Complicated

"You did that on purpose!" Demelza called as she walked into their dorm.

"Huh?" Ginny played dumb.

Demelza stared Ginny down "You set Harry and I up. Don't even try to deny it. You knew what riding together on a broom feels like, and you liked putting us in that position."

"You seemed to enjoy it."

"That's- that's beside the point!" Demelza sputtered "I just don't understand what you're doing. I know you well enough to know you'd never play games or test him, and the fact that you enjoy it- it doesn't make sense. Unless… oh my god." Demelza rushed to the side of her bed, where she pulled out a trunk that had been wedged underneath. Ginny knew from past experience that it was filled to the brim with her trashy romance novels. Demelza tossed a few aside, including titles like Professor's Pet, In His Service, and The Sorcerer's Command.

"Aha!" Demelza crowed "You're like Lady Anabelle!" She pointed a finger accusingly at Ginny, while her other hand was cradling a well-worn book titled The Lady's Lord.

Ginny took a look at the back "When Lady Anabelle catches a handmaiden flirting with her husband, she is shocked. But after a titillating misunderstanding, she realizes that she enjoys watching her husband seduce women." Ginny stopped there.

Demelza was spot on. Granted, there was the confounding factor of saving Harry's life, but Ginny had found herself very much enjoying watching Harry with other girls.

"Okay, you're right." She admitted.

"Oh. My. God." Demelza was smiling wickedly.

"Please don't spread this around."

"Ginny! I'd never! We're besties! Besides I shudder to think how many witches Harry would have to fend off if the castle at large knew." Demelza assured.

Ginny chuckled. She was probably right. "So what happened up there?"

"Wait. This is part of your thing, isn't it? You like hearing about Harry's encounters with other witches." Demelza still seemed to be over the moon and rubbing it in her face.

"Don't judge me. I don't have an entire trunk full of erotica under my bed." Ginny shot back.

Demelza raised her hands in surrender "Okay. Truce. I'll tell you what happened. It was amazing. So I'm not sure if you know, but riding a broom together at high speeds tends to press your bodies together."

"That's what I was counting on." Ginny interrupted.

"So I could feel him! His length was pressed up against me."

"Length?" Ginny teased "You sound like you've been reading too many romance novels. Ever thought of getting a boyfriend?"

"Don't judge me!" The brunette defended "And for your information, I've tried. It's just the boys I've had weren't up to snuff. At least until, you know, today."

"You've mentioned something about Collin before, but boys?"

"Well. Collin was sweet, but he just treated me like glass. Just because I'm… you know." She gestured over her head in a way that suggested her short height "Doesn't mean I'm fragile. And then he came almost instantly when I grabbed his shaft."

"So that's why he stopped hanging out with us."

"Yeah, I felt bad. But I also didn't feel like it was going to work with him. I want a guy who's confident, who isn't afraid to take charge."

"What about bloke number two? Why haven't I heard about him?" Ginny wondered.

"Because he's Dean." Demelza admitted, before hurrying to add "He wanted some rebound sex after you broke up."

Ginny wasn't bothered, she was so over Dean. "How was it? Don't tell me I was missing out!"

Demelza laughed "You weren't! In a way he was actually worse than Collin. At least I knew Collin cared about me and wanted me to have a good time, even if his execution was terrible. Dean didn't even try to make it good for me. He just got us undressed and fucked me. It was so mechanical! Once he came, it was over."

"You know, I was kind of hoping these would be sexy stories. But instead they're just a little depressing." Ginny noted "So, we were talking about Harry?"

"Right! Well I could feel his shaft pressed right against my bum and then he started speaking in my ear. His voice was a rumble in his chest and I could feel the vibrations from it. His breath was in my ear." She let off a soft blissful sigh. "After you left, I took us up high to get a view of the grounds, and it was just so… wonderful. He looked at my lips, and then he looked into my eyes. I swear I could just fall into those eyes."

"So could I…" Ginny sighed. "Maybe I should have him take a broom ride with me."

-----

Harry wasn't sure what to expect from his weekly meeting with Dumbledore. The man had tried, during that time where Harry was mentally preparing to sacrifice himself to take down Voldemort, to help him come to terms with it. However, this would be their first meeting since Hermione discovered the ritual that could save him.

Hermione had warned him that Dumbledore wasn't very open to the ritual. She had actually suggested he lie to the headmaster, and tell him they weren't actively pursuing it.

That didn't sit well with Harry. Part of him still held out hope that he could reason with Dumbledore, and he also realized that the headmaster would probably be able to recognize any deception on Harry's part.

So it was with some trepidation that he stepped into Dumbledore's office. He took a few moments to stroke Fawkes' feathers, who cooed reassuringly.

"Good evening, professor." Harry greeted, taking a seat.

"Harry." Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling "It is good to see you as always. You seem to be in much better spirits than when we last met."

He was testing the waters, Harry realized. He figured Harry was up to something, but either didn't know or was giving Harry the chance to come clean. Harry made a snap decision. Dumbledore never had any qualms with hiding important information from Harry, why shouldn't Harry deal with him in the same way?

"Well, to be honest Sir" Harry's face was genuinely blushing red "It's a little personal. Ginny and I've been making the most of our relationship, you see."

"Ah, to be young and in love." Dumbledore chuckled "I'm glad that you're making the most of your time. I have to ask you, Miss. Granger came into my office with an interesting discovery she'd made. I presume that she shared it with you?"

"Err, yeah. Ginny and I know about the ritual, professor. We've talked a lot about it and we're just having a hard time figuring some things out." Nothing he'd said was technically a lie. Harry made sure to project doubt and insecurity (of which he still had plenty) in case Dumbledore was reading his surface thoughts. "I was curious, why don't you think it's a good idea?"

"The soul magics are very dangerous. I've spoken to you before about finding a fate worse than death. Deforming your very soul is one such way to achieve that. I urge you to not go down this path."

"Look, to be honest, it's probably not even possible. I mean, getting 7 compatible girls to bind themselves to me? That seems impossible. Hermione's really set on it, and Ginny's… well Ginny." He smiled fondly. "I understand your concerns, professor. I'll keep it in mind."

"Harry." Dumbledore told him firmly "Please tell me that you won't attempt this ritual."

"I'm afraid I can't do that professor." Harry answered "I want to keep my options open. I understand your argument, I really do. But ultimately this is my life, my decision. I hope you can respect that, if I were to make a decision you disagree with."

"Lives are at stake, Harry."

"Believe me professor, I'm well aware." Harry retorted, his voice on edge "I'm doing everything I can, or at least everything you'll allow me to do, to contribute to the war effort."

A tense silence fell between them, neither of them will to back down from their position.

"Was there anything else you'd like to talk about professor?"

"No, that will be all for today, Harry. But do keep my words in mind."

-----

So what did Dumbledore say?

The words appeared on Harry's sheet of parchment, he immediately recognized it as Hermione's handwriting.

Essentially what he said to you. I kinda lied to him.

Good. Hermione wrote back.

What's this, Hermione approving of someone lying to a professor? Ginny's handwriting appeared. She gave a cheeky grin as she wrote it, and Harry couldn't resist kissing it. While Hermione was in the library, the two of them were cuddled up in a corner of the common room.

Harry could picture the brunette rolling her eyes.

Do you think he bought it? Ginny wrote, Harry found it a bit silly, considering she was right next to him.

Did he tell you anything new?

Do you think he might have been affected by a Humperdink?

I don't know, no, and I didn't see one. Harry answered in rapid succession. Anything else?

Cho Chang is telling people that you want to split up with Ginny. Luna added.

Pray tell why? Hermione asked.

She seems to think you have a thing for Demelza Robbins.

Ginny stifled a laugh. Well she is probably our best candidate for additions to our club so far.

What did Harry do with her?

Took her for a broom ride. A literal one. She was swooning.

What other kind is there?

We'll tell you later. Hermione interrupted Do you think she'd be okay with sharing him?

She kinda already knows about that. At least the 'sharing him' part, not the ritual.

WHAT

Ginny had let Harry know Demelza's reaction that same night, in his bed. But she hadn't gotten around to telling Hermione and Luna about it.

How could she know about that but not the ritual? Hermione's writing had gotten much messier. Harry imagined she was scribbling frantically on her parchment.

Ginny was blushing heavily. She wasn't quite comfortable speaking so plainly about her newly discovered kink. Harry smiled reassuringly and squeezed her shoulder.

She probably realized that Ginny enjoys watching Harry kiss other witches. Luna answered.

Oh.

How're the runes coming? Harry asked, trying to redirect the conversation.

Finished. I have them in my bag.

Good thing too, we only have, what. Three days?

Ginny's words struck Harry heavily. Three days until the ritual- a ritual that would either change his life forever or doom it entirely. Harry looked over at Ginny, who seemed to be perfectly happy with the thought.

He wished he could have her confidence.