CH 19 Ginny

A/N: Sorry for the wait people, sometimes having a life can make me delay. Not to mention'Document Manager' being down, but don'tget me started.

Restless night were adding up, almost 2 weeks of staying awake thinking. 2 weeks of uncertainty, had affected his marks, formerly Exceeds Expectations they were now hovering around dreadful. He wandered the castle aimlessly, occasionally furious but more often depressed. Ron and Hermione had been trying for weeks too cheer him up but to know avail-Ron was having trouble as he was still confined to the hospital wing.

The mood of the school was slowly improving but the cancellation of 3, and counting, Quidditch games had sent moral through the floor. Often one could see students gazing, depressed, into the fire holding there quill a few inches over there parchment, dripping ink. Even Ron's chess pieces seemed depressed as Harry and Ron battled, with Harry adding another spectacular defeat to his record.

The dull mood in the castle disappeared almost instantaneously however when Headmaster Dumbledore announced that a day of Quidditch would take place on December 22nd. He informed the student-at lunch time-that there would be a playoff style tournament, facing the houses against each other.

As classes resumed for the afternoon, the mood of the students was distinctly improved. All but one messy-black haired student who could be seen walking alone through the halls, with no purpose or focus, was giddy we glee at the prospect of Quidditch. For most of the afternoon Harry wandered the halls, hiding from students walking between classes.

Harry entered the room of requirement, to find that he was not the only occupant. The headmaster stood up from his rather plush chair and looked at Harry over his half-moon glasses.

"I wish to apologize for my behavior the other day." He said.

"No it's…"

"NOT your fault Harry, I acted inappropriately and I am sorry" Harry opened his mouth to reply but was cut off "Yes Harry, you can see Ginny now."

For the first time in a fortnight Harry's sprits lifted. He was eager and apprehensive at the same time about seeing Ginny.

Wordlessly, the headmaster left the room with Harry on his heals. Dumbledore led the way through twists and turns until he stopped outside an unremarkable painting of Stuart the Stupid offering a cauldron cake to a leopard. He muttered something that Harry couldn't hear and waved his wand. The picture sneezed then ripped down the center, revealing the same picture but in nothing but differing shades of pink. The headmaster waved his wand again and a door opened on the far side of the hall. Dumbledore entered the new door and Harry followed, seeing that it was a smaller version of the hospital wing.

In the center of the room was a bed, containing a frail-looking but conscious red-head. Harry was at her side in a flash, looking her in the eye.

"Harry!" relief was evident on her face, as she pulled him close into a kiss. The two enjoyed there moment of togetherness as the professor looked on in silence. When they broke the embrace the headmaster felt ready to remind them he was president.

"Neither of you have been yourselves since you were separated." He informed the couple.

"I missed you" Harry whispered into Ginny's ear.

"I missed you too" she told him.

"You both are very brave; standing up to the dark lord isn't easy for any witch or wizard." Dumbledore couldn't have said anything to wipe the smiles off there face faster "There was a spell you used Harry that is of great importance. Do you remember using it?"

"I don't remember much after…" Harry swallowed, pain visible on his face "He cursed her"

"That is another matter, the curse was actually a combination of curses and an enchantment"

"Slow down, I have a bit of a headache." Ginny requested.

"I think you've had enough for today, get some rest." Dumbledore instructed.

"I want to know more! I'm not tired…" the yawn gave away her lie and she gave up, lying back in bed.

"Let's go Harry" Dumbledore insisted.

"NO!" both Harry and Ginny objected.

"By now I've realized there's no point in arguing with you too, go ahead stay here. But only for tonight." Dumbledore gave in.

He waved his wand, creating another bed out of thin air. Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance at this, watching Dumbledore leave with a distinct twinkle in his eye.

"I…" Harry tried to say what he felt but couldn't find the words.

Ginny put her finger over her lips and motioned for Harry to lie down. He did so and she held his hand as she fell slowly to sleep, a peaceful smile on her face. Harry soon joined her, and for the first time in over a fortnight he had a solid night sleep.