Come Back

Chapter Five

Starting Over

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A light breeze was pouring through the open windows of the Burrow as they sat in the kitchen finishing their dinner. Harry was feeling full and content as he leaned back in his chair and watched the Weasly's. They were all involved in conversations and Harry couldn't help but smile at how wonderful it felt to be sitting there. Hermione and Ron were sitting across the table from Harry, talking happily; Harry couldn't help but notice the shining ring resting on her hand. He was truly happy for them both, but now that he saw them so engrossed in each other, it was strange to see them this way.

Harry turned to look at Mrs. Weasly, "Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful."

"You're welcome Harry dear, it was my pleasure." Mrs. Weasly replied. "Percy, George, why don't you two clean up the table, I'll do the dishes."

As Percy, George, and Mrs. Weasly got up and started cleaning, everyone else started to depart the kitchen. Soon Harry was the only one left, still sitting at the table feeling rather full. Harry thought a good walk and fresh air would help loosen his pants slightly so he got up and started heading for the back door.

Harry wasn't outside for more than a minuet when he could here a small sniffing sound coming from the side of the house. Harry rounded the corner and found Ginny leaning up against a tree with her face in her hands. Harry felt instantly awkward and thought he better leave her alone. As he started to head back in the opposite direction Ginny called out to him.

"Is that you Harry? Please don't go." Ginny said while wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I was trying not to cry but I just couldn't hold it in any longer."

Harry slowly walked over to her, "What's wrong Ginny?"

"It's you Harry. Seeing you again is just so, so hard." Ginny said, tears running down her face once more.

"Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry. I really am sorry that I had to go, but I didn't have much choice." Harry said while putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder.

"But when I thought you were dead it's like my whole world was gone. First I loose two of my brothers and then you. It was more than any person could bear." Ginny was now crying into Harry's chest. "Harry, if you have been free to come home for seven months, why didn't you send us an owl. Why didn't you try to find us sooner?"

"I'm sorry Ginny, I was pretty messed up for awhile. I just wanted to be left alone, I needed time to heal and mourn. You can understand that can't you?" Harry asked looking down into Ginny's eyes.

"Yeah, I can Harry, I just missed you so much. You were all I ever thought about, I wanted you to be alive so bad, and now you are. It's like a dream and a nightmare, all at the same time." Ginny said, trying to avoid Harry's gaze. "And Harry, the last thing you ever said to me, was that you loved me. Was that true?"

"Of course it was Ginny, I did love you. And I still do. If I wasn't so scared of Voldemort attacking my loved ones I would have told you so, a lot sooner than I did." Harry said, now hugging Ginny tightly. "You were all I thought about for three years Ginny. I havekept a photo of us in my pocket since my seventh year at Hogwarts, look…"

Harry pulled out a very battered photograph of the two of them sitting below the big oak tree on the Hogwarts grounds. The Ginny and Harry in the photograph were waving frantically at the Ginny and Harry now standing close together smiling at the photo.

"You remember that day Ginny? Collin was running around taking photographs of everyone. We were sitting there waiting for Ron and Hermione to come back with their books sowe could study for N.E.W.T's."

"Yeah I remember that Harry. That was only a week or two before the last battle." Ginny said still smiling at the photograph. "That was probably the last peaceful day we spent together, I can't believe you have been hanging on to this."

"Why wouldn't I? It was the only thing other than money that I had in my pocket that last day. It was the only true possession I owned since I left here, besides that girl in the photo was too beautiful to let go of." Harry said while handing the photograph over to Ginny. "I want you to have it Ginny; I think it would look nice in your pocket for a change."

"O no Harry, I can't take this from you, it means so much to you." Ginny said pulling away from Harry's arms.

"No, I want you to have it, and besides, what do I want with an old photo when I have the real thing in front of me." Harry said to Ginny, blushing slightly.

Ginny smiled and placed the photo gently into her back jean pocket. She dried her face on her sleeves, and took s step towards Harry. "Harry, I want to tell you something."

"Alright Ginny." Harry said.

"When we read the paper and thought you had died, I think I was the only one who never believed it. I mean, no one really did at first, even Ron and Hermione said it wasn't true. But after awhile people started to realized you weren't coming home so they sort of gave up. Even then I never believed it, there was a body and everything…" Ginny suddenly looked alarmed.

"Harry, I just realized, we buried someone! Who was in that casket if it wasn't you? There was this whole service, Dad gave this grand speech, and I think the whole world was there!"

"I know Ginny, that's the one thing that has me bothered too. I think we are going to have to find out who that was, and why they thought it was me." Harry said. His sense of dread returned to him. If they did in fact bury someone, who was it? And why didn't they investigate more to make sure that Harry was in fact dead?

Ginny, who had noticed the sudden sadness in Harry's eyes, took one more step towards Harry and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, and it's just that I hadn't thought about it until just now. But it doesn't even matter, you came back to us, and more important, you came back to me."

"That's right Ginny I came back for you. I don't think you will ever know how much I've missed you." Harry said, hugging Ginny tighter. "You know Ginny, before all this happened I had planned on asking you out."

"I know Harry; I had been waiting for you to ask me." Ginny said with a grin.

"Really? Well then…" Harry said as he backed away from Ginny, put his hands in pockets, looked down at his trainers and tried to act nervous.

"Um, hey Ginny, would you…um…would you like to go out with me on our next Hogsmead weekend? That is if you don't have plans." Harry ask, as if he was suddenly back and school talking to Ginny.

Ginny giggled and followed suite, "I'd love to Harry! I'll go check the bulletin and see when it is. Well, bye Harry, I've got Transfiguration next and I don't want to be late." Ginny started to walk away like she was really going somewhere.

Harry just couldn't help himself; He hadn't felt this happy in a very long time. He quickly caught up with Ginny and put a hand on her shoulder. She turned around wearing the same stupid grin that Harry was. Harry put one hand on her cheek and felt the softness of her skin. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

During there few moments embrace, Harry felt lighter than he had all day. He felt as if all the problems of the world had been washed away, leaving only this moment to deal with. The world consisted of only two people and everything was perfect. Not only was Harry finally home, but he had his friends, his family, and most important, he had his girl back.