Chapter 12- Happiness

Harry had been forced to go home after three days straight in the office. Two and a half, he had argued, but Kingsley wouldn't reason with him. He had been using the lockers at the Ministry for a shower in the morning, and taking cat naps at his desk. The only thing that convinced Harry to go home was that Hedwig hadn't been fed while he was gone. With reluctance, he left his sanctuary and went back to his house. He wished he could call it home, but it seemed so empty.

If Harry had ever tried telling this to Hedwig, she wouldn't acknowledge him for days, he was sure, but in his heart he knew that feeling to be true; and with Ginny leaving, there was no way to remedy the emptiness.

Harry had opened the letters Ginny had left, and cast them aside, only to toss and turn over them every night that he had done so. Hermione kept warning him that he was going to miss his chance, but he continued to believe he already had, and that she was going to choose Draco. Then he would question whether he wanted to be with her after Draco, if there ever was an 'after'. Could he manage a relationship while wondering if he'd touched her in the same way… if he'd kissed her like that? It made his stomach jolt now, just thinking about the idea.

Once Harry opened the door, Hedwig started to sqwak and flap her wings. "I know, I know," Harry said. "I didn't mean to be gone that long, you know," he said. Still, he ended up with a few good nips before Hedwig started flying around to stretch her wings.

Harry walked around, looking through some files he hadn't remembered were left on his counter. He hadn't even remembered bringing them from the office, but here there were, so he started working during his time off. As he was through the third file, Hedwig started nipping at his hands. "What?" he asked, looking at the creature. "I already fed you," he informed Hedwig, looking over at her.

There, in Hedwig's beak, was a letter. Harry gulped, recognizing the paper used. "Thank you," he said, grabbing a treat from his pocket in exchange for the envelope.

Harry played with the object, tempted to toss it and save himself the agony of what it said. Still, he couldn't avoid Ginny's words, and after twenty minutes of the internal debate, ripped it open and fumbled to unfold the paper.

Dear Harry,

I'm not sure if you've read my letters or if Ron's told you, but I'm leaving for Paris today.

Harry looked at the calendar on the wall across from where he sat. Had two weeks already passed?

I'll be gone for at least six months, perhaps longer. I was hoping to talk to you, needed to, but I suppose it was selfish of me to want to do so.

I wanted to tell you in person, but still think it's fair for you to know that nothing has or will happen concerning a relationship with Draco and I. There's more to explain, but unless you believe that, it won't do any good to talk about the rest. I'm sorry for everything, Harry, and I pray that while I'm gone you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Love,

Ginny

Love… Harry's stomach flopped again. Nothing happened? Nothing… he read the words over and over. It was a saving grace in his life. Harry looked at his watch. Without hesitation, Harry grabbed some Floo powder, stated 'Gooda place', and stuck his head in. "Ron," he said, seeing his friend jump.

"Don't do that!" Ron said.

"Didn't you hear the pop?"

"No," Ron said. "Hermione was telling me something about fixing a whatchamajigit."

"When does Ginny leave?" Harry asked.

Ron gave his friend a suspicious look. "Mum and Dad were taking her to the station at four to say good-bye. I don't think you can talk her into staying," he warned.

"It doesn't matter," Harry said. "I've got to see her," he added, pulling his head out and making his way out the door, not bothering to contain Hedwig after her first time with freedom in so long.

Harry started jogging along the road before realizing he could never make it to London this way in time. Looking around him, Harry concentrated until he disapparated and reappeared in the middle of the Ministry's lobby.

"Potter?" Kingsley asked, standing a little ways off with a concerned look. "Didn't I tell you to go home and get some rest?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said, flustered. "But I have to—"

"I don't like people refusing orders," he said firmly.

"I know, sir, but Ginny is… she's," Harry saw one of the clocks from behind Kingsley's shoulder. "Sorry, sir," Harry said before running towards the exit, leaving Kingsley standing with a confused expression on his face.

"Hurry, hurry!" Harry said, while standing in the false telephone booth with a mother and daughter.

"Mummy, Mummy," the child said, tugging on her mother's sleeve. "It's Harry Potter."

The mother looked over, then back down at her daughter. "Yes it is," she whispered. "Let's not disturb him."

"But I wanna picture, Mummy," the girl said as the elevator came to its end above ground.

Before the mother could ask, Harry bolted, running down the streets, even though he was disoriented by the Muggle streets. It had been years since he had entered or exited the Ministry in the Muggle fashion.

He ended up circling one building twice before finding the Underground rail and purchasing a spot on one of the cars. Time seemed to pass faster than normal as the rail seemed slower. It felt as if an eternity had passed, though it was only a ten minute ride. He pushed his way to the doors and bounded out, looking both ways and deciding to take the left path. He ran through crowds of people, knocking into one man.

"'Ey! Watch it, would ya?" the man exclaimed in a heave Irish brogue.

"Sorry," Harry said; the only word he had been using since his exit from the transport.

Harry turned his frantic run into a sprint when the train station was in view. Come on, he urged his tiring legs as he came into the busy passages of people coming and going with luggage. He looked around, wondering what to do next when he saw a worker pushing a large cart of baggage. "Sir," he said, making his way through a group of people once more. "Sir, excuse me!" he shouted to get the man's attention.

"Can I help you?" the man said, stopping.

"Yes," Harry said with the little breath he had left. "Is there a train to Paris?"

"The last one left half an hour ago," the man said, looking at his watch and continuing on his way.

Harry leaned back against a pillar between the platforms, holding his hand to his chest trying to catch his breath, but it wasn't working. His eyes gazed through all the people, hoping for a sign of red hair somewhere… anywhere, but it wasn't to be found.

After several moments of searching, the little bit of hope Harry had dissipated and he started walking home, staring at his shoes as he wandered the Muggle streets on his way back to the Ministry.

Part of Harry tugged at him, telling him Draco hadn't won, like he had thought. It nagged, but a stronger part of his mind told him that it wouldn't take long for some French man to come along and realize what Draco had; Ginny was something you didn't want to give up. Harry realized it too, now, but it was too late. Harry knew he could owl her, but what good would it do? He wouldn't be able to express what he wanted to in a letter—it would seem too impersonal. Besides that, Ginny wouldn't be there to know the sincerity in his eyes, the trust he had in her and the love he possessed. Harry wanted to know what Ginny was thinking, how she took what he needed to say, and that wasn't possible when the words were written down.

Feeling discouraged, Harry started walking back through the Ministry. Kingsley was still there. "Do you mind explaining what in Mab's name you're doing? Here? Running into London streets?"

Harry opened his mouth, but couldn't find words. Instead, his jaw shut tightly and tensed. He shook his head and continued towards the apparation point, his only satisfaction being the image of what Kingsley's face must have looked like at the moment.

Having apparated into his bedroom, Harry laid back on his bed. He had no energy to leave, even as his stomach ached for some food. Maybe he would go to The Burrow later and see if there was some home cooked food there… maybe they would have more information.

From the living room, Harry could hear Hedwig's squawking. "I'm coming," he said, more irritated than he had meant to. He picked up a couple of owl treats from the top drawer in his desk.

As he passed the closet in the hallway, Harry froze. Hedwig was sitting on the shoulder of someone with flaming red hair, long and bright.

She turned around to face him, meeting Harry's gaze before looking down as a blush rose to her face. "I think Hedwig might be feeling a bit neglected."

Harry's heart jumped up his throat, enabling him to speak.

"I… I had to… " Ginny stammered. "I probably shouldn't have…"

"I'm glad you came," Harry jumped, talking very fast. "I got your note."

"Singular?" Ginny said with an unsure smile.

"Notes."

"I just wanted to be his friend—"

"I know," Harry said, daring to take a step forward. "You always were compassionate like that."

"I didn't think he'd—"

"I know," Harry said, a smile coming to his face. "You always were naive like that."

Hedwig squawked again at Harry. "Do you have anything for her?" Ginny asked.

Harry held out some treats. Hedwig swooped by him only long enough to nip the treats and fly to a counter where she could sit and enjoy. "I thought you were on the train."

"I couldn't go," Ginny said. "Lance is going to be upset," she added as a side note.

"Why not?"

"I had to see you," Ginny replied. "I couldn't stand leaving with the knowledge that you hated me."

"I couldn't hate you," Harry said slowly. "Never."

"I hated myself," Ginny said, looking down at her feet.

Harry despised to see Ginny cry, and could see it coming. Taking a step forward, Harry took Ginny's hand in his and raised her face to his. "Don't," he said, wiping a tear before it had time to fall down her cheek. "I love you," he whispered, moving a strand of hair behind Ginny's ear.

A smile played on Ginny's lips. "Promise?" she whispered back.

"Always," he answered, leaning down and kissing Ginny.

A/N: THE END! YAY! So yeah… I had always suspected I would end up with this ship, but I certainly hope that this threw people for a bit of a loop…. Maybe? At least kept you in suspense? I don't know if I'm going to do an epilogue or not. I'm not a huge fan of writing them (though I do love to read them). So this may be your last chance to review… so do it!

Thanks:

Wolf's Scream: lol okay… my deal is that I ship HG, but I love LOVE a good DG every now and again (aka, where Draco is still a bad boy and not a sissy… and there isn't this sudden lusting for one another), or for that matter a HG DG triangle. I hope I've succeeded in making it someone plausible. Still, I'm definitely an HG shipper… I don't think that Draco and Ginny would ever really end up together or work as a good couple for that matter. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy the ending.

Vixen519: Not sure if you've read through 11 (or will even read this) but there was a genuine interest in Ginny…. He just didn't get along with the rest of the Weasley kids…. Molly's really nice, and had kind of talked Arthur into being the same. Hope that clarifies.

Hermione30: lol… my guess is this one's going to be riddled with mistakes and that's all I'm going to hear about tomorrow… oh well lol. I'll do one more quick run through, but I'm guessing I won't get all of the problems.

Dancerrdw: yeah… not soon, but I'm hoping it's worth it lol.

CountessMel: yeah… took me a while to update… been busy. You know, HG is my fav, but DG is just fun (because of all the tension with the family). Hope you like the ending, cheesy as it is.

Sarah L. Padfoot: It's a rather intriguing ship, isn't it? I can't see it really happening, but it can be fun in fanfic none the less…. Hmmm…. Now that I'm done with this, I think I need to find some good DG to read now! GAH!