Disclaimer: Do you really think I own Harry or Ginny? DO YOU? DO YOU? That's right! I didn't think so! If I did I wouldn't be typing this story! Repeat after me! I. Do NOT. Own anything you reconize! ;)

A/N: Thank you to my loverly beta Weirdly for your help and the title! My first beta! THANK YOU!

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'By the Shores of the Lake'

Ginny walked to the shore of the Lake and as she gazed at it the night air wrapped around her like a cloak, somehow warming her even in its own chill. Dumbledore was dead (the words echoing in her mind), and Harry had broken up with her. Tears slid down her face as the rain poured down on her, indistinguishable from her tears.

Why did he leave me? Why'd he break up with me? To protect me, or himself? Selfish bastard! Why didn't he listen to Dumbledore?Love is the most powerful magic! Dumbledore said so himself!

Shivering, Ginny slipped off her shoes, and stepped forward to let the tiny waves wash over her toes. Dumbledore was dead. He couldn't be. Yet, it was the irrevocable truth. If Harry hadn't broken up with her their love might have protected them. Her eyes blurred with tears, and though she couldn't see through water and night, she heard footsteps behind her.

"Ginny," a male voice whispered, cracking on the second syllable. Harry's voice. Harry's damnably cute, awkward, clueless voice. He walked up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Ginny, I'm sorry, but if you…if you die I don't think I could live with myself."

"Didn't you listen to him though? Didn't you here the way he spoke about love. It's the most powerful magic Harry. Don't you believe him?" Ginny leaned toward him, as if to make sure he could hear her forceful whisper and the sadness behind it.

"Of course I believe him, but – I –"

"No. Either you believe him, or you don't. Love would protect us Harry. Without love you would be dead. Dead, Harry."

"I know, but right now I don't think we can be…er…together – Everything's just so screwed up."

"That doesn't matter right now, Harry. We could still be together. It would make you, make us stronger."

"But what if he kills you first?"

"Then he kills me, damn it! I love you, Harry!"

"I know." Harry paused, then seemed to realize that this was not the right thing to say. "I love you, too," he amended, and gently turned her head to face him, though her eyes still avoided his face. "Can you possibly forgive me? We could...pretend it never happened."

Ginny smiled. They would fight about it again and truly heal the rift, she knew, but for now the suggested peace was beautiful and warm. "All right," she said, and they wrapped their arms around each other, and stood like that. Just together, with the rain pounding around them. For that one moment in time, every thing was perfect. Like the calm before the storm.

THE END

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A/N: Yes another short oneSHOT! Well, what can I say! I'm trying to come up with more for 'Of Bunnies and Bananas! AND I'm trying to write a new story and make it have at LEAST three chapters! Please review! It would make me so very happy! Come on, you know you want to! Even if you don't like it! Just tell my WHY you don't like it!

Thank you to everyone who reviews!

-Vegetarians will rule Earth