goosebumps spread across her body.
Before Ginny could try and stammer out some poorly put together comeback, Lily smacked her son's arm. "Harry, I'm disappointed in you. I raised you to know that's no way to propose. You need to woo her, like your father wooed me."
Harry's molten look instantly changed to one of horror. "I don't want to hear anything about dad's wooing techniques."
James raised an eyebrow at his son, a satisfied smirk curling his lips. "Your mother has always been impressed with all my techniques but especially of the wooing variety. And you'd do well to follow my lead if you want to land someone as gorgeous as Miss Weasley."
Ginny nearly snorted when the older man winked at her. Everything she'd learned about Harry in the past month was all making sense. It was clear Harry had inherited his father’s flirty personality.
"Please." Harry made a nonchalant gesture with his hand. "Ginny is already halfway in love with me."
At this Ginny couldn't contain her sardonic laugh as she said, "Sure I am."
Sirius and James laughed loudly as Lily hid her grin behind her wine glass. “She’s got your number, Pronglet.” Sirius toasted Ginny with his beer.
Harry rolled his eyes. “Of course she has my number, she’s my bodyguard. Hell, she even knows where I sleep.” His deadpan started another round of laughter from the group.
“Annnnd…” Ginny dragged out the word, “despite his best efforts, I haven’t joined him in his offer of seeing his sleeping quarters up close and personal.” She winked at James and Sirius who hooted with glee.
“And why would you?” Lily sniffed in mock pretentiousness, “As we’ve established, my son needs to improve his wooing technique.” She set her wine glass down gently before reaching for Ginny’s hand. “On behalf of my son and the Potter family, I must apologize for his poor proposal. I shall work with him before he asks again.”
Ginny couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard. James was slumped against the sink as Sirius slipped to the floor, their laughter ringing out loud in the kitchen. Harry dropped his head onto the counter. His voice was muffled as he spoke into the marble. “I hate you all.”
“Now is that any way to talk to the women you’ve just proposed to?” Ginny asked, making Harry lift his head to see her teasing smirk.
He shook his head, his mouth pulled in an irritated grimace that was counteracted by the amused glint in his eyes. “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what you’re supposed to say when denied.”
“Technically she never said no,” James chimed in through his dissipating chuckles.
Harry’s lips slowly curled into a pleased smile. “You’re right, Dad.” He rose from his stool, making his way to stand behind Ginny. His hot breath tickled the back of her neck as he moved to whisper in her ear. “I promise you’ll say yes the next time I ask.” Then his lips were warm on her cheek.
Ginny had stopped breathing when his body had gently pressed against her back, but when his lips pressed to her skin it was released in a rush. She knew her fair complexion was betraying her at that moment, but… fuck … She was completely fucked. Clearing her throat, Ginny made herself focus on anything but him. Turning to Sirius she asked, “So, care to explain Prongslet ?”
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Harry walked beside Ginny, his attention constantly wandering to look at her from the corner of his eye. They walked in sync down the cobbled London street to the tube station. Harry had plans to meet his old uni mate at their old pub, and Ginny of course was accompanying him.
Ever since that Sunday roast at his parents’ house a few days ago Harry hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Ginny. The way she’d been with his family, how she’d teased and taunted him, and the way she’d flushed at his touch...
God... and how could he forget that heated gaze she’d sent his way after he’d gone back to his seat…. It had fueled all his nightly wank sessions. Hell just about any thought of Ginny Weasley fueled his wanking material.
He glanced over at her again, having managed to keep his focus on the path for an impressive minute. Her arm was swinging in sync with his and it would be so easy for him to just reach out one finger and touch her. So easy to just lace their fingers.
But he couldn’t.
He didn't dare put it out in the open how much he fancied her. The fear of rejection seized his chest every time he thought about it. But of course, his mind would drift past the moment of awkward admittance to the image of Ginny on her back, moaning his name in his bed… Or Ginny standing in his shower smirking at him as she quirked a finger at him in the most entrancing come hither gesture. But none of that could ever happen… because he was too much of a chicken when it came to her.
Harry had never been the smoothest when it came to women but never before had one gotten him into such a state. Sure he could flirt, and he was rather good at coming up with witty lines, but the moment someone returned his affection he got nervous. With Ginny… with Ginny, it was a whole new level of intensity and anxiety.
But when she had that hard blazing look… the fears dissipated so his only thought was of kissing her. One time he nearly plucked up the courage. They were in his flat, he was grading papers while she stood guard in her corner spot. He’d been humming to the radio, his pen tapping to the beat against the table. The urge to look at Ginny had become overwhelming (as was typical) so he’d glanced up at her through his lashes. Her eyes had been on him and they had been like molten lava and her top teeth had been gently biting her bottom lip. She had been absolutely ravishing there in her full black get up and Harry hadn’t been able to stop himself from taking in her full sight. He’d stood up with no plan in mind other than a drive to take those lips for himself, but the moment he’d risen she’d straightened and the intensity in her eyes faded into nothing. Her expression had become passive so Harry had played off his weakness as a need for water.
He wasn’t always the best at understanding people, but she was transparent to him. She liked him but didn’t want to… or thought she couldn’t. If he had to guess it’d be the latter. He’d guess it had to do with the fact she was his guard, that she wanted to stay professional.
Which in Harry’s completely unbiased opinion, was bullshit.
Who would care if they were to become romantic? Harry knew his parents already thought they were together (based on some raunchy sly comments from Sirius and pointed looks from his mum). But she cared… Ginny cared. And because she thought it to be unprofessional Harry knew his advances would either end in her hitting him or her cursing him… then hitting him. And he didn’t want that… but he also couldn’t stand those heated looks she sent his way. The next time she looked at him with that deep, intense stare Harry wouldn’t be liable for what he did.
Because his mind was so focused on his red-head problem, he wasn’t looking at the ground below him so he didn’t even notice the loose brick until his left foot got caught on it. He started to pitch forward, his arms trying to swing and recover his balance, but before he even came close to landing on his face, Ginny’s small hand closed around his bicep. She caught him with ease and with the momentum Harry was face to face with her. Her lips were curled in a cute, amused smile, like the thought of him falling to his face was all too adorable.
“Best watch yourself there, sir.” Her cheeky tone matched that grin. “We wouldn’t want you messing up that pretty face of yours, now would we?”
Though she had a casual air about her, her eyes were hyper-focused on him, on his pretty face . Harry’s pulse, which had sped up with adrenaline from his near accident, went from fast to rapid. Goosebumps were covering his entire body, all stemming from her tight grip on his bare arm.
There was nothing for it anymore; Harry was certain that if he didn’t do something about it, he’d go mad. Before his insistent and logical thoughts could stop him, Harry moved his body close to hers. He didn’t care they were in the middle of a London street, all that mattered at that moment was her.
He placed his hands on her waist as her grip tightened on his bicep. His eyes stayed locked on hers. Those gorgeous dark eyes had widened with shock and at the same time… he could see her excitement. Her chest rose and fell in heavy breaths as he lowered his head to hers.
Ring.
Ginny’s phone echoed loudly in her pocket, making both of them jump.
Ring .
Before Harry could stop her, Ginny disentangled herself from him, her eyes dropping from his. Harry silently cursed whoever was on the other line of her mobile. If he knew how voodoo worked, he might spend time creating a doll of the person. He closed his eyes as he listened to Ginny greet her caller, her voice lower than normal.
Harry stood there in the street, listening to the sounds of cars passing by and footsteps on cobblestone. Ginny was silent for a long time, merely listening. Then after about a minute, she said in a serious tone, “I’ll take Mr. Potter to the safehouse.”
Safehouse ? Harry opened his eyes. Ginny was staring at him, her face void of any emotion. Apprehension bubbled quickly and viciously in Harry’s gut. Something must have happened. To his mother? To his father? Panic made his body shake.
After another thirty anxiety-filled seconds, Ginny ended the call. She let out an uneasy breath before giving him the news that nearly made his knees buckle. “Your father has been shot and taken to The Royal London Hospital. I have orders to take you to our nearest safehouse, right now.”