The next morning after breakfast Hermione left the Burrow, leaving Ron in a very bad mood. Ron seemed determined that if he couldn't be with his girlfriend then Harry wasn't going to get to be either. Ron put all of his energy into keeping Harry and Ginny from having anytime alone together. Of course, he wasn't alone in trying to keep them from being alone. Mrs. Weasley was always popping into rooms whenever Harry and Ginny found a minute to be alone, and all of Ginny's brothers (minus Percy) kept popping in and out to have talks with Harry. Most of the talks went relatively well, they all just wanted to make sure that Harry treated Ginny right and didn't take advantage of her. Charlie's talk, however, was a complete disaster. It was Christmas Eve, and Charlie was the last brother to fit his talk in. Charlie seemed to be dancing around something, and Harry was growing impatient. The next thing Harry knew, he was back upstairs with Ginny. It turned out that wasn't the best way to end a lecture. Ginny found it quite humorous, but Charlie and Ron were very upset.

Christmas day was uneventful, if you ignored the countless number of fights between siblings. Harry tended to sit back and observe these fights. It was the only time he got to really feel what it was like to have siblings. He noticed a natural pairing amongst the siblings, and realized for the first time what it must have been like for Percy. Bill and Charlie were natural best friends, as were Fred and George. Ron and Ginny had a very close bond, despite their constant bickering. Percy was different than the rest of the children, not lighthearted and fun, but serious and stern. Harry made up his mind that day, that if he ever were to come across Percy again, he would harbor no hard feelings.

That night, Harry and Ginny exchanged their presents in private.

"Go ahead, open it," Ginny said shyly placing a small package in Harry's hands. "It's not much, but it's something I thought you would like." Harry gently opened the package and saw a small replica of a golden snitch. "It opens," she added quietly. Harry found a small button and a picture was projected into the air above the snitch. It was a picture of Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna from Harry's birthday party. "I couldn't find a picture of just the two of us for obvious reasons, but in some ways, I think this is better."

"I love it," Harry said, kissing her on the cheek. "Now do mine." Harry handed her a small velvet box. She pushed open the top and saw a golden heart shaped locket with two small emeralds on the front. "It's beautiful," she gushed.

"Open it," Harry prompted her.

"To Ginny, All my love, Harry," Ginny read.

"I had it engraved on the inside so no one would know that it was from me," Harry said quietly. Ginny looked at him, shocked. "You don't have to wear it if you don't like it," Harry said quickly.

"No, Harry, that's not it at all! I love it!"

"Oh, well I've never bought jewelry before, so I wasn't sure."

"I was just surprised by what it said, that's all."

"Are you really? Because I know I've never actually said it, but I do. I love you Ginny," Harry said shyly.

"I love you too, you know I always have. But now, in a different way than I used to. I just never expected you to love me too," Ginny paused for an awkward moment, and then she broke into a smile that covered her entire face. "Say it again!"

"I love you Ginny Weasley."

"And I love you, Harry Potter." Ginny leaned forward and gave Harry a very sweet, very gentle kiss and then cuddled up next to him. "Good night," she said still smiling.

"Good night, love."

By the last day of Christmas vacation, Harry had grown quite resentful of all the efforts to keep him away from Ginny. He was determined to get to spend some time alone with Ginny, regardless of who he had to be firm with. He was really starting to dread going back to school and showing everyone that he wasn't dead. He just wasn't sure how they'd react. But most of all, he dreaded having to pretend that Ginny was nothing more than a friend, a teammate, and his best friend's little sister.

After lunch, Harry managed to pull Ginny away for a walk around the property. It was nice to have a break from Ginny's overprotective family, and it was nice to get outside. Harry hadn't really been able to leave the Burrow since he was supposed to be dead. Ginny and Harry walked hand in hand away from the house.

"Well," Ginny said tugging at a strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail and into her eyes, "You finally managed to get me alone, now what do you plan to do with me?" Ginny leaned over and kissed Harry, but he pulled away.

"I want to talk to you."

"We can talk anytime, but we never get to be alone."

"We're alone every night!" Harry said, being to get frustrated with her lack of cooperation.

"Yes, but then you're exhausted from a long day, and we're both too guilt ridden to do anything," Ginny said, wrapping her arms around Harry's waist. "We can talk anytime, but we never really get to be alone."

"Exactly! Do you know what happens when we go back? No more sharing a bed. No more waking up together. No more stolen kisses when no one's looking. Hell, we can't even hold hands! Nothing!"

"We've done it before, we can do it again," Ginny tried to reassure Harry.

"Not like this! Now I know what it's like to spend time with you as my girlfriend. I don't know if I can go back."

"Harry, we'll find the time to spend together. Let's just enjoy this time right now while we have it."

"You're not making this easy for me," Harry said gasping for breath as Ginny nibbled on his ear.

"Do I ever make anything easy?"

"No! And that's one of the many things I love about you." Ginny smiled and turned her attention to Harry's neck. Harry closed his eyes in frustration, wishing she could just know how he felt. Suddenly, Ginny fell to the ground as if someone had thrown her. "Are you okay?" Harry asked, quickly kneeling at her side.

Ginny looked up at him adoringly. "What did you just do?"

"Nothing," Harry responded defensively.

"Too bad, because it was the best moment I've ever had in my entire life. It was like my heart was completely full; so much so I thought it might explode. I had goose bumps all over my body. I felt full, completely satisfied, like..."

"Like you'd never want for anything again in your entire life?"

"Exactly."

"Okay, well then I lied. I did do something. I was trying to tell you how I felt about you, how much you mean to me, and you weren't letting me. I didn't even realize it, but I wanted more than anything for you to know exactly how I felt about you."

"That's how you feel about me?"

"I love you, Gin." Harry leaned over and kissed her gently, with a kiss pure and full of love. "Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?"

"It's just that, well, I never in my life dared to dream you'd actually love me. And I know last night you told me you did, but now I can feel what you feel. I know you actually love me because I could feel it."

"I wish I could know how you were feeling right now," Harry said without thinking. "Oww!" he yelled as he was knocked over to the ground, hitting his head on a tree root. "Well, I'm an idiot, I've got to try and keep my wishes in control."

"Well you must have really wanted it if you did it without trying."

"Apparently. But I'm glad I got to find out how you feel." Harry crawled over to where Ginny was still laying down. She put her arm on his chest and her head on his shoulder. Harry loved having her feel this close to him. She slid her hand over his heart, feeling every beat. She felt so close to him at that moment that she would have sworn she knew his every thought.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"Something's not right."

"What do you mean?"

"When you hit your head, I felt it. My head hurt. And now?" she paused, blushing, "Well now if anyone in my family knew what you were thinking about doing, they'd probably all kill you." Harry's face went completely red.

"That shouldn't be happening. Merlin, Ginny. Don't be scared." Harry was shocked that he could pick up on her emotions when he focused solely on her. He wondered if it was the same way for her.

"Yeah, only when I'm really focused on you."

"Oh fuck, this is fucking weird."

"Eloquently spoken." Ginny was scared to let go of Harry. The connection they were sharing at that moment was intense; frightening, but intense. In a way she was afraid she would never feel like that again. She could feel his passion, his fear, his love. She felt so much she could barely speak. "Now, I don't want to even go back into the house, much less back to school." Her voice came out as a whisper, but there was no need for her to have spoken at all. Harry knew exactly what she was feeling, without her ever having said a word.

"Harry! Ginny! If you're doing anything I wouldn't want to see please stop before I get there!" They could hear Ron's voice coming from the house.

"We should get up," Harry said gently.

"Should we tell anyone what happened?" Ginny asked, standing up, brushing the grass off her pants.

"I think we should see if it lasts. Already, my mind is filling and your thoughts are becoming like a distant whisper. Everybody already has so much on their minds."

"There you guys are. Mum was starting to get worried," Ron said, walking up to them.

"Well, here we are," Ginny said, frustrated. "Let's go show Mum we're still in one piece. Or two separate pieces as she may prefer it."
It was a cold and rainy day. The weather suited Harry's mood perfectly. He was standing on Platform 9 ¾ wearing a dark hooded jacket. He gladly let the hood fall over his eyes, hiding his identity from onlookers. He watched as Mrs. Weasley said a tearful goodbye to Ron and Ginny. When she finished with them she pulled Harry into a tight hug, asking him to be careful and to take good care of Ginny.

"Come on, let's go find Hermione," Ron said anxiously, pulling Harry onto the awaiting train. They found Hermione sitting in a compartment by herself reading her very worn copy of Hogwarts, A History. "Hey there." Ron walked over and sat next to Hermione, placing an arm over her shoulders.

"Hey yourself," she responded, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "So Harry, how does it feel to be alive again?"

"Ask me again after I actually talk to someone who thought I was dead," Harry said glumly, pulling off his jacket. "I managed to keep hidden from everyone on the platform. You have no idea how much I'm dreading this." Harry sat down next to Ginny, careful not to sit any closer than a normal friend would. He looked in Ginny's eyes and whispered, "But not as much as I'm dreading this."

"Ginny! I've missed you so much over the break!" Colin bounced cheerfully into the room. "Merlin! Harry is that you? I thought you were dead!"

"Nope, just comatose for a pretty long while," Harry said, trying to sound civil. "I spent Christmas recovering at the Burrow."

"Oh," Colin said, trying to hide his jealousy. "Well it's good to see you back."

"Harry, Colin is my best friend, I think it's safe to tell him," Ginny said looking towards Harry for approval.

"I couldn't agree more. I think Colin should know," Harry said, his reasons differing from Ginny's completely.

"Colin, Harry and I have been going out for months now. I couldn't be any happier!" Ginny said with a smile. "But, we're not supposed to tell anyone. There's that whole Voldemort wants to kill Harry thing to consider."

"Well are you sure it's safe to be in a relationship with Harry? You don't want to be used to get to him," Colin asked concerned.

"Which is why we're not telling anyone," Harry responded defensively. But before the conversation could continue any further, the compartment door opened again.

"So how was the funeral?" Draco Malfoy asked in a smug voice.

"Brilliant," Harry replied standing up so he was face to face with Malfoy.

"Holy shit," Draco said, stumbling a few feet backwards before recovering his composure. "Don't worry, before long you'll wish you were still dead." He left the compartment, obviously just as surprised as Colin had been earlier.

"Well I have to say that one was kinda fun," Harry said with a smile. Before long their compartment was full of people who had heard that Harry was alive. Some insisted they knew he wasn't really dead. Others fussed at him for letting everyone morn for him. A few young girls cried. By the time they reached Hogwarts, Harry was sure he'd seen every student that he attended school with. When everyone was getting off the train, Harry held Ginny back for a moment. "I wish I could have you with me. All of this is wearing me out."

"We'll find some time together. Soon, I promise."

A/N Well I'm afraid I come baring all kinds of bad news. First, we've finally hit the end of my story. Just kidding! We've hit the end of my story that was already written before I started posting. Which means that it may start to take me longer to update. Bad news number two: my parents are in town for the week so I won't have as much free time to write. Bad news number three: I'm going out of town Saturday for four days so I know I won't be able to update during that time at all. Sorry guys! But thanks for all of the feedback. I promise I'll try to find the time to write the next chapter, since as of now it only exists in my head!