CHAPTER 7 – THE NIGHT AFTER

Harry didn't know how long he slept but it was dark when he finally awoke. He didn't feel like getting up. Shame and embarrassment kept him in bed. Last night he had shown weakness like he never did before and it tore him up inside. To think that everyone had put their faith in someone who broke down like he did. He wondered if they would ever trust him again.

It wasn't long before he found what woke him up. There were voices outside the door.

"To be honest, Molly, I am surprised this hasn't happened sooner." It was Lupin. Harry immediately felt sick to his stomach. He had yelled at Lupin who has never done anything but try to help. Harry wished he could disappear from this place. "Seriously, he's been through so much and never let it out. I don't know many people who could have dealt with it the way Harry has."

"Maybe we should wake him up though," Mrs. Weasley sounded concerned. "He has to be hungry. He's been asleep for over 20 hours."

"Don't you think he deserves it? Realizing what he has to do I imagine the least we can do is let him sleep."

Harry heard the springs in the other bed squeak as someone got up. They crept out of the door and addressed the people in the hall. It was Ginny.

"You know he can probably hear every word you two are saying?"

"Is he awake?" asked Lupin.

"I don't know. Harry usually goes in and out of sleep anyway. I imagine he doesn't really want to get out of bed. I'm not sure how he feels about last night."

"Maybe I could just pop in and check up on him," said Mrs. Weasley.

"He'll get up when he's ready Mum. Besides, the last thing he wants to do is get woken up by a bunch of people who want to baby him." Harry felt a wave of gratitude rush over him. How could he not see Ginny for what she was earlier? She was remarkable and he couldn't see it for so long.

"Ginny dear, why don't you at least come down and eat a little. You've been up here all day."

"I ate a little lunch. Don't worry, I'll come down when Harry's ready." The door opened and Ginny came back into the room. She walked over and checked to see if Harry was awake.

"You did hear every word didn't you?" Harry couldn't help but smile as he turned over. "You little sneak."

"I couldn't help it. You guys were talking so loud." He reached up and took her hand, looking up at the blur in front of him. "Thank you Ginny. Thanks for everything." She pulled her hand away and Harry thought she was going to leave. But he felt his glasses put into his hand and he quickly put them on. Ginny was sitting on the other bed smiling at him.

"I'm surprised you got my hand on the first try without your glasses." Harry gave a little chuckle at her comment.

"Harry, about last night - no, let me talk. When you broke up with me, you said it was because you wanted to protect me. But I couldn't help thinking that it was because you didn't think I could take care of myself. Last night you showed me that I was wrong and I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to apologize for, Ginny," Harry said as he looked out through the window into the yard. He saw two figures walking along the tree line, talking and smiling at each other. He saw it was Ron and Hermione and he turned away. What will they think of me?

"You don't have anything to apologize for either Harry," Ginny said. "Nobody could have gone through what you have and be happy about it."

"What are people going to think of me? How can I be 'the Chosen One' and act like I did last night?"

"You've never been 'the Chosen One' to us. You've always been Harry…just Harry." They sat in silence for a while. Harry was grateful to have Ginny with him. "C'mon 'Chosen One' lets go get something to eat."

She stood up, grabbed his hand and led him downstairs. Mrs. Weasley was over the stove and, when she heard them coming, smiled at both of them.

"Why don't you two go sit outside and I'll bring some food out to you," she said. Harry felt warmth flush over him. He had never heard anyone who could speak with as much love in their voice as Mrs. Weasley did. He smiled at her as they proceeded out of the house.

They walked out to one of the tables still left over from the wedding and sat down. They talked for a while about different things. Then Ron and Hermione came walking up holding hands. When they saw Harry and Ginny waiting for them they broke apart, blushing.

"Good, we thought you were going to sleep through the night," Ron said.

"I didn't know you were so concerned about me," Harry replied.

"Well I'm not, its just that we haven't had a decent meal since before the meeting last night." Hermione hit Ron in the arm and everyone just laughed. They both sat down at the table to join their friends. There was some silence as they all sat and enjoyed each other's company.

"Harry," Ron started, "I've thought about this a lot and I'm not going to let you leave here alone." Harry heard Hermione give a quiet "shhh". Harry kind of chuckled.

"What exactly do you plan on doing about it?" Harry asked him.

"I'm gonna hex you if you try to leave."

"Ron you're a stupid prat, you know that?" Harry said. "If all you're going to do is threaten me then I'm not going to let you come."

"I'm a prat, am I?" Ron yelled. "Well nobody really cares what you think. Nobody gives a---" Ron stopped as he realized just what Harry said. "What do you mean?" Harry sighed as he looked at them. They had been right from the beginning. If his power is the ability to love then they should be with him to help nurture it. What am I getting them into? he asked himself.

"I've been thinking about it and you guys are right. If you want to come with me then you can." There was a look of delight on Ron and Hermione's face. He put his hands up to stop their little celebration. "You have to understand that it's going to be terribly dangerous."

"Harry," Hermione said, "we know it is. Ever since the troll in our first year it's been the three of us. And it's always going to be the three of us."

"Four," Ginny piped up. "There's four of us." She had her hands crossed and one of Mrs. Weasley's looks on her face. I can't pass up this opportunity thought Harry.

"Ginny," he said in a very sympathetic tone, "you're too young. I don't really think that you're capable enough to help us." Ginny shot up from her seat, her face as red as a setting sun.

"HARRY POTTER I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU JUST TOLD ME THAT. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE… YOU'RE A… YOU'RE A…" Harry couldn't contain himself any longer. He burst out laughing and was soon followed by Ron and Hermione. Ginny sat down, her face still red, and tried to look angry. Unfortunately it didn't work and she slowly let out a smile that turned into a big laugh that she shared with everyone else.

"You're going to pay for that," Ginny said after everyone had gotten control of themselves.

"I know, but it was well worth it," Harry said, still chuckling to himself. There were several moments of silence before Ron spoke up.

"So we're really going to do it. We're going to go after… after… him," Ron said. It sounded like he had to say it out loud before he actually believed it.

At that moment Mrs. Weasley came out with a tray of food. Ron gave a gasp of relief and mumbled something about finally getting a good meal.

"Here Mrs. Weasley, let me help you," Harry said as he stood up to grab the tray from her hands.

Just then there was a loud crack behind him. He saw Mrs. Weasley's face go white and heard a scream come from Hermione. He tried to turn around but he was surrounded in a bear hug just as he started to move. A hand went over his mouth and he dropped the tray onto the ground.

He saw his friends reach for their wands before the familiar feeling of compression swept over him. His heart seemed to drop into his stomach before he returned to normal size. His feet hit the stone floor followed by the rest of him. There was a cloud of dust that encircled him as he sat up onto his knees. He pulled his wand out as he composed himself, adjusting to his new surroundings.

"Hello Harry," came a high pitched voice behind him, "nice to see you again."

Harry whirled around with his wand at the ready. He saw two red eyes staring back at him and, as the dust settled, came the full view of Lord Voldemort, the most powerful dark wizard the world has ever known.