arry knew who he had to see. He went to the Great hall and looked around, a jumble of thoughts in his head. Among all those still being patched up from the battle, he couldn't find her anywhere. Slightly disappointed, he stole one last glance of the room and turned, standing outside of the hall and thinking. There was only one other place she could be.
Ginny was sitting on a fallen pillar in the middle of the Courtyard, her back to the school. It seemed as if she was staring at the rubble, soaking it all in. The early morning light shined on her hair, making it like fire. Harry took a deep breath, trying to conjure up something he could say. Slowly, he began to approach her. When he was a few feet behind her, she turned, her eyes sparkling in the light. Despite her messy hair and the dirt smeared on her face and clothes, she still looked beautiful.
"Hey," she murmured. Harry stared at her.
"Hi." She smiled a bit, and turned back towards the ruins. Harry sat next to her, his hands folded in his lap. He heard her sigh deeply, then pause.
"You did amazing," she said suddenly. Warmth flowed through Harry at her compliment, though he only shrugged.
"I did what I had to do," he answered simply. To his surprise, Ginny laughed, turning to him.
"Oh, don't be so modest, Potter. You defeated the most evil wizard of all time!" she exclaimed. Harry grinned at her.
"Well, what am I going to do? Run around waving a flag with my face on it?" They laughed together, blocking out the haunting image of the damaged school around them. As their laughter faded away, Ginny stared at the rubble. Tears sprung into her eyes for the first time in a while. Harry took her in his arms and held her. He understood what was wrong. Her school was ruined. Her brother was dead, and Harry himself had almost died as well. A person can only stay strong for so long.
"I was so scared when Hagrid walked in with you limp in his arms," Ginny sniffled. "I couldn't stand the thought of you...gone..." She looked at him, right into his eyes.
"Please don't leave," she whispered shakily. Harry wiped away a tear with his thumb.
"I won't. I promise." With his arm wrapped comfortingly around her, they both dreamed of the better life that the future would bring.