CHAPTER NINE: BREATHE
As Hermione was waking to the feel of Ron's breath, so Ginny opened her tired eyes. Glancing around momentarily incoherent, it finally dawned on her that she had fallen asleep without going upstairs to her room. In Mrs. Black's former formal sitting room, her and Harry were curled up, a large sheet separating them from the musty carpet beneath.
Ginny stilled as warm air fanned over her face, stirring her hair and tickling her nose. Ever so cautiously, she turned her head and found herself face to face with a sleeping Harry Potter. And though her eyes had shed tear after tear last night, she felt them once again welling into pools before her eyes, though from overwhelming happiness instead of the despair she had felt the night before.
Harry was here with her. Despite the danger that had ensued, he had allowed her to stand on her own. He had looked at her for a fraction of a second and she finally saw in his eyes understanding that she needed to face the battle. He would trust that their love was strong enough for him to allow her to defend herself and her family in any way that she could. He would not hold her back or stand in her way. They were finally in this together.
Ginny shivered though she was not cold. As sunlight danced on the dusty surfaces of the sitting room, she basked in the warmth of its rays and her skin tingled, teased by an unseen sensation that floated lazily about the room.
I can
feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that
way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And I've
never been this swept away
Ginny snuggled ever closer to Harry, careful not to disturb the arm flung haphazardly low on her hip. Carefully, she reached up and removed his glasses that had fallen askew on his face, and set them gently on the carpet beside her. Fighting the urge to touch, she sweetly tucked her fingers beneath her cheek and hungrily ate up the sight of him. As she had felt Harry's eyes travel over her as they had danced at the wedding, so her eyes began their journey, learning the planes of his face through mere site. She exhaled the breath she had unconsciously been holding and his hair fluttered over his forehead, exposing the famous lightning-shaped scar. Giving in to her urge, she slowly extended one delicate finger and traced the sad scar that had brought so much pain and trouble to her Harry. Pulling her hand away slowly, she let it come to rest on his chest, watching it rise and fall in tune with his slow, even breathing.
All my
thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying
wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The
only thing I hear is the beating of your heart
Gently she pressed her palm flat and gradually became aware of the subtle thump-thump of his heartbeat. Over and over again, she felt for it, drawing relief from the proof of life that thudded away. Harry alive was all she could ever hope for. They had come so far in these battles, but she sighed as she resigned herself to the fact that there was still far to go. Focusing all her thoughts and energy, she gazed once again at Harry, feeling once more his breath float over her skin.
'Cause
I can feel you breathe
Just washing over me
And suddenly I'm
melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we
need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
Slow and steady
rush
Baby isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I
can feel you breathe
Just breathe
Sighing softly, Ginny felt content wrapped in Harry's arms. Taking one final glance over his features, she turned over cautiously, trying her best not to wake him. Ginny gasped slightly as she felt his hand open over her waist and looked over her shoulder, exhaling as she saw that he had merely turned in his sleep with her. Gently she felt pressure from his palm and felt herself being drawn closer to him as he murmured incoherently in his sleep before he buried his face in her cascading hair. She smiled and decided to stay where she was, once again beginning to feel drowsy as Harry's warmth seeped through her clothing, comforting her and his strong arms wrapped gently over her shoulders, keeping her safe.
Half-asleep, Ginny wandered languidly from thought to thought. She had never felt this comfortable with anyone else she'd ever been with. Michael corner was really someone she thought would help keep her mind off of Harry and Dean, though they did become close over the time they had spent together, she had never had such a hard time breathing whenever she was anywhere near him. Moments alone in Harry's presence would cause Ginny's heart to skip beats and trip along, her breaths coming in short, shallow hiccups. Though her body reacted in many different ways, at the same time, Ginny had never felt more comfortable around anybody but Harry.
Wasn't it Harry who had seen her at her worst? Knocking over goblets, dipping her elbow in butter dishes, prancing around in sleep jumpers when she wasn't aware that he was there. He had been there, being her friend as she had grown up over the years. Now she was in awe at the chance to finally be able to grow together. She and Michael may have shared her first kiss, and Dean may have taken a fond place in Ginny's heart, but it was with Harry that she had learned to love.
In a
way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling
down
Closer than I've ever felt before
And I know you
know
There's no need for words right now
Ginny smiled as she closed her eyes, the steady rhythm of Harry's heart beating with her own gently lulling her into a pleasant sleep.
