The next morning, Ron was getting eggs and bacon out of the icebox and Hermione was making coffee when Harry and Ginny came downstairs arguing.

"I didn't mean it like that!" Harry said.

"How else could you possibly have meant it?" Ginny shouted back. She stormed into the kitchen. "Ron, can I borrow your Cleansweep?"

"Sure," Ron said.

Ginny grabbed it from the corner.

"Where do you think you're going?" Harry shouted.

"Out!" she said, heading for the door.

"What about potions?" Hermione asked.

Ginny turned around. "I'm a professional Quidditch player now. I don't give a toss about my N.E.W.T.s or anything else apparently!" She turned on her heal and was out the door, slamming it behind her.

Ron and Hermione stared at Harry.

"Oh, shut up," Harry said, and stormed back upstairs.

xxx

Hermione half expected Ginny to return after Ron and Harry left for work, but she didn't. At ten o'clock, Hermione left for Hogwarts to take her potions N.E.W.T. Eight unbelievable hours later she left Slughorn to grade her work. Since it was dinnertime, she ventured to the great hall to see if Ginny was eating, but she wasn't there. Hermione went to Gryffindor tower. She didn't have the password so she waited until she saw someone she knew and followed him in.

Because so few students stayed through their N.E.W.T.s, the seventh-year girls each got their own room. It wasn't hard to guess which one was Ginny's. The door had a large Harpy talon on it. Hermione knocked.

"Come in," Ginny said. She was sitting in bed with a book in her lap.

Hermione stepped in and closed the door behind her.

Ginny held up her palm. "Don't come in here playing the good soldier. If Harry sent you, I don't want to hear it."

Hermione frowned at her. "Harry didn't send me anywhere. I just finished my potions N.E.W.T. and thought you might want to get some dinner."

Ginny deflated. "Yeah, okay. Sorry. I'm not hungry. How did the exam go?"

"I think I did alright, but it was definitely grueling. Not to mention, between classes, Slughorn felt the need to come leer at me while I was working."

Ginny shook her head. "I can't stand him. He's such a creeper."

"I know, but he always manages to run that line where you can't really say anything, because he hasn't put a toe over."

"I know," Ginny said. "He's very annoying."

Hermione sighed. "At least it's done."

"So how many more to go?"

"Just two."

"Why did I think you were sitting for ten?"

"I seriously considered nine, but I decided I didn't really need to bother with Astronomy or History of Magic."

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "It's not like you to turn down hours of pointless study."

Hermione chuckled. "I just want to be done at this point."

"I hear that."

"Are you sure I can't talk you into dinner?"

"No," Ginny said. "I still have reading to do. Despite what I said this morning, I am still intending to pass my N.E.W.T.s."

"Good. Alright then. You mind if I take Ron's broom back. He likes to fly around sometimes after work to clear his head."

"Sure. Tell him thanks for me."

Hermione picked up the broom. "Will do."

xxx

When Hermione Apparated into the parlor she found Ron reading a book on the sofa with Crookshanks curled up next to him.

"Hullo," she said, setting his broomstick against the mantel.

"Hiya," Ron said, closing his book.

Hermione looked around. "Where's Harry?"

"Grimmauld Place."

"Oh," she said. "I was afraid he might do that."

"I bet he didn't say ten words today. He went through testing like a zombie."

"Did he mess up?" Hermione asked.

"No. He aced everything. He just didn't seem to care."

"When everyone wanted to go for a beer after, he didn't even bother declining, he just Disapparated."

She sighed, but then smiled at Ron. "And how did you do?"

"Fairly well, if I do say so myself," Ron said, taking her hand. "How did potions go?"

She straddled his lap. "Eight grueling hours."

"Sounds awful," he said. "You must be exhausted."

She smiled at him again. "I'm kind of keyed up actually."

"That's too bad," Ron said, starting to unbutton her shirt. "What can we do about that?"

"I'm sure we'll think of something," she said, and kissed him.

xxx

They didn't see Harry or Ginny for the rest of the weekend. Saturday was spent at the Burrow planning their engagement party for the following weekend. Sunday was lazy. Ron listened to the Quidditch matches on the new wireless he'd bought and Hermione continued reading about Obliviation. After lunch, Ron talked her into playing two-on-two Quidditch with George and Angelina.

They got home around seven o'clock after an early dinner at the Leaky Cauldron.

"I don't know why I'm so bad on a broom," Hermione said as they walked into the house.

"You're alright," Ron said.

She gave him a withering stare. "I'm abysmal."

"Well," he said. "You're not that bad."

"Yes I am. I can't watch the Bludgers or try to get the Quaffle because all my concentration is spent just staying on the broom. Who even knows what the Snitch is doing? I don't know how you all manage it. I can't imagine how Ginny's going to play professionally? It boggles the mind."

Ron kissed her head. "E for effort though."

She snorted.

The fireplace flashed green and Harry stepped out.

"Harry," Hermione said.

"Hullo," he said.

"Where have you been all weekend?" Ron asked.

"Just working…on Grimmauld Place. Did I miss anything?"

"All the plans for the engagement party. Mum's going mental."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I wish I could have missed those."

"I played Quidditch today," Hermione added.

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Not any better than last time."

Harry laughed, but quickly sobered. "I thought I might stay here tonight, you know, in case Ginny comes out. Have either of you heard from her."

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other.

"No mate," Ron said.

Harry looked at Hermione.

"I spoke to her briefly on Friday."

"And?" Harry said hopefully.

"We talked about school."

"Oh," Harry said, crestfallen. "Well, I guess I'll go up then."

"Bit early, isn't mate?" Ron said. "I think there's another match on tonight. Why don't you stay and have a listen?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't think so. I'm tired." He trudged up the stairs.

xxx

It was after midnight when Hermione decided to head to bed. Ron had gone up hours before. She was tidying the study, when she heard the Floo activate. Pulling her wand, she stepped into the parlor to see Minerva McGonagall wrestling Ginny out of the fireplace. Ginny was screaming. "Kill him! Harry!"

Hermione ran to them. "What's happened?"

"I'm not sure," McGonagall said.

"Why didn't you take her to Madam Pomfrey?"

"It seemed more discreet to bring her here. The things she's saying…"

"Harry!" Ginny screamed again, and he came thundering down the stairs. "Get him off me. Get him off me. Kill him!"

Harry didn't seem to notice Hermione or McGonagall. He pulled Ginny into his arms. "I've got you."

"Stop him," she gasped.

Harry held her face and looked into her eyes. "I have. He's gone."

"Stop him," she wimpered.

Harry looked at McGonagall. "Has someone given her a sleeping draught?"

"Yes. Davis said she asked her for one."

"But it wasn't dreamless?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, Potter."

"It must not have been. Ginny can't take a regular sleeping draught. Hermione go up to my bathroom in the medicine cabinet there's a small purple bottle. Fetch it please."

Hermione Disapparated and reappeared a moment later. She removed the stopper and handed him the bottle.

"Please," Ginny was pleading.

"Open your mouth Ginny."

"Please…please."

He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "For me, Gin, just open your mouth." She did and he tipped the bottle against her lips. "That's my girl."

Her breathing hitched and she began to shiver. She looked around wildly. "What?"

Harry pulled off his bathrobe and wrapped it around her. "You're alright. You're safe now. I've got you."

"I thought, I thought…" She shook her head.

"It's okay. Come with me," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the stairs.

"Harry," Hermione said. "Perhaps Professor McGonagall—"

Harry turned around, shirtless with his jaw set the burn scar on his chest shiny in the firelight; he seemed taller. He was the chosen one. "I expect your complete discretion on this matter, Professor."

"Of course, Potter," McGonagall said curtly.

Ron passed Harry and Ginny on the stairs. "Is she alright?" he asked Hermione as he came into the parlor. "Bloody hell," he said upon seeing McGonagall standing there.

"Nightcap Professor?" Hermione asked.

"Yes please," McGonagall said.

The three of them went into the kitchen, where Hermione got out a bottle of Ogden's and made them all a hot toddy.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

"Davis came to me and said Ginny was screaming and they couldn't wake her."

"Why didn't you take her to the hospital wing?" Ron said.

"Because Mr. Weasley, I didn't want to compound whatever was happening by jinxing her with Silencio and I didn't fancy the entire school hearing what she was screaming."

"Oh," Ron said.

"I assumed someone in this house might know how to deal with the situation."

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other. Hermione had gone quite pale.

"Oh please," McGonagall said. "I know you all live here. I've known all along. Only an idiot could miss that."

"But you've let Ginny—" Ron started to say.

"Your sister is of age, Mr. Weasley. I suspect if I'd denied her the right to come here three days a week, she simply would have left school. I didn't want that and neither did your parents."

"Harry didn't want that either," Hermione said quickly.

"Exactly," McGonagall said. "These are unique times. Rules have to match the circumstances. Ginny isn't the only student with a long leash." She sipped her toddy. "This is quite good Granger."

"Thanks," Hermione said quietly. They all sat for a few minutes with their own thoughts as they drank their toddies.

"I received the invitation to your engagement party," McGonagall said, standing. "So I'll see you two Saturday evening."

xxx

Upstairs, Harry got Ginny settled into bed and climbed in beside her. She continued to shiver.

"I'm still really mad at you," Ginny said through chattering teeth.

"I know," Harry said. "You can shout at me tomorrow. Let's rest now."

She nodded against this chest. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said, and kissed the top of her head.

xxx

When Ron came downstairs the next morning, Harry was in the kitchen making coffee.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron said, dropping some bread in the toaster and holding his wand to it.

"She already left. Apparently, she's way behind on herbology. She seemed quite concerned."

Ron snorted. "Naturally. Where's Ginny?"

"In the shower." Harry handed him a cup of coffee.

"Perfect. I've been waiting for ages to get into the study without either of them around."

"What for?" Harry said, following him out of the kitchen.

Ron started rummaging through Hermione's old school trunk.

"Should you be doing that?" Harry asked.

"It's fine," Ron said. "Ah ha!" He held up the small videotape from the camera Hermione had given his father.

"Ron," Harry whispered. "Put that back."

"It's fine," Ron repeated. "I've been waiting to get my hands on this for ages."

"Ron, don't, it's got her parents on it."

Ron frowned at him. "I know that. What do you take me for?"

"What're you going to do with it?"

"None of your business."

"Please don't do anything stupid," Harry said. "We've had enough stupid around here for one week."

"It's not stupid, it's brilliant. Mums the word."

"Ron," Harry said. "Put it back."

Ron tucked the tape in the inside pocket of his robes. "I will."

Harry sighed.

xxx

When they were done with Auror testing for the day, Ron told Harry he needed to go out to the Burrow to help with some last-minute party plans and to tell Hermione that he'd be home later.

When Harry stepped out of the fireplace into the parlor he was surprised to see Ginny sitting on the sofa.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at school."

"It's okay. I have permission to be here. I thought maybe we could talk." Her voice was raspy and raw sounding.

Harry sat down on the sofa across from her. "Alright."

"What you said the other night about taking my time to get used to the job and to the fame, that really hurt me."

"I didn't mean it to."

"I know."

"I was trying to be reasonable. You're so young and so much has happened."

"I'm only a year younger than you are. Is this your way of telling me you're unsure about your feelings?"

"No!" Harry said. "Not at all!"

"Then why do you think I am?"

"I…" He shook his head. "I just wanted to…I don't know…I guess I thought you might see what's out there and realize you don't have to be chained to it all."

"I don't feel chained. Do you feel chained?" she said.

"Not to you, but sometimes to the rest of it: to the darkness, to this 'chosen one' business. I feel like I'm past my sell by date, but people keep serving me anyway. It should be over now."

Ginny shook her head. "You fulfilled your destiny and survived. Now it's about rebuilding for all of us. I don't want to do that without you."

He let his head fall back against the sofa. "Are you sure? Maybe you could go off to Wales and be a brilliant Quidditch player with loads of adoring fans. You could be in the sunshine and leave the darkness behind."

Ginny stood and walked over to stand in front of him. "Newsflash Potter: the darkness lives inside me, just like it lives inside you. Being with you is the only time I feel completely understood. You're the only one who has ever successfully chased away my demons."

He took her hand and kissed her palm. "So, you still want to marry me?"

"Absolutely."

xxx

When Ron stepped out of the fireplace he threw a hand over his eyes and hurried from the room. "Not in the common areas, Harry. Your rule."

"We're just snogging Ron," Ginny said.

"I'm not listening," Ron said as he walked upstairs.

"It's not as though I have her bent over the back of the couch," Harry said.

Ginny looked down at him in surprise.

"I'll tell you later," Harry said.

Ginny laughed.

Five minutes later the Floo activated again, Ginny rolled off of Harry's lap and stood buttoning her blouse, while Harry grabbed a throw pillow and held it.

"Oh, sorry," Hermione said, instantly reading the room.

"Glad to see you're feeling better, Ginny. Don't mind me," Hermione said and hurried up the stairs.

Ginny looked at Harry. "He took her over the back of the couch? Seriously?"

Harry laughed. "Face down across the table in the study actually."

Ginny's mouth dropped open. "No, they didn't. We make potions on that table."

Harry shook his head laughing. "Apparently, it's multipurpose." He took her hand. "Come on, let's go to bed."

"What the hell with those two?" Ginny said, laughing now as they climbed the stairs.

"I don't know, but I can't tell you how grateful I am they weren't together when we were hunting for horcruxes."

Ginny laughed until she started coughing. "In a tent? That would have been awful," she croaked.

"We would have been caught straight away because you know they can't be quiet." They both laughed harder and held on to each other to keep from falling over as they stumbled down the hall.

xxx

In the attic, Ron and Hermione could hear the laughter filter up from downstairs. "What's got in to them tonight?" Ron said.

"Who knows," Hermione said. "I'm just glad they're happy."

"Yeah," Ron nodded. "It's been bloody awful for the last few days."