She stepped into the shower, shivering slightly as the chilly air bit into her skin. She turned on the water; frowning, annoyed, as warm water touched her body. Turning it to hot, she sighed contentedly as the water spilled over her shivering body. The heat of the water was so intense that the skin on her neck turned pink and her skin tingled unpleasantly. She reached for the soap, squeezed out a glob and massaged it onto her body. Unsatisfied, she used her nails to scrap away the filth she saw on her skin. She groaned slightly at the stinging but smiled as she felt the grime being rid from her body. Droplets of red liquid fell from her fingers and mixed with the water pooling at her feet. She smirked at the irony and dug her nails deeper. Moaning at the sharp pain, she took a deep breath and did it again and again. The water sliding off her body turned pink and then steadily turned red as more blood and anguish was released from her trembling body.

He heard her sharp intake of breath as she mutilated her own body in the shower. Shaking his head in disgust, he got off the bed and slowly and stealthily walked to the bathroom. He watched as the water slipping into the drain became bloodier and bloodier before he barged in and wrenched her out, dripping wet, a sadistic smile on her face as she watched herself bleed. Wrapping a towel around her, he gently led her to the bed he had so recently vacated and sat her down. The glazed look on her face was ebbing away slowly and the dull, lifeless look in her eyes returned. He knelt down next to her and took out his wand; softly chanted healing charms which stitched her skin back together, stemming the blood flow. When this was done, he sat back and took in her small frame. Old scars grazed her skin and fresh ones stood out, pink and defiant.

Tears leaked out of his eyes. She watched him watching her with tears falling to his lap and did nothing. Her wet hair left a trail of water down her back that made her fell cold and uncomfortable and still she did nothing. It was as though she were entranced by his silver eyes, at times so piercing and accusing, but now swimming in tears and filled with emotion. She knew he was hurting but was helpless to aid him when she herself needed to be saved.

His hand clenched tightly, so hard that his knuckles turned white with the effort. Why? he asked himself. I've tried. I've tried so many times. So many ways. Can she never forget her past? Will she never how I care for her? Why won't she stop?

Suddenly she stood and dashed to the door. He raised a hand the door slammed shut. Fire burned in his silver eyes, making them turn into the colour of stormy skies. He stood up slowly and walked over to her as she frantically tried to open the door. Her tired body gave up suddenly and she slumped against the door she was so desperately trying to get past. She felt his arms envelop her waist and felt him pick her up easily, then laying her on the bed once again. She shivered slightly and drew away when his skin accidentally brushed against hers. Biting her lip, she drifted to sleep, barely noticing that she was drawing blood.

He watched as she shifted uncomfortably under the sheets, her nightmares returning once again. With massive effort, he rose from the floor and walked into the shower once again. Stripping quickly, he stepped into the shower and shuddered involuntarily when he saw dried flecks of blood on the floor.

Turning on the shower, he grunted as the hot water cascaded down his back. He turned it back to warm and watched through partially closed eyes as the soothing water gently trailed down his skin. He gently massaged some sweet smelling soap onto his skin, letting his fingertips linger over the slight scars she had inflicted upon him over the past few months. As he breathed in the warm air, he didn't notice his tears mixing with the water. He didn't taste the saltiness of the combined two. He didn't notice her standing at the entrance, watching him.

………………………………………………………………….

The war was going on in full force. Spells were flying everywhere, hitting everything and anyone. Trees split down the middle, benches ignited with flames and bodies fell to the ground with soft thuds. Her long hair was tied tightly up in a bun so as not to distract her from killing as many fucking Death Eaters as she could. Screams of agony and cries of surprise filled her ears while pictures of friends and enemies' blank and lifeless faces filled her eyes. Suddenly, she heard a shout. Harry. She turned quickly and saw him sprinting towards her. Then she was on the floor, a powerful spell grazing off Harry's equally strong Shield Charm. She looked up and froze. There he was. The man Harry was trying to rid the world of. Voldemort.

'Stay down, Gin.'

I started to protest but his determined profile stopped me. He had to do this, I knew. It was his destiny. There was no way around it. Dumbledore wasn't going to swoop in and save the day anymore. It was now up to Harry.

He climbed off me and stood tall, staring fiercely at Voldemort who was glaring lethally back. The dueling people all around stopped their activities and watched quietly. At the exact same moment, Harry and Voldemort shouted spells at one another. The spells ricocheted off each other, hitting a Death Eater square in the chest and setting a blackened tree on fire. The Death Eaters roared in anger and shot spells at Harry who didn't even try to block them. I screamed silently but as the spells neared him, Voldemort gave a lazy flick and they vanished. Harry knew Voldemort wanted him for himself.

'Why, hello Tom. Nice of you to join us at last. I suppose that last spell really gave you no choice huh?'

'Potter. You cocky little bastard. You are going to pay for this!'

'So shut up and curse me already. Or are you scared?'

I gasped at Harry's boldness. But I also knew that Voldemort was now a mere mortal. Harry had just destroyed his last Horcrux, after tracking Malfoy and Snape down and retrieving the necklace they had stolen from Dumbledore's lifeless body. Snape had died trying to destroy it.

Ginny.

I blinked confusedly. I thought I had just heard Harry call my name but that was not possible as he was standing right in front of me, taunting Voldemort.

Ginny, get out of here. Hide. Run. Anything. Just leave this place. Take everyone with you. I love you, Ginny. Please, leave now before anyone realizes anything.

No, I breathed. I can't leave you.

Please Ginny. It has to end this way. Don't fight me on this. We both knew this was how it's supposed to go. Neither can live while the other survives, remember? Go, or I'll move you myself.

I nodded slowly and blinked back my tears as I felt him send out a last message before I scrambled up to notify the others.

I love you.

………………………………………………………………….

She sat upright as the image of a blinding flash of light faded from her mind. A gentle hand covered her mouth and it was then she realized that she had been screaming. She twisted away from the comforting hand and pushed off the covers, running to the door again. She tugged at the handle as hard as she could but she knew her efforts were futile.

Harry. Harry. Come back to me, Harry! You promised! You promised…

'Ginny.'

I'm sorry Harry. I shouldn't have left. I could've helped. I'm so sorry.

'Ginny!'

She felt herself being wrenched around by two strong hands. She looked away from his piercing silver eyes.

'Look at me, dammit! It was a dream, Gin. A dream.'

No, it wasn't.

He enveloped her in a hug and she didn't protest, tears streaming down her face. Finally, he let her go. She walked over to the bathroom and took a deep breath. She looked up at her reflection. Her bottom lip quivered as she took in the sight of her scarred body. She saw the fresh wounds she had inflicted on herself. They were healing rather quickly, thanks to his healing spells. She turned her head slowly, looking for one particular scar. She found it, right behind her right ear.

………………………………………………………………….

'Where's mama dearest now, huh, princess? Aw, that's right, she's dead! Daddy dearest as well huh, princess? What a shame. I would've liked them to watch this.'

Screams filled the poorly lit dungeon. My screams. Then, the pain stopped. I hung limply, suspended against the cold damp wall by thick heavy chains. Cruel laughter rang out through the air.

'No one to save you now, princess! Precious Potter's dead! He's dead! Who's going to save you now?'

You're wrong. He's not dead. He can't be.

'Answer me you stupid bitch! Who's going to save you now!'

I remained silent in hopes he would just give up and walk away so that I could start crying again. Three days of this torture. Three long days that felt like three years, without any news of her loved ones and if they'd managed to survive this war. Suddenly he was pressed up against me, chest to toe. I resisted the urge to spit in his face and instead pleaded that he let me go so I could help Harry.

'Harry fucking Potter. If you love him so much, I'll help you remember him forever.'

I trembled violently as he pushed himself away from me, his chin in his hand, apparently thinking hard. Then he was back, licking my earlobe as he pushed my matted hair out of the way. Pointing his wand to the pale skin behind my ear, he muttered a spell which I didn't catch despite our closeness. Then I felt blinding pain once again but this time, it was so intense that I couldn't even scream. I felt a stream of blood gush down my neck. He walked away, smirking that trademark smirk, leaving me to bleed.

………………………………………………………………….

She touched the scar and traced it gently, in the shape of a lightning bolt. Turning her head slightly, she saw him watching him solemnly and saw the anger burning in his eyes. The look she associated with pain and suffering. She stepped back slightly, terror written on her face. His expression changed from one of anger to bewilderment then to understanding and sorrow. He turned, leaving her to regain her calmness. She would never forget the past.