The Choices we Make

By EccaDaisy

Summary: It has been nearly three years since the defeat of Voldemort, and Harry has finally realized that he needs to go home and face the demons of his past. But what will he find when he goes back to his homeland? Read to find out…

Chapter 1:

Unexpected

"Alohomora" muttered Harry Potter, before silently moving from the dark and foggy night into the relative safety of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Without thinking, Harry made his way to his old room and collapsed on the bed, where he spent the next 10 hours tossing and turning, reliving the nightmares that had cursed his sleep for the past two years.

Harry awoke with a start, momentarily forgetting where he was, but properly waking up when he heard noises downstairs. Quickly grabbing his wand and glasses, Harry stealthily moved out to the first landing, before creeping down the stairs and stopping just outside the closed kitchen door. After a deep breath, Harry shoved the door open, at the same time yelling "Stupefy!" and pointing his wand at the intruder before him.

Stepping into the room Harry quickly assessed whether there was anyone else in the room, before checking the intruder, and upon seeing who it was, could only think that she was going to kill him when she came to.

Ginny Weasley came to with a start, automatically grabbing her wand which lay beside her. Turning around she saw the last person she expected to see, Harry Potter.

"H-Harry?" stammered Ginny.

"Here drink this," said Harry handing her a cup of tea, "it will help."

After tentatively taking a few sips, Ginny started to ask what he was doing there at the exact same time as Harry started to ask the same thing, which caused both to stop mid-sentence not knowing what to say.

Harry was the first to speak. "Well, it is technically my house. I just need somewhere to sleep for the night."

"Sorry, it's just that I never see anyone here anymore, I didn't mean to scare you or anything," Ginny hastened to say. "It's just… this is the only place I can come to think, it's …my last link to you," Ginny finished, her voice no louder than a whisper.

Harry didn't know what to say. It had been nearly 2 years since he had seen Ginny, he knew only through Ron that she had finished her seventh year at Hogwarts last year, and had started her training to become a Medi-Witch soon after. He had nearly forgotten just how beautiful she was, her flaming red hair, her big brown eyes, her cute little button nose… "Snap out of it, Harry," he told himself, "There is a war going on, remember? You're the one who put a stop to the relationship you and Ginny shared two and a half years ago before you went in search of Voldemort's Horcruxes. You can't fall apart at the first sight of her!"

Ginny couldn't believe that he was standing in front of her after all this time. In the past 2 years since she had last seen him he had changed, he was taller and looked a lot stronger, she guessed it was from all the battles he had endured over the past two years. But he also looked older, older beyond his years. The war had taken its toll on Harry Potter, she could see the scars and the recent bruising and it looked like his nose had been broken as well. Her eyes traveled from his rough hands to his dirty face and then to his eyes, those emerald green eyes that used to hold her captivated with love, happiness and freedom… they were now blank, near lifeless. She shuddered to think what Harry had seen and done. Whenever Ron and Hermione visited the Burrow they never spoke about what they had done, all they did was sleep, have a proper meal, hear if there were any news and let them all know that they were Ok. They usually only stayed a night, sometimes two, before they went out again to fight the war. The first time they had come home Ginny had asked them why Harry wasn't with them; all they had said was that he was safe and needed time alone. The next time they arrived, Harry was with them, but after having a quick discussion with her father and Remus Lupin he left again before she had had a chance to talk with him. He had never come back with Ron or Hermione since, and eventually she had given up asking them where he was and why he hadn't come back. She just looked after them the best she could along with the help from her mother, and every time they left she asked them to tell Harry that she missed him and hoped to see him again soon. Now that was finally standing there right in front of her, she didn't have a clue of what to say.

Harry thought back to the times in the past two years when Ron and Hermione had come back from the Burrow, and with them came the same message from Ginny every time, that she missed him and hoped to see him soon. How many times had he laid awake thinking of her, hoping she was safe, wanting just to hold her and tell her everything; she had always been the one other than Ron and Hermione that he could talk to. And now here they were, and he couldn't think of one thing to say.

"Let me get you something to eat, you look like you haven't had a decent meal in weeks," said Ginny, getting up and moving towards the stove.

Harry couldn't help it; he started laughing, soon not being able to hold back tears. It took a couple of moments before Ginny realized that Harry's tears weren't of laughter, but of sadness, a deep, profound sadness that Ginny hated to see.

"What's the matter Harry, did I say something?" asked Ginny walking over to where Harry was and placing her hands in his. Harry took a quick step back, removing his hands from Ginny's; seeing the hurt in her eyes made him want to cry even more. Instead, he sat her down and started to pour out all the demons he had faced in the last 2 years. He told her about the Horcruxes, and how close they were. It was dark when they finally stopped talking, both were so emotionally drained, they had cried over lost ones and had reminisced their happier times at Hogwarts, playing Quidditch and laughing at the antics of the twins.

Ginny got up and headed to the kitchen hoping to find something they could eat. Although it had been hard to hear everything that Harry had said, Ginny was glad that Harry had opened up to her. It had been hard for him to relive everything that had happened, but she knew that deep down he needed to, so he could move on and prepare for the final Horcrux and what she hoped would be the last battle against Lord Voldemort.

After dinner they returned to the study and sat in comfortable silence, each thinking about the events of the afternoon, events from the past and what was to come in the future. Harry couldn't believe that he had told Ginny everything, but was glad that he had. He had missed her so much and although he knew that it was hard for her to hear what had been happening, she needed to hear it, and he needed to say it. It was about 7.30 when Ginny broke the silence.

"I think I better go, you need some rest."

"No wait, Ginny," Harry begged. "I, I was hoping you would stay here, I mean only if you want to, I just, I haven't felt this safe since, since I was last at the Burrow. Please just, stay…" Harry finished, getting up and walking over to the window, not daring to face Ginny. He knew she wouldn't stay, it would be too hard, but all he wanted to do was just hold her and never let her go.

Ginny didn't know what to say, so instead she walked over to Harry and captured him in a fierce hug. Harry was momentarily shocked, but quickly wrapped his arms around her. They stood like that for what seemed like days, although in reality it had been but a few minutes. Ginny slowly let go of Harry, looking up into his eyes that were once again on fire, and before realizing what she was doing, she kissed him. Harry was surprised to say the least, but after a moment he found himself kissing her back, matching her passion. A couple of minutes later they pulled apart, both needing to breathe. Neither of them spoke; they knew all they needed to know by looking into each others eyes. Slowly, Harry led Ginny up to his room, and laid her down on the bed.

"Ginny, do you really want this?" asked Harry, his voice full of emotion.

"Yes," came Ginny's strong, but quiet voice.

Harry awoke at 5am, hearing a voice, only to open his eyes and see Ginny curled up beside him, mumbling in her sleep. Harry had to suppress a laugh; he remembered Ron talking in his sleep both in their old dormitory at Hogwarts and at the Burrow during holidays; it seemed that sleep talking was a Weasley trait. All Harry wanted to do was lay there all day, but he knew that if he stayed he would never leave and there was still so much left to do. So after taking one last look at the sleeping Ginny, Harry climbed out of bed trying not to disturb her, grabbed his belongings and headed to the shower.

Harry emerged from the shower feeling fresher and stronger than he had in months. After having a quick breakfast, Harry left… stepping out into the chilly London air, off to defeat Voldemort for good.

It was past 8 o'clock when Ginny woke up. It took a few seconds for her to realize where she was, then the memories of the night before came flooding back to her and she rolled over to see Harry, only to find she was alone. "Maybe it was all a dream," thought Ginny, but no, it couldn't be, the passion was too real to be a dream. Thinking that maybe Harry had gone down to the kitchen, Ginny got up, unceremoniously putting on her clothes and fixing her hair. She ran downstairs only to slow down and quietly creep to the kitchen, as to not wake Mrs. Blacks' portrait. Walking into the kitchen she found it completely empty, Harry had gone… without saying good bye. It was then that Ginny noticed the letter on the table; immediately knowing that it was from Harry she quickly walked over, and tore the envelope before calming herself and sitting down to read Harry's letter.

My Dearest Ginny,

I'm sorry for not saying good bye, but I had to go, there is still so much left to do. You must keep what has happened between us in the last 18 hours to yourself. If Voldemort ever found out and tried to hurt you… I couldn't live with myself.

By the time you read this I will be back with Ron and Hermione, we still have a bit of preparing to before we destroy Nagini. From there it should hopefully all be really quick.

Ginny, last night was so special for me, I will always remember it and no matter what happens I Love You Ginny. Please look after everyone, especially yourself. I promise I will never leave you...

With all my Love,

Harry

By the time Ginny finished reading the letter, she was in tears. Not knowing what to do, or where to go, Ginny just sat in the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, thinking that where ever Harry was, he was going to be OK, he had to be. She wouldn't let herself think otherwise.

As soon as he had left Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry apparated to Godric's Hollow, wanting to visit his mum and dad before seeing Ron and Hermione again. For the next 45 minutes Harry, after casting the needed charms, sat down and told his mother and father what had been happening. After finishing, Harry just sat in silence; he had said what he needed to say, and that was all he could do for the time being.

The sun was just starting to peek through the fog. Harry looked at his watch, it was a few minutes to seven, they would be here soon. Just as he was getting up he heard the soft pops of 2 people Apparating meters in front of him. It was Ron and Hermione, both with sad yet determined looks on their faces.

The sun was just setting as Ginny Apparated back to the Burrow. She went straight to her room, and spent the next 10 hours tossing and turning, reliving the nightmares from past years that had haunted her dreams since she was 11.

Authors Note: First of all I hoped you enjoyed this and huge Thanks go to my amazing Beta, Jen. The next chapter should be up in a few days, so please review… Ecca