Thirty-One

Ginny sat mid way down the long Gryffindor tables bent over a piece of parchment during lunch. Her quill made slight scratching noises as she wrote a letter to her brother Charlie asking how her niece, Marewin, was doing with teething. Ginny tucked a stray lock of hair that had fallen forward while she wrote; looking up from her letter several more students entered the hall for the noon meal. Her eyes caught the tall form of Draco standing near the Slytherin tables watching her. For a brief moment Ginny saw the steel mask slip from his features to reveal the face of a lost man before she saw him mentally shake himself, slipping the cold aloofness back into place and stride over to join his friends at the table. Ginny shook her head slowly before returning to her parchment. "Now that was a nightmare," Seamus said plopping down on the bench beside her. Ginny blew on the wet ink before rolling up her finished letter, "What was a nightmare?" she asked putting the stopper on her ink bottle. "Transfiguration N.E.W.Ts" answered Seamus grabbing the pitcher of pineapple juice. "I'm bloody well glad this was the last of them," Dean said taking a seat across from Seamus. Ginny sat quietly listening to the two men complain on the horrors of N.E.W.Ts she tisked in sympathy for their woes refraining strongly from rolling her eyes. "Well just think of the party tonight to celebrate your last test today," Ginny said as she spied Harry, Ron and Hermione making their way down the rows to join her at the table. "That's right lass, just so you promise to save me a dance," Seamus winked at her popping a grape into his mouth.

"Who's she promising dances to?" Harry asked sitting down on Ginny's other side, Ron and Hermione had joined Dean on the opposite side of the table. "Me, the Lord of the Dance," said Seamus puffing up his chest. Ron snorted into his drink and Dean rolled his eyes. "Whoa there Lucky," Dean said, all except Seamus began to chuckle. "Oh sure, throw that old bone at me again why don't you," he said in a mock huff. "I heard Lucky Charms are Lavender's favorite," Dean said wiggling his eyebrows. "Ugg, Dean!" Ginny and Hermione cried in unison. "They're getting spooky with that," said Ron to Harry looking back and forth between the two females. "Her dance card is filled already Finnigan, better luck next time," said Harry flashing his most charming smile wrapping his arm around Ginny's waist. "One of these days Potter, you'll not need to worry about that messy mop on your head, 'cause when you wake up it'll have been shaven bald while you sleep!" Seamus half heartedly threatened, his eye glittering in mischief, "A nice payback for those years of being teased 'bout me lack of eyebrows our first year." Seamus wiggled his now fully grown normal eyebrows. "You do that and you'll be finding a permanent leprechauns hat fixed upon that irish head of yours," Harry threatened back. Dean laughed, Ron watched waiting to see Seamus' retort.

"Did you ever perfect that rum charm?" Hermione asked taking a bite of her salad. "Would you tattle on me if I did?" Seamus said winking at her. "It would explain who's been spiking the punch since the twins left," said Hermione winking back at Seamus. "See, I told you my sister's corrupted her," said Ron looking at Hermione in disbelief. "Oh come on Ron," Hermione said in an exasperated tone, "I'm not a complete uptight bookworm," she said pushing her book back into her bag. "Ah!. . ." Ginny began before biting her bottom lip to keep a sassy comment from flying out of her mouth. Instead a small squeak surged forth as her eye brows rose and her cheeks took on a pink tint from holding in the remark. "Shut it you," Hermione flashed her a warning look but her eyes held mirth. "Remind me to corner Ginny later and get the gossip," said Seamus. Dean nodded, "Count me in on that." Ron and Hermione both looked a bit embarrassed becoming completely interested in the food that was before them.

The common room was full of celebrating students as the end of the school year was arriving and tests were now complete. Music filled the space that had been charmed with silent barriers. In one corner Ginny, Hermione, Ginger, Lavender and Paravarti were sitting together enjoying their spiked punch thanks to Seamus, loud bursts of laugher could be heard. "Why couldn't Oliver Wood have been Ron's age instead of Percy's?" Ginny complained while giggling into her drink. "Oh lord, he was pure sex on legs wasn't he?" gushed Lavender sporting a healthy flush from one too many glasses of punch. "What I wouldn't have given to have a 'private' quidditch lesson with him!" said Parvarati. The group of girls howled with laughter. "Can I get an amen!" Lavender said holding up her hand for Parvarati to high-five. "Amen!" the girls said loudly each holding up her glass to toast. "Oh admit it Gin, even if Oliver was in our grade you would still have had it bad for Harry," Hermione teased. "True, true," said Ginny, "But such a yummy piece of eye candy like him, would have made those long winter nights stuck in the common room a lot more entertaining." she said smirking. "Whoop," Lavender, Parvarti, and Ginger said in agreement holding their cups up again.

Across the room Ron, Harry, Colin, Dean, Seamus and Neville were sitting around a large table playing poker (Dean had taught them years back) when they heard a burst of laughter come from the group of girls from across the room. "What do you think they are talking about over there?" Ron asked craning his neck to take a look. "Probably what a dead sexy God I am," Seamus said loudly looking over at the women. The men watched the girls take a brief glance at each other before Lavender and Parvarati began to whistle the lucky charms jingle. "Gah!" Seamus exclaimed before scowling and turning back to the card game. The rest of the men at the table did their best to hid chuckles and smirks. "Shup!" Seamus grumbled before throwing a chip into the center of the table. "Aww Seamus, you know we'd pick you over the Blarney Stone any day!" Ginny called out from across the room, the girls continued to laugh. "If you must know we were discussing what a tasty morsel Oliver Wood is," Parvarti called out. You could see each guy at the table grimace and groan, "What is it with you girls and him?" said Ron throwing a card on the table. "Don't you know already Ron?" Ginger said, "There is a poster of him hanging in every female dorm from first years to seventh," she said winking at her fellow gals. "Are you kidding me?" Dean said looking surprised, "That ruddy bloke has gone and ruined any chase for the rest of us," he grumbled. The girls looked at each other again, eyes large trying hard but failing miserably to hold back the cackle of laughter trying to escape. "Damn Dean are you that gullible?" Lavender gasped wiping a tear of mirth from her eyes. "Much rather talk about Oliver than Marcus Flint," said Hermione. A collective shudder of repulsion sweep over the girls. "Talk about a mug that could spoil milk!" said Ginger.

"Ooo, turn that up," Ginny said as a dance tune came on the radio. Lavender and Parvarati jumped up quickly staggering a bit and moved to the open area of the room to dance around. "I fold," Seamus said before jumping up to join the two dancing girls. "Me too," Dean said right after Seamus, eager to get out there. Ginny stood up making her way over to Harry sitting on his lap. "Going to miss all this?" asked Ginny watching Hermione pull Ron up to dance with her. "More than you can imagine," he said in a slightly sad voice while wrapping his arms tightly around Ginny's waist and resting his head on her shoulder.

Their final morning had arrived; Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were sitting at the breakfast table when Professor Dumbledore approached them. "Good morning," said Dumbledore smiling. "Good morning Professor Dumbledore," they said together. "If I might have a word with you Harry," Dumbledore said. Harry stood up looking over at the remaining sitting at the table; each gave him a curious look to which he could only shrug his shoulders before following the headmaster out of the hall. "What could that be about?" said Ron looking worried. "I have no idea," said Hermione looking back at the entrance. A thousand different scenarios raced through Ginny's brain, none of them pleasant. By the time they finished eating Harry still hadn't returned, "I suppose we should go finish packing," Hermione suggested. The three made their way back to the Gryffindor entrance each deep in their own thoughts. "Hey!" they heard Harry yell out, he was racing down the hall a huge smile plastered on his face. As he reached his friends he scooped Ginny up into his arms so her feet were off the ground and hugged her tight. "What is it?" Hermione said excitedly. "What did Dumbledore want with you?" Ron said anxiously. Harry kissed Ginny's cheek before putting her feet back on the ground but still held her tight, "I don't have to go back," he said beaming with happiness. "You what?" Ginny said. "The Dursley's, I don't have to go back!" said Harry, his emerald eyes sparkling. "Oh Harry that's wonderful!" cried Ginny hugging him tight. "So where will you go?" Ron asked. "Your parents settled everything; it's all taken care of. . . If you'll have me," Harry said with a hint of uncertainty. "Of course we will!" said Ron wrapping his arm around Hermione, both smiling happily. "Harry that's so wonderful," Hermione said brightly. "But one thing," Ron said looking serious. "What," Harry said his smile slipping slightly. "You sleep in my room only mate," said Ron sternly, Ginny snorted. Harry looked Ron level in the eyes before smiling again. "Oh Ron," said Hermione smacking his arm and rolling her eyes.

The four were seated comfortably in a cabin on the Hogwarts express. Crookshank sat cocking his head side to side and swishing his tail staring into Pigwidgeon's cage as the tiny owl fluttered around excitedly. Hedwig sleep with her head tucked beneath her wing in her cage. Clark was curled up in Ginny's lap sleeping as she stroked his soft fur watching out the window as the scenery blurred by, Ginny absentmindedly reached up touching her pendant which lay exposed beneath the top open buttons of her shirt. Ron stood up and closed the door to their cabin, "We'll be continuing our training with the Order right away," said Harry. Ron sat back down beside Hermione taking her hand lacing his fingers with hers. "I will spend a couple of days at home packing before I'll return," said Hermione. Ginny turned her attention from the window. She didn't like the conversation at all but there was nothing she could say about it. She knew this time would be coming, it still didn't lessen the bitter taste in her mouth or the raw fear slowly building deep within her. In low tones the three continued to talk about the subject of the Order and Voldemort as the train speed through the country side. Finally unable to listen to anymore Ginny took Clark gently off of her lap and stood putting him into her seat where he raised his head giving her a reproachful look for disturbing his nap. Her movement caught the group's attention and all heads turned to her, "I have to use the loo," said Ginny making hasty excuse to leave. "Ok," Harry smiled up at her before turning his attention back to a question Ron had asked him right before the interruption.

Ginny walked slowly down the aisle she was passing an open door when she heard her name called, "Hey Ginny!" Stepping back and into the open door she looked in Lavender, Parvarti, Dean, Neville and Seamus sat talking. "What are you up to?" asked Neville. "Wandering around wondering where the year went," joked Ginny. "Now you're going to promise us that you'll stay out of trouble next year," said Seamus in more of a command than a request. "I wouldn't think of doing anything without my knights in shining armor around," said Ginny smiling. Lavender stood up giving Ginny a quick hug, "You keep in touch," she said. The rest stood in turn hugging Ginny making promises to write. "If Harry gives you trouble you let me know," Seamus said hugging a few seconds longer than the rest of the group, "I'll floo right over and show him a new hiding place for that snitch," he said only half joking. "I'll keep that in mind," Ginny said stepping back giving him a quick wink before leaving.

Ginny stood in the small restroom looking into the mirror as she washed her hands when there was a knock on the door, "Just a moment," she called out drying her hands. Ginny opened the door preparing to step out only to find her path partially blocked. Draco stood leaning against the door frame with his hands in his pockets looking down the length of the train. His attention turned to her as she dropped her hand from the pocket door; he said nothing but chose to stare searching her face. Ginny looked at the floor under the pressure of his intense gaze, she couldn't handle the sadness she saw hidden deep within his grey eyes. Ginny felt Draco take a lock of her red mane slowly letting the silken threads slip through his fingers as she looked back up quickly, his eyes watching the tendrils of her hair, "Excuse me," Ginny said slipping past him. "Goodbye Kitten," she heard Draco whisper before the door closed behind her back.

Ginny opened the door to their compartment, Harry Ron and Hermione smile up at her. "I got you something things from the food trolley," Harry said handing her a small tin. Ginny sat down opening the box, "Lemon drops!" she said before picking one out putting it in her mouth smiling. She leaned in kissing Harry's lips softly, "Thank you," she said. "Urgg, cut it out you two," Ron said between a mouthful of chocolate frog. "Ron! Don't talk with your mouth full," Hermione chided. Ron scowled at Hermione sitting back in his seat. "There they go again," Harry whispered in her ear, Ginny smiled. "Have I told you today that I love you?" Harry whispered, his warm breath tickling down her neck causing her to shiver slightly and a hunger to be alone with him grow deep within her. She turned her head to look at his handsome smiling face, "I can always stand to hear it again," Ginny said, tilting her head she brushed her lips lightly over his cheek near his ear, "I love you," she whispered feeling Harry shiver slightly as she had just done. The sound of Hermione and Ron half heartedly bickering brought Harry and Ginny's attention back to their surroundings. "Would you two just shut up and kiss already," Harry said smirking. He was awarded with a mild glare from his two best friends. Ginny shook her head slightly sitting back in her seat beside Harry to enjoy the rest of the ride home.

After crossing the threshold into King Cross the four were greeted by the smiling faces of Arthur and Molly Weasley and Remus Lupin. There were hugs and hand shakes all around. Molly noticed right away how her youngest son held tight to his girlfriend's hand and how Harry gently caressed the small of her daughter's back. Molly put her arms around her daughter as Harry stepped over to talk to Lupin. "I'm so happy you took my advice and never gave up hope," Molly whispered in Ginny's ear before relaxing her embrace to turn and look at Harry as he spoke to Remus. Ginny had the feeling her mother was already envisioning little red haired emerald eyed grandchildren running around her home. "We should get going," Arthur spoke up. Ron had walked over to say his goodbyes to Hermione talking with her parents and making arrangements to pick up Hermione in a couple of days. "Ready to go home Harry?" said Mrs. Weasley. Ginny watched Harry smile and it warmed her to the core.

It was a warm summer evening, the western part of the sky blazed with vivid oranges, pinks and yellows as the sun sank lower. A breeze blew gently carrying the scents of fresh cut grass and blossoming flowers. Ginny sat at the picnic table at the back of the house watching Harry and Ron laughing to the point of tears across the lawn while Hermione stood facing them, her fists on her hips apparently reading them the riot act. Their training was hard and stressful, battles between the two sides becoming more frequent. Ginny rarely had a quiet moment alone with Harry recently; she missed him terribly but understood reasons why. It still didn't soothe the constant fear that sat in the pit of her stomach and the knowledge that she would have to go back to Hogwarts alone come the end of the holiday loomed over her like a dark cloud. Despite all of this Ginny had vowed to live each day as if it was their last and enjoy what moments she was given. She knew deep in her heart Harry would prevail, at what cost though could not be said.

Memories flashed across her mind as she watched the three in the short distance fingering the pendant that lay on her chest. Harry's smile receiving his Christmas present, his eyes burning with passion late at night. Ron and Hermione sitting quietly in the common room talking, laughing in the great hall over a joke while eating. Harry dancing with her at the spring formal, the feel of his arms around her as he held her tight. Each and every single memory precious, something to sustain her until her seventh year was over. She was pulled out of her review by her name being called. Ginny looked up as Harry approached her, Ron and Hermione were a few feet away holding hands smiling at each other. "Hey you," Ginny said smiling up at Harry. "Let's go take a walk and enjoy what is left of the evening," said Harry gently pulling on Ginny's hand bringing her to her feet. Harry dipped his head down capturing her lips in a quick kiss. "Ach, come on you two," Ron called out in mock disgust. Harry pulled away looking over to his best friend grinning, Ginny slowly opened her eyes looking up at the man she loved more than life itself. "Hush it you," said Harry to Ron while squeezing Ginny's hand gently. Harry turned his attention back to Ginny, "Want to go?" he asked. "With you, always" Ginny answered. Harry smiled down at his love giving her another peck on the cheek before pulling her along to join up with Ron and Hermione.

The four friends forgot the world for that evening, forgot the war and the pain. They instead lived for the moment, enjoyed the happiness they brought to each other. Giving each other hope that things would turn out alright in the end, and that there was love for them waiting when it was all said and done.

Fin