Chapter Fourteen

The Rainbow After The Rain

Ginny approached the lake slowly, her eyes focused on the lone figure sitting on the stone bench next to the water, his back to her. The sun was shining directly onto him; the rain hadn't lasted long. Still, she was willing to bet it'd return before nightfall. The weather was fickle like that in Scotland. Much like England in that respect. She tugged on her scarf, tightening it around her neck, trying to look nonchalant should he spot her and watch her approach. She hated being watched while walking or doing anything that could lead to potential embarrassment: falling over, tripping on imaginary rocks, anything. To be avoided at all costs.

Ginny's feet stepped onto the sandy gravel path that wound around the lake. Harry turned his head at the sound and upon seeing her, smiled. He raised his hand in greeting. Ginny waved back somewhat shyly, feeling her heart pounding faster. The sight of him still set her aflutter.

"Hi, Ginny!" Harry called out.

Ginny slowed down as she neared the bench, offering a wry smile. "Hey, Harry."

Harry stood up and embraced her awkwardly. Ginny, surprised, held onto him for a moment before he stepped back and held her at arms' length, still smiling. His eyes were shining brightly in the daylight and his cheeks were flushed. She wondered if they were flushed because of the cold or because he had just hugged her.

"You look great," he said finally.

Ginny raised an eyebrow, carefully concealing her inner blush. "Thanks."

"No problem!" Harry said with forced brightness. "Care to sit with me?" He gestured toward the seat. Nodding, Ginny sat next to him on the cold stone. Moments passed. She stole a look at him. What was he thinking? Was he hoping to say his piece and then just leave? Hug her again?

"We'll probably get piles if we sit here for too long," Harry remarked thoughtfully. "Cold seat."

Ginny laughed. "Maybe!"

Harry turned to look at her, chuckling to himself.

"What?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Just remembering that," he said, picking up her gloved hand and examining it. "Cold?"

Ginny shook her head. Harry slid her glove off and laid it beside him on the bench, clasping her hand in his.

"There," he said. "That's a bit more comfortable, isn't it?"

Ginny couldn't speak. Instead she nodded again. Why can't he just talk and get all this awkwardness over and done with? She begged silently. The sooner I know whether or not I have to avoid him for the rest of my life, the better.

"Um," Harry said, breaking the silence, "This is really weird." He gave her a lop-sided smile. "I don't know what I can say to make it easier. I've got so much I want to say to you but I don't know where to start..." he shrugged. "Anything you want to know first?"

Ginny shook her head again, feeling paralysed. She was afraid that if she moved an inch, her hands would start shaking and then Harry would see how nervous she was.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded. "Awfully quiet, Gin." He squeezed her hand. "I guess I would be, too, if I didn't know what I was about to say. Okay. Um. On with it, Potter. Er... well..." he paused, using his free hand to scratch absently at his cheek. "I guess I should tell you about why I didn't talk for you for awhile," he said. "No, actually, blow it. I love you, Ginny."

Ginny stared at him, speechless.

"You..." she trailed off, her voice catching. "You... what?" Love? "Why?"

"Dunno," Harry said, his cheeks flaming red. "I just do. I felt it best to tell you that first." He paused. "Now would be a good time to tell me how you feel, just so I know whether or not I can sit closer to you for the rest of the explanation. But you don't have to," he added hurriedly. "Just in case."

Ginny smiled. "Well..." She wasn't sure what to say. "I... I've always loved you, Harry," she said at last. "You know that."

Harry gazed at her, his green eyes bright. "I had hoped."

She shifted uncomfortably on the seat, acutely aware of her cheeks growing hot. "Well, I would have thought it'd be obvious," she said softly.

"No..." Harry said quietly, taking both of her hands in his and moving nearer to her. "Well... yes, I suppose, but I'd never let myself think that before." His lips stopped a moment before meeting hers. "I'll never forget it now, though." He bent his head closer and touched his lips to hers.

Ginny closed her eyes and let her arms move of their own accord, snaking behind his back and settling against him. She sighed blissfully and kissed him, feeling indescribably happy. Ever since she'd met him, she'd dreamt of this moment and now that it was finally here, she didn't know how to act. Think about the last few weeks! she urged herself and broke away from him.

"So you, um, wanted to explain these last few weeks?" Ginny asked, running her tongue quickly over her lips.

Harry moved back, nodding slowly. "Yeah... sorry."

"S'okay," Ginny said quickly. "I just... didn't want to get carried away before we got everything sorted out."

"Yeah, right, of course," Harry said. "Well, to be honest, when... well, when we kissed in Diagon Alley..." he blushed. "Um... and then Malfoy interrupted. Well, to be honest, I was completely angry with him, for suggesting that I'd be starved of affection and for insulting the one I love best." He squeezed her hand. "It just... it really pissed me off. I couldn't speak for rage. And... and then he buggered off and I suddenly realised that I hadn't defended you at all to him, and that you must've gotten the wrong impression about that and then the silence grew bigger so I just... I chickened out. I left it alone and hoped it'd get better on its own and that'd you understand without me saying anything. Except I don't think you did. And that's fair enough. I was too... embarrassed, I guess, to make it better."

Harry squeezed her fingers gently. "I'm sorry, that was the wrong thing to do. I'm not very good at this sort of thing, in case you hadn't noticed."

Ginny smiled faintly. "No, that's fine... it all makes sense now."

"Really?" Harry asked, seemingly surprised. She nodded. "So I'm forgiven?"

"Yes," she said, laughing. "You're forgiven."

Harry grinned and bent to kiss her again. She pulled away, raising her eyebrows.

"First, Harry," she said sweetly, "you need to promise me that you'll always defend my honour to Malfoy."

"Always," he said, smiling.

"Always?" she asked.

"Always," he affirmed with a nod.

"Okay," she said. "You may kiss me."

THE END