A/N: Another one. Just testing the waters as I usually do. Review and tell me if it a 'no' or a 'go'. Love to my readers.
"I'm sorry, Ginny."
The air that suffocated them was dense. The ground was wet and the smell of afternoon rain filled their nostrils. The sky was dark. It looked like it would rain again. There were dozens of people all around. 'Goodbye' hung in the air and weighed down upon them with vengeance. Everyone who was standing there, with tickets to board the train in hand, was preparing to give their annual goodbye to their loved ones. Ginny had already offered hers to her family. But why this goodbye felt entirely different, one could only guess. Ginny supposed it was because it was not a friendly 'see you later' goodbye, it was a finalizing one. It was the type that left you empty and without a hope for tomorrow. But Ginny did not let that pierce her hard surface. She was strong for years and would remain that way, even if her knight in shining armor was leaving her for good.
"It's okay Harry. Everyone says goodbye at some point."
Harry grabbed her small hands. They were delicate and soft yet they had handled and fought so much evil.
Ginny looked down at her hand in his. Yesterday, they seemed to fit so perfectly. But today, it almost looked awkward. His hands were large and masculine. Ginny's mind raced.
Harry's hands. She couldn't fathom all of the struggles they had overcome. Every blister and callous represented every horcrux handled and every unforgivable curse cast.
Ginny brought her gaze to meet his. They were green, just like his mother's. They once held so much life and a signature twinkle. Now, they were dull and full of death.
Ginny sighed. Her throat hitched and her eyes swelled.
"I need time. I need to heal and get used to a lot of things. Like, trying to go on without Voldemort in my life." Harry smiled. The air at Platform 9 ¾ seemed to lighten a tad.
Ginny couldn't suppress her giggle. She reached up, her eyes sparkling, and brushed an infamous, unruly black tendril away from his lightening-scared forehead. Her smile faded. "I would need time too, if I were you." Ginny always offered Harry understanding and words of comfort. He took them with gratitude.
"You've seen just as much as me." Harry searched Ginny's eyes for a glimpse of any emotion. He saw sadness and understanding. "Can we still be friends? Maybe write to each other?"
"That would be great." Ginny stood on the tips of her feet and planted a kiss on his cheek. She reached behind her and grasped her trunk.
Harry smiled as he glanced behind him. Every student was boarded and waiting for the train's whistling departure. Every student except Ginny, that is. He turned back to the youngest Weasley.
"Have a good year." He poked the badge resting atop her breast. "Head girl and Quidditch captain," he stated.
Ginny looked down at her badge and blushed.
"Since when is little, spitfire Ginny Weasley modest?"
Ginny met his gaze again. His eyes were twinkling. She shrugged her shoulders and bit her lip. "Guess you are wearing on me. You never were the bragging type, Harry."
Harry embraced her at her words. It was a friendly hug. It was different than the ones they usually participated in. Harry mumbled into her flaming, red hair. "Good luck with your NEWTS."
"Thanks," Ginny replied.
"And good luck with Malfoy," Harry added.
Ginny pushed herself away from his muscular body. She ignored the emptiness. "What?" She asked incredulously.
"McGonagall hired him as the new Defense against the Dark Arts professor."
Ginny's mouth opened in disbelief. Harry gave her an apologetic look. "Are you telling me that I have to deal with Snape and Malfoy? Gryffindor hasn't a chance!"
"He does if he wants his house to win House Cup."
Ginny's mouth and eyes opened wider. "He's head of Gryffindor? What about McGonagall?"
"She's headmistress and transfiguration professor. She can't do all three."
"I guess Head Girl and Captain aren't going to be as fun as I thought. Malfoy is the biggest git on the planet."
"Ten points from Gryffindor. Off to an early start this year, aren't we Miss Weasley?"
Ginny whipped around to see Malfoy's sneer and piercing grey eyes. His presence was domineering. Ginny tried to avoid giving his muscular, tall frame a sloppy once-over. He certainly was becoming more attractive. But, Ginny restrained her copper eyes.
"Off to an early start at ruining Gryffindor, Professor Malfoy?"
Malfoy's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Ginny calling him professor. But, nonetheless, his sneer deepened. "Careful, Weasley."
The train's loud warning rang through.
"Don't miss the train, Weasleby, what a pity that would be. Meet me in compartment seven in five minutes. Don't be late. Or it will be another ten points." Malfoy pushed past Harry without a word and boarded the train.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I can't believe that I have to meet with him once a week. I'm going to go bonkers!" The train called out again. Ginny looked towards the Hogwarts Express and sighed. "Guess I should be going." She looked back into Harry's green pools.
"Bye Ginny. Don't murder the poor git." Harry hugged her again. "I'll write you on Sunday."
"Thanks, Harry. Goodbye, then."
It became awkward with Harry just then. The dreaded goodbye was not as touching as Ginny expected. In fact, she felt sort of relieved. Perhaps it was because they would be keeping in touch quite frequently. Her spirits lightened as she smiled up at him.
Harry knowingly smiled back. He felt the same way. The goodbye wasn't as final as it could've been.
Ginny walked past Harry and he turned to watch her board the train. She trudged her trunk up the ramp and disappeared behind the walls of the Hogwarts Express.
Ginny sighed as she reached compartment seven. She seemed to have reached it a lot quicker than she would have liked.
"It's going to be a great year," she mumbled miserably. And without looking back, she entered the compartment and sat down before a leering, pointed nosed, blonde ferret.