Chapter 31: Towels and Terror...

Ginny felt the day go past quickly. Not only did they have fleeting visits from Order members, but all four of them were having fun just by themselves. After dinner, Ginny decided to have bath before going off to bed. Letting the water and the scent of the bubbles flow over her, her mind drifted back to school. As much as she loved Hogwarts, she was frightened to return. Ginny was scared to face Dean again. She hadn't seen him since Christmas. For so long Ginny had dreaded the moment she would have to face the one person who put her in the situation she was in. Ginny didn't know how she would react once she saw him.

Her thoughts then turned from Dean to Harry. Ginny was amazed at how understanding he was about everything. Harry had so much on his plate now yet he seemed to be more worried about her. He was truely the most caring person she could ever come across, thought Ginny.

Ginny pulled the plug out of the bath, steped onto the mat and wraped he towel around herself. With her hair driping wet and her body covered only with a towel, Ginny walked back to her bedroom only to find that when she reached the room, that her and Hermione shared, it was locked. Ginny felt like yelling every profanity that she could think of at the occupants of the room but she assumed there would also be a silencing charm around the room as well as a locking charm so no matter what she yelled, they wouldn't hear her.

She then turned back around in a huff and literally ran into Harry, knocking him to the floor. "Oh, sorry Harry!" Ginny apologised

Harry laughed as he got back to hs feet "That's OK. So, what's wrong?" Harry was trying really hard not to look down at Ginny's towel which was slowly sliding down. Ginny pulled her towel back up, griping it tighter around her chest. "Well I'm guessing that my ruddy brother is in there 'comforting' Hermione again" Ginny replied crossly

"I think so, he's not downstairs anyway. Come on, I think I might have something you can wear"

Harry walked Ginny back to his room and found her a long t-shirt she could wear as a nightie and a pair of shorts. He left the room while she got dressed and came back in when Ginny said she was done. Harry walked in the room to see Ginny standing in the middle of the room, fiddling with the hem of her 'nightie'. Harry had never seen something so beautiful in his life. He felt that he could look at her for the rest of his days.

He smiled softly at his girlfriend, "You look good!" Harry simply explained.

Ginny frowned.

"No really, you'd look beautiful in anything!" said Harry.

Ginny turned her back to Harry and got into her bed, covering her whole body.

"What?" Harry paused, clearly confused, "WHAT?"

Ginny turned back towards Harry "I'd rather if you didn't lie to me Harry" Ginny replied, turning once again to face the wall.

Harry sat on the side of her bed and placed his hand on her cheek, stroking it gently. "Gin, I was telling the truth. You are beautiful, strong, independent and powerful and all of these things make me love you even more. Even your stubborn, fiery and moody sides!" Ginny tried to not laugh but she couldn't help herself s she let out a small giggle. She then turned her face to look into Harry's eyes "Gin, you are also really cute when you are angry!" Harry finished

"Harry, I-"

"Gin, don't worry. I love you no matter what. Now go to sleep Miss Weasley and don't have any more nightmares" Harry kissed Ginny softly upon her lips

Ginny felt the familiar cold floor of the Chamber. She stood up and looked for Tom Riddle.

"TOM! I know you are here. Let's get this over and done with. I haven't got all night!"

She turned when she heard movement. Expecting to see Tom walking slowly out of the shadows, she was surprised to see Harry stumbling towards her. He was covered in blood around his mid-section. Harry got a couple of steps out of the shadows then fell to the ground. Ginny ran to Harry and craddled him in her arms.

"Harry! Oh Harry! Wake up! I need you!" Ginny said as she shook his shoulders.

"Harry, stay with me! Please don't go!" Ginny muttered desperately.

Ginny looked down at Harry, tears streaming down her cheeks. Harry began to stir slowly, his eyes blinking steadily.

"Oh Harry thank Merlin! I was so scared"

Harry smiled at her and closed his eyes. His breathing slowed down then stoped. Ginny shook Harry harder.

"No Harry! You can't go! Not like this! I won't let you! Please Harry, stay with me! I love you!" Ginny pleaded, craddling his head in her chest. Tears flowed freely from her eyes. Her whole body began to shake uncontrolably. Ginny then turned her head back towards the shadows when she heard a cold, high pitched laugh.

Ginny sat up quickly, her body was shaking with terror and drenched with sweat. Still crying, she got out of her bed and crawled into Harry's, feeling along his stomach and checking his pulse to see if Harry was fine.

"Ar Gin, what are you doing?" Harry groaned.

"I had another nightmare Harry"

"In the Chamber?" Harry asked

"Yeah" Ginny replied

"What happened?"

"You, you...di-" Ginny's words stuck in the back of her throat.

"It's OK Gin. It was just a dream" replied Harry

Still scared, Ginny cried softly,"Harry, hold me!"

He wraped his arms around Ginny as she drifted to sleep.