Written for The Forbidden Relationship Competition by AlwaysPadfoot.

Level: Superhard

Pairing: Ginny/Hannah

Section: B (The House Boundary Divide)

Words: 5281


Between the Lines

The door to the headmaster's office opened none too quietly, startling Fawkes the phoenix, roosting on his perch, into uttering a loud squawk. Albus Dumbledore looked up from his work as his visitors entered in a wave of rich purple and painful pink.

"Cornelius. Dolores." His electric blue eyes analysed them gravely over his half-moon spectacles. "Please take a seat."

In his purple cloak, Cornelius Fudge looked as unsure and blustering in front of the old headmaster as always. Dolores Umbridge's eyes, on the other hand, scanned every corner of the room coldly.

"Professor." She sent a simpering smile in his direction.

"What can I offer you? Tea? Milk? Pumpkin juice? Mead?" With each word, Dumbledore conjured two glasses of the said drink.

"Nothing, thank you," Fudge said stiffly, while Umbridge opted for the tea. For some time, there was a tense silence, during which the portraits of the late headmasters eyed the two visitors warily. Dumbledore, however, appeared unperturbed as he waited for the two to speak. After finishing her tea, Umbridge cleared her throat.

"Not to beat about the bush, we had – certain concerns about how this school is being run, Professor," she said.

"Oh?" Dumbledore looked at her keenly. "I was not aware that anyone had any complaints, Dolores."

"This is about the business of the petrifications some months ago, Albus," Fudge said. "The house system is clearly not fit in the way it is."

Dumbledore's expression hardened. "I fail to see how the two are connected."

"We heard from Lucius how the Gryffindor girl had the diary from which He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was operating. The Heir of Slytherin working through a Gryffindor! Some Slytherin student must have passed it to her."

"Firstly, you assume incorrectly," Dumbledore said coldly. "Second, I still do not see where you wish to go with this."

"Don't you see Albus? This interaction between houses must be stopped. It is because they interact that they developed problems, enmities! Separate the houses, and it is done!"

"What Lucius did not tell you that it was he himself who slipped the diary among the girl's belongings. It was not because of animosity between two houses, it was because of rivalries in the office! The student body has nothing to do with it," Dumbledore said, fury radiating off him in waves.

"It doesn't matter!" Fudge snapped, wiping a line of sweat from his forehead with a silk handkerchief. "If anything, this should be reason enough to separate the four houses, to prevent any future inter-house enmity."

The headmaster ran a tired hand through his beard. "This is absurd," he said. "You are a fool, Cornelius, if you imagine that this measure will help lower inter-house animosity."

"Well, too bad you can't do anything about it, Professor," Umbridge said in a sickly-sweet voice. She pulled out a formal-looking scroll with the Ministry's seal on it. "I am afraid this petition has been signed by every single governor of Hogwarts, as well as several eminent members of the Ministry."

-o0o-

"The same old things news apart, I have an announcement to make." The sudden change in Dumbledore's tone from playful to grim attracted everyone's attention. "As decreed by the Ministry, interaction between the houses has to be minimised. Inter-house competitions such as Quidditch will be continued normally, but other clubs and gatherings must reorganise themselves according to houses. Classes and Hogsmeade visits will be accordingly scheduled, separately for each house. I am afraid that teachers and prefects are instructed to deduct points on discovering intimate relationships between students of different houses."

An immediate and absolute silence fell in the Great Hall, before the mutterings started like wildfire. All around her, Ginny Weasley saw various reactions – the Slytherins looked mostly smug; Draco Malfoy mouthed something to Pansy which reduced her to hysterics. Beside her, Percy's face fell; his eyes moved towards the Ravenclaw table, where Ginny knew his girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater sat.

"Does that mean we are not allowed to prank the other houses too?" Fred asked George.

"Well, on the good side, we won't be seeing Malfoy's face a lot," Ron, sitting on Ginny's other side, said with a laugh.

"But why would they do this? Separating the houses even further… how does that even work?" asked Harry.

"Can't you guess, Harry?" Hermione said in hushed tones; Ginny had to lean a little to catch what she was saying. "It must be about the Chamber."

"The Chamber of Secrets? What about it?" Ron said loudly, before being hurriedly shushed by Hermione.

"It caused mass panic in Hogwarts, Ron. Thankfully, the media didn't get a clue on it, or Hogwarts could be in serious trouble. But after Lucius Malfoy's sacking, people must have looked more into it, and the students went home and told their parents about it. The Heir of Slytherin, the students of other houses being attacked, and if someone had found out that Riddle was operating through Ginny, you see how it looks."

"But this is absurd!" Harry protested. "It's utterly pointless! Wasn't the whole point of having houses was to promote interaction between the different types of students?"

"One can counter it by saying that segregation was the purpose behind the creation of houses," Hermione replied dejectedly.

Harry was still arguing, talking about how it was as bad as discriminating on the basis of blood-status, but Ginny wasn't listening anymore. All she could think about was how this rule had started because of the Chamber of Secrets, because she had written in the stupid diary, because she had let herself be lured by Tom. Percy lost his girlfriend because of her.

This is my fault.

-o0o-

The day was sunny, but Ginny felt so cold, sitting alone. They had a double break before Transfiguration, but she couldn't bring herself to spend time with her classmates. Not once since last night had she been able to look Percy in the eye. Look anyone in the eye, for that matter. Every second since the rule had been passed, there was only one thought in her head – It's my fault.

Ginny felt like she was sinking, slowly, and even more badly than last year.

"Hey." Ginny looked up to see a curtain of dirty-blonde hair surrounding a kind face. The person peered down at her for a few seconds before easing herself onto the ground beside Ginny. It was Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff in Ron's year.

"You are Ginny, aren't you?" Hanna asked. "Ginny Weasley."

"Yes," Ginny nodded with some surprise. "Didn't think you'd know me."

"Of course I know you," Hannah said with a small laugh. It was a sweet sound. "I had been visiting Professor Sprout about changing the schedule for my Divination classes, and you looked so sad, I came over. What's wrong, Ginny?"

Ginny sighed, looking away. How could she say it? "I – I can't tell you."

"Why not?" Ginny kept looking at the ground, and suddenly found cool fingers gently but firmly holding her chin and tipping her face upwards. "Ginny," Hannah's eyes were wide and concerned, her lips curving downwards, "What happened? Tell me, please. Maybe I can help. I won't tell anyone."

Ginny did not know what it was about the older girl – maybe the soft contours of her face, or her brown eyes which had something so compelling about them, or how she looked so genuinely concerned – that convinced Ginny to tell her what no one had bothered to ask her. Ron was simply too oblivious, Hermione was too busy and not so close to her, and Harry (and how she wished he would notice her and ask her, even once, if she was okay) and she never really talked properly. He had been very bothered about something this year. Ginny was a sort of tomboy, and did not go too well with the girls of her year. And now interacting with students of other houses was not an option, really – thanks to this new law – thanks to her. Perhaps she was desperate to confide in someone, to relieve herself of the pressure that was crushing her around the ribs.

"I – I think it's my fault," Ginny blurted out. Hannah frowned.

"Your fault? What is?"

"This – this new law."

"But this is the authority's decision. How can it be your fault?"

"Last year," Ginny whispered, her voice unsteady. Suddenly, she felt more broken than ever. "The Chamber of Secrets."

Hannah shrank a little. "What about it?" she faltered. "You nearly died there. Whatever – whoever it was, nearly killed you."

"Yes," Ginny fisted some grass from the ground. "You – you don't understand. It was me there."

Hannah involuntarily shifted a little away from Ginny. "What do you mean, it was you?" Her voice was shrill.

"I c-can't explain properly." Ginny felt tears burn at the corners of her eyes; she felt as vulnerable and terrified as she had last year, as every nightmarish memory came rushing back to her. "You Know Who was behind all that, but he – he was using me. He made me – I caused all those muggleborns to be petrified. The M-ministry knows some of this, and so they think that people from other houses shouldn't interact."

There was a long silence. Ginny looked very pointedly at the ground.

"T-the rule," she heard Hannah stutter. "We shouldn't be talking in the first place. I – I should go." She heard her shifting. Ginny did nothing to stop her. The footsteps shifted beside her, and then walked away. Ginny bit her lip to keep herself from sobbing as the tears flowed. She did not know why it hurt so bad; she should have expected nothing else. But it did.

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps returning, and before Ginny could look up, she was being wrapped in a tight hug. The sweet smell of mild jasmine invaded her senses.

"I'm so sorry." Hannah's voice was unsteady, her breath hot in Ginny's ears. "I shouldn't have left like that; it was so mean." Hannah pulled away, crouching beside a still stunned Ginny.

"It's not your fault, Ginny," she said soothingly, but firmly. "You didn't do anything. It was You Know Who, and we know that even strong men have fallen before him. None of this is your fault."

"I –" Ginny did not know what to say. She managed a smile. "Thank you."

"Thank you," Hannah smiled back. "For trusting me. I'm Hannah by the way; I just forgot to introduce myself."

This drew a proper laugh from Ginny. "I know."

"You do?" Hannah looked surprised, but then joined in Ginny's laughter. Her hand slipped into Ginny's. "I like you, Ginny."

Ginny grinned. "I like you too." Hannah had her hand still in Ginny's; it was soft and warm.

"I think we will be good friends." A rebellious brilliance came to Hannah's soft brown eyes. "And I am not letting some stupid rule get in the way."

Ginny only smiled and smiled; she couldn't help think how nice Hannah's comforting hand was in hers.

-o0o-

The Great Hall was crowded with students. As Ginny clutched her blankets to her chest, looking for a place to sleep among the sheer number of students making their place on the floor, she was suddenly met with a pair of arms wrapping around her torso.

"I was so worried," Hannah said breathlessly. "Ernie just told me what happened. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ginny assured her. "Nothing happened to any of us, in fact. Just the Fat Lady getting slashed."

"It was Sirius Black, wasn't he?" Hannah's voice was so shrill Ginny had to hurriedly shush her. "That's why they are conducting a search! I knew it! But they won't find him that way, of course; I know that Black can turn himself into a potted plant! They should look around in the greenhouses."

The suggestion was so ridiculous that Ginny could not hold back a snort. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You don't believe me either, do you?" Hannah frowned. "No one does. But you'll see, you'll see I was right when –"

"Okay, I think we should just find a place to sleep now." Ginny hurriedly cut her off. "They have asked each house to occupy a particular corner of the Hall."

"You won't come with me?" Hannah's face fell. "I – well I –"

"But the rule –"

"Oh, come on, we are friends already, aren't we?" Hannah scoffed. "Who cares for that rule? I am sure many others are breaking it secretly. Just come away already, won't you? I asked Justin to save two places."

Ginny looked a little unsurely at the crowd of Gryffindors near her; Harry would be near Hermione and Ron, there was no one who wanted her. Besides, there was no greater thrill than that of rule-breaking, right? She nodded, and gathering her things, followed Hannah into the crowd of Hufflepuffs. Thankfully, everyone was already asleep, and nobody noticed her. Ginny covered herself till neck with her blanket to avoid detection from passing teachers.

The moonlight bathed them as the two girls lay, face to face, and Ginny couldn't help think how bright Hannah's eyes looked in the faint light, and how pretty the slight swell of her parted lips was.

"Tell me what you like to do," Hannah said suddenly, making Ginny blink out of her reverie.

"Huh?" She shook her head slightly.

"Tell me about yourself. I want to know you."

So Ginny spoke about her hobbies and her family and her life in Gryffindor, and in return, Hannah told about herself, and they never noticed when their eyes closed in the midst of all the talk.

-o0o-

"You going to the Yule Ball tomorrow?" Hannah asked lazily as the two of them basked in the light of the dying sun, on the shore of the Lake. Over the course of these years, Ginny had found a true friend in Hannah, and they had managed to keep their friendship a secret from everyone. They talked after hours or between classes, either in secluded places or in spaces so crowded that no one would notice them. They sent owls to each other without signing off; it was an effective way. Ginny thoroughly enjoyed it.

"Yes, Neville asked me," Ginny replied. "Are you?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. Ernie needed a partner. I think Eric is more handsome though. I was hoping he'd ask, but Ernie got there first."

"Yes," Ginny hummed. "I know that feeling." She had felt bad saying no to Harry when he asked at the last moment, but not as bad as she might have felt any other time. She was growing up.

"Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"Would you – would you consider dating someone from other houses?"

Ginny looked at Hannah, frowning a little. "Why do you ask?"

Hannah's cheeks turned unexpectedly pink. "I – well – no –" she spluttered. "Since you are already mixing with people from other houses – I was curious."

"First, it's not that I am, and I quote, 'mixing with people from other houses', it's only you. And I don't think relationships are worth the risk. I mean, we have plenty of dateable boys in Gryffindor." She pushed away the image of bright green eyes behind round glasses. "So my answer is, no."

"Oh." Hannah seemed to deflate a little. Ginny looked at her curiously, wondering if she should say something, but eventually settled for letting the silence be as the sun set.

-o0o-

Ginny's back crashed against the back of the broom closet, the brooms and buckets making a loud clattering noise.

"Mmm, be gentle, Mich – ohh." Her chastising dissolved into a moan as Michael Corner focused his attention and his mouth on her neck.

"We are too loud, someone might hear us," Ginny managed to say, regaining coherence.

"It's fine, baby. Stop caring for a second." Michael, swiped his tongue on Ginny's neck and sucked on her pale skin, making her promptly lose the train of thought.

She and Michael had started seeing each other a few months ago. Last year's Yule Ball had given Ginny an epiphany; after having Neville ask her to the Ball and Harry doing it only when it was too late and simply because he found no other girls, Ginny had lost all hopes of dating him. She began seeing other boys, mainly to distract herself and to get herself to talk to Harry without getting nervous. Her choice of boys was largely from other houses; the secrecy necessary was a lovely shot of adrenaline into the relationship.

Michael's hands were now running up her dress and Ginny was feeling delirious from all the desire and the heat in this cramped space, when the door of the broom closet flew open with a huge creak. Ginny found herself looking into the eyes of the person she wanted to see the least at the moment.

Hannah Abbott's face was a kaleidoscope, her expression changing from shock to dismay to faint disgust to anger and Merlin knows what. Ginny felt herself shrink away from her as she and Michael stared at the now prefect, looking like deer in the headlights.

"I – c-can't believe this," Hannah muttered, and shook her head. She looked angrier than Ginny had ever seen her before, and somehow vulnerable. Then her expression turned icy. "Twenty points each from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw for having an intimate relationship despite being in separate houses," she snapped. "Also, ten points from each for staying out after hours."

And with that, she stalked off.

For seconds, Ginny was frozen, still in Michael's arms. Then, ignoring her boyfriend's calls, she sprinted after the Hufflepuff prefect. `

"Hannah!" she called. "Hannah, wait!"

She had to run a fair distance before Hannah acquiesced.

"What?" she snapped. Ginny took a step back.

"T-that was uncalled for," she said.

"What was?" Hannah retorted. "You were breaking a rule, Ginny. It is my duty to take appropriate action."

"What's wrong with you?" Ginny cried, her temper rising. "I thought you were on my side here. We are friends by defying this rule. What is your problem if I date boys from other houses?"

"My problem –?" Hannah's voice rose sharply, then dissolved into a string of inaudible mutterings. She turned away from Ginny and started walking. Then she stopped short and whirled around.

"I never believed it," she screamed, and Ginny could see her lips trembling. "They told me how you were seeing Ravenclaws, even Hufflepuffs, but I never believed them because I trusted you! You told me you'd never date people from other houses, Ginny!"

Somehow, Hannah's words hit Ginny like a slap to the face. "So – so what if I changed my mind? Why does it bother you so much?"

"Because I love you!" Hannah screamed the words out, and then silence fell in the long corridor. Her voice seemed to echo off the corners.

"What?" Ginny whispered. Hannah's eyes were dripping tears. She hurriedly wiped her face with her sleeve.

"You heard me the first time," she whispered, and suddenly Ginny noticed how close they were; hardly six inches separated them. When had Hannah moved? "Don't pretend," Hannah continued in a whisper. "I." Her eyes were swimming with tears, like pools of chocolate. "Love." How had she never noticed the slightest smattering of freckles on her pale skin? "You." The torchlight bounced off her dirty-blonde hair, turning it golden.

"I – I –" Ginny stuttered, not knowing what to say. Then suddenly, Hannah's lips were on hers, and all Ginny could think was how soft they were, so much softer than any other set she had known before, gliding gently against hers, and she could not help herself from moving her lips in sync with hers. Hannah's hand reached up, gripping Ginny's hair, gently pulling her even closer. Her other hand gripped Ginny's fingers, her thumb softly caressing her palm. Ginny let out a soft sigh, submitting to her as Hannah's tongue dipped tentatively into her mouth.

Suddenly, a cat yowled somewhere close, and the noise snapped Ginny back to reality. She pulled away from Hannah with a gasp.

"I – I'm sorry, I can't do this," she said.

"Why?" The look on Hannah's face was heart-breaking. "What's wrong with this? After everything you have done? What's wrong with me?"

Ginny only shook her head. The corners of her eyes were burning. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, and freeing her hand from Hannah's, ran, not looking back.

-o0o-

Ginny felt lonely these days. Ever since that evening, she and Hannah had stopped interacting; the other girl had given her no opportunity to set things right. Hannah avoided Ginny at every situation, and seeing as the ban on inter-house interaction was still on, opportunities for them to talk were scarce in the first place. Even during the Dumbledore's Army sessions last year, Hannah ensured that the two of them never interacted.

Ginny's joining the Quidditch team had kept her somewhat busy, and she had started dating Dean after the episode with Michael. She was now a closer friend to Hermione, who was a good person, but not having Hannah in her life, things just weren't the same. Hannah was different. She needed Hannah, in ways she hadn't even fathomed.

She was loitering around the broom shed wondering if she should do some practice flying outside the regular schedule, when a body barrelled into her. The familiar comforting smell of jasmine penetrated her, and suddenly, Ginny was home.

By the time she opened her eyes, Hannah was already stepping back.

"That was inappropriate, sorry," she said in a brittle voice, and Ginny noticed how her eyes were bloodshot as if she had spent a long time crying, and everything about her was an uncharacteristic mess. She looked stoic for a second, but then Hannah's façade crumbled. "But I don't care, oh, I –" And she broke down in tears.

Without conscious thought, Ginny found herself hugging the older girl.

"Hannah, Hannah," she said worriedly, "What happened?"

"My – My mum died. T-they killed her." Hannah hiccupped. The words hit Ginny like a hurtling storm.

"Oh Merlin, I am so sorry!" Ginny held Hannah as she sank to the floor, taking her down as well. For a long time, the only sound was that of Hannah sobbing as Ginny kept her arms round her, not knowing what to say.

"I'm leaving," Hannah mumbled after her tears had subsided. Ginny's right leg was asleep by that time.

"Huh?" Ginny blinked.

"Dad wrote to me, McGonagall gave me the letter when she told the news about Mum." Hannah sniffed. "He wants me to leave Hogwarts. He is coming to take me tomorrow."

"What?" Ginny yelped, pulling back. "But Hogwarts is the safest place in the country!"

"I know," The tears were back in Hannah's eyes. "But he doesn't understand."

"I – I don't know what to say." Ginny looked down, her emotions suddenly caught up by storm. She had not been prepared for anything like this. "I – what can I do to make you stay?"

But Hannah only shook her head, making Ginny's heart break further and further. The patch of dust on the ground that her gaze found suddenly seemed the happiest thing around.

"Stay with me. Please." Ginny's gaze snapped up at Hannah's plea.

"What?"

"I know I haven't acted well all this time – but – but I still care about you. Stay with me today, I beg of you."

"Where should we go?"

"You tell me."

They chose the Room of Requirement as their recluse. It conjured a big bed for them, and the two girls held each other close.

"I never got to tell you – I care for you too," Ginny said hesitatingly. Hannah's face reflected blank shock for a few second, before being replaced by delight.

"I – really?"

Ginny nodded with a smile. "Really."

And then Hannah's lips were on hers again, and the kiss was feverish, desperate, salvaging the last few moments they had together. The passion rose, their hands roamed, and Ginny soared in the storm of emotions and sensations that had caught her up.

"I love you," she gasped, her vision tinged with red as she kissed Hannah with feverish devotion, their tongues battling each other for dominance. "I love you."

The look on Hannah's face was of pure joy. "I love you too," she replied, planting a tender kiss on Ginny's forehead.

Neither acknowledged that it was their first and last night together.

-o0o-

Dear Ginny,

I'll keep this short, since I sent you a letter only five days ago. But I just couldn't keep myself from wishing you the best for the Quidditch finals. I know how important this is for you. I know how unfaithful to my house I sound saying this (but we both know it's only for you), but I hope you win. Play well, and for Merlin's sake, try not to get hurt! Turn Ravenclaw to dust!

We are staying at Gran's this week, in Wales. This constant moving makes me sick, but Dad has been paranoid ever since Mum was killed, so he'll have it no other way. The only good thing in this is that Gran's pancakes are delicious, so much better than Aunt Julia's inedible pot pies. Last week was so bad, I thought I'd just give up eating for life.

Anyway, tell me how the match went. I wish I could be there to watch it. And even more, to give you a celebratory kiss, among other things.

Stay safe. Write soon,

Lovingly yours,

Hannah.

The Gyffindor common room was erupting with celebration; bottles of firewhiskey and butterbeer were being passed around, and everyone was shouting, jumping and dancing. But alone in a corner, Ginny's hands were shaking ever so slightly as she read Hannah's letter. She did not know what was making her so emotional, but as she quietly folded the piece of parchment and slipped it back into her robes, she couldn't stop the longing to see the girl she loved. The letter had come in the morning post, but Ginny was too nervous about the match to read it properly. Now, reading it again, her heart ached even as all around her, her housemates shouted in jubilation.

Ginny looked up at the noise suddenly rising to a peak, and suddenly knew who it was. All in a moment, she felt a surge of emotions for the boy she had once loved, a rising anger for him not being there to save a match; his absence had cost her a solid hit of a bludger to the arm. Tearing through the crowd, she went ahead just as Harry's face appeared at the portrait hole.

They were close now, almost face to face. "We won, Harry! We won! Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty!" Ron was yelling. And all of a sudden, his arms were around her, and the dream that Ginny had all those years ago was coming true, and a deadly silence had fallen around them, and Ginny had stopped thinking.

To give you a celebratory kiss, among other things.

Ginny's heart screamed. She let Harry kiss her.

-o0o-

All she could think as she sat in the Room of Requirement was how good it was to be back at Hogwarts. Almost all the members of the Dumbledore's Army were there, and like the time back in her fourth year when Harry had tutored them, no one was following the rule banning inter-house interaction. Harry was looking at her with dismay, and Ginny guessed he didn't want her fighting (he still cared about her, despite her ending things between them only after a month or so – she just couldn't lie to herself into settling for a once-dream any longer). But when Cho offered to take Harry to the Ravenclaw tower, she couldn't help interrupting:

"No, Luna will take Harry. Won't you, Luna?"

She may have her love for a person other than Harry, but that didn't mean that she couldn't hate Cho.

Once the two were gone, the others started pestering Ron and Hermione for the details of their adventure. But Ginny didn't feel listening to her brother's animated description of how Hermione had pretended to be Bellatrix, and sat dejectedly in her armchair, until the hole leading to the Hog's Head opened again.

Ginny was left staring.

Hannah was climbing out of the hole, shaking her long hair free of sleet and tangles. She looked rougher and more tried than how she had looked before; there was a scar near her chin, but her eyes were still the brilliant liquid chocolate. Ginny had never seen anyone look more beautiful.

"Heard there was a fight coming," she said, smiling, her eyes roaming. "I couldn't let my father hold me back anymore."

Out of the corner of her eyes, Ginny saw Neville's cheeks turn pink, but then Hannah's eyes found hers, and Ginny forgot everything else. Before they knew it, the two girls were moving towards each other. Their hands met, then their lips.

It was easy to forget that they were in the middle of a crowded room, that this shouldn't have happened in the first place. For a few moments, Ginny was in that corridor with prefect Hannah, in the bed driven by unnamed emotions. But when they pulled away, the entire room was silent, and everyone was staring. Ron's jaw was hanging, Neville looked like he had been slapped. Even Hermione looked shell-shocked.

"They are staring," Ginny whispered.

Hannah looked nervous for a moment, but then a smile crept across her face. "Like I care," she whispered back, and stole a kiss on Ginny's cheek, taking her by surprise. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too," Ginny smiled back. "You shouldn't have come," she added despite herself.

"Nuh, uh," Hannah smirked. "I'd had enough protection."

"We will talk a lot after the war, okay?" Ginny said fiercely. "You're not running away again." She meant it in every possible way.

Hannah smiled, but there was worry in her eyes. "After the war." She nodded.

-o0o-

Ginny sat at the Gryffindor table at the welcoming feast, staring at the cracked glass on one of the windows. They had mostly recovered Hogwarts, but it was not the same. There was a lot of damage still to be fixed, and much which was impossible to. After Voldemort's fall in May, the staff had only had months to bring the school into a manageable state, so that the classes could resume in September. Those who had not been able to sit for their NEWTs and were still interested, had got into Ginny's year to complete their studies. Two seats away, Ginny saw Hermione stare at the enchanted ceiling with a fond smile.

A pair of hands covered her eyes. Ginny managed to free herself, only to get lost in the smiling brown eyes.

"Hi," Hannah smiled bashfully as she perched temporarily at her side.

"Hi!" Ginny found herself smiling broadly. "I wasn't sure if you'd come."

"How could I not? I have my education to finish. I'm hoping to apply as a healer after that. Though McGonagall says I'll have to work extra hard to manage my half-done sixth year." An adorable crease came over Hannah's brow.

"It's the same for me," Ginny said. "You'll do fine."

"I suppose." Hannah nodded. "But you know what the best thing is?" Her face split into a brilliant smile. Ginny couldn't help smile back.

Hannah leant in. "I have you for a whole year," she whispered. "And nothing is forbidden anymore."

Ginny laughed, kissing her quickly. "You have me for as long as you want."

The Great Hall was lit by thousands of candles. But to Ginny, there was nothing as brilliant as Hannah's smile at that moment.

-The End-