A/N: I know many of you have been asking if this is the end of the story. I'm here to answer that no, it's not the end...yet. There will be a total of 36 chapters when this fanfic is over, so thereare still three to go. However, because of the hectic holiday season, I have fallen behind with my writing. This means that I won't be able to post as frequently as I use to. I'm hoping, if everything goes as planned, the last chapter should be posted by the end of January (crosses fingers). In case you're wondering, I do have another fanfic idea sitting in my head (not a sequil), but it may take me a while till I get around to writing it. I'd like to thank all of you for your wonderful comments and support. It has made writing this story that much more fulfilling. Thank you!
Chapter 33: Parting Ways
Over the next few months, Ellie and Harry continued to owl letters to each other. They mostly wrote about school and what lessons they had learned recently. Ellie would give updates on how her family was doing, while Harry would talk about Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindor students. Harry never mentioned anything about Voldemort or the Deatheaters, and Ellie never asked. It was tough on both of them to be so far apart from one another. Ellie wished she could see Harry everyday. However, writing letters twice a week was far better than not having any contact at all.
As the end of the school year approached, and final exams drew closer, the letter writing became increasingly infrequent. Both Ellie and Harry became heavily occupied with homework and final papers. The two letters a week gradually diminished to once a week, then once every two weeks, then once a month. By the time June came around, the letters had stopped all together. The homework load was so heavy; Ellie barely had a chance to even think about Harry.
Once school had ended, and there were no more distractions, Ellie became fully aware of how much she missed Harry. The problem was she didn't know when the Hogwarts school term ended, or when Harry would be coming back to Little Whinging. On July 1st, Ellie was given the perfect opportunity to check.
Her mother had asked her to get a loaf of bread from the corner store, and on the walk back home Ellie decided to stop by the Dursley's house.
She hesitated before ringing the doorbell, worried that Dudley might answer. When she finally got up the courage to ring the bell, she was relieved to see a large man with a moustache standing in the doorway.
"Hello Mr. Dursley. I was wondering if –"
"Aren't you Dennis's little sister?" Mr. Dursley interrupted harshly.
"Yes I am." Ellie replied, taken aback by such rude behaviour.
"Dennis isn't here."
"I'm not here for Dennis."
"Well, Dudley isn't here either." Mr. Dursley said hastily, getting ready to shut the door.
"I'm not here to see Dudley either." Ellie informed him.
"Then why are you here?" Mr. Dursley asked suspiciously.
"I'm here to see Harry." Ellie replied plainly.
Mr. Dursley suddenly became very pale.
"W-what did you say?"
"Your nephew Harry, I'd like to speak with him please."
"Harry isn't here." Mr. Dursley said in a nervous tone.
"Has he returned from Hogwarts yet?"
Mr. Dursley's eyes grew wide, as if Ellie had just uttered a bad word.
"Yes, he has."
"Do you know where he is then?" Ellie's patience was starting to wear thin.
"He mentioned something about not staying here for the summer, so I guess he already left."
Ellie's heart sank. How could Harry leave without saying good-bye?
"Oh" was all that she could think to say.
Mr. Dursley looked pleased with Ellie's disappointment, and slammed the door shut without warning.
Feeling very down hearted, Ellie walked home. She kept her head down and tightly clutched the plastic store bag. Ellie was so distraught, she nearly walked into someone at the corner of Magnolia Crescent and Magnolia Road.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" A voice exclaimed.
Ellie looked up, and was surprised to see Harry.
"Harry! What are you doing here? Your uncle said you had gone away for the summer."
"I am." Harry replied, "But I'm not leaving until tomorrow. Frankly, I'm surprised that my uncle even knew I was going. I had just stopped by your house to see you. You didn't think I was going to leave without saying good bye, did you?"
Ellie threw her arms around Harry.
"But why do you have to leave? I thought the safest place for you to stay was at the Dursley's house?"
"Well, things have changed." Harry said lowly.
"What's changed?" Ellie asked with concern.
"I don't want to talk about it." Harry said shortly. "But I do need to talk to you about something."
"What?"
"Why don't we go sit in the park?" Harry asked casually.
"Alright." Ellie said apprehensively.
Even though Harry was acting perfectly normal, Ellie couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
The park was deserted, except for a small flock of blackbirds that were fighting over an abandoned cracker. Ellie and Harry sat down on the park bench that faced the swing set.
"So, how were your exams?" Harry casually asked.
"Fine…A's as usual. Yours?"
"They were alright." Harry said distractedly.
"Harry, what do you really want to talk about?" Ellie bluntly asked, getting tired of the small talk.
Harry sighed heavily, his eyes fixed on a pebble next to his foot. He opened his mouth to speak, but promptly changed his mind. Whatever news he had to tell, it was eating away at him. Harry opened his mouth again, and Ellie braced for the worse.
"I don't think we should see each other any more." Harry uttered. He was doing his best not to make any eye contact with Ellie.
Ellie's heart dropped. "What?"
"It's for your own good." Harry said mournfully.
"What are you talking about?" Ellie choked. She was having a hard time keeping her tears back.
"Ellie, you know my past. You know what I've been through…and am still going through. Everyone close to me is in danger. You've been in danger once already. I just don't want to see you get hurt."
"Really? Then why do I feel hurt right now?" Ellie knew that was the wrong thing to say the moment the words came out of her mouth.
She knew it must be difficult for Harry to tell her this, but Ellie couldn't help but feel cheated. She was being robbed of a wonderful relationship, and she wasn't going to give it up that easily.
"So when did you come up with this decision?" Ellie asked in a more gentle tone.
"A few weeks ago, after I talked to Dumbledore." Harry replied lowly.
"This isn't even your idea?!" Ellie said in outrage.
"No…not at first." Harry answered.
Ellie stared at him, wanting a further explanation.
"When he first mentioned that I should stop sending letters to you, for both of our safety, I got upset. I yelled at him to stop controlling my life…except I didn't use those exact words. It took me a few days to realize why he didn't want me to see you anymore." Harry took another deep sigh. "I have lost a lot of people I care about, and seen more deaths than I care to. I don't know what I'd do if you died because of me. I don't want to lose you Ellie, you're too important to me."
Ellie remained silent. She wanted to scream. She wanted to tell him he was wrong, and that she was safe. However, deep down in her heart, Ellie knew that Harry was right, as much as she hated to admit it.
"This isn't going to be permanent." Harry consoled her. "As soon as Voldemort is gone, we can be together again."
"I don't want to lose you either Harry. But I can't sake the feeling that if you leave me now, I'll never see you again." Ellie sobbed.
Harry hugged her tightly.
"I promise I will see you again." Harry whispered in a resolute tone. "I promise!"
Harry and Ellie continued to embrace each other, neither one wanting to let go.
"I should get going." Harry said as they slowly pulled apart.
Ellie just nodded, as she wiped her tear soaked cheeks. Harry gave Ellie a quick kiss before heading towards Magnolia Crescent. Ellie remained sitting on the park bench as she watched Harry disappear around the corner. She sat a while longer, waiting for her puffy eyes to diminish before going home. Her mother would be wondering where her loaf of bread was.