Chapter 1

Ginny and Hermione sat in the corner of a coffee shop in Diagon Alley. Both of them lounging identically in big armchairs by the window holding large mugs filled with steaming hot coffee. This scene wasn't unusual, Hermione and Ginny were very good friends ever since they left Hogwarts, the best in fact. They used to be roommates but Hermione's neatness and order was too much for Ginny so they decided to get separate places. Ginny at 20, just started her internship with St. Mungos and Hermione is working at the Ministry in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures trying to get S.P.E.W. somewhere. Ginny took a sip of her coffee and sighed closing her eyes.

"It's so early," she said after a pause stifling back a yawn behind her hand. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"

Hermione smiled at Ginny and shook her head.

"It's 7:30, you should be up. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that Harry came back from France last night." She paused and waited for her friend's reaction. When Ginny said nothing, Hermione continued. "He asked about you." Ginny vacillated for a bit on what to say then compromised by taking a long sip of her coffee.

"Oh yeah?" She said in what was suppose to be a casual voice. "What did he say?"

"He asked where you were and how you've been." Hermione said eyeing her friend as she said this. "Said you two haven't kept in touch after the war." Her voice had an accusatory tone to it.

"Well it's his fault," Ginny said defensively. "You guys all left for the battle right after Bill and Fleur's wedding, without telling me anything and then he took off for France right afterwards without one word to me. What did you expect?" She said, her voice ridden with insolence.

"You know we couldn't tell you where we were going Ginny. That wasn't fair," Hermione said quietly at Ginny, looking suddenly tired and sad. Her coffee was growing colder. Ginny sat perfectly still.

"I'm sorry," Ginny said sinking back into her chair. "But I think he could have at least told me about France. That wasn't top secret. If he wants to keep in contact with me he can, but I'm not going to owl him." Her voice full of stubbornness.

"Really?"

That doubtful word made Ginny fall back into he chair a bit more. She sat still for a moment then ran her hands through her hair. Remembering her drink she paused to take a long sip. "No," she said finally. "I'm going to talk to him tonight."

"He misses you." Hermione said setting down her drink and reaching her hand across the table to touch her wrist.

"I know" Ginny said at last, looking down. "But Hermione, it has been five years since we really talked. I was in school for two years after we ended it, then he set of for France for his auror training. And now, three years later he comes back so suddenly without even telling me."

"You know how Harry is. He always has to do things by himself."

Ginny raised her eyes finally meeting Hermione's gaze. With effort, Ginny said in a cracked voice, "He told you and Ron."

"That's different Ginny and you know it."

"I know," Ginny said sighing. "But you don't understand. Those days with him during my fifth year were everything I ever wanted. You know how long I was waiting for that. And I understood that he couldn't see me romantically anymore but he could have at least tried to keep in touch with me. It's like those days didn't mean anything to him."

"They did."

"How do you know that?"

Hermione paused. "I don't, I just believe it."

Ginny got up silently to throw away her napkin and returned to her seat. Hermione sat still just watching. After she took a drink of her coffee she posed the question that had been burning inside her, just bursting to come out.

"Do you still love him?"

This question was followed by a silence. Ginny glanced up at Hermione. On her face was look of mingled confusion and desire. She hesitantly answered.

"I don't know, Hermione. I really don't know. Maybe I'll know when I see him."

"Okay," Hermione said. They both sat still in silence. Ginny swished her coffee around in her mug for a bit and then said quietly. "How do I know if he still loves me?"

"Maybe he'll know when he sees you tonight. You're still coming, right?" Hermione added looking up at Ginny, her eyebrows raised.

Ginny avoided making eye contact with Hermione and drew herself further away from the table. "Uh, about that..." She trailed off sheepishly.

"Ginny! You promised me! Everyone is going to be there" Hermione cried. "It's me and Ron's engagement dinner!"

"Alright, alright. I'll be there," Ginny said letting go of her mug.

Hermione smiled once more. "Remember it's going to be a nice restaurant, so you have to wear a formal dress."

"Yeah, I know."

Hermione looked down at her watch then got up suddenly drowning the last of her coffee into her mouth. "Listen I have to go meet Ron for breakfast in a bit so I'm going to be heading out."

"Yeah, I should be going too." Ginny said fishing through her purse for some gold. Setting the money down on the table she looked up at Hermione. "Hermione," she said reaching out her hand to stop her. "I just wanted to say thanks. You know, for everything." she finished awkwardly shrugging her shoulder.

Hermione grinned at her. "No problem, just don't be late tonight. I'm counting on you." With that they gathered their things and set out into the nice July sunlight.

Ginny sat at her desk staring at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hand. It had been half an hour and she had no progress with her letter to Harry. A pile of crumpled drafts lay on the floor behind her and another one was just added to that pile. She groaned and put her head in her hands. It wasn't supposed to be this hard to write a letter to Harry, they were so close and talked about everything...or at least she thought. With a stroke of her hand through her dark red hair she remembered her tea she had beside her and took a sip. After taking out a fresh sheet of parchment she dipped her quill into her ink bottle and started another one.

Harry,

How've you been? Hermione told me that you were back from France. What the fuck Harry, you could have told me-

Ginny groaned and scratched out the last lines and put her head on the desk getting ink all over her forehead. She was just about to give up when a pecking at the window distracted her. Looking up from her excuse for a letter she saw a beautiful snowy owl fluttering just outside her window.

"Hedwig!"

Ginny quickly got up from her seat and rushed to open the window. Hedwig flew in and stuck out her leg for Ginny to untie the letter. Hedwig remained there even after Ginny opened the letter, waiting for a reply.

Ginny,

I'm back from France. Surprise? How is everything? Do you want to go out for lunch, you know, catch up on things before the dinner? Send an answer back with Hedwig. Bye.

Harry

Hastily Ginny fumbled for a new piece of parchment and a quill. Dipping the quill into the ink bottle she wrote at top speed.

Harry,

I'm fine, and you? I would love to go to lunch with you today-

She stopped writing in mid sentence and stared at the parchment. Crumpling this one up she got a new one and starting writing again. She was going to decline his offer, she didn't want to seem desperate, after all she had a boyfriend. After politely saying she was busy and she would see him at dinner later that evening, she watched Hedwig fly away smiling. Now all she had to do was looking absolutely stunning this evening.