"WISHING & WAITING"

Chapter 1: "Don't Leave Me"

Ginny Weasley ran up to Harry, Ron and Hermione on the bridge at Hogwarts outside as the cool chilly air ran threw her hair. Little specks of snow decorated her knitted clothes. She breathed out warm air as she hurried towards them, her hands cold and shaking.

"Hey, wait up!" Ginny called to them. Like in sequence, three heads (one jet black, one caramel brown and one red) turned swiftly to acknowledge her presence. They all smiled and waved at her. Harry nervously grinned at Ginny, unsure of their relationship status – could they still talk as normal, or was everything different now?

Ever since Harry decided to stay at Hogwarts instead of hunting Voldemort's Horcruxes, he had felt a huge pit of guilt in his stomach. Everyday he thought about how much safer his friends and the wizarding world be if he tracked them down destroyed them. The only reason why Harry remained at the school was because he wanted to be with his friends, and he was advised by Professor McGonagall that it was best for him. Harry knew that the safest place for him to be besides the Dursley House was probably Hogwarts. However, Harry planned to leave very soon. He wouldn't admit it, but he also stayed to keep an eye on Ginny and to make sure that she didn't get herself into any bad relationships, especially this soon after their break-up. It seemed like Harry was being more of a big brother to Ginny than Ron was.

"Hi, Ginny," Hermione greeted her. "Thanks for the birthday present – you can never have enough books, right?"

Ginny smirked. "Um. Right," she said, holding back a laugh. "Some things never change, hey?" she said as she turned to Ron and Harry.

"Yeah…" Harry smiled, a hint of excitement in his voice, while Ron nodded alongside him. Just the sight of Ginny made Harry feel better about his decision to refuse going after the Horcruxes.

Ginny smiled at the rather rare sight of Harry looking cheerful. "Hey, um, Harry? Could I talk to you for a sec?" she asked.

Harry gulped. "Er, yeah, sure," he said coolly but eagerly. Harry leaped at every chance to rendezvous with her.

Ron and Hermione gave each other a look to say, 'we better give them some space'. At this moment, they understood each other perfectly, which was usually unspoken of. They walked off together towards the direction of Hogsmeade.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ginny walked the opposite way, towards the lake.

"Look, Harry," Ginny started, butterflies in her stomach, "I know you said we can't be together anymore, but-"

"Yeah," Harry cut in gently. "Look, I'm sorry, Ginny, because I really do want to be with you… but this is better for us. I want you to be safe."

"Yeah, I know," Ginny replied, "but listen, Harry... I would rather die being your girlfriend and being happy with you, than be safe while missing and wanting and… loving you and not having you."

"You love me?" Harry asked, surprised but impressed. Regardless of the snow falling and frosty weather, his face started to heat up.

"Um… yeah. I do." Ginny bit her lip. It's now or never, she thought.

"I… well… anyway, like I said before… I wouldn't be able to handle it if you were killed, and it was on me."

"Harry, don't worry about it!" Ginny pleaded. "He won't go after me. Look, I dunno about you, but I feel terrible every day I'm not with you… please! Do this for me!"

Harry sighed, blushing. "I love you, Ginny," he breathed, touching her fiery red hair. "But this is a sacrifice I have to make. I'm sorry, but this is it. Forever." With that, he unwillingly walked away; however he was surprised at his courage and determination. A very large part of him wanted to go back to her and comfort her, but a smaller, more stubborn part of him told him that he was making the right decision.

However, Ginny couldn't control her emotions, and since she tended to be impulsive, she couldn't stand to see him walk away from her, especially when the only thing she needed was him. She ran towards him as if her life depended on it, and stopped in front of him slightly breathless, blocking his path.

"Harry," she said faintly. She studied his face, and was surprised to notice that his face was a little wet. She guessed it was from crying. She gave him a twisted half-smile and kissed him, her arms around him. Slowly but surely, he put his arms around her too. When they finally broke apart, Ginny still clung to him, and stubbornly wouldn't let go.

"Don't. Don't leave me," she cried. Tears started to stream down her face. Harry looked into her eyes to find them full of lust and longing. Ginny's hazelnut brown eyes shone brightly as she choked back tears. Harry looked at her more deeply and saw vulnerability and anticipation. She was all he wanted, and she needed him. After a bit of silent thinking in his mind, Harry came to a conclusion.

"Okay." Harry whispered, as he pulled her close towards him, and hugged her tightly. "I won't."