A/N: First off all, I know my apology is nowhere near enough for my old readers. Last June, I finally got a Beta, 'Majerus' to help with Wowy's plot holes. But when we actually went for re-editing, revamping of posted chapters; it turned out to be very cumbersome task. After several attempts, we realized if this continues then we'd be never able to finish this story. So, we decided to clean up some major blunders (Time line of this fic) and leave behind the small mistakes. To my old readers (if there are any), you guys can read the old chapters again to refresh your memory and give a review on how we did on cleaning up.

To my new readers, welcome to this enthralling saga of Harry and Ginny's ever evolving relationship.

PS: A bit long chapter (take it as an apology gift) :P

With or Without you: Chapter 14

Nothing had really changed in the last twenty-four hours except for the fact Harry felt rejuvenated for the first time in a very long time. He woke up quite early and realized it has been ages since he had a nice, long shower and a decent breakfast. After a hearty breakfast, Harry thought he should wake Neville and ask him to come along with him to the Burrow.

When they apparated in front of the Burrow they were welcomed by nice weather for the month of September. Harry could feel a slight crispness to the autumn breeze.

"The Burrow looks a lot different in daylight," Neville commented.

Harry smirked at this response because he understood what Neville was referencing. Neville was remembering their last visit to the Burrow when they came to 'observe' the Weasley's.

They entered through the open kitchen door and saw Molly was serving Arthur his breakfast.

"Harry! We were just talking about you, why are you standing there? Come on in, have a seat!"

"Mrs. Weasley, I've brought a friend of mine with me today-"

Neville, who was standing behind him, came forward with a sheepish smile on his face.

"Mrs. Weasley, this is Neville Longbottom," Harry introduced.

Arthur and Molly came forward hurriedly to welcome their new guest and requested them to have a seat for breakfast. Harry replied quickly, "No-No..Mrs. Weasley, we've already eaten."

"Ohh, don't be silly. One can never have enough breakfast and look at you two! No one should be this thin at your age! Come on now-have a seat." Molly ushered them to the kitchen table.

Both Neville and Harry looked at each other helplessly and resigned to take their seats.

Molly started to pour them some tea as eggs began to prepare themselves in the background.

Arthur turned to Neville, "So, are you an Auror too Mr. Longbottom?"

"Please call me Neville, Mr. Weasley."

Arthur smiled a little, "Okay, so Neville-"

"Yes, I joined the Auror training the same year as Harry."

Harry was feeling restless, so he interrupted, "Where's Ginny, Mr. Weasley?"

Alarmed, Arthur might have felt it was not prudent to talk about Ginny in front of Neville.

"Er... She's just-"

Harry understood Arthur's uneasiness and said, "Neville knows everything Mr. Weasley. In fact, he helped quite a lot in this whole process. We can talk freely if you don't mind."

Arthur nodded. Molly, who was serving bread and some fried eggs to them, said quietly, "Hermione is with her."

"Hermione? She stayed here last night?'

"Yes, we thought it was better for Ginny to hear the recent events from her friend given that we're not using the Pensieve today."

Harry nodded to this piece of news and asked Molly again, "How's Ginny taking it today?"

"Calm so far."

Harry felt a touch of relief; at least she didn't react as violently as the other day. Although there's also the other concern for repercussions from yesterday's experiment. Would she remember him? As soon as this question hit him, he realized he was being selfish. Why does it matter so much if she remembers him or not? Shouldn't be Ginny's well being his number one priority above everything else? Even his feelings?

"Harry, your tea is getting cold." Molly pointed.

Harry was forced out of his reverie and replied, "Oh! It's fine Mrs. Weasley."

He gulped his tea and tried to join in the conversation that was going on between Neville and Arthur.

"You look familiar-I think I've seen you once or twice at the ministry."

Neville smiled and replied, "You might have, unlike Harry, I don't have problem going into public."

Arthur looked at Harry sympathetically, "I can only imagine your botheration Harry."

Harry laughed, "I'm quite used to all the pointing and staring. I've had practice since I was eleven."

As the laughter died down, they continued with their conversation. Arthur, suddenly curious, asked, "I don't want to pry Neville, but your name rings a bell. Longbottom, are you somehow related to-Erm... Frank and Alice Longbottom?"

Looking down at the table, Neville said quietly, "Yes, they are my parents."

Arthur whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

At that moment, the sound of footsteps from the stairs above stopped their conversation. Molly and Arthur abruptly became very stiff while on the other hand, Neville and Harry exchanged nervous glances.

Hermione came into view looking rather worried and disheveled. Seeing Hermione's condition, Harry realized she loves Ginny as much as anyone else in this family. Ginny, who was next to Hermione, was looking quiet and lost in her thoughts.

Molly went forward to usher her daughter into the kitchen. While Molly murmured a few soothing words to Ginny, all the inhabitants of the kitchen stood. Ginny, who was looking down at her feet slowly looked up and her eyes locked with Harry's.

Harry could feel Ginny's piercing gaze yet he also felt some sadness deep down in those beautiful brown eyes. Their eyes only met for a brief moment though it felt like an eternity to Harry. Ginny didn't show any further signs of recognition, she went ahead to wish her father good morning. Arthur asked Ginny to sit next to him.

She shook her head and said, "I will dad, but before anything I'd like to have a word with Harry."

Arthur looked at Harry for a second and nodded, "Of course dear, we will leave."

"No dad, you lot stay. The living room is fine for us."

Ginny left the room without taking a backward glance at Harry. Hermione, who was standing next to him, urged, "What are you gaping at? She wants to talk with you! Go!"

Harry entered the drawing room to find Ginny was standing, hands folded in front of her with a solemn look on her face. Feeling a bit unsure how to approach the young woman, he only said, "Erm..Hi!"

Ginny looked at him for a long moment and Harry could somehow feel that Ginny's softness for him was lost today, instead he could feel her uncertainty in her gaze. Finally she spoke, "Hermione told me everything. Including what happened yesterday."

She took a pause before adding, "I can't remember anything from yesterday."

Harry knew this was inevitable, yet somehow along the line he was hoping she wouldn't utter those words.

He sighed and said, "I know."

"The Pensieve didn't work."

Surprised at Ginny's conclusion, Harry shook his head, "No, it did exactly what it was supposed to do. It gave your memory a shove."

Ginny's puzzled expression showed she didn't understand what he was referring to.

Harry continued, "Just think on how much we progressed in the last few days! The portrait which you drew of me recently is a clear indication that somehow, unlike any other events of your day, you didn't forget my face."

Ginny closed her eyes as if she was concentrating. She opened her eyes and said in resignation, "I can't do this. It's too difficult."

In desperation, Harry took another step forward to close the gap between them. This seemed to alarm Ginny because she made a quick step back. Seeing this, Harry didn't proceed further. Instead, he tried to talk to her from a distance.

"Ginny, no one is asking you to remember anything. Why are you pressuring yourself? We are already progressing; all you have to do is to trust me," he said softly.

Ginny's eyes blazed at this, "Only to trust you? How? It's easy for you to say, isn't it? I barely even know you! It's only your face that is familiar to me! Otherwise, I wouldn't even-"

Ginny fell silent because she must have thought she crossed some line in her fury. Harry knew what she was saying had full truth in it but to actually hear those words from Ginny for a moment made Harry feel as if someone punched him in the gut. He gave her a minute to calm down.

He sighed and continued, "I know it's difficult for you to accept this situation, let alone me! But I can help you to get better and if you do someday then I promise I'll respect your decision. I would not pressure you to feel obligated to me in any way."

He couldn't believe he was saying these things but he knew it was the truth as he spoke. To gain Ginny's trust, he had to be selfless. He had read somewhere that if you love someone then their happiness should be the only thing you'd pray for. If that meant he had to sacrifice his own happiness for hers then so be it. Ginny has the right to make her own decisions. If she gets better someday, he would respect her choice.

This decision suddenly made Harry feel as if all of his energies were drained out him. He continued resignedly, "But what I'm only asking is for you to let me help you. Your family already gave up before I came along and for the first time, I've seen hope in their eyes which was even missing a week ago."

The pleading tone in Harry's voice was unmistakable and he thought it must be working because he could see Ginny's face was becoming softer. All of her anger was melting away. Ginny slouched on the sofa, defeated to Harry's logic.

Harry added quietly, "Last night, I promised to take you to St. Mungo's. Seeing your recent development we thought it's prudent for you to do a check-up by the Healers."

Ginny slowly nodded.

"You should have some breakfast then. Go on. We'll wait."

When they (Harry, Ginny, Neville and Hermione) apparated in front of the dingy, shabby department store Purge & Dowse, Ltd, it was already close to eleven. Hermione wasn't supposed to come along with them but seeing Ginny's icy demeanor since this morning, Harry asked Hermione to join them to help to ease things. Ginny and Neville's introduction didn't go as expected either. Neville introduced himself, smiling, but Ginny kept staring as if she did not understand a word Neville uttered. Harry apologized to Neville but he didn't take Ginny's aversion seriously.

Hermione and Neville, on the other hand, seemed to get along fine from the moment they met. From their conversation Harry concluded that both of them share an interest in Herbology. Harry sighed. At least they are getting along. Ginny was walking next to Harry but she said not a single word to him. Harry didn't find it sensible to say anything now, hoping she'd come around eventually.

The four of them entered the hallway of St. Mungo's without any fuss. It had been a while since Harry visited St. Mungo's but it all looked the same. The hustle bustle of the staff and the usual collection of wizards and witches with weird sicknesses. They saw a middle-aged witch was scolding her son, who was burping colorful bubbles in every two seconds. Amused at the scene, they were just about to approach the desk-witch of the reception when out of nowhere a bloke came screaming, "Shoo! Shoo! I've the pus of Mandrake in my eyes! Somebody please help me! I can't see anything." The bloke was indeed right, his eyes were already all swollen and red, so they let him go to the desk-witch before them. After directing the bloke to the third floor, the desk-witch was able to pay them attention. She asked, "Who's the patient?"

Harry motioned to Ginny and said, "Ginevra Weasley to see mind Healer Augustus Pye."

The witch continued, "Does she have an appointment?"

Harry replied, "Unfortunately due to an emergency we couldn't make-"

The witch said cordially, "It's against our policy to let anyone see the Mind Healers without an appointment."

Harry persisted, "Please, it's an emergency! Besides, the patient has a complicated history and I'm sure if you could let Healer Pye know-"

The desk-witch, perhaps seeing his desperation, checked through a roll of parchment and said, "As it happens, Healer Pye is available at this moment. Go to the fourth floor and then to the right, you'll find him in the Janus Thikey Ward. Harry said a "thanks" to the witch and beamed at the company who were waiting behind him.

As they took the lift to the fourth floor, Hermione stood next to him and whispered, "Harry! What are you doing?"

Surprised, he asked, "What?"

Exasperated, she replied, "Make a bit of effort to lift her spirits, will you? She's not going to come around on her own if you keep your distance!"

The lift opened at fourth floor and Neville and Ginny got out first. Harry muttered urgently, "Okay."

Hermione gave him a look which clearly meant 'see to it'. They took the right turn and were about to ask someone for Healer Augustus, when a man spoke excitedly, "Look who it is! Miss Weasley!"

They turned around and saw a chap, aged around thirty that was grinning at them. He came forward hastily and shook hands with Ginny.

"Miss Weasley, it's so nice to see you again! I'm your Healer, Augustus Pye."

Ginny was taken by surprise and looked outright awkward. She muttered a feeble, "Same here."

Understanding Ginny's discomfort, Augustus said, "Please, there's no need to feel obliged to pretend you remember me! Considering the patients I deal with, I'd rather say I'm quite used to it by now."

Ginny turned a beautiful shade of crimson at this remark. Trying to save her from further embarrassment, Harry came forward to introduce himself and the others.

After hearing his name, the healer's jaw dropped. He kept shaking Harry's hand and saying, "It's such a pleasure Mr. Potter, such a pleasure."

"Mr. Pye, we're here to talk about Miss Weasley's condition."

Realizing he was still gaping at Harry, "Eh? Oh, right! Miss Weasley! Please come to my office Mr. Potter, we can discuss the case there more conveniently."

Harry motioned everyone to follow the healer, they were walking towards Pye's office when Harry heard Ginny whispering to Hermione, "Did he have to play I'm-the-Harry-Potter card?" Ginny's irritation with him was evident.

Hermione replied, "Oh Ginny! I'm sure he didn't mean to do it intentionally. Harry is a very humble bloke."

Harry couldn't hear any further because Pye started to talk in a chattering voice as they entered his cramped, messy office.

"My office is a bit crammed, sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Potter."

"It's fine Mr. Pye," Harry said.

"Hermione and I could wait outside, this might take a while," Neville regarded the piles of paperwork.

Ginny was now giving Hermione a 'don't-do-this-to-me' look. Hermione smirked and said, "You're right Neville, we should just wait outside."

Hermione and Neville left the office and Harry motioned Ginny to take a seat in front of Pye's desk. Ginny took the seat without any resistance and Harry sat next to her.

"So before we proceed further, let's look at her file, shall we?"

Pye swished his wand and out of what seems like a hundred patient files, a folder flew to Pye's hands.

"Yes, here it is."

Pye went through several pages for few minutes in silence and then looked back at them.

"Yes, Miss Weasley, tell me what brings you here? Is there any recent development?"

Ginny seemed at a loss, and though she seemed reluctant to rely on him, she turned to look at Harry.

"Mr. Pye, there have been slight improvements in Ginny's condition and we would like to talk about what steps should be taken next."

"Could you please explain what happened? Because I can't help you unless I know everything in full details."

Harry took a sideways glance at Ginny; she sat stiffly looking straight at Augustus. He went over what has happened and how they decided to use the Pensieve to how Ginny remembers him through her sketches.

Augustus looked slightly puzzled, he asked, "What do you mean by Ginny remembering your face? When did she meet you? We know she can't retain any new information; that part of her brain got damaged!"

Harry saw it was best to proceed further with the events with caution; he didn't want to alienate Ginny further.

"I met her a fair few times last month in the café that she goes every day. When she couldn't recognize me on our second meeting, I got to know about her condition. I had known that the Weasley family had been a great help to Professor Dumbledore, so I thought by helping Ginny a little, I could show my gratitude."

Ginny looked at him, surprised at his explanation. Harry knew this wasn't the 'whole' truth, but Pye doesn't need to know more than he is required.

Pye nodded and said, "The use of Pensieve on your part was undoubtedly ingenious Mr. Potter. But it could have permanently damaged her."

"But it didn't, her family knew the risks and we think it may have helped."

"Yes, in that case I'd like to take a look. Miss Weasley, would you mind?"

Pye came forward with his wand and said in a reassuring tone, "It's nothing; you're only going to get a tinge of sensation for a moment."

The Healer muttered something and his wand became alight with what looked like a whitish glow. He swished his wand on Ginny's head twice. Ginny, eyes closed, must have felt something because he saw her shivering both the times.

He then went ahead to tap his wand twice on a parchment; to Harry's utter surprise he saw the blank parchment was becoming filled with writing.

Pye took his seat again and caught Harry's expression; he smiled and said, "It's nothing Mr. Potter. I just took a look at Miss Weasley's brain. The charm works well to verify the extent of damage."

Harry nodded and saw Ginny was listening intently as well.

The mind Healer started to read the parchment, his brow frowning a little; he took Ginny's file from the desk and started to compare both the parchment and file side by side.

Worried, Harry asked, "Is everything alright Mr. Pye?"

After an agonizing moment of silence, Pye shook his head violently and cursed under his breath,

"Merlin's Pants!"