Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Not at all. If I did, it wouldn't be Harry Potter on the front cover but Remus Lupin. :D

A/N: I'm trying to revise this, since it's been almost three years since I wrote the prologue. Tell me how you think it's going!

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"Gin, I just don't think I can do this anymore. It's so hard, and our relationship isn't going anywhere. I-I think it would be best if we called it off. You should find someone who could be with you completely. Not like me."

Ginevra Weasley stared in shock at the graduating seventh year in front of her. Harry Potter had grown up quite nicely, his hair no more tame, but his figure had gained bulk and his eyesight had improved with magical correction. He was more of a man than a boy now.

His eyes glinted in the firelight of the Gryffindor common room, but regardless of how deep she stared, she couldn't find a single trace of sorrow or guilt. He truly wanted to end it. To end the relationship she had tried so hard to keep. She turned away with a deep sigh. "Alright Harry, if that's what you want. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I half feared it would."

"Ginny, it's not you, really. I just don't think we should be together any longer."

She smiled sadly at him. "Can I ask you one question?"

"Alright."

"Why? What made you realize you didn't want to continue this?"

Harry sighed, rubbing his eyes wearily. Truthfully he didn't want to hurt her feelings, but there was no way he could put it easily. "It's not important," he said, glancing at her face. He could tell she wouldn't buy it.

"I want to know Harry."

"I know."

"Then why can't you tell me?"

"I don't think it matters much."

"You're lying."

He turned away from her again, standing suddenly and running his fingers through his already messy hair. He didn't want to deal with this. He had hoped they could break it off with no questions, no confrontations. "Ginny, just leave it alone."

Ginevra sighed, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. The man was difficult, he always had been. It was almost impossible to weasel something out of him when he had made up his mind. But she was determined to get an answer, she needed his answer. "I don't understand. Please just give me that much!"

He glanced at her for a moment, surprised at the pleading in her voice. She hardly showed much responsiveness anymore. The fact that she could even get worked up over this the slightest bit showed how deeply this was affecting her. "I-I don't think I can go on with you like this Gin."

Confusion assailed her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I miss the liveliness that used to be within you, the fire that burned hot enough to burn anyone who came too close. It's been changed to ice Gin, you're just as impossible to reach now as you were then."

She felt the once familiar stirring of anger rise within her. Forcefully she kept it down; she had to hear this out without becoming upset. "Harry, you know what happened to me, you know the reason I changed."

"I know," he sighed, his eyes gaining a hint of emotion at last, a hint of sorrow. "I know."

"Then why is it a problem? I'm the same person inside; I'm the same girl you wanted to date two years ago!"

"No, Gin, you aren't" The finality in his voice startled her and she stared at him with her emotions on her sleeve. He exhaled roughly and pulled her into a crushing embrace. "Ginny," he breathed at her ear, "I don't want you to be upset. I don't want this to hurt you. It's just so tiring, I'm tired Gin. I'm very, very tired."

She could feel the tears well up in her eyes and she finally allowed them to fall, sobbing pitifully on his shoulder. Harry closed his eyes and rubbed her back. He didn't feel the same heartbreak she was feeling, but he hadn't wanted to hurt her. He had truly believed she hadn't felt anything for him just as he didn't really feel anything for her other than friendship. Perhaps he had felt something once, not too long ago, but the past year had been hard on him. It had strained his feelings to the breaking point and he had finally had to give up.

Ginevra sniffled weakly and with a great sigh she slumped in his arms, but he didn't remove them. She was glad, in a way. She had no hope that he was lying, that he really did want to continue their correlation. She was just thankful that he seemed to want to stay her friend. They were a rarity for her this last year. "Harry," she started softly, her voice hoarse, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break down like that. I've gotten your robes all wet."

He laughed softly, giving her back a final pat before sitting back on the couch. "Don't apologize. What's a little water between friends?" He smiled at her and she couldn't help but manage a tiny one of her own. "Hey, what do you say we all go to Hogsmeade tomorrow? There are only two days before graduation you know."

She nodded absently, staring intently at the flames dancing in front of her. "Sure, Hogsmeade would be nice. Hey, Harry? Can I ask you one more thing?"

He looked at her warily. "Alright."

She turned her head to look at him, studying his features in the dying light. "Did you ever love me?"

He bit back a gasp at the unexpected question. Well, if he thought about it, it wasn't all that unexpected, but… "You know, I think I did. I know it might not seem like it but I did. It's just that this year was hard, you know that, and somehow the things I felt for you were put to the most extreme test. It's hard to explain."

Her eyes looked knowingly at him and he realized he didn't have to explain. She could tell, and somehow she understood exactly what he was trying to say. Then again, she had gained that wise quality to her along with an eternal patience and he was glad in a way. The number of times when her tolerance had saved a lot of hassle….

"Thank you," she whispered suddenly, breaking the heavy silence that had descended upon them.

"For what?" he asked.

"For ending it now, before you strung me around meaninglessly." She sent a grateful smile his way and his conscience was eased a bit. At least she didn't hate him.

He stood up and stretched his limbs, cramped from sitting for so long. They exchanged good nights and he made it as far as the stairs before his slightly eased conscience caught up with him again, not quite satisfied for the night. He glanced back at her to see her staring despairingly into the embers. "Hey, Gin?" he called, receiving her attention, "you asked me why, well, I changed my mind. You should know."

She turned fully to him and leaned closer, intent on what he had to say.

"I don't know how to say this, and I don't mean to hurt you if it sounds unkind, but, well, there's no other way I can put it."

An uncertain look crossed her face but she pushed it back, too determined to hear what he said to let anything get in the way. Taking a deep breath Harry steeled his heart for what he needed to let out.

"It's not easy to care so intimately for a werewolf."

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