Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 646

Warning for sexual comments

Hush

"You've been avoiding me," Ginny said, stepping forwards to join Harry at the back door. "Wanna tell me why?"

Harry sighed. "You know why, Gin. Uni starts today and… admittedly, I'm nervous."

"Why? You've been looking forward to it for months."

"Yeah, but… new people. It's… so many chances for one of them to be my soulmate and I don't want that," he rushed to reassure her. "I don't, but if I find them and it's… what if it's not you?"

She smiled. "That's what you're worried about, really?"

He nodded, and she pushed up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "You've got nothing to worry about, I promise you. You're my soulmate, Harry."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked, wanting, needing something to cling to.

"I've known since my first year," she replied, smiling. "And if you think about it, you'll realise it too."

"Gin—"

"Stop worrying, and have fun, okay? Come see me in Hogsmeade when you can. I'll send you the dates when we get them."

"Gin—"

"Harry. Tell me you love me and that you'll see me in a few weeks."

"I love you," he swore, tugging her into a hug. "I love you, and I'll see you in a few weeks."

She nodded. "Better. I love you. Have fun, okay? University is supposed to be great, so make sure you enjoy it."

"I… I will. Just… how did you know?"

She smiled. "You'll work it out, Potter. I have faith in you."

…

It was three weeks later when Harry woke up suddenly, panting, with the perfectly formed knowledge that Ginny was his soulmate. And he knew why she'd known.

…

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, as the two of them walked through Hogsmeade. "Before, I mean. I never… I thought it was because of the diary, because of Tom, you know? I never even thought about—"

She shook her head. "I think, because I already wanted it, I recognised it for what it was. And, I guess I wanted you to want me for me, not because of a bond, you know?"

He nodded because that made sense.

"You're a parselmouth. Can you still…?"

She took a deep breath and checked that there was nobody in hearing distance before she hissed softly.

"That's… unnecessarily hot when you do it. It's just creepy when I do it," Harry muttered, shaking his head.

Ginny giggled.

"So, what talent of yours did I get?" he asked, smiling down at her.

She shrugged. "Flying maybe? Bill and Charlie had me on a broom when I was seven, so… it's possible."

"If that's true, you've saved my life multiple times that I didn't know about," Harry replied, chuckling. "You're the reason I survived a fully grown dragon in fourth year."

She rolled her eyes. "Hush up, Potter, you're making me blush."

They shared a chuckle, and Ginny pushed herself tighter against him. "I miss you, you know? It's weird, not having you there with me."

"It's weird not being there," Harry admitted, looking up at the towering turrets of the first place he'd found a home in. "It's only a little while longer though, and they you'll be at Merlin University with me. It'll be fun."

"Yeah… private rooms… no supervision… it'll be fun alright."

Harry groaned and rubbed a hand over his face. "Dammit, Gin, I'm trying really hard not to think about that yet."

Ginny laughed, loud and free, and it was the best sound Harry had ever known.

"It'll give you something nice to dream about tonight," she said, looking far too pleased with herself.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You're a little tease, you know that, right?"

Ginny scoffed. "It's only teasing if you're not willing to follow through with it. I'm as excited as you are."

"That… that does not make any of this easier. Hush."

Written for:

Romance Awareness, Day 30. You share talents with your soulmate.

Romance Awareness, Extra: 22. The first day of a new job/school/university