Story: Promising Kisses

Author: QueenyC

Summary: As the war looms ahead and the world is caving in, four young lovers find solace in one last dance and one last, promising kiss.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and even that isn't terribly original. 

Chapter Two

His Something to Fight For

The wedding had been beautiful in spite of the looming sense of dread that hung over the world. It was as if everyone in her family was putting their all into making this day perfect, as if they all knew there wouldn't be another one for a very long time.

Her dress, despite all of her grumbling, wasn't really as horrendous as she'd expected it to be. When Fleur had said the word 'gold' she had nearly had a heart attack, but putting it on it wasn't the metallic color that she'd expected. It was actually quite perfect and all worth it to see Harry's eyes light up as she walked down the aisle.

Now she sat at one of the several round tables that stood around the expansive dance floor her father had 'constructed' out in their backyard. There was some French girl band that Fleur had apparently requested playing on a stage directly across from her. Bill danced serenely with his new wife. She couldn't remember ever seeing her brother look so happy.

All around the happy couple were smiling faces and swaying bodies. Her mother and father moved, not necessarily to the beat of the music, smiling at each other like teenagers in love. Ron had finally gotten up the nerve to ask Hermione to dance and she was grinning brightly, even though he had probably stepped on each and every one of her poor toes.

She scanned the dance floor for the face she wanted most and, not too surprisingly, located him at the very edge of the massive tent-like structure that had been set up in the case of bad weather. He was leaning carefully against one of the wide posts with his dark, messy hair falling into his brilliant green eyes as they focused on nothing in particular, though occasionally she noticed them drift over to the laughing Ron and Hermione. He'd smiled gently, almost like a proud father, and then a shadow would fall over his face and he'd continue his survey of the world around him.

Finally, figuring she'd be the good hostess, she rose to her feet carefully and discreetly approached him, the boy she loved. When she stood only a few feet from him she paused, unsure now that she was there, exactly what she was planning to say. He turned to meet her gaze carefully.

"Ginny." He whispered in greeting. She closed her eyes for a moment at the sound of her name on his lips; it always sent shivers up and down her spine the way he said it.

"Harry." She acknowledged watching him return his gaze to his two best friends. She bit her lip in hesitation and then said, "Isn't it funny how people never see what's right in front of them?"

Harry studied her for a moment before he nodded, "Yes. Ron and 'Mione look really happy though."

"I wasn't talking about them." She whispered.

"I know." He nodded turning back to her.

She closed her eyes tight to shut out her emotions. Why was this so hard? "Were you planning on joining the party at any point tonight?" She asked more to end the silence than out of actual curiosity. She thought she already knew the answer.

He shrugged in response. She sighed and turned to leave when his voice halted her retreat, "You look great, Gin." He whispered softly. She stiffened. He said it in such a sad way that it sounded like it was a physically painful admission.

"So do you." She replied, turning back to face him. He opened his mouth to respond and then shut it, looking down at his feet again. "Why must you make this so difficult?" She sighed angrily.

His eyes lit up in what might have been anger, "Do you think I enjoy pushing you away?" he scoffed quietly. "Honestly Gin, you are the best thing to ever happen to me. How could you think this doesn't kill me too?"

"Then why do it?" She hissed in her own angry response. This is not the time for this, you may not see him again after this night, a voice in her mind whispered, but she was too distraught and too angry to take heed of it now. She wanted answers.

"To protect you!" He said forcefully, still in that quiet way he had.

"You're protecting me from Voldemort, Harry, but who will protect me from you!" she spat, mindful to keep her voice down so that they didn't disrupt the other guests. "You're the one who has broken my heart, my spirit! It's you who has hurt me the most, Harry, it's you!"

She watched him close his eyes against her verbal assault and smiled in twisted satisfaction. Perhaps she'd cut him like he had her. When he opened his eyes though, the sadness written there was enough to break any heart, "Ginny, you can hate me forever if you'd like to. I'd rather you hate me and be alive then love me and be dead."

Now she closed her eyes against his stinging words and felt a tear squeeze free and slip down her cheek. His familiar, calloused hand brushed it away. "I couldn't hate you, Harry, even if I did want to." She whispered as she pressed his hand harder to her cheek. "This would all be so much easier if I could, but I guess I'll love you forever."

"I love you too, you know." He muttered gently into her ear. She opened her eyes to find he'd moved much closer to her, close enough to feel his breath on her forehead. He pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Just for tonight," she whispered into his chest desperately, "Just for this moment, let's pretend that we're some other couple. Let's pretend it's easy. Let's just dance until the morning comes, please."

She felt Harry nodding into her hair, his breath on her skin as he moved his hands down to her waist and she wrapped hers around his neck as she swayed to some muggle song that she presumed Hermione had requested.

She looked up into Harry's stunning, entrancing eyes and for that moment there was nobody else around. For that song she could really believe that maybe this night would last forever and she'd never have to let him walk out of her life. If she just held him a little tighter and begged a little harder the heavens would take pity on the young lovers and she would get just a little more time. Another hopeful tear streaked down her cheeks and this time Harry kissed it away.

"I'd stay like this forever." She told him.

"I'd hold you as long as you asked." He replied.

"Then hold me tonight, don't let me go." She pleaded, choking back a sob. "Maybe if we both beg hard enough this night will never end. Maybe you'll never leave me."

Harry looked down at her carefully, "Don't give up on me okay? Not even Voldemort can keep me from you forever. I'll win this, if only to come back for our own wedding dance." He whispered.

She smiled sadly, unsure of what to say. She was his something to fight for and she finally understood. He needed to believe she was safe and that she was waiting and that she'd never give up on him, on this moment.

"I'll be here, Harry, as long as it takes." She told him, pulling him down into a kiss. It was kiss full of promises and hopes and dreams and it would have to hold her together until she could have him at her side forever. It was a kiss that pledged, if not eternity, at least tonight.