A/N: Well, I don't know how often I am going to be able to update for a little while. I'm moving and I may not have any internet for a week or two while they set up my DSL. I'll try to update when I can! Happy 4th of July! (early)
We ate lunch in silence at the Hog's Head, having chosen it for its safety from Ron's prying eyes. I spooned some soup into my mouth as Harry said, "So, er… what's new with everyone?" I paused for a second before nonchalantly saying, "Not much. Hermione's been cheating on Ron and he doesn't know it." I didn't bother looking up, but hid my small smile behind my glass of pumpkin juice. Harry's fork clattered to the floor as he sputtered, "Wh-What? With who?" I giggled, my anger at Ron seeping out, "Oh, my other brother. You know… George." Harry gasped, paused, and then chuckled. He shook his head and picked up his fork, pointing at it with his wand. "Scourgify," he said, amusement in his voice. "Guess she always wanted to be a rebel," I said, mixing my salad a bit.
As the end of our lunch grew near, Harry leaned in and whispered to me, "Ginny. I've got to tell you the real reason I'm here…" I looked up, my eyes meeting his and three-year-old emotions flooded back into my head. "Dumbledore is sick… it's suspicious. As you know, Voldemort has been hiding out since we left school, biding his time and growing stronger by resting, but that doesn't stop him from sneaking about." Harry's eyes confirmed my thoughts and he reached across the table to hold my hand. I sighed softly, happy to feel his touch, but sad to know that his true reasons for visiting were not to see me.
It was as if he was reading my mind…. As his eyes burned into mine, snippets of memories flooded my head quickly but slowed to real time when they reached the day at platform 9 3/4… the day that Harry had left. His gaze held mine and he once again said, in a soft whisper, "I meant what I said." He released my hand but did not look away from me. "Oh how I've missed you," he whispered, stroking my cheek with his fingers. Tears threatened to spill out of my eyes as I opened my mouth to speak. "Please stay this time, I need you," I croaked. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise," he said, his hand tightly gripping mine.
"…So you'll go with me tonight?" he asked me, his eyes following the people on the bright street. We stood outside the Hog's Head, saying our goodbyes. I nodded strongly, my hand clinging to his. "I'll meet you outside of Three Broomsticks. I'm staying there and I've arranged a portkey to Hogwarts," he said and looked around quickly. Apparently, the coast was clear because he leaned in swiftly, pulling me into a deep kiss. Only stunned for a fraction of a second, I kissed him back so strongly that I thought I would pass out from emotions. His hand found its way to my neck and then to my hair as his other arm held me close to him. It was I who broke off the kiss. "Harry, no one should see us," I whispered mournfully. Sadness flicked across his eyes as he said, "Er, yeah… I'll see you tonight. 'Round seven."
We parted ways and I finally had the chance to stop by 3W to chat with George. "Hello Gin, why so dressed up? And you're not at work?" Fred said, greeting me from behind the counter. "Can't a girl have a day off?" I snapped quickly but calmed myself before continuing to say, "I was having lunch with an old friend today." He nodded and said, "So you're feeling better, then? Neville said you were sick." Not willing to talk any more, I simply said, "Yep" and then rushed on to say, "Where's George?" Fred frowned, but pointed me to the back room, where George was working on packaging some owl orders.
He smiled weakly at me when I walked in; his eyes were tired and his forehead had new frown lines. "What's up, Ginny?" he asked, leaning back in the tall, wooden chair that he was sitting in, setting down his bright green quill, and sighing. "George…" I paused, reaching down to prod a 3W box, "I've noticed that you've been down lately. Are you alright?" My brown eyes narrowed as he seemed to be formulating an answer. "Er, no… I mean, yes. Yes, I'm fine," he stammered, looking nervously at the table. "Oh…" I said, trying not to smile, "I was just wondering. Hermione's been so down lately and now you're looking a bit ill too. I wonder if it's that muggle disease… mono-icky-whatsit or something." At the sound of Hermione's name, George's eyes snapped up to meet mine for a split second before he looked down at his hands. "Er—I don't know anything about Hermione. Haven't seen her in days!" he chattered nervously, shifting around in his seat. After a deafening silence I said, "Well, alright, see you later." The bell on the door tinkled as I walked out of the store.
To be continued…
PS - I know this one was short, but I split one long chapter into two so you could have this while I finished up the rest of the chapter. ;)