This story is dedicated to Merlyn the Wizard, who so kindly reviews one of my other stories. I greatly appriciate it, and I hope the story makes her happy :)

Disclaimer: all characters belong to JK rowling

"I can't believe Dumbledore is dead," I said to Harry as we walked back towards the castle. The grief that was hanging in the air was palpable, most of it rolling off of Harry in waves. It broke my heart. He had lost so much, and all I want to do is give him a little piece back. I would do whatever it took.

"I know, Gin. I can't help but feel like it's all my fault. If I could have just gotten to my wand…" He looked down, shaking his head at the ground. I pulled him into a hug.

"Don't, Harry. There's nothing you could have done. Snape had it planned from the start. I doubt any of us could have stopped him. And, thanks to you, we all made it out alive." I hoped these words would sink in, but somehow I doubted they would. He just looked at me, letting his hands fall away from mine. I could see something behind his eyes, but I wasn't sure what it was.

"Listen, Ginny. I'm not coming back here after this. I've got…something…to do, and if I don't go off and do it now, it's only going to get worse." I cringed at his words. I knew something like this was coming. I couldn't help but think that this "boy who lived" complex was going to be the death of him. My poor, sweet boy. I wasn't going to mourn the loss of my 6th year at Hogwarts-surely, when this was over, I could come back and finish. Surely helping Harry was more important than studying for NEWTS!

"I understand, Harry, I do. Mum's not going to be happy, what with Ron and myself taking off-not to mention you and Hermione as well! But we'll make it work. The sooner you take care of, well, whatever it is you have to take care of, the sooner this will all be over." I smiled at him encouragingly. We were alone in on the grounds now, everyone having either returned to Hogsmeade or to the castle getting ready to go home. The only sound we could hear was Fawkes in the distance, singing his mourning song at the loss of his closest friend. When I looked into Harry's eyes, I saw something I didn't understand.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm leaving, Ginny. Not you, or Ron, or Hermione. I've got to do this alone. This"-he said, pointing between the two of us-"has to stop. I couldn't live with myself if they tried to hurt you, and they would. They would do whatever it took to get to me! Where do you think they would go first?" I snorted at him.

"Do you honestly think that Ron and Hermione are going to let you take this on alone? You've got to be mental! They care about you just as much as I do, and I will be a part of this!" I stomped my foot. I couldn't help but feel childish. Just then, Ron and Hermione appeared, having noticed that we hadn't joined them in the common room.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, looking back and forth between us. His eyes narrowed, and I could see Hermione place her hand on his arm as if to placate him.

I turned towards them. "Apparently, Harry has decided to take off on some unknown mission, leaving the three of us behind!" I fumed. It was three against one now. It was Ron who spoke again.

"Blimey, Harry! You can't really be planning on leaving without the two of us!" he said, chagrinned. Wait a minute-two of us?

"Three of us, Ronald! If you think I'm staying behind, you've got another thing coming!" I was red in the face now, as I fumed at my brother in outrage. One of the biggest downsides to growing up in a house full of boys was that they treated you like you were something breakable all the time. Hadn't I proved myself enough? First at the ministry-I was in 4th year!-and then again just the other day? "I have just as much of a right to be there as you all do! This is my fight, too!"

"No, Ginny! Under no circumstances are you coming with us! It's much to dangerous for you-I don't want to have to look after you all the time!" Ron's words stung. Never once had I asked to be looked after!

"Listen to yourself, Ronald! I'm not a child! I can take care of myself-haven't I proved that much? Haven't I?" The angry tears were falling now. I very rarely cried-that was another thing you gained from growing up in a house full of boys. Crying showed weakness, and I was not weak. I turned towards Harry, trying to make him understand.

"No, Ginny. Ron's right. I don't want you there-I couldn't bare it if something happened to you. I don't know where this is going, and I don't know how long it will take." He looked down again. I knew he was trying to protect me, the stubborn git. How long would it take before he saw that I didn't need protecting? I turned towards Hermione, hoping that she at least was on my side.

"Hermione? Tell them! Tell them I can hold my own!" I pleaded with her. We had been friends for so long-she had seen me at my worst. She was the sister that I always wanted-surely, if anyone was on my side, it would be her. She bit her lower lip and turned away from me.

"I think Harry's right, Ginny. I mean, think about your parents!!" Hermione rushed. I scoffed.

"So Ron gets to run off into the sunset, and I have to stay here? That's not fair!" I sounded like a child, but I was determined to get my point across. "Why do you all treat me this way? I'm not a baby, and it's time you realized that. Harry, if you care about me, you'll let me go with you. The alternative is too much for me to think about. Did you ever stop and think that maybe, just maybe, I'd be an asset, here?" I stared at him, red-faced and angry. I saw no hint of conceding in his eyes.

"Ginny, I can't risk you like that! We've been over this!" he fumed, grabbing me by the shoulders. For a moment I thought he was going to shake me, and I narrowed my eyes.

"And you would sacrifice Ron and Hermione like that?" I asked.

"That's different," he started. "They know what they're getting into. They're a part of this. I need their help."

"And what about my help, Harry? What about me? I'm smart-you know that! I know what it would mean, if I went with you. I know. But I don't care, Harry! I want to be with you. I can help." I tried to convey with words-to make him see what I was feeling. The thought of them, going off alone into the unknown, burned me inside. I couldn't stay home, or go back to school, knowing they were out there, and not knowing what was happening. I would rather die. If he wouldn't agree to take me, I'd find a way around it. He could tell me no all he wants, but it won't stop me from getting what I want. He should know me better than that! "When do you plan on leaving?" I asked him.

"I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but Ron said we had to stay for Bill's wedding. It would give us a little time to prepare, and the day after we could leave before everyone gets up. No one will be the wiser." I chuckled internally at this. He must have thought I'd given in, when in reality I had just learned some very valuable information. I was pretty good at disillusioning myself-it's something you pick up growing up with Fred and George.

"Thank you for finally understanding, Gin. I just couldn't bare it…" he trailed off, and the three of them headed off towards the castle. I was going, whether they liked it or not.