Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

Words Left Unsaid

She knew where to find him. She knew him too well for his own good. She ran from the bittersweet celebration, from her family and friends rejoicing the downfall of a man that had caused so much pain in their lives. Jumping over holes in the floor and avoiding fragments that had been blasted from walls and ceilings, she knew where he would be, and she was getting close now. Soon, she was traveling down that corridor that she knew better than any other, the one she had traveled down so many times for the past six years. She broke into a run-she needed to speak to him. The familiar portrait of the Fat Lady looked at her excitedly.

"No reason for a password now! Go on in."

Ginny crawled through the portrait hole and looked around the Gryffindor common room. It was emptier than she had ever seen it, even during those nights when she had to study so late, she saw a peek of dawn out the window. The fire was not crackling; no one rested in the most comfortable armchair by the fireplace. She headed towards the stairs for the boys' dormitory. She opened the door and looked in, out of breath. He sat on his bed, just staring into space. He looked sadder than she had ever seen him. A wave of emotion came over her, like someone had splashed cold water on her face. They were finally alone together, after all those long and unbearable months. She walked over to the bed and sat next to him, suddenly uncomfortable. She felt small, awkward. Had she intruded on something? Did he even want to see her now? He had shown no sign of wanting to be with her-left no note, granted her with no hug at seeing her again. She just sat and thought of all these things, and all the things she wanted to say to him. There were so many questions left unanswered and so many words left unsaid. And yet, with all of these thoughts running through her head, she was speechless.

He didn't know what to say. She sat there, with grime mixed with blood on her cheeks and a bandage across her neck, her robes torn and one sleeve falling off, her fiery red hair a mess and with a long cut across her exposed arm. She looked sadder than he had ever seen her. Ginny sat, silent and unmoving. She would sometimes take a breath, as if trying to speak. Each time she did, Harry would be on guard, would turn away. She had so much to be angry for.

He stared at her staring at the wall, taking into account every little change he may have missed. Somehow, there were more freckles on her arms. She had a lock of hair that had been singed, an inch shorter than the rest. Her features were more pronounced than he remembered; she looked more grown-up. She took another long, deep breath, and Harry turned, bracing himself.

"I thought you were dead," she said. Her voice was hoarse, unsteady. Her words stung. He couldn't think of a response, so instead sat there, staring straight ahead. She didn't look at him as she continued. "My brother was dead. Tonks was dead. Lupin was dead. Neville had chosen that moment to stand up to the most evil wizard of our modern world…and you were dead."

Ginny's voice broke, and Harry hated himself for doing this to her. He examined a spider, crawling up the wall.

"And then you disappeared, and there was chaos, and no one knew what the bloody Hell was going on. And I was pushed inside the castle by the crowd and that foul Bellatrix woman started singing. Singing! And I turned around, and she started talking to me about you. Taunting me because you were dead-she knew what you and I…I tried to send a curse at her, but she deflected it. She tried to use the Killing Curse on me, and Harry, I almost let her do it, because I couldn't bear the idea of being in a world without you. I hadn't even realized that Luna and Hermione were with me. I couldn't hear or see anything, because the only thought I had in my head was, 'Harry's dead.'

"I didn't think you wanted to be with me anymore. You just left, for months on end-no note, or word. You stuffed me in the Room of Requirement like I was what they wanted. I was stuck there with no word about what was going on-I had no way of knowing if it was over or not. I had no way of knowing who was dead or alive. I needed you, Harry. I needed you to be there, if only for a moment. I needed to know that you still cared."

Harry wanted to object, but he couldn't find the words. He could feel her eyes on him now, but he just sat.

"And now it's all over. You don't have to fight Voldemort anymore. You could lead a normal, safe life if you wanted to…but I know you won't. Because you want to be an auror, don't you? You're going to go and get paid for going off and fighting evil wizards. And if we stay together, then I'll forever be locked up in the Room of Requirement, with no knowledge and no you. And I can't handle that. I'm not strong enough, Harry. I'm just not strong enough."

She paused, as if waiting for a response, but he said nothing. She turned back to the wall, and now spoke quietly. She sounded sadder than ever, and he finally looked at her tear-streaked face.

"Harry, I…I have to end things with you. I'm not strong enough to handle this-I can't handle you. Under different circumstances, this could have worked out. You and I could be the dream couple that grows old together and lives long, happy, love-filled lives. But I'm not strong enough, and you're too noble. I have a dead brother; I should be spending time with my family…"

Everything Ginny had said came crashing down on Harry; he couldn't handle the idea of her leaving him. How could she think she wasn't strong when she was the strongest person he knew? And how could he tell her that?

She got up to go, apparently having said what she had to say.

"Wait!" Harry grabbed her arm, pulled her back to the bed. "Ginny, don't leave me. I'm the one who isn't good enough for you! I need you so much!" He had never thought he could be reduced to such begging, yet here he was. "Stay. Stay with me."

She sat for a long time, staring at him. He stared into her brown eyes, and he thought he saw begging in them too, but a different kind: was she begging him to let her go? No. He couldn't even bare that idea. He needed her to understand. He leaned in and kissed her, fierce and begging. For just a few glorious moments, they kissed, but Ginny pulled away fast. She stared at him for only a second, then got up and ran out of the room.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'd love some reviews and constructive criticism; I'm still pretty new to writing fanfiction (though I've been reading it for a while). A chapter two is currently in the works, and I'll have it up ASAP.