Okay. This is my first fanfic, so please, go easy on me! I hope you like it. Oh yeah, I don't own anything but this story. But all inspiration belongs J.K. Rowling! I think it will be a one shot, unless any one else has anything to say about it?

He Had to Protect Her

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were spending all of their time together. The beautiful weather seemed to mock them; Harry could imagine how it would have been if Dumbledore had not died, and they had had this time together at the very end of the year, Ginny's examinations finished, the pressure of homework lifted… and hour by hour, Harry put off saying the thing that he knew he must say, doing what he knew was right to do, because it was too hard to forgo his best source of comfort."

"Ginny, listen…" Harry said very quietly, as the buzz of conversation grew louder around them and people began to get to their feet, "I can't be involved with you anymore. We've got to stop seeing eachother. We can't be together."

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Harry looked outside of his window, got off his bed at the Burrow, and leaned against the window, everyone still fast asleep. Harry doubted it was 15 minutes past dawn, but he didn't sleep much anymore. It was the day of his 17th birthday, but that didn't matter. Nothing really mattered anymore.

He would search for Horcruxes----having destroyed 5 already, possibly 2 more to go---- and not really think. It was almost as if he was watching his life from afar, not really there. He felt distant, and no matter how hard he struggled to regain his life, just when it seemed he could be happy again, he would see Ginny, it would slip right through his hands, and he would be right back where he had started.

Harry tried to avoid Ginny's eyes, but every now and then he would stumble into her gaze, and it would seem almost like they were together again, carefree. But then he would come back into reality, and they would both quickly look away.

Harry rarely thought of anything but Ginny. Her beauty. Her funniness. How she always carried that lovely flowery smell. But he had to remember, he needed to protect her. Harry knew very well, having already lost His Parents, Sirius, and Dumbledore, that Voldemort used his enemies' friends or family to get to them. But, Harry wasn't going to lose anyone else. He was going to make sure that no one else he loved was harmed because of him. Harry didn't think he could stand it. The thought of losing Ginny, Ron, Hermione, or anyone else he loved made him shudder.

The sun was starting to rise, but Harry knew it was only around 6 A.M. He could be lost in his thoughts for a few more hours before he would be disturbed when the Weasley's awoke.

Harry loved the Weasley's. They took himself and Hermione in every summer like family, and were among the sweetest people he knew, but they weren't like having a real family. One you could call your own. But no doubt, he still loved them.

Harry pressed his forhead against the cold window while recalling his life….

He was 11, curious about the wizarding world, a new, fresh boy who knew nothing of such evil.

He was 12, a little more knowledgeable, but not much, and eager to prove himself.

He was 13, struggling to understand that a man he once believed to be trying to kill him, was his godfather. Devastated that for half an hour, he believed his god father, Sirius Black, would be proven innocent, and Harry thought he could leave the Dursely's, until Sirius had to flee for his life.

He was 14, starting to notice girls. He gets his first crush, Cho Chang, but fails to take her to the Yule Ball. He competes in the legendary tournament, the Triwizard Tournament, though much to young. Struggling to find his footing, Harry watches Lord Voldemort's rebirth. Also, learning that his Defense against the Dark Arts teacher was not who he was thought to be.

He was 15, having connected dreams to Lord Voldemort, getting into a rocky relationship with Cho, heart broken at the fact that the god father he had loved was now gone, and he, Harry, felt alone.

He was 16, desperately searching into Lord Voldemort's past, trying to discover a weakness, searching with a friend---more so a father---Dumbledore. Starting to love Ginny, but all too soon would have to brake it off with her, Harry wouldn't risk her dying. And most sadly, seeing the last person he loved die because Dumbledore had tried to protect Harry.

Harry watched as Ron was beginning to stir. At least Ron was untroubled, having a normal teenage life. Just as Ron opened his eyes, Harry looked back out the window and made a promise, that no matter how hard he loved Ginny, he knew he had to protect her.

Sooo… What do you think? Please review! It means so much if you like it or give advise! I hope you loved it!

HarryPotterHunney6512,

Or,

Paige