"Restless Night"

Ginny tossed and turned but sleep wouldn't overtake her. The silence was unbearable and her heart began to ache with the thoughts that constantly ran through her mind. Memories bombarded her and knocked her hard in her opening wound, making it hard to breathe.

Over the years, she had trusted to be comforted by Hermione when sleep and relaxation were replaced with unrest and tension. But now, when Ginny looked toward the bed across the room, she found it empty. No comforting words would be spoken from the darkness. Only silence…

She rested her head on the pillow, hoping beyond hope that this time, sleep would find her. She closed her eyes and instantly she saw what she didn't want to remember…

The kiss…

Ginny tossed and turned, but still, the image tightened its grip on her mind; forcing her to watch the memory unfold…

Harry's arms around her; his fingers tangling through her mess of fiery hair. Her hands pushing him closer to her; a grip meant to never let him go. His hand trembling as it ran down her back and stopped, gently holding her in place. Their lips…molding…melting together until Ron interrupted, no flash of any type of apology in his eyes…

This replayed over and over again…pain reaching in and grasping tight to the broken, fragile pieces of Ginny's heart…making her gasp in unwanted agony.

The kiss…

The passion…

The bliss…

The pain…

The pain wouldn't cease…Every replay of that memory bombarded Ginny with the pounding realization that she had been wrong.

"I shouldn't have done that…" she groaned, pulling herself up, wiping her cheeks. She hadn't noticed the tears that were overflowing through her closed eyelids. "I never should've kissed him…"

The moonlight seeped through the window but the room was still pitch black. Ginny didn't even have to close her eyes; the darkness brought the memory to her mind even stronger. She threw herself unto her pillow, burying her face in its soft depths. She could stay there forever; eyes closed to see the memory again. She'd stay there forever if it meant she'd die instead of feel the pain…as long as she wouldn't have to feel the pain she had caused.

But suddenly, from some unknown source, Harry's tormented face surfaced in front of her closed eyes. He gazed at her in nervousness. His mouth opened and he whispered;

"Stay with me tonight?"

"And you won't leave?" she asked, her heart pounding.

"As long as you will have me…"

"I'll always have you…" her mind whispered.

She saw Harry's face brighten and an insecure smile spread across his nervous face. "There's the silver lining I've been looking for."

Ginny couldn't help but grin at this reply. It was as if her subconscious were bringing her comfort. Harry would always be there…no matter how far away he seemed…

She closed her eyes tighter and it felt as though Harry's arms had wrapped themselves around her weary form; a comforting feeling. Her heart began to calm and her breathing slowed to an even pace…slumber had found her…and so had Harry…

"Stay with me tonight?"