Summary: The would-be graduates of the previous year have returned to finish their stint at Hogwarts. Ginny, who still feels left out and alone, finds the surprise of her life in a person that she least expects. I had this story posted under "When Fire and Ice Collide," however, I decided to re-write it and change the name. Standard disclaimers apply.


Chapter One: Below the Surface

The mood at The Burrow was somber, and Ginny Weasley couldn't quite remember laughter. There were days, she knew, when she and her brothers were carefree and innocent. Days when they could play Quidditch in their backyard (but not too high, wouldn't want the Muggles seeing, after all) and bewitch snowballs and eat apples from the apple tree without ever knowing sadness or war.

But those days were dead and buried, along with everyone that Ginny had loved. Fred, gone, due to some cruel card life had dealt. Lupin and Tonks were so young and baby Teddy would never know them. Collin, whose loyalty was with Harry until the very end. Sirius, who died defending Harry's honor…

It had been one month. One month since Harry vanquished Voldemort permanently, and picking up the pieces of a war torn life wasn't easy for anyone. The remaining Weasley's, along with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, did nothing but grieve for their fallen friends and family by taking comfort in each other. They had to re-learn how to live, how to continue on with the gaping holes missing from their lives and hearts, how to breathe the free air without feeling guilt or remorse that they were still around to breathe it. And every day, as they stood silent vigil over Fred Weasley's grave, they each had asked themselves the question: Why?

--

One sunny Sunday in July, Ginny found herself sitting in the shade of her favorite apple tree with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They weren't doing much of anything, really, except for observing the tranquility of the overgrown Weasley Garden. After a long while, Ginny finally spoke.

"I wonder how dad is getting along in his new job," she said, and looked around at her friends slowly. "Shacklebolt's really coming along, wouldn't you say?"

Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was named Minister of Magic after the fall of Voldemort, was finally taking the initiative to implement change within the Ministry walls. His first order of business, surprisingly, was to name Arthur Weasley as the Head of the Department of Muggle Affairs. To Arthur, this meant more time spent among Muggles, but to his family, it meant that they were no longer on the brink of starvation.

"Yeah," said Hermione. "He's doing a splendid job – like the Public Information Act? How The Daily Prophet is no longer controlled by the Ministry? Oh I think it's bloody brilliant!"

"Too bad Rita Skeeter hasn't been sacked, though," said Harry wistfully.

"Well, you can't have everything mate," Ron said, while clapping Harry on the back.

"Things do seem to be progressing nicely… except…"

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked in concern.

"It's not really anything big; I just wish that we were able to finish our education. Having missed out on our seventh year could be very detrimental to us getting jobs, you know!"

"You're not… serious, are you?" asked Ron, looking dumbfounded. "Us? Not get jobs? Hermione, think about who we are and what we've done! Who our bloody best friend is! How could we possibly be denied?"

"Don't be a prat, Ronald," Ginny snapped impatiently. "A lot of people fought in the war, and just because you happen to be one of them doesn't mean squat to anyone who's got a brain. Which," she added nastily, "you seem not to have."

"She's right, mate," Harry said softly. "Er, not that you haven't got a brain or anything," he amended, seeing the look on Ron's face, "but just because we are who we are – if we're not qualified, we're not qualified. And think about how nice it would be to go back to Hogwarts without a threat hanging over our heads for once. What I wouldn't give to be normal…"

Ginny grasped Harry's hand and squeezed. Her liquid amber eyes were full of love and understanding, and as they locked onto Harry's brilliant green ones, a huge swell of emotion filled her chest.

--

Later on that same day, Ginny was laying in her room thinking about Harry. About their first kiss. It always thrilled Ginny to re-live that moment, because in the heightened euphoria of the Quidditch match, his lips on hers had felt like a drug. A drug that she never, never, never wanted to stop using. But it's different now, she frowned to herself. Awkward – like neither of us know how to start back up after having stopped so abruptly. Not that she blamed Harry for breaking up with her, because she had known that it was coming. One of the qualities that so drew her to him was the hero complex that Harry possessed – the undeniable urge he couldn't fight – to keep saving people until the job was done.

And just as Ginny had come to an important conclusion that could have changed her life forever, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" she mumbled sleepily.

"It's me. Harry."

Oh.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure," Ginny said, sitting up.

The door opened slowly, revealing the bespeckled, green eyed and somewhat uncomfortable Harry Potter. "Hey," he said nervously, looking anywhere but at Ginny.

"Hey," she replied, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't, she became impatient. "Well, sit down or something," she snapped, trying desperately to control her rampant temper.

Blushing, Harry obliged and sat down at her writing desk, still avoiding her gaze.

"Well?" she asked, more softly than before.

"Er," was all that Harry managed to say. He swallowed, and tried again. "That is, uh… well I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it? What's wrong?" Ginny leaned forward on her bed a little worriedly. Harry looked awfully pale.

"See, the thing is… this is really hard to do. It seemed so much simpler last time, which is ironic considering we were in front of the whole of Gryffindor House…"

Oh, Ginny thought again. Oh.

"Do you uh… want to… bemygirlfriendagain?"

Ginny had a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach, but ignored it and put on a small smile. Do I want to do this with Harry again? Well… why not? It's not like he's going to break it off again for some silly saving-the-world-thing. Plus, he's kind and thoughtful, if not a bit thick sometimes. He's innocent and open… Harry Potter is the perfect boyfriend. But Ginny wasn't so sure that she wanted a perfect boyfriend, anymore. She knew that Harry was genuine, and that he was extremely easy to read – which meant there would be no surprises. But her family was expecting it. Harry expected it. Hell! Even Ginny knew it would happen again at some point. I can't do that to my family… and I certainly can't do that to Harry.

Nervously, Harry began to get up.

"Wait," Ginny said, holding up her hand. "Harry, of course I'll be your girlfriend. Again."

"Really Gin? You mean it?"

"Of course I do, you dolt. I wouldn't lie to you." The feeling of guilt left as quickly as it came, and Ginny stood from her bed and walked over to Harry. She wrapped her arms around his middle, and for a moment, it felt like home. But when Harry tilted her chin upwards so he could kiss her, Ginny didn't feel it. There was no drug on his lips – it was just Harry. Just Harry.