"We've got a lot to talk about."
Tonks' voice echoed in Harry's head as she made herself tea, her words making his stomach squirm. Whatever she had to say, it couldn't be good.
"Drink up," she had also said.
He didn't hesitate to carry out her instructions. He took up the freshly poured glass of scotch and took a mouthful, relishing in the burn at the back of his throat. It must have been the burning sensation that had surprised Ginny so much at dinner, causing her to cough and splutter at the first sip. Though not as strong as Firewhiskey, Bill's wedding gift from Muriel still made Harry's eyes sting as he took a controlled deep breath, watching Tonks as she added milk to her mug and sat down before him.
She played with the tea bag, dangling it in and out of the mug as she watched him. "You've gone very quiet."
Harry shrugged. "What am I supposed to say?"
She shrugged in return, but Harry could tell she wasn't lost for words. In all the years he had known her, Tonks had always been very in control of herself, always knowing what to do and what to say. Slowly and purposefully she shifted forward in her seat and leant back, placing her hand over her now prominent belly. "You can say whatever you want to. I know you've been dying to tell me off."
Harry blushed. Had his disapproval been that obvious? "You make it sound like I'm your mother, or something," he muttered as he looked into his glass. "My opinion on...you having a baby…doesn't really matter."
"It does to me, and to Remus. What you think matters a lot. It's okay to be upset," she added patiently. "It's okay to be mad. I wish you could have seen my face when I found out."
"What did you do?" Harry asked cautiously, not really knowing why he continued the conversation. Tonks' pregnancy was just another thing on a long list he didn't want to talk about.
To his great surprise, she laughed. "I completely lost my mind. One minute I was crying, the next I was throwing things at Remus…he was going out of his mind too. I actually hurt him I think…his arm was bruised from a mug I threw…"
"What was it, erm….obviously you feel differently…now."
She laughed again. "Oh yes. All I needed was to get the shock out of my system. Falling pregnant was definitely not in our plans, and it wasn't exactly the most convenient time. You had just gone back to Hogwarts, and I had too. It really messed up a lot of plans the Order had in place. Clearly a heavily pregnant woman would not be able to provide much protection for you, especially when I get to the stage where I can't see my feet."
"Right…"
"We got married the next day," she continued relentlessly, her smile only making Harry even more annoyed. "And then it was all okay….just a matter of keeping it a secret so I didn't become an easy target."
"How far….I mean erm, when are you due?" he asked, wondering if that was the right thing to say.
"Molly helped me figure it out…she seems to think maybe early April…that puts me at about six or seven months along."
Harry was amazed, and couldn't help but look at her belly again. "How did you hide that thing? I had no idea, and I saw you every day!"
Tonks shrugged again. "It was easier when I just started showing…I could just morph my body back into shape, and then I just started wearing heavier jumpers. It only got really hard when Remus came to get me…perfect timing really as I couldn't morph properly anymore."
"That makes sense, I suppose."
She was still smiling at him, as though she were on the inside of a joke he didn't quite understand. It was extremely unnerving, as though his every move were being scrutinised for later punishment. "I can feel him moving, you know."
"Yeah, I got that impression," he said quickly, knowing exactly where she was going with those words. He quickly changed the course. "So, it's a boy?"
"I think so," she replied, looking down and running her hands over herself. "But it's just easier than saying he or she all the time…it's bit of a mouthful in conversation."
"So you don't know for sure?" Harry confirmed, surprised when he felt a pang of disappointment. He quickly shook the feeling…he didn't need to complicate things further.
"No…just a guess."
He nodded to himself, taking another sip of his drink. That would make things better.
"I can see you're still sitting on the fence about this," she commented, getting to her feet with a sly smile. "Don't beat yourself up about being mad…you'll start to feel differently."
His protest was caught in his throat as she reached down and took his free hand, taking him completely by surprise when she slipped it under her shirt and pressed it firmly to her belly. Her skin was strangely hard, yet springy at the same time, not at all soft the way it should have been. "Tonks…what are you-"
"Shhh," she quietened him, shifting his hand around to the side and pressing firmly again. "Just give it a minute."
"Are you sure you should be doing that?" he asked hastily, not at all comfortable. Did pregnant women just do this all the time? Stick other people's hands all over their bellies? He knew what she was trying to do for him, but he had no desire at all to feel anything moving inside her. It would only make it worse, ultimately confirming that the life was real. There would be no more pretending that it was just a joke.
"Don't worry, this kid can take as good as he gives. Sometimes he kicks and squirms so much it hurts…Merlin, you could never imagine the back pain….it's only going to get worse too."
It was to his great relief when he felt nothing beneath his hand, no sign of movement at all, and he prayed that Tonks would release his hand soon. He placed his glass of scotch down on the table, clenching his free hand into a fist beneath the table. Couldn't she see how irrational she was acting?
"How could you be so stupid?" he asked through gritted teeth. "You should have known better than to get pregnant…it's like some sick joke!"
She seemed neither offended nor upset by his honest remarks, her plain reaction only infuriating him even more. "I agree, I should have been more responsible, but most pregnancies are a complete accident. I guarantee, one day you will be in the same position."
"Will not!" he spluttered.
"Just ask Molly and Arthur. They're still living with their seven accidents….and I have it on good authority that you were one hell of an accident!"
"My Mum and Dad? I was the worst accident of their lives. Having me got them killed."
"I disagree. I didn't even know your parents, but I promise you, they were thrilled."
"Thrilled in between dodging Death Eaters and You-Know-Who," he remarked. "Having me got them killed."
Tonks sighed, stretching her back out as she held Harry's hand firmly against her. "It doesn't matter what was happening to them at the time, you were the best thing they ever did….just the same as this baby will be for Remus and I."
"It's still a mistake."
"However you say it, Harry," Tonks conceded, moving his hand further down and really digging it in. "But this is going to make your heart skip a beat."
To his great distress, she was correct. His heart certainly did skip a beat the moment he felt a rolling sensation underneath his fingers, the movement inside of her as clear and as obvious as day. He held back the curse of shock that nearly fell from his mouth, determined that he would not let himself feel amazed.
"What part was that?" he asked quietly, feigning innocent curiosity. He certainly didn't care….he was just being polite.
"Not sure," she murmured, taking his other hand and placing it on the other side, mirroring his other. "Just wait a minute, he'll do it again…"
There was nothing to do but follow her instructions. Surely if he pulled his hands away now she would be horribly offended, but his heart pounded in anticipation, his hands awaiting the next movement he might feel. With his fingers pressed so firmly he could feel her steady pulse, and with little elsewhere to look except her belly, Harry looked down at his knees as he waited, wishing that she would say something. Fortunately, Tonks didn't remain quiet for long.
"You know, Harry…there's a reason your parents chose Sirius as your godfather."
"Is there?" he replied nonchalantly, glad for something to say.
"He was the only person they would trust with something so important," she continued, unfazed by his plain reaction. "The next best thing."
"Next best compared to what?"
"To them, of course. Without them, Sirius was the next best thing for you….a pretty wise decision, I must say."
"What makes you say that? Sirius got himself thrown in jail, he wasn't really the best candidate for me."
"And where would you be without him?"
Before he could answer there was another roll from beneath his left hand, larger than the first, the sensation rippling across to his right. Tonks gave a small sigh, and for a moment she looked relieved. The movement sent Harry's heart racing with excitement, and he quickly quashed the feeling into nothing, determined not to feel anything except anticipation. He wondered exactly what it was doing inside of its mother, and if it would do it again.
"Anything can happen, you know that. We don't have a lot of control over some things," she began, and Harry had the feeling he knew where she was going. "But there's no question about it, Remus and I want you to be the baby's godfather."
Harry shifted uncomfortably, grinding his teeth together before answering quickly. "You know I can't do that…"
"I'll accept one good reason why."
He stammered out his answer. "Because, you want someone who is…erm…someone-"
"Older?"
"Yes," he said in relief.
"Sirius was twenty."
"You see…older."
"We don't care how old you are. We've chosen you for a reason."
"Well choose someone else," he instructed her, ready to pull his hands away when he felt more movement. He kept them there. "Choose someone who's not stuck in the middle of this bloody war. I can't be godfather to some kid!"
"We're not asking…don't you want to know why we chose you?"
"Not really…"
"It's the way you look at Ginny."
Startled, Harry looked up at her in confusion. "What?"
Tonks shrugged her shoulders, a smile playing on her face telling him that she was enjoying his discomfort. "You love her, that much is obvious, but let me ask you one question. Is there anything you wouldn't do for her?"
"Wh-no! I'd do anything," he insisted. Heat rose up the back of his neck, making him feel as though he were under intense interrogation, that he must defend himself. He pulled his hands away from her.
"Anything at all?"
"Yes!"
"If you had to, would you risk everything? Would you risk your own life for her?"
"Of course I would, why wouldn't I?" he blurted out, his answer taking him completely by surprise.
"So can't you see why we chose you?" Tonks said imperatively, resuming her seat in front of him again.
"Erm…" Harry muttered, now completely confused. What exactly were they talking about again? Their conversation rushed through his head in reverse as he tried to catch up quickly enough to understand. "What?"
She chuckled at him, apologising softly before she continued. "If you feel that strongly about your girlfriend, just imagine how you'll feel about a child that you love. Imagine what you could give them if Remus and I weren't there to do it for you."
"Tonks…that's-"
"A horrible thought, I know. But it's something we as parents have to consider. If things go badly, Remus and I might not be around much longer, and I know you, Harry. You're the only one we could trust to take such an enormous responsibility."
Harry shook his head to himself. With a shaking hand he took up his glass of scotch and finished the rest in a gulp, standing up and avoiding Tonks' gaze. "What about me? What If I'm not around much longer? What about your parents? This kid will have them!"
"My parents are dead, Harry."
"What?" He spun around on the spot and looked at her, his eyes wide open. Suddenly her behaviour that day started to make sense. What could make a seasoned Auror cry except the death of her family? "Tonks, I-"
She didn't elaborate on their deaths, carrying on without skipping a beat. "They are not my concern at the moment. My child is, and Remus and I both agree that there is no one better suited to take our place except you."
"Take your place?" he questioned, growing increasingly frustrated. "You're not going to die!"
Tonks sighed, rubbing her eyes wearily. Abandoning her tea she stood up and approached him by the doorway, smiling at him again. "It's alright; I know I'm springing this on you all of a sudden."
"Yeah, you could say that…"
She just smiled again, pulling him into a hug. "Don't worry, you've got about three or four months to get used to the idea."
That was all she had left to say, kissing him on the cheek before leaving him completely alone in the kitchen. In a state of slight shock Harry stood rooted to the spot, his head spinning wildly as he listened to Tonks climbing the stairs to her bedroom. He was completely stunned, looking around the kitchen blankly as he tried to process what had just happened….what had just been said.
Godfather.
Even the sound of the word made him dizzy, clenching his fists as he remembered the strange rolling sensation of Tonk's belly as the baby inside of her moved.
A baby. His godson…or daughter.
The more the words echoed through his head, the crazier it sounded, but there was no denying the tingling he still felt in his hands, remembering the strangest sensation he had ever felt. In a trance Harry wandered out of the kitchen and into the lounge room, collecting his pyjamas and changing as Ron snored robustly from the couch. When he collapsed onto the mattress he prepared for himself it was with a great sigh, tossing his glasses onto the coffee table and rubbing his eyes wearily. The generous helpings of scotch began to take their effect, and he could feel himself drifting off into an uneasy sleep, his chest heavy with what Tonks had asked of him. It was too much…surely she would come to her senses soon enough.
"Pst!" came an annoyed whisper in his ear, something poking him sharply in the ribs and rousing him from his sleep. "Harry…..get up!"
"Wh-?" he floundered, sitting up and looking around, his eyes slowly adjusting to Hermione who stood over him with folded arms. "What…is it morning already?"
She shook her head to herself. "Ginny's booted me out…says your bed will be available."
Confused, he frowned at her for a few moments, her words making sense an instant later, and he leapt out of his makeshift bed. Stumbling a little Harry shook his head to wake himself up, taking his wand from the floor and watching as Hermione dropped her pillow onto the mattress and grumpily sat down. She glared at him from the floor.
"Why do I get the feeling I'll need a really strong silencing charm tonight?"
At these words Ron gave a slow and deep snore, reflecting Hermione's words of impatience. Harry hesitated, feeling badly for her being kicked out of her own bed. The feeling didn't last too long.
"Good night."
He darted out of the lounge room before she could give a sharp tongued answer, reminding himself to slow down as he reached the foot of the stairs. No light came from the hallway upstairs, and he prayed that everyone was asleep. How long had he slept for before Ginny grew impatient waiting for him? There wasn't enough light to check his watch, and he didn't dare light his wand. Worried that at any moment Bill would emerge from the shadows Harry quietly ascended the staircase, trying to remember if any of the steps squeaked. He had rarely found the need to venture this way during his week stay at Shell Cottage, and when he opened the first door on the left he prayed it was Ginny he would find on the other side.
"It took you long enough," came an annoyed hiss from inside, telling Harry he had the right room.
With great relief he slipped inside as Ginny sat up in the bed, and he carefully edged his way towards her. Slipping inside it was warm under the blankets, a stark contrast to the slight chill of the night air inside the house, and as Ginny slipped her arm around his waist he felt completely relaxed, ready to fall asleep again. An automatic action, he sought out her lips and kissed her gently, holding her close against his chest.
"Sorry I took so long."
"Humph…" Ginny muttered against his lips, reaching up and touching his face. "You fell asleep…I can feel the pillow marks on your face."
"Did not!" he lied, careful to keep his voice down. "I was waiting for Tonks to go to sleep."
"She came to bed an hour ago!" Ginny laughed. Clearly he was forgiven when she returned his kiss, deepening it just enough to keep him wanting more.
With her in his arms, suddenly everything was okay once again. He could finally escape for just a little while, no longer fearing what the day ahead would bring them, no longer worried about her safety without him. For now it was just the two of them. He kissed her deeply, running his hand underneath her pyjamas and up the back of her leg before coming to rest on her rear. Her reaction was immediate, stretching her body out along the length of his as she clutched him tightly.
"You know," he began breathlessly, wondering why he was talking. "My bed downstairs…it feels really big without you beside me."
Ginny chuckled at this, her breath tickling his chin. "Yeah? Imagine how I feel up here, it gets really awkward when I roll over and get a mouthful of Hermione's hair."
Quickly removing this image from his mind's eye he gave a short chuckle, gently shifting Ginny onto her back before laying over her. Suddenly he was short of breath, his arms sore already as he tried to distribute his weight evenly, and he wondered when breathing had become something so difficult.
"You're going tomorrow, aren't you?" she asked, though it was really more of a statement. Her tone of voice told Harry that she already knew the answer. Nevertheless she pulled him down closer to her, settling him to rest between her legs as she set to work on removing his shirt, awkwardly pulling it over his head and dropping it beside him.
Harry nodded in response, drawing a deep controlled breath before he could answer. "Tomorrow morning," he confirmed. Looking down at her he could just make out her face, and he brushed away her fringe to better see her expression. A mixture of disappointment and worry marred her beauty, and he pressed gentle kisses along her cheek as though he could make it all better. Not content with that for long, she kissed him properly.
He couldn't help the groan of need that escaped his throat, pressing her for more, and there was no point any longer denying why he had come upstairs. Again and again Ginny had made it clear what she wanted from him, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't quite remember the argument he had used to turn her down. What had he told her? Whatever he had said, words seemed pointless as Ginny traced her fingers down the three long cuts that ran down his stomach and chest, brushing over the opposing one on his hip as he shivered in delight. He both hated and loved that sensation, a similar feeling crossing him as she took his left arm and brought it to her lips, pressing firm kisses along the Dark Mark burned into his skin. Quickly abandoning his arm he breathed a sigh of relief as Ginny pushed him away to sit them both upright.
"What's wrong?" he asked breathlessly.
"Nothing," she shook her head, and Harry was glad to see that her breathing was as heavy and laboured as his own. An instant later she had pulled her night dress off, discarding it as his heart began to pound so hard he feared it might burst.
"Ginny…we don't have to do this," he muttered, his hands acting of their own accord as he moved to touch her.
At his touch Ginny gave a great sigh, her head lolling against his as she replied. "I know, that's the best part. This is up to us….no one else can tell us what to do."
A nod was his only reply, and clearly she was more determined to go ahead than to simply lie down and go to sleep. There was a sudden burst of desire from inside him, and with her help the remainder of his clothing was gone, pushed down to the end of the bed somewhere as she pulled him back down against her. Hands fumbled together as they tried to remove her underwear, and he must have scratched her as he pulled them down and dropped them, her leg jumping as there was a sharp intake of breath from her.
"Sor-"
His hasty apology was drowned beneath her kiss, his head spinning as he lay flush against her, hands moving anywhere he could reach. It was amazing to be able to touch her without the hindrance of clothing in the way, and she seemed to arch up against his hands for more. Breaking their kiss she gasped for breath as he reached between her legs, going as slowly as his brain would allow, but she was in no immediate rush to stop him.
Surely her fingers were burning his skin as she clutched his shoulders, eventually relaxing and moving them down his back in a blaze of heat. He sealed his lips around hers as they both groaned, Ginny rocking against his hand as she stretched down his front to grasp him in return. He clenched his free hand into the sheets. Her clumsy touches made him crazy with need, and it was almost a relief when she released him and threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling him away just enough to speak against his lips.
"Harry," she panted, swallowing thickly. "The charm…you know it, right?"
"I, er…yeah," he confirmed with wide eyes, horrified that he had forgotten that. There was a moment of sheer panic as he wondered where he had left his wand, and as he fumbled around the sheets beside Ginny he prayed he hadn't left it downstairs.
Finally locating it by his knee, he tried to concentrate for long enough, desperately ignoring Ginny's hands all over him. He couldn't screw this up, he reminded himself, it was too important. Later, he would thank Sirius for making sure he knew this charm, glad he had managed to withstand the embarrassment long enough to listen. That thought was all the distraction he needed, and it was with shaky breath that he performed the requested charm and discarded his wand, hearing it topple off the bed and roll away. He couldn't care less where it ended up.
Kneeling between Ginny's legs Harry ran his hands from her knees right up to her stomach, leaning back down to gently capture her breast in his mouth. Her chest heaved with each breath she took, reminding him that she was just as nervous as he was.
"Ginny," he whispered, brushing his lips over her neck and jaw as he spoke. "Are you sure this is okay?"
Her answer was perfectly clear, grasping his hair and kissing him intently. Her other hand held his shoulder tightly, her fingers digging in hard enough to leave bruises, and she sustained the kiss as long as she could, finally breaking away and drawing a gasp from them both. "Is that answer enough?"
"Yes," he panted, clearing his throat. "Just, er….tell me…if you want to stop."
A sharp nod was the only answer she gave this time, though it was more than enough. Fully pushing her knees apart he rocked his hips against hers for a few moments, content to stop thinking and allow instinct to take over. When he entered her he moved slowly, being as gentle as he knew how, but as he tried to focus on her face he saw no flash of pain or despair, only a slight frown as she closed her eyes.
Kissing her, he sought solace in the things he could do well, and this appeared to awaken her. She squirmed and shifted her hips beneath his, instinctively drawing her feet up and eliciting a low moan from his chest. At her movement he seemed to sink right inside of her, and it felt as though her body were drawing him deep inside, her hands on his hips holding him firmly in place. His heart pounded roughly, blood roared through his ears as he forced himself to stay controlled, pressing soft kisses across her jaw and lips.
"Is this okay?" he asked again, and her breath was shaky as she replied.
"It's erm…" she nodded, panting as she hastily brushed the hair off her face before holding onto him again. "Uncomfortable…but don't stop, it's okay."
Knowing she was truthful he allowed himself to relax a little, his body moving and acting of its own accord once again, but he made no effort to stop. With her face buried in his shoulder Harry could feel every quick breath she took, and as he kissed her neck deeply he felt her breaths begin to slow into soft sighs. She began to relax beneath him, though she maintained the almost painful grip on his hips which allowed her to set their gentle pace. It took all of his concentration pay attention to what she wanted. An increasingly loud voice in his head told him to go faster, harder, to do anything but persevere with the agonizingly slow pace.
He looked at her face, watching her. A little more relaxed now, her eyes had drifted shut again, her lips slightly parted in invitation, and he surrendered immediately. His kiss was gentle yet she returned it with a desperate ferocity, one hand moving to his hair to hold him in place as she rocked against him in encouragement. She gave a soft moan against his lips, and he felt the reverberations in her chest against his, and he would have given anything to hear her make that sound again. In that instant Harry knew that she could ask him anything and he couldn't refuse her. She would only have to say one word, and he would do it. Stay. Perhaps that was her plan all along, he thought to himself, though he could no longer find any objection. If she asked him to, he would give up on Voldemort completely; wait with her in hiding until someone else managed to do his job for him. A small part of him wished she would ask that.
The intensity was too much, and before he could pay attention again it was all over, the sudden rush drawing a deep groan from him that was masked by Ginny's lips. A breathless curse tumbled from his mouth as he ground his hips against hers one last time, clenching the sheets as his arms fought the need to collapse in a heap. He moved to roll off her, but she quickly shook her head and renewed her hold on him.
"Don't…" she panted against his cheek, her legs holding him perfectly in place. Kissing him again she rolled her hips against his a few times, giving a soft gasp against his lips before she relaxed again.
His arms shook as he tried to stay still, his breathing showing no signs of slowing down as she stroked her hands along his side for a few moments. Finally she pushed at his hips and he gently pulled away from her, collapsing down beside her as he was engulfed by a brief sense of emptiness. He pulled her back into his arms and immediately felt content again, finding himself unable to stop touching her. Running his hand over her stomach he watched as she shivered in delight, and he couldn't help but admire her yet again. Her skin was so soft and smooth, the complete opposite to his own, and still they fit together perfectly.
Watching the path of his hand Ginny took it and pressed it flat against her chest, then placed her own on his. They shared a smile as they felt the felt each other's thundering heart beat beneath the fine sheen of sweat the had sprung up. Brushing his lips against her neck Harry realised how hot it had become under the heavy blankets, and he absently pushed them off a little.
"I love you, so much," he whispered against her neck, feeling a great sense of relief. It had been a while since he had said those words, and he needed to remind her.
Turning her head awkwardly she kissed him hard for just a moment, neither of them possessing the breath to sustain it any longer. "I love you, too," she panted in reply, readjusting and resting her head on his shoulder as she slipped her arm across his body.
Harry shifted them once more, pulling her to rest flush against his side before extending him arms right around her. They melded against each other perfectly, and he could sense Ginny drifting off to sleep as he repeatedly brushed his fingers through her hair. In contrast he felt surprisingly wide awake, and it was some time before his hand finally came to rest on Ginny's arm as he fell into a comfortable sleep that simply wasn't long enough. Surely he had only been sleeping for a few minutes when he was awoken abruptly, a sense of urgency rushing through him as Hermione burst into the room.
"Quick, get dressed!" she hissed, tossing some clothing at the bed, his sneakers thudding against the floor.
"Hermione!" he gasped, sitting bolt upright and grasping the blanket. "Could you bloody knock!"
"Ron's awake," she explained, averting her eyes as she slipped out of the room and closed the door quietly.
Harry sat there in shock as Ginny sat up beside him, rubbing her eyes blearily. "What's wrong?" she murmured, rubbing his back absently.
For the moment he gave no reply, disappointment rendering him speechless. Was it morning already? "Erm…." he began, brushing his hair back nervously. "Ron's up…awake I mean…shit…"
She sighed from behind him, moving forward and kissing the back of his shoulder. "We'd better get dressed then…they'll be ready to go soon."
Looking to the window Harry could just see the first signs of daylight through the curtains, and knew they were already running late, having planned to leave before daylight. Faltering for a moment he turned and looked at Ginny, who peered over the side of the bed in search of her night dress. Feeling a pang of loss Harry quickly turned away from her, collecting his fresh clothing and dressing as quickly as he could in the dark. Throwing back the bed sheets he sourced out the pyjamas that had gone astray, banishing them to Hermione's bag before slipping his sneakers on.
He pulled at the laces with undue force, tying them tightly as Ginny sat down beside him now fully dressed. Finished, he let his foot drop to the floor with a thud, praying that Ginny would ask him not to go, though he knew she wouldn't.
"Are you coming downstairs?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I said good bye last night," she admitted quietly.
"Right…"
There was an awkward silence as they sat side by side on the bed, neither of them knowing exactly what to say. Harry had been dreading this moment for many months, ever since knowing that it was now up to him to fight Voldemort, and the feeling was worse than he anticipated. In one awful moment the horrible truth hit him hard, and he pictured his life permanently without Ginny, the absolute worst case scenario passing through his mind. If something awful happened to her, there would be no point to anything that he did from that moment on, no reason to continue his fight, and he knew that he was doing the right thing by protecting her.
Unable to stand the silence any longer Harry slowly stood up, picking up his wand from the floor before turning back to Ginny who watched him patiently. "I love you," he reminded her, slipping his hand into her hair and leaning down to kiss her.
She grasped at his jumper and returned his kiss, and when he broke away he could see that her eyes were glassy with tears that she didn't want to fall. Swallowing thickly she blinked a few times, releasing his jumper. "I love you too," she choked out, breathing heavily to keep herself composed.
He nodded and quickly turned away, forcing himself to open the door and leave without looking back. Closing the door after himself Harry stood in the dark hallway alone, clenching his jaw together as he tried to compose himself, his hands shaking as he shook his head to himself. Normally Ginny was the stronger of the two, the more composed and level headed, and he wished that he could get her choked voice out of his head.
Drawing in a shuddering breath Harry lit his wand and went downstairs before he could burst back into Ginny's room, slowing down as he came to the lounge room. Looking in he watched as Ron and Hermione loaded her bag with the last of their belongings, and felt a stab of jealousy as he watched them. That very moment Ron looked up at him, his face instantly turning into a narrow eyed glare before Hermione nudged him.
Harry knew exactly what Ron's glare accused him of, but he didn't want to think about Ginny any more. It was done, they were leaving, and he wished he could forget all about her.
"I'll be outside," he said, summoning his glasses from the coffee table.
He could see Tonks was awake, waiting for him in the kitchen, but he ignored her and marched straight outside, folding his arms against the brisk wind. Standing on the lawn Harry waited impatiently for his friends to join him, and only a few moments later he heard the front door open, Ron and Hermione's heavy footsteps echoing across the veranda as they approached him.
"Are you ready?" Hermione asked softly, feeling badly for rushing him.
Giving a sharp nod Harry turned back to the house, looking up at the windows against his better judgement. To his relief there was no sign of Ginny watching from the house, and without further hesitation the three of them broke into a brisk walk, heading towards the property line where they could apparate. They were silent as they walked, and Harry stared at the ground to avoid Ron's gaze.
A few minutes later they came to a sudden stop, Hermione looking around before taking their wrists in her hands and squeezing tightly. "We're going south then?" she confirmed.
Harry let Ron answer, taking one last glance back towards Shell Cottage before leaving the only part of his life that made sense.
A/N Thanks to those that responded to my plea for help regarding a beta-reader, thanks to all. Thanks to those currently helping me out, especially to Emily who is helping a lot in regards to the plot.
Enjoy and review, please.