The sunrise was spectacular, the light streaming in soft ribbons through the breaks in the trees around the castle. Hundreds of people stood amongst the rubble that littered the grounds. Some were talking to others, consoling, remembering. Others stood alone and silent, lost in their own thoughts. Everyone was dressed in dark cloaks, mourning for the losses of the war. All accept one.
A girl with honey blonde hair, wearing a bright yellow dress, walked slowly through the damage that surrounded the tall, looming building. Silently, she used her wand to make flowers bloom up out of the steadily growing grass around the grounds. The flowers grew larger and larger as she walked on, opening up to the new sunlight and adding a colorful, blanketed ground covering. The girl stopped near the front doors of the castle and looked back, smiling at the sight that met her. People were now looking up, or more down at their feet, where the wildflowers now covered the whole ground around them. Smiles were beginning to flicker on the dark faces that looked up at the girl. She met all the smiles with her own, gladly, as people thanked her with nods and shakes and quiet words.
"Thank you Luna."
A soft voice said and the girl turned back towards the now open doors where Harry Potter stood, smiling. Luna nodded and glanced over her shoulder once more to look at her flowers before continuing on her way into the building, leaving Harry behind. Harry watched her leave silently before turning back to the many people standing in the field of flowers. Heads were now turning away from the ground and looking up at the raven haired boy standing in front of them. Whispers shook the crowd, weaving through the people like wildfire until there was no longer silence, but a soft hum of musings. Quietly though, applause started. Almost silent at first, then growing to a roar, accompanied by whistles and yells.
"Harry, there you are."
Someone said from behind him. He turned to the smiling faces of Ron and Hermione.
"Here I am."
He said, smiling back.
"We woke up and you were gone, but we heard the applause..."
Hermione trailed off as people began to swarm around them shaking hands and yelling praise. Harry took all the thanks modestly, telling everyone how he couldn't have done it without them.
Suddenly he felt a small, warm, invisible tug on his hand. Soft at first, the invisible force pulled him through the growing crowd, but grew more forceful as Harry was pulled in other directions by people he knew, and others he didn't. When there was a big enough space in the crowd, the force pulled him down. For a moment Harry was unsure as to where he was, but he turned a bit to his right and met the smiling face of Ginny Weasley, only inches from his. Realizing they were under the invisibility cloak, Harry grinned.
"Thought I'd save you."
She said softly, looking into his eyes with intensity.
"All that attention can't be good for your ego."
Harry smiled bigger and with a small nod of his head, directed her to walk away from the crowd. When they were far away from the craziness of the crowd, Ginny pulled off the cloak and threw herself into Harry's arms. Standing there holding her, Harry realized just how much he had missed her. Her hair still had the soft, flowery scent and the way she had to stand on her toes just slightly to reach her arms around his neck made his heart skip a beat. This was Ginny. This was it. It was time to tell her everything.
To be continued…
A/N: I know it's short but I'll have the next chapter up by tonight…or tomorrow afternoon. Most likely tonight. Review please!
Erin