A/N- Well the next part is up like I promised, and in it you will find out exactly what happened to Ginny. I am sorry if the last chapter was depressing, but for storyline purposes, I had to have Harry completely surrender, and think he had lost everything. I all hope you like the direction of the story as much as I do. It's very exciting to me, and I can't wait to see how the next few chapters come out. This is probably one of my favorite chapters in the story. I just had so much fun writing this. Some of the dialogue was a challenge, but ultimately my writing seemed just to flow out of me. I really hope you enjoy this next chapter. Ok, so now onto the reading!
Disclaimer: Darn, I wish I was J.K. Rowling.
Next Update: Expect Chapter 22, Lonesome Road, to be up soon. I will try my hardest to get it out to you as soon as possible.
P.S.- Please Please Review! I thrive on it!

Ch. 21- The Leaving Song (Part 2)

Harry didn't know how long he was sitting on the ground floor in the common room. It seemed like for ages. Years even. It was like he had been in some deep trance and he had just woken up in hell. He wiped the tears from his eyes. He stopped crying. But the feeling he was left with was even worse; numbness. Complete Numbness. He felt like his limbs were paralyzed permanently. He felt like he couldn't utter one word on his mouth. He didn't even feel like he was alive. More importantly, he didn't want to be alive. Why couldn't it have been me? Harry pleaded with himself, Heart wrenching pain, cutting deep into his heart; a pain that he had never ever experienced before. If it was him, Ginny wouldn't be dead right now. If Harry had never come to Hogwarts, Ginny wouldn't be dead now; If Harry had been killed by Voldermort than Ginny wouldn't be dead right now. But he couldn't let himself think about What Ifs. It was done Harry, simply told himself. This was it. Because of him, everyone around him suffered. Every life he touches, every Life he is around, either ends up dying or find them self in mortal danger over and over again, because of him. Had Harry really been kidding himself all these years? Had he thought that nothing would ever happen to his friends, the people he cared about the most? Had he thought he could have a semi normal life? Friends, even a girlfriend? Every year that passed, Voldermort found a new way to come after him, get to him, and try to kill him. He had been foolish; the biggest fool under the sun. How could he of ever involved anyone in----------He couldn't live with him self any longer. It was only a matter of time now before something happened to Ron and Hermione. And if something ever happened to them------No, he couldn't even go there. He had the power to stop it. Stop it all. He might not have the power or fight to stop Voldermort, but he'd be damned if he was going stick around, and just because of his presence, just because of him------- Something occurred to Harry; like he saw everything clear for the first time. He knew what he had to do now. He had no other choice. He had to leave Hogwarts.

Less than ten minutes later, Harry came storming down the boy's dormitory stairs, his trunk and Hedwig with him in tow. He put his heavy winter cloak on the trunk for a minute and reached out of his side pocket for a piece of parchment and quill. He quickly sat down on the sofa, and hesitantly started to write. What was he going to say? The truth. Harry couldn't just leave without saying goodbye first. He started to write.

Ron and Hermione

I am writing to you to say that I won't be here any longer when you get back. All I can say is that I am sorry. You'll never know how sorry I am. I never wanted for things to turn out this way. Truthfully, I never thought it would have come to this. I was wrong. And now I know what I must do. I have to leave. I have to leave Hogwarts.

As much as I want to stay, I can't. I could have prevented Ginny's death by never coming here. I don't have any fight in me any longer. I don't have anything left. The only thing I can do now is not be around anyone, especially you two. If that's the last good thing I am going to do, it's going to be protecting my family. If something happened next to you two, I couldn't bear that. That's why I must go.

I don't know where I am going, and I don't if or when you will hear from me again. I just wanted you to know that I could have never asked for two better friends. No, family. And never forget that. I wish you two all the best.

P.S. - Take care of Hedwig for me. I know you two will take good care of her. I also left you the Marauder's map. It should be in good hands.

I am sorry.

Good-bye

Harry

Harry put the Marauder's Map in the middle and then folded the parchment in half, and wrote Ron and Hermione's name on top of it. He threw down the quill on the couch, and placed the letter on the table in front of him. He stood up and was silent for a moment. He looked around the common room. Well, this was it, Harry thought. No turning back. He felt a pang in his heart. He really didn't want to leave. It would be hard. Hogwarts was his home. But when it came down to it, he knew what he had to do. He had to leave Hogwarts. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he couldn't be around anyone anymore. If he wasn't around anyone, he couldn't get anyone hurt. And that was the brutal truth. And it was time he should start facing it. He took a breath, and started to put on his cloak. As soon as he had it on, he put Hedwig's cage on the table by the note. He looked Hedwig in the eyes.

"I'll miss you Hedwig," Harry blurted quickly while touching her cage. Hedwig made some chirping noises. Harry knew she didn't want to say goodbye. Neither did he.

"It'll be okay. We might see each other again someday. But—er----where I am going, you can't me follow me. No one can," Harry told Hedwig silently. He took one last look at Hedwig and at the common room, and then he grabbed onto his trunk. Once he found a place to sleep for the night, he was going to have to reduce this. He couldn't be carrying around a big truck like this, Harry thought to himself. He had to blend in, Harry realized. Harry started for the portrait hole, with trunk in tow, and paused.

Dumbledore stood right in front of him.

"May I ask where you're going Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

Harry was quiet for a moment. He looked down. But he quickly picked his head up and looked Dumbledore straight in the eyes.

"I'm leaving," Harry blurted outright.

"I see," Dumbledore replied simply.

"And you can't try and stop me. No one can. My mind is made up. After tonight—er––being away from here, everyone being away from me, is best for everyone. I realize that now. I just er--------wish Ginny didn't have to die for me to realize that," Harry shouted, tears clouding up his eyes.

"I see how you might think that Harry. And I want to tell you that I am not going to try and stop you from leaving. You're old enough now to make your own choices. And I am not going to stand by and lecture you on why you should stay," Dumbledore stated.

"Good," Harry said a little surprised. He continued to walk toward the portrait hole but turned around when he realized he couldn't go before he said one last thing.

"Tell Ron and Hermione----that I'm sorry I had to leave, but I had no other choice and I left them a letter. Please make sure they get it," Harry said looking in the direction of the table he left it on.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Of course I will, Harry."

"And–Professor Dumbledore Hogwarts is and will always be my home. I wanted you to know that. You're a wise man, and the greatest teacher I've ever known. You've taught me a lot these past six years. I hope I can take what I've learned with me," Harry told him, looking right at Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes.

Dumbledore shook his head and flashed Harry a soft smile. Harry looked at him for another minute, and then he started for the portrait hole, but Dumbledore's grabbed his shoulder lightly.

"Is there anything I can say Harry that could convince you to stay?"

Harry didn't even acknowledge the question. He broke free of Dumbledore's grasp and continued walking. There was no point. He was leaving, and nothing would stop him.

"Harry—what If I told you that Ginny was still alive?" Dumbledore said in nothing more than a whisper.

Harry's trunk toppled to the ground, and he slowly turned around, his mouth open.

"How-----is that possible?" Harry's mouth slipped out.

Dumbledore smiled. "Harry. Ginny's alive. I knew what you were about to do, and I knew telling you this was the only thing that would stop you. Ron and Hermione told me to come get you. They're with her now."

This had to be a dream, Harry thought plain and simple. How was this possible? He had found her. She was dead.

"Er--------But I found her. She was dead; stabbed. I found her -------just like Benjamin," Harry managed to blurt out, in shock.

"Yes, and she was dead Harry, when you carried her over to the hospital wing. However, Lupin managed to revive her. When Ron and Hermione arrived, she was alive."

There were no words to describe what he was feeling right now. Ginny was alive. It was almost too good to be true. He had thought he lost her forever. Now she was alive, Harry thought to himself, tears of joy streaming down his face. He was almost in shock all over again. He never knew he could have this good of a feeling run through him again.

Harry paused for a minute and then took off his cloak and threw it over his trunk. Harry didn't know what he was going to do now. All he knew, either way, he had to see Ginny before he made any decisions.

"Take me to her," Harry told Dumbledore.

A few minutes later, Harry and Dumbledore were walking down the dark corridors, although Dumbledore lit the hallway slightly in front of them so they could see. Things were quiet most of the way.

"I must tell you Harry. Ginny's alive, but she's in very bad condition," Dumbledore warned Harry.

Harry wasn't surprised. The way he had found her he was beyond shocked that she was alive at all. But unlike Harry, Ginny was a fighter. He knew Ginny would fight with all she had to live. More than anything, he couldn't get over the fact that she was alive.

"Er–I'm just glad she's alive," Harry said directly. "I dunno----this sounds selfish, but it was almost too much for me to bear."

"You've had your fair share to deal with, Harry; more than any young man, or person for that matter that I've known. And you've dealt with it with more strength, bravery and determination that I ever thought possible," Dumbledore told him, stopping him in the corridor.

Harry gulped. "I used to have that. But I dunno anymore. Something happened this year, Professor Dumbledore. I dunno- I tried, but—er--- I can't try anymore. Fight anymore, I mean. For almost the past six years, it's been nothing but battles, and V----Voldermort trying to get to me and going about it through the means of my friends, the people I care about most. First my friends were affected by the Over-truth potion. Then Benjamin was murdered. Now, Ginny----. Harmone's still missing, and who knows who's involved, just to have Voldermort get to me. This is like every other time; just like the Sorcerer's Stone, just like Tom Riddle's diary, the Goblet of Fire. Voldermort almost killed me last year...but instead the person that I ever thought of as a real father got killed because of him, by-----Bellatrix." Harry blurted with such emotion. But it was draining him. He didn't really want to relive it all-----"This is like every other time, except I can't stop it. And it's only a matter of time, before Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, are killed for sure this time. And whether you believe it to be true or not, it's because I'm friends with them. My presence in this school has caused nothing but destruction. And that's truth Professor Dumbledore. "

"Harry, as wise a man that people believe me to be, I cannot think of one thing I could say right now, that could possibly change your mind. Things seem so unsure right now; so impossible. I would almost think it would foolish of you to not feel what you're feeling right now. You've been tested, Harry; from the moment you were born, to every year I know you from a young boy. I would love nothing more than to sit here and to talk about why I think you're wrong and why I think you should stay. But one thing's for sure Harry; you are the truest fighter I've ever known. I knew it the moment I saw you as a baby. I could say many things right now that could your change your mind Harry, but I know there is no point in trying. You're stubborn; just your parents, Harry. But what I must ask of you Harry now is before you leave, or make any decisions, go see Ginny first. Go see your friends. They've been by your side from the beginning."

Harry shook his head. He agreed. He at least had to see them before he went anywhere.

They continued walking down the corridor until the reached the hospital wing.

Dumbledore stopped him before he walked in. "I'll be right outside Harry," he said softly, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

Harry nodded and slowly emerged into the hospital wing. Lupin was standing right beside Ginny's bedside. Before he could even see Ginny, Hermione rushed up to him and fell into his arms.

"Harry, what took you so long?" Hermione shouted, her voice weak from crying. "Ginny's alive!" She added happily.

Harry didn't say anything at first. He could see over the top of Hermione's head and he panned the room. Lupin was looking at Ginny intently and he looked up when he noticed Harry enter the room. Ron was lying by Ginny's bed-side and he looked up enraged at Harry. Before diverting his full attention to what was right in front of him, Harry noticed Belle laying on one of the hospital beds in the far corner of the room. She was still. She must have been sleeping.

"Er-----sorry. I----"Harry started to say, but his voice trailed off. Hermione pulled away and looked back at Ginny. Ron's arms were folded as he looked Harry dead in the eye. Ron looked very upset; even more upset when he had placed a silent curse on him a couple months ago. Harry's eyes looked to Ginny lying on the bed helpless. She had been cleaned up but she looked very pale and she had several cuts and bruises on her face. She looked like the life had been drained from her.

"How is she?" Harry asked Lupin, staring at Ginny.

Ron shot up from his chair. "How do you think she is Harry?" Ron yelled viciously.

"Ron!" Hermione cried, looking at the both of them. 'It's not Harry's fault!"

Ron inched closer toward Harry. "Well, then whose bloody fault is it then?"

Harry felt speechless. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't expecting Ron to be completely blaming him. But the more he thought about it, it was his fault. All of this. He was at fault for everything. Just the simple act of being around him caused utter destruction.

"Ron, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I would never want anything to happen to Ginny. What more do you want me to say?" Harry uttered, feeling his voice getting weaker and weaker with every breath he took.

Ron was practically in Harry's face. "How about how bloody stupid it was to take my sister with you tonight? How could you let this happen, Harry?"

Harry knew it was his fault, but he felt like he was one step away from exploding.

"How could I let this happen? Do you think I wanted Ginny to get hurt?"

"Hurt! My sister is nearly dead!"

"Stop this! The two of you please! This is getting us nowhere!" Hermione tried to cut in.

Ron and Harry were standing inches apart. The few inches Ron had on him, forced Harry look up staring right into Ron's cold eyes.

"Look. I'm sorry Ron. But Ginny's a big girl, and I didn't make her come along. You know I would never do anything to hurt her. How could you think that? We were trying to do the right thing. We were trying to find some answers!"

"Yeah, and that almost made her wind up dead. You know. I thought I could trust you Harry. Actually, I didn't even have to think about whether I could trust you or not, especially with my sister. It was just something that never bloody entered my mind! But you didn't watch over her. You didn't protect her!" Ron paused. "She still could die, Harry! Look at her over there. Bloody lifeless!"

Harry eyed Ginny lying on the bed, and looked at Ron's glaring eyes, and Hermione crying softly in the corner, her eyes, pleading for them to stop. Harry knew what his decision was going to be.

"I'm sorry Ron. I don't have anything left to say," Harry let out softly, his voice defeated.

Ron took a breath, and pushed Harry against the wall. He took out his wand.

Hermione rushed in between Ron and Harry. Lupin rushed over their side as well, looking alarmed, but not trying to but in either.

Harry felt locked in step. He felt himself frozen against the wall; paralyzed.

Ron's eyes had never looked so hurt, so vicious, so true. Harry had not protected his sister. Ginny, the one girl he loved. The only girl he loved. And this time, Harry felt like he had deserved whatever Ron did do him.

"Oh so you're on his side," Ron stammered, his eyes blaring at Hermione.

"No! I am not on anybody's side, Ronald! This isn't you. You're just upset. I understand that. But all that matters is Ginny. You know Harry didn't want her to get hurt. And Ginny is a big girl. This wasn't anybody's fault but the person who did it!"

Ron was silent for a minute, but then he slowly put away his wand. "I will never forgive you," Ron said under his breath.

Harry blinked. He couldn't help but feel a million stings piercing his heart. But, how could Ron feel any differently?

Hermione peered at Ron, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You don't mean that."

"Yes, I bloody well do," Ron said looking at Hermione and then to Harry. "He should have watched out for her! Especially, after everything that's been going on this year. How could you be so bloody careless Harry?"

Harry knew he should have made sure Ginny was with him. But everything happened so fast. He was sure someone had found them breaking into Harmone's room. But never mind that-----He had been foolish. And she was just attacked to get to him. Harry felt like he couldn't breathe; like the world was caving in on him.

"We can't prevent every bad thing from happening Ronald! There's something going on in this school. Harry's not to blame! You know who the real culprit is. We all know who's ultimately responsible for the attack on Ginny; for the attacks on everyone this year. It was only a matter of time before---- "Hermione started to say, trying to reason with Ron.

"That's exactly why Harry should have watched over her more! Made sure she was okay. Especially after------"Ron stopped talking, after he realized what he was going to say.

"After what?" Hermione asked, looking at Ron.

Harry looked at Hermione. And then at Ron, shook his head no to Harry.

"Say it Ron. Hermione might as well know everything now," Harry blurted without meaning too. Harry felt like he couldn't even control what came out of his mouth anymore. He felt like everything needed to be out in the open now.

"Know what?" Hermione asked, eye brows raised, fear looming from her voice.

"Benjamin is dead, Hermione. He was killed when you were in the hospital under sedation," Harry told her flat out.

"Bloody hell, Harry!"

"What? How dare you keep something like this from me!" Hermione shrieked, appalled, looking right at Ron.

"We had to tell her Ron!"

"No, I believe you told her!"

"How could you!"

"Silence!" Lupin finally cut through the chaos.

They all froze, and their direction immediately went toward Lupin.

"Good. Now Mr. Potter wanted to know how Ginny was, and I suppose you still want to know of her condition?" Lupin asked.

"Yes," Harry said gathering his breath, while walking over to Ginny's bedside. Lupin started to speak. Ron stayed close by the door. Hermione inched away from Ron, tears springing from her eyes.

Lupin touched Ginny's pulse, and then gazed up at Harry. "Her pulse is weak. She lost a lot of blood. It's a good thing you found her when you did, or I gather you would know what would have happened. She's not out of the woods yet. Her condition is unstable. She's in a coma, and for how long is unknown, until we can figure out how to cure her."

Harry looked at Ginny's face, and placed his hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry, Ginny. " Before he turned around, he grabbed her hand, and squeezed it. It was so cold. "I love you," Harry whispered.

He glanced up at Lupin, whose eyes were glazed over. "She's being taken over to St. Mungo's shortly."

Harry shook his head, and realized more than ever it was time to go. With one look at his friends standing there over by the door, he knew. He turned to Lupin.

"Could I have a minute alone with Ron and Hermione?"

"Sure," Lupin smiled lightly and he went out the door.

Ron and Hermione looked up at Harry curiously.

"There's no easy way to say this, but I'll just say it. Er-- I'm leaving. As happy as I am that Ginny is alive and has a chance to live, that doesn't' change the fact that I need to go."

"Go? Go where, Harry?" Hermione asked confused.

"I have to leave Hermione. Don't you understand? If I don't go, Voldermort won't stop until there's nothing left; all of us dead. Ginny almost died tonight, and it's my fault. I realize that now; everything that's happened this year. All the other years. We've come inches to death, and never blinked an eye. We were just lucky and kidding are selves. Everything that happens, to you guys, to Ginny, to everyone else, is because of me; because I'm here. Involving you guys in my life, was the mistake I made. Coming here to Hogwarts was a mistake."

"So where would you go then Harry? Back to the Dursleys?" Hermione shouted, more fazed then ever.

"No. I would never go back there. Honestly, I dunno where I'll go----Er-----it has to be this way. I'm sorry."

"Harry. You don't have to go! Ron----say something!" Hermione pleaded.

Ron was silent, but then he looked up at Harry. Harry saw pain in Ron's eyes. Then he spoke. "Maybe he should go. Think about it, Hermione. Everything he said was true. He's right."

Hermione's mouth opened wide. She obviously couldn't believe what Ron had said. Harry was hurt, but in his heart knew Ron was right too.

"Ron's right, Hermione. This is my decision. Er--you can't stop me!"

"Harry, please," Hermione pleaded, but from her tone, Harry could tell she knew it was no use.

Harry looked at Ginny one last time. Harry hugged Hermione, and then exchanged glances with Ron. He couldn't exactly tell what Ron was feeling. He just knew that their relationship would never be the same again. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Harry reached for the door. His back turned, he said softly, "Tell Ginny that I'm sorry. ------------------Goodbye."

Harry heard Hermione's sobs as he let the door close behind him. All he could see in the dark corridors were those famous twinkling blue eyes.

"Good luck," he heard echo into the air.

Harry ran back to the common room as quickly as he could, not letting any seconds thought even enter his thoughts. Knowing Ginny would survive was enough for him for now, and this was the only choice he had now. He reached the common room, and saw his cloak and trunk lying there on the ground where he left it. He threw on his cloak, and grabbed onto his trunk.

Just then Charlie came running down the stairs and spotted Harry. "I just found out about Ginny. I hope she's all right', Charlie said panicked, as he started for the portrait hole.

Charlie paused when he noticed Harry holding his trunk. He didn't say anything. Instead, he just had a perplexed on his face.

Harry walked over to the table and grabbed the parchment and handed it to Charlie.

"Here. Make sure Ron and Hermione get this. Please," Harry stated.

Charlie shook his head. "Sure. But where are you going Harry?"

Harry half smiled. That was the thing, he didn't know. "I guess I'll know when I get there. But I can't stay here."

"I guess then it would be foolish to try and convince you to stay then, huh?" Charlie said.

Harry smiled, and then took one last look at Hedwig chirping at the table. He started for the portrait hole.

"Are you coming back?"

Harry didn't turn around. "I dunno. I hope one day. But it's the right thing to do."

"I understand. But Ginny will be okay, Harry. I know my sister. She will make it. You don't have to leave," He heard Charlie walk closer to him.

Harry turned around. "It's more than that. I don't have time to explain. Just make sure Ron and Hermione get that letter," Harry uttered.

Charlie looked at the letter in his hands, then back at Harry. "Of course." He walked over by Harry, and put out his hand. Harry shook Charlie's hand, and at the same time, noticed how tired Charlie was. He missed Harmone more everyday, Harry reminded himself. Well that was in the past, Harry thought. Harmone was gone. And whoever she was, or wherever she was, that was a mystery never to be solved.

"Good luck" He heard Charlie say to him, as he turned for the hole again.

Harry smiled to himself, because he would need all the luck he could get. He went out of the portrait hole, and walked into the dark corridors. As he finally reached the exit doors of Hogwarts, he thought he would be sad. But in all his life he never felt-----actually he didn't know what he was feeling quite yet.

Once he was outside, the unknown awaited him. As hard as it was to leave his friends and other only place he knew as home behind him, He was a boy without a plan, a journey, and a destiny now. He could go wherever he wanted; become whoever he wanted. As he walked further and further away from the castle, the wintery air blowing through him, the more he felt at peace. For the first time in his life, Harry Potter felt free.

Thanks to all my reviewers!