Azkaban and Love?

Premise: Ginny is working at Azkaban with the prisoners. The war is over, Harry has won, and all of the Death Eaters are in Azkaban. The new ministry has taken some pity towards them, and started a new program. In essence, it is trying to mentally heal the prisoners, help them see the evil they committed, and allow them to reach their "good" side. Ginny is head of the program. She also deals with some of the worst offenders.

Ginny sighed and leaned back in her chair. It had been a long day, and there was still plenty of paperwork to deal with. She bent over the desk, tucked her hair behind her ear, and was about to dig in when there was a knock on the door.

"It's open!" she called.

The door opened to reveal Harry Potter, Auror, with a grin on his face.

"Harry! It's good to see you. How have you been?" she asked.

"I've been good. The better question is, how are you holding up?" he asked, his face turning serious.

Ginny sighed.

"I'm getting along. There's still a ton of problems to work out, besides the mound of paperwork," she responded, gesturing to her desk. Stacks of paper filled every available surface but one, her designated work area. Harry grimaced in response.

"It must be hard, new program and all. Do you want to talk about it over dinner?"

"Sure, when is good for you?" Ginny answered, bending over the paperwork once more, pen in hand, and looking up at him.

"How does tonight sound?"

"Uh, okay. I still have to finish a lot of this though. I won't be done until 7."

"Well, how about I meet you at 7:45 then?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you then, Harry." She flashed him a grin before looking down at the paper and beginning to write.

"Right. See ya tonight then," Harry said, before backing out of her office. He strutted away with a broad smile on his face.

Ginny sighed and put down her quill. She needed a break. Godamnit, she needed a life. Lately, all it had been was work, work, work. At least she was going out with Harry tonight. Some diversion, at the least. It was almost 7, anyway, so she might as well leave for the day and finish the rest of it over the weekend. It was Friday, and she thought she deserved some fun. She stood up, put her desk in order, walked out the door, and locked it behind her. Then she made her way to the Apparating station, heavily guarded by Aurors no matter what time of day. Ever since the war and the Dementors deserting…Well, there was no trusting them anymore. There was talk of hiring new guards, but until then, Aurors would have to do.

Ginny Apparated home and collapsed on her couch. Her apartment was clean, but small, seeing as there was only her. After resting for a few minutes, she opened her eyes, heaved herself from her seat, and made her way into her bathroom. She emerged 25 minutes later, freshly showered, make-up-ed, and tucked into her favorite black dress. She liked it because it was casual and classy at the same time. Since she didn't know where Harry was taking her, it was perfect. Speaking of which…

Ginny glanced at the clock. 7:40. Harry would arrive any minute. She ran to her bedroom, slipped on her heels and grabbed her purse. She was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine when her doorbell rang.

She opened the door to reveal Harry, holding out a bouquet of roses. Red roses. And smiling. Sheepishly. She smiled in response and held open the door. Taking the flowers, she said, "Let me just put these in water. Go ahead and take a seat."

"Okay." Harry responded, and sat on the couch. He heard her bustling in the kitchen.

"I made reservations for 8 o'clock," he called out.

"That sounds great. Where at?" she called back over the sound of running water filling her vase.

"A little restaurant that I found in Diagon Alley."

"What's the name of it?"

"It's called 'Amore'," he answered. He hoped the name of the restaurant, 'Love', would start steering the evening in the right direction.

"Am I dressed appropriately?" Ginny asked in response.

"You look great!" Harry answered as he winced. Not the answer he'd been hoping for in return to his proposition of 'Love'. But, she was a girl. What could you expect?

"Well then," Ginny said, emerging from the kitchen. "Shall we?"

"We shall, indeed," Harry answered, smiling and taking her arm in his. Then, grinning down at her, he Apparated them both to Diagon Alley.

Ginny excused herself from the meal to go to the restroom. Leaning over the sink, she looked at herself closely in the mirror. The evening had gone well enough, and they had plenty to talk about because of work. Well, up until Harry's foot had touched hers under the table – and stayed there. He kept talking like nothing was the matter, but she wasn't quite as comfortable. She had a vague idea now as to why Harry had asked her out to dinner in the first place, and it was not to give her a break from work. Sighing, she washed her hands and fixed her hair. Looking in the mirror one last time, she resolved to not let Harry get to her. She had gotten over him long ago, she reminded herself. It was over, that ship had sailed, and there had been other boys since then. Harry, boy that he still was, had never had much of that experience… she just hoped he didn't want to get experience with her.

Walking back to their table, she saw that the meal was almost over, which was good. She sat back down and smiled at Harry.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked.

"What? In the loo, you mean?" she answered. Then she regretted it. He was just trying to be nice. She watched as Harry turned red.

"W-well, yes, I guess."

"Well, it was just like any other bathroom, sink, faucets, mirror, bathroom stalls, and etcetera." Again, not very nice. She mentally smacked herself in the forehead.

"Oh." Harry was bright red by now. She kept eating, wondering to herself where that had come from.

Harry was recovering from his embarrassment, but now seemed extremely nervous and uncomfortable. Seating herself, Ginny asked the question that would lead to the conversation she guessed the night was about.

"Harry, are you okay? What's the matter?" Harry glanced up at her, smiling a little.

"Well, Ginny, uh, I've been wanting to talk to you actually."

"What about?"

"Well, you see, uh, I think that you're a very beautiful person."

"Thank you."

"And, well, I really, well, I really like you. I was hoping that we could do this more often."

"Of course, Harry. We're friends. Friends get together all the time."

"No, uh, Ginny, I mean, like, uh, more than just friends…?" He trailed off, uncertain. Ginny didn't know why, but this made her extremely uncomfortable. Before she answered his question, she had to make sure she wasn't misreading his statement.

"Harry, what exactly are you trying to say? Please, just spit it out." Harry sighed.

"Ginny, I want to be with you. I want to be your boyfriend."

Her head fell into her hands. This is not happening. Harry, he's a sweetheart, but he's like a brother. Even thinking about kissing him is kinda gross… because, again, he's my brother. How am I going to explain that to him? Obviously, it's a one-sided opinion. She lifted her head and glanced at Harry.

"Harry… Harry, I think you're a great guy. There was a time in my life when I would have gushed with happiness at your question. But that time in my life came and went… and now, now you're just like a brother to me. I love you like a brother, but I can't see myself going past that. I… I'm sorry, Harry." With that, she set her napkin down and prepared to leave.

"Thank you for dinner, Harry, it was delicious. I'll see you later, okay?" With that, she stood up and walked out of the restaurant. Harry just sat and watched her leave. He hadn't actually thought she would reject him. He had been sure that after the war, he would start his life again, with a beautiful, red-headed witch at his side. He wanted a family… and Ginny was who he wanted as his wife. Feeling those dreams shatter, Harry left money on the table, walked out, and Apparated to his apartment to pick up the pieces.

Once back in her apartment, Ginny sighed, and flopped on her couch. That was not how she had wanted the evening to end. Sighing again, she got up and wandered to bed. Tomorrow would not be any easier.