Choices –
"Please, come with me," plead Will, caressing her cheek with his calloused hand.
"I -- I can't --," Ginny gasped, her mind reeling.
"Breathe, lass," said Jack, calmly.
It was unimaginably surreal. To be surrounded by complete anarchy, unable to think clearly--much less breathe-- and to stand in the middle of it all, inside an eerily calm center, with the heady scent of salty ocean and a man pledging his love for her, asking for her follow him into the unknown.
Professor Dumbledore, with the aid of Professors McGonagall and Vector, slowly got to his feet.
"No, Ginny! Please, no!" Harry pounded on the invisible barrier with his fists.
Hermione rushed forward and pressed her palms flat against the barrier, her eyes wide and frightened, her hair whipped in the gusting wind.
Ron's eyes brimmed with tears that spilled unabashed down his cheeks, continuing his fruitless fight to get to his sister.
"Will, we must go now," said Jack.
"Please, let me take you away from it all. I will keep you safe," said Will, imploringly.
Ginny glanced back once more. Behind her, Hermione, Ron, and Harry stood, refusing to stop their attempts to break through to her.
She blinked, and memories flashed through her mind's eye.
Her first ride on a 'borrowed' broom. Facing Malfoy as he insulted Harry in Borgin and Burkes. Her mother's warm hugs. Her father's delighted expression as he marveled over a Muggle plug. Neville trying so desperately not to step on her toes at the Yule Ball. Harry's laughter. The vast loneliness of her first year. Catching the snitch under Cho's nose. Ron and Hermione's bickering. Sirius's smile. Fred and George making her laugh until her sides hurt. Harry dragging Cedric's body from the Maze. The heart clenching fear of almost losing her father. Harry, kneeling before her in the Chamber, telling her it was all going to be alright.
"I can't," said Ginny.
"Ginny --" began Will.
"I'm sorry." Ginny attempted to put on a brave face, though her watery smile was pained.
"So, this is where your heart truly lies?" asked Will, glancing beyond her shoulder.
"My place is here, by his side."
Ginny watched the hurt coursing over Will, the play of emotions on his face as he tried to accept her answer. Behind them, she could still hear Harry and Ron shouting.
"Come, lad." Jack sympathetically squeezed Will's shoulder. "Ginny, luv, it was an honor." Jack glanced over to Hermione, his expression becoming bittersweet, then turned and strode closer to the edge of the lake.
Will's grip on Ginny's hand increased. He stroked her jaw line with his thumb, staring at her one last time. Slowly, he leaned in and tilted his head. Ginny's eyelids fluttered closed and tears escaped the corners of her eyes. Will brushed her cheek with his lips, letting them linger for several extended seconds. He nuzzled against her, and inhaled deeply. "Remember me."
Ginny choked back a sob, trying hard to hold herself together.
Will's smiled sadly as he took a step back away from Ginny, still holding her hand.
"Will," Jack called once more, standing on the threshold of the portal, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.
Will let Ginny's fingers slip from his grasp. The moment contact was lost, there was a sudden, chilling change in the air pressure around Ginny and she gasped. Her night robe billowed and hair whirled around with the gusting wind
Hermione yelped and staggered, her hands thrusting forward, pushing on thin air. Harry and Ron fell face first onto the ground and scrambled to their feet.
Will stopped at the threshold and Jack clapped him on the shoulder. Will glanced down and sideways, as if to look back, but stopped himself. Ginny watched Will square his shoulders and hold his head high. Within two strides, he was gone.
Harry and Ron rushed forward and came to a skidding halt at Ginny's side.
Jack turned with a roughish grin to look out Hogwarts, his eyes finally coming to rest on Ginny, Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
Dumbledore, with Professors McGonagall and Vector supporting him, slowly made his way over.
Jack gave a slight bow, his hand extending behind him with a grand flourish. "May you always remember this as the d---"
He was cut off in mid sentence as his hand grazed the portals opening, and was fluidly absorbed away.
Eurynome's beautiful eyes reappeared. Then the glowing wall fell like rain back into the lake.
A massive clap of thunder crashed overhead, and the skies finally let loose with fat drops of water splashed down to earth.
Ginny was pulled into her brother's arms. He said nothing. She felt him trembling as he pressed his cheek against hers. She held onto him just as tightly and sighed, resting her forehead on his shoulder.
"Oh, Ginny!" cried Hermione.
Ron firmly kissed Ginny on the forehead and turned to face Hermione.
Her hair was plastered to her head and her dressing robes hung heavy and soaked, but she paid not heed as she rushed forward, almost shouldering Ron out of the way to throw her arms around Ginny.
Dumbledore, with the support of a conjured cane, nodded for the other professors to finish escorting students back to their houses.
Hermione beamed happily through her tears, taking a step back to look over Ginny to make sure she was alright.
Ginny could feel his eyes on her, as she had from the moment Jack had disappeared. Her heart thudded in her chest and she turned to face him.
Harry stood before her, rain drops flattening his usually untidy hair and splattering his glasses, trailing down to drip off his chin.
"You stayed," he said simply, his chest rising and falling with quick breaths.
Ginny nodded in answer.
"Why?" he asked.
Ginny was taken aback by his question; though she wasn't sure what she had expected would happen. She raised her chin higher and answered.
"This is where I belong. With my family and my friends. I belong here, where my heart lies . . . with you."
Harry swallowed hard. He reached out, moving a wet chuck of her hair off of her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
"You stayed," he said again, as if by saying it, he was reminding himself that it was real.
"I stayed," said Ginny.
Harry smiled, as if a great weight had been lifted and quickly embraced her, holding her tightly against him. Ginny closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, oblivious to the rain that continued to fall.
"I think this calls for a round of hot chocolate, and if Madam Pomfrey has her say, a dose of pepper-up potion for all," said Professor Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall had arrived at his side again, looking over the students worriedly.
Harry reluctantly let Ginny go, but immediately laced his fingers with hers, and gently squeezed her hand. Ginny felt herself going slightly light-headed at the smile he gave her. Ron draped his arm around Ginny's shoulder, kissing her on the temple, his other hand clasped around Hermione's, as the group made their way through the rain, back towards the front doors of Hogwarts.
Several Months Later
The sky was bright and warm and the air was filled with the smells of late spring as Ginny reclined back against a great oak that grew several yards away from the lake. The sun reflected off of the gentle waves, like glittering diamonds.
"Hi," said Harry. He dropped down beside her and took a bite of a large golden apple.
"Hi," said Ginny, smilingly happily, "I thought you were going to stay late today?"
"Flitwick said with it being such a nice day and how we'd done so well, he was ending class early," said Harry, reaching over and lacing his fingers with Ginny's.
He held up the apple and inclined his head in offer. Ginny smiled and took a bite. Harry grinned, and leaned in to kiss her.
In Ginny's mind, the sweetest apple couldn't compare with Harry's kiss. And no matter how often she received them, or took them, as it were, every kiss was as wonderful as the first.
"Ron and Hermione?" asked Ginny, swallowing.
Harry tilted his head back towards the castle. "Bickering, when I left the tower."
Ginny snorted. "You know they only do that now so they can make up."
Harry grinned and shook his head. He brought their clasped hands up to rest on his thigh as he stared out over the lake.
"Dumbledore's informers say Voldemort's on the move," said Harry, quietly.
Ginny sighed, reaching up to caress his shoulder.
"Do you regret it? Not going?" Harry asked, glancing over at her.
For months Ginny had waited, wondering if he would ever question her decision, knowing that the Death Eaters' attacks were becoming more frequent, sensing that the end was near, when Harry would have to face Voldemort. No one was safe, everyone was at risk.
"No," Ginny answered simply. He studied her closely, and her smile softened. "I love you."
She didn't need to say more.
The tender kiss that Harry gave her, took her breath away.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips and a sense of wholeness and rightness washed over her.
A beautiful echoing song interrupted them. Both turned to see a golden phoenix with long pearl white plumage swoop down and neatly land beside Ginny. The phoenix stared at her fixedly. Ginny felt Harry's grip on her hand tighten. Neither dared move. Slowly, it raised its head, and cried again, a powerful and resounding call. It gracefully took flight once more, leaving behind a small package tied with string, and an accompanying envelope. As it arched high in the air, a faint rainbow appeared and faded slowly away.
Ginny turned a surprised gaze to Harry, who only shook his head in wide eyed in amazement.
Ginny picked up the envelope, setting the package on her lap. She pulled out the parchment and turned the note so that Harry could read along.
Miss Weasley,
For generations, a precious package has been passed down, from father to son. Each with the duty to protect it with their life, to keep it safe, and then continue the tradition of handing it on. By wonderful fate, the grandson of William and Elizabeth Turner was a wizard, and a brilliant one at that. It was from then on, the package was kept securely stored in Gringotts. Each father passed along the story to his son, of a special duty that they were entrusted with, and that, one day, they too must pass that responsibility to their own son -- until such day as the package was to be delivered, and their duty fulfilled.
It came to be my husband that the package was entrusted to, along with the knowledge that, finally, the day was near that he would hand it over, to its rightful owner -- You, Miss Weasley.
Unfortunately, several months ago, my husband was lost in the ongoing struggle against The Dark Lord, when Death Eaters attacked the village of Kelby. He was a noble and honorable man, and one of the finest Aurors, whose bravery saved several lives that night. Of course, I am biased. I loved my dear Weatherby. I am sure you would have liked him too. He was deeply proud to know, that it was he, who would finally complete the mission that his fathers before him set out to do. With Weatherby's death, the responsibility was passed along to our very young son, James.
It is my honor, on behalf of my son, my late husband, and their forefathers, that I am able see this to its completion.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joanne Norrington Turner
Ginny stared at the letter, reading it for a second time, somehow believing her eyes had deceived her. The package was from Will. She glanced over it, reading again that the grandson of William and Elizabeth Turner had been a wizard. Ginny's smile was melancholy. Though she missed him, Ginny was happy to know that, in the end, Will was once again able to claim the love of his youth.
Harry wrapped an arm around her waste and gently rubbed her side.
Ginny set the note aside, and unwrapped the package before her. Her fingers trembled as she lifted an aged envelope sealed in brittle, faded wax. A small box, the size of her palm, remained on her lap
The wax seal crumbled beneath the pressure of her thumb. She pulled out a single page of yellowed parchment.
Open the box, please. -- The top of the note read.
Ginny gingerly picked up the box and gently raised the lid. All the air left Ginny's lungs in a single whoosh. She heard Harry exhale heavily in surprise. Inside, upon rich red-velvet laid a single black pearl attached to a delicate silver chain. She held the chain up and the black pearl gleamed in the sunlight. Gently, she cupped the pearl in the palm of her hand, feeling its solid weight as she turned back to the letter.
Dearest Ginny,
My bones will have long turned to dust by the time that this letter reaches your hands. Know that I have thought of you fondly, every day.
Upon our return to the Black Pearl we discovered that we had only been gone over an hour's time.
Anna Maria was in a fit of rage, unable to locate us, as shown by the stinging red welt left on the side of Jack's face.
I will not deny, my heart deeply ached without you. It was then that Jack decided to set sail and, months later, dropped anchor along the shores of Pukapuka. It was there, through a series of events and adventures that are best left lost to history, I obtained this very special black pearl. Wear it always, Ginny, and no harm shall befall you.
It was upon our return to Port Royal that my path crossed again with Elizabeth. She had not married Norrington, as you and I discussed, Ginny. Without going into drawn-out detail, Elizabeth and I married. I know you would be happy for us.
As I write this, I am sitting in the gardens of my home, watching my first son, William, crawl in pursuit of a caterpillar. Elizabeth is expecting our second child within a matter of a month's time.
You will forever be in my heart, Ginny. I miss you greatly, but I know that this is right, and as it should be.
Harry loves you and will protect you. It is with him, you belong.
I know we shall never see each other again, but, until my last breath is spent, I will remember you.
Eternally,
William
Harry gently ran the back of his finger down her cheek, chasing away a tear.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Ginny carefully refolded the letter. The silver chain in her hand swayed and caught the sunlight.
"Would you like help with that?" Harry offered.
"You don't mind?" asked Ginny, looking back between the black pearl in her palm and Harry.
"No. I don't fault him for loving you. I quite understand it, actually," said Harry, smiling warmly. There was no hint of jealousy, only sincerity.
Harry took the chain from Ginny as she pulled her hair up, and draped it around her neck, slipping the clasp into place.
"Did you feel that?" asked Harry, looking at her in surprise.
The magic that radiated from the pearl, the moment the clasp was secured, felt ancient and powerful.
"Yeah," she answered, staring down at the warm glow of the peal resting between her breasts.
"Hermione is going to want to research as soon as she hears about it," said Harry, getting to his feet. He tossed the rest of the apple out into the lake, where it was quickly picked up by the giant squid, before it had a chance to sink.
"Think we should go to Dumbledore?" Ginny asked, accepting Harry's proffered hand.
"We should," said Harry, wrapping his arms around Ginny's waist and pulling her close, "Later."
After exhaustive research that brought up very little, an extremely frustrated Hermione had to concede to the fact that the library had no real answers to the mysteries of the Isle of Danger known as Pukapuka, or to Ginny's magical black pearl. Will's words rang true; the story apparently lost to history.
Professor Dumbledore had taken a close look at the gift. His subtle smile and bright twinkle in his eye gave away nothing, if anything, that he might have known, or guessed of its real importance. He reassured them that the pearl was, indeed, safe, and that Ginny was very fortunate to have such a wonderful possession.
The true worth of William's gift would finally be known, that summer. While out one evening, as the sun was preparing to set on what had been a pleasant day, there was an attack by several Death Eaters. It was learned later that the intent was to murder Ginny and Hermione, to provoke Harry into reckless behavior, causing him to lash out heedlessly, in the hopes it would bring his end as well.
Two Death Eaters apparated just a few feet away from the front door of a local shop in Hogsmeade as Ginny and Hermione were exiting. Before either could react, the Death Eaters were ready, and the first killing curse was already fired.
The jet of green light flew at a blurring speed but never connected with its target, instead, it disappeared into nothingness. The masked Death Eater who had cast the spell, gave a strangled half-cry and then erupted into a spray of salt water. His clothing fell into a crumpled wet heap on the ground. The other Death Eater, so shocked by the demise of his comrade, disappareted a split second later.
Without pause or proper thought, the women instinctively apparated back to the Burrow, as they had been instructed over and over again, if danger should arise.
Ginny's heart hammered in her chest and she gasped for breath, falling to her knees just outside of the old white gate of the Burrow's front garden.
Hermione cried out in alarm and rushed to her.
"I felt him," whispered Ginny, her hand pressed over her chest, the hard lump of the black pearl pushing into her palm. "I felt Will."
Hermione placed her hand on Ginny's cheek and stared into her eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," whispered Ginny, nodding slightly.
"Ginny! Hermione!"
Harry and Ron tore around the Burrow, apparently hearing Hermione's cry from the back garden.
"What is going on?"
"Are you alright?"
Harry dropped down before Ginny, and grasped her by the shoulders, examining her carefully with worried eyes.
Ginny launched herself forward and threw her arms around Harry's neck. "I love you."
Harry hugged her tightly. "I love you too," he said, perplexed.
"What happened? Ron demanded, scanning around them, holding his wand firmly as if ready to hex anything that moved.
Hermione shook her head and stood. "Let's go inside and we'll tell you."
"You sure you're alright?" Harry asked, helping Ginny to her feet.
Ginny looked around the familiar and comforting surroundings of the Burrow, feeling a sense of home, so deep, it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. She turned back to Harry and took his hand. "I'm fine."
"C'mon," Hermione urged gently, leading them to the front door, where Mrs. Weasley had hurried out to see what was going on.
Just beyond the horizon, opposite of the setting sun, the full moon had begun to rise.