The days prior to the leaving of the boys were filled with both anxiously hurried preparing as well as an odd sort of simmering resentment being aimed at them from the female members of the Hogwarts and Hogsmeade communities. For it had been decided that it was the male population that would spearhead the attack upon Voldemort and his followers, while the womenfolk were left behind to protect and defend the homes and families. Which did not make for the most happy of women, or men for that matter.
"You are not leaving us behind, you two!" Raged a even more harried looking Hermione Granger as she stood blocking the exit from the Gryffindor tower from the two lanky young men before her. "Dumbledore himself said that our defensive spell were stronger than yours! And yours are the strongest in our class, Harry!"
Behind her, lurking in the portal itself, stood a pale-faced and worried, yet resolute Ginny Weasley. It was the scared look on her face that was drawing the somber faced Harry Potter's attention more than Hermione's ranting and raving. Abruptly, he made a decision.
"It's not my decision to make. One moment though, Hermione, please. I just remembered something I need to get from my room." He stated, spinning about sharply on one heel and marching up to his dorm.
"You see! That is exactly what I mean!" Was the last thing he heard before the thick door slide closed with a soft thump and blocked out the sound of her growingly panicked voice. He strode across the stone flags of the room to his desk with a purposeful air. Once at the heavy oaken affair, he withdrew his wand from his pocket, reached through the footwell as far back as he could, then tapped the tip of the wand, once, twice, against the far back, left hand corner of the drawer for quills. There was a soft whirl of sound the an almost softer click, emanating from the desk. Straightening, he replaced his wand to his pocket and pulled open the quill drawer. First it slid out the short bit it always did, then after a second gentle tug, he pulled it out the rest of the way, though it did not remove itself from the desk, rather it opened into a full-sized drawer.
Inside, nearly completely full to the brim, were neatly tied stacks of letters. Most of the stacks were addressed to senders but never sent. However, he reached to the very back and removed a much smaller stack from where it was tucked away behind another. That stack he tucked away into a pocket of his robe, then pulling out quill and parchment from another drawer, he hurriedly scribbled out two letters. One he slipped into his pocket, the other he folded neatly into an envelope and tucked away under the stack the furthest back in the drawer.
Pushing the drawer closed, he spun about and strode back out of the room.
Days grew shorter
And the nights are getting long
Feels like we're running out of time
Everyday it seems much harder
Telling right from wrong
You've got to read between the lines
Don't get discouraged
Don't be afraid
We can make it through another day
Make it worth the price we pay
"Sorry, Hermione, but I need to speak with Gin." Harry stated almost as soon as his foot left the last step, and he turned towards the tiny crowd cluttering the accessway. For a moment, Ron looked as though he would throw his arms about his friend for his brilliance, but the next words out of the Boy Who Lived's mouth dashed all of the youngest Weasley boy's hopes of a clever escape.
"Alone. Gin, please?" Ginny nodded, and quietly accepted the proffered hand as she followed the boy, no, man, whom she loved more than anything.
He led her down passages, normally cluttered with the hustle and bustle of students busily hurrying about on their way to their variegated classes, now empty. Through archways bordered by strangely absentee wizards and witches in their empty gilded frames. Up and down stairways filmed with a light tracery of dust, unmarred by the footprints that would typically litter the stone flags. And finally, through a single doorway and out. Out into a silent garden where the soft fragrance of blossoms and greenery wafted gently through the air to tickle their noses with its delicate touch.
Harry released her hand just within the doorway, leaving the red-headed woman, almost yet a child, standing oddly bereft behind him as he stepped towards the massive stone wall, before them, overgrown and tangled with greenery. He paused a second to glance back over his shoulder at her with a quick wink, then leapt towards the wall and vanished into the stonework. She reached towards where he had vanished, her face a mask of worry and anxiousness.
"Harry?" She whispered, taking a halting step forwards. "Please don't leave me here alone."
And then, he reappeared, his head poking though the masonry which barricaded the way before her, a strangely soft smile on his face. Then his head vanished again, only to be replaced shortly thereafter by his arm reaching out to her. Filled with trepidation she took the hand thrust from the wall, and suddenly gasped as she was suddenly pulled through the wall.
And into a tiny grotto, hidden away from prying eyes.
A bare trickle of a stream traced its way through the far edge. Besides it blossomed a rose bush whose flowers were of a lavender so dark that they almost seemed blue. Harry was perched on the simple stone bench that presided against the high stone wall to her immediate left. The way to the right was blocked off by a tall maze hedge, and the far wall of the castle itself prevented further passage onwards. She spun around, only to find that instead of an impenetrable wall there was a simple tunnel through a similar hedge wall, and the only thing preventing her from full vision of the doorway which they had entered through was a curtain of plain vines, which blossomed with tiny white flowers.
"Harry?" Came the tremulous question from her soft lips. "Where - what - what is this place?"
"It's one of the hidden gardens." He replied, standing and walking to her side to guide her to the bench. "I found it a couple of years ago with the help of my father's map. I come here, sometimes, when I want to think, or just get away from everyone."
She looked up at him, confused. He didn't notice, as he was gazing off into the sky above the hedge wall from where he leaned back against the cool stone of the wall behind them, so she resorted to words.
"Then, why did you bring me here? If this is your place, I mean."
When he turned to look at her, she dropped her gaze from the odd pain she found within the verdant depths of his eyes. "You didn't want to come?"
"Oh, I did! Of course, I did! I would follow you anywhere! You know that." The last bit was whispered softly as a slightly more rosy hue tinted her freckled cheeks. "I just don't understand why you would give up your last refuge."
"I didn't realize I was giving anything up." He whispered, almost to softly to hear before speaking in a more normal tone as he continued. "I wanted you to have a place, too. Gin," he reached over and gently raised her face up to meet his gaze. "you're one of my best friends. Sometimes, I feel like there are things I can talk about with you that I can't talk about with anyone else." He chuckled once, softly, a rueful sound. "You know, you probably know more about me that anyone, probably even including me. But, Gin? I know you."
The Good Book says it's better
To give than to receive
I do my best to do my part
Nothing in my pockets
I've got nothing up my sleeves
I keep my magic in my heart
Keep up your spirit
Keep up you faith, baby
I am counting on you
You know what you got to do
"Harry..." she started to say, as she reached up and grasped his hand where it yet rested upon her chin, but never had the chance to finish what she was going to say.
"No, Gin. I do know you. I know you want to come with us. I know your scared. Scared that we won't come back. I can see it in your eyes when you look at Ron or me, or anyone else that's going. And I'm not going to lie to you, Gin. We might not." He clasped her free hand in his own, as he saw the tears beginning to brim in her eyes. "Please, don't cry, Gin."
"Harry, you need me to come!" she suddenly sobbed. "I can help! I'm the best with charms and defensive spells! You need me there!"
He stopped her head-long rush with a single finger against her lips. She stopped speaking, though the tears still streamed down her face. "No, Gin." He murmured, only loud enough for her to hear, his emerald eyes filled with an unusual glimmer. "I need you here. I need you safe."
"But, Harry..."
"Shush. I need a reason to come back." A slow, sad smile spread across his face as he gentle brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, though his eyes shone with unshed tears. "Be that reason? "
She nodded, even as she sniffled back the few remaining tears. "Of course, Harry. Always and forever. I promise. If you ever need me, whatever you need me for, I'll always be here."
"Thanks, Gin." He quickly pulled her into a brief hug, then pulled back and began rummaging in the pockets of his robe. Pulling out the letter he had stuffed in there earlier, he offered it to her. "Here, this is for you."
Then, before she even had the chance to open the letter, a sudden claxon broke the peaceful silence.
"That's my cue." He said, "I need to be going now." Then, filled with sudden resolve, he leaned over and brushed his lips softly against the startled girl's. Then he was gone, the vine curtain swaying lightly as the only sign of his departure.
Ginny pressed her hand gently against her lips as a light blush spread across her cheeks. Then, she leapt to her feet and dashed off after him, to say her farewells to the departing boys who were so suddenly forced to become men.
Fight the good fight everybody
Every minute
Every day
Fight the good fight everybody
It's your only way
She caught up only moments before he was about to step aboard the train that would whisk them away on what was certain to be the greatest adventure, as well as the most dangerous times of their short lives. As she raced past the surrounding crowds, she was suddenly struck by the realization that when they came back, so many of those she saw standing about with a kind of forced nonchalance were not going to be coming back with them. And that thought blurred her vision with the tears that trickled down her face.
"Wait! Wait!" She cried as she finally managed to push through the last remaining line of people to stand panting slightly before Harry and her bewildered brother.
"What is it, Gin?" Ron asked, mere moments before he was enveloped in her embrace.
"I'll miss you, Ron." She said, choking back tears. "Come home safe, okay?"
Ron smiled a bittersweet smile as he returned her farewell hug. "Don't worry, Gin. I'll look after him." He replied.
She looked at him startled by his comment. Ron merely winked in reply. Then she turned to where Harry had been standing silently to the side. Gathering her resolve about her, she carefully stepped across the distance between them. Then her arms slipped about his neck, and his wrapped themselves about her waist.
"I'll miss you, Harry." She whispered into his ear. "Come home safe."
"I'll miss you, too. And I'll do my best to come home in one piece, so long as I know you're here, safe and sound." He replied, tightening his embrace slightly. It was Ron's clearing of his throat that reminded them of where they were.
But Ginny Weasley was not one to be so lightly dissuaded from her path once she had set her mind to travel it, which was why with tears streaming down her face, she kissed him lightly upon the cheek and whispered six simple words into his ear before releasing him to board the train.
"Please, come home. I love you."
He watched her fade into the distance from where he sat peering out the window into the fog, as the train pulled away from the station.
All your life
You've been waiting for your chance
Where you fit into the pact
You're the master of your own destiny
So get out
And take the best that you can
You think that move of mine
Can buy your soul some rest
You better think something else instead
You're so afraid
Of being honest with yourself
You better take a look inside yourself
Nothing is easy
Nothing good is free
But I can tell you where to start
Take a look inside your heart
There's an answer in your heart
"What did you do to her?" Ron asked suspiciously, despite his reassurance to his sister, he was still her big brother. "Why was she crying?"
"I convinced her to stay, that's all." Harry said with a sigh, as he leaned back against the seat and stared up at the ceiling of their compartment. His fingers brushed lightly against his lips in memory. "Say, Ron? What would you do if I said I kind of, well, you know..."
"Know what, you silly prat?" Ron wasn't even paying much attention, staring out the window as he was.
Harry blushed darkly. "I like Gin."
"Well, of course you do, you two are friends after all." Ron tossed the statement off.
"No, Ron. I mean, I really like her. Maybe, maybe even love..." That last bit had been little more than a whisper, but given the closeness of their compartment, it suddenly brought Ron's attention fully to bear upon Harry.
"Then I say you had damn well better not hurt her." Ron stated firmly, glaring at some point on Harry's chest. "Because if you do, I swear by God Almighty, I'm going to kill you."
Harry gulped softly, his Adam's apple bobbing about in his throat. "I don't want to hurt her, Ron."
Ron's eyes raised to meet Harry's, and surprised the other boy with how strangely soft they were, not at all the red-hot pokers that Harry was expecting. "I know you don't, Harry. I know you don't."
Fight the good fight everybody
Every minute
Every day
Fight the good fight everybody
Make it worth the price we pay
Every moment of your waking
Every minute
Every day
Fight the good fight everybody
Make it worth the price we pay
Back at Hogwarts, Ginny finally got the chance to read the letter Harry had given her in the secret grotto.
Dear Gin,
How are you? God, this is so cliched already. The reason I'm writing this is because
soon we won't be able to see each other, and that is seriously tearing me up inside. I've
written you so many letters over the years, but I've never had the courage to send them. To
think, the rest of the world is convinced that I'm so brave, but I don't even have what it
takes to send a letter to a girl! I didn't get rid of them though. I saved them. Every
last one. And now, with what's going on, I'm realizing that there's a chance that I might
never get to send any of them. On top of that, I probably won't even be able to write you
while I'm out there fighting. So, I'm going to attempt to kill two birds with one stone. Go
to my dorm, Gin. At my desk you should tap twice against the far back, left hand top corner
of the footwell with your wand. Something should click. Then open the top drawer, the one
where I keep my quills, you know which one. It won't come open all of the way at once, so
give it a tug. Not to hard though! You don't want it flying out! But, behind the quills,
you'll find the letters. I hope that you can stay strong through out these days. I'll come
back as soon as we've defeated Voldemort. I promise.
Forever,
Harry.
