Reunion
Who: Neville & Ginny When: 4 months or so after the evac What: It finally happens...
It had been a long three months. There had been a lot of different places, and a lot of different beds, or, when no other opportunity presented itself, bits of floor. They had left Grimmauld Place as soon as Frank deemed Neville 'well enough' - Neville translated this as 'no longer a danger to society'. Saying goodbye had been hard, especially to Ginny. They had both promised never to leave each other. But after all, it wasn't as if anyone was taking her away, he reasoned. They would see each other again.
They had gone to Blackpool, to find his grandmother, who he barely remembered. They followed a line of almost insubstantial clues to a town in France, where they had found Augusta living as a Muggle. When she saw Frank, Neville thought she might expire right then and there with happiness. But five minutes into the reunion she began scolding him, and it hadn't stopped even when they had got back to England. Neville liked his Gran, but she clearly found it impossible to let things go.
They had travelled, helping groups of foreign Aurors to take power from the leaders of the work camps. Neville finally got a wand, and he was able to help in a couple of small pitched battles. They evacuated the main breeding camp in Leeds, and Neville, once he got his stomach under control, was able to help some of the men and women reunite with their families. They met up with other people along the way, fighters, talkers and healers, and they got a lot done. Neville, at Alice's insistence, saw a Healer about his nightmares and the pain that still bothered him from the old scars. At her suggestion, he started running. A lot. It felt good to run, to embrace freedom, to know there was no barrier that could stop his path, the think about nothing other than the movement in his legs and the breath in his lungs. Sometimes he felt like running forever.
They exchanged letters, of course, but it wasn't the same. When Frank announced that they were going to the New School, which was as yet unnamed, so that he and Alice could help with Defence Against the Dark Arts and setting up security of the building that used to be Number Twelve, Neville did his best to hide his very real excitement. Ginny had mentioned the place in her letters. He would see her any day. Frank insisted he attend some classes, and he didn't argue. He had learned plenty of magic in the last three months, but he knew he was still lacking in some very basic areas. Some small spells and charms were still totally beyond him, including levitation which even babies could bloody do, right? As a student, they found him a room on one of the floors that was still being built, small and basic but comfortable, and above all, warm. Once he had settled in and packed his stuff, he went for a run.
The grounds looked more or less the same. The old Greenhouses, covered in vines and overgrown weeds and probably more dangerous things, sat in a folorn heap. The edge of the Forbidden Forest still loomed ominously. He passed the spot where he had used to cut firewood as he headed towards the lake. But when he turned, there was no longer the huge looming shape of the castle in the distance. It was just a house - a big house, certainly, and getting bigger every day - but just a house. A good place, a place of learning and safety.
After an hour, he went back to his room with a clear head. The floor was all young men, and he met and greeted a couple of old friends. Then he went to the bathroom and showered, briefly regarding himself in the mirror. He thought that he might not have recognised himself, a few months ago. For a start, he was well fed. Before, his muscles had been all in his arms, from carrying, but months of running and training with his father had defined his legs and chest somewhat. His hair was neat, cut fortnightly and not constantly hanging in his eyes. Some scars had been magically healed, others had faded, but most noticeably and to his liking was the patch of shiny new pink skin just above his hip joint. While it would blend with the rest of his skin eventually, right now it looked strange, but he classed it as a definite victory. There were no longer any visible signs on Neville Longbottom that the man called Rosier had ever existed.
He put on some clothes and went for a walk. He told himself he wasn't actively looking for anyone in particular, but he wandered in the direction of the floor set aside for girls over seventeen.
The months certainly hadn't flown by for Ginny either. Neville leaving had been pretty hard on her, but she resolved to try not to mope too much. After all, it wasn't like he was gone forever, just a few months. And this time Ginny was sure he was safe. He was with his parents and they were doing important things. She was happy that they got to be a family again.
So while Neville was off getting reacquainted with his parents and grandmother, Ginny was learning how to be a whole family again with her parents and brothers. It was surprisingly easy for them to go from gratitude and vague disbelief at having each other again, to playful and loving bickering. When she stopped to think about what she had been doing this time a year ago, everything seemed like some sort of dream.
The decision to rebuild a school where the castle had once stood was one that had excited Ginny a lot. She needed a project and while her magic wasn't the best, she knew she could still be useful. She was happy to have the distraction from missing Neville. The letters were nice and certainly better than nothing at all, but it wasn't nearly the same and sometimes just made her wish even more that they weren't being separated.
Working on the rebuild had done wonders for Ginny's well-being. A regular healthy diet had put some meat on her bones, she had a natural color to her face, and the dark circles were gone from under her eyes. Even her red waves seemed to be more vibrant and bright. But, the best part, as far as she was concerned, was she was given a broom to practice on. She was allowed to fly. Okay…so not unsupervised, and she wasn't really supposed to go as high up or as fast as she would've liked, but it was something. Plus, it had helped to give a bit of healthy tone to her muscles.
Students were arriving daily and Ginny made sure to see to it that everyone Celt welcome and safe. That was the whole point of the school...aside from the learning how to be a normal witch or wizard. Ginny felt a certain responsibility seeing as she'd helped to build the new sanctuary. She wanted it to feel like home to everyone the way it felt like home to her.
She was on her way back to her room from a cooking class. She wanted to get outside for a little while before it got too cold and dark. But as she rounded the corner the person she saw strolling towards her made her stop in her tracks. Her heart sped up and her breath caught in her throat. She almost didn't want to believe it was him. He was taller. And… more sturdy looking. He didn't look like the boy who had left her only three months ago, but he still had that same handsome face she loved so much. When her body finally caught up she started running towards him, smiling widely.
Neville heard running footsteps and turned, his hand flinching towards his wand out of instinct. But his alarm turned almost immediately into boyish excitement as he saw who was running towards him. He caught her as she ran up to him, lifted her around the waist and spun her around a few times. Then he had to put her down and stare at her for a second. He had always thought she was beautiful, but now... "you look amazing," he said breathlessly, before pulling her into another hug, a stationary one this time but no less enthusiastic. "Missed you."
Ginny couldn't do more than let out a girlish squeal as she squeezed him tightly. It was really him. He was back. He was back and she didn't want to let him go. He set her back on her feet and she felt the elated tears stinging her eyes a little. "Merlin on a bloody stick." She muttered mostly to herself as she tried to find the proper words to describe what she was feeling. "I can't believe you're here." She said after a moment when he pulled her in for another hug. She held him close, breathing him in for a moment. "When did you get back?"
"Just today," he replied, chuckling at her language. That was his Ginny all right. "There was no one around so I went for a run - this place looks amazing. You wouldn't believe the Academy used to be here."
Ginny grinned rather proudly at that. "It's pretty wonderful, innit? It came together really quick and I mean it was kind of a lot of work, but it came out perfect." The New School bore no resemblance to the castle they'd been held prisoners in for so long and Ginny certainly preferred it that way. "The classes are brilliant too. They only just started, and it's still a little weird to y'know have a wand and be able to use it properly."
"Are you staying?" She asked, letting herself hope that he and his parents weren't just passing through.
"Yeah," he said, grinning. "For a while anyway. Mum and Dad are teaching and I'm enrolled. You?"
Ginny smiled widely at that and nodded. "I'm enrolled too! Plus, Mum is teaching a few classes in household and cooking charms. Besides, after all that work, this sort of feels like home." This was some of the best news she could have asked for. Not only was she going to get the chance to learn to be normal, but Neville was going to be there with her. "Have you been given the grand tour yet?" She asked, unable to keep the mischief out of her brown eyes.
"Not yet," he said. "I know where my room is and how to get outside. That's pretty much it."
"Lucky for you, you've got the best tour guide around right here." Ginny said. "I know pretty much where everything is and where all the best spots are too." She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I bet you do," he replied, returning the squeeze. "You better show me then. It all looks so different without the ugly baroque wallpaper."
"Alright, well I think we should start with the most important place then." She gave his arm a gentle tug to get him to follow her. "It's very important that you know exactly where this is because I expect you'll be spending quite a bit of time here." She was trying to keep the devilishness out of her voice, but she couldn't help her smirk.
"The kitchen?" he suggested. He was teasing... mostly. "Not the kitchen." Ginny said, still smirking as she lead the way. "Much more important than the kitchen."
"This magical place you're talking about better be worth it," he muttered, looking around as he was dragged down the corridor. It was a lot like the floor where his own room was, that is, lots of doors. "I like how everyone has their own room here," he observed. "Makes you less worried that someone's going to grab you in the night."
"I think you'll enjoy it." Ginny half-laughed. "Yeah, I like not having to worry about things here. Except..." She shrugged. "It's a bit weird sleeping in a room alone, yeah?" It was something the redhead was still getting used to. She stopped in front of a door and grinned as she rested her hand on the handle without pushing it open yet. "You ready?"
"Dunno, I've been bunking with my Gran, who, while she doesn't grope you in the night, does snore loudly enough to evacuate a small building for fear of earthquake," Neville said jovially. "Ready," he added when she brought him to one of the rooms. "Better not be a wild animal in there."
Ginny laughed at that before slowly opening the door and pulling him inside. "This," She gestured with her free hand, "Is my room." It was on the smallish side, with just a bed, a dresser, and a desk with a few notes she'd written to herself floating above it. She didn't have much in the way of things, which made it seem a lot less homey than she'd really like, but she did have a window that looked out over the grounds and she could see the lake from it.
Neville made a show of looking around carefully. "Looks kind of similar to my room," he observed. "Except for the pretty girl, of course. Don't suppose I could get one of those?"
"I'm pretty sure you have to special order them." Ginny teased. "And they don't come cheap."
"Ah well, maybe I could borrow yours?" he asked, nudging the door closed with his foot. He gave her his best puppy-dog eyed look. "Please?" Ginny smiled and pulled him closer, letting go of his hand so she could rest both of hers on his shoulders."We might be able to work something out." She said softly. "I might be inclined to lend her to you for a bit."
Games were all very well, Neville decided, but they could always play later. He slid one arm around her waist and another behind her neck an under her hair. He let his thumb caress her cheek for a moment before leaning in to kiss her - not forceful but more insistent than he might have been if it hadn't been three months since the last one. Yes, they could definitely play later.
Ginny was a little surprised by his kiss, but not at all opposed to it. Her arms slid around his neck and she let herself be pulled closer to him. Gods she had missed him. She had missed how she fit perfectly against him and the taste of his lips. She smiled as the kiss finally broke, though she didn't pull away. "Have I mentioned yet how much I missed you?" She murmured, brushing her nose against his.
"I seem to remember you swearing, instead," Neville told her, enjoying the sensation of just holding her for a moment, and breathing in the scent of her hair.
Ginny laughed at that. "Well, you should know by now that just means that I missed you tons." She leaned up on her tip-toes and gave him another sound kiss.
"I knew what you meant," he managed to say before her glorious mouth was kissing him again. He folded his arms contentedly around her waist and kept her close as her devilishly nimble tongue brushed against his.
Ginny pressed herself against him as her hunger and need grew steadily in her chest. Her heart was pounding and her kiss was becoming more desperate. The time and distance that had been between them had been too long and now that he was here...she didn't want to let another moment slip away from them. Her hand brushed the back of his neck as her teeth nipped playfully at his lower lip.
"I don't suppose," Neville breathed between kisses, "your brothers are camped out nearby with kitchen knives?"
Ginny smiled against his lips. "I'm sure we're safe." She answered softly. "They probably don't even know you're here...yet." She kissed him again. "Which means that we're alone. For real."
"Well that's good," he grinned. " I plan on doing some stuff they probably wouldn't approve of."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "And just what...stuff," She paused to give him another quick kiss, "Did you have in mind?"
"Well..." he pulled back for a moment to look at her seriously. "If you want to... I mean, well... I know a charm. For Sterility. For me, obviously," he added, flushing. "Dad showed me."
Ginny could feel the color rising in her cheeks and she smiled. "Fleur and I...Well we talked about some things and...she gave me some potions too. So..." She gave a shrug and bit her lower lip just slightly.
Neville laughed nervously. "So... really no reason not to, is there?" Ginny smiled, she was sure her face was matching her hair in that moment. "No reason that I can see." She said softly. "Unless...Are you sure?" They had both been through a lot and she wanted to make sure that he was as alright with this as she was.
He smiled reassuringly at her. "I'm tired of being afraid," he told her. "And I don't want to let... everything that happened... ruin the rest of my life. I want to be with you."
That was all Ginny needed to hear. She leaned up again and cupped his face with her hands, kissing him deeply. "I want to be with you too." She murmured against his lips. Her heart picked up again in speed and she couldn't help but get a vaguely giddy feeling in her stomach. This was it. It was really going to happen.
"Good," he said, when the kiss momentarily paused for a breath. "Now that's decided..." he pulled his wand out of his back pocket and flicked it at the door, muttering locking and silencing spells. He twirled it between his fingers before putting it back, telling himself it wasn't quite showing off if it was necessary.
Ginny couldn't help the amused smirk that crossed her face at his wand handling. "Impressive." She remarked, lifting an eyebrow. "I wonder what else you learned in the last three months." She began backing up towards the bed, stopping only when she felt it brush against the back of her knees.
"Mostly how to not set things on fire or throw people across the room," he admitted, shrugging. "It's so much easier with a wand, isn't it?"
Ginny nodded. "Bloody right it is." But she really didn't want to talk about wands and spells and not setting things on fire right in that moment. So instead, she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in for a heated kiss.
Neville's knees almost buckled with the intensity of her kiss. Instead he shifted one knee onto the bed and brought her down with him as he leaned forward. He kissed her top lip, then her cheek, then softly along her jawbone and under her chin.
Ginny let out a soft moan as his lips trailed along her jawbone. Her hands moved to find the hem of his shirt, quickly and desperately trying to find the skin that was beneath the soft fabric. Pushing his shirt up, she let her fingers explore his back and stomach.
Crawling forward, he moved until she was fully on the bed, then sat back a little to help her remove his shirt. He watched her face a little nervously for her reaction. The big scars across his shoulder and chest, common legacy of the Malfoy family, were still visible, but only just, as thin pale lines, no longer ugly red slashes that drew the eye. The rest, all the little nicks inflicted by Rosier and Umbridge in their games, it was as if they had never existed. He felt better for it, but he wondered what she would think.
Ginny's eyes moved across his chest, examining just exactly what was different about him. The three months she hadn't seen him had changed things and she wanted to relearn every little detail. Her hands gently brushed over where she remembered scars had been before and finally settled on the two thin scars that lingered on his shoulder and chest.
"Almost like new." She said with a smile up at him. There was one thing she was worried hadn't gone away. One thing that she was afraid would haunt him and her for the rest of their lives: The mark that Rosier had left on his hip. She couldn't see it now, but she was afraid to ask about it.
"It gets better," he told her. He shifted a thumb under the waistband of his trousers - loose tracksuit pants after his run - to reveal the patch of fresh skin. "You don't want to know how they did that," he added, smiling weakly.
Ginny felt her whole body flood with relief. "They...It's...Oh Nev." She could hardly form words. Her fingers lightly traced over the new skin that was there, where the "E" had been seared into his flesh. The fact that he wouldn't have to see that every day in the mirror, that he wouldn't have that nightmare to haunt him every day from now until forever...It meant so much. "That's fantastic."
"Its certainly more attractive," he agreed, rolling onto his elbow. "Eventually that should heal and you won't be able to tell it was ever there. It was only the magic ones they couldn't heal all the way. Never thought I'd be thanking him" - he avoided the name - " for his fetish for old-fashioned torture."
Ginny gave a hollow laugh at that. She knew what he'd meant but the idea of thanking anyone for their torture methods..."And here I thought it was impossible to make you more attractive." She smiled. "C'mere." She moved closer to him and kissed him again. "I love you." She said matter-of-factly.
Neville melted into the kiss for a moment, feeling his skin tingle under her touch. "You look different too," he murmured. "Did you do something with your hair?" he returned to nuzzling at her chin and neck, slipping his fingers under the hem of her shirt to place warm hands against her skin.
"Aside from washing it on a regular basis?" She asked with a small laugh as his breath tickled her neck. "I had cut it a while back. Just to get rid of the dead ends and all...And I trim it every few weeks so it stays healthy." She smiled at him. "You noticed?"
"It's like, brighter," he said, pausing a moment to twirl a lock of it between his fingers. He turned back to meet her eyes. "I think all of you is brighter."
"I think this time apart has made you a little nutters." She laughed. She brushed her thumb against his cheek and smiled. "But the good kind of nutters, so I reckon it's okay."
"I'm surprised no one has tried to steal you in the meantime," he said, turning his head to kiss the palm of her hand. "Or have they? Hm?"
"Like I could ever be stolen away from you." She said with a laugh. There had been a few boys who had...well they seemed to like her well enough. She didn't ever humor their sorry attempts at flirting and usually the threat of one of her brothers finding out about it was enough to dissuade them. Of course, there were some who were particularly...persistent. They were mostly harmless though.
"Good." He shimmied down the bed a little, hitching up her skirt so he could continue his teasing kisses on her smooth stomach.
Ginny tried not to squirm as his kisses gently tickled her, but she couldn't stop the smile that grew across her face. It was almost unreal that they had made it this far. That they were here, alive and together. And yet, she couldn't think of any other way she'd prefer it to be.
His heartbeat quickening slightly, he gently pulled her shirt up and off so that he could continue his careful ministrations. "Tell me if its too fast," he said softly, coming back up to nip at her neck briefly.
Ginny helped him to get her shirt off, and felt a small thrill through her body as he continued to tease her. The goosebumps that formed on her arms had less to do with the air and more to do with the excitement that was bubbling up inside of her. "It's not." She breathed, her hand moving to trace light circles on his shoulders and arms.
He allowed a hand to slide up her side and trace the curve of her breast as he closed his lips over the soft skin at the base of her neck. He allowed a little moan to escape as his trousers shifted against her leg. No more cold showers, he thought happily. Well, cold water from the sink, anyway. She gasped slightly as his hand touched her breast and she moved her foot to rub against his leg. Her mind was growing fuzzy with all the sensations she was feeling and she let out another quiet moan of encouragement.
Slowly he let his other hand slide up her thigh, feeling her skin quiver under his touch. This was important. Real. He wanted to get it right, after waiting so long and coming so close on so many occasions. Ginny trusted him, and he trusted her, and after everything, that was really the greatest indication of how deep their connection really went. It was all very... important. At least he'd got this far before. He was practically an expert on the above-waist area.
He undid her bra - new, he noticed - and tossed it aside, returning one hand to her right breast and brushed the other with his lips as he made a low, satisfied sound.
Ginny felt her heart picking up again. Her body arched into his touch and her eyes closed as she let out a small cry of pleasure. He knew just how to tease her to make her completely mental with need. Her hips jerked up, searching for contact with him.
He let out a grunt of need when her hips came up against his crotch, and he tightened his mouth around her nipple. He was almost fully hard now, but trying to ignore it for a while, wanting to make her feel good for as long as possible. The sounds she was making were intoxicating. After a minute or so he left off to kiss her again, his hand tracing the curve of her upper thigh under her skirt.
She gasped again as his lips closed around her nipple, arching her back and lifting her chin. She could feel his erection when she jerked her hips up and feeling the need for more friction, did it again. His lips found hers again and she kissed him hungrily, greedily. One of her legs lifted to hook around his hips, unable to get herself close enough to him.
Neville broke the kiss to gasp and catch his breath as he felt his body fire up in response to her. "Bloody... bloody Merlin," he muttered, his voice slightly hoarse and his lips almost numb.
Ginny smiled when he pulled away to curse, her breathing was a little shallow. She moved her hand to his cheek, "Alright?" Her voice was breathy and a little higher pitched.
"Fine," he said, breathing heavily. "Just... a sec." He reached behind him and fumbled for his wand. He twisted it towards himself at a slightly downward angle. "Sterilis", he said carefully. He didn't want to be infertile for the rest of his life. "You want to take your potion?"
"It's daily." She breathed. "Took it this morning before breakfast." She and Fleur had had a long discussion about her starting the potions and figured it would be for the best if she took them even when Neville wasn't there because they took a few days to actually start working and sometimes could affect moods and things like that. She didn't want to take any chances.
"Oh I see, so you've been planning this all along?" he said, tossing his wand aside and returning to his previous position, above her and slightly to one side. "Sneaky Lioness."
"You've figured out my master plan." She said, leaning up to give him a lingering kiss. "Which is of course to seduce and then take advantage of you." She grinned a little wickedly, brushing her fingers through his hair.
"Doesn't take much," he murmered, returning her kiss. "Three months... too long." He reached up her skirt again, this time finding the elastic of her underwear. "Okay?" he asked, slipping his fingers under it, watching her face for any sign of hesitation.
"Entirely too long." Ginny agreed, mumbling against his lips. She could only nod in response to his question though because hand being that close to her was far too distracting for her to be able to form words. She gave an encouraging moan as she kissed him again, lifting her hips into his hand.
Neville swallowed and moved his hand, tugging her underwear down to her knees where she could kick it off. He moved his hand back, risking a brief exploration between her legs, where his fingers encountered wet softness.
Ginny gasped as his hand brushed against her center, surprised at the heat that she could feel between her legs. As his fingers tentatively explored, she bit back another moan, rolling her hips to create even more of the friction she was craving. Her heart rate was picking up again and her breathing became more shallow the more his hand brushed against her most sensitive areas.
Neville couldn't help a satisfied little smile at the sounds she made at this relatively simple action. Shifting his knees he pulled down his trousers and underpants in one jerky movement. "Ready?" he asked, not sure what he would do if she changed her mind now.
"Y-Yeah." Ginny breathed with a shaky nod. She felt a sudden bit of nervousness mixed with excitement in her stomach, but wasn't about to turn back now. She bit her lip slightly, anxious for what was about to happen.
Very slowly and carefully, he leant forward, using his hand to position himself as comfortably as possible before gently entering her. He felt her tense and had to exercise all his willpower not to cry out. His heartbeat, his blood seemed to be pounding throughout his whole body. "You all right?" he forced himself to ask, somehow forming words through the fog of desperation, his body begging him for more. "Did that hurt?"
Ginny let out a small cry at the sharp pain she felt when he entered her. She hadn't expected it to hurt that much. Her body tensed and she tried taking a deep breath to relax as she got used to the feeling. After a moment, she was able to form words again. "I'm...I'm fine." She managed. "Just...Go slow." She tried to keep her body as relaxed as possible, though it was increasingly difficult with each passing moment.
In the back of his mind he felt bad for hurting her, even though the fore of his mind was full of oh god good yes feeling more please. Shifting slightly he kissed her and stroked the side of her face, trying to take her mind off the pain. "I love you," he told her, his voice low. "This feels... amazing."
Ginny smiled after the kiss, closing her eyes and compartmentalizing the pain, which was thankfully, dulled now that she had had a moment to adjust to it. And it was a different sort of pain than she was used to. It was a good pain. A pain that meant something rather than just the abject torture that she'd been subjected to up until a few months ago. This pain....this pain she welcomed. "I love you too." She murmured. "So much."
He continued to gently trace the curve of her jaw with his fingers, kissing her lightly between deep calming breaths as he began to move slowly. Each movement was another thrill of pleasure through his groin.
He was doing quite a sufficient job of keeping her from thinking about the discomfort she was feeling, though when he began moving, even slowly, she couldn't help but gasp a little. It was less out of pain and more out of surprise and the strange sensation that mixed with pleasure. As he continued his rhythm, the pain ebbed and she was feeling more and more of the good.
Neville had a moment of total delirium where he couldn't believe this was happening. He had to stop kissing her for a while as he took deep, rough breaths over her shoulder. He groaned as one thrust took him deeper than before and his body spasmed once.
Ginny cried out again as he hit a spot inside of her that caused her entire body to tense. She was having a hard time differentiating between pleasure and pain and her hands gripped his shoulder for support. She took a shuddering breath and pressed a kiss into his neck as he breathed over her shoulder.
He heard her cry out and forced himself to come back to her, nuzzling at her neck. "You're so beautiful," he told her. He felt himself go deeper inside her and his breath caught in his throat. "Oh gods... yes... Merlin..." Her body tensed again, her hips jerking up and she gasped for air. "Oh...Oh, Neville." She breathed, her voice airy.
Neville felt something run through him that felt like lightning. Dark memories stirred in his subconcious for a moment, but he ignored them, determined that nothing would ruin this. He opened his eyes and let the sight of her gasping with pleasure sink into his mind, like a bandage over an old wound. As he moved he felt some strange new emotion rising in his chest, something unnameable, wonderful and painful at the same time. In the moment of trying to work this out, he was taken by surprise by a fresh flame of pleasure that shot through his stomach and through his groin as his control shattered and he moaned loudly, thrusting once, twice, thrice more as he shuddered through his release.
Ginny could feel herself filling with his hot release and let out a small scream of pleasure. She felt complete and full for the first time in a long time and it just felt completely right that it was Neville with her. She wrapped her legs around him to pull him closer to her and held him tightly for a long moment, thanking the powers that be that he was back with her again. She needed him like she needed air in her lungs and being without him had been...well she was glad to not have to suffer through another day without him.
"Oh...Oh Neville." She breathed in his ear as she pulled him closer to her. "I love you."
Neville could barely speak. He wanted to try and explain how she made him feel - not just physically, because that spoke for itself, but that in being with her everything terrible that had gone before seemed to fade into the background. This - sex - had always been something to be afraid of, before, but she had rewritten the definition just by being there. Making it easy. He felt a tightness in his throat and hot tears in his eyes, and turned his head away, embarrassed. He was fairly sure it was only girls who were supposed to cry, after.
Ginny reached out and put a hand on his cheek. "Alright?" She asked softly, a small amount of worry growing in her chest that somehow she'd done something wrong and upset him. Which was, of course, the last thing she wanted to do. She wanted to make sure that he was okay with everything that had just occurred.
He turned his head into her hand and smiled at her, if a little damply. "Fine," he told her. "Just... happy." He made a face and wiped his eyes. "I'm such a girl. How are you?"
Ginny gave a small laugh, brushing her thumb along his eye line and smiling at him. "I've never been better." She answered easily. "And you aren't a girl. I think I can attest to that." She laughed again. "C'mere." She leaned up and captured his lips once more, making no move to shift their position. She was perfectly content to have him so close to her.
Neville thought he could stay like that for ever, warm and comforted with his body locked with hers. He kissed her as though in a dream, letting his hand curl into the wonderful mass of her hair. Still, he was starting to get a cramp in his thigh where he was holding himself up with his knees, so he pulled back slightly, wincing as he slid out of her and reached for his wand. "Bloody love magic," he said happily, casting a quick cleaning charm, pulling his trousers back up and summoning a blanket from the corner.
Getting under the covers currently seemed like too much effort, so he pulled the blanket over them and lay beside her, still holding her close.
Ginny melted into the kiss, letting everything else slip away for that brief moment. She smiled as the blanket floated towards them and she felt the cleaning charm rid the stickyness from between them.
Letting herself curl into him, she felt herself relax. He felt like home. More than her family did most times simply because they'd been through so much together. She wasn't as close to any one else in the world as she felt to him. She let herself tangle with his legs as she buried her face in his chest, needing to feel as close to him as possible.
"We're doing that again," he said after a while. "Frequently. I'll try and make it more spontaneous next time, though, promise."
Ginny gave a small giggle at that and nuzzled into his neck. "I definitely approve of that. This whole having our own rooms thing is getting better by the minute."