Harry Potter lay on his bed at the Burrow in the bedroom he shared with Ron, having left the Dursleys' the day before. Harry had just turned seventeen, meaning he would never have to go back to his aunt's house ever again. This was the only thing he could find to be relieved about. Everything else in young Harry's life was far from pleasant. The death of his headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, left him feeling terrible since his departure from Hogwarts. Just before Dumbledore's death, he and Harry had gone on a search for one of Voldemort's horcruxes, but unfortunately, they had ended up with a fake locket, intead of the one that enclosed a piece of Voldemort's soul. This was another thing Harry was extremely upset about. The death eaters had attacked Hogwarts when he and Dumbledore were not there, and upon returning, Snape had murdered Dumbledore. Harry blamed himself for Dumbledore's death, as well as Sirius' who had died one year ago. To add t that, Harry had ended his relationship with Ginny, to protect her from Voldemort. Now, he had no one left, save Ron and Hermione. But Harry didn't tell them anything anymore. he felt as thoug the distance between the trio was growing, what with Ron and Hermione always quarreling and Harry barely ever around, and the fact that none of them liked to show their feelings and discuss important stuff. Yes, it was a fact. The distance between them was growing significantly each day. 'No,' Harry thought. 'I cat lose Ron and Hermione too. They are practically the only ones left, and even though Ginny is still here, we haven't spoken since Dumbledore's funeral.' Harry knew that it was very likely that Voldemort and his death eaters might go after Ginny, seeing as she was harry's best friend's younger sister and Harry's ex-girlfriend. Harry made a decision. 'tonight, i will go and apologize to Ginny and make sure that even if we are no longer going out, our friendship wil still stand as strong as ever. i would hate it if i lost her and we still weren't speakin. i just have to let her know that i still love her as much as i did before, if not more so.' With that, Harry got up and went downstairs to speak to Ginny.

When Harry reached the living room, he saw Ginny and Ron playing a game of wizard's chess, Ron of course was winning. "Ginny, could i speak to you for a minute?" Harry asked. Ginny, who hadn't noticed him standing there, stared in shock when she saw him. "sure," she replied, and got up and walked back up the stairs with harry and into Harry's room. They sat there in awkward silence for a few minutes, neither of them wanted to speak first. finally, harry started talking. "Ginny, i know that you're probably really pissed off at me, and i really don't blame you, but i have to tell you something. Even though i ended our relationship becaurse i don't want to put you in any more danger than you are already in, i just wanted to tell you that i still love you, and in dark times like these, it is very important to stay close to your friends. i just wanted to keep our friendship as strong as ever." Ginny stared into Harry's eyes for a few seconds, chocolate brown meeting emerald green, and then she looked away and spoke. "Of course i want to keep our friendship strong, Harry. i mean, what are we supposed to do, live in the same house and completely ignore each other?" A smile broke out across Ginny's face. "harry, since we are on speaking terms again, does that mean i can come with you, Ron, and Hermione when you go to find the horcruxes?" Harry stared at her in shock. "how do you know about that?" he asked, still shocked. He had been planning to keep it a secret from Ginny, so she wouldn't come along and risk her life. "Well, you and Ron are always staying up late in your room discussing it, and you didn't have the sense to put charms on the door to keep people from listening, so i heard some of what you said and figured it out. so, can i skip my sixth year at hogwarts and go with you and ron and hermione?" she asked, with a hopeful expression on her face. Harry considered his answer before speaking. "Ginny, i want you to know that even though i don't approve of you going, i can't run your life for you. but also, i'm not the only one whose permission you must get. you also have to get Ron and Hermione to agree to let you go. alright?" Ginny's face fell. "Ron won't let me go, because he says that he doesn't want any harm to come to me, and hermione treates me like i'm ten years younger than her and i'm not worthy enough to do anything!" "well, Ginny, just try. we can work somthing out." Harry gave her a sad smile, before getting up, and holding out his hand to help her up. "well, Ginny," Harry began, "i'm going to let you go and try and convince Ron and Hermione. I'll be up here practicing my occlumency. When i face Voldemort, I don't want him to be able to read my thoughts. i'll see you later gin." ginny walked out of harry's room, closing the door softly.