Chapter 1

The Final Battle had lasted for over three weeks now. Even though Harry had killed Lord Voldemort the previous week, his Death Eaters had not given up the fight. Looking through the fire, smoke, and wand sparks, he saw her. She was giving her all against a Death Eater, but it looked to be a losing battle. Sending a well-placed hex in the direction of the Deaath Eater he was fighting, Harry began to run to Ginny, jumping over the dead bodies of the Death Eaters and fellow members of the Order that littered the battlefield. Harry stumbled on a few of the bodies, but he never took his eyes off of Ginny. When he finally reached her, he quickly killed off the Death Eater she had been battling, then ran to her and enveloped her in a protective hug.

"You had me worried for a while. I didn't think I could last much longer," Ginny whispered in his ear.

"I wouldn't let you leave this world without me right behind you," Harry breathed back.

Then everything in Harry's vision faded away to complete darkness.

When Harry opened his eyes, he was blinded by the white lights and he painfully winced. Everything was too bright. Finally realizing where he was, he groggily sat up in the bed. Everything was fuzzyuntil someone handed him his glasses. He put them on and looked around. Tonks, Lupin, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the room, looking tired and worried. After glancing once more around the room, he realized who all wasn't there, along with the painful reasons why. Hagrid had been killed by a few of the giants under Lord Voldemort's control. Professor McGonagall had been hit with five different spells at one time in the early stages of the battle and never made it to St. Mungo's. Neville, Seamus, and Dean had fought bravely beside Harry until that evening he had saved Ginny.

Ginny.

As soon as he realized she wasn't there, he tried to speak.

"Wh-Where..."

But he was quickly cut off by a disheveled-looking Tonks. "Not now, Harry, you need some rest."

"But, Ginny? I need to know where Ginny is. I need her..." Harry countered, sounding worried.

"Oh," Tonks quietly replied, "She just stepped out for a while to get some sleep. You've been in a coma for about a month now, and she's been here almost the whole time. More than anyone else has been here, in fact. I told her that she ought to get some sleep, food, and a shower. She should be back anytime now."

As soon as Tonks finished, Harry caught a glimpse of red hair walk through the doorway.

"Harry! You're awake!" Ginny yelled. She ran full speed and latched onto Harry. "Oh, Harry! We were so worried. When that Death Eater snuck up behind you and you passed out, we thought . . . we thought," and at this point, Ginny buried her head in Harry's blankets and began to cry.

"We thought he had used the "Avada Kedavra on you," Lupin finished, trying to pull Ginny off of Harry.

"Ginny," Tonks whispered, "Harry's been though a lot and has been out for quite a while. He needs to rest. I'm sure he'll let you continue to talk, just get off of him so he can breathe."

"Thanks," Harry replied, "but if you don't mind, I'd like to spend a little time with Ginny. Alone."

And just at that moment, a healer walked into the crowded toom.

"Oh good, you're awake," She observed. "You should be able to leave in a day or two,
but you need to take it easy." She glanced from Ginny to Harry as she said this.

"Don't worry, ma'am, I'm sure Harry won't be up to do anything after I'm through killing
him for making me worry so much." Ginny retorted, with a wicked grin and a wink
directed at Harry.

"Now Harry, dear," The Healer continued, "Do you have anyone you can stay with for a
while, until you're completely healed?"

"I think I have someone in mind." Harry responded, glancing at Ginny. Ginny must have
seen this, because after he said this, Ginny squeezed Harry's hand in a reassuring manner.

"Good, good." Glancing about the room, the Healer added, "Well, I had better let you
get back to what you were doing. But remember," and at this, her eyes narrowed, as if
scolding, "Don't over-exert yourself." And with that, she left the room.

"Well, I guess we'll leave you two alone now," grumbled Lupin, rising from his chair.

"And don't do anything I wouldn't do." Added Tonks as she took Lupin's hand. And at
this, Ginny's face turned a light pink.

"Don't worry," Harry laughed, " I won't let her do anything--much." Ginny's face had
then turned bright red and she tried, unsuccessfully, to hide it behind Harry's shoulder.

Everyone laughed at this, and Ginny reluctantly came out from her hiding place. When
everyone go up to leave, she stood up as well and followed them to the door to with them
farewell. Once they turned the corner leading to the stairwell, Ginny turned back towards
Harry.

What she say before her almost made her cry. Looking out the window was the terrified
11-year old she saw so many years ago who didn't know where his train to school.

She took one small step forward. Harry must have heard it, because he turned towards
Ginny and smiled. At once, the lost 11-year old disappeared. This is the first time I've seen him smile since that evening in my 5th year when he finally kissed me.

"Come over here, you." Harry said jokingly as he patted part of his bed. "I haven't seen you or touched you in over a month."

Ginny smiled at this and took the offered space on Harry's bed. Harry immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Instinctively, Ginny laid her head upon his chest.

"I was worried I would never see you again." Ginny whispered, gazing lovingly up at Harry.

"So was I." Harry replied as he planted a kiss on Ginny's forehead. Ginny then snuggled closer to Harry and slowly drifted off to sleep, Harry following soon after.

END OF CHAPTER 1