"Home is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow, to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade"
A Walking Song- J.R.R. Tolkien
"There's the silver lining I've been looking for," she whispered, and then she was kissing him like she had never before, and Harry was kissing her back, and it was blissful oblivion; better than firewhisky, she was the only real thing in the world, Ginny, the feel of her, one hand at her back and one in her long, sweet smelling hair. (From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pg 116)
9 Months Later
"Harry, we would love for you to become an Auror," Kingsley told him.
"I would love to Minister." Harry said, not seeing the flash of red behind him.
"Harry, its Kingsley, please. I would much rather be going with you instead of dealing with these bureaucrats." Kingsley told him, grinning widely.
"Where will I be going?" Harry asked, curious.
"France, where you are going to be trained, then on to Bulgaria. Many death eaters fled there in hope that they could seek refuge, but Bulgaria has allowed us to send a team to track them down and send them back to be tried."
"Of course Min- Kingsley, thank you for this." Harry said, appreciative of the older man.
"Harry as much as it pains me, many of the order are gone, and those bonds run deep, I hope that we can have such a bond. I'll try and help you as much as I can, and you take down the Death Eaters." Kingsley said with a sad sigh.
"Of course Kingsley, I'll do my best." Harry replied.
"Right then Harry, your portkey, leaves tomorrow at 6 am sharp. Try not to miss it." Kingsley said with a smile.
"Thank you Kingsley, and what about Ron? Can he join as well?" Harry asked hopefully.
"He will be able to, should he accept my offer, as well as Miss Granger." Kingsley said, " And what of Miss Weasley Harry?"
"What about her?" Harry asked, "She still has another year of school, she will understand." As Harry thought, I hope she does.
"Harry, as much as I hate to say it, having her will only make it harder on both of you."
"But King-"
"Harry," Kingsley interrupted, "I know how you feel about her, but what if Death Eaters intercept an owl from you to her, and they go after her because of you? Simply because you want to bring them to justice."
Harry took a deep breath, and looking down said, "You're right, I'll figure it out, Kingsley."
"Then I will see you tomorrow morning at 6:01 Harry." Kingsley said, departing.
As much as he could, Harry could not find Ginny in the large castle that night. And laying in his four poster bed, sleep would not come to him. Restlessly he tossed and turned, but to no avail, sleep evaded him.
Looking at his watch, he saw 4:45, and with a sigh, hauled himself out of bed, jealous of Ron's 10:00 am portkey.
Showering, he wondered what could have possibly happened with Ginny to make her disappear like that, for a second, he wondered if she could have heard his and Kingsley's conversation. Pushing that thought away, he finished getting ready, and grabbing his wand and trunk, he walked down into the common room, the object of his thoughts sitting in front of a dying fire, her back to him.
"Ginny," Harry said, "I was looking for you."
"To tell me that you were leaving again." Ginny said, it wasn't question it was a statement.
Harry walked around the couch and sat down next to her. "Ginny I-"
"Harry stop." Ginny cut in. "I still have another year of school, and I would just be a target everyone knows we are together."
"Ginny you don't know how much it means to me that you understand, that you mean to me…" Harry trailed off. "I care for you Ginny, and I always will, never forget that."
Glancing at his watch, Harry's eyes bulged, standing up and grabbing his portkey, he got out, "Goodbye Gin-" before he was whisked away. Only then did Ginny allow the tears to fall.
