Harry rolled from his bed heavy-eyed and stumbling, but grinning in a way that belied the exhaustion he felt. The activities of just a few hours ago kept re-playing in his mind, as if the time spent sleepless afterward hadn't afforded him adequate time for a post-mortem…Memories involving sighs and kisses and hands and….OWW! He rubbed his elbow and continued tying his shoes. Enough! It was hard enough not to creep into the girl's dormitories for another go…
Harry noticed that Ron was still asleep as he made his way quietly to the door. He bit back a guilty smile at the thought of his reaction if he knew. Stop it! He admonished himself shaking his head ruefully. If this was any indication of the traitorous way his brain…and body…were going to act from now on, well he was in a LOT of trouble. He jumped the last step into the common room. It was deserted, still too early for much pre-breakfast activity. The grate in the fireplace was cold, barren and black with ashes, betraying nothing of what it witnessed last night. Harry didn't even realize he'd walked over to…the spot, until he was gazing down at the hearthrug under his feet. He let several pleasurable images heat his cheeks while he absently ran a foot over the crimson border.
The secret grin playing on his lips faded as the wicked, wonderful memories dissolved and were replaced by the image of a hideous hooded figure - one that had haunted his dreams intermittently before, but now promised to take up permanent residence in his very soul. He again felt the terrible helplessness that assaulted him as he'd held Ginny tightly, willing away the encroaching threat. He sighed, an uneven angry sigh that betrayed a frustration that had gnawed at him in the past. Why, why, WHY couldn't he have a normal life like every other wizard? Wasn't it enough for Voldemort to take his parents and his childhood and his peace of mind? Couldn't he just savor this one moment in time without his spectre looming over it like the dark mark? He rolled his eyes angrily - of course not. He was The Boy Who Lived - the living, breathing evidence of Voldemort's weakness and his ultimate prize. All of his joys would be mixed with pain until …until Dark Lord was destroyed forever.
"Doesn't look any different, does it?"
He didn't turn, just grasped the hands that crept around his waist from behind and felt a soft cheek against his back.
"I would have thought that the rug would at least have turned into a bed of roses." He could hear the laughter in Ginny's voice. "Of course, they'd probably all start singing some dodgy limerick or something."
He laughter betrayed his relief. She was all right. In typical Ginny fashion, she'd bounced back from the terror that had invaded their bliss last night. There would be time later to discuss the grim possibilities in their future - for now, he just wanted to be hopelessly in love. He turned in her arms to look into her pale sleep-deprived face and noted the faint purple shadows under her eyes.
"You're beautiful" he smiled.
"Yes, I think the life of a wanton will suit me well…" she giggled happily into his ear as she hugged him. When she pulled back, however, her face was serious. "Are you OK?"
"Scared to death -- you?" he answered softly, stroking her hair back from her face.
"Nah." she smiled, almost making him believe for a minute that she meant it. "At least let's pretend I'm not."
After one last look at the hearthrug, they turned and walked arm-in-arm to the door to head downstairs and back to the real world.
Breakfast proved to be an awkward affair, full of blushes and furtive grins. And that was Ron and Hermione. Harry and Ginny were stoic in behavior compared to their flustered best friends who seemed to have spent the night in a similar fashion as them, but were much worse at hiding the fact. Harry was amused and wondering -- how did Ron manage to sneak off to the room of the Gryffindor prefect without running into him at some point? He was very happy for them both, not the least for being too absorbed in each other to notice their sleepy and giggling breakfast companions.
"We all must look completely daft," Ginny murmured as Ron's elbow sent the butter knife flying across the table with a loud crash. He retrieved it, blushing furiously.
"D'you think they had as much fun as us?" Harry whispered, lips lingering momentarily by her ear so that he could enjoy her shiver.
Ginny casually reached under the table and grasped his leg - very -- high up. Hermione and Ron looked up curiously when Harry jumped, making the table thump even louder.
"What's the matter, Harry?" Ginny purred sweetly. "Forget something?"
Harry was sorely tempted to return the compliment when she was interrupted by the entrance of the owls with the morning post. A letter fell to Ginny's plate and she tore it open eagerly.
"Mum gave her permission for us to stay over the Christmas holiday!" she announced happily to Ron, tossing the missive to him and grinning when he missed the catch and scrambled under the table to retrieve it.
She turned give Harry a quick hug. "Now we'll have plenty of opportunities to sneak about and be… wanton…" she whispered, taking a quick nibble at his ear before looking around furtively and jumping to her feet. "In fact, I'll go find McGonegall now to make the arrangements, OK, Ron? Er, Ron?" She rolled her eyes at her brother and rapped him on the head with her knuckles. "Oi!"
"OW! What?" Ron jumped indignantly. He had been intent on whispering something in Hermione's ear - Harry figured it was probably something similar to Ginny's whisper to him. Did all of the Weasleys have the same preoccupation with sex? He chuckled and mentally closed the door on THAT thought.
"Come ON, Ron - " Ginny pulled him up by his robe, "Let's go now to arrange it with McGonegall."
Ron opened his mouth to protest, then shrugged and kissed his girlfriend quickly. "Be right back."
Harry was busy staring into his goblet and admiring the way the pumpkin juice looked just like the color of flowing hair when he heard Hermione clear her throat. He looked up to find her eyes sparkling wickedly at him.
"Er…what?" Harry flushed slightly and returned to his goblet gazing uncomfortably.
"So you didn't really need my advice, did you? Managed on your own quite nicely?" Hermione stood up and shook out her robe with an air of efficiency and innocence.
"Wha??? Herm -- Hermione….what do you mean…?" Harry slowly raised his head as comprehension slowly dawned on his sleep-deprived brain.
"So, anyway - just thought I'd touch base with you …glad to see it all worked out - BYE!" Hermione leapt back just as Harry lunged for her.
"You KNEW?" Harry yelled, causing a few heads to turn absently his way. The Gryffindors seemed to take so much in stride anymore. "You…you! You acted so - ARGH! " Hermione giggled madly as she danced away, wiggling her fingers goodbye to him. "You let me .. act like a perfect idiot…"
Harry slumped in his seat, shaking his head in disbelief. She had known exactly what he had been after the other night while he stammered and made a total prat of himself and LET him go on…He grinned a bit at the memory. Not only had Hermione known what he'd been on about; she obviously wasn't as oblivious about Ginny and him as her boyfriend. Hermione always was too smart for her own good. Harry chuckled, thinking that he was glad that her boyfriend wasn't.
He pushed himself up to find Ginny. It was almost time for Double Divination and he needed a kiss to sustain him through the horrors that no doubt would be predicted for his future. He wove his way through the hurrying students, craning his neck for a sight of the beloved red head. As he turned to mount the stairs, he heard a familiar voice around the corner.
"Why, hello little Weasel…" It was Malfoy. "Potter keeping you busy these days? That robe you're wearing is disgraceful, you know. It doesn't look like he's paying you enough for your services -- I can offer you a much better hourly rate, I'm sure…"
Harry felt a surge of hatred as he lunged around the corner.
"Expelliarmus!"
He caught Malfoy's flying wand as if it were a snitch.
"Say that again, Malfoy." He savored the white-hot rage that pounded in his temples. He welcomed it - all the worry and frustration and conflicting emotions from the past 24 hours, combined with the anger he felt about Ginny's safety exploded. She put a hand out to stop him as he raised his own wand. He gently pushed it away before tossing the wand to the ground.
"Please say that filth again." Harry advanced, feeling the power of his anger and frankly, enjoying it. "I'll really love to feel your nose breaking right now."
Malfoy took a step back, paling slightly.
"Not so brave without your wand, are you?" he taunted, locking the pale blue eyes with his own. "Don't even THINK about it." He added as Crabbe and Goyle furtively groped for their wands. They stopped dead, unsure without orders from above.
For a moment, there was silence.
"Harry" He felt a firm touch on his shaking shoulder. Ginny grasped his hand and tugged. "Come on."
He allowed her to pull him away slowly, never looking away from Malfoy. He saw him reach into his robes as the familiar sneer reappeared on his lips.
"Here.." Malfoy tossed a sickle at Ginny's feet. "THAT'S for last night…" Ginny gasped. Crabbe and Goyle tittered uneasily.
Harry didn't know exactly what happened, just that a rush of adrenaline hit him like a curse. A minute later, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were all sprawled on the floor at their feet. He looked blankly at his empty hands as if expecting his wand to be there. It wasn't. What had he…? He was slightly unnerved that whatever he had done - he had somehow done it with his bare hands - his knuckles hurt…
Ginny tossed Malfoy's wand to the ground and held out her hand. Harry took it automatically.
"Oh, and Draco…" Ginny's voice was dripping with sadistic sugar. "Don't flatter yourself. I'd rather do Filch AND Snape gratis than touch you for all of the gold in Gringotts."
They stepped over the dazed bodies - though Ginny, in true Weasley tradition, was careful to tread on Malfoy's hand, and walked toward the stairs.
"Erm…Harry?" Ginny sounded hesitant, almost frightened. "Are you…are you OK?"
Harry felt his heart still pounding against his rib cage. He attempted to unclench his fists and jaw. It wasn't easy. Emotions raced through him in every direction, making it impossible to stop and identify any of them.
"Uh… yeah…." He stopped abruptly and dropped to the step to sit. He stared at the floor, breathing heavily. He opened his mouth to reassure her and found himself bursting out -
"I don't know Gin! Maybe it's all too much! I just can't believe how….furious I was….It just seems like ….I don't know - " he grabbed her hands and pulled her down next to him. " Gin, if I can't protect you from that pile of filth, how can I keep you safe from ….well, Voldemort or a… Dementor?"
Ginny sighed, shaking her head.
"First of all - it's Malfoy for goodness sakes! I'd be more worried if he didn't act like a total git. HE'S NOT IMPORTANT HARRY…Well, don't get me wrong," she giggled. "I certainly enjoyed that rather impressive display of macho chivalry back there - but come on, not only can't you protect me every minute of the day,I DON"T WANT TO BE! Yes, I'm scared. Scared half out of my wits if you must know, but I can't stand the thought of being put in a pretty little cell because I can't take care of myself -- Harry, you KNOW that!"
"Ginny…this is serious. You're right - I can't stop everything that's going to threaten you, though I still wish I could. But…" he reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. "I will not let you be harmed by anything, be it Voldemort, Dementors, ANYTHING. Whatever I have to do." He surprised even himself by how determined he was. He surprised Ginny too.
"And just how do you expect to do that?" her voice took on a dangerous edge.
"Gin - " he figured he'd at least make an attempt to reason. "Voldemort took you before because you were alone. Right here. At Hogwarts, remember? Where it's supposed to be safe? You were kidnapped and almost died because you were alone and -- because I love you. I can't let that happen again. I just can't…"
"What are you going to do, shadow me everywhere I go?" Ginny tried to laugh but failed. Her brown eyes were warning him off.
"Yes", his voice was quiet.
"WHAT?"
"Gin - what do you want from me? Do you want me to sit by and watch the most important person in my world die OR WORSE because -- of -- me? How can you expect me to do that? Especially if there's any possibility of saving you! I can't do that!"
"If you think that you can keep me locked away like some stupid secret - you're in for a world of surprise, MR. Potter!" Ginny snapped, jumping up. "Don't you dare talk about my expectations of you! Up until a year ago I HAD NONE! I got to sit by and watch the most important person in my world in constant danger! I didn't have the luxury of protecting him! I got to sit in the backround and be 'cute little Ginny' and pretend I wasn't dying with fear! So just deal with it Harry! Some of us have had to do it for a long, long time!" She brushed away an angry tear and turned to run up the stairs. Harry's hand reached up and grabbed hers in a steel grasp. He didn't raise his head when he spoke calmly.
"No."
Ginny was yanking angrily at her hand. She stopped abruptly and looked daggers at him.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
Still grasping her hand, he stood up to face her.
"I said 'no'…I won't just deal with it and I won't just let you go. Whether or not you like it doesn't matter to me right now. In fact, even if it makes you hate me, I intend to follow your every step. So if you do hate me, you'd better re-think your strategy because it will get really annoying. You won't be able to walk two feet without me. You're stuck with me, so you get used to it."
Ginny's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to retort but hesitated. She looked slightly confused.
"Gin, " his voice softened. "I hate to think of the years I spent without you because I was an idiot. I wish with all my heart that I could take back those times when you worried about me alone. But I can't. I'm sorry. But I will not lose you out of some sort of cosmic justice for all of the times I hurt you in the past…If anything, I need to atone for them that much more. I mean it. I'm not budging on this one Gin."
He dropped her hand and stood silently, as impassive as the bodyguard he was preparing to be.
The stillness ticked by. Ginny didn't move, just stared steadily into the stubborn green eyes. They stared back, unmoved.
Finally, she spoke.
"Harry."
"Yeah?" His voice was gentle; it belied his seeming lack of concern.
"You really aren't going to change your mind, are you?"
Harry almost grinned - was that a note of respect he heard? He rearranged his features quickly.
"No."
A small, slightly bemused smile flitted across her lips.
"Well, ok… then…Shadow…I guess we'd better get to class." Reaching up, she touched his cheek lightly for one brief moment and turned and mounted the stairs.
Harry noticed that Ron was still asleep as he made his way quietly to the door. He bit back a guilty smile at the thought of his reaction if he knew. Stop it! He admonished himself shaking his head ruefully. If this was any indication of the traitorous way his brain…and body…were going to act from now on, well he was in a LOT of trouble. He jumped the last step into the common room. It was deserted, still too early for much pre-breakfast activity. The grate in the fireplace was cold, barren and black with ashes, betraying nothing of what it witnessed last night. Harry didn't even realize he'd walked over to…the spot, until he was gazing down at the hearthrug under his feet. He let several pleasurable images heat his cheeks while he absently ran a foot over the crimson border.
The secret grin playing on his lips faded as the wicked, wonderful memories dissolved and were replaced by the image of a hideous hooded figure - one that had haunted his dreams intermittently before, but now promised to take up permanent residence in his very soul. He again felt the terrible helplessness that assaulted him as he'd held Ginny tightly, willing away the encroaching threat. He sighed, an uneven angry sigh that betrayed a frustration that had gnawed at him in the past. Why, why, WHY couldn't he have a normal life like every other wizard? Wasn't it enough for Voldemort to take his parents and his childhood and his peace of mind? Couldn't he just savor this one moment in time without his spectre looming over it like the dark mark? He rolled his eyes angrily - of course not. He was The Boy Who Lived - the living, breathing evidence of Voldemort's weakness and his ultimate prize. All of his joys would be mixed with pain until …until Dark Lord was destroyed forever.
"Doesn't look any different, does it?"
He didn't turn, just grasped the hands that crept around his waist from behind and felt a soft cheek against his back.
"I would have thought that the rug would at least have turned into a bed of roses." He could hear the laughter in Ginny's voice. "Of course, they'd probably all start singing some dodgy limerick or something."
He laughter betrayed his relief. She was all right. In typical Ginny fashion, she'd bounced back from the terror that had invaded their bliss last night. There would be time later to discuss the grim possibilities in their future - for now, he just wanted to be hopelessly in love. He turned in her arms to look into her pale sleep-deprived face and noted the faint purple shadows under her eyes.
"You're beautiful" he smiled.
"Yes, I think the life of a wanton will suit me well…" she giggled happily into his ear as she hugged him. When she pulled back, however, her face was serious. "Are you OK?"
"Scared to death -- you?" he answered softly, stroking her hair back from her face.
"Nah." she smiled, almost making him believe for a minute that she meant it. "At least let's pretend I'm not."
After one last look at the hearthrug, they turned and walked arm-in-arm to the door to head downstairs and back to the real world.
Breakfast proved to be an awkward affair, full of blushes and furtive grins. And that was Ron and Hermione. Harry and Ginny were stoic in behavior compared to their flustered best friends who seemed to have spent the night in a similar fashion as them, but were much worse at hiding the fact. Harry was amused and wondering -- how did Ron manage to sneak off to the room of the Gryffindor prefect without running into him at some point? He was very happy for them both, not the least for being too absorbed in each other to notice their sleepy and giggling breakfast companions.
"We all must look completely daft," Ginny murmured as Ron's elbow sent the butter knife flying across the table with a loud crash. He retrieved it, blushing furiously.
"D'you think they had as much fun as us?" Harry whispered, lips lingering momentarily by her ear so that he could enjoy her shiver.
Ginny casually reached under the table and grasped his leg - very -- high up. Hermione and Ron looked up curiously when Harry jumped, making the table thump even louder.
"What's the matter, Harry?" Ginny purred sweetly. "Forget something?"
Harry was sorely tempted to return the compliment when she was interrupted by the entrance of the owls with the morning post. A letter fell to Ginny's plate and she tore it open eagerly.
"Mum gave her permission for us to stay over the Christmas holiday!" she announced happily to Ron, tossing the missive to him and grinning when he missed the catch and scrambled under the table to retrieve it.
She turned give Harry a quick hug. "Now we'll have plenty of opportunities to sneak about and be… wanton…" she whispered, taking a quick nibble at his ear before looking around furtively and jumping to her feet. "In fact, I'll go find McGonegall now to make the arrangements, OK, Ron? Er, Ron?" She rolled her eyes at her brother and rapped him on the head with her knuckles. "Oi!"
"OW! What?" Ron jumped indignantly. He had been intent on whispering something in Hermione's ear - Harry figured it was probably something similar to Ginny's whisper to him. Did all of the Weasleys have the same preoccupation with sex? He chuckled and mentally closed the door on THAT thought.
"Come ON, Ron - " Ginny pulled him up by his robe, "Let's go now to arrange it with McGonegall."
Ron opened his mouth to protest, then shrugged and kissed his girlfriend quickly. "Be right back."
Harry was busy staring into his goblet and admiring the way the pumpkin juice looked just like the color of flowing hair when he heard Hermione clear her throat. He looked up to find her eyes sparkling wickedly at him.
"Er…what?" Harry flushed slightly and returned to his goblet gazing uncomfortably.
"So you didn't really need my advice, did you? Managed on your own quite nicely?" Hermione stood up and shook out her robe with an air of efficiency and innocence.
"Wha??? Herm -- Hermione….what do you mean…?" Harry slowly raised his head as comprehension slowly dawned on his sleep-deprived brain.
"So, anyway - just thought I'd touch base with you …glad to see it all worked out - BYE!" Hermione leapt back just as Harry lunged for her.
"You KNEW?" Harry yelled, causing a few heads to turn absently his way. The Gryffindors seemed to take so much in stride anymore. "You…you! You acted so - ARGH! " Hermione giggled madly as she danced away, wiggling her fingers goodbye to him. "You let me .. act like a perfect idiot…"
Harry slumped in his seat, shaking his head in disbelief. She had known exactly what he had been after the other night while he stammered and made a total prat of himself and LET him go on…He grinned a bit at the memory. Not only had Hermione known what he'd been on about; she obviously wasn't as oblivious about Ginny and him as her boyfriend. Hermione always was too smart for her own good. Harry chuckled, thinking that he was glad that her boyfriend wasn't.
He pushed himself up to find Ginny. It was almost time for Double Divination and he needed a kiss to sustain him through the horrors that no doubt would be predicted for his future. He wove his way through the hurrying students, craning his neck for a sight of the beloved red head. As he turned to mount the stairs, he heard a familiar voice around the corner.
"Why, hello little Weasel…" It was Malfoy. "Potter keeping you busy these days? That robe you're wearing is disgraceful, you know. It doesn't look like he's paying you enough for your services -- I can offer you a much better hourly rate, I'm sure…"
Harry felt a surge of hatred as he lunged around the corner.
"Expelliarmus!"
He caught Malfoy's flying wand as if it were a snitch.
"Say that again, Malfoy." He savored the white-hot rage that pounded in his temples. He welcomed it - all the worry and frustration and conflicting emotions from the past 24 hours, combined with the anger he felt about Ginny's safety exploded. She put a hand out to stop him as he raised his own wand. He gently pushed it away before tossing the wand to the ground.
"Please say that filth again." Harry advanced, feeling the power of his anger and frankly, enjoying it. "I'll really love to feel your nose breaking right now."
Malfoy took a step back, paling slightly.
"Not so brave without your wand, are you?" he taunted, locking the pale blue eyes with his own. "Don't even THINK about it." He added as Crabbe and Goyle furtively groped for their wands. They stopped dead, unsure without orders from above.
For a moment, there was silence.
"Harry" He felt a firm touch on his shaking shoulder. Ginny grasped his hand and tugged. "Come on."
He allowed her to pull him away slowly, never looking away from Malfoy. He saw him reach into his robes as the familiar sneer reappeared on his lips.
"Here.." Malfoy tossed a sickle at Ginny's feet. "THAT'S for last night…" Ginny gasped. Crabbe and Goyle tittered uneasily.
Harry didn't know exactly what happened, just that a rush of adrenaline hit him like a curse. A minute later, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were all sprawled on the floor at their feet. He looked blankly at his empty hands as if expecting his wand to be there. It wasn't. What had he…? He was slightly unnerved that whatever he had done - he had somehow done it with his bare hands - his knuckles hurt…
Ginny tossed Malfoy's wand to the ground and held out her hand. Harry took it automatically.
"Oh, and Draco…" Ginny's voice was dripping with sadistic sugar. "Don't flatter yourself. I'd rather do Filch AND Snape gratis than touch you for all of the gold in Gringotts."
They stepped over the dazed bodies - though Ginny, in true Weasley tradition, was careful to tread on Malfoy's hand, and walked toward the stairs.
"Erm…Harry?" Ginny sounded hesitant, almost frightened. "Are you…are you OK?"
Harry felt his heart still pounding against his rib cage. He attempted to unclench his fists and jaw. It wasn't easy. Emotions raced through him in every direction, making it impossible to stop and identify any of them.
"Uh… yeah…." He stopped abruptly and dropped to the step to sit. He stared at the floor, breathing heavily. He opened his mouth to reassure her and found himself bursting out -
"I don't know Gin! Maybe it's all too much! I just can't believe how….furious I was….It just seems like ….I don't know - " he grabbed her hands and pulled her down next to him. " Gin, if I can't protect you from that pile of filth, how can I keep you safe from ….well, Voldemort or a… Dementor?"
Ginny sighed, shaking her head.
"First of all - it's Malfoy for goodness sakes! I'd be more worried if he didn't act like a total git. HE'S NOT IMPORTANT HARRY…Well, don't get me wrong," she giggled. "I certainly enjoyed that rather impressive display of macho chivalry back there - but come on, not only can't you protect me every minute of the day,I DON"T WANT TO BE! Yes, I'm scared. Scared half out of my wits if you must know, but I can't stand the thought of being put in a pretty little cell because I can't take care of myself -- Harry, you KNOW that!"
"Ginny…this is serious. You're right - I can't stop everything that's going to threaten you, though I still wish I could. But…" he reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. "I will not let you be harmed by anything, be it Voldemort, Dementors, ANYTHING. Whatever I have to do." He surprised even himself by how determined he was. He surprised Ginny too.
"And just how do you expect to do that?" her voice took on a dangerous edge.
"Gin - " he figured he'd at least make an attempt to reason. "Voldemort took you before because you were alone. Right here. At Hogwarts, remember? Where it's supposed to be safe? You were kidnapped and almost died because you were alone and -- because I love you. I can't let that happen again. I just can't…"
"What are you going to do, shadow me everywhere I go?" Ginny tried to laugh but failed. Her brown eyes were warning him off.
"Yes", his voice was quiet.
"WHAT?"
"Gin - what do you want from me? Do you want me to sit by and watch the most important person in my world die OR WORSE because -- of -- me? How can you expect me to do that? Especially if there's any possibility of saving you! I can't do that!"
"If you think that you can keep me locked away like some stupid secret - you're in for a world of surprise, MR. Potter!" Ginny snapped, jumping up. "Don't you dare talk about my expectations of you! Up until a year ago I HAD NONE! I got to sit by and watch the most important person in my world in constant danger! I didn't have the luxury of protecting him! I got to sit in the backround and be 'cute little Ginny' and pretend I wasn't dying with fear! So just deal with it Harry! Some of us have had to do it for a long, long time!" She brushed away an angry tear and turned to run up the stairs. Harry's hand reached up and grabbed hers in a steel grasp. He didn't raise his head when he spoke calmly.
"No."
Ginny was yanking angrily at her hand. She stopped abruptly and looked daggers at him.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
Still grasping her hand, he stood up to face her.
"I said 'no'…I won't just deal with it and I won't just let you go. Whether or not you like it doesn't matter to me right now. In fact, even if it makes you hate me, I intend to follow your every step. So if you do hate me, you'd better re-think your strategy because it will get really annoying. You won't be able to walk two feet without me. You're stuck with me, so you get used to it."
Ginny's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to retort but hesitated. She looked slightly confused.
"Gin, " his voice softened. "I hate to think of the years I spent without you because I was an idiot. I wish with all my heart that I could take back those times when you worried about me alone. But I can't. I'm sorry. But I will not lose you out of some sort of cosmic justice for all of the times I hurt you in the past…If anything, I need to atone for them that much more. I mean it. I'm not budging on this one Gin."
He dropped her hand and stood silently, as impassive as the bodyguard he was preparing to be.
The stillness ticked by. Ginny didn't move, just stared steadily into the stubborn green eyes. They stared back, unmoved.
Finally, she spoke.
"Harry."
"Yeah?" His voice was gentle; it belied his seeming lack of concern.
"You really aren't going to change your mind, are you?"
Harry almost grinned - was that a note of respect he heard? He rearranged his features quickly.
"No."
A small, slightly bemused smile flitted across her lips.
"Well, ok… then…Shadow…I guess we'd better get to class." Reaching up, she touched his cheek lightly for one brief moment and turned and mounted the stairs.