Harry awoke and sat up in his bed. He was covered in freezing sweat and shivered
violently. He green eyes were alight with terror. He had nightmares again. Each
time it was different but never right. The battle of Hogwarts hadn't ended
well. There were casualties on both sides but the dreams made it worse. Instead
of Bellatrix, Molly Weasley died. Ginny was taken from him. Ron. Hermione. Every
time he closed his eyes he experienced a different level of hell.
He breathing steadied and he groped for his glasses in the dark and put them on.
His eyes adjusted to his surroundings. He was in Ron's room at the burrow. His
companion muttered in his sleep and rolled over. Harry stood up careful not to
wake Ron. He slid a sweatshirt over his head and picked up a pair of worn out
tennis shoes. He left the room and padded down the staircase careful not to
disturb his neighbors. As he crept past Ginny's room he did not notice a head of
silky red hair follow him.
He stopped in the kitchen and pulled on his sneakers, stomping his feet a few times to adjust his heel, and proceeded to the
exit. Quietly as possible Harry closed the screen door behind him and turned to
the open field.
Peaceful silence was all one could hear. The kind just
before the sun peaked over the horizon. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. His
heart rate slowed and his entire body visibly relaxed. From behind the youngest
of the Weasley children and indeed the only girl wrapped her arms around Harry.
"Hey Ginny," greeted Harry.
"What's wrong?" She whispered.
"Nothing." Harry shook his head.
"You're just admiring the scenery?" Ginny asked knowing it wasn't true.
"Every night it happens," he turned to face her and their foreheads pressed together. "Every night I lose
you again. Ron. Hermione. My parents."
"Come back inside Harry."
He shook his head. "That won't stop the dreams."
"Not if you're with me." She had him there. He stared at her for a second.
"Fine." So she took his hand and led him back inside and upstairs to her
room. The two of them lay down in her bed. Ginny pulled his arms around her.
Harry kissed her neck and the two fell asleep.
2 hours
later
"Oi!" A furious looking Ron. He stood in the doorway ogling at his
best mate and sister.
"Ronald!" Scolded hermione. Harry sat up in bed
and groped for his glasses. In defeat he performed a nonverbal summoning spell
and proceeded to place his glasses on his nose. He then saw that Ron's face was
becoming steadily reader and would soon become maroon. He looked over and saw
that his girlfriend had met the same fate though less dramatic.
"Harry what the hell do you think you're doing sleeping with my sister?" screamed Ron
sure to attract the attention of the entire household.
"Oh relax Ron just because you won't sleep with Hermione doesn't mean I can't sleep with my
boyfriend," countered Ginny her face resembling a strawberry.
"Don't drag her into this."
"Oh for Merlin's sake I'm sorry I slept with your
sister it won't happen again."
Oh Harry don't humor him," said Ginny
scornfully.
"We'll finish this later," said Ron. And he made his leave
wondering why on earth he was never able to stand up for himself against his
sister.