Starts directly after last chapter in HBP
As Harry boarded the Hogwarts express he took one last glimpse at the place he had called home for 6 years. It was depressing to think that Hogwarts might never open its doors again. And it was even more depressing to think of the many memories he had created within the stone walls of the magnificent castle. With one last sweeping glance of the vast grounds he climbed on to the train behind his two best friends. His friends who had promised to follow him where ever he went. His friends who had risked their lives many a time for him. His friends who would follow him to their death. Harry had been thinking about their promise to follow him anywhere and had often pondered arguing with them about it but realized that it would be a fruitless effort. Hermione with her wits and stubbornness and Ron with his…..…well they would quickly win that battle. They would follow him regardless of what he said. As Harry's eyes swept the narrow hallway they fell upon Ginny. He loved her. He loved her enough to do what was best for her even if that meant that they could no longer be together. It caused him an incredible amount of pain to break up with her but he knew that he could not cause her danger. If something ever happened to her he wouldn't be able to live with himself. He would protect her with his life just as he would protect Hermione and Ron. His mind began to wander in all directions when he was suddenly yanked out of his thoughts by the sound of someone calling his name.
"Harry? Harry!" Ginny said impatiently
"What? What's wrong?" He subconsciously reached his hand back to retrieve his wand.
"I said is this compartment alright?" Ginny looked up at him curiously. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." Harry sighed as he reached for the compartment door.
"About what?"
"Everything… Hold on, where are Hermione and Ron?" Harry looked around quickly and all thoughts of horrible things that might have happened swam through his head.
"Oh, they just went down the hall to find Neville and Luna and see if they wanted to sit with us. Bickering all the while might I add, I swear those two fight like an old married couple." Ginny gave a quiet laugh.
Harry loved the sound of her voice and they way it could float through a room and instantly find his ears. Her laughter could make his heart melt instantly and take him out of his worst moods. He didn't realize that he was staring at her with a dumb smile on his face until she waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hello? Harry? You've been out of it this whole day maybe you should have a lie down. You'll feel better." Ginny's voice got quieter as she spoke and she looked at Harry sadly. Ginny knew that physically it would make him feel better but mentally he would still be just as tired and sad as ever. She knew that underneath every smile and every laugh there would still be the heartbreak of having his many protectors and friends die for him. There would still be that fog of gloom hovering over his already heavily clouded mind. And there would always be a hole in his heart. One that she knew she had to fill.