A/N: Harry Potter is from the creative genius that is J.K. Rowling. I am
not her. This is merely a fan fiction to tide us over until Book 6.
Disclaimer: The next chapter will be the last. Thank you all for reading and your support. I will have a one-shot humorous (and slightly scandalous) H/G next and then a N/OC I'm working with Medievalwoman on. Thanks for the reviews and enjoy.
============================================================================ ==
The massive funeral buried not only the three Weasleys and Hermione, but the other victims of the war as well. In all, there were more than 150 graves dug out in the area between Hogwarts and Hogsmead. Family members were buried side by side with a single gravestone for each family listing whom all ways buried and their ages.
Harry's heart felt heavy from Ginny's words even before the funeral service began. He stood a little behind the Weasley's as they went to their family's graves. Hermione's parents were in attendance too. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were distraught, and Harry couldn't stand to look at them. The Weasley family stood next to them. Ron and Hermione's graves were beside one another, that way they would be together for all eternity. Harry didn't listen as a eulogy was given for all that fell during the battle. All he could think about was the waste of life and how he missed his best friends.
After the eulogy was said all the graves were automatically filled with dirt, covering the coffins. A large sob went up when it happened from many of the loved ones left behind. Many people stayed afterward, and Harry felt himself almost rooted to the spot between his best friends. He could sense more than see Ginny, Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie beside him, the last two supporting the weight of George and Fred. He had no idea how long they all stood there just looking at the gravestones. They would have stayed longer, if Mother Nature seemingly sensing their sorry opened the heavens and let out a downpour of rain.
The rain beat heavy on the earth of the new graves, causing a muddy mess. Thunder and lightning crashed in the sky as everyone ran toward the shelter of Hogwarts.
Harry, himself, was soaked by the time he entered the Great Hall, with the Weasley's behind him. Looking back, he saw Charlie and Bill enter with Fred and George limping with them.
"Harry," Bill said looking up. "Did Dumbledore –"
Harry cut him off. "He did and I owe all o f you an apology. I had no idea, and if Ginny ever speaks to me again, I swear I will apologize and grovel until she forgives me."
"Good," said Fred. "Now George and I don't have to try out our latest idea on you."
"I'm glad you understand things Harry," Charlie said. "But what I said earlier still stands."
Harry nodded in agreement.
"We're going to St. Mungo's to check on Fleur, McGonagall and Tonks after we take these two back up to the hospital wing. You want to come with us?" Bill offered.
"No, that's alright."
Harry spent the rest of the night lying in his room in the Gryffindor Tower, but his thoughts and the crash of thunder would not let him sleep. Getting up, he found himself wondering toward the headmasters office. Very soon, he found himself inside, calling out for Dumbledore.
"I thought you'd be back Harry," Dumbledore's portrait said sadly smiling down at him. "Did you speak to Miss Weasley?"
"No," Harry said hoarsely.
The portrait frowned. "And why is that?"
"She wouldn't let me," Harry said as he walked forward and rested his forehead on the cold stone fireplace. "She said I had beaten her soul . . . and that her wizard's debt was repaid. She doesn't want to see me again."
"Really? She has been hurt with everything that has happened," the headmaster said. "I'm not saying you have not. I wonder now though . . . tell me Harry, who is Ginny Weasley?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked looking up at the portrait like it was mad.
"I mean, who is she to you, Harry? What do you know about her?"
"She's Ron's little sister."
"Go on," Dumbledore's portrait said as it walked behind the desk in the picture and placed its hands fingertip to fingertip. "I'm listening."
Harry just shot him a look, but continued. "OK. Her name's Virginia Molly Weasley. She's the youngest of seven children by Arthur and Molly Weasley. She fought off Voldemort for nearly a year by herself the first year she attended Hogwarts. She can keep a secret and can be quiet when she wants. She can also be really sneaky."
"How so Harry?" Dumbledore's portrait asked, clearly amused.
"Lots of ways. She takes after Fred and George quite a bit. You'd never expect it though. She looks so innocent and trustworthy. You'd never expect her to use an extendable ear or fling dungbombs off a door and blame the cat. She can come up with some schemes too, if you're ever in a jam. She's got a big heart too; she won't let you down or let you take on something by yourself if she can. She tries not to make people feel bad, even if they're hurting her -- like Neville stepping on her foot during the Yule Ball. She never said a word to him."
"I never realized she and Mr. Longbottom had been a couple."
"They weren't," Harry said quickly. Dumbledore eyes seemed to sparkle a little brighter at this. "I mean she has had boyfriends. There was that git Michael Corner her fourth-year, then Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey. Rumor even has it she and some Slytherin had gone out a few times."
"I never realized you paid attention to rumors, Harry."
"I don't. I mean I didn't normally, but . . ." Harry started before shivering.
"Cold?"
"Yeah, a little," Harry said before saying a few words to start a fire in the fireplace before turning back to the professor. "I mean why are we even talking about this?"
The headmaster portrait just shrugged. "It is a topic. I'm wondering why you haven't mentioned any hobbies. Does Miss Weasley not have any?"
"No, she does," Harry said sliding closer to the hearth for warmth. "She creates new hexes and likes to read. She's very good at creating hexes. Got Malfoy a few times with the bat boogey. She's the only Gryffindor I know of that actually received points in potion from Snape. I'm still not sure how she did that, though I guess the fact that she was able to come up with that potion she made for the battle was something else. I wonder how she even had time to make it. Her schedule was packed full -- I mean she made it into the NEWT level potions, charms, transfiguration, healing and herbology. On top of all that, she had Quidditch practice, DA meetings and Perfect meetings."
"It seems like you have spent a long time to getting to know her schedule."
"Not really. I mean, sure I notice her coming out of classes when I'm walking. It's not a big deal."
"Really? Tell me Harry, what classes does Lavender Brown take?"
"I don't know beside Divinity. I mean who cares?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore said staring down at Harry. "Obviously you care for Miss Weasley more than you admit to even yourself."
"That's ridiculous."
"Really? I heard something very interesting from one of the portraits in the infirmary. Tell me Harry what did you see when you were dying?"
Harry frowned at the headmaster's portrait as he thought about it. True, he did see Ginny Weasley and only Ginny Weasley, but what did that mean? Fred had seen Angelina. But he said he had also seen him and George playing pranks on one another. Something Mr. Weasley said suddenly struck him. "They say your life flashes in front of your eyes. . ." Mr. Weasley had said to him. "I know what I'll see at my time. I'd see the first day I saw her face."
That was indeed what Harry had saw -- the first time he saw Ginny's face, the first time he saw her embarrassed, her laugh, her bravery, her heart, her surprise and her anger. What Harry had seen was Ginny, and for the first time he understood what that meant.
"So finally, the mind and heart have caught up with one another," the old man said, his eyes twinkling like never before as he looked at Harry's expression.
"How long have I been in love with Ginny and not known it?" he said to himself softly.
"Don't worry my boy," Dumbledore said smiling. "If it makes you feel any better I didn't see it either. Minerva pointed it out to me. Women seem to be more in tune with these things."
"Does Ginny know?"
"No. I'm afraid Miss Weasley may have lost hope on you or perhaps it's hard to see what is in front of your face sometimes Harry."
Harry shivered again.
"Still cold Harry?" Dumbledore asked concerned.
"Yeah. It's weird. I'm sitting almost in the fire and I'm still freezing."
Looking up at the portrait, he saw fear cross the headmaster's eyes. "Where is Miss Weasley now Harry?"
"I don't know where she went after the funeral. Why?"
"If Miss Weasley's life force is weakened, and she goes into shock you will be able to feel it because of the bond. It's possible she is cold and going into shock. I suggest you find her. I will alert the other portraits and the Weasleys to look for her."
Panic erupted inside Harry as he sprinted out of Dumbledore's office and ran as fast as he could down the hallways. He searched high and low down the charms corridor to no avail. He had run up to the Gryffindor tower and looked -- managing to sprint up the stairs to the girls dormitory so fast the stairs didn't catch him. He didn't know where the energy to run. He felt cold and drained, but he wouldn't give up, not now.
He was on his way down to the kitchens at top speed when lightening filled up the sky lighting up the field of graves below. It was then he saw something lying on the ground outside. He paused for a moment. It could have been a person and it looked to be about the place where the Weasleys and Hermione were buried.
Rushing out to the field of graves, the wind and rain pounded on Harry. Everything looked the same out here and he wondered if he ever could find her. Then lightening filled up the sky for a brief second, giving him enough light to see a small figure lying on top of a few fresh graves. He rushed over to her and felt his heart plummet to the ground. She was curled up, sobbing. The rain covering her tears, and had soaked through her robes. She was shivering from the cold.
"Ginny?" he choked out.
A muffled voice answered him as he scooped Ginny Weasley into his arms and raced back to Hogwarts. She seemed so small and fragile in his arms. She was soaked through, and her body shivered constantly. Harry pulled her closer to him, hoping to warm her up. He knew however that he too was getting cold.
"Why Ginny?" he cried, feeling his heart breaking in two.
"Leave me Harry," she replied softly.
He stared down at her. Her normally brilliant red hair was plastered to her face from the rain and mud. Her eyes were closed. Her skin was so pale, it was easy to distinguish mud from freckle. A sudden feeling of rage crossed Harry's mind -- not at Ginny, but at the fact that this wonderful creature wanted to die. He focused the energy on the door to Hogwart's and it burst open allowing them inside out of the rain.
"No. I won't leave you ever again," Harry said firmly as he carried her into the castle.
"Please leave me be," he barely heard her say.
"Why were you out there Ginny?" Harry asked a tear running down his cheek as he carried her. "You're freezing."
"What do you care Harry?" Ginny asked weakly as they started up the stairs. "You'll be reunited with everyone you care about anyway after I go."
"Damn it Ginny!" Harry snapped, before softening. "I do care. I care about you."
"No, you don't. I'm so tired Harry. . ."
Suddenly the woman in his arms went limp, and Harry felt a wave of chills run through him. Frantically he jostled the woman in his arms.
"Ginny?" he asked frightened. There was no response. He nudged her again, and was slightly relieved to see her breathing. Quickly, he sprinted down the hallway toward the hospital wing.
"Merlin, Ginny don't do this to me," he cried softly to her as his feet moved faster and closer to the hospital doors. "I've been a blind fool for seven years. You can't leave me now that I've opened by eyes. If you leave me, then the last person I do care and love will be gone. You can't leave me alone Ginny, even for a moment. I know we're connected through this bond, and I'll follow you. But I can't be without you, not anymore, not even for a minute. Merlin, please . . ."
Harry burst through the hospital wing doors with magical power than possible. A shocked gasp echoed off the walls as he ran inside and placed her on a vacant bed.
"She was out on the field this whole time," he choked as Madam Pomfrey rushed to her side. "Please help her."
Then the room suddenly went dark as Harry collapsed onto the floor.
Disclaimer: The next chapter will be the last. Thank you all for reading and your support. I will have a one-shot humorous (and slightly scandalous) H/G next and then a N/OC I'm working with Medievalwoman on. Thanks for the reviews and enjoy.
============================================================================ ==
The massive funeral buried not only the three Weasleys and Hermione, but the other victims of the war as well. In all, there were more than 150 graves dug out in the area between Hogwarts and Hogsmead. Family members were buried side by side with a single gravestone for each family listing whom all ways buried and their ages.
Harry's heart felt heavy from Ginny's words even before the funeral service began. He stood a little behind the Weasley's as they went to their family's graves. Hermione's parents were in attendance too. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were distraught, and Harry couldn't stand to look at them. The Weasley family stood next to them. Ron and Hermione's graves were beside one another, that way they would be together for all eternity. Harry didn't listen as a eulogy was given for all that fell during the battle. All he could think about was the waste of life and how he missed his best friends.
After the eulogy was said all the graves were automatically filled with dirt, covering the coffins. A large sob went up when it happened from many of the loved ones left behind. Many people stayed afterward, and Harry felt himself almost rooted to the spot between his best friends. He could sense more than see Ginny, Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie beside him, the last two supporting the weight of George and Fred. He had no idea how long they all stood there just looking at the gravestones. They would have stayed longer, if Mother Nature seemingly sensing their sorry opened the heavens and let out a downpour of rain.
The rain beat heavy on the earth of the new graves, causing a muddy mess. Thunder and lightning crashed in the sky as everyone ran toward the shelter of Hogwarts.
Harry, himself, was soaked by the time he entered the Great Hall, with the Weasley's behind him. Looking back, he saw Charlie and Bill enter with Fred and George limping with them.
"Harry," Bill said looking up. "Did Dumbledore –"
Harry cut him off. "He did and I owe all o f you an apology. I had no idea, and if Ginny ever speaks to me again, I swear I will apologize and grovel until she forgives me."
"Good," said Fred. "Now George and I don't have to try out our latest idea on you."
"I'm glad you understand things Harry," Charlie said. "But what I said earlier still stands."
Harry nodded in agreement.
"We're going to St. Mungo's to check on Fleur, McGonagall and Tonks after we take these two back up to the hospital wing. You want to come with us?" Bill offered.
"No, that's alright."
Harry spent the rest of the night lying in his room in the Gryffindor Tower, but his thoughts and the crash of thunder would not let him sleep. Getting up, he found himself wondering toward the headmasters office. Very soon, he found himself inside, calling out for Dumbledore.
"I thought you'd be back Harry," Dumbledore's portrait said sadly smiling down at him. "Did you speak to Miss Weasley?"
"No," Harry said hoarsely.
The portrait frowned. "And why is that?"
"She wouldn't let me," Harry said as he walked forward and rested his forehead on the cold stone fireplace. "She said I had beaten her soul . . . and that her wizard's debt was repaid. She doesn't want to see me again."
"Really? She has been hurt with everything that has happened," the headmaster said. "I'm not saying you have not. I wonder now though . . . tell me Harry, who is Ginny Weasley?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked looking up at the portrait like it was mad.
"I mean, who is she to you, Harry? What do you know about her?"
"She's Ron's little sister."
"Go on," Dumbledore's portrait said as it walked behind the desk in the picture and placed its hands fingertip to fingertip. "I'm listening."
Harry just shot him a look, but continued. "OK. Her name's Virginia Molly Weasley. She's the youngest of seven children by Arthur and Molly Weasley. She fought off Voldemort for nearly a year by herself the first year she attended Hogwarts. She can keep a secret and can be quiet when she wants. She can also be really sneaky."
"How so Harry?" Dumbledore's portrait asked, clearly amused.
"Lots of ways. She takes after Fred and George quite a bit. You'd never expect it though. She looks so innocent and trustworthy. You'd never expect her to use an extendable ear or fling dungbombs off a door and blame the cat. She can come up with some schemes too, if you're ever in a jam. She's got a big heart too; she won't let you down or let you take on something by yourself if she can. She tries not to make people feel bad, even if they're hurting her -- like Neville stepping on her foot during the Yule Ball. She never said a word to him."
"I never realized she and Mr. Longbottom had been a couple."
"They weren't," Harry said quickly. Dumbledore eyes seemed to sparkle a little brighter at this. "I mean she has had boyfriends. There was that git Michael Corner her fourth-year, then Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey. Rumor even has it she and some Slytherin had gone out a few times."
"I never realized you paid attention to rumors, Harry."
"I don't. I mean I didn't normally, but . . ." Harry started before shivering.
"Cold?"
"Yeah, a little," Harry said before saying a few words to start a fire in the fireplace before turning back to the professor. "I mean why are we even talking about this?"
The headmaster portrait just shrugged. "It is a topic. I'm wondering why you haven't mentioned any hobbies. Does Miss Weasley not have any?"
"No, she does," Harry said sliding closer to the hearth for warmth. "She creates new hexes and likes to read. She's very good at creating hexes. Got Malfoy a few times with the bat boogey. She's the only Gryffindor I know of that actually received points in potion from Snape. I'm still not sure how she did that, though I guess the fact that she was able to come up with that potion she made for the battle was something else. I wonder how she even had time to make it. Her schedule was packed full -- I mean she made it into the NEWT level potions, charms, transfiguration, healing and herbology. On top of all that, she had Quidditch practice, DA meetings and Perfect meetings."
"It seems like you have spent a long time to getting to know her schedule."
"Not really. I mean, sure I notice her coming out of classes when I'm walking. It's not a big deal."
"Really? Tell me Harry, what classes does Lavender Brown take?"
"I don't know beside Divinity. I mean who cares?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore said staring down at Harry. "Obviously you care for Miss Weasley more than you admit to even yourself."
"That's ridiculous."
"Really? I heard something very interesting from one of the portraits in the infirmary. Tell me Harry what did you see when you were dying?"
Harry frowned at the headmaster's portrait as he thought about it. True, he did see Ginny Weasley and only Ginny Weasley, but what did that mean? Fred had seen Angelina. But he said he had also seen him and George playing pranks on one another. Something Mr. Weasley said suddenly struck him. "They say your life flashes in front of your eyes. . ." Mr. Weasley had said to him. "I know what I'll see at my time. I'd see the first day I saw her face."
That was indeed what Harry had saw -- the first time he saw Ginny's face, the first time he saw her embarrassed, her laugh, her bravery, her heart, her surprise and her anger. What Harry had seen was Ginny, and for the first time he understood what that meant.
"So finally, the mind and heart have caught up with one another," the old man said, his eyes twinkling like never before as he looked at Harry's expression.
"How long have I been in love with Ginny and not known it?" he said to himself softly.
"Don't worry my boy," Dumbledore said smiling. "If it makes you feel any better I didn't see it either. Minerva pointed it out to me. Women seem to be more in tune with these things."
"Does Ginny know?"
"No. I'm afraid Miss Weasley may have lost hope on you or perhaps it's hard to see what is in front of your face sometimes Harry."
Harry shivered again.
"Still cold Harry?" Dumbledore asked concerned.
"Yeah. It's weird. I'm sitting almost in the fire and I'm still freezing."
Looking up at the portrait, he saw fear cross the headmaster's eyes. "Where is Miss Weasley now Harry?"
"I don't know where she went after the funeral. Why?"
"If Miss Weasley's life force is weakened, and she goes into shock you will be able to feel it because of the bond. It's possible she is cold and going into shock. I suggest you find her. I will alert the other portraits and the Weasleys to look for her."
Panic erupted inside Harry as he sprinted out of Dumbledore's office and ran as fast as he could down the hallways. He searched high and low down the charms corridor to no avail. He had run up to the Gryffindor tower and looked -- managing to sprint up the stairs to the girls dormitory so fast the stairs didn't catch him. He didn't know where the energy to run. He felt cold and drained, but he wouldn't give up, not now.
He was on his way down to the kitchens at top speed when lightening filled up the sky lighting up the field of graves below. It was then he saw something lying on the ground outside. He paused for a moment. It could have been a person and it looked to be about the place where the Weasleys and Hermione were buried.
Rushing out to the field of graves, the wind and rain pounded on Harry. Everything looked the same out here and he wondered if he ever could find her. Then lightening filled up the sky for a brief second, giving him enough light to see a small figure lying on top of a few fresh graves. He rushed over to her and felt his heart plummet to the ground. She was curled up, sobbing. The rain covering her tears, and had soaked through her robes. She was shivering from the cold.
"Ginny?" he choked out.
A muffled voice answered him as he scooped Ginny Weasley into his arms and raced back to Hogwarts. She seemed so small and fragile in his arms. She was soaked through, and her body shivered constantly. Harry pulled her closer to him, hoping to warm her up. He knew however that he too was getting cold.
"Why Ginny?" he cried, feeling his heart breaking in two.
"Leave me Harry," she replied softly.
He stared down at her. Her normally brilliant red hair was plastered to her face from the rain and mud. Her eyes were closed. Her skin was so pale, it was easy to distinguish mud from freckle. A sudden feeling of rage crossed Harry's mind -- not at Ginny, but at the fact that this wonderful creature wanted to die. He focused the energy on the door to Hogwart's and it burst open allowing them inside out of the rain.
"No. I won't leave you ever again," Harry said firmly as he carried her into the castle.
"Please leave me be," he barely heard her say.
"Why were you out there Ginny?" Harry asked a tear running down his cheek as he carried her. "You're freezing."
"What do you care Harry?" Ginny asked weakly as they started up the stairs. "You'll be reunited with everyone you care about anyway after I go."
"Damn it Ginny!" Harry snapped, before softening. "I do care. I care about you."
"No, you don't. I'm so tired Harry. . ."
Suddenly the woman in his arms went limp, and Harry felt a wave of chills run through him. Frantically he jostled the woman in his arms.
"Ginny?" he asked frightened. There was no response. He nudged her again, and was slightly relieved to see her breathing. Quickly, he sprinted down the hallway toward the hospital wing.
"Merlin, Ginny don't do this to me," he cried softly to her as his feet moved faster and closer to the hospital doors. "I've been a blind fool for seven years. You can't leave me now that I've opened by eyes. If you leave me, then the last person I do care and love will be gone. You can't leave me alone Ginny, even for a moment. I know we're connected through this bond, and I'll follow you. But I can't be without you, not anymore, not even for a minute. Merlin, please . . ."
Harry burst through the hospital wing doors with magical power than possible. A shocked gasp echoed off the walls as he ran inside and placed her on a vacant bed.
"She was out on the field this whole time," he choked as Madam Pomfrey rushed to her side. "Please help her."
Then the room suddenly went dark as Harry collapsed onto the floor.
