This story is the product of Elizabeth and Katie's imagination!

Disclaimer: Oh, to be JKR…unfortunately, we aren't…

Chapter 2: A Walk in the Woods

Harry woke up the next morning to the sound of Mrs. Weasley's shrill voice yelling something that sounded like "no! it has to be pink!". Harry groaned. The last minute wedding preparations were taking place and Mrs. Weasley and Fleur had been at each other's throats. He sat up slowly, reached over and put his glasses on. As his world came into sharp focus he saw that Ron's bed was empty. No doubt he too had been wakened by the noise.

Harry walked blearily out of the door, grabbing his towel as he left, and headed for the bathroom. They had all gone to be very early in the morning, and Harry needed a shower to properly revive himself. He nearly collided with Ginny as he headed down the hallway. They both leaped out of the way to avoid any sort of physical contact.

"Sorry," they both said at the same time. A beat of silence.

"Mum's driving me batty" Ginny said, exasperated. "I've been running around fetching them things all morning." Harry grinned.

"Hey, only one more day of this" he said. She grimaced and made a face at him.

"Yeah, right, the longest time of my life." She replied. Just then a they heard from downstairs Mrs. Weasley shriek "GINNY! The fabric, please!". Ginny rolled her eyes and hurried down the stairs. He smiled at her as she walked up the stairs, watching her go. The smiled faded quickly as he continued his trek to the shower. Give it up, Potter, he thought. Things with Ginny had been…almost normal. Almost like they had been during fifth year. She appeared to have no hard feelings toward him. That was good. Or was it? A part of Harry wanted Ginny to be mad at him, to storm and rage at him, just so he knew she cared. That it had been real. He shook his head as if to clear the thoughts from it. He'd made the right choice. It made sense.

He reached the bathroom, took a quick shower and changed into jeans and a white T-shirt. Ron an Hermione were already eating breakfast when he arrived in the kitchen. He nodded at them, and they returned it. Ever since Dumbledore's funeral, their friendship had strengthened tenfold. Their common task and secret had brought them together as completely as fighting the troll in their first year had.

Harry helped himself to some eggs and bacon Mrs. Weasley had left for them. The burrow had clearly undergone some major cleaning in preparation for the wedding. It was spotless, and too keep it that way Mrs. Weasley had been in a fervor, cleaning and yelling at Fred and George especially when they utilized their more messy products.

Just as Harry, Ron and Hermione were finishing up their breakfast, Remus Lupin walked in.

"Prof – er – Remus!" cried Harry. He was still adjusting to calling Lupin "Remus", even though Remus had asked Harry to do so over a week ago. Harry appreciated the gesture, for it showed that people were finally treating him as an adult, after so many years of treating him like a child.

"Hello, Harry," Lupin said, "I can't stay long, there's an Order meeting soon, but I wanted to stop in and say hello." Something dawned on Harry and he decided to inquire with Lupin.

"Who's…uh…running the order of the phoenix? Now that Dumbledore's…dead." Harry finished off in a small voice. Remus' shoulders sagged and he leaned over the table conspiratorially towards the trio.

"Listen, don't tell anybody this, but that's what this meeting is about. It's a vote," said Remus in a low voice. Harry was about to ask who was in the running, but Lupin cut him off. "I can't say anymore, sorry Harry." Harry felt agitated and it must have shown on his face, for Lupin patted his arm consolingly. "Just a few more weeks and you'll be 17. Then you'll be in the Order." Harry nodded, feeling guilty. He wasn't sure if he'd been around enough this year to become part of the Order, even though he wanted to. Ron and Hermione also shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Remus appeared not to have noticed. He cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Well then, I'm off. I suspect I'll be seeing you tomorrow at the wedding." Harry, Ron and Hermione said their goodbyes and Remus left.

The trio shared a look, then got up to clear their plates.

"D'you think he suspects us?" Ron asked

Harry shrugged. "Dunno. Doesn't matter. He can't stop us. He can't stop me. This is something I've got to do, whether Remus likes it or not." Harry swallowed stiffly, fighting back tears that he refused to let fall. He dropped his unwashed plate in the sink. "I'ma go for a walk…" he mumbled, and before they could protest, he was closing the door behind him.

The weather was warm, but overcast and humid. Harry crossed his arms and continued down the walkway. He headed towards the forest behind the Weasley's house. He wouldn't go too far. He just couldn't be inside any longer. A voice in his head told him it would be dangerous, and stupid, to go into the forest alone. He didn't care.

He kept on walking purposefully, his mind immersed in his wandering thoughts. He was, therefore, incredibly surprised when he felt a light touch on his shoulder, and spun around quickly, startling the girl he had not expected to see by speedily pulling his wand out of his sleeve, and knocking her back.

Ginny looked at him warily, but she knew that Harry would never do anything to intentionally harm her.

Harry, on the other hand, had a pounding heart. He was incredibly relieved to see the one person with whom he would not mind being at the moment. "Ginny, I'm so sorry," he apologized. He reached down and offered his hand to her, and she smiled at him and let him help her to her feet. Harry absent mindedly noted the softness of her skin, and how her warmth made him feel more tranquil.

"S'alright, Harry," Ginny said, once she had regained her footing. She dusted herself off. "I'm sorry I startled you. I was just sitting on the back porch, and saw you… and I…well…" she faltered. "I just thought I'd say hi."

Harry chuckled, aware of her discomfort in confronting him. He felt the same way every time he tried to talk to her. Every time he tried to speak to something that he loved so much, but couldn't be with because of that very love. He couldn't just shoot down her attempt to be with him, though…

"Well, I was just going to take a walk in the woods. Needed a break from being indoors, you know? You're welcome to come with me. I wouldn't mind the company." More like I wouldn't mind your company, he thought.

Ginny smiled, running her hands through her thick, red hair. "Alright, sure. I haven't taken a walk in these woods in who knows how long. Not since Fred and George were still living at home, I expect."

Harry smiled, and, resisting the urge to take her hand, he led the way into a path that had been cleared into the forest.

The trees were lush and green, and old leaves crunched under their feet. Harry was uncomfortably aware as Ginny moved closer and closer to him. He had to say something… had to distract her from asking the questions he did not want to answer…

"So how are you, Harry?" asked Ginny gently, looking up at him.

"Fine," he answered, not even thinking about it. Ginny snorted and looked up at him again, this time shielding her eyes from the sun in order to see him better.

"Right, Harry. You're just fine. If you don't want to tell me that's fine, but I'm just---" Harry cut her off.

"No, Ginny, its not like that." He sighed and passed a hand through his hair. "I don't know how I feel. One minute I'm fine, and the next…" he trailed off. "It's just easier---"

"not to think about it," finished Ginny. He looked at her.

"Yeah. It is"

The continued to walk, listening to the woods come alive in the warmth of the new day. Every time their hands brushed Harry felt an electric serge course through his body. They chatted rather idly about the wedding and the Weasley's going-ons, never straying into that "dangerous" territory they had only breached. Even though they were mere inches apart, Harry felt the distance between them was miles long. They reached the Burrow again before they knew it.

Ginny was about to walk inside, but Harry lightly touched her arm. She turned to face him.

"Thanks, Ginny. The walk helped." He smiled at her.

"Anytime, Harry." Harry realized they were standing very close to each other. Too close. For a few seconds (or was it minutes?) they stood there looking at each other.

"Ginny…" Harry said softy. She looked down at the ground.

"GINNY! Quick, I need your help with these centerpieces!" came Mrs. Weasley's yell from the kitchen. Ginny and Harry sprung apart. Ginny scooted into the house, but not before Harry thought he glimpsed her blushing.