Harry was the only one awake at the Burrow. He was sitting in the dimly lit dining room, drinking a cup of coffee. His wand lay in the middle of the table, surrounded by the red roses that Molly had put there in celebration of Ginny's seventeenth birthday. His emerald eyes were out of focus as he stared at the picture on the wall. A very beautiful and flawless girl was sitting there, smiling and waving at the camera. Her kind but deadly eyes were sparkling in the bright sun. Her very long auburn hair was swaying slightly in the wind. She was wearing a white tank top and black shorts with her favorite old and beat up Chucks. He brought the mug to his lips without taking his eyes off of the pretty girl in the picture and took a sip of his hot coffee.
"So, I'm not the only one awake at two a.m." Harry jumped and spilled coffee all down his front as he heard a soft voice behind him. He wiped his shirt off with his sweater sleeve and turned to face her. She was wearing a Gryffindor long sleeve shirt and black shorts. She was wearing slippers that resembled ladybugs and her very long hair was braided and resting over her left shoulder. She was wearing her very pretty smile and her chestnut eyes were shining in the moonlight that had found its way over to her from the window that Harry had opened earlier.
"Good evening, Harry." She said as she took a step closer to him. "Er, well…Good morning, I suppose." She giggled and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"What are you doing up so late, Gin?" He asked as she sat on the table next to him.
"Don't you mean early?" She smirked.
"I suppose." Harry laughed. They were quiet for a moment and then Ginny shrugged as she stared at Harry.
"I dunno." Ginny looked at him for a moment. "I had a nightmare. Figured a cup of tea would calm me, you know?" She hugged her knees.
"Yeah," Harry said, thinking about the nightmares he still sometimes had about Cedric, his parents, Voldemort… "I know what you mean."
"Oh!" She looked ashamed. "Oh, Harry! I didn't… I'm sorry!" Ginny cried as she threw her arms around his neck. He sat there in a second of surprise before slowly wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.
"No worries, Ginny, it's fine." He said, smiling faintly. "It's fine." He said again, his mind slowly drifting towards Sirius. Ginny spoke again.
"No! No, it's not! You've been having those… nightmares again, right? The ones about your.. parents?" She pulled back. "I hear you screaming in your sleep sometimes…" Harry blushed and he avoided Ginny's eyes. He'd been screaming in his sleep? Ginny then shook her head. "Well, not screaming.." She corrected herself. "You… say things." She finally said. When Ginny left Harry's arms, he suddenly felt empty, cold. His coffee may be hot, but he was shivering in his ratty old sweater.
"What was your nightmare about, Ginny?" Harry asked softly. Ginny shrugged again.
"I dunno… Just stuff…" She whispered. "I know you and Ron and 'Mione found the Horcruxes and everything, but I still have these… dreams. Dreams that something's gone terribly wrong; that you've gotten hurt.. or even worse…" She trailed off, avoiding Harry's eyes. "I still dream about you dying… and Voldemort's the one that…"
Harry covered her small hand with his. Ginny smiled at him.
"Did you have another nightmare, Harry?" Ginny asked, not moving her hand. Harry was astounded by her warmth. He slowly nodded.
"It was… my mum and dad." He smiled bitterly. "The same old thing, you know." Ginny looked at him sadly.
"I wish I could make them go away." She murmured.
"I wish I could make your nightmares go away." He whispered. Ginny shook her head.
"They're not too bad." She said, gazing out the window. They both knew she was lying through her perfect white teeth. They sat in a calm silence for a bit before Ginny hopped down from the table and started moving about the kitchen.
"D'you want some tea?" Ginny asked quietly. Harry stared at his coffee.
"Yeah, thanks." He said with a weak smile. He didn't want to know what his eyes were saying at the moment. Probably something embarrassing. His hands were sweating. Harry watched her carefully make the tea, humming to herself.
"How was your day?" Harry asked when she put the steaming cup of tea in front of him. He took a sip. It burned his tongue, but he smiled and thanked Ginny for the tea.
Really? I asked her how her day was. Way to go, Harry. Way. To. Go. FAIL. He thought painfully. But Ginny smiled widely and began to speak.
"It was good; I was out with 'Mione and Luna all day. We went to the park." Ginny laughed. "We ran into their boyfriends there, too. We were debating the whole ride home if they knew we were there or if it was a coincidence."
"Draco and Blaise, right?" Harry asked with a smile. Ginny rolled her eyes and nodded. "Like you don't know." She snorted.
"Honestly, I have no idea what 'Mione sees in Draco. I mean, he's like, really hot and stuff now, but… I dunno, I still remember how he treated her in school, you know?" She sighed. "And, Luna and Blaise? They're just… They're perfect for each other.…in some twisted sort of way, and he treats her well, and it's plain to see he loves her… But… They're Slytherins!"
"Ginny, you do know we're not in school anymore, right?"
"Well, yeah.. But still. Wait! Shouldn't you be more against this than any of us?"
"Er, well... I don't exactly like the idea of Hermione and Draco.. But… she's happy and she loves him with everything she has. That's all that matters to me, and, well, it's like what you said before with Luna and Blaise. They're perfect for each other. And they obviously love each other." He put his cup on the table. "And I love Blaise and Draco; they're like brothers to me. I just don't really like them with Hermione and Luna. You know?"
"Well, yeah." Ginny looked at her hands for a moment. "I felt like the third wheel today. You know? 'Mione and Luna have been with Draco and Blaise for like, two years now, and I've been with a bunch of different guys over the last two years." She looked back up at Harry. "My heart was just never fully into it. You know?"
"Yeah,"
"But, honestly, it doesn't really matter, right? He'll never be interested in a girl like me. I'm no one special; just another wide eyed girl who's desperately in love with him." She smiled sadly; she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Harry didn't know exactly what to do.
"Ginny? Are you okay?" He asked, covering her hand with his and he squeezed it. Ginny smiled slightly and turned away to hide the tears in her lethal eyes.
"What? Oh! Oh, yeah, I'm fine." There was that sad smile again. It was the saddest he'd ever seen her. He wanted her to be happy. In a desperate attempt to make her laugh, he told her his secret.
"Well, if it helps any, I feel the same." He chuckled. "Well, about a girl, obviously." Ginny looked at him for a moment. Questions were swirling about in her beautiful eyes.
"Who is it?" She asked. Then she blushed. "I mean, can I have a hint about her?" She smiled.
"Well, she's beautiful. And extremely kind. I've known her for quite a long time, (Ginny's smile widened when she heard that) she's really funny, and incredibly strong. I'm in love with her eyes; they seem to see right through me. She's sensitive and an excellent Quidditch player, and an even better flier. I love talking to her, and I love her voice; it's soft and calming. I'd do anything to listen to her speak all day… all night. She's quiet but she knows how to stand up for herself."
"Really?" Ginny tilted her head. Harry nodded.
"Can I have a hint on this guy? I'd like to kick his ass for you, you know, for not noticing you." Harry smiled. Ginny laughed and shook her head. Would you like to kick your own ass?
"If I say anything, it'll give him away!" She stick her tongue out playfully.
"Something vague, then?" Harry pleaded. He was smirking. "I'm prepared to get down on my knees and beg, you know."
"Really?" She whispered. Harry rolled his eyes. "Yup, I'm prepared to beg."
"Yeah?" Ginny said. "Get on your knees and beg for it." As Harry moved to get out of his chair, Ginny laughed.
"Dude, you were serious?" She giggled. "Get up, I'll tell you. Jeeze."
"Ready for my big secret? Well he's good friend of mine. He's very sweet; he's not jaded, despite everything he's been through. He has his mamma's eyes, and rather large hands; they're like his daddy's." She turned Harry's hand around in hers and traced the lines there. "He has a friend… She's pretty much his sister, and she's beautiful. Well, beyond beautiful. Like, unbelievably pretty. He's really quite handsome; one could go as far as calling him absolutely gorgeous. Well, more than that. But I have no words for it. And his hair… I love the way it falls in his eyes." She smirked. "He's cynical, sarcastic, and a bit cocky, but I find it all rather endearing. It makes him him. You know? He's the bravest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting; he's fearless." She smiled. "And I love that I can't figure him out. It keeps it interesting." She grinned at him. "I love everything about him."
"Can you figure him out?" She asked.
"Well… no. 'Cause the guy I'm thinking of can't be the guy you're talking about, now can it?" Harry said softly. He was smirking.
"You don't know that."
"Ah, but I do, Ginny." He yawned.
"Well… I think we should head off to bed, your mum'll have a fit if she knew we were up this late." To be honest, Harry didn't want to leave her at all. He'd really like to sit here with her until the morning sun touched her hair and the family would come running down the stairs for breakfast. But, if he didn't leave her now, he was scared he'd end up kissing her and that'd ruin everything between them, and Harry valued her friendship more than anything. Ginny looked quite sad, too, but she followed him when he got up. He walked her up to her room, and hugged her before walking to the room he was sharing with Ron. Harry never wanted to let go of her. He climbed into bed, knowing that he would not be getting anymore sleep tonight as visions of the beautiful sleeping girl in the room next to him danced before his eyes.
Rather than laying in her bed, Ginny wrapped her arms around herself and walked over to her wall. She had many pictures on her violet painted wall. Faces of her mother and father; of her brothers; of her best friends; of Hogwarts covered the wall. She even had a picture of Harry's mum and dad. Sirius, of course was also there. Amongst the moving pictures were quotes written in her pretty and elegant script.
But none of that mattered right now. All that mattered was the picture of Harry that was in the middle of the wall. It was no mistake that 'I love you' was written next to it. Hermione was the only one to ever put two and two together. Well, Hermione always knew how Ginny felt about Harry. Ginny bit her lip.
"Ginny?"
She jumped as Hermione tiptoed into her room.
"What are you still doing you up?" Hermione asked quietly as she took her heels off and began to pull her pajamas on after taking off her green and silver dress. Ginny smirked.
"Did you just get in?" She asked. Hermione blushed and nodded. "Where were you?" But, of course, Ginny already knew.
"I was with Draco. He… We went to a party." She giggled and blushed. "We stayed out a bit later than usual… We went to a pub with Luna and Blaise." Ginny now realized that her sister's words were to some extent slurred. Then an appalling thought came to mind.
"Hermione Jean Granger, are you drunk?" Ginny tried to ask with a straight face. A giggle escaped her lips and she fell onto the bed with Hermione.
"Maybe…" Hermione blushed and giggled. "Draco wanted me to stay with him tonight. He said it wasn't a good idea to Apperate drunk, but I told I would be fine." She threw her hands up in the air. "And, look! I am!" Ginny laughed with her as Hermione moved her head to Ginny's stomach. She began to comb her fingers through her long hair. Hermione had straightened it before going out, making it even longer than usual. After a couple moments of silence, Hermione spoke again.
"Were you up with Harry?" She whispered into the darkness. Ginny sighed.
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep; had another nightmare, and he was downstairs drinking coffee and staring at the wall." She laughed, remembering how Harry looked. "We talked for a bit. I nearly told him how I felt about him, but..."
"I think you should just tell him." Hermione held Ginny's hand in hers and kissed it. "It worked with me. You know, when I told Draco that I loved him. It worked." She said happily. Ginny faintly smiled and continued to run her fingers through her sister's hair.
"I love him, 'Mione. I can't help it. But, I just dunno how to tell him. I dunno if I should or not."
"Honey, if you love someone, tell them. Because hearts are broken by words left unspoken." Ginny pondered Hermione's words of wisdom.
"I suppose…"
"Tell him tomorrow. Pull him aside for a moment and tell him."
"I'm just scared of losing him."
"Ginny, I'm going to tell you a secret; you have to promise to NEVER tell Harry I told you."
"I promise." They linked pinkies.
"He loves you."
"Who?"
"Harry, of course!" Hermione turned around. "He's been in love with you since….lemme see…. Third year. But he didn't admit it 'till sixth year. Idiot." Hermione shook her head. Ginny thought about this.
"What about Cho?"
"Oh, her? That was just a… fling. Harry didn't really care about her. Well he did, but he didn't. You know? He liked her and everything, he thought she was pretty… But the whole crying thing. Yeah, didn't work out. He tried for a bit… But.. no. " Hermione laughed. "It's kinda like how Ron didn't really care for Lavender at first, but now look at them…" She sighed. "I never really did like Lavender…"
"You're serious?"
"Yup."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Ginny. He's my best friend; I see the way he looks at you." Hermione sighed happily. "Do you know, he was extremely jealous of all the boys you've dated. And, personally, I think you were all way too good for them. But, then again, that's just my opinion. Harry always rode it off as 'she's my best friend's sister, I have to look out for her.' Yeah, um, bullshit. But, yeah, Harry's very stubborn, and he'll never swallow his pride, but he loves you. I dunno how didn't see it, Gin. Maybe you were blinded by your own love." She smiled. "But, I think you need to take the initiative and tell him yourself. Just tell him… Oh! Or maybe you could… You know, kiss him."
"No."
"No to what? Kissing him or telling him?"
"Both."
"If you don't, and he doesn't, I'm telling him."
"No!"
"Ginny, please. Just tell him. I can even be there, holding your hand while you tell him." Hermione smirked. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"You know what I love? The fact that you're really drunk and you're having this totally serious conversation with me about Harry's so-called love for me. And telling me that I should tell him.. Or kiss him… Or… I dunno how you're doing this. You must take your liquor very well, sissy." Ginny said softly.
"For your information, I'm not that drunk. And, two, I do take my liquor very well, and three, I do know Harry's true feelings for you 'cause he told me, baby doll." Hermione said matter-of-factly with a smile. "And, Harry Potter does not lie to the great Hermione Granger. She knows all!" They both laughed.
Then Ginny shook her head. "Ginny, just listen to me. I have your and Harry's best interests at heart. You two mean the world to me. It's better for both of you if you just tell them." And with that, Hermione kissed Ginny's hand and fell asleep on her tummy. Ginny laughed and combed through her hair as she pondered her words. After fifteen long minutes, Ginny made her final decision.
She was going to tell Harry how much she loved him. Which was a lot. And Ginny didn't know if there are enough words for her to tell him everything.
"G'morning, Harry!" Ron said happily as he rolled out of bed. Harry smiled at him.
"G'morning, Ron!"
And they walked to the kitchen for breakfast. Harry paused in the stairwell, as he heard a horrible retching noise coming from the bathroom above him. Changing his direction, he ran up the stairs.
Ginny was standing next to Hermione, holding her hair back and looking sympathetic. "What happened?" He asked her.
"Well.. It seems that our Hermione had a bit too much to drink last night and now has a hangover." Ginny smiled slightly and shook her head as she rubbed Hermione's back. "Can you help her while I go get her a cup of water?" Harry smiled and nodded as Ginny gave him a smile of thanks and walked past him.
"Hermione? How late out were you last night?" Harry asked when Hermione wiped her mouth and sank back against the shower. Harry flushed the toilet before sitting next to her.
"Er, I got home around… three." Her voice was hoarse when she spoke. Harry shook his head.
"Tsk tsk." He smirked. "Maybe you should get home a bit earlier and not party as much."
"Hey! In my defense, I never really go out and party with my boyfriend, thank you very much!"
"Yeah yeah yeah. Always with the excuses." Hermione kicked him. "I know, I know, just… maybe you should have stayed with Draco last night, you know? He should be the one taking care of you, not me and Ginny." Harry smirked. "I mean, I love you and all, but he's your boyfriend, and he's the one that took you out last night and got you this drunk and hung-over and stuff."
Hermione smiled.
"Well, he did beg for me to stay with him last night, but I don't really think it was for my well being, I think he had a different idea in his mind… I think he was going to take advantage of me, if you know what I mean…" She smirked as Harry made gagging noises. "Well, I'm just saying. You know, I'm just trying to be completely truthful with you here, Harry."
"That's a bit too much there, Hermione."
"And?"
Ginny appeared at the doorway with a purple cup of water in her hand. Hermione took it gratefully and downed it.
"Thanks, Ginny." She smiled. Then she nudged Harry with her foot.
"Harry is a little.. offended at my- er-truthful words I had said to him." Ginny looked at her with wide eyes and her heart skipped a beat. Hermione shook her head.
"No! Not that!" Ginny shook her head at Hermione, who smirked. "No, I told him about Draco's real intentions of having me stay with him last night."
"Yeah, a little more information that I asked for, but, that's what Hermione always does. Always says more than what's needed."
"Oh, Harry, shush. You know I love you. I just like annoying you."
"Yeah, I love you, too. Just… turn it down a bit on your.. er, love life."
Hermione giggled. "I'll try, but I'm not promising anything." Ginny eyed Hermione.
"Sissy, you're rather… Happy for having a hangover and stuff, don't you think?"
Hermione smiled at Ginny knowingly. "Well, I have something to look forward to today, so I have every reason for being happy despite the throbbing pain in my head." She laughed as she pulled herself up. "Shall we have breakfast now?"
Hermione was eyeing her bacon and egg sandwich with disgust. She took a sip of her coffee and continued to glare at it.
Turned out eating was not a very good idea..
"Hermione, dear, are you okay? You look a bit peaky." Molly said, kissing Hermione's forehead on her way to her seat next to Fred. "Eat up,"
"Er, yeah..I'm fine, Mum." She sighed and put her coffee down and picking up her sandwich. She glanced at Ginny and Harry before taking a small bite. They both laughed.
"Can you hold that down, Hermione?" Ginny smirked. Hermione threw her a dirty look. Harry laughed.
"Yeah, eat up, 'Mione. Go ahead, you are looking a bit peaky. A good breakfast shall cure that, don't you think?" Harry grinned. Hermione threw her sandwich down and ran to the bathroom. Molly stared after her.
"Is she okay?" She asked.
"Yeah. You should ask Draco when he comes over why she's feeling so sick." Ginny suggested. Everyone at the table laughed, except Molly, who was still clearly confused. When Hermione came back to the table, she pushed her plate away and wrapped her hands around her coffee mug.
"Are you okay, dear?" Molly asked her.
"Yes, I'm fine." Hermione smiled at her. Fred and George sniggered. "Shut it." She said playfully.
"Good morning!" Draco said as he entered the kitchen.
"Draco, can you tell me why Hermione's so sick this morning?" Molly asked. Draco suddenly looked very uncomfortable.
"Er, we went out last night." He murmured as he took the empty seat by Hermione. Molly narrowed her eyes at him, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Oh?"
"Yeah…" And he kissed Hermione on the cheek and helped himself to a piece of buttered toast. Everyone laughed.
"Sorry about that, Molly." Draco said, making Hermione eat some toast. "Eat this, it'll help." He said softly. She smiled and nodded as she took a bite.
"Thank you." And she offered him her coffee. He took a sip and took a bite of her toast. They always did this at breakfast. Harry shook his head and smiled.
"Well, Ginny, are you going to tell him today?"
Ginny's cheeks flared and she glared at her sister. Draco chuckled.
"I think you should; it's about time you do it." He said.
"I hate you both." Ginny threw her napkin at them.
"Ginny!" Molly snapped.
"Sorry, Mum." But, Ginny didn't look the least bit sorry. Hermione smiled sweetly.
"It's a good idea to tell him now." She said. Ginny glared at her. Her usual sweet and warm eyes turned hard and deadly.
"Okay, I'm totally confused." Harry said, scratching his head. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"Harry!"
"Sorry, Mum."
"Really, what are you talking about?" He looked at Draco, silently pleading him to tell him what the hell was going on. Draco smirked and shook his head while pulling Hermione closer.
"Um, nothing." Hermione kicked Ginny under the table.
"Later. I'll do it later. Now, please leave me alone about that!" Ginny glared at them.
"If you don't, I will."
"I know." Ginny glowered at her.
" Then, you better do it today." Hermione smiled pleasantly. Ginny scowled and continued eating her bacon with a new found anger. Harry took a drink of his coffee and stared at her thoughtfully. Hermione giggled.
"I think now's a better time."
"Um, no."
Harry was more confused than he'd ever been in his whole life. What just happened?
Hermione was sitting comfortably in Draco's arms while she read a book. He was playing with her hair and softly singing. Hermione was smiling.
"I think I know what I should say to him!" Ginny came tearing through the room. Draco jumped but Hermione merely laughed and turned in his arms to face her smiling sister.
"What's that, baby doll?" She asked softly. Ginny blushed and looked around the room. "Don't worry, he's out with Ron and Blaise." Then she turned around. "Speaking of which, why aren't you out with them?" She asked Draco.
"'Cause I wanted to spend time with you…" Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head playfully.
"Continue, honey. What are you going to say to him?"
"Well," Ginny pulled a piece of folded parchment out of her back pocket and opened it with shaky hands. "I'm going to say this:
"I've got a lot to say, if you will let me; it's always hard when you're around me.
But here, right now, there's interest in your eyes. So, hear me out and hear this
the first time:
That I love you."
She all said this very quietly. Hermione smiled.
"I think… I really like that. Sounds… poetic. Are you really gonna tell him, though?" Draco said. After a moment's hesitation, Ginny nodded.
"I am." She said softly. She looked at Hermione. "I'm really scared, sissy."
Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for her. The look in Ginny's eyes was devastating. She was terrified and worried. She stood up and walked over to her sister. She wrapped her arms around Ginny's fragile frame.
"It'll be okay, I promise." She kissed her forehead. "Remember what I told you. He loves you just as much as you love him."
Harry was swinging on an aged swing set down the street from where Luna lived. Blaise was sitting on the ground staring at him and Ron was perched at the top of the jungle gym. Ron pointed his wand at a flower and was now watching it revolve in the air in front of him slowly. Harry finally spoke.
"Guys, should I tell Ginny?" He asked. Ron and Blaise broke out laughing. Ron actually fell off the jungle gym. "What?" That only made them laugh more. After a couple minutes, Blaise spoke.
"Really?" He said. "Really?" He laughed. "I don't think you're going to have to…"
"Why?"
"Oh, Harry…"
"Did you not notice what was going on this morning?"
"Yeah, Hermione had a killer hangover and we were making fun of her for it."
"No, not that!"
"Then, what?"
"Did you not notice Draco and Hermione telling Ginny to tell 'him' something?"
"Erm, yeah."
"Who d'you think that he is?"
"I dunno!"
Blaise sighed and put his head in his hand. Ron shook his head.
"And Hermione calls me clueless." Ron muttered.
"She's talking about you, idiot." Blaise said loudly. "I mean… How thick are you?"
Harry glared at him.
"But… She can't be." Harry looked at both of them. "Last night when we were talking, she was describing the guy... the guy that she loves. But there's no way in hell it's me."
"You never know," Ron said wisely. "What'd she say?"
"She said… 'He's a good friend of mine, he's very sweet; he's not jaded, despite of everything he's been through. He has his mamma's eyes, and rather large hands; they're like his daddy's. He has a friend; she's pretty much his sister, and she's beautiful. Well, beyond beautiful. Like, unbelievably pretty.. He's quite handsome; one could even as far as calling him absolutely gorgeous. Well, more than that. But I have no words for it. And his hair… I love the way it falls in his eyes. He's cynical, sarcastic, and a bit cocky, but I find it all rather endearing. It makes him him. You know? He's the bravest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting; he's fearless. And I love that I can't figure him out. It keeps it interesting. I love everything about him.'"
Ron and Blaise stared at him for a moment.
"You had that all memorized, mate?" Ron smirked. Harry blushed.
"Dude. That's obviously you." Blaise laughed at Harry, who was now sitting on his swing kicking the dirt and pouting. "Well, other than the 'handsome/gorgeous' part." Harry kicked him. "Easy, mate. Just telling it as I see it." He laughed again.
"Well. Explain it to me."
"Explain what?"
"How that's me."
"You're one of her best friends, I suppose you can be...'sweet', and you're not jaded…surprisingly. You do have your mother's eyes. Exactly your mother's eyes. And, you do have pretty big hands. When she says 'he has a friend; she's pretty much his sister,' she's obviously describing Hermione, who really is rather beautiful. I see her as a sister, too. Anyway, back to the point… As Sirius pointed out, you're just like your father. He was rather arrogant… But, you know, in a cool way. And, you are pretty damn brave, seeing as you killed Voldemort and stuff." Blaise said. Harry rolled his eyes.
"…And?"
"And what?"
"I don't get it."
Ron and Blaise groaned and pulled Harry up from the swing.
"You are so stupid sometimes, Harry!"
"I resent that."
"I'm sure you do." Blaise muttered.
"Harry…Can I talk to you for a moment?" Ginny asked him softly as soon as Blaise dragged him in. Everyone in the room catcalled and clapped. Ginny flipped them off as she followed Harry to an empty room.
They were both blushing like crazy and Ginny was sure Harry could hear her heart beating out of her chest.
"Harry, I have something I really need to tell you. It's rather important and you have to promise not to laugh."
"I promise…" They linked pinkies.
"Okay, well…" Ginny took a deep breath and stared into Harry's eyes. She slipped her hand into his and he tried to keep his from shaking.
"I've got a lot to say, if you will let me; it's always hard when you're around me.
But here, right now, there's interest in your eyes. So, hear me out and hear this
the first time:
That I love you."
Harry didn't say anything for a moment. Ginny was getting more and more scared by the second.
"I love you more than anything. You're a total idiot and incredibly stupid at times, but I love you with every fiber of my being. I love you, and that has to count for something. I love you because you're brave, because you're crazy and fearless, and I love the way your hair falls in your eyes and the way I can't figure out how to breathe when you're around. I love you. You're an idiot and a moron, but you're unbelievable. You're a miracle. You should've died like, fifty billion times, but here you are… I love you. You're.. you're amazing and you make my heart stop beating. You have a way of making me drop everything I'm holding and you make me laugh when I don't even wanna smile. I love the way you make my lose my focus. You're brighter than the sun, and when you smile, it's like the sun has been unleashed full force and I have to fight the urge to blink. My family loves you, and you're… you're perfect. More than perfect. I like the way you render me speechless.
"And, honey, I love the way you're everything I've ever wanted. I love you more than I love myself; more than life itself; more than anything. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything before. I want you to be mine. I love you and I want you. That has to count for something… anything. I've always loved you. And I'll always love you. No matter what you do or say or no matter how much you fuck up. I'll always love you, no matter what you do. I love you. You're my best friend, and I love you. I have no freaking idea what I'd ever do without you." Ginny took a deep breath as she stared at Harry. He said nothing. In fact, he seemed incapable of speaking. "Say that you wanna be with me, too." She pleaded. Harry shook his head.
"No, 'cause I don't wanna be with you; I need to be with you. I love you… more than words can say." He stared into her warm eyes. "Every time you smile, I smile. I can't help it. I love the way your eyes sparkle in the sun, and I love the way you look when your hair's a total mess. I love the way you look without makeup on and when you're wearing my old sweats that you stole from my room," He narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "and I love the way you smell when you get out of the shower, and I love how warm you are. Your eyes are kind, but they definitely have the potential to kill. And… when you look at me, I melt. I love the way you fit perfectly in my arms, and I love the way your hand fits in mine. I love all your imperfections (though there are very few), I love the way you leave me breathless and I love it when you talk. Your voice… it's like velvet. I love the way you sound in the morning. I love the way you look in the morning, and I love the way you look when you're a total mess. You're so… beautiful. Inside and out. I love how you speak your mind, and how you're not scared to say anything at all. I love how you look when you blush and when you read. You look like an angel when you sleep. And I love your hair. It's soft and silky and long.. I love the way it feels in my fingers. I love you… that's all I can say. I love you. I don't even think that those words are sufficient enough to tell you how much I love you. But, honestly, the bottom line is…
"I love you. More than words can say. And I've been dying to kiss you for years now, and I feel that I must do that now before I explode."
And with that, Harry brought his lips to Ginny's and it seemed like an eternity had passed when they finally broke free for air.
"Ginny, would you do me the pleasure of being my girlfriend?" Harry asked softly. Rather than answering, Ginny thought it'd be quite easier to kiss him. She slipped her hand in his and smiled.
"Shall we grace the family with our presence?" She beamed. Harry sighed and nodded.
"I suppose I can't keep you to myself all the time." Ginny giggled at Harry's sad voice. They were greeted with loud applause and cheering when they entered the room. Ginny blushed.
"Finally!" Fred and George said together. Everyone laughed. Harry kissed Ginny's cheek and she beamed with delight.
It was around six thirty when Sirius came calling. He found Harry and Ginny on the hammock outside, kissing. Oh, words could not explain how happy he was at this news. He smiled.
"Harry!" He called. They both jumped up and looked around in fear. When Harry's eyes found Sirius, he broke out into a wide smile.
"Hey, mate!" He said, pulling Ginny up. They ran over to see him. Sirius wrapped his arms around both of them.
"Would you like to hear a story?" He asked them. Ginny smiled.
"Of course we'd like to hear a story!" She said happily.
"What's it about?" Harry asked.
"It's about your parents, Harry."
They all smiled.