Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Authors Notes:  Thanks to everyone who reviewed… Here is the next chapter… We hope you all enjoy it…

Over the next few days I'll be going back and reloading chapters 1 – 8 both Carolyn and I have done another round of editing, and have found a few mistakes and problems with continuity…

Don't forget to review… and please go and read my new story, 'Wishes do come true' it is a one chaptered fic'let, that is complete…

Rhiain

Chapter 14

The Note under the Bedroom Door

~*~

The morning sunlight filtered through the open window, a gentle breeze moving the curtains through the air; sunlight fell on Harry's face.  He opened his eyes slowly and blinked several times.  It was bright, too bright.  As his eyes adjusted to the change in light he looked down to see Ginny laying on her side with her arm flung possessively over his chest.  He glanced at the bedside clock which read 09.30.  He slowly moved away from Ginny praying that he wouldn't wake her.

She shifted slightly, murmured something and went back to sleep.  Harry let out the breath he'd been holding in and slid out of bed.  It was a Weasley trait to talk and mumble in their sleep.  Picking up his glasses next to the clock, he moved quietly into the bathroom, taking care to close the door quietly.

He showered quickly and then, standing with a towel around his waist, he tried to tame his unruly hair in front of the bathroom mirror.  He was muttering exasperatedly about his hair, when the mirror spoke up.

"Dear boy, you are fighting a losing battle.  Short of shaving your head, you'll never quite tame it."

"That's not exactly what I was wanting to hear you know," replied Harry a little sardonically.

"What does it matter?" the mirror replied. "She will love you no matter what."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise.  He'd never received unsolicited commentary about his love life from a magical mirror before.

"Thanks, and now I'm going to go get breakfast organised," he replied to the mirror.

"Try and find a little posy of flowers to put on the tray," suggested the mirror.

Harry smiled and left the bathroom.  He quietly made his way through the bedroom, opened the door quietly, checked once more that Ginny was still sleeping and moved out into the hallway.

Ten minutes later he was back up in their room.  He'd organised breakfast to be sent up in half an hour, had gone outside to pick some wild flowers [he knew she loved them] and had left them with the manager on duty downstairs with instructions.

He crept back into the room just in time to see Ginny roll over towards the door and settle herself on her stomach.  Her eyelids crept open; she was obviously struggling to wake up.  Harry crossed to the bed and sat down next to her.

"Come on sleepyhead, it's morning," whispered Harry.  He kissed her gently on the back of the neck, hoping that would wake her up a little.

"Mmmm, no, go 'way," mumbled Ginny.  "Really tired."

"How come you're still tired?  I thought you would have been well rested after a good nights' sleep." replied Harry smiling.

"Didn't get to sleep until really late," mumbled Ginny as she turned over onto her back, her eyes squinting in the bright light of mid morning.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.  "We went to bed at the same time… didn't we?" he asked her, a little worried.

"Yes my love, we did, but whereas you fell blissfully into a deep slumber, my brain was still buzzing.  I couldn't sleep, so after a few minutes I got up and…"  Ginny faltered here.

"What?  Ginny what?  Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's great.  It's nothing really.  I wrote a song last night," Ginny began sheepishly, looking embarrassed.

"Wow…" replied Harry, not really knowing what to say.  "But that's good… isn't it?"

"Yeah, it was amazing.  It's never happened like that before, but the words, the music, it was all in my head and I just couldn't sleep, so I got up and wrote it."  Ginny sat up and looked into Harry eyes.

"I thought you were tired?" Harry replied softly, taking her hand in his and caressing it gently.  "You look exhausted," he finished gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks a lot!" Ginny exclaimed, pretending to be offended.  She knew she looked awful.  She certainly didn't need a mirror to tell her that.

"Exhausted, but beautiful," he said gently, leaning forward to drop a kiss on the tip of her freckled nose.  Ginny just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Flattery will get you nowhere," she smiled at him beguilingly.

"No, really, you look gorgeous.  I can't believe I didn't wake up though.  How long were you up?  What time did you come to bed?"

"About ten to five this morning," said Ginny, before yawning and stretching, trying to wake up.

"Ginny," murmured Harry, "you need rest, not all night writing sessions."

"I know Harry, but with everything that's happened since Friday night, my brain's kind of on overload I suppose."  She looked at him wistfully for just a moment, then her eyelashes fluttered down to her cheeks for a moment, before flicking back up to him.

Harry was content with this explanation, but still curious about the song she'd written.  He waited patiently; he could see she wanted to say something.

"I just… it… it was a song about the last three years, about how I was/am feeling.  That's all," said Ginny quietly after a moment.

"Will you sing it for me?" asked Harry just as quietly, lacing his fingers through her tiny ones.

"I don't think so," Ginny replied shyly.  "I don't even know how it's going to sound.  I've got to get together with the band and have a jam session to nut out the specifics yet."

Harry was disappointed, but he understood how protective she was about her music.  He felt that way about his Firebolt and professional Quidditch moves he figured out for himself.

"Okay then, well how about you get up, shower, get dressed and we have breakfast.  It should be here in about 20 minutes," suggested Harry.

"I have a better idea.  How about you kiss me senseless and come back to bed," whispered Ginny seductively, as she leaned closer to Harry.  She snuck her arms up his chest and around his neck before kissing him deeply.  Harry wrapped his arms around her and climbed back into bed, put his glasses on the bedside table, his lips never leaving hers, even for a moment.

~*~

Adam woke up slowly.  Even before he was fully awake he recognised that he had a blinding headache.  Too much VB the night before obviously.  He took in his surroundings as he lowered his feet gently to the floor.

It was a ramshackle place.  Falling apart and, he'd discovered last night, it was Unplottable, which was exactly what they needed.  They being Draco and himself.  They'd ended up leaving the pub around midnight and apparating near to Draco's place.

It had been a wild night in some ways.

Of all the people on the whole planet that Adam could have run into, he would never in a million years have guessed it to be another wizard - not in his neck of the woods anyway.

Adam's background was like a train wreck.  His uni friends knew the truth, it was just a different version of the actual truth.  As far as his friends knew, Adam's mother had died when he was about four years old.  His father had brought him up, but had been a tough father figure.  There hadn't been a lot of love and comfort from his father growing up.  Adam had had to be a survivor from a very young age.  He was rough around the edges, but he didn't allow anyone to discover what was underneath.  Most people, magic or otherwise, couldn't conceive of what lay beneath the bland exterior.

Adam hadn't any real friends at all.  Just people he hanged with for a while.

Now the difference between what his uni friends knew and what the actual truth was, was only a fraction different.  But the difference was enormous if you knew the truth.  He was a wizard.  A secret that no one else alive in his world knew about, but him.  And now Draco.

He laughed to himself.  John Smythe.  What a name!  Thank Christ it wasn't his real name.  Draco.  It was obviously destiny that they should meet, if you believed in that sort of crap; the two of them, of all the people to meet up with each other, it was a billion to one chance.  And yet they had.  Interesting…

For what purpose?  Well, that was what today would reveal.  He was pretty smug that he could trace his Dark heritage back as far back as he could.  However, Draco had the right upbringing and the two of them were like peas in a pod.  Perfectly suited.

And the timing was perfect!  Everything was falling into place, and Draco didn't even know the whole story yet!

~*~

She felt like she was being devoured.  And the sensation was scaring her.  Her brain was spiralling into a dark place and although she tried, she wasn't strong enough to stop it!

Ginny's breath quickened as Harry trailed his lips down her neck and across her shoulders, slipping the strap of her nightdress off her shoulder so he didn't lose contact with her skin.

Ginny tried to stop the flow of images from crashing through her brain, but she couldn't.  No!  No!  Not again!  She suddenly pushed Harry away and leapt out of bed, her breath coming in quick gasps.

"Ginny?" asked Harry.  "What's wrong?"

Ginny couldn't talk.

"Ginny, talk to me.  What's wrong?"  Harry felt strange.  What was going on?  Just as he thought things were okay, the world seemed to flip on him again.  He scrutinised Ginny closely.  Her eyes were glazed, she was staring at him; she was shaking like a leaf.  She was scared… of him?  Before his brain could even process the reasons behind what was happening, he shoved those thoughts out of the way and just concentrated on Ginny.  Thank goodness for his Auror training.  The ability to compartmentalise information was one he had honed to a fine art.  And he needed it now.

"Ginny.  I'm not going to hurt you."  He spoke quietly, gently, not moving from where he sat on the bed.  Any movement could startle her into running; she looked poised for flight.

"Ginny.  It's okay.  You're safe.  You're not in any danger."

From where she stood Ginny heard Harry's voice.  She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, hoping to wipe the images from her mind.  But Harry's voice was seeping into her brain like a fog creeping along the waterfront in London.  What was he saying?  She concentrated with all of her might; took a deep, steadying breath.  She was cold and shaking all over.  She opened her eyes slowly, a tear creeping out from under her eyelashes.

Harry watched her quietly.  To an observer, he looked amazingly calm.  In actual fact he was anything but; he was freaking out.  Ginny was exhibiting all the signs of someone who had suffered from some sort of captivity and inflicted pain.  All that came to mind was her time with Tom Riddle, but that had been so many years ago, and she told him yesterday that she hadn't had that nightmare for a long time now.  So what was causing this reaction now?  He was about to speak up again, when there was a sharp knock at the door.

Ginny jumped and turned to the door, looking terrified.

Harry moved quickly from the bed and put his arms around her from behind so that he could stop her from doing anything rash.  "It's okay Ginny.  It's probably just the breakfast I ordered."

Ginny bit her lower lip and turned slowly in his embrace.  She was all stiff and rigid, but Harry just held her; murmured softly into her hair and gently kissed her forehead.

"It's okay.  I've got you.  You're safe.  Nothing's happened."  Harry kept comforting Ginny until he felt her relax in his arms.  She felt like a dead weight.  "Ginny?"  Harry shifted Ginny in his arms so he could see her face.  She was unconscious.  He carried her over to the bed and laid her on it gently.

He looked at the door and noticed that a note had been slipped under the door.  He crossed the room quickly and picked it up, all the while keeping his eyes on Ginny.

The note was from Ron.

Dear Harry & my innocent baby sister,

Harry smiled to himself.  He knew Ron was still grappling with the fact that Ginny was all grown up.  He'd been a bit like that even before she had disappeared.

The boys and Emily were up early and have packed up and headed back home to Melbourne.  Apparently there's a gig tonight and they're playing, so they'll meet you at the pub just before 7pm.

That was news to Harry, not that it mattered.  Ginny would have had to go back for school on Monday anyway.

And they asked me to send you this note, so as to remind Ginny that there was a gig on, just in case she forgot, what with all the sudden guest appearances by the four of us in her life after three years absence.

And just in case you haven't eaten yet, we've got so much left over from breakfast, that Anne says you are more than welcome to come and share it with us.  But Anne also says that if you want a  private breakfast, she understands and we'll see you for lunch instead.

Sirius also adds, that hopefully by then, you'll be out of bed!

Obviously Hermione is aghast at this honest repertoire of conversation, but we're just enjoying teasing the hell out of you from a distance, because Sirius really doesn't want to duel with Ginny any time soon!

See you at lunch,

Ron

Harry allowed himself a grin.  Looked like Ron was finally coming to terms with a grown up Ginny.  And he almost laughed at Hermione's reaction.

Although there certainly wasn't anything to write home about at this point.  He crossed to the bed, pulled his wand and said "Enervate" to wake her.  Ginny slowly opened her eyes, looking disoriented.

Harry gently pushed her hair out of her eyes, and cupped her face with his hand.  "Hi there.  Are you okay?"

Ginny didn't respond.  She just looked at Harry and then tears crept out and down her cheeks.

"Ginny.  It's okay.  Whatever's going on… it's okay.  You're safe now."  Harry was starting to panic, even if it wasn't noticeable.

Ginny swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, and looked away.  She couldn't look at him.  She was so ashamed.  How could she tell him?  How could she tell anyone?  She couldn't.  Ginny started to sob; she turned away from Harry, not wanting him to see what was she feeling.  Not wanting him to guess at what was wrong.  She knew the training he'd had as an Auror; he would be imagining all sorts of scenarios to match up with her behaviour.  But she… couldn't bear the look on his face once he knew.  But another emotion rose that was just as powerful as her fear.  Love.  She didn't want to lose him again.

"Ginny, please look at me," Harry asked urgently.  Now he was panicking.  What the hell was going on?  What had happened to make her react this way?

Ginny turned back to Harry.  She was gulping, crying and shaking all over.  She lifted a hand to him in a silent plea; Harry caught it and pulled her into his embrace.  He held her while she cried and cried her heart out.  He had no idea what could be wrong, but as long as she wasn't running away, that was all that mattered.  Whatever it was – they could work it out together.  Whatever it was.

Harry held her like that for ages.  There was a knock on the door, and Harry heard a tray being left of the floor outside their room.  Their breakfast.  He left it there.  That could wait.  Ginny cried; she clung to him as if she was drowning.  It was heartbreaking and Harry couldn't help himself.  There were tears in his eyes as he held Ginny close.  He hated to think of her being this upset and in this much pain over something that had happened to her.

It was over an hour later when Ginny's sobs finally quietened down and he felt her breath slowly regulate and slow down; she'd stopped shaking and was curled up in a ball on his lap.  Harry just kept whispering comforting words to her the whole time – even when he was crying.  He wanted her to know that he would always be there for her.  No matter what.

Ginny relaxed her grip on him and pulled away, sitting up straight.

"I'm sorry…," began Ginny.

"Don't be.  What's wrong?  Please tell me Ginny.  I've never seen you like this.  Not even about Tom Riddle," Harry replied quietly, his tone gentle and soothing.

Ginny looked at him, so grateful that he was as wonderful as she remembered.  "I must look a fright.  Major crying combined with no sleep.  I think I need a Glamour spell, don't you?" she quipped, trying to smile.

"Well, you do look pale, but otherwise, don't think twice about it."  Harry paused for a moment.  She was avoiding the question, but he didn't want to frighten her away.

"I know you want to know what's going on Harry," began Ginny.  She could tell what he was thinking, and knew that the only scenario that would work, would be the one where she told him the truth.  She'd thought about this plenty during the last seven months and it didn't play out well, no matter how she did it; she just knew that the only way for them to be together – ever – was if she told him the truth now.

"Whatever it is, we can handle it together.  Okay?"  Harry hugged her tightly.  "We're stronger together aren't we?" he said letting her go again.

"Yes.  We are.  But…," Ginny paused, not knowing quite how to phrase it, "you might not be able to handle it."  She hurried on, seeing the look on Harry's face.  "I know you've handled a lot in your life, but nothing like this."

Harry was growing more concerned by the second.  What could she…

"I was raped."

The words hung in the silent room.  There was no noise.  Only the birds in the trees outside.

Ginny moved off Harry's lap and away from him.  She needed physical space if she was going to get through this.  She watched Harry as he realised what it was she'd just said.

"You were…" he couldn't finish.

"Raped.  Seven months ago, in the States."

Harry sat frozen, trying to make sense of what Ginny had just said – trying to comprehend the enormity of it.  The awfulness of what had happened to her.  Harry shut his eyes tight, wanting to be strong for her – wanting to kill the guy that had done this to her.

Ginny watched as Harry's eyes filled with tears.  Her heart swelled to see it.  Maybe she wasn't going to lose him after all.  But she needed to tell him what had happened.  There was more and he needed to hear all of it; or they'd never have a life together.  And she wanted that more than anything.

Harry moved to reach out for Ginny, but he stopped himself.  That was why she'd frozen before.  She probably didn't want him to touch her again.  His brain was racing… he had to know.  "What happened?"

~*~

'Where they hell are they?" exclaimed Ron.

"Ron, language please!" said Hermione, a little horrified.  They were guest's after all.

"I'm sure they're just taking the opportunity to be alone Ron," supplied Anne gently.  She could see that he was a bit agitated and she understood it.  She was his little sister.

"Ron, what's wrong?" asked Sirius.  He was loving this.

"She's just a…"

"Baby, yep she's a whole year younger than you Ron!" shot back Hermione.  She knew what was going through his head.  "Did you really think that they would just hold hands forever and ever?  Please!"

"Hermione!  Don't say stuff like that!"  Ron was being irrational and he knew it, but a part of him was being all protective of her, and yet who was he protecting her from?  Harry?  He knew Harry loved Ginny and that Ginny had loved him in return; in fact ever since she was eleven.  He took a deep breath.

"Ron," Hermione spoke gently, moving to sit beside him in the kitchen, "how weird do you think it was for Harry when we first got together?  Don't you think he probably had mental images of you and I that he just couldn't bear to think about?  His best friends sleeping together, and all that."

"Hermione, you're being logical and I don't want to be logical about this!" Ron replied quietly.

"I know, but you're being irrational.  I know you're happy for them and I know you know that this is what Ginny's wanted for a long time now.  Don't spoil it by being all "big brother" about it."

Ron turned to Hermione.  He could see Sirius and Anne behind her, trying not to laugh.  He sighed and kissed her gently on the lips.  "I know.  I just… it's hard to believe that she's so grown up, you know?  A boyfriend, sex… urghh, I just can't go there."

"And she doesn't want you to, Ron," said Sirius grinning at him.  "You'll get used to it.  Don't worry about it.  You know how Harry feels about her.  You know he'll protect her with his own life.  What more could you want from a future brother-in-law?  You haven't seen them together for three years, but for them, their relationship never stopped. They've picked up, literally, where they left off."

"What do you mean future brother-in-law?"  Ron said quickly.

"Nothing, but come on Ron, don't you think they'll be together forever?" said Anne intervening gently.

"Yeah, I guess.  I'll be fine."

Hermione flung her arms around his neck, hugging him close.  "You're a wonderful man Ron Weasley," she whispered into his ear.  "Did I ever tell you that?"

"Yeah, but not for a while, so don't let me stop you," replied Ron, the tips of his ears going pink as she let him go.

"So shall we start getting lunch organised?" suggested Hermione brightly.  "Can we do something really special though.  Anne, is that okay?"

"Absolutely, come and help me pick what herbs we need from the garden."

~*~

Ginny got comfortable on the bed and took a deep breath.  Harry crossed his legs, bringing his fingertips together and resting his elbows on his knees.

"I was on my way home from work.  I was working at a pub at the time; it was just after midnight.  I knew the area really well and always kept to the lighted areas.  As safe as I thought I was, I never really felt safe, you know?  I may not have used magic in three years, well not… anyway… but I was always on the lookout for anything unusual.  I really did fear Voldemort finding me, somehow.  So I always carried my wand with me, just in case."  Ginny paused, waiting for Harry to speak.

"So why didn't you use your wand and escape?"  His brain was trying to figure this out in advance, and it just didn't track.

"He grabbed me from behind.  I don't think he knew I had a wand.  He probably wouldn't have known what it was anyway.  He covered my mouth with one hand and immobilised me with the other.  I couldn't get to it."  Ginny closed her eyes.

Harry watched her carefully, his guts wrenching as he watched the struggle of emotions play across her pale, tired face.  He wanted to make this easier for her, but he knew, deep down, that he couldn't.  There were so many questions, but he needed to let her talk first.

Ginny was looking down at her hands.  They were clasped together tightly.  Not moving.  Which was unusual.  Normally when Ginny was nervous or upset, they never stopped moving, but not this time.

"Is this why you stopped having nightmares about Tom?" asked Harry quietly, when Ginny didn't continue.

"Yes," whispered Ginny, nodding her head.

Harry waited for her to continue.

"He dragged me, kicking and fighting him the whole way mind you, to this abandoned building.  I didn't recognise it, but then again, I pretty much trod the same path on my way home each night.  Probably why he picked me.  Apparently there's nothing random about how a rapist chooses his victim.  There's always a pathology at work.  At least that's what I discovered later."

Ginny was talking automatically now; as if reciting an essay she'd written on the subject.  She sounded detached and distant.  Her eyes unfocussed and staring into space.  Harry cringed inwardly to hear the tone of her voice, even though he realised this was her way of dealing with having to verbalise it.

"He tied me up.  Really tight, you know?  For hours.  He didn't touch me… not like that I mean.  He just beat me.  It was intermittent.  Felt like it went on for days.  He would mumble and talk to me, but none of it made sense.  But then again," she said woodenly, swallowing, trying to smile, "there's no sense to be made out of rape is there?  It's a meaningless act of domination.  Nothing more.  Nothing less."

"He didn't…" her voice trailed off; her face displaying the struggle she was having trying to suppress the images of what he'd done to her, "…not until the end.  By that time, I thought I was hallucinating, I was so out of it.  I don't quite remember what he did exactly.  I can't remember how many times he'd beaten me over the head with whatever was handy.  I could feel blood trickling down the side of my face.  I had a bump on my head the size of a quaffle, with a few bludgers as well."

It was awful listening to her talk like this.  She was trying to make light of what had happened, and that was natural.  Harry knew she was trying to be strong for him.  But he didn't want her to be strong.  He just wanted to comfort her.  He wished…

"Anyway, at some point after he'd…, I don't know when, I realised that the knots tying my wrists together were loosening up.  He hadn't touched them since he tied me up initially.  It was getting light outside, so I knew it must be almost morning.  It was winter though, and for it to be light outside, I figured that it was about eight in the morning.  It's funny the things you think about when you're tied up with a splitting headache."

Ginny stopped talking.  Her eyes welled with tears.  They slid down her cheeks.  Harry went to move closer to her, but she held up her hand and stopped him; her hand resting on his chest.  She looked up at him.  Her eyes were so sad.  It was killing Harry not to be able to help her or comfort her in any way.

"No Harry.  There's more, and you need to hear it, because…" she couldn't continue and more tears slid down her cheeks as her eyes fell down to her lap, her hand still resting lightly on his chest.

"I managed to get my wrists free, and I'm not even sure how I managed to do that, but someone was watching over me."  Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes, her hand still on his chest.  "It was probably you, you know?"  She blinked her tears away and continued.  "I summoned my wand, which I could just make out in the light.  I couldn't believe he hadn't thrown it away or destroyed it.  I couldn't see him straight away, but I'd spent the whole night listening to every move he'd made.  I knew he was in there somewhere.  I heard a door open.  He must have left me for a little while.  Probably while I was unconscious."

Harry looked at Ginny intently.

"I slid in and out of consciousness a few times.  Anyway, I waited for him to get closer.  I didn't know if I could perform any magic.  I hadn't done any since I'd run away."  Ginny stopped talking, fell silent for a moment.  "And then… I stunned him, untied my feet and ran as fast as I could and never looked back, until I got home.

"I didn't… I couldn't… I didn't go to the police.  I didn't want  a record of it anywhere.  I didn't go to a hospital either.  I knew enough Healing Charms from Madam Pomfrey to take care of myself.  So… I survived.  It was fine.  But I couldn't stay there after that.  I had to leave again.  I wrote a note and left it at the pub addressed to the girl I used to work with.  I took the next available flight to Melbourne."

There was silence as Ginny tried to steady her breathing, as Harry took in everything she'd just told him.  He could feel the anger welling up inside him; a real desire to avenge what had happened to her.  But he knew he couldn't; for Ginny's sake.  He had to stay strong and in control.

"That's not the end of the story," Ginny whispered quietly.  Tears ran down her cheeks again; she moved her hand across his chest, absent-mindedly.  It was almost as if the act itself was soothing her.  She needed to remain calm.  The next part was the worst – she hoped Harry could forgive her.

Harry took in a short, sharp breath, wondering what else could possibly have happened.

"I arrived in Australia, and then a few weeks later I started throwing up.  I didn't take any notice of it.  I was having nightmares, new ones – which was a change from seeing Riddle – and I just put it down to stress, flu, whatever."

Harry's brain was reeling.  No, it couldn't be.  Not to Ginny.

"I ended up at the doctor's and he confirmed it.  I was pregnant.  To my rapist.  Nice parting gift."  Ginny's voice was hard, but the story didn't finish there.

Harry couldn't help himself, he gathered her up in his arms, and held her while she cried out the rest of the story; how she'd had an abortion, the pain, the humiliation, the guilt, her fears of never seeing home again.  No wonder she hadn't come home.  Voldemort had been the least of her problems, in some ways.  He put her down on the bed, went to the door and checked to see if breakfast was still outside.  It was.

He brought it in and poured Ginny a glass of pumpkin juice.  He made her drink some, then pulled her onto his lap again, and held her for a long, long time.

Ginny just rambled on, never stopping talking.  About how scared she'd been, but how she'd toughed it out, created a life for herself here.  Music had been her salvation in many ways.  She written many songs that hadn't made it to the stage because they were too personal for her to deal with in the public forum.  She also spoke about her fears with regards to him.

Harry gritted his teeth.  He wanted to yell out at the injustice of it all.  Poor Ginny, his Ginny.

"I know that you probably don't want to see me anymore, and I understand that," began Ginny.

"What the hell are you talking about?" began Harry angrily, before reigning in his temper and calming down a notch or two.  "Why wouldn't I want to see you Ginny?"

"Because… because… I'm not…" Ginny lapsed into crying again.

"Ginny, I love you and I'm never gonna leave you, ever again.  What happened to you doesn't change how I feel about you," whispered Harry into the stillness of the room.  "I love you, I'll always love you."

Ginny clung to Harry, feeling safe and secure in his embrace.

"I know this will all take some time… and I'll give you all the time you need, all the space you need.  Just tell me what you want me to do," continued Harry urgently.

"I don't want you to go.  Stay with me, be patient.  Don't go," replied Ginny fervently.

"Deal," answered Harry.  "What would you like to do now?  Breakfast is still here, although it's a little late for breakfast."

"What time is it?" asked Ginny wiping the tears from her eyes with her fingertips.

"It's after midday.  We got a note in the midst of all that, from Ron.  We've been invited for lunch, and you've got a gig tonight.  The band and Emily will meet you at the pub just before 7.00pm.  Are you up to that?"

"Yeah.  I'll be fine.  Music is what has saved me I think.  It's kept me sane."  Ginny looked up at Harry.  "I'm fine.  Just don't…"

"I'm not going anywhere.  But you need to eat.  Let's go to Anne's," said Harry smiling down at this amazing girl.  She had strength that he'd never seen before in a person.

"No, not yet.  Can we go for a walk?  I need some fresh air."

"Sure.  Why don't you have a shower first, get changed and then we'll go.  Okay?"

~*~

Ron was pacing.  To the kitchen, then back to the lounge room, and back again.  Back and forth; he had been doing it for the last few hours.  Lunch had come and gone, it was now nearly 5.00pm, and they weren't back yet.

"Ron!  Would you quit it!" exclaimed Hermione she was sitting on the couch trying to read, but with Ron walking back and forth it was distracting her.

"Where the hell do you think they are?  I'm going to look for them!" said Ron angrily, moving towards the front door.

"I think they are enjoying spending some quality time together ALONE.  I don't think they would appreciate you going and barging in on them…" started Hermione before being interrupted.

"No, I don't think we would appreciate you barging in on us, what do you think Ginny?" said Harry, coming in from the garden, leading Ginny by the hand.

"No I don't think so.  Thanks for letting us spend some time together alone though," said Ginny smiling at the exasperated look on Ron's face.

"No problem," said Hermione.

"I hope you had a… umm… what's the word for it…?" started Sirius.

"Fulfilling?" suggested Anne smirking.

"Stimulating?" added Ron whilst trying to put aside that this was his baby sister they were talking about.

"Okay!  That's enough!" said Hermione forcefully.  She noticed that Harry and Ginny were turning all kinds of different shades of red.

"Don't worry about it Hermione, I'm used to it," said Ginny smiling.

"Why don't we go upstairs and get ready for the gig tonight?" said Hermione to Ginny.

The boys and Anne watched as Hermione and Ginny turned and started walking upstairs. 

~*~

I can't believe them!" exclaimed Hermione as they walked into Emily's room, where she and Ron had slept the night before.  "I mean even Anne…" she huffed.

"Don't worry about it," said Ginny "watch this... 'Sonorus' …" she whispered, "So Hermione, has Ron mastered the Silent Bedchamber Charm yet?"

~*~

Downstairs, Ron was bright red, whilst Anne, Harry and Sirius laughed out loud.

"Fine, laugh away, I don't care," said Ron pretending not to be bothered or embarrassed by Ginny's question.  "That's a load of bollocks, of course I know…"

"Ron, please.  I really don't want to know," said Harry through his laughter.

"So what have you two been up to today?" asked Sirius grinning from ear to ear.

"Just talking.  We went for a walk, did some reminiscing.  It was good.  It's a nice day out there today."

"Hmmm, talking.  I remember what that's code for," replied Ron, the corners of his mouth creasing at the edges.

"Ron, we were just talking, let it go," replied Harry, the tone in his voice indicating the subject was closed.  "Sirius, can I have a word with you.  In private?"

"Sure Harry."

"Harry, mate, I was only teasing," began Ron apologetically.

"I know.  And it's fine, really.  There's just something I need to discuss with Sirius; you know godfather to godson."

Sirius looked like a proud father for a moment, and then led the way out to the garden.

They'd almost reached the creek, when Sirius spoke.

"So what's up Harry?"

"Nothing.  Nothing.  I just wanted…" he looked nervous about something; he ran a hand through his hair, and stuck it back in his pocket before continuing.  "I need to get the ring Sirius."

Sirius stared at Harry for a moment before realising what he was talking about.  And then he remembered.  Lily's engagement ring.

"Wow, um, Harry.  It's in your Gringott's vault."  Sirius just stared at him for a moment.  "You're going…"

"To ask her to marry me.  Yes."  Harry looked into Sirius's blue eyes seriously for a moment.

"Wow.  Um.  That's great.  Does she know?"

"No, and it needs to stay that way, okay?" said Harry sternly.

"Of course, of course."  Sirius looked at Harry steadily and then grabbed him up tightly in a hug.

Harry hugged him back.  It was good to have Sirius here.  He'd really missed him.

"So what have you and Ginny been doing today?"

"Honestly, we've just been talking.  We went for a walk, came back to the Blue Angel, had some lunch and then slept for a few hours.  She's really exhausted at the moment."

"I'm not surprised given what's happened in such a short space of time.  Is she okay?"

"She will be.  She just needs some time to gather herself I think."

"Is she up to a gig tonight?" asked Sirius quietly.

"Yeah, she'll be fine.  This is what she lives for.  Her music," replied Harry a little wryly.

"I think she's been living to see you again Harry.  Don't minimise the role you have in her life."

"I know.  It's just that so much has happened… you're right I s'pose," said Harry.

"Of course I'm right.  Aren't all godfathers right about these things?" laughed Sirius.  "So when you are going to get the ring.  When you get back to England?"

"No, I can't wait that long.  I just need to figure out the best time to leave," Harry said seriously.  "I've got to figure out a way to do it, without Ginny knowing what's going on." 

"Leave that up to me.  I'll sort it out, okay?  Just leave the details to me.  I'll need to tell Anne though."

"Anne?  Why?"

"She's got the connections we need to get this organised, and she'll be discreet Harry.  I promise."

"Thanks Sirius.  I'm really glad you're here," said Harry quietly, hugging Sirius on impulse.

"So am I," he replied gruffly, warmly embracing his godson in reply.