Does Hurt Ever Go Away?

By Moony

This was inspired while listening to a song, and I had to write it! Don't worry, it won't interfere with 'I've Changed, I Really Have', if you want that. I'll update both regularly. –Moony

Chapter 1

Ginny stared at the setting sun, the glorious colors stretching across the sky, the evening breeze blowing sweetly across her face, the lake sparkling. Everything was so beautiful, so happy, but could she ever be happy again? Could she ever be the carefree little six-year-old again?

Tears poured down her face. The beautiful scene was disappearing behind her watery eyes.

Did hurt every go away? Did the thought of death ever fly completely into the sky? Did the lead weights on her heart ever lift? Would the tears ever stop?

She always cried whenever she saw beautiful scenery, or happy children with their father, or little sisters being tortured by their older brothers. It hurt so bad, even though two months had past. Was Voldemort trying to ruin everyone's lives?

She swallowed. She knew it was probably worse for Harry, him being the one who Voldemort wanted to kill all the time. She wished she could talk to him, maybe it would feel better. She had always had a crush on him, and she still knew the crush hadn't gone away. But Harry had withdrawn into a shell. He spoke to no one, and he was seldom seen at meals. Hermione was less active either. They had all been affected heavily. But Ginny felt she had suffered most. Ron was her brother after all. And Dad… he was gone too. Both of them, gone forever. Whenever the door opened at home, she would always expect her father to come in, a big smile on his face, holding a newfound Muggle gadget and Mum scolding him as they ushered in for dinner. Or maybe Ron would fly in, yelling about how Fred and George had put a Ton Tongue Toffee in his food.

But she knew it would never happen. She would never be protected by Ron again, helped by him, tortured by him… She would never be swung around in Dad's arms again, or giggling at his jokes. The only person who knew how Ron died, was Harry. And Harry wasn't speaking. He had become a mute.

What had happened? Ginny longed to know. What happened with Ron? All Ginny knew was that Harry had been walking, in some kind of trance, and Ron had been trying to get him back to bed, and then Harry grabbed something weird, and it was a Portkey. It had happened before. In fourth year, except for this time, it wasn't Cedric dead… it was…

Ron.

And her dad? She hadn't even known he was going under a dangerous mission! She thought he was doing a safe mission. She hadn't known, that her last good-bye before he left for 'Rome' would be her last good-bye. She thought he would be back in two months! But no, he was not back. And he never would be.

Ginny sat there for a long time, even though the sun had already set, the first star had already appeared. She gave a sob. She had already cried twice. Every day, she cried at least three times. Why wouldn't the tears stop? Why did it hurt so, so much? She couldn't say a word without bursting into tears.

And how come… how come Ron couldn't be a ghost? Or Dad? Maybe it would've been better. They would still be dead, but they'd be there… they'd still talk to her, they'd still be with her…

Ginny was ashamed of herself. She knew ghosts were cowards, and she knew Ron wasn't a coward, and neither was her Dad, but why couldn't there be a way where the brave dead people got to see who they loved too?

Where did people go when they died? Was there a Spirt World? Could she go if she died? Could she see Ron, and Dad, and Sirius, and maybe Harry's parents? Did Dad and Ron get to meet Harry's parents yet? Had they seen Sirius?

"Can I go see you?" she murmured to the dark sky, hoping Dad or Ron would hear.

She was ready, she was ready to go see them. Ginny eyed the lake. How deep was it? Deep enough to drown? Could you still go up to the Spirit World or whatever if your body was underwater? Or should she stab herself with a knife…

Suddenly, the wind came up and became bitterly cold. It seemed to howl, No… no…

Was that a message from them? Up there somewhere? Did they not want her to go see them?

I'm going mad, I'm going mad… Ginny thought.

She moved back into the castle, but bumped into… something. But there was nothing there! It was just air.

I've really gone mad…

But suddenly, Harry could be seen.

The Invisibility Cloak!

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Harrry looked away, his eyes glazed.

"You should go back in. Its cold. Go on," Ginny said, trying to coax him back in.

She didn't want Harry trying any suicidal attempts. Without Harry, the world was as good as dead. Harry submitted and turned back into the castle. Without a word, he pulled the cloak over them both and they headed up the stairs. Ginny felt a strange sensation. She had never been under the Inivisbility Cloak with Harry. Only Ron and Hermione had!

When they reached Gryffindor Common Room, they hurried in. Harry sat beside the fire, staring off. Ginny started to head to the dormitory, before Harry touched her shoulder and said one word,

"Sorry."

Ginny barely heard it, but it had been Harry's first word of speech since two months ago…

"Sorry? What are you sorry for?"

But Harry was staring at the fire again. He said no more. Ginny looked at him, and headed up the dormitory. What had Harry been sorry for?