HARRY AND GINNY: JOURNEY ENDING, JOURNEY BEGINNING

CHAPTER ONE: HARRY'S EPIPHANY

"Why's he with her again?" Harry Potter seethed out through clenched teeth, his green eyes flashing to a dangerous Jade color. He was outside with his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Ron and Hermione didn't have to ask who Harry was talking about for they knew it would be the same two people he had been talking about for ages now, or so it seemed. They were fellow Gryffindors, Ginny Weasley and Landon Vance. Both Ginny and Landon were in their sixth year at Hogwarts whereas Harry, Ron and Hermione were in their seventh and final year at Hogwarts.

"They're always together, it's really disgusting actually," continued Harry. "Why on earth Ginny would associate herself with that worthless git..." but whatever else Harry was going to say got cut off by Hermione slamming her Transfiguration book shut.

"Harry for goodness sake come OFF it!" Hermione snapped at him exasperated. "Ginny and Landon are friends and fellow Quidditch players! Not to mention that they are in the same year." She glared at Harry and then looked at Ron as if beseeching him to say something to help, but Ron had suddenly become very interested in flipping through the pages of his Transfiguration book. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Harry.

She tried from another angle, "Honestly Harry why don't you just TELL Ginny that you like her?" but this succeeded in only making Harry angrier.

"Of course I like Ginny! she's Ron's sister and I don't want her to get hurt, that Landon Vance has a reputation for using girls and then dropping them when a prettier one comes along," exclaimed Harry as if this was the reason that he was angry. He turned to Ron, "Ron back me up! Aren't you worried about Ginny's happiness too?" And he shot Ron a dark look.

"Hey mate of course I care but Ginny knows how to take care of herself and she knows what Landon's reputation is, everyone knows" said Ron. He knew the real reason behind Harry's anger but until Harry was able to admit it himself, he wouldn't push.

Harry slammed his Transfiguration book shut and said something about he was heading to the common room and stormed off towards the castle doors. He cast one more dark look Ginny and Landon's way and disappeared inside.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other, "Do you think he will ever realize it?" Hermione asked Ron.

Ron sighed as he shook his head. He reached out for Hermione's hand and said, "I don't know, look how long it took me to realize my feelings for you." They smiled at each other and Hermione opened her book up again and they went back to studying still holding hands.

Harry was furious with himself and he didn't even know why exactly. Oh he had an idea but he didn't know if he cared for the solution to much.

Harry had dealt with so much pain, hurt and anger more then most seventeen year old boys muggles or wizards alike. Harry was "the boy who lived" he let out a harsh laugh; he didn't understand what was so wonderful about it. He had lost his parents to the Dark Lord, he lived with his Uncle, Aunt and cousin all of which who hated and feared him and his kind, he lived with them for eleven miserable years. He then came to Hogwarts the only home he ever felt like he had only to deal with stares and ridicule from people, and had to risk his life on more then one occasion because of Voldemort, defeating him every time. He had found and then lost his godfather, and now he had a prophecy on his head that basically said he had to kill Voldemort or be killed by him.

All Harry wanted and cared about was to have a normal life with parents who love him, which he didn't have, good friends which he did have, and a girlfriend which he had yet to have any luck with. He's had his share of girlfriends but none lasted long except for Parvati Patil, they were together for eight months last year, it ended on a bad tone though. He had, had a crush on Cho Chang from his third year to his fifth year which didn't work either, he had even tried dating Luna Lovegood, and those didn't work either. He had come to the conclusion that dating and love weren't for him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He cast one more dark look Ginny and Landon's way and disappeared inside.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

While Harry continued making his solitary way upstairs to the Tower, Ginny and Landon were still outside.

"GINNY! Earth to Ginny!" said Landon teasingly for he noticed she was not paying attention to him anymore. Ginny had caught sight of Harry storming into the castle and she sighed. "GINNY!" Landon said again louder this time.

Ginny snapped out of her reverie and looked at Landon, "What? Oh sorry Landon" said Ginny. Right now Ginny wanted to be anywhere but with Landon Vance, she knew how he was and she knew what he was trying to do. Unfortunately all subtle hints that she threw him at him either he was too dense to understand or he just ignored her when she tried to tell/show him she was not interested. "What were you saying Landon?" She saw Ron and Hermione and started heading towards them.

"I was saying that if you wanted we could practice Quidditch so you can work on the maneuvers Potter gave you, Persephone and Alyssa. I could play Keeper even though I'm a beater, what do you say?" Landon said again. He was determined to win Ginny's heart, he knew what his reputation was and he was neither ashamed nor proud of it but Ginny Weasley made him wish he didn't have that reputation.

"Sure we can practice but we should have at least one more chaser to help with the training." Said Ginny she made it to where Hermione and Ron were sitting and sank down into the grass under the birch tree, so she did not see Landon's face fall. "Hey big brother mind if we join you?" Ginny asked with a pleading look that she took care that Landon did not notice.

Hermione who had seen it smiled and said "Sure you can join us." She nudged Ron and looked pointedly at Landon.

Ron who ever since he and Hermione started dating would do anything to make Hermione happy said cheerfully, "Why not? I could use a break from my slave driver." He glanced teasingly at Hermione and held tight to her hand as she tried to pull away. She glared at Ron but he pretended to look innocent. Ron knew that Hermione was still a little uncomfortable about people seeing them hold hands but he was determined to make her relax about it. Ron visibly saw Hermione "melt" at his look of innocence.

They looked up at Landon who remained standing. "Are you going to sit down with us?" asked Ginny.

Landon sank down next to her on the grass only to jump up the next moment, and he started walking away.

"Hey Landon! What's wrong?!" called Ginny only to be ignored. "What's wrong with him?" She asked confusedly.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other trying to conceal their amusement. Ginny poked Ron in the ribs. "OUCH what?" he looked into Ginny's face and sighed. "I'm not sure Ginny but I think that Landon wanted to spend some time with you without us." He said, he and Hermione smiled again as they heard Ginny whisper "boys" under her breath.

"So, why did Harry walk away so mad at you?" she asked anxious to change the subject off of Landon.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He had come to the conclusion that dating and love weren't for him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Harry was still lost in thought on his way to the tower when he bumped into or rather he was the one that was bumped into by Draco Malfoy. "Get out of the way Potter!" he spoke maliciously to Harry, meanwhile Crabbe and Goyle were grunting behind Malfoy and cracking their knuckles. "I think I smell something foul, it must be you Potter, really you should take a shower more then once a month." Malfoy continued. "As a matter of fact I think I'll have to clean you up myself."

Malfoy's hand plunged into his robes for his wand but before he could utter a sound out of nowhere a voice shouted"Expelliarmus!"and Draco's wand flew out of his hand and at the feet of Professor Helixa. The first and only female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at least in Harry's time here unless you could consider that horrible toad Umbridge as a female, Harry couldn't, to him she was just an ugly creature dressing like a female. He rather liked Professor Helixa she reminded him of Professor Lupin minus the whole werewolf thing.

Professor Helixa was also the only DADA teacher that had lasted longer then a year; she came in Harry's sixth year and was still here. Harry, Ron and Hermione often joked about it saying how it took a woman teacher to break the jinx.

She picked up Malfoy's wand and said "Do my eyes and ears deceive me or were you just about to jinx, hex, or curse Mr. Potter for just walking and minding his own business Mr. Malfoy?" She raised her eyebrow at him apparently waiting for an explanation to which Draco clearly had none. "I didn't think so, now off with you before I take points away from Slytherin." She handed Draco his wand back to him as a final dismissal and warning.

When Draco, Crabbe and Goyle disappeared out of sight and earshot Professor Helixa looked at Harry and asked "Are you alright Harry? You seemed troubled when you were...er...bumped into by Mr. Malfoy."

Harry looked up at Professor Helixa and mumbled "fine, thanks" and then continued on his way to the Tower.

Why couldn't he be normal? was all he kept thinking he was tired of being watched and guarded by everyone, he was tired of his friends casting worried looks in his direction when they thought he wasn't looking. He finally broke down at the end of his fifth summer and told Ron and Hermione everything about the prophecy and he knew Dumbledore had told certain members of the Order as well.

Harry finally reached the Fat Lady's portrait, she was snoozing but he said the password"Carpe Diem"and she swung forward to reveal the hole which led to the Common Room. Harry had sincerely hoped that no one would be in there but Parvati Patil and Lavendar Brown were in there no doubt going over the newest edition in Professor Trelawney's homework. Parvati and Lavendar stopped talking when he walked in.

When Harry found out back in his fifth year that he didn't need Divination to become an Auror he dropped that class and signed up for "Ancient Runes" surprisingly he enjoyed it.

"Hello Parvati, Lavendar enjoying your Divination homework?" asked Harry smiling slightly.

"Hi Harry, what're you doing inside on such a fine September day?" asked Lavendar, Parvati was ignoring him.

"I could ask you the same thing but I know from experience that you two enjoy doing your Divination homework on your own," Harry said still smiling, but sadly now.

He hated how he and Parvati had broken up, and truth be told he missed her a bit. He could still tell Parvati was sad to; even a full summer away from each other couldn't mask some of the sadness.

Harry had cared a great deal for Parvati, and he knew a small part of him still did, but he knew they could never get back the trust that was lost.

"So what does old Trelawney have you working on now?" he asked and he gazed over the girls shoulders to try to see what it is, but they covered it up before he could see anything.

"Nothing Harry, just more Dream Journal stuff," said Parvati coloring a bit. "Where are Hermione and Ron?"

"Hermione is grilling Ron for our Transfiguration quiz McGonagall told us about." After he spoke there was an uncomfortable silence and then Harry said "I'm going to head up to my dorm, I have some letters I need to write and head towards the Owlery before classes start." With that said Harry headed up the steps that lead towards the Gryffindor dormitories and branched off to the left that lead to his dorm which he shared with four other seventh year boys.

Parvati watched him sadly as he disappeared up the steps. She really missed him and she couldn't deny that the break up was almost entirely her fault. She felt Lavendar's eyes on her and turned back to her friend. "I want him back Lav, but I don't think that will happen." She felt tears well up in the corners of her eyes and started to cry.

Lavendar did not know what to say, she knew her friend was hurting. So instead she gathered Parvati into a hug and just let her cry. Doing so, her's and Parvati's hands fell away from what they had covered up from Harry to prevent him from seeing it.

When Harry entered into his room he threw himself on his bed, and pulled the handsome scarlet curtains around him. He didn't have any letters to write but he had some things he needed to sort out. What he really wanted was some outside advice an onlooker from not inside Hogwarts, he needed Sirius, but he didn't have Sirius, but he did however have Professor Lupin.

The summer before Harry's sixth year, when Harry was allowed to go back to Number 12 Grimmauld Place Professor Lupin had pulled him aside and showed him a mirror he had found. He told him he knew what it was and that he also knew Harry had the other one and he had said,"I know I am not your godfather Harry and I know I am not your dad and I don't want to take either of their places, but if you ever need to talk just know that I am here for you. James and Sirius were the best friends I ever had and I feel it is responsibility and also my pleasure to be here for you if you would like me to be."

Harry was still hurting from Sirius' death and he didn't want anyone else but he agreed and told Lupin that he would keep that in mind.

With that memory he got off his bed, went to his trunk pulled out the mirror and whispered "Remus Lupin"

A flash of brilliant gold light came and went fast and where Harry's face was just seconds ago it had now been replaced by Number 12 Grimmauld Place's kitchen and Professor Lupin's face.

Lupin smiled and asked "Hey Harry, how was your first week of term?"

Harry took in Lupin's face and saw young eyes looking out at him through a weary, older face. He felt a pang for his former DADA teacher and now as always his friend and his new confidant. "My week was okay, Professor McGonagall is giving us a quiz today already can you believe it?" But Hermione suspects it's because it's our N.E.W.T. year at school."

Lupin was quiet a minute and he studied Harry through the mirror. "Something tells me that's not why you contacted me is it?" It was more of a statement instead of a question.

Harry shook his head.

"Is it about your scar? Or about a certain red haired somebody that we both know?"

Harry stared at Lupin in surprise, "H-how did you know it is about that er...certain someone?"

Lupin said "I know you care for her; it shows all over your face when you see her. I don't think you know that though do you?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So, why did Harry walk away so mad at you?" Ginny asked.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Hermione and Ron didn't respond she said again, "Why did Harry walk away so mad?" Ginny knew it was none of her business. She wasn't Harry's keeper and he, Ron and Hermione did not have to answer to her, but that still didn't stop her from being curious. When it came to Harry she was always curious. "What happened? What did you say to him?" she demanded again.

"We didn't say anything to him, its more of what he saw that made him mad." said Hermione.

"And no, we will not tell you that, its Harry's business to tell or not to tell or to who he might tell." said Ron.

Ginny was about to open her mouth to rebuke Ron when they heard a loud "CLANG!" signaling to everyone that afternoon classes were about to begin.

Ginny, Ron and Hermione gathered up their things, stood up and said good-bye to each other. Then Ginny started off to the Greenhouses for Herbology and Hermione and Ron to the castle for Transfiguration.

"Do you feel ready for the quiz?" Hermione asked Ron. She, Ron and Harry had skipped lunch to do a last minute study session.

"I think so Hermione, can you believe that McGonagall already has a quiz ready for us in our first week of term?" asked Ron.

"Yes Ron I can, this is our seventh and final year at Hogwarts she's preparing us for our N.E.W.T.'s at the end of the year." They walked on a little more, "Look! There's Harry! Maybe he's not mad at us anymore." she said hopefully. "Harry! Hey Harry! Wait up!" she called and she and Ron started to walk a little faster to catch up with him.

Harry stopped and waited for his friends and then together they headed towards Professor McGonagall's classroom.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Faraway a cold, high-pitched voice beckoned to one of his Death Eaters to come to him. He then said one word to him, "NOW!" and the Death Eater bowed low to him and Disapparated.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Harry stopped and waited for his friends and then together they headed towards Professor McGonagall's classroom.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Are you still mad Harry?" asked Ron anxiously.

"No," said Harry, and he caught the looks of relief on his friends faces. He rolled his eyes and said, "I was never mad at you two I was just frustrated."

They continued on in silence, Hermione and Ron looked relieved but they were sad for Harry. He had, had the worst run of luck and they felt strongly for him. On more then one occasion Hermione and Ron voiced their wishes for Harry to finally be happy, have a bright spot in his life.

Parvati had filled that need for awhile; they had never seen him as happy as he was when they were together. When they broke up Harry retrieved into himself, he hardly talked to them and he barely ate enough to keep him going. The only person who had ever brightened him up, the only person that was able to get him to talk was Ginny. Ron and Hermione had hoped for Harry's sake that Ginny would fill the void Parvati had left so deeply in him, but they had yet to see it. Ron and Hermione doubted that neither Harry nor Ginny seemed aware of her influence on him.

They were the last one's to reach Professor McGonagall's classroom when no sooner had they sat down in their customary seats in the back that Professor McGonagall began speaking.

"You are now in your seventh and final year at Hogwarts; it is perhaps your most important year. After this school year ends you will be set out free in the wizarding world to work and make a living. We do not have colleges for you who are muggleborns, but we have Academies and training groups for whatever your profession will be. Whether it's as high as an Auror on down," she paused a moment before she began again.

"For you young women who want nothing more then getting married and raising a family it is not required for you to go to higher education but it is strongly advised." She paused again as there was a string of giggles all around the room. "However that does not mean that you may just skive off of your N.E.W.T.'s you must complete them and pass a certain amount of letters in order to leave." With that said she passed around bits of parchment to her students face down.

After they were all passed out McGonagall said a few more words. "This quiz enables me as a teacher to see where you are having the most struggles with Transfiguration, and I will be able to either make it a whole class session or one on one." Off to Harry's left, Neville Longbottom was trembling in fear. Aside from potions, Transfiguration was his worst subject.

"You may begin." She said, when she finished all that was to be heard in that classroom were the rustle of parchment and the scratching of quills as students took their quiz.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ginny started off to the Greenhouses for Herbology.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Alright class gather round the long tables and continue with your Mimbulous Mimbeltonia's pruning and sheering, make sure you put on your Dragon hide gloves and goggles for extra protection," shouted Professor Sprout too her sixth years. Ginny took her place by a plant and started pruning, she was not at all happy when Landon sidled up next to her.

"Ginny can we talk? I feel like I owe you an explanation about why I walked away from you earlier when you sat down next to your brother and Hermione." Landon said.

"I know why you left," she said a little harsher then she intended. She moved away from Landon to stand between Alyssa Spinnet and Persephone Wright. As she worked she let her mind wander back to her past six years.

xxxFLASH she was ten years old and she and her mother accompanied her brothers to Kings Cross station, where they would be taking the Hogwarts Express to school. As Percy, Fred and George started to go through the barrier a nice looking black haired boy with green eyes and glasses ran up to them asking how to get onto the platform her mother explained it to him and sent him before Ron. She wished him luck as he disappeared through platforms nine and ten. After Ron went she and her mother came through to see them off, that's when she found out who the black haired boy was.

xxxFLASH to her first year Harry's second. Harry and Ron were twelve and Ginny was eleven going to Hogwarts this year. Harry had been smuggled to the Burrow by her brother's, she had, had a crush on him then and was really embarrassed when he showed up at her house. Later that year Harry broke her heart for the first time, she had sent him a singing Valentine, Harry ran away from it after Draco Malfoy teased him about it. Earlier in her first year she found a diary amongst her other books and poured her heart into it on how much she wished he would notice her, he finally did, when Tom Riddle had taken her into the Chamber. Ginny was no fool she knew why Harry came after her, it was because she was Ron's sister not because he cared for her. She was happy then to see him but knew better so her heart broke again.

xxxFLASH to her third year, Harry's fourth. The Yule Ball, she had hoped and hoped Harry would ask her but he never did. Instead he asked Cho Chang and she turned him down, by the time he asked Cho she Ginny was already going with Neville, Ron had mentioned that Harry ought to ask her. Then he asked Parvati. They went together and once again her heart crashed when she saw them together, they looked like they fit as one person, which proved true in his sixth year.

"Miss Weasley? Class is over with," said the faraway voice of Professor Sprout.

Ginny shook herself out of her reverie and saw that she was the last one to leave the Greenhouse, she quickly gathered her things and mumbled an apology to Professor Sprout and raced out of there at top speed not wanting to cause Gryffindor points. She was sad from her memories so when she crashed into somebody she nearly burst into tears. When she saw who it was she did.

She had let out a yelp of surprise and almost fell flat down if the person she bumped into didn't catch her. She looked up to apologize and saw it was Harry. She burst into tears and tried pulling away from him.

"GINNY?!" asked Harry completely startled by her sudden tears, "Are you okay?"

Ginny brushed her tears out of her eyes and broke contact with Harry, and ran as fast as she could to get inside the castle and away from Harry, she didn't say one word to him.

Harry saw Landon going around the corner and his eyes narrowed.

"Wh-what was that all about? Asked a visibly shaken Hermione.

Ron and Harry shook their heads as if saying they didn't know, but Harry decided he was going to have a little one on one chat with a certain Gryffindor beater later.