Chapter thirty-one: A New Dawn
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K.R. – except this story, which is all mine! (Chapter title comes from Imogen's story "Carpe Diem", chapter nineteen.
Author's Notes:
Hello again! Yes, I know it's the fifteenth but no, I did not get my results yet. My school was closed today as part of Independence Day celebrations. Ugh… it means I get them tomorrow. Btw, Kateen, are you in Britain? Just asking because officially, here, in Pakistan, too the result comes out on the 22nd. Oops, I'm straying from the topic.
This chapter was wonderful to write especially the second half. Kateen, you said you didn't like the fact that Harry came back too. Actually, I'm not leaving that as a "miracle"… you'll find out why he came back in this chapter. I don't like unexplained, "impossible" type of things myself! :)
I found myself almost crying while writing this chapter and I really felt happy, too happy… I was getting goosebumps. And I found the right song for it, too. The lyrics are at the bottom… it's Bryan Adam's "Heaven". If you have it, I recommend listening to it with this story in the second half. Please? You'll find out why I'm asking you to do that. The more romantic readers may find themselves captivated… I was, at least. If you don't have the song… you can got to www.mp3search.com and download it easily. :) If you don't want to do that either, Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" will do too. But that would become a little sad…
Munku, I got your email… I've noticed something's always wrong with the ff.net review system. I just got a review that was repeated thrice!
And – Cygnus Crux – I was flattered to see your review! Have you been following my story? It's awesome! Everyone, let me tell you, Cygnus Crux's story "Harry Potter's Existence After Life" is a work of perfection! I've been waiting for an update for soo long! You're an awesome writer! I once gave you a very tearful review at Gryffindortower.net under the penname "Pottergirl". Thanks a lot for reviewing! I'm still very, very happy about that! It's just like Imogen or Firebolt909 or Ashwinder reviewing my story! Thanks for the comments. :) Thankyou, everyone, for your reviews! They mean a lot to me, especially now that they've gone over 400!
Now, it's time for the chapter. Get out your MP3 players now!
Love,
Ameera a.k.a Eimaan.
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Harry was roused from his peaceful sleep by something moving beside him. Slowly, sleepily, he opened his eyes and found it was dawn, the first few streaks of sunlight visible in the sky. He tried to understand where he was. And when he looked down, he saw, lying next to him, in his arms, was Ginny.
And she was awake too, looking up at him through half open eyes. Harry felt a smile creep onto his face as she watched him and he felt better. In the bluish light of dawn, he could see her eyes sparkling as they focused on him.
Then, her eyes grew wider, as if she had just realized where she was and who she was looking at. She looked away and made to get out of the circle of his arms… away from him.
'No,' said Harry, unthinkingly, taking hold of her hands before she left. He didn't think he could bear her to leave. Something was still hurting her and it hurt him just as much. He wanted to put that right. She paused, dropping her efforts of a getaway and sat on the edge of the bed. Harry loosened his grip on her hand, watching her face closely. He sat up, next to her, on the side of the bed facing the window. There was silence except for the occasional sounds of birds singing outside.
He put his arm around her and the next moment, he felt her turn to his touch and burrow her head in his chest, her arms flying up around his neck. Harry hadn't realized he had been holding his breath for so long and let out a relieved sigh. Ginny was clinging to him and he saw that she was sobbing. He put his arms around her waist, holding her close and stroking her back comfortingly.
She pulled back and looked up at him. Harry brushed way her tears, watching her eyes sparkle in the semi-darkness like two little black gems.
'I'm sorry…' she whispered, her voice shaking.
'Sorry? About what?' he asked softly but she didn't answer that and held back a sob.
'Harry…' she said slowly, looking up at him, her eyebrows knitting in a frown.
'Why did you?'
'What?' Harry asked softly, confused. Ginny took a deep breath.
'Why did you do that? Why did you risk your life? For me?' she said, her voice trembling. Harry took hold of her hand, looking into her eyes.
'Ginny… you mean so much to me…'
'But you were going to kill yourself,' Ginny said, tears brimming in her eyes. 'Why? You knew you had to die for me to stay alive! You told me to go back! You…how can you – I'm not worth that -' She couldn't continue as sobs overtook her and her voice trembled.
'Ginny,' said Harry, worried for her, 'you're worth every bit of it. I couldn't leave you… and it was the only way. You mean too much to me… I couldn't let you die!'
And Harry found tears streaming down his face, too. He hugged Ginny tightly, letting them flow freely and the pain and sadness be washed away along with them.
Finally, he touched her cheek and she looked up at him, seeming much better.
'What's important is that we're alive and we'll make the most of it,' Harry whispered to her.
'We?' Ginny whispered, her eyes sparkling in a way that made Harry's spirits soar.
'Yes, we, if you want it that way…' he whispered, hanging onto every bit of hope. Ginny looked away and Harry felt himself sinking back into sadness.
'Harry, I'm sorry about what I said to you.'
'What did you say to me?' asked Harry, clearly confused.
'About…' Ginny whispered, meeting Harry's eyes slowly, 'about us. I… I almost killed you… I…we… couldn't…stay together.'
'Ginny,' said Harry quickly, pulling her closer, feeling very protective of her suddenly, 'you did not do that. It was Voldemort. You did every bit you could to fight him off and you won in the end. Voldemort's to blame for everything…'
Ginny was silent and Harry squeezed her hand comfortingly, relieved that she hadn't meant it when she had said she hated him, some days ago.
'Malfoy knew…' she sighed, after a moment. Harry fought to control his anger as he realized all the times Malfoy had come across he and Ginny, together. It made sense. Malfoy knew, of course. He… had been looking at Ginny strangely whenever he had seen her with Harry.
Harry took a deep, steadying breath. He wished he could hurt Malfoy in every way possible that very moment or tear him apart.
'No,' said Ginny quickly, placing her hand on Harry's arm, 'don't. He's not worth it.'
Harry looked down at Ginny with surprise.
'But I didn't say anything...how did you…'
'I felt it,' said Ginny slowly, carefully.
'But how? Can you read my thoughts?'
'No,' said Ginny. 'I told you, I could feel it… anger…lots of anger and pain.'
Harry was silent for a moment.
'I could too… when you were asleep… and I was too… but I could feel your pain as if… it was part of me…' He looked own at her, his eyes wide.
'Ginny…'
'I don't know myself…' she said, looking up at him, 'it's like I know how you're feeling…'
'And I know how you're feeling…' sad Harry, a bit breathlessly. This was far more spectacular than magic. It was something else. It was like that feeling that had been growing inside him ever since he had first kissed Ginny… and then…. the feeling that had burst out of him in the World of Souls, just when he had thought she was about to die.
Just then, if he concentrated on her, he could feel how she was feeling… confused, tired and happy all at the same time. The thought that she could possibly be happy because he was there made him happier. As he looked down at her, her smile widened and he realized she knew every bit of how he was feeling too.
That old feeling was back… that warmth inside him, every time she looked at him.
Ginny put her arms around him and hugged him. Suddenly, Harry felt as if everything had turned upside down. The sudden feeling of her so close to him, no space left between them, and the knowledge of something new between them… did something spectacular. For the first time since Harry had returned from the World of Souls, he felt… whole. He felt as if he was finally complete… as if some part of him had been missing every since he had woken up. He had found Ginny. He had found himself. Without her, he'd never feel complete again.
There was a sound from the door and Harry and Ginny jumped apart in shock, just in time to see the door open and an aging wizard step into the room.
'You're awake,' he said, sounding surprised and with a wave of his wand, lit several candles in the room. Harry stood up to face the Headmaster.
'You'd better sit down, Harry,' said Professor Dumbledore, smiling at him slightly and Harry obeyed.
'If you don't mind me intruding, I'd like to talk to the both of you,' said Dumbledore, his eyes serious as well as sparkling with some humor at the same time. Harry nodded. Dumbledore was silent for a moment, and then he looked up, his gaze running over Harry and Ginny.
'Harry, Ginny, can you tell me what happened? Do you remember anything?'
There was a pleading look in Dumbledore's eyes and Harry couldn't say no. Ginny had covered his hand with hers. Dumbledore glanced at her.
'You do understand how important it is that I know?' he asked softly. Ginny nodded. Even though it was painful reliving everything, she knew what she had to do. And so did Harry.
Dumbledore silently listened to what they said and Harry told him all about how he had found Ginny in the Word of Souls, tried to revive her and eventually, had seen a bright white light just before going unconscious. Ginny's account was much more detailed as she, haltingly, explained everything that had been going on throughout the year and how she had found out so late about what Voldemort was doing, when that fruit knife had almost wounded Harry at breakfast some days ago. Harry held her hands, as she recounted how it was often painful, when she would have severe headaches or strange feelings every time Voldemort took over. She tried to fight him off till the last moment… when she had almost killed Harry in his sleep.
Dumbledore watched Harry and Ginny through grave eyes.
'I know, that for the both of you this ordeal has been most terrible,' he said, seriously at the end, 'and that once again, Harry, you have proved yourself worthy of performing every task an adult wizard can, with the proper training. And Ginny,' he said, seeing her pale and serious face and smiling a bit, 'you have proved yourself worthy. What you did to protect Harry from Voldemort is very great. Both of you were willing to die to protect one another. Nothing is greater than that.'
Harry thought he saw tears in Dumbledore's eyes.
'Professor,' he said, unsure, 'there's something else… ever since I woke up… I… I think I can sense Ginny's feelings. And she can, somehow, sense mine.'
'What?' Dumbledore said, his eyebrows knitting in concentration. 'Can you two understand each other's feelings?'
Harry and Ginny nodded.
'And,' said Ginny slowly, 'it's always like… he's feeling exactly the way I am.'
Harry nodded, remembering.
'Yes…it's like…'
'… feeling your own feelings?' Dumbledore asked, smiling. Harry and Ginny glanced at each other, their hands entwined and then looked back at Dumbledore.
'Professor, what do you mean? Harry asked confused. Dumbledore smiled.
'It is indeed very obvious now that you've told me about how you can interpret each other's feelings.'
Dumbledore got up and came closer to Harry.
'Harry, Badb's theory of only one soul returning from the World of Souls still holds,' he said and smiled again. 'Only one soul did return.'
Harry could only stare at Dumbledore for a moment and then he glanced at Ginny, their eyes locking, and understood. It caused his heart to flutter and fill him with that strange, warm feeling he had been having ever since he had first kissed Ginny.
He turned to Dumbledore.
'Professor, how…?'
Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder.
'Even I do not know that… I only know what you two have become now,' he said, smiling, 'one. You two are now one, in the spiritual meaning. You feel the same, even if you don't think the same.'
Harry and Ginny looked simply amazed.
'Is that possible?' Ginny asked, her eyes wide. Dumbledore leaned forward.
'Well, what happened proves it is possible. Never, in all of history, has anything like this happened, through the use of a Charmzirius.'
'And,' said Dumbledore, 'this couldn't have happened without your consents. Harry… what was the last thing that you remember thinking of in the World of Souls before that bright white light?'
Harry met Dumbledore's eyes, a strange tingling feeling within him.
'Ginny,' he said, feeling color rise to his cheeks, 'she was… dying… I didn't want her to… I remember… hugging her and then, there was this bright white light…'
'And you, Ginny?' asked Dumbledore gently. Ginny bit her lip, thinking.
'I… I saw Harry… but everything was black… and then, I thought he was right next to me… he hugged me… that's all I remember myself. After that, there was that bright light.'
'Which means,' said Dumbledore, 'both of you were very close to each other and you did not want to see each other perish… the only thing that could be possible, happened. When Harry hugged you Ginny, both of you merged into one… that is the only theory I can think of. Since there was only one soul left, it was time, I assume, to return it to the World of Mortals.'
Ginny shivered.
'This is your destiny,' said Dumbleore, more seriously, 'and you have to remember, whatever happens, that this was both of yours choice. It couldn't have happened other wise. The bond that you shared through the Charmzirius now lies within yourself… you are soul-mates in the true sense.'
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling at the pair before him.
'You are very fortunate to have each other… someone who has shown willingness to die for you and saved your life too.'
He glanced at their serious but amazed faces.
'Ginny, your family is very concerned about you and they wished to meet you earlier but I know you and Harry need rest. I'd suggest you make a trip to the grounds… it's almost sunrise and it will be good for you. I believe Professor Sprout has just been planting very exquisite roses in the Rose Garden.'
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After Dumbledore left, for a moment, neither Harry nor Ginny knew what to say to each other. What Dumbledore had told them was so new, so sudden. It was thrilling but almost frightening too. Neither of them new what do all of a sudden with what they'd discovered.
Harry glanced at Ginny and their entwined hands. He didn't want to let go of her hand but didn't know what else to do either. He knew what they had become… one soul… but he didn't understand what they were in reality. Where did their relationship stand? Ginny hadn't answered his question… when'd asked her about her and himself…together.
Ginny was very quiet. It worried Harry… was she unhappy with what they had happened between them? Some part of him told him that she wasn't upset but his fears remained where they were. He tried to reach out and understand how she was feeling but he couldn't bring himself to. So, he looked away, going very tense and not understanding what to do. Maybe she wanted to be alone… he wondered if she wanted to pull her hand out of his. Maybe she didn't want him at all! She had, after all, said to him clearly that she didn't like him… but, no, it made no sense. She did like him, didn't she? Earlier, when he'd been sitting with her on the bed, she'd been happy. And, Voldemort had said Ginny had loved him… could he believe what Voldemort had said, at all?
Harry suddenly felt very worried and sadness crept into him. He hated the way his life was going. Where was he?
Then, he felt Ginny's hand squeeze his. Out of curiosity, he looked at her and she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. He felt his fears and doubts melt away instantly, and found himself say,
'How come you're so good at this?' he asked her, wondering how well she could understand his feelings.
'Maybe it's because I'm a girl?' Ginny ventured, blushing slightly. Harry chuckled, feeling relaxed.
'Do you want to go outside?' he asked her, relaxed but still cautious. Ginny was silent for a moment and Harry suddenly felt intense hesitation from her. But if he understood right, and he felt it in himself too, she wasn't ready to go out and face the others yet. He felt exactly the same way.
'We don't have to go through the door,' he said, grinning at her.
'What do you mean?' Ginny asked. Harry got up, took his wand from the bedside table and went to the window, whispering some incantation. Moments later, his Firebolt had zoomed into the room and was hovering in midair by the window. Smiling, surprise and amusement all over her face, Ginny joined Harry by it.
'Thanks,' she whispered, in a low tone, though knowing he could probably feel her happiness anyway. She could tell he was thrilled and it only made her happier.
Harry took her hand, grinning, helped her onto the broom, and got on it behind her.
For a moment, he was unsure of what do to with his hands and then, slowly, he closed them around her waist, feeling her lean back against him.
Perfect, he thought and flew the Firebolt out of the window.
The view, from the top tower was spectacular. The early morning breeze was so cool and heavy with dew. Everything below them was green, spread out over the horizon. The sun was rising in the East, its rays spreading out into the leaden sky and Harry paused in the air, just to take in the scene before him. He heard Ginny sigh contentedly and a feeling of serenity washed over him. He tightened his grip around her waist, closed his eyes and buried his face in her silky hair, breathing in its fragrance. There was no place on Earth he would have rather been at that moment.
Slowly, they flew over the Hogwarts grounds, enjoying just the feel of each other and the wonderful world spread out before them. Evil seemed so far away… his place was pure. They flew low over the lake, the orange light of the sun spread out over its surface turning the water into a large mirror. They skimmed over it, looking into its depths only to find themselves staring back, they faces alight with fascinated and peaceful smiles.
* * * * *
Dumbledore watched the two figures on the broomstick, fly into the morning breeze and smiled, feeling really happy for the first time in many days. Their efforts and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other had been rewarded. They had chosen their destiny and were happy with it, he knew, for however much time they were going to exist in the world. Just like Lily and James.
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With a soft thud as his feet touched the earth, Harry landed the Firebolt and helped Ginny off it, holding on to her hand. They were greeted immediately by the gentle fragrance of roses, spread out before them in the hedges. Ginny smiled at Harry and Harry thought she'd never looked so beautiful. The grass beneath their feet was wet with sparkling drops of dew and pleasantly cool as they strolled in comfortable silence. The castle loomed over them and in its shadow, they found comfort and peace.
They reached a little clearing in the hedges that Harry recognized from the Yule Ball in his fourth year. A tall fountain was located in the centre, jets of water shooting into the sky, the soft sound of water calming to their ears. It was as if every bit of them was rejuvenating after all the pain they had experienced at the hands of evil. They were putting the past behind them.
The sight of the sparkling water in the small, circular pool of the fountain was inviting and Harry, feeling elated, led Ginny to sit on the stone curb of the fountain, looking into the crystal clear, cool water. He watched Ginny's mesmerized eyes as they gazed at the water, totally at peace.
She felt him looking at her and turned her gaze to him slowly. Harry didn't feel like himself under that loving gaze; he felt as if he were watching everything from above… the silent exchanges between them. Her lips formed into a lovely smile and Harry forgot everything about what had happened or what would happen. All he cared about was the present.
He brushed his fingers over the soft and supple skin of her hand and felt her fingers entwine with his. He brought a hand to her cheek, the way she had done with him once and brushed his fingers over the softness of her skin. That strange, pure feeling was returning rapidly, filling him and making his hair stand on end.
Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly, not wanting to move back. Hesitantly, he pulled back, but only a fraction, to look into her face. The sparkle in her eyes, so close, mesmerized him. He felt her hand on the side of his face and he leaned into her magical touch. There was not a moment more to waste.
They leaned forwards, their eyelids drooping, seizing the moment, straying a bit at first and then… everything fell into place as their lips met in perfection.
Harry pulled back to draw his breath, then put his hand around her waist, urging her closer and both were lost in their own world again.
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Oh - thinkin' about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothin' can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me comin' back for more
(Chorus)Baby you're all that I want
When you're lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it here in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Oh - once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
Ya-nothin' could change what you mean to me
Oh there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way
(Chorus)I've been waitin' for so long
For somethin' to arrive
For love to come along
Now our dreams are comin' true
Through the good times and the bad
Ya - I'll be standin' there by you
Bryan Adams, "Heaven"
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Next chapter may be up tomorrow IF I get A's! Thanks for wishing for me! Love, always…
Ameera a.k.a Eimaan