Chapter 11

Ginny awoke slowly and drowsily, and the first fact she registered was that she was warm. She was lying on what felt like a soft and cushy couch, with a warm blanket tucked snugly around her.

The environment didn't seem familiar, though. "Where am I?" she murmured drowsily, not really expecting an answer and not really caring.

Therefore she was somewhat shocked when a voice responded from across the room, "Room of Requirement."

That voice…the memory of what had just transpired rushed back in upon her. She flew up, sending the blanket flying and stared wildly around her. There, sitting in an armchair next to a small, crackling fire, was none other than Harry himself, looking anxious and concerned.

"Harry," she whispered, tears starting in her eyes. "Are you real?"

A tiny, tremulous smile appeared on Harry's lips in answer. "Yes," he replied simply, "I'm real."

"Can I—" her voice broke. "Can I have a hug?"

It took two strides for him to cross the room, and then his arms were around her, just as they had encircled her so many times before, and she buried her face in his shirt and cried. It was as if all of the pain, anguish, and uncertainty of the past few months had been let loose in a torrent, and she was unable to hold it back anymore. Harry said nothing, just sat there and held her, stroking her hair gingerly with one hand and waiting for her sobs to cease.

At last she quieted, having no idea how long she had been crying for. She lay quietly within the circle of Harry's arms. The position was so heartbreakingly familiar, and felt so real. It was like coming to life again, as if life had been passing by in a dream, and only now had she finally awoken once more.

So many questions, though. Where should she start?

"Why here?" she murmured quietly. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Well," replied Harry somewhat sheepishly, "I didn't know the Gryffindor password. And I didn't want to see everyone else—not until I'd seen you and talked to you first."

Ginny digested this for several long, peaceful minutes. And then she had to voice the question that was burning away at her.

"Why?" she asked simply. "Why didn't you come back?"

Harry exhaled slowly. "I was afraid," he admitted at last. "A poor trait for a Gryffindor. I couldn't face what I'd done, couldn't face myself, and since I couldn't face me I couldn't bring myself to return to all of you."

Ginny looked quickly at his face, and with a slightly sinking heart realized that she knew the expression he was wearing. It was his Determined expression. He was screwing himself up to do something that he really didn't want to do—which, she fretted, couldn't possibly bode well for her.

He continued without pause, as if to pause would be too much and he wouldn't be able to go through with what he was saying. "I was unfair to you. To all of you, really, but especially to you. I didn't think about the pain I was causing, about how hurt the rest of you must be feeling. All I was thinking about was myself, and how miserable I was feeling. I came here to apologize."

He pulled away from her, and Ginny sat up looking desperately into his eyes.

"I had no right to do that to you. It took the advice of people far wiser than me to make me even see what I had done, and even more to convince me to take action. I'm a coward, and my selfishness has caused you more harm than good. I'm sorry, Ginny. I really don't deserve you. Any of you. It was a mistake to come back, I realize that now. Just know that I'm sorry, and that I wish I could have been a better person—because you deserve only the best, and someone who won't hurt you. Ever."

And he rose quickly to his feet, obviously steeling himself to walk away.

"Harry!" she cried after him in a strangled voice, clutching at his hand and not letting himself turn away. She leaped to her feet, her brilliant red hair cascading down her back and her soft brown eyes on fire.

"Don't go. Don't you dare walk out of my life again. I will make the decision as to who I deserve, thank you very much. And you haven't listened to what I have to say yet!" She realized she was crying again, and didn't care.

"Don't you remember what I told you, after Dumbledore's funeral? I never gave up. I never gave up on you then, Harry, and I never was willing to give up on you now! For the past four months, everyone has been trying to convince me you were gone, you were dead, you weren't coming back. And I just could not believe them. Part of me continued to wait, continued to doubt, and to wonder, despite all logic pointing to the contrary. I have been waiting for you to come back, Harry. And now that you're finally back, you're going to try and leave again? I don't bloody well think so!" She took a deep breath, and looked him straight in the eye.

"I love you, Harry," she said simply. "Without you, it was as if the world didn't matter anymore. Having you back is like—being alive again. I need you, Harry. Don't leave me."

Harry stood looking back at her, speechless. Then without another word, he wrapped his arms around her once more, bent down, and kissed her.

It was like coming home. She had kissed Harry so many times in the past…but now, it was as if a missing piece in the puzzle of her life had finally snapped into place. This was right. This was how life was meant to be.

She melted into his embrace, rejoicing in the feel of his lips on hers, on his being so very warm, and real, and alive right there with her.

"Ginny," Harry said hoarsely when they broke apart, "I love you. And I'm sorry for everything."

"I think I'll manage to forgive you," responded Ginny teasingly, "As long as you swear to never leave me again."

"Never!" he replied, and kissed her again.

A/N: No, this is not the end! I have still not quite finished it, but will update when I do. And no, it won't be another eighteen months, I promise! There should be one, possibly two more chapters. Hope you all enjoyed it so far!