Thirty

Ginny had a lot to think about. Walking down the hall from Dumbledore's office a fresh wave of questions arose in her mind. One question keep ringing in her brain the most, would Tom ever truly be gone from her life? "No," her inner voice answered as she made her way to the main entrance. She had the strong desire to be outside, to take deep cleansing breaths of spring air. Ginny slowly made her way towards the lake, a warm breeze blew across the lawn causing stray locks of her straight silken hair to go into her eyes, filling her nostrils with the wonderful scent of fresh cut grass and blossoming flowers. Ginny reached up absentmindedly pulling the hair out of her eyes before sitting down on the grass looking out onto the rippling water. She wondered if her life would ever be simple again like the days before Hogwarts and Tom. Before she understood fully about the evil Voldemort brought, "No," her inner voice told her again, actually snorting at her in disgusted amusement. Despite what Dumbledore had told her she still wanted to hear what Harry and Ron had to say. She knew what Professor Dumbledore was hinting about earlier, in other words her brother and Harry would be biased concerning Malfoy. In most cases justifiably so, but it didn't quiet explain the impression she got that Dumbledore was trying to protect Draco somehow. 'But why?' she thought to herself. Does Dumbledore have such little faith in me after all I've been though to hold it against Malfoy for what those vile death eaters did to him, what Tom did to him? She had plenty enough reason to despise Malfoy, but regardless of what sort of arrogant creature he was, or the nasty things he's done and said over the years she could never hold him at fault for something he was a complete victim of.

Ginny plucked at the grass as she sat on the lawn watching the breeze create waves along the lake surface. Time passed quietly while the remainder of the students whittled away the hours in classes before lunch. "Ginny?" she heard called out from behind her. Turning around she caught sight of Ron walking towards her. Dropping down on the lawn beside Ginny he watched a couple of pale yellow butterflies fluttering along crossing their paths. "Talked to Dumbledore?" Ron asked continuing to watch the butterflies on their journey. "Yeah," she answered wiping the stray grass blades off of her lap. "He bring Malfoy up?" said Ron, his face taking on a dark angry expression. Ginny frowned putting her hand over Ron's as it rest on the grass. Ron turned his attention to his sister, Ginny noted deep anger barely held in check in his eyes. "Yes, he apologized," Ginny said gently. "Good, but not enough" Ron growled. Ginny squeezed Ron's hand looking deep within his royal blue eyes, "It wasn't his fault Ron, I understand that and I forgave him. Can you?" Ron turned his attention back out to the lake watching the sunlight reflect off of the slow rippling water. "He almost killed you," Ron said softly. "Tom did, not him," Ginny said, "No different than what I did to Hermione," Ginny let go of Ron's hand hugging her arms around her stomach. Ron's head snapped around, "That wasn't your fault! Riddle possessed you, you had no control," Ron said hotly. "Neither did Malfoy," Ginny said flatly. Ron studied her for several long seconds before heaving a heavy sigh as if the weight of the world sat on his chest. "He's still a ruddy git," said Ron reaching out to pull on the grass. Ginny leaned her head over resting it on Ron's shoulder, "Yeah, I don't think he'll ever stop being an arrogant prat," Ginny relaxed feeling she had gotten through to her brother. "Doesn't mean I forgive him for all the other rubbish he's done over the years," said Ron resting his check against Ginny's head. "I'm not asking you to be friends with the amazing bouncing ferret. I'm just asking you to not blame him for this," said Ginny. She could feel Ron chuckling softly, "That is still one of my top 5 greatest memories," said Ron.

"There you are!" the siblings heard Hermione call out from behind them. Hermione and Harry came walking up to them smiling. "Lunch is almost over," Harry said giving Ginny a hand to help her stand up. "Everything ok?" said Hermione looking slightly concerned, eyes going back and forth between Ginny and Ron. "Yeah," said Ron wrapping his arm around his girlfriend's waist kissing the side of her head, "Everything's fine." Ginny gave Hermione a reassuring smile lacing her fingers in Harry's, "We better head back so I can get my books before class." she said. Ginny didn't see the look that passed between Harry and Ron along with the slight nod of Ron's head. Harry gave Ginny's fingers a squeeze and smiled down at her as she glanced up at him, "Ready, love?" he asked. Ginny gave him a genuine smile that reached her eyes causing them to twinkle, "Ready to sit through yet another lecture from Professor Binns?" she said before snorting, "Oh yeah, this was so worth waking up for."

"Would you mind going on up? I want to have a word with Ginny." Harry asked Ron and Hermione. "We'll see you inside," said Ron before turning towards the castle, pulling Hermione with him. Hermione gave a fleeting glance over her shoulder before turning back. "Everything ok, Harry?" Ginny asked turning her attention up to his handsome features. "I'm sorry," Harry said sadly. "What ever for?" said Ginny pulling a stray strand of hair out of her face as the wind blew it in her eyes. Harry reached up helping her brush the hair away from her face looking down up on her, "I failed you," said Harry. "Harr. ." Ginny tried to say before she was cut off. "I wasn't there to protect you." Harry said in a tone of self disgust. "Harry. . ." Ginny started to say. "I should have insisted on staying with you that night even if Madam Pomfrey hexed me into the next century," Harry went on speaking over her, "I don't. . ." but his words were cut off as Ginny grabbed him by the back of the neck with her free hand pulling him quickly down pressing his lips firmly against hers. Lightly her tongue teased his demanding entry. Harry took only a stunned moment to respond before wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her closer parting his lips to gain her entry. Ginny's tongue darted in teasing his own. He tasted of chocolate and apples. Her mind again exploded in a million of glittering stars as she demanded more from his kiss, trying to push away any hint of doubt from his mind. She pressed her body against Harry clinging to him, her soft lips latching onto his bottom lip gently suckling. She felt him shiver, a groan escaping from deep within him.

Slowly Ginny pulled back planting a kiss on either cheek before leaning her head back to look up at him. His eyes were slighting glazed over and she could feel his heart pounding against his chest. Both of them took short quick breaths to gain back the oxygen they lacked from their extended kiss. "Uh. . . um. . ." Harry stammered giving her a lopsided grin. "Don't you ever blame yourself Harry," Ginny said firmly, "I won't have it." Harry nodded slowly; she could see the doubt still in his eyes. "I love you," she said gently. It felt like Harry could see her soul and every secret she ever held with the intense gaze he bore upon her. He sighed deeply gathering her against him burying his head in her hair inhaling her scent. "God I love you so much it hurts," said Harry, his lips tickling the sensitive skin of her ears. "Oi! You better hurry up!" Ron called from the castle door. Harry and Ginny turned their heads to look up at him before turning back to each other. "Brothers," said Ginny rolling her eyes, Harry smiled. "Mine," he said giving her a final squeeze. Ginny smiled back up at him nodding, "Always."

The final few weeks of school were a madhouse for those in seventh year. The stress was intense to try and cram every last bit of information they possibly could into their brains preparing for their N.E.W.T.S. "This is worse than O.W.L.S." complained Ron one evening. "I swear I think my brain is going to melt into a puddle," Seamus griped from across the room. Ginny was happy to spend her evenings quizzing Harry and who ever else was near by at the time she'd ask questions. "I will never understand why you would want to waste your time helping us study when you could be enjoying this nice weather," said Ron looking wistfully out the window at the beautiful evening sky of vivid magenta, pinks and oranges as the sun sank lower into the horizon. Early summer scents floated through the room teasing the studying students even more. "It does have it's benefits you know," Ginny said turning the page of questions over leaning back into Harry's chest where he had his arm around her, stroking her arm lightly, "I am getting in plenty of practice of my own for next year." Hermione beamed pride at Ginny's comment. "Urgg, not another Hermione!" Seamus exclaimed faking faint in his chair, which earned him a particularly nasty glare from Hermione. Ron chose that moment to duck his head down pretending to look for something in his bag to cover a grin. From across the room Lavender closed her book loudly, "I can't take anymore for tonight, I'm going to go enjoy what is left of this evening before the sun completely sets," she said standing up. Parvarti joined her in leaving the common room. Dean sat on a chair chewing on a sugar quill while concentrating on a book in his lap. Neville was sitting at a table across the room with Sage who was helping him study. "Let's go for a walk Hermione," Ron said standing up and stretching.

The portrait swung open Colin entered followed by Ginger. "Hey, I was wanting to talk to you," Colin said turning his attention to Ron and the rest on the couch. Colin had a large yellow folder in his hand, Ginger walked over with him smiling at the group giving Ginny a wink. "Thought you might like to have these, so sorry I've taken so long to get them back," Colin said searching through the folder. "Ah here they are," he said pulling out a hand full of large photos handing them to Ron. "Colin I didn't realize you were taking photos, I didn't see any flashes," Hermione said trying to look up at them. "I didn't use one, special film so you don't need flash or bright lighting to get that perfect evening shot," Colin said looking proud. Ron sat back down on the end of the couch handing over the photos to Hermione who sat next to Ginny so that the four of them could look together. Harry leaned in on Ginny's other side so he could see as well. "Colin, these are amazing," Ginny breathed as photo after photo showed the four of them at different times in the dance.

"Did you take any time to enjoy yourself at all?" Harry asked looking back from the photos to Colin standing before them. "I made sure he did," said Ginger linking her arm into Colin's. Colin looked down smiling at his girlfriend. Ginny smiled at the photo of the four of them sitting at the dinner table engaged in a conversation laughing at something Ron had said. Hermione moved onto the next one and Ginny took a sharp intake of breath. Colin had captured Ron and Hermione swaying to unheard music, fluttering fairies twinkled faintly around them. The photo Ron was looking down at Hermione smiling softly while stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. Hermione was looking up at Ron, her face radiated joy. The handsome couple looked perfect and completely in love. "Wow," Harry muttered.

Hermione smiled at Ron before turning to the next picture, Ginny and Hermione instantly snorted back laughter. This photo had Harry and Ron doing their little dance, "Think we should worry?" Ginny said in a staged whisper to Hermione, "That's just wrong," Hermione said shaking her head. "Owe you one Colin," Ron growled. Colin held his hands up, "I just took the photo, I didn't set the atmosphere." Hermione turned to the next photo before Ron could grab it, a low wolf whistle came way of Seamus who had stepped over to see the photos. "Blimey is it hot in here?" Seamus asked craning his neck to see the photo better. Ginny and Hermione rolled their eyes viewing the photo of the two of them dancing together, Ginny's arms around Hermione's waist, both girls' eyes glittering with identical wicked smiles. "Can I have that one?" Seamus asked grinning evilly. "No!" Harry and Ron said together. "Touchy!" said Seamus sauntering back to his chair.

Ginny, Hermione and Ginger each shared a cocky grin before turning their attention back to the photos. "Ginny, you truly looked gorgeous that night," said Hermione looking down at a photo of Ginny and Harry slowly dancing in each other's arms. The photo Harry leaned down brushing his lips against hers, then the photo Ginny laid her head on Harry's chest her hands flat against his shoulders, Harry rested his cheek against the top of her head closing his eyes pulling her tighter to him. "If a picture can say a thousand words, I think all of them would be love," Ginger said looking down at the photo. Harry smiled up at her comment, "Thanks for these Colin, they're great," he said. "No problem, let me know if you want copies of any of them," Colin nodded before taking Ginger's hand and walking away. "Well I thought we looked rather good ourselves," Ron said smugly. "A wee bit self absorbed aren't we there dear brother?" Ginny teased. "Nah they were dead sexy," Seamus called from his chair. "Now that's just scary," Ron said looking horrified at Seamus. Seamus howled with laughter. Ginny covered her hand over her mouth faking a cough that sounded like, "Competition -- Hermione." Both Seamus and Ron gave her a disgusted look that Ginny returned only smiling at them sweetly, "What?" she said. "Gah!" Ron said throwing up his hands. Seamus winked over at Ginny and Hermione before going back to his reading.

"How about that walk?" Hermione asked Ron standing up taking his hand. She handed the photos over to Ginny before pulling her boyfriend out of the common room. Ginny sat back against Harry looking through the pictures again. "You did look stunning," Harry whispered in her ear. "Did? As in past tense?" Ginny teased. "You know what I mean," Harry chuckled giving her another squeeze with his arm. "You know I will have to make a poster of this to give to the twins," Ginny said holding up the photo of Harry and Ron dancing. Harry groaned laying his head back against the couch, "They would just love that too much," he said through a smile. "And imagine how mortified Ron would be!" said Ginny getting excited with the idea. Harry took the photo of the four of them standing together on the dance floor talking and smiling, "I like this one," he said, "My family." Ginny blinked back a rapid rush of tears at his tender words. Ginny turned her head around giving Harry a gentle kiss. She settled back against him as they enjoyed the remainder of the evening talking about happy moments of the dance. The common room slowly emptied as night claimed the sky. "Ready to go to bed?" Harry whispered in Ginny's ear. They stood up walking over to the stairs, "Let me put these pictures in my room and I'll see you shortly," said Ginny reaching up on her tip toes to give Harry a soft lingering kiss. Shivers shot through her as Harry's hand came to rest on the curve of Ginny's neck, Harry slowly broke from the kiss looking down at his love smiling, "I'll be waiting."