Because he had slain the Dark Lord less than 24 hours ago, Harry Potter should have fallen asleep with ease. Nevertheless, he tossed and turned in Ron's spare bed. He felt troubled, as if a cold deadness were hanging over him.

Then he realized: a cold deadness was hanging over him.

The ghost hovered above the bed, leering down at Harry. Its thin lips twisted into a smirk. It emitted a high, cold laugh.

"No," Harry groaned, burying his head under his pillow.

"Yes," cackled Voldemort.

…

It was a nightmare, Harry told himself as he woke the next morning.

A hallucination, he insisted to himself as he and Ron clambered down the Burrow stairs.

It never happened, Harry decided as they sat down to breakfast with Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Percy, George, and Ginny.

Ginny. Harry's worries melted away under her blazing gaze. How ravishing she looked, even garbed in a black gown of mourning.

"Let's meet in the gardens," Harry mouthed to her.

Ginny nodded, her scarlet ponytail bobbing.

After breakfast, Harry and Ginny stood face-to-face in the overgrown garden behind the Burrow.

"Harry," Ginny murmured, "you did it. You finally killed him."

Harry bowed his head. "Not without a price," he replied.

Silence stretched between them as they remembered Fred and the others.

Ginny broke the silence. "Harry, they're watching over us," she whispered, tears moistening her eyes. "They're watching over us from the next world, the better world."

Harry nodded mutely, blinking back his own tears for fear of their non-masculinity.

Again, a gaping silence ensued.

Harry grabbed Ginny's shoulders. "Right before Voldemort hit me with the Avada Kedavra curse, I thought of you," he said hoarsely.

Ginny half-smiled through her tears. "I'm honored that the famous Potter remembered me."

Harry shook her gently. "Don't talk like that," he choked. "Ginny, I love you."

Ginny's eyes widened with revulsion.

Harry froze- did Ginny not love him back? Then he realized that Ginny was staring at a point behind him.

"Love?" hissed a high, cold voice. "That oh-so-powerful weapon that killed me?"

Harry spun 180 degrees, just in time to glimpse the silver specter zipping away. He released Ginny and sprinted after it.

"I'll be back, Gin," he called over his shoulder. "First, I have to settle matters with Voldemort."

…

AN: Let's end this chapter with a poem:

Harry Potter, as you've known,

Is a series Rowling owns.

Be a darling and review,

Then stay tuned for Chapter Two.